Book Review: Second Chances - A "Chosen" Short Story by Jeff Altabef and Erynn Altabef

I felt this story raised more questions than it answered.
Second Chances - A "Chosen" Short Story
by Jeff Altabef and Erynn Altabef

File Size: 2734 KB
Print Length: 73 pages
Publisher: Evolved Publishing LLC; 1st edition (September 7, 2015)
ASIN: B0153VNHSM
Genre: Coming of Age, Supernatural
My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0

Precious and rare, second chances must be earned, but has Ayden done enough to win his?
[Short Story, Teen & Young Adult, Mystery and Thriller, Fantasy and Supernatural, American Indian Culture]
One night changes everything.
One chance meeting forces a young man to make a choice.
Will he do what’s right?
Or what’s easy?
Ayden is forced to remember old secrets he’d rather not reveal when his daughter returns home with questions about his shadowy past and dangerous legacy. Will she understand when he tells her about the night mysterious strangers came to his sleepy Arizona town looking for a local medicine man?
As his tale unfolds, Ayden pieces together the mystery that connected a recent murder, the strangers, and the medicine man’s bizarre behavior.
Will he allow old demons to rule him, or will he get a second chance?

Review:
Juliet is a teen who has always wondered about her father. Her mother refused to give any information but she has finally met him and demands that he explain his absence from her life.

Ayden had a rough childhood and ended up as a part of a gang. He had every intention of giving up his past and going straight so he could marry the girl he loved, the daughter of a rich man in town. Ayden hears strangers in town asking about a local medicine man and about his girl’s father. When he races off to warn them he stumbles onto a dark man with evil powers. Unexpected events that no one will believe, especially with his history, put Ayden in jail and out of his daughter's life for many years.

Her father’s tale of events helps Juliet to understand more about herself. Now she has to face a future knowing she has special abilities and enemies to find.

I am not sure if this is a ‘prequel’ or a short story between full books in the series. It is short at 74 pages and barely introduces the primary characters and mysterious legend, supernatural powers and evils that are involved. I felt sorry for Ayden who made some bad choices and got trapped by outside powers. I didn’t care for Juliet’s attitude of rebellion and disobedience. I liked the suspense and Native American mystery elements.

Although this serves as an introduction, I felt it was incomplete on its own. I didn’t feel I understood what was to happen when I finished the short story. I suspect it would make sense once the reader moves on to the first full book in the series but I really was left puzzling whether this had pulled me in enough to want to continue. I might be willing to read the next book if it was offered for review but I can’t say I was engaged enough to want to run out and buy it.

I received this book from the author in exchange for signing up for the newsletter. No review was required although encouraged.

Sunday Post September 4, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 5, 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 was another rather pushed week for me. Hubby was quiet most of the week but was a little more comfortable after talking to the Doctor on Wednesday for pre-op. His surgery went well on Friday and he was discharged on Saturday. I had church family with me at the hospital during the procedure. Saturday when we came home DH was feeling pretty good although he may have done a little more walking (he wanted to pick up groceries) than he should have. Today he has been quite tired and has some pain in his back and the incisions. Hopefully he will start to get more strength as the week progresses.

I have enjoyed my reading/listening although it seems rather slow. I was surprised to realize I only finished one audio book although I am 70% into the ebook. I posted three reviews and the usual memes.

I visited early in the week but not as much as I would like. Maybe I'll do better this week with a holiday on Monday.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post August 28, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 29, 2016.

• Book Review: Keepsake for Eagle Cove by M. L. Buchman; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating 5.0.

• Audio Book Review: Unseemly Pursuits: The Concordia Wells Mysteries Book 2 by K.B. Owen; Historical, mystery; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 2, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 9/8/2016.

• Book Review: The Lame Duck by Bernard Leo Remakus; Suspense, Medical; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #268 Comment Giveaway September 3, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 9/10/2016.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 4, 2016.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/MP3 (Narrator)

Tarah Woodblade: The Bowl of Souls Book 6
Written by: Trevor H. Cooley
Narrated by: Andrew Tell
I am midway and enjoying this good fantasy with magic, dwarves, gnomes, and an assortment of creatures.
I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Dead Lawyers Don't Lie: A Gripping Thriller (Jake Wolfe Book 1)
by Mark Nolan
I am really enjoying this action packed thriller. The character banter reminds me a bit of Lethal Weapon. 
It is a little longer (642 pgs) than most of my reads so it is taking extra time to read.
I received this ebook from the author for an honest review.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (Narrator)

Mistletoe Mayhem: Dawson Chronicles, Book 1
Written by: Linda Bridey
Narrated by: Mary Ann Weathers
I am only about a third into this.
It is moving slowly.
I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Print (Candence Marketing Group)

FRIENDS OF THE WIGWAM: A Civil War Story
by John William Huelskamp
This looks very interesting. 
It may take a bit longer to read as it is in print.
FRIENDS OF THE WIGWAM is a historical novel and love story about six young friends whose innocence is stripped from them seemingly overnight in the brutal setting of the American Civil War.
Meticulously researched and based on real-life people and true events, FRIENDS OF THE WIGWAM spans 1857-1865 and introduces you to the courageous men and women from Illinois who staged one of the first contested national conventions, were responsible for getting Abraham Lincoln elected and made the ultimate sacrifice during the American Civil War.
From the true story of a young woman who successfully masqueraded as a man during the Civil War and was buried with full military honors to the often heart-wrenching letters home to wives and families and actual military correspondence between military leaders, author John William Huelskamp brings to life a volatile nation at war.
Celebrate each friend's successes and struggles on the battlefields, learn the story of those who led the battles, and meet a magnificent war-horse that is a steadfast survivor in the face of many tragedies.
Without at doubt, FRIENDS OF THE WIGWAM is one of the most moving Civil War novels you will ever read.
*** A WGN Emmy Award nominee news video on this fascinating Civil War novel can be viewed at friendsofthewigwam.com***

September 4, 2016 - I am back up to date 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 posted three reviews, which puts me at three to complete.

I am still accepting new audio titles as I can always squeeze listening in!
I have been reading author titles so I am down to four.
I am feeling a little overwhelmed with offers as I just do not feel I can fit them all in. I can eliminate erotica easily (not sure why they even offer that to me) but sometimes it is hard to pick and choose among the other offerings.
My NetGalley shelf is still at four but I hope to pull up one of those this coming week.
Here it is September! I am still hoping to read SOME TBRs this month but right now I want to get the author and NetGalley titles completed.
I am planning more TBRs for November when I will participate in Sci Fi Month 2016.

I am still working on additional releases at eTreasure's NetGalley page .
They finally processed this title after I sent queries.

The Handy Dandy Quick Reference Guide For Teachers Working with Children with Academic

Dr. Jackie Paxton

This is a new children's title to be released in October:

Jake's Happy New Year

Shea Gibson

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 book through KindleScout and two books from an author through InstaFreebie.
I received other InstaFreebie titles and plan to list those when I pull them in to read.
I had selected five titles to buy on sale but forgot to finish the purchase before 8/31. Fortunately they were titles I was only buying because they were on sale so it is no huge miss. I can always pick up the ones I really want with my two monthly credits.
Again, I didn't purchase any kindle titles but picked up the usual healthy number of free kindle titles.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received this ebook through KindleScout:
Shadow Reaper (Shadowlands Series)
Cassidy, Amos
"Dark urban fantasy with a post-apocalyptic twist."
Categorized as Science Fiction: Metaphysical & Visionary - not sure what that means but I am in a post-apcalyptic reading mode.

I received two titles from the author through InstaFreebie
(although the first also qualifies as a TBR from my Kindle shelf in 2015)

The Soul Summoner
by Elicia Hyder
"... Sloan is on the hunt for a deadly psychopath with two irresistible men. One of them would die for her, and the other would kill to keep her safe."
Paranormal, Suspense.

And

The Detective: A Nathan McNamara Story
by Elicia Hyder
"Robbery, arson, murder...and the one night stand that just won't end."

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE yet - I am contemplating Audible titles for my two August credits.

Free

I added 50 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 September 4, 2016

We had another fine morning at church. The rain even held off to allow everyone to get in and out again before the strong rain fell.

Our SS Teacher focused on the beginning verses of Romans 12. Reading it from The Message translation gives a broader, more contemporary view of the text. However, the message is the same: we need to surrender our everyday lives to God’s control. Embracing what He does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Romans 12:1 The Message (see below). Obedience to Him is most important. We need to recognize the gifts He has given us and use them for His purposes. We do not need to envy others or be prideful because each of us has a gift that must work together in the body for the whole to function properly. We actually should practice being second fiddle and allowing Christ to be the head of the body. We should love one another and make effort to be hospitable – meeting the needs of others.

Pastor’s “BE” message this morning was a perfect match. The text was also Romans 12:1-2 and the directive is to BE set apart – be holy. Not that we are able to be holy. But we shouldn’t be so much like the world that they don’t see a difference. ‘Set apart’ is a calling from God for all believers; it is the evidence of His work of grace.

We may have to accept being considered “weird” or even “fanatical” because our words, our values, our actions and our lives should look different. We should be always be trusting God and showing confidence and assurance even in troubled times.

(For some reason my tablet only saved half of my notes so I am missing the last portion and relying on memory which is faulty at this stage… especially since I rely on notes. **Sigh**.)

Pastor noted there are two steps to help us be set apart: Examine yourself and Submit to God’s way, not our own.

I found this wonderful praise song to share with today’s words: Set Apart by Worship Central.

Verses for Today: 12 1-2 The Message (MSG)
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

God, I pray that you will help me each day to surrender my life to you… to be set apart for you.

Sharing Beyond Books #268 Comment Giveaway September 3, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Hmm - Most of us (nine) DO NOT try things we read about in books although four commenters try recipes found in books. :-) Mystica and Marjorie like to learn history from books and Marjorie has bought more books on certain events after learning about them in a book. Only Elizabeth indicated that she will try things she reads about.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #267 comments is:#7 bn100 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 #268

(One Question.)

Miki asks: Have you already took part in a book swap or a secret sender exchanges ( when you send something books, swag etc to someone from a list but without revealing who you are immediately)? What do you think of those??

I have done this before and it is always fun! Sadly the last couple of years the sign ups have slipped by me so I haven't participated. Maybe I will remember to sign up this year. :-)

Image Found at Explore... Pinterest page

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: Miki asks: Have you already took part in a book swap or a secret sender exchanges ( when you send something books, swag etc to someone from a list but without revealing who you are immediately)? What do you think of those??

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 September 10, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: The Lame Duck by Bernard Leo Remakus

A lot of this is scary... but very captivating.

The Lame Duck
by Bernard Leo Remakus

File Size: 2113 KB
Print Length: 384 pages
Publisher: 221 East Publishing; First Edition edition (November 7, 2015)
ASIN: B017PXXXEE
Genre: Suspense, Medical
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Some believe Dr. Bob Cassidy is America's worst doctor. The young physician is already defending his third malpractice suit, being investigated by the feds, and about to lose his hospital privileges. Many believe Angela Fratello is America’s top malpractice lawyer. Known as the "Angel of Death" in legal circles, she knows how to win in the courtroom - and win big. When Angela starts experiencing severe foot pain while skiing, she drives to the closest medical facility - the backwoods office of Dr. Bob Cassidy. Angela becomes Cassidy's patient, and their chance meeting sets the stage for the perfect crime - and a love story for the ages.

Review:
Dr. Bob Cassidy is a caring, country doctor. He hasn’t deserved the troubles of malpractice suits brought against him but, in the nature of court proceedings, sometimes the insurance companies settle just to avoid the cost of going to trial.

Dr. Bob didn’t get to complete his residency because he returned home to care for his parents. He was accepted by the local community hospital because his father was one of the founding doctors. Bob has taken over the family practice which is run out of their rustic but impressive home which sits in a beautiful, prime spot in the hills of Pennsylvania, above the local community.

Bob is frustrated by the hospital system he has to work within. The local hospital is controlled by a corrupt and greedy chief doctor and his cronies who care more about their golf games and money than the care of the patients. The greedy managers have brought on board a scary group of inept physicians with a goal of making money rather than helping the sick.

Bob is required to take his turn handling the emergency room and he watches over his own patients when they have to be admitted. But Bob recognizes the uncaring, ineptitude of the other doctors and the outdated and inadequate equipment at the hospital. He wishes he could go elsewhere but he can’t leave home nor find other work without his full residency time.

One evening a beautiful woman appears at Bob’s doors seeking treatment for a painful toe. He encourages her to see a doctor in Scranton, where she lives. She refuses to go to her own town or to the local hospital. She finally tells him why she can’t go there in order to convince him to test her and treat her. Angela is a top malpractice lawyer, known as the "Angel of Death" in legal circles due to her persistent and successful skills winning malpractice cases against doctors and hospitals.

As the daily, painful treatments proceed, Bob and Angela reveal their emotional struggles, pains and dreams while they fall in love. Everything is going well until an incident causes Angela to re-injure her toe. The injury is severe and she is rushed to the hospital where one disaster after another nearly results in her death. Now the queen of malpractice has her eyes set on the hospital and every doctor there, including Bob.

This story is eerie, frustrating, frighteningly and disgustingly real – full of greed and corruption both private and in the Medicare bureaucracy. Sadly, I suspect that this fiction could be all too real. I really enjoyed the characters of Bob and Angela. The story is well written although there were some tense errors that needed editing. That was only a minor distraction as I liked the plot and the twists that made for engaging reading. I recommend this to readers who like a mystery and who can stomach reading about corruption in the medical system.

I received this from the author for an honest review.