Audio Book Review: Loreena's Gift by Colleen M. Story

This engaging audio presents a different view (not religious) of afterlife.

Loreena's Gift
by Colleen M. Story
Narrator: Alyssa Bresnahan

Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:04-12-16
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Listed as Religious & Inspirational
(although I think it fits Fantasy better)
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Description
Loreena Picket is a young blind woman with a gift. In the rare moments when she's not wearing her gloves, if she takes your hand, she travels with you to your own personal afterlife. Loreena will return -- you won't. Loreena's minister uncle says her power is a gift from God, and together they help terminally ill people die peacefully. Still, Loreena is conflicted, because she's seen the afterlife, and it's nothing like her uncle says it is. This uneasy peace is shattered when one night, Loreena must take a life to save her wayward brother. This act draws her unwillingly into a seedy world of crime, and she must learn to survive being kidnapped, confined, and used for her power. And, ultimately, she must discover whether her true nature is that of an angel of mercy or an assassin.

Review:
Loreena has more troubles than just her blindness. If she touches anyone hand to hand she takes them to their death. The first time it happens as an accident to a growing friend and she is devastated. Guilt is a heavy burden even as her uncle, a preacher, pushes her to assist terminally ill congregants to ‘pass over’. Each death journey is different once they pass through the initial ‘tunnel’. In addition to the guilt she feels Loreena is confused by what she perceives as conflict in the journeys and the faith teachings of her uncle.

Loreena is thrilled to unexpectedly see her brother, Saul, who walked away three years before. She agrees to go out with him and his new girlfriend, who happened to be the daughter of the cancer patient she just helped. During their evening at the bar a business ‘enforcer’ comes after Saul. The man beats Saul and then pulls a gun. Loreena reacts to stop the man – an act that propels her into a nightmare.

A strange man appears in the church. Dominic claims to be a journalist who wants to do an interview of the blind church pianist. Loreena steps out of her carefully controlled world and convinces Dominic to help her go looking for her brother. Instead they find a gang boss who wants to use her skills for his own purposes.

The story is told from Loreena’s POV and the author does a good job of presenting her world of sounds, smells and touches. When Loreena is forced to use her ‘gift’ against her will some of the afterlife scenes are far from serene. The story has a certain amount of creepiness and darkness – in more than sight. There is violence and a jolting rape scene. It fits in the story but is painful.

The story is listed under ‘religious and inspirational’ but I didn’t really feel it fit that genre as much as it fits in fantasy and paranormal. I liked the twists of the story and found it very engaging. I recommend this to readers who like paranormal tales with a bit of darkness (no pun intended).

Audio Notes: Alyssa Bresnahan does an effective job of narration. Her voice fits the age of Loreena (21) and even though the presentation is a bit low key (her style I think?) she conveys the emotions of the characters. The narration enhanced my engagement with the story.

I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.  It qualifies for my Audio Book Challenge.

Book Review: Ergon by George HS Singer

This is a thought provoking collection of life reflections.
Ergon
by George HS Singer

Paperback: 86 pages
Publisher: WordTech Communications LLC (June 18, 2016)
ISBN-13: 978-1625491923
Genre: Poetry
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

George Singer's ERGON is precise, delicate and fierce in its engagement with the world.
George HS Singer, a former Buddhist monk, has written a debut collection of poems about his life as a monk and in the monastery and about his life when he left to marry and have a family. As he tries to balance his spiritual principles with every day life as a husband and father, these poems utilize nature as a backdrop for his quest.

Review:
Mr. Singer shares a wide range of life feelings in his varied topics: nature (birds, deer, tides, the beach and stars), childhood and coming of age, childbirth, family madness (mental illness), loving, aging and growing old together.

I have to admit that I received this book with certain expectations. Mr. Singer was a former Zen Monk and I was curious to see how that would be reflected in his writing. In my naiveté (rather than claiming my stupidity) I had focused on the term “monk” and not the descriptive “zen”. (A Zen Monk is a Buddist Monk so it was not what I expected.) After I started reading the poems I realized my error and had to eliminate my expectations so I could read the work with a different-- more open-- mind-set.

Some – well I guess all-- of the poems that I note as ‘nature’ have a life meaning beyond the obvious descriptions. They paint a picture, an image, and then made me stop to think about the feelings that were invoked. That, to me, is an enjoyable part of reading poetry. I enjoyed the cadence of the poems which has a gentle – dare I say, ‘zen-like’—meditative tone.

The selections are presented under four headings: Visiting, Ergon, Our Quotidian, and Immensity Although I enjoyed all of the work I think my favorites were in the third grouping. I had to look it up. Quotidian means “ordinary or everyday, especially when mundane.” This group of sharing addresses the memory of skin on skin that eventually turns to pains and groans of age, yet show a warmth of growing old with one who is loved. Perhaps I relate well to those thoughts.

The beginning of “Our Quotidian”:

I love you differently
now than when you were hot
and I sizzled---

The author explains that Ergon means "the core purpose of something or someone...". His collections seems to say that although it may be different for each person, there are many things in life and emotion that we share. Many of the poems reflect (in a gentle, sometimes haunting way) on wars, illness and pain, as well as love. The poems reveal events that are sometimes common and sometimes foreign to a reader but still have elements that connect us. There are surprising glimpses of reactions to tragedy in everyday events as in "After the Retreat" which tells of a doe hit by a car. Another poem that particularly caught my heart is "It Seemed He Swam" which shares about teaching a mute, palsied child and how the young boy learned to communicate his needs. This was very touching.

The poems are short and easily read in “bite-size” portions that are good for the mind to chew on. I recommend this to readers who might be seeking a book to encourage meditations on life shared in a lovely, caring voice.

I received this title from the author through Poetic Book Tours.

About the Author:

George HS Singer, a former Zen Buddhist monk and student of Rev. Master Jiyu Kennett, lives with his wife of forty-two years in Santa Barbara, Calif., where he works as a professor at University of California, Santa Barbara. He was educated at Yale, Southern Oregon University, and the University of Oregon. He wrote poetry in college but took a twenty-year break before taking it up as a regular discipline. He has been a long term student of Molly Peacock and has had the opportunity to work with other marvelous poets through the Frost Place in Franconia, N.H. He writes about life in and out of a Zen monastery, trying to live mindfully in a busy and troubled world, his love of nature and of his wife. The arts have become more central to his life. Singer’s poems were published in the Massachusetts Review, Prairie Schooner, and Tar River Poetry.

Sunday Post October 9, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 10, 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.

I am slowly whittling done my To Do stacks of files at work.
Hubby's blood pressure is finally settling down and he is doing better with exercising and being active.
Our weather has been cooling down to lovely cool evenings. We were far from the threat of Hurricane Matthew and had a lovely, young family from Jacksonville come stay with us.

I enjoyed my listening this week. I finished two audio books and am far into a print book. I posted three reviews, one with giveaway, a book launch giveaway and the usual memes.

I did not get to visit much this week - tired nights early in the week and then we had visitors so I wasn't on computer as much.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post October 2, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 3, 2016.

• Book Launch with Giveaway! TWO BY TWO by Nicholas Sparks. Rafflecopter Giveaway Ending 10/14/2016

• Book Review: The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep; Christian, Historical Romance; my rating 4.75.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 7, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/13/2016.

• Audible Book Review: Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #273 Comment Giveaway October 8, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/15/2016.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 9, 2016.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Simple Deceit by Nancy Mehl; Christian, Mystery; my rating 4.5. Ending 10/16/2016.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible (TBR)

Lost in a Good Book: A Thursday Next Novel
Written by: Jasper Fforde
Narrated by: Emily Gray
This series is different fun and good listening.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio (ABJ)

Loreena's Gift
by Colleen M. Story
This is an engaging and intriguing audiobook.
I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. Print (Author)

Ergon
by George HS Singer
I am three-fourth through this.
I am digesting the poems and taking notes.
My review on this will post on 10/11.
George Singer's ERGON is precise, delicate and fierce in its engagement with the world.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

The Steam Man of the Prairies
by Edward S. Ellis
I have just started this interesting early steampunk.
I received this through NetGalley.
One of the earliest examples of steampunk literature, this 1868 story was actually written during the Victorian era and was among the first American science-fiction novels. In fact, the tale features the very first literary instance of a mechanical man, published long before the term "robot" was coined. Extremely popular and much imitated in its day, The Steam Man of the Prairies recounts a teenage inventor's road test of his automaton, in which he conducts a party of gold prospectors across Indian territory.
This book marked the beginning of a genre that came to be known as edisonades — dime novels centered on a young genius and his invention that captivated boys of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Educator and author Edward S. Ellis wrote more than 100 such tales, under his own name and more than a dozen others. In addition to appealing to boys' fascination with engineering and technology, edisonades offered plenty of action and adventure in untamed parts of the world. As Kirkus Reviews noted, "Ellis' works serve as a good window into the attitudes of the time and provide some context for how the future was viewed as well as how much the world was changing."

3. eBook/Kindle (Author)

The Soul Summoner
by Elicia Hyder
I am interested to read this and figure a 'ghost' story is appropriate for October.
I had this as a free Kindle book from 2015 plus it was offered this summer as a free book from the Author.
Blessed or cursed with a connection to the souls of others, Sloan Jordan can see the best in people…and the worst. With nothing more than a glance at a photograph, she can judge the living from the dead and the good souls from the evil ones. For twenty-seven years, she's kept her ability a secret, but eleven young women have been murdered in the mountains of North Carolina, and Sloan may be the only hope of finding their killer.

She has just agreed to help Detective Nathan McNamara with the case, when a stranger—who is as alluring as he is terrifying—shows up at her doorstep with a dark past and another puzzling mystery: she can't see his soul at all.

Now Sloan is on the hunt for a deadly psychopath with two irresistible men. One of them would die for her, and the other would kill to keep her safe.

4. Audio (TBR)
I will be selecting a TBR Audio title that will also qualify for Alphabet Challenge
but I haven't decided which yet.

October 2, 2016 - I have really enjoyed reading Isaiah with all of its prophesies. I remain up to date 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 which keeps me up to date and leaves me with three or four for this week.

I am still accepting new audio titles as I can always squeeze listening in!
I continue reading author titles. I am reading another from the list of six this week.
My NetGalley shelf is holding at three.
I am planning/hoping to get to TBRs for November when I will participate in Sci Fi Month.

We continue to add upcoming releases at eTreasure's NetGalley page.
This title will be available this week:

Grandma's Face Tells her Story
by Elaine McCay; Illustrated by Lynne Bendoly

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.

I accepted two review requests with more to consider.
I purchased one Kindle book and I am trying not to look at the Audible Sci Fi sale open till tomorrow night.
I picked up the usual healthy number of free kindle titles -- Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received two titles from authors:

Death Unmasked
by Rick Sulik
This psychological thriller involves an investigation into his wife's murder by a reincarnated detective.
Sounds interesting.

Lost Coast Rocket (Mare Tranquillitatis Series Book 1)
by Joel Horn
"Plausible Science Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Love, Danger...This story has it all!"
(I hope to read this as part of Sci Fi Month in November 2016.)

Won

NONE

Purchased

I did purchase one $.99 Kindle.

A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier
Joseph Plumb Martin

Free

I again added 51 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.

Book Review and Giveaway: Simple Deceit by Nancy Mehl

This is a strong, faith-based mystery with a sweet romance is challenged by rumors and tension.

Simple Deceit: 
A Mennonite Community's Way of Life Is Threatened by Outsiders
(The Harmony Series Book 2)
by Nancy Mehl

File Size: 869 KB
Print Length: 322 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books; Reprint edition (December 1, 2010)
ASIN: B00492AV0O
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

In the sequel to Simple Secrets, watch how a raging current of deceit runs through the once peaceful Mennonite community of Harmony, Kansas. As soon as Gracie decides to stay in town and take freelance work involving a local land developer, the townspeople blame her for bringing on this change that could ruin life as they know it. Gracie’s motives in romance with Sam, in helping an oppressed teenager, and in trying to make a living are all suddenly drawing suspicion. Should she leave or stay and fight for what she has come to love?

Review:
Gracie inherited her Uncle’s home and land in Harmony, Kansas. Although she was an outsider when she arrived, she soon found a warm welcome among the close knit, loving Mennonite community. Gracie has been away at work for several months. Now she has returned to her boyfriend, Sam, and the warm community she has learned to love. But it seems that trouble may have followed her.

The night Gracie returns she startles a girl leaving a baby at the door of her church. No one sees the girl and someone begins a rumor that the infant is hers. Sam reacts badly to this rumor.

Gracie does freelance work for a public relations firm that is about to produce work for a developer, Eric, who wants to bring a small retirement resort on the outskirts of Harmony. The developer has convinced small business owners that the project can help them. Other members of the community are reluctant to allow such outsiders fearing that the influence on their way of live.

Eric has scheduled a town meeting to discuss his project. The bitter man who had supposedly agreed to sell his land to the developer has doubled his price so the project is on hold. Eric drives Gracie home where he gets stranded by a snow storm, causing further tension with Sam.

Sam lives with his Aunt who raised him since a young boy. Although he thought he had come to accept his past, the baby’s abandonment brings back bad memories for Sam to face. Can he deal with his demons before he loses Gracie? Can Gracie re-gain her reputation

This is the second book in the series and apparently the first included a mystery body found on Gracie’s land. The characters and faith community have a wonderful warmth.  Ms. Mehl presents a good story with mystery, intrigue, conflict, humor and sweet romance. I enjoyed the gentle faith shared through the characters lives. All of the ladies in my book club enjoyed this story and would be willing to read more by Ms. Mehl. I recommend this to readers who enjoy faith-based mystery and sweet romance.

This book was for our Ladies Book Club.

GIVEAWAY: Two Winners:

One (gently read) PRINT COPY

US Only for Print; Worldwide for Kindle 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)October 16 , 2016.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED in Sunday Salon/Monday Reading on October 16, 2016.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 9, 2016

We had a good Sunday morning. Our Sunday School teacher talked again about spiritual warfare. We had a lovely time of worship and we acknowledged Pastor for “Pastor appreciation” month.
Pastor continued with the Healthy Church series. He reminded us from last week that Church health begins with a passion for Jesus. He noted that Paul’s letter to Titus sets out strategy to prepare the church for growth. Each chapter is set up with a What a Why and a How section. Chapter one addresses leadership. The church needs involved leaders. The stakes are high for the church; the kingdom.

Leadership defined: If someone is following you, you are a leader. Titus 1:5-9 identifies the elders as the overseers who manage God’s household (the “What”). It is important Because there was a problem as leaders were taking followers in the wrong direction. (The “Why” in verses 10-12.) Verses 13-16 reflect the “How” or what action needs to be taken to fix the problem.

Point: The healthy church has protective leaders who are submitted to Christ; who proclaim the Truth and lead from a pure heart.

The ‘Jethro principle’ (Moses’ father-in-law) applies to leaders who are to be appointed to help with the ministry tasks. Leaders need to evidence availability and willingness. All of us have the potential to lead even if only small teams. Jesus gave us the example of a servant leader. He led people by serving them. The healthy church needs leaders who will help to expand the church pie (not just share the existing pie). Titus shows a process for growing the church.

I found this old hymn on serving though not quite on leadership:

Verses for Today:
Titus 1:7-9 ESV
7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound[g] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Lord, help me to be available and willing to follow You and lead as You will!