Happy Thanksgiving November 25, 2021

We are happy to be sharing Thanksgiving this year with our son and his family in Illinois.
MAY YOU EACH HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
I chose this song to express my thanks today to my awesome creator!

"I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself." Psalm 89:1-2

Audible Book Review: Harper's Ten: Fractured Space, Book 0.5 by J.G. Cressey

Alien beasties are always of interest to me and I enjoyed this adventure.

Harper's Ten: Fractured Space, Book 0.5
By: J.G. Cressey
Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

Series: Fractured Space, Book 0.5
Length: 6h 29m
Release date: 01-19-21
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Alien Encounter, Military Space
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
What happens when technology fails and nature bares its teeth?
Lieutenant Callum Harper knows that his team are as tough as they come: nine highly trained men and women and one battle robot who’s 11 feet of pure, cybernetic muscle. But as they drop through the atmosphere of the uncharted planet Capsun 23, Cal can’t shake the feeling that something is off about this mission. Three data drones have previously touched down, but soon after went dark. And now, all communication with a group of civilian researchers has been lost. Intel suspects scavengers are to blame - or at worst, pirates.
But Cal’s instincts are telling him otherwise. All that’s known about Capsun 23 is that the gravity is within acceptable limits, the air is breathable, and water is abundant. Three things to encourage life...but what kind of life? Cal has never been one to back away from a potential fight, but if his instincts are right, a lone team simply won’t cut it. Not by a long shot. ©2015 J.G. Cressey (P)2021 Podium Audio

Review:
Lieutenant Callum Harper is newly promoted and not sure he wants the responsibility of his position. He isn’t particularly happy with his orders either which direct his highly skilled team to retrieve mechanical drones that went dark before checking for survivors of a civilian research team which went silent. Clearly there are problems on this newly discovered planet.

As the team drops through the cloudy atmosphere Cal worries what they will face. They soon discover their technician has troubles dismantling the drone and their shuttle craft begins to experience mechanical failures. After crash landing short of the research center they set out in unknown territory to reach the center and try to get answers. Along the way their camp is attacked by worm creatures of various sizes. Slowly, Cal’s old friend, the battle robot, Max, begins to lose coordination.

The team finds another crashed ship which appears to belong to hostile scavengers. Once they get to the research facility, the team must fight to rescue the survivors and stay alive to return to their ship to disclose the dangers of the planet. Nor everyone will make it back alive.

I enjoyed the characters, and it was difficult to have so many fall in the battles. I appreciated the sense of loyalty to each other among the team members and to helping the researchers. That had hard decisions to make regarding the scavengers. There is plenty of action and the audio moves along at a quick pace. I am interested in seeing where the surviving characters go from here. I recommend this to readers who enjoy Military space action and alien encounters.

Audio Notes: Alex Wyndham does a good job with the narration. He portrays the energy and different voices of the characters and keeps the book moving well. I enjoyed the audio and will want to continue the series on audio.

Source: 10/9/2021 Audible Plus Catalog titles. This qualifies for 2021Audiobook goal.

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

I stayed home Monday and then ended up working late every night the rest of the week as I tried to finish things to go on vacation. We are up in Illinois again visiting our son and his family. We are looking forward to enjoying a lovely Thanksgiving together.

When I take off my glasses I can't see things beyond six inches.
Image my concern when I saw this dark blob
above my shower one morning this week.
I thought it was a spider at first.
Fortunately it was a cluster of ladybugs who come inside for the warmth.

Weather for our trip was very nice - not too crowded and only a little rain. It did get a little colder as we drove north and Temps will be a bit cooler here: 21 to 59. We'll be bundled. :-) 

I enjoyed my listening last week and finished two audiobooks and am 12 hours into a long third. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I only visited 14 blogs again last week.
No Shout Out this week. Be Blessed!

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post November 14, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 15, 2021.

• Author2021- Book Review: The Duke and the Spoiled Wallflower by Tessa Brookman; Genre: Historical Romance; My Rating: 3.0 of 5.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: It Happened One Autumn: Wallflower Series #2 by Lisa Kleypas; Genre: Historical Romance, Victorian; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.75.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 19, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 11/25/2021.

• ATBR- Audio Book Review: Dachshund Through the Snow by David Rosenfelt; Genre: Crime, Detective, Mystery, Fav Series; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement November 21, 2021.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Harper's Ten: Fractured Space, Book 0.5
By: J.G. Cressey
Narrated by: Alex Wyndham
Series: Fractured Space, Book 0.5
Length: 6h 29m
This isn't the happiest of adventures, but interesting.
Source: 10/9/2021 Audible Plus Catalog titles.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Mysterious Abduction
Written by Rita Herron
Narrated by Steve Campbell
This was a quick, easy listening Romantic Suspense.
Source: 12/31/2020 Chirp $3.99.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Shattered Worlds
Koban, Volume 4
By: Stephen W Bennett
Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer
Length: 31 hrs and 26 mins
I have been waiting to listen to this long audiobook in a sci fi series I like.
I am at 18 hours left as the battle continues between the Krall and humans with the help of the Kobani.
Source: October 2020 Audible Credit
Publisher's Summary
The Kobani continue their offensives against the Krall, attacking production worlds and destroying or stealing ships from the Krall fleet, which the enemy needs to resupply their invasions. The Kobani create a multispecies settlement on Haven, a gentler habitable world near deadly Koban. They gain the trust and technological assistance of freed former Krall slave species, the Torki, Prada, and resurrected Raspani. Their ranks and Mind Tap learned skills are increased by spec ops recruits from Human Space.
Mirikami engineers an assault on the Krall base world, K1, in cooperation with a skeptical human navy by sharing new technology, revealing Kobani physical capabilities, and providing intelligence on new Krall invasion plans. Despite knowing the Kobani use illegal gene mods, the navy high command decides to hit the Krall first, with the help of their secretive, tough Kobani ally. After the attack a mauled Krall fleet still heavily outnumbers the navy, and the damaged human fleet withdraws.
A vengeful Krall warlord, the Kobani old nemesis Telour, summons an ancient Olt'kitapi ship that can shatter an entire planet. He has a devious plan for remote strikes that will initiate delayed deaths on multiple human worlds, all before a ship imbued with morality can learn it has been been duped. Telour wants the home world of humanity to see death approaching one world at a time.
Mirikami expected a strong Krall reaction but not this extreme. He scrambles to head off the inexorable destruction of multiple planets. Failing to save some worlds, he is the final hope for billions of people on others. The Kobani will need the strength and speed their genes provide plus luck to save humanity.
Book one: Koban; book two: Koban: The Mark of Koban; book three: Koban: Rise of the Kobani.
©2014 Stephen W Bennett (P)2015 Stephen W Bennett

2. ebook/Kindle App on Phone (ebTBR)

A Place Called Armageddon: Constantinople 1453
by C.C. Humphreys
I still like the writing style. I am only 12% in so far.
Source: 2012 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

I expect I may read a few books with the children this week so we'll have to see what comes next.

November 21, 2021 - I got behind one morning and plan to listen to two days selections to get back on track. I love seeing new things each time I read the Bible. I am glad to still be current with morning reading. 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 Study yet this week.

I completed two books for reviews to post this week.
My NetGalley shelf now has 2 old ebooks titles and one new audio.
I still have two author titles remaining in queue. I'm still working on reading these.
(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, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I requested/received one new NetGalley Audio review title this week.
I picked up my two October Audible credit books.
I do have Audiobooks.com VIP to pick up still this month.
No other purchases or freebies this week.
I picked up No free Kindle titles.
(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 Audiobook through NetGalley

The Chase
by Candice Fox
Macmillan Audio

Won

NONE

Purchased

11/18/2021 Audible Two October Credits used for continuing series:

Mavericks Expeditionary Force, Book 6
By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 17 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 09-25-18

Commune: Book Four Commune Series, Book 4
By: Joshua Gayou
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 22 hrs and 7 mins
Release date: 05-03-19

Free

Nothing new this week!
No free books - not much time on facebook this week due to work and getting ready to travel.

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

Sunday Words of Encouragement November 21, 2021

This morning we were traveling through Tennessee as we listened to Church online. I wasn’t able to take notes as that would turn off my facebook, So this is a very abbreviated version of the message. Pastor was wrapping up his Worship series. Today he talked about “the small potatoes”.

We have already been told that God’s Word and our Worship are battle weapons. When we come before the Lord we shouldn’t be distracted by the small things: its too cold, its too hot, the music is too loud, the voices are off key, I don’t like those songs, I want hymns not contemporary music, I can’t sing, do I look funny praising? and so on.

The word tells us to make a joyful noise! Psalm 100:1-2. Who are we to question the singers, including ourselves? Who are we to set conditions on how others (or how we) worship? Are we focusing on the right thing if we are distracted by details around us rather than giving our wholehearted worship to God? Remember to focus on the Great God, your creator, savior and counselor. And don’t fuss about the small potatoes.

Verses for Today
Psalm 100:1-2 NIV
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.


Lord, help me always to Worship you with my whole heart!

Audio Book Review: Dachshund Through the Snow by David Rosenfelt

This is another quick, fun legal mystery that I enjoyed.
Dachshund Through the Snow $2.99
Written by David Rosenfelt
Narrated by Grover Gardner

Run Time 6h 43min
Featured in: Christmas
Release Date: October 1, 2019
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Crime, Detective, Mystery, Fav Series
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.5.

This Christmas, lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, can’t say no to helping young Danny and his dachshund, Murphy.
Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his wife, Laurie, have started a new Christmas tradition. Their local pet store has a Christmas tree, where instead of ornaments there are wishes from those in need. One poignant wish leads Andy to a child named Danny, whose selfless plea strikes a chord. Danny asked Santa for a coat for his mother, a sweater for his dachshund, Murphy, and for the safe return of his missing father.
It turns out Danny’s father doesn’t want to be found, he’s on the run after just being arrested for a murder that took place fourteen years ago — a murder that Danny’s mother swears he didn’t commit.
With his trademark humor and larger-than-life characters — including a police officer and his K-9 partner, Simon — Rosenfelt never fails to deliver as Andy and his eccentric crew dash to reunite a family in time for Christmas.

Review:
Andy Carpenter, sardonic, would-be retired lawyer, treats Christmas with the same disdain he treats most things and people other than his wife, son, and dogs. His wife, Laurie, on the other hand, is an avid Christmas fan. This year she begins a new tradition picking a “wish tag” from a Christmas tree at the local pet store. The wish is from a child named Danny who has asked for gifts for his mother and dachshund, and for the safe return of his missing father.

Laurie isn’t quite sure how she can meet the third request. But the next day they learn that Danny’s father has been arrested for a murder that occurred fourteen years ago. Andy isn’t crazy about taking on a murder case, but Laurie thinks they can help. First Andy has to finish a case that involves a police dog, Simon, who needs to retire with his canine handler, Corey, another friend of Laurie’s.

As usual, Andy pulls in his investigation team, soon to include Corey and Simon. The crew includes Laurie as an investigator, a research lawyer, Hike, who always adds his negative opinion and view, and Sam, the accountant and computer genius. And of course, the hulking bodyguard, Marcus.

The crime scene is old and does give up many clues. Andy wouldn’t have much to go on until Marcus announces that someone has been following him. Then bodies begin to pile up. Now Andy just needs to tie the bodies to the true killer if he wants to get a not guilty verdict for Danny’s father.

I always enjoy the legal procedures and unraveling of the crime in these stories. The dogs always add a sweet element to the intrigue. I like that the stories are self-contained although I suggest starting at the beginning to get to know the characters. I recommend this story and the series to fans of mysteries and legal procedures.

Audio Notes: Grover Gardner does a great job with the narration of this series. He provides good voices and captures the snarky personality of the primary character. I definitely enjoy listening to this series.

Source: Chirp January 2021 $2.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

My other Andy Carpenter Series reviews.