Sharing Beyond Books #454 Comment Giveaway January 17, 2023

Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books.  I want to stay in touch with others so for now, I will continue this post monthly.

Thanks to everyone who commented on the last question.
Last post SBB #453: Ashfa asked: Do you enjoy reading books from villain’s POV? Who is your favorite villain??
Two commenters mentioned Maleficent. Two had no favs and the others mentioned: Vicious (V.E. Schwab), Shadow Jack from Villains Rule (M.K. Gibson) and Hades.

The Winner from SBB #453 comments is #1 FREDAMANS 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 #454

(One Question.)

Natalia asks: What would you do if you had more free time??

I get in a lot of reading (listening). I've added a little more time with my Bible reading and prayer time. I've been spending more time in the kitchen since I am cooking for myself. And of course I spend much time on the computer - work and blog.

If I had more free time I would like to think I would use that time to relax a little more. Right now though, I could use time decluttering.

Image found at Quizony.

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.
November question was provided by NATALIA who gets a GC credit.

Your turn to share. Natalia asks: What would you do if you had more free time??

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.
The deadline is a month, until February 11, 2023.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Sheryl Crow, Words + Music Vol 6, by Sheryl Crow

I enjoyed this quick, revealing memoir.
Sheryl Crow
Words + Music | Vol. 6
By: Sheryl Crow
Narrated by: Sheryl Crow

Series: Words + Music
Length: 1 hr and 37 mins
Original Recording Audiobook
Release date: 09-10-20
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Entertainment & Celebrities
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

About This Audible Original
"My music has been a great resource and cathartic tool, but also something I’ve hid behind."

Revealing, intimate, and exhilaratingly raw, celebrated songwriter and acclaimed singer Sheryl Crow’s Words + Music provides the perfect canvas for the nine-time Grammy Award-winning artist to showcase her potent talent, articulate her complex inner workings, and breathe new life into a sizable stack of her most beloved tracks. Part of Audible’s rapidly expanding Words + Music series, blending storytelling, music, and performance to create exceptional listening experiences, Crow’s session is marked by gorgeously stripped-down versions of the songs that made her a household name (exclusively recorded for these sessions). The tunes punctuate rich storytelling, as she dives deep into the history of her career, re-examining the personal experiences and relationships that impacted her artistic journey.

"My journey is my own," Crow says. "I mean, it's definitely not without some detours and definitely not without some hard lessons." True to form, Crow leads us through her winding road to success—maybe more accurately defined as a series of jolting rollercoaster rides, as she recounts all the fits and starts, the feverish highs and lows, that have come to define a career now in its fourth decade. Featuring stunningly crisp, yet lo-fi renditions of eight songs including, "If It Makes You Happy," "All I Wanna Do," "Leaving Las Vegas," "Strong Enough," "My Favorite Mistake," and George Harrison’s soulful "Beware of Darkness," Sheryl Crow lays herself bare. From her early days in small-town Missouri where she sought salvation from her melancholy by turning to mystical rockers (Stevie Nicks and Zeppelin, most notably); to pursuing her dreams, and in quick fashion landing the spectacular gig as one of Michael Jackson’s featured solo vocalists on tour. (A career catapult that quickly became a cautionary tale.)

From the crushing weight of perfectionism and loneliness, to the joys of finally finding kindred musical spirits—only to have it all crumble, just as the music was skyrocketing, the toll of her volatile ascent to stardom comes into focus. In a particularly fascinating section, she revisits the total sense of peer disconnect during the height of her records’ success as her style was painfully incongruent with the greater musical landscape at the time. This, subsequently leading to an "adoption" of sorts by an older, more simpatico class of musicians—luckily for her, they doubled as her heroes: Nicks, Keith Richards, and Dylan, among them. In another poignant moment, Sheryl lets listeners in on the dysfunction and emotional reckoning that came after her well-publicized romances with Eric Clapton, and a few years later, Lance Armstrong.

In just an hour and a half, Sheryl Crow manages to transform before our ears: from a well-known artist to human being we now know pretty damn well. That’s not easy to accomplish. And perhaps most extraordinarily, we are left with a lasting gift: beautiful songs we entered knowing become beautiful songs we now understand.

Review:
Ms. Crow does a lovely job sharing her love of music and the true struggles of trying to get ‘into the business’. It isn’t a pretty picture. She shares openly about her relationships and heartbreaks. It took a while for her to find a comfortable place that didn’t require her to compromise herself.

I listened to this as a filler while I was up late wrapping presents as I had a plan to start a new book on my car ride up north for Christmas. I am not a huge fan of her songs although I do like her voice. This was a charming memoir and personal glimpse of the artist. I appreciated her forthrightness.

Audio Notes: Sheryl Crow does a good job sharing her own words and touches of music. I always wish for more of the music in these short biographies/memoirs. The nice thing of listening is that there is a good sense of the artist’s voice and you can go listen to more online. I appreciate this was a free audible.

Source: August 2020 Free Audible Original. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: TFS Ingenuity, The Terran Fleet Command Saga, Book 1, by Tori L. Harris

This has an interesting dilemma – trying to determine who is friend or foe in first contact aliens.

TFS Ingenuity
The Terran Fleet Command Saga, Book 1
By: Tori L. Harris
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Series: The Terran Fleet Command Saga, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 03-29-16
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Alien, First Contact, Sci Fi, Space Opera, Technothriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
It's the year 2277. For 50 years, Earth has received mysterious data transmissions from random locations in deep space. The streams include advanced technology, allowing humans to achieve faster-than-light travel virtually overnight. As we prepare to take our first tentative steps into interstellar space, we know almost nothing about our alien benefactors, and their motivations remain unexplained.
While completing their shakedown cruise, Captain Tom Prescott and the crew of the first Terran Fleet Command starship, TFS Ingenuity, stumble into a first contact situation. They learn that Earth is not the first civilization granted access to the stars before their time - and how this Faustian gift has inevitably led to centuries of interstellar war. Humanity's existence hangs in the balance as a powerful alliance assembles a preemptive military strike, believing it to be their only option to protect themselves...from us. Prescott and his small, initially unarmed starship must serve as our only line of defense. Ingenuity is our only hope.
©2015 Tori L. Harris (P)2016 Podium Publishing.

Review:
The Earth has been receiving mysterious data transmissions that include advance technology. This has allowed the powers that be to build a spaceship to take them into interstellar space. Captain Tom Prescott is the leader of the first starship, TFS Ingenuity. When they take their maiden, and intended to be test, voyage, they stumble upon a first contact situation which includes observing a space battle.

When the ship returns to Earth, they are directed to land in a secret facility where they discover they are not the only ship in town. Earth leaders have been busy even though they don’t know who their technology benefactor is. Now they have to figure out between two alien races which means to help, and which seeks to harm.

This is another sci fi space opera that is interesting but a little light on character development. There is interest created by chapters from the POV of the alien ‘guardians’, giving some background to the interference with lesser advanced species. The major problem is that this ends at a point where the reader would have to continue in book 2 to find out what happens. I am glad the second book is another free book on Audible Plus as I am not sure I would run out to buy it. Fans of first contact and jump technology might like to try this series.

Audio Notes: Once again, Jeffrey Kafer’s narration works for me. It may seem monotone and dry to some but I have learned to enjoy the straight forward narration.

Source: 12/17/22 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: The Legion Awakes, The Sleeping Legion, Book 1, by J.R. Handley

This has some interesting military involvement but there was some confusion.
The Legion Awakes
The Sleeping Legion, Book 1
By: J. R. Handley
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Series: The Sleeping Legion, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins
Release date: 09-05-17
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Military, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
A century ago, all but two members of Lance Scipio's unit were executed for bringing dishonor to his regiment.
Now, he is woken into a strange new time, and tasked with whipping into shape the worst squad of misfits in the entire Human Marine Corps.
The price of failure: Death!
AD 2565. Tranquility-4 near the frontier of the White Knight Empire. Guided by mysterious orders, the authorities at the Human Marine Corps base of Beta City thaw Lance Scipio. In 2441, an entire Marine company was executed with the exception of Captain Grimgerde and Sergeant Lance Scipio, the usual punishment for running in the face of the enemy. But these two were preserved...as if they would be required in the future.
Scipio is not expected to escape execution for long, but he has been given a slim chance. For a Marine, a chance can be all that's needed to change the fate of worlds.
The Sleeping Legion is an action-filled sequence of military science fiction novels set in the worlds of the hit series The Human Legion by Tim C. Taylor.
©2016 J. R. Handley (P)2017 Podium Publishing.

Review:
Lance Scipio awakes from stasis over one hundred years after a disastrous battle engagement saw all but himself and his captain executed for supposedly running in the face of the enemy. Lance is advised he has once chance to avoid his own execution – he must train a squad of misfits in the methods of engagement of his prior life.

There are alien leaders to impress if the team wants to survive. And of course, there is a privileged higher officer that disdains Sergeant Lance and his misfits and wouldn’t it be nice to show him up even if he is a powerful enemy.

I admit I was confused at the beginning of the book, trying to sort out the sides and history. I learned after listening to this that it is a spin off of a different series, the Human Legion. I would say there isn’t a lot of character development, although I liked the interaction with both the human marines and the unexpected fair treatment of the Aux, servant class. I did enjoy the picture of military life and especially liked the combat situations and the description of the battlefield tactics with the different reactions and input of soldiers and leaders.

I have the prequel and next book thanks to Audible Plus so I do plan to listen to more. I recommend this to fans of military sci fi, with the precaution to perhaps read the prequel first or maybe the original series, even though it is by a different author.

Audio Notes: Jeffrey Kafer has a unique narration style. It seems monotone but his voice has grown on me. I enjoy listening to his presentation and appreciated that I had this title through Audible Plus.

Source: 12/15/22 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Sunday Post January 8, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 9, 2023

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.

Thanks for the well wishes and prayers for my DIL. We will get an update on prognosis next week. She has been battling this rare form of sarcoma cancer for six years. It is generally treatable only by surgical removal each time it returns and this was the fourth surgery. Chemo and drug treatments are in testing stages and the doctors are watching the testings closely to determine if they are successful and worth trying. My DIL did have chemo after her first surgery not for the tumors above her ear but when they found cancer in her lungs. That has not returned.

Work has started off well. We all seem to be getting focused with work getting done.

I have some additional photos from our trip to the cold.
We visited the St. Louis Zoo for their night show.
We were early so we got to see some of the animals but I didn't get any good pics of them.
Everyone was pretty impressed that the waterfalls were still frozen.

I always get a goodby photo (and my son took a couple of me too).

My continuing prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations and a calmer atmosphere in 2023. Plus, I just learned tonight that one of our community friends lost her teenage son to suicide this weekend. How devastating!

We had a couple of nights at 35 and 37 but the days have been pretty lovely at 55 to 75.

I finished three audios and posted four reviews with my memes. I have chosen to end the Friday Pick Giveaway after 13 years.

I visited 18 blogs last week.
Shout out this week to LIFESTYLE OF ME. Kelly Lyn shares books and other things. I learned about washi under her About Me posts.

Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

• Sunday Post December 18, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 19, 2022.

• Wrap Up MBS 2022 Reading GOALS.
  

• Wrap Up MBS 2022 Audiobook Challenge.
  

• MBS 2023 Reading GOALS.
  

• MBS 2023 Audiobook Challenge.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: First Book of the Year, Audible Book Review: The Return of the Gods by Jonathan Cahn; Genre: Christian Spiritual Growth; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 5.0.
  

• Martha's BookShelf Friday Pick January 6, 2013.
  

• A2022: Audible Book Review: This Fallen World by Christopher Woods; Genre: Adventure, Dystopia, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
  

• A2022: Audible Book Review: Don't Call Me Ishmael by Chris Kennedy; Genre: Action, Post-Apocalyptic, Superhero; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  

• A2022: Audible Book Review: Welcome to Hell: The Tasmanian Special Forces Group, Book 1 by C. R. Daems;Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Military, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
  

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 8, 2023 - Alignment, Balance, and Focus.
  

Finished Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Return of the Gods
By: Jonathan Cahn
Narrated by: Lawrence Richardson
Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
This is quite remarkable. My review is linked above.
Source: 12/3122 Audible Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

At Love's Command
By: Karen Witemeyer
Narrated by: Amy Rubinate
Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 06-09-20
This is a lovely Christian Historical Romance.
12/18/2021 November Audible Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Soul Taken
A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 13
By: Patricia Briggs
Narrated by: Lorelei King
Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
I enjoyed the latest in this series which is one of my favorites.
Source: 8/28/2022 Audible August Credit.
Publisher's Summary
Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and shapeshifter, must face her greatest fears in this chilling entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
The vampire Wulfe is missing. Since he’s deadly, possibly insane, and his current idea of “fun” is stalking me, some may see it as no great loss. But, warned that his disappearance might bring down the carefully constructed alliances that keep our pack safe, my mate and I must find Wulfe—and hope he’s still alive. As alive as a vampire can be, anyway.
But Wulfe isn’t the only one who has disappeared. And now there are bodies, too. Has the Harvester returned to the Tri-Cities, reaping souls with his cursed sickle? Or is he just a character from a B horror movie and our enemy is someone else?
The farther I follow Wulfe’s trail, the more twisted—and darker—the path becomes. I need to figure out what’s going on before the next body on the ground is mine.
©2022 Patricia Briggs (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Currently Reading:
I plan to listen to these two on NetGalley before they are archived.
1. NetGalley App on Smartphone (NG2022)

Coup de Grâce
By: Paul Centeno
Narrated by: Rob Jones UK
Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins
I like SteamPunk and this sounds like a good adventure.
Source: December 2022 NetGalley.
Publisher's Summary
The world has changed. Gone are the old gods. Nature withers and dies beneath the growing bane of machines and industry. Desperate to prevent their world from dying, citizens turn to science and sprawling cities of steam ruled by the Imperium. Kaimo de Morté has never known another life. He is an optometrist by trade but too poor to open an optical boutique. Forced to work in the mines, Kaimo has no idea how his life is about to change. A chance encounter with insurgents thrusts him into a battle for the very future of mankind. One he is ill prepared to fight. Kaimo uncovers hidden truths, forms alliances stretching to the highest halls of power, and becomes the catalyst for either saving the world or watching it end.
©2022 Paul Centeno (P)2022 Paul Centeno.

2. NetGalley App on Smartphone (NG2022)

The Prayer Warrior
By: Traci Wooden-Carlisle, D. Tina Batten
Narrated by: Anita Faye Thomas
Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins
I like spiritual warfare stories so I am looking forward to this.
Source: December 2022 NetGalley.
Publisher's Summary
There is a thin line between the natural and the spiritual realm.
Ms. V., a humble servant of the Lord, has been placed on assignment at Center of Hope Christian Academy.
By day, she serves as a trusted counselor for students, giving them a safe haven to pour out their innermost feelings while providing professional and honest truth wrapped in a firm kindness and love that inevitably draws them closer to Jesus. Not to be outdone, the faculty also bends her ear from time to time.
By night, Ms. V. enters the spiritual realm and takes her place on the battlefield as one of God's faithful prayer warriors. She wields her whispering sword, slicing through the enemy's plans to bind the precious hearts under her charge.
Her assignment's burden on her physical body is taxing, but can she withstand the strain and remain victorious?
Saving souls is her true mission, but at what cost?
Listeners are in for a journey of spiritual intrigue and biblical insight as they experience the ramifications of each character's life-altering decision.
Note: The digital and paperback versions come with a reader's-choice alternate ending. We chose the ending for you in this audiobook for uninterrupted listening pleasure. Enjoy.
©2021 D. Tina Batten and Traci Wooden-Carlisle (P)2022 D. Tina Batten and Traci Wooden-Carlisle.

I will decide on the next book when I get there. :-) 

January 8, 2023 -  I am enjoying this new plan in YouVersion. I am excited to have my son and daughter signed up too. They may not get to read everyday yet but signing up is a plus! I totally enjoyed watching the devotion videos so I am doing another BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen" .  I have never done a Chronological reading before. I think I will enjoy it.

I finished three audio titles and reviewed four. I am now behind 9 reviews (not likely to get to the 7 children's books any time soon). I continue to work on these.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I have three titles from NetGalley plus the two under current reading..
I still have the two old ebook titles. I went ahead and said "no feedback" for A Place Called Armageddon as a DNF.
I have one author review in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer.
(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.

After I fill up on titles in December so they will qualify for TBRs in 2023, I try to hold off on buying any new titles in the early part of the new year.
I will pick my VIP selection before the end of the month at Audiobooks.
I won't have new credits at Audible until the 19th so I won't select those until after that.
Unless I find something at NetGalley or free on kindle, I might go three weeks with nothing new!
I got no free Kindle titles this week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

NONE


No new titles added to Kindle library. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.