Audible Book Review: Defiance, Defending Home, Book 1 by William H. Weber

This was an okay homesteading battle but not compelling post-apocalyptic.

Defiance

By: William H. Weber

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Series: Defending Home, Book 1

Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 07-25-16

Language: English

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; 3.75 Story, 4.25 Narration.

Publisher's Summary

A month has passed since a deadly virus swept the country, killing millions and leaving chaos in its wake. Dale Hardy has managed to weather the storm by hunkering down on his homestead in Arizona. He grows his own crops, generates his own power, and draws fresh water from his own deep aquifer. But when a nearby town's water supply dwindles in the searing Arizona heat, Dale's peaceful existence is threatened.

The new mayor and sheriff want what he has, and they're willing to do whatever it takes to get it. With a crooked local government conspiring against him, Dale will need to stand in defiance or risk losing everything.

©2016 William H. Weber (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Dale Hardy had tried to prepare for trouble. He has learned to grow his own crops, generate power and draw fresh water from the aquifer on his land which has been in his family for generations. A deadly virus has killed many people throughout the country, leaving behind chaos and lack of power during a time of severe draught. Dale hunkered in and drew his family together to help protect them from the virus and the violence that has begun to break out as resources, particularly food and water, become scarce.

Dale’s water trouble started when neighbors began demanding water, then armed strangers tried to sneak in and steal water. But now a newly self-appointed mayor and sheriff are trying to take away his water and they are willing to send in cutthroats to accomplish their goal.

Dale isn’t backing down. He may be willing to trade water for other commodities but if he isn’t willing to just give a cup of water to neighbors, he sure isn’t going to stand by while corrupt officials try to take his water.

There are personal issues to add to the tension. Dale was dating a female deputy until he became concerned that his young daughter would hear the false rumors that he had been seeing the deputy before his wife died. One of the relatives is a young man whose father was sent to prison. The prisoner has broken out and is intent on getting to his son, even as he leaves a trail of death behind him.

I generally like post-apocalyptic books. This one was centered on water shortage more than the plague crisis. There wasn’t a lot of prepper detail but there was private, defensive (initially) action. I didn’t feel there was a lot of character depth and, although I could side with Dale, I wasn’t impassioned by the story or characters. I listened all the way through, expecting a confrontation but just as that arrives, this book ends. It was okay but I am likely to try other series before continuing this one.

Audio Notes: Kevin Pierce does a good job with this genre. He presents the story with a direct flow and the characters with appropriate emotion. I think it was easier for me to listen to this on audio than it would have been for me to read in text.

Source: September 2018 Audible $1.99 Purchase (already owned Kindle version). This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook and 2019Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: The Land: Founding: A LitRPG Saga by Aleron Kong

This was fun listening.
The Land: Founding: A LitRPG Saga
By: Aleron Kong
Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Series: Chaos Seeds, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 04-21-17
Language: English
Publisher: Tamori Publications LLC
Genre: Humorous, LitRPG, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 Overall; 4.5 Story; 5.0 Narration.

Publisher's Summary
Welcome to The Land, Audible's 2018 Customer Favorite!
Book 1 of a 7-Book international best-selling series that will amaze and delight you for weeks!
Enter a mesmerizing tale reminiscent of the wonder of Ready Player One and the adventure of Game of Thrones.
Number One Audiobook 2017
75 Thousand Five Star Reviews
Welcome my friends! Welcome... to "The Land!"
Tricked into a world of banished gods, demons, goblins, sprites and magic, Richter must learn to meet the perils of The Land and begin to forge his own kingdom. Actions have consequences across The Land, with powerful creatures and factions now hell-bent on Richter's destruction.
Can Richter forge allegiances to survive this harsh and unforgiving world or will he fall to the dark denizens of this ancient and unforgiving realm?
A tale to shake "The Land" itself, measuring 10/10 on the Richter scale, how will Richter's choices shape the future of The Land and all who reside in it? Can he grow his power to meet the deadliest of beings of the land? When choices are often a shade of grey, how will Richter ensure he does not become what he seeks to destroy?
PS - Gnomes Rule
Please LIKE Aleron Kong on Facebook. He also does almost weekly giveaways of shirts, signed books, and other loot! facebook.com/LitRPGbooks
FB The Land Forum: facebook.com/groups/AleronKong. If you want to discuss The Land with other members of the Mist Village Mafia, join us!
Website: LitRPG.com. Come check out custom artwork from The Land, find awesome loot and find more LitRPG. Includes a link to the author's Patreon page: "I am an indie author, meaning no publisher. If you would like access to early chapters of unreleased books or even to have yourself written into the books, check out my Patreon. Help me make more books!"
Instagram: @LitRPGBooks
Twitter: @LitRPGBooks
©2016 Tamori Publications (P)2017 Tamori Publications

Review:
A role-playing game (RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. They build on character traits, knowledge and physical skills; they gather supplies (inventory), gain experience points and increase learning in many areas, including magic. James was a RPG (role-player game) player with his friends but suddenly he finds himself no longer in his world but within The Land where his RPG comes with real life (sort of) consequences.

Richter (formerly known as James) meets an imp who tries to bring him up to speed on his new world. As he sets out to explore this new world, he meets a forest tribe of wood sprites and agrees to his first quest. Although his first escort, Sion, goes along with reluctance, the sprite soon becomes a companion and more. The story follows Richter and Sion as they proceed from one quest to another. Along the way Richter acquires his own village to protect, build and populate.

There is action, danger, puzzles to unravel and monsters to kill. There are friends made to help in the quests forward and enemies made to avoid or battle. As this story proceeds, Richter is able to check his stats (statistics) to see his health, strengths, abilities, skills, inventory, characters, and reputation. It has been a long time since I have had the time to play an RPG. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the bells and whistles that signaled new skills and leveling up. I liked the adventure and will continue the series. I recommend this to readers who enjoy LitRPG (Literary RPG) or those who like adventure and are willing to give this genre a try.

Audio Notes: Nick Podehl does an excellent job portraying the various characters. He imbues them with appropriate voice and personality. This is the second book I have listened to recently narrated by Nick Podehl and I am impressed by the strength of his presentation. There was also the addition of bells and whistles and sounds to this production. The narration and audio added to my enjoyment of the work.

Source: November 2017 Audible Daily Deal Purchase. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook and 2019Alphabet goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: Quinn's Promise Rock by Christie Thomas and Sydney Hanson

This is an absolutely charming delivery of foundation trust in God.

Quinn's Promise Rock: No Matter Where, God Is Always There

by Christie Thomas and Sydney Hanson

Age Range: 3 - 7 years

Grade Level: 1 - 2

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (February 5, 2019)

ISBN-13: 978-0736974325

Genre: Children, Christian

My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Help Your Child Grab Hold of God's Promises

Quinn, the thoughtful little owl, has a lot of worries and questions for her father.

"What if I get lost?"

"What if you dive and I don't notice?"

"What if you get too far ahead of me and I can't find you?"

Written for children experiencing moments of separation anxiety or other common fears, Quinn's Promise Rock reminds kids that God will always be there for them, whatever happens or wherever they go. Share this comforting truth with your child today.

Review:
Quinn is a little owl who is about to experience her first night outing with her father. She has natural childlike fears: What if I get lost? What if I can’t see you? Quinn’s loving father gives her assurances that he will not let her get lost and he will be there. Then her father goes further to assure little Quinn that God will always be there for her.

This is a short children’s book that is direct and charming. It focuses on one message: God, our heavenly father, will always be there for His children. The soft, beautiful illustrations fit perfectly with the gentle prose. I would love to share this with young children to help teach this important basic message!

Source: 2018 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019NetGalley and 2019Alphabet Goals.

MBS January 2019 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2019 Reading List - JANUARY

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
eb = eBook; ebA = eBook from Author; ebT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2019
Favorite for January: Quinn’s Promise Rock 5.0
    The Name of the Wind 4.5
    Half Share 4.5

1. ebTBR/LBC- Book Review (First Book 2019): The Prayer of Jesus by Kevin Jackson; Christian, Spiritual Growth; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
2. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The More of Less by Joshua Becker; Cleaning, Nonfiction, Self Help; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
3. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Talon of Scorpio: A Novel of the Shadowstorm by G. T. Almasi; Conspiracies, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
4. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Don't Dangle Your Participle by Vanita Oelschlager; Children, Educational, Grammar, Writing; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
5. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1) by Patrick Rothfuss; Action Adventure, Epic Fantasy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Narration.
6. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Summoned to Thirteenth Grave by Darynda Jones; Fantasy, Ghosts, Private Investigator; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
7. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: A Flicker of Hope by Julia Cook, MacKenzie Haley (Illustrator); Children, Emotions, Self-Esteem and Self-Respect; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
8. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: The Winter Mystery by Faith Martin; Amateur Sleuth, Mystery, Cozy Mystery; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
9. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Promise Me Texas by Jodi Thomas; Historical Romance, Western; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall.
10. ebA2018- Book Review: Aether's Call by John Farr; Science Fiction, Space Exploration; My Rating: 2.0 of 5.0.
11. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Half Share A Trader's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, Book 2 by Nathan Lowell; Mercantile, Sci Fi, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall, Story 4.5, Narration 5.0.
12. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Land: Founding: A LitRPG Saga by Aleron Kong; Humorous, LitRPG, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 5.0.
13. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Quinn's Promise Rock by Christie Thomas and Sydney Hanson; Children, Christian; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.
14. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Defiance, Defending Home, Book 1 by William H. Weber; Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

Total read = 14; TBR = 13; New Authors = 10
Audio/Audible = 6 (6 TBRs)
eBook = 2 (2 TBRs)
NetGalley = 6 (5 TBRs)
Print = 0

Goal Progress:

• ebTBRs - 2
• Author review title - 1
• New to me Series - 5
• Continuing for me Series - 3
• January title - 1
• Winter title - 1
• Alphabet letters covered - 13

Sunday Post February 3, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 4, 2019

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

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

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 tense week as I had a series of club reports (my responsibility) to get in by February 1. I am quite glad to have completed them and plan to use better strategy for next year.

We also had the usual business reports/taxes to get filed but Heather helped get those ready. Now I will get back to concentrating on probates and some litigation files to move along.

The dryout process is continuing at the damaged office. Meanwhile we remain on hold until the engineer and architect get their plans to us.

We had hoped to have our house roof done this week but the contractor had to change the shingle we picked.

We had several days quite cold (for us) and this weekend ended up with some heavy rains.

My listening was better than reading this week. I finished 4 books: three audiobooks and one ebook. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 22 blogs during the week.
Shout Out this week to Lady in Read Writes. Cute play on words, right? Vidya shares reviews and life tidbits.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post January 27, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 28, 2019.

• ebA2018- Book Review: Aether's Call by John Farr; Science Fiction, Space Exploration; My Rating: 2.0 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 1, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/7/2019.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Half Share A Trader's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, Book 2 by Nathan Lowell; Mercantile, Sci Fi, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall, Story 4.5, Narration 5.0.

• ATBR- #Audio Book Review: Promise Me Texas by Jodi Thomas; Historical Romance, Western; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 3, 2019.

Finished Reading:
1. Audiobooks/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Land: Founding: A LitRPG Saga
By: Aleron Kong
Narrated by: Nick Podehl
Series: Chaos Seeds, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
This was fun listening.
Source: November 2017 Audible Daily Deal Purchase.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Quinn's Promise Rock: No Matter Where, God Is Always There
by Christie Thomas and Sydney Hanson
This book is delightful!
Releases 2/5/19.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Defiance
By: William H. Weber
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Series: Defending Home, Book 1
Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
I picked one of my favorite genres (Post-apocalyptic, prepper story) for one more quick listen in January.
It was okay but not compelling.
Source: September 2018 Audible $1.99 Purchase (already owned Kindle version).
Publisher's Summary
A month has passed since a deadly virus swept the country, killing millions and leaving chaos in its wake. Dale Hardy has managed to weather the storm by hunkering down on his homestead in Arizona. He grows his own crops, generates his own power, and draws fresh water from his own deep aquifer. But when a nearby town's water supply dwindles in the searing Arizona heat, Dale's peaceful existence is threatened.
The new mayor and sheriff want what he has, and they're willing to do whatever it takes to get it. With a crooked local government conspiring against him, Dale will need to stand in defiance or risk losing everything.
©2016 William H. Weber (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

4. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

A Bachelor Establishment
By: Jodi Taylor
Narrated by: Anna Bentinck
Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins
Release date: 09-15-15
This is a charming Regency Romance to start off the month of Love.
Source: January 2018 Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Publisher's Summary
High adventure and dark mystery combine in a sparkling historical romance, by Jodi Taylor writing as Isabella Barclay from The Chronicles of St. Mary's.
Bascombe, widowed and tied to an impoverished estate, has learned to ask little of life. With no hope of leaving, the years have passed her by. Lord Ryde, exiled abroad after a scandal, has returned to strip his estate and make a new start in America. A chance encounter changes their plans, plunging Elinor and Lord Ryde into adventure and not a little peril until, finally, they are forced to confront the mystery of what happened on that night, all those years ago.
Are they both so entangled in the riddles of the past that they are about to miss this one last opportunity for future happiness?
©2015 Jodi Taylor (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG2018)

The Last Woman in the Forest
by Diane Les Becquets
I am 65% in and engaged in this psychological thriller.
Source: 2018 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (ebTBR)

Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit
by Francis Chan
This is our Ladies Book Club book to be discussed Saturday 2/9/2019.
Source: Kindle Free TBR 2012.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and ... the Holy Spirit. We pray in the name of all three, but how often do we live with an awareness of only the first two? As Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit—the Helper—so that we could be true and living witnesses for Christ. Unfortunately, today's church has admired the gift but neglected to open it.
Breakthrough author Francis Chan rips away paper and bows to get at the true source of the church's power—the Holy Spirit. Chan contends that we've ignored the Spirit for far too long, and we are reaping the disastrous results. Thorough scriptural support and compelling narrative form Chan's invitation to stop and remember the One we've forgotten, the Spirit of the living God.

3. Audiobooks/Smartphone (ATBR)

Buried Secrets (Men of Valor Series, Book #1)
Series Men of Valor Series
Author Irene Hannon
Narrator Therese Plummer and Jennifer Grace
I am sticking with more romance for February; this one is romantic suspense.
Source: Christian Audiobook Sale July 2017.
After seven years as a Chicago homicide detective, Lisa Grant has hit a wall. Ready for a kinder, gentler life, she takes a job as a small-town police chief. But the discovery of a human skeleton by a construction crew at the edge of town taxes the resources of her department. A call for assistance brings detective Mac McGregor, an ex-Navy SEAL, to her doorstep. As they work to solve the mystery behind the unmarked grave, danger begins to shadow them. Someone doesn't want this dead person telling any tales--and will stop at nothing to make certain a life-shattering secret stays buried.
Master storyteller Irene Hannon is back with an exciting new series featuring former special forces operatives now in the thick of the action in civilian life. Hannon is at the top of her game in this can't-put-it-down thriller that will have readers up until the wee hours devouring every page.

4. eBook/Kindle (ebTBR)

January Breeze, February Embers, March Whispers
(Elderberry Croft #1)
by Becky Doughty
I will be reading the February story for my 'Monthly' Goal reading.
Source: Kindle Free TBR 2015.
Click on book title for full description.

February 3, 2019 - I am staying up to date with the One Year Bible plan reading through You Version App.
I enjoyed a 10 day reading plan this week: Passion & Purpose.
This week I started a 21 day reading with others in our church: Gospel of John; What it Means to Believe.
[You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed four books and posted three reviews. That keeps me to 3 reviews to post since I am still reading the Becky Doughty title.
I continue to slowly add reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. I still have older ones to catch up on.
My NetGalley shelf is at 10 unread from November to date plus 4 old titles (2012!) that I might get read this year. I still have four remaining author titles in queue. 
Still many through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

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 was momentarily at 94% feedback ratio at NetGalley; then I picked up four new review titles so dropped back to 92%
I picked up one Audible daily deals.

I didn't purchase any Kindle paid titles and I only picked up 3 free kindle titles again. (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 four titles from NetGalley.
The White City 
by Grace Hitchcock
Releases February 15, 2019.
"Mysterious Disappearances Taint the Chicago World’s Fair
Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime"

Ladies of Intrigue
3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery

by Michelle Griep
Released January 15, 2019.

Deadly Vows
by Jody Holford
Releases April 9, 2019.
"Former Army brat Molly Owens is happily settling into her new life in the seaside town of Britton Bay—and into new her job as editor-in-chief of the local paper."

May It Be So Forty Days with the Lord's Prayer

by Justin McRoberts; Scott Erickson
Releases: September 24, 2019

"Combining prayers in two languages--words and images--this contemporary prayer guide will help you spend time in conversation with God."

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked up one Audible Daily Deal:
2/2/2019 Audible Daily Deal $2.95
Trail of Lightning
By: Rebecca Roanhorse
Narrated by: Tanis Parenteau
Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
Release date: 08-07-18

Free

I only added 3 free titles to my Kindle library. I didn't spend much time adding free books again 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.