Audible Review First Book 2021: The Harbinger II, The Return by Jonathan Cahn

I find this to be timely in our social and political environment.
First Book 2021!

The Harbinger II
The Return
By: Jonathan Cahn
Narrated by: Lawrence Richardson

Series: The Harbinger, Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
Release date: 09-01-20
Publisher: Charisma House
Genre: Christian Prophesy, Inspirational
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Publisher's Summary
Are the unprecedented crises of our times the signs and warnings of coming judgment? Does an ancient mystery hold the secret to the events of our times and the future of America and the world? Is this mystery even behind the shakings that have now overtaken the world and America? How much time do we have left?
In 2012, Jonathan Cahn caused a worldwide sensation with the release of his first book, and massive best seller, The Harbinger. It was hailed as "stunning", "prophetic", "mind-blowing", and "astonishing". Cahn followed it with best seller after best seller, but he has always held off on writing a sequel. But now, for the first time, Cahn opens up what could not be unlocked before - the mysteries that couldn’t be revealed until the present time, the manifestations that have taken place since The Harbinger came out and up to the present hour, and the mysteries of what is yet to come.
Ever since The Harbinger was released, people have been asking:
Is an ancient mystery determining America’s future?
Have the harbingers of judgment continued to manifest on American soil?
Is America closer now than ever before to judgment, and what lies ahead for America and the world?
©2020 Jonathan Cahn (P)2020 Charisma House

Review:
Nouriel was called to be a watchman and give warning in the first book, The Harbinger. He shared his experiences meeting “the prophet” and receiving nine seals that revealed nine harbingers or warnings that appeared on American soil. The warnings involved the events of September 11, 2001 and actions of America that were leading to God’s shaking and potential judgment.

Like the first book, The Harbinger II, presents parallels between God’s covenant with, blessings given and then punishment on His beloved nation of Israel and God’s apparent covenant, blessings and potential punishment on America. This book continues to show similarities between the ancient and modern nations. Nouriel explains, in a fictional story-telling fashion, how he is shown examples of the people of America, like the people of ancient Israel, turning their backs on Godly values and pulling away from God. Moving forward from the shaking warning of 9/11, Nouriel is shown further events reflecting the accelerating disobedience and flouting of Biblical foundations by the people of America, including disintegration and devaluing of the family unit, growing rejection of moral values, and, most damaging, the increasing numbers of abortions in America and support for abortions in other countries.

This zipped by and is fascinating! The author presents one after another connection of dates and events that go far beyond coincidence. He shows a pattern in the founding of Israel that was echoed in the founding of America. And now, the decline (arrogant growing sins) of and resulting punishments on Israel are seen playing out in America. Cahn argues that the rebuilt towers, now the One World Trade Center, is a warning ‘harbinger’ and shows alarming events including the face of the goddess Kali lighting up the side of the Empire State building in 2015. Cahn refers to Biblical passages that speak to God’s grace and multiple warnings including plagues (COVID-19).

The bottom-line themes of Jonathan Cahn’s books are personal salvation (relationship with Christ) and encouraging Americans to follow the call of 2 Chronicles 7:24 which states: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

I am always impressed by the extent of Biblical historical connection and ‘Godincidences’ (not coincidences) that Cahn shares in his books. This is another fascinating book that my husband and I enjoyed. I was glad to have this as my First Book of 2021.

Audio Notes: Lawrence Richardson does a wonderful job narrating the book. He captures the tentativeness of Nouriel and his amazement at the facts that are revealed. I was struck how on occasion Mr. Richardson sounded like the author and I liked that. My husband and I are glad to have both the audio and print book to follow, research and make notations in.

Source: Audible August 2020 credit and print purchase. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and 2021Alphabet goals.

Sunday Post January 10, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 11, 2021

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.

The first week of 2021 was not so pleasant for America. I pray that the rhetoric on both sides would calm and allow for dialogue and steps toward unity. Sadly, I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Meanwhile, my first week in the office was also tense as Heather was out with a foot infection. I had to step in to cover the closings and fundings. Other staff members pitched in and we got everything done. I should have worked on legal work Saturday but I took the day off to read and do computer things. There is always next week to jump back into the files. 

For those that didn't realize it, my Hubby is, and has always been, our primary cook. God brought us together because He knew I would need someone to cook for me. :-) Due to his health he doesn't cook quite as much lately and it was a treat to have more homemade breakfasts during the holidays since that is my favorite meal.

Thanks for mentioning the photo programs. I tried Pixlr this week and that was easy.

My Christmas gift (to myself) was the repairs of these items. My wedding and engagement ring needed prongs fixed so I wouldn't lose the aquamarine again. The marcacite ring needed a new gem. Although darker than the pastel stones, the garnet was selected as it is the only one we found with the right size to fit. Plus it is my birthstone. The bracelet was made from a necklace that had broken.

We had several cold - stay inside - days this week.
Temps this coming week are to run a little colder 31 to 61.

I finished two books last week -- one print and one audio. I posted two reviews, my usual memes, year end reading wrap up and 2021 Goal posts.

I visited 20 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Bob on Books. The link goes to Bob on Books 2021 Book Challenge that is calling to me. 

Don't forget- Audible is offering free children's titles during these days at home.
Audiobooks.com is also offering free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post January 3, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 4, 2021.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Solitude by Dean M. Cole; Genre: Alternative History, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Murder on New Year's Eve, A Ridgeway Rescue Mystery, Book 1, by P. Creedan; Genre: Cozy, Animal, Mystery; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 3.75.

• MBS December 2020 Reading List Wrap Up.

• MBS 2020 Reading Summary and Top Picks.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 8, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/14/2021.

• MBS 2021 Reading Goals.

• Sharing Beyond Books #412 Comment Giveaway January 9, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/23/2021.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 10, 2021.

Finished Reading:

1. Paperback/TBR

Coming Home for Christmas
(Haven Point #10)
by RaeAnne Thayne
  This is a nice, sweet romance/second chance story.
Source: Won from Bookfan in 2019.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

World Made by Hand: The World Made by Hand Novels, Book 1
By: James Howard Kunstler
Narrated by: Jim Meskimen
This is the first book in a character driven post-apocalyptic dystopian series.
Source: Audible Plus Catalog December 2020.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Paperback/TBR

A Stockingful of Joy
by Mary Jo Putney, Jill Barnett, Justine Dare, Susan King
I have really enjoyed the first two stories.
Now on to the next two.
Source: My own print TBR stack and author collected books (Putney and Barnett).
Now readers can enjoy the magical spirit of Christmas with this romantic quartet of stories filled with all the hope and joy of the holiday season.

2. Audi/Smartphone (NG2020)

The Salvage Crew
by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne
Narrated by Nathan Fillion
Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 10-27-20
I love the voice of the narrator. And I'm enjoying the story too.
Source: 2020 NetGalley.
Publisher's Summary
Award-winning actor Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Castle, The Rookie) brings to life a snarky artificial intelligence you won't soon forget. Don't miss his hilarious performance in a story perfectly crafted for sci-fi fans of The Martian, Red Dwarf, and We Are Legion (We Are Bob).
They thought this was just another salvage job. They thought wrong.
An AI overseer and a human crew arrive on a distant planet to salvage an ancient UN starship. The overseer is unhappy. The crew, well, they're certainly no A-team. Not even a C-team on the best of days. And worse? Urmahon Beta, the planet, is at the ass-end of nowhere. Everybody expects this to be a long, ugly, and thankless job.
Then it all goes disastrously wrong. What they thought was an uninhabited backwater turns out to be anything but empty. Megafauna roam the land, a rival crew with some terrifyingly high-powered gear haunts the dig site, and a secret that will change humanity forever is waiting in the darkness. Stuck on this unmapped, hostile planet, lacking resources, and with tech built by the cheapest bidder, the salvage crew must engineer their way to payday...and beat Urmahon Beta before it kills them all.
©2020 Yudhanjaya Wijeratne (P)2020 Podium Audio

3. eBook/Computer (NG2020)

The Pugly Duckling
by Carla Siravo
I absolutely could not resist this cover!
Source: 2020 NetGalley.
Jean and Joe Duck were oh-so-surprised, When their duckling hatched, not quite the right size, With a curly-swirly tail and hairy-scary paws, And furry fat rolls and sharp beast claws. They loved their son, though he was ugly, Not quite a duckling, and a little bit pugly.

January 10, 2021 - It is interesting how familiar and how new the Word is as I begin my 6th year in a row.  I am reading/listening the NLT Tyndale version of the Bible on You Version App so Hubby and I are reading the same passages each day.
I didn't start last week so this week I will start the four day study: New Year: Living With Purpose.

I completed two books and posted two reviews. I have the first book plus two new reviews for this week.
NetGalley shelf is: 15.  
Three author titles in queue as I accepted a new one this week.
(Plus a few that I received from newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
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 one new Audible audiobook for review.
I picked up four audio deals at Chirp.

One free Kindle title 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

Received Audible Code from the Author:
1/8/2020 Author Audible Code

Death at the Gazebo
Mirror Pond Cozy Mysteries, Book 1
By: Minnie Crockwell
Narrated by: Michelle Babb
Length: 5 hrs
Release date: 12-22-20

Won

NONE

Purchased

I guess it's a good thing I didn't make a resolution for no purchases.
I found these at Chirp at prices I couldn't resist; Total: $6.86.

Legacy Rejected $.89
Written by Robin Patchen
Narrated by Becky Doughty

Legacy Restored $1.99
Written by Robin Patchen
Narrated by Becky Doughty

Christmas in Three Rivers $.99
Written by Liz Isaacson
Narrated by Becky Doughty

Dachshund Through the Snow $2.99
Written by David Rosenfelt
Narrated by Grover Gardner

Free

One free Kindle title this week. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 10, 2021

We shared in online church again this morning. Pastor started a new sermon series this morning titled: “Battle On”. This is based on Romans 7 and 8.

Pastor used the example of going to summer camp. Everyone attended and opening meeting where they were told the rules. The boundaries of the Camp were set. Areas of off limits or “Do Not Enter” signs were noted. These were set for protection but there were always those who saw them as temptation.

The Law was there and focused on actions, works. We judge others, even more than ourselves, by the rules, the law. If man tries to live up to the law, he acts as though he can save himself. But salvation is only gained through faith, by accepting the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice.

The Law doesn’t determine our salvation. Once we accept Christ, we are dead to the power of the law. The Law is both revealing and corrupting. Disciples of Christ are becoming like Jesus. Followers are dead to the law and alive in Christ. Romans 7:5-6.

The Law says what to do or not to do but doesn’t provide any power to follow. It gives no power to control the nature within to sin. The Law initiates a battle between the Christ-like nature and the flesh (sin) nature in us. It is an ongoing battle.

We must pursue Jesus more than trying to avoid sin. Be on the offense, not the defense. As you live for Christ some of those sin items may fall away. Life is going to have temptations. You must use the power of the Spirit to fight the enemy.

The Point: Battle on by living in the Spirit.

The enemy wants to destroy you. You never had the power on your own to prevail, but the Spirit can give you the power to stand.

God’s Grace promises to give us strength to battle on, to live a Holy Life. When we fail, God’s Grace gives us strength to go on.

I thought of this song for today: Battles

Verses for Today:
Romans 7:5-6 (NLT)
5 When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death.
6 But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.

Thank you God for the Power of Your Grace.

Sharing Beyond Books #412 Comment Giveaway January 9, 2021

Hello again, Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books and a New Year.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Last Q#411 Miki asked: What kind of book tour do you like? one with several snippet along the tours? behind the scene blog post or review only or something else?
Seven of us like interviews, three mentioned giveaways, three mentioned snippets, and two mentioned reviews. Also mentioned were characters and the story behind the book.

The Winner from SBB #411 comments is #2 NATALIJA who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post. -- [11/16/19 I plan to add some review books this week and maybe some new Christmas and Love titles as soon as I locate the box I put them in. 11/28/20 I have added a box of new books for SBB and will list them in the next week or so. I have to try to cross off books that have already been awarded. ]

Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #412

(One Question.)

Ashfa asks: What topic would you like to see tackled more in diverse reads??

 I have been reading a lot of post-apocalyptic and I like the different 'prepper' and survival scenarios that are presented. This includes 'end times' scenarios and (although it may seem too close to home right now) near future apocalyptic stories, which may occur from natural catastrophes or political events. 

I am always interested in more creative topics in this line.

I have read a couple of series like Divided We Fall, Borrowed World, Days of Elijah, America Rising and Patriots of Treason. I have a more I want to read/listen to like Days of Noah and Sedition.  

Image found at GamesRadar.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month, I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify them.

Your turn to share. Ashfa asks: What topic would you like to see tackled more in diverse reads??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday, January 23, 2021, at 5 PM central.

MBS 2021 Reading Goals

Martha's Bookshelf 2021 Reading Goals

Challenges: Goodreads, otherwise all goals are 'unofficial'.  I still think I would struggle to have time to fully participate in specific challenges for 2021. I do have reading goals again with some adjustments.

Goodreads 2021 Challenge: 124
I set my 2021 Goodreads Goal at 124. This is less than the last two years because I have some longer books and series on my TBR shelves (prior to 2021). This will require about 2-3 books per week (10 per month) which is very comfortable for reading and review posting.

TBR: 90
I still plan to read at least 90 TBR titles, consisting of audios, current NetGalley titles, current author titles, and ebooks and print books. That only leaves me 34 for 2021 titles which would include 7 NetGalley and 9 author review titles and another 18 for new titles. Titles can qualify for more than one goal.

Audiobook Goal: 64
I love audiobooks and, as noted, have some longer ones that have been waiting. So instead of planning on 100 audios this year, I plan on at least 64 with the hope it will be closer to 75.



Alphabet Goal: 26
I do plan on working on the Alphabet Goal/Challenge. I can do this with Audios and actually have two TBRs per letter already lined up. Right now the “X” picks are “x” in the title, but I do have an ebook that starts with X that I will count too just to be solid on the Alphabet.

NetGalley: 24
I have 17 NetGalley titles that will be TBR and I will plan 7 more for a NetGalley reading goal of 24; a comfortable two per month though not required to be two/month.




Author Reviews: 12
I have 3 author ebook titles which are TBR and I am planning on at least 12 author review titles (ebook or audio) for the year.

NonFiction: 12
I plan to read at least 12 nonfiction titles – likely one per month. These may (but not required) be TBR and may qualify towards Audio and Alphabet goals.

eBook/Print TBRs: 24
I plan to do better than the last years (barely 12) reading my own ebook or print TBRs. The goal will be at least 24 or 2 per month.


Seasons: 4
I enjoyed doing a book for each Season: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall/Autumn. I have thought about doing one with each month in it but I think that might be restrictive. Maybe I’ll shoot for half the months and give myself permission to read them in any month they come up. 😊

Colors: 8
I have been thinking color themes the past couple of years so I think I will see how many colors I can cover. I will plan on the four primary colors (red, blue, green and yellow) and add at least four more, making the color goal 8.