Sunday Post April 22, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 23, 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.

Heather and I headed out Sunday for a leadership conference which was fun and inspiring but took up half the week. I returned to a half day trial and then I had to man the office alone on Friday as two staff members were at our second office. I was pretty tired by Friday night.

Listening was pretty good but I didn't get to write reviews until I got home. I finished 2 Audible titles and one digital. I posted only two reviews, one with giveaway, and my usual memes.

I only visited 22 blogs last week with quick visits Tuesday and Wednesday.
Shout Out this week for The Infinite Curio featuring "books, photo, knitting, comics and other findings".
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post April 15, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 16, 2018.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 20, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/26/2018.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb; Female Detective, Mystery; my rating 4.75.

• Review2018- Book Review and Giveaway: Dog Training the American Male by Steve Alten; Humor, Romantic Comedy; my rating 3.75.

• Sharing Beyond Books #342 Comment Giveaway April 21, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 5/5/2018.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 22, 2018.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio/MP3 (TBR)

Devil’s Due
Destroyermen, Book 12
By: Taylor Anderson
Narrated by: William Dufris
Series: Destroyermen, Book 12
Length: 19 hrs and 22 mins
I really enjoy this series!
Source: 2017 Audible Credit Purchase.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (TBR)

Hunting in Bruges: Hunters' Guild, Book 1
by E.J. Stevens
Narrator: Melanie A. Mason, Anthony Bowling
Duration: 7 hrs and 10 mins
This is a fun, action listen. Watch for Giveaway Post early this week as it closes 4/30.
Source: Author for Review and Giveaway Post.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Digital/Adobe (NetGalley 2017)

Out of the Box
by Jemma Westing
This is great fun with imaginative projects for kids.
Source: NetGalley 2018.
Twenty-five interactive cardboard model projects that engage kids' creativity and "out of the box" thinking skills through hands-on learning and the application of science-based principles.
Kids can bring old cardboard to life and build recycled creations they can play with, sit in, and wear.
Supporting STEAM education initiatives and the Maker Movement, Out of the Box includes 25 interactive cardboard model projects to inspire kids' creativity through engaged and hands-on learning, and, as the founder of Maker Faire Dale Dougherty says, "to realize with their hands what they can imagine in their minds."
From small-scale gifts to large constructions, author and award-winning paper engineer Jemma Westing uses clear, step-by-step instructions to show kids how to make dinosaurs, masks, race cars, and so much more, and inspirational images encourage them to make their own unique models when they are feeling more confident. The projects utilize only recycled materials, including cardboard rolls and boxes, so all the supplies should be easy to find right at home.
Build something brilliant with Out of the Box. The possibilities are endless!

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NetGalley 2017)

Let There Be Light
by Dan Gordon and Sam Sorbo
I didn't realize this was released as a movie in October 2017. I am midway and enjoying it.
Source: NetGalley 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

2. LBCPrint (TBR)

Know Your Bible: All 66 Books Explained and Applied
By: Paul Kent
This is our March read for Ladies Book Club. I haven't quite finished this as I am enjoying soaking in the summaries. I have two more days to finish.
Source: 2017 Purchase at CBD.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/Smartphone (2018)

Start with Why
How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
By: Simon Sinek
Narrated by: Simon Sinek
Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
We (daughter and I) made it about 2/3rds in this book for the conference.
Source: Audible sale Purchase 2018.
Publisher's Summary
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audio/MP3 (TBR)

The Never Hero
The Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs, Book 1
By: T. Ellery Hodges
Narrated by: Steven Barnett
Series: The Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs, Book 1
Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
This pulled me in as soon as I started listening!
Source: Audible Credit Purchase 2015.
Publisher's Summary
At the gates between worlds...
In a war outside of time...
He fights for us.
Reclusive college student Jonathan Tibbs wakes in a pool of blood, not a scratch on him. His life is about to undergo a massive shift. A violent and merciless otherworldly enemy unleashes slaughter in the streets, calling out in a language only he understands.
And it is seeking its challenger.
In order to defeat the threat, Jonathan must become a temporal weapon...while remaining completely anonymous. Unfortunately, harnessing off-world powers has its own special challenges...
The Never Hero is the first installment in The Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs - a mind-bending, genre-crossing action-adventure trilogy.
©2014 T. Ellery Hodges (P)2015 Foggy Night Publishing

5. eBook/Kindle (NetGalley 2017)

The Hills of Mare Imbrium
by Carleton Chinner
This is my next NG selection. 
I'm looking forward to a space opera.

Source: NetGalley 2017.
When Jonah arrives on the Moon, he isn't expecting much. All he wants is to stay out of trouble and start a new life working on the Helium mine at Chang’e Base. He doesn’t expect to be swept into the raging undercurrent of the Moon's racial tensions and politics.
Yesha is desperate to escape her domineering uncle. In a moment of rebellion, she agrees to have dinner with Jonah and his friend. A simple decision that will change her entire life and set her on a collision course with her uncle.
Unknown to either of them, the head of security, Wang Mei, has plans to enslave the people of the Moon and seize control of the incredible wealth that comes from supplying the world with energy.
Their lives collide in a perfect storm where no one is safe and freedom is the ultimate prize.

6. Audible/Smartphone (2018)

Aspire
By: Kevin Hall
Narrator: Patrick Lawlor
Duration: 5 hrs and 32 mins
 I won't get back to this until the end of the week.
Source: Audible 2018 sale purchase.
Click on book title for full description.

April 22, 2018 - I continue on track with my morning reading the One Year Bible plan on my smartphone. It is a great way to start my day and I share the joy of the word with other friends on the YouVersion Bible App. You can check out the audio on the companion commentary online.

I completed 3 books and posted 2 reviews on the blog. That puts me at 4 current reviews.
I am behind again linking at Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
My NetGalley shelf is at 9 and I still have one committed author title in queue and many through InstaFreebie. I have more new author requests but still haven't replied.

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 accept or receive any review titles.
I picked up two Audible daily deal titles and no Kindle deals this week.
I picked up nine free kindle titles through Amazon Crossing for World Book Day (4/24).
I also picked up some 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

Audible Purchase Daily Deals:
4/17/18 Daily Deal $3.95
The Lost Airman
A True Story of Escape from Nazi Occupied France
By: Seth Meyerowitz, Peter F. Stevens
Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross
Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
Release date: 01-19-16

4/20 Daily Deal $1.95
All Systems Red
By: Martha Wells
Narrated by: Kevin R. Free
Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 10-30-17

Free

 
Amazon Crossing: 9 free international titles.


I added only 52 (including those 9) free titles to my Kindle library this week. (I was just too tired early in the week to download titles.) Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 22, 2018

Our Sunday School teacher continued a message on Christians and sin. Service began with lovely worship and then Pastor proceeded with his Sermon series on Relationsslips. This series addresses the question: “How do we navigate live in a Godly way?”

Last week’s message dealt with Guilt – a debt that “I owe you”.
Last week’s Point: Confession is the way to relieve the weight of guilt.

Pastor stated that he has a video of his daily plan, but it often gets interrupted. This causes frustration. When we tie our hopes and dreams to someone else, it creates Expectations. Expectations that aren’t met create problems. [We need to learn to put our trust in God, not others. Psalm 37:1-5, 8.]

Family and friends include expectations. When they, or others, don’t meet our expectations, a new debt is created. Now it is a “you owe me” debt. Sometimes there are few solutions. How do these debts ever get paid? Most of the debts owed to us can never be repaid.


The only way to get rid of disappointment, bitterness and anger is to cancel the debt. Do not let them continue to control your anger. While in prison Paul wrote: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Ephesians 4:31.

Point: Just as God has forgiven you of your unpayable debt, so you must forgive the unpayable debt of others.

You have the power to set yourself free from disappointment and anger. Matthew 6:14-15.
Look at your calendar and make a specific date to declare your freedom by forgiving the debt owed to you.
1. Identify who you think owes you a death.
2. State what (you perceive) they owe
3. Cancel the debt by speaking forgiveness.
4. Dismiss it so it does not continue to poison or taint your feelings.

I found this song that I think fits perfectly!

Verses for Today:
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Lord, reveal to me any bitterness I hold toward others and help me to forgive and release it. I give you Praise and Thanks for Your great loving example!

Sharing Beyond Books #342 Comment Giveaway April 21, 2018

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Aargh! I turned around and it is already three weeks into April! I am going to continue to post this event biweekly (every other week) for now. My work is so hectic that I appreciate the break every other weekend. Thank you for understanding and continuing to participate.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Four commenters are the only readers in their household. Four others are lucky that everyone reads! Four are the biggest readers in their families and three more have others in the family that read too. I like that Linda's took to reading as the youngest in a family who all read.

The Winner from SBB #341 comments is: #8 Elizabeth 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 #342

(One Question.)

Rubynreba asks: Would you step in if you felt your adult child was being overly strict with your grandchild who is a teenager?? [If you are closer to teen years or have siblings with children we would still like your thoughts on the question.]

I can certainly see that this could be sensitive. My grandkids are just reaching the teen years and so far troubles have been minimal. (Praise God.) We are close enough with our children that I can see me speaking my piece as gently as I could. Being careful not to speak in front of the young person - just as we were told not to disagree with our spouse in front of the kids. (And no, we did not always keep to that rule when we should have.)

Image found at Pinterest.

<<<Who else remembers these rules?
 Image also found at Pinterest from German Gift Outlet.


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.
Questions this month were provided by CarolL and Rubynreba who each get $2.50 toward GC or 1/2 book credit.

Your turn to share. Rubynreba asks: Would you step in if you felt your adult child was being overly strict with your grandchild who is a teenager??

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

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday May 5, 2018 at 5 PM central.

Book Review and Giveaway: Dog Training the American Male by Steve Alten

This romantic comedy has its moments.

Dog Training the American Male
by Steve Alten

Website: here
ISBN: 978-1-943957-00-2
Publication Date: February 14, 2018 (Orig. Release September 2016; under LA Knight)
Pages: 262
Price: $4.99 (Kindle Version)
Publisher: WJM Books, an Imprint of A&M Publishing, LLC.
ASIN: B01LQU0TTO
Genre: Humor, Romantic Comedy
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Meet Dr. Nancy Beach, a relationship counselor who hosts a local radio show called Love's a Beach. One problem: The relationship guru cant seem to make her own relationships work, sending her credibility and ratings into the toilet. Meet Jacob Cope, a walking thesaurus of phobias -- a Lehman Brothers casualty who's lost his job and swagger and now yearns to be a ventriloquist. When Nancy and Jacob are set up on a blind date and hit it off, their siblings, desperate to be rid of them, encourage the young couple to move in together. When the honeymoon stage abruptly ends, Jacob attempts to mend the fence by adopting a dog; a big dog and Nancy flips out . . . until she realizes the dog trainer's techniques can be used to housebreak Jacob and save her radio career.

Review:
Dr. Nancy Beach, a relationship counselor, hosts a radio show called Love’s a Beach. She also leads several private counsel groups, most of which are dwindling. Nancy has a major problem because she hasn’t had a successful relationship to serve as example. She has made bad choices in boyfriends who have been unfaithful liars and thieves.

Jacob Cope is a former Lehman Brothers’ financial guru who lost his job, perks and status with the economic crash. He has occasionally lived in an old van but is currently in his brother’s guest house. Jacob hopes to move to comedy work as a ventriloquist with his primary dummy, a George Bush dummy.

Nancy and Jacob are set up by their siblings who are eager to get them out of their living arrangements. The two hit it off and are encouraged by their siblings to move in together. It only takes a few days for Nancy to be unhappy with Jacob’s male behaviors: smelly shoes dropped at the door, toilet seat left up, expectations of being waited on. Jacob gets a dog hoping to appease Nancy and refocus her attention. The dog isn’t a cute, little Bichon but a large, untrained German Shepard.

Nancy arranges training for the dog which turns out to provide material for her show. Ratings really pick up as Nancy describes using the dog training techniques to train her man. Meanwhile there are a couple eccentric women, including one of Nancy’s bosses, who are chasing Jacob and bribing him with work engagements.

The book is promoted as romantic comedy and it is funny. My problem was wading through the first half of the book. Jacob’s brother is a gynecologist and the beginning is full of gutter language and crude, tasteless sexual banter. I came close to stopping at 12%, then 25%. I think I am glad that I pushed through because there was fun as the book progressed. The description of the impact of the job loss on Jacob creates a good picture of a fallen executive. There are also some very good psychological tips that I really like. There were scenes set on a fancy boat in the Boca Raton Inlet that I could relate to. On the other hand there were several sexual scenes that made me want to puke. I find it is interesting this was written by a man but it is doubtful I would try another book by this author. I am sure there are readers who will enjoy the fun of this; just be prepared for the grit and crudeness.

Source: Ralina Shaw PR. This will qualify for a 2018 title on my Alphabet Challenge list.

GIVEAWAY provided by the publisher through Ralina Shaw PR:

One Hardcopy Print Book (with the older cover) (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) visit the author's website and tell me something you found there.

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

Audible Book Review: Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb

This has warm romance to offset a creepy killer.
Portrait in Death
In Death, book 16
By: J. D. Robb
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Series: In Death, Book 16
Length: 14 hrs and 2 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-06-13
Language: English
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Female Detective, Mystery
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
After a tip from a reporter, Eve Dallas finds the body of a young woman in a Delancey Street dumpster. Just hours before, the news station had mysteriously received a portfolio of professional portraits of the woman. The photos seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary for any pretty young woman starting a modeling career. Except that she wasn't a model. And that these photos were taken after she had been murdered. Now Dallas is on the trail of a killer who's a perfectionist and an artist. He carefully observes and records his victim's every move. And he has a mission: to own every beautiful young woman's innocence, to capture her youth and vitality - in one fateful shot....
©2003 Nora Roberts (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Review:
This episode kicks off with Eve looking forward to peace at home as Roark’s majordomo, Summerset, is set to leave on vacation. A misstep causes a delay in that happy plan.

Eve gets a dead body tip from her reporter friend, Nadine. They stand at odds when Eve first refuses Nadine access at the crime scene and then demands that Nadine turn over any files and photos she has regarding the killing.

The photos show a young woman staged as a model – in death. Eve has no witnesses, but several suspects emerge as they pick apart the photos. She must discover an artist obsessed with capturing the innocence and vitality of his victims.

While Eve is busy investigating, Roarke learns a disturbing bit of his own history that causes him to withdraw into himself. The resulting tension and make up scenes are a strong part of this book. JD Robb (Nora Roberts) does an exquisite job of conveying Roarke’s pain, anger and withdrawal. Eve has to fight to get him to share what he has learned. Then, as he has often supported her, she must make an effort to be there when he needs her. This was a wonderfully warm romance element during the investigation of a twisted killer.

The usual great dialogue rapport is present between Eve and Roarke and with Eve’s team members, Peabody, McNab, Baxter and Feeney. There are also moments with Nadine, Summerset and Mavis. All fun and feisty. There is some bad language and of course grittiness related to murders. Still, this provides engaging characters with new mysteries in each book. I recommend the series to those who enjoy strong female detectives hunting down twisted killers.

Audible Notes: Susan Ericksen is the voice of these characters. She portrays each with a unique voice and energy suitable to their character. It is a pleasure to listen to this series which sometimes keeps me up too late. As always, this is great entertainment and narrated with skill and personality.

Source: Audible 2016 sale purchase. This qualifies for Audiobook, TBR and "P" for my Alphabet Challenge.