Audible Review: It Takes a Thief to Catch a Sunrise by Rob J. Hayes

This is a fun heist caper with duels and romance.

It Takes a Thief to Catch a Sunrise
Written by: Rob J. Hayes
Narrated by: Schatzie Schaefers

Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:12-16-16
Publisher: Rob J. Hayes
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Adventure
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Set in a new world of corruption, deceit and thievery; mixing magical fantasy and alchemy punk with a healthy smattering of airshippery. It Takes a Thief to Catch a Sunrise follows Jacques Revou and Isabel de Rosier, a couple of charlatans at the top of their game.
After completing the biggest heist of their career, Jacques and Isabel are ready to retire, until the king's shadow councilor freezes their assets and forces them to work for him. Jacques and Isabel find themselves thrust into the social elite, playing the parts of Baron and Baroness Bonvillain, as they attempt to uncover a plot that threatens the entire kingdom.
©2014 Rob J. Hayes (P)2016 Rob J. Hayes

Review:
Isabel and Jacques are lively and engaging characters, adventurous and creative thieves. The couple were all set to retire in comfort with the spoils of their biggest and ‘last’ heist. Then one night they find intruders in their new home. They are confronted by a mysterious, supposedly cripple man and his male and female body guards or goons. The man is the king’s shadow councilor who has frozen all of Jacques and Isabel’s assets to force them to do his bidding. They must pose as a couple known for dueling skills - Baron and Baroness Bonvillain. They are to infiltrate the local nobility to ferret out suspected conspirators who are threats to the king, queen and the newly announced, unborn heir.

Jacques and Isabel are used to play acting, so assuming the roles is not such a problem. And they are pleased with the nice mansion they are provided to decorate and occupy. But the nobility are nicer than their strong arming boss and the bodyguards who are trying to teach them to shot and fight. The problem is that Jacques has no aptitude for shooting. Plus, the ‘Baron and Baroness’ are actually making friends with some of the people they are spending time with until one of them challenges ‘the Baron’ to a duel to the death!

Jacques and Isabel do uncover a conspiracy, but it isn’t the one they expect. Looks like they need to plan a heist to save their own hides from assassination. Jacques finally gets to ride in the steamships he’s been obsessing over, if only he can keep it from being their last ride.

The story has wonderful banter and energy. Isabel and Jacques are clearly in love and willing to take risks for excitement but they have their own standards of thievery. There were good twists and bits of irony. There was good pacing although there were also some issues raised that weren’t fully explained like the mystery of the Ooze – little worms seeming to ooze and grow in the sewer tunnels.

This is a fun fantasy with steampunk airships, duels and fun romance elements. I recommend this to readers who enjoy those elements with a good conspiracy romp. This is the first story I have read by Mr. Hayes but it won’t be the last.

Audio Notes: The narration is excellent. Schatzie Schaefers provides a wonderful performance of the primary characters, conveying their energy and love. She does a good job with all the other characters too. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the fun story.

I received this audio book from the author. This qualifies for my 2017 Audio Challenge as well as "I" in 2017 Alphabet Challenge.

Audio Book Review: Goliath by Steve Alten

This is an intense military action thriller that makes you think about military might and social – human --issues. (ABJ)
Goliath
By: Steve Alten
Read by: Christopher Kipiniak

Runtime: 14.8 Hours
Release date: 11.15.2016
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
ISBN-13: 978-1-5047-8531-0
Genre: Fiction/Thrillers/Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Terrorism. Acts of oppression. The threat of nuclear war. What if one madman aboard a vessel could end these fears forever?
Commander Rochelle “Rocky” Jackson is aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan when the “unsinkable” naval vessel and its entire fleet are attacked from the depths and sunk. As Rocky struggles to stay alive, a monstrous mechanical steel stingray surfaces, plowing through the seas it now commands.
The US Navy–designed Goliath is a futuristic nuclear stealth submarine in the shape of a stingray. Simon Covah, a brilliant scientist whose entire family were the victims of terrorism, has hijacked the sub. Believing violence is a disease, Covah aims to use the Goliath and its cache of nuclear weapons to dictate policy to the world regarding the removal of oppressive regimes and nuclear weapons.
Could the threat of violence forge a lasting peace?
But there is another player in this life-and-death chess match: unbeknownst to Covah and the Goliath crew, the Goliath’s biochemical computer brain has become self-aware—and it’s developing its own agenda.
© 2002 by Steve Alten

Review:
“Rocky” Jackson followed the footsteps of her naval officer dad by preparing for naval service. She always ranked well in grades and testing, having to push herself a bit to prove her capabilities in a man’s career. Rocky and her fiancé, Gunner, a special forces ‘hero’, worked with other specialists on a secret government project -- a huge stealth submarine known as the Goliath. The project was cancelled when Gunner destroyed the schematics on the eve of their wedding. Gunner knows he was betrayed and set up by a close friend but he refuses to reveal the truth even when convicted of treason. Rocky was devastated and wouldn’t speak to Gunner even when encouraged by her father who was once Gunner’s commanding officer.

Ten years later, the United States officials discover that the Goliath has been built in secret by the Chinese and is now in the hands of Simon Covah. Covah was one of the original scientists working on Goliath and he has inserted Sorceress, a learning biochemical computer brain, into the sub’s control matrix. Covah is set on a catastrophic plan to stop humans from more maiming wars, like the one that maimed him and took his family. Covah has programmed Sorceress with his master plan to target the worst of the world's known terrorists. But Covah hasn’t factored in the learning curve and control of Sorceress. Covah faces his own betrayals, once again proving that the best laid plans can run amok.

Rocky and Gunner are pulled in by defense specialists to stop Covah and Goliath from setting off nuclear bombs in specially targeted cities. Rocky and Gunner don’t trust each other but are forced to find a way to work together if they want to survive Covah’s sub team and Goliath’s ‘evolving’ personality.

I enjoyed the character development with hurts, scars and sometimes delirium. I also enjoyed the danger, the fast-paced action and the intense suspense. Mr. Alten blends genius with a fine line of mania that can even taint a human trained AI. The author provides a thought provoking message regarding nuclear weapons. Although interesting, the depth of detail on military weapons, submarines, carriers, specialty planes, and specialty weapons is almost overwhelming. I suspect the details are intended to give the reader a better perspective on the immensity and power of Goliath.

I recommend this to readers who enjoy military thrillers. You can always skim past the equipment details if they seem too much.

Audio Notes: Christopher Kipiniak does a fine job with the voices and accents. The characters are easily distinguishable and the narration provides good pacing, realistic emotion and fitting intensity. The narration increased my enjoyment of the story.

I received this audio book from Blackstone Audio through Audiobook Jukebox. It qualifies for 2017 Audio Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 10, 2017

Happy Friday!
I sure will be glad when everyone is well again around here! Hubby and I have struggled through our colds; getting to bed early trying to knock it out. (No reviews done though.)
The girls in the office have missed three days between them and sick children. :-(
On the heart side Hubby is still doing better. They sent a nurse to the house to make him wear the LifeVest. Apparently they need the monitoring for three months to decide if he needs a pacemaker. He is frustrated but beginning to acquiesce.
Our weather has been pretty warm except for Thursday's temperature drop to high 30s. We've had some heavy rain storms several afternoons. I had to stop twice to pull branches off our driveway.
I sure hope everyone is staying safe in these strange weather conditions.

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 February 3 Pick. There were no automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no titles blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from February 3 Pick:
NATALIJA gets a GC.
and
RUBYNREBA gets Love Overboard

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.}

International Book Giving Day
I plan to share some books this coming week. How about you?
The  2014 Image was found at Nashville Public Library.

New Book Group #70 January 27, 2017
Thought I’d share some romances for February:
PAIRS:
Betty Neels: The Girl With Green Eyes and the Damsel in Green
Linda Howard: The Touch of Fire and Loving Forever
SINGLES:
The Devilish Pleasures of a Duke by Jillian Hunter
Kissed by Shadows (Get Connected Romances) by Jane Feather
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn
Love Letters From a Duke (The Bachelor Chronicles Book 3) by Elizabeth Boyle
Love Overboard by Janet Evanovich
Love Wild and Fair by Bertrice Small
Only With Your Love (Vallerands Book 2) by Lisa Kleypas
Scandalous Love by Brenda Joyce
Someone to Love by Jude Deveraux
Valentine by Jane Feather
A Visit From Sir Nicholas (Effington Family Book 9) by Victoria Alexander
Winter Fire by Jo Beverly


New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016
(I'll post a picture and links later)
Some books for Christmas
Mistletoe Marriage by Jessica Hart
Twelfth Night Proposal by Karen Rose Smith
Jingle Bell Blessings by Bonnie K. Winn
Snowbound with Mr. Right by Judy Christenberry
Christmas With the Prince by Michelle Celmer
The Christmas Cowboy by Michele Dunaway
Christmas Bonus: Strings Attached by Susan Crosby
Wanted: Christmas Mommy by Judy Christenberry
One Cowboy One Christmas by Kathleen Eagle
All I Want for Christmas by Gina Wilkins
Mistletoe and Miracles by Marie Ferrarella
Her Montana Christmas by Arlene James
All She Wants for Christmas by Stacy Connelly
Miracle on Christmas Eve by Shirley Jump
Snowbound Reunion by Barbara McMahon
Holiday Homecoming by Mae Ann Wilson


New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
(I'll post a picture and links later)
PAIR:
Lisa Gardner: The Perfect Husband and The Other Daughter
Stella Cameron: True Bliss and Sheer Pleasures
SINGLE:
Stray by A. N. Wilson (hardcover)
Soul of the Wildcat by Devyn Quinn
The Seventh Tower, Book One by Garth Nix
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
Kill Chain by Meg Gardiner
Wild Rain by Christine Feehan
The Copper Beach by Maeve Binchy
Beyond Reach: A Novel (Grant County Book 6) by Karin Slaughter
Crimson Shore by Preston & Childs
The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry
Critical by Robin Cook
Mania by Craig Larsen

New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
SINGLES:
*The Brittany Stones by Lynna Cooper (1974 - yellowed; corner of cover cut)
No Place for a Lady by Katherine Greyle
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)


New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016

(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
SINGLES:
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

SINGLES:
A Dangerous Fancy by Tracy Cozzens
The Champion by Heather Grothaus


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016
SINGLES:
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette

New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016 -- All Gone

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015 -- All Gone

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.)
SINGLES:
Border Bride by Deborah Hale

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

SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)

New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015 -- All Gone


New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014 -- All Gone

BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


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)
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)
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
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)

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

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 seven years I have posted 68 groups of 16 (1,088) books to find new homes! (as of November 4, 2016).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,034+ 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!

Guest Post: Story Ideas Ripped from the Headlines PLUS #Giveaway

Story Ideas Ripped from the Headlines

By Lauren Carr

“Where do you get your story ideas?”

“How do you come up with these ideas?”

Some readers, and a few of my relatives, think that I’ve got a twisted mind to have come up with some of my murder plots. Actually, in my own defense, I don’t always come up with the murder. Sometimes, I simply twist it around a bit.

Truth be told, often the germ of my ideas are—
Ripped from the Headlines!

Like all writers, I love stories. I like telling them, I also like hearing them. I have found that readers love to tell mystery writers stories about … you guessed it—murder. Often, it is a true story in which the story-teller will inject their own view of the facts.

Well, writers do the same thing. We just go further and actually write it down. Then we continue to twist and turn and stir and drain the facts until we come up with a book that more often than not, has no resemblance to what we had when we started out.

It’s a fact. Truth is stranger than fiction. Think about what you see in today’s headlines. Real people, especially those who are twisted, are much more imaginative than most writers. Good writers ask the right questions (usually, What if…) to make a great mystery out of it.

Such was the case for my latest Thorny Rose mystery, A Fine Year for Murder. A combination of headlines had captured my attention. From the discovery of a murder weapon, a hammer, warming up the cold case of a family murdered (Keddie Murders) to the sleepwalking defense—a defendant claiming he was innocent because he committed murder while sleepwalking.

The sleepwalking idea bloomed from a discussion at my table during a bridal shower. After a few games and sweets, the conversation turned to accidents in the bedroom. One young lady confessed that she had a tendency to be quite athletic after falling asleep. This young woman didn’t have nightmares, she just simply kicked and punched her husband. Unfortunately, she was unaware of how physical she was until after she had given him a black-eye on their honeymoon.

What if, I asked, Jessica Faraday gave Murphy a black eye on their honeymoon … as a result of nightmares … because she had witnessed a murder and had tucked the memory deep into her subconscious?

It is entirely possible. There have been numerous cases of victims of violence or witnesses to traumatic incidents repressing the memories only to have them re-emerge years, even decades later.
As these various ideas swirled around in my head, the writer in me asked What if…
there had been a tragically brutal murder of a family—a case that has long gone cold. And what if, somehow, someway, Jessica Faraday had been a witness to this murder but has buried that memory deep into her mind—only to surface in her sleep—causing her to strike out at Murphy in her terror.

The cause for her nightmares remains a mystery until investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre. Then, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family living near a winery owned by distant relatives she was visiting.

Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple?

As a murder mystery writer, I don’t make up the news, I only give it a special twist from the imagination.

Learn more about the book and the author in the Book Spotlight Post HERE.
#mystery, #ThornyRoseMystery, #giveaway

Giveaway:​

One winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card (Open internationally);

Ends April 22

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Spotlight: A Fine Year for Murder by Lauren Carr

A Fine Year for Murder (A Thorny Rose Mystery Book 2)
by Lauren Carr

Book Description:

After months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle of the night when, in darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out at Murphy.

When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family living near a winery owned by distant relatives she was visiting and suppressed the memory.

Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple?

Buy the Book:  Amazon  ~ Add on Goodreads

Book Trailer:

Author's Bio:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, son, and four dogs (including the real Gnarly) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with Lauren: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

Please see the author GUEST POST AND GIVEAWAY HERE.
#mystery, #ThornyRoseMystery, #giveaway

Full Tour Schedule can be found at the author's iRead home page.