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Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Book Review: SEAL Team Six: Hunt the Wolf by Don Mann

This is an action packed and engaging story.
by Don Mann 
A SEAL Team Six Novel
  • File Size: 704 KB
  • Print Length: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Mulholland Books (June 26, 2012)
  • Sold by: Hachette Book Group
  • ASIN: B006L87BUW
Genre: Military Thriller, Action
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: June 26, 2012
Navy SEAL Team Six commando Don Mann infuses his debut military thriller with the real-life details only a true insider can reveal.
In the midst of a grueling training exercise, Thomas Crocker, USN, unearths a pocket of terrorism that leads straight from the slopes of K2 to the cities of Europe and the Middle East. Crocker and his team, who are trained for the most intense kinds of combat in the most extreme environments, must blaze through a perilous web of terrorist cells to track down a ruthless sheikh who is running an international kidnapping ring before his captives pay the ultimate price.
HUNT THE WOLF is an adrenaline-packed novel sure to appeal to fans of Vince Flynn and Brad Thor, featuring the world's most elite soldiers and based on the experiences of renowned SEAL Team 6 commando Don Mann.


Review:
Crocker is a Navy Seal team leader who likes to ‘get the job done’ with minimal mess and minimal collateral damage. He and his team are sent into a covert op to take out Zaman, an al-Qaeda terrorist. They destroy the dwelling target thinking they have accomplished the mission. There are two problems though and Crocker takes them both personally. First, a young girl is killed in the blast. Second, it appears that the primary target was allowed to exit the building in disguise. Although unavoidable, these errors still impact Crocker’s confidence, not to mention the fact that his superiors don’t want to give him a second chance to get Zaman.

Crocker has a thin clue to pursue and, unlike the powers who spend time disputing policies, Croker is a man who takes action. While waiting for more information Crocker and his team head to climb the dangerous mountain of Concordia in Pakistan. The climb keeps the teams’ skills sharp and also provides them cover to be in the country. Before beginning the climb Crocker is asked to help track down a daughter of an important Norwegian official who has gone missing. Crocker’s gut tells him that there is a connection between Zaman and the slave traders who have been taking beautiful blonde girls to deliver them to a ruthless sheikh.

There is plenty of action that keeps this moving at a fast pace. Although the climb is a little off track, I really enjoyed the action, the danger and the excitement of the climb as well as the danger of the hunt for the kidnappers. Crocker is a strong, honorable and steady character. The other team members are not deeply developed although each has their own skills and foibles.

Author Mann creates a reasonably realistic plot with engaging action and manages to convey some philosophical statements along the way. Caution: there is some bad language and, needless to say, violence. I would gladly read more from this author and more in this series.

I picked this up to read through NetGalley.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Audible Book Review: Forsaking Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 4 by A. American

There are more survivor basics and adventures in this fourth book.
Forsaking Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 4
By A. American
Narrated By Duke Fontaine
Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins
Series: Survivalist, Book 4
Format: Unabridged
Release Date:06-24-14
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Genre: Post Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Release Date: 06-24-14
Morgan Carter has weathered the weeks after the collapse of the nation's power grid, reuniting with his family and ensuring their safety, but his struggle isn't over yet. Carter must focus on survival in an increasingly unstable society - but the challenges he faces are beyond his wildest imagination. Meanwhile, the enclosed quarters of the nearby government-run refugee camp make for an environment where injury, assault and murder are the norm.


Review:
The survival saga continues in book four of this series. Morgan and his family are managing fairly well in the cabins by the lake. It is more crowded and rustic than their suburban community but the family is still together. Morgan shows the family how to forage in the swamp for natural foods and Thad is teaching the group how to make homemade soaps and other handy, old fashioned survival skills. They are staying safe for the most part except for a few thawrted attacks on their pigs.

Meanwhile Sarge and his unofficial army crew are making plans to take over the nearby government camp that is more prison and slave training than refugee camp. They know that Jess is in the camp but they don’t know how much danger she is in.

I enjoyed the educational survival details even though it isn’t necessarily exciting. There are issues of emotional stress from the society changes, including depression and degredation of morals. The matters in camp have gotten worse with Jess and her friends targeted for execution. Sarge’s plan for takeover of the camp is rather simplistic and goes surprisingly well with the exception of an unexpected twist.

This isn’t full of action and excitement like books 1 and 2 but it is still entertaining. A. American does a good job of pulling together loose ends. This might not be a book to rave about but it is a satisfactory installment, maybe even conclusion, to the series.

AUDIO NOTES: Duke Fontaine continues to do a really nice job with the narration. This was a very easy, quick and engaging listening experience.

I purchased this fourth book with my Audible subscription so I could continue the series.

My review links for the other books in the series:
Going Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 1
Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series)
Escaping Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 3

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Mailbox Monday August 18, 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 didn't get to post this Sunday night or Monday morning but I am posting it on Monday night. :-)
I received one audio review book this week and I realized I hadn't listed several NetGalley selections I picked up this month.
 I also purchased three Kindle $.99 collections and picked up many free kindle titles.

(I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles
This sounds like quite the adventure! Download received from Post Hypnotic Press.

The Curve of Time
Written by: M. Wylie Blanchet
Narrated by: Heather Henderson
Publisher's Summary
At a time when Vancouver Island was still an extremely remote and sparsely populated backwater, a young widow packed her five children into a 25-foot boat dubbed The Caprice and set off on an adventure. Summer after summer the brave young mother, who became known as "Capi," would set sail and explore the rugged coastline for months with her young crew. Although the hazards the family faced were numerous-tides, fog, storms, rapids, cougars, and even grizzlies-Capi brought them through it all. The Curve of Time is Capi's poignant, thoughtful, and poetic recollection of these days.This classic coastal tale has been a bestseller since it was first published in 1961. That was also the year of the author's death. In print continuously since it's original publication, this is the first time it has been made available in audio.
©1961 The Estate of M. Wylie Blanchet (P)2014 Post Hypnotic Press Inc.

NetGalley Selections for August/early September:



Bound to Danger
by Katie Reus
Legend Publishing
Military romantic suspense.


by Grace Burrowes
Sourcebooks
Regency Romance from a favorite author.


by Jack Maclean  
Penguin Group Berkley, NAL 
A story of technology and the war on terror.






Won

None

Purchased
I purchased three $.99 cent Kindle collections that caught my eye. Two are romance and one is post-apocalyptic.


Cameron Jace, Katie Salidas, Chrystalla Thoma, Alexia Purdy, Megan Duncan, Nadege Richards
Post Apocalyptic




Lori Ryan
Romance with good ratings.








Lovers' Lane: The Sweethearts Collection
Sandra Edwards, Debra Elizabeth, Regina Duke
More Romance



Free

Plus I downloaded another 46 free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday! What are You Reading? August 18, 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 had a good week. Busy but not overly stressful.
Reading and listening was good. I posted three book reviews, one with giveaway. 
I also posted the usual memes. :-)

I did get to visit early in the week, but didn't get back to more.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:
  • Book Review and Giveaway: The Freezer (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston; Sci Fi Thriller, Mystery; my rating 4.5. Open Mixed - Worldwide and US. Ends 8/23/14.
Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle


Of Triton (The Syrena Legacy)
by Anna Banks
I really enjoyed this ebook and my review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.




2. Audible/MP3


Forsaking Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 4
UNABRIDGED
By A. American
Narrated By Duke Fontaine
Series: Survivalist, Book 4
I enjoyed the continuation of this series.
This is from my own Audible Library.
I will post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.



3.  eBook/Kindle


SEAL Team Six: Hunt the Wolf
by Don Mann A SEAL Team Six Novel
This is a solid action read I picked up through NetGalley. I'll post my review this week.
Click on book title for full description.



4. Audio/MP3



Of Neptune: Syrena Legacy, Book 3
Author: Anna Banks
Narrator: Rebecca Gibel
Publisher/Date: Blackstone Audio, 05/13/14
I will post my review this week for this
download from Blackstone Audio through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.



eTreasures Publishing New Release:
Two print releases going through final adjustments before we link them up at the website.
Two more ebooks still out for galley proofs; to be released soon.


Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle


Chieftain by Command
by Frances Housden
I am mid-way in this and curious how it will continue/conclude.
I received this for review from Escape Publishing. 
Blurb:
From the bestselling, RITA-nominated author Frances Housden comes the gripping, sensual, suspenseful follow-up to The Chieftain’s Curse...
Gavyn Farquhar’s marriage is forged with a double-edged blade. Along with the Comlyn clan’s lands, a reward from the King, he is blessed with an unwilling bride, Kathryn Comlyn, and an ancient fort with few defences that desperately needs to be fortified before it can act as a sufficient buffer between Scotland and the Norsemen on its northern borders.
Gavyn needs wealth to meet his king’s demands, and he knows of only one way to get it — with his sword. Leaving his prickly bride behind in the hands of trusted advisors, he makes his way to the battlegrounds of France and the money that can be made there.
Two years married and Kathryn is still a virgin. A resentful virgin, certain that, like her father before her, she is perfectly capable of leading the Comlyn clan. In her usurper husband’s absence, she meets the clan’s needs, advising and ruling as well as any man.
But she is an intelligent woman, and she knows the only respect and power she will ever hold will be through her husband. And to wield it, she needs to make him love her. An easy task to set, but impossible to complete, when said husband has been gone for two years, and there is no word of his return. But Kathryn is undeterred. After all, a faint heart never won a Chieftain.



2. Audio


The Curve of Time
by M. Wylie Blanchet
Narrated by: Heather Henderson
I will start this Monday.
I received the download from Post Hypnotic Press.
Publisher's Summary
At a time when Vancouver Island was still an extremely remote and sparsely populated backwater, a young widow packed her five children into a 25-foot boat dubbed The Caprice and set off on an adventure. Summer after summer the brave young mother, who became known as "Capi," would set sail and explore the rugged coastline for months with her young crew. Although the hazards the family faced were numerous-tides, fog, storms, rapids, cougars, and even grizzlies-Capi brought them through it all. The Curve of Time is Capi's poignant, thoughtful, and poetic recollection of these days.This classic coastal tale has been a bestseller since it was first published in 1961. That was also the year of the author's death. In print continuously since it's original publication, this is the first time it has been made available in audio.
©1961 The Estate of M. Wylie Blanchet (P)2014 Post Hypnotic Press Inc.



3. eBook/Kindle



Bound to Danger: A Deadly Ops Novel
by Katie Reus
This sounded like a good  Military Romantic Suspense.
I received this from the Publisher through NetGalley.
Book Description
Publication Date: August 5, 2014
At a benefit dinner, community activist Maria Cervantes overhears two men plotting a terrorist attack that could rock Miami to its core. But before she can alert authorities, she’s almost killed in a massive explosion—and wakes up in a hospital with no memory of what happened. As the sole survivor of the attack, she is now a person of interest to the NSA—and especially to Agent Cade O’Reilly. Because Maria is the one woman Cade has never been able to forget.

Years ago, they were closer than either was willing to admit—until Cade disappeared when Maria needed him most. Now he’s sticking by her, whether she likes it or not. Because the memories locked inside her mind could hold vital clues to the next attack. Because terrorists want her dead—and because he never wants to let her go again.


I am pretty sure I will pick one more during the week but I haven't decided what title yet.

I am one day ahead on my daily Bible reading.
I have disciplined myself each morning to read my Bible passage before I pick up print, Kindle or mp3. I am really enjoying the reading.

Line Edits:
We are still finalizing formatting for four ebook re-releases, two fiction and two non-fiction. We are also working on releasing several novels in print.

I still have some books carried forward.  I still hope to read at least one of my own TBRs this month. 
I completed three reviews last week and hope to post at least three this week.  

August Scheduled -

NetGalley - To be read in August thru September:
Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve, Illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
Bound to Danger by Katie Reus (Penguin Group Berkley) (reading)
The Traitor (Captive Hearts) by Grace Burrowes (Sourcebook)
Neverhome by Laird Hunt (Little, Brown and Company) 
The Night Visitor by Dianne Emley (Random House)
Global Predator by Jack Maclean  (Legend Publishing)

Authors:
From Story Bundle -  I am enjoying the romance bundle and so glad I got these.  There are several other Bundles available now.
Huntress For Hire by Terry Spear
Peter's Christmas by M. L. Buchman
The Death of Davy Moss by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Shades of Moonlight by Karen L. McKee

Still many requests to field and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox
Requesting new titles

Post Hypnotic Press
I have several more audiobooks from this publisher that I will be reviewing.

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

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 17, 2014

Pastor spoke this morning on The Gifts of God. He pointed out that ‘every good and perfect gift is from above....’ James 1:17. Pastor noted that the gifts and calling of God “are irrevocable”. Romans 11:29.

Sometimes people try to find another work but when we work within our own power we work with a lot of sweat. Instead, work done in His power is easy and smooth. Pastor told of one missionary who waited until his later years before seeking appointment to serve. When he was turned down because of his age, he raised his own funds and ministered for twenty years to those who hadn't heard the word.

Pastor exhorted that if you are to be fulfilled in your life you should “do your own thing” - in the sense that you do the thing as God has given. Doing the work that God has directed us to do brings us “life”, energizes us.

We are not all called to serve as missionaries... but we are all called to serve... as He directs and equips.

This is a lovely video of service.
Here Am I Lord

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Thank you Lord that you give each of us special gifts to use to do Your work. Please give us wisdom to know what you want us to do to share Your message and love.

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