Black Rose (ADULT AUDIO)

The team is all together again and Project director Harker has determined they should eliminate their old enemies, Aeon, once and for all.  But of course there are complications, a deadly contagion that needs to be recovered and destroyed, and more secrets of Selena's past are coming out, ones even she didn't know about yet, but hey just another day at the project.
This was another awesome audiobook by narrator Jack de Golia, and after 9 Project audio's he is the voice of the project for me.  His voices for each of the characters are the ones I have come to know and love, especially Ronnie, he is my favorite.  Mr. de Golia also breaths life into the story as he reads it, it just flows so nicely, I can't imagine the Project any other way.

5 STARS

The Delphi Effect (YA)

Anna has a gift, but when a ghost can attach itself to you just by inadvertently touching something you might not see it as a gift either.  When Anna accidentally picks up the ghost of a murdered girl, Anna finds herself in the middle of a government conspiracy, not to mention the group that kidnaps her friend so she will join them and they can exploit her "gift".
This is a wonderful book, action packed, full of suspense, and has more twist and turns than a roller coaster.  It is well written and the characters are well rounded and believable.  I love this book  and I wanted to jump right in and help Anna.  I don't want to say to much for fear of spoilers, so you will just have to get your own awesome copy of The Delphi Effect and see for yourself, but Rysa Walker does not disappoint.

5 STARS

The Borrowed World: A Novel of Post-Apocalyptic Collapse (ADULT AUDIO)

Jim Powell is long way from home, on a business trip with some co-workers, when the U.S. is attacked and life as we know it changes in the blink of a eye.  But all Jim wants is to get home to his wife and kids.  With thousands of other trapped travelers and very little law enforcement, things get really interesting really fast, but has Jim planned well enough?
I found this book especially interesting as I was about half way though it when hurricane Matthew became a real threat to Florida.  I could see things happening on the news and from what family and friends who live there where reporting, and how it paralleled this book.  We have had our own issues here where I live in Kentucky with major week long power outages after ice and wind storms, but you never think of what would happen if the whole country went down at once and for a very prolonged period of time.  It makes you think, for a fiction book this one hits close to home.
This book is really good, it is action packed and the suspense will have you falling off of your seat.  The characters are ordinary people just trying to get by.  I had the audiobook version narrated by Kevin Pierce who does an awesome job giving each character its own personality in voice and attitude.  He really shaped this story and kept Jim Powell's character honest and real to what he says he is, a man who just wants to get home to his family.

5 STARS

Lichgates (YA AUDIO)

Kara has lost her mom and she blames herself.  But her dad is not much better, so when she and her dad take a trip to the mountains it looks to be a strained time between the two.  One morning Kara is up early and goes hiking only to find a weird gazebo thing, than somehow falls into a cool library with no doors.  All she wants is to go home, but this is when she finds out she is trapped as a new Vagabond by the Grimoire, in a odd land called Ourea, and they have very different plans for her, none of which is allowing her to go home.
I had the audiobook version narrated by Kara Kovacich Stewart and it was awesome.  I don't always bring up my dyslexia, but sometime I stay away from reading these books because the made up names for things make the book really hard to read but when I can get them in audio form I really enjoy them a lot, and when you have someone like Kara Kovacich Stewart narrate the book then you feel really special as she makes it an enchanting experience, I can't wait to listen to the next one and find out what happens.

5 STARS

Wonder Woman: The True Amazon (YA GRAPHIC NOVEL)

This is the story of how Diana, Wonder Woman, came to be.  How her queen mother came to have a child in a race of all women, and how a spoiled princess came to be the hero many of girl today idolize. 
This was a awesome graphic novel not only in story but in illustrations as well.  I hope we get to see  more of Wonder Woman from Jill Thompson as I would love to follow more of what happens to Diana as she tries to prove her worth and avenge herself in the eyes of her sisters.

5 STARS

Bjorn's Gift (MG)

This sequel to Odin's Promise, is set in Norway during World War 2.  Mari, a young woman, is still working to find herself, and her courage, in this new world she has found herself in, as even more Nazi's have come to live in her village and have even taken over her home and school.  This has made it much harder for the resistance fighters in her area, one of which is her big brother Bjorn.  But Mari will be strong, and brave just like Bjorn told her she could. 

This is a awesome historical fiction book that is a part of WWII you don't hear much about.  It is nice to hear a different part of this time in our history, and from a different point of view not often voiced.  This book is chalked full of action and suspense, so there is something for everyone and you will learn a lot without knowing it.  The story flows wonderfully and the characters are all well rounded and believable.  They show real emotion and are just awesome and brave people. 

Mari, Odin and Bjorn would be so proud of you.

Sandy Brehl is a retired educator and active member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). When she’s not reading and writing, she enjoys gardening. She lives in the Milwaukee area and invites you to visit her website (www.SandyBrehl.com) to learn more about ODIN’S PROMISE and BJORN’S GIFT. Sign up for quarterly newsletters to stay informed about future releases (including MARI’S HOPE), and special events and offers.

Pathosis (ADULT AUDIO)

Kala, typical high school sophomore girl by day, awesome closet scientist, and loving big sister by night.  But it is what happens to their city that changes everything.
This is not exactly a zombie book, but it is one of the best plague type books I have read, well listened too.  I loved the side story that explained how the virus got to Florida in the first place, that was really cool, especially since I don't live there.  It also really liked the how the story shows how the virus spreads and the only way to stop it as of that time.  The book was very precise without the reader knowing it, no facts and figures but still precise.
I had the audio version narrated by Melanie Ewbank and she does a awesome job.  There was one spot I knew it was coming because I actually did the books backwards, but she was so good with her voices and the emotions she puts into them she had me crying.  Ms. Ewbank is just a awesome narrator and this is just a awesome book.

5 STARS