Book Review: The Thursday Night Club: A Tale of Christmas Spirit by Steven Manchester

This is a story with meaning at Christmas and year round!

The Thursday Night Club: A Tale of Christmas Spirit

by Steven Manchester

File Size: 1794 KB
Print Length: 144 pages
Publisher: Fiction Studio Books (June 1, 2015)
ASIN: B00Y7KNNJY
Genre: Holidays, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Five college friends, three men and two women, have been getting together every Thursday night to share humble meals and an abundance of laughter. But when tragedy takes one of them, leaving the others to question the fairness of life, the Thursday Night Club decides to embark on a contest in the memory of the generous spirit of their fallen brother. The objective of the contest is simple: whoever performs the kindest deed by Christmas night wins the pot – four quarters. And there are only two conditions: the benevolent deed must be anonymous, and it cannot cost a single penny to pull off.
As the four friends undertake the contest, the healing begins and they become inspired beyond their expectations. There might be a winner in this competition, but it is very clear there will be no losers.
A story of Christmas spirit that will strike a chord in your heart any time of year, THE THURSDAY NIGHT CLUB will make you look at the holiday season in new ways.

Review:
Five college friends have begun their final year. Jesse, Izzy, Ava, Randy and, their regularly late friend, Kevin, meet on Thursday nights to share college life over a meal, card games, songs and laughter. The setting is college sparse, mismatched but cozy. The young people, especially the boys, often challenge each other with pranks. During one night’s banter one of the young men shares wisdom imparted from his grandfather. He asked the young man to ponder this perspective on life: “What if—in the end—wealth isn’t defined by what we’ve accumulated? What if it’s decided by how much we give away while we’re here?”

One morning a rush to class results in tragedy, taking the life of one of the most cheerful of the Thursday Night crew. Their grief is shared by one of their teachers who challenges them to show kindness to honor the memory of their friend. The new challenge – to win the pot of four quarters – is to do the kindest deed before Christmas. It is to be anonymous and they cannot spend their own money in the deed.

Each of the four remaining friends find creative and beautiful ways to honor their fallen companion. Although the goal is set for reveal at Christmas time, this is a story that is timeless in its wonderful messages. There are tidbits of positive life statements shared through the story that make this heartwarming and encouraging – even through loss.

The novella reads quickly; the dialogue is easy and fits the college aged characters. I highly recommend this for enjoyment and edification! I look forward to reading more by Mr. Manchester and am pleased I have his upcoming release, Ashes, for tour review in March, 2017.

I am thankful to have received this from the author. 

Sunday Post December 18, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 19, 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 through this past week with a cold. I tried to get to bed early every night. Friday we has a scheduled Christmas party but we called off since I had a fever much of the day and didn;t want to share that! I didn't have as much free time as I hoped as staff set up numerous last minute appointments.
Our weather has warmed back to 80s but we have had rain.I had this post 3/4ths complete at 10:30 when I took a break to make the coffee for tomorrow morning. When I returned to finish the wet lines made the process drag. I could type a whole line before seeing the first word. Aargh!

Reading was good, some while traveling and some extra in bed when I woke during the nights with my stuffy head. I finished three ebooks and one audiobook. I posted three reviews and the usual memes.

I only got to visit minimally early in the week; had hoped to go around later but my health never worked out.
No shout out this week.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post December 11, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 12, 2016.

• Book Review: The Wrong Unit by Rob Dircks; Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 5.0.

• Audible Book Review: The Synchronicity War, Part 1 by Dietmar Wehr; Sci Fi, Military; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 16, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/22/2016.

• Book Review: Toru: Wayfarer Returns by Stephanie R. Sorensen; Sci Fi, Steampunk; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #283 Comment Giveaway December 17, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/31.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 18, 2016.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NetGalley)

The Circuit: Executor Rising
by Rhett C. Bruno
This is an interesting, but a bit confusing, sci fi.
I received this from the publisher through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (Author)

The Thursday Night Club: A Tale of Christmas Spirit
by Steven Manchester
This is a lovely story for Christmas and all year round.
I received this from the author.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Caitlyn's Christmas Wish
by Laura L. Walker
This is another lovely romance set at Christmas.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audible (Narrator)

The Great Martian War: Invasion
Written by: Scott Washburn
Narrated by: Ray Greenley
This is an interesting take on the Martian invasion. I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (TBR)

Unicorn Western
by Johnny B. Truant and Sean Platt
This is a book from my Kindle TBR library (2013); picked for the U on my Alphabet Challenge.
Cast out from the magical kingdom of The Realm and into the dying desert of the Sands beyond, Marshal Clint Gulliver and his unicorn Edward have finally found peace in the small and dusty town of Solace. For the first time since leaving The Realm, Clint has dared to be happy, getting hitched to his bride to be, Mai. But when the town faces a deadly approaching enemy, the gunslinger feels compelled unholster his seven-shooters to face it... and the dark magic it brings with it.

2. Audible

A Curious Beginning
Written by: Deanna Raybourn
Narrated by: Angele Masters
This title is from my Audible Library; 
September 2015.
Publisher's Summary
London, 1887. As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry - and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a sharpened hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England now gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime. But fate has other plans, as Veronica discovers when she thwarts her own abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron with ties to her mysterious past. Promising to reveal in time what he knows of the plot against her, the baron offers her temporary sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker - a reclusive natural historian as intriguing as he is bad-tempered. But before the baron can deliver on his tantalizing vow to reveal the secrets he has concealed for decades, he is found murdered. Suddenly Veronica and Stoker are forced to go on the run from an elusive assailant, wary partners in search of the villainous truth.
©2015 Deanna Raybourn (P)2015 Recorded Books

3. ebook/Kindle

Cooked Goose (Big Mike and Minnie)
by Susan Amanda Kelly
This is a NetGalley title that looks so cute.
Mistletoe mayhem! Cooked Goose is a hilarious holiday love story filled with sizzle, sugar, and sass...
“Your father called me. He invited me for Christmas. I have a ticket for the same flight as you. Tonight.”
With those words, Big Mike sucked the oxygen out of the room. Minnie intended her father would meet her new man, Big Mike… eventually. Minnie wanted to give Daddy time to get used to the idea that his 'little girl' is embroiled in a serious relationship. A few decades, perhaps. Because Daddy’s not your run-of-the-mill protective father - he's a criminal. But now Minnie is heading home for the holidays with Big Mike in tow.
Big Mike is no delicate violet. He’s quiet and lethal, an ex-Special Forces soldier whose day job involves ‘keeping the Free World safe’. But Big Mike doesn’t want to spoil Minnie’s Christmas and promises not to hurt anyone… His resolve will be tested by Minnie’s father, her psycho brother and three outlaw lieutenants who want his woman.
*This is a 12,000 word story packed with everything needed for a very merry Christmas: love, family, laughter and psychos.

I suspect I may start another audio but I haven't decided yet.

December 4, 2016 - I used audio time this past week to get caught up to date on my Bible reading.
I have been enjoying listening to the companion commentary online when I am home.
I am reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church.

I posted three reviews which still keeps me a bit behind; six to be posted.

I still plan to request audio titles as I can always squeeze listening in!
I now have 8 NetGalley Titles and 10+ author titles in my queue. Clearly most of them are going into 2017!

We have several releases and new books to go up on eTreasure's NetGalley page; three ready 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.

I received two titles from NetGalley which release in 2017.
I did not get anymore Audible titles but I have two selections left to pick this year.
I picked up two Kindle titles for $.99.
I picked up more free ebooks, plus the usual good 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 selected two titles from NetGalley that I had been eyeing:
Releasing 1/10/17
Dead and Breakfast: A Merry Ghost Inn Mystery
by Kate Kingsbury
"It seems someone doesn't appreciate newcomers prying into the small town's past, and now it's up to Melanie and Liza to get to the bottom of these murders to save their business...and their lives."
This looks like a fun cozy mystery.

Releasing Jan 31 2017
Dawn Study (Study Series)
by Maria V. Snyder
"New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder brings her Poison Study series to its exhilarating conclusion."
I really like this series so am glad to read this one, even if it is the end.

Won

NONE

Purchased

I purchased two Kindle titles for $.99 each:

Gears & Goggles: A Steampunk Collection
Susan Kaye Quinn, Bec McMaster, Adam Dreece, Pip Ballantine, Tee Morris, Jayne Barnard, K.M. Tolan
This looks like a fun collection with authors mostly new to me.



Christmas Angel (The Company of Rogues Series, Book 3)
Jo Beverley
This is an author I like and have in print collection.

Free

I downloaded 15 titles from instafreebie PLUS
I added 65 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 December 18, 2016

Our Sunday School teacher provided a summary of how Christmas and traditions came to be. Most importantly he noted that: Before there was sin in man, God provided a plan for redemption (Genesis 3:15). Then he shared the birth of Jesus from the gospel of Luke. This fit perfectly with Pastor’s sermon.

Pastor continued with the Celebrate series for December.
December 4th: Celebrate the Promise.
However many promises there are in the Bible, be it 5000, all are true.
December 11th: Celebrate the Gift.
Today, December 18th: Celebrate the Savior.

Pastor noted that his old home state of Wisconsin is under snow, but we are enjoying balmy 80 degree weather. He and his wife went shopping in Dothan, AL, yesterday and experienced a parking lot along the highway. Next year they will consider shopping online! But, he reminded us,Christmas is not just the festivities – it is much more.

We sometimes under estimate important events and how they will make a change in our lives. When we are young and marry, we might be caught up in the event and may not realize the lifetime commitment that is being made. Most of us did not realize the life changing event of becoming a parent until the doctor placed that howling sweet infant in our arms. When we prepare to purchase a new home, we do not immediately recognize all the hassle of the packing and unpacking, nor do we immediately recognize the permanency that the new home may bring in our lives.

The birth of the Christ child can be like that – an event that is unappreciated or under estimated as to its impact. It is certainly Satan’s goal, and glee, if he can marginalize the reason for the celebration by burying it under festivities and tinsel.

Sermon Point: When we grasp the significance of God's greatest expression of love, we will do more than WELCOME a baby, we will RECEIVE our Savior.

Although many Christmas traditions stem from pagan celebrations, when Constantine established the celebration of the birth of Christ on Christmas day, it was intended to help people focus on a true reason to celebrate. We need to recognize that the birth in a manger was more than the birth of special baby. The event was more than a baby. It was God wrapped in flesh, living among us; fulfilling promises made throughout the Bible (in Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 9:1-7; Micah 5:2). The baby Jesus had one end: to have the sin, guilt, shame and hurt of the world piled on top of him. God moved the stars to announce this special gift. The birth event is a turning point of man's world. But not the birth alone, the live and death of Christ result in an event that changed the world forever.

As much as we should remember baby Jesus on Christmas (the reason for the season) we must go beyond celebrating the baby, and accept Him as Savior. Will we acknowledge and accept our own rebirth to become a child of God? If we have already done so then the best gift we can give to others is to share the joy and the good news off salvation, just as the angels did!

This is a song I had set aside for this season. 

It fits with the message of promise, gift and salvation!

Verses for Today:
John 1:10-14 NIV
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Lord - help me each day to remind others around me, in a gentle and loving way, that 'Jesus is the Reason for the Season.'
I am looking forward to celebrating and worshiping in church on Chrisitmas Morning! Come join us - fellowship at 10am and service (with Christmas carols) at 10:30.!

Sharing Beyond Books #283 Comment Giveaway December 17, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

We had a wonderful group of superpowers among the commenters. Healing was mentioned most, by 7; next 3 included invisibility; at least 2 wanted to be able to communicate broadly, including animals (and vegetals); 2 wanted the power to read minds and 2 wanted fast travel (or teleportation). There were several others including time manipulation, control of elements, super genius intelligence, and the ability to bring peace to everyone - which is lovely thought.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #282 comments is: #8 bn100 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 #283

(One Question.)

Because next Saturday is Christmas eve I have decided that I will not post then. I do plan to post the last Saturday, and last day of 2016! I will leave the comment answers open until that day and here is the topic that you can share before, during, or at the end of your holidays; (you may answer more than once but I'll only count one comment each person for the giveaway): What are you looking forward to most, OR what did you enjoy most, during this 2016 holiday??

We greatly enjoyed our Thanksgiving with both of our kids and all the grandkids. I am sorry we can't do that for Christmas. I am looking forward to church service to be held Christmas morning and then spending part of the day with our daughter and her family.
The Christmas season seemed to come in very quickly, perhaps because we were out of town in November. I didn't even get to do office cards this year. DH did buy a tree today and we strung the lights and hung favorite ornaments. We still have the same angel tree topper from our first Christmas together, now 31 years ago. I think most of the shopping is done and I will start wrapping tomorrow.

EVERYONE ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS
MAY YOU HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

[This tree got my attention!]

Image Found at Pinterest.

 
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: My Question for two weeks: What are you looking forward to most, OR what did you enjoy most, during this 2016 holiday??

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 December 31, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: Toru: Wayfarer Returns by Stephanie R. Sorensen

This is a strong steampunk adventure sharing a tale of patriotism, honor and love.
Toru: Wayfarer Returns
by Stephanie R. Sorensen

File Size: 826 KB
Print Length: 276 pages
Publisher: Palantir Press; 1 edition (February 16, 2016)
ASIN: B01AOWGP9S
Genre: Sci Fi, Alternate History
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Revolutionary young samurai with dirigibles take on Commodore Perry and his Black Ships in this alternate history steampunk technofantasy set in 1850s samurai-era Japan.
In Japan of 1852, the peace imposed by the Tokugawa Shoguns has lasted 250 years. Peace has turned to stagnation, however, as the commoners grow impoverished and their lords restless. Swords rust. Martial values decay. Foreign barbarians circle the island nation’s closed borders like vultures, growing ever more demanding.
Tōru, a shipwrecked young fisherman rescued by American traders and taken to America, defies the Shogun’s ban on returning to Japan, determined to save his homeland from foreign invasion. Can he rouse his countrymen in time? Or will the cruel Shogun carry out his vow to execute all who set foot in Japan after traveling abroad? Armed only with his will, a few books, dirigible plans and dangerous ideas, Tōru must transform the Emperor’s realm before the Black Ships come.
...
Readers who enjoy steampunk alternate histories more typically set in Victorian England or the American Wild West may enjoy this steampunk story made fresh by the Japanese samurai setting, as well as readers who enjoy historical fiction set in Japan.
(See title link for full description)

Review:
Tōru is a young fisherman from Japan who went was shipwrecked on a fishing trip with his father. Tōru was picked up by Americans and spent two years living with Americans who welcomed him and shared their love of freedom as well as their technology. He returns to Japan in 1852, to a country that forbids the return of anyone who has left the country, even if unwillingly. He hopes to sneak in but is caught and brought to the local Lord. The law says he must be delivered to the Shogun for immediate execution. But the brave, enthusiastic young man tries to convince everyone they must embrace the technology he has brought back so they can prepare to face the enemies that will come – whether British or American. He argues that Japan must prepare itself to prevent being overrun like China was.

The Lord lost his wife at their daughter’s birth and now his lovely young daughter, Masuyo, is an ‘inappropriately’ outspoken, free spirit (doted on by her father). Masuyo finds Tōru’s journal of notes and sketches and is immediately enthralled. She champions Tōru so that her father delays the execution first to allow the young man to return to his home village to see his mother. They proceed to an adjacent Lord’s home and soon the two aristocrats are quietly planning how to enlist others in a rebellion to bring Japan into the steam era.

There are secrets to Tōru’s situation which are a puzzle to everyone, especially Masuyo. He is joined by his childhood friend who is a ‘common’ blacksmith but an uncommon machinist. Soon he is joined by another friend, another Lord’s chief samurai. These friends make an awesome team designing, engineering and building the needed weapons and tools, including railroads and steam dirigibles. The rebellion grows as they find allies in surprising places.

I really enjoyed the intrigue, plot twists, steampunk elements and the political allegory (a country struggling and stagnating under dictated traditions and leaders who lack vision). Ms. Sorenson provides good detail contrasting the living circumstances of the poor, who struggle each day with little hope of ever improving their situation, against the wealthy estates of the Lords and the revered positions of the samurai who have their opportunities as a matter of birthright. Masuyo is a strong, brave and inventive female character who contributes to the visionary team to the point of risking her life and her family. There is tenderness, sorrow, humor, bravery, and danger wrapped up in the story which moves along at a quick pace.

 I was reminded a bit of The Last Samurai, probably because I had watched the movie recently. I liked that the author gives a bit of afterword explaining the political atmosphere and history of the setting. The chapter header quotes are apt to the plot as the author creatively delivers this story of patriotism, honor and love. I recommend this to readers who like alternate history and adventure as well as readers who enjoy steampunk and a young romance that seems impossible but finds a way.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.