Book Review: Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series) by A. American

This is another engrossing episode to this action-packed series.

Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series)
by A. American

• File Size: 705 KB
• Print Length: 528 pages
• Publisher: Plume (June 25, 2013)
• Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
• ASIN: B00DMBMRYG

Genre: Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: June 25, 2013
Book 2 of The Survivalist Series
No electricity. No running water. No food. No end in sight. If life as you knew it changed in an instant, would you be prepared?

In A. American’s first novel, Going Home, readers were introduced to Morgan Carter, the resourceful, tough-as-nails survivalist who embarks on a treacherous 250-mile journey across Florida following the collapse of the nation’s power grid. Now reunited with his loving wife and daughters in this follow-up to Going Home, Morgan knows that their happiness is fleeting, as the worst is yet to come. Though for years Morgan has been diligently preparing for emergency situations, many of his neighbors are completely unready for life in this strange new world—and they’re starting to get restless.

With the help of his closest companions, Morgan fights to keeps his home secure—only to discover shocking information about the state of the nation in the process.

Fans of James Wesley Rawles, William R. Forstchen's One Second After, and The End by G. Michael Hopf will revel in A. American's apocalyptic tale.

Review:
Book Two picks up where Book One ended, with our characters having arrived home to their families. Now they have to sort how they will proceed to protect their families in their own communities. Very quickly there are those who didn’t prepare seeking handouts from others and threatening to take what they feel they need. Morgan takes a firm stance against those who might try to steal from his family or who threaten them. This creates bad feelings with some of the other residents. The deputy sheriff in the community won’t back Morgan nor make strong decisions. There are moments of coming together but then there are raiders who attack and Morgan puts out a call to Sarge for help.

Thad was pretty isolated with his family and a neighbor who had a nice little farm. He helps out the older farmer who provides food supplies in exchange. Then thieves attack the old man and Thad has to make hard decisions. Next government in the form of a postal worker with a security guard comes knocking on the door to give Thad and his wife assignments in a work camp. Thad has prepared his family to run but the men return before he can get his family out safely. Thad seeks revenge before heading out to join Morgan.

Meanwhile Sarge and the guys are moving from camp to camp as they are hunted by enemies and trying to join up with friendly forces. They finally get assignments to act as raiders when they find the opportunity and they combine that assignment with responding to Morgan’s call for help.

This story really causes one to think how you would respond in similar circumstances. There is great opportunity for fear of neighbors, raiders and the government. There is a fine balance of trying to help while still maintaining a protective base for your own loved ones. There are some brutal and gruesome scenes that some readers might shy away from but I still recommend reading and skimming those sections if the reader is squeamish.

This read very quickly considering the number of pages. I was so engrossed in this episode that I was startled and dismayed when it came to an end with a surprising cliff hanger! I will definitely be picking up the next books in the series!

I received this title for review through NetGalley.

Audible Book Review: Going Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 1 by A. American

I like this addition to the end-of-the-world genre - I found it very engaging and a good listen.
Going Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 1

• Written by: A. American
• Narrated by: Duke Fontaine
• Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins 
• • Series: Survivalist, Book 1
• Format: Unabridged


Release Date:10-28-13
Publisher: Penguin Audio

Genre: End of the World, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
If society collapsed, could you survive?
When Morgan Carter's car breaks down 250 miles from his home, he figures his weekend plans are ruined. But things are about to get much, much worse: The country's power grid has collapsed. There is no electricity, no running water, no Internet, and no way to know when normalcy will be restored - if it ever will be.
An avid survivalist, Morgan takes to the road with his prepper pack on his back. During the grueling trek from Tallahassee to his home in Lake County, chaos threatens his every step but Morgan is hell-bent on getting home to his wife and daughters - and he'll do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Fans of James Wesley Rawles, William R. Forstchen's One Second After, and The End by G. Michael Hopf will revel in A. American's apocalyptic tale.
©2013 A. American (P)2013 Penguin Audiobooks

Review:
Morgan is in north Florida when something terrible goes wrong causing all electronics to die. Modern cars don’t work, phones don’t work; there is no electricity anywhere so no lights, no refrigerators, no running water. Morgan happens to be a survivalist enthusiast so he has always carried a prepared pack. It doesn’t take him long to realize that this isn’t just a local or temporary blackout. He takes his pack and heads out on foot to make the 250 mile trek home to Lake County in mid Florida where his wife and three girls will be anxiously waiting..

Morgan plans to make the trip alone but soon gets a tag along of a young college girl, Jess, who is trying to get home to the Ocala area. A bit further along they are joined by a burly black man, Thad, who needs to go to the Tampa suburbs. The two men are pretty formidable and even Jess adds extra hands to the work load and the security details that are clearly needed. The trio manage to get an old truck to help them on their trip but they will have to fight to keep that and their gear. There are clusters of people who are just sadly pathetic, looking for handouts, but other groups are violently aggressive seeking to take what they can.

Thad was a trucker and used to chat on the radio with a tough old military fellow he knows as Sarge. When Morgan is injured in an ambush Thad manages to get them to Sarge’s house, which is more like a mini military compound. Sarge is joined by three military men, Mike, Ted and Doc, who have gone awol from a government troop that isn’t right. Instead of giving aid the government is scaring people into camps which are more like concentration camps than a refuge.

I really found this story engaging with the survival gear and the basic realities of life without electronics. It also distinguishes between the range of people-good, lazy and evil-and how they might react to a world without power. The story is very much character driven with Morgan being the strong-minded man who will do what it takes, with a hard attitude, to get home to his family. Jess is a cheerful girl who thinks she is ready to face the trek but soon learns that life is going to be much harder and more brutal than she was prepared for. Thad is a friendly, kind and loving man. But even he learns that sometimes you have to be tougher than the next guy to survive. Sarge is a crusty old warrior with his team of commandos who are ready to hide and fight against corruption.

The writing is straight forward and quick reading/listening. There is obviously quite a bit of violence and gun fights and some foul language in typical scenes.

Audio Notes: I found this to be a really good listen and was anxious to keep listening when ever I could. I thought Duke Fontaine did a good job with the different voices and the nuances of the characters. If you enjoy end of the world scenarios this is a good addition to the genre and the audio moves it along at a good pace.

I picked this up at Audible to listen before reading Book 2 for NetGalley

Audible Book Review: Ghost Hunter by Jayne Castle

A good paranormal romance but not such a great listen.

Ghost Hunter

Written by: Jayne Castle

• Narrated by: Laural Merlington
• Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins 
• • Series: Ghost Hunters, Book 3
• Format: Unabridged


Release Date:10-17-08
Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Genre: Paranormal Romance

My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Where deadly energy ghosts lurk in the ruins of an ancient alien civilization.
Where dust bunnies prove to be loyal pets.
And where a ghost hunter will discover that a woman's heart is the most dangerous adversary of all...
Local Guild boss and powerful ghost-hunter Cooper Boone is everything botanist Elly St. Clair could ask for - the handsome, strong, and silent type. Maybe too silent. For when Guild secrets threaten her career at the college, Elly has to call off their marriage - and leave small-town life behind...
But starting over in the thriving metropolis of Cadence City isn't easy, especially when one of Elly's new friends disappears in the eerie catacombs beneath the streets. Cooper turns up just in time to help Elly investigate. And as the mystery deepens and dangerous ghost myths and legends come to light, Cooper makes it clear he intends to stick around - and this time he's holding nothing back...
(P)2006 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Review:
Elly often feels like an underachiever in her family of strong psi-gifted family of ghost hunters. Elly does have a psi-gift but it is with plants which even her family, not to mention the professionals, discount as a form of madness. Because of her family, Elly is a prime marital catch for anyone looking to gain position and influence in her local guild. Elly became engaged to Cooper because she was immediately attracted to him. However, Cooper is the new Guild boss and is often too busy to spend time with her. He has canceled several dates and has barely kissed her during their six month engagement. When Elly learns that Cooper basically fought a duel over her she is concerned about the scandal. She is even more concerned when Cooper shows little interest or understanding of her feelings. She feels the best way to get over him, or maybe stir his emotions if possible, is to move away.

Six months later Cooper shows up in Elly’s new community claiming to have some business to take care of. Cooper has always been focused and driven to reach his goals. He succeeded in business and now he has to find a way to succeed in his personal and emotional life. He isn’t ready to tell Elly that she is his important business but he is ready to try to win her back. Fortunately he has arrived just in time to use his skills to help her find a missing friend in the dangerous catacombs and tunnels that exist underground, left behind from a prior alien society.

I thought this series, with extra sensory skills and archaeological elements would be interesting. I enjoyed the mystery, danger and the romantic conflict and although there are some fun features -the dust bunnies - I wasn’t overly impressed with this one. That may have been due to the narration which was a bit of a whine for me or it may be that my tastes are shifting from romance to more action and suspense.

I have enjoyed a number of romances, contemporary and historical and some paranormal stories by Ms Castle (aka Jayne Krentz, aka Amanda Quick). I will give the first book in this series a try just to make sure.

Audio Notes: I was disappointed with this narrator who made the whole reading sound too blaise or too whiney. It detracted from the story this time as I see that I liked the story elements but was glad when I finished the audio.

I've had this in my Audible library for a while. 

Audible Book Review: Conspiracy in Death by J.D. Robb

Another intense investigation with Eve and Roarke
Conspiracy in Death: In Death, Book 8

• Written by: J. D. Robb
• Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
• Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins 
• • Series: In Death, Book 8
• Format: Unabridged





Release Date:05-20-08
Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Genre: Mystery, Suspense
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
With the precision of a surgeon, a serial killer preys on the most vulnerable souls of the world's city streets. The first victim: a sidewalk sleeper, found dead in New York City. No bruises, no signs of struggle. Just a laser-perfect, fist-sized hole where his heart had once been. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is assigned to investigate. But in the heat of a cat-and-mouse game with the killer, Dallas' job is suddenly on the line. Now her hands are tied...between a struggle for justice - and a fight for her career.

Crack another case with Eve Dallas.
©2007 J. D. Robb; (P)2007 Brilliance Audio

Review:
Eve Dallas faces a skilled, clearly arrogant surgeon in this eighth installment. Someone is killing the homeless and unwanted in society - those whom some police consider not worth much effort in investigation. The deaths are done with laser-perfect precision removing organs which would seem to be damaged. Since the organs have no worth on a black market what could be the purpose?

Eve finds at the first scene a street officer, Bowers, who went to Academy with Eve although Eve doesn’t remember her much. But Bowers remembers Eve and is extremely bitter at Eve’s successful career. Bowers is about to cause major trouble for Eve accusing her of a wide range of inappropriate behavior including bigotry, abuse and sleeping her way to the top. Eve doesn’t care about Bowers’ insubordinate, bad attitude except to the extent it obstructs Eve’s investigation because it is clear that Bowers could care less about the homeless and prostitute victims.

Eve is putting unappreciated pressure on the creme of the surgical community and slowly uncovering a history of like crimes that begin to give her clues to a motive. Unfortunately, just as she is getting closer to the killer, Eve is devastated when Bowers’ distracting reports lead to a suspension for the possible murder of Bowers! Taking away her badge is equal to taking away the identity that Eve managed to create for herself.

It takes support, both technical and emotional, from Roarke to see Eve through this trouble and help her solve the medical crime. As always there is plenty of action, could rapport with Eve’s team and wonderful personal interaction with Roarke.

Audio notes: Susan Ericksen does a fabulous job with this series. She makes a good mystery even better with exceptional emotional intensity and personality to the voices. I really enjoy listening to this series!

I picked this from my own Audible Library.

Mailbox Monday February 24, 2014

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 Mailbox post covers three weeks (Feb 3- Feb 23) but I haven't picked up that many review books. The two review books I did receive are audios from Audiobook Jukebox.  I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.
Additionally there were a handful of Kindle titles I purchased and many Kindle books.


Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Two titles I selected from Audiobook Jukebox:

Silver City Massacre

Title: Silver City Massacre
Author: Charles G. West
Narrator: Jim Meskimen
Publisher/Date: AudioGO, 01/17/14

A Confederate Soldier battles peril on the way to Silver City and tries to protects two women who survived attacks along the way.

Blind Goddess

Title: A Blind Goddess

Author: James R. Benn
Narrator: Peter Berkrot
Publisher/Date: Blackstone Audio, 01/01/14

A double mystery for a US Army Captain returning to England in 1944

after a successful mission in Italy.

Won

None.

Purchased

Kindle purchases:

The Sea Glass Sisters

Purchased:	February 22, 2014
Price:	$1.99
	View Product Page

The Saving Mars Series Books 1-3

Purchased:	February 17, 2014
Price:	$0.99
	View Product Page

Cinder Purchased:	February 15, 2014
Price:	$2.99
	View Product Page

The Titan Series: Military Romance Box Set: (3 novels + 2 novellas)

Purchased:	February 15, 2014
Price:	$0.99
	View Product Page

The Highland Heart Collection -- A Contemporary Romance Box Set (The Highland Heart Series)

Purchased: February 10, 2014 Price: $0.99 View Product Page

Free

Plus I downloaded another close to 120 free Kindle titles - about 40 per week for three weeks.  Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.