Contact email: mesreads AT gmail.com
###Winner Announcement Posts are linked here.###

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

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Sunday Post September 25, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 26, 2022

Sunday Post #318 Chairs, Compliance, and Storms
I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)
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.


Last week got lost for several reasons. I was juggling at the office as I prepared to go out of office Friday for a GFWC Florida Board of Directors conference in Orlando.
Heather ended up going home with a fever on Wednesday and is still running a fever today. The minute clinic said it is a viral infection but that shouldn't last a week.

I went to Orlando with two other members of our local club. Saturday was a full day of workshops which I found very informative.

I continue with my previous prayer lists. Adding Canada as well as Puerto Rico... and of course we are praying this week that Tropical Storm Ian goes back to sea.

Last week we had little rain again, but we are expecting rain (if not more) at the end of this week.  Day temps will range from 71 to 93.

This week I only finished two audios, one long and one short. I didn't have much listening time during our trip since I was navigator and shotgun rider to help keep the driver alert. I didn't get any reviews posted with late nights at work taking priority (plus one night of picking audios on sale). So I only have four posts last week: Sunday post, two additional posts, and Friday Pick.

I visited 16 blogs again last week, but no shout out today.

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30, 2021.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were the posts last week:
Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)
Ruins of the Galaxy  By  cover art


Ruins of the Galaxy
Ruins of the Galaxy, Book 1
By: J.N. Chaney, Christopher Hopper
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 14 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 04-28-20
This is entertaining although similar to other space sci fis.
Source: 12/27/2020 Audible Two for One Credit Sale.

Click on book title for full description.




2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)
The Science of Sci-Fi audiobook cover art


The Science of Sci-Fi
From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel
By: Erin Macdonald, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Erin Macdonald
Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins
I found this interesting even if I didn't grasp all the true science.
Source: 3/28/2020 Free Audible Original

About This Audible Original
Science fiction allows listeners to go places they can only dream of seeing—other worlds, distant stars, entirely different galaxies. While not every story is concerned with the hard science behind space travel and other futuristic ventures, fiction can give listeners an amazing insight into what people could be capable of and what people dream of doing.
In the 10 lectures of The Science of Sci-Fi: From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel, Professor Erin Macdonald interweaves real science and the achievements of the imagination to reveal the truth that underlies favorite stories and sheds light on what the future may hold. From faster-than-light travel to journeys through time itself, science fiction makes humanity seem limitless. So, what scientific boundaries are people pushing against while seeking to fly among the stars?
Beginning with an overview of the physics of time and space, Professor Macdonald shows how stories extrapolate current knowledge to create visions of the future and how likely—or unlikely—these fictional journeys could be. What would happen if a spaceship flew into a wormhole, as it does in the film Galaxy Quest? Or, what would happen if someone fired a rocket launcher on the Moon like the soldiers of Mass Effect? Could someone ever break the bounds of light speed as they do in Star Wars and move across the universe without spending decades trying to make it to a distant exoplanet? Is the transporter technology of Star Trek really possible?
As listeners look closely at artificial gravity, inertial dampeners, tachyons, red matter, time dilation, and other sci-fi mainstays through the theories of some of science’s greatest thinkers, they will find that their favorite science fiction stories become even more astonishing.
©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC



Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)


Lovelight Farms
By: B.K. Borison
Narrated by: Pippa Jayne
Series: Lovelight, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
I am ready for a lighter holiday title.
Source: 2022 NetGalley.

Publisher's Summary
A pasture of dead trees, a hostile takeover of the Santa barn by a family of raccoons, and shipments that have mysteriously gone missing—Lovelight Farms is not the magical winter wonderland of Stella Bloom’s dreams.
In an effort to save the Christmas tree farm she’s loved since she was a kid, she enters a contest with instafamous influencer Evelyn St. James. With the added publicity and the $100,000 cash prize, she might just be able to save the farm from its financial woes. There’s just one problem. To make the farm seem like a romantic destination for the holidays, she lied on the application and said she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only there is no boyfriend.
Enter her best friend Luka Peters. He just came home for some hot chocolate, and somehow got a farm and a serious girlfriend in the process.
Lovelight Farms is a romantic comedy featuring a handsome freckled data analyst, a messy, optimistic Christmas-tree-farm owner, and a small town with the best hazelnut lattes on the east coast.
This sweet and steamy romance is a holiday happily ever after and the first book in a series of interconnected standalones following the three Lovelight owners.
©2021 B.K. Borison (P)2022 Dreamscape Media, LLC



I haven't picked my next audio yet.


September 25, 2022 - I remain current and enjoying the reading. I get excited watching the devotion videos.  The Bible Reading Plan is: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. It really soothes me to read/listen to the pieces each day.
I was invited to do a three day study this week: The Names of God.


I added two more titles I still need to review: 8 10 books plus 7 children's books. I keep working on these. :-)

NETGALLEY STATUS-- Two new audio titles I'll be listening to soon.
My NG shelf still has three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I don't have any author reviews in my queue right now but I may be getting one this week.
(Plus a few that I received from Facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.


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: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Two new audio review titles from NetGalley and a pdf review request this week.
I got caught up with the Audible sale picking up titles for under $3.50 and trying to keep the number reasonable. I limited the first set to 10 and then picked up 3 historical romance from an author I like. I'll list the romances next week along with some Audible plus titles I picked up too.
No free Kindle titles this week.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

***ATTENTION: Mailbox Monday is looking for a new host! If you’re interested, please email savvyverseandwit AT gmail ***

Review Titles
I agreed to review this title as it is a topic of interest for me:
As part of the 9/26 release launch, there is a 99c promo on the Kindle edition.

Stumbling Toward the Sacred: An Unexpected Journey to Personally Knowing God by [Jeremy Downs]

Stumbling Toward the Sacred: An Unexpected Journey to Personally Knowing God
by Jeremy Downs
Source: Archangel Ink Outreach



I received two Holiday audio titles through NetGalley:
Lovelight Farms
By: B.K. Borison
Narrated by: Pippa Jayne
Series: Lovelight, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

I am ready for a lighter holiday title.

Santa's Little Yelpers
An Andy Carpenter Mystery
By: David Rosenfelt
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
Series: An Andy Carpenter Novel, Book 26
Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins

I always enjoy the legal process and police procedures of this series.

Won
NONE

Purchased
9/20/22 Ten books under $3.50 each.
2 Series I’ve wanted to continue:

Beastly Bones By William Ritter
Beastly Bones, A Jackaby Novel
By: William Ritter
Narrated by: Nicola Barber
Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Hell Divers II: Ghosts By Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Hell Divers II: Ghosts
The Hell Divers Series, Book 2
By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins


2 Alternate History - a genre which I like.
Stars & Stripes Forever
A Novel of Alternate History
By: Harry Harrison
Narrated by: Robin Bloodworth
Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins


1901
By: Robert Conroy
Narrated by: L.J. Ganser
Length: 14 hrs and 18 mins




2 different Fantasy titles
Cyperpunk Fantasy

Farmer, Light Online Series, Book 1
By: Tom Larcombe
Narrated by: Derek Shoales
Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins




Fairy Tale Retelling
Beauty, A Retelling of the Story of Beauty & the Beast
By: Robin McKinley
Narrated by: Charlotte Parry
Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins




Nonfiction

Please Stop Helping Us
How Liberals Make It Harder for Blacks to Succeed
By: Jason L. Riley
Narrated by: J. D. Jackson
Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins



3 Sci Fi Titles
Military in Space (Recommended by my son)
Phule's Company
Phule's Company, Book 1
By: Robert Asprin
Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine
Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins



Sci Fi, Space Opera
Deathstalker Legacy
Deathstalker Reborn Series, Book 1
By: Simon R. Green
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
Length: 22 hrs and 53 mins



Classic, Sci Fi

Beginner's Luck, Character Development, Book 1

By: Aaron Jay
Narrated by: Rhys David
Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins



Free


No titles added to Kindle library. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Friday, September 23, 2022

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 23, 2022

Happy Friday!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.
Oh what a busy week I've had. I'm off to a conference tomorrow morning for two days.
I still have some GC emails and payments to complete and books to pull for mailing soon.

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 September 16, 2022 Pick. There was no automatic win last 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 one winner (only 6 entries):
Random.org picked Winner from September 16, 2022 Pick:

ELAINE 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'm not too sure leaves are falling yet, but I am always ready to fall into a good book.
Image found at Goffstown Public Library.

New Book Box #96 June 10, 2022
PAIR:
Liz Carlyle: Three Little Secrets and My False Heart
Johanna Lindsey: Brave the Wild Wind and Fires of Winter
SINGLE TITLES
Against the Sky by Kat Martin
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
The Eagle and the Dove by Jane Feather
Heir to a Dark Inheritance by Maisey Yates
The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood
Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour
A Legacy of Secrets by Carol Marinelli
Marry in Secret by Anne Gracie
No Greater Treasure by Ellen Kelley
One Minute Out by Mark Greaney
Texas Born by Diana Palmer
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (Illustrated Classic Edition)
While Others Sleep by Helen R. Myers


New Book Box #95 November 7, 2021


I'll add the titles through the week (16 including 2 doubles, 1 pair).
(on top) (Two) Rancher's Wild Secret and Hold Me Cowboy by Maisey Yates
(on top) Shadowlight by Lynn Viehl
(Two) The Taming & The Conquest by Jude Deveraux
My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth
Love's Surprise by Karen Ball
Manhunt by Wayne Barton and Stan Williams - Audio CDs
After the Light by Kimberly Clark Sharp (Hardback)


New Book Box #94 May 28, 2021 (10 books)
Three One Audio CD Books:
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
SINGLE TITLES
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale

New Book Groups #92 and #93 November 13, 2020.
#92 (15 books):
A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley
The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart
Heart's Desire by Ruth Ryan Hagan
The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed

Box #93 (14 books)

Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready
There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers (personally signed)

For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper
The Irish Bride by Alexa Harrington

When We Met by Susan Mallery

All of Me by Lori Wilde


New Book Group #91 October 2, 2020 - Suspense themed
SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder


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

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky

Valley of Silence


New Book Group #90 June 19, 2020
Quite a few mysteries in this box.
SINGLES:
Alias by Smy J. Fetzer
Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)

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:

A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek


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

SINGLES:
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

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
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind
New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

SINGLES:

Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018
All Gone

New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018
Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
SINGLES:
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.
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

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
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
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.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan


(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 TWELVE years I have posted 91 groups of mostly 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling approximately 1,535 books available to find new homes! (As of November 26, 2021).

I am happy to say that so far at least 1,405 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, TWRP, 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, September 21, 2022

MBS 2022 FRATERFEST READATHON #FraterfestRAT

2022 Fraterfest Challenge

This readathon is hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer and lasts from 10/14-10/24/2022.

The rules are fairly easy (follow the link above):
Between Midnight October 14th and ending at 11:59 pm October 24th; read or listen to thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, horror, supernatural, witchy, ghostly or serial killer novels and novellas.

I estimate I might get in 25 hours listening time and a little bit of ebook time.
  •   8 books (5TBR and 3 current) completed for FRATERFEST 2018
  • 10 TBR titles for FRATERFEST 2019
  •   6 books (2TBR and 4 current) for FRATERFEST 2020
  • 10 books (7TBR and 3 current year) for FRATERFEST 2021
I am going to try to stick to TBR books although I may do an Audiobook.com club for mysteries in October which would be 2022 titles. We’ll see. Here are some of the titles I may pick from to read or listen to for 2022 Fraterfest:
eBooks:

NetGalley TBR: My Dead Friend Sarah by Peter Rosch
Audio Books:
The Horror of the Heights by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 0h 44m (ATBR ABC)
The Werewolf's 15 Minutes by Jonathan Maberry 1h 42m (ATBR)
The Roommate The Cormac Reilly Series, Book 0.7 2h 23m (ATBR)
Second Skin, Audible Original Novella by Christian White 2h 28m (ATBR)
The Book of Riley #2: A Zombie Tale 2h 47m (2022 ABC)
Carnival Row: Tangle in the Dark By: Stephanie K. Smith 3h 8m (ATBR)
Eli Carter and the Ghost Hackers Books 1-3 Series Boxed Set by Angela Pepper – Book 1 3h 10m (ATBR Chirp)
Limbus Inc., Three Guys walk Into A Bar by Jonathan Maberry 3h 20m (ATBR ABC)
The Original by Brandon Sanderson 3h 30m (ATBR ABC)
Night Shift Witch by Cate Lawley 3h 31m (ATBR Chirp)
The Cuckoo's Cry An Audible Original Novella 4h 43m (ATBR)
A Death at Eastwick 5h 4m Chirp2020 (ATBR)
Last Ones Left Alive A Novel by Sarah Davis-Goff 5h 34m (ATBR Chirp)
A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes 5h 39m (ATBR ABC)
Flea Market Magic by Bella Falls 5h 52m (ATBR ABC)
Cut 1/2986, Book 1 by Annelie Wendeberg 6h 4m (ATBR Chirp)
The Darkwater Bride: An Audible Original Drama 6h 45m (ATBR)
Dusty's Diary by Bobby Adair 7h 44m (ATBR)
Monster Hunt NYC: The Monster Hunt NYC, Book 1 by Harmon Cooper 7h 53m (ATBR Chirp)
A Skeleton in the Family by Leigh Perry 7h 57m (ATBR ABC)
Moonshine & Magic by Bella Falls 7h 59m (ATBR ABC)

I have another list of longer books (not good for Fraterfest) available for October reading -- this year or in the future. :-)

But Why Tho? A Geek Community 13 Halloween Horror Films to Watch This  October

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

MBS August 2022 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2022 Reading List - AUGUST

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; 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 2022
Favorites for the month:

5 Stars =
4.75 Stars =
4.5 Stars =  The Accidental Guardian, The Accidental Alchemist, A Bargain for a Bride, Marked in Flesh, and Double Share
  1. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Breaking by Daniel Greene; Genre: Horror, Military, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25
  2. ATBR: Audio Book Review: The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy; Genre: Christian, Historical, Romance, Western; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

  3. READ WITH THE CHILDREN:

  4. God Gave Us Heaven
    By Lisa Tawn Bergren

  5. May I Please Have a Cookie?
    By Jennifer E. Morris

  6. That's Not My Giraffe
    By Fiona Watt

  7. Ear Worm!
    By Jo Knowles

  8. ATBR: Audible Book Review: What's Left of My World by C.A. Rudolph; Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  9. ATBR: Audio Book Review: Elemental Thief by Rachel Morgan; Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

    READ WITH THE CHILDREN. My grandson said that they had read the Bear Hunt at school so we got it at the library; the other two books he had and asked me to read with him - he reads them quite well too!

  10. We Love You, Mr. Panda
    By Steve Antony

  11. Thank You, Mr. Panda / Gracias, Sr. Panda
    By Steve Antony

  12. We're Going on a Bear Hunt
    By Michael Rosen

  13. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Accidental Alchemist by Gigi Pandian; Genre: Cozy Mystery, Fantasy, Paranormal; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  14. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Wolves by D. J. Molles; Genre: Dystopian, Horror, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
  15. ATBR: Audio Book Review: A Bargain for A Bride by Amelia Rose; Genre: Historical Romance, Western Romance; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  16. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Marked in Flesh, The Others, Book 4 by Anne Bishop; Genre: Alternate History, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  17. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Coming Apostasy: Exposing the Sabotage of Christianity from Within by Mark Hitchcock, Jeff Kinley; Genre: Apologetics, Eschatology, Non Fiction, Ministry, Social Issues; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  18. ATBR: Audio Book Review: The Road to Paradise A Vintage National Parks Novel by Karen Barnett; Genre: Christian Romance, Christian Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  19. ATBR: Audible book Review: Commune: Book Four by Joshua Gayou; Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.5.
  20. ATBR: Audio Book Review: Spellsinger Dramatized Adaption by Alan Dean Foster; Genre: Apocalyptic & Dystopian, Immersive & Radically Different, Science Fiction & Fantasy; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  21. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Double Share, A Trader's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, Book 4 by Nathan Lowell; Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
Total read = 20
TBR = 13
New Authors = 8
Audio/Audible = 13 (13 TBRs)
NetGalley = 0 (0 audio) (0 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 0 (0 TBR)
Nonfiction = 1
eBook = 0 (0 TBR)
Print = 7 (0 TBR)

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 93 of 125
TBR to Date: 70 of 90 total
Audio to Date: 81 of 100
NetGalley to Date: 11 of 10
Author Reviews: 3 of 12
Nonfiction: 8 of 12
TBR ebooks or Print: 12 of 12

• Series: 61 of 75 (25 continuing, 36 new)
• New to me Series: 36 (11 Yes to continue; 11 likely to continue, 11 maybe, 3 unlikely)
• Finished for me Series: 3


Special Goals
• Seasonal title: 3 of 4: Winter, Spring, Summer
• Alphabet letters covered: AUDIO SERIES: 4 Jan, 2 Feb, 7 March, 3 April, 4 May, 2 June (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, W, Z) (23 of 26)   
Remaining: V, X, Y
• Alphabet letters covered: MIXED MEDIA (focus on stand alones but can be series): 3 Jan, 4 Feb, 3 March, 7 April, 3 May, 2 June; (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, W, Y, Z) (24 of 26)
Remaining: V, X

Sunday, September 18, 2022

Sunday Post September 18, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 19, 2022

Sunday Post #318 Chairs, Compliance, and Storms
I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)
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.


I finally got internet on Wednesday night. Yay for plug and play modem!
Two of my title staff attended an industry title conference in Naples, FL. They had fun and learned a lot too. I opted out as I am too far behind to spend a 7 hour day driving. I continue to work away at the office, making sure if slow progress. 

I spent a little time this weekend making up a FraterfestRAT list that I will share this week.

I chose to try a recipe for Parmesan Chips on Saturday.


Once again I had to substitute basil and olive oil as I didn't have any pesto on hand.


Also, my Parmesan was grated instead of shredded.
They were a little more oily than I expected but they still tasted good.
It was easy enough and I'll have to get the right ingredients to do it again.
I continue with my previous prayer lists, plus adding for Puerto Rico after the storm and other areas that have been suffering from flooding.

Last week we had no rain! And the temps were a bit cooler. But this coming week will be sunny and hot - in the 90s.  

I surprised myself by finishing four audios, all of which I enjoyed. I keep trying to listen to longer books hoping I can catch up on reviews. I was able to post four reviews (wraps up August) and my memes.

I visited 16 blogs again last week.
Shout out today to MAE'S FOOD BLOG. I know it says food, not books but, in addition to food, travel, and Mona Lisa (fun) she reviews "detective fiction, world literature and many other interests".

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30, 2021.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were the posts last week:

  • ATBR: Audible book Review: Commune: Book Four by Joshua Gayou; Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.5.
  • ATBR: Audio Book Review: Spellsinger Dramatized Adaption by Alan Dean Foster; Genre: Apocalyptic & Dystopian, Immersive & Radically Different, Science Fiction & Fantasy; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)
Fear the Sky audiobook cover art


Fear the Sky
The Fear Saga, Book 1
By: Stephen Moss
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 20 hrs and 17 mins
This is a well written, engaging, first contact sci fi.
Source: 3/14/2020 Two For One Credit Sale at Audible.

Click on book title for full description.



2. Audio Chirp App Smartphone (ATBR)


Act of Mercy
Written by Mandy M. Roth
Narrated by Mason Lloyd
Run Time 4h 53min
This has a good story as well as high sexual level for those who enjoy that.
Source: 4/24/2021 Chirp Deal $.99

Click on book title for full description.



3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)


Voyage of the Defiance: Breaking Free, Book 1
By: S. E. Smith
Narrated by: Suzanne Elise Freeman
Series: Breaking Free, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
This teen coming of age story ended up more entertaining than I initially expected. I chose it as a "V" title.
Source: 7/19/2021 Audible Plus Catalog.

Publisher's Summary
From S. E. Smith, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, comes this emotionally charged coming-of-age story filled with action, adventure, and suspense for listeners of all ages.
An act of defiance will either kill her or change her life forever.
Sixteen-year-old Makayla Summerlin enjoyed one thing in her crazy, messed-up existence: hanging with her friends at school. But her life is uprooted when she suddenly finds herself forced to live with a grandfather she barely remembers. One act of defiance will change her life forever. Having trouble adjusting to her new home, she sets sail in her grandfather's old sailboat. On a journey that will challenge everything she has ever believed about herself, Makayla must overcome her fears if she, and a surprising stowaway, are to survive.
©2015 S. E. Smith (P)2015 S. E. Smith



4. Audible Smartphone (2022)
A Borrowing of Bones Audiobook By Paula Munier cover art


A Borrowing of Bones
A Mercy Carr Mystery
By: Paula Munier
Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney
Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins
Release date: 09-11-18
This is a nice mystery with the plus of dogs.
I had book 2 and wanted to start with book 1.
Source: 8/28/2022 Audible August Credit.

Publisher's Summary
The first in a gripping new series by Paula Munier, A Borrowing of Bones is full of complex twists, introducing a wonderful new voice for mystery listeners and dog lovers alike.
Grief and guilt are the ghosts that haunt you when you survive what others do not....
After their last deployment, when she got shot, her fiancé, Martinez, got killed, and his bomb-sniffing dog, Elvis, got depressed, soldier Mercy Carr and Elvis were both sent home, her late lover’s last words ringing in her ears: “Take care of my partner.”
Together, the two former military police - one 29-year-old two-legged female with wounds deeper than skin and one handsome five-year-old four-legged Malinois with canine PTSD - march off their grief mile after mile in the beautiful remote Vermont wilderness.
Even on the Fourth of July weekend, when all of Northshire celebrates with fun and frolic and fireworks, it’s just another walk in the woods for Mercy and Elvis - until the dog alerts to explosives and they find a squalling baby abandoned near a shallow grave filled with what appear to be human bones.
US Game Warden Troy Warner and his search-and-rescue Newfoundland, Susie Bear, respond to Mercy’s 9-1-1 call, and the four must work together to track down a missing mother, solve a cold-case murder, and keep the citizens of Northshire safe on potentially the most incendiary Independence Day since the American Revolution.
It’s a call to action Mercy and Elvis cannot ignore, no matter what the cost.
©2018 Paula Munier (P)2018 Macmillan Audio



Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)
Ruins of the Galaxy  By  cover art


Ruins of the Galaxy
Ruins of the Galaxy, Book 1
By: J.N. Chaney, Christopher Hopper
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 14 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 04-28-20
This is another longer book. The start is very similar to Galaxy's Edge. I'm interested to see where it goes from here.
Source: 12/27/2020 Audible Two for One Credit Sale.

Publisher's Summary

The mission is simple. Escort an emissary to an intergalactic peace summit. Try not to get in the way.
Lt. Magnus and his 79th Recon Team have certainly handled worse, after all.
But when an explosion rocks the tower and sends everyone into a panic, Magnus and his asset find themselves cut off from the rest of the team.
Worse still, a dying alien chieftain gives them a priceless drive of intel, marking them for death.
The mission has officially changed.
With enemies on all sides, Magnus must do everything in his power to protect the emissary and escape the tower. There is no backup. There is no chance for failure.
The fate of the entire galaxy now lies in the hands of a Republic Marine and a diplomat.
All they have to do is survive.
Experience the beginning of this sprawling galactic tale in this first entry to the Ruins of the Galaxy series. If you’re a fan of Star Wars, Galaxy’s Edge, or Battlestar Galactica, you'll love this military sci-fi epic.
Includes bonus Ruins of the Galaxy stories "The Night of Fire" and "Demons at War".
©2019 J.N. Chaney and Christopher Hopper (P)2020 Podium Publishing


I will have a long drive again at the end of the week so I am sure I will get to another audio but -again - I haven't decided yet.

September 18, 2022 - I caught up first by shifting to reading from my physical Bible for a couple of days and then doing double listens for two days. I get excited watching the devotion videos.
The Bible Reading Plan is: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. It really soothes me to read/listen to the pieces each day.
No new study still.


I reviewed four but read four so no change in what I still need to review: 8 books plus 7 children's books. I keep working on these. :-)

NETGALLEY STATUS-- Nothing new although I have two pending requests.
My NG shelf is back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I don't have any author reviews in my queue right now but I may be getting one this week.
(Plus a few that I received from Facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.


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: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
No new review title this week.
I used one credit at Audiobooks.com and picked out my September free VIP titie.
I got one Plus audio a week ago.
No free Kindle titles this week.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?
***ATTENTION: Mailbox Monday is looking for a new host! If you’re interested, please email savvyverseandwit AT gmail ***

Review Titles
NONE

Won
NONE

Purchased
9/17/2022 One Credit at Audiobooks.com
I have wanted this title for a while and decided to use one of my saved credits before it expires in early October.

To the Far Blue Mountains
Written By Louis L'amour
Narrated By: John Curless

Duration: 9 hours 19 minutes




Free
9/10/2022 Audible Plus Catalog.
Abide in Christ  By  cover art
Abide in Christ
By: Andrew Murray
Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins



9/17/2022 September VIP free pick at Audiobooks.com.
Murder in an Irish Village - Booktrack Edition
I have eyed this title several times so picked it this month.
Murder in an Irish Village
Author Carlene O'Connor
Narrator: Caroline Lennon

Duration: 10 h 2 min


No titles added to Kindle library. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

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