Audio Book Review: Starfire by Jenetta Penner

This a good beginning for a YA sci-fi thriller.
Starfire
The Starfire Wars, Book 1
By: Jenetta Penner
Narrated by: Rebecca Johnson

Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-03-20
Language: English
Publisher: Jenetta Penner
Genre: Alien, Dystopian, Teen and Young Adult, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
A lush, new world. A reluctant passenger. A stranger with swirling cyan eyes.
Cassiopeia loathes the idea of leaving her withering home to settle the lush new planet, Arcadia - Earth’s salvation.
Two years ago, her mother died in a horrible accident, and leaving Earth means leaving her memory behind.
But Cassi’s father is the architect of this new, grand civilization, and she has no choice but to go.
So when a terrorist attack strikes and her father is killed, her world falls into complete chaos.
Cassi is plunged into a reality of dark secrets and lies. Everything about Arcadia proves to be a sham, and a war spanning the stars is looming.
Enter a gorgeous, mysterious, and undeniably dangerous boy...
Who either wants to help Cassi...
Or destroy her.
Dreamers and lovers will crave this star-crossed romance and adventure set in a new world.
Listen to Starfire today!
©2018 Jenetta Penner (P)2019 Jenetta Penner

Review:
Cassi isn’t one of the many people from earth who are happy to be on a space ship to colonize a new planet, Arcadia. Cassi’s parents are scientists who were instrumental in locating a compatible planet and arranging for the colonization program from crowded Earth. Sadly Cassi’s mother died in an accident so only Cassi and her father, Richard Foster, plan to move into the new settlement. Shortly before landing Cassi inadvertently hears an altercation between her father and his nemesis, the President of the Board, Elizabeth Hammond. They disagree on how to move forward with development on the new planet with Foster seeking to protect the existing culture and Hammond leading the greedy interests to exploit the mines of the planet.

As the colonists prepare to celebrate the landing, an unprecedented explosion kills Foster and others near the speakers’ platform. Hammond refuses to explain what happened, leaving the event shrouded in mystery and leaving Cassi determined to find out if her father is really dead.

Cassi was in the room when the explosion took place. She had just had an encounter with a strange young man with eyes flashing cyan. When she wakes Cassi finds a new friend, Max, trying to help her. But she has a vague memory of the stranger who pulled her away from the fire. Soon she will begin to wonder who she can trust to help her or who will lead to her destruction.

I would describe this as writing clearly geared to young adult audiences. I did enjoy the sci fi elements and the alien conflict even though I felt many characters, including Cassi, were not deeply developed. Cassi just assumed some companions were safe to share her secrets with while ignoring that some may well have been seeking to betray her. The romance is a quick crush of young love and light contact which is fitting for YA level. Although I am not pulled in by the romance, I am curious to see what develops as the war among the conflicting colonists and the hidden, conflicted aliens progresses. I would be interested in reading book 2.

Audio Notes: Rebecca Johnson does a good job with the narration. Her voice and reading match the YA characters. The narration made it an easy, quick listen.

Source: January 2020 Audible Code from the Author. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook and Author Review goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: Enforcing the Paw by Diane Kelly

This is a nice canine cozy mystery.

Enforcing the Paw
by Diane Kelly

File Size: 1444 KB
Print Length: 368 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1250094860
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (June 27, 2017)
ASIN: B01N6DJ914
Genre: Animal, Cozy Mystery, Police Procedures
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

When a case of he-said/she-said turns criminal, it’s up to Megan Luz and her devoted K-9 to dig for the truth. . .
A TAIL OF TWO LOVERS
When relationships go south, some people just can’t—or won’t—let go. When Fort Worth Police Officer Megan Luz and her pawed partner Brigit investigate a series of stalking incidents involving a couple who recently broke up, their detective powers are put to the test. Is this a case of a controlling creep who refuses to accept rejection—or one about a woman scorned whose fury has been unleashed?
WHO END UP IN THE DOGHOUSE. . .
As hostilities escalate between the former lovers, the situation goes from romantically dysfunctional to downright dangerous. He insists his former flame has become a crazy ex-girlfriend intent on vengeance. She alleges that he is a master of manipulation and lays blame entirely at his feet. Who’s the culprit and who’s the victim? Can Megan and Brigit sniff out the truth. . .before somebody ends up dead?
Enforcing the Paw is part of Diane Kelly's fun and smart Paw Enforcement series.

Review:
Megan Luz is a Fort Worth Police Officer who works with her canine partner, Brigit, a hundred-pound shepherd. Megan and Brigit have been through some dangerous and traumatic events. As Megan begins an evening shift she is called to respond to a call of a brick through a window. She meets Adriana who claims that her ex-boyfriend is harassing her. She made a previous complaint to another officer which was mostly ignored. Megan has Brigit follow the trail to determine that the perpetrator was in the corner of the garden. There the trail ends.

Megan takes the account seriously and heads off to interview the accused ex-boyfriend, Ryan. He has a similar brick on his doorstep and sneakers with dirt and tomato that match Adriana’s garden. Ryan is surprised the brick is gone and claims Adriana had the shoes and must have returned them trying to frame him.

As incidents of mischief continue back and forth, Megan is unable to determine which of the parties is lying. She consults her detective mentor in the station, and he agrees that her handling is good and she has to continue to search out the truth in the 'he said/she said' seesaw.

Meanwhile, Meghan has a second investigation going on as she tries to capture a purple lollipop thief. Meghan and Brigit trace the man dressed in surgical scrubs to the hospital where he disappears inside the emergency room. It might seem like a minor crime but Meghan is determined to catch the culprit.

I liked Meghan’s warm, open personality. Her romance with handsome, firefighter, Seth, is warming up and she is trying to deal with her hesitancy. I also enjoyed Brigit, the canine partner, and the interspersed chapters from Brigit’s viewpoint. The crimes being addressed are realistic with a touch of danger and, in the case of the thief, a touch humorous. The writing is clear, clean and makes an easy, quick read.

I have been eyeing this series because I like canine partners. This is an easy cozy mystery that I recommend to fans of these elements.

Source: NetGalley 2019. This qualifies for 2020TBR, TBRNetGalley and 2020 Alphabet goals.

Sunday Post February 2, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 3, 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 had pain Moday night but the ekg on Wednesday indicated it wasn't his heart. He cotinues to slowly improve with less pain.
My eyes have been doing better all week with repeated eye drops. Still mucousy but no more burning. I called in an order for daily wear contacts.

Here is a photo of my staff sharing the joy of a lovely gift received from Miki.

She made the pillow which is beautiful and picked out teas I like and Belgium cookies. Yum! Thank you so much Miki!

Our temperatures were a little warmer this week -- high 30s to 60s. This coming week we are supposed to get into the 60s consistently.

I enjoyed my reading and listening again this week. I finished two audiobooks and one light ebook. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 17 blogs again last week.
Shout Out this week to Books. Libraries. Also, Cats. Ari is a public librarian in the SF Bay Area. She has a passion for teen services and YA.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post January 26, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 27, 2020.

• NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Deep State by Chris Hauty; Genre: Assassination Thriller, Political Thriller, Thriller; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.

• ATBR- Audio Book Review: Wish by Barbara O'Connor; Genre: Children, Family Issues; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 31, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/5/2020.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Commune by Joshua Gayou; Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 2, 2020.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (A2019)

Commune
Commune, Book 1
By: Joshua Gayou
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Series: Commune, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
I liked these characters and the story. 
Review is linked above.
Source: 9/1/18 Audible Sale $5.95
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Enforcing the Paw
by Diane Kelly
This is a nice canine cozy.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/Smartphone (2020Author)

Starfire
The Starfire Wars, Book 1
By: Jenetta Penner
Narrated by: Rebecca Johnson
Series: Starfire Wars, Book 1
Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins
This a good beginning for a YA sci-fi thriller.
Source: January 2020 Audible Code from the Author.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Winter Takes All
by ML Erdahl
I am enjoying this at 30% in. Cute characters.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Final Day
By: William R. Forstchen
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
Release date: 01-03-17
This is the conclusion of another post-apocalyptic series on my TBR list.  
Source: 9/1/18 Audible Sale $5.95.
Publisher's Summary
The highly anticipated follow-up to William R. Forstchen's New York Times best-sellers, One Second After and One Year After, The Final Day immerses listeners once more in the story of our nation's struggle to rebuild itself after an electromagnetic pulse wipes out all electricity and plunges the country into darkness, starvation, and terror.
After defeating the designs of the alleged federal government, John Matherson and his community have returned their attention to restoring the technologies and social order that existed prior to the EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) attack. Then the government announces that it is ceding large portions of the country to China and Mexico. The Constitution is no longer in effect, and what's left of the US Army has been deployed to suppress rebellion in the remaining states.
The man sent to confront John is General Bob Scales, John's old commanding officer and closest friend from prewar days. Will General Scales follow orders, or might he be the crucial turning point in the quest for an America that is again united? As the dubious Federal government increasingly curtails liberty and trades away sovereignty, it might just get exactly what it fears: revolution.
©2017 William R. Forstchen (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019-20)

A Tangle of Brungles
by Shobha Viswanath and Culpeo Fox (Illustrator)
I'll be reading this on my computer this week.
Source: NetGalley 2019-20 (Selected in December but received 2020.)
To conjure up the charming Mr. Brungles, a coven of witches stir up the Great Brungle Brew. For this they toss in a parliament of owls, a cloud of bats, and a quiver of cobras, among many others. Do they succeed? The book is a hilarious twist on collective nouns.

4. Audio/Smartphone (A2020 for LBC)

The Paradigm
The Ancient Blueprint That Holds the Mystery of Our Times
By: Jonathan Cahn
Narrated by: Paul Michael
Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 11-06-17
Ladies Book Club chose this book to discuss in February.
2/1/2020 Audible Credit Purchased for Ladies Book Club.
Publisher's Summary
This may be the most explosive and amazing thing you've ever read
Is it possible that an ancient blueprint holds the secret behind the events of our times?
Could this blueprint lie behind the rise and fall of leaders and governments?
Could events that took place nearly 3,000 years ago now be determining the course of our world and with it the course of our lives?
Could ancient figures from the Middle East hold the key to the leaders of our own day, what they do, when they rise, and when they fall?
Is it possible that this ancient paradigm has determined not only the events of modern times but also their timing - even down to the exact days and dates?
Could a mystery from the ancient Middle East have foretold the outcomes of current events more accurately than any poll or expert - even the outcomes of presidential elections?
Has this mystery even touched the events of your life?
Does the paradigm reveal what will take place in the future?
And does it contain a warning critical for every person in this generation?
Prepare to be stunned, shocked, illuminated, and amazed. The Paradigm will reveal secrets and mysteries taking place all around you and show you what you never could have imagined. Jonathan Cahn, who caused an international stir with his New York Times best-selling book The Harbinger, will take you from the ancient Middle East to the news of the modern world on a journey you will never forget. As you open up The Paradigm, his most explosive book yet, you may never see your world the same way again.
©2017 eChristian (P)

I'm going to keep track of my Alphabet here. The cross-outs aren't easy to see, so I made the completed letters blue.
NETGALLEY: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W X  Y  Z
AUDIO: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W X  Y  Z

February 2, 2020 - I am again enjoying the 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 on day 5 of a 21-day plan: Rooted. This is another good study.

I completed three books and posted three reviews so I am up to date.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 19, plus the four titles from 2012-13 which are now planned for 2020.
(I have 22 NetGalley titles toward 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 one new NetGalley review title.
I picked up a January Credit choice at Audible for Ladies Book Club. 
I have some free choices to make for February but I am still considering.
I picked one Kindle $.99 and added only 4 free kindle titles again 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

Title from publisher and NetGalley.
The Queen Bee and Me
Gillian McDunn
Release date March 3, 2020
"From the highly acclaimed author of Caterpillar Summer comes a heartfelt story about the sweetness and stings of middle-school friendship."

Won

NONE

Purchased

2/1/2020 Audible Credit Purchased for Ladies Book Club.
The Paradigm
The Ancient Blueprint That Holds the Mystery of Our Times
By: Jonathan Cahn
Narrated by: Paul Michael
Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 11-06-17
Language: English
Kindle $.99
Free Trader Complete Omnibus - Books 1-9: A Cat and his Human Minions
Craig Martelle
This looks like a fun sci fi

Free

I added only 4 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 February 2, 2020

Our Sunday School teacher continued his lesson, this week titled “What is behind the door?”
Cain knew God's word but he overrode it and murdered his brother.
Genesis 4:3 reads: “In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord…” Cain brought some of his crop, not the best, and he made his offering “in due course of time”. When he got around to it, rather than as a first priority. God said, ‘do the right thing’… “sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:7.

Cain had a heart issue; he was jealous of his younger brother. Cain let his thoughts motivate the sin, fueling his anger. What comes out of the heart defiles you. Mark 7:20. 1 John 3:4-8.
The heart can and will deceive us. Enticement is lying in wait for us if we yield; if we allow it. Sin wants to control. We have to resist, subdue the thought, control the temptation.

Satan uses sin to cause sinful action because sin separates us from God. Sin grows in the thought life. Sin results in spiritual death. Cain left the Lord's presence. Genesis 4:16.
Satan, the enemy, makes you think you can't control the sin. But we are the ones who allow sin; therefore we can guard against sin.
We must take control of thoughts; it is a battle of the mind fought with prayer and the help of God. Don't give stronghold. The heart determines the course of our lives. Don't get sidetracked by distractions.
Subdue means bring under control. Be intentional and consistent. It is a constant battle. James 4:1. Philippians 4:6 tells us not to worry. Worry is a thought. Verse 7 tells us that the result of controlling our thoughts is the peace of God. His peace will guard your heart and mind. Fix your thoughts on what is true, right, and pure.

Titus 2:12 teaches us to say no to worldly passions. Beware of your desires and wrong motives. James 4:1-3. Resist the devil. Peter 5:8-9.
Refuse to let the world corrupt you. Win the battle with God’s love and faith. 1 John 5:3-5.

I thought this song would fit today: Good Fight.

Verses for Today:
Mark 7:20-23 NIV
20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

Audible Book Review: Commune by Joshua Gayou

I liked these characters and the story.
Commune
Commune, Book 1
By: Joshua Gayou
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Series: Commune Series, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-28-17
Language: English
Publisher: Joshua Gayou, Blue Heron Audio
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
For dinosaurs, it was a big rock. For humans: Coronal Mass Ejection (CME).
When the Earth is hit by the greatest CME in recorded history (several times larger than the Carrington Event of 1859), the combined societies of the planet's most developed nations struggle to adapt to a life thrust back into the Dark Ages.
In the United States, the military scrambles to speed the nation's recovery on multiple fronts including putting down riots, establishing relief camps, delivering medical aid, and bringing communication and travel back on line.
Just as a real foothold is established in retaking the skies (utilizing existing commercial aircraft supplemented by military resources and ground control systems), a mysterious virus takes hold of the population, spreading globally over the very flight routes that the survivors fought so hard to rebuild. The communicability and mortality rates are devastating, leaving only small pockets of survivors scattered throughout the countryside.
Commune: Book One is the story of one small group of survivors who must adapt to a primitive, hostile world or die. As they learn the rules of this new era, they must decide how far they're willing to go to continue living, continually asking themselves the same question daily: is survival worth the loss of humanity?
©2017 Joshua Gayou (P)2017 Joshua Gayou

Review:
Brian is part of a small group of survivors trying to rebuild after a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) took out all electronics. After the CME the population was decimated by a fast-moving, lethal virus. By twos and threes survivors found their way to Jackson, Wyoming and a ranch commune, now known as the Jackson Commune. Brian is interviewing the survivors in order to make a record of their experiences. He begins by interviewing Jake, the quiet leader who is one of the first who arrived at the commune with the owner of the land, Billy. No one really knows Jake’s history before the event. It is clear he suffered loss and along the way he has become hard and determined, rarely smiling. Brian and others have observed that Jake has learned to take the steps necessary for survival. He is not book smart, but he learns quickly by example and need. Jake met Billy, a Native American, along the byways of the Southwest. Jake was moving away from dangerous cities and he found Billy also moving toward Las Vegas. It wasn’t clear if it would be safe to approach the stranger, but his contact turned out to help Jake survive. Billy espoused the motto of always being ready for bad things to happen and fortunate for this group, Billy had a prepper mindset and was preparing his property for survival in crisis.

Amanda is a young Hispanic woman who arrived at the property with her daughter, Jake, and Billy. Her story is full of sorrow and horror. Her daughter, Lizzy, has been her purpose to survive and become strong. Amanda wasn’t in a good situation when Jake and Billy stepped in to rescue her and assure a chance for Amanda and her daughter.

This is the first book introducing the Commune series. The presentation in first-person point of view through journal-style is interesting. This provides a good base for character development, backstory, and descriptive danger. There is violence that is to be expected in post-apocalyptic. There are also interesting details about prepping, scavenging and surviving. Things like guns that have ammo that’s easier to find and how diesel fuel holds up better than degrading gas. I enjoyed the story and plan to continue in the series. I recommend this to fans of the genre.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray is a great narrator who delivers this story with personality and appropriate solemnity. He provides voices and ease of storytelling that keep the book moving forward. I liked listening to this and will most likely continue in audio.

Source: 9/1/18 Audible Sale $5.95. This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020Audiobook and 2020Alphabet goals.