Audio Book Review: The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

I enjoyed this Christian historical romance which I think has gothic elements.
The Secret of Pembrooke Park
Author Julie Klassen
Narrator: Elizabeth Jasicki

Duration: 18 h 6 min
Release date: 12-12-14
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Christian Historical, Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

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

Review:
Abigail Foster takes responsibility for an investment her father made that turns bad. This is a blow after her long time childhood friend, who she expected to offer her marriage, seems to show interest in her sister before leaving for a year of school abroad. As the family is faced with downsizing and moving from their home, they are offered the opportunity to move to a country manor house that has been abandoned for 18 years. Abigail and her father go to the country to prepare Pembrooke Park while her mother and younger sister remain in town so her sister can attend her first society season.

Abigail is surprised by the condition of the house, which looks like it was suddenly abandoned and then left that way. As she works to clean up the home and make it livable she begins to hear rumors and then is warned of trespassers who may come seeking a secret room and treasure. If they had 18 years of vacancy to search, why would someone show up now that the house is occupied again? But she hears footsteps at night, catches a glimpse of a hooded intruder, and has to deal with a surly butler who makes inappropriate comments. Abigail receives anonymous letters hinting at the location of the secret room and she begins her own secret search.

The nearby curate begins a friendship with Abigail, but he is frustrated that he does not have a living to support himself, much less a wife and a family. Then a suave, estranged cousin of the Pembrooke family arrives, and Abigail’s father invites him to stay. Although both men show interest in her, Abigail feels no man choose her since she is the less lovely sister and has no dowry to bring to a marriage. Can Abigail find the secret room and perhaps a treasure to help her family? Or will the searching bring danger from others who want the treasure for themselves?

I did enjoy the very prevalent Christian scripture and messaging. I also liked the detail, the historical, sweet romance, the secrets, and the gothic like elements. I did feel the story was drawn out longer than it needed to be but at least it was enjoyable. I recommend this to fans of Christian, historical romance.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Elizabeth Jasicki once I settled in on her voice. She follows the story and presents it well. I am glad I had the audio to listen to.

Source: 5/27/2022 Audiobooks.com May VIP selection. (Also, at Audible Plus Catalog in February 2023 available to 9/12/2023.) This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Sunday Post August 27, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 28, 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 am finally back to full health. We are working away at the office as another employee prepares to go on maternity leave in ten days. We have been training our newer staff members on all aspects of the title closings in addition to legal tasks. My former assistant is enjoying law school and getting in about 10 hours of work each week.

Here are more images from the Science City at Union Station, Kansas City.
The twins spent time in the several rooms of model trains.

Dad and daughter enjoyed posing in the helicopter.

My oldest Illinois granddaughter was brave enough to ride this bike on a wire.

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 in Maui and for safety from the storm this week.

We had several days of High Heat Advisory weather "feels like" 111.
My downstairs temp made it up to 87 this week - I have to call the repair company before company comes in September.  
This coming week we are watching the storm Idalia which is threatening to hit the Gulf coast as a hurricane.

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

I visited 14 blogs last week.
Shout out this week to LEVEL UP.  I thought I would link this for those who are newer to the LitRPG genre. 

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

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

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Ranch (A Legacy of Violence) by Sean Liscom; Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Eden's Gate: The Reborn A LitRPG Adventure, Book 1 by Edward Brody ; Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, LitRPG; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• NGA2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass; Genre: Books, Cat, Magical Fantasy, Middle Grade, Mystery; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 27, 2023 - Spirit of Python
  

Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Secret of Pembrooke Park
Author Julie Klassen
Narrator: Elizabeth Jasicki
Duration: 18 h 6 min
I enjoyed this Christian historical gothic romance.
Source: 5/27/2022 Audiobooks.com May VIP selection. (Also at Audible Plus Catalog in February 2023.)
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Robinson Crusoe 2244
By: E. J. Robinson
Narrated by: Malk Williams
Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
This dystopian post apocalyptic is interesting though not gripping.
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.
Click on book title for full description.

.

3. Kindle App on Smartphone (A2023)

The Marksman
By Robin G. Mercier, Danny Kravitz, Chris Charles
I was glad to keep coming back to this Cartel horror of a story.
Source: August 2023 Received two ebooks from Alyssia Gonzalez at Publicist, Level 4 Press
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Etched in Bone
A Novel of the Others
By: Anne Bishop
Narrated by: Alexandra Harris
Length: 16 hrs and 21 mins
I decided to pick a series that I really like. I am enjoying the story and only have 4 hours left.
Source: 10/17/22 Audible September Credit.
Publisher's summary
New York Times best-selling author Anne Bishop returns to her world of the Others, as humans struggle to survive in the shadow of shape-shifters and vampires far more powerful than themselves….
After a human uprising was brutally put down by the Elders - a primitive and lethal form of the Others - the few cities left under human control are far-flung. And the people within them now know to fear the no man's land beyond their borders - and the darkness....
As some communities struggle to rebuild, Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relatively unscathed, though Simon Wolfgard, its wolf shifter leader, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn must work with the human pack to maintain the fragile peace. But all their efforts are threatened when Lieutenant Montgomery's shady brother arrives, looking for a free ride and easy pickings.
With the humans on guard against one of their own, tensions rise, drawing the attention of the Elders, who are curious about the effect such an insignificant predator can have on a pack. But Meg knows the dangers, for she has seen in the cards how it will all end: with her standing beside a grave.
©2017 Anne Bishop (P)2017 Penguin Audio

2. Kindle App on Smartphone (A2023)

Con Crazy
by Addison J. Chapple, Danny Kravitz, Eliza Marsh
This releases this week and looks like a read I will like.
(I read the first ebook in one week so we'll see if I can do it again.)
Source: August 2023 Received two ebooks from Alyssia Gonzalez at Publicist, Level 4 Press.
The con is on.
Prewitt Patry is an expert in European art and antiquities, and he used to be the best con artist in New York City. But fate has left him divorced and broke, with his glory days behind him.
Then a golden opportunity falls into his lap.
Ranger du Courtemanche is the aging patriarch of the centuries-old French aristocratic Courtemanche family. The family resides in their ancestral chateau and they haven’t been outside the property in years. Enter Prewitt, who cozies up to the reclusive family—Ranger and his two sisters—and warns them that their chateau and wealth have been targeted by an obscure secret society. Panicked and desperate, Ranger enlists Prewitt in the fight to defend his family’s honor and fortune. Et voilà! The trap is set.
With his team of eccentric Parisian con artists, Prewitt gets to work. But the closer he gets, the more the con unravels. Ancient betrayals, priceless jewels, and forbidden loves . . . the Courtemanches turn out to be a lot more than Prewitt bargained for.
Inspired by the outrageous true story of a wildly audacious con.

3. Audible Smartphone (A2023)

Hope Harbor
By Irene Hannon
Narrator: Therese Plummer
Duration: 9 h 45 min
I am working on my older TBR and found this one.
Source: 2018 Audiobooks.com 2 for 1 credit.
Publisher's summary
Come home to Hope Harbor - where hearts heal...and love blooms. Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life - and love - altered her plans. Now she's home again - with a floundering farm to run...a tragic secret...and a wounded heart. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets and devastating regrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help with a project that is close to her heart, winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives - including their own.
©2015 Irene Hannon (P)2015 Recorded Books

August 27, 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 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.

No new review titles this week.
I selected my Audiobooks.com August VIP free title.

I found 8 Audible Plus titles.
I picked my First Reads August Pick at Amazon Prime.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

8/26/23 Audiobooks.com August VIP.

Little Ghosts
By: Gregg Dunnett
Narrated by: Katie Villa
Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins



8/20 to 8/26/23 Audible Plus Catalog
(Thanks to Kathy at Inside of a Dog who indicated these Peters titles were available.)

The Curse of the Pharaohs: The Amelia Peabody Series, Book 2
By: Elizabeth Peters
Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat
Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins

The Mummy Case: The Amelia Peabody Series, Book 3
By: Elizabeth Peters
Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat
Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Lion in the Valley: The Amelia Peabody Series, Book 4
By: Elizabeth Peters
Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat
Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins

Murder at Morrington Hall: A Stella and Lyndy Mystery, Book 1
By: Clara McKenna
Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman
Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Master of Sorrows: The Silent Gods, Book 1
By: Justin Travis Call
Narrated by: Peter Kenny
Length: 19 hrs and 16 mins

Competitive Grieving: A Novel
By: Nora Zelevansky
Narrated by: Katie Schorr
Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins

Surrender, New York
By: Caleb Carr
Narrated by: Tom Taylorson
Length: 23 hrs and 47 mins

No Good Tea Goes Unpunished
By: Bree Baker
Narrated by: Therese Plummer
Series: Seaside Cafe Mysteries, Book 2
Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins


August First Read Free Prime at Amazaon

Redemption (Eva "Lightning Dance" Duran Book 1)
By: Deborah J Ledford

One new title 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 27, 2023 - Spirit of Python

Our Sunday School teacher shared special memories today. His family was closely involved in a church in a neighboring county that was burned down by arson this week. The old building was not actively in use, but it held years of family stories since being built in 1949. It was the first church our teacher attended – from his birth through his own marriage and births of his children.
The memories were beautiful and poignant. We all recognize that the building itself is not the church which is the body of believers. On the other hand, even God gave the tabernacle as a center for the body to gather together for worship, praise, fellowship, and teaching. The loss of the building hits many with grieve as in a death.

Our pastor’s sermon this morning was from Acts 16:16-18 titled Spirit of Divination” or “Spirit of Python."
A few weeks ago Pastor spoke on the Spirit of Jezebel – manipulative and deceptive spirit that seeks to tear apart relationships. Then two weeks ago he spoke on the Spirit of Absalom – a spirit of rebellion.
Luke spoke to the spirit of divination or python which guarded the stone representing the oracle of Delphi. It is like a ventriloquist voice speaking for dummy. In the passage of scripture, it is a young girl who serves as a fortune teller. A voice may change in a demon possession, but not always. But it is apparent in the way the voice speaks out – in reverse or derision.
This spirit is real especially in more pagan settings.

Mental illness can be demon possession but mental illness without demon possession is very real too. Evil spirits are an enemy, not the neighbor or mentally ill.

The believers are to have nothing to do with fortune tellers, which includes horoscopes and psychic readings which are forms of witchcraft according to scripture.
We must be careful to be led by the Holy Spirit, not other things.
The young girl was speaking truth, but it was not of God.

Be careful because Spirits will manifest where they are allowed control.
God is omnipresent and omnipotent. Demonic spirits are not.
A spirit may appear with similar characteristics. They masquerade and deceive.
They can be and will be scared away from things of God.

We believe in the supernatural and we know that our God is greater within us than the evil spirits that attack us. But we have to stay close to God. And sometimes, like Paul, who became ‘greatly annoyed’ in the scripture passage, the demon spirit has to be dealt with.

We need discernment. Is there peace which comes from the Spirit of God?
We have to stand firm in the Holy Spirit. We need to pray against demonic spirits and take authority over them in the relationships of our lives: home, family, work, and community.
Worship and prayer to allow Kingdom of God to advance and push back the enemy.
We are the people of God and we can pray and invoke God’s power, through Christ, to cast out demons. The scripture says the spirit left her "that hour" which can be interpreted as ’that moment’.

The same supernatural God of the Bible works today. When the believer accepts Christ as savior, they need to surrender, yield, to allow their behavior to go through life changing transformation.

I like this song for today’s message: Don’t Tread on Me.

Verses for Today:
Acts 16:16-18 NIV
16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.


Lord, I invoke Your power to protect my family members and remove any evil and deceptive spirits from their circumstances.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass

This is a charming middle grade fantasy, light mystery.

The Lost Library
By Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass
Narrators: Christopher Gebauer, Jennifer Blom, and Rob Dircks

Length: 4hr 15min
Pub Date: 29 Aug 2023
NetGalley Archive Date: 05 Sep 2023.
Release date: 08-29-23
Publisher: Macmillan Young Listeners
Genre: Books, Cat, Magical Fantasy, Middle Grade, Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

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).

Review:
The public library burned down years ago in the small town of Martinville. It surprises everyone when a mysterious little free library appears one morning. The small unit is apparently guarded by a large orange cat who watches all the goings on. Eleven-year-old Evan is quick to choose to books from the library and these trigger a mystery. The last check out of the books appears to be by a man who became a famous author but the date is important. The date is the day the library burned, an event that no one talks about.

Evan and his best friend, Rafe, start asking question as Evan is determined to solve the mystery of the fire. He isn’t happy about the facts that he uncovers and is insistent on pushing for answers.

The story is charmingly told by Mortimer, the cat, a ghostly librarian named AI, and Evan. It shares the importance of books and libraries, as well as the importance of being open minded to investigate and not jump to conclusions.

I totally enjoyed this quick, sweet story and would love to share it with my grandchildren. It has a good message and sweet characters. I recommend this to anyone who loves books and libraries.

Audio Notes: The three narrators, Christopher Gebauer, Jennifer Blom, and Rob Dircks, do a lovely job delivering the story with clarity and empathy. I am pleased I had the chance to listen to this through NetGalley.

Source: 6/29/2023 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Eden's Gate: The Reborn A LitRPG Adventure, Book 1 by Edward Brody

I picked this for the LitRPG factor. It was engaging distraction while I was dozing on and off.
Eden's Gate: The Reborn
A LitRPG Adventure, Book 1
By: Edward Brody
Narrated by: Pavi Proczko

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 03-30-17
Publisher: Edward Brody
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, LitRPG
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

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

Review:
Gunnar is pretty much a loner except for his girlfriend. He enjoys role playing games (RPGs) and is excited when the latest fully immersive virtual game and headset tech are released. He and his girlfriend are quick to put the headsets on agreeing to compare notes in 30 minutes. Gunnar arrives in a cave and has to start fighting his way out. It doesn't take long before Gunnar discovers he can’t exit the game. He is frustrated by what he thinks is a glitch and contemplates how he can find his girlfriend.

Fortunately, a battered Gunnar stumbles into an NPC (non-playing character) who helps him recover and begins to explain the world he finds himself in. As time and challenges go by, it becomes more and more clear that Gunnar can die and be reborn at his last base spot but he can’t find a way to exit the game.

Interspersed with the adventures are ‘real life’ efforts to shut down the game before more people commit life suicide in exchange for a game life. Can the living authorities be convinced that the players are basically “alive” within the game before the plug is pulled?

I enjoyed the leveling up process even though there is a little too much repetition of stats for the RPG. I liked how Gunnar learns how to accept help, honor friendship, and work with others for successes. There are interesting monsters and allies as the adventure moves forward and there is an intense race to save the game from being shut off.

There is some foul language but not excessive. The world, characters, and battles are entertaining and I recommend this to fans of the LitRPG genre.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Pavi Proczko. His voice fits the primary character and he provided distinct accents for the other characters as well. The delivery is steady and the audio enhanced my enjoyment of the work.

Source: 3/31/19 High Five Audible Sale title - $5.00. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goal.