Audible Review: The Curse of Tenth Grave: A Novel by Darynda Jones

This series is fun listening, although this one got a bit edgy for my tastes.
The Curse of Tenth Grave: A Novel
Written by: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins
Series: Charley Davidson, Book 10
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-28-16
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
"If one door closes and another one opens, your house is probably haunted." (Bumper sticker)
As a part-time PI and full-time grim reaper, Charley Davidson has asked a lot of questions throughout her life: Why can I see dead people? Who is the hot supernatural entity following me? How do I get gum out of my sister's hair before she wakes up? But "how do I trap not one malevolent god but three?" was never among them. Until now. And since those gods are on earth to kill her daughter, she has little choice but to track them down, trap them, and cast them from this dimension.
There's just one problem. One of the three stole her heart a very long time ago. Can the Razer, a god of absolute death and destruction, change his omniscient spots, or will his allegiances lie with his brothers?
Those are just a few of the questions Charley must answer, and quick. Add to that a homeless girl running for her life, an innocent man who's been charged with murdering the daughter of a degenerate gambler, and a pendant made from god glass that has the entire supernatural world in an uproar, and Charley has her hands full. If she can manage to take care of the whole world-destroying gods thing, we're saved. If not, well...
©2016 Darynda Jones (P)2016 Macmillan Audio

Review:
I enjoy Charley’s intense, sassy character and the smokin’ (in more ways than one) chemistry between Reyes and her. This episode starts with tension between them as Charley has found out secrets about Reyes and he seems to be keeping secrets from her too. Word that their daughter “Beep” (Elwyn) is in danger doesn’t help when it sends Charley into a murderous panic.

Meanwhile Charley has been called in to consult on a murder case by none other than the prosecuting attorney (PA). Although all the very bloody evidence points to the accused, the PA is sure he isn’t guilty and he will do his best to get the man off the charges. That means he needs Charley’s to 'do her thing' and find the real murderer.

As Charley spots a young girl who is hiding on the streets. This one isn’t a ghost but she might become one if Charley can’t protect her from what appears to be a curse -- or ill deeds -- at a local children’s home where children are dying in unreasonable numbers.

As usual Ms. Jones skillfully weaves three lines of ‘mystery’ at a time. Clues and dangers keep Charley moving at a fast pace. The overall story moves forward with some sorrow and rage that could tear things apart. I like how Ms. Jones pulls in the secondary characters (Osh, Garret, Rocket, Agent Carson, Artemis and others) so they each get some reader time. And I love the fun memes/bumper stickers and quotes that start each chapter.

What I didn’t care for in this episode was some foul language, some crudeness and almost eroticism (one review even describes it as "erotic romance"). Although those elements make me wince, what I really found most difficult was an expressed irreverence for Jehovah. I know it is fantasy and probably not meant to be demeaning, but anything that belittles my God hurts my spirit. It makes me wonder if the series is worth continuing. I understand the series is to end at book 13 so I might push through but sadly not with the same enthusiasm as the early books.

Audio Notes: I can’t praise Lorelei King’s narration enough. She has helped to make these characters come alive and I love listening to her performance. It is an awesome experience (when not jarred by the issues that bothered me).

I pulled this in from my Audible TBR Shelf for Mount TBR, Audible Challenge and "C" in Alphabet Challenge.

My Reviews for Books 1 through 9 can be found through THIS LINK.

Sunday Post July 23, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 24, 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.

This was another busy and mostly productive week. So much to do - sometimes I feel like a hamster in one of those circle wheels.

Reading was nice. I finished three books: two ebooks and one audio book. I posted three reviews along with all of my usual memes.

I visited about 28 blogs last week.
Shout out this week is to Readerbuzz a long time blogger; eclectic reader and traveler.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post July 16, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 17, 2017.

• PrintT- Tour Book Review: Poetry and Ponderings by Diamante Lavendar; Poetry, Inspirational; my rating 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 21, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 7/27/2017.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Days of Noah: Book One: Conspiracy by Mark Goodwin; Sci Fi, Conspiracy, Chrisitian; my rating 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #312 Comment Giveaway July 22, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 7/29/2017.

• eNG- Book Review: Wild Horse Springs (Ransom Canyon) by Jodi Thomas; Contemporary, Small Town Romance, Mystery; my rating 4.25.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 23, 2017.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG-Tour)

Blink
A psychological thriller with a killer twist you'll never forget
by K.L. Slater
This is interesting suspense;
received from NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Into the Black: Odyssey One
Written by: Evan Currie
Narrated by: Benjamin L. Darcie
Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins
This is a solid military space, first contact listen. 
From my Audible TBR shelves.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (PUYB)

The Duke needs a Wife: The Belles of Bath
by Katy Walters
This is okay but 
a little gritty for my taste in historic romance. 
I received this from Pump Up Your Book 
Campaign for review before 8/3.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

The Pursuit of God
Written by: A. W. Tozer
Narrated by: Mark Moseley
Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins
I am enjoying this classic that exhorts a deeper walk. This is from my Audible TBR shelves.
Publisher's Summary
During a train trip from Chicago to Texas in the late 1940s, A.W. Tozer began to write The Pursuit of God. He wrote all night, and when the train arrived at his destination, the rough draft was done. The depth of this book has made it an enduring favorite.
(P)2012 Audible, Inc.

2. eBook/Kindle

Jeopardy in July: A Jamie Quinn Mystery (Jamie Quinn Cozy Mystery Book 5)
by Barbara Venkataraman
I will start this 7/23;
received from the author.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/MP3 (TBR)

Jackaby
Written by: William Ritter
Narrated by: Nicola Barber
Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins
This is another TBR audible to serve as "J" for Alphabet Challenge.
Publisher's Summary
Newly arrived in New Fiddleham, New England, 1890, and in need of a job, Abigail Rook meets R. F. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with a keen eye for the extraordinary - including the ability to see supernatural beings. Abigail has a gift for noticing ordinary but important details, which makes her perfect for the position of Jackaby’s assistant.
On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose. The police are convinced it’s an ordinary villain, but Jackaby is certain the foul deeds are the work of the kind of creature whose very existence the local police seem adamant to deny.
While Abigail finds herself drawn to Jackaby’s keen intelligence and his sensitivity to phenomena others barely perceive, her feelings are confused by the presence of Charlie, a handsome young policeman willing to help Jackaby and Abigail on the case. But is Charlie’s offer a sincere desire to be of service, or is some darker motive at work.
©2014 Original material © 2014 R. William Ritter. Published by arrangement with Algonquin Young Readers, an imprint of Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, a division of Workman Publishing, Inc. (P)2014 (p) 2014 HighBridge Company

4. eBook/Kindle (NG)

AFTERLIFE
by Marcus Sakey
I really enjoyed the Brillance Trilogy 
so I am interested in reading this one.
Received through NetGalley from Little Bird Publicity.
Soon to be a major motion picture from Imagine Entertainment and producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer.
Between life and death lies an epic war, a relentless manhunt through two worlds…and an unforgettable love story.
The last thing FBI agent Will Brody remembers is the explosion—a thousand shards of glass surfing a lethal shock wave.
He wakes without a scratch.
The building is in ruins. His team is gone. Outside, Chicago is dark. Cars lie abandoned. No planes cross the sky. He’s relieved to spot other people—until he sees they’re carrying machetes.
Welcome to the afterlife.
Claire McCoy stands over the body of Will Brody. As head of an FBI task force, she hasn’t had a decent night’s sleep in weeks. A terrorist has claimed eighteen lives and thrown the nation into panic.
Against this horror, something reckless and beautiful happened. She fell in love…with Will Brody.
But the line between life and death is narrower than any of us suspect—and all that matters to Will and Claire is getting back to each other.
From the author of the million-copy bestselling Brilliance Trilogy comes a mind-bending thriller that explores our most haunting and fundamental question: What if death is just the beginning?

July 23, 2017 - I am half a day ahead 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.

Some of my reading time is going to a Wednesday night study we are doing called Freedom Course.

I completed three books and posted three reviews. I still have four reviews current and one for later release. I still need to add books at Goodreads and my latest reviews to Goodreads and Amazon or Audible.
I am still at 6 NetGalley Titles and 8 author titles in my queue.

We're working on two fiction books soon to add to 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 picked up one NetGalley book when I saw I was invited and had almost missed it.
I picked up one Audible daily deal and two Audibles with June Credits.
I purchased one $.99 Kindle title.
As usual, I picked up lots more free kindle titles as usual. (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 was invited to read this (through NetGalley) by Little Bird Publishing.
 Thanks to FictionBooks for reminding me to get this.

AFTERLIFE
by Marcus Sakey
Between life and death lies an epic war, a relentless manhunt through two worlds…and an unforgettable love story.
See full description above under Current Reading.

Won

I won an Audio CD from Tantor Audio through Caffeinated Book Reviewer. Thank you.

A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain
When brilliant FBI agent Kendra Donovan stumbles back in time and finds herself in a 19th century English castle under threat from a vicious serial killer, she scrambles to solve the case before it takes her life―200 years before she was even born.
A Murder in Time is the first book in the Kendra Donovan Mysteries.

Purchased

I picked up one Audible Daily Deals and used my June credit selections:

The Chilbury Ladies' Choir
By: Jennifer Ryan
Narrator: Gabrielle Glaister, Laura Kirman, Imogen Wilde, Adjoa Andoh, Tom Clegg, Mike Grady
Duration: 11 hrs and 34 mins
(I have been wanting this since I saw it at Bookfan in March.)


In the After
By: Demitria Lunetta
Narrator: Julia Whelan
Duration: 9 hrs and 37 mins
This is a new post apocalyptic.

 
Daily Deal $3.95
Hunter
By: Mercedes Lackey
Narrator: Amy Landon
Duration: 11 hrs and 24 mins
I've enjoyed this author and this sounded good.

I have this print book for Ladies Book Club so I picked up the Kindle for $.99:
Critical Reaction: a novel
Todd M. Johnson 

Free

I picked up Week Thirteen SYNC Audio titles:
GONE: GONE SERIES, BOOK 1 by Michael Grant, Narrated by Kyle McCarley (Tantor Media)
THE ONE SAFE PLACE by Tania Unsworth, Narrated by Mark Turetsky (HighBridge Audio)

Here are five of my Free Kindle Picks: (the last three of these may still be free)

Morna's Legacy (Box Set #1): 
Scottish Time Travel Romances (Morna's Legacy Series)
Bethany Claire

The Zeta Grey War: New Recruits
D F Capps

Praying for Your Children: (The How to Pray Series)
Elmer Towns, David Earley

Fallen Pride: A Jesse McDermitt Novel (Caribbean Adventure Series Book 4)
Wayne Stinnett

Smolder
Desiree Douglas


I added 70 (ouch) 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 July 23, 2017

We had a continued Sunday School message on self-control. Then we had good worship, including communion.Pastor continued in his Dangerous Series with the Dangerous Prayer.

Pastor noted that there are many varieties of prayer: thankful, obligatory, eloquent, simple, desperate, careless, powerful, weak, casual, or nervous. Prayer can take various styles: loud, silent, emotional, rote, timid and over emphasized with extra syllables. But how many people measure the cost before they pray? Prayer can lead into a Danger Zone.

The Bible text Pastor directed us to is Psalm 139 (one of my very favorite Psalms), starting with the last verses and then moving to the beginning. Psalm 139:23-24.
Search Me.
Know Me.
Test Me.
Uncover Me.
Lead Me.

Praying these things is dangerous to status quo... staying the same. This is a prayer that leads to refining and intimacy. Most people don’t truly know us. We need relationship and intimacy to know and be known. But who knows us better than the God who created us? Psalm 139:1 -6. Who better than the one who knit us in our mother’s womb? Psalm 139:13-16. There is no hiding from God. Psalm 139:7-12. He is likely to go to the root of any problem rather than addressing small, easy ‘fruit’.
We can’t hide our motives from God. Jeremiah 17:9-10. Allowing Him to test us will show whether we are relying on Him or on ourselves. Allowing Him to uncover us and reveal internal problems gives Him permission to strip away the pretense and lies we may think we can hide behind.
Finally, we commit to allowing Him to lead. Earthly father’s come to a point where they push (or boot) their young from the nest, saying “now you are on your own”. But our heavenly Father never does that. He doesn’t want us to go through life on our own. He will always lead us. Psalm 139:7-10. And He loves us beyond any strength of love we can imagine.

The next step in our spiritual maturity is simple but not easy. Pray this dangerous prayer from Psalm 139:23-24.

I was lead to this song straight away today.

Verses For Today:
Psalm 139:23-24.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Lord, help me to pray this prayer every day so that I may stay on the narrow path of Your will.

Book Review: Wild Horse Springs (Ransom Canyon) by Jodi Thomas

This is a fun contemporary romance with the plus of a mystery and touch of danger.

Wild Horse Springs (Ransom Canyon)
by Jodi Thomas

File Size: 2546 KB
Print Length: 368 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (February 1, 2017)
ASIN: B01GZVCUBO
Genre: Contemporary, Small Town Romance, Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

In the heart of Ransom Canyon, sometimes the right match for a lonely soul is the one you least expect
Dan Brigman may not lead the most exciting life, but he's proud of what he's achieved: he's a respected lawman, and he's raised a bright, talented daughter on his own. But finding a lone, sparkly blue boot in the middle of a deserted highway gets him thinking maybe the cowgirl who lost it is exactly the shake-up he needs.
After losing her baby girl, Brandi Malone felt like her soul died along with her daughter. Now singing in small-town bars to make ends meet, she's fine being a drifter—until a handsome sheriff makes her believe that parking her boots under his bed is a better option.
College grad Lauren Brigman has just struck out on her own in downtown Dallas when a troubling phone call leads her back home to Crossroads. Her hometown represents her family, friends and deepest hopes, but also her first love, Lucas Reyes. Will Lauren's homecoming be another heartbreak, or a second chance for her and Lucas?

Review:
This is a fun, easy read, small town romance. Dan is a great character who brought smiles to my face from the very first pages.

Dan is a respectable lawman whose wife walked out on him years ago. At least he had his wonderful daughter, Lauren, to watch over, raising her on his own and even allowing her to study and work at the sheriff’s office. Dan hasn’t had much to do with women since. When he finds a sparkly, fancy cowgirl boot in the road he wonders what it would be like to meet the kind of wild woman who would wear those boots. He tracks her down and finds Brandi Malone mesmerizing the locals with her singing in a local tavern. It is lust, if not love, at first side.

Thatcher, a young man who has been adopted by the town as an abandoned boy, has been accused of shop lifting and assault. He didn’t steal the groceries but was really returning them. But he did punch the grocer and he is not going to tell the sheriff the rest of the story. Lauren gets word that Thatcher is in jail and feels she must come home to watch over him and get matters straightened out. Because things look dicey, Lauren calls on the one lawyer she is sure she can count on, at least for law, if not for commitment. Lucas is a successful lawyer but was Lauren’s cowboy, high school sweetheart before college and life took them on separate paths. There is still a strong ember between them but they are both a little gun-shy feeling abandoned by the other.

Cody Winslow is haunted by his last gun fight as a Texas Ranger. He has not been able to out run his demons and nightmares. Riding hard along the canyon at night he ends up thrown from his horse into the canyon. Lucky for him, Tess, a park ranger, and her handful of 5 and 6 year old campers, find him and get him aid. Now Tess is taking charge of his house while he is healing in the hospital and Cody is thinking he might have something to live for if he can just keep hold of this bossy, strong minded woman.

All three character lines converge as the book progresses and drug thugs try to kidnap Thatcher from jail. Thatcher is actually protecting a little girl but didn’t want to tell Dan about it until it was clear the child is in more danger.

I have read historical romances by Ms. Thomas and enjoyed them a lot. She writes with reasonable, well flowing plots that include a little mystery, a good dose of humor, likeable characters and sweet to sassy romance. I was, of course, rooting for the HEA for Dan and Brandi, Cody and Tess, and Lauren and Lucas. The relationships that resolve are sweet and heartwarming. I recommend this as a fun romance for readers of contemporary romance and for mystery readers who like romance.

I received this from the publisher through NetGalley; it qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Sharing Beyond Books #312 Comment Giveaway July 22, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Ten commenters could not relate their personal life to the books they are reading. Six commenters could relate in some way to the books they are reading, either to a character trait or experience, or recipes.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #311 comments is: #3 Becky 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 -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #312

(One Question.)

Natalija asks: Do you believe in love at first sight??

I have to say that I do. Although I didn't fall in love the first night I met my hubby, he seemed to fall in love with me from that very first night. He asked me to marry hiim a week later. I asked him to wait a month since I had recently broken off another relationship. He did ask me a month later and we were married four months after we met. <3 span="">

Image found at Imgnaly.com..

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. Natalija asks: Do you believe in love at first sight??

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 July 29, 2017 at 5 PM central.