Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway October 29, 2010

Hope every one gets treats and not tricks this weekend!  Stay Safe and have fun.
If you click on the graphic below it will take you to a printable page for kids to do the maze and color.

NOTE: New rules for international participants. I learned over the past weeks that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 and $6.00. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00.  If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a hone that will make me happy. :o)

Okay - I've been promising a new set of "used" books for giveaway and finally I got the picture!

List #15

Double Exposure (Brio Girls) by Kathy Wierenga

Wicked Widow  by Amanda Quick

A Little Magic by Nora Roberts

Imitation in Death by J. D. Robb

A Hot And Sultry Night For Crime Anthology; Jeffrey Deaver plus

A Heart Speaks by LaVyrle Spencer

The Texas CEO's Secret (Silhouette Special Edition) by Nicole Foster

Almost Forever (Sarah) by Linda Howard

Seizure by Robin Cook

A Secret Affair by Barbara Taylor Bradford

An Arranged Marriage (Zebra Historical Romance) by Jo Beverley

If There Be Dragons by Kay Hooper

Silver Falls by Anne Stuart

Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller

The Scoundrel by Claire Delacroix (this has some discoloration on the top of the book although it doesn't appear damaged)

Cold River by Carla Neggers

List #14

The Cobra Event by Richard Preston

Blue Screen (Sunny Randall) by Robert Parker

Golden Buddha by Clive Cussler

Proof of Intent: A Charley Sloan Courtroom Thriller by William Coughlin, Walter Sorrels

Blood And Glory (Soldiers Of War) (Soldiers of War, Book 1) byLarson Reed

The Hangman's Knot: A Novel (Billy Tree Mysteries) by David Wiltse

The Darkness by Jason Pinter

Off Season by Jack Ketchum

The Color of Law: A Novel by Mark Gimenez
Atlantis by David Gibbins
Depraved Indifference by Joseph Teller
Lines of Defense by Barry Siegel
Must the Maiden Die (Seneca Falls Historical Myster) by Miriam Grace Monfredo
Gospel Truths by J.G. Sandom
The Summons by John Grisham - Audio CDs

Here is set #13 of "new" Used books!

Immortal Sins by Amanda Ashley
Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways, Book 1) by Lisa Kleypas
Flamingo Diner by Sherryl Woods
Death Cruise (St. Martin's True Crime Library) by Don Davis
Bed of Roses (Topaz Historical Romance, Je 519) by Suzanne Simmons
The Angel by Carla Neggers
Ain't She Sweet? by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Anansi Boys by Neil Gairman
The Bone Garden: A Novel  by Tess Gerritsen
Atonement by Ian McEwan
The Hellion by LaVyrle Spencer
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix
The Outside Man by Richard North Patterson
The Night We Met: The Panty Raid\Frame By Frame\Three Wishes (Harlequin Signature Select) Anthology
Pamela Morsi, Karen Kendall and Colleen Collins

This is a group of books I have had for several years but not gotten to read.  Since it doesn't look like I will get to read them for another year (or more!) I am passing them on. Although as I type them part of me still says "But you may want to read that some day!"  Yes, yes; along with the other 700 books I am housing! Must Let goooooo.....
Group #12
The Ripple Effect by Lynn Erickson
First King of Shannara (Shannara Trilogy, Prequel)  by Terry Brooks
Seal Team Oneby Dick Couch
Motion to Suppress by Perri O'Saughnessy
Presumption of Death by Perri O'Saughnessy
McNally's Puzzle by Lawrence Sanders
Pandemic by Daniel Kalla
Lethal Practice by Peter Clement
The Undertaker's Widow by Phillip M. Margolin
The Burning Man by Phillip M. Margollin
Double Jeopardy by William Bernhardt
The Genesis Code: A Thriller by John Case
Death Takes Passage (Alaska Mysteries) by Sue Henry
The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, Book 1) by Stephen King

Group #11
Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown
Hothouse Orchid by Stuart Woods - CD Audio
Taking the Fifth by J.A.Jance
Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher
Swan Road by Rebecca Brandewyne
The Protector by Madeline Hunter
Looking Back by Belva Plain
The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly
Rainmaker by John Grisham - Audio Tapes
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (Oops - better make sure my daughter has read this one!)

PLEASE NOTE UPDATED RULES IN RED BELOW!

I am going to continue to include the full list updated with chosen books crossed off.  You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see each post and the book pictures if you want!  I am happy to say that so far about 113 books have found new homes! YAY.  I pulled a couple of hardbacks and larger books as the postage cost was prohibitive. 

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books!  And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by the Friday Pick Giveaways.

I originally posted ten Friday Pick posts with 16 books each.  I will strike out the books as they are chosen. Some of the books may be chosen by winners in the SaSR weekly drawings. So it will be first pick to the one who claims it.  SaSR winners are announced Friday mornings (or afternoon if I get busy!) and it usually takes that person a bit of time to get back to me. That means the Friday Pick winner who is drawn Thursday night will usually get the choice named in their comment as I will have time to remove it from the file list before announcing the winner at SaSR.

Note new rules at the top of this post regarding international winners.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists (less whichever books might be picked by the comment or SaSR winners each week).  PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM SETTING A NEW CUT OFF TIME AS THURSDAY  NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce the next Friday.
ALSO, TO SAVE ME EXTRA WORK, I WILL ASK THE WINNERS TO CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND E-MAIL ME THEIR ADDRESSES at mesreads@gmail.com.  I will confirm receipt of the addresses.  If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder over the weekend but I won't be so rushed on Fridays!  So I still recommend that you leave your e-mail especially if you are new and I don't have a way to find it!

Thanks for helping these books find a new home!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Almost Single by Advaita Kala

Pick #2
Love Me Forever by Johanna Lindsey
Breaking Point by Suzanne Brockmann
The Crush by Sandra Brown
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross
The Lighthouse by Mary Schramski

Pick #3
Delivered by Christmas Anthology - Linda Howard, Joan Hohl andSandra Steffen
The Woman Next Door by Barbara Delinsky
Red Fire by Dierdre Knight
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank

Pick #4
Talking God by Tony Kellerman
Twelve Acres by Barbara Delinsky
Black Ice by Anne Stuart
Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford
CORRECTION:  This was not The Last of The Mohicans based on the Novel by James Fenimore Cooper - although I do have that;  The book in the group is The Sixth Sense (a book my son left me when he went off to the service).
The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)
Warning Signs by Stephen White
The Forgotten by Faye Kellerman
Swear by the Moon by Shirley Busbee
Montana Bride by Barbara Clark (A)

Pick #5
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Jake's Return by Liana Laverentz (A)
The Jester by James Patterson - Audio Tapes
Firestorm by Nevada Barr
Manhunt by Janet Evanovich - Audio CDs
The Darkroom by Minette Walters
The Daddy Spell by Patti Ann Cole
Surrender a Dream by Jill Barnett
Misfortune by Nancy Geary
False Prophet by Faye Kellerman
Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes
A Kiss of Fate by Mary Jo Putney (SC)

Pick #6
Tin Man by Dale Brown
The Marshall Takes a Bride by Renee Ryan *PA*
On Bear Mountain by Deborah Smith
The Edge of Town by Dorothy Garlock
The Elusive Flame by Kathleen Woodwiss
The House of Women by Alison G. Taylor
The Healer by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan
Mistletoe and Mischief by Patricia Wynn

Pick #7
In Her Defense by Stephen Horn - Audio Tape
A Perfect Gentleman by Barbara Metzger (slightly creased)
Scarred by William Heffernan (spine creased)
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
The Path to Her Heart by Linda Ford (Personally Autographed)
Deception Point by Dan Brown
X-Men 2
Hunted by William W. Johnstone (spine frayed at top)
Man of My Dreams by Johanna Lindsey (spine frayed a bit at bottom)
Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8
(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
Stormy Weather by Carl Haasen - Audio Tapes
Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow (sc)
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland - Audio Tapes (box creased but tapes good)
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian (sc)
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes
Vertical Run by Joseph R. Garber (sc)

Pick #9
Spyder Web by Tom Grace - Audio Tapes
The Closers by Michael Connelly
Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology
The Rogue and the Rival by Maya Rodale (Personally Autographed)
Final Appeal by Lisa Scottoline (spine creased)
The Lost World by Michael Crichton - Audio Tapes
Evil Whispers by Owl Goingback
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murrray
Darkfall by Stephen Laws
Runaway Heart by Stephen J. Cannell
Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10
The Third Twin by Ken Follett (spine creased)
Double Blind by Ken Goodard
The Hunter by Gennita Low (sc)
Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief by Dorothy Gilman - Audio Tapes
The Trouble with Mary by Millie Criswell
Dreams Gather by Kathryn Collins (sc)

Winners of Friday Pick October 22, 2010

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winners of

Friday Pick October 22, 2010

and

Sheila  picked Seizure

SaraE picked Firestorm (An Anna Pigeon Novel)

Sheila and Sara - please email me with your snail mail address and let me know if you would like any bookmarks - sweet and sensual or any.
Thank you to everyone who entered!

Book Reviw + ARC Giveaway: Take a Chance On Me by Jill Mansell

Treat yourself to this solidly fun read.  Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (October 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402237510
• ISBN-13: 978-1402237515

     Genre: Chick Lit, Romantic Comedy
     My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Description:
Even in a small town the drama is larger than life...
Cleo Quinn doesn't have the greatest track record when it comes to men, but now Will's come along. Handsome and attentive, he could be her Mr Right. Things are definitely looking up for Cleo... apart from one small problem with a rather large ego. Johnny LaVenture, sculptor extraordinaire and her personal childhood nemesis, is back in Channing's Hill and tormenting her as if he'd never been away.
Meanwhile Cleo's sister Abbie has a problem of her own-husband Tom has become distant and withdrawn, and she's determined to find out why. But will the shocking truth mean the end of their idyllically happy marriage?
The sisters are about to discover that the past can come back to haunt you, and that love can flourish in the unlikeliest of places...

Review:  Cleo is a smart, lively lady in her late 20s. Too bad she hasn’t had the best of luck with men. Now she is dating a really hot guy who might be Mr. Right.  She is glad to be sporting a new beau when she runs into her high school nemesis, Johnny LaVenture, who just moved back into town.  Well she was happy to have a handsome beau until she learns that he isn’t available after all. Bummer.

Johnny is a handsome and hugely successful artist.  Cleo doesn’t really know how to respond to him and his continual teasing. She wants to hate him but of course that isn’t how the heart works.

Cleo works as a chauffeur at a limousine company which gives her some interesting clients. She also has some quirky friends to keep her company at the local gathering pub. Her really good friend, Ash, is a heavy set fellow who is a great funny DJ on the local morning show.  Too bad for Ash that when he gets near a woman he likes, his tongue goes in knots.

Then there is Cleo’s sister, Abbie, and her dear husband, Tom.  They are the perfect couple although it was too bad that they were unable to have children.  Still they have had 20 years of good marriage. Then why does Tom seem to be hiding something?  When Abbie discovers what she thinks is the secret, she loses it and makes a huge mistake.  But the real secret is going to cause some major family problems too.

Now there is a new lady in town, Fia.  That is a bit awkward considering she is Cleo’s new (now ex-) boyfriend’s wife.  Oh what a tangled web and it’s about to become more tangled. Cleo likes Johnny (though she doesn’t want to admit it) and Fia likes Johnny. Ash wants Fia; Georgia (can’t tell you how she comes into the picture but she brings trouble!) wants Ash. When gorgeous Honor shows up to claim Johnny hopes are dashed. Although...it isn’t quite clear who Johnny really wants.

All of this makes for a very light and fun read with great British humor. It is easy reading although I did not fly through it. A good choice when you want some snarky repartee and sweet romance.

Caution: There is some rough language in the book and although there are no actual sex scenes, the attitude towards sex is definitely not prudish.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
YOU MUST DO #1 TO ENTER
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something you learned there.
Please leave your e-mail!

2.  For two extra entries tell me something you like about British humor or Jill Mansell's books if you have read her before. 

3. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Six total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on November 12, 2010. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Book Review + Giveaway (Open Worldwide): Notes to Stephanie... by Jeff Turner

This little gem has love and life Notes worth marking so you can return to them and contemplate another day.

Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories  by Jeff Turner

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Jeffery W Turner (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615323529
• ISBN-13: 978-0615323527

     Genre: Non-fiction, Contemplative
     My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Product Description
Young adults are not the only ones that fall in love and get married. People in their middle age do that too. This book is the story of one such couple as told by the "notes" written by the husband to his wife. These notes are not just love notes but also tell the tale of how life tests people and how its events sometimes feel overwhelming. They also show how couples do get through difficult times and proceed on through their lives, not knowing to what destination many times. If you sometimes wonder if you are the only one over 40 with a difficult adult child, a conflict at work, or something else trying your patience, you are not alone. You will also know that life is also good, and sometimes filled with hope and love. Even for a brief time. These tales of life's events and stories that we all share are contained in these pages, these "notes to Stephanie".

Review: This book reminds me a bit of the days when I would gaze at the sky and wonder about life.  It is an unusual work - not a novel but a journal of sorts. It is a chronological compilation of love and life notes from the middle-aged author to his sweetheart, then wife, over a period of two and a half years.

The beginning notes are filled with the upbeat enthusiasm of newly infatuated love.  Throughout the collection there are encouraging observations on life and family, observing both the ups and downs.  There is star gazing and rainbow dreaming. Like life, it isn’t all hearts and flowers as there are times of stress and “fussing” as the author calls the friction going on at times in the family relationships.

Although the details are not discussed, the letters make it clear that the (mostly) grown children were not thrilled by the marriage between their parents.  This of course creates a source of stress and sadness. Also job stresses, holiday stresses  and resulting tensions are commented on.

I want to share some titles and summaries to give you a small idea of the depth of the notes and the empathy and pathos they can evoke.

In April 2007 a note is entitled “Beads.”  The author compares life to a string of beads sort of like “life is like a box of chocolates.” He points out that beads are all different sizes and quality;  some are flawed and some beautiful. Each of us has our own unique strand of beads that we choose to wear as our life experiences.

In March 2007 there is an entry entitled “Our Dance Step.” The title itself brings a picture to mind. The author discusses the couple learning to dance the two-step for an event. Then he likens that to how they are learning their “own dance step” in their new marriage together.

The January 19, 2009 note is entitled “The Other Side of the Sky.” The author comments on the sadness of his daughter when they visit her at college.  As they drive away he observes the cloud layer and notes that our lives are like the cloud cover and “the past is always on the other side of life’s sky, not ever to be the same again.”

Some of the later notes have a bit more cynicism and almost depressed tone to them. It seems apparent that the author is struggling with difficult times.  The book comes to a rather sudden end and I was sorry to close it.

I liked reading a few days at a time, soaking up the exuberance and joy or the questioning and observations of life’s cycles and struggles. If you enjoy contemplating life, even as seen through the eyes of another family, I think you would enjoy this unique and lovely book.

Thank you to Jeff for this fine book to read and review.
Jeff has also provided THREE copies of  Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories for me to Giveaway.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
Please leave your e-mail with at least one comment!
YOU MUST DO #1 or #2 TO ENTER Please.
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something you learned there. One Entry.

2.  Check out Jeff's interesting photo gallery and tell me if there is a particular photo that you like.  Three Entries.

3. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

5.  For five extra entries comment on the interview post or ask a question at that post.

(Twelve total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* I decided I wanted to share this opportunity with my overseas followers/visitors so this giveaway is open WORLDWIDE.  I will mail ONE book to an international winner and the other TWO will go to US or Canadian winners..
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on November 12, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.  THREE WINNERS!