Sharing Beyond Books #392 Comment Giveaway April 4, 2020

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.
Thanks to everyone who commented last week. I hope you are staying safe through this trying time.

The last question all participants agreed they enjoy learning of other cultures through their reading - even if it is futuristic space cultures for Linda and me as we read a lot of sci-fi. Several people mentioned historical England and Native American genres. Also mentioned were Western Cultures, Australia, Feudal Japan, ancient China, current China, North Korea, India, New Orleans, and Fredamans mentioned Elif Shafak who is a Turkish-British author.

The Winner from SBB #391 comments is #1 Mystica 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. -- [11/16/19 I plan to add some review books this week and maybe some new Christmas and Love titles as soon as I locate the box I put them in.  10/5/19 I have pulled some new books and will be adding them to the list in the next week or so.

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

WEEK #392

(One Question.)

Miki asks: Is there a moment of the year when you prefer to have a new release (what time an author should release her/his book to have more chance of you buying it).

I don't have any preference on book releases dates/time of year. I do however keep an eye out for the next book in my favorite series. Two series that quickly come to mind are: Mercy Thompson (I will be picking up the latest just released in March)  and The Destroyermen series (I have last year's release to listen to and another is coming out in June).

Image found at Almost an Author.

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 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards 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 them.

Your turn to share. Miki asks: Is there a moment of the year when you prefer to have a new release (what time an author should release her/his book to have more chance of you buying it).

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, April 18, 2020, at 5 PM central.

#NetGalley Book Review: Who Rescued Who by Victoria Schade

The cover is adorable and the story gets there eventually.

Who Rescued Who
by Victoria Schade

File Size: 2526 KB
Print Length: 351 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0593098838
Publisher: Berkley (March 24, 2020)
ASIN: B07TSWP85J
Genre: Animal, Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Where can you turn when the world turns against you? When Elizabeth Barnes’ life fell apart she never imagined that she’d be rescued by a new friend on four paws.
The plan was simple: Elizabeth would ignore the fact that she was unjustly fired from her dream job, fly across the pond to settle an unexpected inheritance in her father’s home country and quickly return to reclaim her position among the Silicon Valley elite.
But when Elizabeth stumbles upon an abandoned puppy, she’s shocked to realize that her brief trip to England might turn into an extended stay. Her strict itinerary is upended completely by the pup’s dogged devotion, and soon the loveable puppy helps her to connect with a tight-knit community of new friends on two legs and four, from the aunt and uncle she didn't know existed, to a grumpy coffee shop owner to two very opinionated sheep. Along the way Elizabeth is confronted by long-kept family secrets, hard truths about her former life and a new romance that might lead her to question everything she knows about love. Because sometimes rescue magic happens on both ends of the leash.

Review:
Elizabeth Barnes is a workaholic who has no life beyond her job and her obsessive social media focus. She is experiencing a bit of shellshock and a lot of anger after being unfairly fired from her dream Silicon Valley job. While trying to figure out how to get her feet – and life—back on track, she gets a surprising email from a man claiming to be her uncle. The problem is she never knew she had an uncle in England.

Elizabeth finally decides to take a quick trip to England to settle the unexpected inheritance which will provide a financial cushion while she is trying to get back into the work market. Elizabeth is surprised to find a warm welcome and soon growing friendships in the small backwater village of Fargrove. Elizabeth discovers a man she is interested in and stumbles upon an abandoned puppy who adopts her. Everyone tells her that she is responsible for the puppy since she found her.

Elizabeth is surprised to learn her uncle is a well-known artist. She hadn’t planned to remain in Fargrove but finds herself staying to help nurse her aunt after a fall, help her uncle categorize his many unrevealed paintings, train a new puppy, and nurture a possible romance. Meanwhile, she continues to fret that she has limited cell phone service and she fusses over her minimized social responses.

In spite of a rocky start, Elizabeth is soon wrapped into the community with everyone hoping she will settle on the land she has inherited and strengthen her developing relationship with James. When Elizabeth is offered a job to get back in the scene of Silicon Valley, will she walk away from her uncle and aunt, her puppy Georgina, her new friends, and James?

I was drawn to the adorable puppy cover. Unfortunately for over 50% of the book, I had a hard time coping with Elizabeth’s very self-centered and self-absorbed attitude. She was given wonderful opportunities but was too focused on her Silicon Valley elitism to really see what was in front of her. Her romance interest tried to resist getting involved, but once he did, instead of pushing Elizabeth to talk about the future they ignored the topic or he sulked. I found it hard to understand why no one really pushed Elizabeth to consider her choices.

I really enjoyed the art aspects of this story and the wonderful natural setting with dogs and sheep included. Jame's beer business added interest too. Although I am glad I finished, I had to struggle to get to the end because of the primary character. Apparently many other reviewers did not have this problem so if you can handle a character who needs a swift boot a good talking to, you would likely enjoy this book.

Source: NetGalley Requested 2019 but Received 2020. This qualifies for 2020NetGalley and 2020Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Piles of Bones by Michael J. Sullivan

This is a nice, quick introduction to the young mystic, Suri, who is a character in the larger series.
Pile of Bones - FREE
By: Michael J. Sullivan
Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Series: Legends of the First Empire, Book 0.5
Length: 1 hr and 45 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-07-20
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fantasy, Short Story
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
When a storm reveals a mysterious cave behind a waterfall, the young mystic’s apprentice and her wolf investigate. Inside, she discovers a secret place containing a pile of human bones and the young girl makes what could be a fatal mistake.
In this Legends of the First Empire prequel, we witness the events that helped shape the woman who would one day become Suri the Mystic, the first Rhune Artist, and a hero to a generation.
©2020 Michael J. Sullivan (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Review:
The author introduces this short work as a piece to introduce one of the important characters in the Legends of First Empire. Here we meet Suri, a young mystic, and her ‘sister’ wolf, Minna. Suri is being mentored by Tura to become a mystic. Suri has begun to develop a close relationship with nature, the animals, the trees, the wind, and the water. She tries to listen to her friends to stay safe, but sometimes she has to learn through her own errors and curiosity.

One day Suri notes a tree branch has fallen near the waterfall, exposing a tunnel. She is excited thinking the tunnel will take her to a special hidden world. Minna doesn’t want to go in but Suri insists. Once down the tunnel, Suri has to puzzle how to open a hidden door. Instead of a tunnel to another world, she finds a room full of human bones. Inadvertently she and Minna end up with a bone which she takes home. She has no idea the trouble that will follow.

I enjoy Michael Sullivan’s writing as he creates a remarkable world with remarkable characters. He is an excellent storyteller weaving magic that pulls the listener in. There is a lengthy introduction to explain why Sullivan has produced several short stories in his series. This story is only half of the audio, leaving a good half-hour to pull the reader/listener into the first novel, The Age of Myth. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a strong medieval type fantasy.

Audio Notes: Tim Gerard Reynolds is a superb narrator. He infuses the characters with personality that helps to engage the listener. I enjoyed this quick audio experience.

Source: 1/21/2020 Free at Audible. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook goal.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 3, 2020

Happy Friday!
I continue to hope and pray that you all are remaining safe and well. 

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 March 27, 2020 Pick. There were TWO automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no titles blocked.
CAROLL gets the Brend Joyce Pair
RUBYNREBA gets Through the Years

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from March 27, 2020 Pick:
ELIZABETH gets Open House
and
FREDAMANS 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.}

We do have a few bugs that come with spring!
Image shared on Pinterest as Classic Door Decor.

New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020

Pairs:
Brenda Joyce: Firestorm and Innocent Fire
LaVyrle Spencer: Morning Glory and Bitter Sweet
Singles:
Open House by Elizabeth Berg (Hardback)
My Surrender by Connie Brockway
What the Heart Knows by Kathleen Eagle
Turtle Moon by Alice Hoffman
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist
Angel Creek by Linda Howard
Montana Mavericks - Big Sky Grooms Anthology
Shadow and Silk by Ann Maxwell
Tempting Fire by Carla Neggers
Suicide Club by Gayle Wilson
Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere
Through the Years - Three Novels, Linda Howard, Fern Michaels and Debbie Macomber


New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019

PAIRS:
Connie Brockway: My Pleasure and My Seduction
Stella Cameron: Body of Evidence and Fascination
Singles:
A Notorious Proposition by Adele Ashworth
My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bourne
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs
Long, Lean and Lethal by Heather Graham
False Colours by Georgette Heyer
Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper
Treasures by Lisa Jackson (hardback)
No Limits by Alison Kent
The Education of Mrs. Brimley by Donna MacMeans
The Wedding Affair by Leigh Michaels
A Highlander's Temptation by Sue-Ellen Welfonder


New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES
The Perfect Gift by Christina Skye


New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls


New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
Christmas Haven
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

Stella Cameron: Key West
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

SINGLES
Best Laid Plans by Allison Brennan
Darkness Tell Us by Richard Laymon
Cooking Most Deadly by Joanne Pence


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon by Lacey Baker
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
Too Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
White Night by Jim Butcher
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff


This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring by Jillian Hart
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

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 NINE years I have posted 88 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,429 books to find new homes! (as of November 8, 2019).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,308+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] 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 faraway 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!

#NetGalley Book Review: Coding Capers by Angela Cleveland and Tamara Zentic

This is a fun, informative STEM adventure.

Coding Capers
by Angela Cleveland and Tamara Zentic
Illustrated by Juan Manuel Moreno

Age Range: 8 - 12 years
Grade Level: 3 - 6
Series: Coding Capers
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: National Center for Youth Issues (November 21, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1937870634
Genre: Children School Issues, Computers, Robots, STEM
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

Join Luci and her friends as they go on an adventure to find a missing robot! In the process they learn the foundational concepts of coding, the increasing capabilities of technology, and the power of persistence.
Was it just a dream?! Luci wakes up after dreaming about robots only to learn that her teacher has a robot emergency at school! The class robot has disappeared, and the students must decipher codes to locate it, reprogram it, and return it.
We huddled together. "Hurry! Read the card!"
Go to the gym where you'll find a maze,
Up and down and then sideways,
Over and over with your group,
Not a pattern, but a ______.
This STEM-friendly tale takes children on a fun game of hide and seek that teaches coding terminology and how technology and computer science work together to create and manage so many of the things we use in our daily lives.
With a little ingenuity and a lot of perseverance, Luci and her friends follow the clues and end up with a surprise that will allow each of them to help others and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Review:
Luci and her friends get to work together as a team to solve a special treasure hunt. Their teacher has created a programable robot and one is ‘lost’ within the school. The teams must solve the clues and apply them properly. The team that gets to the robot first and solves its programming problem will each get a surprise.

This story has relatable young school children and fun rhyming clues like the example in the blurb. The blanks to fill in are all words the children have learned in their technology, computer lessons. As an adult, I was glad to be reminded of my early years of programming. The story is laid out well and reads quickly. I received the print book this week and was pleased to see that the production is glossy and inviting. The images are bright, distinct and fit the text blocks. I enjoyed the informative lesson and think it would be appropriate for young students. I look forward to sharing this with my 7 and 8-year-old granddaughters. I recommend this to encourage young children who have any interest in robots and programming.

Source: NetGalley 2019. This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020NetGalley and 2020Alphabet goals.