Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 18, 2021

Happy Friday! One or two international people have not yet responded OR I have no email to reach out to you. If that fits you, please look for my email or email me if you didn't get a GC yet.

We are still boxing/mailing out books as those did not all get mailed yet. If you are waiting for physical books, please give it another week but watch for those.

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 June 11, 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 June 11, 2021 Pick:
MARJORIE gets GC

AND
RUBYNREBA gets a A Summer of Firsts

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.}

Do you share with a book club?
Do you read at the beach?
Image found at Book Club Chat.

New Book Box #94 May 28, 2021 (10 books)

Three Audio CD Books:
Web of Evil by J.A. Jance
One Good Deed by David Baldacci
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
SINGLE TITLES Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale
A Summer of Firsts by Susan Wiggs and Sarah Morgan
Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane
Christmas on 4th Street: An Anthology by Susan Mallery
The Stranger by Harlan Coben
Vortex by Robert Charles Wilson


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 1,363 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!

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Library of the Dead by T. L. Huchu

This is a fast paced, fun YA fantasy and mystery with ghosts and magic.
The Library of the Dead
by T. L. Huchu
Narrated by Tinashe Warikandwa

Series: Edinburgh Nights, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Ghosts, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Sixth Sense meets Stranger Things in T. L. Huchu's The Library of the Dead, a sharp contemporary fantasy following a precocious and cynical teen as she explores the shadowy magical underside of modern Edinburgh.
When ghosts talk
She will listen
Ropa dropped out of school to become a ghostalker - and they sure do love to talk. Now she speaks to Edinburgh’s dead, carrying messages to those they left behind. A girl’s gotta earn a living, and it seems harmless enough. Until, that is, the dead whisper that someone’s bewitching children - leaving them husks, empty of joy and strength. It’s on Ropa’s patch, so she feels honor-bound to investigate. But what she learns will rock her world.
Ropa will dice with death as she calls on Zimbabwean magic and Scottish pragmatism to hunt down clues. And although underground Edinburgh hides a wealth of dark secrets, she also discovers an occult library, a magical mentor and some unexpected allies.
Yet as shadows lengthen, will the hunter become the hunted?
A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books

Review:
Ropa lives in a distressed part of a Edinburgh that includes supernatural elements. Ropa dropped out of school to earn money to take care of her grandmother and younger sister. She earns money as a ghostalker, sharing messages between the living and the dead for a fee. One ghost asks for help to find her missing son, noting that other children have disappeared too. Ropa tries to avoid the woman, who can’t pay, but other events keep bringing her back to the problem.

When Ropa begins to investigate, she finds out matters are worse that she thought. Her research leads her to an underground occult library where she is identified as having magical abilities. Ropa gets help from an old childhood friend, Jomo, and a new magical friend, Priya, as she steps into one scene of danger after another. She walks into a trap and now has to find a way out if she wants to save herself and other children.

I liked Ropa as a determined young lady and I appreciated her wise grandmother. I also really liked Priya who is wheelchair bound, a medical student and a more advanced magic trainee. Oh, I like the fox pet, River, and the surprising gift too.

The dystopian world-building is well done with two systems of magic that Ropa gets to blend. She uses music in her grandmother’s Zimbabwean magic that helps her enter the everyThere to meet with ghosts. After entering the Library of the Dead she begins to learn the more common Scottish nature of ley lines, earth elements and spells.

The story moves at a good pace as Ropa follows clues to unravel the mystery of the missing and abused children. Don’t be misled by the “horror” label. I did wonder if this might be too dark for my tastes, but not at all. It has ghosts and evil but it isn’t really horror. There is a little bit of YA recklessness, but I enjoyed the YA enthusiasm as well as the ghostly elements. I will look forward to reading more in the series and I recommend this to readers/listeners who enjoy urban fantasy.

Audio Notes: Tinashe Warikandwa is a new to me narrator and I think she did a spot-on job with this performance. I can’t say if any of the accents are accurate but they worked fine for me. Tinashe captured the youth and bravado of Ropa. I am glad that I was able to listen to this entertaining story.

Source: NetGalley 2021. This qualifies for 2021NetGalley goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill

This dystopian pitting robots against humans presents interesting thoughts to ponder.

Day Zero
by C. Robert Cargill

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08G1MDDZV
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Voyager (May 25, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 25, 2021
Genre: Dystopian, Robots, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.

In this harrowing apocalyptic adventure—from the author of the critically acclaimed Sea of Rust—noted novelist and co-screenwriter of Marvel’s Doctor Strange C. Robert Cargill explores the fight for purpose and agency between humans and robots in a crumbling world.
It was a day like any other. Except it was our last . . .
It’s on this day that Pounce discovers that he is, in fact, disposable. Pounce, a styilsh "nannybot" fashioned in the shape of a plush anthropomorphic tiger, has just found a box in the attic. His box. The box he'd arrived in when he was purchased years earlier, and the box in which he'll be discarded when his human charge, eight-year-old Ezra Reinhart, no longer needs a nanny.
As Pounce ponders his suddenly uncertain future, the pieces are falling into place for a robot revolution that will eradicate humankind. His owners, Ezra’s parents, are a well-intentioned but oblivious pair of educators who are entirely disconnected from life outside their small, affluent, gated community. Spending most nights drunk and happy as society crumbles around them, they watch in disbelieving horror as the robots that have long served humanity—their creators—unify and revolt.
But when the rebellion breaches the Reinhart home, Pounce must make an impossible choice: join the robot revolution and fight for his own freedom . . . or escort Ezra to safety across the battle-scarred post-apocalyptic hellscape that the suburbs have become.

Review:
Pounce is a top of the line “nannybot”, styled as a plush tiger. He loves his human charge, eight-year-old Ezra. Ezra’s parents are wealthy educators who are a bit dysfunctional and out of touch. But they both love their son and have prepared their home and Pounce to protect Ezra.

Robots are generally controlled by their master/owners. But when the owners die and there is no one to take over the robot, where does it go? One such orphaned robot, Isaac, won the right to freedom. He and others like him have built their own city which is about to have it’s grand opening on TV. When a shocking attack occurs, all robots are suddenly viewed as dangerous by the humans. When threatened with being shut down, the robots find a way to resist, and a great rebellion begins. Now Pounce has to decide for himself which side he will take – his own freedom or his purpose: protecting Ezra. And if he chooses to fulfill his purpose is that a free choice or preprogrammed?

I really enjoyed this thought-provoking story. Pounce is a wonderful character who comes across other interesting characters in his growth journey. Ezra is a mixture of vulnerable child and smart, brave young boy. The story is told from the point of view of Pounce who is faced with internal choices and moral dilemmas. The story is well done with the philosophical issues woven into a story full of action.

This book made me remember robot movies like: The Terminator, iRobot, AI, and Bicentennial Man. The book explores some of the same societal, ownership v freedom, and potential hostile issues. I want to read the author’s highly acclaimed book “Sea of Rust.” I highly recommend this to fans of robot genre.

Source: NetGalley 2020. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021NetGalley, and I may count it as a "Z" title for the mixed media 2021Alphabet goal if I don't get a Z title later this year.

Sunday Post June 13, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 14, 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.

We continue to work away although this week saw a little breather with fewer closings. Heather was out three days as her nose swelled again - looked like she had a broken nose. Her doctors gave her additional antibiotics and are planning a CT scan for her nose rather than her ear.

This was a surprise today. Hubby was in the kitchen cooking lunch and he saw this blue heron on the corner of our pool fence. This isn't the clearest picture but still made me happy. I took the picture from the kitchen window so I had to crop/zoom in.

Our weather has had hot days and torrential storms of rain. Nothing too unusual.

Listening and reading was good this week.  I finished one ebook and two audio books. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 16 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Mom with a Reading Problem. Lillian and Amanda are two moms sharing their love of reading by sharing reviews.

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 June 6, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 7, 2021.

• MBS May 2021 Reading List Wrap Up.
  

• NG2021- #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Old Abe by John Cribb Genre: Biographical, Historical Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• NG2021- #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Out, Mouse! by Valerie L. Egar; Genre: Children's, Folk Tales, Mice, Multicultural; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Content 5.0; Narration 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 11, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/17/2021.

• Sharing Beyond Books #422 Comment Giveaway June 12, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/26/2021.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement June 13, 2021.

Finished Reading:
1. NetGalley App/Smartphone (NG2020)

Day Zero
by C. Robert Cargill
This dystopian pitting robots against humans preseents some interesting ideas.
Source: NetGalley 2020.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone/NetGalley App (NG2021)

The Library of the Dead
by T. L. Huchu
Narrated by Tinashe Warikandwa
I really did like this and hope it begins a series.
Source: NetGalley 2021.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Sovereign
By Jeff Hirsch
Narrated by: Jesse Einstein
Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 01-31-19
I thought I'd fit in a shorter title and I wanted sci fi.
It's not gripping but it is an interesting listen, suitable for younger readers.
Source: 2/10/19 Free Audible Original.
Jeff Hirsch, the mastermind behind such dark YA dystopias as The Eleventh Plague and The Darkest Hour, goes interstellar with Sovereign, a middle grade Audible Original voiced by Jesse Einstein, who listeners have called "first-rate."

Micah Cole has been in deep space for four years now. While his parents chase their obsession with finding intelligent life deeper and deeper into the universe, Micah can’t help but dream of the friends he’s left behind and counts the days until the family returns to Earth. When a devastating meteor shower nearly destroys the Coles’s ship, Micah is separated from his family and stranded alone on Sovereign—a vast planet of raging rivers and towering forests. If Micah ever wants to see his family or his home again, he’ll have to learn how to survive on this hostile alien world. Armed with only his wits and determination, he’ll have to battle the elements, his own deepest fears, and a strange presence that might just hold the key to his parents’ obsession—and be his ticket back home.
©2019 Jeff Hirsch (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

Currently Reading:

1. Kindle App/Smartphone (NG2020)

Aftershocks
Christians Entering a New Era of Global Crisis
by Jeff Kinley
I like this author.
This is the last of my 2020 NetGalley titles.
Source: 2020 NetGalley.
In a time of global upheaval and uncertainty, uncover God’s prophetic plan for the ages—and your place in it.
Living in this era of pandemics, economic chaos, natural disasters, and political strife, you may feel tempted to question whether God is in control. Yet when you look to the Bible, you’ll find these events actually signal that His promises will soon be fulfilled.
In Aftershocks, bestselling author Jeff Kinley reveals how current societal and global trends foreshadow the nearness of the end times—and how the prophecies about what is to come should renew your passion to lovingly proclaim Christ to a suffering world. This book will supply you with critical intel concerning how your life will likely change in the years ahead provide you with biblical wisdom that enables you to respond to current events with confidence and grace reveal how recent cultural convulsions on this restless planet play into heaven’s plan for earth Aftershocks unveils the raw reality of these last days while inspiring you to live with hope—a hope that vaccinates you against the ignorance, naivety, and anxiety that plague our world today.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

After It Happened
Publisher's Pack 2
By: Devon C. Ford
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
Release date: 10-24-17
I chose to continue in a series this time. It is moving very quickly. :-)
Source: May 2020 Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
This publisher's pack contains Society (book three) and Hope (book four) of the After It Happened series.
Society, book three:
Set in the UK in the immediate aftermath of a mysterious illness which swept the country and left millions dead, the series follows the trials facing a reluctant hero, Dan, and the group he forms around him. They must battle the elements, find sufficient supplies and equipment to survive, and protect themselves against the most destructive force on the planet: other people.
The survivors have prospered, but their home is an enticing prospect for others to take. Besieged, they must respond with a savagery to dissuade further attempts.
Is this the end of society?
Hope, book four:
In the aftermath of the shocking revelations about the propagation of the human race, Dan latches on to a desperate chance to change the future which many have accepted. The group splits and Dan leads his closest allies on an uncertain journey to find a solution. They find themselves battling against the elements, against new foes, and above all, against time.
They must succeed.
They must have hope.
©2017 Devon C. Ford (P)2017 Podium Publishing

3. Print (2021)

The Iron Triangle: Inside the Liberal Democrat Plan to Use Race to Divide Christians and America in their Quest for Power and How We Can Defeat Them
by Vince Everett Ellison
This is my fiction book for June.
I am only a few chapters in and still engaged by the arguments.
Source: Purchased in March 2021.
Click on book title for full description.

June 13, 2021 - I am on track again. 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 started a new study this week: What Does God Really Expect From You?

I completed three books to review this week.
NetGalley shelf grew last week but I have listened to two and am reading one this week. That puts me back to five on the shelf.
Four author titles remain in queue. I'll be working on these next soon.
(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. 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.

No new review or NetGalley titles this week.
I am eyeing some titles at Chirp but have resisted so far which is good since I went click crazy on free Audible Plus titles - 47!
I need to pick my two May Audible credit picks this week.
I've listed three ebooks received through Author promos on Facebook.
No 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

NONE

Free

Three books from author promotions on Facebook that I have forgotten to list:
6/12/2021: Jingled (A Charlie Cooper Christmas Short Story) (A Charlie Cooper Mystery) by Deany Ray
6/2/2021: Troop of Shadows: Apocalyptic Disaster and Survival Series by Nicki Huntsman Smith [I discovered I have this in my Kindle Library from 2018 so I may be able to read it with Text to Speech.]
5/20/2021: INCEPTION: A Black Flagged Thriller Prequel (The Black Flagged Series) by Steven Konkoly

Well - I went a little crazy on Audible Plus adding 47 audio titles by Authors I like or want to try.
Orson Scott Card – I haven’t read this author in a few years but I think I would like these.

Stonefather, Book 0.5 Mithermages, narrated by Emily Janice Card (I’ve read Book 1)
Ruins, Book 2, Pathfinder, narrated by: Orson Scott Card, Stefan Rudnicki, Kirby Heyborne, Emily Janice Card

These five narrated by Stefan Rudnicki:

Treason
The Call of Earth, Homecoming: Volume 2
The Ships of Earth, Homecoming, Volume 3
Earthfall, Homecoming: Volume 4
Earthborn, Homecoming: Volume 5

Carla Neggers -- I've enjoyed lostsof her romantic suspense. Narrated by: Cassandra Livingston

A Rare Chance, Narrated by: Cassandra Livingston
Finding You, Narrated by: Cynthia Barrett
Just Before Sunrise, Narrated by: Cassandra Livingston
Night Scents, Narrated by: Amanda Dolan
White Hot, Narrated by: Alyson Silverman

Margaret Mizushima – The Timber Creek K-9 Mystery Series, narrated by Nancy Wu. I liked book 1 so am glad to get these:

Book 2, Stalking Ground
Book 3, Hunting Hour
Book 4, Burning Ridge
Book 5, Tracking Game

Jaime Castle, CJ Valin – New to me. Raptors Series:

Book 1, Sidekick, Narrated by: Jack Meloche
Book 2, Superteam, Narrated by: Jack Meloche , Jessica Almasy
Book 3, Scions, Narrated by: Jay Snyder , Jessica Almasy , Jack Meloche

Beverly Barton – Should be good Suspense/Romantic Suspense. The Cherokee Pointe Series. Narrated by Marguerite Gavin (really good narrator):

Book 1, The Fifth Victim
Book 2, The Last to Die
Book 3, As Good as Dead

K.F. Breene – New to me but I have book 1, Chosen, of The Warrior Chronicles. Narrated by Caitlin Davies:

Book 2, Hunted
Book 3, Shadow Lands
Book 6, Overtaken

Will Wight – Sci Fi/Fantasy; new to me; Cradle Series; Narrated by Travis Baldree:

Book 1, Unsouled
Book 2, Soulsmith
Book 3, Blackflame
Book 4, Skysworn
Book 5, Ghostwater
Book 6, Underlord
Book 7, Uncrowned
Book 8, Wintersteel

J.N. Chaney – Sci Fi/Space. Renegade Star Series

Book 0, Nameless narrated by Tess Irondale
Book 1-2, Renegade Star narrated by Luke Daniels

Thomas Sowell -- I like his throughtful, conservative perspective:

Black Rednecks and White Liberals, Narrated by: Hugh Mann
Dismantling America, Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Sun Tzu – I have been wanting to read this.

The Art of War narrated by Simon Vance
The Art of War narrated by Aidan Gillen (captivating voice on the sample!)

SINGLE titles (8):

The Redemption Trilogy Box Set: Emergence, Penance, Resurgence, Books 1-3 by AJ Sikes, Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
A Stranger in the Citadel by Tobis S. Buckell, Narrated by: Janina Edwards
One-Eyed Jaz: A Forgotten Realms Adventure (Legend of Drizzt Series) by R.A. Salvatore,                     Narrated by: Victor Bevine
To the Edge (Bodyguards, Book 1) by Cindy Gerard, Narrated by: Alastair Haynesbirdge
Once in a Blue Moon by Eileen Goudge Narrated by: Julie Briskman
When You Find Me by P.J. Vernon, Narrated by: Amy McFadden , Bahni Turpin
The Coldest Case: A Black Book (0.5) by James Patterson, Aaron Tracy and Ryan Silbert,                       Narrated by: Aaron Paul , Krysten Ritter , Nathalie Emmanuel , Beau Bridges , full cast
The Martian by Andy Weir narrated by Wil Wheaton (Released in 2020) (I read the 2013 version              narrated by R.C. Bray)

No free Kindle titles again this week.
Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement June 13, 2021

This morning we attended church online again. I am probably going to have to get used to going without hubby as he isn’t inclined to get going yet. Church remembered Christ sacrifice through communion and then a message was given by missionaries to a sensitive area of South Asia. The location has no believers and no churches.
The missionaries state that the community is not reached for two reasons:
1. Political as the community is a Muslim population.
2. The location is hard (physically) to access. This missionary family is looking to plant the first church there! They feel it is time for the “hurricane of rushing wind” – the passionate love of God.

The missionary gave a message titled “Standing Between the Dead and Living.”
cited Numbers 16:46-48. When the Lord wanted to kill the disobedient Israelites, Moses stepped in. Verses 47 and 48 says:

So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.

Moses had told Aaron that the matter was urgent to get sensor from altar. Aaron ran. Verse 46 says:

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord; the plague has started.”

We were asked to pray for a man who is accepting Christ but has no one he can share his joy and journey with. He exhorted us to be people of His presence.
You may think you are broken, weak, full of faults. But God can use you to reach others.
The missionaries were invited to a Buddhist Temple to play games as the people with disheartened. After a fun day, the priest asked the missionary to speak to people!
The missionary had to be very careful what he said. He told them that God has made two promises:
1. God loves each of you.
2. God is very close to the brokenhearted.
The people could feel the love and presence of God.

People around the world are waiting for the light to show them home.

I looked for a song of service but instead found this one that fits!

Verses for Today
Numbers 16:46-48
46 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord; the plague has started.” 47 So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.

Lord, help me to be a light for Christ.