Sharing Beyond Books #138 Comment Giveaway, February 15, 2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Thanks to everyone who commented two weeks ago. Sorry I missed last week.

Few people have a "hidden spot" although Ricki goes dog sitting at her parents so she has quiet, Marjorie gets to use a spare bedroom turned den and Fredamans uses her home office. As to favorite places the bed edged out the comfy couches by 8 to 6 but many agreed they liked to have a nice blanket with them. I was surprised that a good handful of folks like to read outdoors in good weather. And several agreed with me that they read whenever or wherever.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #137 comments is: #18 Texas Book Lover who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #138 (One Question.)

Q1. Margaret asks: How many e readers do you own??

A: I think the true count for me is one. As a true e reader - I have only my Kindle. I can read Nook on Samsung or ASUS tablets but I rarely do and I never read on my new smartphone - too small.  

I wonder how many types of e readers exist?

Image found at Watertown Library.

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! We still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use. 

Your turn to share:

Q1. Margaret asks: 1. How many e readers do you own??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books , the Christmas Giveaway Books (to be updated soon), or the June 2012 Newly Updated ARC/Review List.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two 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 through Saturday February 22, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

A New Group of Christmas Titles for Choices by SBB Winners

2/18/17
New Christmas and Love books for SBB.

2/15/14
I finally am getting around to posting a new box of Christmas Books for winner picks from the Sharing Beyond Book Comment Giveaways.
{This is not a giveaway post but these books are for winners to pick from.}

For the Love of St. Nick by Garasamo Maccagnone
The Fifth Day of Christmas by Betty Neels
A Highland Christmas (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries 16) by M.C. Beaton SBB July 2014
A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas -- SBB May 2014
Nascar Holiday 3 Anthology by Liz Allison & Wendy Etherington, Brenda Jackson, Marisa Carroll and Jean Brashear I think this is gone.. will double ck on 11/23
A South Texas Christmas by Stella Bagwell
Christmas Spirits by Lynn Kurland and others -- SBB in September
Harlequin Historical Christmas Stories 1991
A Christmas Bride/ Christmas Beau by Mary Balogh -- SBB March 2014 Comment win
Snowy Night with a Stranger by Jane Feather and others
A Winter Wonderland by Fern Michaels and others -- SBB April 2014
Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas Jack Canfield and others
Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas Treasury Jack Canfield and others

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 14, 2014

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

Lost the four days (Thursday, Sat-Mon) to the treatment *sigh* so I am still playing catch-up. Planning on a very quiet Valentine's Day - how 'bout everyone else?



More details at My Cancer Journey. 

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the February 7 Pick. There were THREE Automatic wins this week!  (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks). There was one title blocked with multiple picks and one blocked but won.
Becky gets Lady Ice
bn100 gets The Nightingale's Song
Carol NW gets Found Money

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from February 7 Pick:
Sue gets Rachel Lee Pair (A Conrad County Homecoming+)

(through a block)

Mariska gets a GC

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! Especially to all of us who LOVE BOOKS!

Image found at Wisdom Roots.

New Book Group #45 January 31, 2014

PAIRS:
   Deborah Cooke: Winter Kiss and Kiss of Fate
   Fern Michaels:  Hey Good Looking and Charming Lily
SINGLES:
Swimming Without a Net by Mary Jane Davidson
Exit Strategies by Catherine Todd
Perfection in Pearls by Madeline Hunter
The Reckoning by Beverly Lewis
Out of Darkness by Lynn Erickson
Lord Braybrook's Penniless Bride by Elizabeth Rolls
Contract Dad by Helen Shelton
Sandhill Dreams by Cara Putman
Hearts Are Wild by Laura Wright
Dare Me Anthology, Cherry Adair, Jill Shalvis and Julie Elizabeth Leto
All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins
A Writer's Dream & A Cowboy's Heart by Vickie Kennedy


New Book Group #44 December 14, 2013

PAIRS:
Rachel Lee
     A Conrad County Homecoming and Boots & Badges
SINGLES:
Renegade Heart by Madeline Baker
Shades of Scarlet by Linda Fallon
Legendary Warrior by Donna Fletcher
Found Money by James Grippando - Abridged Cassette Audio
Every Whispered Word by Karyn Monk
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Hawk's Pursuit by Connie O'Banyon
Tides of Passion by Tracy Sumner
Guarded Secrets by Rebecca York and B.J. Daniels

New Book Group! #43 November 1, 2013

Pairs gone
SINGLES:
Father for Keeps by Ana Seymour
Crimson Rain by Meg O’Brien

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013

Singles:
Silver Feather by Cassie Edwards (pictured and in box but missed the listing.)
Something Extra by Janet Dailey

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Singles:
The Nightingale's Song by Jo-Ann Power
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
White Heather by Jaclyn Reding

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Pairs:
      (Angels) Not Quite An Angel by Bobby Hutchinson and An Angel for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad
Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes
Star Light, Star Bright by Katherine Stone

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Oops - I never added all the links last month so no promises on these either.

Singles:
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
That Summer by Joan Wolf (won 1/10 by rubynreba)

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Here is a group with many mysteries.  Links to be added as I get time.

Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013

As I am linking these titles it is clear to me why they were in my TBR boxes and it is really hard to let them go but I have soooo many. Better that they find good reader homes than sit on my shelves, or in a box, and collect dust. 
Pairs:
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.
Lady Ice by Joan Hohl

New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe

New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013 (All gone)

New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012---(All gone)

New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012
- Oops upside down book! NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley

New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
I pulled some more books from several of my boxes.
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
This time I pulled some books from one of my older boxes.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander (postage too much - replaced with GC)

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012--- (All gone)

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012--- (All gone)

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -
Halloween or dark minded.
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011---(All gone)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20
Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books: Group #19
Primary Colors - audio tapes

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone).

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in four years I have posted 43 groups of 16 (688) books to find new homes! (as of November 2013).

I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 628+ books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 $7.00 and $6.00 $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List #17--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown  (postage too much - replaced with GC)

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4---(All gone)

Pick #5
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Pick #8
(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Book Review and Tour Giveaway: New Frontier by Jeremy Lee

This is an engaging sci fi view of future humanity with a flash back technique that I really enjoyed.

New Frontier
by Jeremy Lee

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Neverland Publishing Company LLC (November 12, 2013)
• ISBN-13: 978-0988829053

Genre: Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 11, 2013
As a new era dawns for humanity, finally breaking the bonds that left us tied to the Solar System, this giant leap is to be marred by greed and erupting violence. The new frontier, ripe for colonization and opportunity, is filled with the honest and ruthless alike.
Two rival corporations have all but supplanted nation-states, keeping governments around only as a necessary fiction to pacify populations, as the realm of business now reaches into politics, military, religion, and all other aspects of human life. The frontier regions of space, barely able to keep from slipping into total anarchy, are filled with new homesteaders, miners, merchants, bandits, and scientific minds. When one company gains the edge and is the first to crack an engine to bring the Alcubierre formula into reality, and thus travel faster than the speed of light, the rivalry between the two multi-national conglomerates is taken to a dangerous new and martial level. The battle for profits in the market place is now being waged by armies and fleets in space.
The Argos, adrift and crippled far from home, is the only hope for its remaining crew. These survivors of a mysterious attack struggle to hold their ship together and come to the rescue of homesteaders and compatriots relying on them.
Contrasting with the dubious motivations of those in power, the crew of the Argos are people who crave adventure and are above the miasma of greed that sends them their orders. As the great battle breaks out at the moment that should have been humanity's greatest triumph, the gallant and the selfish alike are forced to face the best and worst of human civilization far from home and decide what they truly believe in.

Review:
The future world has been overtaken by corporate control even though some national leadership still exists as figureheads.  The Alliance had stepped in as a corporate presence trying to bring regrowth, construction, jobs and bright life to new areas. During this time they increased in power and economic prosperity.

A rival corporation, Independent Trading Company (ITC), is headed by four power-hungry and egotistical leaders: a political man, a military assassin, a charismatic, religious leader and a female headlining journalist. These four will use whatever tricks and thievery they can to overcome the Alliance who they proclaim is destroying the freedom of the people.

The Alliance has a scientist who has discovered an engine that will allow man to travel faster than the speed of light. This opens up the solar system as a ‘new frontier’ to be discovered and developed by humanity.  The Alliance builds a new ship, The Argos, to test the engine. It would make sense that the top captain, scientists and engineers in their fields would man the ship. Instead, an aging wealthy playboy, Davi, buys himself the captaincy making quick enemies of many, including the ship commander, experienced Shannon Drake. Davi insists on recruiting a wizard of an mechanical tech, Wangari, who can fix anything. Also, since no pilots have been trained on the equipment they pull in the shy, nerdy, reluctant computer engineer, Ahmad,  to become their new pilot. There are also a few other select characters who play an important role in the events that unfold.

The story is written in an unusual technique of parsing out details present and past. The opening chapter presents a decimated Argos that is drifting in far  space after a brutal attack has shattered her and sent a good portion of people and resources floating in space and one man, Hector de Anza trying to hang on and get to safety. Chapter two steps back three years to introduce the Alliance and the developments that have led it to the point of solar travel as well as introducing one of it’s pivotal enemies, the military assassin, Grover. Chapter three goes back fifteen years to introduce a twelve year old Hector de Anza who is now the Chief of the Boat on the Argos. And so it goes with different chapters flashing to the “Now” of the beleaguered ship or its conspiring enemies and others bouncing to the past to introduce the various characters who team together on the Argos. I liked the flow of learning of the characters' pasts and watching how they changed through the turmoil and challenges they faced together.

The story shares the struggles of individuals of all different levels of character and opportunity. Some are evil, some are lazy and spoiled and others are exceptionally set on duty. Many will rise to better themselves. A remarkable part of the story deals with the discovery of a alien species on a violet-red planet with similar conditions to earth. It is a chance to bring new friendships and vast discoveries except for the fact that coming on the heals of the excited Argos exploratory expedition is a military force of the ITC whose goal is to wipe out and conquer not only their enemy but the unknown inhabitants of the new world. How sad to think that the evil battles of humanity are introduced to a new world.

I recommend this to more than just good science fiction enthusiasts but also to those who like interesting character development. I enjoyed all of the excitement, the new world building and especially the growth of the characters as they faced the challenges in their New Frontier.

I received this book to review as part of Novel Publicity Book Tour.

Get New Frontier through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the Author - Prizes!!!

About the author: Born in Odessa, Texas Jeremy grew up mostly in southern New Mexico. Strongly

influenced by his grandmother’s adoration of history, and his mother’s love of reading, both of which he adopted early in life. Inheriting a work ethic from his father which served him well in the manic world of theater, Jeremy Lee started out writing for the stage, first in Denver and then in small New York venues while attending the New York School for Film and Television.
With 2011's Where I'm Bound I Can't Tell he began working in novels with a deeply personal look at growing up without growing old, which simultaneously expanded into a worldwide adventure through the 20th century.
Kings of New York began a long and rewarding relationship with Neverland Publishing, which continues even today. This gangster tale played in the wonderland of 20's New York, and painted a picture of cons just trying to survive and make a dishonest living the ruthless world they inhabit.
With New Frontier his career took an abrupt turn, looking not into the past but into the possibilities of the future. Exploring themes of strife, political corruption, greed, adventure, and religion, the book touched off a storm from reviewers.
Jeremy Lee currently lives in Denver with his family, writing ferociously when he can't find and excuse to be in the middle of nowhere fishing, getting blissfully lost in a museum, or occasionally just watching old Bogart movies and eating pizza on the couch.

Connect with Jeremy on his website, Facebook,or GoodReads..

About the prizes: Who doesn't love prizes? You could win one of two $50 Amazon gift cards or an autographed copy of New Frontier! Here's what you need to do...

1. Enter the Rafflecopter contest
2. Leave a comment on my blog

That's it! One random commenter during this tour will win the first gift card. Visit more blogs for more chances to win--the full list of participating bloggers {AND AN EXCERPT!}can be found HERE. The other two prizes will be given out via Rafflecopter. You can find the contest entry form linked below or on the official New Frontier tour page via Novel Publicity. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Delays in Postings

Hi blog friends. I'm just hopping on quickly to say all posts are currently delayed until committed Tour Review on Thursday.
I had a really rough weekend that kept me home on Monday too. No computer at all Saturday or Sunday and on Monday only half an hour checking work emails.

I am doing better tonight but heading to bed early as I have early court hearing tomorrow.
Thanks for patience and continued prayer and well wishes support.