Sharing Beyond Books #458 Comment Giveaway May 20, 2023

Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books.

Thanks to everyone who commented on the last question.
Last post SBB #457: BN100 asked: What do you think is too much to pay for an ebook (depending on number of pages)? For example, saw an author price a 32 page ebook for $10.
Here were the responses:

Marjorie doesn't buy ebooks but thinks maybe $5.00 is a reasonable price.
Fredamans says "I am against paying more than $10 for an ebook." And if it gets near $20, you may as well buy the print book.
Ashfa only buys "ebooks if they are under $5." She prefers print books and doesn't mind paying for them.
Life's Simple Pleasures states she doesn't buy ebooks (no Kindle) but she also thinks $5.00 would be reasonable.
My reply is in the original post.

The Winner from SBB #457 comments is #1 MARJORIE who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the (outdated) ARC/Review titles or Love and Christmas titles OR pick a book from the prior Friday Pick List - all linked near the end of the post.

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

WEEK #458

(One Question.)

Scattered Leaves asks: Have you ever used a book light??

I have had small book lights several times but I didn't use them much as my hubby did not like the light on once he was going to sleep. The ones I had looked like these:

Images found at Kikkerland and Christianbook.com

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.
May question is provided by Scattered Leaves who gets a half book credit and can pick from the last Friday Pick List .

Your turn to share. Scattered Leaves asks: Have you ever used a book light??
SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles and from the prior Friday Pick List .

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 June 17, 2023.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Broken by S.J. West

I found this fantasy engaging and will continue the series.

Broken
By: S.J. West
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley

Series: The Watcher Chronicles, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
Release date: 11-01-16
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
 

Publisher's Summary
At the tender age of seven, Jess Riley's parents were ripped out of her life by the Tear, a ripple of white light in the sky which randomly transports people from Earth to alternate realities and distant planets once a year. On the night the Tear first appeared, the Watchers, a mysterious group of men possessing supernatural powers, made their presence known to the leaders of the world, earning their complete trust to deal with the turmoil the Tear caused.
Now 22 years old, Jess is an agent working for the Watcher Agency searching for a way to bring her parents back home. When the leader of the Watchers, Mason Collier, recruits her to join his team, Jess quickly discovers she is meant to play a major role in sealing the Tear forever. Mason and Jess instantly find themselves drawn to one another but they both resist their mutual attraction for different reasons. Broken by past events in their lives, they each struggle to overcome their fears and find the strength to take a chance on one another.
©2013 S.J. West (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Jess lost her parents when a ripple of light in the sky opened up a portal to alternate worlds. This became known as the Tear which returned once a year. Random people, like her parents, would leave Earth, and others would arrive. Jess was convinced that her parents would return one year. When the first Tear appeared, Watchers, men with supernatural powers, also appeared. At age 22, Jess became a Watcher Agent hoping to find a way to get her parents back.

An event on a Tear night brings Jess to the attention of Mason Collier, the leader of the Watchers. He explains that they are seeking a way to seal the Tear and it is apparent that Jess has a role to play. This is even clearer when Jess meets the dark opposition to the Watchers.

Jess and Mason are drawn to each other but they both have suffered huge pain and loss in their pasts that make it difficult for them to come together. Their histories are disclosed as the story moves along. The story progresses with the two dancing around each other. The ending has a surprise that leaves the story open to book 2.

I found the story engaging although the relationship between the lead characters is a bit frustrating and annoying. I had to remind myself that Jess is young and has a tragic history. Especially with the surprise as the end, I did want to read the next book in the series and was glad it was available. I recommend this to fantasy readers who like a slow building romance.

Audio Notes: Brittany Pressley does a really good job with the narration. She provides clear and distinct voices for the characters and conveys the emotional turmoil. I’m glad I had the book on audible.

Source: 9/27/2022 Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice

I enjoyed this Regency Romance.
The Wicked Wyckerly
By: Patricia Rice
Narrated by: Eliza Jane Cornell

Series: The Rebellious Sons, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins
Release date: 12-23-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: English, Historical Romance, Regency
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
NYT and USA Today best-selling author! Nominated for the prestigious romance Rita award!
John Fitzhugh Wyckerly has been the spare heir all his life, supporting himself with gambling and charm. The news that he's inherited the bankrupt title of earl of Danecroft shatters his indolent world. Even penniless, he's always paid his debts, but now the estate's creditors are closing in. He can fake his death and run for cover or accept overwhelming responsibility and find a rich wife - one who will also accept his illegitimate terror of a daughter.
On his way to find an heiress, he meets Abigail Merriweather, who is neither rich nor aristocratic, but she can tame The Terror and stomp cockroaches. Unfortunately she needs a wealthy, powerful man who will fight her father's executor and retrieve her four half siblings. When an unexpected inheritance falls into Abby's lap, she sets out for London to seek a lawyer.
Can Fitz charm his practical Abby into trusting him to save her siblings when it's doubtful that he can even save himself? And can Abby surrender reason and logic for the folly of love offered by a man who can have any woman he wants but insists he wants only her?
©2010 Patricia Rice (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Review:
John “Fitz” Wyckerly is a second son who, as the spare heir, has supported himself with careful gambling and charm. He isn’t thrilled when he inherits his family’s bankrupt title. Unlike the rest of his male kin, Fitz has paid his debt. Although the collectors are circling and the debt is daunting, Fitz won’t run away. Instead, he will seek an heiress. But first, he collects his illegitimate daughter, Penelope, who hasn’t been well trained…okay, really, she is a terror.

Fritz is traveling to his estates by mail coach, but he and his unruly daughter are dumped outside a home in the country. There they meet Abigail who struggles to keep her farm and her servants while trying to figure out how to get her four half siblings back. Surprisingly, Abby immediately takes Penelope in hand and tries to explain to the clearly unprepared Corinthian what the child needs. Fitz and Abby soon find themselves trying to help each other through their troubles. When Abby gets a letter with an unexpected inheritance, she plans to engage a lawyer to help her get custody of her siblings. The inheritance isn’t enough to solve the debt for Fritz, but perhaps there is a way to make it work for both of them.

Both the hero and heroine have backgrounds that give them unique strengths and weaknesses that make them different than the standard bankrupted nobleman and penniless young woman. Their interaction is witty and fun, and the children add a nice element too. There is chemistry and a bit of sexual content that comes after friendship has developed and well into the story. I have enjoyed Patricia Rice in the past and was glad to get to listen to this sweet romance. I recommend this to fans of historical romance with quirky characters.

Audio Notes: Eliza Jane Cornell does a pretty good job with the narration. I was concerned a few times that the accent of the characters seemed to shift. Other than that happening, I found the voices distinct and suitable to the characters. I am glad I had the audio experience.

Source: 2/6/2021 Audible Plus title. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

MBS April 2023 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2023 Reading List - APRIL

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2023
Favorites for the month:

5 Stars =  To Whisper Her Name
4.75 Stars =
4.5 Stars =  Silver Dollar Duke

1. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Purgatory's Shore, Artillerymen, Book 1 by Taylor Anderson; Genre: Alternate History, Military History; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
   
2. ATour2023: IRead Book Tour Audio Book Review: The Registration by Madison Lawson; Genre: Dystopian, Psychological; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.
   
3. Author2023: Book Review: The Rapture: 23 Biblical Answers To The Question: When Is It? by Joshua J. Watson; Genre:Eschatology, Christian Prophesy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
4. ATBR: Audible Book Review: To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander; Genre: Civil War, Historical Romance, Sweet Romance; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0. 
   
5. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Werewolf Cop by Andrew Klavan; Genre: Occult, Police Procedure, Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
6. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Renegades, Expeditionary Force, Book 7, by Craig Alanson; Genre: Adventure, Military, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.
   
7. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Fifth Victim, The Cherokee Pointe Series, Book 1, by Beverly Barton; Genre: Mystery, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.
8. NG2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Instructor by T.R. Hendricks; Genre: Military, Suspense, Thriller; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
   
9. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Oracle by Andrew Pyper; Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
10. ATBR: Audio Book Review: Silver Dollar Duke by Sally Britton; Genre: Historical Romance, Religious & Inspirational, Romance, Western Romance; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

This Month Total read = 10
TBR = 9
New Authors = 7
Audio/Audible = 9 (8 TBRs)
NetGalley = 1 (1 audio) (0 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 1
Nonfiction = 1
eBook = 1 (0 TBR)
Print = 0 (0 TBR)
DNF - 0

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month)
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 42 of 125
TBR to Date: 37 of 90 total
Audio to Date: 41 of 100
NetGalley to Date: 7 of 10
Author Reviews: 1 of 12
Nonfiction: 3 of 10
TBR ebooks or Print: 1 of 8
New Authors to date: 24

• Series: 32 of 75 (9 continuing, 23 new)
• New to me Series: 23 (11 Yes to continue; 7 likely to continue, 3 maybe, 2 unlikely)
• Finished for me Series: 2 (maybe? Not sure if the Bobiverse is done)

Special Goals
• Seasonal title: 1 of 4: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn
• Alphabet letters covered: (21 of 26) -- 9 January (A, C, D, F, H, L, P, R, S); 6 February (B, E, G, I, T, Y); 5 March (K, M, J, O, U) 1 April (W)
Locations: 6 of 8
      River, Mountains, Kingdoms, Castle, Junkyard, Deadlands, Shore
Numbers: 5 of 12
      Forging Zero, Cat o’ Nine Tales, Six Crimson Cranes, One Heart to Win, The Fifth Victim

Groups of Five: (Places and Numbers above)
Times of Day: 1 of 5
      Moonshine
Occupations: 7 of 5
      Warrior, Cowboy, Vet, King, Cop, Pirate, Instructor
Colors: 3 of 5
      The Far Blue Mountains, Six Crimson Cranes,Silver Dollar Duke

Sunday Post May 14, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 15, 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.

I had another good and consistent work week. I still have future decisions to make but I am not feeling stress over it.

I got to have my Florida granddaughters attend church with me before I drove them back to Panama City where we met my daughter for lunch.
Sadly my grandson works nights so he didn't make it out to lunch.

Both dogs will visit the vet in two weeks.

My continuing prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations, a calmer social atmosphere, and for revival. We are also praying for family and church.


We are having sunny days with thunderstorms. Several days, including today the day temp was over 90. This week's forecast is more rain but the temps will be just under 90.

I finished three audios this past week and posted three reviews and two memes.

I visited only 14 blogs last week. (I wasn't on the computer too long in the evenings.)
Shout out this week: RAIN CITY READS. M loves to read and has wide-ranging tastes. Stop by and take a peek at her well organized blog.

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

• Sunday Post May 7, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 8, 2023.

• ATBR: Audio Book Review: Silver Dollar Duke by Sally Britton; Genre: Historical Romance, Religious & Inspirational, Romance, Western Romance; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• ATBR: Audio Book Review: Snow Melts in Spring by Deborah Voghts; Genre: Christian Romance, Country Romance, Small Town Romance; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.
  

• P2023: Book Review: Get Up & Grow, 21 Habits of Successful People by Duke Matlock; Genre: Christian Growth, Christian Self Help, Non-Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 14, 2023 - Contentment.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Broken
By: S.J. West
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
Series: The Watcher Chronicles, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
I found this engaging and will continue the series.
Source: 9/27/2022 Audible Plus
Click on book title for full description.

2. NetGalley App Smartphone (NG2023)

Titanium Noir
by Nick Harkaway
This is a different mystery, sci fi mix, which I enjoyed.
Source 3/4/2023 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Nine Lives: A Lily Dale Mystery
By: Wendy Corsi Staub
Narrated by: Melanie Ewbank
Series: Lily Dale Mysteries, Book 1
I enjoyed this lighter mystery set in a psychics community.
Source: May 2021 Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
After the death of her husband, Bella Jordan and her son need a fresh start. But on their way to stay with family in Chicago, they stop in Lily Dale, New York, and a storm forces them to spend the night.
Brimming with kooky psychics and mediums, Lily Dale is just the kind of quirky little town Bella's late husband always talked about settling down in. So when the local hotelier, Leona, passes away, Bella agrees to step in and help temporarily. The longer she and Max stay there, the more Lily Dale starts to feel like home.
But for Bella, finding a home means finding danger, too. Leona was murdered, and it's up to Bella to track down the killer before her sanctuary comes crashing down in Staub's warm and witty new series debut.
©2015 Wendi Corsi Staub (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Dare to Lead
Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
By: Brené Brown
Narrated by: Brené Brown
Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
My son recommended this and I am find it it inspirational.
Source: May 15, 2022 Audible 2 April Credit picks.
Publisher's Summary
Number-one New York Times best seller.
Brené Brown has taught us what it means to dare greatly, rise strong, and brave the wilderness. Now, based on new research conducted with leaders, change makers, and culture shifters, she’s showing us how to put those ideas into practice so we can step up and lead.
Don’t miss the hour-long Netflix special Brené Brown: The Call to Courage!
Named one of the best books of the year by Bloomberg.
Leadership is not about titles, status, and wielding power. A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas and has the courage to develop that potential.
When we dare to lead, we don’t pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don’t see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it with others. We don’t avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into vulnerability when it's necessary to do good work.
But daring leadership in a culture that’s defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty requires skill-building around traits that are deeply and uniquely human. The irony is that we’re choosing not to invest in developing the hearts and minds of leaders at the exact same time as we’re scrambling to figure out what we have to offer that machines and AI can’t do better and faster. What can we do better? Empathy, connection, and courage, to start.
Brené Brown has spent the past two decades studying the emotions and experiences that give meaning to our lives, and the past seven years working with transformative leaders and teams spanning the globe. She found that leaders in organizations ranging from small entrepreneurial startups and family-owned businesses to nonprofits, civic organizations, and Fortune 50 companies all ask the same question:
How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders, and how do you embed the value of courage in your culture?
In this new audiobook, Brown uses research, stories, and examples to answer these questions in the no-BS style that millions have come to expect and love. Brown writes, “One of the most important findings of my career is that daring leadership is a collection of four skill sets that are 100 percent teachable, observable, and measurable. It’s learning and unlearning that requires brave work, tough conversations, and showing up with your whole heart. Easy? No. Because choosing courage over comfort is not always our default. Worth it? Always. We want to be brave with our lives and our work. It’s why we’re here.”
Whether you’ve read Daring Greatly and Rising Strong or you’re new to Brené Brown’s work, this audiobook is for anyone who wants to step up and into brave leadership.
©2018 Brené Brown (P)2018 Random House Audio

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Kindred
By: S.J. West
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
Series: The Watcher Chronicles, Book 2
Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
This continues the Watcher series and is also set to expire 5/23. I'm half way through and hoping for a little more story and a little less romance.
Source: May 2023 Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
In the second book of The Watcher Chronicles series, Jess finally learns where her father has been since the Tear first opened. While Mason tries to keep his distance from her, Jess continues to search for the other vessels with Chandler by her side.
This series is intended for a mature audience. Recommended for ages 17 and older due to sexual situations and adult themes.
If I were to use the movie rating system, I would rate this series an R.
©2013 S.J. West (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

I do expect to get to a third book (an audio). I'm leaning toward post-apocalyptic, maybe in a series I like.

May 14, 2023 - I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen".
I don't know whether I will do a YOU Bible App or a print book.

I finished two audio titles and a NetGalley ebook.  I still have four reviews to post this coming week.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I still have two more audios on my NetGalley shelf.
I still have the two old NetGalley ebook titles.

I have one author review in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer. (I need to look back and see which one this is.)
(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 newest to the team, Emma at Words and Peace.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

A mailbox of freebies this week.
No review titles last week.
I have credits to use this week for Audible.
I picked six books from Audible Plus.
I got one free Kindle title last week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Week of May 7-May 14, 2023 Audible Plus Catalog:

Kindred
By: S.J. West
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
Series: The Watcher Chronicles, Book 2
Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
(Expires 5/23/23.)

The World Over
By: Cassiopeia Fletcher
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
Series: Stone World Saga, Book 1
Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins

No Kindness Too Soon
By: Sylvain Neuvel
Narrated by: Melanie Nicholls-King, Deepti Gupta, Neil Hellegers, Gabriel Vaughan, Kathy Searle, Imani Jade Powers, Nicolette Chin, Gopal Divan, Garrett Michael Brown
Series: Audible Original Stories
Length: 2 hrs and 34 mins

Oblivion
By: S.J. West
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
Series: The Watcher Chronicles, Book 3
Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
(Expires 5/23/23.)

Shadows of a Lost Age
Dustfall, Book 1
By: Glynn James, J. Thorn
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Series: Dustfall, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins

The Fall
Burning Skies Series, Book 1
By: Devon C. Ford
Narrated by: Neil Hellegers
Series: Burning Skies Series, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins


ONE NEW KINDLE TITLE: May 11, 2023 Author Newsletter:

The Sparkly Bun: A children's book about confidence, self-esteem, individuality, and creativity.
by Keith Stoeckeler (Author), Lana Lee (Illustrator)



One new title added to Kindle library. 
Free titles might be found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.