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Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Fraterfest Read-a-thon October 2018



I am going to join Kimberly at Caffeinated Reviewer for this creepy type read-a-thon.

I went through my huge kindle library and found several horror, ghost and supernatural choices for this event. I plan to read titles towards my eBook TBR and Alphabet challenges.

The rules are fairly easy (follow the link above).
Between Midnight October 11th and ending at 11:59 pm October 16th; read or listen to thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, horror, supernatural, witchy, ghostly or serial killer novels and novellas.

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Sunday Post September 9, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 10, 2018

Sunday Post #318 Chairs, Compliance, and Storms
I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date (at Wordpress).
What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I continue to work and work. Not sure what my staff were thinking setting five appointments on Friday! Now I have five new projects.

I am taking my time in the mornings to be with my Hubby. Usually the mornings are cool, but sometimes they are muggy. My husband has us watching Game of Thrones DVDs at night. I resisted initially due to the language and sexual content. Fortunately we can fast forward the worse scenes. Now we are into season two. It does distract me a little at night while I'm typing blogs.

My reading seemed slower this week with only two books finished.  One audible title and one ebook. I posted two reviews, August wrap-up and all of my usual memes.

I visited only 21 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Bibliophile Belle who has a lovely, pretty blog format where reviews and bookish memes are shared.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:
Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (A2018)
All These Worlds audiobook cover art


All These Worlds
Bobiverse, Book 3
By: Dennis E. Taylor
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
This was a fun listen.
My review is linked above.



2. eBook/Kindle (TBR)
Mother of Pearl by [Coates Gilbert, Kellie]


Mother of Pearl
by Kellie Coates Gilbert
All of my Ladies Book Club enjoyed this. It is well written with a good message.
I will post a review with giveaway this week.
Click on book title for full description.




Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Author2018)


The Memory Tree (Carson Chronicles Book 2)
by John A. Heldt
I am enjoying this but it is long.
Source: Author.
Click on book title for full description.



2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)
Nation audiobook cover art


Nation
By: Terry Pratchett
Narrated by: Stephen Briggs
Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
I am 2+ hours in and curious where it will go.
I have had this a long time and decided to listen to it for TBR Challenge.
Source: Audible 2012 January Credit Purchase.
Publisher's Summary
The sea has taken everything.
Thirteen-year-old Mau is the only one left after a giant wave sweeps his island village away. But when much is taken, something is returned, and somewhere in the jungle, Daphne - a girl from the other side of the globe - is the sole survivor of a ship destroyed by the same wave.
Together, the two confront the aftermath of catastrophe. And slowly, other refugees arrive - children without parents, mothers without babies, husbands without wives - all of them hungry and all of them frightened. As Mau and Daphne struggle to keep the small band safe and fed, they defy ancestral spirits, challenge death himself, and uncover a long-hidden secret that literally turns the world upside down....
Internationally revered storyteller Terry Pratchett presents a breathtaking adventure of survival and discovery, and of the courage required to forge new beliefs.
©2008 Terry and Lyn Pratchett (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers



I will no doubt start another audio but I haven't decided which one yet.


September 9, 2018 - I enjoy my You Version App where I get to highlight passages and create Biblical images. I am on track with my morning reading the One Year Bible plan on my smartphone. You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.


I completed 2 books and posted 2 reviews. That leaves me one review to post.
I'm doing pretty good adding current reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. I have some older ones to catch up on.
My NetGalley shelf is still at 13. I still have one author title in queue and two review titles. Still many through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.



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 have one new review title.
I ended up with 2 new audio titles.

I didn't pick up any Kindle paid titles.
I only picked up two free kindle titles this week. (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 accepted a tour book from Bewitching Book Tours:
Tour date 10/3/18
Operation Earth by [Hammarblad, Maria]Operation Earth
by Maria Hammarblad
"Seven billion people on Earth go about their daily lives, and no one is prepared when a global EMP slows the world to a crawl. Within days alien soldiers line the streets, and life will never be the same."
I read Kidnapped by this author years ago. This is sci fi Alien Invasion so it is up my alley.


Won
NONE


Purchased
I picked up one Audible Daily Deal 9/9/2018 $1.95
You Need a Budget audiobook cover artYou Need a Budget
The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want
By: Jesse Mecham
Narrated by: Jesse Mecham
Length: 4 hrs and 54 mins
Release date: 12-26-17

Free
9/8/18 I got one Audible Free Download from a New Benefit: Audible Originals are a new genre of shorter programming written directly to the intimate listening aesthetic of Audible. This was my first of two picks.
The Coming Storm audiobook cover artThe Coming Storm
By: Michael Lewis
Narrated by: Michael Lewis
Length: 2 hrs and 27 mins
Release date: 07-31-18


I only added 2 free titles to my Kindle library this week. Another week of no time even to download free titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement September 9, 2018

We had a nice Sunday School lesson covering 1 Corinthians 1 verse 2. Our SS teacher says he will get moving along, otherwise, at this rate, it would take over 8 years to go through 1 Corinthians!

This morning we had a Youth Movement service where our youth took over with music, video and sermon. It was very good. I really enjoyed the music and the message. Our youth pastor shared that he is leading the youth in a series called “Following Jesus in the 21st Century”.
He noted that it isn’t easy to be a young Christian in this age of free living.
Christian youth (and adults) must learn to “Fix your focus”.

There is great cost for following Christ. Luke 9:57-62. It is life changing. We must recognize what is most important, which is the kingdom of God; investing in the eternal; adding to the Kingdom, not just going along for the ride. Momentary things of the world are unimportant.
“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14.
Our lives are a fleeting shadow. Psalm 144:3-4.

We must strive to live showing God's characteristics. We are meant to live for more than worldly gain. God put you here for a purpose. God intends that we be something much greater than who we are individually. We must correct our focus from life to eternity.

The youth pastor shared the story image of a man with a long white rope that extends around the room. At the end is a tiny price of red tape. The white cord signifies Eternity compared to the red which is our tiny time on Earth.

Fix your focus. Remember that heaven and hell are reality --- forever. It isn’t easy.

They shared a video with the youth talking about the things they face in school and among the other students: temptations, ridicule, harassment. Sad to hear that the schools smell of pot and that so many use drugs and alcohol. They also shared their faith that gives them strength to stand against the evils of the world!

Pastor then reminded us that we are here to be the church. To win souls. The greatest chance to win a soul is before age 16. The church people need to encourage the youth; to let them stand on our shoulders.

Even in our small community, even in the ‘Bible belt’, there are hundreds of students who have no one in their lives to point them to Christ. Adults and students need to be a beacon, a light in darkness. A lighthouse to the unchurched.

The youth sang this song this morning which is new to me. I LOVE the words!
Reckless Love!
Verses for Today:
Psalm 144:3-4 (NIV)
3 Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
mere mortals that you think of them?
4 They are like a breath;
their days are like a fleeting shadow.

My comment/addition: I was impressed how the words to this song can be a prayer, not just for me, but for loved ones who need to know Jesus. I will substitute their name for the word “me”.
Image result for Psalm 144:3-4
Image result for Psalm 144:3-4

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Sharing Beyond Books #352 Comment Giveaway September 8, 2018

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
4 mentioned contemporary romance, Historical Romance and fantasy; 2 mentioned mystery, paranormal romance, sci fi and historical fiction. Other mentions were cozy mysteries, urban fantasy, contemporary, YA, woman's fiction, time slip, romance and military sci fi. From those of us who answered Sharing Beyond Books #97 Comment Giveaway April 27, 2013, Miki and bn100 named the same reading genre but the rest of us have changed.


The Winner from SBB #351 comments is: #9 CAROL L 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 #352
(One Question.)

CarolL asks: Aside from reading a series, do you stay with one genre or do you mix it up through the month?
Now that we shared our favorite genres, I know that I do try to mix it up so I have variety in the month.
Image result for Variety in Reading
Image found at Classroom Nook.

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. CarolL asks: Aside from reading a series, do you stay with one genre or do you mix it up through the month?

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 September 22, 2018 at 5 PM central.

Friday, September 7, 2018

Audible Book Review: All These Worlds, Bobiverse Book 3, by Dennis E. Taylor

This is a fun and engaging space sci fi.
All These Worlds
Bobiverse, Book 3
By: Dennis E. Taylor
Narrated by: Ray Porter
All These Worlds audiobook cover art
Series: Bobiverse, Book 3
Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 08-08-17
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Military Space, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


Publisher's Summary
The epic and highly anticipated conclusion to the listener-favorite series that had countless Audible listeners (and employees) hooked from the very first Bob—featuring, as always, a flawless performance from the inimitable Ray Porter.
Being a sentient spaceship really should be more fun. But after spreading out through space for almost a century, Bob and his clones just can't stay out of trouble.
They've created enough colonies so humanity shouldn't go extinct. But political squabbles have a bad habit of dying hard, and the Brazilian probes are still trying to take out the competition. And the Bobs have picked a fight with an older, more powerful species with a large appetite and a short temper.
Still stinging from getting their collective butts kicked in their first encounter with the Others, the Bobs now face the prospect of a decisive final battle to defend Earth and its colonies. But the Bobs are less disciplined than a herd of cats, and some of the younger copies are more concerned with their own local problems than defeating the Others.
Yet salvation may come from an unlikely source. A couple of eighth-generation Bobs have found something out in deep space. All it will take to save the Earth and perhaps all of humanity is for them to get it to Sol - unless the Others arrive first.
©2017 Dennis E. Taylor (P)2017 Audible, Inc.


Review:
This is a satisfying conclusion of a fun series. Bob was a human who woke up to find his brain had been used to create a sentient AI spaceship. Bob and his many clones have spread throughout the universe. They have helped develop new worlds for human colonies and even helped with alien species on their own planets and as refuges to a new planet to survive.

The author follows several threads on different planets. Many of the Bobs have created Android bodies to interact with the colonists or other aliens. The original Bob is living, undercover, with his aging Deltan friend Archimedes. Howard returns to comfort Bridgette when her husband dies and they renew a close friendship over the objection of her children. Marcus joins the rebels in Poseidon.

While the younger Bobs worry about their new colonies, the older ones worry how they can save humans from decimation by the Others. The Others have already committed genocide of several worlds. The Bobs fought them but failed to save the planet where the Pavs lived. Now there is concern that the Others will attack the earth where millions of survivors are still waiting to be paid.

This book is a little calmer than the first too but still engaging. There is a good balance of humor, danger and even family drama. I enjoyed the interesting dynamics of the AIs trying to balance the extent of their involvement with humans and experiencing loss as long-time companions age and die. The fantasy doesn’t require a lot of hard thought but provides light, fun entertainment.
I recommend this to readers who enjoy a lighter sci fi fantasy.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter is a stellar narrator. He provides many varied voices and conveys equally well the somber and snarky characters. His narration definitely enhances the enjoyment for me.

Source: Audible 2018 April Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2018 Audiobook Challenge.

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