Audio Book Review: Mistletoe Miracles by Jodi Thomas

This is a delightful listen sharing three romance stories.

Mistletoe Miracles
Written By: Jodi Thomas
Narrated By: Julia Gibson

Duration: 9 hours 52 minutes
Date: November 13, 2018
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Western
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Summary:
A small-town Texas Christmas story, where hearts are lost, love is found, and family always brings you back home. Griffin Holloway is desperate: the Maverick Ranch has been in his family for generations, but lately, it's a money pit. He'd sooner marry one of his horses than sell the ranch. Marriage, though, could be a solution. If he can woo a wealthy bride, he might save the ranch-just in time for Christmas. Jaxon O'Grady likes his solitude just fine, thank you very much. But when a car accident brings the unexpected to his door, he realizes just how much one person can need another. Crossroads is the perfect place for Jamie Johnson: avoiding nosy questions about why she's single, she's happy to keep to her lakeside home. So she's baffled when she gets the strangest Christmas present of all, in the form of a Mr. Johnson, asleep on her sofa. Who is he, and why does everyone think he's her husband? In this uplifting novel, three unlikely couples discover just what Crossroads, Texas, can offer: romance, belonging, and plenty of Christmas spirit.

Review:
Griffin Holloway decides the only way to save the family cattle ranch, Maverick Ranch, is to marry a woman with money. Griffin seeks the help of the Franklin sisters, two elderly spinsters who run a boarding house in town. They agree to match-make but then introduce him to a fancy lady who would seem to be a woman out of his class. Sunlan is the daughter of a rich rancher who finds herself pregnant and in need of a husband to avoid scandal for her father. She is willing to pay off the Holloway note in exchange for a marriage of convenience before Christmas, and the agreement that she maintain sole control of her own small horse ranch. Can they keep things cool, especially after Griffin rushes to help her save her horses from a barn fire?

Jaxon O’Grady is an injured fireman who has become a recluse, a hermit living by himself. He witnesses a woman crash her car and rescues a dog at the scene of the crash. He soon realizes the dog is hers and he decides to take her in while she is recuperating. The problem is Mallory is being hunted by a brutal ex-boyfriend. Jax and Mallory develop a friendship but they have to fend off the threat of her ex. Will their friendship and shared danger be enough to bring Jax out of his isolation?

Jamie Johnson is a single teacher who is tired of having to fend off unwanted advances and friendly set-ups for dates. She has moved to Crossroads pretending to be married to a soldier who is away. Even the hoax of marriage doesn’t keep all creeps away. When the local sheriff finds an exhausted soldier walking down a road to town it is only natural to think he is Jamie’s husband. Jamie, who was away for the weekend, is surprised to come home and find a man in her house. When she learns that the sheriff delivered Captain James Johnson to her house, she has to figure a way to keep her secret. Maybe they can work out something together until he has to return to his next assignment.

The couples are wonderful even if their situations are somewhat contrived. The Franklin sisters are fun and other side characters (the Holloway brothers and Jax’s brother) probably have stories of their own to come. This story alternates between the couples and moves along well. I was glad to have a nice Christmas HEA for all three couples. I recommend this to fans who enjoy HEA, sweet romance.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Julia Gibson. She provided distinct voices and portrayed the characters to fit the story. I would be glad to listen to more books narrated by Ms. Gibson.

Source: December 2020 - Two for one credit at Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 10, 2021

Happy Friday! 15 days until Christmas!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.

I still hope to begin doing GCs and book mailings in the next week for holiday deliveries!

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.

INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the December 3, 2021 Pick. There was no automatic win last week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no titles blocked last week.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from December 3, 2021 Pick:
LIFE'S SIMPLE PLEASURE gets a GC
AND
MARYP gets a GC

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

Here is one way to recycle used and out dated books.
Image found at Pinterest posted by Knick of Time.

New Book Box #95 November 7, 2021

I'll add the titles through the week (16 including 2 doubles, 1 pair).
(on top) (Two) Rancher's Wild Secret and Hold Me Cowboy by Maisey Yates
(on top) Shadowlight by Lynn Viehl
(Two) The Taming & The Conquest by Jude Deveraux
(Pair) Dreaming of You and Promises of Dreams by Lisa Kleypas
My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth
Love's Surprise by Karen Ball
Manhunt by Wayne Barton and Stan Williams - Audio CDs
What We Find by Robyn Carr
Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
The Hollows by Ben Larken
Robbie Taggart: Highland Sailor by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella
Storm Sisters: Friends Through All Seasons by Afton Rovrik (Hardback)
After the Light by Kimberly Clark Sharp (Hardback)


New Book Box #94 May 28, 2021 (10 books)

Three Audio CD Books:

Web of Evil by J.A. Jance
One Good Deed by David Baldacci
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
SINGLE TITLES
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale
A Summer of Firsts by Susan Wiggs and Sarah Morgan
Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane
Christmas on 4th Street: An Anthology by Susan Mallery
The Stranger by Harlan Coben
Vortex by Robert Charles Wilson

New Book Groups #92 and #93 November 13, 2020.
#92 (15 books):

A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley
The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart
Heart's Desire by Ruth Ryan Hagan
The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed
Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs

Box #93 (14 books)

Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready
There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers (personally signed)
For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper
The Irish Bride by Alexa Harrington
When We Met by Susan Mallery
Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery
All of Me by Lori Wilde

New Book Group #91 October 2, 2020 - Suspense themed

SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder
The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman Audiobook

PICK TWO  your choice (listed below the picture) Nora Roberts:

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
Valley of Silence
Inner Harbor and
Chesapeake Blue


New Book Group #90 June 19, 2020
Quite a few mysteries in this box.

SINGLES:
Alias by Smy J. Fetzer
Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)

New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020

Singles:
My Surrender by Connie Brockway
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist
Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere

New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019

Singles:
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs

New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES

New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls

New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
Christmas Haven
King Harold's Snow Job

New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

SINGLES
Best Laid Plans by Allison Brennan
Darkness Tell Us by Richard Laymon
Cooking Most Deadly by Joanne Pence

New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon by Lacey Baker
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer Audio Cassettes

New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham

New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
Too Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes

New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018-
All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff

This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three One more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four One books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost TWELVE years I have posted 91 groups of mostly 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling approximately 1,535 books available to find new homes! (As of November 26, 2021).

I am happy to say that so far at least 1,384 books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, TWRP, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors, your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to faraway places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

Audible Book Review: The Ranch: Jack Sterlings Legacy by Sean Liscom

This is an interesting beginning to a post apocalyptic series.
The Ranch: Jack Sterlings Legacy
The Legacy Series, Book 1
By: Sean Liscom
Narrated by: Christopher Lane

Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
Release date: 01-09-20
Publisher: Creative Texts Publishers, LLC Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Post-apocalyptic fiction by Sean Liscom.
Jason Sterling had a simple life by all accounts. He had worked the same job his entire adult life, he had never married, and he had no children. He was used to doing things on his own. His comfortable life was shaken to the core the day he learned of his fathers death. It was a mysterious meeting that set life-altering events in motion, and the allure of a new life was too great to walk away from. When an electromagnetic pulse brings the modern world to its knees, Jason's choice proves to be the right one.
©2019 Sean Liscomb (P)2019 Creative Texts Publishers, LLC

Review:
Jason Sterling was only an infant when his mother died, and he and his elder brother were raised by their grandparents after his father basically abandoned the young boys. He moved on after high school and became a hardworking man, having worked his way up from the stock room to management. One morning Jason arrives at work to find a lawyer who tells him that his father has died, and Jason has the chance to inherit his father’s ranch. Jason agrees to at least inspect the ranch before making a decision. What he discovers is an understaffed working ranch, with military stockpiles designed to provide a save spot for his father’s sons and his friends’ families in the event the world goes awry.

Those working on the ranch include his father’s longtime friend, Allan, the property manager, and Jill, the daughter of the lawyer, who turns out to be a top-notch security guard, among other skills. Jason quickly sees that the ranch can use young hands and specialized training classes to make it a profitable enterprise that can afford to stay up with the resources needed in the event of world chaos. Jason agrees to stay and soon the ranch begins to make money through security and preparedness training.

Things are moving along well when disaster occurs with an EMP stopping all technology. Those on the ranch hope their loved ones, including Jason’s brother and his family, can safely make it to the safety of the ranch. Meanwhile, a fired sheriff’s deputy, humiliated by Jill, is joining with other local thugs to take what they want while he plans revenge. The nearby town begins to experience uncontrolled violence driving some of the local law enforcement crew and their families to seek refuge on the ranch. Ultimately, the ranch hands, with some unexpected allies in the form of a military unit, will have to face the violent band if they want to retain their safe home and begin to rebuild the local community.

The story includes a bit of intrigue, a lot of preparedness details, a touch of romance, and, of course, thuggery and battle. Interestingly, I found the story on the low-key side but that fit the pragmatic leadership and nature of the main character. I like the ranch crew, especially Jason and his friendship and growing relationship with Jill. I am curious to see where the story goes so I will be adding the next book to my library soon. I recommend this to fans of post-apocalyptic stories.

Audio Notes: Christopher Lane does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and energy that conveys the personalities of the characters. I look forward to continuing the series in audio format.

Source: 12/17/2020 Audible $5.00 Sale. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

MBS November 2021 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2021 Reading List - NOVEMBER

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 2021
Favorites for the month:

5 Stars = none
4.75 Stars = none
4.5 Stars = A Ladies Guide to Etiquette and Murder, and Shattered Worlds Koban Volume 4

1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Alexander X Battle for Forever, Book 1 by Edward Savio; Adventure, Humor, Time Travel; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.
2. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Monster, She Wrote: The Women Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction by Lisa Kröger, Melanie R. Anderson; Genre: Celebrities, Entertainment, Literature History, Nonfiction, Women; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
3. ATBR- Audio Book Review: A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman; Genre: Cozy, Historical, Mystery, Woman Sleuth; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
4. Author2021- Book Review: The Duke and the Spoiled Wallflower by Tessa Brookman; Genre: Historical Romance; My Rating: 3.0 of 5.0.
5. ATBR- Audible Book Review: It Happened One Autumn: Wallflower Series #2 by Lisa Kleypas; Genre: Historical Romance, Victorian; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.75.
6. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Dachshund Through the Snow by David Rosenfelt; Genre: Crime, Detective, Mystery, Fav Series; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.5.
7. A2021- Audible Book Review: Harper's Ten: Fractured Space, Book 0.5 by J.G. Cressey; Genre: Alien Encounter, Military Space; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.5.
8. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Mysterious Abduction by Rita Herron; Genre: Crime, Mystery, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
9. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Shattered Worlds, Koban Volume 4 by Stephen W Bennett: Genre: Aliens, Colonization, Military Space Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5
10. A2021- Audible Book Review: Tracking Magic: Rylee Adamson, Book 0.25 by Shannon Mayer; Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 3.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.0; Narration 4.25.
11. ATBR- Audio Book Review: A Nancy Drew Christmas by Carolyn Keene; Genre: Christmas, Classic, Mystery; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Total read = 11
TBR = 8
New Authors = 7
Audio/Audible = 10 (8 TBRs)
NetGalley = 0 (0 audio) (0 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 1
Nonfiction = 1
eBook = 0 (0 TBR)
Print = 0 (0 TBR)

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month):
DONE -Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 138 of 124
DONE - TBR to Date: 97 of 90 total
DONE - Audio to Date: 105 of 64
DONE - NetGalley to Date: 28 of 24
DONE - Author Reviews: 14 of 12
DONE - Nonfiction: 12 of 12
TBR ebooks or Print: 9 of 24

• Series: 92 (32 continuing, 60 new)
• New to me Series: 60 (24 Yes to continue; 16 likely to continue, 14 maybe, unlikely 6)
• Finished for me Series: 1

Special Goals
DONE - • Seasonal title: 4 of 4: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn
• Color in title: 7 of 8: Red, Rose, Black, Gold, Blue, Blonde, Diamond
DONE - • Alphabet letters covered: 26 Mixed media: 10 Jan + 6 Feb + 2 March + 1 April + 2 May + 2 June + 1 July + 2 August (26 of 26)
DONE - • Alphabet letters covered: 26 Audio only (not the same): 1 Jan + 4 Feb + 7 March + 5 April + 4 May + 1 June + 0 July + 1 August + 0 September + 1 October + 2 November (26 of 26)

Sunday Post December 5, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 6, 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.

We had a teary-eyed goodbye with the grandchildren and returned home safely on Saturday. Hubby is recouping from a couple of nights not sleeping well. The oxygen just doesn't work as well on the road plus we were trying to stave off the little colds the 5 year old twins brought home from school last week.

♪'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas'♫.
The turkey was barely off the table before the kids were decorating the tree.

The weather even in Illinois our last two days was beautiful in the 70s. We drove through mist but no heavy rain an arrived home to 75 degrees. This week is predicted to run from low of 52 to high of 80 and that is next Saturday. I'm looking forward to wearing my seasonal tops this month.

I enjoyed my listening last week and finished three (almost four) audiobooks. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 16 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to SHAMEEKA'S FICTIONAL WORLD. Shameeka loves "reading anything fiction but my favourite genres are fantasy, horror and psychological thrillers.” She may post "inconsitently" and may "rant" in a review - her thoughts and her words.

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

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Shattered Worlds, Koban Volume 4 by Stephen W Bennett: Genre: Aliens, Colonization, Military Space Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5

• A2021- Audible Book Review: Tracking Magic: Rylee Adamson, Book 0.25 by Shannon Mayer; Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 3.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.0; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 3, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/9/2021.

• ATBR- Audio Book Review: A Nancy Drew Christmas by Carolyn Keene; Genre: Christmas, Classic, Mystery; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 5, 2021.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

A Nancy Drew Christmas
Written by Carolyn Keene
Narrated by Jorjeana Marie
Run time: 6 hours and 24 minutes
I enjoyed this light mystery.
Source: 1/20/2020 Chirp Purchase $.99.
Review linked above.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Ranch: Jack Sterlings Legacy
The Legacy Series, Book 1
By: Sean Liscom
Narrated by: Christopher Lane
Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
Release date: 01-09-20
I liked this post-apocalyptic and will pick up more in the series.
12/17/2020 Audible $5.00 Sale.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Mistletoe Miracles
Written By: Jodi Thomas
Narrated By: Julia Gibson
This is a delightful listen sharing three romance stories.
Duration: 9 hours 52 minutes
Source: December 2020 - Two for one credit at Audiobooks.com.
Summary:
A small-town Texas Christmas story, where hearts are lost, love is found, and family always brings you back home. Griffin Holloway is desperate: the Maverick Ranch has been in his family for generations, but lately, it's a money pit. He'd sooner marry one of his horses than sell the ranch. Marriage, though, could be a solution. If he can woo a wealthy bride, he might save the ranch-just in time for Christmas. Jaxon O'Grady likes his solitude just fine, thank you very much. But when a car accident brings the unexpected to his door, he realizes just how much one person can need another. Crossroads is the perfect place for Jamie Johnson: avoiding nosy questions about why she's single, she's happy to keep to her lakeside home. So she's baffled when she gets the strangest Christmas present of all, in the form of a Mr. Johnson, asleep on her sofa. Who is he, and why does everyone think he's her husband? In this uplifting novel, three unlikely couples discover just what Crossroads, Texas, can offer: romance, belonging, and plenty of Christmas spirit.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (A2021)

Deathbeast
By: David Gerrold
Narrated by: Andy Caploe
Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
The cover pulled me in. This story is a little tough. I have 3 hours left
Source: November 2021 Audible Plus Catolog - in library only until 12/30.
Publisher's Summary
Timebeam to danger
Six hunters and two official guides are going on the trip of their lifetime.Their destination? Earth as it was 100 million years ago, long before human dominion, when the great hot-blooded dinosaurs ruled supreme.
Each of the time travelers has a different motive. Some are on the strange safari for pay. Others are taking a psychological and sexual holiday from civilization. There are women who wanted to show themselves the equal of men - and men out to test and prove their manhood.
But whatever their drives and desires, their strengths and weaknesses, the ultimate horror awaits them...deathbeast.
©1978, 1999, 2014 David Gerrold (P)2014 Audible Inc.

2. Audible/Smartphone (A2021)

The Brass Queen
By: Elizabeth Chatsworth
Narrated by: Michelle Babb
Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
This sounds like it will be a fun read/listen.
My thanks to Michelle Babb for the Audible code to allow me to listen and review.
Source: 11/28/21 Audible Code from narrator.
Publisher's Summary
She knows a liar when she sees one. He knows a fraud when he meets one. In a steam-powered world, Miss Constance Haltwhistle is the last in a line of blue-blooded rogues. Selling firearms under her alias, the “Brass Queen”, she has kept her baronial estate’s coffers full. But when US spy J.F. Trusdale saves her from assassins, she’s pulled into a search for a scientist with an invisibility serum. As royal foes create an invisible army to start a global war, Constance and Trusdale must learn to trust each other. If they don’t, the world as they know it will disappear before their eyes.
If you like the Parasol Protectorate or Invisible Library series, you’ll love this gaslamp fantasy - a rambunctious romantic romp that will have you both laughing out loud and wishing you owned all of Miss Haltwhistle's armaments.
©2021 Elizabeth Chatsworth (P)2021 CamCat Publishing

3. ebook/Kindle App on Phone (ebTBR)

A Place Called Armageddon: Constantinople 1453
by C.C. Humphreys
I still like this and just wish that my kindle reading time was more stable. I am 30% in now.
Source: 2012 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

With only a few weeks left in the year, I will be pulling in a few Christmas books and trying to decide what else.

December 5, 2021 - I am on track, enjoying Daniel, 1 John, Psalms and Proverbs. 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 Study last week but I will be picking one for the You Version 2021 Christmas Challenge.

I completed three books for reviews to post this week.
My NetGalley shelf now has 2 old ebooks titles and one new audio.
I still have two author titles remaining in queue. I'm still working on reading these - looks like they will go into 2022.
(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 received one audio review title this week.
I picked up one Audible Daily Deal.
I tried to resist but purchased three Audible titles at $5.00 sale.
I found three audio titles for small price at Chirp this week.
I picked up one Kindle title  - the November free First Read through Amazon Prime.
(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

12/2/2021 Narrator Audible Code:

The Brass Queen
By: Elizabeth Chatsworth
Narrated by: Michelle Babb
Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
Release date: 12-01-21
See more information above under Currently Reading.

Won

NONE

Purchased

11/29/2021 Audible Daily Deal $1.95

How to Be Human
An Autistic Man’s Guide to Life
By: Jory Fleming, Lyric Winik
Narrated by: Jory Fleming, Lyric Winik
Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins
Release date: 04-20-21


11/30/2021 Audible Book Sale $5.00 each (I picked titles that were under $18.00 that I would not normally use a credit for):

Every Day in December
By: Kitty Wilson
Narrated by: Katy Sobey, Joe Jameson
Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Mountain Survival
K-9 Search and Rescue
By: Christy Barritt
Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski
Length: 5 hrs and 23 mins

The Great Filter: A Post-Apocalyptic Gamelit Novel
Great Filter Series, Book 1
By: Russell Wilbinski
Narrated by: Neil Hellegers
Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins



12/4/2021 Three more audiobooks at Chirp for $5.97

Prodigal
by Judy K. Walker
Read by Alex Knox
Run Time 9h 46min
$11.50 $1.99

Evensong
by Krista Walsh
Read by Gary Tiedemann
Run Time 10h 32min
$18.99 $2.99

Christmas In Evergreen
by Nancy Naigle
Read by Kathleen McInerney
Run Time 6h 34min
$24.99 $0.99

Free

I picked this title from Kindle Prime November 2021 First Read titles:
At First Light (Dr. Evan Wilding Book 1)
Barbara Nickless

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