Audible Book Review: Ruins of the Galaxy by J.N. Chaney and Christopher Hopper

This is entertaining, fast-paced military sci fi.
Ruins of the Galaxy
Ruins of the Galaxy, Book 1
By: J.N. Chaney, Christopher Hopper
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 14 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 04-28-20
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Military, Space Opera
4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
The mission is simple. Escort an emissary to an intergalactic peace summit. Try not to get in the way.
Lt. Magnus and his 79th Recon Team have certainly handled worse, after all.
But when an explosion rocks the tower and sends everyone into a panic, Magnus and his asset find themselves cut off from the rest of the team.
Worse still, a dying alien chieftain gives them a priceless drive of intel, marking them for death.
The mission has officially changed.
With enemies on all sides, Magnus must do everything in his power to protect the emissary and escape the tower. There is no backup. There is no chance for failure.
The fate of the entire galaxy now lies in the hands of a Republic Marine and a diplomat.
All they have to do is survive.
Experience the beginning of this sprawling galactic tale in this first entry to the Ruins of the Galaxy series. If you’re a fan of Star Wars, Galaxy’s Edge, or Battlestar Galactica, you'll love this military sci-fi epic.
Includes bonus Ruins of the Galaxy stories "The Night of Fire" and "Demons at War".
©2019 J.N. Chaney and Christopher Hopper (P)2020 Podium Publishing

Review:
Lt. Magnus, an enhanced Marine, and his specialized team are on a light mission to escort an emissary to an intergalactic peace summit trying to connect with a canine like race, the Jujari. This should be straightforward and quiet, but the meeting chamber is wrecked with explosions. The Emissary, Awen, receives a capsule from the dying Jujari leader while he whispers to her to keep it secret and trust no one. Magnus and Awen barely escape the chamber and Awen has to use mind ‘magic’ to survive the planetary forces that are looking for foreign threats. They find a shady character who agrees to get them off planet and becomes an odd ally.

Awen is a beautiful humanoid from an order of a reclusive monastery-like group known as the Luma. They are a race known for peace and diplomacy as well as training their minds to reach to a different plane. When Awen returns to her home people, she has concerns for her failure in the mission. She is greeted warmly and kindly by her mentor. However, when she appears before the master, she is disturbed by his not too subtle efforts to break into her mind and force her to open the capsule. Again, Awen barely escapes.

Awen is on the run from several forces who want the secrets of the capsule which she discovers leads to an ancient world with unknow technological advances. Magnus shows up again as she is threatened and with their joint skills, they evade their pursuers. Only then they learn that someone has accessed the dangerous technology.

I will say that this story had a lot in common with Galaxy’s Edge. Even so, I liked the two main characters, as well as their allies. I was entertained by the plot and enjoyed the fast-paced action. I would read more in the series and I recommend this to fans of military sci fi.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray is a wonderful narrator, and my experience is that his performance always enhances the work. This is no excepton. I am glad I had the audio version.

Source: 12/27/2020 Audible Two for One Credit Sale. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Martha's BookShelf Friday Pick October 21, 2022

Happy Friday!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.
Whewww. Don't know when I will get caught up at this rate.
I still have some GC emails and payments to complete and books to pull for mailing soon.

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 October 15, 2022 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 was no title blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS to one winner (under 10 entries):
Random.org picked Winner from October 15, 2022 Pick:
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.}

Do you like to be left alone to read?
Image found at Smells Like Library.

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 1,406 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, 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!

Sunday Post October 16, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 17, 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.

The week was another busy one. Tuesday we had our Grand Re-opening and it was very nice. My Pastor came at the beginning to do a dedication prayer of the building and staff .(This was shared with a couple of guests who were early.) We were all exhausted at the end of the day and glad to have that done so we can concentrate on work again!

Wednesday I was trying to reset my default gmail account and managed to lock myself out of the mesreads account until I could re-access on Saturday.

Thursday afternoon I had a late evidentiary hearing and then my assistant and I headed out to Alabama for a day of industry classes on Friday. Heather got there a bit earlier.

Here is a picture of our charcuterie board (almost set up) that my assistant put together.
If she wasn't heading to law school next year I think she'd make a great event planner!

It was very yummy.

I continue with my previous prayer lists.

We finally had rain- Wednesday afternoon and evening when it down poured.
We are actually supposed to get night temps in the mid 30s this week. Day temps will start in the low to mid 80s, and then drop into the 60s at the end of the week.

This week I finished three audios I enjoyed. I posted two reviews at the end of the week and my regular Memes.

I visited only 12 blogs last week.
No shout out again this week.

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

These were the posts last week:

• Sunday Post October 9, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 10, 2022.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Voyage of the Defiance: Breaking Free, Book 1, by S.E. Smith; Genre: Children’s Classics, Classics, Teaching; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #451 Comment Giveaway October 15, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 11/19/2022.
  

• Martha's Bookshelf Friday Pick - Delay.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 15, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/20/2022.
  

• A2022: Audible Book Review: A Borrowing of Bones, a Mercy Carr Mystery by Paula Munier; Genre: Action and Adventure, Family, Teen and Young Adult; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 16, 2022 - Encounter God.
  

Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

A Dirty Job
By: Christopher Moore
Narrated by: Fisher Stevens
Series: Grim Reaper, Book 1 (2 books)
Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins
This is a bit rough with language and reasoning but it has some funny moments. 
Source: 7/18/21 Audible $5.00 sale on Sci Fi and Fantasy titles.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

An Uninvited Ghost
By: E.J. Copperman
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi
Series: Haunted Guesthouse, Book 2 
Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins
I enjoyed this as a lighter haunted mystery story.
Source: October 2020 Audible Plus Catalog.
Click on book title for full description.

3. NetGalley Audio Smartphone (NG2022)

Santa's Little Yelpers
An Andy Carpenter Mystery
By: David Rosenfelt
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
Series: An Andy Carpenter Novel, Book 26
Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins
I always enjoy the legal process and police procedures of this series. This did not disappoint.
Source: 2022 NetGalley.
Publisher's Summary
This program is read by award-winning longtime series narrator, Grover Gardner.
"Listening to Grover Gardner narrating a David Rosenfelt novel is like sliding into favorite slippers at the end of a long day: One feels the joyful gratification of a perfect fit."—AudioFile Magazine on Bark of Night
Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his humorous investigating team return in Santa's Little Yelpers, the next Yuletide mystery in David Rosenfelt’s bestselling series.
'Tis the season in Paterson, New Jersey: Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, are surrounded by holiday cheer. It’s even spread to the Tara Foundation. The dog rescue organization, not used to having puppies, has their hands full with a recent litter. Eight puppies are a lot to handle, and Andy is relieved when his co-worker Chris Myers agrees to foster them.
Myers, a newer employee at the Tara Foundation, did time for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. When Myers discovers a key witness against him lied on the stand, he goes to Andy to ask for representation in getting the conviction overturned. Myers thinks they can have this wrapped up by Christmas, no problem.
But when the witness is murdered, and Myers is arrested for the crime, things go from bad to worse. Suddenly, it’s all elves on deck to make a list and check it twice, so they can prove Myers is innocent.
A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.
©2022 David Rosenfelt (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Currently Reading:
I will be reading for #FRATERFEST THIS WEEK:

1. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

A Ghostly Undertaking
Author Tonya Kappes
Narrator: Tiffany Morgan
Duration: 5 h 39 min
This is a light mystery which I am enjoying.
Source: 12/12/2021 Audiobooks.com Two for One Credit.
Summary
A funeral, a ghost, a murder . . . It's all in a day's work for Emma Lee Raines . . .
Bopped on the head from a falling plastic Santa, local undertaker Emma Lee Raines is told she's suffering from 'funeral trauma.' It's trauma all right, because the not-so-dearly departed keep talking to her. Take Ruthie Sue Payne-innkeeper, gossip queen, and arch-nemesis of Emma Lee's granny-she's adamant that she didn't just fall down those stairs. She was pushed.
Ruthie has no idea who wanted her pushing up daisies. All she knows is that she can't cross over until the matter is laid to eternal rest. In the land of the living, Emma Lee's high-school crush, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, isn't ready to rule out foul play. Granny Raines, the widow of Ruthie's ex-husband and co-owner of the Sleepy Hollow Inn, is the prime suspect. Now Emma Lee is stuck playing detective or risks being haunted forever.
Contains mature themes
.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Werewolf's 15 Minutes
By: Jonathan Maberry
Narrated by: Ray Porter, Dina Pearlman
Series: Audible Original Stories
Length: 1 hr and 42 mins
This is a perfect fit for #Fraterfest.
10/27-30/2021 Audible Plus Catalog.
About This Audible Original
Gary Bruce is a slacker of epic loserness. Can’t keep a job. His friends are as bad as he is. No girlfriend. No direction.
Gary Bruce is also a werewolf.
Desperate for any kind of success, Gary decides to out himself on YouTube. The moment this ordinary guy goes full-on fur, fangs, and claws, the world can’t get enough of him. He’s the biggest thing on social media, he’s on every talk show, book and movie deals fall in his lap, and for the first time in his life he gets invited to all the best parties.
But celebrity is a special kind of voracious monster. And when Gary’s star begins to lose its luster, he has to decide how far he’ll go to stay relevant in a world that discards has-beens in favor of the next big thing.
Fortunately, Gary has a plan....
The Werewolf’s 15 Minutes is a brand-new short story by New York Times best-seller and five-time Bram Stoker Award winner Jonathan Maberry, author of Bewilderness and V-Wars (Netflix).
©2021 Jonathan Maberry Productions, LLC (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

3. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

Night Shift Witch
Written by Cate Lawley
Narrated by April Doty
Length 3h 32m
I'm looking forward to another paranormal mystery.
Source: October 27th, 2021 Chirp $0.99
Publisher Description
A witch with a side hustle
Star needs another paying gig while she finishes her witch training. Why not at a funeral home? It fits her goth image, and the funeral director is sort of hot…even if he does wear a suit and tie.
Less than a day on the job as makeup artist to the dead, and Star discovers one of their accidental death clients didn’t die accidentally.
Before she knows it, she’s neck-deep in paranormal intrigue and her completely human, way-too-nice-for-his-own-good boss is right there with her.

I hope to get in a couple others but I haven't chosen yet.

October 16, 2022 - I got behind while our of town due to minimal wifi. I plan to read two tonight to catch up. I get excited watching the devotion videos. The Bible Reading Plan is: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. It really soothes me to read/listen to the pieces each day.
No new study this past week.

I read two more titles and reviewed four so I made progress but still need to review: 8 books (plus 7 children's books). I keep working on these. :-)

NETGALLEY STATUS--
Back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I have one author reviews in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer.
(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.

Another SMALL MAIL BOX FOR ME THIS WEEK.
No new review titles this week.
I found two Audible Plus titles. I will be picking my Audible selections this week.
No free Kindle titles this week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

10/11/2022 Audible Plus Catalog

Daniel X: Genesis
By: James Patterson , Aaron Tracy
Narrated by: Michael Cimino, Abigail Breslin, Jimmi Simpson, Mercedes Ruehl, full cast
Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins

The Witches' Tree: An Agatha Raisin Mystery
By: M. C. Beaton
Narrated by: Alison Larkin
Series: Agatha Raisin Mysteries, Book 28
Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins


No titles 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 October 16, 2022 - Encounter God.

Our Sunday School teacher shared a message explaining how much God, the Father, loved the Bride (the church). He made a way to reconcile corrupted man through the sacrifice of His own son. It is an ongoing process to become sanctified but ultimately believers will return to share in the millennial reign while God gets the earth ready so He can finally dwell with the sanctified believers here on earth.

We enjoyed the move of the Spirit while worshiping God in the church. Pastor then shared a sermon based on Hebrews 4:16 and titled “A Pattern for Encountering God.”

You can look at the Lord's Prayer as a model. Also, the Tabernacle Prayer. Exodus.
Christ announced that the Tabernacle should be a House of Prayer. Along with this, the church people should be People of Prayer.

The Tabernacle was made up of three main parts: The Outer court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. Each location brings the worshiper closer to the manifest presence of God, who resided in the Holy of Holies.

As we enter the gate or doors, we begin to praise. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.”’ Psalm 100.

Then enter the Holy Place. Then holy of holies.
God wants to have encounters with us. He invites us. We can come with confidence, boldness.

In the Holy Place we repent of our sins. Sacrifice at the altar is a reminder of our sin. A price has been paid for our sin. We express our appreciation for the price Christ paid. Christ’s Blood is about covenant... relationship. The believer is being sanctified. We need to clean at the basin (laver) where we wash our hands but truly we need to be submerged in the Word. Here we pray “Search me and cleanse me.” Psalms 139:23-24.
“Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10-15.

As the Believer moves towards the Holy of Holies, they should be hungering for an encounter with God, seeking to feast on Jesus’ character and nature. John 6:35. As we spend time in the Word, we surrender and become more Spirit led. We need to be not just Spirit filled but Spirit led.

As we reach the inner lamp of incense there is a good fragrance rising to please God. Pray that you know God well enough that you know what He likes to hear in your praises and see in your attitude.

The Ark is where the mercy seat is located. It is the most intimate connection.
Isaiah 6:1-8 tells us: I saw the Lord on the throne and the seraphim called out “Holy, Holy, Holy. We encounter the Holy God and He speaks to us.
We pray that He will make His presence known to us. In the intimate place of worship, God shows up.
3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3.

As often happens, I went looking for one song video and found another.
I love how this video speaks of God’s love for us.
I hope you will read the scriptures while listening to God’s Love Letter.

Psalm 51:10-15 NIV
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
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.


God, I give thanks that you created me and called me to salvation. Please help me walk with Your Spirit everyday.

Audible Book Review: A Borrowing of Bones, a Mercy Carr Mystery by Paula Munier

This is a good mystery with the plus of dogs.

A Borrowing of Bones
A Mercy Carr Mystery
By: Paula Munier
Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney

Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins
Release date: 09-11-18
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Police Procedure, Search Dogs, Women Sleuth
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
The first in a gripping new series by Paula Munier, A Borrowing of Bones is full of complex twists, introducing a wonderful new voice for mystery listeners and dog lovers alike.
Grief and guilt are the ghosts that haunt you when you survive what others do not....
After their last deployment, when she got shot, her fiancé, Martinez, got killed, and his bomb-sniffing dog, Elvis, got depressed, soldier Mercy Carr and Elvis were both sent home, her late lover’s last words ringing in her ears: “Take care of my partner.”
Together, the two former military police - one 29-year-old two-legged female with wounds deeper than skin and one handsome five-year-old four-legged Malinois with canine PTSD - march off their grief mile after mile in the beautiful remote Vermont wilderness.
Even on the Fourth of July weekend, when all of Northshire celebrates with fun and frolic and fireworks, it’s just another walk in the woods for Mercy and Elvis - until the dog alerts to explosives and they find a squalling baby abandoned near a shallow grave filled with what appear to be human bones.
US Game Warden Troy Warner and his search-and-rescue Newfoundland, Susie Bear, respond to Mercy’s 9-1-1 call, and the four must work together to track down a missing mother, solve a cold-case murder, and keep the citizens of Northshire safe on potentially the most incendiary Independence Day since the American Revolution.
It’s a call to action Mercy and Elvis cannot ignore, no matter what the cost.
©2018 Paula Munier (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Review:
Mercy was a military police investigator but was sent home after being wounded. Her fiancé, a dog handler, was killed and Mercy fought to take home his traumatized dog, Elvis, who suffers from PTSD. They have been keeping to themselves and taking long walks in the Vermont wilderness. On the July Fourth weekend they stumble upon a crying baby and a shallow grave.

US Game Warden Troy Warner and his search and rescue dog Susie Bear, arrive in response to the 911 call. They begin to track the missing mother and Warner begins to investigate the cold case death. The local detective is antagonistic to both Warner and Mercy. He treats the Game Warden with disdain and wants them both away from his case.

Technically Mercy has no basis to continue involvement in the investigations, but she won’t back off, especially after the baby disappears from the hospital and the teen mother and baby show up at her home only to be scared off. Bit by bit the investigation by Warner and Mercy leads to a potential domestic terrorism threat that could cause community deaths. They are in a race against time and even the dogs are being threatened as a result of their persistent efforts.

I enjoyed these characters, their dogs and their interactions. The dogs quickly become friends and slowly Warner and Mercy develop a friendship. I felt there were some shortcomings of the book such as not treating the issue of PTSD seriously enough and the fact that Mercy kept pushing into the investigation with no authority. Still, I found the book entertaining and will be listening to more in the series. I recommend this to mystery, crime thriller fans who like search dogs.

Audio Notes: Kathleen McInerney delivers fitting energy but didn’t have strong voices, especially for the male characters. I think a stronger narrator might have added more. I am glad I got the audio version as it goes faster for me than reading.

Source: 8/28/2022 Audible August Credit. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.