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Sunday, November 13, 2022

Sunday Post November 13, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 14, 2022


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.




Work continues fairly well.
This Friday our GFWC Marianna Woman's Club hosted our 8th Annual Veteran's Celebration. It was a great turnout of Veterans and volunteers. As president I was up front with some of the activities:

I opened the event with a welcome and then stood to the left while the lovely woman on the right did a welcome on behalf of Main Street Marianna who teamed with us this year.
The Marianna High School Band shared a great performance after the welcomes.
There were 16 vendor/sponsors and a wonderful cake served with lunch at the other end of the pavilion.
The very sweet woman cutting the cake is the Chairwoman in charge of the event.
We call her our "octogenarian energizer bunny" because she just keeps going.




Here we are picking tickets for the door prizes.

My prayers include prayers for more unity in our nation. And a sense of Gratitude for our many, many blessings.

We were fortunate that the rain from Hurricane Nicole came through on Thursday rather than Friday.
I did turn my AC back on one night last week, but now the heat is on with tonight's temp at 35. We will have nice daytime temps but Thursday night is supposed to drop to 31.


This week I enjoyed two more audios. I posted four reviews (through October reads) with my regular Memes.

I visited 16 blogs again last week.
Shout out this week to BOOKBABENAILS. Book Babe says "I'm a book blogger combining my love of all things bookish with my nail polish obsession to create fun and cute posts." I need to get nails (and toes) done soon - it's been months!

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30, 2021.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were the posts last week:
  • ATBR: Audio Book Review: A Skeleton in the Family by Leigh Perry; Genre: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Women Sleuth; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  • ATBR: Audio Book Review: What Lurks Beneath by Ryan Lockwood; Genre: Horror, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  • ATBR: Audio Book Review: The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett; Genre: Adventure, Epic, Fantasy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)
 

Space Knight
By: Michael-Scott Earle
Narrated by Nick Podehl
Length 13h 11m
This LitRpg was entertaining enough.
Source: 10-13-18 Audible Daily Deal $4.95 with $5.00 credit so $0.00.

Click on book title for full description.



2. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)
The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love Through the Generations


The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love Through the Generations
Written By: Kristi Ann Hunter, Sarah Loudin Thomas, Becky Wade, Karen Witemeyer
Narrated By: Pilar Witherspoon, Liz Pearce, Stephanie Cozart, Emily Pike Stewart
Duration: 12 hours 53 minutes
This collection is Delightful!
Source: December 2020 Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com.

Click on book title for full description.



Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)


Last Stand: The Complete Box Set
By: William Weber
Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
Series: Last Stand (Weber), Book 1-4
Length: 24 hrs and 50 mins
I went deep in my TBR and chose this post-apocalyptic.
I finished book 1 so I will continue
with book 2 to make it last longer.
Source: 11/3/17 Audible Purchase for $1.95.

Publisher's Summary
Last Stand: Surviving America's Collapse: John Mack, a prepper and former soldier, struggles to save his family and community after an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) takes out the country's electrical grid. With most electronics, communications, and transportation destroyed in a matter of seconds, the nation quickly collapses into anarchy.
For John and the other residents of Willow Creek Drive, the breakdown of social order throws them back to the 1800s. As the community tries to come together, a powerful outside force appears that threatens their survival. Will John's years of military and prepping experience be enough to keep them safe?
Mixing tons of useful prepping tips into an action-packed story, Last Stand: Surviving America's Collapse is a must-listen for any fans of survival fiction.
Last Stand: Patriots: Three months after the EMP cripples the United States, John Mack and his family find their peaceful new existence shattered when a tyrant seizes control of the nearby town of Oneida. Soon John encounters a group of patriots who've sworn to stand against the growing despotism. But John will learn that nothing in this new post-EMP America is what it seems - and that the deadliest threats are often the ones you didn't see coming.
Last Stand: Warlords: Tormented by a past he can't forget, John Mack is about to face the toughest fight of his life. The tiny town of Oneida, Tennessee, stands in the crosshairs of Russian and Chinese armies threatening to push across the Mississippi river. With the United States fragmented and on the brink of military collapse, John will need to dig deeper than ever to defend his loved ones from enemies both foreign and domestic.
Last Stand: Turning the Tide: Foreign armies are poised along the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains preparing for the final assault and America's inevitable defeat. For John, turning back the tide will mean going deep behind enemy lines and organizing the very insurgency he fought so hard against in Iraq. But more than that, it'll mean coming to terms with the brutality of war and the realization that sometimes the deepest scars are the ones that can't be seen.
©2017 William Weber (P)2017 Audible, Inc.



2. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)
Book cover for Murder in Her Stocking by G. A. McKevett with featured deal banner


Murder in Her Stocking
by G. A. McKevett
Read by Mil Nicholson
Run Time 9h 36min
This is one of my few TBR Christmas titles and it sounds like fun.
Source: 12/16/2021 Purchased at Chirp for $2.99.

Publisher Description
Christmas has arrived in sleepy McGill, Georgia, but holiday cheer can’t keep temperamental Stella Reid from swinging a rolling pin at anyone who crosses her bad side.
This season, there are plenty. First, an anonymous grinch vandalizes a celebrated nativity display. Far worse, the scandalous Prissy Carr is found dead in an alley behind a tavern. With police puzzled over the murder, Stella decides to stir the local gossip pot for clues on the culprit’s identity, and it turns out that Prissy held a prominent spot on the naughty list. Soon, suspects are piling up like presents on Christmas morning.
Unfortunately, the more progress Stella makes, the more she must confront. With a neighbor in peril and the future of her beloved grandchildren at risk, Stella must somehow set everything straight and bring a cunning criminal to justice before December 25th....



November 13, 2022 - I am continuing up to date and love that I learn new things each time I read/listen to the scriptures. I get excited watching the devotion videos. The Bible Reading Plan is: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. It really soothes me to read/listen to the pieces each day.
No new study this past week.


I read two audio titles and reviewed four so I made more progress on reviews, finishing reviews through October books. Now I have 4 books (plus 7 children's books). I keep working on these. :-)

NETGALLEY STATUS--
Back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I have one author review in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer.
(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.

No new review titles this week.
I didn't purchase any books this week but picked up ten Christmas titles at Audible Plus.
No free Kindle titles either.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles
NONE

Won
NONE

Purchased
NONE

Free
11/7/22 I realized I didn't have that many Christmas titles in my TBR so I found these in Audible Plus:
'Twas the Knife Before Christmas: A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery, Book 2
By: Jacqueline Frost
Narrated by: Allyson Ryan

Series: A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Series, Book 2
Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins
Kissing Christmas Goodbye: An Agatha Raisin Mystery
By: M. C. Beaton
Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Series: Agatha Raisin Mysteries, Book 18
Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins

The Christmas Hirelings Audiobook By Mary Elizabeth Braddon cover art
The Christmas Hirelings
By: Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Narrated by: Richard Armitage

Length: 3 hrs and 53 mins


The Best Worst Christmas: An Audible Original Novella
By: Kate Forster
Narrated by: Rachael Tidd

Length: 4 hrs and 29 mins


The Christmas Quilt
By: Vannetta Chapman
Narrated by: Bethany Lind

Series: Quilts of Love, Book 11
Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist Audiobook By Codi Hall cover art
Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist
By: Codi Hall
Narrated by: Brooke Bloomingdale , Edward Thoma
s
Series: A Mistletoe Romance, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins

Christmas by Accident
By: Camron Wright
Narrated by: Caroline Shaffer

Length: 4 hrs and 57 mins

Miracle Creek Christmas: The Proper Romance Contemporary Series
By: Krista Lynne Jensen
Narrated by: Christine Williams

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

The 13th Day of Christmas
By: Jason F. Wright
Narrated by: Dawn Harvey

Length: 5 hrs and 26 mins

The Cowboys of Copper Mountain: A Christmas Collection
By: Katherine Garbera , Jane Porter , Melissa McClone
Narrated by: Loretta Rawlins

Series: Copper Mountain Christmas, Book 1-2
Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins


No new title added to Kindle library. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragment November 11, 2022 - His Love is Steadfast!

We honored the veterans and serving men and women in our church with breakfast this morning.

Our Sunday School teacher shared a lesson on the binding of Satan. Revelation 20:1-3.
It was a very interesting lesson reminding us that we need to be diligent to wear our armor to fight against Satan and to be prepared to fight repeatedly/daily.

We shared in communion signing the Old Rugged Cross.
Today’s sermon was based on Psalm 36:5-6.
Whether we like to admit it or not, there are wicked men in the world. And if we allow anger and bitterness to overtake our hearts, we may be on a path that is not good. But... The loving kindness of God extends to the heavens.

Don't let people and their behaviors cause you to sin or keep you out of your relationship with God. Colossians 3:2. God’s love is steadfast - steady, consistent, reliable, and unconditional. 

Romans 8:38-39 tells us “38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God loves us...no matter what. And God is faithful. He never forsakes the righteous. Psalm 37:25. His love never ends.

God’s righteousness is like the highest mountains. Psalm 36:6. God always does the right thing.
Anger can cause people to focus on themselves and ignore the mountain of God. We can trust Him.
His judgments are like the great deep.

We are just a tiny speck on a much bigger picture. But even though we are no more than a speck, He loves us and cares for us. He saves man and beast. Psalm 36:6.

He causes all things to work together for good to those who believe in Him. Romans 8:28. Events may roll, much like the ocean. But as the flood tide rolls out, He will roll it back in. Psalm 29:10. God is in control. It helps if we remember that His love reaches to heaven.


This song fits today: Your Love, Oh Lord.
Verses for today:
Psalm 36:5-6 NIV
5 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.



Lord, Your love is awesome. I give thanks and praise to You for Your steadfast faithfulness to me.






Saturday, November 12, 2022

Audio Book Review: The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett

This is a very engaging Epic.
The Warded Man
Written By: Peter V. Brett
Narrated By: Peter Bradbury

Warded Man, Peter V. Brett

Duration: 18 hours 16 minutes
Release date: 11-25-09
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Adventure, Epic, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.


Summary:
Peter V. Brett has won accolades from critics, fans and fellow authors alike for this riveting debut novel. The Warded Man features a world where demons stalk the night, hunting humans who have long forgotten the magic of their ancestors. But all is not lost, as some hold out hope that a savior will release humanity from the demons' terrifying reign. 'Brilliant, with action and suspense all the way.' -Terry Brooks


Review:
The world of humans is cowed and oppressed by demons who stalk the night. The humans rely on magical wards to protect them within their walled cities and homes. But much has been lost in the arts of magic and warding and the demons are making headway. Young (eleven-year-old) Arlen, from an outlying community, gets to meet a brave messenger, Ragen, and his entertaining, but fearful, juggler. A messenger does much more than deliver messages. He is trained to fight and knows how to ward to protect himself and his juggler on the roads at night. The juggler’s job is to entertain the children and crowds while the messenger negotiates for trade goods.

Arlen learns about big cities, mountains, and deserts from Ragen. Arlen begins to believe that he could become a messenger when he grows older. Arlen is small but smart. He was bullied until he learned to outsmart the bullies. Ragen reinforced his young views explaining that men could stand up and fight, though they might die, or they can hide and slowly die as cowardice shames them. After tragedy in his family, Arlen runs away and learns to fight the demons, even injuring a powerful rock demon who becomes his enemy.

Meanwhile, in other chapters, Leesha is a young woman struggling with the thought of becoming nothing more than a ‘brood mare’. She wants to take over her father’s printing business, but then she begins to work with the local healer. Although the healer is considered an old crone, she clearly knows the magic to care for the sick, heal wounds, and set bones.

The third primary character is a young boy, Rojer Inn, who witnessed his parents die as Arrick Sweetsong, the Duke's Herald, hides with Rojer in the bolthole under the Inn. Arrick raises the boy who becomes his apprentice. But Arrick loses his position and Rojer struggles in the streets trying to keep food, instead of alcohol in Arrick’s belly. Rojer suffers from guilt and tends to try to stay under the radar. As he matures, he realizes that he has a magical ability to impact the demons but he doesn’t know how this magic will be used.

The reader/listener anticipates how and when the three protagonists will meet. I got caught up in the world and the intensity of the characters, particularly the very lone warrior, Arlen. I liked his struggles, battles, and development. I did hope that he would find love somewhere in the story.

I initially was reluctant to start such a long book, but I was very glad that I listened to this. I will want to continue in the series at some point. I recommend this to readers who enjoy D&D type fantasy.

Audio Notes: Peter Bradbury does a good job with the narration. I quickly adapted to enjoying his energy and his variety of voices for the characters. The narration made this a better experience for me.

Source: 10/16/19 Audiobook.com VIP. This qualifies for 22022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: What Lurks Beneath by Ryan Lockwood

This is a well dramatized story of biologists and divers chasing a sea monster (and it chasing them).
#FRATERFEST-7.
What Lurks Beneath [Dramatized Adaptation]
Written by Ryan Lockwood
Narrated by Collected Narrators: A full cast

Andy Brownstein, Colleen Delany, David Jourdan, Dawn Ursula, Deidra Starnes, Dexter Hamlett, Ericka Rose, Evan Casey, James Konicek, James C. Lewis, Ken Jackson, Kenyatta Rogers, Michael Glenn, Michael John Casey, Nanette Savard, Nanna Ingvarsson, Patrick Bussink, Richard Rohan, Scott McCormick, Thomas Keegan, Yasmin Tuazon

Run Time 6h 41min
Release Date: June 3, 2020
Publisher: GraphicAudio
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.


Publisher Description
A new breed of terror that rises from the depths of the ocean. To hunt. To devour. To kill.
The first attack occurs in the underwater caverns of the Bahamas. Two professional divers exploring the unknown. A monstrous flesh-ripping predator they never see coming.
Now the attacks are coming closer and closer to shore. A sun-soaked playground for sea-loving tourists. A human feasting ground for whatever lurks beneath.
Now, in a desperate race against time, Eric Watson, an expert on remote control underwater vehicles, and marine biologist Valerie Martell, must identify a savage new species of killer—and piece together one of nature’s most horrific mysteries. But the most terrifying discovery of all waits for Val and her team at the bottom of the sea. A discovery too shocking, to comprehend.
Because up till now, this creature existed only in mankind’s darkest nightmares. Not anymore.


Review:
Valerie is a biologist who specializes in studying cephalopods —squids and octopuses. She is having a bad week as the most recent study specimen has just died. Plus, she is struggling with how to resolve her relationship with Will, a diver, who has spent the last year falling into the bottle. She is preparing to give a project update and knows that her co-worker Eric is getting the better presentation spot.

Eric has been developing a remote control underwater drone vehicle that will help exploring in the deep waters. It is still experimental but very close to use.

Valerie and Eric are called in to investigate underwater caverns in the Bahamas when members of a diving team don’t return. There have been local cave divers who have been attacked too. And rumors of sightings of a sea monster akin to the Kraken. When a tourist is snatched from the beach the concern and investigation intensifies.

The author shares this story in alternating chapters which include the prospective of the sea monster. This creates sympathetic feelings for the creature which is behaving as it should – seeking prey and a safe place to have her children.

There is some environmental discussion going on, especially with remarks on government testing in the water with disregard for the impact on the sea creatures. There wasn’t clarity to the testing (or results) but the military actions seem to serve more as a catalyst that wakes the sea creature and threatens it.

I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and the sea creatures. There is good action and suspense that kept the story moving well. There were some gaps in the histories of the characters, but I realized after I finished that this is actually a second book in a series (first book Below) so the first would have filled in those relationships better. I enjoyed the suspense and intensity of the story and appreciated the different POVs. I suppose it fits with the “horror” genre and I recommend this to fans of deep-sea monsters.

Audio Notes: There is a full cast of narrators for the dramatization. This worked will and enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: October 27th, 2021 Chirp Purchase $3.99. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Friday, November 11, 2022

Audio Book Review: A Skeleton in the Family by Leigh Perry

This is fun cozy with a skeleton as the protagonist’s side-kick.
#FRATERFEST-6
A Skeleton in the Family
By Author Leigh Perry
Narrator: Katina Kalin

A Skeleton in the Family

Duration: 7 h 57 min
Release date: 03-31-21
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Women Sleuth
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.


Summary:
Most families have skeletons in their closets … Moving back into her parents’ house with her teenage daughter had not been Georgia Thackery’s “Plan A.” But when she got a job at the local college, it seemed the sensible thing to do. So she settled in and began reconnecting with old friends. Including Sid. Sid is the Thackery family’s skeleton. He’s lived in the house as long as Georgia can remember, although no one, including Sid, knows exactly where he came from and how he came to be a skeleton. Sid walks, he talks, he makes bad jokes, he tries to keep Georgia’s dog from considering him a snack. And he manages to persuade Georgia to let him leave the house. But when she takes him to an anime convention—disguised as a skeleton, of course—he sees a woman who triggers memories of his past. Now he is determined to find out how he died—with Georgia’s help. But their investigation may uncover a killer who’s still alive and well and bad to the bone …


Review:
Georgia Thackery has moved back home with her teenage daughter, Madison. She is fortunate her parents, well respected, tenured college professors, are away on sabbatical, so she can live in the family home while she starts a new job as an adjunct professor. Another big plus of being home is she that she is able to share time with her friend, Sid, the skeleton in the attic.

Georgia thinks it is time to tell Madison about Sid, but ‘he’ isn’t ready. Georgia is willing to follow Sid’s wishes, considering he saved her as a child. Sid hasn’t been out of the house in a long time, and he seizes the chance to go to an anime convention that Madison is going to. While enjoying hiding in plain sight, disguised as a skeleton, Sid sees a woman who triggers memories which is startling since he has no clear memories of who he was ‘in the flesh’.

Sid and Georgia are determined to investigate to discover his identity and his killer. Especially when they learn that the mystery woman is a professor. When they go to speak with her they find her murdered too. Georgia gets some help from another new adjunct professor whose real job is as a journalist. Georgia and Sid also get help from an elderly professor friend who helps them sneak into the College during the night. It becomes clear that they are stirring up trouble when Georgia gets threats, and their professor friend is attacked.

This is really a fun story. I love Sid’s quite but determined character and it is funny how he drops bones when he is depressed. The author does a good job using the plot line to reveal the history of when Georgia and Sid met and how he became part of the family. There are twists in the investigation that keeps it interesting and I learned a lot about the problems of being untenured in the university syestem. I want to read/listen to more in the series. I recommend this to fans of cozy mysteries who like the mix of paranormal and humor with the mystery.

Audio Notes:
Katina Kalin does a really nice job with the narration. Although her voice is soft, she provides clear, distinct voices. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 12/31/2021 Audiobooks.com Two for One Credit. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

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