Audible Book Review: Man of War by T. J. London

This is strong, engaging historical fiction.
Man of War
The Rebels and Redcoats Saga Prequel
By: T.J. London
Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton, Kathryn Vinclaire, Patrick Zeller, John Hartley, Tara Langella, Jason Clarke, Dryw McArthur, Marnye Young, James Cheatham

Length: 22 hrs and 52 mins
Release date: 07-05-22
Publisher: T.J. London
Genre: Action and Adventure, Historical Fiction
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

Publisher's Summary
The man who wants everything gets nothing….
July 1755
War is brewing between England and France. Impressed into the Royal Navy, Lieutenant Merrick, against all odds, advanced through the ranks to become an officer—but he is not a gentleman. A man with a tainted past from a traitorous family, cast down by King George—a stain no man can remove. Merrick’s thrust into the role of captain, when the HMS Boudica is attacked by pirates off the coast of Nova Scotia. On a captured enemy vessel, he discovers a king’s ransom in treasure and a woman chained in the hold from passenger ship that mysteriously disappeared at sea.
Beautiful, defiant, and hell-bent on revenge, India makes a deal with Merrick to uncover the pirates’ scheme, promising him everything he desires: fortune, glory, and the chance to bring honor back to the McKesson name. Now, they race against time to uncover a plot that links those in the highest ranks of the British aristocracy, to a failed rebellion that is once again trying to topple the monarchy and place an old pretender on the throne. But all that glitters is not gold as passions stir and an impossible love blooms, threatening to undermine all Merrick and India have done to protect their King and a country on the brink of war.
This book contains violence and graphic depictions of war.
Trigger Warning: sexual assault, violence
©2020 Tracey Lasak-Myall (P)2020 Tracey Lasak-Myall

Review:
Dane Merrick McKesson is the youngest of three brothers who was emotionally and sometimes physically abused by his eldest brother, James. When their father died, James threw 14-year-old Dane off the family property. The whole family was disgraced when Merrick revealed to the English that his eldest brother, James, was plotting with the Scots to overthrow King George.

Dane, the young teen, was conscripted into the Royal Navy and managed to work his way up through the ranks to become a Lieutenant. When the ship, the HMS Boudica, is attacked by a pirate ship, Merrick becomes the new captain. He manages to repel the attack and salvages the stores and survivors from the capsizing pirate ship. One of the last second survivors is a fiery, red-haired young woman who was clearly abused and shackled in the hold. 

Although the young woman is relieved to be alive, she wants no man to touch her and isn’t ready to thank Merrick or his men. It is clear she is a woman of the aristocracy, but she refuses to reveal her identity. Merrick names her “India” and she convinces him that she can reward him if he helps her uncover and get revenge on her torturer. India struggles to overcome her self-doubt as she was once under the thumb of her mother who promised her as a bride to a supposedly wealthy older nobleman living in New York. That resulted in her traveling with a rich dowry and being brutally abused by the French pirate.

Merrick loves his ‘queen’, the HMS Boudica, and is intent on becoming her permanent captain. But he slowly begins to love the fierce India, not knowing how far out of his reach she really is. Will they be able to help each other or find insurmountable obstacles?

I mistakenly thought this was an American Revolution story but it is actually set right before war broke out between England and France in 1756. I am thankful I got the chance to listen and share my thoughts. 

I enjoyed the richly described historical setting and the battles on the high seas. I was totally drawn in by the two primary characters. They are both strong, hard-headed, and determined. The plot is fueled with political conspiracy and intense intrigue. I recommend this to those who love swashbuckling action and historical fiction.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the multiple voices and sound enhancement of this audio production. It is well done and contributed to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: June 2022 audio received from the Author for Caffeinated PR Tour Blitz and Review. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook and 2022Author goals.

Sunday Post July 17, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 18, 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've felt some stress trying to get caught up this week. Fortunately another of my litigation files settled and two are moving forward well.
We have some employee applications but need time to interview. Then we will need time to train. It is a never ending cycle.

I was home after 7:30pm every night last week. That is adding to my fatigue I think.
I attended our women's club Summer Charity Tea on Saturday. I enjoyed it a lot but, again, it made me tired.

I cooked patty pan squash again, this time sauteed with onions and spinach, and sprinkled with mixed cheese and a touch of Parmesan. That was a veggie dish with my pigs in a blanket wrapped with Havarti cheese. I do love my cheeses!

I continue with my previous prayer lists.

We did have some heavy rains this past week. The coming week is scheduled to be a little hotter (low 90s) with more thunderstorms likely.

I continue to enjoy my audios. I finished two audios and well into a third. I posted two reviews, and my usual memes.

I visited 16 blogs last week.
A Shout Out today to CAROLE'S RANDOM LIFE. Carole loves to read and loves a surprise in her reading. I like the image on her 'About' page. Go by, check it out and say "Hello."

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 July 10, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 11, 2022.

• MBS June 2022 Reading List Wrap Up.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 15, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 7/21/2022.

• NG2022: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Just Tyrus: A Memoir by Tyrus; Genre: Biography, Memoirs; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.0.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: End of Summer by S.M. Anderson; Genre: Adventure, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 17, 2022 - Guard Your Heart.
  

Finished Reading:
1. Audioble Smartphone Soundwise or on Computer (AT2022)

Man of War
The Rebels and Redcoats Saga Prequel
By: T.J. London
Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton, Kathryn Vinclaire, Patrick Zeller, John Hartley, Tara Langella, Jason Clarke, Dryw McArthur, Marnye Young, James Cheatham
Length: 22 hrs and 52 mins
This is strong, engaging historical fiction.
Source: June 2022 audio received for Blitz and Review through Caffeinated PR.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (A2022)

The Plus One Pact
By: Portia MacIntosh
Narrated by: Karen Cass
Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
This is a sweet story with some miscommunications.
Source: 2/19/2022 Audible Plus Catalog.
(The availability to listen expires 7/27/2022.)
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone(AT2022)

Christmas Every Day
By: Beth Moran
Narrated by: Helen Keeley
Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
This is a sweet (but emotional) story I picked this week because it will no longer be available after 7/26.
Source: October 2021 Audible Plus Catalog. (The availability to listen expires 7/27/2022.)
Publisher's Summary
When Jenny inherits her estranged grandmother’s cottage in Sherwood Forest, she has nothing to lose - no money, no job, no friends, no family to speak of, and zero self-respect. Things can only get better....
Her grumpy but decidedly handsome new neighbour, Mack, has a habit of bestowing unsolicited good deeds on her. And when Jenny is welcomed into a rather unusual book club, life seems to finally be getting more interesting.
Instead of reading, the members pledge to complete individual challenges before Christmas: from finding new love and learning to bake to completing a daredevil bucket list. Jenny can’t resist joining in, and soon a year of friendship and laughter, tears and regrets unfolds in the most unexpected ways.
Warm, wise, funny and utterly uplifting. What one thing would you change in your life before Christmas comes around?
©2019 Beth Moran (P)2019 Boldwood Books Ltd

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Forget Nothing
By: Jason Anspach, Michelle C. Meyers
Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
Length: 4 hrs and 46 mins
I am ready for a Space Adventure.
Source: 6/20/2020 a free Audible title.
About This Audible Original
She Chose the Hardest Way
The daughter of a Legion war hero, fighting was in Andien Broxin's blood. But the battles Republic marines face on strange and alien worlds are a far cry from the vaunted, brutal, no-holds-barred conflicts fought at the edge of the galaxy by the elite legionnaires.
Until a devastating war erupts right in the Republic’s stellar backyard.
Newly stationed on a mid-core planet being harassed by terrorist revolutionaries, Andien and her fellow "hullbusters" find themselves right in the middle of a desperate fight for survival. All their training, standards, discipline—all the hard paths—have led to this. If she and her fellow marines are to come out of this alive, Andien will have to find out who she truly is...and what she can become.
Best-selling military science fiction author Jason Anspach and USMC/US Army veteran Michelle C. Meyers explore the rigors of combat, survival, and the human will in this edge-of-your-seat account set in the Galaxy’s Edge universe.
©2020 Galaxy's Edge, LLC (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

After It Happened
Publisher's Pack 3
By: Devon C. Ford
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins
I want to read more Post-Apocalyptic and I am continuing a series that is part of my TBR.
Source: June 2021 Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
This publisher's pack contains Sanctuary (book 5) and Rebellion (book 6) of the After It Happened series.
Set in the UK in the immediate aftermath of a mysterious illness that swept the country and left millions dead, the series follows the trials facing a reluctant hero, Dan, and the group he forms around him. They must battle the elements, find sufficient supplies and equipment to survive, and protect themselves against the most destructive force on the planet: other people.
Sanctuary, book 5: Scattered, the group must come to terms with their new reality. They face more danger than they can deal with. They have no idea if they can win the race against time before one of them becomes critical. Meanwhile, back at home, a plan is hatched to overthrow a tyrannical rule.
Rebellion, book 6: Steve, now recovered from his horrific injuries, forms a plan to restore the balance of power in their camp, but his opposition is also playing a dangerous game. Meanwhile, Sanctuary reveals its secrets to Dan and the others, and they find safety and comfort behind the high walls. But safety is an illusion, and there are forces converging on them with a malevolence that they have not battled before.
©2017 Devon C. Ford (P)2018 Podium Publishing

July 17, 2022 - I am continuing on track and continue to enjoy the informative videos in The Bible Reading Plan is: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. I am enjoying keeping up with my reading each day.
I finished and enjoyed the seven day plan: Seek in Seven.

I completed two books and have two reviews to write and post again this week. 
NETGALLEY STATUS-- My NG shelf is back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I don't have any author reviews in my queue right now.
(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 or NetGalley titles this week.
I selected my two June Audible credits and used a $7.00 credit for another audio.
Only one free Kindle title added again to my Kindle TBR library.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

7/17/2022 I used my two June Audible Credits for these two titles, one in a series and one thriller:

Krondor the Betrayal
Book One of the Riftwar Legacy
By: Raymond E. Feist
Narrated by: Peter Joyce
Length: 16 hrs and 16 mins
I've been drawn to dragons.

Sworn to Silence
A Thriller
By: Linda Castillo
Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney
Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins
This thriller set in Amish country sounds good to me.


7/17/2022 I got a $7.00 credit so this book from my wish list ended up costing $.49 since I already had the Kindle copy.

Robinson Crusoe 2244
By: E. J. Robinson
Narrated by: Malk Williams
Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
I have been eyeing this partially due to the title. :-)

Free

One free Kindle title this week:

A Summer of Surprises
Judith Keim
(Thanks to Cheryl at The Book Connection for this summer title.)

One Free title added to Kindle library. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 17, 2022 Guard Your Heart

I attended church online this morning. I have been feeling overwhelmed and stressed on and off this week and Sunday mornings are proving hard for me.

Our Pastor’s message continued from last week’s message and was drawn from Proverbs 4:23:
“23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Solomon’s comment is addressing the inner man. Our hearts are dark and sinful, but God is the heart changer. Only He can change the heart. God can change a heart of stone to a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19. Too often we want God to bless what we are doing instead of getting into what God is doing. We need to surrender to God to let him do the changes and give our lives proper direction.

Paul encourages us to ‘work out your own salvation’. Philippians 2:12. Working out our salvation means surrendering and letting God mold us.We have a treasure in hearts of clay and the power comes from God. 2 Corinthians 4:7.

We are the keeper, guardian, custodians of our own hearts. We can’t get to salvation on someone else’s coattails. It is our job to monitor what goes into our heart. We need to let God heal our hearts.

Do not let anything come in or flow out of our hearts that is not pleasing to God. Be careful what you let through your eye gate and ear gate, especially in this world of social media. Guard your heart, monitor it.

“Faith comes from hearing” the word of God. Romans 10:17. Monitor what comes in!
Keep your heart with all diligence. Do not spend time with negatives and things that drag you down. Maintain custody and vigilance over your heart. Make sure the things you watch and listen to are what is important in your walk with God.

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight.” Psalm 19:14. Ask God, “check me out, search my heart.” Ask God to change you. Admit if your attitude is wrong. The attitude is the aroma of the heart.

Cains offering was rejected by God because of his attitude. He went on to kill his brother in anger. Genesis 4:1-8. Sin is crouching at your door. A bad attitude is a trap to wrong doing and considered scandal in the Bible. Matthew 18:7.

Sometimes we take offense too easily because we are not guarding our hearts. If we allow anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness in our hearts, then we need a change.

We each know people who live from hurt hearts and people who live out of joyful hearts. Your life is not contingent on what someone else did to you. It is contingent on what you allow God to do in you.

Do you have a right heart? How do you handle conflict? How do you handle things not going your way?

Surrender to God – first for salvation, then for a positive life attitude.

I believe the Spirit sent me to this song (new to me) today: Different.

Verses for Today:
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
“23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Psalm 19:14 NIV
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.


Lord, please guide me to guard my heart and keep it surrendered to You.

Audible Book Review: End of Summer by S.M. Anderson

This is a satisfactory, pandemic Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian (and my "Summer" title).

End of Summer
By: S.M. Anderson
Narrated by: Jay Snyder

Series: Seasons of Man, Book 1 (2 books)
Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins
Release date: 06-16-20
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
When a viral apocalypse kills 97 percent of the people on the planet, the survivors' humanity is hanging by a thread. Amid the leftovers of civilization, ex-Army Ranger Jason Larsen is reminded of the meaning of hope, family, and loyalty by a dog and a young boy who are as alone as he is. The survivors he seems to collect become family, and that is very bad news for those who think they run the apocalypse. ©2019 S.M. Anderson (P)2020 Podium Publishing

Review:
A new virologist is flippant about the sanitation rules in the lab. He bends the rules one too many times and ends up taking sickness to the world.

Ex-Army Ranger Jason Larsen is more prepared physically than most for an apocalypse. Initially he just wants to die and be with his pregnant wife. But before her death by the virus, she made him promise to stay alive and help “the children”. Jason reluctantly steps out to the street and hears nearby gunshot. He goes through the back ways and discovers a woman shot in the back of a truck. He learns there are a group of thugs, ‘Tyson’s gang’, working out of the FEMA base under the direction of a twisted Sheriff. They are gathering kids to scavenge and adults with useful skills. If someone doesn’t have a good skill, they are left behind with a bullet.

Jason happens to know that one of his wealthy neighbors was a serious prepper. He carefully approaches the house and finds the neighbor’s black lab, Loki. Fortunately, the dead occupant has provided info to access the stored supplies.

Meanwhile, Pro is a fourteen-year-old from across town. He knows his father isn’t coming home and after several days he has to leave his dead family behind. He finds a house with good supplies where he sets up camp and begins to scavenge the neighborhood. Soon the Tyson gang realizes that someone e is cleaning out houses before they get there. Jason happens to stumble on Pro while he is tracking Tyson’s gang. Jason tries to direct Pro to safety, but Pro is suspicious of everyone. After Pro gets caught, Jason has to figure out if he can rescue the boy. Slowly Jason wages war on the scavenge crews, taking out the anonymous enemy one by one.

Jason has added to his small group a frightened, but fierce young women Rachel, who is protecting a young girl, Elsa. Rachel has no reason to trust any man and is only happy that Jason has given her a gun and trained her to shoot. She is set on revenge.

Pro manages to escape the compound by himself but now Jason has to grab him to save him from getting caught again. Pro insists there are others in the FEMA compound who aren’t brutal killers and he wants Jason to help free the good people. Can Jason control Rachel and Pro as he prepares an assault on the FEMA compound?

Jason is a quiet, strong, and likeable protagonist. He doesn’t want to be a hero, but he is prompted by the promise to his wife to try to save others. Pro is a smart teen who has to grow up too fast. Rachel is a young woman who is trying to recover from the trauma of sexual abuse by seeking revenge on bad men. These three create an interesting core who struggle to survive and help others.

I liked all of the action as well as the development of the characters. I am glad I have the second book to listen to. I recommend this to fans of the genres, post-apocalyptic, and dystopian. (Warning: there is violence, reference to rape, and some rough language.)

Audio Notes: Jay Snyder does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices for the characters and gives appropriate energy to the story. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 7/18/2021 Audible $5.00 sale. (Regular Price: $34.99.) This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Season goal.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Just Tyrus: A Memoir by Tyrus

This was definitely Tyrus and I found it interesting to learn of his rough childhood.
Just Tyrus: A Memoir
by Tyrus
Narrated by Tyrus

Listening Length 4 hours and 58 minutes
Release date: 07-05-22
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Biography, Memoirs
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.0.

Pro wrestler and political commentator Tyrus goes deep into his wild but triumphant life story, from his painfully dysfunctional upbringing to bodyguarding for Snoop Dogg, to becoming a wrestling icon and one of the most provocative on-air voices today.
The product of a 1970s mixed marriage, George Murdoch learned to fight early in life, fending off both race-baiting bullies and the demons of a dysfunctional home. Couch surfing all through high school and most of college, the quick-witted, sharp-tongued giant played football, ran drugs, and bounced at clubs to try to survive. After a false start with the WWE, he eventually became Snoop Dogg's bodyguard and traveled the world with the hip hop legend, biding his time and honing his rap. When the WWE urged him to return, George became "Brodus Clay" and, for the next several years, reinvented himself numerous times under the watchful mentorship of the legendary Dusty Rhodes, "the American Dream." He was eventually christened "Tyrus," and shortly after, a chance social media encounter with Greg Gutfeld at Fox News resulted in Tyrus finding a new skill: sage social commentator. Ferociously funny, blunt, and tenacious, Just Tyrus traces his unlikely and spectacular rise. As always with Tyrus, it's in-your-face and offers no apologies.

Review:
This memoir tells the reader/listener about Tyrus’ struggles in his dysfunctional family, pugnacious childhood, and his short ventures in crime as a young adult. Tyrus got into fights early in his life as a result of his mixed heritage and bullies who he decided to deal with. One of his childhood heroes was American Dream wrestler, Dusty Rhodes. It was a long time dream for Tyrus to get into wrestling. Through his employment journey, Tyrus, born George Murdoch, went through numerous trade names.

It seems as though Tyrus stumbled into his successes. He had a rough time in football before he fought his way into a position as a bodyguard for Snoop Dogg. Tyrus enjoyed that work, especially a time coaching young, disadvantaged children. The bodyguard position led him to a chance in wrestling. His participation in television wrestling went through some ups and downs but ultimately gave him a chance meeting with Greg Gutfeld, a political commentator and comedian at Fox News. This led to Tyrus being a regular (sidekick) on the Greg Gutfeld Show, now rebranded as Gutfeld!

Tyrus fulfilled a dream when he became the NWA World Television Champion in August 2021. He wears his champion belt during his appearances on Gutfeld! and while contributing on various other Fox news and opinion programs.

I enjoyed the informative memoir which is presented with Tyrus’ sharp wit and a humble forthrightness. He was a hot head as a youth, still has a brash mouth, but has, over the years, found wisdom grounded in common sense that he is able to share. I have seen Tyrus on television and was impressed by his down-to-earth common sense. I sensed he had a rough childhood but didn’t really know. I recommend this to anyone who would like to know more about this intelligent commentator. (Warning: there is a liberal amount of swearing.)

Audio Notes: Tyrus does the narration of his own work. Although I enjoyed his natural delivery, there were technical issues with sound levels, background noises, and uneven pacing. This didn’t hamper my enjoyment of the audio.

Source: 2022 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2022NetGalley and 2022Audiobook goals.