Sunday Post June 12, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 13, 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.

This week was better in the office. Heather was back and Meghan was out visiting her mother. I am still playing catch up but getting better I think.
We are still having warm weather with on and off rain.

I did pretty well with reading and got at least three reviews posted, one with giveaway and another with guest post. I finished three books --two audio and one ebook. I posted my usual memes, with an extra Sharing Beyond Books which was late.

I enjoyed visiting Monday and Tuesday nights but didn't get back after that.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post June 5, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 6, 2016.

• Sharing Beyond Books #255 Comment Giveaway June 7, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/11/2016; extended to 6/14/16.

• Audio Book Review: The Arrival: The Evaran Chronicles Prequel by Adair Hart; Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Regina Shen: Resilience by Lance Erlick; Dystopian, Sci Fi, YA; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 10, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/16/2016.

• Guest Post: Scribbling or Writing by Mannah Pierce.

• Book Review: Cast Adrift by Mannah Pierce; Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #256 Comment Giveaway June 11, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/18/2016.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement June 12, 2016.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (iRead)

Regina Shen: Resilience
by Lance Erlick
My review is linked above.
I received four books for this tour;
through iReads Book Tours.
The next review will be 6/23.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (ABB)

Dangerous and Unseemly: A Concordia Wells Mystery, Book 1
Written by: K.B. Owen
Narrated by: Becket Royce
I enjoyed this engaging historical mystery.
I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/MP3 (Author)

Birthright: Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective, Book 4
Written by: E.J. Stevens
Narrated by: Melanie A. Mason, Anthony Bowling
I liked this second book, full of Ivy sass and action, even more than the first.
I will be hosting the tour Giveaway and review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Author/Publicist)

Guardian of Paradise
by W.E. Lawrence
I enjoyed Chakana: Encounter In The Sacred Valley and I am glad to read another adventure by this author.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (ABJ)

Beware the Little White Rabbit
Written by: Shannon Delany, Judith Graves
Narrated by: Rhiannon Angell
I am looking forward to listening to this collection.
I received this audio through
Audiobook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
Curiosity often leads to trouble....
Thirteen powerful voices in young adult fiction invite you to journey into startling new wonderlands in this nod to the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll's timeless character, Alice.
Mystery. Madness. Mayhem...
Each story in this collection will intrigue, bewitch, and enchant. Through rich historicals, castles and keeps, wild wormholes, secret workshops, deadly plagues, and gritty urban explorations, we present new tales of Alice and her white rabbit.
Whether an intrepid reporter, a would-be car thief, or the last human in a world ruled by machines, at the heart of each story Alice is a girl discovering who she really is in worlds that never fail to surprise.
What wonders await, oh curious listener? Leap down the rabbit hole and discover the truth....
Contributing authors: Charlotte Bennardo, C. Lee McKenzie, David Turnbull, Christine Norris, Jacqueline Horsfall, Medeia Sharif, Laura Lascarso, Tom Luke, Jessica Bayliss, Crystal Schubert, Holly Odell, Jennifer Moore, and Liam Hogan
©2015 Leap Books (P)2015 Leap Books

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Laos File (The Shake Davis Series)
by Dale Dye
I was invited to read this and it sounds interesting.
Military Writers Society of America 2011 Book Award winner: From the bestselling author of Platoon comes a military thriller about one Marine’s quest to leave no POW behind.
The death of a salty old senior noncommissioned officer who ran special operations in Vietnam leads US Marine Gunner Shake Davis on a shocking and potentially lethal mission to find out what happened to hundreds of American prisoners of war. Written by bestselling author Dale A. Dye and based on Oliver Stone’s classic film.
With “plenty of action and lots of military detail” (Vietnam Veterans of America), Laos File is a great read for fans of Tom Clancy and W. E. B. Griffin.

4. Audible/MP3 (Narrator)

The Pit Stop: This Stop Could Be Life or Death
Written by: Carmen DeSousa
Narrated by: Michelle Babb
This sounds like an engaging mystery.
I received this from the narrator.
Publisher's Summary
When what seems like a normal pit stop turns into more than just gas and food, a lost traveler finds himself searching for the truth of a 20-year-old mystery.
Detective Gino Canale doesn't believe in a hereafter, let alone ghosts looking for closure. But when his reoccurring dream implies that his grandparents' deaths might actually have been homicides, not to mention that he's hearing bells that don't exist and smelling a pipe when no one is smoking, he realizes he's either connecting to the other side - or going crazy.
And he's not sure which thought scares him more.
©2012, 2016 Carmen DeSousa (P)2016 Carmen DeSousa

June 5, 2016 - Current with Reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I will also be listening (sometimes) to the companion commentary online.

I posted three reviews last week so I still have four pending reviews due.

I am finally getting to the five nine, now seven nine (again) back to five four author ebook reviews committed with no specific dates.
My NetGalley shelves are back up to seven with one of those pulled in this week.

I have two upcoming releases going up on eTreasure's NetGalley this week.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and 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 received three ebook titles, two from NetGalley and one from the author.
I resisted kindle titles other than the usual free ones.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I was invited to read these two titles through NetGalley:

A License to Wed
by Diana Quincy
"...a sizzling tale of forbidden love between a socialite and a scholar—who might just be an infamous spy."

Machinations
by Hayley Stone
"...action-packed science-fiction debut introduces a chilling future and an unforgettable heroine."

I received this title from the author:

Dead Lawyers Don't Lie: A Gripping Thriller (Jake Wolfe Book 1)
by Mark Nolan
"...a gripping thriller is full of suspense, plot twists and surprises."

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Over the past week I only added 38 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.

Sunday Words of Encouragement June 12, 2016

Once again we had a good Sunday School, wonderful worship and nice service. Then we enjoyed a nice fellowship lunch together as a church family.

Pastor’s sermon was titled "When to Ask and When to Believe?" First, he reminded us not to allow ourselves to be dulled to God’s blessings. The he directed us to John 16 where Jesus gave “prayer promises”. Jesus was instructing the apostles to ask the Father in the name of Jesus. We ask in two ways: by way of inquiry and for assistance. Once Jesus left this earthly life, the Comforter (Holy Spirit) came to speak and intercede on our behalf. The Holy Spirit knows the mind of the Father. We are to ask, receive and our joy can be complete. John 16:24.

Ask in prayer, believe that you have received, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24. God gives gifts but man does not always use the gifts as given – to be shared in love. All our worldly power is nothing without Love. 1 Corinthians 13:2.

I feel compelled to add a requirement as directed in 1 John 5:14: ask according to His will.
(See lesson on Three Keys to Effective Prayer by Paul J. Bucknell.)
This is consistent with Luke 11:9.
Ask -- in prayer;
Seek -- according to His will;
Knock -- by faith believe you will receive the promise.

This is the wonderful song I was led to use today: Testify to Love!

A Verse for Today
1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

Lord, please help me to love my neighbors/others as myself. Help me always, in every circumstance, to show your great love and mercy.

[An extra word: Happy Birthday to my sister! I thank God that we share a strong faith.]

Sharing Beyond Books #256 Comment Giveaway June 11, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Since the last SBB (#256) post was late I will allow it to run through 6/14/16.
I am working on this a bit earlier than some nights after a full day at work.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week and "Welcome" to another new visitor.

There were ten comments, eleven counting mine. Seven are not interested in buddy reading. Several (at least four) never heard of the concept. Two commented that the concept is interesting but seems good especially for children.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #255 comments is: TBA after 6/14 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 #256

(One Question.)

Infuse asks: Do you read seasonally? eg - summer/fall/winter/spring themes at the time you're reading??

I like this question. Yes, I like to read seasonally. Maybe not as much as I would like but I like to pick spring, summer, fall and winter titles to read during those seasons. I have even started a collection of books for monthly, I just don't get the time to do the reading. Maybe I'll make it part of my reading goals for next year.

Image found at Girl in the Pages

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

Your turn to share:
Infuse asks: Do you read seasonally? eg - summer/fall/winter/spring themes at the time you're reading??

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 June 18, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: Cast Adrift by Mannah Pierce

There is really good world building in this gripping story.
Cast Adrift
by Mannah Pierce

File Size: 804 KB
Print Length: 451 pages
Publisher: Clink Street Publishing (May 8, 2015)
ASIN: B00X2ZZ8NY
Genre: Science Fiction, Space Adventure
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

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. Ean is queen of the Willow, a small ship with a Traditional crew who live in space and trade between the stars. Suddenly Tre, the laid back crew enforcer, is demanding that they dash to one system to pick up cabin boys and then divert to another to recruit an adolescent who is utterly unsuited to spacer life. Who is Jax? What is Rae? Why is the most powerful individual in Known Space interested in Kip? Most importantly, what is Tre up to?

Review:
Jax is a young boy of twelve who has arrived at an age, as well as a circumstance, that requires him to sign on as crew for a spaceship and train to become a 'spacer' who can defend himself. His wealthy family made arrangements so there should be a Traditional crew that will bid for him or accept him. The difference between a “Traditional” crew and one that is not, is important. Traditional crews consist of all males but they have strict rules of integrity that protect the young unlike other ships. Plus, the right ship for Jax has an agent on board who knows Jax’s true identity. Jax gets the signal from “Tres” the enforcer on the Willow. Jax brings along another young street rat, Rae, who is a hybrid 'cat' with an unknown defect.

Now Jax and Rae are cabin boys on the crew of the Willow. The queen on the ship is Ean who has the perfect, caring personality and organizational skills to manage a successful crew. Jax is a quick learner with an educated background and incentive to train. Rae is a fast, street smart scamp who is surprised and thrilled to have the first friend of his life. The crew adds a medico friend of Tres and also collects a fourteen-year-old boy, Kip. The other members of the crew do not understand why Tres, who clearly has his own secrets, has encouraged them to pick up Kip. But Tres has information that this boy is special too.

Danger waits as there are those who are seeking Jax and many who will sell him out. And that may include betrayers within the crew once they learn who he is. As the crew tries to dodge danger, it stalks them...and finally catches up.

Ms. Pierce has a gift for world building and I found this writing wonderfully creative and remarkable. The plot is well laid out and consistent in the details and growth. There are also some subtle double meanings and twists that added to the overall package. Granted, I was not thrilled about the homosexual nature of the crews but I understand how it is an important element of the dynamics among the characters. The issue was handled with dignity and not in a prurient way.

I couldn’t help being rather enthralled with the story. I feel vested with the characters and I don’t think I can resist reading the next book and finding out what happens. I certainly recommend this to readers who love unique and well written science fiction.

I received this title through Publishing Push and the author. Don't miss the author's interesting guest post that will give you some background on her writing and her story development!

Biography of Mannah Pierce
Mannah Pierce has been building her imaginary interstellar world of the far future, story by story, for four decades. At the age of fifty she decided to try sharing it with readers online and then, five years later, spurred by the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, she wrote and had published Cast Adrift, her first fiction book.

In the everyday world, Mannah Pierce was a scientist and teacher but now works for a charity. She has been married for over thirty years and, predictably, likes cats.

Read more about her journey as an author: http://www.mannahpierce.com/blog.html.

Guest Post: Scribbling or Writing by Mannah Pierce

Scribbling or writing?

I always used to call my fiction ‘scribbles’. The stories were written by me, for me. I never allowed anyone to read them. They were a physical manifestation of my imagination. Every so often I would open a notebook or a file and read it, like other people look at photographs.

Then I turned fifty. After four decades I was ready to make the next step. I would write a book with a beginning, a middle, an end and readers.

The world was easy; my imaginary world of the far future. Earth is a merely a myth, traces of which appear in languages and cultures. Humans have spread across outer space along routes linked by ‘holes’. Countless human civilizations have prospered and then declined. Some were restricted to a single planet. Others cut a swathe across Known Space.

Characters were more difficult. I knew that the main characters in my scribbles were a bit too perfect. Even if they have been damaged by past events, they rose above it. They preferred solving problems to creating them. They built rather than destroyed.

So I created Jax. I am three books in and I still do not know how Jax will turn out. Like his father, his grandfather and his great-grandfather, Jax was conceived and raised to be a hereditary dictator. His task, like theirs, is to unite the clan. His great-grandfather was a megalomaniac. His grandfather was a monster. His father murdered two of his sons for political gain. All three were utterly ruthless. Could any or all of the three have been like Jax when they were young?

The other main characters are easier for me to write: Rae with his shadowy origins and non-human genes; Tre whose life was destroyed by Jax’s father and yet is sworn to protect Jax; Ean with his unflinching determination, limitless patience and clear-sighted morality; Kip who is intent on living his own life rather than becoming a weapon of mass destruction.

My characters are human so they behave like people today; like people have ever since Homo sapiens became a species. They have to balance personal wants, even love, with responsibilities. They are influenced by the cultures in which they are raised. They make decisions that they have to live with, some of which they regret.

As for the themes, they are familiar. What is family? Is humanity a matter of genome or behaviour? Are some people more valuable than others? Do the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few? Does absolute power corrupt absolutely?

So now there is a book, Cast Adrift, and it is published. It has a beginning, a middle and an end. Will it have readers? Will you be one of them?

I invite you to my imaginary world (www.mannahpierce.com).

I appreciate this candid post shared by Ms. Pierce. Now that you have learned a little bit of the characters, please see my review of this gripping Sci Fi story - next post.