Book Review: Chakana: Encounter In The Sacred Valley by W.E. Lawrence

This is a fast paced and exciting ‘Indiana Jones’ style adventure with romance.

Chakana: Encounter In The Sacred Valley
by W.E. Lawrence

File Size: 2617 KB
Print Length: 346 pages
Publication Date: January 4, 2016
ASIN: B01A7PZ3MM
Genre: Action Adventure
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

In 1940, James Fleming, the original British secret agent, races on a high-stakes mission to track down the lost Incan treasure of King Huascar. Along with Kate Rhodes, a policewoman on leave from Ohio, he decodes clues and faces the challenges of the Chakana designed to allow only the most devoted to escape alive.

Among the ancient ruins of Peru, disaster hides around each corner as they battle Incan death traps and an international artifact smuggler who will do anything to acquire the hidden wealth. If James and Kate fail, the Nazi’s Third Reich could win WWII and take over the world. Intrigue, danger, adventure, and even romance abound in this quest to save the free world.

Review:
James Fleming was a young British Officer in training in America when he was rescued from a marshy bog by the lovely, young Kate Rhodes. Years later he is surprised when Kate shows up in Peru looking for her brother, a missing archaeologist. Kate has accompanied a professor of antiquities who is helping unravel the puzzle of an Incan decoding machine marked by the Chakana, an Incan cross shape. Such hidden instructions usually lead to a treasure of gold!

James isn’t in Peru for a treasure hunt exactly. He is undercover trying to catch a big time smuggler, Soros, who poses as a legitimate artifacts dealer. Solos is intent on finding gold to invest in the Nazi’s Third Reich so it is of utmost importance that James stop him from getting to the treasure. Soros is smart and ruthless. He will torture for information and kidnap parties of interest to get what he wants.

James and Kate make a good team hunting and collecting the clues needed to complete the decoding box. Many of the clues require two people and not just any two, but two lovers. James and Kate figure they can pretend or bluff their way through the challenge but the Incan traps have planned otherwise.

I greatly enjoyed the puzzle challenges and the dangerous escapes that James and Kate face and mostly conquer. I was a little surprised by the intensity of the sexual scenes in a story set in the 1940s, but what was I thinking? Twenty somethings are sensual beings whether in the 1880s, the 1940s or present day. Given Kate’s strong minded independence, standing up for herself as a police officer in a man’s world, I shouldn’t have found her liberated behavior that surprising.

The story moves at a good pace with Indiana Jones type of villains and dangers. The writing is crisp and flows well. The relationship between Kate and James is warm and I enjoyed how the ending left room for future development and adventures for the pair. There were several good history tidbits that I liked and found informative. This is worth the purchase for readers who enjoy action and adventure with romance.

(There was a glaring misuse of grammar that should have been caught in editing. Since I read a NetGalley version I will not note the specific phrase here but I will note it in my comments to the publisher.)

I received this from the publisher through NetGalley. It qualifies for NetGalley Challenge, TBR Triple Dog Dare, C on Alphabet Soup and March 2016 TBR Challenge.

Book Review: The Cracked Spine: A Scottish Bookshop Mystery by Paige Shelton

This is a delightful, engaging cozy mystery with grand characters and an interesting setting.
The Cracked Spine: A Scottish Bookshop Mystery
by Paige Shelton

Series: A Scottish Bookshop Mystery
File Size: 1422 KB
Print Length: 305 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (March 29, 2016)
ASIN: B0151U7X3A
Genre: Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Wanted: A bold adventurer who wants to travel the world from a comfortable and safe spot behind a desk that has seen the likes of kings and queens, paupers and princes. A humble book and rare manuscript shop seeks a keenly intelligent investigator to assist us in our search for things thought lost, and in our quest to return lost items to their rightful owners.

Never an adventurer, no one was more surprised than Delaney Nichols when she packed her bags and moved halfway across the world to Edinburgh, Scotland to start a job at The Cracked Spine, a bookshop located in the heart of the city. Her new boss, Edwin MacAlister, has given her the opportunity of a lifetime, albeit a cryptic one, and Delaney can’t wait to take her spot behind the desk.

The Cracked Spine is filled with everything a book lover could want, each item as eclectic as the people who work there; the spirited and lovable Rosie, who always has tiny dog Hector in tow; Hamlet, a nineteen-year-old thespian with a colored past and bright future; and Edwin, who is just as enigmatic and mysterious as Delaney expected. An extra bonus is Tom the bartender from across the street, with his cobalt eyes, and a gentle brogue—and it doesn’t hurt that he looks awfully good in a kilt.

But before she can settle into her new life, a precious artifact goes missing, and Edwin’s sister is brutally murdered. Never did Delaney think that searching for things lost could mean a killer, but if she’s to keep her job, and protect her new friends, she’ll need to learn the truth behind this Scottish tragedy.

Review:
Delaney, who loves books and old things, was laid off from her museum job in Kansas where she has lived her whole life. When she sees an ad for a ‘bold adventurer to search for lost things’ she decides to journey to take a job at ‘a humble book and rare manuscript shop’…in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Delaney arrives in Edinburgh excited to start her job at The Cracked Spine. She is helped by a friendly cabdriver, Elias, who practically adopts her. Delaney meets her boss, the wealthy and seemingly eccentric Edwin, and co-workers, the young acting student, Hamlet, and a mostly cheery bookkeeper, Rosie, with her shoulder ‘drape’ dog, Hector. Delaney spends one day with Edwin at a secretive auction where she meets three of his friends who express worries about Edwin and his sister, Jenny, who was supposed to join them but didn’t show. Before Delaney can even explore the overstuffed bookshop with its secret nooks, or learn her duties at work, tragedy strikes when Jenny is murdered.

Delaney has a special knack for finding lost things, especially books. It seems that a special item has gone missing and it may be related to Jenny’s murder. Was she killed because of the object? Did the object lead Jenny to the wrong people? Were any of Edwin’s friends involved? Even Hamlet is carefully questioned by the detectives. Delaney enlists the help of her new friend, Elias, to run her around town to do her own questioning of suspects, while Elias’ wife helps put together pieces of a torn letter Delaney slipped out of Jenny’s apartment. As Delaney relentlessly pursues the murder mystery, she gets the chance to flirt with sparks of romance with a handsome barman who owns the smallest pub in Edinburgh.

I was pulled in by Delaney’s warm character, and the promise of a fun story, within the first chapter. I liked each new character as they were introduced and enjoyed the character development. The mystery was well plotted with a twist that kept the murderer a surprise till the end. Not only is Delaney's investigation engaging, I also enjoyed the vivid descriptions and the Gaelic accents that the author shares.

This is a wonderful cozy mystery and I do hope there will be more in this series with these friendly and quirky characters. I noted this book is offered in audio. I listened to the sample and I think it would be a really fun listen. I am inclined to check out more series by Paige Shelton in the meantime. I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy a good, cozy mystery with warm characters and lovely setting.

I received this through NetGalley for an honest review. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge and TBR Triple Dog Dare as I selected this back in December, 2015.

Sunday Post March 27, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 28, 2016

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

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 pretty good week just working away. 
Saturday my DH and I drove off and spent a nice day with family.
We did get a quick cold snap and the rest of the week has been rainy.
I hope everyone enjoyed a lovely Resurrection Sunday!

Reading was very good. I finished five books (three ebooks and two audios this week).  I posted three reviews, one with tour giveaway, one challenge update and my other usual memes and posts.

Again, I enjoyed visiting other blogs early in the week. I had hoped to do more later but that didn't happen.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post March 20, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 21, 2016.

• Update on March 2016 Take Control of TBR Pile Challenge.

• Audible Review: Good Morning... Processes Must Be Improved by Ray Jay Perreault; Sci Fi, Short Story; my rating 4.0.

• Book Review and Tour Giveaway: The Ethical Coach Leader by Dwight Johnson; Personal Growth; my rating 4.25.
  Win 1 of 5 print copies. (USA & Canada); Ends 4/7/16

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 25, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/31/2016.

• Audible Book Review: Good Fences: A Scorched Earth Novel by Boyd Craven III; Sci Fi, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #245 Comment Giveaway March 26, 2016. Ending 4/2/16.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement March 27, 2016.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Chakana: Encounter In The Sacred Valley
by W.E. Lawrence
I am 60% into this adventure - scavenger hunt to a treasure.

Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/MP3 (ABB)

Northern Lights: A Scorched Earth Novel
Written by: Boyd Craven III
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
I have started this and it is a stand alone in the series.
I received this audio from the narrator through Audiobook Blast.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (Tour)

The Ethical Coach Leader
by Dwight Johnson
This sounds interesting and timely.
I received this title through iRead Book Tours for review on 3/24.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audio/MP3

The Cracked Spine: A Scottish Bookshop Mystery
by Paige Shelton
This fun sounding mystery releases 3/29/16.
I received it through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

5. Audio/MP3 (ABJ)

Derelict
Written by: LJ Cohen
Narrated by: Bill Burrows
This is a YA sci fi with some interesting dynamics. Engaging enough.
I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
When Rosalen Maldonado tinkers with the derelict freighter, she's just hoping to prove she deserves a scholarship to University. She certainly doesn't count on waking the ship's damaged AI or having three stowaways, Micah Rotherwood and brothers Jem and Barre Durbin, along for the ride. They all have their private reasons for hiding aboard and lives they are seeking to escape, but if the accidental crew can't work together and learn to trust each other, they'll die together, victims of a computer that doesn't realize the war ended decades before any of them were even born.
©2014 Lisa Janice (LJ) Cohen (P)2015 Lisa Janice (LJ) Cohen

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (Tour-NG)

Nobody But You (Cedar Ridge
by Jill Shalvis
I haven't read this author in a bit.
I am only 10% in and enjoying the characters.
I received this as part of tour for review on April 2.
SOMETIMES YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN . . .
After an overseas mission goes wrong, Army Special Forces officer Jacob Kincaid knows where he must go to make things right: back home to the tiny town of Cedar Ridge, Colorado. All he needs to scrub away his painful past is fresh mountain air, a lakeside cabin, and quiet solitude. But what he discovers is a gorgeous woman living on a boat at his dock.

Sophie Marren has nowhere else to go. She's broke, intermittently seasick, and fighting a serious attraction to the brooding, dishy, I'm-too-sexy-for-myself guy who's now claiming her dock. Something about Jacob's dark intensity makes her want to tease-and tempt-him beyond measure. Neither one wants to give any ground . . . until they realize the only true home they have is with each other.

2. eBook/Kindle/Print (LBC-TBR)

Arena
by Karen Hancock
I have had this in print for over a year for my Ladies Book Club (LBC).
I bought the kindle version since this is for discussion 4/2/16.
A journey she did not choose will test her courage and change her life forever

When Callie Hayes agreed to participate in a routine psychology research experiment, she had no clue she'd find herself plunged into a terrifying world where a battle rages between good and evil. With limited resources and only a few cryptic words to guide her, she must unravel the mysteries shrouding her only route of escape or risk succumbing to the deadly deception of the Arena.

Multiple-award-winning author Karen Hancock leads readers on a mesmerizing journey as her compelling characters navigate the deadly terrain of a hostile world in this repackage of her acclaimed debut novel.

3. Audible/MP3

Fire Touched: Mercy Thompson Series, Book 9
Written by: Patricia Briggs
Narrated by: Lorelei King
I enjoy this series so I will listen to this next.
I just picked this up with February Audible credit.
Publisher's Summary
Mercy Thompson has been hailed as "a heroine who continues to grow and yet always remains true to herself."* Now she's back, and she'll soon discover that when the fae stalk the human world, it's the children who suffer....
Tensions between the fae and humans are coming to a head. And when coyote shapeshifter Mercy and her Alpha werewolf mate, Adam, are called upon to stop a rampaging troll, they find themselves with something that could be used to make the fae back down and forestall out-and-out war: a human child stolen long ago by the fae.
Defying the most powerful werewolf in the country, the humans, and the fae, Mercy, Adam, and their pack choose to protect the boy no matter what the cost. But who will protect them from a boy who is fire touched?
*Library Journal
©2016 Hurog, Inc. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

4. eBook/Kindle (NG)

What We Find
by Robyn Carr
This releases on April 5 and I will post the review then. 
I received this through NetGalley and Little Bird Publicity.
Join Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Virgin River and Thunder Point series, as she explores the healing powers of rural Colorado in a brand-new story of fresh starts, budding relationships and one woman's journey to finding the happiness she's long been missing.

Between the urban bustle of Denver and the high-stress environment of a career in neurosurgery, Maggie Sullivan has hit a wall. When an emergency high-risk procedure results in the death of a teenager, Maggie finds herself in the middle of a lawsuit—and experiencing levels of anxiety she's never faced before. She knows she needs to slow down before she burns out completely, and the best place she can think to do that is Sullivan's Crossing.

Named for Maggie's great-grandfather, the land and charming general store at the crossroads of the Colorado and the Continental Divide Trails have been passed down through the generations and now belong to Maggie's eccentric father, Sully. When she shows up unannounced, he welcomes her with open arms, and she relishes the opportunity to indulge in his simple way of life.

But shortly after arriving, Maggie's world is rocked once again and she must take on more responsibility than she'd planned. Though she's relieved a quiet and serious-looking hiker, Cal Jones, is willing to lend a hand, Maggie is suspicious of this mysterious man's eagerness to help—until she finds out the true reason for his deliberate isolation.

Though Cal and Maggie each struggle with loss and loneliness, the time they spend together gives Maggie hope for something brighter just on the horizon…if only they can learn to find peace and healing—and perhaps love—with each other.

February 28, 2016- up to date -
Reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church.
I will also be listening (sometimes) to the companion commentary online.

I posted three reviews last week which was one short of what I wanted to do. Now I have which leaves four for this week.

I just have one more of my March scheduled reads to post. 
I have these reviews scheduled for April:
April 2 Tour Review: Nobody but You by Jill Shalvis (NG)
April 2 Discussion Ladies Book Club: Arena by Karen Hancock
April 5 Release day Review: What We Find by Robyn Carr (NG)
April 23 Tour Review The Path by Peter Riva (iRead)

After the first week I can start the five author reviews committed with no specific dates. My NetGalley shelves are down to 6 books now.

I didn't get a title up last week but hope to get another this week at eTreasure's NetGalley.

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'm still holding off on more author ebooks and NetGalley books until I complete the ones on hand.
TBR Triple Dog Dare update: It has been 87 days and, other than picking audible credits and buying a kindle version of a print book I have, I only bought one $.99 Kindle book.
I added more free kindle titles to my library.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Arena
by Karen Hancock
I have had this in print for over a year for my Ladies Book Club (LBC) and pulled it to read this week.
See more description above under current reading.

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Over the past week I added 49 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 Encouragment March 27, 2016 - Celebrate Resurrection Day!

We had another good Sunday School message this morning acknowledging the joy of Resurrection Sunday! The message was entitled: When Jesus Failed to Meet Expectations. All of Jesus’ followers expected him to lead a rebellion; to be the King of the earthly realm. He performed miracles and taught with wisdom. He was welcomed into Jerusalem as a King. But instead of challenging the government, he went to the temple and challenged the religious leaders. He preached humility, love and peace. His followers became disillusioned. Doubts were stirred and spread.

Some might say Jesus was an innocent victim. He may have been innocent but he was no victim. Rather he was the conductor. Christ orchestrated events; he pushed against the religious leaders, purposefully challenging them and publicly shaming them so that the events that were prophesied could be accomplished. Christ did not do as his followers expected. Instead, he completed the mission for which he was born. He completed the plan of salvation as directed by God the Father.

Pastor’s message was titled: “It is Finished.” He noted that Christ had to complete the work that was planned before the world was created. On earth we often do a job but it needs maintenance or has to be redone a few years later. The Israelites spent much of their time offering sacrifices to atone for their sins. They struggled to fulfill the commandments and all of the rules and regulations given by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Many became frustrated especially when they saw the ‘freedom’ of the neighboring peoples. Over the years it became more and more difficult to remain a pure people, set apart for God. Finally, the Israelites lost their land and were sent into exile as punishment for their disobedience.

The redeeming salvation of God is prophesied throughout the old testament. Christ came as the fulfillment of God’s plan. He became the holy lamb to sacrifice his blood to save all men… anyone who believes. The work that Christ preformed was done once and for all time. He faced the demons of hell and conquered death so that those who accept God could have eternal life. When he went to the cross he announced “It is finished.” The work stands…for all time…forever.

A wonderful song that would fit is Forever, He’s Alive by Kari Jobe. 

However, I used that last year. 

I choose this song, which fits with the Sunday school message 

and as another beautiful celebration of the resurrection morning!

Then Came the Morning.

Verses for Today:
1 Peter 1:18-21 NIV
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Thank you Lord Jesus for being my Savior!

Sharing Beyond Books #245 Comment Giveaway March 26, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
This post is late as my husband decided pretty much last minute to drive several hours to visit with our son and d-i-l and granddaughter. D-i-l and Sweet Pea will be traveling to China next week to visit family so we wanted to see them before they were gone for several weeks. DH & I went for lunch and ended up staying through dinner. We had a lovely visit but  didn't get home until after 10:15pm.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Except for two of us, we agreed that we had been disappointed by books that were hyped and/or popular. As Natalija said: these are 'it's me, not you' situations. Fredamans noted it as 'to each his own' and Nikki said sometimes it was due to a mood and she would try again too.  Llehn and Alyn read the negative reviews to get a balanced report and Miki relies on bloggers who have similar tastes to her own.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #244 comments is: #1 Llehn 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 - maybe the beginning of next year, lol. Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #245

(One Question.)

Becky asks: 1)Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets???

I definitely see more sunsets than sunrises so maybe that is why I think I prefer sunrises - though I like both!

This is a picture of sunrise my DH took; From Scandinavian Cruise

This is a picture of sunset that I took the night before; From Scandinavian Cruise

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.
Thank you to March Contributors: Natalija, Rubynreba, Marjorie and Becky. Random.org picked 1 so Natalija gets a GC.

Your turn to share:
Becky asks: 1)Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets??

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 April 2, 2016 at 5 PM central.