Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 19, 2014

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

It is hard to realize this is the last Friday before Christmas! The week has been busy with the last round of early mornings for court hearings. I also had several parties to attend this week. I expect to do some last minute shopping and I do have a few appointments to cover next week before closing the office so we can celebrate with family. I hope everyone else is looking forward to a lovely and special Christmas week!  Blessed and Merry Christmas to one and ALL!

For the next four weeks I will be giving at least 4 wins each Friday - whether auto or random.
(New List is now up but still needs picture - opps the picture is on my other computer so I will add it later.)

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the December 12 Pick. There were two automatic wins this week.  (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.) There was one title blocked but it was won. 
Carol M gets Behind the Mask
Carol L gets The Last Heiress

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from December 12 Pick:
Booklady gets the Katherine Stone pair

Mary P gets a GC

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

I hope Santa brings you books - when he's not reading!

Image found at Love to Know

New Book Group #53 November 28, 2014
(Picture to be posted soon)
PAIRS - five sets!
Catherine Anderson: Seventh Heaven and Always in My Heart
Sandra Brown: A Whole New Light and Fanta C
Elizabeth Lowell: Autumn Lover (only Book 5) and Winter Fire (Only Book 6)
Joan Johnston: I Promise and Sisters Found
Katherine Stone: Rainbows and Pearl Moon
SINGLES:
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
To Catch a Flame by Kimberly Cates
Fifteen Minutes of Shame by Lisa Daily
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner
Never Say Never by Joan Hohl
Poe's Tales of Mystery and Terror (1967 Collection) by Edgar Allan Poe (Magnum Easy Eye Edition)


New Book Group #52 October 10, 2014
(Links to be added if and when time permits.)

PAIRS:
Richard Paul Evans, The Looking Glass and The Carousel
SINGLES
Duo Book: Yesterday's Memories by Tara Taylor Quinn and Amanda Stevens
Range of Motion by Elizabeth Berg
At The Stroke of Madness by Alex Kava
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Behind a Mask by May Alcott
Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman

New Book Group #51 September 12, 2014
10/10 - I just realized I never posted the image for this group.

PAIRS:
Elysa Hendricks, Star Crash (personally autographed copy) and The Sword and the Pen
SINGLES:
Intrepid Encounter by Rebecca Ashley
The Reckoning by Jeanette Baker
Out of This Furnace: A Novel of Immigrant Labor in America by Thomas Bell Reprint Edition
Scandalous Virtue Mass by Brenda Hiatt 
A Stranger's Wife by Maggie Osborne

New Book Group #50! August 8, 2014

SINGLES:
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose

New Book Group #49 June 27, 2014

SINGLES:
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Down by the Water by Caroline Upcher
Miracle by Deborah Smith
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin


New Book Group #48 May 30, 2014---(All gone)
SINGLES:
Dangerous by Debra Dier
First to Fight Anthology

New Book Group #47 April 25, 2014

SINGLES:
Once Upon a Honeymoon by Julie Kistler
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy

New Book Group #46 March 15, 2014
SINGLES:
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
The Last Heiress by Bertrice Small (spine creases)

New Book Group #45 January 31, 2014---(All gone)

New Book Group #44 December 14, 2013---(All gone)

New Book Group #43 November 1, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Singles:
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Singles:
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.

New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe

New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013 (All gone)
New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)
New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012---(All gone)

New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012
NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley

New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012--- (All gone)
New book Group #27 April 13, 2012--- (All gone)
New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)
New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)
New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)
New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011---(All gone)
May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20---(All gone)
3/25/11 Group #19---(All gone)
2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone).

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in five years I have posted 42 groups of 16 (832) books to find new homes! (as of November 2014).

I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 745+ books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 $7.00 and $6.00 $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List #17--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

List #15---(All gone)
List #14---(All gone)
List #13 ---(All gone)
Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)
Pick #3---(All gone)
Pick #4---(All gone)
Pick #5---(All gone)
Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Pick #8
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Hope Rising (Of Love and War) by Stacy Henrie

This is a beautiful, warm romance that provides hope in a war setting and a faith-based message for any setting.
Hope Rising (Of Love and War)
by Stacy Henrie

• File Size: 605 KB
• Print Length: 353 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 145559881X
• Publisher: Forever (December 16, 2014)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B00JJ320YS
• Genre: Historical Romance, Christian, Inspirational

My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 16, 2014
FROM A GREAT WAR, SPRINGS A GREAT LOVE
In France at the height of World War I, American nurse Evelyn Gray is no stranger to suffering. She's helped save the life of many a soldier, but when she learns her betrothed has been killed, her own heart may be broken beyond repair. Summoning all her strength, Evelyn is determined to carry on-not just for herself and her country, but for her unborn child.

Corporal Joel Campbell dreams of the day the war is over and he can return home and start a family. When a brutal battle injury puts that hope in jeopardy, Joel is lost to despair . . . until he meets Evelyn. Beautiful, compassionate, and in need of help, she makes an unconventional proposal that could save their lives-or ruin them irrevocably. Now, amidst the terror and turmoil of the Western Front, these two lost souls will have to put their faith in love to find the miracle they've been looking for.

Review:
Evelyn broke nursing rules by getting involved with Ralph, a soldier on leave. Ralph returned to the front lines before Evelyn discovered she was pregnant. Evelyn continues her dedicated work in the French hospital while dealing with sickness, fatigue and waiting for the time when Ralph will fullfill his promise to do the right thing and marry her.

Corporal Joel Campbell and his best friend, Ralph, are injured on the frontline. Ralph doesn’t survive but his last words are calling Evelyn’s name. Joel opens his eyes in the hospital to meet Evelyn.

Evelyn is in more turmoil having lost the man she loved and hoped to marry. She is afraid her condition will be discovered and she will be sent home. She has no idea how to explain her situation to her grandparents.

Joel guesses her circumstances after a few encounters. Evelyn learns that Joel’s injuries may leave him alone instead of having a full family and farm like he was raised with had dreamed of. As Joel and Evelyn begin to develop a friendship she thinks that perhaps they can help each other. Unfortunately Joel initially takes umbrage at her proposal. Then he decides they should take time to get to get to know each other better and then make a decision.

Evelyn and Joel help a local young boy, Louis, who does chores for an extra meal. Evelyn is teaching Louis and his friends to read while Joel shares his love of bird watching with Louis. There are other enjoyable characters like the surgeon Evelyn works with and her roommate.

This story shows a view of World War I that is realistic and provides a slice of hope in a setting of tragedy and loss. The characters are warm and the romance is sweat and engaging. The writing flows well and even the grimness of war is handled with a gentle tone. I loved the faith foundations that supported the characters and helped them to see that God's plans are not our plans but can provide something wonderful even if unexpected.

I totally enjoyed the read and look forward to reading the novella, A Christmas of Hope, which I will review next week. It is likely I will pick up the first book in this series, Hope at Dawn, too. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy a clean, historical romance with a sound faith message.

I received this from Forever, through NetGalley, for an honest review and part of blog tour.

About A CHRISTMAS HOPE:

Tis the season for second chances…

Having experienced the heartache of unrequited love, Maria Schmitt desperately seeks a new life. Landing a position as a clerk in a Sioux City bank is just what she needs to get started on her journey toward healing. But a dashing stranger soon puts her job-and her heart-in jeopardy. Saving lives was all Dale Emerson ever wanted to do . . . until a fateful day in France shattered his career as a surgeon. He lost everything that mattered, and the last thing he wants to do is resign himself to a life without medicine working at his uncle's bank. Then he meets Maria, a compassionate woman who can see past his scars to the man he once was-and the man he could be again. With Christmas right around the corner, these two wounded hearts may find that hope and a little holiday cheer are just the ticket to letting go of regrets-and embracing a future full of love and possibility.

About Stacy Henrie
Stacy Henrie has always had an avid appetite for history, fiction and chocolate. She earned her B.A. in public relations from Brigham Young University and worked in communications before turning her attentions to raising a family and writing inspirational historical romances. Wife of an entrepreneur husband and a stay-at-home mom to three, Stacy loves the chance to live out history through her fictional characters, while enjoying the modern conveniences of life in the 21st century. In addition to author, she is a reader, a road trip enthusiast and a novice interior decorator.

Stacy’s SM:

@StacyHenrie

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacy-Henrie-Author

http://www.stacyhenrie.com/ 

Buy links for HOPE RISING:

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1pnwQLn 

Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/1GkP98a 

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/1E5Ee0Y 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1xc8AOO 

Buy links for A CHRISTMAS HOPE:

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1yc6kCA 

Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/1sl3ChF 

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1sl3E9b 

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1Bt9d5r 

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1wkC8bl 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1z3l0Ij

Excerpt:

     Evelyn lowered her gaze to the root she’d tripped over rather than continue to stare at her gallant rescuer. “It’s mostly Louis and Pierre who’ve been interested in reading, but they’ve caught on well.” She slid a few more inches away from him, finagling her feet around the gnarled roots. Breathing was difficult with Joel so close.
     He shifted to lean his shoulder against the tree trunk. “Is something wrong?”
     She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Are you angry at me? For coming over to the group, instead of staying away like we talked about?” Evelyn flicked a glance at those hazel eyes.
     “No, not at all.”
     Silence reigned for several heartbeats, then she felt his finger beneath her chin. He gently prodded her head upward until she had to look at him. Her stomach flip flopped as she peered fully into his handsome face. Light fuzz covered his chin and jaw. He needed another shave. A strange, irrational thought that she must be the one to do it filled her mind.
     “Are you afraid of something, Evelyn?”
     You.
     She kept the word sealed inside as her thoughts spiraled like a tornado. What if he didn’t reciprocate these growing feelings? What if he decided not to marry her next week? There’d been times over the last few days when she thought Joel was beginning to soften toward her, even like her. She’d notice a lingering look from him or a smile, but they would disappear as quickly as they came and his manner would return to its usual, kind aloofness. Perhaps she ought to be asking him a similar question. What was he afraid of?
     “I’m fine, really.” She swallowed hard. “Just a bit tired is all.”
     Instead of releasing her chin as she expected, Joel lowered his gaze to her mouth. The rush of sound in Evelyn’s ears grew as thunderous as a windstorm.
     Was he going to kiss her? Should she let him?
     She wanted him to kiss her, had dreamt of this moment She held her breath as Joel leaned forward. Closing her eyes, she waited for his lips to reach hers. Would his kiss be as glorious as she’d imagined? Or better? She felt his breath brush her chin, sending her stomach into another frenzy of flutters.
     The sudden blare of horns dropped like a bomb into the quiet of the trees, obliterating their shared moment. Evelyn opened her eyes and turned toward the hospital. “More wounded soldiers.”
     Joel straightened, robbing her of the warmth of his closeness. “Which means more surgeries.”
     His disappointed tone had her hopes soaring heavenward again. Did it mean he cared? “Yes, it does. Will you watch after Louis for me?”
     “I don’t profess to be as good a teacher as you, but I’ll try.”
     “Thank you.”
     She turned to go, but Joel caught her hand, stopping her retreat.
     “Evelyn?”
     “Yes?” She wished she didn’t sound so breathless.
     Wished she didn’t have to leave him.
     He released her hand to brush her cheek with his thumb, heating her skin with the tender touch. “Good luck.”

GIVEAWAY

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Book Review: The Heir by Lynne Stringer

This is an engaging YA, Sci fi.

The Heir
by Lynne Stringer

• File Size: 494 KB
• Print Length: 242 pages
• Publisher: Wombat Books (June 1, 2013)
• ASIN: B00BS1O2RW

Genre: YA, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: June 1, 2013
Sarah hates the prestigious high school she attends. Most of the other students ignore her. School is only made tolerable by the presence of Dan Bradfield, the boy she adores. Dan is the heir to his father’s multinational computer company, but he is dating Sarah’s best friend, Jillian. When tragedy strikes, Dan is the one who supports Sarah. But she can’t shake the feeling there is something strange about him. Is he protecting her from something? Is there something going on that she doesn’t know about? And did she really see a monster in the bushes?

Review:
Sarah is in her senior year of high school fantasizing about Dan, the boy she worships from afar. But he hangs with Sarah’s best friend, Jillian. Jillian is obsessed with all things space related, She continually tries to interest Sarah in her star gazing, including dragging her to the latest in alien movies. Sarah loves colors and painting and those give her pleasure as she muddles through her daily school life and tries to avoid one of the rich, privileged boys who continues to harass her.

Sarah lives with her distracted father who is a computer programmer. Her father and his best friend are on the verge of financial disaster as they argue over selling a new program they have developed.

Sarah gets the opportunity to go to an art exhibit with Dan. When they return home life changes completely for Sarah. She turns to Dan and his family for comfort and help. Suddenly danger arises and the next thing she knows she is put into a spaceship to be delivered to her ‘true home’, Verindon. Along the way she learns a  few of the rules regarding the nature of the two societies on her planet, her position and the duties of the guards who have protected her and are bringing her home.

The first half of the book is focused on Sarah’s teenage angst in school and at home. This sort of YA focus isn’t my cup of tea but I found the characters interesting enough as I waited to discover where the sci fi elements fit in. Finally the book becomes suspenseful with action and the challenges of social and political issues that Sarah must face on a world that is a surprise to her. Assassination attempts are immediate and characters are set up for the reader to wonder - are they alley or enemy?  I really liked the conflicts that exist in the different emotional and social rules of Verindon. This sets up the issues of intrigue that must continue in the next books. I recommend this to readers who like YA, scifi and series.

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

Audible Book Review: Yesterday's Gone:Season 1- Episode 1 by Sean Platt and David Wright

This is interesting but do note the warning especially regarding language.
FREE Yesterday's Gone: Season 1 - Episode 1
Written by: Sean Platt, David Wright
Narrated by: Ray Chase, R. C. Bray, Brian Holsopple, Chris Patton, Maxwell Glick, Tamara Marston

Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins
Series: Yesterday's Gone, Book 1
Original Audiobook
Release Date:04-15-14
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Genre: Sci Fi, Horror
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Start the First Season of the Groundbreaking Post-Apocalyptic Serial! Yesterday's Gone: Season One: Episode 1.
WARNING: This is a post-apocalyptic horror audiobook where bad people do evil things, and as such, this series features disturbing scenes and foul language. While it is all within the context of the story, some listeners may find this content offensive.
Can humanity survive what it never saw coming?
On October 15 at 2:15 a.m. Earth vanished. A scattered few woke alone in a world with no rules, other than survival at any cost.
A journalist wanders the wretched reality of an empty New York, searching for his wife and son. A serial killer must hunt in a land where prey is now an endangered species. A mother shields her young daughter from danger through every terror-filled breath.
A bullied teen is thrilled to find the world gone missing, until the knock on his door. A fugitive survives a fiery plane crash. Will he be redeemed, or return to the killing he's best at? An eight-year-old boy sets out on a journey to find his missing family, only to find something that will change him forever. These survivors aren't truly alone...
Someone or something is watching them. And waiting...
Strangers unite. Sides are chosen. Can humanity survive what it never saw coming?
©2011 Sean Platt, David Wright (P)2014 Podium Publishing

Review:
I failed to heed the warning and the language is explicitly rough making this less pleasant for me than it might have been otherwise.

The story follows six or so characters who wake up to discover their family, friends, neighbors and strangers in the surrounding areas gone. There are no traces and no explanations. The chapters bounce between the characters which makes it a little hard to follow. There is a journalist in the city who seeks his wife and son; an awkward teenager at home is sort of glad to be alone; a young boy follows rainbows looking for his parents; and a sociopath is glad when he finds other survivors to kill. There is also a mother trying to protect her daughter and a fugitive who views his plane crash as a means to a second chance.

There is something strange about the cats and dogs that have survived and most of the survivors sense they are not alone. This episode ends with a horrific discovery but it does not reveal the cause of the disappearances.

I found some of the characters interesting and their stories were engaging with a sense of fear and some of horror. This might be well suited to those who like horror mystery and don’t mind horrendous foul language. I don't think I'll be pulling up other episodes right away.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration from all of the readers. I really didn’t focus on the narrators so it seemed natural and unobtrusive to the story. This is a story I would like better in audio mode than reading.

I downloaded this as a free Audible library.

Audible Book Review: Dust World: Undying Mercenaries, Book 2 by B. V. Larson

This series offers engaging action in a fun listen.

Dust World: Undying Mercenaries, Book 2

Written by: B. V. Larson

Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins

Series: Undying Mercenaries, Book 2

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:05-27-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genre: Sci Fi

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The Galactics arrived with their Battle fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined a vast Empire that spans the Milky Way. Our only worthwhile trade goods are our infamous mercenary legions, elite troops we sell to the highest alien bidder.
In 2122 a lost colony expedition contacts Earth, surprising our government. Colonization is against Galactic Law, and Legion Varus is dispatched to the system to handle the situation. Earth gave them sealed orders, but Earth is 35 lightyears away. The Legion commanders have a secret plan of their own. And then there's James McGill, who was never too good at listening to authority in the first place....
In Dust World, book two of the Undying Mercenaries Series, McGill is promoted to Specialist and sent to a frontier planet outside the Empire. Earth's status within the Empire will never be the same.
©2014 B. V. Larson (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Review:
James McGill and the Legion Varus troops are back in action again. Their mission is to seek out a lost earth colony. Many are concerned that they will find primitives but McGill is concerned with what will be done with the colonists. After all, the Galactic law doesn’t permit colonization and his superiors may think they can just hide the whole event.

Before they locate the colony their ship is attacked by a new alien species, dubbed the “squids”. The troops have to make an emergency evacuation to a dust world or a water world. Since the hostile aliens may be on the water world, they head for the other planet. The troops end up separating into groups on the surface of Dust World. While McGill’s superiors debated their landing location all the best spots were taken and they got a valley crevice by default.

They find strange plants and critters on the planet as they do reconnaissance for food and supplies. Then McGill makes human contact! Although the colonists dress as primitives they have weapons that are advanced nano technology. McGill's first attempt at diplomacy ends in his death but he swears he will return. They are shocked when McGill makes good on his threat after being ‘regrown’ by the replication machine.

It looks like Varus troops are going to have to battle the local colonists until another huge ship lands and giant hunters start seeking ‘prey’. Apparently the Squids capture humans for breeding or mutation into slaves. A temporary truce is reached so the troops and the colonists can fight the common foe. But what will happen once the Squids are defeated and the alien ship is captured? And what will happen when the Galactic enforcers arrive and find an Earth colony?

McGill continues, with his brash arrogance, to woe his favorite ladies, even adding a colonist to his conquests. He also continues to anger many of his team and superiors with his refusal to abide by the rules. McGill's tendency to go outside the box and follow his own, sometimes unorthodox, methods gets him into trouble but also provides solutions to problems.

Several of the characters, including McGill at times, are annoying and most of his superiors tend to be callous. McGill really has a caring heart for others even though some don’t recognize it. The story and action are very entertaining and I liked how the political issues were worked out with the Galactic enforcers. I recommend this to action fans and I am definitely looking forward to listening to the next book, Tech World.

Audio Notes: Mark Boyett does a great job narrating this series. He manages to give distinct accents to the characters. He also conveys the action with good pacing and energy. I have enjoyed both book 1 and 2 on audio and will listen to the next on audio too.

I selected this from my Audible library.