Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway December 10, 2010

One week closer to Christmas! Are your shelves decorated with anything but books yet?? Mine aren't so I selected this pretty picture.  My real fireplace is glowing and warm though.  I hope everyone is staying warm.

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 home that will make me happy. :o)

12/3/10  Here is the newest Book Set:
#16

Adam by Ted Dekker
Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith
The Proposition by Judith Ivory
Cold As Ice by Anne Stuart
Veils of Silk by Mary Jo Putney
Sleep Softly by Gwen Hunter
Comanche Woman by Joan Johnston (part of a great series!)
Barefoot: A Novel by Elin Hilderbrand
Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway
Blueberry Hill by Marcia Evanick (small tear on cover)
Through the Grinder (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 2) by Cleo Coyle
Forever, Ashley  by Lori Copeland
She Loves Me Not by Wendy Corsi Staub
Cornered Tigress  by Jade Lee
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Uneasy Alliance (Famous Firsts) Jayne Ann Krentz (slightly worn)

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 Heart Speaks by LaVyrle Spencer

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

Almost Forever (Sarah) by Linda Howard

Silver Falls by Anne Stuart

Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller

List #14

The Cobra Event by Richard Preston

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

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!

Flamingo Diner by Sherryl Woods
Death Cruise (St. Martin's True Crime Library) by Don Davis
The Angel by Carla Neggers
Anansi Boys by Neil Gairman
The Hellion by LaVyrle Spencer
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix
The Outside Man by Richard North Patterson

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
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
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
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher
Looking Back by Belva Plain
The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly
Rainmaker by John Grisham - Audio Tapes

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 121 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
Breaking Point by Suzanne Brockmann
The Crush by Sandra Brown
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank

Pick #4
Talking God by Tony Kellerman
Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford
The Sixth Sense
The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)
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
The Daddy Spell by Patti Ann Cole
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 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)
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)
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
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
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 December 3, 2010

CONGRATULATIONS 

TO THE WINNERS

of Friday Pick December 3, 2010

AND

Glittery texts by bigoo.ws

Trinity Rose chose Adam
and
Aik gets a $5.00 GC.

Ladies, please email me: Trinity Rose with snail mail (and choice of bookmarks if desired); Aik with choice of GC or book to purchase at Book Depository.
Thank you to everyone who entered.

Winner of The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick

Congratulations

to the Winner of

The Forever Queen

by Helen Hollick

I will email Brooke Anna for her address. Thank you to everyone who entered.

Book Review and Giveaway: Duchess of Sin by Laurel McKee

This story is full of interesting Irish history.
Duchess of Sin (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (December 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446544760
• ISBN-13: 978-0446544764  

     Price: Print $7.99 and Kindle $7.99
     Genre: Historical Romance
     My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0

Product Description
Blonde and beautiful Lady Anna Blacknall is in the mood for mischief. Entering Dublin's most notorious den of vice, she finds herself in the arms of a mysterious, emerald-eyed Irishman. And although he is masked, his tender kiss is hauntingly familiar.

Conlan McTeer, Duke of Adair, has come to Dublin to fight for a free Ireland. But he's suddenly reunited with the young Englishwoman who had once claimed his heart, and his passion turns from politics to pleasure. When their sizzling encounter brings danger to Anna's door, she must decide where her loyalties lie-and quickly. For someone will do whatever it takes to destroy Conlan . . . and anyone he dares to love.

Review: I enjoyed the history of the Irish resistance to Unification as presented in this story.
I didn’t like Lady Anna initially as I thought she was selfish and reckless in her behavior as an 18 year old bored with her society lifestyle. It also was unrealistic to me that she came to no harm as she continued to sneak out to bad parts of Dublin at night without a footman or a disguise. Later you come to realize that Anna is confused and torn between being a proper, responsible “Lady” and indulging her carefree nature to be free from society dribble but still the gracious, giving “Lady” of the manor.  Although her character is likeable midway to the end, my feelings for the book had already been negatively effected.

Conlan Adair is a darkly handsome, intense Irish Duke. He cares for his lands and people and is willing to fight the governmental efforts trying to unify Ireland and England into Great Britain. As a powerful and influential landowner he has acquired a few enemies. Not the least of whom is a cousin who has tried to take Adair lands under a penal law that effected Catholic land ownership.  Interestingly, in addition to Lady Anna becoming more likeable as the book goes along, Conlan’s handsome cousin, Grant, had a changling character too: being detestable at times and vulnerable and sad at other times.

The story weaves around the political issues with Conlan being afraid to bring danger to Anna. At first Anna is oblivious to the danger or reasons behind it.  Slowly she becomes aware of the heated politics and she finally decides she is willing to risk danger and the lose of her reputation to be with the object of her desire, Conlan.   I did like how Anna’s past experiences were revealed bit by bit as the story progressed.

There is intrigue and danger to add action to the story. Also there is a secondary love interest involving Katherine, Anna’s beautiful, widowed mother.  I liked Lady Anna’s sister Caroline, the studious young lady, and might like that to read her story.

Although I did like the latter part of the book more than the beginning I can’t say that I ever fully warmed up to this one.  There are plenty of more favorable reviews for this so obviously it did not strike everyone as it did me. There are many good points, like the history, so don’t let my tainted response stop you from trying this historical romance.

Thank you to Anna and Hachette for allowing me to read and review this book and for providing books for Giveaway.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. Visit the Author's website and tell me something you found interesting. 
This is required for entry. 
Make sure you leave your e-mail address!

2.  For ONE extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

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

4.  For TWO more extra entries make a meaningful comment on the review.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

(Seven total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL! FIVE winners!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* Only one winner per household.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 23, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries. 

Book Review and Giveaway: The Remains by Vincent Zandri

Can the "remains" of a childhood trauma contribute to a new nightmare??
The Remains by Vincent Zandri

• Paperback: 375 pages
• Publisher: StoneHouse Ink; 1 edition (November 30, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982770502
• ISBN-13: 978-0982770504

• Price: Print $14.99; Kindle $2.99

    Genre: Thriller
    My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
Thirty years ago, teenager Rebecca Underhill and her twin sister Molly were abducted by a man who lived in a house in the woods behind their upstate New York farm. They were held inside that house for three horrifying hours, until making their daring escape. Vowing to keep their terrifying experience a secret in order to protect their mother and father, the girls tried to put the past behind them. And when their attacker was hunted down by police and sent to prison, they believed he was as good as dead. Now, it s 30 years later, and with Molly having passed away from cancer, Rebecca, a painter and art teacher, is left alone to bear the burden of a secret that has only gotten heavier and more painful with each passing year. But when Rebecca begins receiving some strange anonymous text messages, she begins to realize that the monster who attacked her all those years ago is not dead after all. He s back, and this time, he wants to do more than just haunt her. He wants her dead.

Review: Very well done! This mystery thriller kept my attention from beginning to end. I liked how the story is told by Rebecca describing current day events and in flash backs slowly revealing her childhood memories  when she and her twin sister were young teens and attacked by the monster in the woods.  The author skillfully builds the tension step by step.  He sets the stage for the villain, while presenting a full picture of Rebecca’s life through the secondary characters: her ex-husband, Michael, her best friend Robyn, an autistic savant art student, Franny, and even her sister, Molly, who gives her strength through memories.

Although each character adds to the story, Franny has a key role in racheting up the suspense as he paints images from Rebecca’s past that she thinks no one could know about.  Franny presents a new painting each day with a hidden word that initially only Rebecca can see. The first word is “listen” and this becomes alarming when Rebecca begins to get unexplained text messages, hears her name whispered and her cell phone ringing in the middle of the night. Each painting ads another edge to the chill of the story.

I liked the renewal of the relationship between Michael and Rebecca which gives the story a sense of hope and growth even in the midst of fear and evil.  There is sadness after the fear but then there is joy and new life too.  The story moves at a consistently engaging pace toward Rebecca’s inescapable confrontation with the child abductor. The story twists are more anticipated than unexpected - you just don’t know quite what they will be. Even though you know there will be an attack, the story keeps your attention as you wonder how and when it will happen.

I also liked the information supplied on savant autistic people.  I can easily recommend this as an enjoyable thriller read.

A phrase I liked:  "Fear warped time, bent it the same way it crippled my insides."

Thank you to the author and Pump Up Your Book Promotions for the book to read and review and for providing TWO copies for Giveaway!  Watch the trailer and read an excerpt at the Pump Up Your Book link.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY  - TWO COPIES:

1. Visit the author's website or blog and tell me something of interest you find there - Required for entry.
Please leave your e-mail!

2.  Comment on the Author's Guest Post for TWO entries.

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

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

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

* This contest is open to US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on December 22, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.  TWO WINNERS!