Sunday Post October 18, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 19, 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.

We have been enjoying our weekend in Denver although I miss my hubby. We did invite him to join us but he didn't feel he could manage want might be a lot of 'zipping' around for sight seeing. He was probably right as I have barely kept up with the girls.
We have enjoyed some good meals and had a great visit to Boulder on Saturday with wonderful brunch in Louisville, CO.
I couldn't manage the small hike they did but got some pictures.

They are the little people (black, yellow, white and red shirts) in the middle of this picture as they are returning from the walk:

They took this picture of me standing on the road if you can see that tiny figure 1/3rd up between the tree branches.:

It has been cooler in Colorado than we are used to. Some of us have chapped faces and red noses.

My reading this week has been good considering it has been a lot of horror. I finished four  audiobooks. I posted two reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 15 blogs both last week.
Shout Out this week to Sarah's Bookshelves. Visit her blog and check out her podcasts!

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 October 11, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 12, 2020.

• A2020- Audio Book Review: The Skeletons of Scarborough House by Kitty French; Genres: Cozy Mystery, Ghosts, Mystery; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• A2020- Audio Book Review: The Haunted Forest Tour by James A. Moore and Jeff Strand; Genre: Genre: Dark Fantasy, Horror; My Rating: 3.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.0; Narration 3.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 16, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/22/2020.

• Sharing Beyond Books #406 Comment Giveaway October 17, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/31/2020.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 18, 2020.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Chase Darkness with Me
How One True Crime Writer Started Solving Murders
By: Billy Jensen, Karen Kilgariff - foreword
Narrated by: Karen Kilgariff, Billy Jensen
Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
This was an interesting presentation of citizens helping to find murderers and missing people.
Source: 11/5/2019 Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
By: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Narrated by: Scott Brick
Length: 1 hr and 4 mins
Release date: 09-05-17
I had a day to fill before Fraterfest so I picked this off my old TBR. It was a fun listen.
Source: 2009 I think this was free at Audible.
Publisher's Summary
F. Scott Fitzgerald makes antebellum Baltimore his setting for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a fantastical tale with some Poe-like overtones about a baby born at age 70 who then lives life in reverse, his hair turning "in the dozen years of his life from white to iron-gray, the network of wrinkles on his face becoming less pronounced". What ramifications that creates for Benjamin's relationship with his father first and then later with his wife and his own son makes for some fantastical situations.
Public Domain (P) 2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

3. Audible/Smartphone (A2020)

Psycho Inside Me
By: Bonnie R. Paulson
Narrated by: Jenifer Krist
Length: 5 hrs and 23 mins
Release date: 03-04-14
This is dark but an interesting listen.
Source: 4/10/2020 Author Codes.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audible/Smartphone (A2020)

The Book of Riley: A Zombie Tale
Written By: Mark Tufo
Narrated By: Sean Runnette
Duration: 2 hours 58 minutes
A zombie tale with a dog hero.
Source: 10/2020 Audiobooks.com Mystery Audiobook Club.
Summary:
When the zombie apocalypse strikes without warning one dog will hold the fate of her pack in her paws. This is the story of Riley, an American bulldog. Follow along as she tries to keep her pack safe from a zombie apocalypse. Traveling with her are Ben-Ben the high strung Yorkie, her favorite two-legger Jessie, Jessie's younger brother Zachary, and Riley's arch enemy Patches the cat. They are a rag-tag group of survivors, who, when pushed to the limit, realize that they are all each other has.

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

The Uninvited: Book 8 in Krewe of Hunters series
by Heather Graham
I like this but it has been very slow getting access and reading. We didn't have access on the plane and the app won't open without internet.
Source: Would you believe 2012 Netgalley?
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (A2020)

Zombie Fallout: Zero
By: Mark Tufo
Narrated by: Sean Runnette
Series: Zombie Fallout, Book 0.5
Length 2h 44m
This is another Zombie listen for Fraterfest and Z in Alphabet. Also, I can download the Audible titles to listen on the plane.
Publisher's Summary
In this audio-exclusive prequel - a must-hear for die-hard Zombie Fallout fans and newcomers alike - listeners are brought back to the days before outbreak; to the origins of a virus capable of raising the dead, its patient zero, and the events that set in motion the destruction of the human race.
Those who would seek a new world order have unleashed the most devastating virus onto mankind, and even they do not know the secrets hidden in their weapon. Follow along as Harry, a CDC scientist, races to figure out what exactly the virus is and how to stop it. It will be up to him and a group of marines led by Major Sanders to stop the zombie fallout before it ravages an unsuspecting world.
©2016 Mark Tufo (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

I started FraterFest on 10/15 running through 10/24. I've finished two books and expect to get in several more.
These are the books I will pick from to listen to:
(ATBR/A2020 Audible; Chirp and ABC Audiobooks.com Mystery Club.)
Carmilla 2h 22 Vampire ATBR
Carniepunk: The Demon Barker of Wheat Street By: Kevin Hearne 1h 4m ATBR
Carnival Row: Tangle in the Dark By: Stephanie K. Smith 3h 8m ATBR
Countdown: A Prequel Story to Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry 19m A2020
The Book of Riley #2: A Zombie Tale 2h 47m ABC
Ghostsitter - A Crazy Inheritance 4h 25m A2020
A Death at Eastwick 5h 4m Chirp2020
The Darkwater Bride: An Audible Original Drama 6h 45m ATBR
Murder's a Witch 6h 49m ABC


I'm keeping track of my Alphabet here as I finish the books. These are the letters that remain:
NETGALLEY:  H  M  U X  Y and Z
AUDIO:             X  and  Z

October 18, 2020 - I continue enjoying reading first thing each morning, even this week while away.
I am still 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 3-day study: Resting In His Power.

I completed four books, posted two reviews and will have 4 do this upcoming week.
My NetGalley shelf remains at 4, one current and three remaining titles from 2012-13 which I still hope to read this year. Still one more that would be good for October.
I have added no new author review titles this week. I still have one carry over author ebook left. I have one more audiobook from an author.
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 new review titles received this week. (One is on it's way.)
Someday I'll check the email requests I have been receiving. {Sigh.}
I selected my two September Audible Credits and added three more free Audible Plus titles.
No 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

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

My Two September Audible Credits:

One Vote Away
How a Single Supreme Court Seat Can Change History
By: Ted Cruz
Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabo

Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 09-29-20

Primal
Lee Harden, Book 3
By: D. J. Molles
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
Release date: 11-05-19

Free

Three Audible Plus Catalogue titles added this week:

Miss Frost Solves a Cold Case
Jayne Frost, Book 1
By: Kristen Painter
Narrated by: Hollis McCarthy

Night of the Living Deed
By: E.J. Copperman
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi
(Book 1 in the Haunted Guesthouse series)

Binding Vows
MacCoinnich Time Travel Series, Book 1
By: Catherine Bybee
Narrated by: David Monteath
Series: MacCoinnich Time Travel Series, Book 1


No free Kindle titles 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 October 18, 2020

I wasn't sure if I would get to watch church Sunday morning as the girls are pretty active getting out to see Denver, so I prepared this post ahead of time.

This song struck me while I was listening to worship music this week.
I'm Listening!

Verses for Today:
Proverbs 2:1-5 (NIV)
Moral Benefits of Wisdom
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.

Sharing Beyond Books #406 Comment Giveaway October 17, 2020

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Q#405: How do you pick you next read? Or pick from TBR pile?
Some commenters had first and second methods. Four commenters pick review titles first (that makes sense). Five pick based on mood or emotion. Four liked to go through Series or author whose series they have liked. Four pick what looks interesting or catches eye. Two pick the next book on the pile. And one reads their newest books first.

The Winner from SBB #405 comments is #8 MARJORIE 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. 10/3/20 I have set aside some books for SBB and will take a picture and add 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 #406

(One Question.)

Elizabeth asks: Did your area have a stay-at-home order? Or are you considered an essential worker??

This was submitted in May but is still timely...sadly. My answer is Yes and Yes.
Our title and law office has remained open throughout but with locked doors, only seeing people by appointment and preferably by phone whenever possible.
The courts were closed for in person hearings so hearings and trials were held by Zoom. This month they have opened the courts to limited in person hearings, including foreclosure sales and eviction proceedings for the first time since March.
Restaurants suffered as they were closed a month or two except for to-go orders. Slowly they have been allowed to reopen in stages.
During the summer hair and nail salons were allowed to reopen with limited appointments, and extra precautions - masks, temperature checks, station shields etc.
Schools opened in August with choices: in person or online; some mixed.
As of October, Florida is now pretty much open with local restrictions as needed and masks and social distancing still encouraged. We plan to continue our locked door policy for at least a few more months.

Image found at Seven Days

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.

Your turn to share. Elizabeth asks: Did your area have a stay-at-home order? Or are you considered an essential worker??

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, October 31, 2020, at 5 PM central.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 16, 2020

Happy Friday! October is moving fast for me.

When this post goes live, the five of us will be on our way to Denver. None of us have been there so we are excited. We plan to be careful to wear our masks and practice social distancing as best we can. It will be interesting to see how the air flight goes.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.

INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the October 9, 2020 Pick. There were no automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was no title blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from October 9, 2020 Pick:
MIKI gets a  GC
and
Rubynreba gets Indefensible.

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

What October character might you make from your books?
Image found at BookBub.

New Book Group #91 October 2, 2020 - Suspense themed

SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Senseless by Mary Burton
Indefensible by Pamela Callow
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder
Final Appeal by Joanne Fluke
The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman
The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman Audiobook
Capital Crimes by Jonathan & Faye Kellerman
Deadly Promises (Black Ops) Anthology, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Diane Love, Cindy Gerard, Laura Griffin
Every Secret Thing by Laura Lippman
Justice by Dan Mahoney
PAIRS:

Janet Evanovich: Plum Spooky and Foul Play
Sharon Sala (aka Dinah McCall): Out of the Dark and Bloodlines

PICK TWO  your choice (listed below the picture) Nora Roberts:

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
A Dark Magic
Inner Harbor and
Chesapeake Blue


New Book Group #90 June 19, 2020
Quite a few mysteries in this box.

SINGLES:
Siren's Song by Trish Albright (personally autographed)
Alias by Smy J. Fetzer
Angel Face by Suzanne Forster
Stalking the Puzzle Landy by Parnell Hall
Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)
The Warrior by Frances Richey (poetry - hardcover)


New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020

Singles:
My Surrender by Connie Brockway
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist
Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere

New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019

PAIRS:
Stella Cameron: Body of Evidence and Fascination
Singles:
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs


New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES


New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls


New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
Christmas Haven
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

Stella Cameron: Key West
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

SINGLES
Best Laid Plans by Allison Brennan
Darkness Tell Us by Richard Laymon
Cooking Most Deadly by Joanne Pence


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon by Lacey Baker
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
Too Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff


This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three One more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four One books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost NINE years I have posted 88 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,429 books to find new homes! (as of November 8, 2019).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,330+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors, your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to faraway places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

Audio Book Review: The Haunted Forest Tour by James A. Moore and Jeff Strand

This wasn't as fun as it looked. Definitely horror trick, not treat.
The Haunted Forest Tour
Written By: James A. Moore, Jeff Strand
Narrated By: Joe Hempel

Date: August 2018
Duration: 8 hours 56 minutes
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Horror
My Rating: 3.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.0; Narration 3.5.

Summary:
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Haunted Forest Tour! Sit back and enjoy a smooth ride in air-conditioned comfort as your heavily armored tram takes you through nature's most astonishing creation. The forest is packed to capacity with dangerous and terrifying creatures of all shapes, sizes, and hunger levels, and you'll get to observe these wonders in complete safety.
Howl with a werewolf! Gaze into the glowing eyes of a giant spider! Look right through a spooky ghost! See horrific monsters you couldn't even imagine, only inches away from you! Things with fangs, things with claws, things with dripping red jaws-you'll see them all!
Not thrilling enough? Well, it's Halloween, and so we're offering a very special tour through the Haunted Forest. The new route goes deeper into the woods than any civilians have ventured before, and you're guaranteed to get a good scare! Rest assured that every possible security precaution has been taken. The Haunted Forest Tour has a 100% safety record, and technical difficulties are unheard of. You will be in no danger whatsoever.
We promise.

Review:
A few years ago a strange deadly forest popped up out of nowhere devastating a small community in New Mexico. After the first days of death and terror the growth had stopped and has seemed to be contained. The owner of the land was able to send teams into the forest to build a state of the art, totally safe tour attraction. Since the initial spread, there have been no deaths, except for couple of accidents.

A select group of tourists, young and old, have gathered for a special Halloween, Haunted Forest Tour. The new Halloween route is special as it goes deeper into the forest and the guests are expecting to see all types of strange monsters. Most are excited about the adventure and everyone expects the ride to be a bit scary but fun and safe. And for half the trip all is good. Then the first tram bus stalls on the track. The monsters creep closer until the tour guide decides it might be a good idea to pass out the handful of weapons they have stowed on board…just in case.

The story begins with trauma and then moves to a theme similar to Jurassic Park. There is little development although the author presents a range of characters with different reasons and enthusiasm levels for the special tour. There is a wide assortment of monsters but after a while as they just kept coming, the descriptions became less interesting to me. I cared about some of the struggling characters but at about three quarters of the story I had just about had enough. I stuck it out, so I did learn the catalyst that brought the monsters out and a means of ending the terror was revealed. Even that was gruesome, but it was a relief that it was over.

I had hoped this would be fun but there were only a few flashes of fun that came through the horror and carnage. Also, I didn’t care for some male sexual fantasizing that got to be icky. This might be a good read for true horror fans but not for those looking for a light, monster story.

Audio Notes: Joe Hempel does a good job with the narration. There was some variety in the voices and I didn’t find confusion among the characters. The audio version helped me get to the end.

Source: 10/2020 Audiobooks.com Mystery Audiobook Club. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook goal.