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Friday, January 1, 2016

MBS Best of 2015 Reading List

MBS Best of 2015 Reading List
I had seven reads I rated as 5.0 out of the 172 read and reviewed. There were another nine rated 4.75 so they are noted below also.

HERE ARE MY TOP PICKS:


1. Dark Horse
by Michelle Diener
Sci Fi, Space Opera; my rating 5.0.





2. To Honor You Call Us (Man of War Book 1)
by H. Paul Honsinger
Sci Fi Military, Space Opera; my rating 5.0.


3. Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour
by Lynne Olson
History, WWII; my rating 5.0.




4. The Clay Lion
by Amalie Jahn
Sci Fi, Fantasy, YA; my rating 5.0.





5. Whispers in the Reading Room (The Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series Book 3)
by Shelley Gray
Historical Romance, Inspirational, Mystery; my rating 5.0.






6. What's In My Pocket and Who Stole My Homework
by Todd Key, Illustrated by Steve Ryder
Children, Family; my rating 5.0.





7. A Change of Fortune (Ladies of Distinction Book #1)
by Jen Turano
Historical Romance; my rating 5.0.







More Wonderful Fiction Reading to Enjoy! - my 4.75 rated books:

1.
  • Only Enchanting, A Survivors' Club Novel by Mary Balogh; Historical Romance; my rating 4.75.


  • 2.
  • Starship Blackbeard by Michael Wallace; Sci Fi, Action Adventure; my rating 4.75.


  • 3.
  • Betrayal in Death: In Death, Book 12 by J. D. Robb Crime Thriller; my rating 4.75.


  • 4.
  • StarFire: Vince Lombard, Book 1 by Mike Lee; Sci Fi Contemporary, Military; my rating 4.75.


  • 5.
  • Mail Order Brides of the West: Trudy by Debra Holland; Historical Romance; my rating 4.75.


  • 6.
  • Dawn of Destiny (Epic Book 1) by Lee Stephen;Military Sci FI; my rating 4.75..


  • 7.
  • Extremes: A Retrieval Artist Novel by Kristine Kathryn Rusch; Sci Fi Mystery; my rating 4.75.


  • 8.
  • Monster Hunter Alpha by Larry Correia; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.75.


  • 9.
  • Suspect by Robert Crais; Police Procedure; my rating 4.75.
  • MBS 2015 Reading List

    MBS 2015 Reading List

      JANUARY
    1. First Book of 2015 - Book Review: Shopping for Time: How to Do It All and NOT Be Overwhelmed by Carolyn Mahaney, Nicole Mahaney Whitacre, Kristin Chesemore, Janelle Bradshaw; 4.5.
    2. Book Review: Only Enchanting, A Survivors' Club Novel by Mary Balogh; Historical Romance; my rating 4.75.
    3. Audible Book Review: 25 Perfect Days by Mark Tullius; Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 3.75. (This one might be better in text.)
    4. Audible Book Review: FREE: The Jester (A Riyria Chronicles Tale) Written by Michael J. Sullivan; Fantasy;  my rating 4.5.
    5. Book Review and Giveaway: Amish White Christmas Pie by Wanda E. Brunstetter; Amish, Christian Fiction; my rating 3.75.
    6. Audio Book Review: The Eighth Day by Michael O'Neal; Thriller, Action Adventure, YA; my rating 4.0. 
    7. Book Review: Exodus 2022 by Kenneth G. Bennett; Sci Fi Thriller;  my rating 4.25.
    8. AudioBook Review: Time and Again: Book 1 in the History Mystery Series by Deborah Heal; Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Time Travel; my rating 4.0.
    9. Book Review: 'Tis The Season: Under the Christmas Tree\Midnight Confessions\Backward Glance by Robyn Carr; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating 4.5
    10. Book Review: Starship Blackbeard by Michael Wallace; Sci Fi, Action Adventure; my rating 4.75.
    11. Book Review: Just in Time for a Highlander (Sirens of the Scottish Borderlands) by Gwyn Cready; Time Travel, Highlander; my rating 4.0. 
    12. Book Review: The Founders' Plot by Frank Victoria; Political Thriller; my rating 4.25.
    13. Book Review: Immortality by Kevin Bohacz; Sci Fi, Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.
    14. Book Review: Hawk (The Quiet Professionals, Book 2) by Ronie Kendig; Military Romance, Christian; my rating 4.25.
      FEBRUARY
    15. Book Review: Enchanted by Alethea Kontis; Fantasy, Highlander; my rating 4.25. 
    16. Book Review and Giveaway: Saving Hope: The Men of the Texas Rangers - Book 1 by Margaret Daley; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5.
    17. Audio Book Review: Betrayal in Death: In Death, Book 12 by J. D. Robb Crime Thriller; my rating 4.75.
    18. Audio Book Review: Heart of Stone: Irish Angel Series by Jill Marie Landis; Historical Romance, Christian; my rating 4.0.
    19. Book Review: The Oath of Nimrod: Giants, MK-Ultra and the Smithsonian Coverup by David S. Brody; Mystery, Historical Theories; my rating 4.0.
    20. Book Review: Accept This Dandelion by Brooke Williams; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25. 
    21. Book Review: Snow Angel Cove by RaeAnne Thayne; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.5.
    22. AudioBook Review: Cleansed by Fire: A Father Frank Mystery by James R. Callan; Mystery, Christian; my rating 4.0.
    23. Book Review and Giveaways: What a Devilish Duke Desires by Vicky DreilingHistoric Romance; my rating 3.75. 
    24. Audible Book Review: Contingency: Sage Hannigan Time Warper, Book 1 by Peggy MartinezFantasy; my rating 3.75. 
    25. Book Review: Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart; Historical Romance, Christian; my rating 4.5.
    26. Audible Book Review: Dead Reckoning: Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery #11 by Charlaine Harris; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.0.
    27. Audible Book Review: Review: The Beast Master by Andre Norton; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 4.0.
      MARCH
    28. Book Review: The Void (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston; Sci Fi, Mystery; my rating 4.5.
    29. Audible Book Review: Finding Mr. Right by Emily Carmichael ; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.0.
    30. Book Review with Features: Admit to Mayhem: Lillian Dove Mystery by D. J. Adamson; Mystery, Amateur Sleuth; my rating 4.0.
    31. Audio Book Review: The Keeper's Calling: The Keeper's Saga, Book 1 by Kelly Nelson; Time Travel, YA Romance; my rating 4.0.
    32. Book Review: The Last Heiress by Mary Ellis; Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.
    33. Audible Book Review: Legendarium by Kevin G. Summers, Michael Bunker; Fantasy, Humor; my rating 4.0.
    34. Book Review and Print Giveaway: Interlude in Death, In Death 12.5, by J.D. Robb; Futuristic Crime Mystery; my rating 4.5.
    35. Book Review: Monday’s Lie by Jamie Mason; Mystery; my rating 4.5.
    36. Book Review: Echoes (A Harp Security Novel) by Laura K. Curtis; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5.
    37. Book Review and Giveaways: A Kiss to Build a Dream On (A White Pine Novel) by Kim Amos; Contemporary Romance, Small town; my rating 3.5. 
    38. Audio Book Review: Quitter by Jon Acuff; Nonfiction; my rating 4.0.
    39. Book Review and Giveaways: Scandalously Yours by Cara Elliott; Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.
    40. APRIL
    41. Audible Book Review: The Maze Runner: Maze Runner, Book 1 by James Dashner; Teens, Thriller; my rating 4.0.
    42. Book Review: A Hope Remembered by Stacy Henrie; Historical Romance, WWI; my rating 4.25
    43. Audio Book Review: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terril; Teen, Sci Fi Thriller; my rating 4.0.
    44. Audible Book Review: Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt; legal Mystery, dogs; my rating 4.5.
    45. Book Review and Giveaway: Before the Scarlet Dawn: Daughters of the Potomac - Book 1 by Rita Gerlach; Historical Fiction, American Revolution; my rating 3.5.
    46. Book Review: Shadow Study (Soulfinders) by Maria V. Snyder; Fantasy; my rating 4.5.
    47. Audio Book Review: Blood for Ink: The Scarlet Plumiere Series, Book 1 by L. L. Muir; Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.
    48. Book Review: The Fire Sermon by Francesca Haig; Fantasy, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.0.
    49. Book Review and Giveaways: Fringe Benefits (The Ladies Who Lunch) by Sandy James; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating 3.75. 
    50. Audible Book Review: Trident's First Gleaming: A Special Operations Group Thriller by Stephen Templin; Military Thriller, my rating 4.0.
    51. Book Review and Giveaways: Sinfully Yours (The Hellions of High Street) by Cara Elliott; Historical Romance; my rating 4.25. 
    52. Audible Book Review: The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen; Fairy Tale Thriller, my rating 3.5.
    53. Book Review and Giveaways: The Brass Giant: A Chroniker City Story by Brooke Johnson; Steampunk, YA; my rating 3.75.
    54. Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Ride: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Puca Mates Short Book One) by A.C. James; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.0.
    55. Audible Book Review: StarFire: Vince Lombard, Book 1 by Mike Lee; Sci Fi Contemporary, Military; my rating 4.75.
    56. Audible Book Review: Gabriel: Zero Point: The FREE Prequel Novella: Evan Gabriel Trilogy by Steve Umstead; Sci Fi, Military ; my rating 4.25.
    57.  MAY
    58. Audible Book Review: Mail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy by Debra Holland; Historical Romance; my rating 4.75.
    59. Book Review and Giveaway: Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams Book 1) by Lori Wick; Historical Romance; my rating 4.0.
    60. Book Review: The Shadow Cartel (The Dominic Grey Series) by Layton Green; Mystery Suspense, Thriller, my rating 4.25.
    61. Audio Book Review: When Death Loved an Angel by Cheree L Alsop; Fantasy, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
    62. Book Review: Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey; Historic Romance, Romance; my rating 4.5.
    63. Audible Book Review: Gabriel's Redemption: Evan Gabriel Trilogy, Book 1 by Steve Umstead; Sci Fi, Military; my rating 4.0.
    64. Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Once Upon a SEAL (Lucky Thirteen Book 5) by S.M. Butler; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.0.
    65. Audible Book Review: Virgin River by Robyn Carr; Contemporary Romance ; my rating 4.0.
    66. Book Review: Grey (The Romany Outcasts Series, Book 1) by Christi J. Whitney; Paranormal, YA; my rating 4.25. 
    67. Book Review: The Clockwork Crown (Clockwork Dagger Novels Book 2) by Beth Cato; Steampunk; my rating 4.5.
    68. Book Review and Giveaways: Passionately Yours (The Hellions of High Street) by Cara Elliott; Historical Romance; my rating 4.0.
    69. Audible Book Review: The Tempting of Thomas Carrick: The Cynster Novels, Book 21 by Stephanie Laurens; Historical Romance; my rating 4.0.
    70.  JUNE
    71. Audio Book Review and Giveaway: Dawn of Destiny (Epic Book 1) by Lee Stephen;Military Sci FI; my rating 4.75.
    72. Book Review: Fortune's Detour: Prequel of The Deka Series by Abigail Schwaig; Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
    73. Book Review: The Cancer Solution: Taking Charge of Your Life with Cancer by Jack C. Westman M.D. M.S.; Nonfiction; my rating 4.5.
    74. Book Review: Outlaw Trigger (Epic Book 2) by Lee Stephen; Military Sci FI; my rating 4.5.
    75. Audio Book Review: Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things: The Wedding Planner Mysteries, Book 1, by Rachelle J. Christensen; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.25.
    76. Book Review: The Ark by Laura Liddell Nolen; Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
    77. Book Review: Murder At Rudhall Manor (A Humorous Murder Mystery) by Anya Wylde; Humorous, Mystery; my rating 4.25.
    78. Audible Book Review: Eighth Grave After Dark by Darynda Jones ; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.25.
    79. Audible Book Review: Extremes: A Retrieval Artist Novel by Kristine Kathryn Rusch; Sci Fi Mystery; my rating 4.75.
    80. Book Review: Judas the Apostle by Van Mayhall Jr.; Biblical thriller; my rating 4.0.
    81. Book Review and Giveaway: A New Hope (Thunder Point series) by Robyn Carr; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating 4.5.
    82. Audible Book Review: Top Dog: The Story of Marine Hero Lucca by Maria Goodavage; Personal Memoir; my rating 4.5.
    83. Book Review and Blitz Giveaway: A Promise of Forever (A Tallgrass Novel Book 1) by Marilyn Pappano; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating 4.5.
    84.  JULY
    85. Audio Book Review: The Lost Starship by Vaughn Heppner; Sci Fi Adventure; my rating 4.5.
    86. Book Review, Guest Post and Giveaway: Two Hearts: When I Said I Do, I Meant Forever by James Richey; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.0.
    87. Audible Book Review: The Martian by Andy Weir; Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
    88. Book Review and Giveaway: Love in Disguise by Carol Cox; Historical Romance, Christian; my rating 4.25.
    89. Book Review: A Town Called Dust: The Territory 1 by Justin Woolley; Sci Fi, YA Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
    90. Audible Book Review: Seduction in Death: In Death, Book 13 by J. D. Robb; Crime Thriller; my rating 4.25.
    91. Book Review and Tour Giveaway: A Killer Past by Maris Soule; Criminal Thriller; my rating 4.25.
    92. Book Review: If My People . . .: A 40-Day Prayer Guide for Our Nation By Jack Countryman; Devotional; my rating 4.5.
    93. Audible Book Review: Sector 64: Ambush by Dean M. Cole; Sci Fi Suspense; my rating 4.0.
    94. Book Review: SEAL Team Six: Hunt the Fox by Don Mann, Ralph Pezzullo; Military Thriller; my rating 4.25.
    95. Audible Book Review: Double Whammy: A Davis Way Crime Caper, Book 1 by Gretchen Archer; Modern Detective; my rating 4.25.
    96. Book Review and Print Giveaway: Dying to Read (The Cate Kinkaid Files Book #1): A Novel by Lorena McCourtney; Cozy Mystery, Christian Fiction; my rating 4.0. 
    97. Audible Book Review: Double Dip: A Davis Way Crime Caper, Book 2 by Gretchen Archer; Modern Detective; my rating 4.0.
    98.  AUGUST
    99. Book Review: A Curse of Ash and Iron by Christine Norris; Fantasy, Steampunk, Fairy Tale; my rating 4.5.
    100. Audible Review: Steelheart: Reckoners, Book 1 by Brandon Sanderson; Sci Fi, Fantasy, Action; my rating 4.5.
    101. Book Review: Footsteps in the Sky by Greg Keyes; Science Fiction; my rating 4.25.
    102. Audible Book Review: Double Strike: A Davis Way Crime Caper, Book 3 by Gretchen Archer; Modern Detective; my rating 4.5.
    103. Book Review: Plantation Shudders: A Cajun Country Mystery (A Cajun Country Mystery) by Ellen Byron; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.25.
    104. Audible Review: 14 by Peter Clines; Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
    105. Book Review: Dark Horse by Michelle Diener; Sci Fi, Space Opera; my rating 5.0.
    106. Book Review and Giveaway: Double Exposure (The Justice Agency Book 1) by Susan Sleeman;Inspirational Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.0.
    107. Audible Review: Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley; Historical Romance; my rating 4.0.
    108. Audible Review: The Remaining by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
    109. Book Review: A City Called Smoke: The Territory 2 by Justin Woolley; Science Fiction, Action Adventure; my rating 4.25.
    110. Book Review: To Honor You Call Us (Man of War Book 1) by H. Paul Honsinger; Sci Fi Military, Space Opera; my rating 5.0.
    111. Audible Review: The Witch with No Name: The Hollows, Book 13 by Kim Harrison; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.5.
    112. Audible Review: Resurrecting Home: A Novel by A. American; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.0.
    113. Audible Review: Waking the Bear: Broken Chains, Book 1 by Kerry Adrienne; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.25.
    114. Book Review: Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm (Once in a Lifetime) by Rebecca Raisin; Small Town, Contemporary Romance; my rating 3.75.
    115.  SEPTEMBER
    116. Audible Review: The Empire's Corps by Christopher G. Nuttall; Sci Fi, Futuristic; my rating 4.25.
    117. Book Review: The Banished of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 1) by Jeff Wheeler; Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
    118. Audible Review: Come Home to Me: Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Book 1 by Peggy L. Henderson; Historical Romance, Time Travel; my rating 4.25.
    119. Audible Review: The Remaining: Aftermath by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.
    120. Book Review: Death of the Blue Flower by Roxann Hill; Mystery, Crime Thriller; my rating 4.5.
    121. Audible Review: The Remaining: Refugees, Book 3 by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.
    122. Book Review (Plus Giveaway Link): The Last Chance Christmas Ball - Collection of Eight Wonderful Authors; Historical Romance, Holiday; my rating 4.5.
    123. Audible Review: The Remaining: Fractured, Book 4 by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.
    124. Audio Review: The Sniper and the Wolf: A Sniper Elite Novel by Scott McEwen, Thomas Koloniar; Military Thriller; my rating 4.0.
    125. Audible Review: Deadlocked, Book 12 by Charlaine Harris; Paranormal; my rating 4.0.
    126. Book Review: Harriet Wolf's Seventh Book of Wonders: A Novel by Julianna Baggott Women's Fiction; my rating 4.5.
    127. Book Review: The Remaining: Trust: A Novella by D.J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.0.
    128. Book Review: The Remaining: Faith: A Novella by D.J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.0.
    129. Audible Review: The Remaining: Allegiance by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.
    130. Audible Review: The Remaining: Extinction by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.
    131.  OCTOBER
    132. Book Review and Print Giveaway: First the Dead: A Bug Man Novel by Tim Downs; Mystery; my rating 4.25.
    133. Audible Review: Annihilation: Love Conquers All by Saxon Andrew; Sci Fi, my rating 4.25.
    134. Book Review and Print Giveaway: Jennifer: An O"Malley Love Story by Dee Henderson; Inspirational Romance; my rating 4.25.
    135. Book Review: Children of the Comet by Donald Moffitt; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
    136. Book Review: Kiss of Midnight: A Midnight Breed Novel (The Midnight Breed Series Book 1) by Lara Adrian; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.25.
    137. Book Review: On the Run (The Elijah Project) by Bill Myers; Children's Inspirational Fiction; my rating 4.0.
    138. Book Review: Love in the Details: A November Wedding Story (A Year of Weddings Novella) by Becky Wade; Contemporary Romance, Novella; my rating 4.5.
    139. Audible Review: Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour by Lynne Olson; History, WWII; my rating 5.0.
    140. Tour Book Review and Giveaway Link: Midnight Kiss: Touched by Midnight, Book 1 by Nancy Gideon; Paranormal Romance, my rating 4.25.
    141. Audible Review: The Clay Lion by Amalie Jahn; Sci Fi, Fantasy, YA; my rating 5.0.
    142. Book Review: Awaken His Eyes: The Awakened Book One by Jason Tesar; Fantasy; my rating 4.0.
    143. Audio Book Review: Clear by Fire: A Search and Destroy Thriller by Joshua Hood; Military Thriller; my rating 4.0.
    144. Audible Review: The New World: Prequel to the Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness; Sci Fi, Fantasy, YA; my rating 4.0.
    145. Book Review: Priceless (A Rylee Adamson Novel, Book 1) by Shannon Mayer; Urban Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.25.
    146. Audible Review: Monster Hunter Alpha by Larry Correia; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.75.
    147. Book Review: Whispers in the Reading Room (The Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series Book 3) by Shelley Gray; Historical Romance, Inspirational, Mystery; my rating 5.0.
    148.  NOVEMBER
    149. Audio Book Tour Review with Giveaway: Murder on Safari: A Thriller by Peter Riva; Mystery, Thriller; my rating 4.5.
    150. Book Review: Nirvana (Nirvana Series Book 1) by J.R. Stewart; Sci Fi, Fantasy, Dystopian; my rating 4.0.
    151. Audible Review: Just One Da**ed Thing After Another: The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 1 by Jodi Taylor; Urban Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.25.
    152. Book Tour Review with Giveaway: Merry Mary by Ashley Farley; Contemporary, Holiday Novella; my rating 4.0.
    153. Book Review and Giveaway: Katt’s In the Cradle: A Secrets from Lulu's Cafe Novel by Ginger Kolbaba, Christy Scannel; Contemporary, Inspirational, Women’s Friendship; my rating 3.5.
    154. Book Review and Giveaways (print and ebook): You Know What I'm Sayin'?: Poetry * Drama by Daniel García Ordaz; Poetry, Drama, English/Spanish; my rating 4.5.
    155. Book Review: Dead Girl Running (The New Order Book 1) by Ann M. Noser; Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 4.25.
    156. Book Review: Power of the Matchmaker by Karey White, Rachael Anderson, Kelly Oram, & 9 more; Romance, Novella; my rating 4.5.
    157. Book Review and Feature: What's In My Pocket and Who Stole My Homework by Todd Key, Illustrated by Steve Ryder; Children, Family; my rating 5.0.
    158. Audible Review: Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile by J. L. Bourne; Thriller, Sci Fi, zombies; my rating 4.0.
    159. Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Steal Me (NYPD's Finest) by Lauren Layne ; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5.
    160. Audio Review: Special Talents: Goon Squad, Vol. 1 by Jonathan L. Howard; Sci Fi, fantasy; my rating 4.5.
    161. Book Review: Joy to the Worlds: Mysterious Speculative Fiction for the Holidays by Four Authors; Speculative Fiction; my rating 4.25.
    162. Audible Review: Omega Rising: Omega Force, Book 1 by Joshua Dalzelle; Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
    163. Audible Book Review: Silent Night, Holy Night: A Colleen Coble Christmas Collection by Colleen Coble; Romance Novellas; my rating 3.75.
    164. Book Review: Sheltering Hearts (Virgin River Book 11) by Robyn Carr; Contemporary Romance, Novella; my rating 4.0.
    165.  DECEMBER
    166. Audible Book Review: Suspect by Robert Crais; Police Procedure; my rating 4.75.
    167. Book Review and Giveaway (print): A Change of Fortune (Ladies of Distinction Book #1) by Jen Turano; Historical Romance; my rating 5.0
    168. Audible Book Review: The Genuine Particle by Stephen Punt; Comedy, Radio Broadcast; my rating 4.25.
    169. Book Review and Giveaway (print): The Raven Saint by MaryLu Tyndall ; Historical Romance, Christian Romance; my rating 3.5. 
    170. Book Review: The 12 Brides of Christmas Collection by 12 authors; Christian & Historical Romance; my rating 4.25+.
    171. Audible Book Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld; Steampunk, Fantasy Adventure; my rating 4.5.
    172. Book Review: Unclutter Your Life! How to Tame Your Mess, Calm Your Mind, Lighten your Load by Jen Williams; Nonfiction, Household; my rating 4.5.
    173. Book Review: The Lord Is My Shepherd: The Psalm 23 Mysteries #1 by Debbie Viguie ; Christian; Mystery; my rating 4.5.
    174. Audio Book Review: Goon Squad, Vol. 2: Without Sin by Jonathan L. Howard; Sci Fi, Comic Storytelling; my rating 4.0.
    175. Book Review: Xenonauts: Crimson Dagger by Lee Stephen; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 4.5.
    176. Audible Book Review: Jingles All the Way: A Christmas Tail by Barbara Morgenroth; Kids, Dogs; my rating 4.25
    177. Book Review: Fatal Judgment (Guardians of Justice Book #1): A Novel by Irene Hannon; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5.
    178. Book Review: You're Never too Old to Laugh by Ed Fischer; Comedy, Aging; my rating 4.0.
    179. Book Review: Frozen Past (A Jaxon Jennings' Detective Mystery Thriller Series, Book 1) by Richard C Hale; Suspense Thriller; my rating 4.25.
    180. Book Review: Zion's Road: A Love Story about Faith and Redemption by Imani Wisdom; Romance, Suspense, Inspirational; my rating 4.0. 
    181. The One Year Bible NLT (One Year Bible: New Living Translation-2)
    DONE

    Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 1, 2016

    Happy Friday.
    I hope everyone had a safe New Year's Eve and are enjoying a relaxing New Year's Day. 
    (Was anyone else appalled by the New Year's Eve coverage last night? It is pretty sad if private body parts and sex is the best they have to talk about to open a brand new year.)
    We have had rain all week and the temperatures are dropping today to the 40s.
    I expect to spend the rest of today planning my reading and setting up Challenge posts for 2016 - fun stuff. :-)

    TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK
    US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
    INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)


    CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

    Thank you to all who entered the December 25 Pick. There was only one automatic win this week. (I guess because so many have been winning this month.) Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no blocked titles.
    AUTO: 
    Sue gets A Midnight Clear

    CONGRATULATIONS
    to Random.org picked Winners from December 25 Pick:
    Linda gets a GC
    Di gets Honor's Bride

    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.}
    May you have wonderful opportunities and blessings in 2016!
    Image found at Leeds Book Club.

    New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015
    (I was getting ready to leave the office and realized I hadn't taken the photo of the books yet.
    I took this very quickly. I may try to get another next week but this will have to do for now.)

    PAIRS
    Joan Johnston – Colter’s Wife and The Rivals
    Nora Roberts – Born in Ice and Carnal Innocence
    SINGLES
    The Wedding Night by Jane Ann Krentz
    The Marriage Prize by Virginia Henley
    In Shelter Cove by Barbara Freethy
    Into the Valley by Rosanne Bittner
    Never Look Back by Linda Lael Miller
    The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver – CD Audiobook
    Touch Me by Beverly Rae (personally autographed)
    Driven by Desire by LuAnn McLane (personally autographed)
    To Marry a British Lord by Judith Obrien
    A Highlander For Christmas by Sandy Blair
    A Midnight Clear by Katherine Stone (slight seam creasing)
    Silver Bells by JoAnn Ross, Fern Michaels, Mary Burton, Judy Duarte


    New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015
    After I noticed the trend I went on a hunt for “bride” titles. I even pulled a couple from some of my long time collections(*). (But they are not getting read on my shelves.)

    PAIRS:
    Leigh Greenwood –  The Reluctant Bride and The Independent Bride
    Jane Feather(*) – The Hostage Bride and The Accidental Bride
    SINGLES:
    The de Burgh Bride by Deborah Simmons
    The Forever Bride by Evelyn Rogers (Seam creasing)
    Short Straw Bride by Dallas Schultz
    The Bride Thief by Susan Spencer Paul
    Bride by Stella Cameron (Seam creasing) (*)
    An Unwilling Bride by Jo Beverley (*)
    Bride Enchanted by Edith Layton
    The Maiden Bride by Linda Needham (hardback)
    Bride of Lochbarr by Margaret Moore (*)
    The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens (*)
    Honor’s Bride by Galye Wilson
    A Necessary Bride by Debra Mullins
    Border Bride by Deborah Hale


    New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
    A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

    Shannon Drake –  Realm of Shadows (Alliance Vampires#4) 
    SINGLES:
    Bloody Good by Georgia Evans
    Cat of Nine Tales by Deborah Macgillivray
    The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
    The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands
    Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)


    New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015
    A few more summer titles, historicals and mysteries!

    ANTHOLOGIES:
    Broken Vows, Mended Hearts by Lynn Stone, Gail Ranstrom and Anne O'Brien
    3,2,1 Married! by Sharon Sala, Marie Ferrarella and Beverly Barton
    SINGLES:
    Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels
    Little Girl Lost by Shirlee McCoy
    You Don't Know Jack by Erin McCarthy

    New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015
    -- A few summer titles, a few mysteries, a few historicals...

    SINGLES:
    Sevant, The Awakening by L.L. Foster

    New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015


    SINGLES:
    A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl
    The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess by Trish Morey
    Rally Fever by Crea Jones

    New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
    (I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

    SINGLES:
    The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
    Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

    New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015
    (I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)
    SINGLES:
    If I Had You by Deborah Bedford
    The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood

    New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014



    SINGLES:
    Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes


    BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

    The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
    The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
    First to Fight Anthology
    Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
    The Commander by Kate Bridges
    The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
    The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
    A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
    Richard Paul Evans PAIR: The Looking Glass and The Carousel
    Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
    Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner


    BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

    Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
    Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
    Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
    Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
    Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
    A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
    Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


    BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

    Thinner by Stephen King
    Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
    Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
    The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
    Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander
    An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
    A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- 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
    Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
    The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
    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.


    BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

    Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
    Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
    Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
    Death Angel by Linda Howard

    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 almost six years I have posted 62 groups of 16 (992) books to find new homes! (as of November 6, 2015).

    I am happy to say that so far about 911+ 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. 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!

    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 $7.00 and $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)

    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!

    MBS First Book Of The Year 2016

    Welcome to 2016!
    And so we begin a new year of reading!

    Pop over to see pictures of many of our fellow bloggers 
    and see what each person is reading as their First book of 2016! 

    I had a very hard time deciding what to read for my First Book of 2016. Soooo many choices!
    I have a Ladie's Book Club title that had to be ready for 1/2.
    I have 12 titles lined up on NetGalley already for 2016.
    I have several challenges I wish to participate in and I have multiple audio titles to enjoy, including one that was gifted by the author and one that was received through Audiobook Jukebox.

    I looked at several self-help/fiction type of books and actually purchased one at Audible.
    At the beginning of the week I had narrowed my selection to the seven books below. All but The Etymoligicon I already own in one form or another and have on my TBR reading list for 2016:
    1. Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles Book 1) by Marissa Meyer (ebook TBR)
    2. Nation by Terry Pratchett (Audible TBR)
    3. The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language by Mark Forsyth
    4. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge (Audio SYNC TBR)
    5. Time Heist: Firstborn Saga Volume 1 by Anthony Vicino (Audible for review)
    6. Buster: The Military Dog Who Saved a Thousand Lives by RAF Police Flight Sergeant Will Barrow, Isabel George (Audio for review)
    7. Old Man’s War by Jack Scalzi (Audible TBR)
    However, as I contemplated starting the year while buying my last titles at Audible, my mind changed.
    I am planning to participate in the Vintage SciFi Not-a-Challenge event hosted by Andrea at Little Red Reviewer.

    In line with that I will also use January to participate in the 
    2016 Sic Fi Experience hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings.


    With those January events in mind, I tossed the idea of doing something in the self-help/fiction mode and went on a hunt for Vintage Sci Fi titles to start the year with some sci fi fun. :-)

    Here is what I picked up at Audible on 12/31/15 (two December credits plus $2.07.):

    1. To Live Forever by Jack Vance
    2. X Minus One: Protective Mimicry (October 3, 1956) by Algis Budrys, Ernest Kinoy - adaptation
    3. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo
    4. X Minus One: Cold Equations (August 25, 1955) by Tom Godwin, George Lefferts - adaptation
    5. X Minus One: Target One (December 26, 1957) by Frederik Pohl, George Lefferts - adaptation

    The three X Minus One titles are vintage sci fi radio broadcast offerings under 30 minutes each so I plan to listen to all three on 1/1/2016 to get a feel for those authors who will be new to me.
    Where I go after that...?? Probably the review audio: Time Heist. Then either the Jack Vance title or Old Man's War.

    Here is my photo offering for FIRST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2016.
    (I couldn't get a good pic of me, my Sansa Clip mp3, and the audio image on tablet so I combined them.)

    I am looking forward to seeing the titles others have chosen for their First Book of The Year 2016.

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