Audible Book Review: FREE: Summer Farmer: A Story from White Man's Problems by Kevin Morris

This is an interesting (short story) portrayal of human situation.

FREE: Summer Farmer: A Story from White Man's Problems
 Kevin Morris (Author)
Matthew McConaughey (Narrator)

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 18 minutes
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Audible Studios
Audible.com Release Date: August 4, 2015
Language: English
ASIN: B0108KDKZ8
Genre: Short Story, Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

"Summer Farmer", the first short story in White Man's Problems, sets the stage for the honest and heartfelt themes explored in Morris' debut collection. The meeting of two disparate strangers serves as a cleverly crafted examination of the universality of longing, remorse, and purpose.

Review:
“Summer Farmer” is just one short story in White Man’s Problems. The story addresses the daily ‘grind’ and depression of a businessman as he travels to work in Los Angeles. The protagonist, Harrigan, has lost a daughter to leukemia. In his grief he looks around the busy city and sees the glitter which isn’t important. He thinks about his past, where he came from and where he has come to.

The story gets an extra touch when Harrigan meets an elevator repairman who mirrors his sadness as he too has lost a daughter. Here, the author ties two strangers who share more in the basics of life than they could realize.

The story has a poignancy that I liked. I think the full collection would share similar glimpses that show a common thread among men.

Audio Notes: Matthew McConaughey has a slow, subtle speech presentation. This fit the story’s tone and subtle message. I enjoyed the story and its presentation.

I downloaded this free at Audible 8/17/15. It qualifies for Mount TBR challenge and Audio Challenge.

Sunday Post November 6, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 7, 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 had a pretty good week. Prepared for my two trials this week and another next week. The first one is continued and the second is all lined up. Still talking settlement on the third.
Weather continues to fluctuate with cool nights and warmer days; we could use some rain..
We've been spending time praying for our US Elections.

I had some good travel time for reading and listening this week. I finished two ebooks and am three fourths through the audio. I only got two reviews posted, plus the usual memes.

I had a nice time visiting other bloggers early last week.
My tip of the blog hat goes out to Kathryn at The Book Date who hosts It's Monday! What Are You Reading?
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post October 30, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 31, 2016.

• Sharing 30 Days of Gratitude.

• Book Review: Written in Fire (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 3) by Marcus Sakey; Sci Fi, Thriller, Dystopian; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 4, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 11/10/2016.

• Audio Book Review: The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz; Christian, Historical Romance, American Revolution; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #277 Comment Giveaway November 5, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 11/05/2016.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement November 6, 2016.

Finished Reading:
1. ebook/Kindle

Persecuted: I Will Not Be Silent
by Robin Parrish
This is a very fast, exciting Christian Thriller. The Ladies Book Club liked it. I will review this with giveaway this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Shadow Reaper (Shadowlands Series)
by Amos Cassidy
I am glad that I pushed through to finish this as the story is good in spite of bad language.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. Audible (Audiobook Jukebox)

Five Minutes Alone
By Paul Cleave
Narrated By Paul Ansdell
This crime thriller is really engaging!
I received the audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.

2. eBook/Kindle (Free - Sci Fi)

Trajectory Book 1 (New Providence)
by Robert M. Campbell
This kicks off my Sci Fi reading for November.
Four mining ships are making the slow return to Mars from operations in the asteroid belt. Back on the planet, a group of students discover a mysterious object in space in an impossible orbit. The crew of the Lighthouse space station are shocked by a devastating accident that throws their routine into chaos as they strive to get their ships safely home.

Cut off from Earth, the sub-surface Martian Colony of New Providence suddenly finds itself in peril from something hostile and unknown. Is it alien? Is it an AI from Old Earth? After five generations enduring the harsh conditions on Mars, will the 50,000 citizens of New Providence survive this new and terrifying threat?

3. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Lost Coast Rocket (Mare Tranquillitatis Series Book 1)
by Joel Horn
I was pulled in by the first chapters.
I received this from the author.
Plausible Science Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Love, Danger...
This story has it all!
Rockets are in Ken's DNA. At an early age, he develops a friendship with Akira, a boy who shares his passion for astronautics. While both are child prodigies, Akira does well in private school but Ken rebels against structured education. The unlikely duo draws together a small group of rocketeers, meeting in the shop behind Ken's house.
A tragic event at eight years of age haunts Ken through his growing-up years and shapes his destiny. As fate would have it, the girl at the center of the traumatic experience joins Ken's rocket club, unaware of their shared history. Will Ken tell Dawn that he is the boy she seeks?
As the group reaches their teen years, their rocket designs start pushing legal boundaries, culminating in an event that puts them in the crosshairs of an FBI investigator. To protect his friends and seek refuge from his past, Ken devises an escape plan that confounds the authorities and the world.
˃˃˃ Lost Coast Rocket is Book 1 in the Mare Tranquillitatis Series
The adventures continue in Hatching the Phoenix Egg and underlying mysteries are resolved.

October 30, 2016 - I got a few days behind last weekend.
I have been listening to the companion commentary online for the past few days to get caught up.
I am enjoying reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church.

I posted only two reviews which puts me with two past and two new for the coming week.

I am still requesting audio titles as I can always squeeze listening in!
I have been lining up Sci Fi titles for November. Here are a few of the ones I plan to read:
Trajectory Book 1 (New Providence) by Robert M. Campbell from Sci Fi Explorations in September 2016
Lost Coast Rocket (Mare Tranquillitatis Series Book 1) by Joel Horn from the author in October 2016
AOB (Return to Earth) by Bria Burton - met author at FWA in October
NetGalley titles:
The Wrong Unit: A Novel by Rob Dircks
Toru: Wayfarer Returns by Stephanie R. Sorensen
The Invisible City by Brian K. Lowe
The Circuit by Rhett C. Bruno
The Reader by MK Harkins
Free Space by Sean Danker
PLUS Some choices from my own TBR shelves:
The Terminals: Spark by Michael F. Stewart (Book win 5/2014)
Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles Book 1) by Marissa Meyer (Feb 2014)
First Colony (Citadel Book 1) by Kevin Tumlinson (Sept 2015) Sci Fi, Steampunk, Military
Galaxy of Heroes by Gus Flory (10/2014) Space Opera
Hero (Epic Book 3) by Stephen Lee (6/2015)
Audible:
Monster Hunter Legion: Monster Hunter, Book 4 by Larry Correia (Nov 2015)
The Synchronicity War Part 1 by Dietmar Wehr (2014)
Eye of the Storm: Legacy of the Aldenata (2012)
Invincible: The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier, Book 2 by Jack Campbell (1/13)
Spider's Bite: Elemental Assassin, Book 1 (9/2012)

We continue to add upcoming releases at eTreasure's NetGalley page.
This week the release is Toltec Khan, Book 2 Toltec Khan Trilogy.

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 picked up/passed out a print book to read for Ladies Book Club December meeting.
I resisted purchasing anything although I eyed a few Audibles this week.
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 picked up this title for our Ladies Book Club Nov-December reading:

The Sound of Sleigh Bells: A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country
by Cindy Woodsmall

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

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.

Sunday Words of Encouragement Sunday November 6, 2016

This morning our Sunday School teacher continued his lessons on Spiritual Warfare. We had “home” missionaries (from our own congregation) visiting from their South American mission field. They shared how we can pray for their safety in a country full of crime (drugs) and corruption. They noted that the country where they are serving was not founded on Christian values. The people are social, helping each other and open to relationships. They live in systemic poverty and need the message of hope that is being brought by the missionary team. This helped give us a different perspective on our own country.

Our Pastor’s sermon was geared toward preparing for our national election this Tuesday. He emphasized that we should each exercise our right to vote. While we are praying for foreign countries we need to be praying for our nation too. People are afraid; beyond nervous. Will some of our current rights be stripped away? What might happen to the supreme court? How will benefits or assistance be impacted? But we must be mindful that we are not responsible for the actions of the government.

We are told how we should act through the Bible. “Be strong and very courageous….” Joshua 1:7 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6:34

We can be reassured if we remember that God is in control and He is with us always. The Church has been through bad governments before. It was horrific then and maybe moving to horrific today. We have things comfortable in our nation while around the world, millions of Christians are living under tyranny today and many are suffering persecution. The Church continues to move forward and at times of trouble and repression the Church may pull together stronger. We are told to be under authority. Christians in government are frustrated because they are unable to accomplish good things. Our job is not to govern but to convey the gospel.

As Paul noted in Ephesians 6:12, we are not fighting earthly enemies. The task of the Christian is to ‘Go into the world and make disciples” Matthew 28: 20. Politics is divisive to relationships and distracting to our mission. Do not let it distract from mission to make disciples. We are called to be evangelists. We must keep politics in perspective.

The Church has often been used and abused in political situations. Some churches bend the principles and values from God’s word in their attempts to be ‘inclusive’. This too is a tool of the enemy to divide true believers. Do not let politics destroy your relationships. Jesus matters more than politics. The Gospel is our highest priority. Governments cannot legislate heart changes but lives can be changed if people embrace the message of the gospel: salvation through grace in the death and blood of Christ.

God is sovereign. He is not political. His priority is building the church of believers. Time is short but we know how it ends. Revelation 6:9 states that a certain number of saints will be martyred before Christ returns. We do not know when that number will be reached but we can rely on God’s sovereignty until that time comes.

In the meantime, we are called to pray. 2 Chronicles 7:14. (We return to church this evening for prayer for our nation and leaders.)

So here is what we do: Do not fear. Pray. Vote. Be a witness.

I think this song fits today’s message: Testify to Love!

A Verse for today:
Romans 13:1 NIV
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Heavenly Father – I give thanks that I have assurance in Your control of all circumstances and events, including this coming election. You are able to use all things (and people) to work together for good for those who love you. Even when things look like trouble or worse – we can trust in Your great love.

Sharing Beyond Books #277 Comment Giveaway Novmeber 5, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Six commenters had no strange remedies to share. I was aware of the use of aloe for cuts, Vicks on the feet for coughs and the pillow between the knees (I sleep with a small pillow under one knee). I had not heard of the sugar to clot blood, the tea tree oil to fight off fleas and the spaghetti with marinara sauce for upset stomach. I might try those sometime.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #276 comments is: #10, Becky 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 #277

(One Question.)

Becky asks: Do you have a favorite house plant that you love to grow??

I have always loved to grow African Violets. At one time I had over 32 violet plants and a dozen varieties. They are my favorite even though I only have one right now. I also have several Christmas cactus that are growing well. One other house plant that I light to grow is orchids -- after all I do live in Florida!

Image Found at The Old Farmer's Almanac.

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: Becky asks: Do you have a favorite house plant that you love to grow??

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 November 12, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Audio Book Review: The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

This is a wonderful Christian historical romance.
The Colonel's Lady
Written by: Laura Frantz
Narrated by: Laura Jennings

Length: 13 hrs and 8 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-04-16
Publisher: Books & Such Literary Agency
Genre: Historical Romance, American Revolution
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

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

Review:
Roxanna lost her mother to illness and her fiancé to another woman. She manages to travel during 1779 through the dangers of war torn Virginia to the Kentucky fort where her father is serving as scrivener. Along the way she is joined by a handful of less than upright women, with a mute young girl, who have decided they need to find another town. When Roxanna arrives at the fort she soon learns that her father has died in the field, leaving her destitute. Colonel Cassius McLinn was with Roxanna’s father when he gave his dying request that the Colonel take care of his daughter. It is too late in the year to travel so the commander hires Roxanna as the new scrivener.

Roxanna tries hard not to be attracted to the too handsome Colonel. especially since she doesn’t think a man like him could be interested in a spinster like her. The Colonel has secrets that he knows will devastate Roxanna if she ever finds out. He tries to maintain his distance but he finds himself drawn to her deep-seated faith and kindness. A kindness that might be able to forgive him for the darkest of actions.

Roxanna discovers her father’s diary that reveals a danger to the Colonel and the fort in the form of a traitorous spy. Meanwhile they must cope with enemy Indians and the nearing battle with the British Army led by none other than the Colonel’s bitter and estranged twin.

I liked Roxanna’s character from beginning to end. She has passion, spunk and courage sustained by her unwavering faith. The Colonel is a strong man with demons to fight. Their romantic resistance, conflict and misunderstandings are handled beautifully amid a story that shows day to day life on the dangerous American frontier. The writing is straight forward, smooth and moves quickly. Ms. Frantz weaves strong but quiet messages of faith in an action-packed plot. The story shares moments of sorrow, fear, joy, grace and love. There is a great blend of historical detail, action and romance. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy Christian fiction and historical romance. I will definitely seek to read more by this author.

Audio Notes: Laura Jennings does a lovely job with the narration. She manages both the female and male voices as well as subtle English and Irish accents. The tone is unusually hushed but that fit the tone and setting of the story. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of this story.

I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom. This qualifies for my Audio Challenge.