Sunday Post November 22, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 23, 2015

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

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

This was another busy work week - title, law and publishing.   

My reading and listening was fun with three books completed. I finished two audiobooks, and one ebook with a second one started. I posted four reviews and the usual memes.

I enjoyed visiting (but didn't to reply here) other bloggers at the beginning of the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post November 15, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 16, 2015.

• Book Review: Dead Girl Running (The New Order Book 1) by Ann M. Noser; Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review: Power of the Matchmaker by Karey White, Rachael Anderson, Kelly Oram, & 9 more; Romance, Novella; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review and Feature: What's In My Pocket and Who Stole My Homework by Todd Key, Illustrated by Steve Ryder; Children, Family; my rating 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 20, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 11/26/2015.

• Audible Review: Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile by J. L. Bourne; Thriller, Sci Fi, zombies; my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #228 Comment Giveaway November 21, 2015 Open Worldwide. Ends 11/28/15.

• Book Winners from July 25, 2015 Through October 25, 2015.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement November 22, 2015.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/MP3

Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile
Written by: J. L. Bourne
Narrated by: Jay Snyder
This is entertaining.
My review for this is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Steal Me (NYPD's Finest)
by Lauren Layne
I really enjoyed this.
My tour review and feature will post 
on November 25 for Forever Romance.
IN HOT PURSUIT
Being a cop might be in Anthony Moretti's blood, but protecting and serving the city of New York has always been more than just the family business. If that means his love life stays locked up, well then that's just another sacrifice made in the line of duty. That is, until he sets eyes on the gorgeous new waitress at The Darby Diner and suddenly Anthony's morning coffee is leaving him a whole lot more hot and bothered than usual.
Though waitressing at The Darby isn't exactly Maggie Walker's dream job, it pays the bills and gives her time to work on her novel. Now if only she could stop fantasizing about gorgeous Anthony Moretti every time he sits down at her table, she'd really be in great shape. But when he needs her help identifying a criminal threatening The Darby-and Maggie recognizes her ex-husband-she fears her fresh start might be a pipe dream. Faster than a New York minute, Maggie and Anthony find themselves in one perilous pursuit that only gets hotter with each and every rule-breaking kiss.

3. Audio/MP3

Special Talents: Goon Squad, Vol. 1
Written by: Jonathan L. Howard
Narrated by: Gabrielle de Cuir
This looked/sounded fun and it was!
I will post a review this coming week.
I received this title through Audiobook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
An ongoing, episodic "prose comic" from which the pictures are summoned by the magic of words, Goon Squad is set in a version of modern-day Manchester. Its biggest divergence from the real city is that it - along with most other large urban centers - has a team of superheroes to protect it against unusual threats with which the conventional forces of law and order would have problems.
Goon Squad, Volume 1: Special Talents is composed of six tales: "The New Girl", "Nightclubbing", "By the Water, by the Grave", "Changes", "No-No Dojo", and "Exterminating Angel" as well as an introduction read by the author.
©2015 Jonathan L. Howard (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc., and Skyboat Media, Inc.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Joy to the Worlds: Mysterious Speculative Fiction for the Holidays
by Maia Chance , Janine A. Southard, Raven Oak,G. Clemans
I am two books into this collection and enjoying it.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3

Omega Rising: Omega Force, Book 1
Written by: Joshua Dalzelle
Narrated by: Paul Heitsch
This is another Sci FI that I chose
and received through Audiobook Jukebox.
I just got it today so I have to add it to my player and will start tonight.
Publisher's Summary
Jason Burke was a man hiding from himself in a small cabin high in the American Rocky Mountains when his simple, quiet life was shattered one night by what he first assumed was an aviation mishap. But when he investigates the crash, what he finds will yank him out of his self-imposed exile and thrust him into a world he could have never imagined. He suddenly finds himself trapped on a damaged alien spacecraft and plunged into a universe of interstellar crime lords and government conspiracies, along the way meeting strange new friends… and enemies. As he struggles to find his way back home he is inexorably drawn deeper into a world where one misstep could mean his death. Or worse. He desperately wants to get back to Earth, but it may be the end for him...or is it just the beginning?
©2013, 2014 Joshua Dalzelle (P)2014 Joshua Dalzelle

3. ebook/Kindle

Sheltering Hearts (Virgin River Book 11)
by Robyn Carr
This is Book 9 for my TBR Pile Challenge (three more after this one).
This is a free novella which has been on my Kindle shelf since 2010.
New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr takes readers back to her beloved Virgin River country in this heartwarming tribute to Rhonda Clemons, founder of Zoë Institute and a winner of a Harlequin More Than Words award.
By discovering a seed of compassion and nurturing it to effect real change, the dedicated women selected as Harlequin More Than Words award recipients make our world a better place. To celebrate their accomplishments, bestselling authors have honored the winners by writing short stories inspired by their lives and work.
This special eBook is yours at no charge because Harlequin is committed to celebrating women’s efforts and supporting the causes that are meaningful to them. By sharing Rhonda Clemons's story, we hope to turn awareness into action and mobilize others to make a difference.
To find out more or to nominate a woman you know, please visit www.HarlequinMoreThanWords.com.

4. eBook/Kindle

The 12 Brides of Christmas Collection: 12 Heartwarming 
Historical Romances for the Season of Love

by Mary Connealy (Author), Diana Lesire Brandmeyer (Author), Margaret Brownley (Author), & 9 more

I am looking forward to enjoying these stories.

This is (may be) my last NetGalley title for the year. 

Christmas is the time for love—and weddings—and twelve historical women are on their way to the altar, whether they know it or not. In Nineteenth Century settings across the heartland of America, readers will experience heartfelt gifts, old-fashioned Christmas traditions, sweet romance, and inspiring faith from twelve acclaimed Christian authors, including Mary Connealy, Margaret Brownley, Pam Hillman, Maureen Lang, Michele Ule, Amy Lillard, Miralee Ferrell, Susan Page Davis, Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, Amanda Cabot, Davalynn Spencer, and Vickie McDonough.

October 1, 2015- I am still up to date on Bible reading and greatly enjoying the readings-- It seems my eyes are open to more details and meaning. I am reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I am also listening to the companion commentary online.

I posted four reviews last week which left one plus two new so I remain at three although. again, I hope to post four reviews this coming week. I finished one NetGalley selection and added the last one on my shelf.  There is one other but it has to be read on the computer so I'm not sure if I will get to it so I haven't been counting it.
I have read 8 of my 12 TBR Pile books and added one of the last four this week. The others are full novels so I will have to read one a week after the Netgalley reading is complete. 

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 Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received two audio review titles from Audiobook Jukebox.
I purchased four $.99 kindle titles.
And of course I added more free kindle titles to my library.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received two titles through Audiobook Jukebox:

Special Talents: Goon Squad, Vol. 1
Written by: Jonathan L. Howard
Narrated by: Gabrielle de Cuir
This looked/sounded fun and it was!
See the description above under Finished reading.

and

Omega Rising: Omega Force, Book 1
Written by: Joshua Dalzelle
Narrated by: Paul Heitsch
This is another Sci FI that I chose.
See full description under Currently Reading above.

Won

NONE

Purchased

I am starting to plan for 2016 Challenges so I am picking books and authors I know I want to read.
I picked up four titles for $.99 each.


My Reckless Heart
(The Thorne Brothers Trilogy, Book 2)
Jo Goodman
I have book 1 and decided to get book 2 while on sale.

The Reunited Hearts Collection 

(The Reunited Hearts Series Collection (3 Book Series))

Vicki Hinze

I enjoy this author and this set of military and inspirational romances sounds good. 

I finished book 1 last month and decided to pick up these two while they are on sale.


Immune (A Rylee Adamson Novel, Book 2)
Shannon Mayer

Raising Innocence (A Rylee Adamson Novel, Book 3)
Shannon Mayer

Free

Over the past week I added 55 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement November 22, 2015

Pastor shared a message for Thanksgiving.
Governor Bradford sent forth a proclamation for everyone to gather to celebrate and give thanks for the community’s third year, 1623. They gave thanks, just as we can today, for being saved by God’s mercy and grace.
We are reminded that we should give thanks ALWAYS (Ephesians 5:19-20) and in ALL circumstances (Thessalonians 5:16-18). That means we should have an ‘Attitude of gratitude’.
There are three things that can keep us from being thankful:

1. Pride or the attitude of “I deserve it”.
2. Critical spirit - always complaining.
3. Carelessness - we do not respond because we take things for granted.

Thanksgiving needs to be expressed.
See Psalms 100:4 and Psalms 107:1.
In Luke chapter 17 ten lepers were healed but only one returned to thank Jesus. Jesus told that one that he was ‘made whole, not just healed.’

Rudyard Kipling considered the word “thanks” worth a $100.00. [The reporter reached into his pocket and pulled out a one hundred-dollar bill and gave it to Kipling and said, ―Here‘s a one hundred dollar bill, Mr. Kipling. Now you give me one of your hundred dollar words.
Rudyard Kipling looked at the money, put it in his pocket and said, "Thanks!"] 

Gratitude gives stress release. [Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions, ranging from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., a leading gratitude researcher, has conducted multiple studies on the link between gratitude and well-being. His research confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression.]

We express thanks when we spend time with Him, share time with others, in service and in ministry (evangelism). God wants us to give the best of our time, treasure and talent.

Thanksgiving needs to be unreserved.

• For the blessings of life.
• For the burdens of life. See Romans 8:18 and Philippians 1:12.
• For the benefits of life. Learn to be grateful...submission helps recognize benefits. Look at what we have, not what we don’t have. We should focus on the eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 17-18.

Thanksgiving is expected.
Continually giving thanks is a mark of a growing Christian, a giving Christian, and a glowing Christian. We can/should sparkle for Jesus.
Shadows are banished by thanks giving. (James 1:17.)

The next time you are struggling - Try Thanksgiving!

I was looking for a different song today - perhaps not a traditional Thanksgiving hymn.
I found this and LOVE the thought of all God's children giving praise at once! It gives me chills.

A Verse for today:
Psalms 100:4 (KJV)
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

I think if I read back on many of my Sunday posts I will see expressions of thanksgiving. There is so much to be thankful for - earthly blessings, yes but more so, an eternal hope!  I am thankful that I have a thankful spirit. :-)

Book Winners from July 25, 2015 Through October 25, 2015

I have been remiss in posting winners in a winner announcement although they can be found on the right sidebar a week or so after being announced and always on the Giveaway page. (Friday Pick and Sharing Beyond Books winners are in that link as well as the weekly posts and sidebar.)

This covers the winner list up to November. :-)

Some of these are tour wins so winners should check the rafflecopter announcements on those giveaway posts.

***ALL WINNERS at MBS: Please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form to confirm the win and I will arrange the mailing or notify the publishers. I am now asking for mailing info in the giveaway forms so I can mail the books even if I don't hear from the winner.
[I ask that all winner's fill in the form as it helps me keep track of when I have completed the mail outs or notice to the publishers rather than tracking individual emails. But of course -- feel free to email me too! :-)] Email: mesreads AT gmail.com

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WINNERS!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaway Ended July 25, 2015



Giveaway: Love in Disguise by Carol Cox
WINNER: CHARLENE



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Giveaway Ended August 8, 2015

Giveaway: Two Hearts: When I Said I Do, I Meant Forever 
by James Richey
SEE RAFFLECOPTER for winners: 10 Copies plus two $20 Amazon Gift Card



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Giveaway Ended August 24, 2015

Giveaway: Double Exposure (The Justice Agency Book 1) by Susan Sleeman;
WINNER: FAYE




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Giveaway Ended September 12, 2015

Print Giveaway: Dying to Read (The Cate Kinkaid Files Book #1): A Novel by Lorena McCourtney;
WINNER: BETH C




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Giveaways Ended October 15, 2015

(Plus Giveaway Link): The Last Chance Christmas Ball - Collection of Eight Wonderful Authors. Check link for winners.




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hardback Print Giveaway: First the Dead: A Bug Man Novel by Tim Downs
WINNER: BN100



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Giveaway Ended October 24, 2015

Print Giveaway: Jennifer: An O"Malley Love Story by Dee Henderson; US only
WINNER: VICKI W





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Giveaway Ending October 25, 2015

Tour Giveaway Link: Midnight Kiss: Touched by Midnight, Book 1 by Nancy Gideon.
Check Rafflecopter for winners.




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sharing Beyond Books #228 November 21, 2015

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
I've had a busy week and busy today working on publishing tasks. I have work to complete before we take off a few days for Thanksgiving. I hope everyone enjoys the week and takes some time to stop and give thanks. :-)

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Many of us like soups starting in Autumn (four votes for soups); three people like pumpkin recipes; one had no favorite while another had no favorite because she doesn't get four seasons. We also had one vote for beef stew and one for  "a boudin blanc et compote" which I believe is white pudding and applesauce... maybe served with bratwurst? Is that right Miki? The sauce does sound yummy.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #227 comments is: #5 bn100  who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. I'm hoping to update the book choices - maybe the beginning of next year, lol. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #228 (One Question.)

Miki asks: At this moment we see a lot of Christmas bookish things gift guides around the blogosphere. Did you look at them? Is there any item that got your heart beating a little faster or does your own wishlist stay exclusively filled with books??

I hadn't really seen many 'bookish' items around so I went looking. I found many site links but these are four favorites:
Book Lover Gifts
Just Write - 10 Gifts for Book-lovers this Christmas
The Literary Gift Company
Bookish Accessories at For Books' Sake

But books are always welcome under my Christmas Tree --- or on my Kindle. (Especially if I don't get - or even if I do get - a fitbit.)

This might be good to play with young readers!
Image found at The Literary Gift Compnay.

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! 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 to use.

Your turn to share:
Miki asks: At this moment we see a lot of Christmas bookish things gift guides around the blogosphere. Did you look at them? Is there any item that got your heart beating a little faster or does your own wishlist stay exclusively filled with books??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

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 28, 2015 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile by J. L. Bourne

This continuing story tells of entertaining zombie battles. 

Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile

Written by: J. L. Bourne

Narrated by: Jay Snyder

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Series: Day by Day Armageddon, Book 2

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:07-13-10

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genre: Thriller, Sci Fi

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

The first book of Day by Day Armageddon took us deep into the mind of a military officer and survivor as he made a New Year's resolution to start keeping a journal. The man kept his resolution and brought to us the fall of humanity, day by day. We see the man transition from the life that you and I live to the prospect of fighting for his very survival against the overwhelming hordes of the dead. We see him bleed, we see him make mistakes, we witness him evolve. The highly anticipated sequel to the best-selling underground cult classic, Day by Day Armageddon, begins where the first novel left off.

BEGIN INTERCEPT

Armies of undead have risen up across the U.S. and around the globe; there is no safe haven from the diseased corpses hungering for human flesh. But in the heat of a Texas wasteland, a small band of survivors attempt to counter the millions closing in around them.

INTERCEPT COMPLETED

Day by day, the handwritten journal entries of one man caught in a worldwide cataclysm capture the desperation--and the will to survive--as he joins forces with a handful of refugees to battle soulless enemies both human and inhuman from inside an abandoned strategic missile facility. But in the world of the undead, is mere survival enough?

©2010 J.L. Bourne (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Review:

As I began to write this review I realized I do not have a name for the protagonist. He is listed in Book 1 as “the Unknown Survivor (the TUS). We know that he was an officer who found himself the soul survivor of the plague that turned his squadron into the living dead. Now he is a man struggling to survive with a small group of other survivors. TUS journals each day to keep track of the epidemic and the brave efforts to fight off the undead and find other survivors.

TUS is doing well with a group at their compound at “Hotel 23”, an abandoned, underground, strategic missile facility in Texas. The Hotel has proved to be a secure haven from the world of the undead although it still suffers threats from human raiders.

The journaling continues as TUS and his friends forage for food, fuel and (noncombatant) survivors. The Hotel 23 crew hear a distress call from a Marine squadron whose vehicle broke down. TUS and others run a rescue mission to save the Marines from the undead. They don’t want the Marines to know where the compound is so the men are blindfolded for the travel before they are returned to their own unit. Of course the Marines then try to find Hotel 23 and when they finally arrive they threaten to break in until TUS realizes he has a way to control the situation.

TUS also finds a note at a Texas airport indicating there are other survivors at another airport. Of course, he sets off on another rescue mission and encounters more hordes of undead.

Another ‘adventure’ ends with TUS surviving a helicopter flight that strands him far from home. He is struggling along the way home when he gets unexpected help in the form of supplies dropped from the sky. The supplies give him an advantage that just might allow him to work his way back to Hotel 23. TUS runs into difficult situations and is lucky to find another military specialist, Saien, who joins him along the trek.

Even in a time when 90% of the population are undead, TUS discovers he still has to deal with authority and manipulation. He will have to make some political decisions when opposing sides command his actions.

The story is full of gritty action and intrigue. The journaling approach works to present TUS’ view of action and military input. However the journal (and story) have a limited emotional presentation. There is little depth and background development among most of the secondary characters. Still the story is entertaining. I recommend this to readers who enjoy the zombie genre.

Audio Notes: Jay Snyder does a good job with the narration. He manages to convey the intensity in the action even though he is reading a journal. I enjoy this in audio

I listened to the first book some time ago and decided to listen to this one which has been on my Audible shelf since 2011. This qualifies for my Audio Challenge and as a TBR shelf read.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 20, 2015

Happy Friday.
Our weather was wet this week. Busy at work and looking forward to Thanksgiving with family next week!  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone - even if you don't celebrate like the US you can still GIVE THANKS!
As I noted last week I celebrate Friday Pick's anniversary (year 6) during the month of November. I like to award extra wins in November so this week and the next three weeks will have some extra winners. I have now posted 62 groups of 16 books so the total books up for grabs has come to 992! Happy Picking!

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 + TWO winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the November 13 Pick. There was one automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no blocked titles.
AUTO: bn100 gets Hot Pursuit

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from November 13 Pick:
Elizabeth gets An Unwilling Bride

Sue F gets Silver Bells
CarolNW gets Sleeping Doll CD Audiobook
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.}

Here is a tree where you can leaf Thankful notes!

Image found at Marinette County Libraries..

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015
(I was getting ready to leave the office and realized I hadn't taken the photo of the books yet.
I took this very quickly. I may try to get another next week but this will have to do for now.)

PAIRS
Joan Johnston – Colter’s Wife and The Rivals
Nora Roberts – Born in Ice and Carnal Innocence
SINGLES
The Wedding Night by Jane Ann Krentz
The Marriage Prize by Virginia Henley
In Shelter Cove by Barbara Freethy
Into the Valley by Rosanne Bittner
Never Look Back by Linda Lael Miller
The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver – CD Audiobook
Touch Me by Beverly Rae (personally autographed)
Driven by Desire by LuAnn McLane (personally autographed)
To Marry a British Lord by Judith Obrien
A Highlander For Christmas by Sandy Blair
A Midnight Clear by Katherine Stone (slight seam creasing)
Silver Bells by JoAnn Ross, Fern Michaels, Mary Burton, Judy Duarte


New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015
After I noticed the trend I went on a hunt for “bride” titles. I even pulled a couple from some of my long time collections(*). (But they are not getting read on my shelves.)

PAIRS:
Leigh Greenwood –  The Reluctant Bride and The Independent Bride
Jane Feather(*) – The Hostage Bride and The Accidental Bride
SINGLES:
The de Burgh Bride by Deborah Simmons
The Forever Bride by Evelyn Rogers (Seam creasing)
Short Straw Bride by Dallas Schultz
The Bride Thief by Susan Spencer Paul
Bride by Stella Cameron (Seam creasing) (*)
An Unwilling Bride by Jo Beverley (*)
Bride Enchanted by Edith Layton
The Maiden Bride by Linda Needham (hardback)
Bride of Lochbarr by Margaret Moore (*)
The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens (*)
Honor’s Bride by Galye Wilson
A Necessary Bride by Debra Mullins
Border Bride by Deborah Hale


New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

PAIRS:
Shannon Drake – When Darkness Falls (Alliance Vampires #2)  and Realm of Shadows (Alliance Vampires#4) 
Charlaine Harris – Club Dead and Grave Sight
SINGLES:
A Darker Dream (Love Spell romance) by Amanda Ashley
Bloody Good by Georgia Evans
Cat of Nine Tales by Deborah Macgillivray
Fated (Dark Protectors Book 1) by Rebecca Zanetti
Grave Sins by Jenna Maclaine
Primitive by Mark Nykanen (ARC copy)
The Accidental Human (Accidentally Paranormal Novel Book 3) by Dakota Cassidy
The Demon in Me by Michelle Rowen
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands
Silent Night, Haunted Night (A Nicki Styx Mystery) by Terri Garey
Tombs of Endearment (Pepper Martin Mysteries, No. 3) by Casey Daniels
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)


New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015
A few more summer titles, historicals and mysteries!

ANTHOLOGIES:
Broken Vows, Mended Hearts by Lynn Stone, Gail Ranstrom and Anne O'Brien
3,2,1 Married! by Sharon Sala, Marie Ferrarella and Beverly Barton
SINGLES:
Only by Your Touch by Catherine Anderson
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels
Little Girl Lost by Shirlee McCoy
Beloved Enemy by Terri Reed
You Don't Know Jack by Erin McCarthy

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015
-- A few summer titles, a few mysteries, a few historicals...

SINGLES:
Hot Pursuit - Karen Rose, Annie Solomon and Carla Cassidy
Love Me Tomorrow by Rosanne Bittner (spine creasing)
Sevant, The Awakening by L.L. Foster

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015

SINGLES:
A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl
The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess by Trish Morey
Rally Fever by Crea Jones

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

SINGLES:
If I Had You by Deborah Bedford
The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes


BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Commander by Kate Bridges
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Richard Paul Evans PAIR: The Looking Glass and The Carousel
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
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
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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.


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Death Angel by Linda Howard

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 six years I have posted 62 groups of 16 (992) books to find new homes! (as of November 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 891+ 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. 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 far away 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!

Book Review and Feature: What's In My Pocket and Who Stole My Homework by Todd Key, Illustrated by Steve Ryder

This is a review and feature resulting from a gift by a talented entertainer and author.
Last month we spent a fun weekend at DeSoto Caverns Family Fun Park. Friday and Saturday nights during October they have a special event called Tomb of the Risen Dead. The event included a haunted cavern tour, a haunted maze, costumed characters and a juggling act. The juggler, Todd Key, did a great job and incorporated children, including our grandson, into the act. We got to visit with Todd and after the second night he surprised our granddaughters and grandson by giving them a copy of his books. (And that was before I told him I was a reviewer!)

Our grandchildren with Todd the Juggler.

Our older granddaughter, who is 7,  rushed back to the RV to read her book. She read it to her mother and me. When she finished she read it again... and again. And then asked me to read it to her.
Clearly she loved the book and we found it entertaining too.
What's in My Pocket?
by Todd Key and illustrator Steve Ryder

Paperback
Publisher: Toddkeybooks; 1st edition (2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0615360799
"What's in My Pocket" is the delightful, creative, and funny tale about the simple, strange, and completely BIZARRE items that Darius McDougal McDirty McBean pulls from his pocket before giving his pants to his Mom for washing. It's not a big deal when some coins, a rock, and a magnet come out of his pocket, but when Darius digs deeper he starts impossibly pulling out animals, people, and finally a dinosaur. How will Darius explain all of this to his Mom? Find out by reading this book.


Who Stole My Homework?
by Todd Key and illustrator Steve Ryder
Paperback

Who Stole My Homework? tells a new tale in Darius' life.
The BIG school project is due - the one that counts for half of the semester grade. Darius is riding to school on the bus and discovers his "finished" project is missing! "Someone must have STOLEN IT." But who....?

Review:
These books are written in rhyme which captivates young minds... and older ones too. Darius McDougal McDirty McBean is a young, active boy with an active imagination. His mother wants to wash his jeans and reminds him to empty his pockets. He starts with little things, like coins, a rock and a magnet. But then he progresses to larger and larger items that certainly would not fit in a pocket but make for great fun, giggles and smiles. The wording is perfect level reading for young readers or for parents to read to the younger crowd who haven't started reading yet. And the illustrations are perfectly loud and full of details to discover on  multiple readings.

Book two finds Darius panicking when he can't find his special homework project. He knows he did the work but can't remember where it is.

"My homework was MISSING!
It's gone! It's been took!
But how do I find it?
Where do I look?"
....

"Perhaps it was MOLE-MEN
Digging up through the ground.
They snatched up my work
Without making a sound.

Then they burrowed back down
To the core of the planet,
Engraving my writings
On great walls of granite."

I wish I had the books in front of me so I could share a verse from the first book. Still, you get a flavor from the verses above. If you have young ones at home I recommend these books for fun family reading entertainment.

Thank you Todd for making a special weekend even more fun and memorable. I believe that my grand kids will think of you and the fun time they had whenever they enjoy your fun books.

Todd spins a ball with our two older grandchildren.

Book Review: Power of the Matchmaker by Karey White, Rachael Anderson, Kelly Oram, & 9 more

This is a charming introduction to what looks to be a lovely series!

Power of the Matchmaker
by Karey White, Rachael Anderson, 
Kelly Oram, & 9 more

• File Size: 3402 KB
• Print Length: 60 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Mirror Press (November 3, 2015)
• ASIN: B013FIOAE0
• Genre: Romance
• My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
• 
  

A prequel novella to the POWER OF THE MATCHMAKER Series
Mystical . . . Beautiful . . . Romantic . . .
Read the matchmaker’s story to find out where it all starts . . .
Mae Li has been in love with Chen Zhu for years, and he with her. But when the matchmaker arrives at the Zhu family home, she recommends another village girl for Chen.
Heartbroken, Mae Li watches as Chen does his duty by marrying another. Mae flees her village with the clothes on her back and her only possession—a pearl embedded comb, given to her as a goodbye gift from Chen Zhu.
Upon Mae’s arrival in Shanghai, she quickly learns that she’ll starve within days unless she sells her prized comb or joins a courtesan house. She goes to the Huangpu River and promises the River God that she’ll always be selfless if he will save her from becoming a prostitute . . . Her wish is granted when Ms. Tan, the matchmaker of Shanghai, finds Mae. But Mae must completely change her future and her name if she is to become the next matchmaker.
**Join us for the POWER OF THE MATCHMAKER SERIES**
12 novels by 12 bestselling authors

Review:
Mae Li is heartbroken when the matchmaker comes in town and doesn’t match her with the man she loves, Chen Zhu. Mae Li refuses to marry her match and tries to get Chen Zhu to run away with her. He refuses but gives her a family comb embedded with pearls. Mae Li flees her village with only her clothes and the precious comb.

Mae Li struggles in Shanghai where she almost gets trapped in a courtesan house. Starving and in desperation, she finds her way to the river and falls on her knees to pray to the River God and her ancestors. By morning, Mae Li is rescued by the Shanghai matchmaker, Ms. Tan. Ms. Tan has been a matchmaker for many years and it’s time to train a replacement. Ms. Tan asks Mae Li to be an intern for one year before deciding if she will take over. Mae Li watches Ms. Tan work and learns a very different approach that reveals, as Ms. Tan says, “the power of the matchmaker”.

This is a charming and delightful read. Mae Li is a relatable character – young and in love. She doesn’t want to be disrespectful to her traditions but she won’t marry a man she doesn’t like and she hurts too much to stay and watch her love marry another young woman. Late in the story there is a surprise, sweet reunion.

The power of the matchmaker is beautifully portrayed. This is a great lead that pulled me in and makes me want to read more in the series. I recommend this to readers who like sweet, beautiful romance with the magic of love.

I received this eBook through I am a Reader, Not a Writer ebooks for review, for an honest review.

**Join us for the POWER OF THE MATCHMAKER SERIES**

12 novels by 12 bestselling authors
Released once a month in 2016:

Broken Things to Mend by Karey White (Jan 2016)
Not Always Happenstance by Rachael Anderson (Feb 2016)
If We Were a Movie by Kelly Oram (March 2016)
Love is Come by Heather B. Moore (April 2016)
Four Chambers by Julie Wright (May 2016)
O'er the River Liffey by Heidi Ashworth (June 2016)
Chasing Fireflies by Taylor Dean (July 2016)
Between Earth and Heaven by Michele Paige Holmes (Aug 2016)
How I Met Your Brother by Janette Rallison (Sept 2016)
To Move the World by Regina Sirois (Oct 2016)
King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt (Nov 2016)
The Reformer by Jaima Fixsen (Dec 2016)

Book Review: Dead Girl Running (The New Order Book 1) by Ann M. Noser

I liked the well-developed characters and plot in this solidly engaging dystopian story.
Dead Girl Running (The New Order Book 1)
by Ann M. Noser

• File Size: 1551 KB
• Print Length: 225 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press (October 26, 2015)
• ASIN: B014L9Z51Y
• Genre: Sci Fi, Dystopian
• My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Eight years ago, SILVIA WOOD's father died in an industrial accident. After suffering through years of Psychotherapy Services and Mandated Medications for depression and multiple suicide attempts, she longs to work in Botanical Sciences. When the Occupation Exam determines she must work in Mortuary Sciences instead, she wonders if the New Order assigned her to the morgue to push her over the edge.
To appease her disappointed mother, Silvia enters the Race for Citizen Glory, in an attempt to stand out in the crowd of Equals. After she begins training with "golden boy" LIAM HARMAN, she discovers he also lost his father in the same accident that ruined her childhood. Then Silvia meets and falls for Liam's older cousin, whose paranoid intensity makes her question what really happened to her father.
As the race nears, Silvia realizes that she's not only running for glory, she's running for her life.

Review:
Silvia lives in a world where the New Order keeps citizens safe by walling them in, controlling their career paths and parenting rights, providing health care, allocating housing and rationing food. Cameras are everywhere to monitor the citizens and make sure no one is disruptive so living can be free of conflict and stress.

Sylvia lost her father to an accidental fire when she was 10 years old. She was initially devastated and didn’t find any support from her grieving mother. She was trying to cope until the therapists and the ‘men in dark suits’ kept hounding her with questions. She finally found a way to push through the heartache with her own routines, gaining strength in running and yoga. However the damage to her records was done and her occupational testing sent her to the unpopular office of Mortuary Sciences instead of the gardens of Botanical Sciences where she had longed to work.

Over the past eight years she has become close friends with her boss, Gus, who finds her to be a smart and dedicated assistant. Her mother wishes she would meet friends her own age and is glad when Silvia meets Liam at the gym.

Liam is a popular guy who wants Silvia to help him to train for the prestigious Race for Citizen Glory. Her initial reluctance changes to eagerness when she learns they can actually train by running outside instead of inside on the treadmill. That alone makes it worth her while. Then she meets Liam’s older cousin, Franco, who works in the Botanical Sciences. Silvia tries to resist her growing attraction to the paranoid Franco who is intriguing one minute and bizarre the next.

Silvia has to visit the medical office to register as an 18 year old, then during the training she is annoyed that she has to make repeated return visits. First they give her a birth control implant and then they continually check her for pregnancy.

Bit by bit, Silvia sees strange happenings as she learns secrets surrounding her father and her new friends. She and Liam have a good chance of winning the race which will give them extra rations and special treatment. But Silvia begins to suspect that the extra attention is not necessarily a good thing.

I found this dystopian very engaging. I liked the different, well-developed characters and their interactions. The society is a creepy and chilling, especially as more of the political ambitions and disparities are uncovered. The author uses the mortuary setting to include interesting medical knowledge. The ending clearly leaves the world open for another dangerous adventure but it gives this book a natural place of closure.

I recommend this to readers who like dystopian stories, mystery and strong characters. I would like to read more by Ms. Noser and will watch for the next book in this series.

I received this sci fi dystopian from the author, for an honest review, after seeing it at Caffeinated Book Review. (Thanks for sharing this Kimberly.)