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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Audible Review: 14 by Peter Clines

This is a totally engaging story with unexpected twists.
14
Written by: Peter Clines
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-19-12
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Sci Fi Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0



Publisher's Summary
Audie Award Nominee, Science Fiction, 2013
Padlocked doors. Strange light fixtures. Mutant cockroaches.
There are some odd things about Nate’s new apartment. Of course, he has other things on his mind. He hates his job. He has no money in the bank. No girlfriend. No plans for the future. So while his new home isn’t perfect, it’s livable. The rent is low, the property managers are friendly, and the odd little mysteries don’t nag at him too much. At least, not until he meets Mandy, his neighbor across the hall, and notices something unusual about her apartment. And Xela’s apartment. And Tim’s. And Veek’s. Because every room in this old Los Angeles brownstone has a mystery or two. Mysteries that stretch back over a hundred years. Some of them are in plain sight. Some are behind locked doors. And all together these mysteries could mean the end of Nate and his friends. Or the end of everything....
©2012 Peter Clines and Permuted Press (P)2012 Audible, Inc.


Review:
Nate is a mediocre worker at a dead end job, with no real friends.  He struggles from pay check to paycheck and is glad to find a new apartment building at a great low rent. Soon after he moves in he begins to notice oddities about the building. The light in his kitchen will only work as a black light. The light reveals strange green, iridescent roaches in his apartment that have one extra leg. He shrugs off the strangeness until he begins to see inside other apartments and finds more oddities. Nate begins to make friends with other tenants: Veek, the brilliant computer nerd downstairs; Tim, the ‘new guy’ who always seems to have the right answers and the right tools. Next door is Xela, the frustrated artist with blue hair and an attitude. Roger who lives downstairs with his loving wife, is a “grip” who deals with the shadows of movie making.

As the tenants become friends they discover that each of their apartments are different shapes and sizes. Other apartments are locked with chains and there is the old elevator that has never worked as far as anyone remembers. And where is the power source to feed the building and computers considering there are no apparent power lines?

Nate becomes obsessed and the group works together uncovering clues about the building. What they discover is scary and amazing. The author sets Nate and friends as Scooby Doo characters on a haunted house type mystery and makes fun references to H.P. Lovecraft. I think this is not a story to listen to at night as it is creepy, bordering on horror at times. The twists are startling and awesome.

I found the entire story unexpected and totally engaging. I recommend it to readers who enjoy humor in a dark mystery with suspense and weirdness.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter does a wonderful job with the narration. He captures the different voices and characters and keeps the story moving at a steady clip. Although I may not have heard Mr. Porter as a narrator before, I can appreciate that he is a popular narrator. His reading enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

I selected this from my own Audible Library. It is part of my Audio Challenge.

Monday, August 17, 2015

Sunday Post August 16, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 17, 2015.




Sunday Post - It's Monday! is still not up and linking while Sheila finds her way after her family tragedy.
Kathryn at Date Book suggested linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.


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 am still fighting this throat cough and upper respiratory tightness. But I continue to get better sleep than the first two weeks before antibiotics. I see the Doctor again this Tuesday.

I had a little extra time for reading/listening as we traveled to Biloxi (to visit son and family) and back.

I enjoyed my reading, finishing five total: one print, two ebooks, and two audio. I posted four reviews, one with print Giveaway. I posted the usual memes, although a couple ran late.

I didn't get to visit last week between still going to bed early at the beginning of the week and limited internet and time at the end. I hope to do better this week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:
Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle



Dark Horse
by Michelle Diener
This was great entertainment.
Click on book title for full description.





2. Print


Double Exposure (The Justice Agency Book 1)
by Susan Sleeman
This is soled romantic suspense. 
Review and giveaway are linked above.
Click on book title for full description.




3. Audible



Petticoat Detective
Written by: Margaret Brownley
Narrated by: Jaimee Draper
This was a nice listen.
This was in my Audible library from December 2014.
Click on book title for full description.



4. Audible


The Remaining
Written by: D. J. Molles
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
I found this approach to zombie ""virus" to make for an engaging listen
I had this in my Audible Library from Feb 2015.
Publisher's Summary
In a steel-and-lead-encased bunker 20 feet below the basement level of his house, a soldier waits for his final orders. On the surface, a plague ravages the planet, infecting over 90% of the populace. The bacterium burrows through the brain, destroying all signs of humanity and leaving behind little more than base, prehistoric instincts. The infected turn into hyper-aggressive predators, with an insatiable desire to kill and feed. Someday soon, the soldier will have to open the hatch to his bunker, and step out into this new wasteland, to complete his mission: Subvenire refectus. To rescue and rebuild.
The Remaining is the first book in the best-selling series, which tells a gritty tale of survival, perseverance and fighting to get back what has been lost.
©2012 D.J. Molles (P)2013 Audible, Inc.



5. eBook/Kindle


A City Called Smoke: The Territory 2
by Justin Woolley
This is a good second in the series although with plenty of danger and a few more twists.
The battle was only the beginning; the real danger is beyond the fence ...
The Diggers have been destroyed, a horde of ghouls is moving inland and the High Priestess has seized control of the Central Territory. Together with Nim, a Nomad boy seeking vengeance against the ghouls, Squid and Lynn begin their long journey toward the city of Big Smoke, a city that may not even exist.
Pursued by forces that wish to see them fail, facing threats on all sides and conflict from within, Squid, Lynn and Nim search for a weapon against the ghouls. It is a search that will lead them into forbidden lands where long-held beliefs about their world are tested and Squid may finally unravel the truth of his identity.
But even if they survive their journey, the teenagers on whom the fate of the Territory now rests have no idea what dangers await them beyond the fence.
Perfect for fans of James Dashner's Maze Runner series and Michael Grant's Gone series.




Currently reading:
1. Audible


The Witch with No Name: The Hollows, Book 13
Written by: Kim Harrison
Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin
This was in my Audible Library from Sept. 2014.
Publisher's Summary
After 10 years and 13 adventures, at last the triumphant conclusion to Kim Harrison's number-one New York Times best-selling Hollows series!
In 2004, Kim Harrison made her debut with Dead Witch Walking, an electrifying urban audiobook novel full of action, mystery, romance, and humor, which introduced bounty hunter and witch Rachel Morgan. Over the course of 12 books, Rachel confronted numerous threats, vanquished a range of cunning and powerful enemies, risked her heart, suffered haunting loss, and nearly lost her life. Now, in The Witch with No Name, Kim Harrison brings back her wildly popular heroine for one final, epic battle.
Rachel Morgan's come a long way from the klutzy runner fleeing a bad job. She's faced vampires and werewolves, banshees, witches, and soul-eating demons. She's crossed worlds, channeled gods, and accepted her place as a day-walking demon. She's lost friends and lovers and family, and an old enemy has become something much more.
But power demands responsibility, and world-changers must always pay a price.
That time is now.
To save her best friend's soul and the rest of the living vampires, to keep the demonic ever-after and our own world from utter destruction at the hands of fanatics, Rachel Morgan will risk everything.
©2014 Kim Harrison (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers



2. eBook/Kindle


To Honor You Call Us (Man of War Book 1)
by H. Paul Honsinger
I am 30% in on this and really enjoying the strategy.
I received this from NetGalley.
The Terran Union is engaged in a vast interstellar war against the Krag, ruthless aliens intent on exterminating humankind. In 2315, the wily Max Robichaux is given command of the USS Cumberland, a destroyer with state-of-the-art capabilities but a combat record so bad, she’s known as the “Cumberland Gap.”

Capt. Robichaux’s first mission: to take his warship to the Free Corridor, where the Krag have secretly been buying strategic materials, and to seize or destroy any ships carrying enemy cargo. Far from the fleet and under enforced radio silence, Max relies only on his determination and guile…and the support and friendship of his chief medical officer, the brilliant Dr. Sahin.

Because even as he deals with the ship’s onboard problems and the stress of carrying out her risky assignment, Max and the doctor discover that the Cumberland and her misfit crew are all that stands in the way of a deadly Krag attack that threatens to end the war—and humanity—once and for all.

A far-future story in the tradition of “ships of wood, men of iron” novels, To Honor You Call Us and the Man of War series combines the adventure of exploration, the excitement of war, and the dangers of the unknown through the eyes of a ship and her crew.



3 eBook/Kindle


Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm (Once in a Lifetime)
by Rebecca Raisin
I discovered I only had a sample of this. 
I have sent the file to my Kindle again and I think I have the whole book now.  
I selected this at NetGalley.
Maple sugar kisses
Click on book title for full description.



June 1, 2015- I am still up to date on Bible reading and greatly enjoying the readings-- It seems my eyes are open to more details and meaning.. I am reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I am also listening to the companion commentary online.



I posted four reviews last week which left one plus four new for this week. I need to continue to work hard on reviews.
I finished two and am reading two NetGalley. I added one new book so my waiting shelf has five NetGalley titles.
I have pulled in some TBRs which makes me glad. 

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. 

I added just one NetGalley title this past week; I selected my two Audible choices and purchased one Kindle book.
I picked up a free Audible title as well as adding more free kindle titles to my library.

(I still have many author requests, old and new ones, to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles
I selected one title at NetGalley this week.
Product Details

The Last Chance Christmas Ball
by Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice, and Cara Elliott
Several good authors I really like.
I saw this at some other blogs and was glad to find it still available at NetGalley.

Won
None.


Purchased
I have 180+ titles in my Audible Wish list so sometimes it is hard to pick two titles.
I selected these two audiobooks with my July Credits:
The Remaining: Aftermath | The Remaining: Aftermath
By D. J. Molles
I want to continue this series.

Resurrecting Home: A Novel |
By A. American
I realized this series had a fifth book so I picked it up now.


I made this Kindle Purchase so I can continue this series to:


Free

I picked up another audiobook for free at Audible:
FREE: Summer Farmer: A Story from White Man's Problems |
By Kevin Morris




Over the past week I again added 45 free Kindle titles to my library this week. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Sharing Beyond Books #215 Comment Giveaway for August 16, 2015

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Sorry this is a day late. I opened the computer on Saturday night to work on this but I had not internet service. So it waited until we arrived at home and spent a couple hours winding down from travel.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
I enjoyed learning which characters and books commenters would like to share - although most wanted to visit and not live there which is totally understandable!
~~~~

The regular Winner from SBB #214 comments is: #5 Mikiwho can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. I'm hoping to update the book choices this week. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #215 (One Question - two parts.)

Becky asks: Q1 What are you currently reading?? My addition/variation to answer in lieu (but Becky still gets the comment credit this week): What genre are you currently reading/seeking most??
I post what I am reading every week so you all can see that. However - the genre that I seem to be seeking more of right now is action -- mostly sci fi action and post apocalyptic.
Image found at alphacoders.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:

Becky asks: Q1 What are you currently reading?? My addition/variation to answer in lieu: What genre are you currently reading/seeking most??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the  Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday August 22, 2015 at 5 PM central.

Book Review and Giveaway: Double Exposure (The Justice Agency Book 1) by Susan Sleeman

I enjoyed this quick read romantic suspense.
by Susan Sleeman
  • Series: Love Inspired Suspense
  • Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Love Inspired (June 5, 2012)
  • ISBN-13: 978-0373444953
Genre: Inspirational, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0


Photographer Jennie Buchanan unknowingly captures a drug-cartel meeting on film. And now she has become a killer's next target. Even worse, her only protection from the danger that threatens her life is the man who threatens her heart. Dodging bullets almost seems safer than facing the feelings stirred up by seeing former FBI agent and ex-boyfriend Ethan Justice again. Ethan vows to safeguard Jennie from the deadly men on her trail. And for a second chance at Jennie's love, he's willing to risk anything to expose the truth—about the drug smugglers, the past and the future together he still wants.


Review:
Jennie Buchanan came from a home of poverty and has learned to depend on no one but herself. She has focused her photography career on documenting the lives of poverty stricken children in other countries bringing their plight to the public eye to gain support of her charity foundation for those children. Jennie is scheduled to have a new gallery showing but suddenly the preliminary set-up is vandalized and she and gallery are threatened if she doesn’t cancel the show. The gallery owner calls in a former FBI agent, Ethan Justice and his family of private security agents. They may be the best available but Jennie is threatened now by her heart an memories as Ethan was her first love. She rejected and abandoned him many years ago rather than wait for his rejection upon learning secrets of her past.

Ethan always loved Jennie but was devastated by her rejection. Recently his fiancé called off their marriage so now he has been twice burned. He has no intention of putting his heart on the line again even as he struggles with the chemistry and rekindled feelings he has for Jennie. But his feelings won’t matter if he can’t keep her safe.

This short book is full of action from beginning to end. As enemies try to get Jennie’s film prints and negatives the attacks escalate from vandalism, snatch and grab tactics, and ransacked housing to shootings, arson and kidnapping. There is good chemistry between Jennie and Ethan and human feelings they have to manage. Jennie has to overcome a lifetime of guilt and inferiority insecurities while Ethan has to be willing to forgive and trust.

I like Ms. Sleeman’s easy style of writing that makes for quick reading. I enjoyed the brief prayers offered in times of need or thanks and the spiritual lessons portrayed through the growth of the characters. Some of those lessons are shared in creative descriptions or comparisons that worked very well and were woven in cleanly to fit the situation.

Hunter and Hope by Lenora Worth: There is a second, novella story shared in this volume. It is another second chance romance that is nicely handled in 40 or so pages.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy quick read, inspirational romantic suspense. There are a five brothers and sisters in the Justice family who are good characters and apparently will have stories of their own so this is a good place to start the series.

I won this in 2012 so it is from my TBR shelf.

ONE (gently read) personally autographed PRINT COPY GIVEAWAY
US Only


(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!
I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)
For 3 Extra Bonus entries (a) comment on the review, OR
(b) Visit the AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you learned or like there.

* This contest is open to US only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 7 PM (Central) August 24, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after August 24, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 16, 2015

We are away from home and may not get to church this morning. That doesn't stop us from taking time to read our Bibles and worship.

This song reminds me that wecan seek His Presence anywhere we are.

A Verse for Today
Psalms 16:11
You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

May I welcome You Lord in my life -- always!

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