Audio Book Review: The Golden Day by Ursula Dubosarsky

This is a beautifully written, unusual mystery story.
THE GOLDEN DAY
by Ursula Dubosarsky
narrated by Kate Rudd

Length: 3.75 hrs.
Release date: 08-06-13
(Candlewick on Brilliance Audio)
Genre: Historical, Mystery, Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

While participating in a field trip that a young class is told not to mention to anyone, their teacher disappears. What happened that day? And whom can the kids talk to? Kate Rudd has the perfect voice to narrate the innocence, wonder, and confusion of a classroom of young girls as they try to figure out what has happened to their teacher. Rudd’s emotional narration captures the girls’ worry and sense of a world gone awry. The novel crafts subtle tension, and Rudd's voice crafts a tone to match as the story unfolds. Her narration builds just the right amount of suspense in a sophisticated thriller that leaves listeners wondering what they believe about what happened.
S.B.T. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2013]

Review:
The morning started with a hanging. The young teacher of a class of eleven young girls tells them about the event and then announces they are going to the park to contemplate death. The girls are excited to be out on a secret field trip with their lively teacher. They visit the park where there is a mysterious poet. Then their teacher meets up with a workman who leads them all on an adventure into the seaside caves. The girls get frightened in the dark cave and lead each other out the way they went in. But their teacher doesn’t come out. What happened to her?

Initially the girls won’t speak to the headmistress or the substitute teacher as they were told not to tell anyone about the field trip. Finally, the school counselor interviews the one child who bursts into tears at the slightest upset. All the others know that she will tell where they went. But they still can’t find the teacher.

The prose in this little piece is beautiful. The mystery and intrigue are carried through to the twist at the end. I am very glad that I got this title through the SYNC program. Sometimes they share some real gems! I recommend this to those who enjoy lovely prose and or a quick mystery.

Audio Notes: Kate Rudd does a beautiful job with the narration. Her presentation carried the mood and enhanced the experience.

Source: SYNC Week 8: June 13 – June 20, 2019. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook, 2021Alphabet Audio and 2021Color goals.

Audible Book Review: Outland by Dennis E. Taylor

Skilled narrator Ray Porter helps make this quick, fun listen.

Outland
By: Dennis E. Taylor
Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
Release date: 05-16-19
Publisher: Audible Originals
Genre: Alternate World, Science Fiction, (time travel)
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts, it's up to six college students and their experimental physics project to prevent the end of civilization.
When an experiment to study quantum uncertainty goes spectacularly wrong, physics student Bill Rustad and his friends find that they have accidentally created an inter-dimensional portal. They connect to Outland - an alternate Earth with identical geology, but where humans never evolved. The group races to establish control of the portal before the government, the military, or evildoers can take it away.
Then everything changes when the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts in an explosion large enough to destroy civilization and kill half the planet. The team has just hours to get as many people as possible across to Outland before a lethal cloud of ash overwhelms them.
Nothing has prepared the refugees for what they find - a world of few resources and unprecedented dangers. Somehow, they must learn to survive, because Outland may not just be a safe haven - it could be their new home.
©2019 Dennis E. Taylor (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
Richard and Kevin, two college physicist students, are involved with experiments on quantum uncertainty. They approach Bill and his friend Matt to add their technical skills to the science project. As the team gets deeper into the project, without clear university sanction, they soon realize that they have created an inter-dimensional portal. When a blast of gas comes through a portal, Erin, a geologist student adds to the information. Next, they add in Monica, a biology major, to chime in on apparently prehistoric animals seen through the portal.

These six young people soon initiate plans to move their experiment off campus and find creative ways to fund their continued work. Once they have some funds available, they begin to expand the experiments, gather, and stock supplies needed for their projects. When the team cashes in with significant funds, they become the target of thugs. The thugs think they will take advantage of the kids but they have no idea who they are dealing with!

The portal team is stepping up their activities just when Yellowstone goes supernova covering their community and others in lethal ash. The team realizes they have a safe place to go and they must move quickly if they want to save others from the university. Quickly a group of refugees are escorted through the portal to “Outland”. There they struggle to build shelters, organize food, set up security patrols, and send out scavenging teams to gather supplies. And if it isn’t enough to try to survive among hostile animals, soon there is a vocal, angry activist group seeking to challenge the leaders. Add to that another threat that lurks beyond their gates.

I found the story easy to follow, quick and fun listening. I would say that the characters were not deeply developed but there was sufficient to know what each added to the team. The personal interactions seemed mostly superficial but that was okay as it didn’t cause distraction from the dangers and struggles of a new society trying to survive. I have enjoyed the ‘Bob Universe’ series by Mr. Taylor and will no doubt read more in the future. I recommend this to fans of post-apocalyptic, dystopian and alternate world genres.

Audio Notes: It is hard to go wrong with any book narrated by Ray Porter. He always contributes his strong, creative voice skills to make a book a good listening experience.

Source: 8/11/19 I picked these up with July Audible Credits. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and 2021Alphabet Audio goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 26, 2021

Happy Friday! 

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 March 19, 2021 Pick. There was one automatic win last 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.
CAROL gets Familiar Stranger.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from March 19, 2021 Pick:
LIFE'S SIMPLE PLEASURES gets a GC
AND
MARJORIE gets a GC

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.}

Are you digging into the garden or a good book?
Image found at GoAlexandria

on Pinterest

New Book Groups #92 and #93 November 13, 2020.
#92 (15 books):

The Promise by TJ Bennett
A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley
Alaskan Renegade by Kate Bridges
Killing Floor by Lee Child
The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart
Heart's Desire by Ruth Ryan Hagan
Snowflakes on the Sea by Linda Lael Miller
Murder in Plain Sight by Marta Perry
One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney
The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed
No Ordinary Man by Suzanne Simmons
The Scot by Lyn Stone
The Abducted Heiress by Claire Thornton
Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs

Box #93 (14 books)

Three Complete Novels by Sandra Brown (Best Kept Secrets, Mirror Image, and Slow Heat to Heaven)
Select Editions Four Novels: Safe Harbor, The Analyst, Fallen Angel and Open Season
Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready
There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers (personally signed)
The Celtic Riddle by Lyn Hamilton
For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper
The Irish Bride by Alexa Harrington
The Best Man by Kristan Higgins
Castles in the Mist by Jose Litton
When We Met by Susan Mallery
Thief of Hearts by Teresa Medeiros
Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery
Familiar Stranger by Sharon Sala
All of Me by Lori Wilde

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


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

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
A Little Magic (Sorry - I initially listed this as Dark Magic)
Valley of Silence
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 Lady 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

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:
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

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 TEN years I have posted 91 groups of 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling 1,477 books available to find new homes! (As of November 6, 2020).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,355+ 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!

Audible Book Review: Hold Your Breath: A Novella by Wendy Walker

This is an engaging little suspense.
Hold Your Breath: A Novella
By: Wendy Walker
Narrated by: Dylan Baker

Series: Audible Original Stories
Length: 2 hrs and 31 mins
Release date: 10-01-20
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Mystery, Psychological, Thriller & Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

About This Audible Original
From the best-selling author of All Is Not Forgotten and Don’t Look for Me comes a sharp, compulsive thriller about a young woman who narrowly escapes a violent crime and the psychiatrist helping to recover her memory of the suspect.
Gabby Ashford has just survived an attempt on her life. Detectives have connected her story to two other cases in the area: Professional women drugged at a bar, brought to their homes, and drowned in their bathtubs. Gabby, who miraculously woke up in her own bathtub unharmed, could be the key to finding a serial killer on the loose—but she has no memory of the attack.
Gabby admits herself to a high-end rehabilitation center to recover and to seek the help of a psychiatrist renowned for his work with memory recovery. As Dr. Forrester works with Gabby—interviewing not only her but her overbearing fiancée, her emotionally fragile brother, and the local detective working the case—questions about Gabby’s story, her past, and the ethics of memory recovery emerge.
Dr. Forrester, the central voice of Walker’s breakout debut All Is Not Forgotten, is a fascinating and deeply complicated character, barreling toward the truth of the case at hand while wrestling with the demons of his own past. Shocking and succinct, Hold Your Breath will have you on the edge of your seat from the first minute to the last.
©2020 Wendy Walker (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
Gabby has reported that she has survived an encounter with a serial killer. She checks herself into a rehabilitation center where she hopes to be safe and where she can seek the skills of Dr. Forrester, a renowned psychiatrist. Dr. Forrester experienced a traumatic event after gaining fame a few years before while helping to solve a mystery with his work in memory recovery. He doesn’t see patients anymore, but Gabby has specifically sought him out. Forrester interviews Gabby, her fiancé and her strange, damaged brother. He obtains file notes and information from the local detective on the case.

Dr. Forrester is also spending time with a young patient, Billie, who diligently observes the other patients, sets up projection models and eagerly shares them with the Doctor. Billie has questions about Gabby, but the Doctor explains that he can’t share any information with her.

While Dr. Forrester is ruminating on the facts and evidence surrounding Gabby’s event, he also shares rambling memories from his own past. Slowly the reader gets a better understanding of Gabby and Dr. Forrester that results in a twisted climax.

I liked the intrigue and psychological twists in this mystery. There were several suspects to work through and good details and clues to piece together. This was a quick read/listen and I will be interested to read more by Ms. Walker. I recommend this to fans of psychological mystery. I think you’ll get a kick out of the ending.

Audio Notes: Dylan Baker does an excellent job as narrator. He carries the mysterious tone while providing clear and perfectly fitting cadence and emphasis. The narration added to the twisting story.

Source: October 24, 2020 free with Audible Plus Catalogue. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and 2021Alphabet goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: Forever Phoebe by Chalon Linton

I did enjoy this sweet historical romance.

Forever Phoebe
by Chalon Linton

ASIN : B08KYM3Q47
Publisher : Covenant Communications (February 8, 2021)
File size : 1582 KB
Print length : 217 pages
Genre: Clean, Historical Romance, Regency
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

At the dignified age of eighteen, Phoebe Jamison knows she should behave in a manner befitting her station, as her three loving elder brothers often tease. Unfortunately, the lively young woman has a personality every bit as fiery as her red hair, a fact brought to her attention in the criticism from the gentleman she has long pined for. But not every man is of the opinion that a woman should be decorous above all else. The newest resident of Somerset, Mr. Franklin Everly, is considered a most eligible bachelor, and he is immediately drawn to Phoebe’s spirited nature as he becomes acquainted with the delightful Jamison siblings of Primly Park. Franklin embarks on a friendship with Phoebe that quickly deepens into a warm and thrilling connection. But even as he fights for Phoebe’s attentions, a very real danger is revealed: girls in neighboring villages have gone missing, and the kidnapper is moving ever closer to Primly Park. Despite the guard of her fiercely protective brothers and Franklin, Phoebe must rely on her own strength when she finds herself in the sights of the Bride Snatcher.

Review:
Red-haired Phoebe has three older brothers, so she tends to be a bit bolder than most young ladies her age. She does have interest in one long time neighbor although he doesn’t seem to see her yet as anything other than as his friend’s younger sister whom he can correct on decorum issues.

Franklin Everly is a new neighbor taking over management of a nearby estate. He seeks assistance from the men at Primly Park and discovers that he is interested in their fiery sister, Phoebe. He begins to develop a friendship and soon seeks a more significant relationship.

Meanwhile Phoebe is a little concerned that her eldest brother may be leading on her best friend. This violates the pact the brothers made not to become involved with Phoebe’s closest friends.

While life moves on for these young people, there is concern and danger in the area. Several young women have gone missing and there is a hunt out for the “Bride Snatcher”. The brothers and Franklin think they can keep Phoebe safe but her independent spirit may defeat their best efforts.

This is a gentle romance that focuses on the characters and their life interactions. I enjoyed the slowly developed romance which carried most of the story. The author reveals Phoebe’s natural confusion between her interest in one man and the sweet pursuit by another. I kept anticipating the danger from the kidnapper. It was well done although it did not occur until late in the book.

I would be glad to read more by Ms. Linton. I recommend this easy reading, sweet historical romance to those who enjoy the genre.

Source: NetGalley 2020. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021NetGalley, and 2021Alphabet goals.