Audible Book Review: Zero G by Dan Wells

This fits the target audience - children.
Zero G
By: Dan Wells
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller, Margaret Ying Drake, Josh Hurley, Eddy Lee, Jennifer Van Dyck, Allyson Johnson, David Shih, Betsy Hogg

Length: 4 hrs and 8 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 12-06-18
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Kids, Middle Grade (ages 8-10)
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5 and Narration 4.0.

It’s one kid versus an entire band of space pirates in this cosmic middle grade caper from New York Times bestselling author Dan Wells.
Zero is just one of 20,000 people aboard a spaceship bound for a new planet set to be colonized. The journey is over a century long but luckily, everyone is in stasis, so they’ll be safe and sound asleep during the trip. Everyone that is, except for Zero, whose pod has malfunctioned, waking him up a hundred years early. His initial excitement in roaming the ship alone quickly turns to a heart-stopping interstellar adventure when a family of space pirates show up, trying to hijack the ship and take the colonizers hostage. With everyone he knows fast asleep, it’s up to Zero to think fast and find a way to stop them–all on his own.
The full cast for this production includes Emily Woo Zeller, Margaret Ying Drake, Betsy Hogg, Josh Hurley, Jonathan Davis, Jennifer Van Dyck, Chelsea Spack, Charlie Thurston, David Shih, Eunice Wong, Eddy Lee, Allyson Johnson, and Polly Lee.
©2018 Dan Wells (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
Zero is a Tweener who is traveling with his family to colonize a new planet. Zero’s father is one of the space engineers who helped build the spaceship which will carry 20,000 people in stasis for 105 years. Zero is a typical young boy full of energy and mischief, poking at his older brothers. Before settling into the stasis pod, Zero bounces around the ship where he meets the pilot and the onboard navigation AI.

Everyone buckles into their pods hoping to wake up “tomorrow” in the future. Unforntunately for Zero, he is the only one whose pod malfunctions resulting in his waking after just a couple of weeks. Zero knows from his discussion with the navigation AI that no one out of a pod can survive the upcoming jump through space. That is worrisome but then Zero discovers that the pilot has disappeared, and space pirates are boarding the ship.

The pirates are a back biting, dysfunctional, misfit family who quickly move to disable the AI so they can redirect the ship. This leaves Zero as the only person who can protect everyone else on the ship. After stealing a pirate communicator, Zero struggles to foil the enemy with common life tools which he finds as he was exploring the cargo bays. There are tense moments mixed with comical situations.

The story is an easy listen although it is requires embracing unbelievable coincidences and a manipulated plotline. That’s okay as it is fun and appropriate for the middle grade bracket. I was not impressed with the boyish pranks but young people would probably appreciate that childish humor. I think this would be a fun listen for families with middle graders.

Audio Notes: The mix of narrators makes this story fun and easy listening. The voices should help keep the attention of young listeners.

Source: Free Audible Original December 2018. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook and 2019Alphabet Goals.

Sunday Post March 24, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 25, 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.

Heather was out all week and I had to double up on work. I had a bit of rant (10 minutes) late Thursday afternoon. Lots of stress with another staff scheduled to be out on Friday and three out on Monday.
I'll be handling a couple of closings early this week and working on legal tasks. Limited court hearings this week.
Still no word from the engineer and architect. The contractor is contacting them to try to get a reply.
We haven't seen any evidence of the opossum this week - not even stealing eggs. My husband is treating one injured chicken who we put in a pet carrier so the others wouldn't attack it.
Our small cat isn't doing too well. We saw the vet and he really couldn't say what the problem is, although she is 14 years old. She goes through phases of not eating. She hangs and tilts her head. I have been getting her to eat a spoonful of food with the potassium pills the vet ordered. But the last couple of days she has started scooting on her hind legs... not good.
Our weather was cool but beautiful!

My reading went well as I finished 2 audiobooks and the long ebook. I posted two reviews and my usual memes.

I did got to 20 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to The Bookwyrm's Hoard. Lark reads "mainly genre fiction — fantasy and science fiction, mystery, and romance..."
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post March 17, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 18, 2019.

• A2019- Audible Book Review: Ghost Squadron Boxed Set by Sarah Noffke; Genetic Engineering, Sci Fi, Space Military; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4,25 and Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 22, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/28/2019.

• A2019- Audible Book Review: The Double-A Western Detective Agency by Steve Hockensmith; Mystery, Westerns; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4,25 and Narration 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #365 Comment Giveaway March 23, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/6/2019.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement March 10, 2019.

Finished Reading: 1. Audible/Smartphone (Author)

The Double-A Western Detective Agency A Holmes on the Range Mystery By: Steve Hockensmith  
Narrated by: John McLain  
Series: Holmes on the Range, Book 6  
Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins  
This is fun listening and detecting. 
Review linked above.  
Source: Received March 2019 from the author for review.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)
 

Zero G  
By: Dan Wells  
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller, Margaret Ying Drake, Josh Hurley, Eddy Lee, Jennifer Van Dyck, Allyson Johnson, David Shih, Betsy Hogg  
Length: 4 hrs and 8 mins   
This fits the target audience - children.  
Source: Free Audible Original December 2018.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Indian Paintbrush (Carson Chronicles Book 3)
by John A. Heldt  
Wonderful historical details in this time travel family drama/adventure.  
Source: 12/18 Author review request.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (A2019)

Curiouser and Curiouser: Steampunk Alice in Wonderland
Steampunk Fairy Tales
By: Melanie Karsak
Narrated by: Lesley Parkin
Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins
Release date: 09-13-17
I have been interested in this Steampunk.
Source: 2019 Credit Purchase.

Publisher's Summary
To save the Hatter, Alice must work with the one man she despises so much that she might still love him.
Alice thought she'd turned over a new leaf. No more working for Jabberwocky. No more making deals with the ruthless Queen of Hearts. No more hanging around The Mushroom with tinkers, tarts, scoundrels, and thieves in London's criminal underbelly. But she'd been bonkers to dream.
Hatter's reckless behavior leads Alice back to the one person she never wanted to see again, Caterpillar. Pulled into Caterpillar's mad schemes, Alice must steal a very big diamond from a very royal lady. The heist is no problem for this Bandersnatch. But protecting her heart from the man she once loved? Impossible.
Sometimes love is mad.
©2017 Clockpunk Press (P)2017 Clockpunk Press

2. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Trouble on the Books
by Essie Lang
This meets my 3rd NetGalley goal for the month...and I'm ready for a cozy mystery.
Source:  NetGalley 2018.
Essie Lang’s series debut is perfect for fans of Lorna Barrett, Vicki Delany, and book lovers everywhere.
Rookie bookstore owner Shelby Cox must hit the books to learn the ropes before she loses a killer in the stacks.
Shelby Cox never intended to become a bookseller, so when the former editor returns to her hometown of Alexandria Bay, nestled in upstate New York’s breathtaking Thousand Islands region, to take over her aunt’s bookstore, she has no idea what to expect. To her amazement, she discovers that she now owns a fifty-percent share in Bayside Books, and will also run the store’s second location in the majestic castle on nearby Blye Island.
But just as Shelby is gearing up for the start of the tourist season, the Castle volunteer coordinator is found murdered in the nearby Grotto. Castle caretaker Matthew Kessler is suspect number one, but Shelby thinks the killing may be connected to an earlier era, when violence among Prohibition-era smugglers was rampant in the region. As Shelby launches her own investigation, handsome and unnerving Special Agent Zack Griffin of the Coast Guard Investigative Services tries to quell her smuggling theory and keep her safe. But Shelby is determined to summon all her savvy as a book editor to plot the murder—and find the killer before he strikes again—in Trouble on the Books, Essie Lang’s clever and captivating series debut.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

So Long, Lollipops
The Free Until The End of the World Novella
By: Sarah Lyons Fleming
Narrated by: Julia Whelan
Series: Until the End of the World, Book 1.5
Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins
I enjoyed the first book and thought I'd squeeze this shorter book in this month.
Source: Audible Free Title 9/2014.
Publisher's Summary
**WARNING**
This novella contains major spoilers from the novel Until The End of the World. It's suggested you read the novel before you hear So Long, Lollipops. Unless you're someone who likes to read the last page of a book first - in that case, enjoy!
Peter watched his new family drive away, certain it was the last time he'd ever see them. But sometimes plans go awry in the best way. Now, the plan is to get back to them. But sometimes plans go awry in the worst way.
Sometimes the only plan is to believe it will be all right, even when it's almost impossible to believe.
©2014 Sarah Lyons Fleming (P)2014 Podium Publishing

March 24, 2019 - I am enjoying my daily morning devotion and reading with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. Tonight I'll finish a 5 day reading plan: Your Work Matters. Then I'll pick another study this week. [You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed three books and posted two reviews. That puts me current with only 2 reviews to post for current reading.
I need to catch up adding newer reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible again. (Not counting the older reviews.) 
My NetGalley shelf is still at 13 unread (only 2 left from December) to date, since I added one and am reading one. I have 4 old titles (2012!) that I might get read this year too. 
I still have four author ebook 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 added one new title from NetGalley and have two outstanding requests.
I purchased one audio title at special price and picked up my 2nd free Audible Original.
I picked up only 3 free kindle titles. (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 picked this title up from NetGalley:

Every Last Breath
by Juno Rushdan
This sounds like a good Terrorism Thriller.

Won

NONE

Purchased

The Kasari Nexus: Rho Agenda Assimilation, Book 1
by: Richard Phillips
Narrated by: Alexander Cendese
I picked this up for $1.99 since I had the ebook.

Free

This was my second Audible Original choice for March.
A Mind of Her Own
By: Paula McLain
Narrated by: Hillary Huber
Length: 1 hr and 15 mins
Release date: 02-28-19

I only added 3 free titles to my Kindle library.  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 24, 2019

Our Sunday School teacher continued his lessons on the gifts of ministry, positional gifts and other spiritual gifts focusing on 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. This is continuing to be a good study.

Pastor continued the 5th message on The Bridge. He noted how bridges are amazing and collapses are frightening. Our greatest need is a bridge to our heavenly Father.
We often find it is frustrating to talk to middle man. Sometimes the middleman misinterprets or mixes the message but other times the middleman serves as a buffer.

Hebrews 5:1-10 tells us that Jesus was appointed by God as our High Priest... v9.

Point: Jesus is our perfect way and only way to right standing with God.

To understand the importance of Jesus as our High Priest, we have to understand the Old Testament role of High Priest. He was from the Levitical line and appointed by God. He was to live by a high standard with very strict requirements, including clothing. If the was disobedient, he would lose his life. The High Priest was the representative and intermediary for the people. He is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people. Verse 2. He offers sacrifice for his own sins as well as the people. Verse 3.

Jesus lived as man and suffered. Verse 8. He suffered through sorrow, betrayal, fatigue, frustration...He understands you. Jesus is qualified and absolutely can relate to us.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6. But salvation is not the end of our need.
1 John 5:20 tells us that “He is only true God, and He is eternal life.”
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5.
Jesus, who was Himself God, humbled himself to become human, and as a man he became obedient to death, even death on the cross. Philippians 2:5-11.

We need that continuing relationship of submitting to Christ. We need to stop trying to get into God graces by our own means and measures, but rather, surrender.
It is all about Him, not us. His love. His sacrifice, His Grace.
Give all your sense of accomplishment to Christ.
Because of who HE IS, not who I am.

I looked at several song videos but was led to use this one.

It gives me chills!

Verses for Today:
Hebrews 5:7-10 NIV
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.


Lord, I stand amazed and in awe at the sacrifice and gift your love has given to me. I praise and thank you!

Sharing Beyond Books #365 Comment Giveaway March 23, 2019

Hello again and Welcome back to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
None of us (18) are signed up for the Audible romance package. Then again, only three of us indicated we listen to audiobooks. Seven are not interested in audios; the others didn't indicate.

The Winner from SBB #364 comments is: #15 EMILY 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. -- [12/15/18 I am pulling out some new Christmas and Love titles to add to the Win box choices. I had to move the books due to the water threat in office. I will dig them out again soon.]

**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 #365

(One Question.)

Becky asks: If you had traveled to different places, would you choose to moved to one of those places to live instead of where you live now or just stay where you reside right now??

I have lived in two states: Pennsylvania from birth to 12 and Florida since then (five different cities). I've been fortunate to travel quite a bit. I can't think of another place I would like to live other than where we live now. We have thought that living near our son, in Indiana, would be nice --- but not in winter. :-)

Image found at Bull Island Realty.

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.
March comments were shared by Faith Hope Cherry Tea and Becky. FHCT gets $2.50 credit and Becky gets first 1/2 credit towards a book pick.

Your turn to share. Becky asks: If you had traveled to different places, would you choose to moved to one of those places to live instead of where you live now or just stay where you reside right now??

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 6, 2019 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: The Double-A Western Detective Agency by Steve Hockensmith

This is fun listening and ‘deducifying’.

The Double-A Western Detective Agency
A Holmes on the Range Mystery
By: Steve Hockensmith
Narrated by: John McLain
Series: Holmes on the Range, Book 6

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-18-19
Language: English
Publisher: Steve Hockensmith
Genre: Mystery, Westerns
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4,25 and Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Big Red and Old Red Amlingmeyer’s dream has come true: The Sherlock Holmes-worshiping cowboy brothers are finally in business as professional detectives. But their fledgling A.A. Western Detective Agency faces a few challenges. Their partner, Col. Crowe, is almost as cantankerous and secretive as Old Red himself. The colonel’s daughter, Diana, insists on tagging along for the Amlingmeyers’ first assignment. And that assignment lands them smack dab in the middle of a range war - with Big Red and Old Red expected to shoot it out with rustlers rather than rustle up clues and solve a mystery.
When the violence claims an unexpected victim, however, the Amlingmeyers are called upon to holster their guns (for a moment) and use their “Holmesifying” skills to track down the killer. But someone else is tracking them...someone who seems to set one ambush after another for the brothers. Will the Double-A Western Detective Agency’s first case also be its last?
©2018 Steve Hockensmith (P)2019 Steve Hockensmith

Review:
Big Red and Old Red Amlingmeyer have finally managed to establish their own detective agency with the help of a partner, Col. Crowe. The Double-As are big fans of Sherlock Holmes but on their own have only had limited chance to use their skills. Cantankerous Old Red provides the detecting expertise while Big Red provides the muscle, reading and support skills. Although they resisted teaming with Crowe’s daughter, Diana, she provides the charm, sophistication and calm.

Now they have secured a legitimate, paying case to help uncover cattle rustlers. They arrive in town to find a highly divided and tense situation. They walk in on a band of bullying gunmen threatening the local sheriff and innocents. Big Red and Old Red stand to help the sheriff and step right into the middle of a range war. It turns out the bullies they anger are the newly hired gunman for the man who hired the agency.

When a man is unexpectedly murdered, the fingers are pointing at the accused elder son of their employer’s opposition. But the clues and evidence are pointing to the employer’s bully. Big Red and Old Red are off the case of the alleged rustlers but hired by opposition to investigate the murder to protect of the accused.

As the two begin their investigation they get attacked, first by two mysterious strangers and then by a gentleman dandy who appears as a friend of Diana. Old Red suspects that Diana is reporting behind their back while she is frustrated that they are keeping details from her. It might sound a bit convoluted, but it makes for fun detecting and “deducifying” as Big Red states. I enjoyed the friction and banter among the brothers and Diana. I also liked the mystery and the trail of clues. This is apparently book six in a series but read fine as a standalone. I would be interested in reading/listening to more in the series. There are quotes and references to Holmes’ cases which make it more fun for mystery and Holmes’ fans.

Audio Notes: John McLain does a nice job with the narration. His voice and tone fit the rough western setting. He provides distinct voices and successfully delivers the humor in the brotherly ribbing. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: Received March 2019 from the author for review. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook Goal.