Winners of Christmas Gifts!

Thank you to everyone who entered.  I found it interesting that there were 13 international entries to 30 US/Canadian entries.  A nice split. I loved learning where people were and what temps you were having.  I forget that some of you are starting summer as we start winter. :)

CONGRATULATIONS

to the winners!

Package #1 - Snowman Package:

KATE N

(from Canada)

Package #2 - Moose Package:

LINDA H

(from USA)

International GC

KULSUMA from the UK

I will need addresses from Kate and Linda and a choice of gift card from Kulsuma. I will try to get an email off to each of you tomorrow but feel free to email me if you get to it first. :o)  mesreadsATgmail.com

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain

A devil meets his match.
Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Reprint edition (November 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402242417
• ISBN-13: 978-1402242410

      Price:  Print $9.00; Kindle $5.38
     Genre: Historical Romance
     My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
They called him the devil...
With his seductive golden eyes and sin-black hair, it's no wonder Lord Alex Trevegne has earned himself the sinister title-not to mention his reputation as one of the most notorious rakes in England.
And she's the only one who can conquer him...
When fate throws Alex and Elysia into a scandalous situation, Alex suddenly finds it surprisingly difficult to tear himself away from her.
As an unexpected passion blossoms between them, Elysia begins to wonder if after a lifetime of heartache she's finally found heaven in the arms of the devil.

Review: Good characters - to like or not - and engaging writing make this interesting.
I have to admit that I liked Elysia’s character through most of the book.  She is strong minded but nice and down to earth. She doesn’t put on airs and is kind to the servants.  I felt for her hardship and was waiting for her vicious Aunt to have a comeuppance later in the book.  I was a bit disappointed that she didn’t fight harder later in the story.

Alex was a little more difficult to like.  He is extremely arrogant and seemingly shallow in his feelings toward his mistresses and companions. Although he does have feelings for his brother and ultimately for Elysia, he doesn’t show or express them much.  He is good to his servants and animals so he can’t be all bad. However, he does have a mean and cruel streak in his arrogant and dictatorial dealings thus hurting Elysia rather than offering kindness to her or even a good dose of seduction other than ravishment.  I found this difficult especially considering the age difference with him being a seasoned rogue in his 30s and Elysia being a naive innocent barely 18.

I thought the story was a bit disjointed as it moved from the focus of Elysia and Alex’s conflicts to a new plot thread fairly late in the book.  We meet an important new character a good two thirds into the story and then get some tense action in the new plot.  This line kept my attention fixed for the remainder of the book which was a good thing as I had not been fully engaged at the beginning. 

That is the basis for my saying I had mixed feelings about the book.  I really liked the premise and I liked the ending.  I wish it had flowed a bit better and that loose ends had been dealt with. I will want to read more by this author and see if other books have the same good intensity with better flow.  This book still worked for me as good entertainment even with the disjointedness.

xxx

Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC COPY:

1. Comment on the review; maybe tell me how you feel about a cruel hero.
Please leave your e-mail!

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

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

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

* This contest is open to US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on January 11, 2011. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Winners from Midwinter's Eve!

Sorry to run late on announcing Winners on this.  I had forgotten to print out the list while at the office on the 23rd so I had to run in to do that.
Thank you to everyone who entered!

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winners!

$20 Gift Certificate goes to

Zoe (strandedhero)

and

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)

by Cassandra Clare

will be sent to 

Asenath

Winners have been emailed.

It's Monday! What are you Reading December 27, 2010?

This meme starts at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I finished three books last week and posted three Reviews, two with ARC Giveaways; one Author Interview; one Comment Giveaway and a week of  Christmas Videos.

As noted before, for this feature I will only be giving a rating and a short summary comment on books I read from my TBRs or as fillers - which aren't many :).

Again I didn't have too much time this past week to reply to comments or visit. I keep hoping to improve.

These were last week's posts plus Winner posts not listed.

•  It's Monday What are You Reading? December 20, 2010.  

•  Five Christmas Song Videos for Songs from our Choral Program I posted one each day but this link is for all of them.

•  Thank you for Holiday Swap.

•  Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop.

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway:  The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley; Historical Fiction/Time Travel; my rating 4.5.

•  Q & A Interview with Susanna Kearsley, author of The Winter Sea.

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway of Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.0.

• Book Review Kentucky Blues by Cat Shaffer; Romantic Suspense; my rating 3.75.

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 24, 2010.

• Merry Christmas to Blogging Friends.

•  Sunday Words of Encouragement December 26, 2010.

•  Enquiring Minds want to know Meme - Week 17 Plus Comment Giveaway.

Finished Reading:

Print (and Kindle):

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley; 

Historical Fantasy Romance.

Review and ARC Giveaway linked above.

 
Print: Devil's Desire

by Laurie McBain; Historical Romance.

I had mixed feelings as I read this to the

very engaging ending.

I will post a review and ARC Giveaway this week.

Kindle: Kentucky Blues by Cat Shaffer; 
Romantic Suspense. Review is linked above.

Product Description from Turquoise Morning Press
Elise Drummond has never forgotten her first love – and never expected to learn via the grapevine that he was back in Brookville and living with her mother. Sam McCade had broken her heart, and she wasn’t about to let him destroy her mother’s as well. A quick trip back to Kentucky to lay down the law and she could get back to the safe life she’d built for herself in Kansas City.

When Sam McCade went on the run in the middle of the night to save his sister from her abusive husband, there was only one person he could trust to help them, Hannah Drummond. He expected the local gossips to have a field day with his return to Brookville, but he never dreamed Elise would roll into town to check out the situation for herself.

And he certainly never imagined that in order to save his sister, Elise would be willing to sacrifice herself as the pawn in a dangerous game of catch the monster when his brother-in-law decides to take back what he wants – no matter who stands in his way.

Audio: -------

Line Edits/Releases: Haven't quite gotten the new releases up as we work out final details.  

Currently reading:
Print: Wolf Fever by Terry Spear; Paranormal Romance.
This author has the knack of drawing you in right away even though I am less than a quarter into this.  Reviewing for  Sourcebooks.

Product Description
She may be his destiny, but she's not his first choice...

Hospital nurse and newly turned red werewolf Carol Woods is being pressured by her pack leader to find a mate, but he's the only guy in the pack who remotely attracts her.

Why is he playing so hard to get?

The fate of the pack rests on his shoulders...

Gray pack leader Ryan McKinley doesn't want anything to do with Carol unless she's willing to embrace her wolf nature-no matter how beautiful she is.

But when a virus infects the local lupus garou pack, Ryan realizes just how wrong he's been not to seize the moment with the woman he's come to love. And now, it may be too late...

Kindle:  No Greater Love by Kinzie Monroe; Inspirational.  This is a story with an interesting premise/plot.  I am enjoying the inspirational aspects and interested in how it will turn out.  I am reviewing this for the author.

Product Description
What would you do for $300 million dollars? Would you commit murder, even as an act of mercy? That’s what Leah Dalton is asking of five of her closest friends. The co-founder and CEO of Dalton Software Inc., has spent the last six months searching desperately for a cure to the cancer that is eating away at her brain. Finally, realizing she is fighting a losing battle, she devises a plan that will give her back some control of her life. Deciding if she’s going to die, she is going to be the one who chooses how and when.

Inviting five of her closest friends and a local attorney to her estate to spend a week, she shares the news of her impending death and asks for their help. Afraid of the painful death she knows is just around the corner, she offers them the chance of a lifetime. She wants one of them to kill her. She doesn’t care how as long as it’s painless and appears to be accidental or natural. In return for their good deed, the person will receive $300 million dollars.

Will one of her friends take her up on the offer? What would you do?

Audible:  Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1) by Cassandra Clare. Listened to a bit more. Now that I finished the Audio CD for review I will continue to listen to this from my own wish list.

Line Edits: Working on final adjustments for: ΕΞΙΣ: gods, ghosts, and battered cellphones by Anne Abad. A collection of science fiction stories - was delayed for a cover change.
Love from the Ashes by Pat Andres, a paranormal romance mystery, should be getting released this week.
Also I am moving closer to two more releases, in addition to these two.

Remaining December books:

Print:

The Sherlockian by Graham Moore.  Reading for Hachette.


Nothing else on the December schedule but I have pretty full calendars for January and February already with Hachette and Sourcebooks commitments.  I am sifting through other requests to decide which other books to pull in.
I will post a January list in a few days so following friends can help me to pick the reading order and I can giveaway another comment book. :o)

BTW- Monday the 27th is my Birthday - I may go shopping with my daughter and my son's girl friend. I just can't think of anything I want to shop for although I would be glad to go to the book exchange store if they are open on Monday. We'll see.

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 17 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

Thank you for the wonderful sharing last week! 
THE WINNER FROM ENQUIRING COMMENTS from week #16 on December 18 is Raissa who gets to pick a  Christmas book or if she is international then a Book Depository Book or a GC.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 17 QUESTION

Only 1 question this week.

1. Share with us a favorite childhood holiday moment?

I have many years with lots of good memories  - I was going to pick a current one until I saw it was to be a childhood memory.
Hmmm - One special memory is when I was about 10 years old.  I loved monkeys as a child.  That year I received a gorilla that was almost as big as me. I had "Charlie" until I put him in storage while I was in college. Unfortunately he ended up with bugs and I had to get rid of him.
One other wonderful memory is making Christmas cookies with my mother and sister. That was always fun.

So how about you? Do you have a fav childhood memory to share.   
This week we will do another Christmas book from the Christmas Books for Giveaway.

Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on the question 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 next Friday, December 31 at 10PM central. Then hopefully I will announce the winner on Saturday!

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 26, 2010

We welcome the Christ Child and King on the Fifth Sunday of Advent. 

Our Pastor reminded us this morning that when we focus on Christmas we should also remember Contentment. Many of us wanted more for Christmas than we needed. And most of us received more than we deserved for Christmas.  It is important for us to learn to accept what we have with gratitude. Be careful that what you ask for or seek is in God's will as there will always be consequences if you outside His will.

I found this video and thought it is perfect for the day after Christmas.

Verses for today:

This verse goes with the sermon:

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (New International Version, ©2010)

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

But this verse is for Christmas:

Isaiah 9:6 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁶ For to us a child is born,

   to us a son is given,

   and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I pray that everyone will share the peace and love of Christmas each and every day.

Merry Christmas to my Blogging Friends!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! MAY EVERYONE ENJOY GOD'S GIFT TO US!

I chose this video because it expresses my friendship wishes
for my blogging friends near and far.
Have a Beautiful and Blessed Day.

Christmas 2010 Song Videos: Heaven's Lamb

Video #5 - renditions I found for songs from our Christmas Program. We sang songs from two books:  Portraits of Christmas and King of Glory, King of Love.

This is a gorgeous song and a lovely duet and choir presentation.

Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway December 24, 2010

My family is here and helped trim our tree. I was going to post the before and after pictures but the computer is not reading the image card and I am too tired to try to go find the cable hook up.  So instead you get Jack's Bookcase from the Nightmare Before Christmas ... just for fun.

NOTE: New rules for international participants. I learned over the past weeks 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. 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. :o)

12/3/10  Here is the newest Book Set:
#16

Adam by Ted Dekker
Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith
The Proposition by Judith Ivory
Cold As Ice by Anne Stuart
Veils of Silk by Mary Jo Putney
Sleep Softly by Gwen Hunter
Comanche Woman by Joan Johnston (part of a great series!)
Barefoot: A Novel by Elin Hilderbrand
Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway
Blueberry Hill by Marcia Evanick (small tear on cover)
Through the Grinder (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 2) by Cleo Coyle
Forever, Ashley  by Lori Copeland
She Loves Me Not by Wendy Corsi Staub
Cornered Tigress  by Jade Lee
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Uneasy Alliance (Famous Firsts) Jayne Ann Krentz (slightly worn)

Okay - I've been promising a new set of "used" books for giveaway and finally I got the picture!

List #15

Double Exposure (Brio Girls) by Kathy Wierenga

Wicked Widow  by Amanda Quick

A Little Magic by Nora Roberts

Imitation in Death by J. D. Robb

A Heart Speaks by LaVyrle Spencer

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

Almost Forever (Sarah) by Linda Howard

Silver Falls by Anne Stuart

Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller

List #14

The Cobra Event by Richard Preston

Proof of Intent: A Charley Sloan Courtroom Thriller by William Coughlin, Walter Sorrels

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

Off Season by Jack Ketchum

The Color of Law: A Novel by Mark Gimenez
Atlantis by David Gibbins
Depraved Indifference by Joseph Teller
Lines of Defense by Barry Siegel
Must the Maiden Die (Seneca Falls Historical Myster) by Miriam Grace Monfredo
Gospel Truths by J.G. Sandom
The Summons by John Grisham - Audio CDs

Here is set #13 of "new" Used books!

Flamingo Diner by Sherryl Woods
Death Cruise (St. Martin's True Crime Library) by Don Davis
The Angel by Carla Neggers
Anansi Boys by Neil Gairman
The Hellion by LaVyrle Spencer
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix
The Outside Man by Richard North Patterson

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
First King of Shannara (Shannara Trilogy, Prequel)  by Terry Brooks
Seal Team Oneby Dick Couch
Motion to Suppress by Perri O'Saughnessy
Presumption of Death by Perri O'Saughnessy
Pandemic by Daniel Kalla
Lethal Practice by Peter Clement
The Undertaker's Widow by Phillip M. Margolin
The Burning Man by Phillip M. Margollin
Double Jeopardy by William Bernhardt
The Genesis Code: A Thriller by John Case
The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, Book 1) by Stephen King

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
Rainmaker by John Grisham - Audio Tapes

PLEASE NOTE UPDATED RULES IN RED BELOW!

I am going to continue to include the full list updated with chosen books crossed off.  You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see each post and the book pictures if you want!  I am happy to say that so far about 125 books have found new homes! YAY.  I pulled a couple of hardbacks and larger books as the postage cost was prohibitive. 

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 the Friday Pick Giveaways.

I originally posted ten Friday Pick posts with 16 books each.  I will strike out the books as they are chosen. Some of the books may be chosen by winners in the SaSR weekly drawings. So it will be first pick to the one who claims it.  SaSR winners are announced Friday mornings (or afternoon if I get busy!) and it usually takes that person a bit of time to get back to me. That means the Friday Pick winner who is drawn Thursday night will usually get the choice named in their comment as I will have time to remove it from the file list before announcing the winner at SaSR.

Note new rules at the top of this post regarding international winners.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, 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.

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists (less whichever books might be picked by the comment or SaSR winners each week).  PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM SETTING A NEW CUT OFF TIME AS 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 the next Friday.
ALSO, TO SAVE ME EXTRA WORK, I WILL ASK THE WINNERS TO CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND E-MAIL ME THEIR ADDRESSES at mesreads@gmail.com.  I will confirm receipt of the addresses.  If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder over the weekend but I won't be so rushed on Fridays!  So I still recommend that you leave your e-mail especially if you are new and I don't have a way to find it!

Thanks for helping these books find a new home!!

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!

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Almost Single by Advaita Kala

Pick #2
Breaking Point by Suzanne Brockmann
The Crush by Sandra Brown
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank

Pick #4
Talking God by Tony Kellerman
Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford
The Sixth Sense
The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)
The Forgotten by Faye Kellerman
Swear by the Moon by Shirley Busbee
Montana Bride by Barbara Clark (A)

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
Tin Man by Dale Brown
The Marshall Takes a Bride by Renee Ryan *PA*
On Bear Mountain by Deborah Smith
The Edge of Town by Dorothy Garlock
The Healer by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan
Mistletoe and Mischief by Patricia Wynn

Pick #7
In Her Defense by Stephen Horn - Audio Tape
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)
X-Men 2
Hunted by William W. Johnstone (spine frayed at top)
Man of My Dreams by Johanna Lindsey (spine frayed a bit at bottom)
Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8
(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
Stormy Weather by Carl Haasen - Audio Tapes
Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow (sc)
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland - Audio Tapes (box creased but tapes good)
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes
Vertical Run by Joseph R. Garber (sc)

Pick #9
Spyder Web by Tom Grace - Audio Tapes
The Closers by Michael Connelly
Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology
Final Appeal by Lisa Scottoline (spine creased)
The Lost World by Michael Crichton - Audio Tapes
Evil Whispers by Owl Goingback
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murrray
Darkfall by Stephen Laws
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
Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief by Dorothy Gilman - Audio Tapes
The Trouble with Mary by Millie Criswell
Dreams Gather by Kathryn Collins (sc)