Audio Book Review: The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

Though not totally enchanting, this is a sweet, entertaining listen.
The Healer's Apprentice
By Melanie Dickerson
Narrated By Jude Mason

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
Series: Hagenheim, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-13-15
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Christian, Historical, Teen/Young Adult
My Rating 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In author Melanie Dickenson's new book, a young healer's apprentice named Rose believes she will never marry...until she meets Lord Hamlin, the future ruler of her village. Hamlin is everything she could ever want - kind, understanding, and a man of faith - but her low station and the fact he's already betrothed to a mysterious woman makes their romance impossible. As Lord Hamlin seeks to find the sorcerer who cursed his future bride, Rose's life spins toward confusion. A creative retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale.
©2015 Melanie Dickerson (P)2015 Zondervan

Review:
Rose is a young woman of faith and compassion. She has been apprenticed to the healer even though she finds the duties difficult due to her soft heart. Her position brings her to tend Lord Hamlin, the eldest son of the Duke. He is kind and accepting of her lower status and they develop a gentle friendship.

Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a woman who he is to meet and marry later in the year. The young lady has been hidden since childhood to keep her safe from the threats of a sorcerer who seeks revenge on her father. Although Lord Hamlin has chased the enemy for a number of years, the villain is always just out of reach.

Lord Hamlin and Rose must work to resist their attraction to each other. Lord Hamlin’s younger brother, Rupert, has a reputation as a scoundrel around the ladies. He takes an interest in the lovely Rose, insisting that he finds her so enchanting that he is prepared to change his ways for her. Lord Hamlin is anxious to secure a good position for Rose, so he encourages her saying that he believes his brother is sincere. Rose herself is flattered by Rupert’s attention and tries to set her affections toward him instead of the unattainable Lord Hamlin. While the young people struggle with their emotions, the enemy is closer than they know.

Rose and Lord Hamlin are lovely, honorable and chivalrous characters. This is an easy read/listen for the most part. There is a scene with demons that might be difficult for some readers. Although the story has a fairy tale feel, with easy, simple writing, it focuses on God’s protection rather than magical protection. I really enjoyed the Biblical messages of faith, and God’s provision and protection for those who trust Him. This story, and probably the series, would be suitable for readers who enjoy medieval settings with the fairy tale and Christian elements of good prevailing over evil.

Audio Notes: Jude Mason does an adequate job with the narration. Her voice and accent fits the setting and tone of the story. She manages to portray the characters with sufficiently distinct voices. Because I found the story a bit simple, the narration made this a more enjoyable reading experience for me.

I received this CD audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox. It qualifies for my Audiobook Challenge.

ReWired by S.R. Johannes - Launch Week Spotlight

Available August 27, 2017. I have received this title and will be reading it next week for review.

ReWired
by S.R. Johannes
16-year-old Ada Lovelace is never more alive and sure of herself than when she’s hacking into a “secure” network as her alter ego, the Dark Angel. In the real world, Ada is broken, reeling from her best friend Simone’s recent suicide. But online, the reclusive daughter of Senator Lovelace (champion of the new Technology Privacy Bill) is a daring white hat hacker and the only female member of the Orwellians, an elite group responsible for a string of high-profile hacks against major corporations, with a mission to protect the little guy.

Ada is swiftly proving she’s a force to be reckoned with, when a fellow Orwellian betrays her to the FBI. To protect her father’s career, Ada is sent to ReBoot, a technology rehab facility for teens…the same rehab Simone attended right before killing herself.
​
It’s bad enough that the ReBoot facility is creepy in an Overlook-Hotel-meets-Winchester-Mansion way, but when Ada realizes Simone’s suicide is just one in an increasingly suspicious string of “accidental” deaths and “suicides” occurring just after kids leave ReBoot, Ada knows she can’t leave without figuring out what really happened to her best friend. The massive cyber conspiracy she uncovers will threaten everything she cares about–her dad’s career, her new relationship with a wry, handsome, reformed hacker, Fisher, who gets under her skin, and most of all–the Dark Angel.

With a deliciously twisty plot, the topical bite of Cory Doctorow's LITTLE BROTHER, ReWIRED delves into technology addiction, internet privacy, and corporate/government collection of data.

ReWIRED is about the daily choices we all make about who we want to be, how much of ourselves we choose to share with others, and the terrifying risks and exhilarating rewards of being ourselves, online and off.

What others are saying:

"Delving into the world of underground hacking, REWIRED crackles with tension. I loved every cyber-second I was immersed in Ada's world!”— Kimberly Derting, author of YA thriller series' The Body Finder, The Pledge, and The Taking.

"Timely and terrifying, Johannes shows us just how easy it is to find a trapdoor into anyone's life. I'm never getting on the internet again."— Romily Bernard, author of YA thriller series, Find Me and Never Apart (2017)

"ReWired is a tenderhearted, thought-provoking young adult thriller that makes you update your passwords and call your best friend (and request to hang out away from all video feeds.)" —Courtney Stevens, author of Dress Codes for Small Towns and Faking Normal.

Amazon Buy Link

Excerpt: The Firewall

   The lab smells like burned toast.
   Fisher races back in the room. “Ada, I think this place is on fire. We gotta go.” When I finish uploading the files, he grabs my hand and yanks me out of the room.
   We race down the hall and push through a door that leads us to an empty stale room with nothing but a mahogany fireplace in one corner. The small space is already filling with thick, black smoke, and the heat is unbearable. When I glance back, the steel door starts to turn red from the intense temperatures.
   This must be what hell feels like.
   Fisher tugs on my sleeve. “This place is going to torch quickly. It’s a freakin’ tinderbox.”
   And he’s right, the place is already blazing with fire. My eyes burn as I cover my mouth with my shirt, coughing. “Which way?”
   “There.” He points in the opposite direction.
   As we weave through the labyrinth of suffocating rooms and tiny hallways, neither of us speaks. The air is heavy with soot, burning my throat. Thick gray spirals of smoke crawl out of the cracks in the walls, curling finger-like tendrils around my throat.
I try to control my smoke intake. “Now what?” I choke out.
   “Breathe shallow, stay low, and keep moving.” He hands me his handkerchief. “Keep this over your mouth.”
   We wind through the twisting hall until we reach a stairway. Flames nip at our heels like a pack of seething dogs. The searing air singes the tiny hairs on my face. I panic and gulp in dirty air, igniting a fit of hacking. The fire alarm remains silent, so I’m guessing help is out of the question. It’s possible that no one at ReBoot is aware of the danger stewing behind the main house.
   I holler into the rag, muffling the rising panic in my voice. “We’re trapped!”
   Fisher dashes around, frantically opening and slamming cupboards, searching for a hidden escape route. In this place, you never know. The fire prowls across the floor, roaring at anything in its path. The flames chase us, rolling in from all sides.
   Fisher steps on a trapdoor in the floor. “Here!” He dusts off the opening with his shoes and jerks the round latch. The wood planks squeak open, revealing a kitchen on the floor below us. He drops through the hole and lands in a kneeling position on the rusted stove.
   A beam in the ceiling splits and comes crashing down behind me. I scream and lower myself through the opening, hanging by my hands.
   “Drop!” Fisher screams.
   I release my grip and hit the counter.
   This time, he breaks my fall by grabbing my waist, but pain sears through my sore leg. I crumple to the floor. Without missing a beat, Fisher scoops me up and races toward an exit, half carrying me.
   Somewhere in the maze, a door slams. Clunky footsteps cross the floor moving closer and closer.
   “Someone’s chasing us,” I hiss under my breath.

Sunday Post August 27, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 28, 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.

I had a full week at work helping to train our new employee and working to finish items before leaving to visit our son's family again. We spent Saturday and Sunday driving the 12+ hours to arrive mid afternoon. I did bring a briefcase of files so I plan to do work while here.

Reading was good. I finished three books: two audio books and one ebook. I got four reviews posted to get up-to-date, along with my usual memes.

I visited 26 blogs last week.
Shout out this week is to Scaredy Engines End of Line Library. This is a new to me blog which was fun to visit.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post August 20, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 21, 2017.

• eNG- Book Review: How to Charm a Beekeeper's Heart by Candice Patterson; Christian, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance; my rating 4.5.

• eNG- Book Review: Wolf Hunt (SWAT Book 6) by Paige Tyler; Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Shifter; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 25, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 8/31/2017.

• eNG- Book Review: Weaver's Needle by Robin Caroll; Christian, Mystery, Romance; my rating 4.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald; Personal Memoir; My rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #317 Comment Giveaway August 26, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 9/2/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 27, 2017.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio CD (ABJ)

The Healer's Apprentice
By Melanie Dickerson
Narrated By Jude Mason
Series: Hagenheim, Book 1
I enjoyed this nice, fairytale like, listen.
I received the CD audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Resurrection America

by Jeff Gunhus

This is a tense, engaging dystopian thriller.
I received this through NetGalley.

USA TODAY bestselling author Jeff Gunhus.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible (TBR)

No Easy Hope: Surviving the Dead, Volume 1
Written by: James N. Cook
Narrated by: Guy Williams
This is a zombie story with characters I liked.
I picked this from my TBR for "N" in Alphabet Challenge.
Publisher's Summary
Eric Riordan was once a wealthy man leading a comfortable, easy life. Until one day Gabriel, his oldest friend, Marine Corps veteran, and a former mercenary, told him how the world was going to end.
He did his best to prepare. He thought he was ready for anything.
He was wrong.
As the dead rise up to devour the living, one man finds himself struggling to survive in the ruins of a shattered world. Alone, isolated, and facing starvation, his only chance is to flee to the Appalachians and join forces with Gabriel. But the journey will not be easy, and along the way his humanity, his will to live, and his very soul will be tested.
This is the beginning. This is his story.
©2011 James N Cook (P)2013 James N Cook

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Who'll Stop The Rain: (Book One Of The Miami Crime Trilogy)
by Don Donovan
I liked the writing style righte away, even though this is going to be a bit grittier than I like.
I received this from the Author.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Until the End of the World
Written by: Sarah Lyons Fleming
Narrated by: Julia Whelan
I picked this from my TBR shelves for "U" in Alphabet Challenge.
I didn't initially realize it is another zombie tale but this one includes romance and sounds like it will be entertaining.
Publisher's Summary
Cassie Forrest isn't surprised to learn that the day she’s decided to get her life together is also the day the world ends. After all, she’s been on a self-imposed losing streak since her survivalist parents died: she’s stopped painting, broken off her engagement to Adrian and dated a real jerk. Rectifying her mistakes has to wait, however, because Cassie and her friends have just enough time to escape Brooklyn for her parents’ cabin before Bornavirus LX turns them into zombies, too. This is difficult enough, but Cassie’s tag along ex-boyfriend and her friend’s bratty sister have a knack for making everything, even the apocalypse, more unpleasant. When the two attract a threat as deadly as the undead to their safe haven, Cassie’s forced to see how far she’ll go to protect those she loves. And it’s a lot farther than she’d anticipated. This, coupled with Adrian’s distant voice on Safe Zone Radio and, of course, the living dead, threaten to put Cassie right back into the funk she just dragged herself out of. Survival’s great and all, especially when you have leather armor, good friends and home-brewed beer, but there’s something Cassie must do besides survive: tell Adrian she still loves him. And to do that, Cassie has to find faith that she’s stronger than she thinks, she’s still a crack shot and true love never dies.
2014 Voice Arts Award Winner
2015 Audie Finalist - Solo Narration, Female
©2013 Saray Lyons Flemin (P)2014 Podium Publishing

3. Print (LBC)

A Matter of Character,
Sisters of Bethlehem Springs Series #3
by Robin Lee Hatcher
I will hopefully work on reading this in the coming week.
Print reading is slower for me these days.

August 27, 2017 - I am a day behind 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 three books and posted four reviews. That puts me to three current reviews and one for September release.
I am now two weeks behind again linking my reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
I am still at 3 NetGalley titles (and still eyeing new ones) and still 2 author titles in my queue, the others are instafreebies that I do want to get to but not the same commitment.

We're working on two fiction books soon to add to 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 didn't pick up any review titles this week but I forgot to list one I picked up a few weeks ago.
I picked up two Audibles on daily deals and purchased two sets of children's titles on sale.
As usual, I picked up more free kindle titles as usual. (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

Received from the author (Release in October):

Wild Justice (Delta Force Book 3)
by M. L. Buchman

WON 

NONE

Purchased

I picked up two Audible daily deals and then found the Kids Books were on sale.
Daughter of Dragons $3.95
By: Jack Campbell
Narrator: MacLeod Andrews
Duration: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Open Season $2.95
By: C. J. Box
Narrator: David Chandler
Duration: 7 hrs and 49 mins

I bought several titles (5 for $9.75) for my grandkids:
1. The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame
2. Frozen by Disney Press
3. Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies by Emma Walton Hamilton, Julie Andrews
4. Disney Junior Storybook Collection: Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Mickey/Minnie, Henry Hugglemonster by Disney Book Group
5. Thornton Burgess Bedtime Stories by Thornton W. Burgess

And this group (5 for $17.75) for kids and me too:
1. Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
2. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, Patricia Castelao
3. Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands
4. Fledgling: The Dragonrider Chronicles, Book 1 by Nicole Conway
5. Beauty and the Beast by Elizabeth Rudnick, Disney Press

Free

These are five of my Free Kindle Picks: (All but the first may still be free):
 
Such a Hope 
by Sondra Kraak

Hunted (Dragonlands Book 2)
by Megg Jensen
(Books 1 & 3 are also free)

A Treasure to Die For (Books to Die For Book 3)
Richard Houston
(I already have books 1 & 2 – I need to start reading the series.)

You and Me, Baby
Jenn Faulk

Blind River: A Thriller
Ben Follows

Also - for Children who love horses check out:

Winter of the Crystal Dances

(Whinnies on the Wind Book 1)

by Angela Dorsey

I added 64 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 August 27, 2017

We are on the road this weekend to visit our son and his family again. Our Bible reading this week has been in Job so that reminded me of a video that I found on scientific facts in the Bible.

(Although the video is 29 minutes, the 10 facts are shown in the first 15 minutes.)

I chose this song which speaks of creation: Hallelujah!

Verses for Today:
Job 38:4-11 (and the rest of Chapter 38!) NLT
4
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much.
5
Who determined its dimensions
and stretched out the surveying line?
6
What supports its foundations,
and who laid its cornerstone
7
as the morning stars sang together
and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?
8
“Who kept the sea inside its boundaries
as it burst from the womb,
9
and as I clothed it with clouds
and wrapped it in thick darkness?
10
For I locked it behind barred gates,
limiting its shores.
11
I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come.
Here your proud waves must stop!’


Thank you God for your awesome creation and that You created me!

Sharing Beyond Books #317 Comment Giveaway August 26, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Most of us do enjoy landscapes although several of us don't like being outside in extreme (heat or cold) weather. Several take reading breaks to watch the wildlife or landscapes near their homes. Mary likes to take walks in nearby parks; Natlaija loves looking at the changing scenes of the Julian Alps and Miki and Marjorie like to watch the birds nearby. Congratulations to Rubynreba for winning Yard of the Week in her small town!

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #316 comments is: #3 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 #317

(One Question.)

bn100 asks: Would you preorder a book without a blurb??

I rarely preorder books unless it is a favorite series and I am waiting for the next. Then, yes, I might pre-order even without a blurb, especially if it is offered at a discounted price.

Image found at Droid Informer.

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.
Comments in August were provided by Marjorie, Elizabeth, Becky and bn100. Random.org chose 3 so Becky gets an extra win for comment this month.

Your turn to share. bn100 asks: Would you preorder a book without a blurb??

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 September 2, 2017 at 5 PM central.