Audible Book Review: Paradise, Expeditionary Force, Book 3 by Craig Alanson

This is a space military adventure series that I really enjoy.
Paradise
Expeditionary Force, Book 3
By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 15 hrs and 53 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-23-17
Language: English
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Military Space Sci-fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.

Publisher's Summary
While the crew of the starship Flying Dutchman have been trying to assure people that hostile aliens do not have access to Earth, the UN Expeditionary Force has been stranded on the planet they nicknamed "Paradise". The Flying Dutchman is headed back out on another mission, and the UN wants the ship to find out the status of the humans on Paradise. But Colonel Joe Bishop warns that they might not like what they find, and they can't do anything about it without endangering Earth.
©2016 Craig Alanson (P)2017 Podium Publishing

Review:
UN Expeditionary Force (UNEF) took forces to the planet they named “Paradise” supposedly to help an allied force to free the planet from the grasp of an enemy alien force. When the allied force turned out to be the real enemy, the UNEF forces ended up stranded on the planet to fend for themselves, including the necessity to grow their own food.

Joe Bishop and a small group of UNEF soldiers escaped from Paradise by capturing an alien spaceship they renamed The Flying Dutchman. Joe and his crew are merely human without the capability to understand, much less operate, alien technology. But Joe discovered an ancient alien AI, a small cylinder nicknamed “Skippy”, who has become the oddest friend. The Flying Dutchman and crew returned home to Earth and, again with the help of Skippy, saved the homeworld by closing a wormhole in use by threatening aliens.

Now Joe and his crew have been sent back out into space to gather intel about potentially imminent threats. The most important thing for the ship is to remain secret. They cannot allow the alien forces - not even their own people on Paradise – know that the humans have an AI helping them to control the alien technology.

While carrying out their primary mission the crew learn that Paradise is about to be surrendered to the enemy who will kill the humans either by slow deprivation or outright massacre. The crew has to puzzle out a way to help while still staying secret from all the groups around them. Will Joe and Skippy be able to pull another rabbit out of the ‘magic’ cylinder?

I totally enjoy this crew and the irreverent snark and teasing, particularly between Joe and Skippy. As brilliant as the AI is, it drives him crazy when he misses possible solutions that only humans thinking out of the box can suggest. This installment is a little slower perhaps but still has plenty of interest that kept it moving quickly for me. I appreciate that there is minimal foul language in this series. If I didn’t try to spread my reading between solid series I enjoy and new series on my TBR, I would be willing to move on with the next book! I recommend the series to readers who enjoy space military adventure.

Audio Notes: Once again, R.C. Bray delivers wonderful narration that enhanced the listening experience for me. I could probably pick books by choosing this narrator if I needed to add to my large audio TBR.

Source: March 2019 Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Columbus Day (Expeditionary Force, #1) 4.75
SpecOps, Expeditionary Force, Book 2 4.5

#NetGalley Book Review: Deal with the Devil: A Mercenary Librarians Novel by Kit Rocha

I really liked this post-apocalyptic biotech action/romance and will want to read more in the series.

Deal with the Devil: A Mercenary Librarians Novel
by Kit Rocha

Print Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Tor Books (July 28, 2020)
ASIN: B07QMHKDGB
Genre: Action Adventure, Post-apocalyptic, Romance, Sci-Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

Deal with the Devil is Orphan Black meets the post-apocalyptic Avengers by USA Today and New York Times bestselling author duo Kit Rocha.
Nina is an information broker with a mission—she and her team of mercenary librarians use their knowledge to save the hopeless in a crumbling America.
Knox is the bitter, battle-weary captain of the Silver Devils. His squad of supersoldiers went AWOL to avoid slaughtering innocents, and now he's fighting to survive.
They’re on a deadly collision course, and the passion that flares between them only makes it more dangerous. They could burn down the world, destroying each other in the process…
Or they could do the impossible: team up.
This is the first book in a near-future science fiction series with elements of romance.

Review:
Nina and her friends, Maya and Dani, were raised under a program of clones and genetic modification. They each have special and unique skills, tactical strategies, fighting and assassination expertise, and retrievable memories of extensive info. These women were trained to be used as tools, and weapons, as might be directed by the powerful. Somehow along the way, Nina’s conscious helped her to escape with Maya and Dani. Now, in addition to protecting her team, the girls serve their community by providing food, treasured books, and more.

Knox is a cynical, battle-weary captain of a squad of supersoldiers widely known as the Silver Devils. Knox and his squad watched their handlers torture his medic to death. The remainder of the squad escaped the next chance they got. But they are living on borrowed time. The men were able to remove the trackers under their skin but the super strengths they have are based on supplements that are no longer available. They had hope that a specialist could tune their biometrics but she has been kidnapped. In order to ransom her, the Silver Devils need to team up with Nina and her team. Well… is it a team-up or a double-cross?

As the two teams travel to a distant target, there are natural tensions. Some are competitive issues but others are due to attempts to resist the sexual attraction, particularly between Nina and Knox. As the days and nights roll along the chemistry between them builds to a point of no resistance. Under Knox’s fiercely cold demeanor is a heart troubled by guilt and regrets. He admires Nina and thinks he could never be worthy of her caring nurture. But what will happen when they reach their destination and the true state of affairs is revealed?

I loved the strengths and vulnerabilities of the characters. There is plenty of tension and danger that kept me on edge. There were moments that required suspension of belief but I accepted that for the sake of the story. I enjoyed the enhanced skills, the action, the suspense, and the romance. I hope to read more in the series. I recommend this to those who enjoy futuristic, post-apocalyptic sci-fi with romance.

Source: NetGalley 2020. This qualifies for 2020NetGalley and 2020Alphabet goals.

Sunday Post May 31, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 1, 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.

It seems stange to think we start June tomorrow. This has been such a strange year.
I actually took Monday off and did no work. Unfortunately, it made the rest of the week seem behind even though I managed to put out some work every day.
Hubby continues to cook every few dinners as I pick up take out the other nights. I did have to make a grocery run which is not my favorite thing to do.

This week I have a picture of our hydrangea bush.

Our weather continues to warm up with regular afternoon showers. The temporary office developed another leak.
My heart hurts for the family of George Floyd and then for other innocents who have senselessly lost their lives and lost their businesses through the rioting.

Reading and listening were good last week. I finished three books to finish the month of May: two audiobooks and one ebook. I posted two reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 17 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Simply Angela. Angela describes herself as: "...a voracious reader and veracious reviewer as well as an Anglophile who lives in an old Victorian house... When not reading, I’m normally in the kitchen whipping up some tempting treats, working on my next DIY project, or creating a new piece of jewelry."

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 24, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 25, 2020.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: After It Happened by Devon C. Ford; Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 28, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/4/2020.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Memory Man by David Baldacci; Genre: Crime Action, Detective, Mystery; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #395 Comment Giveaway May 30, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/13/2020.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 31, 2020.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG2020)

Deal with the Devil: A Mercenary Librarians Novel
by Kit Rocha
I really liked this post-apocalyptic biotech action/romance and will want to read more in the series.
Source: NetGalley 2020.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Paradise
Expeditionary Force, Book 3
By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 15 hrs and 53 mins
This is a space military adventure series that I really enjoy. 
Source: March 2019 Audible Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Ayiti
By: Roxane Gay
Narrated by: Roxane Gay
Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins
This was not what I expected, but very interesting in its own right. Source: 05/25/2019 Audible Daily Deal $.99
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG2020)

Vanishing Girls: A totally heart-stopping crime thriller (Detective Josie Quinn Book 1)
by Lisa Regan
I am just starting this one.
Source: NetGalley 2020.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Extracted
By: R. R. Haywood
Narrator: Carl Prekopp
Duration: 12 hrs and 40 mins
This is a new-to-me series from my TBR.
Source: September Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Publisher's Summary
In 2061 a young scientist invents a time machine to fix a tragedy in his past. But his good intentions turn catastrophic when an early test reveals something unexpected: the end of the world.
A desperate plan is formed: recruit three heroes, ordinary humans capable of extraordinary things, and change the future.
Safa Patel is an elite police officer, on duty when Downing Street comes under terrorist attack. As armed men storm through the breach, she dispatches them all.
'Mad' Harry Madden is a legend of the Second World War. Not only did he complete an impossible mission - to plant charges on a heavily defended submarine base - but he also escaped with his life.
Ben Ryder is just an insurance investigator. But as a young man, he witnessed a gang assaulting a woman and her child. He went to their rescue and killed all five.
Can these three heroes, extracted from their timelines at the point of death, save the world?
©2016 R. R. Haywood (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

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 31, 2020 - I got behind a couple days but caught up this morning. 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 will be starting a new study this week. I haven't picked which.

I completed three books and posted two reviews. That keeps me up to date.
My NetGalley shelf is still at 8, 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. I need to ger caught up on these reviews.
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.
No review books this week.
I still have to check the email requests I have been receiving. {Sigh.}
I picked out my second Audible Original for May and one Chirp title.
I remembered to select my Prime free kindle title for May. 
I added twelve free Kindle titles this week. I haven't taken time to view the free offerings due to work and limited energy at night.
(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

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

05/30/2020 Chirp $3.99 I have eyed this for a while at Audible so I am pleased to pick it up at a good price at Chirp.
Jesus > Religion
by Jefferson Bethke
Run Time 4h 12min
Release Date: October 13, 2013

Free

05/30/2020 my second May Audible Original selection.
The Flying Flamingo Sisters
By: Carrie Seim
Narrated by: Gabriel Vaughan, Bill Andrew Quinn, Jessica Almasy, Carrie Seim, Kevin Pariseau, Dina Pearlman, Khristine Hvam
Length: 2 hrs and 13 mins
Release date: 12-12-19


I Borrowed the two Audiobook SYNC files from Week 5.
May 28 – June 3
IN SEARCH OF US by Ava Dellaira, narrated by Adenrele Ojo (Brilliance Audio)
SERPENT & DOVE by Shelby Mahurin, narrated by Holter Graham, Saskia Maarleveld (HarperAudio)

Amazon Prime Pick:
Legacy of Lies: A Legal Thriller (Bocephus Haynes Book 1)
by Robert Bailey 

I added 12 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 Words of Encouragement May 31, 2020

Our church opened this morning with some members in person and some of us still online. I am still keeping my public associations limited to help protect myself and my husband.

Pastor continued his series “Better Together”. He noted that many people are introverts and mostly happy alone but others find energy when more people are around. Both of these types of people have been impacted by the Coronavirus stay at home orders.

We are all seeing the heart-wrenching events happening in Minnesota and other cities. Our people differences can be and should be beautiful. No one should be judged by the color of their skin. What can we do?

The Church has to lead where we live. Do our neighbors, everywhere, understand we are with them? There is injustice. That is a realty. The answer is found in Jesus. He cancels out the noise. Jesus says that we are to ‘love God and love our neighbor’. Mark 12:28-29, Matthew 22-37-40.

Loving God means loving people too. And even more, Jesus says love your enemies. Matthew 5:43-45.

What can you do to show loving better? Perception is reality.

1.  Listen better.
2.  Change the win. Loving people is the win.
3.  Don't just act differently. Be different.
4.  Pray for God to move in our nation.

Show love.

I found this video which I think fits the message and this week.

Verses for Today:
Matthew 5:43-45
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Lord, I pray that you bring peace among the rioters. Keep the innocent protestors and protectors safe. Help Your people to show Your love to all. 

Sharing Beyond Books #396 Comment Giveaway May 30, 2020

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.
Thanks to everyone who commented last week. I hope everyone is staying safe not only with COVID19 but also with the rioting in the US cities. The murder of George Floyd is horrible and very wrong. But the protests have gone well beyond seeking justice.

Eleven of us have different apps we like to use. Several mentioned social media apps particularly: Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Snapchat. Then there are several book apps: Audible, Goodreads, Libby/Overdrive, and Library apps. Also, a few practical use apps: Google Maps, Viber, fast food.

The Winner from SBB #395 comments is #2 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. -- [11/16/19 I plan to add some review books this week and maybe some new Christmas and Love titles as soon as I locate the box I put them in.  10/5/19 I have pulled some new books and will be adding them to the list in the next week or so.

**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 #396

(One Question.)

Bookworm asks: What book has left a profound impact on you in some way??

I think the books that leave a profound impact on me tend to be Christian and/or prophetic like Jonathan Cahn's books, The End of America?. These books keep me mindful to pray and trust in my God who controls the universe.
Another book that I remember from years back is The Killer Angels about the Civil War. I find it so hard to think of that time of disunion. It makes me concerned about the extreme divisions we have in our country.

Image found at Iz Quotes.

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 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards 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 them.
May comments were shared by Becky, Elizabeth and Bookworm who each get $2.50 credit.

Your turn to share. Bookworm asks: What book has left a profound impact on you in some way??

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, June 13, 2020, at 5 PM central.