Winners of Audiobook Week Giveaway

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNERS FROM
Audiobook Week Giveaway 

#1 - MP3 Player:

FAITH HOPE CHERRYTEA

US Only
#2 - Large Audiobook Pick: 

LISA - Pick a book from the Larger list and let me know.


AND
International:
#3 - Smaller Audiobook Pick: 

BIRGIT - Pick a book from the International smaller audiobook list.

Faith Hope Cherrytea, Lisa and Birgit please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form to confirm the win and let me know which of the audio books you would like me to send to you.  Please reply within 72 hours! 

Book Review: Thoroughly Kissed by Kristine Grayson

This is modern-day 'Sleeping Beauty' fairy tale that makes an easy and delightful read.

Thoroughly Kissed
by Kristine Grayson

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Reprint edition (June 5, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402248547
• ISBN-13: 978-1402248542

Genre:  Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: June 5, 2012

Sleeping Beauty has sworn off kissing...

Emma awakens to an entirely different world than the one she lived in a thousand years ago, and although she's the real Sleeping Beauty, her life is no fairy tale. After parting ways with her supposed Prince Charming, she's determined to be a normal girl—she hides her magic and swears off kissing strange men.

But her gorgeous boss Michael knows there 's something unusual about Emma, and he thinks she's as infuriating as she is beautiful. Now Emma needs to teach Michael a lesson, which means mastering her magic. She knows she's flirting with danger, but after one look at Michael's perfect lips, all she can think is, "What's another thousand years ... ?"

Welcome to the fractious fairy tale world of Kristine Grayson, where the bumpy road to happily ever after is paved with surprises ..
.

Review:
We met Emma in Utterly Charming when she awoke in a world that was absolutely foreign to her.  Her first kiss had placed her in a thousand year sleep.  She has spent the past 10 years learning a new language, getting college and doctorate degrees, and  establishing her career as a historian and college professor. She has avoided any relationship tangles not only because she hasn’t had time but also because she isn’t about to risk another kiss that might spell her to sleep again.

Emma Lost (a name she adopted upon her awakening) has met her new division head, Michael Found, who happens to also be her next door neighbor and wulfstrang - a powerful and handsome man. Michael has spent the last year on sabbatical researching the history of magic and its myths. Emma may be the most beautiful woman he has ever seen but the pragmatic and proper Mr. Found believes Emma and her popular book on Medieval history to be a fraud. Then Emma’s magic goes awry in his office and he has to reconsider his beliefs about magic, history and Emma.

Emma is destined to be a mage when she reaches the age or 50 or so. By ‘life experience’ Emma is only 30 so she figured she had another 20 years or so before she would have to face magical training. Now suddenly her wishes are coming true in odd ways; her powers are upon her but clearly out of control.  She has to travel from Wisconsin to Portland, Oregon to get her magical training’

She doesn’t have any friends to travel with her and it is just too risky to try to rely on her cat familiar, Darnell, to speak the reversal spells for any misguided magic. The fates aren’t going to make any exceptions or help her out. Perhaps she could ask Michael to help her since he has already seen evidence of her misguided abilities. After being manipulated into making the trip, Michael begins to fall under a different spell where Emma is concerned.  As they travel along long barren roads they face dangers of other wizards seeking to capture Emma’s wild magic. Can they make it safely to Oregon? And if they do, even if Michael can convince Emma to risk a kiss, how will they manage a relationship between a mortal man and a practically immortal mage?

Kristine Grayson writes characters  who are charmingly independent, stubborn and yet vulnerable. Even the cat, Darnell, has a most cat-like combination of independence and dependence. The plot is a bit zany but all fun. The writing is easy and light. There is sweet, sensual attraction with no need for sexual intimacy.  This is just a fun, sweet romance that I found delightful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Emma’s insecurities:

“Darnell’s the only person–if you want to call him that–who ever wanted to be with me more than he wanted to be with anyone else.”  Location 2575

Michael’s dilemma:

–why would a beautiful magical creature want to be with a stodgy professor?–she would at least know that he cared.  Location 2582.

I selected the ebook through NetGalley to review for Sourcebooks

This is set in Madison, Wisconsin for my Where Are You Reading Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick July 6, 2012

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

Thank you to all who have shared your well wishes and prayers. My Dad passed away on Tuesday. I am glad that all of our family got to share our love with him and that he didn't suffer long. We have God's peace and assurance and we are comforting one another knowing Dad lived a good life for 88 years.


Thank you to all who entered June 29 Pick.  There were TWO Automatic winners 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 also two blocked picks.

Louisa chose Gentle From the Night
and
Lieder chose Category 7

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from June 29 Pick:

Carol M chose Edwin of the Iron Shoes
and

Fi-Chan gets a GC

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.

Who else thinks that summer book choices 
are as numerous as these sunbathers?
Image found at More Intelligent Life

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international

 

Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

The Promise by Kasey Michaels

Winning Ways by Barbara Boswell

Tomorrow's Promise by Sandra Brown

Midnight Rainbow by Linda Howard

Death's Door by Meryl Sawyer

Life Support by Tess Gerristen Audio Cassettes

Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich

Exit to Eden by Anne Rice

While My Pretty One Sleeps by Mary Higgins Clark

Gifts from the Heart by Jillian Hart

*Simon Said by Sarah R. Shaber

*One is the Lonliest Number - Tom Clancey's Net Force

*Edwin of the Iron Shoes by Marcia Mueller

*Covert Pursuit by Terri Reed

*Close to Home by Carolyne Aarsen

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books suitable for international

Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts

Game Over by Fern Michaels

Forever Victoria by Dorothy Garlock

Sleeping Alone by Barbara Bretton

Gentle From the Night Meagan McKinney (spine creased)

In Too Deep by Tina Wainscott

Wildflower by Jill Marie Landis

*Love and Other Four Letter Words by Caroline Mackler

*The Carousel by Rosamund Pilcher

*Shades of Grace by Barbara Delinsky (audio tapes)

The Heart of Justice by William L. Coughlin

Cross Country by James Patterson

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012
Some of the books on the right end are smaller and suitable for overseas mailing. :-)

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (spine damage)

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Midnight Hour by Debra Dixon

September Morning by Diana Palmer

Beneath the Surface by Annie White (slight spine wear)

*The Dream Horse by Virginia Campbell Scott

*Summer's Belle by Paige Winship Dooly

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)
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.


New Group #25 January 12, 2012

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

Leopards Kill by Jim DeFelice

Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson

Hell's Belle by Jane Holleman

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

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



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

Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011


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.

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

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

Primary Colors - audio tapes

Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone)

Not all of these are two from a series but several are. Each pick gets two books.

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 381 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

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

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---(All gone)

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---(All gone)

Pick #4

Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford

The Sixth Sense

The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Pick #5

See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel

Misfortune by Nancy Geary

Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7

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

No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9

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)

Book Review with Giveaway Link: Tempest by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley

This series continues as more powers develop in Aislinn while she and Dylan flee for their lives.

Tempest (The Samsara Chronicles Book 5)

by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley

• File Size: 151 KB
• Print Length: 76 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: eXtasy Books (May 25, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0086FQPNW

Genre: Science Fiction

My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2012

Suspected of multiple murders, Aislinn and Dylan must flee both human and alien pursuers.

Narrowly escaping danger during their quest to acquire the talismans and suspected of multiple murders, Aislinn and Dylan endure harsh winter conditions to evade the military and corrupt human minions seeking to stop them from the opening of the portal.

Review:
Aislinn’s powers, with the skull and other talismans, are growing and changing. Dylan too is hearing the guiding and soothing voices of the Antiquitas through the spheres. That comfort and soothing presence is helpful considering the escalating danger as Aislinn and Dylan flee authorities as well as Elementals; not just regular authorities but one of Dylan's superiors who is in conspiracy with the enemy.  

I like that there are new friends and allies including their eagle guide and a trumpeter who passes on another talisman, a miniature gold trumpet. Both Dylan and Aislinn have been shown visions of the terror that the world suffers as the Elementals overtake mankind and evil spreads. The action continues here as Aislinn and Dylan, with the help of the Antiquitas, survive a massive attack to realize their goal now is to survive to the next stage of their journey.

See the earlier story reviews at this link and watch for the next book, Maelstrom, scheduled for July 11, 2012.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Quote:
Dylan exclaims on realizing some of Aislinn’s new gifts:

“Carrier of secrets and healer. What next?” Location 230

I am reviewing this series for the authors through Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours.

~ ~ ~ KINDLE FIRE GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~

Pump Up Your Book and The Samsara Chronicles are teaming up to give you a chance to win a Kindle Fire!

Here’s how it works:

Each person will enter this giveaway by liking, following, subscribing and tweeting about this giveaway through the Rafflecopter form placed on blogs throughout the tour.  If your blog isn’t set up to accept the form, we offer another way for you to participate by having people comment on your blog then directing them to where they can fill out the form to gain more entries.
This Kindle Fire promotion will run from June 1 – August 31. Winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, contacted by email and announced on September 1, 2012.
Each blogger who participates in The Samsara Chronicles virtual book tour is eligible to enter and win.
Visit each blog stop below to gain more entries as the Rafflecopter widget will be placed on each blog for the duration of the tour.
If you would like to participate, email Dorothy at thewriterslife(at)gmail.com. Last day to sign up is July 27. What a great way to not only win this fabulous prize, but to gain followers and comments too! Good luck everyone!

Click on the graphic below to find out how you can win!

[If the picture link doesn't work, go to this page].

~ ~ ~WIN $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE ~ ~ ~

One lucky person who comments the most on The Samsara Chronicles’ blog stops will receive a $50 gift certificate. The blog host who receives the most comments through the tour will also receive a $50 gift certificate!

Book Review and Review Copy Giveaway: Flabbergasted: A Novel

You may not see the whole picture till the end of the book, but then you should understood the title “Flabbergasted.”

Flabbergasted: A Novel

by Ray Blackston

Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 336
Vendor: Revell
 ISBN: 080073453X
ISBN-13: 9780800734534

Genre: Christian Fiction

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2010

When Flabbergasted stormed on the scene in 2003, the reviews came fast and furious: "Good writing and an ample dose of humor make this as charming as Bridget Jones's Diary from the male point of view."--Library Journal "Blackston's novel will tickle your literary taste buds with a relational gumbo of quirky characters."--Christian Book Previews "Amazing. A novel that is simultaneously serious, hilarious, and impossible to put down."--The Dallas Morning News "With a colorful cast of quirky characters and a plot full of surprises, this is one of the feel-good novels of the year."--CCM Now this summertime favorite about a single stock broker looking for love in the murky waters of the southern church singles scene is repackaged with a hot new look.

Review:

Jay is a stock broker who has recently moved to a city in South Carolina. His realtor agent recommends the best way to meet girls in this Bible Belt town is to attend church.

The very first morning in church young singles group he spots an intriguing young woman.  He soon learns that the young lady, Allie, is an elder’s daughter and home temporarily for a visit from her missions job. Jay joins the group for a weekend beach party where he makes several new friends and furthers a friendship with Allie.

There are lots of fun characters and fun circumstances in this novel. The inside cover flap introduces many characters in a unique way that sets the humorous tone.  I loved the subtle humor and Mr. Blackston’s portrayal of real - as in flawed - Christians ranging from casual (here to meet a mate) to hyper, turn off, religious snobs, with some sincere believers in between.

There are also some wonderful Christian questions (what car would Jesus drive?) and surprisingly deep insights. Although I was rather surprised that several characters did not directly share the gospel message with Jay, I loved how the author allowed him to see the difference in their lives until a point when Jay gets the message from a well delivered sermon.

Jay is offered a profitable position in New York and is about to head off to the ticker tape jungle. He decides to take a quick detour to the jungles of Equador to visit Allie and invite her to visit him in New York.  How will the simple beauties and life of children in the missions camp effect Jay’s view of success and life goals? It is well worth the read to find out!

I picked this book up as a summer read for our Ladies’ Book club not really knowing what to expect. We were all pleased and agreed that the writing was fun and the message was worthwhile. It makes a great group read for discussion too.

I had the print book at home but since I was out of town I picked up the kindle and then the Audible version to listen to in the car. The narrator does a good job with character voices and a great job delivering the subtle humor, sarcasms and sincere proclamations. I can recommend the audio version if you prefer listening, although I was glad to have the print and kindle versions to note significant phrases which is hard to do with audio. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Quotes:
Officer giving speeding tickets while the ‘caravan’ of kids headed out to Myrtle Beach.

“Lemme tell you something boys. I been in church for most of my forty-eight years, and I think Jesus would either drive the Lincoln, or if pressed for time, maybe one of those muscle cars. You know, the power and the glory.” Location 196.

Allie to Jay after they drift out too far and out of control caught the ocean currents - can you picture this as a statement of our lives?

“Really dumb to just float off and drift blind and not peek at least once to see where we were.” Location 748.

This was our Ladies' Book Club pick for June 30.

This was set in Greenville, SC for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my New Author challenge.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The reason I saved this review for July 4 is my own personal thought combined with part of the book’s message. One preacher gives the message:

“We have taken ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ and turned it into ‘vague, vague and very vague’... all this vaguery and the need to be inoffensive has saturated our country...." Location 1566.

I can’t help but see that in my beloved country today.  Americans are so blessed with abundance that we are spoiled. We do not appreciate our freedoms; we give too little credit to those who fought and continue to fight for freedom. We do not appreciate the simple ways of life and the most important purposes of life because we are smothered in our materialism and in vaguery, political correctness. We squander so much while we barely see the poverty and day to day struggles to just live that exist all around the world. How sad.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my Review Copy:

1. Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower on any media (GFC, Twitter @MSEREADS, Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByMarthasBookshelf , Goodreads or Linky - links on right sidebar) or tell me if you are already a follower.

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

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on July 13, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on July 14.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.