March 2016 Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge

I wasn't sure I would do this event but when I checked the rules the books have to be released before 3/1/16 so I should have a good group of those except for a few of the new March releases on my list.
I have a list of review titles this month so I am not going to guess which other TBRs I'll get to, but I will slip them in as I can!

Thank you to the host: Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
The basics:

For the entire month of March you focus on reading/listening to books in your TBR pile released before March 1, 2016. They can be eBooks, physical books or audiobooks. Let’s clean off those shelves, finish those series and trilogies and have some fun.

Check the link for all of the rules -- and HAPPY READING!

Sunday Post February 28, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 29, 2016

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

This week was another busy week with my 2nd staff member not returning until Thursday.  We always are busy with end of month closings too.
Our son, d-i-l and granddaughter are visiting in between bases. He will be here a week and d-i-l and Sweet Pea will be here a little over two weeks until they fly out to visit her family. I was going to do another review today but decided to spend family time instead. I have already read six books with Sweet Pea. :-)

Reading was good but seemed slow with only two books finished; one ebook and one audio. I posted two reviews and my other usual posts.

I enjoyed visiting other blogs early and mid week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post February 21, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 22, 2016.

• Book Review and Feature: City of Gold by Carolyn Arnold; Mystery Thriller; my rating 4.25.

• Audible Book Review: The Last Drop: The Last Drop, Book 1 by Andrea Perno; Fantasy, Young Adult; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 26, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/3/2016.

• Sharing Beyond Books #241 Comment Giveaway February 27, 2016. Ending 3/5/16.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 28, 2016.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/ MP3 (TBR)

Reunion in Death: In Death, Book 14
Written by: J. D. Robb
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
This is another grand crime thriller for Eve, Roarke and Peabody. I will post my review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

The God's Eye View
by Barry Eisler
This is scary, raw at times and 
timely considering current events.
I will post my review this week. 
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. Audible/MPE (ABB)

Defects: The Reverians, Volume 1
Written by: Sarah Noffke
Narrated by: Elizabeth Klett
This is moving quickly and I am curious how it will proceed.
I received this from the narrator through Audiobook Blast
Publisher's Summary
In the happy, clean community of Austin Valley, everything appears to be perfect. Seventeen-year-old Em Fuller, however, fears something is askew. Em is one of the new generation of Dream Travelers. For some reason, the gods have not seen fit to gift all of them with their expected special abilities. Em is a Defect - one of the unfortunate Dream Travelers not gifted with a psychic power. Desperate to do whatever it takes to earn her gift, she endures painful daily injections along with commands from her overbearing, loveless father. One of the few bright spots in her life is the return of a friend she had thought dead - but with his return comes the knowledge of a shocking, unforgivable truth. The society Em thought was protecting her has actually been betraying her, but she has no idea how to break away from its authority without hurting everyone she loves.
©2015 Sarah Noffke (P)2016 Sarah Noffke

2. ebook/Kindle (NG)

Dear Emma
by Katie Heaney
The story starts in letter form.
I had meant to review this before the release date,
3/1, but it snuck upon me
I hope to get the review up later this week.
I received this from 
Grand Central/Hachette through NetGalley.
Harriet, the author of her college newspaper's pseudonymous student advice column "Dear Emma," is great at telling others what to do, dispensing wisdom for the lovelorn and lonely on her Midwestern campus. Somehow, though, she can't take her own advice, especially after Keith, the guy she's dating, blows her off completely. When Harriet discovers that Keith has started seeing the beautiful and intimidating Remy, she wants to hate her. But she can't help warming to Remy, who soon writes to "Dear Emma" asking for romantic advice.

Now Harriet has the perfect opportunity to take revenge on the person who broke her heart. But as she begins to doubt her own motivations and presumably faultless guidance, she's forced to question how much she really knows about love, friendship and well-meaning advice.

3. eBook/Kindle + Print

Talon: Combat Tracking Team (A Breed Apart Book 2)
by Ronie Kendig
I picked this title up at a good price last November for our Ladies Book Club.
I purchased the Kindle version to read more quickly. We will meet to discuss the book Saturday March 5, 2016.
Aspen Courtland is out to find her missing brother. Only his combat tracking dog, Talon, knows where to look. Problem is, after a brutal attack that separated dog and handler, Talon’s afraid of his own shadow. The search is on, but when one mistake means disaster, can Talon muster the courage for one last mission?

4. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Path of the Bullet
by M C Jacques
This had to be pushed back for the other two that need to be read this week.
Click on book title for full description.

February 28, 2016- up to date -
Reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church.
I will also be listening (sometimes) to the companion commentary online.

I posted two reviews last week which leaves two for this week - once again up to date.
I don't think I will get too many TBRs this month as I have a month full of scheduled reviews:
Rel 3/1/16 Dear Emma by Katie Heaney - (NG) from Grand Central Publishing
3/5 Ladies Book Club - Talon
3/15 Those Who Walk In Darkness (Jacks Jackson Mystery Book 1)
by Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene - Great Escape Book Tours
3/17 Breaking the Story (Scottie's Adventures Book 2) by Ashley Farley – (NG) through Caffeinated Book Reviewer
3/24 The Ethical Coach Leader by Dwight Johnson - through iRead Book Tours
Rel 3/29/16 The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton – (NG)

In addition to those I have five more author reviews committed with no specific dates. Plus my NetGalley shelves with 10 books.

I'll be working on another new title to upload at eTreasure's NetGalley.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received two review titles this week and have listed my LBC book that wasn't listed before.
TBR Triple Dog Dare update: After 53 days I broke down and bought a book at Amazon. I still have February Audible credits to use soon. :-).
I did add more free kindle titles to my library.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I am listing this book as I don't see that I listed it when I bought it last year or when I passed it out the first week of February.

Talon: Combat Tracking Team (A Breed Apart Book 2)
by Ronie Kendig
I picked this title up at a good price last November for our Ladies Book Club.
I purchased the Kindle version to read more quickly. We will meet to discuss the book Saturday March 5, 2016.

I received this title from Great Escape Book Tours for review on March 13.

Those Who Walk In Darkness (Jacks Jackson Mystery Book 1)

by Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene
This sounded like a good historical mystery with a female Pinkerton agent.

I received this title from Hachette for Review and Giveaway 4/2:

Nobody But You (Cedar Ridge)
by Jill Shalvis
Small town contemporary;
I enjoy this author and haven't read her for a while.

Won

NONE

Purchased

I have to admit that I broke down and bought a Kindle title this week because it was available for $0.99
I have been eyeing it for Audible and this saves my credit for another book. If I still want it on Audible it would only be $1.99.

The Borrowed World: A Novel of Post-Apocalyptic Collapse
by Franklin Horton

Free

Over the past week I added 44 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement February 28, 2016

This morning we continued our Sunday School lesson on ‘a confident hope’. Then we had a nice worship service with a good sermon. Pastor asked the question: “What if Tomorrow Never Comes? He referred to the Bible text in James 4:13-17 that discusses those who would say I will do this business or that tomorrow… but ‘you do not even know what will happen tomorrow’. And particularly verse 17: “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

There is no place in our lives to procrastinate if there is good to do. We need to look to heavenly goals, sharing the good news with others, rather than seeking earthly success and material ‘stuff’.
Pastor encouraged us to apply these three principles:
1. Seize the day. Psalm 18:1-3; 46. Even though David was in hiding and beaten down, he chooses to praise God. David’s circumstances may not have changed but his attitude did. We need to seize the day or the day (wrong motives and attitudes) may seize you.

Happiness is not goal, but journey. (Happiness is not a matter of externals, it is a matter of internals.)
2. Secure your relationships. Ephesians 5:28. Again, your focus should be Heaven bound not earthly. Don't give the devil a foothold in your relationships. Ephesians 4:26-27. Watch your relationships with your spouse, your children (Psalm 127:3-5), friends (Proverbs 18:24) and other believers (Galatians 6:10).

3. Serve the Lord. We are told to ‘love the Lord your God, with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37.
Man is lost - can't find his way.
Man is blind - can't see the truth of God. John 14:6.
Man is dead - can't feel or experience the life of God.
If Jesus isn't you're Lord, who is?
We are to be giving, living, and doing in His name.
“I did it my way” (like Saul in 1 Samuel 28:19) is rebellion toward God. (Luke 12:20; Acts 5:3-4).

Every day is a non-returnable precious gift from God. Every day is victory. Be careful to live the victory and share the gift!

I went through several songs and decided on this very uplifting one!
It's A Beautiful Day!

Verses for Today:
James 4:16-17 NIV
16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.


I give thanks to you Father for each day that you gift to me. Help me to use them as a servant and to do good towards others and to share your Good News!

Sharing Beyond Books #241 Comment Giveaway February 27, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
This was another pushed week but it ended on a good note. Our son and d-i-l are visiting while he moves bases. I've already read five books to our granddaughter, the SweetPea!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Five of us would offer prayer and thoughts to help an online expressed trouble. Most of us would try to offer other help if we could, mostly monetary. I agree with and appreciate Miki's comment that sometimes even a card or small gift, soup if nearby, are a nice way to share instead of just monetary donations.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #240 comments is: #15 Rubynreba who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. I'm hoping to update the book choices - maybe the beginning of next year, lol. Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #241

(One Question.)

Nikki asks: 1) You know those mini review quotes on book covers/first few pages by other authors and reviewers etc, do those reviews sway your judgement when it comes to purchasing a book??

I glance at those snippets but I don't always trust them. I am more inclined to trust reader reviews than author endorsement quotes.

Image found at MME Green's Classroom

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! 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 to use.
Comments for February were submitted by Elizabeth, Miki and Nikki. Random.org chose #3 so Nikki gets a GC.

Your turn to share:
Nikki asks: 1) You know those mini review quotes on book covers/first few pages by other authors and reviewers etc, do those reviews sway your judgement when it comes to purchasing a book??
SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

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 March 5, 2015 at 5 PM central.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 26, 2016

Oh Yay! Happy Friday!
I think I am really glad it is the end of the week. I have been scrambling all week - busy with work and short handed. The cold blew back in and I'm ready to crawl in under our heated blanket! I'm looking forward to son and d-i-l coming in tomorrow but that is going to push into work time too.
Next week maybe a new set of books. :-)

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 February 19 Pick. There was one 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 three blocked titles again; one won.
Rita gets A Walk to Remember

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from February 19 Pick:
Betty gets the James Patterson Pair won through the block

Mystica 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.}

This is true for me - How about you?

Image found at Pinterest Books Are My Drug of Choice, saved from amandaonwriting.tumblr.com .

New Book Goup #63 January 22, 2016
(I have the picture and will try to get the list up before I crash. Sorry no links right now.)

PAIRS:
Victoria Alexander: The Pursuit of Marriage (slight creasing) and When We Meet Again
Shannon Drake: Reckless and When we Touch
James Patterson: Black Friday and Hide and Seek (both have spine creasing)
SINGLES:
Presidential Antidotes by Paul F. Boller, Jr.
Undercurrents by Stella Cameron
Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl
Warrior Ascended by Addison Fox
Parallel Attraction by Deidre Knight
Moving Target by Cheyenne McCray
Wayward Winds by Michael Phillips - Audio Tapes
Walking After Moonlight by Karen Robards
Forgotten Promises by Denise Skelton
A Walk to Remember by Nicolas Sparks - hardback

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015

Touch Me by Beverly Rae (personally autographed)


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
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:
Servant, 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 -- All Gone

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 931+ 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!

Audible Book Review: The Last Drop: The Last Drop, Book 1 by Andrea Perno

This is an engaging fantasy world featuring young adults and aliens as primary characters.
The Last Drop: The Last Drop, Book 1
Written by: Andrea Perno
Narrated by: Austin Rising

Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins
Series: The Last Drop, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-05-15
Publisher: Beau Coup LLC
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Jeremy always said Space Academy was Earth's last hope. People only dream of leaving a dying planet in search of better lives. Avery never expected he would be forced to do just that. On the heels of his brother's murder, his father's disappearance, and with Earth's dwindling water supply now contaminated with a deadly virus, Avery and his younger brother have no choice but to leave Earth behind and join the survivors migrating the nearest habitable planet. What they don't know is that the rarity of water extends far beyond Earth, and they aren't the only ones fighting for survival.
©2014 Beau Coup LLC (P)2015 Beau Coup LLC

Review:
In Avery’s world, the population has depleted the water resources on Earth and many are dying. Bathing and even brushing teeth are a thing of the past. Avery is going on eighteen and wants to become a soldier like his older brother, Jeremy. But Jeremy tells him to stay in the space program which is the hope for mankind. Their father is a well-known innovator, turned military leader, and although Avery knows to stay out of his way, he really has no idea of his true nature. Because of their father their family lives within a military base where water is brought in each day and rationed to those on base. Families outside the base have to scavenge and steal water if they can.

Life changes for Avery when Jeremy and their father return from a mission abroad. Jeremy is murdered and their father disappears. A deadly virus has contaminated the water. Avery awakens to discover that he and his younger brother, 12 year-old Jace, have been shipped out in space. They are headed for the planet, Panacea, where their commander, General Smith, plans to take the community and water supply away from the native people.

As Avery begins to train as a soldier he meets an angry young woman who can probably beat most of the soldiers, in street smarts and speed, if not by strength. Clesandra aligns herself with Avery and another of his few friends, Sheol. Once they land on the planet Smith isn’t convinced he can trust these three and a few others. He puts them to a test which results in leaving Avery, Clesandra, Sheol and a handful of abused natives beyond the walls of the research/military compound. Sheol and one of the natives, whom he has named Zap, have already developed a friendship as they curiously watched each other through a window. Avery and his friends only survive with the help of Zap and her friends. But can any of them survive Smith’s determination to eliminate those who don’t side with him and eliminate any competition for the water?

This is a well-crafted plot and the characters have good depth. The story is told in first person from Avery's view with a full range of emotions. I enjoyed the creative elements of Clesandra’s special weapon, the Panacea world and the skills and unique features of the Panacea natives. The survival aspects and value conflicts are also interesting. Although I was engaged by the story, it didn’t wrap me up. Perhaps it is the YA element which doesn’t always pull me in but would certainly pull in many readers younger than me. I do recommend the story to those who like sci fi (alien) fantasy that edges on dystopia. 

Audio Notes: Austin Rising did a very good job with the narration. The presentation suits the youth and impetuousness of Avery but Austin also provides unique voices to suit the other characters. The narration added to the emotional intensity of the story and made the YA emphasis easier for me. I don’t think a print/ebook would have flowed as well for my enjoyment so I am glad that I received this in audio.

I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox. It qualifies for my Audio Challenge.

Book Review and Feature: City of Gold by Carolyn Arnold

This is an entertaining, action packed adventure with the plus of police procedure.
City of Gold (Matthew Connor Adventure Series Book 1)
by Carolyn Arnold

File Size: 585 KB
Print Length: 375 pages
Publisher: Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc. (November 27, 2015)
ASIN: B016LLDQIY
Genre: Mystery Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Action-adventure books for the mystery lover. In this series, modern-day archaeologist and adventurer Matthew Connor travels the globe with his two closest friends to unearth treasure and discover legends the world has all but forgotten. Indiana Jones meets the twenty-first century.

Finding the Inca’s lost City of Gold would be the discovery of a lifetime. But failing could mean her death...

Archaeologist Matthew Connor and his friends Cal and Robyn are finally home after a dangerous retrieval expedition in India. While they succeeded in obtaining the priceless Pandu artifact they sought, it almost cost them their lives. Still, Matthew is ready for the next adventure. Yet when new intel surfaces indicating the possible location of the legendary City of Gold, Matthew is hesitant to embark on the quest.

Not only is the evidence questionable but it means looking for the lost city of Paititi far away from where other explorers have concentrated their efforts. As appealing as making the discovery would be, it’s just too risky. But when Cal’s girlfriend, Sophie, is abducted by Matthew’s old nemesis who is dead-set on acquiring the Pandu statue, Matthew may be forced into action. Saving Sophie’s life means either breaking into the Royal Ontario Museum to steal the relic or offering up something no one in his or her right mind can refuse--the City of Gold.

Now Matthew and his two closest friends have to find a city and a treasure that have been lost for centuries. And they only have seven days to do it. As they race against the clock, they quickly discover that the streets they seek aren’t actually paved with gold, but with blood.

Review:
I generally begin my reviews with a synopsis of the story. However, in this instance it would be repetitive of the blurb which covers the summary very nicely.  There are some interesting personal dynamics and conflicts that add to this adventure.

Only a handful of close friends - Robyn, Cal and a few others - know that Matthew is more than an archaeologist. He hides the truth from his father who is funding the adventures of the elusive Gideon Barnes and becoming increasingly annoyed that the hunter refuses to appear at the gala events celebrating his priceless finds.  Although I don't agree with Matthew's estrangement and immature attitude towards his father it makes some sense and adds a side conflict to the story 

Cal’s girlfriend, Sophie, is suddenly taken by someone who thinks they can trade her for an Indian statue that Matthew recovered. As Matthew bargains with Sophie's kidnapper he recognizes the hand of an old nemesis. Matthew cannot deliver the statue but he offers the lure of bigger treasure: the lost city of Paititi, or the City of Gold.

Matthew, Robyn and Cal rush off to Bolivia with two goons along to keep them honest and in hand. Matthew leads the team in the jungle like Indiana Jones, solving puzzles within tunnels and hopefully dodging deadly traps. Tensions are high and not everyone is careful enough to make it out of the jungle alive.

Meanwhile, back home, Sophie suffers the fears and trauma of being kidnapped. The greedy villain isn’t aware that Matthew has tasked the household butler (and treasure researcher), Daniel, with finding clues to locate Sophie from the proof of life videos. Also a bulldogged police detective is investigating the nice car found in a seedy part of town that leads him to a missing young woman who has connections to the mayor's son.

This is definitely akin to an Indian Jones story set in modern times. There is very fast paced action and danger in one scenario with some good investigative twists at the home front. The two lines of the story worked well to keep interest moving and to make the book more than just a fun, albeit deadly, treasure hunt. I appreciated the bits of police tactical details that were included to balance out the hi-jinks of the hunters.

The touchy relationship between Matthew and Robyn is another dynamic that added intrigue.  I wondered about their past history and I was rooting for them to pull together. Since this is the first in the series I imagine more may be shared about their relationship in books yet to come. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a fun thriller and mystery, topped with a touch of romance and a touch of family drama.

I received this title through Great Escape Virtual Tours for an honest review. It qualifies for C on my Alphabet Soup challenge and for TBR Triple Dog Dare.

City of Gold
(Matthew Connor Adventure Series Book 1)
Hardcover: 314 pages
Publisher: Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc (November 27, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1988064666
ASIN: B016LLDQIY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CAROLYN ARNOLD is the international best-selling and award-winning author of the Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher, and McKinley Mystery series. She is the only author with POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.™

Carolyn was born in a small town, but that doesn’t keep her from dreaming big. And on par with her large dreams is her overactive imagination that conjures up killers and cases to solve. She currently lives in a city near Toronto with her husband and two beagles, Max and Chelsea. She is also a member of Crime Writers of Canada.

Connect with CAROLYN ARNOLD Online:

Website Twitter Facebook

And don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter for up-to-date information on release and special offers at http://carolynarnold.net/newsletters.

Purchase Links

Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon CA Amazon AU
Barnes & Noble Apple iBooks Kobo

Click HERE for a full list of Tour Participants and to find other reviews, author interview and excerpts.

Video on the painting for the cover:

(If you have any trouble viewing the video try the direct link to YouTube:

https://youtu.be/-JJIa9OStuM )

Sunday Post February 21, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 22, 2016

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

This week was pushed at work as  one of my staff was out to stay home with a sick child. We had some good closings but I have a lot of work that I am still juggling.
Reading was good. I finished three books; two ebooks and one audio. I posted four reviews and a guest post with giveaway. I also posted my other usual posts.

I enjoyed visiting other blogs early last week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post February 14, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 15, 2016.

• Audible Book Review: Classic Love Poems by William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Elizabeth, Barrett Browning and others; Poetry; my rating 5.0.

• Audible Book Review: Star Crusader: Hero of the Alliance by Michael G. Thomas; Sci Fi, Space Adventure; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review: Emmy Nation: Undercover Suffragette (The Suffragette Nation Book 1) by L Davis Munro; Historical Fiction, Women's Suffrage; my rating 5.0.

• Guest Post On Jujitsuffragettes by L Davis Munro PLUS Giveaway! Book + GC; Ends March 4, 2016.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 19, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/25/2016.

• Book Review: Immurement: The Undergrounders Series Book One by Norma Hinkens; Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #240 Comment Giveaway February 20, 2016. Ending 2/27/16.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 21, 2016.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Immurement: The Undergrounders Series Book One
(A Young Adult Science Fiction Dystopian Novel)
by Norma Hinkens
I enjoyed this action packed dystopian.
My review is linked above.

2. Audible/ MP3 (AJB)

The Last Drop: The Last Drop, Book 1
Written by: Andrea Perno
Narrated by: Austin Rising
This is entertaining.
I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

City of Gold (Matthew Connor Adventure Series Book 1)
by Carolyn Arnold
This is definitely an Indian Jones styled adventure!
I received this through Great Escapes Virtual Tours
for review on February 23.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. Audible/ MP3

Reunion in Death: In Death, Book 14
Written by: J. D. Robb
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
I wanted a TBR and decided it was time for another In Death thriller. This is from my TBR Audible Library.
Publisher's Summary

At exactly 7:30 p.m., Walter Pettibone arrived home to over a hundred friends and family shouting, "surprise!" It was his birthday. Although he had known about the planned event for weeks, the real surprise was yet to come. At 8:45 p.m., a woman with emerald eyes and red hair handed him a glass of champagne. One sip of birthday bubbly, and he was dead.

The woman's name is Julie Dockport. No one at the party knew who she was. But Detective Eve Dallas remembers her all too well. Eve was personally responsible for her incarceration nearly ten years ago. And now, let out on good behavior, she still has nothing but bad intentions. It appears she wants to meet Dallas again - in a reunion neither will forget...
©2013 J. D. Robb (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

The God's Eye View
by Barry Eisler
This sounds very interesting - scary.
I received this through NetGalley. 
Knowledge is power…and they know everything.

NSA director Theodore Anders has a simple goal: collect every phone call, email, and keystroke tapped on the Internet. He knows unlimited surveillance is the only way to keep America safe.

Evelyn Gallagher doesn’t care much about any of that. She just wants to keep her head down and manage the NSA’s camera network and facial recognition program so she can afford private school for her deaf son, Dash.

But when Evelyn discovers the existence of an NSA program code-named God’s Eye, and connects it with the mysterious deaths of a string of journalists and whistle-blowers, her doubts put her and Dash in the crosshairs of a pair of government assassins: Delgado, a sadistic bomb maker and hacker; and Manus, a damaged giant of a man who until now has cared for nothing beyond protecting the director.

Within an elaborate game of political blackmail, terrorist provocations, and White House scheming, a global war is being fought—a war between those desperate to keep the state’s darkest secrets and those intent on revealing them. A war that Evelyn will need all her espionage training and savvy to survive. A war in which the director has the ultimate informational advantage: The God’s Eye View.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Path of the Bullet
by M C Jacques
This is another title received through NetGalley. 
I need/want to get reading these.
A ruthless assassin at large in the UK and heading for a target in Cambridge… an office steaming with jealousy and passion… a hero’s body found in a war museum and a disconsolate man – gnawed at by ghosts from his distant and recent past – charged with finding the murderer.
With a steadily increasing fusion of murder, intrigue and suspense, the floundering Mark McKay finds himself thrown onto a hotbed of deception, fraud, incest and even a neo-Nazi’s murderous intent.
Set in Cambridge at around the turn of the millennium, The Path of the Bullet, the first of the new Cambridge Mysteries series, explains how McKay forsakes his hermitic existence on the Lincolnshire coast and becomes attracted to the beautiful city of Cambridge in both mind and body.

January 31, 2016- up to date.
Reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church.
I will also be listening (sometimes) to the companion commentary online.

I posted four reviews last week which leaves two for this week so I am staying up to date.
I have two of my NetGalley titles so I can start reading those on my shelves.

This is another new title this week available at eTreasure's NetGalley.

We're Not in Kansas
by R.J. Hore
Mystery & Thriller

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I picked up four more review titles this week; two from authors, one from NetGalley and one from the narrator through Audiobook Blast.
TBR Triple Dog Dare update: I have resisted purchases now for 52 days with the exception of using my two January Audible credits. Now I have February credits to use soon. :-).
I did add more free kindle titles to my library.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received this title from the author.

First Fruits
by Brad Duncan
What happens when the popular Pastor of a growing church is faced with a crisis of belief? When life spirals out of control where will he place his faith? How will his well-to-do congregation respond to the challenge of sacrificing for God? First Fruits is the inspiring story of what happens when everyday people are challenged to give their very best to God.

I received this title from the author which pleases me as I wanted to continue the series!

Embattlement

By Norma Hinkens

Will Derry emerge victorious from the showdown at the Craniopolis, or will the price of freedom mean sacrificing the man she loves?

Embattlement is the second book in The Undergrounders Series.
Available on Amazon February 2016.

I received this title from the narrator through Audiobook Blast:

Defects: The Reverians, Volume 1

Written by: Sarah Noffke

Narrated by: Elizabeth Klett

I received this through NetGalley

A Better World (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 2)
by Marcus Sakey
Continuing this exciting series.

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Over the past week I added 52 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.