Sunday Post September 25, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 26, 2016

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

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 continue to play catch up at work. I sorted all my files and updated my to-do list as I cleared my desk Saturday before the cleaning crew comes in.
Hubby is still frustrated by see-sawing blood pressure, but he is doing his exercises. I did them with him on Saturday. :-)

I enjoyed my reads/listening this week. Don't know why I have only been getting two books finished instead of three but that's okay. I finished one print and one audio book; I am half way through another audio book and an ebook. I posted three reviews and the usual memes.

I did get to visit mid week but still not as much as I wanted.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post September 18, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 19, 2016.

• Audiobook Review: Mistletoe Mayhem: Dawson Chronicles, Book 1 by Linda Bridey; Historical Romance; my rating 3.75.

• Book Review: FRIENDS OF THE WIGWAM: A Civil War Story by John William Huelskamp; Historical Fiction, Civil War; my rating 4.75.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 23, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 9/29/2016.

• Audible Book Review: Grave Surprise: Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 2 by Charlaine Harris; Mystery, Paranormal; my rating 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #271 Comment Giveaway September 24, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/1/2016.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 25, 2016.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Author)

The Forever Gate Book One 
by Isaac Hooke
I liked this intro and am glad I have the next to read soon. I received this title and others from the author for an honest review.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (ABJ)

Haraken: A Silver Ships Novel
By: S. H. Jucha
Read by: Grover Gardner
Series: The Silver Ships Series, book 4
This is very engaging - I really liked the characters!
I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Author)

The Captive Heart
by Michelle Griep
I am really enjoying this. I am at 50%.
I received this through NetGalley; it releases 10/1/16 so I plan to post the review later this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Kiss an Angel
Written by: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Narrated by: Anna Fields
This is charming.
I added this to my Audible library in 2012.
I am reading it for TBR and Audio "K" in Alphabet Challenge.
Publisher's Summary
Arranged marriages seldom happen in modern America, so Daisy Devreaux hates her father's ultimatum: marry the humorless man he has picked for her, or go to jail. It's not much of a deal for Alex Markov, the prospective groom, either. He's got no time to indulge an uptown girl.
So Alex puts Daisy to work in his traveling circus, expecting the harsh realities will break her. Instead, he finds she's got heart enough for both of them.
©1996 Susan Elizabeth Phillips; (P)1996 Books on Tape

3. Print/ebook (Ladies Book Club)

Simple Deceit: A Mennonite Community's Way of Life Is Threatened by Outsiders (The Harmony Series Book 2)
by Nancy Mehl
I had fun buying new books for my Ladies Book Club.
This is the first one we are reading for October 1.
In the sequel to Simple Secrets, watch how a raging current of deceit runs through the once peaceful Mennonite community of Harmony, Kansas. As soon as Gracie decides to stay in town and take freelance work involving a local land developer, the townspeople blame her for bringing on this change that could ruin life as they know it. Gracie’s motives in romance with Sam, in helping an oppressed teenager, and in trying to make a living are all suddenly drawing suspicion. Should she leave or stay and fight for what she has come to love?

I will no doubt start another audio before the week is out but I haven't decided what yet.

September 4, 2016 - I am back up to date with Reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I will also be listening (sometimes) to the companion commentary online.

I posted three reviews which brings me right up to date; two for this week so far. 

I am still accepting new audio titles as I can always squeeze listening in!
I continue reading author titles. I will pull another from the list of six next week.
My NetGalley shelf is down to three.
I got to listen to a couple of my TBRs even though I didn't get to pull any from ebooks.
I am planning/hoping to get to TBRs for November when I will participate in Sci Fi Month.

We continue to add upcoming releases at eTreasure's NetGalley page.
This title is now available at NetGalley:
 As A God
T. G. Shepherd

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: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I have more review requests to look at.
I shopped for Ladies Book Club and received boxes all week long which was great fun.
I will add the titles as I pull them for our monthly reading. The first is listed this week.
Again, I didn't purchase any kindle titles but picked up the usual healthy number of free kindle titles.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

Simple Deceit: A Mennonite Community's Way of Life Is Threatened by Outsiders (The Harmony Series Book 2)
by Nancy Mehl
For more info see above under Current Reading.

I currently have 5 books in my Audible cart that I am thinking to purchase on sale.
The total will be under $20.00 and I am very tempted.

Free

I again added 50 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement September 25, 2016

We had a good Sunday morning. Out substitute Sunday school teacher discussed some end time matters. I have some good notes to share on this another day.


Our Pastor concluded his BE series with: BE the Church!
Games sometimes lose the original “intention”, just like life. The cares of this world can be overwhelming. We have all these issues: health, finances, home and contents, vehicles, work, relationships with family, co-workers and friends are just the beginning. The church can get distracted from its mission too.

Do we understand ‘Who is the church’? Every Christ follower is the church. The church is not a place (building) where we go. It is who we are.

The Point: I am the church. My life’s mission and the church’s mission are not different; they are the same.

We should not have the attitude that we ‘deserve it your way, right away’. Paul explained in Philippians 2:1-11 that Christ gave up His divinity and humbled Himself to suffer the lowest death of a criminal. Jesus didn’t live to rule the world; He lived and died to save the world. He told His followers to go out and build the church. Matthew 28:19.

'Winning' in church sometimes becomes distorted. It is not an issue of “how large is your church”. The goal is to change the population between heaven and hell. We are to bring freedom to the lost; to bring them to the level ground at the foot of the cross.

Pastor exhorted us to remember and pursue the Assemblies of God mission statement:
1. Evangelize the world
2. Worship God
3. Disciple believers (train and build the body)
4. Show compassion (God’s love)

This is a praise song we sang this morning and it fits.

A Verse for Today:
Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Lord, I pray, please help me to stay on track with the right mission; Your mission.

Sharing Beyond Books #271 Comment Giveaway September 24, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Ten commenters are not bothered by swearing especially if it fits the situation. Six of us are not fans of swearing. We might read some but are apt to stop reading if the swearing is excessive.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #270 comments is: #14 Nikki who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. [I'm hoping to update the book choices - maybe the beginning of next year, lol.] Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #271

(One Question.)

Rubynreba asks: If you have pets do they sit with you when you read or when you are on the computer??

I have a cat and two dogs. The dachshund is a kisser, not a cuddler, so he rarely sits or sleeps anywhere but at our feet. The rat terrier will lay with me sometimes while I read. But the one who is most likely to interrupt me while reading is the cat. She also loves to walk around the computer while I am typing!

Image Found at The Dodo.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.
Questions for September were provided by: Miki, MaryP, Natalija and Rubynreba. Random.org chose 2 so MaryP gets a GC.

Your turn to share: Rubynreba asks: If you have pets do they sit with you when you read or when you are on the computer??
SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday October 1, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Grave Surprise: Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 2 by Charlaine Harris

This is an engaging mystery and easy listen
Grave Surprise: Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 2
Written by: Charlaine Harris
Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan

Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
Series: Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:07-18-07
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Twenty-something Harper Connelly has a gift. After being struck by lighting as a child, she discovered an eerie ability to locate the deceased.
In Memphis, skeptical Professor Nunley wants her to demonstrate her skill at an ancient cemetery. There, Harper stands atop a grave and says there are two bodies entombed: one centuries old, but the other, a young girl named Tabitha.
Her assertion holds water. Tabitha has been missing for two years - and now the police are suspicious of Harper. So with her loyal stepbrother, Tolliver, Harper begins to amass clues that will solve the case.
©2006 Charlaine Harris Inc; (P)2007 Recorded Books

Review:
Harper Connelly was struck by lightning as a child and survived with a special ‘gift’. She can locate the dead by feel of the ground or burial spot and she can identify the cause of death – natural or unnatural. She might be able to say how a victim died but that doesn’t tell her who perpetrated the murder. Although it isn’t easy, her skills provide a career in which she is aided by her loyal stepbrother Tolliver.

Harper is challenged by a jeering college professor to show her skills to his special class. The professor becomes angry and the class is surprised as Harper successfully identifies one death after another in the old Memphis cemetery. Then Harper is shocked when she stands on a grave that reveals a child she was seeking a year before. Harper had been engaged by the parents to find the missing little girl but with few clues she was unsuccessful.

Harper and Tolliver have to deal with local and FBI authorities who look suspect at them. They also have to meet with the family members who have a range of reactions to the discovery of the body. Harper has to dig through the clues to find out how the child was buried in a different city and why events were manipulated so that she would find the body.

I liked the thought processes shared for Harper who is a well-developed, engaging character. Her relationship with her stepbrother, already an important element which affects them both, appears to be poised for a change. The skeptics are fully represented and the suspects are lined up as Ms. Harris skillfully lays out the clues to the mystery. This is different than the Sookie Stackhouse series but enjoyable for the mystery and psychic elements. 

This was an easy, fairly quick listen. I would read more in this series. It was very enjoyable and I recommend it to mystery lovers who enjoy a touch of psychic with their clues.

Audio Notes: It took me a little time to get used to the narration by Alyssa Bresnahan. It seemed rather low-key initially but as it proceeded I felt the voices and subdued tone fit the spooky elements of the story. I was glad to have this in audio format for quick reading/listening.

This is from my Audible Library - 2012. This qualifies for my TBR and Audio Challenges and "G" in Alphabet Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 23, 2016

Happy Friday!
Another week slides by...Whoa! I missed the first day of Autumn!
Hubby is doing better although they (nurses, PT and Dr) are still trying to stabilize blood pressure and dizziness. He did well this week with PT.
I continue to dig through the files at work.
Last week my camera was at work but I worked from home on Saturday.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the September 16 Pick. This week there were no automatic wins again. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no titles blocked either.
AUTO: none

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from September 16 Pick:
Di The Wedding Night (only)

Janhvi gets a GC

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

And I like to breathe deeply!
Image found at Pinterest Sfichtelberg Quotes.

New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
PAIRS:
Into the Night (book 5) and Gone too Far (book 6) by Suzanne Brockmann
The Wedding Night of an English Rogue: A Novel (A Boscastle Affairs Novel Book 3)
The Wicked Games of a Gentleman: A Novel (A Boscastle Affairs Novel Book 4) by Jillian Hunter
SINGLES:
*Bloodstone by Lynn Benedict (1973 - yellowed)
*The Brittany Stones by Lynna Cooper (1974 - yellowed; corner of cover cut)
Her Scoundrel by Geralyn Dawson
In Search of Lucy: A Novel by Lia Fairchild
No Place for a Lady by Katherine Greyle
Wicked by Beth Henderson
To Die For: A Novel (Blair Mallory Book 1) by Linda Howard
The Inheritance by Joan Johnston
A Dark Champion by Kinley MacGregor
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Mysterious: The Right Path / This Magic Moment / The Search for Love by Nora Roberts (2008)
The Spitfire by Bertrice Small


New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016

(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
Sandra Brown: Above and Beyond and Honor Bound (my copy is 1986 edition with a different cover
Joan Johnston: Faron & Garth: The Cowboy and the Princess / The Wrangler and the Rich Girl and Sweetwater Seduction
SINGLES:
Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews (new- hardcover)
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
*Witch’s Hammer by Caroline Farr (a 1967 yellowed pages - different cover)
*Mistress of Mount Fair by Jane Gordon
Once an Angel by Tammy Hilz
Bound By Temptation by Lavinia Kent
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
On Fire by Carla Neggers (1999 version with different cover)
Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Waiting for Nick & Considering Kate by Nora Roberts
*She Came Back by Patricia Wentworth (1981 yellowed pages)
Freedom's Stand by J. M. Windle


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

SINGLES:
A Dangerous Fancy by Tracy Cozzens
The Champion by Heather Grothaus
So Wild A Kiss by Nancy Richards-Akers


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016

SINGLES:
Short Straw (Ed Eagle Novel) by Stuart Woods Hardcover
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
N is for noose by Sue Grafton -Cassettes
Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF by April Winchell


New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016

SINGLES:
Wayward Winds by Michael Phillips - Audio Tapes

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015
All Gone

New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015
After I noticed the trend I went on a hunt for “bride” titles. I even pulled a couple from some of my long time collections(*). (But they are not getting read on my shelves.)

SINGLES:
Bride of Lochbarr by Margaret Moore (*)
The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens (*)
A Necessary Bride by Debra Mullins
Border Bride by Deborah Hale

New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

Shannon Drake –  Realm of Shadows (Alliance Vampires#4) 
SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)


New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015
A few more summer titles, historicals and mysteries!

SINGLES:
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone


New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes


BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Commander by Kate Bridges
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser


If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost six years I have posted 62 groups of 16 (992) books to find new homes! (as of November 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 998+ books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!