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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Audible Book Review: Ghost Hunter by Jayne Castle

A good paranormal romance but not such a great listen.



  • Written by: Jayne Castle

  • Genre: Paranormal Romance
    My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

    Publisher's Summary
    Where deadly energy ghosts lurk in the ruins of an ancient alien civilization.
    Where dust bunnies prove to be loyal pets.
    And where a ghost hunter will discover that a woman's heart is the most dangerous adversary of all...
    Local Guild boss and powerful ghost-hunter Cooper Boone is everything botanist Elly St. Clair could ask for - the handsome, strong, and silent type. Maybe too silent. For when Guild secrets threaten her career at the college, Elly has to call off their marriage - and leave small-town life behind...
    But starting over in the thriving metropolis of Cadence City isn't easy, especially when one of Elly's new friends disappears in the eerie catacombs beneath the streets. Cooper turns up just in time to help Elly investigate. And as the mystery deepens and dangerous ghost myths and legends come to light, Cooper makes it clear he intends to stick around - and this time he's holding nothing back...
    (P)2006 Brilliance Audio, Inc.


    Review:
    Elly often feels like an underachiever in her family of strong psi-gifted family of ghost hunters. Elly does have a psi-gift but it is with plants which even her family, not to mention the professionals, discount as a form of madness. Because of her family, Elly is a prime marital catch for anyone looking to gain position and influence in her local guild. Elly became engaged to Cooper because she was immediately attracted to him. However, Cooper is the new Guild boss and is often too busy to spend time with her. He has canceled several dates and has barely kissed her during their six month engagement. When Elly learns that Cooper basically fought a duel over her she is concerned about the scandal. She is even more concerned when Cooper shows little interest or understanding of her feelings. She feels the best way to get over him, or maybe stir his emotions if possible, is to move away.

    Six months later Cooper shows up in Elly’s new community claiming to have some business to take care of. Cooper has always been focused and driven to reach his goals. He succeeded in business and now he has to find a way to succeed in his personal and emotional life. He isn’t ready to tell Elly that she is his important business but he is ready to try to win her back. Fortunately he has arrived just in time to use his skills to help her find a missing friend in the dangerous catacombs and tunnels that exist underground, left behind from a prior alien society.

    I thought this series, with extra sensory skills and archaeological elements would be interesting. I enjoyed the mystery, danger and the romantic conflict and although there are some fun features -the dust bunnies - I wasn’t overly impressed with this one. That may have been due to the narration which was a bit of a whine for me or it may be that my tastes are shifting from romance to more action and suspense.

    I have enjoyed a number of romances, contemporary and historical and some paranormal stories by Ms Castle (aka Jayne Krentz, aka Amanda Quick). I will give the first book in this series a try just to make sure.

    Audio Notes: I was disappointed with this narrator who made the whole reading sound too blaise or too whiney. It detracted from the story this time as I see that I liked the story elements but was glad when I finished the audio.

    I've had this in my Audible library for a while. 

    Audible Book Review: Conspiracy in Death by J.D. Robb

    Another intense investigation with Eve and Roarke
    Conspiracy in Death: In Death, Book 8


    Genre: Mystery, Suspense
    My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0


    Publisher's Summary
    With the precision of a surgeon, a serial killer preys on the most vulnerable souls of the world's city streets. The first victim: a sidewalk sleeper, found dead in New York City. No bruises, no signs of struggle. Just a laser-perfect, fist-sized hole where his heart had once been. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is assigned to investigate. But in the heat of a cat-and-mouse game with the killer, Dallas' job is suddenly on the line. Now her hands are tied...between a struggle for justice - and a fight for her career.

    Crack another case with Eve Dallas.
    ©2007 J. D. Robb; (P)2007 Brilliance Audio


    Review:
    Eve Dallas faces a skilled, clearly arrogant surgeon in this eighth installment. Someone is killing the homeless and unwanted in society - those whom some police consider not worth much effort in investigation. The deaths are done with laser-perfect precision removing organs which would seem to be damaged. Since the organs have no worth on a black market what could be the purpose?

    Eve finds at the first scene a street officer, Bowers, who went to Academy with Eve although Eve doesn’t remember her much. But Bowers remembers Eve and is extremely bitter at Eve’s successful career. Bowers is about to cause major trouble for Eve accusing her of a wide range of inappropriate behavior including bigotry, abuse and sleeping her way to the top. Eve doesn’t care about Bowers’ insubordinate, bad attitude except to the extent it obstructs Eve’s investigation because it is clear that Bowers could care less about the homeless and prostitute victims.

    Eve is putting unappreciated pressure on the creme of the surgical community and slowly uncovering a history of like crimes that begin to give her clues to a motive. Unfortunately, just as she is getting closer to the killer, Eve is devastated when Bowers’ distracting reports lead to a suspension for the possible murder of Bowers! Taking away her badge is equal to taking away the identity that Eve managed to create for herself.

    It takes support, both technical and emotional, from Roarke to see Eve through this trouble and help her solve the medical crime. As always there is plenty of action, could rapport with Eve’s team and wonderful personal interaction with Roarke.

    Audio notes: Susan Ericksen does a fabulous job with this series. She makes a good mystery even better with exceptional emotional intensity and personality to the voices. I really enjoy listening to this series!

    I picked this from my own Audible Library.

    Sunday, February 23, 2014

    Mailbox Monday February 24, 2014

    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: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
    Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.


    This Mailbox post covers three weeks (Feb 3- Feb 23) but I haven't picked up that many review books. The two review books I did receive are audios from Audiobook Jukebox.  I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.
    Additionally there were a handful of Kindle titles I purchased and many Kindle books.


    Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

    Review Titles
    Two titles I selected from Audiobook Jukebox:

    Silver City Massacre

    Title: Silver City Massacre
    Author: Charles G. West
    Narrator: Jim Meskimen
    Publisher/Date: AudioGO, 01/17/14
    A Confederate Soldier battles peril on the way to Silver City and tries to protects two women who survived attacks along the way.

    Blind Goddess

    Author: James R. Benn
    Narrator: Peter Berkrot
    Publisher/Date: Blackstone Audio, 01/01/14




    A double mystery for a US Army Captain returning to England in 1944
    after a successful mission in Italy.



    Won

    None.

    Purchased

    Kindle purchases:

    The Sea Glass Sisters

    Purchased:

    February 22, 2014
    Price:$1.99


    View Product Page






    The Saving Mars Series Books 1-3


    Purchased:


    February 17, 2014
    Price:$0.99


    View Product Page



    Cinder
    Purchased:

    February 15, 2014
    Price:$2.99

    View Product Page




    The Titan Series: Military Romance Box Set: (3 novels + 2 novellas)

    Purchased:

    February 15, 2014
    Price:$0.99

    View Product Page


    The Highland Heart Collection -- A Contemporary Romance Box Set (The Highland Heart Series)

    Purchased:

    February 10, 2014
    Price:$0.99


    View Product Page
    Free

    Plus I downloaded another close to 120 free Kindle titles - about 40 per week for three weeks.  Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

    It's Monday! What Are You Reading? February 24, 2014

    This meme starts at Book Journey!

    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 good week this week.  I finished four books and posted four reviews, three with giveaways! Got most of the usual memes. :-)

    I visited a couple of handfuls of sites late this week.
    Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

    These were last week's posts:
    • Book Review with Print Giveaway: Sleeping Dogs by Tony Vanderwarker; Thriller; my rating 5.0. Open US Only. Ends 2/28/14.

    Finished Reading:
    1. Audible


    Four Blood Moons: Something Is About to Change
    by John Hagee
    Narrated by Dean Gallagher
    This wasn't quite what I expected but still an interesting discussion. I will review soon.
    Click on book title for full description.



    2. eBook/Kindle


    Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series)
    by A. American
    I really like this series!!
    I am reviewing through NetGalley.
    Click on book title for full description.



    3. Audio
    The Tempest


    by William Shakespeare
    Performed by a Full Cast
    Published by AudioGO/ BBC Radio
    I received this and Of Poseidon from SYNC YA
    May 30 – June 5, 2013.
    I thought I'd listen to the pair and then review them.
    Description:
    BBC Radio has a unique heritage when it comes to Shakespeare. Since 1923, when the newly formed company broadcast its first full-length play, generations of actors and producers have honed and perfected the craft of making Shakespeare to be heard.
    Raging storms and rich beautiful music combine to magical effect in this production of Shakespeare’s allegorical last play, where mystical forces work to restore harmony and order to an estranged community.
    Revitalised, original, and comprehensive, this is Shakespeare for the new millennium.



    4. eBook/Kindle


    The End: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series)
    by G. Michael Hopf
    I have really enjoyed these post apocalyptic stories.
    I am reviewing this one through NetGalley too.
    Book Description
    Publication Date: October 30, 2013
    What would you do to survive?
    Young Gordon Van Zandt valued duty and loyalty to country above all, so after 9/11, he dropped out of college and joined the Marine Corps. This idealism vanished one fateful day in a war-torn city in Iraq. Ten years later, he is still struggling with the ghosts of his past when a new reality is thrust upon him and his family: North America, Europe and the Far East have all suffered a devastating Super-EMP attack, which causes catastrophic damage to the nation’s power grid and essential infrastructures. Everything from cell phones to cars to computers cease to function, putting society at a standstill.
    With civilization in chaos, Gordon must fight for the limited and fast dwindling resources. He knows survival requires action and cooperation with his neighbors, but as the days wear on, so does all sense of civility within his community—and so he must make some of the most difficult decisions of his life in order to ensure his family’s safety.


    Line Edits/Releases:
    Working on several releases.

    Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
    This week's giveaway link:  The Way She Makes Me Feel by Pembroke Sinclair.
    Check for the new giveaway every two weeks.

    Currently reading:
    1. Print


    R Is for Rebel: ...and Royalty, Relatives, Reality, and Running from love... (Unruly Royals)
    by Megan Mulry
    I am mid-way on this. Still mixed feelings. :-)
    Reading for Sourcebooks.
    Click on book title for full description.



    2. Audio
    Of Poseidon


    Of Poseidon
    by Anna Banks
    Published by AudioGO
    I received this and The Tempest from SYNC YA May 30 – June 5, 2013.
    So far I am enjoying this audio a little more than The Tempest. :-)

    Description:
    Emma and her friend Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he’s a prince of the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange–is it attraction?–and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he’s heard of–a human who can communicate with fish. What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses Emma’s gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she’s the key to saving his kingdom. Soon, Emma can’t deny her feelings for him, but can’t explain them, either–and both she and Galen must learn more about where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one another and their feelings. Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.



    3. eBook/Kindle



    The Memory of Sky: A Great Ship Trilogy
    by Robert Reed

    I plan to start this one tonight or tomorrow.
    Book Description

    Publication Date: February 4, 2014
    Diamond is an odd little boy, a seemingly fragile child—who proves to be anything but. An epic story begins when he steps into the world his parents have so carefully kept him from, a world where gigantic trees each house thousands of humans and another human species, the papio, rule its far edges. Does Diamond hold the promise to remake one species and, perhaps, change all of the Creation?


    I am up to date with my daily Bible reading. :-)

    Line Edits: We are now finalizing formatting for two ebook re-releases, as well as working on a new children's release.

    I am still enjoying reading books from my own TBR. :-) My reading/listening is going along well but I have fallen behind in reviews due to being out of commission for several days. 
    My backlog for review is still seven so I hope to do a couple doubles this week since I may get behind again next weekend. 

    February Scheduled-
      completed

    Sourcebooks:
       R is for Rebel – Megan Mulry (reading)

    NetGalley:
      The End: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series) by G. Michael Hopf (reading)
      The Memory of Sky: A Great Ship Trilogy by Robert Reed

    Authors
     Many requests to field and reply to.

    AudioBook Jukebox 
    Making some new selections. 

    From TBR Collection - Ghost Hunter by Jayne Castle
    Won Book - TBD
    Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: Free Audios: The Tempest and Of Poseidon 

    Sunday Words of Encouragement February 23, 2014

    Our Pastor's message this morning.was on our attitude towards money and particularly on tithing. He doesn't often speak on giving but every once in a while he encourages the congregation to an attitude of cheerful giving. He reminded us that it isn't money itself that is evil but "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" Timothy 6:10. Some people claim they don't have enough money to give any to the church. But the mature Christian knows that all his or her needs will be met only when God is honored with the first fruits of what He gives us.

    My husband and I were blessed to have learned this lesson early in our marriage. We both agreed that we should tithe and God has continually provided all that we needed. There were lean times when we couldn't go to McDonald's for dinner, but we never went hungry. We did have to learn to surrender control of certain possessions in order to allow God to use what we had. It was then we recognized that everything we have -- all money, all talents, all possessions -- belongs to God. We are just stewards here on earth of the gifts He has given. He allows us to keep ninety percent of what He has given to us and only asks for a return of ten percent to further His kingdom. We have learned also that He is generous to pour out blessings when we share what we have. It is a beautiful thing and we are glad to give Him the praise!


    This morning we sang this song as a new praise song.
    I hope you enjoy it as I did.
    Verses For Today:
    Malachi 3:8-10 (NIV)
    8 "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you robbed me. "But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?'
    "In tithes and offerings.  9 You are under a curse--your whole nation-- because you are robbing me.
    10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."


    A prayer today: Thank you Heavenly Father for always meeting our needs and for blessing us greatly beyond mere needs. Keep us mindful to help others by sharing what you have so graciously allowed us to be stewards of. May our faithful tithes and giving bless Your kingdom.

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