#NetGalley Book Review: The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice

All three stories are a lovely Treat!

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice
by Donna Kauffman; Kate Angell; Allyson Charles

File Size: 1013 KB
Print Length: 368 pages
Publisher: Kensington Books (August 27, 2019)
ASIN: B07L2FNB7T
Genre: Anthology, Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

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.
Witches, goblins, the occasional ghost—they’re all sure to be spotted at the annual Halloween parade, where adults and children alike dress in costume to celebrate Moonbright’s favorite holiday. And no place has more seasonal spirit than Bellaluna’s Bakeshop, a family business steeped in traditional recipes, welcoming warmth—and, legend has it, truly spellbinding, heart-melting treats …
Between good-natured Halloween tricks, frothy pumpkin lattes, and some very special baked goods, for three Moonbright residents looking for love—whether they know it or not—the spookiest thing will be how magical romance can suddenly be …

Review:
Bellaluna’s Bakeshop in Moonbright, Maine is a place with lovely people, yummy treats and a touch of magic. A secret tradition of the bakeshop owner, Sofia, is that a certain cookie will help bring a destined couple together.

Sweet Magic by Donna Kauffman. My Rating 4.5 of 5.0.
Sofia’s granddaughter, Bree, loves working at the family bakeshop and loves being settled in her hometown. Sofia introduces her to Caleb who is a chef visiting from Philadelphia to oversee his Uncle’s restaurant.

The flirty thoughts and warm exchanges between Bree and Caleb made me smile. They face the conflict of being entranced in their family businesses in different states. Bree, especially, is reluctant to let her heart commit. Can Caleb’s warm charm find a way to convince her to take a chance at grabbing love?

Love Spells Disaster by Allyson Charles. My Rating 4.25 of 5.0.
Cassie is looking forward to celebrating Halloween with her own special fun for the community. On the romance side, she is done with unreliable men and has set her eyes on her secure, if not exciting, boss. Her boss turns aside her offered gift, but a handsome customer snags the cookie.

Chip is entranced by the pretty redhead even though she snubs him as a ‘working stiff’ who won’t suit her. She doesn’t know that Chip is successfully growing his business and working on flipping houses. They are thrown together when Cassie hires Chip to build her haunted maze. Will he be able to convince her that he is the right kind of guy for her?

This is another fun story although I was frustrated by Cassie’s attitude and attempts to win a man who wasn’t interested in her. Chip made a great, steady hero willing to show his determination until Cassie recognized the chemistry between them.

Sweet on You by Kate Angell. My Rating 4.5 of 5.0.
Lara has had a really bad day. Her boyfriend dumped her, her landlord raised the rent and her hours are being cut at work. She is coping with her misery over a latte and treat at the bakeshop when she is surprised as Jack, the town Mayor, stops by to say “Hi.” Although they never really talked in high school, Jack noticed the quiet girl who caught his eyes over the flashy girls. Jack offers Lara a job as the town event planner, challenging her to pull together the Halloween Parade which is only a few weeks away.

Lara will have to face her pushy ex, his high style new girlfriend and a grumpy geriatric who has a (fun) nickname for everyone and insists on having her plans considered too. Lara’s confidence grows as she deals with the issues, makes new friends, and glows with Jack’s support.

This one was so sweet and adorable. I really enjoyed the fun they had with the nicknames and costumes.

This is a collection of three sweet, flirty romances and the Halloween setting was a fun element. Each romance moves quickly even as the couples deal with real or perceived conflicts. Another nice touch is a cookie/pastry treat recipe shared with each story. I will be glad to snag stories by any of these authors in the future. I highly recommend this fun collection.

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

Audio Book Review: The End of America?: Bible Prophecy and a Country in Crisis by Jeff Kinley

I really liked the information shared in this.
The End of America?: Bible Prophecy and a Country in Crisis
by Jeff Kinley
Tom Parks (Narrator)

Audio CD
Publisher: christianaudio; Unabridged edition (August 1, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1683667913
Genre: Christian Prophecies, Inspirational, NonFiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Will God’s Wrath Fall on America?
What happens when a country glories in its immorality, turning away from faith in God and obedience to Him?
Jeff Kinley, author of As It Was in the Days of Noah, explores historical and biblical precedents for the demise of a nation and addresses pressing questions such as…
How did we get to this point?
Is America in Bible prophecy?
Will Christians face widespread persecution here?
What effect will the rapture have on America?
How should I respond to the moral decline?
This forthright survey of current events and trends offers valuable perspective on the future of America—along with powerful motivation to embrace the only source of lasting hope.

Review:
Often we wonder how, and if, America fits in End Times. To answer the question Mr. Kinley begins with history. He establishes the importance of prophecy in the Bible. Much of the prophecy has already come true, supporting the reliability of the source. But there is more to come.

The author explores the current state of America by sharing historical detail of Christian roots in its founding. Mr. Kinley then addresses America’s long-time relationship with Israel by discussing the Biblical principle of blessings falling on those who support God’s chosen people, Israel.

There is more historical detail showing the progressive moral decline in especially since God was removed from schools in 1962. Step by step our society has moved away from revering God, to a point of ignoring Him and more recently outright rebellion and rejection of His laws. Soon we can expect to see increased persecution against Christians.

The author spent a long chapter discussing the horrible impact of abortion. The Bible supports the position that life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16, Isaiah 44:24, Jeremiah 1:5, Galatians 1:15 and more). So does science. God punished His most beloved chosen people, Israel, for worshipping idols and killing children. Do we really think He will let any other nation get away without punishment for the same sins?

The next question is how close to the end are we? Many people speculate and some (always falsely) set dates. There are some clear signs and seasons, but no one knows the date. This is more reason to be ready and to feel the compulsion to share the gospel with others. The final message is that it doesn’t really matter what role America plays in the end times. What matters is if we are ready and if we are sharing the message of salvation with others.

At times the book seemed to go on and on with a couple of the points. Still, I was impressed by the thoroughness of the arguments and information shared. I highly recommend this to readers who are interested in Biblical prophecy, not just America’s place.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Tom Parks. I appreciated that his presentation of the facts and arguments is made with directness and genuine feeling. I am glad that I listened but I ended up buying an extra copy of the book for myself.

Interestingly, my first review draft was 718 words; the second was still 576. It took four drafts to get it under 400.
Source: Print books at discount for book club and I picked up the Audio CD. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.

Sunday Post October 27, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 28, 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.

This was a busy week for me with two days covering court hearings.
This is an image taken by my DIL of the younger grandchildren on the cruise.

I like the darker colors.
Temperatures are back in the 80s after a too short time of cooler temps.

I enjoyed my week of reading/listening. I finished three books: two audios and one ebook. I posted four reviews on the blog and four at Goodreads (plus I linked the GR review I did last week but failed to post). Plus I posted my usual memes.

I visited 20 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Perspective of a Writer. Dani uses an interesting, inclusive Bulletin Board to share her weekly news.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post October 20, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 21, 2019.

• eBTBR- Goodreads Book Review: Turned at Dark (Shadow Falls, #0.5) by C.C. Hunter; Genre: Horror, Teen & YA, Vampire; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Lullaby by Jonathan Maberry; Genre: Fiction, Horror, Short Story; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 5.0.

• eBTBR- Goodreads Book Review: Dark Reality: A Horror Tale by Billie Sue Mosiman; Genre: Horror, Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: FREE: Crackanory Too Cracked for TV; Genre: British, Entertainment, Humor; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• eBTBR- Goodreads Book Review: Zombie Betrayal by Robert DeCoteau; Genre: Ghost, Horror; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• eBTBR- Goodreads Book Review: Jupiter’s Revenge: An Amber Cook Sequel (The Horror Diaries Vol.18) by Heather Beck; Genre: Horror, YA; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• eBTBR- Book Review: eBook Review: Investing Isobella by Jason Werbeloff; Genre: Cyberpunk, Horror, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 25, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/31/2019.

• eBTBR- Goodreads Book Review: Awaken: A Vampire Horror Story by Zach Bohannon; Genre: Horror, Mystery, Vampire; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Alien: Out of the Shadows by Tim Libbon; Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Dramatizations; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 27, 2019.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio CD/Car (A2019)

The End of America?: Bible Prophecy and a Country in Crisis
by Jeff Kinley
Tom Parks (Narrator)
I really liked the information in this.
Source: Print books for book club; I picked up the Audio CD for about $7.00 ($1.64 plus 5.46 shipping).
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Phantom of the Opera
By: Gaston Leroux
Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins
Release date: 12-06-04
About midway I did get into this story.
Source: 12/16 Daily Deal $.99 for me since I already had the Kindle version.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice
by Donna Kauffman; Kate Angell; Allyson Charles
All three stories are a lovely Treat!
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audio/MP3 (2019Tour)

The Journals of Octavia Hollows: Books 1-6
by Stacey Rourke
Narrated by: Brenda Scott Wlazlo
I am three stories in with this fun listen!
Source: Audio provided for Tour Blitz on 10/31/19 hosted by Caffeinated PR.
(Check back for blitz with giveaway.)
Do you like urban fantasy and snarky heroines? Then you'll want to meet necromancer Octavia Hollows and her sidekick Bacon.
With a touch of her hand, Octavia Hollows can restore life. Yet, she couldn’t save the man she loved from the horrific accident that stole him from her. Octavia thought she could outrun the pain, but ghosts from the past refuse to be silenced. Out of options, she chooses to retrace her wayward journey across the country in search of answers. Surrounded by baffling mysteries of the undead, what she learns about herself along the way might become her greatest weapon.
This six novella series chronicles Octavia's adventures in:
Wake the Dead
Dead Man's Hand
Caught Dead
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Dead Ringer
Dead as a Doornail
"This is Rourke at her finest: sassy and completely unapologetic. Proving again why she's a powerhouse in this industry."
-USA Today Best Selling Author Rue Volley
"This book has it all: a kickass heroine, loads of action... and a pig named Bacon."
-NYT & USA Today Best Selling Author Karen Lynch
©2019 Stacey Rourke (P)2019 The Audio Flow, LLC

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

May It Be So Forty Days with the Lord's Prayer
by Justin McRoberts; Scott Erickson
There are some wonderful quotes in this.
I will be finishing this week.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio MP3 (ATBR)

OCTOBER MOURNING:
A SONG FOR MATTHEW SHEPARD
by Lesléa Newman, Narrated by Emily Beresford, Luke Daniels, Tom Parks, Nick Podehl, Kate Rudd, Christina Traister (Brilliance Audio)
I am slipping this TBR in for "month" title.
Source: 2014 SYNC Free Audio.
On October 6, 1998, Matthew Shepard, a gay 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming, was viciously beaten, tied to a fence, and left to die. Author Newman’s intimate reaction to this tragedy, a heartrending collection of 68 poems, is narrated by an outstanding cast. The narrators expertly carry the weight of the poems, excelling on verses that combine more than one voice. The poems present unique perspectives, including those of the fence, the moon, the road, even Matthew’s cat. Beautifully articulated, the quiet spaces in each poem add to the emotion, evoking a vast starry sky of memory and loss not soon to be forgotten. Intense, moving, and haunting—a must-listen for ages 14+. E.A.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2013 Audies Finalist, SYNC 2014 © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2012]

4. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Reasons to Kill God
by I.V. Olokita
This sounds like a story with a message.
Source: Author Review Request.
“If you are able to write 180 pages of your memoir without putting the pen down, I might let you live…”
Klaus Holland loves no one other than himself. He victimizes people for being Jews or for just being alive.
He is an old Nazi criminal who escaped to Brazil and was caught and prosecuted. He is now forced to write his memoirs as part of his punishment – the same punishment he used to give Jews at the concentration camp. This punishment makes him remember and re-live his cruelty as the concentration camp commander and as a man.
Deus Esperanca learns from his mother that what he believed to be his family’s history, was just a bunch of lies. He discovers that his real father is Klaus Holland – the sadistic Nazi fugitive.
Having this information and his father being aware of what he knows, their lives intertwine and create chaos.

I made good progress with the TBR; I just need to read/listen to 12 more TBR titles in 9 weeks.
I have a couple of TBR Christmas books lined up to help finish off this goal.

October 27, 2019 - I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I didn't do another study but continue to spend time on May it Be So. [You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed three books and nine reviews (one linked from 10/19). I have one review to complete for the short stories I read for Fraterfest plus the three books finished this week.
I have been adding newer reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon, and Audible. (Eventually, I will add older reviews.)

My NetGalley shelf just grew to 12 with the addition of 6 titles! Two for Christmas. I am still working on NG titles I received in July. [Plus I have 4 old titles (2012-13.)]
I am reading one author title so I only have two left in queue. I'll finish them this year.
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.
Six new review titles from NetGalley.
I picked out the two free Original Audibles for October. I have an Audiobook credit I may use for two for one before the end of the month and I just saw there is another sale at Audible.
20 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

Recieved from NetGalley.
10/20/19

Enforcing the Paw
by Diane Kelly
I have been eyeing this series thanks to the K-9 dogs.

10/21/19 The Ultimate Guide to the 2020 Election
101 Nonpartisan Solutions to All the Issues that Matter

by No Labels; Ryan Clancy; Margaret White
"The Ultimate Guide to the 2020 Election gives a voice to this majority and provides an unbiased education on the true nature of the problems America faces on several key issues,..."

The Possibility of America
How the Gospel Can Mend Our God-Blessed, God-Forsaken Land

by David Dark
As I watch the societal strife in America I pray for a calmer, kinder future.

10/23/19 - Two Christmas titles and an author I like!

All Hearts Come Home for Christmas
by Sarah M. Eden, Anita Stansfield, Esther Hatch, Joanna Barker 

One Wish

by Jodi Thomas
"...takes you back deep into the Texas Panhandle, where the winters are long, the storms fierce—and the Yuletide nights are unforgettable . . ."

A Bad Day for Sunshine

by Darynda Jones
"Sheriff Sunshine Vicram finds her cup o’ joe more than half full when the small village of Del Sol, New Mexico, becomes the center of national attention for a kidnapper on the loose."

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE (for a change!)

Free

Two Free Audible Originals
10/23/2019

Carmilla
By: Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Narrated by: Phoebe Fox, Rose Leslie, David Tennant, David Horovitch, James Wilby, Susan Wooldridge, Hannah Genesius
Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins
Release date: 10-27-15
Language: English

10/27/2019
My Lost Family
An Audible Original
By: Danny Ben-Moshe, Dasha Lisitsina
Narrated by: Danny Ben-Moshe
Length: 2 hrs and 13 mins
Release date: 10-03-19
Language: English

I added 20 free Kindle 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 October 27, 2019

We had another good Sunday School lesson shared from Jonathan Cahn’s book The Oracle. Today’s lesson focused on the Jubilee years 67AD, 1867, 1917, 1967, and 2017.

Service began with a beautiful time of worship leading into Pastor’s continued sermon series:
The Blessed Life. This week is Part Four and based on a message in the Beatitudes. Pastor has previously noted that our hearts and actions need to line up with the Lord, not with the world. God wants to protect and bless us but sometimes we step away from his path and thereby step away from his blessings.

Today the message is: Motives Matter. Most people want their motives to be good and pure all that time. However, since we are frail, selfish humans, that is not realistic. Wrong motives pollute, contaminate and taint. Often we deceive ourselves with twisted motives. We have excuses...

God knows what we are doing, and why we're doing it. Our motives.

Jesus is preaching the Beatitudes to the crowds when he shares in Matthew 5:8: God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

What is our motive for offering or even coming to church? Is it peer pressure; leverage? Or is an opportunity to worship and to fill-up on God power. Is our ultimate motive to lead others to Jesus?

The Point: Motives reveal the condition and direction of your heart. When your desires and motives line up with God, you won't be afraid to take big steps of faith.

Acts 8 tells the story of a Magician by the name of Simon. When he heard the preaching of Philip, he believed and was baptized. Later, Peter and John prayed for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. Simon offered them money for the ability to lay hands on and deliver the Holy Spirit to people. (verses 18-19). Peter rebuked Simon because his motives were wrong – he wanted the power for his own purpose, not to bring glory to God. Sharing the Holy Spirit is good, but it should not be encouraged in a trickster.

Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.”
Proverbs 16:2 “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”

When your heart is pure, you see God everywhere!
What if aligning your motives would change your vision, what you see?
Join God in what He is doing instead of what you are doing.
God showed us His pure motive to bring us salvation because He loved us so much. To give us life. Ephesians 1:11-14; John 3:16.

See Him in your life. Ask God to motivate you each day.

I had several songs but this one seemed to work today.

A Verse for Today:
Matthew 5:8 (NIV)
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

God, I pray that you guide my motives and that I may see You in everything in my life!

Audible Book Review: Alien: Out of the Shadows by Tim Lebbon, Dirk Maggs

This is a good dramatization and made me want to see the movies again.

Alien: Out of the Shadows
An Audible Original Drama
By: Tim Lebbon, Dirk Maggs
Narrated by: Rutger Hauer, Corey Johnson, Matthew Lewis, Kathryn Drysdale, Laurel Lefkow, Andrea Deck, Mac McDonald.

Series: Audible Original, Alien, Book 1, Alien, Book 3
Length: 4 hrs and 28 mins
Performance
Release date: 04-26-16
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Categories: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Dramatizations
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
In space, no one can hear you scream. In this gripping Audible Original performance, Ellen Ripley, the last human survivor of the salvage ship Nostromo, once again takes on the relentless Xenomorphs: vicious, intelligent extra-terrestrials notorious for tearing humans apart. When her lifeboat Narcissus locks onto the mining ship Marion, she awakes from hypersleep to a nightmare: the dreaded creatures are lurking on board, ominously prowling a sealed-off shuttle after slaughtering the crew. When one of the merciless beasts escapes the hold, acting Captain Chris “Hoop” Hooper and his team are faced with an unimaginable horror—and Ripley just may be the crew’s only hope.
An ensemble cast, featuring film icon Rutger Hauer and Harry Potter’s Matthew Lewis, commands this unforgettable performance, punctuated by immersive sound design from audio master and fan favorite Dirk Maggs. Awarded the 2017 Audie for Excellence in Production, the result is terrifying–and utterly pause-resistant.
©2016 20th Century Fox (P)2016 Audible, Ltd.

Review:
Ripley, the sole survivor of the Xenomorphs alien attack on the Nostromo, is in hypersleep in a lifeboat headed home… at least that was the plan. She is awakened when her ship is diverted and pulled onto the mining ship Marion. Apparently two ships went to the surface and ran into trouble in the form of an alien attack. Snagging Ripley’s ship is fortuitous for the mining crew since Ripley is the only one who has experience with these aliens.

While Ripley was longing to get back to earth, it turns out the disembodied AI, Ash, who tried to take back an alien, is controlling her ship. Ash redirected Ripley’s ship so he could get to the aliens again. Now he is prepared to take over the mining ships and again try to get an alien to take back to earth… even if it means leaving most of the humans behind.

The action is fast paced, and Ash makes a creepy, strong villain. I like how his journal entries fill in backstory on ‘the Company’. Chief Engineer, now acting Captain, Hooper, “Hoop”, and Ripley share bantering chemistry and begin to form a supportive friendship as they try to survive the alien beasts. Sadly, most of the other characters are disposable. Beyond humans trying to sneak past the aliens, while Ash steers them into trouble, there isn’t a huge plot line.

Audio Notes: The dramatization makes this an interactive, movie-like (at least in sound) experience. I loved Rutger Hauer as Ash and Laurel Lefkow does a great job portraying Ripley. At times she sounds just like Sigourney Weaver. There are a few times I had to strain to hear the voices over the dramatic music and background sounds but overall the performance is engaging and exciting.

Source: 2016 Audible Original. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.