Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway July 1, 2011

Watch today or tomorrow for a FLASH Blogoversary Giveaway!
Remember to check all the giveaways as part of the BLOGOVERSARY Party! There are choices for everyone!
Thank you to all who entered June 24 Pick. There is One Automatic winner this week (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks).
JenniferC gets The Tin Man

CONGRATULATIONS

to Winners from June 24th Pick:

Mona G - chose the two Macomber books
Between Friends 
and
Thursdays at Eight

Lieder- gets First King of Shannara (Shannara Trilogy, Prequel)

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - either sweet and sensual or sexy +plus. 

Enjoy a sparkling Fourth of July!

I'm setting up a new set of books for next month - After Blogoversary. :-)

New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Pairs:

Debbie Macomber 

Between Friends

Thursdays at Eight

Luanne Rice

Firefly Beach

Cloud Nine

Singles

Iced (Regan Reilly Mysteries, No. 3)by Carol Higgins Clark

A Price for Everything (Rosamunde Pilcher's Book Shelf) by Mary Sheepshank

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

S is for Silence (Kinsey Millhone Mystery) by Sue Grafton

Poirot Investigates - Volume 1 Agatha Christie - Audio Cassettes

Firefly Summer by Maeve Binchy

Hope Everlastin' by Mickee Madden

The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz

The Hope Chest: Yesterday's Magic\Today's Secrets\Tomorrow's Promise (Signature Select) Anthology

Susan, Kearney, Julie Kenner and Jacquie D'Alessandro

Once a Princess by Johanna Lindsey

Resistance: A Novel by Anita Shreve

Vanity by Jane Feather

3/25/11  I did get to set up a new group of books:
Group #19

Pair - James Patterson

1st to Die (The Women's Murder Club)1st to Die (The Women's Murder Club)

Kiss the Girls (2nd Alex Cross Novel)

Singles

And Then Came You: Sam's Story

Second Chance: A NovelSecond Chance: A Novel

Disguised Blessing

The Italian (Mira Historical Romance)

Rhapsody: A Love Story

A Sight for Sore Eyes 

The Waterfall

Primary Colors - audio tapes

A Little Magic

See No Evil (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #39) (black stripe on cover)

Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!
Not all of these are two from a series but several are.  Each pick gets two books.

Patricia Cornwell:
Cruel and Unusual
At Risk (Win Garano)
John Grisham
Bleachers
The Last Juror
Jack Higgins
Touch the Devil (1983 Signet Edition)
Thunder Point (Sean Dillon)
Fern Michaels 
Final Justice: Sisterhood Series #5
The Jury: Sisterhood Series #4 (Revenge of the Sisterhood)

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

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 these Friday Pick Giveaways.

So far I have posted 19 groups of 16 books to find new homes!

I am continuing to include the full list updated with chosen books crossed off until I get around to deleting the crossed off books.  You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!  I am happy to say that so far about 194 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the correct number sent out.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, 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.
I learned 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 and up. 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)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.   
CUT OFF TIME IS 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 Friday mornings before the next Pick post. 
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND E-MAIL ME YOUR ADDRESS at mesreads@gmail.com.  I will confirm receipt of the addresses.  If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so.... 

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

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!

1/14/11 New List 
#17

Scavenger by David Morrell
The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger
Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins
Four to Score (Stephanie Plum, No. 4) by Janet Evanovich
Turbulent Sea (Drake Sisters, Book 6) by Christine Feehan
Saving Faith by David Baldacci

12/3/10  Book Set:
#16

Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith
Cold As Ice by Anne Stuart
Veils of Silk by Mary Jo Putney
Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway
Blueberry Hill by Marcia Evanick (small tear on cover)
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Uneasy Alliance (Famous Firsts) Jayne Ann Krentz (slightly worn)

List #15

Double Exposure (Brio Girls) by Kathy Wierenga

Wicked Widow  by Amanda Quick

Imitation in Death by J. D. Robb

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

Silver Falls by Anne Stuart

Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller

List #14

The Cobra Event by Richard Preston

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

Off Season by Jack Ketchum

The Color of Law: A Novel by Mark Gimenez
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 Used books!

Anansi Boys by Neil Gairman
The Hellion by LaVyrle Spencer
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

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 One by 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

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

List #1 Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

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 - Audio Cassette
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)
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
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 Murray
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)

MBS Blogoversary SPOTLIGHT #10: Author Patricia Andres

SPOTLIGHT: AUTHOR PATRICIA ANDRES

Pat is another lovely author I met through SweettoSensual Romance Group.
Pat writes children's stories and Paranormal Romance.  I reviewed one of Pat's charming children stories, Maggie. In March eTreasures Publishing released Pat's Paranormal Romance, Love From the Ashes.


I asked each author to answer two questions for their spotlight.
The first I asked and the second they provided.

 Question #1:  Why do you write/what do you hope your readers get from your books?

A:  Something inside impels me to put my thoughts into words. I'm in love with words and relish seeing them on paper. My hope is that the reader will absorb them with the same feeling.

Question #2:  What draws you to a book?

A: I am drawn to a book by the language of the title, the blurb and then the cover. I love clever titles most of all.

Please visit Pat at her website below.
For extra credit you can comment at her blog or email her to say "Hi" and "Thank you" for the support and giveaway at MBS Blogoversary.
Website
Blog

Giveaway donated by Pat:
Two Childrens' books: Maggie, a Savannah Dog and  Roseanna, a Savannah Squirrel

OPEN US and CANADA.
PLEASE ENTER WITH THIS FORM: 
If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFVrcVkzQWM2ampMa0hEX0dWbVdnV0E6MA

Book Review and Giveaway: The Constantine Codex by Paul L. Maier

What could happen if a 1st Century copy of the Bible were found?
The Constantine Codex (Skeleton Series) by Paul L. Maier

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 18, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414337736
• ISBN-13: 978-1414337739

   Genre: Christian Fiction
   My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Product Description
Harvard Professor Jonathan Weber is finally enjoying a season of peace when a shocking discovery thrusts him into the national spotlight once again. While touring monasteries in Greece, Jon and his wife Shannon—a seasoned archaeologist—uncover an ancient biblical manuscript containing the lost ending of Mark and an additional book of the Bible. If proven authentic, the codex could forever change the way the world views the holy Word of God. As Jon and Shannon work to validate their find, it soon becomes clear that there are powerful forces who don’t want the codex to go public. When it’s stolen en route to America, Jon and Shannon are swept into a deadly race to find the manuscript and confirm its authenticity before it’s lost forever.

Review: This is an interesting story with lots of Christian detail.

When I first started this book I was very excited as it reminded me of a Christian version of an Indiana Jones adventure. Too bad that level of excitement did not remain although there is a remarkable archealogical find, a theft and a recovery.

Jon, a Harvard Professor and known Biblical scholar, and his wife, Shannon, an experienced archaeologist, are part of a group called Institute of Christian Origins or ICO. The institute’s purpose is to search church libraries world wide for manuscripts of historic importance, to catalog them, photograph and protect them.

Shannon finds some leaves in a church library in Pella which indicate that Luke may have written a Second book of Acts. They set out on a trip to Greece to have a foremost expert authenticate the leaves. Next Shannon discovers an ancient manuscript in the ‘cemetery’ or repair and storage room of a Greek Orthodox Church. Jon and Shannon realize that this codex appears to have been one of 50 copies commissioned by Constantine. They believe it was written in 335 and they are shocked to discover that it contains extra material not found in later Biblical translations. This is a phenomenal find but must remain secret and safe until it can be authenticated and announced to the world.

Jon has had a fatwa, an Islamic death order, placed on him due to an insult taken as the result of a typographical error in the Arabic translation of his latest work. This threat delays their trip to Greece and involves the FBI to secure their safety. The CIA is also brought in for security detail when Jon and Shannon go to Turkey where Jon has agreed to a debate with an Islamic leader challenging Christianity versus Islam as the more supportable faith.

The debate is an interesting and informative presentation of Christian arguments versus the Islamic views.  The different level of honest expression of dialogue is portrayed in Jon’s having to be particularly careful not to step on toes or cause offense in his debate responses.

The dialogue between Jon and Shannon is sweet and almost corny. There are some twists in the plot with the theft and subsequent recovery of the Codex and the discovery of the inside villain. The writing flow is easy although a little on the dry side as sometimes it seemed the author was presenting facts almost in lecture mode. Still, I did enjoy the wealth of details, statistics and faith arguments woven into the plot. I wouldn't call this gripping reading but it qualifies as interesting and informative.

xxx

Thank you to Glass Road PR for the book to read and review.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE REVIEW COPY:

1.  Visit the Author's Website and tell me something you find of interest there.
Please leave your e-mail!

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

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

(Four 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 July 14, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

MBS Blogoversary SPOTLIGHT #9: Author CAROL NORTH

SPOTLIGHT: AUTHOR CAROL NORTH

Carol and I became friends as moderators at the SweettoSensual Romance Group.  I am happy to have been able to print one of her books, Gifts For the Goddess, at eTreasures Publishing. Carol writes romance. I reviewed several books including Love's Reflection, and Savannah Heat (formerly titled Miss Bisque and the Colonel).


Savannah Heat       Eternally His

Yin and Yang Fit: The Zen of Relationships             

Savannah Writes 

Carol also has a group of short stories you can check out on her site and she hosts a monthly giveaway of a tote bag (I love mine!) or an apron.
I asked each author to answer two questions for their spotlight.
The first I asked and the second they provided.

Question #1:  Why do you write/what do you hope your readers get from your books?

A:  From early childhood, books enchanted me. I recall being about five and declaring, "I'm gonna be a writer when I grow up." That strong desire was manifested in 1983 when I began my career as a professional technical and business writer. Later I wrote short stories that were published both in print and in online publications. Today, I have three novels and a novella published and am working on a fourth novel. For me, the answer to why I write is "I need to write as much as I need to breathe."

I hope I can take the reader on an emotional journey when she or he reads one of my books. I believe fiction is emotion. If you're reading a book that isn't emotionally engaging you might as well be reading the phone book. For example, in Gifts for the Goddess, published by eTreasures Publishing, the heroine is searching for that elusive relationship with a soul mate. The story touches emotions because her search is universal--we all want to find lasting, undying love.

Love's Reflection, the book I'm offering as a giveaway for this event, is a romantic comedy with a big "what if?" It's meant to brighten your day.

Question #2:  I'd like to tell you about my next novel. My work-in-progress, "Little Dove," is a historical. It's slower going because of the amount of research required. For instance, if I write "the doorbell rang," I need to know how doorbells looked in 1900. Were they electric? Did they have chimes? How did people make them ring? By pushing a button? Pulling a cord? What sound did they make? A clang? A ring?

I'm having a lot of fun writing my first historical, and have another planned.

Thank you, Martha, for giving me this opportunity to be a part of the Second Year Blogaversary.

Please visit Carol at her link below.
For extra credit you can email her to say "Hi" and "Thank you" for the support and giveaway at MBS Blogoversary.
Website

Giveaway donated by Carol:
eBook Copy of Love's Reflection.

OPEN WORLDWIDE.
PLEASE ENTER WITH THIS FORM: 
If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHIxYWpJbk1YYS1TZEZaMUQ4NC1nREE6MA

Amazing People Club Free eBooks June and July

In May I introduced you to the Amazing People Club.  Here is another chance to join and get a free ebook by joining. Or you may email me if you would like a copy of the PDF of the Thomas Edison eStory.

The audio is also available when you visit Amazing People Club  and JOIN THE CLUB (free to join).

The following is some information about their special offers and giveaways for the coming two months.  These titles are quite topical and relevant with the celebrations of Father’s Day, 4^th July etc.  We fondly refer to Thomas Edison as the ‘Father of Invention’ and Abraham Lincoln as “Father of a Nation”. 

Meet Abraham Lincoln eStory          $0.99               1-30 June 2011

Meet Thomas Edison eStory             FREE*             1-30 June 2011

Meet Thomas Edison Audio              FREE*            1-30 June 2011

Meet Albert Einstein Audio               $0.99              1-30 June 2011

Amazing Americans eBook               $3.99               1-31 July 2011

Meet George Washington eStory      $0.99               1-31 July 2011

Meet Lillian Gilbreth eStory              FREE*             1-31 July 2011

*Free when you JOIN THE CLUB at www.amazingpeopleclub.com (free to join!)