Sharing Beyond Books #434 Comment Giveaway November 13, 2021

Hello again, Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books.
I'll wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving (late for some countries and early for others) now since the next post will be after US Thanksgiving.

Thanks to everyone who commented on the last question.
Last post SBB#433 Miki asked: Did book prices go up since covid in your area or has the covid trouble affected books in another way (delay, number available etc)??
Seven commentors saw no change, two did experience increased prices, and two experienced shipping delays. Plus, Sue F's book club ended (as did mine) as members were not comfortable with Zoom.

For US participants: I need to update and refill the books available to US winners. I have used "Love" and "Christmas" titles as well as ARC titles. Since the supply is lower, I have author collections I could choose from, mostly romance - historical, suspense and some contemporary. What genres/books/authors would you like me to include?

The Winner from SBB#433 comments is #2 LINDA 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. -- [9-18-2021 I have added a new box and crossed off books no longer available through August 2021.]

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

WEEK #434

(One Question.)

Natalija asks: Do you read while you are on vacation? If yes, do you choose specific books??

Yes, I always read...no change on vacation. Since I often vacation visiting grandchildren, I tend to get to read children's book those days. During other vacations, like cruising or motor coach trips, I just read and listen like normal.

Image found at Bookshop Santa Cruz.

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. Natalija asks: Do you read while you are on vacation? If yes, do you choose specific books??

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, November 27, 2021, at 5 PM central.

Audio Book Review: A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman

I totally enjoyed this Historical mystery.
A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder
Written by Dianne Freeman
Narrated by Sarah Zimmerman

Run Time: 8h5m
Featured in: Agatha Award Winner
Release Date: June 26, 2018
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Genre: Cozy, Historical, Mystery, Woman Sleuth
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher Description
Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of Harleigh, enjoys more freedom as a widow than she did as a wife. After an obligatory year spent mourning her philandering husband, Reggie, she puts aside her drab black gowns, leaving the countryside and her money-grubbing in-laws behind. With her young daughter in tow, Frances rents a home in Belgravia and prepares to welcome her sister, Lily, arriving from New York—for her first London season.
No sooner has Frances begun her new life than the ghosts of her old one make an unwelcome appearance. The Metropolitan police receive an anonymous letter implicating Frances in her husband’s death. Frances assures Inspector Delaney of her innocence, but she’s also keen to keep him from learning the scandalous circumstances of Reggie’s demise. As fate would have it, her dashing new neighbor, George Hazelton, is one of only two other people aware of the full story.
While busy with social engagements on Lily’s behalf, and worrying if Reggie really was murdered, Frances learns of mysterious burglaries plaguing London’s elite. The investigation brings death to her doorstep, and Frances rallies her wits, a circle of gossips, and the ever-chivalrous Mr. Hazelton to uncover the truth.

Review:
Frances Wynn is a young widow at the turn of the century, 1899. Frances is an American heiress who married into nobility to become Countess of Harleigh. The marriage didn’t turn out as pleasant as she would like so she is glad to be finishing her period of mourning for her wastrel and unfaithful husband, Reggie. She is also ready to leave the Harleigh Estate and her greedy, mooching brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Frances takes her young daughter and moves into a home in the nice Belgravia neighborhood of London. Her first surprise is to discover that George Hazelton is her next-door neighbor. George is a very nice man, but he is one of two people who knows the true and embarrassing circumstances regarding Reggie’s death by heart attack.

Frances doesn’t want to seek help from George again, but he is ready and willing to help protect her when the police receive an anonymous letter implying that Frances poisoned her husband. Frances is also coping with a lawsuit by her brother-in-law trying to get control of her funds. The arrival of her younger sister, Lily, for her first season in London might be a problem except she comes baring funds that will help Frances in the interim. Frances’ aunt is helpful as Lily’s chaperone and a wise guide to Frances.

While trying to protect Lily from unsuitable suitors, Frances becomes involved in the activities of a thief who is taking valuables during the society events. Suddenly Frances, with the help of George, is trying to solve the possible murder of her husband, protect Lily, and uncover a thief.

I really enjoyed the characters, the mysteries, and the turn of the century setting of this story. Frances is a good mix of decorum with the addition of American independence. Most Victorian historicals are before vehicles and telephones so it was interesting to have these elements included in the story. There is attraction between Lily and George but not yet romance. I will definitely be picking up book 2 of the series. I recommend this to readers who enjoy clean, historical cozy mysteries.

Audio Notes: Sarah Zimmerman does a beautiful job with the narration. I liked the voices and the pacing – all good. I will enjoy listening to more by this narrator.

Source: 9/27/19 Chirp $1.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 12, 2021

Happy Friday! Happy November!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.

I started to pull a new book box together and will try to get the pic and list up on Saturday 11/6/21.
This week I start the 12th anniversary month of Friday Pick so starting with this week's entries, I will pick four winners instead of two provided there are at least 10 entries.

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 November 5, 2021 Pick. There was no automatic win last 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 November 5, 2021 Pick:
CHRISTY gets Named of the Dragon
AND
LINDA gets a GC
LIFE'S SIMPLE PLEASURE gets a GC
AND
BN100 gets Bound by Destiny

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 still give thanks for Books!
Image found at Redbubble.com.

New Book Box #95 November 7, 2021

I'll add the titles through the week (16 including 2 doubles, 1 pair).
(on top) (Two) Rancher's Wild Secret and Hold Me Cowboy by Maisey Yates
(on top) Shadowlight by Lynn Viehl
(Two) The Taming & The Conquest by Jude Deveraux
(Pair) Dreaming of You and Promises of Dreams by Lisa Kleypas
My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth
Love's Surprise by Karen Ball
Manhunt by Wayne Barton and Stan Williams - Audio CDs
What We Find by Robyn Carr
Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
The Hollows by Ben Larken
Robbie Taggart: Highland Sailor by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella
Storm Sisters: Friends Through All Seasons by Afton Rovrik (Hardback)
After the Light by Kimberly Clark Sharp (Hardback)


New Book Box #94 May 28, 2021 (10 books)

Three Audio CD Books:

Web of Evil by J.A. Jance
One Good Deed by David Baldacci
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
SINGLE TITLES
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale
A Summer of Firsts by Susan Wiggs and Sarah Morgan
Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane
Christmas on 4th Street: An Anthology by Susan Mallery
The Stranger by Harlan Coben
Vortex by Robert Charles Wilson

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

A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley
The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart
Heart's Desire by Ruth Ryan Hagan
The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed
Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs

Box #93 (14 books)

Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready
There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers (personally signed)
For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper
The Irish Bride by Alexa Harrington
When We Met by Susan Mallery
Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery
All of Me by Lori Wilde

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

SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder
The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman Audiobook

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

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
Valley of Silence
Inner Harbor and
Chesapeake Blue


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

SINGLES:
Alias by Smy J. Fetzer
Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)

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.)
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 ELEVEN 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 1,378 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, TWRP, 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!

Audible Book Review: Monster, She Wrote: The Women Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction by Lisa Kröger, Melanie R. Anderson

This is packed with recommended reading!

Monster, She Wrote: The Women Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction
By: Lisa Kröger, Melanie R. Anderson
Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins
Release date: 09-17-19
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Celebrities, Entertainment, Literature History, Nonfiction, Women
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Satisfy your craving for extraordinary authors and exceptional fiction: Meet the women writers who defied convention to craft some of literature’s strangest tales, from Frankenstein to The Haunting of Hill House and beyond.
Frankenstein was just the beginning: horror stories and other weird fiction wouldn’t exist without the women who created it. From Gothic ghost stories to psychological horror to science fiction, women have been primary architects of speculative literature of all sorts. And their own life stories are as intriguing as their fiction. Everyone knows about Mary Shelley, creator of Frankenstein, who was rumored to keep her late husband’s heart in her desk drawer. But have you heard of Margaret “Mad Madge” Cavendish, who wrote a science-fiction epic 150 years earlier (and liked to wear topless gowns to the theater)? If you know the astounding work of Shirley Jackson, whose novel The Haunting of Hill House was reinvented as a Netflix series, then try the psychological hauntings of Violet Paget, who was openly involved in long-term romantic relationships with women in the Victorian era. You’ll meet celebrated icons (Ann Radcliffe, V. C. Andrews), forgotten wordsmiths (Eli Coltor, Ruby Jean Jensen), and today’s vanguard (Helen Oyeyemi). Curated reading lists point you to their most spine-chilling tales.
Part biography, part reader’s guide, the engaging write-ups and detailed reading lists will introduce you to more than a hundred authors and over two hundred of their mysterious and spooky novels, novellas, and stories.
©2019 Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
This is a fascinating and extremely informative work. I enjoyed the format used. The authors define a subgenre giving the history of its development, and its main characteristics and elements that help the reader identify the subgenre. The authors then highlight the female authors who contributed to those subgenres. When appropriate the authors mention peer males in the subgenres. Individual authors are then highlighted with a bit of history of their lives and how or why they started writing in the genre. Then there are recommendations of the best of the specific works by that author with the addition of similar works in the same subgenre by other female authors. There are also selected quotes shared which add interest. The subgenres include the classic gothic, terror, guts and gore, occult, haunting houses, new goths, and speculative fiction (modern vampires, apocalyptic, eotwawki).

I thought that I was aware of the female authors of horror, but I had only a small list. Even then, there are many I haven’t read. The big thing I missed with the audiobook is a pdf with lists, which are sometimes provided with audiobooks. Although it was easier to listen, I wasn’t in a situation where I could take notes. It might be appropriate to get the hardback as a table reference book or the kindle version as a searchable book. I recommend this to readers who want to find book choices in any horror genre.

Audio Notes: Erin Bennett does a nice job of narration. There could have been some clearer pauses particularly when quotes are given but now that I look at the Kindle sample, I see that they are boxed items so it may have created a bit of a challenge to read those smoothly in the text. The audio is fine but to reference you have to go back to the audiobook.

Source: September 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Alexander X Battle for Forever, Book 1 by Edward Savio

This is an exciting and historically informative story.
Alexander X
Battle for Forever, Book 1
By: Edward Savio
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton

Series: Battle for Forever, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
Release date: 06-05-19
Publisher: Babelfish Press
Genre: Adventure, Humor, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Alexander Grant is a little too good at a few too many things. Two dozen martial arts. Twice that many languages. Chess, the piano, sports, forging excused absences, you name it. He graduated high school top of his class...seventeen times. Of course, no one knows any of this. Not that he wants to go unnoticed. It’s just safer that way. So for the last several decades, Alexander has been forced to move from town to small town to even smaller town - he just bought his 651st house - in an effort to live a painfully quiet life. But when a mysterious cabal attempts to kidnap him and kill his friends, Alexander must use all his skills and centuries of training to outwit the most dangerous man alive, the mastermind of a plot that would change the world forever.
Clever, intriguing, skillfully woven with humor, Alexander X launches us on an epic journey toward a future few of us will survive, rising from a past we never knew existed.
©2019 Edward Savio (P)2019 Babelfish Audio

Review:
Alexander Grant is not your typical teenager. He inherited a rare gene that slows his aging significantly. He is centuries old and has attended high school seventeen times. He must move from town to town and hide his knowledge and skills to try to live a semi-normal life. Before the days of computers, internet and social media, his task of remaining unnoticed was much easier. In the current years, he and others like him, are facing the danger of discovery of their secret.

Alexander, the teen boy, is having to deal with a school bully who gets in his face and pushes his nerdy friend, Daniel. Of course, there is a pretty girl, Phoebe, in the mix but Alex knows better than to risk getting too involved. Unfortunately, Daniel and Phoebe are nearby when Alexander finds himself under attack by skilled men, apparently with his same rare gene. The men don’t want to kill him but want to capture him, but they have no reason to save any of Alexander’s friends who get in their way.

Alexander stops to grab some supplies so he can get out of town and to a safe house. Alex is confronted by a powerful man and he and his friends barely escape. Now they are on the run and struggling to stay one step ahead of the kidnappers/killers. Finally, Alex and his friends are trapped, and Alex again faces the man who is trying to capture him. Alex learns the man has destructive plans for society and Alex’s father is standing in the way. Will Alex be able to save his friends and find his father to stop the madman?

I liked Alexander’s character with his skills and wisdom based on years of training and living. I found the premise of the book inventive, and I loved the glimpses of historical events described from Alexander’s perspective. I thought this is pretty unique, although the teen element reminded me of The Lorien Series (I Am Number Four), without the aliens and superpowers. I liked the action, which, if not gripping, is entertaining. I will be getting book two to find out how Alexander gets to his father.

Audio Notes: Wil Wheaton is a wonderful narrator and makes Alexander come alive. He conveys the frustrations, self-deprecation, doubts and strengths. Wheaton also provides distinct voices for the characters. The narration helped make this more entertaining for me.

Source: 12/17/2020 Audible Sale – $5.00. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and 2021Alphabet, Audio goals.