#FraterfestRat eBook Review: Witches and Poppets: Steampunk Vasilisa the Fair by Melanie Karsak

This is a quick, charming story.
Witches and Poppets: Steampunk Vasilisa the Fair:
A Steampunk Fairy Tale Short Story
by Melanie Karsak

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08L3XLZYW
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clockpunk Press (October 11, 2020)
File size ‏ : ‎ 1812 KB
Genre: Fairy Tale, Retelling, Steampunk, Witch
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

Just in time for Halloween! From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Karsak comes a spooky retelling of the fairy tale Vasilia the Fair.
Vasilisa's father is dying. When her stepmother sends her to a witch for a cure, Vasilisa knows she must be brave. Rumors abound that the witch eats children, but Vasilisa would do anything to save the father she loves. Even if it means risking her own life.
From the fairy tale world of Melanie Karsak comes a new short story to delight the senses this spooky season.

Review:
This is definitely a perfect fit for October. I am not familiar with the fairy tale of Vasilia the Fair. This reminded me of Cinderella with a wise witch rather than a fairy godmother. It is nicely written and would work well for young people and adults. At 12 pages it read very quickly, and it made me smile. I recommend this to readers who enjoy fairy tale retellings.

Source: Source: October 2021 Author notice of free Kindle day. This qualifies for #FraterfestRat.

#FraterfestRat Audible Book Review: Once Upon a Haunted Moor: The Tyack & Frayne Mysteries, Book 1 by Harper Fox

This is a good, short start to a mystery series..

Once Upon a Haunted Moor: The Tyack & Frayne Mysteries, Book 1
By: Harper Fox
Narrated by: Tim Gilbert

Series: Tyack & Frayne, Book
Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
Release date: 12-04-17
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: LGBTQ, Mystery, Supernatural
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Gideon Frayne has spent his whole working life as a policeman in the village of Dark on Bodmin Moor. It's not life in the fast lane, but he takes it very seriously, and his first missing-child case is eating him alive. When his own boss sends in a psychic to help with the case, he's gutted - he's a level-headed copper who doesn't believe in such things, and he can't help but think that the arrival of clairvoyant Lee Tyack is a comment on his failure to find the little girl.
But Lee is hard to hate, no matter how Gideon tries. At first Lee's insights into the case make no sense, but he seems to have a window straight into Gideon's heart. Son of a Methodist minister, raised in a tiny Cornish village, Gideon has hidden his sexuality for years. It's cost him one lover, and he can't believe it when this green-eyed newcomer stirs up old feelings and starts to exert a powerful force of attraction.
Gideon and Lee begin to work together on the case. But there are malignant forces at work in the sleepy little village of Dark, and not only human ones - Gideon is starting to wonder, against all common sense, if there might be some truth in the terrifying legend of the Bodmin Beast after all. As a misty Halloween night consumes the moor, Gideon must race against time to save not only the lost child but the man who's begun to restore his faith in his own heart.
©2013 Harper Fox (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Gideon Frayne is a policeman in his home village on the edge of the Cornish moors. He is frustrated as the days pass, and he hasn’t located a missing young girl. Gideon is a bit surprised, and annoyed, when his superior indicates that a psychic has been called in. Gideon is set against the idea and then he meets Lee Tyack.

Circumstances leave Lee without a reservation, so he ends up staying with Gideon. At first Gideon is very skeptical about Lee’s not so clear visionary clues. But soon he realizes that the clues make sense once they get the right interpretation. A little romance develops between Gideon and Lee as they get closer to finding the missing girl. Soon Gideon realizes that Lee is in danger too. On a dark, foggy Halloween night, Gideon sets off into the dark moors and the caves there in hopes he can save the girl and his new friend.

I am very impressed by the writing in this short mystery which has a beautiful tone even with the darkness of the settings and issues. The mystery isn’t terribly deep, but the dangerous creature and the physic element adds to the plot. Gideon and Lee are two distinct and different characters, but they work well together. The relationship between Gideon and Lee is tastefully handled. I might be inclined to read more in the series.

Audio Notes: Tim Gilbert does a wonderful narration. His accent fits the story and he enhances the haunting tone while portraying clear characters. I would listen to more narration from Gilbert.

Source: August 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook, and #FraterfestRat goals.

Sunday Post October 31, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 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 welcome November!

I completed one commercial closing on Friday. I also had an unexpected trial that went well. I didn't get the will signings done last week so maybe this or next week.
Heather will be out part of this week as she is having balloon sinus surgery. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

I came home Friday night to find this little fluffball in front of the house. I have seen him/her in the yard before but this is the first time I was able to get a couple pictures from my car. He/she stayed there even as I entered the house. He/she did take off when I let the dogs out. I saw the white tail disappear to the west.

We seem to continue with a bit of sniffles with the weather changing from warm to cold.
We continue to have pleasant temperatures although we have switched from the AC to the heater for a night or two.

I enjoyed my listening again. I don't think I even got to open the ebook. I finished two audiobooks. I posted four and my usual memes.

I visited 19 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to The Bashful Bookworm. Wendy is an introvert who "thought it would be a great idea to review books to help others figure out what books are best for them to read."

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

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

• NG2021- #FraterfestRat #NetGalley Book Review: The Secret Halloween Costume by Sophie Vaillancourt; Genre: Children, Halloween, Holiday; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• A2020- #FraterfestRat Audible Book Review: Ghostsitter - A Crazy Inheritance by Tommy Krappweis; Genre: Children's Audiobooks, Literature & Fiction; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• A2020- #Fraterfest Audible Book Review: Murder by Other Means: The Dispatcher, Book 2 by John Scalzi; Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction & Fantasy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 29, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 11/4/2021.

• A2020- #FraterfestRat Audio Book Review: Gustav Gloom and the People Taker by Adam-Troy Castro; Genre: Children's, Paranormal, Supernatural My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #433 Comment Giveaway October 30, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 11/13/2021.
  

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 31, 2021.

Finished Reading:

1. Audiobooks App/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Vampire Knitting Club
By Nancy Warren
Duration: 6 h 7 min
I didn't get this finished for 2021 #FraterfestRat, but I sure enjoyed it!
Source: November 2020 VIP pick from Audiobooks.com.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Chirp Audio/Smartphone (A2021)

America Falls Episodes 1-2
Written by Scott Medbury
Read by Adam Barr
Run Time 11h 12min
(#FraterfestRat #10 Book 1).
I finished Episode 2 and will continue the series at some point.
Source: 2/21/21 Purchase at Chirp $1.99.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

Alexander X
Battle for Forever, Book 1
By: Edward Savio
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
Release date: 06-05-19
I chose this to be my "X" in Audio title since I don't have another title beginning with X.
It is an exciting and informative listen.
Source: 12/17/2020 Audible Sale – $5.00.
Publisher's Summary
Alexander Grant is a little too good at a few too many things. Two dozen martial arts. Twice that many languages. Chess, the piano, sports, forging excused absences, you name it. He graduated high school top of his class...seventeen times. Of course, no one knows any of this. Not that he wants to go unnoticed. It’s just safer that way. So for the last several decades, Alexander has been forced to move from town to small town to even smaller town - he just bought his 651st house - in an effort to live a painfully quiet life. But when a mysterious cabal attempts to kidnap him and kill his friends, Alexander must use all his skills and centuries of training to outwit the most dangerous man alive, the mastermind of a plot that would change the world forever.
Clever, intriguing, skillfully woven with humor, Alexander X launches us on an epic journey toward a future few of us will survive, rising from a past we never knew existed.
©2019 Edward Savio (P)2019 Babelfish Audio
.

2. ebook/Kindle App on Phone (ebTBR)

The Duke and the Spoiled Wallflower
by Tessa Brookman
I will try to get back to this now.
Source: Received from author team for review.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Monster, She Wrote: The Women Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction
By: Lisa Kröger , Melanie R. Anderson
Narrated by: Erin Bennett
I decided to listen to this as my next nonfiction.
Source: September 2020 Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
Satisfy your craving for extraordinary authors and exceptional fiction: Meet the women writers who defied convention to craft some of literature’s strangest tales, from Frankenstein to The Haunting of Hill House and beyond.
Frankenstein was just the beginning: horror stories and other weird fiction wouldn’t exist without the women who created it. From Gothic ghost stories to psychological horror to science fiction, women have been primary architects of speculative literature of all sorts. And their own life stories are as intriguing as their fiction. Everyone knows about Mary Shelley, creator of Frankenstein, who was rumored to keep her late husband’s heart in her desk drawer. But have you heard of Margaret “Mad Madge” Cavendish, who wrote a science-fiction epic 150 years earlier (and liked to wear topless gowns to the theater)? If you know the astounding work of Shirley Jackson, whose novel The Haunting of Hill House was reinvented as a Netflix series, then try the psychological hauntings of Violet Paget, who was openly involved in long-term romantic relationships with women in the Victorian era. You’ll meet celebrated icons (Ann Radcliffe, V. C. Andrews), forgotten wordsmiths (Eli Coltor, Ruby Jean Jensen), and today’s vanguard (Helen Oyeyemi). Curated reading lists point you to their most spine-chilling tales.
Part biography, part reader’s guide, the engaging write-ups and detailed reading lists will introduce you to more than a hundred authors and over two hundred of their mysterious and spooky novels, novellas, and stories.
©2019 Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

October 30, 2021 - I am on track. 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 to the NLT Tyndale version of the Bible on You Version App so Hubby and I are reading the same passages each day.
No new study yet.

I completed two books. I still have three reviews from last week plus these two.
My NetGalley shelf now has 3 old ebooks titles, one of which I still plan to read start this month next.
I have two author titles remaining in queue. I'm still working on reading these.
(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: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I requested/received no new review titles this week.
I selected two for one credit books at Audiobooks.com.
I didn't resist purchasing audios this week as I purchased seven books at Chirp.
I picked up two Audible Plus free books.
I picked up two free Kindle titles.
(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

October 27th, 2021 Seven Books at Chirp:

Faith in the Mountain Valley
Written by Misty M. Beller
Narrated by Leonor A. Woodworth
$9.99 $0.99

The Schoolteacher of Saint-Michel
Written by Sarah Steele
Narrated by Natalie Pela
$26.66 $3.99

8 Books That Changed the World
Written by Joseph Luzzi
Narrated by Joseph Luzzi
$19.99 $0.99

What Lurks Beneath [Dramatized Adaptation]
Written by Ryan Lockwood
Narrated by Collected Narrators
$19.99 $3.99

How to Bee
Written by Bren MacDibble
Narrated by Katherine Littrell
$14.95 $1.99

Lone Wolf
Written by Kathryn Lasky
Narrated by Erik Davies
$18.50 $2.99

Night Shift Witch
Written by Cate Lawley
Narrated by April Doty
$8.95 $0.99



10/30/2021 Audiobooks.com Two For One Credit Horror Audiobooks. Both of these have been on my wish list so this seemed a good time to pick them up.

Strange Weather: Four Novellas
Author Joe Hill
Narrator: Stephen Lang
Duration: 14 h 36 min

Deadbreak
Author Jorge Sanchez
Narrator: James Fouhey
Duration: 10 h 59 min

Free

10/27-30/2021 Audible Plus Catalog

The Werewolf's 15 Minutes
By: Jonathan Maberry
Narrated by: Ray Porter, Dina Pearlman
Series: Audible Original Stories
Length: 1 hr and 42 mins

Zombies
A Record of the Year of Infection
By: Don Roff
Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne
Length: 1 hr and 40 mins


Two Kindle Titles - from Facebook links.
Teagan: Cowboy Strong (The Kavanagh Brothers Book 1)
Kathleen Ball

Duneflyer: A Future-Fantasy Adventure (Stormweaver Book 1)
Jay Aspen

I've received several more books through Bookfunnel. I may have to put those in a post as it could be a while before I get to read them.

Other Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 31, 2021

This morning we had a good Sunday School, as always. Then we shared church worship before participating in missions giving for BGMC, Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge. We concluded service sharing in the remembrance celebration of communion.

Pastor started a new sermon series, The Battle Over Worship. Ever been in a situation where you are in a disagreement and didn't realize it? Sometimes we are naively unaware. Nations do this and people within our own country.

Christian Believers are participants in the longest running battle. It started since before Adam and Eve. There is no sitting out or staying neutral. We are on one side or another. Pastor noted even participating in Halloween is a cause for confrontation. (I recalled from my church upbringing in the Episcopal church that the celebration was originally All Hallows Eve, the night before All Saint’s Day. Originally the decorations and masks were to scare away the evil spirits.) 

There is a battle over worship. Jesus should be worshiped at all times. But this does not always happen. It may seem ridiculous to battle over this! But worship is a ground zero. We may have to check our emotions; check our posture/attitude. This is not about ‘small’ potatoes or ‘preference’ potatoes; ie hymns v contemporary songs; hymnals v lyrics on the screen; hand raising v subdued; etc.) Pastor showed a short, funny video about “hand raisers” by Tim Hawkins.

The definition of Worship: to Ascribe value to something or someone.
There are lots of factors that distract us. We are hungry, thirsty, fatigued, distracted by bladder, family, friends or strangers. Then add the preference potatoes to that.

Where does Jesus fit on the scale? This is the battle for worship.

Lucifer wanted to be worshiped. His rebellion caused God to put him and one third of the angels out of Heaven. Satan continues to try to distract our worship away from Jesus. The enemy's greatest delight is to steal the worship reserved for God and turn it toward something else.

The Point: You will worship something or someone.

Believers should ascribe top value to Jesus. The size, capacity or power of your worship is only as great as the thing that steals your attention from Jesus. What would keep you from singing a song to Jesus? Believers are to worship no matter what. The church shouldn’t be known for worship wars.

Worship resides in a contrite heart. Psalm 51:1-17. Will your worship be for Jesus? What if we decided every day that nothing would steal our worship from Jesus?

I think this song fits today: Made to Worship!

Verses for Today:
Psalm 51:14-17 NIV
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.


Lord, I pray that You keep me focused on worshiping You!

 

Sharing Beyond Books #433 Comment Giveaway October 30, 2021

Hello again, Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books.
Happy Halloween and Goodbye October.

Thanks to everyone who commented on the last question.
Last post SBB#432 Nikki asked: Is there a book-to-movie (or tv series) adaptation that you wish was never adapted? Please share the movie and why.
Six commentors couldn't think of any movie/TV adaptation they wish hadn't been named. There were six specific titles mentioned with Lord of Ring trilogy mentioned twice. One person doesn't watch enough movies to comment.

For US participants: I need to update and refill the books available to US winners. I have used "Love" and "Christmas" titles as well as ARC titles. Since the supply is lower, I have author collections I could choose from, mostly romance - historical, suspense and some contemporary. What genres/books/authors would you like me to include?

The Winner from SBB#432 comments is #7 MARYP 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. -- [9-18-2021 I have added a new box and crossed off books no longer available through August 2021.]

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

WEEK #433

(One Question.)

Miki asks: Did book prices go up since covid in your area or has the covid trouble affected books in another way (delay, number available etc)??

I haven't noticed higher book prices due to Covid, although I don't buy physical books very often. Our community didn't seem to have much trouble with deliveries until the last few months when we started experiencing mail and overnight delays.
This is business papers, not books. Last week we had four express packages delayed two days and one package ended up getting delivered to my house address! We believe it was a new driver who couldn't seem to find our temporary (3 years now) address that is in a shopping plaza!

Image found at BioSpace

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. .

October comments were provided by Fredamans, Nikki and Miki who all get $2.50 credit.
Your turn to share. Miki asks: Did book prices go up since covid in your area or has the covid trouble affected books in another way (delay, number available etc)??

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, November 13, 2021, at 5 PM central.