MBS March 2020 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2020 Reading List - MARCH

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2020
Favorites for the month:
5 Stars = The Queen and the Cure
4.75 Stars = I’ve Never Been This Old,
4.5 Stars = 5 books

1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Koban: Rise of the Kobani by Stephen W. Bennett; Genre: Aliens, Colonization, Military Space Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
2. A2020- Audible Book Review: Archangel One by Evan Currie; Genre: Military Space Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi, Space Marine; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
3. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Identity Theft by Alana Terry; Genre: Christian, Romance, Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
4. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: I've Never Been This Old Before by Stan Toler; Genre: Humor, Inspirational, Self Help; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.
5. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Rise of the Locusts: A Post-Apocalyptic Techno-Thriller (Cyber Armageddon, Book 1) by Mark Goodwin; Genre: Christian, Futuristic, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
6. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Light of the Last by Chuck Black; Genre: Christian Action, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 3.75.
7. ATBR- #Audio Book Review: Olivia Twist by Lorie Langdon; Genre: Clean & Wholesome, LBC, Romance, Teen & Young Adult; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
8. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron; Genre: Cyberpunk, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
9. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Archangel Rising by Evan Currie; Genre: Sci-Fi, Space Marine Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
10. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Queen and the Cure by Amy Harmon; Genre: Fairy-Tale, Fantasy, Romance; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Narration. 
11. ATBR- Audible David Ignatow: Five Poems
12. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Piles of Bones by Michael J. Sullivan; Genre: Fantasy, Short Story; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
13. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Coding Capers by Angela Cleveland and Tamara Zentic; Genre: Children School Issues, Computers, Robots, STEM; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
14. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: Who Rescued Who by Victoria Schade; Genre: Animal, Contemporary Romance; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Total read = 14; TBR = 12; New to Me Authors = 8
Audio/Audible = 10 (9 TBRs)
eBook = 0
NetGalley = 4 (3 TBRs)
Review books (other than NG) = 0
Print = 0

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 40
TBR to Date: 34 of 100 total
TBR ebooks: 2 of 24
Audio to Date: 26 of 75
NetGalley to Date: 13 of 40
Author Reviews: 2 of 12
Nonfiction: 3 of 12

• New to me Series: 4 (2 to continue, 2 maybe)
• Continuing for me Series: 5
• Finished for me Series: 2
• Seasonal title: Winter 1,
• Alphabet letters covered: 10 Jan; 7 Feb; 5 March;

Sunday Post April 5, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 6, 2020

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.

We are still at work although contracts and closings are reduced. I have legal paperwork to catch up on. We are considering a staggered schedule especially for the two mothers who have children at home. We will close for Friday.

Bear got his spring hair grooming this week. (Thank goodness we had a lady who was able to do this.)

These are his before and after pictures.

Our weather was high 50s to low 80s, which was pretty nice.
May everyone continue to stay calm and healthy in these uncertain times.

I had a good week of listening and reading although it seemed slower. I finished two ebooks and one audiobook. I posted four reviews and my usual memes.

I visited only 14 blogs last week - not so good.
Shout Out this week to KimberlyFaye Reads. Kim states: "I’m a lady with a passion for books." She is also a photographer. Check out her nicely designed website.

Don't forget- Audible is offering free children's titles during these days at home.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post March 22, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 23, 2020.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Queen and the Cure by Amy Harmon; Genre: Fairy-Tale, Fantasy, Romance; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Narration.

• NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Coding Capers by Angela Cleveland and Tamara Zentic; Genre: Children School Issues, Computers, Robots, STEM; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 3, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/9/2020.

• NG2019- Audible Book Review: Piles of Bones by Michael J. Sullivan; Genre: Fantasy, Short Story; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: Who Rescued Who by Victoria Schade; Genre: Animal, Contemporary Romance; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

• Sharing Beyond Books #392 Comment Giveaway April 4, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/18/2020.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 5, 2020 Palm Sunday.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG2020)

Who Rescued Who
by Victoria Schade
(Releasing 24 Mar 2020)
This has a charming cover and an interesting story.
 Source: NetGalley Requested 2019 but Received 2020.
See the review linked above.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Differently Morphous
By: Yahtzee Croshaw
Narrated by: Yahtzee Croshaw
Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins
Release date: 03-06-18
This is fun and a bit zany.
Source: May 2018 Audible Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (Author2020)

Hood: an Outlaws novella
by M.C. Frank
I liked this retelling of the birth of the legend of Robin Hood. The story moves quickly and is engaging.
Source: Author pdf March 2020.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (A2020)

Configured
The Configured Trilogy, Book 1
By: Jenetta L. Penner
Narrated by: Lillie Ricciardi
Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
Release date: 11-03-17
I am several hours into this audiobook and am enjoying it.
I have the third book from the author.
3/28/2020 Audible One March Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

A Bad Day for Sunshine
by Darynda Jones
I just started and I am already enjoying
Jones' snarky humor and sharp writing.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
Sheriff Sunshine Vicram finds her cup o’ joe more than half full when the small village of Del Sol, New Mexico, becomes the center of national attention for a kidnapper on the loose.
Del Sol, New Mexico is known for three things: its fry-an-egg-on-the-cement summers, strong cups of coffee—and, now, a nationwide manhunt? Del Sol native Sunshine Vicram has returned to town as the elected sheriff—thanks to her adorably meddlesome parents who nominated her—and she expects her biggest crime wave to involve an elderly flasher named Doug. But a teenage girl is missing, a kidnapper is on the loose, and all of this is reminding Sunshine why she left Del Sol in the first place. Add to that the trouble at her daughter’s new school, plus and a kidnapped prized rooster named Puff Daddy, and, well, the forecast looks anything but sunny.
But even clouds have their silver linings. This one's got Levi, Sunshine's sexy, almost-old-flame, and a fiery-hot US Marshal. With temperatures rising everywhere she turns, Del Sol's normally cool-minded sheriff is finding herself knee-deep in drama and danger. Can Sunshine face the call of duty—and find the kidnapper who's terrorizing her beloved hometown—without falling head over high heels in love...or worse?

3. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Road to the Resurrection
Explore and Share the Miracle of Easter
Author Greg Laurie
Narrator Ray Porter
Runtime 2.5 Hrs. - Unabridged
I look forward to listening this week.
Source: ChristianAudio 2011?
DESCRIPTION
A guidebook to the facts and circumstances surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. The listener will examine the people, places and timeline of that first Easter. But more than that, delve into the prophecies of those events, given hundreds of year prior, as well what happened after Christ rose from the dead.

I'm keeping track of my Alphabet here as I finish the books. The cross-outs aren't easy to see, so I made the completed letters blue.
NETGALLEY: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W X  Y  Z
AUDIO:            A  B  C  D  E  F G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W X  Y  Z

April 5, 2020 - I am again enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I considered changing but this is the reading group that is closest to my husband's reading so we can sometimes discuss the same passages.
I am on day 39 of the 46 day Lent study: Lent: With One Voice. I will most likely do an Easter plan this week too.

I completed three books and posted four reviews so I am one review ahead.
My NetGalley shelf is now 13, plus the four titles from 2012-13 which I still hope to read this year.
I still have one carry over author ebook and two new author ebooks. I expect to pull one of these soon.
Still many titles 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 received no new review titles this week.
I picked up five audiobooks. Three low prices at Chrip and two free books.
I added 5 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

3/31/2020 Chirp $1.99
The Body on the Train
Written by Frances Brody
Narrated by Anne Dover
Release Date: November 12, 2019
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Run time: 9 hours and 52 minutes

4/01/2020 Chirp for $.99
Wolf's Bane
Written by Aimee Easterling
Narrated by Piper Goodeve
Release Date: July 2, 2019
Publisher: Wetknee Books
Run time: 5 hours and 43 minutes

4/5/2020 Chirp for $1.99
The Uninvited Corpse
by Debra Sennefelder
Narrated by: Callie Beaulieu
Release Date: March 27, 2018
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Run time: 8 hours and 35 minutes

Free

4/01/2020 Chirp Free
Almost a Bride
Written by Patricia McLinn
Narrated by Julia Motyka
Release Date: January 5, 2014
Publisher: Craig Place Books
Run time: 8 hours and 19 minutes

4/3/2020 April free ChristianAudio.com
Don't Lose Heart
Gospel Hope for the Discouraged Soul
Author Jason Meyer
Narrator Adam Verner
Runtime 3.0 Hrs. - Unabridged


I added 5 free Kindle titles to my Kindle library. 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 April 5, 2020 Palm Sunday

We shared another online service this morning. Pastor pointed out that this Holy Week will be different than others in the past. He shared the message of Luke 19 with the Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem that is celebrated as Palm Sunday. He encouraged us to think on the tragedy that progresses this week to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross on Friday.

My husband and I have had the privilege of celebrating the Passover supper and foot washing before participating in the watch of prayer and sorrow on Good Friday. I plan to be mindful of these memories this week.

My husband an I are watching The Passion of Christ on television. I had forgotten how powerful it is. My heart hurts. I am comforted that I know what a week will bring.

I had a little trouble picking a song for today while viewing the events of Holy Friday.

Then I found this one for Palm Sunday. (It may be long but it is worth listening!)

Verses for Today:
Luke 19: 36-47 NIV
36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.


I pray, Oh Lord, that You help me focus this week, and all the days beyond, on Your Story!

Sharing Beyond Books #392 Comment Giveaway April 4, 2020

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.
Thanks to everyone who commented last week. I hope you are staying safe through this trying time.

The last question all participants agreed they enjoy learning of other cultures through their reading - even if it is futuristic space cultures for Linda and me as we read a lot of sci-fi. Several people mentioned historical England and Native American genres. Also mentioned were Western Cultures, Australia, Feudal Japan, ancient China, current China, North Korea, India, New Orleans, and Fredamans mentioned Elif Shafak who is a Turkish-British author.

The Winner from SBB #391 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. -- [11/16/19 I plan to add some review books this week and maybe some new Christmas and Love titles as soon as I locate the box I put them in.  10/5/19 I have pulled some new books and will be adding them to the list in the next week or so.

**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 #392

(One Question.)

Miki asks: Is there a moment of the year when you prefer to have a new release (what time an author should release her/his book to have more chance of you buying it).

I don't have any preference on book releases dates/time of year. I do however keep an eye out for the next book in my favorite series. Two series that quickly come to mind are: Mercy Thompson (I will be picking up the latest just released in March)  and The Destroyermen series (I have last year's release to listen to and another is coming out in June).

Image found at Almost an Author.

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 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards 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 them.

Your turn to share. Miki asks: Is there a moment of the year when you prefer to have a new release (what time an author should release her/his book to have more chance of you buying it).

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, April 18, 2020, at 5 PM central.

#NetGalley Book Review: Who Rescued Who by Victoria Schade

The cover is adorable and the story gets there eventually.

Who Rescued Who
by Victoria Schade

File Size: 2526 KB
Print Length: 351 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0593098838
Publisher: Berkley (March 24, 2020)
ASIN: B07TSWP85J
Genre: Animal, Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Where can you turn when the world turns against you? When Elizabeth Barnes’ life fell apart she never imagined that she’d be rescued by a new friend on four paws.
The plan was simple: Elizabeth would ignore the fact that she was unjustly fired from her dream job, fly across the pond to settle an unexpected inheritance in her father’s home country and quickly return to reclaim her position among the Silicon Valley elite.
But when Elizabeth stumbles upon an abandoned puppy, she’s shocked to realize that her brief trip to England might turn into an extended stay. Her strict itinerary is upended completely by the pup’s dogged devotion, and soon the loveable puppy helps her to connect with a tight-knit community of new friends on two legs and four, from the aunt and uncle she didn't know existed, to a grumpy coffee shop owner to two very opinionated sheep. Along the way Elizabeth is confronted by long-kept family secrets, hard truths about her former life and a new romance that might lead her to question everything she knows about love. Because sometimes rescue magic happens on both ends of the leash.

Review:
Elizabeth Barnes is a workaholic who has no life beyond her job and her obsessive social media focus. She is experiencing a bit of shellshock and a lot of anger after being unfairly fired from her dream Silicon Valley job. While trying to figure out how to get her feet – and life—back on track, she gets a surprising email from a man claiming to be her uncle. The problem is she never knew she had an uncle in England.

Elizabeth finally decides to take a quick trip to England to settle the unexpected inheritance which will provide a financial cushion while she is trying to get back into the work market. Elizabeth is surprised to find a warm welcome and soon growing friendships in the small backwater village of Fargrove. Elizabeth discovers a man she is interested in and stumbles upon an abandoned puppy who adopts her. Everyone tells her that she is responsible for the puppy since she found her.

Elizabeth is surprised to learn her uncle is a well-known artist. She hadn’t planned to remain in Fargrove but finds herself staying to help nurse her aunt after a fall, help her uncle categorize his many unrevealed paintings, train a new puppy, and nurture a possible romance. Meanwhile, she continues to fret that she has limited cell phone service and she fusses over her minimized social responses.

In spite of a rocky start, Elizabeth is soon wrapped into the community with everyone hoping she will settle on the land she has inherited and strengthen her developing relationship with James. When Elizabeth is offered a job to get back in the scene of Silicon Valley, will she walk away from her uncle and aunt, her puppy Georgina, her new friends, and James?

I was drawn to the adorable puppy cover. Unfortunately for over 50% of the book, I had a hard time coping with Elizabeth’s very self-centered and self-absorbed attitude. She was given wonderful opportunities but was too focused on her Silicon Valley elitism to really see what was in front of her. Her romance interest tried to resist getting involved, but once he did, instead of pushing Elizabeth to talk about the future they ignored the topic or he sulked. I found it hard to understand why no one really pushed Elizabeth to consider her choices.

I really enjoyed the art aspects of this story and the wonderful natural setting with dogs and sheep included. Jame's beer business added interest too. Although I am glad I finished, I had to struggle to get to the end because of the primary character. Apparently many other reviewers did not have this problem so if you can handle a character who needs a swift boot a good talking to, you would likely enjoy this book.

Source: NetGalley Requested 2019 but Received 2020. This qualifies for 2020NetGalley and 2020Alphabet goals.