Sunday Post May 10, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 11, 2020

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.

Our internet was out most of the afternoon, only returning after 10pm so I feel this post is late for me. (I'm tired.)
I remain very busy at work. Heather will be pressed the next two weeks to finish a data report now due June 1 (extended from May 1).
Hubby has lots of doctor appointments this week so he is prepared with mask and gloves to go out. Our county cases have increased due to a break out at one of the prison populations.
Hubby made me a yummy lemon pound cake (with icing which is my favorite part). And I also love red and black licorice so these were all Mother's Day treats!

Other than the weather shifting from cooler to hotter, it has all been good. A little bit of pollen impacting allergies though.
I continue to hope everyone is staying safe in these awkward times.

Another good week of reading and listening for me even though only two books: one audiobook and one ebook. I posted three reviews, April wrap up and my usual memes.

I visited 17 blogs this week.
Shout Out this week to We Live and Breathe Books. Kiersten, Amrutha, and Sam share a blog primarily dedicated to reviewing books in the young adult genre, founded in May 2013."

Don't forget- Audible is offering free children's titles during these days at home.
Audiobooks.com is also offering free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post May 3, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 4, 2020.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: I Hear You by Michael S. Sorensen; Genre: Business Management, Non-Fiction, Self Help; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 4.75.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Tin Man: A Galaxy's Edge Prequel by Jason Anspac and Nick Cole; Genre: Military Space, Science Fiction, Short Stories; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

• NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Leo's Monster by Marcus Pfister; Genre: Children, Emotions, Preschools; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 8, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 5/14/2020.

• MBS April 2020 Reading List Wrap Up.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 10, 2020. Happy Mother's Day!.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (A2020)

Out of the Ashes
Into the End, Book 3
By: Bonnie R. Paulson
Narrated by: David Gilmore
Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
This concludes an interesting post-apocalyptic trilogy.
Source: I received four Audiobook Author Codes on 4/10/2020. Thank you, Bonnie Paulson!
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2020)

The K Team
by David Rosenfelt
Full of the usual Rosenfelt humor and mystery... and dogs included
Released March 24, 2020.
Source: NetGalley 2020.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Promises to Keep: After the EMP
Disruption Trilogy Book 3
By: R.E. McDermott
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Length: 14 hrs and 13 mins
Release date: 10-05-17
I am ready to move along with a TBR and this one completes the trilogy.
Source: November 2019 Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
In this thrilling final chapter of The Disruption Trilogy, R. E. McDermott once again transports us to a frighteningly realistic post-apocalyptic world of chaos and uncommon courage, and of both hope and despair.
When a massive solar storm takes down the power grid, all order collapses with civilization kept alive only by scattered pockets of survivors who find themselves not only short of critical resources, but facing an unexpected enemy - what's left of their own government.
Survivor resistance stiffens as an increasingly corrupt and tyrannical president clamps down on dissent and seeks to eliminate anyone who might expose his perfidy. With both the defenders of Fort Box in what's left of Wilmington, North Carolina, and the people of the ship Pecos Trader in southeast Texas facing uncertain futures, a resourceful and elusive George Anderson leads government forces on a wild goose chase along the Appalachian Trail, but the future looks grim. Only one man has the credibility and the stature to turn the situation around and fulfill a promise to himself - and the nation.
Simon Tremble, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the last lawmaker not under control of the corrupt president, climbs out of his hidden hollow and starts south along the Appalachian Trail. He has promises to keep.
©2017 R.E. McDermott (P)2017 R.E. McDermott

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2020)

Quack
by Anna Humphrey (Releasing 01 Apr 2020)
This is cute so far - 20% in.
Source: NetGalley 2020.
Click on book title for full description.

I expect I'll get to another ebook by end of the week but I'm not sure which one yet.

I'm keeping track of my Alphabet here as I finish the books. The cross-outs aren't easy to see, so I made the completed letters blue.
NETGALLEY: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W X  Y  Z
AUDIO:            A  B  C  D  E  F G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W X  Y  Z

May 10, 2020 - I am again enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I considered changing but this is the reading group that is closest to my husband's reading so we can sometimes discuss the same passages.
I finished the three-day study: The Power of Surrender.  And just now realized I didn't start another yet. Maybe tonight.

I completed two books and posted three reviews which keeps me on track.
My NetGalley shelf is up one to 10, plus the four titles from 2012-13 which I still hope to read this year.
I still have one carry over author ebook and two new author ebooks. I expect to pull one of these soon. I have one audiobook from an author and now I have 1 other new audiobook left of four (third done this week).
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: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
A very light mailbox this week.
I picked up one NetGalley/Tour review title. I still have to check the email requests I have been receiving. {Sigh.}
I resisted all audios this week but I have two credits to use this coming week at Audible. I've been trying to pick from my huge wish list.
Again, I added NO, ZIP, ZILCH free kindle titles this week. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.) Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NetGalley book for July Partners in Crime Tour:
The Crushing Depths (Coastal Guardians Book #2)
by Dani Pettrey

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

I Borrowed the two Audiobook SYNC files from Week 2.
PICTURE US IN THE LIGHT by Kelly Loy Gilbert, narrated by James Chen (Dreamscape Media)
SECRET SOLDIERS by Paul B. Janeczko, narrated by Ron Butler (Brilliance Audio)

I added NO, ZIP, ZILCH free Kindle titles to my Kindle library this week. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday's Words of Encouragement May 10, 2020 - Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mother's Day to young mothers and older Grands!

We gathered again this morning for online service. Pastor delivered a message for Mother’s Day including the well-known passages in Proverbs 31.

He noted that Mothers may be flawed (as were mothers mentioned in the Bible) but they are still important to set a vision and directions for the family. In this day of technology, we use smartphones which replaced the GPS for some) to keep on the right path. Before these tools, and even with these tools, mothers help to keep us on the right path. Mothers can provide a vision for the future of their children.

A mother helps to set a clear path by establishing boundaries. When you set a firm foundation and a clear path, life decisions are more easily made. What would it be like if you lived a God-centered life?

The POINT: A Clear, God-Centered vision for your family makes complicated decisions uncomplicated.

Have a vision for your children. Share the vision with them and Pray for them.

I was reminded who we can trust for control. Still in Control

A Verse for Today: Proverbs 31:30 NIV
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Lord, I thank You for the love I hold for children and I thank You that You love them even more!

MBS April 2020 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2020 Reading List - APRIL

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2020
Favorites for the month:
5 Stars = I Hear You and Tin Man
4.75 Stars = Spring in Geneva
4.5 Stars = A Bad Day for Sunshine and Pass of Fire, Destoryermen Book 14

1. Author2020- Book Review: Hood: an Outlaws novella by M.C. Frank; Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling, Historical Fantasy, Medieval; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
2. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Differently Morphous by Yahtzee Croshaw; Genre: British-Irish Humor, Fantasy, Satire; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
3. Author2020- Audible Book Review: Configured by Jenetta L. Penner; Genre: Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Teen; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
4. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Spring in Geneva by Sylvia Kelso; Genre: Fantasy, Gothic, Short Story, Steampunk; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.
5. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones; Genre: Cozy Mystery, Private Investigator; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
6. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Pass of Fire, Destroyermen Series, Book 14 by Taylor Anderson; Genre: Alternate History, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 5.0.
7. A2020- Audible Book Review: Into the End by Bonnie R. Paulson; Genre: EOTW, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 3.75.
8. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: The New Husband by D.J. Palmer; Genre: ADomestic Thriller, Thriller; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
9. ATBR- Audible Book Review: I Hear You by Michael S. Sorensen; Genre: Business Management, Non Fiction, Self Help; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 4.75.
10. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Tin Man: A Galaxy's Edge Prequel by Jason Anspac and Nick Cole; Genre: Military Space, Science Fiction, Short Stories; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

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

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

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

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

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.

INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

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

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

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

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

New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020

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


New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019

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


New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

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


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

SINGLES:
A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls


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

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

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

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


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

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

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

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


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

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


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
Too Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes


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

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

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


This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring by Jillian Hart
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost NINE years I have posted 88 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,429 books to find new homes! (as of November 8, 2019).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,315+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors, your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to faraway places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

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

This is fun for children.
Leo's Monster
by Marcus Pfister

Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 2
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: NorthSouth Books (May 5, 2020)
ISBN-13: 978-0735844179
Genre: Children, Emotions, Preschools
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

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

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

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

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

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