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Sunday, May 16, 2021

Sunday Post May 16, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 17, 2021

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.


We are still busy in office but the girls were happy to have a Disney break this weekend. The Friday visit to Animal Kingdom had us all exhausted by 4pm. Two of us returned to the room to crash. The other three went to outlet mall for shopping. We are going to Epcot on Sunday.

My stock account and crypto went down then recovered at least half of the loss.  We'll see how this week goes.

This is one photo from our Friday visit to Animal Kingdom.
I hope to upload more pictures from our "adventures".

The weather was good -not too sunny and breezy - for our park adventures.

Reading was still slow other than listening. I finished two audio books and one ebook. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 17 blogs last week.
No Shout Out this week since I had four days out of town so didn't get to search new-to-me sites.

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:
  • A2021- Audible Book Review: Malice in Miami by Barbara Venkataraman Genre: Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mystery, Woman Sleuth; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
Finished Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (A2021)
Zero Day Code  By  cover art


Zero Day Code
End of Days, Book 1
By: John Birmingham
Narrated by: Rupert Degas
Series: End of Days, Book 1
Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins
I was in the mood for an EOTWAWKI story
and this fiction is scarily possible.
Source: February Free Audible Catalog.

Click on book title for full description.



2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)
Book cover for One Hit Wonder by Kristi Rose with limited-time offer banner


One Hit Wonder
by Kristi Rose
Narrated by Jennifer Stoneking
This is a quick, light, character driven mystery.
Source: October 2020 Purchase at Chirp $.99

Publisher Description
Do your job or move along already. Trouble is, I’m in too deep to do either one.
A year into Samantha True’s forensic photography classes she knows three things:
1. Crime scenes are messy.
2. Especially when you throw up on them.
3. She may not be cut out for this.
When the police drag her to an investigation, she’s just as baffled by the scene. With clues like superhero masks, disco balls, and Bigfoot, are they ever going to find who did it?
As she digs deeper into the photographic evidence, she realizes her small town is full of secrets. And she might be happier staying in the dark.
A laugh-out-loud mystery that will keep you guessing and quickly turning the pages. One Hit Wonder offers the just right reader escape, but fair warning, this book leaves readers wanting more.



3. eBook - Adobe Digital App on Computer (2021)
52162152. sy475


Save Me (Broken Idols #2)
by M.C. Frank
Reading on my computer has been slower because I do it at the end of the evening and I am tired then.
Source: Received from Author.

Click on book title for full description.




Currently Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)
The Traveler Series audiobook cover art

The Traveler Series
A Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian Adventure: Books 1-3
By: Tom Abrahams
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Length: 21 hrs and 56 mins
Release date: 03-06-19
I wanted a little longer audio for the trip.
I will probably finish this by Monday.
I like this genre and it is a "T" title for audio alphabet.
Source: November 2019 Audible purchase $7.49.

Publisher's Summary
The first three books in the Traveler series in one bundle!
Book One: Home
He thought he was prepared. He thought his family was safe. He was wrong.
Five years after a pneumonic plague killed two-thirds of the world’s population, army veteran Marcus Battle is isolated. He’s alone with his guns, his food, and the graves of his wife and child.
Unaware of the chaos that’s befallen everything outside of his central Texas ranch land, Marcus lives a Spartan life. If anyone steps onto his property he shoots first and never ask questions.
But when a woman in distress, chased by marauders, seeks asylum, Marcus has a decision to make.
Does he throw her to the wolves to protect himself, or does he help her and leave the shelter and protection of home?
Book Two: Canyon
He’s homeless. He’s on the run. and he wants revenge.
Marcus Battle has left behind his home.
Now he’s on a seemingly impossible mission to find a missing child. But can he balance that responsibility with his deep, primal desire to exact revenge on the men who destroyed his solitary existence?
The world he discovers on his journey isn’t the one he remembers before a pneumonic plague called the Scourge killed two-thirds of the world’s population. It is lawless, depraved, and far deadlier than the disease which created it.
Battle made a promise to find that child. It’s a promise he regrets more acutely with every step of the journey where he is as much the hunter as he is the hunted.
Book Three: Wall
He survived the scourge. He escaped the cartel. Now he faces the wall.
In the chaos of a global plague, evil took hold. Governments fell, the good became servants, and the Cartel rose to power.
A wall was built to contain the wasteland and keep the evil at bay. Now an organized resistance wants change. They're willing to fight for it and they've asked Marcus Battle to help.
The last thing Battle wants is another war. But if that's what it takes to gain freedom and safe passage to the other side of the wall, he'll take aim and fire.
©2019 Piton Press LLC (P)2019 Piton Press LLC



2. NetGalley; Adobe Digital (NG2021)
55278284


The Madman's Library
The Strangest Books, Manuscripts and Other Literary Curiosities from History
by Edward Brooke-Hitching
This looks really interesting! I expect to start this Monday night.
Received 4/4/2021 from NetGalley Read Now.

Click on book title for full description.



I will be picking another audio but I don't know which yet.

May 16, 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.
No new study again this week.


I completed three books to review this week.
NetGalley shelf is still at 6.
Four author titles remain in queue. I'll be working on these next.
(Plus a few that I received from facebook links and 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: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

As for MM, we’re looking for someone to volunteer to take over some MM duties.. We’re unsure what is going on with Leslie, but we have not heard from her since November 2020. We need someone who is familiar with Mr. Linky and the WordPress platform. Sunday evenings are when we post MM for overseas participants and BTCOE posts go up on Friday afternoons. If you have interest please email: savvyverseandwit [at] gmail [dot] com.

One new author ebook for review which I hope to read for July review posting.
I added 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
Received from the Author:
The Alchemy Thief by [R.A. Denny]
The Alchemy Thief
by R.A. Denny
This looks like an interesting time travel, Christian historical.




Won
NONE

Purchased
NONE


Free
I added two free Kindle titles this week - found through Facebook again.
Exercise Is Murder: A classic whodunit mystery with more twists and turns than a roller coaster. (Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series Book 1)
by Bruce Hammack



The Realm Between: The Curse: A LitRPG Saga (Book 1)
by Phoenix Grey


Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 16, 2021

I shared in church this morning through Facebook. I was sitting at Disney Springs while my friends were shopping. I wasn't in a situation to take notes so my summary will be brief.
Pastor continued his series "It Matters."
This mornings message reminded us that God wants our obedience, not our sacrifices.

Disobedience means we want our way, not God's Will. He has the best plan for us if we will follow.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIV The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 28:1-6 NIV If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:
3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.
6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

1 Samuel 15:22
ESV
And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

John 14:15
ESV
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Proverbs 21:3
ESV
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

I chose this song for this message.
A Verse for Today:
1 Samuel 15:22 ESV
And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.


Disobedience 1 Samuel 15: ppt download
 
Amazon.com: Funlaugh Quote Wall Decals 1 Samuel 15:22 Wall Decal What is  More Pleasing to The Lord? Listen Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice and  Submission is Better Than Offerings Home Wall Decoration:

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Sharing Beyond Books #421 Comment Giveaway May 15, 2021

Hello again, Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Last post SBB#420 Nikki asked: Have you ever written yourself a letter? Like one to be opened in the future??
Eleven commenters have not written letters to their future self; three of us did journal in high school days. Two have written letters:
Ashfa said "Yes, when I was 12 to be opened at 21... I was inspired by Anne of Green Gables I think... :)"
Life's Simple Pleasures: "I have. It was interesting to read what my younger self had to say."


The Winner from SBB#420 comments is #3 BOOKWORM 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. 11/28/20 I have added a box of new books for SBB and will list them in the next week or so. I have to try to cross off books that have already been awarded. ]

Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #421
(One Question.)
Miki asks: There are a lot of subscriptions for monthly surprise boxes these day: books theme, beauty box, stationary box, kawai box, crafting boxes etc etc etc. Are you subscribed to one? if not what kind of book would tempt you??
I am not subscribed to any of the boxes although I have been tempted especially by coffee or tea and book boxes. My assistant was given a six-month make-up subscription at Christmas. It sure seems fun. I think Sci Fi, Fantasy book would tempt me.
32 Best Book Subscription Boxes to Join This Month
Image found at Urban Tastebud.

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: There are a lot of subscriptions for monthly surprise boxes these day: books theme, beauty box, stationary box, kawai box, crafting boxes etc etc etc. Are you subscribed to one? if not what kind of book would tempt you??

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, May 29, 2021, at 5 PM central.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 14, 2021

Happy Friday!
I'll be adding a new book box next weekend. I'm away in Orlando this weekend.
Sorry for the late posting. It was scheduled but I wasn't able to get it to show up. I don't know if that is due to limited hotel internet so I have copied to a new post to try again.


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 May 7, 2021 Pick. There was no automatic win last week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was no title blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from May 7, 2021 Pick:
Life's Simple Pleasures gets a GC
AND
Mary P 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.}

Books help carry us away from troubles, don't they?
Image found at Pinterest shared by Cape May County Library.

New Book Groups #92 and #93 November 13, 2020.
#92 (15 books):
A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley
The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart
Heart's Desire by Ruth Ryan Hagan

The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed

Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs

Box #93 (14 books)

Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready
There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers (personally signed)

For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper
The Irish Bride by Alexa Harrington

When We Met by Susan Mallery

Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery
All of Me by Lori Wilde


New Book Group #91 October 2, 2020 - Suspense themed
SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder

The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman Audiobook

PICK TWO  your choice (listed below the picture) Nora Roberts:
Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky

Valley of Silence
Inner Harbor and
Chesapeake Blue



New Book Group #90 June 19, 2020
Quite a few mysteries in this box.
SINGLES:
Alias by Smy J. Fetzer
Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)

New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020
Singles:
My Surrender by Connie Brockway
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist
Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere

New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019

Singles:
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs

New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES

New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.
SINGLES:
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls

New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.
SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
Christmas Haven
King Harold's Snow Job

New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018
(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:
Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind
New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

SINGLES
Best Laid Plans by Allison Brennan
Darkness Tell Us by Richard Laymon
Cooking Most Deadly by Joanne Pence

New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018
Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon by Lacey Baker
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer Audio Cassettes

New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham

New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018
SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
Too Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes

New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- 

All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff

This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017
(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen


(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three One more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four One books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

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 TEN years I have posted 91 groups of 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling 1,477 books available to find new homes! (As of November 6, 2020).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,359+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year 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, TWRP, 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 faraway 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!

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Audible Book Review: Malice in Miami by Barbara Venkataraman

This is a quick, easy and fun listen of a story about life with a touch of mystery.
Malice in Miami
A Jamie Quinn Mystery
By: Barbara Venkataraman
Narrated by: Fay Annette

Malice in Miami Audiobook By Barbara Venkataraman cover art
Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins
Release date: 04-28-21
Publisher: Barbara Venkataraman
Genre: Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mystery, Woman Sleuth
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.


Publisher's Summary
Reluctant family law attorney Jamie Quinn is loving life - and why wouldn't she? Her boyfriend Kip is back from Australia, her long-lost dad finally has his visa, and she's about to start her dream job at an art foundation.
But it all falls apart when Jamie is accused of stealing priceless art from a rare book collection. If she can't find out who framed her, she can kiss her dream job goodbye - and her law license, too.
Meanwhile, Kip has problems of his own. Now an environmental activist, he uncovers a deadly secret - one that just might get him killed. Jamie's in trouble, Kip's in danger, and Duke Broussard has gone AWOL. How could Jamie's favorite PI abandon her at a time like this? ©2020 Barbara Venkataraman (P)2021 Barbara Venkataraman


Review:
Jamie is happy that her boyfriend, Kip, is back and her father is near-by with a legal visa. Jamie has decided to give up her law practice and take on a totally new position as an executive officer for a local art foundation. Jamie is friends with the organization’s founder who has convinced her to take on the job even though she knows very little about art. The employer has created a whole notebook with a study plan and a calendar of society events.

Although Jamie is closing down her practice, another attorney in her building cajoles her into helping with a paternity lawsuit. She agrees before she learns that the suspected father is a wealthy and corrupt Florida Sugar mobster who controls many politicians throughout the state. She engages her irreverent PI, Duke Broussard to help track down the man.

Before beginning her new job, Kip invites Jamie on an adventure in the Everglades. They meet friends and, to Jamie’s dismay, they go python hunting. Jamie manages to get through the event while Kip revels in the excitement.

As Jamie begins her study program, she is suddenly accused of stealing priceless art. Clearly, she is being framed and will have to figure out why and who. Meanwhile Kip has started a new job which puts him in a location to discover an environmental problem. The couple don’t realize that their difficulties might converge.

The story has fun adventure mixed with legal challenges, murder and danger. I enjoyed the exploits hunting the pythons. The mystery doesn’t really begin until a bit into the story and moves along quickly. There is good rapport between Jamie and Kip and some emotional issues with Jamie’s father. Being an attorney, I appreciate the legal issues and concerns which are not too complex for a non-legal person to follow. I also enjoyed the setting of the story since I am familiar with South Broward County and the Everglades. This package is a fun story and easy listen. I recommend the series to fans of easy mysteries with a female protagonist and touch of legal issues.

Audio Notes: Fay Annette does a fine job with the narration. Her presentation provides distinct voices, captures the easy humor, and makes the story an enjoyable listen.

Source: 5/4/2021 Audible Code from Author. This qualifies for 2021Audiobook, 2021Alphabet and author review goals.

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