Audible Book Review: Jingles All the Way: A Christmas Tail by Barbara Morgenroth

This is a quick, fun story – perfect to bring smiles to kids and dog lovers.

Jingles All the Way: A Christmas Tail
Written by: Barbara Morgenroth
Narrated by: Jane M. Held

Length: 58 mins
Release Date: 07-01-15
Publisher: Barbara Morgenroth
Genre: Kids, Ages 8-10
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Jingles is a dog on the lam. He's met the perfect person and wants to stay with her forever, but his former owners have millions of reasons why that's impossible. After escaping from uncaring owners, Jingles discovers canine paradise with Sassy Collins and her Eat Dog Eat Gourmet Take-Out Dog Dinner Shop. Sassy is easy to love, and Jingles falls hard for her. So does the town police officer, Ethan Monroe. But Jingles is carrying a secret that could destroy their happy family before it even begins.
©2014 Barbara Morgenroth (P)2015 Barbara Morgenroth.

Review:
Jingles is no wimpy dog with sparkly collars. He describes himself as a “dog’s dog”. He has run away from his uncaring owners seeking freedom and a better life. He sees a “Dogs Welcome” sign in a shop and slips in to discover that it is a gourmet dog food diner. Jingles quickly falls in love with the store owner, Sassy, who gives him a jingle collar and dubs him “Jingles”. She also feeds him wonderful meals.

The local police officer, Ethan, is falling for Sassy too and he is kind to Jingles. But when he finds a poster with Jingle’s image he has to call the owners. Jingles isn’t planning on letting anyone take him away from Sassy. He has to find a way to let Ethan know that his owners are up to no good.

This is a quick, fun listen. The story is told from Jingles’ point of view and he is completely adorable! Sassy and Ethan make a sweet couple. (I took a peek at the Kindle version and it includes some cute images!) The book is listed in "Kids" category at Audible but if you are a dog lover and want a quick smile – pick this up and enjoy.

Audio Notes: The narration by Jane M. Held is light if not inspired. She did give personality to Jingles' storytelling, and did great New York accents. Unfortunately the voice didn't really work that well for me and I don't think it added much to the cute story. (Listen to a sample to see how you like it as other reviews did like the narration more than I did.)

I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox. This is my last review for books read in 2015.

MBS 2015 Audiobook Challenge Wrap-Up - Completed Successfully

2015 Audiobook Challenge

hosted by Hot Listens and The Book Nympho

Sign up and rules are found HERE.

The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2015 than you did in 2014. I listened to 63 audios in 2014 so my goal will be:

• Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

****MBS 2015 AUDIOBOOK CHALLENGE UPDATE Through September 30, 2015. I met the Marathoner level but had not yet passed my 2014 total although I have passed 63 as of the date of preparing this posting 10/28. Update 10/31 - all links have been fixed and one duplicate removed.
Final - Goal completed.

JANUARY

1. Audible Book Review: 25 Perfect Days by Mark Tullius; Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 3.75. (This one might be better in text.)
2. Audible Book Review: FREE: The Jester (A Riyria Chronicles Tale) Written by Michael J. Sullivan; Fantasy;  my rating 4.5.
3. Audio Book Review: The Eighth Day by Michael O'Neal; Thriller, Action Adventure, YA; my rating 4.0. 
4. AudioBook Review: Time and Again: Book 1 in the History Mystery Series by Deborah Heal; Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Time Travel; my rating 4.0.
5. Book Review: Immortality by Kevin Bohacz; Sci Fi, Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.
6. Audio Book Review: Enchanted by Alethea Kontis; Fantasy, Highlander; my rating 4.25.
FEBRUARY
7. Audio Book Review: Betrayal in Death: In Death, Book 12 by J. D. Robb Crime Thriller; my rating 4.75.
8. Audio Book Review: Heart of Stone: Irish Angel Series by Jill Marie Landis; Historical Romance, Christian; my rating 4.0.
9. AudioBook Review: Cleansed by Fire: A Father Frank Mystery by James R. Callan; Mystery, Christian; my rating 4.0.
10. Audible Book Review: Contingency: Sage Hannigan Time Warper, Book 1 by Peggy Martinez; Fantasy; my rating 3.75. 
11. Audible Book Review: Dead Reckoning: Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery #11 by Charlaine Harris; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.0.
12. Audible Book Review: The Beast Master by Andre Norton; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 4.0.
MARCH
13. Audible Book Review: Finding Mr. Right by Emily Carmichael ; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.0.
14. Audio Book Review: The Keeper's Calling: The Keeper's Saga, Book 1 by Kelly Nelson; Time Travel, YA Romance; my rating 4.0.
15. Audible Book Review: Legendarium by Kevin G. Summers, Michael Bunker; Fantasy, Humor; my rating 4.0.
16. Audio Book Review: Quitter by Jon Acuff; Nonfiction; my rating 4.0.
APRIL
17. Audible Book Review: The Maze Runner: Maze Runner, Book 1 by James Dashner; Teens, Thriller; my rating 4.0.
18. Audio Book Review: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terril; Teen, Sci Fi Thriller; my rating 4.0.
19. Audible Book Review: Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt; legal Mystery, dogs; my rating 4.5.
20. Audio Book Review: Blood for Ink: The Scarlet Plumiere Series, Book 1 by L. L. Muir; Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.
21. Audible Book Review: Trident's First Gleaming: A Special Operations Group Thriller by Stephen Templin; Military Thriller, my rating 4.0.
22. Audible Book Review: The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen; Fairy Tale Thriller, my rating 3.5.
23. Audible Book Review: StarFire: Vince Lombard, Book 1 by Mike Lee; Sci Fi Contemporary, Military; my rating 4.75.
24. Audible Book Review: Gabriel: Zero Point: The FREE Prequel Novella: Evan Gabriel Trilogy by Steve Umstead; Sci Fi, Military ; my rating 4.25.
MAY
25. Audible Book Review: Mail Order Brides of the West: Trudy by Debra Holland; Historical Romance; my rating 4.75.
26. Audio Book Review: When Death Loved an Angel by Cheree L Alsop; Fantasy, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
27. Audible Book Review: Gabriel's Redemption: Evan Gabriel Trilogy, Book 1 by Steve Umstead; Sci Fi, Military; my rating 4.0.
28. Audible Book Review: Virgin River by Robyn Carr; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.0.
29. Audible Book Review: The Tempting of Thomas Carrick: The Cynster Novels, Book 21 by Stephanie Laurens; Historical Romance; my rating 4.0.
JUNE
30. Audio Book Review and Giveaway: Dawn of Destiny (Epic Book 1) by Lee Stephen;Military Sci FI; my rating 4.75. Rafflecopter Giveaway ends 7/4/2015.
31. Audio Book Review: Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things: The Wedding Planner Mysteries, Book 1, by Rachelle J. Christensen; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.25.
32. Audible Book Review: Eighth Grave After Dark by Darynda Jones ; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.25.
33. Audible Book Review: Extremes: A Retrieval Artist Novel by Kristine Kathryn Rusch; Sci Fi Mystery; my rating 4.75.
34. Audible Book Review: Top Dog: The Story of Marine Hero Lucca by Maria Goodavage; Personal Memoir; my rating 4.5.
    JULY
    
35. Audio Book Review: The Lost Starship by Vaughn Heppner; Sci Fi Adventure; my rating 4.5.
36. Audible Book Review: The Martian by Andy Weir; Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
37. Audible Book Review: Seduction in Death: In Death, Book 13 by J. D. Robb; Crime Thriller; my rating 4.25.
38. Audible Book Review: Sector 64: Ambush by Dean M. Cole; Sci Fi Suspense; my rating 4.0.
39. Audible Book Review: Double Whammy: A Davis Way Crime Caper, Book 1 by Gretchen Archer; Modern Detective; my rating 4.25.
40. Audible Book Review: Double Dip: A Davis Way Crime Caper, Book 2 by Gretchen Archer; Modern Detective; my rating 4.0.
AUGUST
41. Audible Book Review: Double Strike: A Davis Way Crime Caper, Book 3 by Gretchen Archer; Modern Detective; my rating 4.5.
42. Audible Review: Steelheart: Reckoners, Book 1 by Brandon Sanderson; Sci Fi, Fantasy, Action; my rating 4.5.
43. Audible Review: 14 by Peter Clines; Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
44. Audible Review: Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley; Historical Romance; my rating 4.0.
45. Audible Review: The Remaining by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
46. Audible Review: The Witch with No Name: The Hollows, Book 13 by Kim Harrison; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.5.
47. Audible Review: Resurrecting Home: A Novel by A. American; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.0.
48. Audible Review: Waking the Bear: Broken Chains, Book 1 by Kerry Adrienne; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.25.
SEPTEMBER
49. Audible Review: The Empire's Corps by Christopher G. Nuttall; Sci Fi, Futuristic; my rating 4.25.
50. Audible Review: Come Home to Me: Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Book 1 by Peggy L. Henderson; Historical Romance, Time Travel; my rating 4.25.
51. Audible Review: The Remaining: Aftermath by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.
52. Audible Review: The Remaining: Refugees, Book 3 by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.
53. Audible Review: The Remaining: Fractured, Book 4 by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.
54. Audio Review: The Sniper and the Wolf: A Sniper Elite Novel by Scott McEwen, Thomas Koloniar; Military Thriller; my rating 4.0.
55. Audible Review: Deadlocked, Book 12 by Charlaine Harris; Paranormal; my rating 4.0.
56. Audible Review: The Remaining: Allegiance by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.
57. Audible Review: The Remaining: Extinction by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.
OCTOBER
58. Audible Review: Annihilation: Love Conquers All by Saxon Andrew; Sci Fi, my rating 4.25.
59. Audible Review: Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour by Lynne Olson; History, WWII; my rating 5.0.
60. Audible Review: The Clay Lion by Amalie Jahn; Sci Fi, Fantasy, YA; my rating 5.0.
61. Audio Book Review: Clear by Fire: A Search and Destroy Thriller by Joshua Hood; Military Thriller; my rating 4.0.
62. Audible Review: The New World: Prequel to the Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness; Sci Fi, Fantasy, YA; my rating 4.0.
63. Audible Review: Monster Hunter Alpha by Larry Correia; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.75.
NOVEMBER
64. Audio Book Tour Review with Giveaway: Murder on Safari: A Thriller by Peter Riva; Mystery, Thriller; my rating 4.5.
65. Audible Review: Just One Da**ed Thing After Another: The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 1 by Jodi Taylor; Urban Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.25.
66. Audible Review: Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile by J. L. Bourne; Thriller, Sci Fi, zombies; my rating 4.0.
67. Audio Review: Special Talents: Goon Squad, Vol. 1 by Jonathan L. Howard; Sci Fi, fantasy; my rating 4.5.
68. Audible Review: Omega Rising: Omega Force, Book 1 by Joshua Dalzelle; Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
69. Audible Book Review: Silent Night, Holy Night: A Colleen Coble Christmas Collection by Colleen Coble; Romance Novellas; my rating 3.75.
DECEMBER
70. Audible Book Review: Suspect by Robert Crais; Police Procedure; my rating 4.75.
71. Audible Book Review: The Genuine Particle by Stephen Punt; Comedy, Radio Broadcast; my rating 4.24. 
72. Audible Book Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld; Steampunk, Fantasy Adventure; my rating 4.5.
73. Audio Book Review: Goon Squad, Vol. 2: Without Sin by Jonathan L. Howard; Sci Fi, Comic Storytelling; my rating 4.0.
74. Audible Book Review: Jingles All the Way: A Christmas Tail by Barbara Morgenroth; Kids, Dogs; my rating 4.25

Audio Book Review: Goon Squad, Vol. 2: Without Sin by Jonathan L. Howard

This is another fun collection of unusual super-powered cops.

Goon Squad, Vol. 2: Without Sin
The Goon Squad, Book 2
Written by: Jonathan L. Howard
Narrated by: Gabrielle de Cuir, Nicholas Guy Smith

Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins
Series: Goon Squad, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:09-28-15
Publisher: Skyboat Media, Inc.
Genre: Sci Fi, Comic Storytelling
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
An ongoing, episodic "prose comic" from which the pictures are summoned by the magic of words, Goon Squad is set in a version of modern-day Manchester. Its biggest divergence from the real city is that it - along with most other large urban centers - has a team of superheroes to protect it against unusual threats with which the conventional forces of law and order would have problems.
Goon Squad, Volume 2: Without Sin is composed of "A Star in Strange Ways", "Holy Fool", "Dead Man Tells Tale", "A Brief History of the Goon Squad", "Tale of Terror", and "Pomona Island", as well as an introduction read by the author.
©2014 Jonathan L. Howard (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc., and Skyboat Media, Inc.

Review:
This is the second volume of collected stories featuring the Special Talents Goon Squad characters. The action and fun continues. There is additional character development in this collection, which includes pieces sharing some history on problems suffered by Talos, additional information on Red Wolf, the beginnings of the longest member of the current team, Ian, the Revenant, and a brief history of the squad. Ian lapses into a coma while he is regenerating the arm he lost to the Exterminating Angel. He doesn’t want to dream but he does, experiencing a mixture of memory and fantasy that reveals how he gained his talent and drops hints of other mysteries. The final story introduces another villain for the squad to face.

The dry British wit shines throughout in the characters and storytelling. This is fun, comic-like entertainment. If a reader is interested in sampling this series I discovered a summer special that is free at Kindle: GOON SQUAD 2014 Summer Special.

Audio Notes: I liked the introduction by the author. The rest of the narration is shared by Gabrielle de Cuir and Nicholas Guy Smith. They do a good job infusing the nuances of the characters into the story. I enjoy this is audio format and recommend it as quick, fun listening.

I received this audio from Blackstone Audio through Audiobook Jukebox. It is part of my 2015 Audio Challenge.

Audible Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

This is a delightfully entertaining adventure with steampunk elements and fabricated creatures too.
Leviathan
Written by: Scott Westerfeld
Narrated by: Alan Cumming

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
Series: Leviathan, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-06-09
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Genre: Steampunk, Fantasy Adventure
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. The Leviathan is a living airship, the most formidable airbeast in the skies of Europe.
Aleksandar Ferdinand, prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle-torn Stormwalker and a loyal crew of men.
Deryn Sharp is a commoner, a girl disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.
With the Great War brewing, Alek's and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way - taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure. One that will change both their lives forever.
©2009 Scott Westerfeld; (P)2009 Simon & Schuster

Review:
Aleksander is a teen prince who is not fully accepted by his family because his mother was not of the right royal heritage. An assassination has sent him on the run with his formal fencing master, his mechanical tutor and three other dedicated, loyal servants. They left in the dark of night in a giant steam-driven machine (Clanker) known as the Stormwalker. They have to struggle to make it across the border while dodging attacks by the Germans.

Deryn is a young girl from London who knows about flying because her father was a pilot. She disguised herself as a boy to enlist in the British Air Service where she quickly proves her worth, even though she must maintain her secret. She is selected to join the crew of the Leviathan, a living airship fabricated from animals. The Leviathan is a marvelous creature with glow worms for light, hounds to sniff hydrogen leaks, bats to serve as defense and offensive weapons and talking lizards as messengers!

When circumstances bring Alek and Deryn together their mechanical and Darwinist leanings clash. Yet they soon discover that they must work together and pull resources from both specialties if they want to save their respective crews.

This is a wonderful mixture of steampunk technology and fabricated beasties. I can’t say that I liked the Darwinian theories so much, but it created the basis for interesting features – aaa -- make that creatures. I am still curious about the eggs that are being watched over. The alternate history draws from real events that led to WW1 and I found the young prince’s dilemma of inheritance and politics quite interesting.

This is a quick paced story that engaged me in the lives of the characters as well as the action. The writing is clean and straightforward. This would be good story telling for middle graders but it was engaging for me as an adult too. I recommend this to readers who enjoy steampunk and fantasy elements in a strong story with likable characters.

Audio Notes: Alan Cumming does a great job with the narration. He provides appropriately different accents, emphasis and emotion for the characters. I highly recommend this in audio format.

This has been in my Audible Library since August 2012. It is part of my Audio Challenge.

Audible Book Review: The Genuine Particle by Stephen Punt

This is a half-hour of fun radio broadcast mystery.

The Genuine Particle
Written by: Steve Punt

Narrated by: Reece Shearsmith, Geoffrey Whitehead

Length: 27 mins
Radio/TV Program

Release Date:01-26-09

Publisher: BBC Worldwide Limited
Genre: Comedy, Radio Broadcast
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

Time travel, wormholes, a lost security pass and a nice cup of tea. These are the elements that constitute Steve Punt's Theory of Grand Unified Comedy as he presents "Big Bang Day, The Genuine Particle" whirling into existence on BBC Radio 4.

Starring Reece Shearsmith and Geoffrey Whitehead, it's a comedy thriller set underground in the Large Hadron Collider and bears the unique property that every bit of physics in it is true. Theoretically at least.

©2008 Pozzitive; (P)2008 BBC Audiobooks Ltd

Review:
This is a very quick and fun listen. The story is a play of six characters. A British scientist raises concerns while discussing the work of two Russians who conjecture that when the Large Hadron Collider at CERN is turned on it may cause a wormhole that would allow time travel. This could allow a time traveler from the future to visit.

Now a group of the world's major powers, including Britain, America, Russia, and China (with a side visitor from Belgium) have gathered 100 meters underground in the Large Hadron Collider. They are there to try to intercept travelers from the future and gain control of futuristic weapons. The mystery includes an ID card, an electric buggy and the wormhole. I actually listened through this twice over the summer to catch the physics theory (not my best subject) and the twists!

This play was part of the Big Bang Day radio program which consists of five different plays. This episode was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 10 September 2008.

Audio Notes: This was a fun broadcast type narration with a cast of narrators. The audio makes it more fun!

I ordered/downloaded this for free from Audiogo in August of 2011 so it is a TBR. This qualifies for my Audio Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Suspect by Robert Crais

This is a great suspense, police mystery with the bonus of a canine dog!
Suspect
Written by: Robert Crais
Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:01-22-13
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Police Procedure
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Audie Award Finalist, Thriller/Suspense, 2014
For 25 years, Robert Crais has written extraordinary novels of crime and suspense. He is "a master of crime fiction" (Associated Press); "his novels get better with every new book" (Portland Oregonian); "Crais is hands-down the world’s greatest crime writer" (The Huffington Post).
But in Suspect, he may have written his most remarkable novel of all.
LAPD cop Scott James is not doing so well, not since a shocking nighttime assault by unidentified men killed his partner, Stephanie, nearly killed him, and left him enraged, ashamed, and ready to explode. He is unfit for duty - until he meets his new partner.
Maggie is not doing so well, either. The German shepherd survived three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan sniffing explosives before she lost her handler to an IED and sniper attack, and her PTSD is as bad as Scott’s.
They are each other’s last chance. He was a young cop on the rise; she was bred to guard and protect. Now they are shunned and shunted to the side. They are suspect. And together they will set out to investigate the one case that no one wants them to touch: the identity of the men who murdered Stephanie.
Nine months and sixteen days later, they remained free. They were still out there.
What they begin to find is nothing like what Scott has been told, and where it will lead them will take them both through the darkest moments of their own personal hells. Whether they will make it out again, no one can say.
Thrilling, emotional, intense, with some of the best characters and well-crafted writing in all of crime fiction, Suspect is further proof that "Crais just keeps getting better" (Publishers Weekly).
©2013 Robert Crais (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Review:
LAPD cop Scott James was working hard toward his career goal of becoming part of the Swat team. His goal is derailed one night when he and his female partner witness an assassination. After several masked men gun down two men in a car they turn their guns on Scott and his partner. They think they killed both officers but Scott survived his injuries, carrying guilt for his partner’s death.

Nine months later Scott has shifted departments as a last effort to remain on the police force. Scott teams up with Maggie, a retired military dog who was injured by an explosion that killed her handler. Scott is given a couple of weeks to prove that he and Maggie can make the canine team. He not only needs to retrain Maggie but he needs to train himself to become a ‘dog’ person and accept a dog as his new partner.

Scott is asked to meet with the new detectives who are working the murder case where his partner was killed. He is given access to all of the files and information. Slowly he uncovers discrepancies in the investigation. But the clues he finds bring a startling suspicion. A witness Scott interviews is murdered and Scott is being framed. Scott and his new friends, including Maggie, are in danger. Scott needs to pull the clues together before anyone else is killed.

I enjoyed the wonderful suspense as well as the author’s somewhat unique writing technique. The author presents the opening and later chapters from Maggie’s thought perspective. These alternate with chapters from Scott’s view and a few from the view of Scott’s new friend, one of the case investigators. Maggie’s perspective adds a whole new light to the intensity and emotion of the story.

I appreciated the unfolding of the murder plot almost as much as I loved the relationship that grows between Scott and Maggie. There were times I found my player hard to turn off. I will definitely seek more work by Mr. Crais. I recommend this title to readers of mystery and suspense, those who like police procedure and to those who love the dog element.

Audio Notes: MacLeod Andrews does a good job with the narration. He conveys Scott's angst and manages to portray a believable Maggie. The audio added to my enjoyment of this book and I recommend this as a fast paced, suspenseful listen.

This is from my Audible TBR shelf (2013) and qualifies for my Audio Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Silent Night, Holy Night: A Colleen Coble Christmas Collection by Colleen Coble

These are nice, quick Christmas novellas from series by a good romance author.

Silent Night, Holy Night:

A Colleen Coble Christmas Collection

Written by: Colleen Coble

Narrated by: Devon O'Day

Length: 4 hrs and 6 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:10-07-14

Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers

Genre: Romance Novella, Holiday

My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

Tis the season for mystery and romance featuring characters from two of Colleen Coble’s most popular series!

As Christmas day nears, Bree Matthews and her faithful search-and-rescue dog Samson follow the trail of a troubling mystery into the snowy forests of Rock Harbor.Newlywed Bree Matthews and her husband Kade are preparing for Christmas guests when word arrives that a parachuter has disappeared in the North Woods, along Lake Superior's icy shore. Bree and Samson plunge into the search.

Will this snowy, silent night search lead Bree and Samson to the missing girl?

Holy Night

One sinister phone call has derailed their Christmas wedding. Will it keep them apart forever? Leia and Bane are looking forward to their long-awaited Christmas wedding on the beach. Everything is going as planned - until Leia's phone rings and her world skids out of control. A muffled voice informs Leia that her sister has been kidnapped and will be killed unless Leia calls off the wedding without explanation - and no police. If she disobeys instructions and tells Bane, she'll risk her beloved sister's life. But can she handle this trauma without his help? And will he ever trust her again if she lies to him now?

Irresistible romance meets thrilling suspense in this holiday update to USA Today best-selling author Colleen Coble's Aloha Reef series.

©2014 Thomas Nelson Publishers (P)2014 Thomas Nelson Publishers

Review:
Silent Night (Part of Rock Harbor (Michigan) Series):
Bree is recovering emotionally from a miscarriage but is looking forward to sharing Christmas with her new husband, Kade. The guests will include Kade’s twenty-one year old sister, Lauri, who arrives early before Bree has finished painting her room. Although Bree is working overtime trying to get ready, she steps out quickly to take her search and rescue dog, Samson, (Cry in the Night, Rock Harbor Book 5) on the hunt for a missing parachutist. Bree and another rescue friend don’t find the young man but instead find Lauri curled up in the snow. Lauri’s mysterious connection with the parachutist and concern about a missing back pack raises suspicions with Bree.

I always like search dog teams although that was a small element of this story. I liked the characters of Bree and Kade and might enjoy their full story. This novella had a little mystery, a touch of emotional issues regarding infertility and adoption, and of course, some Christmas spirit.

Holy Night (Part of the Aloha Reef (Hawaii) series):
Leia is committed to caring for her sweet, twenty-one-year-old sister, Eva, who has Down syndrome. Leia has issues of abandonment stemming from her childhood and had previously left her love, Bane, behind (Dangerous Depths, Aloha Reef Book 3). It has taken a long courtship for Bane to get Leia to the altar and even Eva is excited to help prepare for the Christmas wedding.

Bane is former military and his brother is a police officer. They have enemies from the past who will do anything to take away Bane’s future happiness. A kidnapping has Leia pulling away again and Bane isn’t sure their relationship can survive without trusting each other.

Again, I liked these characters and the quick plot development. There was good danger and tie-in to the issues that impacted Leia and Bane’s past relationships. They clearly have to work things out before they tie the knot. This novella has danger, emotional issues, and a very sweet, if brief, attitude from Eva about Christmas.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Each story is nice, if not stellar. There is good evidence of Colleen’s lovely, straightforward and easy writing style. Readers familiar with the series might enjoy the quick novella offerings. And, the romances with real life issues might pull new romance readers into searching out more about the series.

Audio Notes: I think I was not overly impressed with the narration and maybe that is why the reading experience was just “nice”. I felt this was more of a reading than an effort to enhance the characters with different voices. It didn’t pull me in and this is a book that might be better in print or digital.

This was on my TBR Audible shelf and adds to my Audio Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Omega Rising: Omega Force, Book 1 by Joshua Dalzelle

This is an quick, fun space adventure with likable characters and good action.
Omega Rising: Omega Force, Book 1
Written by: Joshua Dalzelle
Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins
Series: Omega Force, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-24-14
Publisher: Joshua Dalzelle
Genre: Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Jason Burke was a man hiding from himself in a small cabin high in the American Rocky Mountains when his simple, quiet life was shattered one night by what he first assumed was an aviation mishap. But when he investigates the crash, what he finds will yank him out of his self-imposed exile and thrust him into a world he could have never imagined. He suddenly finds himself trapped on a damaged alien spacecraft and plunged into a universe of interstellar crime lords and government conspiracies, along the way meeting strange new friends… and enemies. As he struggles to find his way back home he is inexorably drawn deeper into a world where one misstep could mean his death. Or worse. He desperately wants to get back to Earth, but it may be the end for him...or is it just the beginning?
©2013, 2014 Joshua Dalzelle (P)2014 Joshua Dalzelle

Review:
Jason Burke is a former military man who has suffered losses. He has chosen to live secluded in a small cabin in the Rocky Mountains. A quiet night is disturbed when he hears and sees what he believes to be an aviation crash. He arrives on site to offer aid but accidentally gets trapped in a damaged alien spacecraft. He discovers the ship is manned by a ‘synthetic’ (humanoid-like robot) named Deetz. Jason wonders why there are no other living beings and is surprised when Deetz asks him to stay on board as the commander and help complete a secretive mission.

Although Jason has some misgivings, it is hard to refuse the opportunity to be the first human to see Jupiter up close and step onto Mars! Fortunately the ship responds to Jason as the recognized commander. Deetz is very secretive of his mission and as the undisclosed cargo is being loaded, two small craft start firing on the ship. Jason picks up a local mechanic, Twingo, who was caught in the cross fire and Deetz whisks them away from the hostile pursuit.

Jason is glad to have a new friend in Twingo but they soon learn that Deetz has unhealthy business connections. A rather nasty mob leader coerces Jason into taking on a delivery run. An angry “Doc” (a medical geneticist) is added to the crew along with a few henchmen. Jason, Twingo and Doc begin to share notes and discover some common issues. They are soon making plans to release captured aliens, hoping they will be grateful for the rescue. Three unique characters are added to Jason’s crew in the process of completing the rescue and making their escape. This group declares themselves to be the Omega Force with the mission to help those who can’t help themselves.

I liked the opening of the book but the next two and a half hours is a bit drawn out setting the scene of Jason on the alien ship. After that the plot thickens with danger, action, conspiracy, betrayal and battle. Although the translators make the characters all seem human, they are not. I liked the newly added characters: Crusher, the giant warrior, Cage, the four armed computer hacker, and Lucky Seven, a mammoth battle synth.

The writing is straight forward making for easy listening. I enjoyed the easy pace, the creative plot, the good action and the light humor in this opening book. I look forward to enjoying more in the series. Readers who enjoy Star Wars or Firefly type episodes, might want to try this out.

Audio Notes: Paul Heitsch does a nice job with the narration. It may not be stellar but it captures the military tone and carries the varied alien voices. The narration enhanced my reading enjoyment and I recommend it for a quick listen.

I received this title through Audiobook Jukebox. It qualifies for my Audio Challenge.

Audio Review: Special Talents: Goon Squad, Vol. 1 by Jonathan L. Howard

This is fun listening entertainment in the style of Marvel superheroes – with offbeat talents!
Special Talents: Goon Squad, Vol. 1
Written by: Jonathan L. Howard
Narrated by: Gabrielle de Cuir

Length: 4 hrs and 42 mins
Series: Goon Squad, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:08-25-15
Publisher: Blackstone Audio Inc. and Skyboat Media, Inc.
Genre: Sci Fi, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
An ongoing, episodic "prose comic" from which the pictures are summoned by the magic of words, Goon Squad is set in a version of modern-day Manchester. Its biggest divergence from the real city is that it - along with most other large urban centers - has a team of superheroes to protect it against unusual threats with which the conventional forces of law and order would have problems.
Goon Squad, Volume 1: Special Talents is composed of six tales: "The New Girl", "Nightclubbing", "By the Water, by the Grave", "Changes", "No-No Dojo", and "Exterminating Angel" as well as an introduction read by the author.
©2015 Jonathan L. Howard (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc., and Skyboat Media, Inc.

Review:
Nadiya has a very special talent. At one time she was part of a minor crime group and earned the name “puppet girl”. Over the past year Nadiya has succeeded in suppressing her skill. Then a quick stop at a local mini-market changes her life. She is present when two young thugs commit armed robbery, knocking an older woman to the floor. Nadiya watches the thugs exit the store and her anger grows. She loses her control and manages to bring down the thugs and hold them until the cops arrive. Nadiya is taken to the police station before she can leave town. She expects trouble but is surprised when a man, who has previously warned her, appears to interview her. Nadiya is surprised to be recruited to an unusual crime group – the special talents force - known to the others as “the Goon Squad”.

Nadiya meets her three new team mates, each with their own special talent. Ian is clearly a “dead man” walking, Gilbert appears to be a geek interested in history, and Tessler is a huge metallic robot. Nadiya isn’t told of their skills, and they don’t learn the full extent of her abilities, until they are suddenly called into action. Although there is some stumbling in the pursuit of the gangsters they are after, the Goon Squad, working together, finally manage to complete their assignment.

Think of The X Men or Marvel superheroes with unusual - as in paranormal - talents. This very fun story starts with an introduction from the author that begins: “Hello, and welcome to the first volume of the Goon Squad saga. I’m Jonathan L. Howard, and I wrote it, so I’m to blame. Sorry about that.” No need to be sorry. I found the characters and stories delightfully fun and the sound effects included in the audio book add to the entertainment. The first story, The New Girl, sets the stage, introducing Nadiya to the squad. "Nightclubbing" is her first experience in the field which could have gone better if she had been prepped. "By the Water, by the Grave" continues the team’s efforts to capture the mobster, Des Garbo, as they track him through a graveyard. "Changes" shares some difficulties that Ian has observed over the years, while "No-No Dojo" gets Nadiya some desperately needed training. In the final installment, "Exterminating Angel", the team faces a truly deadly power that takes some non-human help to overcome.

The characters are developed through the short story collection. The stories fit together like an old time radio serial. The author’s wonderfully creative imagination and humor quickly shine through. I will definitely look to pick up Volume two in the audio format for more unusual crime fighting stories from the Goon Squad. The stories are available individually in eBook format.

Audio Notes: Gabrielle de Cuir does a great job with each of the voices, British and others. The underlying humor comes through easily in the narration and the sound effects enhance the listening experience. This is a quick listen (under five hours) of entertainment that I recommend in audio format.

I received this title through Audiobook Jukebox. It qualifies as part of my Audio Challenge.

#1 The New Girl; #2 Nightclubbing; #3 By the Water, by The Grave; #4 Exterminating Angel