Sunday Post May 26, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 27, 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.

Work continues with employees sort of hoping for a summer break even though we agree we get loaded with work when we go away.
We have an industry data report due this week which is taking some time and stress.
I finally heard from one structural engineer who is willing to help but needs an architect to work with. That architect has declined to work on my office even though he is doing the one connected to my office. Just Strange.
The other architect/engineer's office also replied with a quote - sadly it wasn't for my building. I am hoping for a meeting this week.

The chickens are laying their eggs under the sago palm again. I found 10 this evening.

I should have saved the poppy for today in honor of Memorial Day.

Tiger Lily is continuing to move and eat better although she was favoring a front paw this morning.
I have been praying during the last several weeks for so many people suffering from floods, tornadoes and severe weather.
I don't think we quite reached the 100s last week although it is predicted again this week, and we have had several heat warnings.
We are thankful that they got the second air conditioner in midweek.
I can't blame Game of Thrones for being late tonight. Actually I spent time finishing Read on Arrival so I could include it in the list as read.:-)

I hope everyone has a meaningful Memorial Day - taking time to remember those who died to allow us the freedoms we are blessed with.

My reading/listening week was good this week. I finished 3 books: 2 audibooks and 1 ebook. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 23 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Somewhere Only We Know. Sandy is a book lover and has a nice bit about how she picked her blog name.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post May 19, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 20, 2019.

• ebTBR- Book Review and Giveaway: The Breaking Point by Karen Ball; Christian, Family Drama, Inspirational; My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0. Open US and Canada. Ending 6/1/2019.

• A2019- Audible Book Review: God of War by J. M. Barlog and Cory Barlog; Fantasy, Greek & Roman Myth, Norse & Viking Myth; My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.0; Narration 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 24, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 5/30/2019.

• A2019- Audio Book Review: The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham; Christian, Historical Romance, Western; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 26, 2019.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (A2019)

The Hope of Azure Springs
by Rachel Fordham
Narrated By: Coleen Marlo
Unabridged Audiobook
Duration: 8 hours 7 minutes
This is a wonderful Historical Romance.
My review is linked above.
Source: Audiobooks Credit April 2019.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (A2019)

The Hammer Commission
By: John Van Stry
Narrated by: Doug Tisdale Jr.
Length: 5 hrs and 16 mins
This is a fun paranormal battle adventure listen.
I had eyed this for a while and was glad to pick it up.
Source: May 12, 2019 Audible Sale.
Publisher's Summary
Mark just watched his partner and best friend of 10 years torn limb from limb by the kind of unholy horror that leaves most people gibbering in terror. Only a combination of luck and skill kept Mark from sharing his partner's fate and being killed by an abomination that by rights shouldn't exist in this day and age.
When asked, Mark tells people he works recovering stolen artifacts, and that's true. However he's also a member of a very old and secret organization that protects the world from devils and demons summoned here to do evil. A foot soldier on the front lines of the eternal war between Heaven and Hell, things had been favoring the side of Heaven for some time now. Until today that is, when someone discovered how to summon a devil that no one had seen since WWII.
Never popular with his boss, Mark finds himself sidelined as he tries to discover just what happened. Upset with being taken off the case, Mark does discover one thing rather quickly: whoever is behind this is now after him, and if he's not careful he'll be joining his partner sooner, rather than later.
©2013 John Van Stry (P)2017 John Van Stry

3. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Read on Arrival
A Bookmobile Mystery
by Nora Page
Release date May 7, 2019.
This is a fun, cozy, who-done-it mystery.
Source: NetGalley 2018.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (A2019)/(NGTBR)

Nightstalkers
An Area 51 Novel
By: Bob Mayer
Narrated by: Eric G. Dove
Series: Area 51: The Nightstalkers, Book 1, Area 51, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
This was a NetGalley title I didn't get to read in 2013 so I am glad to read/listen now.
Source: Kindle Unlimited and Whisper Sync pick up 5/4/19.
Publisher's Summary
Staff Sergeant Winthrop Carter only enlisted in the army for the steady pay. When he cheated on the Special Forces’ final exam, he never expected his actions would get him drafted into the Nightstalkers - an elite team with a mysterious mission and even more mysterious leader.
For decades, Rifts have been opening and unleashing bloodthirsty alien life forms into our reality. The Nightstalkers’ goal is to shut down these breaches and stop the beings that emerge from rampaging out of control.
While still integrating with his unusual teammates - including a sociopath, a Black Ops washout, and a contemporary MacGyver - Carter gets his first taste of interdimensional action when a Rift opens inside a gated community. With half a dozen deadly invaders threatening the residents, the Nightstalkers must hunt down and eliminate the aliens before they break through containment and wreak havoc on an unsuspecting world.
©2012 Robert Mayer (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

In Darkest Days May Blossom
by Leila Snow
I will start this tonight.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/Smartphone (A2019)

The Anatomy of Peace, Expanded Second Edition
Resolving the Heart of Conflict
By: The Arbinger Institute
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
While looking for my next listen I wanted a TBR and realized it was time for a nonfiction.
Source: Audible Daily Deal 2016.
Publisher's Summary
What if conflicts at home, conflicts at work, and conflicts in the world stem from the same root cause? What if we systematically misunderstand that cause? And what if, as a result, we systematically perpetuate the very problems we think we are trying to solve?
From the authors of Leadership and Self-Deception comes an international best seller that instills hope and inspires reconciliation. Through a moving story of parents who are struggling with their own children and with problems that have come to consume their lives, we learn from once-bitter enemies the way to transform personal, professional, and global conflicts, even when war is upon us.
Download the accompanying reference guide.
©2006, 2008, 2015 Arbinger Properties, LLC (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

May 26, 2019 - I have stayed up to date. I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I am on day 5 of: Haven't Seen It Yet: A 5 Day Devotional Series. I'll pick another study this 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. I continue to be current for review posts.
I have been adding newer reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.  (Eventually I will add older reviews.)
My NetGalley shelf is still at 15 unread. I am working on now 8 April titles. [I have 4 5 old titles (2012-13!), one of which I am reading/listening to now.]
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 didn't get any new review books.
I picked two daily deals this week plus four titles on 2 for 1 credit sale.
I downloaded week 5 titles from SYNC.
I picked up a May Prime Free title but no other 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

5/21/19 Audible Daily Deal $3.95
Strange Practice
By: Vivian Shaw
Narrated by: Susanna Hampton
Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins
Release date: 08-03-17


5/24/19 2 titles for 1 Credit Sale using 2 May credits
1. Swan Song
By: Robert R. McCammon
Narrated by: Tom Stechschulte
Length: 34 hrs and 19 mins
Release date: 11-15-11
This has been on my wish list for a long time.

2. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow
By: Jessica Townsend
Narrated by: Gemma Whelan
Length: 11 hrs
Release date: 10-31-17
This is in my NetGaley queue and I thought I'd get to it sooner if I could listen to it.

3. Partials Partials, Book 1
By: Dan Wells
Narrated by: Julia Whelan
Length: 14 hrs and 6 mins
Release date: 02-28-12
This is another title that has been in my wish list.

4. The Weaver's Daughter: A Regency Romance Novel
By: Sarah E. Ladd
Narrated by: Jude Mason
Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
Release date: 04-10-18
I found this one in the romance category of the sale and think I will like it.

05/25/2019 Audible Daily Deal $.99
Ayiti
By: Roxane Gay
Narrated by: Roxane Gay
Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins
Release date: 07-17-18
I was interested in this since we support a church and school in Haiti and are aware of the struggles and dangers of that country.

Free

May 2019 Prime Free title:

Before the Broken Star (The Evermore Chronicles Book 1)
by Emily R. King



SYNC Audio 2019
5/25/19 SYNC Week 5: May 23 – May 30
A NIGHT DIVIDED by Jennifer A. Nielsen, narrated by Kate Simses (Scholastic Audiobooks)
TEAR DOWN THIS WALL: A CITY, A PRESIDENT, AND THE SPEECH THAT ENDED THE COLD WAR by Romesh Ratnesar, narrated by Wes Bleed (Oasis Audio)

I added only the Prime free title 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 May 26, 2019

Our Sunday School teacher is away for the first of ‘summer’ break. The substitute shared a message titled Faith, Hope and Patience based on testimonies about his father by Alton Garrison.

We enjoyed praise and worship before celebrating our graduates. Pastor shared 1 Timothy 4:12 telling the graduates (and all of us) to no think less of being young but to set an example as a leader.
Our youth pastor shared encouragement saying how he has observed them go through life change after salvation. They have shown growth in caring, serving, daily commitment, and daily worship. He reminded them that maturing spiritually is a continual, life-long process. He advised them the way to succeed in ministry is to say yes to God each morning.

The graduates, and all of us, were encouraged to partnership in the gospel. Philippians 1:3-6, 9.

Pastor also shared some messages on Life Hacks. He noted how different the last 20 years has been for these youth who grew from backpack to briefcase to laptop. Most of them were only infants when the terrorist attacks occurred on 9/11/2001. Most don’t recall the days of cassette tapes and CDs (much less vinyl). They have grown up with mp3s and even more with cell phones and digital devices. It has probably been years since they have used text books, rather than computers, to do research.
Pastor gave them these three directives:
1. Ask to join God in His plans rather than asking God to join you. Jeremiah 29:11. Fear the Lord and turn from evil. Proverbs 3:7.
2. Keep growing; remain in God and bear fruit. John 15:5. Grow in generosity and wisdom. Proverbs 3:12-16. Grow as a person and later as a spouse and a parent.
3. Be Strong and Courageous. Change the world. Lead people to Jesus.

I thought this might be a good song for graduates … and all of us.

A Verse for Today
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Lord - thank you for reminding me to start each morning by saying "Yes" to Your Will for my life!

Audio Book Review: The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham

This is a wonderful Historical Romance.
The Hope of Azure Springs
by Rachel Fordham
Narrated By: Coleen Marlo

Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC
Date: July 2018
Duration: 8 hours 7 minutes
Genre: Christian, Historical Romance, Western
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Summary:
Seven years ago, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness is a rough one. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now nineteen, finally has the chance to search for her long-lost sister, but she won't be able to do it alone. For Azure Springs Sheriff Caleb Reynolds, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just part of his job. He's determined to solve every case put before him in order to impress his parents and make a name for himself. Caleb expects to succeed. What he doesn't expect is the hold this strange young woman will have on his heart. Debut author Rachel Fordham invites historical romance listeners back to the 1880s and the charming town of Azure Springs, Iowa, where people care deeply for one another and, sometimes, even fall in love.

Review:
Em has had a difficult childhood and youth. After the death of her parents, at age 12, she ended up on the orphan train with her 7-year-old sister, Lucy. Hoping they would be selected by a caring family, she didn’t realize that siblings would be separated. Em could do nothing when cute Lucy was selected while plain, skinny Em was left standing on the platform. Across the state of Iowa Em is finally selected by a gruff man who lives a solitary life. SHe is left to sleep in the barn, worrying about her sister and fending for herself. She learns to catch rodents just to have a meal. Em stays away from her guardian but inadvertently sees him secretly visiting a place in the woods.

Outlaws attack her guardian, killing him and shooting Em. She manages to escape and is found by people from the town of Azure Springs. A kind family gives her refuge and a home where she can heal from her injuries. The local sheriff, Caleb Reynolds, interviews the raggedy waif because it is his job to track down the murderers.

Caleb is intent on fulfilling his duties as a good sheriff and ultimately to impress his parents. Caleb takes Em to the crime scene to help him investigate. He discovers she has a playful and brave side when she accepts his challenge to climb the trees while hunting for the hidden cache. He truly wants to help Em, never realizing that his time with her will change his view of her and those around them.

Em is quick to think of others, showing love and kindness, and entertaining the young twins with stories that she used to share with Lucy. Everyone in the family cares for her gentle loving spirit, except the elegant daughter who is the same age and is hoping to gain the interest of the handsome sheriff.

Em is grateful for the family who has helped her and the sheriff who has shown such concern to keep her safe. She finds herself enjoying her time with Caleb even though she realizes that she is too plain for such a man. Em sets out to get a job to earn money for the train back to the city where her sister was ‘adopted’.

I was pulled into this character driven story from the very opening. Em is a wonderful character with a courageous, resilient and caring spirit. Caleb is also a warm, caring character. I enjoyed the friendship that grew between them and really appreciated the wisdom Caleb’s father (and others) share. Ms. Fordham does a good job in showing how the characters grow beyond their young, natural insecurities. I liked the history of the orphan train and small western town dynamics. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and will be anxious to get more wonderful reading from Rachel Fordham.

Audio Notes: Coleen Marlo does a lovely job with the narration. She aptly conveys the emotions and depth of the characters. This is the first audio I have experienced with Ms. Marlo but I plan on it not being the last. Her narration enhanced an already lovely story so it was a plus, plus listening experience.

Source: Audiobooks Credit April 2019. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook and my “spring” title goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 24, 2019

Happy Friday!
This Saturday I will be visiting the [old/damaged] office to pull books together both for mailing and a new group of books. I will also be doing the GCs this weekend. Thanks for being patient. :-)

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.

INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the May 17, 2019 Pick. There were no automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. No title was blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from May 17, 2019 Pick:
ELIZABETH gets The Red Tent.
and
ASHFA gets a GC

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

I hope to get extra reading in this weekend. :-)
Image found at The Gilmore Guide to Books.

New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves

PAIRS:
Roxanne Becknel: When Lightning Strikes and The Knight of Rosecliffe
Stella Cameron: Target and Now You See Him

SINGLES:
Golden Goddess by Stephanie James
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
The Gamble by LaVerle Spencer
Two Brothers by Linda Lael Miller
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
Almost Forever by Linda Howard
Bold Conquest by Virginia Henley
Fire and Ice by Anne Stuart
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
Forbidden Pleasures (hardback) by Bertrice Small
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

One PAIR:
Susan Wiggs: Snowfall and Fireside
SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich
On this Holy Night
A Rancher for Christmas
Christmas Haven
Christmas Brides Anthology
Holiday in Death
Christmas Homecoming
Together by Christmas Anthology
The Christmas Date
The Christmas Promise (hardback)
A Blue and Grey Christmas (hardback)
The Snow Angel (CD Audiobook)
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
PAIRS:
Kat Martin: Bold Angel and Devil's Prize
Elizabeth Lowell: Death Is Forever and Running Scared
SINGLE
It Takes a Hero by Elizabeth Boyle
Two Alone by Sandra Brown
'Tween a Devil and his hard Place by Sam Cheever
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Highland Guardian by Melissa Mayhue
Hot Pursuit by Christinea Skye
Sisters & Secrets Anthology
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

Pairs:
Stella Cameron: French Quarter and Key West
Jude Deveraux: Mulberry Tree and Wild Orchids
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Unmasked Anthology - Jennifer Blake, Janet Dailey and Elizabeth Gage
Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Finer Things by Brenda Joyce
Wicked Promise by Kat Martin
Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee
The Leopard's Woman by Linda Lael Miller and White Wolf by Lindsay McKenna
Eagle and the Dove by Victoria Morrow
To Love Again by Bertrice Small
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith
Primal Obsession by Susan Vaughn

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

There are three audios at the top:
Kisscut is Cassettes
SINGLES

Best Laid Plans
Darkness Tell Us
Cooking More Deadly


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
PAIRS
Fern Michaels and James Patterson
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon
The Green Trap
End Game
Night School
The Red Tent
The Final Judgment Audio Cassettes
Secrets of Paris
Linda Goodnight
Irish Charmers, the Mighty Quinns
Firebird
No Getting Over a Cowboy
The Book of Fate Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
The Maverick Preacher by Victoria Bylin (personally autographed)
The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver
The Doctor’s Forever Family by Marie Ferrarella
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Branded by the Sheriff by Delores Fossen
The Italian’s Inexperienced Mistress
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
Rhapsody in Time by Judith O’Brien
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham
The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle by RaeAnne Thayne


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

PAIRS
Johanna Lindsey Pair
Judith Krentz Pair
SINGLES
Midnight Rainbow
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
To Wicked to Love
Betrayed
My Dark Prince
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes
Brothers of Gwynedd
Fatal Defect
Bones of the Sea and Other Stories
By a Spider's Thread



New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
Echo Burning by Lee Child
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Tempted All Night by Liz Carlyle
Day of the Dead by J.A. Jance
White Night by Jim Butcher
Five Gold Rings Anthology Constance O’Banyon and three others
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwell
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Wizard’s Daughter by Catherine Coulter
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
Night Whispers by Judith McNaught
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff

This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn 

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost EIGHT years I have posted 82 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,333 books to find new homes! (as of November 9, 2018).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,248+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

Audible Book Review: God of War by J. M. Barlog and Cory Barlog

Being familiar with the game would probably make this a more enjoyable reading/listen.

God of War

By: J. M. Barlog, Cory Barlog

Narrated by: Alastair Duncan

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 08-28-18

Language: English

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Genre: Fantasy, Greek & Roman Myth, Norse & Viking Myth

Rating: My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary

The official novelization of the brand new game

His vengeance against the gods of Olympus years behind him, Kratos now lives as a man in the realm of Norse gods and monsters. It is in this harsh, unforgiving world that he must fight to survive...and teach his son to do the same.

This startling reimagining of God of War deconstructs the core elements that defined the series - satisfying combat, breathtaking scale, and a powerful narrative - and fuses them anew.

©2018 J. M. Barlog (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Kratos was a God of War but he left the world of the Gods so he could live as a 'mortal' man with his wife and son, Atreus. Kratos and Atreus are mourning the death of his wife, the boy’s mother. Now Kratos is preparing his son to take a trip to deliver his mother’s ashes in accordance with her last wishes. Kratos doesn’t want his son to know of his own bloody history and struggles with balancing his power with his wish to protect his son.

Atreus has received patient training from his mother and gruff direction and correction from his father. He wants to prove to his father that he can protect himself and won’t be a burden on the journey.

Neither father nor son realize the dangers they will face and all of the creatures and puzzles they have to conquer to get to the location where they will deliver the ashes. In addition, there are enemies seeking to kill Kratos. The battles and last minute escapes are many. Along the way they get help from an exiled witch and a ‘brother’, Mirmir, who plays a strange (heady) role in the journey and in narrating the story.

There is plenty of action in this novelization and I really enjoyed the deep, old Norse sounding accents. There is fairly common emotional difficulty in the father and son relationship, which is exacerbated by the father’s refusal to disclose his past. Sadly, I did not connect to the characters and was looking for something more from the plodding journey. Perhaps I just didn't remember the Greek, Roman and Norse Gods well enough. I didn’t understand the background of the characters for most of the book and I struggled getting to the end. This leads me to think that the story is best read/listened to by those who are familiar with the game.

Audio Notes: Alastair Duncan does a really good job with the character voices. I can’t say that I liked the pacing and energy as I just never warmed up to it. This is the first time I sped up the listening speed as I usually want to enjoy the listening experience. This one I just wanted to get through.

Source: February 2019 Audible Daily Deal $3.95. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.