Audible Book Review: Jacob T. Marley by R. William Bennet

I really liked this - it is a bit of a surprise.
Jacob T. Marley
Narrated by: Simon Vance
By: R. William Bennett

Length: 4 hrs and 10 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-30-13
Language: English
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Genre: Ghost, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall, 4.5 Story and 5.0 Narration

Publisher's Summary
"Marley was dead to begin with...."
These chillingly familiar words begin the classic Christmas tale of remorse and redemption in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Now R. William Bennett rewinds the story and focuses the spotlight on Scrooge’s miserly business partner, Jacob T. Marley, who was allowed to return as a ghost to warn Scrooge away from his ill-fated path. Why was Marley allowed to return? And why hadn't he been given the same chance as Ebenezer Scrooge?
Or had he?
Written with a voice reminiscent of Dickens, Jacob T. Marley is a masterfully crafted story of remorse and redemption, sure to become a Christmas favorite.
©2011 Burgess Adams Inc. (P)2011 Shadow Mountain

Review:
Most of us are familiar with Dickens story of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. Now we have the story of Scrooge’s mentor and partner, Jacob T. Marley. Of course, Marley appears as a ghost in A Christmas Carol. In this story the author shares the background that creates the character of Marley. He develops the history of Marley meeting and becoming partners with Scrooge. And he presents Marley as a ghost/spirit seeking to help Scrooge before it's too late.

I wasn’t quite sure on this but I really enjoyed it. The style is consistent with Dickens, including issues of the human condition, so it carries along well from Scrooge’s story. Themes of remorse and redemption are well presented. I recommend this to those who enjoy the original classic.

Audio Notes: This was superbly narrated by the veteran narrator, Simon Vance. His expert voicing and narration adds extra richness to the story. This is wonderful listening entertainment and a real bargain at the deal price!

Source: 2017 Audible Daily Deal $1.95. This qualifies for 2018TBR and Audiobook Challenge.

Audible Book Review: We'll Always Have Christmas by Jenny Hale

This is a mostly charming, Hallmark style Christmas romance.

We'll Always Have Christmas
By: Jenny Hale
Narrated by: Helene Maksoud

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 09-29-17
Language: English
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Holiday Romance, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0, Story, Narration and Overall.

Publisher's Summary
An enchanting story about the magic of Christmas, the importance of family, and the joy of falling in love during the most romantic season of the year....
Christmas has always been a special time for Noelle Parker. Winter evenings spent with family and friends, drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies at her family's cozy bakery have shaped her love for all things festive. But this year everything is changing....
The beloved bakery is facing closure and Noelle needs a miracle to save Christmas.
Determined to raise funds for the family business, Noelle sets about revamping the bakery while juggling a surprise new job, caring for the elderly and cantankerous William Harrington in his luxurious, sprawling mansion.
As Noelle melts the frostiness of the house with cake baking, snowball fights and glittering decorations, she helps William to reconnect with a romance that has spanned decades and unexpectedly finds herself falling for his grandson - the gorgeous but mysterious Alexander Harrington...
In the countdown to Christmas, can Noelle save the bakery, reunite a family and create some magical memories of her own along the way?
Unwrap the feeling of Christmas in this beautiful novel celebrating friendship, family and love that lasts a lifetime. We'll Always Have Christmas is the perfect treat for fans of Karen Swan, Susan Mallery, and Sue Moorcroft.
©2017 Jenny Hale (P)2017 Bookouture

Review:
Noelle has come home with her young son, Lucas, after being laid off from her city job. She is ready to take over the family bakery, Hope and Sugar Bakery, as she promised her beloved grandmother. Unfortunately, Noelle is told by her family that the bakery is in financial difficulty and they can’t even give her a paying position.

Instead, she takes a job to help as a caregiver to a wealthy man who is losing his sight. The senior Mr. Harrington, William, isn’t initially thrilled that his handsome grandson, Alexander, has hired Noelle. Noelle’s family isn’t happy about the job either as they are claiming that Alexander Harrington, as the store landlord, has raised the building rent and has plans to move in a newer business.

Noelle and Lucas move into a suite in the huge mansion. Alexander is kind to Lucas, remembering how important it was for him as a young boy to have someone pay attention. He and Noelle develop a friendship too but they are both reluctant to allow feelings to grow. Alex is planning to move to New York to pursue his business. Noelle is focused on protecting herself and her son while struggling to save the bakery. Alex is estranged from his cantankerous grandfather, William Harrington, and Noelle wants to find a way to bring them together before Christmas.

Of course, the plot is a perfect situation in the style of a Hallmark Christmas romance. Sadly, Noelle’s character made me a bit nuts. She jumps to conclusions without getting facts and then she rushes off with inaccurate assumptions. Alex is a lovely character with more depth than expected. And of course, Lucas and William add more cuteness and conflict.

The writing is easy, almost simplistic. The romance is sweet but I felt it had a strange combination of forced and rushed. Through my frustration, I still enjoyed the light entertainment and overall story. I recommend this to fans of Hallmark Christmas style romance.

Audio Notes: Helene Maksoud did a nice job with the narration. She shares the feel of the story: melancholy, frustrated, nostalgic and sometimes wondrous. I am glad that I listened to the story.

Source: September 2017 Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2018 TBR and Audiobook Challenge.

Sunday Post December 9, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 10, 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.

The people working on my office are making plans to remove the bricks from the roof so they can tarp it. Hopefully that will get done this week and we can move on to drying out the inside.
I got hubby to join me a little while this week for some decluttering! Yay.

My listening was good but reading was still slow this week. I finished two audio books and one ebook. I posted four reviews and my usual memes.

I only got to visit 20 blogs again last week.
Shout Out this week to Go Beyond Book Club, which shares great holiday reading ideas... and more.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post December 2, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 3, 2018.

• eTBR- Book Review: Christmas at Draycott Abbey (Draycott Abbey Romance) by Christina Skye; Ghost, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

• NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Somewhere The Bells Ring (Somewhere in Time Book 3) by Beth Trissel; Ghosts, Holidays, Paranormal, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• A2018- Audio Book Review: Elite by Mercedes Lackey; Fantasy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Narration.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 7, 2018.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Cartwright Cavaliers, The Revelations Cycle Series, Book 1, by Mark Wandrey;; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Narration.

• MBS November 2018 Reading List Wrap Up.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 9, 2018.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Jacob T. Marley
By: R. William Bennett
Narrated by: Simon Vance
Length: 4 hrs and 13 mins
I really liked this - it is a bit of a surprise.
Source: 2017 Audible Daily Deal $1.95.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (A2018)

Villains Rule
The Shadow Master, Book 1
By: M. K. Gibson
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
This is a fun listen (with warnings for language).
Source: Audible Credit Purchase November 2018.
Publisher's Summary
Hi, how are you?
Yes, I am talking to you, the reader of this book's description. It's rude not to answer a person when they ask you a question. Okay, I get it, fourth-wall breaking is overdone. Get over it. This book, Villains Rule, is a fantasy action-comedy which you have to hear. Not because it redefines the genre, far from it. But rather for what it contains. A villain's tale.
How often do you get to listen to a story where the villain is the protagonist? No, not an anti-hero, or a brooding monster, nor a hero thinly disguised as a villain. And not evil. If you want evil, take that nonsense to therapy. No, I mean a villain's villain. The ones who use their power because they can, while morality is only a philosopher's complex.
This is the story of Jackson Blackwell, the Shadow Master and the top villain adviser. Sadly, even the top villain occasionally gets double-crossed. Trapped in one of the fantasy realms, Jackson has to use his skill and wits to exploit the rules, points out the genre flaws, undermine godly authority, and win the day.
Because that is what villains should do, shouldn't they? Listen to this book, have a few laughs, and find out.
©2017 Michael Gibson (P)2017 Michael Gibson

3. eBook/Kindle and Smartphone (NG2018)

Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff
by Dana K. White
I enjoyed this and have started 
slowy implementing the rules.
Source: NetGalley 2018.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (A2018)

All Systems Red
By: Martha Wells
Narrated by: Kevin R. Free
Series: Murderbot Diaries, Book 1
This is a short audio that is engaging.
Source: Audible 4/20 Daily Deal Purchase $1.95.
Publisher's Summary
All Systems Red is the tense first science fiction adventure novella in Martha Wells' series The Murderbot Diaries. For fans of Westworld, Ex Machina, Ann Leckie's Imperial Raadch series, or Iain M. Banks' Culture novels.
All Systems Red tackles questions of the ethics of sentient robotics. The main character is a deadly security droid that has bucked its restrictive programming and is balanced between contemplative self-discovery and an idle instinct to kill all humans.
In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety.
But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn't a primary concern.
On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied 'droid - a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as "Murderbot."
Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is. But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.
©2017 Martha Wells (P)2017 Recorded Books

2. eBook/Kindle and Smartphone (NG2018)

A Chance at Christmas
by Beppie Harrison
I am a third in this and like the characters.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle and Smartphone (NG2018)

Someone to Trust (A Westcott Novel Book 5)
by Mary Balogh
I started this on the phone. I'm enjoying Balogh's usual sweet romance development.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
During a rare white Christmas at Brambledean Court, the widow Elizabeth, Lady Overfield, defies convention by falling in love with a younger man in the latest novel in the Westcott series.
After her husband's passing, Elizabeth Overfield decides that she must enter into another suitable marriage. That, however, is the last thing on her mind when she meets Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, at the Westcott Christmas house party. She simply enjoys his company as they listen to carolers on Christmas Eve, walk home from church together on Christmas morning, and engage in a spirited snowball fight in the afternoon. Both are surprised when their sled topples them into a snowbank and they end up sharing an unexpected kiss. They know there is no question of any relationship between them, for she is nine years older than he.
They return to London the following Season, both committed to finding other, more suitable matches. Still they agree to share one waltz at each ball they attend. This innocuous agreement proves to be one that will topple their worlds, as each dance steadily ensnares them in a romance that forces the two to question what they are willing to sacrifice for love. . . .

December 9, 2018 - I am up to date and enjoying the One Year Bible plan reading through You Version App. Although I am on track on my smartphone I haven' t been steady for each morning and find myself finishing the reading at the end of the day instead of beginning. I need to get back to starting my day with scripture.
I am up to date on the additional reading plan started 11/12: Names of God, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
[You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed three books and posted four reviews. That makes some headway so I have only 4 reviews to post now.
I am slowly adding these reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. I still have older ones to catch up on too.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 8. I'll read at least two more before adding more near the end of the month. 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 didn't add any review titles.
I picked up one Audible Daily Deal and one free Audible Original. I also selected two titles with one credit at Audiobooks.com.
I didn't pick up any Kindle paid titles.
I only picked up 12 free kindle titles again. (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

12/9/2018
Audible Daily Deal $2.95
I Will Find You
Solving Killer Cases from My Life Fighting Crime
By: Joe Kenda
Narrated by: Joe Kenda
Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
This sounds interesting.

I used my Audiobook.com Credit to pick up two titles:

Bring Me Home for Christmas
by Robyn Carr
Narrated By: Therese Plummer
Duration: 7 hours 34 minutes



Tis the Season: Under the Christmas Tree/Midnight Confessions
by Robyn Carr
Narrated By: Therese Plummer
Duration: 6 hours 21 minutes
These two should make nice Christmas season listening!

Free

Zero G
By: Dan Wells
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller, Margaret Ying Drake, Josh Hurley, Eddy Lee, Jennifer Van Dyck, Allyson Johnson, David Shih
Length: 4 hrs and 8 mins
This was an easy pick as it looks like fun.

I only added 12 free titles to my Kindle library over the past week - little spare time before crashing to sleep. 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 December 9, 2018

We shared prayer in Sunday School then our teacher shared on 1 Corinthians 6:17-20 with a lesson titled “Being Legal Doesn’t Make it Right”.

Pastor started his Christmas series, Celebrate Christmas. He noted that Christmas is a time for “Wonder”. Wonder is defined as ‘a feeling of surprise or admiration’. The gift of the savior as a baby is a wondrous event but sometimes we get wrapped up in the holiday preparations and forget the reason for the season: Jesus. We need to be careful that we don't minimize Christ in Christmas; that we don't take the Christ story for granted. Each year we should take the time to rediscover the importance of the holiday.

Jesus cannot be moderately important in our life. How can we celebrate the day without engaging the ONE who made the day?

Matthew 1:23 tells us that the son is to be called “Immanuel”, God WITH us!

Point: Christmas is the annual announcement that God desires to be with you. Will you be with Him?

There were wonderful events leading up to the birth: Elizabeth became pregnant; Zechariah was struck silent; Mary became pregnant; the Inn was full; angels appeared to the shepherds.
Luke 2:8-13 tell how the angels appeared to the shepherds. Not just a few angels, but ‘the armies of heaven’. It is not hard to imagine why they were terrified. But really, it was an occasion of wonder.

God Himself wrapped in flesh became human to bridge the gap for mankind. John 1:1-5, 10-14 became human. Emmanuel - God with us.

Week 2 of Advent we celebrate the Hope of the promised savior.

There are so many good songs. This is the one I chose for today.

Verses for Today
Luke 2:13-14(NLT)
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Thank you, My Lord, for being the Light of the World and coming to be God WITH us.

MBS November 2018 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2018 Reading List - NOVEMBER

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

Favorite for November:
No five stars but I had four 4.5 star titles:
For Us Humans, Hunter, Kill Shot, and Christmas at Draycott Abbey

1. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: For Us Humans by Steve Rzasa; Aliens, Christian, Futuristic, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
2. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Hunter by Mercedes Lackey; Fantasy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Narration.
3. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Light’s Dawn: A Novella (Light in the Darkness) by Yvette Bostic; Alternate History, Fantasy; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
4. A2018- Audible Book Review: Eleventh Grave in Moonlight by Darynda Jones; Fantasy, Ghosts, Private Investigatore; My Rating: Overall: 4.25; Story 4.0; Narration 4.75.
5. A2018- Audio Book Review: Elite by Mercedes Lackey; Fantasy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Narration.
6. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Cartwright Cavaliers, The Revelations Cycle Series, Book 1, by Mark Wandrey; Adventure, Aliens, Military Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Narration.
7. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Kill Shot by Susan Sleeman;- Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
8. A2018- Audible Book Review: 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life by Cami Walker, Tavia Gilbert (Narrator); Inspirational, Memoir, Multiple Sclerosis; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0. 
9. eTBR- Book Review: Christmas at Draycott Abbey (Draycott Abbey Romance) by Christina Skye; Ghost, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
10. A2018- Goodreads Audible Book Review: An Uncommon Protector (Lone Star Hero, #2) by Shelley Shepard Gray, Nan Gurley (Narrator); Historical Romance, Sweet; My Rating: Overall 4.25; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25. 
11. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Somewhere The Bells Ring (Somewhere in Time Book 3) by Beth Trissel; Ghosts, Holidays, Paranormal, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
12. ATBR- Goodreads Audible Book Review: Zoe's Tale (Old Man's War, #4) by John Scalzi; Tavia Gilbert (Narrator); Colonization, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

I only read/listened to 12 this month. I was hoping to read more eBook TBRs but that didn't happen.
At the end of November I completed my 2018 Goodreads Challenge with 161 books read!

November Total read = 12; TBR = 4; New Authors = 5

Audio/Audible = 7 (3 TBRs)
eBook = 1 (1 TBRs)
NetGalley = 4 (0 TBRs)
Print = 0 (0 TBR)