Gladesbale Grove

Shawn works a job he really doesn’t like; he always wanted to be a park ranger, or in a watch tower protecting the forest, but that is never in his cards.  Until the day the strange woman with a cool sword and wolfish ears tells him his soul belongs to her.  When he dies right there, working at his desk, he is transported into a ritual of planting a seed.  Then the wolf lady, Mint, explains to him his duties as caretaker of the sacred tree and the grove around it, and everything just evolves from there.  Soon their band of three, Mint, the Guardian of the grove, Shawn, who is now the caretaker druid, Rud, and the sacred tree, becomes more as they help others get back on their feet, or those who need to have a purpose. All the while, the tree grows in height and mass, but also helps Rud grow himself.

I really like this book, and the characters it encompasses, my favorite being Dean.  Dean does a lot of things that he doesn’t really like to do, but knows it is in everyone's best interest, so he relents.  I was lucky enough to be able to listen to the audio version, with a wonderful voice actor, Garrett Michael Brown, who will transport your mind right into the story like you are part of the group helping.  This is not exactly a fastest-paced story, but it is cozy for now, at least.  There is action, and there is suspense at times, but really this is a nice get comfy in a nice chair with a warm blanket with some tea, see what I did there, read or listen to the book, and you will.

 

Beta Testing the Apocalypse

Imagine sitting at your desk, everyone else has gone home for the night, but you have a few things to finish up. You see a little glowing thing, and it is a countdown timer. Your choices are to die or play.  You find out it is like a game that he is beta testing, well, that’s not hard, as he does work with these things.  He spends a lot of time going back and forth from his world and buying stuff to help him in the beta world, you know, guns, O2 tanks, body armor, type stuff.  Sending back bug reports to the makers for a world that you have to fight for your life each time you go in makes some bugs are very tempting to leave if in his favor, but a bug none the least, but Dex is always hoping the makers will bless him with a lot of essence for his reports as essence is what helps you to fight and stay alive in this new world.

I absolutely loved this audio. If you are a gamer or just like fun, you will love this action-packed, fast-paced, awesome audio narrated by Ryan H Reid. Mr. Reid really grasped the essence of the book, and it really showed in the audio. I loved the characters in this book, and I really connected with Dex as we share many neurodiversities, and in a time when we still seem not to always fit in, it is awesome to lose yourself in a game, or an audio about a guy who does, and maybe even saves the world while doing what he loves.  

 

The Silent Blades

Tricia has worked hard for the last 15 years to ascend to the highest rank of Pureblades, a mysterious society that protects their city from the monsters and other such abominations that run the streets at night.  But she soon finds that it has its own set of new problems, and when the one she trusts most betrays her, what is left to do but fight.

I really connected with this audio that was narrated by Jessica Threet.  It spoke to me, oh ok we have the same name, and that was kind of cool.  The book was action-packed, very fast-paced, mysterious, dark at times, romantic, but a wonderful listen.  The author has mixed a lot of different elements you would not normally see together it really works well in this book.  The author pulled all of the elements together and came out with a really good audio/book.  I can’t wait for more. 

 

 

Joshua's Trumpet: The Project

Nick and the gang are back, and at the White House’s request, if you can believe that, and what for?  Seems some rich guy has called in a favor of the president and would like the team there, then a tomb is opened because it is believed to have an item so powerful it helped build the pyramids.  When Ronnie blows it a little during a big firefight the gang is losing, they know they need to get it back because it would really give the user an unstoppable tool. 

Oh my gosh, I have waited with bated breath for another Project book, and this doesn’t disappoint. Not to mention, if you have never listened to one of the books narrated by the wonderful voice actor Jack de Golia, you are missing out.  This is a very fast-paced, action-packed book. It starts fast and never lets up.  I have loved these books from the start, and I have to admit the way Mr. Lukeman ended this one has me a bit excited.  I can’t wait to see if the team pops up again sometime when the world needs saving.

 

 

Cat on a Hot Tin Woof

Meet Chet the narrator and Bernie his human partner.  Chet is a K9 and highly trained, kind of, but lets his leash holder take all the credit.  The case they have been hired for well it would not be Chet’s first choice, but it puts food in his dish, and keeps him and Bernie in some sweet rides, but really the missing person is a cat! A cat named Miss Kitty and the best witness they have is a pig, who’s name is Senor Piggy, can this get any worse?  Chet has his work cut out for him on this one, but he is not worried as he and Bernie always find the missing and catch the bad guys. 

I love this book it is unique, and just so you know Chet is an awesome narrator.  This series of books is a wonderful, fast, fun read.  Great for a rainy, or snowy, or even a sunny day.

 

Emotional Support Animals: Anonymous Fuzzball Comics + Workbook

What if your therapist was a walrus or a crocodile reminding you that if you take care of yourself you will be able to give more to others; would you even care as long as they helped you?  This book is filled with wonderful illustrations of animals helping to guide you through the book and workbook of things to do to help you on your path.  These are little doses of help for anyone just not getting all of life anymore.  I really like this as you can do it as you need to and no one else will know or judge, I don’t have to go anywhere, take time off of work or spend a lot of money just for a boost here and there oh and it’s the cutest helpers you will ever meet.   As cute as this book is and as much as I really like it as it has a lot of real information in it, this book is defiantly not a replacement for more help if you find yourself in need or even in need of 988 (988 #1 for military).

 

Guardians: Forbidden Mountain

Every mountain child dreams of the day when they get to go into the bonding shed and bond with a spirit that will help enhance and/or help them to be better in their chosen field.  However, there are rules.  You get 3 offers you can hope for a forth but that is not a given if pass on the first three, and while some promise fame and fortune, you are never to bond with one of the accursed, if found out that is an immediate death sentence.  Across the kingdom there is a girl who has some power and uses it to gain entrance in to a gang so she can find her friend.  When everything goes crazy and she has to run for it she finds out her mother is not who she thinks she is and her mom calls on a friend to help smuggle her out and to a man she used to work for so everyone will be safe.  When the boy from the mountain and the girl meet up in their new guardian’s camp they become friends, and that friendship will help them stay alive at least for now.
The characters and story are so good, it is so full of action and suspense it will keep your nose in the book a bit longer as you won’t want to miss any time finding out what comes next.  You will really want to know what comes next.  I loved the story and almost all of the characters