Sunday Post June 11, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 12, 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 had another good working week but still am working on catching up.
We are busy cross training in the office since my legal assistant will be going off to law school within two months. I'm not yet sure if I will be hiring someone new or if my remaining two staff members and I can juggle the load for now.

I have been enjoying these orchid blooms since January!
Five months is pretty nice. The blooms are just starting to fall off now.

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.

We had several hot days last week but I didn't notice since I am in the office until it is cooling down. Temps will be pushing into the 90s again this coming week but the forecast shows thunderstorms all seven days!

I finished three audios this past week (and almost finished a fourth). I posted two reviews and my memes.

I visited 14 blogs last week.
Shout out this week: CAPTURED ON FILM. Mrsjobee shares books and "Life through my lens."

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

• Sunday Post June 4, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 5, 2023.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown; Genre: Leadership, Personal Success; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  

• MBS May 2023 Reading List Wrap Up.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti; Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement June 11, 2023 - Renewal for the Weary!

Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

A Road Unknown: Amish Roads Series, Book 1
By: Barbara Cameron
Narrated by: Coleen Marlo
Series: Amish Roads, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
I enjoyed this view of an Amish young woman looking for a life beyond being the eldest sister helping to care for eight younger siblings.
Source: October 2020 Audible Plus Catalog
Click on book title for full description.

2. NetGalley Audio Smartphone (ANG23)

The Never-Ending End of the World
By: Ann Christy
Narrated by: Thérèse Plummer, Ari Fliakos
Length: 13 hrs and 19 mins
This is a very good end of the world story with a unique approach.
Source: May 2023 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Extinction Shadow
Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 1
By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Anthony J. Melchiorri
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
This is expiring June 14, 2023 so I jumped on listening to it.
I totally enjoyed the action and characters and finished it in two days.
Source: June 2021 Audible Plus Catalog.
About This Audible Audiobook
They thought they survived the extinction cycle, but a powerful evil lurks in the shadows...Now old and new heroes join forces to save what’s left of the world in this thrilling sci-fi audio adventure.
Eight years ago, an engineered virus ravaged the globe, infecting and transforming humans into apex predators called Variants. Billions died, civilization collapsed, and the human race teetered on the brink of extinction. Nations banded together and heroes rose up to fight these abominations. On the front lines, Captain Reed Beckham and Master Sergeant Joe "Fitz" Fitzpatrick of Delta Force Team Ghost fought against the Variant hordes. With the aid of CDC Doctor Kate Lovato, they helped lead humanity to victory.
Now, almost a decade after the end of the war, civilization has slowly clawed toward recovery. In the Allied States of America, survivors live in outposts where they have rebuilt industry, agriculture, and infrastructure. The remaining Variants are believed to be dying off under destroyed cities and the abandoned frontier. But evil and intelligent forces dwell in the shadows with the starving beasts, scheming to restart the extinction cycle and end humanity forever. And once again, Beckham, Fitz, and Kate will rise to fight them, along with new heroes to try and save what remains of the world.
R. C. Bray brings to life the beloved characters of this series and expertly depicts their turmoil and struggle for survival.
Note: This new season is a self-contained storyline. Listeners do not have to hear the first seven books of the Extinction Cycle to jump into book one of Extinction Cycle: Dark Age. For returning listeners, this audiobook takes place after book seven, Extinction War.
©2019 Nicholas Sansbury Smith (P)2019 Blue Heron Audio

Currently Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Extinction Inferno:
Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 2
By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith , Anthony J. Melchiorri
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Series: Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
This is also expiring 6/14 and I want to continue the series. I only have two hours left.
Source: October 2022 Audible Plus Catalog.
About This Audible Audiobook
They thought they survived the extinction cycle, but a powerful evil lurks in the shadows...Now old and new heroes join forces to save what’s left of the world in this thrilling sci-fi audio adventure.
Eight years ago, an engineered virus ravaged the globe, infecting and transforming humans into apex predators called Variants. Billions died, civilization collapsed, and the human race teetered on the brink of extinction. Nations banded together and heroes rose up to fight these abominations. On the front lines, Captain Reed Beckham and Master Sergeant Joe "Fitz" Fitzpatrick of Delta Force Team Ghost fought against the Variant hordes. With the aid of CDC Doctor Kate Lovato, they helped lead humanity to victory.
Now, almost a decade after the end of the war, civilization has slowly clawed toward recovery. In the Allied States of America, survivors live in outposts where they have rebuilt industry, agriculture, and infrastructure. The remaining Variants are believed to be dying off under destroyed cities and the abandoned frontier. But evil and intelligent forces dwell in the shadows with the starving beasts, scheming to restart the extinction cycle and end humanity forever. And once again, Beckham, Fitz, and Kate will rise to fight them, along with new heroes to try and save what remains of the world.
R. C. Bray brings to life the beloved characters of this series and expertly depicts their turmoil and struggle for survival.
Note: This new season is a self-contained storyline. Listeners do not have to hear the first seven books of the Extinction Cycle to jump into book one of Extinction Cycle: Dark Age. For returning listeners, this audiobook takes place after book seven, Extinction War.
©2019 Nicholas Sansbury Smith (P)2019 Blue Heron Audio

2. Audio Smartphone (A2023)

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

I like the sound of this. I will post my review on Friday, June 16, 2023.
Source: Audio Credit for Caffeinated PR Tour.
Summary
A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five friends. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become super-gifts that forever change the world. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand their sensory super powers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and mysterious strangers complicating their plight, can the boys defeat the evil Druth before it’s too late? Get prepared for the twisting and grinding of this award-winning, action-adventure story — an edge-of-your-seat narrative for young and mature readers alike.

3. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

The Fourth Monkey
Written By: J.D. Barker
Narrated By: Edoardo Ballerini
Duration: 12 hours 30 minutes
I do think I will finally start this one later this week.
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.
Click on book title for full description.

June 11, 2023 - I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen". We are now reading in Ecclesiastes.
No new separate study yet.

I finished three audio titles and posted two reviews. That has me current with three to post this week.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I now have three audios on my NetGalley shelf.  The older two 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.
I got Two for One credit at Audiobooks.com.
No titles this week at Audible.
No free Kindle titles last week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I selected this "Listen Now" audiobook at NetGalley:

Bewitching a Highlander
By: Roma Cordon
Narrated by: Moira Quirk
Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins

Won

NONE

Purchased

I had three credits at Audiobooks.com so I used one for Two for One Credit Romance:

Picnic in Someday Valley
Honey Creek, Book 2
By: Jodi Thomas
Narrated by: Julia Gibson
Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
I have book one to listen to already.

Don't Marry Thomas Clarke
By: Celia Hayes
Narrated by: Katherine Manners
Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
This looks/sounds fun.

Free

NONE
No new titles added to Kindle library. 
Free titles might be found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement June 11, 2023 - Renewal for the Weary!

Our Sunday School teacher has returned from a wonderful trip. He spoke this morning on “I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.” I will save that message for another day.

We enjoyed our worship and then shared in communion.
The message was from Isaiah 40:26-31, titled Renewal for the Weary.
The nation of Israel has been split in two. Although David had been promised that if he obeyed God there would always be a descendant on the thrown. His son Solomon became king after David. Although he was given wisdom over all others, Solomon allowed his many wives to lead him astray and the nation became spiritually bankrupt resulting in occupation by Assyria.

The people are questioning ‘Where are you, God?’ This passage in Isaiah reminds us that when everything looks hopeless, God is still in charge. Look up. Get your eyes off your issues and get your eyes on Him. There were those accusing Nehemiah of wrong motives, but he looked to God. Nehemiah 4:14.

It is important for us to stay grounded in the Word which builds our faith and focus.
“17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 NASB.

When we are weary, it helps to remember what God has done for His people… and us. It is better than multi-level marketing. God says He is there for us, and He is the antidote. He is not worn down by this world.

We are told that God cares for the sparrow but He cares even more for us.
“29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” Matthew 10:29 NIV.
If we rely on God as we struggle through trials, we receive the crown of life. James 1:12.
We believe that every good and perfect gift comes from God. James 1:17.

When people are worn down they are susceptible to allowing lust to enter. We can recall that
God's mercies are new every morning. Some of us are workaholics, and we feel our plate is overloaded. We need to step back and put out hope and trust in Him.

Isaiah 55:2 tells us to ‘listen so our soul can live’: “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Our scripture today says “wait upon the Lord.” Verse 31. This is more than just waiting. It is waiting with expectation. Faith is involved. Believe that God is going to show up.
Activate hope, remember what is good - His blessings - and wait with expectation.
He is the God of provision.
Recount, even to yourself, the deeds of the Lord.
Paul tells us: “Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.” 1 Timothy 4:13 NLT
.
When you wait, or anticipate God, you will not just get by, but your strength shall be renewed.
When you are struggling through circumstances that seem wrong in your life, don't forget to celebrate what is going right.

I had a couple of song choices and decided on this one for this message:
Look Up Child.

A Verse for Today:
Isaiah 40:31 New King James Version
31 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.


Thank you, Lord, that I can wait on You in expectation, knowing You have all things in control.

Audible Book Review: When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti

I enjoyed the three character lines of this touching story.

When the Morning Glory Blooms
By: Cynthia Ruchti
Narrated by: Melinda Sward

Length: 9h 27m
Release date: 08-05-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Gender: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Becky rocks a baby that rocked her world. Sixty years earlier, with her fiancé, Drew, in the middle of the Korean Conflict, Ivy throws herself into her work at a nursing home to keep her sanity and provide for the child Drew doesn't know is coming. Ivy cares for Anna, an elderly patient who taxes Ivy's listening ear until the day she suspects Anna's tall tales are not the ramblings of dementia. They're fragments of Anna's disjointed memories of a remarkable life. Finding a faint thread of hope she can't resist tugging, Ivy records Anna's memoir, scribbling furiously after hours to keep up with the woman's emotion-packed, grace-hemmed stories. Is Ivy's answer buried in Anna's past? Becky, Ivy, Anna - three women fight a tangled vine of deception in search of the blossoming simplicity of truth.
©2013 Cynthia Ruchti (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Review:
This story follows the lives of three women who have connections through babies born to teens out of wedlock. The reader first meets Becky who is a current day grandmother raising her grandson while her teen daughter finishes high school. Becky loves her grandson but wasn’t expecting to be homebound at this time of her life. The little life they are nurturing impacts the whole family as they struggle with finances, time schedules, and prejudices of even close friends.

Ivy is a young woman in the 1950s whose boyfriend has gone off to war in South Korea. She is afraid to tell him the truth in a letter and can only dream and hope that he will come back and want to marry her. Ivy moves away from her former home to move in with her less than embracing father. She gets a job as a caregiver in a nursing home where she meets Anna.

Anna, a woman in her 80s is the first person to suspect that Ivy is pregnant and alone. Anna has a history that gives her insight into these matters, and she asks Ivy to write down her wonderful story of God’s fulfilling the dream of her youth and how her dram touched so many young mothers – her morning glories.

This was on my list for "Time of Day" goal and I saw that the free audio was expiring. I am glad to have read this sooner than later. The story seemed a little slow, dramatic, and depressing at first, but once I got to the second character, it pulled me in. I wanted to know what happened to each life and how they were connected in the end. I especially loved Anna’s story and how she encouraged Ivy. This is a story of God’s love, personal relationships, redemption, and second chances. I recommend this to readers who enjoy good Christian based, family stories.

Audio Notes: I was comfortable with the narration by Melinda Sward. The voices were distinct and the emotions well conveyed. I note some other reviewers mentioned mispronounced words, but I did not notice this problem. I appreciated having this audio, especially as a free title.

Source: 10/9/2021 Audible Plus Catalog title. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Time of Day reading goals.

MBS May 2023 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2023 Reading List - MAY

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 2023
Favorites for the month:

5 Stars =
4.75 Stars =
4.5 Stars =  Titanium Noir

1. ATBR: Audio Book Review: Snow Melts in Spring by Deborah Voghts; Genre: Christian Romance, Country Romance, Small Town Romance; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.
   
2. P2023: Book Review: Get Up & Grow, 21 Habits of Successful People by Duke Matlock; Genre: Christian Growth, Christian Self Help, Non-Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
3. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice; Genre: English, Historical Romance, Regency; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
   
4. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Broken by S.J. West; Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
5. NG2023: #NetGalley Book Review: Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway; Genre: Cyber Punk, Genetic Engineering, Mystery, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
   
6. 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.
   
7. 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.
8. A2023: Audible Book Review: Wild Fire by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J. Melchiorri; Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
   
9. ATBR: Audio Book Review: Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan; Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
   
10. NG2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Wolves & Roses by Christina Bauer; Genre: Fairy-Tale, Fantasy, Paranormal; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
11. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown; Genre: Leadership, Personal Success; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
    

This Month Total read = 11
TBR = 6
New Authors = 7
Audio/Audible = 9 (8 TBRs)
NetGalley = 2 (1 audio) (0 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 1
Nonfiction = 2
eBook = 1 (0 TBR)
Print = 1 (0 TBR)
DNF - 0

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month)
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 53 of 125
TBR to Date: 43 of 90 total
Audio to Date: 50 of 100
NetGalley to Date: 9 of 10
Author Reviews: 1 of 12
Nonfiction: 5 of 10
TBR ebooks or Print: 2 of 8
New Authors to date: 31

• Series: 40 of 75 (10 continuing, 30 new)
• New to me Series: 30 (16 Yes to continue; 7 likely to continue, 4 maybe, 3 unlikely)
• Finished for me Series: 2 (maybe? Not sure if the Bobiverse is done)

Special Goals
• Seasonal title: 2 of 4: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn
• Alphabet letters covered: (22 of 26) -- 9 January (A, C, D, F, H, L, P, R, S); 6 February (B, E, G, I, T, Y); 5 March (K, M, J, O, U) 1 April (W) 1 May (N)
Locations: 6 of 8
      River, Mountains, Kingdoms, Castle, Junkyard, Deadlands, Shore
Numbers: 5 of 12
      Forging Zero, Cat o’ Nine Tales, Six Crimson Cranes, One Heart to Win, The Fifth Victim

Groups of Five: (Places and Numbers above)
Times of Day: 1 of 5
      Moonshine
Occupations: 7 of 5
      Warrior, Cowboy, Vet, King, Cop, Pirate, Instructor
Colors: 4 of 5
      The Far Blue Mountains, Six Crimson Cranes, Silver Dollar Duke; Altered Carbon

Audible Book Review: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

I learned several useful techniques in this audio.
Dare to Lead
Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
By: Brené Brown
Narrated by: Brené Brown

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
Release date: 10-09-18
Publisher: Random House Audio
Genre: Leadership, Personal Success
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Number-one New York Times best seller.
Brené Brown has taught us what it means to dare greatly, rise strong, and brave the wilderness. Now, based on new research conducted with leaders, change makers, and culture shifters, she’s showing us how to put those ideas into practice so we can step up and lead.
Don’t miss the hour-long Netflix special Brené Brown: The Call to Courage!
Named one of the best books of the year by Bloomberg.
Leadership is not about titles, status, and wielding power. A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas and has the courage to develop that potential.
When we dare to lead, we don’t pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don’t see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it with others. We don’t avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into vulnerability when it's necessary to do good work.
But daring leadership in a culture that’s defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty requires skill-building around traits that are deeply and uniquely human. The irony is that we’re choosing not to invest in developing the hearts and minds of leaders at the exact same time as we’re scrambling to figure out what we have to offer that machines and AI can’t do better and faster. What can we do better? Empathy, connection, and courage, to start.
Brené Brown has spent the past two decades studying the emotions and experiences that give meaning to our lives, and the past seven years working with transformative leaders and teams spanning the globe. She found that leaders in organizations ranging from small entrepreneurial startups and family-owned businesses to nonprofits, civic organizations, and Fortune 50 companies all ask the same question:
How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders, and how do you embed the value of courage in your culture?
In this new audiobook, Brown uses research, stories, and examples to answer these questions in the no-BS style that millions have come to expect and love. Brown writes, “One of the most important findings of my career is that daring leadership is a collection of four skill sets that are 100 percent teachable, observable, and measurable. It’s learning and unlearning that requires brave work, tough conversations, and showing up with your whole heart. Easy? No. Because choosing courage over comfort is not always our default. Worth it? Always. We want to be brave with our lives and our work. It’s why we’re here.”
Whether you’ve read Daring Greatly and Rising Strong or you’re new to Brené Brown’s work, this audiobook is for anyone who wants to step up and into brave leadership.
©2018 Brené Brown (P)2018 Random House Audio

Review:
The blurb gives a good summary of much of the book content. Ms. Brown has put together down to earth, realistic observances and suggestions for how best to lead successfully. She addresses subjects that include vulnerability and empathy, courage (including the courage to listen openly to criticism), living your values, and rising above past shames, obstructions, and other struggles.

I appreciated the personal stories and examples that were shared. I didn’t feel that all of the techniques would work in a very small business office but there are many strong elements to be aware of and that can be used in business settings.

My son recommended this, and I did find it inspirational and helpful. I do recommend this as a good addition to a library of self-development and leadership training. The author shares links to great resources on her website.

Audio Notes: The author delivers her work with clear and direct presentation. The listener captures a bit of the feel of Ms. Brown as a conference leader. One con on the audiobook version is that the work is broken into long sections (over an hour on several of them) rather than shorter sections to read and think on before moving on.

Source: May 15, 2022 Audible 2 April Credit picks. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and Nonfiction goals.