Audible Book Review: Out of the Ashes by Bonnie R. Paulson

This post-apocalyptic trilogy has an interesting psychological twist.
Out of the Ashes
Into the End, Book 3
By: Bonnie R. Paulson
Narrated by: David Gilmore

Series: Into the End, Book 3
Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-04-14
Language: English
Publisher: Bonnie R Paulson
Genre: EOTW, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
America can rise, but the cost is high.
Traumatized by previous exposure to her own tests, Dr. Rachel Parker has to complete the methodical steps she swore would never see the light of day...on herself. Her sister, Brenda Krous, may be the only one capable of pulling her through intact.
If they can accomplish the feat and find resolution together, the answers they discover can help the rest of America rise up and reclaim itself from the protection of destruction.
But a nation's fall has a time frame and pride can get in the way. Rachel and Brenda must find what they need in each other to conquer the fear in others.
©2012 - present Bonnie R Paulson (P)2014 Bonnie R Paulson

Review:
America is under attack and individual citizens are being subjected to horrible physical and mental tortures. These tortures were designed by Dr. Rachel Parker with the help of her friend Daniel as her partner to help her pull through the traumatic experiments. Now the foreign enemy is using the methods they designed and the local forces are intent on getting the final tests from Rachel. It isn’t clear if Daniel is standing by to help Rachel or betray her. But Rachel’s sister, Brenda, isn’t willing to trust Daniel at all. She may not completely trust her sister either but she is willing to help her complete the tests if it will help America.

As Rachel, Brenda, and Daniel struggle with the bizarre testing, Josh continues to run missions trying to protect Rachel and others. In a community where it isn’t clear which side the local militia are fighting on is there any hope that an ally can be found to help the beleaguered survivors?

I enjoyed that the story is presented from the view of different primary characters. I really like Josh and his hero nature… even though he makes mistakes too. I liked Brenda’s strengths… even though her past experiences have made her distrustful and cynical. The story kept my interest… even though I never fully understood how Rachel’s self-revelation would help to save America. Since that was a central theme in all three books I sure wish it had been made clear. So, if you can set aside the fact that the central theme might not be resolved, you can enjoy the action and suspense in this post-apocalyptic trilogy.

Audio Notes: David Gilmore did a good job presenting the story without creating any distracting issues. I was a little surprised that this third book narration was completed by Gilmore who narrated the first book and not the second. On the other hand, the change of narrator didn’t impact my interest or engaging with the story. I was glad to have the trilogy on audio.

Source: I received four Audiobook Author Codes on 4/10/2020. Thank you, Bonnie Paulson! This qualifies for 2020Audiobook and Author goals.

Audible Book Review: Through the Flames by Bonnie R. Paulson

It’s hard to tell who are the good guys in this intense EOTW story.

Through the Flames
Into the End, Book 2
By: Bonnie R. Paulson
Narrated by: James Miller

Series: Into the End, Book 2
Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-23-13
Language: English
Publisher: Bonnie R. Paulson
Genre: EOTW, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Allies = All Lies.
America is burning. The unknown blinds the citizens from fighting.
Dr. Rachel Parker's worst psychological designs are loosed on America by an unknown enemy. She leaves the safety of the mountains for the destruction of town to face her co-designer, Daniel, whose role is blurred by the smoke of deception.
Captured by militia, Rachel has to find the answers she's seeking. She's not prepared to look within her own damaged mind for the solutions. Rachel's frame of sanity and emotional stability lay on the line parallel to the country's circumstances.
Brenda Krous, Rachel's sister, possesses information that could change the face of the war. Sacrifices to get there become more and more personal until the 'Brenda' she was and the 'Brenda' she is becoming hit a crossroads. If she finds the compassion to help her sister, her patriotism to the nation might be sacrificed.
©2012 Bonnie R. Paulson (P)2013 Bonnie R. Paulson

Review:
At the conclusion of book one, the primary characters have escaped from the enemy but are scattered as they try to get to safety. Josh, is hampered by the extreme injuries of his friend, Andy. Tom was running from men blackmailing his father when an earthquake rolled rocks on him. Brenda barely escaped to get back to the mountain cabin and her sister Rachel. But Rachel heads out supposedly to get antibiotics but she walks straight into a trap set to lure her in.

Rachel discovers herself in the hands of the enemy who has also captured her injured husband, Andy, his friend, Josh, and her former patient and friend, Tom. The fourth pawn the enemy is prepared to use against her is Daniel, her partner from the traumatic psychological experiments that are the focus of the invasion against Americans. Rachel, with the help and support of Daniel, was the one who designed the alternative torture methods that are being used by the enemy.

There are several separate groups of America and local Militia. It isn’t clear if they want to learn Rachel’s secrets in order to combat the tortures or if they are aiding the invading and attacking forces to intimidate their own people.

There are repeated twists and turns as the primary characters escape and defeat their immediate captors only to be caught up in another danger. There are still a lot of questions as to the purpose of Rachel’s tests and how her completing the experiments is needed to get to a solution.

There is still good action and interest that took precedent over the confusion. It kept me wanting to read the final book in order to discover what happens. I like the post-apocalyptic elements of this series even though some situations are a bit unrealistic.

Audio Notes: James Miller is not the same narrator as book 1. I liked Miller’s emotional portrayal and energetic presentation. I was glad to listen to this in audio.

Source: I received four Audiobook Author Codes on 4/10/2020. Thank you, Bonnie Paulson! This qualifies for 2020Audiobook and author review goals.

Sunday Post May 10, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 11, 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.

Our internet was out most of the afternoon, only returning after 10pm so I feel this post is late for me. (I'm tired.)
I remain very busy at work. Heather will be pressed the next two weeks to finish a data report now due June 1 (extended from May 1).
Hubby has lots of doctor appointments this week so he is prepared with mask and gloves to go out. Our county cases have increased due to a break out at one of the prison populations.
Hubby made me a yummy lemon pound cake (with icing which is my favorite part). And I also love red and black licorice so these were all Mother's Day treats!

Other than the weather shifting from cooler to hotter, it has all been good. A little bit of pollen impacting allergies though.
I continue to hope everyone is staying safe in these awkward times.

Another good week of reading and listening for me even though only two books: one audiobook and one ebook. I posted three reviews, April wrap up and my usual memes.

I visited 17 blogs this week.
Shout Out this week to We Live and Breathe Books. Kiersten, Amrutha, and Sam share a blog primarily dedicated to reviewing books in the young adult genre, founded in May 2013."

Don't forget- Audible is offering free children's titles during these days at home.
Audiobooks.com is also offering free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post May 3, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 4, 2020.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: I Hear You by Michael S. Sorensen; Genre: Business Management, Non-Fiction, Self Help; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 4.75.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Tin Man: A Galaxy's Edge Prequel by Jason Anspac and Nick Cole; Genre: Military Space, Science Fiction, Short Stories; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

• NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Leo's Monster by Marcus Pfister; Genre: Children, Emotions, Preschools; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 8, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 5/14/2020.

• MBS April 2020 Reading List Wrap Up.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 10, 2020. Happy Mother's Day!.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (A2020)

Out of the Ashes
Into the End, Book 3
By: Bonnie R. Paulson
Narrated by: David Gilmore
Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
This concludes an interesting post-apocalyptic trilogy.
Source: I received four Audiobook Author Codes on 4/10/2020. Thank you, Bonnie Paulson!
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2020)

The K Team
by David Rosenfelt
Full of the usual Rosenfelt humor and mystery... and dogs included
Released March 24, 2020.
Source: NetGalley 2020.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Promises to Keep: After the EMP
Disruption Trilogy Book 3
By: R.E. McDermott
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Length: 14 hrs and 13 mins
Release date: 10-05-17
I am ready to move along with a TBR and this one completes the trilogy.
Source: November 2019 Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
In this thrilling final chapter of The Disruption Trilogy, R. E. McDermott once again transports us to a frighteningly realistic post-apocalyptic world of chaos and uncommon courage, and of both hope and despair.
When a massive solar storm takes down the power grid, all order collapses with civilization kept alive only by scattered pockets of survivors who find themselves not only short of critical resources, but facing an unexpected enemy - what's left of their own government.
Survivor resistance stiffens as an increasingly corrupt and tyrannical president clamps down on dissent and seeks to eliminate anyone who might expose his perfidy. With both the defenders of Fort Box in what's left of Wilmington, North Carolina, and the people of the ship Pecos Trader in southeast Texas facing uncertain futures, a resourceful and elusive George Anderson leads government forces on a wild goose chase along the Appalachian Trail, but the future looks grim. Only one man has the credibility and the stature to turn the situation around and fulfill a promise to himself - and the nation.
Simon Tremble, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the last lawmaker not under control of the corrupt president, climbs out of his hidden hollow and starts south along the Appalachian Trail. He has promises to keep.
©2017 R.E. McDermott (P)2017 R.E. McDermott

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2020)

Quack
by Anna Humphrey (Releasing 01 Apr 2020)
This is cute so far - 20% in.
Source: NetGalley 2020.
Click on book title for full description.

I expect I'll get to another ebook by end of the week but I'm not sure which one yet.

I'm keeping track of my Alphabet here as I finish the books. 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

May 10, 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 finished the three-day study: The Power of Surrender.  And just now realized I didn't start another yet. Maybe tonight.

I completed two books and posted three reviews which keeps me on track.
My NetGalley shelf is up one to 10, plus the four titles from 2012-13 which I still hope to read this year.
I still have one carry over author ebook and two new author ebooks. I expect to pull one of these soon. I have one audiobook from an author and now I have 1 other new audiobook left of four (third done this week).
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.
A very light mailbox this week.
I picked up one NetGalley/Tour review title. I still have to check the email requests I have been receiving. {Sigh.}
I resisted all audios this week but I have two credits to use this coming week at Audible. I've been trying to pick from my huge wish list.
Again, I added NO, ZIP, ZILCH 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 book for July Partners in Crime Tour:
The Crushing Depths (Coastal Guardians Book #2)
by Dani Pettrey

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

I Borrowed the two Audiobook SYNC files from Week 2.
PICTURE US IN THE LIGHT by Kelly Loy Gilbert, narrated by James Chen (Dreamscape Media)
SECRET SOLDIERS by Paul B. Janeczko, narrated by Ron Butler (Brilliance Audio)

I added NO, ZIP, ZILCH free Kindle titles to my Kindle library this week. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday's Words of Encouragement May 10, 2020 - Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mother's Day to young mothers and older Grands!

We gathered again this morning for online service. Pastor delivered a message for Mother’s Day including the well-known passages in Proverbs 31.

He noted that Mothers may be flawed (as were mothers mentioned in the Bible) but they are still important to set a vision and directions for the family. In this day of technology, we use smartphones which replaced the GPS for some) to keep on the right path. Before these tools, and even with these tools, mothers help to keep us on the right path. Mothers can provide a vision for the future of their children.

A mother helps to set a clear path by establishing boundaries. When you set a firm foundation and a clear path, life decisions are more easily made. What would it be like if you lived a God-centered life?

The POINT: A Clear, God-Centered vision for your family makes complicated decisions uncomplicated.

Have a vision for your children. Share the vision with them and Pray for them.

I was reminded who we can trust for control. Still in Control

A Verse for Today: Proverbs 31:30 NIV
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Lord, I thank You for the love I hold for children and I thank You that You love them even more!

MBS April 2020 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2020 Reading List - APRIL

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 2020
Favorites for the month:
5 Stars = I Hear You and Tin Man
4.75 Stars = Spring in Geneva
4.5 Stars = A Bad Day for Sunshine and Pass of Fire, Destoryermen Book 14

1. Author2020- Book Review: Hood: an Outlaws novella by M.C. Frank; Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling, Historical Fantasy, Medieval; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
2. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Differently Morphous by Yahtzee Croshaw; Genre: British-Irish Humor, Fantasy, Satire; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
3. Author2020- Audible Book Review: Configured by Jenetta L. Penner; Genre: Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Teen; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
4. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Spring in Geneva by Sylvia Kelso; Genre: Fantasy, Gothic, Short Story, Steampunk; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.
5. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones; Genre: Cozy Mystery, Private Investigator; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
6. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Pass of Fire, Destroyermen Series, Book 14 by Taylor Anderson; Genre: Alternate History, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 5.0.
7. A2020- Audible Book Review: Into the End by Bonnie R. Paulson; Genre: EOTW, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 3.75.
8. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: The New Husband by D.J. Palmer; Genre: ADomestic Thriller, Thriller; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
9. ATBR- Audible Book Review: I Hear You by Michael S. Sorensen; Genre: Business Management, Non Fiction, Self Help; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 4.75.
10. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Tin Man: A Galaxy's Edge Prequel by Jason Anspac and Nick Cole; Genre: Military Space, Science Fiction, Short Stories; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Total read = 10; TBR = 6; New to Me Authors = 7
Audio/Audible = 7 (4 TBRs)
eBook = 0
NetGalley = 2 (2 TBRs)
Review books (other than NG) = 1 ebook/1 audio
Print = 0
• Series: 5
• New to me Series: 4 (2 to continue, 2 maybe)
• Continuing for me Series: 1
• Finished for me Series: 0

Goal Progress (Year to date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 51
TBR to Date: 41 of 100 total
TBR ebooks: 2 of 24
Audio to Date: 33 of 75
NetGalley to Date: 15 of 40
Author Reviews: 5 of 12
Nonfiction: 4 of 12
Series to Date: 29 (19 New and 10 Continued) 2 Finished
• Seasonal title: Winter 1, Spring 1,
• Alphabet letters covered: 10 Jan; 7 Feb; 5 March; 0 April