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

 

Skyshattered

Remy will stop at nothing to become a sky knight with his best friend Storm, but there might not be a world left to guard if he and his ragtag group don’t save it first.  Gem is becoming a better Mage every day, strengthening her abilities and learning more about the crystals that keep the cities a float.  Remy, Gem and their friends must do the impossible and go into the maelstrom to find the dwarves and find out the rest of the story and try and get things fixed so the cities stay afloat.

This the third book in the series is even more exciting than the first two. The characters find their strength and power from each other and will face this insurmountable problem as one, they will work hard to see it remedied before everyone they know and love is swallowed by the maelstrom.  This book is filled with action and suspense that will grab you and keep you in its grasp until it is finished.  I really liked this book a lot I wish there are more. 

 

Covenant of the Dead

This certainly was a different book then my normal.  It was filled with nuns, priests, a pope, a scholar, and a medium to round out the cast, and one is a murderer, and has been for a long time, but who?  This book will take you all around the Boston area and some areas in Vatican City.  But when a nun and the scholar, being old friends, team up for a paper to publish on the subject of nunicide they didn’t know they would also be the ones to solve these heinous crimes.

Kind of Dan Brown but not either.  It was a wonderful book and I loved the characters, even the creepy ones.  This book will keep you guessing until the end but learning some of the insights in to the Catholic church is interesting, especially the past.  I really like this book because of the mystery that is hard to solve.

 

Salvage System 2

You would think after surviving the Salvage System and saving their city that Chis Mason and friends would get a little break to rest to recover, but the system has other ideas and sending them to a new world and stripping the group of skills and their attribute that pretty much sends the group back to newbie status.  They have to find and try to make some new friends before the other creatures kill them all, but they will have to figure out who the good guys and bad guys are, not to mention make friends with some who would rather you go away, while avoiding the ones that want to eat you for lunch.

This is another wonderful book/audio by the very talented Sansbury-Smith and a voice actor not to be missed, Michael Krammer, in this the story of Chris Mason and friends.  The characters are fun and I really love Bunny and it is awesome that he gets a girlfriend.  I loved the Hell Diver references that popped up every now and again, very fun for those of who get to listen/read the different series of the author.   I love how these misfits have come together and are now more of a family then just a group.  This is a great book/audio and I can not wait for book 3.

 

Enemy of My Enemy (A Daredevil Marvel Crime Sereis)

This is a Marvel Crime novel featuring Matt Murdock, otherwise named Daredevil.  It appears that Punisher has killed a cop and Kingpin.  He gives himself up and Matt signs up to be his lawyer against Foggy’s vote, Punisher is adamant he never killed a cop but never said yes or no to Kingpin and doesn’t help Matt put together a defense. Hat leaves Matt to do what he can in the courtroom but he can do so much more on the streets as Daredevil with big thanks to his newspaper friend Ben.  I will stop there because you need the read the rest yourself.

This was so good but being a fan of these offshoots of Marvel I figured I would like it.  If you are a purest of the original comic there might be some differences, but I didn’t mind.  I would have to say I like Daredevil the most as he has really no superpowers, just what he has been trained for since he lost his sight as a child. This book is action packed and fast paced so hang on this will be quite the ride.

 

Amari and the Metalwork Menace

Amari doesn’t really want to go back to the agency, she is doing great and is happy just being a teen, she has even been accepted into a prestigious swim camp that will help her boost up for next year and the his is Amari’s world and she not to sure she wants it to end.  She has like 24 hours to answer the summons on her decision, either she goes back to being agent or gets a memory wipe.  The agency has also sweetened the pot by inviting her and a select few other to spend summer learning and testing their skills and some maybe promoted.  But soon things change very quickly and Amari isn’t left with much of a choice as this new whatever it is turning people into metal hits very close to home.

I loved the first Amari book and somehow missed the next two but was able to pick right up with this the fourth book without missing to much.  It moved quickly and was full of action, this was not a book to be put down for long, sorry parents, but hey you all might like it too.  It is really a wonderful fun and great for anyone book or if need be the audiobook narrated by Imani Parks is awesome she puts you in the story through her voice.

 

The Lost Cave

When a strange book if found at Raven’s dad dig site it sparks treasure fever among many and with outlaw days going on it is even intensified and sought out by even more people.  Can Raven and her friends solve the clues and beat every one else to the treasure?  During all of this she is keeping the biggest secret of her life from her sister, one that is tearing them both up in different ways. 

Oh, my there is so much to say about this wonderful, action packed, suspenseful, fun book.  This is a book that even reluctant readers will like if they like mysteries and action.  I truly don’t want to give any of the fun away by saying to much but this is a wonderful book, I need to go find the first book now.  Oh, and please write more in the series, please.

 

M*A*S*H

I read as much of Hooker's series as I could find in used book shops back in the day, and being a big fan of the movie and TV show MASH did not hurt in the least, but know they are different from one another somewhat.  I have to say to see this pop up as a audiobook now was kind of a shock.  But it was like coming home to friends and just picking up where you left off.  Voice actor and narrator Scott Brick brings it all back to life every bit.  All the regulars and some not as well-known faces but he still makes the swamp the best place to be when not in surgery.  These good ole boys will always be doctors first and soldiers, well somewhere much further down the line. This is still a awesome series.  

 

The Last Legends Galaxy in Flames

Axel and his crew find themselves sitting around being the hero.  When a chance at a new adventure arrives to do something, anything, they jump but have they thought about all it will involve in their defense they didn’t have much time the portal is only open certain days and certain years.  But the enemy wants the prize too and is willing to risk it all to get it from Axel and his crew.  Does the alien relic have any say in the matter?

This is a action packed very suspenseful book/audiobook, it helded me from the start and did not let me go until the end, the author is a master story teller and his voice actor Mark Boyett is awesome and just bring the story to life with his voice it is a wonder to hear the book I loved every bit of it and can’t wait for more.

 

Dungeon Crawler Carl #1

I loved this book (even though it was big for my reluctant reader self). I could totally see this happening (LOL) to our planet, why not most people love reality TV so why not be a contestant, even if unwilling.  Carl finds himself in the dungeon because his ex-girlfriend’s, who is probably dead now anyways, cat ran outside and Carl chased her so when the building denigrated with all the people in them Carl was left out in the cold and with no shoes or pants.   If that wasn’t bad enough, Princess Doughnut, the cat has better stats then Carl, dammit Doughnut.  But also, now Doughnut and Carl can talk to each other as they make it through the first levels of the dungeon.  I really loved how the author caught Doughnuts inner self, just like a cat.

 

The Academy V Cup Of Nations

Wow Leo and his friend in Middleton are having a great summer when he gets a call from Samantha offering Leo a opportunity to try out to play for the USA junior national team in the Cup of nations (like the World Cup but for the developmental teams. The USA team is ranked last and only are in it because the USA is the host nation.  Will this be the case or will the team rise to the challenge?

Now by this point you should know I love this series.  I like the real obstacles Leo and his friends need to get past and might even need to trust or talk to another player to get through.  These kids have had to grow up much faster as they are often in different countries, and spend a lot of their time without their parents or coaches.  Leo is lucky to have friends back home that are great and just a text away for him as well as his dad and Messi.  This is a great series and is a fun read for everyone, old and young but especially anyone who likes soccer (football).

 

Cultivation Nerd 1

Liu Feng didn’t die he woke up as someone very different than he used to be.  But he can’t be who this body used to be it is not in him and that can be dangerous.  He is surrounded by others that will gain their power by and possible way.  But Feng puts in the work and reads, studies, learns, and practices as much as possible even in a prison cell.  Soon he is much stronger than anyone knows, except the old janitor in the library.  Feng just wants to do hos own thing and not bother anyone but when he on his way back from his walk about to see other towns and villages he runs into a not so nice creature and has to fight it and when the towns around shut down and are looking for what killed it because it would have to be huge.  But the fight that matters is still coming and that will make him different and different isn’t what Feng wants.

This is a wonderful audio narrated by a very talented John Pirhalla.  I will admit I wasn’t aware that cultivation was a genre now but I think I like it, it is different, but I like it.  I need a few more audios to compare how the stories fit together.  But this book has my interest and I want to see where Feng goes now.  His character and those of the old janitor guy, and the librarian are great and how everything comes together with them and they all want to same outcome.  I really liked this audio and will look to get the second.

 

Salvage System

 

Chris Mason’s world is turned upside down when a portal transforms Manhattan into a very dangerous plain of deadly fantasy as only Chris can make of it.  Armed with only the sledgehammer he brought with him and a mouthy rat named Bunny, Chris needs to find a way to survive in this world and what he needs to do to level up and beat it.   

This isn’t much like other books by this author so don’t go into it with that mindset, because this really is a great book/audio.  The author and narrator will both suck you in and not let go until the end.   The voice acting comes from a very talented narrator Michael Kramer.  I am aware that Chris is the main character but I love Bunny the rat the best of their ragtag group.  This book is a great book if you found Dungeon Crawler Carl good, although bunny is not of the same role as Doughnut.  This is a book/audio to try out if you are a gamer or want to be.

Buried Lies

Maya Thompson and her K9 partner Juniper are ready for a break and looking for a few days just to rest, especially since her boyfriend, Josh the undersheriff, are coming home after being away certifying his K9 partner in tracking mostly evidence.  When all seems as it should Joshgets a call from his crazy ex and they set a date to trade a gun of his she stole for some evidence she needs that includes the murder of Josh’s friend, anad dealer.

This book has a ton of twists and turns right from the start, and will continue till the end.  It is well written and is amazing.  This story will grab you from the start and not let good until it is done.  I loved it!

 

The Academy IV Title Fight

Leo and his friends have finished their season in youth premier league and not at the bottom.  They won the Tournament of Champions and they are back for another season as the Knights.  However, some the team have moved up to the U16’s and some have moved to other clubs, and that leaves Leo with some new players to deal with and if that isn’t enough Leo has to sit out a bunch of games because of a injury hopefully this injury won’t stop Leo’s season or end his career, but he gets the best advice from his dad and Messi the lizard. 

This series is wonderful for all kids even reluctant readers and especially ones who really like soccer.  Leo is a great role model and plays fair which doesn’t automatically make him the most popular guy on the team but he doesn’t give in and take the easy way out.  The characters and plot is reliable something a lot of kids dream of including me when I was younger.  I hope we see a lot more of Leo and his friends in the future.

 

X Marks the Haunt

Will Stone has grown up in and around a graveyard since he  can remember, so nothing there scares him and he love doing the genealogy of some of the interned so families can find graves of others relative.  But when his  class takes a field trip to the graveyard and one of the boys dares Will to let him in after hours to do a pod cast from one of the grave sites.  They awaken a spirit and now must figure out how to help it so it will also stop killing all the trees his mom has worked on for years and just got the graveyard listed as a arboretum as well.

I really liked this book it is a mystery that is not easily solved in the beginning.  I liked the genealogy part of the story teaching the importance of where you come from and the research the goes into it.  I loved how the unthinkable in the beginning of being friends with some of these kids are to see new friendships blossom out of it, as well as them owning up to what they have done.  So lots to learn from Will and his friends but also a amazing mystery.