Merry Christmas 2018

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

There are so many wonderful Christmas songs but this one popped out at me.

We have had a year of challenges that have only made us stand firm in our faith.
This is a time to stop and remember the most important things I need to share.
I am praying that my family and friends Remember that Jesus is the Reason for Season and have a VERY BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Eve 2018 - O Come, O Come Emmanuel

REJOICE!

Sunday Post December 23, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 24, 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.

We were able to get two closings done on Friday but I have one, maybe two that we will go in for after Christmas. I am thankful for the work.

I learned that the Contractor had only tarped the hole and not the entire roof as quoted. When it rained Thursday we still had rain coming in. They came back Friday and have now tarped the whole roof. I will find out next week if it holds against the rain. Meanwhile I am getting a second quote for the dry-out as the first one was out of line.

Hubby did a little labor he shouldn't have this week. We have a water leak under the house but it is a mystery as it doesn't stop when the water is turned off. A plumber also said it isn't impacting the pump pressure. We hope to figure it out this week.

I have local family gifts to wrap tonight and tomorrow.

My listening and reading was good this week. I finished two audio books and two ebooks. I posted four reviews on blog; one at Goodreads. And I posted my usual memes.

I only visited 19 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Dream Come Review. Alana is another avid reader, a "fledgling writer".
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post December 16, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 17, 2018.

• NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff by Dana K. White; Cleaning, Hoarding, How To; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: All Systems Red by Martha Wells; AI, Sci Fi, Short Story; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall, 4.5 Story and 5.0 Narration.

• NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: A Chance at Christmas by Beppie Harrison; Christmas, Historical Romance, Holiday Romance, Regency; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 21, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/20/2018.

• ATBR- Goodreads Audio Book Review: Gather ‘Round the Sound: Holiday Stories from Beloved Authors and Great Performers Across the Globe; Christmas; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall, 4.25 Story and 5.0 Narration.

• NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Someone to Trust by Mary Balogh; Historical Romance, Holiday, Regency; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 23, 2018.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Gather ‘Round the Sound: Holiday Stories from Beloved Authors and Great Performers Across the Globe
by Paulo Coelho (Goodreads Author),
Yvonne Morrison (Goodreads Author)
, Charles Dickens
, Angèle Masters (Narrator)
, Daniel Frances Berenson (Narrator)
, Magda Szubanski (Narrator)
, Simon Callow (Narrator)
, Dan Starkey (Narrator)
, John Banks (Narrator), Vern (Narrator)
I listened to this last week but forgot to include it in Finished Reading. My review at Goodreads is linked above.

2. eBook/Kindle and Smartphone (NG2018)

Someone to Trust (A Westcott Novel Book 5)
by Mary Balogh
This is an interesting historical where the female character is older than the male.
My Review is linked above.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio CD in Car (ATBR)

'Tis the Season (Main Street #3)
by Ann M. Martin
Read by Ariadne Meyers
This is a sweet MG story.
Source: Purchased used at Library Book Sale.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Autobiography of Santa Claus
By: Jeff Guinn
Narrated by: John H. Mayer
Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
This is an interesting history of Santa.
Source: Audible 12/24/17 Daily Deal Purchase $2.95.
Click on book title for full description.

5. eBook/Kindle and Smartphone (NG2018)

Patience for Christmas: A Holiday Novella
by Grace Burrowes
This is a delight.
Source: NetGalley 2018.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. ADE/PC (NG2018)

101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily:
Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for You and your Hen
by Lisa Steele
Since we have added our henhouse this year I thought this would be a good book to read.
Source: NetGalley 2018.
Spoil your chickens and beautify your coop with 101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily.
Join Lisa Steele, chicken-keeper extraordinaire and founder of Fresh Eggs Daily, on a behind-the-coop tour like you've never seen. Lisa has spent years figuring out the best ways to keep chickens healthy, the natural way, and she's collected more than just your average tips.
101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily includes simple ideas for re-using and upcycling old items, as well as detailed information on using natural ingredients to enhance and improve your chickens' lives without breaking the bank.
This guide includes these handy ideas and much more:
Feeding: Try homemade scratch, growing fodder, or frozen treats
The Run: Make a chicken swing or DIY scarecrow
Chicken Health: Find ideas for boredom busters, homemade salves, and herbal teas
The Coop: Keep it clean with a natural coop cleaner and make your own coop curtains
The Garden: Build an herb drying rack or brew a batch of chicken poop “tea”
So what are you waiting for? Make your chickens the happiest birds on the block!

2. Audible/Smartphone (A2018)

The Trouble with Twelfth Grave
A Novel
By: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
I know I picked this up at NetGalley but it will be quicker to listen.
Source(s) NetGalley 2018 and Audible Sale Purchase November 2018.
Publisher's Summary
Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the 12th installment of Darynda Jones' New York Times best-selling paranormal series, The Trouble with Twelfth Grave.
Ever since Reyes Farrow escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley Davidson accidentally trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that's not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings - some corporeal, some not so much - as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she's not uncovering a murder. This time she's covering one up.
Add to that her new occupation of keeping a start-up PI venture - the indomitable mystery-solving team of Amber Kowalski and Quentin Rutherford - out of trouble and dealing with the Vatican's inquiries into her beloved daughter, and Charley is on the brink of throwing in the towel and becoming a professional shopper. Or possibly a live mannequin. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it's time to let loose her razor-sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she's loved for centuries. So the question becomes: Can she tame the unruly beast before it destroys everything she's worked so hard to protect?
©2017 Darynda Jones (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

3. eBook/Kindle and Smartphone (NG2018)

Slay Bells: A Christmas Village Mystery
by T.C. Wescott
I saw this at a couple other Mailbox Monday posts (Carol's Notebook and another).
I thought it looked so cute - I didn't resist.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
“If there is a list of perfect books for Christmas, then I am pretty sure Slay Bells is on that list.” – GOODREADS review
‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the village, the night settled in over swirling-smoke chimneys.
The air was alive with pine and with holly, with sugar and cinnamon and cider, by golly!
Along snowy lanes and through shadows it crept, past windows behind which each villager slept,
Where sleeping dogs lie and cats rest a’purring—
Tonight, in Christmas Village, a killer is stirring.
Nestled betwixt an opulent garden with meandering footpaths and an ancient grove of plum trees, Plum Cottage Inn is plum-full with lodgers in for the Christmas Festival. There are no vacancies...until one by one the lodgers start dying in inexplicable ways.
Short as a stump, round as a wheel, sweet as a candy cane, and a sharp as a whip, Maribel Claus loves a good puzzle. Can Mrs. Claus solve the mystery and save Christmas?
If you enjoy the classic Golden Age small village and English country house mysteries as well as lighthearted cozies of our present day, you will fall in love with the Christmas Village Mysteries. And your love affair starts right here with Slay Bells.
Slay Bells includes diagrams of the murder scenes and a one-of-a-kind BOOK GROUP CHALLENGE.

4. Audible/Smartphone (A2018)

Storm Glass
(Harbinger, Book 1)
By: Jeff Wheeler
Narrated by: Kate Rudd
Series: The Harbinger Series, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
This was in my Wish List and somehow my Hubby got it for free this weekend. He started listening so I will read it too.
Source: Audible Free title 2018.
Publisher's Summary
From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain Series comes the first novel in a bold and richly imagined world.
Theirs is a world of opposites. The privileged live in sky manors held aloft by a secretive magic known only as the Mysteries. Below, the earthbound poor are forced into factory work to maintain the engine of commerce. Only the wealthy can afford to learn the Mysteries, and they use their knowledge to further lock their hold on society.
Cettie Pratt is a waif doomed to the world below, until an admiral attempts to adopt her. But in her new home in the clouds, not everyone treats her as one of the family.
Sera Fitzempress is a princess born into power. She yearns to meet the orphan girl she has heard so much about, but her father deems the girl unworthy of his daughter’s curiosity.
Neither girl feels that she belongs. Each seeks to break free of imposed rules. Now, as Cettie dreams of living above and as Sera is drawn to the world below, they will follow the paths of their own choosing.
But both girls will be needed for the coming storm that threatens to overturn both their worlds.
©2018 Jeff Wheeler (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

December 23, 2018 - I am up to date and enjoying the One Year Bible plan reading through You Version App. I am doubling now because I need an extra five days as I started five days into the year.
I am really enjoying the 10 day reading plan for Christmas: Our Daily Bread Christmas: Gift of Grace.
[You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed five books (one from last week) and posted five reviews. That leaves 3 current reviews to post.
I am slowly adding reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. I still have older ones to catch up on too.
I am working on three more NetGalley titles which will reduce my shelf to 6. I have 2 additional on request and will pick up more before the year is over.  I now have four author titles 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 added two book titles from one author.
I picked up one Audible daily deal.
I didn't pick up any Kindle paid titles.
I only picked up 2 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

Author Review titles to read in January and February:

Vigilante Assassin: An Action Thriller (Jake Wolfe Book 2)
by Mark Nolan

and

Killer Lawyer (Jake Wolfe Book 3)
by Mark Nolan

I enjoyed book one of the series and reviewed it at this link: Dead Lawyers Don't Lie.

Won

I won a book through an iRead Book Tours giveaway. Thank you Laura at iRead.
Lullaby Road
by James Anderson
"Winter has come to Route 117, a remote road through the high desert of Utah trafficked only by eccentrics, fugitives, and those looking to escape the world."
This suspense thriller sounds interesting.

Purchased

I purchased only one Daily Deal 12/23/18 $3.95.
Heaven Adjacent
By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Narrated by: Laural Merlington
Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins
Release date: 06-19-18
"a bittersweet novel about healing old wounds and finding a new place to call home…"

Free

My Hubby picked up a free Audible which added to our family library:
Storm Glass
(Harbinger, Book 1)
By: Jeff Wheeler
Narrated by: Kate Rudd


I still have one more Audible Original which I will pick this week with my two December Audible Credits.

I only added 10 free titles to my Kindle library over the past week. Only a little side time adding free books 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 December 23, 2018

This morning was a wonderful visit at Church. Sunday School lesson was titled “When the Time Was Right” based on the Christmas story, Galatians 4:4, Luke 1:20 and Ephesians 1:3-10.

We worshiped with Christmas praise songs and hymns. Our Pastor shared the Christmas Story, from Luke 1 and 2 and Matthew 1 and 2, allowing the younger children to fill in names and places. Pastor then shared his Celebrate message on Peace. He referred to the wonderful Christmas hymn “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” which begins:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."

The important phrase he noted is that peace comes through ‘God and sinners reconciled’.
People are drawn to celebrate Christmas. Believers know that draw is due to Jesus who is the promise of the coming of Peace. But if peace was intended for the whole earth, why hasn't peace caught on yet? Before peace can come to the whole world, there must be personal peace – the sinner reconciled with God.

Point: Jesus gives each of us the opportunity for perfect peace. Jesus was born to offer peace to you and me.

Isaiah 26:3 talks about the future where God gives perfect peace.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

This is a long-time peace, not a fleeting moment of peace.

We yearn for peace. We are all under power of sin (Romans 3:9-10) “and the way of peace they do not know” v17. God draws us in for repair process. Jesus was God born on earth to save everyone from their sin though His death.

The promise of the birth (and death) is the greatest news. Peace is available to everyone. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. He has offered us an amazing friendship through His plan of salvation. We get to choose if we accept the gift or not; we can choose to be a sinner reconciled to God.

I chose this wonderful hymn since it inspired the message.

Verses for Today:
Ephesians 1:7-10
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.


I am so thankful that I believe God is in control and Jesus was born and died to give me the gift of salvation. In all things I have peace in my heart.

 

#NetGalley Book Review: Someone to Trust by Mary Balogh

This is an interesting historical where the female character is older than the male.

Someone to Trust (A Westcott Novel Book 5)
by Mary Balogh

File Size: 2448 KB
Print Length: 377 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0399586105
Publisher: Berkley (November 27, 2018)
ASIN: B07B78CVNY
Genre: Historical Romance, Holiday, Regency
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

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. . . .

Review:
Elizabeth, Lady Overfield, is an elegant widow who is surrounded by loving family for a warm, Westcott Christmas. As the family gathers to celebrate with a Christmas wedding, Elizabeth, in her mid 30s, begins to think that maybe she should remarry and have children before it is too late. Her first marriage was for love but didn’t turn out well. This time she is inclined to move forward with a suitable, reliable husband whom she can trust.

Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, has joined the Christmas festivities to be with his recently found sister, Wren, who has married into the Westcott family. Colin and Wren were separated when young and he doesn't remember having a warm family Christmas after that. Now that he sees what loving family looks like he decides that perhaps he is ready, at age 26, to start looking for a bride to start a home and family of his own.

Colin admires Lady Overfield as a serene, confident example of womanhood. They begin to build a friendship as they discuss the potentials of the young ladies at the house party. Colin challenges Elizabeth to join in the outside activities, including snowball fights and sledding. A tumble from their sled leads to a surprise kiss. They are both embarrassed, but their thoughts wander even though they think that a relationship is not likely. After they share a magical waltz during the Christmas ball, they agree to share a waltz at the balls when they are back in London for the ton season.

Spring finds them in London keeping their promise to share a waltz. Colin has made it apparent that he is bride looking so there are plenty of matrons introducing their young debutantes. Meanwhile Elizabeth is being courted by a suitor she left waiting the previous year. Although there is no spark with the man, Elizabeth is inclined to think he is stable and suitable.

Trouble steps forward in the form of Colin’s mother who wants to perpetually be viewed as a young beauty. She will only allow other young beauties around her, so she has picked out the most beautiful of the debutantes to be Colin’s wife. Lady Hodges will do whatever it takes to squelch the rumors that Colin and Elizabeth may have a developing relationship.

I quickly was pulled in by the primary characters, Elizabeth and Colin, and their teasing friendship. Ms. Balogh does a good job developing their vulnerabilities as well as their strengths. Although Elizabeth is an older woman, she is not a cougar character. I enjoyed Balogh's usual sweet romance building, but the story seemed to be drawn out unnecessarily. I think the story could have been shortened and the tension between the couple might have been stronger. I am glad the potential scandal later in the story and the conflicts with Colin’s mother pulled the interest back. I do recommend Mary Balogh’s work as she is one of my favorite Historical Romance authors.

Source: 2018 NetGalley; NetGalley Challenge.