Sunday Post March 4, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 5, 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 had to work late every nights as we are taking a short cruise this week. I always like to clear my desk, if I can before I go. It was hectic and I did not get everything done but have it all organized with a little to work on while I am gone and others to dive into when I get back.
We have had some rain and the weekend dipped to the 40s. Otherwise the weather continues to be nice.

I enjoyed my reading and listening although again I didn't get as much in as I might have. I one Audible and one eBook. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I only got to visit 25 blogs again this past week.
Shout Out this week to Cindy's Love of Books who has a charming header.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post February 25, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 26, 2018.

• MBS 2018 Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge.

• A-Author- Audio Review: The Earth Bleeds Red by Jackson Baer; Mystery, Thriller; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 2, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/8/2018.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: For We Are Many by Dennis E. Taylor; Sci Fi; my rating 4.75.

• P-LBC- Book Review and Giveaway: When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall; Amish, Romance; my rating 4.5. Open US Only. Ending 3/17/2018.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 25, 2018.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone

Golden Son
Book II of the Red Rising Trilogy
By: Pierce Brown
Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
Series: Red Rising, Book 2
This really holds attention with wonderful character and world development.
Source: Audible 2017 Credit Purchase.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld
by Patricia A. McKillip
This is beautiful and emotional magic.
Source: NetGalley 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (TBR)

If I Run
by Terri Blackstock
Narrator: Nan Gurley
I am about a third into this and enjoying the building story.
I expect I will get book 2 this week.
Source: ChristianAudio Sale 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

2. PLBC (TBR)

When the Morning Comes, Sisters of the Quilt Series #2
by Cindy Woodsmall
I am 100 pages in but do plan to finish
this 2nd book this week.
Source: Chirstianabook.com 2016 for Ladies Book Club.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Dead Ever After
A Sookie Stackhouse Novel, Book 13
By: Charlaine Harris
I decided to finish this series as part of my Take Control of TBR Pile Challenge this month.
Source: Audible 2015 Credit or Sale purchase.
Publisher's Summary
Number-one New York Times best-selling author Charlaine Harris has won numerous awards for her Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series, which has been adapted into the hit HBO show True Blood. In this 13th and final book, a murder rocks the town of Bon Temps and Sookie is arrested for the crime. After making bail, she sets out to clear her name - but her investigation only leads to more deaths.
©2013 Charlaine Harris, Inc. (P)2013 Recorded Books

4. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Fade to Black: A Doug Brock Thriller
by David Rosenfelt
I enjoy the Andy Carpenter series by Rosenfelt 
so I am interested to try another character.
Source: NetGalley; Title releases March 13, 2018.
In Fade to Black, the thrilling sequel to Blackout from David Rosenfelt, policeman Doug Brock helps a fellow victim of amnesia untangle a murder case and discovers he may not be as distant as he thinks.
After getting shot in the line of duty, New Jersey state police officer Doug Brock has been busy rebuilding his life. He’s reunited with his fiancé and started to get some of his memories back. He hopes he can continue to recover with the help of an amnesia support group and that the damage from his past isn’t permanent.
It isn’t until fellow group member Sean Conner approaches him after a meeting that Doug realizes the trouble is just beginning. Sean has discovered in his attic what can only be called a scrapbook of a murder victim, but he has no recollection of the girl’s identity or why he might have gathered this information. Doug agrees to help and convinces his captain to open what had been a cold case. When he discovers that he had a personal connection to this case, suddenly he’s questioning everything he thought he knew about the case, about Sean, and about his own past.
In the next page-turning thriller by David Rosenfelt, Doug Brock is back to delight readers and keep them guessing until the end.

March 4, 2018 - I really am enjoying following the One Year Bible plan on my new smartphone each morning! It is a great way to start my day. 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 3 current reviews.
I am about two weeks behind linking at Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
My NetGalley shelf is now to 20. I have two committed author titles 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 didn't request or receive any review titles.
I resisted the Audible daily deal titles again, but I did pick up 5 on sale.
I resisted Kindle deals this week too.
However, 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

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked up a group of Audibles on sale on 2/25/18:

Four titles at the Price of $4.95 each:
Killing Trail
A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery, Book 1
By: Margaret Mizushima, Narrator: Nancy Wu, Inc. Blackstone Audio

American Exit Strategy
The Economic Collapse Chronicles, Volume 1

By: Mark Goodwin, Narrator: Kevin Pierce

Into the Storm
Book One of The Malcontents
By: Larry Correia, Narrator: Ray Porter, Audible Studios

The Watchmaker's Daughter
Glass and Steele, Book 1
By: C. J. Archer, Narrator: Emma Powell, C.J. Archer

One Title for $6.95
The Black Prism
By: Brent Weeks, Narrator: Simon Vance, Hachette Audio

Free

I added 54 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 March 4, 2018

Our Sunday School teacher shared a touching video about how one person sharing the message of Christ can impact many. I hope to share that another day.

Pastor completed his sermon series on Inhabited.
He noted that God gives each person spiritual gifts.
He gave an example of a gift he was given in high school. It is very special to him even though he does not use it as often now as he did years ago. Some gifts we use once; some are used as courtesy; some are regifted and some may even be thrown away. Some gifts are used from time to time and others are used often.

The greatest gift we've been given is the Holy Spirit. Gifts of the Holy Spirit are for every day, not just special occasions. The Holy Spirit always confirms the word of God and the relationship of love.
There are gifts for every situation. Living full of the Holy Spirit is continual.
Spiritual gifts are given by God and the Holy Spirit works in us to steward gifts. Luke 11:13.
The gifts are given to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10-11.

Point: God has given each of us one or more spiritual Gifts to be used to serve one another.

You have gift to use, not just once in a while but every day.
There are a variety of gifts, but the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12-14.
We should use our gifts every day for God’s purposes.
Pastor encouraged us to read 1 Corinthians Chapters 12- 14 as a letter without verse and chapter breaks. As Chapter 12 ends Paul is saying: ‘desire the best gifts, but I will show you the best way’… This flows into Chapter 13 where we are told that the gifts without love are nothing. The best way to live is to love others.Without love it works against the goal, the message.

“Let love be your highest goal”… 1 Corinthians 14:1(a), NLT. “But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.” 1 Corinthians 14: 26, NLT.

Take these five steps:
1. Learn what spiritual gifts exist.
2. Seek the giver of all spiritual gifts.
3. Surrender yourself for His purpose.
4. Discover your current spiritual gifts.
5. Be ready and available.

Your gift is waiting for you to use in service to others.

I didn't find this with lyrics in the video so you have to listen. 

I think the song fits the message today.

Verses for Today:
1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Lord - show me my gifts and help me use them to serve others.

Book Review and Giveaway: When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall

This has good characters and an engaging story.

When the Heart Cries, Sisters of the Quilt Series #1
by Cindy Woodsmall

Amazon Link
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook (September 19, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400072921
Genre: Amish, Romance
My Rating: 4.5 0f 5.0

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?

Review:
Hannah Lapp is a sweet, helpful young Amish woman who cares for her family and her community. Even so, she has developed a love for a young man of the Mennonite faith who works during the summers at a neighboring farm. They have been meeting secretly for the past three summers as their friendship grew. The day Paul is leaving to return to college she accepts his proposal of marriage. But as she is walking home her world is shattered. Her family chooses to minimize and hide the event and she is left to struggle with her trauma alone.

Hannah and Paul miss each other but have no way to communicate. Hannah has drawn into herself and rouses only when her brother and his hoped to be intended are severely injured in a buggy crash. Hannah devotes herself to caring for Mary at the hospital and at home she helps Mary rehabilitate making a past and future quilt for Mary's marriage. Meanwhile, Hannah’s younger sister becomes increasingly resentful and jealous of Hannah. She convinces herself she is doing the right thing to tell the Bishop of what she believes is wrongful behavior by Hannah.

Months go by and Hannah’s family relations continue to be strained and torn. Hannah suffers more tragedy with the community against her and a misunderstanding that makes her believe that Paul has abandoned her. Physically and mentally exhausted Hannah decides she must get away. She takes the train to a secret destination hoping to find help.

Can Hannah find peace away from her community? Will she look to God for healing and direction? The story continues in book two.

Ms. Woodsmall has created well developed characters and an engrossing storyline that tugs the heart strings. As much as I generally think fondly of the Amish faith, this story raises serious failings that result from the strictness, seclusion and limitations within this community. It was heart wrenching to follow Hannah’s trauma and suffering with no support, even – or especially – from her family. Just as in non-Amish communities some parents care more about their own reputations than the harm suffered by their child. The rules of law are more prevalent than the love of God.

Although our ladies’ book club did not get to discuss this fully, the feedback I got back from several who had finished it was very favorable. They were ready to follow Hannah’s journey in book two so I was glad I had that on hand to pass out. One member even asked me for book three after finishing the first two in two days!

I am a third of the way in book two and still fully engaged. I recommend this emotional and engaging story to readers who like Amish situations and personal growth.

Source: Chirstianabook.com 2016; purchased on sale for Ladies Book Club. This qualifies for 2018TBR and Alphabet Challenge. .

GIVEAWAY:

TWO WINNERS!

Paperback Book (US Only)

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries

(a) comment on the review

or

(b) comment on the author's website

* This contest is open to US only for the paperback book.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) March 17, 2018.
Winners are asked to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Audible Book Review: For We Are Many by Dennis E. Taylor

I enjoyed this fun listen.
For We Are Many
Bobiverse, Book 2
By: Dennis E. Taylor
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Series: Bobiverse, Book 2
Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 04-18-17
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Sci FI
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The highly anticipated sequel to Audible's Best of 2016 - Science Fiction winner, We Are Legion (We Are Bob); a book listeners are calling "so much fun", "what science fiction was meant to be", and what would happen if "Andy Weir and Ernest Cline had a lovechild".
Bob Johansson didn't believe in an afterlife, so waking up after being killed in a car accident was a shock. To add to the surprise, he is now a sentient computer and the controlling intelligence for a Von Neumann probe.
Bob and his copies have been spreading out from Earth for 40 years now, looking for habitable planets. But that's the only part of the plan that's still in one piece. A system-wide war has killed off 99.9 percent of the human race; nuclear winter is slowly making the Earth uninhabitable; a radical group wants to finish the job on the remnants of humanity; the Brazilian space probes are still out there, still trying to blow up the competition; and the Bobs have discovered a spacefaring species that sees all other life as food.
Bob left Earth anticipating a life of exploration and blissful solitude. Instead he's become a sky god to a primitive native species, the only hope for getting humanity to a new home, and possibly the only thing that can prevent every living thing in the local sphere from ending up as dinner.
Listener favorite Ray Porter returns to narrate Bob - and his many incarnations - in all of their geeky glory.
©2017 Dennis E. Taylor (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Review:
This continues the fun difficulties, joys and growth of the “Bobs”, the sentient computer AIs that are extensions of the brain of Bob Johansson. Bob is/was a brilliant scientist, engineer, computer geek… His AI replicants are each a unique and interesting variety on the original Bob, with different genetic, emotional or moral elements taking precedence. Once replicated, each AI picks his own name.

This book follows several of the many Bobs. Bill, the first computer Bob’s first replicant, is the central computer wizard, always upgrading the technical and communication aspects to give the Bobs the best connection and the best carriers and defenses. The original AI Bob has made the first alien contact and has adopted a young boy in a primitive tribe. The interventions of Bob and his ‘son’ Marvin, are changing the tribe, not always with the approval of the natives.

Riker is one of the earlier replicants who returned to the devastated earth. He and several AI ‘brothers’ or ‘sons’ are trying to evacuate the humans to safe planet colonies that are being discovered by other Bobs. While coping with the competitive arguing of the remaining human groups, Riker and companions are also trying to ferret out the terrorists who are sabotaging food, defenses and other survival resources.

Other “Bobs” have traveled in various directions in space seeking new planets for terraforming and colonization. Some of these “Bobs” have now come across a deadly alien force who destroys entire cities and species. They are racing against time trying to find a way to stop this powerful menace before it wipes out another planet of sentient beings.

I thoroughly enjoyed the emotional elements, intrigues and action in this sequel. The varieties in the personalities are fascinating and it was interesting to see different emotions in the AIs. There are some sad and tense moments and even a bit of romance. Woven throughout is the continuing ironic humor. It is more light entertainment than heavy space opera, but that is fine with me.I will be getting  book 3 to find out how the Bobs fair against The Others. I recommend this to sci fi fans who enjoy a lighter work with humor.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter does a spot-on job with the narration. He captures the various personalities with unique and suitable voices. The audio enhanced the reading enjoyment for me.

Source: Audible 2017 sale purchase. This qualifies for 2018 TBR, 2018 Audible and 2018 Alphabet Challenges.

We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Bobiverse Book 1, Review, Rating 5.0

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 2, 2018

Happy Friday! And welcome to the Last Friday in February already!   Oops - Thanks Di for catching that error.


Still juggling lots of work; having double the number of closings is surely a mixed blessing. I would like to write a review but I am tired and I have to apply some medicine to my eyelids.

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 23 Pick. There was one 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 blocked titles.
Elizabeth gets The Wedding

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from February 23 Pick:
JANHVI gets a GC and
Welcome to ASHFA also 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.}

I love book madness. :-)
Image found at Books for Benefits.

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New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018
I thought I would look for some 'Springish' titles but that didn't happen. Hope someone finds a title or two you like.

PAIRS
Betty Neals: Tabitha by Moonlight and Fate Takes a Hand
Nora Robert: Hot Ice (spine creased) and Sanctuary
SINGLES:
My Lord Conqueror by Samantha James
Surrender by Pamela Clare
Dessert Rogue by Suzanne Simmons
The Rose and the Shield by Elaine Barrieri
Hannah’s Courtship by Emma Miller
Someone to Watch Over Me by Judith McNaught
Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
A Husband’s Wicked Ways by Jane Feather
Hot on Her Heels by Susan Mallery
Indigo Blue by Catherine Anderson
Between the Devil and Desire (Scoundrels of St. James Book 2) by Lorraine Heath (hardback)


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 books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*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 1,143+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!