Sharing Beyond Books #407 Comment Giveaway October 31, 2020

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Q#406: Did your area have a stay-at-home order? Or are you considered an essential worker???
There were two commenters out of the US and one in the USA who did not have stay at home orders. Even there, two said that wearing masks were required and the other has had curfews.
The rest have had various degrees of stay at home requirements. Fredamans is a cashier and I agree with her that the customers should be wearing masks.
Sadly we are seeing an increase in cases with the relaxing of SAH restrictions.
It appears that many countries did flatten the curve so that the hospitals have not been overwhelmed and the percentages of deaths is not increasing. Still, each death is cause for sorrow and prayer.

The Winner from SBB #406 comments is #12 ASHFA who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post. -- [11/16/19 I plan to add some review books this week and maybe some new Christmas and Love titles as soon as I locate the box I put them in. 10/3/20 I have set aside some books for SBB and will take a picture and add them to the list in the next week or so.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #407

(One Question.)

Alina asks: Do you think your reading tastes have changed in the last 5 years or are you still reading the same genres/sub-genres??

A similar question was asked in 2015 so it has been five years and we can look back to answer. (I'll put the older link in the answers next week.)
I think I started to shift to more sci fi (dystopia, post-apocalyptic, space military) a bit more than five years ago and that trend has continued. I do not read as much romance as I used to.  However, I have added more nonfiction as I am reading one nonfiction a month.

Image found at Pinterest

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 draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify them.
October questions were shared by Becky, Elizabeth and Alina. Becky and Elizabeth have each earned a book pick and Alina gets $2.50 credit.

Your turn to share. Alina asks: Do you think your reading tastes have changed in the last 5 years or are you still reading the same genres/sub-genres??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB 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 through Saturday, November 14, 2020, at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Zombie Fallout: Zero by Mark Tufo

I liked this military based addition explaining the beginning of the Zombie Fallout. Zombie Fallout: Zero
By: Mark Tufo
Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Series: Zombie Fallout, Book 0.5
Length 2h 44m
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Dystopian Sci Fi, Horror, Zombie
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
#Fraterfest

Publisher's Summary
In this audio-exclusive prequel - a must-hear for die-hard Zombie Fallout fans and newcomers alike - listeners are brought back to the days before outbreak; to the origins of a virus capable of raising the dead, its patient zero, and the events that set in motion the destruction of the human race.
Those who would seek a new world order have unleashed the most devastating virus onto mankind, and even they do not know the secrets hidden in their weapon. Follow along as Harry, a CDC scientist, races to figure out what exactly the virus is and how to stop it. It will be up to him and a group of marines led by Major Sanders to stop the zombie fallout before it ravages an unsuspecting world.
©2016 Mark Tufo (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
A strange mob has overrun the police in New York. As Harry, a CDC scientist, studies the films he notes alarming behavior because the mob appear not to die even when shot or disembodied. Harry digs deep into the scientific genome of the virus that has turned these humans into beasts. He reports to his co-worker that the virus has been modified to allow a quick and harmful infection. They don’t realize how serious the infection is until they watch a test subject, Patient Zero, who is believed to be dead. The man comes alive, with inhuman strength and hunger, to attack the guards in his holding cell. The CDC scientists try to warn the government but soon learn that their warnings are being thwarted by nefarious forces who have actually planned the spread of the evil virus.

Major Sanders is in the field for the last two days of training of his new marines when his superior orders him to return to base so that the base can meet vaccination levels. Sanders ignores the order and is then called back by an even higher superior the next morning. Sanders and his new recruits return to learn that they are facing a new enemy.

I listened to book 1 which tells the story of a Michael Talbot and his family fighting in their gated community. It was okay but didn’t pull me into the series. I did like this novella that explains how the virus started and who was Patient Zero. I particularly enjoyed the military involvement fighting the early waves of infected. If the rest of the series included Harry and Sanders I would be more interested in listening. I recommend this to fans of the zombie genre.

Audio Notes: Sean Runnette is the narrator for this series and he does a good job. He portrays the characters with distinct voices and captures their personalities. I am glad I had this as a plus catalog free story to listen too as part of my 2020 October #Fraterfest.

Source: 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook. Alphabet and #Fraterfest goals.

Audio Book Review: Manners and Monsters by Tilly Wallace

I love this cover and totally enjoyed the story!

Manners and Monsters
A Regency paranormal mystery
Written by Tilly Wallace
Narrated by Marian Hussey

Run time: 7 hours and 31 minutes
Release Date: June 7, 2019
Publisher: Ribbonwood Press
Genre: Gaslamp Fantasy, Paranormal, Regency
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5. #Fraterfest

Guys and ghouls, gather round for this grisly romp… (that’s a thing, right?) After a gruesome crime ruins her friend’s engagement party, Lady Hannah must use her knowledge of the occult to help boorish viscount Wycliff find the murderer — that is, if the two don’t kill each other first. Great for fans of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies!
Publisher Description
A lady never reveals the true extent of her decay…
Hannah Miles lives a quiet existence, helping her parents conduct research into a most terrible affliction - until a gruesome murder during her best friend’s engagement party pulls her from the shadows. With her specialist’s knowledge and demure disposition, Hannah is requested to aid the investigation.
Except Hannah discovers her role is to apologise in the wake of the rude and disgraced man tasked with finding the murderer. The obnoxious Viscount Wycliff thinks to employ Hannah purely as a front to satisfy Whitehall, but she’ll have none of that.
The two must work together to find the murderer before the season is ruined. But the viscount is about to meet his greatest challenge, and it’s not a member of the ton with a hankering for brains.

Review:
Lady Hannah’s father is a famous physician, and her mother is a once famous mage. Hannah isn’t a normal society lady as she spends her time helping her father in autopsies and research and observing her ‘undead’ mother wield her magical skills, which Hannah did not inherit. Hannah’s mother and about 300 other women in London died but became reanimated after being poisoned by a powder used as a bio-weapon during war with France. The infected women, and a handful of men, are in various stages of decay and Hannah’s father is desperately trying to find a cure, particularly for his beloved wife. All of the infected continue their suspended lives without a heartbeat and with a rather repulsive food requirement.

Hannah has a few friends left in society and is intent on being there to support her friend’s engagement party. Unfortunately, the event is marred by the discovery of a dead footman who appears to have been killed by one of the infected. Viscount Wycliff, a dark, moody and secretive man who is mostly shunned by society, steps forward to investigate the death. Apparently Wycliff is working with the government as an investigator of paranormal beings in London.

Because Wycliff is unable to use proper manners around the infected Ladies of the ton, he is directed to engage the assistance of Lady Hannah to help with all the interviews. Although they are reluctant to work together, they are both intent on finding the murderer and learning more about the problems of the infected. As similar deaths of lower level servants continue, Hannah and Wycliff perceive a pattern and narrow the field of suspects. Soon they are racing together to uncover the killer and save other innocents from a gruesome death.

I really liked Hannah’s character right away and even liked the mysterious, dark Wycliff. The plot is intriguing and there is a touch of humor underlying the macabre situation the author has created. I enjoyed the mystery as well as the subtle growth of attraction, though not yet friendship, between the heroine and hero. I will definitely be continuing this series.

Audio Notes: Marian Hussey does a grand job with the narration. She provides differing voices and spot on energy. I am not sure that I have heard her narration before, but I will be glad to listen to more stories she narrates. The narration added to my enjoyment of this book.

Source: 4/22/2020 Chirp purchase $.99. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook and #Fraterfest goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 30, 2020

Happy Friday! Happy Halloween!

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 October 23, 2020 Pick. There were one automatic win this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was no title blocked.

DI gets Deadly Promises Anthology

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from October 23, 2020 Pick:
CAROL L gets Senseless
and
  LINDA 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.}

I enjoyed a month of mystery, ghosts and horror. How about you?
Image found at Library Hoots.

New Book Group #91 October 2, 2020 - Suspense themed

SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Senseless by Mary Burton
Indefensible by Pamela Callow
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder
Final Appeal by Joanne Fluke
The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman
The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman Audiobook
Capital Crimes by Jonathan & Faye Kellerman
Deadly Promises (Black Ops) Anthology, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Diane Love, Cindy Gerard, Laura Griffin
Every Secret Thing by Laura Lippman
Justice by Dan Mahoney
PAIRS:

Janet Evanovich: Plum Spooky and Foul Play
Sharon Sala (aka Dinah McCall): Out of the Dark and Bloodlines

PICK TWO  your choice (listed below the picture) Nora Roberts:

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
A Dark Magic
Inner Harbor and
Chesapeake Blue


New Book Group #90 June 19, 2020
Quite a few mysteries in this box.

SINGLES:
Siren's Song by Trish Albright (personally autographed)
Alias by Smy J. Fetzer
Angel Face by Suzanne Forster
Stalking the Puzzle Landy by Parnell Hall
Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)
The Warrior by Frances Richey (poetry - hardcover)


New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020

Singles:
My Surrender by Connie Brockway
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist
Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere

New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019

PAIRS:
Stella Cameron: Body of Evidence and Fascination
Singles:
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs


New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES


New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls


New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
Christmas Haven
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

Stella Cameron: Key West
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

SINGLES
Best Laid Plans by Allison Brennan
Darkness Tell Us by Richard Laymon
Cooking Most Deadly by Joanne Pence


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon by Lacey Baker
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
Too Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff


This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three One more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four One books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

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 NINE years I have posted 88 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,429 books to find new homes! (as of November 8, 2019).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,333+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year 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 faraway 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: Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

This is a twisted Vampire short story. I saved this for #Fraterfest too.
Carmilla
By: Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Narrated by: Phoebe Fox, Rose Leslie, David Tennant, David Horovitch, James Wilby, Susan Wooldridge, Hannah Genesius

Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins
Release date: 10-27-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Classic, Gothic, Horror, Vampire
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25 Narration 4.25.
#Fraterfest

About This Audible Original
Their house guest is beautiful and charming, but she carries a dark secret—one that could prove deadly. It’s time for gothic horror fans to sink their teeth into one of the very first vampire thrillers ever written. David Tennant (Doctor Who, Harry Potter), Phoebe Fox (Life in Squares, The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death), and Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones, Downtown Abbey) breathe new life into J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s classic horror story, Carmilla.
It all begins when Laura’s widowed father finds Carmilla stranded in the forest after a carriage accident and takes her in. The young women develop a fast friendship which turns into a passionate meeting of souls. A relationship of vampire and prey, the story is told through Laura’s eyes as she is drawn further into Carmilla’s terrifying world of pleasure and pain.
A masterpiece of erotic gothic horror, Carmilla encompasses mystery, suspense, forbidden lust, violence...and blood. This audio adaptation of Carmilla has been dramatized by Robin Brooks, an actor, dramatist, and author who has been working as a playwright for over 25 years. Carmilla was directed by Fiona McAlpine of Allegra Productions for Audible Originals. David Tennant, Phoebe Fox, and Rose Leslie bring their talent and gravitas to this Audie nominated performance (Original Work), making it an exhilarating listening experience.
©2015 Audible Ltd. (P)2015 Audible Ltd.

Review:
Laura is a lovely young woman who is secluded at home with her protective father. When a carriage breaks down not far from their schloss (castle in Austria), Laura’s father is persuaded to take in the woman’s ethereal daughter who appears unwell. Carmilla is near Laura’s age and the two girls grow closer. Laura is intrigued by Carmilla’s advances even as she is slightly uncomfortable with them. No one in the household seems to see the danger in the relationship until Laura begins to grow more and more languid and Carmilla begins to go missing from her room. Even then the danger isn’t clear until a neighbor, who lost his beloved daughter, shares his experience.

This is a twisty vampiric, erotic, gothic novel. Isn’t that a mix? I like the ghostly and vampire quality as well as the dark gothic setting. The full story made me curious about the history and this is what I found:

“Carmilla is an 1872 Gothic novella by Irish author Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu and one of the early works of vampire fiction, predating Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897) by 26 years.”

Similar to Laura, I found the story engaging and repelling at the same time. I recommend this quick read/listen to serious vintage fans, vampire fans and those who enjoy a touch of horror.

Audio Notes: This is a dramatic presentation that pulled me into the dark atmosphere which is conveyed by all of the narrators. The narration is a bit of a treat itself and made this book an extra special gem in my October horror reading/listening.

Source: 10/23/2019 Audible Original. This qualifies for 2020 TBR, 2020Audiobook and #Fraterfest goals.

Audible Book Review: Carniepunk: The Demon Barker of Wheat Street by Kevin Hearne

I enjoy the Iron Druid Series and the short novellas that add to the series.

Carniepunk: The Demon Barker of Wheat Street
By: Kevin Hearne
Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne
Series: Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 4.7
Length: 1 hr and 4 mins
Release date: 09-09-14
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Genre: Short Story, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 3.75.
#Fraterfest

Publisher's Summary
From the New York Times best-selling author of Hounded comes an Iron Druid Chronicles short story in the captivating Carniepunk anthology.
The ancient Druid Atticus O’Sullivan gets more than greasy corn dogs and flat soda when he visits a carnival in Kansas to which his apprentice, Granuaile, drags him. He runs across a barker with a strange power over the crowd: attractive women leave their men and disappear into an unmarked tent, never to be seen again, and the men wander away, forgetting that they ever had girlfriends or wives. When Granuaile falls under the barker’s influence and enters the tent, Atticus isn’t about to forget it and move on. He and his Irish wolfhound, Oberon, pursue her and discover the horrifying secret to the carnival’s success.
©2014 Kevin Hearne (P)2014 Simon & Schuster Audio

Review:
Atticus has been busy training his apprentice, Granuaile, after faking her death a few years earlier. Granuaile is concerned how her mother is doing and convinces Atticus to go with her to her home town in Kansas. Atticus is originally reluctant because he last left Kansas on tense terms with the underlying elemental whom he calls “Amber”. There is no telling what might occur to Atticus.

Once Granuaile has confirmed that her mother is fine, she drags Atticus to a local carnival. At first things seem fairly normal until they come upon a tent where the people seem to enter and disappear, leaving, friends behind with a sense of confusion. Granuaile rushes in before Atticus can warn her that he has recognized danger in the booth. Atticus’ faithful wolfhound, Oberon, also realizes there is danger but by the time he tries to pull Granuaile away, she is mesmerized and unresponsive to him. Will Amber help Atticus in his desperate efforts to reach Granuaile before she is destroyed by the evil that has taken over?

I enjoy the Iron Druid series and it is always fun to get the adventure and danger in a short bite novella between the full stories. The usual sass and snark between the characters is present and makes the story the fun I expected. I recommend the short story to fans of the series or to readers who might want to test the waters in the Iron Druid series.

Audio Notes: I have to say that I was disappointed in the audio. The quality was fine and the narrator, Kirby Heyborne, did an alright job, but he is not Luke Daniels. Those of us who have listened to other full stories and novellas in the series which have been narrated by Daniels are clearly aware of the difference in voice and not too happy about the different narrator. It did jolt even my equable senses. I was glad to have the listen for my air-flight but to true fans I might suggest reading this one.

Source: 12/13/2019 Audible Member Sales $.94. This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020Audiobook goals and #Fraterfest event.

Sunday Post October 25, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 26, 2020

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

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.

We did enjoy our surprise Pack & Go trip to Denver. Two of my staff had never flown before. Here is the link to our trip photo album. I have to have them upload the few pictures from my phone.

Here is a stream that three of the ladies climbed down to as we traveled to Boulder falls:

Hubby went to the election office on Thursday afternoon when few people were there. He was pleased they had chairs available for people like him. They had masks available for those who might need them and they handed out a separate pen to each person. I was going to wait until November 3 but hubby fussed at me to go early, so Saturday I went out in a drizzle. Unfortunately it turned into a deluge so I waited in the parking lot for a break and ran in to vote.  There was no crowd during the rain. :-)

Our Florida weather is set to be cooler this coming week - in the 70s.

My reading week was good - extra time on the flights. I finished four audiobooks. I posted four reviews and my usual memes. 
I started FraterFest on 10/15 running through 10/24. I finished six books.

I visited 16 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Wishful Endings. Tressa has been an avid reader her whole life. She has had her blog since 2013.
Don't forget- Audible is offering free children's titles during these days at home.
Audiobooks.com is also offering free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post October 18, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 19, 2020.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Chase Darkness With Me by Billy Jensen; Genres: Forensic Science, Journalist Biography; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 23, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/29/2020.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald; Genre: Classic, Horror, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• A2020- Audible Book Review: Psycho Inside Me by Bonnie R. Paulson; Genre: Dark Fiction, Horror, Psychological, Teen and Young Adult; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0. #Fraterfest.

• A2020- Audio Book Review: The Book of Riley by Mark Tufo; Genre: Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0. #Fraterfest.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 25, 2020.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Carniepunk: The Demon Barker of Wheat Street
By: Kevin Hearne
Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne
Length: 1 hr and 4 mins
Release date: 09-09-14
I enjoy the Iron Druid Series and the short novellas that add to the series.
I held this to read as #Fraterfest.
Source: 12/13/2019 Audible Member Sales $.94.
Publisher's Summary
From the New York Times best-selling author of Hounded comes an Iron Druid Chronicles short story in the captivating Carniepunk anthology.
The ancient Druid Atticus O’Sullivan gets more than greasy corn dogs and flat soda when he visits a carnival in Kansas to which his apprentice, Granuaile, drags him. He runs across a barker with a strange power over the crowd: attractive women leave their men and disappear into an unmarked tent, never to be seen again, and the men wander away, forgetting that they ever had girlfriends or wives. When Granuaile falls under the barker’s influence and enters the tent, Atticus isn’t about to forget it and move on. He and his Irish wolfhound, Oberon, pursue her and discover the horrifying secret to the carnival’s success.
©2014 Kevin Hearne (P)2014 Simon & Schuster Audio

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Carmilla
By: Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Narrated by: Phoebe Fox, Rose Leslie, David Tennant, David Horovitch, James Wilby, Susan Wooldridge, Hannah Genesius
Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins
Release date: 10-27-15
This is a twisted Vampire short story. I saved this for #Fraterfest too.
Source: 10/23/2019 Audible Original.
About This Audible Original
Their house guest is beautiful and charming, but she carries a dark secret—one that could prove deadly. It’s time for gothic horror fans to sink their teeth into one of the very first vampire thrillers ever written. David Tennant (Doctor Who, Harry Potter), Phoebe Fox (Life in Squares, The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death), and Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones, Downtown Abbey) breathe new life into J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s classic horror story, Carmilla.
It all begins when Laura’s widowed father finds Carmilla stranded in the forest after a carriage accident and takes her in. The young women develop a fast friendship which turns into a passionate meeting of souls. A relationship of vampire and prey, the story is told through Laura’s eyes as she is drawn further into Carmilla’s terrifying world of pleasure and pain.
A masterpiece of erotic gothic horror, Carmilla encompasses mystery, suspense, forbidden lust, violence...and blood. This audio adaptation of Carmilla has been dramatized by Robin Brooks, an actor, dramatist, and author who has been working as a playwright for over 25 years. Carmilla was directed by Fiona McAlpine of Allegra Productions for Audible Originals. David Tennant, Phoebe Fox, and Rose Leslie bring their talent and gravitas to this Audie nominated performance (Original Work), making it an exhilarating listening experience.
©2015 Audible Ltd. (P)2015 Audible Ltd.

3. Audio/Smartphone (A2020)

Manners and Monsters
Written by Tilly Wallace
Narrated by Marian Hussey
Run time: 7 hours and 31 minutes
I love this cover and totally enjoyed the story.
I plan to get more in the series.
This is another #Fraterfest listen.
Source: 4/22/2020 Chirp purchase $.99.
Guys and ghouls, gather round for this grisly romp… (that’s a thing, right?) After a gruesome crime ruins her friend’s engagement party, Lady Hannah must use her knowledge of the occult to help boorish viscount Wycliff find the murderer — that is, if the two don’t kill each other first. Great for fans of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies!

4. Audible/Smartphone (A2020)

Zombie Fallout: Zero
By: Mark Tufo
Narrated by: Sean Runnette
Series: Zombie Fallout, Book 0.5
Length 2h 44m
I liked this military based addition explaining the beginning of the Zombie Fallout. This is another listen for #Fraterfest and Z in Alphabet.
Source: September 2020 Audible Plus Catalog.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

The Uninvited: Book 8 in Krewe of Hunters series
by Heather Graham
I am enjoying this though still slow reading on my phone.
Source: Would you believe 2012 Netgalley?
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print (Author2020)

The Prepared Investor: How to Prevent the Next Crisis from Affecting Your Financial Independence
by Christopher Manske
I'm starting this even if it takes a little longer to read print.
Source: I was pleased when the author offered this for my review.
Why do some crises affect the stock market far more than others? When faced with disaster, why do investment advisors keep telling clients to just be patient? Christopher Manske reveals that investing through crisis is very different from the standard dogma accepted today. Like Outliers showed a different way to look at success and Nine Lies About Work turned the establishment upside down on leadership and teams, The Prepared Investor demonstrates how readers can protect and grow their net worth in the face of calamity. By offering a new lens to examine major catastrophe, Manske gives a compelling and instructive approach to maximizing one’s portfolio despite tomorrow’s uncertainty. Using twenty specific action steps that highlight how different crises affect investors, readers will see how a few National Guardsmen sank the entire stock market, how the secret Napoleon knew explains investors’ selling behavior, and why a simple statement from particular leaders can be just as much a crisis as an airplane flying into the World Trade Center. Manske shows readers how foolish it is for Wall Street to approach all types of calamity with the same “just hold on” solution.

3. Audio/Smartphone (A2020)

Murder's a Witch
Written By: Danielle Garrett
Narrated By: Amanda Ronconi
Duration: 6 hours 49 minutes
I am getting good use of my one credit for Audiobooks Mystery Book Club. This is a fun listen so far.
Source: 10/2020 Audiobooks.com Mystery Audiobook Club.
Summary:
Holly Boldt has a secret . . .
Well, technically, she has lots of them. After a scandal uproots her entire life, she is forced to relocate to a halfway house for displaced paranormals. It's her last shot for a fresh start. But keeping secrets isn't easy in a town that goes through gossip faster than tissue paper, even for a powerful witch.
When a grisly murder rocks the small town of Beechwood Harbor, Holly finds herself unwillingly entangled in the investigation. With everyone watching, Holly must solve the case before she's forced to abandon her new-found home. But with a paranormal investigator tailing her every move, a civil war brewing between her vampire and shifter roommates, and her ghostly landlord on the edge of a breakdown, she can barely think in complete sentences. How is she supposed to track down a murderer?
Holly has to make it work, or risk losing everything . . . again.

I'm keeping track of my Alphabet here as I finish the books. These are the letters that remain:
NETGALLEY:  H  M  U X  Y and Z
AUDIO:             X  and  Z

October 25, 2020 - I continue enjoying reading first thing each morning, even this week while away.
I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I considered changing but this is the reading group that is closest to my husband's reading so we can sometimes discuss the same passages.
I didn't do an extra study last week but will look for one this week.

I completed four books, posted four reviews and will have 4 do this upcoming week.
My NetGalley shelf remains at 4, one current and three remaining titles from 2012-13 which I still hope to read this year. Still one more that would be good for October.
I have added no new author review titles this week. I still have one carry over author ebook left. I have one more audiobook from an author.
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
One author review title received this week.
Someday I'll check the email requests I have been receiving. {Sigh.}
I selected added four more free Audible Plus titles.
I picked my October Audiobooks.com VIP choice.
No free Kindle titles this week.
(Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

The Prepared Investor: How to Prevent the Next Crisis from Affecting Your Financial Independence Hardcover
by Christopher Manske
I was pleased when the author offered this for my review.
See more under current reading above.

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Four Audible Plus Catalogue titles added this week:

Baron Steele
By: Rhett C. Bruno , Jaime Castle
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

The Peculiar Patriot
By: Liza Jessie Peterson
Narrated by: Liza Jessie Peterson

Hold Your Breath: A Novella
By: Wendy Walker
Narrated by: Dylan Baker

August Heat: An Inspector Montalbano Mystery
By: Andrea Camilleri , Stephen Sartarelli (translator)
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
Series: Inspector Montalbano, Book 10 (I think earlier books are available too.)

Audiobooks.com VIP for October:

Alliance Stars
By Michael Wallace
This looks like a good sci fi and struck me more than the other choices.

No free Kindle titles this week.
Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 25, 2020

I was able to watch our service last Sunday while we were waiting at Union Station in Denver for breakfast at Snooze. The original reservation was 1hr and 40mins. At 1 hr and 30mins they advised that there would be another hour wait! By then it was 10:30am and we hadn’t yet eaten. This was the second time that we waited for that restaurant which is obviously very popular. We realize that they were only serving at half capacity and further hindered Sunday morning due to drizzly weather that closed their outside porch area. Even so, we were starving and decided to head over to the Coors Field stadium where we had a great lunch at Cherry Cricket Ballpark.

In any event, I am combing my notes from last week and this week. Pastor’s message is titled Before and After. 10/18 His question was: what will the church look like in 2021, after the pandemic danger is gone? Will we continue to be secluded or will we return to being active and protected?
The Church needs to remember to be a Bible-centered focus.

The Point: Disciples keep their eyes on Jesus; are empowered by the Holy Spirit; and have their destination set for the Kingdom of God.

Are we this kind of disciple? We need to be disciples who follow and make other disciples.

This morning, 10/25, Pastor continued this theme. He noted that discipleship is foundational for the church. Will the church be healthier after the pandemic? He reminded us we need to keep our eyes on Jesus, be directed by the Holy Spirit and keep our destination as the kingdom.

What kind of disciple will I be after the coronavirus is gone? There is concern that people will be complacent. Pastor shared an example of taking his family on a hike up many steps where they had to commit to continue climbing more steps to get back to their car. Each Christ follower has extra work to do.

The Bible tells us in Luke 10:1-10, 16-17 that Jesus chose 72 disciples who were ready to be sent out. What were they to do? Go tell people to follow Jesus. Go and make other disciples.

Would you be ready for Jesus to chose you to go out?
When the 72 returned expressing joy that the demons obeyed when they used the name of Jesus, Jesus told them to rejoice because their names were registered in heaven. Luke 10:20.
Christ followers have five main purposes"
Worship.
Belonging - fellowship bringing others in.
Spiritual growth - helping each other understand the Word.
Serving others.
Mission for each individual.

How do I fulfill my life responsibility to do the mission?
Disciple makers start at step two, by going together.
This is consistent with the commandment to Love One Another. John 13:34-35.

What drove the ‘People of the Way’ to follow even years after Jesus’ death?
They were witnesses. They were willing to risk their lives to make other disciples.
Pastor noted how the Disney Dine and Dash has classic cars that aren’t used as cars but as tables. What is a disciple who doesn't do disciple things?
What step are you stuck on?
God will help you. Push past the enemy who says you can't, you don't want to, you’re not worth it.
Take someone up the steps with you. The enemy is afraid of that kind of church.
God gets people unstuck!

This song fits (and is our church moto): Love God, Love People!

Verses for Today:
Luke 10:1-4, 16-17 (NLT)
Jesus Sends Out His Disciples
1 The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2 These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. 3 Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.

16 Then he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.”
17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”

Lord, help me to see if I am stuck and direct me to do your will to reach others. 

Audio Book Review: The Book of Riley: A Zombie Tale by Mark Tufo

This is a zombie tale with a dog hero.
The Book of Riley: A Zombie Tale
Written By: Mark Tufo
Narrated By: Sean Runnette

Duration: 2 hours 58 minutes
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
#Fraterfest

Summary:
When the zombie apocalypse strikes without warning one dog will hold the fate of her pack in her paws. This is the story of Riley, an American bulldog. Follow along as she tries to keep her pack safe from a zombie apocalypse. Traveling with her are Ben-Ben the high strung Yorkie, her favorite two-legger Jessie, Jessie's younger brother Zachary, and Riley's arch enemy Patches the cat. They are a rag-tag group of survivors, who, when pushed to the limit, realize that they are all each other has.

Review:
Riley is a loving dog who wants to protect her human pack. She stands with the human alpha and is surprised to get help from the pip-squeak Yorkie, Ben-Ben. Of course, (according to Riley), the cowardly and obnoxious cat, Patches, hid in the bathroom with the rest of the human pack. When some of her human pack fall, Riley is forced to save the teen daughter, Jessie, and the baby child, Zachery. Riley is joined in the journey to safety by Ben-Ben and Patches who turns out to have some wisdom and cleverness – even if she remains a great annoyance.

I enjoyed the dog’s view which is filled with humor, base thoughts (food, smells and elimination process) and rivalry with the cat. I am fairly sure this is a spin off from the Zombie Fallout series. I had listened to Book 1 of the primary series in 2018 and have a prequel, Zombie Fallout: Zero, ready to go this week as a “Z” title. I think I liked the dog book more but I wouldn’t want a steady diet of this. I recommend the Riley books as quick reads/listens for those you enjoy zombie battles with pets, and humor.

Audio Notes:  It appears that Sean Runnette is the narrator for Mr. Tufo and he has adapted well to the characters, whether dogs, cats or military.

Source: 10/2020 Audiobooks.com Mystery Audiobook Club. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook goal and #Fraterfest.

Audible Book Review: Psycho Inside Me by Bonnie R. Paulson

This is a dark but interesting listen.

Psycho Inside Me
By: Bonnie R. Paulson
Narrated by: Jenifer Krist

Length: 5 hrs and 23 mins
Release date: 03-04-14
Publisher: Bonnie R Paulson
Genre: Dark Fiction, Horror, Psychological, Teen and Young Adult
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
#Fraterfest

Publisher's Summary
***Mature YA listeners recommended - sexual content, violence, language***
I killed my first victim at thirteen years old - my age, not his. He was going to rape me, him and a couple of his friends. And so, I killed him. And then.... I killed again. And again.
At seventeen, I'm killing four to six times a year - maybe more. Don't stress out. I only go after the pedophiles and rapists. There are more out there than I could cover in a lifetime.
Saying I did this on my own would be selfish. Enforcing justice holds a glory all its own. But now, my lifelong friend and backup, Deegan, has been arrested. I have to decide if I want to give myself up and take his place or leave him with all the damning evidence. I don't want to stop killing. But if I let him take the fall, I can't kill anymore. And I need to keep doing that.
But the worst part of it all? I love him.
Cover artist - Ashley Byland of Redbird Designs
©2013 Bonnie R. Paulson (P)2014 Bonnie R. Paulson

Review:
Cassie was almost raped by a trio of bullies when she was only thirteen. Her childhood friend, Deegan, pulled the boy off of her but in the tussle Cassie accidentally killed the teen boy. Rather than report the event, Deegan helped Cassie dispose of the body and get away before the boys two friends returned to the scene.

On the anniversary of the first killing Cassie finds herself compelled to kill again. She specifically targets another sexual predator and Deegan arrives just in time to help her complete the killing and coverup. This pattern continues and grows. Deegan tries to convince Cassie to stop but she is intent on saving other innocent victims from men she has been able to identify as rapists and pedophiles.

It is surprising that the pair isn’t caught but finally they are betrayed, and Deegan is taken into custody. Cassie is desperate for a way to get him out of jail even if it means she will be arrested. After all she is still a minor when he might be tried as an adult.

This is a dark, macabre read/listen. It is told from Cassie’s viewpoint and the listener is tempted to feel sympathy for her while also being horrified and repulsed. The killings are not fully planned and carried out which seems fitting for the youth of the characters. The tentative and twisted friendship to romance is an interesting element in the story. I attribute a lot to the author’s writing skill to keep this in the edge of bizarre and interesting rather than totally depraved. Still, it is certainly dark, not for the squeamish reader/listener and not actions to be emulated! This is listed under "Children's Audiobooks" at Audible which I think is totally inappropriate. Perhatps YA, teen or NA but physological horror is more accurate. I do recommend it to fans of horror or those, like me, who read monsters and horror for the month of October.

Audio Notes: Jenifer Krist did a fine job with the narration. She adequately provided different voices for the characters, but more importantly for this work, she conveys the twisted, teen mind which I think Ms. Paulson intended.

Source: 4/10/2020 Author Codes. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook and Author review goals and #Fraterfest.