Book Review: Fake by Twist Phelan

This is a fast-paced, engaging thriller with an interesting female protagonist.
Fake
by Twist Phelan

File Size: 1479 KB
Print Length: 228 pages
Publisher: Virage Press (May 30, 2016)
ASIN: B01GEY1HGQ
Genre: Thriller, Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Finn Teller Corporate Spy Mystery #1
Have you ever thought about buying a counterfeit product? Maybe a watch or a handbag for fun? After you read FAKE, the first book in Twist Phelan's series featuring Finn Teller, corporate spy, you'll think again.
From Thriller Award-winning author Twist Phelan comes "a new and capable heroine you'll want to see again" (Jan Burke, Edgar® Award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author). FAKE, the first book in Phelan's new series featuring corporate spy Finn Teller, shines a light on the netherworld of counterfeit goods.
An assignment with a Milan fashion house leads Finn to an undercover investigation of a train wreck in Croatia—scene of her most tragic professional mistake and home to terrorists still out for revenge. The hunter becomes the hunted and the stakes skyrocket as Finn must win a race against the clock to stop the spread of a deadly African pandemic and escape with her life. FAKE is a page-turning mystery that will keep you guessing up to the end.
"Full of character and good storytelling!" –Michael Connelly, Edgar® Award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author

Review:
Finn, a corporate spy, is a tough cookie with some painful guilt baggage. She solves a case in a Milan fashion house which gets her assigned to investigate a train wreck in Croatia. She doesn’t want to return to Croatia which is the place of a mistake she feels she made a few years earlier. But her skills are needed, the client wants her specifically and the boss says “go”.

The train wreck is only part of the investigation as the real problem is that it was carrying a special antibiotic for an African plague. The pills on the train were discovered to be fake when found at the train wreck. Finn is interviewing and investigating both angles of the case but soon is dodging bullets. The attacks on her might be tied to her current investigation or might just as likely be tied to the case she feels she bungled. Either way, she needs to move quickly to save herself and try to help the victims of the plague. Can Finn expose the villains before they or the terrorists take her out?

This has a realistic plot and a fast action ride. I liked how the details were uncovered and the spurts of danger and race to escape made for page turning attention. Finn is a strong character with her own flaws and vulnerabilities. The author interspersed chapters describing the prior event that impacted Finn so hard and left her with enemies in the area. I appreciated that the book moved at a quick pace without compromising on the suspense.

This is the first story I have read by Ms. Phelan but I hope to read more. I may have to try the other series since it involves a female business lawyer. I do recommend this to readers who enjoy a good, fast-paced thriller.

I received this through NetGalley. It qualifies for 2017 NetGalley Challenge and Mount TBR.

Book Review and Giveaway: Free Space by Sean Danker

This is not as intriguing as book one, but face-paced and enjoyable.

Free Space (Admiral)
by Sean Danker

File Size: 1537 KB
Print Length: 313 pages
Publisher: Ace (May 2, 2017)
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B01KGZVXC2
Genre: Sci Fi, Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

In the follow-up to Admiral, the intergalactic war has ended and hostilities between the Evagardian Empire and the Commonwealth are officially over, but the admiral is far from safe. . . .
I’d impersonated a prince, temporarily stopped a war, escaped a deadly planet, and survived more assassination attempts than I could conveniently count. After all that, there shouldn’t have been anything simpler than a nice weekend with a charming Evagardian girl.
However, some corners of the galaxy aren’t as genteel as the Empire, and Evagardians aren’t universally loved, which is how I ended up kidnapped to be traded as a commodity.
Their timing couldn’t have been worse. I'm not at my best, but these people have no idea whom they're dealing with: a highly trained, genetically engineered soldier in the Imperial Service who happens to be my date.

Review:
The Admiral, an assassin and disguise expert, and Salmagard, a highly trained, genetically engineered soldier, saved each other in their first adventure. Now they are hoping to enjoy some ‘down’ time. Unfortunately, the Admiral is poisoned even before they meet for their date. And that’s just the beginning of their troubles.

They pick up a carrier to do some sightseeing and meet two Imperials, Sei and Diana, when they share the ride. The car is diverted and the four end up kidnapped. Admiral and Sei are separated to be traded while the women are retained for other uses. But their captors do not know what they’ve gotten themselves into as Salmagard and Diana will find a way to escape and go after their dates.

The Admiral and Sei are sold at auction and shipped off site. They awaken on a planet where the people are living in an old earth style community. It appears to be a religious cult led by a man who clearly, to the Admiral’s view, has nefarious plans. The Admiral doesn’t know how he is going to get himself out of this predicament.

This sequel to Admiral kicks off with a good hook and keeps on moving at a fast pace. The cult world is a bit strange and confusing but it provides a backdrop of thought as Salmagard begins to see that her strict training may not have provided all she needs to know of reality and politics. Neither side is full of all the “right” as clearly there are those who abuse power no matter what side they supposedly serve. And in the end, most will serve their own purposes rather than honor the loyalty that may have been expected.

The intrigue and mystery in this was not as intense as in book one. This fills out more of the backstory for the Admiral and Salmagard and I liked the new characters, Sei and Diana. Although this story is almost completely focused on the kidnapping and escape, I did enjoy the fast-paced action and the continued irreverent and pragmatic attitude the Admiral displays even when facing death…again. This made for a fast, fun read. The rather abrupt ending leaves an opening for new intrigue which I hope would be more apparent in the next book.

I received the title through NetGalley. It qualifies for 2017 NetGalley Challenge, Mount TBR and “F” in Alphabet Challenge.

GIVEAWAY:

One PRINT COPY from the publisher - US Only

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries

(a) comment on the review, OR

(b) Visit the Author's website and tell me something you learned or like there.

* This contest is open to US for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) May 13, 2017. Winner will be announced in the Sunday Post on May 14, 2017.
Winners are asked to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

MBS April 2017 Reading Wrap-Up

MBS 2017 Reading List - April

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2017

5 Stars = The Hollow Hills, Silence Fallen and The Quilt

1. ABJ- Audio Book Review: The Hollow Hills by Mary Stewart; Fantasy, Classic Fiction; my rating 5.0.
2. A- Audible Book Review: Confluence by S. K. Dunstall; Military Sci Fi; my rating: 4.75.
3. P-TBR- Book Review and Giveaway: A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano; Historical Romance, Inspirational; my rating 4.25.
4. eNG TBR- Book Review: Ivy in Bloom: The Poetry of Spring... by Vanita Oelschlager; Children, Poetry; my rating 4.0.
5. A-ABB- Audio Book Review: Streets of Payne by Jeff Brackett; Cyperpunk, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
6. eNG- Book Review: Yak and Dove by Kyo Maclear (Author), Esme Shapiro (Illustrator) (review to be linked).
7. eNG TBR- Book Review: Codename Lazarus: The Spy Who Came Back From The Dead by A.P. Martin; Espionage, WWII; my rating: 4.0.
8. A-TBR- Audible Book Review: The Monster Calls by Patrick Ness; Teen, Fantasy, Family; my rating: 4.5.
9. eNGTBR- Book Review: Fake by Twist Phelan; Suspense, Thriller; my rating: 4.5.
10. ABJ- Audio Book Review: Keystone by Dannika Dark; Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; my rating: 4.25.
11. A- Audible Review: Silence Fallen: A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 10 by Patricia Briggs; Urban Fantasy, Romance; my rating: 5.0.
12. ENGTBR- Book Review and Giveaway: Free Space by Sean Danker; Sci Fi, Thriller; my rating 4.0.
13. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Quilt by Gary Paulsen; Family, Children; my rating 5.0.
14. P-TBR- How Big Is Love? (Faith, Hope, Love) Board book – by Amy Parker (Author), Breezy Brookshire (Illustrator); Children.
    

Total read = 14; TBR = 8; New Authors = 8
Audio/Audible = 7 (1 ABB; 2 ABJ)
eBook =  (all NG)
NetGalley = 5
Print = 2

Sunday Post April 30, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 1, 2017

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.

Work continues to be busy. My second employee was out two days which slows things.
Hubby has had more energy this week and is working a bit around the house.
Our weather has warmed up to 80s and moving toward the 90s.
I am concerned and praying for those suffering tornadoes, floods and even late snow storms.

My reading picked up again; I finished two audio book and two ebooks. I posted two reviews plus all of my usual memes.

I visited about 28 blogs last week.
Blog shout out this week is for Lost in Lit who has a lovely peacock header and looks very busy with children and reading!
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post April 23, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 24, 2017.

• A-ABB- Audio Book Review: Streets of Payne by Jeff Brackett; Cyperpunk, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 28, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 5/4/2017.

• ENG-TBR- Audible Book Review: The Monster Calls by Patrick Ness; Teen, Fantasy, Family; my rating: 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #300 Comment Giveaway April 29, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 5/6/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 30, 2017.

Winner of Talent for Trouble is Vicki W.

Finished Reading:

1.Audio/mp3 (ABJ)

Keystone: Crossbreed Series, Book 1
Written by: Dannika Dark
Narrated by: Nicole Poole
This is engaging fantasy with interesting characters and good action.
I received the audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/mp3 (TBR)

Silence Fallen: A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 10
Written by: Patricia Briggs
Narrated by: Lorelei King, George Newbern
Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
This is a must read/listen series for me. My only disappointment was that it ended. :-)
Publisher's Summary
In the New York Times best-selling Mercy Thompson novels, the coyote shapeshifter has found her voice in the werewolf pack. But when Mercy's bond with the pack - and her mate - is broken, she'll learn what it truly means to be alone....
Attacked and abducted in her home territory, Mercy finds herself in the clutches of the most powerful vampire in the world, taken as a weapon to use against alpha werewolf Adam and the ruler of the Tri-Cities vampires. In coyote form Mercy escapes - only to find herself without money, without clothing, and alone in the heart of Europe.
Unable to contact Adam and the rest of the pack, Mercy has allies to find and enemies to fight, and she needs to figure out which is which. Ancient powers stir, and Mercy must be her agile best to avoid causing a war between vampires and werewolves, and between werewolves and werewolves. And in the heart of the ancient city of Prague, old ghosts rise....
©2017 Patricia Briggs (P)2017 Penguin Audio

3. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Free Space (Admiral)
by Sean Danker
This was another exciting ride... 
or space flight as the case may be.
I will be posting my review with a Giveaway on May 2 3.
I received the title through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audible/mp3 (TBR)

The Quilt
Written by: Gary Paulsen
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
This was lovely and had me in tears by the end.
This was from my Audible TBR shelf.
Publisher's Summary
A six-year-old boy goes to spend the summer with his grandmother, Alida, in a small Minnesota town. With the men all gone off to fight, the women are left to run the farms. There’s plenty for the boy to do - trying to help with the chores; getting to know the dog and the horses, cows, pigs, and chickens.
But when his cousin Kristina goes into labor, he can’t do a thing. Instead, the house fills with women come to help and to wait, and to work on the quilt together. This is no common, everyday quilt, but one that contains all the stories of the boy’s family. And as they wait, and work, the women share these stories with the boy.
In this spare, affecting novel, ordinary life and ordinary things take on a new meaning, and the bond between a boy and his grandmother shines through.
©2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.; 2005 Gary Paulsen

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Bookburners
by Max Gladstone, Mur Lafferty, Brian Francis Slattery, Margaret Dunlap
I am at 80%. This was longer than some but fun.
I received this through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (Author TBR)

From Afar
by Roger Thomas
This is one from my Author queue that I had hoped to get to much sooner.
The Magi, or Three Kings, of the Nativity story are among the best loved yet most mysterious figures in all history. The fleeting and sparse account in St. Matthew's Gospel raises as many questions as it answers. It has been so embroidered over the centuries that the original historical context has been almost completely buried. Yet the world of the early first century was as dynamic and intriguing as any legend - and much more perilous.
In his compelling novelization of the journey of the Magi, Roger Thomas draws on Scripture, history, and modern research. This swift-moving tale brings these shadowed figures to vivid life. You meet them as men of their time and culture: learned and noble, yet experienced with a brutal world and even violent when necessary. Come with them as they search for a King they do not understand, and seek for answers to questions lying in the deepest parts of their souls - providing they survive the dangers of the journey.

3. Print (Ladies Book Club TBR)

Plain Proposal (Daughters of the Promise Book 5)
by Beth Wiseman
This is our Ladies Book Club read 
for discussion on May 13.
Miriam secretly vows to follow Saul no matter what the future holds. She never thought that future might take them away from their Amish community.
Miriam Raber could have her pick of any of the eligible bachelors in Lancaster County. But she only has eyes for one . . . Saul Fisher. He captured her heart years ago, and she's never looked back. Even when rumors circulate that Saul may leave their Amish community to pursue a once-in-a-lifetime apprenticeship, Miriam makes a bold assertion: she will stand by him, whether he stays or goes.
Saul Fisher has experienced an inordinate amount of loss in his short life. Raising his two brothers and caring for a grieving father who privately seeks solace in the comfort of his homemade wine, Saul has kept his father's drinking from the community. But if he leaves Lancaster, the burden of secrecy will be left to his young brothers. How does he balance this with the dream that burns bright within him?
As Miriam and Saul consider leaving their lives behind, God starts revealing things to Miriam that make her think twice about what it means to be a Daughter of the Promise, and what it means to make a home.
Experience this love story with a surprising resolution by one of the most popular voices in Amish fiction.

4. Audio/mp3 (ABJ)

The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals: Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 3
Written by: Jordan Stratford
Narrated by: Nicola Barber
This looks like a fun series.
I received this from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
[I had a download issue on my end that has delayed this.]
Click on book title for full description.

April 30, 2017 - I am up to date in the One Year Bible; reading along with my husband and others from our church. I hope to take more time this year, staying on the day and listening to the companion commentary online.

I completed four books but only posted two reviews; this means I have four reviews current and one for later release.
I am back to 12 NetGalley Titles and still at 10+ author titles in my queue.

I'm still hoping to put another poetry collection up at eTreasure's NetGalley page.

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 (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I listed my Ladies Book Club title that I pulled from the TBR box (purchased in 2016).
I have one review title from Pump Up Your Book I forgot to list a few weeks ago.
I received two review titles through NetGalley for iRead Book Tours.
I purchased one two Audible Daily Deals and one Kindle ebook.
I picked up more free kindle titles again. (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

Ladies Book Club April read for discussion on 5/13.

Plain Proposal (Daughters of the Promise Book 5)
by Beth Wiseman
See full description above in current reading.

I received one review title from Pump Up Your Book (I forgot to list a few weeks ago) for tour Review on May 17.

Desert Melody
by Laura Evans Serna
"For generations the Voyan have lived peacefully among Humans, blending in despite their special thought-sharing abilities and unique communal culture. But now a mysterious disease is killing Voyan babies."
Sci Fi, Metaphysical; sounds interesting.

I received these titles from NetGalley for review through iRead Book Tours.
Review Date: May 31 with Giveaway

Horizon 
by Tabitha Lord
"Caeli Crys isn’t living—she’s surviving. On the run after the genocide of her empathic people, she witnesses a spaceship crash near her hidden camp. "

Review Date: June 20

Infinity -- Release date 6/6
by Tabitha Lord
"Joined by Commander Derek Markham and his elite squadron of operatives, Caeli embarks on a dangerous mission to find the Resistance, rescue her captive people, and save her civilization from destruction."

Won

NONE

Purchased

I ended up buying one Audible Daily Deal for $3.95 and one for $1.95
A Study in Scarlet Women: The Lady Sherlock Series, Book 1
Written By: Sherry Thomas
Narrator: Kate Reading
Duration: 11 hrs
"USA Today best-selling author Sherry Thomas turns the story of the renowned Sherlock Holmes upside down."

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
Written by: Jordan Sonnenblick
Narrated by: Joel Johnstone
Length: 4 hrs and 31 mins
"In a debut that has won raves, Jordan Sonnenblick digs deep into the heart of a family in crisis with humor, hope, and impressive sensitivity."
I think this would be good to listen to with my grandkids.

I purchased this Kindle title for $.99
Space Team: The Collected Adventures: Volume 1
by Barry J. Hutchison

Free

Here are just some really good sounding books I got for free - all new to me authors:
Winter's Edge: A Post Apocalyptic/Dystopian Adventure
(Outzone Drifter Series Book 1)
by Mike Sheridan

The Sweet Taste of Murder: An Angel Lake Mystery 

(Walking Calamity Cozy Mystery Book 1)

by CeeCee James

UNDER THE COLD STONES: a gripping thriller, dark and full of suspense
by Dan McNay

Bundle of Trouble (A Humorous Cozy Mystery)

(A Maternal Instincts Mystery Book 1)

by Diana Orgain

I added 59 free Kindle titles to my library this week. 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 April 30, 2017

Our Sunday School teacher continued from last week’s message with a good follow up titled “Do You Believe?” I look forward to sharing these on days when I am traveling and don’t have the sermon message. 😊.

Pastor continued with his message series: Broken. The first week discussed a broken world; the second week, broken dreams. Today he discussed
broken people.

You can look around you and see a world where all people are broken with sin. When we say “the world” is broken you are commenting in a broad, general way about 7 billion people. But when we look closer the broken people are more specific, more personal. We see complex issues that were rare and deemed an anomaly in the past, but now they abound and often the world says it’s acceptable and normal.

Suicide is sign of brokenness; as are rampant levels of sexual promiscuity, divorce, violence, sexual orientation, gender identity. Many of these are the result of broken identity. People are full of scary confusion, like patients of dementia who might remember themselves but don’t know you, their loved ones. Confusion is a prime weapon of the enemy. What can the church – what can we do—to help broken people?

Point: Broken people need time and safety in the presence of the Healer.

Man was made in the image of God. Genesis 1:27. But Satan attacked God's creation from the beginning, and continues to do so. Genesis 3:1-7. Repeatedly the attack of the enemy focuses largely on a person's identity and value. He confuses and belittles, always seeking to destroy by making them feel they cannot be redeemed.

We must remember that all sin (small or large doesn’t matter) separates people from God; creates a gap that we cannot cross over. But, Thanks be to God and Jesus, the cross created a bridge for all – those who accept and believe. No matter how far a person is from the perfect pure standard God set for us, God can redeem them. After all, none of us, not one, is pure without the redemption of Christ. We have no basis to condemn another.

Is the Church ready? Are we ready to love the stranger, no matter his condition? God loves you, no matter what. God loves them, no matter what. Our job is to show people love and give time to let the Holy Spirit work in their mind, heart and spirit.

Broken is broken but God's grace is bigger than brokenness. Jesus ministered to broken people in ways that made them feel valued. We must be prepared to:
Show Compassion. 2 Corinthians 4:4; Pray earnestly; be patient; invite them, not once but over and over. Be prepared to show everyone that in the dark place there is a light. 2 Corinthians 4:1-7.
1 John 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7.

I started with one video but eight or so later I found this one!

Broken Girl

Verses for Today:
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NLT
3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.