Sunday Post July 2, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 3, 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.

Happy Canada Day to our friends in Canada.

Happy Independence Day to the USA.

My employee interview got postponed and now we have a short week coming up. Oh the joys of small business!

I'll be working on Monday but have Tuesday off. It is a bittersweet day for me as it is our Independence Day but was also my husband's birthday so I'll be thinking of him.

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.

This week we really hit hot temperatures in the high 90s each day. My downstairs temp has been 87 degrees several days. I need to call to get the downstairs AC unit fixed.
But I'm glad I'm not in Texas - too hot there for me.

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: JUST A SECOND. Kym has an active blog and another one - A Fresh Cup of Coffee.

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

• Sunday Post June 25, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 26, 2023.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Phule's Company by Robert Asprin; Genre: Humor, Sci Fi, Space Military; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  

• ANG2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Bewitching a Highlander by Roma Cordon; Genre: Historical Romance, Scottish Historical Romance; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: To Serve ad Protect by Glynn Stewart; Genre: Action, Paranormal, Superhero, Supernatural, Urban; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 2, 2023 - Called to Freedom!

Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

To Serve and Protect
Onset, Book 1
By: Glynn Stewart
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
I really liked this supernatural action and will get more in the series.
Source: 7/31/2022 July Audible Credits.
Click on review link above.

2. NetGalley App Smartphone (A2023)

Leila Nugget Mystery: The Case with No Clues
By: Deserae Brady, Dustin Brady
Narrated by: Emily Eiden
Length: 1 hr and 32 mins
This is a fun 'scavenger hunt' mystery for young people.
Source: 4/1/2023 NetGalley Title.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Farseer: Assassin's Apprentice
Written By: Robin Hobb
Narrated By: Paul Boehmer
Publisher: Tantor Media
Date: March 2010
Duration: 17 hours 21 minutes
This fantasy aroused mixed emotions. I will pick up book 2.
Source: 6/3/19 June VIP free selection from Audiobooks.com
Summary
With unforgettable characters, a sweeping backdrop, and passionate storytelling, this is a fantasy debut to rival that of Robert Jordan. Filled with adventure and bloodshed, pageantry and piracy, mystery and menace, Assassin's Apprentice is the story of a royal house and the young man who is destined to chart its course through tempests of change.
Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal household by his father's gruff stableman. An outcast whose existence has forced his father to abdicate his claim on the throne, Fitz is ignored by all royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in the young man's blood is a heritage of magic, the talent called the Skill, as well as another, even more mysterious ability.
As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts and leave behind the zombie-like husks of the townspeople to prowl the countryside, Fitz is growing toward manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission, a mission that poses as much a threat to himself as it does for his target-for Fitz is a threat to the throne...but he may also be the key to the survival of the kingdom.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Evolution Impossible
12 Reasons Why Evolution Cannot Explain the Origin of Life on Earth
By: Dr. John F. Ashton
Narrated by: John McLain
Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins
I chose this for my nonfiction in June.
It is a little dry listening so I pulled in the fantasy that I finished. I just have an hour left in this one.
Source: September 2022 Audible Plus.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

If Angels Fall
By: Rick Mofina
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
Series: Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski, Book 1
Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins
This is a crime fiction author I have eyed for awhile.
Several of this series are free until 7/6/2023 so I am listening now.
Publisher's Summary
Tom Reed is a crime reporter with The San Francisco Star whose superb journalistic skills earned him a Pulitzer nomination. But years later Reed's life is coming apart. His editor wants him fired. His wife has left him to wrestle with his demons. Alone, Reed is tormented by the fear he may have caused the suicide of an innocent man suspected of murdering a two-year-old girl.
Reed's friend on the case is legendary San Francisco homicide inspector Walt Sydowski, who has one of California's highest clearance rates. He is also a lonely widower haunted by the fact he cannot solve the girl's heartbreaking death. Both men grapple with the past while they race the clock to learn the truth behind several new abductions that have anguished the Bay Area in this acclaimed thriller set in the late 1990s.
©2000, 2013 Rick Mofina (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

3. NetGalley App Smartphone (A2023)

Flop Dead Gorgeous: An Andy Carpenter Mystery
By David Rosenfelt
Narrator: Grover Gardner
Length: 6hr 43min
This is an on-going legal mystery series I enjoy.
Source: June 2023 NetGalley.
Lights, camera, action in bestselling author David Rosenfelt’s Flop Dead Gorgeous , as Andy Carpenter goes bicoastal to prove an old friend’s innocence.
Retired lawyer Andy Carpenter remembers every dog that’s come through the Tara Foundation’s doors, but the most well-known alum of the dog rescue organization that Andy founded in Paterson, New Jersey, may be Mamie. Adopted by famous actress Jenny Nichols―Andy’s high school girlfriend―the miniature French poodle is now practically a starlet in her own right.
Andy doesn’t hold it against his friend. In fact, he and his wife, Laurie, have dinner with Jenny while she’s in town filming her next big hit. But after an eventful meal, there’s a plot twist the next morning that none of them see Jenny’s costar is found dead, a knife in his back. It’s not long before Jenny is arrested for the murder and finds herself in need of Andy’s legal services.
While Mamie becomes reacquainted with Tara, Andy’s golden retriever, Andy digs into the lives of the rich and famous.

Chances are I will get to another book but I haven't decided which one yet. :-)

July 2, 2023 - I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen". We are now reading in Jeremiah ("I know the plans I have for you..." Jer 29:11.
I have started a seven day study titled I Witnessed It.

I finished three audio titles and posted three reviews. I am up to date with two current reviews due and one I am holding. I have written the review for Never Ending End of the World but thought I would save it for a few weeks to be closer to the release date.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I added two new audios to my existing shorter (under 6 hours) audio.
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.

Two new audio NetGalley review titles.
I got one Daily Deal and another six new audios from Audible Plus this past week.
No free Kindle title last week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Two Audio NetGalley titles:

Flop Dead Gorgeous: An Andy Carpenter Mystery
By David Rosenfelt
Narrator: Grover Gardner
Length: 6hr 43min
This is an on-going legal mystery series I enjoy.
Pub Date: 04 Jul 2023
Archive Date: 11 Jul 2023

The Lost Library
By Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass
Narrators: Christopher Gebauer, Jennifer Blom, and Rob Dircks
Length: 4hr 15min
A middle grade fantasy/mystery
Pub Date: 29 Aug 2023
Archive Date: 05 Sep 2023

Won

NONE

Purchased

6/26/2023 This was the Daily Deal for $1.99.

The Red Monk of Roha
By: Anthony Nana Kwamu
Narrated by: Atta Otigba
Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins

Free

June 25- June 30, 2023 - I picked these six free titles from Audible Plus Catalog this week.

The Deerslayer
By: James Fenimore Cooper
Narrated by: Raymond Todd
Series: Leatherstocking Tales, Book 1
Length: 20 hrs and 15 mins

The Last of the Mohicans
By: James Fenimore Cooper
Narrated by: William Costello
Series: Leatherstocking Tales, Book 2
Length: 15 hrs and 8 mins

Sandstorm: Publisher's Pack
By: T.W. Piperbrook
Narrated by: Scott Brick
Series: Sandstorm, Book 1-2
Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Love at First Psych
By: Cara Bastone
Narrated by: Santino Fontana, Stephanie Einstein, Mary Ann Jacobs, William Merryn Hill, Emily Bauer, Matt Boren, Piper Goodeve, Gabra Zackman, Mia Jenness, Elliott Fullam, Petrea Burchard, Ralph Lister, Jack de Golia
Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins

If Angels Fall
By: Rick Mofina
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
Series: Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski, Book 1
Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins
This is included to 7/6/2023 so I may listen to it this week.

Nutshell
By: Ian McEwan
Narrated by: Rory Kinnear
Length: 5 hrs and 26 mins



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 July 2, 2023 - Called to Freedom!

Our Sunday School teacher taught this week on James 1:16-17 expounded with Hebrews 4:14-16 and Romans 5 and 6. We are given the gift of mercy and grace. We are no longer enslaved to sin and dealing with sin is part of growing in Christ.

Pastor’s Sermon was title “Called to Freedom” with scripture from Galatians 5:1 and 5:13-14.
Paul is writing to Galatians. There was a sect teaching salvation by works, and another group proclaiming freedom to do whatever you want (sloppy grace).

Our freedom is found in Jesus. We have freedom within the authority of our submission to Christ. We are His servant, not the servant of sin. The enemy comes and creates a slippery slide of sin. We must learn to stand firm.

There is a spirit of antichrist at work in the world, We need to stand firm.

Paul says in Galatians 5:13, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Our freedom is not for the flesh but for love to serve. We are called to experience His kingdom and the King’s dominion. If you feel oppression, stand firm on the Spirit of God. Our lives are not our own. We give up our sinful nature as a sacrifice to serve. When you walk by the Spirit, you will not gratify the flesh. Don't let sin grow in your life.

Pastor had two side comments. First, he spoke about how we need to be careful not to act on feelings and not to allow love and compassion to accept sin. We always love the sinner but not the sin. We cannot abandon truth to promote love. Showing true love is to lead sinners to the truth of God’s way.

Second, a lack of faith can lead to doubt which then can hinder the moving of the Spirit. Worship is an expression of faith. It is more than a religious act.

I found several videos to pick from. I chose this: Greater Still.

Verses for Today:
Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:13-14
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Lord, I thank you for Mercy and Grace. Help me to use your gift of freedom to serve and to show your love to others.

Audible Book Review: To Serve and Protect by Glynn Stewart

I enjoyed this action story with supernatural villains and heroes.
To Serve and Protect
Onset, Book 1
By: Glynn Stewart
Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
Release date: 10-24-17
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Action, Paranormal, Superhero, Supernatural, Urban
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
A small town cop with an unexpected gift. A shadowy government agency on the side of justice. A call no good man could turn away.
When vampires attack David White's small town, only luck, firepower, and the intervention of an elite government task force saves his life. The aftermath of the attack leaves him in the middle of the world's biggest secret: the existence of government agencies that regulate the supernatural.
They insist that David's "luck" is actually a supernatural gift, and he's immediately recruited into ONSET, the most shadowy part of America's thin blue line of police protectors.
Questioning both his gifts and the agency he now serves, David is drawn into an escalating battle that threatens all of humanity. If he isn't what ONSET thinks he is, the entire world may pay the price.
©2016 Glynn Stewart (P)2017 Podium Publishing

Review:
David White is a small town cop, dedicated to the mantra of “serve and protect”. One day he chases after a group of young ‘punks’ who have murdered a store clerk in a bloody fashion, and on their escape path they also brutally murdered his own partner, a young, new officer.

A secret government police force known as Onset sees his valiant efforts to fight the pack of vampires. They barely save his life and take him to their secret facility to heal his injuries. When he wakes up they offer him the chance to work with the elite supernatural team. They recognize he has skills that he isn’t even aware of, just as he wasn’t aware of the existence of vampires, werewolves, and other creatures from the realm of fantasy and myths.

Initially David isn’t sure but a discussion with an old friend convinces him that he can “serve and protect” in a broader sense with this covert organization. Can David really help this team that includes a werewolf leader, a good demon, a mage and more? His initial training doesn’t reveal the extent of his powers but when he gets in the thick of battle a hidden ability appears. The dangers progress to a deadly battle with a large terrorist organization and the evils they summon. Not all of the good guys will make it out alive.

I liked the moments of introspection included in a consistent pace of action. I enjoyed the development of the primary character and the uniqueness of the supporting teammates. I will be getting more in the series. I recommend this to fans of action and supernatural characters.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter is a wonderful narrator. As with most of the works he narrates, his performance with distinct voices and fitting energy, added to my enjoyment of the audio.

Source: 7/31/2022 July Audible Credits. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Bewitching a Highlander by Roma Cordon

This is a sensual Scottish romance.

Bewitching a Highlander
By: Roma Cordon
Narrated by: Moira Quirk

Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
Release date: 06-07-22
Publisher: CamCat Books
Genre: Historical Romance, Scottish Historical Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Defying all for the love of a bewitching lass.
Breena MacRae, a healer from Skye with a touch of witchery in her blood, embarks on a dangerous search for her missing father. She arrives on the Isle of Coll, seat of the vile Campbells. There, she encounters the debonair future chief to the Dunbar Clan, Egan, who rescues her from a Campbell sentry.
Egan Dunbar is on Coll to keep the peace between the feuding Campbells and Dunbars. But when he catches Breena in a lie, he agrees to help her find her father to pay back an old debt and get to the bottom of the secrets she's hiding.
As their attraction for each ignites like a firestorm, Breena and Egan realize a future together could trigger deadly consequences—a clan war between the Campbells and the Dunbars. Is Egan willing to betray his clan for love, even though he knows Breena is keeping secrets from him? Can Breena trust him with her family secret and put those she loves at risk?
©2022 Roma Cordon (P)2022 CamCat Books

Review:
Breena is a 25 year-old young woman who lost her parents at age 6 and was raised by her wise grandmother. Breena comes from a family of healers…and witches. They have been good witches, but she hides this part of her nature because of the prejudices of others and the dangers disclosure presents.

Until very recently Breena thought her father was dead. Now she has learned that he may be alive an a prisoner of the chief of the Campbells who had her mother hung as a witch. Breena insisted on her uncle taking her to the Campbells land, the Isle of Coll, to secretly hunt for her father. Breena faces resistance and danger before even getting into the keep. She is ‘rescued’ by Egan, the debonair future chief of the Dunbar Clan, who helps her gain entrance and introduction to The Campbell.

Egan is enchanted but puzzled by this young woman. She has introduced her companion as her father, but something doesn’t ring true to her story. Egan is already having to walk a fine line as he is there to confront the vile Campbell chief over the death of some of the Dunbar men. It doesn’t help that he has to worry about Breena and her secrets as she sneaks around the keep.

Egan has been directly instructed by his father not to instigate a war between the Dunbar clan and the Campbell clan. Egan is also keenly aware that he is expected to marry a woman of high blood, not a common born woman like Breena. How much is Egan is willing to risks to help this woman who has ensnared his interest? And how far will he go to protect her?

The story pulled me in and I basically liked the characters and the touch of magic. I also enjoyed the underlying story but not the extra drawn-out sensual scenes. I could sense the chemistry without the extensive scenes and flowery descriptions to draw it out. Breena really seemed like a younger character as it didn’t seem likely that she would remain unmarried at 25 and she was obsessed with secrets and insecurities. Romance readers who like the long build up and tension will likely enjoy this more than I did.

Audio Notes: Moira Quirk does a nice job with the narration. She provided distinct voices and fitting emotional energy. I was glad for the opportunity to listen to this historical romance.

Source: June 2023 "Listen Now" audiobook at NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023 NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Phule's Company by Robert Asprin

This is a fun Space Military story and I want more in the series.
Phule's Company
Phule's Company, Book 1
By: Robert Asprin
Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine

Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
Released: September 20, 2017
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Humor, Sci Fi, Space Military
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
After being court-martialed by the Space Legion for ordering the strafing of a treaty-signing ceremony, multimillionaire Willard Phule receives his punishment: He must command the misfit Omega Company on Haskin's Planet, a mining settlement on the edge of settled space. At his duty station, he leverages his personal money and a knack for managing people to get the company to come together as a unit. Phule convinces the governor to leave the contract for an honorary duty up for competition between the Space Legionnaires and the Regular Army. The Army sends some of their most elite troops to take part in the competition, but Phule's company operates with their own unique tactics....
©1990 Robert Asprin (P)2017 Tantor

Review:
William Phule (pronounced “fool”) was a junior officer who made some inappropriate decisions based on lack of pertinent information. The judges at his court-martial have to issue appropriate punishment. The problem is that Phule’s family is excessively wealthy and an important military resource. They decide to punish Phule by promoting him to give him command of the Omega Company. That is the company where all the military misfits go and their duty is limited on the edge of settled space.

Phule, who travels with his faithful Batman, Beeker, takes his command seriously. He quickly begins to get the misfits into shape, helping the individuals to find the tasks they each can do well. He provides them with state-of-the-art facilities, uniforms, and tools/weapons. As they train on a specially prepared “obstacle course”, aka “confidence course”, he trains with them and shows them how to succeed by being creative and thinking outside of the box. Bit by bit he builds their confidence. He believes in his company so much that he is willing to set them up in competition with the Regular Army in order to win a special contract. Phule didn’t expect that the Army would send their most elite force to the competition.

Can the Omega Company show how much they have improved? And if they succeed what will the higher command choose to do with the misfit troop?

I felt like a Space Military story and this was recommended by my son. I enjoyed to the creative way that Phule manages to get around all of the obstacles – not just the course. There are fun supporting characters, including a very shy officer who comes to life in the right job and gets dubbed “Mother”. I do plan to pick up more in the series soon. I recommend this to fans of fun space military action.

Audio Notes: Noah Michael Levine provides good accents that make the characters easily distinguishable. I enjoyed his energy and presentation of this story. The narration added to my engagement.

Source: 9/20/22 Audible under $3.50. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.