A Soupcon of Poison is a delightful prequel to the Kat Holloway Mysteries, serving as a wonderful introduction to the series or for those who’ve read A Soupcon of Poison is a delightful prequel to the Kat Holloway Mysteries, serving as a wonderful introduction to the series or for those who’ve read the series, a fun look back on Kat’s start as an amateur sleuth.
Kat Holloway is an impressive cook, working for a vile man who overworks her because she turned down his advances. When her employer is murderer, Kat is the top suspect until the jack-of-all-trades delivery man, Daniel McAdam rescues her. Together they try to solve the murder.
I adored this short tale shared from Kat’s POV. I appreciate that it doesn’t try to embellish Kat’s past but rather sheds light on an often referred to incident from the series. Kat is clever and driven, and I love getting inside her head as she works out what happened.
Narration: Kat’s story is shared via her first person POV. The narrator provides a strong, working class female British accent, very suiting to Kat’s role. The narrator changes up her performance for dialogue, adjusting for social class, gender, and age. She is most successful with the other females and the working class characters. Her males are slightly deeper, and generally, each character is unique. While overall I enjoy her performance tremendously, I’m not wow’d by her portrayal of Daniel, which has a whispery quality, making it difficult to follow and a bit too soft at times.
I highly recommend A Soupcon of Poison and the Kat Holloway Mysteries to any fan of historical and/or amateur sleuthing tales.
Five years ago, Jana thought Anil was her forever after they fell hard in a span of two weeks. However, when she found out that he was married, she waFive years ago, Jana thought Anil was her forever after they fell hard in a span of two weeks. However, when she found out that he was married, she walked away, only to discover she was pregnant. For five years, the pair have successfully co-parented their daughter, but Jana never got past the hurt and anger. Traveling together on an African safari for friends’ wedding, Anil presses Jana to make some changes in their relationship. Adding to her stress is the fact that her potential future boss is on the trip and thinks Jana and Anil were once married.
Jana Goes Wild is an emotional second-chance romance. Jana is content with the current arrangements because digging any deeper with Anil brings up not only the pain, but the feelings of contentment and longing. Anil would like the pair to do more than coldly communicate via texts and their co-parenting app, for the sake of their daughter. But also, he is tired of walking on eggshells around Jana, wondering if she’ll be warm or icy to him.
At first, I appreciated that Anil wants to be friends and pushes Jana. I also like that Jana recognizes she would like to be a little more outgoing and social. She creates a reasonable to do list, and participating in those activities actually brings her joy. She wants to work on herself without drastically changing who she is. I also loved the detailed descriptions of the food and scenery.
While I was rooting for the couple and enjoyed seeing them grow close again, I felt like Jana and Anil rehash their issues repeatedly, and there is bit too much drama as the story goes on. I accept that in the romance genre, there is always something that breaks up the couple before they get to their HEA. However, I was disappointed that the author chose to use something painful from the couple’s past to do this. Since we only have Jana’s POV throughout the story, we don’t know the reasons for Anil’s actions in the past or as the trip progresses, and I think if I had his POV, I may have been more sympathetic. I also struggled with Jana’s mom who lies to everyone about her daughter’s past relationship with Anil.
Narration: The story is shared via Jana’s third person POV. Soneela Nankani, a classically-trained actress of Indian and Ghanaian descent, performs each character fabulously. I fell in love with her work listening to the Rajas series by Sonali Dev. Nankani covers a multitude of dialects and accents. She successfully portrays a wide range of ages. Each character is unique and distinguishable from the others. She pulls off male voices that sound masculine. And she infuses emotion into each character, bringing them to life and making the story come alive.
Jana Goes Wild is a solid romance that takes the listener on an emotional journey to an HEA.
Big Witch Energy continues the story of magic and three new witches on Starfall Point, a small island off the coast of Michigan’s lower peninsula. AltBig Witch Energy continues the story of magic and three new witches on Starfall Point, a small island off the coast of Michigan’s lower peninsula. Although the book continues the series-arching plot surrounding Shadow House, the story focuses on long-time island resident, Caroline, one of the three new witches. Caroline’s family is cursed and cannot leave the island for more than a day or they die, so instead of heading to college, Caroline said goodbye to her high school love, Ben, and stayed to work at the family’s bar. Nearly 20 years later, Ben returns to the island, moving his kids and himself back into his childhood home.
Ben and Caroline’s romance is sweet; neither quite getting over their romance despite the time and separation. However, there is some baggage from when they were younger, and the couple needs to work through it. Ben’s kids love Caroline and embrace the magic and quirkiness of Shadow House. It’s all pretty easy and fun. And while both kids come across a bit too mature for their age, it’s a bit off-putting when Josh, the younger of the two, gives his dad spot-on relationship advice.
I enjoy the expanding mythology of magic surrounding Shadow House, although there are still way more questions than answers. I like how the magic is bringing this found family closer together. It is good that Ben finds out about the ghosts and magic early on, especially since his kids seem to possess some abilities. I like that Edison (first book) now has a “mundane bro” to chat with about the magic.
Narration: The story is shared via the alternating third person POVs of Caroline and Ben. Hamilton voices Ben’s POVs. His voice is pleasantly deep and fitting for the large doctor. He adjusts for gender with some success, as his voice is pretty deep. His accented voices are very successful. Ronconi brings her usual, upbeat enthusiasm to the role of Caroline. She also adjusts appropriately for gender, accent, and age. Both narrators don’t make a huge distinction between characters of the same gender, and at times during dialogue I could get confused as to who was speaking.
I found myself engaged in the story and romance of Big Witch Energy and enjoy the quaint island setting. The story is not over, and with how this one ends, I worry for Alice, the group’s third and final member.
Just over year ago, Lucy came home early to find her fiancé in bed with another woman a few weeks before their wedding. Fast forward a year and she usJust over year ago, Lucy came home early to find her fiancé in bed with another woman a few weeks before their wedding. Fast forward a year and she uses a hookup app, to hook up, and although it was a great night, she ghosts the guy. Now, a few weeks later and with the Christmas holidays approaching, a blizzard cancels Lucy’s flight home, but she’s able to find a ride on a ride share app. And of course, it’s her Thanksgiving hookup, Eric.
How to Lose a Guy Before Christmas is an enjoyable holiday romance about two people with some heavy emotional baggage finding love. On their way to the Twin Cities, the rental crashes and the pair are forced to spend time in the small town of Tinsel. The residents are a laugh, and when Eric and Lucy get stranded together, they are forced to spend time getting to know one another, something Eric wanted from the start. He finds her mesmerizingly beautiful and funny. They discover common interests and feel safe to explore their more-than-mutual-attraction bubbling between them. It’s super sweet as they realize there could be more. Yes, there is a hiccup or two along the way, but the story is primarily drama free and a lot of fun.
Narration: The story is shared via the alternating third person POVs of Lucy and Eric. I’ve enjoyed both Arndt and Clarke in previous books, and they continue to deliver in this novella. Arndt gets the slight Minnesota accent perfectly, with just a hint but not overly played up. Arndt alters dialogue to fit each character's gender and age. Her males are slightly deeper. Clarke has a gravely, deep voice, giving Eric a sexy vibe. His female voices are softer and distinguishable. The pair work well together.
How to Lose a Guy Before Christmas is a perfect afternoon filler during the holiday season.
Picking up about three months after the conclusion of the previous title, Ghosts in the Abbey finds Samantha living in the country with new friend MadPicking up about three months after the conclusion of the previous title, Ghosts in the Abbey finds Samantha living in the country with new friend Madge and her husband. There have been guests all summer, but with the famous Winter Ball coming, the house is filling with all sorts, including a few men who want to court Samantha for her money and several more people interested in gossip over her whereabouts during the summer which concluded with the scandalous death of her childhood friend. The one person Samantha hasn’t heard from is Wyatt, who has been keeping his distance in hopes of protecting her reputation.
Ghosts in the Abbey is an exciting adventure, with a mystery that kept me guessing until nearly the end. There are two parallel problems at hand. First, Lord Rupert, a self-made industrialist with dreams of integrating with the upper crust of London, tasks Wyatt to discreetly discover what happened to his investors’ gold that went missing from its shipping crate. Second, Samantha finds a dead body on Madge’s property and works with Wyatt to figure out who did it. Both mysteries are engaging and well-written. Clues are inserted throughout the narrative, and you never know which lead to the instigator. I enjoyed following along as the pair tries to solve the crimes. Alternating POVs gives the reader a broader interpretation of the clues and allows for a in-depth thought process while following along.
Now that the reader has gotten to know both Samantha and Wyatt, the author takes time to delve deeper into what makes each tick. Samatha is dealing with nightmares and questions her own intuition after Charles’s betrayal and murder. She has trouble trusting Wyatt, especially after he’s stayed away all fall. I loved seeing Samantha deal with her fears and gain back her fortitude. I adore the friendships she’s build with Madge and Lord Aston (Bingo). And for all my romance fans… Wyatt realizes he’s fallen for Samantha and doesn’t know what to do. I adore how Madge always gives it to him straight.
Narration: The story is shared via the alternating third person POVs of Samantha and Wyatt. Lee uses what I would call a proper English accent for the narrator, using the same feminine voice for both POVs. She continues with that voice for Samantha, but alters all other dialogue based on gender and age. Each main character and significant supporting characters are unique and identifiable. I am not an expert on accents, but to my ears, the narrator does a good job altering the voices to suit the social class of each character. Lee also does wonderful job of infusing emotion into to her performance.
Ghosts in the Abbey is a delightful, standalone mystery balance with a personal connection to the MCs; however the series-arching plot regarding Charles’s murder remains open. And with how this one ended, I am eager for the next title to be released.
Ratings: Story: A- Narration: A-
Review copy provided by publisher Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About...more
Listening to Buzz Kill for 2023 Read-Along. This was my second listen. I think I enjoyed it a little more than I did the first time around. See originListening to Buzz Kill for 2023 Read-Along. This was my second listen. I think I enjoyed it a little more than I did the first time around. See original review for more....more
With the sophomore title of Butcher’s Cinder Spires series finally releasing eight years after the first book, I completed a reread of The Aeronaut’s With the sophomore title of Butcher’s Cinder Spires series finally releasing eight years after the first book, I completed a reread of The Aeronaut’s Windlass via the audiobook. Much of this review is taken from my original review written in 2015.
The Aeronaut’s Windlass follows a group of inexperienced, youthful soldiers who fate pairs with an honorable yet disgraced veteran, as they battle a powerful enemy on multiple fronts. Fighting along side this group is a pair of etherealists, individuals who are sensitive to the ether waves, giving each unique talents, but at the cost of eventual insanity. Additionally this world is home to clans of cats, who have the ability to communicate and are intelligent, yet mostly apathetic to the plight of humans. The protagonists live on Spire Albion, a closed off world built on a tower miles above the original planet surface. Their enemy, Spire Aurora, is aggressive and is planning a war using never-seen-before weapons.
The story is shared via numerous key characters, each sharing a portion of the story from his or her point of view. The first time I read the story, I struggled to keep up with the characters and their personalities. This time around, I had no trouble following along from the start, partly because of the wonderful narration. The author shows more than tells, tossing the listener into the deep end. This allows the characters to slowly reveal who each is and what makes them special. The primary characters are all unique and highly interesting. Each grew over the course of the book. I love how they are an ideal blend of personalities that together make a pretty impressive and nearly unstoppable force.
Butcher’s world is completely new and original, and building it up takes time to do correctly. The author feeds the reader bits and chunks at a time, leaving it up to the reader to put it together. This leads to a rich, exciting setting with enough intricacies to help paint a detailed picture. Yet so much is left open and unanswered, allowing the opportunity for future growth and development over the course of multiple books.
Narration: Morton utilizes a British-accented masculine voice for all third person POV narrators. He successful alters each character’s dialogue for gender, age, social class, and geographic region, creating an entire catalogue of unique voices. While some differences are subtle, each character is identifiable. I was blown away by the richness of his voice no matter what character he portrays. Morton also infuses the performance with the appropriate amount of emotion. My favorite is the aloof nature of Rowl, a dominant cat that watches over one of the characters.
Overall, The Aeronaut’s Windlass is an enjoyable story and interesting new fantasy. The story itself is complex, with a lot of strategy in play. The story captivated me much more on this second read and I look forward to the release of The Olympian Affair in November 2023.
Forced to live with her controlling uncle after her parents died, Samantha has done her best not to upset Sir Arthur leListening to Audiobook edition.
Forced to live with her controlling uncle after her parents died, Samantha has done her best not to upset Sir Arthur lest she deal with his wrath. When her aunt and uncle are murdered and Samantha found on the scene, she must flee and find a way to get back to her family to let them know what happened. Luckily, V.T. Wyatt comes to her aid when he realizes the murders may be connected to some robberies he’s investigating.
Masquerade in London is a delightful historical mystery, filled with exciting twists and thrilling action. New-to-me author Emily L. Finch creates two wonderful main characters in Samantha and Wyatt, bringing them to life and creating a lovely friendship that I hope deepens as the series continues. Through dialogue and action, both characters show their true mettle as they deal with the stress of murder and kidnapping.
The mystery of who killed her family and how they may or may not be tied to the robberies is well-developed. The threads are well woven and the story spooled out at just the right speed. I loved watching Samantha and Wyatt run through different scenarios while developing mutual trust and respect. While the beginning of the book is a little slow, once the murders occur, the tempo is great. While there is no hint of romance, I feel like that underlying current has started to flow.
Narration: The story is shared via the alternating third person POVs of Samantha and Wyatt. Lee uses what I would call a proper English accent for the narrator, using the same feminine voice for both POVs. She continues with that voice for Samantha, but alters all other dialogue based on gender and age. Each main character and significant supporting characters are unique and identifiable. I am not an expert on accents, but to my ears, the narrator does a good job altering the voices to suit the social class of the character, including Samantha, who has to alter her own accent to hide among the poor. Lee also does wonderful job of infusing emotion into to her performance.
In the end, I completely enjoyed listening to Masquerade in London and look forward to the next book in the Samantha and Wyatt Mysteries.
Diana is an academic with a focus on a furthering her career and outshining her male nemesis. She wants the collection of snails believed to be hidden Diana is an academic with a focus on a furthering her career and outshining her male nemesis. She wants the collection of snails believed to be hidden in Barcote Hall by the current lord’s decease uncle, Lord Leo Wraxall. When the All Hallows’ Eve ball is cancelled at the last minute, Diana decides to break into the manor under the cover of darkness. Imagine her surprise when it appears that she’s traveled back in time and meets Leo in a secret lab.
With a pinch of ghosts, a wisp of time travel, and a whole lot of passion, Ms. Renwick adds a paranormal element to her already amazing Elemental Steampunk world, creating the perfect read for the Halloween season. Even though there is time travel and a ghost, the story stays grounded in Ms. Renwick’s trademark scientific/steampunk world. I enjoy how both Leo and Diana use observation and their own knowledge to theorize what has transpired, in turn encouraging me to use my own deductive skills to try and guess as to how there will be a happy ending for this couple.
And make no mistake, A Ghost in Amber is a romance, complete with an HEA. Even though I’d read the book previously, I couldn’t recall how the couple gets their HEA, especially as time begins to run out, creating a lot of tension and excitement. I honestly think I enjoyed their story more this second time around, comforted that I know it will work out, but still caught up in the action and drama. Diana and Leo feel an immediate pull and strong physical attraction, but it’s the meeting of their minds that creates the most appeal. Neither ever wanted a spouse nor planned to marry, but suddenly both see the merits of a union. However, with Leo dead in Diana’s time, how can it work out?
Narration: The story is shared via the alternating third person POVs of Diana and Leo. Matthews performs the sections from Leo’s POV, while Hunter voices Diana’s POVs. Both narrators use British accents of the upper echelon and are well-suited for their main characters. Hunter’s Diana has a sharp, upbeat voice, sounding smart and to-the-point. Matthews’s voice for Leo is masculine but it has a whispery/soft quality. Both narrators adjust for gender and add just enough emotion to their performance to bring the characters to life.
Overall, I really enjoyed A Ghost in Amber, and I recommend the book to romance readers for the Halloween season. Leo and Diana are meant to be and so perfect for one another, and I enjoyed watching them get the chance to find love.
My Ratings: Story: B+ Narration: B
Review copy provided by the author Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking about...more
At twenty-eight, Cassie is going on her first date since 10th grade. Her love life is non-existent and something alNOTE: I read the AUDIOBOOK edition.
At twenty-eight, Cassie is going on her first date since 10th grade. Her love life is non-existent and something always goes spectacularly wrong. She thinks that if she has sex just once, she’ll get over the awkwardness and her nervousness that leads to sneezing, and her good friend Gareth seems like a great choice to help her.
Kilt to Order is a wonderful friends-to-lovers romance that left me smiling for days. Casey lives in a rental home with her older brother and two of his good friends, one of which is Gareth. Casey and Gareth are true friends: they joke around and confide in one another. I love that Cassie isn’t “Gareth’s best friend’s baby sister” but rather she is Casey, Gareth’s friend. And this friendship is what allows Casey to open up to Gareth about her dismal love life. I love the scene when she approaches him about sex. Casey decides to back out, but out of concern for her, he insists she tell him what’s going on. He snuggles her and it’s sweet but also sexy.
Gareth is so kind and caring. While most of the world views him as eye candy, Casey knows him. The pair click as friends and burn things up as a couple. He takes it slow because he wants Casey’s first time to be perfect, but he admits to himself it’s because he doesn’t want their time together to end. Both Casey and Gareth mature and grow, overcoming intimacy fears through communication and love.
Narration: The story is shared via alternating first person present-tense narrative, with Callie Dalton performing Casey’s POV and Lee Samuels performing Gareth’s POV. Both narrators are really well-suited for their main character roles. They bring out the MC’s personalities, making both feel real. Dalton’s voice is upbeat and bubbly, which fits Casey’s optimism and sunshine. Samuels uses a deepish voice that is perfect for Gareth who is in his late twenties; it’s youthful without sounding young. Both narrators alter dialogue based on gender and age, creating unique voices for all supporting characters. Sometimes it was hard to distinguish the difference between Casey’s dialogue and inner monologue. I also felt that Samuels’s performance was noticeably slower than Dalton’s.
Overall, I really liked Kilt to Order. I had a moment of fear when there was over an hour left, and they seemed like they were at an HEA. I love that the author tosses in a road block that forces Gareth to confront some dark emotions, but that she doesn’t take it so far to have it drag on. I love that this couple is cute and sexy and meant to be. I plan to pick up more of Nix’s titles soon.
My Ratings: Story: A Narration: A-
Review copy provided by tour company Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About...more
Crystals, Belladonna, and Murder shares the story of Ellie, divorce mother of an adult child with mental and medical issues. Ellie left corporate AmerCrystals, Belladonna, and Murder shares the story of Ellie, divorce mother of an adult child with mental and medical issues. Ellie left corporate America and the big city to start a simpler life filled with purpose, so she and her daughter opened a cat rescue in small town Texas. However after five years of quiet, life gets complicated when an elderly local is arrested for killing her husband, and Ellie is tasked with taking care of her aging cat, Belladonna, and the magical tray which allows Belladonna to speak to Evie and Ellie.
I love a good cozy mystery and was excited to give this new-to-me author a try. While Crystals, Belladonna, and Murder had a decent mystery, I felt the overall execution of the story falls flat. The magical item that allows communication with Belladonna is too convenient, and the characters are mostly two-dimensional.
The silver and crystal tray with a hidden compartment is an odd magical item, and there is no explanation of its origins or how Fiona came to possess it. When Belladonna stands on it, she can speak human words, with a large vocabulary and keen understanding of the English language. It’s possible that Fiona taught her 20-year-old cat a thing or two; however it’s implied it works with other cats, too. I find it a bit of a stretch that even though the cats aren’t magical, they have the ability for complex reasoning and language.
Much of the front end of the book is spent learning about Ellie and her daughter, Evie. Unfortunately, I found the pair boring. Evie’s disabilities coupled with Ellie’s reactions felt over the top at times. While it may be an accurate picture of a family with an adult child with disabilities, the time spent on the characters without discussion of the murder detracted from the mystery. Both individuals are fairly simple without a lot of character development. However, Ellie’s worries over a windfall of cash and the reasons she moved to the town and opened up the shelter are genuine and the only time I felt her character was more.
Narration: The story is shared in the first person, past tense of Ellie. The narrator has a softer, slow voice that suits the weary Ellie. The speed of the narrator gives the dialogue a very purposeful sense, even when it’s just banter. Kelly alters each voice based on gender and age, although some characters sound similar. Males are deeper, but also slower, which often comes across as someone with speech issues. The narrator significantly alters her voice for Evie, but she comes across as a preteen rather than a mid-20-something.
In the end, there are a lot of clues tossed around, but they don’t necessarily tie together in an effective manner. Crystals, Belladonna, and Murder held promise, but ultimately disappointed.
Note: This review has spoilers from SHATTERED by Kevin Hearne.
A Prelude to War is a short novella that taListening to A Prelude to War by Kevin Hearne
Note: This review has spoilers from SHATTERED by Kevin Hearne.
A Prelude to War is a short novella that takes place after the dramatic events detailed in Shattered. While one could listen to the story as a standalone, I don’t recommend it.
At the end of Shattered, Atticus discovers that an enemy killed an old friend to get Atticus’s attention. Unsure of what to do next, Atticus seeks guidance from a seer he’s known for centuries, only to discover he’s stepped into his enemy’s trap. Meanwhile, Granuaile, frustrated with her defeat by Loki, seeks for a way to remove his mark and gain vengeance.
Having previously read Staked, the book that follows Shattered in the series, I know that A Prelude to War isn’t required reading to follow the storylines; however, it does provide details to how the main characters get to where they are at the beginning of that book.
I didn’t really care for Atticus’s story; I didn’t really see the point, other than it’s yet another case where he’s been betrayed and needs to figure his way of his own mess. On the other hand, I loved Granuaile’s story! We get the chance to see how much she’s grown over the years and witness her true mettle. I loved watching her deal the emotional and mental scars left by Loki.
Narration: As always, Luke Daniels does an amazing job. He alters his dialogue based on gender, age, and species, giving each character a completely unique voice.
In the end, A Prelude to War fills in the gaps between two main books and provides insight into Atticus’s and Granuaile’s thoughts as they deal with setbacks.
Although listed as book 3.5 in the Black Hat Bureau series, Black Soul, White Heart is actually a prequel to the series, sharing how Rue’s parents meeAlthough listed as book 3.5 in the Black Hat Bureau series, Black Soul, White Heart is actually a prequel to the series, sharing how Rue’s parents meet and fall in love. Many years prior to the start of the series (I don’t think a date is given, but it’s prior to electricity and cars), Vonda Winterbourne lives with her family of white witches, trying to blend in with the locals. Hiram Nádasdy, a young scout for his family of black witches, notices Vonda and is completely fascinated. He knows he should leave if he wants to save her from his evil father, but he finds Vonda impossible to resist.
Black Soul, White Heart is an interesting short story for fans of the series. While it can be read as a standalone, the short nature of the book gives little room for world building and character development. For those like me who’ve read a number of Black Hat Bureau books and understand the world, the lack of details doesn’t diminish the tale. It’s sweet and fun, but nothing of major substance.
Narration: The story is shared via the first person POV of Vonda (Howl) and (not as often) the third person POV of Hiram (Saint). Richardson narrates the entire series, and her work is familiar. I love that she slightly deepens the narrator voice for Hiram’s POV. The narrator alters dialogue, giving characters a unique voice, suited to the age, gender, species, etc.
I highly recommend Black Soul, White Heart for fans of the Black Hat Bureau series. It’s fun to see Rue’s parents in a time when they know only their love for one another. If you are new to the series, I strongly urge you to start with Black Hat, White Witch to gain a knowledge of the world and characters before diving into this one.
My ratings: Story: B Narration: B
Review copy provided by publisher Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About...more
Picking up shortly after the explosive conclusion of the previous book, Gray Court finds Rue, Asa, Clay, and Colby enjoying a little downtime before RPicking up shortly after the explosive conclusion of the previous book, Gray Court finds Rue, Asa, Clay, and Colby enjoying a little downtime before Rue has to report back to the Black Hat Agency. Rue is fearful she’s turning dark and that it could taint Colby’s pure white magic since she’s been tapping into the grimoire’s magic. Unfortunately, her fears come true when Colby inadvertently gets a boost of power from the grimoire (newly named the Hunk) and hurts a demon child. In addition, Asa’s mom is missing, presumed kidnapped by Staveros, again.
There is a lot that happens over the course of Gray Court. I love how much changes and how the overall storylines progress by leaps and bounds. Asa’s father, Staveros, has been trying to claim Rue and steal her from Asa. Rue must make some tough decisions that come a great cost. The author ties this plot into Rue’s desire to end the Director’s reign at Black Hat in a surprising and exciting way. The story is nearly non-stop from the opening until the final scene, keeping me engrossed the entire time. The stakes are so high for Rue and Asa, and I seriously cannot wait to find out what will happen next.
Rue continues to evolve both emotionally and in her powers. She’s struggling with the loss of her human found family, as she needs to stay away to keep them safe. She worries for Aiden, who was in fascination with one of Rue’s human friends. She works to balance her mission to end the Director with the dark power she may need to accomplish her goals. The fact that she worries so much about her soul and the impact to Colby shows us how much she’s changed.
Narration: The story is shared via first person POV of Rue. Ms. Richardson uses a strong, confident feminine voice for Rue/the narrator, which suits the character and storytelling. The narrator alters dialogue, giving characters a unique voice, suited to the age, gender, species, etc. Some voices are immediately identifiable, like that for Clay, whose voice is deeper, slower, and large, just like him. I also enjoy Colby, whose young voice sounds a bit cartoonish, which is perfect for the mythological friend. The narrator successfully portrays emotions and has created unique identities for the main characters.
In the end, I really enjoyed Gray Court, and I look forward to seeing the outcome of Rue’s machinations in future titles.
My Ratings: Story: B+ Narration: B+
Review copy provided by publisher Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About...more
Dani and Luke first met two years prior to the story when Luke was in town filming a Hallmark movie and she was his I listed to the Audiobook edition.
Dani and Luke first met two years prior to the story when Luke was in town filming a Hallmark movie and she was his driver. Now, he’s back in Wallingford as a producing director on the hit show Lawson’s Reach. He requests Dani as his driver, and then finds out he only has her for two weeks. Unable to drive himself due to post-accident anxiety, he convinces Dani to teach him to drive.
Dani is tired of doctors telling her she can’t get her tubes tied because she’s under thirty and not married. After a half dozen rejections, she is about to call it quits until Lukas Keith needs a favor. On a whim, she suggests he pretend to be her fiancé for her doctor’s appointment in exchange for driving lessons.
Set in the recent past of the late 1990s, I Want It That Way features a delightful fake relationship/forced proximity romance. Dani feels that she’s losing her closest friends to marriage and babies; she’s also tired of everyone in her family wanting something from her. Luke provides a refreshing distraction once she understands where he’s coming from. He’s easy to talk to, not to mention kind and sexy. He understands Dani and doesn’t judge.
I Want It That Way is super cute. Luke had his heart broken when he was young and subsequently spent his whole life pretending. Dani doesn’t let others in because she thinks people just want something from her. Their relationship grows as they spend time together.
Deciding to take a chance and help out Dani, Lukas insists they marry so she can get her surgery. Things get interesting when they need to move in together, and desire takes hold. Yes, it’s a silly premise, but it allows both to open up and let the other in. I love how being together all the time allows each to share more and more of themself. Both characters genuinely like the other and fantasize having a real relationship, yet both are frightened to take the risk to share their feelings, thinking that’s not what the other would want.
Narration: The story is shared in the alternating first person POVs of Dani and Luke. McFadden performs Dani’s POVs and dialogue with a no-nonsense sounding voice, perfect for Dani who knows what she wants and goes after it. McFadden uses a slight southern accent, fitting for the native North Carolinian. Similarly, Haynesbridge’s Luke is a solid, firm voice that is mid-range masculine, yet he allows for hesitation with a softer voice when nervous or fearful. Both narrators utilize a partially-voiced reading style, with slight alterations to dialogue based on gender and age and without a lot of differences between characters of the same gender. The narrators are well matched in vocal tone and speed.
Overall, I enjoyed listening to I Want It That Way. I loved watching the characters take a chance and learn to love.
Ratings: Story: B+ Narration: B+
Review copy provided by the author Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About...more
Rogue Family opens right immediately following the conclusion of previous book. Seliah is upset that Jadren left her while her brother Gabriel lets hiRogue Family opens right immediately following the conclusion of previous book. Seliah is upset that Jadren left her while her brother Gabriel lets him go. Determined to reunite with Jadren, she confronts her brother and finds an ally in Nic.
I loved being tossed right back into the thick of things, Seliah's outrage capturing my interest immediately. Nic realizes Seliah needs to learn more about being a familiar and gives her a crash course. I enjoyed seeing the growing relationship between the sisters-in-law, along with Nic’s sister Elise. They are forming strong bonds and developing trust.
While I really like this series, and I enjoy the mythology and characters, I found myself frustrated with a couple of things as I reached the midpoint of the book. I recognize that Gabriel and Nic face an uphill battle as they oppose the convocation. I understand Jadren is damaged and doesn’t feel worthy of Seliah. However, the constant rehashing of issues without hope or a solution was repetitive and annoying. It felt like nothing happened for the first half of the story, with the exception of spending time with Gabriel and Nic’s romance, and it’s not even their book! That said, the story picks up in the second half, and I enjoyed the story more. Jarden faces his inner monster and finds Seliah by his side. The pair explore their bond and give into their mutual attraction. When they decide to fight together, they become the couple I’d hoped for. Jarden backslides some, but it doesn’t go on and on. I LOVE Seliah and how she stands up for what she wants and fights for those she loves. She’s a wonderful character.
The author has done an amazing job developing her world while allowing the characters the ability to shape magic as they explore and learn new things. It’s exciting because Gabriel brings something wholly new to the table, Jarden has unheard of abilities to regenerate, and both Nic and Seliah are powerful familiars. However, this time around, I felt that the “flexibility” of the magic goes outside the set parameters when Seliah seems to be able to use her magic to find her way, and Jarden uses his “wizard’s intuition” to unexplainably select and use a gadget to save Selly. It felt contrived and a bit Deus Ex Machina.
Narration: The story is primarily shared via the alternating third person POVs of Jarden and Seliah. There are some chapters also shared from Gabriel and Nic’s POVs. Using a British accent, Ms. Balm narrates the entire story with a deepish and slightly raspy voice. Overall, her performance is soothing and easy to listen to. Giving a partially-voiced reading, she adjusts the dialogue for most characters, albeit just enough to know different characters are speaking. She tends to be a little higher pitched for females, and softer and lower for males. She adjusts appropriately for mood and emotion.
Rogue Familiar is a transitional story. Overall, I enjoyed the journey and where the book ends. I felt the first of the book was slow and repetitive, but the second half was more enjoyable.
My Ratings: Story: B- Narration: A-
Review copy provided by author Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About...more
City of Ruin continues the epic and complex tale of powerful witch Raina Bloodgood and the Witch Collector, Alexus Thibault as they try to stop the naCity of Ruin continues the epic and complex tale of powerful witch Raina Bloodgood and the Witch Collector, Alexus Thibault as they try to stop the nameless Prince of the East from resurrecting an evil god bent on world domination. Picking up immediately after the conclusion of the first book, their journey continues across the northern lands with the final destination the summer lands where they hope they can stop with Prince with the Summer Queen’s aide.
The story unfolds at a slow pace as several new characters are introduced, and while it continues to be primarily Raina and Alexus’s story, many new POVs are shared. At first I didn’t like having so many POVs; however, as the story progresses, I like how it provides insight on a much larger scale, getting multiple sides. Similarly, the slow journey gives the characters time to interact and bond, stories are shared, histories are learned, giving the reader great knowledge about the world, its history, and the characters.
With that, I became frustrated several times throughout the book. While I do love a good romance, there are several scenes and moments dedicated to sexy times between Raina and Alexus, and I got tired of it - I just wanted the story to move forward. And while I liked the overall path of the tale, at times it drags on. Scenes are drawn out with extra and unnecessary blockades put in the way. My biggest frustration comes near the end of the book when something that is supposed to be a big twist just annoyed me. The book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, but it’s unfinished and frankly, I don’t know if I want to spend more time with the characters as the book left them. I may have enjoyed the entire thing more if the book wasn’t drawn out and what comes next was included in City of Ruin.
Narration: The story is shared via the first person, present tense POVs of multiple characters, but primarily Raina and Alexus. Sylvan narrates all female POVs and Campbell performs all male POVs, and both do a terrific job with their respective parts. Both successfully alter their dialogue based on gender and age, with some additional tweaks for the supernatural. Sylvan’s portrayal of Raina is a touch on the younger side, age-appropriate and well-suited. She successfully adds emotion like frustration, anger, and joy. Campbell’s voice is deep but not overly so, and with his accent and annunciation, he sounds refined. This is a great match for the older Alexus. Both do well with the other gender’s voices. Additionally, I love how the narrators portray Raina’s sign language, slowing down each word, annunciating each syllable. Overall, I was impressed with both narrators and their pairing.
While I enjoy the characters and the overall plot of the Witch Walker series, I’m not sure if I’ll continue. I wanted to love City of Ruin as much as I did its predecessor; however, the drawn-out nature of the book and how it ended left me disappointed. Additionally, I’ve read the blurbs for the third (out) and fourth (2024) books, and I can see myself becoming increasingly frustrated by the direction in which the author takes the story.
My Ratings: Story: C+ Narration: A-
Review copy provided by Tantor Audio originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About...more
Set in a fantasy world divided by kingdoms and run by magic wielders, The Witch Collector follows twenty-four year old Raina Bloodgood, a mute villageSet in a fantasy world divided by kingdoms and run by magic wielders, The Witch Collector follows twenty-four year old Raina Bloodgood, a mute village girl who hides her magical talents. She hates the Frost King and his Witch Collector who comes once a year to conscript the best and brightest for the King’s protection. Her older sister, Nephele, was taken eight years ago, and Raina hasn’t heard from her since.
Determined to kidnap the Witch Collector and find a way to save her sister, Raina’s plans are shoved aside when a band of Eastlanders destroy her village, killing all but Raina and Alexus Thibault, the Witch Collector. Soon Raina learns that the greater world isn’t as she thought and that she may need to work with Alexus to save herself, her sister, and what’s left of their kingdom.
After only a few chapters, I found myself completely engrossed in The Witch Collector. The author sets up the world and magic quickly, while the reader is tossed in. I was able to pick up things quickly, while learning new things throughout the story. The mythology different yet familiar in a good vs evil manner. Raina is on the precipice of her destiny which changes dramatically over the course of days as she uncovers the true villains in her world. I love being along side Raina as she discovers who she is and what she is capable of achieving. She is fierce and determined but flexible. She loves with her whole heart despite losing so much.
The budding romance between Alexus and Raina is beautiful. With a forced proximity trope as they travel alone together, they get to know one another. I appreciate that Raina is open to Alexus despite her years of anger towards the man. It helps that the pair is drawn to one another right from the start, and there are hints that he’s had a thing for her for a while. The author doesn’t force the relationship, but rather lets it evolve over time.
Narration: The story is shared via the first person, present tense POVs of Raina and Alexus (with a minor part late in the book from one other character’s POV). Overall, both Sylvan and Campbell do a terrific job with their respective parts. Both successfully alter their dialogue based on gender and age, with some additional tweaks for the supernatural. Sylvan’s portrayal of Raina is a touch on the younger side, age-appropriate and well-suited. She successfully adds emotion like frustration, anger, and joy. Campbell’s voice is deep but not overly so, and with his accent and annunciation, he sounds refined. This is a great match for the older Alexus. Both do well with the other gender’s voices. Additionally, I love how the narrators portray Raina’s sign language, slowing down each word, annunciating each syllable. Overall, I was impressed with both narrators and their pairing.
The Witch Collector is but the beginning of the journey for Raina and Alexus. Although this audiobook was recently released, I am ecstatic that Weaks has already published two additional books in print. The Witch Collector has a very satisfying ending; a great place to pause until the next phase of their adventure begins. And I’m desperate to continue… to find out what happens to the group next.
My Ratings: Story: A- Narration: A-
Review copy provided by Tantor Audio Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About...more
Posing as a U.S. Customs Agent, but working for the secretive IBIS - Improbable Biologics Investigations Service, cryptobiologist Ryan Nolan must retuPosing as a U.S. Customs Agent, but working for the secretive IBIS - Improbable Biologics Investigations Service, cryptobiologist Ryan Nolan must return home to New Haven, CT, for his current assignment taking down a smuggler with ties to illegal trade. There he crosses the path of a former love, and the one that got away, Charlotte Reid.
Working for the prestigious Peabody Museum in New Haven, Charlotte spends a lot of research time at home so that no man can take credit for her find that some dinosaurs may have had feathers. When she recognizes Ryan investigating her strange neighbors’ home, she tells him she wants to help with his investigation.
A Whisper of Bone is an exciting scientific adventure framed by a lovely second-chance romance. Five years ago, Ryan and Charlotte began a passionate love affair on the western planes among the dinosaur bones. However, when he was called away to investigate a potential cryptid sighting, Charlotte sustained a serious injury, causing her to leave immediately. Coming together again is easy and joyous. The pair has no issues between them; they realize it wasn’t anyone’s fault that tore them apart the first time, just circumstance. So they have no issues picking up where they left off. I love that each has found success in their field, allowing them to be in a place where they can finally think about a permanent future together. Their conversations and debates are intelligent and interesting. They clearly are still in love and wholly enjoy working together.
While the love story is wonderful, I completely enjoyed the investigation that brings Ryan back home. With tones of Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park and his more recent Dragon Teeth, the story brings together modern genetics, paleontology, and well-developed steampunk technology. I found myself fully engaged in the search for ancient cryptids. I loved the effort spent on scientific details, making the story plausible and exciting. Also adding to the mix is a sorted family history which Ryan must confront in order to move ahead.
Narration: The story is primarily shared via the alternating third person POVs of Ryan and Charlotte, with a few from antagonist Maria. Stone performs the sections from Ryan’s POV, while Edwards voices both Charlotte and Maria’s POVs, using two different voices. Both narrators are well-suited for their main characters. Stone is masculine without being too deep. Edwards speaks with a Spanish accent when performing Maria and a well-dictated American accent for Charlotte - each sounding like completely different people. Additionally, both narrators successfully add in accents where appropriate. I really enjoyed Stone’s slight Irish lilt for Rose. Both narrators add just enough emotion to their performance to bring the characters to life.
Overall, I really enjoyed A Whisper of Bone. The story is exciting and romantic, set in a fascinating alternate America.
17-year old Kaitlyn is unsure of who she is and what’s going on when she wakes in her hospital room. She can’t recall much of her life-only snippets o17-year old Kaitlyn is unsure of who she is and what’s going on when she wakes in her hospital room. She can’t recall much of her life-only snippets of memories. She soon discovers that when she agreed to donate her body to science in the event of her death, it didn’t mean she’d die. Kaitlyn has been transformed into the world’s first cyborg. However, something didn’t go as planned because she still has parts of her own mind and she experiences feelings, including some for Lucas, the cute researcher who treats Kaitlyn like she’s not just a robot.
I picked up Freak of Nature for my Romance Reading Challenge, to satisfy YA romance. It’s not a bad story, but there are parts I didn’t enjoy. First what I liked: I found the concept intriguing - can you imagine agreeing to donate your body, only to wake up as a cyborg? The author successfully portrays the confusion and fear of the situation, which is compounded by the lack of memories. I like that Kaitlyn understands she needs to protect herself but doesn’t know what to do. She’s smart, but has a lot to learn. I also enjoyed Kaitlyn’s secret friendship with one of the head researcher’s young granddaughter.
On the negative side, there is a huge power imbalance between Lucas and Kaitlyn. He knows all about her past and has fallen for her good looks and the girl she once was. He’s conflicted over what he’s done to Kaitlyn, yet even when he knows she’s not just a mindless robot, he continues to do his job. He controls her to a point and yet he loves her… it’s not right. In response, Kaitlyn is briefly angry, but then immediately understanding. It felt a bit like Stockholm syndrome. That said, Lucas does come around and the pair figure out a healthy balance, and I enjoyed their connection after that.
Narration: The story is shared via the third person POVs of Kaitlyn and Lucas. Kaminsky has a strong female voice which felt a bit old for a 17-year old girl. That said, she doesn’t inflect a lot of emotion, which works well for the emotionally-muted Kaitlyn. She uses the same narrator with both POVs, altering dialogue based on gender and age. Males are slightly deeper, but not overly so. The performance is enough to indicate different characters are speaking.
Overall, Freak of Nature is a decent story that worked for the reading challenge. After I finished it, I discovered that there are additional books following Kaitlyn as she starts her new life. I may pick them up in the future.
My Ratings: Story: B- Narration: B
This audiobook was included in my audible membership....more
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