Clean Sweep ARC Reading Challenge May 2017 Wrap-up

Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer hosts this much needed challenge.

The idea is to gather your ARCs, finished and gifted copies from publishers, NetGalley, Edelweiss and authors and join in for the fifth annual Clean Sweep ARC Challenge.  There is a Twitter party and participant giveaways. The Challenge runs from May 1 to May 31st.

I completed 13 ARCs for the month but still have plenty! challenge.

The rules and Link Up can be found HERE.
The participation Rafflecopter can be found HERE.

My goal was at least 10 ARC/review books for the month; I exceeded this goal.

Here are the ARCs I read in May (12 total - 4 from NetGalley only, 5 from Tour, and 3 from Authors):

1. eNGTBR- Book Review: Bookburners by Max Gladstone, Mur Lafferty, Brian Francis Slattery, Margaret Dunlap; Urban Fantasy; my rating: 4.25.
2. eATBR- Book Review: From Afar by Roger Thomas; Inspirational, Religious; my rating 5.0.
3. eTour- Book Review and Feature: Desert Melody by Laura Evans Serena; Metaphysical, Romance, Sci Fi; my rating: 4.0.
4. ATour- Audio Book Review, Feature and Tour Giveaway: Old Loves Die Hard by Lauren Carr; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.0. Open Worldwide. Ending 7/22/2017.
5. ATour- Audio Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Dead on Ice by Lauren Carr; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.25. Open Worldwide. Ending 7/22/2017.
6. eATBR- Book Review: Best Kind of Love by Rebecca Talley; Reunion Romance; my rating: 4.25.
7. eATBR- Book Review: Death Unmasked by Rick Sulik; Mystery, Police Procedure, Romance; my rating: 4.25.
To be linked!
8. eNG- Little Detectives At School A LOOK and FIND Book by Sonia Baretti
9. eNG- The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires (Author, Illustrator)
10. eNG- We're Going to the Beach (Let's Go Picture Books) by Nancy Streza (Author), Adam Pryce (Illustrator)
11. eNGTour- Horizon by Tabitha Lord
12. ATour- Shadow Sight: Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective Series Written by: E. J. Stevens, Narrated by: Traci Odom

Audible Book Review: One Dog Night by David Rosenfelt

Every time I listen to one of these I remember how much I like this series!

One Dog Night

Written by: David Rosenfelt

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Series: Andy Carpenter, Book 9

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:07-22-11

Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Genre: Mystery, Legal Procedures

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

For six years Noah Galloway has lived with a horrible secret and the fear that his rebuilt life could be shattered at any moment. Now his dread has become a certainty, and he has been arrested for the arson murder of 26 people.

David Rosenfelt, a native of Paterson, New Jersey, is a graduate of NYU. He was the former marketing president for Tri-Star Pictures before becoming a writer of novels and screenplays. He currently lives in Southern California with his wife and 35 dogs.

Grover Gardner, a Washington, DC.-based actor, director and audiobook narrator, has been a member of the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, as well as Resident Director at Everyman Theatre in Baltimore.

©2011 David Rosenfelt (P)2011 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Review:
Andy Carpenter is a wealthy lawyer who doesn’t like to work. Although an excellent and winning defense lawyer, he takes cases only when circumstances compel him to. Often those compelling circumstances include a dog. Andy has a rescued golden retriever, Tara, and is co-owner of a dog rescue shelter which is primaryly operated by a friend and former client.

Andy is currently in his usual non-working status when a young woman approaches him. She has come to ask him to defend her husband, Noah, who has been accused of setting a fire six years earlier in which 26 people were killed. Andy questions why he should talk to her husband, much less represent him. The response is surprising and gets Andy to the first interview. What he learns after that keeps him on the case in spite of seemingly overwhelming circumstantial evidence and the fact that Noah initially believes himself guilty.

Bit by bit Andy and his team begin to uncover clues that support Noah’s innocence. The team includes a former police officer turned private investigator, Lori, who is also Andy’s love; a giant-sized muscle man, Marcus; a brilliant but negatively critical lawyer, Hike; and a computer/financial wizard, Sam. This time Sam engages the help of his senior’s computer class to help track the phone connections and the money. And of course, Tara who serves as a walking sounding board when not ferreting out actual clues.

Andy doesn’t have to prove who set the fire to win the case. But he does have to pull together the pieces of an alternate theory so he can create reasonable doubt in the mind of the jurors. It is a bonus if (like Perry Mason stories of old) he can expose the true culprit. Andy knows he is on the right track as possible leads and witnesses turn up dead before he can secure their stories, much less their testimony.

As the tidbits of facts are woven together, Andy’s team uncover a blackmailing scheme and connections to a terrorist cell that must be stopped. There is a last-minute rush to stop the terrorists even if security reasons might keep the FBI from using the details to convince the Judge to stop Noah's trial.

I love the wonderfully crafted plot and the self deprecating humor in this legal mystery series. It is great to read/listen as Andy skillfully cross examines the witnesses trying to create a reasonable doubt. He begins to put together the puzzle pieces of facts that reveal the true motive for the arson. It takes attention to detail to connect the dots in this twisted chain of events that involves elements dating back over six years. I highly recommend this series to readers who love tales of solid mystery and legal procedure.

Audio Notes: Grover Gardner is “the voice” of this series. He successfully presents the voices and personalities for each of the characters. His methodical narration contributes to the wry humor that flows through the story. I love listening to this series!

This is from my Audible TBR shelf. It qualifies for Audio Book Challenge, Mount TBR and “O” in Alphabet Soup Challenge.

Thank You to All Who Serve - God Bless the USA

Sunday Post May 28, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 29, 2017.

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.

We are working hard helping our son and d-i-l move to the new house. Our son had co-workers help bring the big things in two trips on Saturday in a rented truck. We have also made many car trips with the last of the bigger items brought in the truck today. I have spent a lot of time watching the kids so mom and dad could pack, move and unpack. I have been reading many children's titles!

I got some reading of my own done, finishing one ebook and one audio book in addition to many children's books. I posted four reviews and all of my usual memes.

I visited about 27 blogs last week.
No shout out this week - I was focused on Books That Caught Our Eye and not exploring since I've had limited internet.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post May 21, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 22, 2017.

• ATour- Audio Book Review, Feature and Tour Giveaway: Old Loves Die Hard by Lauren Carr; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.0. Open Worldwide. Ending 7/22/2017.

• Interview with Narrator James C. Lewis

• ATour- Audio Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Dead on Ice by Lauren Carr; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.25. Open Worldwide. Ending 7/22/2017.

• eATBR- Book Review: Best Kind of Love by Rebecca Talley; Reunion Romance; my rating: 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 26, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/1/2017.

• eATBR- Book Review: Death Unmasked by Rick Sulik; Mystery, Police Procedure, Romance; my rating: 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #304 Comment Giveaway May 27, 2017. Open Worldwide, Ending 6/3/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 28, 2017.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Little Detectives At School
A LOOK and FIND Book
by Sonia Baretti
I picked this up at NetGalley
to read with our "SweetPea".
We both had fun finding the objects.
Description
Take out your magnifying glass and have fun searching for objects scattered around the school. Have you seen the paintbrushes in the classroom? Can you spot the caterpillar in the schoolyard? How about the cactus in the lunchroom? There are so many things to see! The book contains vibrant scenes, each bursting with colorful creatures and objects. An illustrated list at the bottom of the page indicates the objects to find so that even little ones car join in the fun—no reading required! LOOK and FIND books help little detectives develop their vocabulary and sharpen their observation skills.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

The Most Magnificent Thing
by Ashley Spires (Author, Illustrator)
"SweetPea" said she had read this as school but we enjoyed it together.
A little girl and her canine assistant set out to make the most magnificent thing. But after much hard work, the end result is not what the girl had in mind. Frustrated, she quits. Her assistant suggests a long walk, and as they walk, it slowly becomes clear what the girl needs to do to succeed. A charming story that will give kids the most magnificent thing: perspective!

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

We're Going to the Beach
(Let's Go Picture Books)
by Nancy Streza (Author), Adam Pryce (Illustrator)
I sang this one and I think even the twins
(sort of) liked it!
A sing-along-story set to the cadence of The Farmer in the Dell, featuring waves, crabs and lots of beachy fun!
It’s time to go to the beach, but what will we do there? Toddlers and preschoolers will love the rhythmic and repetitive text which can be read or sung.

4. eBook/Kindle (iRead Book Tour)

Horizon
by Tabitha Lord
This is interesting and engaging.
iRead Book Tours review date May 31.
Click on book title for full description.

5. Audible/mp3 (Author tour)

Shadow Sight: Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective Series
Written by: E. J. Stevens
Narrated by: Traci Odom
I enjoyed getting the intro to this series.
I received this from the Author.
Click on book title for full description.

These are children books read this week. I will link them through Goodreads after I get home.
These books were from SweetPea’s shelves:
6. Jake and The Neverland Pirates (a repeat)
7. Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
8. Joey Goat by Barbara deRubertis
9. The Magic School Bus Gets Cleaned Up – Scholastic
10. The Going To Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
11. Zou Bakes a Cake from Chick-Fil-a
12. The Puppy Nobody Wanted (Pound Puppies (Big Little Golden Books))

I downloaded several Children’s books from my Kindle library. We read two of those so far:
13. Bear Learns to Share (Fun Rhyming Children's Books) by Lily Lexington
14. A to Z of Silly Animals - The Best Selling Illustrated Children's Book for All Ages by Sprogling

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

The Invisible City (The Stolen Future Trilogy Book 1)
by Brian K. Lowe
I am really enjoying this sci fi adventure.
I received this in 2016 through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/mp3 (TBR)

Finding Dory
Written by: Disney Press
Narrated by: Adam Verner
Length: 2 hrs and 38 mins
Series: Finding Nemo, Book 2
I started listening to this with Sweet Pea on the computer. She has borrowed my MP3 so she is now ahead of me.
Disney-Pixar's Finding Dory reunites everyone's favorite forgetful blue tang, Dory, with her friends, Nemo and Marlin, on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale?

3. Audio/mp3 (ABB)

Quest of the Dreamwalker: The Corthan Legacy, Book 1
Written by: Stacy Bennett
Narrated by: Zachary Johnson
Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
I'll just be starting this - it sounded good.
I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom.
Publisher's Summary
Cara has been a prisoner all her life, shackled by a broken soul and fear of her father's temper. When a mercenary captain is taken prisoner, he sparks something in her she doesn't recognize - rebellion. Determined to save the captain's life, she flees with him intent on leaving her past behind. It isn't love that drives her father's zealous pursuit, but a hidden magical birthright she never knew about. Now she must solve the puzzle of her past before her father kills everyone she loves in his bid to reclaim her.
©2016 Stacy Bennett (P)2017 Miramae Press

May 28, 2017 - I am up to date in the One Year Bible; reading along with my husband and others from our church. I hope to take more time this year, staying on the day and listening to the companion commentary online.

Some of my reading time is going to a Wednesday night study we are doing called Freedom Course.

I completed five review books and posted four reviews; this means I have six reviews current and one for later release. Plus I will list the others at Goodreads if not on the blog.
I am back to 11 NetGalley Titles and still at 10 author titles in my queue.

We're working on a children's story for next upload at eTreasure's NetGalley page.

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 (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I received one Audiobook from ABB to review, and I picked up three NetGalley titles this week to read with our granddaughter.
I picked up two Audible Daily Deals and purchased two Audible with my subscription.
I picked up more free kindle titles again. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Quest of the Dreamwalker: The Corthan Legacy, Book 1
See full detail above under Currently Reading.
This sounds like a creative storyline.



From NetGalley (more detail is listed above under Finished Reading for these three):
Little Detectives At School, A LOOK and FIND Book
by Sonia Baretti

 
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires (Author, Illustrator)

We're Going to the Beach (Let's Go Picture Books)
by Nancy Streza (Author), Adam Pryce (Illustrator)

Won

NONE

Purchased

I selected my two Audibles for April and picked up two Audible Daily Deals but I have four credits I can pick soon.
April Selections:
I like the sound of this.
Cloak of the Light: Wars of the Realm, Book 1
Written by: Chuck Black
Narrated by: Michael Orenstein , Katie Leigh
Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
Series: Wars of the Realm, Book 1
"What if...there was a world beyond our vision, a world just fingertips beyond our reach? What if...our world wasn't beyond their influence?"

I have to admit - the cover image caught my attention on this one.
Cartwright's Cavaliers
By: Mark Wandrey
Narrator: Craig L. Good
Duration: 12 hrs and 41 mins

These were the two Daily Deals:
I picked up this Vintage Classic Sci Fi for $3.95.
A Canticle for Leibowitz
By: Walter M. Miller
Narrator: Tom Weiner
Duration: 10 hrs and 59 mins
"Seriously funny, stunning, tragic, eternally fresh, imaginative, and altogether remarkable, A Canticle for Leibowitz retains its ability to enthrall and amaze."

This has been in my Wishlist so I thought it was good to get at $2.95.
NPCs
By: Drew Hayes
Narrator: Roger Wayne
Duration: 7 hrs and 50 mins
"They keep the world running, the food cooked, and the horses shoed, yet what adventurer has ever spared a thought or concern for the Non-Player Characters?"

Free

I picked up Week five SYNC Audio titles:
FREAKLING by Lana Krumwiede, Narrated by Nick Podehl (Brilliance Audio)
BOY by Anna Ziegler, Performed by Sarah Drew, John Getz, Travis Johns, Amy Pietz, and Bobby Steggert (L.A. Theatre Works)

I added 44 free Kindle titles to my library this week. 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 May 28, 2017

The week after Easter our Sunday School teacher shared a message titled: RESURRECTION TO RESURRECTION. He noted that he recently realized the importance of the miracle that Jesus performed in raising Lazarus from the grave. The story of Lazarus dying and being raised from the grave is in John 11.

When a messenger came to tell Jesus that his good friend Lazarus was sick, Jesus did not go right away to heal him as they expected he would and knew that he could. Instead Jesus waiting, saying "This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it."

Some may have thought Jesus erred when they learned that in fact Lazarus did die. But Jesus meant it was not a final death. The last portion of the scripture is basically revealing that this miracle would be THE miracle that would glorify God like no other miracle that Jesus had performed before now. And, by it bringing that glory to God, the Father, it would set the stage for "the Son of God to be glorified by it."

One thing that is important to remember here is that this miracle happened in Winter and the Crucifixion happened the next Spring. The miracle happened a few weeks before Jesus ‘set his face towards Jerusalem’. At John 11:14-15 Jesus tells those surrounding him: “…, ‘Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I'm glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe.’"

Reading on to verses 47-52 we see that many believed in Jesus and even the Pharisees were afraid that “everyone will believe in him. Even the high priest prophesied of his death for the entire nation. John 11: 51.

The reason that Jesus had delayed coming to help Lazarus was for the purpose of proving to the Jews who He truly was. He had raised others from the dead but we have no record of Him
raising someone who had been dead for four days and already in a tomb. This single miracle is what set the stage for the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.

Many of those who believed followed Jesus and welcomed him with the palm branches and shouts of Hosanna as he came into Jerusalem. It was because of this miracle of Lazarus being raised that caused the people who had heard about to look for Him and to meet Him as He entered the city and to proclaim Him as their King.

Jesus was not the earthly King as they expected… but He knew the sacrifice He was prepared to give was for the Kingdom. The death and resurrection of Jesus was orchestrated by Himself and it began with the resurrection of His good friend Lazarus.

I like this song as it reminds us that Christ is more than we expect... 

More Than You Think I Am

Verses for Today: 
John 11:40-42
40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.”