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Monday, May 1, 2017

MBS April 2017 Reading Wrap-Up

MBS 2017 Reading List - April

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2017

5 Stars = The Hollow Hills, Silence Fallen and The Quilt
  1. ABJ- Audio Book Review: The Hollow Hills by Mary Stewart; Fantasy, Classic Fiction; my rating 5.0.
  2. A- Audible Book Review: Confluence by S. K. Dunstall; Military Sci Fi; my rating: 4.75.
  3. P-TBR- Book Review and Giveaway: A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano; Historical Romance, Inspirational; my rating 4.25.
  4. eNG TBR- Book Review: Ivy in Bloom: The Poetry of Spring... by Vanita Oelschlager; Children, Poetry; my rating 4.0.
  5. A-ABB- Audio Book Review: Streets of Payne by Jeff Brackett; Cyperpunk, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
  6. eNG- Book Review: Yak and Dove by Kyo Maclear (Author), Esme Shapiro (Illustrator) (review to be linked).
  7. eNG TBR- Book Review: Codename Lazarus: The Spy Who Came Back From The Dead by A.P. Martin; Espionage, WWII; my rating: 4.0.
  8. A-TBR- Audible Book Review: The Monster Calls by Patrick Ness; Teen, Fantasy, Family; my rating: 4.5.
  9. eNGTBR- Book Review: Fake by Twist Phelan; Suspense, Thriller; my rating: 4.5.
  10. ABJ- Audio Book Review: Keystone by Dannika Dark; Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; my rating: 4.25.
  11. A- Audible Review: Silence Fallen: A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 10 by Patricia Briggs; Urban Fantasy, Romance; my rating: 5.0.
  12. ENGTBR- Book Review and Giveaway: Free Space by Sean Danker; Sci Fi, Thriller; my rating 4.0.
  13. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Quilt by Gary Paulsen; Family, Children; my rating 5.0.
  14. P-TBR- How Big Is Love? (Faith, Hope, Love) Board book – by Amy Parker (Author), Breezy Brookshire (Illustrator); Children.

Total read = 14; TBR = 8; New Authors = 8
Audio/Audible = 7 (1 ABB; 2 ABJ)
eBook =  (all NG)
NetGalley = 5
Print = 2

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Sunday Post April 30, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 1, 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.

Work continues to be busy. My second employee was out two days which slows things.
Hubby has had more energy this week and is working a bit around the house.
Our weather has warmed up to 80s and moving toward the 90s.
I am concerned and praying for those suffering tornadoes, floods and even late snow storms.

My reading picked up again; I finished two audio book and two ebooks. I posted two reviews plus all of my usual memes.

I visited about 28 blogs last week.
Blog shout out this week is for Lost in Lit who has a lovely peacock header and looks very busy with children and reading!
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:
  • A-ABB- Audio Book Review: Streets of Payne by Jeff Brackett; Cyperpunk, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
  • ENG-TBR- Audible Book Review: The Monster Calls by Patrick Ness; Teen, Fantasy, Family; my rating: 4.5.

Winner of Talent for Trouble is Vicki W.

Finished Reading:
1.Audio/mp3 (ABJ)


Keystone: Crossbreed Series, Book 1
Written by: Dannika Dark
Narrated by: Nicole Poole
This is engaging fantasy with interesting characters and good action.
I received the audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.



2. Audible/mp3 (TBR)


Silence Fallen: A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 10
Written by: Patricia Briggs
Narrated by: Lorelei King, George Newbern
Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
This is a must read/listen series for me. My only disappointment was that it ended. :-)
Publisher's Summary
In the New York Times best-selling Mercy Thompson novels, the coyote shapeshifter has found her voice in the werewolf pack. But when Mercy's bond with the pack - and her mate - is broken, she'll learn what it truly means to be alone....
Attacked and abducted in her home territory, Mercy finds herself in the clutches of the most powerful vampire in the world, taken as a weapon to use against alpha werewolf Adam and the ruler of the Tri-Cities vampires. In coyote form Mercy escapes - only to find herself without money, without clothing, and alone in the heart of Europe.
Unable to contact Adam and the rest of the pack, Mercy has allies to find and enemies to fight, and she needs to figure out which is which. Ancient powers stir, and Mercy must be her agile best to avoid causing a war between vampires and werewolves, and between werewolves and werewolves. And in the heart of the ancient city of Prague, old ghosts rise....
©2017 Patricia Briggs (P)2017 Penguin Audio



3. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)


Free Space (Admiral)
by Sean Danker
This was another exciting ride... 
or space flight as the case may be.
I will be posting my review with a Giveaway on May 2 3.
I received the title through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.



4. Audible/mp3 (TBR)


The Quilt
Written by: Gary Paulsen
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
This was lovely and had me in tears by the end.
This was from my Audible TBR shelf.
Publisher's Summary
A six-year-old boy goes to spend the summer with his grandmother, Alida, in a small Minnesota town. With the men all gone off to fight, the women are left to run the farms. There’s plenty for the boy to do - trying to help with the chores; getting to know the dog and the horses, cows, pigs, and chickens.
But when his cousin Kristina goes into labor, he can’t do a thing. Instead, the house fills with women come to help and to wait, and to work on the quilt together. This is no common, everyday quilt, but one that contains all the stories of the boy’s family. And as they wait, and work, the women share these stories with the boy.
In this spare, affecting novel, ordinary life and ordinary things take on a new meaning, and the bond between a boy and his grandmother shines through.
©2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.; 2005 Gary Paulsen




Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)


Bookburners
by Max Gladstone, Mur Lafferty, Brian Francis Slattery, Margaret Dunlap
I am at 80%. This was longer than some but fun.
I received this through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.



2. eBook/Kindle (Author TBR)


From Afar
by Roger Thomas
This is one from my Author queue that I had hoped to get to much sooner.
The Magi, or Three Kings, of the Nativity story are among the best loved yet most mysterious figures in all history. The fleeting and sparse account in St. Matthew's Gospel raises as many questions as it answers. It has been so embroidered over the centuries that the original historical context has been almost completely buried. Yet the world of the early first century was as dynamic and intriguing as any legend - and much more perilous.
In his compelling novelization of the journey of the Magi, Roger Thomas draws on Scripture, history, and modern research. This swift-moving tale brings these shadowed figures to vivid life. You meet them as men of their time and culture: learned and noble, yet experienced with a brutal world and even violent when necessary. Come with them as they search for a King they do not understand, and seek for answers to questions lying in the deepest parts of their souls - providing they survive the dangers of the journey.



3. Print (Ladies Book Club TBR)


Plain Proposal (Daughters of the Promise Book 5)
by Beth Wiseman
This is our Ladies Book Club read 
for discussion on May 13.
Miriam secretly vows to follow Saul no matter what the future holds. She never thought that future might take them away from their Amish community.
Miriam Raber could have her pick of any of the eligible bachelors in Lancaster County. But she only has eyes for one . . . Saul Fisher. He captured her heart years ago, and she's never looked back. Even when rumors circulate that Saul may leave their Amish community to pursue a once-in-a-lifetime apprenticeship, Miriam makes a bold assertion: she will stand by him, whether he stays or goes.
Saul Fisher has experienced an inordinate amount of loss in his short life. Raising his two brothers and caring for a grieving father who privately seeks solace in the comfort of his homemade wine, Saul has kept his father's drinking from the community. But if he leaves Lancaster, the burden of secrecy will be left to his young brothers. How does he balance this with the dream that burns bright within him?
As Miriam and Saul consider leaving their lives behind, God starts revealing things to Miriam that make her think twice about what it means to be a Daughter of the Promise, and what it means to make a home.
Experience this love story with a surprising resolution by one of the most popular voices in Amish fiction.



4. Audio/mp3 (ABJ)


The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals: Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 3
Written by: Jordan Stratford
Narrated by: Nicola Barber
This looks like a fun series.
I received this from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
[I had a download issue on my end that has delayed this.]
Click on book title for full description.



April 30, 2017 - I am up to date in 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 books but only posted two reviews; this means I have four reviews current and one for later release.
I am back to 12 NetGalley Titles and still at 10+ author titles in my queue.


I'm still hoping to put another poetry collection up at eTreasure's NetGalley page.



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 listed my Ladies Book Club title that I pulled from the TBR box (purchased in 2016).
I have one review title from Pump Up Your Book I forgot to list a few weeks ago.
I received two review titles through NetGalley for iRead Book Tours.
I purchased one two Audible Daily Deals and one Kindle ebook.
I picked up more 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
Ladies Book Club April read for discussion on 5/13.

Plain Proposal (Daughters of the Promise Book 5)
by Beth Wiseman
See full description above in current reading.



I received one review title from Pump Up Your Book (I forgot to list a few weeks ago) for tour Review on May 17.
Desert Melody
by Laura Evans Serna
"For generations the Voyan have lived peacefully among Humans, blending in despite their special thought-sharing abilities and unique communal culture. But now a mysterious disease is killing Voyan babies."
Sci Fi, Metaphysical; sounds interesting.


I received these titles from NetGalley for review through iRead Book Tours.
Review Date: May 31 with Giveaway
Horizon 
by Tabitha Lord
"Caeli Crys isn’t living—she’s surviving. On the run after the genocide of her empathic people, she witnesses a spaceship crash near her hidden camp. "



Review Date: June 20
Infinity -- Release date 6/6
by Tabitha Lord
"Joined by Commander Derek Markham and his elite squadron of operatives, Caeli embarks on a dangerous mission to find the Resistance, rescue her captive people, and save her civilization from destruction."




Won
NONE

Purchased
I ended up buying one Audible Daily Deal for $3.95 and one for $1.95
A Study in Scarlet Women: The Lady Sherlock Series, Book 1
Written By: Sherry Thomas
Narrator: Kate Reading
Duration: 11 hrs
"USA Today best-selling author Sherry Thomas turns the story of the renowned Sherlock Holmes upside down."

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
Written by: Jordan Sonnenblick
Narrated by: Joel Johnstone
Length: 4 hrs and 31 mins
"In a debut that has won raves, Jordan Sonnenblick digs deep into the heart of a family in crisis with humor, hope, and impressive sensitivity."
I think this would be good to listen to with my grandkids.

I purchased this Kindle title for $.99
Space Team: The Collected Adventures: Volume 1
by Barry J. Hutchison




Free
Here are just some really good sounding books I got for free - all new to me authors:
Winter's Edge: A Post Apocalyptic/Dystopian Adventure
(Outzone Drifter Series Book 1)
by Mike Sheridan

(Walking Calamity Cozy Mystery Book 1)
by CeeCee James

UNDER THE COLD STONES: a gripping thriller, dark and full of suspense
by Dan McNay

(A Maternal Instincts Mystery Book 1)
by Diana Orgain

I added 59 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 April 30, 2017

Our Sunday School teacher continued from last week’s message with a good follow up titled “Do You Believe?” I look forward to sharing these on days when I am traveling and don’t have the sermon message. 😊.

Pastor continued with his message series: Broken. The first week discussed a broken world; the second week, broken dreams. Today he discussed
broken people.

You can look around you and see a world where all people are broken with sin. When we say “the world” is broken you are commenting in a broad, general way about 7 billion people. But when we look closer the broken people are more specific, more personal. We see complex issues that were rare and deemed an anomaly in the past, but now they abound and often the world says it’s acceptable and normal.

Suicide is sign of brokenness; as are rampant levels of sexual promiscuity, divorce, violence, sexual orientation, gender identity. Many of these are the result of broken identity. People are full of scary confusion, like patients of dementia who might remember themselves but don’t know you, their loved ones. Confusion is a prime weapon of the enemy. What can the church – what can we do—to help broken people?

Point: Broken people need time and safety in the presence of the Healer.

Man was made in the image of God. Genesis 1:27. But Satan attacked God's creation from the beginning, and continues to do so. Genesis 3:1-7. Repeatedly the attack of the enemy focuses largely on a person's identity and value. He confuses and belittles, always seeking to destroy by making them feel they cannot be redeemed.

We must remember that all sin (small or large doesn’t matter) separates people from God; creates a gap that we cannot cross over. But, Thanks be to God and Jesus, the cross created a bridge for all – those who accept and believe. No matter how far a person is from the perfect pure standard God set for us, God can redeem them. After all, none of us, not one, is pure without the redemption of Christ. We have no basis to condemn another.

Is the Church ready? Are we ready to love the stranger, no matter his condition? God loves you, no matter what. God loves them, no matter what. Our job is to show people love and give time to let the Holy Spirit work in their mind, heart and spirit.

Broken is broken but God's grace is bigger than brokenness. Jesus ministered to broken people in ways that made them feel valued. We must be prepared to:
Show Compassion. 2 Corinthians 4:4; Pray earnestly; be patient; invite them, not once but over and over. Be prepared to show everyone that in the dark place there is a light. 2 Corinthians 4:1-7.
1 John 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7.

I started with one video but eight or so later I found this one!
Broken Girl
Verses for Today:
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NLT
3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

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Saturday, April 29, 2017

Sharing Beyond Books #301 Comment Giveaway April 29, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
I think I was a little surprised by the answers to last week's question. 10 of us chose to be the boss and only 4 believed they would be better as employees. One was willing to accept her situation and the final noted that being a supervisor stuck between the boss and the other employees is most difficult.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #300 comments is: #9 Sue who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles. 
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #301
(One Question.)
My question: Do you have any quirky reading lists or habits??
I think my 'lists' are a little quirky or maybe just guided by the challenges I choose. I like to line up books, especially getting a stack of NetGalley titles in December, that I can count towards TBR. Then I outline my Alphabet Challenge trying to line up TBR ebooks and audios from A-Z so I get both TBR and Alphabet Challenge credit. Sadly that means I tend Not to read current books bought so I will probably never join that challenge. :-) I also try to plan out a schedule that will allow a certain number of tours each year which of course will usually be new acquisitions that won't count toward the huge TBR pile.
Literally So Many Books, So Little Time...
My Kindle shelf alone is more than twice that.
Even reading 3 books a week I still feel compelled to read TBRs!
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: Do you have any quirky reading lists or habits??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

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 May 6, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: The Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

This is a dark, yet charmingly creative, tale of loss suitable to help young people who have a loved one facing serious illness.
A Monster Calls: Inspired by an Idea from Siobhan Dowd
Written by: Patrick Ness
Narrated by: Jason Isaacs
Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:09-23-11
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Teens, Fantasy, Family
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


Publisher's Summary
The monster showed up after midnight. As they do. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming.... This monster, though, is something different. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor. It wants the truth. Patrick Ness spins a tale from the final story idea of Siobhan Dowd, whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself.

Darkly mischievous and painfully funny, A Monster Calls is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss from two of our finest writers for young adults.

©2011 Patrick Ness (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.


Review:
Conor is a troubled youth. He has suffered nightmares since his mother started her treatments. Nightmares with darkness, wind, cliffs and screaming. Conor struggles to be left alone in school although he is caught between the taunting bullies and the pitying teachers who cut him too much slack because of what he is dealing with at home.

One night, at 12:07am exactly, the Monster arrives at his window. Not the monster from his nightmares, but one rather closer to home. Conor sort of recognizes the Monster as the ancient yew tree that grows behind their house, up the hill, beside the old church. The Monster insists that he has been called to help Conor get through the nightmares… to the truth. The Monster tells three stories with the instructions that Conor is to tell the final, fourth story. Conor might think it is just a dream except for the leaves in his room one night and the poison yew berries all over his floor another night.

Even when Conor’s grandmother takes charge of him and moves him temporarily to her home, the Monster still shows up. The stories the Monster tells don’t really make sense to Conor, although the Monster will try to explain before their time is over. It all has to do with the unreliability of appearances, the vagaries of men, self deception, responsibility and the frailties of life.

This made me realize the impact that illness can have on others around a patient -- the children and the parents.  Especially children old enough to struggle with the idea of losing their beloved parent. The story is wonderfully imaginative even if a little on the dark side. I could see it being a helpful story to be shared when an older tween or younger teen who is facing illness, and mortality, in a family member.

Audio Notes: Jason Isaacs does a lovely job with the narration. He provides just the right accents to match the characters and convey the darkness of the Monster that is tempered with his caring nature. The narration evokes the appropriate emotions of fear, pain, despair, frustration and love. The audio is a great experience.

This was a story from my Audible TBR shelf. It qualifies for 2017 Audio Book Challenge, Mount TBR and "M" in Alphabet Challenge.

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