Audible Book Review: Enforcing Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 6 by A. American

I started this sixth book in the series and although calmer than prior books, I found it hard to put down.

Enforcing Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 6

Written by: A. American

Narrated by: Duke Fontaine

Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins

Series: Survivalist, Book 6

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:01-19-16

Publisher: Podium Publishing

Genre: Post Apocalyptic, Sci Fi

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Morgan has managed to get through a lot. Having made it back to his family and dealt with the issues of unscrupulous neighbors, he then had to deal with the presence of the federal government and their nefarious activities. But with the help of his close-knit group he prevailed. Life is settling into a familiar routine. And with the help of the US Army, they are starting to rebuild their community. But just when Morgan thinks things are assuming some kind of normal, another surprise lands in his lap. He's made sheriff.
Harkening back to a time when law enforcement was a local face in the community, Morgan is forced to step up and be that face, much to his chagrin. With the help of Thad, Danny, and the rest of the crew, he accepts the challenge and tries to make a positive impact. But he's in for yet another surprise. New foes will arise, and old ones will return to conspire to destroy his efforts.
Morgan's group will suffer loss, injury, and constant assault. His new position has made him a target as well as those he loves. The peace and tranquility that the group has fought so hard for will continue to elude them. The fight, as Morgan soon learns, is just beginning.
©2015 A. American (P)2016 Podium Publishing

Review:
Morgan is now sheriff of his community and the local town. He isn’t thrilled but agreed to accept the responsibilities with several of his friends as deputies. His own community is experiencing a time of rebuilding and peace but that doesn’t last. There are many who are hungry and unrest is spreading especially as bullies try to take from others by force. These are local problems, but not the worst Morgan has to deal with. Stragglers with children who are coughing badly pass outside the neighborhood gates. Some of the community children do not realize there may be danger playing with these sickly waifs.

Morgan’s friends learn that the corrupt federal DHS forces never made it to the army base where they were being sent. Instead they escaped and are building forces with plans to eliminate Morgan, Sarge and the rest of the ‘resisters’. A stranger wander in and, although it is not clear if he can be trusted, he slowly becomes part of the group.

Fortunately, Sarge and Morgan have friends in high places. They are able to get the supplies for a field hospital flown in as well as getting some heavy power equipment that will be useful as the skirmishes with the DHS scoundrels intensify.

I was glad to be back with the familiar characters and I was pulled right into the story. The author addresses issues relating to the society reorganization as well as dangers of disease and lawlessness. This episode moves forward with daily concerns and not all the action is in fighting… there is enough of that too to keep things interesting. There are moments of humor and almost happiness as the community and nearby town look to reestablish a firm footing.  But Morgan becomes more of a target especially for the oncoming threat of a major attack by the DHS forces.

There was a bit more male crudeness and some rather brutal torture in this book. There was also some repetition but it didn't have a noticeable impact on my enjoyment. I found this engaging and I look forward to more action in this series.

Audio Notes: Duke Fontaine has certainly become the voice of these characters for me. His clear narration enhances the engagement in the stories and makes this a fast listen.

My prior reviews in the series:
Book 1, Going Home
Book 2, Surviving Home
Book 3, Escaping Home
Book 4, Forsaking Home
Book 5, Resurrecting Home

This was a 2016 selection for my own Audible library.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 22, 2016

Happy Friday!
Hubby continues to get better and will be released to home next week. :-) We are hunting down PT services either for home care or outpatient. 
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer (or for a few, winter) time.
(I just have not had time to get a picture of the latest book group, nor pull books from the last several weeks. I hope to get this done this weekend and have my clerk prepare for mailing early next week.)

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the July 15 Pick. There were no automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no titles blocked.
AUTO: none

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from July 15 Pick:
RUVYNREBA gets the Joan Johnston pair

Marjorie gets a GC

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

This looks fun but I would probably like audio while riding! 

Image found at RealSimple

New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016
(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
Sandra Brown: Above and Beyond and Honor Bound (my copy is 1986 edition with a different cover
Joan Johnston: Faron & Garth: The Cowboy and the Princess / The Wrangler and the Rich Girl and Sweetwater Seduction
SINGLES:
Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews (new- hardcover)
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
*Witch’s Hammer by Caroline Farr (a 1967 yellowed pages - different cover)
*Mistress of Mount Fair by Jane Gordon
Once an Angel by Tammy Hilz
Bound By Temptation by Lavinia Kent
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
On Fire by Carla Neggers (1999 version with different cover)
Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Waiting for Nick & Considering Kate by Nora Roberts
*She Came Back by Patricia Wentworth (1981 yellowed pages)
Freedom's Stand by J. M. Windle


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

PAIRS:
Jayne Ann Krentz: Gift of Gold and Man with a Past (spine creased) 
Linda Howard: Cover of Night and Strangers Night
SINGLES:
A Dangerous Fancy by Tracy Cozzens
The Bodyguard and the Snitch by Christy Tillery French (autographed)
When Dashing Met Danger by Shana Galen
The Champion by Heather Grothaus
Never Marry a Cowboy by Lorraine Heath
Just The Way You Are by Donna Jordan
The Second Chair by John Lescroart (hardcover)
What a Rogue Desires by Caroline Linden (spine creased)
Violets are Blue by James Patterson
The Bequest by Candice Proctor
A Perilous Attraction by Patricia Francis Rowell (spine creased)
So Wild A Kiss by Nancy Richards-Akers


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016

SINGLES:
Short Straw (Ed Eagle Novel) by Stuart Woods Hardcover
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
N is for noose by Sue Grafton -Cassettes
Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF by April Winchell


New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016

SINGLES:
Wayward Winds by Michael Phillips - Audio Tapes

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015
All Gone

New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015
After I noticed the trend I went on a hunt for “bride” titles. I even pulled a couple from some of my long time collections(*). (But they are not getting read on my shelves.)

SINGLES:
Bride of Lochbarr by Margaret Moore (*)
The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens (*)
A Necessary Bride by Debra Mullins
Border Bride by Deborah Hale

New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

Shannon Drake –  Realm of Shadows (Alliance Vampires#4) 
SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)


New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015
A few more summer titles, historicals and mysteries!

SINGLES:
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone
SINGLES:
Servant, The Awakening by L.L. Foster

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone


New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes


BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Commander by Kate Bridges
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser


If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost six years I have posted 62 groups of 16 (992) books to find new homes! (as of November 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 978+ books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

Guest Post: REGINA SHEN WORLD by Lance Erlick

REGINA SHEN WORLD by Lance Erlick

The seed of the idea for the Regina Shen stories and her world was a challenging realm of the future that tested a resilient young woman every step of the way. In fact, the budding scene was of the outcast, Regina, adrift in a storm with no safe port.

In the story’s mythical past, abrupt climate change, rising seas, famines, and wars caused a collapse of the old order. In the final days, an all-female militia rose up, denying men procreation rights until they became extinct. The heroic, three-century-old Grand Old Dames saved the world and created an all-female society, vowing that there would be no more wars and no more gender strife. They created the World Federation to restore peace.

Before the Grand Old Dames took over, they were able to perfect fertility research to enable two women to have a child without men. This enabled them to make this a foundation for building their new society. Then, as a means to maintain order and control, they introduced a defect into the human genome so that only regulated Federation fertility clinics could bring forth new life. Only those who receive the blessing of the new order are allowed to have children.

This gave the new leaders complete control over the people and their futures. Then something happened so that the process began to decay and fail until there were no live births. For unknown reasons, Regina Shen’s DNA does not have the defect; she was not the product of a Federation clinic. Now the Federation is hunting her down to control her genes amidst a power struggle over a successor to the dying World Premier.

Because of desperate times after the worldwide collapse, the Federation adopted a caste system to help maintain order and to fill the necessary roles in society with Working Stiffs on the bottom, Professionals and Elites in the middle, and the Grand Old Dames at the top. Outcasts like Regina Shen were thrown over massive barrier walls built with slave labor to hold back the rising seas. The outcasts were left to fend for themselves, and fend they did, becoming stronger and more resilient than citizens of the Federation. In fact, many are captured as slaves to work the toughest Federation jobs.

The Federation created the Department of Antiquities in its early days to find and destroy all evidence of life before the Federation. The Grand Old Dames banned all print books and took control of their mesh, a future version of the Internet with one distinction. All information resides in Federation cloud-type databases and can be rewritten or purged in support of Federation goals. Rising in power and requiring military resources, the Department of Antiquities became the police and military rolled up into one, enforcing the laws of the Federation.

It is the Department of Antiquities that discovers Regina Shen’s DNA, turning her into a pawn of a worldwide power struggle.

Author's Bio:

He was raised by a roaming aerospace engineer, growing up in various parts of the United States and Europe, as well as traveling through Asia. He took to stories as his anchor, including the works of Asimov, Bradbury, and Heinlein, and has been writing since age eleven.

Growing up, he was inspired by his father’s engineering work on cutting-edge aerospace projects to look to the future.

In an ideal world, Lance would find time loops where he could step out for a week at a time to read and write. Then he would return to the moment he left, without life getting in the way. Of course, since everyone would have the same ability, he suspects life would still sneak in.

Lance is also the author of short stories and novelettes.

Connect with the author:  Website   Twitter   Facebook   Goodreads

I have found the series engaging. My reviews of the four books (and giveaway links) can be found through this link.

Book Review: Regina Shen: Endurance by Lance Erlick

This is my favorite of the series so far.
Regina Shen: Endurance
by Lance Erlick

File Size: 3964 KB
Print Length: 297 pages
Publisher: Finlee Augare Books (July 1, 2016)
ASIN: B01FWERE7K
Genre: Sci Fi, Dystopian, YA
My Rating 4.25 of 5.0

Outcast Regina Shen continues her adventure as a hunted fugitive and as a pawn in a worldwide grab for power.
Competing World Federation power brokers seek to control Regina for her unique DNA that could reverse a global fertility collapse. They make use of her unique memory for ancient forbidden texts that help her locate illegal artifacts from before the Federation, which agents then destroy.
For months Regina has been treading a fine line, trying not to let the Federation destroy any more of their past while doing all she can to rescue her kidnapped sister from agents who dangle the sister as bait. Betrayed again by her mom, Regina flees to the Southwest Desert with a close companion to hunt down a vault to exchange for her sister’s freedom. Nothing goes according to plan.
Before her journey concludes, tragedy will shake Regina to her core. It will also open up new possibilities that could lead down an even more dangerous path closer to her destiny but farther from her sister.

Review:
Regina is a young girl in an all female society. She was raised as one of the many outcasts, known as 'marginals' living in the swamps outside the Barrier walls Within the walls the society is divided into castes of working stiffs, professionals and elites. With the direction of her teacher, Mo Mere, Regina escaped under the wall to try to make it at university. But, like many independent marginals, Regina couldn’t fit in, and, unlike a good quiet citizen, Regina could not stop challenging the limits and restrictions of the Federation order. Regina left university with her new friend, Ester, still intent on rescuing her sister, Colleen.

The Federation has a serious fertility problem and they are seeking to capture Regina as they think her blood/DNA will prove a solution. Although the Federation inspectors have been close on her trail, Regina found friends along the way who helped her get to Alaska. Inspector DeMarco keeps dangling Colleen’s release as a reward if Regina will find other DNA vaults and deliver healthy samples to DeMarco. Even though Inspectors Volpe and Wendt destroyed the Alaska vault, DeMarco directs Regina to the Southwest vault.

Once again Regina gets aid from the truckers to get her from Fairbanks, Alaska to Flagstaff. There she and Ester find another DNA vault but DeMarco and Volpe are still on her tail, seeking to fight over the DNA coolers and, in the case of Volpe, determined to destroy the entire vault, no matter how valuable the contents might be to the future of society.

It is fairly obvious to the reader, if not to Regina, that DeMarco has been arranging help all along the road. Still, DeMarco doesn’t keep her bargains very well and Regina has little reason to trust her. DeMarco again sends Regina off to another vault, this time back over the barrier wall to the underwater city of Philadelphia. While Regina makes her way back across the country to her home in the swamps, DeMarco continues to lose control of her backing in the Department of Antiquities.

The infighting among the inspectors intensifies in this book and Regina faces more danger and tragic loses. I appreciated the good pacing and action in this story and liked the excitement of the find in the Philadelphia salvage. Regina’s ‘legend’ and gift of hope to others grows even as a plot twist sets the stage for a new stage in Regina’s life. The ending of this volume left me wanting to follow the new journey and adventure. There are still too many unanswered questions so I do hope there is to be another book.

I received this through iReads Book Tours for an honest review. PLEASE SEE AUTHOR GUEST POST HERE.

See my reviews of books one through four in this series through this link.

Book Review: A Better World by Marcus Sakey

This portrays an exciting and scary world - dreams of a better world but one that is ready to go up in flames.

A Better World (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 2)
by Marcus Sakey

File Size: 6407 KB
Print Length: 391 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1477823948
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (June 17, 2014)
ASIN: B00IA7N7C8
Genre: Sci Fi, Suspense Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

The brilliants changed everything. Since 1980, one percent of the world has been born with gifts we’d only dreamed of. The ability to sense a person’s most intimate secrets, or predict the stock market, or move virtually unseen. For thirty years the world has struggled with a growing divide between the exceptional…and the rest of us.
Now a terrorist network led by brilliants has crippled three cities. Supermarket shelves stand empty. 911 calls go unanswered. Fanatics are burning people alive.
Nick Cooper has always fought to make the world better for his children. As both a brilliant and an advisor to the president of the United States, he’s against everything the terrorists represent. But as America slides toward a devastating civil war, Cooper is forced to play a game he dares not lose—because his opponents have their own vision of a better world.
And to reach it, they’re willing to burn this one down.

Review:
This story picks up where book 1, Brilliance, left off. Nick Cooper has exposed the villainy of the American President and Nick’s own boss, the head of the Department of Analysis and Response. Those men had staged a massacre, blaming it on John Smith, a brilliant who they labeled as a terrorist. Now John has been exonerated and is free to move around the country to fulfill other plans.

Nick is pulled into the position of advisor to the new President where Nick is a single voice struggling to find a way to defuse the fear, animosity and tension between the brilliants and all ‘normal’ humans. Nick learns that scientists have been searching for the secret to the Brilliant gnome. Nick believes this work can solve the problem and he seeks to protect the scientist before others destroy him and his research. But other men in power have a different vision for a better world than Nick’s harmonious vision.

Soon Nick begins to think John has some serious conspiracy plans of his own and, to Nick’s dismay, he has been played as a puppet. Even though Sharon and Nick have grown close, they keep their own secrets so they are not certain if they can trust each other as the lines of right and wrong seem to waver. Nick continues to race against time and opposing forces but each plot he exposes, instead of diffusing the tension, seems to fuel the fires of unrest and civil war. The Federal Government threatens the brilliant community that has been developed to provide a safe haven for brilliants.

This story presents a scary (for its possible realism) picture of how a handful of powerful men can manipulate facts, people, news and resources to meet their own agenda. The characters are complex and the plot twists, constant action and suspense kept me turning pages. This is a good second installment but it ends rather mid theme so I am glad that I have book three to finish out the excitement.

I received this series through NetGalley for an honest review. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Audio Book Review: The Christmas Kitten: A Polly Parrett Pet-Sitter Cozy Murder Mystery, Book 2 by Liz Dodwell

This is a delightful, quick cozy with warm characters, including four legged varieties.
The Christmas Kitten: A Polly Parrett Pet-Sitter Cozy Murder Mystery, Book 2
Written by: Liz Dodwell
Narrated by: Jennifer Fournier

Length: 2 hrs and 33 mins
Series: Polly Parrett, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:05-06-16
Publisher: Mix Books, LLC
Genre: Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Polly Parrett finds herself in the midst of another murder mystery. This time it involves two little girls, a wicked stepmother, and a missing father. Oh, and Christmas is almost here.
It all begins with a mysterious gift box that’s left on Polly's doorstep. Along the way she encounters problems with her pet-sitting customers and her arch nemesis, Britney Harris, who has her eye on Polly's boyfriend Tyler. An Open House is planned at Welcome Home, the residential home Polly and her mom have created to provide a safe haven for homeless military veterans and their pets. It's all go in Polly's world, but with a killer on the loose and two children in need of her help, she'll do anything she can to keep everyone safe.
Book 2 of the Polly Parrett Pet-Sitter series.
©2015 Liz Dodwell (P)2016 Liz Dodwell

Review:
Polly Parrett has a lovely business as a pet-sitter in Mallowapple, Maine. As Christmas draws near she is busy taking care of pets and helping her mother plan an Open House for their new venture, Welcome Home, a residential home created as a safe haven for homeless military veterans and their pets.

Polly is only a little surprised to find a rescue kitten left on her doorstep. The greater surprise is the expensive bracelet around the kitten’s neck. The new kitten is quickly adopted by one of Polly’s dogs (which is adorable).

Polly brings the kitten to her mother at Welcome Home where two young girls have just been discovered sheltering in the barn. The girl’s father is away in the service while they have been left with their mean stepmother. When a murder is reported, Polly and her lawyer boyfriend, Tyler, begin to investigate the mystery of the necklace, the runaway children and the murder.

This is light and fun listening with wonderful pets to share in the warmth of the holiday season. I loved the animals and the concept of the shelter for the vets with pets. The mystery is fully developed for a short work. Polly is a lively, likeable character and I am sure I would enjoy more of her adventures.

This is a nice cozy mystery for all ages. I especially recommend it to cozy fans who like animals. It may be set at Christmas time but it is a warm story for any time of year.

Audio Notes: Jennifer Fournier does a charming job with the narration. It is light and easy and brings appropriate emotions to the listener. The audio added to my enjoyment of the story.

I received this audio title from the author through AudioBook Boom. This qualifies for my Audio Book Challenge.

Sunday Post July 17, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 18, 2016

I miss-scheduled this so it is posting late... but better late then not at all.

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 was able to start getting caught up on work in the office. Hubby is getting stronger each day and beginning to look forward to the day he can come home. I plan to spend this week getting help to really clean the house before he comes back to minimize dust and animal hair.
I continue to give thanks for all the prayers, well wishes and support!

My reading was steady. I finished three books, two ebooks and one audio and I am well into another audiobook. Unfortunately I only got two reviews up as well as usual memes.
I got to visit a little early in the week but I have found myself pretty tired at night.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post July 10, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 11, 2016.

• Book Review: Laos File (The Shake Davis Series) by Dale Dye; Military Thriller; my rating 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 15, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 7/21/2016.

• Audio Book Review: Desolation by M.L. Banner; Post Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #261 Comment Giveaway July 16, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 7/16/2016.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 17, 2016.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/MP3 (My shelf)

Burning Nation: Book 2 of Divided We Fall
Written by: Trent Reedy
Narrated by: Andrew Eiden
Chilling, scary and sad. This is an intense sequel from my own Audible credits (2016).
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Machinations
by Hayley Stone
This is action packed and hard to put down.
(Releasing 7/26.)
I received this through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Indiana Belle (American Journey Book 3)
by John A. Heldt
This is a sweet, interesting "time-travel" romance.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (iRead Book Tours)

Regina Shen: Endurance
by Lance Erlick
I am interested in how things go in this engaging YA, female society dystopian series.
I received this through iReads Book Tours.
Review and Author Guest post will be on 7/21.
Outcast Regina Shen continues her adventure as a hunted fugitive and as a pawn in a worldwide grab for power.
Competing World Federation power brokers seek to control Regina for her unique DNA that could reverse a global fertility collapse. They make use of her unique memory for ancient forbidden texts that help her locate illegal artifacts from before the Federation, which agents then destroy.
For months Regina has been treading a fine line, trying not to let the Federation destroy any more of their past while doing all she can to rescue her kidnapped sister from agents who dangle the sister as bait. Betrayed again by her mom, Regina flees to the Southwest Desert with a close companion to hunt down a vault to exchange for her sister’s freedom. Nothing goes according to plan.
Before her journey concludes, tragedy will shake Regina to her core. It will also open up new possibilities that could lead down an even more dangerous path closer to her destiny but farther from her sister.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

For Honor We Stand: Man of War, Book 2
Written by: H. Paul Honsinger
Narrated by: Ray Chase
I am enjoying the action and characters in this space military story.
This is from my Audible TBR Library.
Publisher's Summary
In 2315, the Earth Union is losing a 30-year-long war with the Krag Hegemony.
Having encountered the Krag before, Space Commander Max Robicheaux now faces daunting challenges aboard the USS Cumberland: The dangers from the enemy without…and clashes with crew and superiors within.
Meanwhile, Doctor Sahin receives a coded message summoning him to a secret meeting which aims to forge an alliance that could change the balance of power in Known Space. But first, he must circumvent the fighter ships and heavily armed troops of the traitorous emir bent on killing him before he reaches the negotiating table.
Both men must call upon their developing skills and growing friendship to bear the burden of carrying between the Krag Hegemony and the Earth Union a fateful ultimatum and the shocking answer: An answer that could spell eternal slavery, or even extinction, for all humankind.
The second novel in the Man of War series, For Honor We Stand continues the galactic naval adventures of Robicheaux and Sahin.
©2013 H. Paul Honsinger (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

The Bluebonnet Betrayal, A Potting Shed Mystery
by Marty Wingate
I am looking forward to this cozy mystery
received through NetGalley. (Release date 8/2.)
Bestselling author Marty Wingate “plants clever clues with a dash of romantic spice,” raves Mary Daheim. Now Wingate’s inimitable gardening heroine, Pru Parke, is importing a precious bloom from Texas—and she won’t let a vicious murder stop her.
Pru’s life in England is coming full circle. A Texas transplant, she’s married to the love of her life, thriving in the plum gardening position she shares with her long-lost brother, and prepping a Chelsea Flower Show exhibit featuring the beloved bluebonnets of the Texas hill country. Technically, Twyla Woodford, the president of a gardening club in the Lone Star State, is in charge of the London event, but Pru seems to be the one getting her hands dirty. When they finally do meet, Pru senses a kindred spirit—until Twyla turns up dead.
Although Twyla’s body was half buried under a wall in their display, Pru remains determined to mount a spectacular show. Twyla would have insisted. So Pru recruits her husband, former Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse, to go undercover and do a bit of unofficial digging into Twyla’s final hours. If Pru has anything

4. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

This Present Darkness
Written by: Frank Peretti
Narrated by: Jack Sondericker
I have not read this since the late 1980s. We are reading this for our Ladies' Book Club; meeting 8/6.
Publisher's Summary
A small town newspaper editor and a local minister uncover a web of conspiracy while an unseen battle between the angels of good and evil takes place in the town of Ashton.
©1986 Frank Peretti; (P)2005 Books in Motion

July 3, 2016 - I was caught up through June 30th but now have to catch up to date in July 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 two reviews this past week so I have eight total pending; two will not post until the week of the 25th. I still have to work on getting caught up.

I've reduced my author ebook reviews committed with no specific dates queueto four books.
My NetGalley shelves are down to three when I finish the one I plan to read this week.
I'm sort of hoping to set aside September for TBR books only so I am trying to resist new arcs/author requests and NetGalley.

I didn't get any backlist titles up at eTreasure's NetGalley page and we will be working to add upcoming releases over the next week or so.

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 a print book from The Cadence for review.
I selected two Audible credit titles and purchased one $.99 Kindle.
I also picked up more free kindle titles.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Received from The Cadence Group:

Friends of the Wigwam: A Civil War Story
by John William Huelskamp
Friends of the Wigwam is a historical novel and love story about six young friends whose innocence is stripped from them seemingly overnight in the brutal setting of the American Civil War.

Won

NONE

Purchased

It can be hard for me to pick but I selected these two books with my June Audible credits:
The Curse of Tenth Grave: A Novel
Written by: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King

Book 10 in this fun series.

Under a Tell-Tale Sky: Disruption, Book 1

Written by: R.E. McDermott

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

This is another post apocalyptic novel.

I purchased one Kindle title at $.99:

Ichabod: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP-Survival Thriller  
(Seven Cows, Ugly and Gaunt Book 2)
by Mark Goodwin

I plan to pick up book 1 at Audible.

Free

Over the past week I added 55 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.

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 17, 2016

Our Sunday School lesson this morning was from Romans 15:1-7 – a good message on Unity in the Body. For service we had a guest evangelist (Thomas) with wife (Sheila) and daughter (Mariah) minister to us with song and messages, the parents each shared an unprepared word and the daughter shared a word with special song.

Once again it was remarkable how God’s orchestrating hand was apparent. Our Choir song was “Through the Fire” which states that God will see you through and help will always come in time; “My God will show up, and take you through the fire again.”

Sheila shared that the last time they visited three years ago their son was with them. Shortly after that visit he began to have day seizures and grand mal seizures at night. Sheila said that God had told her beforehand that a storm was coming but that God would see them through. After a little over a year Sheila was praying, asking God how much longer they would be facing this. God said it would be over “soon”. Within two weeks the seizures stopped! Now their son is in ministry as an associate pastor. The family believes that Satan sent the illness trying to keep their son from his destiny to serve God. But God was victorious. Further, God was faithful as the family had no insurance but every bill was paid.

Mariah shared a song “My Rest” which proclaims that we can put our hopes and plans in God’s hands and trust in His strength.

Thomas then shared that God has said He will be with us “until the end”. The end isn’t here yet. He is not done with us yet. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness (Luke 4) and sometimes God allows us to go through a wilderness to prepare us and bring our understanding to a place He needs us to be. But God will always see us through and bring us out of the fire and the wilderness. Jesus returned filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and when he returns to earth he is coming for a spotless, strong, bride filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The church needs to step up an stand up as a beacon of light in dark times.

Thomas noted that his family was not brought to our church by happenstance or accident but rather by a divine plan; an appointment by God. Just so, God has a plan for each of us. He has divine appointments for our lives if we are willing to trust Him to use us for His purposes (Romans 8:28).

The service ended with more wonderful songs: Holy Spirit You Are Welcome Here, God Will Make a Way, and Good, Good Father.

It was hard for me to decide which song to share. I picked Good, Good Father.

Verses for Today:
John 17:20-21 (NIV)
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

As deaths occur throughout our country and throughout the world I pray for comfort, peace and for love to grow to overcome hate. I am thankful that I have found answers in Christ and that I have peace. Above all, I give thanks that my God is in control.

Sharing Beyond Books #261 Comment Giveaway July 16, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Ten of the commenters like to read outside although most add conditions: as long as not too hot or too cold. Elizabeth is the only one with a resounding "yes" that she enjoys reading at beach and pool. The other nine commenters do not like to read outside due to: heat, noise and/or insects.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #260 comments is:#15 Rubynreba who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. [I'm hoping to update the book choices - maybe the beginning of next year, lol.] Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #261

(One Question.)

CarolL asks: As far as career, marriage and children has your life gone the way you dreamed or is it proceeding along the path you planned??

I don't recall "planning" or dreaming of how I would want my life. But, I give thanks to God, it pretty much turned out as I would want: loving husband, two children and a satisfying career. I have been blessed. If I had pushed a bit harder in my law career I might have liked to become a judge but then I would not have had my own business(es). So it worked out fine for me.

Found at Jordan Maylea.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.

Your turn to share:
CarolL asks: As far as career, marriage and children has your life gone the way you dreamed or is it proceeding along the path you planned??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday July 23, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Audio Book Review: Desolation by M.L. Banner

This is an engaging character driven, post-apocalyptic scenario, pitting good and evil.

Desolation
Written by: M.L. Banner
Narrated by: Mikael Naramore

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:12-08-15
Publisher: Toes in the Water Publishing, LLC
Genre: Post Apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
A world devastated: a sky filled with magical auroras at night and deadly radiation during the day; technology all but gone; hundreds of millions dead by fire, starvation, disease, and violence. The survivors will have to face their own desolation.
Three groups struggle to endure and hold onto what little they have, while others will do anything to take it all. On a beach in Mexico, a small town in Wyoming, and a rural ranch in Illinois, epic battles between good and evil will be fought. Winners will have to face forces of nature never seen before.
But, there is a dim light on the horizon. A 150-year-old secret may lead the lucky few to a place that holds the promise of a new future, unless the sun doesn't set on humanity first.
This is the stunning follow-up to the #1 Amazon best seller Stone Age.
©2014 Toes in the Water Publishing, LLC (P)2015 Toes in the Water Publishing, LLC

Review:
A solar flare has devastated the world as we know it. Electronic technology is gone, the cities are in flames and conductive surfaces, such as water, continue to give off electrocuting charges. Many are dying from starvation and disease, not to mention violence as people sink to thievery and worse trying to protect themselves and obtain food for their families.

Maxwell Thomas is a wealthy man who was prepared for the disaster. He had several homes and escape plans. He even knows of a secret community, Cicada, where the scientists were to gather for survival. Unfortunately Max has been ‘commandeered’ by a drug cartel with some vicious members. He must escape and get back to Bill and Lisa King in a resort community in Mexico.

Bill and Lisa have supplies thanks to their good friend, Max. They are willing to help others in their community until neighbors try to take the supplies by force.

Far away, in Illinois, “the Teacher” leads a religious group of followers. He has gathered an army of men to protect him and provide the basic needs of shelter, food and water for the crowd that follows. Since their supply is limited they conscript the followers to work, including attacking communities along their path to fill the needs of the cult.

College student, Darla King and her younger brother, Danny are walking away from the fires of Chicago, trying to get to their grandparents’ home in Michigan. It is a dangerous world to be traveling as wicked men are willing to rape and murder and steal the resources that are found along the way. After several attacks and difficult escapes, Darla and Danny stumble into the cult crowd. Darla quickly learns that crowds are not always safe.

Steve Parkington, Darla’s boy interest, and his father have crashed in their small plane. They find themselves with a small group of survivors on a well-stocked and protected ranch, known as Wright ranch.

In Nebraska, Maggie, an astronaut and scientist, becomes the sole survivor of a space capsule crash. Now she must fend for herself in a hot and hostile world. Along the way she will rescue and be aided by another scientist who is traveling by bicycle to get to Cicada.

I was quickly engaged by the good characters and their battle against the evil forces. I liked the excellent story telling writing style which pulled me in and made me care about the characters. The author shifts among the scenes until the people and groups converge.There seemed to be a few loose ends but I still was engaged and enjoyed the tale.

I did not realize this was a second book in a series until I started it. I wish I had read/listened to them in order but still this was good but I could tell that I missed some character build up as well as the initial disaster. I will want to pick up the first book and I am also interested in the Cicada series that follows these events even if it is set years later.

Audio Notes: Mikael Naramore does a good job with the various voices and the emotional energy of the story.  He also delivers the narrative with strong, appropriate pacing. The narration made this an easy and engaging listen, enhancing the story.

I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.