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GIVEAWAYS ARE NOW LOCATED ON THEIR OWN PAGE - CLICK ON TAB ABOVE; Giveaways also linked on right sidebar.

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Sunday Words of Encouagement March 21, 2021

I am away in mid-Florida today as I came to Lakeland for a woman 's leadership conference. Staff came with me and spent Saturday at Hollywood Studies in Disney. Today we are going to Disney Springs, fka Downtown Disney. I may not get to listen to church but I certainly won't get to post notes. So I made this selection ahead of time to share.

11mins of names of God! (There was another version that was 21 minutes long but I thought that might be too much but follow the link if your would like the longer version.)

He is (The Names of God)
Verse for Today:
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
6 For to us a child is born,
        to us a son is given,
        and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
        Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
        Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.





Free Cross Stitch Design His Name is Jesus | Cross stitch, Free cross  stitch designs, Cross stitch designs

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Sharing Beyond Books #417 Comment Giveaway March 20, 2021

Hello again, Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books. AND HAPPY SPRING!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Last Q#416 Alina asked: Are you a superhero movie fan? If yes, MCU or DCEU??
Six commenters are not real fans, with one being unfamiliar with the superhero worlds. Three like either, with one leaning toward DC and another favoring Marvel. Two others chose MC/Marvel.

The Winner from SBB #416 comments is #6 Marjorie who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post. -- [11/16/19 I plan to add some review books this week and maybe some new Christmas and Love titles as soon as I locate the box I put them in. 11/28/20 I have added a box of new books for SBB and will list them in the next week or so. I have to try to cross off books that have already been awarded. ]

Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #417
(One Question.)
BN100 asks: What do you think of authors claiming "exclusive giveaways" for newsletter subscribers only, but the only way to enter is via social media or buying a book??
I might not mind an entry through social media (like Twitter or FB) but I don't like being required to buy a book for an entry.
book giveaways and contests
Image found at Tonya Kubo

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 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify them.
Thank you to Alina and BN100
for contributing questions used in March. Each get $2.50 or half book credit.

Your turn to share. BN100 asks: What do you think of authors claiming "exclusive giveaways" for newsletter subscribers only, but the only way to enter is via social media or buying a book??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question 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, April 3, 2021, at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Commune: Book Two by Joshua Gayou

This is another spot on entry in this dystopian, post-apocalyptic series.
Commune: Book Two
Commune Series 2
By: Joshua Gayou
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Commune: Book Two audiobook cover art

Length: 15 hrs and 2 mins
Release date: 04-03-18
Publisher: Joshua Gayou, Blue Heron Audio
Genre: Action, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.


Publisher's Summary
2019 Independent Audiobook Award Winner for Apocalyptica
Survival can be a lonely existence...or not. The reality of the situation always comes down to a simple decision: What kind of world do you want to build?
The survivors have come to settle in the mountains of Wyoming, fighting day in and day out to establish a home for themselves in a near-empty world. Things are good at first; scavenging is a workable, short-term solution that seems to be providing all they need.
But they know that it’s only a matter of time before the food runs out. They need to scramble to find a sustainable solution before the clock stops, and for a little handful of people up in the mountains, the odds don’t seem very favorable.
Further south, a new band of people migrates across the map, running on fumes and searching desperately for a place to settle. All around them, as resources run thin, the world grows colder and more violent.
It’s getting worse out there, always getting worse, and it’s starting to look like survival might just depend on how violent they’re willing to get.... ©2017 Joshua Gayou (P)2018 Joshua Gayou


Review:
Brian, a member of the Jackson Commune, continues his character interviews in this episode. The primary character discussed is Blake Gibson, formerly SSgt Gibs. Gibs is a wonderful character and, as Gayou states in the intro, he did his best to make Gibs a true to life Marine Sergeant. Gibs is clearly well read and well spoken but he comes with the full blown rough language of a Marine.

This book provides Gibs the opportunity to tell about the misfit survivors that he gathered in his ‘bus’ as they struggled through Colorado. They scavenged along the way and hoped to find good supplies in Denver but found trouble instead. Gibs describes their losses and harrowing escape before he explains how they ended up in Jackson, Wyoming where he was fortunate to meet Jake, the leader of the commune. In the early days there weren’t outsiders aware of the location of the secluded cabin and surroundings. Once Gibs arrived with his busload of people the occupants grew from three to over twenty. It was important that everyone find a task they could perform to contribute to the community.

The story goes from desperate gun fight to methodical, planning and working toward long term (at least past winter) survival. Some interviews are shared from Amanda and a few others which gives a break from all Gibs. In spite of the potty mouth, I enjoyed the fighting action and the prepper development activities. I am looking forward to book 3. I recommend this book and series to readers who enjoy real to life post-apocalyptic stories.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray is a great narrator for this work. He captures the voices and personalities of the characters. His narration enhanced the book for me. I plan to continue to listen to the audio versions.

Source: 05/17/2020 Two Audible Credit choices for April. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and 2021Alphabet Audio goals.

Commune: Book One Review, 4.5.

Friday, March 19, 2021

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 19, 2021

Happy Friday! Welcome to Spring!

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 March 12, 2021 Pick. There was no automatic win again this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was no title blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from March 12, 2021 Pick:
LINDA gets a GC
AND
WRITER 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.}
In honor of St. Patrick's Day!
Image found at KB Konnected
on Pinterest

New Book Groups #92 and #93 November 13, 2020.
#92 (15 books):

The Promise by TJ Bennett
A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley
Alaskan Renegade by Kate Bridges
Killing Floor by Lee Child
The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart
Heart's Desire by Ruth Ryan Hagan
Snowflakes on the Sea by Linda Lael Miller
Murder in Plain Sight by Marta Perry
One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney
The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed
No Ordinary Man by Suzanne Simmons
The Scot by Lyn Stone
The Abducted Heiress by Claire Thornton
Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs

Box #93 (14 books)

Three Complete Novels by Sandra Brown (Best Kept Secrets, Mirror Image, and Slow Heat to Heaven)
Select Editions Four Novels: Safe Harbor, The Analyst, Fallen Angel and Open Season
Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready
There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers (personally signed)

The Celtic Riddle by Lyn Hamilton
For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper
The Irish Bride by Alexa Harrington

The Best Man by Kristan Higgins
Castles in the Mist by Jose Litton
When We Met by Susan Mallery

Thief of Hearts by Teresa Medeiros
Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery
Familiar Stranger by Sharon Sala
All of Me by Lori Wilde


New Book Group #91 October 2, 2020 - Suspense themed

SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Senseless by Mary Burton
Indefensible by Pamela Callow
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder
Final Appeal by Joanne Fluke
The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman
The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman Audiobook


PICK TWO  your choice (listed below the picture) Nora Roberts:

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
A Little Magic (
Sorry - I initially listed this as Dark Magic)
Valley of Silence
Inner Harbor and
Chesapeake Blue


New Book Group #90 June 19, 2020
Quite a few mysteries in this box.

SINGLES:
Siren's Song by Trish Albright (personally autographed)
Alias by Smy J. Fetzer
Angel Face by Suzanne Forster
Stalking the Puzzle Lady by Parnell Hall
Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)
The Warrior by Frances Richey (poetry  hardcover)


New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020
Singles:
My Surrender by Connie Brockway
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist
Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere

New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019

Singles:
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs


New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES


New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.
SINGLES:
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

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
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
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen


(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three One more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four One 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 TEN years I have posted 91 groups of 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling 1,477 books available to find new homes! (As of November 6, 2020).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,354+ 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!

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Audio Book Review: Wolf's Bane by Aimee Easterling

I enjoyed this shifter, action story.
Wolf's Bane
Written by Aimee Easterling
Narrated by Piper Goodeve

Wolf's BaneRelease Date: July 2, 2019
Run time: 5 hours and 43 minutes
Release Date: July 2, 2019
Publisher: Wetknee Books
Genre: Fantasy, Folklore, Shifters
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.


Publisher Description
Secrets are my specialty.
I’m Mai Fairchild — fox shifter, sister’s keeper, and bane of the local werewolf pack. In a world where different is dangerous, my sister and I must pretend to be human at all costs. Too bad I just lost the job that lets me live under the radar while putting food on my sister’s plate.
Enter an enticing werewolf who offers enough cash to upgrade our diets from ramen noodles to salami if I join him on a magical hunt. But can I afford to accept the opportunity when the risk of working closely with every fox shifter’s sworn enemy is so great?
This first book in USA Today bestselling author Aimee Easterling’s newest series dives into a world of magic, danger, and romance.


Review:
Mai and her younger sister, Kira, are fox shifters, also known as kitsune. They have to keep this secret since it is a fact that would condemn them to execution by werewolves who don’t tolerate the kitsune magic. Mai lost her mundane day job so has to rely on her fighting success in the fight cage.

Unfortunately, her run of wins is hurting the betting. Her boss decides to set her up against a new team – werewolves. Gunner, an alpha werewolf, offers Mai a lucrative job if she will help the werewolves find a rogue, brutal killer. Mai needs the work but is reluctant to work so closely with her enemies of her very nature. While she is still contemplated the job another murder occurs and she is drawn in to inspect the scene. It is quickly apparent that the killer is using magical power. Not only that, but the killer has somehow gotten a hold of Mai’s family artifacts that can be used to trigger magic.

Mai is receiving cryptic mind messages from her dead mother while she is trying to discover who has obtained her mother’s magic and is now stalking her. Meanwhile, Mai needs to keep her ‘boyfriend’, a local werewolf, from putting her in the middle of a territorial war with Gunner and his pack. All of her efforts get tangled up, especially when Kira keeps taking actions that endanger the sisters.

I enjoyed the overall plot line and the intrigue of Gunner’s interest in Mai. I was a little frustrated that Kai had not shown more regard for her mother’s heirlooms and also failed to communicate better with her sister regarding their nature. Then there was the bad choices that Mai kept making to sneak away from the werewolves who were trying to trust her. These several elements seemed like major missteps for the primary character although it plays into the action.

The writing is at a level suitable for YAs and adults. I do enjoy shifter characters and I liked the developing relationship between Mai and Gunner. The story ends with danger and a bit of a cliff hanger. I am interested in reading the next book. I recommend this to readers who like shifter stories.

Audio Notes: Piper Goodeve does a good job with the narration. She gives appropriate life to Mai and manages to give the characters distinct voices. I enjoyed the audio listen.

Source: 4/01/2020 Chirp for $.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and 2021Alphabet (audio) goals.

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