Sunday Post October 7, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 7, 2018

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.

My week was busy although I can't quite place where the time went.
I've had fun getting back to corralling the chickens. We are up to 8 and 9 eggs a day plus we found a couple of hidden stashes.

This is a picture of one of the stashes we found behind our barbecue grill.

My reading and listening was a bit slower. I finished two books (sort of) and I am close to finished on a third: one ebook and one audible title. I managed to get five reviews posted as well as all of my usual memes.

I visited only 20 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Maureen's Books who shares reviews and other bookish memes.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post September 30, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 1, 2018.

• A2018- Audible Book Review: The Watchmaker's Daughter by C. J. Archer; Fantasy, Historical, Mystery; my rating: Overall 4.75 of 5.0; Narration: 5.0 of 5.0.

• eTour- Tour Review: Operation Earth by Maria Hammarblad; Alien Invasion, Romance, Sci Fi; my rating: 3.75 of 5.0

• ATBR- Goodreads Book Review: American Exit Strategy (The Economic Collapse, #1) by Mark Goodwin; Contemporary, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 5, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/11/2018.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Genesis: Arisen, Book 0.5 by Michael Stephen Fuchs; Sci Fi, Zombie; my rating: Story: 3.75 of 5.0; Narration: 5.0 of 5.0.

• NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Shelved Under Murder by Victoria Gilbert; Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mystery; my rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #354 Comment Giveaway October 6, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/20/2018.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 7, 2018.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Review)

To Thine Be the Glory
by Angela D. Martin
I am finding this interesting.
Source: Review Request from PublishingPush.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Extinction Cycle Boxed Set
Extinction Horizon, Extinction Edge, and Extinction Age (The Extinction Cycle, Books 1 - 3)
By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

I finished Book 1 and have started Book 2
Source: Audible February, 2017 credit selection.
Extinction Horizon
Total extinction is just on the horizon, but will the cure be worse than the virus?
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG2018)

Once Upon a Heartbreak
by Cassie Rocca
At 80%. This is a cute story although a little annoying at times.
Source: NetGalley 2018.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Extinction Cycle Boxed Set
Extinction Horizon, Extinction Edge, and Extinction Age (The Extinction Cycle, Books 1 - 3)
By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

I have been wanting to listen to a book over 24 hours and this is a TBR that fit the bill.
Source: Audible February, 2017 credit selection.
I am now on book two.
Extinction Edge
Click on book title for full description.
Extinction Age
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (TBR Ladies Book Club)

The Evidence (The Mars Hill Classified Series)
by Mr. Austin W Boyd
I have been looking forward to reading this. It starts with some fun action.
This is for Ladies Book Club meeting 10/13.
Source: Print books picked up prior to 2017. eBook picked up on sale 2017.
Product Description
As commander John Wells watches from the International Space Station, terrorists cripple Washington. While the world suspects Iranian jihadists, unexplained images from Mars offer a staggering alternative. Caught in a web of politics, John heeds his country's call to head to the Red Planet. Was he born for this moment in history? 448 pages, softcover from Living Ink.

As of Thursday I will start ebooks for FraterFest. I plan to read TBR eBooks.
These are a few of the shorter titles I may try to read:
A Walk in the Woods: A Horror Short Story by Rebecca M. Senese (2011) 9pgs
DARK REALITY-A Horror Tale by Billie Sue Mosiman (2012) 27pgs
Island Ghosts: A Will Castleton Adventure byDavid Bain (2012) 30pgs
Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts (Ten Tales Fantasy & Horror Stories) by Tracie McBride (Author), William Meikle (Author), Douglas Kolacki (Author), & 6 more (2012) 87pgs
A Romantic Ghost Story by Jason W. Chan (2013) 92pgs
Sixtus-A Suspense Thriller by Tim Kizer (2012) 101pgs
Come to the Cemetery: A Weird Tale of Ghostly Love & Revenge (Young Adult Horror Book 1) by Jackson Dean Chase (2017) 105pgs
Haunted (The Horror Diaries Book 1) by Heather Beck (2015) 127
Fosgate's Game by David C. Cassidy (Author, Illustrator) (2015) 151
Skinwalker: A Western Horror Novel (Gideon Thorn #1) by Michael Newton (2015) 158
So Damn Beautiful: The Lonely One: Book 1 of the SO DAMN BEAUTIFUL Crime Horror-Thriller Trilogy by A.E. Hodge (2015) 161
FROM AWAY - Series One, Book One: A Serial Thriller of Arcane and Eldritch Horror by Deke Mackey Jr. (2016) 169
Grounded Spirits (ghost story/mystery set in Ireland) by P. D. Martin (2012) 179

Audible: The Ghost and The Graveyard (Knight Games Book 1) by Genevieve Jack (2013) 2018 Daily Deal

October 7, 2018 - I am still up to date and enjoying my Bible reading through You Version App.  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 5 reviews. That puts me at 8 reviews still to post! I will keep plugging away.
Obviously I have all of these reviews to add to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible so I am way behind again. I still have older ones to catch up on too.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 10. I still have one author title in queue. 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 no new review titles although I am eyeing a couple.
I picked up two for one credit titles at Audiobooks.com
I resisted the Audible Daily Deals this week. There is a two for one sale going on but Audible website is not allowing me access. This happened in September too. I sent a chat and the staff gave me a credit for my trouble. But that doesn't let me get to the two for one. I will try calling them tomorrow.
I didn't pick up any Kindle paid titles.
I picked up just a few 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

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

Audiobooks Two for One Credit:
Wild Horses
By B. J. Daniels
Duration: 8 h 36 min


and

Promise Me Texas
By Jodi Thomas
Duration: 10 h 58 min

Free

I received this from Pelican Book Group while I was away in Illinois. It sounds like fun reading.
Preserving Liberty: Pure Amore: Sweet Romance, Pure Enjoyment
by Candice Sue Patterson
I added 4 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 October 7, 2018

We were glad to be back at our home church this morning. Our Sunday School teacher continued his study in Corinthians. Corinthians 1:17 - 2:16. The title: Foolish Preaching.

Pastor’s sermon was the conclusion to a series called The Trade. His opening question was: “When was the last time you had to chase someone/something?” (My answer was chickens and before that was twins!) Chasing is part of life. Man has an internal drive to pursue – it might be a job, career, success or relationship.

What about our drive to go after God? When was the last time we experienced that? When we seek God we should be aware that a trade is required. Philippians 3:7- 11. Paul explains that all else is worthless compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:8-9. Our relationship and pursuit is dependent on faith. Hebrews 11:1 -13. Part of faith is recognizing that the universe was created by God's hand. Hebrews 11:3. And recognizing that the only way to please God is by faith and He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6.

Point: Will you trade all of you to pursue all of Jesus?

Press on, chase, pursue. Philippians 3: 12-15. We all need to pray for help to want to press on. Are you willing to give all of you for all of Him? Throw off sin. Throw off distractions. It may require that we simplify life. It may also require that we add prayer and loving others to our life.

We finished the service with communion during which we were advised to contemplate the question: Will you make the trade?

I believe this song fits with the message: Surrender

Verses for Today:
Philippians 3:12-15 (NIV)
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, please do help me want to press in to pursue you!

Sharing Beyond Books #354 Comment Giveaway October 6, 2018

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
I liked learning what each of you like about your favorite genres. Fantasy readers mentioned the world building, escapism and possibilities. Historical fans mentioned liking history (of course) and different times. Mystery fans liked suspense and contemporary fans mentioned realism. BN100 mentioned good writing which would apply to any genre. :-)

The Winner from SBB #353 comments is: #4 MIKI 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 #354

(One Question.)

Alina asks: What destination/city/museum would you want to see at least once in your life??

I had to think about this question. I have been blessed to have traveled a bit and have seen many wonderful, beautiful places. I have been to good museums in Philadelphia, New York and Washington, DC including the Smithsonian.  We have visited the Ark, the Grand Canyon, Gettysburg, some castles in Europe and special places in Hawaii and Alaska - just to mention a few. I thought maybe there is a special library I would like to visit. And I would like to see Jerusalem in my after life if not during my life.
At this point my husband and I would like to visit quiet places: small town America and places like the state park where we spent a night over our last trip: Lake Lurleen, AL.

These are photos I took of our campsite.

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. Alina asks: What destination/city/museum would you want to see at least once in your life??

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 October 20, 2018 at 5 PM central.

#NetGalley Book Review: Shelved Under Murder by Victoria Gilbert

I enjoyed this solid, easy, cozy mystery.

Shelved Under Murder: A Blue Ridge Library Mystery
by Victoria Gilbert

File Size: 4606 KB
Print Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (July 10, 2018)
ASIN: B075QJHPR9
Genre: Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Autumn leaves aren’t the only things falling in the historic Virginia village of Taylorsford—so are some cherished memories, and a few bodies. October in Taylorsford, Virginia means it’s leaf peeping season, with bright colorful foliage and a delightful fresh crew of tourists attending the annual Heritage Festival which celebrates local history and arts and crafts. Library director Amy Webber, though, is slightly dreading having to spend two days running a yard sale fundraiser for her library. But during these preparations, when she and her assistant Sunny stumble across a dead body, Amy finds a real reason to be worried.
The body belonged to a renowned artist who was murdered with her own pallet knife. A search of the artist’s studio uncovers a cache of forged paintings, and when the sheriff’s chief deputy Brad Tucker realizes Amy is skilled in art history research, she’s recruited to aid the investigation. It doesn’t seem to be an easy task, but when the state’s art expert uncovers a possible connection between Amy’s deceased uncle and the murder case, Amy must champion her Aunt Lydia to clear her late husband’s name.
That’s when another killing shakes the quiet town, and danger sweeps in like an autumn wind. Now, with her swoon-inducing neighbor Richard Muir, Amy must scour their resources to once again close the books on murder in Shelved Under Murder, the charming second installment in Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library mysteries, perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Miranda James.

Review:
Amy Webber is the library director for this historic village of Taylorsford, Virginia. The town hosts an annual Heritage Festival in October during which the library runs a yard sale fundraiser. The library fundraiser always tries to include art work, especially from local artists. This year they have arranged for pieces to be donated by a famous local artist. However, when Amy and her friend/assistant, Sunny, arrive to pick up the works, they find a dead artist instead. The police search of the studio, scene of the crime, reveals a hidden cache of what appear to be forged paintings. Since Amy studied art history and is skilled at researching, she is asked by the sheriff’s office to help in the investigation.

An art expert is brought in on the case and he is invited to stay with Amy and her Aunt Lydia since the local inns are full of tourists. The gentleman confirms the forgeries but also discloses a connection to Lydia’s late husband who was an undiscovered artist. Amy and Lydia now have to try to unravel the mystery of the forged paintings while trying to stay away from the murderer.

There are several suspects available, including the deceased woman’s husband, a local youth who has a drug problem and a local wealthy man whose business history is a bit shady. Amy’s fiancé, Richard, a dance and choreographer artist, is along board for moral and physical support. Richard would like to know she is safe, but he has reason to worry. It seems that Amy has a knack for getting into trouble as she was involved in a murder investigation during the summer.

I enjoyed the easy style of this cozy with its real to life writing and lovely autumn descriptions. This is right in line with what I expect from a cozy mystery with the small-town atmosphere, a few quirky characters, jealousies and misdirections. The elements of art forgery added interest. There were also some hints of romance among other characters.

I enjoyed this enough to be interested in reading the first in the series, A Murder for the Books, to find out how Amy and Richard meet and fall in love – as well as learning about the first murder event. I recommend this easy read to fans of the cozy mystery genre.

Source: NetGalley 2018. This qualifies for my 2018 NetGalley Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Genesis: Arisen, Book 0.5 by Michael Stephen Fuchs

This zombie genre story has strong characters and good action.
Genesis: Arisen, Book 0.5
By: Michael Stephen Fuchs
Narrated by: R. C. Bray

Series: Arisen, Book 0.5
Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 07-11-14
Language: English
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Genre: Sci Fi, Zombie
My Rating: Story: 3.75 of 5.0
Narration: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Tucked away in a high-tech Tactical Operations Center, inside an isolated safehouse in the Horn of Africa, sits Agency analyst Zack Altringham. He is Kenyan-born, Princeton-educated, badly burnt-out - and condemned by his language and cultural skills to a lifetime of fighting America's shadow counter-terror wars. But when another mystery epidemic breaks out, terrifyingly quickly it reaches a tipping point and chaos descends - and Zack and his team (including two former Team Six SEALs) are trapped between the millstones of the sick and the dying on one side, and heavily armed militias on the other. Soon their "safe" house is in flames, and their only remaining option is to get in their up-armored SUV and try to escape the imploding gravity well of the city, to the safety of the American military base in Djibouti. But by then, will there be anywhere safe left on Earth to escape to?
©2012 Michael Stephen Fuchs (P)2014 Podium Publishing

Review:
This is military v zombie tale which explains how the virus outbreak starts. A special CIA team is deep in Africa providing tactical intel on the continual unrest in the area. The team consists of two analysts, Zach and Baxter, supported by two former Seal protectors, Mad Bob and Duggin. People in the area are beginning to show signs of illness – then it becomes more serious. This is no simple civilian unrest but something much worse. As they begin to witness the infected people turning into attacking zombies, the team monitors events from their well-equipped safe house. Zach is able to make contact with his superiors in Langley but the plague isn’t limited to Africa and there will be no support coming from the states. Within two weeks their safe house is overrun and they are out on the streets in a desperate run for safety to an American military base.

The story is well told in first person by Zach. The beginning is a bit slower as the characters are developed with background history. I really liked the characters and hoped they would all survive. Zach provides an interesting philosophical perspective as the apocalypse becomes apparent. There is plenty of action once the plague takes over the population and as the team tries to escape to safety. The military detail is strong and there is good discussion of viral science.

I was glad to listen to this entry in a longer series. It sounds as though the stories are related but do not necessarily include connecting characters. I recommend this to readers who enjoy zombie stories. I won’t be rushing to get the next in this series, but I might pick up more if I am in the mood for more zombie stories.

Audio notes: R. C. Bray is a superb narrator whose skills add to the works he reads. He provides unique voices with fitting accents, making the characters more alive.

Source: Audible 2017 December Sale Purchase. This qualifies for 2018TBR and Audiobook Challenges.