Audible Book Review: 299 Days, The Preparation, Book 1, by Glen Tate

This is an early prepper narrative – not action but preparation.

299 Days
The Preparation, Book 1
By: Glen Tate
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
Release date: 10-26-14
Publisher: Sellerman and Sweeney, LLC
Genre: Action & Adventure, Dystopian, Prepper
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's summary
Meet Grant Matson: lawyer, father, suburbanite husband who awakens to the fragility of modern society and embarks on a personal journey that introduces him to a world of self-reliance and liberation. 299 Days: The Preparation, the first audiobook in the 299 Days series, depicts the inner struggles Grant must face as he exists in a social system he recognizes as unsustainable and on the verge of collapse, but one in which he has built his life around. What begins as a return to his roots, self-sufficiency and independence, becomes a full blown move to prepare for what may come.
Engaging, insightful, and a bit suspenseful, follow Grant's transition from a self-perceived "sheeple" to a full-blown "prepper". Will his fears come true? Is he an extremist? What if nothing happens? What if something does?
©2012 Glen Tate (P)2014 Sellerman and Sweeney, LLC

Review:
Grant was raised by a logger father who fell into alcoholism after an accident. Thereafter his youth was full of abuse and dysfunction. Grant knows his family is poor and initially he thinks he can’t get beyond his circumstances. But he manages to go to college, meet and impress the woman of his dreams, and progress to law school. Upon graduation he is glad to get a position where he can fight for justice for the little guys set upon particularly by the government or big companies. He is distressed by government policies and he begins to see behind the scenes that America will suffer an economic fall from its massive debt.

Grant recognizes that the typical city “sheeple” will not be prepared to face trouble. He learned shooting and rural skills in his childhood and now he slowly turns to his rural roots and begins to gather the supplies to survive a social system failure. It starts with collecting guns and nonperishable food stockpiles. It continues with training with former military and law enforcement officers, to identifying other like-minded friends who he can reach out to when trouble hits. Finally, he is able to acquire (with his mother’s help) a cabin that is sustainable and defensible. Most of this is done behind the back of his wife which is bound to cause trouble at some point.

This story is told from the POV of Grant as he ponders the dangers of an economic collapse and step by step prepares for the worst. The author, through his main character, shares his dislike of liberal policies especially as they have impacted Washington State. There is limited action and suspense in this first book as the biggest suspense is in wondering how he will deal with his wife when the time comes and when the collapse may occur. Still, I enjoyed the journey of awareness and preparation for a plausible event. It is not a particularly exciting book but I found it entertaining. I will likely try the next book at some time. I recommend this to fans of prepper narratives (who won’t take offense to the political views).

Audio Notes: Kevin Pierce is an experienced and good narrator for this type of story. He provides distinct voices and solemnity of the purpose. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 3-3-2022 Audible Sale Purchase $3.74; (Regular Price: $24.95). This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Number goals.

Audible Book Review: The Dragon and the George by Godon R. Dickson

This is a good dragon, magic adventure.
The Dragon and the George
By: Gordon R. Dickson
Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

Series: Dragon Knight, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins
Release date: 09-23-14
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Classic, Epic, Sword & Sorcery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's summary
Through no fault of his own, the once human Jim Eckert had become a dragon. Unfortunately, his beloved Angie had remained human. But in this magical land anything could happen.
To make matter worse, Angie had been taken prisoner by an evil dragon and was held captive in the impenetrable Loathly Tower. So in this land where humans were edible and beasts were magical - where spells worked and logic didn't-- Jim Eckert had a big, strange problem.
©1976 Gordon R. Dickson. ©2004 the Estate of Gordon R. Dickson (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Review:
Jim and his fiancé, Angie, are house hunting in hopes of being able to marry soon and move in together. Jim is a little frustrated that he isn’t getting the promotion he wants and also that Angie spends extra time with her professor. When Angie is late coming out of the university,, Jim finds that the professor has accidentally transported her somewhere and sometime, but he is not sure where. Jim believes it would be with dragons so the professor agrees to send Jim’s psychic only to find Angie and bring her back. While focusing on Angie and dragons, Jim wakes up to discover he is a dragon!

When Angie as a human (a “George”) is taken prisoner by an evil dragon, Jim aka Gorbash the dragon, has to find a way to save her. He speaks to the local wizard who sends him on a quest for companions so that he can prevail in approaching the Loathly Tower and saving his lady love.

I was not aware of this classic dragon tale. The story is entertaining on a low-key level, likely because it was written in the 1970s. I enjoyed the collection of companions, both beasts (wolf and dragons) and human and the dangers and monsters they faced. I also enjoyed the medieval history and the magical elements. I am glad that I have more books in the series to listen to. I recommend this to fans of dragon adventures.

Audio Notes: Paul Boehmer does a nice job with the narration. He provides good energy and distinct character voices. I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source: September 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: Hunted, A Seventeen Series Novel Book 1, by AD Starrling

This is full of action and I liked it.

Hunted
A Seventeen Series Novel Book 1
By AD Starrling
Read by Michael Bower

Run Time 10h 2min
Release Date: July 21, 2015
Publisher: AD STARRLING
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Supernatural, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

After over a century being hunted, Soul, a half-breed of two immortal races, treks across the world to uncover the mystery behind the target on his back. Can he stop a terrible war before he dies his seventeenth — and last — death? An action-packed, heart-pounding listen!

Review:
Soul is a half-breed of two immoral races. The races, Bastian, his mother’s family, and Crovir, his father’s clan, have been at war for hundreds of years. Soul has already spent 350 years running from Hunters as the clans hate him as a half-breed and because he is one of the few known immortals who can permanently kill other immortals.

Recently, the Hunters have found Soul again and an attack has resulted in Soul's 15th death. Since the immortals only get 17 deaths before being permanently dead, Soul decides to turn on the Hunters and find out why they are after him again. Soul is joined in his quest by his friend and human PI business partner Reid, a former US Marine.

The investigation takes Soul and Reid racing from New York to Paris, Prague, and more, ultimately planning a raid on a private Mediterranean island. Soul is searching for a professor who was studying immortality and a female companion. Soul and Reid are one step behind the Hunters who set up scenes to make Soul and Reid appear to be murderers. As Soul finally catches up with those he is seeking he faces revelations about his own past and they uncover a diabolical plot that could wipe out the majority of the immortals leaving only a tyrannical elite to rule the world.

I enjoyed the action and intrigue in this story. There is plenty of violence and there are twists that keep the reader moving forward in the suspense. I had previously listened to one of the short stories and I may pick up more of the series in the future. I recommend this to fans of suspenseful fast-paced action.

Audio Notes: Michael Bower does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and empathetic energy. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source 2019 Chirp Purchase. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Contact Front, Drop Trooper, Book 1 by Rick Partlow

I wanted a space story and I liked the action and interaction in this military space story.

Contact Front
Drop Trooper, Book 1
By: Rick Partlow
Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin

Length: 8 hrs
Release date: 04-28-20
Publisher: Aethon Audio
Genre: First Contact, Military, Space
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's summary
Go to war or go to jail.
For small-time street hustler Cam Alvarez, the choice is simple. He has no family, no friends, no place in the world...nothing to lose. When his latest con results in the death of a cartel hitman, Cam opts to join the Marines and leave Earth to fight a vicious alien enemy.
Drafted into the Marine Drop-Troopers, Cam discovers there’s one thing he’s even better at than running street-con games, and that’s killing the enemy. Wrapped in an armored battlesuit, Cam finds purpose amidst the horror and destruction of the war, and the opportunity for a new sort of friends and family...if he can break the habits of a life spent alone, trusting no one.
And, if he can survive....
Rick Partlow returns with another kickass military sci-fi epic. It's perfect for fans of Jay Allan, Jasper T. Scott, and Scott Bartlett.
©2020 Aethon Books (P)2020 Aethon Audio

Review:
Cam grew up in the foster care system and made some bad choices along the way – not that he had much choice. He gets caught in another crime and when he won’t give up his girlfriend as the accomplice, he is given a choice: go to war (as a Marine) or go to jail.

As he learns basic skills, Cam does well at controlling the armored battlesuit and he is soon assigned to the Drop-Troopers. Cam finds that he finally has something he is really good at and even though not all of his troop members are supportive, he does get encouragement from superiors as he improves. One old habit they have to break in Cam is working alone and trusting no one. They have to teach him that he and his teammates can only survive by working together.

Not all of the characters are nice and not everyone survives, but I enjoyed the action of the story and the growth that Cam achieves. There are some surprises and twists that keep the story interesting through the end. I would be interested in reading more in the series. I recommend this to readers who enjoy space military action.

Audio Notes: James Patrick Cronin does a fine job with the narration. I could distinguish each character voice and I liked the clear energy James brings to the story. The narration added to my enjoyment of the book.

Source: 12/17/2020 Audible Sale –$5.00. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Eden's Gate: The Reborn A LitRPG Adventure, Book 1 by Edward Brody

I picked this for the LitRPG factor. It was engaging distraction while I was dozing on and off.
Eden's Gate: The Reborn
A LitRPG Adventure, Book 1
By: Edward Brody
Narrated by: Pavi Proczko

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 03-30-17
Publisher: Edward Brody
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, LitRPG
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's summary
When Gunnar Long is transported into the first fully-immersive virtual MMORPG, he finds himself in a new world filled with magic, mystery, and adventure.
No more 9-to-5 job. No more studio apartment. No more reality TV.
Finally, he's in a place where he can call home, a place with people he can call friends.
But as more people want to trade their real world lives to get inside Eden's Gate, the government of the outside world wants the "game" shut down at all costs.
Gunnar must learn to survive, grow in power, and find a way to send a message back to his old home.
"We're fine. We're alive. Eden's Gate is real."
Eden's Gate is a LitRPG adventure.
©2017 Edward Brody (P)2017 Edward Brody

Review:
Gunnar is pretty much a loner except for his girlfriend. He enjoys role playing games (RPGs) and is excited when the latest fully immersive virtual game and headset tech are released. He and his girlfriend are quick to put the headsets on agreeing to compare notes in 30 minutes. Gunnar arrives in a cave and has to start fighting his way out. It doesn't take long before Gunnar discovers he can’t exit the game. He is frustrated by what he thinks is a glitch and contemplates how he can find his girlfriend.

Fortunately, a battered Gunnar stumbles into an NPC (non-playing character) who helps him recover and begins to explain the world he finds himself in. As time and challenges go by, it becomes more and more clear that Gunnar can die and be reborn at his last base spot but he can’t find a way to exit the game.

Interspersed with the adventures are ‘real life’ efforts to shut down the game before more people commit life suicide in exchange for a game life. Can the living authorities be convinced that the players are basically “alive” within the game before the plug is pulled?

I enjoyed the leveling up process even though there is a little too much repetition of stats for the RPG. I liked how Gunnar learns how to accept help, honor friendship, and work with others for successes. There are interesting monsters and allies as the adventure moves forward and there is an intense race to save the game from being shut off.

There is some foul language but not excessive. The world, characters, and battles are entertaining and I recommend this to fans of the LitRPG genre.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Pavi Proczko. His voice fits the primary character and he provided distinct accents for the other characters as well. The delivery is steady and the audio enhanced my enjoyment of the work.

Source: 3/31/19 High Five Audible Sale title - $5.00. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goal.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review For the Loot, Goblin Mode, Book 1 by Han Yang and Pearce Adams

This is a fun story but I didn't like the foul language.
For the Loot
Goblin Mode, Book 1
By: Han Yang, Pearce Adams
Narrated by: Evan Sibley

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
Release date: 07-25-23
Publisher: Dreamscape Lore
Genre: Fantasy, GameLit, LitRPG
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75 (due to language); Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Bogart casts aside his humble origins, becoming an adventurer. He must gain levels in the guild and fight alongside his allies, both within and outside the law. For fame and fortune! Maybe even to save the world. But mostly for fame and fortune!
You only get one chance at the big leagues, and nobody knows it better than Bogart. He's going straight from the badlands to the top of the world, or he'll gladly die trying. If only he knew the truth about the life he's chosen. There are wars, dark gods, and eldritch horrors on the horizon. And nothing is as it seems. Join Bogart as he quests for riches!
©2023 Royal Guard Publishing LLC (P)2023 Dreamscape Lore

Review:
Bogart’s clan of Goblins is attacked by a small group of adventurers, and he is one of the few survivors. He plans to follow them to steal their loot. Instead, he ends up joining the adventurers to pursue further loot.

They run into struggles along the way and have to find and rely on the skills for each. Bogart adds his stealth and thieving skills to the existing group. Freya is a paladin with healing powers and the ability to fight with special weapons. The others are a half-orc barbarian and a human spellsword, all led by the spellcasting gnome, Lang.

There are plenty of battles with creepy and unique villains. This isn’t strictly LitRPG but there are opportunities to increase powers and upgrade weapons. I enjoyed the success of the little goblin, especially since goblins are considered on the level of rats. The adventures were fun but the ugly, foul language turned me off. This might have been cute for middle graders but not with that language. Because of the language, I will probably not continue with the series. I recommend the fun adventure to GameLit fans who do not mind the bad language.

Audio Notes: Evan Sibley does a great job with the narration. I enjoined the energy and voices given to each character. I appreciated the opportunity to listen to this through NetGalley.

Source: July 2023 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: The Snow Killer: The DI Barton Series, Book 1 by Ross Greenwood

This is an intriguing police procedural, crime thriller.

The Snow Killer: The DI Barton Series, Book 1
By: Ross Greenwood
Narrated by: David Thorpe

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
Release date: 11-12-19
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
‘Fear the north wind. Because no one will hear you scream....’
A family is gunned down in the snow, but one of the children survives. Three years on, that child takes revenge, and the Snow Killer is born. But then, nothing - no further crimes are committed, and the case goes cold.
50 years later, has the urge to kill been reawakened? As murder follows murder, the detective team tasked with solving the crimes struggle with the lack of leads. It’s a race against time and the weather - each time it snows, another person dies.
As an exhausted and grizzled DI Barton and his team scrabble to put the pieces of the puzzle together, the killer is hiding in plain sight. Meanwhile, the murders continue....
The first in a new series, Ross Greenwood has written a cracking, crackling crime story with a twist in its tale which will surprise even the most hardened thriller listeners. Perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Stuart MacBride.
©2019 Ross Greenwood (P)2019 Boldwood Books

Review:
One child survived the gunning down of the rest of the family, including a beloved younger sibling, when they were brutally stalked and killed in the snow. Three years later the surviving child is able to take revenge killing the guilty thugs one at a time in the snow. This gains the name “The Snow Killer” but the murders stop.

Fifty years later there is a new murder of a low level drug addict during a snowstorm. Then another drug involved person is murdered in the next snowstorm. DI Barton and his team are trying to figure out who would have the motive to take out these individuals. Then in the next snowstorm another murder takes place practically under their noses. The murders are occurring in DI Barton’s own neighborhood and the victims are connected to a known local drug family. The police are desperately seeking clues while inclined to protect the surviving member of the drug family as she is the likely next target.

The old Snow Killer has been insulted by one of the local crime members. This has triggered the old anger and revenge which intensifies when the killer recalls one of the thugs had referred to orders from higher command. And now one of the new victims also mentions corruption that goes higher than the henchmen. Can the Snow Killer get to the higher parties in command before the police figure out who they are chasing?

This is only available until 8/10/23 so I pulled it up in my queue and I am glad that I did. The characters, killer and cop, are well drawn including emotional involvement. The author follows both characters so that the reader/ listener is tracking the two different POVs as their inevitable confrontation grows closer. Although the reader is following the killer, the author manages to throw in some surprises. I would be willing to seek more books by this author and I’m sorry I don’t have time to listen to more while they are available free in the Audible Plus Catalog. I recommend this to fans of strong police procedural thrillers.

Audio Notes: David Thorpe does a very good job with the narration. I was engaged throughout the narration with the clear voices and energy.

Source: February 2023 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023Audiobook goal.

Audio Book Review: Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris

This is an entertaining mystery with paranormal characters.
Midnight Crossroad
By Charlaine Harris
Narrated By: Susan Bennett

Series: Midnight, Texas, Book 1
Duration: 9 h 31 min
Release date: 05-06-14
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Summary
FIRST IN A NEW TRILOGY - From Charlaine Harris, the bestselling author who created Sookie Stackhouse and her world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, comes a darker locale-- populated by more strangers than friends. But then, that' s how the locals prefer it. Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It' s a pretty standard dried-up western town. There' s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There' s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there' s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he' s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own). Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth...

Review:
Manfred Bernardo is a quiet man who has moved to Midnight, Texas to a house next to the town pawnshop. Manfred thinks he has his own secrets as an online and sometimes live, psychic. But he soon begins to learn he has lots of strange and secretive neighbors. Another renter, who lives below the pawnshop, is only seen at night and a neighbor, Fiji, who lives across the street, sells crystals and spells among other New Age items and is never seen far from her standoffish cat.

There are strangers that come to town seeking his landlord, Bobo…then they are gone. And more strangers come looking for the first two. Then an out-of-town sheriff comes looking for Bobo’s former girlfriend who just walked out a few weeks before. Bobo is heartbroken and shocked that anyone might think that he had anything to do with her disappearance.

Manfred is willing to help investigate when called upon and his neighbors are a bit surprised that he handles each event and reveal with his quiet equanimity. As the community pulls together to protect their own, it is clear that Manfred fits right in.

I enjoyed the low-key characters and the conflicts and mysteries of this story. This is a different style from the author’s southern and more lively Sookie vampire series which I also enjoyed. I was interested in learning more about each character as the story moved on. I plan to pick up the other books in this series. I recommend this book to fans of paranormal characters and quiet mysteries.

Audio Notes: Susan Bennett does a good job with the narration. She provides distinct voices that capture the quirkiness of each character. The narration definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

Source: 8/28/19 August VIP Free selection at Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and Time of Day goals.

Audible Book Review: The Age of Embers (A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller) by Ryan Schow

This is a good action, post apocalyptic title.
The Age of Embers (A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller)
The Age of Embers, Book 1
By: Ryan Schow
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 08-07-19
Publisher: Ryan Schow
Genre: Adventure, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
An Amazon all-star recipient! Fresh off the highly acclaimed The Last War Series, comes a gripping new tale of the apocalypse from bestselling author, Ryan Schow. The Age of Embers Series is perfect for fans of Matthew Mather, Bobby Akart, Jack Hunt, Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Mike Kraus, and Harley Tate.
The end is almost here, are you ready?
A high-tech nightmare. A crippling attack on America and her infrastructure. Are humans in their final days? When a sudden, unexplained spasm of violence rocks the country from coast to coast, when our military is hijacked and the president can’t be found, the survivors will be left to wonder if this is the start of a new world war, or if this is the last chapter of humanity itself.
Undercover DEA agent, Fire Dimas, is drowning in problems: an unrelenting job, a difficult marriage and a teenage daughter with suitors of the worst kind. Then there’s the cartel he double-crossed and the “incident” at the high school. To say he’s in way over his head is the understatement of the century. Rest assured though, for Fire and his family, it’s about to get much, much worse. The assault has already begun....
Eliana Gutierrez and her niece, Carolina, are stolen by the Guatemalan cartel and swallowed into the dark world of human trafficking until a brutal crime separates them. Eliana must now use the deadly trafficking lines to trek up through Mexico and into America in search of the only person she ever loved. Along the way, she’ll come face-to-face with a handsome, rancorous hitman who will either be her salvation or her bitter end. Under the cover of a post-apocalyptic nightmare, Eliana will risk life and limb for the child, but will it be enough?
The Age of Embers is a post-apocalyptic survival series written inside the universe of the best-selling The Last War series. This edge-of-your-seat thriller chronicles the harrowing journey of ordinary people trapped in an encroaching dark age. Get ready for characters you'll want to know in real life, big post-apocalyptic action and a no-holds-barred action/adventure series that just might hit a little too close to home.
Note: The Age of Embers and subsequent books can be listened to as a stand alone series or in addition to The Last War series. Both stories are written in the same universe on the same timeline and some characters will overlap.
©2019 Ryan Schow (P)2019 Ryan Schow

Review:
Fire Dimas is an undercover DEA Agent in Chicago who is on the edge. He hasn’t been home for eight months and his marriage is on the rocks. His teen daughter is stepping out with the wrong kind of boys. Fire has underlying anger issues that haven’t been helped by having his hands tied in a criminal environment.

An unexplained attack starts destroying the cities, taking out authority centers as well as indiscriminating killing people in the streets. Chaos erupts and the social dynamic changes as surviving gangs try to take control and civilians just try to survive. Fire is caught in the middle wanting to protect his family but being in a place to take down the gangs. He will move between both worlds until his own family is caught in the maelstrom.

Meanwhile, in Guatemalan, Eliana is a beautiful young woman who has been isolated by her overly protective father. His means of protecting her is to make her look less attractive and train her to fight to injure men. Finally, the day arrives when Eliana and her younger niece, Carolina, are captured by traffickers who kill her father. Eliana struggles to escape and survive to track down Carolina. As Eliana pursues the trail, she meets a rough but handsome ‘hitman’. He agrees to introduce her to the head of cartel with a plan that may well cost her live. After they both walk out of the situation, they agree to travel together in the same direction, if not as partners. Their path goes through grit and death and eventually brings them to a collision with Fire in Chicago.

I picked this for an action, post-apocalyptic title and it delivered. It is dark, gritty and violent story. Some of the scenes made me flinch and cringe and I didn’t feel that all of it was realistic. But it could be real, especially the attack event, which is scary! It is likely that I will go back to the earlier books by Schow and then continue with this series too. I recommend this to fans of post-apocalyptic who can handle the girt and violence.

Audio Notes: Kevin Pierce is a good narrator who does quite a bit of narrating in this genre. He manages the hard voices and gritty characters well with distinct sounds and energy. I appreciated having this in audio format.

Source: 12/17/2020 Audible Sale – $5.00. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: The Farseer: Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

This fantasy aroused mixed emotions. I picked up book 2 for sale at Chirp.
The Farseer: Assassin's Apprentice
Written By: Robin Hobb
Narrated By: Paul Boehmer

Series: Farseer Trilogy, Book 1, Realms of the Elderlings, Book 1
Duration: 17 hours 21 minutes
Release Date: March 2010
Publisher: Tantor Media
Genre: Action & Adventure, Coming of Age, Epic Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Summary
With unforgettable characters, a sweeping backdrop, and passionate storytelling, this is a fantasy debut to rival that of Robert Jordan. Filled with adventure and bloodshed, pageantry and piracy, mystery and menace, Assassin's Apprentice is the story of a royal house and the young man who is destined to chart its course through tempests of change.
Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal household by his father's gruff stableman. An outcast whose existence has forced his father to abdicate his claim on the throne, Fitz is ignored by all royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in the young man's blood is a heritage of magic, the talent called the Skill, as well as another, even more mysterious ability.
As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts and leave behind the zombie-like husks of the townspeople to prowl the countryside, Fitz is growing toward manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission, a mission that poses as much a threat to himself as it does for his target-for Fitz is a threat to the throne...but he may also be the key to the survival of the kingdom.

Review:
“Boy” is the bastard son of royal Prince Chivalry, the first born son of King Shrewd. He is dropped off at the keep at age six and taken to Prince Chivalry’s head stableman, Burrich. Since the boy has no name, he is dubbed “Fitz”. Burrich begins training Fitz to care for the dogs and horses in the stable, but he is alarmed when he realizes that Fitz is developing a mental bond with one of the new puppies. He scolds Fitz and takes away the dog.

Soon Fitz is moved into the royal household where he struggles in his position. Prince Verity, the second son, is kind and caring when he can take time from his busy schedule, especially after Chivalry abdicates his position. The third royal son, from a second wife, Prince Regal, wants nothing to do with this bastard child who could complicate the bloodlines. Regal is inclined to ignore Fitz or maybe kick him when he sees him. King Shrewd has his own plans for the boy. He arranges for Fitz to be secretly trained by the King’s assassin because Fitz may have the family trait of magic that allows them to Skill, or hear the thoughts of, and sometimes influence, others.

While Fitz struggles with his aloneness, he tries to find ways to please those around him. But the royals are busy dealing with horrible raiders who are ravaging the coast line and even moving into the countryside of the territories under the King. Fitz has committed to be a “king’s man” but in the process of his growth he is outcast, ostracized, abused, and used for the King’s goals. The one true talent he has must remain hidden as it is despised the by one man he thinks is his friend. And meanwhile betrayal stalks close to home.

The story is told by an older Fitz in the form of a history of the Six Duchies under the King. The author pulls at the heartstrings of the reader (listener) for the abandoned and misused boy. There is a tone of depression in the story. I did struggle with Fitz’s attitude at times but his feelings and lack of perception at times is fitting for the beleaguered boy that he is. I enjoyed the distinct secondary characters, especially Burrich, Verity, the assassin, and the fool. I hope all of them will be in the second book which I found on sale at Chirp. I recommend this to fans of epic fantasy tales of adventure with a touch of magic.

Audio Notes: Paul Boehmer does a great job with the narration. He provides clear and distinct voices that fit the characters, the settings and the tone. I am looking forward to continuing the next book on audio.

Source: 6/3/19 June VIP free selection from Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: To Serve and Protect by Glynn Stewart

I enjoyed this action story with supernatural villains and heroes.
To Serve and Protect
Onset, Book 1
By: Glynn Stewart
Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
Release date: 10-24-17
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Action, Paranormal, Superhero, Supernatural, Urban
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
A small town cop with an unexpected gift. A shadowy government agency on the side of justice. A call no good man could turn away.
When vampires attack David White's small town, only luck, firepower, and the intervention of an elite government task force saves his life. The aftermath of the attack leaves him in the middle of the world's biggest secret: the existence of government agencies that regulate the supernatural.
They insist that David's "luck" is actually a supernatural gift, and he's immediately recruited into ONSET, the most shadowy part of America's thin blue line of police protectors.
Questioning both his gifts and the agency he now serves, David is drawn into an escalating battle that threatens all of humanity. If he isn't what ONSET thinks he is, the entire world may pay the price.
©2016 Glynn Stewart (P)2017 Podium Publishing

Review:
David White is a small town cop, dedicated to the mantra of “serve and protect”. One day he chases after a group of young ‘punks’ who have murdered a store clerk in a bloody fashion, and on their escape path they also brutally murdered his own partner, a young, new officer.

A secret government police force known as Onset sees his valiant efforts to fight the pack of vampires. They barely save his life and take him to their secret facility to heal his injuries. When he wakes up they offer him the chance to work with the elite supernatural team. They recognize he has skills that he isn’t even aware of, just as he wasn’t aware of the existence of vampires, werewolves, and other creatures from the realm of fantasy and myths.

Initially David isn’t sure but a discussion with an old friend convinces him that he can “serve and protect” in a broader sense with this covert organization. Can David really help this team that includes a werewolf leader, a good demon, a mage and more? His initial training doesn’t reveal the extent of his powers but when he gets in the thick of battle a hidden ability appears. The dangers progress to a deadly battle with a large terrorist organization and the evils they summon. Not all of the good guys will make it out alive.

I liked the moments of introspection included in a consistent pace of action. I enjoyed the development of the primary character and the uniqueness of the supporting teammates. I will be getting more in the series. I recommend this to fans of action and supernatural characters.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter is a wonderful narrator. As with most of the works he narrates, his performance with distinct voices and fitting energy, added to my enjoyment of the audio.

Source: 7/31/2022 July Audible Credits. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Phule's Company by Robert Asprin

This is a fun Space Military story and I want more in the series.
Phule's Company
Phule's Company, Book 1
By: Robert Asprin
Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine

Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
Released: September 20, 2017
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Humor, Sci Fi, Space Military
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
After being court-martialed by the Space Legion for ordering the strafing of a treaty-signing ceremony, multimillionaire Willard Phule receives his punishment: He must command the misfit Omega Company on Haskin's Planet, a mining settlement on the edge of settled space. At his duty station, he leverages his personal money and a knack for managing people to get the company to come together as a unit. Phule convinces the governor to leave the contract for an honorary duty up for competition between the Space Legionnaires and the Regular Army. The Army sends some of their most elite troops to take part in the competition, but Phule's company operates with their own unique tactics....
©1990 Robert Asprin (P)2017 Tantor

Review:
William Phule (pronounced “fool”) was a junior officer who made some inappropriate decisions based on lack of pertinent information. The judges at his court-martial have to issue appropriate punishment. The problem is that Phule’s family is excessively wealthy and an important military resource. They decide to punish Phule by promoting him to give him command of the Omega Company. That is the company where all the military misfits go and their duty is limited on the edge of settled space.

Phule, who travels with his faithful Batman, Beeker, takes his command seriously. He quickly begins to get the misfits into shape, helping the individuals to find the tasks they each can do well. He provides them with state-of-the-art facilities, uniforms, and tools/weapons. As they train on a specially prepared “obstacle course”, aka “confidence course”, he trains with them and shows them how to succeed by being creative and thinking outside of the box. Bit by bit he builds their confidence. He believes in his company so much that he is willing to set them up in competition with the Regular Army in order to win a special contract. Phule didn’t expect that the Army would send their most elite force to the competition.

Can the Omega Company show how much they have improved? And if they succeed what will the higher command choose to do with the misfit troop?

I felt like a Space Military story and this was recommended by my son. I enjoyed to the creative way that Phule manages to get around all of the obstacles – not just the course. There are fun supporting characters, including a very shy officer who comes to life in the right job and gets dubbed “Mother”. I do plan to pick up more in the series soon. I recommend this to fans of fun space military action.

Audio Notes: Noah Michael Levine provides good accents that make the characters easily distinguishable. I enjoyed his energy and presentation of this story. The narration added to my engagement.

Source: 9/20/22 Audible under $3.50. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Extinction Shadow, Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 1 by Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Anthony J. Melchiorri

I totally enjoyed the action and characters in this story and finished it in two days.
Extinction Shadow
Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 1
By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Anthony J. Melchiorri
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
Release date: 08-13-19
Publisher: Blue Heron Audio
Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

About This Audible Audiobook
They thought they survived the extinction cycle, but a powerful evil lurks in the shadows...Now old and new heroes join forces to save what’s left of the world in this thrilling sci-fi audio adventure.
Eight years ago, an engineered virus ravaged the globe, infecting and transforming humans into apex predators called Variants. Billions died, civilization collapsed, and the human race teetered on the brink of extinction. Nations banded together and heroes rose up to fight these abominations. On the front lines, Captain Reed Beckham and Master Sergeant Joe "Fitz" Fitzpatrick of Delta Force Team Ghost fought against the Variant hordes. With the aid of CDC Doctor Kate Lovato, they helped lead humanity to victory.
Now, almost a decade after the end of the war, civilization has slowly clawed toward recovery. In the Allied States of America, survivors live in outposts where they have rebuilt industry, agriculture, and infrastructure. The remaining Variants are believed to be dying off under destroyed cities and the abandoned frontier. But evil and intelligent forces dwell in the shadows with the starving beasts, scheming to restart the extinction cycle and end humanity forever. And once again, Beckham, Fitz, and Kate will rise to fight them, along with new heroes to try and save what remains of the world.
R. C. Bray brings to life the beloved characters of this series and expertly depicts their turmoil and struggle for survival.
Note: This new season is a self-contained storyline. Listeners do not have to hear the first seven books of the Extinction Cycle to jump into book one of Extinction Cycle: Dark Age. For returning listeners, this audiobook takes place after book seven, Extinction War.
©2019 Nicholas Sansbury Smith (P)2019 Blue Heron Audio

Review:
This book begins a new but continuation series, Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, picking up eight years after the events of the original series, Extinction Cycle, where a man-made virus resulted in a zombie outbreak. The uninfected human survivors in the Allied States (mostly Midwest to eastern former United States) are still trying to survive the attacks of the Variant infected. Suddenly the Variants, with mutated smarter Alphas leading them, are beginning to escalate in aggressive attacks. They have learned a new way to encroach on the human communities and are causing massive and worrying losses.

I was able to enjoy this book even though it has been several years (2018) since I read books 1-3 of the Extinction Cycle series. (I have boxed set books 4-6 to listen to and there is also book 7.) I was glad to see characters I remembered and see how the survivors were getting along at rebuilding. The story focuses on three groups of fighters, as well as the beleaguered President and Vice President.

Captain Reed, his wife, virologist doctor, Kate, and Reed’s right hand ‘guard’, Master Sergeant Horn, are trying to live calmly with their growing families. A second group, Team Ghost, consisting of a handful of injured Army Delta Force Vets, is being deployed for the most dangerous missions. Their motto is “All it takes is all you got.” There is a third set of Variant fighters emerging as a Texas tycoon, S.M. Fischer, and his elite security team try to save the oil operations that are helping to rebuild society.

I love the camaraderie and action in these stories. I felt emotional tension as different members faced the evils and I suspected that not all the good guys would survive. Most of our favorites continue to have miraculous escapes, but the country and already low level of survivors is being decimated. The struggle is hard and real. I was well engaged and was glad to have book 2 in this series to continue the fight. I recommend this to fans of survival action.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray is a wonderful narrator who excels in presenting this type of action -packed suspense. Bray delivers great voices and spot on energy. He always contributes to my enjoyment of the story as he did in this performance.

Source: June 2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: A Road Unknown: Amish Roads Series, Book 1 by Barbara Cameron

I enjoyed this view of an Amish young woman looking for a life beyond being the eldest sister helping to care for eight younger siblings.

A Road Unknown: Amish Roads Series, Book 1
By: Barbara Cameron
Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Series: Amish Roads, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 10-14-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Amish, Family, Mennonite, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Elizabeth is at a crossroads. Will rumschpringe lead her away? Or bring her home? She's been given the chance to experience life outside of her community, away from the responsibility to care for her eight younger siblings, but Elizabeth Bontrager can't decide which road to take. Goshen has its charms and pressures, but Paradise, Pennsylvania, sounds...well, like paradise. And it's also home to her Englisch friend, Paula. Decision made. Elizabeth is Paradise bound. But will the small town live up to its name?
When Elizabeth meets Paula's friend, Bruce, she quickly learns he wants more than a friendship. And the same might be true of Saul Miller, her new boss at the country store that sells Amish products to the Englisch community. As the two compete for her attention, Elizabeth is surprised to realize she misses her family and becomes even more uncertain about where she belongs. She has a choice to make: return home or embrace this new life and possibly a new love?
©2014 Barbara Cameron (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Elizabeth is a young Amish woman of twenty who has grown tired of helping to care for her eight younger siblings. As the eldest helping her maam, Elizabeth hasn’t even had the chance to attend singings or other youth activities. She has chosen to take her small savings and go to Paradise, Pennsylvania, to share an apartment with an Englisch friend, Paula. Elizabeth has guilt leaving her home unannounced and she misses her young siblings, but she feels she has to see another side of life before she can decide where God wants her to be.

Elizabeth meets a nice Amish man, Saul, who helps protect her on the bus. She doesn’t really expect to see him again, but she does meet him in town. Meanwhile, Paula introduces Elizabeth to a friend, Bruce, who is interested in dating Elizabeth. Now Elizabeth gets to be conflicted about these two young men as well as struggling with her choices of returning home or staying in this new situation where some people have welcomed her, but others are adding to her guilt.

I enjoyed the characters of Elizabeth and Saul particularly. There were other supportive characters who add to the story, including Paula. It was nice to listen to a story of friendship developing into stronger, but gentle feelings. Ms. Cameron shares through the story traditions of the Amish in church and home which I found interesting. This is a pleasant story and I recommend it to readers who enjoy Amish stories.

Audio Notes: Coleen Marlo does a lovely job with the narration. Her performance conveys the frustration that Elizabeth is experiencing and also the feelings and energies of the other characters. I am glad that I pulled this in to listen before the free book was unavailable on my Audible library.

Source: October 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Location (Road) goals.

Audio Book Review: Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan

This is a good, although gritty, sci fi mystery.

Altered Carbon
Series: #1 of Kovacs
Written by: Richard K. Morgan
Narrated by: Todd McLaren

Duration: 17 hours 30 minutes
Released: April 22, 2005
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Summary
In the twenty-fifth century, humankind has spread throughout the galaxy, monitored by the watchful eye of the U.N. While divisions in race, religion, and class still exist, advances in technology have redefined life itself. Now, assuming one can afford the expensive procedure, a person's consciousness can be stored in a cortical stack at the base of the brain and easily downloaded into a new body (or 'sleeve') making death nothing more than a minor blip on a screen.
Ex-U.N. envoy Takeshi Kovacs has been killed before, but his last death was particularly painful. Dispatched one hundred eighty light-years from home, re-sleeved into a body in Bay City (formerly San Francisco, now with a rusted, dilapidated Golden Gate Bridge), Kovacs is thrown into the dark heart of a shady, far-reaching conspiracy that is vicious even by the standards of a society that treats 'existence' as something that can be bought and sold. For Kovacs, the shell that blew a hole in his chest was only the beginning. . . .

'Morgan's debut novel, the first in a series, combines noir mystery with ultra-high tech science to create a complex sf thriller. Featuring a hard-nosed antihero with his own sense of personal honor and ethics, this is highly recommended for sf collections.'-Library Journal

Review:
Takeshi Kovacs has had a life of violence. He started on the streets and continued in the military. Now he is an Ex U.N. envoy who works in the nature of either a mercenary, body guard, or a private investigator, depending on the hire. Kovacs lives in a world where death may not be final since the brain can be stored and then placed in a new body “sleeve”. His last assignment landed him in storage, but he has been re-sleeved 180 light years from home. He wakes up on Earth in Bay City (deteriorated San Francisco) where a wealthy man has brought him to solve the mystery of the man’s supposed suicide.

Kovacs meets his new employer and his sexy wife. It is clear these are “mega” wealthy and powerful people. The wife is a sexual predator and doesn’t waste time going after Kovacs.

The case quickly becomes complicated with Kovacs’ current sleeve being a local cop who has recently been sent to storage for corruption. The cop’s lover is a female cop who plans to watch over Kovacs’ shoulder. There is a strange chemistry between them although they both know that the brain inside that body is not her former lover.

The case expands with conspiracies and other wealthy players involved. As well as pawns who have been used and left for dead (without the ability to re-sleeve). Kovacs is threatened but keeps pushing to resolve the case all the way to the twisty end.

I enjoyed the world building and the complicated plot. Kovacs is a brash interesting character, mostly stoic but showing unexpected softness and vulnerability at different points. There is gritty language, drugs, sex, and violence. And some discussion on the merits/morality of the multiple lives. This was a long audio but kept my attention. Although I overall enjoyed it, I am not rushing to get the rest of the series. I recommend this to fans of gritty, sci fi mystery.

Audio Notes: Todd McLaren does a great job with the narration. I enjoyed the different voices and the characters came alive through the narration. The audio definitely enhanced my enjoyment of this story.

Source: July 2018 Audiobooks.com Bundle win through Beth Fish Reads. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: Wild Fire by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J. Melchiorri

I enjoyed the full on action in this dystopian thriller.

Wild Fire
New Frontier, Book 1
By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Anthony Melchiorri
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Series: New Frontier, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
Release Date: July 2022
Publisher: ‎ Aethon Books
Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Summary
From the embers of a burned America rises new hope … and a new threat.
Two years after an attack brought down the electrical grid across the United States, the recovery effort is well underway. A new network of armored trains carry supplies and industrial equipment crucial to rebuilding the country.
But along the rails, one area of America is still mired in darkness, violence, and danger. Some call it the Badlands. Others the Wild West. The government simply refers to it as the New Frontier.
Retired Marine Sergeant Sam “Raven” Spears makes a living tracking down people and treasures in this lawless void. When raiders target a supply train in the New Frontier, Colorado Sheriff Lindsey Plymouth asks Raven to work with ex-Navy SEAL Calvin Jackson to secure the train’s vital cargo. All is going to plan until one fateful disaster changes everything.
As the trail heats up to find those responsible, a mysterious virus starts spreading across the New Frontier. Raven soon realizes the two events might be connected.
If he doesn’t find the insidious forces behind this conspiracy, the entire country will go up in flames.
Listener Note: New Frontier is a brand-new series set in the bestselling Trackers universe by Nicholas Sansbury Smith. For listeners of Trackers, this spin-off written with Anthony J. Melchiorri takes place two years after the end of Trackers 4. While Trackers was an EMP/war story about the destruction of the power grid in America and the chaos that followed, New Frontier is a story about the aftermath. For new listeners, you can dive into New Frontier without reading the four Trackers books.

Review:
Sam “Raven” is a retired Marine and a man of Native American (Sioux) decent. Raven is sought after for his skills in tracking down people and treasures in what has become known as the lawless Badlands or the Wild West. The East has begun to rebuild after an EMP/war strike plunged the country into chaos.

The Badlands are dangerous, but supplies are coming through on the trains to the New Frontier. Ex-Navy SEAL, Calvin, is a security guard on the train lines. Raiders begin to hit the trains going west and Calvin discovers that the raiders are taking a mysterious cargo off the trains.

Meanwhile, a frightening virus is spreading among the settlements in the West. Raven begins to suspect that the raiding and the virus are connected. He and Calvin team up to find the base of the raiders in order to determine what is going on, and stop it before it’s too late.

I like the characters, Raven, Calvin, and Raven’s former love, Colorado Sheriff Lindsey Plymouth. There is good action and suspense that kept me engaged. This is a spinoff from the original series, Trackers, where I first met Raven. I have intended to read/listen to the rest of that series, but it isn’t necessary to enjoy this book. I recommend this to fans of dystopian and suspense.

Audio Notes: Bronson Pinchot did a fine job with the character voices in this book. Each character has a unique sound, and they are delivered with strong energy. I am glad I had the chance to listen to this.

Source 3/23/2023 Two For One Credit Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2023Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Broken by S.J. West

I found this fantasy engaging and will continue the series.

Broken
By: S.J. West
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley

Series: The Watcher Chronicles, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
Release date: 11-01-16
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
 

Publisher's Summary
At the tender age of seven, Jess Riley's parents were ripped out of her life by the Tear, a ripple of white light in the sky which randomly transports people from Earth to alternate realities and distant planets once a year. On the night the Tear first appeared, the Watchers, a mysterious group of men possessing supernatural powers, made their presence known to the leaders of the world, earning their complete trust to deal with the turmoil the Tear caused.
Now 22 years old, Jess is an agent working for the Watcher Agency searching for a way to bring her parents back home. When the leader of the Watchers, Mason Collier, recruits her to join his team, Jess quickly discovers she is meant to play a major role in sealing the Tear forever. Mason and Jess instantly find themselves drawn to one another but they both resist their mutual attraction for different reasons. Broken by past events in their lives, they each struggle to overcome their fears and find the strength to take a chance on one another.
©2013 S.J. West (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Jess lost her parents when a ripple of light in the sky opened up a portal to alternate worlds. This became known as the Tear which returned once a year. Random people, like her parents, would leave Earth, and others would arrive. Jess was convinced that her parents would return one year. When the first Tear appeared, Watchers, men with supernatural powers, also appeared. At age 22, Jess became a Watcher Agent hoping to find a way to get her parents back.

An event on a Tear night brings Jess to the attention of Mason Collier, the leader of the Watchers. He explains that they are seeking a way to seal the Tear and it is apparent that Jess has a role to play. This is even clearer when Jess meets the dark opposition to the Watchers.

Jess and Mason are drawn to each other but they both have suffered huge pain and loss in their pasts that make it difficult for them to come together. Their histories are disclosed as the story moves along. The story progresses with the two dancing around each other. The ending has a surprise that leaves the story open to book 2.

I found the story engaging although the relationship between the lead characters is a bit frustrating and annoying. I had to remind myself that Jess is young and has a tragic history. Especially with the surprise as the end, I did want to read the next book in the series and was glad it was available. I recommend this to fantasy readers who like a slow building romance.

Audio Notes: Brittany Pressley does a really good job with the narration. She provides clear and distinct voices for the characters and conveys the emotional turmoil. I’m glad I had the book on audible.

Source: 9/27/2022 Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Instructor by T.R. Hendricks

I enjoyed the military survival training in this suspenseful story.
The Instructor
By T.R. Hendricks
Narrated by: Jay Snyder

Series: Derek Harrington, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
Release date: 04-11-23
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Military, Suspense, Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Derek Harrington, retired Marine Force Recon and SERE instructor, is barely scraping by teaching the basics of wilderness survival. His fledgling bushcraft school is on the cusp of going out of business and expenses are piling up fast. His only true mission these days? To get his ailing father into a full care facility and to support his ex-wife and their son.
When one of his students presents him with an opportunity too good to be true―$20,000 to instruct a private group for 30 days in upstate New York―Derek reluctantly takes the job, despite his reservations about the group's insistence on anonymity. But it isn't long before the training takes an unexpected turn―and a new offer is made.
Reaching out to an FBI contact to sound his concerns, Derek soon finds himself in deep cover, deep in the woods, embroiled with a fringe group led by a charismatic leader who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. When what he wants becomes Derek's head, the teacher is pitted against his students as Derek races against time to stop what could very well be the first attack by the domestic terrorist cell.

Review:
Derek is a retired expert teaching the basics of serious wilderness survival. At the end of the most recent class, one man offers him a significant fee to come train his team. Derek goes reluctantly because he has to leave behind his ailing father and his son who expects him to attend his games. Derek has some concerns about the training when he is delivered blind folded to a compound that raises lots of questions. Especially when he is offered another significant sum for extended training.

On a very brief break from the compound training, Derek reaches out to a friend in the FBI. His friend agrees convinces Derek to go back undercover to gain more information. Derek has to do the training and increase the skills of the compound team over the weeks, or it would be suspicious, even though Derek fears that he may be training terrorists. He finds another undercover agent and they try to plan an exit before they are exposed. But things aren’t quite as they seem, and Derek really hasn’t managed to shelter those he should be protecting.

The story has a good bit of Rambo action. It is filled with wilderness training that I did find interesting. The full-on action and suspense are a great element. Unfortunately, there were some obvious flaws as Derek fails to take some protective steps and falls into some obvious traps. Overall, I did enjoy the action and I would try the next book. I recommend this to fans of military action.

Audio Notes: Jay Snyder does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and emotional feelings to fit the text. I appreciate getting to listen to this audiobook.

Source: 2023 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: The Fifth Victim, The Cherokee Pointe Series, Book 1, by Beverly Barton

I liked the occult element and the suspense (but not the amount of sex).

The Fifth Victim
The Cherokee Pointe Series, Book 1
By: Beverly Barton
Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins
Release date: 09-25-18
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Mystery, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Some things shouldn't be seen....
Cherokee Pointe, Tennessee. Deep in the Smoky Mountains, the victim lies, sacrificed on a makeshift altar - the gruesome work of a killer who has evaded the authorities in state after state. FBI agent Dallas Sloan knows the scene all too well - just as he knows the killings won't stop until there are four more bodies.
Some warnings won't be heeded....
Genny Madoc's "sixth sense" has brought many of Cherokee Pointe's residents to her isolated log cabin, looking for help. But now it's Genny who needs help from the disturbing visions she sees - images that are getting stronger and more violent day by day.
Some fears can't be stopped....
Thrown together by necessity, drawn to each other by desire, Dallas and Genny must band together, searching the darkest heart of a town's hidden secrets before a twisted killer can complete a sinister plan that will make one of them the fifth victim.
©2018 Beverly Barton (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
FBI agent Dallas Sloan is on the tail of a gruesome killer who kills in groups of five. Sloan knows because one of the groups included his young niece. The FBI could not find a connection, but Sloan is sure there is one. Sloan is not assigned to the case but will take every free time to investigate leads. This time the lead takes him to Cherokee Pointe, in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Genny Madox is an unusual and isolated young woman living in a cabin in the woods above the town. Genny provides herb remedies, learned from her grandmother, and occasional readings to members of the community. There are some who call Genny a witch, but those closest to her know she has a sixth sense and sees visions of events she doesn’t necessarily want to see. Now she has seen the brutal, sacrificial killing of a young girl and called her cousin the local Sheriff, telling him where to find the victim.

By the time Sloan arrives in town, they are locating the next victim. Sloan doesn’t believe in psychics, but he is drawn to Genny and soon finds himself trying to protect her from her own nightmares. As their relationship heats up, he finds himself protecting her when they realize she may be a target of the killer.

I liked the characters, the psychic element, and enjoyed the mystery. Unfortunately for me, the sexual content (some describe as ‘soft porn’) detracted from the rest of the story. I had a vague recollection from a prior Barton novel that I didn’t care for the level of sex and now that I have confirmed this I am less likely to read/listen to any more by this author even though I have two more in the series. That’s just my tastes. I would recommend this to fans of romantic suspense who don’t mind the graphic sexual element.

Audio Notes: Marguerite Gavin is a skilled narrator who I have enjoyed in several other series. She does provide distinct voices although I am not sure she was the best narrator for this book. I was startled by the reading of chapter numbers in a breathy voice that didn’t fit. This unexpected narrative feature did disrupt the flow of the story. Still, I am generally glad to listen to stories as they move faster for me.

Source: 6/10/2021 Free from Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Number goals.

Audible Book Review: To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander

This is a lovely, character driven Civil War romance and I will get more books by this author.
To Whisper Her Name
By: Tamera Alexander
Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Series: A Belle Meade Plantation Novel, Book 1
Length: 17 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 11-30-12
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Civil War, Historical Romance, Sweet Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Publisher's Summary
From best-selling author Tamera Alexander comes an exquisite historical novel set against the real history of Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville, Tennessee, that explores the struggles of real people of the post-war South and the journeys of a man and a woman scarred by betrayal.
Olivia Aberdeen, destitute widow of a man shot as a traitor to the South, is shunned by proper society and gratefully accepts an invitation from Elizabeth Harding, mistress of Belle Meade Plantation. Expecting to be the Hardings’ head housekeeper, Olivia is disillusioned when she learns the real reason Elizabeth’s husband, Confederate General William Giles Harding, agreed to her coming. Not finding the safe haven she expects, Olivia is caught off guard by her feelings for Ridley Adam Cooper, a man who seems anything but a Southern gentleman.
Branded a traitor by some, Ridley Cooper, a Southern son who chose to fight for the Union, is a man desperate to end the war still raging inside him. Determined to learn “the gift” that Belle Meade's head horse trainer and former slave, Bob Green, possesses, Ridley harbors secrets that threaten both their lives.
As Ridley seeks to make peace within himself for fighting against the South he loved, Olivia is determined to never be betrayed again.
…
This inspirational historical romance can be listened to as a stand-alone novel or enjoyed as the first audiobook in Tamera Alexander’s Belle Meade series.
Audiobook length: approximately 125K words. Includes discussion questions for book clubs and a note from the author.
©2012 Tamera Alexander (P)2012 Zondervan

Review:
Olivia is a proper Southern lady whose marriage was arranged for her by her father. She soon learned that her husband was not the Southern Gentleman that he pretended to be. But she had no idea of the actions he was taking that resulted in him being executed as a traitor to the South. She now bears the stigma that leads to her being shunned by proper society. Fortunately, she is taken in by an “aunt”, Elizabeth Harding, mistress of Belle Meade Plantation. She thought she would help the household as head housekeeper but instead, Confederate General William Giles Harding was willing to allow her to stay only in a different capacity. Olivia is willing to take on the alternate duties but knows that the position is likely to be temporary and that the General has other plans to direct her remarriage.

Ridley Adam Cooper is a man from South Carolina who choose to fight for the Union. He has dreams to develop land as a homesteader in Colorado. But before he goes further west, he is seeking to learn about horse training from Bob Green, a former slave and the head trainer at Belle Meade. Ridley and Bob ‘met’ during the war but must keep that a secret. General Harding would never allow a Union soldier to work with his horses and would most likely put Bob out for the secret he has harbored and for being willing to help Ridley.

Although Ridley doesn’t have the same touch and patience as Bob, he does have a knack for handling the ranch hands. He soon gains respect from all but the most disgruntled of the men and General Harding promotes him to foreman.

Ridley stumbled upon Olivia the first day they arrived at the Plantation. She had been trapped in an overturned carriage and he rescued her in spite of her protests. He was kind even as she was bristly. As the days go by, Ridley and Olivia realize that they have a common position as wounded outsiders. Slowly a friendship and warmer feelings develop although Olivia plans to remain in Tennessee and Ridley is set on going west.

Olivia’s character grew in strength and confidence as Ridley baited her and encouraged her. I liked both of these main characters and was rooting for them to work things out. Bob Green is another wonderful character, and the members of the Harding family are well developed and fitting characters of the era. There is excellent historical detail of the black community on the plantation, including struggles to open freedmen schools. They are welcoming to Ridley and Olivia but there is still clear prejudice, anger and disdain shown by the General and his friends.

I enjoyed the faith aspect to the story that is lightly developed and embraced. I will seek more books from this author. I recommend this to readers who enjoy Civil War stories and sweet romance.

Audio Notes: Tavia Gilbert does a beautiful job with the narration. She conveys the personalities of the characters and provides the appropriate energy. I enjoyed the audio experience. CAVEAT – The prologue is an important element of the book but was left out of the audio. It can be read through the “Look Inside” Kindle format.

Source: February 2018 Audible Sale $5.95. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.