Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 9, 2019

Happy Friday! I'm away at industry conference in Orlando today. 

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 August 2, 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. There were no titles blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 2, 2019 Pick:
MARYP gets a GC
and
RUBYNREBA gets the Scam.

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 love the sentiment of this image!
Image found at The Lily.

New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Forged in Steel by Maya Banks
The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett
Eco-Sisters: The Car by P. Ryan Hembree and Mary Ann Gustin
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
Pursuit by Karen Robards
Murder at Granite Falls by Roxanne Rustand
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls


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

Roxanne Becknel: When Lightning Strikes
SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
Almost Forever by Linda Howard
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
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
On this Holy Night
A Rancher for Christmas
Christmas Haven
Christmas Homecoming
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
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

Stella Cameron: Key West
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

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
James Patterson
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon
The Final Judgment Audio Cassettes
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)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
To Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes


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
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
White Night by Jim Butcher
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
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
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven

(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 1,263+ 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!

#NetGalley Book Review: Space Dragons by Robin Bennett

This is a fun, middle grade sci fi adventure.
Space Dragons
by Robin Bennett

File Size: 2375 KB
Print Length: 116 pages
Publisher: Monster Books (February 5, 2019)
ASIN: B07NDY2394
Genre: Children's Fantasy, Middle Grade
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

If Stan Pollux had known he would be spending his summer holidays in the outer reaches of our solar system, he would have put on different underpants.
But when he gets kidnapped by the Planet Dragon Mercury, most things suddenly seem small and insignificant. Stan finds himself in a universe of dragons who had once ruled the skies as gods: Mars, Venus, Saturn and even Uranus way out back. This is shaping up to be the best summer holiday in the history of the cosmos until Stan discovers his stupid sister is missing and that Pluto (AKA Hades) is trying to use her to destroy the Solar System. And it will be all Stan’s fault if he doesn’t get Poppy back.
So, all Stan has to do is learn how to fight like a hero in space armour, defeat the dragon god of the Underworld, Hades, rescue his sister and save the world. All before his parents realise she is missing.

Review:
Stan is an eleven-year-old who lives with his parents, five-year-old sister, Poppy, and their dog. Stan gets bullied at school by the tougher boys who make fun of his love of science. They are just beginning the summer vacation when Poppy, breaking house rules, enters his room and accidentally knocks over Stan’s telescope. Stan is so angry he doesn’t realize at first that his favorite rock, a treasure from his grandmother, is missing from his collection. Stan is alarmed when he sees a scary eye starring back at him through his broken telescope.

Stan steps outside the next night to see if the problem is with his equipment or the view from his room. Suddenly he is overshadowed by a darkness and scooped away from his home. Shockingly he finds himself traveling through space on the back of a gray dragon. Once Stan realizes he is within a safe air bubble he begins to be awed by the experience. Still he wants the dragon, Mercury, to explain what is happening.

Poppy is upset when she watches Stan disappear from their backyard. She runs outside hoping to find him but instead she is kidnapped by a monstrous, three-headed dog. Stan is all for letting the dragons and enemy Titans sort out their own problems until he learns that his sister has been captured by the other side. Can Stan find the courage to stand beside the dragons and face the enemies while they try to save Poppy? And can Stan and Poppy work together to prevail against the enemy?

This is a fun story with space dragons named after planets, titan characters and creatures (Cerberus the three-headed hound of Hades) from mythology. The plot is well developed with adventure, battles and sibling relationships that should be enjoyable to middle graders. The sibling relationship is naturally real and there are plenty of laugh out loud comments. I recommend this as fun sci fi for young people.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

Audible Book Review: The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters

This is a fun, entertaining historical mystery.

The Curse of the Pharaohs
The Amelia Peabody Series, Book 2
By: Elizabeth Peters
Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Series: Amelia Peabody, Book 2
Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 09-02-04
Language: English
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Historical, Victorian
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
The sun rides high over the British Empire and the light still sparkles brightly in Amelia Peabody's eye as she returns for her second adventure in archaeology and romantic mystery as recounted in her lively journal, The Curse of the Pharaohs.
It was Sir Henry's intention to ensure that no tomb had been overlooked in the previous expedition. Scarcely had the men been at work for three days when their spades uncovered the first of a series of steps cut into the rock.
The Times gave the story a full column, on page three. The next dispatch to come to Luxor, however, rated front-page headlines. Sir Henry Baskerville was dead. He was found next morning stiff and stark in his bed. On his face was a look of ghastly horror. On his high brow, inscribed in what appeared to be dried blood, was a crudely drawn uraeus serpent, the symbol of the divine pharaoh.
Instead of digging up the treasures of a lost age, it appeared that Amelia and her friend Radcliffe were excavating a deadly curse.
Don't miss the rest of the Amelia Peabody series. You can also check out more of our Most Addictive Series.
©1981 Elizabeth Peters (P)1990 Recorded Books LLC

Review:
Amelia is a strong minded, multi-talented woman in 1892 England. She met her scholarly, archaeologist husband, Radcliffe Emerson, in Egypt. Now they are more or less quiet at home with their precocious 4-year-old son, Ramses. But it is clear that both Radcliffe and Amelia are restless and looking for a way to get back to the field. An effort to get a small dig from the neighbor fails gloriously (well more accurately gory and muddy).

Fortunately, an old friend, Lady Baskerville, appears seeking Emerson’s leadership to take over her recently deceased husband’s dig. Amelia and Radcliffe are not perturbed nor deterred by the fact that Sir Henry Baskerville’s death has been reported a result of a black curse, the Curse of the Pharaohs. Baskerville’s assistant has also gone missing and the photographer is currently ill.

Amelia is bound to share in the adventure with her best friend and husband, Radcliffe. They plan ways to approach the dig and minimize the fearful reactions of the native workers. They also have to deal with a jaunty, Irish reporter, a flirtatious widow, a boisterous, domineering woman who claims Radcliffe was her lover in a former life, and a few other unique characters.

The story is told in first person by Amelia with her intractable and irrepressible strength and humor. Amelia addresses women’s issues and primitive superstitions while determinedly investigating the death of Sir Henry, which she insists is murder, and finding the missing assistant who is her prime suspect. Soon other accidents, ghostly appearances and outright attacks begin to stir other suspicions.

I appreciate Amelia’s courage insisting on working with her husband in her era and the exotic setting. The mystery meanders a little but eventually everything pulls together. This is a fun series that is easy to listen to. There is adventure, mystery and humor. I recommend the series to readers who enjoy strong heroines, archaeological settings and cozy mystery.

Audio Notes: Barbara Rosenblat does a wonderful job with the narration. She provides a fitting setting and era tone as well as good character voices. She also provides good emotions that help carry the humor. I enjoy listening to this series.

Source: July 2007 Audible Purchase. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goal.

MBS July 2019 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2019 Reading List - JULY

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2019
Favorites for JULY:
5.0: Kingdom of Exiles 
4.5: The Highwayman; Every Last Breath; Monster Hunter Memoirs; The Hashtag Hunt; The Library of Ever; and Fate Morgana

1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Highwayman A Longmire Story by Craig Johnson; Genre: Ghost, Mystery, Western; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 5.0.
2. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Every Last Breath by Juno Rushdan; Genre: Action Adventure, Romantic Suspense, Terrorism Thriller; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
3. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Monster Hunter Memoirs: Sinners by Larry Correia, John Ringo; Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.75.
4. ATBR- Audible Book Review: A Quiet Life in the Country by T E Kinsey; Genre: Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mystery, Historical; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
5. LBC-TBR- Book Review: Blackout (A Riley Covington Thriller Book 3) by Jason Elam and Steve Yohn; Genre: Christian, Suspense Thriller; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
6. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: The Fairy in the Kettle Gets Magical by Pauline Tait; Genre: Children, Illustrated; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
7. A2019- Audio Book Review and Tour Giveaway: The Hashtag Hunt by Kristina Seek; Genre: Clean Romance, Inspirational Romance, Romantic Comedy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
8. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Tangled Web by Gail Z. Martin; Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; My Rating 4.25 of 5.0.
9. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett; Genre: Historical Thriller, Spy Thriller; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
10. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: The Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander; Genre: Action and Adventure, Children's, Middle Grade; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
11. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Fata Morgana by Steven R. Boyett and Ken Mitchroney; Genre: Alternate History, Sci Fi, Time Travel; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
12. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Primary Phase (Dramatized) by Douglas Adams; Genre: Humor, Plays, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.
13. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym Martineau; Genre: Action and Adventure, Romantic Fantasy; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.
14. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Birds of a Feather by Vanita Oelschlager, Robin Hegan (Illustrator); Genre: Children, Illustrated, Kindergarten - 3; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
15. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters; Genre: Cozy Mystery, Historical, Victorian; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.
16. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Space Dragons by Robin Bennett; Genre: Children's Fantasy, Middle Grade; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

Total read = 16; TBR = 8; New Authors = 11
Audio/Audible = 8 (7 TBRs)
eBook = 1 (1 TBRs)
NetGalley = 7 (0 TBRs)
Print = 0
Review books (other than NG)= 0

Goal Progress:
13 ahead on Goodreads Goal of 150
Total Read to Date: 100 of 150
TBR to Date: 46 of 100 total (I need to push this and the ebooks)
TBR ebooks: 9 of 24
Audio to Date: 54 of 75
NetGalley to Date: 35 of 40
Author Reviews: 5 of 12
Nonfiction: 6 of 12

• ebTBRs: 1 +2 +2 +2 +1 +0 +1
• Author titles: 1 +0 +3 +0 +1 +0 +0
• New to me Series: 5 +5 +8 +10 +8 +8 +10
• Continuing for me Series: 3 +1 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2
• Title with Month in it: 1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +0 +0
• Seasonal title: Winter 1; Spring 2;
• Alphabet letters covered: 12 Jan + 3 Feb + 5 March + 2 April + 0 May + 1 June + 1 July
   (Two letters left: X and Y)

Sunday Post August 4, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 5, 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.

I ended up with three and a half days out of work after suffering a scratch and bacterial infection in my right eye.
I am very near sighted and wear mono vision lenses: left for close up and right for distance. The first two days it was hard to keep my eye open. I saw the doctor Thursday and he was pleased with the healing. He still recommended that I not wear contacts for several days. My glasses are only intended for morning and night before I put my contacts in and when I take them out. It was difficult to adjust to the straight correction (non mono vision). The doctor suggested that I could use magnifying glasses clipped inside (or sitting inside) my glasses. It's not pretty but it has helped so I could do some computer work.
I spent half of Saturday listening to my books while cleaning closets and drawers, removing clothing that no longer fits, and sewing on missing buttons.

Hubby was nice to drive me around to doctor's visits and stopping at office to sign payroll.
This week we have had weather in the 90s again plus several thunder storms passing through.We are expecting a week of 95+ days. Welcome to August!

I had a good week of reading/listening, finishing four titles: 1 audiobook, 2 ebook and 1 pdf report. I posted three reviews on the blog and posted my usual memes.

I visited 17 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Whatever I Think Of! Jamie shares book challenges, writing tips and thoughts and other things.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post July 28, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 29, 2019.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Primary Phase (Dramatized) by Douglas Adams; Genre: Humor, Plays, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.

• NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym Martineau; Genre: Action and Adventure, Romantic Fantasy; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 2, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 8/1/2019.

• NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Birds of a Feather by Vanita Oelschlager, Robin Hegan (Illustrator); Genre: Children, Illustrated, Kindergarten - 3; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 4, 2019.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Curse of the Pharaohs
The Amelia Peabody Series, Book 2
By: Elizabeth Peters
Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat
Series: Amelia Peabody, Book 2
Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins
This is a nice, easy listen.
Source: July 2007 Audible Purchase.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Space Dragons
by Robin Bennett
This is fun and good for the target audience.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Computer (NG2019)

The Mueller Report
The Findings of the Special Counsel Investigation
By: Robert S. Mueller III, Special Counsel's Office U.S. Department of Justice
Narrated by: Marc Vietor, Mark Boyett, Victor Bevine
Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins.
Definitely a slog, but informative.  
Source: Free Audible June 2019. I had downloaded the pdf from justice.gov but the same pdf comes with the audiobook.
Click on book title for full description.

4. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Spring Skies Over Bluebell Castle:(Bluebell Castle, Book 1)
by Sarah Bennett
This is delightful.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

No Other Will Do (Ladies of Harper's Station Series, Book #1)
by Karen Witemeyer
Narrator Johanna Parker
Runtime 11 Hrs. - Unabridged
Release Date October 13, 2016
I chose a book without bad language and was pulled right into this one. I am almost done!
Source: Sale at ChristianAudio.com July 2017.
Description:
Men are optional. That's the credo Emma Chandler's suffragette aunts preached and why she started a successful women's colony in Harper's Station, Texas. But when an unknown assailant tries repeatedly to drive them out, Emma admits they might need a man after all. A man who can fight--and she knows just the one. Malachi Shaw finally earned the respect he craved by becoming an explosives expert for the railroad. Yet when Emma's plea arrives, he bolts to Harper's Station to repay the girl who once saved his life. Only she's not a girl any longer. She's a woman with a mind of her own and a smile that makes a man imagine a future he doesn't deserve. As the danger intensifies, old feelings grow and deepen, but Emma and Mal will need more than love to survive.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

The Girl in Red
by Christina Henry
I like fairy tale retellings and Post Apocalyptic so this drew my interest.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
From the national bestselling author of Alice comes a postapocalyptic take on the perennial classic "Little Red Riding Hood"...about a woman who isn't as defenseless as she seems.
It's not safe for anyone alone in the woods. There are predators that come out at night: critters and coyotes, snakes and wolves. But the woman in the red jacket has no choice. Not since the Crisis came, decimated the population, and sent those who survived fleeing into quarantine camps that serve as breeding grounds for death, destruction, and disease. She is just a woman trying not to get killed in a world that doesn't look anything like the one she grew up in, the one that was perfectly sane and normal and boring until three months ago.
There are worse threats in the woods than the things that stalk their prey at night. Sometimes, there are men. Men with dark desires, weak wills, and evil intents. Men in uniform with classified information, deadly secrets, and unforgiving orders. And sometimes, just sometimes, there's something worse than all of the horrible people and vicious beasts combined.
Red doesn't like to think of herself as a killer, but she isn't about to let herself get eaten up just because she is a woman alone in the woods....

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

You Don't Belong Here
by Sean O'Toole
This is a NetGalley title starting with "Y" for Alphabet goal. Also, I like the idea of the story.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Two muskrat brothers become displaced due to a storm and end up in a lady’s backyard. They make a big mess back there, and the lady decides it’s time for them to go. She calls a pest control company who comes and sets traps to catch them. He catches one of the muskrats and relocates him in a forest near a pond. He and his brother had never been apart before, and now he was all alone in an unfamiliar place. Some other animals approached him while he was drinking from the pond. They had never seen a muskrat before and were not as welcoming as he would have liked—until the muskrat proved himself worthy of living there by helping the animals defeat a dangerous foe. The other animals realized that he had some unique qualities and skills and did in fact belong at the pond, and they became friends. And someone special may have rejoined the muskrat to make for a happy ending.

4. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Ember War
Publisher's Pack, Books 1-2
By: Richard Fox
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
Series: The Ember War, Book 1-2
Length: 15 hrs and 37 mins
This is another pulled from my TBR.
Source: November 2016 Audible Sale.
Publisher's Summary
The Ember War, book 1: The Earth is doomed. Humanity has a chance.
In the near future, an alien probe arrives on Earth with a pivotal mission: to determine if humanity has what it takes to survive the impending invasion by a merciless armada. The probe discovers Marc Ibarra, a young inventor who holds the key to a daring gambit that could save a fraction of Earth's population. Humanity's only chance lies with Ibarra's ability to keep a terrible secret and engineer the planet down the narrow path to survival. Earth will need a fleet. One with a hidden purpose. One strong enough to fight a battle against annihilation.
The Ember War is the first installment in an epic military sci-fi series. If you enjoyed A Hymn Before Battle by John Ringo and The Last Starship by Vaughn Heppner, then you'll love this explosive adventure with constant thrills and high stakes from beginning to end.
The Ruins of Anthalas, book 2: An ancient holocaust holds the key to humanity's survival.
Only a sliver of mankind survived the Xaros invasion. With Earth's defenses in ashes, nothing can stop the aliens' inevitable return. Hope arrives through a cryptic message from a long-lost alien race, promising the means to rebuild the shattered space fleet. Captain Valdar takes one of the last strike carriers, the Breitenfeld, and his shell-shocked crew on a desperate mission to the dead world. Unfortunately humans aren't the only power that received the ancient message....
The Ruins of Anthalas is the second book in The Ember War Saga, a military sci-fi space opera. If you like David Weber and John Ringo with a touch of Isaac Asimov, then you'll love this fast-paced and captivating adventure where humanity survives at the edge of a knife.
©2015 Richard Fox (P)2016 Podium Publishing

Audio/Smartphone (ATBR) -- Set Aside

A Hymn Before Battle
Legacy of the Aldenata
By: John Ringo
Narrated by: Marc Vietor
Series: Legacy of the Aldenata, Book 1
Length: 14 hrs and 28 mins
I stopped at 31% as I wasn't particularly engaged. Maybe I'll get back to it another time.
Source: July 2011 Audible Purchase.
Publisher's Summary
With Earth in the path of the rapacious Posleen, the Galactic Federation offers help to the backward humans - for a price. You can protect yourself from your enemies, but God save you from your allies!
©2001 John Ringo (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

August 4, 2019 - I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I finished a 3 day study, Serve One Another. I plan to pick out a new study this week. [You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed four books and posted three reviews. I am up to date with the four reviews to post this week.
I have been adding newer reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. (Eventually I will add older reviews.)
My NetGalley shelf is at 13 unread. I am now reading titles released in June and I still have one older. [Plus I have 4 old titles (2012-13.)]
I still have four author ebook titles in queue. I didn't read one in July so I have to pull one or two in August.
Still many titles 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 received three new review titles this week through NetGalley.
I picked up seven audiobooks - two free from Christianaudio.com; one Audible with Kindle book and four at Audible Sale.
I selected 10 free kindle titles this week. (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

I received three more titles from NetGalley:
7/29/19
Someone to Honor
by Mary Balogh
"First appearances deceive in the newest charming and heartwarming Regency romance in the Westcott series..."
I have read several in this series and really enjoy Mary Balogh's works.

7/30/19

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice

by Donna Kauffman; Kate Angell; Allyson Charles
"Every autumn, Moonbright, Maine, is the picture of charm with its piles of crisp leaves, flickering jack-o’-lanterns … and a touch of the sweetest kind of enchantment. "
I saw this at Bookfan and was pulled in.

8/01/19

 

Nothing to Fear
by Juno Rushdan
"Every move they make counts. And the real traitor is always watching..."
I really enjoyed book 1 and am glad to continue.

Won

NONE

Purchased

8/3/2019 I have been eyeing this series for some time. My son texted that the Kindle was on sale for free. I picked up the Kindle book for free and Audible Book for $1.99.
The Black Star of Kingston
By: S. D. Smith
Narrated by: Eric Fritzius
Series: Tales of Old Natalia , Book 1, The Green Ember, Book 0.5
Length: 2 hrs and 8 mins


8/4/19 Audible Sale $5.00 each. (I determined I would spend up to $20.00 and I found these four picks.)


Journey to the Center of the Earth: A Signature Performance by Tim Curry
By: Jules Verne
Narrated by: Tim Curry
Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 03-01-11




Fuzzy Nation
By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton, John Scalzi - introduction
Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
Release date: 05-10-11




Redshirts
A Novel with Three Codas
By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
Release date: 06-05-12

The Space Between
An Outlander Novella
By: Diana Gabaldon
Narrated by: Davina Porter
Length: 4 hrs and 13 mins
Release date: 05-30-14

Free

8/02/19 ChristianAudio.com August Free title.
Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World
by Emily P. Freeman



7/28/19 ChristianAudio.com July Free title.
Grace Abounding To The Chief Of Sinners
by John Bunyan


I added 10 free titles this week 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.