Sunday Post August 27, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 28, 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 had a full week at work helping to train our new employee and working to finish items before leaving to visit our son's family again. We spent Saturday and Sunday driving the 12+ hours to arrive mid afternoon. I did bring a briefcase of files so I plan to do work while here.

Reading was good. I finished three books: two audio books and one ebook. I got four reviews posted to get up-to-date, along with my usual memes.

I visited 26 blogs last week.
Shout out this week is to Scaredy Engines End of Line Library. This is a new to me blog which was fun to visit.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post August 20, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 21, 2017.

• eNG- Book Review: How to Charm a Beekeeper's Heart by Candice Patterson; Christian, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance; my rating 4.5.

• eNG- Book Review: Wolf Hunt (SWAT Book 6) by Paige Tyler; Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Shifter; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 25, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 8/31/2017.

• eNG- Book Review: Weaver's Needle by Robin Caroll; Christian, Mystery, Romance; my rating 4.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald; Personal Memoir; My rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #317 Comment Giveaway August 26, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 9/2/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 27, 2017.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio CD (ABJ)

The Healer's Apprentice
By Melanie Dickerson
Narrated By Jude Mason
Series: Hagenheim, Book 1
I enjoyed this nice, fairytale like, listen.
I received the CD audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Resurrection America

by Jeff Gunhus

This is a tense, engaging dystopian thriller.
I received this through NetGalley.

USA TODAY bestselling author Jeff Gunhus.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible (TBR)

No Easy Hope: Surviving the Dead, Volume 1
Written by: James N. Cook
Narrated by: Guy Williams
This is a zombie story with characters I liked.
I picked this from my TBR for "N" in Alphabet Challenge.
Publisher's Summary
Eric Riordan was once a wealthy man leading a comfortable, easy life. Until one day Gabriel, his oldest friend, Marine Corps veteran, and a former mercenary, told him how the world was going to end.
He did his best to prepare. He thought he was ready for anything.
He was wrong.
As the dead rise up to devour the living, one man finds himself struggling to survive in the ruins of a shattered world. Alone, isolated, and facing starvation, his only chance is to flee to the Appalachians and join forces with Gabriel. But the journey will not be easy, and along the way his humanity, his will to live, and his very soul will be tested.
This is the beginning. This is his story.
©2011 James N Cook (P)2013 James N Cook

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Who'll Stop The Rain: (Book One Of The Miami Crime Trilogy)
by Don Donovan
I liked the writing style righte away, even though this is going to be a bit grittier than I like.
I received this from the Author.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Until the End of the World
Written by: Sarah Lyons Fleming
Narrated by: Julia Whelan
I picked this from my TBR shelves for "U" in Alphabet Challenge.
I didn't initially realize it is another zombie tale but this one includes romance and sounds like it will be entertaining.
Publisher's Summary
Cassie Forrest isn't surprised to learn that the day she’s decided to get her life together is also the day the world ends. After all, she’s been on a self-imposed losing streak since her survivalist parents died: she’s stopped painting, broken off her engagement to Adrian and dated a real jerk. Rectifying her mistakes has to wait, however, because Cassie and her friends have just enough time to escape Brooklyn for her parents’ cabin before Bornavirus LX turns them into zombies, too. This is difficult enough, but Cassie’s tag along ex-boyfriend and her friend’s bratty sister have a knack for making everything, even the apocalypse, more unpleasant. When the two attract a threat as deadly as the undead to their safe haven, Cassie’s forced to see how far she’ll go to protect those she loves. And it’s a lot farther than she’d anticipated. This, coupled with Adrian’s distant voice on Safe Zone Radio and, of course, the living dead, threaten to put Cassie right back into the funk she just dragged herself out of. Survival’s great and all, especially when you have leather armor, good friends and home-brewed beer, but there’s something Cassie must do besides survive: tell Adrian she still loves him. And to do that, Cassie has to find faith that she’s stronger than she thinks, she’s still a crack shot and true love never dies.
2014 Voice Arts Award Winner
2015 Audie Finalist - Solo Narration, Female
©2013 Saray Lyons Flemin (P)2014 Podium Publishing

3. Print (LBC)

A Matter of Character,
Sisters of Bethlehem Springs Series #3
by Robin Lee Hatcher
I will hopefully work on reading this in the coming week.
Print reading is slower for me these days.

August 27, 2017 - I am a day behind 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 three books and posted four reviews. That puts me to three current reviews and one for September release.
I am now two weeks behind again linking my reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
I am still at 3 NetGalley titles (and still eyeing new ones) and still 2 author titles in my queue, the others are instafreebies that I do want to get to but not the same commitment.

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 didn't pick up any review titles this week but I forgot to list one I picked up a few weeks ago.
I picked up two Audibles on daily deals and purchased two sets of children's titles on sale.
As usual, I picked up 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

Received from the author (Release in October):

Wild Justice (Delta Force Book 3)
by M. L. Buchman

WON 

NONE

Purchased

I picked up two Audible daily deals and then found the Kids Books were on sale.
Daughter of Dragons $3.95
By: Jack Campbell
Narrator: MacLeod Andrews
Duration: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Open Season $2.95
By: C. J. Box
Narrator: David Chandler
Duration: 7 hrs and 49 mins

I bought several titles (5 for $9.75) for my grandkids:
1. The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame
2. Frozen by Disney Press
3. Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies by Emma Walton Hamilton, Julie Andrews
4. Disney Junior Storybook Collection: Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Mickey/Minnie, Henry Hugglemonster by Disney Book Group
5. Thornton Burgess Bedtime Stories by Thornton W. Burgess

And this group (5 for $17.75) for kids and me too:
1. Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
2. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, Patricia Castelao
3. Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands
4. Fledgling: The Dragonrider Chronicles, Book 1 by Nicole Conway
5. Beauty and the Beast by Elizabeth Rudnick, Disney Press

Free

These are five of my Free Kindle Picks: (All but the first may still be free):
 
Such a Hope 
by Sondra Kraak

Hunted (Dragonlands Book 2)
by Megg Jensen
(Books 1 & 3 are also free)

A Treasure to Die For (Books to Die For Book 3)
Richard Houston
(I already have books 1 & 2 – I need to start reading the series.)

You and Me, Baby
Jenn Faulk

Blind River: A Thriller
Ben Follows

Also - for Children who love horses check out:

Winter of the Crystal Dances

(Whinnies on the Wind Book 1)

by Angela Dorsey

I added 64 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 August 27, 2017

We are on the road this weekend to visit our son and his family again. Our Bible reading this week has been in Job so that reminded me of a video that I found on scientific facts in the Bible.

(Although the video is 29 minutes, the 10 facts are shown in the first 15 minutes.)

I chose this song which speaks of creation: Hallelujah!

Verses for Today:
Job 38:4-11 (and the rest of Chapter 38!) NLT
4
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much.
5
Who determined its dimensions
and stretched out the surveying line?
6
What supports its foundations,
and who laid its cornerstone
7
as the morning stars sang together
and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?
8
“Who kept the sea inside its boundaries
as it burst from the womb,
9
and as I clothed it with clouds
and wrapped it in thick darkness?
10
For I locked it behind barred gates,
limiting its shores.
11
I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come.
Here your proud waves must stop!’


Thank you God for your awesome creation and that You created me!

Sharing Beyond Books #317 Comment Giveaway August 26, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Most of us do enjoy landscapes although several of us don't like being outside in extreme (heat or cold) weather. Several take reading breaks to watch the wildlife or landscapes near their homes. Mary likes to take walks in nearby parks; Natlaija loves looking at the changing scenes of the Julian Alps and Miki and Marjorie like to watch the birds nearby. Congratulations to Rubynreba for winning Yard of the Week in her small town!

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #316 comments is: #3 CarolL 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 #317

(One Question.)

bn100 asks: Would you preorder a book without a blurb??

I rarely preorder books unless it is a favorite series and I am waiting for the next. Then, yes, I might pre-order even without a blurb, especially if it is offered at a discounted price.

Image found at Droid Informer.

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.
Comments in August were provided by Marjorie, Elizabeth, Becky and bn100. Random.org chose 3 so Becky gets an extra win for comment this month.

Your turn to share. bn100 asks: Would you preorder a book without a blurb??

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 September 2, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald

This is not quite what I expected but beautifully written for an interesting memoir/biography.

H Is for Hawk
Written by: Helen Macdonald
Narrated by: Helen Macdonald

Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-03-15
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Memoir
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
When Helen MacDonald's father died suddenly on a London street, she was devastated. An experienced falconer captivated by hawks since childhood, she'd never before been tempted to train one of the most vicious predators: the goshawk. But in her grief, she saw that the goshawk's fierce and feral anger mirrored her own. Resolving to purchase and raise the deadly creature as a means to cope with her loss, she adopted Mabel and turned to the guidance of The Once and Future King author T. H. White's chronicle The Goshawk to begin her journey into Mabel's world. Projecting herself "in the hawk's wild mind to tame her" tested the limits of MacDonald's humanity.
By turns heartbreaking and hilarious, this book is an unflinching account of bereavement, a unique look at the magnetism of an extraordinary beast, and the story of an eccentric falconer and legendary writer. Weaving together obsession, madness, memory, myth, and history, H Is for Hawk is a distinctive, surprising blend of nature writing and memoir from a very gifted writer.
©2014 Helen Macdonald (P)2014 Isis Publishing, Ltd. UK

Review:
The first thing I noted in this audio is the beautiful writing. This drew me in although I struggled with the content as the work moved on. This a memoir of the author’s struggle to overcome the disabling grief that overwhelms her upon her father’s sudden death.

At times this is her story, at others it is the story of her photojournalist father. Then woven in is a personal glimpse of T.H. White’s rather dysfunctional and sad life story. All of these are connected through their respective working with and love of hawks and falconry. Ms. Macdonald chooses to train a goshawk using older books from White and other authors as guides although she learns through experience their methods are wrong – at least as they might be applied to her calmer bird. Working with Mable initially takes Ms. Macdonald out of the world and insulates her from society, but eventually helps her see her need for other people and helps her find purpose to move on with her life.

I am not much into depression and obsession so those elements weren't wonderful for me. I did enjoy the bird training especially since I have had a few variety of birds, though none were hunters. I was struck by the fear of more lose when it came time to let the bird fly free and hope that it would return.

It was really the beautiful writing that kept me listening when the content might have caused me to skip forward or stop listening altogether. The whole work is a composition of lives, reflected in words but apparently with the same distinct and sharp skill of her photojournalist father. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy memoirs and nature.

Audio Notes: It is always interesting to have the author narrate their own work. Clearly Ms. Macdonald does a lovely job with the narration. She conveys her emotions more through the content of the book and thankfully does not make the depressing moments any darker than they are by the written word. I am glad that I listened to this as I am not sure if I would have picked up the print or ebook.

I picked this title from my TBR shelves. It qualifies for Mount TBR, Audiobook and for "H" on my Alphabet Challenge.

Book Review: Weaver's Needle by Robin Caroll

I enjoyed this action story with Christian and Native American spirit elements.
Weaver's Needle
by Robin Caroll

File Size: 1568 KB
Print Length: 320 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 163409994X
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press (June 1, 2017)
ASIN: B01MZGB73X
Genre: Christian, Mystery. Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Two recovery specialists.
One murder.
A hunt for the Dutchman's Lost Gold Mine becomes a race of survival.
Former Army MP Landry Parker fell into the recovery specialist role quite by accident—to help her ailing father. Now that she’s on her own, she is determined to prove herself and honor her family legacy.
After being shot in the line of duty, former police officer Nickolai Baptiste became a recovery specialist, and he’s good at his job—maybe even the best.
A potential client pits Landry and Nickolai against one another to find the Dutchman’s Lost Gold Mine map that was stolen from her murdered husband, and the potential payday is too enticing to pass up. The trail takes them from New Orleans to Weaver’s Needle in Arizona where legend claims the mine is hidden. Landry and Nickolai are no strangers to adventure, but the unlikely partners quickly discover there’s someone after the treasure and there are those who want to ensure the lost mine in Arizona’s Superstition Mountain stays lost forever.
Can Landry and Nickolai work together despite their distrust of each other to save the legend before more innocent lives are lost? Will they find the real treasure isn’t the gold, but something more valuable. . .true love and understanding?

Review:
The blurb lays out the scenario so I won’t repeat it. Landry and Nickolai are competitors following separate leads to find the map. There are two associates of the murdered business magnate that may be trying to help the search…or not. Others living near the mine have taken advantage of the newest information and someone wants them to drop the search. When verbal threats turn to deadly accidents, Landry and Nickolai decide to collaborate by sharing their clues.

Nickolai feels he has failed to protect his family, especially a much younger sister who needs special medical attention. He soon finds himself trying to protect Landry even as she tries to resist their mutual attraction. Landry is a Christian and knows that she should not be drawn to a man who is not a believer.

Nickolai has some dream visions that convince him to continue the search to locate the map, if not the mine, before more innocent lives are taken. Their determination has them stepping directly towards a killer as they draw closer to the mystery of the mine.

I really like the idea of a treasure map/treasure hunt. The first half of the story is a bit slower but the action picks up well in the second half. There were interspersed scenes of a Native American (Apache) going on a dream journey to become a guardian shaman. Although this might be considered against the Christian message, I didn’t take it that way.

I enjoyed the nicely developing connection between the two strong characters, Landry and Nickolai, and appreciated that Landry was hesitant to rush into a relationship with an unbeliever. This is an easy read and I recommend it to readers who enjoy Christian mystery with a clean romance.

I received this through NetGalley. It adds to my NetGalley Challenge.