Audible Review: Blood in the Water: Destroyermen Series, Book 11, by Taylor Anderson

I really enjoy this Alternate History Series with its strong character, lots of action and adventure.
Blood in the Water: Destroyermen Series
Book 11
Written by: Taylor Anderson
Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 17 hrs and 15 mins
Series: Destroyermen, Book 11
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-07-16
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Alternate History, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Ever since the USS Walker came from another world war to defy the terrifying Grik and diabolical Dominion, Matt Reddy and his crew have given their all to protect the oppressed Lemurians. But with the Walker in desperate need of repairs just as the Grik's first general is poised to strike, Reddy is desperate.
With more enemies than ever before arrayed against them, the crew of the Walker needs new allies. That means combing the lethal wilds of Madagascar to find the Lemurians' fabled ancestors as well as the enigmatic dwellers east of the Pass of Fire. But what Reddy's crew unearths may be more than they can handle - discoveries so shattering that they could tilt the balance of the war in either direction.
But Reddy's greatest adversary is from his past: a madman named Kurokawa whose single-minded mission of revenge will shake the Alliance to its core and raise the stakes to the most personal and terrifying levels Reddy has ever faced.
©2016 Taylor Anderson (P)2016 Tantor

Review:
This is book 11 of this engaging alternate history series. The story follows the adventures, and continued battles, of WWII destroyer, the USS Walker, and its enemy, the Japanese battlecruiser Amagi. Both ships were pulled by a storm into a different Pacific Ocean. In this alternate Earth, the continents are populated by giant lemur-like beings known as Lemurians, and their brutal, cannibalistic enemy, the lizard (or dinosaur)-like Grik.

The Americans, led by Captain Reddy, have trained the peaceful Lemurians so they can defend themselves against the Grik. The Lemurians are now busy building new ships, planes and weapons for the upcoming battles.

During the battles and explorations of their new surroundings, they have discovered that various ships from other countries and years of our history have been pulled into this alternate world. There are British, Spanish, German, French and more.

At this point Captain Reddy and the Alliance are spread out on numerous fronts. There is a group pursuing the wicked Dominions, while other groups are out seeking aid from ancient Lemurian tribes. Some ships are moving into position for the next battle and one ship has been sent out to explore beyond the explored lands. A new player has entered the local field, a coalition known as the League of Tripoli. The Alliance members don’t know if the League are friend or foe, but their actions in this episode will set them at odds with Captain Reddy.

The previously barbaric and drone-like armies of the Grik have begun to change and learn with the help of the Japanese and from the battles they have been engaged in. This is creating dangers for the Alliance but also creating interesting tension within the Grik forces. Meanwhile, the mad Japanese commander, Kurokawa, has a ship to replace the Amagi, and he is making his own plans for revenge.

The story follows at least seven threads of characters. There are battle scenes but also there are scenes of preparation, exploration and confrontation. I was glued to my earplugs to learn what would happen with each team. I enjoy the character interactions and am finding the growth of the Griks, especially General Halick, interesting. Once again I am impressed with Mr. Anderson’s wonderful imagination. I am glad I already have book 12 in my Audible library. I highly recommend the series, and the audios, to readers who enjoy alternate history and battle stories with well-developed characters.

Audio Notes: William Dufris does his usual great job of narration. He manages all the numerous character voices, accents and nuances, so the story becomes alive. I love listening to this series on audio.

Check out the artwork, plane models, maps and ship silhouettes at the author's new Website. (The website was down when I checked but hopefully will be back soon.)

Also check out my prior reviews:

Into the Storm -- guess I didn't write a review.

Crusade 4.5 

Maelstrom 4.5

Distant Thunders  4.75

Rising Tides 5.0

Firestorm 4.25

Iron Gray Sea  4.25

Storm Surge 4.5

Deadly Shores  4.75
Straits of Hell: Destroyermen, Book 10 5.0

If you like the reviews, please follow this link to Audible and click the yes button on the “was this review helpful”.

I had this title in my own Audible library (credit purchase in 2016). It qualifies for Audio Challenge and Mount TBR Challenge.

Audible Review: The Curse of Tenth Grave: A Novel by Darynda Jones

This series is fun listening, although this one got a bit edgy for my tastes.
The Curse of Tenth Grave: A Novel
Written by: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins
Series: Charley Davidson, Book 10
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-28-16
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
"If one door closes and another one opens, your house is probably haunted." (Bumper sticker)
As a part-time PI and full-time grim reaper, Charley Davidson has asked a lot of questions throughout her life: Why can I see dead people? Who is the hot supernatural entity following me? How do I get gum out of my sister's hair before she wakes up? But "how do I trap not one malevolent god but three?" was never among them. Until now. And since those gods are on earth to kill her daughter, she has little choice but to track them down, trap them, and cast them from this dimension.
There's just one problem. One of the three stole her heart a very long time ago. Can the Razer, a god of absolute death and destruction, change his omniscient spots, or will his allegiances lie with his brothers?
Those are just a few of the questions Charley must answer, and quick. Add to that a homeless girl running for her life, an innocent man who's been charged with murdering the daughter of a degenerate gambler, and a pendant made from god glass that has the entire supernatural world in an uproar, and Charley has her hands full. If she can manage to take care of the whole world-destroying gods thing, we're saved. If not, well...
©2016 Darynda Jones (P)2016 Macmillan Audio

Review:
I enjoy Charley’s intense, sassy character and the smokin’ (in more ways than one) chemistry between Reyes and her. This episode starts with tension between them as Charley has found out secrets about Reyes and he seems to be keeping secrets from her too. Word that their daughter “Beep” (Elwyn) is in danger doesn’t help when it sends Charley into a murderous panic.

Meanwhile Charley has been called in to consult on a murder case by none other than the prosecuting attorney (PA). Although all the very bloody evidence points to the accused, the PA is sure he isn’t guilty and he will do his best to get the man off the charges. That means he needs Charley’s to 'do her thing' and find the real murderer.

As Charley spots a young girl who is hiding on the streets. This one isn’t a ghost but she might become one if Charley can’t protect her from what appears to be a curse -- or ill deeds -- at a local children’s home where children are dying in unreasonable numbers.

As usual Ms. Jones skillfully weaves three lines of ‘mystery’ at a time. Clues and dangers keep Charley moving at a fast pace. The overall story moves forward with some sorrow and rage that could tear things apart. I like how Ms. Jones pulls in the secondary characters (Osh, Garret, Rocket, Agent Carson, Artemis and others) so they each get some reader time. And I love the fun memes/bumper stickers and quotes that start each chapter.

What I didn’t care for in this episode was some foul language, some crudeness and almost eroticism (one review even describes it as "erotic romance"). Although those elements make me wince, what I really found most difficult was an expressed irreverence for Jehovah. I know it is fantasy and probably not meant to be demeaning, but anything that belittles my God hurts my spirit. It makes me wonder if the series is worth continuing. I understand the series is to end at book 13 so I might push through but sadly not with the same enthusiasm as the early books.

Audio Notes: I can’t praise Lorelei King’s narration enough. She has helped to make these characters come alive and I love listening to her performance. It is an awesome experience (when not jarred by the issues that bothered me).

I pulled this in from my Audible TBR Shelf for Mount TBR, Audible Challenge and "C" in Alphabet Challenge.

My Reviews for Books 1 through 9 can be found through THIS LINK.

Audible Book Review: Straits of Hell: Destroyermen, Book 10

I LOVE this series!
Destroyermen: Straits of Hell: Destroyermen, Book 10
Written by: Taylor Anderson
Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 17 hrs and 34 mins
Series: Destroyermen, Book 10
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:05-05-15
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Sci Fi, Alternate History
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Matt Reddy's old Asiatic Fleet destroyer USS Walker has been mysteriously transported to an alternate version of earth. Here, WWII is no longer raging, and Reddy and his crew have been trying to find a new place for themselves in this strange new world.
Now, along with the felinoid Lemurians and Imperial allies, they fight to keep the reptilian Grik, a race growing in supremacy, from reconquering the Lemurians' ancestral home on Madagascar. Reddy and his crew are exhausted, far from reinforcements, and wildly outnumbered. As for the fate of the Americas, Don Hernan and the evil Dominion have gathered to annihilate the forces behind the walls of Fort Defiance as a shadowy power with an agenda all its own rises with chilling resolve.
As the war teeters on a knife-edge, a tipping point may have been reached at last - and cold steel and hot-blooded valor will remain the ultimate weapons.
©2015 Taylor Anderson (P)2015 Tantor

Review:
I was excited to start the latest in this series. Captain Matt Reddy is leading the Alliance, consisting of Americans, Lemurians and Imperial British, in the strange alternate world where he and his Destroyerman battleship, Walker, have ended up. The allies are facing fights on several fronts. They have captured Grik City and have every expectation that the Griks will be back in swarms to try to recapture their “Celestial Home”. Some of the Grik leaders are craftier than when Matt first faced that enemy and they present more of a challenge.

On another front, Don Hernan and the awful bloody monks of the Dominion are trying to retake Fort Defiance. Commander Sinji has set up the defense in preparation of this expected attack, but now the human troops have been weakened by mosquito borne illness. Sinji will have to use brutal strategy and hope for reinforcements to prevail.

Meanwhile a new force has approached Japanese ‘General’ Kurokawa seeking his aid. The madman general had formerly aligned with the Grik but is planning his own revolution so that he can become ‘supreme emperor’ of this strange world.

I love the action and the connections between characters. Even the evil leaders, and their different level of troops, are portrayed with character growths. There is a good bit of military weaponry and multiple battles. Although I may not understand all of the technicalities I still like the strategy and the intensity of the action. I appreciate Mr. Anderson’s wonderful imagination and how he adds in new elements to set up storylines for the next installment. I will be anticipating the next book! I'm glad I only have to wait until June.

Audio Notes: William Dufris does a wonderful job on these narrations. He has multiple voices for the different characters, with some new Scottish brogue and Italian accents added in this installment.

Check out the artwork, plane models, maps and ship silhouettes at the author's new Website.

Also check out my prior reviews:

Into the Storm -- guess I didn't write a review.

Crusade 4.5 

Maelstrom 4.5

Distant Thunders  4.75

Rising Tides 5.0

Firestorm 4.25

Iron Gray Sea  4.25

Storm Surge 4.5

Deadly Shores  4.75

If you like the reviews, please follow this link to Audible and click the yes button on the “was this review helpful”.

I had this title in my own Audible library (credit purchase in 2015). It qualifies for Audio Challenge, S on Alphabet Soup Challenge, TBR Triple Dog Dare and March 2016 TBR Challenge.

Audible Review: Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour by Lynne Olson

This is an excellent portrayal of key Americans during WWII. History that we didn’t learn in school made ‘alive’.

Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour
Written by: Lynne Olson
Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Length: 17 hrs and 28 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:02-22-10
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: History, WWII
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In Citizens of London, Lynne Olson has written a work of World War II history even more relevant and revealing than her acclaimed Troublesome Young Men.
Here is the behind-the-scenes story of how the United States forged its wartime alliance with Britain, told from the perspective of three key American players in London: Edward R. Murrow, Averell Harriman, and John Gilbert Winant. Drawing from a variety of primary sources, Olson skillfully depicts the dramatic personal journeys of these men who, determined to save Britain from Hitler, helped convince a cautious Franklin Roosevelt and a reluctant American public to support the British at a critical time. The three---Murrow, the handsome, chain-smoking head of CBS News in Europe; Harriman, the hard-driving millionaire who ran FDR's Lend-Lease program in London; and Winant, the shy, idealistic U.S. ambassador to Britain---formed close ties with Winston Churchill and were drawn into Churchill's official and personal circles. So intense were their relationships with the Churchills that they all became romantically involved with members of the prime minister's family: Harriman and Murrow with Churchill's daughter-in-law, Pamela, and Winant with his favorite daughter, Sarah.
Others were honorary "citizens of London" as well, including the gregarious, fiercely ambitious Dwight D. Eisenhower, an obscure general who, as the first commander of American forces in Britain, was determined to do everything in his power to make the alliance a success, and Tommy Hitchcock, a world-famous polo player and World War I fighter pilot who helped save the Allies' bombing campaign against Germany. Citizens of London, however, is more than just the story of these Americans and the world leaders they aided and influenced.
©2010 Lynne Olson (P)2010 Tantor

Review:
This is history that I have never heard. Lynne Olson does a grand job of following a handful of Americans that made an impact in the events of World War II (WWII). Although the story focuses on the perspective of three primary players, there are other important characters discussed as well. The three primary men are John Gilbert Winant, a politician, Edward R. Morrow, a journalist, and Averell Harriman, a millionaire socialite. Each of these had a unique contribution, growth and experience that was fascinating to follow. All three developed close relationships with Winston Churchill and were influential in encouraging Franklin D. Roosevelt to commit to aiding Britain even though they were unable to get the United States to enter the war until the attack on Pearl Harbor in November, 1941.

Wianant was a likeable, shy, idealist Republican politician. He was a three term Governor of New Hampshire and the first head of the Social Security Board, a program evolving from the “Townsend Plan” which he strongly promoted. He became a friend of all Britains as the deeply personal and committed US Ambassador to Great Britain during the war years. Olson was able to portray his brooding passion and deep friendliness. She even conveyed the frustration and tragic waste of his death.

Morrow became the ‘voice of London’ as the American broadcaster for CBS. He was an on-the- scene correspondent who brought the blight of war torn London into the homes of Americans. Just as his reporting must have made the war more real to listeners, this audiobook made the war more real for me. The descriptions of the bombing on London and the evacuation and hardships of the citizens, left homeless, jobless and hungry, gave me a new appreciation for the fact that Americans have been privileged to live mostly free of the devastation of war on our own soil.

Averell Harriman was my least favorite of these characters as it first appeared that he was always seeking political influence through his social position and money. However he had provided a special intermediary role. He was appointed by FDR as a special envoy to Europe in the spring of 1941 and helped coordinate the Lend-Lease program which brought desperately needed supplies to Britain and allies. He became Ambassador to the Soviet Union in1943 trying to balance the interests of Europe allies as they fought the war on many fronts.

I think in school history we get a very condensed, shallow view of wars of the past… and then, of course, as years go by we forget even those things we learned. I choose this audiobook because it looked like it would present an interesting view and I was not disappointed. I knew of Churchill, FDR and Eisenhower of course. And I had heard of Murrow probably through my journalism schooling. The other participants were new to me. I was not pleased to learn about the affairs between the players and the Churchill women but it is an interesting part of the history I would not otherwise know. What I found truly wonderful was the in depth views of these men, and the women involved, as they faced the struggle of war.

I appreciated Ms. Olson’s attention to details including the feelings of hope, frustration, anger and despair, as they impacted on the participants and the citizens around them. I highly recommend this audiobook for those who have any interest in a detailed view of American lives as they shared in the London experience of WWII.

Audio Notes: Arthur Morey’s authoritative and smooth narration makes this an awesome listening experience. The audiobook is longish so I am thinking the book is longish which is all the more reason for me to listen rather than read. This is well worth the audible credit!

I had this in my Audible library since 2011 and it is part of my 2015 TBR Pile Challenge. It also qualifies for my Audio Challenged and my Full House Challenge.

Audio Book Review: The Lost Starship by Vaughn Heppner

I found this to be an engaging Sci Fi listen with lots of danger and little touches of humor.

The Lost Starship
Written by: Vaughn Heppner
Narrated by: David Stifel

Length: 13 hrs and 49 mins
        Series: The Lost Starship, Book 1
    Unabridged Audiobook
    Release Date:11-13-14
    Publisher: Vaughn Heppner
Genre: Sci Fi Adventure
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Ten thousand years ago, a single alien super-ship survived a desperate battle. The vessel's dying crew set the AI on automatic to defend the smashed rubble of their planet. Legend has it the faithful ship continues to patrol the empty battlefield, obeying its last order throughout the lonely centuries.
In the here and now, Earth needs a miracle. Out of the Beyond invade the New Men, stronger, faster and smarter than the old. Their superior warships and advanced technology destroy every fleet sent to stop them. Their spies have infiltrated the government and traitors plague Earth's military.
Captain Maddox of Star Watch Intelligence wonders if the ancient legend could be true. Would such an old starship be able to face the technology of the New Men? On the run from killers, Maddox searches for a group of talented misfits. He seeks Keith Maker, a drunken ex-strikefighter ace, Doctor Dana Rich the clone thief stuck on a prison planet and Lieutenant Valerie Noonan, the only person to have faced the New Men in battle and survived to tell about it.
Maddox has to find a place hidden in the Beyond and bring back a ship no one can enter. If he fails, the New Men will replace the old. If he succeeds, humanity might just have a fighting chance...
©2014 Vaughn Heppner (P)2014 Vaughn Heppner

Review:
Earth has a new and formidable enemy known as the New Men. They resemble men but they are bronze, big and stronger – basically they are superhuman.

Captain Maddox has had a successful career in intelligence. No one knows that he has a secret that helps him succeed – except apparently his supreme commanders. They have kept facts from him that he is just uncovering. Now they are asking him to save mankind. They direct him on a stealth mission to go to The Beyond of the known galaxies to pursue a rumored weapon. He is to commandeer a relic of an alien super-ship which is left over from a battle thousands of years ago. It is believed that only the technological secrets of that supership can help mankind survive an invasion by the New Men. Maddox is provided the journal and notes of Professor Ludendorf who is the only explorer known to have led an expedition to the supership and survived to return.

Maddox is told what crew he is to recruit because they have “the right stuff”. Some he has to coerce, or kidnap and some he has to rescue. The only one who comes along voluntarily is Valerie Noonan, the sole survivor of a New Men battle attack. She has a reputation for knowing and following regulations and commands. This trip will definitely take her out of her comfort zone. The pilot is a brash Irishman who lost himself to the bottle. He is a brilliant pilot but only if he can keep his head clear. Two other crewmates must be rescued from a prison planet where the harsh environment and jungle rot are the primary cell walls. There Maddox is to rescue his second in command who killed the arrogant son of a wealthy crime lord who was cheating in a fight against Maddox. The second person to be rescued is a genius scientist who worked with Professor Ludendorf. She believes the mission is suicidal and, bitter towards all of mankind, she could care less about saving anyone but herself and her bodyguard friend, an amazon woman.

It is bad enough that Maddox and his mismatched, sometimes antagonistic, crew are being sent to retrieve a ship that is set to kill those who invade its territory. But matters get worse when it becomes clear that the New Men have infiltrated the Star Watch command so that Maddox can’t trust any other ships or communities.

I found these characters to be well developed and fascinating in the world they face. There are flaws and issues among the crew which adds in-fighting to the suspense. The story had humor, danger and action and it moved at a good pace with a reasonably plausible (if out of this world) mission. The betrayal and constant tension make for good engagement as I wanted to know how they would overcome the next obstacle – always trusting that Maddox or his team would pull a rabbit out of the hat. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a fast paced sci fi adventure. I will seek out more from this series!

Audio Notes: David Stifel does a very good job with the narration. He hit the right voices and attitudes for the characters. There were one or two minor slips but that didn't disrupt my enjoyment. My reading experience was enhanced by the audio format and I would like to listen to more.

I received this audible from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review. This is part of my 2015 Audio Challenge.