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Saturday, February 7, 2015

Sharing Beyond Books #189 Comment Giveaway February 7, 2015

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

I hope everyone is doing well as winter moves along. Our week here has been cold and damp so I have felt chilled all week. *Sigh* At least we have a nice fire going so I can go get toasty and then come back to the computer. :-)

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Two commenters didn't know about Yahoo Groups and another seven do not belong to any group. Nine of us belong to some groups ranging from two (not book related), to a few and up to many. No one seems to be particularly active on the groups although a couple check the digests.
~~~~

The Winner from SBB #188 comments is: #11 Booklady 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 this week. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #189 (One Question.)

Q1. bn100 asks:   If you read an excerpt or blurb with a lot of grammatical errors or typos, would you still read the book??
A: It does turn me off of a book to see typos in a blurb or excerpt but there are still circumstances where I would read the book. I often get ARCs and books through NetGalley that clearly state they may contain errors so those I overlook. I have also seen a typo or two on a blurb at a bookstore. Since I know this can occasionally happen I wouldn't not read for one, maybe two, typos. However if the grammar was clearly wrong on a blurb I would probably think twice before getting the book. Further, if there were several errors in an excerpt I might well pass depending on my mood - see answer continued below the first image. 
 Image found at LearnHowTo Blog.
A. continued: On the other-hand, maybe we should be more forgiving and just smirk about it since it is interesting to know that most of us can read this: 

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. bn100 asks: If you read an except or blurb with a lot of grammatical errors or typos, would you still read the book??

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. I still have to go back and update that list with what is left and a few new titles to add.)

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 February 14, 2015 at 5 PM  central.

February 2015 - Updated ARC and Review Book Lists for Giveaways

7-30-16 I have to update this list soon. I think I have marked out chosen titles but I am not positive.
THIS IS NOT A GIVEAWAY POST but a list of titles available to select from for winners from Sharing Beyond Books weekly comment giveaway and occasionally other comment giveaways.
I have taken NEW pictures of the ARC and review boxes which are now in three groups. Christian and 'clean' titles and other Mixed Genre titles.
(If you want to see the older pictures, in case they seem clearer to you, they are at the old Updated ARC post linked HERE (July 2012 updated to May 2013) and HERE (June 2013 updated to May 2015).

Christian Titles Box 1

An ** means I reviewed it and you can do a Search on my blog from the left hand side bar. I will link all titles as I get the chance. (Don't hold your breath for that since it has been two years.)
1. **A Match Made in Heaven
2. **Goodbye to Yesterday by Wanda Brunstetter (small book on top) SBB May 2015
3. **His Love Endures Forever by Beth Wiseman
4. **The Last Christian by David Gregory
5. **Lonestar Secrets by Colleen Coble (found another copy)
6.  Mayhem in Maryland Anthology SBB July2015
7. New Mexico Weddings  Anthology
8. **Nipped in the Bud by Sleeman (2) now 1 SBB Dec 2015; SBB
9. **The Perfect Match by Hanna SBB
10.**Prairie Rose by Catherine Palmer
11. **Rest in Peace by Francis Devine
12. Rhode Island Weddings Anthology SBB
13. Shadow of Doubt by Terri Blackstock SBB pick
14. Sword of Silence by Carol D. Slama
15. **Stand-In Groom by Kaye Dacus
16. **These Boots Weren't Made for Walking by Melody Carlson (found another copy)
17.**Unwilling Warrior by Andrea Boeshaar
18.  Race to the Altar Anthology (larger book on top)

Christian and other "Clean" titles Box 2

1. **Paper Angels by Billy Coffey
2. **Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury
3. **Hood by Stephen Lawhead
4. **White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner SBB Dec 2015
5. **The Confident Woman by Joyce Meyers
6. ** Every Skull Tells a Story by Anne Patrick SBB
7. **Scorned Justice by Margaret Daley
8. **Illuminations of the Heart by Joyce DiPastena
9. **A Man of Honor by Loree Lough SBB
10.**The Return of Cassandra Todd by Darrel Nelson
11. The Silent Gift by Landon & Kelley
12.**Love Finds a Home by Wanda Brunstetter
13.**Sunshine by Janet Spaeth SBB
14.**Blind Fortunes by Joanna Waugh SBB



Mixed Genres, Many Mysteries Box 3

Titles to be listed soon.
Forever Knight SBB
Coming Back
Deadly Codes
Alex Cross's Trial
Death Mill Mansion
The Woman He Loved Before SBB
Talon
Spinning Forward SBB
Russian Roulette SBB
Tween Heaven and Hell  January SBB 2016
Synarchy Book 2
Circle of Souls
Eureka Point SBB
We Are the Destroyers
Hilltop Sunset
Severed Thread

 Romance and Other Titles - Old box -- 
I need to get an updated picture of those that remain.

All of these have been reviewed and can be found through search on my blog or through the title link.
A = ARC; otherwise it was a Review Book:
  1. A - A Season of Seduction by Jennifer Haymore (one ARC, one review)
  2. Angels Landing by Rochelle Alers
  3. A - Embracing the Highlander by Anita Cleanney
  4. Never a Gentleman (The Drake's Rakes Series) by Eileen Dryer (2 copies - one ARC, one review)
  5. Relentless Pursuit by Sara Orwig 
  6. A - Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon (2 1 ARC)
  7. Along the side of the box:
  8. Miss Hildebrand Wore Brown 
  9. Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories by Jeffery W Turner -- May 2015 SBB
  10. A -  Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger
  11. A - What in God's Name
Available but not in the picture:
11. The Maverick's Greek Island Mistress by Kelly Hunter SBB
12. A- The Duchess Hunt by Jennifer Haymore
13. A- Accidentally in Love with...A God? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff  SBB Feb 2015
14. A- Accidentally Married to...A Vampire? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
15. A - I Own the Dawn by M.L. Buchman

Book Review and Giveaway: Saving Hope: The Men of the Texas Rangers - Book 1 by Margaret Daley

This is wonderful, gripping Christian romantic suspense.
Saving Hope: The Men of the Texas Rangers - Book 1
(The Men of the Texas Rangers series)
by Margaret Daley


  • File Size: 584 KB
  • Print Length: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Abingdon Press (March 1, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0071OOB1M
Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: March 1, 2012
When a teenager goes missing from the Beacon of Hope School, Texas Ranger Wyatt Sheridan and school director Kate Winslow are forced into a dangerous struggle against a human trafficking organization. But the battle brings dire consequences as Wyatt's daughter is terrorized and Kate is kidnapped.

Now it's personal, and Wyatt finds both his faith and investigative skills challenged as he fights to discover the mastermind behind the ring before evil destroys everyone he loves.


Review:
Kate Winslow is a daughter of society who has opened the Beacon of Hope School, a home for young girls rescued from the streets. These are teens who were either run-aways or lured into drugs and prostitution. The girls have lived under the manipulating, demanding, frightening thumb of those who use abuse and fear to control the girls and keep them quiet. Even with Kate’s sincere hope, faith and love, and a supporting staff, it takes a long time for the girls to trust.

Wyatt is a Texas Ranger who has volunteered for a special task force to fight a child prostitution ring. Wyatt's investigation into the death of a young girl leads him to the Beacon of Hope School. Wyatt joins Kate to help find Rose, who has gone missing from the home.

Kate’s mother has never liked her daughter’s involvement with ‘those girls’. When she hears of the missing girl she pulls the funding she has given the school. Now Kate has to worry about finding alternate funding while she copes with finding Rose and the fragile condition of the other girls.

Meanwhile Wyatt is coping as a single parent with a 14 year old daughter, Maddie, and a mother who has trouble with keeping to any project or boyfriend for any length of time. Maddie is at an age where she views her father as overprotective, especially with peer pressure pushing her to seek independence.

There is plenty of tension and suspense as Wyatt and Kate ferret out clues that bring them closer to the local leader of the prostitution ring. But Wyatt and Kate have no idea how close to home the bad guys are.

Ms. Daley pulls the reader in with the natural, true to life characters and the strong, suspenseful plot.  I enjoyed how Kate continually looks to the Lord for help and shows that faith to the girls.  The writing is crisp and reads smoothly. All of the ladies in book club agreed that this is one of the best books we have read in a while. I had read the third book, Scorned Justice, in this series two years ago and enjoyed it too. I highly recommend this series and this author to those who like Christian based, romantic suspense.

I picked this book up  in print for my Ladies Book Club. I have had the ebook in my Kindle library since July 3, 2012. It qualifies for my COYER event, TBR Double Dog, and as Author I Really Like in my 2015 Full House Challenge.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY 
to win gently read PRINT COPY



(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!
I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)
For 3 Extra Bonus entries comment on the review, OR
visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open to US only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) February 15, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after February 15, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Friday, February 6, 2015

Audio Review: Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

This is delightful and entertaining.
Enchanted
by Alethea Kontis
Read by Katherine Kellgren

Listening Length: 7 hours and 51 minutes
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Audible.com Release Date: May 8, 2012
ASIN: B0081CDUII
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Audie Award Nominee, Best Teens Category, 2013
It isn't easy being Sunday's child, not when you're the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday's only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true. When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical.
One night, Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland - and a man Sunday's family despises. The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction to this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past - and hers?
©2012 Alethea Kontis; (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.


Review:
Enchanted is a charming story of the woodcutter’s seven daughters and sons, focusing on the youngest daughter, Sunday. The story incorporates features of many well known fairy tales, including the frog prince, the bean stalk, Cinderella’s lost slipper and many more.

Each of the girls relates to the character traits stated in the old name rhyme. Sunday generally lives up to being 'bonnie and blithe and good and gay' even though she doesn’t always want to be good and gay. She wants more than sitting at home and doing chores. She loves the stories her father tells and writes her own thoughts and stories in a journal. She is careful to write the history of her family as there is some suspicion about what happens if she writes about possible future events.

Sunday finds a frog in the woods and begins a friendship, reading him her stories. She kisses him a few times but nothing happens. One day she kisses him and rushes home not realizing that the spell has finally been broken by their love for each other.

Prince Rumbold, restored from his frog state, returns to the castle where he has learn to live again as a young man. He also has to face the dark forces that included the spell. The Prince wants to go after Sunday but he knows her family resents the King and everyone at the palace. Can the Prince and his friends stop the evil before another of Sunday’s siblings is lost? Will he be able to convince Sunday to love him as a human and leave her family to be with him?

I really enjoyed this fun fantasy. There were twists and turns and varied interesting talents of Sunday and her siblings need to use to defeat the dark magic. The whole story was entertaining.

Audio notes: Katherine Kellgren does a wonderful job of narrating this tale. She uses inflection beautifully to enhance the sensitive, sweet moments and the intense, suspenseful dangers. I highly recommend this story in Audio.

I received this audiobook through the SYNC Audio Program in August, 2013, paired with the Classic: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS by Lewis Carroll, Narrated by Miriam Margolyes (Bolinda Audio).
This is part of my 2015 Audiobook Challenge, the 2015 TBR Pile Challenge and the TBR Double Dog Dare.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 6, 2015

Happy Friday. I am tired and a bit cold as I prepare this Thursday night. My week has been not so totally busy with work but productive with tasks and some community work I have been sharing in. Time is moving so swiftly.  I feel like I just have to work through each day and get done what I can. 
I have posted a new book group and regrouped and listed the prior book groups to streamline the old lists.  
TO ENTER:
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 to late 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 without other people asking for that book during those weeks.


Thank you to all who entered the January 30 Pick. There were two 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 three titles blocked, with one of those won.
Booklady gets New Blood
and 
Anita gets At the Stroke of Madness
CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from January 30 Pick:
bn100 gets Intrepid Encounter
Becky gets Wild Winds through a three way block.

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}
I'm calm as long as I have my Kindle and my MP4 in my purse. :-)
Image found at Romancing the Naked Hero

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

PAIRS:
Virginia Henley: The Pirate and the Pagan (spine creases) and The Falcon and the Flower
James Patterson: London Bridges and Roses are Red (both spine creases)
SINGLES:
Pale Kings and Princes by Robert Parker Audio Cassette Tapes
Hour Game by David Baldacci (spine creases)
If I Had You by Deborah Bedford
The Girl With the Golden Spurs by Ann Major
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You by Kasey Michaels
Dark Possession by Christine Feehan
Daisy's Back in Town by Rachel Gibson
The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood
Paradise Bay by James Michael Pratt
The Last Two Bachelors by Debbie Macomber
Exclusive Anthology by Fiona Hood-Stewart, Sharon Kendrick and Jackie Braun
Duets Romantic Comedy: Lady and the Scamp by Candy Halliday & The Doctor Dilemma by Dianne Drake

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014



PAIRS:
Lisa Gardner: Alone and Gone
Janet Evanovich: Eleven on Top and Twelve Sharp
Stuart Wood: L.A. Dead and Fresh Disasters
SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes
New Blood by Gail Dayton
Except the Dying by Maureen Jennings
To Collar a Killer by Lee Charles Kelley
Dead I Well May Be by Adrian McKinty
‘Til There Was You by Elizabeth Ann Michaels
The Ladies’ Lunch by Patricia O’Brien
Wild Winds by Janelle Taylor
Shrink Rap by Robert B. Parker - Tape Cassettes
Rescue Me Anthology by Cherry Adair, Lora Leigh and Cindy Gerard


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 Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
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
Intrepid Encounter by Rebecca Ashley
A Stranger's Wife by Maggie Osborne
Richard Paul Evans PAIR: The Looking Glass and The Carousel
Duo Book: Yesterday's Memories by Tara Taylor Quinn and Amanda Stevens
At The Stroke of Madness by Alex Kava
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Catherine Anderson PAIR: Seventh Heaven and Always in My Heart
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
It All Began at Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Mariah Stewart PAIR: Priceless and Brown-Eyed Girl
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
Fulfillment by Barbara Delinsky
Trouble Becomes Her by Laura Van Wormer
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
Diana Palmer PAIR: Diamond Spur, Long Tall Texan
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Illegal Possession by Kay Hooper


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Final Justice by Jasmine Cresswell
Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Mary Higgins Clark PAIR: Let Me Call You Sweetheart and Moonlight Becomes You (SC)
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
Angel's Peak by Robyn Carr
The Millionaire's Daughter by Sophie Weston
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.
Bride by Command by Linda Winstead Jones
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh


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

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
The Woman Next Door by Barbara Delinsky
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
The Darkroom by Minette Walters
The Elusive Flame by Kathleen Woodwiss
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy
McNally's Puzzle by Lawrence Sanders
The Undertaker's Widow by Phillip M. Margolin
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
S is for Silence (Kinsey Millhone Mystery)
Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught
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 five+ years I have posted 54 groups of 16 (864) books to find new homes! (as of February 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 766+ 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!

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