Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Winners of Mid-Winter's Eve Hop

Congratulations to TWO Winners

of the Mid-Winter's Eve Hop

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Mid-Winter's Eve Hop Giveaway link

Aimee B and Krysta B.

WINNERS please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form and let me know what GC you want or pick a book(s) ($12.00) value at The Book Depository. Please reply within 72 hours!

Winners of Embrace the Highland Warrior

I realized today that I had not picked winners for Embrace the Highland Warrior.

Congratulations to the Winners

2 Copies of Embrace the Highland Warrior

Anne F and Mary Jo

ALL WINNERS please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form so I can let the Publisher know to send the books to the winners. Please reply within 72 hours!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Final 2011 FLASH GIVAWAY!

I promised one more FLASH GIVEAWAY before the end of the year so here it is!

UPDATE regarding the Facebook link which several people have noted isn't working properly. I guess I am not sure how to capture the right link for my facebook page. You can click on the box midway down on my right sidebar, here is the networked blog link:
http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/reviews_by_marthas_bookshelf
where you can follow or look up Martha Eskuchen. I hope that will get you there. If you still can't Like the FB link then follow the network blog and let me know in the comments so I can count credit.

My ARC box still overflows so I am going to have TWO more Winners for ARC books.
The giveaway is for ANY book on my Review and ARC giveaway list!
US or Canada winner - get book choice.
International winner gets $10.00 GC or book of $10.00 value from the Book Depository.

TO ENTER:

Check out the available books, make a choice and enter through the Rafflecopter!

This is the first Rafflecopter I set up on my own so I hope it works properly! :-) a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open Worldwide. Opens 12:01 am EST on December 29 and closes 12:01 am EST January 1, 2012
.

Book Review of Souls on (B)oring Street [Denim Blues Mysteries Book 3]

This mystery story includes warm characters, realistic scenarios and interesting life issues.

Souls on (B)oring Street [Denim Blues Mysteries Book 3]

by Karen Wiesner

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 483 KB
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press LLC (June 15, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B0058OCJZC

Genre: Inspirational Romance, Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
Erin Shanley, a hospice nurse, turns amateur sleuth when she realizes that some of her patients are being swindled out of their life savings by the new “psychic” fortunetellers in Briar’s Point. She confides in her neighbor, Detective Tyler Shaw, whom she grew up alongside and considers her best friend.

Tough guy Ty has been in love with Erin since their disastrous first attempt at a romantic relationship when they were teenagers. Erin has been skittish about love since she discovered her father was cheating on her mother—and Ty is so much like her father. How can she risk loving a reckless, restless adventurer when her mother’s loyalty to a man like that brought her so much pain? But when Erin’s bumbling sleuthing attempts arouse someone’s wrath, she realizes her heart isn’t the only thing in danger.

Review:

Erin is a caring, nurturing person both at home and in her work. She is a homemaker who cans fruits and vegetables from her own garden, cooks wonderful meals and stays close to home with her two younger sisters. At work she is a warm compassionate hospice nurse.

Erin and her neighbor, Ty, were sweethearts in high school. But she felt betrayed because Ty and his family knew of her father’s infidelities but they didn’t tell Erin or her mother. Erin hasn’t forgiven her father and doesn’t trust any man, including Ty.

Ty grew up with restless parents who were eager to go off to the woods to hunt. Ty does enjoy hunting but he loves to be home and views Erin as the perfect homemaker. Although Ty made a mistake getting involved with the wrong woman when in his early twenties, he has since realized that the only woman he wants is Erin. He is a steady and reliable police detective and a good neighbor who helps Erin and her sisters whenever he can. He wants to do whatever is necessary to prove to Erin that he is not like her father.

Erin allows her life to be controlled, almost consumed, by worry and fear. She is distressed when a couple move into a vacant house on the block and put out a sign that they are spiritualists and fortunetellers. One of Erin’s patients thinks that her jewelry has been stolen. When Erin and Ty discuss the investigation they realize that the spiritualists are visiting the elderly patients and getting them to sign over assets.

I really liked Ty’s strong and reliable character. I also liked Erin’s warm personality but her worry and distrust were too much. The book is full of interesting discussions. There are arguments on the pros and cons of recreational hunting, the pros and cons of celebrating Halloween and how to react to spiritualists. Also the story reveals difficulties in proving criminal cases of coercion.

Unfortunately I feel that the first part is bogged down with repetition of Erin’s distrust and worry. This became frustrating for me. I think the story would have been improved by shortening that portion and still could get across the valid point that worry can cause us to live in cocoons instead of living a full life. Once the story moved into the mystery it was on more solid footing, was very engaging and moved quickly. I appreciate Ms. Wiesner’s smoothly descriptive writing that reveals realistic characters in real life mystery scenarios. I also enjoy the faith based messages that are not preached but are woven into the story.

I liked that the characters from Retired and on the Rocks and Love is Blind...And It Don't Pay the Bills Either, books 1 and 2 in the Denim Blues series, were included in this story. This was a nice addition to the series but I would recommend reading them in order.

Find more wonderful and award winning books at Karen's Website.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Book Review and Giveaway: Three-Day Town by Margaret Maron

This is a solid, entertaining, mystery read.
Three Day Town
by Margaret Maron

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1 edition (November 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446555789
ISBN-13: 978-0446555784

Genre: Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description

Series: Deborah Knott Mysteries | Publication Date: November 21, 2011

Judge Deborah Knott and Sheriff's Deputy Dwight Bryant are on a train to New York, finally on a honeymoon after a year of marriage. January in New York might not be the perfect time to visit, but they'll take it. The trip is a Christmas present from Dwight's sister-in-law, who arranged for them to stay in an Upper West Side apartment for one week. While in New York, Deborah has been asked to deliver a package to Lt. Sigrid Harald of the NYPD. Sigrid offers to swing by the apartment to pick up the box, but when they reach the apartment, they discover that it is missing and the doorman has been murdered. Despite their best efforts to enjoy a blissful getaway, Deborah and Dwight soon find that they've teamed up with Sigrid and her team to catch the killer before he strikes again.

Review:
Deborah Knott and her “new” husband, Dwight Bryant, are a Judge and Deputy Sheriff, respectively, from North Carolina. They head to New York for a January honeymoon, carrying with them a package to deliver for a distant relative. They soon meet up with some artsy and theatrical people in the apartment building where they are staying as guests. They are invited across the hall to a party and during the event they discover the very scandalous package has been taken from their unit. And unfortunately something else has been left behind.

I liked the main characters, Deborah, Dwight and Lt. Sigrid Harald. They each have strengths and weaknesses that reflect realism. Deborah might have been the most surprising to me as she seems pretty laid back for a Judge, even for a Southerner. But I am glad she wasn’t an arrogant character as she wouldn’t have been as enjoyable.

Sigrid is the most aloof of the main characters but she has to maintain a certain persona to maintain authority and respect. She is brusque and efficient. There didn't seem to be a great report between Sigrid and Dwight but that doesn't seem unusual since this wasn't Dwight's jurisdiction. Other characters and suspects are quirky and/or fit as interesting additions to the layout of the story.

I liked how the clues and suspects developed with each day bringing a little more information and another suspect to consider. Things were going really well until Deborah did what no self-respecting law enforcement officer (or protagonist) should do... she goes out alone... without her phone... and without waking her husband. WHAT! We all know you don’t go check on a noise or go to the basement alone when two bodies have been found, one person is missing and there is a murderer on the loose! Something bad will happen... and of course it does.

Other than that obvious “don’t go there” moment the mystery had a very easy and enjoyable flow. Deborah helps her nephew back home with his own little mystery through email and phone contact that adds to the action of the story. There is a light, maybe not so subtle, humor. For example - I got a kick out of this passage (p 36.):

Elliott Buntrock crossed the room in long strides and tried to close it [open French doors].
“Somehing’s caught in the hinge,” he said and pulled the door toward him to see what it was.
A shoe.
With a foot in it.
Connected to the leg of someone slumped against the railing of the icy marble balcony.

This is the first time I have read this author and I am sure I would enjoy more mysteries from this series.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing division of Hachette for this book to read and review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there. This is required for entry.

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

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

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

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on January 6, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on January 7.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Carrie Goes Off the Map by Phillipa Ashley

This is a fun and easy read.

Carrie Goes Off the Map
by Phillipa Ashley

Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark; Reprint edition (December 1, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1402241453

ISBN-13: 978-1402241451

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 1, 2011
"Wonderfully romantic and funny... fulfills all the best fantasies, including a gorgeous, humanitarian hero and a camper van!"
-Katie Fforde, UK Best Selling Author of Love Letters

Carrie lets her best friend talk her into a scenic European road trip as the perfect getaway from a nasty breakup. Unexpectedly along for the ride is the gorgeous Matt Landor, MD, who sorely tests Carrie's determination to give up men altogether. Careening through the English countryside, these two mismatched but perfectly attuned lonely hearts find themselves in hot pursuit of adventure and in entirely uncharted territory.

Review:

Carrie is a vibrant and likeable character. She has lived with her boyfriend, Huw, for ten years, since they became sweethearts in college. She gave up her own career dreams to help him on his family farm. She becomes understandably depressed when Huw tells her a few days before their wedding that he doesn’t want to marry her. She is still trying to recover four months later when she accidently learns he is marrying his accountant. That sends her off on “crazy” mode! She rushes off to the wedding with the intent to make a scene.

Matt is a handsome, single doctor who has dedicated his efforts working in a medical clinic in the jungles of Tuman. He hasn't made any plans on settling down and enjoys carefree, no-strings, relationships. He happens to be home in Oxford for a forced leave and is serving as an usher for his old college friend, Huw. He sees Carrie at not such a good moment and tries to keep her from really making a fool of herself.

Carrie and her best friend Rowena decide to get away by taking a European tour in a 1967 VW Splitter Van nicknamed Dolly. At the last minute Rowena gets a job offer and Matt gets substituted as the trip companion. Carrie objects but doesn’t want to give up the trip.

Matt and Carrie spend time with other friends as they try to deny any attraction between them. It takes a while before they acknowledge and act on that attraction. Carrie has some issues of trust to overcome before she can accept that there might be a relationship for her with someone like Matt.

There is a lot of British humor in this story. I really enjoyed the VW camper van and the various sites visited along the way. I don't really think about beaches and surfing as part of England but obviously they are. The author has a light touch to her writing yet manages to express painful and confused emotions. There is also open use of weed and a bit of casual sex, more so for Matt than Carrie. As long as you don’t let these issues bother you the characters and story are fun and the read is light and easy.

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

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there. This is required for entry.

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

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

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

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

Recognizing WHY We Celebrate

While we celebrate with joy the birth of Jesus, it is important to recognize Why it is so important.
It may not be easy to understand God's plan, but I give thanks that Jesus was ... Born to Die.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? December 26, 2011

This meme starts at Book Journey!

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.

This was another good reading week and with the extra day off I finished one additional Audible book for a total of five books read. I posted three reviews - just didn't get that fourth one up. I posted two ARC giveaways and one giveaway Hop. As always I posted my regular Friday Pick Giveaway and Saturday Sharing Beyond Books but instead of the Sunday post I had several Christmas posts.

I did get to visit about ten blogs last Sunday but I never got to go back later in the week for more visiting.
These were last week's posts plus Winner posts not listed.

It's Monday What are You Reading? December 19, 2011.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Demons Like it Hot by Sidney Ayers. Paranormal Romantic; my Rating 3.75. Ends 12/30

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson. Mystery; my Rating 4.5. Ends 12/30.

Mid-Winter's Eve Giveaway Hop. Ends 12/27.

Book Review Holiday Kisses Anthology. Contemporary Romance Anthology; my Rating 4.0.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 23, 2011. Open Worldwide. Ends 12/29.

Sharing Beyond Books #28 Comment Giveaway. Open Worldwide. Ends 12/30.

Thinking of One Special Holy Night.

Christmas Prayer.

Remembering WHO We Celebrate.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible

Divergent
by Veronica Roth

Wonderful dystopia story.

Read for TBR.

2. Print

Three Day Town

by Margaret Maron

Nice mystery.
Review to be posted this week.

Read for Grand Central Publishing.

3. Print (Kindle)

Carrie Goes Off the Map
by Phillipa Ashley

This is a fun read.

Read for Sourcebooks.

Review to be posted this week.

4. Audible

Perfect Shadow: A Night Angel Novella

UNABRIDGED
by Brent Weeks
Narrated by James Langton

I decided to listen to this novella as the Trilogy has good ratings and I thought I might like to get it on sale. From My own TBR. In case I don't review - I'll rate it 4.0.

Publisher's Summary

Discover the origins of Durzo Blint in this original novella set in the world of Brent Weeks' New York Times best-selling Night Angel trilogy.

"I got a bit of prophecy," the old assassin said. "Not enough to be useful, you know. Just glimpses. My wife dead, things like that to keep me up late at night. I had this vision that I was going to be killed by forty men, all at once. But now that you're here, I see they're all you. Durzo Blint."

Durzo Blint? Gaelan had never even heard the name.

Gaelan Starfire is a farmer, happy to be a husband and a father; a careful, quiet, simple man. He's also an immortal, peerless in the arts of war. Over the centuries, he's worn many faces to hide his gift, but he is a man ill-fitted for obscurity, and all too often, he's become a hero, his very names passing into legend: Acaelus Thorne, Yric the Black, Hrothan Steelbender, Tal Drakkan, Rebus Nimble.

But when Gaelan must take a job hunting down the world's finest assassins for the beautiful courtesan - and crimelord - Gwinvere Kirena, what he finds may destroy everything he's ever believed in.

5. Audible

Holiday in Death: In Death, Book 7

UNABRIDGED
by J. D. Robb
Narrated by Susan Ericksen

I had time to fit in another Audible and

this turned out to be a serial Santa set at Christmas.

From my own TBR.

Publisher's Summary

No one likes to be alone during the holidays. For New York's most posh dating service, Personally Yours, it is the season to bring lonely hearts together. But Lt. Eve Dallas, on the trail of a ritualistic serial killer, has made a disturbing discovery: all of the victims have been traced to Personally Yours. Eve soon enters an elite world of people searching for their one true love - and one killer searching for his next victim.

Line Edits/Releases:

I uploaded the Christmas Novella release: Christmas Wish by Joy Brooks.

Katie Holston, raised in foster homes, wants nothing more than a family to call her own. She meets the man of her dreams in Ian Stokely. Being his five year old son’s teacher, she is in a position to make her dreams come true. Kyle Stokely confides in Katie his greatest wish for Christmas. He wants his widowed father to be happy again. Ian Stokely has a different view than Katie Holston and his son, Kyle. He wishes to be left alone. Can Katie and Kyle convince Ian to live life fully again?
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 67, Novella

Currently reading:

1. Audio

The Snow Angel

by Glenn Beck

I am enjoying this in the car.

On Disc 4 of 6.

Reading for Simon & Shuster
and Audiobook Jukebox

Book Description
Publication Date: October 25, 2011
A heartwarming novel from Glenn Beck, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Christmas Sweater and phenomenally popular radio and television host.

Rachel Price’s one happy memory from her childhood is of playing outside with her father, Mitch, on a cold and snowy day. In that moment he took her hands in his and called her his angel. She felt safe, loved, and protected. Rachel’s mother dies in a car crash a few years later—a sudden and unresolved ending to a complicated relationship. Mitch’s reaction to certain realities surrounding the death pushes Rachel away and confirms her fear that Mitch never truly loved her at all.

Years later, Rachel’s daughter, Lily, is the only light in her dark life. Rachel is consumed by an abusive marriage but too afraid to escape. On Christmas Eve, Rachel’s husband raises a hand to Lily in a moment of aggression that finally snaps Rachel out of her docile state. She realizes immediately that she must protect her daughter in ways her own parents didn’t protect her and remove Lily from the situation. Through the help of an old and dear friend, Rachel has a safe place to go, but first, she must say goodbye to her father.

As the snow falls on this Christmas Eve, Rachel learns that it’s never too late to start over. The Snow Angel is a tale about family, forgiveness, and learning to treasure our memories while allowing ourselves to move forward.

2. Print

Help! For Writers: 210 Solutions to the Problems Every Writer Faces [Hardcover]

by Roy Peter Clark

I am finding this very interesting.

Reading for Little Brown & Company, Div of Hachette.

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 2011

The craft of writing offers countless potential problems: The story is too long; the story's too short; revising presents a huge hurdle; writer's block is rearing its ugly head.

In HELP! FOR WRITERS, Roy Peter Clark presents an "owner's manual" for writers, outlining the seven steps of the writing process, and addressing the 21 most urgent problems that writers face. In his trademark engaging and entertaining style, Clark offers ten short solutions to each problem. Out of ideas? Read posters, billboards, and graffiti. Can't bear to edit yourself? Watch the deleted scenes feature of a DVD, and ask yourself why those scenes were left on the cutting-room floor. HELP! FOR WRITERS offers 210 strategies to guide writers to success.

3. eBook/Kindle

Souls on (B)oring Street [Denim Blues Mysteries Book 3]

by Karen Wiesner

I really enjoy this author. I am 75% through this.

Reading for the author.
Product Description
Erin Shanley, a hospice nurse, turns amateur sleuth when she realizes that some of her patients are being swindled out of their life savings by the new “psychic” fortunetellers in Briar’s Point. She confides in her neighbor, Detective Tyler Shaw, whom she grew up alongside and considers her best friend.

Tough guy Ty has been in love with Erin since their disastrous first attempt at a romantic relationship when they were teenagers. Erin has been skittish about love since she discovered her father was cheating on her mother—and Ty is so much like her father. How can she risk loving a reckless, restless adventurer when her mother’s loyalty to a man like that brought her so much pain? But when Erin’s bumbling sleuthing attempts arouse someone’s wrath, she realizes her heart isn’t the only thing in danger.

I am also listening to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean.

I am at Malachi 1 and Revelations 19.

Line Edits: I am still finalizing one more Novella for release and continuing to work on Smashword and print releases.

December - I started out with 11 or so books to read for review. The reading has gone well but I have at least eight reviews from the past weeks left so it is pretty certain that a couple, the TBR reviews most likely, might flow to the new year.

Remaining Author Selections - I may not get this one complete until January.

Nathan Patrick Hardt - The Second Sonata

[To be posted - I am setting these up for January interview/feature days since I didn't get them in this year:
These were read and ready for reviews for Authors.
Quest for Magic by Jean Hart Stewart - Read; review to be posted with interview.
Seeing for the First Time (What You See is What You Get) and To See (What You See is What You Get) by Nicole Zoltack - Both Read; setting up author interview with reviews.
Steamrolled by Pauline Baird Jone. Read; review to be posted with author interview.]

Remembering WHO We Celebrate

Remembering the reason we celebrate CHRISTmas.
I hope you will watch to the end and give thanks for Immanuel, God with us.

May you have a BLESSED CHRISTMAS DAY and may the light of Christmas burn in your heart all year long!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Prayer

Tonight we lit the Candle of Light, signifying the Light that has come into the world.

John 1: 1-5

The Word Became Flesh

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

² He was with God in the beginning.

³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Christmas Prayer

by Robert Louis Stevenson

"Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake, Amen!"

Thinking of One Special Holy Night

There are so many beautiful songs to share at Christmas.
My week got busy and I didn't post a song/video each day as I had originally planned so I will share videos today, tomorrow and Monday.
As I head off to our Christmas Eve service I share a beautiful traditional Hymn to prepare for this special night.

Oh Holy Night

Sharing Beyond Books #28 Comment Giveaway December 24, 2011

Welcome once again to Sharing Beyond Books! Less than 1 day left until Christmas. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN WISHING ME MERRY CHRISTMAS IN COMMENTS AND WINNER REPLIES!!

Thank you for commenting last week. (Sorry I had the wrong link up last week - I did include Abby who commented on the previous week's post.) If you haven't finished shopping now... guess you'll be getting in on the post Christmas shopping! LOL

Only about 1/3rd of us read classics. Many of us have such large TBR piles that we do not include classics. That is a bit of a shame. I love that Ricki started reading classics thanks to Marvel Comics and Krystal gives credit to a teacher. Interesting that Dickens was mentioned a couple of times and Birgit included The Christmas Carol as a Christmas fav even if it is in movie form. :-)

Most of you do not read a traditional holiday book - again too many TBRs! Those who do read holiday books read Twas the Night Before, the Nativity or some Holiday Romances. It sounded like a couple purposely avoid holiday reads. What? Maybe you should be reading The Grinch? Just kidding. :-)

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #27 comments is: #13 Llehn who will most likely get a PayPal credit or pick a book at the Book Depository. There are still 9 'love' books to pick from, 3 Christmas choices and 2 Summer titles below. Llehn please let me know if you want a PayPal credit, or choose a book from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, the one summer book below 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 #28 Questions

Q1. This week Abby asks: If you could be a character in a book, which universe (realm/period) would you choose to be in??

A: That isn't an easy question as there are too many good choices! The first one that popped into my mind was The Lord of the Rings; then Harry Potter. But I like some of the future/Sci Fi worlds too. And to be a character in a book I would want to lose at least 30-35 years in age! If I am picking the actual character I pick Doc (Delilah Oliver Clementyne) in the future space world of Girl Gone Nova by Pauline Baird Jones. This is part of a series I will be featuring (finally) in January.

Q2. Since it is Christmas Eve I want to know: Do you open presents on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning or Christmas later in the day?

A: We had a family tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve. When we were kids it was always pajamas. :-) Now that the kids are grown we aren't planning to open any of our few gifts tonight but we do have a special one our daughter has to open tonight. I can't say what it is in case she peeks at the blog today. :-) Then tomorrow we will be at their house to help the little ones open ALL of their (too many) gifts.

Whenever you open your gifts I hope each of you, my blog friends, have a
WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS DAY

And for me it's nice to know I can open the Gift of God's Love every day of the year.

~~~~

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. :-)

Your turn to share:

1. If you could be a character in a book, which universe (realm/period) would you choose to be in??

2. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning or Christmas later in the day??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 12 books available plus 2 left in the Summer titles to choose from. Also I have added the Review and ARC Box now.

The Days of Summer: A Novel

My copy is a paperback from 2006

with a different cover.

A Summer Affair (Calhoun Chronicles)
I love Susan Wigg's historicals!

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, December 30 at 10PM central.

Winners: Creative Spirit, Hot Zone, Gift of the Heart

Giveaways Ended December 21

eBook of Creative Spirit by Scott Nicholson

Giveaways Ended December 23

ARC of Hot Zone by Catherine Mann

Lag123

eBook Gift of the Heart by Suzanne Barrett

Elizabeth L

ALL WINNERS please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form so I can mail the book out and let Authors know to send ebooks to winners. Please reply within 72 hours!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 23, 2011

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

Oh boy---one more week gone and Christmas only two days away! I thought I'd get a few extra days off but it hasn't happened yet.

Thank you to all who entered December 16 Pick. There were NO 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).

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from December 16 Pick:

Heavensent1 chose Scavenger

Louisa chose A Marked Man

and
Chickadee chose Lucifer Rising

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 +plus - I am still low on just sweet.

Does anyone have visions of BOOKS for Christmas?!
Found at Life Gets in The Way.
BTW- I love to look for book pictures online. :-)

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.)

~~Skin Tight by Susan Andersen (Cover has one thin black marker stripe)~~
Hour Game by David Baldacci
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
~~Lucifer Rising by Barbara Fifield~~
Cry Wolf by Tami Hoag (spine wear)
Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery
Sweet Vengeance by Kat Martin
~~Lost Highways by Curtiss Ann Matlock~~
The Wedding Wager by Cathy Maxwell
Moon Racer by Constance O'Banyon
~~Cause for Alarm by Erica Spindler~~
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)
Walking After Midnight by Karen Robards (spine wear)
Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic
Death Angel by Linda Howard
~~A Marked Man by Stella Cameron~~
~~Bone Cold by Erica Spindler (spine wear)~~

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)

* Rogue Stallion (Montana Mavericks) by Diana Palmer

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

~~Second Chance: A Novel Second Chance: A Novel~~

Disguised Blessing

Rhapsody: A Love Story

Primary Colors - audio tapes

~~A Little Magic~~

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 have posted 24 groups of 16 books to find new homes!

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 286 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

~~Scavenger by David Morrell~~
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