Audible Book Review: Lords of Space by Michael Wallace

This story has strong action but some weaker elements.

Lords of Space
Starship Blackbeard, Book 2
By: Michael Wallace
Narrated by: Steve Barnes

Series: Starship Blackbeard, Book 2
Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 04-15-15
Language: English
Publisher: Balsalom Publishing
Genre: Action, Sci Fi, Space Marine
Story Rating: 3.75 of 5.0
Narration/Audio Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Captain James Drake is desperate to clear his name. Pursued relentlessly by the Royal Navy, he takes his loyal crew to attack Admiral Malthorne's estate and seize the evidence that will prove his innocence.
But their search uncovers something else the ruthless admiral has secreted away - the key to stopping a brutal and decades-old war with the Hroom, an ancient alien race. What they find sends Drake on a dangerous mission deep into Hroom territory. Joined by his valiant crew and the daughter of a former rival captain, Drake risks his life and his freedom to stop the war and save what's left of his world.
Book two in the Starship Blackbeard series by Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author Michael Wallace.
The series continues: book three - Dreadnought; book four - Rebellion of Stars.
©2015 Michael Wallace (P)2015 Michael Wallace

Review:
Captain Drake is on the run with his crew and a pirated spaceship dubbed the Blackbeard. Drake insists on striking back at Admiral Malthorne who has manipulated the predicament that set Drake and his crew on the run. He leads his loyal crew to raid the Admiral’s estate looking for evidence that will prove him innocent of the accusations made. Instead he finds another secret that could change the face of the decades old war with the Hroom. Of course they will have to escape and get somewhere safely with their find which may not be too easy with all the Royal Navy fleet pursuing them.

Drake teams up with an unlikely ally in the daughter of a former rival ship captain. They are two strong personalities and she envisions then as “lords of space”. He is more interested in clearing his name, but he is practical enough to accept help to fend off the enemy. The two dance around trust until they form a shaky alliance – in more than piracy. Captain Drake and his XO, Commander Tolvern, have an interesting and sometimes tense relationship. Their camaraderie is stressed by the female ally.

As the journey deep into enemy territory continues Drake comes face to face with his old friend, Captain Rutherford, who has been following orders to chase Drake down. Their encounter sets the stage for more intrigue in book 3.

I enjoyed the action in this story but the plot didn't move along as much as I would have liked. The entertainment was marred for me by a bit of crudeness and gratuitous sex (including a beginning in rather poor taste). The awkward love triangle with the Captain was another area that I wasn’t taken with. These have left me somewhat ambivalent about proceeding with the rest of the series. I might, but probably not anytime soon.

Audio Notes: Steve Barnes does a good job with narration. He portrays the strength of Captain Drake, the emotional upheavals of the women, and he provides good accents for various characters making them easily distinguishable. I also liked the intensity and energy he brings to the audio. I enjoyed listening to this book.

Source: Audible 2017 Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2018TBR, Take Control, Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.

Book 1 Review: Starship Blackbeard by Michael Wallace; My Rating 4.75

#NetGalley Book Review: In Wolves' Clothing by Greg Levin

This is gripping and well written.
In Wolves' Clothing
by Greg Levin

File Size: 1556 KB
Print Length: 273 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0990402940
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: White Rock Press; 1 edition (October 11, 2017)
ASIN: B075WSMPBT
Genre: Crime Fiction, Thriller
My Rating: 4.5 0f 5.0

On his best days, Zero Slade is the worst man you can imagine. He has to be. It's the only way to save the Lost Girls.
During his seven years on a team fighting sex trafficking, Zero's become quite good at schmoozing with pimps, getting handcuffed by cops and pretending not to care about the young girls he liberates. But the dangerous sting operations are starting to take a toll on his marriage and sanity. His affinity for prescription painkillers isn't exactly helping matters.
When the youngest girl the team has ever rescued gets abducted from a safe house in Cambodia, Zero decides to risk everything to find her. His only shot is to go rogue, and sink deeper into the bowels of the trafficking world than he's ever sunk.
It's the biggest mission of his life. Trouble is, it's almost certain death.

Review:
Zero’s is an ex military man who has an intense, tough job. He and his team mates pretend to be wealthy men seeking to party with young girls. They are really there with authorities in the wings to capture the pimps and free the young girls who are an unwilling part of the child sex trade industry. The job takes Zero’s team to all parts of the world, from cities in Asia to Central and South America. There is lots of planning and most times things go smoothly; but not always. There is always danger, risk and emotional trauma to be contained.

Zero is already self-medicating from injuries, pain and guilt from his military loses. Between coping (or not) with those memories and trying to minimize the emotions caused during his missions, he is struggling to keep proper communication with his wife, Nina, whom he adores. Problem is, he is gone a lot and even when he is home he is not always connected. Nina loves Zero but knows he needs help and she may have to take drastic steps for him to cooperate.

The team rescues a group of particularly young girls and the youngest clings to Zero. The youngster has touched a place in Zero’s heart and he returns to visit her. Then he gets news that she has been kidnapped from the facility. Zero can’t, or won’t, wait to ask for a team to go in. He chooses to go himself, even with recent injuries, and even though it will risk everything – his career and his marriage. Still, he feels he must rescue Sung before it is too late.

I really liked the writing style which is direct and presents the story in first person through Zero’s voice. His internal thinking is very real and sometimes gritty. There is also a subtle, self-deprecating humor. He is a man with integrity but also plagued with problems and flaws. Mr. Levin presents strong background information on the issues of painkiller addiction and sex trafficking. These are not easy subjects, but they are handled in a manner that makes a point of the devastating trauma and problem.

There is some material that is tough to read as well as some strong foul words. These are (sadly) a natural part of the story that is presented. I do recommend this to readers who like crime fiction suspense and those who may find combating sex trafficking interesting.

Source: NetGalley 2017. This qualifies for my 2018TBR, Take Control, NetGalley and Alphabet Challenges.

Sunday Post March 25, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 26, 2018

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.

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 was fortunate that my stomach bug was only 24 hours. My daughter (office manager) got sick and was out two and a half days. Soooo I spent more time doing title work than legal work. I'll be pushing to get more legal work done this week.
Our weather has warmed up with on and off rain during the week.

My listening was especially good this week but I had less luck with the ereading. I have continued to use my old Kindle but it is dying ever 10 pages or so. It is time to switch to my new Fire Kindle. I finished 3 Audio titles and almost finished one ebook. I posted four reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 27 blogs during the week.
Shout Out this week for The Fiction Enthusiast who blogs about "swoony romance".
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post March 18, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 19, 2018.

• NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: If I Live by Terri Blackstock; Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.25.

• NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Fade to Black by David Rosenfelt; Crime Thriller, Police Procedures; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 23, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/29/2018.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Quarter Share by Nathan Lowell; Mercantile, Sci Fi, Space Opera; my rating 4.5.

• NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Consent of the Governed by Bernard LoPinto; Dystopian, Political; my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #340 Comment Giveaway March 24, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/7/2018.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement March 25, 2018.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (TBR)

Xenos: Warhammer 40,000
Eisenhorn, Book 1
By: Dan Abnett
Narrated by: Toby Longworth
Series: Eisenhorn, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
I liked this action packed sci fi/fantasy.
Source: Audible 2017 Credit Purchase.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/MP3 (TBR)

Warship
Black Fleet Trilogy, Book 1
By: Joshua Dalzelle
Narrated by: Mark Boyett
Series: Black Fleet Trilogy, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
This started slowly but really picked up!
Source: Audible 2016 Credit Purchase.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/Smartphone (TBR)

Fledgling
The Dragonrider Chronicles, Book 1
By: Nicole Conway
Narrated by: Jesse Einstein
Series: Dragonrider Universe, Book 1, Dragonrider Chronicles, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
I enjoyed this selection for Alphabet 
and TBR/Take Control Challenges.
Source: Audible 2017 Kid's Sale.
Publisher's Summary
Can one boy stand between two kingdoms at war?
Jaevid Broadfeather has grown up as a wartime refugee, hiding from the world because of his mixed racial heritage. He feels his future is hopeless - until a chance encounter with a wild dragon lands him in Blybrig Academy, a place usually forbidden to anyone but the rich and royal.
But Jaevid's case is special; no dragon has voluntarily chosen a rider in decades, so the proud riders of Blybrig must begrudgingly let him join their brotherhood despite his bloodline. Lieutenant Sile Derrick, a sternly tempered man with a mysterious past, becomes his instructor and immediately takes a peculiar interest in Jaevid's future. While struggling through the rigorous physical demands of training, things begin to go awry. Jaevid witnesses the king's private guards kidnapping Sile in the dead of night. When none of the elder riders is willing to help him, Jaevid begins a dangerous adventure to save his instructor. Everything Jaevid learned at the academy will now be put to the ultimate test.
©2013 Nicole Conway (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG 2017)

The Edge of Memory
by Maura Beth Brennan
I am 80% into this and will finish soon. 
It is an interesting profile with bit of mystery.
Source: NetGalley 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (TBR)

Across the Nightingale Floor
Tales of the Otori, Book One
By: Lian Hearn
Narrated by: Kevin Gray, Aiko Nakasone
Series: Tales of the Otori, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
This has started with interest.
I selected this title for Alphabet
and TBR/Take Control Challenges.
Source: Audible 2012 credit purchase.
Publisher's Summary
A tour-de-force novel set in ancient Japan filled with passion, fantasy, and feuding warlords. The first volume in the highly anticipated Tales of the Otori trilogy.
Sixteen-year-old Takeo's village has been massacred by an evil warlord, and he is about to be slain by the men who murdered his parents and neighbors. At the last moment, his life is saved by a nobleman, who claims the boy as his kin and begins his education.
But nothing is as it seems. Takeo discovers that he has rare powers that are useful to those around him. As he grows into manhood, he must decide where his loyalties lie: with his noble master and adoptive father; with the Hidden, a secret, spiritual sect whose beliefs are forbidden; or with the Tribe, the assassins and spies who consider him one of their own.
A story of treachery, political intrigue, and the intensity of first love, set in a world ruled by formal ritual and codes of honor, Across the Nighingale Floor crosses genres, generations, and genders to captivate fans of all ages.
Don't miss the rest of the Tales of the Otori series.
©2002 Lian Hearn (P)2003 HighBridge Company

3. eBook/Kindle (Publisher 2018)

Blackstone
by Richard Falkirk
I look forward to starting this mystery.
Source: Thistle Publishing, 2018.
Click on book title for full description.

I know I will be picking another audiobook. I am going to try to put some of my OverDrive titles onto my smartphone. Or I can move them to Windows Media and then to my MP3. I just have to find time to do this.


March 25, 2018 - I continue on track with my morning reading the One Year Bible plan on my new smartphone. It is a great way to start my day. You can check out the audio on the companion commentary online.

I completed 3 books and posted 4 reviews. That moves me to 5 current reviews.
I linked some titles during the week at Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
My NetGalley shelf is still at 15. I have one committed author title in queue and many through InstaFreebie. I have more new author requests but haven't replied yet.

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 request or receive any review titles.
I resisted the Audible daily deal titles and Kindle deals this week.
However, as usual, I picked up lots 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

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

I added 99 free titles to my Kindle 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 March 25, 2018

Our Sunday School teacher is doing a series on Mercy and Grace. This fit well with Pastor’s message for Palm Sunday.

Pastor’s sermon is continuing the current Easter season series titled “The Timeline”. The two prior weeks addressed Jesus’ ministry and time up to the triumphant entry. Pastor noted how much happens in the last week of Jesus’ life. It starts with the triumphant entry then there is the last supper, the betrayal by Judas, the arrest and beatings, the ‘trial’ and finally the crucifixion.

Jesus warned Peter that he would deny knowing him three times before the cock crowed. Even with the warning, Peter did just that. Peter left crying bitterly, no doubt feeling like a failure. We have all failed. God’s grace is greater than any failure. We can be restored, just like Peter was restored.

Today we look at the crucifixion knowing it has a cliffhanger ending. (Pastor compared it to the TV series Lost.) The crucifixion is one of the greatest "Ah ha!" moments of all time! At the death of Jesus, there is darkness, a torn curtain, an earthquake, and people rising from the grave.

Point: Jesus' death brings clarity of God's plan of salvation and reveals our heart's condition.

We should identify with someone in the story.
Neither Pilate or Herod found guilt in Jesus (Luke 23:4, 26-29) but still he was sent to be crucified. Reading Leviticus this week we see that God asks the Israelites to bring him the best, the first fruits. We should bring something of value as offering, not whatever is left over as an afterthought.

Then God gave us the best He had.
The sinless, blameless Son of God gave His life to take away the sins of the world.

We can see clearly that salvation is ONLY found in the death, the sacrifice of Christ.

What is the condition of your heart.
One criminal scoffed, some people felt bad, some only observed, some turned their backs, some stood at distance. The Roman Guard, having seen Jesus on the cross, being in His presence, was moved to worship!

Are you moved by His sacrifice?

I spent a while looking for a song today. I ended up with a classic Palm Sunday Hymn.

Verses for Today:
Luke 22:41-42 NIV
41He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thank you for the Cross. Thank you for moving me with your sacrifice.

Sharing Beyond Books #340 Comment Giveaway March 24, 2018

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

I am going to continue to post this event biweekly (every other week) for now. My work is so hectic that I appreciate the break every other weekend. Thank you for understanding and continuing to participate.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
9 of us choose interruptions as the top pet peeve; three mentioned damaged books (written in, dog-earred,etc), three mentioned lending books that didn't get returned, two mentioned running out of power on the reading devise. Sue doesn't want people telling her about the book before she finishes and Linda doesn't like people talking loudly on cell phones when she is reading in a public place.

The Winner from SBB #339 comments is: #4 Miki 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 #340

(One Question.)

Becky asks: If you were to tell one person "Thank You" for helping me become the person I am today, who would it be and what did they do??

This isn't necessarily an easy question as I think of one person, then two, then another and so on. Although I could thank both my parents, I will say "Thank You" to my mother for providing boundaries but still allowing me to grow independently and for providing a life example of living with kindness and dignity.

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.
Questions this month were provided by Alina and Becky who each get $2.50 toward GC or 1/2 book credit for Becky.

Your turn to share. Becky asks: If you were to tell one person "Thank You" for helping me become the person I am today, who would it be and what did they do??

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 April 7, 2018 at 5 PM central.