Audible Book Review: The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn

This is nicely romantic although not my favorite by this author.

The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband
A Bridgertons Prequel
By: Julia Quinn
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Series: The Rokesbys, Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-30-17
Language: English
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Historical Romance, Romantic Comedy
My Rating: 4.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 5.0

Publisher's Summary
With her brother, Thomas, injured on the battlefront in the colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health.
But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He's unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier's life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie.
When Edward comes to, he's more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out three months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is - even if he does not recall her face - and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he'd always assumed he'd marry his neighbor back in England.
Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself - completely - to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby.
©2017 Julie Cotler Pottinger (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Review:
Cecilia just lost her (less than caring) father when she receives a military letter that her brother Thomas has been injured. Cecilia sets off across the Atlantic to the Colonies to find her brother. Instead she discovers her brother’s best friend, Edward, in hospital. In order to be allowed to take care of Edward, Cecilia impulsively declares that she is Edward’s wife.

Edward wakes up from a coma and recognizes Cecilia from a miniature that Thomas carried. But he has lost several months of his memory and doesn’t remember the circumstances leading to his marriage to Cecilia. It could be, as Cecilia explains, that Thomas asked him to take care of her and that they were married by proxy.

Cecilia was a faithful correspondent with Thomas and after a time Edward shared in those letters. The pair enjoyed sharing humor and a gentle flirtation through the letters. As Cecilia cares for Edward, their friendship grows. Edward is more than open to accepting her as his wife even as he is willing to give her a chance to prepare for consummating the marriage.

Cecilia knows she needs to tell Edward the truth. He is bound to get his memory back at some point. She just can’t seem to find the right time to speak up. Besides, she has talked herself into experience the brief chance at happiness that she might have. Of course, a day of reckoning will come and how will Edward respond to learning she not only made up the lie initially but continued it to a point of compromising his honor?

I really enjoyed the excerpts of the letters that started each chapter. This fills in the history and letter romance that germinates between the pair. I liked the caring, mostly self-assured, character of Cecilia and loved the strongly honorable character of Edward. It was clear from the title and beginning that the pretend marriage was going to create conflict when it would finally be exposed. I had to keep shaking my head as Cecilia remained silent when she could, and should, have spoken out. In addition to that frustration the author pushed my comfort level with a little too much sexual content; not utterly graphic but certainly sizzling. (As much as I do like Julia Quinn she does have a few books that are heavily sizzling, especially some of her early stand alones.) Although this might not be my favorite of the Quinn novels, I do recommend her historical romance titles to readers who enjoy the genre (especially if they like a little zing).

Audio Notes: Rosalyn Landor, as always, is excellent in the narration performance. She presents good voices that fit the personalities and she adds lovely animation to the story. I always like to listen to Landor narrating these titles on audio.

Source: December 2018 Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook, 2019Alphabet and Continuing Series goals.

Sunday Post February 17, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 18, 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.

We are all feeling better, although the coughs are lingering.

I am still working on probate and litigation files.
No new progress at the office.
Our front yard looks sad but there is a touch of color from bulbs we put in a planter in the back.

Our weather was up to 76 today. We are hoping that rain will by pass us as our backyard is almost drying out.

My reading was steady and I am enjoying the romance theme, although I need a little action too. I finished 3 books plus one February story: two audiobooks and one ebook. I posted four reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 23 blogs during the week.
Shout Out this week to Under the Covers Book Blog. This blog does cover other genres but seems to concentrate on romance.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post February 10, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 11, 2019.

• NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: The Last Woman in the Forest by Diane Les Becquets; Mystery, Psychological Thriller; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0.

• ATBR- Audiobook Review: Buried Secrets (Men of Valor Series, Book #1) by Irene Hannon; Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 15, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/7/2019.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon; Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Romance; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall.

• ebTBR- Book Review: Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan; Church Growth, Pneumatology, Theology; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 17, 2019.

Finished Reading:

1. Audiobooks/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Bird and the Sword
By: Amy Harmon
Narrated by: Trina Nishimura
Series: The Bird and the Sword Chronicles, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
This was wonderful fantasy, fairy tale romance.
My review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audiobooks/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband
A Bridgertons Prequel
By: Julia Quinn
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
Series: The Rokesbys, Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
Another historical romance for this month. 
This is nicely romantic if not my favorite by this author.
Source: December 2018 Audible Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2018)

Never Let Go (Uncommon Justice Book #1)
by Elizabeth Goddard
I enjoyed this engaging romantic suspense.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

4. eBook/Kindle (ebTBR)

January Breeze, February Embers, March Whispers
(Elderberry Croft #1)
by Becky Doughty
The February story makes a lovely valentine story.
This is for my 'Monthly' Goal reading.
Source: Kindle Free TBR 2015.

Currently Reading:

1. Audiobooks/Smartphone (ATBR)

Gracie’s Touch
By: S.E. Smith
Narrated by: David Brenin
Series: Zion Warriors, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
I was ready for some sci fi and had this sci fi romance.
Source: August 2017 Audible sale $4.95.
Publisher's Summary
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of science fiction and paranormal romance brings another action, adventure, and suspense-filled story to transport listeners out of this world. Gracie Jones was little more than a child when Earth was invaded by an alien species. Escaping into the subway tunnels of New York City, she hid in fear of being captured. Discovered by four men who became her protectors, she fought alongside them, and they became known as the Freedom Five. At 17, she made a decision that turned the tide in the war between Earth and the Alluthans, but in exchange, she gave up all that she knew. Kordon Jefe is a Zion Warrior and the commanding officer in charge of the Confederation of Planets' military. When an unknown species begins attacking some of their outer settlements, he is assigned to discover who they are and stop them - at any cost. Gracie finds herself stranded millions of light years and hundreds of years in the future in a distant galaxy on an undeveloped moon. When an old enemy threatens once more, she does not hesitate to use her knowledge to try to stop them once again. Only this time, it is not just Earth she will be saving, but the Confederation itself. When their two worlds are thrown together, Kordon is unsure what to do with the strange, delicate creature who fights and behaves unlike anyone he has ever encountered before. One thing he does know - he plans to keep her.
©2016 S.E. Smith (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2018)

An Unexpected Redemption
by Emily Hamsher
I liked the description for this medieval romance.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
Prince Lucian of Brasov has been running from his family, from God, and even from himself. When he decides to take revenge upon his elder brother by stealing away his betrothed, Lucian is taken aback by the woman in his custody. Her pure heart and unabashed kindness thwarts his every cruel intention. Lucian finds himself hoping that she might hold the answers to heal his past, even though he knows she can never be his.
Every girl dreams of marrying her prince, so when Lady Adelina receives the unexpected announcement of her betrothal to the Prince of the realm, she takes it as a clear sign of the Lords will. When she is kidnapped by a band of ruffians and taken far from her home she quickly learns that the road to love is never as it seems. Though her captor portrays himself as a ruthless man, Adelina cant help but feel compassion for him and the pain she finds lurking beneath the dark shadows of his character.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Hello Love
By: Karen McQuestion
Narrated by: Dan John Miller
Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
I am ready for a sweet romance next.
Source: November 2018 Audible Sale $4.95.
Publisher's Summary
From the bestselling author of The Long Way Home comes a charming novel about loss and the faith that restores broken lives.
A year after the death of his wife, Christine, Dan is barely holding on. But one thing gets him through the long, lonely nights and that is his cherished dog, Anni. When she is stolen from his front yard, Dan and his daughter, Lindsay, are devastated. Meanwhile in another part of town, Andrea Keller is recovering from the heartbreak of a messy divorce. After she rescues a defenseless dog from an abusive tenant, her life changes in ways she never could have anticipated.
Dan and Andrea cross paths again and again, only to keep missing each other and the opportunity of a lifetime. As Anni works to find her way home, can she bring together these two lost souls desperately in need of a second chance at happiness?
©2014 Karen McQuestion (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

February 17, 2019 - I am staying up to date with the One Year Bible plan reading through You Version App.
I am still reading a 21 day reading with others in our church: Gospel of John; What it Means to Believe.
[You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed three books (plus February story) and posted four reviews. That keeps me current with 2 reviews to post.
I continue to slowly add reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. I still have older ones to catch up on.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 10 unread from November to date plus 4 old titles (2012!) that I might get read this year. I still have four remaining 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.
No new review titles this week.
I picked up eight Audible titles (2 credits, 3 daily deals, 2 Whispersync and one free title.
I purchased the Queen and the Cure on Kindle for $.99 so I could get the audiobook at reduced price.  
I only picked up 13 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

I picked up three Audible Daily Deals:
2/11/2019 Audible Daily Deal $3.95
Norse Mythology
By: Neil Gaiman
Narrated by: Neil Gaiman
Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
Release date: 02-07-17

2/13/2019 Audible Daily Deal $3.95
The Others
By: Jeremy Robinson
Narrated by: R. C. Bray
Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 07-24-18

2/17/19 Audible Daily Deal $3.95

A Killer's Mind
Zoe Bentley Mystery
By: Mike Omer
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 08-01-18


2/16/18 I purchased four new Audible titles:
Two January Audible Credit Picks (a continuing series and a new series):
Koban: Rise of the Kobani
Koban, Volume 3
By: Stephen W. Bennett
Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer
Length: 28 hrs and 14 mins
Release date: 10-12-14

Curiouser and Curiouser: Steampunk Alice in Wonderland
Steampunk Fairy Tales
By: Melanie Karsak
Narrated by: Lesley Parkin
Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins
Release date: 09-13-17

Purchased at Kindle for $.99, then Audible at $7.99:
The Queen and the Cure
The Bird and the Sword Chronicles Series, Book 2: Booktrack Edition
By: Amy Harmon
Narrated by: Steve West
Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins
Release date: 06-12-18

I already owned the Kindle version so this one was $1.95:
Escape from Bythos
By: Phil Tucker
Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine
Length: 1 hr and 31 mins
Release date: 03-13-18

Free

2/16/2019 Free at Audible:
Little Donkey
A Short Story
By: Jodi Taylor
Narrated by: Lucy Price-Lewis
Length: 1 hr and 5 mins
Release date: 03-24-15

I only added 13 free titles to my Kindle library. 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.

Sunday Words of Encouragement February 17, 2019

This morning we began Sunday School praying for our missionary school and friends in Haiti.
The Sunday School lesson was titled Covered or Uncovered based on 1 Corinthians 11. By God’s creation man is covered by Christ, woman (and children) are covered by the man. Although this isn’t popular with feminists, it is good when the man is following Christ and loves his wife as Christ loves the church. Ephesians 5:25.

We enjoyed praise and worship then pastor started a new series titled The Bridge. The series is based on a study in Hebrews. Bible scholars aren’t certain who wrote this book. The author says his information is not based on firsthand knowledge of Jesus. The text was most likely a series of sermons given orally rather than letters. Who wrote it isn’t as important as the audience, which would be Jewish believers.

Jesus is the connection (bridge) between God and sinful man. He is the connection in time between the old law and the new testament. He is the connection between the sacrificial system and the new covenant.

Humans tend to drift, as a boat drifts while fishing unless set by an anchor or tied to a dock.
Drift means: To move passively, aimlessly; slow movement from one place to another.
Drifting occurs when we don't live purposely or intentionally.
Hebrews 1:1-4 sets forth important Truth. It is a confirmation of Jesus’ identity as the son of God and the Messiah.
Jesus is the creator of the universe.
Jesus radiates everything about who God the Father is.
Jesus redeemed the sinful world.
Jesus is far greater than the Angels; even as His name is greater (verse 4). This is expanded on in Hebrews 1:5-14.

Hebrews 2:1 begins “So” or “For this reason” or “Therefore”.... ‘Listen carefully to what we have heard, or we may drift away from the truth.’ Hebrews 2:1-4. When we drift from the truth, we drift towards lies, deception.
Point: The revelation of the truth of Jesus renders all weapons of Satan and hell powerless.

The problem is that we too often carelessly, aimlessly, and unintentionally drift away from truth into deception. We give power to be the only weapon Satan has – lies such as:
      God doesn't care, doesn't see you. (But God cared even for Hagar and Ishmael).
      God made a mistake when you were born, or in your family. (But God has a plan and a purpose just as set out in the story of Joseph, David, Jeremiah and so many others.)
      Your past prohibits you from future worth, work. (But God uses even prostitutes and murders like Rahab and Moses.)
      You are not valuable, you are unworthy, you are not needed. All of these are lies of the enemy.

When and where are you vulnerable to drifting? Identify your own weakness so you can be aware and protect against drifting.
The lie we believe:
When I feel or experience ________, it's okay to drift.
What is the lie you believe?
I will not drift. I will always steer toward truth.
I will pray for the drifters in my life.

I think this song fits today's message.

Verses for Today:
Hebrews 2: 1-4 (NIV)
2 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

I for sure have drifters in my life who I need to pray for more earnestly.

Book Review: Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan

This is a wonderful book that reminds us of our true relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit
by Francis Chan

File Size: 1082 KB
Print Length: 186 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ASIN: B005MT8PUQ
Genre: Church Growth, Pneumatology, Theology
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

In the name of the Father, the Son, and ... the Holy Spirit. We pray in the name of all three, but how often do we live with an awareness of only the first two? As Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit—the Helper—so that we could be true and living witnesses for Christ. Unfortunately, today's church has admired the gift but neglected to open it.
Breakthrough author Francis Chan rips away paper and bows to get at the true source of the church's power—the Holy Spirit. Chan contends that we've ignored the Spirit for far too long, and we are reaping the disastrous results. Thorough scriptural support and compelling narrative form Chan's invitation to stop and remember the One we've forgotten, the Spirit of the living God.

Review:
Francis Chan shares his concerns that believers focus on God the Father and Jesus the Savior and forget that the Holy Spirit is available to give us power each and every day. Chan provides scripture noting that Jesus went away so that he could send the Helper in His place. The Holy Spirit dwells within us when we invite Him in. He is available to give us strength, comfort, and guidance for everyday living. And when we live with the Holy Spirit guiding our lives we should be reflecting His love, joy, peace and the other fruits of the spirit.

Chan encourages the Church and believers to remember to allow the Spirit to dwell and lead in our worship as well as our daily lives. We probably can recall that special event when we first felt the Spirit or received the gift of speaking in tongues. But those moments should not be limited to days in the past. They should be alive and real to us everyday. A sophisticated program should never replace the authenticity of the word and joy provided by the Holy Spirit. If we are willing to be open, we can actually feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, we might hear His quiet voice and we may even speak in heavenly tongues.

My friends in Ladies Book Club and I fully enjoyed reading this. It helped us to acknowledge the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to be evident in our lives. I recommend this to readers who want to renew their awareness, and recognize their dependence, on the God who dwells with us, the Holy Spirit.

Source: Kindle Free TBR 2012. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019 Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon

This is an awesome fantasy, fairy tale romance.

The Bird and the Sword
By: Amy Harmon
Narrated by: Trina Nishimura

Series: The Bird and the Sword Chronicles, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-20-16
Language: English
Publisher: Novel Audio
Genre: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Narration

Publisher's Summary
Swallow, daughter, pull them in, those words that sit upon your lips. Lock them deep inside your soul, hide them 'til they've time to grow. Close your mouth upon the power, curse not, cure not, 'til the hour. You won't speak and you won't tell, you won't call on heaven or hell. You will learn and you will thrive. Silence, daughter. Stay alive.
The day my mother was killed, she told my father I wouldn't speak again, and she told him if I died, he would die too. Then she predicted the king would sell his soul and lose his son to the sky. My father has a claim to the throne, and he is waiting in the shadows for all of my mother's words to come to pass. He wants desperately to be king, and I just want to be free. But freedom will require escape, and I'm a prisoner of my mother's curse and my father's greed. I can't speak or make a sound, and I can't wield a sword or beguile a king. In a land purged of enchantment, love might be the only magic left, and who could ever love...a bird?
©2016 Amy Harmon (P)2016 Audiobooks.com Publishing.

Review:
Lark is gifted in a kingdom that has banned the gifted. When she is only five years old the king executes her mother in front of Lark. Before she dies Lark’s mother, a Teller, instructs her to swallow ‘those words”, “…curse not, cure not.” Her mother speaks a future against the king and his son, then tells Lark’s father that his life is tied to Larks: if she dies, he dies. Her father wants nothing to do with Lark but keeps her under lock and key with no friends. Lark sneaks out to the surrounding forest usually shadowed by her only friend, and self-appointed protector, a troll by the name of Boojohni.

Lark, now a silent young lady of 17, is caught out in the road when the new king, King Tiras, finds her. He decides to capture and hold her as a form of ransom to make her father cooperate and commit his troops to a current threat. A massive army of Volgar, half-vulture and half deformed human, are attacking the border cities of the kingdom. King Tiras has called on the provinces to aid in the battles.

Lark isn’t happy being kidnapped by the son of her mother’s murderer. As they ride to return to the king’s city, the king’s entourage is attacked by the Volgar. They are all surprised when Lark is able to help repel the attack. Now King Tiras has even more reason to keep Lark at his side.

There are four types of gifted: Spinners who can manipulate inanimate objects; Tellers who can see and speak the future; Changers who can become other creatures; and Healers. The king has his own secrets, as do many other authorities and citizens. It appears that half of the king’s counsel are plotting to take over the throne. As Lark and Tiras grow closer the dangers hovering within the kingdom and in the skies above are increasing.

I was quickly drawn into this story by the lyrical writing, the distinctive characters, the solid world building and the magical plot. Lark is a lonely but lovely character. She has great power coupled with great compassion. Tiras is a strong leader dedicated to saving the kingdom no matter what it takes, including the possibility of sacrifices. There is wonderful mystery, suspense and danger as well as a gentle, deep romance.

This book is complete for the primary characters. I am glad there is a second book and also glad that it will tell the story of King Tiras’ stepbrother, Kjell. I will be getting book 2 soon and looking for more titles by Amy Harmon. I highly recommend this to readers who love fantasy romance.

Audio Notes: Trina Nishimura does an entrancing narration of this work. She captures the tone of the magic while providing good voices suiting the characters. I look forward to hearing more narration by this talented performer.

Source: June 2017 Audible Daily Deal $3.95. This qualifies for 2019TB and 2019Audiobook goals.