Audio Book Review: Bunker (Book 2) Dogs of War by Jay J. Falconer

This Post-Apocalyptic/dystopian moves the story along.

Bunker (Book 2) Dogs of War
Written by Jay J. Falconer
Read by Gary Tiedemann

Run Time 4h 40min
Release Date: April 6, 2017
Publisher: BookBreeze.com
Genre: Action, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Thriller
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

Those Who Resist, Triumph. Those Who Kneel, Serve.
When a covert communication is intercepted, Jack Bunker and the town leaders of Clearwater swing into action to uncover the secret behind its deadly intent.
However, before their defenses can be fortified and the threat neutralized, a ruthless faction gains a foothold, turning to kidnapping and torture for control.
As the body count rises, Bunker is forced to summon a part of himself he loathes in order to save everyone he cares about.
But rescuing his friends won’t be easy, not when the insurgents focus their attention on him and his mysterious past.

Review:
This second book picks up where book 1 ended. The town council agrees to have Bunker help prepare them for the difficulties they will face from their own community with the tech and electric systems down. But they soon learn of an outside threat. They will need more help and more resources.

Bunker is asked to join Deputy Daisy to travel to the farm of the local ‘prepper’ to try to obtain supplies. Bunker’s friend (from book 1), Stephanie, quickly moves into jealousy mode, having had a bad history with Daisy. Another town leader takes Stephanie and her son Tommy off to his home to help cool her temper.

Stephanie’s group runs into trouble as they approach home while across town, Bunker and Daisy run into trouble as they try to find the old man in his home. The story jumps into action that keeps the reader engaged. The story stretches realism a bit and ends with the next scene yet to come.

My headline summary says that this moves the story along. The bottom of the publisher info does indicate that this is “Audiobook 2 in the Mission Critical Series. A 5-part completed serial.” The reader needs to recognize that these are just short chapters of a full story. I am glad that I was able to get the other ‘chapters’ on sale. The best way to buy this series would be in a boxed set. I will continue to listen to the next books when in the mood for an action post-apocalyptic story.

Audio Notes: I can repeat my assessment of the narrator from my review of book 1. Gary Tiedemann does a fine job providing distinct voices and appropriate energy. I will continue to listen to more in the series.

Source: 10/2/2021 Chirp Purchase $1.99. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Sunday Post January 23, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 24, 2022

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.

Work last week was a bit off kilter with a holiday on Monday, and several days of phone only consults.

Hubby was discharged from hospital on Thursday. He is frustrated to have so little strength after six days in bed. He is trying to regain some balance in normal life. 

One of my staff members was married Saturday in a truly country wedding. It was simple, lovely, and cold! Here are pictures of the setting, the cake, and some wedding guests.

That is my daughter, Heather, on the left with the friendly cow.
And here we are from the office (missing our newest employee who wasn't feeling well):
My legal assistant, on the right, officiated as the best friend of the bride.

Last night was the coldest for us so far at 27 degrees. We expect a few more cold nights this week - brrrr for us.

My reading was good. I finished two audiobooks (22+ hours) and made progress on an ebook and another audio. I posted three reviews with my usual memes.

I only visited 15 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to FIRST OF ALL. Victoria 'reads, writes and runs... and most days cooks.' This week she will be sharing about cozy mysteries.

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post January 16, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 17, 2022.

• ATBR: Audio Book Review: Artificial Condition by Martha Wells; Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

• eBTBR- Book Review: Attrition, Book 3 of The After Days Trilogy by Scott Medbury; Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 21, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/21/2022.

• NG2021- #NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Chase by Candice Fox; Genre: Crime Thriller, Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #438 Comment Giveaway January 22, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/5/2021.
  

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 23, 2022.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio/Smartphone (A2021)

Bunker (Book 2) Dogs of War
Written by Jay J. Falconer
Read by Gary Tiedemann
Run Time 4h 40min
This Post-Apocalyptic/dystopian moves the story along.
Source: 10/2/2021 Chirp Purchase $1.99.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone (A2021)

The Black Wolves of Boston
By: Wen Spencer
Narrated by: Ian Alan Carlsen, Corey Gagne, J. Paul Guimont, Jennywren Walker
Series: The Black Wolves of Boston, Book 1
Length: 18 hrs and 15 mins
I totally loved the friendships developed in this story.
Source: July 2021 Audible Sale for $6.00.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. ebook/Kindle App on phone (ebTBR)

Bad Wolf (Bad Wolf Chronicles Book 1)
by Tim McGregor
I am moving along in this ebook - at 35%.
There are interesting officer characters and I like the police procedural elements.
Source: Kindle Free May 12, 2012.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/NetGalley App Smartphone (A2022)

Fall of the Core
by Ryk Brown
Narrated by Jeffrey Kafer
Length: 15 hours and 21 minutes
I am 30% into this and finding it interesting following the different threads.
Source: 2022 NetGalley.
A freelance reporter struggling to get into the "big time"....
A rookie officer starting her career in public safety....
A cargo ship captain trying to outlive a terminal illness that has no cure....
A bounty hunter returning a long-hunted fugitive to Earth....
A terrible plague that threatens to destroy the human race....
The 25th century is not starting off very well.

3. Audio/NetGalley App Smartphone (A2022)

Up to No Gouda
by Linda Reilly
Narrated by Mia Gaskin
I love cheeses (and grilled cheese)
and couldn't resist this cozy title!
This releases early in February
so I will listen to it next.
Source: 2022 NetGalley.
The first in a delicious new culinary cozy series featuring a grilled cheese eatery owner who must solve murders in her small town before she is put under lock and brie.
Back in Balsam Dell to heal after the death of her husband, Carly Hale is finally pursuing her lifelong dream—opening Carly's Grilled Cheese Eatery. After only five months, business is booming as Vermont vacationers and townspeople alike flock to lunch on her Party Havartis and other grilled cheese concoctions. All but Lyle Bagley, Carly's one-time high school boyfriend and now town bully who just bought the building that houses her eatery and wants Carly out. After a muenster of a fight, Carly's forced to put her nose to the rind and find a solution to keep her business afloat.
That is...until Lyle is discovered dead behind the dumpster of Carly's shop, and one of her employees becomes the prime suspect. In order to save her eatery and prove her friend's innocence, Carly must sleuth out the killer before she's the one who gets grilled.
With a delightful cast of characters, an inventive amateur sleuth, and a whole host of cheesy hijinks, Up to No Gouda is the perfect cozy murder mystery to melt into.

January 23, 2022 - I am really enjoying the videos in my new Bible Reading Plan: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. I know it won't match my Hubby's reading but I wanted some different insights/devotions and I am enjoying the devotion video project. I am emjoying keeping up with my reading each day.

I may start smaller studies soon.

I completed two books for review this week.
My NetGalley shelf has two new audiobooks and I am listening to one now.
There are still three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I still have two author titles remaining in queue. They will (obviously) be read in 2022.
(Plus a few that I received from facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
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: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received two audiobooks for review through NetGalley.
I usually start the year NOT buying books except if I use my audio credits. I'm still holding on this.
I do have Audiobooks.com credits but they are good for 60 days. I'll be picking my free VIP book in the nest week or so.

I got three free Kindle book.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received two audiobooks from NetGalley:

Fall of the Core
by Ryk Brown
Narrated by Jeffrey Kafer
See more information above under Current Reading.

I

Up to No Gouda
by Linda Reilly
Narrated by Mia Gaskin
See more information above under Current Reading.

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

I got three free Kindle title:

Say You're Mine (Heron's Landing Book 1)
Iris Morland

Witchy Reservations: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Mystic Inn Mystery Book 1)
Stephanie Damore

That Was Before
Dan Lawton


Other Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 23, 2022

We had a good Sunday School lesson from our second leader as our primary teacher and his wife are out with Covid. We prayed for our church family, community and others who are struggling with health and other issues.

We shared a good time of praise and worship leading into announcement and preaching. Our interim Pastor reminded us that last week’s sermon was “Will You Endure?” He reminded us to be rooted, refreshed and reminded to endure to the end, until salvation. This applies to both for our short lives and the church age. We have a will to choose who we serve.

This Sunday’s sermon was titled” “Will You Help Others Endure?”
Paul says he will “endure everything for the sake of the elect.” 2 Timothy 2:8-10.
If we are Christ followers we should be prepared to take up His cross, and endure to the end.
Like Paul, we may suffer hardships. Persecution may/will come. But our Christian walk is more than just ourselves, but it is ‘so others can be saved.’

If you can't make it, who can? Your enduring impacts and influences others.
*Others are watching you.
Jesus tells us we are to be salt and light to the world. Matthew 5: 13-16.
You have to be light to others. We need to be ‘uncovered’ Christians, not hiding in the quiet places. Others should be able to see we are Christian. Can they see that your Jesus relationship is real?
What glorifies the father? Praising God, even when, or especially when things are going bad. We should have no whining, no complaining. We should be bearing much fruit; being productive unto the Lord. Our lives should be an example to others and we should endure to finish our work as Jesus did.
“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” John 17:4.

*Others are counting on you.
Mark 2 tells the story of four men who climbed on the roof to lowered down the bed with the paralytic. When Jesus “saw their faith” he forgave the man his sins. The man saw the need and helped the man to reach Jesus.

Someone else's eternal destiny may depend on what you do or don't do. Your faith makes a difference. If the church doesn't do it, who will?

We shared in a time of prayer, but Pastor noted it isn’t just prayer. .

*Others are waiting for you.
John 5:1-8 tells the story of the curing waters at the pool of Bethesda. When the waters were stirred, the first to touch the stirred water would be healed. Jesus asked an invalid man who had been there 38 years “Do you want to be made well?” The man replied, “I have no one to help me…"
Bethesda means house of mercy or house of pity. Our light points people to the healer! We should be helping those who need help to reach Jesus.
God sent Philip on assignment and Philip went although he didn't know what it was. When Philip came upon the Ethiopian official reading the scripture, Philip asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading? Acts 8:25-31.
There is power in a question. We cannot provide the healing but we can ask questions that lead others to the healer.
Let light shine and be for God’s good works.
Be like Paul -- all in for the sake of others.

Do not forget James 4:17 that says: “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

Will you help others endure?

I like this song which recognizes that we are frail and imperfect but we have found the One who saved us and we can share the Healer when we "Point to You". with others.

Verses for Today:
2 Timothy 2:8-10 NIV
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Oh Lord, I pray that I am open and obedient to You to glorify You, to shine Your light, and to help others find You.

Sharing Beyond Books #438 Comment Giveaway January 22, 2022

Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books.

Thanks to everyone who commented on the last question.
Last post SBB#437 Ashfa asked: What did you think was cool then, when you were young, but isn’t cool now?
This was another question that brought out an interesting variety of replies. Three commenters couldn't think of anything. The other six of us listed: Getting dressed up for shopping (I remember people used to dress for flying too, but not anymore); fat pens with multi colors (I had a client that used those and passed them out); costume for carnival (perhaps costumes are more for the young); the Tetris game (hmm - does Candy Crush qualify too?); Uno? ( Hey I spent holidays playing this with my grandkids - they love it and it helps the 5 year olds identify colors and numbers); gaudy costume jewelry (it was fun sometimes); and mine was cootie catchers. Thanks for sharing!

For US participants: I need to update and refill the books available to US winners. I have used "Love" and "Christmas" titles as well as ARC titles. Since the supply is lower, I have author collections I could choose from, mostly romance - historical, suspense and some contemporary. What genres/books/authors would you like me to include?

The Winner from SBB#437 comments is #9 ASHFA 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. -- [9-18-2021 I have added a new box and crossed off books no longer available through August 2021.]

Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #438

(One Question.)

Elizabeth asks: Do you check out eBooks or eAudiobooks from your local library? Does your library offer streaming videos or streaming/downloadable music that you check out??

Sadly, I do not use my library as I have overflowing TBR shelves. I do not know if they have streaming videos or music. I just checked and they do offer books through Google Play, Libby, Overdrive, plus a few others. They offer tutoring classes online. They also offer items through Hoopla - is that streaming?

Image found at Winter Haven Library.

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.
January 2022 questions were shared by Ashfa and Elizabeth who each get $2.50 credit. Thank you.

Your turn to share. Elizabeth asks: Do you check out eBooks or eAudiobooks from your local library? Does your library offer streaming videos or streaming/downloadable music that you check out??

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, February 5, 2022, at 5 PM central.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Chase by Candice Fox

This is a solid crime thriller.

The Chase
by Candice Fox
Narrator: David de Vries, Lisa Negron

12 hours and 38 minutes
Audible.com Release Date March 08, 2022
Publisher Macmillan Audio
Genre: Crime Thriller, Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

The Chase is a modern The Fugitive with characters only number-one New York Times and Globe and Mail best-selling author Candice Fox can write.
“Are you listening, Warden?”
“What do you want?”
“I want you to let them out.”
“Which inmates are we talking about?”
“All of them.”
When 650 of the world’s most violent human beings pour out of the Pronghorn Correctional Facility into the Nevada Desert, the biggest manhunt in US history begins.
For John Kradle, this is his chance to prove his innocence, 26 years after the murder of his wife and child. He just needs to stay one step ahead of the law enforcement officers he knows will be chasing down the escapees.
Death Row Supervisor turned fugitive-hunter Celine Osbourne is single-minded in her mission to catch Kradle. She has very personal reasons for hating him - and she knows exactly where he’s heading....
A Macmillan Audio production from Forge Books

Review:
A threat to civilians has the warden of the Pronghorn Correctional Facility facing a terrible decision. Before she can take action, the facility staff move on their own to open up the cell blocks and release every prisoner into the Nevada Desert.

John Kradle, released from death row, sees this as his last chance to prove that he did not murder his wife and child 26 years ago. He has had plenty of time to plan what he would do if he had the chance to escape. He sets out in a different direction from most of the prisoners. Unfortunately, another brutish prisoner decides to tag along with John, nearly killing him before the man realizes that he needs John’s plan for a chance to escape recapture.

Celine Osbourne is a Death Row Supervisor who prides herself on knowing the crimes and natures of her row of inmates. She has developed a hate-on-hate relationship with many of them over the years. Her past personal trauma has caused her to have truly negative attitude towards Kradle. Celine joins the fiercely determined US Marshall, Trinity, in the chase for the worst of the criminals. Trinity is focused on those she believes could have planned the breakout – most likely the terrorists or the mass murderers. But Celine is focused on getting Kradle and she is sure she knows where he is heading.

Celine finds herself teaming up with a former inmate, Keeps, who was released the day of the breakout. Keeps has the ability to think like a criminal and provide a distinct perspective that helps track the inmates that Trinity and Celine are focusing on. He acknowledges his skills come from his past as a conman, but Celine thinks perhaps she can trust him.

I found the primary characters interesting and was intrigued by the different thought processes that come from the law officer versus the criminal mind perspectives. There is action and violence that is ugly but to be expected from violent prisoners. I did like the several twists that make the story move along well. The story set out with action and continued through to the end. I would like to read more by this author, and I recommend this to those who like a good crime thriller.

Audio Notes: David de Vries and Lisa Negron do a good job narrating the male and female voices. They provide fitting accents and inflection for the several characters. I really enjoyed the audio performance.

Source: Received 11/17/2021 Audiobook through NetGalley. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022NetGalley, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.