Sunday Post February 11, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 12, 2018

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.

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 came down with a sore throat on Monday with swollen glands. I stayed home Tuesday and slept most of the day. Today I am better with just a little bit of a cough left. I lost that day at work but keep plugging away.
We are having heavy rain right now and have a flashing leak at our chimney. We'll have to get repairs done this week.

I enjoyed my reading and listening this past week. I finished one ebook and one Audible. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 27 blogs again this past week :-)
Shout Out this week to The Book Jotter with Amazon’s 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime Tag post.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post February 4, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 5, 2018.

• NGTBR-#NetGalley Book Review: Rise of the Fallen: Wars of the Realm, Book 2 by Chuck Black; Action/Adventure, Christian, Fantasy; my rating 4.75.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Ubik by Philip K. Dick; Classic, Sci Fi, Vintage; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 9, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/15/2018.

• NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: A Gem of a Problem by Irene Sauman; Cozy Mystery, Historical; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #337 Comment Giveaway February 10, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/24/18.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 11, 2018.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

All Our Wrong Todays: A Novel
by Elan Mastai
This is an interesting time travel tale.
Source: NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (ABB 2018)

River Rising
Carson Chronicles, Book 1
By: John A. Heldt
Narrated by: Chaz Allen
Length: 13 hrs and 8 mins
I enjoyed this. Mr. Hedlt creates engaging characters and situations.
Source: From the author through AudioBook Boom.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

The Billionaire's Sweet Valentine (Holiday Contest)
by Laura L. Walker
I'm enjoying this lighter romance. :-)
Source: Author.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (Author)

The Earth Bleeds Red
By: Jackson Baer
Narrator: Dan Carroll
Duration: 8 hrs and 41 mins
This sounded interesting; I will start listening tonight.
Source: Author
Publisher's Summary
Scott Miller has everything he's ever hoped for. He has a successful marriage to Jessie, a stunningly beautiful, creative woman. His 17-year-old daughter, Ashley, is both gorgeous and intelligent, and has just been accepted to the University of Notre Dame, where Scott received his PhD. He has a comforting home in the woods, and a fulfilling career as a college professor at Oregon State University in Corvallis. He's blissful, and at peace, until it all comes shattering down.
Ashley is kidnapped. The scene of the abduction is horrific and bloody, and the police are convinced she couldn't have survived. They accuse her boyfriend, Brandon, of Ashley's murder. He declares his innocence, and claims that a masked man who entered his house and overwhelmed them both took Ashley. No one believes Brandon.
Then the bodies of three other missing girls are discovered, all bearing the mark of a known serial killer the FBI has been hunting for years. Evidence mounts. As Special Agent James Duncan tracks the Hail Mary Killer, Scott and Jessie try to move on with their lives. But they can't shake the feeling that Ashley may still be alive, and that the time for saving their only daughter is quickly running out.
In the best tradition of literature and suspense, Jackson Baer has weaved a heartfelt tale of one family's struggle to survive after a despicable evil wrenches them apart.
©2013 Jackson Baer (P)2018 Jackson Baer

3. Audible/Smartphone (TBR)

Scarlet
The Lunar Chronicles, Book 2
By: Marissa Meyer
Narrated by: Rebecca Soler
I am enjoying this second in the series.
Source: December 2017 Audible Credit Purchase
Publisher's Summary
Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the best-selling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison - even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive. Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life.
When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.
©2013 Marissa Meyer (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

4. PLBC (TBR)

When the Heart Cries, Sisters of the Quilt Series #1
by Cindy Woodsmall
I am 110 pages in and this pulls you in and keeps attention.
This book was for our Ladies Book Club but we didn't get them started in time so it is being read for March. Some of the ladies will read book two also.
Source: Chirstianabook.com 2016.
Hannah Lapp was raised in an Old Order Amish Family. Now seventeen, she is ready to get out and experience the world. She is thrilled to accept the proposal from her Mennonite boyfriend. If she were forced to live outside the community on her own, could she handle it? Will she turn to God for answers?

February 11, 2018 - I am up to date and enjoying reading and listening to the One Year Bible plan on my new smartphone. However we realized that it does not match the book plan so we aren't not reading the same scriptures. You can check out the audio on the companion commentary online.

I completed 2 books and posted 3 reviews. That moves me to 4 current reviews.
I have started linking again at Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 19. I still have one committed author title in queue and many through InstaFreebie.
I have more new author requests but haven't had time to reply.

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 selected/received one audiobook for review this week.
I picked up two free Audible titles this week but resisted purchases.
As usual, I picked up (many) 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 accepted this audiobook/Audible title from the author:
2/10/18 Received for Review:


The Earth Bleeds Red
By: Jackson Baer
Narrator: Dan Carroll
Duration: 8 hrs and 41 mins

Won

NONE

Purchased

Here is the picture of the books I got last week for $15.00. I will read a handful of these but the rest will go into my Friday Pick boxes.

Free

I picked up two free Audibles:
2/8/2018 Free
West Cork
By: Sam Bungey, Jennifer Forde
Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
Release date: 02-08-18



2/7/2018 Free
The Minefield Girl
By: Sofia Ek
Narrated by: Camilla Belle. Sound design by: Rich Macar – Buttons NY. 3D spatial audio by: VisiSonics.
Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins
Release date: 02-01-18

I added 73! free titles to my Kindle 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 February 11, 2018

We braved the rain to share and worship at church. Our Sunday School teacher continued his interesting lessons regarding death. Pastor shared for the second week on his sermon series: Inhabited.

He reminded us that the Holy Spirit is a person, dwelling and living within us. He also reminded us of last week’s point:
Point: We are not all we are meant to be when everything in our lives can be explained apart from the work and presence of the Spirit of God.

Then Pastor asked: Are we desperate for more of Him, for His presence every day?
As he asked last week: Will we be satisfied to live a life that can be explained apart from the work and presence of the Holy Spirit?

When we enter a committed relationship, such as marriage, everything changes. We cannot live life as we did like a single person or their will be friction and trouble. This is true when we enter a committed relationship with Jesus. When we accepted Jesus did our life change? Did we (do we) allow the Spirit to be present and working in us or did we (do we) push Him aside to a corner? The Holy Spirit is not just to be added like a condiment, or a good luck charm to bring blessings.

Accepting Jesus should result in a change, a new nature. We should be immersed as is symbolized by the baptism through immersion in water.
Truth: The Holy Spirit is for anyone who believes on Jesus as Lord.

Acts 2:17-21 ‘In last days... And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Romans 8:9-11 ‘The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus, lives inside of us.’

Point: The Holy Spirit gives us power to put sin to death.

Satan, the Enemy lies to us trying to make us complacent in our sins. He says that sin is part of our life; it is part of genetics; it is part of social environment; everyone is doing it. But the Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome sin and generational curses. There are no earthly excuses to justify sin.

If you see brackish water where sea water has mixed with fresh water you know that is not safe or good to drink. The Holy Spirit makes us a wholly new person, if we allow. We are not to be part sin and part holy.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

There should be a big difference in our lives if we have the Holy Spirit living within. Is your life different? Do you recognize Him at work in your life? Have you limited the Spirit in you? Don't continue to live with the sin and the curses. Is it possible the Holy Spirit lives within is just not head knowledge, but not moving in you?

If you do not allow the Spirit to control within you, there is no power, no presence, and no work. Surrender your all every day and let the Holy Spirit have complete access to move within you to make you the new person you are meant to be.

The words of this song fit perfectly – “desperate for You, I surrender…”

Verses for Today:
Romans 8:5-6
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Lord, help me to surrender my will each morning to Your Will; to allow the Holy Spirit to lead over my carnal nature.

Sharing Beyond Books #337 Comment Giveaway February 10, 2018

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

I am going to continue to post this event biweekly (every other week) for another month and then see if I am ready to go back to four a month. I have gotten some more questions - Thank you.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
It was really fun to see your favorite mother or grandmother dishes. Meatloaf was mentioned four times and there were four different chicken recipes. There were some basics like rice pilaf, roast (2 mentions), spaghetti and sauce, and beef stew. Some different dishes like linguine with clams and lemon, fried prawns, perogies and egg lettuce wraps. Then there were chickpea snacks and treats like milk ice, hot cream, and "papanasi" (lucky cakes) that sound and look delicious.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #336 comments is: #17 Nikki 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 #337

(One Question.)

Ashfa asks: Ashfa asks: What do you'll think of book inspired candles? Any scents that are just irresistible??

I wasn't aware of book inspired candles. Now that I see some I think I would like to try Hobbit Garden. :-)

Image found at Bustle.

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. Ashfa asks: What do you'll think of book inspired candles? Any scents that are just irresistible??

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 February 24, 2018 at 5 PM central.

#NetGalley Book Review: A Gem of a Problem by Irene Sauman

This is a light, charming historical mystery with a determined female amateur detective.
A Gem of a Problem (Emma Berry Murray River Mystery Book 1)
by Irene Sauman

File Size: 3746 KB
Print Length: 223 pages
Publisher: Jakada Books; 2 edition (March 15, 2017)
ASIN: B06XPGYSHD
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Historical
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

As if losing Sam wasn’t enough, now she must deal with what he has left behind.
Emma hadn’t known Sam was delivering (smuggling?) a package across the Murray River border between the colonies, but the package, containing something of great value, is missing after the sinking of the paddle steamer Mary B. She doesn’t believe the Major’s story of why. It makes no sense. But his threats are real enough.
If only Daniel wasn’t blaming her for everything. She will have to travel a lonely road in her efforts to locate the missing item before time runs out. Who is lying to her, who is telling the truth? Will what she finds be what she is looking for? And more importantly, will it be what the Major expects?

Review:
Emma loved Sam when they married but things didn’t turn out as nicely as she hoped. Emma tried to settle Sam down but his impulsive and careless ways continued. Now he is dead after sinking their paddle steamer in a reckless channel race. Emma is trying to recover from his death, the damaged steamer and the loss of her baby when an intimidating neighbor, Major, claims that Sam had a valuable package to deliver. The Major wants it back or payment for the loss. His threats extend to her family and their reputation so she must try to resolve the problem.

The only person that Emma feels she can trust to help her is Daniel, Sam’s brother and co-owner of the Mary B. Emma is flustered by Daniel’s anger, but she is determined to hunt for the missing package and get repairs moving on the steamer whether he approves or not. Emma begins her inquiries, stirring up some troubles, but uncovering clues. She follows the clues up the channel, standing on her own, meeting new people and old acquaintances as she unravels the truth of the mystery.

The setting in 1870's Australia provides a unique and wonderfully rich backdrop for the story. The writing is straightforward, smooth with steady movement which makes for an easy read. Emma is a lovely, engaging character. I liked her determination combined with caring and gentleness towards others. There is a fine tension between Daniel and Emma that makes the reader wonder about their true feelings.

I look forward to reading more of Emma’s adventures on the channel and to learning what develops. I recommend this to mystery readers, especially those who like historical settings.

Source: NetGalley 2017. This qualifies for my 2018TBR, NetGalley and Alphabet Challenges; Also I Spy Reading Challenge – Umbrella on Cover.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 9, 2018

Happy Friday and Happy February - already!

I have been working hard at office and feel like progress is being made. I finally got a bug this week with sore throat and swollen glands staring on Monday. Stayed home and slept through Tuesday. I've been going to bed early each night. I have my energy back but my nose is all stuffy.

I FINALLY Got that last box listed and I have the older lists consolidated to the bookshelf.
I will have a new box to post for next week.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the February 2 Pick. There were no automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no titles blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from February 2 Pick:
SUE gets Wizard's Daughter; and
Bube gets a CG.

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

Love and a good book - Yes! :-)
Image found at St. Thomas Public Library.

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017

21 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
Echo Burning by Lee Child
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Tempted All Night by Liz Carlyle
Day of the Dead by J.A. Jance
White Night by Jim Butcher
Five Gold Rings Anthology Constance O’Banyon and three others
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwell
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Wizard’s Daughter by Catherine Coulter
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
Night Whispers by Judith McNaught
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff


 THESE BOOKS CHOSEN/WON ARE THE ONES STRICKEN HERE:
Finger Licken' Fifteen
How to Tame a Highland Warrior
The Texan
Total Control
Atlantis Found
Stephanie Laurens Pair
Desperado 
Rebellious Desires 
Forget Me Not 
The Eighth Commandment
Ghost Riders
The Manning Brides by Debbie Macomber 
Shadow Music 
Corbin's Fancy 
Hawk's Lady

This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn 

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I *Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester


If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost EIGHT years I have posted 75 groups of 16 (1,200) books to find new homes! (as of November 2, 2017).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,139+books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A month or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!