Sharing Beyond Books #84 Comment Giveaway January 26, 2013

Hello, Welcome to SBB and Welcome to 2013!
Helllloooo all! :-) I got through my week and my appeal but the stress helped weaken me and I caught a cold. So far not the flu - Thank goodness! But still I am ready to crawl to bed now.
Thank you to all who shared last week.

Five of us haven't had a series fizzle. A couple named the same series and some of you keep reading even though you might not be as enthralled as when it started. :-) And then there are those long series that sometimes we give up on or just keep plugging on as we can.

It's wonderful to know that seven of  you do make crafty items. A couple used to and some hope to in the future. I'm glad my daughter is doing crafts with her kids. :-)

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The Winner from SBB #83 comments is: #3 miki. (Oh how I love when new visitors win!) There are still 4 'love' books to pick from and new Christmas choices. miki please choose a book (or GC if international) from the remaining five Love Books List for Giveaway, the new Christmas Giveaway Book list, OR pick from the Updated ARC/Review List and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.   [I hope to add some additional Christmas books, Valentine titles and ARCs to the books available in the next week or so - Oh -rats - being sick yesterday and today I forgot again! :-(]

WEEK #84 Questions

Q1. Marjorie asks: Do you have a tattoo??

A:  No. Don't really believe in them although some are quite nice. My daughter has a small one on her ankle - that she got without our permission. :-) The article with the picture below asks if you would "wear your love of books." BUT - take a look at all the designs at this site.

Image found at Art Beats.

Q2. My Question this week: Do you like and/or participate in book scavenger hunts??

A: I actually love scavenger hunts if they don't get too big. Twelve sites is good 30 maybe too many. This question is relevant as I will be a scavenger stop in February. :-)

Image found at Woodloch Edge

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 book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! I STILL HAVE A GROUP OF QUESTIONS AVAILABLE BUT THEY ARE FROM ABOUT FOUR PEOPLE SO SOME OF YOU MAY WANT TO ADD A QUESTION OR TWO! We can always use fresh questions. January questions were shared by FH&CT, Elizabeth, Carol L and Marjorie. The Winner is #2 Elizabeth.

Your turn to share:

1. Marjorie asks: Do you have a tattoo??

2. My Book Question this week: Do you like/participate in book scavenger hunts??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining Valentine and "Love" books (4 left) or the new Christmas Giveaway Books. Also I have added the Updated ARC/Review List now.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/three questions 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.

I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday,  February 1, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Winners Last Chance Christmas and The Publicist

CONGRATULATIONS

TO WINNERS

Giveaway: Last Chance Christmas

JOSIE H.

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Giveaway: The Publicist

Meghan - Print
Mary P - eBook! (sorry, almost forgot)

Josie, Meghan and MaryP Please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I will arrange the mailing, and advise the author.  Please reply within 72 hours!
Thank you to all who entered these giveaways. 

Audio Book Review: Ashes of Twilight by Kassy Tayler

Fans of The Hunger Games won't want to miss this engaging YA dystopia!
Ashes of Twilight
by Kassy Tayler (Author)
Nicola Barber (Narrator) 

• Audible Audio Edition
• Listening Length: 9 hours and 24 minutes
• Program Type: Audiobook
• Version: Unabridged
• Publisher: AudioGO
• Audible.com Release Date: November 14, 2012

Genre: YA Dystopia
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Wren MacAvoy works as a coal miner for a domed city that was constructed in the mid-19th century to protect the royal blood line of England when astronomers spotted a comet on a collision course with Earth. Humanity would be saved by the most groundbreaking technology of the time. But after nearly 200 years of life beneath the dome, society has become complacent and the coal is running out. Plus, there are those who wonder: Is there life outside the dome? Or is the world still consumed by fire?

When one of Wren's friends escapes the confines of the dome, he is burned alive and put on display as a warning to those seeking to disrupt the dome’s way of life. But Alex’s final words are haunting. "The sky is blue." What happens next is a whirlwind of adventure, romance, conspiracy, and the struggle to stay alive in a world where nothing is as it seems. Wren unwittingly becomes a catalyst for a revolution that destroys the dome and the only way to survive might be to embrace what the entire society has feared their entire existence.

Review:
The city was built with glass domes and air filters to shelter humanity from the fire expected to burn up the surface when, in 1878, a comet was on collision with earth. The society was set up to protect the bloodline of the royals in England. The various classes are restricted by their duties to preserve the lifestyle and line of the pampered royals with their arranged marriages.  The coal miners live below in caves, providing coal to keep the fans running. Above ground, workers maintain the giant fans and clean the domes; others serve as gardeners, bakers, weavers and the various merchants who sell wares in the markets. Enforcers , called “blue coats”, guard the privileged royals from all the lower classes. Although the system was set up without criminal expectation, through the 200 years that have passed, a group of evil thugs, the filchers, dwell on the fringes and prey on those they can snatch in the streets.

Wren is an underground worker, a “shiner”, tending the ponies who pull the coal carts. She is now sixteen and has always had a bit of a crush on Alex but he is focused on Lucy. That leaves Wren stuck with her best friend’s brother, James, who is impetuous and sometimes cruel. Wren is a bit of a dreamer who sneaks up to the dome each day to watch the sunrise. She stares at the dome and wonders if there is really fire outside as the leaders say or if the world outside has returned to the green earth it used to be.

Alex and a few of their friends have started to gather as “seekers.” The group includes members across the class structure, including some royals who do not want to be forced into marriage. Suddenly the world as they know it is plunged into uproar. Wren witnesses a burned-alive Alex declaring with his last breath that “the sky is blue.” Alex had made a run for the outside but the blue coats dragged him back to let him die in the streets. Wren is chased by a blue coat, Pace, who has seen and heard more than he should. Soon the two are in hiding, wondering about the secrets beyond the dome and wondering what their future may bring. The younger miners want to investigate further but the elders are reluctant to cause trouble.

The story starts with Wren wondering about the Bible and the Heaven she knows little about. I enjoyed Wren’s faithful courage, steady determination and inclination to do the right thing even if that means seeking answers and freedom that could bring danger. Pace is a good match for her as he too is loyal, ready to protect her and ready to fight ‘the system.’  I also like how they both care for animals - the ponies and the canary Pace names Pip.

This is an engaging YA dystopia with wonderful world building and some good surprises. There is a good blend of action and ideological dreams.  I recommend this as a good read for those who like The Hunger Games and Divergent. I like that there is less senseless killing than in Hunger Games, although there is violence through the revolution that occurs. I will be interested in the sequel when released.

Audio Notes: Ms. Barber does a great job giving emotional input to Wren’s tale. She conveys her wonder, her frustration, her fear and sorrow. She presents the other characters equally well.  My only concern was that the narration was very soft making it hard to hear. Although that might have been the fault of my MP3, I realized the problem exists with the Media player too.

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Wren has to make a decision when escape becomes possible:

"....yet, everything and everyone I love is still inside and something is desperately wrong in there. I can’t leave him....Dreams are nothing unless you have someone to share them with." End of Chapter 27.

I received this for review from AudioGO through AudioBook Jukebox.

Saturday Snapshot (January 26, 2013) Dec Visit to The Big Island, Hawaii

The third day of our cruise we visited the The Big Island. We picked up a small van tour in Hilo for a three and a half hour tour with lots of sites!

1st stop: Rainbow Falls - not big but pretty

2nd Stop Big Island Candies.

We sampled shortbread and coffee while watching them make the goodies!

We got some great decorating ideas at the candie shop.

So gorgeous!

3rd stop: Buildings full of all varieties of good smelling orchids

Learn how to grow orchids in the greenhouse.

The next site was Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
but I will post those pictures next time.

The last stop was The Mauna Loa
Macadamia Nut Company.
You can sample many flavors - Yumm!

Next week I'll show pics of the volcano area.

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Book Review and Giveaway: Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love

I found this story quite delightful.

Every Perfect Gift (A Hickory Ridge Romance)

by Dorothy Love

• File Size: 613 KB
• Print Length: 312 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (December 4, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• ASIN: B008GVYWC2

Genre: Historical Romance, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: December 4, 2012

Series: A Hickory Ridge Romance (Book 3)

Ethan and Sophie long to share a future together. But the secrets they’re not sharing could tear them apart.

Sophie Caldwell has returned to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, after years away. Despite the heartaches of her childhood, Sophie is determined to make a home, and a name, for herself in the growing town. A gifted writer, she plans to resurrect the local newspaper that so enchanted her as a girl.

Ethan Heyward’s idyllic childhood was shattered by a tragedy he has spent years trying to forget. An accomplished businessman and architect, he has built a majestic resort in the mountains above Hickory Ridge, drawing wealthy tourists from all over the country.

When Sophie interviews Ethan for the paper, he is impressed with her intelligence and astounded by her beauty. She’s equally intrigued but fears he will reject her if he learns about her shadowed past. Just as she summons the courage to tell him, Ethan’s own past unexpectedly and violently catches up with him, threatening not only his life but their budding romance.

“Pure Southern delight! Dorothy Love weaves a stirring romance . . . that uplifts and inspires the heart.” —Tamera Alexander, best-selling author of The Inheritance and A Lasting Impression

Review:
Sophie was dropped at the orphanage at four with unknown, therefore questionable, parents. She was 10 when  a local couple took her in and taught her the ropes of the local newspaper. The ‘family’ moved to Texas but after college Sophie decided she wanted to re-open the newspaper in her home town of Hickory Ridge. She knew it would be lot of work, especially facing the past and being a female in business in 1886.

Hickory Ridge is a small, dying town but it is being revitalized by the luxury resort being built in the mountains above the town. Sophie sets up an interview with the resort manager, Ethan. They are immediately attracted to each other, but Sophie is afraid that Ethan will reject her if he learns of her unknown parentage. Ethan has secrets and bitterness from his own past that return for him to face.

Sophie isn’t afraid to speak out and support her friends. Gillie is determined to get the town to help her open a medical clinic in town to serve those who can’t wait for the doctor to visit or can’t afford treatment. By supporting Gillie, Sophie angers the owner of the resort. He puts pressure on the town folk to ban their patronage of the newspaper making her struggles even harder.

The story has a good combination of romance, drama and a little action, to keep it interesting. There are conflicts that make it hard for Sophie to be honest and feel free to love Ethan. Ethan is unsettled with his bitter past creating a stumbling block for his future. I enjoyed the building of their sweet romance and the heart changes needed to overcome their conflicts.

I liked how the author presented historical issues involving racial prejudices and treatment of the laborers. The story also shows the difficulties resulting from one powerful businessman lording over a community. I greatly like the theme of gifts, emotional and tangible, that runs through the story. It encourages the reader to focus on blessings, not hardships.

The pacing was a bit slow in the middle and a few times I felt there were unnecessary details and scenes. Yet overall I really enjoyed the historical aspects, the surprises and the warmth and charm of the sweet romance.  There is inspiration shared in soft messages and there is a nice Group Reader Guide at the end. I will seek to read more from Ms. Love in the future.  If you like warm, feel-good, historical romance I recommend this book.

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Sophie has to face the voices of her past:

...shivering in the sharp wind that seemed to whisper long-past taunts. Mutt, Muddlebones. Mongrel. And worse.  Location 54.

Sophie worries over her unknown heritage:

But how was it possible to be truly at peace inside when there was so much she didn’t know, might never know, about who she was and where she came from? Location 607.

Her childhood friend, Robbie, has the answers:

“Maybe what you really need is the courage to believe that you are a perfect creation, just as you are. That our Creator knew what he was doing when he made you.”  Location 1418.

I received this book, through NetGalley, from Thomas Nelson.

This is set in Tennessee for my 2013 Where are You Reading list. This is also a New Author for me.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR PRINT COPY FROM PUBLISHER - US ONLY.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US Only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on February 1, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on February 2, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.