Audible Book Review: Spring in Geneva by Sylvia Kelso

This is a delightful listen!
Spring in Geneva
By: Sylvia Kelso
Narrated by: Jesse Einstein

Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 08-18-15
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fantasy, Gothic, Short Story, Steampunk
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.

Publisher's Summary
Mary Shelley, a young banker’s son, and William, an excessively tall man with a “lividly hued visage, watery eyes, and blackened lips within a straggling beard,” pit their wits and derring-do against Lord Byron, master of steampunk technology, and his thuggish minions.
©2013 Sylvia Kelso (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Like the Frankenstein story, this novella takes the form of a letter correspondence. Anton writes to explain “what it was all about”. Anton sees a “Promethean” in the garden and befriends him. Then a striking young lady comes along to collect the strange-looking creature she calls William. The young lady turns out to be the widow of Percy Shelley. Anton is intrigued by the curious William and smitten by the sad but enchanting Mary Shelley. Anton sets about helping William to present himself appropriately in public.

But the men who helped create William discover that he is alive and they are not inclined to let him reveal their secrets to anyone. When William, Mary, and Anton realize that the men are set to run another creation experiment, they are determined to prevent that tragedy even though it risks their lives.

The story has friendship, romance -or at least the dream of it-, danger, and questions regarding what signifies a man and more particularly a soul. The prose has a European flair that fits the Georgian time period. I enjoyed the rich descriptions and found the Frankenstein connections captivating. It makes me want to read the original story again. I will also look at other stories by Ms. Kelso. I recommend this to fans of the original Frankenstein story and to readers who enjoy a gothic, steampunk fantasy.

Audio Notes: Jesse Einstein does a beautiful job with the narration. He captures the gothic elements as well as providing distinct voices. I found the listening experience delightful.

Source: 12/13/2019 Audible Sale for $1.50. This qualifies for 2020TBR,  2020Audiobook and season "Spring" reading goals.

Sunday Post April 12, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 13, 2020

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.

We continue to work in our locked office and return to our sequestered homes. We all are experiencing a certain tense disjointedness.
My hubby, who is totally at risk with conditions, wants to go grocery shopping to select the meats this week. I'm not sure I'll be able to talk him out of it. He's been in house since March 3rd so it is starting to wear on him.
Our County of roughly 48,000 only has 4 cases and we know where they all came from. But that doesn't mean there aren't infected people out there.
Speaking of Hubby, he enjoyed visiting about six churches online this morning. That is hard to do when you physically go to one congregation.

Also, Hubby is our cook. I gained weight this week. First cake then bread.

This was breakfast (and lunch) for Friday.

Our weather was pretty nice most of the week with a couple of downpours. Nights are cooler - all the way to the high 40s. Today was a windy, quiet Easter day.
May everyone continue to stay calm and healthy in these uncertain times.

I enjoyed my week of listening and reading although it still seems slower. I finished two audiobooks, one of which was very short. I posted two reviews, my usual memes and an extra post for Good Friday.

I visited only 15 blogs last week - not so good.
Shout Out this week to Dogs and Books. Rian, a blogger in the Philippines, says"I love reading books. Although, I can read different kinds of genre, I am more particular to the Young adult, New adult novels and manga. I love reading because it can transport me to different places if not worlds."

Don't forget- Audible is offering free children's titles during these days at home.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post April 5, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 6, 2020.

• MBS March 2020 Reading List Wrap Up.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Differently Morphous by Yahtzee Croshaw; Genre: British-Irish Humor, Fantasy, Satire; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 10, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/16/2020.

• Christ Shed His Blood For You and Me.

• Author2020- Book Review: Hood: an Outlaws novella by M.C. Frank; Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling, Historical Fantasy, Medieval; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 12, 2020 Happy Easter.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (A2020)

Configured
The Configured Trilogy, Book 1
By: Jenetta L. Penner
Narrated by: Lillie Ricciardi
Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
Release date: 11-03-17
This is an engaging sci fi.
I have the third book from the author.
3/28/2020 Audible One March Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Spring in Geneva
By: Sylvia Kelso
Narrated by: Jesse Einstein
Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 08-18-15
I thought this was a Spring romance,
but it is much more. A delightful listen!
Source: 12/13/2019 Audible Sale for $1.50.
Publisher's Summary
Mary Shelley, a young banker’s son, and William, an excessively tall man with a “lividly hued visage, watery eyes, and blackened lips within a straggling beard,” pit their wits and derring-do against Lord Byron, master of steampunk technology, and his thuggish minions.
©2013 Sylvia Kelso (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

A Bad Day for Sunshine
by Darynda Jones
This is fun and intriguing. 61% in.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Pass of Fire
Destroyermen Series, Book 14
By: Taylor Anderson
Narrated by: William Dufris
Length: 19 hrs and 50 mins
Release date: 08-13-19
I was ready to listen to a fav series.
Source: July 2019 Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
Time is running out for the Grand Human and Lemurian Alliance. The longer they take to prepare for their confrontations with the reptilian Grik, the Holy Dominion, and the League of Tripoli, the stronger their enemies become. Ready or not, they have to move - or the price in blood will break them.
Matt Reddy and his battered old destroyer USS Walker lead the greatest army the humans and their Lemurian allies have ever assembled up the Zambezi toward the ancient Grik capital city. Standing against them is the largest, most dangerous force of Grik yet gathered.
On the far side of the world, General Shinya and his Army of the Sisters are finally prepared for their long-expected assault on the mysterious El Paso del Fuego. Not only is the dreaded Dominion ready and waiting for them; they've formed closer, more sinister ties with the fascist League of Tripoli.
Everything is on the line in both complex, grueling campaigns, and the Grand Alliance is stretched to its breaking point. Victory is the only option, whatever the cost, because there can be no second chances.
©2019 Taylor Anderson (P)2019 Tantor

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2020)

The New Husband
by D.J. Palmer
Releases April 14, 2020.
I saw this book last year at Silver's Review and it looked like an interesting thriller.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
What makes Simon Fitch so perfect?
-He knows all her favorite foods, music, and movies.
-Her son adores him. He was there when she needed him most.
-He anticipates her every need.
-He would never betray her like her first husband.
The perfect husband. He checks all the boxes.
The question is, why?
Nina Garrity learned the hard way that her missing husband, Glen, had been leading a double life with another woman. But with Glen gone—presumably drowned while fishing on his boat—she couldn't confront him about the affair or find closure to the life he blew apart.
Now, a year and a half later, Nina has found love again and hopes she can put her shattered world back together. Simon, a widower still grieving the death of his first wife, thinks he has found his dream girl in Nina, and his charm and affections help break through to a heart hardened by betrayal. Nina's teenage son, Connor, embraces Simon as the father he wishes his dad could have been, while her friends see a different side to him, and they aren't afraid to use the word obsession.
Nina works hard to bridge the divide that’s come between her daughter and Simon. She wants so badly to believe her life is finally getting back on track, but she’ll soon discover that the greatest danger to herself and her children are the lies people tell themselves.

Did Not Listen. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Road to the Resurrection
I was unable to get this to download on my phone as the site crashed whenever I tried to download. I tried another title and had the same problem. I may have to try downloading it to MP3.
Source: ChristianAudio 2011 I think.
Click on book title for full description.

I'm keeping track of my Alphabet here as I finish the books. The cross-outs aren't easy to see, so I made the completed letters blue.
NETGALLEY: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W X  Y  Z
AUDIO:            A  B  C  D  E  F G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W X  Y  Z

April 12, 2020 - I am again enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I considered changing but this is the reading group that is closest to my husband's reading so we can sometimes discuss the same passages.
I finished the Lent study: Lent: With One Voice. I also finished an Easter study: From Death To Life: Devotions From Your Time Of Grace.

I completed two books and posted two reviews so I am on track.
My NetGalley shelf is now 12, plus the four titles from 2012-13 which I still hope to read this year.
I still have one carry over author ebook and two new author ebooks. I expect to pull one of these soon. I have one audiobook from an author and now I have 4 new audiobooks too.
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 four new audiobooks for review this week from an author.
I have been resisting Chrip and Audible Daily Deals. I have a credit and free books to pick later this week. 
I made a free selection from choices provided by Simon & Shuster.
I added 25 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 four Audiobook Author Codes on 4/10/2020. Thank you, Bonnie Paulson!
I plan to listen to book 1 in the Into the End series after my current audio.
Into the End
By: Bonnie R. Paulson
Narrated by: David Gilmore
Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins
Release date: 12-07-12


Through the Flames
Into the End, Book 2
By: Bonnie R. Paulson
Narrated by: James Miller
Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
Release date: 10-23-13


Out of the Ashes
Into the End, Book 3
By: Bonnie R. Paulson
Narrated by: David Gilmore
Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
Release date: 06-04-14


Psycho Inside Me
By: Bonnie R. Paulson
Narrated by: Jenifer Krist
Length: 5 hrs and 23 mins
Release date: 03-04-14

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Free from Simon & Schuster through Glose. (Reminded me that I have books for reading there.)
The Crowded Hour: Theodore Roosevelt, the Rough Riders, and the Dawn of the American Century
by Clay Risen



I added 25 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 April 12, 2020 Happy Easter!

 

Pastor's online message this morning was from Luke 24. Jesus bore our sin on the cross. He conquered death and rose in glory! We cannot find help in the things of this dying world. We can only find healing and life through the redeeming blood of our Risen Lord.
What do you turn to for help, hope or purpose?

Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25
There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.

Stop looking among the dead.

The Point: Stop looking among the dead. Turn to Jesus!

Praise God - Christ is Risen!
He paid the price for my sin.

Verses for Today:
Luke 24:5-7 (NIV)
5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”


Thank you, God, that through belief in the living Christ, I have the joy of eternal life.

Book Review: Hood: an Outlaws novella by M.C. Frank

This retelling of the beginning of the legend of Robin Hood moves quickly and is engaging.

Hood: an Outlaws novella
by M.C. Frank

File Size: 1781 KB
Print Length: 71 pages
Publication Date: January 7, 2020
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07ZZJ4JC5
Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling, Historical Fantasy, Medieval
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

Meet Robin Hood's band of outlaws. Their story starts with Christmas, a lost love, a hungry town and a robbery.
In this Outlaws novella, Robin Loxley is a tortured young man mourning the loss of his title, his lands and his first love. Tonight, with the help of his close friends, he will get a new name that will live in history, a cat that could care less that Robin happens to be the most brilliant archer in medieval England, and a chance to prove himself by rescuing a lady from a fire.
But this is no ordinary lady...
And that is no ordinary fire...
HOOD is a prequel novella to the beloved bestselling Outlaws series by M.C. Frank.

Review:
Robin is now an outlaw with a small group of followers: John, the big warrior, Tuck, the excommunicated monk, Will, the brother of his heart, and Alis, the lady who learned to fight to survive. The group has rallied around Robin even though he is still trying to figure out how to lead and what to do. His friends have aliases to protect their true identities when in the villages. Now they are toying with giving Robin his own alias.

Each of the characters apparently has a sad history that has landed them together. This novella focuses on Robin’s history through flash-backs to some of the heart-breaking traumas in his past. This occurs while the group faces a bleak Christmas Eve. They are aware that the Sheriff’s men have raided the surrounding villages taking a toll in not only taxes but holiday feasts. Are Robin and his friends willing to risk their lives to retake the bounty and return it to the people?

I enjoy retellings and found this to be a quick, engaging read. I enjoyed the extra development of the characters as well as the action scenes. While staying consistent with the legend that we know, the author provides intrigue and humor in arriving at the famous name. I recommend this to readers who enjoy retellings.

Source: Author pdf March 2020. This qualifies for 2020 Author goal.

Christ Shed His Blood For You and Me

I had planned to post this in the morning but didn't get the schedule set properly. I still feel it is worth posting.

Some of the images are difficult as they are from the movie The Passion of Christ.
I find this to be a stunning reminder.
I hope people took some time today to reflect on the sacrifice made by our Lord and Savior.

1 Peter 1:18-20 NIV
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.