Sunday Post May 28, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 29, 2023.

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 hope all will stop and remember those who served in our military (American and other countries too.)

It was another busy week with work and our Woman's Club preparing for hosting a 4H Summer Camp starting week.
I am still working to 7:30pm each night.

I did some cleaning this weekend. I had ordered a Shark Robot 2 in 1 vacuum/mop. It came in Thursday. So I picked up items off the floors and I spent hours watching it clean and learning its quirks.

For the second week in a row I have been advised that Blogger has unpublished a hand full of my older blog posts. There is nothing that I can see that violates the Community Guidelines. Some are author Interviews. I don't know that I have the energy to go back and republish each post. Has any one else been experiencing this frustrating situation?

Princess was barking at something Saturday evening. This is what I saw when I let her out the front door. The neighborhood herd (I counted at least a dozen) was crossing our yard.

My continuing prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations, a calmer social atmosphere, and for revival. We are also continuing prays for family and church.

It was nice to have evening temperatures in the 60s. I turned off the AC for the last couple of days.. Temps will be the same this coming week: only reaching the high 80s and in the 60s every night.

I finished three audios this past week and posted three reviews and my memes.

I only visited 12 blogs last week.
Shout out this week: LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND CATS. Maree is in New Zealand and shares on books, movies, cats, and other things of life.

Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

• Sunday Post May 21, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 22, 2023.

• NG2023: #NetGalley Book Review: Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway; Genre: Cyber Punk, Genetic Engineering, Mystery, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Nine Lives: A Lily Dale Mystery by Wendy Corsi Staub; Genre: Cozy, Mystery, Psychic, Woman Sleuth; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  

• A2023: Audible Book Review: Kindred by S.J. West; Genre: Paranormal, Romance; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 28, 2023 - Spirit Power.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

Altered Carbon
Series: #1 of Kovacs
Written by: Richard K. Morgan
Narrated by: Todd McLaren
This is a good, although gritty, sci fi mystery.
Source: July 2018 Audiobooks.com Bundle win through Beth Fish Reads.
Click on book title for full description.

2. NetGalley Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

Wolves & Roses
Fairy Tales of the Magicorum
By: Christina Bauer
Narrated by: Christina Bauer
Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
I enjoyed this engaging 'fairy tale' story with shifters, wizards, and fae.
Source: May 2023 NetGalley.
Publisher's Summary
Seventeen-year-old Bryar Rose has a problem. She is descended from one of the three magical races - shifters, fairies, or witches. That makes her one of the Magicorum, and Magicorum always follow a fairy tale life template.
In the case of Bryar, that template should be Sleeping Beauty. Trouble is, Bryar is nowhere near the Sleeping Beauty life template. Not even close. She does not like birds or woodland creatures. She cannot sing a note. And she certainly cannot stand Prince Philpot, the so-called His Highness of Hedge Funds that her aunties want her to marry.
Even worse, Bryar finds herself attracted to a hottie werewolf named Knox and is under attack by evil mummy-zombies. If Bryar cannot figure out who - or what - she really is, it might cost both her and Knox their lives...as well as jeopardize the very nature of magic itself.
©2017 Christina Bauer (P)2017 Christina Bauer

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Dare to Lead
Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
By: Brené Brown
Narrated by: Brené Brown
Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
I learned several techniques in this audio.
Source: May 15, 2022 Audible 2 April Credit picks.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. NetGalley Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

The Never-Ending End of the World
By: Ann Christy
Narrated by: Thérèse Plummer, Ari Fliakos
Length: 13 hrs and 19 mins
I have just started this and like the beginning.
Source: May 2023 NetGalley.
Publisher's Summary
Station Eleven meets The Last of Us in this post-apocalyptic sci-fi epic from USA Today and Wall Street Journal best-selling author Ann Christy.
Coco Wells hasn’t seen another living person since she was a teenager. All of Manhattan is reliving the same few seconds, minutes, or hours on a loop…and they have been for years. Everything looks normal from a distance, but up close, it’s a nightmare.
Coco is a survivor. She scavenges for food, reads, and—most importantly—avoids loopers. They ignore her, but only as long as she’s silent. She’s learned the painful lesson that a broken loop can mean death.
After eight years of solitude, learning to survive and precisely timing the loops that weave around the city, Coco wonders what lies beyond New York and what has become of the rest of the world.
As she leaves home for the first time, one question haunts her above all:
“Am I the only one left?”
Speculative sci-fi, dystopian apocalypse, and scientific mystery coalesce into The Never-Ending End of the World—a gripping tale of survival, hope, and love from retired Naval Officer Ann Christy.
©2023 Ann Christy (P)2023 Ann Christy

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Fourth Monkey
Written By: J.D. Barker
Narrated By: Edoardo Ballerini
Duration: 12 hours 30 minutes
I picked this mystery partially because it has a number in the title for my Number goal.
Source: 2/8/2020 Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com.
Summary
Se7en meets The Silence of the Lambs in this dark and twisting novel from the author Jeffery Deaver called, 'A talented writer with a delightfully devious mind.' For over five years, the Four Monkey Killer has terrorized the residents of Chicago. When his body is found, the police quickly realize he was on his way to deliver one final message, one which proves he has taken another victim who may still be alive. As the lead investigator on the 4MK task force, Detective Sam Porter knows even in death, the killer is far from finished. When he discovers a personal diary in the jacket pocket of the body, Porter finds himself caught up in the mind of a psychopath, unraveling a twisted history in hopes of finding one last girl, all while struggling with personal demons of his own. With only a handful of clues, the elusive killer's identity remains a mystery. Time is running out and the Four Monkey Killer taunts from beyond the grave in this masterfully written fast-paced thriller.

Again, I haven't decided on the next book.


May 28, 2023 - I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen".  This week has been in Job.
No new separate study yet.

I finished three audio titles and posted three reviews.  That keeps me at four reviews to post to be totally up to date.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I now have two audios left on my NetGalley shelf as I am listening to another one this week. Two remaining are shorter (under 6 hours).
I still have the two old NetGalley ebook titles.

I have one author review in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer. (I need to look back and see which one this is.)
(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 newest to the team, Emma at Words and Peace.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

One new review title for tour.
VIP pick at Audiobooks.com plus two for one credit purchase.
One free Kindle titles last week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Audio Credit for Caffeinated PR Tour review on June 16, 2023.

Discovery of the Five Senses
Written by: K.N. Smith
Narrated by: Glenn Steinbaum
Duration: 8 hours 10 minutes

Won

NONE

Purchased

5/28/2023 Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com. I have the earlier books in both series.

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder
Series: #3 of Countess of Harleigh Mysteries
Written by: Dianne Freeman
Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman
Duration: 8 hours 32 minutes

Checked Out for Murder
Haunted Library Mystery, Book 4
By: Allison Brook
Narrated by: Mia Gaskin
Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Free

May 21, 2023 VIP pick at Audiobooks.com

This is an author I have enjoyed in the past.

The Last Enemy
Lonesome Lawmen, Book 1
By: Pauline Baird Jones
Narrated by: Kevin Scollin
Series: Lonesome Lawmen, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins

May Amazon First Reads

The Light on Farallon Island: A Novel
by Jen Wheeler




One new title added to Kindle library. 
Free titles might be found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encoragement May 28, 2023 - Spirit Power

Our Pastor was our substitute teacher this morning so we got a study and a sermon today. 😊
The study was on The Sanctified Church. What can we each do to help the Church become what God wants us to be? The Church not for show, but something God should be proud of.
The study text was Ephesians 5:24-27.
We should seek knowledge in the Word and apply it to our lives. At times we need cleansing and we can find that in the Word too – read Psalms.
The Church needs to be full of people who reflect the image of the Church that is in God’s Word.
The Church should be a place where the Gospel is proclaimed; fundamental principles are preached; lives are lived with integrity; and the Glory is given to God.
The Church should be people of God in line with the will of God. This will reveal the glorious Church.

The Service time began with remembering those who laid down their lives for freedom. 1 John 3:16.
Then Pastor spoke on the birth of the Church - Pentecost. Acts 2:1-4.
Baptism of Holy Spirit is not same as receiving Christ and being given the Holy Spirit. When we accept Christ as our savior, we receive the Holy Spirit to live inside us as our counselor, Paraclete.

We receive the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of eternal life. We are sealed and stamped as God’s child. The Spirit in us convicts us of right and wrong. As we spend time with the Spirit, He will direct our hearts. We learn to trust God, not ourselves. We also hope to be able to trust those who have accepted Christ.

But the Baptism of Holy Spirit is more. When we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we are clothed with power. We receive empowerment to be witnesses to others.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8.
49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24.

We don’t receive all grace at one moment. There are multiple acts of grace – in salvation, in healing, in comfort and more. We receive gifts of spirit but that does not mean we are all mature. Each person needs to study and needs to seek the Power of God to go with the gifts.
God is sovereign. We should desire the Power that God offers. .
The Holy Spirit indwelling gives us wisdom, knowledge and other gifts. But the Baptism of the Holy Spirit gives us power to be empowered witnesses.
There are times that this looks like praying in tongues, but the real purpose is to glorify God.
We have a boldness of Spirit given by God.

Do your friends see the difference in you? They should see more in each of us then just that we attend church. We need to be seeking and asking for the power of the Spirit. Luke 11:10-13.
Ask the Spirit to give you all that He has for you. Everything.
The Church needs power and boldness.
Don't stand in your own power.
The world is busy promoting lifestyles. The Church needs to be seen as more than a lifestyle. The Church should reveal and reflect Divine Relationship.

I chose this song for today. Start a Fire In Me

Verses for Today:
Acts 2:1-4 NIV
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.


God, I pray that you magnify Your Spirit in me! Make me all you want me to be!

Audible Book Review: Kindred by S.J. West

This is interesting fantasy, but a romance that drags.
Kindred
By: S.J. West
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley

Series: The Watcher Chronicles, Book 2
Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
Release date: 11-01-16
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
In the second book of The Watcher Chronicles series, Jess finally learns where her father has been since the Tear first opened. While Mason tries to keep his distance from her, Jess continues to search for the other vessels with Chandler by her side.
This series is intended for a mature audience. Recommended for ages 17 and older due to sexual situations and adult themes.
If I were to use the movie rating system, I would rate this series an R.
©2013 S.J. West (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Jess has met her father and learned more about the history and workings of the Tear. Jess is looking for more of the special guardians, like Chandler. They each have a crown, a special artifact and an angelic being who is their guide. They need to find all seven in order to have a chance to close the Tear.

Meanwhile, Jess wants to continue her growing friendship with Mason, but he is convinced that he will only put her in danger so he stays away… until he accepts that she will be in danger with or without him. Maybe he can help protect her.

I do enjoy the underlying storyline, but the romance is pervasive and just too frustrating. It detracts from the story. I’m not sure why the author says this would be rated R as there is no active sex. However, there is description of sexual abuse in the past. There is intrigue that ends this story and leads to Book 3, Oblivion. I may pick that title up in the future. Like Book 1, Broken, I recommend this to fantasy readers who like slow building romance.

Audio Notes: Brittany Pressley continues to do a nice job with the narration. I am glad I had the story on audible.

Source: May 2023 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Nine Lives: A Lily Dale Mystery by Wendy Corsi Staub

I enjoyed this lighter mystery set in a psychic community.

Nine Lives: A Lily Dale Mystery
By: Wendy Corsi Staub
Narrated by: Melanie Ewbank

Series: Lily Dale Mysteries, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs
Release date: 10-27-15
Publisher: Crooked Lane
Genre: Cozy, Mystery, Psychic, Woman Sleuth
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
After the death of her husband, Bella Jordan and her son need a fresh start. But on their way to stay with family in Chicago, they stop in Lily Dale, New York, and a storm forces them to spend the night.
Brimming with kooky psychics and mediums, Lily Dale is just the kind of quirky little town Bella's late husband always talked about settling down in. So when the local hotelier, Leona, passes away, Bella agrees to step in and help temporarily. The longer she and Max stay there, the more Lily Dale starts to feel like home.
But for Bella, finding a home means finding danger, too. Leona was murdered, and it's up to Bella to track down the killer before her sanctuary comes crashing down in Staub's warm and witty new series debut.
©2015 Wendi Corsi Staub (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Bella has struggled financially after losing her husband to expensive illness and then her job. Her landlord gave her notice, so she is leaving her family home with her five year old son, Max. She isn’t happy to be headed to Chicago to stay with her unpleasant, judgmental mother-in-law. She has little money so plans to camp out each night. The first night, she sees a sign for a campground that puts her in the direction of Lily Dale, New York. A storm and broken down car have her spending the night at an inn whose owner recently died. The neighbor convinces Bella to stay on and take care of the Inn, at least until the car is fixed, although she is implying that Bella is supposed to be in Lily Dale.

Bella soon learns that the town is full of psychics and mediums who profess to speak to spirits. She isn’t quick to believe the avid seers but even her son, Max, is starting to make predictions. Bella is caught between wanting to get out of town and wanting to find a home that is positive for Max and herself. Could Lily Dale be such a home? But it seems she is in danger if she can’t figure out who killed the previous owner.

I enjoyed the quirky community of Lily Dale. Bella doesn’t’ fit in as a psychic, but she does have pretty good instincts and the place grows on her. I enjoyed Max getting to make friends and a few possible future romantic friends for Bella too. I read Wendy Staub years ago and thought that I recalled she provided sound romantic suspense. I enjoyed this lighter mystery and I plan to listen to more in the series. I recommend it to cozy mystery fans who like psychic elements.

Audio Notes: I found the narration by Melanie Ewbank perfectly fine. Her voice seemed to match Bella’s character and nature. The audio made it an easy listen for me.

Source: May 2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Alphabet goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway

This is a different mystery, sci fi mix, which I enjoyed.
Titanium Noir
by Nick Harkaway

Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 16, 2023
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Knopf (May 16, 2023)
Genre: Cyber Punk, Genetic Engineering, Mystery, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

Cal Sounder is a detective working for the police on certain very sensitive cases. So when he’s called in to investigate a homicide at a local apartment, he is surprised at first to see that the victim appears to be a rather typical, milquetoast techie. But on closer inspection, he finds the victim is over seven feet tall. And even though he doesn’t look a day over thirty, he is actually ninety years old. Clearly, he is a Titan—one of this dystopian, near-future society’s genetically-altered elites. There are only a few thousand Titans worldwide, all thanks to Stefan Tonfamecasca’s discovery of the controversial T7 genetic therapy, which elevated his family to near godlike status. A dead Titan is big news... a murdered Titan is unimaginable.
But Titans are Cal’s specialty. In fact, his ex-girlfriend, Athena, is a Titan. And not just any Titan—she’s Stefan’s daughter, heir to the Tonfamecasca empire. As Cal digs deeper into the murder investigation, he begins to unweave the complicated threads of what should have been a straightforward case, and it soon becomes clear he’s on the trail of a crime whose roots run deep into the dark heart of the world.
A virtuosic mash-up of Philip K. Dick and Raymond Chandler by way of Marvel—the story of a detective investigating the murder of a Titan, one of society’s most powerful, medically-enhanced elites, Titanium Noir is a tightly woven, intricate tale of murder, betrayal, and vengeance.

Review:
Cal is a detective with a specialty in “sensitive” cases that involve Titans. Titans are genetically altered elites who go through a process that makes them larger than normal humans. These people have enough wealth to obtain the medicine, surgery, and treatment that is necessary to survive the transition to giant status. Cal is familiar with the Titans because his ex-girlfriend, Athena is the Titan daughter of the head to the Titan’s, Stefan Tonfamescasca, who discovered the genetic therapy that allows the procedure.

It is very rare to find a dead Titan as they can usually get the treatments necessary to regenerate their bodies. So to find a murdered Titan is remarkable. Cal has been called into the investigation of a death that appears, at first, to be a suicide. But Cal isn’t so quick to accept appearances and he is prepared to dig even if it ruffles the tempers of the highest Titans. Needless to say, Cal soon finds himself facing assassination attempts.

This is a twisty, sci fi murder mystery. It is more complex and intense than a cozy mystery and took attention to follow. I liked Cal’s character with his determination and resistance to Athena’s invitations to become a Titan himself. The interesting world of the Titans and the twists of the mystery kept me glued to the story. I am impressed with the high level or writing and would be interested to read more by this author. I recommend this to readers who like an intense mystery woven with sci fi elements.

Source 3/4/2023 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley goal.