Audio Book Review: Quest of Heroes by Morgan Rice

I enjoyed this coming of age with magic story.

Quest of Heroes, A & Slave, Warrior, Queen Bundle
By Morgan Rice
Narrated By: Wayne Farrell

Duration: 16 hours 28 minutes
Publisher: Findaway Voices
Genre: Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Teen & Young Adult
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

In the #1 Bestseller A QUEST OF HEROES, Thorgrin, a special 14- year old boy, the least loved of his father, learns he has powers he does not understand. An outsider, he must fight for acceptance as he strives to become a warrior, to join the King’s Legion, and as he falls in love with the king’s 16- year old daughter. Most of all, he must learn who he really is, and why his destiny is so important.

Review:
Thorgrin is frustrated when his father refuses to let him go with his elder brothers to have a chance at being picked to be trained as a warrior in the King’s Legion. He goes forward anyway and is mocked as too young and too small. When he runs to the forest in anger he comes upon a strange man in a clearing. Thorgrin is shocked to find himself face to face with the King’s own Mage advisor. And the man brings to Thorgrin’s attention that he has special powers that he needs to learn to use.

Thorgrin kills a wild beast in a remarkable way with his newly emerging skills. Bolstered by this success, Thorgrin makes his way to the King’s city to force his way into the Legion. He faces opposition but manages to convince a handful of influential warriors to take him on. Thorgrin finds favor with the King and several of the royal children, including the Princess. But the King has enemies, even in his own household and not everyone likes Thorgrin and his interference. Thorgrin tries to warn the King of an assassination attempt but the warning goes awry.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I am not always into coming-of-age stories, but I totally enjoyed this one with its touch of magic Thorgrin is brave and means well even in his foolish impulsivity and naivety which made me roll my eyes. The theme of farmer boy making it good in the King’s forces isn’t new but it has a certain charm in this book. Further, although the characters are not greatly developed, there is a good mix of good guys and grades of bad to evil guys. I enjoyed the action and the bits of humor. This ends with a cliff hanger so part of me wants to get the next book to see what happens next. No big rush on this. Readers who enjoy magic and don’t stress on writing form may well enjoy this story.

Audio Notes: Wayne Farrell does a fair job for the work. He actually helps to deliver Thorgin’s youthful emotions. I am glad that I got to listen to this on audio.

Source: I've had this on Kindle since 2003 (it's still free). I picked up the audio at May 2020 Audiobooks.com bundle for $.99. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Unbowed, Lee Hardin, Book 5 by D. J. Molles

I did enjoy this Post-Apocalyptic adventure and am ready for the series' final book.
Unbowed
Lee Harden, Book 5
By: D. J. Molles
Narrated by: Christian Rummel

Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 02-09-21
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Action & Adventure, Military Sci Fi, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
The United Eastern States has fallen. Lee Harden and a band of survivors have escaped President Briggs' invasion force. Their only options are to attack Briggs while his forces are delayed on the East Coast...or admit that they've been beaten and go into hiding. For Lee Harden, the decision seems obvious. But as disparate forces, factions, and loyalties begin to converge under the pressure cooker of all-out civil war, Lee is forced to confront not only insurmountable odds, but also the darkest parts of himself that he has left buried in the years since this all began.
©2020 D.J. Molles (P)2021 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Major Lee Harden is battered and feels like half a man. But he is not bowed as he pushes on leading a rag tag group of United Eastern States (UES) survivors to take the battle to self-proclaimed President Briggs in Greeley, Colorado. Along the way, Lee and his friend and co-leader/warrior Abe, are trying to convince the surviving communities to join them in the battle. Initially they are successful in gathering supplies and civilian ‘soldiers’. That is until the forces returning from the East Coast who are following behind Harden brutally deal with the communities as a clear threat to those who might support the UES efforts. This puts the UES attack on a fine line.

Meanwhile, Sam Ryder, has infiltrated Greeley at the direction of Harden. He and his small group are a key element to provide inside intel and ultimately sabotage from the inside of the enemy compound. Although they find some allies resisting Briggs within the camp, Sam and his new friends are forced into hiding. Sam and his team members are under such pressure that Sam wonders if he can fulfill the mission he promised to do. Can Sam push to remain unbowed like his hero, Lee?

As the remnants of the UES forces descend on Greeley it is clear their attack has minimal likelihood of success. Especially as they become caught between the Camp in front of them and the forces behind them. Suddenly there is aid from an unsuspected source.

And don’t forget that somewhere behind all of these humans are the Primals who are developing more cunning … and more hunger.

All of this leads up to the final confrontation in Book 6, Terminus. Some readers felt this book was mostly a filler, but I liked the continued build up to the battle which is sure to be explosive. Not all of this is happy since both Lee and Sam struggle with depression under pressure. There is also unrelenting brutality against innocent civilians who are already struggling to survive. This actually hurts a reasonable soul. I appreciate the continued character development and the action and movement forward. I am looking forward to the next (final ☹) book.

Audio Notes: Christian Rummel continues to add to my enjoyment of this series. He provides clear, distinct voices that even portray the tiredness and emotional stress of the characters.

Source: 10/17/2021 September Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Here are links to the earlier books in the Lee Hardin series:
Harden, Lee Harden, Book 1 by D.J. Molles 4.5
Southlands, Lee Harden, Book 2 by D.J. Molles 4.75
Primal, Lee Harden, Book 3 by D. J. Molles 4.5
Defiant, Lee Hardin, Book 4 by D. J. Molles

Links to my reviews of the earlier books before this series:
The Remaining, Book 1  4.25
The Remaining: Aftermath, Book 2  4.5
The Remaining: The Refugees, Book 3  4.25
The Remaining: The Fractured, Book 4  4.5
The Remaining: Trust: a Novella  4.0
The Remaining: Faith: a Novella  4.0
The Remaining: Allegiance, Book 5 4.25
The Remaining: Extinction, Book 6 4.5

Audible Book Review: The Harrows of Spring: The World Made by Hand Novels, Book 4 by James Howard Kunstler

I finished this interesting series for my "Spring" title.

The Harrows of Spring: The World Made by Hand Novels, Book 4
By: James Howard Kunstler
Narrated by: Jim Meskimen

Series: World Made By Hand, Book 4
Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins
Release date: 07-05-16
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Dystopian, Metaphysical Fiction, Post Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
"From the renowned social critic, energy expert, and bestselling author James Howard Kunstler, The Harrows of Spring concludes the quartet of his extraordinary World Made by Hand novels, set in an American future of economic and political collapse, where electricity, automobiles, and the familiar social structures of the "old times" are a misty memory.
In the little upstate New York town of Union Grove, springtime is a most difficult season, known as "the six weeks want," when fresh food is scarce and winter stores have dwindled. Young Daniel Earle returns from his haunting travels around what is left of the United States intent on resurrecting the town newspaper. He is also recruited by the town trustees to help revive the Hudson River trade route shut down peevishly by the local grandee, planter Stephen Bullock. Meanwhile, a menacing gang of Social Justice Warriors styling themselves as agents of the Berkshire People's Republic appear one evening to camp on the outskirts of town. Their leaders are the imposing Amazonian beauty Flame Aurora Greengrass and the charismatic grifter Sylvester "Buddy" Goodfriend, progressive to a fault in their politics and intent on extracting whatever tribute they can from people of Union Grove.
Romance, politics, bunko, violence, and family tragedy swirl through the thrilling finale to Kunstler's bestselling series. The Harrows of Spring is a powerful, heart-wrenching, and satisfying conclusion to this poignant history of the future."
©2016 James Howard Kunstler (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Life continues to move forward for the community of Union Grove. Personal issues involving lack of vaccines and medical facilities in this society which has been set back to days of horse and buggy. There are moments of absolute tragedy that bring unique responses from the family members involved.

The local land baron, Stephen Bullock, has decided to go isolationist and stop delivering trade goods to the town. Brother Jobe convinces town members to gather funds needed to send a group of men to buy a boat for the town in order to transfer needed supplies. Daniel Earle, who has returned to town as a wanted man in the south, is starting a newspaper in town. He needs supplies for the business and is recruited to travel with the team to get a boat. It is a dangerous mission but must be done.

Meanwhile a crowd of what appear to be simple, ‘hippy’ type people have been discovered on the outskirts of town. They identify themselves as agents of the Berkshire People’s Republic. It is soon realized that they are actually socialist /social justice warriors in town to exploit people to sell their resources for worthless paper money or be brutally attacked if unwilling to share voluntarily. Can the leaders of Union Grove deal with the threat before infiltrators and imposters cause irreparable damage?

I was pleased to finish this interesting series for my "Spring" title. I enjoyed the character developments and idiosyncrasies as well as the plot themes. This last story still had some strangeness (the metaphysical aspect) and had distinct brutal elements. I am glad that I was able to enjoy this down to earth post-apocalyptic series through Audible’s plus catalog. I recommend the series to fans of the genre.

Audio Notes: Once again, the narration by Jim Meskimen added to the story for me. He provides distinct, fitting and unusual voices. He also conveys the underlying personalities of the characters. I appreciated this series in audio.

Source: 12/21/2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Season goals.

World Made by Hand: The World Made by Hand Novels, Book 1
The Witch of Hebron: A World Made by Hand Novel, Book 2
A History of the Future: A World Made by Hand Novel, Book 3

Sunday Post May 29, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 30, 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.

I continue to be behind in work although I get some projects done each day and at least one each evening.

I have made it through my first week at home alone. I made my own meals: cauliflower rice and steamed veggies; a hamburger that ended up as scrambled beef with cheese;  tomato soup and bread sticks; and a version of chicken salad. I realized after starting the chicken salad that my cleaning ladies cleaned out the fridge and I didn't have onion or celery so I added a hard boiled egg from the half dozen I made.
I do miss my Bob's companionship and cooking. I have only managed to adjust the banking that was absolutely required the first couple of weeks. There is still much to do as my emotions fluctuate.

A strange, but edible chicken salad mix.

My second try at hamburger was successful.

I continue my previous prayer list and added the families in Uvalde, Texas.
So heart wrenching.
.
We had some very heavy rains for several days. Then it cleared up beautifully. The end of the week ended with nice sunny days in the high 70s to mid 80s.

I enjoyed some listening this week that moved along well. I finished two audio books and 10 hours of CLE courses. that I need to finish for June reporting.  I posted four reviews, and my usual memes.

I was glad to visit 16 blogs again this past week.
A Shout Out today to READING ACTUALLY. Cindy, who has been blogging since 2015 describes herself as "an Avid reader, obsessed with reading actually. I love running, cycling, and all things Mystery/Thriller novels."

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 May 22, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 23, 2022.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Nothing Girl by Jodi Taylor; Genre: Coming of Age, Fantasy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Wild Swan: A Story of Florence Nightingale by Patti Callahan; Categories: Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 27, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/2/2022.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Into the Wild Warriors, Book 1 by Erin Hunter; Genres: Action and Adventure, Animal, Cats, Fantasy; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Prador Moon: A Novel of the Polity, Book 1 by Neal Asher; Genre: Alien, Military, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #445 Comment Giveaway May 28, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/11/2022.
  

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 29, 2022.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

A Ripple in Time
Written by Victor Zugg
Narrated by Sean William Doyle
Run Time 7h 26min
This is a fair time travel adventure.
Source: March 2021 Chirp Purchase $2.99.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

You Have the Right to Remain Innocent
By: James Duane
Narrated by: James Duane
Length: 2 hrs and 34 mins
I needed to listen to this book! And it was a "Y" title.
Source: 3/3/22 Audible Sale $3.15.
Publisher's Summary
Law professor James J. Duane became a viral sensation thanks to a 2008 lecture outlining the reasons why you should never agree to answer questions from the police - especially if you are innocent and wish to stay out of trouble with the law. In this timely, relevant, and pragmatic new book, he expands on that presentation, offering a vigorous defense of every citizen's constitutionally protected right to avoid self-incrimination. Getting a lawyer is not only the best policy, Professor Duane argues, it's also the advice law-enforcement professionals give their own kids.
Using actual case histories of innocent men and women exonerated after decades in prison because of information they voluntarily gave to police, Professor Duane demonstrates the critical importance of a constitutional right not well or widely understood by the average American. Reflecting the most recent attitudes of the Supreme Court, Professor Duane argues that it is now even easier for police to use your own words against you. This lively and informative guide explains what everyone needs to know to protect themselves and those they love.
©2016 James Joseph Duane. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

CLE titles finished:

Florida Law Update 2021 - 8 hours
Opportunity Zones - 1 hour
Florida's New Summary Judgment Standard and Rule 1.510 - 1 hour

Currently Reading:

1. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

Redemption Bay
By RaeAnne Thayne
Duration: 10 h 16 min
I decided to go with a lighter listen
so I picked romance as an "R" title.
Source: 8/31/18 Audiobooks deal - 2 for 1 credit.
Summary:
New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne brings you back to Haven Point-a place made for second chances. McKenzie Shaw would do anything for her hometown of Haven Point. It may be small, but it's never let her down.unlike gorgeous, infuriating Ben Kilpatrick. He was her childhood hero until he closed his family's factory, leaving the town's economy in shambles. Now his tech firm is considering opening a local facility. For Haven Point's sake, McKenzie has to grit her teeth and play nice. What could a town filled with painful memories ever offer Ben? Yet seeing the town through the eyes of McKenzie-its fiery young mayor-he suddenly has his answer. If only he can resolve the animosity crackling between them, Ben may have found the place where he can build ties and find healing.a place where love arrives when it's least expected.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Swing Shift
By: William D. Arand
Narrated by: Andrea Parsneau
Length: 14 hrs and 16 mins
I'm in the mood for paranormal and this one looks good for an "S" title.
Source: 12/1/2019 Audible Sale for $5.00.
Publisher's Summary
Reports to write, forms to fill, coffee to drink, leads to run down.
Gus’s life was a tedium and boredom he’d grown comfortable with. One that he sought out after he’d come back from his tour of duty.
A detective in the paranormal investigations department. A job he could work day in and day out in relative peace. One cold and forgotten cup of coffee at a time.
It was an environment that made some sense to him. At least in comparison to civilian life where almost nothing did. On top of that, it gave him a chance to hide what he was from the rest of the world.
An apex predator that made the entirety of the paranormal world fear him. His very species was often killed as soon as they were found out.
By government and citizen alike.
He’s a Boogieman.
A name that made humans laugh, and vampires curse. It was a strange life to be sure.
Now though, Gus’s stable non-life is about to be kicked over. Whether he likes it or not, he’s about to be handed a case that’s going to mess up his already screwed up life.
©2019 William D. Arand (P)2019 William D. Arand

May 29, 2022 - I have always enjoyed the Book of Job and feel like I have been getting more meaning from it after the insight from the Bible Project devotion video. I am still getting caught up on videos I missed while we had no internet at home. The Bible Reading Plan is: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. I am enjoying keeping up with my reading each day (actually, I am one day ahead).
I'll look for a new study maybe next month.

I completed two books for review. I now have six outstanding reviews to write and post. 
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 don't have any author reviews in my queue right now.
(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 picked my VIP choice at Audiobooks. com.
I added four ebooks to my Kindle TBR library today.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

5/27/2022 Audiobooks.com May VIP selection

The Secret of Pembrooke Park
Author Julie Klassen
Narrator: Elizabeth Jasicki
Duration: 18 h 6 min

Don't Tell a Duke You Love Him (How to Reform a Rake Series Book 1)
Tammy Andresen

Girl, Alone (An Ella Dark FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 1)
Blake Pierce

Cracked Open (The Dragon Born Academy Book 1)
T.L. Christianson

When Stars Move & Other Stories
Shannon Rampe




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

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 29, 2022

I attended church online this morning. It was announced that the Youth raised over $5,000.00 for Speed the Light at a 5K Color run they hosted yesterday. Great job!

Pastor delivered a Sermon: Hold Fast! The initial test is 1 Thessalonians 5.
A time of rapture will come in the future. No one knows when. It is not necessarily a delay by God because God has a Plan.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11.
In the meantime we build each other up, we rejoice and give praise.
“19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22.

We must be grounded and HOLD FAST. Refrain from even the appearance of evil.
Don’t trust all you hear on social media. Make sure what you hear and apply has Biblical truth. Don’t hold onto things of this world.
Pastor did a mini (Family Feud type) survey: What are things people try to hold onto:
Money                 Youthfulness
Relationships       Status
Traditions            Health
Job                       Bladder

None of the answers were God.
What are you holding on to?
The world has an entitlement mentality. They are holding on to hurts and claiming rights that are not truly rights (someone else is to blame, someone else should pay for my expenses, someone else should pay my debt etc).

Too many people are holding onto things that are not essentials.
We need to hold fast to what is good - valuable and virtuous
What the world thinks is valued: their opinions, their feelings, their rights. Sometimes this is totally different than what God holds as valuable and righteous.

Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,”
What is good? – GOD is good! The scripture is good.

1. Hold Onto the Word of the Lord

2 Timothy 1:13-14 Hold fast to sound words.

13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

The Word is light and health to us! Proverbs 4:20-22.
Delight in the word of the Lord! Psalm 1:1-3.

Are we people of the Word? If not, you are not healthy and will not be producing good fruit.

Deuteronomy 8:3.

3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Health and Life come from the spiritual food of the Lord.

Friends can give you advise
Lawyers can give counsel.
Doctors can give diagnosis and treatment.
But only God and God’s word can give you true life and health.

God’s Word is never wrong and never off target, It is perfect
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Psalm 119:105 The word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path.
Psalm 107:20 He sent His Word to heal them…

2. Hold onto Salvation!

You have a living inheritance in eternal life! 1 Peter 1:3-5.
If you walk away from God, where else are you going to turn?
Hold fast to your profession of faith, without wavering. “23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23.

Endure to the End – The Son of God will set you free! 1 Timothy 6:12.
Stay with your relationship with the Lord. He is your salvation, your provider, your hope, your healer, your firm foundation, …
Don’t give up now! Hold fast. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Hold fast to your Hope. Hebrews 3:1-6.

I was looking for a good song video this morning.
This was not on my list but I was led to it! He Always Provides.

Verses for Today:
2 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV
13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Oh Lord. I am grieved by the evil in our world. And you must be ever more greatly grieved. Help me to Hold Fast to You and Your Word. Help me to share Your love and Your word with a world that needs Your light!

Too much of this is apparent in our world today: