#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Coup de Grâce by Paul Centeno

I like SteamPunk and this is a strong adventure.
Coup de Grâce
By: Paul Centeno
Narrated by: Rob Jones UK

Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins
Release date: 12-06-22
Publisher: Paul L. Centeno
Genre: Adventure, Steampunk
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
The world has changed. Gone are the old gods. Nature withers and dies beneath the growing bane of machines and industry. Desperate to prevent their world from dying, citizens turn to science and sprawling cities of steam ruled by the Imperium. Kaimo de Morté has never known another life. He is an optometrist by trade but too poor to open an optical boutique. Forced to work in the mines, Kaimo has no idea how his life is about to change. A chance encounter with insurgents thrusts him into a battle for the very future of mankind. One he is ill prepared to fight. Kaimo uncovers hidden truths, forms alliances stretching to the highest halls of power, and becomes the catalyst for either saving the world or watching it end.
©2022 Paul Centeno (P)2022 Paul Centeno.

Review:
Kaimo is a young man who is an optometrist skilled in building spectacles. He wants to go to school to become an eye doctor, but he doesn’t have the money or prestige. Kaimo is forced to work in the mines with little hope that he can earn enough money to pursue his dreams. One day after an explosion in the mines, Kaimo emerges to find the local train under attack by the insurgent rebels. The rebels are soon met by the Imperium forces under a brutal commander, the Grand Marshal. Kaimo rescues a woman he finds encased in a medical tube on the train. He is hiding Zylpha at his home when his father goes to the place of battle. Kaimo’s father and others are cut down by the Grand Marshal and Kaimo barely escapes.

Kaimo and Zylpha flee his hometown and head off on a journey to find a scientist she trusts to help her. Apparently, her blood has special life force properties that are sought by the evil Grand Marshal. Their journey is hard and not everyone is helpful. Will they find the scientist to help and, if they do, can they avoid capture by the Grand Marshal?

This is my second novel written by Centeno (see Dark Sanity). He is a creative author and has provided an interesting steampunk world, strong characters, and an adventure that includes magical blood and crystals. I liked Kaimo and his skills at inventing optical tools. I also enjoyed the drama and action in the plot. This is a distinct story that I recommend to fans of steampunk, adventure, and action.

Audio Notes: I liked the narration by Rob Jones but the music in the background and between chapters was a little too much. I appreciated getting this through NetGalley to listen to the audiobook.

Source: Source: December 2022 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023Alphabet, and 2023NetGalley goals.

Audible Book Review: Soul Taken, A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 13, by Patricia Briggs

I enjoyed the latest in this series which is one of my favorites.

Soul Taken
A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 13
By: Patricia Briggs
Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
Release date: 08-23-22
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Genre: Paranormal, Supernatural, Urban
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Publisher's Summary
Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and shapeshifter, must face her greatest fears in this chilling entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
The vampire Wulfe is missing. Since he’s deadly, possibly insane, and his current idea of “fun” is stalking me, some may see it as no great loss. But, warned that his disappearance might bring down the carefully constructed alliances that keep our pack safe, my mate and I must find Wulfe—and hope he’s still alive. As alive as a vampire can be, anyway.
But Wulfe isn’t the only one who has disappeared. And now there are bodies, too. Has the Harvester returned to the Tri-Cities, reaping souls with his cursed sickle? Or is he just a character from a B horror movie and our enemy is someone else?
The farther I follow Wulfe’s trail, the more twisted—and darker—the path becomes. I need to figure out what’s going on before the next body on the ground is mine.
©2022 Patricia Briggs (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Review:
Mercy is a coyote shapeshifter married to the Alpha of the local wolfpack, Adam. Not too long ago, Mercy declared that the Tri-Cities area was under the protection of the pack. This resulted in allowing some supernatural creatures to come into the area, but also resulted in isolating the local pack from the lead wolfpack in the United States who chose not to get drawn into potential issues between the pack, other supernaturals, humans, and the fae community.

Wulfe is a traumatized vampire who has a bit of an obsession with Mercy. When Wulfe goes missing, the head vampire mistress places the burden to find him on Mercy and Adam at the threat of terminating the vampire and pack alliance. While beginning the hunt for Wulfe, Mercy discovers that other people are missing, and bodies are being found. The bodies display a distinct pattern of brutal cutting which links them to a mythical murderer, the Harvester. This comes just as a new horror movie is bringing the mythical killer to the big screen.

The search gets darker and more dangerous as Mercy discovers that her vampire friend, Stephan is missing too. And her fae friend, Zee, is insistent on getting his hands on the Harvester’s cursed weapon that makes anyone who is touched by the blade seems to go crazy. Would it be safe to give the weapon to Zee? Will he destroy it, or will its darkness twist him?

I totally enjoy this series. The relationships between Mercy and the other characters are a big part of the story. I am ever impressed by Ms. Brigg’s ability to continue to create interesting plots and dangers for Mercy and her pack to work through. I recommend the whole series – preferably read from the beginning.

Audio Notes: Lorelei King does her usually superb job narrating these characters. It is wonderful to hear her distinct character voices. I love to listen to this series on audio.

Source: 8/28/2022 Audible August Credit. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: At Love's Command, Hanger's Horsemen, Book 1, by Karen Witemeyer

This is a lovely, western, historical romance.
At Love's Command
By: Karen Witemeyer
Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

Series: Hanger's Horsemen, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 06-09-20
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Christian, Historical, Romance, Western
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

Publisher's Summary
Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. 
They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they're the ones in need of saving. Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she's not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew Hanger's dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine's respect, and when she hears of her brother's abduction, he becomes her only hope for rescue.
Matt has stared down ruthless outlaws, betrayal, and injury, but when a bossy lady doctor crawls under his skin, his heart is tempted to surrender. And when she is caught in the crossfire, he may have to sacrifice everything - even his team - to save her.
©2020 Karen Witemeyer (P)2020 Recorded Books

Review:
Matthew Hanger is an ex-cavalry officer leading a mercenary group that battles evil in 1890s Texas. The band, known as Hanger’s Horsemen, is legendary as they seek out justice against the outlaws and defend the innocent and oppressed. Of course, that makes them the target of outlaws. One of the Horsemen has suffered a bullet wound so the team heads to the nearest town to seek out the doctor, where they are surprised to find a female doctor.

Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men questioning her medical skills, but she knows she is the one who can help their injured companion. Matt, after momentary reluctance, agrees to assist Dr. Josephine in the surgery. Over several days of recovery, the team grows to respect Dr. Josephine even as she learns to respect the care and dedication of the men for each other and for the doing good to help others.

Shortly after the Horseman leave the Doctor, she opens a letter telling her that her brother is in the hands of outlaws and her father is refusing to pay the ransom. Dr. Josephine knows who she has to get to help her brother and she takes off to retrieve the Horseman.

The author has created wonderfully strong, caring characters who live with integrity. It is delightful to ‘watch’ these independent and confident individuals grow in their regard for each other. The other supporting characters, including one dubbed “Preacher” and a well-trained horse, are well developed also. I enjoyed the underlying faith and growth in God’s command over the situation. The story includes an issue of redemption which is nicely presented. The only reason I am not giving it a full five star rating is that some of the ‘heroics’ are rather over the top.

This is the fourth story I have enjoyed by Ms. Witemeyer and I plan to read more. I recommend this series and this author to readers who enjoy faith based, western historical romance.

Audio Notes: Amy Rubinate does a lovely job with the narration. She delivers clear and distinct voices with intonation fitting the scenes. The narration increased my enjoyment of the story.

12/18/2021 November Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Alphabet goals.

MBS December 2022 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2022 Reading List - DECEMBER

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2022
Favorites for the month:

5 Stars =
4.75 Stars =
4.5 Stars = Don't Call Me Ishmael, Sheryl Crow:Words + Music, Joy to the Wolves, North or Be Eaten

1. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Venus Plus X by Theodore Sturgeon; Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.
2. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Last Stand: The Complete Box Set by William Weber; Genre: Dystopia, Military, Post-Apocalyptic, War; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
3. A2022: Audible Book Review: Icequake by Crawford Kilian; Genre: Climate, Environment, Techno thriller; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
4. A2022: Audible Book Review: 'Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Fost; Genre: Amateur Sleuths, Cozy Mystery, Women Sleuths; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.
5. A2022: Audible Book Review: This Fallen World by Christopher Woods; Genre: Adventure, Dystopia, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
6. A2022: Audible Book Review: Don't Call Me Ishmael by Chris Kennedy; Genre: Action, Post-Apocalyptic, Superhero; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
7. A2022: Audible Book Review: Welcome to Hell: The Tasmanian Special Forces Group, Book 1 by C. R. Daems;Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Military, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
8. A2022: Audible Book Review: The Legion Awakes, The Sleeping Legion, Book 1, by J.R. Handley; Genre: Military, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
9. A2022: Audible Book Review: TFS Ingenuity, The Terran Fleet Command Saga, Book 1, by Tori L. Harris; Genre: Alien, First Contact, Sci Fi, Space Opera, Technothriller; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
10. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Sheryl Crow, Words + Music Vol 6, by Sheryl Crow; Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Entertainment & Celebrities; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
11. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Audible Book Review: Detroit Christmas, A Grimnoir Chronicles Audio Drama, by Larry Correia; Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
12. ATBR: Audio Book Review: Joy to the Wolves, Red Wolf, Book 1, by Terry Spear; Genre: Holiday, Paranormal; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5. 
13. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Crisis Shot: The Line of Duty, Book 1, by Janice Cantore ; Genre: Clean & Wholesome, Police Procedural, Thriller & Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
14. ATBR: Audible Book Review: North! Or Be Eaten The Wingfeather Saga, Book 2 by Andrew Peterson; Genre: Action and Adventure, Growing Up, Family Life, Religious Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
15. Bible Project The Bible 1 year Reading Plan
16. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams; Amateur Sleuths, Cozy Mystery, Woman Sleuth; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
17. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Navigating the Stars by Maria V. Snyder; Genre: Adventure, Science Fiction, Space Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Total read = 17
TBR = 9
New Authors = 10
Audio/Audible = 16 (9 TBRs)
NetGalley = 0 (0 audio) (0 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 0 (0 TBR)
Nonfiction = 2
eBook = 1 (0 TBR)
Print = 0 (0 TBR)

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month):
(COMPLETE) Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 145 of 125
(COMPLETE) TBR to Date: 111 of 90 total
(COMPLETE) Audio to Date: 135 of 100
(COMPLETE) NetGalley to Date: 14 of 10
Author Reviews: 3 of 12
Nonfiction: 11 of 12
TBR ebooks or Print: 11 of 12

(COMPLETE) • Series: 100 of 75 (34 continuing, 66 new)
• New to me Series: 66 (1 complete; 23 Yes to continue; 19 likely to continue, 18 maybe, 5 unlikely)
• Finished for me Series: 4
Special Goals
(COMPLETE)• Seasonal title: 4 of 4: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn
(COMPLETE)• Alphabet letters covered: AUDIO SERIES: 4 Jan, 3 Feb, 7 March, 3 April, 4 May, 2 June, 0 July, 1 August, 1 September, 0 October, 1 November (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z) (26 of 26)   

• Alphabet letters covered: MIXED MEDIA (focus on stand alones but can be series): 2 Jan, 6 Feb, 3 March, 7 April, 3 May, 2 June; 1 July, 0 August, 0 September, 0 October, 0 November (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, Y, Z) (25 of 26)
Remaining: X

Sunday Post January 29, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 30, 2023

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.

My d-i-l had to go to the hospital this week to deal with swelling that wouldn't ease up. They kept her several nights to give her stronger antibiotics. We won't have any news on her cancer until her next appointment in late March. Due to the nature of the cancer all they can do is revisit the area every three months to determine if they need to cut it out again. Such a difficult situation for a young family.

Business continues with all of us juggling. We expect a bit of a slow down so right now we are glad to be busy.

I was away when we had the night of hard freeze in December. The citrus trees (in the back of the picture) were too big to cover and they don't look too good a month later. Some of the palms are starting to get some green in the center so I am more hopeful for them.

My continuing prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations and a calmer atmosphere in 2023.

We've had rain but I haven't had to run through it yet. They temps weren't as cold as they predicted. As far as I could tell it only went down to 36 one night. It is supposed to warm up this coming week but with rain several days.

I finished two audios and posted three reviews with my memes.  (I have posted all reviews through 2022.)

I visited only 15 blogs last week.
Shout out this week to CABOODLES OF COZIES. Meezan shares about books, movies and TV shows with an emphasis on cozies. I always love seeing the cozy covers.

Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

• Sunday Post January 22, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 23, 2023.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams; Amateur Sleuths, Cozy Mystery, Woman Sleuth; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: North! Or Be Eaten The Wingfeather Saga, Book 2 by Andrew Peterson; Genre: Action and Adventure, Growing Up, Family Life, Religious Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Navigating the Stars by Maria V. Snyder; Genre: Adventure, Science Fiction, Space Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
  

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 29, 2023 - Hungry for God!
  

Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

How Great Science Fiction Works
By: Gary K. Wolfe, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Gary K. Wolfe
Series: The Great Courses: Genre Fiction
Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins
This showed as expiring on 2/8/23.
I am glad I listened and got the pdf.
Source: September 2022 Audible Plus Catalog.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

The Darkest Winter
A Post-Apocalyptic Adventure
Savage North Chronicles
Written by Lindsey Pogue
Narrated by Sarah Ruth Thomas & Luis Bermudez
Run Time 15h
I was cold and decided I wanted to listen to a"winter" title.
I liked the supernatural element in this post-apocalyptic survival story.
Source: April 18, 2021 purchased at Chirp for $3.99.
Publisher Description
The Virus spread. Billions died. The Ending began.
A group of orphaned misfits.
The wildlands of the last frontier.
Superhuman abilities, harrowing adventures, and heartbreaking secrets.
Elle - Haunting shadows are nothing new to Elle St. James, she’s been running from them all her life. But since the outbreak spread from the lower forty-eight, new monsters lurk in the darkness. After Elle wakes from the fever, capable of horrific deeds, she fears she’s one of them. When she stumbles upon four orphans, Elle’s forced to discover what happens when her greatest fear becomes her darkest secret and her only hope of surviving.
Jackson - After the world goes mad and takes his family with it, Jackson Mitchell tosses aside his badge and decides a bottle of bourbon and the depths of despair are preferable to any semblance of living. All of that changes, however, when a group of young survivors are in dire need of his help and Jackson sacrifices his blissful oblivion in order to keep them safe. As they trek further away from the collapsing cities, Jackson must rely on his knowledge of the backcountry and the traditions of his people, or succumb to the dangers of the Alaskan wilderness.
Brought together under the worst possible circumstances, Elle and Jackson must face the inexplicable realities of the new world. Their past lives are over, and the arctic isn’t all that’s savage anymore.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Heaven's River
Bobiverse, Book 4
By: Dennis E. Taylor
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Length: 16 hrs and 57 mins
I'm two-thirds through and enjoying the entertainment of this space adventure.
Source: October 17, 2021 - September 2021 Audible Credits.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

To the Far Blue Mountains
Written By Louis L'amour
Narrated By: John Curless
Duration: 9 hours 19 minutes
I enjoyed book one of this series and
this one gets me a color.
Source: 9/17/2022 One Credit at Audiobooks.com
Summary
In To the Far Blue Mountains, Louis L’Amour weaves the unforgettable tale of a man who, after returning to his homeland, discovers that finding his way back to America may be impossible.
Barnabas Sackett was leaving England to make his fortune in the New World. But as he settled his affairs, he learned that a royal warrant had been sworn out against him and that men were searching for him in every port. At issue were some rare gold coins Sackett had sold to finance his first trip to the Americas—coins believed to be part of a great treasure lost by King John years before.
Believing that Sackett possesses the rest of the treasure, Queen Bess will stop at nothing to find him. If he’s caught, not only will his dream of a life in America be lost, but he will be brutally tortured and put to death on the gallows.

Again, I will decide on the next book when I get there. :-)

January 29, 2023 -  I am enjoying this new plan on YouVersion. I totally enjoyed watching the devotion videos so I am doing another BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen" .  I have never done a Chronological reading before.
I added Matthew so I could follow along with my son who is reading with the BOBs (Band of Brothers). I will add the applicable New Testament book to read along.
I did another five day study during the week that was good: Living Changed: Spiritual Warfare.

I finished two audio titles and reviewed three so I am still making slow progress. I did finish all of 2022 reviews but I am still behind 8 reviews for January.  I'll continue to work on these.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I still have three current titles from NetGalley, two audio and one ebook.
I still have the two old ebook titles. I went ahead and said "no feedback" for A Place Called Armageddon as a DNF.
I have one author review in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer.
(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 newest to the team, Emma at Words and Peace. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I had no purchases other than two for one credit at Audiobooks.com.
I also made my VIP selection at Audiobooks.com.
I didn't get any free Kindle titles again this week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

1/28/2023 Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com.

The Valentine Proposal
Pine Valley Holiday Series, Book 1
By: Beth Pugh
Narrated by: Emily Durante
Duration: 7 h 38 min

Winter’s Secret: Clean Wholesome Mystery and Romance
Series: #1 of Northern Intrigue
Written by: Lyn Cote
Narrated by: Rudy Sanda
Duration: 9 h 31 min

Free

1/28/2023 Audiobooks.com VIP free audio.

Winterkill
Series:#3 of Joe Pickett
Written by: C. J. Box
Narrated by: David Chandler
Duration: 11 h 27 min


No new titles added to Kindle library. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.