Book Review: The Hero's Lot by Patrick W. Carr

This is an exciting story filled with action, political and church struggles and even some young love.

The Hero's Lot
by Patrick W. Carr

• File Size: 928 KB
• Print Length: 449 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0764210440
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (July 1, 2013)

Genre: Fantasy Adventure, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: July 1, 2013
Riveting Sequel from Christian Fantasy's Most Talented New Voice
When Sarin Valon, the corrupt secondus of the conclave, flees Erinon and the kingdom, Errol Stone believes his troubles have at last ended. But other forces bent on the destruction of the kingdom remain and conspire to accuse Errol and his friends of a conspiracy to usurp the throne.

In a bid to keep the three of them from the axe, Archbenefice Canon sends Martin and Luis to Errol's home village, Callowford, to discover what makes him so important to the kingdom. But Errol is also accused of consorting with spirits. Convicted, his punishment is a journey to the enemy kingdom of Merakh, where he must find Sarin Valon, and kill him. To enforce their sentence, Errol is placed under a compulsion, and he is driven to accomplish his task or die resisting.

Review:
Errol has gone from being a drunken, obscure peasant to a famous hero and elevated to an earldom in the kingdom of Illustra. He is a rare omne and reader who can cast lots to determine important decisions. He is unaware of his importance to the kingdom, is caught up in a web of events that he doesn’t comprehend and has become a target for many enemies. On top of the political and church manipulations controlling Errol, he and the Princess Adora have developed a mutual affection that would seem impossible to hold any future.

Errol is accused by one man in the conclave of the Judicia, the Church authority, of having consorted with herbwoman, whom many view as witches or whores. Errol was healed with the help of such women so there is no way that he can deny the charges. The head of the church, the Archbenefice, knows this but plans to control the sentencing to protect Errol as a second, more serious charge of treason will be delayed until the first sentence is served. Errol is not guilty of treason but he has knowledge that would reveal actions of other friends and leaders who must be protected. Thus Errol has become a pawn between faithful, if misguided, church leaders and kingdom guard who seek to protect the balance of the people from the power hungry Weir family and their allies who would abuse through control of the throne and the church.

Unfortunately the Duke of Weir, the second accuser, manages to get Errol sentenced to a mission to seek out and kill the feared, fallen church leader, Sarin Valon, who has joined with the enemies in the kingdom of Merakh. It is clearly intended as a death sentence and a compulsion is placed on Errol to enforce his obedience.

Errol at least gets to pick his own team but his best friends, Benefice Martin, his aide, Luis, and Errol’s fighting trainer, Cruk, have left on an undisclosed trip of their own. He then picks an unexpected group: his mentor, Rale, who is a warrior retired to farming; Naaman Ru, a caravan guide who once kidnapped and threatened to kill Errol, and an elderly, defrocked priest. Their journey will be fraught with assassin attempts as the enemy has created a ring of readers who can determine where Errol is and communicate the information through the circle. The danger increases when Princess Adora sneaks away from the kingdom to join Errol on the deadly quest.

Meanwhile Martin, Luis and Cruk have come across another strange man of Deas, Karele, who has shown that Aurae, the spirit of Deas (God) will speak directly to men.  Karele, with the help of Aurae, can counteract the reader and their art of drawing lots. This team too faces perils as they change their course to find Errol and help in his task.

This book is epic and engaging. It alternates between the two groups as they forge through their dangers until they are brought together and face the enemy. I was uncertain at first at the church practice of deciding lots so I was glad when Karele made it clear that the practice was not needed in seeking the will of Deas.

The story is full of danger, action, betrayal, demon possession, friendship, love and faith. There is insanity, wisdom and good suspense. The plot is deep and well developed with some surprising twists. I was pulled into becoming invested in the well being of the characters. I have not read the first book and, although I was fully engaged jumping into the middle of the series, I recommend starting with book one so you have the complete character history, especially for Errol and his friends. I will certainly want to read the next book to see what happens.

A statement I loved said to Errol: “Do not confuse those who vie for power with those who work for good.” (Location 5409.)

I received this for an honest review as part of BookBlast tour.
Don't miss out on the two Giveaways: 

BookBlast Giveaway: The Hero's Lot by Patrick W. Carr $50.00 GC/PP. Ends 8/11/13.
BookBlast Blog Tour Giveaway: The Hero's Lot by Patrick W. Carr $25.00 GC/PP.  Ends 8/11/13.

Mailbox Monday July 29, 2013

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
For JULY: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Tasha @ Book Obsessed.
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) but is now hosted at Mailbox Monday and through various blog hosts.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I didn't receive any review books this week but I won a GC and picked up the free audio titles from SYNC YA. 

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

None.

Won

I did win a $10.00 gift certificate this week from Coffee Time Romance Steampunk Blog!
I haven't selected the titles yet but hope to soon.

Purchased

None

Free

Audios:

I downloaded this past week's free pair from SYNC YA July 25 – July 31, 2013:
I'm particularly interested in this pair as I love the Prince and Pauper story!

The False Prince
By Jennifer A. Nielsen
Read by Charlie McWade
Published by Scholastic Audiobooks
“McWade’s pacing and storytelling…leave listeners awaiting the young king’s next adventures.” –AudioFile Magazine
In the country of Carthya, a devious nobleman engages four orphans in a brutal competition to be selected to impersonate the king’s long-missing son in an effort to avoid a civil war.

and

The Prince and the Pauper
By Mark Twain
Read by Steve West
Published by Blackstone Audiobooks
“…brought to entertaining life by Steve West’s wonderful performance…engaging the listener in a way the printed word cannot.” –AudioFile Magazine
The classic story of a poor London boy and a rich young prince, who share an uncanny resemblance and get an opportunity to appreciate each other’s life firsthand when they swap identities.

I downloaded a couple of free Kindle Titles this week
linked through Bookfun, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle Review.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? July 29, 2013

This meme starts at Book Journey!

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'm not sure why my reading seemed slow this week. One book went quickly but another was slow, even if good reading. I posted three reviews (although in my head I posted four), two Giveaway links and a Giveaway Hop. I also posted the weekly Mailbox Monday meme, Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I didn't get to visit at all last week. I hope I can make up some visiting this week. 
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts (plus winner post):

• It's Monday What are You Reading? July 22, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday July 21, 2013.

• BookBlast Giveaway: The Hero's Lot by Patrick W. Carr $50.00 GC/PP. Ends 8/11/13.

• Book Review: West Palm Part 1: The Undertaker's Apprentice by  Joss Cordero, Mystery; my rating 4.0.

• Lazy Days of Summer Spontaneous Giveaway Hop. Ends 8/4/13.

• Audio Book Review: The Deliverers: Sharky and the Jewel by Gregory S. Slomba, Middle Grade, Fantasy Adventure; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 26, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 8/1.

• BookBlast Blog Tour Giveaway: The Hero's Lot by Patrick W. Carr $25.00 GC/PP.  Ends 8/14/13.

• Saturday Snapshot July 27, 2013 - Stalking Pets
  

• Book Review and Giveaway: Flight of the Raven by Ellen Harris, Cozy Mystery, Inspirational; my rating 4.0.   Ends 8/2.

• Sharing Beyond Books #110 Comment Giveaway 7/27/13. Open Worldwide. Ends 8/2.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 28, 2013.
  

Finished Reading:
1. Print

Crazy Little Thing Called Love
by Molly Cannon
This is a fun read.
I will post a review and Review copy giveaway this week.
Click on Title for full book description.

2. Audible

The Overton Window
    by Glenn Beck
    Narrated by James Daniels
This was hard to put down.

I will post a review this week.
Click on Title for full book description.

3. eBook/Kindle

The Hero's Lot
by Patrick W. Carr
I enjoyed the action and the messages in this story.
I am late but will post the review on Tuesday 7/30. 
Don't miss the two giveaway links.
Click on Title for full book description.

Line Edits/Releases:
Here is what we released:

New eBook:
The Late, Great Benjamin Bale by John Joseph Doody
The Guild Saga, Book Two

The destinies of two men depend on Maggie Thorn. One is dying and the other is dead...or is he?

Supreme Fleet Commander, Admiral Geoff Grangore knows of only one man who could get Maggie to Timmerus and back while traitorous eyes are watching. That man is an old drunk who lives deep in the Thandimonean wilderness with his pet Eno, Snot. Benjamin Bale is suicidal and cantankerous, and Maggie can’t stand him—at first.

Bale is a dead man. At least, that’s what everyone was told. But this dead man has a final mission to perform. The greatest star pilot in the galaxy has a chance to redeem himself and make right a great wrong. A wrong which he can never forgive or forget. A wrong that cost him everything.

Genres: Science Fiction, Action/Adventure
Pages:  370, Novel

Print Release:
Flick-Flick and Dreamer by Margaret Karmazin
Kindle Release:
Love is Not Proud [Kindle Edition] (Two 5 star reviews!)

Currently reading:

1. Print

Flirting with Texas 
by Katie Lane
I am 30% into this and the characters are a bit crazy.
I am reading this for Hachette/Forever.
Click on Title for full book description.

2. Audible

Ready Player One
     by Ernest Cline
     Narrated by Wil Wheaton 
I decided to slip this audio in from my own Audible Library. It is very engaging! 
Publisher's Summary
At once wildly original and stuffed with irresistible nostalgia, Ready Player One is a spectacularly genre-busting, ambitious, and charming debut—part quest novel, part love story, and part virtual space opera set in a universe where spell-slinging mages battle giant Japanese robots, entire planets are inspired by Blade Runner, and flying DeLoreans achieve light speed.
It’s the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.
Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of 10,000 planets.
And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune—and remarkable power—to whoever can unlock them.
For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday’s riddles are based in the pop culture he loved—that of the late 20th century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday’s icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes’s oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig.
And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle.
Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt—among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life—and love—in the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.
A world at stake.
A quest for the ultimate prize.
Are you ready?

3. eBook/Kindle

Click: An Online Love Story
by Lisa Becker
I will start this later in the week.
Reviewing for the Author.
Book Description
Publication Date: March 29, 2011
Fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating, and without even a prospect or a house full of cats, Renee Greene, the heroine of Click: An Online Love Story, reluctantly joins her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles. The story unfolds through a series of emails between Renee and her best friends (anal-compulsive Mark, the overly-judgmental Ashley and the over-sexed Shelley) as well as the gentlemen suitors she meets online. From the guy who starts every story with "My buddies and I were out drinking one night," to the egotistical "B" celebrity looking for someone to stroke his ego, Renee endures her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates. Fraught with BCC's, FWD's and inadvertent Reply to All's, readers will root for Renee to "click" with the right man.

I continue to listen to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. [Reading and listening on MP3.] I have been remiss and not keeping up with daily reading with my DH.

Line Edits: Still working. Several more releases being prepared for the next few weeks. I am still doing more Smashword conversions in between print formatting.

I have several print books carrying over from June to July and new ones added. The new additions push the total beyond what I wanted so we'll see how things go week to week. Looks like I will not get everything done in July and several will roll into August.

July Scheduled:

Sourcebooks
    (none scheduled unless I pick up at NetGalley)
Hachette - Forever
    A House Divided by Kimberly Lawson Roby
    Flirting with Texas by Katie Lane (reading)
    Guilty as Sin by Jami Alden
    Revenge by Debra Webb

NetGalley: (July and early August)
      The Companions, The Sundering, Book I by R. A. Salvatore
      The Godborn, The Sundering, Book II by Paul S. Kemp
      Windshift by Joyce Faulkner

AudioBook Jukebox (July and early August)
      The Eye of Molech by Glen Beck, Narrated by Jeremy Lowell

Author Books received at March EPICon
     Convict Dad by P. Ryan Hembree

Author Review titles:
     Click: An Online Love Story by Lisa Becker (reading)
     Double Click by Lisa Becker

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 28, 2013

We had a beautiful service of praise and joy. Our guest minister today spoke on Awareness and Prevention of Sex Trafficking. These comments are from her message.

A government report has stated that ‘Prevention is less costly than rescue and restoration...’ There are 27 million people in our country, America, who are involved in sex trafficking. It is a $32 Billion dollar industry and America ranks third largest of the countries involved.

The children who are pulled in, some as runaways and some kidnaped, are 12 to 14 years of age. Their average life in ‘the business’ is seven years and then they are thrown out or allowed to die.  The victims are conditioned by: starvation, gang rape, confinement, threats to family, beatings, and forced drug addiction.

Traffickers are going to smaller communities, college towns and hiding at churches. College Towns. The trafficking mafia are now using young girls as plants in schools and even church youth groups. They are befriended other young girls and lure them to an overnight when they are drugged and disappear. Parents need to be extra vigilant. The FBI has stated that if a missing child is not found within 72 hours then it is likely they are gone to in another country.

This information is not to create fear, as fear is not of God. But we must make sure our children are aware that this is not a safe world. Parents must watch internet use and always be aware of where your children are going and with whom – get phone numbers and addresses. Visit the homes before allowing sleep-overs. You wouldn’t give your wedding ring to someone to keep overnight. Are not your children even more precious?

Awareness calls for response. What can we do? We can volunteer to become mentors for young girls. We can participate in marches for Awareness or floats in any parade. We can push for stiffer sentencing. Fortunately Florida has strong laws. The most important thing we can do is to is to pray a hedge of protection around our families and churches -- continually. And be willing to help rescued victims to know there is a way back for them.

All countries have fallen from moral depravity. Our speaker likens the victims to this description in Isaiah 42:22 (NLT): But his own people have been robbed and plundered, enslaved, imprisoned, and trapped. They are fair game for anyone and have no one to protect them, no one to take them back home.
Christians are known to say 'God Bless America' but now we need to say “God Save America!”

I failed to pick up the information after the service but here are a few sites with some information.
http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/201201/201201_088_sextraffic.cfm
http://usmissions.ag.org/resources/human_trafficking.cfm
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/faqs.html

We sang this very uplifting song this morning!
I've Got a Song to Sing.

A Verse for Today:
John 17:15
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

I pray for protection of my grandchildren and my church family. I pray for deliverance for all those innocents who have been enslaved by evil traffickers.

Sharing Beyond Books #110 Comment Giveaway July 27, 2013

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to SBB, Sharing Beyond Books.

I've had a strange week but I keep pushing through.

Most of you have never read Manga, nor watch anime. Nine of 25 have read Manga and 12 have watched anime. Several mentioned Howl's Moving Castle which is one of my son's favs and I think I have seen part of that. I'll have to watch it next time we are together.

Thank you to all who shared last week.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #109 comments is: #17 lesleysays who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #110 Questions

Q1. Liss asks: Have you had a moment when you don't want to read a book? If so, what do you do??

A: I really can't think of a time when I didn't want to read. :-) If I am not into one book I might switch to an audiobook but I am usually happy to read. 

(Just teasing - there is no such thing as a silly question.)
Image found at The Parkville Bookworm.

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: How many purses do you have; how many do you use??

A: I have about ten purses but I only use five of them. I generally use a black bag that fits  my Kindle and MP3. However for church I rotate three bags depending on season and color: white (summer), brick color (fall) and black (winter). I also have one small bag I use for formal evenings.

Image found at Love Your Purse, Shoes and Hat Blog.

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! We are getting low on questions so hopefully you will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use. 
JULY QUESTION CONTRIBUTORS: Elizabeth, Margaret, Nikki and Liss. The Random.org pick is #1 so Elizabeth gets a choice of GC.

Your turn to share:

Q1. Liss asks:Have you had a moment when you don't want to read a book? If so, what do you do??

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: How many purses do you have; how many do you use??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books , the Christmas Giveaway Books, or the June 2012 Newly Updated ARC/Review List.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two questions 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 by Friday, August 2, 2013 at 10 PM central.