Audible Book Review: Let Her Be by Lisa Unger

This is a dark, rather depressing, but ultimately intriguing listen.
Let Her Be: Hush Collection
By: Lisa Unger
Narrated by: Chris Andrew Ciulla

Series: Hush Collection
Length: 2 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 07-30-20
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Genre: Domestic Thriller, Psychological, Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
A writer’s misguided suspicions ruined his life once before. This time he plans to prove he’s right in a New York Times bestselling author’s haunting short story of what happens when seeing is not believing.
Will, an aspiring novelist, can’t stop parsing his ex-girlfriend’s popular social media accounts for clues that her ideal new rural life with the perfect man has a dark side. After all, nobody he knows has actually seen the blissful blogger in the flesh for nearly a year. When Will draws a wary friend into his “investigation,” the real question becomes who’s truly in danger.
Lisa Unger’s Let Her Be is part of Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
©2020 Lisa Unger. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Review:
The story opens with Will describing his depression and attempted suicide. He was upset by the apparent rejection and abandonment by his ex-girlfriend. Her social media posts would make it seem she is enjoying a simpler lifestyle in seclusion with her new boyfriend. Will is obsessed with her and begins to think that the blog posts are faked. One of his ex’s best friends is trying to help Will work past his obsession and depression. She begins to believe there may be something in his suspicions and she travels with Will to investigate a location they think has appeared in the posts.

The best friend has long had a crush on Will. But her interest in him may put her in danger she doesn’t suspect as the web of deception gets more clouded.

I was a little bit uncomfortable with the negative emotions…but perhaps that is the author’s intent and a sign of successful story telling. I did appreciate the twist revealed in the end. To that point, I recommend this quick listen to fans of dark, phycological stories.

Audio Notes: Chris Andrew Ciulla seemed to provide spot on narration. The tone fit the dark nature of the primary character and the female voices worked as well. I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source: August 2020 Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

No Friday Pick This Week and Status Update

Hello all -

Just a quick [it expanded as I wrote] update on my home front. My hubby is back in hospital with continuing issues. As of a month ago he had under 30% lung capacity then his last X-ray showed that part all blocked too. They treated him for pneumonia but there will be no restoration of the rest of the lung damage. (The result of chemical damage from his work years ago.)  His condition is aggravated by heart concerns as he had open heart surgery a few years ago and has a pacemaker. He is also being treated for type 2 diabetes. Both of these contribute to the fluid retention.

The medications left his legs and arms swollen which is uncomfortable and painful. Because I am at work, no one is home with him and he was struggling just to get from bedroom to bathroom. The walker I got for him helped but he still has little strength to pull himself up and now he fears falling. No way could he go downstairs to the kitchen so I was going home at lunch to make sure he would eat something. He is frustrated and feeling like a burden on top of having to struggle to get his breath and move around. :-(  I have more empathy now for caregivers.

They put him back in hospital to try to get the excess fluids out of his body. The treating physicians have agreed he will get some therapy to keep him mobile and he will likely be discharged next week to rehab instead of coming straight home. If rehab is not helpful, we will move on to home health (Hospice) care. He is 79 (birthday 7/4/42) and part of him is ready to go be with Jesus. The other part doesn't want to leave me alone. He has been working hard the last year to pay off our mortgage and build up a nest egg as I will lose half of our household income when he dies. These are all usual end of life dilemmas.

Between caring for him and taking him to doctor's offices I am falling more behind on office work. Add to that our internet service at home stopped working a week ago so the blogging I do at night can't be done.That makes me sad and frustrated... more stressers. :-)

Sooo -- please pray for my hubby, me and our family. And please be patient regarding blog items. I'll get here when I can fit time in. 

 Meanwhile I hope everyone is enjoying spring (or autumn if applicable) and some good books!

Sunday Post April 17, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 18, 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 is juggling especially as I am missing time taking husband to doctor appointments and picking up equipment and prescriptions. I have more empathy for caregivers as it is time consuming and adds tasks I don't usually do (like fixing meals).

We had no internet for the weekend and I was finishing up my taxes. I had to go to the office in between monitoring my hubby. I am running behind posting and visiting. Not sure what I will get done this week.

I continue to pray for the people and situation in Ukraine and for world leaders.
.

We had a terrible hail storm on Saturday and lost power. Hubby went on his carry oxygen while we called neighbors to help me get our generator hooked in and on. It is a good system with it's own breaker box but I didn't have the strength to move the system in our garage. Hubby was beyond frustrated on top of worrying about his oxygen levels.

I enjoyed my listening and reading (when the app worked) last week.  I finished three audiobooks and made small progress in the eBook. I posted two reviews, and my usual memes except my Sharing Beyond Books post is delayed.

I visited only 14 blogs last week.
No Shout Out picked this week.

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30, 2021.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post April 10, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 11, 2022.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Kitty Takes a Holiday by Carrie Vaughn; Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Werewolf; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Mavericks Expeditionary Force, Book 6, by Craig Alanson; Genre: Adventure, Military, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 15, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/21/2022.

• Sharing Beyond Books Post Delay.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 17, 2022 Happy Resurrection Day.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Let Her Be: Hush Collection
By: Lisa Unger
Narrated by: Chris Andrew Ciulla
Series: Hush Collection
Length: 2 hrs and 15 mins
This is another new to me author. I picked this for my stand alone "L" mixed alphabet.
Source: August 2020 Audible Plus.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Inside Jobs
Tales from a Time of Quarantine
By: Ben H. Winters
Narrated by: Scott Aiello, Kevin T. Collins, Ellen Archer
Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins
This is another quick audio for "I" stand alone mixed alphabet.
Source: December 2020 Audible Plus.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Polar Vortex
By: Matthew Mather
Narrated by: Tom Taylorson
Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 04-02-19
This got a little long and dreary but I was satisfied when it ended.
I didn't have my list available when I picked the next book so I got a "P" title for Mixed Alphabet.
Source: 11/30/2019 Audible Daily Deal $3.95.
Publisher's Summary
A routine commercial flight disappears over the North Pole. No wreckage. No transponder signals.
Mitch Matthews is writer struggling to make ends meet when his wife's brother offers them a first-class seat on a flight from Hong Kong to New York. When his wife needs to stay behind, it becomes an opportunity for some quality daddy-daughter time with his five-year-old Lilly. At check-in, they run into a strange Norwegian arguing with a huge Russian. A mysterious redhead is guarding a package in the business lounge. But everything is fine...right up until the event.
Within hours of Allied Airlines 695 disappearing, a massive international search is launched. Aircraft and ships are dispatched from Russia, America, Canada, and Norway. How can a modern airliner simply vanish in one of the most heavily monitored places on Earth?
Global tensions rise. The media and grieving families whip into a frenzy. The armed forces of America and Russia tip the world toward the brink of an apocalyptic war.
Weeks later, found on the ice in a chance discovery, the journal of Mitch Matthews reveals the incredible truth behind the disappearance of Allied 695, and what really happened in the Polar Vortex.
©2019 Matthew Mather (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle App on Smartphone (Author2021)

Chinook (Miranda Chase NTSB #6)
by M.L. Buchman
I am still enjoying this and making progress, even if slower than I'd like. I am at 68%.
Source: March 2021 from Author (through BookFunnel).
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (A2022)

Legend: Four Horsemen Tales, Book 1
By: Christopher Woods
Narrated by: Marc Vietor
Series: Four Horsemen Tales, Book 1
I like the merc space stories.
Source: 8/15/2021 from Audible Plus.
Publisher's Summary
2018 Dragon Award Finalist for Best Military Sci-Fi Novel
In the era of the original Four Horsemen, there comes a Legend.
At a time when Humans were just starting to venture forth into the Galactic Union as mercenaries, Martin Quincy survived long enough to do something no one else had - he retired.
There was only one problem: He got bored.
After battling aliens for many years - killing aliens and getting paid - retirement didn’t suit him, and he decided to strap on the combat armor and go back to the stars. Along with his old friend Kal, Martin joined Cartwright’s Cavaliers, humanity’s best merc company. Life was exciting!
But he got bored. Again.
What does a "legend" do when even the merc life gets boring? He starts his own company! Can Martin form a merc company out of non-merc races and stand up for the downtrodden of the galaxy, or has his long string of good luck finally run out? One thing is for sure - with Torvasi and Andori troopers, and a Sirra’Kan princess as his partner, he won’t get bored again!
Includes Shattered Crucible, a bonus novella in The Four Horsemen series.
©2018 Seventh Seal Press (P)2018 Podium Publishing

April 17, 2022 - These videos are really good - they help me retain more and help explain plot narrative as well as the underlying story of Jesus. 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 enjoying keeping up with my reading each day.
I look for a new study soon.

I completed three books for review this week.
My NetGalley shelf is back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I am reading the last eBook title I had in queue.
(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.

No new review books.
I selected my two March audio titles at Audible and picked up two free titles in Audible Plus catalog.
I added three ebooks to my Kindle TBR library this week.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

4/16/2022 I selected two Audible Credits for March.

Hard Magic
Book I of the Grimnoir Chronicles
By: Larry Correia
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins

Monster Hunter Bloodlines
Monster Hunter, Book 8
By: Larry Correia
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
Length: 14 hrs and 11 mins

Free

4/10 to 4/16 from Audible Plus:

Exiled Fleet: Publisher's Pack (Books 1-2)
By: Richard Fox
Narrated by: Mark Boyett
Series: Exiled Fleet, Book 1-2

Sufferings in Africa
By: James Riley
Narrated by: Brian Emerson




4/4 to 4/8/22 I added three free kindle titles to my library.

Reluctant (Red Chronicles Book 1)
Kendrai Meeks

Broken Ascension: A Science Fiction Adventure (Trystero Book 1)
Dave Walsh

Shadowblade (A Dance of Fire and Shadow Book 1)
Jay Aspen

Three Free titles this week. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 17, 2022 Happy Resurrection Day!

I enjoyed a Resurrection Sunday School message that the empty grave and Christ’s appearing to many proves his message of hope and restoration! The sermon message was similar message. We prayed for local and world needs and issues. We welcomed more new members which is always a lovely thing!

Our (Interim) Pastor recognized that it is a Special Day and shared his sermon titled: What Has Christ Conquered? The primary scripture is 1 Corinthians 15:12-19.
Pastor also noted that Resurrection is the proof of Christ's forgiveness and promise of restoration.
The tomb is empty.
Religious leaders, trying to protect their own powers and control over people, lied and bore false witness.
Christ entered the city on a donkey as a king of peace and not as conquering king on a war horse.
Religious leaders stirred the crowd to seek crucifixion.
In truth Christ came as a conquering king for future but also a king today.
Here are three things Christ conquered.

1. He Conquered Death. Matthew 28:1-8. 1 Corinthians 15:23- 26 Christ is the first fruits and the last death. v50-57. We win!
2. He Conquered the devil. Matthew 12:40. Hebrews 2:14-45. Revelation 1:18 Jesus has the keys of death. The enemy is limited and his time is short.
3. He Conquered doubt. Who is this? Matthew 28:6-10, 17. Some did not believe. Mark 16:11-14. Luke 24:21-27. They did not know the scripture. John 20:9-10. John gave testimony that others would believe! John 20:26-31.

Don’t doubt. Believe that Christ conquered death and the devil!

Verses for Today:
1 Corinthians 15:12-19 NIV
The Resurrection of the Dead
12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Christ is risen! He is alive and He is our Living Hope!

Sharing Beyond Books Post Delay

Our internet is out at home so I won't be able to post Sharing Beyond on Saturday Night.
I will try to post it early next week.