Sunday Post October 23, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 24, 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 left work early on Thursday to head to the Florida Writer's Association Conference in Orlando. The children's acquisitions editor met me there and we had a good time. I attended several interesting workshops and met a number of nice authors.
I received a couple of review titles. (See Monday Mailbox.)
I also acquired two book baskets at silent auction and won two books as a door prize. I will post that info tomorrow (Monday) after I get pictures.
I'll be working on catching up in office this week.
Our weather dropped into the 40s at home and even 52 in the mornings in Orlando. Quite lovely.

I enjoyed my reading and listening during the week. I finished two ebooks, and one Audible. I posted three reviews and the usual memes.

I had a nice time visiting other bloggers early last week.
My blog "shout out" tonight goes to Caffeinated Book Reviewer. Just in case you don't get to link up to the Sunday Post, I encourage you to visit her blog. It is always full of good reviews, some discussions, a few review opportunities and usually a coffee quip or image. :-) Plus the Sunday Post gets you links to lots of other good bloggers!
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post October 16, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 17, 2016.

• Book Review: The Steam Man of the Prairies by Edward S. Ellis ; Vintage Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 21, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/27/2016.

• Book Review: The Soul Summoner by Elicia Hyder; Paranormal Suspense, Psychics; my rating 4.5.

• Audible Book Review: What Happens in London by Julia Quinn; Regency Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #275 Comment Giveaway October 22, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/29/2016.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 23, 2016.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Extracted (The Lost Imperials Series Book 1)
by Sherry D. Ficklin and Tyler H. Jolley
This is a different time travel and steampunk.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Quirky Essays for Quirky People: The Complete Collection
by Barbara Venkataraman
This is fun and quick.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible (TBR)

Heroes Are My Weakness
Written by: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Narrated by: Erin Bennett
This is not quite the usual SEP.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Written in Fire (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 3)
by Marcus Sakey
I am half-way through this exciting conclusion.
For thirty years humanity struggled to cope with the brilliants, the one percent of people born with remarkable gifts. For thirty years we tried to avoid a devastating civil war. We failed.
The White House is a smoking ruin. Madison Square Garden is an internment camp. In Wyoming, an armed militia of thousands marches toward a final, apocalyptic battle.
Nick Cooper has spent his life fighting for his children and his country. Now, as the world staggers on the edge of ruin, he must risk everything he loves to face his oldest enemy—a brilliant terrorist so driven by his ideals that he will sacrifice humanity’s future to achieve them.
From “one of our best storytellers” (Michael Connelly) comes the blistering conclusion to the acclaimed series that is a “forget-to-pick-up-milk, forget-to-water-the-plants, forget-to-eat total immersion experience” (Gillian Flynn).
The explosive conclusion to the bestselling Brilliance Trilogy.

2. Audible (ABB-Narrator)

The Colonel's Lady
Written by: Laura Frantz
Narrated by: Laura Jennings
This sounds like an American Revolution romance I will enjoy.
I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom.
Publisher's Summary
In 1779, when genteel Virginia spinster Roxanna Rowan arrives at the Kentucky fort commanded by Colonel Cassius McLinn, she finds that her officer father has died. Penniless and destitute, Roxanna is forced to take her father's place as scrivener. Before long, it's clear that the colonel himself is attracted to her. But she soon realizes the colonel has grave secrets of his own - some of which have to do with her father's sudden death. Can she ever truly love him? Listeners will be enchanted by this powerful story of love, faith, and forgiveness from Laura Frantz. Her solid research and deft writing immerse listeners in the world of the early frontier while her realistic characters become intimate friends.
©2011 Laura Frantz (P)2016 Laura Frantz

3. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Shadow Reaper (Shadowlands Series)
by Amos Cassidy
This is another title I received for free 
and am reading for October.
Only the bravest go over the Horizon...
Twenty years ago the barriers between worlds came down and our reality was swallowed up by the Shadowlands. Now we scavenge to survive, until one day there’s nothing left to reap. Starvation is around the corner, but I’m not the roll over and wait-to-die kinda girl. Nope, I’m going further than anyone has ever been and returned to tell the tale. I’m going into the Beyond, and I’m not coming back without a solution.
Dark urban fantasy with a post-apocalyptic twist.

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 with four still due for the coming week.

I am still requesting audio titles as I can always squeeze listening in!
I continue reading author titles with one in current reading this week. I added new requests to the list so it is back up to nine again.
I am reading the last of my older NetGalley titles so my shelf will be at six for Sci Fi Month.
I still hope to read some Sci Fi TBRs in November although I also picked up some new titles at the conference.

We continue to add upcoming releases at eTreasure's NetGalley page.
The next fiction title will go up on NetGalley this week while we release one to Kindle and one to Print.

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 still have new review requests to consider.
I received a new audiobook review title this week and I accepted a couple requests and titles from authors.

I picked my two September credits from Audible, plus one extra.
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

The Colonel's Lady
Written by: Laura Frantz
Narrated by: Laura Jennings
This sounds like an American Revolution romance I will enjoy.
See full description under Currently Reading above.

I have signed up for a 2017 blog tour new release 

by author Stephen Manchester.

(I will post more when I get the book.)

I saw a Christmas title he had and asked to review it for December. He was kind to send me:

 The Thursday Night Club: A Tale of Christmas Spirit

by Steven Manchester

I sat with author Don Donovan at lunch on Saturday.
He shared the first two titles of his Miami Crime series for my review:
Who'll Stop The Rain: (Book One Of The Miami Crime Trilogy)
"In this first entry in The Miami Crime Trilogy, Don Donovan has spun a tale of separate South Florida characters whose lives are woven together into a web of money, betrayal, and murder."

Against the Wind (Book Two of The Miami Crime Trilogy)

"In Miami, crime never sleeps. Drugs, prostitution, money laundering, murder … it's all in a day's work."
These sound like nitty, gritty crime thrillers.

I downloaded a title from another author I met who gave a good class on marketing/social media. She is also one of the authors in the basket I will post tomorrow (Monday). This story is still free as of Sunday.

AOB (Return to Earth)
by Bria Burton

Won

Two as door prize - to be posted on Monday.

Purchased

I selected my 2 Audible credits plus one additional for $1.99 because I already had the Kindle version:


The Zoo at the Edge of the World
Written by: Eric Kahn Gale
Narrated by Julian Elfer
(A "Z" title that looks like fun I can share with my grand kids.)


We Are Legion (We Are Bob): Bobiverse, Book 1
Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
Narrated by Ray Porter
(With a husband named "Bob", I couldn't resist!)


A Quiet Life in the Country: A Lady Hardcastle Mystery, Book 1
Written by: T E Kinsey
Narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden
(A "Q" title that I like the looks and sound of.)

Free

I only added 46 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 October 23, 2016

Our Sunday School Teacher was doing a wrap-up on the study of Romans a few months ago. Paul’s message was given to remind the Jews that God created Israel by choosing one man, Abraham, and bringing him out of darkness. Abraham was obedient and surrendered to God’s will. Abraham became the father of Israel which is God’s chosen people and special nation. But the people repeatedly suffer for their disobedience. God is always willing to accept the repentant sinner – that is His Grace. But men continued to disobey… they did not see fit to acknowledge God. Romans 1:28.

In Chapter 2 Paul reminds us that God loves us, but loves us too much to leave us as we are. He wants to lead us to a radical life style! Jesus’ death on the cross made righteousness available for any who would believe. We must learn to trust only God to set things right. We hope against hope (Romans 4:18) because only by faith are we saved from the wrath of death.

I chose this song video today: Hope for "Every Man" by Casting Crowns

A Verse for Today:
Acts 2:21 (NIV)
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Thank you Lord for giving us a Hope of eternity in Your loving presence.

Sharing Beyond Books #275 Comment Giveaway October 22, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

We are very evenly split on where we stop reading. Ten of us prefer to finish a chapter if/when we can. Nine of us can stop anywhere. And a couple mentioned they like to finish a good book in one sitting!

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #274 comments is: #3, Linda 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 #275

(One Question.)

Elizabeth asks: Do you prefer to read print or digital books; and does your preference change with fiction vs. non-fiction??

We asked about e-readers four years ago (December 2012) at which time 11 commenters preferred print compared with 9 who liked their ereaders. Since the question came up again, I thought it would be interesting to see if preferences have changed.
My preference does not change for fiction/non fiction but I do read to the grand kids from print. Otherwise, I still read much more on my Kindle and listen to audios. I have to push to read 12 print books a year (besides the kid's books).

Image Found at BuzzFeed Books.

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: Elizabeth asks: Do you prefer to read print or digital books; and does your preference change with fiction vs. non-fiction??

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 October 29, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: What Happens in London by Julia Quinn

This is a light, fun Regency Romance by an author I really enjoy.

What Happens in London
Written by: Julia Quinn
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
Series: Bevelstoke, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-30-09
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Regency Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Rumors and Gossip . . . The lifeblood of London
When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his fiancée, she doesn't believe it for a second, but, still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curtains, watches, and waits . . . and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something. Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security.
He's not a spy, but he's had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than an annoyingly nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself . . .
©2009 Julie Cotler Pottinger; (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Review:
Olivia is a young beauty who hasn’t been interested by the men who have sought her out during her first season. She becomes interested in her neighbor when her friends share a rumor that he murdered his fiancée. Olivia argues against their unsupported suspicions but that doesn’t deter her own curiosity. From her bedroom window on the second floor, she begins to watch Sir Harry through his study window on the first floor. She observes some odd, if not nefarious, behavior until she is embarrassed that Sir Harry has seen her through the window.

Sir Harry is annoyed by the young woman who has ‘spied’ on him for a week. He even created some scenes for her benefit. When they meet at a ton event, there is quick distrust and animosity between them. Harry is not a spy but he does Russian translations for the government office. He is asked to watch and report on activities of the Russian Prince whose actions in London are suspect and who has taken an interest in Olivia. Over several days, Harry and Olivia begin to share reading a book and conversation through their windows. Harry soon feels compelled to protect Olivia from any advances by the experienced Prince. Although their friendship is growing, Harry hasn’t shared his Russian background with Olivia. Olivia gets caught in a kidnapping scheme and Harry and the Russian bodyguard race to the rescue. Olivia has suffered the trauma of being kidnapped but now she realizes that Harry had ulterior motives for paying any attention to her. Will he be able to get her to talk to him again, much less trust him?

Listening to this reminded me that I have always enjoyed the likeable characters and conflicts that Julia Quinn creates. Quinn shares a good dose of humor and the unorthodox friendship and unacknowledged courtship between Harry and Olivia is fun to follow. There are secrets building to obvious conflict but getting to the HEA is entertaining. There is sensuality with one particular sexual encounter which isn’t overly graphic. I recommend this book and author to readers who enjoy Regency Historical Romances.

Audio Notes: Rosalyn Landor does a fine job with the narration. She conveys the light heartedness of Olivia and the more serious character of Harry with equal ease. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of this story.

This was in my Audible library since 2012. It qualifies for Audio and Mount TBR Challenges as well as "W" for Alphabet Soup Challenge.

Book Review: The Soul Summoner by Elicia Hyder

This is a fast-paced, entertaining paranormal. Not ghosts as I mistakenly thought but ‘soul readers’.
The Soul Summoner
by Elicia Hyder

File Size: 881 KB
Print Length: 311 pages
Publication Date: November 4, 2015
ASIN: B015ZS7DSS
Genre: Paranormal Suspense, Psychics
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

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.

Review:
Sloan has known she was different since grade school but she tried to hide her abilities so she wouldn’t be considered a freak. After all, it is not normal to be able to look at people and know if the person is good or evil, or look at a picture and know if the person is alive or dead. Sloan can also summon people by thinking about them, although she hasn’t really tried to develop that skill.

Sloan works as the Public Information Officer for Buncombe County in North Carolina. When one of the newest detectives, Nathan McNamara, brings a release about a missing person to Sloan she slips by blurting out “he’s dead”. Now Nathan is curious why Sloan said that and what other spooky skills she has.

Nathan coerces Sloan into helping him find a kidnapped child. Then Nathan brings a stack of folders on missing young women who may be victims of a serial killer. Although she tries to resist, Sloan begins to realize that she can use her ‘gift’ to help bring closure to others. Besides, she likes working with Nathan even if he has a girlfriend who happens to be Sloan’s high school nemesis.

Things get even more tense when Sloan and her best friend attend a festival and Sloan spots a man whose ‘soul’ she can’t read. The man shows up at her house that night and Nathan rushes over to protect her. It turns out that Warren, a handsome ex-marine, has a lot in common with Sloan. His ‘gift’ is slightly different and sometimes more lethal. As the two men vie for Sloan’s attention the three begin to work together as pieces of the murder cases begin to fall into a pattern. Can they track the killer before Sloan accidentally summons him and ends up in trouble?

I immediately liked Sloan’s character and the chemistry between her and first Nathan, then Warren. I liked how the author included Sloan’s family and best friend to develop her history and values. The author shares some philosophy of good and evil through the primary characters. The story moves along at a quick pace with mystery, tension and suspense that build to an exciting ending.

I will be picking up more in this series and I am very glad that I have The Detective (a Nathan McNamara’s story) available to read soon. I highly recommend this to readers who like a fast-paced paranormal read.

I had this as a free Kindle book from 2015 plus it was offered this summer as a free book from the Author. It qualifies for my Mount TBR Challenge.