Contact email: mesreads AT gmail.com
###Winner Announcement Posts are linked here.###

GIVEAWAYS ARE NOW LOCATED ON THEIR OWN PAGE - CLICK ON TAB ABOVE; Giveaways also linked on right sidebar.

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Audio Book Review: Radioactive Evolution by Richard Hummel

I liked this action story with a dragon companion.
Radioactive Evolution
Written by Richard Hummel
Narrated by Armen Taylor & Anneliese Rennie

Book cover for Radioactive Evolution by Richard Hummel
Release Date: November 15, 2018
Publisher: Hummel Books
Genre: Cyperpunk, Fantasy Gaming, Post-apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.25.


Publisher's Summary
How far would you go to change humanity's fate?
Jared Cartwright grew up in a loving, caring community, completely isolated from the horrors of the outside world. When tragedy leaves him alone and untethered, Jared sets out to explore the unknown: a world where twisted, scarred creatures roam an earth ravaged by nuclear war while the rich fled to the skies on floating utopias, escaping destruction and leaving the rest of humanity to die.
To face his new reality, Jared must learn to survive in a cold, harsh world. A twist of fate changes Jared's destiny when he discovers dragons are real. The dragon unlocks a hidden technology within his body, giving him powers he never imagined existed.
With deadly adversaries above and below, he must evolve beyond mere human limitations to defeat the powerful rulers of the cities and the rabid beasts lurking in the shadows.
Amazon number-one best seller in Post-Apocalyptic & Cyberpunk!
©2018 Richard Hummel (P)2019 Richard Hummel


Review:
Jared is a lone explorer in a post-apocalyptic world that is full of ravaged cities and twisted creatures. The elites who survived live in floating cities far above the radiated earth. Jared scavenges for supplies, including food, weapons and nanite injectors. The nanite injectors are necessary to preserve the nanotechnology within the humans which corrupts over time.

Jared descends into the tunnels of the city (once New York) following another explorer. After facing off with giant lizards, Jared finds the explorer buried in a pile of what appears to be a nest. Jared snags the pack of the other explorer and an unusual object with radiating heat. He fights his way out of the tunnels to his safe space. There he uncovers secrets about the nanotechnology and, more importantly, he inadvertently bonds with a newborn dragon! The dragon, nicknamed Scarlet, can share nanotechnology with Jared providing him the opportunity to increase his physical and mental skills so that each has super powers.

Having bonded, Jared and Scarlet have to agree to help each other’s species rather than be enemies. They set off to find other surviving humans who can be recruited to bond with dragons, or other creatures. Once they have a force the plan is to challenge one of the sky cities. The pair fight off and escape from enemies ultimately saving a strange community of water people.

This story has a definite LitRPG vibe with plenty of mutated creatures, such as killer bunnies, to battle, and nanites and powers to be absorbed and assigned to increase (‘level up’) skills. Jared is a surprising survivor considering his naivety. I enjoyed the relationship between Jared and Scarlet who communicate through telepathy and share their growth journeys. The writing kept me engaged even though it is not complex. The world building is good with lots of strange creatures. I do want to read/listen to the next book in the series. I recommend this to fans of action and fantasy gaming.

Audio Notes: Armen Taylor & Anneliese Rennie make a good narration team. I liked both voices and energy for the characters. I hope they will be the narrators for the next book which I plan to get on audio.

Source: October 2020 Chirp $2.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Sunday, June 27, 2021

Sunday Post June 27, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 28, 2021

Sunday Post #318 Chairs, Compliance, and Storms

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.


My work was a little full this week with two members out 3 1/2 days and Heather out one day with doctor appointments. They are setting up another CT for Heather's nose but on top of that she had to have an infected tooth pulled this past week.
The dehumidifier is helping a little. But it was hard to keep up with moving leaks after heavy rains several days last week.

Our century tree seems to be a week behind everyone else. They are either in full bloom or dropping the blooms. Ours is just opening up:

I found one cluster of grapes Saturday but another seemed to be gone. I have to ask hubby when they are good to pick.

As noted above we have had repeated rain so it is hot and humid.

Listening was good but slow this week. Kindle reading continued to be slower due to the app freezing.   I finished two audio books and posted four reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 16 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Kait Plus Books. Kait has some unique group associations. She reads mostly YA books and likes Alternate History. She and I can share notes on Alternate History books.

Audible offerings for free children's titles looks like it is closing June 30.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:
  • ATBR- Audible Book Review: Quest for the Diamond Sword by Winter Morgan; Genre: Adventure, Children, Computer Game; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Content 3.75; Narration 4.25.
  • A2021- Audio Book Review: Apocalypse by Kyle West; Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, YA/Teen; My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 3. 5; Narration 3.75.
  • ATBR- Audible Book Review: Full Share by Nathan Lowell; Genre: Space Opera, Trading; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.5.
Finished Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (AC2020)
Book cover for Radioactive Evolution by Richard Hummel


Radioactive Evolution
Written by Richard Hummel
Narrated by Armen Taylor & Anneliese Rennie
I liked this action story with a dragon companion.
Source: October 2020 Chirp $2.99

Click on book title for full description.



2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)


Dragon Planet
By: Dan Wells
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller, Steve Rimpici, full cast
Series: The Zero Chronicles, Book 2
Length: 3 hrs and 45 mins
I decided to read/listen to another dragon story. It is fun, easy listening. :-)
Source: August 2020 Audible Plus Catalog.

About This Audible Original
The much-anticipated sequel to Zero G and the middle grade debut by Dan Wells.
The colonists from the Pathfinder have arrived on Kaguya, a planet with low gravity but a very dense atmosphere. It’s fun to jump around, but the air makes you loopy. Even worse than that, the heavy atmosphere means that wind storms, although rare, are absolutely devastating.
Zero and Nyx help to get everything locked down before the first big storm, but they stumble onto a group of thieves who have stolen some mining equipment. Before the kids have a chance to get away and tell anyone, the storm hits and the massive winds carry them far away. Zero and Nyx are stranded on an unknown planet with no way to communicate, being chased by thieves, and with another storm bearing down on them.
And, oh yeah, this planet has dragons.
It will take more than just good luck to get back to the colony. It’s going to take science.
©2019 Dan Wells (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC



Currently Reading:
1. Kindle App/Smartphone (NG2020)
54165600


Aftershocks
Christians Entering a New Era of Global Crisis
by Jeff Kinley
This is still moving slowly on my kindle app and a little better on my Fire Kindle. I'm mid-way and want to finish this in June.
Source: 2020 NetGalley.

Click on book title for full description.



2. Print (2021)


The Iron Triangle: Inside the Liberal Democrat Plan to Use Race to Divide Christians and America in their Quest for Power and How We Can Defeat Them
by Vince Everett Ellison
This will be my fiction book for June July at the rate I am reading.
I am still engaged by the arguments.
Source: Purchased in March 2021.

Click on book title for full description.



3. Audio/Smartphone/NetGalley App (NG2021)
Dog Eat Dog Audiobook By David Rosenfelt cover art


Dog Eat Dog, An Andy Carpenter Mystery
by David Rosenfelt
Narrated by Grover Gardner
Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
Release date: 07-06-21
I enjoy this series and the narrator.
Source: NetGalley 6/3/2021

Publisher's Summary
Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, work to free a man who risked it all to help a dog in need.
Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his wife, Laurie, enjoy walking their dogs, Tara and Sebastian. By this point in their marriage, it’s routine. When out for one of their strolls, their simple ritual isn’t so simple anymore. Across the street, a man is mistreating his dog. Three things happen at once: Andy yells, Laurie runs to stop the abuse, and so does a closer passerby, who so thoroughly beats the owner that both are arrested when the cops arrive.
Andy scoops up the dog and takes him to the Tara Foundation, the dog rescue organization that’s always been his true passion. Meanwhile, at the police station, the passerby is identified as Matthew Jantzen, and he’s wanted for murder. Andy and Laurie are struck by the fact that Jantzen, a man on the run, would nevertheless intervene to help a dog, and decide to find out more.
Dog Eat Dog, the twenty-second installment in the Andy Carpenter series, features the charming cast of characters - old and new - that David Rosenfelt is known for and the dogs that accompany them.



4. ebook/Kindle App (Author2021)
The Alchemy Thief by [R.A. Denny]


The Alchemy Thief
by R.A. Denny
This looks like an interesting time travel, Christian historical.
Source: Author review request.

When the secrets of the past threaten to destroy the future.
A tale of hope, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of a woman, this sweeping epic spans the Atlantic from New England to Morocco during the Age of Exploration.
2019: A young woman finds a relic engraved with a mysterious symbol off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. Terrorists in Morocco steal a 17th-century book engraved with the same symbol. As the woman struggles to unravel the secrets behind the symbol, her life changes in ways she could never have imagined.
1657: Transported back in time, she meets the alchemist, John Winthrop, Jr. who is plotting to lure the greatest scientific minds to the New World. But the more she learns, the more she fears for the lives of the loved ones she left behind.
In a stunning twist of fate, a modern terrorist has traveled into the past, where he has become a Barbary Corsair. He has plans of his own. And he will stop at nothing to succeed.



June 27, 2021 - I remain on track. I love seeing new things each time I read the Bible. I am glad to still be current with morning reading. (I got one day behind but and caught up again.)
I am reading/listening to the NLT Tyndale version of the Bible on You Version App so Hubby and I are reading the same passages each day.
No new study; maybe this week.


I completed two books to review this week.
NetGalley shelf grew last week by one but I am listening to so that keeps me at five on the shelf.
Four author titles remain in queue as I added one and pulled one into reading. I'll be working on these next soon.
(Plus a few that I received from facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
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: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received an audio book at NetGalley and an ebook from a repeat author this week.
I selected my free VIP credit and 2 for 1 credit audios at Audiobooks.com.
Two downloads from authors.
Four
free Kindle titles this week and one through First Reads Amazon Prime.
(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
NetGalley Audio Book: I had this in ebook but I can get to the Audio much easier.
58434803
A Good Day for Chardonnay
by Darynda Jones
Narrated by Lorelei King

Pub Date 27 Jul 2021



June 20, 2021 I received an ebook from the author in a time travel series I like:
54338208. sy475

The Fair (Time Box #2)
by John A. Heldt





Won
NONE

Purchased
6/26/2021 Two for one Credit deal at Audiobooks.com:
The Body in the Marsh
The Body in the Marsh
By Nick Louth
Narrated By: Marston York

Duration: 12 h 30 min


Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café
Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café
By Jodi Thomas
Narrated By: Julia Gibson

Duration: 9 h 28 min



Free
6/21/2021 Audiobooks.com June VIP pick.
Burn-In
Burn-In
Written By: P.W. Singer, August Cole
Narrated By: Mia Barron

Date: May 2020
Duration: 14 hours 50 minutes


Two Free mobi files from author's online:
54229378

Unbound: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller Series
(Dawn of Deception Book 1)
by A. R. Shaw


Timothy Scott: The Torn Mountains (Behind The Mirror A Coming Of Age Fantasy Adventure Series Book 2) by [Tobey Alexander]

Timothy Scott: The Torn Mountains
(Behind The Mirror A Coming Of Age Fantasy Adventure Series Book 2)
by Tobey Alexander

Four Free Kindle Titles:


Breaking His Code:
An Away From Keyboard
Romantic Suspense Standalone
Patricia D. Eddy


What Lies Beneath: A Gripping Serial Killer Thriller
(Victor Loshak Book 2)
L.T. Vargus, E.M. Smith, Tim McBain




Pagan's Ark: A sci-fi historical thriller
(Verus Foundation Book 1)
Matt Eaton




Earth Alone (Earthrise Book 1)
by Daniel Arenson
Narrated by Jeffrey Kafer



6/27/2021 June First Reads Free from Amazon Prime


Song of the Forever Rains (The Mousai Book 1)
by E.J. Mellow




Four free Kindle titles this week.
Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement June 27, 2021

We attended service online again this morning. Pastor resumed his sermon messages from Romans. This week's meesage is titled "Undisputed" based on Romans Chapter 9.

Pastor noted how Paul presents an argument and then answers it. If Jesus is who Paul preaches, why aren’t the Jews flocking to Him? Today, why aren’t people flocking to Jesus? Why does God seem angry? Why so unpopular? If God is so good and so loving why does God let bad things happen? We have to be ready to give an answer, a defense. How can He be prepared to allow millions, maybe billions to go to hell?

Wanting things to be fair is the stuff of fairytales. Life’s not fair. Who steps in to make things fair? Suddenly in our society, people must not have been told that life isn’t fair. They are trying to make things fair. But experience has shown that trying to make life fair results in failure. But why is life unfair? God's control is undisputed. Romans 9:1-25.

Why does God blame people for not responding? His authority is undisputed. He can do as He chooses. It may not seem fair to us, but we have limited understanding. Every person has had revealed to them the majesty and beauty of God’s creation. Romans 1:20; Job 12:7-10; Psalm 19:1 and many more references. But, even with the evidence around them, some people reject God's existence. God’s mercy is given by His choice.

Every person has the opportunity to get the mercy they do not deserve. (Many by direct message but also millions by evidence through God’s presence in nature.) All have sinned. Every person has the choice to accept or reject God.

The Point: Our attitude toward God’s fairness changes when we recognize God’s love on full display when He gave His only son, Jesus, as the sacrifice for our sins.

Jesus is the sacrifice for the sins of ALL men (people). But each person must choose to accept the sacrifice, by Faith! God is infinitely patient but at some point, He may stop pursuing although He always stands with open arms. The life of Jesus wasn’t fair and he is our defense. God loves us so much that He gives us the opportunity to receive mercy. We must respond. We must accept and surrender. And He sends messengers, prophets and followers, to take the word to others! We are here to share the Good News with others. Have faith and share God's message.

I had a video link for this song, Mercy Said No, that was unavailable.
I found this dramatic version to share instead.
Verses for Today:
Romans 9: 14-15; 19-21; 30-32 (NIV)
14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses,
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

19 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.


Heavenly Father, I thank you for choosing me, for revealing yoourself to me. Lord Jesus, I thank you for your sacrifice for my sins. Holy Spirit, I thank you for being available at all times to guide me. I need God's love, mercy and guidance every minute of every day of my life!

What Does Romans 9:15 Mean?

Romans 9:14-15 Archives - Bread Basket Crumbs

Sovereignty, Free Will, and Salvation - God's Sovereignty over Salvat…

Saturday, June 26, 2021

Sharing Beyond Books #424 Comment Giveaway June 26, 2021

Hello again, Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Last post SBB#423 Natalija asks: Which famous person do you share your birthday with??
I enjoyed the answers which included several authors, a few actresses, Martin Luther King and even the Queen of England. Two people didn't know who they shared birthday's with.

The Winner from SBB#423 comments is #7 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. 11/28/20 I have added a box of new books for SBB and will list them in the next week or so. I have to try to cross off books that have already been awarded.]

Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #424
(One Question.)
Ashfa asks: What's the last book you read because you loved the cover?
I looked back over the last ten books I read and the last one that I picked because I 'loved' the cover was Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill.
55878335

Love These Covers | School & Exercise Book Covers | School Fundraising
Image found at Love These Covers.

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.
June Comment Questions provided by Natalija and Ashfa who get $2.50 credit each.

Your turn to share. Ashfa asks: What's the last book you read because you loved the cover?

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, July 10, 2021, at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Full Share by Nathan Lowell

I enjoy this character driven series. It makes a quick listen.
Full Share
A Trader's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, Book 3
By: Nathan Lowell
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Full Share  By  cover art
Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
Release date: 08-16-16
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Space Opera, Trading
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.5.


Publisher's Summary
If there was ever a time to "Trust Lois..."
The Lois McKendrick runs headlong into trouble when a routine in-system transit goes bad. Ishmael and the rest of the crew must scramble to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it in order to keep the ship alive.
Learn more about the officers and crew of the Lois McKendrick as they struggle to keep their ship, and discover how Ishmael finds out how wrong he's been about what it means to be a spacer in this latest Trader's Tale.
©2013 Nathan Lowell (P)2016 Podium Publishing


Review:

Ishmael and his friends, Pip, Brill, Bev and more, are continuing their duties on the Lois McKendrick while increasing their funds with the trading co-operative they started. Ishmael has been continuing his studies too so that he can test for the next level and gain “full share” status in all four divisions of ship positions. Mr. von Ickles has suggested that Ishmael go to “the academy” to train and become an officer. The Captain encourages him too. He is a little reluctant considering he is young, alone in the world and not sure what he wants to do in his future. There is also the matter of the cost and whether he could get accepted since he has no family connection nor supporters…so he thinks.

Ishmael is soon given another reason to think about going to the academy when he learns that a replacement for his temporary position has been hired. Ishmael cannot stay on board unless there is a position for him. There are no open positions, and he isn’t about to bump some of the lower spacers even if he has that right. This is a time he must truly “trust Lois”.

Things are quiet until the ship runs through a meteor shower and systems shut down. Ishmael helps get them back online. Now they have to figure out what went wrong so it won’t happen again. Along the journey, Ishmael learns more about his shipmates and even meets members of Pip’s family. Through this event his view of his friends and a spacer’s life changes.

This is a different space opera series. Because it is a trading ship, there is no battle action, but I like the trading action. There is little danger, other than normal obstacles of space travel. But author Nathan Lowell creates an interesting story in the day to day, or more accurately the port-to-port lives of the characters. I enjoy how the officers, as well as shipmates, appreciate Ishmael’s skills and cooperative attitude.

This episode has an internal mystery that I enjoyed along with Ishmael’s growth. The mates also find a unique way to turn around a reluctant worker. I know Ishmael is young and a bit of a ‘boy toy” but he isn’t obnoxious about his conquests in work, studies, or women. I don’t take offense at his successes but like how he shares them, even with the ship, Lois.

I like this series and recommend it to sci-fi fans who appreciate business elements (trading) and likable characters. I will be purchasing and look forward to the next book, Double Share.

Audio Notes: I find Jeffrey Kafer’s narration in this series to be completely engaging. He easily conveys the nature of the characters and provides distinct voices helping to keep the story clear. I look forward to continuing to listen to the series.

Source: August 2020 Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Quarter Share My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
Half Share My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall, Story 4.5, Narration 5.0

Friday, June 25, 2021

Audio Book Review: Apocalypse by Kyle West

This just didn’t grip me.
Apocalypse
Written by Kyle West
Read by Graham Halstead

Book cover for Apocalypse by Kyle West with featured deal banner

Run Time 7h 32min
Release Date: April 12, 2016
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, YA/Teen
My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 3. 5; Narration 3.75.


Publisher Description
Alex Keener has lived all of his sixteen years underground in U.S. Bunker 108. When he goes on his first recon into the Wasteland, he will find out exactly why.
Outside, Alex discovers a harsh landscape twisted by the impact of the meteor Ragnarok in 2030. Besides Raiders, dust storms, and cold, a new threat is evolving-the xenovirus, which twists men and animals into deadly monsters.
When the xenovirus invades Bunker 108, Alex must fight for survival. Joined by a beautiful ex-Raider and an idealistic scientist, Alex discovers that he and his friends might be the only ones standing between the world and a second apocalypse.


Review:

Alex has turned sixteen, so now he must serve his turn going out of Bunker 108 where he has lived all his life. His first patrol foray into the Wasteland shows him a harsh landscape. He and his experienced partner, Michael, are surprised to find a man face down in the dust with stab wounds in his back. Michael recognizes the man is from Bunker 114 where the main group of scientists live. They rush to get him into the bunker for medical attention. And that is where trouble begins.

When virus spreads in Bunker 108, Alex rushes to escape with his female crush, Khloe, and her parents. After battling the infected, Alex ends up on his own struggling to survive in the Wasteland. While scavenging and thieving to get supplies, Alex is likely to die until a strange female decides to help him.

I have been reading many post-apocalyptic stories and chose this as Mr. West is a new-to-me author. There is entertainment, but unfortunately, I did not really get pulled into the story. The basic plot (a take off Wool) has potential, but I found the writing and editing lacking – too young or too shallow. I felt that much of the story reflected immature views of women and immature or downright stupid behavior. Perhaps this is appropriate for the sixteen-year-old character, but to me there were such obvious missteps by the community in a dangerous environment, starting with taking in an unknown man without using quarantine protocol.

I thought Alex’s survival chances were improbable as he was not prepared and continually loses his supplies, leaving them behind every time he faces an attack. The characters also make the mistake of leaving valuable resources to the enemies chasing them. I have the next two books in the series in audio so I expect I will try the next book sometime. Die hard apocalyptic readers may want to try this as they may have a different response.

Audio Notes:
Graham Halstead delivers a fair narration although I thought there was limited voice distinction. The reading does fit the main character. I think the audio helped the story move more quickly for me.

Source: 5/23/2021 purchase at Chirp for $2.99. This qualifies for 2021Audiobook goal.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 25, 2021

Happy Friday! Several more sets of books went out this past week and we have one or two boxes ready to go tomorrow. Thanks for being so patient.

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 June 18, 2021 Pick. There were two automatic wins last 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.
bn100 gets Moonlight Mile
CarolL gets One Good Deed

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from June 18, 2021 Pick:
LINDA gets a GC
AND
ASHFA 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.}

June is Bathroom Reading Month
I'm not sure it's being celebrated in 2021 but this was celebrated in prior years. Who knew?
Image found at Portable Press.


New Book Box #94 May 28, 2021 (10 books)
Three Audio CD Books:
Web of Evil by J.A. Jance
One Good Deed by David Baldacci
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
SINGLE TITLES
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale

A Summer of Firsts by Susan Wiggs and Sarah Morgan
Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane
Christmas on 4th Street: An Anthology by Susan Mallery
The Stranger by Harlan Coben
Vortex by Robert Charles Wilson



New Book Groups #92 and #93 November 13, 2020.
#92 (15 books):
A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley
The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart
Heart's Desire by Ruth Ryan Hagan

The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed

Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs

Box #93 (14 books)

Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready
There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers (personally signed)

For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper
The Irish Bride by Alexa Harrington

When We Met by Susan Mallery

Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery
All of Me by Lori Wilde


New Book Group #91 October 2, 2020 - Suspense themed
SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder

The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman Audiobook

PICK TWO  your choice (listed below the picture) Nora Roberts:
Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky

Valley of Silence
Inner Harbor and
Chesapeake Blue



New Book Group #90 June 19, 2020
Quite a few mysteries in this box.
SINGLES:
Alias by Smy J. Fetzer
Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)

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

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:
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

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 TEN years I have posted 91 groups of 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling 1,477 books available to find new homes! (As of November 6, 2020).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,365 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, TWRP, 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!

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