#NetGalley Book Review: 101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily: Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for You and your Hen by Lisa Steele

This was fun with some good images and tips.
101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily:
Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for You and your Hen
by Lisa Steele

File Size: 40368 KB
Print Length: 176 pages
Publisher: Voyageur Press (October 9, 2018)
ASIN: B07HKWDS55
Genre: Animal Husbandry, DIY, Nonfiction, Reference
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Spoil your chickens and beautify your coop with 101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily.
Join Lisa Steele, chicken-keeper extraordinaire and founder of Fresh Eggs Daily, on a behind-the-coop tour like you've never seen. Lisa has spent years figuring out the best ways to keep chickens healthy, the natural way, and she's collected more than just your average tips.
101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily includes simple ideas for re-using and upcycling old items, as well as detailed information on using natural ingredients to enhance and improve your chickens' lives without breaking the bank.
This guide includes these handy ideas and much more:
Feeding: Try homemade scratch, growing fodder, or frozen treats
The Run: Make a chicken swing or DIY scarecrow
Chicken Health: Find ideas for boredom busters, homemade salves, and herbal teas
The Coop: Keep it clean with a natural coop cleaner and make your own coop curtains
The Garden: Build an herb drying rack or brew a batch of chicken poop “tea”
So what are you waiting for? Make your chickens the happiest birds on the block!

Review:
Since we have added our hen house this year, I thought this would be a good book to read. I loved the pictures of fluffy chickens, including some on swings and wearing tutus! There are good tips for cleaning the coop, the chickens and the eggs. There are some homemade recipes for food treats, herbal teas (I’m excited to try these) and homemade salves. I like the suggestion of sanitizing lotion at the pen. I am very careful to wash my hands anytime I pet the chickens (yes, they like to be petted), collect eggs or touch the coop and run gates.

I made note of herbs and treats that are healthy and those that are poisonous to chickens. the I know I won’t implement all of the ideas, but there are healthy ones and fun ones. I might not be making curtains to spruce up our coop but I will try the frozen treats. And I hope to get hubby to make a swing for the chickens to play on. The recycling ideas are wonderful too - wish I had more time for those. I certainly can recommend this to new chicken breeders and to those who love to learn fun ideas and things about chickens.

Source: 2018 NetGalley. This qualifies for NetGalley Challenge.

#NetGalley Book Review: Slay Bells: A Christmas Village Mystery by T.C. Wescott

This is a solid cozy mystery with some fun characters and mysterious deaths to unravel.

Slay Bells: A Christmas Village Mystery
by T.C. Wescott

File Size: 3376 KB
Print Length: 230 pages
Publisher: Better Mousetrap Books (November 23, 2018)
ASIN: B07HGG7ZFR
Genre: Christmas, Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

“If there is a list of perfect books for Christmas, then I am pretty sure Slay Bells is on that list.” – GOODREADS review
‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the village, the night settled in over swirling-smoke chimneys.
The air was alive with pine and with holly, with sugar and cinnamon and cider, by golly!
Along snowy lanes and through shadows it crept, past windows behind which each villager slept,
Where sleeping dogs lie and cats rest a’purring—
Tonight, in Christmas Village, a killer is stirring.
Nestled betwixt an opulent garden with meandering footpaths and an ancient grove of plum trees, Plum Cottage Inn is plum-full with lodgers in for the Christmas Festival. There are no vacancies...until one by one the lodgers start dying in inexplicable ways.
Short as a stump, round as a wheel, sweet as a candy cane, and a sharp as a whip, Maribel Claus loves a good puzzle. Can Mrs. Claus solve the mystery and save Christmas?
If you enjoy the classic Golden Age small village and English country house mysteries as well as lighthearted cozies of our present day, you will fall in love with the Christmas Village Mysteries. And your love affair starts right here with Slay Bells.
Slay Bells includes diagrams of the murder scenes and a one-of-a-kind BOOK GROUP CHALLENGE.

Review:
Plum Cottage Inn is housing a traveling troupe that is in town as entertainment for the Christmas Festival. The troupe includes a magician, a strongman, a juggler who walks on stilts, an acrobat and a fortuneteller. The troupe leader is a tyrannical, complaining man who is assisted by the troupe’s efficient arranger. The Inn’s proprietor, Rose, is happy to share local myths and folklore and is busy with holiday preparations until she injures her ankle. Fortunately, her very good friend, Maribel Claus, steps in to help. That puts Maribel, who is a keen observer and lover of puzzles, in the middle of the mystery when death comes knocking.

The first victim is the unpleasant troupe leader who has no shortage of people who would be glad to see him gone. He is discovered on the top of a small hill outside of the Inn with no evidence of footprints or obvious murder weapon. This creates the first puzzle that pulls Maribel in to help the local sheriff to his frustration and reluctant acknowledgment of her skills. The investigation is serious in its efforts even as they try to ignore a local character who insists that monsters of folklore have descended on the town.

Several of the troupe members are easily suspected but the authorities are struggling to put together definitive evidence. A second murder occurs leaving another puzzling path as there are no footsteps leading to the spot of death other than the victim and then the footprints leading away from the body don’t match any of the suspects.

I enjoyed the cozy writing style although the beginning seemed a little busy and full of characters. As the book proceeds the characters are sorted out with the help of the investigation. It was fun to have the clues and theories bounced around committee consisting of the sheriff, his deputy, the town mayor, a local professor and, of course, Maribel. This is a solid cozy mystery and I recommend to fans of the genre.

Source: 2018 NetGalley. This qualifies for NetGalley Challenge.

#NetGalley and Audible Book Review: The Trouble with Twelfth Grave by Darynda Jones

This was a good entry in the series.
The Trouble with Twelfth Grave
A Novel
By: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King

Series: Charley Davidson, Book 12
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-31-17
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Ghosts, Private Investigator
My Rating: 4.5 Overall; 4.25 Story; 5.0 Narration

The Trouble with Twelfth Grave: A Novel (Charley Davidson Series Book 12) Kindle Edition

Publisher's Summary
Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the 12th installment of Darynda Jones' New York Times best-selling paranormal series, The Trouble with Twelfth Grave.
Ever since Reyes Farrow escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley Davidson accidentally trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that's not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings - some corporeal, some not so much - as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she's not uncovering a murder. This time she's covering one up.
Add to that her new occupation of keeping a start-up PI venture - the indomitable mystery-solving team of Amber Kowalski and Quentin Rutherford - out of trouble and dealing with the Vatican's inquiries into her beloved daughter, and Charley is on the brink of throwing in the towel and becoming a professional shopper. Or possibly a live mannequin. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it's time to let loose her razor-sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she's loved for centuries. So the question becomes: Can she tame the unruly beast before it destroys everything she's worked so hard to protect?
©2017 Darynda Jones (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Review:
Charley’s husband, Reyes, has returned from the hell dimension as a wrathful, brimstone satanic god set on destroying Charley’s world. Charley is convinced that the better side of Reyes is still within the evil Rey’aziel but God’s archangel, Michael, has given her a time limit to control Reyes or he must be eliminated. Charley and her friends, Cookie, Osh, Garrett and ghost Angel, plot out how to capture Reyes.

Charley is also trying to help her Uncle Bob investigate bizarre deaths where the victims are strangely burned. Charley is desperately hoping that the killer isn’t her fiery husband.

Meanwhile Charley is dealing with the mundane mysteries of her private investigation business, including trying to help clients sort out the ghostly beings in their homes. Additionally, she has to protect a friend who had an unfortunate connection with an overbearing, possessive and abusive man who has ended up dead. On top of all of that, her best friend’s daughter, Amber, is starting her own investigation agency to pursue troubles at school.

There is plenty to keep the reader interested in this volume. I enjoyed seeing so many of Charley’s friends, including her supernatural rottweiler, Artemis, and her asylum friends, Rocket and Blue. Even Beep is threatened and makes a brief appearance. There is good tension and a few surprises. All of the action made it worthwhile getting past the one fairly steamy scene. The book ends with a customary zinger so I am certainly anxious to see how the author wraps up this series in the final book.

Audio Notes: Lorelei King is the voice of Charley and her cohorts. Her narration is spot on as usual and adds to the emotion of the story.

Source(s) NetGalley 2018 and Audible Sale Purchase November 2018. I am counting this towards NetGalley and Audio Challenges.

My reviews for books one through eleven can be read under this link.

Audible Book Review: Escape from the Overworld: A Minecraft Gamer's Quest by Danica Davidson

This was a quick, fun listen.

Escape from the Overworld: A Minecraft Gamer's Quest:
An Unofficial Minecrafter's Adventure
by Danica Davidson
Narrated by: Dan Woren

Series: An Unofficial Overworld Adventure, Book 1
Length: 2 hrs
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 03-16-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Adventure, Bullies, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0, Overall, Story and Narration

From the publisher of The Quest of the Diamond Sword and Battle of the Nether comes a new novel for Minecrafters which takes on a spellbinding battle that brings Stevie and zombie mobs into the real world!

Stevie is in for a big surprise while building his treehouse: he’s first attacked by a creeper, and then must take on a group of zombies! The near miss has him feeling like the worst mob fighter in Minecraft, so when he finds a portal into a brand-new world, he’s willing to take his chances.

He steps out of a computer screen and into the room of a sixth-grade girl Maison, who’s a talented builder. Stevie is shocked by how different this world is, and Maison takes him under her wing. But soon the two friends learn zombies have also made their way out of the portal!

More and more creatures are slipping out by the second, wreaking havoc on a world that has no idea how to handle zombies, creepers, giant spiders, and the like. Stevie and Maison must put their heads together and use their combined talents in order to push the zombies back into Minecraft, where they belong. As Stevie and Maison’s worlds become more combined, their adventure becomes intense and even more frightening than they could have ever imagined.

Review:
Stevie is a clumsy 11-year-old Minecrafter child who struggles to impress his successful, warrior father. Stevie hoped to make his father proud with his efforts to build a tree house but he forgets the time and is attacked. His father has to come to his rescue… again.

The next day Stevie gets frightened by a spider and falls into a brand new portal into another world. He finds himself in the room of a sixth-grade human girl, Maison. They are both startled by the overlap of their worlds but they discover they have much in common.

Maison takes Stevie to school with her and he learns that there are bullies in the human world too. He feels helpless to help his new friend. Then the Minecraft monsters start to enter the human world through the open portal. Stevie and Maison work together to fight the monsters and to protect their classmates.

As much as Stevie is thrilled with his new friend, Stevie knows he must return to his world and close the portal. Will he be able to return home and keep his friend safe?

I saw this on sale for a small amount and figured it was worth a try for a few hours’ of entertainment. It is light entertainment that touches on the issue of bullies, self-confidence and overcoming fear. I recommend it for young readers (ages 7-12+/-) and also to those who enjoy battle adventures.

Audio Notes: Dan Woren does a good job narrating this. He captures the youth and frustrations of the children. I enjoyed the audio entertainment.

Source: 2018 Audible Sale purchase. This qualifies for Audiobook Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 28, 2018

Happy Last Friday of 2018!

I hope everyone is ready for a new year - May it be safe and Happy!

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 December 21 Pick. There was one automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. No title was blocked.
ELIZABETH gets the Elizabeth Lowell pair.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from December 21 Pick:
ASHFA gets a GC
and
NATALIA 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 am looking forward to good reading in 2019!
How about you?

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

One PAIR:
Susan Wiggs: Snowfall and Fireside
SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich
On this Holy Night
A Rancher for Christmas
Christmas Haven
Christmas Brides Anthology
Holiday in Death
Christmas Homecoming
Together by Christmas Anthology
The Christmas Date
The Christmas Promise (hardback)
A Blue and Grey Christmas (hardback)
The Snow Angel (CD Audiobook)
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
PAIRS:
Kat Martin: Bold Angel and Devil's Prize
Elizabeth Lowell: Death Is Forever and Running Scared
SINGLE
It Takes a Hero by Elizabeth Boyle
Two Alone by Sandra Brown
'Tween a Devil and his hard Place by Sam Cheever
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Highland Guardian by Melissa Mayhue
Hot Pursuit by Christinea Skye
Sisters & Secrets Anthology
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

Pairs:
Stella Cameron: French Quarter and Key West
Jude Deveraux: Mulberry Tree and Wild Orchids
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Unmasked Anthology - Jennifer Blake, Janet Dailey and Elizabeth Gage
Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Finer Things by Brenda Joyce
Wicked Promise by Kat Martin
Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee
The Leopard's Woman by Linda Lael Miller and White Wolf by Lindsay McKenna
Eagle and the Dove by Victoria Morrow
To Love Again by Bertrice Small
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith
Primal Obsession by Susan Vaughn

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

There are three audios at the top:

No One Left to Tell is MP3
Kisscut is Cassettes
Dark Summer is CDs
Pairs:
Kay Hooper and
Carla Neggers Red Clover Inn
SINGLES
Cold Pursuit by Carla Neggers
Best Laid Plans
Bound For Murder
Asking for Murder
Pretty Poison
Darkness Tell Us
Last Writes (A Jaine Austen Mystery Series Book 2) by Laura Levine
Don’t Tell a Soul by S. K. McClafferty - MSE has on Kindle 2013
Zombies of the Gene Pool
Cooking More Deadly


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
PAIRS
Fern Michaels and James Patterson
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon
The Green Trap
End Game
Night School
The Red Tent
The Final Judgment Audio Cassettes
Secrets of Paris
Linda Goodnight
Irish Charmers, the Mighty Quinns
Firebird
No Getting Over a Cowboy
The Book of Fate 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)
The Maverick Preacher by Victoria Bylin (personally autographed)
The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver
The Doctor’s Forever Family by Marie Ferrarella
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Branded by the Sheriff by Delores Fossen
The Italian’s Inexperienced Mistress
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
Rhapsody in Time by Judith O’Brien
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham
The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle by RaeAnne Thayne


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

PAIRS
Johanna Lindsey Pair
Judith Krentz Pair
SINGLES
Midnight Rainbow
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
To Wicked to Love
Betrayed
My Dark Prince
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes
Brothers of Gwynedd
Fatal Defect
Bones of the Sea and Other Stories
By a Spider's Thread



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
Echo Burning by Lee Child
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Tempted All Night by Liz Carlyle
Day of the Dead by J.A. Jance
White Night by Jim Butcher
Five Gold Rings Anthology Constance O’Banyon and three others
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwell
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Wizard’s Daughter by Catherine Coulter
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
Night Whispers by Judith McNaught
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
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn 

(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 EIGHT years I have posted 82 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,333 books to find new homes! (as of November 9, 2018).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,209+ 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 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!

#NetGalley Book Review: Patience for Christmas: A Holiday Novella

This is an entertaining historical Christmas novella by an author I really like.
Patience for Christmas: A Holiday Novella
by Grace Burrowes

File Size: 440 KB
Print Length: 113 pages
Publisher: Forever Yours (December 18, 2018)
ASIN: B07CRJ2QVP
Genre: Historical Romance, Holiday, Regency
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

A friendly holiday competition turns steamy in this Regency romance novella from the New York Times bestselling author of My One and Only Duke.
Previously published in Virtues of Christmas.
Advice columnist Patience Friendly's relationship with her stubborn, overbearing publisher, Dougal MacHugh, is anything but cordial. Dougal challenges Patience to take on a rival columnist in a holiday advice-a-thon, and sparks fly clear up to the mistletoe hanging from every rafter. Will Patience follow the practical guidance of her head or the passionate advice of her heart?

Review:
Patience is a determined young woman supporting herself by writing an advise column. A past betrayal by a young man has left her cautious of men and a natural champion for women. Patience’s columns have been getting a rival opinion from Professor Pennypacker.

Her publisher, Scottish, stubborn and overbearing Dougal MacHugh, challenges Patience to take on twelve days of advice against her rival. It would mean extra income for the publisher and the Patience too, even if it will cut into other activities.

Dougal sets out to work side by side with Patience to help choose the letters and get the columns completed. They banter with their opinions growing closer and closer while spending long hours working together. But Dougal has a secret that could cause a major backfire.

I totally enjoyed these feisty characters and the love that blossomed between them. The secret (easily guessed) is revealed to the reader long before it is inevitably revealed to Patience. The tension builds as the passion develops between the couple and we wait to see how Patience will respond to Dougal’s secret.

I enjoy Ms. Burrowes' writing style and this novella didn’t disappoint as I was thoroughly entertained. I recommend this as a quick, delightful Christmas romance. I recommend this author to readers who enjoy good historical romance with some heat but not too steamy.

Source: NetGalley 2018. This qualifies for 2018 NetGalley Challenge.

Audible Book Review: The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn

This is full of interesting history tidbits about Santa and other Christmas traditions.

The Autobiography of Santa Claus
By: Jeff Guinn
Narrated by: John H. Mayer

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 12-10-04
Language: English
Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc.
Genre: Biographical, Folklore, Memoir
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Narration

Publisher's Summary
Jump on Santa's sleigh for a journey through 17 centuries of Christmas magic!
This enchanting holiday treasure combines historical fact with glorious legend as Saint Nicholas himself reveals the definitive story of Santa Claus. From his birth in Lycia to meeting Mrs. Claus and all of his helpers, Santa relates the tale of how he spread his message of generosity and the goodness of giving across the world.
Families will delight in every entertaining chapter of this holiday classic, one for each cold December night leading up to Christmas!
©2004 Jeff Guinn (P)2004 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Review:
This interesting work begins with Santa choosing to share his own biography to a journalist who doesn’t quite have all the facts. He tells of his birth in Lycia in 280 A.D. and shares how his Christian faith and the baby Jesus influenced him to share his wealth with others. After years the legend of Saint Nicholas was developed around his gift giving to others in his home town.

He shares how magic became part of his story as he picked up friends along his travels and how he was given different names around the world. He also shares how many of the Christmas traditions, such as stockings, trees, yule logs and much more, began.

I was fascinated and delighted by his helpful friends who include Felix, Layla, Attila the Hun, Arthur of Britain and even Leonardo Da Vinci! I was even more interested in the history, for example, learning that Christmas celebrations were banned by American pilgrims, but fortunately celebrated in the Dutch communities.

I didn’t realize until I looked at the Table of Contents on the Kindle ‘look inside’ feature that the chapters are set out so they can be read one a night for the first 24 days of December. That is a good idea and I think would make the reading or listening more enjoyable than forging through it as I did. I recommend this to families to read and share with their children during December. The story is filled with the philosophy that "it is better to give than receive."  It would be a great way to encourage finding ways to share with others instead of focusing only on the anticipation of receiving gifts.

Audio Notes: John H. Mayer’s deep voice fits the work and Santa’s personality. He captures other voices appropriately too. The listening is engaging and fun.

Source: Audible 12/24/17 Daily Deal Purchase $2.95. This qualifies for 2018TBR and Audiobook Challenge.

Audio Book Review: 'Tis the Season (Main Street #3) by Ann M. Martin

This is a sweet Middle Grade story and an easy listen.
'Tis the Season (Main Street #3)
by Ann M. Martin
Read by Ariadne Meyers

Audio CD, 4 CDs, Unabridged
Published November 1st 2007 by Scholastic, Inc.
ISBN 0545025354 (ISBN13: 9780545025355)
Genre: Family Life, Holiday, Middle Grade, Tween
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0, Overall, Story and Narration

An unforgettable holiday story in Ann M. Martin's timeless new series

It's looking to be a hard holiday season for the girls of Main Street. For Flora and Ruby, it's the first Christmas without their parents around. For Olivia, gift giving and tree decorating must be balanced with the fact that both of her parents need jobs. And for Nikki, there's the presence of her mean, angry father to reckon with. Luckily, the girls have each other--and the community around them. As Camden Falls prepares for its annual festivities, Flora, Ruby, Olivia, and Nikki all find that the hard things become easier when there are family, friends, and neighbors to share things with.

Review:
Flora (10-11 years old) and Ruby (8-9 years old) have lost their parents and have moved to Camden Falls to live with their grandmother, Min. The girls have made new friends, especially Olivia who lives next door and Nikki. Flora and Ruby love helping and doing crafts at Min’s store Needle and Thread. This is the first year the girls will spend Christmas in Camden Falls and now they are learning to accept the joy of the season with the help of their friends and the love of close neighbors.

Olivia’s parents are struggling financially, and she is worried her parents will have to move out of town to start a new business. Nikki has always had to cope with an abusive father but this year he is leaving home for work elsewhere. The family waits to see if he will send any money home to help or if he will come back with his anger.
This is a middle grade story which is warm and easy to read. It shares problems that young girls might experience and shows how friends can help as well as a small, close community. The story addresses some adult issues like loss and grief, abuse and alcoholism. It also shares in a very touching way how others can be Santa’s helpers. This read fine as a standalone although I imagine starting at the beginning of the series would be good for the intended audience. I recommend this to tweens and their parents.

Audio Notes: Ariadne Meyers does a really nice job with the narration. She provides different voices for the characters and is able to portray the emotions of the children and the older characters. I enjoyed the listening experience.

Source: Purchased used at Library Book Sale. This qualifies for 2018 TBR and Audiobook Challenge.

Merry Christmas 2018

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

There are so many wonderful Christmas songs but this one popped out at me.

We have had a year of challenges that have only made us stand firm in our faith.
This is a time to stop and remember the most important things I need to share.
I am praying that my family and friends Remember that Jesus is the Reason for Season and have a VERY BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Eve 2018 - O Come, O Come Emmanuel

REJOICE!

Sunday Post December 23, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 24, 2018

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.

We were able to get two closings done on Friday but I have one, maybe two that we will go in for after Christmas. I am thankful for the work.

I learned that the Contractor had only tarped the hole and not the entire roof as quoted. When it rained Thursday we still had rain coming in. They came back Friday and have now tarped the whole roof. I will find out next week if it holds against the rain. Meanwhile I am getting a second quote for the dry-out as the first one was out of line.

Hubby did a little labor he shouldn't have this week. We have a water leak under the house but it is a mystery as it doesn't stop when the water is turned off. A plumber also said it isn't impacting the pump pressure. We hope to figure it out this week.

I have local family gifts to wrap tonight and tomorrow.

My listening and reading was good this week. I finished two audio books and two ebooks. I posted four reviews on blog; one at Goodreads. And I posted my usual memes.

I only visited 19 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Dream Come Review. Alana is another avid reader, a "fledgling writer".
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post December 16, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 17, 2018.

• NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff by Dana K. White; Cleaning, Hoarding, How To; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: All Systems Red by Martha Wells; AI, Sci Fi, Short Story; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall, 4.5 Story and 5.0 Narration.

• NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: A Chance at Christmas by Beppie Harrison; Christmas, Historical Romance, Holiday Romance, Regency; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 21, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/20/2018.

• ATBR- Goodreads Audio Book Review: Gather ‘Round the Sound: Holiday Stories from Beloved Authors and Great Performers Across the Globe; Christmas; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall, 4.25 Story and 5.0 Narration.

• NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Someone to Trust by Mary Balogh; Historical Romance, Holiday, Regency; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 23, 2018.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Gather ‘Round the Sound: Holiday Stories from Beloved Authors and Great Performers Across the Globe
by Paulo Coelho (Goodreads Author),
Yvonne Morrison (Goodreads Author)
, Charles Dickens
, Angèle Masters (Narrator)
, Daniel Frances Berenson (Narrator)
, Magda Szubanski (Narrator)
, Simon Callow (Narrator)
, Dan Starkey (Narrator)
, John Banks (Narrator), Vern (Narrator)
I listened to this last week but forgot to include it in Finished Reading. My review at Goodreads is linked above.

2. eBook/Kindle and Smartphone (NG2018)

Someone to Trust (A Westcott Novel Book 5)
by Mary Balogh
This is an interesting historical where the female character is older than the male.
My Review is linked above.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio CD in Car (ATBR)

'Tis the Season (Main Street #3)
by Ann M. Martin
Read by Ariadne Meyers
This is a sweet MG story.
Source: Purchased used at Library Book Sale.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Autobiography of Santa Claus
By: Jeff Guinn
Narrated by: John H. Mayer
Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
This is an interesting history of Santa.
Source: Audible 12/24/17 Daily Deal Purchase $2.95.
Click on book title for full description.

5. eBook/Kindle and Smartphone (NG2018)

Patience for Christmas: A Holiday Novella
by Grace Burrowes
This is a delight.
Source: NetGalley 2018.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. ADE/PC (NG2018)

101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily:
Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for You and your Hen
by Lisa Steele
Since we have added our henhouse this year I thought this would be a good book to read.
Source: NetGalley 2018.
Spoil your chickens and beautify your coop with 101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily.
Join Lisa Steele, chicken-keeper extraordinaire and founder of Fresh Eggs Daily, on a behind-the-coop tour like you've never seen. Lisa has spent years figuring out the best ways to keep chickens healthy, the natural way, and she's collected more than just your average tips.
101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily includes simple ideas for re-using and upcycling old items, as well as detailed information on using natural ingredients to enhance and improve your chickens' lives without breaking the bank.
This guide includes these handy ideas and much more:
Feeding: Try homemade scratch, growing fodder, or frozen treats
The Run: Make a chicken swing or DIY scarecrow
Chicken Health: Find ideas for boredom busters, homemade salves, and herbal teas
The Coop: Keep it clean with a natural coop cleaner and make your own coop curtains
The Garden: Build an herb drying rack or brew a batch of chicken poop “tea”
So what are you waiting for? Make your chickens the happiest birds on the block!

2. Audible/Smartphone (A2018)

The Trouble with Twelfth Grave
A Novel
By: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
I know I picked this up at NetGalley but it will be quicker to listen.
Source(s) NetGalley 2018 and Audible Sale Purchase November 2018.
Publisher's Summary
Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the 12th installment of Darynda Jones' New York Times best-selling paranormal series, The Trouble with Twelfth Grave.
Ever since Reyes Farrow escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley Davidson accidentally trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that's not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings - some corporeal, some not so much - as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she's not uncovering a murder. This time she's covering one up.
Add to that her new occupation of keeping a start-up PI venture - the indomitable mystery-solving team of Amber Kowalski and Quentin Rutherford - out of trouble and dealing with the Vatican's inquiries into her beloved daughter, and Charley is on the brink of throwing in the towel and becoming a professional shopper. Or possibly a live mannequin. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it's time to let loose her razor-sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she's loved for centuries. So the question becomes: Can she tame the unruly beast before it destroys everything she's worked so hard to protect?
©2017 Darynda Jones (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

3. eBook/Kindle and Smartphone (NG2018)

Slay Bells: A Christmas Village Mystery
by T.C. Wescott
I saw this at a couple other Mailbox Monday posts (Carol's Notebook and another).
I thought it looked so cute - I didn't resist.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
“If there is a list of perfect books for Christmas, then I am pretty sure Slay Bells is on that list.” – GOODREADS review
‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the village, the night settled in over swirling-smoke chimneys.
The air was alive with pine and with holly, with sugar and cinnamon and cider, by golly!
Along snowy lanes and through shadows it crept, past windows behind which each villager slept,
Where sleeping dogs lie and cats rest a’purring—
Tonight, in Christmas Village, a killer is stirring.
Nestled betwixt an opulent garden with meandering footpaths and an ancient grove of plum trees, Plum Cottage Inn is plum-full with lodgers in for the Christmas Festival. There are no vacancies...until one by one the lodgers start dying in inexplicable ways.
Short as a stump, round as a wheel, sweet as a candy cane, and a sharp as a whip, Maribel Claus loves a good puzzle. Can Mrs. Claus solve the mystery and save Christmas?
If you enjoy the classic Golden Age small village and English country house mysteries as well as lighthearted cozies of our present day, you will fall in love with the Christmas Village Mysteries. And your love affair starts right here with Slay Bells.
Slay Bells includes diagrams of the murder scenes and a one-of-a-kind BOOK GROUP CHALLENGE.

4. Audible/Smartphone (A2018)

Storm Glass
(Harbinger, Book 1)
By: Jeff Wheeler
Narrated by: Kate Rudd
Series: The Harbinger Series, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
This was in my Wish List and somehow my Hubby got it for free this weekend. He started listening so I will read it too.
Source: Audible Free title 2018.
Publisher's Summary
From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain Series comes the first novel in a bold and richly imagined world.
Theirs is a world of opposites. The privileged live in sky manors held aloft by a secretive magic known only as the Mysteries. Below, the earthbound poor are forced into factory work to maintain the engine of commerce. Only the wealthy can afford to learn the Mysteries, and they use their knowledge to further lock their hold on society.
Cettie Pratt is a waif doomed to the world below, until an admiral attempts to adopt her. But in her new home in the clouds, not everyone treats her as one of the family.
Sera Fitzempress is a princess born into power. She yearns to meet the orphan girl she has heard so much about, but her father deems the girl unworthy of his daughter’s curiosity.
Neither girl feels that she belongs. Each seeks to break free of imposed rules. Now, as Cettie dreams of living above and as Sera is drawn to the world below, they will follow the paths of their own choosing.
But both girls will be needed for the coming storm that threatens to overturn both their worlds.
©2018 Jeff Wheeler (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

December 23, 2018 - I am up to date and enjoying the One Year Bible plan reading through You Version App. I am doubling now because I need an extra five days as I started five days into the year.
I am really enjoying the 10 day reading plan for Christmas: Our Daily Bread Christmas: Gift of Grace.
[You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed five books (one from last week) and posted five reviews. That leaves 3 current reviews to post.
I am slowly adding reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. I still have older ones to catch up on too.
I am working on three more NetGalley titles which will reduce my shelf to 6. I have 2 additional on request and will pick up more before the year is over.  I now have four author titles in queue. Still many 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.
I added two book titles from one author.
I picked up one Audible daily deal.
I didn't pick up any Kindle paid titles.
I only picked up 2 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

Author Review titles to read in January and February:

Vigilante Assassin: An Action Thriller (Jake Wolfe Book 2)
by Mark Nolan

and

Killer Lawyer (Jake Wolfe Book 3)
by Mark Nolan

I enjoyed book one of the series and reviewed it at this link: Dead Lawyers Don't Lie.

Won

I won a book through an iRead Book Tours giveaway. Thank you Laura at iRead.
Lullaby Road
by James Anderson
"Winter has come to Route 117, a remote road through the high desert of Utah trafficked only by eccentrics, fugitives, and those looking to escape the world."
This suspense thriller sounds interesting.

Purchased

I purchased only one Daily Deal 12/23/18 $3.95.
Heaven Adjacent
By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Narrated by: Laural Merlington
Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins
Release date: 06-19-18
"a bittersweet novel about healing old wounds and finding a new place to call home…"

Free

My Hubby picked up a free Audible which added to our family library:
Storm Glass
(Harbinger, Book 1)
By: Jeff Wheeler
Narrated by: Kate Rudd


I still have one more Audible Original which I will pick this week with my two December Audible Credits.

I only added 10 free titles to my Kindle library over the past week. Only a little side time adding free books 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 December 23, 2018

This morning was a wonderful visit at Church. Sunday School lesson was titled “When the Time Was Right” based on the Christmas story, Galatians 4:4, Luke 1:20 and Ephesians 1:3-10.

We worshiped with Christmas praise songs and hymns. Our Pastor shared the Christmas Story, from Luke 1 and 2 and Matthew 1 and 2, allowing the younger children to fill in names and places. Pastor then shared his Celebrate message on Peace. He referred to the wonderful Christmas hymn “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” which begins:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."

The important phrase he noted is that peace comes through ‘God and sinners reconciled’.
People are drawn to celebrate Christmas. Believers know that draw is due to Jesus who is the promise of the coming of Peace. But if peace was intended for the whole earth, why hasn't peace caught on yet? Before peace can come to the whole world, there must be personal peace – the sinner reconciled with God.

Point: Jesus gives each of us the opportunity for perfect peace. Jesus was born to offer peace to you and me.

Isaiah 26:3 talks about the future where God gives perfect peace.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

This is a long-time peace, not a fleeting moment of peace.

We yearn for peace. We are all under power of sin (Romans 3:9-10) “and the way of peace they do not know” v17. God draws us in for repair process. Jesus was God born on earth to save everyone from their sin though His death.

The promise of the birth (and death) is the greatest news. Peace is available to everyone. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. He has offered us an amazing friendship through His plan of salvation. We get to choose if we accept the gift or not; we can choose to be a sinner reconciled to God.

I chose this wonderful hymn since it inspired the message.

Verses for Today:
Ephesians 1:7-10
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.


I am so thankful that I believe God is in control and Jesus was born and died to give me the gift of salvation. In all things I have peace in my heart.

 

#NetGalley Book Review: Someone to Trust by Mary Balogh

This is an interesting historical where the female character is older than the male.

Someone to Trust (A Westcott Novel Book 5)
by Mary Balogh

File Size: 2448 KB
Print Length: 377 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0399586105
Publisher: Berkley (November 27, 2018)
ASIN: B07B78CVNY
Genre: Historical Romance, Holiday, Regency
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

During a rare white Christmas at Brambledean Court, the widow Elizabeth, Lady Overfield, defies convention by falling in love with a younger man in the latest novel in the Westcott series.
After her husband's passing, Elizabeth Overfield decides that she must enter into another suitable marriage. That, however, is the last thing on her mind when she meets Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, at the Westcott Christmas house party. She simply enjoys his company as they listen to carolers on Christmas Eve, walk home from church together on Christmas morning, and engage in a spirited snowball fight in the afternoon. Both are surprised when their sled topples them into a snowbank and they end up sharing an unexpected kiss. They know there is no question of any relationship between them, for she is nine years older than he.
They return to London the following Season, both committed to finding other, more suitable matches. Still they agree to share one waltz at each ball they attend. This innocuous agreement proves to be one that will topple their worlds, as each dance steadily ensnares them in a romance that forces the two to question what they are willing to sacrifice for love. . . .

Review:
Elizabeth, Lady Overfield, is an elegant widow who is surrounded by loving family for a warm, Westcott Christmas. As the family gathers to celebrate with a Christmas wedding, Elizabeth, in her mid 30s, begins to think that maybe she should remarry and have children before it is too late. Her first marriage was for love but didn’t turn out well. This time she is inclined to move forward with a suitable, reliable husband whom she can trust.

Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, has joined the Christmas festivities to be with his recently found sister, Wren, who has married into the Westcott family. Colin and Wren were separated when young and he doesn't remember having a warm family Christmas after that. Now that he sees what loving family looks like he decides that perhaps he is ready, at age 26, to start looking for a bride to start a home and family of his own.

Colin admires Lady Overfield as a serene, confident example of womanhood. They begin to build a friendship as they discuss the potentials of the young ladies at the house party. Colin challenges Elizabeth to join in the outside activities, including snowball fights and sledding. A tumble from their sled leads to a surprise kiss. They are both embarrassed, but their thoughts wander even though they think that a relationship is not likely. After they share a magical waltz during the Christmas ball, they agree to share a waltz at the balls when they are back in London for the ton season.

Spring finds them in London keeping their promise to share a waltz. Colin has made it apparent that he is bride looking so there are plenty of matrons introducing their young debutantes. Meanwhile Elizabeth is being courted by a suitor she left waiting the previous year. Although there is no spark with the man, Elizabeth is inclined to think he is stable and suitable.

Trouble steps forward in the form of Colin’s mother who wants to perpetually be viewed as a young beauty. She will only allow other young beauties around her, so she has picked out the most beautiful of the debutantes to be Colin’s wife. Lady Hodges will do whatever it takes to squelch the rumors that Colin and Elizabeth may have a developing relationship.

I quickly was pulled in by the primary characters, Elizabeth and Colin, and their teasing friendship. Ms. Balogh does a good job developing their vulnerabilities as well as their strengths. Although Elizabeth is an older woman, she is not a cougar character. I enjoyed Balogh's usual sweet romance building, but the story seemed to be drawn out unnecessarily. I think the story could have been shortened and the tension between the couple might have been stronger. I am glad the potential scandal later in the story and the conflicts with Colin’s mother pulled the interest back. I do recommend Mary Balogh’s work as she is one of my favorite Historical Romance authors.

Source: 2018 NetGalley; NetGalley Challenge.