Winners of The Key, Steamrolled and Kicking Ashe!

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNERS 
of Pauline Baird Jones Books!!  
I hope you enjoy the books as much as I did!

Giveaway Ending March 16
Signed Copy of The Key

bison61



Giveaways Ending March 23

Signed Copy of Steamrolled

~Ley

and

Choice of Print of eBook of Kicking Ashe

Carl - Please let me now the format (ebook or print) you would like.

bison61, ~Ley and Carl please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form to confirm the win and I'll send out the books and notify the author.  Please reply within 72 hours! 
Thank you to all who entered.

Sharing Beyond Books #41 Comment Giveaway March 24, 2012

Hi SBB friends. I am feeling almost relaxed tonight - I had a busy week but seemed to accomplish a lot. I hope everyone else had a good week too. :-)

Thank you to all those who commented last week.
We picked various sidekicks although several of us liked Roarke :-), two liked Hermione, two liked Bear Grylls (a survivor's choice!) and three picked family members! Mystica and Rikki picked their husbands and marybelle picked her daughter. That is rather cool and a nice idea.

Only one other person, Faith Hope CherryTea, has been to a book conference.That is unfortunate that there aren't opportunities for those overseas. Aik and Jane have been to book fairs. I was thinking about asking about author signings in a future question but two included that in their answers (marybelle and miki). Sarah is going to BEA this year! Hmm that is in June...maybe there is still time for me to plan to go too!

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #40 comments is: #9 Sarah. There are still 8 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. Sarah please let me know if you want a GC (if you are international) or choose a book from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway, remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, OR pick from the ARC box and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #41 Questions

Q1. This week Margaret asks: Are there books that you would not read in print or e reader but would listen to on audio??

A:  There are many books I love to listen to on audio. I think I choose to listen to longer books and series like: Maria J. Snyder's Study series - then I wanted to buy the books. :-) So far I have listened to all Carriger's Parasol Protectorate and all of  Briggs' Mercy Thompson series on audio. I plan to listen to all of the J.D. Robb Eve Dallas series on audio as well.  These three pictured are on my next listen list!

Q2. My question is not really book related this week: Do you have a hobby other than reading??

A:  I used to have other hobbies but between the publishing work and the review blog I have no time left for a hobby. :-( But if I had more time I might do a little more gardening  - I used to have Bonsai - or I might do a little needlepoint as I have some unfinished projects!

Image found at Needlework Tips & Techniques

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask.  Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form.  At the end of each month I will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions but some of you others might want to get in a question or two as we have a few people submitting most of the questions so far.  Either way - it works for me. :-)  The question list is being replenished!  Thanks for sending in questions!

Your turn to share:

1. Margaret asks: Are there books that you would not read in print or e reader but would listen to on audio?? 

2. My question is: Do you have a hobby other than reading??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 10 books available to choose from. Also I have added the Review and ARC Box now.

SBB Rules: a) Must be a follower; 
b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.

I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, March 30, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Audio Book Review: Lothaire by Kresley Cole

Can a very dark and evil Vampire be soothed and changed by a joyful, passionate mortal?

Lothaire (Immortals After Dark)

by Kresley Cole
Robert Petkoff (Reader) 
Available in Print, ebook and Audio formats

• Audio CD: 14 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; Unabridged edition (January 10, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1442346752
• ISBN-13: 978-1442346758

Genre:  Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
Caveat: This has several fairly hot sex scenes.

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 2012 

From the humblest of beginnings a millennia ago, Lothaire the Enemy of Old rose to power, becoming the most feared and evil vampire in the immortal world. Driven by his past, he will not rest until he captures the vampire Horde’s crown for himself. The discovery of his Bride, the female meant only for him, threatens to derail his plot.

Elizabeth Peirce is a mere mortal, a glaring vulnerability for a male with so many deadly foes bent on annihilating anything he desires. Yet soon he discovers his Bride’s secret. A magnificent power dwells inside the fragile human, one that will aid his quest. But to possess that power, he will have to destroy her. Will Lothaire succumb to the torments of his past, or seize a future with her?

Review:
Elizabeth, a “hillbilly” from the Appalachian Mountains, is lovely, bright and determined but at 19 her life is seriously messed up by Lothaire and his evil “bride” Saroya.  Saroya, a demon goddess, has possessed Elizabeth’s body and gone on a killing spree. Elizabeth is prepared to have the local sheriff shoot her to destroy the evil within, but Lothaire blocks the death attempt and allows Elizabeth to go to jail for five years.  Just before Elizabeth is executed Lothaire returns to claim his “bride.”

Lothaire is an old, fierce and feared vampire known as “the Enemy of Old.” He has spent a millennia planning revenge against the Horde Vampires and his father who threw his mother and him out when he was a boy. He is also seeking revenge against his mother’s people, the Dachian Vampires, who failed to help them. Lothaire always has his “end game” in sight: to defeat his enemies in battle and rule with his bride over both kingdoms.

Lothaire must capture a special ring that will allow him to return Saroya to her immortal status as a goddess and allow her to have Elizabeth’s body after vanquishing Elizabeth’s soul.  In spite of Lothaire’s constant reminders of how inferior she is, Elizabeth pursues an advantage over Saroya - Elizabeth is sexually passionate while Saroya refuses to have anything to do with Lothaire until she is restored.

Lothaire doesn’t want to think that this passionate mortal may be his real bride even if her presence seems to calm the madness that threatens to overtake him. Elizabeth begins to win Lothaire over with her cleverness, courage, compassion, and ability to bring light and happiness to his world that has known only darkness, bitterness and hate. But, even if he is willing to accept Elizabeth, how would he manage to get away from the vow he made to kill her and restore Saroya? Could he ever trust a mere mortal not to betray him like everyone else has?  He would certainly have to separate her from her beloved family in order to force her loyalty to him alone.

The primary plot is interesting but for me it almost got smothered by the sexual interaction between Elizabeth and Lothaire.  The sex is hot, heavy and dragged out. If you like that then you’ll enjoy this book a bit more than I did.  I had to push myself through the sex scenes hoping to get back to where the conflict of the relationship continued. Which it does with their failure to communicate their true affection for each other creating nothing but disappointment, mistrust and anger.

There are some interesting side characters that I enjoyed.  Hag is an oracle for Lothaire who becomes a friend to Elisabeth while watching over her, along with Thad, a sweet new vampire who has a tendency to idolize Lothaire. Nix, a half crazed Valkyrie and natural enemy to Lothaire, had once saved him and been his unlikely friend before betraying him.  And ‘Ellie’s’ hillbilly family are a hoot.

The narrator does a very good job with the different personalities. I thought the narration of Lothaire was a little overdone at first but as the story progresses the heavy Vampiric accent seems fitting for Lothaire’s personality. Petkoff also manages to express the emotional thoughts, passions and traumas of the characters with his inflections.

Although the blurbs do not make it clear how graphic this book is, I would say it borders on the edge of erotica if not stepping into that realm.  The descriptions tend heavily to intense and “throes” of passion but there are some pretty explicit scenes.  Ms. Cole has crafted a well written, engaging story with an interesting plot and well developed characters. It is just a bit too heavy on the sex scenes for my tastes. I have rated the book as a 4.0 for its overall good quality with the caveat for those who don’t like their reading quite so edgy.  Perhaps reading the book would allow you to skim those scenes more easily than listening to CDs.  I will think twice before reading any more even though I have another of the books** in this series.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and AudioJukebox for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

I will add this to my ARC and New Author Challenge lists.

** I have Deep Kiss of Winter in hardback. I have not read Gena Showalter either who is the other author in that book. If anyone has read these authors and wants to share their thoughts I'd appreciate it. I can maybe some day in the future try reading the book or I can just offer it for giveaway.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 23, 2012

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.] 

Happy Friday everyone! Have you had a good week? I've had a pretty good week even doing "catch-up" at work.

Thank you to all who entered March 16 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). 
There were two books blocked this week. :-( But one got won. :-)

Leider chose Dangerous Lady for four weeks with no block (no one else choosing the book.).

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from March 16 Pick:

Natasha gets a GC (Welcome to Friday Pick with a lucky draw!)
and

Louisa chose Maggie Shayne's Pair of books
(This choice has been blocked from automatic win for several weeks but --
luck of the draw and persistence pays off!)

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 and I have a new supply of sweet bookmarks. 

This picture isn't related to March and doesn't show a book.
But who could resist?!?
Image found at Adoptions From the Heart

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012
These are Paired sets - two per author.
Four are parts of series the others are just singles by the same author.
Winners get both books if you pick these.

Cathy Maxwell - Marriage Series

     Married in Haste (#1) and The Marriage Contract (#3)

Maggie Shayne - Wings of Night Series

     Demon's Kiss (#1)  and Lover's Bite (#2) or #13 and #14 in the larger series
Jude Deveraux - The Velvet Series
     Velvet Song and Velvet Angel
Sabrina Jeffries - The School For Heiresses Series
     Only a Duke Will Do (#2) and Beware a Scot's Revenge (#3)
Nora Roberts
     Inner Harbor (#3 Cheasapeake Bay Series) and Blue Dahlia (SC) (#1 In the Garden Trilogy -(nice trilogy!)
Mary Higgins Clark
     Let Me Call You Sweetheart and Moonlight Becomes You  (SC)
Dick Francis
     Smokescreen (SC) and Field of Thirteen
James Patterson
     Sam's Letters to Jennifer and The Beach House    

New Group #25 January 12, 2012

*Smaller books on the right would be okay for most international mailing.

Endless Chain by Emilie Richards

Baby and All (3 Novels in 1) by Candace Camp, Victoria Pade and Myrna Mackenzie

Leopards Kill by Jim DeFelice

Thinner by Stephen King

Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson

Dangerous Lady by Amanda Scott

November of the Heart by Lavyrle Spencer

Long Way Home (Friends Romance Series) by Wendy Corsi Staub

Hell's Belle by Jane Holleman

Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov

The Firebird Deception (Silhouette Bombshell) by Cate Dermody

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

*Prime Time by Sandra Brown  

*Silent Night by Mary Higgins Clark

*Out of the Blue (Allegheny Hopes) by Janice A. Thompson

*A McKaslin Homecoming by Jillian Hart 

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.)

After Dark by Beverly Barton(spine wear)

The Shattered Rose by Jo Beverley

Final Justice by Jasmine Cresswell

Green Calder Grass by Janet Dailey

Praying for Sleep by Jeffery Deaver

Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery

The Wedding Wager by Cathy Maxwell

Moon Racer by Constance O'Banyon

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

Witch by Barbara Michaels (spine wear)

Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic

Death Angel by Linda Howard

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011

Singles:

Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught

A Far and Deadly Cry by Teri Holibrook

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

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)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Singles

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

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

Group #19

Singles

Disguised Blessing

Rhapsody: A Love Story

Primary Colors - audio tapes

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  posted 26 groups of 16 books to find new homes! (March 2012)

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 318 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

Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins
Saving Faith by David Baldacci (Audio Book)

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith

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

Double Jeopardy by William Bernhardt

The Genesis Code: A Thriller by John Case

Group #11

Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown

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

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

Pick #6

The Marshall Takes a Bride by Renee Ryan *PA*

Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan

Pick #7

Scarred by William Heffernan (spine creased)

Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

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

Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology

On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

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)

Excerpt of The Day of First Sun; Chance for You to Win & Vote For Me Please!

Please enjoy this excerpt from the urban fantasy novel, The Day of First Sun. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

Sturtagaard chose not to speak, though it was he who had called for the meeting. They both checked their watches and realized they had been sitting across from him for ten minutes, watching him sniff the air. If he wanted to play this, they would play along at least for a little while longer, though both were tired of the leering. As the vampire sniffed again, Cham finally figured out why.

“You know, you called us. We really don’t have anything to say to you, so if you’re just playing games, we’re happy to leave. I’ve got other, more important things to do than watch you sniff and leer,” Cham finally said, and stood up.

Sturtagaard smiled as he watched Cham open the door because he much preferred dealing with Annie, but when she stood up, too, he realized he’d overplayed his hand.

“If I talk, my employer will have me staked. I’d like some assurance that you won’t do the same,” he said rather quickly, before they left.

They turned and looked at him, both rolling their eyes.

“I’ll have you staked if you don’t talk,” replied Cham, as he stood by the door.

“You’re out of options if you ever hope to get out of here again,” Annie said calmly, focusing on his face.

Sturtagaard squirmed a little in his seat, as Annie’s expression was somewhat disquieting and unemotional. He looked at Cham, whose face was expressionless, and then back to Annie, who hadn’t moved a muscle. The vampire sighed.

“You heard right. I was hired to create a zombie army to overthrow the Wizard Council,” Sturtagaard said. His voice remained steady and calm with resignation.

“Who wants to overthrow the Council?” asked Cham, his hand still clutching the door.

“My employer. I’ve told you, I don’t know who he is. I always dealt with his associate. He’d show up, leave notes, or send others with messages. I’ve never contacted him.” He looked from one to the other, but they both remained stony and detached. “Come on, now. I can’t give you information I don’t have.”
Sturtagaard was charming.

Annie rolled her eyes again. “You really don’t have any idea who the employer is?” she asked with sarcasm.

“Really, I don’t,” he said.

“So you’re building an army of the dead. How long did you have to get this done?” Annie took out her phone and pulled out her calendar.

“He wanted it ready for September first.”

Annie looked up with a grimace, and Cham looked surprised. She didn’t need to mark the date on her calendar or research its significance, though neither could figure out why a zombie army had to be created for that day, the Day of First Sun. It was a very powerful and ancient day for good magic.

“So, your employer wants an army of the dead on that day? Why?” Cham asked in a flat, emotionless voice.

“He’s a black wizard. What do you think he wants? He wants to overthrow the Council, take over the world, practice magic in the open. You know, the typical magical fantasy.” Sturtagaard grinned because he believed that would benefit the entire supernatural world.

“Wipe the smirk off your face, Sturtagaard. Having free reign won’t be as good as you think, with all the angry mobs, torches, and stakes through the heart.”

Annie smirked at Cham, who shook his head and laughed. He waited to compose himself before looking back at the vampire.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Day of First Sun eBook edition is just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.
All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment–easy to enter; easy to win!
To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of The Day of First Sun for just 99 cents
2. Fill-out the simple form on Novel Publicity
3. Visit today’s featured social media event

Help my blog win:

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About the book: A vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soulless zombies are par for the course for Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard. But when the non-magical princess, Amelie of Amborix, is murdered by magical means, a deeper plot unfolds. Get it on Amazon.

About the author: Behind the wheel of her ’66 Mustang Convertible, Sheryl is a constant surprise, using her sense of humor and relatable style make her books something everyone can enjoy. Visit Sheryl on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.