Audio Book Review: The Divine Inspiration of the Bible by Arthur W. Pink

This is a wonderfully edifying and encouraging listen.
The Divine Inspiration of the Bible
Author: Arthur W. Pink
Narrator: Ralph Cosham

Runtime: 3.2 Hours
Recording: Unabridged
Release date: 5.6.2014
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Genre: Nonfiction/Religion
ISBN-13: 978-1-4830-0194-4
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher/Date: Blackstone Audio, 05/06/14
Summary
“Deny that the Bible is, without any qualifications, the very word of God, and you are left without any ultimate standard of measurement and without any supreme authority.”—from the book
The Bible is the foundation of Christianity. In The Divine Inspiration of the Bible, Arthur Pink sets out to defend the belief that this holy book is, in fact, the true word of God. In doing so he examines the idea of divine inspiration and presents various arguments that aim to prove God Almighty is the author of the Bible.
This book not only examines evidence for the trustworthiness of scripture and what belief in inspiration means but also helps Christians achieve a firmer understanding of the Bible’s authority.
Originally published in 1917

Review:
I loved this audio book. I read Pink’s The Sovereignty of God about 20 years ago and remembered that I thought it was sound, if sometimes difficult, theology teaching. I already believe that the Bible is the infallible word of God but I was interested in the presentations that Pink would make. The book is laid out with each chapter dedicated to a specific, concise argument. As an attorney I appreciated that the arguments and proofs are supported by logical statements and examples that make sense to a person with an open mind and heart. The first chapter presents a “Presumption in Favor of the Bible”. Again, this resonates in legal precedence for me. Other chapters discuss the “Character of Its Teachings”, “Fulfilled Prophesies” and the “Wonderful Unity” as just a few of the themes explored with precision and confidence. Some of the supporting statements I had heard before but others were fresh and all of it was edifying.

I found myself excited about how well the text fit with and encouraged my current Bible reading. It also reinforced past studies I have read (and led) that show how the Old Testament and the New Testament speak as one from the beginning (“In the beginning God created...” Genesis 1:1) to the ending warnings not to add or take away from the scrolls (Revelation 22:18-19).

This book was originally published in 1917 but it is timely today. It has a scholarly, gentle, but forceful and confident, tone that lends strength to the arguments. The audio is a quick listen - less than four hours. I highly recommend this to everyone. Believers and followers of Christ will be encouraged and uplifted. Those who are seeking, and even those who would object or rebel, will find sound arguments if they read (or listen) with fair-mindedness.

Audio notes: The narration by Ralph Cosham enhanced the book for me. It matches the text by being precise and on the side of elegant. This is a book I could, and suspect that I will, listen to repeatedly just for the shear joy and uplift it brought me.

I received this from Blackstone Audio through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review.

Audio Book Review: Jennings' Diary by Anthony Buckeridge

This is a charming story for middle grade, young adults or adults who might enjoy a nostalgic view of boyish mishaps.

JENNINGS BOOKS: JENNINGS DIARY (1953)
Jennings' Diary by Anthony Buckeridge
read by Simon Vance

Audio Book Length:  4 Hrs 28 Min
# of Audio CD's:  4
# of MP3 CD's:  1
Audio CD ISBN:  978-1-926910-35-2

In this audiobook - it is the Easter term at Linbury Court School and Jennings has been promised five pounds by his aunt if he keeps up his diary every day. When he and Darbishire devise a code for entries, things really start to happen - the nasty incident of Wilkins's mark book is only one of them.

Review:
Jennings is a young English boy away at boarding school for the Easter term. His Aunt gave him a diary for Christmas and promised him five pounds if he writes in the diary each day. When he returned to school one of his classmates found the diary and began teasing him. Jennings entries are rather dull and common-place, tending towards his routines, “ate breakfast”, or the weather with those entries looking a lot like: “hot toddy” instead of “hot today”.

After rescuing his book he decides to write in code in case it gets taken again. Now the entries look like: "Hah-ooh cinosrepus! 'Selbanev, Nosnikta, Senoj-Nitram,'..." Jennings makes an innocent entry about his sometimes impatient forms teacher, Mr. Wilkins, known as Old Wilkie. Mr. Wilkins sees the entry that reads something like ‘Wilkie - lost link’ and takes it as an insult setting the two at odds.

Jennings records his attempts to start a museum with all the ‘treasures’ that young boys are apt to find. He and his best friend, Darbershire, sneak off one day in search of a gift for the school nurse who has been kind to Jennings. One misstep leads to another but the resulting gift giving and confusion is really quite sweet.

Jennings and Darbishire find a genuine fake Roman carriage wheel which causes no small trouble with Old Wilkie and the boys’ museum. The cumbersome wheel assemblage becomes even more of a problem as the boys try to take it to the curator of the Dunhambury Museum.

At one point Old Wilkie confiscates the diary but lends it back to Jennings a few weeks later so that he can transfer the entries from his notebook. Jennings goes through a bad day when he thinks he has lost the diary. Not only will he have to face Old Wilkie when he can’t return the book, but he is afraid the police will find it and think it is about Russian spies due to the nature of his code.

The story is a very charming view of the mischief of young boys in a gentler setting than today’s world. The convoluted, though often innocent, thinking and actions of Jennings makes for awkward and funny situations.

I hope to share it with my own 10 year old grandson. It is not fast action and adventure as we think of them today but it is action and adventure for young boys in a historic time setting.

Audio Notes: I have to state that I would probably enjoy any audio read by Simon Vance. Vance is a consummate narrator who manages to share multiple voices and personalities in his smooth British accent. He does a wonderful job with the school boys, the teachers and headmaster, moving from one to the next so that you can picture the whole scene. This is a book I would probably not pick up in print but found great enjoyment listening to. I am looking forward to listening to more of Jennings’ adventures as shared through Vance’s magical presentation.

I received this audiobook from Post Hypnotic Press Books for review.

Audio Book Review: Edge of Tomorrow by Hiroshi Sakurazaka

I liked this quick listen, Sci Fi Action.

Edge of Tomorrow
by Hiroshi Sakurazaka

• Read by Mike Martindale
• Series: All You Need Is Kill
• Audio CD
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; Unabridged edition (April 29, 2014)
• ISBN-13: 978-1442367876

Genre: Sci Fi Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

When the alien Mimics invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his 158th iteration, he gets a message from a mysterious ally--the female soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch. Is she the key to Keiji's escape or his final death?
First time on CD! The original novel that inspired the sci-fi blockbuster film starring Tom Cruise!

Review:
The world is under attack by an alien army known as Mimics. Their numbers are overwhelming and, in addition to destruction in battle, they poison the waters and earth causing complete devastation to wipe out earth’s inhabitants and prepare the land for Mimic settlement.

Keiji is just a teenager with no real future when he decides to join the battle. He is one of many raw recruits who are used more as fodder while the leaders try to figure out how to slow, much less stop the invasion. Keiji thinks he is prepared for battle but something goes wrong on the unit’s very first engagement. Although they are told the battle will be peripheral it turns out they meet the enemy head on. As Keiji realizes others around him are dying he forges into the fray to strike out at the foe. Keiji kills an enemy warrior but is mortally wounded. As he is struggling with his own death, he sees the beautiful female soldier, Rita, known as the Full Metal Bitch. She has had unprecedented success in battle and is revered as a killing machine. She tries to sooth Keiji as he is dying.

The next morning Keiji awakens in his bunk and thinks that he has dreamed the previous battle and encounters. He soon learns that he has been caught in a time loop living the day before and the day of battle over and over. At first he despairs but then he decides to use the days to train himself more fully in hopes that he can ultimately save his team, if not the base and maybe the world.

I enjoyed the fast paced action and of course the “Goundhog Day” irony of learning to live through repeating days. Through the repeated days the reader/listener learns of Keiji's friendships within his unit as well as his respect for his trainers and command leaders. The views of his squadron add  interest. I especially liked the repeated two day meeting and development of friendship with Rita. There is a twist that is hinted at and revealed at the end.

There is graphic killing that is not suitable for everyone. As the back cover of the CD says: Live, Die, Repeat. The only drawback for me was the harsh, repeated foul words. When used it is repeated in succession. Fortunately it is not throughout the book so you can get to the story beyond the bad language.

Audio Notes: It was a little strange that the narrator was not a younger voice and did not attempt to use a Japanese accent to match the hero. None the less, Mike Martindale does a good job conveying the action and intensity of the story. Listening probably made it easier to get beyond the foul words and definitely made it read faster than a print copy.

I think my husband will like the movie. He doesn't read but says he will "wait for the movie."

I received this Audio Book from Simon & Schuster Audio through AudioBook Jukebox.

Audio Book Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

This is an engaging, unexpected, positive surprise.

Of Poseidon

by Anna Banks

Published by AudioGO

UNABRIDGED AUDIOBOOK
Reader: Rebecca Gibel
Running Time: 9hrs 32min
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Description:
Emma and her friend Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he’s a prince of the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange–is it attraction?–and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he’s heard of–a human who can communicate with fish. What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses Emma’s gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she’s the key to saving his kingdom. Soon, Emma can’t deny her feelings for him, but can’t explain them, either–and both she and Galen must learn more about where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one another and their feelings. Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

Review:
This was the YA selection paired with The Tempest and I was delightfully surprised!
Emma is an awkward teen who runs into a hot guy, Galen, on a Florida beach. There is a strange, electrical pull between them and Galen is alarmed by Emma’s violet eyes. That is a color that should only belong to the Syrena a race of mer-people who live hidden from humans. Galen suspects that Emma has the gift of Poseidon - the ability to communicate with fish. If that is true she may be destined to be his brother’s mate and to unite enemy factions.

Galen follows Emma home to New Jersey where he meets her in school pretending to be a student. Galen and Emma grow closer even as Galen tries to resist the attraction between them. Galen is joined by his sister, best friend and his human “step-mom.” They are sensing an unrecognized signature in the water that seems to be a threat to Emma so they are trying to protect her. Meanwhile Emma, who isn’t so self-assured, is getting frustrated by the mixed messages that she is getting from Galen who seems to really like her but holds her at arms length.

The characters are sweet and fun with wonderful chemistry. The plot is well developed and there is plenty of conflict, mystery and action. I got lost listening to the story and was so engrossed that I was startled by the cliff-hanger ending. I couldn't wait to get online to make sure there was a follow-up book available! I recommend this as a fun sweet read/listen. This is an interesting pairing with The Tempest and I wouldn't work too hard at making comparisons. I really enjoyed this much more.

Audio Notes: I obviously was wrapped up in the narration. There were a couple of times when the POV changed and it wasn’t totally clear at first but smoothed out pretty quickly. Rebecca Gibel’s narration voice fit the age of the characters even if it wasn't what I expected - but neither was the story - in a good way.

I received this and The Tempest from SYNC YA May 30 – June 5, 2013.

Audio Book Review: The Tempest by William Shakespeare

This is a a wonderful and entertaining production.

The Tempest
by William Shakespeare
Published by AudioGO/ BBC Radio


William Shakespeare Audio Book
DRAMATIZATION
Reader: Full Cast
Running Time: 2hrs 55min

Genre: Dramatization, Classic
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Description:
BBC Radio has a unique heritage when it comes to Shakespeare. Since 1923, when the newly formed company broadcast its first full-length play, generations of actors and producers have honed and perfected the craft of making Shakespeare to be heard.
Raging storms and rich beautiful music combine to magical effect in this production of Shakespeare’s allegorical last play, where mystical forces work to restore harmony and order to an estranged community.
Revitalised, original, and comprehensive, this is Shakespeare for the new millennium.

Review:
It has been many years since I read Shakespeare’s Tempest (or any of his works). It always seemed like a stormy drama to me - and so it is!

This tragic-comedy is set on a remote enchanted island, where the wizard Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter, Miranda, to her rightful place. Prospero uses illusion and skillful manipulation to conjures up a storm, the tempest, to lure to the island his usurping brother Antonio and a co-conspirator, Alonso, King of Naples. Prospero sets up to reveal Antonio’s treachery and during the process his bound servant, Ariel aids in the secret love encounters of Miranda and Alonso's son, Ferdinand.

This audio production gives this much more flare and charm than a simple reading. I got more of the love story in this version along with the political machinations and power struggles. I enjoyed the dramatization although I have to admit it was a little bit hard to follow along while I was doing chores. I think this would be perfect to listen to with the text to follow along or at least in a setting where one appreciates the program for itself without trying to do other things that might distract (like my chores did).

Audio Notes: The voices, musical background and sound effects were well done and added to the program for me. I enjoyed this method of re-experiencing a classic work.

I received this and Of Poseidon from SYNC YA May 30 – June 5, 2013.

Audible Book Review: Maelstrom:Destroyermen, Book 3 by Taylor Anderson

This is the third installment in this fascinating adventure series.
Maelstrom: Destroyermen, Book 3
     by Taylor Anderson
    Narrated by William Dufris

    UNABRIDGED
          Series: Destroyermen, Book 3
    LENGTH      17 hrs and 45 mins
    RELEASE DATE      03-25-09
    PUBLISHER      Tantor Audio
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Lieutenant Commander Matthew Reddy, along with the men and women of the U.S.S. Walker, are once again at war. Having sided with the peaceful Lemurians against the savage, reptilian Grik, they now find themselves scrambling to prepare for the attack that is sure to come, searching for resources to support their forces - even as they look for allies to join their struggle.
Meanwhile, the Japanese juggernaut Amagi, also trapped in this strange world, is under Grik control---with her fanatical commander approaching madness. And soon they will have amassed a force that no amount of firepower and technology will be able to stop.As the raging conflict approaches, Reddy, his crew, his allies, and his loved ones face annihilation. But if there is one thing they have learned about their new world, it is that hope - and help - may be just over the horizon.
©2008 Taylor Anderson; (P)2009 Tantor

Review:
Don’t let the slow start in this episode dissuade you - it just builds a basis for getting to know the characters and made me feel like part of the crew!

Two American destroyer ships, the USS Walker and Mahan, and a Japanese battle cruiser, the Amagi, were caught up in a storm and found themselves in an alternate version of the South Seas. Here the Americans have met a peaceful population of creatures resembling a mix of Lemure and a cat, called Lemurians and sometimes referred to as “Cats.”

For many years the Lemurians lived peaceably in the trees or large Tree ships. Now they are being pursued by a terrible race, the lizard-like Grik. The Grik do not just kill their enemies; they consume them. The Japanese warship Amagi and its power crazed commander having allied with the Grik to seek destruction against the Americans and the Lemurians.

The first half of this book fills in the backgrounds of the characters and events to bring a new reader up to date. There is a lot of behind the scenes details, building characters, setting the locations, revealing society positioning and strategy for the upcoming battles. Though it’s not exciting, still I found it very interesting. I liked even the geographical descriptions as a comparison between the alternate world and the world that the Americans came from. This story also introduces a few new characters, including some pre-American Revolution British officers who choose to remain outside of the alliance.

I had already like Captain Matthew Reddy and many of the crew members from the prior books. By the time the battle begins in the second half of this book I felt like I knew the American crew personally. When this book jumps into the battle action there is excitement, fear, horror, loss and sorrow. A couple times I actually found myself holding my hands over my face as I dealt with the emotions during the battle.

Audio Notes: William Dufris does a grand job of narrating that captures the nuances of the characters– good guys and bad guys– and the excitement of the battle. I get wrapped into the narration which to me signifies both a good story and a delivery that keeps the reader focused on the characters and action with no negative distractions from the reading.

I will be listening to Book 4 soon!  I recommend this series to those who enjoy adventure with alternate world, alternate species and some heavy battle action.

This is from my own Audible library.

Audio Book Review: Hearts of Shadow, A Deadglass Novel, Book 2, by Kira Brady

I really like the protagonists and the intensity in this story.
Hearts of Shadow
A Deadglass Novel, The Deadglass Trilogy, book 2
By Kira Brady
Read by Xe Sands

Length 10.0 hrs • UNABRIDGED
Publisher: 2013 by Blackstone Audio, Inc. Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher/Date: Blackstone Audio, 05/07/13
In this brilliant new novel in the Deadglass series, a fierce young woman’s quest entangles her in an apocalyptic endgame—and unexpected desire.

Grace Mercer’s unmatched wraith-killing ability made her the unofficial defender of a city shattered by supernatural catastrophe. So there’s no way she’ll allow the new regent of Seattle’s most powerful dragon-shifter clan to “protect” her from a vicious evil stalking the ruined streets or keep her from the freedom she’s risked everything to earn.

Leif’s science-honed instincts tell him Grace is the key to keeping shifters and humans safe, but helping this wary fighter channel her untapped power is burning away the dragon’s sensual self-control and putting a crucial alliance at risk. Soon the only chance Leif and Grace will have to save their world will be a dangerously fragile link that could forever unite their souls—or consume everything in a storm of destruction.
© 2013 by Kira Brady

Review:
Grace is a human girl whose world fell apart when demons were unleashed destroying the city (the first book). Post apocalyptic Seattle is now under the control of a powerful dragon-shifter clan, the Drekar, with an uneasy alliance–maybe–with a Native American shifter clan, the Kivati, and the extremely prejudiced human authorities. As these leaders juggle power and control, the city and their people are facing attacks from zombie humans who are being possessed by demon wraiths.

Leif is the reluctant leader of the dragon-shifters. He would rather be working on experiments in his laboratory and has been neglecting his ruling duties, or leaving them to his female high counselor, Zetian.

Grace was pulled into the control of the dragon-shifters by Sven, Leif’s manipulative and cruel brother. Sven had Grace trained as a warrior-assassin but he also made her a bond slave and used her. It wasn’t rape but lies and misguided adoration that had her in the position of a sexual partner. Grace soon learned to hate her bondage and will take on any fight to earn her way to freedom.

No one understands fully why Grace is such a powerful wraith killer although they believe part of her power is reflected by the rune tattoos that cover her lithe body. Leif is fascinated by the young woman and wants to protect her. He doesn’t know how to release the slave bond so she must continue to work off the debt. But when he forbids her to fight he unintentionally takes away her source of earnings.

The three jostling powers are threatened by a power hungry, love thwarted demi-god. As the clans struggle to find the artifacts that will defeat the demi-god, Leif struggles to get Grace to succumb, by her free choice, to their passion. Grace believes that the dragon-shifters are soulless and she has the horrible past betrayal to teach her not to trust one. But Leif continues to assault her with honor and kindness. Can the dragon and human find love and break a curse that legend says has stolen the dragon soul?

This story is very engaging with lots of action as Grace individually, and with others including the powerful dragon, Leif, battle paranormal beings and body stealing wraiths. There is quite a bit of pagan legend, including an Ishtar brothel, that has a prominent place in the story. It seemed that the mythological and pagan elements were extremely well researched and consistent for the background of the battles that rage. There is good description and development of the settings, intense action and romance. The passion is lovely with Leif’s integrity and devotion which I liked. I also  really liked the strength of Grace’s character, especially as she overcomes her past insecurities and betrayals.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Xe Sands. I felt that she portrayed Grace exceedingly on point, in intensity, frustrations and fierceness. She also did a good job getting the other characters with different voices and capturing their respectful, or not, attitudes. I'm interested to see what other stories she narrates.

I recommend this story as an entertaining, fast paced, listen.

I received this MP3 download from Blackstone Audio through AudioBook Jukebox.

Audio Book Review: And They Called Her Spider by Michael Coorlim

This is a fun, quick listen!

And They Called Her Spider:
A Bartleby and James Adventure, Book 1

    UNABRIDGED
    by Michael Coorlim
    Narrated by Wayne Farrell
        Series: Galvanic Century, Book 1
    LENGTH      56 mins
    RELEASE DATE      12-07-12
    PUBLISHER      Michael Coorlim

Gernre: Mystery, Steampunk
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

The Bartleby and James Adventures steampunk mystery series follows the cases of consulting detectives Anton Bartleby and James Wainwright through an alternate Victorian history.

In their debut adventure, London is in the grip of an unstoppable assassin known only as the Spider, and consulting detectives James Wainwright and Alton Bartleby have been commissioned to catch her.

Can the surly inventor and savvy gentleman track her down and stop her string of murders, or will Queen Victoria be her next victim?

Who Are Bartleby and James?

Alton Bartleby is a social savant, the scion of a once proud and noble bloodline, working to restore his family's name. James Wainwright is a brilliant engineer and inventor. Together they take on the cases that Scotland Yard cannot or will not handle.

©2011, 2012 Michael Coorlim (P)2012 Michael Coorlim

Review:
Alton Bartleby and James Wainwright work together as private detectives consulting, but not always welcome, with the authorities in a Steampunk Victorian world. Alton is all that is proper with his noble background and worldly social experiences, but he is in the position of having to work to rebuild his family reputation. James is a quirky engineer and inventor who can get lost for days in his laboratory, 'lair', before popping out with a solution or gadget to help in their investigations.

Alton and James have been called upon to help track and stop a sly assassin who is known as the Spider. She has been able to slip into places, through crowds and windows, where with acrobatic grace and moves she decimates her prominent victims with venomous dagger strikes. Then she boldly and blithely waltzes away to her escape.

There is a fear that the Queen is an intended victim and the detectives are in a race against time to stop the Spider. Once they have a clue to follow they press on diligently, even with some recklessness.

This pair reminded me of a lighter Sherlock Holmes and a more technically skilled Dr. Watson. The story is told from the view of James. They make a good pairing and balancing in their intuitive and deductive skills as well as their areas of experience. The story was fun and I loved the steampunk and mechanical aspect.

Audio Notes: The narrator presents the story with perfect British hauteur and aplomb. The pacing, of the story as written and read, is brisk and intriguing. I would be glad to read more by Mr. Coorlin and hear more narrating by Mr. Farrell.

This is a good choice for mystery buffs looking for a fun, fast hour. 

I received this MP3 download at Audible through AudioBook Jukebox.

Celebrating Audiobook Week 2013

I am late in joining Audio Book Week but my blog readers know I love audio and I want to participate so I am hopping in the middle of the week. (I'll be posting several audio reviews shortly and an audiobook giveaway too.)

Today we answer the questions provided by Jen, host of Audioweek, at Devourer Of Books:



Current/most recent audiobook:

I am currently listening to:

Hearts of Shadow
Author: Kira Brady
Narrator: Xe Sands

Impressions:
I am enjoying the plotline of the dragon shifters in a post apocalyptic struggle of ‘races.”  The narration is clear with a good portrayal of mystery and intensity.


Current/most recent favorite audiobook:
 
 Ohhh- it is so hard to pick a favorite. I guess for recent favorite I will pick And They Called Her Spider:.  I will be posting a review for this title tomorrow or Friday. I pick it as a favorite because it has so much that I liked: Steampunk elements; Mystery (along the lines of Sherlock Holmes); a short quick listen to enjoy; British accent narration; and all around fun to listen to. .




Favorite narrator you’ve discovered recently:
There are so many good narrators that I enjoy. I am listing two more recent favorites and two older favorites.
Luke Daniels does a super job narrating the Iron Druid Chronicles. He really nails the characters through voices and expression. The narration enhances the danger and fun of an already good story.

Marguerite Gavin, who reads the Hollows Series and many more, also does a great job with the different voices and the emotional inflections. I have noted in previous reviews that “It surprises me how seamlessly Ms. Gavin makes the shifts from one voice to another. I get caught up and love listening.”

One all time favorite narrator is sadly no longer with us. Anna Fields always was a fun narrator particularly for light romantic stories such as those by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

Another 'older' favorite is Rene Auberjonois who did the later Pendergast Series. My husband, who is not a reader or regular listener, loves listening to Rene narrate Pendergast.



One title from your TBL (to be listened) stack, or your audio wishlist:
Just ONE? Are you kidding???

I will say that I am interested in getting to listen to The 5th Wave that I recently got through my Audible subscription
The 5th Wave
    UNABRIDGED
    by Rick Yancey
    Narrated by Brandon Espinoza, Phoebe Strol
Epic Fantasy

  and

The Raven Boys that I got through  SYNC YA last week.

The Raven Boys
By Maggie Stiefvater
Read by Will Patton
Published by Scholastic Audiobooks

Audible Book Review: Hexed, The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 2, by Kevin Hearne

I really enjoy the interesting blend of action and humor in this series.
Hexed: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 2 [Unabridged]
by Kevin Hearne (Author), Luke Daniels (Narrator)


    Series: Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 2
    LENGTH  8 hrs and 52 mins
    RELEASE DATE  06-07-11
    PUBLISHER  Brilliance Audio
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, doesn’t care much for witches. Still, he’s about to make nice with the local coven by signing a mutually beneficial nonaggression treaty when suddenly the witch population in modern-day Tempe, Arizona, quadruples overnight. And the new girls are not just bad, they’re badasses with a dark history on the German side of World War II.
With a fallen angel feasting on local high school students, a horde of Bacchants blowing in from Vegas with their special brand of deadly decadence, and a dangerously sexy Celtic goddess of fire vying for his attention, Atticus is having trouble scheduling the witch hunt. But aided by his magical sword, his neighbor’s rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and his vampire attorney, Atticus is ready to sweep the town and show the witchy women they picked the wrong Druid to hex.
Listen to more Iron Druid Chronicles.
©2011 Kevin Hearne (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Review:
Atticus is a two thousand + year old Druid living in modern day Tempe, Arizona. He draws his magic primarily from the earth in a beneficial sharing of care, healing and power. Atticus’ closest companion is his Irish wolfhound, Oberon, with whom he mind-speaks. Oberon’s mind is mostly dog-like with treats, runs and females taking priority. Atticus’ other friends include his attorneys who are a pack of wererwolves and a vampire, Leif Helgarson. He has an interesting relationship with Morrigan, the goddess of death, with whom he has a deal: she has agreed to never take his life in exchange for him sharing the secrets of his protective iron amulet.

Atticus has become quite sought after with the spreading news of his killing one of the Celtic gods. (Book One, Hounded.) Leif wants him to kill Thor, the thunder god, and numerous other parties want him to kill their enemies too. Atticus isn’t interested but, in the meantime, he has to fight off the demons, and fallen angels, that have been bound with the mission to kill him.

Atticus is in the process of negotiating a treaty with the local witches. When he suffers a magical attack, he discovers that the witches suffered too, with the death of one of their own. Now they seek his help to eliminate a clan of Bacchants who are encroaching the territory and threatening not only the safety of the local coven, but the precarious balance of paranormal groups in the Tempe community. The Bacchants are being tracked by Russian witch hunters, in the guise of a priest and a rabbi, who view most paranormal beings as evil.

This series deals with a complex balancing of powers among the Greek Gods and the paranormal groups. There is wonderful action and great humor with Atticus’ “customary curtain of wit.”  I love the fun language contrasts and word games: formality with the formal Vampire and earthy fun with the doggy Oberon. Atticus is a great character--part hapless, part fearless, part magical, mostly male and surprisingly not arrogantly obnoxious. There is some gratuitous sex alluded to with the details kept pretty much behind doors.
I recommend this series for action and fun entertainment.

Audio Notes: Luke Daniels does a super job narrating this series. He really nails the characters through voices and expression. The narration enhances the danger and fun of an already good story.

This selection is from my own Audible Library.

Audio Book Review: The Empty Mirror by James Lincoln Collier

This is a strange, ghostly bit of entertainment.
The Empty Mirror
by James Lincoln Collier

Unabridged Audiobook

Author: James Lincoln Collier  
Reader: Adam Verne  
Running Time: 3 hrs 45min
Published by AudioGO, 2013
Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Ghost Story
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Book Summary:
Nick Hodges had always been a troublesome boy. Growing up an orphan in his Uncle Jack's care in a small New England town wasn't easy. Everyone was a little wary, a little watchful--a little too watchful. One day, while Nick is walking in the woods, a neighbor thinks she sees him miles from where he actually is. Soon a series of events reinforcing Nick's hotheaded reputation unfold. The incidents become increasingly serious until, finally, Nick is the scapegoat for a much more sinister crime, one that he wouldn't even think of committing. As he uncovers history of the town's influenza epidemic, and as he observes a strange occurrence in the graveyard, Nick begins to suspect something out of the ordinary is happening. And when he sees a figure running in the woods wearing the mirror image of his own shirt, Nick starts to piece together some of the answers--answers no one could have imagined. James Lincoln Collier has written a haunting story of a boy and his reflection--and what happens when two souls want to inhabit the same living body.

Review:
I suppose you could best describe this as a ghost story and a mystery. It is set in a  type of back woods community in 1932. Nick, a young teen of 13, has already developed a reputation as a boy to cause trouble and mischief. One day a ‘nosy’ neighbor complains that he was rude to her. But he insists that he was miles away with his friend, Gypsy. Gypsy’s father is an abusive drunk. Her  family is considered trash and no one would believe them.

Nick is puzzled by the false accusations until he is looking in a pond and doesn’t see his own reflection. As Nick tries to hunt down the doppelganger himself the mischief leads him to a grave marker of a boy his own age who died with the influenza the year that Nick was born. The reflection continues to cause trouble focusing town hostility towards Nick. As the mischief escalates it appears that Nick may well end up in jail unless he can find a way to show the sheriff or town people he is innocent. Then the threats become even more deadly and Nick must leave or find a way to stop the body snatcher.

The story is interesting in its simplistic, beautiful settings and the mysterious, creepy danger. It is an unusual story and not my usual read but I did find it entertaining. I recommend this to fans ghost stories and to those who like unusual surprises with a touch of creepiness.

Audio Notes: Adam Verne does a nice job with the voices of Nick and Gypsy. The reading, and the writing, convey a small town, older time, tone. I do think there could have been a bit more suspense and excitement.  Still he managed to keep it entertaining and light which would make it better for YA listeners.

I received this MP3 download from AudioGo through AudioBook Jukebox.

Attention Audio Fans, YA, Classic Readers: Check Out SYNC - #syncya!

SYNC Summer 2013 Titles Revealed!
 

Twelve weeks of free audiobook downloads, combining a popular contemporary YA title and a classic paired by theme, start May 30, courtesy of audiobook publishers, AudioFile, and OverDrive.
DON'T MISS OUT – SIGN UP TODAY!

Check out the great Summer line up starting with:

May 30 – June 5, 2013
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks, read by Rebecca Gibel (AudioGO)
The Tempest by William Shakespeare, read by a Full Cast (AudioGO)

And here is one in June I am looking forward to:

June 13 – June 19, 2013
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, read by Will Patton (Scholastic Audiobooks)
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, read by Robert Ramirez (Recorded Books)

Well - Really I am looking forward to all of them. I hope you'll join me and share the news!
 

SYNC News to Share
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• Twitter – Our hashtag is #syncya.
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TEXT syncya to 25827 for alerts on the SYNC title releases.

Audio Book Review: Inherit the Stars by James P. Hogan

This is a SCIENCE fiction story that mystery lovers could like.

Inherit the Stars, The Giants Series, book 1

by James P. Hogan

Read by John Pruden

Length 8.0 hrs • UNABRIDGE

℗ 2013 by Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Genre: Science Fiction

My Rating: 4.0 of 4.0

Summary

The man on the moon was dead. They called him Charlie. He had big eyes, abundant body hair, and fairly long nostrils. His skeletal body was found clad in a bright red spacesuit, hidden in a rocky grave. They didn’t know who he was, how he got there, or what had killed him. All they knew was that his corpse was fifty thousand years old—and that meant this man had somehow lived long before he ever could have existed.

© 1977 by James Patrick Hogan

Review:
This story is set in the not so distant future where space exploration is common place. Victor Hunt, a respected scientist and head of a Theoretical Studies program, is brought in to work on a new project. A ‘man’ has been found on the moon--where no man should be--indicating prior moon exploration by a human-like race. “Charlie” presents a puzzle for the scientists as they try to determine who he is, where he came from and how he came to die on the moon.

The prologue is quite interesting, opening the story from Charlie’s perspective before his death. We don’t know who he is but it pulls the reader’s interest into the puzzle of the story. The story then moves a bit slowly and with some confusion in the audio as I tried to identify the characters and where the story was heading.

Different departments--language, metallurgy, environment, evolution and more--are set up to examine the discoveries of the body, the instruments, materials and journals.  The scientists argue theories with one scientist being completely intractable on his evolution based position/conclusion. Everyone else’s arguments are ‘unproven’ theories therefore not possible. The “Pure Earthist” arguments insist that, due to matching DNA factors, Charlie must somehow be from Earth. Hunt is more open minded to speculation beyond demonstrative proof and is able to encourage the different departments to work together until more pieces fall into place.

The clues eventually reveal an interesting “dystopian” world that was losing ground to ice caps. The planet was apparently split into two societies who would not work together. The lives of the people were completely controlled with government authority assigning the jobs between space exploration or war. Even with these findings, it is still difficult to reconcile Charlie’s origins to fit the evolutionary models that are being insisted on.

Another discovery reveals a “Noah’s Ark” type ship buried on Jupiter with a ship full of Earth-like botany and animals. The proprietor of the ship appears to be a giant. Speculation and further investigation ultimately tie this discovery to “Charlie.”

The story reads/listens much like a documentary with the emphasis on Science theory and  “established” evolutionary insistence.  Although it is overall a bit dry, I enjoyed the data and persistent steps followed to resolve the puzzle. I wasn’t thrilled with the insistence on evolution with spontaneous mutations as, to me, that is all theory too. I liked that Hunt was willing to theorize and think outside the box.

I would be interested in reading more about Charlie’s giant companion. I think this story would be enjoyed by those who like the process of puzzling out a mystery as well as those who like ‘Science’ fiction.

Audio Notes: Unfortunately I found the narration to be stilted and dry. Considering the documentary leaning of the story I think a more enthusiastic reading might have helped to liven up the book. The accents could have been stressed more to enhance the reading. I did grow accustomed to the narration but I wasn’t overly impressed.

I received this title from Blackstone Audio through AudioBook Jukebox for an honest review.

Audible Book #Review and Cassette Giveaway: Loyalty in Death by J.D. Robb

This is another exciting mystery for Lieutenant Eve Dallas.

Loyalty in Death: In Death, Book 9
UNABRIDGED
    By J. D. Robb
    Narrated By Susan Ericksen
        Series: In Death, Book 9


LENGTH  12 hrs and 15 mins
RELEASE DATE  05-20-08
PUBLISHER  Brilliance Audio
Amazon Link

Genre: Crime Thriller, Futuristic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Eve Dallas returns to face her most ingenious foe - a "secret admirer" who taunts her with letters...and kills without mercy.
An unknown bomber is stalking New York City. He is sending Eve Dallas taunting letters promising to wreak mass terror and destruction among the "corrupt masses". And when his cruel web of deceit and destruction threatens those she cares for most, Eve fights back. It's her city...it's her job...and it's hitting too close to home. Now, in a race against a ticking clock, Eve must make the pieces fit - before the city falls.
Crack another case with Eve Dallas.
©2007 J. D. Robb; (P)2007 Brilliance Audio

Review:
Once again Eve is faced with new murders and threats to solve. Eve is investigating a bizarre killing by a jealous lover. Although the murderer acknowledges the rage of passion, not all the facts add up. However that case is soon overshadowed when Eve begins to receive taunting messages from a bomber group threatening to take down famous spots in New York, if not all of New York. The group calls themselves “Cassandra” and they want to eliminate the corrupt government. They claim “We are loyal...” but they are not loyal to the innocent lives they ruthlessly kill.

Roarke owns many of the famous locations in New York and he gets a threat too as part of the “capitalist corruption” that must be eliminated. The first building targeted is a vacant warehouse where Eve escapes with only minor injuries. Roarke isn’t going to stand by and let Eve face these threats alone. Not only because the properties being threatened may belong to him but, more importantly, because he is scared for Eve’s safety. Eve does her usual bold dashing into the fray with Roarke right behind her.

Eve’s assistant, Peabody, gets side tracked when her younger brother, Zeke, comes to town. Zeke is attracted to an older woman he met in Arizona even though he knows he should stay away from her. She engaged him to do work in New York and, coincidentally–or perhaps not–the woman’s husband is the brother of the bizarre murder victim. Ultimately Zeke’s involvement and another death give Eve a new direction for the bomber investigation.

Peabody is training nicely until she becomes distracted by a sudden, sizzling attraction between her and McNab, the nerdy tech expert on Eve’s team. Peabody is a strong, humorous character and adds more interest to these stories.

As always, I enjoyed the mystery and the interaction between the characters. The sexual tension between Eve and Roarke is romantic and steamy. There is some discord that fits with their strong personalities. Eve is still trying to understand how she ended up married to this gorgeous, wealthy man with the high tech toys that reach to places where normal law enforcement channels may not go. There was a bit of head hopping where all of a sudden the thoughts/POV would be Peabody’s or McNab’s instead of Eve’s. This was a little distracting in the audio version.

Audio Notes: The narrator, Susan Ericksen, does an amazing job on the character voices–even the computer and the creepy messages! She delivers each voice with an appropriate accent and personality features.  This adds to my enjoyment of the series.

I was disappointed by the use of the “F” word more liberally than I liked. This seemed more noticeable in the first half of the book. Still, the overall story package is engaging and good reading entertainment.

I grabbed this from my Audible Library.

I still need to update my button to make this a "Challenge" but no year - however long it takes since the series is over 36 books now. :-) And it looks like I jumped Conspiracy in Death, Book 8. I don't see it in my read lists so I'll have to go back a book.

I thought I had  print copy but I found I have an Audio Cassette Copy of the book
ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a used Tape Cassette AudioBook Copy:

 ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US or Canada entries.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 17, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on May 18, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Audio Book #Review: Hunter by Robert Bidinotto

If you like thrillers don't miss this engaging and thought provoking story.
Hunter: A Thriller 
by Robert Bidinotto

• LENGTH
  11 hrs and 50 mins
• RELEASE DATE
  09-13-12
• Program Type
  Audiobook
• PUBLISHER
  Robert J. Bidinotto

Genre: Thriller
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0
Highly Recommended

Publisher's Summary
A Wall Street Journal Top 10 national best seller
Number one Kindle best seller in "Mysteries & Thrillers"
Who is hunter?
Who is Prey?
Who will survive?

Award-winning true-crime author Robert Bidinotto makes his stunning fiction debut with a best-selling thriller that has earned more than 200 "5-star" rave reviews from readers.

Two people, passionately in love.
But each hides a deadly secret.
He is a crusading vigilante, on a violent quest for justice.
She is tracking this unknown assassin, sworn to stop him.
Neither realizes the truth about the other.
And neither knows that a terrifying predator is hunting them both....

From its first moments, Hunter takes you on a nonstop thrill ride: from the top floor of the CIA, to the marbled corridors of Capitol Hill...from the posh hotels of downtown Washington, to the city's mean, violent streets. It introduces a colorful new hero for our time - and a dazzling heroine every bit his equal.

A spy mystery...a crime thriller...a passionate romance: Hunter is a genre-bending novel unlike any you've read. Deviously plotted, filled with vivid characters, and propelled at a breakneck pace, it's a tale as memorable for its provocative ideas as for a rousing climax that has readers cheering.

If you enjoy the thrillers of Lee Child, Stephen Hunter, Brad Thor, and Vince Flynn, you'll love Hunter.

©2011 Robert Bidinotto (P)2012 Robert Bidinotto

Review:
Dylan Hunter is a complex, mysterious man. He is a hard hitting reporter who goes after injustice in his articles. He exposes criminals and the prosecutors, judges and psychiatrists who help them go free or get out of prison when they should have stayed behind bars.  He doesn’t let people close as he has a past and secrets to protect. Then he meets Annie Woods at a funeral. She has secrets too and trust issues resulting from her cheating ex-husband. Not to mention her wariness due to all the crime she sees in her work with the CIA.

Dylan convinces Annie to go out with him. He is open and warm and has a valid explanation why there is no record of him prior to two years back.  Their friendship quickly moves to a love affair and then develops more deeply. But neither one knows the past or truth about the other and Annie’s past is soon to collide with Dylan’s present in a way that is hazardous to all involved.

Annie introduces Dylan to a group of hurting crime survivors – people who have lost a loved one to brutal criminals.  Dylan writes about the horrible and tragic deaths and then the vicious perpetrators begin to show up dead with copies of his articles placed at each crime scene. There are no leads to the vigilante killer and, needless to say, the police aren’t too broken hearted about the deaths. A special task force is set up to investigate and Annie is connected to the task force due to a murder of a government traitor before he could be brought to justice.

This story kicks off with intrigue and it continues at a steady, high pace. I liked how Mr. Bidinotto presented the stake outs and the murders with methodical detail that built the tension for each scene.  The characters are well developed and it was hard not to like Dylan even though his actions are outside of the law. The ideological arguments are interesting: that misguided sympathy and well-minded idealists are enabling the criminals and making the judicial and penal system completely ineffective in fighting true criminals. This is really a great thriller that keeps your attention from beginning to end as you wait for the collision of secrets to hit Annie and Dylan.

Audio Notes:
I enjoyed the narration by Conor Hall.  He does a fairly good job with the different voices although the females were a bit rough. This didn't distract from the overall effect though. Mr. Hall does a good job of conveying the sense of tension and danger and carries the intensity throughout the reading.

I received this Audible download, for an honest review, from Robert Bidinotto through Audiobook Jukebox.

This is set in Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland for my 2013 Where Are You Reading Challenge. This is also a New Author for me.

Audio Book Review: Cat Bearing Gifts by Shirley Rousseau

This a nice cozy mystery - good for mystery lovers and purrrrfect for cat lovers.

Cat Bearing Gifts: A Joe Grey Mystery, Book 18
by Shirley Rousseau Murphy (Author), 
Susan Boyce (Narrator)

• Audible Audio Edition
• Listening Length: 8 hours and 51 minutes
• Program Type: Audiobook
• Version: Unabridged
• Publisher: AudioGO
• Audible.com Release Date: November 20, 2012

Genre: Cozy Mystery
My Rating 4.0 of 5.0

A car crash, a missing treasure, a dead thief, and a suspicious blond divorcée have feline P.I. Joe Grey and his four-legged cohorts clawing for justice in this lively new entry in the beloved, award-winning series.
Kate Osborne, a divorcée, reappears with a fortune and a strange story about how she obtained it. Meanwhile, a terrible car crash involves tortoiseshell Kit and her elderly housemates, Lucinda and Pedric Greenlaw. The accident is terrifying enough, but then two mysterious men steal the car - and the secret treasure hidden inside its doors. When one of the thieves ends up dead, Joe must discover if the events are connected - and why. With the investigation in trouble, will they find the killer...or be left chasing their tails?

Review:
Kit, a small tortoiseshell cat, is one of five feline friends living with their people in Molina Point, CA. Her humans are Pedric and Lucinda Greenwald who have been given a small fortune by their friend, Kate. The Greenwalds and Kit are returning from San Francisco in a fairly new Lincoln town car with the treasure hidden in the door panels.  An accident occurs with a rock slide when a tracker trailer and pick-up truck jostle down the cliff road and bump them into the rocks.

The two men in the pick-up, Vic and Birely, are drifters and low level thieves.  They attack the elderly couple and steal the car. Birely happens to have a connection to the property of another of the cats’ human friends, Emmy Lou.  Vic and Birely have been secretly camping out in a stone building behind the house that Emmy Lou inherited from Birely’s murdered sister. Birely felt deprived of his inheritance and he is sure there is money hidden on the property.

Other friends are pulled in to rescue Kit and the Greenwalds. The cats are angry at the injuries suffered by Pedric and Lucinda and soon they are suspicious of the behavior of the men sneaking around Emmy Lou’s house. It is fun to listen as the cats are smuggled into the hospitals. The cats have all the pieces of the puzzle if only they can get the information together and to their humans to take action.

The story is told in third person, often from the view of the cats with many first person cat thoughts interspersed, creating a fun perspective. The reader/listener also gets to follow the thoughts and actions of criminals so we know what is going on and are waiting for the cats and humans to catch the bad guys before worse things happen. Since the author reveals the actions of the criminals as the story proceeds this is not so much a mystery to solve but for the reader to watch it being solved.  Joe Grey, the apparent star of the series, only plays a small role in solving this mystery.

I enjoyed the coincidences that tied all the characters together. I had a little trouble at first sorting out the cats and their connections but once I outlined them it was easy to follow the group of friends -- human and feline. There is also a relationship upheaval  between Kit and her true love, the red tom cat, Pan, that adds to the story. I enjoyed the mystery and the interactions.  I would listen to more from the series if I find time. This one works out fine as a stand alone.

Audio notes: I enjoyed the easy narration style. It fit well with the cozy genre of the story. It was fun to share the different cat and human attributes through their voices. I think the audio enhanced the story for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is an example of cute humor from one of the cats.

He was sure she thought the old place was as empty as a clean-licked tuna can.  Disc 7.

I received this to review for AudioGo through AudioBook Jukebox.

This story is set in California for 2013 Where Are You Reading. This is also a new author for me.

Audio Books for Future Giveaways

This is a group of Audio Books that are available and will be linked to certain Giveaways - like Clear Your Shelf, Audioweek and maybe Sharing Beyond Books. 

Many of these have been Review books, a few were won or they are audios I picked up along the way.

This set of Larger CD (nine) and Cassette (five) Audio books will be available for US mailings only:
Black Hills: A Novel by Dan Simmons

Absolute Power by David Baldacci

 

True Blue by David Baldacci

Hell's Corner (Camel Club)

by David Baldacci

What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures
by Malcolm Gladwell

Reversal
by Michael Connelly

The Age of the Unthinkable
by Joshua Cooper Ramo

Lothaire

By Kresley Cole

(Case is missing but all discs are good)

The Island: A Novel
by Elin Hilderbrand

Note: These five are Audio Cassettes - not CDs:

The Cabinet of Curiosities (Pendergast, Book 3)
by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

1st to Die (The Women's Murder Club)

by James Patterson

 

Kisscut: A Novel (Grant County)
by Karin Slaughter

Best Kept Secrets
by Sandra Brown

 

 

Hometown Legend
by Jerry B. Jenkins
This is a print pic as they didn't have the audio pic.

Canadian or an international winner will get to pick from these nine audio CD books. They are smaller so I hope the postage won't be too bad for international.

The Taste of Innocence CD (Cynster Novels)
by Stephanie Lauens -- CD

The Postcard Killers

by James Patterson --CD

The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town
by John Grisham -- CD

The Juror

by George Dawes Green -- CD

This pic is for cassettes but the version I have is CDs not cassettes.

Warning this book has very rough language.

Secular Sabotage: How Liberals Are Destroying Religion and Culture in America
by William A. Donohue -- CD

Marriage and Other Acts of Charity: A Memoir

by KateBraestrup -- CD

Right on the Money: Financial Advice for Tough Times
by Pat Robertson -- CD

The Snow Angel

by Glenn Beck -- CD

No Rest for the Dead
Multiple Authors -- CD