Audio Book Review: Apex by Mercedes Lackey

This is an engaging sci fi/fantasy series.

Apex
Written By: Mercedes Lackey
Narrated By: Amy Landon

The Hunter Series, Book 2
Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
Date: September 2017
Duration: 8 hours 49 minutes
Genre: Fantasy, Magic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Narration

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....

Review:
Joy and the other Elite Hunters are busy defending Apex City from increased attacks by the Othersiders. Many of the engagements are skirmishes but they are repeated and extending to the outer edges of the community including some areas which no longer have fortifications.

The last major attack (in Book Two, Elite) was won thanks to the help of the Psimons. But dozens of Psimons have shown up dead or missing. Joy’s former boyfriend, Psimon Josh fears that the head of PsiCorps is involved in the deaths and is planning to use the PsiCorps to take over the city government from Joy’s Uncle. Joy and her immediate team help to smuggle Josh out of the city but can they keep him safe?

It becomes clear that another major attack is being planned. Joy has unexpectedly made contact with one of the Folk Mages who are believed to be directing the Othersiders. He is offering to be an ally, but can he be trusted?

Should Joy have called on her home hunters for help? Or told Apex officials about the hunters from home? Would she be putting more people at risk? Has her presence caused the escalation of enemy attacks since there are Folk Mage who are clearly focusing on removing her? So many questions and emotional issues to cope with along with daily, exhausting battles. It’s a lot for a young woman to handle.

Although there was some personal angst in all the questioning, I still enjoyed the story and the interaction of the characters. There is good character building as well as plenty of action. I especially enjoyed the intrigue and mystery surrounding the Folk Mages. I am not sure if this series is closing at a trilogy or if there will be more. This book does have a closing but I see room for more and would be interesting in listening to more. I recommend this to readers who enjoy fantasy monster hunter genres.

Audio Notes: As in the first two books of the series, Amy Landon continues her strong narration. She appropriately presents Joy’s youth, angst and confusion. I like the listening experience for the series.

Source: 2019 Credit Purchase Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook Goal.

#NetGalley Book Review: Trouble on the Books by Essie Land

I liked the setting and premise of this cozy mystery.
Trouble on the Books
by Essie Lang

File Size: 2896 KB
Print Length: 332 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1683319818
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (March 13, 2019)
ASIN: B07H7R7GVP
Genre: Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

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.

Review:
Shelby Cox who normally works as a publishing editor in the Massachusetts, comes home to Alexandria Bay, upstate New York, to help her Aunt who is recovering from surgery. Shelby is surprised to learn that she is a 50% owner in two local bookstores, one in town and a second location in the tourist destination of Blye Castle on Blye Island. Shelby begins work and quickly runs up against the autocratic Castle volunteer coordinator, Loreena. A few hours after they have a confrontation, Shelby stumbles upon Loreena’s body in the nearby Grotto.

Several police offices are involved in the investigation: the cantankerous Island Chief of Police, the quiet county sheriff and, to Shelby’s surprise, the interesting and handsome Coast Guard Special Agent Zack Griffin. The local chief is quick to challenge the Castle caretaker, Matthew, which upsets Aunt Edie. Edie asks Shelby to try to find out what is going on. Shelby begins to develop a theory of current day smuggling which brings Zack to her door on several occasions trying to get her to stop snooping.

Shelby is also trying to learn more about her mother who she believes died when she was a toddler. Shelby’s technique of investigating both issues consists mostly in questioning local residents. This puts someone on edge, but despite an attack on her houseboat, Shelby continues to try to plot out the means, motive and opportunity.

Stories involving books and bookstores tend to capture my attention. I liked the setting elements of the bookstore, the Castle grounds, the Grotto, and the houseboat where Shelby lives. The descriptions are good and the character interaction is reasonably developed. I found the mystery development and suspense a little weak. There is some repetition of Shelby’s thought processes which could have been cut allowing for a shorter, more concise work. As a debut I think the work shows promise and I would try another to see if the mystery plot improves. Fans of book related cozy mysteries might give this a try.

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

Sunday Post April 7, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 8, 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.

Staff is starting to feel better but were trying to talk me into a special holiday on Friday. I didn't agree.
I continue to work on law files as well as real estate closings.
I got a reply from the architect and hope to talk with him this week.
We found a new egg niche this week - in a planter under the rose bushes.

Our cat had another good week. She cries for food every time we get near the kitchen.
Our weather hit 83 today and is supposed to be warm all week.

My reading and listening went well. I finished 2 ebooks and 1 audiobook. I have the Kindle working on a portable battery again. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 20 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Odd and Bookish "With a Dreamy Far-Off Look and her nose stuck in a book".
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

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

• MBS March 2019 Reading List Wrap Up.

• 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.

• 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.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 5, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/11/2019.

• 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.

• Sharing Beyond Books #366 Comment Giveaway April 6, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/18/2019.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 7, 2019.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Trouble on the Books
by Essie Lang
This is a solid 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 an engaging sci fi story/series. 
Source: 2019 Credit Purchase Audiobooks.com.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Heart of the Storm
by Debbie Peterson
This was a good mix of
time travel and romantic suspense.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. 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
I am midway in this fun fantasy waiting for the primary character to accept his destiny as a 'Knight in Shining Armor'.
Source: 2012 Audible.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (LBC)

Ransomed Dreams (Side Roads Book 1)
by Sally John
I picked up print copies a few years back
for Ladies Book Club.
It sounds like good intrigue.
Source: Kindle 2011.
Sheridan Montgomery leads a charmed life as the wife of Eliot, U.S. ambassador to Venezuela. But an attack on their lives cripples Eliot, and they retreat to a remote Mexican village. As Sheridan quietly cares for her husband, she sees her dreams slipping away. Luke Traynor shatters their reverie when he arrives to tell Sheridan of her father’s heart attack and the evidence implicating him in a conspiracy. Sheridan returns to Chicago to untangle the web of her father’s past and is forced to confront her feelings for Luke, a trail of deceit, and the truth about her marriage.

I haven't decided which audiobook to listen to next so it will be a surprise.
If I finish the eBook I will start another NetGalley title.


April 7, 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 a 4 day reading plan: Speak Life. 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 three reviews. That keeps 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 up one to 16 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 one new title from NetGalley; and pulled up an ebook for Ladies Book Club.
I purchased one Audible Daily Deal.
I picked up only 12 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

This is our Ladies Book Club read for March-April. To be discussed 4/13.

Ransomed Dreams (Side Roads Book 1)
by Sally John
See full description above under Current Reading.



I received one new title from NetGalley:
Kingdom of Exiles
by Maxym Martineau
Release date June 25, 2019.
"My heart wasn't part of the deal when I bargained for my life, But assassins so rarely keep their word."

Won

NONE

Purchased

4/2/19 I purchased one Audible Daily Deal $2.95:
Prominence
By: A.C. Hadfield
Narrated by: Marc Vietor
Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins
Release date: 10-09-18

Free

I only added 12 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 April 7, 2019

After church this morning we met our son-in-law and grandchildren for lunch. It was so good to see them.

This morning we had another Sunday School lesson from 1 Corinthians 14 with some review of the prior chapters. Our teacher reminds us that the chapter breaks were not part of the original letter and we need to keep that in mind as we read the instructional and correctional text. Interestingly – and assuredly a God thing!– the SS lesson was titled “I’ll Never Go Back to That Church” and Pastor used that phrase in his Sermon teaching too.

Pastor concluded his Sermon series on The Bridge, finishing up in Hebrews 6 and 7.
As we see in the world around us people are beset with mixed views and mixed truths. The facts presented lead to totally different conclusions based upon their preset perspectives. Believing is not permanent. Truth is filtered and flavored. The distance between belief and doubt gets shorter.
Many people struggle when their belief is shaken.

Betrayal can result in doubt, mistrust. Some live with one foot ready to break away in order to protect themselves.

Christ followers are thankful that God is steady. God is a firm foundation. His promises are sure.
When we decide to change something in our life style for God we often meet resistance.
At such times the distance between belief and doubt becomes quite small.

Hebrews 6:11-19 says we can be secure in the hope given by God’s promise. Hebrews 7:21-22.

Point: Doubt is the destroyer of hope. Our confidence is most secure in the promises of God.

There is every reason why the Christ follower should have the most hope. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. The anchor must hold. If we are living in doubt, our anchor is not Jesus.

[I learned when I was 15 that I couldn't even trust myself, but only God.] Pastor restated this point – we cannot trust any human or we will be disappointed. Only God is fully trustworthy to keep His promises
.
Hebrews 6:19 and Hebrews 10:19-25 -- Only one thing matters: that your hope is in Jesus.
Where have you misplaced your confidence?

I think this song fits well: Living Hope

Hebrews 6:19 NIV
19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:22 NIV
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.


Lord I give you thanks that you are my foundation and my anchor. Praise God that I am confident in the Hope promised by my faith in Christ Jesus.

Sharing Beyond Books #366 Comment Giveaway April 6, 2019

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

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Most of us are happy to stay where we live. But three commenters would like to move.

The Winner from SBB #365 comments is: #7 The Bookworm 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 #366

(One Question.)

Alina asks: What books are you looking forward to the most??

I usually am not that up on books that are coming out but I know one:
Storm Cursed, Mercy Thompson Series Book 11
by Patricia Briggs, release date May 7, 2019.

I just looked up another fav author to see when the next book would be out and it is:

Pass of Fire (Destroyermen Book 14)

by Taylor Anderson release date June 11, 2019

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.

Your turn to share. Alina asks: What books are you looking forward to the most??

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 20, 2019 at 5 PM central.