Sunday Post April 10, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 11, 2016

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.

My work was busy last week and ended up a day short as my DH decided we should take our RV out of town for a three day weekend. We had a nice visit in a quiet RV park about 30 minutes from our son. The weather was gorgeous. The internet was not readily available but I did get some reading done.
Again, I hope everyone came through the continuing bizarre weather safely.

I enjoyed my reading, finishing four books: two ebooks and two audios. I posted three reviews, one with giveaway. I posted March Wrap up and a TBR challenge. I also posted my other usual memes, even if a couple were a bit late.

I enjoyed visiting other blogs for a day or two early in the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post April 3, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 4, 2016.

• Book Review: What We Find by Robyn Carr; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating 4.25.

• MBS March 2016 Reading Wrap-Up.

• MBS 2016 Mount TBR Reading Challenge and Check Point #1

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 8, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/14/2016.

• Audible Book Review: Fire Touched: Mercy Thompson Series, Book 9, by Patricia Briggs; Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Arena by Karen Hancock; Sci Fi, Religious Inspirational; my rating 5.0. Open: US only for print; anyone for ebook. Ends 4/19/16

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 10, 2016.

• Sharing Beyond Books #247 Comment Giveaway April 9, 2016 (posted 4/10).  Ending 4/16/16.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG)

What We Find 
by Robyn Carr 
This is a lovely small town, contemporary romance. 
My review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/MP3 (ABJ)

Dream Kisses: Romance on the Ranch Series Book 1
Written by: Verna Clay
Narrated by: Wendy Rich Stetson
This was a sweet romance and fun listen.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle/Print (LBC-TBR)

Arena
by Karen Hancock
I really loved this surprising read for my Ladies Book Club (LBC).
My Review is linked above.

4. Audible/MP3 (Author)

Redfall: Fight for Survival: American Prepper Series, Book 1
Written by: Jay J. Falconer
Narrated by: Gary Tiedemann
This is a fast moving, engaging listen.
I will post my review this week.
Publisher's Summary
Society will collapse in days...and that's the good news.
Former special ops and survivalist Simon Redfall has lost everything: his wife, his fortune, and his future. Despite being hunted by angry mobs and his own bankrupt government, Simon arrives in Washington, DC, to attend the first ever pay-per-view execution of someone he loves.
Then red storm clouds appear and begin to spread their potentially toxic rain across the planet. The mysterious weather phenomenon grounds all travelers, knocks out communications, and threatens to take down the grid, sending civilization back to the Stone Age.
As society tumbles into chaos, Simon joins a group of like-minded preppers to unlock the secrets behind a terrifying global conspiracy. What he and his band of freedom fighters soon learn will put their lives - and the lives of everyone else on the planet - at risk.
For humanity, time is running out.... When the red rain stops falling, it will be too late to stop what's coming next.
©2016 Jay J. Falconer (P)2016 Jay J. Falconer

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Rarity from the Hollow
by Robert Eggleton
I am 40% in and finding this to be an unusual and engaging read. 
I received this from the author for an honest review.
Lacy Dawn's father relives the Gulf War, her mother's teeth are rotting out, and her best friend is murdered by the meanest daddy on Earth. Life in The Hollow isn't great. But Lacy has one advantage -- she's been befriended by a semi-organic, semi-robot who works with her to cure her parents. He wants something in exchange, though. It's up to her to save the Universe.
To prepare Lacy for her coming task, she is being schooled daily via direct downloads into her brain. Some of these courses tell her how to apply magic to resolve everyday problems much more pressing to her than a universe in big trouble, like those at home and at school. She doesn't mind saving the universe, but her own family and friends come first.
Will Lacy Dawn's predisposition, education, and magic be enough for her to save the Universe, Earth, and, most importantly, protect her own family?
Rarity from the Hollow is adult literary science fiction filled with tragedy, comedy and satire. It is a children's story for adults, not for the prudish, faint of heart, or easily offended.
Robert Eggleton's humorous science fantasy follows in the steps of Douglas Adams, Tom Holt and Terry Pratchett.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Variant
Written by: Robison Wells
Narrated by: Michael Goldstrom
This title is from my Audible Library (2012).
I was planning on it for "V" for Alphabet Soup Challenge and Mount TBR.
Publisher's Summary
Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life.
He was wrong.
Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive.
Where breaking the rules equals death.
But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape - his only real hope for survival - may be impossible.
©2011 Robison Wells (P)2011 HarperCollinsPublishers

3. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Jamie Quinn Mystery Collection: Box Set Books 1-3 
by Barbara Venkataraman
I am looking forward to this which is set where I grew up and started by law career.
I received this from the author for an honest review. 
Books 1-3 of the Jamie Quinn Mystery Series! Including:
"Death by Didgeridoo"-Winner of the Indie Book of the Day award. Reluctant lawyer, Jamie Quinn, still reeling from the death of her mother, is pulled into a game of deception, jealousy, and vengeance when her cousin, Adam, is wrongfully accused of murder. It's up to Jamie to find the real murderer before it's too late. It doesn't help that the victim is a former rock star with more enemies than friends, or that Adam confessed to a murder he didn't commit.
"The Case of the Killer Divorce"-Reluctant lawyer, Jamie Quinn, has returned to her family law practice after a hiatus due to the death of her mother. It's business as usual until a bitter divorce case turns into a murder investigation, and Jamie's client becomes the prime suspect. When she can't untangle truth from lies, Jamie enlists the help of Duke Broussard, her favorite private investigator, to try to clear her client's name. And she’s hoping that, in his spare time, he can help her find her long-lost father.
"Peril in the Park"-There's big trouble in the park system. Someone is making life difficult for Jamie Quinn's boyfriend, Kip Simons, the new director of Broward County parks. Was it the angry supervisor passed over for promotion? The disgruntled employee Kip recently fired? Or someone with a bigger ax to grind? If Jamie can't figure it out soon, she may be looking for a new boyfriend because there’s a dead guy in the park and Kip has gone missing! With the help of her favorite P.I., Duke Broussard, Jamie must race the clock to find Kip before it’s too late.
A preview of the next Jamie Quinn Mystery, "Engaged in Danger," can be found at the end of the book.

Reading In Time for You (Knights in Time Book 4) by Chris Karlsen has been postponed to a later date.


April 10, 2016 - I got caught up while we were away. Reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I will also be listening (sometimes) to the companion commentary online.

I posted three reviews last week which left me two for this week.
I have one more scheduled review for April:
April 23 Tour Review The Path by Peter Riva (iRead)

I am starting the five nine author reviews committed with no specific dates.
My NetGalley shelves are now at six.

Check the eTreasure's NetGalley page this week for:
Shades of Darkness and Light A Poetry Collection

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

This week I accepted and received five new titles for review - one audio, two NetGalley ebooks and two author ebooks.
I resisted purchasing ebooks although now I have to resist an Audible sale this week.
I added more free kindle titles to my library. Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received these two titles through NetGalley:

Hold Your Breath
by Katie Ruggle
This title caught my eye at Inside of a Dog. If I am going to read romance I like the idea of action and suspense.
"In the remote Rocky Mountains, lives depend on the Search & Rescue brotherhood. But in a place this far off the map, trust is hard to come by and secrets can be murder…"

Much Ado About Highlanders
by May McGoldrick
 Release by St. Martin's Press on May 3.

This is an author team I like and I was pleased to be invited to review this new title.

"In the heart of Scotland, this Highlander is about to meet his match in a brand new romance from bestseller May McGoldrick."

I received this Audible title from the author:

Bad Deeds

by Robert Bidinotto

I enjoyed meeting this complex character in Hunter: A Thriller

and am looking forward to more intense action and ethical dilemmas.

I received these two ebooks from publicists:

Cast Adrift
by Mannah Pierce
This sounds like a sci fi I will like. I will also be sharing an author guest post.
"Cast Adrift is the first part of a science fiction saga set in an interstellar world of the far future where Earth is merely a myth."

Guardian of Paradise
by W. E. Lawrence
Since I enjoyed Chakana I am glad to read this title too.
I anticipate more action and romance.

Won

NONE

Purchased

I used my March Audible credits to pick up two titles:

The Days of Noah
by Mark Goodwin
I was looking at several titles and series by Mr. Goodwin. I sent an email and he was nice to promptly reply and recommend I start with this book and series.
"The Days of Noah, Book One: Conspiracy is a fast paced fiction thriller which looks at how modern conspiracies might play into Biblical prophecy about the end times."

Discount Armageddon
by Sean McGuire
This author and series caught my eye at Book Haven.
It sounds like a fun listen.
"Ghoulies. Ghosties. Long-legged beasties. Things that go bump in the night...."

Free

This is a free title featured last week at Audible. It may sound crazy but I did read parts of the encyclopedia as a young teen so I am looking forward to this and seeing which 19 words are featured.
Excerpts from the Encyclopedia Britannica

Over the past week I only added 43 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sharing Beyond Books #247 Comment Giveaway April 9, 2016 (posted 4/10)

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Sorry this post is a day late. We were away the past few days at a quiet RV park so we could visit our son. We did not have reliable internet in addition to the fact that I was spending the time with family. :-)
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Surprise to me that 9 of us would in fact try different genre from our fav authors regardless of genre. Fredaman's reply is "I would definitely read anything my favorite author wrote, even if they co-wrote the phone book. :-)" Three of us will not read a new genre and four of us might try if it isn't a genre we don't read.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #246 comments is: #4 Sue 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 #247

(One Question.)

Rosebud asks: 1)Is it easy for you to get rid of or give away your books??

Oh! Is this question for me or what?? I love to give books to other book lovers on my Friday Pick and this Comment giveaway. But.... no, it is not always easy. I collected the books over the years with every intention of reading them. But I clearly have more than I will ever read. Now when I pull books off of my TBR shelves to add to Friday Pick groups, lists for Comment Giveaway or Clear the Shelves giveaways, I often check to make sure the book might be available on Kindle in case I want to get it into my schedule someday. I will occasionally set aside a box of books for the library too (usually those too big for mailing). And I feel good when I put together a box to send to servicemen and women.

This looks familiar to me. :-)
Image from Same Hat

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 to use.

Your turn to share:
Rosebud asks: 1)Is it easy for you to get rid of or give away your books??

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 April 16, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 10, 2016

We were away from home church this morning as we were in the RV. We listened to a message by Dr. J. Vernon McGee (Inspiration Part 2) which I really enjoyed. He spoke of the “plenary inspiration” of the Word of God as provided to us through the Bible. As fundamentalists, we believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, set down through the prophets using their personalities and views, but given by the Holy Spirit. Inspiration is one aspect of the Bible and a second is “Illumination”. That is the Holy Spirit helping man to understand the message given. Otherwise a man can study and know the words but never understand the great spiritual truths.

Dr. McGee recommends five key elements to study the Bible:
1. Pray before you read – to have your mind opened to the reading and understanding.
2. Read the Bible so that it can be opened to your mind.
3. Study the Bible. Do not just read it in a cursory fashion but stop and look up passages if you need to; think about it; re-read it many times.
4. Meditate on the reading. Again, you should spend time over the words, the setting, the context so the message (and its application to your situation if need be) can be illuminated to you.
5. Share the Word with others. When you learn a meaning or illuminated message, do not keep it to yourself, but rather share it with others; discuss it with others who are studying so that you can edify each other.

Satan tried during the days of the Old Testament to destroy the Word/the Bible. Thus The Book of the Law had been hidden and was discovered anew during the reign of King Josiah (2 Kings 22). When Satan was unsuccessful in destroying the Bible he shifted his attack. Now he works through translations that are provided without a high degree of inspiration and illumination. Bible translations are proliferating and causing confusion. Dr. McGee objected to any Bible translation that did not go through a committee for many (25) years in order to assure authenticity to the original Greek and Hebrew.

This is an older song but fits this message.

Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet!

Verses for Today:
1 Corinthians 2:13-14 (NIV)
13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

I am so thankful that I have gotten myself disciplined to read and listen to the Bible. Even though I do not always study it as hard as I should. I will work on that aspect.

Book Review and Giveaway: Arena by Karen Hancock

This is a remarkable allegory of the Christian walk including faith, temptation, surrender, sacrifice, loss or victory.

Arena
by Karen Hancock

File Size: 1414 KB
Print Length: 393 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; 1st edition (July 1, 2012)
Publication Date: July 1, 2012
ASIN: B005BOXKRA
Genre: Sci Fi, Religious Inspirational
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

A journey she did not choose will test her courage and change her life forever

When Callie Hayes agreed to participate in a routine psychology research experiment, she had no clue she'd find herself plunged into a terrifying world where a battle rages between good and evil. With limited resources and only a few cryptic words to guide her, she must unravel the mysteries shrouding her only route of escape or risk succumbing to the deadly deception of the Arena.

Multiple-award-winning author Karen Hancock leads readers on a mesmerizing journey as her compelling characters navigate the deadly terrain of a hostile world in this repackage of her acclaimed debut novel.

Review:
Callie is living day to day in a quiet life with a dull job, never pushing herself beyond her limited comfort zone. Her family has wealth and tried to get her to attend debutante balls and society parties, but none of that interested her. Callie’s enthusiastic friend, Meg, convinces her to participate in a psychology research experiment for some quick cash. They had no idea how significant the experiment would be and how it would change their lives.

Callie completes the introductory paperwork, changes into the designated clothing and presents herself for testing. The very attractive attendant gives her a back pack which contains a manual and directs her to pay close attention to the briefing and instructions so she can succeed to cross the Arena. Callie has decided she doesn’t want to continue and refuses to attend the briefing. The attendant indicates she has no choice but to go forward and encourages her to attend the briefing. When she continues to refuse, the attendant gives her the merest of instructions, ‘follow the instructions... stay on the white road… avoid the evil creatures… find the gateway out’. Then she finds herself dumped (transported somehow) into a hostile land.

Callie sets out on a white path seeking the gateway to get out. Soon she faces vines that prick her causing welts, mites that bite painfully and other hairy and ugly creatures. Callie moves forward on a pinkish path she thinks is just a dirty continuation of the white path. Just when she thinks she should turn back a ragged, dirty man steps out of the rocks and pulls her away from an attack.

Callie doesn’t want to trust this strange man, Pierce, but she is fearful of the unknown, frightening creatures. She decides that perhaps she will be safer with him until she can get back to the road. Pierce helps battle hairy mutants and foul trogs until they can join up with a small band who has been traveling together. She is dismayed to learn that others, like Pierce, have been in the Arena for years. She intends to read the manual, although others scoff and tell her much of it is illegible, but as she is attempting to stay alive, she allows the manual to be stolen.

From the beginning of the experiment I railed at Callie for failing to attend the briefing and failing to read the manual. Nothing like going into hostile territory totally unprepared and ignoring the instructions that have been provided. And there I began to see the allegory. Men on earth are provided an instruction manual but many choose to ignore it and struggle against one enemy, dangerous setting or deceptive temptation, after another.

I loved the creativity of the story and the clear allegory provided to the parable of the farmer sowing seeds* (Luke 8:5-15) and to the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). And the story goes beyond that to portray a clear picture of the battle of good versus evil, providing insights on self-reliance, faith, taking a rough road or the easier way, falling to or facing down temptations, forgiving oneself and others,overcoming doubt and confusion, unrepentance and surrender, loss and victory. As a Christian this portrayal is apparent. For a non Christian I think they could enjoy the excitement and story even if they didn't get the underlying message.

Three of us in my ladies’ book club read this and we were all impressed. I encouraged one of the ladies who doesn’t usually read science fiction, and she was very glad I got her to read this. There is plenty of action and characters are well developed to show their growth and struggles. The writing is clean and direct and especially impressive for a debut novel. I didn’t find this to read that quickly, most likely because I wanted to enjoy the allegory as it unfolded. I recommend this even if you don’t normally read sci fi or Christian literature. Do not let the genre or the Christian element deter you from trying this engaging read.

I picked this title in print over a year ago for my Ladies Book Club (LBC). It qualifies for TBR and “A” in Alphabet Soup Challenge.

[*There are those who have the manual but never bother to read (hear) its message or choose to walk away without it. They decide early that they can face challenges in their own way and they reject the help provided by the manual. There are others who read the manual eagerly but soon forget to apply it to their situation, trying to face the challenges with their own strength. There are those who receive the manual and understand it is there to help, but the instructions are soon lost while struggling with the trials of life. Finally, there are a few who study the manual, understanding more and more as they study, and learning to rely on the instructions that help them to increase their crop.]

GIVEAWAY: Two Winners:

One (gently read) PRINT COPY

US Only for Print; Worldwide for eBook

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries

(a) comment on the review, OR

(b) Visit the Author's website and tell me something you learned or like there.

* This contest is open to US only for Print Copy; worldwide for eBook.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) April 19 , 2016.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after April 19, 2016.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Audible Book Review: Fire Touched: Mercy Thompson Series, Book 9, by Patricia Briggs

Another warm and engaging installment to this strong series. 
Fire Touched: Mercy Thompson Series, Book 9
Written by: Patricia Briggs
Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
Series: Mercy Thompson, Book 9
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-08-16
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy,
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Mercy Thompson has been hailed as "a heroine who continues to grow and yet always remains true to herself."* Now she's back, and she'll soon discover that when the fae stalk the human world, it's the children who suffer....
Tensions between the fae and humans are coming to a head. And when coyote shapeshifter Mercy and her Alpha werewolf mate, Adam, are called upon to stop a rampaging troll, they find themselves with something that could be used to make the fae back down and forestall out-and-out war: a human child stolen long ago by the fae.
Defying the most powerful werewolf in the country, the humans, and the fae, Mercy, Adam, and their pack choose to protect the boy no matter what the cost. But who will protect them from a boy who is fire touched?
*Library Journal
©2016 Hurog, Inc. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Review:
Mercy, a coyote shapeshifter, and her mate, Adam, the Alpha of the Tri-Cities Werewolf pack, are called in by the local authorities to help stop a rampaging monster on one of the city’s bridges. They don’t know exactly what they are dealing with until it is described to them. Mercy’s guess that it is a troll are confirmed when they arrive on site to stop the creature who is killing humans and playing crash with the cars. Although there are three werewolves and Joel, the fire-god dog, in the battle the troll is not easy to take down.

Mercy had promised not to step into danger but has to weigh that promise against the need to save a mother and infant trapped in a car not far from the troll. Mercy takes the risk to help others and places herself in the path of the troll. Surprisingly she has a few tricks that help but she is facing death when the enraged troll is brought down by the Joel in the crazed fire-god dog form. The out of control dog is a danger, even though it is part of the pack until a child steps onto the bridge and calms the dog.

The boy, Aiden, looks like a child but in fact is hundreds of years old. He was stolen by the fae and has recently escaped with the help of two of Mercy’s fae friends. He is seeking sanctuary which Mercy grants short term in exchange for the help he has given.

Mercy wasn’t fully aware of Aiden’s fire-touched powers or the fact that other fae will attack to try to get to him. Adam and Mercy commit their pack to protect the child even as he causes havoc in their home. The pack has also been set up as the protector of the humans in 'their territory'. The Greylords of the fae are prepared to engage in full out war with the pack unless a treaty can be reached. Fortunately, not all the fae want to destroy the humans and Mercy has powerful friends willing to step up and offer help in negotiating a way out of this mess.

Once again Ms. Briggs presents the magic warmth of Mercy, with the strength of her pack and friends, in a setting that mixes love, humor, conflict and action. I like the strong pack dynamics displayed by the care and loyalty to their own and those they claim as theirs. The strong bond between Mercy and Adam is a plus and even the conflicts with Mercy's step-father added an interesting element. The story is creative and engaging and I have enjoyed the 'specialness' of the walking stick in Mercy's life. I was only sorry it ended too quickly.

Fans of the Mercy Thompson series should enjoy this installment. If you haven’t read the series yet I recommend that new readers start at the beginning to learn all of the characters and relationship developments… not to mention enjoying all of the dangerous adventures.

Audio Notes: Lorelei King is the voice of this series! She does an impressive, excellent job with the various character accents as well as delivering the tone and intensity of the actions. I always love to listen to books narrated by Lorelei.

I picked this up with a February Audible credit. It qualifies for my Audiobook Challenge and “F” in Alphabet Soup Challenge.