Audible Book Review: The Green Ember by S. D. Smith

This is an entertaining, sweet action fantasy.
The Green Ember
By: S. D. Smith
Narrated by: Joel Clarkson

Series: The Green Ember, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-04-15
Language: English
Publisher: Story Warren Books
Genre: Children's Fantasy, Christian Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Heather and Picket are extraordinary rabbits with ordinary lives until calamitous events overtake them, spilling them into a cauldron of misadventures. They discover that their own story is bound up in the tumult threatening to overwhelm the wider world.
Kings fall, and kingdoms totter. Tyrants ascend, and terrors threaten. Betrayal beckons, and loyalty is a broken road with peril around every bend.
Where will Heather and Picket land? How will they make their stand?
©2015 S. D. Smith (P)2015 Story Warren

Review:
Heather and Picket are young rabbits enjoying friendly brother and sister competition in their ordinary lives. They are often enthralled by their father’s stories of kingdoms, kings, loyal warriors, battles and danger. One night their father begins to tell them a new tale about the “Rise and Fall of King Jupiter”. They have only heard the beginning of the story when their world erupts under attacks by wicked, frightening wolves.

Heather and Picket are able to escape with the help of some new friends. Heather and Picket have different attitudes as they travel to a place of refuge for displaced rabbits. Heather worries about her family but wants to make sure that Picket remains safe. Picket quickly becomes sullen, frustrated that he couldn’t protect his family and resenting the two skilled warrior rabbits who saved them and are guiding them.

The group struggles to escape from the wolves following them as they don’t want to lead them to the safe place. Along the way, there are other home and business sites that have been attacked. Once Heather and Picket are delivered to the safe warren, they don’t understand why many rabbits look at them with suspicion.

The pair begin to learn secrets their father never told them. The dangers continue and intensify as it becomes clear there are betrayals putting all of the rabbits at risk. Can Heather and Picket prepare for danger and learn to fit in?

The story started slowly but picks up especially when the attack occurs and the rabbits go on the run. There is plenty of daring-do and possible opportunities to become heroes. Picket’s attitude is very frustrating but offers a parent an opportunity for discussion with younger children who may listen to the story. I can appreciate the reviews that criticize the male and female stereotyping: males are warriors, females are nurses, storytellers or other artisans. Still, the female rabbits are shown with courage and gumption too.

The story is entertaining and has a sweet tone to it even with the enemy attacks. My son gifted himself with the print set which is very nice. The print/ebook has some really nice images to go along with the story, including introductory maps. I recommend this to adults as well as younger readers/listeners. I am glad that I have the next book in the reading order: The Black Star of Kingston.

Audio Notes: Joel Clarkson does a really good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices for the characters and gives good energy to the action. I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source: My Kindle library - free 2018. Audio Sharing with Son's Audible. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: Nothing to Fear by Juno Rushdan

I liked the suspense and the unique characters in this romance.
Nothing to Fear
by Juno Rushdan

File Size: 1960 KB
Print Length: 448 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (August 27, 2019)
ASIN: B07NRSHHWF
Genre: Action Adventure, Romantic Suspense, Terrorism Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

The clock is ticking.
Fearsome Gray Box operative Gideon Stone is devoted to his work and his team. He's never given reason to doubt his loyalty...until he's tasked with investigating Willow Harper, a beguiling cryptologist suspected of selling deadly bio-agents on the black market.
He knows she's innocent. He knows she's being framed. And he knows that without him, Willow will be dead before sunrise.
Thrust into the crossfire of an insidious international conspiracy, Gideon will do anything to keep Willow safe...even if that means waging war against his own. With time running out, an unlikely bond pushes limits—and forges loyalties. Every move they make counts. And the real traitor is always watching...

Review:
There is a mole in the secret, off the grid, government agency the Gray Box. Gideon Stone, Reaper, is one of the handful of operatives who is not under suspicion. He has been assigned to investigate Willow Harper, a cryptologist and computer tech wizard who is one of the suspects. Gideon believes that Willow is innocent, and his opinion is reinforced as he gets closer to her and learns more of her secrets.

When the evidence points directly at Willow, Gideon is convinced that she is being framed. He determines that his task is now to protect her and that they have to get out of the office before she is taken into custody.

Gideon and Willow escape the base under fire. They know they are on the run from their own team of operatives and soon they realize that they must survive professional assassins coming after Willow, and now Gideon too. The pair cling together as they dodge death and try to uncover the identity of the true traitor.

Meanwhile Gideon is trying to resist his personal interest in Willow. In his mind, she deserves better than a trained killer which is what he is when needed. Willow is enthralled by Gideon and his ability to survive a troubled childhood and a brutal occupation. She would like nothing better than to steal moments with him, even for a limited time. But if she gets her wish will she really be able to step back into a co-worker attitude? And will Gideon be able to turn his back on her?

I really liked the unusual personal issues that Willow has to deal with. This added a special element to the story and her relationship with Gideon. As in the first book, Every Last Breath, the plot is suspenseful, tension-filled and intense. Unfortunately, I felt this book was more focused on the sexual tension and relationship between Willow and Gideon than on the traitor and underlying enemy issues. I don’t mind character chemistry, but I prefer it when that is the second element with the suspense taking priority. I still enjoyed the story but would be a bit more cautious about jumping into the third book. I can recommend this as a strong romantic suspense and a good read for those who enjoy focus on the personal/sexual elements.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

MBS December 2019 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2019 Reading List - DECEMBER

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
Favorites for December:
One 5.0 Star = Morning Star 
Four 4.5 Stars = All Hearts Come Home for Christmas; Push Back; Orphan X, The Ultimate Guide to 2020

1. eBA2019- Book Review: Where Are You Moosehead? (Rosie Bears Adventures) by Andy Stonehouse; Genre: Animals, Children's Book; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
2. AT2019- Audio Review: Her Ruthless Protector by Caitlyn O'Leary; Genre: Military Romance, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
3. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: All Hearts Come Home for Christmas Collection; Genre: Christmas, Historical Romance, Holiday; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
4. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Push Back, The Disruption Series, Book 2, by R.E. McDermott Genre: Alternate History, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
5. A2019- Audio Book Review: The Dogs of Christmas by W. Bruce Cameron; Genre: Animals, Dogs, Holiday, Romance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
6. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz; Genre: Crime Thriller, Suspense; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
7. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble; Genre: Christian, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
8. A2019- Audio Book Review: Someone to Care by Mary Balogh; Genre: Historical Romance, Romance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
9. A2019 LBC- Audible Book Review: 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, Once Upon a Dickens Christmas, Book 1, by Michelle Griep; Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Victorian; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
10. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: The Ultimate Guide to the 2020 Election: 101 Nonpartisan Solutions to All the Issues that Matter by Ryan Clancy, Margaret White; Genre: Human Rights, Political Advocacy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
11. eBA2019- Book Review: The Lady Lassoes an Outlaw: Western Historical by Charlene Raddon; Genre: Western Romance; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0.
12. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Nothing to Fear by Juno Rushdan; Genre: Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
13. ATBR-Audible Book Review: Morning Star by Pierce Brown; Genre: Colonization Sci Fi, Dystopian, Fantasy, Sci Fi; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.
14. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Disney Junior Storybook Collection; Genre: Children's; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Total read = 14; TBR = 4; New Authors = 10
Audio/Audible = 8 (4 TBRs)
eBook = 2 (0 TBRs)
NetGalley = 4 (0 TBRs)
Print = 0
Review books (other than NG) = 2 (+ 1 audio)

Goal Progress:
Met Goodreads Goal of 150; plus 44; Total Read to Year End: 194
Met TBR to Year End: 108 of 100 total
Met TBR ebooks: 28 of 24
Met Audio to Date: 108 of 75
Met NetGalley to Date: 55 of 40
Not Met- Author Reviews: 11 of 12
Met Nonfiction: 13 of 12

• ebTBRs: 1 +2 +2 +2 +1 +0 +1 +2 +1 +7 +9 +0 = 28
• Author titles: 1 +0 +3 +0 +1 +0 +1 +0 +0 +2 +3 = 11
• New to me Series: 5 +5 +8 +10 +8 +9 +9 +7 +8 +7 +3 = 79
• Continuing for me Series: 3 +1 +2 +2 +2 +1 +2 +2 +1 +2 +3 +4 = 25
• Title with Month in it: 1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +0 +0 +0 +0 +1 +0 +0 = 6
• Seasonal title: Winter 1; Spring 2; Summer (in Winter); Fall/Autumn (0) = 2
• 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 + 1 December = 26

Sunday Post January 5, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 6, 2020

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.

Hubby and I enjoyed our visit up north but we are glad to be home now.
Fortunately I was able to (mostly) get past my sore throat and head cold in three days and nights.

Our family trees generally include a train. :-)

Our son is responsible for this set now.

The temperatures in Illinois remained mild (mid 30s to mid 50s) and now we are home with high (hopefully) 30s to low 70s.

I enjoyed my reading and listening this past week although I had several books going. I finished two audiobooks.   I posted five reviews and my usual memes.

I only visited 13 blogs last week (between grandkids and cold).
Shout Out this week to BEACHWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE. Candice is a blogger, homeschooler and shares some 5 star reads to end 2019.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post December 29, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 30, 2019.

• First Book of the Year 2020: The Possibility of America by David Dark.

• A2019- Audible Book Review: 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, Once Upon a Dickens Christmas, Book 1, by Michelle Griep; Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Victorian; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• eBA2019- Book Review: The Lady Lassoes an Outlaw: Western Historical by Charlene Raddon; Genre: Western Romance; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 3, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/9/2020.

• ATBR-Audible Book Review: Morning Star by Pierce Brown; Genre: Colonization Sci Fi, Dystopian, Fantasy, Sci Fi; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Disney Junior Storybook Collection; Genre: Children's; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

• NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: The Ultimate Guide to the 2020 Election: 101 Nonpartisan Solutions to All the Issues that Matter by Ryan Clancy, Margaret White; Genre: Human Rights, Political Advocacy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 5, 2020.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Disney Junior Storybook Collection
Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Mickey/Minnie, Henry Hugglemonster
By: Disney Book Group
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
Length: 1 hr and 54 mins
My granddaughter and I enjoyed listening to this
(while I fell asleep for nap).
Source: 8/2//2017 Audible Book Sale $1.95.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Green Ember
By: S. D. Smith
Narrated by: Joel Clarkson
Series: The Green Ember, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-04-15 
My son encouraged me to read this series.
Source: Sharing with my son's Audible.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

The Possibility of America
How the Gospel Can Mend Our God-Blessed,
God-Forsaken Land
by David Dark
At 30% I was disappointed. At 50% I am still waiting.
I chose this as my First Book for 2020.
SOURCE: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone in Car (A2019)

The Oracle
The Jubilean Mysteries Unveiled
By: Jonathan Cahn
Narrated by: Michael Beck
Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins
Release date: 11-07-19
This is really remarkable!
I had been listening with hubby in the car but suspect that I will go on to finish this before he does.
Source: 2019 November Audible Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Mission Pack 1: Black Ocean Mission Pack, Missions 1-4
By: J.S. Morin
Narrated by: Mikael Naramore
Series: Black Ocean, Book 1-4
Length: 20 hrs and 50 mins
I am working on some longer audios, although I might listen to only book 1 right now. We'll see.
Source: April 2017 $1.99 Audible Purchase.
Publisher's Summary
Science to build a starship. Wizardry to take it past light speed. A crew to give it a soul.
The Mobius is a cobbled-together ship with a matching crew. Captain Carl Ramsey is an ex-Earth Navy pilot whose crew won't let him fly his own ship. The pilot is his ex-wife, the mechanic is a drunk, and the chief of security is from a predatory species. Instead of a star-drive to travel through the astral space between worlds, the ship's wizard does it by hand.
Mission 1: Salvage Trouble
A salvage mission turns into a rescue, and no good deed goes unpunished. With two refugees onboard, the Mobius crew is hounded by bounty hunters, border patrols, and corporate enforcers.
Mission 2: A Smuggler's Conscience
"Don't open the package." It's the smuggler's credo for good reason. When the Mobius crew takes a peek at their illicit cargo, the entire job takes an about-face.
Mission 3: Poets and Piracy
The Mobius crew gets caught in a turf war between a pirate fleet and a galactic criminal syndicate. The trick is getting everyone out alive (and maybe getting paid in the process).
Mission 4: To Err is Azrin
Sometimes, you can't go home again. When a job takes the crew to their security chief's homeworld, she gets dragged into a familial power struggle. Can the rest of the crew bail her out of an old feud gone horribly wrong?
©2015 J.S. Morin (P)2016 J.S. Morin

4. eBook/Kindle (eB2019)

An Endless Christmas: A Novella
by Cynthia Ruchti
I am reading this for Ladies Book Club meeting 1/11/2020. (Put on hold for The Possibility of America but I expect to finish by week's end.)
Source: Print books from Christianbooks.com; ebook from Amazon $3.95.
Click on book title for full description.

January 5, 2020 - I have started another year of devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I considered changing but this is the reading group that is closest to my husband's reading so we can sometimes discuss the same passages.
I am reading a 15-day plan New Year, New Mercies to start the New Year!

I completed two books and posted five reviews. I have 1 review to post for 2019 and then I am current.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 19, plus the four titles from 2012-13 which are now planned for 2020.
That is a total of 23 which will go toward NetGalley and TBR and 18 Alphabet letters.
I have two author titles carried 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 six NetGalley review titles.
I found one free Audible but haven't chosen any others yet.
I purchased one Kindle to go with my NetGalley titles.
I added 36 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

NetGalley selections (I was working on filling my alphabet goal with NetGalley titles):
Received 2019
Coding Capers 
by Angela Cleveland and Tamara Zentic
Illustrated by Juan Manuel Moreno (Released 21 Nov 2019)



Honor in an Age of Metal and Men
by Anthony W. Eichenlaub (Released 05 Dec 2019)
"War blazes all around, but it's not J.D.'s war. Not this time."
This is Book 3 so I picked up book 1 for $.99.



Reimagining Mr. Right
by Wynter Daniels (Releasing 07 Jan 2020)
"But when Levi starts to fall for the beautiful Sydney, he wonders if he’s making the worst mistake of his life by being her would-be Cyrano de Bergerac."
Book six of the series but I am thinking these may have separate plots.


Requested 2019 but Received 2020
A Tangle of Brungles
by Shobha Viswanath and Culpeo Fox (Illustrator) (Released 28 Aug 2018)
"The book is a hilarious twist on collective nouns."




Who Rescued Who
by Victoria Schade (Releasing 24 Mar 2020)
"As Elizabeth's brief visit to Fargrove turns into an extended stay, she discovers that she has more in common with the new puppy than she realized."
I saw this at Bookfan and immediately wanted to get it. Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley.

Quack
by Anna Humphrey (Releasing 01 Apr 2020)
"...Shady, Pouya, and their diaper-wearing duck are working to help all of the underdogs (or is it underducks?) at their school--and there are many."

Won

NONE

Purchased

Justice in an Age of Metal and Men: Metal and Men, Book 1
by Anthony W. Eichenlaub
I thought I would start with Book 1 since I have Book 3.

Free

One Free Audible:
1/2/2020 Audible Free
West Cork: Aftershow
By: Sam Bungey, Jennifer Forde, Jesse Baker
Length: 31 mins
Release date: 05-09-18
Language: English

I added 36 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.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 5, 2020

I remained home this morning as I don’t want to share any remaining bug issues I have, and I am aware that many church members are sick too. I am drawing on a message shared in Sunday School in September. The message was from Judges 6 and 7 about Gideon.

Gideon was not a brave warrior. “Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites” Judges 6:11. Gideon was full of excuses. “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” Judges 6:15.

God replied: The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” Judges 6:16.

Throughout the Bible and throughout history, God calls those who will respond: examples are Oskar Schindler (a German industrialist and a member of the Nazi Party who is credited with saving the lives of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust); Kathryn Kuhlman (an American evangelist known for hosting healing services); Kurt Warner (a football player who founded First Things First Foundation); and Billy Graham (an American evangelist known among the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century. All of these people acknowledged that they did not give up but trusted through their faith.

God equips the called. He will be with you. He always wins when He leads the battle. You can trust God to be with you.

I like this song for this message and to start a New Year.

Judges 6:14 and 16 (NIV)
14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”