Audible Book Review: The Rampart Guards by Wendy Terrien

This is an engaging middle grade/young teen fantasy adventure.
The Rampart Guards: Chronicle One in the Adventures of Jason Lex
Written by: Wendy Terrien
Narrated by: Brian Callanan

Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins
Series: The Adventures of Jason Lex, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-07-16
Publisher: Camashea Press
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The Rampart Guards is an adventure and coming-of-age story about a young man, Jason Lex, coping with the loss of his mom and the discovery that the world is not exactly as it seems. Creatures of legend live among us. Grown-ups don't always make the best decisions. And sometimes choosing to trust is a tough, even dangerous decision.
After his mom disappears, Jason Lex and his family move to a small town where he has no friends, no fun, no life. Things get worse when he's chased by weird flying creatures that only he can see. Jason thinks he's losing it.
But when he discovers new information about his family, he's stunned to learn that creatures like Skyfish, Kappa, and the Mongolian Death Worm aren't just stories on the Internet - they're real, and they live unseen alongside the human race. Many of these creatures naturally emit energy capable of incinerating humans. An invisible shield keeps these creatures hidden and protects the human race from their threatening force. But someone - or something - is trying to destroy it.
Unsure who he can trust, Jason is drawn into the fight to save the people closest to him, and he finds help in surprising places. Confronted with loss, uncertainty, and a devastating betrayal, he must make a gut-wrenching decision: who lives and who dies.
©2015 Wendy Terrien (P)2016 Wendy Terrien

Review:
Jason Lex is just a young teen when his mother disappears. His father moves the family, Jason, his older brother, Kyle, and his younger sister, Della, to a new town near his grandmother and uncle. Jason is struggling and things get worse when he begins to see swarming fish diving at him in the sky. His father warns Jason away from his Uncle Alexander, his mother’s sister, who studies cryptozoology and is known for strange behaviors.

Slowly Jason begins to learn that there are creatures that exist that are not known by the public. He suddenly has physical skills, like lightning bolts from his hands, that he doesn’t understand and can’t control. Then he is approached in secrecy by his mother. He is lured to help her but realizes he has to make a hard choice to prevent the destruction of his family, friends and the world as he knows it.

The story moves along quickly with danger and light action. Jason faces a lot of new challenges – new facts and betrayals -- in a short time. The adventure is fun, if not always quite plausible. But it is a fantasy adventure after all. I was disappointed by a little bit of language although that isn’t unrealistic.

I do think that middle graders/young teens would enjoy this as would fantasy, adventure, light sci fi fans. The end has a bit of a twist and I was glad to have book 2 to follow the adventure.

Audio Notes: Brian Callanan does a good job with the narration. He gives personality to the characters with appropriate voices and emotions. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

I received this title from the narrator. It qualifies for my Audiobook Challenge.

MBS September 2017 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2017 Reading List - SEPTEMBER

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2017
(not labeled = Children's books read with my granddaughters)

5 Star = God Gave Us Two

1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Until the End of the World by Sarah Lyons Fleming; Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi, Zombie; my rating 4.0.
2. eAuthor TBR- Book Review: Who'll Stop The Rain: (Book One Of The Miami Crime Trilogy) by Don Donovan; Crime, Noir; My rating 4.0.
3. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Pax by Sara Pennypacker; Animals, Middle Grade; my rating 4.5.
4. Goodreads Book Review: God Gave Us Two by Lisa Tawn Bergren (Goodreads Author), Laura J. Bryant (Illustrator); Children, Siblings; My rating 5.0.
5. Where Do Steam Trains Sleep at Night?
6. Amazing Me
7. I Love You All Day Long
8. The Falling Leaves and the Scarecrow
9. There is a Bug in My Mug
10. ATBR- Audible Review: Koban, Volume 1 by Stephen W. Bennett; Alien Invasion, Genetic Engineering, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
11. eAuthor- Book Review: ReWired by S. R. Johannes; Teen, Suspense, YA; My rating 4.0.
12. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Valor's Choice (Confederation, #1) by Tanya Huff; Military Space Sci FI; My rating 4.0.
13. eTour- Book Review: Love, Murder & Mayhem, an Anthology; Mystery, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
14. ATBR- Review: Audible Book Review: Skinwalker: Jane Yellowrock, Book 1 by Faith Hunter; Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
15. PrintTour- Book Review: Alycat and the Monday Blues by Alysson Foti Bourque; Children, Music, School; my rating 4.5.
16. eNG- Book Review: The Clockwork Dynasty by Daniel H. Wilson; Clockwork, Fantasy, Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
17. eNG- Book Review: Star Hero: A Star Series Novella by Susan Grant; Military Space Sci Fi; My rating 4.0.
18. A-Narrator: Audible Book Review: The Rampart Guards by Wendy Terrien; Adventure, Fantasy, Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
19. A-ABB- Audio Book Review: The League of Governors by Wendy Terrien; Adventure, Fantasy, Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
20. eNG- Book Review: On the Chase (Rocky Mountain K9 Unit Book 2) by Katie Ruggle; Action, Romantic Suspense, Small Town; My rating 4.25.

(14 without children books so pretty close to on track)
Total read = 20 (includes 6 children's books); TBR = 6; New Authors = 18
Audio/Audible = 7 (5 TBRs)
eBook = 3 Author
NetGalley =3
Print = 2 + 5 other not yet reviewed children = 7

Sunday Post October 1, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 2, 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.

I had another busy week catching up on legal work, with more to do this week. Now I am trying to fight off a cold without loosing work time. :-(

My reading/listening time seemed pinched but I enjoyed the reads. I finished two books: one ebooks and one audio. But I am far along in two others. I posted three reviews, plus my usual memes.

I visited only 25 blogs again last week. I didn't get to go to any after Tuesday night.
Shout out this week is for Rainy Day Ramblings who has a lovely book blog.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post September 24, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 25, 2017.

• ATBR- Review: Audible Book Review: Skinwalker: Jane Yellowrock, Book 1 by Faith Hunter; Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 29, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/25/2017.

• eNG- Book Review: The Clockwork Dynasty by Daniel H. Wilson; Clockwork, Fantasy, Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.

• eNG- Book Review: Star Hero: A Star Series Novella by Susan Grant; Military Space Sci Fi; My rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #322 Comment Giveaway September 30, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/7/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 1, 2017.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/MP3 (ABB)

The League of Governors
Written by: Wendy Terrien
Narrated by: Brian Callanan
Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins
Series: The Adventures of Jason Lex, Book 2
This is fantasy adventure fun.
I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kincle (NG)

On the Chase (Rocky Mountain K9 Unit Book 2)
by Katie Ruggle
I really enjoyed this.
I received this through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Twelve Slays of Christmas: A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery
by Jacqueline Frost
I am 82% into this and it is sweet and fun.
I received this through NetGalley. It releases on October 10.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Blood in the Water: Destroyermen Series
Book 11
Written by: Taylor Anderson
Narrated by: William Dufris
I am 75% along on this. 
I am enjoying this listen 
with lots of action and adventure.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Crown of Souls
by Ronie Kendig
I like this author and was in the mood for good, Christian military suspense.
I received this through NetGalley (it released in September).
"Kendig has out done herself."--RT Book Reviews on Conspiracy of Silence
Six months after stopping a deadly plague, Cole "Tox" Russell and his team are enjoying a little rest. That peace is short-lived when a sniper shot hits Tox. The enemy is discovered to be one of their own, a rogue Special Forces team operator.
Alec King is perhaps the only person as skilled as Tox, and he's out for justice. Furious with orders that got his men killed, he intends to make those responsible pay. And he insists Tox join him, believing they are the same breed of soldier.
Afraid his old friend is right, Tox battles a growing darkness within himself as he and his team engage in another deadly encounter with antiquity. It appears Alec is cheating--he's using a mysterious artifact, a crown that history has linked to some of the worst slaughters in humanity. Racing to stop Alec before his vengeance is unleashed, Tox must fight the monster without becoming one.

4. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Wild Justice
by M.L. Buchman
I get to read two military romance stories 
from authors I like.
I received this from the author.
It releases 10/17.
 DELTA FORCE
The best counter-terrorism force on the planet.
SERGEANT DUANE JENKINS
• Elite Delta operator—explosives just make him grin •
AGENT SOFIA FORTEZA
• Top Intel Analyst for The Activity—thinks data is sexy•
The team must face their toughest mission yet: take down a massive human-trafficking ring and a corrupt Venezuelan spy agency—without leaving a trace.
Sofia and Duane.
In common: black sheep of extremely wealthy families, renegades against the status quo.
Differences: tactician vs. explosives expert, thinker vs. pure warrior.
Together: fight to keep their team alive, and their love.

October 1, 2017 - I am back reading on track in the One Year Bible, still with one week to catch up. I am working on getting back on track. I have been 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 two books and posted three reviews. That keeps me at three reviews to be up to date.
I am now twelve titles behind linking my reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. :-( I just haven't had time to link.
I was down to 3 NetGalley titles but now back to 10. Still 2 author titles in my queue, the others are instafreebies that I do want to get to but not the same commitment.

We're working on two fiction books soon to add to 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 picked up eight NetGalley titles and one audiobook for review.
I selected one Audible Daily Deal and two kindle titles for $.99 each. 
As usual, I picked up more free kindle titles as usual. (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 was down to 3 NetGalley Titles so I sort of went on a request binge. I received 8 titles through the week. Release dates are shown in parenthesis.
The Rancher's Christmas Song by RaeAnne Thayne (17 Oct 2017)
I saw this title at some other blog sites and it drew me.
Gift From the Stars by James Gunn (06 Jun 2017)
This is a sci fi from an author I want to try.
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip (19 Sep 2017)
Honestly - I couldn't resist the cover. :-)
The Squirrel on the Train by Kevin Hearne (30 Nov 2017)
I thought this cover was odd then I realized this is short story for Oberon, the Irish wolfhound in the Iron Druid series. It should be fun.

Always Gray in Winter by Mark J. Engels (10 Aug 2017)
I like werecats - this looked a bit different from some of my usual reading. We'll see.
Welcome to Outcast Station by Jeanne Adams, Nancy Northcott (31 Jul 2017)
Space opera and mystery stories - sounds good.
Coiled by H.L. Burke (15 Jun 2017)
Cute cover and interesting mytholgoy adaptation.
Booke of the Hidden by Jeri Westerson (31 Oct 2017)
("Booke" caught my eye.) Another new to me author with and urban fantasy romance I thought I would try.

I received this Audiobook from the narrator as a follow up to the first book. :-)

Breakthrough: The Great Martian War, Book 2

By: Scott Washburn

Narrator: Ray Greenley

Duration: 10 hrs and 27 mins
I enjoyed book one and look forward to this.

Won

NONE

Purchased

I selected one Audible Daily Deal for $.99:
Light Falls
By: Brian Greene
Narrator: Brian Greene, Paul Rudd, Peter Ganim, Suzanne Toren, Edoardo Ballerini, Julian Elfer, Kevin Pariseau, Jonathan Davis
Duration: 2 hrs and 26 mins
This theatrical version of the dramatic story tracing Albert Einstein's discovery of the general theory of relativity Light Falls was first performed at the World Science Festival in New York City.

Two Kindle titles purchased for $.99 each:
Race Against Time: A Novel of Romantic Suspense
Sharon Sala

Among Wolves (Wolves of Llisé, Book 1)

Nancy K. Wallace

Free

Here are some of the Free Kindle titles I picked up. (All of these may still be free):
 
Her Big Sky Cowboy (Wildflower Ranch Book 3)
by Alissa Callen

Agents Under Fire: 
(3-in-1: Guardian Agent, Avenging Agent, Warrior Agent)
by Dana Marton

Rescued By A Viscount (Regency Rakes Book 2)
by Wendy Vella

Strong Women, Extraordinary Situations Box Set (1-3):
Deadly Hunt, Deadly Intent, Deadly Holiday
by Margaret Daley

Safe Haven (The Protectors Book 1)
by Leeanna Morgan

The Dark Knight's Captive Bride
by Natasha Wild

and a few more:
So I Married a Highlander (What Happens In Scotland Book 1) by Kate McKinley
The Power of Praise and Worship by Terry Law (Author), Jim Gilbert (Author)
Trapped (Tales of Friendship Bog Book 3) by Gloria Repp, Michael Swaim (Illustrator), Bill Beck (Photographer) (Chapter book)
Love in a Snow Storm (Pine Harbour Book 2) by Zoe York
Obadiah: A Ghost's Story by Robert Spearman
The Kidnapped Christmas Bride (Taming of the Sheenans Book 3) by by Jane Porter
The Nostradamus Equation (Sam Reilly Book 6) by by Christopher Cartwright

I added 53 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 October 1, 2017

I didn’t get to church today as I am fighting the start of yucky cold.These notes are from a couple of weeks ago.

Our Sunday School teacher always delivers a good message. He gave a message called “It's a slow fade.” He noted that a declining commitment to God is often a slow process like turning a large ship or making a political change (other than during crisis). When things are good, people can slide into complacency.

Samson didn't recognize his drift away from his faith. Complacency is dangerous. Sometimes we need a wakeup call like Samson. Theologian John Wesley once stated that ‘what one generation winks at, the next will embrace’.

Have you ever had a GPS take you where you didn't mean to go? That happens. It is like placing a frog in a pan of cold water and heating it rather than placing the frog in the boiling water where it jumps out. What killed the frog in the pan of cold water was not the boiling water but failure to respond to the danger.

Cold is the absence of heat. Darkness is absence of light. Jesus doesn’t’ want a lukewarm church. Revelation 3:14-22. We must be careful what we allow into our lives. Proverbs 4:23-27.

We have to stop and access where we are. We have to examine ourselves for drifting. We need to wake up and be ready.

Man’s natural inclination is to go toward the dark. We can only change through the help of the Holy Spirit. The tide carries men away if we don’t work to stay in place.

Listen to the song lyrics of this Casting Crowns song, Slow Fade.

Verses for Today:
Romans 13:11-12 NIV
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Sharing Beyond Books #322 Comment Giveaway September 30, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Four commenters did not have movie fav that they rewatch. Jane Austen/Pride and Prejudice was mentioned by two; Musicals were mentioned by two (I like those too) and Christmas movies were mentioned by two. Rita mentioned Grease and Dirty Dancing - my daughter rewatches the first and my husband rewatches the latter. Sue likes to rewatch Dr. Strangelove and MASH while Janhvi likes to rewatch The Proposal.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #321 comments is: #3 CAROL L 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 -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #322

(One Question.)

My question this week: Would you read different books if you weren’t reading for review?? If you don't review books can you think of a reason you might read different books than you currently read?

I often think I am very blessed to get to pick and choose the review books that I like. I would certainly review more of my TBR shelves if I wasn't reviewing but I think the genre mix would remain about the same. I try to pick indie authors/smaller presses as well as well known authors and houses. I do try to pick an occasional review title to stretch my tastes and comfort zone once in a while... but I might do that with TBRs too. So I guess my real answer is "No, I wouldn't read different books."

Image found at WordClerks.

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.

Your turn to share. My question this week: Would you read different books if you weren’t reading for review?? If you don't review books can you think of a reason you might read different books than you currently read?

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 October 7, 2017 at 5 PM central.