It's Monday What Are You Reading?

It's Monday What Are Reading ? is sponsored by Sheila over at bookjourney.net.  It has been a while since I participated in this.  I have been reading though.

Last week on the blog

Book Spotlight of Omni by Andrea Murray


Book Spotlight of Kittens can Kill by Clea Simon



Book Review of Jonah by Vince Lane

#TBRtakedown TBR and June TBR

On Blog This Week


Blog Tour for Permanent Vacancy by Katy Lee

Coming up on the blog


Blog tour Stop of As Waters Gone By by Cynthia Rucht

See #TBRTakedown TBR and June TBR for what I plan on reading

May Wrapup and 20 books of summer challenge

I felt like did alot of reading in the month of May but I only managed to finish 3 books and two of those books were really short.
The 3 books I finished were:


The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
On Audio

How to enjoy Reading the Bible by John Havlik
No picture on Goodreads


Permanent Vacancy by Katy Lee


Now for 20 Books of Summer.

Over on 746 Books She is hosting the 20 books of summer Challenge where you try to read 20 books this summer between June 1- Sept 4.  If 20 books seems like a bit much you can do the 10 books of Summer Challenge.  I am woefully behind on my Goodreads goal so I am going to try to do the 20 books of Summer.  I am not going to pick my 20 books all at once but try to read from my monthly TBR.  I have set a goal for my self to read 2 books a week which is 8 books a month.  20 books is about 7 a month so hopefully I will be all set.

#Tbrtakedown readathon tbr and June TBR

As I mentioned in another post I have been watching alot of Booktube videos recently and Shannon at Leaninglights has decided to have a readathon from June 1 -7 and I decided to join in. If you click on the link of her channel name it will take you to her announcement video if you would like to join in.  She has listed 5 challenges for the readathon. You can do as many or as few as you would like.
Challenges:
1. A book that's been on your TBR shelf over a year! 
Hearts That Survive by Yvonne Lehman

2. An unread sequel sitting on your TBR shelf.  
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan


3. A first book in a series on your TBR shelf.  
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
4. An "out of your comfort zone" book on le TBR shelf! skipping this challenge
5. A book from your most recent book haul! 
as waters gone by  by Cynthia Ruchti


Now for my June TBR.  I am going to set a very ambitious tbr for the summer months.  Any book from the above challenge that I don't get to will be read in the rest of June. Plus I would like to get to these books.

Finish

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Finish

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
on Audio

Finish

Yarn to go by Betty Hechtman


Frantic by Mike Dellosso


The Rising by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
reread


Just Plain Pickled to Death by Tamar Myers


14th Deadly Sin by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
on audio

Jonah by Vince Lane

“Jonah” is a work of literary fiction, a period piece written in accented vernacular. The story is staged in small town Louisiana in the 1930’s during the great depression. 

An elderly black hobo “Jonah” shows up begging at the door of two ladies humble shotgun shack. Though they are poor, they feed him. So he returns the kindness doing a couple of odd jobs to repay them. They take a somewhat mystical trusting, and immediate liking to Jonah and offer him a job. 

Throughout their time together many amazingly good outcomes happen for the ladies and their families as they are touched by turmoil after turmoil. The story unfolds a murder and cover up involving a prominent Judge who turns out to be responsible for the hit and run death of one of the ladies husbands. 

There is tragedy and death involved, but in the end, the human spirit is triumphant when they realize, only after Jonah has left their midst, that he had been an angel sent to help them through some otherwise horrible times.

About this author

Vince Lane has been writing most of his life, he first began seriously writing literary material around 1980. At the time he was a musician, singer/songwriter, poet, and professional entertainer living and working in Los Angeles, California. As a writer he has always maintained an unabashed style, paying little if any attention to convention. Unlike many writers, he has never settled down into any particular genre having written sci-fi, horror, supernatural, literary, mystery, action adventure, justice, and experimental fiction in iambic pentameter.

"I have enjoyed writing what I like, what I want, the way I want, and I stay true to that artistic freedom to this day."

My take:  I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed the story of the unassuming Jonah and the ladies he comes to help out.  I guess I am naive but it always amazes me that the people who are suppose to uphold the law at times turn out to be the worst offenders of all.  I think if you aren't a stickler for your historical fiction being totally accurate (the author changed the dates of the war to fit the story) then you should enjoy this story of a humble black man helping his fellow man get through hard times.  

Book Spotlight of Kittens Can Kill by Clea Simon

 

From Good Reads.com:  The dead don t keep pets. So when animal behaviorist expert Pru Marlowe gets a call about a kitten, she doesn t expect to find the cuddly creature playing beside the cooling body of prominent Beauville lawyer David Canaday. Heart attack? His three adult daughters angrily blame drug interactions, feline allergies and each other. And begin to feud over their father, his considerable estate, and that cute ball of fluff. While the cause of death is pending, each sister has an axe to grind with arguments that escalate when David s partner reads out the will. Pru s special sensory talents and sensitivity to animals that caused her to flee the cacophony of Manhattan for the quiet Berkshires add further problems. The local vet is overwhelmed with money running out. There s that needy Sheltie and some invasive squirrels? But the dead man s kitten, his former partner, and his troublesome family keep drawing wild-girl animal psychic Pru back in. Despite the wry observations of her trusty tabby Wallis, now the wrongfully accused kitten s guardian, and the grudging compliance of her cop lover, this may be one time when Pru can t solve the mystery or save the kitten she wants to believe is innocent. A single witness knows the truth about that bright spring morning. How far can Pru investigate without risking her own hidden tale?" 

About this author

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Clea Simon is the author of the Dulcie Schwartz feline mysteries, the Pru Marlowe pet noir mysteries, and the Theda Krakow mysteries, as well as three nonfiction books, including The Feline Mystique: On the Mysterious Connection Between Women and Cats. The recipient of multiple honors, including the Cat Writers Associations Presidents Award, she lives in Somerville, Massachusetts, with her husband, Jon Garelick, and their cat, Musetta."

Book Spotlight of Omni by Andrea Murray

Title: Omni (Book 1 of the Omni Duology)
Author: Andrea Murray
Publisher: Booktrope
Publication Date: April 28, 2015Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi
Amazon ~ Barnes & Nobles ~ iTunes ~ Goodreads

They will risk everything, even challenging the all-seeing eye of the Omni government. But will the prize be worth the cost?

Seventeen-year-old Pierce is a Drudge, the lowest social stratum in society.  For over two years, he’s hoped—prayed—that his upcoming aptitude test will finally free him from his virtual slavery and give him a chance at a better existence.  When he rescues Harmony, an Artist and member of the most successful stratum, his life takes an unbelievable twist.

With his gallant act and good looks, he becomes a media sensation.  Every stratum in society seeks his membership for their publicity, but as he becomes closer to Harmony, Pierce realizes what fame in Omni is truly like. His choices will not only affect him but Harmony as well. The life Pierce thought he wanted may not be worth the cost to either of them.

 

Author Bio:

Andrea Murray has been teaching English for longer than most of her students have been alive. She has taught everything from elementary reading groups to concurrent credit classes. She is currently teaching junior high language arts. She has a BSE and an MA in English. She lives in a very small town in Arkansas with her husband of nineteen years and their two children. In addition to teaching, she also blogs on Chick Lit Plus, writes young adult fiction, and recently completed her fourth novel, Omni, a YA dystopian based on the story of Paris and Helen. Andrea has also written The Vivid Trilogy, a YA paranormal romance. When she isn’t doing that, she’s probably reading or watching bad B movies.

 

Author Links:

Website || Goodreads || Amazon || Facebook || Twitter

Heart Sisters by Natalie Chambers Snapp

About the book:
Heart Sisters (Abingdon, April 2015)

Heart Sisters is for women who want to both be and have better friends and want a helpful guide to take them through the process.

Author Natalie Chambers Snapp uses her own and others' stories of successes and failures to illustrate what she has learned about girlfriend relationships. Healthy boundaries, honesty, tact, sharing, and agape love all play a part in being and maintaining a circle of close confidants. She also deals with the inevitable challenges that face many relationships including how to handle conflict; life changes like a new baby, move or divorce; and when it is right to "break-up" with your friend.

Discussion questions, space to journal, photos, and quick interviews of healthy female friendships are included within each chapter.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1GKJTIQ

About the author:

Natalie Chambers Snapp is first and foremost a follower of Jesus, then wife to Jason, and mom to one spunky daughter and two spirited sons with a crazy amount of energy. Choosing to follow Jesus at 27, Natalie is passionate about sharing the grace, mercy, and truth of God's love. She lives in the Midwest with her crew and tries to keep it simple by writing about the faith found in the everyday mundane. The outpourings of her heart can be found at www.nataliesnapp.com in the fleeting moments between being a wife and mother.

Find Natalie online: website, Facebook, Twitter

My Take:  This book is a great tool if you are looking to be a good friend .  It takes you through the ins and outs of what a good friend is and how they would behave.  This book even helps you when you need to "break up with a friend".  It even has a chapter on how to navigate the rocky waters of social media.  This book covers just about every situation that you can imagine on how to be a better friend.  I would highly recommend on giving this book to every graduating girl that you know of to help them in their future lives.  Great practical advice.

I was given a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Side by Side by Jana Kelley

About the book:
Side by Side (New Hope Publishers, April 2015)

In the dusty, Islamic country of Sudan, Mia's life collides with that of another young woman.

A young Christian American mother, Mia finds more than one dark secret on the streets of Khartoum. She finds Halimah, a young, upper-class Arab student with a bright future in her family's business whose risky and secretive decision has put her life in danger. What happens when the path of young mother intersects with that of a spunky Sudanese student? God transforms them both . . . forever.

Part of New Hope® Publishers' contemporary missional fiction line,Side by Side opens the reader's eyes to the life of Muslims in Sudan as well as some of the struggles that Christians face when living under Islamic law. The reader will be inspired to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith as well as pray for the salvation of those who persecute.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1DPUKiO

About the author:

Jana Kelley is a Texan who hardly ever lives in Texas. Raised in Southeast Asia, Jana developed a love for cross-cultural living early in life. Her love for writing came soon after. Jana returned to Texas to attend college. She and her husband married a month after she graduated and by their second anniversary, they were living in a remote African town. Together with her husband and three boys, Jana enjoys travel and overseas living. After thirteen years in Africa and the Middle East, Jana and her family moved to Southeast Asia where they currently live.

Find Jana online: website, Facebook, Twitter

My Take:  I really enjoyed this book.  I liked learning what it is like for women in Arab countries and what they have to go through because of tradition. I couldn't imagine having my daughters go through female circumcision.  I also don't know if I would be willing to give up wearing jeans and being comfortable to having to wear long sleeves and skirts.  I found it interesting how when Mia went to see the dervishes that she felt that there was spiritual oppression.  I think if you would like to learn a bit more about the Muslim world then you would probably would enjoy this book.

I was sent a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review by Litfuse. 

To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander

by Tamera Alexander    

Historical Romance
Zondervan 

A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie Linden is determined that her horse will become a champion. But the one man who could help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing forever.

An Irishman far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He's come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and begin farming, all while determined to stay as far away from thoroughbred racing as possible. But starting over proves harder than he'd wagered, especially when Maggie Linden's father makes him an offer he shouldn't accept yet cannot possibly refuse.

Maggie is certain that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the inaugural Peyton Stakes, the richest race ever run in America. Maggie only needs the chance to prove it. To give her that chance---and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder---Maggie's father, aging, yet wily as ever, makes a barter. His agreement includes one tiny, troublesome detail---Maggie must marry a man she's never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.

Meet the Author

Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of numerous books including A Lasting Impression and The Inheritance. Her richly-drawn characters and thought-provoking plots have earned her devoted readers worldwide. Tamera is a two-time Christy Award winner, two-time RITA winner, and a recipient of the prestigious Library Journal Award. Tamera and her husband recently returned to her Southern roots and now make their home in Nashville. Find Tamera online: website, Facebook, Twitter   My Take:  I found this book to be very interesting as it addressed a subject that I really didn't know anything about, when the Irish came to America and how they were treated.  I was very shocked to read the N word in the text as you don't usually read that word in today's books.  I was alittle uncomfortable when the author wrote about how Cullen was thinking about Maggie her curves etc.  not inappropriate for a husband to think about his wife but still uncomfortable.  I liked learning about the horse racing business.  I liked Maggie's spunkiness and her love for her father and her unconditional trust in him that she would go as far as marry who he asked her to.  I received a review copy of this book by Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.

April Wrap up and May TBR

I read



Chasing Sunsets by Karen Kingsbury


An Amish Cradle by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipson, Kathleen Fuller, and Vanetta Chapman
Audio Book



A Most Inconvenient Marriage by Regina Jennings



Bake Sale Murder by Leslie Meier

I also participated in Dewey's 24 hour Read a Thon.  It was fun like always and I am already looking forward to the next one October which is on my birthday.



May TBR



To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander
For a Blog tour



Side by Side by Jana Kelley
For a Blog tour



The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
on audio



Yarn to Go by Betty Hechtman
finish



Hearts that Survive by Yvonne Lehman
Finish



The Rising by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
Reread


Permanent Vacancy by Katy Lee
for a blog tour.

Of Course my TBR is always subject to revision.