Book Review: The Invisible City (The Stolen Future Trilogy Book 1) by Brian K. Lowe

This is a fun time travel sci fi full of creatures and daring adventures.
The Invisible City (The Stolen Future Trilogy Book 1)
by Brian K. Lowe

File Size: 2316 KB
Print Length: 399 pages
Publication Date: December 13, 2013
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
ASIN: B00D69LF9C
Genre: Science Fiction, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Tracking German soldiers through the muddy trenches of France, Captain Charles Clee stumbles onto something amazing--a secret archeological expedition from the far future. Discovered and trapped, he flees through their time machine and finds himself stranded nearly one million years in the future. Clee falls in love with a beautiful woman whose family has befriended him, but when she is taken from him by one of Earth's alien overlords, he finds himself the enemy of the one of most powerful men in the world. In his quest to rescue her, he is startled to learn that a working time machine may still exist somewhere. With that machine, he could return to his own time and save his men from certain annihilation, but to do so would mean abandoning his quest. Torn between love and his duty to the men who served under him a million years past, pursued by the merciless assassins of the Time Police, Clee faces war, slavery, and fantastic beasts in a race against time itself--knowing that whatever the outcome, he must lose.
Brian K. Lowe is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

Review:
Captain Charles Clee is an American who choose to face war in France. One morning he was preceding his men into a dangerous situation tracking German soldiers in the rainy, muddy trenches. He follows a man into a cave and inadvertently stumbles into another world… or at least another time! He learns that he has stepped through a time machine and discovers himself far in the future. Clee finds a people whom he initially can’t understand. But he is befriended by a family and falls in love with a young woman. The family helps him create a cover so he can search for the time machine while trying to avoid ‘time cops’.

Clee has to maneuver among a tyrannical alien race, the Nuum, and his troubles increase when his new love is taken by one of the powerful Nuum overlords. Although Clee wants to find a way to return to his own time, he is intent on saving his kidnapped love. His friends provide him with a powerful tool in the form of a holographic library he can carry with him – as long as he isn’t caught with it since possession is illegal. Before he can set off on his adventure he gets caught up in a rebellion and gets shanghaied.

Clee has to escape one perilous situation after another. Along the way he picks up a speaking gorilla, Timash, as a friend and companion. After escaping from a T-Rex they make another friend, Maire, who appears to be a fierce female warrior but turns out to be something else as well.

I must admit that at one point the travels (airships and hovercrafts) and dangers (giant spiders, dinosaurs, and more) made me think of the old tales of Sinbad. Further along I was reminded of spy tricks akin to Mission Impossible escape magic. I appreciated Clee’s friends who help save him when things looked bad. There is plenty of action and several twists that made it a fun adventure to the end.

The story is well written in first person voice of the hero Clee. He is an affable fellow with a strong, optimistic view and logical, if sometimes impulsive, nature. I also liked the literary references to Jules Verne and Shakespeare which would be works known to Clee. This is the first novel I have read by Mr. Lowe and I would be interested in more adventures for Clee and his friends. I recommend this to readers who enjoy engaging science fiction adventure.

I received this in 2016 through NetGalley. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge and Mount TBR.

I was drawn to the cover from the NetGalley version. Apparently the cover has changed as it now appears on Amazon with this cover:

What do you think? Do you prefer one cover more than the other?

Sunday Post June 4, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 5, 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.

We were sorry to have to leave IL on Friday but glad to get home safely today. We had to replace another tire on the way home. Although the tires were supposedly new when we bought our RV two years ago they were apparently not good quality.
I think I am ready to dig into work tomorrow!

I enjoyed some good books this week. I finished two ebooks and two audio books in addition to several more children's books. I posted three reviews on the blog, two at Goodreads, two tour giveaways and all of my usual memes.

I visited about 26 blogs last week.
No shout out this week as again I was focused on Books That Caught Our Eye and not exploring due to limited internet at the beginning of the week.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post May 28, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 29, 2017.

• Thank You to All Who Serve - God Bless the USA.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: One Dog Night by David Rosenfelt; Mystery, Police Procedure; my rating 4.5.

• eNG- Goodreads Book Review: Little Detectives at School: A Look and Find Book by Sonia Baretti (Illustrations); Children; my rating 4.75.

• eNG- Goodreads Book Review: The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires; Children; my rating 4.5.

• Clean Sweep ARC Reading Challenge May 2017 Wrap-up

• eNGTour- Book Review, Feature and Giveaway: Horizon by Tabitha Lord; Sci Fi, Space Opera; my rating 4.25. Open Worldwide. Ending 7/22/2017.

• Happy Audiobook Month - Giveaway Celebrating with E.J. Stevens Open US/CA/UK. Ending 6/31/2017.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 2, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/8/2017.

• MBS May 2017 Reading List Wrap-Up.

• AAuthorTour- Audible Book Review: Shadow Sight: Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective Series; Urban Fantasy; my rating: 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #305 Comment Giveaway June 3, 2017. Open Worldwide, Ending 6/10/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement June 4, 2017.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

The Invisible City (The Stolen Future Trilogy Book 1)
by Brian K. Lowe
This is a fun sci fi adventure.
I received this in 2016 through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/mp3 (ABB)

Quest of the Dreamwalker: The Corthan Legacy, Book 1
Written by: Stacy Bennett
Narrated by: Zachary Johnson
Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
This is Wonderful Entertainment!!
I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (eNGTBR)

Hunt the Dawn (Fatal Dreams Book 2)
by Abbie Roads
This is 'gritty' but wonderfully suspenseful and romantic.
I received this from the publisher through NetGalley.
"Dark and delicious."—Kerrelyn Sparks, New York Times bestselling author on Race the Darkness
Out of darkness and danger
You can't hide your secrets from Lathan Montgomery-he can read your darkest memories. And while his special abilities are invaluable in the FBI's hunt for a serial killer, he has no way to avoid the pain that brings him. Until he is drawn to courageous, down-on-her-luck Evanee Brown and finds himself able to offer her something he's never offered another human being: himself.
Dawns a unique and powerful love
Nightmares are nothing new to Evanee Brown. But once she meets Lathan, they plummet into the realm of the macabre. Murder victims are reaching from beyond the grave to give Evanee evidence that could help Lathan bring a terrifying killer to justice. Together, they could forge an indomitable partnership to thwart violence, abuse, and death-if they survive the forces that seek to tear them apart.

4. Audio/mp3 (TBR)

Finding Dory
Written by: Disney Press
Narrated by: Adam Verner
Length: 2 hrs and 38 mins
Series: Finding Nemo, Book 2
This was fun to listen to with Sweet Pea 
on the computer and MP3. 
This was from my TBR Audible shelf.

Plus these children's books (and I couple I didn't get the names to):
5. Little Mommy (Little Golden Books)
6. Sesame Street Jr Reader Go, Go Go
7. Sesame Street Jr Reader Sleepy Time
8. Aesops Fables Pop-up (Beautiful!)
9. TBR- The Six Pirates: A Rollicking & Rhyming Picture Book. (Fun Rhyming Children's Books) by Lily Lexington
10. TBR- Princess Ruby Book 2 (Princess Ruby Children's Books) by Deborah Bradley

Currently Reading:
1. Audible/mp3 (Author tour)

Hound's Bite: Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective, Volume 5
Written by: E.J. Stevens
Narrated by: Melanie A. Mason , Anthony A. Bowlin
I am enjoying another adventure with Ivy and friends. I received this audiobook from the author as part of release tour.
Publisher's Summary
PRG Reviewer's Choice Award finalist for Best Urban Fantasy series.
Ivy Granger thought she left the worst of Mab's creations behind when she escaped Faerie. She thought wrong.
In a cruel twist of fate, Ivy has unleashed a powerful horde of Unseelie beasts upon her city, turning her homecoming into a potential slaughter of innocents. Now Ivy must gather her allies to fight a reputedly unstoppable force - The Wild Hunt.
Will the training Ivy received in her father's court be enough to save her city, or will Harborsmouth be forced to kneel before the Lord of the Hunt? She is willing to risk her own life, but some sacrifices come at a cost worse than death. When an ally is bitten by one of The Wild Hunt's hounds, Ivy must face the possibility that winning this battle may mean killing the one person she has come to love most.
Hound's Bite is the fifth full-length novel in the award-winning, best-selling Ivy Granger urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens. The world of Ivy Granger, including the Ivy Granger Psychic Detective series and Hunters' Guild series, is filled with action, mystery, magic, dark humor, quirky characters, bloodsucking vampires, flirtatious demons, sarcastic gargoyles, sexy shifters, temperamental witches, psychotic faeries, and snarky, kick-butt heroines.
The Ivy Granger series has won numerous awards, including the BTS Red Carpet Award for Best Novel, the PRG Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Paranormal Fantasy Novel, Best Urban Fantasy Novel, and finalist for Best Urban Fantasy Series.
©2016 E.J. Stevens (P)2017 E.J. Stevens

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

The Sleepwalker: A Novel
by Chris Bohjalian
I am 30% into this and
interested to see where the story goes.
I received this from the Publisher through NetGalley.
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Guest Room comes a spine-tingling novel of lies, loss, and buried desire—the mesmerizing story of a wife and mother who vanishes from her bed late one night.

When Annalee Ahlberg goes missing, her children fear the worst. Annalee is a sleepwalker whose affliction manifests in ways both bizarre and devastating. Once, she merely destroyed the hydrangeas in front of her Vermont home. More terrifying was the night her older daughter, Lianna, pulled her back from the precipice of the Gale River bridge. The morning of Annalee's disappearance, a search party combs the nearby woods. Annalee's husband, Warren, flies home from a business trip. Lianna is questioned by a young, hazel-eyed detective. And her little sister, Paige, takes to swimming the Gale to look for clues. When the police discover a small swatch of fabric, a nightshirt, ripped and hanging from a tree branch, it seems certain Annalee is dead, but Gavin Rikert, the hazel-eyed detective, continues to call, continues to stop by the Ahlbergs' Victorian home. As Lianna peels back the layers of mystery surrounding Annalee's disappearance, she finds herself drawn to Gavin, but she must ask herself: Why does the detective know so much about her mother? Why did Annalee leave her bed only when her father was away? And if she really died while sleepwalking, where was the body?
Conjuring the strange and mysterious world of parasomnia, a place somewhere between dreaming and wakefulness, The Sleepwalker is a masterful novel from one of our most treasured storytellers.

3. Print (Ladies Book Club)

As One Devil to Another: A Fiendish Correspondence in the Tradition of C. S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters
by Richard Platt (Author), Walter Hooper (Preface)
I read the original and thought this would be fun for  our Ladies Book Club. This is to be discussed 6/10/17.
See more of Richard Platt's work, including glimpses of work in progress, at RichardPlattAuthor.com.
As One Devil to Another is an astonishing debut work that C. S. Lewis's biographer and foremost Lewis authority Walter Hooper calls "a stunning achievement, the finest example of the genre of diabolical correspondence to appear since this genre was popularized by C. S. Lewis." Enter into this chilling and diabolical tale, one that reveals the very tricks and strategies of Hell. Through a series of letters between devils created by Platt, senior devil Slashreap trains his young protégé, Scardagger, to win an individual soul away from Heaven and into their clutches. As the devils plot their way to triumph, they reveal the spiritual dangers and risks we face in today's society. Their frighteningly accurate perspective on issues such as contemporary technology and sexual mores is interwoven with timeless matters such as the power of prayer, the purpose of suffering, and the promises held out by Heaven . . . and Hell. Destined to become a modern classic, As One Devil to Another is a brilliantly written, deeply unsettling perspective on twenty-first-century society . . . a glimpse of ourselves through the eyes of those who have embraced their underworldly existence.

June 4, 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.

Some of my reading time is going to a Wednesday night study we are doing called Freedom Course.

I completed four books and posted five reviews (two at Goodreads); this means I have five reviews current and one for later release. I still need to add the children's books at Goodreads.
I am back to 13 NetGalley Titles and still at 10 author titles in my queue.

Now that I am back, I expect to upload the children's story 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 received three NetGalley titles this week.
I picked up three Audible Daily Deals and purchased xx Kindle titles at $.99.
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

I received three titles at NetGalley. The first is my first Christmas book for this year and the other two are thanks to Mailbox Monday posts where I saw the titles!

The Christmas Room
by Catherine Anderson
"The beloved author of the Mystic Creek series gifts readers with a novel of homespun holiday cheer, as two families discover the joy of hope and redemption...."

When the English Fall: A Novel

by David Williams

"A riveting and unexpected novel that questions whether a peaceful and nonviolent community can survive when civilization falls apart."

Wolf Hunt (SWAT Book 6)
by Paige Tyler
"But when a mysterious wolf pendant ropes them both into danger, Remy's protective instincts kick in. He may have to reveal his true self...and hope Triana accepts him."

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked up three Audible Daily Deals:
I picked up this romance title for $3.95.
The Bird and the Sword
By: Amy Harmon
Narrator: Trina Nishimura
Duration: 11 hrs and 3 mins
"But freedom will require escape, and I'm a prisoner of my mother's curse and my father's greed. I can't speak or make a sound, and I can't wield a sword or beguile a king. In a land purged of enchantment, love might be the only magic left, and who could ever love...a bird?"

This looked special for $1.95.
29 Gifts
By: Cami Walker
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert
Duration: 6 hrs and 30 mins
"Seeking a remedy for her depression after being hospitalized, she received an uncommon prescription from an African medicine woman: give to others for 29 days."

This is another Vintage Sci Fi for $3.95.
The Left Hand of Darkness
By: Ursula K. Le Guin
Narrator: George Guidall
Duration: 9 hrs and 39 mins
"Embracing the aspects of psychology, society, and human emotion on an alien world, The Left Hand of Darkness stands as a landmark achievement in the annals of intellectual science fiction."

I bought one Kindle romance for $.99:
Staking a Claim
by Devon McKay

Free

I picked up Week six SYNC Audio titles:
BEAST by Donna Jo Napoli, Narrated by Robert Ramirez (Recorded Books)
OF BEAST AND BEAUTY by Stacey Jay, Narrated by Julia Whelan (Tantor Media)

I added 48 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 June 4, 2017

Our Sunday School teacher continued from last week’s message (Resurrection to Resurrection) with a good follow up titled “Do You Believe?”

As discussed last week, there had been prior miracles of people saved from death but none in the grave for four days, like Lazarus. The resurrection of Lazarus was for a purpose. If you look at John Chapter 11 you will find the word “believe” (or believes/believed) nine times, and another five times in John Chapter 12.

John 11:25-26 reads: Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

Did Jesus weep because he was sad that Lazarus had died or did he weep for the unbelief of the people? (John 11:35.) Even his closest friends, Mary, Martha and the disciples? Jesus’s actions were to serve the purpose of showing God's glory especially so people would believe.

As noted in John 12:37-40, many did not believe as Isaiah prophesied. But, many believed but would not admit their belief because they cared more for the opinions of men. John 12:42-43.

Do we believe? Do we make Him sad, angry, frustrated with our unbelief? How does He feel about our attitudes?

This song reflects what I believe!

A Verse for Today:
John 12:46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.

Lord help me to shine Your Love to a world that needs the hope that comes with belief!

Sharing Beyond Books #305 Comment Giveaway June 3, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
I wasn’t sure if I would get to be on computer tonight but we did reach our planned destination, although a few hours later due to a stop for another tire replacement.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Mystica is the only one of us out of 18 who has juggled but has slowed down. Some of us are lucky to juggle schedules and life generally. And it seems the only magic we all know (other than making food disappear fast as Linda does) is found in reading!!

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #304 comments is: #1 CarolL who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #305

(One Question.)

Ada asks: If you were stranded on an island, who would you like to be stranded with??

Some time back we had the question 'what one author would you want to be stranded with' but we have not had this question. Well, It may seem mundane, but I really would choose my hubby. I may be the book smart person but he is the hands on smart guy. I would trust him to take good care of us (even if he might burn my books for a smoke signal). Plus I'm comfortable with him in all sorts of situations. Sadly neither of us are so young any more so hopefully we would be rescued fairly soon!

Image of Tom Hanks in Castaway found at Boater Exam.

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 Ada asks: If you were stranded on an island, who would you like to be stranded with??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

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 June 10, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Shadow Sight: Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective Series

This is a great introduction to Ivy and her world of magical and fae creatures.

Shadow Sight: Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective Series

Written by: E. J. Stevens

Narrated by: Traci Odom

Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins
Series: Ivy Granger, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:04-24-13
Publisher: E.J. Stevens
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Some things are best left unseen...
Welcome to Harborsmouth, where monsters walk the streets unseen by humans...except those with second sight, like Ivy Granger.
Ivy Granger's second sight is finally giving her life purpose. Ivy and her best friend Jinx may not be raking in the dough, but their psychic detective agency pays the bills - most of the time. Their only worry is the boredom of a slow day and the occasional crazy client - until a demon walks through their door. Demons are never a good sign...
A demon attorney representing the water fae? Stranger things have happened. And things are about to get very, very strange as a bloodthirsty nightmare hunts the city of Harborsmouth.
There's blood in the water...kelpies have a reputation for eating humans. Unfortunately, kelpies are the clients. When an Unseelie faerie this evil stalks the waterways of your city, you have to make hard choices.
The lesser of two evils...
Shadow Sight is the first novel in the Ivy Granger urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens.
©2012 E. J. Stephens (P)2013 E. J. Stephens

Review:
This book introduces the series for Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective. Ivy is careful what she touches as she gets images of the history and location of objects or people related to them. Unlike most humans in Harborsmouth, Ivy knows there are monsters and other magical creatures living among us. Ivy has second sight and, with the help of her roommate and first-rate assistant, Jinx, they have opened a psychic detective agency that specializes in finding lost objects … or people… including those of a non-human nature. Things are plodding along in the office when a demon visits to engage Ivy’s services. He has been sent as the lawyer for the kelpies to find and retrieve the bridle of the kelpie king. It appears that an evil tribe of rival Unseelie have captured the bridle with the king. Whoever holds the bridle controls the kelpie king so his own people can’t even fight against the evil that controls him.

Ivy must find as many allies as she can in the magical and fae realm if they want a chance to defeat the evil that will otherwise feed on the creatures, human and other, as they swarm into Harborsmouth. Ivy starts with her friend Kaye who is an aging but still powerful witch. Kaye directs her to other local fae and Ivy must figure out what deal she has to make with each fae group to gain their assistance and agreement to support the defense of the city.

I have listened to books three and four so I was familiar with many of these characters. Still, I appreciated starting at the beginning to meet the characters as they are introduced. I especially liked learning more about Kaye’s hearth brownie, Hob, and the initially scruffy and dismal looking troll child, Marvin. This story also begins the romance between Ivy and Ceffyl, the Kelpie King.

Ms. Stevens has done a great job of world building, creating many fae communities which each have their own strengths, weaknesses and rules and all insist on a deal that exchanges some favor for their participation. The story is told first person from Ivy’s view, complete with snark and sincere emotions. The characters are fun and the story full of deals and action that kept me listening.

Audio Notes: Traci Odom does a fine job with the narration, picking up different voices and conveying the emotions and dangers. I enjoyed listening to this as it moves quickly and easily.

Reviews of earlier books:
Burning Bright: Ivy Granger Book 3 by E.J. Stevens
Birthright: Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective, Book 4 by E.J. Stevens 
Coming up this month Hound's Bite, Book 5

I received this Audiobook from the Author. This qualifies for 2017Audiobook Challenge.

You have a chance to pick up Shadow Sight for free by checking here at Ivy Granger World Blog.