Audio Book Review: The Poisoned Princess: Warders Book 1 by Armen Pogharian

I enjoyed this creative story involving a young protagonist and secret guardians.
The Poisoned Princess: Warders Book 1
by Armen Pogharian
Narrated by: Michelle Babb

Length: 6hr 16 min
Publisher: Armen Pogharian
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Sword & Sorcery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Forced to leave the elven forest because of his barbarian heritage, half-elven Toran finds work in a rundown tavern in Eridan’s thieves’ quarter. Combining his keen elven senses and barbarian battle skills, he thwarts an assassination attempt on a visiting princess and earns an invitation to join the secret protectors of Eridan, known as the Warders.

Review:
Toran is shunned by his elven family because he is of mixed blood. His non-elven nature makes the others afraid that he will not be able to control his barbarian strengths as he grows into them. His uncle finds him work in a town where mixed blood is accepted. Toran inadvertently thwarts an assassination attempt on the Princess. He has a lot to learn but others quickly recognize that he is skilled and is a willing and apt student. He is accepted into a secret group of guardians, or warders, who protect the royal family. His skills and the mixed group of warders around him, dwarfs, elves, and those yielding magic, soon find their skills needed in earnest.

A handful of the warders, including Toran, must journey fast and far to get an antidote to save the poisoned Princess. They face many surprising evils and dangers including the Kraken and Barbarians. If they can retrieve the necessary ingredients, can they get back in time to save the life of the Princess?

I was engaged by this creative story. I liked the personalities and skills of the different characters, even the villains. The dangers they face might not be totally unique, but the battles and resolutions made sense. I would enjoy more adventures in this series.

Audio Notes: I have enjoyed this author and narrator on other middle grade stories and was pleased to accept the offer of an audio code. I do have to get used to Michelle Babb's voice especially when I start one of the children’s stories. But I soon settle into the tone and voices of the characters. I think the author and narrator make a good match. I had slight trouble with the Spotify App as it seemed to freeze at the end of each chapter. Once I figured out how to go back and click from the main screen I was not frustrated by that glitch. I enjoyed listening to this story and appreciate the opportunity to listen and to share this review.

Source: July 8 Audio Code for Spotify from Narrator. This qualifies for 2023Audiobook and 2023Review goals.

Audible Book Review: The Murderer's Son, A Jackman and Evans Thriller by Joy Ellis

This is a good thriller and I’ll look to listen to more in the series.

The Murderer's Son
A Jackman and Evans Thriller
By: Joy Ellis
Narrated by: Richard Armitage

Series: Jackman & Evans (Published Order), Book 1,
Jackman & Evans (Recommended Listening Order), Book 2
Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
Release date: 10-16-18
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Police Procedural, Psychological
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Twenty years ago: a farmer and his wife are cut to pieces by a ruthless serial killer.
Now: a woman is viciously stabbed to death in the upmarket kitchen of her beautiful house on the edge of the marshes.
Then a man called Daniel Kinder walks into Saltern police station and confesses to the murder.
But DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans of the Fenland Constabulary soon discover that there is a lot more to Daniel than meets the eye. He has no memory of the first five years of his life and has a rather unusual obsession with his mother....
Full of twists and turns, this is a crime thriller that will keep you gripped until the shocking ending.
©2016 Joy Ellis (P)2016 Audible, Ltd

Review:
Daniel Kinder is a news reporter who has just finished an effective article regarding nursing at the local hospital. It is a shock to his girlfriend and those he interviewed when he walks in to the police station to confess to a grisly murder. The murder is similar to a murder committed twenty years earlier. Daniel has periods of blackouts but he believes he is the killer because he believes he is an infamous murderer’s son.

DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans of the Fenland Constabulary are not inclined to immediately accept the confession. On the other hand, the young man definitely has issues and knowledge that is close to the crime scene. They pull in a skilled psychologist who has worked with serial killers before. It seems that those around Daniel are willing to work with him to prove he is not a killer. Unfortunately, each time he runs off there is another murder. If the real killer isn’t discovered, Daniel won’t be the only victim yet to suffer.

This story has good character development and good twists in the mystery. The pacing is steady and although I guessed the villain, there was suspense in how the investigation played out until the end. I like DI Jackman and his partner DS Evans who are not romantically involved but make a good team. They have different skills that complement each other. I’m glad I had this on my shelf and listened to it while it was available. I did read this first and saw that some reviewers preferred this as book 1 instead of book 2. I will note the series for more reading when I need a good police thriller.

Audio Notes: Richard Armitage is a skilled narrator and did a wonderful job with this work. His character voicing, emotional energy and pacing added to the story.

Source: August 2022 Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Sunday Post July 23, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 24, 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 a very long week this past week with VBS at church. I had to miss one night while I prepared for a court hearing. It was a lovely, if tiring week.

Now I am pushing to finish work as I will be going out of town soon to visit with my son and his family. My eldest granddaughter from Panama City is traveling with me to Kansas City where we will enjoy a week at Great Wolf Lodge Water Park.

I don't have the event pictures available but here is the scenery for our church Kingdom Keepers VBS. I took these at the last volunteer meeting.
It was awesome and provided through God's blessings.
The Castle

And the red fire breathing dragon our tech team fixed up!

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 heat advisories this week. And some scattered storms.  We are expecting temps in mid 90s again for this coming week.

I finished three audios and posted two reviews and my memes.

I visited 16 blogs last week.
Shout out this week to THE BOOK BAG. Susan, who loves books, shares reviews and giveaways.

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

• Sunday Post July 16, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 17, 2023.

• ANG2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Never-Ending End of the World by Ann Christy; Genre: Dystopian, EOTW, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

• ANG2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Flop Dead Gorgeous: An Andy Carpenter Mystery by Davide Rosenfelt; Genre: Cozy Mystery, Legal Thriller; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Age of Embers (A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller) by Ryan Schow; Genre: Adventure, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 23, 2023 - Overcoming Offenses.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Mountain Man
By: Keith C. Blackmore
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Series: Mountain Man, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
This is gritty - zombies of course - but entertaining action.
Source: January 2021 Audible Plus Catalog.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Perestroika in Paris
By: Jane Smiley
Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
I chose this story for the #parisinjuly2023 event.
The story is sweet and I did enjoy it through the end.
Source: 4/5/2021 Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Chirp Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

Christmas at Cozy Holly Inn
Written by Meredith Summers
Narrated by Hollis McCarthy
Run Time: 7h 9min
I wanted a Christmas in July and this was a nice one.
Source: 12/31/2022 year end purchase at Chirp for $.99.
Publisher Description
A sweet, cozy small town holiday romance perfect for snuggling up by the fire with a steaming mug of hot cocoa and a cat or two by your side.
When Julie Green’s ailing grandmother asks her to arrange one last party at the old Inn she used to run, Julie can’t say no even though the last thing she wants is to leave the city for middle-of-nowhere Vermont. Even worse, Cozy Holly Inn is in disrepair, there’s a persnickety cat hiding in the basement and the family of grinches who own the competing inn down the street seem determined to ruin her chances of success.
Nolan Miller retreated to Pinecone Falls, Vermont, to heal his broken heart and help his grandfather run Barrington Lodge - a rustic old bed-and-breakfast that has been in the family for generations. This year, though, he needs to find a way to get his Christmas spirit back before he turns into a grinch like his father and grandfather. But even if he gets his spirit back, he’s not letting anyone in again, especially not Julie Green who has made it clear she’s leaving town as soon as she can.
But when Julie needs help, Nolan can’t say no and putting the party together makes Julie realize that small town friendships might have more to offer than big city lights.
Kringle, the cat, only wants a warm home and his forever human. This girl, Julie, does not seem to fit the bill no matter what the nice lady at the animal shelter told him. Julie knows nothing about cats so he will do his best to get her to return him to the shelter. But as the week unfolds, Kringle discovers that people can change in surprising ways and sometimes what you thought you wanted, isn’t what you really needed at all.

Currently Reading:
1. Audiobooks.com Smartphone (ATBR)

Midnight Crossroad
By Charlaine Harris
Narrated By: Susan Bennett
Duration: 9 h 31 min
I picked this from the TBR shelf and it has a time of day in the title (one of my individual challenges).
Source: 8/28/19 August VIP Free selection at Audiobooks.com.
Summary
FIRST IN A NEW TRILOGY - From Charlaine Harris, the bestselling author who created Sookie Stackhouse and her world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, comes a darker locale-- populated by more strangers than friends. But then, that' s how the locals prefer it. Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It' s a pretty standard dried-up western town. There' s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There' s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there' s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he' s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own). Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth...

2. Audible Smartphone (A2023)

The Snow Killer: The DI Barton Series, Book 1
By: Ross Greenwood
Narrated by: David Thorpe
Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
This is only available to 8/10/23 so I thought I would listen now.
Source: February 2023 Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
‘Fear the north wind. Because no one will hear you scream....’
A family is gunned down in the snow, but one of the children survives. Three years on, that child takes revenge, and the Snow Killer is born. But then, nothing - no further crimes are committed, and the case goes cold.
50 years later, has the urge to kill been reawakened? As murder follows murder, the detective team tasked with solving the crimes struggle with the lack of leads. It’s a race against time and the weather - each time it snows, another person dies.
As an exhausted and grizzled DI Barton and his team scrabble to put the pieces of the puzzle together, the killer is hiding in plain sight. Meanwhile, the murders continue....
The first in a new series, Ross Greenwood has written a cracking, crackling crime story with a twist in its tale which will surprise even the most hardened thriller listeners. Perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Stuart MacBride.
©2019 Ross Greenwood (P)2019 Boldwood Books

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

1984: New Classic Edition
By: George Orwell
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
Length 11h 22m
I have not read this in years but it seems it would be timely to read now!
Source: September 2020 Audible Plus Titles.
Publisher's Summary
Blackstone Publishing presents a new recording of this immensely popular book.
One of the most celebrated classics of the twentieth century, Orwell’s cautionary tale of a man trapped under the gaze of an authoritarian state feels more relevant now than ever before.
George Orwell depicts a gray, totalitarian world dominated by Big Brother and its vast network of agents, including the Thought Police, a world in which news is manufactured according to the authorities’ will and people live tepid lives by rote.
Winston Smith, the hero with no heroic qualities, longs only for truth and decency. But living in a social system in which privacy does not exist and where those with unorthodox ideas are brainwashed or put to death, he knows there is no hope for him. He knows even as he continues to pursue his forbidden love affair that eventually he will come to destruction.
The year 1984 has come and gone, yet George Orwell’s nightmare vision in 1949 of the world we were becoming is still the great modern classic of negative Utopia. It is a prophetic and haunting tale that exposes the worst crimes imaginable: the destruction of freedom and truth.
©1949 Harcourt Brace and Company, renewed 1977 Sonia Brownell Orwell (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

July 23, 2023 - I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen". The readings continue in Ezekiel. I didn't recall how long this book is with its pronouncements of punishment and destruction... with hope only for the remnant and repentant. 

I finished three audio titles and posted three reviews. I posted the one I was holding as it releases in August. I still have five to post so I better get posting on those.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I have one newer audio and an older one on my shelf.
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.

No new review title this week.
I picked my two Audible credits.
I selected three new audios from Audible Plus this past week.
I selected 2 for 1 credit at Audiobooks.com.
No free Kindle titles last week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

7/20/2023 Two July Audible credits – both series I want to continue.

Phule’s Paradise
Phule's Company Series, Book 2
By: Robert Asprin
Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine
Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

My Enemy's Enemy
ONSET Series, Book 2
By: Glynn Stewart
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins


7/22/2023 July Vacation Thriller 2 for 1 Audiobooks.com - one series new to me and one new to me author.

The Last Mile
Blood Ties, Book 2
By: Kat Martin
Narrated by: James McAdams
Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins

Shutter
By: Ramona Emerson
Narrated by: Charley Flyte
Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Free

7/18 to 21/2023 Audible Plus Catalog.

Hidden Currents
Lantern Beach Mysteries Series, Book 1
By: Christy Barritt
Narrated by: Dara Rosenberg
Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins

Suture Self
By: Mary Daheim
Narrated by: Anna Fields
Series: Bed-and-Breakfast Mysteries, Book 17
Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Three Hours in Paris
By: Cara Black
Narrated by: Elisabeth Rodgers
Series: A Kate Rees WWII Novel, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins



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 July 23, 2023- Overcoming Offenses.

I opened the door to pouring rain but grabbed my raincoat and went to church. 😊
I enjoyed the Sunday School lesson on James 1:21.

Our church service started with a short update from a missionary to the eastern Asian countries like Laos, Thailand, and more. The missionary goal is to “Change the Map” from 1% Christian in these Buddhist countries.

Our Pastor then shared his message from Luke 17:1-6 which he titled “Overcoming Offenses”.
Temptations will come. The enemy is always setting the trap or “skandalon” which is the trigger on the trap.

We live in an Offended culture. Offense will give you the ability to hear things that haven't been said. People seeking offense become paranoid; they set themselves up to be victims. Christians need to learn to live with grace towards others.

‘An offended brother is harder to win back than a fortified city; their contentions separate them like a gate locked with bars.’ Proverbs 18:19. Satan encourages offenses because they serve to divide us and destroy unity. Being offended (or giving offense) can cut off God's blessings working in our lives.

We need to recognize offenses or temptations as an attack from the enemy. Also, we need to be careful that our blunt speaking doesn't offend others. Offenses can be given intentionally or negligently. Be careful of your delivery and your motive.

Paul admonished Timothy in 2 Timothy 4: 22-26:

22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Christians need to be people of compassion, rebuking with love. Let others see the love and grace that comes from a Christ-like heart.

Taking offense is a lack of faith that God will work it out. We are to forgive and let God be the righteous judge. He will deal with their heart.

If we are to be a counterculture we must increase our faith to handle situations in God's way. Help us to forgive as we are directed. We have a mustard seed as a starter kit.

Offended people are used by enemy. Offense leads to betrayal to anger to deception and eventually walking away from God. We must stand firm and not get caught in being offended in a wicked world. Matthew 24:3-15.

I had to search for a song to day and I think I found a good one: The Jesus Way!

Verses for Today:
Luke 17:1-6 NIV
17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. 2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 So watch yourselves.
“If your brother or sister[a] sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.


Lord, increase my faith to trust You. Help me to show compassion and to show Your Grace in all circumstances.

Audible Book Review: The Age of Embers (A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller) by Ryan Schow

This is a good action, post apocalyptic title.
The Age of Embers (A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller)
The Age of Embers, Book 1
By: Ryan Schow
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 08-07-19
Publisher: Ryan Schow
Genre: Adventure, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
An Amazon all-star recipient! Fresh off the highly acclaimed The Last War Series, comes a gripping new tale of the apocalypse from bestselling author, Ryan Schow. The Age of Embers Series is perfect for fans of Matthew Mather, Bobby Akart, Jack Hunt, Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Mike Kraus, and Harley Tate.
The end is almost here, are you ready?
A high-tech nightmare. A crippling attack on America and her infrastructure. Are humans in their final days? When a sudden, unexplained spasm of violence rocks the country from coast to coast, when our military is hijacked and the president can’t be found, the survivors will be left to wonder if this is the start of a new world war, or if this is the last chapter of humanity itself.
Undercover DEA agent, Fire Dimas, is drowning in problems: an unrelenting job, a difficult marriage and a teenage daughter with suitors of the worst kind. Then there’s the cartel he double-crossed and the “incident” at the high school. To say he’s in way over his head is the understatement of the century. Rest assured though, for Fire and his family, it’s about to get much, much worse. The assault has already begun....
Eliana Gutierrez and her niece, Carolina, are stolen by the Guatemalan cartel and swallowed into the dark world of human trafficking until a brutal crime separates them. Eliana must now use the deadly trafficking lines to trek up through Mexico and into America in search of the only person she ever loved. Along the way, she’ll come face-to-face with a handsome, rancorous hitman who will either be her salvation or her bitter end. Under the cover of a post-apocalyptic nightmare, Eliana will risk life and limb for the child, but will it be enough?
The Age of Embers is a post-apocalyptic survival series written inside the universe of the best-selling The Last War series. This edge-of-your-seat thriller chronicles the harrowing journey of ordinary people trapped in an encroaching dark age. Get ready for characters you'll want to know in real life, big post-apocalyptic action and a no-holds-barred action/adventure series that just might hit a little too close to home.
Note: The Age of Embers and subsequent books can be listened to as a stand alone series or in addition to The Last War series. Both stories are written in the same universe on the same timeline and some characters will overlap.
©2019 Ryan Schow (P)2019 Ryan Schow

Review:
Fire Dimas is an undercover DEA Agent in Chicago who is on the edge. He hasn’t been home for eight months and his marriage is on the rocks. His teen daughter is stepping out with the wrong kind of boys. Fire has underlying anger issues that haven’t been helped by having his hands tied in a criminal environment.

An unexplained attack starts destroying the cities, taking out authority centers as well as indiscriminating killing people in the streets. Chaos erupts and the social dynamic changes as surviving gangs try to take control and civilians just try to survive. Fire is caught in the middle wanting to protect his family but being in a place to take down the gangs. He will move between both worlds until his own family is caught in the maelstrom.

Meanwhile, in Guatemalan, Eliana is a beautiful young woman who has been isolated by her overly protective father. His means of protecting her is to make her look less attractive and train her to fight to injure men. Finally, the day arrives when Eliana and her younger niece, Carolina, are captured by traffickers who kill her father. Eliana struggles to escape and survive to track down Carolina. As Eliana pursues the trail, she meets a rough but handsome ‘hitman’. He agrees to introduce her to the head of cartel with a plan that may well cost her live. After they both walk out of the situation, they agree to travel together in the same direction, if not as partners. Their path goes through grit and death and eventually brings them to a collision with Fire in Chicago.

I picked this for an action, post-apocalyptic title and it delivered. It is dark, gritty and violent story. Some of the scenes made me flinch and cringe and I didn’t feel that all of it was realistic. But it could be real, especially the attack event, which is scary! It is likely that I will go back to the earlier books by Schow and then continue with this series too. I recommend this to fans of post-apocalyptic who can handle the girt and violence.

Audio Notes: Kevin Pierce is a good narrator who does quite a bit of narrating in this genre. He manages the hard voices and gritty characters well with distinct sounds and energy. I appreciated having this in audio format.

Source: 12/17/2020 Audible Sale – $5.00. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.