Book Review: The Banished of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 1) by Jeff Wheeler

I enjoyed the action, mystery and magic of this story.
The Banished of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 1)
by Jeff Wheeler

• File Size: 5219 KB
• Print Length: 357 pages
• Publisher: 47North (August 18, 2015)
• Publication Date: August 18, 2015
• ASIN: B00TOV0U7O
• Genre: Fantasy
• My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

In a world full of magic and mystery, eighteen year old Maia is the exiled princess of Comoros and rightful heir to the throne. Forced to live as a servant in her enemy's home, Maia flees her captors and begins a perilous quest to save her people. To survive, she must use magic she has learned in secret despite the fact that women are forbidden to control it. Hunted by enemies at every turn, Maia realizes that danger lurks within her, too. Her powers threaten to steal not only her consciousness but also her sense of right and wrong. Can she set herself free and save the realm she lovesCeven if her people have forgotten her? In bestselling author Jeff Wheeler's fantasy epic, the answer may be only the beginning to Maia's journey throughout the mystical land of Muirwood.

Review:
Young Maia lives in a world where women are not allowed to read or write -- except if they are truly a Princess. Women are also forbidden to be Dochte Manders who are members of a religious order who use magic. When she was very young Princess Maia was allowed to train under a very special Dochte Mander who taught her forbidden skills. Maia was nine when her mother lost another son at birth and her parent’s marriage fell apart. Although her father, the king of Comoros, loved Maia he was obsessed with having a son as an heir and also with removing the magical elements from his kingdom. Maia was sent to the border lands to learn the duties of being a mediator. She returned three years later to find her mother banished and a new woman in the castle with a young son who looks a lot like the King.

Maia is declared a bastard and banished from the castle. She is sent to live with one of her stepsisters who mocks her and reduces her to a despised servant. The king also removed all of the Dochte Mander from the kingdom which resulted in hardship and unrest.

After some time in her desperate position Maia is called to the king who sends her on a quest that will take her through enemy lands to the most northern of the seven realms. The journey begins with a kishion guard (a trained assassin) as her sole companion. Along the way they are joined by a skilled hunter Jon Tayt and his loyal boarhound. Jon Tayt agrees to guide them even though it is clear the way will be fraught with dangers. Whenever Maia uses magic to protect them she also opens her mind to the Dochte Mander who are seeking to capture her.

Maia also meets a handsome man who is the Dahomony king’s collier (stable master). Feint Collier is a dangerous man who is incessant on pursuing Maia, knowing that she was pledged to his king as an infant until her father broke that pledge.

This was the first story I read by Mr. Wheeler and I enjoyed the writing and the world building. There is plenty of swordplay and intrigue that moves the story along well and there are some nice bits of wisdom and symbolism. The political history and personal issues are nicely filled in through Maia’s dreams. However there is so much going on in the intrigue that I felt as though I was playing catch–up in the Muirwood world. I really enjoyed the characters although I thought that Feint, who is two years younger than Maia’ 18 years, is rather young for the confidence and authority he displays.

There were some positive points of the ending but I was a bit disappointed that it left many points which can only be resolved by reading the next book. I recommend this to readers who enjoy engaging fantasy as long as they are prepared to read on in the series.

I received this through NetGalley. It is part of my NetGalley Challenge.

Audible Review: The Empire's Corps by Christopher G. Nuttall

This is engaging with lots of action.

The Empire's Corps

Written by: Christopher G. Nuttall

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 15 hrs and 32 mins

Series: The Empire's Corps, Book 1

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:07 18 14

Publisher: Podium Publishing

Genre: Sci Fi, Futuristic, Military

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

You should never speak truth to power

The Galactic Empire is dying and chaos and anarchy are breaking out everywhere. After a disastrous mission against terrorists on Earth itself, Captain Edward Stalker of the Terran Marine Corps makes the mistake of speaking truth to power, telling one of the most powerful men in the Empire a few home truths. As a result, Captain Stalker and his men are unceremoniously exiled to Avalon, a world right on the Rim of the Empire. It should have been an easy posting....

Well, apart from the bandits infesting the countryside, an insurgency that threatens to topple the Empire's loose control over Avalon, and a corrupt civil government more interested in what it can extort from the population than fighting a war. The Marines rapidly find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of political and economic chaos, fighting to preserve Avalon before the competing factions tear the world apart. They're Marines; if anyone can do it, they can.

The battle to save the Empire starts here.

@Book Revie2012 Christopher G. Nuttall (P) 2014 Podium Publishing

Review:
Captain Edward Stalker of the Terran Marine Corps is a sharp Marine officer. But the Civil Guard on Earth are the main authority force of the Empire. The controlling senate is corrupt and doesn’t want the honesty and integrity of the Marines. Stalker is banished after he impugns (“speaks truth to power”) the Senate for blaming his troops for tragedy after they had to step in to resolve a terrorist attack that the Civil Guard made worse instead of quelling.

Stalker and his corps are sent to Avalon, a world on the outer rim of colonized space. Avalon’s main settlement is Camelot and their society is in major trouble. Corruption has entered the governmental system and the city is divided between the rich and powerful and the suffering indentured classes. The Governor can no longer act without the authority of the corrupt Council. The convicts sent to the planet have escaped to become bandits in the hills. There is an underground group known as the Crackers who have lost one rebellion seeking reforms but are rebuilding. And the local Civil Guard is poorly equipped, poorly trained and infiltrated with insurgents.

Stalker has to tread lightly to stay within the chain of authority in addressing issues on the planet. Although they recognize corruption and suspect spies they have problems finding proof and determining who to trust.

The universe history and political and social imbalances are presented well, although it seemed that, with a few exceptions, the only good, honorable and trustworthy people were the Marines. I liked how each Chapter starts with a quote that fills in Empire history, marine traditions or insurgent strategies. There is personal interaction intermingled with plenty of physical danger and action that moved the story along at a good, engaging pace. The characters could use a bit more depth but I generally enjoyed the several primary characters: Captain Stalker, an intense Rifleman, Jasmine, an Avalon training recruit, Michael, banished Professor Leo Caesius, and a few more.

I would love this story except for two elements: there is a lot of cursing/foul language and a great deal of sexual innuendos and salacious banter. These will probably have me looking to other series for my military space opera enjoyment. I do recommend this book to readers who like sci-fi military action and aren’t put off by bad words and bawdy banter.

Audio Notes: Jeffrey Kafer does a grand job with narration. He captures the voices and conveys the intensity and danger of the situation. The audio made this an faster, more interesting read for me.

This was from my Audible Library as a 2014 selection. It qualifies for my Audio Challenge and I count it as a TBR since it is not a 2015 selection.

Sunday Post September 6, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 7, 2015

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's Monday! at Book Journey may be active again in September.

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.

A decongestant has been helping my head stay clearer. I am still walking - three mornings again. 
I keep plugging away at work.
My reading titles took longer to read so I only finished two books: one ebook and one Audible. I posted four reviews, one with giveaway, and the usual memes.

Yay - I got to visit early in the week again!
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post August 30, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 31, 2015.

• Audible Review: Resurrecting Home: A Novel by A. American; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.0.

• Audible Review: Waking the Bear: Broken Chains, Book 1 by Kerry Adrienne; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review: Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm (Once in a Lifetime) by Rebecca Raisin; Small Town, Contemporary Romance; my rating 3.75.

• Friday Pick Giveaway September 4, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 9/10/2015.

• Book Review and Print Giveaway: Dying to Read (The Cate Kinkaid Files Book #1): A Novel by Lorena McCourtney; Cozy Mystery, Christian Fiction; my rating 4.0. Open US; Ends 9/12/2015.

• Sharing Beyond Books #218 Comment Giveaway for September 5, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 9/12/2015.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 6, 2015.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/MP4

The Empire's Corps
Written by: Christopher G. Nuttall
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
Entertaining, good action but some baseness.
I will post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

The Banished of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 1)
by Jeff Wheeler
This is engaging but the ending is disappointing because it requires continuing in the series.
I will do a review this week. 
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:

1. Audible

Come Home to Me: Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Book 1
Written by: Peggy L Henderson
Narrated by: Cody Roberts
I am 3/4ths in this interesting 
time travel love story.
This is from my Audible Library (2015).
Publisher's Summary
Jake Owens is tired of life on his parents' Montana ranch, catering to city folk who want a taste of old-fashioned country living. He enjoys life in the fast lane, with fast cars and even faster women. When he falls in with the wrong crowd and is accused of murder, a stranger's bizarre offer at a second chance might be his only hope to clear his name.
Rachel Parker is highly devoted to her family. A tragedy prompts a daring move to the Oregon Territory for a fresh start in a new land. After meeting the wagon train's scout, the meaning of a fresh start may be more than she ever imagined.
Jake can't believe he's been sent back in time to act as scout for a wagon train headed for Oregon, and given the added burden of keeping one emigrant woman safe during the journey. He and Rachel are confused by their attraction to each other. Jake's ill-mannered, unconventional ways are overshadowed only by his notorious reputation. Rachel's traditional values and quiet, responsible character are the complete opposite of what attracts Jake to a woman. When their forbidden attraction turns to love, what will happen at the end of the trail?
©2012 Peggy L Henderson (P)2013 Peggy L Henderson

2. eBook/Kindle

Death of the Blue Flower
by Roxann Hill (Author), Paul Wagle (Translator)
10% in. I like the writing and the set-up so far. I'm anticipating the mystery.
I picked this up from NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible

The Remaining: Aftermath
Written by: D. J. Molles
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
This is book 2, continuing the story.
I recently picked this up with an Audible credit.
Publisher's Summary
Nothing has gone according to plan.
To Captain Lee Harden, Project Hometown feels like a distant dream and the completion of his mission seems unattainable. Wounded and weaponless, he has stumbled upon a group of survivors that seems willing to help. But a tragedy in the group causes a deep rift to come to light and forces him into action. In the chaos of the world outside, Lee is pursued by a new threat: someone who will stop at nothing to get what he has.
The Remaining: Aftermath is the second book in the best-selling The Remaining series.
©2012 D.J. Molles (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

4. eBook/Kindle

The Last Christmas Ball
by Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice, and Cara Elliott
I picked this up at NetGalley and am looking forward to it.
Christmas 1815. Upstairs and downstairs, Holbourne Hall is abuzz with preparations for a grand ball to celebrate the year’s most festive—and romantic—holiday. For at the top of each guest’s wish list is a last chance to find true love before the New Year…
A chance meeting beneath the mistletoe, a stolen glance across the dance floor—amid the sumptuous delicacies, glittering decorations, and swell of the orchestra, every duchess and debutante, lord and lackey has a hopeful heart. There’s the headstrong heiress who must win back her beloved by midnight—or be wed to another….the spinster whose fateful choice to relinquish love may hold one more surprise for her…a widow yearning to glimpse her long-lost love for even one sweet, fleeting interlude …a charming rake who finds far more than he bargained for. And many other dazzling, romantic tales in this star-studded collection that will fill your heart and spice up your holidays…

5. Print Book

Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story, O'Malley Series #1

By Dee Henderson

I got a third through this but we will not discuss it until October ladies' book club. 

I will wait till later in the month to finish.

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 just the two new for this week although I expect I will do a third as well. 
I finished one and am reading two books from NetGalley. I added two new books so my waiting NetGalley shelf is now at six.
I still want to pull in more books off TBR shelves, print and digital. 

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 received three new NetGalley titles this past week and purchased two $.99 books at Amazon/Kindle.
I added more free kindle titles to my library too.

(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 received three titles at NetGalley this week. 
Two I requested:

Love in the Details: A November Wedding Story (A Year of Weddings Novella)
"She left him to save his future, but they’ve never gotten over each other....
Will Josh and Holly be able to keep things as they are when their true feelings threaten to surface at every turn?"

Joy to the Worlds: Mysterious Speculative Fiction for the Holidays

by Maia Chance , Janine A. Southard, Raven Oak,G. Clemans

"What do you get when you mix mystery and speculative fiction, then toss in the holidays for good measure?

...eight short works that explore mysteries across time and space."

One received through invitation.

Harriet Wolf's Seventh Book of Wonders: A Novel
by Julianna Baggott
"A mesmerizing tale of star-crossed love and of the dark secrets in a fracturing family . . . This novel is so full of wonders that it leaves you haunted, amazed, and, like every great read, irrevocably changed."--Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You

Won

NONE

Purchased

I purchased two $.99 books at Kindle.


Sideswiped (The Peri Reed Chronicles)
Kim Harrison
Sold by: Simon & Schuster Digital Sales Inc
New Series (Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer suggested getting this before The Drafter in this new series. It was cheaper to get this in Kindle although I will probably get the rest at Audible.)

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass series Book 1)
Sarah J. Maas
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
I've been thinking of trying this series on Audible.
I thought it was worth the $.99 to see if I liked it.

Free

Over the past week I added 46 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement September 6, 2015

We had a good discussion in Sunday School regarding signs of “end times”. Everyone agreed that the signs are many and we discussed our role as Christians. The consensus was: be obedient to God’s word, callings and nudging; be in the word; keep praying; be expectant and watch for the return of Christ; share the Good News and love on others. Let all our behaviors be a light and witness to draw others to the message of Jesus’ gift of salvation.

Pastor only had a short time to preach because we have a family of six (parents with two natural born children and four older adopted children) who leave this week for mission work in Honduras. They explained their journey over the past six years and how God has been leading, equipping and preparing them for this work. We consecrated them with prayer blessings.

Pastor’s message was entitled “Peace”. He noted that in all the years of recorded human history there have only been 8% that were without war somewhere in the world. God gives peace. 2 Corinthians 1:2, Romans 1:7. The Jewish word “Shalom” means holistic peace: harmony, completeness, prosperity, and welfare. Jesus is called Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6. We receive the peace of reconciliation. Romans 5:1-5.
Peace brings to us three things:
1. A Quiet Conscience. John 16:33.
2. A Restful Mind. Philippians 4:7 (also considered a ‘tranquil state’ or contentment from/through Christ.
3. An Assurance of Hope. Romans 15:13. God holds you in His hand. Isaiah 41:10.

Safety is not found in the absence of danger but in the presence of God. See Psalm 4:8.
Children of God should not be in a state of fear but should be a beacon of peace to others.

This is not the song I initially expected but it is lovely!

Peace in the Midst of the Storm by Kim Hopper.

A Verse for Today:
Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

It seems to us that the spirit of rebellion and lawlessness is increasing in our world. I am thankful that God has given me His spirit of peace.

Sharing Beyond Books #218 Comment Giveaway for September 5, 2015

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Deep breath! I do feel better. Of course the Claritin D (R) might be helping.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
It was fun seeing when and what were everyone's first computers. It looked like they were procured for work, school or home/games. I may have had one the longest, since 1982 and Linda is the newcomer getting hers in 2001. And Nikki is right - we did not have email back in those days, much less social media. Can you imagine? :-)

~~~~~

The regular Winner from SBB #217 comments is: #12 BN100 who 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 #218 (One Question.)

BN100 asks this week: Do you like fairy tale retellings??

I do enjoy fairy tale retellings. Of course, some are more creative than others, but somehow they all seem fun to compare to the original. On this note - our son has DH and I watching Once Upon a Time. We are into Season 2 Episode 4. I haven't quite decided who is the most evil - Regina (the Evil Queen) or Mr. Gold (Rumpelstiltskin). Then again, maybe it's Regina's really nasty Mother!

Images found at IMDb Photo Gallery


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.
August Questions contributed by: Booklady, Poetryinleaves, Becky and Rosebud. Random Pick winner: #4 Rosebud

Your turn to share:
BN100 asks this week: Do you like fairy tale retellings??

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 September 12, 2015 at 5 PM central.