Psalm 95:2-3: "Let's come before him with thanks! Let's shout songs of joy to him! The Lord is a great God, the great king over all other gods."
Thursday, November 23, 2023
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Sunday Post November 19, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 20, 2023
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.
The children are all back to healthy and looking forward to a short school week.
My office work continues steady.
My son has been working on the computer and internet intermittently trying to get them to work better together. I had two nights last week where my computer crashed and I had to recreate documents. Usually they can be recovered but for some reason this week they weren't backing up properly.
My son had to install a new pool cover and has had to work around two periods of rain.
The children have been raking up piles of leaves.
My continuing prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations, a calmer social atmosphere, and for revival. We are also continuing prayers for family and church.
I am still praying that people would study the history of the Israel and Palestine nations more before they do all this protesting and particularly I pray that no one would seek the annihilation of another people. And continuing prayers for Israel and Gaza and all the innocents who are being impacted by the war.
The weather here is now consistently in the 40s and 50s, occasionally getting into the 60s. Night time temps are in the 30s.
Maybe I'll get to September and October Wrap Ups
I only visited about 5 blogs last week and still no new Shout Outs lined up.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.
- ATBR: Audio Book Review: A Death at Eastwick by L.C. Warman; Genre:Mystery, Whodunit, Young Adult, My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5; Narration 3.5.
- ATBR: Audio Book Review: Gossip and Gorgons, Book 3 of Manners and Monsters Collection by Tilly Wallace; Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.
1. Audio on Smartphone (ATBR).
The Cold Dish
By Craig Johnson
Duration: 13 h 20 min
I found this a little depressing.
Source 7/28/19 Audiobooks.com Free VIP pick.
Click on book title for full description.
2. Audio on Smartphone (ATBR).
Bunker (Book 4) Lock and Load
Written by Jay J. Falconer
Read by Gary Tiedemann
Run Time 6h 45min
I wanted to listen to something fast paced and I knew I would like this series. My disappointment is it ending and I'll have to go to book 5 for more.
10/2/2021 Chirp Purchase $2.99.
Machine Guns. Murder. Mayhem.
The insurgents rule of terror is complete. They control everything. Everything except a band of patriots who want their town back.
Reclaiming their home won’t be easy. Not against overwhelming firepower. But Jack Bunker is ready. He has the skills and training to lead them in an explosive battle of survival.
Victory will come at a steep price; however, when dark secrets are revealed, exposing some while protecting others. Treachery abounds as tempers boil, romance blossoms, and codes are deciphered, leading some to make deals with the enemy to settle old scores.
For Jack Bunker, trust becomes a luxury. So does time, when the grand conspiracy finally reveals itself.
Bunker (Book 4) Lock and Load
Written by Jay J. Falconer
Read by Gary Tiedemann
Run Time 6h 45min
I wanted to listen to something fast paced and I knew I would like this series. My disappointment is it ending and I'll have to go to book 5 for more.
10/2/2021 Chirp Purchase $2.99.
Machine Guns. Murder. Mayhem.
The insurgents rule of terror is complete. They control everything. Everything except a band of patriots who want their town back.
Reclaiming their home won’t be easy. Not against overwhelming firepower. But Jack Bunker is ready. He has the skills and training to lead them in an explosive battle of survival.
Victory will come at a steep price; however, when dark secrets are revealed, exposing some while protecting others. Treachery abounds as tempers boil, romance blossoms, and codes are deciphered, leading some to make deals with the enemy to settle old scores.
For Jack Bunker, trust becomes a luxury. So does time, when the grand conspiracy finally reveals itself.
Currently Reading:
1. Kindle App on Smartphone (eBTBR)
Harvest Wishes (Starlight Inn)
by Jessica Anne Renwick
My kindle reading is still pretty slow so I am only at 35%.
Source: 6/12/22 Free on Kindle.
Click on book title for full description.
2. Audio on Smartphone (ATBR).
Christmas in Three Rivers
Written by Liz Isaacson
Narrated by Becky Doughty
I was ready for more Christmas and this adds to my Number Challenge also.
I'm enjoying the easy romances.
Source: January 2021 Chirp $.99
Publisher Description
Isn’t Christmas the best time to fall in love? The cowboys of Three Rivers Ranch think so. Join FOUR of them in this Christmas cowboy romance collection as they journey toward their path to happily ever after!
THE NINTH INNING: The Christmas season has never felt like such a burden to boutique owner Andrea Larsen. But with Mama gone and the holidays upon her, Andy finds herself wishing she hadn’t been so quick to judge her former boyfriend, cowboy Lawrence Collins. Well, Lawrence devises a plan to get her out to the ranch so they can reconnect. Do they have the faith and humility to patch things up and start a new relationship?
TEN DAYS IN TOWN: Sandy Keller is tired of the dating scene in Three Rivers. When her older brother’s best friend, Tad Jorgensen, comes to town for the holidays, it is a balm to his weary soul. A helicopter tour guide who experienced a near-death experience, he’s looking to start over too–but in Three Rivers. Can Sandy and Tad navigate their troubles to find the path God wants them to take–and discover true love–in only ten days?
ELEVEN YEAR REUNION: Pastry chef extraordinaire, Grace Lewis has moved to Three Rivers to help Heidi Ackerman open a bakery. She doesn’t expect to run into her old high school boyfriend, Jonathan Carver. But with her focus on baking and his disdain for small towns, can they make their eleven year reunion stick?
THE TWELFTH TOWN: Newscaster Taryn Tucker has had enough of life on-screen. She takes a job cleaning at Three Rivers Ranch, hoping for a chance to figure out who she is and where God wants her. When she meets happy-go-lucky cowhand Kenny Stockton, she doesn’t expect sparks to fly. Will they have the courage and faith necessary to make their opposite worlds mesh?
Christmas in Three Rivers
Written by Liz Isaacson
Narrated by Becky Doughty
I was ready for more Christmas and this adds to my Number Challenge also.
I'm enjoying the easy romances.
Source: January 2021 Chirp $.99
Publisher Description
Isn’t Christmas the best time to fall in love? The cowboys of Three Rivers Ranch think so. Join FOUR of them in this Christmas cowboy romance collection as they journey toward their path to happily ever after!
THE NINTH INNING: The Christmas season has never felt like such a burden to boutique owner Andrea Larsen. But with Mama gone and the holidays upon her, Andy finds herself wishing she hadn’t been so quick to judge her former boyfriend, cowboy Lawrence Collins. Well, Lawrence devises a plan to get her out to the ranch so they can reconnect. Do they have the faith and humility to patch things up and start a new relationship?
TEN DAYS IN TOWN: Sandy Keller is tired of the dating scene in Three Rivers. When her older brother’s best friend, Tad Jorgensen, comes to town for the holidays, it is a balm to his weary soul. A helicopter tour guide who experienced a near-death experience, he’s looking to start over too–but in Three Rivers. Can Sandy and Tad navigate their troubles to find the path God wants them to take–and discover true love–in only ten days?
ELEVEN YEAR REUNION: Pastry chef extraordinaire, Grace Lewis has moved to Three Rivers to help Heidi Ackerman open a bakery. She doesn’t expect to run into her old high school boyfriend, Jonathan Carver. But with her focus on baking and his disdain for small towns, can they make their eleven year reunion stick?
THE TWELFTH TOWN: Newscaster Taryn Tucker has had enough of life on-screen. She takes a job cleaning at Three Rivers Ranch, hoping for a chance to figure out who she is and where God wants her. When she meets happy-go-lucky cowhand Kenny Stockton, she doesn’t expect sparks to fly. Will they have the courage and faith necessary to make their opposite worlds mesh?
3. Audible on Smartphone (ATBR).
The Singularity Trap By: Dennis E. Taylor
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
I continue to work on older TBR titles. And I am alternating between my Audio libraries.
Source: 7/24/2019 Audible Daily Deal $4.95.
About This Audible Original
Dennis E. Taylor, author of the best-selling Bobiverse trilogy, explores a whole different, darker world in this sci-fi stand-alone. Determined to give his wife and children a better life back home, Ivan Pritchard ventures to the edge of known space to join the crew of the Mad Astra as an asteroid miner. He's prepared for hard work and loneliness—but not the unthinkable. After coming into contact with a mysterious alien substance, Pritchard finds an unwelcome entity sharing his mind, and a disturbing physical transformation taking place. With his very humanity at stake, Pritchard must save mankind from a full-scale interstellar war.
Brought to life by prolific, award-winning narrator Ray Porter, The Singularity Trap is a thrilling adventure rife with drama and action on a truly cosmic scale.
©2018 Dennis E. Taylor (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC. Cover illustration by Stephan Martiniere.
November 20, 2023 - I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen". I enjoyed the readings in Hebrews and am now in the instructions of James.
I enjoyed the 7 day study: The Blessing Devotional Plan.
I finished two books and posted two reviews. I am still behind with 12 reviews to post.
NETGALLEY STATUS--
I have an older audio on my shelf I should listen to soon.
I still have the two old NetGalley ebook titles.
Other Sources: I have a dozen or so books that I received from Facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests. plus many titles through InstaFreebie over the past few years.
Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
No new review titles this week.
I selected my two Audible credits this week.
I selected my two Audible credits this week.
I have six titles from the Audible Plus catalog from last week and this weekend, while choosing my 2 credits I found another 20 from my wish list! No time to list them now.
No new Kindle title this week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?
No new Kindle title this week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?
Review Titles
NONEWon
NONE
Purchased
11/18/2023 Two Audible Credits: I picked two boxed sets with new to me authors.
By: JA Andrews
Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
Series: The Keeper Chronicles, Book 1-3
Length: 46 hrs and 32 mins
By: Torsten Weitze, Tim Casey - translator
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
Series: The 13th Paladin, Book 1-3
Length: 43 hrs and 57 mins
Free
I have six titles from the Audible Plus catalog from last week and this weekend, while choosing my 2 credits I found another 20 from my wish list! No time to list them now.
No 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 November 19, 2023 - What is Your Impact?
This Sunday my son’s pastor shared about their mission trip to Kenya last month. They were equipping pastors and Sunday School teachers. The focus being on: What kind of impact will I make? And What kind of impact will the local church make?
The purpose of the missions is not about the leaders individually, but about God being glorified.
They shared the message of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-37.
1. What did you like about the lesson? (That the Samaritan helped the injured man.)
2. What didn’t you like? (How the priest and Levite walked by and didn't help.)
3. Where do you see Jesu (Jesus) in the lesson? (In the actions of the Samaritan.)
4. How can you apply the lesson in your own life? (Help others, even strangers.)
The Sunday School students were taught the “Why” of the lesson and the “How”. They use everyday items (recycling) that they have on hand.
They shared simple crafts, memory game, and things like the armor of God.
Each of the eight members of the team went off to different churches to share. This made the senior pastors a little nervous to watch their spouses go off in strange cars to places unknown. Pastor said they could either “Feed the fear or feed the faith.” So they chose to trust in God and the Bishop of the area.
We all have an impact on others. Will it be a good or bad impact? More importantly will it be the only impact that counts? An impact that is eternal for the Glory of God. Showing Christ to others. 2 Corinthians 2:15-17.
Be sincere and loving. Put the good word of God to work within yourself and share it wherever you go. We are each stinky in our sinful nature. But God in us is a good aroma. Let us have eternal impact at all levels: family, friends, school, work, and community. Personal relationship.
2 Corinthians 2:15-17 NIV
15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
Lord, let my life point to you so others see more of You and less of me.
The purpose of the missions is not about the leaders individually, but about God being glorified.
They shared the message of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-37.
1. What did you like about the lesson? (That the Samaritan helped the injured man.)
2. What didn’t you like? (How the priest and Levite walked by and didn't help.)
3. Where do you see Jesu (Jesus) in the lesson? (In the actions of the Samaritan.)
4. How can you apply the lesson in your own life? (Help others, even strangers.)
The Sunday School students were taught the “Why” of the lesson and the “How”. They use everyday items (recycling) that they have on hand.
They shared simple crafts, memory game, and things like the armor of God.
Each of the eight members of the team went off to different churches to share. This made the senior pastors a little nervous to watch their spouses go off in strange cars to places unknown. Pastor said they could either “Feed the fear or feed the faith.” So they chose to trust in God and the Bishop of the area.
We all have an impact on others. Will it be a good or bad impact? More importantly will it be the only impact that counts? An impact that is eternal for the Glory of God. Showing Christ to others. 2 Corinthians 2:15-17.
Be sincere and loving. Put the good word of God to work within yourself and share it wherever you go. We are each stinky in our sinful nature. But God in us is a good aroma. Let us have eternal impact at all levels: family, friends, school, work, and community. Personal relationship.
I like this song for today’s message: Until the Whole World Hears.
Verses for Today:2 Corinthians 2:15-17 NIV
15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
Lord, let my life point to you so others see more of You and less of me.
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Audio Book Review: Gossip and Gorgons, Book 3 of Manners and Monsters Collection by Tilly Wallace
I totally enjoy these characters and the mysteries they unravel.
#Fraterfest #7
Gossip and Gorgons, Book 3 of Manners and Monsters Collection: A Regency paranormal mystery series
by Tilly Wallace
Narrated By: Marian Hussey
Book 3 Listening length: 7 hours, 38 minutes
Total Collection Duration: 23 hours 46 minutes
Series: Manners and Monsters, Book 1-3
Release date: 03-03-21
Publisher: Tilly Wallace
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.
One look could turn you to stone...
The newly married Lord and Lady Wycliff are cordially invited to a house party--to be mocked and ridiculed as entertainment. Wycliff insists on attending to discuss business with the host, while Hannah longs to hide in the library with its rare volumes on the Fae.
Bound to Wycliff even beyond death, Hannah wonders how she will survive the week--when a guest unexpectedly expires. A notorious cad is discovered turned into a statue in the garden. The dead lord had many enemies, including Lord Wycliff.
Hannah's accord with her husband is tested when a trail of footprints leads to their window. What secret is Wycliff hiding and does he know more about the magical death than he admits? Someone among the house guests has murder on their mind and the newlyweds need to determine who, before anyone else is immortalised as stone...
Review:
Hannah is now married to the dark and dangerous Lord Wycliff. Both of them are on the fringe of society but Hannah agrees to accompany her husband to a week-long country party because Wycliff is trying to get the host (or father of the hostess to be precise) to invest in his land improvements.
Along the way to the event, Hannah is mocked by three unpleasant young men who are driven off by Lord Wycliff. She isn’t too pleased to see the three cads arrive as guests at the event. The leader of the trio is found turned to a statute in the garden. As Wycliff begins to investigate the clearly magical death, Hannah does her own investigations with the help of her mother by magical distance contact. Hannah discovers some strange foot prints outside the bedroom where she and her new husband were placed. Now she has new secrets to ferret out about her own husband as well as the murder.
I really enjoy Hannah and Wycliff with their unique paranormal elements and their slowly growing awareness and affection for each other. There is good humor mixed with the mystery and I enjoy the magical elements. I am pulled into the story and remain engaged. I plan to get the next collection soon. I recommend this to fans of Regency romance filled with magic and mystery.
Audio Notes: Marian Hussey does a lovely job with the narration. The voices are distinct and the energy and pacing add to my enjoyment of the story.
Gossip and Gorgons, Book 3 of Manners and Monsters Collection: A Regency paranormal mystery series
by Tilly Wallace
Narrated By: Marian Hussey
Book 3 Listening length: 7 hours, 38 minutes
Total Collection Duration: 23 hours 46 minutes
Series: Manners and Monsters, Book 1-3
Release date: 03-03-21
Publisher: Tilly Wallace
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.
One look could turn you to stone...
The newly married Lord and Lady Wycliff are cordially invited to a house party--to be mocked and ridiculed as entertainment. Wycliff insists on attending to discuss business with the host, while Hannah longs to hide in the library with its rare volumes on the Fae.
Bound to Wycliff even beyond death, Hannah wonders how she will survive the week--when a guest unexpectedly expires. A notorious cad is discovered turned into a statue in the garden. The dead lord had many enemies, including Lord Wycliff.
Hannah's accord with her husband is tested when a trail of footprints leads to their window. What secret is Wycliff hiding and does he know more about the magical death than he admits? Someone among the house guests has murder on their mind and the newlyweds need to determine who, before anyone else is immortalised as stone...
Review:
Hannah is now married to the dark and dangerous Lord Wycliff. Both of them are on the fringe of society but Hannah agrees to accompany her husband to a week-long country party because Wycliff is trying to get the host (or father of the hostess to be precise) to invest in his land improvements.
Along the way to the event, Hannah is mocked by three unpleasant young men who are driven off by Lord Wycliff. She isn’t too pleased to see the three cads arrive as guests at the event. The leader of the trio is found turned to a statute in the garden. As Wycliff begins to investigate the clearly magical death, Hannah does her own investigations with the help of her mother by magical distance contact. Hannah discovers some strange foot prints outside the bedroom where she and her new husband were placed. Now she has new secrets to ferret out about her own husband as well as the murder.
I really enjoy Hannah and Wycliff with their unique paranormal elements and their slowly growing awareness and affection for each other. There is good humor mixed with the mystery and I enjoy the magical elements. I am pulled into the story and remain engaged. I plan to get the next collection soon. I recommend this to fans of Regency romance filled with magic and mystery.
Audio Notes: Marian Hussey does a lovely job with the narration. The voices are distinct and the energy and pacing add to my enjoyment of the story.
Source: 11/1/2020 Audiobooks.com Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook and #Fraterfest goals.
Audio Book Review: A Death at Eastwick by L.C. Warman
I enjoyed the twists in this whodunit mystery.
Run time: 5 hours and 4 minutes
Release Date: October 23, 2019
Publisher: Greenleaf & Plympton
Genre: Mystery, Whodunit, Young Adult
My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5; Narration 3.5.
When John Eastwick, Jr.’s father dies, he finds out about one family secret that will change his life forever. But a murder the night of the memorial service raises the question—what else was his beloved father hiding?
***
21-year-old John Eastwick, Jr., has lived a charmed and cozy life. The sole heir of the Eastwick family fortune, John is on the cusp of graduating from the renowned Montvale University out east before returning home to run his family business. But in late fall of his final year, John’s father dies of heart failure. Days later, his father is named as one of the disgraced moguls who bribed John’s way into his prestigious college.
Kicked out of school, John returns home to his distraught mother at their lakeside mansion to bury his father. There, John’s world continues to crumble beneath his feet: the will that the family lawyer reads bears no resemblance to the last version that the late John Eastwick, Sr. created. In fact, John Eastwick, Sr. has divided his estate not only between his son and wife, but the family chef, their loyal lawyer, his young secretary, and his estranged brother.
John wonders, is his father trying to atone for past mistakes--and what other secrets might he be keeping?
But that night, after the reading of the will, one among the group is murdered. And John Eastwick, Jr., must not only piece together who the threat is, but also face what else his beloved father might have been hiding.
Review:
John is distressed when his father dies of heart failure, but John becomes more alarmed a few days later as a scandal unfolds claiming his father bribed John’s way into his prestigious college. John leaves his senior year to return home and deal with the gathering of his uncle, aunt and their son, and close employees who have come for the reading of the Will. The bequests are a total surprise with substantial gifts to others in addition to the widow and John Jr.
The morning after the Will is read, one of the guests is found dead. Then it is discovered that a million-dollar painting is missing. John sets out to uncover the murderer and the thieve in the group while also trying to determine other hidden secrets his father was hiding.
There are several well developed, unpleasant suspects, particularly the deceased’s estranged brother with his pretentious wife and spoiled, lazy son. Several of the employees are also surprise beneficiaries and their actions are suspect too.
Although I did enjoy the twists and turns in the plot, the story is a bit bland and at times repetitive. I wanted the scenes to move on to uncover the villain. This is a mystery for fans of the “Whodunit” genre.
Audio Notes: Brooke Myers does a fair job with the narration. The voices are distinct although the story seems “read” more than presented with energy. The audio helped move the book along for me.
Source: 3/21/2020 Chirp deal $.99. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.
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