Sharing Beyond Books #414 Comment Giveaway February 6, 2021

Hello again, Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Last Q#413 Natalija asks: Do you prefer alpha or beta heroes in your romantic fiction??
Five commenters said they would don't necessarily prefer either alpha or beta males, but it depends on how they are written. Four commenters prefer alphas males, and three prefer 3 beta males.

The Winner from SBB #413 comments is #8 CAROLL 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. 11/28/20 I have added a box of new books for SBB and will list them in the next week or so. I have to try to cross off books that have already been awarded. ]

Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #414

(One Question.)

Elizabeth asks: If you are in a stay-at-home area, what activities kept you busy? Did you try anything new? Or spend time reading??

My time didn't change much so I just continued to read, write reviews and blog. :-)  However, my ladies book club is about to resume with the first two months to be by Zoom and then we will see after we have had our vaccines.

Image found at 3PPsychologies.

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. Elizabeth asks: If you are in a stay-at-home area, what activities kept you busy? Did you try anything new? Or spend time reading???

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, February 20, 2021, at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Red Winter, Book 1, by Annette Marie

I liked this engaging fantasy and plan to continue the series.
Red Winter
Red Winter, Book 1
By: Annette Marie
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 01-03-17
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Asian Myth & Legend, Fairy Tale, Fantasy Teen & YA
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Emi is the kamigakari. In a few short months, her life as a mortal will end, and her new existence as the human host of a goddess will begin. Carefully hidden from those who would destroy her, she has prepared her mind, body, and soul to unite with the goddess - and not once has she doubted her chosen fate.
Shiro is a yokai, a spirit of the earth, an enemy of the goddess Emi will soon host. Mystery shrouds his every move, and his ruby eyes shine with cunning she can't match and dares not trust. But she saved his life, and until his debt is paid, he is hers to command - whether she wants him or not. On the day they meet, everything Emi believes comes undone, swept away like snow upon the winter wind. For the first time, she wants to change her fate - but how can she erase a destiny already wrought in stone? Against the power of the gods, Shiro is her only hope...and hope is all she has left. ©2016 Annette Marie (P)2017 Tantor

Review:
Emi is a special young woman. As a child she didn’t choose to be privileged but when she exhibited the mark of the goddess, she did choose to become a kamigakari. She shunned usual young girl past times and natural relationships as she was shut off from her family and trained to become the human host of a goddess. She ate a certain diet, trained her body and mind, did nothing that would endanger her life, and kept herself pure so that she would honor the destiny she was told she was chosen for. She has been moved from temple to temple to keep her safe from those who seek to kill any kamigagari before they can unite with the goddess who has been absent for a hundred years. Just weeks before Emi is to merge with the goddess, she learns a stunning secret. She doesn’t know if it is true, but it makes her question her fate for the first time.

In a moment of frustration and doubt, Emi dodges her guards for a short time alone. She impulsively decides to seek something she hasn’t been allowed – to sit on a horse. The horse bolts and runs off to the mountains, stranding Emi in the dark, dangerous forest where there are dark creatures which would seek to kill Emi and even more so if they knew who she was. She is frightened when she stumbles upon a white fox with ruby eyes. But that isn’t the creature to fear – it is the giant monster chasing the injured fox. Emi manages to save the fox and soon learns that it is Shiro, a yokai, a spirit of the earth whom she has been taught is an enemy of her goddess. Emi shouldn’t trust Shiro, but it appears that he is the only person she can turn to for help to learn the truth and maybe to escape her fate.

Emi’s character has a lot of strength and courage although she is clearly naïve due to her restrictive upbringing. I never perceived her as a snob or unkind to those around her. Sadly – she has spent her life staying aloof by the choices she made and the mentors who have trained her. I appreciated her character and her concerns about trusting a possible enemy. Shiro is a mysterious character who reminds me of Loki, a mischievous, cunning trickster. He also has a certain charm and likeability.

The story starts a little slower as the author introduces the reader to the history of the kamigakari. It is worth pushing through to get to the action, magic and the touch of romance. The story does have a YA vibe but it is interesting enough for more mature readers like me. I recommend this to fans of myths and fantasy.

Audio Notes: Emily Woo Zeller is an excellent narrator. Her character voices are distinct and fit the personalities. She also manages all of the unusual words. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story and I hope to listen to the rest of the trilogy.

There are apparently very nice illustrations in the print and kindle versions.

Source: May 2018 Audible Daily Deal for $3.95. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook, 2021Alphabet, 2021Season and 2021Color goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 5, 2021

Happy Friday!  Happy 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 29, 2021 Pick. There were no 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 was no title blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from January 29, 2021 Pick:
MIKI gets a GC
AND
LINDA 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.}

Image found at Pinterest.

New Book Groups #92 and #93 November 13, 2020.
#92 (15 books):

The Promise by TJ Bennett
A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley
Alaskan Renegade by Kate Bridges
Killing Floor by Lee Child
The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart
Heart's Desire by Ruth Ryan Hagan
Snowflakes on the Sea by Linda Lael Miller
Murder in Plain Sight by Marta Perry
One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney
The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed
No Ordinary Man by Suzanne Simmons
The Scot by Lyn Stone
The Abducted Heiress by Claire Thornton
Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs

Box #93 (14 books)

Three Complete Novels by Sandra Brown (Best Kept Secrets, Mirror Image, and Slow Heat to Heaven)
Select Editions Four Novels: Safe Harbor, The Analyst, Fallen Angel and Open Season
Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready
There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers (personally signed)
The Celtic Riddle by Lyn Hamilton
For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper
The Irish Bride by Alexa Harrington
The Best Man by Kristan Higgins
Castles in the Mist by Jose Litton
When We Met by Susan Mallery
Thief of Hearts by Teresa Medeiros
Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery
Familiar Stranger by Sharon Sala
All of Me by Lori Wilde

New Book Group #91 October 2, 2020 - Suspense themed

SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Senseless by Mary Burton
Indefensible by Pamela Callow
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder
Final Appeal by Joanne Fluke
The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman
The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman Audiobook


PICK TWO  your choice (listed below the picture) Nora Roberts:

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
A Little Magic (Sorry - I initially listed this as Dark Magic)
Valley of Silence
Inner Harbor and
Chesapeake Blue


New Book Group #90 June 19, 2020
Quite a few mysteries in this box.

SINGLES:
Siren's Song by Trish Albright (personally autographed)
Alias by Smy J. Fetzer
Angel Face by Suzanne Forster
Stalking the Puzzle Lady by Parnell Hall
Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)
The Warrior by Frances Richey (poetry  hardcover)


New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020

Singles:
My Surrender by Connie Brockway
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist
Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere

New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019

Singles:
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs


New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES


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

SINGLES:
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

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
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
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three One more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four One 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 TEN years I have posted 91 groups of 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling 1,477 books available to find new homes! (As of November 6, 2020).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,351+ 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: LOVE by Corrinne Averiss

This has a very good message that is sweetly delivered.

LOVE
by Corrinne Averiss

ASIN : B08NCN6LJD
Publisher : words & pictures; Illustrated edition (January 19, 2021)
File size : 10598 KB
Print Length : 32 pages
Children Age : 4-6 Years
Genre: Children, Educational, Emotions
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.

Funny, emotional, and uplifting picture book about separation and love, to help children understand their emotions.
Everyone loves everyone in Tess’s house, but when Tess has to leave for school for the very first time, she is worried that her family’s love might not stretch that far. Mom explains that love is like a string, it connects people together even when they are far away. At school Tess notices that all the children have strings! Some are new, some are old, some stretch a long way, and some even stretch right up into the sky. But what happens when a string breaks?
Love is the third in a trio of feel-good picture books from author Corrinne Averiss (Joy (2018), Hope (2019)) - a pure delight from start to finish. A wonderful story that subtly tackles difficult topics of death, grief, separation, and overcoming anxiety.

Review:
Tess is blessed to have a warm and lovely family consisting of mother, father, daughter and son. The time comes for Tess to go to school and she is concerned about leaving her family. Her mother explains that love is a string, connecting people even when they are far away. Tess’s teacher encourages her and reinforces the message. Tess sees other children with strings and one has a string that connects even an absent parent. But how will Tess react at the end of the day when the other children leave and her parents haven’t yet arrived?

This is a lovely picture book and an easy read for young children. The message is beautiful and perfect to share with children who will be experiencing time away from their parents whether for school or perhaps for deployment or medical reasons. The illustrations are clear and charming. I highly recommend this, and I would like to see Ms. Averiss’ previous books too.

Source: 2020 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021NetGalley and 2021Alphabet goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: Came A Horseman, A Hard Ride In A Fierce World by Paul McHugh

This mixes some philosophy with mystery and action in an interesting dystopian society.
Came A Horseman, A Hard Ride In A Fierce World
by Paul McHugh

ASIN : B08Q1VMH6G
Publisher : ElkHeart Books (December 20, 2020)
File size : 3689 KB; 261 pages
Genre: Dystopian, Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

Ten years after Earth's electronics were fried by an immense solar flare, most human technology has turned useless and civilization has begun to fail. But one thriving pocket is a valley on California's coast, where farmers in a religious cult dwell. A tribe of local hunters protect them. But this arrangement gets upended when a young refugee, Kyle Skander, wrecks his kayak there as he seeks to paddle north to Arcata. Kyle finds himself accused of murdering a young woman from the commune. To win freedom, he must find the real killer. His combative personality and a background in logic and philosophy helps Kyle make headway at this task. His investigation begins to uncover the valley's deepest secrets. Then, buried rivalries erupt into a battle that alters forever this enclave's fate.
"Came A Horseman" re-imagines the Western as a post-apocalyptic adventure, with a murder mystery at the heart of its plot.

Review:
Kyle was a professor before technology crashed and society disintegrated into groups trying to survive. Kyle left his beloved wife in Arcata to travel south to rescue her father, Roy. Roy had become Kyle’s mentor in all things philosophy from the logic thinking of Socrates to the war strategies of Sun Tzu. Kyle will use these lessons through his adventure. After reaching Roy, Kyle sets out in a kayak to return home, hoping to avoid the land-based dangers. Instead, he crashes onshore during a storm.

He finds himself on a reclusive commune with several cooperative tribes. The main community consists of farmers in a religious cult. Above their town are the horse stables with a handful of stablemen. Then moving further up the mountain there is the rough tribe of hunter warriors and tree dwellers. When Kyle stumbles into the farmer town, he becomes the prime suspect of a recent murder. After the local Sayer decides that Kyle may not be the murderer, he is given the opportunity to prove his innocence by investigating the crime.

Initially, Kyle is met with skepticism, reluctance, and resentment. But he begins to win others over as he treats them with respect while showing bravery, commitment, and effective, successful techniques. Just as Kyle is prepared to expose the true murderer, a new danger arrives on the scene in the form of a convoy of men seeking to take over the commune.

I generally prefer to be entertained in an adventure rather than having to push my mind to thinking. However, this adventure combines a variety of characters and an interesting mystery while requiring concentration to find the way through the philosophical arguments and discussions of strategy. The full package is ultimately engaging. I recommend this to fans of dystopia and mystery with the understanding that it involves philosophical arguments.

Source: 2020 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021NetGalley and 2021Alphabet goals.