Contact email: mesreads AT gmail.com
###Winner Announcement Posts are linked here.###

GIVEAWAYS ARE NOW LOCATED ON THEIR OWN PAGE - CLICK ON TAB ABOVE; Giveaways also linked on right sidebar.

Friday, July 15, 2022

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 15, 2022

Happy Friday!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.
I've started putting together my totals for GC wins and hope to be sending emails this weekend. I do mean this for this Saturday 7/9/22 let's try 7/16.

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 July 8, 2022 Pick. There was one automatic win again this past week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was no title blocked.
Christy gets the Johanna Lindsey pair: Brave the Wild Wind and Fires of Winter

CONGRATULATIONS to two winners:
Random.org picked Winner from July 8, 2022 Pick:
  LINDA gets a GC
and
FREDAMANS
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.}

I like the book and beach decoration.
Image found at Caron's Beach House.

New Book Box #96 June 10, 2022
PAIR:
Liz Carlyle: Three Little Secrets and My False Heart
Johanna Lindsey: Brave the Wild Wind and Fires of Winter
SINGLE TITLES
Against the Sky by Kat Martin
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
The Eagle and the Dove by Jane Feather
Heir to a Dark Inheritance by Maisey Yates
The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood
Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour
A Legacy of Secrets by Carol Marinelli
Marry in Secret by Anne Gracie
No Greater Treasure by Ellen Kelley
One Minute Out by Mark Greaney
Texas Born by Diana Palmer
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (Illustrated Classic Edition)
While Others Sleep by Helen R. Myers


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
My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth
Love's Surprise by Karen Ball
Manhunt by Wayne Barton and Stan Williams - Audio CDs
After the Light by Kimberly Clark Sharp (Hardback)


New Book Box #94 May 28, 2021 (10 books)
Three One Audio CD Books:
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
SINGLE TITLES
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale

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

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

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


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

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky

Valley of Silence


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:

A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek


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

SINGLES:
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

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
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind
New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

SINGLES:

Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018
All Gone

New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018
Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
SINGLES:
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.
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

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
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
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

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan


(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 1,402 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!

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

MBS June 2022 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2022 Reading List - JUNE
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 2022
Favorites for the month:

5 Stars =
4.75 Stars = The Unsinkable Gus Davis, Aeon Rising, Murder by Magic
4.5 Stars =  Three More Reacher, See You Someday Soon, Shards of Honor, Holy Chow, and Leila The Perfect Witch
  1. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Swing Shift by William D. Arand; Genre: Crime Thriller, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  2. NG2022: #NetGalley ebook Review: The Unsinkable Gus Davis by Laurie Trumble Davis; Genre: Children: Pre School to 3rd, Ages 4-8; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.
  3. NG2022: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Aeon Rising: The Apocalypse Begins by Matthew Mather; Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Techno-thriller; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.
  4. ATBR: Audio Book Reviews: Three More Jack Reacher Novellas by Lee Child; Genre: Mystery, Short Stories, Thriller; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  5. NG2022: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: See You Someday Soon by Pat Zietlow Miller; Genre: Children, Family; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  6. NG2022: Audible Book Review: Zombies A Record of the Year of Infection by Don Roff; Genre: Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Horror; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  7. ATBR: Audio Book Review: Bunker (Book 3) Code of Honor by Jay J. Falconer; Genre: Action, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Thriller; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  8. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold;Genre: Fantasy, Military Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  9. A2022: Audible Book Review: Quake!: Disaster in San Francisco, 1906 by Gail Langer Karwoski; Genre: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  10. NG2022: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Holy Chow (Andy Carpenter #25) by David Rosenfelt; Genre: Animal, Cozy, Legal, Mystery; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  11. NG2022: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Leila, The Perfect Witch by Flavia Z. Drago; Genre: Children, Siblings, Witches; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  12. A2022: Audible Book Review: Murder by Magic by Glynn Stewart; Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Urban; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.
Total read = 12
TBR = 5
New Authors = 8
Audio/Audible = 11 (5 TBRs)
NetGalley = 5 (4 audio) (0 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 0 (0 TBR)
Nonfiction = 0
eBook = 1 (0 TBR)
Print = 0 (0 TBR)

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 62 of 125
TBR to Date: 49 of 90 total
Audio to Date: 57 of 100
NetGalley to Date: 10 of 10
Author Reviews: 2 of 12
Nonfiction: 5 of 12
TBR ebooks or Print: 5 of 12

• Series: 42 of 75 (19 continuing, 23 new)
• New to me Series: 23 (7 Yes to continue; 7 likely to continue, 7 maybe, 2 unlikely)
• Finished for me Series: 3

Special Goals
• Seasonal title: 2 of 4: Winter, Spring
• Alphabet letters covered: AUDIO SERIES: 4 Jan, 2 Feb, 7 March, 3 April, 4 May, 2 June (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, Z) (22 of 26)   
Remaining: V, W, X, Y
• Alphabet letters covered: MIXED MEDIA (focus on stand alones but can be series): 3 Jan, 4 Feb, 3 March, 7 April, 3 May, 2 June; (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, U, W, Y, Z) (23 of 26)
Remaining: T, V, X

Sunday, July 10, 2022

Sunday Post July 10, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 11, 2022

Sunday Post #318 Chairs, Compliance, and Storms
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'm still plugging away at work files and doing at least one extra each night.

I really had that craving for cake but I made cupcakes instead so I could eat minis. I substituted Almond Milk for water and applesauce for the oil. Too many for me so I took them to the office to share. Everyone liked that they are very moist, although my daughter said they were a little too sweet for her.


And I sauteed crooked neck squash with onion, topped with grated parmesan.


I continue with my previous prayer lists.

We are expecting another week of rain everyday with temps below 90.

I continue to enjoy my audios. I finished one audio book and 17 hours in a longer audio. I posted three reviews, and my usual memes.

I visited 17 blogs last week.
A Shout Out today to BOOK SERIES IN ORDER. I stumbled onto this site that has a lot of info to share!

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:
  • NG2022: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Holy Chow (Andy Carpenter #25) by David Rosenfelt; Genre: Animal, Cozy, Legal, Mystery; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  • NG2022: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Leila, The Perfect Witch by Flavia Z. Drago; Genre: Children, Siblings, Witches; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  • A2022: Audible Book Review: Murder by Magic by Glynn Stewart; Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Urban; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.
Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)


End of Summer
By: S.M. Anderson
Narrated by: Jay Snyder
Series: Seasons of Man, Book 1 (2 books)
Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins
This is a satisfactory Post-Apocalyptic story.
Source: 7/18/2021 Audible $5.00 sale.

Click on book title for full description.



Currently Reading:
1. Audio Smartphone Soundwise or on Computer (AT2022)


Man of War
The Rebels and Redcoats Saga Prequel
By: T.J. London
Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton, Kathryn Vinclaire, Patrick Zeller, John Hartley, Tara Langella, Jason Clarke, Dryw McArthur, Marnye Young, James Cheatham
Length: 22 hrs and 52 mins
I was provided an Audible Credit and now only have 5 hours left on this intense historical fiction.
Source: June 2022 audio received for Blitz and Review through Caffeinated PR.

Click on book title for full description.



2. Audible Smartphone (A2022)
The Plus One Pact Audiobook By Portia MacIntosh cover art


The Plus One Pact
By: Portia MacIntosh
Narrated by: Karen Cass
Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
I had started this while waiting for the
Man of War link.
I am 2 hours in and enjoying the characters.
Source: 2/19/2022 Audible Plus Catalog.
(The availability to listen expires 7/27/2022.)

Publisher's Summary
What if your plus one could be the one?
Cara has officially run out of men. Her most recent dates have gone from bad to worse, and when her dating app informs her there is no one left in her area to choose from, she is at a dead end.
But with a summer of events ahead of her, she needs to find a solution, fast; someone to keep her company at the never-ending weddings, family gatherings and gender-reveal parties that she can’t face going to alone. So when she meets handsome, confident, Millsy on a night out, she may be in luck. They could not be more different in personality, but he, too, has a summer of events ahead and is desperate to get his family off his back about finding a ‘nice girl’. What if they made a pact to help each other out and be a plus one for the summer? Just as friends of course?
A brand-new romantic comedy from best seller Portia MacIntosh, perfect for fans of Zara Stoneley, Sophie Ranald and Mhairi McFarlane.
©2020 Portia MacIntosh (P)2020 Boldwood Books



July 10, 2022 - I am back on the day track and continue to enjoy the informative videos in The Bible Reading Plan is: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. I am enjoying keeping up with my reading each day.
I am three days in on a seven day plan: Seek in Seven.

I completed one book and have two reviews to write and post this week. 
NETGALLEY STATUS-- I added another NetGalley but finished it this week. My NG 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 or NetGalley titles this week.
I found two for One Credit audiobooks at Audiobooks.com and two Chirp Audiobooks for $.99 each.
I added just one free Kindle titles to my Kindle TBR library today.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles
NONE

Won
NONE

Purchased
7/9/2022 Audiobooks Two for One Credit.
Dark Intercept
Author Brian Andrews
Narrator: Macleod Andrews

Duration: 10 h 9 min


Trace of Doubt
Author Diann Mills
Narrator: Tara Langella

Duration: 8 h 50 min



7/10/2022 Two Chirp titles $.99 each.


Hurricane Beach
Written by Lexie Nicholas
Narrated by Frances Anderson

Run Time 6h 38min


In a Pickle
Written by Cindy Dorminy
Narrated by Anne Marie Damman

Run Time 8h 46min




Free
One free Kindle title this week:
Secret Beast (Beast of Bishop's Landing Book 1)
Amelia Wilde





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

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 10, 2022

I missed Sunday School but was happy to be at church service to enjoy the installation of our new pastor. Our interim pastor provided a wonderful message noting that a Pastor is a Gift to the congregation. He is an Angel for the church; and a shepherd to the people. Ephesians 4:11-13.

These are the responsibilities of a shepherd.
• Connect with them - the flock.
• Concentrate on their needs. The physical needs are food, water, and shelter. The God given needs are the Word, the Spirit, and the Church family.
• Cast Vision - equip the people for ministry.
• Care for them - like the shepherd of Psalm 23.
• Cover them - protect and defend.
• Chase them - go after the one.
• Correct them – appropriately with the Word and Holy Spirit.

And the Congregation has responsibilities towards their pastor:
• Pray for them.
• Partner with them – participate.
• Present patience & pardon.
• Provide resources.
• Publicly and privately honor them – “Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.” 1 Thessalonians 5:13.

Our new Pastor changed his planned sermon and instead, since Psalm 23 had been noted, he preached on Psalm 23. Staring with verses 1-3 he noted that David prayed that God would “restore my soul.”

When we accept Christ, it is more than just getting a Savior. We need to be getting a Lord. We should have surrendered our will to the will of God. He is our Savior, but he is also our Master and our Shepherd. For all things we should be asking for direction of the Holy Spirit. Trust in His Will and in His plan.

The Soul is the unique eternal part that makes each one of us, us. Often we suffer injuries mental as well as physical. When our Souls receive injury, will we allow God to heal us? Or will we try to carry that trauma in our own strength? Our Souls can become weary.

Romans 12:2 says we can take steps to renew our minds but only God can restore our soul.
God was there when hurt the hurt occurred. God restores hurting men and women. He restores us after betrayal.

God restores us, He brings us back to what was or at least to where He plans for us to be.
God wants to and is capable to restore your Soul.
Magnify the Lord, not the hurt or problem.
Psalm 23:4-6. Even though we walk through the dark valley, He is there with us with his rod and staff to protect and comfort. Psalm 23:4.
He Prepares a table for us and anoints us for His purposes. Psalm 23:5.
He follows with us with goodness and love and lets us dwell in His house forever. Psalm 23:6.


We sang this song this morning and it fits all circumstances: Way Maker!
Verses for Today:
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.



Psalm 23:3 ecard, online card

IMG_20180310_181834_055.JPG


Saturday, July 9, 2022

Audible Book Review: Murder by Magic by Glynn Stewart

I totally enjoyed this combination of magic and mystery.
Murder by Magic
By: Glynn Stewart
Narrated by: Ray Porter


Series: Onset, Book 0.5
Length: 1 hr and 59 mins
Release date: 02-25-20
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Urban
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.


Publisher's Summary
Before he was an Elfin Lord - before he even joined that secret group of Mages - Jamie Riley was a Mage recruited by the FBI and the Office of Supernatural Policing and Investigation. A new-minted Inspector sent into one of the most complicated supernatural regions in the country: Los Angeles.
The rest of OSPI’s LA team has grown comfortable with allowing politics and pragmatism to decide which cases they pursue, which criminals they charge - but when Jamie’s investigation suggests that a pillar of the supernatural community has killed in cold blood, he will let nothing get in the way of getting the murderer.
Not even his career.
©2019 Glynn Stewart (P)2020 Podium Publishing


Review:
Jamie Riley is a young mage and a new FBI agent assigned to the special Office of Supernatural Policing and Investigation (OSPI). His new partner seems like a good guy, but he is attention is focused on a serious case related to drugs made with deadly magic. Jamie’s brusque supervisor assigns him two small cases. One case is a “murder by magic” where the obvious suspect is a wife learning new magic skills.

Jamie’s boss expects him to make a quick arrest. However, when he interviews the wife, he is sure that some stronger magic was involved. First he needs help to release the information from the magic chains on her mind. Then he will have to face political backlash as well as a powerful mage to take the real murderer into custody.

Jamie is a very likeable character – a man of self-motivation, integrity, and determination. The other characters are not deeply developed but I like the variety in their backgrounds and attitudes. I enjoyed the magic elements in the world building and enjoyed the mystery. The blurb implies this is an early story of Jamie who later becomes a famous Mage. However, the next books in the series feature a different lead character. I do have the first book in a different series by this author on my Kindle TBR shelf. I will read or listen to more by the author. I recommend this short novella as a good standalone for a quick listen.

Audio Note: Ray Porter is a skilled narrator. He brings to the work clear voices and fitting energy and emotion. Porter’s narration easily enhances the story for me.

Source: February 2022 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails