Sunday Post January 22, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 23, 2017

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

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

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

This has been another bumpy week as my Hubby ended up back in hospital since he had been having difficulty breathing for several weeks. They determined his heart was AFib and shocked him on Friday. Between that and draining 20lbs of fluid he is feeling much better. He is still in hospital so a specialist can decide on Monday if they will be putting something under his skin or releasing him.
I did get some good work done on my office files.
Our weather had warmed up nicely but the weekend turned into rain storms and tornado watches. Today I lost power at home at 1:30pm so I came up to the office at 7:30ish to work on this post.

Reading was nice if not prolific. I finished three books: two ebooks and one audible. I posted three reviews on the blog and two at Goodreads. I also posted all of my usual memes.

I got to visit 25+ blogs this past week.
A new visit and my shout out this week goes to a post "Six Book Review Rules To Live By" that made me laugh found at Bark’s Book Nonsense.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post January 15, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 16, 2017.

• Book Review: Dead and Breakfast: A Merry Ghost Inn Mystery by Kate Kingsbury; Cozy Mystery, Ghost; my rating: 4.25

• Book Review: Forbidden by F. Stone; Suspense, Romance; my rating 4.75.

• Goodreads Audible Book Review: A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell, #1) by Deanna Rayborrn; Romance; my rating 3.75.

• Goodreads Audible Book Review: The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time, #1) (Abridged) by Robert Jordan; Epic Fantasy; my rating 3.00.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 20, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/26/2017.

• Audio Book Review: Two by Vonnegut: The Big Trip Up Yonder and 2BR02B by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.; Vintage Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #287 Comment Giveaway January 21, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/28/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 22, 2017.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible (TBR)

X Minus One: Old Time Radio, Sci-Fi Series
Written by: Ray Bradbury , Philip K. Dick , Robert A. Heinlein , Frederik Pohl , Theodore Sturgeon , Isaac Asimov , Ernest Kinoy , George Lefferts
Narrated by: Old Time Radio
Lots of fun and creepy tales in this vintage sci fi collection. :-)
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Terminal Regression
by Mallory Hill
This was an interesting dystopia... but not my cup of tea. I received this through NetGalley. I'll post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Kalico Jack
by Mike Nahorniak
This is quite a nice little read. 
I received this through NetGalley.
Kalico Jack is a little different from the other Jack Rabbits so much so that he is he is constantly ridiculed. As he gets old enough, Kalico Jack decides to embark on a journey to find where he fits in. This adventure takes him across the western part of the United States where he makes many friends and eventually figures out what his special purpose is.

Mike Nahorniak was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He is a self-taught artist who has enjoyed the adventure of living in various locations across the Western half of the United States. Some of his most famous paintings include, "Time," "Where the Antelope Play," and "Montana Moose."
He is retired from the Air Force where he served for 27 years. Mike is married with three children.

Currently reading:
1. Print (LBC / First Book of 2017)

All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life
by Mark Batterson
I will finish this week although our Ladies Book Club won't meet until 2/11/17.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio (ABJ)

Goliath
By: Steve Alten
Read by: Christopher Kipiniak
20% along. This is complex and suspenseful so far.
I received the audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (Pump Up My Book Tour)

The Heatstroke Line: A Cli-Fi Novel
by Edward L Rubin
I am 50% along in this interesting "Cli-Fi". 
I am reviewing this on 1/25/17 as part of Pump Up My Book Blog Tour.
Nothing has been done to prevent climate change, and the United States has spun into decline. Storm surges have made coastal cities uninhabitable, blistering heat waves afflict the interior and, in the South (below the Heatstroke Line), life is barely possible. Under the stress of these events and an ensuing civil war, the nation has broken up into three smaller successor states and tens of tiny principalities. When the flesh-eating bugs that inhabit the South show up in one of the successor states, Daniel Danten is assigned to venture below the Heatstroke Line and investigate the source of the invasion. The bizarre and brutal people he encounters, and the disasters that they trigger, reveal the real horror climate change has inflicted on America.

4. eBook/Kindle (MC Book Tours)

The Remnant
by William Michael Davidson
I am 30% along on this and
liking the story build.
I will be posting a review and
author Guest Post on February 1, 2017.
One nation, without God…
Colton Pierce apprehends Abberants—those who display symptoms of faith—and quarantines them on a remote island to ensure public safety. Years prior, the government released a genetically-engineered super flu that destroyed the genes believed to be the biological source of spiritual experience in an effort to rid the world of terrorism. As an extractor with the Center for Theological Control, Colton is dedicated to the cause.
But Colton’s steadfast commitment is challenged when he learns his own son has been targeted for extraction. An underground militia, the Remnant, agrees to help Colton save his son in exchange for his assistance with their plan to free the Aberrants on the island.
Colton is faced with the most important decision of his life. Remain faithful to the CTC? Or give up everything to save his son?

January 23, 2017 - I am up to date with the One Year Bible; reading along with my husband and others from our church. I hope to take more time this year, staying on the day and listening to the companion commentary online.

I completed three new books and posted five reviews. Finished all reviews for 2016 reads and still have four for 2017.
I am still expecting some new audio titles.
I now have 17 (18-3 read +2) NetGalley Titles and 13+ author titles in my queue.

Another delightful children's book is being formatted for release on the eTreasure's NetGalley page this week

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.

I have a Kindle title for tour review this week; I received two more NetGalley titles plus an audiobook for tour review.
I did not get any Audible Daily Deals but picked up one $.99 Kindle title.
Not sure how but I picked up a large number of free kindle titles again. (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

I will be reviewing this title this week with Pump Up Your Book Tour:

The Heatstroke Line: A Cli-Fi Novel
For description see above under Currently Reading.





I received two more titles through NetGalley thanks to seeing them on lists of blog friends!

Wild Horse Springs (Ransom Canyon)
by Jodi Thomas
"In the heart of Ransom Canyon, sometimes the right match for a lonely soul is the one you least expect. "
I saw this last week on IMWAYR? at Kathryn's The Book Date.

Blink: A psychological thriller with a killer twist you'll never forget
by K.L. Slater
"What if the person you love most in the world was in terrible danger … because of you?"
I saw this two weeks ago on Monday Mailbox at Lori's Reading Corner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I received this Audible audio title for spotlight (2/7) and review (3/3) at iRead Book Tours.

Kill and Run: A Thorny Rose Mystery, Book 1
Written by: Lauren Carr
Narrated by: C.J. McAllister
"In this first installment of the Thorny Rose Mysteries, Lieutenant Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday sift through a web of lies and cover-ups. Together, can the detectives uncover the truth without falling victim to a cunning killer?"
This sounds like a good mystery.

Won

NONE

Purchased

I resisted the tempting Audible Daily Deals this week but I picked up one Kindle $.99 deal:

Lands of Dust (The Dying World Book 1)
John Triptych
This is a genetic engineering dystopia and it caught my interest.

Free

I added another large number -- 75 -- free Kindle titles to my library this week. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 22, 2017

I pulled this message to prepare this post ahead of time. My hubby is in hospital again so I plan to leave shortly after church to visit with him.

On January 8, 2017 to begin the new year, our Sunday School (SS) teacher gave a message on Landmarks. Landmarks are used to mark points in surveying or to mark special event. The Israelites also would mark territories (Deuteronomy 19:14, Proverbs 22:28) and special events (Genesis 8:20 (Noah), Genesis 12:8 (Abram).

Our SS teacher noted that the Israelites did not stop and stay but moved on from the landmarks. More specifically they followed God’s direction by following the cloud and pillar of fire (Numbers 9:17). If they did not move, they would not experience what God had in store.

We need to know that we do not need to go back to a spiritual landmark. God does not speak the same to different people, nor the same to the same person at different times. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. That is who He is, not how He works. Landmarks remind us what God has done and can do. God continues to do great things at different places, in different ways. Don’t put God in a box, nor limit Him. God does not work through culture, nor religion, but God works through relationship. God is known to provide sign posts. Be sensitive to His direction. Remember – it isn’t about you (or me); it's about Him and His direction. Make sure you move with God.

I immediately thought of the words in this song: Jesus, Lover of My Soul.

"It's All About You, Jesus!"
.

A Verse for Today:
Numbers 9:23 NLT
23 So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses.

I keep getting the Word "Focus" in my mind. I believe that is God's word for me for 2017 and I am mindful that my focus needs to be on God's Will, not my own.

Sharing Beyond Books #287 Comment Giveaway January 21, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

I had to laugh that most of you did itemize the fairly standard bathroom, brush teeth, shower routine. :-) Plus turning on and getting that first cup of coffee. I set the coffee up the night before and my hubby, who is usually up first, turns it on so I do grab a cup on the way into the bathroom.  Several of you make your bed right away - I forgot to mention that too. Since I don't toss much I can just fold my covers up and smooth out the bedding.
CarolL at least stretches and Elizabeth actually does some exercising! Good for you!

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #286 comments is: #2 MaryP who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. [I'm hoping to update the book choices - maybe the beginning of next year, lol.] Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #287

(One Question.)

Elizabeth asks: What books are on your reading wish list???

I do have some books on a wish list for family to gift to me; which, sadly they won't. But the books I really want, I tend to pick up. I have Book #11 in the Destroyermen series by Taylor Anderson (out in June 2016) which I saved for TBR this year. I am looking forward to listening to it after I get caught up on review titles. I can't think of any other titles right now except those I have been picking up from NetGalley. :-)

Image found at The Odyssey Online.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.

Your turn to share: Elizabeth asks: What books are on your reading wish list???

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday January 28, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Audio Book Review: Two by Vonnegut: The Big Trip Up Yonder and 2BR02B by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Quick, engaging and thought provoking vintage sci fi. (ABB-Narrator)
Two by Vonnegut: The Big Trip Up Yonder and 2BR02B
Written by: Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Narrated by: Kitty Hendrix

Length: 44 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:12-08-16
Publisher: Listen2aBook.com
Genre: Sci Fi, Vintage
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (1922-2007) was a prolific and genre-bending American novelist known for works blending satire, black comedy, and science fiction, such as Slaughterhouse-Five (1969), Cat's Cradle (1963), and Breakfast of Champions (1973).
These two short works, "The Big Trip Up Yonder" and "2BR02B", are science fiction tales originally published in the magazines Galaxy Science Fiction and If: Worlds of Science Fiction in 1959 and 1962.
©2016 Kurt Vonnegut (P)2016 Kitty Hendrix

Review:
These are two short sci fi stories that address aging in the future; or more accurately not aging. They reflect two different extremes which make them interesting as a pair.

The Big Trip Up Yonder tells of Gramps Ford, a 172-year-old, who is the head of his clan of children and grandchildren. They are all living together cramped into one three bedroom apartment where the head of the family gets the perk of the best bed in a private room. Gramps gets to dole out the use of the bedrooms as a reward to his favorite child, grandchild or great-grandchild of the moment, as well as changing his Will bequeathing his bed and couch anytime one heir falls out of favor. If Granps continues to take the special medicine that keeps him from aging and dying the family is stuck in this terrible routine. Everyone’s nerves are on edge and Gramps decides something has to be done. The solution is an ironic twist that I have seen so often in these vintage sci fi stories…and in the modern ones.

2BR02B is another satiric story that deals with death in a future world where government controls the population and a new child is only permitted if another person dies. I really liked the authors use of the wall mural to mirror the events that were happening.

I wouldn’t want a steady diet of these stories, but they are fun to read/listen to. I particularly like to compare the “vintage” tales of the future with the current day imaginings. Often the themes are similar and certainly the twists of irony are always present.


Audio Notes: Kitty Hendrix does an excellent job with the narration. This is not so much an issue of presenting character voices, although she does that well also. The plus is that the narration focuses on the story so the listener gets to think about the point that Vonnegut is making. I’m glad I received this audio for an honest review.

I received this audio title from the narrator in exchange for an unbiased review. This qualifies for 2017 Audiobook Challenge, 2017 TBR, Sci Fi Experience and Vintage Sci Fi.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 20, 2017

Happy Friday!
Our temperature warmed up to 82 on Thursday.
My week has been a big push. Lots of last minute interruptions as I tried to get law work done. I finally got a good handful of files done late Thursday but I still have more.
I am also facing hours of reporting for a local organization -- its my primary job as VP. I am getting it lined up for easier reporting next year but 2016 is going to be a major job.
My Hubby is back in the hospital for his breathing struggles. He is AFib again and will probably get shocked Friday.

Aargh - My mind never went to pulling books until preparing this post. That will have to wait until after my reporting work on Saturday.

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 January 13 Pick. There were two 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 was one title blocked.
AUTO: Rita gets Her Montana Christmas
and
bn100 gets the Stella Cameron Pair

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from January 13 Pick:
MICHELLE gets Crimson Shore.
and
MARYP gets a GC

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

This is an exciting opportunity -- will you try a new genre?
Image found at Pinterest.

New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016
(I'll post a picture and links later)
Some books for Christmas
Mistletoe Marriage by Jessica Hart
Twelfth Night Proposal by Karen Rose Smith
Jingle Bell Blessings by Bonnie K. Winn
Snowbound with Mr. Right by Judy Christenberry
Christmas With the Prince by Michelle Celmer
The Christmas Cowboy by Michele Dunaway
Christmas Bonus: Strings Attached by Susan Crosby
Wanted: Christmas Mommy by Judy Christenberry
One Cowboy One Christmas by Kathleen Eagle
All I Want for Christmas by Gina Wilkins
Mistletoe and Miracles by Marie Ferrarella
Her Montana Christmas by Arlene James
All She Wants for Christmas by Stacy Connelly
Miracle on Christmas Eve by Shirley Jump
Snowbound Reunion by Barbara McMahon
Holiday Homecoming by Mae Ann Wilson


New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
(I'll post a picture and links later)
PAIR:
Lisa Gardner: The Perfect Husband and The Other Daughter
Stella Cameron: True Bliss and Sheer Pleasures
SINGLE:
Stray by A. N. Wilson (hardcover)
Soul of the Wildcat by Devyn Quinn
The Seventh Tower, Book One by Garth Nix
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
Kill Chain by Meg Gardiner
Wild Rain by Christine Feehan
The Copper Beach by Maeve Binchy
Beyond Reach: A Novel (Grant County Book 6) by Karin Slaughter
Crimson Shore by Preston & Childs
The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry
Critical by Robin Cook
Mania by Craig Larsen

New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)

SINGLES:

*The Brittany Stones by Lynna Cooper (1974 - yellowed; corner of cover cut)
No Place for a Lady by Katherine Greyle
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)



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.)
SINGLES:
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

SINGLES:
A Dangerous Fancy by Tracy Cozzens
The Champion by Heather Grothaus


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016
SINGLES:
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette

New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016 -- All Gone

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:
Border Bride by Deborah Hale

New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)

New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015 -- All Gone


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 -- All Gone

BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
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)
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
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)

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 seven years I have posted 68 groups of 16 (1,088) books to find new homes! (as of November 4, 2016).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,036+ 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!