Audible Book Review: A Road Unknown: Amish Roads Series, Book 1 by Barbara Cameron

I enjoyed this view of an Amish young woman looking for a life beyond being the eldest sister helping to care for eight younger siblings.

A Road Unknown: Amish Roads Series, Book 1
By: Barbara Cameron
Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Series: Amish Roads, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 10-14-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Amish, Family, Mennonite, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Elizabeth is at a crossroads. Will rumschpringe lead her away? Or bring her home? She's been given the chance to experience life outside of her community, away from the responsibility to care for her eight younger siblings, but Elizabeth Bontrager can't decide which road to take. Goshen has its charms and pressures, but Paradise, Pennsylvania, sounds...well, like paradise. And it's also home to her Englisch friend, Paula. Decision made. Elizabeth is Paradise bound. But will the small town live up to its name?
When Elizabeth meets Paula's friend, Bruce, she quickly learns he wants more than a friendship. And the same might be true of Saul Miller, her new boss at the country store that sells Amish products to the Englisch community. As the two compete for her attention, Elizabeth is surprised to realize she misses her family and becomes even more uncertain about where she belongs. She has a choice to make: return home or embrace this new life and possibly a new love?
©2014 Barbara Cameron (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Elizabeth is a young Amish woman of twenty who has grown tired of helping to care for her eight younger siblings. As the eldest helping her maam, Elizabeth hasn’t even had the chance to attend singings or other youth activities. She has chosen to take her small savings and go to Paradise, Pennsylvania, to share an apartment with an Englisch friend, Paula. Elizabeth has guilt leaving her home unannounced and she misses her young siblings, but she feels she has to see another side of life before she can decide where God wants her to be.

Elizabeth meets a nice Amish man, Saul, who helps protect her on the bus. She doesn’t really expect to see him again, but she does meet him in town. Meanwhile, Paula introduces Elizabeth to a friend, Bruce, who is interested in dating Elizabeth. Now Elizabeth gets to be conflicted about these two young men as well as struggling with her choices of returning home or staying in this new situation where some people have welcomed her, but others are adding to her guilt.

I enjoyed the characters of Elizabeth and Saul particularly. There were other supportive characters who add to the story, including Paula. It was nice to listen to a story of friendship developing into stronger, but gentle feelings. Ms. Cameron shares through the story traditions of the Amish in church and home which I found interesting. This is a pleasant story and I recommend it to readers who enjoy Amish stories.

Audio Notes: Coleen Marlo does a lovely job with the narration. Her performance conveys the frustration that Elizabeth is experiencing and also the feelings and energies of the other characters. I am glad that I pulled this in to listen before the free book was unavailable on my Audible library.

Source: October 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Location (Road) goals.

Audio Book Review: Discovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith

 Check out the Tour and Giveaway Post - HERE -

This is an interesting 'superhero' fantasy.
Discovery of the Five Senses
The Urban Boys
Written by: K.N. Smith
Narrated by: Glenn Steinbaum

Duration: 8 hours 10 minutes
Release Date: December 2022
Publisher: Author's Republic
Genre: Fantasy, Teen & Young Adult
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 3.75.

Summary
A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five friends. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become super-gifts that forever change the world. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand their sensory super powers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and mysterious strangers complicating their plight, can the boys defeat the evil Druth before it’s too late? Get prepared for the twisting and grinding of this award-winning, action-adventure story — an edge-of-your-seat narrative for young and mature readers alike.

Review:
There is a forbidden preserve on the edge of the rural town of Danville Heights. The preserve is surrounded by mystery and preserved as dangerous due to a murder that occurred there years ago. In current day a group of young men dare to go into the preserve while celebrating. They are visited by beings of light although they don’t fully remember what happened. Suddenly, they each have a different sense that is heightened and discover that their senses are even more intensified when they are working together. The boys are confused at first and alarmed when some thugs show up trying to kill one of them. They are able to overpower the attackers and then follow them to a neighboring town where they find complete devastation.

The group of teens begin defending their hometown and taking the fight to the enemy. The situation is not without quandaries as they have to sneak out at night, at least one has to break dates with his girlfriend, and they don’t fully understand what they are doing. Finally they get some help understanding their powers when they are visited by a mysterious stranger who explains that their enemy is a man known as Druth.

Druth wants to steal the powers of some of the newly gifted members.  The light beings fear that Druth will ruin their efforts at peace by continuing to spread his evil. Are the boys ready to fight the evil to save their own community and beyond?

This story has interesting world building with the light beings protecting their special life giving nectar by providing superhero powers to the unsuspecting teens. The story also has plenty of action and mystery to engage the reader/listener. Unfortunately, I was distracted by the author’s interesting writing style. I like good description, but it seemed to me that the author went overboard using personification in almost every other sentence. This writing style makes for good prose but in this fiction setting I found it annoying. Since I was listening to an audio version, I decided to treat it more like a cinematic presentation or screen play script. This made it a little more palatable although I still winced or got exasperated as it continued to the end.

Additionally, I felt there were many unrealistic actions in the story. The boys go off on their vigilante missions while the adult mysterious stranger stands back and watches them go into danger. Later, the adult stranger hides in the bushes while the young men have to address their riled parents. While I appreciate the good versus evil aspect, I had some concern that the boys’ actions could be perceived as subtle permission to commit violence in the pursuit of safety and revenge. If parents were monitoring the reading of this story, they could discuss this with their children.

Overall, the story is engaging but my rating is lower to reflect my concerns. Other readers/listeners did not seem to be disturbed by these issues so readers interested in YA fantasy may want to give this a try.

Audio Notes: Glenn Steinbaum does a nice job with the narration. For the most part he does a good job with the varied voices, although a couple of the thugs had awkward ‘dumb’ sounding voices. I was glad to have an audio version which made it easier for me to get this read.

Source: May 2023 Audiobooks.com Credit for Caffeinated PR Tour. This qualifies for 2023Audiobook and 2023Tour goals.

Discovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith Book Tour and Giveaway

See my Review - HERE -

Today we've got a peek at K. N. Smith's audiobook Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses. This young adult urban fantasy tells the story of five friends who discover heightened senses in a forbidden preserve. Check out the audio teaser & enter giveaway before grabbing your headphones and copy today!

Discovery of the Five Senses

Amazon | Audible | Universal Links | Goodreads

Narrated by: Glenn Steinbaum

Listening Length: 8 hours and 10 minutes

A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five friends. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become super-gifts that forever change the world. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand their sensory super powers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and mysterious strangers complicating their plight, can the boys defeat the evil Druth before it’s too late? Get prepared for the twisting and grinding of this award-winning, action-adventure story—an edge-of-your-seat narrative for young and mature listeners alike.

About the Author

K.N. Smith was awarded “Best of” in the category of “Outstanding Young Adult Novel” at the 10th Annual Leimert Park Village Book Fair’s Jessie Redmon Fauset Book Awards. She is a Readers’ Favorite “Gold Medal” honoree for “Young Adult – Mystery”, the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards “1st Place Honoree” for “New Author: Fiction” and “Science Fiction/Fantasy”, and a Book Excellence Award Winner for “Young Adult Fiction”. Her lyrical flair sweeps across pages that twist and grind through action-adventure and urban fantasy in edge-of-your-seat narratives. She is an advocate of literacy and arts programs throughout the world. K.N. has over twenty-five years’ experience in communications and creative design as an award-winning consultant, and is the founder of Mental Health California™, her signature nonprofit community initiative. Reading is still her foremost hobby.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Newsletter

caffeinatedpr · DISCOVERY OF THE FIVE SENSES BY K. N. SMITH

caffeinatedpr · DISCOVERY OF THE FIVE SENSES BY K. N. SMITH

Amazon | Audible | Universal Links | Goodreads

Giveaway

Enter to win a $50.00 US Visa Gift Card. International winner will receive a gift card with an equivalent amount of $50. Ends June 22, 2023. May the odds be forever in your favor.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday Post June 11, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 12, 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 had another good working week but still am working on catching up.
We are busy cross training in the office since my legal assistant will be going off to law school within two months. I'm not yet sure if I will be hiring someone new or if my remaining two staff members and I can juggle the load for now.

I have been enjoying these orchid blooms since January!
Five months is pretty nice. The blooms are just starting to fall off now.

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.

We had several hot days last week but I didn't notice since I am in the office until it is cooling down. Temps will be pushing into the 90s again this coming week but the forecast shows thunderstorms all seven days!

I finished three audios this past week (and almost finished a fourth). I posted two reviews and my memes.

I visited 14 blogs last week.
Shout out this week: CAPTURED ON FILM. Mrsjobee shares books and "Life through my lens."

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

• Sunday Post June 4, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 5, 2023.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown; Genre: Leadership, Personal Success; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  

• MBS May 2023 Reading List Wrap Up.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti; Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement June 11, 2023 - Renewal for the Weary!

Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

A Road Unknown: Amish Roads Series, Book 1
By: Barbara Cameron
Narrated by: Coleen Marlo
Series: Amish Roads, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
I enjoyed this view of an Amish young woman looking for a life beyond being the eldest sister helping to care for eight younger siblings.
Source: October 2020 Audible Plus Catalog
Click on book title for full description.

2. NetGalley Audio Smartphone (ANG23)

The Never-Ending End of the World
By: Ann Christy
Narrated by: Thérèse Plummer, Ari Fliakos
Length: 13 hrs and 19 mins
This is a very good end of the world story with a unique approach.
Source: May 2023 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Extinction Shadow
Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 1
By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Anthony J. Melchiorri
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
This is expiring June 14, 2023 so I jumped on listening to it.
I totally enjoyed the action and characters and finished it in two days.
Source: June 2021 Audible Plus Catalog.
About This Audible Audiobook
They thought they survived the extinction cycle, but a powerful evil lurks in the shadows...Now old and new heroes join forces to save what’s left of the world in this thrilling sci-fi audio adventure.
Eight years ago, an engineered virus ravaged the globe, infecting and transforming humans into apex predators called Variants. Billions died, civilization collapsed, and the human race teetered on the brink of extinction. Nations banded together and heroes rose up to fight these abominations. On the front lines, Captain Reed Beckham and Master Sergeant Joe "Fitz" Fitzpatrick of Delta Force Team Ghost fought against the Variant hordes. With the aid of CDC Doctor Kate Lovato, they helped lead humanity to victory.
Now, almost a decade after the end of the war, civilization has slowly clawed toward recovery. In the Allied States of America, survivors live in outposts where they have rebuilt industry, agriculture, and infrastructure. The remaining Variants are believed to be dying off under destroyed cities and the abandoned frontier. But evil and intelligent forces dwell in the shadows with the starving beasts, scheming to restart the extinction cycle and end humanity forever. And once again, Beckham, Fitz, and Kate will rise to fight them, along with new heroes to try and save what remains of the world.
R. C. Bray brings to life the beloved characters of this series and expertly depicts their turmoil and struggle for survival.
Note: This new season is a self-contained storyline. Listeners do not have to hear the first seven books of the Extinction Cycle to jump into book one of Extinction Cycle: Dark Age. For returning listeners, this audiobook takes place after book seven, Extinction War.
©2019 Nicholas Sansbury Smith (P)2019 Blue Heron Audio

Currently Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Extinction Inferno:
Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 2
By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith , Anthony J. Melchiorri
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Series: Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
This is also expiring 6/14 and I want to continue the series. I only have two hours left.
Source: October 2022 Audible Plus Catalog.
About This Audible Audiobook
They thought they survived the extinction cycle, but a powerful evil lurks in the shadows...Now old and new heroes join forces to save what’s left of the world in this thrilling sci-fi audio adventure.
Eight years ago, an engineered virus ravaged the globe, infecting and transforming humans into apex predators called Variants. Billions died, civilization collapsed, and the human race teetered on the brink of extinction. Nations banded together and heroes rose up to fight these abominations. On the front lines, Captain Reed Beckham and Master Sergeant Joe "Fitz" Fitzpatrick of Delta Force Team Ghost fought against the Variant hordes. With the aid of CDC Doctor Kate Lovato, they helped lead humanity to victory.
Now, almost a decade after the end of the war, civilization has slowly clawed toward recovery. In the Allied States of America, survivors live in outposts where they have rebuilt industry, agriculture, and infrastructure. The remaining Variants are believed to be dying off under destroyed cities and the abandoned frontier. But evil and intelligent forces dwell in the shadows with the starving beasts, scheming to restart the extinction cycle and end humanity forever. And once again, Beckham, Fitz, and Kate will rise to fight them, along with new heroes to try and save what remains of the world.
R. C. Bray brings to life the beloved characters of this series and expertly depicts their turmoil and struggle for survival.
Note: This new season is a self-contained storyline. Listeners do not have to hear the first seven books of the Extinction Cycle to jump into book one of Extinction Cycle: Dark Age. For returning listeners, this audiobook takes place after book seven, Extinction War.
©2019 Nicholas Sansbury Smith (P)2019 Blue Heron Audio

2. Audio Smartphone (A2023)

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

I like the sound of this. I will post my review on Friday, June 16, 2023.
Source: Audio Credit for Caffeinated PR Tour.
Summary
A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five friends. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become super-gifts that forever change the world. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand their sensory super powers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and mysterious strangers complicating their plight, can the boys defeat the evil Druth before it’s too late? Get prepared for the twisting and grinding of this award-winning, action-adventure story — an edge-of-your-seat narrative for young and mature readers alike.

3. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

The Fourth Monkey
Written By: J.D. Barker
Narrated By: Edoardo Ballerini
Duration: 12 hours 30 minutes
I do think I will finally start this one later this week.
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.
Click on book title for full description.

June 11, 2023 - I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen". We are now reading in Ecclesiastes.
No new separate study yet.

I finished three audio titles and posted two reviews. That has me current with three to post this week.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I now have three audios on my NetGalley shelf.  The older two 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.
I got Two for One credit at Audiobooks.com.
No titles this week at Audible.
No free Kindle titles last week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I selected this "Listen Now" audiobook at NetGalley:

Bewitching a Highlander
By: Roma Cordon
Narrated by: Moira Quirk
Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins

Won

NONE

Purchased

I had three credits at Audiobooks.com so I used one for Two for One Credit Romance:

Picnic in Someday Valley
Honey Creek, Book 2
By: Jodi Thomas
Narrated by: Julia Gibson
Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
I have book one to listen to already.

Don't Marry Thomas Clarke
By: Celia Hayes
Narrated by: Katherine Manners
Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
This looks/sounds fun.

Free

NONE
No new titles added to Kindle library. 
Free titles might be found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement June 11, 2023 - Renewal for the Weary!

Our Sunday School teacher has returned from a wonderful trip. He spoke this morning on “I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.” I will save that message for another day.

We enjoyed our worship and then shared in communion.
The message was from Isaiah 40:26-31, titled Renewal for the Weary.
The nation of Israel has been split in two. Although David had been promised that if he obeyed God there would always be a descendant on the thrown. His son Solomon became king after David. Although he was given wisdom over all others, Solomon allowed his many wives to lead him astray and the nation became spiritually bankrupt resulting in occupation by Assyria.

The people are questioning ‘Where are you, God?’ This passage in Isaiah reminds us that when everything looks hopeless, God is still in charge. Look up. Get your eyes off your issues and get your eyes on Him. There were those accusing Nehemiah of wrong motives, but he looked to God. Nehemiah 4:14.

It is important for us to stay grounded in the Word which builds our faith and focus.
“17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 NASB.

When we are weary, it helps to remember what God has done for His people… and us. It is better than multi-level marketing. God says He is there for us, and He is the antidote. He is not worn down by this world.

We are told that God cares for the sparrow but He cares even more for us.
“29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” Matthew 10:29 NIV.
If we rely on God as we struggle through trials, we receive the crown of life. James 1:12.
We believe that every good and perfect gift comes from God. James 1:17.

When people are worn down they are susceptible to allowing lust to enter. We can recall that
God's mercies are new every morning. Some of us are workaholics, and we feel our plate is overloaded. We need to step back and put out hope and trust in Him.

Isaiah 55:2 tells us to ‘listen so our soul can live’: “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Our scripture today says “wait upon the Lord.” Verse 31. This is more than just waiting. It is waiting with expectation. Faith is involved. Believe that God is going to show up.
Activate hope, remember what is good - His blessings - and wait with expectation.
He is the God of provision.
Recount, even to yourself, the deeds of the Lord.
Paul tells us: “Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.” 1 Timothy 4:13 NLT
.
When you wait, or anticipate God, you will not just get by, but your strength shall be renewed.
When you are struggling through circumstances that seem wrong in your life, don't forget to celebrate what is going right.

I had a couple of song choices and decided on this one for this message:
Look Up Child.

A Verse for Today:
Isaiah 40:31 New King James Version
31 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.


Thank you, Lord, that I can wait on You in expectation, knowing You have all things in control.