Audible Book Review: Valor's Choice (Confederation, #1) by Tanya Huff

This is an engaging military space sci fi.
Valor's Choice (Confederation, #1)
by Tanya Huff
Marguerite Gavin (Narrator)

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins
Series: Confederation, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:01-20-09
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Military Space Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In the distant future, humans and several other races have been granted membership in the Confederation - at a price. They must act as soldier/protectors of the far more civilized races who have long since turned away from war.
©2000 Tanya Huff; (P)2008 Tantor

Review:
Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr has seen her share of battle – sometimes with more success than others. Her platoons last encounter with the Others had left a good chunk of the soldiers in sick bay and desperately seeking shore leave for a break. Kerr already started her break the evening before having met an intoxicating di’Taykan and enjoyed a vigorous night of pleasure. It is only due irony that the man turns out to be her new commander.

Her platoon isn’t ready for another assignment but that is what they are getting. At least it isn’t a battle assignment but rather their job will be to serve as honor guard, escorting diplomats on a mission to gain agreement from the Silsviss to join as an ally with the Confederation as they fight against the Others. The Silsviss are an extremely large, strong, reptilian race who consider battle prowess as the measure of success. This is the first time a delegation has been sent to their planet and success isn’t guaranteed.

Most of the assignment goes well, with only a few rough encounters. However, on the last trip before the vote is to be taken, the ship Kerr’s platoon is on is shot down into a reserve where the young Silsviss men are placed to contend for survival and command. The platoon has to find its way across unfamiliar terrain while trying to escape attack of hyped up Silsviss.

I really enjoyed the writing style which includes effective bantering dialogue and lots of action. There were hints to determine the enemy but the primary characters were too busy fighting to spend much time speculating. Kerr is a kickin’ female lead who carries the story. I enjoyed the different alien input too. The story is engaging and I recommend it to sci fi fans who like military action in space. I will likely pick up more in this series.

Audio Notes: Marguerite Gavin is a wonderful narrator whose voice I recognized from several series I like. She does a good job with this work too, presenting different sounds and voices for the human and alien characters. The narration added to my enjoyment of the book.

I pulled this from my Audible TBR shelves. It qualifies for Mount TBR, Audiobook Challenge and "V" in my Alphabet Challenge

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 22, 2017

Happy Friday!
Whew - another juggling week for me. Heather was out sick Monday so I had to handle title work instead of law work. We have had a lot of closings this week so it has been a crazy roller coaster.
I hope to set up a new box of books this weekend. (I hit 2000 (error) 1,101 books given away today! I hope they are being enjoyed and shared forward.)

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 September 15 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 was one title blocked.
AUTO: Becky gets the Lisa Gardner Pair
and
bn100 gets CAIN

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from September 15 Pick:
MARY P gets a GC 
MYSTICA also gets a GC.

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.}

Do you read Banned Books? I'm thankful our reading isn't really censored.
Image found at Banned Books Week.

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: At 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.
SINGLES:
The Cowboy by Joan Johnston
A Dragon Prince by Mary Gillgannon
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan

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 1,101!+ 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!

AlyCat and the Monday Blues Release Day Guest Post and Giveaway!

Release Day! by Alysson Foti Bourque

The release of the very first Alycat book, Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day, was so unbelievably exciting. I think that I would rank it at the top of my “most amazing experience” list—right after my wedding day and birth of my children, of course. We have added some really enticing aspects to the upcoming author visits to make the kids jump for joy! This time around, the author visits will have an Alycat mascot that will make an appearance with a bright blue dress covered with sparkly musical notes! She is super cute! During the Monday Blues reading, there will be a music video shown of Alycat’s talent show performance with the original song from the book. This song is written by myself and produced by The Music Box and Holbrook Multi Media —both located in Lafayette, LA. The book will contain the lyrics of the song at the end—just like Thursday Dessert Day had a recipe for Alycat’s Popcorn Popsicle.

I am looking forward to meeting new smiling faces at upcoming book events and introducing them to Alycat. I cannot wait to reconnect with those who I have met from the previous book tours, school visits, and events also. I want to hear what they think of Alycat's newest adventure and how they think it compares to the first book. The greatest part of the Monday Blues book is that it provides tools to young readers to turn a not-so-good day into a great day through lessons learned by Alycat. I am thrilled to imagine that Alycat is a part of people’s home library and bedtime routine. She is a part of my family and I’m happy to get to share with the world!

Alycat and the Monday Blues

by Alysson Foti Bourque

See my review HERE.

GIVEAWAY

Win one of 5 prize packages which includes:

• a signed copy of Alycat and the Monday Blues,
• an Alycat plush toy,
• a bookmark,
• a drawstring Alycat Sports pack
• and a wristband (open to USA and CAN only)

(Ends Oct 14)
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Or link to the giveaway:
https://goo.gl/3LMybL

Book Review: Alycat and the Monday Blues by Alysson Foti Bourque

This is a delightfully fun children’s book!

Alycat and the Monday Blues
by Alysson Foti Bourque

Hardcover: 38 pages
Publisher: Mascot Books (September 12, 2017)
ISBN-13: 978-1684012459
Genre: Children, Music, School
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

One Monday morning, Alycat wakes up with the dreaded Monday Blues—she's certain that everything will go wrong. But even when mishaps seem to ruin her day, she finds out that helping a friend can lead to discovering hew own hidden talent and curing the Monday Blues!

Review:
Alycat wakes up dragging one Monday Morning. She doesn’t want to go to school and doesn’t know what talent she can share for the school talent show. Mother encourages her to go to school where she is sure to feel better and find inspiration for her talent.

Alycat has a mishap during the day but it helps her find a talent to share. She makes up words to go with a friend’s instrument and they even bring her father into the group playing another accompanying instrument. The song is fun and I enjoyed singing it to my five-year-old granddaughter. She enjoyed the story and tried to sing the words too by the end.

The book is fully illustrated and shares a good story for children going to school but sometimes experiencing reluctance. The book came with a card with a code that allowed us to access the songs and coloring pages. My granddaughter was quite excited about these too, even though my version of the song wasn’t quite the same as the online song. 😊.

I enjoyed this light read and recommend it for sharing with early school age children.

I received this print book from the auhotr through iRead Book Tours.

SEE THE AUTHOR GUEST POST AND GIVEAWAY POST HERE!

Book Review: Yak and Dove by Kyo Maclear, Illustrator Esme Shapiro

This sweet story, with lovely illustrations, delivers a nice message of friendship.
Yak and Dove
by Kyo Maclear (Author), Esme Shapiro (Illustrator)

Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3
Hardcover: 56 pages
Publisher: Tundra Books; Ill edition (September 19, 2017)
ISBN-10: 1770494944
Genre: Animals, Children, Friends
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Sometimes the unlikeliest friends form the greatest friendships. A funny, charming picture book from a dynamic duo.
Friends Yak and Dove are complete opposites. Yak is large and Dove is small. Yak has fur and Dove has feathers. Yak is polite. Dove is ill-mannered. Yak likes quiet. Dove likes noise. One day as Yak and Dove list their differences they come to the conclusion that maybe they aren't meant to be friends. In the hope of finding a new best friend, Yak holds auditions. But when a small feathered contestant sings Yak's favorite song, the two begin to think that maybe they are alike after all . . .
Yak and Dove whimsically captures the highs and lows of friendship through the three interconnected tales of two very different friends.

Review:
Yak and Dove are close friends in spite of their many differences. Yak is big, furry and polite. Dove is small, feathered and abrupt to the edge of rudeness. The pair see twins and wonder what it would be like to be so close and connected. Suddenly they are challenging their own friendship and decide they are not well suited as friends after all. Marmot helps Yak audition for new friends but in the end Yak and Dove remember all they share and care about. This portion of the book is fun, the message meaningful and the illustrations are full and lovely.

The book then becomes confusing as it moves to what seemed to me to be unrelated, and disjointed additional stories. At that point it lost my attention as well as the attention of my four year old granddaughter. The book would have been better without the strange jump and could have been shortened which would fit the intended audience even better. I can recommend the first portion of the book but am sorry I was lost on the remainder.

I received the ebook through NetGalley. It qualifies for my NetGalley challenge.