Sharing Beyond Books #303 Comment Giveaway May 13, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
18 of us do have Goodreads accounts; only one does not. Of the 18, 13 have entered and won book giveaways there, at least one person wins monthly! One person with an account has never entered the giveaways.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #302 comments is: #16 Nikki who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #303

(One Question.)

Elizabeth asks: What is your favorite card or board game??

(Sorry my answer got long winded.)
It is hard to think of one favorite game. When we were kids we played lots of games: Parcheesi, Mousetrap, and a card game called Spite and Malice. Oh - and Twister! When I was young adult age I enjoyed bridge, having learned from my parents. Also, before I married, my family used to play Backgammon. When my children were young the favorites were Sorry, Mousetrap, Jumanji and Yahtzee. When they were high school age I got them to play Mastermind with me. My husband is not much of a game player but he will play two games: Bible Trivia and Yahtzee. The older grandchildren can play Yahtzee now so that is our family game and therefore my current favorite.

Image found at Kristal Project EDU.

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.

Your turn to share: Elizabeth asks: What is your favorite card or board game??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

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 May 20, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Audio Book Review: The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals: Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 3, by Jordan Stratford

This is an engaging mystery that is fun for young girls... and adults.

The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals: Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 3
Written by: Jordan Stratford
Narrated by: Nicola Barber

Length: 2 hrs and 50 mins
Series: The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 3
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:01-24-17
Publisher: HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books
Genre: Children, Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The Wollestonecraft Girls embark on their most important case yet - the famed dinosaur fossil hunter Mary Anning is being blackmailed. Her precious dog has been snatched and the kidnappers are demanding that Miss Anning authenticate some fake dinosaur bones up for auction at the British Museum in order to get him back. Ada and Mary have just three days to track down the fossil fakers, find the dog, and save the integrity of science!
The game is truly afoot in this quirky caper involving blood-sucking leeches, an asthmatic pug, smoke bombs, secret elevators, diabolical disguises, and wicked word-play.
©2017 Jordan Stratford (P)2017 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Review:
Ada and her young friends, including Mary Shelley, have formed the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency solving selected cases. Ada has been sick and has spent much time in bed while the doctor leeches her blood. She realizes that her former governess has held her mail and finally gets a stack. Ada, Mary and friend Jane, start sorting through the letters to decide on their next case. They come across a letter from a famous dinosaur fossil hunter, Mary Adding, whose dog has been kidnapped and decide this is the case.

Ada’s fierce grandmother comes home, grounds Ada to bed and ousts her friends and tutor. Now Ada has to creatively get away from the sick bed, sneak out to meet with her friends and try to help Mary find the kidnappers and rescue the dog.

Ada is a science whiz and loves math and all sorts of puzzles. She discovers notes that have been written as anagrams and believes that her nemesis is behind the group that is blackmailing Ms. Adding asking her to verify a fake fossil exhibit at the British Museum.

It is fun to follow Ada and her friends as they hunt down scoundrels, work on clues and manage some surprising interventions. This is an engaging, fun read/listen even for an adult and would be great for young girls 8-13.

Audio Notes: Nicola Barber does a fine job of narration. She captures the sweet voices and accents of the characters. The pacing is good and makes for a fun listen.

I received this from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox. This qualifies for my 2017 Audio Book Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 12, 2017

Happy Friday!
Work was steady this week. I could tell it was a full moon. Five people came in yesterday trying to see me without an appointment. I do try to be accessible but there are days when I am elbow deep in projects and not able to have clients just pop in. 

I added a new book list. I'll try to get a picture at least with my phone

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 May 5 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 titles blocked; one was won.
Carol NW gets The Cat Who Sang for the Birds

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from May 5 Pick:
BECKY gets Valentine through the block
and
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.}

I bet you are all hoping this doesn't happen!
Image found at Goodreads.

New Book Group #72 May 12, 2017
PAIRS:
Brenda Joyce: The Third Heiress and The Rival
Jayne Ann Krentz: Dangerous Affair and True Colors
SINGLES:
Identity: Unknown by Suzanne Brockmann
The Third Victim by Lisa Gardner
Anna’s Book by Barbara Vine (Audio Cassette)
Passions Treasure by Betina Krahn
My Reckless Surrender by Anna Campbell
Led Astray By A Rake by Sara Bennett
Deep Freeze by Lisa Jackson
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Valley of Bones by Eric Wilson
Memorial Day by Vince Flynn (Hardcover)
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)


New Book Group #71 March 10, 2017
Mysteries and Thrillers
PAIR:
Matthew Reilly: Temple and Area 7
SINGLES:
Deception on His Mind by Elizabeth George
‘E’ is for Evidence by Sue Grafton
In Plain Sight by C.J. Box
Keepers by Gary A. Braunbeck
Lullaby and Goodnight by Wendy Corsi Staub
One Dark Night by Kevin F. McMurray
Rattlesnake Crossing by J.A. Jance
The Cat Who Sang for the Birds by Lillian Jackson Braun
The Panic Zone by Rick Mofina
The Silenced by Heather Graham
The Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood by Susan Wittig Albert
Total Exposure by Tori Carrington
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)
The Old Silent by Martha Grimes (Audio Cassettes)


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 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
Jingle Bell Blessings by Bonnie K. Winn
Snowbound with Mr. Right by Judy Christenberry
The Christmas Cowboy by Michele Dunaway
All I Want for Christmas by Gina Wilkins
All She Wants for Christmas by Stacy Connelly


New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
SINGLE:
The Seventh Tower, Book One by Garth Nix
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
Critical by Robin Cook


New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
SINGLES:
*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:
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
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 1,061+ 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: Bookburners by Max Gladstone, Mur Lafferty, Brian Francis Slattery, Margaret Dunlap

This is a fun read - a squad fighting magic by confiscating the books that let the monsters out.
Bookburners
by Max Gladstone, Mur Lafferty, Brian Francis Slattery, Margaret Dunlap

File Size: 2920 KB
Print Length: 800 pages
Publisher: Serial Box (January 24, 2017)
ASIN: B01N0SKM0F
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Magic is real, and hungry. It’s trapped in ancient texts and artifacts, and only a few who discover it survive to fight back. Detective Sal Brooks is a survivor. She joins a Vatican-backed black-ops anti-magic squad—Team Three of the Societas Librorum Occultorum—and together they stand between humanity and the magical apocalypse. Some call them the Bookburners. They don’t like the label.
Supernatural meets The Da Vinci Code in a fast-paced, kickass character driven novel chock-full of magic, mystery, and mayhem, written collaboratively by a team of some of the best writers working in fantasy.
Originally presented serially in 16 episodes, this omnibus collects all installments of Bookburners Season One into one edition.

Review:
This book tells the tales of a squad known as the Bookburners. Thank goodness they don’t really burn books – well at least Team 3 doesn’t. They capture the magical books that allow monsters, usually evil and harmful, out to hurt the world.

The reader first meets Detective Sal Brooks when her brother shows up at her home with a strange book. The next thing Sal knows people are knocking on her door looking for her brother. The strangers burst into her apartment and she experiences a warp in time as her brother vanishes. Sal joins ‘the team’ to find her brother and soon learns that things are much stranger than she knew.

The team is based out of the Vatican and consists of a Menchu, a priest, Asanti, an archivist, Liam, a computer whiz, Grace, a fierce monster fighter (with secrets) and now Sal, an observant and determined detective. Actually, they all have secrets from their pasts that resulted in them being selected or recruited to Team 3. There are other teams who may be called in if Team 3 can’t contain the situation or if there needs to be clean up after Team 3 captures the book and shuts down the demon it contains.

The book consists of 16 Episodes which were apparently originally released in serial form. Combining them made this a bit long (at least for me) but I liked reading all of the adventures together. The episodes tell different assignment adventures running chronologically. There are four authors but the episodes flow well together. Although several of the monsters are very strange, there were only two episodes that I found really bizarre. One of those was a trip into a very strange ‘hellish’ realm.

I really liked the characters, whose traits, quirks and vulnerabilities are revealed though the assignments with each getting a time when their strengths are ‘showcased’. The interactions of the team add engagement beyond the monster fighting action. I found myself rooting for them to work things out together and to overcome the enemies within their own organization. This is a bit zany but a lot of fun. I recommend it to readers who like monster hunting adventures served up with humor.

I received this title through NetGalley. It qualifies for 2017 NetGalley Challenge, 2017 Mount TBR and “B” in Alphabet Challenge.

Audible Book Review: The Quilt by Gary Paulsen

This was lovely and had me in tears by the end.

The Quilt
Written by: Gary Paulsen
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 1 hr and 45 mins
Series: Alida
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:02-26-13
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Family, Ages 8-10
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
A six-year-old boy goes to spend the summer with his grandmother, Alida, in a small Minnesota town. With the men all gone off to fight, the women are left to run the farms. There’s plenty for the boy to do - trying to help with the chores; getting to know the dog and the horses, cows, pigs, and chickens.
But when his cousin Kristina goes into labor, he can’t do a thing. Instead, the house fills with women come to help and to wait, and to work on the quilt together. This is no common, everyday quilt, but one that contains all the stories of the boy’s family. And as they wait, and work, the women share these stories with the boy.
In this spare, affecting novel, ordinary life and ordinary things take on a new meaning, and the bond between a boy and his grandmother shines through.
©2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.; 2005 Gary Paulsen

Review:
Gary Paulsen has painful memories of his mother but some wonderful memories of his grandmother, Alida. He spent summers with Alida and one summer, as a six-year-old boy, was particularly memorable. Alida and young Gary are driven on an old, lumbering truck to cousin Kristina’s home to be with her as she is expecting. The boy learned of all the fun animals on a farm along with all the chores even a young boy can help with. But he learned something even more important about people… about the community of family.

The men are all away at war so the women are about the business of taking care of the farms. Kristina works up to the day she goes into labor. Young Gary tries to figure out what is going on but the kitchen full of women shoo him aside. And when he hears the cries of labor he runs out the door.

But Gary is blessed to be allowed to sit in the circle around the community quilt. There he learns the special history of the quilt as the ladies tell stories of their family members who are no longer there.

The story was simple in its presentation but deeply moving in emotional impact. I had never read Gary Paulsen so I did not pick this up because of the author. I thought it sounded interesting. As it started I wasn’t immediately pulled in but then I began to be interested in the historical elements. Then it moved into the emotional aspects and I was punched in the gut with the beauty of the precious memories shared. This may be written for young people but it is a gem for adults too.

Audio Notes: Susan Ericksen is a wonderful narrator and I recognized her voice immediately as the voice of JD Robb’s In Death series. I had to adjust my listening to her narration of this totally different work. I loved how she does grandmother’s Norwegian accent, adding the extra touch to the narration. I am very glad I got this on audio.

This was from my Audible TBR shelf. (I didn’t note so I don’t know if this was an Audible Daily Deal or a half price purchase.) This qualifies for 2017 Audio Book Challenge, 2017 Mount TBR and “Q” in Alphabet Challenge.