Sunday Post December 5, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 6, 2021

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

What Are You Reading? is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

We had a teary-eyed goodbye with the grandchildren and returned home safely on Saturday. Hubby is recouping from a couple of nights not sleeping well. The oxygen just doesn't work as well on the road plus we were trying to stave off the little colds the 5 year old twins brought home from school last week.

♪'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas'♫.
The turkey was barely off the table before the kids were decorating the tree.

The weather even in Illinois our last two days was beautiful in the 70s. We drove through mist but no heavy rain an arrived home to 75 degrees. This week is predicted to run from low of 52 to high of 80 and that is next Saturday. I'm looking forward to wearing my seasonal tops this month.

I enjoyed my listening last week and finished three (almost four) audiobooks. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 16 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to SHAMEEKA'S FICTIONAL WORLD. Shameeka loves "reading anything fiction but my favourite genres are fantasy, horror and psychological thrillers.” She may post "inconsitently" and may "rant" in a review - her thoughts and her words.

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post November 28, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 29, 2021.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Shattered Worlds, Koban Volume 4 by Stephen W Bennett: Genre: Aliens, Colonization, Military Space Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5

• A2021- Audible Book Review: Tracking Magic: Rylee Adamson, Book 0.25 by Shannon Mayer; Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 3.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.0; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 3, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/9/2021.

• ATBR- Audio Book Review: A Nancy Drew Christmas by Carolyn Keene; Genre: Christmas, Classic, Mystery; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 5, 2021.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

A Nancy Drew Christmas
Written by Carolyn Keene
Narrated by Jorjeana Marie
Run time: 6 hours and 24 minutes
I enjoyed this light mystery.
Source: 1/20/2020 Chirp Purchase $.99.
Review linked above.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Ranch: Jack Sterlings Legacy
The Legacy Series, Book 1
By: Sean Liscom
Narrated by: Christopher Lane
Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
Release date: 01-09-20
I liked this post-apocalyptic and will pick up more in the series.
12/17/2020 Audible $5.00 Sale.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Mistletoe Miracles
Written By: Jodi Thomas
Narrated By: Julia Gibson
This is a delightful listen sharing three romance stories.
Duration: 9 hours 52 minutes
Source: December 2020 - Two for one credit at Audiobooks.com.
Summary:
A small-town Texas Christmas story, where hearts are lost, love is found, and family always brings you back home. Griffin Holloway is desperate: the Maverick Ranch has been in his family for generations, but lately, it's a money pit. He'd sooner marry one of his horses than sell the ranch. Marriage, though, could be a solution. If he can woo a wealthy bride, he might save the ranch-just in time for Christmas. Jaxon O'Grady likes his solitude just fine, thank you very much. But when a car accident brings the unexpected to his door, he realizes just how much one person can need another. Crossroads is the perfect place for Jamie Johnson: avoiding nosy questions about why she's single, she's happy to keep to her lakeside home. So she's baffled when she gets the strangest Christmas present of all, in the form of a Mr. Johnson, asleep on her sofa. Who is he, and why does everyone think he's her husband? In this uplifting novel, three unlikely couples discover just what Crossroads, Texas, can offer: romance, belonging, and plenty of Christmas spirit.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (A2021)

Deathbeast
By: David Gerrold
Narrated by: Andy Caploe
Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
The cover pulled me in. This story is a little tough. I have 3 hours left
Source: November 2021 Audible Plus Catolog - in library only until 12/30.
Publisher's Summary
Timebeam to danger
Six hunters and two official guides are going on the trip of their lifetime.Their destination? Earth as it was 100 million years ago, long before human dominion, when the great hot-blooded dinosaurs ruled supreme.
Each of the time travelers has a different motive. Some are on the strange safari for pay. Others are taking a psychological and sexual holiday from civilization. There are women who wanted to show themselves the equal of men - and men out to test and prove their manhood.
But whatever their drives and desires, their strengths and weaknesses, the ultimate horror awaits them...deathbeast.
©1978, 1999, 2014 David Gerrold (P)2014 Audible Inc.

2. Audible/Smartphone (A2021)

The Brass Queen
By: Elizabeth Chatsworth
Narrated by: Michelle Babb
Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
This sounds like it will be a fun read/listen.
My thanks to Michelle Babb for the Audible code to allow me to listen and review.
Source: 11/28/21 Audible Code from narrator.
Publisher's Summary
She knows a liar when she sees one. He knows a fraud when he meets one. In a steam-powered world, Miss Constance Haltwhistle is the last in a line of blue-blooded rogues. Selling firearms under her alias, the “Brass Queen”, she has kept her baronial estate’s coffers full. But when US spy J.F. Trusdale saves her from assassins, she’s pulled into a search for a scientist with an invisibility serum. As royal foes create an invisible army to start a global war, Constance and Trusdale must learn to trust each other. If they don’t, the world as they know it will disappear before their eyes.
If you like the Parasol Protectorate or Invisible Library series, you’ll love this gaslamp fantasy - a rambunctious romantic romp that will have you both laughing out loud and wishing you owned all of Miss Haltwhistle's armaments.
©2021 Elizabeth Chatsworth (P)2021 CamCat Publishing

3. ebook/Kindle App on Phone (ebTBR)

A Place Called Armageddon: Constantinople 1453
by C.C. Humphreys
I still like this and just wish that my kindle reading time was more stable. I am 30% in now.
Source: 2012 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

With only a few weeks left in the year, I will be pulling in a few Christmas books and trying to decide what else.

December 5, 2021 - I am on track, enjoying Daniel, 1 John, Psalms and Proverbs. I love seeing new things each time I read the Bible. I am glad to still be current with morning reading. I am reading/listening to the NLT Tyndale version of the Bible on You Version App so Hubby and I are reading the same passages each day.
No Study last week but I will be picking one for the You Version 2021 Christmas Challenge.

I completed three books for reviews to post this week.
My NetGalley shelf now has 2 old ebooks titles and one new audio.
I still have two author titles remaining in queue. I'm still working on reading these - looks like they will go into 2022.
(Plus a few that I received from facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received one audio review title this week.
I picked up one Audible Daily Deal.
I tried to resist but purchased three Audible titles at $5.00 sale.
I found three audio titles for small price at Chirp this week.
I picked up one Kindle title  - the November free First Read through Amazon Prime.
(Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

12/2/2021 Narrator Audible Code:

The Brass Queen
By: Elizabeth Chatsworth
Narrated by: Michelle Babb
Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
Release date: 12-01-21
See more information above under Currently Reading.

Won

NONE

Purchased

11/29/2021 Audible Daily Deal $1.95

How to Be Human
An Autistic Man’s Guide to Life
By: Jory Fleming, Lyric Winik
Narrated by: Jory Fleming, Lyric Winik
Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins
Release date: 04-20-21


11/30/2021 Audible Book Sale $5.00 each (I picked titles that were under $18.00 that I would not normally use a credit for):

Every Day in December
By: Kitty Wilson
Narrated by: Katy Sobey, Joe Jameson
Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Mountain Survival
K-9 Search and Rescue
By: Christy Barritt
Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski
Length: 5 hrs and 23 mins

The Great Filter: A Post-Apocalyptic Gamelit Novel
Great Filter Series, Book 1
By: Russell Wilbinski
Narrated by: Neil Hellegers
Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins



12/4/2021 Three more audiobooks at Chirp for $5.97

Prodigal
by Judy K. Walker
Read by Alex Knox
Run Time 9h 46min
$11.50 $1.99

Evensong
by Krista Walsh
Read by Gary Tiedemann
Run Time 10h 32min
$18.99 $2.99

Christmas In Evergreen
by Nancy Naigle
Read by Kathleen McInerney
Run Time 6h 34min
$24.99 $0.99

Free

I picked this title from Kindle Prime November 2021 First Read titles:
At First Light (Dr. Evan Wilding Book 1)
Barbara Nickless

Other Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 5, 2021

We arrived home safely late Saturday afternoon, but hubby is fighting a bit of a cold now. He had two bad nights of sleep and won’t sleep in the car while I am driving. (I haven’t had a ticket since 1978 and have never caused an accident, but I don’t drive just as he would like so he is a side passenger driver.) We attended our church services online this morning. (Illinois and local church for him and local for me.)

Our church hosted a husband and wife team ministry to homeless in New Orleans. Their ministry is in an old bar on Bourbon Street. They are meeting a physical need and, more importantly, a spiritual need. They are sharing the testimony of Jesus of reconciliation, redemption, and revival. There are those seeking, needing to hear the mercy of God, and the love and gift of Jesus. The ministers are discipling them into the family of Christ as sons and daughters; explaining that people are grafted into the family of Christ by faith.

We are ambassadors of Christ. Ephesians 6:19-20. We must be ready and responsive to the voice of the Holy Spirit to reach those who are lost, the unchurched and dechurched. An ambassador takes residence in another land and shares the message of their nation to other nations. We share the message of the Kingdom, the message of reconciliation to God! Ministry often happens when we are on the way to somewhere else, like Jesus being tired but stopping to share with a Samaritan woman. John 4:5-10.

Ambassadors have a unique position. The enemy has no authority over Christ’s ambassadors. They are under the laws of God, not under the cover of darkness. When we resist the enemy, he will not just leave us alone, but he will flee. The enemy trembles and runs from those who know who they are as sons and daughters of God. Be fearless and empowered to take the message to the people. Be sensitive to the Spirit to speak when He urges you to reach the one that God is reaching out to. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’” Luke 15:4-6.

We sang this song in worship this morning and it fits the message: Reckless Love.

Verses for today:
Ephesians 6:19-20 NIV
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Lord, I pray that you make me a better ambassador, particularly more sensitive to speak when the Holy Spirit urges me.

Audio Book Review: A Nancy Drew Christmas by Carolyn Keene

I enjoyed this light mystery which reminded me how I enjoyed other teen detective stories as a child.

A Nancy Drew Christmas
Written by Carolyn Keene

Narrated by Jorjeana Marie

Series: Nancy Drew Diaries, Book 18
Run time: 6 hours and 24 minutes
Release date: 02-11-19
Publisher: Oasis Audio
Genre: Christmas, Classic, Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher Description
Nancy finds herself a Christmas mystery in this super special eighteenth book of the Nancy Drew Diaries series, a fresh approach to the classic mystery series.
Nancy Drew’s dad surprises her with a trip to a beautiful New England ski resort for Christmas break. Nancy is so excited. What could be better than a whole week of skiing and five-star dining?
But no vacation can go smoothly when Nancy is involved. On her very first run down the slopes, Nancy hits a bad patch of ice and takes a serious tumble. A doctor sends her back to the hotel in a cast and mandates twelve days of bed rest. That means no long car trips back to River Heights and twelve days of sitting around. Luckily, there’s still the five-star dining and beautiful views.
Just hours into her convalescence, Nancy witnesses something very suspicious through another hotel room window. And when she presses the concierge she learns there have been mysterious break-ins throughout the hotel. It’s clear someone has been going into guest’s rooms but, as far as anyone can tell, nothing has been taken. Nancy can’t resist-she has to investigate. Only trouble is, she’s still bed bound.
Taking some cues from Home Alone’s Kevin McCallister, Nancy devises some clever schemes to get her investigating done from her bed. But for all her plans, Nancy still can’t find the source of the break-ins. Or the purpose. What’s worse the mood of the hotel has turned decidedly un-merry. People are leaving in droves and the jolly hotel owner is worried about the hotel’s success.
With all the odds stacked against her, can Nancy solve this crime in time to save Christmas? Or is this one Yuletide she’ll wish to forget?

Review:
Nancy Drew is excited to enjoy a ski resort vacation with her father. She arrives early and skis right into trouble, hitting an unmarked ice patch when she agrees to fill in to ski an easy slope for a missing staff member who doesn’t show up. The doctor puts a full leg cast on Nancy and tells her to stay in her room for the next twelve days. Nancy isn’t one to sit quietly and she soon spies suspicious activity from her window.

Nancy learns there have been break-ins in guest rooms and then the first dinner of the season is nearly ruined. Nancy is aware there is tension regarding the ski resort and a pipeline that wants to go across land owned by the resort owners. She goes to one owner to try to help solve some of the problems and gets limited support. She also discovers two boys snooping around the other owner. She soon learns that the boys are Frank and Joe Hardy. She knows things aren’t right when the local sheriff shrugs off handling complaints against an employee and instead arrests Frank Hardy.

Even when the owner tells Nancy that her job is done, she presses on with the help of Joe. Nancy experiences another incident in the snow paths which is clearly an attack and not an ‘accident’. She and Joe find clues and hidden passageways before coming face to face with threats of death. Can Nancy and the Hardy boys solve the crimes before the resort is closed for good?

This was an easy, light listen. I liked the multiple crimes and clues as well as Nancy’s determination to solve the cases. I read the Hardy Boy stories rather than Nancy Drew as a young girl apparently because the Nancy Drew books didn’t get published popularly until I was already in college. I was delighted when Frank and Joe showed up as characters in this book. The plots involving these teen detectives are engaging, with twists and danger. I was a little surprised about the current day environmental issues, considering these were written years ago. H however, I liked the light pacing and clean nature of the story. I plan to listen to more in the series when I want a light read. I recommend this story as a very nice holiday read for young and older mystery fans.

Audio Notes: Jorjeana Marie does a fine job with the narration. Her voice fits the main character and she makes the listening easy to enjoy.

Source: 1/20/2020 Chirp Purchase $.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook, and 2021AudioAlphabit goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 3, 2021

Happy Friday! Oh my goodness - it is December!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.

This concludes another November anniversary month of Friday Pick celebrations. Next week I go back to selecting two random winners. I hope to begin doing GCs and book mailings in the next week for holiday deliveries!

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 26, 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 were no titles blocked last week.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from November 26, 2021 Pick:
NIGHT1836 gets The Sinister Pig Audiobook
AND
ASHFA gets a GC
NATALIJA gets a GC
AND
CHRISTY gets the Lisa Kleypas Pair

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 am very ready for Seasons Greetings and ... more books!
Image found at Pinterest posted by School Library Displays.

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 TWELVE years I have posted 91 groups of mostly 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling approximately 1,535 books available to find new homes! (As of November 26, 2021).

I am happy to say that so far at least 1,384 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: Tracking Magic: Rylee Adamson, Book 0.25 by Shannon Mayer

This is a quick prequel to help me decide on the series. The use of foul language overshadowed the story line for me.
Tracking Magic: Rylee Adamson, Book 0.25
By: Shannon Mayer
Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

Length: 1 hr and 4 mins
Release date: 01-19-21
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 3.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
My name is Rylee, and I am a Tracker.
When children go missing, and the Humans have no leads, I'm the one they call. I am their last hope in bringing home the lost ones. I salvage what they cannot. A missing girl and a deadly item belonging to a power-mad demon need to be found before the killing begins.
The problem? This is my first salvage. And I have no idea what I'm doing. These were the moments that began to define me, my skills, and my drive to face down the darkest side of the supernatural in order to bring children home. This is where my journey began....
Tracking Magic is a prequel to the Rylee Adamson series.
©2015 Shannon Mayer (P)2021 Podium Audio

Review:
Rylee is a 17 year-old was put out by her parents who blame her for losing her little sister, Burget. Rylee is living with her mentor, Giselle, a witch who is trying to train Rylee until they can determine what her skill is. A man breaks into their house seeking a special stone that Riley doesn’t have. An FBI agent arrives determined to prove that Riley killed Burget. Rylee believes she can find her sister and senses she is out in the community. When Riley and Giselle go looking, they come across a young witch, Millie, who is wearing the magical stone. Millie is enslaved by a demon who first threatens to kill Rylee and Giselle but then changes his punishment.

I understand this prequel was written after several of the main books were released. I have not read any of the other stories, so all characters are new to me. So, we meet some primary characters, but it seemed disjointed to me and did not help me to understand what is anticipated. Perhaps it is not a good place to start the series after all. I like the premise of the tracking skills but my interest in learning more about the characters was diminished by the foul language, particularly the “F” word, that was used too much, IMO, especially since the series appears to target a younger audience. At some point I may try book 1, but if this is a taste of the series, I am not going to be rushing to read more.

Audio Notes: Lauren Fortgang does a fine job with the narration. She provides appropriate voices and energy. Unfortunately, the good narration did not help my feelings towards the book.

Source: 7/19/2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021Audiobook goal.