Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 5, 2018

Happy Friday!
We enjoyed another week with family and relaxing with just a bit of work on and off. 
This post is filed late since we were traveling and didn't get on internet Thursday night.

Please note - I apologize I did not get the Gift Cards out last weekend. I prefer to print my report to make sure I get them correct so I hope to get that done early this week after I am back home. Also, I plan to pull all books for mailing when I return to the office.

I am back to two random winners. Again, I am sorry I haven't gotten that last box listed yet. I don't think I will get to that until my Christmas break time.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the December 29 Pick. There were THREE automatic wins this week! Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no titles blocked.
AUTO: BN100 gets The Eighth Commandment
BECKY gets Ghost Riders
and RUBYNREBA gets The Manning Brides.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from December 29 Pick:
FREDAMANS gets a GC;
JANHVI 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, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

Here are some books to consider for 2018. :-)
Image found at College Fashion.

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017 (37 titles)
24 in the top picture and 13 in the lower picture. Not sure that you can read the titles so I will try to list these soon.

THESE BOOKS ARE NOT LISTED YET SO THE ONES CHOSEN/WON ARE THE ONES STRICKEN HERE:
Finger Licken' Fifteen
How to Tame a Highland Warrior
The Texan
Total Control
Stephanie Laurens Pair
Desperado 
Rebellious Desires 
Forget Me Not 
The Eighth Commandment
Ghost Riders
The Manning Brides by Debbie Macomber


New Book Group #75 September 29, 2017

SINGLES:
THESE LISTED ARE THE ONLY TITLES STILL AVAILABLE IN THIS AND LOWER LISTED BOXES.
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
Morning Song
Daring
Named of the Dragon
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
The Painted House (audio)

New Book Group #74 August 25, 2017

SINGLES:
Treasure Me by Robyn DeHart
Cold Blooded by Lisa Jackson
House of Dreams by Brenda Joyce (slight spine wear)
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Surrender My Love by Johanna Lindsey (slight spine wear)
204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson – Audio Cassettes
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman

New Book Group #73 June 16, 2017
I was looking for Summer titles but that didn’t really work.
SINGLES:
The Cowboy by Joan Johnston
A Dragon Prince by Mary Gillgannon
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan

New Book Group #72 May 12, 2017
SINGLES:
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)

New Book Group #71 March 10, 2017
Mysteries and Thrillers
SINGLES:
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)

New Book Group #70 January 27, 2017
Thought I’d share some romances for February:
SINGLES:
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn

New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016 -- All Gone

New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
SINGLES:
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown

New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
SINGLES:
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)

New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016

(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
SINGLES:
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016-- All Gone

New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016
SINGLES:
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette

New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016 -- All Gone

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)

New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014 -- All Gone

BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- 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
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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.

BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

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 on November 27, 2009 and in almost EIGHT years I have posted 75 groups of 16 (1,200) books to find new homes! (as of November 2, 2017).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,133+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A month or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. 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!

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 $7.00 and $10.00 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)

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!

Audible Book Review: Western Christmas Weddings by Jenna Kernan

These are three charming Christmas romances.
Western Christmas Weddings
3 Western Novellas
By: Jenna Kernan
Narrated by: Cody Roberts
Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins

Unabridged
Release date: 08-10-17
Publisher: Jeannette H. Monaco
Genre: Historical Romance, Western Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Three western audiobook novellas of Christmas brides engaged in holiday romance!
"The Sheriff's Housekeeper Bride" - On the run for a crime she didn't commit, Eliza Flannery escapes apprehension by posing as the new housekeeper of a stranger, only to discover afterwards, that he is the town's sheriff! Now she needs to create a Christmas celebration for his young daughter, but when the real housekeeper appears, will Eliza find the forgiveness of the season, or spend Christmas in jail?
"His Brother's Bride" - Only a cold woman would marry a man she's never met, even if it was her husband's last request. But with her daughter to care for, Clara Justice agrees to marry the family's black sheep and be Nate's wife, but she's not opening her heart, not even if it is Christmas.
"Fallen Angel" - When Ford Statler accidentally shoots a young widow who is cutting a Christmas tree for her little boy, Abby March falls under his care and protection. Now he's got more than he bargained for, making a Christmas to remember for a widow and her young son. But will she let him offer her so much more?
©2017 Jeannette H. Monaco (P)2017 Jeannette H. Monaco

Review:
These are three engaging and sweet historical romance novellas. The blurb gives the brief descriptions. The characters were warm and varied. The men needed a bit of a change of heart while the women tried to resist falling for them as they might not be the best choice. Although the stories involved women facing difficulties and reluctant heroes (at first), the author succeeded in making each different and engaging.

I think that "The Sheriff's Housekeeper Bride" was my favorite with it’s lighter character and humor. There is also a good moral message shared. This would be a nice romance collection to enjoy anytime but I really enjoyed listening to them during the holiday season.

This is the first time I have read this author's works but I will be glad to look for other books she has written. I would also look for the narrator's work too. I highly recommend this story to reader's who enjoy warm, clean historical romance. 

Audio Notes: Cody Roberts provided excellent narration. He gave the men, women and children suitable and distinct voices. His performance brought the stories alive and added to my enjoyment.

This is a newer, 2017, title from my Audible shelf. It qualified for my 2017 Audiobook Challenge.

Audible Book Review: A State of Treason by David Thomas Roberts

This is entertaining with lots of action and suspense.

A State of Treason
By: David Thomas Roberts
Narrated by: Charles Craig
Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Unabridged
Release date: 05-13-15
Language: English
Publisher: Vibrant Technologies
Genre: Action, Alternate History, Political Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
A US president with outward contempt for the Founding Fathers and the limits of the US Constitution, who's administration is rocked by scandals....
The Governor of Texas, the self-described mortal enemy of the president, directs a legendary Texas Ranger to rescue a Tea Party organizer from the clutches of federal agents. The resulting struggle sets the stage for a cataclysmic power struggle between officials in Austin and Washington, DC, further polarizing the nation and resulting in arrest warrants for duly elected state officials.
The rest of the country and, the world, watches in awe and despair as the "Texas Crisis" unfolds, affecting world financial markets amid skyrocketing fuel prices. The Texas legislature sends the vote to the people of Texas and the president orders the vote stopped as he suspends the Second Amendment and declares martial law. Texas is now in A State of Treason.
©2014 David Thomas Roberts (P)2015 David Thomas Roberts

Review:
This is the sequel to Patriots of Treason in the Patriots Series. It picks up where book one ended and continues the political struggles, including the Federal corruption and brutality, that are the basis for Texas considering seceding from the United States.

The story moves along well and includes good action which keeps it entertaining. There are several key characters, good guys and villains, who are life-like personalities. Particularly the legendary Texas Ranger, Pops Younger, is a strong character who encompasses the “don’t mess with Texas” attitude.

The plotline made me ponder how I would feel about any state taking sides against the Union that we love. The author incorporates some timely political issues. Of course, in this book the corruption, including lies, cover-ups and murder, was truly extreme, providing a basis for the actions of the Texas leadership. The cost of rebellion is great but to capitulate might result in loss of freedoms that are intended as part of the American way. I enjoyed this entertaining story of a state at odds with a corrupt Federal government. I recommend this series to readers who like alternate history, action stories.

Audio Notes: Charles Craig does a good job with the narration. His voice took a bit to get used to but pretty soon it seemed to fit the nature of the story. I found this to be good listening!

This was an Audible selection from 2017. It qualified for my 2017 Audiobook Challenge.

MBS 2018 Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge

Welcome to the fifth annual Netgalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge!
This Challenge is hosted by Bookish Things & More where the sign up and rules can be found

Levels:
Bronze – 10 Books
Silver – 25 Books
Gold – 50 Books
Platinum – 75 Books
Diamond – 100 Books

I just made my goal of Gold in 2017 with 51 NetGalley books read and reviewed. I think I can accomplish the Gold level again this year with my reading plan.
I will try to post the monthly book list and progress here this year. Reviews will be linked as completed.

JANUARY:
1. What if God Wrote Your To-Do List? by Jay Payleitner.

MBS Audiobook Challenge 2018

The Audiobook Challenge is back for 2018!

Join Hot Listens and Caffeinated Reviewer for the 6th year of audiobook fun.
Click on either site for the sign up, rules and resources for audiobooks.

I love listening to Audiobooks. Here are some of the times I listen: while doing chores (laundry, gardening, housework, etc), while walking, while putting on make-up and getting dressed, while driving, when going to sleep.

THE LEVELS:
Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5
Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) 10-15
Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30
My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+
Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

I completed 79 Audiobooks in 2017 so I will stick with MARATHONER Status again this year.
Since I keep a WORD docx with the list, I should be able to add the books here monthly to keep track of my progress.
Reviews will be linked as completed.

JANUARY 2018
1. Year One by Nora Roberts.