Sunday Post August 20, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 21, 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.

My evening fever continued all week hitting a spike of 102.2 on Wednesday night. I was supposed to go to a convention on Thursday but canceled those plans and got in to my doctor. They ordered a prescription for tick bite and topical ointment. I spent the last four days dozing and reading. Lesson learned: don't ignore an infected bite.

Here are some photos from Great Wolf Lodge. I am still waiting for my son to share his photos as they had more of the water park.

Each evening they have a craft for kids in the lobby in front of this hearth.
I was lucky to get a shot almost clear of people.

My youngest granddaughter was brave enough to meet the squirrel.
We all got the wolf ears and some of us (including my son) wore them around a bit.

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.
Prayers this week for the families with loses in Maui.

At least I've been indoors this week. The highs were 96 feeling over 103. My downstairs temp hoovered in the 83 to 85 range which didn't encourage any heavy work anyway. But I spent a good part of the last four days sleeping upstairs.  
This coming week we are to have two days up to 103 with continued heat warnings.

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

I visited 14 blogs last week.
Shout out this week to SNAPDRAGON ALCOVE. Snapdragon declares "I am a reviewer of books, movies, graphic novels, manga, and anime. Gardener by day. Writer by night."

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

• Sunday Post August 13, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 14, 2023.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: A Springtime to Remember by Lucy Coleman; Genre: Family Life, Romance, Women’s Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Summer House by James Patterson, Brendan DuBois; Genre: Crime Thriller, Military, Police Procedural, Suspense; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 5.0.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Black Sheep by Rachel Aukes; Genre: First Contact, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 20, 2023 - Growing Up!

Finished Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Ranch (A Legacy of Violence)
The Legacy Series, Book 2
By: Sean Liscom
Narrated by: Christopher Lane
Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins
This had lots of action in a continuing series.
Source: 3/3/22 Audible Sale $3.74.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Eden's Gate: The Reborn
A LitRPG Adventure, Book 1
By: Edward Brody
Narrated by: Pavi Proczko
Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
I picked this for the LitRPG factor. It was engaging distraction while I was dozing on and off.
Source: 3/31/19 High Five Audible Sale title - $5.00.
Publisher's summary
When Gunnar Long is transported into the first fully-immersive virtual MMORPG, he finds himself in a new world filled with magic, mystery, and adventure.
No more 9-to-5 job. No more studio apartment. No more reality TV.
Finally, he's in a place where he can call home, a place with people he can call friends.
But as more people want to trade their real world lives to get inside Eden's Gate, the government of the outside world wants the "game" shut down at all costs.
Gunnar must learn to survive, grow in power, and find a way to send a message back to his old home.
"We're fine. We're alive. Eden's Gate is real."
Eden's Gate is a LitRPG adventure.
©2017 Edward Brody (P)2017 Edward Brody

3. Audible Smartphone (A2023)

The Lost Library
By Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass
Narrators: Christopher Gebauer, Jennifer Blom, and Rob Dircks
Length: 4hr 15min
  This is a charming middle grade fantasy, light mystery.
Pub Date: 29 Aug 2023
Archive Date: 05 Sep 2023.
Source: 6/29/2023 NetGalley.
When a mysterious little free library (guarded by a large orange cat) appears overnight in the small town of Martinville, eleven-year-old Evan plucks two weathered books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to change.
Evan and his best friend Rafe quickly discover a link between one of the old books and a long-ago event that none of the grown-ups want to talk about. The two boys start asking questions whose answers will transform not only their own futures, but the town itself.
Told in turn by a ghost librarian named Al, an aging (but beautiful) cat named Mortimer, and Evan himself, The Lost Library is a timeless story from award-winning authors Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass. It’s about owning your truth, choosing the life you want, and the power of a good book (and, of course, the librarian who gave it to you).

Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Secret of Pembrooke Park
Author Julie Klassen
Narrator: Elizabeth Jasicki
Duration: 18 h 6 min
I am ten hours in and want to know the secrets although I do think it didn't need 18 hours.
Source: 5/27/2022 Audiobooks.com May VIP selection. (Also at Audible Plus Catalog in February 2023.)
Publisher's summary
Abigail Foster fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry to improve her charms and the one man she thought might marry her - a longtime friend - has fallen for her younger, prettier sister. When financial problems force her family to sell their London home, a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for 18 years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play... The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem to know something about the manor's past, the only information they offer Abigail is a warning: Beware trespassers who may be drawn by rumors that Pembrooke contains a secret room filled with treasure. Hoping to improve her family's financial situation, Abigail surreptitiously searches for the hidden room, but the arrival of anonymous letters addressed to her, with clues about the room and the past, bring discoveries even more startling. As secrets come to light, will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks.... or very real danger?
©2014 Julie Klassen (P)2014 Recorded Books

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Robinson Crusoe 2244
By: E. J. Robinson
Narrated by: Malk Williams
Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
This is a post apocalyptic with a number title (my number challenge).
Source: 7/17/2022 I got a $7.00 credit so this book from my wish list ended up costing $.49 since I already had the Kindle copy.
Publisher's summary
Two centuries after mankind drove itself to the brink of extinction, a new civilization rises from the ashes of what was once Great Britain. But when deadly strife breaks out among their ranks, the teenage son of one prominent family finds himself fleeing in the dead of night, only to wind up shipwrecked on the forbidden continent of America. Armed with only his wit and the most unexpected of allies, the teenager struggles to survive in a wasteland filled with unspeakable horrors. In the end, he must uncover the one secret that can either save his own people, or spell doom for mankind forever.
©2014 Erik Robinson (P)2015 Erik Robinson

3. Kindle App on Smartphone (A2023)

The Marksman
By Robin G. Mercier, Danny Kravitz, Chris Charles
I am reading this on the phone app and hope it won't take too long.
Source: August 2023 Received two ebooks from Alyssia Gonzalez at Publicist, Level 4 Press
Jim Hanson, an ex-Marine sniper, was getting by in life as a rancher on the Arizona-Mexico border until his wife’s recent battle with cancer wiped him out financially and hollowed him out emotionally. Then he encounters a young Mexican boy, Miguel, and his mother as they are fleeing from a vicious drug cartel. Jim calls the Border Patrol but is soon confronted by cartel soldiers who demand he turn over the mother and son. Jim refuses and is drawn into a shootout, narrowly escaping with Miguel and his mother, who has been fatally shot. She begs Jim to take her son to the safety of his relatives in Chicago just before dying.
Now being pursued by the cartel’s relentless lead assassin, as well as Border Patrol Agents intent on sending Miguel back to Mexico (which is certain death), Jim finds himself as the boy’s protector in a desperate race from Arizona to Chicago. Jim and Miguel fight for their lives during this deadly road trip, becoming the most unlikely pair of fugitives and helping each other heal from deep loss along the way.

August 20, 2023 - I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen". Reading this week went from Nehemiah to the wonderful story of Esther -- "for such a time as this" yet never the name of God mentioned!

I finished three audio titles and posted three reviews so I remain up to date.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I have an older audio on my shelf as two of the books I thought I had downloaded while I was on vacation apparently didn't download and the time expired.
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 two review titles a week ago I forgot to list.
I selected my July 2 Credits at Audible this week and picked up a Daily Deal.
I got two free Kindle titles through author emails.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

August 2023 Received two ebooks from Alyssia Gonzalez at Publicist, Level 4 Press. I warned her it may take longer for me to read ebooks.

Con Crazy
by Addison J. Chapple, Danny Kravitz, Eliza Marsh
This is an international crimme novel about an expert in European art and antiquities that is based on true events.

The Marksman
By Robin G. Mercier, Danny Kravitz, Chris Charles
This is a crime thriller that pulls on your heart strings.
See more information under Currently Reading.

Won

NONE

Purchased

8/17/2023 Two July Audible Credits - I chose two from new to me authors.

The Watchman
By: Arthur Bradley
Narrated by: Greg Tremblay
Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins

Earth Force Boxset: The Complete Series (Books 1-3)
By: Shemer Kuznits
Narrated by: Jeff Hays
Length: 45 hrs and 21 mins

8/20/2023 Audible Daily Deal $2.99.

Midsummer Mysteries
Tales from the Queen of Mystery
By: Agatha Christie
Narrated by: Hugh Fraser, David Suchet, Joan Hickson
Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins

Free

Two kindle books from author newsletters/links.

Recipe for Mr Right: Hilarious and heartfelt. The perfect romance! (Recipes for Love)
By Anni Rose

Shadow Soul a gripping Welsh crime mystery full of twists (DI Tudor Manx Crime Thrillers Book 3)
By Dylan H. Jones


Two 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 20, 2023 - Growing Up!

I am still recovering from my fever spikes and fatigue, so I attended church online. It was Pastor Appreciation Day and our Pastor preached on Ephesians 4:11-16 regarding God’s Call. I'm choosing to call the message "Growing Up!"

Christ called those to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. It is five-fold offices of God. The Lord gives a burden on the heart as a placement, but the call is in any of the gifts. It is for God’s purposes.

First, to equip and prepare the people of Christ to minister to others, to handle life. Each person is equipped to minister, not just to receive. We should not just hire ministers to do the work or to lead a corporate outreach instead of us doing individual work of ministry. You can’t be trained if you aren’t present to hear the messages or share in the studies.

Second is the “building up” empowering the body of Christ. Jesus didn’t live a perfect life, but He lived a sinless life, submitted wholly to God. We have to be submitted and present to God’s Word. God wants to convict and heal. If you have sinned or experienced broken relationship, Jesus came to save and heal. This is done through ministry. The Church suffers from having difficulty in humbling ourselves, in admitting we don’t have it all together. We think the sermon or lesson is for someone else. (Matthew 7:1-5 ‘Judge not lest you be judged…’) Religious people can be hypocrites when we need to be Authentic Christians. God wants you right on the inside, not on the outside.

Third is to reach unity and maturity. Unity does not mean we look the same, think the same, or do things the same. But we are in unity or accord to promote the Kingdom. Different styles are not important as long as we share and preach the same message. God wants us to grow up.

When we are mature:

1. We are not tossed to and fro, anchored in the faith; not deceived by messages that sound good but are not of God. Fads and styles can come and go.
2. We are less influenced by men and more influenced by God.
3. We love with the unconditional love of God. Sometimes we should not speak. Not everything needs to be said.
4. We grow in every way into Christ so every part of our life reflects Christ.

We are wired to revert to age of trauma… We need to pray that God matures us to understand love through His eyes. Also to know that the world doesn’t revolve around us.

We are to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Growing up in every aspect to allow God to choose what we get to be. (This is shown in the story of the potter and the clay. Jeremiah 18.)

The Body of Christ grows when we each mature and join together to allow God’s work. The Church gets healthy and healthy things grow. It is not the world or culture that is prohibiting the church, it is the lack of health in the churches. We need to be examples to show others how to handle life – with the Sprint and power of God.

As we grow and serve, the body “builds itself up in love…”

I found this song to fit today (and to make me cry) - It Starts Right Here:

Verses for Today:
Ephesians 4:11-16 New International Version
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.


Lord, Help me to be mature in mind, emotions and spirit so that I can be used by You to grow Your Kingdom. Mold me and use me.

Audible Book Review: Black Sheep by Rachel Aukes

This was a satisfactory sci fi if not overwhelming.
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
Publisher: Aethon Audio
Genre: First Contact, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

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

Review:
Throttle and her crew have been managing to maintain 1,000 colonists in cryo-sleep while coping with malfunctions and glitches on their ship, the Gabriella, 15 years into a 20-year voyage. For a long time there have been rumors that there is a ghost or stowaway saboteur on the ship although the culprit has never been caught. Things go from troubled to disaster when the ship goes into complete services and power loss. The crew have to rush to move the colonist pods to a location to give them the best chance of survival while the crew goes out on a shuttle seeking help.

Once out in space the crew stumble across an alien ship that is apparently dead in the water. They approach with caution to find an AI that has maintained the ship for hundreds of years but needs just a little assistance to come back alive. Once they are able to get more power to the AI, dubbed “Rusty”, the AI is able to begin to give the crew help, including telling them that the Gabriella has been moved from its location.

The Gabriella has been hijacked by pirates in space and Throttle follows the ships into an unexpected and ‘gang controlled’ space station. Not only will Throttle and her team need to figure out how to get out of the clutches of the warring sibling leaders, but they must rescue the colonists before they are sold into mining slavery.

Throttle is a strong character as a paraplegic with no use of her legs without the special braces her crew helps to maintain. Her crew includes a good mix with a former pirate, a medical officer, a recalcitrant machinist, a computer hacker, and an added warrior. Throttle earned her name due to her full-on attitude and her crew gives her the best support. There is full-on action and adventure with one escapade after another needed to succeed in the survival of the team and colonists. I enjoyed the action and escapes and will look forward to reading more by this author. I recommend this to fans of fast-paced space action.

Audio Notes: Emily Woo Zeller is a really good narrator. She provides clear voices and on target energy to keep up with the pace of the story. The narration added to my enjoyment of this story.

Source: 12/27/2020 Audible Two for One Credit Sale. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook and my 2023Color goals.

Audible Book Review: The Summer House by James Patterson, Brendan DuBois

I was totally drawn in by this crime/police procedural!

The Summer House
By: James Patterson, Brendan DuBois
Narrated by: Ari Fliakos

Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
Release date: 06-08-20
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Genre: Crime Thriller, Military, Police Procedural, Suspense
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 5.0.

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

Review:
A horrendous mass murder occurred in a rundown country house known as the Summer House located in a small town in Georgia. Witnesses direct the local sheriff, Emma Williams, to four Army Rangers who are an elite team known as the Night Ninjas. As soon as Army members are identified, a unique military investigative team is called in to insure justice – to the men and to the community – wherever the facts lead.

Major Jeremiah Cook, a wounded veteran and former NYPD cop, is assigned with his five diverse teammates including a JAG lawyer, an Asian psychologist, a female CID officer, and a Hispanic investigator. Although the facts seem to be packaged and handed to them, the team is quick to see inconsistencies and misdirection. They learn that the four accused were recently returned from Afghanistan after being accused of a similar crime. As the investigation digs deeper and witnesses and evidence begin to disappear, Cook determines he needs to check into the Afghanistan event. He sets off to the place he said he would never return to.

I was immediately drawn to the story and quickly came to like the well-developed investigative team. I was horrified by the corruption that fills the story and the bigotry was obvious too. I feel bad the southerners were stereotyped with these elements, but it fit the story. The story is steady suspense with a few very tense moments.

I do like the direct tone and shorter chapters used by Patterson. I also liked the POV mix with part told from Cook’s first person and the other told third person. The full package makes this a very worthwhile read/listen and reminds me why I used to regularly read Patterson. I plan to get more. I recommend this to fans of good police procedure and crime fiction.

Audio Notes: Ari Fliakos does a wonderful job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and spot on energy. I thought the audio performance enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 12/21/2020 Audible Daily Deal $3.95. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook and my Season goals.

Audible Book Review: A Springtime to Remember by Lucy Coleman

This is a nice romance, rich on description of the gardens at Versailles.
A Springtime to Remember
By: Lucy Coleman
Narrated by: Lucy Scott

Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
Release date: 12-26-19
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Family Life, Romance, Women’s Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

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

Review:
Lexie is thrilled to have the chance to do a production at the Palace of Versailles. Her grandmother spent a year working in the gardens there before coming home to marry the love of her life. Lexie and her camera partner, Elliot, decide to work on a miniseries themselves which they will then market. That puts them on a tight budget and time schedule, but they are convinced it is well worth it.

Lexie meets handsome interpreter, Ronan, who has done several research projects on Versailles. When Elliot has to take an emergency trip home, Ronan is able to step in as the photographer. The two grow close as they work together on the project, but they are also working on the mystery of Lexie’s grandmother’s year at the gardens. Lexie’s mother sent her a package of her grandmother’s journals which are leading to the possibility of an old romance.

I admit I wasn’t overwhelmed by the characters, but I did enjoy the details about the gardens and the budget difficulties the palace went through. There are a few twists in the history and interaction of the characters. The romance and light mystery make this an easy listen. I recommend this to fans of light romance and Paris settings.

Audio Notes: Lucy Scott does a nice job with the narration. The voices and energy are clear. This was only available through 8/10/23 so I am glad I had the chance to listen.

Source: 12/9/2022 from Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.