Sunday Post November 5, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 6, 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 good closing Monday and enjoyed the listening while driving. Of course then I had a busy office week. The office set a new high for files opened in October and we have started off with a kick in November too. This swill keep us juggling.
We hosted a Mexicali meal for the men and wives from Band of Brothers. It was a good time of fellowship -- and too much food.

My reading/listening time was good. I finished five books: four audios and one print/ebook. I posted three reviews on the blog and two at Goodreads; plus I posted my usual memes.

I only visited 26 blogs early in the week as, once again, I didn't get to go back.
Shout out this week is to Books and Readers who shares common blogging issues like the linked post on ratings.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post October 29, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 30, 2017.

• MBS October 2017 Reading List Wrap Up.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Purity in Death: In Death, Book 15 by J.D. Robb; Female Detective, Mystery, Police Procedures; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 3, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 11/9/2017.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Of Treasons Born by J. L. Doty; Sci Fi, Space Military; my rating 4.5.

• A- Audible Book Review: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate; Animals, Children; my rating 4.5.

• ATBR- Goodreads/Audible Book Review: To Die For by Alice Clark-Platts; Mystery, Drama; my rating 4.0.

• A- Goodreads/Audible Book Review: The Undead: Deleted Scene by R.R. Haywood; Sci Fi, Zombies; my rating 3.75.

• Sharing Beyond Books #327 Comment Giveaway November 4, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 11/11/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement November 5, 2017.

Finished Reading:

Apocalypse: The Days of Elijah, Book 1
By: Mark Goodwin
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Series: The Days of Elijah, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 46 mins
I read an earlier book by this author and wanted to try this series.
It is very engaging and I will want to continue.
Publisher's Summary
After a massive wave of disappearances, 26-year-old CIA analyst Everett Carroll finally believes what he's been told about the biblical prophecy of the rapture. But will he be able to survive the gauntlet of destruction known as the Great Tribulation? Seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven vials of God's wrath are about to be poured out upon the earth, and woe to the inhabitants thereof! Global currencies have collapsed, famine and plague have claimed the lives of millions, and the world has crumbled into chaos. The only reason Everett and his girlfriend, Courtney, have survived the mayhem is because they were warned by John Jones, Everett's recently deceased boss, that all of these tragedies would occur. And what's more, through his inside knowledge at the agency, mixed with his interpretation of prophecy, Jones predicted that a world leader would ride in on a white horse to fix the ills of the planet. But who is this leader and what is his motivation for mandating the new identification implant and the global cashless currency?
Everett is surprised when he finds out that Elijah, the Messianic Jewish hermit who lives on the mountain above their retreat, did not disappear along with the rest of the Christians. When he tells Everett of a special mission that God has given him, the old prophet gives Everett more questions than answers.
This is the highly-anticipated follow-up series to the best-selling trilogy, The Days of Noah, which chronicles the economic, moral, and social collapse of the United States.
As with all books by Mark Goodwin, this book contains no profanity and no embarrassing sex scenes. However, if you're offended by conservative principles and references to scripture, this book might not be for you.
©2016 Goodwin America Corp. (P)2017 Goodwin America Corp.

2. Print/eBook (Great Escape Tour)

King Harald's Snow Job 
(King Harald Mysteries Book 3)
by Richard Audry
This is a fun, easy mystery read.
My review through Great Escape Tours 
will post November 7.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

To Die For
By: Alice Clark-Platts
Narrated by: Rachel Bavidge
Length: 1 hr and 9 mins
I picked a couple of short audios to read before November 1 start to SciFi Month.
This could have been out of recent news. My review at Goodreads is linked above.
Publisher's Summary
Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of To Die For by Alice Clark-Platts, read by Rachel Bavidge.
In an empty car park, Ryan James sits in his car contemplating death. He has set up a hose pipe that is pouring carbon monoxide into the car, and his deciding whether or not to close the last window and end it all. Finally, he gets a text and decides to end his life.
Detective Martin is called to the scene the next day. At first she is convinced it is a simple suicide but as she looks deeper into the boy's life and his relationships she begins to wonder if someone else was involved.
Also available in the DI Erica Martin series in audio: Bitter Fruits and The Taken.
©2016 Alice Clark-Platts (P)2016 Penguin AudioBooks

4. Audible/MP3

FREE: The Undead
Deleted Scene
By: R R Haywood
Narrated by: Dan Morgan
Series: The Undead
Length: 1 hr and 3 mins
This was rather rough but I liked the characters. 
I posted my review at Goodreads - linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

Starting November 1 I am reading and listening to Sci Fi stories for #RRSciFiMonth.

November 2017 - Sci Fi Month

5. Audible/MP3 (Narrator)

Fight like a Man: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller
The SHTF Series, Book 1
By: L. L. Akers
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins
I received this from the narrator 
and chose it for my first listen for #RRSciFiMonth.
I enjoyed the characters and the premise.
Publisher's Summary
As a prepper, Grayson Rowan was prepared for almost anything.
...anything other than being totally alone when the sh*t hits the fan.
While he sat back and watched the United States rattle swords with Korea, play chicken with Russia, and strong-arm China, he felt sure if the lights went out that he and his family would be ready and safe - whether it was due to a natural disaster or a man-made event. They had everything they needed at their homestead.
What he wasn't prepared for was his family not being home if it ever happened.
Olivia Rowan is with her sisters, Gabby and Emma, on a girls-only trip to Myrtle Beach. When chaos erupts and there's no gas, their journey home is a nightmare, filled with predators and danger - and apparently, Olivia hadn't learned a thing her husband tried to teach her.
When your neighbors run out of water and turn on each other, what will you do?
Jake, a country boy mechanic, never believed in TEOTWAWKI, but he'd heard his brother-in-law preach about it many times. He knew what to do, but he didn't prepare. He lazily left it all up to Grayson - he was the prepper after all. When catastrophe strikes, will he continue to keep his head stuck in the sand while his clueless neighbors destroy each other, and his wife is stuck out on the road, or will he stand up and fight like a man?
And if you're alone? Bug in or bug out?
Graysie Rowan, a freshman at university, just wants to go home. When no word comes from the government, and the state capital is overrun with looters, chaos, and mayhem, the college administration puts the students on lockdown. But her dad, Grayson, had prepared her for this. Now, if she can only remember what it was he said to do....
If they want to survive this post-apocalyptic event, they'll all have to learn to fight like a man.
©2017 Lisa L. Akers (P)2017 Lisa L. Akers

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (Author)

The Letterbox
by Layton Green
I am 25% in on this engaging story with ghostly elements.
I received this from the author.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3

Virus: Earth's Last Battle
By: Ray Jay Perreault
Narrator: George Napier
Duration: 9 hrs and 10 mins
I received this audio from the author. 
About 30% in I am finding this interesting.
Publisher's Summary
This is the second book in the Virus series, which parallels the SIMPOC series.
A suspicious virus has killed 99.99997 percent of the people. A ruthless warlord who moved into the White House attacked the government at Camp David. The president moved the remaining government to an aircraft carrier in the Atlantic and left a military unit to deal with the warlord.
The decimated US Navy is still functional. They must defend themselves from the remnants of militaries with a grudge against the US that use the opportunity to get revenge.
Joan Herl and her remaining space station Oasis crew returned to Earth, and a computer playing by different rules attacked them. Their only ally was the first thinking computer SIMPOC and his surrogate Alpha. Dr. Julius, who was one of the moon colony crew members, steals the research for thinking computers, and with his expertise he creates another computer that rivals SIMPOC and who starts making its own plans.
Eventually, they all find out why the virus started and who is responsible.
©2015 Raymond J Perrealt (P)2017 Raymond J Perreault

3. Print for LBC

Patched Together: A Story of My Story
By: Brennan Manning
I am half way in this inspiring little book.
I picked this up on sale earlier this year for Ladies Book Club.
We will discuss it 11/11.
Product Description
For everybody who's stumbled, fallen, or turned away from God, here's a touching story of grace and forgiveness. Follow Willie Juan as he moves from orphaned boy to prodigal adult to ragamuffin friend of Abba---and experience the joy of our heavenly Father's unconditional love. A moving parable by a master storyteller! Foreword by Amy Grant. 144 pages, hardcover from Cook.

HoHoHo Readathon STARTs NOVEMBER 8, 2017

I will be hosting one of the #hohohorat Mini Challenges so I hope you will join the fun!


4. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Always Gray In Winter
by Mark J. Engels
This is on my NetGalley shelf and I pulled it in for #hohohorat while trying to keep with #RRSciFiMonth too.
A distant daughter. A peculiar device. A family lineage full of secrets. When werecat Pawlina Katczynski finally resurfaces, her location previously unknown to anyone close to her, the reunion is short of welcomed. Instead, she finds herself thrust tooth and nail—tooth and claw—into a feud between opposing werecat clans as her family and their enemies reignite a battle that has raged for years. Always Gray in Winter invites the reader to join the feud and see if blood is truly thicker than water...

I hope to get in a few other short stories during HoHoHo Readathon

November 5, 2017 - I am back up to date in the One Year Bible reading. I have been 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 five books and posted five reviews. That keeps me up to date.
I need to link the last week of reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 12. I added a new author title in my queue so I have two commited and many through InstaFreebie.

We're working on two fiction books soon to add to eTreasure's NetGalley page.
This charming Historical Romance (Western) is now available at NG and will be available soon on Kindle.
Tender Hearts
by Noelle Jane Myers

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 one ebook last week from the author (through Goodreads) that I forgot to list and I didn't list my LBC book I handed out last month.
I selected three Audible daily deals; picked up one title on October Credit and one at sale price as I own the kindle version.
I also purchased one $.99 Kindle anthology.
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

I received this title from the Author:

Kristian's War (The Searcher Series Book 1)
by Peter Wisan
"Everything leads to one final fight, where Kristian must defeat the demons of his past or die."
This Christian Sci Fi will fit in with Sci Fi Month.

I have this title for Ladies Book Club:

Patched Together: A Story of My Story
By: Brennan Manning
See full description for this under Current Reading.

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked up Three Audible Daily Deals :
10/30 DD $4.95
Nice Dragons Finish Last
Heartstrikers, Book 1
By: Rachel Aaron
Narrated by: Vikas Adam
Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins
Release date: 11-18-14

11/01/17 DD $3.95

Writing Great Fiction: Storytelling Tips and Techniques
By: The Great Courses
Narrated by: Professor James Hynes
Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 11-14-14

11/4/17 DD $2.95
The Land: Founding: A LitRPG Saga
Chaos Seeds, Book 1
By: Aleron Kong
Narrated by: Nick Podehl
Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
Release date: 04-27-17

I selected this title with an October Credit;
it was recommended by one of the men from Band of Brothers:

A.D. 30: A Novel

Written by: Ted Dekker

Narrated by: Ellen Archer

Series: A.D., Book 1

Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins

Release date: 10-28-14

I purchased this for $1.95:
Last Stand: The Complete Box Set
Written by: William Weber
Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
Series: Last Stand (Weber), Book 1-4
Length: 24 hrs and 49 mins
Release date: 09-20-17

I couldn't resist this Christmas Anthology for $.99:
Unforgettable Christmas - Gifts of Love (The Unforgettables Book 3)
Mimi Barbour, Donna Fasano, Mona Risk, Patrice Wilton, Nikki Lynn Barrett, Dani Haviland, Traci Hall, Susan Jean Ricci, Leanne Banks

Free

Here are some of the Free Kindle titles I picked up. (All of these may still be free):
 
Wind Chime Cafe (A Wind Chime Novel Book 1)
by Sophie Mos 

For The Beautiful People
by Hannah Godard

Butterfly Islands (Chronicles of the Twenty-One Butterflies Book 1)
by Chris Seabranch

Santa's Secret (Christmas Wishes Book 1)
by Serenity Woods

I spy, I Saw Her Die (BOOK ONE): a gripping, page-turning cyber crime murder mystery conspiracy thriller.
by IAN C.P. IRVINE

Broken Skies
by Theresa Kay

and a few more:
Just For This Moment: A Small Town Southern Romance (Wishful Romance Book 4) by Kait Nolan
A Trace of Murder (A Keri Locke Mystery--Book #2) by Blake Pierce
Claiming Colton (Wishing Well, Texas Book 5) by Melanie Shawn
Men Of Honor Series Box Set: Men Of Honor Series by K.C. Lynn
Little Girl Lost: A Riveting Kidnapping Mystery- Book 0 by Alexandria Clarke
Somewhere Still by Denitta Ward

I added 51 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 November 5, 2017

We had an interesting Sunday School lesson and then a good Sermon. Pastor continued with his Illuminate sermon series from Galatians.

The first week was Galatians Chapter 1 – The Purity of the Gospel.
Last week was Chapter 2 - Real freedom. Those who are free are free indeed. My old self has been crucified with Christ. Don't go back to dig up the dead man.

This week is Chapter 3. Humans often try to make up for errors even though it is impossible. It is hard to fix an error in a relationship. Offenses against God are our sins - our errors in relationship - and they continue. They can't be undone.

Paul says in Galatians 3:3: “Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” He is asking them why they are trying to get right by their own efforts. Each person who accepts God is filled with the Holy Spirit who is there to complete the process of redemption. (This is not to be confused with the gift of the Spirit for tongues which comes through the baptism with Holy Spirit, not just the acceptance.) Paul notes that righteousness comes only through faith. Galatians 3:8-9.
 
The Point: We are powerless to atone for our sin. God makes us right with Him when we put our trust in Him.

Spiritual lineage is more important than ancestral lineage. The Spiritual cannot be passed on but can be taught.Have you accepted the promise that was given to Abraham? The promise: If he would trust God, he would be saved.

It is your faith that saves you. Don’t go back to the law. The law reveals that you cannot do it on your own. It is nothing to do with cultural affiliation. Galatians 3: 13. (See Deuteronomy 21:22-23.) The law did not negate the promise but showed how only faith is able to save. Christ is our justification. Christ died to satisfy the law for us. Romans 8:1-4 God initiated a reinstatement of His relationship with us.

What do we need to do? Give up trying yourself and surrender to God. We have a suitcase full of sin that we are dragging along. Give it up. Leave it behind by accepting God's righteousness. When the believers live free, others will see their joy.

This song seems to fit today's message.

Verses for Today:
Galatians 3:8-9
8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Lord, I thank You for justifying me,,, and giving me faith. Help me to rely on You each day and not rely on my own efforts.

Sharing Beyond Books #327 Comment Giveaway November 4, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week. I thought it would be good to share the favorite books shared:
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens and Dreams of Joy by Lisa See
From Afar by Roger Thomas and The Linesman Trilogy by S. K. Dunstall
Still Missing and the whole Lunar Chronicles
The Anchoress by Robyn Cadwallader & Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier
Burning Bright by Melissa McShane
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and The Choices We Make by Karma Brown
Last Christmas In Paris by Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb and The Forgotten Room by Bertriz Williams
Written in Red by Anne Bishop and Ghosthly Secret by Tonya Kappes
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough and The Martian by Andy Weir
Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips & One Fine Day by Theresa Weir
The Marriage Lie
Cat Shining Brightly by Shirley Rousseau Murphy and Shades Of Wrath by Karen Rose Smith
Sofie Kelly's Magical Cats Mystery series and Hunted by Karen Robards
Silver Silence by Nalini Singh
Tog and Acotar series, Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses respectively, both by Sarah J Maas
Yesterday's Tomorrow by Catherine West

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #326 comments is: #7 ELIZABETH 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 #327

(One Question.)

Elizabeth asks: What 2017 movie (based on a book) are you looking forward to watching??

Here is a link to 33 Books scheduled for release in 2017. I would like to see The Monster Calls, Hidden Figures, Same Kind of Different as Me, Murder on the Orient Express, An Ember in Ashes and Annihilation. So far the only ones I have read are The Monster Calls and Murder on the Orient Express. I have been eying the others. :-) There are a couple more maybe too.

Image found at Pinterest.

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. Elizabeth asks: What 2017 movie (based on a book) are you looking forward to watching??

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 November 11, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

This is a charming story.

The One and Only Ivan
By: Katherine Applegate, Patricia Castelao (Illustrator)
Narrated by: Adam Grupper

Length: 3 hrs and 46 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 03-14-13
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Animals, Children
My Rating: 4.50 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.
Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he's seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.
Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home - and his own art - through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it's up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.
Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.
©2012 Katherine Applegate (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Review:
Ivan, a silverback gorilla, has lived most of his life in a small, uninspired mall mini circus. Ivan barely remembers his old home and family as those memories bring a poignant sadness. Ivan has a gentle friendship with the other animals and Julia, the young daughter of the mall maintenance man. Ivan and Julia share a love of art although Ivan’s efforts are much less clear than Julia’s. Ivan's other friends are Stella, an elephant with a damaged leg, and Bob, a stray dog who snuck in off the streets of the world and who sleeps on Ivan’s belly. Then the mall owner purchases Ruby, a baby elephant, in hopes of picking up business. But Ruby is untrained and the owner's methods of training makes all the animals unhappy.

As Stella becomes ill from her infected foot, she makes Ivan promise that he will take care of Ruby. Ivan isn’t sure how he can help Ruby and struggles to accomplish a plan once he comes up with one.

Ivan, and the other animals, are lovely characters and the story is charming. I don’t agree with the statement that we evolved from Apes, but other than that, this shares interesting details about apes, particularly silverbacks. It also shares a wonderful message of compassion, caring, friendship and hope. There are painful moments and scenes that made me cringe at the callousness of men. Fortunately, these are overshadowed by the sweet caring shown by Ivan and his friends. The story evokes empathy for the plight of animals taken out of their natural homes to live in cages for human entertainment. This may be written for children but it is a lovely read for adults too.

Audio Notes: Adam Grupper does a wonderful job with the narration. The voices fit and the reading is seamless with no distraction from the story. I recommend this in audio although I note that the kindle and print versions have awesome illustrations.

This was from my Audible library purchased through Kid’s Sale in summer 2017. It qualifies for my Audio Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Of Treasons Born by J. L. Doty

This is an engaging sci fi - character profile.
Of Treasons Born
A Novel of the Treasons Cycle
By: J. L. Doty
Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine

Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 05-03-16
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Sci Fi, Space Military
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
A gripping military science fiction adventure starring the hero of A Choice of Treasons.
As a lifer in the Imperial Navy fighting in a war that has lasted for generations, York Ballin's only hope for an honorable discharge is the grave. But what events led up to his reluctant enlistment? What spawned York's almost fanatic loyalty to his friends - and his doubts regarding the imperial uniform he once wore with such pride?
York rarely recalls his childhood, which began with a mystery and ended at age 11 when he was given a harsh choice: Join the navy or face certain death on a prison asteroid. The navy has its own code of justice, but a youngster with curiosity and grit is able to rise in the ranks...if he's given a fair shot.
A few rigorous years later, as a newly commissioned ensign, York is assigned to the hunter-killer ship The Fourth Horseman. But when an unexpected foe kills his superior officer and leaves the crew stranded in enemy territory, the young ensign must do whatever he can to save the ship - even if it means he'll be court-martialed for treason.
Of Treasons Born is a novel of the Treasons Cycle; the series was written so that it can be listened to in any order.
©2016 J. L. Doty; published in 2016 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc. (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
York Ballin was mostly raised on the streets. He was pressured by the wrong sort of friends and at age 11 he ended up with a conviction for murder. He is sentenced to a prison asteroid where he will no doubt be dead soon. He is surprised when he is confronted by naval officers who “offer” him a place in the space navy. It isn’t really a choice.

York has to start at the bottom swabbing floors – he learns they are called ‘decks’. He is smart and picks up quickly… if only someone is willing to train him. He learns that there are bullies in the navy too and he ends up caught in a bad situation again. He takes the punishment and is sent to the Marines for further discipline. They figure he is a loser who will wash out but soon discover that he learns quickly and is willing to take risks for others. Bit by bit York makes friends and shows himself as more than a loser.

He is sent to Naval Academy where he bunks with three others of totally different backgrounds. One comes for power, one from money and one from influence. They realize that York is the one from experience. There are superiors who feel that street kids have no business in the Academy – they aren’t smart enough to learn and not worthy of the training. These men make trouble for York but fortunately there are others who see the potential for leadership in York and want him to succeed.

I found this story very engaging. I liked how Doty develops York’s character and how friends and staff along the way contribute to that character. York is a sympathetic character who is able to rise through the ranks even when he doesn’t even know what the space war is all about. There is a suitable balance between the strong action and human elements. I have the next book in the series (although this was actually shown as book 2) and I am looking forward to reading/listening to more. I recommend this to fans of space military tales.

Audio Notes: Noah Michael Levine does a great job on the narration. The voices are varied and the inflections are conveyed to share the nuances of the situations. I really enjoyed the listen.

I picked this from my Audible Library. It qualifies for Mount TBR and Audio Challenge.