Book Review: The Forever Gate Book One by Isaac Hooke

This is an engaging introduction to the series.

The Forever Gate Book One 
by Isaac Hooke

File Size: 1717 KB
Print Length: 100 pages
Publication Date: January 2, 2013
ASIN: B00AVXHRAM
Genre: Sci Fi, Cyperpunk
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

The world as we know it is about to end.
Hoodwink Cooper has been sentenced to death. His crime? Attempting to blast a hole in the Forever Gate, the colossal wall that surrounds the city and protects the denizens from the uninhabitable Outside. There's only one problem - he isn't the one who planted the bomb.
His daughter did, at the behest of a secretive society known as the Users.
As the gols, the humanlike automata who have enslaved the humans, prepare to carry out Hoodwink's sentence, the Users plot even greater turmoil. If Hoodwink gives up the ghost without first extricating his daughter from their clutches, she will most likely join him in the afterlife.
What Hoodwink and the Users don't realize is that they are all pawns in a greater game whose stakes are the very survival of humanity itself.
Will Hoodwink escape in time to save his daughter? More importantly, will he break free of the invisible forces that guide him?
Or will he succumb to the domination of his unseen masters and cause the breaking of the world, losing not just his daughter, but everything?
---THE FOREVER GATE combines elements of science fiction & fantasy to evoke a unique setting entirely unlike anything you've ever read before.

Review:
Hoodwink has been sentenced to death for threatening the Forever Gate. His accusers do not know that he accepted the crime and punishment to protect his daughter. He does not know why she wanted to bomb the forbidden gate but he will do anything, even die, to save her.

Yolinda, now Ari, is working with a secret group of people who are no longer shackled by the collars that prevent most citizens from using super powers of fire and electricity. Since they can still use the powers they are called the Users. A team rescue Hoodwink from the executioner’s blade and steer him to the outskirts of town. There he is given a choice: return for his punishment or climb the forbidden wall.

Hoodwink accepts the task and promises to come back to his daughter. That is a promise he may not be able to keep. Once he passes over the wall he meets a dwarf who is mysterious and dangerous. Hoodwink appears to be captured, maybe killed. But he awakens to find himself in a layered world under the control of others whose motives are unknown.

The story is set in a future world that has a feel of the middle ages. There are gols who are not human but rather government-controlled workers. Hoodwink lost his daughter to the Mayor and has had to learn to live with his guilt. The layered worlds had me thinking of the body pods in the Matrix. I enjoyed the creative world and I enjoyed the action. Hoodwink is a likeable, strong character – maybe not completely good but with a renewed integrity that seeks to protect those he loves. The ending has an "argh" moment and left me curious to discover where the story goes from here. I am glad that I have the next books.

I received this book and some of the sequels from the author for an honest review. 
I actually had this in my Kindle Library from 2014 so I am counting it towards TBR Challenge also. 

Sunday Post September 25, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 26, 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.

I continue to play catch up at work. I sorted all my files and updated my to-do list as I cleared my desk Saturday before the cleaning crew comes in.
Hubby is still frustrated by see-sawing blood pressure, but he is doing his exercises. I did them with him on Saturday. :-)

I enjoyed my reads/listening this week. Don't know why I have only been getting two books finished instead of three but that's okay. I finished one print and one audio book; I am half way through another audio book and an ebook. I posted three reviews and the usual memes.

I did get to visit mid week but still not as much as I wanted.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post September 18, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 19, 2016.

• Audiobook Review: Mistletoe Mayhem: Dawson Chronicles, Book 1 by Linda Bridey; Historical Romance; my rating 3.75.

• Book Review: FRIENDS OF THE WIGWAM: A Civil War Story by John William Huelskamp; Historical Fiction, Civil War; my rating 4.75.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 23, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 9/29/2016.

• Audible Book Review: Grave Surprise: Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 2 by Charlaine Harris; Mystery, Paranormal; my rating 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #271 Comment Giveaway September 24, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/1/2016.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 25, 2016.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Author)

The Forever Gate Book One 
by Isaac Hooke
I liked this intro and am glad I have the next to read soon. I received this title and others from the author for an honest review.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (ABJ)

Haraken: A Silver Ships Novel
By: S. H. Jucha
Read by: Grover Gardner
Series: The Silver Ships Series, book 4
This is very engaging - I really liked the characters!
I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Author)

The Captive Heart
by Michelle Griep
I am really enjoying this. I am at 50%.
I received this through NetGalley; it releases 10/1/16 so I plan to post the review later this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Kiss an Angel
Written by: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Narrated by: Anna Fields
This is charming.
I added this to my Audible library in 2012.
I am reading it for TBR and Audio "K" in Alphabet Challenge.
Publisher's Summary
Arranged marriages seldom happen in modern America, so Daisy Devreaux hates her father's ultimatum: marry the humorless man he has picked for her, or go to jail. It's not much of a deal for Alex Markov, the prospective groom, either. He's got no time to indulge an uptown girl.
So Alex puts Daisy to work in his traveling circus, expecting the harsh realities will break her. Instead, he finds she's got heart enough for both of them.
©1996 Susan Elizabeth Phillips; (P)1996 Books on Tape

3. Print/ebook (Ladies Book Club)

Simple Deceit: A Mennonite Community's Way of Life Is Threatened by Outsiders (The Harmony Series Book 2)
by Nancy Mehl
I had fun buying new books for my Ladies Book Club.
This is the first one we are reading for October 1.
In the sequel to Simple Secrets, watch how a raging current of deceit runs through the once peaceful Mennonite community of Harmony, Kansas. As soon as Gracie decides to stay in town and take freelance work involving a local land developer, the townspeople blame her for bringing on this change that could ruin life as they know it. Gracie’s motives in romance with Sam, in helping an oppressed teenager, and in trying to make a living are all suddenly drawing suspicion. Should she leave or stay and fight for what she has come to love?

I will no doubt start another audio before the week is out but I haven't decided what yet.

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 brings me right up to date; two for this week so far. 

I am still accepting new audio titles as I can always squeeze listening in!
I continue reading author titles. I will pull another from the list of six next week.
My NetGalley shelf is down to three.
I got to listen to a couple of my TBRs even though I didn't get to pull any from ebooks.
I am planning/hoping to get to TBRs for November when I will participate in Sci Fi Month.

We continue to add upcoming releases at eTreasure's NetGalley page.
This title is now available at NetGalley:
 As A God
T. G. Shepherd

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 have more review requests to look at.
I shopped for Ladies Book Club and received boxes all week long which was great fun.
I will add the titles as I pull them for our monthly reading. The first is listed this week.
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

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

Simple Deceit: A Mennonite Community's Way of Life Is Threatened by Outsiders (The Harmony Series Book 2)
by Nancy Mehl
For more info see above under Current Reading.

I currently have 5 books in my Audible cart that I am thinking to purchase on sale.
The total will be under $20.00 and I am very tempted.

Free

I again 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 25, 2016

We had a good Sunday morning. Out substitute Sunday school teacher discussed some end time matters. I have some good notes to share on this another day.


Our Pastor concluded his BE series with: BE the Church!
Games sometimes lose the original “intention”, just like life. The cares of this world can be overwhelming. We have all these issues: health, finances, home and contents, vehicles, work, relationships with family, co-workers and friends are just the beginning. The church can get distracted from its mission too.

Do we understand ‘Who is the church’? Every Christ follower is the church. The church is not a place (building) where we go. It is who we are.

The Point: I am the church. My life’s mission and the church’s mission are not different; they are the same.

We should not have the attitude that we ‘deserve it your way, right away’. Paul explained in Philippians 2:1-11 that Christ gave up His divinity and humbled Himself to suffer the lowest death of a criminal. Jesus didn’t live to rule the world; He lived and died to save the world. He told His followers to go out and build the church. Matthew 28:19.

'Winning' in church sometimes becomes distorted. It is not an issue of “how large is your church”. The goal is to change the population between heaven and hell. We are to bring freedom to the lost; to bring them to the level ground at the foot of the cross.

Pastor exhorted us to remember and pursue the Assemblies of God mission statement:
1. Evangelize the world
2. Worship God
3. Disciple believers (train and build the body)
4. Show compassion (God’s love)

This is a praise song we sang this morning and it fits.

A Verse for Today:
Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Lord, I pray, please help me to stay on track with the right mission; Your mission.

Sharing Beyond Books #271 Comment Giveaway September 24, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Ten commenters are not bothered by swearing especially if it fits the situation. Six of us are not fans of swearing. We might read some but are apt to stop reading if the swearing is excessive.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #270 comments is: #14 Nikki 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 #271

(One Question.)

Rubynreba asks: If you have pets do they sit with you when you read or when you are on the computer??

I have a cat and two dogs. The dachshund is a kisser, not a cuddler, so he rarely sits or sleeps anywhere but at our feet. The rat terrier will lay with me sometimes while I read. But the one who is most likely to interrupt me while reading is the cat. She also loves to walk around the computer while I am typing!

Image Found at The Dodo.

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.
Questions for September were provided by: Miki, MaryP, Natalija and Rubynreba. Random.org chose 2 so MaryP gets a GC.

Your turn to share: Rubynreba asks: If you have pets do they sit with you when you read or when you are on the computer??
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 October 1, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Grave Surprise: Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 2 by Charlaine Harris

This is an engaging mystery and easy listen
Grave Surprise: Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 2
Written by: Charlaine Harris
Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan

Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
Series: Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:07-18-07
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Twenty-something Harper Connelly has a gift. After being struck by lighting as a child, she discovered an eerie ability to locate the deceased.
In Memphis, skeptical Professor Nunley wants her to demonstrate her skill at an ancient cemetery. There, Harper stands atop a grave and says there are two bodies entombed: one centuries old, but the other, a young girl named Tabitha.
Her assertion holds water. Tabitha has been missing for two years - and now the police are suspicious of Harper. So with her loyal stepbrother, Tolliver, Harper begins to amass clues that will solve the case.
©2006 Charlaine Harris Inc; (P)2007 Recorded Books

Review:
Harper Connelly was struck by lightning as a child and survived with a special ‘gift’. She can locate the dead by feel of the ground or burial spot and she can identify the cause of death – natural or unnatural. She might be able to say how a victim died but that doesn’t tell her who perpetrated the murder. Although it isn’t easy, her skills provide a career in which she is aided by her loyal stepbrother Tolliver.

Harper is challenged by a jeering college professor to show her skills to his special class. The professor becomes angry and the class is surprised as Harper successfully identifies one death after another in the old Memphis cemetery. Then Harper is shocked when she stands on a grave that reveals a child she was seeking a year before. Harper had been engaged by the parents to find the missing little girl but with few clues she was unsuccessful.

Harper and Tolliver have to deal with local and FBI authorities who look suspect at them. They also have to meet with the family members who have a range of reactions to the discovery of the body. Harper has to dig through the clues to find out how the child was buried in a different city and why events were manipulated so that she would find the body.

I liked the thought processes shared for Harper who is a well-developed, engaging character. Her relationship with her stepbrother, already an important element which affects them both, appears to be poised for a change. The skeptics are fully represented and the suspects are lined up as Ms. Harris skillfully lays out the clues to the mystery. This is different than the Sookie Stackhouse series but enjoyable for the mystery and psychic elements. 

This was an easy, fairly quick listen. I would read more in this series. It was very enjoyable and I recommend it to mystery lovers who enjoy a touch of psychic with their clues.

Audio Notes: It took me a little time to get used to the narration by Alyssa Bresnahan. It seemed rather low-key initially but as it proceeded I felt the voices and subdued tone fit the spooky elements of the story. I was glad to have this in audio format for quick reading/listening.

This is from my Audible Library - 2012. This qualifies for my TBR and Audio Challenges and "G" in Alphabet Challenge.