Sharing Beyond Books #165 Comment Giveaway August 23, 2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
It seemed like a nice day even though I worked on treasurer business and work. Not overly tired right now.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
I thought last week answers were interesting. Seven out of 17 would not finish a "bad" book. Six of us would finish and then seek to "heal", as miki put it, by reading a favorite author or re-reading a favorite book. Nrlymrtl talks her man's ear off and then goes for a favorite author or book. Sue and Sarah switch to a different genre hoping for a better read, which that sounds like a good suggestion.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #164 comments is: #14 Alyn who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #165 (One Question.)

Q1. Marjorie asks (submitted in the Spring but it could work year round): Do you do a big spring cleaning of your house or do you clean as you go daily??

A: I need a good 'spring', 'summer', 'fall' or whatever season, cleaning! I spend over time cleaning when I do and I don't have much time (or desire) to do that anymore. So we have a lady that comes in twice a month for dusting, vacuuming, kitchen and bathrooms. She is obsessive and I need to get her in more often to clean out closets and 'stuff' which she likes to do! I just found these great tips that are linked below. A good use for old table napkins that might have a few stains and other good tips too. 

Image  and tips found at BuzzFeed.

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 book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:

Q1. Marjorie asks: Do you do a big spring cleaning of your house or do you clean as you go daily??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books, the Christmas Giveaway Books (this is the new link), or the June 2013 Newly Updated ARC/Review List.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two 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 through Saturday August 30, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

Audio Book Review: Of Neptune: Syrena Legacy, Book 3 by Anna Banks

The final book in this trilogy adds some new interest and resolves okay in spite of some weak elements. 
Of Neptune: Syrena Legacy, Book 3
Author: Anna Banks
Narrator: Rebecca Gibel

Series: The Syrena Legacy, book 3
Runtime: 9.6 Hours
Recording: Unabridged
Release date: 5.13.2014
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Genre: Fiction/Childrens [I would not class this as Childrens]
ISBN-13: 978-1-4829-8785-0

Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Summary:
Emma and Galen’s kingdom—and their love—is threatened by long-lost Syrena in the brilliant conclusion to Anna Banks’ bestselling trilogy.
Emma, half human and half Syrena, and her Syrena love, Galen, need time together—alone. Away from the kingdoms of Poseidon and Triton. Emma’s grandfather, the Poseidon king, suggests the two visit a small town called Neptune.
Neptune is home to both Syrena and Half-Breeds alike. But Emma and Galen didn’t sign up to be peacemakers between the ocean and the land-dwelling, freshwater Syrena. They didn’t bargain for meeting a charming Half-Breed named Reed, who can barely disguise his feelings for Emma. And they especially didn’t expect to find themselves in the middle of a power struggle that threatens not only their love but their ocean kingdoms.
In this stunning conclusion to her bestselling Syrena Legacy, Anna Banks thrills fans with more action and romance than ever.
© 2014 by Anna Banks

Review:
Galen is insistent on taking Emma away for some down time after the excitement and loses in book two, Of Triton. Galen is still reeling from the death of his best human friend and assistant, Rachel. Galen’s older brother, Grom, the King of Triton, is against Galen and Emma taking time off especially in the human world. But the Poseidon king, Emma’s grandfather, has directed Emma to take Galen to a particular ‘vacation’ spot in Tennessee.

Emma is delighted to discover that Neptune is a community of land dwelling Syrenas and Half-Breeds. Galen isn’t happy about the discovery because Half-Breeds, other than Emma, are not accepted by the ocean Syrena. Also, a local, charming young man, Reed, has an immediate attraction to Emma.

Unfortunately, Neptune isn’t completely the peaceful place it appears. Some of the inhabitants are intent on forcing the sea tribes of Syrena to accept the land tribes and Half-Breeds.  There is also a deceiving human who is setting traps with the goal to capture and expose the mer-people. Galen and Emma are surprised to find themselves as hostage targets by two different interests. First they need rescue and then they have to deal with human exposure and the problems that Neptune represents to the ocean world.

I enjoyed the underlying plot for the most part although some of the hostage attacks seemed rather “set up”. What really bothered me though was the hormonal attraction between Galen and Emma and the lame, unnecessary attempt at a  love triangle. Okay, I guess it’s to be expected in a YA story, but after the nice restraint in the first two books I find that a bit annoying. Suddenly the strong relationship and respect between Emma and Galen is spoiled with teenage lust, doubt and jealousy. Fortunately their passion and petty issues are way-laid by the activities in Neptune and ultimately the story ends well. Beyond the issues noted, I do recommend the full series as entertaining.

Audio Notes: Initially I was distracted by what sounded to me as "whining" narration. I didn’t remember having that trouble with book one and my audio notes in the review for Of Poseidon indicate that I wasn’t so effected. It took a few hours into this audio before the story took precedence over the narration. Rebecca Gibel’s voice is suitable for the YA characters so it was as much a content issue as voice issue I think that was distracting for me. I suggest that a reader listen to the audio sample and decide if they are comfortable.

I received this download from Blackstone Audio through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 22, 2014

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

Whew boy. Seems like I turn around and it's Friday again! I didn't even get to link the new FP on the side bar. Sigh, sigh, sigh. So much to do and so little time.
Thanks to those letting me know they are still, even on and off, having trouble with the email feeder. I guess I will look again into the alternatives.

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the August 15 Pick. There were no automatic wins this week.  (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.) There were no titles blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 15 Pick:
Becky gets the Beverly Barton Pair (after weeks of being blocked)

Booklady gets the Pleasure Unbound

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.}

Time to stay home and get the kids back in school but 

that won't stop us from 'traveling' either will it?

Image found at Pinterest from ashleybroomallphotography.blogspot.com.

New Book Group #50! August 8, 2014

PAIRS:
William J. Coughlin: The Court and The Judgment
Phyllis J. Whitney: The Ebony Swan and Woman Without a Past
SINGLES:
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
So Hard to Forget by Evelyn Crowe
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
Whirlwind Affair by Jacquie D'Allessandro
Let Darkness Come by Angela Hunt
Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione 
ChiefTain by Nan Ryan
A Place Called Home by Loir Wick
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
True Believer by Nicholas Sparks
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose

New Book Group #49 June 27, 2014

PAIRS:
Sandra Brown:  The Thrill of Victory and Temperatures Rising
Beverly Barton: The Last to Die and Raintree: Sanctuary
SINGLES:
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Down by the Water by Caroline Upcher
Hawkes Harbor by S.E. Hinton
Savage Thunder by Cassie Edwards
Miracle by Deborah Smith
Desperate Alliances by Cory Daniells
Never Walk Alone by Paula Detmer Riggs
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin
Running Blind by Lee Child
Dirty Sexy Knitting by Christie Ridgway
The Grey Beginning by Barbara Michaels
The Highlander's Bride by Michele Sinclair


New Book Group #48 May 30, 2014

PAIRS:
Karen Haper:  Black Orchid (spine creases) and Shaker Run
Elizabeth Lowell: Fever and The Color of Death
SINGLES:
After Dark by Phillip Margolin Audio Tapes
Dangerous by Debra Dier
First to Fight Anthology
Full Bloom by Jayne Ann Krentz
Mesmerized by Gayle Lynds
On the Edge by Susan Kearney
Safe by His Side by Linda Conrad

New Book Group #47 April 25, 2014

SINGLES:
Trey's Secret by Lois Faye Dayer
Midnight Reign by Chris Marie Green
Once Upon a Moon by Julie Kistler
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy



New Book Group #46 March 15, 2014

SINGLES:
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Penhollow by Georgette Heyer
The Last Heiress by Bertrice Small (spine creases)
Strong Arms of the Law by Vicki Kennedy


New Book Group #45 January 31, 2014

SINGLES:
Out of Darkness by Lynn Erickson
Lord Braybrook's Penniless Bride by Elizabeth Rolls
Contract Dad by Helen Shelton
Hearts Are Wild by Laura Wright

New Book Group #44 December 14, 2013---(All gone)

New Book Group! #43 November 1, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Singles:
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Singles:
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.

New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe

New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013 (All gone)

New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012---(All gone)

New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012
- Oops upside down book! 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 - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley

New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012--- (All gone)

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012--- (All gone)

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011---(All gone)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20---(All gone)

3/25/11 Group #19---(All gone)
Primary Colors - audio tapes

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone).

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 on November 27, 2009 and in four years I have posted 43 groups of 16 (688) books to find new homes! (as of November 2013).

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! I am happy to say that so far about 699+ 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 $7.00 and $6.00 $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)

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--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown 

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4---(All gone)

Pick #5---(All gone)

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Pick #8
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Celebrate with Sourcebooks and Samantha Grace: In Bed with a Rogue Spotlight Tour

In Bed with a Rogue

By Samantha Grace

Soucebooks Casablanca

Historical Romance

September 2, 2014

ISBN: 9781402286612

$6.99/£4.99

Mass-Market Paperback

He’s the Talk of the Town

The whole town is tittering about Baron Sebastian Thorne having been jilted at the altar. Every move he makes ends up in the gossip columns. Tired of being the butt of everyone’s jokes, Sebastian vows to restore his family’s reputation no matter what it takes.

She’s the Toast of the Ton

Feted by the crème of society, the beautiful widow Lady Prestwick is a vision of all that is proper. But Helena is no angel, and when Sebastian uncovers her dark secret, he’s quick to press his advantage. In order to keep her hard-won good name, Helen will have to make a deal with the devil. But she’s got some tricks up her sleeves to keep this notorious rogue on his toes…

SAMANTHA GRACE

Historical romance author Samantha Grace discovered the appeal of a great love story when she was just a young girl, thanks to Disney’s Robin Hood. She didn’t care that Robin Hood and Maid Marian were cartoon animals. It was her first happily-ever-after experience and she didn’t want the warm fuzzies to end. Now Samantha enjoys creating her own happy-endings for characters that spring from her imagination. Publishers Weekly describes her stories as “fresh and romantic” with subtle humor and charm. Samantha describes romance writing as the best job ever.      

Website: http://www.samanthagraceauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Samantha-Grace/264436686918343

Twitter: @SamGraceAuthor https://twitter.com/SamGraceAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4946067.Samantha_Grace

Buy: Amazon | B&N | BAM! | IndieBound | !ndigo | iTunes

The six Samantha Grace books include:

·         Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel

·         Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half

·         Miss Lavigne’s Little White Lie

·         Lady Vivian Defies a Duke

·         One Rogue Too Many

·         In Bed with a Rogue

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Book Review: SEAL Team Six: Hunt the Wolf by Don Mann

This is an action packed and engaging story.

SEAL Team Six: Hunt the Wolf

by Don Mann 
A SEAL Team Six Novel

• File Size: 704 KB
• Print Length: 320 pages
• Publisher: Mulholland Books (June 26, 2012)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B006L87BUW

Genre: Military Thriller, Action
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: June 26, 2012
Navy SEAL Team Six commando Don Mann infuses his debut military thriller with the real-life details only a true insider can reveal.
In the midst of a grueling training exercise, Thomas Crocker, USN, unearths a pocket of terrorism that leads straight from the slopes of K2 to the cities of Europe and the Middle East. Crocker and his team, who are trained for the most intense kinds of combat in the most extreme environments, must blaze through a perilous web of terrorist cells to track down a ruthless sheikh who is running an international kidnapping ring before his captives pay the ultimate price.
HUNT THE WOLF is an adrenaline-packed novel sure to appeal to fans of Vince Flynn and Brad Thor, featuring the world's most elite soldiers and based on the experiences of renowned SEAL Team 6 commando Don Mann.

Review:
Crocker is a Navy Seal team leader who likes to ‘get the job done’ with minimal mess and minimal collateral damage. He and his team are sent into a covert op to take out Zaman, an al-Qaeda terrorist. They destroy the dwelling target thinking they have accomplished the mission. There are two problems though and Crocker takes them both personally. First, a young girl is killed in the blast. Second, it appears that the primary target was allowed to exit the building in disguise. Although unavoidable, these errors still impact Crocker’s confidence, not to mention the fact that his superiors don’t want to give him a second chance to get Zaman.

Crocker has a thin clue to pursue and, unlike the powers who spend time disputing policies, Croker is a man who takes action. While waiting for more information Crocker and his team head to climb the dangerous mountain of Concordia in Pakistan. The climb keeps the teams’ skills sharp and also provides them cover to be in the country. Before beginning the climb Crocker is asked to help track down a daughter of an important Norwegian official who has gone missing. Crocker’s gut tells him that there is a connection between Zaman and the slave traders who have been taking beautiful blonde girls to deliver them to a ruthless sheikh.

There is plenty of action that keeps this moving at a fast pace. Although the climb is a little off track, I really enjoyed the action, the danger and the excitement of the climb as well as the danger of the hunt for the kidnappers. Crocker is a strong, honorable and steady character. The other team members are not deeply developed although each has their own skills and foibles.

Author Mann creates a reasonably realistic plot with engaging action and manages to convey some philosophical statements along the way. Caution: there is some bad language and, needless to say, violence. I would gladly read more from this author and more in this series.

I picked this up to read through NetGalley.