Audible Review: Warship by Joshua Dalzelle

This started slowly but really picked up!

Warship
Black Fleet Trilogy, Book 1
By: Joshua Dalzelle
Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 06-30-15
Language: English
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Genre: Sci Fi, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0
Audio Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
From Joshua Dalzelle, author of the best-selling Omega Force series, comes an all new vision of humanity's future.
In the 25th century, humans have conquered space. The advent of faster-than-light travel has opened up hundreds of habitable planets for colonization, and humans have exploited the virtually limitless space and resources for hundreds of years with impunity. So complacent have they become with the overabundance that armed conflict is a thing of the past, and their machines of war are obsolete and decrepit. What would happen if they were suddenly threatened by a terrifying new enemy? Would humanity fold and surrender, or would they return to their evolutionary roots and meet force with force?
One ship - and one captain - will soon be faced with this very choice.
©2015 Joshua Dalzelle (P)2015 Podium Publishing

Review:
Humans have conquered space but still have seen no aliens in the 25th century. Resources are abundant and space travel has provided sufficient living spaces so there has been peace and no wars for centuries. The last fleet of warships are years old, without the speed and technology of the more recent ships. Of course, the recent ships don’t have the weapons that the older ones do. But no one thinks they need sophisticated weapons… or even to maintain the old ones.

Captain Jackson Wolfe is an Earther so he is looked down upon by many; especially by his superior Admiral. She is looking for any reason to get rid of him. She assigns a new Executive Officer to the ship which is already full of sailors who are considered less than top notch. Based on the Admiral’s recommendation, the consortium which governs has chosen to retire the black fleet of unused warships. The Admiral sends Wolfe and his ship on a fairly routine mission. The only quirk is a detour to deliver an arrogant Senator’s aide to a secretive meeting. The man turns out to be more than expected as does the mission.

Wolfe flies into a settled colony system and is confused by what he discovers. Although some think he should turn and run, he chooses to investigate. The findings are even more alarming and set Wolfe and ship on a new, unapproved course. Wolfe sends his reports back to the Admiral but gets a rejected reply. Meanwhile Wolfe is pursuing a dangerous enemy. He has to call upon his ragtag crew, not of all whom are supportive, to make the ancient weapons work and to help strategize to face a killing foe.

The story started slowly but once the mystery of the passenger and then the mystery of the enemy begins, it gets really engaging. I really enjoyed the crew interaction, including the mysterious passenger who has a connection throughout the journey. I liked how the crew was able to find means of fixing and using the old weapons to attack a much stronger enemy. They may be the underdogs but they aren’t going out without a fight.

There is some bad language but not excessive. I will definitely continue listening to this exciting series. I recommend this to space marine, sci fi fans.

Audio Notes: Mark Boyett does a fantastic job with the narration. He nails different voices and conveys the emotions of disdain, confusion, determination and more. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of this story.

Source: Audible 2016 Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2018TBR, Take Control, Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 30, 2018

Happy Friday!

Well I've had one staff out half the week but things are a little calmer in the title office. Now to catch up in the law office.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.

INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the March 23 Pick. There were no automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was one blocked title which was won.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from March 23 Pick:
FREDAMANS gets a CG and
MYSTICA gets a GC.

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

Image found at black country librarian.

New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018
I thought I would look for some 'Springish' titles but that didn't happen. Hope someone finds a title or two you like.

PAIRS
Betty Neals: Tabitha by Moonlight and Fate Takes a Hand
Nora Robert: Hot Ice (spine creased) and Sanctuary
SINGLES:
My Lord Conqueror by Samantha James
Surrender by Pamela Clare
Dessert Rogue by Suzanne Simmons
The Rose and the Shield by Elaine Barrieri
Hannah’s Courtship by Emma Miller
Someone to Watch Over Me by Judith McNaught
Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
A Husband’s Wicked Ways by Jane Feather
Hot on Her Heels by Susan Mallery
Indigo Blue by Catherine Anderson
Between the Devil and Desire (Scoundrels of St. James Book 2) by Lorraine Heath (hardback)


New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
21 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
Echo Burning by Lee Child
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Tempted All Night by Liz Carlyle
Day of the Dead by J.A. Jance
White Night by Jim Butcher
Five Gold Rings Anthology Constance O’Banyon and three others
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwell
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Wizard’s Daughter by Catherine Coulter
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
Night Whispers by Judith McNaught
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff

 THESE BOOKS CHOSEN/WON ARE THE ONES STRICKEN HERE:
Finger Licken' Fifteen
How to Tame a Highland Warrior
The Texan
Total Control
Atlantis Found
Stephanie Laurens Pair
Desperado 
Rebellious Desires 
Forget Me Not 
The Eighth Commandment
Ghost Riders
The Manning Brides by Debbie Macomber 
Shadow Music 
Corbin's Fancy 
Hawk's Lady

This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn 

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost EIGHT years I have posted 75 groups of 16 (1,200) books to find new homes! (as of November 2, 2017).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,151+books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A month or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

Audible Review: Xenos: Warhammer 40,000, Eisenhorn by Dan Abnett

I liked this action packed sci fi/ dark fantasy.
Xenos: Warhammer 40,000
Eisenhorn, Book 1
By: Dan Abnett
Narrated by: Toby Longworth

Series: Eisenhorn, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 09-27-17
Language: English
Publisher: Black Library
Genre: Fantasy, Sci Fi,
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
Narration Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The Inquisition moves amongst mankind like an avenging shadow, striking down the enemies of humanity with uncompromising ruthlessness. When he finally corners an old foe, Inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn is drawn into a sinister conspiracy. As events unfold and he gathers allies - and enemies - Eisenhorn faces a vast interstellar cabal and the dark power of daemons, all racing to recover an arcane text of abominable power: an ancient tome known as the Necroteuch.
©2001 Games Workshop Ltd. (P)2016 Games Workshop Limited

Review:
Eisenhorn is an imperial Inquisitor. He has great power, cunning and is near, but not quite, immortal. He has psychic skills in addition to weaponry skills and physical prowess. Still, he faces enemies of equal abilities, sometimes even greater, being enhanced by evil magic.

Eisenhorn chases an old foe who has caused great damage. His pursuit reveals a strange artifact that is clearly very dangerous. Eisenhorn travels to unravel the source of the artifact and its intended purpose. He learns that a powerful and corrupt family is seeking to recover a forbidden text of the Necron. The Necron are a species of Xenos, aliens, who had extremely advanced technology which was/is capable of horrible chaotic power. That is why the text has been forbidden by Imperium powers.

Eisenhorn has a few very loyal friends one of whom is Betancore who seems to be an especially brawny warrior and bodyguard. There is also an aged scholar and during this investigation Eisenhorn adds a young woman who has a unique skill that is very helpful.Eisenhorn gets help along the way from a tradership captain.

The investigation takes this team from danger to danger and finally to a world of chaos and warped time and space. The action starts from the first and never stops till the end. I liked the style of storytelling which is presented as a first-hand accounting from Eisenhorn’s experience chasing the villains through space.

I had no idea what Warhammer 40,000 meant until I looked it up after finishing the audiobook. I thought it might help to know what that was before I started this review and really it might help to look that up before reading/listening. Apparently, there is a war game and huge world building platform based on this game. There is enough background given so I was able to enjoy the book without knowing the full extent of the world, planets and races involved.

I liked Eisenhorn as a strong character and found the world of humans fighting demons and aliens fascinating. There is a dark undertone due to the evil and twisted religious themes. The mystery was well crafted, and the author does a great job in the chase against the villains to reach the artifact.

It is not necessary to understand the Warhammer world to enjoy this audiobook. I recommend this to readers who enjoy dark, action packed fantasy.

Audio Notes: Toby Longworth does a superb job with the narration. His voice captures perfectly the sci fi setting and strength of Eisenhorn and his companions. This is a wonderfully entertaining listen.

Source: Audible 2017 Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2018TBR, Take Control, Audiobook and Alphabet challenges.

Audible Book Review: Lords of Space by Michael Wallace

This story has strong action but some weaker elements.

Lords of Space
Starship Blackbeard, Book 2
By: Michael Wallace
Narrated by: Steve Barnes

Series: Starship Blackbeard, Book 2
Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 04-15-15
Language: English
Publisher: Balsalom Publishing
Genre: Action, Sci Fi, Space Marine
Story Rating: 3.75 of 5.0
Narration/Audio Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Captain James Drake is desperate to clear his name. Pursued relentlessly by the Royal Navy, he takes his loyal crew to attack Admiral Malthorne's estate and seize the evidence that will prove his innocence.
But their search uncovers something else the ruthless admiral has secreted away - the key to stopping a brutal and decades-old war with the Hroom, an ancient alien race. What they find sends Drake on a dangerous mission deep into Hroom territory. Joined by his valiant crew and the daughter of a former rival captain, Drake risks his life and his freedom to stop the war and save what's left of his world.
Book two in the Starship Blackbeard series by Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author Michael Wallace.
The series continues: book three - Dreadnought; book four - Rebellion of Stars.
©2015 Michael Wallace (P)2015 Michael Wallace

Review:
Captain Drake is on the run with his crew and a pirated spaceship dubbed the Blackbeard. Drake insists on striking back at Admiral Malthorne who has manipulated the predicament that set Drake and his crew on the run. He leads his loyal crew to raid the Admiral’s estate looking for evidence that will prove him innocent of the accusations made. Instead he finds another secret that could change the face of the decades old war with the Hroom. Of course they will have to escape and get somewhere safely with their find which may not be too easy with all the Royal Navy fleet pursuing them.

Drake teams up with an unlikely ally in the daughter of a former rival ship captain. They are two strong personalities and she envisions then as “lords of space”. He is more interested in clearing his name, but he is practical enough to accept help to fend off the enemy. The two dance around trust until they form a shaky alliance – in more than piracy. Captain Drake and his XO, Commander Tolvern, have an interesting and sometimes tense relationship. Their camaraderie is stressed by the female ally.

As the journey deep into enemy territory continues Drake comes face to face with his old friend, Captain Rutherford, who has been following orders to chase Drake down. Their encounter sets the stage for more intrigue in book 3.

I enjoyed the action in this story but the plot didn't move along as much as I would have liked. The entertainment was marred for me by a bit of crudeness and gratuitous sex (including a beginning in rather poor taste). The awkward love triangle with the Captain was another area that I wasn’t taken with. These have left me somewhat ambivalent about proceeding with the rest of the series. I might, but probably not anytime soon.

Audio Notes: Steve Barnes does a good job with narration. He portrays the strength of Captain Drake, the emotional upheavals of the women, and he provides good accents for various characters making them easily distinguishable. I also liked the intensity and energy he brings to the audio. I enjoyed listening to this book.

Source: Audible 2017 Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2018TBR, Take Control, Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.

Book 1 Review: Starship Blackbeard by Michael Wallace; My Rating 4.75

#NetGalley Book Review: In Wolves' Clothing by Greg Levin

This is gripping and well written.
In Wolves' Clothing
by Greg Levin

File Size: 1556 KB
Print Length: 273 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0990402940
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: White Rock Press; 1 edition (October 11, 2017)
ASIN: B075WSMPBT
Genre: Crime Fiction, Thriller
My Rating: 4.5 0f 5.0

On his best days, Zero Slade is the worst man you can imagine. He has to be. It's the only way to save the Lost Girls.
During his seven years on a team fighting sex trafficking, Zero's become quite good at schmoozing with pimps, getting handcuffed by cops and pretending not to care about the young girls he liberates. But the dangerous sting operations are starting to take a toll on his marriage and sanity. His affinity for prescription painkillers isn't exactly helping matters.
When the youngest girl the team has ever rescued gets abducted from a safe house in Cambodia, Zero decides to risk everything to find her. His only shot is to go rogue, and sink deeper into the bowels of the trafficking world than he's ever sunk.
It's the biggest mission of his life. Trouble is, it's almost certain death.

Review:
Zero’s is an ex military man who has an intense, tough job. He and his team mates pretend to be wealthy men seeking to party with young girls. They are really there with authorities in the wings to capture the pimps and free the young girls who are an unwilling part of the child sex trade industry. The job takes Zero’s team to all parts of the world, from cities in Asia to Central and South America. There is lots of planning and most times things go smoothly; but not always. There is always danger, risk and emotional trauma to be contained.

Zero is already self-medicating from injuries, pain and guilt from his military loses. Between coping (or not) with those memories and trying to minimize the emotions caused during his missions, he is struggling to keep proper communication with his wife, Nina, whom he adores. Problem is, he is gone a lot and even when he is home he is not always connected. Nina loves Zero but knows he needs help and she may have to take drastic steps for him to cooperate.

The team rescues a group of particularly young girls and the youngest clings to Zero. The youngster has touched a place in Zero’s heart and he returns to visit her. Then he gets news that she has been kidnapped from the facility. Zero can’t, or won’t, wait to ask for a team to go in. He chooses to go himself, even with recent injuries, and even though it will risk everything – his career and his marriage. Still, he feels he must rescue Sung before it is too late.

I really liked the writing style which is direct and presents the story in first person through Zero’s voice. His internal thinking is very real and sometimes gritty. There is also a subtle, self-deprecating humor. He is a man with integrity but also plagued with problems and flaws. Mr. Levin presents strong background information on the issues of painkiller addiction and sex trafficking. These are not easy subjects, but they are handled in a manner that makes a point of the devastating trauma and problem.

There is some material that is tough to read as well as some strong foul words. These are (sadly) a natural part of the story that is presented. I do recommend this to readers who like crime fiction suspense and those who may find combating sex trafficking interesting.

Source: NetGalley 2017. This qualifies for my 2018TBR, Take Control, NetGalley and Alphabet Challenges.