Sunday Post January 21, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 22, 2018

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.

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 still chugging along at work and have the year end financial reporting to get done this week. My daughter/office manager returned to the office but one of our new staff people went out Thursday with the flu.
Our weather has warmed up this weekend to 34-68. It is still light out up to 5:30pm which we like.

I am enjoying my reading but iffy on the listening. I finished one Audible and one ebook. I posted five reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 34 blogs Monday through Thursday. :-)
Shout Out this week to Girlxoxo who shares The Master List of 2018 Reading Challenges -- so many tempting.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post January 14, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 15, 2018.

• PPublisher- Book Review: Into the Guns (America Rising) by William C. Dietz; Military, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 19, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/25/2018.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara; Fantasy, Supernatural; my rating 3.75.

• eTBR- Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer; Adaptations, Alien, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: When a Child Is Born A Chronicles of St. Mary's Short Story by Jodi Taylor; Adventure, Fantasy, Time Travel; my rating 4.25.

• NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: What If God Wrote Your To-Do List? by Jay Payleitner; Christian Living, Inspirational, Religion & Spirituality; my rating 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 21, 2018.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

The Emerald Atlas, Books of Beginning
By: John Stephens
Narrated by: Jim Dale
Series: The Books of Beginning, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins
This is a fun listen good for children and adults.
Source: Audible 2013.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Rise of the Fallen: Wars of the Realm, Book 2
by Chuck Black
Loved this action story from the perspective of the angel.
Source: NetGalley 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Print TBR (Publisher)

Seek and Destroy (America Rising)
by William C. Dietz
1/2 way and I am still enjoying this 2nd book; plan to finish this week.
Source: Publisher 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (2018Purch)

Island
By: Aldous Huxley
Narrated by: Simon Vance
Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
Release date: 09-13-16
I am 4 hours in and struggling to 'get into' this title I picked for Vintage Sci Fi.
Source: Audible Daily Deal 2018.

3. Audible/MP3 (ATBR)

Ubik
By: Philip K. Dick
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
This is another Vintage Sci Fi.
This is starting with some humor in the story.
Source: Audible Daily Deal 2017.
Publisher's Summary
A mind-bending, classic Philip K. Dick novel about the perception of reality.
Named as one of Time's 100 best books.
Glen Runciter runs a lucrative business - deploying his teams of anti-psychics to corporate clients who want privacy and security from psychic spies. But when he and his top team are ambushed by a rival, he is gravely injured and placed in "half-life," a dreamlike state of suspended animation. Soon, though, the surviving members of the team begin experiencing some strange phenomena, such as Runciter's face appearing on coins and the world seeming to move backward in time. As consumables deteriorate and technology gets ever more primitive, the group needs to find out what is causing the shifts and what a mysterious product called Ubik has to do with it all.
©1969 Philip K. Dick (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

4. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

A Gem of a Problem (Emma Berry Murray River Mystery Book 1)
by Irene Sauman
This looks like a good break from the Vintage Sci Fi.
Source: NetGalley 2017.
As if losing Sam wasn’t enough, now she must deal with what he has left behind.
Emma hadn’t known Sam was delivering (smuggling?) a package across the Murray River border between the colonies, but the package, containing something of great value, is missing after the sinking of the paddle steamer Mary B. She doesn’t believe the Major’s story of why. It makes no sense. But his threats are real enough.
If only Daniel wasn’t blaming her for everything. She will have to travel a lonely road in her efforts to locate the missing item before time runs out. Who is lying to her, who is telling the truth? Will what she finds be what she is looking for? And more importantly, will it be what the Major expects?

January 21, 2018 - I am enjoying reading and listening the One Year Bible plan on my new smartphone. My husband hasn't joined my plan but he is listening some days too. You can check out the audio on the companion commentary online.

I completed 2 books and posted 5 reviews - yay, a good dent.  I still have 7 current year reviews. Now that I have my first 2018 review done I will start linking again at Goodreads, Amazon and Audible too but will start that work soon.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 22 with five older 2017 and others picked up end of year. I still have one committed author title in queue and many through InstaFreebie. I have more new author requests but haven't had time to reply.

We're working on two more fiction books 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 didn't pick up any reviews this week.
I resisted the Audible daily deals this week but they are having a sale for the 2017 DD titles. I am tempted to pick up another handful.
I purchased four .99 cent Kindle titles this week.
As usual, I picked up 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

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked up four Kindle titles at $.99:
All I Ever Needed (The Compass Club Series, Book 3)
Jo Goodman
I've actually read this series over 10 years ago and really liked it.
I think I still have the paperbacks.

The 30-Day Praise Challenge for Parents

Becky Harling

I liked the sound of this and gifted it to my daughter.

The Pulse Super Boxset: EMP Post Apocalyptic Fiction
Alexandria Clarke
Post Apocalyptic - looks good to me.

Trackers 3: The Storm (A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Series)
Nicholas Sansbury Smith

I have book one on Audible and book 2 at Kindle. 

I thought this was a good price for book 3. 

Free

I picked up free Kindle titles to add 57 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 January 21, 2018

We had a good Sunday School lesson although our SS teacher didn’t get too far along on his notes discussing the power of sin and Christ’s gift on the cross. Our worship was good and there was an encouraging word shared.

Pastor shared his sermon: A Vision for The Church.
He reminded us of the Congregational life cycle and the point that the church must recapture the dream it had at its start. Last week’s Point: We must move from come and see, to come and die.
Are we willing to be uncomfortable, to sacrifice?

Assemblies of God is cooperative fellowship. We are a Pentecostal church which invests in world missions. But sometimes we forget about the power to be witnesses. Society declines; churches stand empty. We need to be witnesses here at home. We need to witness “around the corner and around the world.”

Point: Our investment in the Kingdom of God reveals where our heart is.

Malachi 3:8-10 the nation is admonished for failing to bring the full tithe into the storehouse. The Lord even challenges them with 'test me ... and see if I will not open the floodgates'.

It is our job to support the spread the gospel. Romans 15:20-21. Paul even tells the people he would compare them with other churches. 2 Corinthians 8:7-8. Be aware where you store up treasure – on earth or in heaven. Matthew 6: 19 -21.
Remember the Parable of the Talents. Matthew 25:14-30.
Let us be found investing in God's kingdom.

Pastor shared our church mission report showing a world map marked with the 48 mission units/persons that our church is committed to. Pastor’s Vision for 2018 is to expand our worldwide outreach with 100% congregational participation every month. Our God is not the God of poverty or scarcity but a God of blessing and abundance. Let us have a World impact!

I think this song fits okay today.

Verses for Today:
Matthew 6:19-21 NIV
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Thank you Lord, always, for reminding me of priorities and that my treasure - all that YOU have given me -- needs to be passed along.

#NetGalley Book Review: What If God Wrote Your To-Do List? by Jay Payleitner

This was a great way to kick off my new year. I liked the encouraging suggestions of the author.

What If God Wrote Your To-Do List?:
52 Ways to Make the Most of Every Day
by Jay Payleitner

Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (February 6, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736961933
Genre: Christian Living, Inspirational, Religion & Spirituality
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

What is God Asking You "To-Do" Today?
When you talk to God about His plans for you, do you tend to focus on the far-off future? Big-picture thinking is great, but don't miss out on what the Lord has in store for you today.
These 52 easy tasks will help you embrace opportunities to grow closer to God, reach out to others, and take better care of yourself. This is a to-do list for your soul.
Read a Psalm, talk to a neighbor, or right a wrong. These are just a few examples of the simple activities that will enrich your everyday life.
God is calling you to make the most of each day and live life to the fullest!

Review:
I was glad to start the new year of 2018 with this book although this could be a bit intimidating. We get so busy in our worldly lives that we may well forget to set our priorities with God’s plan in mind rather than our own.

The author sets out 52 Godly to-do items supported by scripture and example. The ‘chapter’ titles are not always directly what the author will suggest as he uses twists in the topics – keeping it interesting. The tasks are not surprising or earth shaking but rather down to earth reminders of the things a Christ Follower should be doing.

This is set out in 52 sections which would indicate that it is good to read and focus on one To-Do item every week for a year. I read the whole book in one week but plan to go back to it at the beginning of each week to see if I am doing the items suggested.

It is easy to read, inspiring uplifting and encouraging. I recommend this as a nice guide to help anyone who wants a closer relationship with God and a truer Christian walk in our earthly journey.

I picked this up at NetGalley for my first book of the year.
It qualifies for 2018 NetGalley Challenge, 2018 Alphabet Challenge and 2018 TBR Challenge. This is a new author for me.

Audible Book Review: When a Child Is Born A Chronicles of St. Mary's Short Story by Jodi Taylor

I like this series for quick, fun listening.
When a Child Is Born
A Chronicles of St. Mary's Short Story
By: Jodi Taylor
Narrated by: Zara Ramm

Series: The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 2.5
Length: 32 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 04-07-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The time-travel series that everyone's talking about.... Jodi Taylor's The Chronicles of St. Mary's is back with a short story.
It's Christmas Day 1066, and a team from St Mary's is going to witness the coronation of William the Conqueror. Or so they think.... However, history seems to have different plans for them, and when Max finds herself delivering a child in a peasant's hut, she can't help wondering what history is up to.
Jodi Taylor is and always has been a history nut. Her disinclination to get out of bed for anything after 1485 can only be overcome by massive amounts of chocolate and sometimes, if it's raining, not even then. She wanted to write a book about time travel that was a little different and, not having a clue how difficult this would make her book to classify, went ahead and slung in elements of history, adventure, comedy, romance, tragedy, and anything else she could think of. Her advice to booksellers is to buy huge numbers of her books and just put one on every shelf.
©2013 Jodi Taylor (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

Review:
Max and a team were sent back to 1066 to witness the coronation of William the Conqueror and determine why a riot disrupted the ceremonies. The team figures it will be a straightforward assignment but of course things start off on the wrong foot when they arrive in not quite the destined spot. Before they can make their way in the cold and snow to the proper destination they come across an injured man lying bloodied in the snow. They hear a woman crying a short distance away….

What to do? Help the man and check on the woman? Or leave them there while they move on to their mission?

Well, Max rarely stays out of trouble. As she says in the first lines of the story: “I was in trouble again. No surprise there. It’s my default state.”

I truly enjoy the glimpses of history shared in these imaginative and fun stories. Yes, Max tends to steer a bit off course. And delivering a child on Christmas Eve was not the assignment. But then again, history has its own way of asserting itself even if Max doesn’t know it at the time.

I do recommend reading at least the prequel and first book in this series so you know the characters and understand their goals. That will make reading the quick short stories so much more fun. This series is fun reading for history and time travel buffs.

Audio Notes: Zara Ramm does a great job with these characters. She captures the sass and personality fitting Max and her cohorts. I enjoy listening to the series.

This was a TBR Audible from 2015. It finished off 2017 and my Audiobook Challenge and TBR Challenge.

My other reviews so far in this series:
Audible Review: Just One Da*ned Thing After Another: The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 1 by Jodi Taylor; Rating 4.25
Audible Book Review: The Very First D*ned Thing: An Author-Read Audio Exclusive by Jodi Taylor; Rating 4.5
Goodreads Review: Christmas Present, The Chronicles of St. Mary's #4.5 by Jodi Taylor; Rating 4.0

Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I really liked the sci fi, cyber elements and intrigue in this Cinderella twist.

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles Book 1)
by Marissa Meyer

File Size: 1206 KB
Print Length: 400 pages
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (January 3, 2012)
ASIN: B005KJJ4F8
Genre: Adaptations, Alien, Fantasy, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

The #1 New York Times Bestselling Series!
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl. . . .
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.

Review:
Cinder has a good reputation as a gifted mechanic who works hard and makes a good bargain. She keeps hidden from her customers that she is a cyborg with a mechanical foot. She was adopted by a scientist father who died before he could make it clear to anyone what his intent was. Cinder is the one who works supporting the “stepmother” (legal guardian) and older stepsister who revile her.

Cinder meets handsome Prince Kai when he brings an android unit in for repair. Her excitement at meeting the prince is overshadowed when the plague outbreak hits her friendly stepsister, Peony. Cinder gets blamed since Peony was with her when she became ill. Her stepmother turns Cinder over to authorities who are testing virus cures on cyborgs. When the doctor tests Cinder he discovers that she is immune to the virus but he learns more than that. He wants to hide her special nature as he suspects some greater intrigue.

Prince Kai loses his father, the king to the plague. Now he is being pressured to marry the Lunar Queen who uses magic to create illusions about her appearance and is extorting his compliance with the promise of an antidote to the virus. Kai must struggle between his duty to his people and his personal desires.

Cinder apparently is immune to the Lunar illusions too which results in great danger as she may be on earth illegally and subject to a death sentence. Only one person knows the full truth, but it isn’t clear if he is a friend or an enemy. Cinder has the chance to escape the city but will her leaving cause Kai to sacrifice his freedom for duty?

I really like Cinder and Kai as primary characters. The doctor and Cinder’s android friend, Iko, are good secondary characters. I enjoyed this cyber twist on the Cinderella story and I like the sci fi lunar intrigue. I am curious to see where Cinder goes in the next book, Scarlet, which I picked up with a December Audible Credit. I recommend this as an entertaining read to those who enjoy sci fi cyberpunk and fairy tale retellings.

This was in my Kindle library since 2014 and qualified for my 2017 TBR reading.

Audible Book Review: Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara

This is an entertaining start to a series, although not fully compelling for me.
Cast in Shadow
Chronicles of Elantra, Book 1
By: Michelle Sagara
Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 14 hrs and 25 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 11-30-11
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fantasy, Supernatural
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Seven years ago, Kaylin fled the crime-riddled streets of Nightshade, knowing that something was after her. Children were being murdered— and all had the same odd markings that mysteriously appeared on her own skin….
Since then, she's learned to read, she's learned to fight and she's become one of the vaunted Hawks who patrol and police the City of Elantra. Alongside the winged Aerians and the immortal Barrani, she's made a place for herself, far from the mean streets of her birth.
But children are once again dying, and a dark and familiar pattern is emerging. Kaylin is ordered back into Nightshade with a partner she knows she can't trust, a Dragon lord for a companion and a device to contain her powers—powers that no other human has. Her task is simple—find the killer, stop the murders… and survive the attentions of those who claim to be her allies!
Spellbound? Listen to more Chronicles of Elantra.
©2011 Michelle Sagara (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Kaylin is a young woman seeking to be accepted as a Hawk warrior. The Lord of Hawks has accepted her into the Hawks for training and she is improving. Kaylin is sent on an assignment but must work with Severn, a childhood friend who has become an enemy to her. Kaylin and Severn are accompanied by a Dragon, Tiamaris. Fortunately, Tamaris, a formidable and quiet man, has great forbearance as he tires to keep Kaylin and Severn from attacking each other.

Children are dying in a bizarre manner in the poorer, crime-riddled section of the city known as Nightshade. Kaylin and Severn are familiar with the Nightshade as they were raised there as orphaned children. Seven years earlier Kaylin and Severn left the area, separately, after suffering the loss of friends who were being killed. The murdered children, then and now, are marked with tattoos which appeared on Kaylin’s skin too. Kaylin discovered that she has unusual healing powers that seem connected to the tattoos appearing on her body. But somehow she brings danger to others. Under the direction of the Hawklord, she is not supposed to use her healing skills without permission and she must keep her powers hidden.

Kaylin braves an audience with the Lord of Nightshade, an immortal who might be an enemy but currently is intrigued by Kaylin. He gives her a mark of protection. Although the mark doesn’t fully bind them as it might others, it is enough to raise questions by other powerful leaders possibly turning allies into enemies. While some try to take Kaylin down she struggles to save the children before another of her friends, a girl kidnapped from the orphanage, is killed.

I appreciate the world building and the different characters. Kaylin was a bit difficult to fully like as she is a messy character: immature, undisciplined and hotheaded. She is independent, a strong fighter and did mature some during the book providing hope for better behavior in future books. I definitely liked the interaction with the other characters, especially Tiamaris. It was annoying that others knew secrets regarding Kaylin’s powers but no one would share with her.

Between the interesting world, characters and action, the story kept my attention. I will likely try the next in the series at some point, although I don’t feel compelled to rush off to get it. I think readers who enjoy strong fantasy and YA characters should give this a try.

Audio Notes: Khristine Hvam does a good job narrating. She gives fitting voices to each character which adds depth to the audiobook. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

I picked this from my Audible TBR Shelf (2012). It added to my 2017 Audiobook Challenge and Mount TBR.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 19, 2018

Happy Friday!
It is Thursday night as I prepare this and I am fading fast. Ready for a warm bed.

Most all GCs were sent out last weekend. I have to send banked balances to a few commenters. All books were pulled and mailed out this week too. 
Now this weekend I will work on that box title list. 

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 January 12 Pick. There were No 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 was one title blocked but won through the block.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from January 12 Pick:
SueF gets a Corbin's Fancy; and
Natalija 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.}

Enjoy your new year of reading! :-)
Image found at The Reike Room.

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017 (37 titles)
24 in the top picture and 13 in the lower picture. Not sure that you can read the titles so I will try to list these soon.

THESE BOOKS ARE NOT LISTED YET SO THE ONES CHOSEN/WON ARE THE ONES STRICKEN HERE:
Finger Licken' Fifteen
How to Tame a Highland Warrior
The Texan
Total Control
Atlantis Found
Stephanie Laurens Pair
Desperado 
Rebellious Desires 
Forget Me Not 
The Eighth Commandment
Ghost Riders
The Manning Brides by Debbie Macomber 
Shadow Music 
Corbin's Fancy


New Book Group #75 September 29, 2017

SINGLES:
THESE LISTED ARE THE ONLY TITLES STILL AVAILABLE IN THIS AND LOWER LISTED BOXES.
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
Morning Song
Daring
Named of the Dragon
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
The Painted House (audio)

New Book Group #74 August 25, 2017

SINGLES:
Treasure Me by Robyn DeHart
Cold Blooded by Lisa Jackson
House of Dreams by Brenda Joyce (slight spine wear)
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Surrender My Love by Johanna Lindsey (slight spine wear)
204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson – Audio Cassettes
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman

New Book Group #73 June 16, 2017
I was looking for Summer titles but that didn’t really work.
SINGLES:
The Cowboy by Joan Johnston
A Dragon Prince by Mary Gillgannon
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan

New Book Group #72 May 12, 2017
SINGLES:
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
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:
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn

New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016 -- All Gone

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-- All Gone

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 EIGHT years I have posted 75 groups of 16 (1,200) books to find new homes! (as of November 2, 2017).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,136+books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A month or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] 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!

Book Review: Into the Guns (America Rising) by William C. Dietz

This is entertaining particularly if you like military action and political intrigue.

Into the Guns (America Rising)
by William C. Dietz

Series: America Rising (Book 1)
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Ace; First Edition edition (October 4, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0425278700
Genre: Military, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Legion of the Damned® Novels and The Mutant Files comes the first novel in a post-apocalyptic military science fiction series about America rising from the ashes of a global catastrophe...
On May Day, 2018, sixty meteors entered Earth’s atmosphere and exploded around the globe with a force greater than a nuclear blast. Earthquakes and tsunamis followed. Then China attacked Europe, Asia, and the United States in the belief the disaster was an act of war.
Washington D.C. was a casualty of the meteor onslaught that decimated the nation’s leadership and left the surviving elements of the armed forces to try and restore order as American society fell apart.
As refugees across America band together and engage in open warfare with the military over scarce resources, a select group of individuals representing the surviving corporate structure makes a power play to rebuild the country in a free market image as The New Confederacy...

Review:
Robin “Mac” Macintyre is a First Lieutenant with the Army when meteor strikes change the world. Society has already broken down to include gangs who are willing to thieve for supplies or even destroy for the fun of it. Mac and her scout patrol are assigned to help escort a group of civilian filled buses from Tacoma to Yakima, Washington. They will face murdering marauders and natural disasters and only some of the convoy will get through. Mac becomes the highest-ranking officer and begins to take charge of the troops. She decides to lead them south to Arizona in the hopes of finding warmer climate. Picking up troops and civilians along the way, they become mercenaries hiring out as Mac’s Marauders to establish protection for communities needing relief from the worst of the killing gangs.

US Secretary of Energy Samuel Sloan is caught in Mexico when the disaster strikes. He manages to run and to escape from local thugs to find his way back to the United States. When he is captured in America the authorities don’t believe who he claims to be. He is imprisoned for a time then mysteriously flown out to a meeting with some wealthy businessmen who have taken control of Texas and the vast energy resources in that and surrounding southern states. The tycoons make a proposition to allow Sloan to become the leader of the country under their ‘new order’ which would allow corporations to buy shares in the United States. Sloan doesn’t agree with this new Confederate order. As he is being returned to prison, he escapes again and makes his way east. In a desperate situation he stumbles upon a lawyer who is willing to get him the support he needs to claim his place as President of the United States. Slowly traveling from Maryland to Illinois and in between, they will assemble a like-minded team intent on pulling the country back together, even if that means war with the Confederates.

Mac’s father a Major General and her older sister, Major Victoria Macintyre, are West Point graduates. They disdain Mac for not following in the same path. They are now part of the New Confederacy with Victoria zipping around on a motorcycle as a very cold-hearted officer building a spy network within the Union forces. At least one of these spies in is the forces where Mac’s talents are being used.

These are the three primary characters whose struggles and battles are followed in this book. I liked the fast pace and good action that kept me interested. There is rough language and a good bit of violence. There are inconsistencies and contrived scenes... but, it is fiction, after all. I didn’t allow some of the pointed political ideologies to bog me down nor rile me either way. I actually found the opposing views thought-provoking.

This is the first book I have read by Mr. Dietz and I get the sense I would like some of his other series too. I would recommend this to readers who like post-apocalyptic, alternative history and military action elements as entertainment, not reality. I am glad I have books two and three to continue to see where the author takes the characters and the battles.

I received books one and two from the publisher to read before book three which I received through NetGalley. This qualifies for 2018TBR and Alphabet Challenges.

Sunday Post January 14, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 15, 2018

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.

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.

It has been a busy week home and getting caught up at work. My daughter/office manager got the flu and was out two days (and 1/2 in a fever daze). She got meds and is feeling better. Unfortunately one of the grandkids has a fever now.

I am enjoying my listening and reading. I have a new smartphone and am listening to audios on it as well as my MP3. I finished two Audibles, and one ebook. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 29 blogs early in the week.
Shout Out this week to Bookish Owlette who uses cute gifs and shared 2018 goals.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post January 7, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 8, 2018.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper; Fantasy, Romance; my rating 4.25.

• A-ABJ2017- Audio Book Review: About a Dog by Jenn McKinlay; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating 3.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 12, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/18/2018.

• PLBC- Book Review: The Christmas Code by O. S. Hawkin; Devotional, Inspirational, Religious my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #335 Comment Giveaway January 13, 2018.Open Worldwide. Ending 1/27/2018.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 14, 2018.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Storm Front: The Dresden Files, Book 1
By Jim Butcher
Narrated By James Marsters
Series: The Dresden Files, Book 1
This is good entertainment and I will read more in the series. This is an Audible TBR.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Precisely at Midnight (Kinsman Book 2)
by Joyce and Alexandra Swann
This has fascinating information and wonderful Christian values in the story.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/Smartphone (TBR)

Time for the Stars
By: Robert A. Heinlein
Narrated by: Barrett Whitener
Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
I haven't had the chance to sign up for Vintage Sci Fi but I will be reading/listening to several for the event. 
This is from my Audible TBR and was a quick listen.
Publisher's Summary
Travel to other planets is now a reality, and with overpopulation stretching the resources of Earth, the necessity of finding habitable worlds is growing ever more urgent. There’s a problem though—because the spaceships are slower than light, any communication between the exploring ships and Earth would take years.
Tom and Pat are identical twin teenagers. As twins they’ve always been close, so close that it seemed like they could read each other’s minds. When they are recruited by the Long Range Foundation, the twins find out that they can, indeed, peer into each other’s thoughts. Along with other telepathic duos, they are enlisted to be the human transmitters and receivers that will keep the ships in contact with Earth. But there’s a catch: one of the twins has to stay behind—and that one will grow old—while the other explores the depths of space and returns as a young man still.
©1956 ; 1983 by Robert A. Heinlein; 2003 by the Robert A. and Virginia Heinlein Prize Trust (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Currently Reading:
1. Print TBR (Publisher)

Seek and Destroy (America Rising)
by William C. Dietz
I am enjoying this 2nd book. This is print so it will take a bit longer to read.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Rise of the Fallen: Wars of the Realm, Book 2
by Chuck Black
This book is from the perspective of the angel.
Very interesting!
From my NetGalley TBR shelf. 
A six thousand year war rages and now the demonic Fallen are coming for him—the one man shrouded in mystery. Only Validus stands in their way.
Validus is the last and least of God’s angels, but he’s seen much across the millennia since his creation. Empires have risen and fallen as angelic and demonic forces battle in a raging war that will determine humanity's fate – and the fate of his defeated brothers.
Eventually called to be an earth-bound warrior, Validus rises to a position of power and respect, commanding legions of angels through impossible battles and overwhelming odds. But when orders arrive from the Creator's most elite Messenger, he finds himself suddenly demoted to a task of apparent insignificance considering the fierce war they are waging against the demonic Fallen – the covert protection of one unbelieving man.
Validus soon finds himself on a mission that will push him beyond his abilities as he battles to protect Drew Carter, for the Fallen are coming for him. Legions of them.
As Validus races against time to discover why Drew is so important to humanity's survival, can he stand between Drew and all who would destroy him?

3. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

The Emerald Atlas, Books of Beginning
By: John Stephens
Narrated by: Jim Dale
Series: The Books of Beginning, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins
I am finding this to be a fun listen at half way in.
It is another from my Audible TBR.
Publisher's Summary
Kate, Michael, and Emma have been in one orphanage after another for the last 10 years, passed along like lost baggage.
Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about.
Until now.
Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey to dangerous and secret corners of the world...a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem. And - if an ancient prophesy is correct - what they do can change history, and it is up to them to set things right.
The Emerald Atlas brims with humor and action as it charts Kate, Michael, and Emma's extraordinary adventures through an unforgettable, enchanted world.
©2011 John Stephens (P)2011 Listening Library

4. Audible/Smartphone (2018Purch)

Island
By: Aldous Huxley
Narrated by: Simon Vance
Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
Release date: 09-13-16
I saw this and thought it would be another good title for Vintage Sci Fi.
Publisher's Summary
In his final novel - which he considered his most important - Aldous Huxley transports us to the remote Pacific island of Pala, where an ideal society has flourished for 120 years.
Inevitably, this island of bliss attracts the envy and enmity of the surrounding world. A conspiracy is underway to take over Pala, and events are set in motion when an agent of the conspirators, a newspaperman named Faranby, is shipwrecked there. What Faranby doesn't expect is how his time with the people of Pala will revolutionize all his values and - to his amazement - give him hope.
©1962 Aldous Huxley (P)2016 Tantor

January 14, 2018 - I figured out how to listen with my reading the One Year Bible plan on my new smartphone. My husband hasn't joined my plan but he is listening some days too. You can check out the audio on the companion commentary online.

I completed 3 books and posted only 3 reviews. So I still have 10 total due; 4 from 2017 and six from 2018. All I can do is keep working on them and hope to get caught up.
I am behind linking my reviews at Goodreads, Amazon and Audible too but will start that work soon.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 23 with five older 2017 and others picked up end of year. I still have one committed author title in queue and many through InstaFreebie. I have several new author requests but haven't had time to reply.

We're working on two more fiction books 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 didn't pick up any reviews this week.
I bought two Audible daily deals.
I didn't purchase any Kindle titles this week.
As usual, I picked up 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

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked up two Audible daily deals:
1/12/18 DD $3.95
Island
By: Aldous Huxley
Narrated by: Simon Vance
Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
Release date: 09-13-16

1/14/2018 DD $1.95
The Tracker
Sam Callahan, Book 1
By: Chad Zunker
Narrated by: Noah Berman
Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Free

I picked up some extra free Kindle titles to add 68 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 January 14, 2018

It was good this morning to be back at our home church. Our Sunday School teacher is still teaching on death. We had a spirit filled time of worship and then Pastor continued a message on small groups which is to be a focus for our church this year. Last week’s point was:
Community is essential in a healthy church. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12.

Pastor shared these ten benefits of small groups:
1. Small groups foster close relationships and integral community.
2. Small groups provide a comfortable introduction for nonbelievers to the Christian faith.
3. Small groups provide an ideal way to care for the needs of people within the church.
4. Small groups provide a way for Christians to live out their faith instead of merely hearing more preaching or teaching.
5. Small groups participate in focused prayer for one another.
6. Small groups provide a comfortable atmosphere for openness.
7. Small groups allow for mutual edification among believers.
8. Small groups encourage better learning.
9. Small groups provide a source of encouragement and accountability.
10. Small groups help to cultivate leadership within the church.

It is appropriate to speak of Dreams the day before celebrating Martin Luther King Day. He shared a wonderful dream of peace and equality.

Dreams by nature look beyond today’s reality and see a future path which seems impossible or unlikely. Sadly, reality can extinguish dreams. Leaders have dreams and that is how new church plants begin.

It is important to understand the Congregational Life–Cycle:
Outward focus
Organization & Structure
Integration & Assimilation
Inverse Priorities
Decline
Death

To revive the congregation/church must return to dreams and outward focus. We need to have a “new church” attitude. Matthew 9:37-38.

Point: We must move from “Come and see” (comfort) to “Come and die” (sacrifice).
True Christ followers must die to self and live for others. John 15:12- 17.

This year we hope to give to others through small groups. We hope to recapture the dream and become an ascending church as a sending church.

I found this song that fits for me.

Verses for Today:
John 15:12-17 (NIV)
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Lord, help me to have a more personal relationship with You and with those you put in my path.

Sharing Beyond Books #335 Comment Giveaway January 13, 2018

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
We are glad to be home in Florida but have below freezing weather tonight and a cold week coming up. Not as cold as those up north though. Brrr. Stay safe in the cold.
While I am still catching up I am going to post this event biweekly (every other week) for now.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Only two commentors, Fredamans and Sue, have cooked recipes from books. Several of the rest of the other 17 of us don't cook so haven't tried. The others like the idea but haven't tried any yet.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #334 comments is: #1 Mystica 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 #334

(One Question.)

Natalija asks: What's your Goodreads challenge/reading goal for 2018??

I have chosen the same goal as 2017, 160, even though I exceeded that (with a little help from children's books). This number is mostly comfortable as it is about 3 per week. I have two challenges to include 50 each: Audio and NetGalley titles so that is 100. I also hope to read at least 27 each eBook TBRs and current year reviews, purchases or freebies. That is another 54 which pretty much fills the reading goal.

2018 Reading Challenge

Martha has
read 3 books toward
her goal of
160 books.

hide

3 of 160 (1%)

view books

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. Natalija asks: What's your Goodreads challenge/reading goal for 2018??

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 January 27, 2018 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: The Christmas Code by O. S. Hawkin

This is a nice little Advent devotional book.
The Christmas Code Booklet
by O. S. Hawkin

Paperback: 64 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (September 5, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400309247
Genre: Devotional, Inspirational, Religious
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

The holidays can be a busy time! Keep your heart and mind focused on Jesus with this Advent devotional. Hawkins offers 25 seasonal entries tracing the story of Jesus from its earliest roots in the Old Testament to God's gift of salvation. Each entry features a Scripture passage, inspirational thought, "code word," and prayer of reflection. 64 pages, softcover from Nelson.

Review:
I gifted this little devotional to my Ladies’ Book Club, and a few friends, as our December reading choice. We so often get caught up in the rush and busyness of the holiday season that I thought this would help us focus on the ‘reason for the season’.

This is pocket size and I carried mine with me in my purse and sometimes in my briefcase to read if I had to wait for a hearing. I liked the way it was set out with a ‘code’ word for each day.
There is a scripture verse, a devotion, a code word with description and then a short sentence prayer.

All of the ladies indicated they appreciated the quick and meaningful devotions. I encourage believers to pick this up or another advent devotional to help prepare their hearts during the Christmas season.

I picked this up on sale for my book club as Advent reading for December.