MBS February 2021 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2021 Reading List - FEBRUARY

Code for the list is:
A = Audible or Audio
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2020
Favorites for the month:

5 Stars = none
4.75 Stars = Smoke Bitten and Murder of Crows
4.5 Stars = You're Going to Mars, From Here to Equality, Noah - Another Storm, Dorothy: A Madcap Romance

1. eBTBR- Book Review: X-O Manowar, Volume 1: By The Sword by Robert Venditti; Genre: Comic, Graphic Novel, Sci Fi, Superhero; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
2. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Unprepared, The Scourge, Book 1 by Tom Abrahams; Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
3. ATBR- Audible Book Review: You're Going to Mars by Rob Dircks; Genre: Adventure, Humor, Sci Fi, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
4. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: Evolving Elizah: Initiatum by C. J. Hall; Genre: Dystopian, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
5. ATBR- Audible Book Review: From Here to Equality, Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century, by William A. Darity Jr. and A. Kirsten Mulle; Genre: Economic Theory, Nonfiction, African American Demographic Studies; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.5.
6. PTBR- Book Review: Noah - Another Storm is Coming by E.G. White; Genre: Christian, Inspirational; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
7. Author2021- Book Review: 200 by Jennifer Brody; Genre: Dystopian Graphic Novels, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
8. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Night Stalker by Shirlee McCoy; Genre: Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.0; Narration 4.25.
9. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Smoke Bitten: A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 12, by Patricia Briggs; Genre: Action, Adventure, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 5.0.
10. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Call to Arms, Black Fleet Trilogy, Book 2, by Joshua Dalzelle; Genre: Military Sci Fi, Sci Fi, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.5.
11. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Dorothy: A Madcap Regency Romance by Anya Wylde; Genre: Comedy, Regency Romance; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
12. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Murder of Crows: A Novel of the Others, Book 2, by Anne Bishop; Genre: Contemporary Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 5.0.
13. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: Time of the Rose by Bonita Clifton; Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Sci Fi & Fantasy, Time Travel; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

Total read = 13 (+1 DNF)
TBR = 11
New Authors = 9
Audio/Audible = 8 (7 TBRs)
NetGalley = 2 (2 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 2
Nonfiction = 2
eBook = 2 (1 TBRs)
Print = 1 (1 TBR)

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 26 of 124
TBR to Date: 23 of 90 total
Audio to Date: 16 of 64
NetGalley to Date: 6 of 24
Author Reviews: 3 of 12
Nonfiction: 3 of 12
TBR ebooks or Print: 5 of 24

• Seasonal title: 1 of 4: Winter
• Color in title: 1 of 8: Red
• Alphabet letters covered: 26 Mixed media:10 Jan + 6 Feb +
• Alphabet letters covered: 26 Audio only (not the same):1 Jan + 4 Feb +
• Series: 16 (6 continuing, 10 new) • New to me Series: 10 (3 Yes to continue; 4 likely to continue, 3 maybe)

Sunday Post March 7, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 8, 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 had a productive week but still have plenty to do.
Another down market week so I shifted some of my investments.

I brought dinner home several nights last week, but Hubby fed me nicely on Saturday:
bacon and eggs for breakfast and pork and sauerkraut for dinner!

We had more rain this past week and one day went from nice in the morning to cold and wet when it was time to leave the office. No rain expected this week

I had two 'longer' books this week and slipped in a short one. I finished one audiobook and one NetGalley children's book;  posted two reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 17 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to MY HEAD IS FULL OF BOOKS. Anne shares reviews, a bit of life and a bit of social comment.

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 February 28, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 1, 2021.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Dorothy: A Madcap Regency Romance by Anya Wylde; Genre: Comedy, Regency Romance; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 5, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/11/2021.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Murder of Crows: A Novel of the Others, Book 2, by Anne Bishop; Genre: Contemporary Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 5.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #416 Comment Giveaway March 6, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/20/2021.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement March 7, 2021.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Black Ops Expeditionary Force, Book 4
By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R. C. Bray
Length: 16 hrs and 44 mins
I enjoyed another episode in this fav series.
Source: 3/8/2020 Two For One Credit Sale at Audible.

2. ADE App on Computer (NG2020)

Chicken Talk Around the World
by Carole Lexa Schaefer
This is a lovely little book.
Source: NetGalley 2020.
Explore world languages and different cultures as we see--and hear--grandmothers' chickens in the United States, Mexico, Kenya, Japan, India, and France, in this delightful book that introduces children to cultural diversity.
Kid-friendly text full of onomatopoeia and simple international vocabulary makes Chicken Talk Around the World a great read-aloud. Bright, charming illustrations show multigenerational families and chickens in different environments, celebrating cultural diversity; as well as universal elements, such as the special relationships grandmothers have with their grandchildren no matter where they live in the world.

Currently Reading:

1. pdf/Computer (Author 2021)

Frosted (Regency Retold #2)
by M.C. Frank
I am reading this as pdf on my computer so it takes a bit longer. It is a very rich romance.
Source: Received from author. Release date is February 20, 2021. My review will post before March 12.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Kindle App on/Smartphone (NG2020)

Forever Phoebe
by Chalon Linton
30% in and I am enjoying this sweet romance!
Source: NetGalley 2020.
At the dignified age of eighteen, Phoebe Jamison knows she should behave in a manner befitting her station, as her three loving elder brothers often tease. Unfortunately, the lively young woman has a personality every bit as fiery as her red hair, a fact brought to her attention in the criticism from the gentleman she has long pined for. But not every man is of the opinion that a woman should be decorous above all else. The newest resident of Somerset, Mr. Franklin Everly, is considered a most eligible bachelor, and he is immediately drawn to Phoebe’s spirited nature as he becomes acquainted with the delightful Jamison siblings of Primly Park. Franklin embarks on a friendship with Phoebe that quickly deepens into a warm and thrilling connection. But even as he fights for Phoebe’s attentions, a very real danger is revealed: girls in neighboring villages have gone missing, and the kidnapper is moving ever closer to Primly Park. Despite the guard of her fiercely protective brothers and Franklin, Phoebe must rely on her own strength when she finds herself in the sights of the Bride Snatcher.

3. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Wolf's Bane
Written by Aimee Easterling
Narrated by Piper Goodeve
Release Date: July 2, 2019
Run time: 5 hours and 43 minutes
I chose a shifter and, hopefully, action story from my TBR shelves.
Source: 4/01/2020 Chirp for $.99.
Publisher Description
Secrets are my specialty.
I’m Mai Fairchild — fox shifter, sister’s keeper, and bane of the local werewolf pack. In a world where different is dangerous, my sister and I must pretend to be human at all costs. Too bad I just lost the job that lets me live under the radar while putting food on my sister’s plate.
Enter an enticing werewolf who offers enough cash to upgrade our diets from ramen noodles to salami if I join him on a magical hunt. But can I afford to accept the opportunity when the risk of working closely with every fox shifter’s sworn enemy is so great?
This first book in USA Today bestselling author Aimee Easterling’s newest series dives into a world of magic, danger, and romance.

March 7, 2021 - I love seeing new things each time I read the Bible. I am glad to still be current with morning reading.
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 will pick out a new short study this evening.

I completed two books but have three reviews to post plus one committed so it should be four this week. 
NetGalley shelf is at 9. (I might allow myself to look again this week. :-))
Two author titles remaining 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 review books this week.
I picked out my two February Audible credits (for Hubby this time) plus one additional novella.

I also found three audio books at Chirp.
And I found a title from Audible plus.

I actually purchased two print books this yet.
I only added 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

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

I used my two February Audible Credits for my Hubby, who rarely reads, as he has been re-reading to catch up in the Pendergast series.
I had wanted to read with him but once he got started he went through at least seven of the prior books!

Extraction
By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
Narrated by: Rene Auberjonois
Length: 1 hr and 7 mins
Release date: 10-16-12

Blue Labyrinth
By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
Narrated by: Rene Auberjonois
Length: 14 hrs and 11 mins
Release date: 11-11-14

Crimson Shore
By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
Narrated by: Rene Auberjonois
Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins
Release date: 11-10-15


I also had Hubby buy the 2020 book, Crooked River, while it was on sale at Chirp for $4.99.

I was ordering some other items and decided to add these two print books.

The Know Your Bill of Rights Book: Don't Lose Your Constitutional Rights--Learn Them!
Patrick, Sean

The Iron Triangle: Inside the Liberal Democrat Plan to Use Race to Divide Christians and America in their Quest for Power and How We Can Defeat Them
Vince Everett Ellison



While I was visiting at Chirp, I found three titles I chose not to resist:

Her Cowboy Deputy
Written by Lacy Williams
Narrated by Lara Asmundson
Run Time 6h 27min
I like the look of this historical romance for $0.99

A Ripple in Time
Written by Victor Zugg
Narrated by Sean William Doyle
Run Time 7h 26min
I do like time travel/alternate reality stories. $2.99

Blind Search
Written by Paula Munier
Narrated by Kathleen McInerney
Run Time 12h 10min
I kept coming back to this cover and finally decided to try the series. $3.99

Free

Audible Plus Catalogue.

Man Riding West
By: Jon Tuska, Louis L'Amour
Narrated by: Mark Bramhall, Tom Weiner
Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins


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 March 7, 2021

Our congregation celebrated communion this morning. We can share at home although it isn't quite the same.

Members from the Teen Challenge Center in Pensacola came to share with us this morning. Teen challenge was started in 1958 by Reverend David Wilkerson. The program leader advised that addiction kills 7 people per minute or 3,679 million per year. That is more than population that live in the state of Mississippi. The program started out for teens, but now is open to adults. Addiction impacts not just the individual, but their family and the community. God can turn the situation around for adults and adolescents.

The participants gave testimonials and shared a moving skit. I am always blessed by the ministry of Teen Challenge.

I thought this song fit for those who need a chain breaker and waymaker.

Verses for Today:
Romans 13:12
The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Lord, Thank you for being a God who sees the pain of people and is there to help when they call on You. Show me how I can help in Your work.

Sharing Beyond Books #416 Comment Giveaway March 6, 2021

Hello again, Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Last Q#415 Becky asks: Do you have a strong local accent??
Ten of us commenters do not think we have a strong accent. Only two acknowledged a strong accent: Natalija who isn't native to Italy (so actually she wouldn't have a strong local accent) and Fredamans who is Canadian.


The Winner from SBB #415 comments is #11 SUE F 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 #416

(One Question.)

Alina asks: Are you a superhero movie fan? If yes, MCU or DCEU??

I apparently am not a superhero fan because I had to look up "MC" - Marvel Cinematic Universe - and "DCEU" - DC is for DC comics and I gather EU is for extended universe. Now that I got the images I can say I enjoy the Guardian movies -- really like Groot!

Image found at Den of Geek.


Image found at AS.

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. Alina asks: Are you a superhero movie fan? If yes, MCU or DCEU??

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, March 20, 2021, at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Murder of Crows: A Novel of the Others, Book 2, by Anne Bishop

This is a series which I really enjoy.

Murder of Crows
A Novel of the Others
By: Anne Bishop
Narrated by: Alexandra Harris
Length: 14 hrs and 13 mins
Release date: 03-04-14
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 5.0.

Publisher's Summary
Return to New York Times best-selling author Anne Bishop’s "phenomenal" (Urban Fantasy Investigations) world of the Others - where supernatural entities and humans struggle to co-exist, and one woman has begun to change all the rules.…
After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.
The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murder of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard - Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader - wonders if their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or a future threat.
As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now, the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet - and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all. ©2014 Anne Bishop (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Review:
Meg Corbyn has found a mostly safe haven in the Lakeside Courtyard where she works as the human liaison with the Others, Terra Indigene natives who are supernatural, shape shifting entities. Meg, a human with special abilities, has created her own small human pack whom the Others are willing to work with and protect. Lakeside communities are recovering from the overwhelming winter storm brought about by angering the Elementals (Written in Red, Book 1). Now the authorities have discovered that two addictive drugs are causing violence in many human cities, causing the deaths of humans and Others and increasing tensions.

Meg has a dream about black feathers and bloodied snow. As she and friends try to puzzle these images, the urge to cut herself for prophesies becomes overwhelming. Simon Wolfgard, Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader, and Meg’s friend and guardian, has been trying to protect Meg from cutting. He inadvertently becomes entangled with her blood which results in confusion and a strain on their friendship.

Meg is able to warn the Lakeside Crowgard before they fall victim, like regular crows, to a local attack. Now Simon finds himself working with local law enforcement even as he calls together distant clans of the Terra Indigene. Now that they know the source of the poisonous drugs, they need to find the creator and remove the threat.

This second book introduces more communities including an island that serves as home to some humans with heightened intuition and home to others who wish to live apart and simply. It also introduces new Other characters (Owlgard) from other communities and furthers the involvement of some primary humans interacting with the Others. I really enjoy the primary characters and the creative plot-lines in this series. There is a good meld of character development and action suspense. The friendship between Meg and Simon is warm but faces difficulties. It will be interesting to see where the author takes them as the series continues. There is also the interesting tension in the conflict among the humans and the Others with a range from reluctantly co-operative to murderously hostile.

I am looking forward to continuing this series. As a caution - there is description of abuse in the nature of sex trafficking; there is some disturbing violence; and there are violent threats even by the primary characters. I recommend this series to readers who like action, paranormal, and urban fantasy genres.

Audio Notes: Alexandra Harris does a spot-on job on the narration. She provides distinct voices and conveys the emotions of the characters. The audio experience adds to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 8/8/2020 July Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and 2021Alphabet goals.