#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Wolves & Roses by Christina Bauer

This is an engaging 'fairy tale' story with shifters, wizards, and fae.

Wolves & Roses
Fairy Tales of the Magicorum
By: Christina Bauer
Narrated by: Christina Bauer

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
Publisher: Monster House Books LLC
Genre: Fairy-Tale, Fantasy, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Seventeen-year-old Bryar Rose has a problem. She is descended from one of the three magical races - shifters, fairies, or witches. That makes her one of the Magicorum, and Magicorum always follow a fairy tale life template.
In the case of Bryar, that template should be Sleeping Beauty. Trouble is, Bryar is nowhere near the Sleeping Beauty life template. Not even close. She does not like birds or woodland creatures. She cannot sing a note. And she certainly cannot stand Prince Philpot, the so-called His Highness of Hedge Funds that her aunties want her to marry.
Even worse, Bryar finds herself attracted to a hottie werewolf named Knox and is under attack by evil mummy-zombies. If Bryar cannot figure out who - or what - she really is, it might cost both her and Knox their lives...as well as jeopardize the very nature of magic itself.
©2017 Christina Bauer (P)2017 Christina Bauer

Review:
Bryar Rose is one of the Magicorum and her life template appears to be sleeping beauty. But she hasn’t discovered any type of magic in her being and doesn’t seem to fully meet the template either. She’s stuck in a special school for students like her, who haven’t shown their magical abilities. The teacher is a bully, especially attacking Bryar.

Bryar’s three aunties are pushing her to date and marry Prince Philpot whom she finds greatly lacking. But Bryar loves to study hieroglyphs and historical papyri. She would rather work with her best friend, Elle (as in Cinderella – but don’t call her that), to sneak pictures of papyri while playing Robinhood by stealing items from the rich and returning them to the rightful owners.

Bryar slips out of a party with pompous Philpot to sneak pictures of papyri in the office of Alec LeCharme. She’s caught red-handed by Alec, a wizard, and his buddy, Knox, part werewolf. There is instant pull between Bryar and Knox even though they are both resistant. Both young men realize they want to have Bryar work with them as they are all trying to decipher the papyri which holds the secrets of magical code.

Knox, whose wolf wants to claim Bryar, begins to think there is something very special about her. He is inclined to follow to make sure she is okay. This turns out to be a good instinct although he isn’t in time to save Bryar from being kidnapped. Can Bryar figure out who she is and escape from the evil mummy zombies? Can Knox and friends get through the tangle of thorns to rescue Bryar?

Teenage angst is present but light in this entertaining story. The overall plot and character twists kept me engaged and I wouldn’t mind reading/listening to more in the series. I recommend this to fans of fairy tale retelling with magical creatures.

Audio Notes: The author does a fine job narrating her own book. Not surprisingly, she captures the pacing, the voices, and the energy. I enjoyed the narrated story.

Source: May 2023 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan

This is a good, although gritty, sci fi mystery.

Altered Carbon
Series: #1 of Kovacs
Written by: Richard K. Morgan
Narrated by: Todd McLaren

Duration: 17 hours 30 minutes
Released: April 22, 2005
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Summary
In the twenty-fifth century, humankind has spread throughout the galaxy, monitored by the watchful eye of the U.N. While divisions in race, religion, and class still exist, advances in technology have redefined life itself. Now, assuming one can afford the expensive procedure, a person's consciousness can be stored in a cortical stack at the base of the brain and easily downloaded into a new body (or 'sleeve') making death nothing more than a minor blip on a screen.
Ex-U.N. envoy Takeshi Kovacs has been killed before, but his last death was particularly painful. Dispatched one hundred eighty light-years from home, re-sleeved into a body in Bay City (formerly San Francisco, now with a rusted, dilapidated Golden Gate Bridge), Kovacs is thrown into the dark heart of a shady, far-reaching conspiracy that is vicious even by the standards of a society that treats 'existence' as something that can be bought and sold. For Kovacs, the shell that blew a hole in his chest was only the beginning. . . .

'Morgan's debut novel, the first in a series, combines noir mystery with ultra-high tech science to create a complex sf thriller. Featuring a hard-nosed antihero with his own sense of personal honor and ethics, this is highly recommended for sf collections.'-Library Journal

Review:
Takeshi Kovacs has had a life of violence. He started on the streets and continued in the military. Now he is an Ex U.N. envoy who works in the nature of either a mercenary, body guard, or a private investigator, depending on the hire. Kovacs lives in a world where death may not be final since the brain can be stored and then placed in a new body “sleeve”. His last assignment landed him in storage, but he has been re-sleeved 180 light years from home. He wakes up on Earth in Bay City (deteriorated San Francisco) where a wealthy man has brought him to solve the mystery of the man’s supposed suicide.

Kovacs meets his new employer and his sexy wife. It is clear these are “mega” wealthy and powerful people. The wife is a sexual predator and doesn’t waste time going after Kovacs.

The case quickly becomes complicated with Kovacs’ current sleeve being a local cop who has recently been sent to storage for corruption. The cop’s lover is a female cop who plans to watch over Kovacs’ shoulder. There is a strange chemistry between them although they both know that the brain inside that body is not her former lover.

The case expands with conspiracies and other wealthy players involved. As well as pawns who have been used and left for dead (without the ability to re-sleeve). Kovacs is threatened but keeps pushing to resolve the case all the way to the twisty end.

I enjoyed the world building and the complicated plot. Kovacs is a brash interesting character, mostly stoic but showing unexpected softness and vulnerability at different points. There is gritty language, drugs, sex, and violence. And some discussion on the merits/morality of the multiple lives. This was a long audio but kept my attention. Although I overall enjoyed it, I am not rushing to get the rest of the series. I recommend this to fans of gritty, sci fi mystery.

Audio Notes: Todd McLaren does a great job with the narration. I enjoyed the different voices and the characters came alive through the narration. The audio definitely enhanced my enjoyment of this story.

Source: July 2018 Audiobooks.com Bundle win through Beth Fish Reads. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: Wild Fire by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J. Melchiorri

I enjoyed the full on action in this dystopian thriller.

Wild Fire
New Frontier, Book 1
By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Anthony Melchiorri
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Series: New Frontier, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
Release Date: July 2022
Publisher: ‎ Aethon Books
Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Summary
From the embers of a burned America rises new hope … and a new threat.
Two years after an attack brought down the electrical grid across the United States, the recovery effort is well underway. A new network of armored trains carry supplies and industrial equipment crucial to rebuilding the country.
But along the rails, one area of America is still mired in darkness, violence, and danger. Some call it the Badlands. Others the Wild West. The government simply refers to it as the New Frontier.
Retired Marine Sergeant Sam “Raven” Spears makes a living tracking down people and treasures in this lawless void. When raiders target a supply train in the New Frontier, Colorado Sheriff Lindsey Plymouth asks Raven to work with ex-Navy SEAL Calvin Jackson to secure the train’s vital cargo. All is going to plan until one fateful disaster changes everything.
As the trail heats up to find those responsible, a mysterious virus starts spreading across the New Frontier. Raven soon realizes the two events might be connected.
If he doesn’t find the insidious forces behind this conspiracy, the entire country will go up in flames.
Listener Note: New Frontier is a brand-new series set in the bestselling Trackers universe by Nicholas Sansbury Smith. For listeners of Trackers, this spin-off written with Anthony J. Melchiorri takes place two years after the end of Trackers 4. While Trackers was an EMP/war story about the destruction of the power grid in America and the chaos that followed, New Frontier is a story about the aftermath. For new listeners, you can dive into New Frontier without reading the four Trackers books.

Review:
Sam “Raven” is a retired Marine and a man of Native American (Sioux) decent. Raven is sought after for his skills in tracking down people and treasures in what has become known as the lawless Badlands or the Wild West. The East has begun to rebuild after an EMP/war strike plunged the country into chaos.

The Badlands are dangerous, but supplies are coming through on the trains to the New Frontier. Ex-Navy SEAL, Calvin, is a security guard on the train lines. Raiders begin to hit the trains going west and Calvin discovers that the raiders are taking a mysterious cargo off the trains.

Meanwhile, a frightening virus is spreading among the settlements in the West. Raven begins to suspect that the raiding and the virus are connected. He and Calvin team up to find the base of the raiders in order to determine what is going on, and stop it before it’s too late.

I like the characters, Raven, Calvin, and Raven’s former love, Colorado Sheriff Lindsey Plymouth. There is good action and suspense that kept me engaged. This is a spinoff from the original series, Trackers, where I first met Raven. I have intended to read/listen to the rest of that series, but it isn’t necessary to enjoy this book. I recommend this to fans of dystopian and suspense.

Audio Notes: Bronson Pinchot did a fine job with the character voices in this book. Each character has a unique sound, and they are delivered with strong energy. I am glad I had the chance to listen to this.

Source 3/23/2023 Two For One Credit Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2023Audiobook goal.

Sunday Post May 28, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 29, 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.

I hope all will stop and remember those who served in our military (American and other countries too.)

It was another busy week with work and our Woman's Club preparing for hosting a 4H Summer Camp starting week.
I am still working to 7:30pm each night.

I did some cleaning this weekend. I had ordered a Shark Robot 2 in 1 vacuum/mop. It came in Thursday. So I picked up items off the floors and I spent hours watching it clean and learning its quirks.

For the second week in a row I have been advised that Blogger has unpublished a hand full of my older blog posts. There is nothing that I can see that violates the Community Guidelines. Some are author Interviews. I don't know that I have the energy to go back and republish each post. Has any one else been experiencing this frustrating situation?

Princess was barking at something Saturday evening. This is what I saw when I let her out the front door. The neighborhood herd (I counted at least a dozen) was crossing our yard.

My continuing prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations, a calmer social atmosphere, and for revival. We are also continuing prays for family and church.

It was nice to have evening temperatures in the 60s. I turned off the AC for the last couple of days.. Temps will be the same this coming week: only reaching the high 80s and in the 60s every night.

I finished three audios this past week and posted three reviews and my memes.

I only visited 12 blogs last week.
Shout out this week: LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND CATS. Maree is in New Zealand and shares on books, movies, cats, and other things of life.

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

• Sunday Post May 21, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 22, 2023.

• NG2023: #NetGalley Book Review: Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway; Genre: Cyber Punk, Genetic Engineering, Mystery, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Nine Lives: A Lily Dale Mystery by Wendy Corsi Staub; Genre: Cozy, Mystery, Psychic, Woman Sleuth; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  

• A2023: Audible Book Review: Kindred by S.J. West; Genre: Paranormal, Romance; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 28, 2023 - Spirit Power.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

Altered Carbon
Series: #1 of Kovacs
Written by: Richard K. Morgan
Narrated by: Todd McLaren
This is a good, although gritty, sci fi mystery.
Source: July 2018 Audiobooks.com Bundle win through Beth Fish Reads.
Click on book title for full description.

2. NetGalley Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

Wolves & Roses
Fairy Tales of the Magicorum
By: Christina Bauer
Narrated by: Christina Bauer
Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
I enjoyed this engaging 'fairy tale' story with shifters, wizards, and fae.
Source: May 2023 NetGalley.
Publisher's Summary
Seventeen-year-old Bryar Rose has a problem. She is descended from one of the three magical races - shifters, fairies, or witches. That makes her one of the Magicorum, and Magicorum always follow a fairy tale life template.
In the case of Bryar, that template should be Sleeping Beauty. Trouble is, Bryar is nowhere near the Sleeping Beauty life template. Not even close. She does not like birds or woodland creatures. She cannot sing a note. And she certainly cannot stand Prince Philpot, the so-called His Highness of Hedge Funds that her aunties want her to marry.
Even worse, Bryar finds herself attracted to a hottie werewolf named Knox and is under attack by evil mummy-zombies. If Bryar cannot figure out who - or what - she really is, it might cost both her and Knox their lives...as well as jeopardize the very nature of magic itself.
©2017 Christina Bauer (P)2017 Christina Bauer

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Dare to Lead
Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
By: Brené Brown
Narrated by: Brené Brown
Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
I learned several techniques in this audio.
Source: May 15, 2022 Audible 2 April Credit picks.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. NetGalley Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

The Never-Ending End of the World
By: Ann Christy
Narrated by: Thérèse Plummer, Ari Fliakos
Length: 13 hrs and 19 mins
I have just started this and like the beginning.
Source: May 2023 NetGalley.
Publisher's Summary
Station Eleven meets The Last of Us in this post-apocalyptic sci-fi epic from USA Today and Wall Street Journal best-selling author Ann Christy.
Coco Wells hasn’t seen another living person since she was a teenager. All of Manhattan is reliving the same few seconds, minutes, or hours on a loop…and they have been for years. Everything looks normal from a distance, but up close, it’s a nightmare.
Coco is a survivor. She scavenges for food, reads, and—most importantly—avoids loopers. They ignore her, but only as long as she’s silent. She’s learned the painful lesson that a broken loop can mean death.
After eight years of solitude, learning to survive and precisely timing the loops that weave around the city, Coco wonders what lies beyond New York and what has become of the rest of the world.
As she leaves home for the first time, one question haunts her above all:
“Am I the only one left?”
Speculative sci-fi, dystopian apocalypse, and scientific mystery coalesce into The Never-Ending End of the World—a gripping tale of survival, hope, and love from retired Naval Officer Ann Christy.
©2023 Ann Christy (P)2023 Ann Christy

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Fourth Monkey
Written By: J.D. Barker
Narrated By: Edoardo Ballerini
Duration: 12 hours 30 minutes
I picked this mystery partially because it has a number in the title for my Number goal.
Source: 2/8/2020 Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com.
Summary
Se7en meets The Silence of the Lambs in this dark and twisting novel from the author Jeffery Deaver called, 'A talented writer with a delightfully devious mind.' For over five years, the Four Monkey Killer has terrorized the residents of Chicago. When his body is found, the police quickly realize he was on his way to deliver one final message, one which proves he has taken another victim who may still be alive. As the lead investigator on the 4MK task force, Detective Sam Porter knows even in death, the killer is far from finished. When he discovers a personal diary in the jacket pocket of the body, Porter finds himself caught up in the mind of a psychopath, unraveling a twisted history in hopes of finding one last girl, all while struggling with personal demons of his own. With only a handful of clues, the elusive killer's identity remains a mystery. Time is running out and the Four Monkey Killer taunts from beyond the grave in this masterfully written fast-paced thriller.

Again, I haven't decided on the next book.


May 28, 2023 - I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen".  This week has been in Job.
No new separate study yet.

I finished three audio titles and posted three reviews.  That keeps me at four reviews to post to be totally up to date.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I now have two audios left on my NetGalley shelf as I am listening to another one this week. Two remaining are shorter (under 6 hours).
I still have the two old NetGalley ebook titles.

I have one author review in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer. (I need to look back and see which one this is.)
(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.

One new review title for tour.
VIP pick at Audiobooks.com plus two for one credit purchase.
One free Kindle titles last week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Audio Credit for Caffeinated PR Tour review on June 16, 2023.

Discovery of the Five Senses
Written by: K.N. Smith
Narrated by: Glenn Steinbaum
Duration: 8 hours 10 minutes

Won

NONE

Purchased

5/28/2023 Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com. I have the earlier books in both series.

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder
Series: #3 of Countess of Harleigh Mysteries
Written by: Dianne Freeman
Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman
Duration: 8 hours 32 minutes

Checked Out for Murder
Haunted Library Mystery, Book 4
By: Allison Brook
Narrated by: Mia Gaskin
Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Free

May 21, 2023 VIP pick at Audiobooks.com

This is an author I have enjoyed in the past.

The Last Enemy
Lonesome Lawmen, Book 1
By: Pauline Baird Jones
Narrated by: Kevin Scollin
Series: Lonesome Lawmen, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins

May Amazon First Reads

The Light on Farallon Island: A Novel
by Jen Wheeler




One new title added to Kindle library. 
Free titles might be found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encoragement May 28, 2023 - Spirit Power

Our Pastor was our substitute teacher this morning so we got a study and a sermon today. 😊
The study was on The Sanctified Church. What can we each do to help the Church become what God wants us to be? The Church not for show, but something God should be proud of.
The study text was Ephesians 5:24-27.
We should seek knowledge in the Word and apply it to our lives. At times we need cleansing and we can find that in the Word too – read Psalms.
The Church needs to be full of people who reflect the image of the Church that is in God’s Word.
The Church should be a place where the Gospel is proclaimed; fundamental principles are preached; lives are lived with integrity; and the Glory is given to God.
The Church should be people of God in line with the will of God. This will reveal the glorious Church.

The Service time began with remembering those who laid down their lives for freedom. 1 John 3:16.
Then Pastor spoke on the birth of the Church - Pentecost. Acts 2:1-4.
Baptism of Holy Spirit is not same as receiving Christ and being given the Holy Spirit. When we accept Christ as our savior, we receive the Holy Spirit to live inside us as our counselor, Paraclete.

We receive the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of eternal life. We are sealed and stamped as God’s child. The Spirit in us convicts us of right and wrong. As we spend time with the Spirit, He will direct our hearts. We learn to trust God, not ourselves. We also hope to be able to trust those who have accepted Christ.

But the Baptism of Holy Spirit is more. When we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we are clothed with power. We receive empowerment to be witnesses to others.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8.
49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24.

We don’t receive all grace at one moment. There are multiple acts of grace – in salvation, in healing, in comfort and more. We receive gifts of spirit but that does not mean we are all mature. Each person needs to study and needs to seek the Power of God to go with the gifts.
God is sovereign. We should desire the Power that God offers. .
The Holy Spirit indwelling gives us wisdom, knowledge and other gifts. But the Baptism of the Holy Spirit gives us power to be empowered witnesses.
There are times that this looks like praying in tongues, but the real purpose is to glorify God.
We have a boldness of Spirit given by God.

Do your friends see the difference in you? They should see more in each of us then just that we attend church. We need to be seeking and asking for the power of the Spirit. Luke 11:10-13.
Ask the Spirit to give you all that He has for you. Everything.
The Church needs power and boldness.
Don't stand in your own power.
The world is busy promoting lifestyles. The Church needs to be seen as more than a lifestyle. The Church should reveal and reflect Divine Relationship.

I chose this song for today. Start a Fire In Me

Verses for Today:
Acts 2:1-4 NIV
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.


God, I pray that you magnify Your Spirit in me! Make me all you want me to be!