Thursday, December 22, 2016

Audio Book Review: Riven

Riven

By:  Sherry D. Ficklin & Tyler Jolley

Publish Date:  May 5, 2015, Audiobook Release October 12, 2016

Format:  Audiobook - 4 hrs
Narrated By:  James Darcy

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Series:  3rd The Lost Imperials series: 1st Book ~ Extracted, 2nd Book ~ Prodigal

Impression:  The children are remembering, and learning more!

Synopsis:
In a battle for control of the time stream, the past and the future will collide, either saving mankind—or destroying it.

What should be a routine mission leaves Ethan with a serious problem. He’s fractured, a break between mind and body that leaves him at the mercy of his Rifter abilities, which are quickly tearing him apart. He will have to trust the only person who might know how to fix him, a mysterious Rifter named Stewart Stills, who seems to have a special connection with the time stream.

Forced to face his dark past and a decision he may never forgive himself for, he will be trained unlike any of the others, to become a true guardian of time. If he accepts, it will mean leaving everyone he loves behind, if he refuses, time itself could unravel. After a glimpse of the dark future awaiting them all, he will have to choose between destiny and desire. Will he rise up and take his place as a defender of the natural order, or will he watch as all of time burns at the hands of the girl he loves?

First Sentence:
Catherine leans calmly against the edge of the workbench.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review at my request.

After hearing what the Hollows did, creating a paradox that almost destroyed time and Flynn being lost to it, Tesla decides they must escalate plans to deal with the Hollows. Above all else, to get the Imperial children back.

Ethan starts to remember his past and it affects him in a way he'd not expected, or any other. He learns to travel through time and finds he's got more to offer than he expected.

James Darcy is a new narrator for me. In the beginning I could hear him taking the breath before speaking a stretch, though this became less obvious within the first chapters. Tesla's rendition here is not a twangy sound like in the previous stories, but more scratchy and deep. James uses his voice to make the differences where it sounded like others had used electronics to help with that twangy sound. I felt like the emotions of Ethan shifted as he talked in sudden ways instead of a smooth transition. Could it have been where new recordings ended and started? I'm not sure as the flow of recording is seamless, no audible clues to the recording sessions. I look through the ebook/print book before I start listening. One thing James doesn't add, and I wish he would have, was the heading of who we are living through. Ethan. There was one stumble, or I think, in one word as he reads through the story, in chapter 7. Overall, James was a nice voice to listen to.

Each book has a new focus character. This book is on Ethan. We overlap a little bit with some of the events from Prodigal, but Ethan's story is different in the events he lives through and learns of himself. We get to learn the connection of Ethan to the series title. Interesting what we've learned of these special children. With each book I realize how special these children really are.

We had seen Ethan fracture in the previous book. What we didn't see then is Ethan facing his past that's causing this fracture. Ethan must get his emotions under control, learning what happened in his past and facing his fear.

Oh how the lives of these children are intertwined. With the time travel, we see how the current selves interact with past lives of others. And it's so easy to keep track of who's when! I like the way the authors tell this story of time travel, making it easy to know who, where, and when we are.

We learn more of the Time Stream, and Stills and his connection to it. This is interesting. And the reason we learn it, oh very interesting. I can't tell you the reason because it ties in with the story. You just have to read (or listen) to learn about it too. Then we have a mission when Sisson returns from her travel to the future, things have changed and not for the good. We get to travel to the future with Ethan, Lex, and Sisson. There are some very interesting little, dangerous gadgets they get to use. The reason we travel to the future with Sisson is interesting and I like the way it's described before we go. It makes sense!

The path the authors take to tell the story is not always the way I would expect to travel. Sometimes it feels like we are going the wrong way, but it's far from that. The path takes us right where the characters need to be. I really enjoyed the journey of Ethan's here and what he learns of himself and around him. Ethan's venture takes place in the same time frame as Prodigal and ends in the same place, but where he goes and what he learns is completely different. And mind-blowing. I'm wondering where the children all go from here, with what they've all learned of themselves and the time. I hope they share it all and we go forward to see what they do.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop


We are coming into the mid of winter and in some places the snow if flying. The weather is chilling in some areas and we just want to curl up in warm blankets or in front of a fire with some great books. I'm offering two audio books for one winner to help get you through the cold.

This is Midwinter's Eve, but also bringing us into the new year. So, why don't we try something new for the new year?

I'm going to offer (thanks to the narrator and/or author) two (2) audio books FROM Audible.
(Please make sure you have an account at Audible before entering.)

Something Sci Fi romance-y and Fantasy. Sounds like a great combo to me!

Hathor Legacy: Outcast by Deborah A. Bailey
On the planet, Hathor, a powerful group called the Guardians serves as the security force for Novacorp, the corporation that runs Hathor with its ruthless monopoly. Nadira, as one of the most powerful Guardians, is expected to use her intuition and telekinetic powers to keep the capital city safe from thieves and intruders. 

Jonathan Keel, son of a mine CEO on the nearby planet, Astarte, is wealthy, privileged and used to getting what he wants. When his father goes missing after a robbery and explosion at the mine, he defies the authorities and heads to Hathor to search for him and for the robbers. 

Security is on high alert and Nadira is charged with protecting Jon. She rescues him from an vicious attack and discovers that the Guardians have another agenda that has nothing to do with solving the crime.

Jonathan finds evidence of his father's possible involvement, while his attraction to Nadira forces her to confront all she has known about being a Guardian, especially the rule to put duty before her personal feelings. 

Struggling with their growing desires, and chased by company security, Jon and Nadira flee the city. But solving the crime leads them to endure betrayals from the people closest to them, as secrets are revealed that not only link their pasts but also threaten to destroy Jon's family and separate him from Nadira forever.

Heart of the Rose by K.L. Bone
In this sequel to Black Rose, reunite with the captains of the Immortal Guard and witness Mara and Edward at the beginning of their epic love story, which spans more than a millennium of heartache, pain, and undying devotion.

When Edward is sent on a mysterious quest by the ruthless queen, nineteen-year-old Mara—the youngest sub-captain to ever serve the Royal Guard—vowed to await his return, never anticipating decades would pass without word of his fate. The noble captain is taken prisoner by a rival court where he is forced to endure years of brutal torment at the hands of his captors. His life clings to but a single thought—Mara.

Refusing to accept that her love will never return, Mara clutches to a hope which defies the bounds of reason. However as years pass, memories fade from comfort to unbearable grief. As Mara prepares to accept the unimaginable loss, a sinister creature of roses and shadow haunts her dreams. Dreams of blood. Dreams of torment. Dreams of Edward. 

The dark presence lingers, and Mara finds herself trapped in a certainty she fears no other will believe—even those closest to her heart. She must choose between honoring her vows to the immortal courts to which she has sworn her life, or leaving to search for the man who possesses her soul. 

Dive into the beginning of the tale that shapes the most feared, most loved, and most revered captain in the history of the immortal courts.



All sound good. I've read/listened to both and have royally enjoyed them! I hope you will too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Visit the other blogs on this blog hop!



Monday, December 19, 2016

Audio Book Review: Codename: Night Witch

Codename: Night Witch

By:  Cary Caffrey

Publish Date:  November 15, 2015, Audiobook Release June 3, 2016

Format:  Audiobook - 12 hrs 35 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  3rd The Girls from Alcyone series: 1st Book ~ The Girls from Alcyone, 2nd Book ~ The Machines from Bellatrix

Impression:  Sigrid is free from her captor, to face what was done.

Synopsis:
The unthinkable has happened. Sigrid Novak, the most dangerous and wanted person in the history of the Federation of Corporate Enterprises, has been captured. For the women of New Alcyone—women just like her, genetically reengineered and trained since childhood to be the most effective killers in the galaxy—this is a staggering loss. For the Independents, the rebels who captured her, this is a boon beyond measure.

If they can figure out how to control her.

Now, six years have passed since the events of Bellatrix, and for six years Sigrid Novak has been gone, vanished, with no sign, no word and no trace. But all has not been quiet within the Federation. The Council for Trade and Finance has been murdered, assassinated, and the death toll among the Federation's ruling elite continues to rise.

With every corporate enclave that falls, the legend grows. They call her the Night Witch. A champion to some, a nightmare for others. Wherever she goes, death is soon to follow.

Then, in an abandoned CTF research facility—and after so many years lost—a woman awakens. Her name is Sigrid Novak. And she is very, very angry.

First Sentence:
Captain Tomanek stared ahead, squinting against the setting twin suns of Cor Caroli.

Purchase At:
Amazon  

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review at my request.

Sigrid gets her one chance to escape her captivity, shocked to learn it's six years after she was taken. She remembers nothing of her time as a prisoner. While she's on the run, trying to find a way off a planet that space transports were no longer available, she finds others that need her help to safety as well. Other girls like Sigrid. Sigrid also finds new friends and eventually old ones, who help her on the mission she takes once learning who's behind the actions of taking your woman.

Kristin has returned for the third book. Yea!!! I enjoy her many voices for the characters. She makes them each distinct and easy to differentiate while listening. She's even started using musical tones in reading the title page and between parts of the book. Cool. Kristin's voice has become Sigrid for me. I feel as though her emotions are present as Kristin voices her, along with all the characters.

We see how the world has changed with the war that's been going on, the Council of Trade and Finance is gone and Independents are fighting. Sigrid wakes and finds she's on Earth, a place she hasn't been in many years. And there is no transports leaving Earth since the CTF was killed by the Night Witch. Sigrid needs to get home. She wants to return to her friends and loved ones.

In the beginning of this book, I wasn't sure how it would all connect. I had my suspicions but wasn't sure. It seemed like the story was far from where we were at the end of book two, but we are six years later. The story had it's slower moments until we get to the point where things connect and turn for Sigrid. There are surprises in moments for Sigrid, in who she has to deal with and how they arrive.

The story comes around to connect and back to the one thing that drives Sigrid to attack. Though, through the story I still wondered how it was that she came to escape so easily in the beginning. I know a few tidbits were dropped, that she would eventually break their hold and all but in the end it seems as though it was a plan from the one who held control over her. Yet that person said she shouldn't have escaped. I'm not sure if she really broke their hold with distance being a factor, though with the ending it's possible.

Cary starts us into a different setting with new characters and plot to get the story rolling. We do come back to Sigrid and the one person she's after. Sigrid finds herself in fights and battles as she works toward her goal. But, with Sigrid it feels as she doesn't want to fight and kill. I love that Sigrid has a deep feeling for humanity and lives. Oh she's powerful and talented enough to kill, and we see that as well, but she doesn't want to do it.

This feels like the series is coming full circle with Sigrid. Earth is where the story started, so why not bring her back here. This is not the end of the series though. An end to an arc story, yes, but Sigrid, Suko, Lady Hitomi, and others of Alcyone will return in book four.



***If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Sunday Post #152

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share new about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

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I'm tired.

After I posted last weeks Sunday Post I got a call from the nursing home my father's in. He fell and hit his head. They were sending him to the hospital to look at to see if need stitches. I rushed to get ready and met him at the hospital, he can't talk so I relay and help as I can. We were there all day. He ended up with two staples in his head and glue on his ear. Ugh. He seems to be doing well since then though.

I got Sheba's new antibiotic and she had a check up on Tuesday. She seems to be doing better, but she'll be on this antibiotic for a while to get through this skin infection. And thankfully she's not had a reaction to the antibiotic, she's allergic to amoxicillin and it's an ingredient in what she's taking.

I've visited the funeral home for the second Friday in a row. Family of family are passing away. There are just to many people leaving this world here at the end of 2016.

My Christmas tree... Is done! I finished it yesterday. I got out all that's going up for the holiday. I usually do more, but the energy and spirit for the holiday feels to be on the low side this year. It just doesn't feel like the holidays to me.

So, here's the story. Monday I put the lights on it, hoping to put bulbs on each day to get it finished. Well, the last strand of lights cause all the lights to go out. The plug was HOT. Swell. So we had to wait until Friday to get to the store to buy new lights. Yea. The lights we bought were white. The lights on the tree are white... a yellow ting of what use to be white, I didn't realize this until we got home with two boxes of the white led lights (because that's all anyone carries now). Ugh! I added one box to the bottom of the tree was very upset with it. I didn't like the completely different contrast. I needed something to break it up. So I used the second box and wrapped it around the tree to try to bring the two different lights together. I think it worked out rather well. The white lights remind me of a snow touch to the tree.

I thought about buying all white led lights for next year, but I really don't think I can look at all those bright white lights on the tree. This is just enough. But if it's going to be harder to find the yellow lights, I'm going to have to rethink my tree decorating in the future.

My work Christmas dinner was Saturday evening as well. It was lovely as always.

I have a list of things to get done for Christmas this weekend coming and personal items. I need to clean out my Dropbox as my special of having so much space is ending, I have emails to send out asking authors to join Mythical Monday (if you know of any please send them my way!), and other things I know I can't remember at the moment.

So it's been a bit busy around here, and more to do. Has your holiday season picked up as well?
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The Fit Booker:

Goal:  Workout in any form of exercise (or on Wii Fit) 2x's a week. (to feel better and hope to drop a few pants sizes)

How did I do last week... I got to the gym twice this last week (a miracle with this season!). I worked on lift machines.

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What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:
Emergence: Humanity 2.0 edited by J.M. Martin
The Side of Good / The Side of Evil edited by Danielle Ackley-McPhail

Content editing work.


Current Audiobook:
H.A.L.F.: The Makers by Natalie Wright

Current Podcast Book Listen:
Stonebriar Casefiles: Bad Alchemy by Laura Nicole Spencer (You can listen for free too!)


Finished Last Week: 
Nothing yet

Audiobooks from Audible:
Codename: Night Witch by Cary Caffrey
Riven by Sherry D. Ficklin & Tyler Jolley

Finished Podcast Book Listen:
Nothing yet.

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Last Week on the Blog:


Cover Reveals: (click titles to go to post & learn more)



Guest Posts:



Posts:

Spellbound in a Flash:
This week I didn't post with working on writing. Sorry!


Challenged Writers:
I shared my November NaNoWriMo update.

Around the Internet...


Reviews:
The Wind and the Void by Ryan Kirk

"Ryan's written words are smooth as they flow to create the fantasy realm full of worries. I was drawn to the blend of his writing and Andrew's seamless flow of words, envisioning the world and troubles that are on the horizon."


Under Her Skin by Margo Bond Collins

"Margo draws my attention in her blend of romance and story along with keeping the characters on track for what they are working toward."




"Oh the humor! I love all the one liners that reference so many different geeky items."



Podcast Review:




Mama Bitchstress Reviews:



GIVEAWAYS:

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This Week to Come on the Blog:


I have two reviews scheduled for you!
I have a giveaway hop coming up with two amazing audiobooks!


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Received Last Weeks:


For Review Consideration:
Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
A space adventure set on a lone ship where the murdered crew are resurrected through cloning to discover who their killer was -- and the secret to their mission. 

It was not common to awaken in a cloning vat streaked with drying blood. 

At least, Marie Shea iv had never experienced it. She had no memory of how she died. That was also new; before, when she had awakened as a new clone, her first memory was of how she died, from illness once and from injury once... 

Maria's vat was in the front of six vats, each one holding the clone of a crew member of the starship Pituitary, each clone waiting for its previous incarnation to die so it could awaken. Apparently Maria wasn't the only one to die recently.

Lost Girls by Merrie Destefano
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Yesterday, Rachel went to sleep listening to Taylor Swift, curled up in her grammy’s quilt, worrying about geometry. Today, she woke up in a ditch, bloodied, bruised, and missing a year of her life. 

She doesn’t recognize the person she’s become: she’s popular. She wears nothing but black. 

Black to cover the blood. 

And she can fight. 

Tell no one.

She’s not the only girl to go missing within the last year…but she’s the only girl to come back. She desperately wants to unravel what happened to her, to try and recover the rest of the Lost Girls. 

But the more she discovers, the more her memories return. And as much as her new life scares her, it calls to her. Seductively. The good girl gone bad, sex, drugs, and raves, and something darker…something she still craves—the rush of the fight, the thrill of the win—something she can’t resist, that might still get her killed…

The only rule is: There are no rules.

Blue Blooded by Amanda Carlson
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Jessica McClain is on the hunt for her destiny. She arrives in Baltimore to find that her quest has reached a dead end and only a note remains. Forced to do as it says, or die, Jessica and her crew must head overseas.

They arrive to discover Julian de Rossi, the Mediterranean Pack Alpha, is double dealing with a powerful goddess and Tally is still missing. With help from a divine source, they engage in an all out war—one that must end in a sacrifice. But is Jessica ready to pay the ultimate price?


Audio Books Requested for Review:
The Beast of the North by Alaric Longward
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
In this medieval dark fantasy action novel we follow thieves Maskan and Sand in their quest to survive the wrath of a king. The Nine Worlds have been sundered from each other and the gods during the goddess Hel’s War thousands of years ago, but in the land of Midgard the years have passed relatively peacefully. 

For Red Midgard, times are changing, however. The harsh, freedom-loving northern land faces the animosity of the mighty High King, but also a threat of war with its few allies, as King Morag is rumored to look for any reason to go to war with his allies. Maskan and Sand, thieves of Dagnar, discover a web of conspiracies to topple the king before it is too late, and soon, they have a good reason to tie their fates with those who would fight the king. 

But not all is as it seems, and layers of truths and lies make the road dark and dangerous. Our heroes must navigate very murky waters of betrayal, elemental magic, love, and loyalty to save their land and to find revenge. 



Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:
Book:



Audio:




Free Ebooks:

(On my Kindle and Nook App) Links to books under title. They may or may not be free at this time.
Children of the Different by S.C. Flynn
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Nineteen years ago, a brain disease known as the Great Madness killed most of the world’s population. The survivors all had something different about their minds. Now, at the start of adolescence, their children enter a trance-like state known as the Changeland and emerge either with special mental powers or as cannibalistic Ferals. 

In the great forest of South West Western Australia, thirteen-year-old Arika and her twin brother Narrah go through the Changeland. They encounter an enemy known as the Anteater who feeds on human life. He exists both in the Changeland and in the outside world, and he wants the twins dead. 

After their Changings, the twins have powers that let them fight their enemy and face their destiny on a long journey to an abandoned American military base on the north-west coast of Australia…if they can reach it before time runs out. 

Children of the Different is a post-apocalyptic fantasy novel set among the varied landscapes and wildlife of Western Australia. 

The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
It's all fun and games until someone ends up undead.

Layla Petrovich has spent her whole life running away from her hometown of Hamletville. Raised by the town's medium, and dubbed the "weird" girl for her fascination with swords, the last thing Layla wants is to go home.

But when she receives a desperate call to return just as a mysterious outbreak sweeps the country, Layla's instincts urge her to go. Good thing, because the dead are rising.

Layla, however, isn't entirely on her own. With her psychic powers growing, surely everything will turn out okay, right?

Not so fast. Just when Layla believes she might survive the apocalypse, a sinister and ancient force rises from the shadows to finish mankind for good.

Because the truth is, we were never alone in this world.

Over the Wine-Dark Sea by H.N. Turteltaub
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Menedemos, the young dashing sea captain, and his helper, the scholarly Sostratos, are sea-traders from the Greek island of Rhodes. Fearless sailors, they will travel any distance to make a profit or to search for rich treasures.


While they trade in fineries such as wine and silk (and even, to the chagrin of many, peacocks), they live in dangerous times with pirates, thieves and barbarians. As if avoiding death by the hands of these miscreants isn’t enough (particularly the barbarians from an obscure town called Rome), they are also caught between the political intrigues of Alexander’s former generals.

Firefly by Jen Minkman
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
As decreed by the State, the Citizens of Ebrus are not allowed to:

Visit the ocean surrounding the Walled City. 
Ignore curfew and stay out after seven.
Call in sick more than three times a year.
Sing.

A short, dystopian story about the spirit of Christmas.

Oracle: The Project Files by Kelly Meding
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Dr. Dean Frey is a man of science. His lifelong desire to create a better future for mankind has led him to the prestigious, and highly mysterious, Wilderness Institute of Scientific Research & Technology, as the head of their Robotics Engineering department. Building on the research and designs of others before him, Dean’s own genius culminates in the successful creation of Anthony—the first fully-automated, free-thinking android prototype. And now Wilderness wants to sell Anthony to the military. 

Unwilling to allow his achievement to become weaponized, Dean reaches out to a former Wilderness employee with the resources to help him steal Anthony and relocate them both to safety. He’s put into contact with the very secretive Nick and Olivia, who ask for one simple thing in return: trust us, no matter what you see or hear. Blind trust isn’t in Dean’s cautious nature, but he has no other choice. 

For telekinetic Olivia, rescuing a fellow Psion from a life of imprisonment and experimentation is one of her favorite things. Being paid is nice, but she’ll do the job for free, if it means giving Wilderness the finger. When Olivia’s reclusive mentor solicits her and her telepathic partner Nick’s help in smuggling a very special Project out of Wilderness, they jump at the chance to infiltrate their former home and do some internal damage to the institute that created them.

With their combined knowledge of the facility, breaking Anthony out of Wilderness should have been easy—but Olivia learned a long time ago to never underestimate her enemies, or the lengths they’ll go to retrieve what’s theirs. And this time, the price for stealing the Project may be more than she’s willing to pay.

Note: Part 1 of The Project Files duology. This book does not end with a cliffhanger.

Playing with Fire by Sherry D. Ficklin
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
One brilliant young hacker.
One experimental government aircraft.
One chance to keep it all from going up in flames.

Still recovering from her troubled past, Farris is no stranger to change. But when the military transfers her father across the country to an experimental aircraft squadron, settling in to a new life is the least of her problems. As a series of apparent computer glitches threaten the security of the fleet and the blame falls on her father, she decides to put her computer skills to use digging up the truth. Soon she’s drawn into the perilous world of a hacker who is determined to ground the fleet—at any cost.

When all signs lead to someone close to her as the mastermind, Farris will have to burn more than bridges to get to the truth. She will have to risk her fragile new life to uncover the identity of the cyber criminal before they can escalate from harmless tampering… to all out murder.

Meridian Six by Jaye Wells
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Meridian Six remembers the days before the Troika enslaved humans. She also remembers her mother, a freedom fighter murdered in the final battle between humans and vampires. But it is her mother's final words that have haunted her: 

Red means life.

In the years since her mother's death, she has been used as both a propaganda tool and a blood slave by the Troika. She's withstood their indignities because the alternative meant bleeding out in a blood camp. But their abuses finally go too far, and she decides to run towards freedom and her mother's red light.

On the other side, she finds the Sisters of Crimson. They help her just as her mother promised, but they also hand her to the human rebels. The vampires used her famous name to keep human slaves biddable, but now the humans want to use it inspire a revolution.

When the world is at war, freedom is a luxury paid for with blood.

Perception by Lee Strauss
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Eternal Life is To Die For.

Seventeen year old Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along-side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans.

Her brother Liam is missing.

Noah Brody is a natural who lives on the outside. He leads protests against the GAPs and detests the widening chasm they’ve created between those who have and those who don’t. He doesn’t like girls like Zoe and he has good reason not to like her specifically.

Zoe’s carefree life takes a traumatic turn. She’s in trouble and it turns out that Noah, the last guy on earth she should trust, is the only one who can help her.

PERCEPTION is a (SF/mystery/romance) Young Adult novel that takes place in the not-too-distant future in a world changed by climate extremes, natural disasters and impending wars, and where scientific breakthroughs cause class divisions—both financially and philosophically. It explores the clash between faith and science and how differences can separate us as enemies or ally us together. And in some cases, even in the midst of betrayal and personal crisis, there’s room to fall in love.

Must Love Mistletoe by Christie Ridgway
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Bailey Sullivan can't stand Christmas, even though her family's business is a store specializing in the perfect holiday. But now her hometown's chief supplier of rooftop Rudolphs and treetop angels is in danger of going under--and it's up to Bailey to save the shop.

She has it all planned: She'll arrive on December 1 and be gone by Christmas. Plus there's always spiked eggnog to ease the pain. But "Humbug" Bailey's not the only one home for the holidays. Finn Jacobson, legendary local bad boy turned Secret Service agent and Bailey's long-lost high-school boyfriend, is once again the boy next door. Only this time he's all grown up, and the sparks are flying faster and hotter than ever!

Bailey believes in true love about as much as she believes in Santa Claus. But as the holiday draws closer, she's starting to think about one thing she'd like to find under the tree...
 


Free Audio Books/Stories:


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Reviews to Come:

Soulless by Skyla Dawn Cameron
The Sentinel by Chris Lester
The Muse by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Making the Cut by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Whispers in the Wood by Chris Lester
Lex Talionis by Starla Huchton
Spark by Starla Huchton
Heir to Kale by K.L. Bone
Tales from the Archives Vol 4 #5 - Old Sinner's Bones
The Death of Dulgath by Michael J. Sullivan
Codename: Night Witch by Cary Caffrey
Riven by Sherry D. Ficklin & Tyler Jolley

Friday, December 16, 2016

Audio Book: The Secrets of Supervillainy

The Secrets of Supervillainy

By:  C.T. Phipps

Publish Date:  July 4, 2016, Audiobook Release July 19, 2016

Format:  Audiobook - 6 hrs 6 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  3rd The Supervillainy Saga novel: 1st Book ~ The Rules of Supervillainy, 2nd Book ~ The Games of Supervillainy

Impression:  Fun in mayhem with superheroes supervillains.

Synopsis:
Merciless, the Supervillain without Mercy (TM) is back with even bigger problems! How far will he go to fix his wife's current state of being a soulless vampire? Can he ignore his growing feelings for Cindy, despite their difference over the new Star Wars movie? Can he survive the wrath of the President of the United States (who he accidentally stole billions from)?

While he ponders those personal issues, Death has a new mission for him. The greatest hero on Earth has killed and she isn't pleased. Death wants the murder solved and the perpetrator given the kind of justice only the Avatar of Death can dish out. Unfortunately for Gary, that's only the tip of the psychotic iceberg.

First Sentence:
Sister Christian's eyes glowed and she laughed before shooting a column of flame at my head.

Purchase At:
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Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review at my request.

It's been a year since the fall of Falconcrest City, and the returning of a portion of Gary's wife who's now a vampire. Gary has searched and will do anything, almost anything, to have Mandy's soul returned to her body. Someone is calling for Gary's death, along with his hench-people, Cindy aka Little Red Riding Hood and Diabloman. Gary and Diabloman believe it's the government behind the push for their death due to the money offered along with being pardoned. Gary struggles with his growing feelings for Cindy, yet wants his wife back. With all Gary's personal struggles, Death has a new assignment for him. An important hero has died, out of his timeline. Death wants Gary to find the killer and eliminate him, in return for a favor of anything in her power.

Jeffrey returns to bring us Gary's dry humor. How can he do some of these jokes without sounding as though he's laughing? Talent. Jeffrey brings us into the conversations as he voices it all with the feel of the characters and the quick retorts with a feel as though he doesn't even think. Wow. Well done! Jeffrey is clear and easy to listen to as he goes through the story. One of the best complements I can give to a narrator is they voice the story and yet are unheard. That sounds backward but this is why, they don't draw attention from the story itself or over voice to distract. Jeffrey does this. What he's added to the story is the blend of voice and personality that adds to the story and he's not heard. Well done.

We start right in with Merciless in the midst of trouble, erm, battle. Yes battle. And it doesn't stop there. Gary seems to always be found by trouble. But with all he's done in the last year, tinkering in magics to save Mandy, Gary is weaker in his magic from Death. This does affect him and brings a consequence to light for all he's done.

I do enjoy the dry humor between Gary (Merciless) and Cloak. This story just makes me smile. It's funny how much chatting goes on in battles. And how things come out. lol. Then, the whole thing changes directions as everyone's motives and wants change with the chatter.

Oh the humor! I love all the one liners that reference so many different geeky items. I listen intently to hear and catch these. Kool Aid man was hinted at. I had to smile as it was the old commercial reference. lol. Elvis! A play of Frozen the movie! Then there's a play made that feels like something from Terminator, with the time travel. lol Twisty thinking yet so fun with Gary's responses. lol. And Star Wars debates along with references. With the time line part of story, I was waiting for the Quantum Leap reference. It came! lol. Goodness, all the old and new science fiction/fantasy references. I love them!

The interaction of the characters and how they play off each other with quick comments, just fun as the crew blends in a fun wonky way. I get a kick out of Death with Gary. She finds him amusing, but she pushes his buttons so easily. And she has the powers to keep him under some control of quick lines. Even Cindy with Gary. They are all wonderful compliments of each other.

As much as Gary has a strange, twisted view on things, there are those moments when he sounds brilliant too. lol. I love the dynamics this man goes through.

There is always an enemy to come. Gary finds he's the center of the attacks of the Dark Light group. I got a kick out of who is behind the Dark Light group after Gary aka Merciless.

I will warn you, there are times that strong language is used. The f word and a few others. But fits perfectly to the characters and the moment.

We have everything from super powers to magic, from cybernetics to alien technology. A great blend of all things science fiction and fantasy with our superheroes, erm, supervillains! Pay attention! Because when things get rocking and we start talking different universes and times, you are going to see all the twists and loops C.T. creates in Gary's plan...plans... Garys.. plural used? lol.

This book ends on a small cliffhanger. It doesn't hit me as bad as you would think though. Gary's main goal in the book is resolved. But, there is another battle to be fought, and we will be waiting for the next book with that battle.



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