Out of Town (and computer touch) to Help With Twins

Hi Blog friends.
I'm popping in to update why I have been absent this weekend. It is one of those "Life interfering with blogging" events!

As I noted on Friday Giveaway Post our daughter-in-law had twins on 8/15. They are fairly new in their community in Illinois so late in the week I decided to fly up to help for a few days. I got a good price on a last minute flight out Saturday am- really early am. Unfortunately I missed the early flight but Delta folks were wonderful and got me on standby for another a couple of hours later.

Turns out a good thing I came up as, after discharging mother and twins after only two days (not sure why the rush!) they have had to go back to the hospital every day to get the twins checked on. So starting yesterday (Sunday) I got to be designated care watcher for our 3 1/2 year old granddaughter who is still adjusting to sharing mom and dad.

Today the doctor called and advised our son and daughter-in-law to take the twins into emergency room as the blood work from yesterday shows possible bacterial infection in little Eli. He is the first born, slightly smaller, but more active, including crying, of the two. Madison pretty much eats and sleeps with occasional stretches in between.

I didn't even pull out my computer until this morning so our son could set up internet. Then during nap time I spent the first hour covering office emails. I do not anticipate a chance to catch up on my weekend memes but maybe I will get on later tonight to do some blog posts.  I won't be back to usual schedule until after I get home late Wednesday which is the same day our daughter-in-law's parents will be flying in - from China!

Please keep the twins and family in prayer.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 19, 2016

Happy Friday!
Hi - This is a happy week for me! I am a grandmom again to our son's twins. Our D-I-L did a wonderful job carrying those two to 35 weeks! Eli was 5lbs 15 oz and Madison (to be called Mae) was born about 25 mins later weighing in at 6lbs 2 oz. I'm trying to juggle my schedule to go visit for a couple days and try to help as they get settled in with these bundles of joy. 

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 August 12 Pick. This week there was one automatic wins. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was one book with a three way block again.
AUTO: Rubynreba gets Short Straw

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 12 Pick:
Bube gets A GC

Natalija also 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 looks soooo relaxing! I could use a dose.

Image found at NPR Books..
 
New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016

(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
Sandra Brown: Above and Beyond and Honor Bound (my copy is 1986 edition with a different cover
Joan Johnston: Faron & Garth: The Cowboy and the Princess / The Wrangler and the Rich Girl and Sweetwater Seduction
SINGLES:
Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews (new- hardcover)
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
*Witch’s Hammer by Caroline Farr (a 1967 yellowed pages - different cover)
*Mistress of Mount Fair by Jane Gordon
Once an Angel by Tammy Hilz
Bound By Temptation by Lavinia Kent
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
On Fire by Carla Neggers (1999 version with different cover)
Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Waiting for Nick & Considering Kate by Nora Roberts
*She Came Back by Patricia Wentworth (1981 yellowed pages)
Freedom's Stand by J. M. Windle


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

SINGLES:
A Dangerous Fancy by Tracy Cozzens
The Champion by Heather Grothaus
So Wild A Kiss by Nancy Richards-Akers


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016

SINGLES:
Short Straw (Ed Eagle Novel) by Stuart Woods Hardcover
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
N is for noose by Sue Grafton -Cassettes
Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF by April Winchell


New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016

SINGLES:
Wayward Winds by Michael Phillips - Audio Tapes

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015
All Gone

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.)

SINGLES:
Bride of Lochbarr by Margaret Moore (*)
The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens (*)
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:
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!

SINGLES:
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone


New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
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 Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Commander by Kate Bridges
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


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)
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)
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


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 987+ 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!

Book Review: The Cat, The Collector and the Killer by Leann Sweeney

This is a purringly fun cozy.
The Cat, The Collector and the Killer
A Cats In Trouble Mystery
by Leann Sweeney 

File Size: 2509 KB
Print Length: 302 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0451477405
Publisher: NAL (August 2, 2016)
ASIN: B01839Q396
Genre: Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

In the latest mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of The Cat, the Sneak and the Secret, a cat collector is suspected of murder.
Jillian Hart and police chief Tom Stewart are enjoying peaceful, newly wedded bliss in Mercy, South Carolina, until a woman is found wandering the streets one night. She's in her night clothes, disoriented, and carrying a kitten in a tote bag. A search of the woman’s house reveals many more cats, a maze of cardboard boxes—and a dead man.
Although the evidence suggests the frail woman is the killer, Jillian doesn’t believe she’s capable of such a crime. The dead man had many enemies in town, which means finding the real murderer may prove to be its own cat and mouse game...

Review:
Jillian is enjoying her newly married life with Tom. Tom is acting police chief in a small town. Jillian makes cat quilts and cares for her many cats plus the one that Tom brought to the house.

The local animal sanctuary owner, Shawn, calls early one morning asking for Tom’s help. Shawn had been called to come rescue some cats that had gotten out of a neighbor’s house. The cats belonged to Minnie, a widowed lady who collected cats (not a hoarder, though). Shawn was concerned that he couldn’t reach Minnie on the phone but he was afraid to go to her house alone. His reluctance was due to a restraining order obtained against Shawn by his nemesis, Chester, the county animal control officer.

Jillian offers to go with Shawn and they arrived to discover the cats outside and the house open. When they went in, looking for Minnie, they found a dead body instead. Not only that but the house, although clean and orderly, is jammed with boxes of purchased items. A confused Minnie is later found wandering downtown in her nightgown with a kitten in her bag.

Jillian is called in by the hospital to try to get Minnie to release the kitten. Jillian meets the lady psychologist who is trying to help Minnie who has become the prime suspect in the murder. Squabbling family members appear and the lady doctor is in a bad accident. Jillian is determined to prove Minnie’s innocence and to figure out the mystery of the boxes and her new friend’s accident, which wasn’t so accidental after all. Jillian needs to sort out the clues, while taking care of the cats, and keeping herself out of trouble if she can.

I found Jillian, Tom and the secondary characters to be lovely, natural people. The plot provides a couple of suspects and although the clues lead to a fairly clear conclusion there are some twists that are a good reveal late in the story. Of course I liked the cat elements and Jillian’s cat camera to check on her furry babies when she was out of the house for a long time.

The story reads easily and lives up to the genre of “cozy mystery”. This is apparently an eighth book in the series but read fine as a stand-alone. I liked it enough to want to get earlier books to enjoy when I want a light, quick cozy read. I do recommend this to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries… and cats!

I received this title through NetGalley for an honest review. It was a Promo/review reach out from Lori at Great Escapes Book Tours. This qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: The Crêpes of Wrath, A Pancake House Mystery by Sarah Fox

This enjoyable 'cozy' has nice imagery, strong characters and an engaging plot.

The Crêpes of Wrath
A Pancake House Mystery
by Sarah Fox

File Size: 6124 KB
Print Length: 257 pages
Publisher: Alibi (August 16, 2016)
ASIN: B01A4ATX58
Genre: Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

In the debut of a delightful cozy mystery series, Sarah Fox introduces a charming new heroine who finds herself in a sticky situation: stacking pancakes, pouring coffee, and investigating murder.
Bonus content: includes original recipes inspired by the Flip Side Pancake House menu!
When Marley McKinney’s aging cousin, Jimmy, is hospitalized with pneumonia, she agrees to help run his pancake house while he recovers. With its rustic interior and syrupy scent, the Flip Side Pancake House is just as she pictured it—and the surly chef is a wizard with crêpes. Marley expects to spend a leisurely week or two in Wildwood Cove, the quaint, coastal community where she used to spend her summers, but then Cousin Jimmy is found murdered, sprawled on the rocks beneath a nearby cliff.
After she stumbles across evidence of stolen goods in Jimmy’s workshop, Marley is determined to find out what’s really going on in the not-so-quiet town of Wildwood Cove. With help from her childhood crush and her adopted cat, Flapjack, Marley sinks her teeth into the investigation. But if she’s not careful, she’s going to get burned by a killer who’s only interested in serving up trouble.

Review:
Marley has taken a leave of absence to help her cousin Jimmy who is in the hospital with pneumonia. Marley is waitressing and managing Jimmy’s Flip Side Pancake House until Jimmy can get back on his feet. Instead, when Jimmy calls to say he is coming home, he is found murdered on the rocks at the bottom of the cliff near his home.

Marley has run into an old flame, Brett, a fellow she met when she summered on the island as a teen. He hasn’t forgotten her and she remembers him too. Marley discovers some stolen art works in Jimmy’s workshop. Now she is intent on proving that Jimmy wasn’t a thief and she may as well investigate his murder at the same time.

The police think Marley’s co-worker is the guilty party, but several other suspects are soon in Marley’s sights. The criminal activity picks up as someone breaks into the Flip Side office and then Jimmy’s office. When suspects start to disappear Marley focuses on another shady character. Can she determine the right crook before she becomes a victim?

This was an easy and fun read. I enjoyed Marley’s thought process as she reviewed clues. The author did a good job of laying out clues, providing multiple suspects while hiding the true villain. The gentle romance growing between Marley and Brett has a nice warm touch. The settings and imagery are nicely written and the story background is quite natural, life-like.

This was my first book by this author but I expect it won’t be my last. I do recommend this to readers of cozy mysteries or readers who don’t necessarily read this genre but might want an easy, light read.

I received this title through NetGalley for an honest review. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

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

I miss-scheduled this so it is posting late... but better late then not at all.

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.

I was out of town Thursday to Saturday evening. I came home to learn my DH's blood pressure has been dropping really low. He is stressed but we will get him to the Doctor tomorrow to determine the problem - which is probably (hopefully) medication mixtures.

I enjoyed my reading, finishing three books: two ebooks and one audio. I posted three reviews along with my usual memes.

I got to visit some blogs early in the week and a couple very late in the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post August 7, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 8, 2016.

• Audible Book Review: This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti; Inspiration, Religious, Suspense; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review: Inquisitor by Mitchell Hogan; Sci Fi, Space Thriller; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 12, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 8/18/2016.

• Sharing Beyond Books #265 Comment Giveaway August 13, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 8/20/2016.

• Audible Book Review: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand; Biography, memoir, WWII; my rating 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 14, 2016.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG)
(Promo/review reach out from Lori at Great Escapes Book Tours)

The Cat, The Collector and the Killer
A Cats In Trouble Mystery
by Leann Sweeney 
This is a fun, easy, cozy read.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (Narrator)

Deceitful Moon: Manny Williams Series, Book 2
Written by: Rick Murcer
Narrated by: DJ Holte
This is a strong mystery with a despicable villain.
I received this forensic mystery title from the Narrator.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

The Crêpes of Wrath
A Pancake House Mystery
by Sarah Fox
This is another very enjoyable cozy mystery. 
Release date 8/16.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:

1. Audible/MP3 (Narrator)

Unseemly Pursuits: The Concordia Wells Mysteries Book 2
Written by: K.B. Owen
Narrated by: Becket Royce
I enjoyed book one and the narrator offered book two. :-)
Publisher's Summary
A deadly secret that won't stay buried....
It is the fall of 1896, and Miss Concordia Wells is hip-deep in the usual tumult of a lady professor's life: classes, clubs, student pranks, and the unending drama generated by the girls she lives with on campus. Complicating this normality is the new Lady Principal, whom the students have nicknamed "the Ogre". The woman seems bent on making Concordia's life miserable.
Events take a grave turn, however, when an ancient Egyptian amulet donated to the college mysteriously disappears, the donor is found murdered, and his daughter - Concordia's best friend - confesses to killing him.
Desperate for answers, Concordia unravels a 20-year-old secret, closely guarded by men now dead. But such secrets can be dangerous for the daughters left behind, including Concordia herself. Can she make sense of the mystery that has bound together their fates, before it's too late?
©2013 K.B. Owen (P)2015 K.B. Owen

2. eBook/Kindle (Author)

The Lame Duck
by Bernard Leo Remakus
The author offered me this Medical thriller with a female lawyer. It sounds good.
Some believe Dr. Bob Cassidy is America's worst doctor. The young physician is already defending his third malpractice suit, being investigated by the feds, and about to lose his hospital privileges. Many believe Angela Fratello is America’s top malpractice lawyer. Known as the "Angel of Death" in legal circles, she knows how to win in the courtroom - and win big. When Angela starts experiencing severe foot pain while skiing, she drives to the closest medical facility - the backwoods office of Dr. Bob Cassidy. Angela becomes Cassidy's patient, and their chance meeting sets the stage for the perfect crime - and a love story for the ages.

Not sure about the next audio so it will be a surprise when I pick it later this week.


July 30, 2016 - I am still one day behind but expect to catch up this week with 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 three reviews. That keeps me with four; three new and one older. So I still feel mostly up to date.

I haven't exactly started accepting new titles yet although I did receive three (one earlier this month but I forgot to add to my list) so I am back at seven on the author titles list.
I picked up one title at NetGalley so my shelf is back at three when I finish the one I plan to read this week.
I was hoping to set aside September for TBR books but I guess I will have a few of the author titles to get in also.

I am working on additional releases at eTreasure's NetGalley page again this week.
For some reason they have not yet converted this title although I haven't received and email of any problem. (I will be calling/emailing this week.)

The Handy Dandy Quick Reference Guide For Teachers

Working with Children with Academic & Behavior Problems

Dr. Jackie Paxton

Nonfiction, Reference

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 three new review books plus one I selected at NetGalley.
And I didn't purchase any kindle titles since I picked up plenty free kindle titles.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Received from authors:

Second Chances - A "Chosen" Short Story
by Jeff Altabef and Erynn Altabef
Fantasy, Supernatural, YA

Keepsake for Eagle Cove
by M. L. Buchman

Book 4 in small town romance series.
I really like this author and hope reading Book 4 will be okay.
Releases 8/30/16.

The Forever Gate
By Isaac Hooke

A novella to start this sci fi series.
I received Books 4 and 5 for free through Kindle with an offer for earlier books.

The Forever Gate starts off with Hoodwink Cooper, the protagonist, imprisoned and sentenced to death. His crime? Attempting to blast a hole in the the Forever Gate, the colossal wall that surrounds the city and protects the denizens from the uninhabitable Outside.

Received from NetGalley:

Extracted (The Lost Imperials Series Book 1)
by Sherry D. Ficklin and Tyler H. Jolley
Two opposing factions of time travelers vie for control of the future in this thrilling steampunk series
Releases 8/15/16

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Over the past week I added 48 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.