Audio Book Review: Streets of Payne by Jeff Brackett

This is entertaining with a strong female investigator, lots of action and cyber mystery.

Streets of Payne
Written by: Jeff Brackett
Narrated by: Joy Nash

length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:01-07-14
Publisher: Jeffery L Brackett
Genre: Sci Fi, Cyperpunk
My Rating 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Humanity is in the eye of the beholder. But for street-smart detective Amber Payne, it's the eyes that aren't human. Cybernetic implants replaced the organics she lost in the line of duty, and their appearance often causes Amber to doubt her self-worth. Rookie detective Kevin Glass is her partner. And though he may be new, Kevin's unparalleled skill as an elite cyber-surfer makes him an invaluable asset. When Alta Corp contracts the two of them to solve a case of high stakes data theft, they will need every bit of skill, experience, and determination to succeed. For the more they investigate, the more it becomes evident that this case is much more than it appears, and its resolution may forever alter the world in which they live.
©2013 Jeff Brackett (P)2013 Jeff Brackett

Review:
Amber Payne is a street-smart detective and a valuable asset to her employer, Securi-Tech. The company provided Amber with Cybernetic implants when she lost her eyes in an attack by street bangers. Amber may still have nightmares but she doesn’t let that stop her tough investigative talents, and hands-on defensive skills.

Amber is teamed with a rookie detective, Kevin Glass, who is a computer whiz. If she can get him to the computer, he can hack into the information they need to help solve their cases. They are called in by Alta Corp to solve a case of data theft that involves confidential, ‘need to know’ project plans. Amber and Kevin push to uncover the clues to solve the case but when they return to Alta Corp offices to make an arrest they meet unexpected resistance. As they battle the criminal mastermind – or madman as they see him – they uncover startling secrets that could endanger the world… or certainly the world of technology. The resolution of that first case changes their lives as Amber recuperates from crushed legs and Kevin battles inner demons that keep him awake most nights.

Many months later Amber and Kevin are called back to Alta Corp to investigate the kidnapping of one of their high-level computer researchers/analysts. They track down the kidnapper but have to go into the most dangerous part of the city to try to rescue the researcher. Before they can escape safely, Amber is attacked by an armed team equipped with armaments that even Securi-Tech has never seen. As Amber fights against eight enemies, Kevin faces cyber attackers who are making it difficult for him to provide intel to his partner. The battle at both levels is intense, leaving Kevin in a coma.

Amber gets a temporary partner and added assistance from an unexpected source which she isn’t sure she can trust. The clues begin to lead to a horrifying tie-in with the first case. A terrible danger could be released if they aren’t successful in bringing down the threat.

I really enjoyed the kicking action and the well woven mystery. The intense, smart characters and the easy flowing dialogue added to the entertaining mystery. I liked the cyber aspects as an integral element in the suspense. Perhaps a little graphic in violence for any younger or squeamish audience and there is limited cursing with some of that being creative words i.e. not current, real curses. I recommend this to any mystery buff and especially those who like cyber elements.

Audio Notes: Joy Nash does a fine job with the narration. She presents different voices and attitudes fitting the characters. I appreciated this in audio format.

I received this title for free in exchange for an unbiased review. I received the audio from the author through AudioBook Boom. This qualifies for my 2017 Audio Book Challenge.

Sunday Post April 23, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 24, 2017

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.

Work has busy last week as I ended up going to court four days. Plus my daughter missed two days home sick.
Hubby got a new man-toy work tool -- an Easy Go Workhorse. Working with this is helping to boost his spirits.
Our weather has been warm and we are getting a slight coolness for the next few days.

My reading picked up; I finished one audio book and two ebooks. I posted two reviews plus all of my usual memes.

I visited about 27 blogs last week.
Blog shout out this week is for Bionic Book Worm where I found an interesting post on Top 5 popular books I HAVEN’T read.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post April 16, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 17, 2017.

• P-TBR- Book Review and Giveaway: A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano; Historical Romance, Inspirational; my rating 4.25. Print US Only; ending 4/29/2017.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 21, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/20/2017.

• ENG-TBR- Book Review: Codename Lazarus: The Spy Who Came Back From The Dead by A.P. Martin; Espionage, WWII; my rating: 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #300 Comment Giveaway April 22, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/29/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 23, 2017.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/mp3 (TBR)

A Monster Calls: Inspired by an Idea from Siobhan Dowd
Written by: Patrick Ness
Narrated by: Jason Isaacs
This wonderful story has an interesting message.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG TBR)

Codename Lazarus: The Spy Who Came Back From The Dead
by A.P. Martin
There is great history in this espionage story.
My review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG TBR)

Fake
by Twist Phelan
This is a good, fast-paced thriller.
I received this through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:

1.Audio/mp3 (ABJ)

Keystone: Crossbreed Series, Book 1
Written by: Dannika Dark
Narrated by: Nicole Poole
I am half-way through this engaging listen.
I spotted this on one of the link-ups at Mailbox Monday and it looked good.
I received the audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
When the road forks, how do you know which path is the right one? Raven Black hunts evildoers for fun, but her vigilante justice isn't the only reason she's hiding from the law. Half vampire, half mage, she's spent years living as a rogue to stay alive. When a Russian shifter offers her a job in his covert organization hunting outlaws, dignity and a respectable career are finally within her grasp. The catch? Her new partner is Christian Poe - a smug, handsome vampire whom she'd rather stake than go on a stakeout with. They're hot on the trail of a human killer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. One misstep during her probationary period could jeopardize Raven's chance at redemption, and her partner would love nothing more than to see her fail. Dark secrets, unexpected twists, and a blurred line between good and evil will keep you on the edge of your seat. Will Raven find the courage to succeed, or will she give in to her dark nature?
©2017 Dannika Dark (P)2017 Tantor

2. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Bookburners
by Max Gladstone, Mur Lafferty, Brian Francis Slattery, Margaret Dunlap
30% in. This is a fun read - a squad fighting magic by confiscating the books that let the monsters out.
I received this through NetGalley.
Magic is real, and hungry. It’s trapped in ancient texts and artifacts, and only a few who discover it survive to fight back. Detective Sal Brooks is a survivor. She joins a Vatican-backed black-ops anti-magic squad—Team Three of the Societas Librorum Occultorum—and together they stand between humanity and the magical apocalypse. Some call them the Bookburners. They don’t like the label.
Supernatural meets The Da Vinci Code in a fast-paced, kickass character driven novel chock-full of magic, mystery, and mayhem, written collaboratively by a team of some of the best writers working in fantasy.
Originally presented serially in 16 episodes, this omnibus collects all installments of Bookburners Season One into one edition.

3. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Free Space (Admiral)
by Sean Danker
I enjoyed book one and am looking forward to this.
The book releases on May 2.
I will be posting my review with a Giveaway.
I received the title through NetGalley.
In the follow-up to Admiral, the intergalactic war has ended and hostilities between the Evagardian Empire and the Commonwealth are officially over, but the admiral is far from safe. . . .
I’d impersonated a prince, temporarily stopped a war, escaped a deadly planet, and survived more assassination attempts than I could conveniently count. After all that, there shouldn’t have been anything simpler than a nice weekend with a charming Evagardian girl.
However, some corners of the galaxy aren’t as genteel as the Empire, and Evagardians aren’t universally loved, which is how I ended up kidnapped to be traded as a commodity.
Their timing couldn’t have been worse. I'm not at my best, but these people have no idea whom they're dealing with: a highly trained, genetically engineered soldier in the Imperial Service who happens to be my date.

4. Audio/mp3 (ABJ)

The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals: Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 3
Written by: Jordan Stratford
Narrated by: Nicola Barber
This looks like a fun series.
I received this from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
The Wollestonecraft Girls embark on their most important case yet - the famed dinosaur fossil hunter Mary Anning is being blackmailed. Her precious dog has been snatched and the kidnappers are demanding that Miss Anning authenticate some fake dinosaur bones up for auction at the British Museum in order to get him back. Ada and Mary have just three days to track down the fossil fakers, find the dog, and save the integrity of science!
The game is truly afoot in this quirky caper involving blood-sucking leeches, an asthmatic pug, smoke bombs, secret elevators, diabolical disguises, and wicked word-play.
©2017 Jordan Stratford (P)2017 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

April 23, 2017 - I am one day ahead in the One Year Bible; reading along with my husband and others from our church. I hope to take more time this year, staying on the day and listening to the companion commentary online.

I completed three books and posted two reviews; this means I have four reviews; not sure if I am doing the children's review now or closer to the release in September.
I have 10 NetGalley Titles remaining but I expect to pick up two for May reviews. Still at 10+ author titles in my queue so I need to start pulling those in also.

I'm hoping to put another poetry collection up this week at eTreasure's NetGalley page.

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 (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I have a pretty full mailbox today!
I received two audiobooks from Audiobook Jukebox and two from iReads Book Tours.
I (barely) resisted Audible daily deals, mainly because I did pick up two Audible selections and 6 audios on sale.
I picked up more free kindle titles again. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received these audio books from the publishers through Audiobook Jukebox.
They are both above in Currently Reading:

Keystone: Crossbreed Series, Book 1
Written by: Dannika Dark
Narrated by: Nicole Poole

The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals: Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 3
Written by: Jordan Stratford
Narrated by: Nicola Barber

I received these titles for review through iRead Book Tours.
Review Date: May 23 with Narrator Guest Post
Old Loves Die Hard
By: Lauren Carr
Narrator: James C. Lewis

Review Date: May 24

Dead on Ice

By: Lauren Carr

Narrator: Mike Alger

Won

NONE

Purchased

Two March Audible Selections
Apocalypse: The Days of Elijah, Book 1
Written by: Mark Goodwin
Narrated by:Kevin Pierce

Fan the Flames: Search and Rescue, Book 2
Written by: Katie Ruggle
Narrated by: Rachel Dulude

These three on Sale:


The Keeper: A Novel  $5.95
Written by: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

The Heart of Matter: Odyssey One, Book 2 $6.99

Written by: Evan Currie

Narrated by: Benjamin L. Darcie

Snapshot $3.95

Written by: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: William DeMeritt

And Three titles for $1.99
(because I already have the Kindle versions)

Gallagher's Pride: Gallagher Series, Book 1

Written by: MK McClintock

Narrated by: Alan Philip Ormond 

Lords of Space: Starship Blackbeard, Book 2

Written by: Michael Wallace

Narrated by: Steve Barnes

Mission Pack 1: Black Ocean Mission Pack, Missions 1-4

Written by: J.S. Morin

Narrated by: Mikael Naramore 

Free

Here are just several of some really good sounding free books:
Out of Time Series Box Set (Books 1-3) (Out Of Time Box Set)
Monique Martin

and along came SPIDER: THE ENTIRE SERIES:
All Four Books In the SPIDER Series
J.R. Wright, Mia Manns

Unclaimed (The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan Book 1)
by Erin McCole Cupp

Beauty's Curse (Once Upon a Princess Book 1)
C. S. Johnson

I 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 Words of Encouragement April 23, 2017

Our Sunday School teacher had a FABULOUS message which I will post another day. We had nice worship songs and then our Pastor continued his series called BROKEN.

Genesis 3:7 says: “At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness.” [NLT; emphasis added.] It was ‘at the moment’, when Adam ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, that the world became broken. BUT God had a plan for salvation; a plan for the best.

Most of us have had dreams from out childhood of what we want for our future. Sometimes we are fortunate to have encouragers tell us: “You can do anything, be anything, you want.” Others have “nay sayers” who say: “Be realistic; find something that is practical.” These might tell a talented young artist to study architecture instead. Many speak negatively and might say, disparagingly: “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” And that is true – but remember who our original father is – we come from God’s tree. God writes our story, no one else.

Too often Biblical people (and we) settled for less than God’s best: Esau settled for less future to meet his immediate needs. Israel settled for less – instead of appreciating the leadership of God, they asked for a human king. King Saul failed to obey God and he became a fallen king, without God’s blessings. So too, Israel became a fallen nation, moving forward without God’s blessings.

Abraham (Abram), the father of Isaac, was promised that he would have a son and be the father of ‘many descendants.’ Abraham and Sarah grew older and couldn’t wait for God to fulfill His promise. They took matters into their own hands, presenting Hagar to Abraham. (Genesis 16.) Hagar became pregnant with a son, Ishmael, who, like the promised son, Isaac, had many descendants. But Ismael’s tribe were destined to always be at enmity with their neighbors. Abraham and Sarah settled for less. God fulfilled His promise with the birth of Isaac (Genesis 21), but now Isaac's descendants forever had enemies in the descendants of Ishmael.

Many times we must give up our current life, even “the good” life, to get “the Best” life that God has for us.
POINT: Give up the good for the best life – the abundant life – that Jesus died to give to you.

We often need to wait and prepare for HIS timing.

[This message continues which will be shared another day.]

God is SO AWESOME.
I had one of our worship songs picked out and included in the post.
But the Spirit said - 'that's not the one; look again.'
This is what I found for this message!

Verses for Today:
Genesis 21: 1-2 (NLT)
1 The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. 2 She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would.

Lord, help me to seek Your Will, Your Plan for me. Then give me patience to wait for Your Timing.

Sharing Beyond Books #300 Comment Giveaway April 22, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Nine of us have found names we liked and some have used them for children or even pets. Five people did not recall any names they liked from books/movies, but two disliked names, rather than liked them.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #299 comments is: #8 Rita who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles. 
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #300

(One Question.)

Natalija asks: Which is better, being the boss or an employee??

There are times I think it would be better to be an employee without the responsibilities of being the boss who provides work and pay for others. I would probably earn more than I do running three businesses. But - an employee would not have the flexibility that I have as a boss. Certainly for me having my own businesses works as I can: take the law cases I want; manage the title office to the best of my ability (while providing work for my daughter, her best friend and another young lady from church); and juggle the publishing company with the help of dedicated editors and authors. So, for me, being the boss, or hopefully, a good leader, is better.

Good bosses help make a good team!
Image found at VisiHow.

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.
This is week four and I'll use one of my questions next week. Comments this month were contributed by 1)bn100, 2)Fredamnas, 3)Nikki and 4) Natalija. Random.org chose #1 so bn100 gets the April comment win!

Your turn to share: Natalija asks: Which is better, being the boss or an employee??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

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 29, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: Codename Lazarus: The Spy Who Came Back From The Dead by A.P. Martin

This is an engrossing, and thought provoking, story of espionage during WWII.
Codename Lazarus: The Spy Who Came Back From The Dead
by A.P. Martin

File Size: 982 KB
Print Length: 365 pages
Publisher: Troubador (July 15, 2016)
ASIN: B01IKY3UD6
Genre: Espionage, WWII
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Spring 1938 and Great Britain is facing potentially lethal threats: the looming war with Germany; the fear that her Secret Service has been penetrated by Nazi agents and the existence of hundreds of British citizens, who are keen to pass information to her enemies.
John King, a young academic, is approached by his Oxbridge mentor to participate in a stunning deception that would frustrate Britain’s enemies. As King struggles to come to terms with the demands of his mission, he must learn to survive in a dangerous and lonely ‘no man's land’, whilst remaining one step ahead of those in hot pursuit.
Adapted from a true story, ‘Codename Lazarus’ takes the reader on a journey from the dark heart of Hitler’s Germany, across the snowy peaks of Switzerland to the horrors of Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain and the London Blitz, before reaching a thrilling and decisive conclusion, from which none of those present emerges unscathed.

Review:
John King is a graduate student who is completing two years of research in Heidelberg, Germany. As he and friends gather to commemorate his last days in Germany in 1933, he is saddened that one of his best friends has joined the SS - the Schutzstaffel, paramilitary, surveillance forces under Hitler. His friend, Joachim Brandt, rejects John for socializing with other friends who are Jewish. Joachim becomes angry that John does not show proper deference or respect to Joachim’s new uniform and life choice. From this point on the lives of these young men are on different paths.

John helps two half-Jewish friends, Rachel and David, to leave Germany to find careers in Britain while being helped by John’s parents. He later finds their parents in need of rescue and tries to arrange to get them out of Germany to safety.

A few years after returning to Britain, John is asked to return to Germany under the guise of ‘security research’ interests, while observing what he can of German activities. This work expands as John is asked to fake his own death so that he can become an intelligence operative infiltrating the German intelligence network in Britain.

The story describes the covert training that John is given and the planning for his accidental death. It then moves to his experiences as he steps into the role of a German Abwehr agent leading several sympathizer cell groups. The story pace picks up in the last quarter. John’s former German friend, Brandt, who has been undercover in America, is reassigned to Britain. His activities set him on a collision course with John's world. David, the other friend whom John helped move to England, has become a cop tasked with investigating the meager leads to a cell leader known as “Lazarus”. David is pulled in to help find German infiltrators and his path weaves towards Brandt and John’s tense confrontation.

The history is interesting with strong detail of physical settings, as well as social and political sentiments. The author does a good job describing the devastation and fears, first at battle scenes at Dunkirk, and again during the German bombing of London and surrounding communities. The author also portrays the impressive strength and resilience of the British people. The detail makes this story very engaging, if a bit slower in pacing. There were a couple of awkward point of view shifts and stronger editing might have helped to move the story through better action. I was wrapped in the intense climax when the book abruptly ended, leaving me with several questions.

This is a worthwhile read, especially for history buffs interested in life-like details of the earlier years of WWII. I also found the portrayed thought processes of the German and Russian sympathizers interesting as it made me more aware how citizens could betray their country with justifications of different political ideologies, including fascism, communism and socialism.

I received this through NetGalley. It qualifies for NetGalley Challenge, Mount TBR and “L” in Alphabet Soup Challenge.