Sunday Post December 11, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 12, 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 spent Monday in Panama City Beach taking Heather to the emergency room. She had fever spikes of 104 and 105 over the weekend and a sharp pain along her left arm. They tested her for Covid, Flu, and Strep and she was positive for Strep. They gave her a shot and sent us home with prescriptions. As of Wednesday she was no better and had broken out in hives. She got a telahealth visit with her doctor on Thursday who determined she may have reacted to the penicillin in the prescription. (My eldest brother and I are both allergic to penicillin so it seems to have a genetic reaction.) They ordered a different antibiotic and she was doing better by Saturday.

Needless to say, I had to pick up on her work for the closings and fundings during the week. That put my work behind another several days. *Sigh.*

Our Marianna Woman's Club (MWC)  Bids, Bows and Mistletoe Auction on Tuesday was great fun and a successful fund raiser! We were very pleased.

Here is the girls' (daughter and granddaughters) shopping picture
from Saturday a week ago.

My prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations. I am enjoying the advent season and keeping in mind the "reason for the season".

Most of the weather this past week was nice but we had a terrible blanket of fog on Thursday night. My distance contact eye was being blurry as well as the inside of the car being fogged. I could barely drive home and almost called my assistant to drive me.

This coming week our day temps will be a little cooler - 57 to 72 - with rain several days.

This week I enjoyed two (almost three) more audios. I posted three reviews and my regular Memes.

I visited 17 blogs last week.
Shout out this week to BOOK DEN. Interesting that Jennifer lists Horror first in her reading genres.  But she includes "fantasy, science fiction, and more"! Check out some of her choices.

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 December 4, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 5, 2022.

• Martha's BookShelf Friday Pick December 9, 2022 Giveaway. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/8/2022.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms; Genre: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Grief; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Cowboys of Copper Mountain: A Christmas Collection by Katherine Garbera, Jane Porter, Melissa McClone; Genre: Anthology, Christmas, Contemporary, Holidays, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Venus Plus X by Theodore Sturgeon; Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 11, 2022 -Glorious Joy!
  

Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (A2022)

'Twas the Knife Before Christmas: A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery, Book 2
By: Jacqueline Frost
Narrated by: Allyson Ryan
Series: A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Series, Book 2
Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins
Although this is a nice cozy, I had some issues with the primary heroine.
Source: 11/7/22 Audible Plus.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (A2022)

Icequake
By: Crawford Kilian
Narrated by: Tim Campbell
Series: Icequake, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
This is a story of survival against the ice and cold.
I saw this was only available free through 12/20/2022 so I chose to read it.
Source: 11/5 Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
A group of 27 scientists and explorers are stranded in Antarctica.
Residing in a station known as Shackleton, they are studying the seismic activity of the region. An eruption of the nearby volcano, Mount Erebus, soon sends quakes throughout the continent with devastating results.
All radio communication has been disabled by the breakdown of the magnetic field. Evacuation is unlikely. No one knows whether they survived the icequake, and their station is now moving two kilometres north each day with the strong aftershocks. They are on their own, with limited food and resources.
Do they stay put and risk being caught in the next series of icequakes and avalanches? Or do they pack up and trek over dangerous territories to the neighbouring station?
Icequake is a gripping prophetic sci-fi disaster novel, full of excitement and danger in every chapter.
©2017 Crawford Kilian (P)2018 Podium Publishing

Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (A2022)

This Fallen World
By: Christopher Woods
Narrated by: Mark Boyett
Series: The Fallen World, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
I am liking the action in this story. I have finished the first two novellas and will likely finish on Monday.
This title also is only available free only through 12/20/2022.
Source: 11/5 Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
The world has Fallen, but life goes on....
Matthew Kade was a corporate assassin - one of the best agents Obsidian Corporation had. But then the bombs began falling, and the old world ended. Now he must navigate the new world he finds himself in, a world where the strongest survive, and the weaker do their bidding...or die. 
Kade was always one of the strongest, though, so when a rich man’s daughter goes missing, he turns to Kade to find her and bring her back. But she has already been gone three days, and in the Fallen World, that is an eternity in which any number of things could have happened to her. 
Can Kade - a man with a price on his head - pick up the trail of the young woman and navigate the streets of the city to find her, or will the city’s denizens be the end of him? It will take all of Kade’s abilities to find her and save her life...if he doesn’t lose his first. 
This Fallen World includes three novellas in an exciting new universe by best-selling author Christopher Woods. You’ll want to get it - right now!
©2018 Blood Moon Press (P)2019 Podium Publishing.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Don't Call Me Ishmael
By: Chris Kennedy
Narrated by: Mark Boyett
Series: The Fallen World, Book 2
Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
This is another story in The Fallen World series and it expires 12/20/22 so I am listening this week.
Source: 11/5 Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
Don’t call him Ishmael. Or do; he really doesn’t care. Just don’t call him Fred.
No matter what you call him, though, he has a problem. Well, several of them. Ishmael - for want of a better name - woke up in a world that had changed. The Corporations - the wielders of power in a society not long from now - brought about the end of civilization as we know it, nuking each other to the point where it collapsed. 
Ishmael doesn’t know any of this, though; in fact, he doesn’t know anything about himself when he wakes up in this shattered world. All of his autobiographical and episodic memories are gone, and along with them, any knowledge of who he was or anything in his past. 
Worse, he has made enemies of some very important people, and they are after him. They are armed and he is alone and in...well, he doesn’t know where he is, either. 
Can Ishmael stay alive long enough to recover his memories - to find out who he is and how he fits - or will he be just another casualty of This Fallen World?
©2019 Blood Moon Press (P)2019 Podium Publishing.

I just found several other titles in my library (and not) that are only available until 12/20/22. They appear to be in the sci fi genres I like. I am likely to fit in another of those rather than a Christmas title this week.

December 11, 2022 -  I continue up to date and love that I learn new things each time I read/listen to the scriptures. 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.
I enjoyed and finished the study: 10 Days of Christmas Truths to Live All Year.

I read two audio titles and reviewed three. So I now have 3 (one book is a 4 book boxed set so it either counts for 4 or 1) books to review (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 review 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.

I tend to fill up on titles in December so they will qualify for TBRs in 2023.
No new review titles this week although I plan to go look at NetGalley this week.
Two for one credit audios from Audiobooks.com.
I selected my December VIP pick at Audiobooks. com.
I found 7 more plus titles from Audible - 4 Christmas and 3 Season titles.
I also got three free Kindle titles this week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

12/9/2022 I used a credit for 2 for 1 Holiday Romance titles at Audiobooks.com. They have a wonderful selection, and I may use another credit before the year is over. I chose these two as they are no available at Audible.

A Winter Wedding at Willow Tree Hall
Series: #3 of The Willow Tree Hall Series
Written by: Alison Sherlock
Narrated by: Penny Andrews
Duration: 9 hours 10 minutes

A Christmas Wish and a Cranberry Kiss at the Cosy Kettle
Series: #3 of The Cosy Kettle Series
Written by: Liz Eeles
Narrated by: Jessica Preddy
Duration: 8 hours 26 minutes

Free

12/7/2022 This was my December VIP pick at Audiobooks.com.

Wolf of Wessex
Written by: Matthew Harffy
Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
Duration: 10 hours 43 minutes



12/9/2022 These are more titles from Audible Plus Catalog. Some for Christmas and some for other seasons.

Bright Winter Lights
By: Liz Maverick
Narrated by: Andrew Eiden, Emily Lawrence
Length: 3 hrs and 33 mins

Once Upon a Christmas Carol
By: Karen Schaler
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley, Ryan Paevey, full cast
Length: 2 hrs and 17 mins

The Kidnapped Christmas Bride
By: Jane Porter
Narrated by: Loretta Rawlins
Series: The Taming of the Sheenans, Book 3
Length: 4 hrs and 55 mins

Snow Day
By: Julie Lipson
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi, Victor Bevine, Fred Berman, Elizabeth Jasicki, Eliza Foss, Kevin Pariseau, Angelo Di Loreto, Clara Francesca, Fulvio Della Volta
Length: 1 hr and 11 mins

A Springtime to Remember
By: Lucy Coleman
Narrated by: Lucy Scott
Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins

Summer of Secrets
Seasons of the Heart, Book 1
By: Charlotte Hubbard
Narrated by: Susan Boyce
Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins

Autumn Winds
Seasons of the Heart, Book 2
By: Charlotte Hubbard
Narrated by: Susan Boyce
Series: Seasons of the Heart (Hubbard), Book 2
Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins


KINDLE TITLES:
12/5/2022 Three Kindle titles:

Last Chance Ranch (Last Chance Ranch Romance Book 1)
Liz Isaacson
(I have further books in this series on my Audio TBR.)

The Day He Drove By: Sweet Contemporary Romance (Hawthorne Harbor Romance Book 1)
Elana Johnson

Murder at the Snowed Inn: A Cozy Winter Murder Mystery
(Claire Andersen Murder for All Seasons Cozy Mystery Series Book 1)
Imogen Plimp
(I love the dog on this cover- he is so cute!)


Three new 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 Sunday December 11, 2022 - Glorious Joy!

Our Sunday School teacher shared on Revelation 21:9-22 which includes the description of the beautiful, beyond our imagination, New Jerusalem.

Sunday Service shared the Advent Shepherd's candle – the candle of Joy. A church mother who is an elementary school teacher (for many years) shared how she was raised not in wealth but with a spirit of Joy. She noted that Christians should rejoice in their lives in Christ and the continual joy will set us apart.

We then enjoyed a Children's Program of song and expression. Pastor shared a message in between the songs. Luke 2:8-10 tells us that the Glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds as the angels brought them good news that is cause for great joy!
Today we continue to exalt the miracle of Christ. Isaiah exclaimed that this is the Lord's doing – bringing joy, glee, singing, and worship. Isaiah 9:2-3.

Having joy is a choice. The good news brings great joy. We should assemble to worship. Psalm 102.
“ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” Romans 14:17.
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12.
If a gift is offered to you, it doesn’t mean anything until you receive it.
Sometimes we lose our joy because we lose our focus. Like peace (last week’s message), joy is not based on our circumstances, but based on God's gift and presence within our lives.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 ESV.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” Galatians 5:22.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12.

Let God work in your life.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,” 1 Peter 1:8.

When you have joy, you smile more, laugh more, complain less, and have more strength.
“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10.

This is one of the songs the children sang.
They had very quiet finger snapping but liked the shout out joy part!

Verses for Today:
Luke 2:8-10 NIV
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.


Lord, help me be thankful daily for the joy you give me!

 

Audible Book Review: Venus Plus X by Theodore Sturgeon

This was an interesting science fiction focused on a genderless society.

Venus Plus X
By: Theodore Sturgeon
Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins
Release date: 02-24-09
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

Source: 12/2020 Audible Plus Catalog. Publisher's Summary
Charlie Johns has been snatched from his home and delivered to the future world of Ledom, where violence is a vague, improbable notion and technology has triumphed over hunger, overpopulation, pollution, and even time and space. But there is a change Charlie finds even more shocking: gender is a thing of the past. This is a civilization in which tensions between male and female and the human preoccupation with sex no longer exist.
Charlie finds that the human precepts he holds dear are profane in this new world. But has Charlie learned all there is to know about this advanced society? And why are the Ledom people so intent on gaining Charlie's approval?
Unsettling, compelling, and no less than visionary, Venus Plus X is Theodore Sturgeon's brilliant, original, and insightful speculation on gender and civilization.
©1988 The Theodore Sturgeon Literary Trust (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Charlie has woken up some place strange. He is continually reminding himself who he is. He soon learns he is in a futuristic world known as Ledom. Initially they won’t tell him where he is or if he has traveled through time.

This new world is different from the one Charlie remembers. Charlie wants to go home to Laura, but the leaders here ask him first to learn all about them. Technology has resulted in a civilization with no hunger, no overpopulation, no pollution, no violence, and more. One of the changes is in the people of the community.

The people are human like, but not quite. Gender no longer exists although pairings are present, and children are raised by a family unit as well as in a full community setting. Education is not as Charlie knows it but is done by technological input for each member of the society.

There are parts of the society that are beautiful. Charlie is awed at the use of music and the group relationship with music. If it weren’t for his longing for Laura, Charlie might be willing to stay in this utopian society. It seems right and possible until his guide takes him to the edge of the protected development and shows him the truth.

I enjoyed the world building of the setting. I always love the irony of true science fiction. The irony of this story is fitting today as much, if not more than, when published in 1960. The concept and discourse on the genderless nature of the people will make the reader/listener ponder the vision, implications, and reactions. The writing does include a lot of ‘lecturing’ by the characters rather than active showing. This made it a little less engaging. Still, I recommend this as a vintage, classic science fiction for serious readers of the genre.

Audio Notes: Stefan Rudnicki’s deep, direct narration fit the story. It just put me in the mood for the science fiction irony. Rudnicki provided distinct voices and captured the characters. The narration enhanced my listening experience for this work.

Source: 12/2020 Audible Plus Catalog This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet (V title) goals.

Audible Book Review: The Cowboys of Copper Mountain: A Christmas Collection by Katherine Garbera, Jane Porter, Melissa McClone

I liked all of these stories.
The Cowboys of Copper Mountain: A Christmas Collection
By: Katherine Garbera, Jane Porter, Melissa McClone
Narrated by: Loretta Rawlins

Series: Copper Mountain Christmas, Book 1-2
Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
Release date: 03-24-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Anthology, Christmas, Contemporary, Holidays, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Three novellas and an unforgettable short story, now available together in one festive package!
"A Cowboy for Christmas" by Katherine Garbera. Annie Prudhomme never expected to be back in Marietta, Montana, and her family is fond of reminding her that she left them and the town behind in search of better things. A humiliating divorce that cost her everything she'd gained has driven her back home, and her family isn't about to welcome her back into the fold. She's in town to rebuild the old home that she inherited and to move on once again.
"Christmas at Copper Mountain" by Jane Porter. Since the loss of her family in a plane crash, Harley Diekerhoff has led a quiet life and keeps to herself. Taking the temporary job at the Copper Mountain Ranch as widower Brock Sheenan's housekeeper seems perfect for her. But her calm cocoon is invaded with the arrival of Brock's preteen twins, Mack and Molly, who've never experienced a proper Christmas, and before she knows it Harley's determined to make their holiday perfect.
"Home for Christmas" by Melissa McClone. Ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Rachel Murphy loves the scent of gingerbread baking almost as much as she enjoys creating custom edible houses at Christmastime. But she needs a bigger kitchen if she wants to make the most of her impromptu holiday business. Enter Nate Vaughn, handsome venture capitalist turned Montana dude ranch owner - and her brother's boss.
"Mistletoe Magic" by Melissa McClone. Spending a quiet Christmas housesitting and reading novels about hot cowboys sounds perfect to Caitlin. Until a stray kitten brings her face to face with Noah, her crush from college. Watching the handsome vet in action melts Caitlin's heart and brings back long-forgotten emotion. She would be safer back at the house, lost in the pages of a book. But a toe-curling mistletoe kiss tempts her to stay. Maybe she won't be spending this Christmas...alone.
©2013 Home For Christmas 2013 Melissa McClone. Christmas at Copper Mountain 2013 Jane Porter. (P)2015 Audible Inc.

Review:
These four sweet romances are tied together by the location. I enjoyed that some of the characters were mentioned in the different stories. The writing styles have some differences, but all are easy reading/listening. There is a little bit of sexual content but nothing over the top in my opinion. I plan to read more in the series. I recommend this to fans of second chance and injured party romances.

"A Cowboy for Christmas" by Katherine Garbera.
18-year-old Annie got out of Montana and married a man who set her up in the wealthy style she wanted. But fifteen years later he was arrested as a con man and everything they owned was taken. She has returned to Montana to rebuild the family home that she bought from her sister after their father’s death. The sisters aren’t talking since Annie seemed to have abandoned the family when she left. But now she is back hoping that, somehow, she can rebuild the house and her life.

Carson, a rancher, one of five brothers, is a widower with a young son, Evan. Years ago, Carson had a relationship with Annie, before she kept her promise to get away from Montana. He doesn’t know what brought her back and resulted in her working as a waitress at a favorite eatery. But he doesn’t need to be drawn in by a woman who doesn’t want to stay in Montana.

Neither of these characters are really looking for romance. It appears they may have a second chance at love, with the approval of a sweet son and a town that hopes they both find happiness.

I enjoyed these characters, and the writing was fine. I liked the description and plot even though there was a little repetition in the conflict issues. 4.5.

"Christmas at Copper Mountain" by Jane Porter.
Harley lost her husband and three children to a tragic plane crash. She is still trying to recover her footing several years later. Rather than face Christmas with her family, she chose to take a temporary housekeeper position with Montana rancher, widower, Brock Sheenan. She understands that he is hard working and pretty reclusive, which suits her fine. The ranch crew are happy with her cooking and care.

She is settling into the routine of cooking for Brock and his crew, when Brock chooses to go out late one stormy night to find lost cattle. Concerned Harley is concerned and then shocked when a knock at the door reveals two young children who have returned early and unexpectedly from boarding school.

Harley didn’t bargain for children and wants to get away, as soon as she can get a replacement. Brock is annoyed and disgusted thinking she doesn’t like kids, especially when she seems set on telling him he isn’t listening to his kids and isn’t allowing them to be kids and enjoy the holiday.

The lack of communication between these characters is frustrating. I was glad they finally saw the potential of a future together. 4.0.

"Home for Christmas" by Melissa McClone.
Rachel has agreed to visit her brother who is a foreman on a ranch in Montana at a time when she needs to escape having her dreams pulled out from under her by a supposed business partner. She is thrilled to discover the ranch house has a state of the art kitchen and jumps right in making her delicious ginger bread and unique ginger bread building designs.

Ranch owner Nate is surprised to find yummy treats in his kitchen and then he meets the beautiful woman creating these masterpieces. He immediately orders one of his own ranch. Then he sets out to work his entrepreneurial skills by directing Rachel on how to promote her business, including encouraging her to open a local shop.

Based on her recent experience, Rachel is quick to distrust Nate’s intentions. Can she overcome her distrust to accept help from Nate? Can Nate get out of business mode long enough to share his personal feelings with Rachel?

As much as I liked these characters too, it was another instance of lack of clear communication combined with unreasonable distrust. I wasn’t pleased with Rachel’s lack of self confidence and her swing to the total distrust realm. I was glad for their final HEA. 4.25.

"Mistletoe Magic" by Melissa McClone.
Caitlin is home in Marietta house sitting and reading books. She expects a very quiet Christmas. She discovers an abandoned, half frozen kitten in the snow. When she takes the kitten to the vet for attention she is shocked to discover her college crush, Noah, is the vet.

Noah remembers Caitlin from college but he could never find her after he walked away to concentrate on his school work to become a veterinarian. He doesn’t want to let her slip away again. This is another sweet, second chance romance that is an easy listen. 4.25.

Audio Notes: Loretta Rawlins does a lovely job with the narration. She provides distinct voices and personality traits. I am very glad to have the opportunity to listen to this collection.

Source: 11/7/22 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms

This is a story of family grief and love.

You Can Thank Me Later, A Novella
By: Kelly Harms
Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 10-31-19
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Grief
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

About This Audible Original
A short and sweet audio novella that’ll leave listeners wanting second helpings, You Can Thank Me Later follows an unforgettable family over the course of three Thanksgivings.
When the Dickenson clan sits down for Thanksgiving dinner in 2016, it is the last holiday when their tight-knit family will ever be the same. Oldest brother Pete and his wife are expecting their first child. Youngest sibling Sophie is too busy running her restaurant, The Little Plum, to bother with any kind of social life. And middle child Charlie’s happy, uncomplicated life as a Midwestern science professor is upended when his wife Annette is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Knowing this will be her last Thanksgiving, Annette asks Sophie to look after Charlie after she’s gone. Which would be a lot easier if Charlie didn’t show up with an insufferable new girlfriend at the next holiday meal.
From the best-selling author of The Overdue Life of Amy Byler, this heartwarming novella embraces the spirit and gratitude of the holiday, and shows how a family’s love can endure anything.
©2019 Kelly Harms (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Sophie, is a busy restaurant owner who hosts the annual Thanksgiving family get together. The guests are her older brothers with their spouses, and an unremarkable ‘extra’ date for Sophie. For the 2016 Thanksgiving, eldest brother, Pete and his wife, Keiko, are expecting their first baby. Keiko is deep in nausea when facing most food. Middle child, Charlie is married to Sophie’s bff Annette. Charlie has been happy with his quiet professor life and the wife he adores. But Annette has arrived with bad news. She has had a reoccurrence of cancer and doesn’t expect to live for another Thanksgiving. She asks Sophie to take care of Charlie.

The group next meets in 2018. Keiko has her toddler in tow and is back to dealing with pregnancy nausea. Sophie brings a nice date although she is not so nice to him or Charlie’s date. Part of the family has wanted Charlie to move on to dating but Sophie isn’t ready. It isn’t the happiest of celebrations.

Sophie has to decide if she will even attend the get together in 2020 which is being hosted by Charlie and his girlfriend of the past two years. How will the interaction be in the latest meeting?

Each year begins with a unique feature of leaving messages on Sophie’s phone even though she wants texts, not messages. The listener gains information on the other siblings through these messages and I thought this was a clever writing style.

Keiko and her pregnancy and child issues adds humor and relatable family situations. Charlie’s new girlfriend initially appears to be a bit of a mess, but she contributes a special relationship, plus children of her own, to Charlie and the group. Sophie is the most difficult character with a certain arrogance and nastiness.

I felt some grief from the beginning, both from the cancer issues and the loss of my own husband this spring. Fortunately, the story was entertaining enough to push me beyond that point. I found Sophie’s attitude annoying but was glad for the way it changed for the ending. I do like how the story shares the message of how grief of one family member, a spouse, can impact others in the family. I recommend this as a good listen, particularly for those interested in movement through grief to a new place.

Audio notes: Lauren Fortgang does a good narration fitting Sophie’s character. She portrays the emotions that Sophie feels from grief to disdain and distress. Lauren also manages clear, distinct voices for the other characters. The narration enhanced the story for me.

Source: 11/25/19 Free Audible Originals. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.