Audible Book Review: The Synchronicity War, Part 1 by Dietmar Wehr

This is slow starting but gets better – with personable AIs to add to the excitement.

The Synchronicity War, Part 1
Written by: Dietmar Wehr
Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins
Series: The Synchronicity War, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:02-27-15
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Genre: Sci Fi, Military
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Be aware that Part 1 has a cliffhanger ending. After almost a century of peaceful exploration and colonization of space, the United Earth Space Force stumbles across a shockingly xenophobic alien race that has more and better armed ships and refuses all attempts at contact. As the outgunned Space Force is driven back in battle after battle in what appears to be a war of extermination, one officer experiences precognitive visions that help him blunt the enemy onslaught, but he can't control or predict when they occur. With the Senior Brass convinced that he's a tactical genius, he's given more and more responsibility and is terrified by the belief that Humanity's Fate will be determined by a battle with himself in overall command.
This is Volume 1 of a military SF series about desperate space battles and the men, women and Artificial Intelligences, who fight and die in them.
©2013 Dietmar Wehr (P)2015 Podium Publishing

Review:
Commander Victor Shiloh is one of seven Frigates out in jump space. One of their own team has gone missing and the squadron leader is going in to investigate. It soon becomes apparent that a ruthless enemy is destroying ships at will with no contact or warning.

Shiloh begins to have visions of movements to take that become true after the fact. These appear to be instinctive, if not skilled, tactical moves. He can’t go to his superiors to tell them of his visions but it may be tricky to explain some of his actions without revealing the source. His superior wants to move Shiloh up in leadership but Shiloh declines the advancement and is sent off to an AI hanger as punishment. This turns out to have a positive result as Shiloh begins to develop a relationship with the AI team.

The AI units seem to be developing their own personalities – naming themselves and bantering with the humans they interact with. These AIs soon become fiercely involved in the battle preparations. Shiloh’s superior soon realizes that Shiloh is still making important decisions even from the fringes. They reassign him and he continues to face the enemy with limited success – but more success than anyone else.

The first book ends with a terrible cliffhanger. Fortunately, the audible book had the beginning of book two so I got pulled into that. I love the interaction with the AIs and I really enjoy the battle strategy and Shiloh’s personality. The story starts slowly and seems a bit dry until well into the story. Much of the beginning of the book was less than stellar in presentation and I might not have been interested in book two except for the pick up of action near the end of part 1 and the excerpt of part 2 being made available.

Audio Notes: Luke Daniels is the narrator and I have found him very effective in narrating The Iron Druid series. Sadly, this story is dry well into the midpoint so I think that the lackluster was more the story than the narration. I have not yet decided if I will continue in ebook or audio.

[I had to look up “synchronicity” and that wasn’t totally helpful. The Webster definition is: “the coincidental occurrence of events and especially psychic events (as similar thoughts in widely separated persons or a mental image of an unexpected event before it happens) that seem related but are not explained by conventional mechanisms of causality —used especially in the psychology of C. G. Jung.”]

This has been in my Audible Library since December 2015 and on my Kindle library since 2014. This qualifies for Audio Challenge and Mount TBR.

Book Review: The Wrong Unit by Rob Dircks

This is a delightful sci fi dystopia – unique in my reading world!
The Wrong Unit: A Novel
by Rob Dircks

File Size: 726 KB
Print Length: 284 pages
Publisher: Goldfinch Publishing; 1 edition (July 2, 2016)
ASIN: B01HWQ1ONG
Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

I DON’T KNOW WHAT THE HUMANS ARE SO CRANKY ABOUT. Their enclosures are large, they ingest over a thousand calories per day, and they’re allowed to mate. Plus, they have me.
An Autonomous Servile Unit, housed in a mobile/bipedal chassis. I do my job well: keep the humans healthy and happy.
“Hey you.”
Heyoo. That’s my name, I suppose. It’s easier for the humans to remember than 413s98-itr8. I guess I’ve gotten used to it.

Review:
Heyoo is the name of a standard robotic farmer helper unit in 'the sanctuary'. The humans often tease him and he got his name because they always call him “Hey You”. He is in for repair of a circular difficulty when a rebellion takes place. It is hard for the computers to understand why humans would want to rebel against The CORE – after all the computer system provides housing, food, work and control all aspects of the human lives so that they can always be happy.

The humans placed something in Heyoo's chest and sent him away in a transporter that he didn’t previously know existed. Before they launch him out he sees the human look at him and say "he's the Wrong Unit!" Heyoo soon discovers that the package he is carrying is a human infant that he quickly names “Wah”! He also has half of a map. Heyoo has no idea how to take care of a messy, hungry infant. But Heyoo has determination to prove he can do the job! He spends the next thirteen years journeying with the map and helping Wah grow as the sole free human in the world. Eventually they uncover other hidden humans and gather a team to advance the release of the humans from 'the sanctuary'.

This dystopian story is truly delightful! It is told in first person by Heyoo. It charmingly moves with his changes as a farmer, a wanderer and even a pirate unit. Over the years of their journey Heyoo discovers the joys of human freedom and the inexpressible enthusiasm of a growing child exploring the wide world with his “Dad” as his best – well only for a long time – friend. Their interaction is adorable and evokes all sorts of human emotions: fear, joy, pain, sorrow, and love. And of course, the story reveals the irony of a perfect utopia world that removes the freedom of choice from the humans. The ending brought tears to my eyes! This is fun and definitely worth reading. I want to read more by Mr. Dircks.

I received this from the publisher through NetGalley. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge and was a selection for November Sci Fi – even though I didn’t get it posted then.

Sunday Post December 11, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 12, 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 a nice week back at home and in the office. I've been playing catch-up at work and enjoying the first couple Christmas parties. I hope to get good work done this coming week with minimal appointments.
We had our one night of cold - nothing compared to everyone up north. I did get stuck at work though as a tree fell across our street and took out power for three hours. Hubby called to tell me I couldn't get home.

Reading was fair, if a bit slow. I finished one audiobook and one print (which I loved). I am 70% into the next ebook. I posted two reviews and the usual memes.

I enjoyed visiting early in the week.
My shout out this week is Inside of a Dog blog by Kathy Martin. She is always busy and shares lots of good books and reviews.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post December 4, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 5, 2016.

• Sharing Beyond Books #281 Comment Giveaway December 3, 2016 (Posted 12/5). Open Worldwide; ended 12/10.

• Audio Book Review: Only Ever You by Rebecca Drake; Mystery, Suspense, Thriller; my rating 4.5.

• Audible Book Review: Swarm: Star Force, Book 1, by B. V. Larson; Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 9, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/15/2016.

• Sharing Beyond Books #282 Comment Giveaway December 10, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/17.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 11, 2016.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio (TBR)

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25
Written by: Richard Paul Evans
Narrated by: Fred Berman
This seems a bit of teen super heroes, 
but it is entertaining.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print (TBR)

The Sound of Sleigh Bells: A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country
by Cindy Woodsmall
I found this delightful!
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NetGalley)

The Circuit: Executor Rising
by Rhett C. Bruno
I am 70% complete on this engaging sci fi.
I received this from the publisher through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (Author)

The Thursday Night Club: A Tale of Christmas Spirit
by Steven Manchester
This begins my Christmas reading. 
I received this from the author whose new release is listed below in Mailbox Monday for February Review.
Five college friends, three men and two women, have been getting together every Thursday night to share humble meals and an abundance of laughter. But when tragedy takes one of them, leaving the others to question the fairness of life, the Thursday Night Club decides to embark on a contest in the memory of the generous spirit of their fallen brother. The objective of the contest is simple: whoever performs the kindest deed by Christmas night wins the pot – four quarters. And there are only two conditions: the benevolent deed must be anonymous, and it cannot cost a single penny to pull off.
As the four friends undertake the contest, the healing begins and they become inspired beyond their expectations. There might be a winner in this competition, but it is very clear there will be no losers.
A story of Christmas spirit that will strike a chord in your heart any time of year, THE THURSDAY NIGHT CLUB will make you look at the holiday season in new ways.

3. Audible (Narrator)

The Great Martian War: Invasion
Written by: Scott Washburn
Narrated by: Ray Greenley
I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom.
Publisher's Summary
Following the initial Martian invasion of England, President Theodore Roosevelt tries to prepare the United States for the potential of another Martian incursion. As the possibility of a stronger invasion is increasingly clear, the US government tries to mobilize nations to share information and technology to defend humanity. Newly minted ordinance officer Andrew Comstock has been placed in charge of developing new technology that has to be tested on the fly in a race against time if humanity is to survive.
©2016 Vincent Rospond (P)2016 Vincent Rospond

4. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Caitlyn's Christmas Wish
by Laura L. Walker
I was offered this title with it's lovely cover for review.
Right Family, Wrong Brother - Just when former model and single mother Caitlyn Drevier Reel has finally put her life on track after a divorce and a six-month stint in rehab, her ex-in-laws extend an invitation to spend Christmas with the family. After all, she reasons, her ex-husband Grant is constantly on the road with his band and it's only fair to allow them to get to know her young son. What Caitlyn isn't prepared for, however, is the spark of attraction she feels for Ridge, Grant's older brother, or the wonderful sense of belonging to their family once again. Ridge, who is recovering from his own personal heartache, seems to feel the same way. As they work together to ensure the success of the Winter Festival his parents have organized for their small Wyoming town, Caitlyn begins to envision a bright future. But will Grant's unexpected arrival at this family get-together keep her Christmas wish from coming true? Caitlyn's Christmas Wish is an inspirational romance novella that will have you reaching for a mug of hot cocoa as you get into the holiday mood.

December 4, 2016 - I used audio time this past week to get caught up to date on my Bible reading.
I have been enjoying listening to the companion commentary online when I am home.
I am reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church.

I posted two reviews which still keeps me a bit behind; five to be posted.

I still plan to request audio titles as I can always squeeze listening in!
I currently have 7 NetGalley Titles and 10+ author titles in my queue. Clearly some/most of them are going into 2017!

We have several releases and new books to go up on eTreasure's NetGalley page; hopefully this week.

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 print review title and one NetGalley ebook for tours in 2017.
I also received on audio book for review.

After picking up a cart full of Audible titles last week, Audible had a 50% sale this week. So I picked up five more audios; plus they had a gifted title.
I picked up two Kindle titles for $.99.
I received invite to pick up a huge number of free ebooks,  plus I picked up the usual good number of free kindle titles. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

For Review and Tour March 2017:

Ashes
by Steven Manchester
"At turns humorous, biting, poignant, and surprisingly tender, ASHES puts a new spin on family and dysfunction with a story that is at once fresh and timelessly universal."

For January Tour with iRead Book Tours:

The Skeleton Code: A Satirical Guide to Secret Keeping
by Alla Campanella and Ken Massey

"As a parody of the self-help “success” genre, the book presents facetious strategies about how to cover up our silly and scandalous secrets before turning to The Skeleton Cure."

Won

NONE

Purchased

I treated myself to an early (Birthday) present by purchasing six Audible titles for under $30.00.
One was a Daily Deal but the other five were part of the 50% sale; they were $4-6.00. I find it hard to use a credit for a book under $12.00 but they were in my wish list.

1. The Quilt by Gary Paulsen
2. Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

3. The Brave Ones: A Memoir of Hope, Pride, and Military Service by Michael J. MacLeod
4. Alien: Out of the Shadows: An Audible Original Drama by Tim Lebbon, Dirk Maggs (Daily Deal)

5. You Will Not Have My Hate by Antoine Leiris
6. Brothers in Valor: Man of War, Book 3 by H. Paul Honsinger


I also purchased two Kindle Christmas titles for $.99 each:
Love and Kisses Christmas Collection
Debra Elizabeth
and
Christmas Cozy (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 11)
Kathi Daley

Free

I received these sci fi titles from the authors:
Halcyon (The Complex Book 0)
by Demelza Carlton
"Catch a siren. Stop the storm. Whatever the cost."
and
The Treemakers (The Treemakers Trilogy Book 1)
by Christina L. Rozelle
"Stay on guard. Be aware of your surroundings. Notice the nuances. Cover your tracks. Always be prepared. Question everything. This is how you stay alive, Joy. This is how you keep the ones you love alive."


I received a free holiday gift from Audible:
The Most Wonderful Tales of the Year: Holiday Memories
Written and Performed by Our Favorite Narrators
Written by: Audible Narrators
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Kate Reading, Michael Kramer, full cast


I downloaded 24 titles from instafreebie PLUS
I added a whopping 114 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 December 11, 2016

It was good to be back in our home church this morning. Our Sunday School teacher completed a lesson he started last week that was meaningful and encouraging. I will share more on that another time.

Our Pastor is doing a series of messages in December to Celebrate our Savior – from birth to the gift of redemption. This morning’s Sermon was titled “The Gift”. He noted that some people are good shoppers while others struggle. Often we have to wonder what to give the person who has all they need or doesn’t want a gift.

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke share different perspectives of the birth of Jesus Christ. Matthew writes to a Jewish audience so he focuses on showing the lineage and importance of Jesus. Luke gives more detail with a broader picture. Both were written sixty or so years after the events.

We might not fully understand the nature of the gifts brought to baby Jesus by the wise men. Although everyone recognizes the value of gold, Frankincense and Myrrh are somewhat like a candle and perfume. But they were gifts of value in the time and place. Bethlehem was a small town estimated to have no more than 1000 occupants, probably less (as low as 300). The shepherds were low on society’s class list. They only came in to town for supplies and they would have little to give as a gift. What did they bring? They brought themselves and gave of their humbleness by acknowledging the birth, go out to tell others and returning to the fields giving glory and praise to God. Luke 2:20.

Question: What gift would you bring to your Savior? What is a worthy gift to give to God?
And a more important question would be: What is on God’s wish list to receive from you?
Some of the items on God’s wish list are surrender, release of pride, release of any idol or competing distractions. God is worthy of all the glory and honor and praise. What each person can give is like the shepherds: ourselves, our adoration and our praise!

I found this Christmas Adoration Medley which I think fits today’s message.

A Verse for Today:
Luke 2:20 NIV
20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Lord, let me never stop giving You all the praise, honor and glory - for You alone are worthy!

Sharing Beyond Books #282 Comment Giveaway December 10, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Six commenters have picked a book just by its title. Nine commenters might be drawn to the book but have to read the blurb to decide. Two will not buy just based on the book title.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #281 comments is: #1 Natalija 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 #282

(One Question.)

PoetryinLeaves asks: If you were a super hero what powers would you have??

I have passed this question a few times as I couldn't think of a super power I would want. Tonight I did a little Google searching to view choices. I decided that if I had to choose one power, I think I would choose healing. Then I re-read the question and realized I could have more than one power! Power Mimicry could be cool since you could mimic other people's powers but I don't think I would be comfortable with that. But I would really like to add Omnilinguilism (knowing languages) with healing powers.

[This is closer to my true superpower. :-)]

Image Found at Pinterest.

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: PoetryinLeaves asks: If you were a super hero what powers would you have??

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 December 17, 2016 at 5 PM central.