Sunday Post February 27, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 28, 2022

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.

Work continues to move along. I got one case completed with opposing counsel withdrawing a motion which will now allow judgment to be entered in favor of my client. I also filed a new quiet title suit - these are generally uncontested.

I continue to play Wordle, Dordle, and Quordle, plus some puzzle challenges I found.

Hubby continues to improve although still struggling to get a good night's sleep. He did go to Sunday School this morning but didn't last the second hour for church.

No new picture today but this one popped up on my memory page:
February 2011 our little Bear was a new puppy.
If he is 11, that means Princes is 13+, bless her heart.

I'm praying for the people and situation in Ukraine and world leaders
.

We had several days hit the 80s this week so it sure looks like the worst of the cold weather is behind us. I hope those in the path of the ice and snow storm are getting warmer.

My listening was good last week but Kindle reading remains a struggle.  I only finished three audiobooks, posted two reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 17 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to A LITTLE READING. I think Joy and I have a lot in common based on her "about" page. :-)

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 February 20, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 21, 2022.

• ATBR: Audible Book Report: Just Before Sunrise by Carla Neggers; Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 25, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/3/2022.

• NG2022: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Mickey7 by Edward Ashton; Genre: AAdventure, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Space; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 27, 2022.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio/NetGalley App Smartphone (A2022)

Mickey7
by Edward Ashton
John Pirhalla (Narrator)
Katharine Chin (Narrator)
Listening Length: 9 hours and 16 minutes
This isn't quite as engaging as I would have liked.
My Review is linked above.
Source: 2022 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Dismantling America
By: Thomas Sowell
Narrated by: Robertson Dean
Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
I enjoyed listening to these clear, and disturbing, essays of this economics and social scholar.
Source: June 2021 Free from Audible Plus Catalog.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Eternal Frontier
By: Anthony J. Melchiorri
Narrated by: Bradford Hastings
Series: Eternal Frontier, Book 1
I picked this up as an "E" title in series.
It is full of action and one miraculous fight
and escape after another.
Source: January 2021 Free Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
Humanity has avoided interstellar war for centuries.
It was a time of peace, prosperity, and exploration. But when an unexpected attack cripples a scientific vessel, the SRES Argo, it appears that time has come to an end.
Chief Medical Officer Tag Brewer is the ship's only survivor. He is alone in the far reaches of space. To survive, he must restore and protect the downed vessel from its unknown attackers on a planet as deadly as it is mysterious. He vows to do everything in his power to seek justice for his fallen crew.
When Tag uncovers a sinister secret about those who attacked the Argo, he realizes far more is at stake than just his survival. Something more powerful, more technologically advanced, and more ruthless has emerged from the darkest voids of the galaxy. It's up to Tag to survive long enough to warn humanity and stop the dawn of a new war.
©2017 Anthony J. Melchiorri (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle App on Smartphone (Author2021)

The Fair (Time Box #2)
by John A. Heldt
Again I made little progress on this.
I do like the characters and suspense.
Source: June 20, 2021 received from the author.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/NetGalley App Smartphone (A2022)

Citizen K-9: A K Team Novel
David Rosenfelt
Narrator: Fred Berman
Listening Length: 5 hours and 53 minutes
I enjoy this author and the characters in this series.
Source: 2022 NetGalley.
In Citizen K-9, best-selling author David Rosenfelt masterfully blends mystery with dogs and humor to create an investigative team that listeners will be rooting for book after book.
The Paterson Police Department has created a cold case division, and they want to hire the private investigators known as the K Team to look into the crimes. After all, Corey Douglas and his K-9 partner, German shepherd Simon Garfunkel, recently retired from the force. Plus, another K Team member, Laurie Collins, used to be a cop as well.
Their first cold case hits home for the K Team. A decade ago, at Laurie's 10th high school reunion, two of their friends simply…vanished. At the time Laurie had just left the force, and Corey was in a different department, so they had no choice but to watch from the sidelines. With no leads, the case went cold.
As the team starts to delve deeper into the events leading up to that night - reopening old wounds along the way - the pieces start to come together. But someone wants to stop them from uncovering the truth behind the disappearance, by any means necessary.
©2022 David Rosenfelt (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

This audio is short so I will most likely get to another one. Probably a "G" title next.

February 27, 2022 - These videos are really good! Bible Reading Plan: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. I know it won't match my Hubby's reading but I wanted some different insights/devotions and I am enjoying the devotion video project. I am enjoying keeping up with my reading each day.
I really enjoyed the 21 day study "21 Days to Finding Eternal Purpose in Your Daily Work". No new study yet.

I completed three books and have two left for review this week.
My NetGalley shelf is back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I now have one author titles remaining in queue as I am reading one.
(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.

No new review books.
One free book at Audible.
I resisted any other books this week.

Three free Kindle books.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

I found this free at Audible

Hidden Falls: Ordinary Secrets
Episode 1
By: Olivia Newport
Narrated by: Rebecca Gallagher
Length: 1 hr and 44 mins


Three books free from Kindle - two through Facebook and the middle through email:

Determined: Paranormal Romance (Ghost Cat Canyon)
Delta James

Out of Time: An Apocalyptic Survival Thriller (180 Days and Counting. Series Book 1)
B.R. Paulson

Finding Faith (The Finding Home Series Book 1)
B. E. Baker




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

Sunday Words of Encouragement February 27, 2022

Hubby made it to Sunday School with me today. We enjoyed the continuing study in Revelation then came home as he was out of oxygen and his second battery pack isn’t working. Unfortunately, it appears that church wasn’t able to share the service video today.

A few weeks ago, our substitute Sunday School teacher shared a message on God’s plans and whether we cooperate with them.

Genesis tells the story of how God created man in his image. He walked with Adam and Eve in the garden until they disobeyed and were shut out of the garden. Ten generations later the world was full of sin and God brought destruction through the flood during the life of Noah. Another 10 generations passed, and the people were still being disobedient. But God made a covenant with Abraham to make his descendants into a great nation – to make Israel his chosen people. Genesis 12.

Abraham was the father of Isaac and Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was father to twelve sons who became the twelve tribes of Israel. During the years of Jacob, a fierce famine struck all the surrounding lands. How did God keep the Israelite family alive?

When the sons were younger, Joseph, had dreams that angered his brothers. The brothers resented Joseph as he was their father’s favored son, given a coat of many colors. Genesis 33. The coat represented the family birthright although Joseph was not Jacob’s first-born son. He was the first-born of Rachel, Jacob’s chosen wife. The brothers first plotted to kill Joseph but then, on the suggestion of Judah, sold Joseph to a passing caravan who then sold him into slavery to Potiphar, one of the Pharaoh's officials in Egypt. Genesis 37. Joseph became a favorite and loyal servant of Potiphar but ended up in jail after being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. Later, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams about the coming famine. Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the grain and food supply. Genesis 41:41.

A few years later Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy food. They did not recognize Joseph, but he recognized them. We see in this story that the brothers had a change of heart as Judah offered to remain a slave to protect Joseph’s younger brother, Benjamin. Genesis 44.

After revealing himself, Joseph and Pharaoh, told the brothers to bring their father and family to Egypt so they would survive the famine. Joseph recognized that ‘what man meant for harm, God used for good.’ Genesis 50:19-21. Joseph was diligent and trusted God even while in prison. He sought God and was obedient to allow God to use him.

God wanted to grow Israel as a nation. He knew they would face enemies, so God placed them in a land where they were safe under the strongest ruler. Of course, two hundred years later, God had to arrange for them to leave Egypt and move on to the promised land.

From Genesis to Revelation, God directs events to restore the authority that man lost in the garden. 

God chooses imperfect people to complete His plan.
God gives us the ability to choose to be used by Him.
God looks at the heart. The order of birth doesn't determine destiny. A double portion of blessing was given to Joseph's sons.

God used the humble servant, the one willing to be used.

God seeks to strengthen the hearts of those who are committed to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9. A committed relationship with God and Jesus allows us to sing joyously of victory even in times of trouble.

God tarries in punishing man as he continues to seek to save each one. We must ask ourselves:
Are we going to cooperate with God and become obedient to His Will?

There is wickedness in the world. Lawlessness seems to be rising around us. But God directs us to “stand firm”, trusting in His Word. James 5:7-9. Christ is our deliverer and will one day take back the authority of power on Earth. That is the message in Revelation that we are studying.

I found this song video for today: Stand in Faith.

Verses for Today:
Genesis 50:19-21
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Mickey7 by Edward Ashton

Entertaining but not gripping.

Mickey7
by Edward Ashton
John Pirhalla (Narrator)
Katharine Chin (Narrator)

Listening Length: 9 hours and 16 minutes
Audible.com Release Date: February 15, 2022
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Adventure, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Space
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

Mickey7, an "expendable," refuses to let his replacement clone Mickey8 take his place.
Dying isn’t any fun…but at least it’s a living.
Mickey7 is an Expendable: a disposable employee on a human expedition sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim. Whenever there’s a mission that’s too dangerous—even suicidal—the crew turns to Mickey. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. After six deaths, Mickey7 understands the terms of his deal…and why it was the only colonial position unfilled when he took it.
On a fairly routine scouting mission, Mickey7 goes missing and is presumed dead. By the time he returns to the colony base, surprisingly helped back by native life, Mickey7’s fate has been sealed. There’s a new clone, Mickey8, reporting for Expendable duties. The idea of duplicate Expendables is universally loathed, and if caught, they will likely be thrown into the recycler for protein.
Mickey7 must keep his double a secret from the rest of the colony. Meanwhile, life on Niflheim is getting worse. The atmosphere is unsuitable for humans, food is in short supply, and terraforming is going poorly. The native species are growing curious about their new neighbors, and that curiosity has Commander Marshall very afraid. Ultimately, the survival of both lifeforms will come down to Mickey7.
That is, if he can just keep from dying for good.

Review:
Mickey7 is an “Expendable”. After bad gambling put him into debt to a loan shark, Mickey wanted to get off planet quickly. His friend Berto is going on a colonization expedition and Mickey, having no special skills to offer a space mission, volunteers to take the only open spot– the job of an “Expendable”. That means he gets all the dangerous jobs that are likely to get him killed. The twist is that his memory is “backed-up” and he is brought back as a clone. Mickey figures he can “live with” this arrangement.

When Mickey meets the commander on the mission he learns that not everyone agrees with cloning, and the captain is a strong opponent. Other members of the expedition don’t like the idea much either, especially if they think the Expendable is likely to duck hard work if he can.

The expedition is exploring an ice world, Niflheim, where they have discovered large, vicious snow ‘worms’ they name Creepers. The ship already suffered damage on the journey and Mickey is now Mickey7. On a fairly routine scouting mission, Mickey7 falls through a deep ice crevice. He calls for his friend to rescue him, but Berto says it is too dangerous and he can just come back as Mickey8. Mickey7’s girlfriend is prepared to come get him, but Mickey7 doesn’t want to put her at risk. Expecting to die, Mickey7 is surprised when he gets help getting back to base. Mickey7 slips into his room only to find Mickey8 in his, now their, small bed.

If it is discovered that there are two clones out at one time, the captain will surely kill them both. The pair must juggle their existence, sharing half-rations, rotating jobs, room time, and trying to avoid contact that would reveal their deception. Of course, it isn’t long before the juggling causes trouble. But there is more than just that. It appears that Mickey7’s exposure on the way back to base has had some strange effect on his neuron system. This causes problems at first but soon turns into a saving grace for Mickey7.

I found the story idea intriguing and wanted to really like it. Unfortunately, I didn’t find Mickey to be a very likeable character. Even though he volunteered to die for the expedition, he isn’t a self-sacrificing person. No, he is much more self-centered and his relationships seem shallow to me. I did like the twists near the end but I found the ending to be weak and unsatisfactory. The story has some entertainment value but didn’t pull me in. Others may find it more enjoyable.

Audio Notes: John Pirhalla and Katharine Chin share the narration performance and I liked their voices. Pithalla seemed to capture the weak nature of Mickey’s character while Chin conveyed the quirky natures of the female characters. The audio performance enhanced the story for me.

Source: 2022 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook and 2022Alphabet goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 25, 2022

Happy Friday!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.
I'm running on the hamster wheel - How about you?
It has been a month of extra meetings for me taking three different Saturdays, including an education conference tomorrow at church. I need a weekend to myself soon!

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 February 18, 2022 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 February 18, 2022 Pick:
NATALIJA gets a GC
AND
ASHFA 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.}

  Oh How Sweet it is!
Image found at Central Plain Library Systems.

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
All Gone

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
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

(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 1,392 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 Report: Just Before Sunrise by Carla Neggers

This is a quick, easy-listening, mystery, romantic suspense.
Just Before Sunrise
By: Carla Neggers
Narrated by: Cassandra Livingston

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
Release date: 05-01-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Carla Neggers' sizzling novels are loved for their deliciously funny dialogue, electrifying suspense, and heart-stopping romance. Here, the New York Times bestselling author presents a fast-paced, scintillating tale of love, art, and danger....
Annie Payne realizes her dream when she moves to San Francisco and opens an art gallery. But when she accepts a secret commission to bid for a painting going on the auction block, she finds herself thrown into a haunting swirl of events linked to a five-year-old unsolved murder. Who is this secret client?
Marina owner Garvin MacCrae was determined to have the portrait of his late wife, and knows of only one person who would want it enough to outbid him. Could the intriguing art dealer who represented the auction winner hold the key to the mystery of his wife's death? Working together to untangle a murderer's clues, Garvin and Annie strike so many sparks off each other that they could start another San Francisco fire - a four-alarmer fueled by an explosive mix of suspicion, attraction, and love.
©1997 Carla Neggers (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Review:
I saw that the handful of Neggers' titles I picked up in 2021 on Audible Plus were going to be unavailable after 2/18 so I decided to listen to at least one. I enjoyed this and it reminded me of the author's style of romantic suspense. I hadn't read this author for years and was glad to be drawn right into listening to the story.

Annie, with her unruly rottweiler, Otto, has moved across the states from Maine to San Francisco where she is pursing her dream to have her own art gallery. An eccentric woman who visits Annie’s newly opened gallery turns out to be an undiscovered painter named Sarah. Sarah

engages Annie to bid for a particular painting at a local art auction. Annie is surprised when she gets into a bidding war with a handsome man in the rear of the room. She also experiences a negative response from the other participants and learns after winning the bid that the woman in the painting was the wife of the man who was bidding against her. That is only the tip of the story and Annie soon finds herself embroiled in a family scandal involving a five-year-old, unsolved double murder.

Gavin wanted the portrait of his late wife and suspects there is only one other person who would press the bidding. Has the artist herself, who disappeared after the murders of her father and niece, returned to town? And if so, why now? But Gavin isn’t the only person trying to get to Sarah through Annie. Another, more sinister man is pressuring Annie with intimidation. At least Otto is near by to intimidate back.

Attraction is drawing Annie and Gavin together, but Annie finds herself trying to juggle the emotional traumas of the family members while protecting her new friend, Sarah, and protecting her own heart from a man whose motives are in question. Intrigue surrounds them with the knowledge that a killer is still on the loose and he may have unfinished business.

The suspense in this plot leans more heavily on mystery than physical threats although those do build late in the story. The whole story was lighter, rather than intense. The characters are well developed, and the romance moves quickly which (based on my recollection) is predictable in Negger’s writing style in the 1990s. The art element is not my forte, but I found it interesting. I appreciated that the romance has some umph without being sleazy or unnecessarily graphic. I recommend this to readers who enjoy what I identify as an older style of romantic suspense.

Audio Notes: Cassandra Livingston does a fine job with the narration. I liked her clear, distinct voices and the emotions she provided the characters. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 6/10/2021 Free from Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, 2022Alphabet goals.