Monday, February 29, 2016

Audio Book Review: Shadowed Glass

Shadowed Glass

By:  Charlie Pulsipher

Publish Date:  September 8, 2015, Audiobook Release January 8, 2016

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 27 mins
Narrated By:  Keith Michaelson

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Series:  3rd in Lost Shards series; 1st Book ~ The Crystal Bridge, 2nd Book ~ Obsidian Threads

First Impression:  The cycle of events needs to continue to happen.

Synopsis:
Stranded thousands of years in the past on the distant planet of Ealdar, Kaden, Aren, and James are building a life and a community with what’s left of Omegaphil. Rho is gone. Vander too. The universe seems safe, but adventure isn’t done with anyone just yet.

Aren’s gifts will grow, Kaden will learn new ways to use his Egg, and James will tap into Ealdar’s magic. Lyle will rebuild, Hasla’s heart will mend, and Taggers will grow into a master mage. Dveldor rides a dragon, but remains Dveldor, solid as the stone he loves.

They do not know the gods are watching, what Penny will become, or that a new horror slumbers in the place of Rho’s greatest failure. This enemy has less appetite than the dark god that spawned it, but also none of Rho’s weaknesses.

It will take all their newfound skill to survive and save Ealdar from destruction once more.

First Sentence:
Kaden pushed his Egg outward to accommodate James' height, the top of the shell just brushing the ceiling.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author.

The village they have started since landing thousands of years in the past is starting to shape into something special. James needs Kaden and Aren to help keep it on the strong path. Aren and Kaden feel deep down the desire to do more than stay in this little town. Gathin and Erastin along with Penny move them forward and backward through time to do as needed to keep events on the path needed for the world to exist.

I do really enjoy listening to Keith's voice, in all character forms. He takes on the personality of each character and it is heard in each personality and voice. I could listen to him talk all day long. I smile when he comes to drastically different voices, like a dragon or Rho. He switches with ease from one to the other. The questions, worries, and all emotions that come through voice are ever present. The narration is seamless in flow.

This series is one to read in order. If you are unsure of where we left off in Obsidian Threads, don't fret. Charlie has a synopsis for book 1 and 2 at the beginning to bring us back up to speed. Cool, thank you.

We get to see many of our favorite characters again. James and Angie along with Penny and others. We can't forget about Kaden and Aren, they are the most important characters to make things happen as they should. Their gifts are still growing and what they can do will help them along their way. We also get to see the Twin Gods more! Gathin and Erastin have a lot more face time here along with tinkering in what is happening.

The characters blend so well with their different personalities and quirks. They make me smile with their small jokes trying to lighten the moods. They all have a great charisma that I fall for that has me wanting to be here with them.

We don't visit as many worlds this time, but we do visit different times. It's easy to follow! The heading of each chapter tells you when we are. But, if you've read/listened to the previous two books you'll understand this with ease. If you remember, at the end of book 2 Kaden and many others ended up in the past. But we still have friends in the future as well. What happens in the past creates the events they lived through, so we see a few setting things up so it can happen as it's needed to happen. We visit three time frames; the past where Kaden and many are at now, in the future before the war is fought for important events and setting, and the distant future after the war fought in Obsidian Threads as things still need ironed out.

Charlie has come back strong with this story. We learn new secrets and a shocker or two in regard to a few characters and why they are doing what they do. We end with a possibility for Kaden and Aren. Will they take it? Will it work out? I'm curious to find out.



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

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Sunday Post #118

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm late posting, once again. This weekend has been a whirlwind of go. We visited a local gym, which has a swimming pool, Friday night. We are looking for an accessible pool for kiddo to exercise in, due to his knee surgery. Also he can lift and do additional exercises for his knee when not at therapy. Yes, he's struggling with getting his knee straight and staying that way. I give total props to all who have had ACL surgery because it's crazy hard!

Saturday was my dentist appointment, picking up my handicapped father from the nursing home and taking him out for a fun dinner with family for his birthday. It is an event to pick dad up and take him anywhere but it was done and he seemed to really enjoy himself. By the time I got him back to the home and got home it was time to change clothes and head to the gym. We were only there for a short time before they closed at eight. We came home and watched our family movie.

Now... It's Sunday and my weekend is shot. I have so much I need to do today yet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 did not get on the treadmill this week. There was, and still is, so much I need to get done in just getting by in life. Time really does seem to be an enemy at the moment.

I did get to do an elliptical for 30 minutes Saturday night through.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:
I'll start a new book next week.


Current Audiobook:
How to be a Mermaid by Erin Hayes


Current Podcast Book Listen:
Nothing


Finished Last Week: 
Nothing

Audiobooks from Audible:
Prodigal by Tyler Jolley & Sherry D. Ficklin
Herculean by Jeremy Robinson & Sean Ellis


Finished Podcast Book Listen:
Nothing

~~~~~~~~~~

Last Week on the Blog:


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

Posts:


Around the Internet...


Reviews:



Podcast Review:



Mama Bitchstress Reviews:



GIVEAWAYS:



~~~~~~~~~~

This Week to Come on the Blog:

I've decided to do three reviews a week for a few weeks, just to try to get caught up with what I have to share with you all. Hope you stop by to check them all out! :)
  Shadowed Glass
  The Games of Supervillainy
  Acheron Highway



~~~~~~~~~~

Received Last Weeks:


Review & Review Consideration:
Master of Machines by Starla Huchton
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
The crew of the Antigone’s Wrath returns for more adventures around the world!

Two years after the devastating events on Yonaguni island, the consequences are still rippling through Captain Rachel Sterling’s life. Unable to bring herself to replace what she lost in that tragic affair, both she and Danton DuSalle are stretched thin. When the Master-at-Arms is crippled by his spreading “condition,” Rachel has little recourse but to turn to the only man who might be able to help.

Silas Jensen never expected to return to the Antigone’s Wrath, but has an utter inability to say no when Rachel comes crashing back into his life. Between explosions and being shot at, he didn’t think it was possible for things to get worse, but the never-ending mysteries of Rachel’s heritage make every step more difficult than the last.

In a race against time, Rachel and Silas chase a legend across the globe, but are their new allies as benevolent as they seem? Even millennia can’t keep some secrets buried.


Audio Books Requested for Review:
Changeling by David Wood & Sean Ellis
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
You can’t always recognize the face of your enemy. 

Two thousand years ago, the legendary mathematical genius Archimedes was poised on the brink of the greatest discovery in human history when his life was brutally snuffed out. His murder has never been explained. 

While investigating the strange Paracas skulls—believed by some to be the remains of extraterrestrial explorers—archaeologist Jade Ihara receives an unexpected visit from an old foe seeking her help against entities he calls “Changelings” and their plot to manufacture a false chapter of human history. 

Hounded by radical extremists led by Atash Shah—a man bent on becoming the Mahdi prophesied to unite the Islamic world—and haunted by the faceless puppetmasters who secretly control the world, Jade must follow the trail of clues to uncover a deadly truth that has been erased from history. 

Can she solve the mystery of Archimedes’ murder, or will she become the next victim of the conspiracy to hide the truth? 

The Long Way Down by Craig Schaefer
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Nobody knows the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas like Daniel Faust, a sorcerer for hire and ex-gangster who uses black magic and bullets to solve his clients' problems. When an old man comes seeking vengeance for his murdered granddaughter, what looks like a simple job quickly spirals out of control. 

Soon Daniel stands in the crossfire between a murderous porn director; a corrupt cop with a quick trigger finger; and his own former employer, a racket boss who isn't entirely human. Then there's Caitlin: brilliant, beautiful, and the lethal right hand of a demon prince. 

A man named Faust should know what happens when you rub shoulders with demons. Still Daniel can't resist being drawn to Caitlin's flame as they race to unlock the secret of the Etruscan Box, a relic that people all over town are dying -- and killing -- to get their hands on. As the bodies drop and the double-crosses pile up, Daniel will need every shred of his wits, courage and sheer ruthlessness just to survive. 

Daniel Faust knew he was standing with one foot over the brink of hell. He's about to find out just how far he can fall.



Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:
Book:



Audio:



Free Ebooks:

(On my Kindle App) Links to books under title. They may or may not be free at this time.
Delirium by Susan Kaye Quinn
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:

Urban Fantasy with a Cyberpunk Twist 
***first episode of the nine-part serial***

What’s your life worth on the open market? 
In this gritty urban fantasy, debt collectors take your life energy and give it to someone more “worthy”… all while paying the price with black marks on their souls.

“Absolutely riveting!”
“Quinn has a way of writing heart-breaking characters.”
“You’ll be holding your breath, looking over your shoulder, and begging for more.”


Lirium plays the part of the grim reaper well, with his dark trenchcoat, jackboots, and the black marks on his soul that every debt collector carries. He's just in it for his cut, the ten percent of the life energy he collects before he transfers it on to the high potentials, the people who will make the world a better place with their brains, their work, and their lives. That hit of life energy, a bottle of vodka, and a visit from one of Madam Anastazja's sex workers keep him alive, stable, and mostly sane... until he collects again. But when his recovery ritual is disrupted by a sex worker who isn't what she seems, he has to choose between doing an illegal hit for a girl whose story has more holes than his soul or facing the bottle alone—a dark pit he's not sure he'll be able to climb out of again.

Contains mature content and themes.

Creatus by Carmen DeSousa
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Ancient myths, superheroes, vampires... Forget everything you've heard.

For four thousand years, creatus have concealed themselves from the humans who almost hunted them to extinction. Now, one rogue wants the world to know they exist. 

The Creatus Series is not your normal paranormal story... It's a realistic romantic mystery based on the myths you've heard your entire life. Prepare to believe...

The Dark of Twilight by Kate Danley
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Aein always longed to be a member of Lord Arnkell's army, ever since she was a child working in the stronghold's kitchen. When that day finally comes and she is sent to patrol the border's swamp with fellow warrior, Lars, it seems like her dream has come true. But something has followed her home. When Lord Arnkell's wedding is interrupted by a werewolf attack, the dream shifts into a nightmare... and Aein is the only one awake. 

Book One in the Twilight Shifters series.

By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Given the chance to train as a squire, kitchen servant Achan Cham hopes to pull himself out of his pitiful life and become a Kingsguard Knight. When Achan's owner learns of his training, he forces Achan to spar with the Crown Prince--more of a death sentence than an honor. Meanwhile, strange voices in Achan's head cause him to fear he's going mad. While escorting the prince to a council presentation, their convoy is attacked. Achan is wounded and arrested, but escapes from prison--only to discover a secret about himself he never believed possible.

Hemlock by N.J. Layouni
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
When a modern-day woman finds herself stranded in a medieval world, an attractive outlaw offers her protection in the role of his 'wife', and promises to help her find a way back home. Until then, Martha must attempt to fit into medieval society, avoid the Evil Earl and his minions, and learn how to trust her heart again.

Awoken by Sarah Noffke
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Around the world humans are hallucinating after sleepless nights. 

In a sterile, underground institute the forecasters keep reporting the same events.

And in the backwoods of Texas, a sixteen-year-old girl is about to be caught up in a fierce, ethereal battle.

Meet Roya Stark. She drowns every night in her dreams, spends her hours reading classic literature to avoid her family’s ridicule, and is prone to premonitions—which are becoming more frequent. And now her dreams are filled with strangers offering to reveal what she has always wanted to know: Who is she? That’s the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out. But will Roya live to regret learning the truth?

(On my Nook)




Free Audio Books/Stories:




~~~~~~~~~~
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
Danube Waves by Katharina Bordet
Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan
Lex Talionis by Starla Huchton
Spark by Starla Huchton
House of Grey 6 by Collin Earl
The Secret World Chronicle: World Divided by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
The Secret World Chronicle: Waiting On by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
The Secret World Chronicle: Revolutions by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
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
Acheron Highway by Gary Jonas
Revolution by K.A. Salidas
Billy and the Cloneasaurus by Stephen Kozeniewski
Prodigal by Tyler Jolley & Sherry D. Ficklin
Herculean by Jeremy Robinson & Sean Ellis

Friday, February 26, 2016

Cover Reveal: The Ghost Rebellion


Our favorite steampunk duo is back! Eliza Braun and Wellington Books are back at it!

As many of you know, I love this series! And I'm thrilled to share with you the cover reveal of the book that was successfully funded through Kickstarter.


The Ghost Rebellion
The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences #5
By:  Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris
Due Out:  June 10, 2016
Publisher: Imagine That! Studios
Word Count: about 100,000
Cover Artist: Photography by Go ForWard and design by Designed by Starla

Book Description:
The chase is on! After the destruction of the Diamond Jubilee, Agents Eliza D Braun and Wellington Books are in hot pursuit of Dr Henry Jekyll. While he continues his experiments on the aristocracy of Europe, he leaves a trail of chaos and despair in his wake. However when Eliza and Wellington run him to ground in India, they are forced to come face to face with ghosts from the past, and the realities of empire.

Meanwhile Brandon Hill and Bruce Campbell travel deep into Russia hunting down ingredients to save Queen Victoria's life. Amid the cold they uncover a new threat from the revitalized House of Usher .

All the agents of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences will find their allegiances in question, and their mettle tested as a new dastardly era of international intrigue dawns.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

Chapter One: Wherein a Delightful Luncheon Is Cut Short

Wellington Thornhill Books took in a deep breath, sparing just a moment to collect his wits. Otherwise he risked not living to see dessert.

The archivist-turned-agent dabbed at the corner of his mouth with his snow-white napkin, and draped it carefully over his lap. Outside the window the gleaming Atlantic rolled under their ocean liner the African Sunset, but that was not the view that held his attention. His focus remained with the dandy in front of him. Since their first meeting, the bombastic Lord seemed rather taken with the sound of his own voice, which was why the change in his dining companion's demeanour came as such a shock.

If an attack should come Wellington still had his dinner knife and fork. He was also in possession of a glass of wine, half finished—a pity to use, since it was a delightful vintage and paired perfectly with the duck—that could blind his opponent for a few valuable moments.

His lunch date kept a hard glare fixed on him, the monocle digging into the folds of his cheek. Rather unexpected to Wellington, Lord Hieronymus Featherstone had run out of things to say, and was now giving him his undivided attention.

Wellington thought he had shown unending fortitude while being subjected to Featherstone's eternal droning on about his recent excursions across Africa, India, and Siam. He now knew to what far reaches Lord Featherstone had traversed in the name of Her Majesty—which might be useful.

Yet now Featherstone sat before him, no longer the awful, droning chatterbox. The gentleman's jaw twitched as he kept his ice-chip blue eyes trained on Wellington, demanding satisfaction.

"Well," the lord spoke, his voice booming from his barrel chest, "answer me, man."

Sod it, Wellington thought as he picked up his glass. At the very least, I will finish this excellent wine.

"You obviously mentioned her name during one of your riveting stories when crossing the Serengeti," Wellington replied, taking in a good, long sip of his wine.

"My dear Bernice does not care for heat."

"Then perhaps you mentioned her joining you as you crossed the Canadian Rockies?"

"Nor does she care for the cold."

Mrs. Bernice Featherstone did not sound either lovely or agreeable, a perfect match for her husband, it seemed.

Nodding in resignation, Wellington cast another quick glance across the table, taking note of the knife and fork. Both hardly suited for close-quarter combat, but still useful. "M'lord, we could speculate for the entirety of the afternoon on how I came to know your lovely wife's name, but why don't we just cut this clever banter short and try a more direct form of engagement."

"Which would be?"

"The truth." With a final dab at of the corners of his mouth, Wellington dropped the napkin on the table, swiping up the fork and placing it in his lap. He positioned the silverware for a quick thrust as he began. "Lord Featherstone, it is no lie when I say your company has been enlightening. I have genuinely enjoyed our spirited and scintillating discussions whilst we journey around the Ivory Coast. However, to say we 'met you' by chance would be disingenuous." His grip tightened on the fork as he said, "My associate and I have been tracking you since your boarding in Conakry."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Authors:

Philippa (Pip) Ballantine
Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Philippa has always had her head in a book. For this she blames her father who thought Lord of the Rings was suitable bedtime reading for an eight year old. At the age of thirteen she began writing fantasy stories for herself.

She first earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Political Science and then a Bachelor of Applied Science in Library and Information Science. So soon enough she found herself working in the magical world of libraries where she stayed for over a decade.

Her first professional sale was in 1997, and since then she has gone on to produce mostly novel length fiction. In 2006 she became New Zealand’s first podcast novelist, and she has voiced and produced Weaver’s Web, Chasing the Bard, Weather Child and Digital Magic as podiobooks. Her podcasts have been short listed for the Parsec Awards, and won a Sir Julius Vogel award.

Philippa is the author of the Books of the Order series with Ace- Geist and Spectyr and Wrayth out now, and Harbinger to follow. She is also the co-author of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series with Tee Morris. Phoenix Rising debuted in May 2011 and The Janus Affair came out in May 2012. She also has the Shifted World series with Pyr Books, with the first book Hunter and Fox out now.
When not writing or podcasting, Philippa loves reading, gardening, and whenever possible traveling. With her husband, Tee and her daughter, she is looked after by a mighty clowder of three cats.

Tee Morris
Tee Morris began his writing career with his 2002 historical epic fantasy, MOREVI The Chronicles of Rafe & Askana. In 2005 Tee took MOREVI into the then-unknown podosphere, making his novel the first book podcast in its entirety. That experience led to the founding of Podiobooks.com and collaborating with Evo Terra and Chuck Tomasi on Podcasting for Dummies and its follow-up, Expert Podcasting Practices for Dummies. He won acclaim and accolades for his cross-genre fantasy-detective Billibub Baddings Mysteries, the podcast of The Case of the Singing Sword winning him the 2008 Parsec Award for Best Audio Drama. Along with those titles, Tee has written articles and short stories for BenBella Books’s Farscape Forever: Sex, Drugs, and Killer Muppets, the podcast anthology VOICES: New Media Fiction, BenBella Books’ So Say We All: Collected Thoughts and Opinions of Battlestar Galactica, and Dragon Moon Press’ Podthology: The Pod Complex.

Tee brought all these skills to the award-winning Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series which he wrote with his wife, Pip Ballantine. When he is not writing, Tee enjoys life in Virginia alongside Philippa Ballantine, his daughter, and three cats.


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMinistryOfPeculiarOccurrences
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BooksandBraun
Tumblr: http://ministryofpeculiaroccurrences.tumblr.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pipballantine/the-ministry-of-peculiar-occurrences/

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Audio Book Review: Playing with Magic

Playing with Magic

By:  Carrie L. Wells

Publish Date:  October 31, 2015, Audiobook Release December 21, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 2 hrs 14 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  1st in The Midnight Witches series (part of The Witching Hour Collection)

First Impression:  Magic is awakening in her.

Synopsis:
Liza Scott can't be bothered with her obnoxious roommate. She’s far too busy enjoying life in college and playing video games. As a top notch, tournament-level gamer, life seems to be going great despite the questions of her childhood. That’s when she finds herself getting dizzy in the oddest places.
Those spells lead her to even odder situations, both in life and online, and spells of another kind entirely.
Faced with life-altering information about herself medically and metaphysically, and joined by her best friend Felix, Liza faces the changes in her life and her new role as witch royalty. But what she really wants to focus on is the gorgeous Fathom Burke who suddenly seems to know who she is. Maybe it’s coincidence, but maybe, just maybe, it’s magic.

First Sentence:
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
The intercom sounded relentlessly, pulling me away from my video game.

Purchase At:
Amazon  

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author.

Liza is an average college dorm student. She doesn't eat properly, plays video games, and doesn't much care for her roommate. She heads out for a late night snack with her friends, Felix and Darcy, but each time she sees her reflection it looks strange. She sees blue lights, it seems to ripple, or look disconnected, and she feels dizzy. Then, the hot guy on campus, Fathom Burke, knows who Liza is let alone talks to her.

Darcy works at Turn the Page, where she's seen a strange woman come in and sit all day writing in her journal, drinking tea with her own tea bags. Felix decides they can solve the mystery of the woman and Liza joins him on his adventure.

Kristin is the voice of Liza and her friends for us. We get the Boston accent for Fathom and it seeps through for Liza from time to time, when she is shocked or surprised. We get an actual knock when someone knocks on the door. Cool. I am a fan of sound effects.

This is a gentle book. Liza doesn't have a terrible evil that is after her, at least not yet. Liza is learning about who she is and what she can do. The first chapter is spent introducing us to Liza, her roommate Ashley, and her best friend Felix. It was a bit boring as we learn what Liza likes. The story picks up for me with Felix and learning about his special connections. I even enjoyed seeing Fathom with Liza and learning his connection in the world.

There is a charming blend of video gaming and magic. Something that is a little different and interactive for Liza.

I'm curious to see who Liza is in the magical world and how she'll get her powers under control.



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

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Book Review: Into The Aether

Into The Aether

By:  P.J. Schnyder

Publish Date:  April 27, 2015

Publisher:  Ink and Aether Studio

Format:  print, 127 pgs

Genre:  Steampunk

Series:  Anthology, stand-alone

Impression:  Three complete stories surrounded with steampunk and strong woman.

Synopsis:
Journey Into the Aether with award-winning author PJ Schnyder in a collection of daring and sometimes explosive adventures:

In Evie's Gift , Evie travels to England with her brother to find a sponsor for her first season in London. She’s finding much more than intended, including an enemy submarine bent on destroying the airship carrying them across the ocean and a conspirator responsible for sabotaging her host’s mechanicals.

In A Swan in Siam , Agent John M. Alvey of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences searches for the source of a swan feather of peculiar properties in the court of the King of Siam and encounters both an assassin and a living legend.

Plus in the new, never before published Keeping Cadence , fiery Cadence is assigned as both gun expert and bodyguard when the senior crew of the Airship Vulpes is hired to transport precious cargo. Things never go as planned, but the two things Cadence can rely on like clockwork are her captain's explosive temper and the opportunity for a good fight.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles


My Thoughts and Summary:
For me steampunk needs toys and gadgets. P.J. delivers! Toby in the first story, the boots in Keeping Cadence. Oh each story had wonderful gadgets that caught my eye! I enjoyed these stories with action and romance in one place.

Evie's Gift
Evie catches the attention of Captain Alec Corwin on her journey to London with her brother, Jeffrey. Evie can't lead on to her special gift or her pleasure in mechanicals as woman aren't to be tinkerers. Her job is to charm their hosts this holiday while Jeffrey forms connections with the British aristocracy for their family foundry. Captain Alec Corwin comes to dinner at the hosts home and finds he's attracted to the stubborn Evie, but enjoys seeing her infatuation with the machines Lord Weatherly has created. Yet, Alec is curious how Evie was aware of troubles that brewed in the deep ocean so high in the sky.

Oh I enjoyed this short story. P.J. caught my attention in the first chapter. We see Evie is special but not exactly sure what that is yet. We see trouble and it's aimed at the ship our characters are flying in! Why? I didn't know, but the adrenaline is pumping and I needed to find out. Oh the curiosity.

We get POVs from Evie and Captain Alec Corwin. Evie and Alec are strong personalities and get under each other's skin. It does make me smile at the attraction and fire between them.

Evie is my kind of lady. Sure, she's not looked upon as proper by the British Ladies, but she is a woman of her own standing. I love the influence Evie has on Angelica, Lord Weatherly's grand daughter. She has a sense about her when around metals. And her connection with Toby! Oh my! Toby is adorable! He's her watch, or beret or buckle or squirrel perched on her shoulder. Yes, he is all these things. He is like a little pet that is true to Evie's feelings. I want a Toby! Alec sounds like a dashing young man. He's also curious about Evie. But Evie worries about what people would think when they learn her secret.

I would love to read of Evie on more adventures and further with what we see here. Many great elements that would be lovely to see more.

A Swan in Siam
I listened to this story in the Tales From the Archives series. And it was a pleasure to read it again. My review from the first time hearing the story, holds true even now:

Agent John Alvey makes a journey to South East Asia, Siam, to search for a peculiar swan in a native land it should not be.  Phailin, a secreted special guard to the King of Siam, takes notice of Agent Alvey, for taking notice and understanding in a foreign culture, where the ambassador from his country has not.  Will Agent Alvey find the swan he's looking for, while someone tries to assassinate the King?

This was an interesting little tale.  We learn of a whole culture here in Siam, and get the feel for the secretive Phailin, in the beginning.

We do have steam equipment, as always. :) There is a steam mechanical music box, brought as a gift for the King.  Interesting!  I really liked this, and I think I would like one...when first saw it.  Then, the getaway used by the guilty party is neat too, but I have to say it's not quite as exciting as Phailin's way of following the person.  And the extras she can do.

This story not only has steampunk, but also a blend of magic as well.  Old magic.  Very nice blend of the two here.  In the end, I enjoyed this story as well.  We get a historical tale, magic, steampunk, and bullets and bombs.  What else can you ask for?

Keeping Cadence
The senior crew of the airship Vulpes has been out in the air for weeks, now they are at port and the woman are enjoying their time with others. Cadence is the weapons officer and the one that seals the deal with their next job. She's to validate the shipment their client wants to purchase in New London. Jonathan Archer, a talented clankerton and sponsored by their new client, has caught Cadence's eye with his gold hair and green eyes. All Jonathan wants is to go to Paris and participate in Exposition Universelle with his invention. But, unless he can play his cards right and get help, his sponsor's plans might not let him live long enough to get there.

Oh Cadence's boots! These are sooooo coooool! I want a pair. And what we learn of the boots through the story is rather fascinating. Cadence is one amazingly strong woman. I would love to have her as a friend.

I love the strong, kick arse woman here. Like airship pirates with a conscience. I was taken with the setting for this story. I would love to see these woman all again in the future. Though this is a complete story for Cadence.

If you enjoy romance and steampunk, this is totally your story. Jonathan is hot! I loved him from the first moment I saw him. He held my attentions and increased in attraction with his answers/reactions to everything he learned. There are sensual scenes in this story, making it adult material.


*There are a few small editing errors, but I so enjoyed the stories here that I overlooked them.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Audio Book: Core Punch

Core Punch

By:  Pauline Baird Jones

Publish Date:  June 9, 2014, Audiobook Release December 30, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 5 hrs 27 mins
Narrated By:  Diane Gelwix Somers

Genre:  Sci Fi Romance

Series:  1st in spin-off - An Uneasy Future series

First Impression:  Violet and Joe fight the storm to safety but also fight a secret enemy of Lurch's.

Synopsis:
Spinning off The Big Uneasy Series and with a guest appearance from Project Enterprise…

Welcome to…An Uneasy Future 1.0:

Core Punch
A Baker & Ban!drn Adventure

A kiss may be all they have life expectancy for.

When an intergalactic cop exchange program serves up an alien partner for NONPD Detective Violet Baker, she can’t help wishing the handsome alien would be a little less Joe Friday about keeping the pleasure out of their business. Yeah, he’s kind of purple and she can’t pronounce his name to save her life, but he’s almost the only guy in the New Orleans New police department that she’s not related to.

Dzholh “Joe” Ban!drn has come a long way hunting the evil that has infiltrated Vi’s floating city. When he meets his charming partner, he discovers another reason to stamp out evil. If only he wasn’t keeping so many secrets from her…

When an epic hurricane heads their way, they are sent dirt side to New Orleans Old (NOO) on a rescue mission. But murder and sabotage strands them in the heart of the raging storm.

As they fight for their lives, Joe realizes that the evil he’s hunting is actually hunting them….

First Sentence:
His partner liked to call it the Big Uneasy and Dzholh--Joe--Ban!drn decided Violet Baker had a point.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author.

With the huge storm Wu Tamika Felipe rolling in, Joe and Violet are sent dirt side to collect dirtsiders that have showed on scanners and bring them to safety. What they find is a cold spot in a cemetery, and land their skimmer to have a look. A partially frozen corpse was left here. The body is a mystery for Vi, but Joe and Lurch seem to know a bit more... Fighting to get free of the tropical storm in New Orleans Old, Joe and Lurch face the reason they really took this job.

Diane narrates with natural pauses and upturn in tones that make the characters feel true to their forms. We get voice differences for Joe, Vi, and Lurch. Vi has a slight accent and Lurch has a bit of a scratchy, screechy voice. Diane did a good job at vocalizing the characters with feelings in voices. There is a short section that is repeated toward the end of chapter 7.

New Orleans is known for it's terrible tropical storms. And in this world it still holds true, and a way to tell of the two cities called New Orleans. The storm that rocks the cities is one that might prove living dirt side in New Orleans Old isn't as safe as living in the lifted city of New Orleans New. The storm will be a test for the technology and the ancient parts of the floating city.

The beginning is packed full with information for us to get acclimated to the world we are in. There are changes to New Orleans, and I think it all would be a great idea to do in real life! There are lots of descriptions of the world, weather, and characters. It's not action packed, fighting type story. The characters fight the weather to do their job and solve the dead body they found. Joe fights internally with Lurch on who is possessed by their enemy.

This is a romantic scifi read. We do get moments focusing on their attraction to each other. The beginning held a lot of description of the world and the attraction of the partners. But then we get into the story as they battle against the storm to get to safety, the attraction is put on the back burner along with the dead body they found. It felt like a long journey to get through the storm for me. I know there is an "enemy" of Lurch out there, but we don't get details of who that might be or why until the very end.

I did smile at the initials of the storms name, even when it was said that Joe had to be explained the meaning by Lurch.

I think I would have preferred to read this story. I could take my time with the world building and the suspense in their blooming relationship. Also, my mind would wonder in scenes that felt they were drawn out to long for me, then I'd hear something important to I'd rewind to catch it.



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

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Sunday Post #117

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 late at posting this weekend. We had a power outage Friday night and we had to wait for the cable company to come fix our tv and internet. Ugh. Other than that, not much happening. Kiddo's physical therapy sessions seem to be going longer as they are trying to get his knee straight along with working for strength too. Lots of work for him.

I spent yesterday sleeping off and on through the day. It seems my body can't take the daily go go we've been doing lately.

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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 did get on the treadmill!
  Tuesday - 30 mins. 1.87 miles. 20 jackknives 15 push-ups on steps
  Thursday - 30 mins. 1.81 miles 20 jackknives 15 push-ups on steps

Season 1 Episode 18:
I headed out with the New Canton ear piece I was given a few episodes back. I got to over hear a few things, but it seemed they were intentionally sending zombies my way! Dirty buggers!

Season 1 Episode  19:
Aaah. This mission... This mission was a last request for a runner I ran with a few episodes ago. He was the brilliant man who saw patterns in the zombies actions. This was to find the letter and recording for his lost daughter. We hope we find her in the future. It was a bit of a sad episode as he is at the end.


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What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:
I'll start a new book next week.


Current Audiobook:
Prodigal by Tyler Jolley & Sherry D. Ficklin


Current Podcast Book Listen:
Nothing


Finished Last Week: 
Billy and the Cloneasaurus by Stephen Kozeniewski

Audiobooks from Audible:
Acheron Highway by Gary Jonas
Revolution by K.A. Salidas


Finished Podcast Book Listen:
Nothing

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Last Week on the Blog:


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




Posts:


Around the Internet...


Reviews:



Podcast Review:



Mama Bitchstress Reviews:



GIVEAWAYS:



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This Week to Come on the Blog:

I've decided to do three reviews a week for a few weeks, just to try to get caught up with what I have to share with you all. Hope you stop by to check them all out! :)
  Core Punch
  Into the Aether
  Playing with Magic



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Received Last Weeks:


Review & Review Consideration:


Audio Books Requested for Review:
Threats of Sky and Sea by Jennifer Ellision
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Sixteen year-old Breena Perdit has spent her life as a barmaid, innocent to her father’s past and happily free from the Elemental gifts that would condemn her to a life in the Egrian King’s army. Until the day that three Elemental soldiers recognize her father as a traitor to the throne and Bree’s father is thrown in jail—along with the secrets from his last mission as the King’s assassin. Secrets that could help the King win a war. Secrets he refuses to share.

Desperate to escape before the King’s capricious whims prove her and her father’s downfall, Bree bargains with him: information for their lives. It’s a good trade. And she has faith she’ll get them both out of the King’s grasp with time.

But that was before the discovery that she’s the weapon the King’s been waiting for in his war.

Now, time is running out. To save her father’s life and understand her own, Bree must unravel the knot of her father’s past before the King takes his life– and uses her to bring a nation to its knees.

Riot of Storm and Smoke by Jennifer Ellision
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
War draws closer, like a tide to the shore.

Bree and her friends have escaped the clutches of the Egrian King, but their troubles are far from over. Still reeling from the secrets that drew new breath when her father took his last, Bree sets off for the safety of Nereidium-- the kingdom she's just learned is hers.

But with the King's ire at its peak and war a certainty, Nereidium is no longer safe. As Prince Caden rallies the Egrian people against his tyrant father, Bree, Princess Aleta, and Tregle race to the Nereid shore to warn them of the incoming danger—and to put the Nereid Princess on the throne.

The only trouble there: Bree can’t bring herself to reveal that the Princess is her. 

It’s not a dilemma she can waste time pondering. With a new weapon in his arsenal, the King's strikes are sure to be bolder than ever before. And Bree may not be ready to wear a crown… but she won't let her kingdom down without a fight.

How to be a Mermaid by Erin Hayes
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
All Tara ever wanted was to be a mermaid. 

So she takes a year off between high school and college to don a fake tail and tour aquariums across the country in a professional mermaid troupe.

Everything's great until she meets a gorgeous real-life merman named Finn. Suddenly, what she thought was a dream turns out to be a nightmare -- she's turning into a mermaid herself. For real.

Yet when she returns to the sea to seek out Finn and reverse her transformation, she finds herself in the middle of an impending war between the land and sea. Tara may have always wanted to be a mermaid, but now it's sink or swim. In order to survive, she has to learn how to be one, too.

***

Summer 2015, award-winning, and best-selling authors will bring you romantic tales of mermaids, sirens, sprites, and other creatures of the deep! Keep in touch as we reveal each title in our collection!



Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:
Book:



Audio:
The Deep Beneath by Natalie Wright
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
H.A.L.F. 9 has taken his first breath of desert air and his first steps in the human world. Created to be a weapon, he proved too powerful for his makers and has lived a sedated life hidden from humans. But H.A.L.F. 9 has escaped the underground lab he called home, and the sedation has worn off. He has never been more alive. More powerful. Or more deadly.

Erika Holt longs to ride her motorcycle east until pavement meets shore. She bides her time until graduation when she’ll say adios to the trailer she shares with her alcoholic mother and memories of her dead father. But a typical night in the desert with friends thrusts Erika into a situation more dangerous than she ever imagined. 

Circumstances push the two together, and each must make a fateful choice. Will Erika help H.A.L.F. 9 despite her “don’t get involved” rule? And will H.A.L.F. 9 let Erika live even though he was trained to kill? 

The two may need to forget their rules and training and if either is to survive the dangers of the deep beneath them.


Free Ebooks:

(On my Kindle App) Links to books under title. They may or may not be free at this time.
King of Ages: A King Arthur Anthology
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
A fresh take on a legendary tale, this anthology of thirteen short stories is a testament to just how eternal and timeless the story of King Arthur truly is.

One recurring aspect of Arthurian literature is the notion that he will one day return as a messiah to save his people. Another hallmark of the King Arthur legend is that Merlin—wizard, prophet, and Arthur’s most trusted advisor—lives backwards through time. What if Merlin was actually advising multiple reincarnations of King Arthur during various points, and places, in time and history? And what if this all began at the end of time?

King of Ages is an anthology like no other, showcasing stories that re-imagine King Arthur at several points in history, from the end of days all the way to the beginning of mankind.

Featuring thirteen all-new stories by

Paola K. Amaras • Patrick S. Baker • Josh Brown • Dale W. Glaser • Doug Goodman • Joanna Michal Hoyt • Philip Kuan • David W. Landrum • P. Andrew Miller • Mike Morgan • Alex Ness • C.A. Rowland • David Wiley

The Tinkerer's Daughter by Jamie Sedgwick
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Breeze is an outcast, a half-breed orphan born into a world torn apart by a thousand years of war. Breeze never knew her elven mother, and when her human father is recalled to the war, he leaves her in the safest place he knows: in the care of a reclusive tinker.

The Tinkerman's inventions are frightening at first -noisy, smelly, dangerous machines with no practical use- but when the war comes home, Breeze sees an opportunity. If she can pull it off, she'll change the world forever. If she fails, she'll be considered a traitor by both lands and will be hunted to her death.

The Clockwork God by Jamie Sedgwich
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Mr. Sedgwick’s new steampunk series picks up where the Tinkerer’s Daughter Trilogy left off:

Barreling through their post-apocalyptic world in a massive steam locomotive called the Great Iron horse, the steam-powered ape Socrates and his crew of warriors, miscreants, and genetic anomalies are in search of a rare and precious element known as starfall. Starfall is the fuel that powers the Iron Horse, as well as the great city of Sanctuary. Supplies are running low and unless they can locate another source, all civilization may soon collapse. Starfall also happens to be the ape’s power source and without it, Socrates will die.

On their first adventure, Socrates, River, and the rest of the crew encounter a bizarre cult of isolationists and their strange “Clockwork God.” Meanwhile, several crew members have gone missing, and tensions are rising as mutineers conspire to overthrow Socrates and destroy the train. As the conflict comes to a boil, a power more ancient and sinister than anything they ever imagined threatens to destroy them all.

The "Iron Horse" series is a follow up to Sedgwick's "The Tinkerer's Daughter" series. A reading of the earlier books is not necessary to enjoy this new series, but may provide added insight to certain characters and history.
 

Boys Don't Cry by Jennifer Melzer
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Taliesin Wick knows exactly what she wants to do with her life. Even when her house-flipping father puts their home in Austin on the market and moves the family to Pennsylvania, it's nothing but a minor wrench in the cogs of her dreams. 

Then she meets Nate Thorne. 

From the moment she first spied Nate playing guitar on his front porch, Tali was drawn to him. The sorrow in his songs, the deep sadness in his beautiful eyes... she can feel Fate pulling her to him. 

Something haunts him. He never talks about the sins of his past, but she knows he doesn’t trust himself, especially not with her heart. Tali can’t imagine the sweet, loving boy she’s come to know being the awful monster he thinks he is, but what if he’s right? What if learning his secrets changes the way she feels about him? 

Tali doesn’t know if their whirlwind of bliss is just a summer fling, or something much more, but she does know falling in love with Nate is going to leave the kind of mark you can never erase.

C791 by Eve Langlais
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Machines aren’t supposed to feel, but this cyborg can’t help falling in love.

Assigned as a specimen collector for a captured cyborg, Chloe is intrigued by the machine disguised as a man. Kidnapped during his daring escape, he shows her that despite the chip in his brain, his humanity is not completely lost.

Formerly known as unit X109GI, Joe is on a quest to discover his origin. While he doesn’t find the answers he’s looking for, he does discover that affection isn't just for humans. But when it comes to a battle between logic and love, which side will the cybernetic organism—once a man—choose?

Evaluating his feelings will have to wait though because the military isn’t done with Joe. But their threats against him pale in comparison before the shocking discovery of project C791, the revelation of which stuns the rebel cyborgs—and ignites a fury for vengeance.


(On my Nook)




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
Danube Waves by Katharina Bordet
Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan
Lex Talionis by Starla Huchton
Spark by Starla Huchton
House of Grey 6 by Collin Earl
The Secret World Chronicle: World Divided by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
The Secret World Chronicle: Waiting On by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
The Secret World Chronicle: Revolutions by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
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
Into The Aether by P.J. Schnyder
Core Punch by Pauline Baird Jones
Playing with Magic by Carrie L. Wells