Sharing Beyond Books #288 Comment Giveaway January 28, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Only two of us, MaryP and Rubynreba, do not have a wish list of waiting books. Most everyone else shared titles and authors which I found interesting. I plan to check them out.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #287 comments is: #6 Miki 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 #288

(One Question.)

Becky asks: What would you be doing if you weren't at your current job??

I actually have three jobs! Lawyer, title company owner/manager and small publishing company CEO (and jack of all trades). Sooooo - if I wasn't doing that work there are two things I could maybe see me doing: administrative management - I have no idea where - Or maybe some type of book promoting.  Hey- Maybe I could manage a library or bookstore! LOL. But really - I love all the work I am doing.

Image found at Pinterest..

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.
Questions for January were provided by Natalija, Marjorie, Elizabeth and Becky. Random.org chose #3, so Elizabeth.

Your turn to share: Becky asks: What would you be doing if you weren't at your current job??

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 February 4, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: Terminal Regression by Mallory Hill

The author has created an interesting dystopian world but I found the young protagonist difficult to relate to.
Terminal Regression
by Mallory Hill

File Size: 1085 KB
Print Length: 237 pages
Publisher: Fiction Studio Books (January 17, 2017)
ASIN: B01MSWNXOI
Genre: Dystopia
My Rating 3.75 of 5.0

WINNER OF THE SECOND ANNUAL AUTHORS FIRST NOVEL CONTEST
Laura Baily's life is meaningless. In a world where purpose and passion are everything, Laura feels as though she has no place and no business even existing. Her life is forfeit, and it would be better for everyone if she simply ended it, if she simply got a ticket for a train to oblivion and faded from memory.
But what awaits her at the end of the line isn't death but Terminal B – a community of people more like her than she considered possible, including the beautiful, tormented Will Noble. Though Laura still thinks little of her own life, the lives of others begin to fascinate her as never before. And when those lives become imperiled, Laura discovers the last thing she ever expected to find on her way out of the world: a mission and a reason to live.
Compelling on both a human and global scale, TERMINAL REGRESSION is a novel of rare power and humanity. It is the story of a tomorrow that teeters on the edge of utopia and dystopia and a resigned outsider who might just change it forever.

Review:
Laura feels she has failed at everything in her life. She doesn’t have a place in a world where everyone finds their niche and happily goes about their chosen work.

Laura’s parents were both talented artists but her father was sent away when she was a child. She watched as he boarded the Terminal B train, understanding that he was being sent to his death. She couldn’t understand why and her life has been a struggle ever since. Her free-spirited mother is active in the artist community and continues to push Laura to use her art even though Laura is sure her efforts are pathetic. Laura has made the rounds of the different communities, hoping to find a place where she can find a purpose; where she can fit in. Finally, she decides she will just get a ticket for Terminal B but she will let her mother think she was sent.

On the Terminal B ride, Laura runs into Will who was the most popular and friendly boy in fifth grade. Laura is surprised he even remembers her and more surprised that he should be on the train. They arrive at the end of the line to discover they are not dead… although they might wish they were.

Laura is sent to a farm and Will to a factory plant. Laura later learns that Will’s ticket wasn’t voluntary. He was accused of violent behavior and now must work in a place that treats the workers as expendable. Laura takes on the task of keeping Will alive and sane. Will is upbeat and optimistic to balance out Laura’s dark, moody pessimism. He needs her help but she needs him to provide her a purpose.

Laura believes that she must get word back to her mother and the city dwellers of the true nature of Terminal B, especially if Will is to survive. Some of Laura’s new co-workers help her plan a clandestine escape. Before Laura and Will can get back to the city she will face another huge surprise. If they can manage to escape, life will change for everyone.

I had to push to get through this because of Laura’s negative, defeatist attitude. The character’s statement at 42% in, “Happiness was a foreign concept”, is a totally foreign concept to me. That theme of failure and unhappiness permeates the book and is repeated, ad nauseam, even at 92%.

Will at least gives a breath of hope. The author has created an interesting dystopia world where perception is not always real. I found the young protagonist difficult to relate to and I think I might have enjoyed it more with less teenage angst and self-centeredness. I did like the twist and suspense late in the book. I recommend this to readers who like dystopia and can deal with the defeatist tone.

I received this through NetGalley. It qualifies for 2017 NetGalley Challenge and “T” for NG in Alphabet Challenge.

Audible Book Review: We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

This is an important vintage sci fi dystopia, said to have influenced George Orwell’s 1984.

We
Written by: Yevgeny Zamyatin
Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-28-11
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Vintage Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Set in the 26th century A.D., Yevgeny Zamyatin's masterpiece describes life under the regimented totalitarian society of OneState, ruled over by the all-powerful "Benefactor." Recognized as the inspiration for George Orwell's 1984, We is the archetype of the modern dystopia, or anti-Utopia: a great prose poem detailing the fate that might befall us all if we surrender our individual selves to some collective dream of technology and fail in the vigilance that is the price of freedom. Clarence Brown's brilliant translation is based on the corrected text of the novel, first published in Russia in 1988 after more than 60 years' suppression.
Public Domain (P)2011 Tantor

Review:
D-503 is a citizen of OneState where the “Benefactor” takes care of everyone for the collective good. Everyone is provided housing, identical clothing, work, food and sexual engagement with choice of partners. Everyone is expected to be happy and satisfied with their needs taken care of within the glass city. The secret police and spies are quick to deal with anyone who tries to go beyond the Green Wall, or refuses to conform to the regulated routines.

D-503 has an important job as one of the mathematicians helping to build the Integral, the first space ship to expand the world of OneState. He deals with numbers, facts and logic. He is not a poet but he is intent on journaling his thoughts as a record to share with the future even as he records the steps of his 'madness'.

One day D-503 and his usual female partner are walking during personal time, the time when the masses walk along the prescribed route. D-503 becomes aware of another couple walking beside him. He is immediately smitten by I-330, a woman who defies the rules and invites him to meet her a few days hence. She leads him on a walk at an unscheduled time to a strange house off the usual paths and then proceeds to captivate his thoughts and energies.

D-503 shares his jumbled emotions and fears as I-330 leads him into rebellion and a conspiracy to take down OneState. He struggles with his logical training to obey the regulations and his inner yearning to break free of the government system. Is it better to be controlled and ‘taken care of’ or to be free and experience the highs and lows available with individual freedoms?

This is not an unusual theme for a science fiction dystopian but I found the story remarkable particularly because it was written in 1921 by a Russian. The story was banned in the author's own country for over half a century. The world that Zamyatin creates may not be so fantastic by today’s standards but in its own time was an excellent creation. Although the story was a bit confusing, I found myself fascinated by D-503s dilemma of self-discovery. It was also fascinating understanding this was penned by an author living during revolutions in a totalitarian country.

The introduction provides a good history of the writing and the struggles to provide a proper translation. Some translators call the city ‘United State’ but this translation uses OneState which I think fits. Also, the prose and satire are nicely presented in this translation. This may not be as exciting as some of today’s sci fi adventures but it is a worthwhile read in the catalog of vintage sci fi.

Audio Notes: Grover Gardner is a masterful narrator. I have listened to him on many titles and I discovered I had to adjust to his narration on this. Once I was absorbed by the web of the character’s life and confusion I totally enjoyed the easy flow of the narration. I recommend this in audio format.

This audio was from my own Audible library. It qualifies for 2017 TBR, Audio Challenge and “W” in Alphabet Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 27, 2017

Happy Friday!
Our storms of the weekend have calmed and we are expecting temperatures in the 60s for the next week.
This week I have had to work on a set of reports due February 1st. My daughter was out of office as her wisdom teeth were removed on Tuesday. Fortunately the week has been pretty quiet allowing me to work on projects.
My Hubby has returned home with a LifeVest. I think the explanation may not have been clear, or at least not digested. I have looked up information and have mixed feelings.

I got a new list of books up for February.

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 January 20 Pick. There was only 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 was one title blocked again.
AUTO: Carol NW gets Kill Chain

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from January 20 Pick:
MARJORIE gets a GC.
and
JC 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.}

Are you ready for a new chapter?
Image found at Quotesgram.

New Book Group #70 January 27, 2017
Thought I’d share some romances for February:
PAIRS:
Betty Neels: The Girl With Green Eyes and the Damsel in Green
Linda Howard: The Touch of Fire and Loving Forever
SINGLES:
The Devilish Pleasures of a Duke by Jillian Hunter
Kissed by Shadows (Get Connected Romances) by Jane Feather
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn
Love Letters From a Duke (The Bachelor Chronicles Book 3) by Elizabeth Boyle
Love Overboard by Janet Evanovich
Love Wild and Fair by Bertrice Small
Only With Your Love (Vallerands Book 2) by Lisa Kleypas
Scandalous Love by Brenda Joyce
Someone to Love by Jude Deveraux
Valentine by Jane Feather
A Visit From Sir Nicholas (Effington Family Book 9) by Victoria Alexander
Winter Fire by Jo Beverly


New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016
(I'll post a picture and links later)
Some books for Christmas
Mistletoe Marriage by Jessica Hart
Twelfth Night Proposal by Karen Rose Smith
Jingle Bell Blessings by Bonnie K. Winn
Snowbound with Mr. Right by Judy Christenberry
Christmas With the Prince by Michelle Celmer
The Christmas Cowboy by Michele Dunaway
Christmas Bonus: Strings Attached by Susan Crosby
Wanted: Christmas Mommy by Judy Christenberry
One Cowboy One Christmas by Kathleen Eagle
All I Want for Christmas by Gina Wilkins
Mistletoe and Miracles by Marie Ferrarella
Her Montana Christmas by Arlene James
All She Wants for Christmas by Stacy Connelly
Miracle on Christmas Eve by Shirley Jump
Snowbound Reunion by Barbara McMahon
Holiday Homecoming by Mae Ann Wilson


New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
(I'll post a picture and links later)
PAIR:
Lisa Gardner: The Perfect Husband and The Other Daughter
Stella Cameron: True Bliss and Sheer Pleasures
SINGLE:
Stray by A. N. Wilson (hardcover)
Soul of the Wildcat by Devyn Quinn
The Seventh Tower, Book One by Garth Nix
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
Kill Chain by Meg Gardiner
Wild Rain by Christine Feehan
The Copper Beach by Maeve Binchy
Beyond Reach: A Novel (Grant County Book 6) by Karin Slaughter
Crimson Shore by Preston & Childs
The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry
Critical by Robin Cook
Mania by Craig Larsen

New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
SINGLES:
*The Brittany Stones by Lynna Cooper (1974 - yellowed; corner of cover cut)
No Place for a Lady by Katherine Greyle
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)


New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016

(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
SINGLES:
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

SINGLES:
A Dangerous Fancy by Tracy Cozzens
The Champion by Heather Grothaus


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016
SINGLES:
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette

New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016 -- All Gone

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:
Border Bride by Deborah Hale

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

SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)

New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015 -- All Gone


New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
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 -- All Gone

BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
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)
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
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)

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 seven years I have posted 68 groups of 16 (1,088) books to find new homes! (as of November 4, 2016).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,031+ 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: Patriots of Treason by David Thomas Roberts

This is a timely thriller full of interesting political tidbits and a clear message: Don’t mess with Texas!
Patriots of Treason
Written by: David Thomas Roberts
Narrated by: Kelly Klaas

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:11-05-13
Publisher: David Thomas Roberts
Genre: Political Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Tea anyone? After decades of erosion of the U.S. Constitution, the United States is faced with a major constitutional crisis not seen since the Civil War. A president and his administration filled with scandals and plagued by economic woes surprisingly wins re-election to a second term largely based on an "October Surprise" and the promise of redistribution of the nation's wealth. The night he is re-elected, an assassination attempt throws America into chaos, resulting in riots, food shortages and violence across the country. When it is discovered the assassin has ties to the Tea Party, the administration sees its opportunity to quash its political opposition and launch a diabolical conspiracy to hide the truth of the assassin's real motives. The President and his minions attempt to keep the lid on the conspiracy by any means necessary, including issuing unconstitutional executive orders.
Jack-booted federal agents are ordered to raid private citizens' homes to eradicate the Tea Party once and for all. After an ordinary citizen in Texas, a founder of a local Tea Party, is terrorized and held without due process, the governor of Texas dispatches iconic Texas legend Pops Younger to rescue him. The entire country becomes riveted in the suspense of the high-stakes chess game that pits the State of Texas and the Texas Rangers against the administration and the ATF that escalates to unprecedented proportions. An exciting and fast-paced political thriller, Patriots of Treason presents a very realistic 'what if' scenario that will keep you on the edge of your seat, regardless of your political persuasion.
©2012 David Thomas Roberts (P)2013 David Thomas Roberts

Review:
A liberal President, running for re-election on a platform that includes restriction of gun rights and redistribution of wealth, survives a late race assassination attempt. The investigation reveals that the assassin, of Muslim decent, was a student from Texas who was writing a thesis on the Tea Party. Washington leaders, spear-headed by the Attorney General, cover-up the Muslim connection and declare the assassination attempt was a conspiracy by Tea Party members. Federal enforcers move in to disarm Texas citizens and to capture and imprison Tea Party members without arrest warrants, phone calls or hearings. The federal authorities justify their actions claiming the Tea Party members are “terrorists” under The Patriot Act and therefore have no rights.

The Texas Governor takes issue with the violation of the rights of his state citizens. The Texas Rangers are called in to rescue a Tea Party member who was arrested in the presence of his wife and children and whose house was bulldozed to get to a gun safe he refused to open. The rescue triggers escalating hostilities between the Federal Government and Texas that result in Texas voting on secession.

The public masses are divided in their loyalties with several states sympathizing with Texas and others rallying behind the federal restrictions. One man, with inside knowledge of the facts hidden by the Justice department, strives to find a way to get the true facts out to the public to stop the unbridled corruption and chain of violence based on lies.

This story moves at a good pace with a lot of suspense and tension. Not so long ago this scenario might have seemed unlikely, but with increasing federal controls and intrusion into state rights this doesn’t look so fictional. Texas seems to be the perfect state to set in this confrontation as it maintains a state militia (the Texas State Guard) under the governor’s direct command. And, of course, the Texas Rangers are bigger than life. Some of the state resources were exaggerated but it made for exciting reading/listening.

I did question why the student’s friend didn’t speak up and why no independent journalist researched the young man’s background. However, this fit with the nature of media outlets these days that highlight biased tidbits twisted from some facts and make no effort to portray the full truth objectively.

I liked the fitting quotes at the beginning of each chapter. When I reached the end of this book, I was ready to listen to book two. I realized I hadn’t picked it up at Audible yet and would have to wait. I recommend this to readers who like constitutional discussions and political intrigue interesting, especially set in an action story.

Audio Notes: I’m sorry to say that I wasn’t impressed by the narration which I found to be rather dry. Although there is some inflection, Kelly Klaas seemed to deliver this like a documentary rather than an exciting thriller. Fortunately the storyline took precedence about midway so that the narration was not such a distraction.

I picked this up at Audible in 2016. It qualifies for 2017 TBR, 2017 Audio Challenge and “P” in Alphabet Challenge.