#NetGalley Book Review: The Quokkas, the Snails, and the Land of Happiness by Eric Geiger and Evie Geiger

This has a wonderful message of unconditional love!
The Quokkas, the Snails, and the Land of Happiness
Eric Geiger, Evie Geiger

Publisher : B&H Kids (March 16, 2021)
Hardcover : 64 pages
ISBN-10 : 1087713110
Reading age : 6 - 10 years
Grade level : 1 - 5
Genre: Children, Christian Values, Emotions
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

Two quokkas, two snails, one strawberry patch . . .
Suzy and Sam Snail live in the Land of Sadness, constantly working hard to feel loved. But their gloomy lives just might change when they meet two friendly quokkas who tell them all about the Creator and what life is like in the Land of Happiness. Will the Snails remain sad and empty? Or will they eagerly journey to a new land where grace, joy, and contentment grow instead?
Join these four quirky friends in the strawberry patch, and let this parable-style story offer your family a powerful conversation starter and a celebration of God’s gift of grace.

Review:
Kenton and Kailey are two happy Quokka children who live in the Land of Happiness. Their life isn’t always perfect, but they are grateful for all they have. They have a life perspective that gives them joy.

Across a meadow, in the Land of Sadness, lives the Snail family. Suzy and Sam struggle each day to earn approval from their parents and at school.

One day the four children meet in the strawberry patch between the lands. Kenton and Kailey share about the Creator and the ‘secret’ to their happy life. They invite Suzy and Sam to tell their parents and move to the Land of Happiness.

What is the secret to the Quokkas’ happiness? Will the Snails chose to change their view of life? This is a very sweet story that shares a message of God’s unconditional grace and love. I had never heard of Quokkas so that interested me by itself. The four children are cute and the message really warms my heart. The illustrations are adorable and the story is suitable, and I recommend it, for young readers.

Source: NetGalley 2020. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021NetGalley and 2021 Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Departure by A.G. Riddle

I liked this engaging time travel suspense.

Departure
By: A.G. Riddle
Narrated by: Nicola Barber, Scott Aiello

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
Release date: 02-17-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Technothriller, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
En route to London from New York, Flight 305 suddenly loses power and crash-lands in the English countryside, plunging a group of strangers into a mysterious adventure that will have repercussions for all of humankind.
Struggling to stay alive, the survivors soon realize that the world they've crashed in is very different from the one they left. But where are they? Why are they here? And how will they get back home?
Five passengers seem to hold clues about what's really going on: writer Harper Lane, venture capitalist Nick Stone, German genetic researcher Sabrina Schröder, computer scientist Yul Tan, and Grayson Shaw - the son of a billionaire philanthropist.
As more facts about the crash emerge, it becomes clear that some in this group know more than they're letting on - answers that will lead Harper and Nick to uncover a far-reaching conspiracy involving their own lives. As they begin to piece together the truth, they discover they have the power to change the future and the past - to save our world...or end it.
To read an epilogue to Departure and access other bonus material, go to agriddle.com/departure/extras
©2014 A.G. Riddle (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Review:
Harper is a writer who has been offered a contract to do an important biography. She is flying home from the interview and trying to decide if she should take this lucrative offer or turn her energies to her fiction writing. Near her in first class seating is a drunken, obnoxious man, Grayson Shaw, the son of the man she may write about. When Grayson gets too rowdy with an attendant, another passenger, Nick Stone, tries to calm him down. While they are in conflict the plane suddenly lunges, and quickly crashes.

Nick, a confident venture capitalist, takes charge at the crash scene where many of the passengers in the front have survived. He enlists a doctor, Sabrina, to help with the injured. Meanwhile, one man, later identified as computer scientist Yul Tan, remains in his seat fiercely working on his computer. The survivors soon realize that the rear half of the plane has fallen into a nearby lake and is in danger of sinking.

This group of five primary characters have an interwoven past that they aren’t aware. When a current day conflict involves them, they begin to question what is really going on.

I had some frustration with the stubbornness and opposition of characters who were supposed to be altruistic visionaries. Still, their behaviors created the conflict that fueled the tension among the characters. I enjoyed the suspense and time travel elements. There was also a small, but nice element of romance. The story is told in alternating views by Harper and Nick. The reading moved along at a quick pace. All together the plot and action made for an entertaining reading/listening. I recommend this to readers who enjoy time travel and suspense.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the dual narration by Nicola Barber and Scott Aiello. They managed to portray the character personalities through their voices. The narration enhance my reading experience.

Source: Audible Two for One Credit Sale 10/31/2020. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook an 2021Alphabet Audio goals.

Sunday Post March 28, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 29, 2021

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.

Heather is finally back in office although still having pain. I have been scrambling to catch up on my legal files and felt like I had a productive week.

Stock market still seems to be doing a small reversal right now. I'm being a bit more cautious on my weekly option investing.

My orchids are blooming and in bud.
I hope to get a better picture when the white orchid blooms.

We did get to enjoy Spring weather most of the week and expect more of the same this week.

I enjoyed all of my reading again this week. I finished two (almost three) audiobooks and one NetGalley children's book. I posted four reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 17 blogs again last week.
Shout Out this week to A WEB OF STORIES. mdawnott has kept a running journal of thoughts during the pandemic which is interesting.

Don't forget- Audible is offering free children's titles during these days at home.
Audiobooks.com is also offering free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post March 21, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 22, 2021.

• NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: Forever Phoebe by Chalon Linton; Genre: Clean, Historical Romance, Regency; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Hold Your Breath: A Novella by Wendy Walker; Genre: Mystery, Psychological, Thriller & Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 26, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/25/2021.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Outland by Dennis E. Taylor; Genre: Alternate World, Science Fiction,(time travel); My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• ATBR- Audio Book Review: The Golden Day by Ursula Dubosarsky; Genre: Historical, Mystery, Thriller; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement March 28, 2021.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Departure
By: A.G. Riddle
Narrated by: Nicola Barber, Scott Aiello
Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
Release date: 02-17-15
I liked this engaging time travel suspense.
Source: Audible Two for One Credit Sale 10/31/2020.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Kindle App on/Smartphone (NG2020)

The Quokkas, the Snails, and the Land of Happiness
Eric Geiger
This has a wonderful message of unconditional love!
Source: NetGalley 2020.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/ScanDisc(ATBR)

Bluebird Memories
Click on book title for full description.
By: Common, Awoye Timpo, NSangou Njikam
Narrated by: Common
Series: Words + Music
Length: 1 hr and 21 mins
This is an interesting cultural experience for me.
It may be my non-fiction for the month.
Source: Audible Plus August 2020.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

 
Ever Winter
By: Peter Hackshaw
Narrated by: Dan Stevens
Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
Release date: 01-26-21
Publisher: Podium Audio
This is a suspenseful dystopian, revenge story.
I have less than two hours left.
Source: 2021 NetGalley.
Publisher's Summary
Narrated by award-winning actor Dan Stevens (Beauty and the Beast, FX’s Legion) Ever Winter is a vivid and eloquent story of loss, rehabilitation, and revenge set in a post-apocalyptic ice world.
Far from the savage remnants of humanity, Henry and his family have managed to survive the grip of desolate, perpetual winter on a vast tundra that was once an ocean teeming with life. When the family is discovered, their peaceful existence is shattered and their lives changed forever.
Henry’s siblings are kidnapped, leaving him alone in the ruins of their home. Broken, altered, and tormented by all that has befallen him, he is driven to wreak vengeance upon those who assume him dead...by any means necessary.
Fans of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road or Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven will enjoy the raw, emotional pull of debut author Peter Hackshaw’s writing.
©2020 Peter Hackshaw (P)2021 Podium Audio

2. Kindle App on/Smartphone (eTBR)

Low Tide (The Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense Series Book 1)
by Dawn Lee McKenna
I am enjoying this Mystery set in our near-by Florida as part of a book club with my local Woman's Club.
Source: Free Kindle 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Print (TBR)

The Faith of Condoleezza Rice
by Leslie Montgomery
I picked this up over two years ago for our Ladies Book Club. I thought it was a good choice for Women's History Month for my Ladies Book Club as we begin to meet again.
Source: February 2018 Discounted price at Christianbooks.com
This is not a book about politics. It is a book about a little black girl who was born into a Christian home in the racially explosive town of Birmingham, Alabama, during the throes of the Civil Rights Movement. It’s about two parents who quietly defied discrimination, stood against injustice, clung to their faith, and raised their child to follow the Lord they themselves served. They believed wholeheartedly that she was a gift from God born for such a time as this and that he had a special plan and a purpose for her life—a plan for good, and not for evil, a plan to give her a hope and a future—all this despite what the world shouted at them through hatred and prejudice that hovered over them mercilessly.
Condoleezza Rice has built her life and career on defied expectations. She defied the shortsighted guidance counselor who advised her parents that their daughter wasn’t college material by earning not only a Bachelor’s Degree, but then a Master’s and a Ph.D. She took on roles that a black female had never held before—provost at Stanford University, National Security Advisor, and Secretary of State—and performed these roles skillfully. Once you read her story, you will recognize that even more than her vast intellectual capacity, ambition, and strong work ethic, it has been God’s leading in her life—and her willingness to follow his call—that has allowed her to come so far. In Condoleezza Rice we have a true spiritual hero.
She’s been called the devil’s handmaiden, a history-maker, a rock star, Bush’s secret weapon, the most influential woman in the world, a rising star, and a race traitor—among other things. Regardless of which opinion people come to about who she is or what label they’ve placed on her character, everyone knows there’s something uniquely different about the 5′7″ African-American woman who currently serves as our Secretary of State.
Condoleezza Rice has a mysterious stability, an enigmatic air, and an inexplicable confidence that is devoid of pride—a trait that is hard to find in the world, let alone in the slick world of politics. Her impenetrable strength and unshakable temperament are evidence of three defining characteristics—a faith that runs deep in her heritage, a personal passion for God, and moral convictions that stem from both.
No matter what your faith, to know and appreciate the character of Condoleezza Rice, you must learn about hers. To understand her passion for peace, you must become personally familiar with the chaotic state of the nation in which she was born. To fully grasp her heart and what has motivated her to far exceed the limited expectations that enslaved both her race and her gender for generations before her, you must examine her roots. To taste the inspiration for democracy that flows like a river from her heart, you must learn what it is that feeds her soul. The Faith of Condoleezza Rice reveals all of this and more.

4. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Chronicles of Narnia
By: C.S. Lewis
Narrated by: Michael York
Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 12-26-04
My husband and I are listening to this to join our grandchildren as they are reading it.
The narration by Michael York is delightful.
Source: 11/3/18 Audible Daily Deal $1.95.
Publisher's Summary
Don't miss one of America's top 100 most-loved novels, selected by PBS's The Great American Read.
Four adventurous siblings - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie - step through a wardrobe door an into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change...and a great sacrifice.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the second book in C. S. Lewis' classic fantasy series, which has been drawing readers and listeners of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over 60 years. This is a stand-alone listen, but if you would like to explore more of the Narnian realm, follow up with The Horse and His Boy, the third book in The Chronicles of Narnia.
Don't miss any of the books in C.S. Lewis' classic Chronicles of Narnia series.
©1950, 1978 C.S. Lewis Pte. Ltd (P)2000 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

March 28, 2021 - I love seeing new things each time I read the Bible. I am glad to still be current with morning reading. (I got one day behind but and caught up again.)
I am reading/listening to the NLT Tyndale version of the Bible on You Version App so Hubby and I are reading the same passages each day.
I really liked the Easter study: Christmas and the Cross.

I completed three books and plan to get those reviewed this week.
NetGalley shelf is still at 7.
Three author titles now in queue.
(Plus a few that I received from newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
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.
Two new review books this week.
I had no purchases this week.
I picked my free March VIP at Audiobooks.com.
I received several titles from authors on Facebook and one through TOR newsletter. I only added one free Kindle title 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

Received from NetGalley:

Ever Winter
By: Peter Hackshaw
Narrated by: Dan Stevens
Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
I picked this out because I like the genre.


Received from Author email for Review:

Chinook: a political technothriller (Miranda Chase Book 6)
by M. L. Buchman
Released March 23, 2021.
This is an author I like.

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

I selected my March VIP free title at Audiobooks.com.

Collision of Lies
By Tom Threadgill
Narrated by: Alma Cuervo
Duration: 10 h 45 min



I received several free titles from Authors through Facebook that I have forgotten to list:

(1/27) SHEEPDOGS: Keeping the Wolves at Bay (A Gil Mason Novel Book 1)
by Gordon Carroll
Put a dog on the cover and I’ll get pulled in. I like the sounds of this.

(2/7) The Human Experiment
by Kevin O. McLaughlin and Craig Martelle
This looks like an interesting sci fi.




Received from TOR earlier in March.

The Unspoken Name (The Serpent Gates #1)
by A.K. Larkwood


One Free Kindle title this week after seeing it at The Book Connection:
Ten First Dates: A romantic comedy anthology
Kat Addams, Jill Brashear, Claudia Burgoa, M.C. Cerny, Mary Frame, Karen Grey, Mia Heintzelman, Bethany Lopez, Sarah Peis, Abigail Sharpe

Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement March 28, 2021

This morning our church service opened with prayers for loss of a brother in Christ who passed after long time Cancer battle with other complications. I am also praying for an elder sister who has been placed in rehabilitation after falling and breaking her hip. With limited visitation still in place this is causing her great confusions. On a cheerier note we sang Happy Birthday to celebrate our Pastor’s upcoming birthday. (I sing along with the video.)

Pastor continued with his Crash & Burn series. Previous messages noted that sin messed up the world a long time ago. Today people are hurting: families are dysfunctional, people on drugs, financial stresses both personal and for our country, political divisions, racial tensions, violence, cancel culture, moving away from Christian foundations. Christ followers have changed our citizenship to Heaven. Our mission is to carry the Good New to all people. God goes with us!

There are times when we experience the joy of volunteering and helping others. Physially, personally or through financial gifts. Last week's Point: The same power that was given to the Disciples to build the world in a messed-up world, is the same power given to us to build the church in a messed-up world.

We are equipped for certain circumstances. ‘Each of you has been given a spiritual gift; use them well to serve one another.’ 1 Peter 4:10-11.

THE POINT: The Church will be effective in our messed-up world when every person uses their spiritual gift to serve.

The Church will be less effective when we aren’t using our gifts to serve.

Satan will lie to you saying you have no gift, you wasted your gift, you really can’t do that, you need to make room for others to serve in that capacity… LIES.

We have been created to be more than we can imagine. God made us Marvelous! Psalm 139:13-16. Whatever gift we are given we have a choice of what to do with it. Our gifts may change from time to time.

Are we using our spiritual gifts well to serve others?? Is you spiritual gift ‘playing possum’ – playing dead because of hurricane (or other traumatic) disruption then Covid isolation? It is time to begin to use our spiritual gift again!

There are 24 spiritual gifts set out in the Bible. You have at least one, and you are expected to use it.
Do you know what your gift is? What is holding you back? Disobedience; a season break or new way of life?

If you are not using your gift well, then take these steps:
    Ask for forgiveness.
    Discover your gift & how God can use you.
    Use it to serve.

Pray: “God, I am here, use me how You need me. Holy Spirit – unlock Your spiritual gifts in me. Help me to understand what it is. Help me to use it for You!

I had a different song I found but then I found this one which I chose to share today:

Verses for Today:
1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Audio Book Review: The Golden Day by Ursula Dubosarsky

This is a beautifully written, unusual mystery story.
THE GOLDEN DAY
by Ursula Dubosarsky
narrated by Kate Rudd

Length: 3.75 hrs.
Release date: 08-06-13
(Candlewick on Brilliance Audio)
Genre: Historical, Mystery, Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

While participating in a field trip that a young class is told not to mention to anyone, their teacher disappears. What happened that day? And whom can the kids talk to? Kate Rudd has the perfect voice to narrate the innocence, wonder, and confusion of a classroom of young girls as they try to figure out what has happened to their teacher. Rudd’s emotional narration captures the girls’ worry and sense of a world gone awry. The novel crafts subtle tension, and Rudd's voice crafts a tone to match as the story unfolds. Her narration builds just the right amount of suspense in a sophisticated thriller that leaves listeners wondering what they believe about what happened.
S.B.T. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2013]

Review:
The morning started with a hanging. The young teacher of a class of eleven young girls tells them about the event and then announces they are going to the park to contemplate death. The girls are excited to be out on a secret field trip with their lively teacher. They visit the park where there is a mysterious poet. Then their teacher meets up with a workman who leads them all on an adventure into the seaside caves. The girls get frightened in the dark cave and lead each other out the way they went in. But their teacher doesn’t come out. What happened to her?

Initially the girls won’t speak to the headmistress or the substitute teacher as they were told not to tell anyone about the field trip. Finally, the school counselor interviews the one child who bursts into tears at the slightest upset. All the others know that she will tell where they went. But they still can’t find the teacher.

The prose in this little piece is beautiful. The mystery and intrigue are carried through to the twist at the end. I am very glad that I got this title through the SYNC program. Sometimes they share some real gems! I recommend this to those who enjoy lovely prose and or a quick mystery.

Audio Notes: Kate Rudd does a beautiful job with the narration. Her presentation carried the mood and enhanced the experience.

Source: SYNC Week 8: June 13 – June 20, 2019. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook, 2021Alphabet Audio and 2021Color goals.