Interview: Jeff Turner, Author of Notes to Stephanie

Today please help me welcome to Martha's Bookshelf interview spot:
Jeff Turner author of  Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories

Q1.  Notes to Stephanie is obviously compiled from very personal writings and feelings. What made you decide to publish the love letters and notes?

Jeff:  One day I realized I had enough of the Notes to write a book.  People had always said I could write fairly well, so I decided to make the compilation of Notes into the book you now see.

M: I do agree that your writing style is nicely fluid.

Q2.  What do you hope your readers get out of your books?
Jeff:  The Notes simply paint a real picture of life.  It is not a fantasy nor are the events exaggerated or changed from what really happened.  I think overall thing to take away from the book is that most people have a "real life"; it is filled with ups and downs, happiness, joy, and sometimes sadness and disappointment too.  But also there is the wonder of simply looking around one's self and seeing the totality of existence in our big, wide universe that we are but one small part of.
M: Yes. Your Notes definitely have a sense of wonder and a picture of all aspects of life.

Q3.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating or promoting your book?    Writing is the easy part of being an author.

Jeff:  Marketing is the hard part when you are doing it yourself.  Both aspects take discipline and hard work of course but selling yourself and your work is something that one must learn to do.  Certainly I am learning as I go.

M:  I think that is something new authors don't realize at first. Writing the book is one thing, but they have to be prepared to market it too.

Q4.  Did you have any qualms about publishing and sharing these personal notes?

Jeff:  Not really, since they are all true.  Some male friends who read it were not totally surprised since they knew I have a thoughtful side that goes with the cowboy boot part of me.

M:  There is definitely a thoughtful side and I found it interesting to share such a personal (in emotions if not details) view of your life.

Q5. Would you say that your photography gallery reflects the same contemplative tone of your letter?

Jeff:  Yes indeed, the photos do try to capture the idea there is something bigger than we are as individually and that time flows on around us always.

M:  I sensed that in the open and expansive nature of some of the photos. 

Q6.  If you could trade places with anyone, real or imagined, in any time, who would it be and why?

Jeff:  Being a history buff, I think I would like to be one of our great generals or admirals in World War II.  Being part of some huge event in history is something few people get to directly be part of. So being in the shoes of Nimitz, Patton, or Bradley would be that for me.

M:  Now that seems an ambitious answer but suitable for you.

Because your works are compilations of notes and letters and not really fiction, I am going to ask several questions that will let the readers know a little more about you as a person.

The first book I ever read was ...

Not sure, I always liked to read.  I do remember one time in the local public library I headed to the grown up book section.  The librarian told me my mom that the kid’s books were the other way.  My mom said he doesn’t read kid’s books”.  One example of this was reading Herman Kahn’s “On Thermonuclear War” when I was in sixth grade or so.

My passion is ...

I would have to say outside of my family it would be history.  This sort of shows up in my writing when I sometimes talk about generations in families and stages of life. Such things are our own  history you see.

My parents always told me ...

They always said do the right thing and tell the truth.

Why I write ...

That is a good question.  I do not write with some lofty idea to change the world by my words.  I simply want to tell stories that other people might identify with.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Oh I read some fiction, mostly techno thrillers but also history of course.  I tend to like World War II history books, but not always.  As far as music goes I now listen to Christian Alternative Rock, even though I would not call myself particularly religious.

My best moment ...

Perhaps my best moment was caring for my son who was born three months early.  That took strength and patience and made me realize that life was not always easy.  But yet if one endures it can many times have a happy ending.  My son, now 25, is an example of that.

My inspiration ...

I guess when I look outside and see the wide space above me, the clouds streaming from west to east, I feel alive and part of something,  maybe just life itself, and know that I am alive. That shows up in my words here and there.

Q.  Finally, just for fun…if you could write the “fortune” in a fortune cookie what would it be?

You will win the Lottery and be able to work full time doing what you dream of most passionately.

That is a good fortune - I think many of us would like that. 

Thank you Jeff, for sharing with us today, by interview, and for sharing a bit of your heart with readers through your Notes. Best Wishes for your additional releases.

Learn more about Jeff and his books at his website: ILYPANTS.NET (go learn what that stands for!) and at  his blog..
Check out my Review and the Giveaway for 3 copies of Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories

Book Review + Giveaway (Open Worldwide): Notes to Stephanie... by Jeff Turner

This little gem has love and life Notes worth marking so you can return to them and contemplate another day.

Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories  by Jeff Turner

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Jeffery W Turner (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615323529
• ISBN-13: 978-0615323527

     Genre: Non-fiction, Contemplative
     My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Product Description
Young adults are not the only ones that fall in love and get married. People in their middle age do that too. This book is the story of one such couple as told by the "notes" written by the husband to his wife. These notes are not just love notes but also tell the tale of how life tests people and how its events sometimes feel overwhelming. They also show how couples do get through difficult times and proceed on through their lives, not knowing to what destination many times. If you sometimes wonder if you are the only one over 40 with a difficult adult child, a conflict at work, or something else trying your patience, you are not alone. You will also know that life is also good, and sometimes filled with hope and love. Even for a brief time. These tales of life's events and stories that we all share are contained in these pages, these "notes to Stephanie".

Review: This book reminds me a bit of the days when I would gaze at the sky and wonder about life.  It is an unusual work - not a novel but a journal of sorts. It is a chronological compilation of love and life notes from the middle-aged author to his sweetheart, then wife, over a period of two and a half years.

The beginning notes are filled with the upbeat enthusiasm of newly infatuated love.  Throughout the collection there are encouraging observations on life and family, observing both the ups and downs.  There is star gazing and rainbow dreaming. Like life, it isn’t all hearts and flowers as there are times of stress and “fussing” as the author calls the friction going on at times in the family relationships.

Although the details are not discussed, the letters make it clear that the (mostly) grown children were not thrilled by the marriage between their parents.  This of course creates a source of stress and sadness. Also job stresses, holiday stresses  and resulting tensions are commented on.

I want to share some titles and summaries to give you a small idea of the depth of the notes and the empathy and pathos they can evoke.

In April 2007 a note is entitled “Beads.”  The author compares life to a string of beads sort of like “life is like a box of chocolates.” He points out that beads are all different sizes and quality;  some are flawed and some beautiful. Each of us has our own unique strand of beads that we choose to wear as our life experiences.

In March 2007 there is an entry entitled “Our Dance Step.” The title itself brings a picture to mind. The author discusses the couple learning to dance the two-step for an event. Then he likens that to how they are learning their “own dance step” in their new marriage together.

The January 19, 2009 note is entitled “The Other Side of the Sky.” The author comments on the sadness of his daughter when they visit her at college.  As they drive away he observes the cloud layer and notes that our lives are like the cloud cover and “the past is always on the other side of life’s sky, not ever to be the same again.”

Some of the later notes have a bit more cynicism and almost depressed tone to them. It seems apparent that the author is struggling with difficult times.  The book comes to a rather sudden end and I was sorry to close it.

I liked reading a few days at a time, soaking up the exuberance and joy or the questioning and observations of life’s cycles and struggles. If you enjoy contemplating life, even as seen through the eyes of another family, I think you would enjoy this unique and lovely book.

Thank you to Jeff for this fine book to read and review.
Jeff has also provided THREE copies of  Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories for me to Giveaway.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
Please leave your e-mail with at least one comment!
YOU MUST DO #1 or #2 TO ENTER Please.
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something you learned there. One Entry.

2.  Check out Jeff's interesting photo gallery and tell me if there is a particular photo that you like.  Three Entries.

3. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

5.  For five extra entries comment on the interview post or ask a question at that post.

(Twelve total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* I decided I wanted to share this opportunity with my overseas followers/visitors so this giveaway is open WORLDWIDE.  I will mail ONE book to an international winner and the other TWO will go to US or Canadian winners..
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on November 12, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.  THREE WINNERS!

It's Monday! What are you Reading November 1, 2010?

This meme starts at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

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 finished four good books this week and posted three Reviews with Giveaways.

As noted before,  for this feature I will only be giving a rating and a short summary comment on books I read from my TBRs or as fillers - which aren't many :).

I only got to visit a couple of  "It's Monday" posts last week and I visited a handful from the Enquiring meme (linked below).
I wish I had more time to visit. ***Sigh***

These were last week's posts plus Winner posts not listed.

• It's Monday What are You Reading? October 25, 2010 

•  Blog Tour Announcement for Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Claire

•  Interview with Author Jeff Turner

•  Review and Giveaway (One Worldwide; Three total) of Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories by Jeff Turner

•  Review  and  ARC Giveaway of Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 29, 2010

•  Audio Book Review and Giveaway of Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors into a Family by Glenn Plaskin
  

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 31, 2010

• Enquiring Minds want to know Meme - Week 9

Finished Reading:

PB:  Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell.  

Fun book; 4.25 Rating. 

See the review and 

ARC giveaway link above.

PB:   Edge of Sight (The Guardian Angelinos) by Roxanne St. Claire. Intense romantic suspense. Check back Wednesday for my  Review, Hachette Giveaway and Author Guest Post.

The killer she can't escape . . .
The heartbreak she can't forget . . .
The one man who can stop them both.

When Samantha Fairchild witnesses a murder in the wine cellar of the restaurant where she works, the Harvard-bound law student becomes the next target of a professional assassin. Desperate for protection the authorities won't provide, Sam seeks help from Vivi Angelino, an investigative reporter who recruits her brother, Zach, to protect Samantha. A Special Forces vet with the scars to prove he's equally fearless and flawed, Zach takes the job, despite the fact that he and Sam once shared a lusty interlude that ended when he left for war and disappeared from her life. Now, as they crack a conspiracy that leads to Boston's darkest corners, Sam and Zach must face their fears, desires, and doubts, before a hired killer gets a second shot...

Kindle:  A Halloween Collection Anthology: Sweet from Victory Press. This is one of the books donated by Victory Press for  my Halloween Giveaway. I did enjoy reading these sweet stories and I would be interested in reading longer works by all of the authors.

1 Go On Without Me by Markee Anderson - Paranormal (Ghosts); I liked this really sweet, quick romance.  4.0
2 Honor Cafe by Charlotte Raby Adrianne- Paranormal (Invisible man); I liked the story although the ending seemed abrupt; probably because of novella length. 4.0
3 The Halloween Witness by Rita Hestead - Historical mystery; I liked the direct writing but the story seemed to resolve a bit simplisticly so I’d like to read a longer piece by this author. 4.25
4.  The Memory Charmer and the Boy Next Door by Christine E. Schulze - pure fantasy; Christine definitely weaves an interesting fantasy tale. 4.0
5. I Love Pie! by Kate Kindle; Mad-Doctor theme; I liked the writing and the characters except I didn’t like the complete disregard for the marriage nor the mob attack even if it the Doctor was an evil human being. 4.0

Audio: Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors into a Family by Glenn Plaskin.  An enjoyable "people" and pet read. Rating 4.25. See link for review and Hachette giveaway above.


Line Edits: Had some last minute adjustments on the new fantasy so it will go up this week.

Currently reading:

PB:   Elizabeth, Captive Princess: Two Sisters, One Throne by Margaret Irwin. I have just started this and like the imagery but am finding I have to concentrate on the twisting dialogue. Provided by Sourcebook for review.

Product Description
From an acclaimed master of historical fiction, a captivating series that is "vivid and psychologically brilliant."
-Times Literary Supplement, UK
In July 1553, sibling rivalry looms perilous, even life-threatening, between the daughters of King Henry VIII. Their brother King Edward is dead, his successor Lady Jane Grey has been beheaded, and Queen Mary Tudor has just won possession of the throne. But her younger half sister-the beautiful and vivacious Princess Elizabeth-holds the hearts of the people. Despite Mary's health fading fast and her power beginning to crumble, she won't give up the throne, determined to rule to the absolute end as her father did before her. In these treacherous times, when all about her there is secrecy and deception, Elizabeth must rely on her faith and courage if she is to survive her ordeal and rise to fulfill her destiny. With grace and elegance, Margaret Irwin continues the story begun in Young Bess, giving readers an intimate peek into the world of that most enigmatic of Britain's monarchs.

PB (Kinlde):  Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry. This book was provided by Glass Road PR for a Blog Tour post on November 9.  Since we are on the road I ended up getting it for the Kindle so I didn't have to bring the book with me. I have only just started this but doesn't it sound really interesting??

Product Description
Billy Allman is a hillbilly genius. People in Dogwood, West Virginia, say he was born with a second helping of brains and a gift for playing the mandolin but was cut short on social skills. Though he’d gladly give you the shirt off his back, they were right. Billy longs to use his life as an ode to God, a lyrical, beautiful bluegrass song played with a finely tuned heart. So with spare parts from a lifetime of collecting, he builds a radio station in his own home. People in town laugh. But Billy carries a brutal secret that keeps him from significance and purpose. Things always seem to go wrong for him.
However small his life seems, from a different perspective Billy’s song reaches far beyond the hills and hollers he calls home. Malachi is an angel sent to observe Billy. Though it is not his dream assignment, Malachi follows the man and begins to see the bigger picture of how each painful step Billy takes is a note added to a beautiful symphony that will forever change the lives of those who hear it.

AUDIO:  Don't Blink by James Patterson and Howard Roughan. YEAH!  I got my DH to listen to this in the car today so we are already half way done!

Product Description
New York's Lombardo's Steak House is famous for three reasons--the menu, the clientele, and now, the gruesome murder of an infamous mob lawyer. Effortlessly, the assassin slips through the police's fingers, and his absence sparks a blaze of accusations about who ordered the hit.

Seated at a nearby table, reporter Nick Daniels is conducting a once-in-a-lifetime interview with a legendary baseball bad-boy. Shocked and shaken, he doesn't realize that he's accidentally captured a key piece of evidence. Ensnared in the city's most sensational crime in years, Nick investigates for a story of his own. Back off--or die--is the clear message as he closes in on the facts. Heedless, and perhaps in love, Nick endures humiliation, threats, violence, and worse in a thriller that overturns every expectation and finishes with the kind of flourish only James Patterson knows.

Audible:  New Tricks by David Rosenfelt. I got the paperback to review from Hachette especially because I LOVE this series. But I have listened to all the previous Andy Carpenter series on Audible and as I started reading I could just hear the narration by Grover Gardner.  I missed it so I decided to download the Audible and enjoy the listen - which I am!

Product Description
Andy Carpenter gains possession of an adorable Bernese puppy whose owner was brutally murdered. Few can rival Andy's affection for dogs, and he will do whatever it takes to insure that this little pup doesn't fall into the wrong hands. However, his playful new friend is valued by several people, many of whom are willing to resort to violence to get what they want.It will take more than Andy's usual courtroom theatrics to save this dog, including a little help from his beloved Golden Retriever, Tara. Andy soon discovers that anyone around him is in danger, including his longtime girlfriend, Laurie, and he will have to muster all of his wits to save those he holds most dear.

Line Edits:  Still doing some minor changes on formatting wo more books for release. It takes a bit to get them just right and go back and forth with the authors for approval.

Upcoming books:  

PB: Montana Glory by R.C. Ryan - Hachette Blog Tour Review, Giveaway and Author Q&A coming up November 10, 2010.

PB:  Stronger than Sin (Sin 2) by Caridad Pineiro - Hachette Blog Tour Review and Giveaway due November 11, 2010.

PB: The Forever Queen: Sometimes, a desperate kingdom is in need of one great woman by Helen Hollick. I only just started the print book but left it at home. The review is not due until November 18 but the book is 621 pages. I will switch to the Kindle version later this week.

Sunday Post February 10, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 11, 2019

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.

This past week I struggled a couple days to fight off a cold. I came home early on Wednesday to sleep the afternoon. I rested Saturday and today too. Meanwhile my daughter went home sick Friday with a very high fever and feeling really yucky.

I am continuing to work on probate files and litigation files for closing out.

The dryout process is done at the damaged office but it looks like we will now be on hold until the engineer and architect get their plans to us.

Our house roof was completed this week and we are waiting for word on the fairly minor interior repairs.

Our weather had warmed up really nicely to the 70s mid week but dropped back to 40s on Saturday.

My reading was steady. I finished 3 books: two ebooks and one audiobook. I posted four reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 22 blogs during the week.
Shout Out this week to ReadRantRock&Roll. This is Mischenko's "blog about books, music, movies and more…".
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post February 3, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 4, 2019.

• MBS January 2019 Reading List Wrap Up.

• NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Quinn's Promise Rock by Christie Thomas and Sydney Hanson; Children, Christian; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Land: Founding: A LitRPG Saga by Aleron Kong; Humorous, LitRPG, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 5.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Defiance, Defending Home, Book 1 by William H. Weber; Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 9, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/7/2019.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: A Bachelor Establishment by Jodi Taylor; Humor, Historical Romance, Regency Romance; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall.

• Sharing Beyond Books #362 Comment Giveaway February 9, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/23/2019.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 10, 2019.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG2018)

The Last Woman in the Forest
by Diane Les Becquets
This is an interesting psychological thriller.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audiobooks/Smartphone (ATBR)

Buried Secrets (Men of Valor Series, Book #1)
Series Men of Valor Series
Author Irene Hannon
Narrator Therese Plummer and Jennifer Grace
This is good- not great -romantic suspense.
Source: Christian Audiobook Sale July 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (ebTBR)

Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit
by Francis Chan
This is a wonderful book that reminds us of our true relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Source: Kindle Free TBR 2012.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Audiobooks/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Bird and the Sword
By: Amy Harmon
Narrated by: Trina Nishimura
Series: The Bird and the Sword Chronicles, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
I am really enjoying this fantasy romance.
Source: June 2017 Audible Daily Deal $3.95.
Publisher's Summary
Swallow, daughter, pull them in, those words that sit upon your lips. Lock them deep inside your soul, hide them 'til they've time to grow. Close your mouth upon the power, curse not, cure not, 'til the hour. You won't speak and you won't tell, you won't call on heaven or hell. You will learn and you will thrive. Silence, daughter. Stay alive.
The day my mother was killed, she told my father I wouldn't speak again, and she told him if I died, he would die too. Then she predicted the king would sell his soul and lose his son to the sky. My father has a claim to the throne, and he is waiting in the shadows for all of my mother's words to come to pass. He wants desperately to be king, and I just want to be free. But freedom will require escape, and I'm a prisoner of my mother's curse and my father's greed. I can't speak or make a sound, and I can't wield a sword or beguile a king. In a land purged of enchantment, love might be the only magic left, and who could ever love...a bird?
©2016 Amy Harmon (P)2016 Audiobooks.com Publishing

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Never Let Go (Uncommon Justice Book #1)
by Elizabeth Goddard
I like how this has started.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
As a forensic genealogist, Willow Anderson is following in her late grandfather's footsteps in her quest for answers about a baby abducted from the hospital more than twenty years ago. The case may be cold, but things are about to heat up when someone makes an attempt on her life to keep her from discovering the truth.
Ex-FBI agent--and Willow's ex-flame--Austin McKade readily offers his help to protect the woman he never should have let get away. Together they'll follow where the clues lead them, even if it means Austin must face the past he's spent much of his life trying to forget. And even if it puts Willow's tender heart at risk.
In this fast-paced and emotional page-turner, bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard keeps the stakes high, the romantic tension sparking, and the outcome uncertain until the very end.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband
A Bridgertons Prequel
By: Julia Quinn
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
Series: The Rokesbys, Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
Another historical romance for this month. 
This will be my continuing series book for February.
Source: December 2018 Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
With her brother, Thomas, injured on the battlefront in the colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health.
But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He's unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier's life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie.
When Edward comes to, he's more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out three months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is - even if he does not recall her face - and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he'd always assumed he'd marry his neighbor back in England.
Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself - completely - to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby.
©2017 Julie Cotler Pottinger (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

4. eBook/Kindle (ebTBR)

January Breeze, February Embers, March Whispers
(Elderberry Croft #1)
by Becky Doughty
I will be reading the February story for my 'Monthly' Goal reading.
Source: Kindle Free TBR 2015.
Click on book title for full description.

February 10, 2019 - I am staying up to date with the One Year Bible plan reading through You Version App.
I am reading a 21 day reading with others in our church: Gospel of John; What it Means to Believe.
[You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed three books and posted four reviews. That keeps me to 3 reviews to post.
I continue to slowly add reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. I still have older ones to catch up on.
I added two titles to my NetGalley shelf so it is at 11 unread from November to date plus 4 old titles (2012!) that I might get read this year. I still have four remaining author titles in queue. 
Still many 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: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I picked up two more NetGalley review titles.
I picked up one Audible daily deal and one February free Audible Original.
I didn't purchase any Kindle paid titles and I only picked up 13 free kindle titles again. (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

I received two titles from NetGalley.
The Lady in the Coppergate Tower
by Nancy Campbell Allen
"Hazel and Sam must fight their way past vampires, clockwork beasts, and their own insecurities as they try to reach her sister in the impenetrable Coppergate Tower before time runs out."


Finder
by Suzanne Palmer
"Fergus Ferguson has been called a lot of names: thief, con artist, repo man. He prefers the term finder...
Foolhardy. Eccentric. Reckless. Whatever he’s called, Fergus will need all the help he can get to take back the Sword and maybe save Cernee from destruction in the process."

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked up one Audible Daily Deal:
2/4/2019 Audible Daily Deal $3.95
God of War
By: J. M. Barlog, Cory Barlog
Narrated by: Alastair Duncan
Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
Release date: 08-28-18

Free

2/10/19 Free Audible Original
Sovereign
By Jeff Hirsch
Narrated by: Jesse Einstein
Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 01-31-19
"One boy's story of surviving alone on a strange planet.

I only added 13 free titles to my Kindle library. I didn't spend much time adding free books again this week.  Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.