Audible Book Review: H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald

This is not quite what I expected but beautifully written for an interesting memoir/biography.

H Is for Hawk
Written by: Helen Macdonald
Narrated by: Helen Macdonald

Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-03-15
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Memoir
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
When Helen MacDonald's father died suddenly on a London street, she was devastated. An experienced falconer captivated by hawks since childhood, she'd never before been tempted to train one of the most vicious predators: the goshawk. But in her grief, she saw that the goshawk's fierce and feral anger mirrored her own. Resolving to purchase and raise the deadly creature as a means to cope with her loss, she adopted Mabel and turned to the guidance of The Once and Future King author T. H. White's chronicle The Goshawk to begin her journey into Mabel's world. Projecting herself "in the hawk's wild mind to tame her" tested the limits of MacDonald's humanity.
By turns heartbreaking and hilarious, this book is an unflinching account of bereavement, a unique look at the magnetism of an extraordinary beast, and the story of an eccentric falconer and legendary writer. Weaving together obsession, madness, memory, myth, and history, H Is for Hawk is a distinctive, surprising blend of nature writing and memoir from a very gifted writer.
©2014 Helen Macdonald (P)2014 Isis Publishing, Ltd. UK

Review:
The first thing I noted in this audio is the beautiful writing. This drew me in although I struggled with the content as the work moved on. This a memoir of the author’s struggle to overcome the disabling grief that overwhelms her upon her father’s sudden death.

At times this is her story, at others it is the story of her photojournalist father. Then woven in is a personal glimpse of T.H. White’s rather dysfunctional and sad life story. All of these are connected through their respective working with and love of hawks and falconry. Ms. Macdonald chooses to train a goshawk using older books from White and other authors as guides although she learns through experience their methods are wrong – at least as they might be applied to her calmer bird. Working with Mable initially takes Ms. Macdonald out of the world and insulates her from society, but eventually helps her see her need for other people and helps her find purpose to move on with her life.

I am not much into depression and obsession so those elements weren't wonderful for me. I did enjoy the bird training especially since I have had a few variety of birds, though none were hunters. I was struck by the fear of more lose when it came time to let the bird fly free and hope that it would return.

It was really the beautiful writing that kept me listening when the content might have caused me to skip forward or stop listening altogether. The whole work is a composition of lives, reflected in words but apparently with the same distinct and sharp skill of her photojournalist father. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy memoirs and nature.

Audio Notes: It is always interesting to have the author narrate their own work. Clearly Ms. Macdonald does a lovely job with the narration. She conveys her emotions more through the content of the book and thankfully does not make the depressing moments any darker than they are by the written word. I am glad that I listened to this as I am not sure if I would have picked up the print or ebook.

I picked this title from my TBR shelves. It qualifies for Mount TBR, Audiobook and for "H" on my Alphabet Challenge.

Book Review: Weaver's Needle by Robin Caroll

I enjoyed this action story with Christian and Native American spirit elements.
Weaver's Needle
by Robin Caroll

File Size: 1568 KB
Print Length: 320 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 163409994X
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press (June 1, 2017)
ASIN: B01MZGB73X
Genre: Christian, Mystery. Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Two recovery specialists.
One murder.
A hunt for the Dutchman's Lost Gold Mine becomes a race of survival.
Former Army MP Landry Parker fell into the recovery specialist role quite by accident—to help her ailing father. Now that she’s on her own, she is determined to prove herself and honor her family legacy.
After being shot in the line of duty, former police officer Nickolai Baptiste became a recovery specialist, and he’s good at his job—maybe even the best.
A potential client pits Landry and Nickolai against one another to find the Dutchman’s Lost Gold Mine map that was stolen from her murdered husband, and the potential payday is too enticing to pass up. The trail takes them from New Orleans to Weaver’s Needle in Arizona where legend claims the mine is hidden. Landry and Nickolai are no strangers to adventure, but the unlikely partners quickly discover there’s someone after the treasure and there are those who want to ensure the lost mine in Arizona’s Superstition Mountain stays lost forever.
Can Landry and Nickolai work together despite their distrust of each other to save the legend before more innocent lives are lost? Will they find the real treasure isn’t the gold, but something more valuable. . .true love and understanding?

Review:
The blurb lays out the scenario so I won’t repeat it. Landry and Nickolai are competitors following separate leads to find the map. There are two associates of the murdered business magnate that may be trying to help the search…or not. Others living near the mine have taken advantage of the newest information and someone wants them to drop the search. When verbal threats turn to deadly accidents, Landry and Nickolai decide to collaborate by sharing their clues.

Nickolai feels he has failed to protect his family, especially a much younger sister who needs special medical attention. He soon finds himself trying to protect Landry even as she tries to resist their mutual attraction. Landry is a Christian and knows that she should not be drawn to a man who is not a believer.

Nickolai has some dream visions that convince him to continue the search to locate the map, if not the mine, before more innocent lives are taken. Their determination has them stepping directly towards a killer as they draw closer to the mystery of the mine.

I really like the idea of a treasure map/treasure hunt. The first half of the story is a bit slower but the action picks up well in the second half. There were interspersed scenes of a Native American (Apache) going on a dream journey to become a guardian shaman. Although this might be considered against the Christian message, I didn’t take it that way.

I enjoyed the nicely developing connection between the two strong characters, Landry and Nickolai, and appreciated that Landry was hesitant to rush into a relationship with an unbeliever. This is an easy read and I recommend it to readers who enjoy Christian mystery with a clean romance.

I received this through NetGalley. It adds to my NetGalley Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 25, 2017

Happy Friday!
It's been another super busy week. I just keep plugging away trying to clear files off my desk.
I got a new box of books together - And a photo too!

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 August 18 Pick. There were two 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 two titles blocked again, but one was won.
bn100 gets Indigo Fire
and
Rubynreba gets the Jayne Krentz Pair.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 18 Pick:
NATALIJA gets a GC.
CAROL L gets The Garden of Scandal (won through a block).

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.}

The title of this book fits for the last Friday in August. :-)
Image found at The John H. Watson Society.

New Book Group #74 August 25, 2017

PAIRS:
Suzanne Brockman: Flashpoint and Over the Edge
Lisa Gardner: Hide and The Survivor’s Club (spine wear)
SINGLES:
Treasure Me by Robyn DeHart
Cold Blooded by Lisa Jackson
House of Dreams by Brenda Joyce (slight spine wear)
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Surrender My Love by Johanna Lindsey (slight spine wear)
204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson – Audio Cassettes
The Duchess Diaries by Barbara Dawson Smith
To Conquer a Highlander by Mary Wine
Cain by James Byron Huggins (Hardback)
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman
Reader’s Digest Large Type: A t First Sight by Nicholas Sparks and Consigned to Death by Jane K. Cleland


New Book Group #73 June 16, 2017
I was looking for Summer titles but that didn’t really work.
PAIRS [or Singles] – Since I have four sets of pairs I will work this by first two pairs that go the others go as singles OR you may choose a title as a single and if won that pair falls into single.
Joan Johnston: The Loner and the Cowboy -- Moved to singles
Nora Roberts: Sea Swept (some spine creases) and Genuine Lies
Kat Martin: Midnight Sun and Perfect Sin
Linda Howard (aka Krista Janssen): Cry No More and Indigo Fire (spine wear) -- Moved to singles
SINGLES:
The Loner by Joan Johnston
The Cowboy by Joan Johnston
Cry No More by Linda Howard
Indigo Fire by Linda Howard (spine wear)
Garden of Scandal by Jennifer Blake
A Rogue’s Heart by Debra Lee Brown
The Night Remembers by Kathleen Eagle (spine wear)
A Dragon Prince by Mary Gillgannon
Hurricane by Karen Harper
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan
Sail by James Patterson
Home Sweet Home by Bella Riley


New Book Group #72 May 12, 2017
PAIRS:
Brenda Joyce: The Third Heiress and The Rival
Jayne Ann Krentz: Dangerous Affair and True Colors
SINGLES:
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)


New Book Group #71 March 10, 2017
Mysteries and Thrillers
SINGLES:
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)

New Book Group #70 January 27, 2017
Thought I’d share some romances for February:
SINGLES:
Kissed by Shadows (Get Connected Romances) by Jane Feather
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn


New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016 -- All Gone


New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
SINGLES:
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown


New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
SINGLES:
*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:
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 -- All Gone

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 1,093+ 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!

Book Review: Wolf Hunt (SWAT Book 6) by Paige Tyler

This is an engaging shifter story with strong passion and a good plotline.

Wolf Hunt (SWAT Book 6)
by Paige Tyler

File Size: 1634 KB
Print Length: 352 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1492642347
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 6, 2017)
ASIN: B01MQPZGPV
Genre: Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Werewolves
My Rating 4.25 of 5.0

A STORM IS BREWING...
Remy Boudreaux is back in his hometown, New Orleans. He's there with three of his fellow Dallas SWAT officers for a week of training with the NOLA PD. On the eve of a tropical storm, Remy and his buddies prowl the French Quarter. One tantalizing scent captures Remy's senses, forcing him to follow until he is face to face with Triana Bellamy—his beautiful high school crush.
After reconnecting, Remy and Triana are close—very. Remy struggles to keep things casual. Ever since his partner—and first love—was killed on the job, he's kept women at a distance.
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.

Review:
Remy is a Dallas SWAT officer visiting in New Orleans, his home town, for cross training with local cops. No one knows that the four Dallas men have special skills and they have to be careful not to expose their true wolf natures. Remy hits on an enticing scent and pulls his team mates along the night club route as he seeks out the source. Remy is surprised when his nose leads him to his high school crush, Triana.

Triana is a forensic lab tech who is in town to visit her mother. She is thrilled to see Remy as she had a crush on him too. The chemistry between them flares quickly even though Remy has convinced himself he doesn’t want to get too close to any woman since he suffered the loss of a partner whom he had fallen in love with.

Triana’s mother is being pressured to sell her husband’s special wolf pendant. Although she has told the buyer’s agent that she doesn’t have it, he won’t take no for an answer. Thugs return to put more pressure behind the request but they are surprised when Remy steps in to handle the threat. Although they retreat, the threat hasn’t disappeared.

Remy and his team are called upon to assist in a drug raid that leaves a lot of unhappy cops. Meanwhile, a tropical storm is bearing in on the city but these issues raise less havoc than the conflict Remy faces from trying to resist his natural instinct to protect Triana, especially since he won’t admit he could love her.

The story is full of action and steamy passion. It reads quickly and is engaging. The characters are likeable and although the romance is a bit hotter and the scenes a bit more prevalent than I care for, they don’t overshadow a strong plotline. The author does a good job of connecting Triana’s parents’ past with the current situation.

This is the first story I have read in this series and I enjoyed it even as a standalone. I am guessing that the earlier stories are of the other SWAT members finding and protecting their “true mates”. Since I enjoy a good shifter story now and again I will be keeping Ms. Tyler and this series in mind for future reading. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a passionate shifter romance with a strong story.

I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: How to Charm a Beekeeper's Heart by Candice Patterson

This is a charming, inspirational romance.
How to Charm a Beekeeper's Heart
by Candice Patterson

File Size: 1428 KB
Print Length: 400 pages
Publisher: White Rose Publishing; 1 edition (October 28, 2016)
ASIN: B01BB7R9HC
Genre: Christian, Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Weddings are the last thing beekeeper Huck Anderson wants to be associated with, considering his past. So when he inherits a building occupied by a bridal boutique, he aims to evict the failing business and open a sporting goods store. That is until his tenant ends up being Arianne Winters, a woman he's indebted to from a mistake made years ago. When a life-threatening injury derails Huck entirely, Arianne offers a compromise to keep her boutique and her life out of bankruptcy—she'll aid in his lengthy recovery if he'll allow her to remain in his building. But nursing her adversary proves challenging when her adolescent crush resurfaces. Amidst a battle-of-wills, their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, providing opportunity to overcome their pasts and start anew. Will this confirmed bachelor consider holy-matrimony, or will Huck's choices sting them a second time?

Review:
This is a sweet, second chance romance. I loved the bee facts shared at the end of each chapter in tips and quotes.

Arianne was the brain in high school who helped Huck, the jock, get through his tests. She’d always had a bit of a crush on him but suffered a heart blow when he stood her up for prom. She moved on to a safer, saner romance in college, married and had a daughter. Sadly, her husband walked out before the child was three. Arianne has been struggling to make a living at her bridal boutique while raising Emma and taking care of her 25-year-old sister who can’t seem to find herself… or a job.

Huck inherits a building from his uncle and determines he will evict the bridal shop tenant and open a sporting goods store. That plan isn’t so easy when he learns that the tenant is the girl he wronged in high school. Huck has secrets and issues from his past that have made him a loner. He doesn’t do “relationship” although he is willing to spend a few weeks with a woman who isn’t looking for any long-term romance. Huck wants to get away from Arianne as quickly as he can. This plan doesn’t work either when he suffers a serious accident and Arianne steps forward to take care of him during his rehabilitation in exchange for allowing her time to move the bridal shop.

Huck finds himself enjoying the company of Arianne and adorable Emma. He is even willing to share his bee farming with them. Even though he is willing to encourage Arianne to pursue her dreams, he doesn’t think he is worthy of her love. Arianne continues to struggle with her business and her sister. She isn’t sure she can handle the pain of an unrequited love and she doesn’t want to risk hurting Emma with another man who would most likely abandon them. Still, she might not be able to keep her heart from falling for the man she has always fantasized about.

I really enjoyed these struggling characters and watching as they wrestled with their past pains and lost dreams. Ms. Patterson does a nice job showing their growth and allowing the romance to grow, even through their fears. Emma adds a precocious and sweet character.

The writing is nicely handled with nice descriptions, smooth delivery, and easy flow. I really enjoyed how Arianne’s strong faith, and Emma’s child’s faith, are shared, by little graces and even in flaws, so that Huck begins to long for an unconditional love he has never known. The story is engaging and the characters’ journeys are believable and heartwarming. I recommend this to readers who enjoy inspirational, small town style, second chance romance.

I received this from NetGalley and it qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.