Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Regina Shen: Resilience by Lance Erlick

This is an entertaining dystopian with a likeable primary character.

Regina Shen: Resilience
by Lance Erlick

File Size: 3768 KB
Print Length: 241 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Finlee Augare Books (May 4, 2015)
ASIN: B00VDIZ72O
Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction, YA
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Regina Shen is an outcast forced to fend for herself. A storm is coming and that could be the least of her problems.
The World Federation condemns Regina and her family to live on the seaward side of barrier walls built to hold back rising seas caused by abrupt climate change. A hurricane threatens to destroy Regina’s world, tearing her from sister, mom, and home. Now Federation agents claim she has unique DNA that could single-handedly stop human extinction. It's too bad she doesn't trust them enough to barter fairly, let alone with her life.
Three-hundred-plus-year-old Grand Old Dames rule the all-female Federation using a rigid caste system. Their notorious Department of Antiquities, under the command of Chief Inspector Joanne Demarco, polices barrier walls, destroys knowledge from the past to suppress dissent, and pursues Regina for her genome.
Regina survives by her wits on swampy islands and thrives on salvage from sunken cities, including illegal print books from before the Federation. With her photographic memory, she defies Antiquities by consuming salvaged books not available in the Federation, which makes her an outcast among her teenaged peers.
Separated from sister, mom, and home, with Antiquities and bounty hunters in pursuit, Regina fights to stay alive and avoid capture while hunting for family. Does she have the resilience to survive both the storm and Antiquities?
Regina Shen: Resilience is the first book in an action-packed, science fiction thriller with an ordinary yet strong female heroine facing extraordinary hurdles with resolve. With the young protagonist, it should appeal to young adult and adult audiences.

Review:
Regina Shen lives in the swamps on the seaward side of the wall of the World Federation. Regina is one of the “marginals’ who survive beyond the help of the government. But the government is experiencing some difficulties. The world of only females is having trouble reproducing. The dna that has helped society continue has degenerated so that the species is at risk.

The Federal agents are testing the marginal girls and have found two with a viable dna… the Shen sisters, Regina and her younger sister, Colleen. The girls are on the run from a hurricane and the Federal agents, especially the Department of Antiquities Chief Inspector, DeMarco. DeMarco sees the girls, especially Regina, as her ticket up the power chain.

Regina is intent on finding her missing mother and sister. She keeps going back into danger, desperate to find Colleen. DeMarco has resources including the government technology of tracking devices, power boats, weapons and a network of marginal traders who barter everything they can, including girls. Although she is hot on her heals, Regina, with her affinity for the swamps, continues to evade capture.

Regina finds friends along the way who help her survive until she returns to her beloved teacher Mo-Mere. Mo-Mere was once within the walls until they cast her out. She knows that Regina is special and she wants to train and prepare her for more. Regina isn’t one to sit and hide. She wants to be out salvaging and helping to carry her own weight. But how can Regina stay with her friends without putting them in danger?

I like Regina’s strong character even though she is young, impulsive and makes foolish mistakes. She is also resourceful and caring. She is lucky to find good friends along her journey. DeMarco is a villain you like to dislike and I kept hoping she would meet an unpleasant fate. There is some repetition of the circumstances and it seemed like Regina was often more worried about food than getting to a place of safety. Granted she has to get food and water to survive but it just seemed like too much emphasis to me. (Then again... it is YA which sometimes pushes my patience.) Other than that, the writing flows well and has good pacing with tension building action.

I like how Regina is becoming a symbol of hope for the marginals. Still, she is in constant danger of betrayal or capture. I am looking forward to continuing the story in a week with book 2, Vigilance.

This is the first review of four books in the series which I am reviewing
through iReads Book Tours.

GIVEAWAY:

Prizes: ​

Win 1 signed copy of Resilience + $15 Amazon gift card + 2 sets of postcards / 2 winners will receive a signed copy of Resilience / a free ebook copy of The Rebel Within (open to USA)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Audio Book Review: The Arrival: The Evaran Chronicles Prequel by Adair Hart

This interesting prequel introduces a mysterious space traveler/bounty hunter.
The Arrival: The Evaran Chronicles Prequel
Written by: Adair Hart
Narrated by: Michael Pauley

Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins
Series: Evaran Chronicles, Book 0.5
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:05-02-16
Publisher: Quantum Edge Publishing
Genre: Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Jake Melkins is a few months away from turning 21. By the Seceltor Empire's laws, he will have to go to a breeding camp, or directly into slavery. Neither choice appeals to him. All this changes with the arrival of a space-and-time-traveling being known as Evaran at the space-station-turned-rest-stop that Jake lives on.
To make things complicated, Greecho, the slaver who abducted Jake as a kid, has arrived at the station. He and his crew, along with his 22-year-old human pet, Kathy, are about to go on a slave run to Earth.
Evaran has decided to interfere and free Jake and Kathy. That decision will lead him to Earth, where he will need to deal with the consequences.
©2016 Adair Hart (P)2016 Adair Hart

Review:
Evaran is a unique man with high tech capabilities who is acting as a one-man bounty hunter. He is delivering the top criminals to a major penal facility. They don’t understand how he is succeeding in capturing these dangerous men but they are glad to see them behind bars. Meanwhile Evaran is searching for genes and dna to lead him to a certain human species from a distant planet.

Jake will soon turn 21 and he is worried about his limited options. He will be taken to a breeding camp to serve as a breeder, or if he refuses, he will be sold off as a slave. He has thought of escaping but that would put his stepfather at risk of retaliation by Greecho who is the alien slaver who abducted Jake and his mother from their home planet when Jake was just a child. That planet was Earth which is supposed to be protected from slavers but has those who share in corruption and look the other way.

When Evaran stops off at the outpost space station that is run by Jake’s stepfather, he is surprised by the human boy. This boy has the features that Evaran has been seeking. Evaran helps restore some mechanized robots and is still at the station when Greecho makes a visit. Evaran doesn’t like Greecho and is particularly disturbed by the way he treats a human woman, Kathy, as his pet. Evaran decides he will take on the problem of Greecho and help Jake and Kathy escape even though they know they will have to face an angry Greecho again.

I enjoyed the mystery that is a big part of Evaran’s character and I loved the fact that he is a 'good guy' enforcer willing to help others. Jake is a smart, hardworking and direct young man who is a likeable character. There is plenty of action that helps to keep the story moving forward with interest. Evaran has lots of great technology tools and his sidekick AI is a character in itself. This story is a short prequel to more adventures with Evaran and it tweaked my interest so I would like to listen to the full stories. This would appeal to readers who enjoy sci fi and alien worlds.

Audio Notes: Michael Pauley does a very good job with the different voices and projecting the mystery of Evaran. His narration enhanced my enjoyment and I would like to listen to more titles he narrates.

I received this title from the author through AudioBook Boom. It qualifies for Audiobook Challenge.

Sharing Beyond Books #255 Comment Giveaway June 7, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Sorry this is posting late. I was busy with family in town on Saturday night and I forgot Monday night. I almost forgot tonight too! That's what happens when I get busy and am playing catch up.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week and "Welcome" to another new visitor.

Six commenters do not watch book related videos and six commenters enjoy them. Four have watched a few. Faith Hope and Cherrytea was very enthusiastic and I liked learning about the #bookbuddyathon she has participated in.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #254 comments is: #13 Marjorie who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. [I'm hoping to update the book choices - maybe the beginning of next year, lol.] Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #255

(One Question.)

Faith Hope and Cherry Tea asks: Do you buddy read? Have you ever? Would you consider buddy reading? Why/why not??

I have not done a buddy read unless you count book club reading the same book. I really like the sound of the #bookbuddyathon that Faith Hope and Cherrytea mentioned last week. It sounds like a fun way to share reading with online friends.

Image found at gbs2 Reading

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! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.

Your turn to share:
Faith Hope and Cherry Tea asks: Do you buddy read? Have you ever? Would you consider buddy reading? Why/why not??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question 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 June 11, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Sunday Post June 5, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 6, 2016

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

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.

This week Heather was out on vacation so Meghan and I were really juggling in the office. It was pretty intense for me.
We had a wonderful visit with our son, D-I-L and Granddaughter whose visit was extended through the week. They headed out this morning. I loved visiting but it did impact a bit on computer and reading time.
Our weather is still warm but we have had a few strong rain storms blow through.

I didn't get quite as much reading done or reviews as I might have wanted. I only finished two of my books --one audio and one ebook-- although I am 70% into the other ebook. I posted three reviews and most of my usual memes - I missed Saturday night Sharing Beyond Books and will post that Monday night.

Again, I did not get to visit many blogs last week, even with Monday off. We spent the day as a family day with cook out.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post May 29, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 30, 2016.

• We Will Always Remember: Memorial Day 2016.

• Book Review: Embattlement: The Undergrounders Series Book Two by Norma Hinkens; Dystopian, YA; my rating 4.25.

• MBS May 2016 Reading Wrap-Up.

• Book Review: The Girl in the Time Machine by Debra Chapoton; Sci Fi, Time Travel, YA; my rating 4.25.

• Audible Book Review: Old Man's War by John Scalzi; Sci Fi, Military Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 3, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/9/2016.

• [Sharing Beyond Books #255 Comment Giveaway delayed.]

• Sunday Words of Encouragement June 5, 2016.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Publicist/Author)

Cast Adrift
by Mannah Pierce
This is engaging and really good world building.
I will be posting my review this week with an interesting guest post.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Burning Bright: Ivy Granger Book 3
Written by: E.J. Stevens
Narrated by: Melanie A. Mason, David Wilson Brown
This is fun with various paranormal characters.
I'll be posting a review and listening to the newly released fourth book in the series.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (iRead)

Regina Shen: Resilience
by Lance Erlick
70% in. This is an interesting start to the series.
I received four books for this tour;
through iReads Book Tours.
This first review will post on June 9, 2016.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (ABB)

Dangerous and Unseemly: A Concordia Wells Mystery, Book 1
Written by: K.B. Owen
Narrated by: Becket Royce
This looks/sounds like a fun historical mystery.
I am looking forward to listening.
I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom.
Publisher's Summary
An unseemly lesson…in murder.
The year is 1896, and college professor Concordia Wells has her hands full: teaching classes, acting as live-in chaperone to a cottage of lively female students, and directing the student play, Macbeth. But mystery and murder are not confined to the stage, especially when the death of Concordia's sister, Mary, appears to be foul play. To make matters worse, the women's college is plagued by malicious pranks, arson, money troubles, and the apparent suicide of a college official.
With her beloved school facing certain ruin, Concordia knows that she must act. As she struggles to seek justice for her sister and discover who is behind the college incidents, there are some closest to Concordia who do not appreciate the unseemly inquiries and bold actions of the young lady professor. Can she discover who is responsible…before she becomes the next target?
©2013 K.B. Owen (P)2014 K.B. Owen

3. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Guardian of Paradise
by W.E. Lawrence
I enjoyed Chakana: Encounter In The Sacred Valley and I am glad to read another adventure by this author.
In 1888, Kira Wall, surviving daughter of missionaries swept away in a tsunami, lives a primitive, but enjoyable life with natives on an isolated island in the South Pacific. But her serene world is turned upside down when an Australian merchant ship, commanded by the sinister Captain Darcy Coleman, arrives with an overabundance of modern and lavish goods. Kira suspects ill intent. Chief Ariki refuses to listen to Kira’s warning, forcing her to uncover the real plan of the captain on her own. Unfortunately, she has a distraction. A six-foot tall, blond, and handsome distraction. Trevor Marshall, doctor and botanist, hopes to find exotic plants on the island to research new cures and medicines. He is dedicated to science, but when meeting the strong-willed, beautiful Kira Wall, he’d prefer to spend time researching her—all night.

The captain thwarts Kira’s attempts to call him out at every step, turning the village chief against her. With only Trevor and her best friend Malana by her side, she stalks the captain and his officers through the dense, predator infested jungle, toward the island’s inactive volcano. Frustrated by her failure to reveal the captain’s true intentions, Kira begins to think maybe she’s wrong about everything. Then an explosion and earthquake bigger than anyone on the island has ever seen renews her resolve. Was the blast natural or man-made? She is determined to prove it was the captain’s doing. Kira races against time and the island people’s naivety to stop the captain from destroying her home and killing everyone she loves.

4. Audible/MP3 (Author)

Birthright: Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective, Book 4
Written by: E.J. Stevens
Narrated by: Melanie A. Mason, Anthony Bowling
Now that I know the characters I am ready to jump into more Ivy sass and action.
I will be hosting the tour Giveaway next week and review the following week.
Publisher's Summary
Being a faerie princess isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Ivy must go to Faerie, but the gateway to the Wisp Court is through Tech Duinn, the house of Donn - Celtic god of the dead. Just her luck.
Unable to share her secret with Jinx, and with Jenna called away on Hunters' Guild business, Ivy must rely on Ceff and Torn to lead her to Death's door, literally, and back again. As if that wasn't dangerous enough, there's no saying what horrors lay in store within the Faerie realm. Too bad the Wisp Court is the one lead Ivy has in the search for her father - and possible salvation.
Maybe hiding away and dodging sidhe assassins isn't so bad after all.
Birthright is the fourth full-length novel in the award-winning Ivy Granger urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens. The world of Ivy Granger, including the Ivy Granger Psychic Detective series and Hunters' Guild series, is filled with action, paranormal mystery, magic, dark humor, quirky characters, bloodsucking vampires, flirtatious demons, sarcastic gargoyles, sexy shifters, temperamental witches, psychotic faeries, and snarky, kick-butt heroines.
©2015 E.J. Stevens (P)2016 E.J. Stevens

June 5, 2016 - Current with Reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I will also be listening (sometimes) to the companion commentary online.

I only posted three reviews last week so I am still a bit behind. I still have two prior plus two new reviews due.

I am finally getting to the five nine, now seven nine (again) back to five four author ebook reviews committed with no specific dates.
My NetGalley shelves are down to four with one of those next in line.

I hope to add another upcoming release this week to eTreasure's NetGalley titles.

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.

This week I received two audio review titles from the narrators and one ebook through Netgalley..
I resisted kindle titles other than the usual free ones.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom:

Dangerous and Unseemly: A Concordia Wells Mystery, Book 1
Written by: K.B. Owen
Narrated by: Becket Royce
I really liked the sound of this one. Full description is above under current reading.

I received this title from Hachette through NetGalley:
Ultimate Courage (True Heroes)
by Piper J. Drake

I enjoyed Extreme Honor and am pleased to be invited to read this next book.

Blitz day will be July 26.

I received this audiobook directly from the Narrator:

The Pit Stop: This Stop Could Be Life or Death
Written by: Carmen DeSousa
Narrated by: Michelle Babb
I like the sound of this ghostly detective story.

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Over the past week I only added 35 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement June 5, 2016

We were back in our ‘home’ church this morning. The Sunday School class was wonderful with a lesson from Romans 13. I will share more about that another day. Our time of praise and worship was filled with good, strong singing.

Pastor’s Sermon was “Living a Life of Faith”. He noted that sometimes Christians might feel guilty thinking they ‘need a holiday’ or there are times some feel they are not living to the potential of what God planned for them. But we are not all called to be great leaders or miracle workers. We are called to live each day with deliberate praise and goodness in our mouths and meditations. Psalm 19:14 and Luke 6:45.

Pastor shared three points:
1. You cannot have a hidden faith. If you have true faith it will show in how you act and what you say… even in the long lines of waiting or busy traffic driving. He gave many examples where Jesus healed people in the streets and said to them ‘your faith has made you whole’. Matthew 9:22, 9:29; Mark 10:52; Luke 7:50 and 17:19.
2. Every word you speak becomes seed for the future. Matthew 16:19 and 18:18…with words we can bind on earth and in heaven or loose on earth and in heaven. God has promised to meet our needs and that is what we should seek and speak, rather than becoming covetous and seeking greater. However, by experience, through faith we have learned that most often God will exceed our need if we trust Him and praise Him for taking care of the basics.
3. Heaven is depending on the profession of your mouth. We are to speak the good news and his joyous love and hope; to share it with others. A gloomy countenance does not share God’s joy. Nor does a bitter or critical spirit. If we do not control our tongues, we may have only a form of religion without true faith of relationship. James 1:26. What we speak from our mouths may provide the harvest for our satisfaction. Proverbs 18:21.

Pastor encouraged us to say things as God sees it, not necessarily as man sees it. That requires meditating, discernment and speaking truth from God’s view. Acknowledging that God works all things to the good of those who believe, our mouths should agree on what God knows.

I wasn’t sure what song video I would use today.
However, as I was looking/listening
I came across this and found it a wonderful song with great images and passages from Psalm 19. 

I hope you will enjoy watching as well as listening!

A Verse for Today:
Luke 6:45 (NIV)
45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

This verse stuck in my mind. We see evidence of it around us in the world each day. Lord, help me to speak good and speak Your praise, Your grace and Your love to all I come into contact with.