Book Review: A Christmas Message From The Moon by Philip Gibson

I learned some history from this quick story!
A Christmas Message From The Moon
by Philip Gibson


File Size: 1234 KB
Print Length: 16 pages
Publication Date: November 22, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
ASIN: B018EI7ZTI
Genre: History, Short Story
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

On Christmas Eve 1968, the largest worldwide television audience in history tuned in to see the Apollo 8 astronauts become the first humans to reach the Moon. Halfway through their 6-day historic mission, the astronauts broadcast live TV pictures and commentary from lunar orbit.

At that time, no-one had any idea that a mere one minute of their historic journey would cause a nationwide controversy so great that it would end up in a lawsuit to be debated and decided by no less an august body than the Supreme Court of the United States.

The account is written not in the conventional book format, but in the form of today’s social media, imagining that the astronauts, and those following the mission, were able to post their thoughts to the public in real time.

The story begins with the astronauts of Apollo 8 just minutes away from beginning their historic Christmas message to the world.

Review:
Gibson presents the 1968 Christmas message from the Apollo 8 astronauts with a media format of shared commentary including well-known journalists of the day (like Walter Cronkite) and criticism from some who took offense. I was surprised to learn that a lawsuit challenged the Biblical reading as a violation of State and Religion. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court!

I remember (as a teenager) being impressed by the touching Christmas message from the moon. I found this work informative and interesting. I liked the format the author used to share this. It may not be scintillating, but I enjoyed this historically based story. I recommend it as a quick, informative read (and I think it is still free).

Source: January 2017 free Kindle download. This qualifies for 2019TBR and #HoHoHoRAT goals.

Book Review: Ruth's First Christmas Tree by Elly Griffiths

This is a sweet Christmas story.

Ruth's First Christmas Tree
(Ruth Galloway #4.5)
by Elly Griffiths

File Size: 11359 KB
Print Length: 29 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (December 11, 2012)
ASIN: B00AFDUN72
Genre: Holiday, Traditional Detective
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

It is three days before Christmas and a bitter wind is blowing across Norfolk.
Until her daughter was born, forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway didn’t do Christmas, but now that Kate is a year old, she wants it to be special.
She must get a tree, shop for food, clean the house, buy presents, including one for her new boyfriend—who she isn’t even sure is her boyfriend—and remember to get the turkey out of the freezer.
But time is rushing by and the best-laid plans don’t always work out …

Review:
Ruth is a forensic archaeologist living in a bleakly cold and secluded cottage in Norfolk. Her career skills have her working closely with the DCI to help solve murders. During one of her earlier forays to help the police, she ended up getting pregnant. Now she has a precious child, Kate, and Ruth wants to have her first true Christmas to share with Kate.

Ruth is rushing to get everything ready especially since she has a new friend – maybe boyfriend -- coming to celebrate with her and Kate. When the cat and Kate get to the decorated tree, things look to be tumbling. Ruth is lucky to have a close friend, Cathbad, step in to help make Christmas really special and even Kate's father makes an unexpected appearance.

I like forensic characters and was curious about this series. The story is cute but I found the reading difficult. The author presents the work in third person, present tense which makes it a little awkward. I very much like Ruth’s unusual friend, Cathbad, but had some concerns about the affair with the married inspector that led to Ruth’s child.

I might try one of the full novels to see if I could adjust. I recommend this as a cute Christmas story that introduces the reader to the characters and the author’s writing style.

Source: 2012 free Kindle. This qualifies for 2019TBR goal and #HoHoHoRat.

Sunday Post November 24, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 25, 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 another busy week with hearings and office work as staff prepare for Thanksgiving holidays.

The tarp at my office building is obviously leaking. I am waiting for the revised structural plans and then we can hopefully get the architect plans within 30 days.
Are temps only got to about 73 this week. This morning was 53 but cold due to the damp. I don't envy those in the paths of storms this week. Stay Safe!

My reading/listening was slow but enjoyable this past week. I only finished one audiobook.   I posted five reviews on the blog and four at Goodreads. Plus I posted my usual memes.

I visited 20 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Novel Notions. Petrik, Celeste, Haïfa, TS and Emma describe themselves as: “We’re friends from around the world who bonded over a mutual love of books, especially fantasy and all other things speculative.”
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

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

• ATBR- Audio Book Review: Bring Me Home for Christmas by Robyn Carr; Genre: Contemporary Romance, Holiday Fiction, Small Town, #HoHoHoRAT; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• eTBR- Goodreads Book Review: Evergreen A Christmas Tale by Richard Taylor; Genre: Historical, Holiday, Short Story, #HoHoHoRAT; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings (The Chronicles of St Mary's #6.5) by Jodi Taylor; Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Time Travel, #HoHoHoRAT and #SciFiMonth; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• eTBR- Goodreads Book Review: Christmas Scandal...Not! by Jeanne Savery; Genre: Historical, Holiday, Short Story, #HoHoHoRAT; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0.

• NG2019-#NetGalley Book Review: Christmas Once Again by D.K. Deters; Genre: Holiday, Romance, Short Story, Time Travel Romance, #HoHoHoRAT and #SciFiMonth; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

• eTBR- Goodreads Book Review: The Twelve Cats of Christmas (All the Creatures of Christmas) by Kevin Whitlark; Genre: Cats, Holiday, #HoHoHoRAT; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

• eTBR- Book Review: A Christmas Feral by Mary Matthews; Genre: Cats, Holiday, Short Story, #HoHoHoRAT, #SciFiMonth; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• eTBR- Goodreads Book Review: Santa's Christmas Eve Blues by Douglas Lindsay; Genre: Holiday, Short Story; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 22, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 11/28/2019.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski; Genre: Anthology Fantasy, Short Stories, Sorcery, #SciFiMonth; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement November 24, 2019.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Scythe
By: Neal Shusterman
Narrator: Greg Tremblay
Duration: 10 hrs and 32 mins
This pulled my emotions back and forth!
Source: 1/27/18 Audible Sale $3.95.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

A Vintage Summer
by Cathy Bramley
50% in I'm enjoying this although it is taking longer to read.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

An Easy Death
By: Charlaine Harris
Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky
Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
Release date: 10-02-18
I picked this one to fit #SciFiMonth. I generally like Alternate History stories.
Source: 12/16/18 November Credit at Audible.
Publisher's Summary
Number-one New York Times best-seller Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse mysteries, True Blood, Midnight Crossroad) delivers the first thriller in a new trilogy that presents a chilling alternate history of the US where everyone believes in magic - but no one is sure whether they can trust it.
After the assassination of FDR in the 1930s, the US collapses and is picked off by the UK, Canada, Mexico, and Russia. We find ourselves in the Southwestern states, now known as Texoma. It is here that the gunnie Lizbeth Rose tries to piece out a life, running security on runs from Texoma across the border to Mexico, where work and prospects are stronger.
When two Russian magicians come looking for a man named Alex Karkarov, they hire Lizbeth to find him or his family, but there are problems: The man they're looking for is dead, but he has a daughter they now need to find, as an ever-growing set of sorcerers and gunnies do not want them to succeed. It's a good thing Lizbeth is a deadly gunfighter; too bad she hates sorcerers, even the ones on whom she has to learn to rely.
Number-one New York Times best-seller Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse mysteries, True Blood, Midnight Crossroad) returns to fantasy in a taut thriller set in a US where magic is an acknowledged truth, but disreputable.
©2018 Charlaine Harris, Inc. (P)2018 Recorded Books

3. Audio/MPS (AReview)

Her Ruthless Protector
by Caitlyn O’Leary
This sounds like a military romance I will like.
Source: Audio Download for review through Caffeinated PR Services.
Click on book title for full description.

I hope to get in a couple more SciFi titles before the end of November. We'll see.

November 24, 2019 - I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I am continuing Love God Greatly - Thanksgiving study leading up to Thanksgiving.

I completed only 1 book and posted nine of 11 reviews. I did well on reviews last week so I only have 3 books to review left.
My NetGalley shelf remains at 9. I am still working on NG titles I received in July. [Plus I have 4 old titles (2012-13.)]
I still have three author titles as I forgot one added earlier this month. I plan to finish them all 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.
No new review titles. I may wait one more week before requesting more NetGalley titles.
I resisted Daily Deals and Chirps again but purchased five Christmas Titles on Sale at Audiobooks.com. 
I also downloaded two free audios; I still have two to pick from Audible Originals later this week.
38 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

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

I was checking Audiobooks.com for the 2 for 1 deals and found these Christmas deals.
I did not resist.  Five Audios for under $20.00.
Pupcakes: A Christmas Novel $3.99
Written By: Annie England Noblin
Narrated By: Amy McFadden
Publisher: HarperAudio
Date: October 2017
Duration: 9 hours 59 minutes

Snowbound at Christmas $3.99
Written By: Lia Riley, Jennifer Ryan, Maisey Yates
Narrated By: Lillian Thayer, Coleen Marlo, Carly Robins
Publisher: HarperAudio
Date: November 2016
Duration: 7 hours 56 minutes

An Angel for Christmas   $3.00
Written By: Heather Graham
Narrated By: Christina Traister
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Date: September 2011
Duration: 5 hours 48 minutes


Christmas in Sugarcreek: A Christmas Seasons of Sugarcreek Novel $3.99
Written By: Shelley Shepard Gray
Narrated By: Robynn Rodriguez
Publisher: HarperAudio
Date: October 2011
Duration: 5 hours 54 minutes


The Dogs of Christmas     $4.99
Written By: W. Bruce Cameron
Narrated By: Kirby Heyborne
Publisher: Tantor Media
Date: October 2013
Duration: 6 hours 14 minutes

I purchased one $.99 Kindle as it caught my eye;

A Holiday By Gaslight: A Victorian Christmas Novella
by Mimi Matthews

Free

Audiobooks.com VIP Free for November:
A Place Called Freedom
By Ken Follett
Narrated By: Simon Prebble
Duration: 14 h 42 min

Christianaudio.com November free download.
Triggers
Exchanging Parents' Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses
Author Amber Lia & Wendy Speake
Narrator Amber Lia & Wendy Speake
Runtime 5.43 Hrs. - Unabridged

I added 38 free Kindle 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 November 24, 2019

Our Sunday School teacher shared on giving Thanks --- for good times and struggles. During Service we shared Communion and then pastor continued his sermon on The Blessed Life.

Blessed is having God's supernatural power working For you.
Cursed is having supernatural power working Against you.

Our lives are better when we allow Jesus/God to take the wheel. Too often we take the wheel ourselves and even ask God to stay away from the car! We want abundant blessings, but we try to find middle ground doing what we want.

When it comes to holiday events, we hope that others will share the load; we hope that everyone will contribute. God is there to help carry the load. There are times He is prepared to actually carry you.

Is it acceptable to live your life without the blessing of God on your life?
People live without blessing. We compromise; we lower our expectations.
God rewards obedience. He allows struggles to those who are disobedient, but the curse of sin is lifted when we are obedient. And as part of that obedience, pastor asked: “are you tithing or are you cheating God?” Malachi 3:8-10.

Those who steal the first ten percent from God are under curse. The curse can be lifted immediately.

The Point: if you want to break the curse on your financial life… and everything connected to it... Challenge God by tithing.

Honor the Lord with your wealth and the best part of everything you produce and your ‘barns’ will be filled to overflowing. Proverbs 3:3-10.

God offers a solution to the curse. Malachi 3:11-12 represents promise, not compromise.

Why wouldn't you give the ten percent when you are promised abundance? Some people don't believe, don't trust, don't care or are in so deep that they can't give ten percent. Those Christ-followers who have learned the lesson know that you can’t afford NOT to tithe.**

God has a plan to prosper those who are obedient. Allow God's hands on your life.
What can you do? Take the steps necessary to Honor and even test God.

(**My husband and I learned this truth years ago. We were in debt and couldn’t even afford fast food for our children. Then we prayed and turned our belongings over to God. When we acknowledged it ALL belongs to Him and we are only stewards, He began to bless us. As we trusted Him with the first tenth of our income, he continued to bless us with abundance.)

This song fits the message for me- He Did it Again, Counting My Blessings!

Verses for Today:
Proverbs 3:9-10
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Thank you, Lord, for your abundant blessings! Help me to be a conduit to allow Your gifts to flow to others.
 

Audible Book Review: The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski

I enjoyed the storytelling in this collection.
The Last Wish
By: Andrzej Sapkowski
Narrated by: Peter Kenny
Series: The Witcher Saga

Series: The Witcher Saga
Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-05-15
Language: English
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Genre: Anthology Fantasy, Short Stories, Sorcery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Geralt of Rivia is a witcher. A cunning sorcerer. A merciless assassin.
And a cold-blooded killer.
His sole purpose: to destroy the monsters that plague the world.
But not everything monstrous-looking is evil, and not everything fair is good...and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth.
The international hit that inspired the video game The Witcher.
©2008 Andrzej Sapkowski (P)2015 Hachette Audio

Review:
Geralt of Rivia is a witcher. They are rare; respected by some; reviled by others. They are not quite a sorcerer, nor an assassin but they trade in elements of each. The true purpose of witchers is to kill monsters. They are dedicated from youth and given to be trained to be stronger physically and mentally. They learn potions, spells, and fighting arts. Over the years Geralt has become skilled and wise and able to prevail in most situations.

This book is a collection of stories of monsters- natural and unnatural - friends, twists and surprises. Geralt doesn’t go unscathed but he comes through. The stories include dark tales where choices have to be made between greater and lesser evils, some of which are human. Even fighting a demon genie involves fighting a power-hungry witch.

I wasn’t familiar with the game, but I liked the sound of a cunning ‘wizard’ who fights monsters. I enjoyed the action and the touch of humor in the stories. I especially liked the old-world feel of the stories. I recommend this to readers who like dark fairy tales.

Audio Notes: Peter Kenny does a grand job with the narration. He provides unique voices for the characters and captures the depth and mystery of The Witcher. The narration added to my enjoyment of this work.

Source: June 2018 Audible Sale. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook and #SciFiMonth 2019.