Audible Book Review: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

I enjoyed listening to this Christian Classic.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Chronicles of Narnia
By: C.S. Lewis
Narrated by: Michael York

Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 12-26-04
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Children, Christian, Classic
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Don't miss one of America's top 100 most-loved novels, selected by PBS's The Great American Read.
Four adventurous siblings - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie - step through a wardrobe door an into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change...and a great sacrifice.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the second book in C. S. Lewis' classic fantasy series, which has been drawing readers and listeners of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over 60 years. This is a stand-alone listen, but if you would like to explore more of the Narnian realm, follow up with The Horse and His Boy, the third book in The Chronicles of Narnia.
Don't miss any of the books in C.S. Lewis' classic Chronicles of Narnia series.
©1950, 1978 C.S. Lewis Pte. Ltd (P)2000 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Review:
This Christian tale tells the story of four children, two son and two daughters of Adam. They have been sent away from wartime London to a home of an old professor. There they stumble upon a wardrobe that leads them into a strange land frozen in eternal winter. Lucy is the first to find this strange world where she made a friend of a half fawn.

The other children don’t believe her and especially Edmund makes fun of her. Then he goes out and learns that the world is real. Edmund runs into the White Witch and she shares an enchanted treat to befriend him.

It takes some time but in a few weeks all the children go through the wardrobe. They learn the land is called Narnia and that the land and inhabitants are under the spell of the wicked White Witch. The other siblings make friends with a beaver family but Edmund sneaks away to find the White Witch.

The Beaver family explains that there is a prophesy that four children of Adam will save the land of Narnia. The White Witch plans to stop them by freezing them like she has other enemies, by allowing her wolf guards to kill them or by any other means necessary to keep her control.

The children have no idea how they can save the land but then the Great Lion, Aslan returns and brings hope. His breath and touch release the good animals who have been frozen. Each child has a role to play but Aslan will have to make a great sacrifice to save the children and Narnia.

I read this when I was younger and have watched the movie. It is a classic tale of good versus even and interestingly, this listen gave me a new insight to the Christian allegory. I was fully engaged and enchanted. If you have never read this, I encourage you to. If you read it as a child, take the effort to re-read and enjoy the message!

Audio Notes: The narration by Michael York is delightful. The quality of the audio is a bit lacking as it sounds older and has some volume inconsistencies. Still, I enjoyed the ability to listen to this precious work.

Source: 11/3/18 Audible Daily Deal $1.95. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook, and 2021Alphabet (Audio) goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Ever Winter by Peter Hackshaw

This is a suspenseful dystopian, revenge story with strong characters.
Ever Winter
By: Peter Hackshaw
Narrated by: Dan Stevens

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
Release date: 01-26-21
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Narrated by award-winning actor Dan Stevens (Beauty and the Beast, FX’s Legion) Ever Winter is a vivid and eloquent story of loss, rehabilitation, and revenge set in a post-apocalyptic ice world.
Far from the savage remnants of humanity, Henry and his family have managed to survive the grip of desolate, perpetual winter on a vast tundra that was once an ocean teeming with life. When the family is discovered, their peaceful existence is shattered and their lives changed forever.
Henry’s siblings are kidnapped, leaving him alone in the ruins of their home. Broken, altered, and tormented by all that has befallen him, he is driven to wreak vengeance upon those who assume him dead...by any means necessary.
Fans of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road or Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven will enjoy the raw, emotional pull of debut author Peter Hackshaw’s writing.
©2020 Peter Hackshaw (P)2021 Podium Audio

Review:
Henry is a teen raised with his younger sisters and brothers in a solitary family. His parents made a choice to go into the wilderness in the vast tundra, once an ocean, where they struggle to survive the perpetual winter. Henry’s father taught him to stay alive, scavenge, and provide food for the family. One day they found a recently dead body in the snow. They scavenged from the body as that is the way of the wild. This act led to another man showing up at their home while Henry and his father were out. They return to find the man charming the younger girls although their mother is cautious. Henry’s father sends the man on his way and warns the family that they need to relocate.

Henry, his sister Mary, and their father make a remarkable find of a supply ship frozen in the former ocean. Henry remains behind intent on opening a container. When he returns home, he finds the home on fire, his mother and infant son killed and his father dying. His siblings have been kidnapped and Henry swears to find and rescue them.

But what can a young boy do against a community led by brutal, evil men and women? His first attempt meets with failure and he is dragged out to the snow and left to die. Surprisingly, another young boy sneaks out to try to help. Then an android entity arrives to treat his injuries and bring him back to the ship to be nursed back to health. In the process, Henry is changed and trained to become a warrior who might be able to face the savage community where his sisters reside.

The story started just a bit slowly, but I was soon wrapped into Henry’s world and cheering for the family’s, specifically Henry’s, survival. I liked the AI companion and the other feline companion that Henry managed to befriend.

Peter Hackshaw created a fascinating, if brutal, world, and then added historic (to Henry but not the reader/listener) elements including a surprise vehicle. Admittedly the story is harsh with deprivation, violence, and evil. Some sensitive readers might be offended by some of the scenes. I cringed a few times but, overall, I appreciated the author’s ability to weave a tale of personal determination in a harsh world. I recommend this to readers who like dystopian and can handle the evil elements that might exist in a broken-down society. I would be interested in reading more by Mr. Hackshaw.

Audio Notes: Dan Stevens does an excellent job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and accents that fit the characters. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story and I would be glad to listen to more stories narrated by Mr. Stevens.

Source: 2021 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2021NetGalley and 2021Alphabet goals.

MBS March 2021 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2021 Reading List - MARCH

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABB = Audiobook Boom
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 = Chicken Talk
4.5 Stars = Black Ops, Frosted, Commune Book 2, Forever Phoebe, The Quakkas..., and Ever Winter

1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Black Ops, Expeditionary Force, Book 4, by Craig Alanson; Genre: Military Science Fiction, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 5.0.
2. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: Chicken Talk Around the World by Carole Lexa Schaefer; Genre: Genre: Children's, Farm Animals, Multinational; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.
3. Author 2021- Book Review: Frosted (Regency Retold #2) by M.C. Frank; Genre: Fairy Tale, Romance; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
4. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Wolf's Bane by Aimee Easterling; Genre: Fantasy, Folklore, Shifters; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
5. ATBR- Audibe Book Review: Commune: Book Two by Joshua Gayou; Genre: Action, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
6. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: Forever Phoebe by Chalon Linton; Genre: Clean, Historical Romance, Regency; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
7. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Hold Your Breath: A Novella by Wendy Walker; Genre: Mystery, Psychological, Thriller & Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
8. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Outland by Dennis E. Taylor; Genre: Alternate World, Science Fiction,(time travel); My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
9. ATBR- Audio Book Review: The Golden Day by Ursula Dubosarsky; Genre: Historical, Mystery, Thriller; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
10. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Departure by A.G. Riddle; Genre: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Technothriller, Time Travel; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
11. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: The Quokkas, the Snails, and the Land of Happiness by Eric Geiger and Evie Geiger; Genre: Children, Christian Values, Emotions; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
12. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Bluebird Memories by Common, Awoye Timpo, NSangou Njikam; Genre: Arts & Entertainment, Audio Performances & Dramatizations; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
13. NG2021- #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Ever Winter by Peter Hackshaw; Genre: Adventure, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Total read = 13
TBR = 11
New Authors = 9
Audio/Audible = 9 (8 TBRs)
NetGalley = 4 (3 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 1
Nonfiction = 2
eBook = 2 (2 TBRs included in Audio and NG)
Print = 0 (0 TBR)


Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 39 of 124
TBR to Date: 34 of 90 total
Audio to Date: 25 of 64
NetGalley to Date: 10 of 24
Author Reviews: 4 of 12
Nonfiction: 4 of 12
TBR ebooks or Print: 5 of 24
• Series: 20 (8 continuing, 12 new)
• New to me Series: 12 (3 Yes to continue; 6 likely to continue, 3 maybe)
• Finished for me Series: 0

Special Goals
• Seasonal title: 1 of 4: Winter
• Color in title: 4 of 8: Red, Black, Gold, Blue
• Alphabet letters covered: 26 Mixed media: 10 Jan + 6 Feb + 2 March (18 of 26)
• Alphabet letters covered: 26 Audio only (not the same): 1 Jan + 4 Feb + 7 March (12 of 26)

Sunday Post April 4, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 5, 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 hope everyone who celebrates had a beautiful, blessed Easter day!

Heather still had days out this week with doctor appointments for her, her significant other and the children.
I had to do a rush hire for a new clerk this week so we had time spent on training. But I do feel we are getting work done, bit by bit. Have to do some bookkeeping these next two weeks for tax preparation.

Stock market started to pick up at the end of the week. I watch closely but am comfortable right now. 

We got to enjoy a few hours visit with our grandchildren Friday night! Saturday I took my granddaughters to the nail salon with me. They left earlier since I was getting pedicure too.
I wanted to get a picture of their nails too but right now I just have mine.

Pink toenails for spring (3 months) and
Easter egg nail colors for the next four or five weeks.

We are enjoying the cooler Spring weather. I did have to drag out the umbrella one night to get out of the office.

I had a good reading/listening week. I finished three audio books and one NetGalley ebook. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 19 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Let Them Read Books. Jenny Q says “I love books! I love to read books, talk books, smell books, dream books! I love to escape into a different world,…”

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 March 28, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 29, 2021.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Departure by A.G. Riddle; Genre: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Technothriller, Time Travel; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: The Quokkas, the Snails, and the Land of Happiness by Eric Geiger and Evie Geiger; Genre: Children, Christian Values, Emotions; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 2, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/8/2021.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Bluebird Memories by Common, Awoye Timpo, NSangou Njikam; Genre: Arts & Entertainment, Audio Performances & Dramatizations; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #418 Comment Giveaway April 3, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/17/2021.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 4, 2021.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

 
Ever Winter
By: Peter Hackshaw
Narrated by: Dan Stevens
Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
Release date: 01-26-21
Publisher: Podium Audio
This is a suspenseful dystopian, revenge story with strong characters.
Source: 2021 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone and MP3 (ATBR)

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Chronicles of Narnia
By: C.S. Lewis
Narrated by: Michael York
Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 12-26-04
I enjoyed listening to this Christian Classic.
Hubby and I look forward to discussing this with our granddaughter.
Source: 11/3/18 Audible Daily Deal $1.95.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Kindle App on/Smartphone (eTBR)

Low Tide (The Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense Series Book 1)
by Dawn Lee McKenna
This is a real to life mystery with a strong female protagonist. I look forward to discussing this with our woman's group readers.
Source: Free Kindle 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

After the Galaxy: The Unsung
By: Scott Bartlett
Narrated by: Mark Boyett
Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins
Release date: 03-27-19
This is a mix up of sci fi ideas - with some strange twists.
Source: 9/21/19 Audible Daily Deal $3.95.
Publisher's Summary
The galaxy’s not big enough....
Commander Joe Pikeman has his share of demons. But after a long deployment, he just wants to enjoy some home leave with his daughter.
The galaxy has other plans.
His last assignment takes him to Earth, humanity’s deserted homeworld. There, he finds Earth’s last settlement littered with the bodies of the people who lived there.
As he hunts down those responsible, he runs head-first into some galaxy-shaking questions.
Why did humanity really abandon the galaxy for a computer simulation?
Who would want to start killing off the last real humans left?
There’s one thing Joe knows for sure. If they’re going after his neighbors...his family...his daughter....
They’ll need to go through him first.
If you like action-packed, run-and-gun military science fiction, you’ll love After the Galaxy. Fans of Firefly will also love After the Galaxy. Download this military space opera now and jump into the action.
©2018 Scott Bartlett (P)2019 Mirth Publishing

Currently Reading:

1. Print (TBR)

The Faith of Condoleezza Rice
by Leslie Montgomery
I like how this started.
I expect to push into this more this week.
Source: February 2018 Discounted price at Christianbooks.com
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Unforgettable
by Eric James Stone
This looks like one I will like.
Source: 8/30/2020 Chirp $2.99.
Publisher Description
In the near future, a fluke of quantum mechanics renders Nat Morgan utterly forgettable. No one can remember he exists for more than a minute after he’s gone. It’s a useful ability for his career as a CIA agent, even if he has to keep reminding his boss that he exists. Nat’s attempt to steal a quantum-chip prototype is thwarted when a former FSB agent, Yelena Semyonova, attempts to steal the same technology for the Russian mob. Along with a brilliant Iranian physicist who wants to defect, Nat and Yelena must work together to stop a ruthless billionaire from finishing a quantum supercomputer that will literally control the fate of the world.

3. Kindle App on/Smartphone or Fire Tablet (NG2020)

Rescuing Harmony Ranch
Jennie Marts
I expect to enjoy this clean romance.
Source: NetGalley 2020.
A bearded blacksmith
and a marketing exec
join forces...and sparks fly.
After her grandmother calls her asking for help, Jocelyn drops everything and heads back home to Harmony Creek, Colorado. Her grandmother runs a living history museum: a ranch and homestead where volunteers wear clothing from the early 1900s and demonstrate how things were done in the old West, from making soap to shearing sheep. The place is in financial trouble, and it needs the revenue from the annual festival to survive.
There’s just one thing that makes this a little awkward: Mack, who’s divorced, and who’s now the caretaker and blacksmith at the homestead. Jocelyn and Mack have their own shared history, which includes both stolen kisses and teenage rivalry.
Even as the past and present collide, they have to save Harmony Ranch. Matchmaking grannies, a meddling mutt, and a flood of fun festival activities might just be enough to overcome their differences and forge two broken hearts back together.
This heartwarming romance includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Turkey Sliders with Mac and Cheese.

April 4, 2021 - I love seeing new things each time I read the Bible. I am glad to still be current with morning reading. (I got one day behind but and caught up again.)
I am reading/listening to the NLT Tyndale version of the Bible on You Version App so Hubby and I are reading the same passages each day.
I enjoyed another Easter study this week: Holy Week: Pause, Ponder, Pray.

I completed four books and plan to get those reviewed this week.
NetGalley shelf is still at 7.  I added one to the shelf and added one to reading this week.
Three author titles now in queue.
(Plus a few that I received from facebook links and 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.
A smaller mailbox this week which is just fine.
One new review book this week.
I had no purchases this week.
I didn't pick out any audios this past week.
I picked out March Prime First Reads and received one title from an author on Facebook.
I added no other 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

Received from NetGalley Read Now:

The Madman's Library
The Strangest Books, Manuscripts and Other Literary Curiosities from History
by Edward Brooke-Hitching
This looks really interesting!

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

I selected this title as my free Prime First Reads for March:

The Secret Stealers: A Novel
Jane Healey



I downloaded another book from author Facebook post:

Black Autumn: Surviving the Crash (The Black Autumn Series Book 1)
by Jeff Kirkham & Jason Ross
"Black Autumn is a survival/military thriller, post-apocalyptic saga."


No free titles 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 April 4, 2021 Happy Ressurection Day!

Our church celebrated three baptisms this morning. Then Pastor shared his Easter message of Celebration. 

Celebration of new lives; celebration of secured lives. We Celebrate Jesus!
Jesus left the tomb without the captive.
Now we share in the celebration of the gift of salvation, not the Easter bunny.
The Good News was shared in all four gospels by the Apostles, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
They witnessed this event in person!

If Jesus had stayed in the tomb, His story would be over.  But here is the story:
John 19 and 20:1-18.

Jesus proclaimed: “It is Finished.” John 19:30.
Angels from Heaven said “Dear woman…” John 20:13. Jesus said to Mary: “Dear woman…” John 20:15.
Who is He calling today? “Dear woman” “Dear man” “Dear Child” He is calling each one. He is calling you!

You have a choice: return to the old promises of ashes to ashes with nothing more. Or choose the promise of the empty grave; choose the resurrected life!
Proclaim for yourself: “It is finished!” The work may not be complete in you yet, but the old life is finished, and you have a hope and a future. Celebrate in the Risen Lord!

I found this beautiful song video today. "It Was Finished Upon the Cross"

Verses for Today:
John 19:30
30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 20:17
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”