Sunday Words of Encouragement May 22, 2022

We continued to study Revelation in Sunday School on April 24, 2022. We were in chapter 13 and referred to Daniel Chapter 11, both talking about the future and a time of one world government.

Church service opened with worship, including the wonderful hymn, How Great Thou Art.
Our interim pastor continued his current series regarding Christ’s death and sacrifice with the message titled: "What Now?"

Pastor asked: Who is He? What did He Conquer? Matthew 28:19-20.
Zechariah 9:9 your king is coming.
The Disciples had been on roller coaster leading to the death of Jesus on the Cross. What now? Jesus appeared before them and gave them what we call “The Great commission”. This is an assignment to every believer. Go, enroll as student, teach, and tell the world. Make disciples then baptize them, teaching and giving instructions.
How do we fulfill our assignment? We must be doers, not just hearers.
These are three things the believer should do:

1. Carry your cross. daily. Matthew 16:24.
The cross was for the guilty. Our cross is the awareness of our sin. Psalm 51:3-4; the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. Romans 6:23 - Jesus was innocent of our sins. Our cross is also our awareness of who we are in Him. Revelation 1:6.
Carry your cross AND follow Jesus. If we know the guilt, the debt He paid, the love He showed, then we should follow. We should choose to surrender our lives to Him. Corinthians 6:19-20. The message of the cross for the believer is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18. The saved are (should be) willing to surrender and suffer for Him.

2. Carry their cares. Galatians 6:2.
Meet others at the point of their need. James 1:27. Save some...leading them to faith in Jesus.
1 Corinthians 9:22. Pay attention to the cares of the lost.

3. Carry His conversation. Mark 16:15.
Preach the gospel. Proclaim, publish, share.
Pastor challenged us to share the message of salvation with others. Do not be ashamed. Romans 1:16.
It is our assignment. Message to family, friends, neighbors, and others. John 5:24, Glorify the name of the Father just as Christ did. John 12:48.
Let God use you.

I had this song in my list and it fits for me today: Stand!

Verse for Today:
1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV
Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Lord, help me to be surrendered to you; use me to spread your love and message of salvation.

MBS April 2022 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2022 Reading List - APRIL

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABB = Audiobook Boom
eb = 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 Nothing Girl

1. ATBR: Audio Book Review: Hide and Seek by Mary Burton; Genre: Mystery, Police Procedural, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
2. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Kitty Takes a Holiday by Carrie Vaughn; Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Werewolf; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
3. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Mavericks Expeditionary Force, Book 6, by Craig Alanson; Genre: Adventure, Military, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
4. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Let Her Be by Lisa Unger; Genre: Domestic Thriller, Psychological, Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
5. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Inside Jobs, Tales from a Time of Quarantine by Ben H. Winters; Categories: Literature & Fiction, Anthologies & Short Stories; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
6. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Polar Vortex by Matthew Mather; Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0, Narration 4.25.
7. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Legend: Four Horsemen Tales, Book 1 by Christopher Woods; First Contact, Military, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
8. ebTBR: Book Review: Chinook (Miranda Chase NTSB #6) by M.L. Buchman; Genre: Political Fiction, Suspense, Technothriller; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
9. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Nothing Girl by Jodi Taylor; Genre: Coming of Age, Fantasy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
10. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Smear, How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote, by Sharyl Attkisson; Genre: Politics, Writing; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
11. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher; Amish, Contemporary, Romance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
12. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Wild Swan: A Story of Florence Nightingale by Patti Callahan; Categories: Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Total read = 12
TBR = 12
New Authors = 3
Audio/Audible = 11 (11 TBRs)
NetGalley = 0 (0 audio) (0 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 1 (1 TBR)
Nonfiction = 1
eBook = 1 (1 TBR)
Print = 0 (0 TBR)

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 41 of 125
TBR to Date: 36 of 90 total
Audio to Date: 37 of 100
NetGalley to Date: 5 of 10
Author Reviews: 2 of 12
Nonfiction: 4 of 12
TBR ebooks or Print: 4 of 12

• Series: 29 of 75 (13 continuing, 16 new)
• New to me Series: 16 (3 Yes to continue; 7 likely to continue, 6 maybe, 0 unlikely)
• Finished for me Series: 2

Special Goals
• Seasonal title: 2 of 4: Winter, Spring
• Alphabet letters covered: AUDIO SERIES: 4 Jan, 3 Feb, 7 March, 3 April, (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, U, Z) (17 of 26)
• Alphabet letters covered: MIXED MEDIA (focus on stand alones but can be series): 2 Jan, 5 Feb, 3 March, 7 April (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, O, P, S, W) (17 of 26)

Audible Book Review: The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher

This is an interesting Amish romance story with a complication of heart decease.
The Keeper
A Novel
By: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

Series: Stoney Ridge Seasons, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
Release date: 01-02-12
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Amish, Contemporary, Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Life on Windmill Farm hasn’t been the same since Julia Lapp’s father has had trouble with his heart. But that doesn’t stop Julia from hoping for a bright future. She has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. But when Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding - again - she is determined to change his mind. She knows who is to blame for Paul’s sudden reluctance to wed: the Bee Man. Roman Troyer, the Bee Man, travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. A mysterious man who relishes his nomadic life, Roman especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia seriously at odds with him, Windmill Farm is looking decidedly less appealing.
Can Julia secure the future she’s always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?
©2012 Suzanne Woods Fisher (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Review:
Julia Lapp, her younger sisters and younger brother have been struggling since their father suffered a heart attack. His strength and breathing are not recovering but his believes have made him refuse to be put on the waiting list for a heart transplant. Julia’s younger brother is a strong, sweet adolescent with learning disabilities. It is clear he will not be able to run the farm for the family without help.

The children’s uncle arrives to help, but he brings his own brand of openness. This causes some dismay in the community, especially with the mother of Julia’s intended fiancé, Paul. Paul had postponed their marriage a year ago but now Julia is busy making plans for their wedding in November. Julia is distressed and hurt when Paul calls the wedding off again. Julia believes that Paul has been influenced not only by his mother, but by the Bee Man, Roman Troyer.

Roman is a wanderer who moves his bees from community to community. He is a kind man, but suffered loss in his youth and has keeps himself emotionally apart from others. He developed a friendship with Mr. Lapp and cares about the struggles the family is experiencing. Roman decides to stay and help the Lapps even though Julia is annoyed with him and doesn’t fancy him like most young ladies.

Mr. Lapp’s condition deteriorates and Roman and Julia try to convince him to agree to accept a heart transplant. A soft friendship begins to develop between Roman and Julia as they work together. The story progresses as the reader wonders if the family can hold on to the farm and whether Julia and Paul will get back together.

I enjoyed the distinct characters and the unique aspects of the beekeeper. I also learning information about congestive heart failure that helped me to better understand my husband’s failing condition. The medical issue provides a different conflict which added to the story interest. I recommend this to fans of gentle Amish romance.

Audio Notes: Amy Rubinate does a very nice job with the narration. She provides clear voices and gentle emotions. I am glad I had this to listen to.

Source: 4/18/17 Audible Sale $5.95. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 20, 2022

Happy Friday!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.
I have had an exhausting week trying to catch up with work and now I am away for a Woman's Club Conference. I am pushing myself to prepare this post.

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 13, 2022 Pick. There was no automatic win this past 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.

Because there were only 6 entries last week I have chosen only one winner.

CONGRATULATIONS to:
Random.org picked Winner from May 13, 2022 Pick:
  MARY P 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 found this charming 'May' book display.
Image found at Pinterest posted by Melissa Mclvor

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
(Pair) Dreaming of You and Promises of Dreams by Lisa Kleypas
My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth
Love's Surprise by Karen Ball
Manhunt by Wayne Barton and Stan Williams - Audio CDs
What We Find by Robyn Carr
Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
The Hollows by Ben Larken
Robbie Taggart: Highland Sailor by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella
Storm Sisters: Friends Through All Seasons by Afton Rovrik (Hardback)
After the Light by Kimberly Clark Sharp (Hardback)


New Book Box #94 May 28, 2021 (10 books)

Three Audio CD Books:
Web of Evil by J.A. Jance
One Good Deed by David Baldacci
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
SINGLE TITLES
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale
A Summer of Firsts by Susan Wiggs and Sarah Morgan
Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane
Christmas on 4th Street: An Anthology by Susan Mallery
The Stranger by Harlan Coben
Vortex by Robert Charles Wilson

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
Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs

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
Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery
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
The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman Audiobook

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

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
Valley of Silence
Inner Harbor and
Chesapeake Blue


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:
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

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
All Gone

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
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.)
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 1,395 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!

Sunday Post May 15, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 16, 2022

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 have been glad to have my son with me this week. He will be returning home this coming Friday. I will be with friends at a conference over the weekend so I will have another week before I will start coming home alone.

Heather has had a particularly hard time getting focus back to come to work. She is dealing with other emotional issues too so it is hard for her.

The men's ministry my husband belonged to, The Band of Brothers Ministry, came over Saturday to take apart our deteriorating back deck as a gift to finish a project for Bob who was frustrated he could not work on it. There are several contractors in the group and they will be helping me with more projects (paid) as time goes along.

They filled the dumpster to the left with the wood and yard debris.

I continue to pray for the people and situation in Ukraine and for world leaders. I am adding Sri Lanka to these prayers per the request for another blog friend.  I am also praying for our country and the state of crime that is awful.
.

Our weather is moving into the mid to high 80s. We continue to have some sudden, heavy rains.

I had another good listening week.  We have cleared some space on my phone and I had it reset by the service provider twice this week. I have CLE credits to work on the next few weeks so I won't be starting any ebooks.  I finished three audiobooks, posted three reviews and most of my memes. 

I was glad to visit 16 blogs this past week.

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

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post May 8, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 9, 2022.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Legend: Four Horsemen Tales, Book 1 by Christopher Woods; First Contact, Military, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

• ebTBR: Book Review: Chinook (Miranda Chase NTSB #6) by M.L. Buchman; Genre: Political Fiction, Suspense, Technothriller; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Smear, How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote, by Sharyl Attkisson; Genre: Politics, Writing; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 13, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 5/19/2022.

• Sharing Beyond Books #444 Comment Giveaway May 14, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 5/28/2022.
  

Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Into the Wild
Warriors, Book 1
By: Erin Hunter Narrated
by: MacLeod Andrews
Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins
This took over a year to finish listening to this as a backup when books (other than Audible) weren't registering in the car. It is interesting but not for children, IMHO.
Source: 12/8/2019 Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Publisher's Summary
Epic adventures. Fierce warrior cats. A thrilling fantasy world. It all begins here.
Listen to the book that began a phenomenon - and join the legion of fans who have made Erin Hunter's Warriors series a number-one national best seller.
For generations, four Clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to the laws laid down by their ancestors. But the warrior code has been threatened, and the ThunderClan cats are in grave danger. The sinister ShadowClan grows stronger every day. Noble warriors are dying - and some deaths are more mysterious than others.
In the midst of this turmoil appears an ordinary housecat named Rusty...who may turn out to be the bravest warrior of them all.
©2003 Working Partners Limited (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Unbowed
Lee Harden, Book 5
By: D. J. Molles
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins
I did enjoy this and am ready for the series' final book 
Source: 10/17/2021 September Audible Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

Quest of Heroes, A & Slave, Warrior, Queen Bundle
By Morgan Rice
Publisher: Findaway Voices
Duration: 16 hours 28 minutes
I enjoyed this coming of age with magic story.
Source: I've had this on Kindle since 2003 (it's still free). I picked up the audio at May 2020 Audiobooks.com bundle for $.99.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Norse Mythology
By: Neil Gaiman
Narrated by: Neil Gaiman
Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
I like this author and
I'm looking forward to this as an "N" title.
Source: 2/11/2019 Audible Daily Deal $3.95.
Publisher's Summary
Introducing an instant classic - master storyteller Neil Gaiman presents a dazzling version of the great Norse myths.
Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales. In Norse Mythology, Gaiman fashions primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds; delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants; and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people. Gaiman stays true to the myths while vividly reincarnating Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin's son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki, the son of a giant, a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator. From Gaiman's deft and witty prose emerge the gods with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to duping others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook. Download the accompanying reference guide.
©2017 Neil Gaiman (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

2. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

A Ripple in Time
Written by Victor Zugg
Narrated by Sean William Doyle
Run Time 7h 26min
I do like time travel/alternate reality stories.
Source: March 2021 Chirp Purchase $2.99.
Publisher Description
A struggle for survival in a time long past.
It started as a routine Miami to Charlotte flight for the passengers, crew, and Federal Air Marshal Stephen Mason. But a freak storm over the Atlantic propels the airliner unexplainably back in time to the early 18th century. They find themselves on the sparsely populated coast of the Carolina Colony. Charles Town is the only English settlement of any size in the area. It’s an inhospitable place of vast plantations, slavery, hostile natives, tall ships, and marauding pirates.
Finding a way back, if that’s even feasible, is the least of their worries. These unintended time travelers quickly find themselves ill-equipped for hardships and dangers not faced for centuries. Perils loom at every turn in this world of loss, anguish, filth, and sweat.
Foreigners in their own land, can they survive and adapt? Is it even possible for these modern transplants to carve an existence from this foul and odorous place in time?
Stephen Mason will find a way or die trying.

May 15, 2022 - I'm glad to be able to listen to my Bible reading as well as read it. I have to go back and watch the connected videos I haven't been able to watch since April 20 in the Bible Reading Plan: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. I am really enjoying the informativedevotion videos. I am enjoying keeping up with my reading each day.
I'll look for a new study soon.

I completed three more books for review. I still have six outstanding reviews to post.
My NetGalley 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.
(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 books.
I picked my two April credits from Audible - nonfiction titles recommended by our son.
I also picked up one Audible Plus to share with the kids.
I added one ebook to my Kindle TBR library today.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

May 15, 2022 Audible 2 April Credit picks. (These are books my son has been reading so I got them to share with him.)

12 Rules for Life
An Antidote to Chaos
By: Jordan B. Peterson, Norman Doidge MD - foreword
Narrated by: Jordan B. Peterson
Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins

Dare to Lead
Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
By: Brené Brown
Narrated by: Brené Brown
Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Free

May 15, 2022 Audible Plus Catalog.

Laurie Berkner's Song and Story Kitchen: Season 2
By: Laurie Berkner
Series: Laurie Berkner's Song and Story Kitchen, Book 2
Narrated by: Laurie Berkner , Josiah Gaffney , Faye Marguerite Gardner
Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins


5/15/22 I picked up one free kindle title to add to my library.

The Visionary: A Dystopian Sci-Fi (Tion)
J.C. Gemmell




One Free title. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.