Sharing Beyond Books #248 Comment Giveaway April 16, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
I hope everyone has had a relatively good week. Certainly we have not had to face the terrors of the earthquakes in Japan or terrible snow storms in Denver this week.
My week was busy with lots of traveling and trying to juggle office work while my daughter/staff was out recuperating from foot surgery.
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that the majority, 9 of us find it hard to give away our books. Three find it easier because they like to share, are giving to others in need or filling Little Free Libraries. Three more give away what they won't read, like school texts or books they didn't care for, or share with friends and family.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #247 comments is: #6 Alyn 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 WINNER FORM.

WEEK #248

(One Question.)

bn100 asks: 1)How do you feel about cover reveals??

I can't say that I get too excited about cover reveals. Mainly I think it is a time issue. I barely have time to write my reviews and visit a dozen other blogs. I'd rather peek at a few reviews than spend time looking at covers. Not to say that I don't enjoy a post that discusses covers now and then as I do.

This is a very cute graphic for cover reveal. :-)
Image from The Book Tart.

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:
bn100 asks: 1)How do you feel about cover reveals??

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 April 23, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: Rarity from the Hollow by Robert Eggleton

This is a decidedly weird read full of engaging characters and humor.
Rarity from the Hollow
by Robert Eggleton

File Size: 845 KB
Print Length: 284 pages
Publisher: Dog Horn Publishing (November 8, 2015)
ASIN: B017REIA44
Genre: Sci Fi, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Lacy Dawn's father relives the Gulf War, her mother's teeth are rotting out, and her best friend is murdered by the meanest daddy on Earth. Life in The Hollow isn't great. But Lacy has one advantage -- she's been befriended by a semi-organic, semi-robot who works with her to cure her parents. He wants something in exchange, though. It's up to her to save the Universe.
To prepare Lacy for her coming task, she is being schooled daily via direct downloads into her brain. Some of these courses tell her how to apply magic to resolve everyday problems much more pressing to her than a universe in big trouble, like those at home and at school. She doesn't mind saving the universe, but her own family and friends come first.
Will Lacy Dawn's predisposition, education, and magic be enough for her to save the Universe, Earth, and, most importantly, protect her own family?
Rarity from the Hollow is adult literary science fiction filled with tragedy, comedy and satire. It is a children's story for adults, not for the prudish, faint of heart, or easily offended.
Robert Eggleton's humorous science fantasy follows in the steps of Douglas Adams, Tom Holt and Terry Pratchett.

Review:
Ahem (clearing throat)– Whew-Oookay. I have read a few very strange books. This one may be the strangest yet. Strange but engaging in a…. weird way. I think a good word is “bizarre” (definition: very strange or unusual, especially so as to cause interest or amusement).

Lacy Dawn is really a wonderful character! She is a young person with an old soul. Lacy Dawn is a 13-year-old fifth grader, residing in an impoverished community known as The Hollow, in West Virginia. Lacy Dawn lives in a falling down home with her dysfunctional family. Her father, Dwayne, is a Gulf War veteran suffering from PTSD and medicating with pot. Her mother, Jenny, sacrificed her dreams of wealth and comfort to stay with her husband, even when he is broken. Oh, and I almost forgot the family dog, Brownie, who learns to communicate later in the story. And, almost part of the family, is Lacy Dawn’s best friend, Faith, who lives – and dies – in an abusive family situation, but continues as a spirit in Lacy Dawn’s beloved trees. And finally, there is Tom, an entrepreneur neighbor who hires Dwayne after Dwayne gets some healing help from Lacy Dawn’s other friend, Dot.com.

Lacy Dawn thinks it is her job to fix her family. But how can she do that? Well --- with the help of Dot.com of course. Dot.com is an android, computer intelligence, that (whom) she discovered ‘round the bend’, in a space-ship hidden in a cave. Dot.com is an integral part of Lacy Dawn’s life. He has been educating her beyond the levels of her grade and she is convinced he will be her future mate. As time goes by, Dot.com, aka Bucky, begins to grow more human. The mental assimilations are understandable; the physical growth – ahh – interesting! According to Dot.com, Lacy Dawn was planted/seeded by his superiors millennia ago to save the universe. That is her destiny if she will accept it.

Dot.com has to introduce Lacy Dawn to his world and Shptiludrp. There she will learn about the task she must accept if she chooses to save the Universe. Before she will accept her monumental destiny, Lacy Dawn engages the help of her family and friends as it will take everyone working together to pull this off. About this point the story takes off on another strange tack which I’m not sure I should disclose. It is totally bizarre but I was compelled to read to the end to find out what happened.

There is a lot of prurient comment coming from the view of a mostly innocent 13-year-old who doesn’t plan on having sex until she marries, and that only after college. I would caution that the story is not for the squeamish. I’d say ‘prudish’ but I have always had a tendency towards being prudish and I got through this. There is quite a bit of point of view hopping but that worked with the bizarreness of the story. I do think the author shares a certain picture of the difficult life of those in poverty. Some people might try to find a deeper meaning or philosophy in this but I am not digging that deeply. I accepted it as a zany adventure.

Would I read more of Lacy Dawn’s adventures? I just might when in a mood for an off-the-wall portrayal of life. If you are a reader who likes humor and is willing to take a chance on a bizarre read, this would be a good choice.

Buy Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Rarity-Hollow-Robert-Eggleton-ebook/dp/B017REIA44

I received this from the author for an honest review. It qualifies for “R”, Tour read on my Alphabet Soup Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 15, 2016

Happy Friday!
I am late again and I apologize. I was up past midnight last night working on taxes until I saw that I had until 4/18 to get the forms mailed. "Whew".  I had court in two places today plus a lunch appointment so there was no time for setting up my post.
My daughter has been out all week due to foot surgery. I have been covering hearings four days and still juggling office work. I hope to get all books for wins set aside tomorrow and start sending the GC wins.
The books I had started to pull together last week for a new group may have to wait.

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 April 8 Pick. There was one automatic win this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were two blocked titles but one was won.
Alyn gets His by Morning

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from April 8 Pick:
Carol L gets Bed of Roses through a block of several weeks.

Miki 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.}

It is raining now as I post so this seemed fitting.

I might like raining books if they didn't fall on heads!

Image found at (blogspot no longer available).

New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016

PAIRS:
Elizabeth Boyle: His Mistress by Morning and This Rake of Mine (The Bachelor Chronicles Book 2)
Kay Hooper: If There Be Dragons and The Matchmaker
Lisa Jackson: Left to Die and Twice Kissed
SINGLES:
The Theft by Andra Kane
Bed of Roses by Katherine Stone
Hope by Len Deighton (1995 paperback)
Short Straw (Ed Eagle Novel) by Stuart Woods Hardcover
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
N is for noose by Sue Grafton -Cassettes
The Fallen by Thomas Sniegoski
Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell
Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF by April Winchell


New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016
(I have the picture and will try to get the list up before I crash. Sorry no links right now.)

SINGLES:
Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl
Wayward Winds by Michael Phillips - Audio Tapes
Forgotten Promises by Denise Skelton

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015
All Gone

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.)

SINGLES:
Bride of Lochbarr by Margaret Moore (*)
The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens (*)
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!

Shannon Drake –  Realm of Shadows (Alliance Vampires#4) 
SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands
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
SINGLES:
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels

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

SINGLES:
Servant, 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

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 -- All Gone

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 Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Commander by Kate Bridges
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose

Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle



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)
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)

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


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 950+ 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!

Audible Book Review: Redfall: Fight for Survival: American Prepper Series, Book 1, by Jay J. Falconer

This is a fast moving, introduction to an engaging dystopian series.

Redfall: Fight for Survival: American Prepper Series, Book 1
Written by: Jay J. Falconer
Narrated by: Gary Tiedemann

Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
Series: American Prepper, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-11-16
Publisher: BookBreeze.com, LLC
Genre: Sci Fi, Dystopian
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Society will collapse in days...and that's the good news.
Former special ops and survivalist Simon Redfall has lost everything: his wife, his fortune, and his future. Despite being hunted by angry mobs and his own bankrupt government, Simon arrives in Washington, DC, to attend the first ever pay-per-view execution of someone he loves.
Then red storm clouds appear and begin to spread their potentially toxic rain across the planet.The mysterious weather phenomenon grounds all travelers, knocks out communications, and threatens to take down the grid, sending civilization back to the Stone Age.
As society tumbles into chaos, Simon joins a group of like-minded preppers to unlock the secrets behind a terrifying global conspiracy. What he and his band of freedom fighters soon learn will put their lives - and the lives of everyone else on the planet - at risk.
For humanity, time is running out.... When the red rain stops falling, it will be too late to stop what's coming next.
©2016 Jay J. Falconer (P)2016 Jay J. Falconer

Review:
Simon Redfall was a respected former special operative who established a successful security business, Ghost Works. The business went into bankruptcy and Simon went into hiding after his wife committed a terrorist act, massacring a group of visiting scientists and their families. Simon has been living off the grid for two years and only returned for his wife's execution which is a mega public extravaganza, legalized so it can be exploited to help raise money for government budget shortfalls.

Simon suffers quietly through his wife’s cries of innocence. When it is over he tries to slip away but reporters and angry citizens try to mob him. The only thing that stops them is red rain that comes from nowhere and distracts the mob long enough for Simon to be pulled into a van and whisked away.

Simon find himself with a team of teen-aged survivalists and geniuses who need his help in consulting and contacts, to unravel and deal with the society collapsing around them. They have a secure survival base called Pandora, located in Amish country. Tally Wicks, their leader, also has a brother, Wyatt, who has a more militant compound, Jericho, a few miles away. Wyatt wants the two groups to join forces and challenge the government, while Tally is looking for a logical, peaceful solution. But whether it is cyber rebellion or military rebellion it looks like the groups are going to face major technological trouble. Before it is fully revealed how Simon can help the teen group at Pandora, a militant force of some sort attacks the Jericho compound. It might be a competing gang group or something more sinister.

Between the scenes introducing Simon, Pandora and Jericho, readers meet the ‘nefarious’ characters. Zeke, sounds like a ‘clean up’ man for Indigo Technologies, the mega company that took over the security world when Simon’s business closed. Jeffrey Hansen is a scientist who founded Rain Tech. Although he provided covert weather technology for the government, his current project is a complete secret to everyone except his obscenely wealthy, contract employer.

The involved government parties include General Nate Rawlings, Director of National Intelligence, Nancy Wiggins, NSA Director, Conner Haskins, and a contract militia group, Nighthawk. There are quite a few threads moving along the story line and this first book hasn’t tied them all together yet. The independence of American society has been crumbling at the opening of this story. The red rain and manipulated events move the story into a scary dystopian world which is being controlled by technology in the hands of powerful, wealthy fanatics who have, as yet, undisclosed agendas.

I really like the elements of technology being used by the good guys and bad guys. I am interested in the dynamics between the youth and their aversion to the older generation. This first story moves quickly, setting up the political atmosphere, strong characters and a glimpse of the conflicts and action that will undoubtedly escalate. However, there are a lot of open questions and, as I was warned, the book stops in the middle of the action. The reader is left to choose to either walk away or move on to book 2, Redfall: Freedom Fighters. Since it was an “argh” moment for me, I want more.

Audio Notes: I really enjoyed the narration by Gary Tiedemann. He provides distinct character voices and includes solid emotional nuances. I would be glad to listen to more of his narration. The combination of talented narration and steady action made this an engaging listen.

Cautionary content: This book does contain violence and bloodshed consistent with a dystopian setting. It may also contains some foul language - that barely registered for me so it couldn't have been too glaring. 

I received this audio from the author through Audiobook Blast for an honest review. It qualifies for my Audiobook Challenge and “R” in Alphabet Soup Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Dream Kisses: Romance on the Ranch Series Book 1 by Verna Clay

This is an easy listening, sweet romance – with a handsome cowboy as a plus.
Dream Kisses: Romance on the Ranch Series Book 1
Written by: Verna Clay
Narrated by: Wendy Rich Stetson

Length: 4 hrs and 22 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:07-28-15
Publisher: Verna Clay
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Mims Murphy a.k.a Sarah Carter, meets Sage Tanner at Imaginings Publishing while he's posing for the cover of her upcoming romance novel. After being bulldozed into a coffee break with him by her publisher, Sissy Johansen, an embarrassing incident makes Sarah furious and she walks out. Of course, fate has plans for this mismatched couple. Deciding her book needs a dose of reality, Sarah signs up for "dude" lessons at Lazy M Dude Ranch. Imagine her chagrin when she discovers the owner of the ranch is none other than Mr. Tanner himself!
©2012 Verna Clay (P)2015 Verna Clay

Review:
Sarah, alias Mims Murphy, is a successful romance writer even if her own love life, as she nears 40, isn’t so successful. There is a chemical zing when Sarah first sees Sage, the handsome cover model posing for her upcoming novel. But Sarah is quick to turn away considering him much too good looking and only trouble. Her publisher coerces Sarah into a coffee break with Sage which results in Sarah overreacting to an embarrassing situation.

A few months later Sarah is fighting writer’s block. She decides a visit to a country dude ranch might supply the inspiration she needs. She has no idea how true that is! Sarah’s rental car breaks down on the long driveway into the Lazy M Dude Ranch. Just imagine her surprise and chagrin when the handsome cowboy who rides up is none other than Sage. Sarah would walk, or drive away, if she could but now she has a twisted ankle as well as an inoperable car.

Sage owns the dude ranch and does modeling jobs to earn extra money. Sage doesn’t want to be a sex symbol and tries to maintain his distance from all the eager women, even when they practically throw themselves at him. Sarah is surprised when she meets his young teen daughter, Julie, and she wonders where his wife is. As Sarah recuperates she begins to see a different side of Sage. He finds Sarah intriguing with her strong independence. Still, in spite of their clear attraction and growing friendship, Sarah is afraid that she could never be enough to hold Sage’s interest.

I enjoyed the conflict and sass between Sarah and Sage. Julie and several of the ranch hands, and vacationing guests add interest. The story moves along well with light humor and the sweetly building romance. The ending is a great bit especially for a romance novel! (You’ll have to read/listen to the story to get there yourself.) I appreciated the easy, quick flow and cleaner romance. I would enjoy reading more by this author.

Audio Notes: As I began the listen I wasn’t sure about the narrator. However, pretty soon I settled into the easy, country sound of Wendy Rich Stetson’s narration. She gave good voice interpretation to the various characters and portrayed good, appropriate emotion. The audio enhanced my enjoyment for this quick listen.

I received this title through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review. This qualifies for my 2016 Audiobook Challenge.