Sunday Post January 24, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 25, 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.

I am busy at the office and glad everyone is back at work. I have reporting due in two weeks for an organization I belong to and that will be taking up hours of time over the weekends and end of my work days this week.

This was my breakfast one morning last week. One of my favorites: chipped dried beef (aka sos) with eggs and homemade hash browns.

We are scheduled to have warmer days this week: 36 to 76 with two days of rain.

I enjoyed the three audiobooks I finished last week while I continue reading an ebook and print. I posted four reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 20 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Musings of a Bookish Kitty. Wendy describes herself as "a fabulavore" who "has required a steady supply of books to provide her sustenance."

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 17, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 18, 2021.

• NG2020- #NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Salvage Crew by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne, Narrated by Nathan Fillion; Genre: Humorous Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Break Shot: My First 21 Years, An Audio Memoir, by James Taylor; Genre: Arts & Entertainment, Memoir, Music; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 22, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/28/2021.

• NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: The Pugly Duckling by Carla Siravo; Genre: Animals, Children; My Rating: 3.25 of 5.0.

• Print- Book Review: A Stockingful of Joy by Mary Jo Putney, Jill Barnett, Justine Dare, Susan King; Genre: Anthology, Christmas, Historical Romance; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #413 Comment Giveaway January 23, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/6/2020.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 24, 2021.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Galaxy's Edge
By: Jason Anspach, Nick Cole
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 17 hrs and 22 mins
Release date: 02-20-18
I enjoyed the military action in these books.
Source: 3/8/2020 Two For One Credit Sale at Audible.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

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
I liked this easy listen, cozy mystery.
Source: 1/8/2020 Author Audible Code
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Junkyard Cats
By: Faith Hunter
Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins
Release date: 01-02-20
I decided to slip in a quick listen to finish three this week. This is an intense sci fi listen.
Source: 1/11/2020 One of Two Free January Audible Originals
About This Audible Original
From the author of the best-selling Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood series comes a tough new heroine who is far more than she seems.
After the Final War, after the appearance of the Bug aliens and their enforced peace, Shining Smith is still alive, still doing business from the old scrapyard bequeathed to her by her father. But Shining is now something more than human. And the scrapyard is no longer just a scrapyard, but a place full of secrets that she has guarded for years.
This life she has built, while empty, is predictable and safe. Until the only friend left from her previous life shows up, dead, in the back of a scrapped Tesla warplane. Clutched in her cold fingers is a note to Shining—warning her of a coming attack.
With dread, Shining realizes: someone knows who she is. Someone knows what she is guarding. Will she be able to protect the scrapyard? Will she even survive? Or will Shining have to destroy everything she loves to keep her secrets out of the wrong hands?
©2020 Faith Hunter (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Computer (NG2020)

Came A Horseman, A Hard Ride In A Fierce World
by Paul McHugh
I've gotten to a better point of interest as this turns into a murder investigation.
Source: 2020 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Paperback(PTBR)

Noah - Another Storm is Coming
by Ellen G. White
I pulled this from my TBR.
Source: My own bookshelf; gift from a church friend.
A worldwide, catastrophic flood. It reshaped the face of the planet. It killed millions of animals. It ended the lives of countless men, women, and children. Why would anyone believe a God of love would punish the world like that? You’re not alone. Questions like this one have mystified honest, searching people for thousands of years. Skeptics discredit the event as a mere myth, proof that God is nothing more than a cruel tyrant invented by men, while believers struggle to harmonize the love of Jesus and this frightening Old Testament story. There is an answer that actually makes sense that will help you understand the mind of God when it comes to evil, sin, suffering, pain, and punishment. Table of Contents Part 1—The Real Story: “As in the Days of Noah . . .” 1. The Building of the Ark: The Flood—Part I 2. Destruction by Water: The Flood—Part II 3. The Rainbow Sign: After the Flood 4. Skepticism

3. Audio/Smartphone (A2018)

Red Winter
Red Winter, Book 1
By: Annette Marie
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 01-03-17
I figured this could count for a color and Winter season.
Source:  May 2018 Audible Daily Deal for $3.95.
Publisher's Summary
Emi is the kamigakari. In a few short months, her life as a mortal will end, and her new existence as the human host of a goddess will begin. Carefully hidden from those who would destroy her, she has prepared her mind, body, and soul to unite with the goddess - and not once has she doubted her chosen fate.
Shiro is a yokai, a spirit of the earth, an enemy of the goddess Emi will soon host. Mystery shrouds his every move, and his ruby eyes shine with cunning she can't match and dares not trust. But she saved his life, and until his debt is paid, he is hers to command - whether she wants him or not. On the day they meet, everything Emi believes comes undone, swept away like snow upon the winter wind. For the first time, she wants to change her fate - but how can she erase a destiny already wrought in stone? Against the power of the gods, Shiro is her only hope...and hope is all she has left. ©2016 Annette Marie (P)2017 Tantor

January 24, 2021 - I have been enjoying reading/listening to the Bible passages every morning.   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 hope to pick another short study this week.

I completed three books and posted four reviews to remain up to date.
NetGalley shelf is: 14.  (I didn't look this week so I wouldn't be tempted.)
Three author titles in queue as I accepted a new graphic title and am listening to the author audio.
(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.
No new titles for review.
I used one credit at Audiobooks.com for the two for one credit Mystery deal. I still have the VIP to pick for January which I will decide on this week.
I picked up four free plus catalog Audible titles.
Two 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

Two for One Credit Mystery Deal at Audiobooks.com:

The Girl Behind the Red Rope
By Rachelle and Ted Dekker
Narrated By: Sandy Rustin
Duration: 10 h 6 min

Scents and Sensibility
By Spencer Quinn
Narrated By: Jim Frangione
Duration: 9 h 30 min

Free

I added four more Plus Catalog Audibles to my library. Thanks to Book Date for the heads up that these were available!
I have been eyeing the Haunted Library series for several years so I am glad to get these!

Death Overdue: A Haunted Library Mystery
By: Allison Brook
Narrated by: Mia Gaskin
Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Read and Gone: A Haunted Library Mystery, Book 2
By: Allison Brook
Narrated by: Mia Gaskin
Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins

Buried in the Stacks: A Haunted Library Mystery, Book 3
By: Allison Brook
Narrated by: Mia Gaskin
Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins

Twelve Slays of Christmas: A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery
By: Jacqueline Frost
Narrated by: Allyson Ryan
Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
(I read this one through NetGalley and am glad to get the audio.)

Two 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 24, 2021

Pastor continued his message this morning titled “Battle On”.
Pastor showed us videos of the progression of game controllers from single button in 1980s to two to four buttons, to four with a and b and x and finally multiple buttons and joysticks today.
Then he asked the question: Who do you give control to in your life? The Bible text is Romans 8:1-17.
The message is “you are not controlled by the sinful nature but by the Spirit of God…”

The Transaction: Verses 1- 4 tell of a transaction that takes place when we surrender to Jesus. We belong to God. When Satan comes to remind us of the law and our sin, God protects us because there is no longer condemnation. The Holy Spirit freed us from the power of sin.
God declared the end of sin’s control over us (through the blood of Jesus). v3.

Who is in Control? Verses 5 - 8. We have the choice of “letting” (allowing) our sinful nature OR the Spirit to control. The sinful nature is always hostile to God. v7. But the believer is controlled by the Spirit and Christ who lives within.

Prophetic: Verses 9 - 11.
Fact 1: If the Holy Spirit lives in you, you are not controlled by the sinful nature. You can Choose Differently.
Fact 2: If you are saved, the Holy Spirit lives in you.
Satan is the deceiver who will tell you lies:
Lie 1: If you are struggling with sin, you don’t have the Holy Spirit in you. NOT TRUE. It is a human struggle.
Lie 2: You cannot defeat sin. NO – God can help you overcome sin.

Lie Shattering Truth: The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you, therefore you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. Verses 11 - 13.

The Point: The same person – The Holy Spirit – raised Jesus from the dead and lives in and with you. Give Control of your life to Him.

God made us children of God. Verses 14-17 . We share in His glory but that means we also share in His sufferings.

What do we do? You have the authority, the choice. You may have taken back control and allowed your sinful nature to prevail. So you need to give it back to the Holy Spirit. Live in the Holy Spirit, not in sin.

I searched and listened to several songs. This is the one I chose for today:
Out of My Hands

Romans 8:16 -17 NIV
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Lord, help me to surrender control clearly to You and not try to make decisions without You.

Sharing Beyond Books #413 Comment Giveaway January 23, 2021

Hello again, Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Last Q#412 Ashfa asked: What topic would you like to see tackled more in diverse reads??
Four of us suggested more dystopian with two of us mentioning 'prepper' stories. Three suggested more diversity - different tropes, race and equality issues and different cultures. Three didn't know what to suggest and one added more pets. Although I might not agree with Fredaman's suggestion that included "more sexuality" (or I would chose not to read it), I totally agree with her comment: "More of it all. Don't ban it, read it." I agree - let it be the reader's choice to read or not.

The Winner from SBB #412 comments is #1 MIKI 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 #413

(One Question.)

Natalija asks: Do you prefer alpha or beta heroes in your romantic fiction??

 I think I generally prefer alpha males but it may depend on how you define alpha male. He still has to be loyal and honest, not a womanizer or a cheat, and kind rather than bullying.

Image found at Whisper.

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.
January Questions were shared by Ashfa and Natalija who both get $2.50 credit.

Your turn to share. Natalija asks: Do you prefer alpha or beta heroes in your romantic fiction??

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, February 6, 2021, at 5 PM central.

Book Review: A Stockingful of Joy by Mary Jo Putney, Jill Barnett, Justine Dare, Susan King

This reminds me why I like historical romance. I really enjoyed all four stories.
A Stockingful of Joy
by Mary Jo Putney, Jill Barnett, Justine Dare, Susan King

Publisher : Signet; First Edition (October 30, 2007)
Mass Market Paperback : 400 pages
ISBN-10 : 0451223489
Genre: Anthology, Christmas, Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.

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.

Review:
This anthology was a joy for me. I happened to have a handful of books by Jill Barnett and a dozen or so in my Putney collection. I have enjoyed the other authors before too. All of the stories have attraction and sensuality to convey the romance without outright heat and graphic description. They are sweet and quick, easy reading to enjoy.

The Snow Rose by Susan King – 4.75.
Highlands, 1573. Catriona MacDonald is being forced to marry a man her uncle has chosen if she wants to keep her castle. Catriona has a snow rose pin that represents a 21-year-old promise to give aid so she seeks aid from a rival Scottish clan, the Frasers. But the clan will not help due to a signed pledge not to feud with the MacDonalds.

Catriona departs with food gifts. She returns to her small shieling, taking the food to a houseful of orphans she is helping. She prepares the new year’s traditions hoping for good luck although she can’t imagine who would come to be the first-foot through her door and bring blessings to her small abode. Then Kenneth Fraser stumbles in, having been attacked as he was trying to find her home.

Kenneth has to recover from his beating and as he does he finds himself drawn to the gentle, but strong young woman who was brave enough to seek help from his clan. Can Kenneth bring some good luck and help Catriona find a solution to her problems?

The Best Husband Money Can Buy by Mary Jo Putney – 4.75.
London 1818. Emma Stone is a distant cousin in the Vaughn family. As a child she loved the Christmas gatherings and remembers with fondness her crush on Anthony Vaughn, five years older. But the death of her parents sent Emma to become a governess.

Ten years later, Emma is mourning the fact that she is too poor to attend the annual festivities she still gets invited to. But this year things change. Through a random act of kindness, Emma inherits a stranger’s fortune. She decides to buy the best husband money can buy and then return to the family gathering.  Her new solicitor prepares dossiers of several appropriate men, but Emma is set on one who might not be quite appropriate based on family financial troubles. Emma hopes those troubles will help her convince Anthony Vaughn to marry her.

Emma finds Anthony in the mess of a morning after party, with participants strewn about the room. She is able to convince him to marry and they travel to the country to meet with the family for the first time in 10 years. Things seem to be going slowly by well, until Emma learns that there are bad feelings that impact Anthony and therefore their relationship. Will she find heartache or happiness with her ‘purchased’ husband?

A Light in the Window by Justine Dare – 4.5.
Wyoming Territory 1878. Morgan has been a drifter since a tender age when he left the home of his bitter, critical aunt. He takes shelter in a barn during a storm and is soon surprised when a small boy with a small pack comes in. It seems the boy, Zach, is intent on running away from his weepy, grabby, old aunt.

Faith has been crying as she grieves the loss of her sister and struggles to gain acceptance from her nephew, Zach. But Zach believes that his mother is coming back and nothing Faith can do is as good as his mother would do. Faith can’t even chop the wood to keep the fuel ready for the fire so how is she supposed to keep the homestead as Zach’s inheritance?

Surprising them all, Morgan decides to help in exchange for the shelter and food. His insight helps bring understanding between Faith and Zach and one day turns into a couple and soon Christmas Eve is upon them. Faith knows that Morgan isn’t likely to stay but perhaps he could be her gift for one Christmas before he goes and perhaps she can show him the love he has never known.

Boxing Day by Jill Barnett – 4.0.
New York 1898. Conn Donoughue is a big man, a former boxer known as the Irish Giant. Now he runs a gymnasium in the ‘belly’ of New York. He leases the four-story building and would like to buy it but can’t convince his stubborn landlady, Eleanor, to sell. It seems whenever the two see each other there is tension. She moves into the top flat only to learn the beautiful glass ceiling leaks. Conn has to rescue her (and this won’t be the only time).

They fuss at each other but a friendship quickly develops. Eleanor resists a stronger relationship because she is older than Conn. Can he convince her to move past her fear and give them a chance at love and a family?

Source: My own print TBR stack and author collected books (Putney and Barnett). This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Print goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: The Pugly Duckling by Carla Siravo

This is very cute but has a major flaw.

The Pugly Duckling
by Carla Siravo
P. Santiago (Illustrator)

Publisher : Indigo River Pub (December 8, 2020)
Paperback : 36 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1950906802
Reading age : 5 - 6 years
Genre: Animals, Children
My Rating: 3.25 of 5.0

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.

Review:
Jean and Joe Duck really want a child. They are thrilled when they finally have an egg to care for, even if it is a "ugly-wugly". And they are thrilled too when the egg hatches and produces their own pugly child. The problems come when the adorable pug tries to pretend to the other ducks that he is one of them. They are ready to accept him if he would stop pretending to be something he is not.

The story is a bit of a twist on the classic Ugly Duckling story. It is very cute and has wonderful rhyming that kids would surely like. I think the illustrations are adorable, like the cover. The story has a good message about being yourself and allowing others to accept you for the real you.

It was hard to give this only a 3.25 rating but I didn't feel right rounding up to 4.0. I wasn't thrilled with the repeated 'ugly" descriptions for the pug as that might give children the idea it is okay to call others "ugly" instead of finding kinder word choices. But the big flaw for me was that dogs don’t come from eggs. An adult understands this but it would have to be explained to children and, for me, that lessens the effectiveness of the story and message. Dressing up in a cute duck costume and trying to fit in with the ducks can be explained. But I think each parent/teacher who might share this book would have to think how they would address the egg issue.

Source: 2020 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021NetGalley and 2021Alphabet goals.