MBS September 2018 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2018 Reading List - SEPTEMBER

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2017

I had another good month of reading and especially listening. I still have five reviews to post.link.
Favorite for September: 5 star books: Quest for Cosmic Justice and The Rancher's Gift and The Emperor's Soul.
4.75 - The Watchmaker's Daughter.
4.5 - three titles

1. A2018- Audible Book Review: All These Worlds, Bobiverse Book 3, by Dennis E. Taylor; Military Space, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5 of 5.0.
2. PTBRLBC- Book Review and Giveaway: Mother of Pearl by Kellie Coates Gilbert; Christian, Contemporary Fiction, Women's Fiction; my rating: 4.5 of 5.0. Open US and Canada. Ended 9/29/2018.
3. ATBR- American Exit Strategy (The Economic Collapse, #1)
   by Mark Goodwin; Contemporary, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
4. eTour- Book Review: The Memory Tree by John A. Heldt; Adventure, Historical Fiction, Time Travel; my rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
5. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Nation by Terry Pratchett; Coming of Age, Fantasy, Sci Fi; my rating: Story 4.0 of 5.0; Audio: 4.5 of 5.0.
6. eTour- Book Review: A Nanny For Christmas: A Harper's Corner Series Novella by Christina George ; Contemporary Romance, Holidays, Small Town; my rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
7. A2018- Audible Book Review: The Watchmaker's Daughter by C. J. Archer; Fantasy, Historical, Mystery; my rating: Overall 4.75 of 5.0; Narration: 5.0 of 5.0.
   
8. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Genesis: Arisen, Book 0.5 by Michael Stephen Fuchs; Sci Fi, Zombie; my rating: Story: 3.75 of 5.0; Narration: 5.0 of 5.0.
9. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Gallagher's Pride by MK McClintock; Historical Romance, Victorian, Western; my rating: Overall 4.25 of 5.0; Narration: 4.25 of 5.0.
10. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Shelved Under Murder by Victoria Gilbert; Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mystery; my rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
11. eTour- Tour Review: Operation Earth by Maria Hammarblad; Alien Invasion, Romance, Sci Fi; my rating: 3.75 of 5.0
12. A2018- Audible Book Review: The Lilac Bouquet by Carolyn Brown; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Audio.
13. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die by April Henry; Mystery, Suspense, Thriller; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Audio.
14. AB2018- Audiobook Review: The Quest for Cosmic Justice by Thomas Sowell; Jurisprudence, Non-Fiction, Social Studies; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.
15. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: The Rancher's Gift by Dennis Worden and Jeff Dunn; Christian, Inspirational, Religion; my rating: 5.0 of 5.0.
16. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson; Fantasy, Supernatural, Thriller; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Audio.

I pushed to exceed my goal of 15 per month but still didn't read as many TBRs as I would have liked.
I am 7 books ahead on my 2018 Goodreads Challenge with 129 of 160.
Total read = 16; TBR = 7; New Authors = 10
Audio/Audible = 10 (6 TBRs)
eBook = 3 (0 TBRs)
NetGalley = 2 (0 TBRs)
Print = 1 (1 TBR)

Audible Book Review: Gallagher's Pride by MK McClintock

This is a nice historical romance with a good blend of romance and suspense.
Gallagher's Pride
By: MK McClintock
Narrated by: Alan Philip Ormond


Series: Gallagher, Book 1
Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 11-12-14
Language: English
Publisher: Trappers Peak Publishing
Genre: Historical Romance, Victorian, Western
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
She was a on a quest of discovery. He was on a quest for revenge. Together they would discover a second chance.
Brenna Cameron travels from Scotland after losing someone she loves in search of family she didn't know existed. Alone now in the world, Brenna makes an arduous journey, following the trail of discovery to Briarwood, Montana. Here she meets Ethan Gallagher, and the rest of the Gallagher clan. Only with their help is she able to discover lost family, heal old wounds and embark on a treacherous confrontation with a man who destroyed her family.
As head of the Gallagher clan, Ethan has more than enough to occupy his thoughts and time-he didn't need the complication of Brenna Cameron and he certainly didn't need the trouble that came with her. Ethan takes on the unwanted duty of self-appointed protector to the headstrong Scot, only to discover there is such a thing as second chances and more to life than revenge.
The Historical Western Romance Montana Gallagher Series:
Book One - Gallagher's Pride
Book Two - Gallagher's Hope
Book Three - Gallagher's Choice
©2012 MK McClintock (P)2014 MK McClintock

Review:

Brianna is a strong Scottish lass who thinks she is alone until her dying father tells her of her mother's parents in America. Apparently her grandfather disowned her mother when she married her Scottish father instead of the fiance her controlling father had picked for her. Armed with a letter rejecting her mother and children, Brianna heads to America for answers.

Brianna arrives in rough Montana where her PI located her grandparents. She is lucky to meet Ethan Gallagher and his brother when she is accosted by a leering drunk right after stepping off the stagecoach. Brianna is invited to stay at the Gallagher ranch with their sister and housekeeper to keep things respectable. Little does she know that the ranch borders her grandfather and the relationship between the two families are strained at best.

Brianna learns that her grandfather is a mean and bitter man who drove off his own wife. She decides to follow the path of her grandmother in case she can be found. That quest sets off events of suspense and danger, including kidnapping and a shootout.

As they travel, Ethan begins to see a remarkable strength and bravery in Brianna. He might be interested if only he can get past the betrayal of his former fiancé who was found with another man the eve of their wedding. Brianna is falling for Ethan but she won’t accept less than a full commitment.

This is a charming story with characters I really liked. There is a little mystery and suspense to fill out the romance which is on the edge of sweet (simmering, as noted). Ethan’s siblings are lively characters and I am sure there are more good stories coming for the family. I recommend this to readers who enjoy warm, historical romance.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the rich accents of the narrator, Alan Philip Ormond. He captures the Scottish brogue and good old country Midwest. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: Audible 2017 April $1.99 Purchase. This qualifies for 2018 TBR and Audiobook Challenge.

Sunday Post October 7, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 7, 2018

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

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

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.

My week was busy although I can't quite place where the time went.
I've had fun getting back to corralling the chickens. We are up to 8 and 9 eggs a day plus we found a couple of hidden stashes.

This is a picture of one of the stashes we found behind our barbecue grill.

My reading and listening was a bit slower. I finished two books (sort of) and I am close to finished on a third: one ebook and one audible title. I managed to get five reviews posted as well as all of my usual memes.

I visited only 20 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Maureen's Books who shares reviews and other bookish memes.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post September 30, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 1, 2018.

• A2018- Audible Book Review: The Watchmaker's Daughter by C. J. Archer; Fantasy, Historical, Mystery; my rating: Overall 4.75 of 5.0; Narration: 5.0 of 5.0.

• eTour- Tour Review: Operation Earth by Maria Hammarblad; Alien Invasion, Romance, Sci Fi; my rating: 3.75 of 5.0

• ATBR- Goodreads Book Review: American Exit Strategy (The Economic Collapse, #1) by Mark Goodwin; Contemporary, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 5, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/11/2018.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Genesis: Arisen, Book 0.5 by Michael Stephen Fuchs; Sci Fi, Zombie; my rating: Story: 3.75 of 5.0; Narration: 5.0 of 5.0.

• NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Shelved Under Murder by Victoria Gilbert; Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mystery; my rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #354 Comment Giveaway October 6, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/20/2018.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 7, 2018.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Review)

To Thine Be the Glory
by Angela D. Martin
I am finding this interesting.
Source: Review Request from PublishingPush.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Extinction Cycle Boxed Set
Extinction Horizon, Extinction Edge, and Extinction Age (The Extinction Cycle, Books 1 - 3)
By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

I finished Book 1 and have started Book 2
Source: Audible February, 2017 credit selection.
Extinction Horizon
Total extinction is just on the horizon, but will the cure be worse than the virus?
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG2018)

Once Upon a Heartbreak
by Cassie Rocca
At 80%. This is a cute story although a little annoying at times.
Source: NetGalley 2018.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Extinction Cycle Boxed Set
Extinction Horizon, Extinction Edge, and Extinction Age (The Extinction Cycle, Books 1 - 3)
By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

I have been wanting to listen to a book over 24 hours and this is a TBR that fit the bill.
Source: Audible February, 2017 credit selection.
I am now on book two.
Extinction Edge
Click on book title for full description.
Extinction Age
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (TBR Ladies Book Club)

The Evidence (The Mars Hill Classified Series)
by Mr. Austin W Boyd
I have been looking forward to reading this. It starts with some fun action.
This is for Ladies Book Club meeting 10/13.
Source: Print books picked up prior to 2017. eBook picked up on sale 2017.
Product Description
As commander John Wells watches from the International Space Station, terrorists cripple Washington. While the world suspects Iranian jihadists, unexplained images from Mars offer a staggering alternative. Caught in a web of politics, John heeds his country's call to head to the Red Planet. Was he born for this moment in history? 448 pages, softcover from Living Ink.

As of Thursday I will start ebooks for FraterFest. I plan to read TBR eBooks.
These are a few of the shorter titles I may try to read:
A Walk in the Woods: A Horror Short Story by Rebecca M. Senese (2011) 9pgs
DARK REALITY-A Horror Tale by Billie Sue Mosiman (2012) 27pgs
Island Ghosts: A Will Castleton Adventure byDavid Bain (2012) 30pgs
Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts (Ten Tales Fantasy & Horror Stories) by Tracie McBride (Author), William Meikle (Author), Douglas Kolacki (Author), & 6 more (2012) 87pgs
A Romantic Ghost Story by Jason W. Chan (2013) 92pgs
Sixtus-A Suspense Thriller by Tim Kizer (2012) 101pgs
Come to the Cemetery: A Weird Tale of Ghostly Love & Revenge (Young Adult Horror Book 1) by Jackson Dean Chase (2017) 105pgs
Haunted (The Horror Diaries Book 1) by Heather Beck (2015) 127
Fosgate's Game by David C. Cassidy (Author, Illustrator) (2015) 151
Skinwalker: A Western Horror Novel (Gideon Thorn #1) by Michael Newton (2015) 158
So Damn Beautiful: The Lonely One: Book 1 of the SO DAMN BEAUTIFUL Crime Horror-Thriller Trilogy by A.E. Hodge (2015) 161
FROM AWAY - Series One, Book One: A Serial Thriller of Arcane and Eldritch Horror by Deke Mackey Jr. (2016) 169
Grounded Spirits (ghost story/mystery set in Ireland) by P. D. Martin (2012) 179

Audible: The Ghost and The Graveyard (Knight Games Book 1) by Genevieve Jack (2013) 2018 Daily Deal

October 7, 2018 - I am still up to date and enjoying my Bible reading through You Version App.  I am on track with my morning reading the One Year Bible plan on my smartphone. You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.

I completed 2 books and posted 5 reviews. That puts me at 8 reviews still to post! I will keep plugging away.
Obviously I have all of these reviews to add to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible so I am way behind again. I still have older ones to catch up on too.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 10. I still have one author title in queue. Still many through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

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 have no new review titles although I am eyeing a couple.
I picked up two for one credit titles at Audiobooks.com
I resisted the Audible Daily Deals this week. There is a two for one sale going on but Audible website is not allowing me access. This happened in September too. I sent a chat and the staff gave me a credit for my trouble. But that doesn't let me get to the two for one. I will try calling them tomorrow.
I didn't pick up any Kindle paid titles.
I picked up just a few free kindle titles this week. (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

Audiobooks Two for One Credit:
Wild Horses
By B. J. Daniels
Duration: 8 h 36 min


and

Promise Me Texas
By Jodi Thomas
Duration: 10 h 58 min

Free

I received this from Pelican Book Group while I was away in Illinois. It sounds like fun reading.
Preserving Liberty: Pure Amore: Sweet Romance, Pure Enjoyment
by Candice Sue Patterson
I added 4 free titles to my Kindle library this week. Another week of no time even to download free 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 October 7, 2018

We were glad to be back at our home church this morning. Our Sunday School teacher continued his study in Corinthians. Corinthians 1:17 - 2:16. The title: Foolish Preaching.

Pastor’s sermon was the conclusion to a series called The Trade. His opening question was: “When was the last time you had to chase someone/something?” (My answer was chickens and before that was twins!) Chasing is part of life. Man has an internal drive to pursue – it might be a job, career, success or relationship.

What about our drive to go after God? When was the last time we experienced that? When we seek God we should be aware that a trade is required. Philippians 3:7- 11. Paul explains that all else is worthless compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:8-9. Our relationship and pursuit is dependent on faith. Hebrews 11:1 -13. Part of faith is recognizing that the universe was created by God's hand. Hebrews 11:3. And recognizing that the only way to please God is by faith and He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6.

Point: Will you trade all of you to pursue all of Jesus?

Press on, chase, pursue. Philippians 3: 12-15. We all need to pray for help to want to press on. Are you willing to give all of you for all of Him? Throw off sin. Throw off distractions. It may require that we simplify life. It may also require that we add prayer and loving others to our life.

We finished the service with communion during which we were advised to contemplate the question: Will you make the trade?

I believe this song fits with the message: Surrender

Verses for Today:
Philippians 3:12-15 (NIV)
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, please do help me want to press in to pursue you!

Sharing Beyond Books #354 Comment Giveaway October 6, 2018

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
I liked learning what each of you like about your favorite genres. Fantasy readers mentioned the world building, escapism and possibilities. Historical fans mentioned liking history (of course) and different times. Mystery fans liked suspense and contemporary fans mentioned realism. BN100 mentioned good writing which would apply to any genre. :-)

The Winner from SBB #353 comments is: #4 MIKI 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 #354

(One Question.)

Alina asks: What destination/city/museum would you want to see at least once in your life??

I had to think about this question. I have been blessed to have traveled a bit and have seen many wonderful, beautiful places. I have been to good museums in Philadelphia, New York and Washington, DC including the Smithsonian.  We have visited the Ark, the Grand Canyon, Gettysburg, some castles in Europe and special places in Hawaii and Alaska - just to mention a few. I thought maybe there is a special library I would like to visit. And I would like to see Jerusalem in my after life if not during my life.
At this point my husband and I would like to visit quiet places: small town America and places like the state park where we spent a night over our last trip: Lake Lurleen, AL.

These are photos I took of our campsite.

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. Alina asks: What destination/city/museum would you want to see at least once in your life??

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 October 20, 2018 at 5 PM central.