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Friday, April 5, 2013

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 5, 2013

[** 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!! Did anyone get fooled on April 1?? Not me. :-) It's been a good week. 

[***I'm sorry I have bad news for the international entrants -- I have to ask you to stick with GCs as the new postage rates have almost doubled. What might have been a $6.25 mail out is now close to $12.00.]

Thank you to all who entered the March 29 Pick. Still no automatic wins this week especially with four blocked titles from 10 picks. (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks). Both wins were blocked titles. 

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from March 29 Pick:

June M gets the Linda Howard Pair
bn100 gets Beautiful Dreamer

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.

 Image found at Tumblr.com Book giveaways

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013
As I am linking these titles it is clear to me why they were in my TBR boxes and it is really hard to let them go but I have soooo many. Better that they find good reader homes than sit on my shelves, or in a box, and collect dust. 
Pairs:
Linda Howard:
     While Lies and A Game of Chance
Carly Phillips
     The Heartbreaker and Simply Sinful
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.
Bride by Command by Linda Winstead Jones
To Tame a Rebel by Georgina Gentry
While Passion Sleeps by Shirlee Busbee
Lord Liar by Laurie Grant
Silk and Steel by Theresa Michaels
Lady in Red by Karen Hawkins
The Admiral's Bride by Suzanne Brockmann
Marry Me, Maddie by Rita Herron
Lady Ice by Joan Hohl
Dark Roots & Cowboy Boots by LuAnn McLane
Only My Dreams by Anna Blundy



New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013
Pairs:
Laurell K. Hamilton
     Cravings (actually an Anthology) and A Kiss of Shadows
Tara Taylor Quinn
     Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
Tom Clancy
     Power Play: Cold War (paperback) and Power Play: Ruthless.com (audio cassette tapes)
Singles:
Deadline by Fern Michaels
Timeline by Michael Crichton
And Then You Die by Iris Johansen
Bride of Shadow Canyon by Stacey Kayne
Echoes by Maeve Binchy (worn spine)
One Dead Under the Cukoo's Nest by Lori Avocato
The Thunder Keeper by Margaret Coel
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Always a Lady by Sharon Sala
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart


New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing 

Pairs
Beverly Barton:
    Downright Dangerous and What She Doesn't Know
Heather Graham Pozzessere
    Renegades (Western Anthology) and Everytime I Love You (The spine is creased.)
Mary Baxter
    His Touch and One Summer Evening

Singles-- I found a couple of boxes of romances (a lot of Harlequins) that I haven't gotten to read over the past 8 years so... I will send them off to others to read!
Flashpoint by Linda Barnes
Across a Thousand Miles by Nadia Nichols
Lady Beware by Fayrene Preston
Secrets of the Outback by Margaret Way
Never Say Never Again by Tori Carrington
*Merger of Fortunes by Peggy Moreland
*Married to His Business by Elizabeth Bevarly 
*The Banker's Convenient Wife by Lynne Graham
*Chance Adventure by Kelly Eileen Hake
* The Millionaire's Daughter by Sophie Weston


New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

SINGLES - CHRISTMAS TITLES (Better sizes for international) 
*Deck the Halls by Arlene James (slight spine creasing)
*A Holiday Prayer by Deb Kastner  (slight spine creasing)


New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012
- Oops upside down book! NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley
The Gift by Constance O'Day-Flannery
Please Remember This by Katleen Giles Seidel
Twice Upon Time by Nina Beaumont
Heart of the Hawk by Justine Dare
The Boy's Tale (Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries) by Margaret Frazer
Calculated Revenge by Jill Elizabeth Nelson


New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
I pulled some more books from several of my boxes.

An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
Beautiful Dreamer by Elizabeth Lowell

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
This time I pulled some books from one of my older boxes.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing


The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander (postage too much - replaced with GC)
Mistress by Amanda Quick - Audio Cassettes
*Long Time Coming by Sandra Brown

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

Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
*One is the Lonliest Number - Tom Clancey's Net Force

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012 (All gone)

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012 (All gone)

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

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

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---(All gone)

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011
Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20
Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books: Group #19
Primary Colors - audio tapes
*Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

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

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 three years I have posted 33 groups of 16 (528) books to find new homes! (November 2012)

I 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 494 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--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown  (postage too much - replaced with GC)

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Looking Back by Belva Plain

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4
Talking God by Tony Kellerman
Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford
The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Pick #5
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
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---(All Gone)

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: A Shot of Sultry by Macy Beckett

This is a steamy, just short of sleazy, make-you grin romance.
A Shot of Sultry
by Macy Beckett

  • Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (March 5, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1402270399
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402270390
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Book Description
Release date: March 5, 2013 | Series: Sultry Springs

Welcome to Sultry Springs, Texas: where home can be the perfect place for a fresh start.

For West Coast filmmaker Bobbi Gallagher, going back to Sultry Springs is a last resort. But with her career in tatters, a documentary set in her hometown might be just what she needs to salvage her reputation. She just can't let anything distract her again. Not even the gorgeous contractor her brother asked to watch over her. As if she can't handle filming a few rowdy Texans.

Golden boy Trey Lewis, with his blond hair and Technicolor-blue eyes, is a leading man if Bobbi ever saw one. He's strong and confident and—much to her delight—usually shirtless. He thinks keeping his best friend's baby sister out of trouble will be easy. But he has no idea of the trouble in store for him...


Review:
Bobbi Gallagher was a child when her mother moved them away from Sultry Springs, leaving her older brother, Luke, behind. Bobbi struggled all through school as a poor child  but rose above it to become a serious documentary filmmaker. Things were good until some ‘confidential’ information sent a project into trouble, tanking her career and reputation. She is offered a chance to do a rural version of the reality show, Real Life, Real Love. Bobbi needs a place to recoup over the summer and thinks that living with her brother, Luke, in her hometown of Sultry Springs will provide just the right opportunity to film Sex in the Sticks.

No sooner does Bobbi walk into Luke’s bar than she meets the “Golden boy” Trey and the dark, sexy lawman, Colton. She decides these two will be the perfect subjects to help find summer-time love for her documentary project. Trey jumps to the wrong conclusion and tries to oust Bobbi before he learns that she is his best friend’s sister. Now he is roped into her project and, to make matters worse, Luke appoints Trey to be Bobbi’s bodyguard by keeping away the hound-dogs in town.

Trey will be leaving at the end of summer for a contractor job in Dubai as a means of redeeming his less than honorable discharge from the service. He might be interested in a hot summer fling except the only woman he wants is the one he can’t have--Bobbi.  Bobbi knows it is totally wrong to engage in any shenanigans with her film subject but she finds that she is able to open up so comfortably with Trey. One thing sort of leads to another and soon they are hiding their passionate affair from the cameramen and Luke.

These characters are really wonderful together and the story is plain fun. Bobbi is a bit insecure and a lot OCD. When she gets troubled she gets cleaning and sorting... in alphabetically or color coded order from kitchen pantry to work tools. The dialogue and images are sassy and liberally peppered with guy humor that is on the low side but very funny. If you are overly sensitive to sexual innuendos, and pretty steamy lovemaking, this might not be the author or series for you. The premise is just this side of sleazy (really--Sex in the Sticks???) but anyone not grinning by the end of the book could only be a real grump. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bobbi’s reaction to Trey:
Although Bobbi wanted to push him into the path of an oncoming Mack truck, she couldn’t deny he had a face that would tempt a saint and a body made for sinning–tall and lithe and bulky in all the right places. Page 17
I received this book from Sourcebooks for an honest review.
This story is set in Texas for my 2013 Where Are Your Reading Challenge.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR ARC COPY.


For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US and Canada Only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on April 12, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on April 13, 2013.
Winners are asked to respond by email or the linked winners form within 72 hours of the announcement.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Blogger & Author Sponsored Kindle Fire Giveaway April 2013


Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway
The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)


Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)


Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)


Sponsoring Bloggers & Authors
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  2. Author Jennifer Laurens
  3. Author Lena Sledge
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  7. Author Rebecca Talley
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  11. My Life With Books
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  15. Book Angel Booktopia
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  21. Curling Up With A Good Book
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  23. A Bookish Escape
  24. Paranormal Book Club
  25. Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf
  26. Amethyst Daydreams
  27. Pink Fluffy Hearts
  28. Love. Without You
  29. Books, Books, the Magical Fruit
  30. Author Lisa Voison
  31. Tasty Book Tours
  32. Fae Books
  33. Author Cindy C. Bennett
  34. Author Emma Michaels
  35. Author Lia Fairchild
  36. Fade Into Fantasy
  37. Pieces of Whimsy
  38. Author Rachael Renee Anderson
  39. Feed Your Reader
  40. Lovely Reads

Giveaway Details
1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International). Ends 4/30/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $199 US.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Audio Book Review: Did You Miss Me? By Karen Rose

I really liked this strong, intense thriller with a warm romance.
Did You Miss Me [Audiobook, Unabridged]
Karen Rose (Author),
Marguerite Gavin (Reader)
  • Audio CD
  • Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.; Unabridged edition (February 5, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1470842572
  • ISBN-13: 978-1470842574
LENGTH: 20 hrs and 46 mins

Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: February 5, 2013
New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose is back with her fourteenth pulse-pounding thriller.
Best be nimble, best be quick, I'm right here and you're my pick . . .
The last thing Ford Elkhart remembers is walking his girlfriend back to her car. Now he's lying tied and gagged on a cold, dark floor, with only one chance to escape before he ends up like the bones surrounding him.
Assistant State's Attorney Daphne Montgomery is devastated by her son's disappearance and is immediately convinced that his kidnapping is connected to the white supremacist she's just had jailed for murder. FBI Special Agent Joseph Carter isn't so sure -- especially when he learns that Ford's girlfriend is also missing. Is Ford's abduction payback for Daphne's courtroom victory, or is he a pawn in an even more dangerous game?


Review:
State Attorney Daphne Montgomery is involved in an intense trial bringing a young, white supremacist to justice. At completion of the trial other family members attack. That is scare enough but what really has Daphne trembling is the kidnapping of her teenage son, Ford. At first it is thought that the supremacist group is involved, but the listener learns more about the killer’s motives while bit by bit the clues reveal his personal vendetta against Daphne. She will have to acknowledge a horrifying kidnapping from her own childhood and uncover a terrible betrayal before she is released from this nightmare.

This is a story that pulled me in quickly with a murder and kidnappings. It leads the reader through Ford’s struggle to escape and survive, and then along a dark, chilling race by Daphne and investigators to save other innocent girls.  Woven within the danger is a strong love story. FBI Special Agent, Joseph Carter, fights his own memories as he fights to protect Daphne from a killer and from the pain of losing her son.

There was some unnecessary repetition and some drawn out sections that slowed the pacing a time or two. I was not pleased that Daphne, a strong career professional, became a whining mess when her son was kidnapped. But those issues didn’t stop my enjoyment of the twisting mystery and dark suspense. I also enjoyed the interaction with characters from earlier stories and I was impressed that Ms. Rose incorporated a battle with cancer as part of Daphne's history.

I have only read a couple of Ms. Rose’s works but I really appreciate her ability to develop a good, twisting mystery and twine in a believable and warm romance. ( I hope Clay gets a story for himself.) I recommend this book and this author to readers who love a good romantic suspense and those who love a solid, dark thriller.

Audio Notes: The narrator for this is Marguerite Gavin who is familiar to me from another series I really like. Although I recognized her voice when I first started listening, I was quickly caught up in the story after that first recognition. Ms. Gavin does a good job of distinguishing characters by their voices and conveying their many emotions. She even managed the ugly whininess of Daphne - a character flaw I attribute to the author as it was repeated several times. The truly creepy rendition of “I’m baa-aack. Did you miss me?” adds to the suspense. There were a couple of bad editing breaks that were just a shame and momentarily startled me but for the most part the audio added to the story for me. This would no doubt be a good suspense read but it was wonderful to listen to.

I received this Audio download for review from Blackstone Audio, Inc. through Audiobook Jukebox.
This story is set in West Virgina for my 2013 Where Are You Reading Challenge.

Monday, April 1, 2013

NO JOKE - Win Big April Fools Giveaway Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway


No Joke - Win Big April Fools Giveaway
Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)



Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)



Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)



Sponsoring Authors


The Breeders by Katie French

"The Breeders is a YA dystopian read that's as gritty and dark as the cover and title suggest. It takes a look at how society might devolve if females were commodities: bought, sold, stolen, and traded to keep the dwindling human race going. Frightening concept. I loved it." --A.G. Henley, author of The Scourge








Dissidence by Jamie Canosa

"An amazingly snarky protagonist, two hot boys, a mass rebellion, and an ending that will blow your mind are the perfect ingredients that will make Dissidence the next big thing in YA." --Beth, YA Sisterhood






The Moon Dwellers and Fire Country 
by David Estes


“Fire Country is an epic start to the Country saga and left me with my heart pounding and totally breathless. Phenomenal" --K-booksxo.blogspot.com








Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas


Love between humans and androids is forbidden, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen...








The Tale of Mally Biddle by M.L. LeGette

"To say I loved this book is an understatement." --April Holgate








Terra by Gretchen Powell


"This could be your world... but it's definitely Terra's, and she navigates it with determination, and a longing for answers that makes her story engrossing and entertaining." -- abookobsession.com








After the Fear by Rosanne Rivers


"The book is just breathtaking from the moment you start till the moment you put it down." -- Amazon review








Entanglement by Dan Rix

A YA Dystopian Romance where every human is born with a soulmate, whom they meet on their 18th birthday...and the one boy who's the exception.








daynight by Megan Thomason


“Sure to win over YA readers looking for a dangerous, dystopian adventure story” --Kirkus Reviews
 “Gripping; page-turner” --BlueInk Review (starred review)







Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan


"The novel's take on otherworldly travel is a compelling one, and the romantic plot will likely appeal to Twilight fans." - Kirkus Reviews





Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International).

Ends 4/15/13


Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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