Sunday Post January 29, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 30, 2017

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 thankful for a fairly quiet week. My daughter was out of office because she had her wisdom teeth pulled on Tuesday. I didn't have a lot of appointments so I was able to concentrate on a reporting project and office work.
Hubby came home on Tuesday and he is doing better with his energy.
Our weather has cooled off again but I won't complain about lows in the 40s.

Reading moved along better than I expected. I finished four books: one print, two ebooks and one audible. I posted four reviews on the blog and posted all of my usual memes.

I got to visit 25+ blogs again this past week.
My shout out this week goes to Escape with Dollycas Into a Good Book. Lori is a busy blogger and hosts wonderful cozies and other mysteries.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post January 22, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 23, 2017.

• Book Review: The Heatstroke Line: A Cli-Fi Novel by Edward L Rubin; Climate Sci Fi; my rating: 4.0.

• Audible Book Review: Patriots of Treason by David Thomas Roberts; Political Thriller; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 27, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/2/2017.

• Audible Book Review: We by Yevgeny Zamyatin; Vintage Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.

• Book Review: Terminal Regression by Mallory Hill; Dystopia; my rating 3.75.

• Sharing Beyond Books #288 Comment Giveaway January 28, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/4/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 29, 2017.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Pump Up My Book Tour)

The Heatstroke Line: A Cli-Fi Novel
by Edward L Rubin
This was an interesting climate sci fi. 
My review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio (ABJ)

Goliath
By: Steve Alten
Read by: Christopher Kipiniak
This has terrorism madness 
and strong military detailing.
I received the audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (MC Book Tours)

The Remnant
by William Michael Davidson
I enjoyed this Christian suspense.
I will be posting a review and
author Guest Post on February 1, 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Print (LBC / First Book of 2017)

All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life
by Mark Batterson
This is quite remarkable. 
Our Ladies Book Club will discuss this on 2/11/17.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. Audible (TBR)

It Takes a Thief to Catch a Sunrise
Written by: Rob J. Hayes
Narrated by: Schatzie Schaefers
I am 35% along and enjoying the performance.
I received this "fantasy/steampunk heist caper with duels, romance, and airships," from the author.
Publisher's Summary
Set in a new world of corruption, deceit and thievery; mixing magical fantasy and alchemy punk with a healthy smattering of airshippery. It Takes a Thief to Catch a Sunrise follows Jacques Revou and Isabel de Rosier, a couple of charlatans at the top of their game.
After completing the biggest heist of their career, Jacques and Isabel are ready to retire, until the king's shadow councilor freezes their assets and forces them to work for him. Jacques and Isabel find themselves thrust into the social elite, playing the parts of Baron and Baroness Bonvillain, as they attempt to uncover a plot that threatens the entire kingdom.
©2014 Rob J. Hayes (P)2016 Rob J. Hayes

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Dawn Study (Study Series)
by Maria V. Snyder
I am 15% in this and loving 
the adventures and dangers facing Yelena and Valek.
I received this through NetGalley; Releases 1/31.
New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder brings her Poison Study series to its exhilarating conclusion.
Despite the odds, Yelena and Valek have forged an irrevocable bond—and a family—that transcends borders. Now, when their two homelands stand on the brink of war, they must fight with magic and cunning to thwart an Ixian plot to invade Sitia.
Yelena seeks to break the hold of the insidious Theobroma that destroys a person's resistance to magical persuasion. But the Cartel is determined to keep influential citizens and Sitian diplomats in thrall—and Yelena at bay. With every bounty hunter after her, Yelena is forced to make a dangerous deal.
With might and magic, Valek peels back the layers of betrayal surrounding the Commander. At its rotten core lies a powerful magician…and his latest discovery. The fate of all rests upon two unlikely weapons. One may turn the tide. The other could spell the end of everything.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

From London with Love: Rebellious Brides
by Diana Quincy
This releases 2/7/17.
Received through NetGalley.
With wedding bells ringing and a killer stalking from the shadows, a former British spy makes up for lost time with the one that got away in this thrilling Regency romance from the author of Spy Fall and License to Wed.
Emilia St. George is moments away from marrying the admired grandson of a duke when the man who once jilted her decides to kidnap her at the altar. It’s the second time in five years Hamilton Sparrow has ruined her wedding day, and Emilia isn’t about to forgive him. The mere sight of her ex-fiancé revives painful memories—and, most regrettably, aching desires that refuse to be ignored.
Scanning the guests at Emilia’s wedding, Sparrow spots a familiar face: an assassin he recognizes from his days as a spy in France. Whisking Emilia away, he’s pleasantly surprised by her newly formed curves. Could this be the same flame-haired slip of a girl once promised to Sparrow? And does the fop she still insists on marrying realize what a prize she is? True, Sparrow left Emilia at the altar. But he’s afraid that the only way to right that particular wrong is to risk the one thing he’s always guarded: his heart.

January 29, 2017 - I am up to date with the One Year Bible; reading along with my husband and others from our church. I hope to take more time this year, staying on the day and listening to the companion commentary online.

I completed four new books and posted four reviews. That leaves me four for this week and one planned for 2/11.
I suspect I will be requesting some more audios.
I now have 19 NetGalley Titles and 12+ author titles in my queue.

Another delightful children's book is available on the eTreasure's NetGalley page this week:
Pixie's Adventure by Jenna Grodzicki -- see below under Mailbox Monday .

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 (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received three more NetGalley titles plus an audiobook for review.
I did get one Audible Daily Deals  and picked up one $.99 Kindle title.
I picked up a good number of free kindle titles again. (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 three NetGalley titles:
I will be reviewing this title on March 14 with Great Escapes Book Tours:

Elementary, She Read: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery
by Vicki Delany
"Fans of Sherlock Holmes will delight in the sleuthing duo of Gemma and Jayne in Elementary, She Read, the clever and captivating series debut by nationally bestselling author Vicki Delany."
One look at the cover and I couldn't resist!

Pixie's Adventure

by Jenna Grodzicki

"Pixie is a curious cat who longs to explore the world outside."

Admittedly I already worked on this sweet title since it is an eTP upcoming release.

I will review the NetGalley version.

Love Takes Two

by Patrice Moore
"It is a complicated tangle of emotions and past hurts that prevent Molly and Nathan from agreeing, but can they come together to keep Ken from going down the wrong path…and maybe find their own path to love on the way?"
This is another cover that drew me to the story.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I received the audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.

Alliance
Author: S.K. Dunstall
Narrator: Brian Hutchinson
"As the Linesman series continues, linesman Ean Lambert finds himself facing an alien ship he doesn't understand-and a terrifying political threat he cannot fight The lines. "

I have book one on Audible so I will get to listening to that so I can get to this one. :-)

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked up one Audible Daily Deal this week and one Kindle $.99 deal:

Hell Divers: The Hell Divers Trilogy, Book 1
Written by: Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Narrated by: R. C. Bray
"An Audible Editor's Pick of 2016 and An Audible Best of 2016 Science Fiction."


Dark Humanity
Gwynn White, Erin St. Pierre, Norma Hinkens, Melanie Karsak, Jamie Thornton, Jeff Gunzel, E.E. Isherwood, Michael-Scott Earle, Christopher D. Morgan, Joanne Wadsworth, Constance Burris, Nirina Stone, Andrea Ring, M.D. Cooper, Aaron Hodges, Robyn Wideman, Felix R. Savage, K.R. Thompson, Patricia Loofbourrow, Jamie Campbell, Kristen Middleton, Nancy Segovia, K.N. Lee, Monica Corwin

"The Dark Humanity Boxed Set is a compilation of 10 Full-Length Science Fiction and Epic Fantasy reads with a bonus 11 full-length stories available via free download at the end of the collection!"

Free

I only added 66 free Kindle titles to my library this week. 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 January 29, 2017

We had a good morning at church. We discussed "Heaven is Real" in Sunday School. My husband and I want to see that movie.

Our Pastor continued his new sermon series: When Faith and Life Collide – a series based on the book of James. The first week (which I will cover another morning) discussed James 1-8 which encourages a single-minded focus on God. This week covered James 9-18. (References today are from the New Living Translation, NLT.)

The poor may boast that God has honored them and the rich can only boast if God humbles them. (James 9-11.) James notes that “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.” (James 12.) ‘Every good thing comes from God... and we are His most precious possession.’ (James 17-18.)

Without testing we are unproven. How can we know how fully committed we are if we do not have to deal with temptation? God never promised that life will be easy. In fact, His Word tells us that everyone must deal with temptation. James 14 and 15 state “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” (Also see Matthew 15:19, Mark 7:21 and Luke 6:45.)

But, there is a reward for doing God's will. Are you the type of person (as our Pastor and I are) who wants to be around those who exude sunshine and joy in their spirits? We are drawn to the light of good.

Sermon Point: We are God's prized possession. We've been given everything we need to pass the test, endure temptation, and win the battle.

Where a garden or park are carefully tended, the grass is cushy, the terrain clear and the flora attractive. When a garden or park is left to grow wild the grass is scraggly, the trail is rocky and the flora is likely to be unhealthy and chocked with weeds, maybe even poison ivy or other undesirable things.

God has assured us that we will not be tempted beyond what we can bear and when we are tempted, He will provide a way out. 1 Corinthians 10:13. There are weapons we can use to fight against temptations that we all face.

The best weapon we have is the same weapon that Jesus used when tempted: the Word of God. We need to learn that we cannot prevail by our own “will power”, which is an oxymoron since the evil comes from the will or within – how can it defeat itself?
A second weapon is our relationship with God- as we seek and rely on His strength.
A third weapon is our fellowship with other believers. We need to learn to trust and to seek support from each other.

The enemy, Satan, challenges us each with the greatest of temptations: to live our lives as if God doesn't exist. Do not fall to the lies of the evil one, but always allow God to help you defeat temptation by being on guard, being prepared with the Word, the Spirit and prayer, and knowing to call on God’s strength.

Your life can be an example to those watching. Remember: you are a prized possession!

I looked at several videos but came back to this old hymn.

Verses for Today:
James 17-18 (NLT)
17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

Lord, I give thanks you provide me a way out of temptation if I stand on Your Word and seek Your strength.

Sharing Beyond Books #288 Comment Giveaway January 28, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Only two of us, MaryP and Rubynreba, do not have a wish list of waiting books. Most everyone else shared titles and authors which I found interesting. I plan to check them out.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #287 comments is: #6 Miki 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 #288

(One Question.)

Becky asks: What would you be doing if you weren't at your current job??

I actually have three jobs! Lawyer, title company owner/manager and small publishing company CEO (and jack of all trades). Sooooo - if I wasn't doing that work there are two things I could maybe see me doing: administrative management - I have no idea where - Or maybe some type of book promoting.  Hey- Maybe I could manage a library or bookstore! LOL. But really - I love all the work I am doing.

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.
Questions for January were provided by Natalija, Marjorie, Elizabeth and Becky. Random.org chose #3, so Elizabeth.

Your turn to share: Becky asks: What would you be doing if you weren't at your current job??

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 February 4, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: Terminal Regression by Mallory Hill

The author has created an interesting dystopian world but I found the young protagonist difficult to relate to.
Terminal Regression
by Mallory Hill

File Size: 1085 KB
Print Length: 237 pages
Publisher: Fiction Studio Books (January 17, 2017)
ASIN: B01MSWNXOI
Genre: Dystopia
My Rating 3.75 of 5.0

WINNER OF THE SECOND ANNUAL AUTHORS FIRST NOVEL CONTEST
Laura Baily's life is meaningless. In a world where purpose and passion are everything, Laura feels as though she has no place and no business even existing. Her life is forfeit, and it would be better for everyone if she simply ended it, if she simply got a ticket for a train to oblivion and faded from memory.
But what awaits her at the end of the line isn't death but Terminal B – a community of people more like her than she considered possible, including the beautiful, tormented Will Noble. Though Laura still thinks little of her own life, the lives of others begin to fascinate her as never before. And when those lives become imperiled, Laura discovers the last thing she ever expected to find on her way out of the world: a mission and a reason to live.
Compelling on both a human and global scale, TERMINAL REGRESSION is a novel of rare power and humanity. It is the story of a tomorrow that teeters on the edge of utopia and dystopia and a resigned outsider who might just change it forever.

Review:
Laura feels she has failed at everything in her life. She doesn’t have a place in a world where everyone finds their niche and happily goes about their chosen work.

Laura’s parents were both talented artists but her father was sent away when she was a child. She watched as he boarded the Terminal B train, understanding that he was being sent to his death. She couldn’t understand why and her life has been a struggle ever since. Her free-spirited mother is active in the artist community and continues to push Laura to use her art even though Laura is sure her efforts are pathetic. Laura has made the rounds of the different communities, hoping to find a place where she can find a purpose; where she can fit in. Finally, she decides she will just get a ticket for Terminal B but she will let her mother think she was sent.

On the Terminal B ride, Laura runs into Will who was the most popular and friendly boy in fifth grade. Laura is surprised he even remembers her and more surprised that he should be on the train. They arrive at the end of the line to discover they are not dead… although they might wish they were.

Laura is sent to a farm and Will to a factory plant. Laura later learns that Will’s ticket wasn’t voluntary. He was accused of violent behavior and now must work in a place that treats the workers as expendable. Laura takes on the task of keeping Will alive and sane. Will is upbeat and optimistic to balance out Laura’s dark, moody pessimism. He needs her help but she needs him to provide her a purpose.

Laura believes that she must get word back to her mother and the city dwellers of the true nature of Terminal B, especially if Will is to survive. Some of Laura’s new co-workers help her plan a clandestine escape. Before Laura and Will can get back to the city she will face another huge surprise. If they can manage to escape, life will change for everyone.

I had to push to get through this because of Laura’s negative, defeatist attitude. The character’s statement at 42% in, “Happiness was a foreign concept”, is a totally foreign concept to me. That theme of failure and unhappiness permeates the book and is repeated, ad nauseam, even at 92%.

Will at least gives a breath of hope. The author has created an interesting dystopia world where perception is not always real. I found the young protagonist difficult to relate to and I think I might have enjoyed it more with less teenage angst and self-centeredness. I did like the twist and suspense late in the book. I recommend this to readers who like dystopia and can deal with the defeatist tone.

I received this through NetGalley. It qualifies for 2017 NetGalley Challenge and “T” for NG in Alphabet Challenge.

Audible Book Review: We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

This is an important vintage sci fi dystopia, said to have influenced George Orwell’s 1984.

We
Written by: Yevgeny Zamyatin
Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-28-11
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Vintage Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Set in the 26th century A.D., Yevgeny Zamyatin's masterpiece describes life under the regimented totalitarian society of OneState, ruled over by the all-powerful "Benefactor." Recognized as the inspiration for George Orwell's 1984, We is the archetype of the modern dystopia, or anti-Utopia: a great prose poem detailing the fate that might befall us all if we surrender our individual selves to some collective dream of technology and fail in the vigilance that is the price of freedom. Clarence Brown's brilliant translation is based on the corrected text of the novel, first published in Russia in 1988 after more than 60 years' suppression.
Public Domain (P)2011 Tantor

Review:
D-503 is a citizen of OneState where the “Benefactor” takes care of everyone for the collective good. Everyone is provided housing, identical clothing, work, food and sexual engagement with choice of partners. Everyone is expected to be happy and satisfied with their needs taken care of within the glass city. The secret police and spies are quick to deal with anyone who tries to go beyond the Green Wall, or refuses to conform to the regulated routines.

D-503 has an important job as one of the mathematicians helping to build the Integral, the first space ship to expand the world of OneState. He deals with numbers, facts and logic. He is not a poet but he is intent on journaling his thoughts as a record to share with the future even as he records the steps of his 'madness'.

One day D-503 and his usual female partner are walking during personal time, the time when the masses walk along the prescribed route. D-503 becomes aware of another couple walking beside him. He is immediately smitten by I-330, a woman who defies the rules and invites him to meet her a few days hence. She leads him on a walk at an unscheduled time to a strange house off the usual paths and then proceeds to captivate his thoughts and energies.

D-503 shares his jumbled emotions and fears as I-330 leads him into rebellion and a conspiracy to take down OneState. He struggles with his logical training to obey the regulations and his inner yearning to break free of the government system. Is it better to be controlled and ‘taken care of’ or to be free and experience the highs and lows available with individual freedoms?

This is not an unusual theme for a science fiction dystopian but I found the story remarkable particularly because it was written in 1921 by a Russian. The story was banned in the author's own country for over half a century. The world that Zamyatin creates may not be so fantastic by today’s standards but in its own time was an excellent creation. Although the story was a bit confusing, I found myself fascinated by D-503s dilemma of self-discovery. It was also fascinating understanding this was penned by an author living during revolutions in a totalitarian country.

The introduction provides a good history of the writing and the struggles to provide a proper translation. Some translators call the city ‘United State’ but this translation uses OneState which I think fits. Also, the prose and satire are nicely presented in this translation. This may not be as exciting as some of today’s sci fi adventures but it is a worthwhile read in the catalog of vintage sci fi.

Audio Notes: Grover Gardner is a masterful narrator. I have listened to him on many titles and I discovered I had to adjust to his narration on this. Once I was absorbed by the web of the character’s life and confusion I totally enjoyed the easy flow of the narration. I recommend this in audio format.

This audio was from my own Audible library. It qualifies for 2017 TBR, Audio Challenge and “W” in Alphabet Challenge.