Audible Review: Monster Hunter Alpha by Larry Correia

This is a wonderfully fun and entertaining series.
Monster Hunter Alpha
Written by: Larry Correia
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 18 hrs and 52 mins

Series: Monster Hunter, Book 3

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:07-26-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Dirty Harry meets Twilight. Number 3 in the break-out series and a follow-up to Monster Hunter International and Monster Hunter Vendetta.
Earl Harbinger may be the leader of Monster Hunter International, but he's also got a secret. Nearly a century ago, Earl was cursed to be a werewolf. When Earl receives word that one of his oldest foes, a legendarily vicious werewolf that worked for the KGB, has mysteriously appeared in the remote woods of Michigan, he decides to take care of some unfinished business. But another force is working to bring about the creation of a whole new species of werewolf. When darkness falls, the final hunt begins, and the only thing standing in their way is a handful of locals, a lot of firepower, and Earl Harbinger's stubborn refusal to roll over and play dead.
Track down another Monster Hunter title.
©2011 Larry Correia (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Earl Harbinger has been the director of Monster Hunter International (MHI) for many (many) years. Some, but not all, of the employees know that he is a werewolf who has been around for a century. Even fewer of the employees know his former identity and his histroy.

Earl has headed to a remote community in the cold, remote woods of Michigan due to an anonymous tip that an old foe, Nikolai, another legendary werewolf who was his KGB enemy during WWII, is going to be in town. This is a personal issue so Earl hasn’t advised any one at MHI. He arrives in town during a bad snow storm only to discover that Nikolai is there but there are other werewolves and something else dangerous is going on.

Earl meets a local, young, tough officer who is prepared to protect her town. Heather is stressed because her boss, the Sheriff, has ended up in the hospital after dealing with an animal attack at a resident’s farm. Heather isn’t used to strangers in town and she has already been visited by another man - a European stranger who asked questions about her grandfather. Soon she finds herself pulled into a very bazaar … and bloody… situation and the only man who seems to know what is going on is this Harbinger fellow.

Earl thinks he is there to face off with Nikolai, and vice versa. But there is a third man playing the two enemies as he seeks to take his position as the Alpha werewolf. He has brought Earl and Nikolai together so he can take the soul, of the strongest warrior. Earl doesn’t mind facing monsters but it really angers him to have to face dark magic too.

This is the third book in this fast paced, fun series. The story focuses on the leader of MHI, Earl Harbinger, showing his history through brief entries from his journal at the beginning of each chapter. The chapters then proceed with current events and all the action and danger, plus an added bonus of a developing romance! We learn of Earl's past and also learn more about the state agency, Monster Control Bureau. I may have missed the MHI team but I was completely engaged and loved learning the history of Earl as well as meeting new characters.

Correia did a wonderful job of creating an action story around the primary characters. I enjoyed the plot, character development and action supplied by this author – with a touch of humor too! I will definitely be continuing with the series.

Audio Notes: Oliver Wyman does a great job narrating this series. I had to double check that there was only one narrator because he did such a good job with the voices, including the Russian and the females. The narration carries the excitement of the story and adds to my enjoyment of the series.

This is from my Audible library as a selection in August 2014 so it counts for my TBR shelf. It also qualifies as part of my Audio Challenge.

Book Review: Priceless (A Rylee Adamson Novel, Book 1) by Shannon Mayer

This is an engaging, paranormal adventure. 

Priceless (A Rylee Adamson Novel, Book 1)

by Shannon Mayer

File Size: 713 KB
Print Length: 234 pages
Publisher: HiJinks Ink Publishing (November 19, 2013)
ASIN: B00A6CNV08
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

"My name is Rylee and I am a Tracker."
When children go missing, and the Humans have no leads, I'm the one they call. I am their last hope in bringing home the lost ones. I salvage what they cannot.
I'm on the FBI's wanted list.
I have a werewolf for a pet, a Witch of a best friend, and have no need for anyone else in my life.
But when a salvage starts to spin out of control, help comes from a most unexpected direction.
One that is dangerously dark, brooding, and doesn't know a thing about the supernatural.
One whose kisses set me on fire.

Review:
Rylee had some harsh times growing up in foster homes. She was a young teen when her little sister was kidnapped while she was with her at the park. There have always been suspicions that Rylee was responsible although there was never proof. Rejected by the parents she’d tried so hard to please, Rylee finds herself ousted but this brings her to meet the strange people who can help her begin to understand the odd gifts she has. Now Rylee knows that she is a tracker, with some other supernatural gifts, and she knows that the world is more than most people see.

Rylee’s mentor, Giselle, is an old seer who is losing touch with reality and needs Rylee’s help and protection. Her best friend, Milly, another foster child helped by Giselle, is a young witch who longs to become part of a coven. Rylee’s pet, Alex, is a werewolf who has been rejected by the local pack due to his lack of aggression. These three have helped Rylee on many searches to bring back children stolen by supernatural forces. Sometimes they are lucky to bring them back alive. Other times all they can bring is closure.

Rylee has a new kidnapping to investigate and it is eerily, and frighteningly, similar to her sister’s kidnapping. Only Alex is around to help as Giselle is too sick and Milly has reasons to stay away from Rylee.

Rylee never expected to get help from the FBI investigator, O’Shea, who has watched her for ten years hoping he will finally find the evidence to bring her in. He is tailing her on his own time when he stumbles into a situation that is hard to believe…but explains some of the unexplained mysteries. What he learns sends him on the run from authorities and causes him to step to Rylee’s side to help her.

There is a lot of action and a variety of supernatural beings, some good, many bad. At times it seems that Rylee makes rookie mistakes and that she unexpectedly, almost too easily, gets past the dangers. I really enjoyed Rylee and O’Shea as the strong, primary characters and I liked their slowly developing connection. Rylee’s friends are good secondary characters and I especially enjoyed the humor added through Alex, the lap werewolf. The story is told primarily in third person with a few shifts to first person. The story is entertaining and reads quickly.

I recommend this to readers who like Mercy Thompson and Charlie Davidson. When I want another adventure fix, and those favorites aren't available, I may well pick up more of Rylee's series to enjoy.

This was a title I purchased for $.99 in January 2014 so it is from my TBR shelf.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 6, 2015

Happy Friday.
We have had a very warm first week of November. My DH had to fix the AC in my car, along with some other maintenance. I am so Thankful for him. :-)
I posted a new set of books last week then forgot to add the picture which is added now.
I have also posted another set of books because November is the month that I first started Friday Pick in 2009 (six years)! I like to award extra wins in November so the next four weeks will have some extra winners. I thought it would be good to add a few more choices. I have now posted 62 groups of 16 books so the total books up for grabs has come to 992! Happy Picking!
I have to take the new picture sometime Friday or Saturday and I'll try to link them too.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the October 30 Pick. There was only one automatic win this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There is one title in a three way block now.
AUTO: Carol NW gets Sleeping with Ward Clever

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from October 30 Pick:
Becky gets The Demon in Me

MaryP 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 am not sure if I used this image a few years back

but I saw it in my searching and just love the impact!

I am so thankful that no one has tried to destroy all of our books.

Image found at Micahel T. Dolan site Conversari

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015
PAIRS
Joan Johnston – Colter’s Wife and The Rivals
Nora Roberts – Born in Ice and Carnal Innocence
SINGLES
The Wedding Night by Jane Ann Krentz
The Marriage Prize by Virginia Henley
In Shelter Cove by Barbara Freethy
Into the Valley by Rosanne Bittner
Never Look Back by Linda Lael Miller
The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver – CD Audiobook
Touch Me by Beverly Rae (personally autographed)
Driven by Desire by LuAnn McLane (personally autographed)
To Marry a British Lord by Judith Obrien
A Highlander For Christmas by Sandy Blair
A Midnight Clear by Katherine Stone (slight seam creasing)
Silver Bells by JoAnn Ross, Fern Michaels, Mary Burton, Judy Duarte


New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015
After I noticed the trend I went on a hunt for “bride” titles. I even pulled a couple from some of my long time collections(*). (But they are not getting read on my shelves.)

PAIRS:
Leigh Greenwood –  The Reluctant Bride and The Independent Bride
Jane Feather(*) – The Hostage Bride and The Accidental Bride
SINGLES:
The de Burgh Bride by Deborah Simmons
The Forever Bride by Evelyn Rogers (Seam creasing)
Short Straw Bride by Dallas Schultz
The Bride Thief by Susan Spencer Paul
Bride by Stella Cameron (Seam creasing) (*)
An Unwilling Bride by Jo Beverley (*)
Bride Enchanted by Edith Layton
The Maiden Bride by Linda Needham (hardback)
Bride of Lochbarr by Margaret Moore (*)
The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens (*)
Honor’s Bride by Galye Wilson
A Necessary Bride by Debra Mullins
Border Bride by Deborah Hale


New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

PAIRS:
Shannon Drake – When Darkness Falls (Alliance Vampires #2)  and Realm of Shadows (Alliance Vampires#4) 
Charlaine Harris – Club Dead and Grave Sight
SINGLES:
A Darker Dream (Love Spell romance) by Amanda Ashley
Bloody Good by Georgia Evans
Cat of Nine Tales by Deborah Macgillivray
Fated (Dark Protectors Book 1) by Rebecca Zanetti
Grave Sins by Jenna Maclaine
Primitive by Mark Nykanen (ARC copy)
The Accidental Human (Accidentally Paranormal Novel Book 3) by Dakota Cassidy
The Demon in Me by Michelle Rowen
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands
Silent Night, Haunted Night (A Nicki Styx Mystery) by Terri Garey
Tombs of Endearment (Pepper Martin Mysteries, No. 3) by Casey Daniels
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)


New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015
A few more summer titles, historicals and mysteries!

ANTHOLOGIES:
Broken Vows, Mended Hearts by Lynn Stone, Gail Ranstrom and Anne O'Brien
3,2,1 Married! by Sharon Sala, Marie Ferrarella and Beverly Barton
SINGLES:
Only by Your Touch by Catherine Anderson
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels
Little Girl Lost by Shirlee McCoy
Beloved Enemy by Terri Reed
You Don't Know Jack by Erin McCarthy

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015
-- A few summer titles, a few mysteries, a few historicals...

SINGLES:
Hot Pursuit - Karen Rose, Annie Solomon and Carla Cassidy
Love Me Tomorrow by Rosanne Bittner (spine creasing)
Sevant, The Awakening by L.L. Foster

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015

SINGLES:
A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl
The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess by Trish Morey
Rally Fever by Crea Jones

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

SINGLES:
If I Had You by Deborah Bedford
The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes


BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
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
Richard Paul Evans PAIR: The Looking Glass and The Carousel
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- 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
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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.


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Death Angel by Linda Howard

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 almost six years I have posted 62 groups of 16 (992) books to find new homes! (as of November 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 883+ 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. 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!

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 $7.00 and $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)

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!

Audio Book Tour Review with Giveaway: Murder on Safari: A Thriller by Peter Riva

This is a well plotted, engaging mystery thriller with a fascinating setting. 
Murder on Safari: A Thriller
Written by: Peter Riva
Narrated by: R. D. Watson

Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:05-19-15

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genre: Mystery Thriller

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Only a reality TV producer and an expert safari guide can stop a terrorist attack.
Every adventure starts at the fringes of civilization. For expert safari guide Mbuno and wildlife television producer Pero Baltazar, filming in the wild of East Africa should have been a return to the adventure they always loved. This time they'd be filming soaring vultures in Northern Kenya and giant sea crocodiles in Tanzania with Mary, the daughter of the world's top television evangelist, the very reverend Jimmy Threte. But when a terrorist cell places them in the crosshairs, there is suddenly no escape, and they must put their filming aside and combine all their talents to thwart an all-out al-Shabaab terrorist attack on Jimmy Threte's Christian gathering of hundreds of thousands in Nairobi, Kenya. The problem is Pero has a secret - he's been working as a clandestine courier for the US State Department for years. If anyone finds out, it may get them all killed.
Exciting and expertly plotted, Murder on Safari is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller set in the great wide-open plains of East Africa.
©2015 Peter Riva (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Pero Baltazar is a wildlife producer accustomed to working with a close knit TV crew. Mbuno is a long time friend and an expert Safari guide. This trip the crew starts by filming the star, Simon, hang-gliding under the curious gaze of soaring vultures. The filming is good until Simon suffers an ‘accident’. Pero and Mbuno realize that the scene shows more than expected. The two crew land rovers end up fleeing an armed caravan that Pero believes is terrorist related. Pero, who has, for years, quietly and secretly worked with an old college friend at the US State Department, calls in his suspicions.

Pero is determined to find Simon's killer but he keeps the show moving along. The crew picks up Mary, the daughter of a top, highly respected and loved, televangelist, Jimmy Threte. Mary specializes in crocodiles and the team has a program to film her with giant sea crocs in Tanzania. As they move along in their program they dodge a bombing and other threats causing Pero to think fast and keep changing travel plans. Bit by bit clues are revealed that indicate a major terrorist attack is in the works and that Pero's crew has been targeted for getting in the way. Pero is promoted to the position of a field agent out of necessity – there being no other asset near enough to help control the investigation. Pero is distressed at bringing danger to his friends who have a surprising reaction to discovering his secret connections.

Parts of the setting in the story are amazingly beautiful and exotic. Other scenes portray the harsh reality of poverty, divided classes and distinct cultural differences. It took me a little bit to get into the story and the narrator, but after the first hour or so, the mystery and danger really pulled me in. The story is told from Pero's view and he shares background of the country and his friends that adds depth to the story. The second half of the book is amazing as Pero and his friends share clues and work out the details of a multi-tiered attack with a few surprising conspirators. Pero and another friend are the only ones on hand to face down the main threat in an exciting and dangerous aerial fight! Pero and Mbuno are especially wonderful characters, supported by a handful of interesting side characters.

This is a really well plotted thriller and the wildlife details are a wonderful background. I would like to read more suspense by Mr. Riva and wouldn't mind revisiting some of these characters. I highly recommend this book to readers who love a mystery with strong characters and lots of danger and clues to work through.

Audio Notes: I have to admit it took me just under an hour to get accustomed to the narration by R. D. Watson. Once I became more engaged in the story I appreciated the narration. Watson does a good job with most of the accents although the females and American accents are a bit exaggerated. Still, the narration brought the main characters alive, adding to the intensity and intrigue as well as the emotional elements of the story. I recommend the audio to those who like to listen instead of reading – just make sure you push through the first hour or so and then buckle up and enjoy the ride.

I received this for review through I Read Book Tours. It adds to my Audio Challenge.

Buy the book:     Amazon    Barnes & Noble     Chapters/Indigo

Author's Bio:

Peter Riva spent many months over thirty years in Africa, many of them with the legendary guides

for East African white hunters and adventurers. He created a TV series (seventy-eight 1-hour episodes) in 1995 called WildThings for Paramount TV. Passing on the fables, true tales and insider knowledge of these last reserves of true wildlife is a passion.

Connect with the author:
    Website  ~   Twitter  ~   Facebook

The tour schedule can be found at the author's iRead home page.

GIVEAWAY

Win 1 of 10 copies of Murder on Safari (print or audiobook)

& 1 of 2 $25 Amazon gift cards (international)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast with Giveaway: They All Fall Down by A.K. Mason

Publication Date: September 12, 2015
Paperback; 433 Pages

Genre: Contemporary/Women's Fiction

For her entire life, Alexandra Kramer has been checking a series of boxes. Trapped by the expectations of everyone else around her, she’s made good grades, married the right guy, and secured a place at the prestigious Harvard Business School.

But in the chaos of the 2008 financial crisis, Alex suddenly finds herself running into the fire, instead of seeking a safe haven from the flames. Ditching her Ivy League plans, she becomes dedicated to showing she has what it takes in the high-stakes, fast-paced boys’ club of Wall Street trading, as she forges her own path for the first time in her life.

As these volatile changes drive her husband Jamie into his own crisis, Alex is forced to examine the choices she’s made—as she’s torn between her traditional role as wife, and the exciting, Wild West appeal of the trading floor.

When her two worlds suddenly collide, it becomes clear the institutions she once believed in so strongly are more flawed than she ever imagined—and when everything comes crumbling down, it’s up to Alex to decide for herself what’s worthy of putting back together.

AMAZON (KINDLE) | AMAZON (PAPERBACK)

*Kindle eBook on Sale for $.99, now through November 9th!

About the Author

A. K. Mason is a graduate of Harvard College, who deferred her acceptance to Harvard Business School on three different occasions in favor of working on Wall Street. As a bond trader from 2007 to 2013, she experienced the financial crisis first-hand, and was on the trading desk as Lehman Brothers underwent bankruptcy.

In 2013, Mason earned her MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business and left Wall Street to build a fitness technology and media business. She currently resides in Washington, DC, with her family.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Giveaway

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