Sunday Post April 21, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 22, 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.

Heather was sick at end of week an our other processor had a day home with sick children. :-(
Work continues.
Still no word from the architect. At least we have a structural engineer sent by the insurance company assessing our home damage tomorrow.
This is a picture of four days egg collection.

Cat crisis seems to be over for now as she continues to eat well and is jumping up on furniture again.
Our weather had cooled a bit during the week; high 40s to mid 50s at night and 70s to 80 during the days. Today was absolutely gorgeous
I imagine this post is going to be late the next few weeks as we continue to watch the final season of Game of Thrones on Sunday nights.
It also took me extra time to decide which books I will finish out the month with. (No "April" title yet...)
I almost forgot that Hubby wanted me to show the Easter lunch he made for us (he made hamburger from his steak.) Both of our biscuits are on my corn and note the eggs in our salads. I ate my meal for lunch and dinner.

I enjoyed my reading and listening this week. I finished 3 books: 2 ebooks and 1 audiobook. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 21 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Books and Things. Melissa "found a great community in the book blogging world and I love to talk books."
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post April 14, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 15, 2019.

• ATBR- #Audible Book Reveiw: Oath of Swords by David Weber; Epic Fantasy, Fantasy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall, Story 4.25 and Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 19, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/25/2019.

• A2019- Audible Book Review: The Spies That Bind: A Gallagher Girls Prequel by Ally Carter; Teens, Ages 11-13; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0 and Narration 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #367 Comment Giveaway April 20, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 5/4/2019.

• ebTBR- Book Review: Ransomed Dreams (Side Roads Book 1) by Sally John; Christian Fiction, Women's Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 21, 2019.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

SpecOps
Expeditionary Force, Book 2
By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Series: Expeditionary Force, Book 2
Length: 15 hrs and 50 mins
I enjoyed this adventure and the AI snark.
Source: June 2018 Audible Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

The Book of Ruin
by W.G Hladky
I'm glad I pushed on to read this - lots of action.
Source: NetGalley 2018.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

SkyLine The Dragon Commander
A Military Science Fiction Romance Adventure
by Kennedy King
This was a quick read; intro to a series.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Dead Girl Running
Cape Charade
By: Christina Dodd
Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson
Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
I am 2 1/2 hours in and anticipating more suspense.
Source: December 2018 Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
I have three confessions to make:
1. I've got the scar of a gunshot on my forehead.
2. I don't remember an entire year of my life.
3. My name is Kellen Adams...and that's half a lie.
Girl running...from a year she can't remember, from a husband she prays is dead, from homelessness and fear. Tough, capable Kellen Adams takes a job as assistant manager of a remote vacation resort on the North Pacific Coast. There amid the towering storms and the lashing waves, she hopes to find sanctuary. But when she discovers a woman's dead and mutilated body, she's soon trying to keep her own secrets while investigating first one murder...then another.
Now every guest and employee is a suspect. Every friendly face a mask. Every kind word a lie. Kellen's driven to defend her job, her friends, and the place she's come to call home. Yet she wonders - with the scar of a gunshot on her forehead and amnesia that leaves her unsure of her own past - could the killer be staring her in the face?
©2018 Christina Dodd (P)2018 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

The White City
by Grace Hitchcock
I just started this and am enjoying the characters and story.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
Mysterious Disappearances Taint the Chicago World’s Fair
Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime
While attending the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, Winnifred Wylde believes she witnessed a woman being kidnapped. She tries to convince her father, an inspector with the Chicago police, to look into reports of mysterious disappearances around the White City. Inspector Wylde tries to dismiss her claims as exaggeration of an overactive imagination, but he eventually concedes to letting her go undercover as secretary to the man in question—if she takes her pistol for protection and Jude Thorpe, a policeman, for bodyguard.
Will she be able to expose H. H. Holmes’s illicit activity, or will Winnifred become his next victim?

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Wizards of Once
By: Cressida Cowell
Narrated by: David Tennant
Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins
This looks like it will be a fun listen.
Source: 12/2/2018 Audible Daily Deal $1.95.
Publisher's Summary
In the first book of a new series by the internationally best-selling author of How to Train Your Dragon, the warring worlds of Wizards and Warriors collide in a thrilling and enchanting adventure.
Once there were Wizards, who were Magic, and Warriors, who were not. But Xar, son of the King of Wizards, can't cast a single spell. And Wish, daughter of the Warrior Queen, has a banned magical object of her own. When they collide in the wildwood, on the trail of a deadly witch, it's the start of a grand adventure that just might change the fabric of their worlds.
With Cressida Cowell's trademark wit and the same stunning combination of action, adventure, humor, and heart that made How to Train Your Dragon a beloved best-selling franchise, The Wizards of Once will transport and enchant listeners.
©2017 Cressida Cowell (P)2017 Hachette Audio

4. eBook/Kindle (Author TBR)

Vigilante Assassin: An Action Thriller
(Jake Wolfe Book 2)
by Mark Nolan
I am behind getting to this thriller which looks good.
Source: Author review request December 2018.
Every marriage has a secret, and this one is deadly. Lauren Stephens wakes up to find her husband, Gene, has vanished during the night. His phone is dead. Desperate, she hires Jake Wolfe and his war dog, Cody. They search the house and discover something so disturbing that Jake won’t allow Lauren near it. “No, if you see this, there is no unseeing it.”
Lauren thought she had it all: a loving partner, two great kids, a successful business, and a beautiful home in the San Francisco hills. But all of that is about to come crashing down, due to a missing husband, a hidden past, and a frightening secret that will shock a trusting wife to the core. Gene has enemies, and now they want something from Lauren.
Jake Wolfe is a flawed man who has a habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He wants to leave his secret, violent past behind him, but when Lauren and her children are threatened, his protective instinct takes command. Jake soon finds himself involved in a dangerous conspiracy, targeted for death, and engaged in battle with a powerful, unseen group who will stop at nothing to get what they want.
Jake’s going to have to think fast and fight hard to protect Cody, Lauren and her kids.

April 21, 2019 - I am enjoying my daily morning devotion and reading with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I am on day 4 of a 5 day reading plan: Why Easter. I'll pick another study later in the week. [You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed three books and posted three reviews. That keeps me current with three reviews to post for current reading.
I keep working to add newer reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible again. (Eventually I will add older reviews.)
My NetGalley shelf is now at 14 unread (down to one from December). I have 6 that release in April and it isn't likely I will get to them until May now. I have 4 old titles (2012!) that I might get read this year too.
I still have four author ebook 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 did not add any new NetGalley or review titles.
I selected two Audible books for my March credits. I still need to pick April free Originals. 
I picked up only 15 free kindle titles. (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

4/16/19 March Credit#2
Paradise
Expeditionary Force, Book 3
By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 15 hrs and 53 mins
Release date: 05-23-17
This is book 3 in a series I am enjoying.

4/10/19 Pre-Order with March Credit#1:
Storm Cursed
Mercy Thompson Novel Series, Book 11
By: Patricia Briggs
Narrated by: Lorelei King
Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 05-07-19
I am anticipating this next book.

Free

I only added 15 free titles to my Kindle library.  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 April 21, 2019. Happy Resurrection Day!

We shared fellowship before our Easter Service this morning. The service opened with appropriate resurrection praise and worship.

Pastor reminded us that his message last week was: God's matchless love. Our understanding of love, even as romantic or parental, can't compare to God's love. His love conquers all.

Even when we are secure in our beliefs, there are times when we reach the edge, the end of our
Reliance. Seeking help from human love can't always solve our problems. But God's love can. Nothing is impossible for Him. In our worst moment, God's love conquers all.

The enemy wants to destroy us. God has another plan which is revealed in the account of Christ’s sacrifice (also known as “His Story”). John 18:33-40.

Jesus was brought before Pilate who was cautious about handling him, not because of beliefs, but for political reasons. John 19:1-29 Jesus is whipped and crowned with a crown of thorns. Pilate presents him to the crowd saying, ‘I find Him not guilty’. The crowd cried out: "Crucify Him."
Jesus is mindful to fulfill scripture … and to complete His earthly mission: "It is finished."
Early Sunday morning the women came to care for Christ’s body. An angel told them: ‘He is not here; he has risen just as he said.” They walked out of an empty tomb. When they found Jesus in the garden, they fell at His feet and worshiped. Matthew 28:1-9.

Worship is the response that we should have to God's love that conquers all.

The story isn’t finished for us… it is a ‘choose your adventure story’. Choose to accept Christ and live with hope or choose a death without hope.

I looked at several videos and choose this one for the message. He is Risen! Hallelujah!

Verses for today.
John 19:36-37 NIV
36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

Book Review: Ransomed Dreams (Side Roads Book 1) by Sally John

This is a very good portrayal of PTSD in an invalid and his caretaker and life issues they face.

Ransomed Dreams (Side Roads Book 1)
by Sally John

File Size: 4545 KB
Print Length: 402 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (July 16, 2010)
ASIN: B003VWBXW8
Genre: Christian Fiction, Women's Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Sheridan Montgomery leads a charmed life as the wife of Eliot, U.S. ambassador to Venezuela. But an attack on their lives cripples Eliot, and they retreat to a remote Mexican village. As Sheridan quietly cares for her husband, she sees her dreams slipping away. Luke Traynor shatters their reverie when he arrives to tell Sheridan of her father’s heart attack and the evidence implicating him in a conspiracy. Sheridan returns to Chicago to untangle the web of her father’s past and is forced to confront her feelings for Luke, a trail of deceit, and the truth about her marriage.

Review:
Sheridan and her husband are traumatized by an attack that has left Eliot crippled and in pain. They have hidden themselves away in a remote Mexican village. Sheridan serves as secretary for the few hours he works on his memoirs and as caretaker in his frustrated, angry moments. The rest of the time Eliot withdraws into his own world or sleeps for hours in a drugged state. Sheridan tries to accept the situation, but she is becoming tired of being isolated and frustrated that Eliot will rarely leave their home. At least she finds solace in prayer and talks with the wise local Padre.

Their quiet, hidden life is disrupted when Luke, the CIA agent who saved her during the attack, hunts them down. Luke and Sheridan formed a fragile friendship as her ‘angel Gabriel’ supporting her at the hospital while they waited to see if Eliot would survive and then helping her make the transition to the secluded life. Luke was not supposed to come back into her life, but he arrives with a message from Sheridan’s sister: their father is dying. Sheridan has reason to not want to go to her father’s side. Still, she cares enough to go to share her sister’s pain.

Sheridan again leans on Luke as she makes the traumatic trip back to Chicago. There she learns that her sister has uncovered evidence that their politician father has secrets of years of corruption. As Sheridan tries to regain her balance in the ‘real world’, Eliot surprisingly travels from the house with the Padre and begins to show unexpected improvement in his condition.

Sheridan doesn’t understand why her leaving has helped Eliot’s condition. Eliot is afraid that Sheridan won’t return … especially if she learns of a secret in his past. Will their marriage be able to survive the strains of their PTSD and revealed secrets?

The story circumstances lead to the need for forgiveness and restoration in several relationships. I was very impressed by the author’s clear handling of complex emotional and physical issues. She does a good job portraying both the patient and caretaker struggles and frustrations. I liked how the levels of faith of the characters helped them deal with the real-life situations and temptations they faced. The faith elements are shown through the lives of the characters and are not just preachy add-ins.

My ladies book club all agreed this was engaging fiction with good messages. I recommend this to readers who like stories that deal with family and faith issues.

Source: Kindle 2011. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Alphabet goals.

Sharing Beyond Books #367 Comment Giveaway April 20, 2019

Hello again and Welcome back to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Only One, Alina, keeps an organized list! Eight of us named titles; five are looking forward to favorite authors; two don't have anything specific; and two are not sure or don't know. The titles named are: The Charmer in Chaps by Julia London, Supernova by Marissa Meyer, Cat Chase the Moon, a Joe Grey Mystery, Storm Cursed, Mercy Thompson Series Book 11
by Patricia Briggs (2), Ilona Andrews and Nalini Singh releases, new mystery by J.A. Jance, The Summer Retreat by Sheila Roberts and The View From Alameda Island by Robyn Carr,

The Winner from SBB #366 comments is: #7 Anna 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. -- [12/15/18 I am pulling out some new Christmas and Love titles to add to the Win box choices. I had to move the books due to the water threat in office. I will dig them out again soon.]

**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 #367

(One Question.)

bn100 asks: How do you feel about authors asking you to fund their writing??

I have seen requests for funding but they have been through friends of a sick author which is rather nice. Otherwise, I can't think of any direct requests and I am not sure I would participate... other than buying a book.

Image found at Author Media.

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.
April comments were shared by Alina and bn100. Alina gets $2.50 credit and bn100 gets first 1/2 credit towards a book pick.

Your turn to share. bn100 asks: How do you feel about authors asking you to fund their writing??

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 May 4, 2019 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: The Spies That Bind: A Gallagher Girls Prequel by Ally Carter

This is a fun, quick listen.
The Spies That Bind
A Gallagher Girls Prequel
By: Ally Carter
Narrated by: Rebecca Soler

Series: Gallagher Girls, Book 0.5
Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-25-18
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Category (Genre): Teens, Ages 11-13
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0 and Narration 4.0.

In this Audible Original prequel to Ally Carter's New York Times best-selling Gallagher Girls series, narrator Rebecca Soler brings her charm, enthusiasm, and impeccable accent work to the world of teen spies and boarding school drama, making for a perfect introduction to the series—or a new favorite for long-time listeners.
The first day at a new school is tough for any kid, but it's especially scary when you're going to a school for spies. Cammie Morgan has spent her whole life dreaming of becoming a Gallagher Girl, but she has no idea what she’ll face when she arrives at The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women. Secret passages? Check. Lab experiments that might make you lose your eyebrows (and other body parts)? Check. Classmates who are the smartest, strongest, most intimidating girls in the world? Double check.
Cammie might be a Gallagher legacy, but she's about to learn that the most intimidating part about the Gallagher Academy are the Gallagher Girls themselves. Soon Cammie and her clumsy-but-genius roommate Liz, and the glamorous Bex have to learn the most important lesson of the seventh grade: getting into spy school is hard. Surviving spy school is harder.
©2018 Ally Carter (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
Cammie is excited to follow her parent’s footsteps into the world of covert operations. Cammie is struggling with the absence of her father and won’t accept even her mother’s statement that he must be dead since he hasn’t made contact. At least Cammie has her energies directed toward training as a spy. Her mother is a Gallagher Girl and now Cammie is starting at the prestigious spy academy at the same time her mother takes over as the new headmaster.

Cammie realizes there are other girls who are smarter and more skilled than she. But the professors try to assure the girls that each one has unique talents to bring to the academy. Still, the insecurities and rivalries among the girls are causing concerns for Cammie and her new roommates. Their concerns lead them into trouble and danger.

This is a fun, light listen. The story opens with an event in 1860 that reveals the first Gallagher Girl. Many young girls would love to follow the adventures and bravery of this legacy. I enjoyed the message in the story which is told with the inner thoughts of a 12-year-old girl. The story has enough to keep a senior citizen like me interested and would be suitable for young ladies. It made me smile and does a good job of introducing the series. I recommend this for a taste and easy intro into the series.

Audio Notes: Rebecca Soler does a very effective job with the narration. She captures the youthful characters and the quirky professors too.

Source: January 2019 Free Audible Original. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.