Sunday Post July 9, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 10, 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 a quiet Fourth at home, watching fireworks on the TV.
I am working at the office and coming home to work some more. I will talk to two new potential workers this week. That is to fill staff and doesn't relieve me from the legal tasks.

Saturday I was planning to do computer work but I ended up cooking in the morning.
First croissants, four regular and four with Brie Cheese; then I added sour cherry jam. After brunch I made oatmeal cookies.

At dinner I heated some hot dogs in the air fryer and used croissants as buns.

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.

I didn't notice the heat while I was in the AC last week. This coming week will be hot again in at least mid 90s each day.

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

I visited 14 blogs last week.
Shout out this week: LIBRARY MATTERS. Cherie has a lovely Free Verse Friday Post I recommend checking out!

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

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

• Happy Independence Day - July 4, 2023.
  

• 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.

• MBS June 2023 Reading List Wrap Up.

• MBS - 2023 Audiobook Challenge Mid-Year Status.

• ATBR: Audio Book Review: The Farseer: Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb; Genre: Action & Adventure, Coming of Age, Epic Fantasy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 9, 2023 - Our Great God!

Finished 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 liked the arguments but this might be a book that is better in print, although even then it will be dry.
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 a while.
It has good twists.
Click on book title for full description.

3. NetGalley App Smartphone (A2023)

Flop Dead Gorgeous: An Andy Carpenter Mystery
By David Rosenfelt
Narrator: Grover Gardner
Length: 6hr 43min
This is another good Andy Carpenter legal thriller that was a quick listen.
Source: June 2023 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description..

Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Age of Embers (A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller)
The Age of Embers, Book 1
By: Ryan Schow
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
I picked this for an action, post apocalyptic title.
Source: 12/17/2020 Audible Sale – $5.00.
Publisher's Summary
An Amazon all-star recipient! Fresh off the highly acclaimed The Last War Series, comes a gripping new tale of the apocalypse from bestselling author, Ryan Schow. The Age of Embers Series is perfect for fans of Matthew Mather, Bobby Akart, Jack Hunt, Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Mike Kraus, and Harley Tate.
The end is almost here, are you ready?
A high-tech nightmare. A crippling attack on America and her infrastructure. Are humans in their final days? When a sudden, unexplained spasm of violence rocks the country from coast to coast, when our military is hijacked and the president can’t be found, the survivors will be left to wonder if this is the start of a new world war, or if this is the last chapter of humanity itself.
Undercover DEA agent, Fire Dimas, is drowning in problems: an unrelenting job, a difficult marriage and a teenage daughter with suitors of the worst kind. Then there’s the cartel he double-crossed and the “incident” at the high school. To say he’s in way over his head is the understatement of the century. Rest assured though, for Fire and his family, it’s about to get much, much worse. The assault has already begun....
Eliana Gutierrez and her niece, Carolina, are stolen by the Guatemalan cartel and swallowed into the dark world of human trafficking until a brutal crime separates them. Eliana must now use the deadly trafficking lines to trek up through Mexico and into America in search of the only person she ever loved. Along the way, she’ll come face-to-face with a handsome, rancorous hitman who will either be her salvation or her bitter end. Under the cover of a post-apocalyptic nightmare, Eliana will risk life and limb for the child, but will it be enough?
The Age of Embers is a post-apocalyptic survival series written inside the universe of the best-selling The Last War series. This edge-of-your-seat thriller chronicles the harrowing journey of ordinary people trapped in an encroaching dark age. Get ready for characters you'll want to know in real life, big post-apocalyptic action and a no-holds-barred action/adventure series that just might hit a little too close to home.
Note: The Age of Embers and subsequent books can be listened to as a stand alone series or in addition to The Last War series. Both stories are written in the same universe on the same timeline and some characters will overlap.
©2019 Ryan Schow (P)2019 Ryan Schow

2.Spotify App Smartphone (A2023)

The Poisoned Princess: Warders Book 1
by Armen Pogharian
Narrated by: Michele Babb
Length: 6hr 16 min
The narrator offered this and I enjoy the author and narrator.
Source: July 8 Audio Code for Spotify from Narrator.
Forced to leave the elven forest because of his barbarian heritage, half-elven Toran finds work in a rundown tavern in Eridan’s thieves’ quarter. Combining his keen elven senses and barbarian battle skills, he thwarts an assassination attempt on a visiting princess and earns an invitation to join the secret protectors of Eridan, known as the Warders.

I think I know what I will choose next but I'll wait till I get there.  :-)

July 9, 2023 - I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen". Now the readings have moved into Lamentations.
I have enjoyed the seven day study titled I Witnessed It.

I finished three audio titles and posted two reviews. I have the three 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 have one newer audio and an older one on my shelf.
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 review audio title from the narrator.
I bought one Audible and three audios from Chirp.
I got 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

July 8 Audio Code for Spotify from Narrator:

The Poisoned Princess: Warders Book 1
by Armen Pogharian
See more info above under Current Reading.

Won

NONE

Purchased

July 6, 2023 I still had 6 hours on this when the free version expired but I was able to get it for $1.99 as I have it on Kindle:

If Angels Fall
Rick Mofina





July 7, 2023 Three audio books at Chirp:

Royal Assassin, Farseer Book 2
Written by Robin Hobb
Narrated by Paul Boehmer
Run Time: 29h 18min
($2.99) Continuing the series after I enjoyed book 1.

Onslaught: An Exile War Novel (Exile War Book 1)
Written by Bowen Greenwood
Narrated by Ian Kirkpatrick
Run Time: 4h 48min
($.99) This came through an author newsletter invite.

A Cornish Summer's Kiss
Written by Jo Bartlett
Narrated by Emma Powell
Run Time: 5h 20min
($1.99) This looked like a fun romance.

Free

July 5 through July 8 Free on Audible Plus:

A Different Mirror
A History of Multicultural America
By: Ronald Takaki
Narrated by: Peter Berkrot
Length: 18 hrs and 35 mins

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
By: L. Frank Baum, Paul Magrs - adaption
Narrated by: Jim Broadbent, Lydia West
Series: Oz , Book 1, Dramatized Adaptation
Length: 4 hrs and 30 mins

Sherlock Holmes: The Voice of Treason: An Audible Original Drama
By: George Mann, Cavan Scott
Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton, Frances Jeater, Don Gilet, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Ivanno Jeremiah, Amy McAllister, full cast
Length: 8 hrs

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Book 1
By: J.K. Rowling
Narrated by: Jim Dale
Series: Wizarding World Collection, Book 1, Harry Potter, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins

Assassin's Creed: Gold: An Audible Original Drama
By: Anthony Del Col
Narrated by: Riz Ahmed, John Chancer, Ray Fearon, Anthony Head, Tamara Lawrance, Gemma Lawrence, Danny Wallace
Series: Assassin's Creed
Length: 4 hrs and 40 mins

Locke & Key
By: Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez
Narrated by: Haley Joel Osment, Tatiana Maslany, Kate Mulgrew, full cast
Length: 13 hrs and 23 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 9, 2023 - "Our Great God"

Our Sunday School lesson continued in James 1:16-18 with the message that Grace is connected to temptation; it is a good and perfect gift. Grace needed for sin. Gods unmerited favor is a higher level than forgiveness and mercy. Christ is the vehicle of that grace. Through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, death is swallowed by triumphant life. Sin, guilt, and death are gone. Romans 5:20-21. God sees us cleansed and as righteous with our final right standing to be revealed in our eternal lives.

We celebrated communion, remembering the sacrifice of Christ through the symbolism of the body (bread) and blood (wine/juice). We also celebrated our Pastor’s first year anniversary.

Pastor’s message was from 1 John 4:1-4, titled “Our Great God”. We are involved in spiritual warfare in this world. We have to test the spirits and teaching of any who present them as speaking for God.

Don't be misled by a charismatic person. Instead, ask if their message brings conviction. Preaching is sometimes a hard word in today’s worldly culture. Revelation 2:20-23. The church of Thyatira was scolded for tolerating the teachings of Jezebel instead of following God. [Note messages to the other churches also talk about false teachings. Revelation 2:2 and 2:14-15.]

Compare the acts and teachings of leaders and preachers to determine if it is consistent with the Biblical true. Does the teaching confess that Jesus is from God. Does it acknowledge our personal relationship with God?

We must discern what is of God. Antichrist has been in the world since the days that Adam and Eve were misled. We each must grow in faith by reading the Word daily.

Don't be deceived. “Feelings” are not reliable for decision making. There is a truth to stand on.
Once a believer has accepted Christ as his or her savior, the God dwells in that believer. ‘Dear children you are from God and have overcome’ the spirits of the world. ‘He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.’ 1 John 4:4.

No weapon formed against you can prosper. Don't compromise. Truth has not changed. Be biblically true rather than culturally correct.  Anchor yourself in the Word, and be in a church that teaches Biblical truth. We become Godly temples and must resist the upside-down teachings of the world.

I like this song for today:

Verses for Today:
1 John 4:1-4 NIV
On Denying the Incarnation
4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

God my Father, Christ my Savior, Spirit my Guide, please keep me on your path and protect me from being deceived by the antichrist spirits of the world.

Audio Book Review: The Farseer: Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

This fantasy aroused mixed emotions. I picked up book 2 for sale at Chirp.
The Farseer: Assassin's Apprentice
Written By: Robin Hobb
Narrated By: Paul Boehmer

Series: Farseer Trilogy, Book 1, Realms of the Elderlings, Book 1
Duration: 17 hours 21 minutes
Release Date: March 2010
Publisher: Tantor Media
Genre: Action & Adventure, Coming of Age, Epic Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

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.

Review:
“Boy” is the bastard son of royal Prince Chivalry, the first born son of King Shrewd. He is dropped off at the keep at age six and taken to Prince Chivalry’s head stableman, Burrich. Since the boy has no name, he is dubbed “Fitz”. Burrich begins training Fitz to care for the dogs and horses in the stable, but he is alarmed when he realizes that Fitz is developing a mental bond with one of the new puppies. He scolds Fitz and takes away the dog.

Soon Fitz is moved into the royal household where he struggles in his position. Prince Verity, the second son, is kind and caring when he can take time from his busy schedule, especially after Chivalry abdicates his position. The third royal son, from a second wife, Prince Regal, wants nothing to do with this bastard child who could complicate the bloodlines. Regal is inclined to ignore Fitz or maybe kick him when he sees him. King Shrewd has his own plans for the boy. He arranges for Fitz to be secretly trained by the King’s assassin because Fitz may have the family trait of magic that allows them to Skill, or hear the thoughts of, and sometimes influence, others.

While Fitz struggles with his aloneness, he tries to find ways to please those around him. But the royals are busy dealing with horrible raiders who are ravaging the coast line and even moving into the countryside of the territories under the King. Fitz has committed to be a “king’s man” but in the process of his growth he is outcast, ostracized, abused, and used for the King’s goals. The one true talent he has must remain hidden as it is despised the by one man he thinks is his friend. And meanwhile betrayal stalks close to home.

The story is told by an older Fitz in the form of a history of the Six Duchies under the King. The author pulls at the heartstrings of the reader (listener) for the abandoned and misused boy. There is a tone of depression in the story. I did struggle with Fitz’s attitude at times but his feelings and lack of perception at times is fitting for the beleaguered boy that he is. I enjoyed the distinct secondary characters, especially Burrich, Verity, the assassin, and the fool. I hope all of them will be in the second book which I found on sale at Chirp. I recommend this to fans of epic fantasy tales of adventure with a touch of magic.

Audio Notes: Paul Boehmer does a great job with the narration. He provides clear and distinct voices that fit the characters, the settings and the tone. I am looking forward to continuing the next book on audio.

Source: 6/3/19 June VIP free selection from Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

MBS - 2023 Audiobook Challenge Mid-Year Status

It's time for mid-year check in on the Audiobook Challenge.

My goal is the 100 Club level and I am at 61 audiobooks at the end of June so I am on track to meet the goal.
I have read 64 books through the end of June so you can see the majority of my reading is audio.

My reading lists and reviews are linked HERE (or in the blog header under "Reading Lists").

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