Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 27, 2018

Happy Friday! Hot July!

I said last week that "I am thankful for the office AC." On Monday we arrived to discover the AC was broken. When the repairmen came to fix it they determined the unit was 'dead'. Possible lightning strike. So we worked in high 80s heat until late Wednesday. It was a bit disorientating for work. And made us appreciate the AC even more as we wondered how people work outside or how people worked in buildings before air conditioning was available. Whew.
We continued to have a few heavy afternoon rain storms.

I hope everyone is staying safe from fires, rain, storms, floods and heat.

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 July 20 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. One title was blocked.
AUTO: none

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from July 20 Pick:
FREDAMANS gets a GC and
LINDA 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.}

This is my type of relaxing.
Image found at The Three Tomatoes.

New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
The Maverick Preacher by Victoria Bylin (personally autographed)
The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver
The Doctor’s Forever Family by Marie Ferrarella
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Branded by the Sheriff by Delores Fossen
The Italian’s Inexperienced Mistress
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
Rhapsody in Time by Judith O’Brien
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham
The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle by RaeAnne Thayne


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

Midnight Rainbow
Betrayal
Indigo Blue
By a Spider's Thread 
Johanna Lindsey Pair 
Judith Krentz Pair
Breaking Point

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 1,175+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!

#NetGalley Book Review: The Year of the Knife by G.D. Penman

This is strange but entertaining urban fantasy.

The Year of the Knife
by G.D. Penman

File Size: 1827 KB
Print Length: 236 pages
Publisher: Meerkat Press, LLC (November 28, 2017)
ASIN: B074PCTG14
Genre: Alternate History, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
(This does have a f/f romance but I would not call this lesbian romance as it is a side element -- IMO)
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

"An addictive blend of magic and murder noir." -Gareth L. Powell, BSFA award-winning author of Ack-Ack Macaque
Agent "Sully" Sullivan is one of the top cops in the Imperial Bureau of Investigation. A veteran witch of the British Empire who isn’t afraid to use her magical skills to crack a case. But Sully might need more than a good education and raw power to stop the string of grisly murders that have been springing up across the American Colonies. Every one of them marked by the same chilling calling card, a warning in the form of a legion of voices screaming out through the killers' mouths: "It IS tHe YEAr oF the KNife."
Sully’s investigation will drag her away from the comforts of home in New Amsterdam, the beautiful but useless hyacinth macaw that used to be her boss, and the loving arms of her undead girlfriend, in a thrilling race against time, demonic forces and a shadowy conspiracy that will do anything to keep its hold on power and ensure that Sully takes their secrets to her grave, as soon as possible.
G.D. Penman’s imaginative The Year of the Knife is a fun, fast-paced urban fantasy mystery with an engaging set of characters, most notably Agent Sully of the Imperial Bureau of Investigation.

Review:
Sully is a top cop in the Imperial Bureau of Investigation (IBI). She is a tough witch who often uses her magical skills to help solve a case or take down a culprit. Her department is dragged into a grisly investigation in the American Colonies. Bodies seem to be possessed by an evil that sends them on a killing rampage leaving the message "It IS tHe YEAr oF the KNife." Sully's initial confrontations with the killers don’t go well. She keeps trying to save the civilians and even the possessed killers, but the results aren’t working out as she ends up with serious collateral damage.

Although Sully is strongly dedicated to her work chasing down monster criminals, she has issues with her IBI office recognizing the political problems that exist. The prior Director, whose name no one can remember, has been turned into a Macaw nesting in his office which has been commandeered by the current Deputy Director. Like the missing name spell, there is a key word that is hidden by powerful magic that is hindering the investigation.

Sully first seeks the help of a rather ghoulish (in a twisted fun character) coroner who loves experimenting with the corpses brought in for autopsy. When Raavi can only provide limited information, Sully pulls in a master magician and even consults with a demon trapped in a doll (shades of Chucky or Annabelle).

In her personal life Sully is trying to keep it under wraps that she is hooking up with her former lover who is now a vampire – a species generally killed off or exiled. Marie gives encouragement to Sully but also puts her mission at risk.

The story is full of action with magic and monsters. This is a bit zany as it bounces from murder scene to consulting scene. The dialogue is snarky and fun. Sully's sexual orientation is upfront and her relationship with Marie is an interesting side thread that is nicely handled. My favorite extra element is the alternate reality/history which is revealed slowly at first, emerging more strongly as the book progresses.

My last note on the reading was “How do authors think up this crazy stuff?” I do recommend this to readers who like urban fantasy and want something out of the ordinary.

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

Sunday Post July 22, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 23, 2018

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.

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 with my daughter/manager taking a summer vacation week. So I still have plenty to do.

We continue to have hot sunny days with storms in the afternoon.

My reading moved along well - although I did pull in some shorter books for the week. I finished five books! Three Audible books and two NetGalley titles. I posted two reviews on the blog and one at Goodreads. I posted all of my usual memes.

I visited only 21 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to vvb32reads. Velvet has been blogging since 2009. She shares books for World Challenge and movies that are often new to me.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post July 15, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 16, 2018.

• A2018- #Audible Book Review: Frankenstein: Prodigal Son by Dean Koontz; Horror; my Rating: Story 4.0 of 5.0; Narration 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 20, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 7/26/2018.

• A2018- Audible Book Review: Killing Trail by Margaret Mizushima; K-9 Dogs, Mystery; my rating: Story 4.25 of 5.0; Narrator 4.0 of 5.0.

• Goodreads Review ATBR- Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller; Discipleship, Memoir; my rating Narration and Overall 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 22, 2018.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

The Year of the Knife
by G.D. Penman
This is strange but entertaining urban fantasy.
Source: NetGalley 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 then Smartphone (2018Audible)

Frankenstein: Prodigal Son
By: Dean Koontz
Narrated by: Christopher Lane
Series: Frankenstein, Book 1
I enjoyed this strange tale too.
My review is linked above.
Source: 6/3/2018 Audible Daily Deal $3.95.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/MP3 then Smartphone (2018Audible)

The Dispatcher
By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Zachary Quinto
Length: 2 hrs and 19 mins
Different future dilemma - fun listening.
Source: 2/16/18 Audible Daily Deal $.99.
Click on book title for full description.

4. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Zen Pencils: Cartoon Quotes from Inspirational Folks
by Gavin Aung Than
This cartoon offering is 
very different from my usual read.
I liked most it.
Source: NetGalley 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

5. Audible/MP3 then Smartphone (2008 TBR Audible)

Blue Like Jazz
Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
By: Donald Miller
Narrated by: Donald Miller
Length: 4 hrs and 16 mins
This was a pleasant, inspiring surprise. My review is linked above.
Source: Audible July 2008.
Publisher's Summary
"I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. But sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself....I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened."
Donald Miller
For anyone wondering if the Christian faith is still relevant in a post-modern culture, for anyone thirsting for a genuine encounter with a God who is real, for anyone yearning for a renewed sense of passion in life...Blue Like Jazz is a fresh and original perspective on life, love, and redemption.
©2007 Donald Miller (P)2007 Thomas Nelson Publishers

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG2018)

Science Geek Sam and his Secret Logbook
by Cees Dekker (Author), Corien Oranje (Author), Perta van Rijssen (Illustrator)
I am 80% in, enjoying the scientific facts and elements of Godly creation shared in this fun read.
Source: NetGalley.
"I'm afraid you're at the top end of the healthy weight range," said the doctor. This is doctor's speak for "you are FAT"! "Do you know how much I'd weigh if I was on Pluto?" "No idea," replied the doctor. "Only 2.3 kilograms. Practically nothing!" Meet Sam, science geek extraordinaire, and have an exclusive peek at his top secret logbook. When a meteorite crashes into Sam’s school bike shed, his class have a LOT of questions about space, the universe, and life on earth. But can they believe in God AND the Big Bang? They make some cool discoveries that show them that, surprisingly, the answer is a clear yes. A fact-filled and thought-provoking story that will make you chuckle.

2. Audible Smartphone (2018Audible - Review)

The Painter of Time
By: Matthew S O'Connell
Narrated by: Susan Fouche
Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
I am fascinated already by the history and art detail in this. I'm just getting into the mystery.
Source: Author Marketing Experts.
Publisher's Summary
Contemporary/historical suspense audiobook set amid the art world of modern day NYC and the dawn of the Renaissance in Italy.
Bronx born and bred, Mackenzie Ferrara is both nervous and excited to begin her career as a restorer of fine art at the prestigious Cloisters in New York City. The star of the restoration team is a handsome and reserved Italian, Anthony Bataglia. On loan from the Ufizzi, he is renowned for his ability to bring pre-Renaissance treasures back to life. Despite a rocky start, the two form a close working relationship, which Mackenzie hopes will blossom into something more.
But as she works with him she begins to notice peculiar patterns and unexplainable similarities in all of his restorations. Something is clearly not what it seems to be with the dashing Mr. Bataglia. Mackenzie - with help from her father, a retired detective - is determined to uncover the truth, regardless of the consequences.
©2015 Matthew O'Connell (P)2018 Matthew O'Connell

3. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Talon - epic fantasy novel (The Astor Chronicles Book 1)
by Amanda Greenslade
This will finally finish up my 2017 NetGalley titles.
Source: NetGalley 2017.
With a newly awakened icetiger for his companion, Talon is finally learning the magic of the Kriite people, including telepathy and shape-changing. After his home town Jaria is attacked by Zeikas he embarks on a mission to seek help.
Before Talon even understands the power within him, there are demon summoners after him. He is horrified to learn that the Zeika leader plans to use Talon’s body and mind to further his ambition for power. Bal Harar is on a god-given mission to enslave or kill all Kriites.
Talon represents both the greatest threat and the greatest opportunity to the Zeikas—his actions and faith will make all the difference between the two.

July 22, 2018 - I am still enjoying the prayer app which gives me five prayer groups each morning! I continue on track with my morning reading the One Year Bible plan on my smartphone. You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.

I completed 5 books and 3 reviews. This puts me at 2 reviews due.
I still need to find time to add reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
My NetGalley shelf is at 12; I still have one more author title in queue. Still many through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

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 two audiobooks for review - Love that!
I held off on Audible Daily Deals until today.
I also got the SYNC Audios this week.
I resisted the kindle bargain deals.
I did pick up some free kindle titles this week. (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 this audiobook for review from Author Marketing Experts.

The Painter of TimeBy: Matthew S O'ConnellNarrated by: Susan Fouche
Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
"Contemporary/historical suspense audiobook set amid the art world of modern day NYC and the dawn of the Renaissance in Italy."

I received this audio title from the author through AudioBook Boom.
Christmas at the Inn
Rose and Briar Inn Stories, Book 1
By: Andrea Twombly
Narrated by: Lisa Leslie
Length: 50 mins

"...author Andrea Twombly weaves a warm story of the Christmas season, rich in challenges overcome and courage discovered along a twisting road to love."

Won

NONE

Purchased

7/22/18 DD $2.95
Sharkman
By: Steve Alten
Narrated by: Andrew Eiden
Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
Release date: 12-06-16

Free

I have downloaded week 13 SYNC audio titles:
Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama Read by Katherine Kellgren
The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Read by Glen McCready

I added only 27 free titles to my Kindle 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 July 22, 2018

This morning we had another good Sunday School with our substitute teacher sharing on wonders of nature. Of course, the producers of the program credit the intricacies of the creatures to “eternal engineering” and “nature”. We give creation credit to our God. And we wonder what wonders await us in heaven: 1 Corinthians 2:9 'no eye has imagined'.

Pastor continued his series on “The Strong” covering 1 Peter chapter 4.
1 Peter is a message telling the new church (new followers of Christ) what they need to do to survive as they face opposition and trials.

This week Pastor referenced unexpected construction road blocks. We don’t run into these so often anymore if we use a GPS on our car dash or on our smartphones. But even when we do, there are those who are tempted to drive around the barriers to get to their destination instead of following the detour. Often, they discover that the way really is blocked, and they end up having to turn around and go back to the detour anyway.

God's word is a path to the followers of Christ. John 1:1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

We are not supposed to live without God. Whether we are a Christ follower or not, God is always there with each person, calling them and trying to guide them. Our humanness in our fleshly bodies tries to live without God, but we end up on the wrong path and usually in trouble needing to be rescued.

1 Peter 4 tells us to be ready to suffer too, like Christ. Love for this human world will cause pain. Peter admonishes us to “be finished with sin”. (Verse 1.) Don't chase your own desires but anxiously seek the will of God (Verse2.) Live differently which will put you at odds with your former friends. (Verses 3 and 4.)

Point: The strong know that trials come but victory is had by trusting fully in Christ.

Remember that all will face judgment with a pass or fail test: ‘Yes, you know and accepted Christ’ or ‘No you didn’t accept Him’. (Verses 5 and 6.)

Be glad for trials that make you a partner with Christ and if you must suffer, suffer for knowing Christ. (Verses 12-16.) Judgment begins with each of us – how we live and treat others. (Verse 17.) “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” (Verse 18.) Therefore, keep on doing what is right and trust in God who will never fail you. (Verse 19.)

Be careful that you don’t try to take back control in your human, fleshly weakness. This happens when we stop reading the word, stop praying, stop giving time and tithe; when we disconnect from church.

If you don't trust God, you are believing the lies of Satan. You are back in prison, a slave to sin. Be strong. Trust God fully. Live different. It is yes or no.

I found this song today which I think fits for the message.

A Verse for Today:
1 Peter 4:18 (NIV)
18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

Lord, I pray for today and every day: Help me be strong in You. Help me to live different than the world.

Audible Book Review: Killing Trail by Margaret Mizushima

This is good, solid mystery with likeable characters.
Killing Trail
A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery, Book 1
By: Margaret Mizushima
Narrated by: Nancy Wu

Series: A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-19-16
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: K-9 Dogs, Mystery
My Rating: Story 4.25 of 5.0; Narrator 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
When a young girl is found dead in the mountains outside Timber Creek, lifelong resident Officer Mattie Cobb and her partner, K-9 police dog Robo, are assigned to the case that has rocked the small Colorado town.
With the help of Cole Walker, a local veterinarian and single father, Mattie and Robo must track down the truth before it claims another victim. But the more Mattie investigates, the more she realizes how many secrets her town holds. And the key may be Cole's daughter, who knows more than she's saying. The murder was just the beginning, and if Mattie isn't careful, she and Robo could be next.
Suspenseful and smart, Killing Trail is an explosive debut that will have listeners clamoring for more Mattie and Robo for years to come.
©2015 Margaret Mizushima (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Mattie is a young officer who has worked hard to be accepted in her hometown force. She tested out above her co-officers in order to participate in the K-9 program, getting to have a K-9 dog, Robo, as a partner and training with the dog. Mattie and Robo are assigned to a work a case when a local high school girl is found dead (by Robo) in a shallow grave in the woods near Timber Creek. It appears that dogs being trained by a local man may be involved in the mysterious death.

Mattie and Robo work with local veterinarian, Cole Walker, who initially is called upon to take care of the victim’s sick dog. Cole is struggling with the news that his wife has finalized divorce proceedings after walking away from the family several months before. His ex-wife wouldn’t even visit with their daughters over the summer when they were nearby. Cole has to find a solution for a housekeeper to stay with his girls while he is at the office/lab so much.

Cole knew the dead girl who was a good friend of his elder daughter, Angela. Angela doesn’t believe that her friend could have been involved with drugs, but she does know some facts that help move the investigation along.

Mattie begins to build a growing list of suspects who may be involved, but sometimes her own experiences cause her to make conclusions that may not be accurate. When one of the main ‘persons of interest’ is found dead the race to uncover the details becomes more urgent. Can she and Robo find the truth before someone else, maybe one or both ends up dead?

I enjoyed Mattie’s strong, smart, but not perfect, character. She shows insecurity and expresses concerns over her decisions which is a little annoying although not unrealistic. I liked how the author shared good details of the abilities of the trained police dog while also showing critical learning issues needed to allow the officer and dog to work together successfully. Cole is a possible romantic interest for future stories but clearly was not in a position to develop a relationship so soon after his divorce. The mystery moves along well making this a solid beginning to a K-9 series which I recommend to those who like the combination of women police and K-9.

Audio Notes: The narration by Nancy Wu is more of a reading than a performance. She does a few voices but mostly just reads. It is an adequate presentation but not special. Still, I liked having this in audio which gives me a chance to ‘read’ (listen) faster.

Source: 2/25/18 Audible Purchase $4.95. This qualifies for Audiobook Challenge and a 2018 title for my Alphabet Challenge.