Sunday Post August 13, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 14, 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.

Work was busy; nothing new there. I left Friday night to meet my DH in Mexico Beach where he took the RV so daughter could bring the grand-kids for a mystery ride and surprise weekend at the beach. I went to the beach (for an hour) on Saturday and we played keep away in the pool Sunday afternoon. Kids returned hone late Sunday afternoon but I stayed Sunday night with DH to share time with him.

Reading was really good as the stories have been engaging. I finished four books: two audios books, one ebook and a church study book. I posted three reviews along with all of my usual memes.

I visited 26 blogs last week.
Shout out this week is to FNM, who has some interesting blogger discussion topics.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post August 6, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 7, 2017.

• eAuthor- Book Review: Jeopardy in July: A Jamie Quinn Mystery by Barbara Venkataraman;Cozy Mystery, Female Attorney; my rating 4.25.

• A-ABJ- Audio Book Review: Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon: A Minnesota Mystery by Larry Millett; Mystery, Historical; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 11, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 8/17/2017.

• eNG- Book Review: Love Takes Two by Patrice Moore; Small Town, Contemporary Romance; My rating 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #315 Comment Giveaway August 12, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 8/19/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 13, 2017.

Finished Reading:
1. 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 an engaging and realistic post-apocalyptic story from my Audible TBR.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

How to Charm a Beekeeper's Heart
by Candice Patterson
This is a charming romance.
I received this from NetGalley.

3. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Red Rising
Written by: Pierce Brown
Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
Length: 16 hrs and 12 mins
Oh boy! This is a wonderful story. This is another from my Audible shelf; to be "R" in my Alphabet Challenge.

We finished our Wednesday night study called Freedom Course.

Currently Reading:

1. Print (LBC)

A Matter of Character,
Sisters of Bethlehem Springs Series #3
by Robin Lee Hatcher
I am not too far in this as our Ladies Book Club meeting was postponed until September.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)
 

Wolf Hunt (SWAT Book 6)
by Paige Tyler
I am really enjoying this title I received from NetGalley.
A STORM IS BREWING...
Remy Boudreaux is back in his hometown, New Orleans. He's there with three of his fellow Dallas SWAT officers for a week of training with the NOLA PD. On the eve of a tropical storm, Remy and his buddies prowl the French Quarter. One tantalizing scent captures Remy's senses, forcing him to follow until he is face to face with Triana Bellamy—his beautiful high school crush.
After reconnecting, Remy and Triana are close—very. Remy struggles to keep things casual. Ever since his partner—and first love—was killed on the job, he's kept women at a distance.
But when a mysterious wolf pendant ropes them both into danger, Remy's protective instincts kick in. He may have to reveal his true self...and hope Triana accepts him.

3. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

H Is for Hawk
Written by: Helen Macdonald
Narrated by: Helen Macdonald
Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
I picked this title from my TBR shelves
for "H" on my Alphabet Challenge.
I am enjoying the beginning.
Publisher's Summary
When Helen MacDonald's father died suddenly on a London street, she was devastated. An experienced falconer captivated by hawks since childhood, she'd never before been tempted to train one of the most vicious predators: the goshawk. But in her grief, she saw that the goshawk's fierce and feral anger mirrored her own. Resolving to purchase and raise the deadly creature as a means to cope with her loss, she adopted Mabel and turned to the guidance of The Once and Future King author T. H. White's chronicle The Goshawk to begin her journey into Mabel's world. Projecting herself "in the hawk's wild mind to tame her" tested the limits of MacDonald's humanity.
By turns heartbreaking and hilarious, this book is an unflinching account of bereavement, a unique look at the magnetism of an extraordinary beast, and the story of an eccentric falconer and legendary writer. Weaving together obsession, madness, memory, myth, and history, H Is for Hawk is a distinctive, surprising blend of nature writing and memoir from a very gifted writer.
©2014 Helen Macdonald (P)2014 Isis Publishing, Ltd. UK

August 13, 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.

I completed three books and posted three reviews. That keeps me to three current reviews and one for September release. I am up to last week on linking my reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
I am still at 4 NetGalley titles (and still 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 two review titles this week - one from NetGalley and one through Audiobook Jukebox.
I purchased two $.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

Received through NetGalley.

The Clockwork Dynasty: A Novel
by Daniel H. Wilson
I saw this at Under the Apple Tree through Mailbox Monday.

I received this CD audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox
The Healer's Apprentice
By Melanie Dickerson
Narrated By Jude Mason
Series: Hagenheim, Book 1
This series looks good so I am glad to try it.

Won

NONE

Purchased

One new Audible daily deal this week.

The Emperor's Soul $1.95.
By: Brandon Sanderson
Narrator: Angela Lin
Duration: 3 hrs and 55 mins



I picked up one Kindle title for $.99:
I spotted this 5 starred Christian Romantic Suspense Collection:

Pursued: A Christian Romantic Suspense Boxed Set Book Bundle Collection
Lynnette Bonner, Mary Alford, Christy Barritt, Lesley Ann McDaniel, Lisa Phillips, Alana Terry, Virginia Vaughan

Free

I picked up Week Sixteen SYNC Audio titles (the final week):
SHADOWSHAPER by Daniel José Older, Narrated by Anika Noni Rose (Scholastic Audiobooks)
METAMORPHOSIS by Franz Kafka, Narrated by Martin Jarvis (Naxos AudioBooks)

These are five of my Free Kindle Picks: (All but the first one may still be free):

Wrecker: A John Crane Adventure (John Crane Series Book 2) (I have book 1)
by Mark Parragh

The Seduction of Lord Stone (Dashing Widows)
Anna Campbell

Three Rivers Ranch Romance Box Set, Books 4 - 7: Fifth Generation Cowboy, Sixth Street Love Affair, The Seventh Sergeant, and Eight Second Ride
Liz Isaacson, Elana Johnson

Ministry Protocol: Thrilling Tales of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences
Tee Morris, Leanna Renee Hieber, Karina Cooper, Deliliah Dawson, Tiffany Trent, Jared Axelrod, Glenn Freund, Peter Woodworth, Lauren Harris, Pip Ballantine, Tee Tate

Honeymoon in Italy: Before the Otto Viti Mysteries
Jen Carter (This one made me think of Laura at Library of Clean Reads.)


I added only 60 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 August 13, 2017

We were away for the weekend, having taken our daughter, son-in-law and three grand-kids on a "mystery ride". DH brought the motor home to Mexico Beach so the kids could have a last summer weekend at the beach. (They started school on Thursday.) I even went to the beach for an hour. I’m not a beach fan but I had my MP3 to listen too and it was fun to watch my daughter and youngest toss a ball in the surf.

This morning we went to an 8am service on the beach. It was hot with a little bit of shade. The pastor played a guitar to lead the singing. The message was based on Acts 10:9-48 where Peter was shown a vision and led to share the Good News with the gentile family of Cornelius.

The message noted that God shows no favoritism but “accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right”. The pastor reminded us a favorite childhood song: Jesus Loves the Little Children, “all the children of the World; red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight….” The pastor noted that we are to make disciples by guiding, not steering.

That is certainly a reminder that we are to love all people, no matter their color, race or background. We are to share the love of Christ with all people we come into contact with as we never know when a heart is seeking or ready to turn to the loving grace of salvation which is the gift of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I had picked one song but found this one instead. 

Sorry it doesn’t have lyrics on the screen but the words fit.
(Our church pastor enjoys Christian rap like this.)

Verses for Today:
Acts 10:34-36
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

Once again, Lord I pray, help me to show your love in my daily walk.

Sharing Beyond Books #315 Comment Giveaway August 12, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Only 4 commenters acknowledge diluting products. Other means of saving are: 3 use budgets; 4 buy on sale/promo; several buy at dollar store; several buy in bulk or stock up essentials; a couple use coupons; one uses websites for savings; one cooks larger meals to freeze and one recommended spliting restaurant meals. I don't always split a meal at a restaurant but I often take half home for another meal.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #314 comments is: #9 Nikki 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 #315

(One Question.)

Elizabeth asks: How many US states have you visited??

I know some of our distant friends may not have visited the US at all and if you're willing I'm curious if you would compare your country in size to a US state.
I have been fortunate to visit 29 out of 50 states and one territory (the Virgin Islands) of six. As I listed the states I have visited I realize I need to visit the Midwest states - Montana, Dakotas, Wyoming- as I haven't been in those or surrounding states.

(I had trouble getting an image because we are at campground with the family.)

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.

Your turn to share. Elizabeth asks: How many US states have you visited??

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 19, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: Love Takes Two by Patrice Moore

I was drawn by this cover and enjoyed this sweet romance between injured parties.

Love Takes Two
by Patrice Moore

File Size: 639 KB
Print Length: 234 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc (April 8, 2016)
ASIN: B01CB1BV8K
Genre: Contemporary, Small Town
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

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?

Review:
Molly Jenkins was abandoned by her boyfriend and her overly strict father when she became pregnant at a young age. She struggled as a single mom to get through college and try to provide a decent life for her son, Ken. Now Molly is stymied by her sulky, twelve-year-old son who is making bad choices and leaning toward negative influences. Molly takes a job with a small-town school in Colorado hoping to remove Ken from serious trouble.

Before they can settle into their new home, Ken is caught throwing rocks on the neighbor’s ranch. Nathan confronts Ken and marches him home to announce his punishment will be to work off the harm he has done. Molly is wary, but agrees that Ken has to make up for the damage.

Nathan grew up without a father and was in trouble as a teen until his mother abandoned him to a boy’s ranch. Nathan doesn’t believe in love due to his mother’s abandonment. Nor does he believe in mother’s coddling as he is insistent that every growing boy needs strong male discipline to learn proper respect. Molly takes affront to Nathan’s attitude thinking he is insulting all the single mom’s that have worked so hard to raise good children.

Molly and Nathan butt heads, not only over Ken, but over Molly’s proposed project to open a community center for teens in the small town. Although Molly can’t deny that Ken’s behavior begins to improve under Nathan’s strong guidance, this doesn’t resolve the other conflicts between Molly and Nathan. It takes time for a loving family to help them to begin to soften their stubborn stances.

Ken witnesses a scene that triggers his rebellion again and the slow growing friendship between Molly and Nathan is challenged. Can they manage to find mutual ground to help Ken before he ends up in jail?

This is an easy read as the writing moved along well, although I noted several grammatical errors which may have been fixed before publication. The thirtyish characters were extreme in their opposite views but this made for the conflict that they had to work through. There is a puppy element so the cover was accurate to draw in a reader. I enjoyed the story and I recommend this to readers who enjoy small town romances with more mature (not YA or college) characters.

I received this title through NetGalley. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 10, 2017

Happy Friday!
Another busy week and we are away Thursday and Friday for a title conference. The drive wasn't fun but we had a nice time tonight meeting old and new friends on the title "team!"
I'm thinking maybe this next week I can get new pictures and a new box up. :-)

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 August 3 Pick. There was one automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were two titles blocked.
Elizabeth gets Jingle Bell Blessings (sorry - that should have been a last week win).

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 3 Pick:
NATALIJA gets a GC.
CAROL NW gets Sail.

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.}

A good group of new YA reads to look at!
Image found at Epic Reads.

New Book Group #73 June 16, 2017
I was looking for Summer titles but that didn’t really work.
PAIRS [or Singles] – Since I have four sets of pairs I will work this by first two pairs that go the others go as singles OR you may choose a title as a single and if won that pair falls into single.
Joan Johnston: The Loner and the Cowboy -- Moved to singles
Nora Roberts: Sea Swept (some spine creases) and Genuine Lies
Kat Martin: Midnight Sun and Perfect Sin
Linda Howard (aka Krista Janssen): Cry No More and Indigo Fire (spine wear) -- Moved to singles
SINGLES:
The Loner by Joan Johnston
The Cowboy by Joan Johnston
Cry No More by Linda Howard
Indigo Fire by Linda Howard (spine wear)
Garden of Scandal by Jennifer Blake
A Rogue’s Heart by Debra Lee Brown
The Night Remembers by Kathleen Eagle (spine wear)
A Dragon Prince by Mary Gillgannon
Hurricane by Karen Harper
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan
Sail by James Patterson
Home Sweet Home by Bella Riley


New Book Group #72 May 12, 2017
PAIRS:
Brenda Joyce: The Third Heiress and The Rival
Jayne Ann Krentz: Dangerous Affair and True Colors
SINGLES:
Identity: Unknown by Suzanne Brockmann
The Third Victim by Lisa Gardner
Anna’s Book by Barbara Vine (Audio Cassette)
Passions Treasure by Betina Krahn
My Reckless Surrender by Anna Campbell
Led Astray By A Rake by Sara Bennett
Deep Freeze by Lisa Jackson
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Valley of Bones by Eric Wilson
Memorial Day by Vince Flynn (Hardcover)
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)


New Book Group #71 March 10, 2017
Mysteries and Thrillers
SINGLES:
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)

New Book Group #70 January 27, 2017
Thought I’d share some romances for February:
SINGLES:
Kissed by Shadows (Get Connected Romances) by Jane Feather
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn


New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016
Some books for Christmas: 
SINGLES:
Jingle Bell Blessings by Bonnie K. Winn
Snowbound with Mr. Right by Judy Christenberry


New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
SINGLES:
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown


New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
SINGLES:
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)


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.)
SINGLES:
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

SINGLES:
The Champion by Heather Grothaus


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016
SINGLES:
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette

New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016 -- All Gone

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015 -- All Gone

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

SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)

New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015 -- All Gone

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 -- All Gone

BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
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)
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
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)

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 seven years I have posted 68 groups of 16 (1,088) books to find new homes! (as of November 4, 2016).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,089+ 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!