Audio Book Review: Eli Carter and the Ghost Hackers, Book 1 The Cat Who Went Bump in the Night by Angela Pepper

This is a quick, light, rather zany story.
#FRATERFEST-5.

Eli Carter and the Ghost Hackers Books 1-3 Series Boxed Set
Written by Angela Pepper
Narrated by John Pirhalla

Run Time 10h 35min
Release date: 08-20-20
Publisher: Angela Pepper
Genre: Cozy, Fantasy, Private Investigator, Supernatural
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

BOOK 1: The Cat Who Went Bump in the Night.

Eli Carter is a smart (yet strange) guy trapped in a dead-end career. When he meets smooth-talking Khan Hart, a self-proclaimed necromancer, he's given the opportunity to become a hero. As soon as he takes the job working for Ghost Hackers, Eli's life takes a turn for the paranormal. For starters, something under his bed is trying to kill him. Now Eli must team up with Khan, face down his fears, and kick the butt of one very strange ghost.

Review:
The blurb covers the summary of characters and events pretty well. Eli is a rather nondescript guy with a girlfriend who is controlling and not likeable by me. I hope he loses her along the way. There is craziness in the mix from the cat-like monster that sits on Eli’s chest at bedtime to the elderly man who thinks something is wrong with his microwave. Eli doesn’t really understand the assignment on his first night out, so he misses the evidence. Yet he returns and stumbles upon a resolution.

This is a quick, easy listen. It is a little confusing but fun. I recommend that fans of paranormal give this a try. I have the box set so I will listen to more.

Audio Notes: John Pirhalla did a good job with the narration. His voice is young and energetic. His delivery enhanced the story for me.

Source: 9/11/2021 Chirp Purchase $.99. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Sunday Post November 6, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 7, 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.

I have felt productive at work this week and not so tired when I get home. That helped me get some reviews done.
I expect I'll be watching election results most of Tuesday evening. How about you?







I got this pretty shot of morning mist Friday morning when I let the dogs out.
There was a lovely pink tinge that almost is gone by the time I got my camera up.

Then I looked out the backyard for another misty view.

I continue with my previous prayer lists.

We had some rain today right before our church Family Festival event.
The rest of the week looks like sunny days and not too cool (mid 80s). I might have to turn the AC back on.

This week I enjoyed two audios. I finally managed to get some review posts up with my regular Memes.

I visited 16 blogs again last week.
Shout out this week to THAT HAPPY READER. Jodie's sub-line is: "An avid reader featuring new and soon to be published books!" Her books this week look nice and cheery!

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 last week:

• Sunday Post October 30, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 31, 2022.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: An Univited Ghost by E.J. Copperman; Genre: Cozy Mystery, Ghosts, Woman Sleuth; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• NG2022: #NetGalley Audio Review: Santa's Little Yelpers by David Rosenfelt; Genre: Animals, Lawyer, Mystery; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• Martha's BookShelf Friday Pick November 4, 2022 Giveaway.  Open Worldwide. Ending 11/10/2022.
  

• ATBR: Audio Book Review: A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes; Genre: Ghost, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Werewolf's 15 Minutes by Jonathan Maberry; Genre:Fantasy, Horror, Werewolf; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• ATBR: Audio Book Review: Night Shift Witch by Cate Lawley; Genre: Cozy Mystery, Ghost, Woman Sleuth; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.25.

• A2022: Audible Book Review: Dark of Night, A Joe Ledger Novella, by Jonathan Maberry and Rachel Lavin; Genre: Action, Horror, Zombie; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement November 6, 2022 - Praise the Lord!
  

Finished Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (A2022)

White Wasteland
A Black Autumn Saga
(White Wasteland Series, Book 1)
By: Jeff Kirkham, Jason Ross
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins
I liked this Post Apocalyptic but realized it is a shoot off from an larger series.
Source: 3/3/22 New-to-Me series purchased at Audible Sale for $3.74.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

The Clause in Christmas
by Rachael Bloome
Read by E.L. Beckett
Run Time 8h 15min
This is a delightful Christmas story based on new and hopeful beginnings!
Source: 12/16/2021 purchase at Chirp for $1.99.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Space Knight
By: Michael-Scott Earle
Narrated by Nick Podehl
Length 13h 11m
I reached back in the TBR for this one. It is a form of LitRpg and I am find it entertaining at 3 hours in.
Source: 10-13-18 Daily Deal $4.95 with $5.00 credit) $0.00.
In a universe where technology and magic co-exist, Nicholas Lyons desires one thing: to serve his queen as a Space Knight in the Royal Trident Forces. But when his final mission as an Academy cadet goes horribly wrong, Nicholas discovers he possesses illegal magical abilities that grant him power far beyond that of a normal man, knight, or mage.
When a clandestine assignment lands Nicholas on the worst starship in the kingdom's fleet, he finds a motley crew of warriors hiding their own terrible secret. Death and betrayal lurk around every corner, and Nicholas finds himself torn between his loyalties to his new crew, or the oath he swore to his queen.
And death no matter which choice he makes.

2. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love Through the Generations
Written By: Kristi Ann Hunter, Sarah Loudin Thomas, Becky Wade, Karen Witemeyer
Narrated By: Pilar Witherspoon, Liz Pearce, Stephanie Cozart, Emily Pike Stewart
Duration: 12 hours 53 minutes
I will be picking one holiday book each week for the upcoming season.
Source: December 2020 Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com.
Summary
In Kristi Ann Hunter's 'Legacy of Love,' Sarah Gooding never suspected returning a brooch to an elderly woman would lead to a job . . . and introduce her to the woman's grandson, a man far above her station. In Karen Witemeyer's 'Gift of the Heart,' widow Ruth Albright uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from the local banker. But the more she comes to know the man behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love. In Sarah Loudin Thomas's 'A Shot at Love,' Fleeta Brady's rough-and-tumble childhood means she prefers hunting to more feminine activities. She never expected her family's brooch might be how a fellow hunter turns her attention from competition to romance. In Becky Wade's 'Because of You,' Maddie Winslow has spent years in love with a man whose heart was already spoken for. When a church Christmas project brings them together and she stumbles upon an old family brooch, might it finally be her turn for love?

November 6, 2022 - I am continuing up to date and love that I learn new things each time I read/listen to the scriptures. I get excited watching the devotion videos. The Bible Reading Plan is: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. It really soothes me to read/listen to the pieces each day.
No new study this past week.

I read two audio titles and reviewed six so I made some progress on reviews. I still have 6 books (plus 7 children's books). I keep working on these. :-)

NETGALLEY STATUS--
Back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I have one author reviews in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer.
(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 titles this week.
I purchased two Audibles on Sale and two audios at Chirp.
Then I found seven audios on Audible Plus.
Only one free Kindle title again this week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

10/31/2022 Sale at Audible each at $3.99. One new series and one continuing series..

Emergence
Dave vs. the Monsters
By: John Birmingham
Narrated by: Mark Zeisler
Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins

Frankenstein: City of Night
By: Dean Koontz
Narrated by: Christopher Lane
Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins



11/3/2022 Purchased at Chirp:

The Meet Cute Method
Written by Portia MacIntosh
Narrated by Karen Cass
Run Time 7h 51min
$1.99

Finding Spring
Written by B. E. Baker
Narrated by Connor Crais & Jennifer Jill Araya
Run Time 8h 24min
$0.99

Free

I found these seven on Audible Plus. I am refilling my supply of horror for next year.  (Plus a sweet romance.)

Old Haunts
By: E.J. Copperman
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi
Series: Haunted Guesthouse, Book 3
Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

A Wild Ghost Chase
By: E.J. Copperman
Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
Series: Haunted Guesthouse, Book 3.5
Length: 2 hrs and 34 mins

An Unexpected Kiss: The Snow Valley Romance Series, Book 1
By: Cindy Roland Anderson
Narrated by: Mia Barron
Series: The Snow Valley Romance Series, Book 1
Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins

Outrider: A Novel
By: Steven John
Narrated by: Matthew McCollum
Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins

This Fallen World
By: Christopher Woods
Narrated by: Mark Boyett
Series: The Fallen World, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Icequake
By: Crawford Kilian
Narrated by: Tim Campbell
Series: Icequake, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins

Don't Call Me Ishmael
By: Chris Kennedy
Narrated by: Mark Boyett
Series: The Fallen World, Book 2
Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins


One Free Kindle Title:

Heretic: A Military Archaeological Space Adventure (The Zenophobia Saga Book 1)
by Craig Martelle, Brad R. Torgersen



One new title 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 Words of Encouragement November 6, 2022 - Praise the Lord!

Our Sunday School teacher continued the lesson on the Millennium starting in Revelation 20:1. He noted that part to the purpose for binding Satan is to remove his ability to deceive the people. Until then it is likely we will continue to see people fall to deception in the world, including those in the church.

Our service started with praise and worship including the praise song God is Good. Pastor’s message was based on Psalms 106:1 which opens: "Praise the Lord!" The word hallelujah is an exhortation to the people to praise. We have to be taught to praise and then reminded to continually praise. It is an expression with excitement, an explanation point.
“Praise the Lord!”  Psalm 134:1-2. ‘Singing is pleasant and fitting.’ Psalm 147:1.

In ALL circumstances, we should be praising and giving thanks. Even when we are experiencing trouble, we can praise that He is in control and can handle the situation and seeing us through it.

Our faith is elevated by praise.
"Praise at all times. Let His praise continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1.
The earth is full of His Glory. Isaiah 6:3.
God's goodness has nothing to do with our circumstances. In the midst of his troubles, Job blessed the Lord. Job 1:20-22.

The absence of praise says a lot about where our minds are. We are told repeatedly to give praise and thanksgiving. Psalm 95:1-2. The pattern is praise first, then petition.

There's always good among the bad. We stand with Him, or more correctly, He stands with us when we call on Him.

Pastor reminded us of the Life cycle of democracy (Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh 1787. The final phases are when everyone believes they are entitled to abundance. Expressed: “A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.”

Thanksgiving used to be a big deal. Now it appears that it offends some people and we are moving from Halloween right on to Christmas.

We have reason enough to be grateful without receiving anything new. We were created with uniqueness, we have breath, live, and more belongings that we need. A well-known Psalm of thanks is Psalm 100. ‘Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise!’

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6.

“6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7.

Some of us have attitudes. Start giving thanks and praise and your attitude will change.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34.

God is steadfast. God may get mad or disappointed with us, but He still loves us.

This song fits so perfectly today: Ever Be.

A Verse for Today:
Psalm 106:1 NIV
1 Praise the Lord
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Oh, my Father, Lord and Spirit – Let Your praise for ever be on my lips! Thank you for creation, salvation, and guidance.

Audible Book Review: Dark of Night, A Joe Ledger Novella, by Jonathan Maberry and Rachel Lavin

This is a good zombie survivors' story that can be read outside of the series.
#FRATERFEST-4
Dark of Night
A Joe Ledger Novella
By: Jonathan Maberry, Rachael Lavin
Narrated by: Ray Porter

Series: Dead of Night, Book 2.5, Joe Ledger, Book 8.5
Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins
Release date: 06-21-16
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Action, Horror, Zombie
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
The dead rose. We fell.
The survivors are trapped in a world of monsters who prey on the helpless. Some of them are zombies...but they are not the only predators who feed on pain and suffering.
Dark of Night is a story of worlds in collision. Three heroes who have survived the apocalypse are in a deadly race to save a busload of children from ravenous zombies and ruthless human scavengers.
This brand new novella brings together three of New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Maberry's award-winning series. Captain Joe Ledger (Patient Zero and Code Zero), Officer Desdemona Fox (Dead of Night and Fall of Night), and Rachael Elle (Bits & Pieces) are caught between an endless wave of the living dead and an army of corrupt men who want to enslave the last human survivors.
©2016 Jonathan Maberry and Rachael Lavin (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Many years ago the zombie virus started taking over the world. The rare survivors are still struggling to find safe refuge.

Officer Dez Fox is struggling to get a busload of children to a safe camp under control of the National Guard. Then they see the dead passing the bus and realize that these dead are wearing National Guard uniforms. Fox will continue to do whatever it takes to protect these young survivors.

Meanwhile, Rachael Elle is a young woman who has managed to survive the zombie apocalypse in cosplay or LARP gear, fighting the dead “Orcs”. She stumbles upon the bus after Dez has gone out to scout and ends up leading the children by harnessing their superhero inner voices.

Joe Ledger is a career military man who sought to take down Patient Zero. Although he couldn’t stop the virus, he is a legendary warrior against the dead, traveling with the help of a smart warning and killing dog, Captain Joe and Baskerville stumble on the scene and is quick to step into the fray. First he saves a young girl from horrible NKK (New Klux Klan) bad actors. Then he proceeds to fight both enemies, the dead and living, to help the girls save the children.

I’ve read the prequel to this series, so I am aware of the beginnings of Joe Ledger facing the zombie hoard. I enjoyed the startling meeting between Joe and Dez and I appreciated the determination of all three characters to fight the dead and help other survivors. I had not met the two female characters and I will definitely backtrack to find their stories. There is plenty of fast paced action. However, the story is really only about two and a half hours as there is a second, totally unrelated story written by someone else that is tagged on. I am glad I got to listen to this and I will be reading/listening to more in the series. I recommend this to fans of battle action and some snarky character interaction.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter is an excellent narrator. He does such a good job with action and distinct character voices. I would feel comfortable searching out books narrated by Porter, and I could likely enjoy those stories. His narration enhances the story for me.

Source: 3-3-2022 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Audio Book Review: Night Shift Witch by Cate Lawley

This is another light and fun cozy mystery set in a funeral home.

#FRATERFEST-3
Night Shift Witch
Written by Cate Lawley
Narrated by April Doty

Length 3h 32m
Release Date: May 26, 2021
Publisher: Cate Lawley
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Ghost, Woman Sleuth
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.25.

Publisher Description
A witch with a side hustle
Star needs another paying gig while she finishes her witch training. Why not at a funeral home? It fits her goth image, and the funeral director is sort of hot…even if he does wear a suit and tie.
Less than a day on the job as makeup artist to the dead, and Star discovers one of their accidental death clients didn’t die accidentally.
Before she knows it, she’s neck-deep in paranormal intrigue and her completely human, way-too-nice-for-his-own-good boss is right there with her.

Review:
Star doesn’t see herself as a strong witch. In fact, she struggles with her training. She takes a job at a funeral home as a makeup artist to the dead. The proper looking funeral director, Ben Kowalski, is sort of hot, but he may think twice about hiring her when he realizes that Star could read his mind if she was so inclined. Then there is the matter that Star is planning to abscond with the latest ‘customer’.

Apparently, the dead body is a golem, a magical construct, rather than a real human. Star has called her former boyfriend, Alex, the area magical enforcer, to deal with the issue. Add to the problem of properly disposing of the golem, there are clear signs the death wasn’t accidental.

As Alex and Star set off to discover the murderer, Ben refuses to be left behind. He is soon exposed to the world of golems, vampires, witches and wizards. Surprisingly he takes it in stride. But now that Ben has seen and heard more about magic than he should have, Star is trying to figure a way to keep Alex from wiping Ben’s memory.

I really enjoyed these characters, their interaction, and the quick mystery. I would love to listen to more, but the regular prices don’t work for such short works. I recommend this fun mystery, especially if you can buy it at a deal price.

Audio Notes: I found the narration by April Doty fit the story well. The male voices aren’t quite distinct, but I didn’t have confusion following the characters. I enjoyed the audio entertainment.

Source: October 27th, 2021 Chirp $0.99. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.