Book Review: Ruptured: The Cantati Chronicles by Maggie Mae Gallagher

There is great action in this prequel that fills in background on Alana and her threatened world.
Ruptured: The Cantati Chronicles
by Maggie Mae Gallagher

• File Size: 3467 KB
• Print Length: 90 pages
• Publisher: Maggie Mae Gallagher; 1st edition (September 16, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00NN5ZOU0

Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: September 16, 2014
A Cantati Chronicles Prequel Novella

It has been eighty-three years since the walls between Earth and Infernus fell, and now our world stands upon the razor’s edge of extinction. Demon platoons are marching upon us. My home, one of humanity’s last bastions of existence, is under siege.

My name is Alana Devereaux. I am the resident demon detector of Cantati Forces and Platoon Commander. My job is to hunt down the vermin unleashed upon my world, and I love it. I live for the day I can kick every last demon’s ass out of this world. Except as enemy forces reign down terror upon us, the Densare Council sentences me to a fate worse than death

Review:
Alana is one of few females left in the Cantati forces. Her father is the Commander of the forces and she has become a fierce warrior, a Platoon leader. Unfortunately she still can’t seem to win his love or approval. Now the council has issued a decree that Alana is to leave the forces and become a breeder. They have even assigned her mate, Cade, a hulking brute whom she knows can be cruel. Alana is dismayed that she no longer controls her own destiny.

Alana’s first attempt to escape fails and she is confined to her rooms under the guard of one of her own team members, Quinten. He volunteers to intervene as a prior mate selection. Together they break the rules again by sneaking out to help in an unexpected demon attack. Alana returns to her father to face a furious council. They would sentence her but it has become apparent that her skills are needed to face the enemy that is threatening the compound.

This is a good prequel that fills in the background for Alana’s circumstances before the Anointed: The Cantati Chronicles, the first full book in the series. The author uses the mating issues to present some serious eye-candy descriptions. I enjoyed the action and getting to know and understand a little more of Alana’s personality and the world she comes from. I do recommend reading this prequel to start the series.

I recieved this ebook from the author for an honest review.

Mailbox Monday October 13, 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 review title to read for November.
I only purchased seven $.99 Kindle books this week and I picked up even fewer, but still many, free kindle titles. :-)

(Although I have gotten to a couple, I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received this title from a publicist for blog tour

date November 12, 2014.

Peace & Goodwill: a contemporary romance, a Christmas Novella (The Minstrel Series Book 4)
by Lee Strauss
Publication Date: November 17, 2014
**Peace & Goodwill is set in The Minstrel Series world, but can be read alone.

Won

None

Purchased

I made up this week buying 7 titles for $.99 each after only purchasing one last week. But then again, six of these are box sets so I really got 33 books for less than $7.00. :-)


Enchanted by an Emerald: A Jewel Box Anthology
Catherine Kean, Caro Carson, T. Elliott Brown, Wynter Daniels, Nancy Robards Thompson, Mimi Wells, Katherine Garbera

Last Chance: A Triple Treat Romance Box Set

(Triple Treat Romances Book 4)

By: Rachel Branton, Christine Kersey, Jordan McCollum

Finally You: A Triple Treat Romance Box Set 
(Triple Treat Romances Book 3)
By: Rachael Anderson, Heather Tullis, Julie Wright

Six Pack of Sleuths: Comedy Mysteries

By: Barbara Silkstone, Sibel Hodge, Helen Smith, Dani Amore,
Zane Sachs, Anne R. Allen

Love the One You're With: Sex, Love & Stiletto Series (Sex, Love, and Stiletto)
By: Lauren Layne

Red Hot Squeaky Clean ROMANCE collection (Boxed Set): 

Ten Shades of Inspirational Romance

By: Christy Barritt, Lynnette Bonner, Hallee Bridgeman, Cynthia Hickey,

Kimberly Rae Jordan, Tamara Leigh, Lesley Ann McDaniel,

Amanda Tru, MaryLu Tyndall, Susette Williams

Small Towns, Fairy Tales, And Nora Roberts Land: Dare Valley Boxed Set 1-3
By: Ava Miles

Free

I downloaded only 44 free Kindle titles this week. 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? October 13, 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 working hard to get work done as we prepare to go on vacation. That always creates a push for me. I also have done a little prep on the motor coach although my DH has been having to repair and clean to make sure all is in order.
I had a good reading week. I finished four books and posted three reviews from the week before, one with print Giveaway. I also posted the usual memes. :-)

I had another good week of visiting blogs early in the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday! What are You Reading? October 6, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday October 6, 2014.

• Book Review: Global Predator by Jack Maclean; Military Thriller; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 10, 2014.  Open Worldwide. Ends 10/16/14.

• Audio Book Review: Allegiant: Divergent Trilogy Book 3 by Veronica Roth; Dystopian; my rating 4.0.

• Book Review and Print Giveaway: Seattle Cinderella: Romancing America by Gail Sattler; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #172 Comment Giveaway 10/11/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 10/11/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 12, 2014.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Ruptured: The Cantati Chronicles
by Maggie Mae Gallagher
An intense and good prequel to introduce the series.
I will post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Brave New World
Written by: Aldous Huxley
Narrated by: Michael York
Oh - I really had forgotten this classic dystopian!
It is interesting with good narration. I'll post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

It Happened at Christmas
by Debbie Mason
This is delightful.
Whoever wins the four book bundle giveaway
should really enjoy these Christmas books
from Forever Romance.
I'll be posting the review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audio/MP3

Jennings Books: According to Jennings (1954)
Author:  Anthony Buckeridge
Narrator:  Simon Vance
This is the second book I listened to in this series.
Simple old-fashioned fun. Review to post this week.
In this audiobook - the space-craze sweeps through Linbury Court School and the corridors reverberate with 'voom-voom' noises as rockets, piloted by "Butch Breakaway" Jennings and his "bald-headed scientist," Darbishire, take off for the moon. As Mr. Carter prophesies, the craze wears off, but not before Jennings has stuck his head into trouble; nor before he and Darbishire have helped General Merridew, that peppery but most distinguished of Old Boys, to recapture some of the wilder moments of his lost boyhood.

eTreasures Publishing:
These two print releases are available and will be linked at the website on Monday.

Shelly Goes to Washington, D.C. (Shelly the Hermit Crab) (Volume 2) by Stacey Leigh Malloy  (Author), Katie Cassidy (Illustrator)

Edmund Pickle Chin: A Donkey Rescue Story by Clara Bowman-Jahn (Author), Susan April Elwood (Author), Lynne Bendoly (Illustrator)

Two more ebooks still out for galley proofs; to be released soon.

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Pumpkins in Paradise 
(Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mysteries Book 1)
by Kathi Daley
I won this book last month and look forward to what seems like a good October read.
Book Description
Publication Date: January 17, 2014
Between volunteering for the annual pumpkin festival, and coaching her girls to the state soccer finals, high school teacher Tj Jensen finds her good friend Zachary Collins dead in his favorite chair. When the handsome new deputy closes the case without so much as a “why” or “how,” Tj turns her attention from chili cook-offs and pumpkin carving to complex puzzles, prophetic riddles, and a decades’ old secret she seemed destined to unravel.

2. Audible/MP3

10th Anniversary: The Women's Murder Club
Written by: James Patterson, Maxine Paetro
Narrated by: Carolyn McCormick
I selected this from my Audible Library as my TBR book for October.
It has started out well.
Publisher's Summary
For every secret....
Detective Lindsay Boxer's long-awaited wedding celebration becomes a distant memory when she is called to investigate a horrendous crime: a badly injured teenage girl is left for dead, and her newborn baby is nowhere to be found. Lindsay discovers that not only is there no trace of the criminals - but that the victim may be keeping secrets as well.
For every lie....
At the same time, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano is prosecuting the biggest case of her life - a woman who has been accused of murdering her husband in front of her two young children. Yuki's career rests on a guilty verdict, so when Lindsay finds evidence that could save the defendant, she is forced to choose. Should she trust her best friend or follow her instinct?
There's a different way to die....
Lindsay's every move is watched by her new boss, Lieutenant Jackson Brady, and when the pressure to find the baby begins interfering with her new marriage to Joe, she wonders if she'll ever be able to start a family.
With James Patterson's white-hot speed and unquenchable action, 10th Anniversary is the most deliciously chilling Women's Murder Club book ever.
Crack another case with the Women's Murder Club.
©2011 James Patterson, Maxine Paetro (P)2011 Hachette

3. eBook/Kindle

The Kindness of Neighbors (A Short Story)
by Matthew Iden
This is another title received from an author that looks good for October reading.
Book Description
Publication Date: April 9, 2014
No one likes Jack. His wife is gone and his neighbors avoid him. He's a recluse and a creep, and that's just the way he wants it; he can ignore what they say behind his back if they leave him to his work and his daily walks. But when ten-year-old Emma goes missing in the nearby woods, the eyes of his neighbors turn toward him, their fear and accusations escalating as the days go by. Jack proclaims his innocence, but what the neighbors--and the reader--find out is the last thing anyone would suspect.
Previously published as Finding Emma.

I am caught up 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 two educational, non-fiction ebook releases which we sent back for a bit more polishing. We are also working on releasing several additional novels in print -- also polishing.

I keep plugging away at the books carried forward and the added NetGalley titles as well as the publicist/Author requests. 
I am up-to-date on posting reviews with four to be done for this week.  

October Scheduled -
Mid Oct: 
     Pumpkins in Paradise (Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mysteries Book 1) by Kathi Daley (reading)
     The Kindness of Neighbors (A Short Story) by Matthew Iden (reading)

NetGalley - To be read in August thru September:
Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve, Illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
The Red Book of Primrose House by Marty Wingate  (for Nov)
What a Lady Needs for Christmas (MacGregor Series) by Grace Burrowes (Oct)

Authors:
Nov 7: Hilltop Sunset: A Brynn Bancroft Mystery by Joyce Strand
Nov. 12: Peace & Goodwill a Christmas Novella (The Minstrel Series Book 4) by Lee Strauss

A Touch of Nerves by Dennis Hampton

The Founders' Plot by Frank Victoria
We Are the Destroyers by D.K. Lindler

From Story Bundle - I am enjoying the romance bundle and so glad I got these. There are Cyperpunk, Supernatural and Mystery Bundles available now - soooo tempting!
Huntress For Hire by Terry Spear
Peter's Christmas by M. L. Buchman
The Death of Davy Moss by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Still many more requests to consider and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox
I'll be looking for new titles to request this week.

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

From TBR Collection - 10th Anniversary: The Women's Murder Club (reading)
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords - TBD for October

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 12, 2014

Pastor’s Sermon this morning was entitled “Righteousness”. He used the scripture stories regarding the woman with an issue of blood (found in Luke 8:43-48 and Mark 5:25-35). These accounts tell of a woman who suffered for twelve years during which she was in misery and ceremonially unclean. The bridging point is that our sins, like filthy rags, make us unclean in the sight of God.

We cannot earn righteousness; no one deserves it. It is a gift. Isaiah 64:6 declares: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Man has a need for morality and justice. We cannot fulfill this need ourselves, but God, by grace and goodness, allows us to receive what we can not earn.
     Romans 3:22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
     2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Righteousness is an unmerited favor we can only receive from God.

***
My scripture study following up the sermon makes me say that Isaiah 64:6 should not be read to say that man should not strive to do good works. God is pleased with good deeds and when we help one another. As noted in Isaiah 64:5: “You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved?”

What is the answer to that question? The response is 'we are saved through faith' as noted in the New Testament passages above and more, such as Romans 10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Christ’s blood covers our sin and yet we continue to sin. We cannot perform enough good works to outweigh our sins. As believers who have accepted Christ to rule in our hearts and lives, we hold onto the promise that our filthy robes will be replaced by His pure covering through His sacrifice. As our Sunday School teacher noted at the conclusion of our lesson this morning: “We continue to struggle with sin because our salvation will not be complete until His [Christ’s] return.”

(All scripture references are NIV.)

I think this song fits this message perfectly.

Lord, I Need You by Matt Maher

Verse for Today:
Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 
9not by works, so that no one can boast. 
10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Christ, I believe and accept You as Lord of my life. I thank you for giving me the unmerited gifts of salvation and righteousness. Although I am saved by faith, let me be mindful to do good works, as directed by You, to show Your Love and glory in this life.

Sharing Beyond Books #172 Comment Giveaway October 11, 2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
I didn't get too much computer time today. The internet wasn't working on my computer first thing this morning. Then I spend a good deal of the day packing things in the motor-coach for our upcoming trip. I did use the time to listen to an audiobook. :-)
Note- Next week's SBB may have to be posted late (or early) depending on where we are on our journey and whether we have WIFI.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Only four people recalled books that scared them enough to close them, although only Mary threw the book away. Of the other thirteen comments about half of them avoid reading scary stories. Stephen King was mentioned as an author who writes very scary books.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #171 comments is: #8 SueF 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 #172 (One Question.)

Q1. This is another October question. Elizabeth asks: 1. Do you have a favorite Halloween costume from previous years??

A: I checked the list and although we have had similar questions we have not had this precise question.  The favorite costumes I recall are two my mother made us when we were young. My sister and I were a pair of dice and my brother was an upside down man. I like the lego box in the image below! 

Image found at U-Pack.
While looking for images for my old favs I found this which I thought was very good!

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. Elizabeth asks: Do you have a favorite Halloween costume from previous years??

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 October 18, 2014 at 5 PM  central.