Friday Pick will be delayed today.
I spent four hours yesterday afternoon clearing books, boxes and furniture at my office so they can tear out carpet as they begin working on repairs.
I did over 10,000 steps - which is more than double my usual. I headed home and forgot to got by my temporary office to pick up my computer. The home computer isn't working so I borrowed hubby's to post this.
I will put the post up later Friday. Meanwhile, have a good day; stay warm and safe through the storms.
Friday, January 11, 2019
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
#NetGalley Book Review: Owl Love You by Matthew Heroux, Wednesday Kirwan Illustrations
This is terribly sweet.
Review:
Baby owl’s day starts at sun set while human children are going to bed. Mama owl takes baby out to show him the nighttime forest full of other creatures. Baby owl asks natural questions to which mama owl provides loving answers. The story is written in light, gentle rhyming which is pleasant to read. The illustrations are skilled and charming. This would make a lovely book to read to children as a bed time story or anytime during the day.
Owl Love You
by Matthew Heroux, Wednesday Kirwan (Illustrations)
Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Cameron (October 9, 2018)
ASIN: 1944903356
Genre: Birds, Children, Family
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
The sun is setting, time to rise! At dusk, when an owl’s day is just beginning, a baby owl asks questions and a mama owl offers comforting answers in this gentle, reverse bedtime book, featuring lulling, lyrical text and luminous illustrations of the nighttime world.
by Matthew Heroux, Wednesday Kirwan (Illustrations)
Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Cameron (October 9, 2018)
ASIN: 1944903356
Genre: Birds, Children, Family
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
The sun is setting, time to rise! At dusk, when an owl’s day is just beginning, a baby owl asks questions and a mama owl offers comforting answers in this gentle, reverse bedtime book, featuring lulling, lyrical text and luminous illustrations of the nighttime world.
Review:
Baby owl’s day starts at sun set while human children are going to bed. Mama owl takes baby out to show him the nighttime forest full of other creatures. Baby owl asks natural questions to which mama owl provides loving answers. The story is written in light, gentle rhyming which is pleasant to read. The illustrations are skilled and charming. This would make a lovely book to read to children as a bed time story or anytime during the day.
Quote:
"Hoo'll catch me when I flutter and fall?"
"Owl catch you, my dear, tail feathers and all."
Source: 2018 NetGalley. This qualified for 2018 NetGalley Challenge.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
#NetGalley Book Review: The Cat in the Christmas Tree: A Magical Tail by Peter Scottsdale
This is a sweet “tail” with a message on behavior.
The Cat in the Christmas Tree: A Magical Tail
by Peter Scottsdale
File Size: 2211 KB
Print Length: 26 pages
Publisher: Coffey Publishing (November 2, 2018)
ASIN: B07J34XPNT
Genre: Cats, Children
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
From Bestselling Author Peter Scottsdale Comes His First Children's Chapter Book For Ages 8 and Up
It’s Christmas Eve and Nathan’s cat is wrecking the holidays by destroying the Christmas tree. Fed up with Shadow’s antics, Dad wants the kitty out of the house – for good! So Nathan pleads for help in hope the magic of the holidays will allow him to keep his cat. In this enchanting tale (or should it be “tail?”), does Shadow change his misbehaving ways or will he ruin Christmas? Find out!
Review:
Shadow is a young cat who needs to some training. He is tempted to play with the Christmas decorations. Of course Christmas trees with hanging ornaments and hanging tinsel are a major attraction. Shadow has had several mischievous encounters knocking the tree and breaking ornaments. Young Nathan loves his kitty but Dad is ready to remove the cat because of its bad behaviors. Nathan makes a request for magical holiday help to save his cat. What can an enchanted tree do to teach Shadow better behaviors?
This is just a sweet little story where Mr. Scottsdale uses this very short story to share a message to youngsters about how their negative, sometimes just mischievous, actions impact others. The story shows that there are choices that can be made to not hurt others or the belongings of others.
I recommend this story as a nice Christmas (or anytime of year) story that can help teach caring manners to children.
The Cat in the Christmas Tree: A Magical Tail
by Peter Scottsdale
Print Length: 26 pages
Publisher: Coffey Publishing (November 2, 2018)
ASIN: B07J34XPNT
Genre: Cats, Children
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
From Bestselling Author Peter Scottsdale Comes His First Children's Chapter Book For Ages 8 and Up
It’s Christmas Eve and Nathan’s cat is wrecking the holidays by destroying the Christmas tree. Fed up with Shadow’s antics, Dad wants the kitty out of the house – for good! So Nathan pleads for help in hope the magic of the holidays will allow him to keep his cat. In this enchanting tale (or should it be “tail?”), does Shadow change his misbehaving ways or will he ruin Christmas? Find out!
Review:
Shadow is a young cat who needs to some training. He is tempted to play with the Christmas decorations. Of course Christmas trees with hanging ornaments and hanging tinsel are a major attraction. Shadow has had several mischievous encounters knocking the tree and breaking ornaments. Young Nathan loves his kitty but Dad is ready to remove the cat because of its bad behaviors. Nathan makes a request for magical holiday help to save his cat. What can an enchanted tree do to teach Shadow better behaviors?
This is just a sweet little story where Mr. Scottsdale uses this very short story to share a message to youngsters about how their negative, sometimes just mischievous, actions impact others. The story shows that there are choices that can be made to not hurt others or the belongings of others.
I recommend this story as a nice Christmas (or anytime of year) story that can help teach caring manners to children.
Source: 2018 NetGalley. This qualified for 2018 NetGalley Challenge.
2018 Book Giveaway Winners
I am so sorry I have not kept my Giveaway listing current. Below is the list of 2018 Book Giveaways and winners.
Here is a link to Friday Pick posts and a link for Sharing Beyond Books post, where winners are shown each week.
Martha's Friday Pick
Sharing Beyond Books
Giveaway Ended April 30, 2018
A2018Author- Audible Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Hunting in Bruges by E.J. Stevens; Paranormal, Urban Fantasy.
See Rafflecopter for Winner.
Giveaway Ended May 5, 2018
Review2018- Book Review and Giveaway: Dog Training the American Male by Steve Alten; Humor, Romantic Comedy.
WINNER: LINDA K
Giveaway Ended June 2, 2018
eBook Tour 2018- Book Review and Tour Giveaway: The Deadliest Sport by June Trop; Historical Fiction, Mystery.
WINNER: Rafflecopter Winner: SARA Z.
July:
The Letters (The Inn at Eagle Hill Book #1): A Novel
by Suzanne Woods Fisher
TWO WINNERS: BN100 and BECKY
August:
One Perfect Spring
by Irene Hannon
TWO WINNERS: ST. JAMES and MARY @Bookfan
Tribal Affairs by Matt Dallmann – See Rafflecopter
The Former Assassin by Nikki Stern – See Rafflecopter
September:
Mother of Pearl
by Kellie Coates Gilbert
TWO WINNERS: RITA and LINDAK
October:
The Last Colony, Old Man's War, Book 3
by John Scalzi
WINNER: KMICHELLEC87
Here is a link to Friday Pick posts and a link for Sharing Beyond Books post, where winners are shown each week.
Martha's Friday Pick
Sharing Beyond Books
Here are the 2018 Book Giveaway Winners
Giveaway Ended April 30, 2018
A2018Author- Audible Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Hunting in Bruges by E.J. Stevens; Paranormal, Urban Fantasy.
See Rafflecopter for Winner.
Giveaway Ended May 5, 2018
Review2018- Book Review and Giveaway: Dog Training the American Male by Steve Alten; Humor, Romantic Comedy.
WINNER: LINDA K
Giveaway Ended June 2, 2018
eBook Tour 2018- Book Review and Tour Giveaway: The Deadliest Sport by June Trop; Historical Fiction, Mystery.
WINNER: Rafflecopter Winner: SARA Z.
July:
The Letters (The Inn at Eagle Hill Book #1): A Novel
by Suzanne Woods Fisher
TWO WINNERS: BN100 and BECKY
August:
One Perfect Spring
by Irene Hannon
TWO WINNERS: ST. JAMES and MARY @Bookfan
Tribal Affairs by Matt Dallmann – See Rafflecopter
The Former Assassin by Nikki Stern – See Rafflecopter
September:
Mother of Pearl
by Kellie Coates Gilbert
TWO WINNERS: RITA and LINDAK
October:
The Last Colony, Old Man's War, Book 3
by John Scalzi
WINNER: KMICHELLEC87
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Sunday Post January 6, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 7, 2019
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 listening and reading was good, but a bit slower this week. I pushed a couple NetGalley on 12/31 to finish out my challenge, then things slowed down. I finished 5 books: four ebooks and one audio book. I posted three reviews on blog and two at Goodreads. I posted year end challenge and reading wrap ups as well as my usual memes.
Some of us were back in office to work but I had one staff member out sick all week. The week coming up will be our first full week of 2019 and we have several closings scheduled. I also have client appointments so we are working towards normalizing our work environment.
I spend several hours at the end of the week meeting with the insurance rep and my contractors. We hope to start the demolition this week with insulation, carpet and ceiling tile removal. That will feel like progress even though we are still a good month, maybe two, away from having architect and engineer plans for the rebuild.
I visited 25 blogs during the week.
Shout Out this week to Erica Robyn Reads. Erica is another avid book reader who has been sharing book thoughts through blog since 2016.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.
These were last week's posts:
- NG2018- #NetGalley Goodreads Book Review: When Spring Comes to the DMZ by Uk-Bae Lee; Children, Memoir; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.
- eBTBR- Book Review (First Book 2019): The Prayer of Jesus by Kevin Jackson; Christian, Spiritual Growth; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
- Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 28, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/10/2019.
- NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: A Book Without Dragons by Olivia Berrier; Dystopian, Fantasy, Mystery; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
- NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Blind Betrayal by Nancy Mehl; Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.5 Of 5.0.
- eBTBR- Goodreads Book Review: Xoe: or Vampires, and Werewolves, and Demons, Oh My! (Xoe Meyers, #1) by Sara C. Roethle; Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 3.0 of 5.0.
Finished Reading:
1. ADE/PC (NG2018)
When Spring Comes to the DMZ
by Uk-Bae Lee (Author, Illustrator)
This is surprisingly beautiful.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
My Review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.
2. ADE/PC (NG2018)
Owl Love You
by Matthew Heroux, Wednesday Kirwan (Illustrations)
This is terribly sweet.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
The sun is setting, time to rise! At dusk, when an owl’s day is just beginning, a baby owl asks questions and a mama owl offers comforting answers in this gentle, reverse bedtime book, featuring lulling, lyrical text and luminous illustrations of the nighttime world.
Owl Love You
by Matthew Heroux, Wednesday Kirwan (Illustrations)
This is terribly sweet.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
The sun is setting, time to rise! At dusk, when an owl’s day is just beginning, a baby owl asks questions and a mama owl offers comforting answers in this gentle, reverse bedtime book, featuring lulling, lyrical text and luminous illustrations of the nighttime world.
3. eBook/Kindle (NG2018)
Fury: An Urban Fantasy & Mystery (The Fae Awakening Book 1)
by Will O'Shire
This is a decent, quick fantasy.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.
4. eBook/Kindle (eBTBR)
The Prayer of Jesus
by Kevin Jackson
I liked this as my First Book of 2019.
Source: 2014 Kindle TBR.
My Review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.
The Prayer of Jesus
by Kevin Jackson
I liked this as my First Book of 2019.
Source: 2014 Kindle TBR.
My Review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.
5. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)
The More of Less
By: Joshua Becker
Narrated by: Joshua Becker
Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
This expanded on my decluttering mood.
Source: January 2017 Audible Daily Deal $2.95
Click on book title for full description.
Currently Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (A2018)
The Name of the Wind
(Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1)
By: Patrick Rothfuss
Narrated by: Nick Podehl
Series: Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1
Length: 27 hrs and 55 mins
I've been eyeing this title for a while and
decided to start it with the new year even though it is long.
I am liking the world building at 3+ hours in.
Source: 2012 Audible.
DAY ONE: THE NAME OF THE WIND
My name is Kvothe.
I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.
You may have heard of me.
So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature - the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man’s search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.
©2009 DAW Trade (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.
The Name of the Wind
(Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1)
By: Patrick Rothfuss
Narrated by: Nick Podehl
Series: Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1
Length: 27 hrs and 55 mins
I've been eyeing this title for a while and
decided to start it with the new year even though it is long.
I am liking the world building at 3+ hours in.
Source: 2012 Audible.
DAY ONE: THE NAME OF THE WIND
My name is Kvothe.
I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.
You may have heard of me.
So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature - the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man’s search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.
©2009 DAW Trade (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.
2. eBook/Kindle (NG2018)
Talon of Scorpio: A Novel of the Shadowstorm
by G. T. Almasi
I enjoyed the prior books in this series and this is another action packed volume.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
Superagent Alix Nico returns in a new Shadowstorm thriller from the author of Blades of Winter, which was hailed as “a hell-bent-for-leather mash-up of spy novel and science fiction” by Jason Bourne novelist Eric Van Lustbader.
Alix Nico, code-named Scarlet, is a one-woman demolition derby. As a top American Level, she’s a cybernetically and biologically enhanced operative fighting a Cold War among the forces of freedom, a Soviet Union that never fell, a China hungry for power, and a Germany that emerged from World War II more powerful than ever.
There’s a mole within ExOps, the covert agency responsible for the security of the United States, who has been working to decapitate the organization’s leadership. And when treason strikes, Scarlet and her partner, Darwin, find themselves matched against a rogue Level known as Talon, a merciless killing machine whose augmentations place her in a league of her own. But behind Talon lurks the real enemy, a traitor whose thirst for control threatens to upset the fragile balance of mutually assured destruction that has kept the four Great Powers from breaking into open warfare—until now.
3. eBook/Kindle (NG2018)
Summoned to Thirteenth Grave: A Novel (Charley Davidson Series Book 13)
by Darynda Jones
Release date Jan 15, 2019
I am interested to see how the series ends.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the final installment of Darynda Jones’ New York Times bestselling paranormal series--Summoned to Thirteenth Grave.
Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper extraordinaire, is pissed. She’s been kicked off the earthly plane for eternity –which is exactly the amount of time it takes to make a person stark, raving mad. But someone’s looking out for her, and she’s allowed to return after a mere hundred years in exile. Is it too much to hope for that not much has changed? Apparently it is. Bummer.
She’s missed her daughter. She’s missed Reyes. She’s missed Cookie and Garrett and Uncle Bob. But now that she’s back on earth, it’s time to put to rest burning questions that need answers. What happened to her mother? How did she really die? Who killed her? And are cupcakes or coffee the best medicine for a broken heart? It all comes to a head in an epic showdown between good and evil in this final smart and hilarious novel.
Summoned to Thirteenth Grave: A Novel (Charley Davidson Series Book 13)
by Darynda Jones
Release date Jan 15, 2019
I am interested to see how the series ends.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the final installment of Darynda Jones’ New York Times bestselling paranormal series--Summoned to Thirteenth Grave.
Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper extraordinaire, is pissed. She’s been kicked off the earthly plane for eternity –which is exactly the amount of time it takes to make a person stark, raving mad. But someone’s looking out for her, and she’s allowed to return after a mere hundred years in exile. Is it too much to hope for that not much has changed? Apparently it is. Bummer.
She’s missed her daughter. She’s missed Reyes. She’s missed Cookie and Garrett and Uncle Bob. But now that she’s back on earth, it’s time to put to rest burning questions that need answers. What happened to her mother? How did she really die? Who killed her? And are cupcakes or coffee the best medicine for a broken heart? It all comes to a head in an epic showdown between good and evil in this final smart and hilarious novel.
January 6, 2019 - I have started again with the One Year Bible plan reading through You Version App.
I enjoyed a 5 day reading plan this week: Pray Effectively.
I am looking for other shorter reading plans too.
[You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]
I completed five books and posted five reviews. That still leaves 5 reviews to post.
I am slowly adding reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. I still have older ones to catch up on.
I added more NetGalley titles, some to try to meet my 2018 Challenge and some for 2019. My shelf is currently at 10 unread. 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.
I added four book titles from NetGalley; (two more to be downloaded and listed next week).
I picked up one Audible daily deal and one free with Kindle Unlimited.
I purchased one Kindle paid title.
I only picked up 10 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
These are four titles I picked up at NetGalley:
Never Let Go (Uncommon Justice Book #1)by Elizabeth Goddard
Release date 2/5/2019
"In this fast-paced and emotional page-turner, bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard keeps the stakes high, the romantic tension sparking, and the outcome uncertain until the very end."
by Matthew Heroux, Wednesday Kirwan (Illustrations)
See above under finished reading for book description.
Quinn's Promise RockNo Matter Where, God Is Always There
by Christie Thomas
Release date 2/5/2019
"Help Your Child Grab Hold of God's Promises"
A Bookmobile Mystery
by Nora Page
Release date May 7, 2019.
"Death, deadly omens, and a decades-overdue book put senior librarian Cleo Watkins on a collision course with a killer in the second Bookmobile mystery."
Release date May 7, 2019.
"Death, deadly omens, and a decades-overdue book put senior librarian Cleo Watkins on a collision course with a killer in the second Bookmobile mystery."
Won
NONE
Purchased
I purchased one Kindle Book with part of Gift Card I received for Christmas:I have been eyeing this title since I saw it at Puss Reboots.
Upside-Down Magic (Upside-Down Magic #1)
Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, Emily Jenkins
I purchased one Daily Deal title:
1/4/2019 Daily Deal $1.95
The House with a Clock in Its WallsBy: John Bellairs
Narrated by: George Guidall
Length: 4 hrs and 33 mins
Release date: 02-14-18
Free
1/3/19 Free with Kindle Unlimited copy.
Mirror GateThe Harbinger Series, Book 2
By: Jeff Wheeler
Narrated by: Kate Rudd
Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
Release date: 08-28-18
I only added 10 free titles to my Kindle library over the past week. I didn't spend much time adding free books again 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.
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