Sunday Post August 6, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 7, 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 enjoyed my vacation with family in Kansas City. I did have to work on computer a bit more than I wanted but I also got to relax. Our flights were mostly good except for the final leg home. We had to run back and forth in the Charlotte airport to four different gates for the American Air flight which ran 30 minutes late. (It made me think of the movie Airplane except we went from the end of Gate C to the end of Gate B and back again!)

I have plenty of pictures to share of our time together. I got plenty of walking steps in (not just in the airports).

This is a small waterfall behind the Stoney Creek Hotel where we stayed three nights.

We checked it out in the distance up the hill.

The next day we walked up to the waterfall.

I had glow nails and my granddaughter had a glow shirt and shoes
in the black light room at Science City in Union Square - A great place!

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.

My staff said that I missed several triple digit heat days. We had wonderful air travel with nice weather. We did have a heat advisory today for 111 temp but I think this was cooled by the storm advisory. The highs this coming week are supposed to be about 95s.

I finished two audios and posted three reviews and my memes.

I visited 15 blogs last week.
Shout out this week to Booker T's Farms - Books and Nails and Puppy Dog Tails. Barb shares family, books and dogs.

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

• Sunday Post July 30, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 31, 2023.

• ATBR: Audio Book Review: Christmas at Cozy Holly Inn by Meredith Summers; Genre: Christmas, Contemporary, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• ATBR: Audio Book Review: Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• A2023: Audible Book Review: The Snow Killer: The DI Barton Series, Book 1 by Ross Greenwood; Genre: Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Thriller; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 6, 2023 - Family Faith.
  

Finished Reading:
1. NetGalley App on Smartphone (ANG2033)

For the Loot
Goblin Mode, Book 1
By: Han Yang, Pearce Adams
Narrated by: Evan Sibley
Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
This is a fun story but I didn't like the foul language.
Source: July 2023 NetGalley.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

1984: New Classic Edition
By: George Orwell
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
Length 11h 22m
Oh yes- doublespeak abounds today and opposing views are censored as thought crimes.
Source: September 2020 Audible Plus Titles.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

A Springtime to Remember
By: Lucy Coleman
Narrated by: Lucy Scott
Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
This wasn't what I was looking for but it is only available through 8/10/23 so I decided to listen.
It is rich on description of the gardens at Versailles.
Source: 12/9/2022 from Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's summary
Paris and the Palace of Versailles have always meant a lot to TV producer Lexie. Her grandma Viv spent a year there, but her adventures and memories were never discussed, and Lexie has long wondered why they were a family secret.
When work presents the perfect excuse to spend springtime in Versailles, Lexie delves into Viv’s old diaries and scrapbooks, and with the help of handsome interpreter Ronan, she is soon learning more about the characters that tend to the magnificent gardens, now and in the past.
In amongst the beauty and splendour of the French countryside, a story of lost love, rivalry and tragedy unfolds. Can Lexie and Ronan right the wrongs of the past, and will France play its tricks on them both before Lexie has to go home? Will this truly be a springtime to remember?
Let Lucy Coleman sweep you away with this perfect feel-good love story. Perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Sue Moorcroft and Heidi Swain.
©2019 Lucy Coleman (P)2019 Boldwood Books

2. Audible Smartphone (A2023)

The Summer House
By: James Patterson, Brendan DuBois
Narrated by: Ari Fliakos
Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
This is my "Summer" title for my season challenge.
I haven't read a Patterson title in several years.
Source: 12/21/2020 Audible Daily Deal $3.95.
Publisher's summary
When seven murder victims are found in a small town, the homicide investigation shakes a small-town sheriff to her core in James Patterson's tense thriller.
Once a luxurious Southern getaway on a rustic lake, then reduced to a dilapidated crash pad, the Summer House is now the grisly scene of a nighttime mass murder. Eyewitnesses point to four Army Rangers - known as the Night Ninjas - recently returned from Afghanistan.
To ensure that justice is done, the Army sends Major Jeremiah Cook, a veteran and former NYPD cop, to investigate. But the major and his elite team arrive in sweltering Georgia with no idea their grim jobs will be made exponentially more challenging by local law enforcement, who resists the Army's intrusion and stonewall them at every turn.
As Cook and his squad struggle to uncover the truth behind the condemning evidence, the pieces just won't fit - and forces are rallying to make certain damning secrets die alongside the victims in the murder house. With his own people in the cross-hairs, Cook takes a desperate gamble to find answers - even if it means returning to a hell of his own worst nightmares....
©2020 James Patterson and Brendan DuBois (P)2020 Hachette Audio

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Black Sheep
A Space Opera Adventure (Flight of the Javelin, Book 1)
By: Rachel Aukes
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
Release date: 06-16-20
I am ready for a space story! Also it is a 'color' title for my color challenge.
Source: 12/27/2020 Audible Two for One Credit Sale.
Publisher's summary
An alien ship. Stolen colonists. All Throttle wanted was a vacation....
Fifteen years into a 20-year voyage, war veteran Captain Throttle Reyne is looking forward to taking a break from dealing with malfunctions, glitches, and the hassles of monitoring 1,000 colonists in cryo-sleep.
But when her colony ship breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Throttle and her crew must leave the colonists behind to search for help. They find a ship that's not only missing a crew...it's clearly not from their star system.
It's the discovery of a lifetime. All they need to do is tow the mysterious vessel back to their colony ship for further study and Throttle won't ever have to work again. One problem. While they're away, the colony ship is stolen - with the colonists still on board.
Throttle gives chase to a lawless star system on the outer rim. To get their colonists back, they must take on the pirates and ganglords who will do anything - and sell anyone - to make a buck.
They play dirty. But Throttle and her crew play dirtier.
Strap on your restraints and experience the start of this new space-opera thrill ride. It's perfect for fans of Jay Allan, Jennifer Foehner Wells, and Star Wars.
©2020 Aethon Books (P)2020 Aethon Audio

August 6, 2023 - I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen". I had forgotten the weird dreams that Zechariah had. I do like the prophesies and promises of return.
I started a new 5 day plan: 5 Daily Habits to Integrate Faith and Work.

I finished two audio titles and posted three reviews. I am up to date again.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I still have three new audios 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.
 

I received no review titles this week.
I selected two audios from 2 for 1 credit sale at Audiobooks.com.
I got one free Kindle title last week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

July 30, 2023 Audiobooks.com 2 for 1 Credit sale:

Stars Uncharted
Series: #1 of Stars Uncharted
Written by: S. K. Dunstall
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
Duration 13 hours 1 minute

Kill the Farm Boy: The Tales of Pell
Series: #1 of The Tales of Pell
Written by: Delilah S. Dawson, Kevin Hearne
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
Duration 12 hours 38 minutes

Free

July 31, 2023 Kindle from Author's Newsletter

Murder Mystery Weekend: a compelling British crime mystery (Detective Inspector Skelgill Investigates Book 11) by Bruce Beckham


One 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 August 6, 2023 - Family Faith

Our church service this morning had audio difficulty online so I listened to the guest speaker from Sunday July 30.

The pastor noted that live is about relationships – with God and with family. There are life saving and changing truths in the word of God. God spoke the world (and man in His image) by the Word of His mouth. Words frame worlds. Agree with the Word by responding “Amen” or “so be it”.

2 Peter 2:5 – speaking of Noah as a “preacher of righteousness”. Joshua 24:15 “… chose you this day who you will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

God’s heart is for the family. Noah made “an ark to save his family.” And Abraham and his descendants made their home in the promised land by faith. Hebrews 11:6-9.

The church has failed to rise to the level where it should be. The church should be influencing the world by sharing light and salt. And the church is made up of families. The enemy is attacking the family, which hurts the church and hurts our witness. The current state of society shows the attack on the family. We need a strong family foundation, a three strand cord: Jesus, husband and wife, and children.

Keep things in proper context because anything taken out of context is subject to being a “con”.
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:22-27. [Emphasis added.]

We have to be careful not to allow any foothold (space or home) for the enemy. We can’t stay angry in our homes, and we have to go a step further. If we rebuke anger and other adversarial spirits, we have to fill that space with God’s spirit. Any space we do not occupy or fill with the Kingdom of God, we open to the adversary. Matthew 12:43-45. Where there is a void, the government, school, or medical authorities will, and have, stepped in!

Depression comes upon us this way. Also, sickness. We cannot say “oh, it’s flu season, so it is expected.” No! Do not confess or allow that. Say instead “I am God’s property and I rebuke illness.” It doesn’t mean we won’t get sick, but it is more of a resistance level. Do not be conformed to this world, be transformed.

The same promise given to Abraham was given to Issac and Jacob. Hebrews 11: 9. Faith is designed to be generationally passed down. (Amen.) Proverbs 13:22: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” Three generations. God is the God of Abraham, Issac. and Jacob.

The blessing is also passed down to Abraham and his seed. We have a covenantal right to the same blessing and promise! To all the families of the earth. (Spiritual Blessing, not material blessings.) We are already blessed when we are in Christ.

The purpose of God is designed to be generationally passed down. The destiny and purpose on our lives belongs to God, not to us. Romans 8:28. Look what the Lord has done – not what we have done.

Noah got his whole family on board the ark. If you are at least having influence on your family, you are within the purpose of God. Not that you are responsible for their mess ups (think of Adam and Eve). Ministry needs to be inside our homes. The order of the family is to have the man be the head of the household. Women have had to step up when men have failed to do so.

The Ark was made of three stories. First level is foundation – God the Father. Second level has the door – Jesus is the door. The third level has a window – representing the Holy Spirit. This represents the redemption of Jesus. They went through the flood but were saved. The redemptive purpose of God needs to be alive in our families.

This is an interesting song to go with today’s message: Family Tree

Verses for Today:
Hebrews 11:6-9 NIV
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.


Lord, I pray that you help me to continue to pray over and influence my family- children, grandchildren, and siblings too.

Audible Book Review: The Snow Killer: The DI Barton Series, Book 1 by Ross Greenwood

This is an intriguing police procedural, crime thriller.

The Snow Killer: The DI Barton Series, Book 1
By: Ross Greenwood
Narrated by: David Thorpe

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
Release date: 11-12-19
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
‘Fear the north wind. Because no one will hear you scream....’
A family is gunned down in the snow, but one of the children survives. Three years on, that child takes revenge, and the Snow Killer is born. But then, nothing - no further crimes are committed, and the case goes cold.
50 years later, has the urge to kill been reawakened? As murder follows murder, the detective team tasked with solving the crimes struggle with the lack of leads. It’s a race against time and the weather - each time it snows, another person dies.
As an exhausted and grizzled DI Barton and his team scrabble to put the pieces of the puzzle together, the killer is hiding in plain sight. Meanwhile, the murders continue....
The first in a new series, Ross Greenwood has written a cracking, crackling crime story with a twist in its tale which will surprise even the most hardened thriller listeners. Perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Stuart MacBride.
©2019 Ross Greenwood (P)2019 Boldwood Books

Review:
One child survived the gunning down of the rest of the family, including a beloved younger sibling, when they were brutally stalked and killed in the snow. Three years later the surviving child is able to take revenge killing the guilty thugs one at a time in the snow. This gains the name “The Snow Killer” but the murders stop.

Fifty years later there is a new murder of a low level drug addict during a snowstorm. Then another drug involved person is murdered in the next snowstorm. DI Barton and his team are trying to figure out who would have the motive to take out these individuals. Then in the next snowstorm another murder takes place practically under their noses. The murders are occurring in DI Barton’s own neighborhood and the victims are connected to a known local drug family. The police are desperately seeking clues while inclined to protect the surviving member of the drug family as she is the likely next target.

The old Snow Killer has been insulted by one of the local crime members. This has triggered the old anger and revenge which intensifies when the killer recalls one of the thugs had referred to orders from higher command. And now one of the new victims also mentions corruption that goes higher than the henchmen. Can the Snow Killer get to the higher parties in command before the police figure out who they are chasing?

This is only available until 8/10/23 so I pulled it up in my queue and I am glad that I did. The characters, killer and cop, are well drawn including emotional involvement. The author follows both characters so that the reader/ listener is tracking the two different POVs as their inevitable confrontation grows closer. Although the reader is following the killer, the author manages to throw in some surprises. I would be willing to seek more books by this author and I’m sorry I don’t have time to listen to more while they are available free in the Audible Plus Catalog. I recommend this to fans of strong police procedural thrillers.

Audio Notes: David Thorpe does a very good job with the narration. I was engaged throughout the narration with the clear voices and energy.

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

Audio Book Review: Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris

This is an entertaining mystery with paranormal characters.
Midnight Crossroad
By Charlaine Harris
Narrated By: Susan Bennett

Series: Midnight, Texas, Book 1
Duration: 9 h 31 min
Release date: 05-06-14
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Summary
FIRST IN A NEW TRILOGY - From Charlaine Harris, the bestselling author who created Sookie Stackhouse and her world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, comes a darker locale-- populated by more strangers than friends. But then, that' s how the locals prefer it. Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It' s a pretty standard dried-up western town. There' s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There' s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there' s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he' s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own). Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth...

Review:
Manfred Bernardo is a quiet man who has moved to Midnight, Texas to a house next to the town pawnshop. Manfred thinks he has his own secrets as an online and sometimes live, psychic. But he soon begins to learn he has lots of strange and secretive neighbors. Another renter, who lives below the pawnshop, is only seen at night and a neighbor, Fiji, who lives across the street, sells crystals and spells among other New Age items and is never seen far from her standoffish cat.

There are strangers that come to town seeking his landlord, Bobo…then they are gone. And more strangers come looking for the first two. Then an out-of-town sheriff comes looking for Bobo’s former girlfriend who just walked out a few weeks before. Bobo is heartbroken and shocked that anyone might think that he had anything to do with her disappearance.

Manfred is willing to help investigate when called upon and his neighbors are a bit surprised that he handles each event and reveal with his quiet equanimity. As the community pulls together to protect their own, it is clear that Manfred fits right in.

I enjoyed the low-key characters and the conflicts and mysteries of this story. This is a different style from the author’s southern and more lively Sookie vampire series which I also enjoyed. I was interested in learning more about each character as the story moved on. I plan to pick up the other books in this series. I recommend this book to fans of paranormal characters and quiet mysteries.

Audio Notes: Susan Bennett does a good job with the narration. She provides distinct voices that capture the quirkiness of each character. The narration definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

Source: 8/28/19 August VIP Free selection at Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and Time of Day goals.

Audio Book Review: Christmas at Cozy Holly Inn by Meredith Summers

This is a nice, easy Christmas romance.

Christmas at Cozy Holly Inn
Written by Meredith Summers
Narrated by Hollis McCarthy

Run Time: 7h 9min
Release Date: November 14, 2022
Publisher: Leighann Dobbs Publishing
Genre: Christmas, Contemporary, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher Description
A sweet, cozy small town holiday romance perfect for snuggling up by the fire with a steaming mug of hot cocoa and a cat or two by your side.
When Julie Green’s ailing grandmother asks her to arrange one last party at the old Inn she used to run, Julie can’t say no even though the last thing she wants is to leave the city for middle-of-nowhere Vermont. Even worse, Cozy Holly Inn is in disrepair, there’s a persnickety cat hiding in the basement and the family of grinches who own the competing inn down the street seem determined to ruin her chances of success.
Nolan Miller retreated to Pinecone Falls, Vermont, to heal his broken heart and help his grandfather run Barrington Lodge - a rustic old bed-and-breakfast that has been in the family for generations. This year, though, he needs to find a way to get his Christmas spirit back before he turns into a grinch like his father and grandfather. But even if he gets his spirit back, he’s not letting anyone in again, especially not Julie Green who has made it clear she’s leaving town as soon as she can.
But when Julie needs help, Nolan can’t say no and putting the party together makes Julie realize that small town friendships might have more to offer than big city lights.
Kringle, the cat, only wants a warm home and his forever human. This girl, Julie, does not seem to fit the bill no matter what the nice lady at the animal shelter told him. Julie knows nothing about cats so he will do his best to get her to return him to the shelter. But as the week unfolds, Kringle discovers that people can change in surprising ways and sometimes what you thought you wanted, isn’t what you really needed at all.

Review:
Julie has recently lost her job. She is reluctantly available to arrange a last party for her ailing grandmother at her grandmother’s Cozy Holly Inn in Pinecone Falls, Vermont. Julie has fond memories of visiting with her grandmother, but Julie doesn’t really want to be in remote town instead of seeking to rebuild her life in the city. Working on the party has enough to keep Julie busy without the interference of a fluffy cat that seems to want her gone, especially as Julie keeps threatening to turn the cat over to the local shelter. And then there are the grouchy neighbors who own a competing inn down the street and are inclined to block Julie’s festivities.

Nolan is working with his grumpy father and grandfather to run their bed and breakfast. They are the grinches, not planning to celebrate the Christmas holiday since they have lost their joy with the death of Nolan’s mother. Nolan himself has been recovering from a broken heart and he has no plans to let anyone get close to him again.

Nolan runs into Julie and realizes she needs some help with her big party plans. Despite his family’s animosity, Nolan reaches out to help. And Julie finds that many of the town folk are more than willing to help and to celebrate one of their own. Even the cat begins to sense a change in the atmosphere.

This is a sweet story, and I enjoyed the ‘dance’ as the reluctant characters grow closer together. It is also fun to see how the town folk (and the cat) help out. This was an easy listen and worked for my decision to have a Christmas in July read. I recommend this to those who enjoy Christmas romance.

Audio Notes: Hollis McCarthy does a very nice job with the narration of this work. The narration provides clear voices and emotional energy that fits the characters. I was glad to have this available to listen to.

Source: 12/31/2022 year end purchase at Chirp for $.99. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.