MBS June 2023 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2023 Reading List - JUNE

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 = The Never-Ending End of the World
4.5 Stars = Extinction Shadow, Extinction Inferno, Phule's Company, To Serve and Protect. Leila Nugget

1. 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.
2. ATBR: Audible Book Review: A Road Unknown: Amish Roads Series, Book 1 by Barbara Cameron; Genre: Amish, Family, Mennonite, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
3. ANG2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Never-Ending End of the World by Ann Christy; Genre: Dystopian, EOTW, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.
4. A2023: Audible Book Review: Extinction Shadow, Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 1 by Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Anthony J. Melchiorri; Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
   
5. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Extinction Inferno, Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 2 by Nicholas Sansbury Smith; Genre: Horror, Post Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
6. A2023: Audio Book Review: Discovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith; Genre: Fantasy, Teen & Young Adult; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 3.75.
   
7. ATBR: Audio Book Review: The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker; Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller & Horror; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
8. 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.
   
9. 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.
10. ATBR: Audible Book Review: To Serve and Protect by Glynn Stewart; Genre: Action, Paranormal, Superhero, Supernatural, Urban; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5. 
11. ANG2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Leila Nugget Mystery: The Case with No Clues by Deserae Brady, Dustin Brady; Genre: Children’s, Chapter Book, Mystery; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

This Month Total read = 11
TBR = 7
New Authors = 7
Audio/Audible = 11 (7 TBRs)
NetGalley = 3 (3 audio) (0 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 1
Nonfiction = 0
eBook = 0 (0 TBR)
Print = 0 (0 TBR)
DNF - 0

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month)
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 64 of 125
TBR to Date: 50 of 90
Audio to Date: 61 of 100
NetGalley to Date: 12 of 10
Author Reviews: 2 of 12
Nonfiction: 5 of 10
TBR ebooks or Print: 2 of 8
New Authors to date: 38

• Series: 47 of 75 (12 continuing, 35 new)
• New to me Series: 35 (19 Yes to continue; 7 likely to continue, 5 maybe, 4 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) 0 June
NEED: Q, V, X, Z

Locations: 6 of 8
      River, Mountains, Kingdoms, Castle, Junkyard, Deadlands, Shore
Numbers: 6 of 12
      Forging Zero, Cat o’ Nine Tales, Six Crimson Cranes, One Heart to Win, The Fifth Victim, The Fourth Monkey

Groups of Five: (Places and Numbers above)
Times of Day: 2 of 5
      Moonshine, Morning
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

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Leila Nugget Mystery: The Case with No Clues by Deserae Brady, Dustin Brady

This is a fun 'treasure hunt' mystery for young people.

Leila Nugget Mystery: The Case with No Clues
By: Deserae Brady, Dustin Brady
Narrated by: Emily Eiden

Series: Leila and Nugget Mysteries, Book 2
Length: 1 hr and 32 mins
Release date: 06-27-23
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Genre: Children’s, Chapter Book, Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Mr. McGee was the principal of Englewood Elementary in 1947, and the students have just discovered that he created a massive treasure hunt all those years ago... But Mr. McGee disappeared before he could share any of the clues. Seventy years later, Leila and Nugget are ready to crack the case and find that missing treasure.
Leila & Nugget Mysteries reward developing listeners with nonstop laughs, twists, and—of course—cute pets.
©2023 Dustin Brady (P)2023 Andrews McMeel Publishing

Review:
Leila is a third grader who, with her small dog Nugget, likes to visit neighbor, Mrs. Crenshaw, who used to be a teacher at Englewood Elementary where Leila attends. Leila likes mysteries and is excited when Mrs. Crenshaw tells her that the first principal of the school, Mr. McGee, created a treasure hunt for the students seventy years ago. The special event never took place and the treasure has never been found.

Leila and Nugget set out to look for clues. The search distracts her from even her best friend, and Leila begins to be disappointed after months with little progress. Finally, she gets a breakthrough and it isn’t long before her friend and other students are looking too. Can they solve the case and find the treasure?

The clues are wonderful riddles and the author takes Leila (and the reader) on a search up and down halls in the school, through a Hall of Presidents, and finding a “zoo” of critters with the help of some older teachers and the elderly janitor. There is history of the school, and, along the way, Leila learns a few lessons on friendship and working together. The story is sweet, and I enjoyed the treasure hunt. I do think that my grandchildren (4th and 1st graders) would enjoy this story. The images that are available at the Amazon link are very cute too so I would recommend the print version as well as the audio.

Audio Notes: Emily Eiden does a very nice job of narrating this children’s audiobook. The voice fits Leila and she provides distinct voices for the other characters too. I enjoyed the audio experience.

Source: 4/1/2023 NetGalley Title. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goals.

Happy Independence Day - July 4, 2023

Wishing all Americans a Safe and Happy Fourth of July!

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.