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Saturday, May 9, 2020

MBS April 2020 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2020 Reading List - APRIL
Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2020
Favorites for the month:
5 Stars = I Hear You and Tin Man
4.75 Stars = Spring in Geneva
4.5 Stars = A Bad Day for Sunshine and Pass of Fire, Destoryermen Book 14
  1. Author2020- Book Review: Hood: an Outlaws novella by M.C. Frank; Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling, Historical Fantasy, Medieval; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
  2. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Differently Morphous by Yahtzee Croshaw; Genre: British-Irish Humor, Fantasy, Satire; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
  3. Author2020- Audible Book Review: Configured by Jenetta L. Penner; Genre: Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Teen; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  4. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Spring in Geneva by Sylvia Kelso; Genre: Fantasy, Gothic, Short Story, Steampunk; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.
  5. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones; Genre: Cozy Mystery, Private Investigator; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
  6. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Pass of Fire, Destroyermen Series, Book 14 by Taylor Anderson; Genre: Alternate History, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 5.0.
  7. A2020- Audible Book Review: Into the End by Bonnie R. Paulson; Genre: EOTW, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 3.75.
  8. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: The New Husband by D.J. Palmer; Genre: ADomestic Thriller, Thriller; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
  9. ATBR- Audible Book Review: I Hear You by Michael S. Sorensen; Genre: Business Management, Non Fiction, Self Help; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 4.75.
  10. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Tin Man: A Galaxy's Edge Prequel by Jason Anspac and Nick Cole; Genre: Military Space, Science Fiction, Short Stories; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Total read = 10; TBR = 6; New to Me Authors = 7
Audio/Audible = 7 (4 TBRs)
eBook = 0
NetGalley = 2 (2 TBRs)
Review books (other than NG) = 1 ebook/1 audio
Print = 0
• Series: 5
• New to me Series: 4 (2 to continue, 2 maybe)
• Continuing for me Series: 1
• Finished for me Series: 0

Goal Progress (Year to date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 51
TBR to Date: 41 of 100 total
TBR ebooks: 2 of 24
Audio to Date: 33 of 75
NetGalley to Date: 15 of 40
Author Reviews: 5 of 12
Nonfiction: 4 of 12
Series to Date: 29 (19 New and 10 Continued) 2 Finished
• Seasonal title: Winter 1, Spring 1,
• Alphabet letters covered: 10 Jan; 7 Feb; 5 March; 0 April

Friday, May 8, 2020

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 8, 2020

Happy Friday!
It's been another rather disjointed week.I hope all of you are reamining safe.

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 May 1, 2020 Pick. There were no automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no titles blocked.


CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from May 1, 2020 Pick:
CAROLL gets a Seductive Secrets
and
ALINA 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.}

I hope everyone is getting to enjoy some spring weather with your book reading!
Image found at Goodreads.

New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020
Pairs:
Brenda Joyce: Firestorm and Innocent Fire
LaVyrle Spencer: Morning Glory and Bitter Sweet
Singles:
Open House by Elizabeth Berg (Hardback)
My Surrender by Connie Brockway
What the Heart Knows by Kathleen Eagle
Turtle Moon by Alice Hoffman
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist
Angel Creek by Linda Howard
Montana Mavericks - Big Sky Grooms Anthology
Shadow and Silk by Ann Maxwell
Tempting Fire by Carla Neggers
Suicide Club by Gayle Wilson
Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere
Through the Years - Three Novels, Linda Howard, Fern Michaels and Debbie Macomber


New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019
PAIRS:
Connie Brockway: My Pleasure and My Seduction
Stella Cameron: Body of Evidence and Fascination
Singles:
A Notorious Proposition by Adele Ashworth
My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bourne
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs
Long, Lean and Lethal by Heather Graham
False Colours by Georgette Heyer
Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper
Treasures by Lisa Jackson (hardback)
No Limits by Alison Kent
The Education of Mrs. Brimley by Donna MacMeans
The Wedding Affair by Leigh Michaels
A Highlander's Temptation by Sue-Ellen Welfonder


New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES
The Perfect Gift by Christina Skye


New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.
SINGLES:
A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls


New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
Christmas Haven
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018
(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:
Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

Stella Cameron: Key West
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

SINGLES
Best Laid Plans by Allison Brennan
Darkness Tell Us by Richard Laymon
Cooking Most Deadly by Joanne Pence


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018
Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon by Lacey Baker
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018
SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
Too Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:
I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
White Night by Jim Butcher
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff


This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017
(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring by Jillian Hart

Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven


(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

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 NINE years I have posted 88 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,429 books to find new homes! (as of November 8, 2019).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,315+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] 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 faraway 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!

Thursday, May 7, 2020

#NetGalley Book Review: Leo's Monster by Marcus Pfister

This is fun for children.
Leo's Monster
by Marcus Pfister
52759112. sx318 sy475
Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 2
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: NorthSouth Books (May 5, 2020)
ISBN-13: 978-0735844179
Genre: Children, Emotions, Preschools
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0


When Leo, the city mouse, visits his friend Zoe in the countryside for the first time, he meets a huge and horrible monster.
It’s gigantic, has lots of horns, an enormous tail, and when it roars, the earth shakes. At least that’s what Leo saw. Or did he? Zoe thinks his description sounds just like Berta, the sweet-tempered cow in the meadow . . .
Bestselling author Marcus Pfister skillfully weaves a hilarious story of mystery, suspense and just a hint of scariness.


Review:
I totally enjoyed Leo, the city mouse, as he tries to describe the country “monster” to his country friend, Zoe. Leo describes the tail, the vicious-looking horns, the loud roar and the tongue that snatches the grass. I could hear the smile and amusement in Zoe’s response as he knows what and who the ‘monster’ is.

I have to admit that I didn’t fully read the description nor the back jacket and I am very glad that I didn’t. I suspected what animal the monster was and enjoyed getting to the reveal

The illustrations are bright and clear and the text is easy to read. I do think this is a fun, descriptive story to share with children. I can see the chance for parents to have fun with this and to use it for teaching to explain to a child the difference between city and country experiences. I recommend this to parents for use with children.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020NetGalley and 2020Alphabet goals.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Audible Book Review: Tin Man: A Galaxy's Edge Prequel by Jason Anspac and Nick Cole

Oh, I liked this! Now I want to listen to the first full book.
Tin Man: A Galaxy's Edge Prequel
By: Jason Anspach, Nick Cole
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Tin Man: A Galaxy's Edge Prequel audiobook cover art
Series: Galaxy's Edge Series, Book 0.5
Length: 52 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-28-20
Language: English
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Military Space, Science Fiction, Short Stories
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.


Publisher's Summary
The heart of a hero.
In the wilds of a jungle planet, the Legion fights in brutal combat as Republic marines fly their SLICS from one tragedy to the next.
H292, a repurposed warbot, shows the heart of a hero as he wades into the battle not to destroy - but to save.
©2018 Jason Anspach and Nick Cole (P)2020 Podium Publishing


Review:
The Legion is under siege and getting their backsides kicked (and worse) in fierce combat trying to hold their territory against s vicious alien in the wild jungles of a distant planet. The Republic marine pilots are on constant mission to try to retrieve the troops, mostly injured or decimated. After the loss of another human co-pilot, experienced medical pilot, Captain Reese, is assigned an ancient warbot named H292. Reese is a Marine who cares for his men and struggles to save those who survive the nighttime fighting. When he relaxes, Reese listens to ancient music from the 1990s. Folk rock songs like “A Horse with No Name” and “Tin Man” by America.

Reese doesn’t expect much from a robotic warbot. H292 hopes to be of service even as Reese dubs him “Tin Man”. Tin Man apparently watches his Captain and learns how a true Marine serves in the field.

This novella is an introduction to the struggles of the elite Legionnaire troops and a view of a heroic warbot. It tells a complete story within itself, even if it is short and just a taste of the series. I liked Reese as a leader but also adored Tin Man and his actions. I won’t say this is ‘fun’ as that seems a bit crass considering the wartime deaths and maiming. I am sure the references to the America songs added to my enjoyment. However, I totally enjoyed this and will soon be listening to book 1. This is a quick, engaging listen.

Audio Notes: I love listening to books narrated by R.C. Bray. In my opinion, his narration adds to the story. His voice contributes to the characters and action for me. I recommend this quick, inexpensive Audible.

Source: 3/28/2020 Audible Purchase $1.99. This qualifies for my 2020Audiobook goal.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Audible Book Review: I Hear You by Michael S. Sorensen

This is a book that could help anyone/everyone!
I Hear You
The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships
By: Michael S. Sorensen
Narrated by: Michael S. Sorensen
I Hear You audiobook cover art
Length: 2 hrs and 45 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 08-16-17
Language: English
Publisher: Autumn Creek Press
Genre: Business Management, Non Fiction, Self Help
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 4.75.


Publisher's Summary
What if making one tweak to your day-to-day conversations could immediately improve every relationship in your life?
In this three-hour, conversational listen, you'll discover the whats, whys, and hows of one of the most valuable (yet surprisingly little-known) communication skills - validation.
Whether you're looking to improve your relationship with your spouse, navigate difficult conversations at work, or connect on a deeper level with friends and family, this book delivers simple, practical, proven techniques for improving any relationship in your life.
Mastery of this simple skill will enable you to:
  • Calm (and sometimes even eliminate) the concerns, fears, and uncertainties of others
  • Increase feelings of love, respect, and appreciation in your romantic relationships
  • Quickly resolve, or even prevent, arguments
  • Help others become open to your point of view
  • Give advice and feedback that sticks
  • Provide support and encouragement to others, even when you don't know how to "fix" the problem
  • And much more
In short: this skill is powerful. Give the principles and practices in this book a chance and you'll be amazed at the difference they can make.
©2017 Michael S. Sorensen (P)2017 Michael S. Sorensen


Review:
This important communication skill is discussed, with examples, in an easy, encouraging way. I like how the author stresses listening with a goal of keeping things calm and avoiding arguments and hurt. I try to be a good listener, but Sorenson impresses how to go a step further emphasizing understanding what is being said and giving validation to the feelings of the speaker, whether or not you agree. People don’t always want someone to jump in to fix their problem. First, they want to be heard and have their feelings recognized.

I was reminded of a Transactional Analysis class I took back in my 20s. Just as I learned important life skills then, this audiobook now helped me be mindful of another practical life skill. I am so glad I picked this up as a Daily Deal. I highly recommend this quick book to anyone who wants better relationships in their life.

Audio Notes: The author does a fine job narrating his own work. He is clearly familiar with the material and able to provide the examples with appropriate inflections. This is a worthwhile listen.

Source: 9/16/19 Audible Daily Deal $1.95. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

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