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Monday, July 31, 2017

MBS July 2017 Reading List Wrap-Up

MBS 2017 Reading List - JULY

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2017

5 Star = Serenity Harbor; Poetry and Ponderings and Pursuit of God
  1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Avenging Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 7 by A. American; Post Apocalyptic, Survival; my rating 3.75.
  2. eNGT- Book Review: Serenity Harbor by RaeAnne Thayne; Small Town Romance; my rating 5.0.
  3. P(PUYB)- Book Review: FIFO 50 STATES by Hayley Rose; Children, Educational; my rating 4.0.
  4. eTBR- Book Review: The Detective: A Nathan McNamara Story (The Soul Summoner) by Elicia Hyder; Police Procedure; my rating 4.25.
  5. PLBC- Book Review and Giveaway: A Texan's Choice, Heart of a Hero Series #3 by Shelley Gray; Western Historical Romance, Inspirational; my rating 4.25
  6. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Days of Noah: Book One: Conspiracy by Mark Goodwin; Sci Fi, Conspiracy, Chrisitian; my rating 4.25.
  7. eNG- Book Review: Wild Horse Springs (Ransom Canyon) by Jodi Thomas; Contemporary, Small Town Romance, Mystery; my rating 4.25.
  8. ATBR- Audible Review: The Curse of Tenth Grave: A Novel by Darynda Jones; Paranormal, Mystery; my rating 4.0.
  9. PrintT- Tour Book Review: Poetry and Ponderings by Diamante Lavendar; Poetry, Inspirational; my rating 5.0.
  10. eNG- Book Review: Blink by K.L. Slater; Psychological Thriller; my rating 4.25.
  11. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Into the Black: Odyssey One by Evan Currie; Sci Fi, Space Opera, Military, First Contact; my rating 4.25.
  12. e(PUYB)- Book Review: Book Review: The Duke needs a Wife: The Belles of Bath by Katy Walters; Historical Romance, Regency; My rating 3.75.
  13. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer; Christian, Classic, Religion, Theology; my rating 5.0.
  14. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Jackaby by William Ritter; Mystery, Paranormal,Teen; my rating 4.25.
  15. eNG- Book Review: Book Review: AFTERLIFE by Marcus Sakey; Ghost, Thriller; My rating 3.75.

Total read = 15; TBR = 7; New Authors = 7
Audio/Audible = 6 (all TBRs)
eBook =  2 PUYB; 1TBR
NetGalley = 3
Print = 3

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Sunday Post July 30, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 31, 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.

All my weeks seem busy anymore. July is ending and we move into a new month. I have several weekend conferences this month so I'll be scrambling in between. I hope some of you are enjoying some vacation time before school starts for the young ones.

Reading was nice. I finished three books: two audios books and one ebook. I posted four reviews along with all of my usual memes and an extra giveaway post.

I visited 30 blogs last week.
Shout out this week is to The Literary Phoenix, new to me, with a very pretty blog.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/MP3 (TBR)


The Pursuit of God
Written by: A. W. Tozer
Narrated by: Mark Moseley
Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins
This classic fit well with our pastor teachings and the Freedom Course I have been participating in.
Click on book title for full description.



2. Audio/MP3 (TBR)


Jackaby
Written by: William Ritter
Narrated by: Nicola Barber
Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins
This was a fun listen. It is another TBR audible to serve as "J" for Alphabet Challenge.
Click on book title for full description.



3. eBook/Kindle (NG)


AFTERLIFE
by Marcus Sakey
This is a distinctly different story.
Received through NetGalley from Little Bird Publicity.
Click on book title for full description.




Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle


Jeopardy in July: A Jamie Quinn Mystery (Jamie Quinn Cozy Mystery Book 5)
by Barbara Venkataraman
I am enjoying this fun mystery 
with female attorney protagonist.
Click on book title for full description.



2. Audible/MP3 (ABJ)


Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon:
A Minnesota Mystery: Sherlock Holmes & Shadwell, Book 1
Written by: Larry Millett
Narrated by: Steve Hendrickson
Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
I am engaged in the beginning of this, loving Holmes' observations. I received the audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
In the summer of 1994, a workman at the historic mansion of railroad baron James J. Hill in St. Paul, Minnesota, stumbles on a long-hidden wall safe. When experts arrive to open the safe and examine its contents, they make an astonishing discovery. There, inside, is a handwritten manuscript bearing the signature of John H. Watson, MD. The manuscript contains the story of how Sherlock Holmes and Watson traveled to Minnesota to track a murderous arsonist - known only as the Red Demon - who is threatening both Hill and his Great Northern Railway.
Set against the backdrop of the real, devastating Hinckley forest fire of 1894, Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon is the tense and atmospheric first novel in Larry Millett's classic series of adventures that brought Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to Minnesota.
©1996 Lawrence Millett (P)2016 Audio-Visceral Productions



3. eBook/Kindle


Love Takes Two
by Patrice Moore
This is my next NetGalley title.
 I do like the cover. :-)
Single mom Molly Jenkins relocates to a small mountain town in hopes of removing her young son from bad influences. But Ken is caught in an act of vandalism on their neighbor’s ranch, and the no-nonsense owner informs Molly her son needs a man’s strong hand to keep him in line. Having been raised by a tough-to-the-point-of-cruel father, she doesn’t want her son to be guided by men like that. She believes he needs nothing more than security and lots of mother-love.

Nathan Jones knows what it’s like to be raised without a father, and he disagrees with the coddling Molly gives her son. His own upbringing led him to make some poor choices, and he wants to keep Ken from making similar mistakes. It is a complicated tangle of emotions and past hurts that prevent Molly and Nathan from agreeing, but can they come together to keep Ken from going down the wrong path…and maybe find their own path to love on the way?



4. Audible/MP3 (TBR)


The Borrowed World: A Novel of Post-Apocalyptic Collapse, Volume 1
Written by: Franklin Horton
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
This is from my Audible TBR for Alphabet "B".
Publisher's Summary
In a night of devastating terror, ISIS operatives have unleashed a coordinated attack on America's infrastructure. Life as we know it in America grinds to a halt as the electrical grid collapses, communication networks are damaged, critical bridges and dams are destroyed, and major fuel refineries go up in massive fiery clouds. When the government responds by immediately halting fuel sales to the public, Jim Powell finds himself in a terrifying predicament - trapped five hundred miles from home with a group of coworkers.
With thousands of trapped travelers and scarce law enforcement, the miles between Jim and his family become a brutal gauntlet where the rules of civilized society no longer apply. As Jim puts his years of preparation and planning to the test, he is forced to ask himself if he has what it takes to make it home. Does he have the strength - the brutality - required to meet this new world toe-to-toe?
©2015 Franklin Horton (P)2015 Franklin Horton



July 30, 2017 - I am still half a day ahead 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 three books and posted four reviews. That brings me to three current reviews and one for September release. I am behind adding my latest reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. I just keep trying to add several each week to get caught up.
I am down to 5 NetGalley titles (but eyeing new ones) and still 8 author titles in my queue.


We're working on two fiction books soon to add to 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 Audio review book.
I made it to 93% at NetGalley so I am looking at titles to request soon.
I purchased one $.99 Kindle title.
As usual, I picked up lots more free kindle titles as usual. (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
I received the audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox
Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon: A Minnesota Mystery
By: Larry Millett
Narrator: Steve Hendrickson
Duration: 9 hrs and 35 mins
See full description above under Current Reading.


Won
NONE

Purchased
No new Audible books this week.
I spotted this 5 starred box set on Kindle for $.99:
 
The Traveler Series: A Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian Adventure: Books 1-3
by Tom Abrahams




Free
I picked up Week Fourteen SYNC Audio titles:
AIRBORN by Kenneth Oppel, Narrated by David Kelly (Full Cast Audio)
SHADOWS ON THE MOON by Zoe Marriott, Narrated by Amy Rubinate (Brilliance Audio)

I wanted to share lots more but I settled on these five of my Free Kindle Picks: (the last three, with lovely covers, may still be free)

New World Rising: Book One in a Young Adult Dystopian Series
by Jennifer Wilson (discovered last week through Savvy Verse and Wit.)







Hollyhock Ridge (Rose Hill Mystery Series Book 7)
Pamela Grandstaff



Honor & Roses: A Medieval Romance
(Swordcross Knights Book 1)
by Elizabeth Cole


The Chocolate Garden (Dare River Book 2)
by Ava Miles



I added 80 (ouch again!) 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 July 30, 2017

We prayed for friends who had surgery and losses. We also gave thanks for doctors and freedoms. Our substitute Sunday School teacher continued the last two weeks of messages on self-control and love.

Pastor continued the series on Dangerous. Last week’s dangerous prayer was “search me”, this week’s dangerous prayer is “use me”. This is another prayer that can be risky. When we pray this prayer we shouldn’t be surprised if God will stretch us, as He often does. He often moves us outside of our comfort zone. Start each day with "use me". The book of Acts shares how the disciples allowed God to use them with action: first “Stay and wait for power”. Second, “Go with the message of good news”.

Acts 17:28 says “For in him we live and move and exist…”. That is the correct statement. It is not “for me, He lives and moves and exists”. Our lives are to be lived for God. Whatever skills He has given us, we are to use well for His glory. Romans 12:13-16; Philippians 2:12-17.

The Point: The reason for our daily existence is to be used by God. So pray...
Use Me.


God has trouble using us when our lives are crowded by appointments, activities or sins. We are told to keep ourselves pure as a special utensil, so we will be ready for God to use for His good work. 2 Timothy 2:19-26. We can be an instrument of honor or dishonor.

What is standing in the way of allowing God to use you? This is not a church thing but an individual thing. We should pray for God to “Use me” in my family, my work, with my friends. Is it true in your life? Can you say of yourself: “In Him I live and move and exist”?

Write USE ME on a blank piece of paper; then journal each day how He uses you. And if you are not used, ask “Why didn't use me?”

This is a good song. If you go to the link you can see the words.
Verses for Today:
2 Timothy 2:21 NIV
21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.


Lord thank you for the skills that you have blessed me with. Help me pray each morning: “use me” then use the skills You gave to further Your kingdom.

Related image

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Sharing Beyond Books #313 Comment Giveaway July 29, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Seven commenters believe in love at first sight and three are open to the idea. Five believe in instant attraction but that it takes time for true love to grow. One person does not believe in love at first sight.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #312 comments is: #7 RITA who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #313
(One Question.)

My question asks: What cover images get you to look twice??
My eyes get caught by animals of many kinds: dogs, cats, horses, birds, and dragons for starters. Also, I take a second look at clockwork/cyber creations, space, planets and spaceships. I don't like 'bodice ripper' covers.
Related image
Image found at Pinterest saved from mycoverpoint.com.

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.
The commenters for July were: Miki, MaryP, Poetryinleaves and Natalija. Random.org chose 1 so MIKI gets a GC.

Your turn to share. My question asks: What cover images get you to look twice??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

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 August 5, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: The Duke needs a Wife: The Belles of Bath by Katy Walters

This steamy regency romance has a decent plot and reads easily.
The Duke needs a Wife: The Belles of Bath
by Katy Walters
File Size: 4292 KB
Print Length: 188 pages
Publisher: Rucrofts Publishing.; 2 edition (April 22, 2017)
ASIN: B0713NVHR2
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0


On the untimely demise of her parents, Miss Cassandra Whitney endures abject poverty raising her siblings. She faces further torment as her landlord, the odious Baron Scudder, threatens her with eviction, if she refuses to assent to his offer of marriage to her younger sister Belle. As Cassandra fights to save her family, she inherits a titled estate and a ruin of a castle.
News of Casandra’s inheritance travels fast, reaching the highest circles in the ton. The Dowager Duchess of Taunton immediately sees her as a worthy match for her son Maximillian the 6th Duke of Taunton a renowned rakehell. The dowager also plans to take control over the castle which would be a prestigious venue for her many balls and hunting weekends. However, neither Cassandra nor Maximillian has any desire to wed. The Duke is more than inclined to enjoy his various mistresses without the entanglement of matrimony; besides his time is mainly caught up with horses, gaming and his club. What with her siblings, the estate and a ruin of a castle to renovate Cassandra could not possibly entertain the idea of courtship.
Both did not anticipate the manipulative powers of the dowager who slyly arranges a meeting between them.
On seeing Cassandra, Max is suitably impressed with her wit and ironic humour. Already tiring of one of his mistresses, she would be a welcome replacement. Although charmed with his handsome looks and seductive overtures, Cassandra puts him firmly in his place.
Can Cassandra resist the devilish overtures of the Duke and the devious ploys of the dowager?


Review:
This regency is a bit racier than I like. Cassandra is a lovely character but Max is a gritty rake.
Cassandra and her siblings are barely making ends meet after their parents have both died. The greedy, loathsome nobleman who owns their humble home is insistent on marrying Cassandra’s beautiful sister, Belle. Belle has no interest in Baron Scudder as she is affianced to her childhood sweetheart, Jack, one of the farmers. Cassie inherits a castle and determines that many of the ill-treated famer tenants and villages should move to the castle to help her set up house and estate, leaving a furious Baron behind.

Maximillian, the 6th Duke of Taunton, is a renowned rakehell with multiple mistresses and no interest in finding a wife. His mother, The Dowager Duchess of Taunton, thinks it’s time for Max to take a wife and she thinks a humble young lady who has inherited a historic castle would make a perfect bride. Particularly since the Dowager wants to get control of the castle so she can invite and impress her ton friends. The Dowager connives to have Max travel with her to the castle where she invites herself, and entourage, to stay.

Max and Cassie can see the machinations of the Dowager but they are hard pressed to stay out of her way. Although Cassie hadn’t planned to marry as she describes herself as a “butterball”. Max finds her voluptuous curves enticing. Although he is crude and aggressive, he has promised not to take Cassie’s virginity until she asks him.

Max and Cassie grow in friendship as they work together to renovate the castle. But Baron Scudder is still chasing Belle and objecting to the removal of the farmers and villagers. This creates danger and tension that puts Max in the position to protect Cassie and her sister.

Although Cassie is immediately likeable, I can’t say the same for Max. Max is introduced as a crass, almost vulgar, womanizer. I’ve read many historical romances with rakehells and I prefer those who still show a sense of gentlemanliness, especially around innocents. Other than the crass attitude and steamy interludes, the plot, with interfering mother and revengeful suitor, is reasonable and engaging. Although this is more gritty than I like for this genre, those who like steamy regencies might want to try this.

I received this from Pump Up Your Book Campaign for review.

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