Book Review: The Girl in the Time Machine by Debra Chapoton

This is an engaging time travel twist with some creepy elements.
The Girl in the Time Machine
by Debra Chapoton

File Size: 502 KB
Print Length: 158 pages
Publication Date: March 8, 2016
ASIN: B01CADY2SK
Genre: Sci Fi, Time Travel, YA
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

A NEW TWIST TO TIME TRAVEL
A desperate girl
A faulty time machine
A paradox waiting to happen ...
Seventeen year old Laken may want to get revenge on the girls who have bullied her, but she also wants to help them. Honest. Secretly using the time machine in her father's science lab, she sends them one by one into the last century. Poof, problems solved.
Except they're not.
Now the disappearances are being linked to unmarked graves. Parents are lying about their missing kids' whereabouts. The police want to search the lab. And Laken is running out of time to retrieve the last girl she sent to 1994.

Review:
Laken is a seventeen-year-old who has struggled through her school years as an ‘odd girl’. She has been laughed at and scorned by the other girls in her classes. She has no friends and spends most of her non-school hours at her parent’s laboratory. Her parents are two eccentric scientists who have hidden a time machine in their unusual, secluded laboratory.

One night Laken finds one of her classmates stumbling in the park. Laken realizes the girl has been abused and decides to help by sending her back in time. Over the next number of months Laken decides to “help” a few other girls from school. Then she meets a new girl at school, Sky. Finally Laken has found a friend and she is willing to share her secrets and seek her help in a rather scary mission.

Many of the missing girls from the community have had no one who really cared to try to find out what happened. But Laken has learned new facts about one of the latest girls, Megan, who she sent through time. Laken decides that she must go back and retrieve Megan and she talks Sky into helping. Sadly, when they return with Megan she doesn’t survive. Now Laken is alarmed and trying to think if going back earlier would make a difference. But in the process they have to be careful to avoid triggering a paradox.

This is not a usual time travel story. Oh what trouble a rejected young teen can create. This is a twisted journey that soon travels into a rather “creepy” tone. Not quite enough to be horrified, but enough to cause cringing. I sensed the ironic overlap fairly early into the read and found it fascinating to see where Ms. Chapoton would take Laken’s character to get to the reveal part of the mystery.

The read moves smoothly and quickly. The story is very engaging even as it is a bit circular with time travel paradox issues. I think young adults –okay, older adults too-- who like the idea of time travel, might find this story unique and intriguing.

I received this from the author for an honest review.

MBS May 2016 Reading Wrap-Up

Martha's Bookshelf May 2016

My goals are repeated below the book list - 15 per month total. I was ahead by two in January but down by five in February; up one in March; down one in April.  MAY I am up nine by including children's books which puts me up six for the year so far.  I still hope to gain a couple TBR groups maybe during the summer so I do not have to push at the end of the year.
Total read = 17+7 = 24
Audio/Audible = 8
eBook = 7 (one tour review; 6 author requests)
NetGalley = 2
Print = 0
Children = 7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBR = 1 (obtained prior to 2016); year to date = 32
New to Me Authors = 10; year to date = 49
Series Continued = 4; year to date = 12

There was one 5.0 rated book in May and five 4.5 rated.

Code for the list is:
A = Audio/Audible     ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox    ABB = Audiobook Blast
E or ETour = eBook
NG = NetGalley
P = Print
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2016

1. ETour-- Book Review (with Giveaway link): Reaching Angelica: Book #2 in the Tag Series by Peter Riva ; Sci fi, Cyberpunk; my rating 4.25.
2. A-- Audio Book Review: In the Mist of Killarney: An Irish Faery Tale by Robert McCallum ; Fantasy; my rating 4.0.
3. NG-- Book Review: Much Ado About Highlanders (The Scottish Relic Trilogy) by May McGoldrick; Scottish, Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.
4. ABJ-- Book Review: Pack: A Paranormal Romance Novelette by Jeaniene Frost; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.0.
5. ATBR-- Audible Book Review: The Jewel of Dantenos: The FREE Lee Starfinder Adventure by Brian D. Anderson ; Fantasy, Adventure; my rating 4.25.
6. NG-- Book Review: Hold Your Breath (Search and Rescue) by Katie Ruggle; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 5.0.
7. A-- Audio Book Review: Redfall: Freedom Fighters: American Prepper Series, Book 2 by Jay J. Falconer; Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
8. E-- Book Review: Carnations in January by Clare Revell; Christian Romance; my rating 3.75.
9. E-- Book Review: Violets in February by Clare Revell; Christian Romance, Suspense; my rating 4.25.
10. ABB-- Audio Book Review: Making Amends by Melinda Clayton; Suspense, Drama; my rating 4.25.
11. E-- Book Review: First Fruits by Brad Duncan; Christian, Inspirational; my rating 4.5.
12. E-- Book Review: Embattlement: The Undergrounders Series Book Two by Norma Hinkens; Dystopian, YA; my rating 4.25.
13. ATBR--Audible Book Review: Old Man's War by John Scalzi; Sci Fi, Military Sci Fi; my rating 4.5
14. E-- Book Review: The Girl in the Time Machine by Debra Chapoton; Sci Fi, Time Travel, YA; my rating 4.25.
15. A-- Audible Book Review: Enforcing Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 6 by A. American; Post Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
16. ABB-- Audio Book Review: The Arrival: The Evaran Chronicles Prequel by Adair Hart; Sci Fi; my rating 4.5
17. E-- Book Review: Cast Adrift by Mannah Pierce; Sci Fi; my rating 4.5
I also read these books with our Sweet Pea (3 1/2 year old granddaughter):
18. Richard Scarry's A Day at the Airport
19.  Richard Scarry's Busy Worker's Book
20. Shelly the Hermit Crab by Stacey Leigh Malloy
21.  Best Dad In the Sea (Disney/Pixar Finding Nemo)
22.  But No Elephants (Once Upon a Time) by Jerry Smath 
23. Milk and Cookies, A Frank Asch Bear Story
24. Motorcop, board book, by Darice Bailer

I have certain goals to reach my challenges and reading total for 2016.

The YEARLY reading goals+ Progress (+ after the number means I am ahead; - means I am short; no symbol means I am right on goal.)
Total = 180................... End of May = 81
Audio = 72................... to date = 35+
NetGalley = 42.............. to date = 18+
Tours  = 24..................... to date = 8- (incls 2 NG)
Ladies Book Club (LBC) = 12.. to date = 5
Print = 12...................... = (4-) These are same as the LBC books.
Mixed in Author Reviews (hopefully includes TBR books I've won) = 18 to date = 17+ (includes childrens)

My TBR goal is to read at least 100 from my shelves, whether Audible, Kindle, other ebook or print.
TBRs read as of May = 32-

This breaks down roughly to 15 books a MONTHLY in these formats (with TBRs, print, LBC and others overlapping at times):
Audio --  6
eBooks -- 2  (author review/tour or TBR)
NetGalley -- 3.5
TBR Print  --  1
TBR eBook -- 1
LBC -- 1
Other -- 1

Book Review: Embattlement: The Undergrounders Series Book Two by Norma Hinkens

This is a strong sequel with action that moves the story forward.

Embattlement: The Undergrounders Series Book Two 

(A Young Adult Science Fiction Dystopian Novel)

by Norma Hinkens

File Size: 3717 KB

Print Length: 295 pages

Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited

Publisher: Dunecadia Publishing; 1 edition (February 21, 2016)

ASIN: B01C39SVT2

Genre: Dystopian, YA

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

The Undergrounders prevail. The Craniopolis falls. But victory proves bittersweet.
Against all odds, Derry and a handful of survivors escape the malevolent Doctor Lyong’s clutches, but no one knows if Owen is dead or alive. The shaky plan to rescue him falls apart when the Council splits over rumors of Owen’s ties to the Craniopolis. Forced to find new recruits Derry makes the treacherous journey to Shoshane City, home of the mysterious riders. Mutiny and sabotage is afoot and Derry finds herself caught up in a desperate struggle to save the city from being destroyed by The Ghost, a man who swears allegiance to no one. Time is running out to save Owen, and tensions are rising between Jakob and Sven, who may turn out to be a deadly distraction.
Will Derry emerge victorious from the showdown at the Craniopolis, or will the price of freedom mean sacrificing the man she loves?
Embattlement is the second book in The Undergrounders Series, a sci-fi dystopian thriller trilogy. If you like captivating apocalyptic tales, gritty complex heroines, and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love this fast-paced, end-of-the-world adventure!

Review:
Derry and a handful of undergrounders have escaped from the evil Dr. Lyong and the city of Craniopolis. Derry saw her brother, Owen, struck down and fall even as he facilitated the escape of their Hovermede. She believed he sacrificed himself for the mission but she is told that as the craft flew away, Owen was seen alive and captured by the Security Cyborgs.

Derry is intent on rescuing Owen from Craniopolis, hopefully before Dr. Lyong uses his horrible synthesizer equipment to experiment on him like so many of the damaged humans abandoned within the city. Some of the Undergrounders are willing to support her but others vote not to be involved. Derry knows she will need huge reinforcements before attempting to reenter Craniopolis. She hopes to recruit the dangerous Rogues whose camp is beyond Shoshane City. She goes to the city first and discovers a community of survivors led by a strong leader, Jerome, who has his own secrets. These survivors live under the threat of the Sweepers from Craniopolis so Derry convinces them to join in the attack to wipe away the common enemy. One of Jerome’s conditions is that the deformed and damaged humans are rescued too.

Convincing the brutal Rogues to cooperate is more dangerous and trickier. Derry is using Rummy, Blade’s brother, as a hostage for negotiation. They manage to capture Blade and then use both to obtain a meeting with the mysterious, dark Rogue leader known as The Ghost. Finally, a combined group proceed with the mission. Each step of the attack has its own risk and it will take a lot of coordination and a bit of luck to overcome the security force.

This is book two and I enjoyed the intense action and the new characters added in this sequel. I also liked the plot dilemmas of trusting enemies in a combined effort and weighing attempts at negotiation rather than violence. Ms. Hinkens’ style of presentation in first person present is a bit differed but works fine once the reader adjusts. This story has an end point but includes a surprise that leaves more danger ahead. I do recommend this to readers who like dystopian with action.

I received this from the author for an honest review.

We Will Always Remember: Memorial Day 2016

Remembering on Memorial Day and praying for our troops wherever they may be, at home and around the world.

(This video came up while I was preparing Sunday Words yesterday and I saved it to share today.)

Sunday Post May 29, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 30, 2016

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I continued to juggle work as staff spent time out with child graduations and doctor appointments.
At home our son, D-I-L and Granddaughter are staying for the long weekend so again I may have reduced computer time
Our weather has turned very sunny and 91 degrees the last two days and expected the rest of the week.

I enjoyed my reading but still did not get as many reviews done as I hoped. I did finish three of my books: two audios and one ebook. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

Sadly, I did not get to visit many blogs last week. I hope to visit more this week since I am taking Monday off.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post May 22, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 23, 2016.

• Audio Book Review: Making Amends by Melinda Clayton; Suspense, Drama; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review: First Fruits by Brad Duncan; Christian, Inspirational; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 27, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/2/2016.

• Audible Book Review: The Jewel of Dantenos: The FREE Lee Starfinder Adventure by Brian D. Anderson ; Fantasy, Adventure; my rating 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #254 Comment Giveaway May 28, 2016. Ending 6/4/16.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 22, 2016.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/MP3 (My Audible Library - 2016)

Enforcing Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 6
Written by: A. American
Narrated by: Duke Fontaine
This is a good continuation of this engaging series.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (Author)

The Girl in the Time Machine
by Debra Chapoton
This is a twisted time-travel with a touch of creepy. 
 I will post my review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/MP3 (ABB/Author)

The Arrival: The Evaran Chronicles Prequel
Written by: Adair Hart
Narrated by: Michael Pauley
I liked this introduction and 
want to listen to more in the series.
I will post a review soon.
Click on book title for full description.

I also read these books with our Sweet Pea (3 1/2 year old granddaughter):
Richard Scarry's A Day at the Airport
Richard Scarry's Busy Worker's Book
Best Dad In the Sea (Disney/Pixar Finding Nemo)
But No Elephants (Once Upon a Time) by Jerry Smath
Milk and Cookies, A Frank Asch Bear Story

What do you think? Do I get to count these for my Goodreads Challenge?

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Publicist/Author)

Cast Adrift
by Mannah Pierce
I am a third of the way in and like several characters very much.
I received this through Publishing Push and will my posting a review with an interesting guest post.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (iRead)

Regina Shen: Resilience
by Lance Erlick
This sounds like it will be a good series.
I received four books for this tour 
through iReads Book Tours.
This first review will post on June 9, 2016.
Regina Shen is an outcast forced to fend for herself. A storm is coming and that could be the least of her problems.
The World Federation condemns Regina and her family to live on the seaward side of barrier walls built to hold back rising seas caused by abrupt climate change. A hurricane threatens to destroy Regina’s world, tearing her from sister, mom, and home. Now Federation agents claim she has unique DNA that could single-handedly stop human extinction. It's too bad she doesn't trust them enough to barter fairly, let alone with her life.
Three-hundred-plus-year-old Grand Old Dames rule the all-female Federation using a rigid caste system. Their notorious Department of Antiquities, under the command of Chief Inspector Joanne Demarco, polices barrier walls, destroys knowledge from the past to suppress dissent, and pursues Regina for her genome.
Regina survives by her wits on swampy islands and thrives on salvage from sunken cities, including illegal print books from before the Federation. With her photographic memory, she defies Antiquities by consuming salvaged books not available in the Federation, which makes her an outcast among her teenaged peers.
Separated from sister, mom, and home, with Antiquities and bounty hunters in pursuit, Regina fights to stay alive and avoid capture while hunting for family. Does she have the resilience to survive both the storm and Antiquities?
Regina Shen: Resilience is the first book in an action-packed, science fiction thriller with an ordinary yet strong female heroine facing extraordinary hurdles with resolve. With the young protagonist, it should appeal to young adult and adult audiences.

3. Audible/MP3 (Author)

Burning Bright: Ivy Granger Book 3
Written by: E.J. Stevens
Narrated by: Melanie A. Mason, David Wilson Brown
I received this from the author as I will be reviewing Book 4 in the series mid-June.
Publisher's Summary
Burning down the house....
Things are not going well at the offices of Private Eye. Jinx is having demon problems, the city is overrun with pyromaniacal imps, and Ivy's wisp powers are burning out of control, attracting the attention of both the Seelie and Unseelie courts.
Along came a faerie queen.... It's the worst possible time for the Green Lady to call in a favor, but Ivy's bound by her deal with the glaistig. Too bad there's no wiggle room in faerie bargains.
Ivy must rid the city of imps, keep Jinx from murdering her one solid link to Hell, and fulfill her bargain with the Green Lady - with sidhe assassins hot on her tail.
Just another day's work for Ivy Granger, psychic detective.
©2014 E.J. Stevens (P)2015 E.J. Stevens

May 8, 2016 - Current with Reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I will also be listening (sometimes) to the companion commentary online.

I only posted three reviews last week so I am still a bit behind. I still have five reviews due.

I am finally getting to the five nine, now seven nine (again) back to five author ebook reviews committed with no specific dates.
My NetGalley shelves are down to four  with one of those next in line.

I hope to add another upcoming release this week to eTreasure's NetGalley titles.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

This week I received three audio review titles.
I resisted kindle titles other than the usual free ones.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received these two titles from the author for review mid June.

Burning Bright
By E.J. Stevens
Narrated by: Melanie A. Mason, Anthony Bowling
Full description is above under current reading.

Birthright: Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective, Book 4
By E.J. Stevens
Narrated by: Melanie A. Mason, Anthony Bowling
This is the fourth book and new release in the series.

I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Beware the Little White Rabbit

By Shannon Delany, Judith Graves

Narrated by: Rhiannon Angell

"Thirteen powerful voices in young adult fiction invite you to journey into startling new wonderlands in this nod to the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll's timeless character, Alice."

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Over the past week I added another 52 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.