Audible Book Review: Mavericks Expeditionary Force, Book 6, by Craig Alanson

I enjoyed this sci fi, military adventure.

Mavericks Expeditionary Force, Book 6
By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 17 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 09-25-18
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Military, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
The remnants of the Expeditionary Force stranded on the alien-controlled planet "Paradise" get a chance to prove themselves, in a simple off-world training mission with a ship full of teenage alien cadets. When the mission goes horribly wrong and the survival of everyone on Paradise is at risk, the Merry Band of Pirates may have to come to the rescue. Unless they get killed first....
©2018 Craig Alanson (P)2018 Podium Publishing

Review:
Colonel Joe Bishop is still exchanging barbs with the elder AI ‘beer can’, Skippy. The pirate crew of the Flying Dutchman are hoping to go home to earth but first they must deal with an energy virus that threatens to eat through the patched together ship. Skippy determines he can eliminate the virus but only after all the systems are turned down… which means removing the humans from the ship. Doesn’t’ that sound like a piece of cake?

Meanwhile, the Mavericks, led by Emily Perkins, are back on Paradise trying to prove to the Ruhar that the humans can contribute to their military force. Perkins and her handful of human soldiers are hoping to impress the leaders as they participate in training exercises in space. Suddenly the training ship finds itself the sole survivor of an attack and the humans get to help save the crew.

The author does a good job of showing the lonely burden and struggles the captain as Joe deals with coping with the unknown and resisting temptations. This is balanced with the continued snarky humor between Joe and Skippy. It is apparent that the Mavericks are a branch off that allows the development of additional characters. I enjoyed both threads of action and look forward to more in the series. I recommend this to fans of military space opera.

Audio Notes: It is such fun to listen to this series narrated by R.C. Bray. He has provided the characters with distinct voices, even the aliens. I totally enjoy and recommend the audio experience.

Source: 11/18/2021 Audible October Credit. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook and 2022Alphabet goals.

Prior book reviews:
Columbus Day (Expeditionary Force, #1) by Craig Alanson, Rating 4.5
Audible Book Review: Spec Ops, Expeditionary Force, Book 2 by Craig Alanson, Rating 4.5
Audible Book Review: Paradise, Expeditionary Force, Book 3 by Craig Alanson, Rating 4.5
Audible Book Review: Black Ops, Expeditionary Force, Book 4, by Craig Alanson, Rating 4.5
Audible Book Review: Zero Hour, Expeditionary Force, Book 5, by Craig Alanson; Rating 4.5.

Audible Book Review: Kitty Takes a Holiday by Carrie Vaughn

I love this narrator and like the series.
Kitty Takes a Holiday
Kitty Norville, Book 3
By: Carrie Vaughn
Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin

Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins
Release date: 10-05-09
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Werewolf
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
After getting caught turning wolf on national television, Kitty retreats to a mountain cabin to recover and write her memoirs. But this is Kitty, so trouble is never far behind, and instead of Walden Pond, she gets Evil Dead.
When werewolf hunter Cormac shows up with an injured Ben O'Farrell, Kitty's lawyer, slung over his shoulder, and a wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes starts sniffing around the cabin, Kitty wonders if any of them will get out of these woods alive.
©2007 Carrie Vaughn, LLC (P)2009 Tantor

Review:
Kitty has retreated to a mountain cabin to ‘hide’ from her exposed nature as a werewolf and to, maybe wrote a book. Someone in the nearby community begins to harass her by leaving dead animals on her porch and in her yard. The local police chief inspects but clearly isn’t too favorable to Kitty and is willing to blame her for the ‘pranks’.

While Kitty is struggling with the harassment, her ‘friend’ Cormac arrives with her attorney, Ben, who is injured. Cormac brought Ben to Kitty to help him through the injury. Cormac is upset by the increasing ugliness of the harassment and the sudden appearance of a killing beast like the one he was hunting when Ben got hurt.

Kitty and Cormac are on the edge of changing their friendship until an incident with Ben makes that unlikely. Feeling like a third wheel, Cormac takes off. But Cormac has sent a strange Native American to investigate the harassment which appears to be some type of attempt to curse Kitty. The perpetrators are exposed but they all face mauling when the red-eyed beast shows up.

Cormac reappears but runs into trouble while trying to protect his friends. Ben and Kitty do some serious investigation trying to get more information and witnesses, but it may be impossible to solve the problem that Cormac now faces.

It has been a while since I listened to the previous book in this series, and I was glad to continue with this one. I like the characters and the magic elements. Kitty struggles listening to a competitive radio host but the interaction results in allow Kitty to grow as a character. I also liked how she begins to find the benefits of having a pack. There is plenty of action and mystery that keeps the story moving. I recommend the series to fans of good (rather than evil) werewolves. .

Audio Notes: Marguerite Gavin is a wonderful narrator and I have picked up audios because she narrates them. She does a great job with this series, providing distinct voices and clear energy for the characters. The narration enhances my enjoyment of the story.

Source: March 2022 Audible Sale Purchase at $3.67. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Sunday Post April 10, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 11, 2022

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

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 continue on the rolling work treadmill.

My assistant hosted a baby shower for one of my former employees. It was very nice as we all get ready to welcome her third little girl.

The Mother-to-be is in the middle.
My daughter is to her right and my granddaughters are on the outside ends.
Heather has on high heels but her daughters are now taller than her and almost passed me.
Height does run in my family line; the blonde is from my hubby's side although my sister's hair was always what we called "dirty blonde".

Hubby's pulmonary doctor put him in the hospital Thursday after seeing his x-rays from Monday. The prior x-ray showed the upper one third of his lungs as open. Monday's x-ray showed them all white as full of pneumonia. They are giving him antibiotics and breathing treatments which is good but his diabetes numbers are rising which is not good. He has made it clear he does not want to be on respirator but we are not there yet.

I continue to pray for the people and situation in Ukraine and for world leaders.
.

The last three nights have been in the 40s. The days have been lovely although a bit windy. The week should be another nice week in the mid 70s to low 80s during the days.

I enjoyed my listening and reading (when the app worked) last week.  I finished two audiobooks but only made small progress in the eBook. I posted three reviews, March Wrap Up and my usual memes.

I visited 17 blogs again last week.
Shout Out this week to JENNIELYSE. Jenni's description made me smile: "I'm an eclectic reader, but I mostly read fiction. I favor fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thrillers, and romance. The more kissing the better!"

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30, 2021.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post April 3, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 4, 2022.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Invasion: Alien Invasion, Book 1, by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant; Genre: First Contact, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

• ATBR: Audio Book Review: Hide and Seek by Mary Burton; Genre: Mystery, Police Procedural, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 8, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/14/2022.

• A2022: Audible Book Review: Messenger, America Falls, Book 0.5, by Adam Barr; Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• MBS March 2022 Reading List Wrap Up.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 10, 2022.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (A2022)

Kitty Takes a Holiday
Kitty Norville, Book 3
By: Carrie Vaughn
Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin
Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins
This was an entertaining, easy listen.
Source: March 2022 Audible Sale Purchase at $3.67.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Mavericks Expeditionary Force, Book 6
By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 17 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 09-25-18
I have been looking forward to listening to this next book in the series. I thought it would be my "M" series title but then I had pulled in a short "M" last month.
Source: 11/18/2021 Audible October Credit.
Publisher's Summary
The remnants of the Expeditionary Force stranded on the alien-controlled planet "Paradise" get a chance to prove themselves, in a simple off-world training mission with a ship full of teenage alien cadets. When the mission goes horribly wrong and the survival of everyone on Paradise is at risk, the Merry Band of Pirates may have to come to the rescue. Unless they get killed first....
©2018 Craig Alanson (P)2018 Podium Publishing

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle App on Smartphone (Author2021)

Chinook (Miranda Chase NTSB #6)
by M.L. Buchman
I am still enjoying this and making progress, even if slower than I'd like. I am at 52%.
Source: March 2021 from Author (through BookFunnel).
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Let Her Be: Hush Collection
By: Lisa Unger
Narrated by: Chris Andrew Ciulla
Series: Hush Collection
Length: 2 hrs and 15 mins
This is another new to me author. I picked this for my stand alone "L" mixed alphabet.
Source: August 2020 Audible Plus.
Publisher's Summary
A writer’s misguided suspicions ruined his life once before. This time he plans to prove he’s right in a New York Times bestselling author’s haunting short story of what happens when seeing is not believing.
Will, an aspiring novelist, can’t stop parsing his ex-girlfriend’s popular social media accounts for clues that her ideal new rural life with the perfect man has a dark side. After all, nobody he knows has actually seen the blissful blogger in the flesh for nearly a year. When Will draws a wary friend into his “investigation,” the real question becomes who’s truly in danger.
Lisa Unger’s Let Her Be is part of Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
©2020 Lisa Unger. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Inside Jobs
Tales from a Time of Quarantine
By: Ben H. Winters
Narrated by: Scott Aiello, Kevin T. Collins, Ellen Archer
Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins
This is another quick audio for "I" stand alone mixed alphabet.
Source: December 2020 Audible Plus.
About This Audible Original
Three offbeat stories of crime and conundrum, set in the present moment, from The New York Times best-selling, Edgar Award-winning author of Underground Airlines and The Last Policeman.
Inside Jobs: Tales from a Time of Quarantine includes:
The Crimson Parrot
It's not easy masterminding the crime of the century when your whole gang is working from home. A high-stakes tale of larceny, deception, and teleconferencing.
The Cape House
As the world shifts around them, two estranged brothers end up in their childhood home. But it's the memories they unearth that will change them forever.
Stop Motion
With endless time on her hands, an apartment-bound young woman gets to all the hobbies she's neglected—martial arts, playing the sax, photography...and solving a murder?
©2020 Ben H. Winters (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

April 10, 2022 - These videos are really good - they help me retain more and help explain plot narrative as well as the underlying story of Jesus. Bible Reading Plan: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. I know it won't match my Hubby's reading but I wanted some different insights/devotions and I am enjoying the devotion video project. I am enjoying keeping up with my reading each day.
I enjoyed the 4 day study: Jesus The Creator, Carpenter, Gardener and King!

I completed two books for review this week.
My NetGalley shelf is back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I am reading the last eBook title I had in queue.
(Plus a few that I received from facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

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: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

No new review books.
I couldn't resist two audio titles at Chirp.
I added Eight ebooks to my Kindle TBR library this week.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

4/10/2022 I have a large enough audio TBR that I tried to resist these ... but after all I was able to get two for $4.98.

A Spindle Splintered
By Alix E. Harrow
Read by Amy Landon
Run Time 3h 20min
$3.99. I saw this last week at The Infinite Curio on Mailbox Monday.

Wild Irish Heart
By Tricia O'Malley
Read by Amy Landon
Run Time 6h 10min
$0.99. This sounds like a nice story.


I purchased 16 paperback books at our Woman's Club yard sale on Saturday 4/2 for $4.00. Some I hope to read and some are for my Friday Pick giveaway. Here is a picture of the books:

Free

4/4 to 4/8/22 I added eight free kindle titles to my library.

Armstrong Station (Requiem's Run Book 1)
D.M. Pruden

Highlander’s Buried Identity: Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance (Highlanders of Clan Craig Book 1)
Shona Thompson

The Heaviness of Knowing (The Conscious Dreamer Series Book 1)
Sharolyn G. Brown

Earth and Beyond: MedSci Missions 1 (MedSci Missions Science Fiction) Wendy Gamble, Bjørn-Rune Hanssen, István Szabó ifj

Resistance: A Near Future Adventure Romance (The Phoenix Enigma Book 1)
Jay Aspen

Rescued by Qaiyaan: A Steamy Sci-Fi Romance (Galactic Pirate Brides Book 1)
Tamsin Ley

Maelstorm (Gideon Rayne Book 1)
G.A. Franks

Sniffing Out a Suspect: A Simpleton Ohio Cozy Mystery - Book One (Simpleton Ohio Mysteries 1)
Rob Brenner


Eight Free titles this week. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 10, 2022

Our Sunday School teacher gave a Palm Sunday lesson on the triumphal entry - The King is Coming. I enjoyed starting our church service with the song “Through it all”. We said prayers for congregants traveling and ill, including my hubby in hospital.

Pastor reminded us of the blessings that come with giving. Proverbs 11:24-26. He then moved into his Palm Sunday Sermon reminded us that this event was the beginning of what Christians know as “Passion week”. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus sets Christianity apart from all other religions. After the entry on Sunday, the next day Jesus clears out money changers in the temple courtyard. The next he gives the Olivet discourse at the Mount of Olives. Nothing is known of a Wednesday event. On Thursday Jesus washes the feet of his disciples and shares the last supper before being betrayed by Judas. Jesus is crucified on Friday, has a conversation with Satan in hell on Saturday and on Sunday he is resurrected!

Palm Sunday celebrates the ‘Triumphal Entry’ into Jerusalem, but it does not unfold as many of the followers expected. Instead of riding on a white horse as a conquering king, Jesus rides in on a lowly colt as a representation of humbleness and peace. Matthew 21:1-11.
Many in the city asked ‘Who is this?’ Matthew 21:10.

There was a certain mystery around Jesus. When he spoke with wisdom in the synagogue, some were amazed, but others were offended. Mark 6:1-3. Christ’s true identity was concealed until the right time. Matthew 16:13-16. Jesus asked his disciples ‘Who do people say I am?’ Then “Who do you say I am?” When Peter answers, Jesus says that his identity was revealed by the Father because religious people didn't know him.

Conquering kings come in on a white horse. But Jesus comes in on lowly colt. Zechariah 9:9. He is king of kings and Lord of lords, but he was here to show humility, love and service.
Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, giving them an example of service. John 13:12-17.

Jesus submitted to the Will of his father. Matthew 26:39 39 “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Jesus tells his followers to find rest in him because he is “gentle and humble in heart”. Matthew 11:28-30.
Jesus has told us we need to submit and take lower place. Luke 14:25-27.
He also told us to be like-minded, with love and humility. Philippians 2:1-8.
Humble yourselves, and God will lift you up in due time. James 4:10 and 1 Peter 5:6.

We need to recognize that Easter resurrection doesn't happen unless Jesus humbles himself to die on the cross.

All Christ followers need to be submissive to God’s will; humbly showing God's love to one another.
We know who He is. Who are we? Do you know who you are?

I have always liked the message that the rocks would cry out if the religious leaders tried to silence the crowds as Jesus entered the city.
I came upon this song today and it speaks to (and for) me.

Verses for Today:
Matthew 21:8-11 NIV
8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”


Lord help all of us to be humble servants to your will.

MBS March 2022 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2022 Reading List - MARCH

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2022
Favorites for the month:

5 Stars =  none
4.75 Stars =  none
4.5 Stars =  none
4.25 = 9 titles.

1. NG2022: #NetGalley Audiobook Review: Citizen K-9: A K Team Novel by David Rosenfelt; Genre: K-9, Mystery, Private Investigator; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
2. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Junkyard Bargain by Faith Hunter; Genre: Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
3. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Chaos Rising, Edge of Collapse, Book 0.5, by Kyla Stone; Genre: Adventure, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.
4. ATBR: Audio Book Review: Gone to Dust by Matt Goldman; Genre: Detective Stories, Mystery, Private Investigator; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25..
5. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Home Coming, The Survivalist Series, Book 10 by A. American; Genre: Action & Adventure, Dystopian Fiction, Survival; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
6. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill; Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Middle Grade; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
7. ebTBR: Book Review: The Fair (Time Box #2) by John A. Heldt; Genre: Historical Fiction, Time Travel Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
8. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Zero Tolerance by Jonathan Maberry; Genre: Horror, Suspense, Zombie; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5
9. ATBR: Audible Book Review: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson; Genre: Adventure, Children, Fantasy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
10. ATBR: Audible Book Review:  On the Duty of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau; Genre: History, Nonfiction, United States; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 3.75
11. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Crucible: A Max Ahlgren Story by Ryan W. Aslesen; Genre: Military, Thriller; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
12. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Invasion: Alien Invasion, Book 1, by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant; Genre: First Contact, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.
13. A2022: Audible Book Review: Messenger, America Falls, Book 0.5, by Adam Barr; Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Total read = 13
TBR = 11
New Authors = 5
Audio/Audible = 12 (10 TBRs)
NetGalley = 1 (1 audio) (0 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 1 (1 TBR)
Nonfiction = 1
eBook = 1 (1 TBR)
Print = 0 (0 TBR)

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 29 of 125
TBR to Date: 24 of 90 total
Audio to Date: 26 of 100
NetGalley to Date: 5 of 10
Author Reviews: 1 of 12
Nonfiction: 3 of 12
TBR ebooks or Print: 3 of 12

• Series: 22 of 75 (10 continuing, 12 new)
• New to me Series: 5 (1 Yes to continue; 1 likely to continue, 3 maybe, 0 unlikely)
• Finished for me Series: 1

Special Goals
• Seasonal title: 1 of 4: Winter,
• Alphabet letters covered: AUDIO SERIES: 4 Jan, 3 Feb, 7 March (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, M, O, U, Z) (14 of 26)
• Alphabet letters covered: MIXED MEDIA (focus on stand-alones but can be series): 2 Jan, 5 Feb, 3 March (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, M, O) (10 of 26)