Audible Book Review: So Long, Lollipops by Sarah Lyons Fleming

I enjoyed this novella telling Peter’s story after sacrifice.

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
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 09-12-14
Language: English
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Genre: Post Apocalyptic, Sci Fi, Zombies
My Rating: 4.0 Overall; Story 4.0 and Narration 4.0.

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

Review:
At the end of Book 1, Until the End of the World, Peter agreed to distract the ‘zombies’ so the rest of his friends (now ‘family’) could escape to continue their trip to a safe zone community further north. Peter knows he is giving up his life, but he isn’t going down without a fight. Then he gets rescued by a young teen. Now he faces her gun but at least he is away from the “Z” mob.

Nat and her family are hesitant to trust Peter but Nat saw how he reacted as he let “Bits” and the others drive away. After Peter suffers an accident, he has no choice but to stay with the family and help them settle into their safe house. Peter also has time to contemplate his shallow past and what it takes now to survive.

Finally Peter sets off on his trip to the safe zone. He starts in a truck, but he has a long journey even if it isn’t that many miles. There are more enemies than just Zombies along the way but he is determined to catch up with Cassie and the others.

I enjoyed this short story from Peter’s perspective. I liked the phrase and title “So Long Lollipops”. This tale had danger and some ‘end of the world’ thought processes. Now I am ready to get the next book in the series.

Audio Notes: Julia Whelan continues the good job of narration for the characters in this series. She adds comfortable pacing, even with Peter’s introspective moments. I like listening to this series.

Source: Audible Free Title 9/2014. This is part of 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook Goals.

MBS March 2019 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2019 Reading List - MARCH

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2019
Favorites for March: (No 5 stars but lots of solid 4s.)
4.5 The PVC Pipe Book

1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Blackmoore by Julianne Dondalson; Historical Regency, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall, Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
2. A2019- Audible Book Review: Escape from Bythos by Phil Tucker; Dark Fantasy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
3. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: The PVC Pipe Book by Chris Peterson; Crafts, D-I-Y, Home; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
4. ebTBR- Book Review and Giveaway: A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist; Christian, Historical Romance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0. (Ended.)
5. ebTBR- Book Review: January Breeze, February Embers, March Whispers (Elderberry Croft #1) by Becky Doughty; Christian Literature, Community, Inspirational; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
6. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Wish by Chris Saunders; Children,Verse; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. A2019- Audible Book Review: Zero G by Dan Wells; Kids, Middle Grade (ages 8-10); My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5 and Narration 4.0.
10. NGTBR- Book Review: Indian Paintbrush (Carson Chronicles Book 3) by John A. Heldt; Time Travel Romance; My Rating: My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
11. A2019- Audible Book Review: Curiouser and Curiouser: Steampunk Alice in Wonderland by Melanie Karsak; Fairy Tale Retelling, Sci Fi, Steampunk; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4,25 and Narration 4.25.
12. ATBR- Audible Book Review: So Long, Lollipops by Sarah Lyons Fleming; Post Apocalyptic, Sci Fi, Zombies; My Rating: 4.0 Overall; Story 4.0 and Narration 4.0.
13. ATBR- Audible Book Review: A Breach of Security by Susan Hill; Crime Thriller, Police Procedures; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0 and Narration 4.0.
14. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Voodoo Planet by Andre Norton; Science Fiction, Vintage; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0 Narrative 4.0.

Total read = 14; TBR = 7; New Authors = 9
Audio/Audible = 7 (4 TBRs)
eBook = 3 (3 TBRs)
NetGalley = 2 (0 TBRs)
Print = 0
Review books (other than NG) - 3

Goal Progress:
• ebTBRs: 2 + 2 + 3
• Author titles: 1 + 0 + 3
• New to me Series:  5 + 5 + 8
• Continuing for me Series: 3 + 1 + 2
• Title with Month in it: 1 + 1 +1
• Winter title: 1;
• Alphabet letters covered: 12 Jan + 3 Feb + 5 March

Sunday Post March 31, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 1, 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.

Everyone was in office by Tuesday but two were fighting colds and working in what I dubbed "slo-mo fuzzyness".
I have a handful of court hearings this week and am working away on probates and litigation files.
Still no word from the engineer and architect. The contractor is contacting them to try to get a reply.
The injured chicken didn't make it.
Our small cat had a better week. She is no longer limping or dragging and titling her head. She is up to a full can of cat food a day and just jumped up in a chair. (She missed a couple of jumps earlier in the week.)
Our weather remains on the cool side. The pollen count is high causing extra sinus trouble.

My reading listening went well.  I finished 4 audiobooks even though some were shorter. My Kindle has been rebooting every time I pick it up which slowed reading. Time to switch to the Fire Kindle again. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I only visited 18 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Mad Book Love, sharing things "related to books and reading".
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

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

• A2019- Audible Book Review: Zero G by Dan Wells; Kids, Middle Grade (ages 8-10); My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5 and Narration 4.0.

• NGTBR- Book Review: Indian Paintbrush (Carson Chronicles Book 3) by John A. Heldt; Time Travel Romance; My Rating: My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 29, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/4/2019.

• A2019- Audible Book Review: Curiouser and Curiouser: Steampunk Alice in Wonderland by Melanie Karsak; Fairy Tale Retelling, Sci Fi, Steampunk; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4,25 and Narration 4.25.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement March 31, 2019.

Finished 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
This was fun. My review is linked above..
Source: 2019 Credit Purchase.
Click on book title for full description.

2. 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 this novella in the series.
Source: Audible Free Title 9/2014.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

A Breach of Security
By: Susan Hill
Narrated by: Steven Pacey
Series: Simon Serrailler, Book 8.5
Length: 1 hr and 28 mins
I enjoyed this novella mystery 
and would like to read more of the series.
Source: Audible November 2016 Sale.
People who bought this also bought...
Publisher's Summary
When a bunch of neo-fascist thugs named The Bulldogs attack a Gay pride march in the sleepy country town of Lafferton, detective Simon Serrailler moves quickly to find the assailants. He’s already got his hands full making security arrangements for a memorial service to honour soldiers returning from Afghanistan. When anonymous threats come in, Serrailler wonders if the Bulldogs are behind these too - and worries that they know the Prince of Wales will be in attendance. As the day approaches, the threats intensify, and Serrailler finds himself racing against the clock to prevent catastrophe.
Susan Hill has won the Whitbread, Somerset Maugham, and John Llewelyn Rhys prizes, as well as being shortlisted for the Booker Prize. She has written 55 books in several genres, including the ghost story The Woman in Black, the play adapted from which is still running in London’s West End after 25 years. I'm the King of The Castle has been a GCSE set text. She has also published collections of short stories, fiction for children, several nonfiction books and the highly successful crime novel series about the detective Simon Serrailler, who features in a short story here for the first time. Her new novel, The Soul of Discretion, is the eighth in the Serrailler series, and will be published by Chatto and Windus in October. Susan Hill is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, a Fellow of King’s College, London, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Honours of 2012.
©2014 Susan Hill (P)2014 Audible Studios

4. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Voodoo Planet
Written By: Andre Norton
Narrated By: Mark Nelson
Publisher: LibriVox
Date: January 2011
Duration: 2 hours 47 minutes
I was glad to have a quick sci fi to listen to.
Source: 2017 Audiobooks.com Public Domain Vintage free download.
Summary:
The sequel to Plague Ship, Voodoo Planet finds the Solar Queen banned from trade and starting her supposed quiet two-year stint as an interstellar mail carrier. But instead her crew accepts a visit to the safari planet of Khatka, where they find themselves caught in a battle between the forces of reason and the powers of Khatka's mind-controlling wizard. (Summary by Mark Nelson)

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Trouble on the Books
by Essie Lang
I am 65% in on this cozy mystery.
Source:  NetGalley 2018.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (A2019)

Apex
Written By: Mercedes Lackey
Narrated By: Amy Landon
Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
Date: September 2017
Duration: 8 hours 49 minutes
This is the third and conclusion of the series. 
I am two hours in.
Source: 2019 Credit Purchase Audiobooks.com.
Summary:
Being a member of the Elite Hunter Command imperils Joy in more ways than one. In their latest clash with Othersiders, the army of monsters nearly wiped them out. Apex City is safe for now. But within the city barriers, Joy must wage a different kind of war.The corrupt and powerful PsiCorps is determined to usurp the Hunters as chief defenders of Apex City, and Joy is now squarely in their crosshairs. Unused to playing political games, she has very few people she can truly trust-not even Josh, her first friend in Apex City, who broke up with her when it became too dangerous for a Psimon to be dating a Hunter.
Then Josh comes to Joy for help. He fears that Abigail Drift, the head of PsiCorps, will soon use him in her twisted experiments designed to empower PsiCorps and render Hunters superfluous-a scheme that's already killed off dozens of Psimons. Joy manages to smuggle Josh to safety, but he cannot evade Drift forever As Joy faces ever more powerful Othersiders, she is helped by the most surprising ally imaginable-the same Folk Mage she once met in battle on the train to Apex City. But can Joy trust the most cunning and treacherous of all Othersiders?In the thrilling finale to Mercedes Lackey's New York Times bestselling trilogy, Joy must risk everything to end a brutal war before she loses all she's ever loved....

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Heart of the Storm
by Debbie Peterson
This released in February so I picked it next.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
DEA agent Aliyana Montijo must stop a drug lord's killing orders and find a government mole. With a contract on her head, she trusts no one. While heading back to Florida with evidence, lightning strikes her plane. As it careens into the ocean, she thinks she sees a pirate ship. What she finds is a dashing and most unlikely ally.
Four centuries ago, Wolfaert Dircksen Van Ness captained a vessel for the Dutch West Indies Company. Then an unearthly storm in the Bermuda Triangle blew him into a parallel dimension. After rescuing Aliyana from a similar tempest, he finds himself drawn to the courageous beauty and wants to aid her mission.
In the midst of danger, the two find themselves falling in love. Then a misunderstanding tears them apart, perhaps forever…

4. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Oath of Swords
War God, Book 1
By: David Weber
Narrated by: Nick Sullivan
Series: War God, Book 1
Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
Time for a Fantasy; plus an O for Alphabet. :-)
Source: 2012 Audible.
Publisher's Summary
Bahzell is no knight in shining armor, and besides he has too many problems of his own to be messing with anybody else's problems - let alone the War God's. Unfortunately, the War God has other ideas for him.
©1995 David M. Weber (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

March 31, 2019 - I am enjoying my daily morning devotion and reading with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I am on day 4 of 5 day reading plan: Spiritual Warfare Battle Plan. 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 four books and posted three reviews. That puts me current with three reviews to post for current reading.
I keep working to  add newer reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible again. (Eventually I will add older reviews.) 
My NetGalley shelf is now at 15 unread (still 2 left from December) to date, since I added three 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 three new titles from NetGalley; have to put myself on hold till I get another couple read.
I purchased three audiobooks through High Five sale.
I picked up only 13 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 received three titles from NetGalley:

The Time Collector
by Gwendolyn Womack
"Travel through time with the touch of a hand."

The Library of Ever

by Zeno Alexander

"The Library of Ever is an instant classic for middle grade readers and booklovers everywhere—an adventure across time and space, as a young girl becomes a warrior for the forces of knowledge."

The Governess of Penwythe Hall
by Sarah E. Ladd
"Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast."
(Lovely cover too!)

Won

NONE

Purchased

3/31/19 Three High Five Audible Sale titles - $5.00 each
The Final Day
By: William R. Forstchen
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
Release date: 01-03-17


Eden's Gate: The Reborn
A LitRPG Adventure, Book 1
By: Edward Brody
Narrated by: Pavi Proczko
Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 03-30-17


Spinning Silver
By: Naomi Novik
Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan
Length: 17 hrs and 56 mins
Release date: 07-10-18

Free

I only added 13 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 31, 2019

Our Sunday School lesson was focused on 1 Corinthians 13 often described as ‘the love chapter’ All the spiritual gifts are only worthwhile if they are operating in love.
1 John 4:7 tells us to love one another...
The only debt we owe is the continuing debt to love. Love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:8-10.
Jesus gives a new command: “Love one another”... John 13:34-35.
Love is the indicator to the world that you are a Christ follower.

Pastor continued his series with Part 6 of The Bridge, based on Hebrews 5:12-14 and 6:1-7, titled “Growing Things”. It is easier to grow unwanted things than wanted things. Unwanted things will grow where you don't want them.
Wanted things only grow where they are planted and nurtured; encouraged to grow.
It takes skill and work, maintenance, to grow things you want where you want them.
If we want to grow something we have to plan and attend, maintain it.
Growing always happens but it may be in an unwanted way.
If we are only holding steady, we are most likely not growing.
Life is always full of change: we grow or diminish.
Doing what we've always done doesn't result in growth.
Who is responsible for your growth? You.
It is important to add resources to your life to help growth.
As we grow spiritually our capacity grows.

Point: Spiritual growth requires commitment to intentionally plane what is desirable and remove what is not.

If you take your hands off the wheel you will go off course.
We may try to manage our words and attitude. It isn’t really enough to hope that our good character and attitude will choke out the bad.
Time does not insure maturity. We have to feed ourselves.
If we want desirable things to grow...we have to plant desirable things.
If we don't plant healthy things in our lives, weeds and undesirable things will grow.
How do we know when undesirable things are growing in us?
There are warning signs. hidden thoughts and deeds.

Have we allowed undesirable things to grow within us? It will eventually come out. We will become critical, dissatisfied, self-centered.
We have to stop and take action to change.
We are able to have better things. Hebrews 6:9. To experience the ‘better’ we have to keep on….. Commitment to loving others is intentional and desirable. Hope grows into assurance. Hebrews 6:11-12.
If you are spiritually sharp and passionate, you will influence others.
Up your game.

I think this song fits today: Show Me How to Love

Verses for Today:
Hebrews 6:11-12 NLT
11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. 12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.


Lord, I pray that you will help me grow and increase my capacity to love others.

Audible Book Review: Curiouser and Curiouser: Steampunk Alice in Wonderland by Melanie Karsak

I liked the “Alice” references in this fun steampunk retelling.
Curiouser and Curiouser: Steampunk Alice in Wonderland
Steampunk Fairy Tales
By: Melanie Karsak
Narrated by: Lesley Parkin

Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 09-13-17
Language: English
Publisher: Clockpunk Press
Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling, Sci Fi, Steampunk
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

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

Review:
Alice and her sweet sister were orphans struggling in a London workhouse when they were ‘rescued’ by Jabberwocky. He took them to his wealthy home where Bess cares for his elderly mother and he gave Alice, aka Bandersnatch, tasks that used her nimble fingers. Alice wasn’t thrilled with the work but she would do what she had to in order to care for her frail sister.

Another child who came to work for Jabberwocky was William aka Caterpillar. Alice and William work many jobs together and eventually something goes wrong. Alice and William were to take over the ‘business’ when Jabberwocky dies. Even though it means leaving William behind, Alice takes the chance to walk away from the life of crime.

Alice and Bess are living simply while Alice works in an honest position for a Lord. Bess is being wooed by the Mad Hatter, Henry, but Henry has a serious gambling problem. His actions result in Alice being called back to help William on a dangerous heist. In addition to working with William, which threatens her heart, Alice has to face the Red Queen which threatens her life.

The story is told in present situation with alternating flashbacks to fill in the backstory. I especially enjoyed the characters and phrases recognized from Alice in Wonderland. There is even a Rabbit and a Cheshire Cat. I liked the craft of the Mad Hatter and enjoyed the steampunk elements. The story is a bit dark but balanced by fun characters and struggling romance. I plan to pick up more of the retellings by Melanie Karsak. I recommend this imaginative story to fans of fairy tale retellings and steampunk.

Audio Notes: Lesley Parkin does a nice job with the narration. She gives the characters their own voices and even captures the arrogant ugliness of the Red Queen. The narration gives good energy and enhanced the story for me.

Source: 2019 Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook and Alphabet goals.