Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 25, 2011

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway, scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.] 
I hope everyone has had a good week and a lovely Thanksgiving for those who celebrated. In celebration of two years of Friday Picke (started 11/27/09) I decided to pick three winners this week and I'll pick three, maybe even four, again next week.
I have listed a new group of books below but I forgot to get a picture this week so I'll take one this weekend when I'm at the office again.

Thank you to all who entered November 18 Pick.  There was only 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).

Mona has asked for Hokus Pokus for 4 weeks with no blocks.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from November 18 Pick:

Birgit gets a GC

Krystal chose Dark Secret

and
PNR chose Sense of Evil

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 - sensual or sexy +plus - I am still low on just sweet. 

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011
(The only Thanksgiving title I found is a Harlequin I'd like to read someday so no Thanksgiving titles for November.)

Skin Tight by Susan Andersen  (Cover has one thin black marker stripe)
Hour Game by David Baldacci
After Dark by Beverly Barton
The Shattered Rose by Jo Beverley
Final Justice by Jasmine Cresswell
Green Calder Grass by Janet Dailey
Praying for Sleep by Jeffery Deaver
Lucifer Rising by Barbara Fifield
Cry Wolf by Tami Hoag
Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery
Sweet Vengeance by Kat Martin
Lost Highways by Curtiss Ann Matlock
The Wedding Wager by Cathy Maxwell
Moon Racer by Constance O'Banyon
Cause for Alarm by Erica Spindler
Destiny Unleashed by Sherryl Woods


New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October - Halloween or dark minded.

Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Desperation by Stephen King
Vanish by Tess Gerritsen
Witch by Barbara Michaels (spine wear)
Midnight by Dean Koontz (spine wear)
Walking After Midnight by Karen Robards (spine wear)
Sense of Evil by Kay Hooper
The Haunting of Josie by Kay Hooper
Dark Secret (the Carpathians Book 12) by Christine Feehan
Hokus Pokus (the Sisterhood: Rules of the Game Book 2) by Fern Michaels
Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic
Death Angel by Linda Howard
A Marked Man by Stella Cameron
Bone Cold by Erica Spindler (spine wear)
Exposed (Maggie O'Dell) by Alex Kava
All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011

Double Set by Lori Copeland:
June (Brides of the West #2) (HeartQuest)
The Courtship of Cade Kolby (Avon Romantic Treasure)
Singles:
Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught
Legacy of the Dead (Inspector Ian Rutledge Mysteries) by Charles Todd
A Far and Deadly Cry by Teri Holibrook
Lost Light (Harry Bosch Series #9) by Michael Connelly
Blackwater Sound: A Novel (Thorn Mysteries) by James W. Hall

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011

There are eight mysteries and I have asterisked nine books that are smaller and would be good for oversea choices if so desired.

Coffin Underground (Inspector John Coffin) by Gwendoline Butler

The Cheshire Cat's Eye by Marcia Muller

Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

* I. O. U by Pickard, Nancy (spine creased)

Stand by Me Anthology with Dallas Schulze, Roberta Leigh and Linda Randall Wisdom (spine creased)

Until We Meet Again by Christine McGuire (spine creased)

* Undercover Pursuit (Love Inspired Suspense) by Susan May Warren

* The Glassblower by Laurie Alice Eakes

* Easy On the Heart by Jodi Thomas

* Rogue Stallion (Montana Mavericks) by Diana Palmer

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Singles

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

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

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

Susan, Kearney, Julie Kenner and Jacquie D'Alessandro

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

Group #19

Singles

Second Chance: A NovelSecond Chance: A Novel

Disguised Blessing

Rhapsody: A Love Story

The Waterfall

Primary Colors - audio tapes

A Little Magic

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 Pair:

Cruel and Unusual

At Risk (Win Garano)

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. 

I started Friday Pick in November 27, 2009 and in two years I have posted 24 groups of 16 books to find new homes!

I have periodically update the lists - deleting those won. 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 261 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

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 too. :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 with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.

WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] 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
Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins
Saving Faith by David Baldacci (Audio Book)

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith

Veils of Silk by Mary Jo Putney 

Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Uneasy Alliance (Famous Firsts) Jayne Ann Krentz (slightly worn)

List #15

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

List #14

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

Lines of Defense by Barry Siegel
Gospel Truths by J.G. Sandom

Here is set #13 of Used books!

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

The Undertaker's Widow by Phillip M. Margolin

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

The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3

One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon

Pick #4

Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford

The Sixth Sense

The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Swear by the Moon by Shirley Busbee

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

The Marshall Takes a Bride by Renee Ryan *PA*

On Bear Mountain by Deborah Smith - Audio Cassette

Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan

Pick #7

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)

Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8

(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape

The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes

Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow (sc)

No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9

Spyder Web by Tom Grace - Audio Tapes

Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology

Final Appeal by Lisa Scottoline (spine creased)

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

Dreams Gather by Kathryn Collins (sc)

Give Thanks for Basics Like Health and Work

Today I give thanks for sight, hearing, health, work, shelter ... all basic things that too often are taken for granted.

Being Thankful for Where you Live

If you live in the United States, Japan, China, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Canada, than you live in one of the top 10 richest countries based on estimated 2009 GDP. (1) Here's another statistic for you. Roughly 30 per cent of world wealth is found in each of North America, Europe, and the rich Asian-Pacific countries. (2)

So what does this have to do with being thankful.  If your reading this and your in one of these countries you probably have many things to be thankful for even if you income is low for your area.  If your reading this it means you had education enough so that you can read and you have a computer or access to a computer and the internet.  Chances are you sufficient protection from the elements, you've had at least one good meal today and you have enough clothing to keep you warm.   http://www.squidoo.com/Being_Thankful_for_What_you_Have

Compassion for Those Without
A prayer by Samuel F. Pugh
O God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work, help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency; bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help by word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.

Give Thanks - Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving - Have a Wonderful and Blessed Day! 

I had a very hard time chosing a Thanksgiving video. There were some wonderful traditional hymns like Come Ye Thankful People, We Gather Together and Thank You Now Our God. There are also some lovely worship and praise songs of thanks like Give Thanks and Thank You, Lord. After looking at many I decided on this video that shows sentiments of  The True Meaning of Thanksgiving.

Book Review and Giveaway 2 Copies: A Match Made in Heaven by Shari MacDonald

Get ready to laugh at an unexpected match for a wacky match maker.

A Match Made in Heaven

by Shari MacDonald

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (February 16, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157856137X
• ISBN-13: 978-1578561377

 Genre:  Romantic Comedy (Christian Fiction)
My Rating:  4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 16, 1999
The Salinger Sisters Series spins the tales of four sisters who find love–in spite of themselves. The love–and laughs–began in Love on the Run and continue in Book Two, A Match Made in Heaven. Lucy Salinger has always been brilliant at making matches–for everyone else. But though she is owner and leading “matchmaker” at one of the most prestigious dating services in Los Angeles, Lucy finds herself withdrawing from every man who might be interested in dating her.

Then handsome and successful behavioral psychologist Dr. Campbell Howard comes into her office…and Lucy proceeds to set him up on the most disastrous dates in dating history! Is Lucy just losing her touch? Or is she, on a subconscious level, choosing women she knows aren’t right for Cam…just so she can save him for herself?

Review: This is a sweet, fun, and light romance.
Lucy has surprised herself, her family and the public by being a successful match maker. She seeks God’s guidance in her business which is ironically called “Rent-a-Yenta.” She has three sisters who are close and somewhat concerned that Lucy can find a match for others but not herself. Lucy has a vivacious assistant, Gabby, who wants to take on some match making duties if only Lucy would loosen up the controls.  Lucy claims that being left at the altar by her college sweetheart has nothing to do with the fact she barely dates.  Her loved ones and friends suspect she has some trust and control issues.

One morning an eccentric woman comes in seeking Lucy’s services for her brother, a shy, stay at home psychologist. The case is presented as an emergency because her brother stands to lose a substantial inheritance if he doesn’t marry by the age of 30 which is coming up in a month!  Lucy’s ethics object to rushing a match. Besides she isn’t sure she can help the man based on the geeky picture the sister presents.

Dr. Campbell Howard steps in the office to find Lucy with head on her desk and drooling! Let the craziness begin! Campbell is a handsome, trim fellow and Lucy has no idea of his identity as they begin to talk and banter. There is immediate easy exchange between them and although Lucy agrees to accept him as a client  she senses some reluctance within herself. 

Campbell and Lucy are clearly drawn to each other but Lucy insists on sending him on dates. She is somewhat relieved that the dates aren’t going well even though she knows she isn’t being fair to his search.

There is a lot of wackiness in Lucy’s behavior and sweet tenderness in Campbell’s. But it seems that Lucy’s fear may sabotage her own chances to have a meaningful relationship. 

I liked that the faith expressed in the story is presented as part of the lives of the characters. The emotions and lessons are natural and not preachy.  The story is very cute and my book club group agreed it was a nice, easy read - no deep thinking required - that was just what they needed for a break in their busy lives.

I have two copies of this book left over from the group I purchased for book club.
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for print copy - TWO WINNERS:
1. Tell me if you ever tried a dating service or if you know of anyone who had success with a match maker. :-) This is required for entry.

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

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

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

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 2, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 3. Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Give Thanks for Freedom

I thank God that I live in a country that cherishes freedom. This includes freedom from government oppression, freedom of speech and press and freedom of religion. These should not be taken for granted.

 http://www.geoeye.com/CorpSite/gallery/detail.aspx?iid=352&gid=20

This image shows a field located in southeastern Nebraska just northwest of Offutt Air Force Base, home of the 55th Wing or the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth. The field shows the words "Thank You! For Freedom!" and can be seen from Offutt’s air space at takeoff and landing. 

~~~~~

Of the 196 countries and territories assessed during calendar year 2009, 69 (35 percent) were rated Free, 64 (33 percent) were rated Partly Free, and 63 (32 percent) were rated Not Free. ...
The survey found that only 16 percent of the world’s inhabitants live in countries with a Free press, while 44 percent have a Partly Free press and 40 percent live in Not Free environments.
 http://www.quora.com/Freedom-of-Speech/How-many-countries-are-there-where-there-is-no-freedom-to-publish

 ~~~~~

I give thanks to our forefathers who established our nation as a free nation and I give thanks for all those men and women over the years who have fought to maintain freedom.

 ~~~~~

If our country is worth dying for in time of war let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in time of peace.  ~Hamilton Fish

  ~~~~~

We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free -- Ronald Reagan

~~~~~

"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.
But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love."  Galatians 5:13 (NLT)