The Warriors by Tom Young

If you have visited here lately, you know I’m a big fan of author Tom Young and narrator Scott Brick. When those two get together for a collaboration, I know I’m in for a heart-pounding audio that will be hard to turn off.

Well, they are back together in Young’s latest release, THE WARRIORS. This is another story featuring his main characters Parson and Gold. Here are my thoughts on this latest adventure.

THE WARRIORS by Tom Young

War stories based in foreign countries are sometimes a bit hard for me to follow. Author Tom Young makes his stories, featuring Lieutenant Colonel Michael Parson and Sergeant Major Sophia Gold, easy for me to follow.

Narrator Scott Brick does an excellent job bring these various characters to life. His mannerisms adds depth to the emotions of Young’s words. Brick’s cadence will pull you in and leave you breathless as the adrenaline rush begins. His flare with various dialects enhances the story.

After seeing his share of fighting, Lieutenant Colonel Parson is looking forward to his new stint as a safety officer at the Kyrgyzstan air base. Before he can get settle in good, a C-27 crashes on the runway. During the crash investigation, Parson discovers the crew were transporting more than just electronics. Opium is found hidden inside the crates.

As the investigation digs deeper, Parson calls on his old friend, Sergeant Major Gold, to serve as an interpreter as they search for the source of the cargo. Little does he realize they are both about to be on the front lines of a possible war outbreak. As they and their colleagues race to find the source of the drug trafficking and what it’s tied to, a madman is bent on starting a new war to serve his own purpose.

Young gives his characters realistic traits and continues to develop and evolve them with each new book. He also gives readers/listeners a deep look into his ‘evil’ characters, showing why they feel so strong for their cause. He makes his characters likable and memorable. His vivid descriptions of the settings places the reader/listener in the middle of the action. His accounts of the faraway countries brings them closer with a better understanding of their people, cultures and their strives to live peaceful.

THE WARRIORS is a fast-pace adventure keeping you on the edge of your seat. While this story may not be quite as intense as some Young’s prior books, it’s still loaded with heart-stopping action. In addition, Young shows what could be a flicker of romance kindling between Parson and Gold. While this is the fourth book to feature Parson and Gold, THE WARRIORS is a standalone story.

One of the many things I enjoy about this story is knowing that Young’s own military background adds to the depth of the plot. In addition, at the end the background on how this story came to be is included.

Once again Young draws you into the realm of world problems and the struggles for peace. This is a gripping tale that will hold you captivate from beginning to end.

Author Tom Young’s website is http://tomyoungbooks.com/

The Warriors by Tom Young, A Parson/Gold Novel, Performed by Scott Brick, Recorded Books, @2013, ISBN: 978-1470363819, Unabridged, 9 Discs, Listening Time: 10.5 Hours 

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.


Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you’re in for a wonderful week of reading.

The Whole Enchilada and The Renegades

Today I have two amazing audios to share with you that are complete opposites, but both outstanding in their own field.

Both authors are favorites of mine. I’ve followed the work of the first author for quite so time and always get a laugh out of her stories. The second author I began following just a few years ago and eagerly look forward to his books as the intensity holds me spellbound. First up is from the cozy mystery series by Diane Mott Davidson, followed by the adventure, adrenaline-propelled series by Tom Young.

THE WHOLE ENCHILADA by Diane Mott Davidson

All is going well for caterer Goldy Schulz as her son and his friend, Drew, celebrate with a joint birthday party, but then Drew’s mother, Holly, collapses and dies.

Narrator Barbara Rosenblat brings the characters to life in author Diane Mott Davidson’s THE WHOLE ENCHILADA, the 17th installment in her Culinary Mystery Series. Rosenblat draws listeners in as she expresses the vast array of emotions woven throughout the story. Her cadence is crisp and clear holding you spellbound until the end.

At first glance it appears Goldy’s best friend died of a heart attack. Later at Holly’s home, Goldy steps to get a note on the back deck and it collapses sending her into the frigid water below. Shaken, but not badly hurt, Goldy then learns that Holly had been poisoned and the deck sabotaged. 

Days later another caterer, one that was trying to imitate Goldy, is attacked and killed. When Goldy herself is attacked outside her home, she realizes the killer thinks she knows more than she does. Determined to find Holly’s killer, Goldy begins searching for answers

Davidson continues to develop and evolve her main characters in the Culinary Mystery Series so that returning readers/listeners get to know them better with each book. New fans are not lose as there is enough background information to keep you on track. This book can be enjoyed as a standalone. The characters are well-balanced, realistic and likable. The secondary characters always add a flare to the story. 

THE WHOLE ENCHILADA moves at a steady pace with Davidson’s protagonist mulling over the ‘whys’ and ‘who could haves’ in a pragmatic manner. There are twists and surprises along the way. In addition, Davidson includes many of the delicious recipes Goldy and her crew create throughout the story. This is a story that is sure to whet your reading appetite, as well as your taste buds.

Author Diane Mott Davidson can be found on Facebook. 

The Whole Enchilada by Diane Mott Davidson, Culinary Mystery Series #17, Performed by Barbara Rosenblat, Harper Audio, @2013, ISBN: 978-0062282774, Unabridged, 10 Discs, Listening Time: 13 Hours 

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
 

THE RENEGADES by Tom Young

Listening to a book by author Tom Young stirs strong emotions. While it is a story of fiction, the author’s extensive military background gives credibility to what he writes. The pain, suffering, torture, loss of life and dedication have elements of truth to them.

Having said that and the fact that I’m not big on war-theme stories, I do highly recommend THE RENEGADES.

Narrator Scott Brick brings the story, people and setting to life. His deep throaty voice gives depth to Young’s words. Brick’s cadence is alluring as he pulls you into the middle of a battle zone and breaks your heart with the tenderness of his soothing voice when emotions involve the young and innocent victims. Then he has you on the edge of your seat as the action gets underway.

Afghan Air Force adviser Lieutenant Colonel Michael Parson and his interpreter, Sergeant Major Sophia Gold, are once again reunited following a devastating earthquake in Afghanistan. They are on hand to assist with aid and rescue efforts. However, a Taliban splinter group Black Crescent, is making life difficult for the workers. They are shooting medical works, downing helicopters, and threatening anyone who takes aid. But worst of all - they’re kidnapping young boys and making them become suicide bombers.

Parson, Gold and Parson’s Afghan aircrew scramble to provide aid, along with the other workers, in everyway they can. Discovering a way to possible locate the leader of the splinter group, Gold goes against Parson’s orders. Following her lead could stops the new group or get her killed.

THE RENEGADES is action-packed from beginning to end. It’s adrenaline-driven with so many twists, turns, highs and lows it feels like a roller coaster ride. The story flows smoothly, but quickly with moments of tenderness and concern woven throughout, as well as snippets of humor.

The characters are engaging, realistic and well-developed. Their interaction with one another is plausible. Young’s eye for authentic detail adds depth to the story and places the reader/listener in the midst of the action. The story will leave you breathless, exhausted and eager for more.

Having read/listened to THE RENEGADES (or any story by Young), you come away not only having finished a fascinating story, but learned a great deal about American servicemen and women, the trials they face overseas and their dedication. Young entertains with his words, but also educates and informs.

This is the third book featuring Parson and Gold, but can be enjoyed as a standalone. But be warned, after an introduction to Parson and Gold you’ll want to know more.

Author Tom Young’s website is http://tomyoungbooks.com/
 
The Renegades by Tom Young, A Parson/Gold Novel, Performed by Scott Brick, Recorded Books, @2012, ASIN: B008MTA4AW, Unabridged, 11 Discs, Listening Time: 11 Hours and 9 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. 

Thanks so much for joining me today. Do you like changing your reading (or listening) around from cozy to adventure to something else and back again? Or do you prefer to read only one type of book?

SILENT ENEMY by Thomas W. Young

By the time I finished listening to this book, I was weary and spent…..and ready to take off on another mission with these officers.

Not one to read many military-related books, I wasn’t sure what to expect from SILENT ENEMY. It surpassed any expectations and quickly drew me in.

Author Thomas W. Young’s vivid descriptions and detailed explanations places the reader right in the middle of the action. Drawing on his own Air National Guard experience in the Middle East, Young brings the sights, sounds and smells to life with authenticity. Narrator Scott Brick gives emotion and depth to the characters and their situation.

While SILENT ENEMY begins four years after THE MULLAH’S STORM, it is a stand alone book. References to the prior book are woven in as memories and add to the flow of the current story.

A bomb blast levels the Afghan National Police training facility in Kabul where Army Sergeant Major Sophia Gold teaches. She has minor injuries, but her students are critically injured and need immediate medical aid. Air Force Major Michael Parson, his crew and his C-5 Galaxy military transport plane are commandeered to help transfer victims. It’s the first time Parson and Gold have met since their ordeal in THE MULLAH’S STORM.

The plant isn’t designed to act as a medical transport, but all goes fairly well. That is until other planes that departed Kabul at the same time begin to blow up. Parson and his crew learn terrorists have somehow placed bombs on the military carriers that are set to explode at a certain point when the plane descends.

Not one to do nothing, Parson has the plane searched and discovers the bomb. Now he and his crew must detonate the bomb before they can land. However, all on board don’t want the plane to land safely. The crew also has to handle risky midair refueling, fly over multiple foreign governments, and encounter dangerous weather conditions, not to mention their own mental and physical exhaustion.

This is a riveting adventure that is non-stop from take-off until the fiery end. From one calamity to the next, you barely have time to catch your breath. The pulse-pounding adrenaline rush will keep you on the edge of your seat.

There may appear to be too many disasters for one flight, but Young makes it plausible. In an airborne situation such as this one disaster can trigger another given the circumstances and it becomes almost a snowball effect.

Make no mistake this is a military thriller. The author deals with problems both military and civilians face in war-torn countries. It is graphic at times as to what war does to people. The story is told back and forth from the viewpoint of Parson and his military training to Gold and her dedication to helping the civilians. I also found just a tiny hint of romantic undertone between Parson and Gold while both continued to be dedicated officers.

For an adrenaline-driven read that you won’t be able to put down, read SILENT ENEMY.

Author Thomas W. Young’s website is www.thomaswyoung.com.

Silent Enemy by Thomas W. Young, Read by Scott Brick, Penguin Audio, @2011, ISBN: 9781101523414, Unabridged Digital, Listening Time: 8 hours (Hardcover is also available through G.P. Putnam’s Sons.)

FTC Full Disclosure - I requested this digital audio and it was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.