Audio Book Review: The Protector by Marliss Melton

This is a solidly good romantic suspense.

The Protector
by Marliss Melton

Narrated by: David Brenin
Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
Series: Taskforce Series, Book 1
Format: Unabridged
Release Date:11-05-13
Publisher: James-York Press

Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Eryn McClellan teaches ESL in Washington, D.C., until the day she's targeted by terrorists avenging her father's actions in Afghanistan. The FBI has stepped in, but when it looks like they are using her for bait, General McClellan enlists the aid of the only man he knows he can trust: former Navy SEAL Ike Calhoun.
Embracing solitude in his remote cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ike thought he'd left the War on Terror behind. Now he's stuck shielding a blue-eyed beauty from ambitious federal agents and crazed jihadists. More disturbing still, the charming Eryn seems intent on shattering his self-imposed isolation. Ike does his best to resist her welcoming ways, but he can feel his restraint eroding like a mountain in a mudslide.
With the FBI hot on their heels and the terrorists not far behind, Ike willingly wages a one-man war in defense of the woman whose passion and faith have given him the strength to rise above his past.
©2011 Marliss Meltlon Arruda (P)2013 Marliss Melton Arruda

Review:
Eryn was accustomed to traveling with her military dad. But a time came when her mother Eryn went off to college and then she had to establish a life and home for herself while her father, now a General, led his troops in dangerous lands like Afghanistan. Eryn is pleased to help teach ESL, English as Second Language, but one evening she barely escapes a kidnapping. Apparently Eryn has become the target of a jihadist who seeks revenge against her father.

Eryn is taken into protective custody by the FBI, unaware that a career climbing agent is using her as bait. Eryn’s father will only trust her safety to specially trained men who used to be under his command. He has called Ike out of his guilt ridden seclusion to rescue Eryn and keep her safe. Eryn has heard her father mention this man but that doesn’t mean she is simply going to walk away with him...that is until the safe house blows up behind her and she realizes that she is not safe with the FBI.

Ike whisks Eryn and her faithful dog away to his remote cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He has a security system and escape routes mapped out. Soon he will need them as the FBI somehow follow Eryn to the remote location and try to get her to return with them. When Eryn and Ike refuse to cooperate the FBI raise enough ruckus to bring the press and lead the terrorists straight to Eryn.

Eryn is a fairly pampered young woman, a ‘princess’ as Ike dubs her. He is a dark, moody and bossy body guard. They don’t seem to have much in common but they are drawn to each other. She wants to pull him out of his solitude and she needs a protector. He tries to resist the temptation of his former commander’s beautiful daughter but he is fighting a losing battle, especially when she throws herself at him.

I really enjoyed the action of this story and, although there were moments when Eryn was bratty and annoying, I came to like both Eryn and Ike and their somewhat reluctant attraction. Their encounter does get to a steamy point but it is well on into the story and is secondary to the suspense and danger of the plot. Caution: There is some swear language. I recommend this to readers who like romantic suspense. I’ll be on the look-out for more titles to read by Ms. Melton.

Audio Notes: David Brenin does a decent job with the narration. He does infuse excitement and emotion even though there is not a lot of accent shift. This was a solid, enjoyable listen.

I received this title through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review.

Mailbox Monday April 7, 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.

I received one audio for review and selected another for my own TBR.
(I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

One Title Selected through Audiobook Jukebox:



Through Many Fires: Strengthen What Remains
Written by: Kyle Pratt
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Publisher: Camden Cascade Publishing

Another post-apocalyptic thriller.

I selected this title from Audible

Escaping Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 3

Written by: A. American

Narrated by: Duke Fontaine

Release Date:10-30-13

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Book 3 of this post apocalyptic series.

Won

None.

Purchased

None

 Free

Plus I downloaded another 50 or so free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday What are You Reading? April 7, 2014

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 have been feeling better and reading was good this week.  I got four reviews posted,  one Print giveaway and the usual memes. :-)

I did spend time with emails to authors but I realized yesterday that I didn't get to visit other bloggers this week- yikes.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? March 30, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday March 30, 2014.

• Book Review: Jaspar's War by Cym Lowell; Thriller; my rating 4.25.

• Audio Book Review: Night Broken: Mercy Thompson, Book 8 by Patricia Briggs; Urban Fantasy, Paranomral Romance; my rating 4.75.

• Book Review: Issachar's Heirs by Brian Chilton; Political Thriller, Christian Fiction; my rating 4.75. 

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 4, 2014.  Open Worldwide. Ends 4/10/14.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Unwilling Warrior by Andrea Boeshaar; Inspirational, Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.  Ends 4/14/14, 5pm CST.

• Sharing Beyond Books #145 Comment Giveaway 4/5/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 4/12/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 6, 2014.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio/MP4

The Protector
by Marliss Melton
This is a good romantic suspense.
I will review it this week.
Reviewing through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Issachar's Heirs
by Brian Chilton
This political thriller is awesome! Review linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Print

Unwilling Warrior, Seasons of Redemption Series #1
by Andrea Boeshaar
A charming, inspirational historical romance. Review and Giveaway linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

eTreasures' New Release:

Dragon Fly by Miles Wright
Michael knew Maddie was sick, but not this sick. As his only friend in the institution where they are both patients, Michael is determined not to leave Maddie when he escapes. At first she seems happy to go with him, though she does an awful lot of rambling about the moon. But when they hole up in an empty vacation house, Michael is forced to accept that Maddie was sicker than he thought. Now as she lay staring up at the sky, he can tell she is gone. Gone to the moon.

Desperate to revive her, Michael takes Maddie to the Angel Tree in his friend Joshua’s back yard. Michael is convinced the tree holds special magic that can bring Maddie back, but his hope is dashed when it becomes obvious Maddie is truly dead.

After the funeral, Michael can’t get Maddie out of his head. He must find a way to the moon to be with her. He thinks the answer lay in a medallion depicting a dragon in flight with the moon in the background. If only he can find a dragon and catch it, he can fly to the moon! But where to find a dragon?
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 203

Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
Current giveaway link:  A Ghost Hunt by Jack Horne
Check for the new giveaway every two weeks.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

You're Not Safe (Texas Rangers)
by Mary Burton
I am enjoying this romantic suspense.
I'll be reviewing with giveaway later this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio

Through Many Fires: Strengthen What Remains
Written by: Kyle Pratt
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
This is another post apocalyptic story.
Reviewing through Audiobook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
Terrorists smuggle a nuclear bomb into Washington D.C. and detonate it during the State of the Union Address. Army veteran and congressional staffer Caden Westmore is in nearby Bethesda and watches as a mushroom cloud grows over the capital. The next day, as he drives away from the still burning city, he learns that another city has been destroyed and then another. America is under siege. Panic ensues and society starts to unravel. Through Many Fires is Kyle Pratt's third novel.
©2013 Kyle Douglas Pratt (P)2013 Kyle Douglas Pratt

3. eBook/Kindle

Hard to Handle (Love in the Balance)
by Jessica Lemmon
A Second chance at romance. Reviewing for Hachette.
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
ONCE BURNED
Sadie Howard never dates a guy more than once-but Fate has other plans for her when it comes to Aiden Downey, the one that got away. Aiden loved her, left her, and broke her heart. Yet suddenly she's bumping into him at every turn, driven to distraction by his wicked grin and rock-hard body. Now she can't resist finishing what they started-as long as she doesn't let herself fall in love . . .

TWICE AS TEMPTING
Aiden Downey threw away the best thing he ever had when he let Sadie go, and now he's determined to win back the woman he's always wanted. Sadie agrees to let him into her life-and her bed-as long as there are no strings attached. But Aiden's not about to make the same mistake again. Can he convince her to take a second chance on a once-in-a-lifetime love?

4. eBook/Kindle

Anointed: The Cantati Chronicles
by Maggie Mae Gallagher
I am looking forward to this action fantasy which I selected through NetGalley.
Book Description
Publication Date: February 25, 2014
My name is Alana Devereaux. I enjoy the simple things in life, walks in the park, sky gazing, and ripping a demon's heart out through its chest. I am a demon slayer, the last of my kind, and I have been sent back through time to save your world. How am I doing so far? My time travel went haywire, all the signs I needed to stop the prophecy have passed, and the only way I can save my world is by keeping yours from ending. Then there's Gaelen, most days I want to deck him. He hides his true motives and if it was not for the intel he had, I would be rid of him. Any day in my life without a demon attack is a good day; I haven't had a whole lot of those lately. The only problem is, if I don’t stop the Mutari, this world will burn.

I am up to date on my daily Bible reading. :-)

Line Edits: We are now finalizing formatting for two ebook re-releases, as well as working on a new children's release.

This month I have more review books than from my own TBR. :-) I completed four reviews this week so I still have 4 to review. That pretty much keeps  me up to date. 

April Scheduled -
April 10  - Review & Giveaway: You’re Not Safe by Mary Burton through Joan Schulhafer
    Publishing & Media Consulting
April 16 - Review & Giveaway: Hard to Handle (Love in the Balance) by Jessica 
   Lemmon through Hachette
April 17 - 4th Annual Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop
April 22 - Review & Feature - The Temptations of Anna Jacobs by Robyn DeHart
  through AuthorPal/Penquin Group


NetGalley: I did pick up some more titles for April. 
Anointed: The Cantati Chronicles by Maggie Gallagher
Fair Play: A Novel by Deeanne Gist
Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig
The Escape (Survivor's Club) by Mary Balogh

Authors
 Many requests to field and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox (have one more to be received and then more to request.)
   The Protector by Marliss Melton
   Through Many Fires: Strengthen What Remains by Kyle Pratt

From TBR Collection - The Seducer by Madeline Hunter
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords - TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 6, 2014

The scripture reading this week has continued in Deuteronomy. Our Sunday school teacher advised that the phrase "the Lord Your God" is mentioned at least 250 times. God was making the point that He wanted them to recognize that He was their God and they were not to worship any other idols or gods. As long as the people worship the Lord, they would be blessed. But if they turned away to worship idols or other gods then they would be cursed. Deuteronomy 28.  It is surprising that the Israelites could see the miracles God performed in their lives - to free them from slavery in Egypt and provide for them in the wilderness - yet the people were easily led into idolatry. Numbers 25.

Yet, even today we who consider ourselves as faithful believers sometimes do not recognize the miracles of God and the wonderful presence of God. Just this morning God shared a message through one of our sisters in Sunday School. It was an awesome message of God’s sovereignty and love for us that we have been adopted into His family and He is the Lord, Our God, and we must remember to acknowledge Him and worship Him as such. When the message was ended we uttered ‘amen’, ‘thank you’ and ‘praise the Lord.  ‘Our leader/teacher then asked: ‘Are we awed, as we should be, that God loves us enough to speak directly to us.’ Sometimes we take that honor for granted when it is such a special blessing that should never be taken for granted.

I do believe God is doing a work in our congregation. We felt His presence in ladies’ prayer group yesterday morning as we prayed for needs and for this morning’s baptism service. We felt His presence again this morning during praise and worship. It is an awesome thing!

Forevermore Awesome God!
(Lyrics can be read at the link.)

Verses for Today:
Deuteronomy 28 (NIV) Blessings for Obedience
9 The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as He promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you. 

Lord please help me to recognize your hand and presence in my live each day!

Sharing Beyond Books #145 Comment Giveaway April 5, 2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Most of us have TBRs that we may never get through. However Mystica has limited to access to print books but now has some on IPAD. Rubynreba tries to keep her pile small and reads what she has. Llehn and bn100 read their TBR pile "one book at a time". :-)

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #144 comments is: #18 Linda (Linda's lucky week) 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 #145 (One Question.)

Q1. bn100 asks: What's the weirdest place you've ever visited??

A:  I really am having trouble thinking of the "weirdest". I have seen several interesting places like Alcatrez in California, volcano tunnels in Hawaii, caverns in Carlsbad, the Grand Canyon and glaciers. But I guess one of the most unusual or 'weirdest' would be the upside down gardens in Juneau, Alaska. 

My picture of an upside down tree at Mendenhall Gardens in Juneau, Alaska.

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 still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use. 

Your turn to share:

Q1. bn100 asks: What's the weirdest place you've ever visited??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books, the Christmas Giveaway Books (this is the new link), or the June 2013 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 through Saturday April 12, 2014 at 5 PM  central.