Audible Book Review: The Nothing Girl by Jodi Taylor

I totally enjoyed this story of a young woman finding her inner strength.

The Nothing Girl
The Frogmorton Farm Series, Book 1
By: Jodi Taylor
Narrated by: Lucy Price-Lewis

Series: The Frogmorton Farm Series, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
Release date: 03-03-15
Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
Genre: Coming of Age, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Getting a life isn't always easy. And hanging on to it is even harder....
Jodi Taylor brings all her comic writing skills to this heartwarming tale of self-discovery.
Known as The Nothing Girl because of her severe stutter and chronically low self-confidence, Jenny Dove is only just prevented from ending it all by the sudden appearance of Thomas, a mystical golden horse only she can see. Under his guidance Jenny unexpectedly acquires a husband - the charming and chaotic Russell Checkland - and for her nothing will ever be the same again.With overprotective relatives on one hand and the world's most erratic spouse on the other, Jenny needs to become someone. And fast!
Fans of Jodi Taylor's best-selling Chronicles of St. Mary's series will adore the quirky humour in this new, contemporary novel. Jodi Taylor, International Woman of Mystery, spent some time working undercover for North Yorkshire County Library Service. Heavily disguised as the world's most incompetent facilities manager, she shifted dead dogs, fell out of mobile libraries, and spent far too much time in the gents' toilets. The idea to rewrite history first came to her while studying history A level at an evening class.
Just One Damned Thing After Another is her first novel and was originally self-published as an ebook; it was downloaded by more than 60,000 readers on Amazon.
©2014 Jodi Taylor (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

Review:
Jenny Dove lost her parents and has been raised by the ‘benevolence” of her aunt and uncle. As a young teen with a bad stutter and low self-confidence, Jenny felt like a ‘nothing’. She was ready to end her existence until Thomas, a golden horse appeared to her to intervene. Jenny struggled forward with the help of Thomas and, to everyone’s surprise, including her own, Jenny gets a proposal of marriage from the charming, if chaotic Russell.

Russell is a kind heart, often rescuing strays. After being spurned by Jenny’s beautiful, outgoing and vivacious cousin, Russell lost his art muse and tried to bury himself in a bottle … or four. Russell realizing that he can’t get back the woman he thought he loved, also knows that he needs to gain financial support for his deteriorating estate. Russell sees Jenny and the oppression that she live in under the over-protective control of her aunt. He decides that he can rescue Jenny and perhaps help his own situation.

The pair gets off to a very rocky start when Russell is late and drunk to the wedding. Slowly, with the continued guidance of Thomas, and the quiet encouragement of Russell, Jenny finds her own voice and the Nothing Girl steps out to become someone.

I do like Jodi Taylor’s distinct combination of real-life personalities shared in clear characters with quirky humor. I already liked Jenny and Thomas as I had listened to the novella, Little Donkey. Russell is a harder character to like, but his rescue of Jenny, even if careless and self-motivated, sets him on a path of better growth. I listened to this at a time when I needed a lighter, engaging listen. I recommend this to fans of an imaginative, character-driven story with humor.

Audio Notes: Lucy Price-Lewis does a wonderful job with the narration. Her British accent fits the characters for who she provided distinct voices. She also captures the emotional tone and humor of the story. Her presentation enhanced my enjoyment of the work.

Source: 7/30/2021 Sale $5.00 each at Audible. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Sunday Post May 22, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 23, 2022

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 am sad that my son went home on Friday. It was certainly a blessing to share time with him the last two weeks.
I am in Orlando for a GFWC Florida annual convention. I was installed as 2022-2024 President of our GFWC Marianna Woman's Club the week of my husband's death. They offered to postpone the installation but all the plans were made and I had the bittersweet pleasure of having my sister, my step mother, Heather, and Matt join me for the event. 

Here is my family sharing in this lovely event.
My stepmother had her sweet service dog who was perfectly quiet through the luncheon.

Here I am with the other officers. The three to my left are at the convention too.

I continue to pray for the people and situation in Ukraine and for world leaders. I am adding Sri Lanka to these prayers per the request for another blog friend. 
I am also praying for our country and the state of crime that is awful.
.

Our weather is continuing to get hotter - high 80s to low 90s. We continue to have some sudden, heavy rains which are common to Florida spring and summer seasons.

I didn't get too much listening in this week as I am still trying to catch up work and have started listening to a CLE courses that I need to finish for June reporting.  I finished only one audiobook, posted only one review, and most of my memes. 

I was glad to visit 16 blogs again this past week.

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30, 2021.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post May 15, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 16, 2022.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 20, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 5/26/2022.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher; Genre: Amish, Contemporary, Romance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• MBS April 2022 Reading List Wrap Up.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 22, 2022.

Finished Reading:
-- Between no internet and Bob's health and death I missed posting a couple of finished books.) (Finished on April 20 but not included in a post.)
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Nothing Girl
The Frogmorton Farm Series, Book 1
By: Jodi Taylor
Narrated by: Lucy Price-Lewis
Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
I forgot to include this in my posts in April. I totally enjoyed this story of a young woman finding her inner strength.
Source: 7/30/2021 Sale $5.00 each at Audible.
Publisher's Summary
Getting a life isn't always easy. And hanging on to it is even harder....
Jodi Taylor brings all her comic writing skills to this heartwarming tale of self-discovery.
Known as The Nothing Girl because of her severe stutter and chronically low self-confidence, Jenny Dove is only just prevented from ending it all by the sudden appearance of Thomas, a mystical golden horse only she can see. Under his guidance Jenny unexpectedly acquires a husband - the charming and chaotic Russell Checkland - and for her nothing will ever be the same again.With overprotective relatives on one hand and the world's most erratic spouse on the other, Jenny needs to become someone. And fast!
Fans of Jodi Taylor's best-selling Chronicles of St. Mary's series will adore the quirky humour in this new, contemporary novel. Jodi Taylor, International Woman of Mystery, spent some time working undercover for North Yorkshire County Library Service. Heavily disguised as the world's most incompetent facilities manager, she shifted dead dogs, fell out of mobile libraries, and spent far too much time in the gents' toilets. The idea to rewrite history first came to her while studying history A level at an evening class.
Just One Damned Thing After Another is her first novel and was originally self-published as an ebook; it was downloaded by more than 60,000 readers on Amazon.
©2014 Jodi Taylor (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

(Finished May 3 but not included in post.)
2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Harrows of Spring: The World Made by Hand Novels, Book 4
By: James Howard Kunstler
Narrated by: Jim Meskimen
Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins
I finished this interesting series for my "Spring" title.
Source: 12/21/2020 Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
"From the renowned social critic, energy expert, and bestselling author James Howard Kunstler, The Harrows of Spring concludes the quartet of his extraordinary World Made by Hand novels, set in an American future of economic and political collapse, where electricity, automobiles, and the familiar social structures of the "old times" are a misty memory.
In the little upstate New York town of Union Grove, springtime is a most difficult season, known as "the six weeks want," when fresh food is scarce and winter stores have dwindled. Young Daniel Earle returns from his haunting travels around what is left of the United States intent on resurrecting the town newspaper. He is also recruited by the town trustees to help revive the Hudson River trade route shut down peevishly by the local grandee, planter Stephen Bullock. Meanwhile, a menacing gang of Social Justice Warriors styling themselves as agents of the Berkshire People's Republic appear one evening to camp on the outskirts of town. Their leaders are the imposing Amazonian beauty Flame Aurora Greengrass and the charismatic grifter Sylvester "Buddy" Goodfriend, progressive to a fault in their politics and intent on extracting whatever tribute they can from people of Union Grove.
Romance, politics, bunko, violence, and family tragedy swirl through the thrilling finale to Kunstler's bestselling series. The Harrows of Spring is a powerful, heart-wrenching, and satisfying conclusion to this poignant history of the future."
©2016 James Howard Kunstler (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Norse Mythology
By: Neil Gaiman
Narrated by: Neil Gaiman
Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
I did enjoy these creative stories of the mythological Gods.
Source: 2/11/2019 Audible Daily Deal $3.95.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Another CLE Course for Credits.

2. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

A Ripple in Time
Written by Victor Zugg
Narrated by Sean William Doyle
Run Time 7h 26min
I didn't get to start this as I was listening to a CLE course I need to meet my requirements in June.
Source: March 2021 Chirp Purchase $2.99.
Click on book title for full description.

May 22, 2022 - I am still very excited about the Bible Project devotion videos that are giving me a deeper insight and appreciation for my Bible reading. I am still getting caught up on videos I missed while we had no internet at home. The Bible Reading Plan is: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. I am enjoying keeping up with my reading each day.
I'll look for a new study maybe next month.

I completed one book for review but I now have eight outstanding reviews to write and post. Because I am so far behind I may try to shorten reviews. We'll see.
My NetGalley shelf is back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I don't have any author reviews in my queue right now.
(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.

No new review books.
I didn't have time to be online looking at books except one day I hit on several free Kindle titles.
I added nine ebooks to my Kindle TBR library today.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Deck the Hearts (A Christmas Creek Romance Book 1)
Rachelle Ayala

Where There's A Will
Janna MacGregor

The Bride's Secret (The Brides of Bath Book 3)
Cheryl Bolen

A Perfect Escape
M.L. Jameson, Maddie James

Maverick Gambit (Maverick Space Adventures Book 1)
Marjorie King

Rogue Countess (Regency Rogues Book 1)
Amy Sandas

Beneath the Fallen City (The Omni Towers Series Book 1)
Jamie A. Waters

Witch for Hire (A Witch's Path Book 1)
N. E. Conneely

Bond of a Dragon: Zahara's Gift
A J Walker



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

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 22, 2022

We continued to study Revelation in Sunday School on April 24, 2022. We were in chapter 13 and referred to Daniel Chapter 11, both talking about the future and a time of one world government.

Church service opened with worship, including the wonderful hymn, How Great Thou Art.
Our interim pastor continued his current series regarding Christ’s death and sacrifice with the message titled: "What Now?"

Pastor asked: Who is He? What did He Conquer? Matthew 28:19-20.
Zechariah 9:9 your king is coming.
The Disciples had been on roller coaster leading to the death of Jesus on the Cross. What now? Jesus appeared before them and gave them what we call “The Great commission”. This is an assignment to every believer. Go, enroll as student, teach, and tell the world. Make disciples then baptize them, teaching and giving instructions.
How do we fulfill our assignment? We must be doers, not just hearers.
These are three things the believer should do:

1. Carry your cross. daily. Matthew 16:24.
The cross was for the guilty. Our cross is the awareness of our sin. Psalm 51:3-4; the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. Romans 6:23 - Jesus was innocent of our sins. Our cross is also our awareness of who we are in Him. Revelation 1:6.
Carry your cross AND follow Jesus. If we know the guilt, the debt He paid, the love He showed, then we should follow. We should choose to surrender our lives to Him. Corinthians 6:19-20. The message of the cross for the believer is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18. The saved are (should be) willing to surrender and suffer for Him.

2. Carry their cares. Galatians 6:2.
Meet others at the point of their need. James 1:27. Save some...leading them to faith in Jesus.
1 Corinthians 9:22. Pay attention to the cares of the lost.

3. Carry His conversation. Mark 16:15.
Preach the gospel. Proclaim, publish, share.
Pastor challenged us to share the message of salvation with others. Do not be ashamed. Romans 1:16.
It is our assignment. Message to family, friends, neighbors, and others. John 5:24, Glorify the name of the Father just as Christ did. John 12:48.
Let God use you.

I had this song in my list and it fits for me today: Stand!

Verse for Today:
1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV
Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Lord, help me to be surrendered to you; use me to spread your love and message of salvation.

MBS April 2022 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2022 Reading List - APRIL

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABB = Audiobook Boom
eb = 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 2022
Favorites for the month:

5 Stars =
4.75 Stars =
4.5 Stars =  The Nothing Girl

1. ATBR: Audio Book Review: Hide and Seek by Mary Burton; Genre: Mystery, Police Procedural, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
2. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Kitty Takes a Holiday by Carrie Vaughn; Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Werewolf; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
3. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Mavericks Expeditionary Force, Book 6, by Craig Alanson; Genre: Adventure, Military, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
4. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Let Her Be by Lisa Unger; Genre: Domestic Thriller, Psychological, Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
5. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Inside Jobs, Tales from a Time of Quarantine by Ben H. Winters; Categories: Literature & Fiction, Anthologies & Short Stories; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
6. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Polar Vortex by Matthew Mather; Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0, Narration 4.25.
7. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Legend: Four Horsemen Tales, Book 1 by Christopher Woods; First Contact, Military, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
8. ebTBR: Book Review: Chinook (Miranda Chase NTSB #6) by M.L. Buchman; Genre: Political Fiction, Suspense, Technothriller; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
9. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Nothing Girl by Jodi Taylor; Genre: Coming of Age, Fantasy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
10. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Smear, How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote, by Sharyl Attkisson; Genre: Politics, Writing; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
11. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher; Amish, Contemporary, Romance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
12. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Wild Swan: A Story of Florence Nightingale by Patti Callahan; Categories: Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Total read = 12
TBR = 12
New Authors = 3
Audio/Audible = 11 (11 TBRs)
NetGalley = 0 (0 audio) (0 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 1 (1 TBR)
Nonfiction = 1
eBook = 1 (1 TBR)
Print = 0 (0 TBR)

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 41 of 125
TBR to Date: 36 of 90 total
Audio to Date: 37 of 100
NetGalley to Date: 5 of 10
Author Reviews: 2 of 12
Nonfiction: 4 of 12
TBR ebooks or Print: 4 of 12

• Series: 29 of 75 (13 continuing, 16 new)
• New to me Series: 16 (3 Yes to continue; 7 likely to continue, 6 maybe, 0 unlikely)
• Finished for me Series: 2

Special Goals
• Seasonal title: 2 of 4: Winter, Spring
• Alphabet letters covered: AUDIO SERIES: 4 Jan, 3 Feb, 7 March, 3 April, (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, U, Z) (17 of 26)
• Alphabet letters covered: MIXED MEDIA (focus on stand alones but can be series): 2 Jan, 5 Feb, 3 March, 7 April (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, O, P, S, W) (17 of 26)

Audible Book Review: The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher

This is an interesting Amish romance story with a complication of heart decease.
The Keeper
A Novel
By: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

Series: Stoney Ridge Seasons, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
Release date: 01-02-12
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Amish, Contemporary, Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Life on Windmill Farm hasn’t been the same since Julia Lapp’s father has had trouble with his heart. But that doesn’t stop Julia from hoping for a bright future. She has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. But when Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding - again - she is determined to change his mind. She knows who is to blame for Paul’s sudden reluctance to wed: the Bee Man. Roman Troyer, the Bee Man, travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. A mysterious man who relishes his nomadic life, Roman especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia seriously at odds with him, Windmill Farm is looking decidedly less appealing.
Can Julia secure the future she’s always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?
©2012 Suzanne Woods Fisher (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Review:
Julia Lapp, her younger sisters and younger brother have been struggling since their father suffered a heart attack. His strength and breathing are not recovering but his believes have made him refuse to be put on the waiting list for a heart transplant. Julia’s younger brother is a strong, sweet adolescent with learning disabilities. It is clear he will not be able to run the farm for the family without help.

The children’s uncle arrives to help, but he brings his own brand of openness. This causes some dismay in the community, especially with the mother of Julia’s intended fiancé, Paul. Paul had postponed their marriage a year ago but now Julia is busy making plans for their wedding in November. Julia is distressed and hurt when Paul calls the wedding off again. Julia believes that Paul has been influenced not only by his mother, but by the Bee Man, Roman Troyer.

Roman is a wanderer who moves his bees from community to community. He is a kind man, but suffered loss in his youth and has keeps himself emotionally apart from others. He developed a friendship with Mr. Lapp and cares about the struggles the family is experiencing. Roman decides to stay and help the Lapps even though Julia is annoyed with him and doesn’t fancy him like most young ladies.

Mr. Lapp’s condition deteriorates and Roman and Julia try to convince him to agree to accept a heart transplant. A soft friendship begins to develop between Roman and Julia as they work together. The story progresses as the reader wonders if the family can hold on to the farm and whether Julia and Paul will get back together.

I enjoyed the distinct characters and the unique aspects of the beekeeper. I also learning information about congestive heart failure that helped me to better understand my husband’s failing condition. The medical issue provides a different conflict which added to the story interest. I recommend this to fans of gentle Amish romance.

Audio Notes: Amy Rubinate does a very nice job with the narration. She provides clear voices and gentle emotions. I am glad I had this to listen to.

Source: 4/18/17 Audible Sale $5.95. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.