#NetGalley Book Review: LOVE by Corrinne Averiss

This has a very good message that is sweetly delivered.

LOVE
by Corrinne Averiss

ASIN : B08NCN6LJD
Publisher : words & pictures; Illustrated edition (January 19, 2021)
File size : 10598 KB
Print Length : 32 pages
Children Age : 4-6 Years
Genre: Children, Educational, Emotions
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.

Funny, emotional, and uplifting picture book about separation and love, to help children understand their emotions.
Everyone loves everyone in Tess’s house, but when Tess has to leave for school for the very first time, she is worried that her family’s love might not stretch that far. Mom explains that love is like a string, it connects people together even when they are far away. At school Tess notices that all the children have strings! Some are new, some are old, some stretch a long way, and some even stretch right up into the sky. But what happens when a string breaks?
Love is the third in a trio of feel-good picture books from author Corrinne Averiss (Joy (2018), Hope (2019)) - a pure delight from start to finish. A wonderful story that subtly tackles difficult topics of death, grief, separation, and overcoming anxiety.

Review:
Tess is blessed to have a warm and lovely family consisting of mother, father, daughter and son. The time comes for Tess to go to school and she is concerned about leaving her family. Her mother explains that love is a string, connecting people even when they are far away. Tess’s teacher encourages her and reinforces the message. Tess sees other children with strings and one has a string that connects even an absent parent. But how will Tess react at the end of the day when the other children leave and her parents haven’t yet arrived?

This is a lovely picture book and an easy read for young children. The message is beautiful and perfect to share with children who will be experiencing time away from their parents whether for school or perhaps for deployment or medical reasons. The illustrations are clear and charming. I highly recommend this, and I would like to see Ms. Averiss’ previous books too.

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

#NetGalley Book Review: Came A Horseman, A Hard Ride In A Fierce World by Paul McHugh

This mixes some philosophy with mystery and action in an interesting dystopian society.
Came A Horseman, A Hard Ride In A Fierce World
by Paul McHugh

ASIN : B08Q1VMH6G
Publisher : ElkHeart Books (December 20, 2020)
File size : 3689 KB; 261 pages
Genre: Dystopian, Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

Ten years after Earth's electronics were fried by an immense solar flare, most human technology has turned useless and civilization has begun to fail. But one thriving pocket is a valley on California's coast, where farmers in a religious cult dwell. A tribe of local hunters protect them. But this arrangement gets upended when a young refugee, Kyle Skander, wrecks his kayak there as he seeks to paddle north to Arcata. Kyle finds himself accused of murdering a young woman from the commune. To win freedom, he must find the real killer. His combative personality and a background in logic and philosophy helps Kyle make headway at this task. His investigation begins to uncover the valley's deepest secrets. Then, buried rivalries erupt into a battle that alters forever this enclave's fate.
"Came A Horseman" re-imagines the Western as a post-apocalyptic adventure, with a murder mystery at the heart of its plot.

Review:
Kyle was a professor before technology crashed and society disintegrated into groups trying to survive. Kyle left his beloved wife in Arcata to travel south to rescue her father, Roy. Roy had become Kyle’s mentor in all things philosophy from the logic thinking of Socrates to the war strategies of Sun Tzu. Kyle will use these lessons through his adventure. After reaching Roy, Kyle sets out in a kayak to return home, hoping to avoid the land-based dangers. Instead, he crashes onshore during a storm.

He finds himself on a reclusive commune with several cooperative tribes. The main community consists of farmers in a religious cult. Above their town are the horse stables with a handful of stablemen. Then moving further up the mountain there is the rough tribe of hunter warriors and tree dwellers. When Kyle stumbles into the farmer town, he becomes the prime suspect of a recent murder. After the local Sayer decides that Kyle may not be the murderer, he is given the opportunity to prove his innocence by investigating the crime.

Initially, Kyle is met with skepticism, reluctance, and resentment. But he begins to win others over as he treats them with respect while showing bravery, commitment, and effective, successful techniques. Just as Kyle is prepared to expose the true murderer, a new danger arrives on the scene in the form of a convoy of men seeking to take over the commune.

I generally prefer to be entertained in an adventure rather than having to push my mind to thinking. However, this adventure combines a variety of characters and an interesting mystery while requiring concentration to find the way through the philosophical arguments and discussions of strategy. The full package is ultimately engaging. I recommend this to fans of dystopia and mystery with the understanding that it involves philosophical arguments.

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

Sunday Post January 31, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 1, 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 still have to finish my organization reports which are do by midnight 2/1/2021. I just have to complete final details and scan and email them tomorrow.
The stock market was a bit crazy last week. I wasn't involved with any of the stocks in the ruckus but my account value went down $5,000.00 one day then up $5,000.00 the next. I was careful not to panic. I am likely to be a bit cautious this week waiting to see how things are moving.

No picture from me today but I am sharing a woodwork image that is gorgeous! I have been enjoying We Love Woodworking on Facebook for the few minutes I visit there.

We expect two days of rain again this week plus several cloudy days. Temps a bit cooler 30 to 69. .

I enjoyed my reading this past week. I finished two ebooks and one audiobook. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 19 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to I Wish I Lived In a Library. Katherine says: "I read a wide variety of genres but especially mystery, food memoirs, romance and history. I also have a tendency to collect cookbooks."

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

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Galaxy's Edge by Jason Anspach and Nick Cole; Genre: Military Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Death at the Gazebo by Minnie Crockwell; Genre: Amateur Sleuths, Cozy Mystery, Women Sleuths; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 29, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/4/2021.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Junkyard Cats by Faith Hunter; Genres: Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 24, 2021.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/NetGalley App (NG2020)

Came A Horseman, A Hard Ride In A Fierce World
by Paul McHugh
This mixes some philosophy with mystery and action in an interesting dystopian society.
Source: 2020 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/NetGalley App (NG2020)

LOVE
by Corrinne Averiss
This has a very good message that is sweetly delivered.
Source: 2020 NetGalley.
Funny, emotional, and uplifting picture book about separation and love, to help children understand their emotions.
Everyone loves everyone in Tess’s house, but when Tess has to leave for school for the very first time, she is worried that her family’s love might not stretch that far. Mom explains that love is like a string, it connects people together even when they are far away. At school Tess notices that all the children have strings! Some are new, some are old, some stretch a long way, and some even stretch right up into the sky. But what happens when a string breaks?
Love is the third in a trio of feel-good picture books from author Corrinne Averiss (Joy (2018), Hope (2019)) - a pure delight from start to finish. A wonderful story that subtly tackles difficult topics of death, grief, separation, and overcoming anxiety.

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 liked this good fantasy and I expect I will continue the series.
I figured this could count for a color and Winter season.
Source:  May 2018 Audible Daily Deal for $3.95.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Paperback(PTBR)

Noah - Another Storm is Coming
by Ellen G. White
I like this although the reading is slow, maybe 10 or so pages a day.
Source: My own bookshelf; gift from a church friend.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Unprepared
The Scourge, Book 1
By: Tom Abrahams
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
Release date: 04-26-20
I was ready for another post-apocalyptic and I have been wanting to read this author.
I do have the Traveler Series but it sounds like it will be okay to listen to this one first.
Source: 12/31/2020 Audible Two for One Credit Sale.
Publisher's Summary
A mutating plague is spreading. It's killing two of every three people on Earth. And Mike Crenshaw is totally unprepared.
From the world of The Traveler Series comes a new cast of characters, new obstacles, and the same devastating, world-altering virus which plunges society into the depth of a dystopian hell.
Unprepared begins in the hours before The Scourge takes hold. As if ripped from today's headlines, governments react too slowly and the disease spreads too fast. Quarantines don't work. Infrastructure fails. People die.
Follow Mike and his friends as they try to survive this new landscape and find out how the world in which The Traveler Series was set came into being. It's a thrill ride that will keep you up at night with the lights on and the doors locked.
©2020 Piton Press LLC (P)2020 Piton Press LLC

3. Kindle App on Phone (ebTBR)

X-O Manowar, Volume 1: By The Sword
(X-O Manowar (2012) #1)
by Robert Venditti (Goodreads Author) (Writer), Cary Nord (Artist), Stefano Gaudiano (Inker), Moose Baumann (Colorist)
I don't read a lot of graphic novels but I am liking this. (Plus it is my "X" title for Alphabet!)
Source: December 25, 2018 Free Kindle Download.
The beginning of the all-new Valiant Universe starts here! Aric of Dacia is a brash warrior and heir to the throne of the Visigoth people. He has lived his life under the heel of the Roman Empire, but now a far more terrible enemy has come to subjugate him. Taken from his home and family, Aric is enslaved aboard a starship belonging to a brutal race of alien colonizers known as The Vine. If he is to have any hope of escaping and returning to Earth, he will have to steal the Vine’s most powerful weapon – a sentient suit of indestructible armor – and become X-O Manowar!

4. eBook/NetGalley App (NG2020)

Evolving Elizah: Initiatum
by C.J. Hall
This is a post-apocalyptic/dystopian set in space.
Source: 2020 NetGalley.
Elizah (Liz) Goeff was born into a world much like the one we know today, but she doesn’t remember it. It’s all gone now, covered in ash after a series of natural disasters threw North American civilization into a death spiral. Now Liz’s world is the Green Grow 3, a lush space farm orbiting Earth designed to feed humanity until the planet can heal itself.

January 31, 2021 - I love seeing new things each time I read the Bible. I did good for a month reading/listening first thing each morning.  I hope I can continue the pattern.
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 am finishing a four day study this week: Demonstrating God's Presence In Business.

I completed three books and posted three reviews to remain up to date.
NetGalley shelf is: 12.  (I didn't look again this week so I wouldn't be tempted.)
Three author titles in queue.
(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 Audible for a two for one credit sale. I also made my January VIP pick at audiobooks.com. I also remembered to get my free download at ChristianAudio.
Thirteen 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

1/31/21 Audible 2 for 1 credit sale.

The Prince of Midnight
By: Laura Kinsale
Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
Length: 15 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 05-21-13
I have a small collection of books by this romance author but not this one.

A Long Time Until Now
By: Michael Z. Williamson
Narrated by: Dennis Holland
Length: 22 hrs and 10 mins
Release date: 06-02-15
I see dinosaurs and men and I want to read about it!

Free

1/31/2021 January Audiobooks.com Free VIP selection.

Revelation Space
Written By: Alastair Reynolds
Narrated By: John Lee
Duration: 22 h 0 min



January Free download at Christianaudio.com

Hope Your Heart Needs
52 Encouraging Reminders of How God Cares for You
Author Holley Gerth
Narrator Esther White

I should have listed these last week as they were my two Prime Member First Read picks for January. (Amazon allowed two titles instead of one in January.)

The Shadow Box
by Luanne Rice

The Ardent Swarm: A Novel
by Yamen Manai, Lara Vergnaud (Translator)

Thirteen free Kindle titles this week which include five for children. 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 31, 2021

Our service opened with praise before Pastor introduced a missionary whom we support. He and his wife have been serving in Spain. Our guest shared about his work for God. They were holding four services on Sunday with 1200 coming to services before pandemic. They hosted a Couples Community Group, New Beliver’s Class and Youth English Camp (teaching English through the story of Joseph). The Speed the Light vehicle they received help them minister to widows and also helped them set up a new campus outside of Barcelona. His wife has written a book that tells the story of Sant Jordi in Spanish, English and Catalan.

When they return to Spain they will be returning to another unchurched community, Malaga.
Our guest repeated several times: Where the Gospel is preached, God changes lives!
Matthew 28:19 – The Great Commission says, “Go and make disciples of all nations.”
Jesus uses bold action words: Go and Make. Our response should be “Yes” although we may ask “How?”

The speaker’s message was titled “Reaching Distant Shores”. He noted that ‘Mission starts with me’. God calls us to be part of a journey to see the Gospel sent to the farthest reaches of the earth. You can’t make that trip with an old car that is bound to break down along the way. God does something new in us to allow Him to do something through us.

The speaker gave his message using scripture in Mark 4:35-41. Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us go over to the other side.” Jesus was inviting the disciples to make the journey with Him to reach out to the Gentiles. He was introducing them to something new. As they traveled by boat, a furious squall rose up. They had to wake up Jesus who spoke to the waves, “Quiet. Be still!” And the waves obeyed. His disciples wondered: "Who is this?
God does the same in our struggles and we may wonder: "Who is this Jesus I serve?"

What do we need to reach distant shores?

1. We need new eyes. Eyes that see the way God sees. Not color or culture but in need of salvation. Mark 8: Do you have eyes but fail to see? “Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?” Mark 8:16.

The missionary described how he sees echoes of emptiness in the people looking for something more.
There are over 2 billion Muslims who don’t know Jesus. 1 billion Hindus, 1 billion Buddhists, ½ billion Animists; ½ billion Secularists. All these people are looking for change and hope in their lives but don’t realize they need Jesus.

2. We need a new heart. Proverbs 24? A heart that beats like God; has His passion. We may not have knowledge as new parents, but we have a love for our child. We need that love for those who need salvation.

3. We need a new faith. We need to believe that God is faithful to us. Storms will happen, but He will see us through. God says “Just trust me!” We don’t have the answers but God will use us when we let Him. Gospel witness!

Malaga is a university community with international people, 700,000 people, only a small portion are Spanish. Convoy of Hope is setting up headquarters there.

Our church needs to love missions! How do we evangelize in this day of distancing? Support the missionaries abroad and be a missionary where we are!

I found this timely and fitting song: Start Right Here.

Verses for Today:
Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Lord, please give me new eyes, new heart and new faith to serve You.

Audible Book Review: Junkyard Cats by Faith Hunter

I enjoyed the unique characters, world building and action in this post-apocalyptic fantasy.

Junkyard Cats
By: Faith Hunter
Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins
Release date: 01-02-20
Publisher: Audible Originals
Genres: Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

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

Review:
Shining Smith is the proprietor of an old scrapyard in the deserts of West Virginia, dealing in scraps, old, new and alien tech, and secrets. Shining was raised by her father who was deep in the OMW, the Outlaw Militia Warriors. When she was a young girl, she saved her father’s community from the aliens. Before the Bug aliens arrived on earth Shining was human, but then she became infected… survived and mutated. She has to stay away from the government authorities and the OMW who would take her resources, including parts of a downed spaceship, and use her or kill her.

Shining has a few companions in her limited territory. Mateo is a damaged war veteran she rescued from slave labor and helped to rebuild. Now he is a bio-metallic Warbot and an invaluable ally. Then there are the cats who have an interesting group dynamic. She helps give them protein and they help keep her alive with an organized spy network and group hunting the alien puffers, nano tech weapons, when they show up.

When shining investigates a newly acquired piece of scrap, a Tesla warplane, she discovers trouble. First, she finds angry, swarming ants. Not just any ants but the murderous results of an environmental experiment gone wrong. These need to be killed before they try to kill Shining. Second, she realizes that there is a dead body in the vehicle. It is one of her few human friends and he has a note warning her that her location has been discovered and ‘they’re coming”.

Soon a single outsider is coming in. She doesn’t know if he is government or OMW but either way he isn’t her friend. While she is still trying to determine why he is there, a multi prong attack is detected. Surprisingly, the lone enforcer visitor ends up fighting with Shining. The cats and AI are welcome comrades who help turn the tide in the fight with the enemy.

It was clear from the opening that Shining was a special woman with unique secrets. Her history, physical secrets and surrounding secrets are revealed as the plot moves forward. I really enjoyed the interaction between Shining, Mateo, the super cats and the AI. The puffer and other weapons are very creepy and I was glad to see the combined efforts to fight them.

I enjoyed the first book of the Jane Yellowrock series by this author and now I have this second series to enjoy too. I recommend this to readers who enjoy sci fi fantasy mix with a heavy dose of military-like action.

Audio Notes: Khristine Hvam does a great job with narration. She captures the personality of Shining and delivers the other characters with distinct voices and fitting emotional energy. I will look forward to listening to more of Ms. Hyam’s narrations.

Source: 1/11/2020 One of Two Free January Audible Originals. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook, and 2021Alphabet goals.