Audio Book Review: Elemental Thief by Rachel Morgan

I enjoyed the magic element but didn’t find this fantasy compelling me to the next book.
Elemental Thief
Written by Rachel Morgan
Narrated by Arielle Delisle

Series: Ridley Kayne Chronicles, Book 1
Run Time: 7hrs 46
Release date: 02-05-19
Publisher: Rachel Morgan
Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher Description
She’s a thief with forbidden magic. He’s the guy she just stole from. Now they’ll have to work together.
In a city where magic is outlawed, teenage thief Ridley uses her special powers to steal from the rich and give to those in need—until the night someone follows her home after a heist and ends up murdered outside her apartment. When her best friend is accused of the crime, Ridley is determined to prove his innocence.
But things get messy when the artifact Ridley stole turns out to contain secrets that could endanger many lives. Forced to team up with wealthy Archer—the guy she stole from—Ridley must hunt down the artifact before it winds up in deadly hands.
Which means following a trail into the hidden parts of the city …
… and hopefully not winding up dead.

Review:
Ridley knows that it is dangerous to use her magic skills, but she justifies it by ‘doing good’ – stealing from the rich to help the poor. Her latest assignment has her taking a particular statute from a rich family that she happens to know. She thinks she has completed her heist undetected but then she realizes someone is following her. She does some twists and turns to get home to her father and their antique shop. From her window she spots her pursuer in the alley but then witnesses his murder.

Initially, Archer, the rich young man she stole from, is accused and Ridley knows that he will wiggle out of the charges. She is surprised when Archer coerces her to help prove his innocence. They are both after the rich mayor’s son who is apparently willing to use magic for personal gain.

Ridley and Archer have an interesting childhood connection and they are both hiding secrets. I enjoyed how their relationship changed as they worked against each other and finally together. I also enjoyed their journey through a hidden community where Ridley had to use her unique magic skills.

There are interesting twists, good action, and pacing but the book does end with a cliffhanger and lots of unresolved issues. As I note these things I liked, I can’t pinpoint why the completion left me with an “okay” feeling rather than a “must read on” inclination. Ridley is a little immature in her behaviors which makes the character less engaging and Archer’s “Trust me, but I can’t tell you why” got to be a tiring refrain. These, plus the disappointment at the end may have caused my reaction. I still would recommend this to readers who enjoy paranormal fantasies, and I would recommend the Complete collection with all three books.

Audio Notes: Arielle Delisle provides a fitting narration. Her voice sounds like a young, emotionally struggling heroine. The male voices aren’t strong, but they are sufficiently distinct.

Source: 10/10/19 Chirp $.99 purchase. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Sunday Post August 21, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 22 2022

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

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.

The leak was fixed by the AC men clearing the drain pan that was overflowing from the roof leak. I was going to move back to my desk but everyone said no since we have to move to the rebuilt office next week. YAY!

Most everything is done at the rebuilt office except for the plumbing that is needed. Very important!!

This weekend has been a drag as I started sneezing on Friday afternoon and came home with a sore throat. Saturday morning I woke up with no energy and laid around bundled in a blanket because I was chilled. Heather dropped off a thermometer and Covid tests. I did have a fever and my test was positive. :-(    Everyone else in the office tested negative. Today I had a little more energy and only low fever. At least my taste has remained good.
So it looks like I will be working from home this week. *Sigh*

This is a picture of what greeted me at the front walk when I arrived home.

Caterpillar webs have a special meaning to me as they were one of the first things I saw when I got glasses at age 6.

I continue with my previous prayer lists.

Our temps are still running mid 80s to 90s with regular showers.

I enjoyed my audios -- just two.  I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 15 blogs last week.
Shout Out today: BONNIE READS and WRITES. Bonnie does "reviews for Historical Novels Review Magazine, Netgalley, BookSirens, and by request from authors and publishers." She loves to support Indie authors and has a "Self-Published Saturday feature". Check out her blog and reviews.

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30, 2021.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were the posts over the past two weeks:

• Sunday Post August 14, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 15, 2022.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Breaking by Daniel Greene; Genre: Horror, Military, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 19, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 8/25/2022.

• ATBR: Audio Book Review: The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy; Genre: Christian, Historical, Romance, Western; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: What's Left of My World by C.A. Rudolph; Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #449 Comment Giveaway August 20, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 9/17/2022.
  

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 21, 2022 - Spiritual Warfare.
  

Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Marked in Flesh
A Novel of the Others, Book 4
By: Anne Bishop
Narrated by: Alexandra Harris
Length: 15 hrs and 21 mins
This is another engaging story in the series.
Source: 8/14/2021 July Audible Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Coming Apostasy: Exposing the Sabotage of Christianity from Within
By: Mark Hitchcock , Jeff Kinley
Narrated by: Paul Christy
Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins
I liked this although I am not sure that I heard too much that is new. One or two succint phrases I'll have to pull out.
Source: August 2021 Audible Plus Catalog.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audio Chirp App Smartphone (ATBR)

The Road to Paradise
A Vintage National Parks Novel
Written by Karen Barnett
Narrated by Ann Richardson
Run Time 10h 9min
I have been eyeing this historical romance series. I had the impression it was mystery but haven't found much mystery in 5 hours. It is definitely Christian fiction and I'm enjoying it.
Source: 9/5/2021 Chirp $2.99.
Publisher Description
It’s 1927, and the National Park Service is in its youth when Margie, an avid naturalist, lands a coveted position alongside the park rangers living and working in the unrivaled splendor of Mount Rainier’s long shadow. But Chief Ranger Ford Brayden is still haunted by his father’s death on the mountain, and the ranger takes his work managing the park and its crowd of visitors seriously. The job of watching over an idealistic senator’s daughter with few practical survival skills seems a waste of resources.
When Margie’s former fiancé sets his mind on developing the Paradise Inn and its surroundings into a tourist playground, the plans might put more than the park’s pristine beauty in danger. What will Margie and Ford sacrifice to preserve the splendor and simplicity of the wilderness they both love?

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Commune: Book Four Commune Series, Book 4
By: Joshua Gayou
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 22 hrs and 7 mins
This is a longer book so I figure that is good since I have a back stack of reviews to complete and post.
Source: 11/18/2021 Audible October Credit.
Publisher's Summary
The philosopher asks: "Faced with the mutually exclusive choice between moral principle and the survival of your family, which is the correct path?"
Philosophers love to pose such questions, and in the day-to-day struggle, such thinkers rarely attain to a level of relevance rivaling that of the simple hunger pang. Their careful considerations dissipate under the leveled gun.
We do not feel their disapproving gaze when The Others draw near.
When the world sends doom, the survivors do not hesitate.
The survivors do what is necessary.
©2018 Joshua Gayou and Blue Heron Audio (P)2019 Joshua Gayou and Blue Heron Audio

August 21, 2022 - I am on track and continue to enjoy the informative videos in The Bible Reading Plan is: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. It really soothes me to read the pieces each day.
No new study this week.

I still have 6 books to review plus 7 children's books. I will have to push to catch up.

NETGALLEY STATUS-- NO CHANGE
My NG shelf is back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I don't have any author reviews in my queue right now.
(Plus a few that I received from Facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles 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: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
No new review or NetGalley titles this week.
I selected my free VIP credit title at Audiobooks.com.
Two free Kindle titles this week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

August 2022 VIP Audiobooks.com.

Nowhere to Run
Author C. J. Box
Narrator: David Chandler
Duration: 10 h 17 min


8/17/2022 - I was looking for something else and this came up.

The Lonely Island The Refuge of the Mutineers
by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

8/21/22 The cover and blurb caught my eye. Reminded me of Sookie Stackhouse.

DEAD EYE: Tiger's Eye Mysteries
by Alyssa Day

Two titles added to Kindle library. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday August 21, 2022 Words of Encouragement, Spiritual Warfare

I attended service online this morning as I tested positive for Covid on Saturday. Yesterday I had no energy and could barely work on the computer. This morning I was fever free and had energy for my shower and online church.

Pastor’s message was based on 2 Corinthians 10:1-6; Spiritual Warfare Doing Damage to the Darkness.
We need passion in spiritual weapons just like physical weapons. (See spiritual weapons in Ephesians 6.) Darkness is damaged by spiritual warfare. Something happens in the spiritual realm.
Spiritual warfare pulls down strongholds. “Strongholds” is a military term for fortified places where the troops are dug in. Things like: “I don’t need God; I don’t need Church” are strongholds.

First, believe there can be victory. With God ALL things are possible. Don’t believe the lies of the enemy that only some things are possible.

Strongholds are thoughts, personal reasons that people use to fortify their minds against God. Strongholds are the antithesis to the Biblical theology that tells us to surrender to God.

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV says, “5We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,…”

Like geometry, we may not remember the right formula for the instant problem. That is like the enemy pushing false formulas on us. Allow faith and spiritual weapons to prevail. Believe for the supernatural kingdom of God to appear in our lives.

Faulty reasoning and lofty opinions (pride) run rampant in our society. Pride says “I can handle it myself.” That is false. God is not limited but we need to turn to Him to battle the enemy.

God intends for us to take control of thoughts that might cross our mind. Bring thoughts into captivity by controlling what you put in your mind: news, music, reading. Remember the story of the two wolves. Make sure you are feeding the good wolf, not the evil wolf. Sin starts with the conception of a thought. Everything needs to be brought to surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Make sure the thoughts that run in our life bring us closer to God, be obedient

Fight against those things that distract us from God and obedience. If thoughts bring division or sin, bring those thoughts into captivity. There is a victory coming when we are obedient. Delayed obedience is disobedience. We need to strive for complete obedience – under God’s control, not our own.

This song speaks of our God of the Impossible!

Verses for Today:
2 Corinthians 10 NIV
Paul’s Defense of His Ministry
10 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.


Lord, please help me to control my thoughts and to trust You to respond in spiritual warfare.

 

Sharing Beyond Books #449 Comment Giveaway August 20, 2022

Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books. (Note - I am going to continue to post monthly now, probably through the end of the year. This one runs through September 17, 2022.)

Thanks to everyone who commented on the last question.
Last post SBB#448 BN100 asked: Favorite ways to cool down in the heat??
We only had seven commenters in addition to me. Five people mentioned cold water or other cold drink, including iced tea. Three people mentioned ice cream and three mentioned ac, two mentioned pool, two fans, and one feet in the ocean or a tub of ice. :-) I hope everyone is staying cool!

The Winner from SBB#448 comments is #2 MIKI 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. -- [9-18-2021 I have added a new box and crossed off books no longer available through August 2021.]

Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #449

(One Question.)

Scattered Leaves asks: What’s your favorite pie??

Two: cherry and pecan. When I was young I also loved shoofly pie - it is a little two sugary for me now.

Image found at Mavis Butterfield.

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 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards 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 them.
July question was provided by SCATTERED LEAVES who gets half a GC credit.

Your turn to share. Scattered Leaves asks: What’s your favorite pie??
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.
THE deadline is a month, until September 17.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: What's Left of My World by C.A. Rudolph

I like this post-apocalyptic, character driven story.

What's Left of My World
By: C.A. Rudolph
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Series: What's Left of My World, Book 1 (7 books)
Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
Release date: 04-04-17
Publisher: C.A. Rudolph
Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Lauren Russell often wondered why her father had been so adamant about teaching her skills that most other fathers wouldn't even consider teaching their daughters. Ever since she was little, she had been taught how to live and survive outdoors, and how to use firearms to protect herself and those around her. Some of the training had been a bit extreme. Or had it been?
Many of her questions were answered the day the world as she knew it ended. Now, the skills she had been taught serve an essential purpose. They keep her and those she cares about alive. Even in the sparsely-populated mountains of West Virginia, where she and her family have been forced to relocate for their safety after the collapse, peril lurks around every corner. Normal life has taken on a whole new meaning for Lauren, her family, and the community they have become a part of. In this different world, the new status quo is self-preservation. There is no more middle ground. People either live, or they die.
Lauren's father didn't make it home on the day the world changed forever, and she misses him more than anything. Now, in What's Left of My World, she and her family must learn to endure life's horrors - without him.
©2016 C.A.Rudolph (P)2017 C.A.Rudolph

Review:
Lauren’s father had made sure that she could handle herself and her weapons. She has learned to live and survive outdoors, to face the perils of nature, and to face wild and human predators. She and her family have made it to a refuge valley in West Virginia. She hopes her father will be able to travel from his DC office to find his way to the family. But they all know there are dangers.

Within the valley there are members of the community who work together to survive while ‘takers’ living in the woods make raids to steal supplies. Now there are motorcycle terrorists breaking through to the interior homes. The bullies had attacked a neighbor home. Although the men were caught, the woman of the house was killed. When they investigated the men’s saddle bags, they found trophies – human fingers. The community is going to have to arm up and face this new, brutal threat. The community members are flawed, including Lauren who knows better than to investigate a murder scene on her own. She stumbles upon a survivor and has no way to know if he is an enemy or can be an asset.

I enjoyed the story line and the primary characters. They are a mixed bag of young and old, prepared and unprepared but ready to contribute to the upcoming battles. The action and suspense are good even if there are some unrealistic moments. Warning: the evil is brutal and ugly so be prepared for that. I will be listening to the next book and recommend this to fans of post-apocalyptic survival.

Audio Notes: Kevin Pierce is a reliable narrator in this genre. He provides distinct voices and distinct energy. I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source: 7/18/2021 Audible $5.00 sale on Sci Fi and Fantasy titles. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.