Sunday Post March 5, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 6, 2023

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.

Hard to realize it is March already!

Heather is still struggling with sinus infection. She worked too hard last weekend cleaning a rental house (for her significant other) and moving items from my pod which we are trying to empty out. She was at work but had to miss part of Thursday to oversee the installation of my new water heater.

I'm slowly boxing items for yard sale or maybe estate sale that we are contemplating. There is way too much stuff.

My continuing prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations and a calmer social atmosphere.

We had some cooler weather this weekend, back in the 50s and 60s at night. Day time highs will be going to 85 again.

I finished two audios this past week and posted three reviews with my memes.

I visited 15 blogs last week.
Shout out this week to BOOK GIRL OF MUR-Y-CASTELL. Blodeuedd and Carole are two book lovers in Finland who share their thoughts on books and movies.

Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

• Sunday Post February 26, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 27, 2023.

• MBS January 2023 Reading List Wrap Up.
  

• ATBR: Audio Book Review: Her Cowboy Deputy by Lacy Williams; Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Romance, Western; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Exiled Fleet Publisher's Pack (Books 1-2) by Richard Fox; Genre: Adventure, Military, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Galactic Forge by Alex Guerra; Genre: First Contact, Military, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  

• Sunday Words of Encouragement March 5, 2023 - Grow Spiritually.
  

Finished Reading:

1. NetGalley Audio Smartphone (2022NGA)

The Last Saxon King
A Jump in Time Novel, Book One
By: Andrew Varga
Narrated by: Mark Sanderlin
Series: A Jump in Time Novel, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
I liked the history and mostly enjoyed this story (although there are middle grade "flaws" IMHO).
Source: 2022 NetGalley choice.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Kingdoms of Sorrow
Catalyst, Book 2
By: JK Franks
Narrated by: Steven Varnum
Series: Catalyst, Book 2
Length: 15 hrs and 15 mins
This was an engaging continuation of the survival problems in post-apocalyptic America.
3-3-2022 Audible Sale Purchase $3.74.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. NetGalley Audio Smartphone (2023NGA)

Murder at an Irish Castle (Irish Castle Mystery #1)
by Ellie Brannigan
Narrated by: Traci Odom
Series: Irish Castle Mystery, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins
I picked this story for the dog on the cover, the castle and Irish.
Plus it is an "M" and location title.
Source: NetGalley 2023.
Fans of Hannah Dennison and Carlene O’Connor’s mysteries are in for a treat with Ellie Brannigan’s captivating debut cozy mystery, complete with a sharp and endearing protagonist.
Rodeo Drive bridalwear designer Rayne McGrath expected her thirtieth birthday to start with a power lunch and end with champagne, lobster, and a diamond engagement ring from her fiancé. Instead, flat-broke and busted, she’s on a plane to Ireland where she discovers that she’s inherited a run-down family castle. Uncle Nevin’s will contains a few caveats—for example, if Rayne doesn’t turn McGrath Castle around within a year, the entire village will be financially destroyed.
With the fate of the town in her hands, and rumors that Rayne’s uncle’s death wasn’t actually an accident, she can’t possibly go back to her old life in L.A. As the devastating truth about her uncle dawns on Rayne, it’s not just her reputation that’s on the line, it’s her life.
Featuring a sharp and endearing protagonist, a colorful and quirky locale, and replete with twists and turns befitting an old Irish village, the first in Brannigan’s mystery series transports us to a milieu as romantic as it is deadly.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Six Crimson Cranes
Six Crimson Cranes, Book 1
By: Elizabeth Lim
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins
I wanted a number title and this one looks good.
Source: 6/17/2022 May Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse....
Drawing from fairy tales and East Asian folklore, this original fantasy from the author of Spin the Dawn is perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone.
"A dazzling fairytale full of breathtaking storytelling." (Stephanie Garber, New York Times best-selling author of Caraval)
Shiori'anma, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted. But it also catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother.
A sorceress in her own right, Raikama banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes. She warns Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.
Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and uncovers a dark conspiracy to seize the throne. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in a paper bird, a mercurial dragon, and the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to forswear - no matter what the cost.
Weaving together elements of The Wild Swans, Cinderella, the legend of Chang E, and the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, Elizabeth Lim has crafted a fantasy like no other, and one that will stay with listeners long after they've turned listened to the last minute.
"A stunning remake of a fairytale. Six Crimson Cranes is the perfect blend of whimsy and ferociousness, with twists and turns that will tug at your heartstrings." (Chloe Gong, New York Times best-selling author of These Violent Delights)
"Fast-paced excitement is balanced with a satisfyingly intricate plot that weaves in elements from Western fairy tales and East Asian folklore." (SLJ, starred review)
"A richly imagined landscape...vibrant, fast-paced." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
©2021 Elizabeth Lim (P)2021 Listening Library

March 5, 2023 - I am enjoying this new plan on YouVersion. I totally enjoy watching the devotion videos so I am doing another BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen".  I have never done a Chronological reading before.
I added Mark to continue following along with my son who is reading with the BOBs (Band of Brothers).
I finished the plan: The Sauce: Seek First. (I did this twice, once on my own and once with family members.)
I am 13 days into a the16 Day plan: Christ as Servant: A Study in Mark.

I finished two audio titles and reviewed three so am back to three reviews due, which is where I like to be so I can complete them in a week.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I finished one NetGalley audio but added three more. I forgot to list another a week or so ago and I am listening to that one. Total audios currently on the shelf is 4.
I still have the two old ebook titles.
I have one author review in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer.
(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 newest to the team, Emma at Words and Peace. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received three NetGalley Audiobooks this week
I picked 9 free Audible Plus Catalog audio books.
I also added 3 kindle titles.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received three audio titles from NetGalley.

Titanium Noir
by Nick Harkaway

Good Dog, Bad Cop
by David Rosenfelt

The Deadlands: Hunted
by Skye Melki-Wegner

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Week of February 27 to March 4 I added 9 audios through Audible Plus Catalog.

The Snow Killer: The DI Barton Series, Book 1
By: Ross Greenwood
Narrated by: David Thorpe

Ghosts of Zenith: Lost Planet Homicide
By: Larry Correia
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
Series: Lost Planet Homicide, Book 2
(I have book one to listen to soon.)

Someone to Remember: A Westcott Novel, Book 7
By: Mary Balogh
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
(Plus books 1-3 in the series that I have already read.)
(Thanks to The Book Date who was reading a book in this series.)

Agatha's First Case: An Agatha Raisin Short Story
By: M. C. Beaton
Narrated by: Alison Larkin
Series: Agatha Raisin Mysteries, Book 0
(Plus books 3 and 4.)


2/28/2023 Kindle Free titles:
The Maid's Diary: A Novel
Loreth Anne White (Kindle Prime Read choice for February)

What Lies Beneath (Rutland crime series Book 1)
Adam Croft

No Justice
Nolon King, David W. Wright


Three new titles added to Kindle library. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.