Audio Review: Her Ruthless Protector Caitlyn O'Leary

This is good military intrigue with sexy romance.

Her Ruthless Protector (Amazon Link)
by Caitlyn O’Leary
Narrated by: Ryan West and Savannah Richards

Length: 6 hours 28 minutes
Review Copy Provided by The Audio Flow, LLC
Genre: Military Romance, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

It Only Took a Moment for Him to Know She Was His
Navy SEAL Kane McNamara has his mission. Four potential terrorist targets in Oman. His job is to keep everyone safe and try to figure out where al-Qaeda will strike next. Guarding an International Music Show is on the bottom of Kane’s list until he meets the woman organizing the event, then all bets are off. She’s fun, feisty and their chemistry is off the charts.
Has She Finally Met Her Match?
A.J. Lancaster has never met anyone like Kane. Nobody's ever given her this much crap or been this much fun. Her job doesn't give her a spare second to think, but she'll make time to flirt with the most interesting man she's ever met. The fact that he’s insanely gorgeous in that rough mountain man sort of way might also be why she’s taking a minute to enjoy some man candy.
It's Turning Deadly...Fast
Soon Kane, A.J., and the rest of the Night Storm SEAL team realize the music show is the next target. When bullets fly, it’s down to Kane and his team to stop al-Qaeda’s plans, and Kane must ensure that the stubborn woman he loves stays alive so they can have their chance at a happy ending.

Review:
Kane is a Navy SEAL who is dedicated to his work and his team. The team is on a mission to gain information and prevent a terrorist strike which they suspect will take place at one of four locations in Oman. One of the possible targets is an International Music Show. Kane isn’t convinced this is a legitimate target but becomes more interested when he meets the organizing manager, A.J. Lancaster. He is instantly smitten.

A.J. is a bright, confident young woman who has learned from childhood that she is the only person she can fully rely on. The men in her life have tended to be MIA when they were most needed. Now she has met a handsome, committed SEAL who is a force to be reckoned with. She won’t bow to him, but she does recognize his strengths. She determines that she can squeeze in a little time for a sassy and fun flirtation.

When accidents begin to interrupt the show practices, the team begins to dig in harder for information. The team faces danger and loss as well as frustration when they don’t get the support they need from state authorities. Kane is prepared to take risks to protect his team and prepared to risk his heart to secure the woman he has his sights on.

There is wonderful intensity in this story which has a strong plot that supports the strong romance. I wasn’t thrilled by the early foul language, but it seemed to lessen as the story progressed. I found this to be an engaging military romance that is worth pushing through to enjoy. I wouldn't mind reading more in this series. I would certainly recommend this to readers who enjoy a combination of military intrigue and sexy romance.

Audio Notes: Ryan West and Savannah Richards do a nice job sharing the narration from the perspectives of Kane and A.J. I felt they captured the strength and confidence of the two characters. The narration helped me enjoy this story as a quick (6hr28min), entertaining listen.

Source: Audio Download for review through Caffeinated PR Services.
This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.

Book Review: Where Are You Moosehead? (Rosie Bears Adventures) by Andy Stonehouse

This is a cute childrens' book.
Where Are You Moosehead? (Rosie Bears Adventures)
by Andy Stonehouse

Series: Rosie Bears Adventures (Book 1)
Paperback: 44 pages
Publisher: Moosehead Publishing (July 17, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1916180406
Genre: Animals, Children's Book
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

Lily wakes up one morning and can’t find one of her favorite toys. Along with Rosie Bear, Lily goes on a mystery hunt around the house in which they live to find their missing friend. Along the way she encounters other inhabitants of Lily’s world who help her along the way. ‘Where Are You Moosehead? Is the first in a series of books that follows the adventures of Lily and Rosie Bear as they experience the magic of growing up.

Review:
Lily loves her Rosie Bear and Moosehead and takes them with her everywhere. But one morning she cannot find Moosehead. She searches throughout the house, seeking help from other ‘friends’.

I found the story cute although the rhyming isn’t always set in easy timing for reading outloud. This probably will not bother the targeted young audience. The illustrations are artfully natural, charming and fitting to the tale. I recommend this as a sweet story that can be enjoyed by children and parents.

Source: Oct-November 2019 Review Request from Publishing Push – Thank you.

Audible Book Review: The Adventures of Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent by Larry Correia

This is a bit zany, but fun!

The Adventures of Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent
By: Larry Correia
Narrated by: Adam Baldwin

Series: The Adventures of Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent
Length: 2 hrs and 3 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-24-16
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Original
Categories: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary, #SciFiMonth2019
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
Have you ever seen a planet invaded by rampaging space mutants from another dimension or Nazi dinosaurs from the future?
Don't let this happen to you!
Rifts happen, so you should be ready when universes collide. A policy with Stranger & Stranger can cover all of your interdimensional insurance needs. Rated "Number One in Customer Satisfaction" for three years running, no claim is too big or too weird for Tom Stranger to handle.
But now Tom faces his greatest challenge yet. Despite being assigned the wrong - and woefully inadequate - intern, Tom must still provide quality customer service to multiple alternate Earths, all while battling tentacle monsters, legions of the damned, an evil call center in Nebraska, and his archnemesis, Jeff Conundrum. Armed with his Combat Wombat and a sense of fair play, can Tom survive? And will Jimmy the Intern ever discover his inner insurance agent?
It's time to kick ass and adjust claims.
Adam Baldwin (Firefly, Chuck) performs Larry Correia's madcap interdimensional tale of underwriting and space travel, where the only thing scarier than tentacle monsters is a high deductible.
©2016 Larry Correia (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Tom Stranger is an international insurance agent in a world where there are multiple alternate Earths. The alternate worlds are not supposed to bleed into each other but more and more there seem to be rifts in the divided worlds.

Fortunately for many, Tom is a sincere and successful insurance agent and claim negotiator who has been rated number one in customer service for three years. Sometimes his job is a huge challenge. He has recently requested and been assigned an Intern. He should have gotten a top of the class candidate. Instead, he was sent Jimmy who is an unimpressive wimp who seems afraid even of his own shadow.

Jimmy isn’t prepared to travel in space much less face purple tentacled monsters, a hoard of demons and Tom’s greatest competitor, Jeff Conundrum. Fortunately, Tom is a skilled negotiator with words and sometimes with weapons, especially his trusty Combat Wombat. But Tom’s success has made him a target for Conundrum who figures a perfect bait to lure Tom in. Has Jimmy learned enough watching Tom at work to help rescue Tom from the enemy trap?

The story follows Tom in a busy day of claims and negotiations. I enjoy Correia's Monster Hunter International series and his wild imagination comes forth with zany exuberance in this new series filled with social satire and insurance jokes. Adding to the fun are references to sci-fi series (like Firefly), actors like Adam Baldwin (Chuck in Firefly) and Chuck Norris, and political figures like Barrack Obama and Joe Biden. Even Correia himself has a spot in the adventures. I recommend this to readers looking for a quick break filled with laughter.

Audio Notes: Adam Baldwin delivers a strong performance matching the irreverent material. Baldwin provides some good voice impressions and a couple that completely fail – with humor!
I am glad this was provided as a free Audible Original as I might not have picked it up otherwise. Now I know where to go for a zany listen and I know I can look for other works narrated by Adam Baldwin.

Source: July 2019 Free Audible Original. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook and #SciFiMonth goal.

MBS November 2019 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2019 Reading List - NOVEMBER

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
Favorite for November: 5 Star Christmas Eve, 1914
Four books 4.5 Stars: Sackett's Land, Bark of Night, Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings, and Scythe.

1. A2019- Audio Book Review: The Journals of Octavia Hollows: Books 1-6 by Stacey Rourke; Kate Angell; Allyson Charles; Genre: Cozy Mysteries, Supernatural Thriller, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
2. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Sackett's Land by Louis L'Amour; Genre: Historical Fiction, Western Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
3. eB2019- Book Review: Reasons to Kill God by I.V. Olokita; Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
4. NG2019-#NetGalley Book Review: Bark of Night by David Rosenfelt; Genre: Cozy Mystery, Traditional Detective; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
5. A2019- Audible Book Review: Christmas Eve, 1914 by Charles Olivier; Genre: Dramatization, Fiction, Historical; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.
6. eTBR- Book Review: The Sheriff's Mistletoe Law by Nita Wick; Genre: Historical, Holiday Romance, Short Story, Western Romance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
7. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: One Wish by Jodi Thomas; Genre: Historical Romance, Holiday, Novella, Western Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
8. eTBR- Goodreads Book Review: Evergreen A Christmas Tale by Richard Taylor; Genre: Historical, Holiday, Short Story, #HoHoHoRAT; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
   
9. eTBR- Goodreads Book Review: Christmas Scandal...Not! by Jeanne Savery; Genre: Historical, Holiday, Short Story, #HoHoHoRAT; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0.
10. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Bring Me Home for Christmas by Robyn Carr; Genre: Contemporary Romance, Holiday Fiction, Small Town, #HoHoHoRAT; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
11. ebTBR- Book Review: Ruth's First Christmas Tree by Elly Griffiths; Genre: #HoHoHoRAT, Holiday, Traditional Detective; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0
12. eTBR- Goodreads Book Review: The Twelve Cats of Christmas (All the Creatures of Christmas) by Kevin Whitlark; Genre: Cats, Holiday, #HoHoHoRAT; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
13. eTBR- Goodreads Book Review: Santa's Christmas Eve Blues by Douglas Lindsay; Genre: Holiday, Short Story; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0
14. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings (The Chronicles of St Mary's #6.5) by Jodi Taylor; Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Time Travel, #HoHoHoRAT and #SciFiMonth; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
15. eTBR- Book Review: A Christmas Feral by Mary Matthews; Genre: Cats, Holiday, Short Story, #HoHoHoRAT; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
16. eTBR- Book Review: A Christmas Message From The Moon by Philip Gibson; Genre: History, #HoHoHoRAT, Short Story; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
17. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski; Genre: Anthology Fantasy, Short Stories, Sorcery, #SciFiMonth; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.
18. NG2019-#NetGalley Book Review: Christmas Once Again by D.K. Deters; Genre: Holiday, Romance, Short Story, Time Travel Romance, #HoHoHoRAT and #SciFiMonth; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
19. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Scythe by Neal Shusterman; Genre: Death, Dystopia, Teen & YA, #SciFiMonth; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.
20. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: A Vintage Summer by Cathy Bramley; Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
21. ATBR- Audible Book Review: An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris; Genre: Alternate History, Historical Fantasy, #SciFiMonth; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
22. eBTBR- Book Review: Civilly Disobedient (Calm Act Genesis Book 1) by Ginger Booth; Genre: Dystopian, Political Fiction, Sci Fi, #SciFiMonth, Short Story; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
23. A2019- Audible Book Review: The Adventures of Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent by Larry Correia; Genre: Fantasy; Sci Fi, #SciFiMonth; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Total read = 23; TBR = 16; New Authors = 16
Audio/Audible = 9 (7 TBRs)
eBook = 9 (9 TBRs)
NetGalley = 4 (0 TBRs)
Print = 0
Review books (other than NG) = 1 (+ 1 audio)

Goal Progress:
Met Goodreads Goal of 150; plus 30
Total Read to Date: 180
TBR to Date: 104 of 100 total
TBR ebooks: 28 of 24
Audio to Date: 100 of 75
NetGalley to Date: 51 of 40
Author Reviews: 8 of 12
Nonfiction: 12 of 12

• ebTBRs: 1 +2 +2 +2 +1 +0 +1 +2 +1 +7 +9
• Author titles: 1 +0 +3 +0 +1 +0 +1 +0 +0 +2
• New to me Series: 5 +5 +8 +10 +8 +9 +9 +7 +8 +7
• Continuing for me Series: 3 +1 +2 +2 +2 +1 +2 +2 +1 +2 +3
• Title with Month in it: 1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +0 +0 +0 +0 +1 +0
• Seasonal title: Winter 1; Spring 2; Summer (on hold);
• Alphabet letters covered: 12 Jan + 3 Feb + 5 March + 2 April + 0 May + 1 June + 1 July + 1 August + 0 September + 0 October + 0 November
(One letter left: X)

Sunday Post December 8, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 9, 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.

My office staff enjoyed a fun woman's club Christmas event on Tuesday night - an auction party. We are known for getting the bids started and occasionally bidding against each other by mistake. It makes for a fun time. Then I had a nice woman's club luncheon on Thursday. This week the office will attend three Christmas events and I will attend two more for church. In between, I intend to keep working away at probates and litigation, plus several title closings.

Saturday morning we found some bucks fighting in the back yard.

They were first clashing behind the shed; then moved further into the yard.

Our temperatures have remained cooler this week occasionally reaching the low 70s.
We are trying to prepare ourselves for cold weather when we visit Illinois later this month.

I enjoyed my reading and listening this past week. I finished one audiobook (although I am far into another), one child's book and one NetGalley ebook.   I posted three reviews on the blog and my usual memes.

I visited only 15 blogs again last week.
Shout Out this week to Lampshade Reader. "Turn on the light; read all night." Aleen says: "Reading by lampshade since the age of 13, all I needed was a good book and a cozy blanket. Not much has changed since then." It sounds like me although I was reading by flashlight at an early age.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post December 1, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 2, 2019.

• NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: A Vintage Summer by Cathy Bramley; Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris; Genre: Alternate History, Historical Fantasy; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 6, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/12/2019.

• eBTBR- Book Review: Civilly Disobedient (Calm Act Genesis Book 1) by Ginger Booth; Genre: Dystopian, Political Fiction, Sci Fi, Short Story; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 8, 2019 Advent Week 2.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Computer (PublPush2019)

Where Are You Moosehead? (Rosie Bears Adventures)
by Andy Stonehouse
This is a cute childrens' book.
Source: Oct-November 2019 Review Request from Publishing Push.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/MPS (AReview2019)

Her Ruthless Protector
by Caitlyn O’Leary
This is good military intrigue with sexy romance.
Source: Audio Download for review through Caffeinated PR Services.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

All Hearts Come Home for Christmas
by Sarah M. Eden, Anita Stansfield, Esther Hatch, Joanna Barker
This is a wonderful collection!
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Pdf/Computer (eBook)

The Lady Lassoes an Outlaw: Western Historical
by Charlene Raddon
This is a sweet (if weak) western romance.
Source: Review request received from Babs Book Bistro.
Aurora Cavender's twin brother Jason is missing, reportedly kidnapped by a notorious gang of outlaws in Utah. Aurora feels his pain and fear. He's hurt. Determined to help, she travels to Price, Utah to board a stagecoach she's sure the gang will rob. Her hope is to discover a clue to Jason's whereabouts. A dangerous job, but one she's better equipped to deal with than many men.
To run smack into her ex-fiancee, Garret Mosely, is a shock. To learn he's part of the Hell's-Gate gang is unfathomable.
Can Aurora find her brother, free him and get the two of them to safety? And what part will Garret Mosely play in her plans?

2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Push Back
The Disruption Series, Book 2
By: R.E. McDermott
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins
Release date: 09-12-16
This is a story I don't want to put down.
Source: July 2018 Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
Earth reels in the aftermath of a savage solar storm, a global disaster of unprecedented proportion which leaves most of the world without electrical power or the means to restore it. Across the world, the responses of unprepared national governments are too little, too late. In the US, order collapses and opportunistic forces rise to fill the power vacuum, as what remains of a self-serving federal bureaucracy prioritizes the survival of politicians and bureaucrats over that of the general population.
As chaos and starvation spread, isolated pockets of survivors unite to survive. In Texas, Captain Jordan Hughes and a ragtag group of seamen and ex-Coastguardsmen gather their families close and resist the depredations of a hoard of escaped convicts. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, a similarly determined group of survivors attempts to use salvaged resources, not only to save themselves, but also to feed the hungry.
But not everyone is happy about the efforts of the valiant and resourceful few. Secure in his Camp David compound, a corrupt president consolidates power and builds a mercenary force to deal with any possible challenges to his absolute authority and to seize all dwindling resources for government use and fair distribution.
Survivors of the natural disaster are thus dealt another blow as they're betrayed by the very government established to protect them. Do they knuckle under to a dictator, or do they push back?
©2016 Robert E. McDermott (P)2016 Robert E. McDermott

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Strands of Truth
by Colleen Coble
This looks like a good Christian Romantic Suspense and it has started well.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Suspense, romance, and generational secrets meld in this engrossing new novel from USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble.
Strands of Harper Taylor’s childhood are resurfacing—but will the truth save her . . . or pull her under?
Harper Taylor is used to being alone— after all, she grew up in one foster home after another. Oliver Jackson finally took her under his wing when she was a runaway teenager, and now Harper pours her marine biology knowledge into Oliver’s pen shell research. But she’s never stopped wishing for a family of her own.
So when a DNA test reveals a half-sister living just two hours away, Harper is both hopeful and nervous. Over warm cinnamon rolls, Harper and Annabelle find striking similarities in their stories. Is it just a coincidence that both their mothers died tragically, without revealing Harper and Annabelle’s father’s name?
Oliver’s son Ridge still sees Harper as a troubled teen even all these years later. But when Oliver is attacked, Ridge and Harper find themselves working together to uncover dangerous secrets that threaten to destroy them all. They must unravel her past before they can have any hope for the future.

December 8, 2019 - I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I finished a four day Light of the World - Advent Devotional study and will be starting another Advent study tonight.

I completed three books and posted three reviews. I have four reviews to do.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 11. I still have one more NG title from July that has released. I will read that one next. [Plus I have 4 old titles (2012-13) which I guess are moving into 2020.]
I still have two author titles that I expect to carry into January 2020.
Still many titles 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 received one NetGalley request and two automatic reads I selected (still preparing for 2020TBRs).
I picked up two Audible Settlement titles, two Audible Daily Deals and one title at Chirp.
I guess I had NO free time as I added 0 free kindle titles this week. (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

Received from NetGalley:
The New Husband
by D.J. Palmer
"Just because you love someone doesn't mean you know them."
I saw this book at Silver's Review two weeks ago.


The Woman in the Veil
by Laura Joh Rowland
"Award-winning author Laura Joh Rowland is back with the fourth in her critically acclaimed Victorian mysteries where the case of a mutilated "Sleeping Beauty" washes ashore in London."
I wanted to try a Victorian mystery and this sounds good.

Winter Takes All
by ML Erdahl
"Crystal Rainey is aghast when she realizes her new year's resolutions haven't changed one whit from the previous year."
This sounds like a fun read for the new year.

Won

NONE

Purchased

12/6/2019 Two Audible Free Titles for Settlement:
Vanguard
The Genesis Fleet, Book 1
By: Jack Campbell
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins
Release date: 05-16-17

Thunderhead
Arc of a Scythe
By: Neal Shusterman
Narrated by: Greg Tremblay
Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins
Release date: 01-09-18


11/30/2019 Audible Daily Deal $3.95:
Polar Vortex
By: Matthew Mather
Narrated by: Tom Taylorson
Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 04-02-19


12/7/2019 Chirp $.99
Termination Dust
Written by Alana Terry
Narrated by Becky Doughty
Release Date: May 23, 2019
Publisher: Firstfruits Publishing
Run time: 5 hours and 33 minutes

12/8/2019 Audible Daily Deal $2.95 - this was on my wish list. :-)

Into the Wild
Warriors, Book 1
By: Erin Hunter
Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins
Release date: 10-10-17

Free

I added 0 free Kindle 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.