Audible Book Review: The Never Hero by T. Ellery Hodges

This pulled me in as soon as I started listening!
The Never Hero
The Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs, Book 1
By: T. Ellery Hodges
Narrated by: Steven Barnett

Series: The Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs, Book 1
Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-20-15
Language: English
Publisher: Foggy Night Publishing
Genre: Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
At the gates between worlds...
In a war outside of time...
He fights for us.
Reclusive college student Jonathan Tibbs wakes in a pool of blood, not a scratch on him. His life is about to undergo a massive shift. A violent and merciless otherworldly enemy unleashes slaughter in the streets, calling out in a language only he understands.
And it is seeking its challenger.
In order to defeat the threat, Jonathan must become a temporal weapon...while remaining completely anonymous. Unfortunately, harnessing off-world powers has its own special challenges...
The Never Hero is the first installment in The Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs - a mind-bending, genre-crossing action-adventure trilogy.
©2014 T. Ellery Hodges (P)2015 Foggy Night Publishing

Review:
Jonathan Tibbs isn’t anyone’s idea of a hero. He’s not athletic but just a quiet, reclusive college student. When he wakes up in a pool of his own blood and his life turns upside down. While Jonathan tries to find his place and purpose, his roommates keep an eye on him. One night the news shows a monster attacking in the city. Jonathan erupts in anger and heads out to battle the alien enemy.

Jonathan doesn’t understand what is going on, but he’s been pulled into an alien battle where monsters enter through a portal and seek the right challenger. There is a strange man who has chosen Jonathan, placing a device within him that triggers a warrior instinct that connects him to the alien monsters. Each battle occurs in a temporal distortion which means only Jonathan remembers. Jonathan has been assigned the task to fight for the survival of humanity – whether he wants the task or not. He realizes he will have to prepare his body and skills for the next encounter.

Meanwhile government operatives are watching, trying to figure out what is going on and hoping to capture the stranger who meets with Jonathan in secret. They are willing to manipulate others to pursue their own goals.

This pulled me in with an opening battle and kept my attention with the mystery of Jonathan’s situation. The beginning does have some college, coming of age issues but later it is interesting to follow Jonathan’s reluctant acceptance of his duty and to learn of the twisted rules of the alien race. Even more disturbing is how they got to the stage of their challenges. The complexity of Jonathan’s struggles with becoming a reluctant hero are an interesting element of the story. There is plenty of alien, one on one battle action and remaining mystery to wonder where the story will go. There are hints of another character which adds tension for the next book. I recommend this to readers who like alien battles and mystery.

Audio Notes: Steven Barnett does a great job with the narration. He portrays the voices and adds the emotional confusion and intensity of the situations. I kept picking this up when I had the chance and lost an hour or two of sleep listening. The narration added to my enjoyment of the entertainment.

Source: Audible Credit Purchase 2015. This qualifies for 2018TBR, Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.

Sunday Post April 29, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 30, 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.

This was a good week. Wrapped up a trial on Monday; had a lunch meeting in Bay County on Tuesday and kept working the rest of the week with a few late nights.

Our weather is warming up this week: 60 at night but in the 80s during the night.

I had a good week reading and listening was pretty good. I finished five books total: 3 Audible titles, one print and one digital. I posted four reviews and my usual memes.

I only visited 22 blogs again last week.
Shout Out this week for Rose City Reader who always has unique books.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post April 22, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 23, 2018.

• A2018Author- Audible Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Hunting in Bruges by E.J. Stevens; Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; my rating 4.0. ENDS 4/30.

• NGTBR- #NetGalley Review: Mind Game: A Novel (Eve Duncan) by Iris Johansen; Crime, Thriller, Woman Sleuth; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 27, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 5/3/2018.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Devil's Due: Destroyermen, Book 12, by Taylor Anderson; Alternate History, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.

• 2018NG- #NetGalley Book Review: Out of the Box by Jemma Westing; Children, Crafts; my rating 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 29, 2018.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio/MP3 (TBR)

The Never Hero
The Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs, Book 1
By: T. Ellery Hodges
Narrated by: Steven Barnett
Series: The Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs, Book 1
Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
I enjoyed this and plan to get book 2.
Source: Audible Credit Purchase 2015.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NetGalley 2017)

Let There Be Light
by Dan Gordon and Sam Sorbo
I liked this and hope to see the movie.
Source: NetGalley 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

3. LBCPrint (TBR)

Know Your Bible: All 66 Books Explained and Applied
By: Paul Kent
This is a keeper resource for my shelf.
Source: 2017 Purchase at CBD.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audible/Smartphone (2018)

Start with Why
How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
By: Simon Sinek
Narrated by: Simon Sinek
Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
There is wisdom here I hope to use.
Source: Audible sale Purchase 2018.
Publisher's Summary
Click on book title for full description.

5. Audio/MP3 (TBR)

The Cold, Cold Ground
Detective Sean Duffy, Book 1
By: Adrian McKinty
Narrated by: Gerard Doyle
Series: Detective Sean Duffy Series, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
I found the Irish history (1981) interesting in this gritty crime novel
Source: Audible Credit Purchase 2015.
Publisher's Summary
Adrian McKinty was born in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. He studied politics and philosophy at Oxford before moving to America in the early 1990s. Living first in Harlem, he found employment as a construction worker, barman, and bookstore clerk. In 2000 he moved to Denver to become a high school English teacher and it was there that he began writing fiction.
In 2009 he moved to Melbourne, Australia, with his wife and two children. His first full-length novel, Dead I Well May Be, was short-listed for the 2004 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award and its sequel, The Dead Yard, was selected as one of the twelve best novels of the year by Publishers Weekly.
In 2008 his debut young adult novel, The Lighthouse Land, was short-listed for the 2008 Young Hoosier Award and the 2008 Beehive Award. The final novel in the Dead trilogy, The Bloomsday Dead, was long-listed for the 2009 World Book Day Award.
In 2011 Falling Glass was an Audible.com Best Thriller.
©2012 Adrian McKinty (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NetGalley 2017)

The Hills of Mare Imbrium
by Carleton Chinner
I'm a quarter of the way in and
interested where it will go.
Source: NetGalley 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (2018)

Aspire
By: Kevin Hall
Narrator: Patrick Lawlor
Duration: 5 hrs and 32 mins
I am looking forward to listening to this positive work.
Source: Audible 2018 sale purchase.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/MP3 (TBR)

NPCs
By: Drew Hayes
Narrated by: Roger Wayne
Series: Spells, Swords, & Stealth, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins
I just started this and I think it will be fun.
Source: 2017 Audible Credit Purchase.
Publisher's Summary
What happens when the haggling is done and the shops are closed? When the quest has been given, the steeds saddled, and the adventurers are off to their next encounter? They keep the world running, the food cooked, and the horses shoed, yet what adventurer has ever spared a thought or concern for the Non-Player Characters?In the town of Maplebark, four such NPCs settle in for a night of actively ignoring the adventurers drinking in the tavern when things go quickly and fatally awry. Once the dust settles, these four find themselves faced with an impossible choice: pretend to be adventurers undertaking a task of near-certain death or see their town and loved ones destroyed. Armed only with salvaged equipment, second-hand knowledge, and a secret that could get them killed, it will take all manner of miracles if they hope to pull off their charade. And even if they succeed, the deadliest part of their journey may well be what awaits them at its end.
©2014 Andrew Hayes (P)2014 Tantor

4. LBCPrint (TBR)

A Simple Change, Home to Amana Series #2
By: Judith Miller
This is our April book for Ladies Book Club to be discussed in May.
Source: Christianbook.com on sale.
Product Description
Joining the communal society of the Amana Colonies isn't what Jancey Rhoder planned for her future, but when unforeseen circumstances force her family to make some difficult decisions, she chooses to give up her teaching position in a Kansas City orphanage and move with her parents to Iowa.
Her besotted suitor, Nathan Woodward, isn't at all happy about the move and is determined to get Jancey to change her mind. And Jancey herself isn't sure what she's gotten herself into when the simple life of the Amana Colonies means she'll be assigned a job and may have to give up teaching for good. Will Nathan woo her back to the city, or will she be forever changed by the mysterious events and new relationships that await her in the quiet villages of the Amana Colonies--and decide to make this unique place her forever home?

April 29, 2018 - I continue on track with my morning reading the One Year Bible plan on my smartphone. It is a great way to start my day and I share the joy of the word with other friends on the YouVersion Bible App. Hubby and I still share in discussion although we are reading slightly different places. You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.

I completed 5 books and posted 4 reviews. I am up to date with the 5 current reviews.
I added a fourteen reviews to  Goodreads, Amazon and Audible, but still have as many more to link up.
My NetGalley shelf was at 8 but I added 2 so now at 10. I still have one committed author title in queue and many through InstaFreebie. I have more new author requests but still haven't replied.

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 two NetGalley titles.
I picked up one Audible daily deal titles and no Kindle deals this week.
I picked up nine free kindle titles through Amazon Crossing for World Book Day (4/24).
I also picked up some 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

Two titles from NetGalley:

Shelved Under Murder A Blue Ridge Library Mystery
by Victoria Gilbert
"Autumn leaves aren’t the only things falling in the historic Virginia village of Taylorsford—so are some cherished memories, and a few bodies."

Once Upon a Heartbreak: A feel-good, heartwarming romance (Blame It On New York)

by Cassie Rocca

"Is true love really out there? A hilarious, heartwarming romance: perfect for the fans of Jo Watson, Debbie Johnson and Holly Martin."

Won

NONE

Purchased

Audible Purchase Daily Deal:
4/24/18 Daily Deal $4.95

The Monster Hunter Files
By: Larry Correia, Jim Butcher, Faith Hunter, Jonathan Maberry
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman, Khristine Hvam, Bailey Carr
Length: 13 hrs and 50 mins
I like this series and this looks like a good/fun anthology.

Free

I added only 23 free titles to my Kindle library this week. (I was just too tired again early in the week to download titles.) 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 April 29, 2018

We had a nice Sunday School time and then enjoyed worship and communion before Pastor gave his sermon. The music and message tied with the SS lesson which is always affirming of God’s word and anointing.

This was Pastor’s third message on Relationslips.
First there was “I owe you” – guilt. The remedy is confession.
Then “You owe me” – anger. The remedy is forgiveness.
Today is “I owe me” – greed. The remedy is generosity.

What is the currency that is important to you? Your “I owe me” justification? It might be time, possessions, even affection. It usually stems from a fear of lacking or going without.
It is our area of selfishness – which we all have is some form. It is not ambition, nor goals, nor success. It is a Heart issue, not an economic or financial issue. The “I owe me”, “I deserve it” attitude is cultivated in our world. Marketing tells us to indulge ourselves; have it our way; we deserve this or that.

Point: Greed is born out of the fear we won't have enough. Generosity overcomes greed.

Jesus says “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:13-21. The point is that we are not to hoard what we have but to be ‘rich toward God’ (v. 21).
Instead of trying to get more, our relationship with God should be first in our lives.
True Godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 1 Timothy 6:6-9.

Greed leaves little room for contentment and joy. Satisfaction is not achievable as man always wants more. Luke 12:29-31.
Learn to trust that God will give you all you need. The remedy for greed is generosity.
Spend less, give more. After all, everything you have comes from and belongs to God, doesn’t it? 1 Chronicles 29:10-16.

God gives and gives and gives. We need to share the blessings.
Whatever we protect the most, that is where we need to be more generous.
What would a community look like if a church showed amazing generosity?

This song seems to fit today.

Verses for Today:
1 Chronicles 29:14-16 NIV
14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.

Lord help me to share my blessings every day.

#NetGalley Book Review: Out of the Box by Jemma Westing

This looks like great fun with imaginative projects for kids.

Out of the Box
by Jemma Westing

Age Range: 7 - 10 years
Grade Level: 2 - 5
Lexile Measure: 0870 (What's this?)
Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: DK Children (April 18, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1465458964
Genre: Children, Crafts
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Twenty-five interactive cardboard model projects that engage kids' creativity and "out of the box" thinking skills through hands-on learning and the application of science-based principles.
Kids can bring old cardboard to life and build recycled creations they can play with, sit in, and wear.
Supporting STEAM education initiatives and the Maker Movement, Out of the Box includes 25 interactive cardboard model projects to inspire kids' creativity through engaged and hands-on learning, and, as the founder of Maker Faire Dale Dougherty says, "to realize with their hands what they can imagine in their minds."
From small-scale gifts to large constructions, author and award-winning paper engineer Jemma Westing uses clear, step-by-step instructions to show kids how to make dinosaurs, masks, race cars, and so much more, and inspirational images encourage them to make their own unique models when they are feeling more confident. The projects utilize only recycled materials, including cardboard rolls and boxes, so all the supplies should be easy to find right at home.
Build something brilliant with Out of the Box. The possibilities are endless!

Review:
This is a fun resource for crafts made from boxes and recycled materials. The book starts with tools that may be needed and techniques for cutting, curling, taping and gluing. It closes with templates for many of the projects.

There are smaller items like tube owls, butterflies, flowers and lizards to larger items like outdoor games such as Ring Toss Challenge and Feed the Monster games. There are Racing Rabbits and an alternate version for Penguin Skate race. There are fun items to wear like helmets, masks and body costumes. There are settings like a play theater, aquariums, castles and a city. Finally, there is a large geodesic den to serve as a clubhouse and an ambitious project to build a recycled racer.

The projects show the difficulty range as easy, medium or hard. Each project ends with an extra tip to try another version or add on. Although I suspect that working with cardboard may not be as easy as this makes it look, this clearly gives a chance to encourage the imagination of young people with crafts, variations and colors! I like that it uses recycled materials. If I was home with children I would give this a try.

Source: NetGalley 2018. This adds to my NetGalley and Alphabet Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Devil's Due: Destroyermen, Book 12, by Taylor Anderson

I really enjoy this series!
Devil’s Due
Destroyermen, Book 12
By: Taylor Anderson
Narrated by: William Dufris

Series: Destroyermen, Book 12
Length: 19 hrs and 22 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-13-17
Language: English
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Alternate History, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Taylor Anderson continues his powerful New York Times best-selling series of alternate history and military strategy, as the conflict is about to become terrifyingly personal....
Captain Matt Reddy and the crew of the USS Walker have been fighting for their lives ever since their ship was swept from the Pacific to another world and they became embroiled in a deadly conflict between their Lemurian allies and the ravening Grik. But things are about to get worse. With Reddy's family and allies held prisoner by the mad General Kurokawa, the mysterious League and evil Dominion plotting schemes of their own, and the Grik trying to build their swarm and concentrate power, Reddy faces danger on all sides. Although desperate to confront Kurokawa, Captain Reddy fears he's subordinating the war effort for personal reasons. But Kurokawa is too dangerous to be left alone. With the mighty League battleship Savoie at his command, he plots a terrible vengeance against Reddy and his tiny, battered destroyer. The stage is set for a devastating cataclysm, and Reddy and his allies will have to risk everything to protect what they hold dear.
©2017 Taylor Anderson (P)2017 Tantor

Review:
I was happy to be back in this alternate world with Captain Matt Reddy and his brave WWII American crew and new allies. The Alliance forces are spread out facing different enemies. In the last book, Captain Reddy’s wife, Sandra, and a handful of Alliance officials, were kidnapped by the mysterious League of Tripoli. They were turned over to become prisoners of the arch enemy, Japanese General Kurokawa, who has allied with the enemy Grik.

Reddy is sure they are facing a major battle with the Grik. But first Reddy feels he must face Kurokawa who has been given the massive League battleship, the Savoie, Reddy fears the threat posed by that ship in the hands of Kurokawa. Reddy will make a move even though it means putting his own wife in danger.

Brash and bold Silva thinks he has a way to sneak into Kurokawa’s camp to spy the land and locate the prisoners. Meanwhile, Commander Greg Garrett on USS Donaghey is far out in the Mid Atlantic but still manages adventures as the ship encounters a stronger Dom ship.

There are exciting air battles (especially an early reconnaissance flight) as well as sea battles. I enjoyed following the various crews, some facing the Grik and others facing the Dominion. I also enjoyed the scenes with the enemy Grik making their plans.

This is another engaging episode in this fast-paced war adventure series. I love the down to earth characters highlighted in their various dangerous settings. Anderson’s creativity is wonderfully woven in the good action. I also like the character’s contemplation of faith elements introduced into the alternate world.

I picked this up and finished the listen within three days. It was hard to put down. I recommend this series to readers who enjoy alternate history and new species.

Audio Notes: William Dufris continues his wonderful narration of this series and these engaging characters. I love listening to the audio version and am eagerly waiting for the next book, River of Bones.

My Reviews for the Destroyermen Series
Into the Storm -- guess I didn't write a review.

Crusade 4.5 

Maelstrom 4.5

Distant Thunders  4.75

Rising Tides 5.0

Firestorm 4.25

Iron Gray Sea  4.25

Storm Surge 4.5

Deadly Shores  4.75
Straits of Hell: Destroyermen, Book 10 5.0
Blood in the Water: Destroyermen, Book 11 4.5

Source: 2017 Audible Credit Purchase. This fits my 2018TBR and Audiobook Challenges.