Audible Book Review: Murder on New Year's Eve, A Ridgeway Rescue Mystery, Book 1, by P. Creedan

The mystery is fine but the character seems like a teen.
Murder on New Year's Eve
A Ridgeway Rescue Mystery, Book 1
By: P. Creeden
Narrated by: Shaniese Reyes

Length: 1 hr and 11 mins
Release date: 08-15-19
Publisher: Pauline Creeden
Genre: Cozy, Animal, Mystery
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 3.75.

Publisher's Summary
Ridgeway Rescue Mysteries can be enjoyed in one to two hours. Perfect for when you're waiting for an appointment or just want a fast listen. Don't miss out on this quick, clean, cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the end!
It's New Year’s Eve, and 20-year-old Emma Wright has a date with her crush - well, not a real date, but she can dream! Colby Davidson, the K9 search and rescue deputy, is allowing her to accompany him while he’s on patrol at the Ridgeway Illumination Festival. Though they are just friends, she’s still hoping for a possible kiss at the end of the festivities.
When a stranger asks them to help take some pictures at the event, Emma and Colby are happy to oblige. But their assistance turns them into alibis for the man’s whereabouts while his girlfriend was killed. Most of the clues point to a robbery gone bad, but Emma doesn’t believe all of them point that way. Was it really a robbery, or was it murder?
©2018 Pauline Creeden (P)2019 Pauline Creeden

Review:
Emma, a twenty-something, is the daughter of the local Sheriff and has a crush on the K9 search and rescue deputy, Colby. Colby has a well-trained K9 Shepherd, Gabby, while Emma is struggling to train her new foster dog, Molly, an exuberant Saint Bernard puppy.

Colby has agreed to have Emma accompany him on the New Year’s Eve patrol at the Ridgeway Illumination Festival and she is hoping for a kiss. As the lighting event proceeds the lights will spell out Happy New Year. A stranger steps up and asks that Colby and Emma take his picture with the lights. Before the last lights are lit, Emma’s father arrives to question the man about the death of his girlfriend. As alibi witnesses, Emma and Colby join the Sheriff and the suspect as the crime scene is investigated. Initially the clues indicate a robbery gone bad but Emma spots details that challenge that theory.

I did enjoy the mystery even though I struggled with Emma’s character. She is sweet and very observant, but her crush is expressed much more like a teen than a twenty-year-old. The story writing also seemed a juvenile style. Still, this is an easy, quick listen with a fun mystery to enjoy especially on New Year’s Eve.

Audio Notes: Shaniese Reyes is a new narrator for me. Her young voice certainly fit the story which she delivers more as a read rather than giving unique voices to the characters. This contributed to the ‘young’ sound of the book.

Source: Sale at Audible November 2019 $5.99. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Solitude by Dean M. Cole

This is a little cheesy but I enjoyed it.

Solitude
Dimension Space, Book One
By: Dean M. Cole
Narrated by: R.C. Bray, Julia Whelan

Series: Dimension Space, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
Release date: 04-03-17
Language: English
Publisher: Blue Heron Audio
Genre: Alternative History, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

From the Bestselling Author of the Sector 64 Series!

I Am Legend meets Gravity and The Martian when Earth's last man discovers that the last woman is stranded alone aboard the International Space Station. If you like action-packed, page-turning novels, you'll love the electrifying action in this apocalyptic thriller.
Can Humanity's Last Two Unite?
Separated by the gulf of space, the last man and woman of the human race struggle against astronomical odds to survive and unite.
Army Aviator Vaughn Singleton is a highly intelligent, lazy man. After a last-ditch effort to reignite his failing military career ends horribly, Vaughn becomes the only human left on Earth.
Stranded alone on the International Space Station, Commander Angela Brown watches an odd wave of light sweep across the planet. Over the next weeks and then months, Angela struggles to contact someone on the surface, but as she fights to survive aboard a deteriorating space station, the commander glimpses the dark underpinnings of humanity's demise.
After months alone, Vaughn discovers there is another. Racing against time, he must cross a land ravaged by the consequences of humankind's sudden departure.
Can Vaughn find a path to space and back? Can Angela—the only person with clues to the mystery behind humanity's disappearance—survive until he does?

Review:
Army Aviator Vaughn Singleton may be highly intelligent, but he is a slacker, a heavy drinker and some would call him a “loser”. But his best friend, Mark, sees more in Vaughn and encourages him to work harder and do better. They are in a testing flight when a strange phenomenon makes all the people and living creatures on earth disappear. As they struggle to determine what happened Mark is killed in an accident leaving Vaughn the only living being on earth.

Commander Angela Brown has had to remain behind after sending off the last of her space station team. She thought the others were heading to safety but soon realizes that she is the sole survivor stranded in space. As she orbits earth she begins to suspect where the devastating beam originated. But she can’t do anything about it as the space station deteriorates and her supplies run out.

After two months Vaughn finally realizes that the mission director had left an urgent directive. Now he has to race against time to rescue Angela from space. He rushes along, botching several chances and resources. Fortunately, both Vaughn and Angela have the ability to cobble together “MacGyver” like fixes. Now the question is can Vaughn actually get to Angela in time to save her?

Vaughn is not a particularly likeable character which makes the story a little awkward. Angela has a few quirks too but mostly I found those cute. Vaughn’s mess ups are frustrating and cheesy while Angela’s fixes are timely and also a bit cheesy, especially with mice living in her hair! Cole rotates scenes between the characters which added to the interest. The story moved very quickly, and I enjoyed the humor, the suspense and the bumpy ride. I recommend this as entertaining sci fi.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray and Julia Whelan do a very fine job with the narration. They capture and convey the characters and the intensity of the situations. The narration enhanced the story for me.

Source: 4/9/19 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: Pupcakes: A Christmas Novel by Annie England Noblin

This is a sweet romance story with flawed characters.

Pupcakes: A Christmas Novel
Written By: Annie England Noblin
Narrated By: Amy McFadden

Date: October 2017
Duration: 9 hours 59 minutes
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Animals, Women's Divorce, Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 3.75.

Summary:
Sit! Stay! Speak! author Annie England Noblin’s novel takes one woman starting over, adds an aging pug named Teddy Roosevelt, and proves the power of a well-baked dog treat.
All she wants is a settled-down life.
What she gets is a dog—and a whole new normal . . .
There he stood in the doorway: overweight, depressed and nearly homeless—a pug named Teddy Roosevelt. Teddy was Brydie Benson’s latest problem, arriving on top of her messy divorce and sudden move. Brydie needed a place to start over, so this rent-free home seemed a great idea. She just never counted on Teddy, or his owner, the Germantown Retirement Village’s toughest customer, Pauline Neumann.
And because rent-free doesn’t mean bills-free, Brydie gets a night-shift job at a big-box grocery. Whoever guessed there were so many people who wanted baked goods after midnight?
Then, she gets an idea—why not combine her baking skills with her new-found dog knowledge? And so her store Pupcakes is born. Along with a new start comes a possible new love, in the form of Nathan Reid, a local doctor with a sassy Irish Wolfhound named Sasha. And as fall turns to winter, and then to Christmas, Brydie begins to realize that life is a little bit like learning a new recipe for puff pastry—it takes a few tries to get it just right!...

Review:
Brydie is struggling to make a comeback after her husband cheated on her and divorced her for the ‘other’ woman. Her husband was also her business partner in the bakery they built together. Brydie left all of that mess, but not the heart-break, behind and has lived for months with her best friend, Elliott. Now that Elliott and her husband are preparing to welcome their second child, Brydie needs to find another place to live. Elliott recommends a house that needs ‘sitting’ for Mrs. Neumann, a woman in a nursing retirement home. The house comes with an important occupant – Mrs. Neumann’s beloved pug, Teddy Roosevelt. Brydie has never had a dog and she has to find a way to engage this elderly, reluctant animal.

Elliott suggests that Brydie take Teddy to a nearby dog park. Finally, the dog shows some enthusiasm except he throws up on the shoes of Nathan Reid who is there with his lively Irish Wolfhound, Sasha. Brydie takes off in embarrassment but gets to meet Nathan again when she visits Mrs. Neumann in the nursing facility. Nathan turns out to be a local doctor with rotating duties at the retirement home. It is clear that all the single nurses (and some of the residents) are interested in the handsome doctor. Brydie has trouble accepting the fact that Nathan is interested in dating her.

Byrdie takes a night-shift job at a local grocery where she begins to make new friends, but also makes mistakes. Byrdie experiments making dog treats to tempt Teddy to eat. This leads to a group of customers from the dog park and the nursing home.

When Byrdie uncovers a family mystery at Mrs. Neumann’s home, her curiosity is pushing her to ask Mrs. Neumann about the locked trunk. Nathan insists that doctor’s orders are not to raise the issue as it is likely to upset his patient. Byrdie takes umbrage at the doctor’s position and cuts off their growing relationship. Although Byrdie’s confidence begins to return with her baking, she continues to struggle to control her emotions.

First, I need to note that the blurb is not totally accurate as the new Pupcakes bakery isn’t really established until very near the end of the book. Second, I have to admit that I was frustrated by Byrdie’s despondency and self-absorption. I was relieved when she finally stepped away from her negative attitudes. In contrast, I found Nathan to be extraordinarily patient and kind. The romance develops with a subdued spark but some natural urges. The dogs add fun interest with birthday parties and stolen turkey antics. I liked the sweet (if predictable) surprise at the end even though the ending does seem rushed. As long as the reader can push through Byrdie's emotions, I recommend this as a sweet read/listen.

Audio Notes: Amy McFadden does a satisfactory job with the narration. She provides distinct voices and manages to convey Byrdie’s struggling emotions. I was glad to be able to listen to this story.

Source: November 2019 Sale at Audiobooks.com $3.99. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: An Angel for Christmas by Heather Graham

I was very pleased by this easy listen with suspense and guardian angels at Christmas.

An Angel for Christmas
Written By: Heather Graham
Narrated By: Christina Traister

Duration: 5 hours 48 minutes
Date: September 2011
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Christmas, Mystery, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Summary:
Christmas has never brought out the best in the MacDougal family. Still, year after year, they gather together in the Blue Ridge Mountains to try to make the season merry and bright. But this year is an especially strained one, with Shayne's impending divorce, Morwenna's slavish devotion to work and Bobby's reluctance to face what life has to offer. They've never felt less like a family. Then, in the midst of a snowy sibling shouting match, a mysterious stranger appears. He could be a criminal, a madman - or something far more unexpected. Despite their fears and the growing danger in the dark woods around them, the MacDougals take a leap of faith. But when another stranger arrives on the mountainside, they don't know which of them to believe. One of these men can't be trusted. And one is about to bring Christmas into their hearts.

Review:
Morwenna has traveled home even though she expects the usual family tensions. Her older brother, Shayne has worked too hard as a doctor and is facing a divorce and his first Christmas without his children. Meanwhile the youngest sibling, Bobby, is home from college and trying to figure out how to tell his father that he wants to change majors … again. When Shayne arrives the family is thrilled that his son and daughter are with him because his soon to be ex-wife decided to take a trip with a new beau. Before Morwenna and her siblings get back inside, they discover a man moaning on the edge of their woods.

Their father steps out with a rifle aimed at the stranger. An argument ensues, as Shayne is not going to leave the injured man in the snow. They finally agree to allow the man in the house out of the cold. The man, Gabe, claims that he is a police officer who has been attacked by the man he was chasing. In the fight he lost his weapon and the criminal has traded his clothes and IDs. As they share the magic of Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, Gabe shares warm situations and encouragement with the family, especially winning the friendship and unwavering support of Morwenna’s niece, Genieve. Then another stranger, wearing a police officer’s uniform, shows up insisting that the family is in danger. The family is confused and reluctant when the pushing man tries to take Gabe into custody. Will the family be able to get to the local pub to get help deciding which man to trust before something bad happens?

I was drawn into the story from the first paragraphs where the cop is chasing the criminal. I thought later in the story that it might have been interesting if the good guy and bad guy hadn’t been revealed. Still there was sufficient suspense, sweetness and the hint of romance to keep me engaged. I enjoyed the light mystery for the family, the Christmas magic, Genieve’s charming birthday wishes and the angel angle. I recommend this as a quick Christmas read/listen.

Audio Notes: Christina Traister does a nice job with the narration. I like the voices and the energy. The narration made this a nice, easy listen.

Source: 2019 September Christmas deals $3.00. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Jingle Bell Pop by John Seabrook

I really enjoyed this informative little work and wished there had been more.
Jingle Bell Pop
By: John Seabrook
Narrated by: Erin Moon

Length: 1 hr and 14 mins
Release date: 12-06-18
Publisher: Audible Originals
Genre: Christmas, Music, Nonfiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

About This Audible Original
It seems like every year, the holiday season arrives earlier and earlier. Before Halloween’s ghosts and ghouls have even had their chance to come out of the shadows, sleigh bells and ribbons begin to materialize at the mall and towering tinsel-tinged trees appear in our living rooms. But the most telltale sign of the arrival of yuletide festivities is the unceasingly merry melody of the seasonal songbook, from "Silent Night" to "Santa Baby." Love them or loathe them, these holiday earworms are here to stay. But how do these songs endure for decades? And why are there so few contemporary Christmas carols?
In this holly jolly Audible Original, New York Times bestselling author and New Yorker columnist John Seabrook uncovers the mysteries of the holiday music machine, exploring how these hits were made and why they’ve dominated the soundwaves each and every winter. From the mid-century reign of songwriter Johnny Marks ("Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer") to the manufactured musical nostalgia of modern holiday hits like "All I Want for Christmas Is You," Seabrook, alongside a cast of singers, songwriters, and producers, reveals the untold stories behind the songs that have us rockin’ around the Christmas tree year after year.
©2018 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
This little treat shares the history of the most famous and classic Christmas songs. Songs discussed include hymns such as Silent Night and Holy Night, 50’s-60’s classics like White Christmas, Santa Baby and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and a few modern songs like All I Want for Christmas Is You. Song writers, producers and singers contribute to the factors that contribute to why/how a particular song might get included in the top 25 of ever repeated seasonal music. The summary was that the best of the Christmas songs are over 25 years old with little likelihood of new hits.

I found the historical and trivia details interesting. Although it seems appropriate to keep this type of work shorter, I would have enjoyed more of the history and music. I recommend this little tidbit to music fans and those who love perennial Christmas songs.

Audio Notes: Erin Moon did an appropriate job of narrating with a few interview voices included. There were some brief tidbits of songs and I would have been fine with a little more. I am glad this little work is available.

Source: 12/13/2019 Audible Member Sale $2.98. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien

This was okay, but not as good as I had hoped.
Letters from Father Christmas
By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Derek Jacobi, John Moffatt, Christian Rodska

Length: 2 hrs and 7 mins
Release date: 10-04-05
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Genre: Children’s Folk Tales, Fairy Tale Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Can you imagine writing to Father Christmas and actually getting a reply?
Every year, the children of J.R.R. Tolkien would write to Father Christmas, and the letters they received told wonderful stories of his adventures at the North Pole.
These humorous tales are brought to life by Derek Jacobi as Father Christmas, John Moffatt as Polar Bear, and Christian Rodska as Ilbereth the Elf, complete with specially composed music.
©1997, 200 4 (P)1997 HarperCollins UK

Review:
J.R.R. Tolkein, the famous author of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Trilogy, among other books, played Father Christmas to his own children. He exchanged letters with them as they grew from 1920 to 1943. The first letter was to the eldest son, John, when he was three. The letters continued for the other three children until the youngest, Priscilla, reaches her teen years.

In the early letters Father Christmas describes himself and his home at the North Pole. He even provides a drawing in his letter written in cursive with his shaky hand, considering his advanced age. Initially Father Christmas only shares about his big helper, Polar Bear. But as time goes by he adds comments from his helpful Elf, Ilbereth. Through the years Father Christmas tells of the joy of the helpers but tells the tales of the wars with the Goblins. In the closing years there are mentions of the hardships of WWII.

The idea of sharing the letters is charming and Tolkein’s imagination shows through the descriptive characters and engaging battles. Although I enjoyed this work, I think listening misses the charming letters and drawings that are shared in the printed book. I would recommend this story for Christmas entertainment to share with children.

Audio Notes: The audio is performed by Derek Jacobi, John Moffatt, and Christian Rodska who present the voices of Father Christmas, Polar Bear and Ilbereth. The voices and interaction are fun. I enjoyed listening to the letters but I think this would be best if listened with the print images available.

Source: May 2019 Sale at Audible; $3.09. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Little Donkey by Jodi Taylor

I liked this brief look at the characters in this series. I have to go back to read book 1.

Little Donkey
A Short Story
By: Jodi Taylor
Narrated by: Lucy Price-Lewis

Length: 1 hr and 5 mins
Release date: 03-24-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Humorous Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
It’s Christmas, and Jenny Checkland is beset with problems. The vicar, who really should know better, has asked to borrow Marilyn the donkey for the nativity play, thereby unleashing chaos on the already chaos-laden Frogmorton Farm.
Will Marilyn survive her bath? Will anyone survive Marilyn’s bath?
Robbed of her role as the Virgin Mary, what revenge is the angel Gabriel plotting? Why is that sheep so fat?
Will Charlie ever get to say his one line? Can Marilyn be prevented from eating the baby Jesus? Where is Thomas, who promised he would be there? And worst of all - will Russell, lost on the moor in a blizzard, make it back in time for the birth of his first child? Or even at all?
Another chance to meet the characters from the best-selling novel The Nothing Girl as they navigate the complexities of the local nativity play in their own unique fashion.
©2014 Jodi Taylor (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

Review:
Jenny Checkland of Frogmorton Farm has a host of interesting creature/character friends, not the least of which is Marilyn. Marilyn is a small donkey who has a mind of her own. Trying to make Marilyn do anything she doesn’t want to results in chaos. Bribery with food might work but there is no guarantee.

The local community vicar has asked to have Marilyn serve as the donkey in the seasonal nativity play. This should be interesting. In addition to Marilyn there is a live sheep which is rather large in the belly. The young lady playing angel Gabriel is a bit upset that she didn’t get the role of Virgin Mary and interruptions threaten to keep sweet Charlie from saying his line in the play. Sounds like more chaos and that’s not all. Russell is out on the moors in a blizzard while Jenny prepares to give birth to their first child. And where is Thomas, the mystical golden horse who helped Jenny snag the charming and chaotic Russell as her husband?

I feel like I have to take a breath after that brief summary and that is consistent with the feel of the story. I find Ms. Taylor’s writing to be full of humor and an underlying sense of joy. I am glad to have listened to this novella even though out of order. I am sure it will not harm my enjoyment of book 1 which is near the top of my list for TBR reading in 2021. I recommend this author and the series to readers who enjoy fun, light romantic fantasy.

Audio Notes: Lucy Price-Lewis does a lovely job with the narration. Her British accent clearly fits and enhances the story. Price-Lewis captures the light, yet chaotic tone of the story. She provides distinct voices and strong emotional connection. I enjoyed the audio experience and am looking forward to listening to The Nothing Girl.

Source: 2/16/2019 Free at Audible. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester

This is good vintage sci fi. but strange.

The Stars My Destination
By: Alfred Bester
Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
Release date: 12-05-17
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Hard Sci Fi, Vintage
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Marooned in outer space after an attack on his ship, Nomad, Gulliver Foyle lives to obsessively pursue the crew of a rescue vessel that had intended to leave him to die.
When it comes to pop culture, Alfred Bester (1913-1987) is something of an unsung hero. He wrote radio scripts, screenplays, and comic books (in which capacity he created the original Green Lantern Oath). But Bester is best known for his science fiction novels, and The Stars My Destination may be his finest creation. With its sly potshotting at corporate skullduggery, The Stars My Destination seems utterly contemporary, and has maintained its status as an underground classic for over 50 years.
©1956 Alfred Bester; copyright renewed 1984 by Alfred Bester; special restored text of this edition copyright 1996 by the Estate of Alfred Bester; Introduction copyright 1996 by Neil Gaiman (P)2017 Tantor.

Review:
Gulliver Foyle is a simple crew member on the ship SS Nomad. The ship becomes marooned in space and Foyle is the only survivor. Struggling to use the remaining oxygen sparingly, Foyle is excited when he sees a rescue ship, the Vulgar, stop when they see his distress signal. But instead of coming to save him, they move on, leaving him to die.

Miraculously Foyle awakens in a space colony where the unique community has tattooed his face with stripes that look like a grotesque tiger. When Foyle realizes there is a chance to escape the asteroid and return to earth (Terra), he rushes forward with an overwhelming obsession to hunt down the crew that left him behind.

Foyle lives in a time when many have learned to jaunte or teleport themselves to locations they can picture in their minds. But no one has successfully jaunted in space and it is believed to be impossible. Foyle turns out to be a talented juanter, using the skill in many of his escapes.

The story follows Foyle as his obsession pushes him to use aliases while he gathers finances, resources and information seeking the crew of the Vulgar. Along the way he makes friends and enemies who assist his efforts, sometimes under threat. At one point Foyle gets very close to the owner of the Vulgar and Foyle finds himself drawn to the man’s unusual daughter who is blind but sees in wavelength spectrum. She ends up having a strange role in Foyle’s story.

The story is a little strange and Foyle isn’t necessarily a likeable protagonist. However, I did enjoy the creative steps and means of escape that Foyle comes up with in his desperate situations. The story was written in the 1950s and shows a wonderful sense of imagination. The story is what I consider ‘hard’ science fiction and it does have some surprises and ironies especially as it nears the ending. I think I may prefer military sci fi with action and characters I can cheer on. Still, I am glad that I read/listened to this classic. I do recommend it to readers who want to share in the history of science fiction.

Audio Notes: Gerard Doyle is an Irish narrator who does a very good job with this piece. He captures Foyle’s normal gutter language and the changes he makes as he pursues his revenge. Doyle also delivers on the intensity of the emotions and his narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

November Vintage Sci Fi title. Source: 6/12/18 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2020 TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: Christmas in Sugarcreek: A Christmas Seasons of Sugarcreek Novel by Shelley Shepard Gray

This was sweet, Christian Christmas romance.

Christmas in Sugarcreek: A Christmas Seasons of Sugarcreek Novel
Written By: Shelley Shepard Gray
Narrated By: Robynn Rodriguez

Date: October 2011
Duration: 5 hours 53 minutes
Genre: Amish, Christian, Christmas, Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Summary:
The beloved characters Shelley Shepard Gray created for her bestselling Seasons of Sugarcreek series are back in Christmas in Sugarcreek—a heartwarming story of the magic of Christmastime and the blossoming of an unlikely love in a close-knit Amish community. Obedient daughter Judith Graber finds herself becoming uncomfortably enamored of the help her father has hired to assist in the store during the holidays: Ben Knox, as scandalous a bad boy as they come in staid and quiet Sugarcreek. Author of the immensely popular Sisters of the Heart novels, Shelley Shepard Gray is one of the true masters of Amish inspirational fiction, and Christmas in Sugarcreek is a delightful holiday treat for all lovers of Christian romance—especially fans of Beverly Lewis, Wanda Brunstetter, and Cindy Woodsmall.

Review:
Judith is a little surprised that her father has hired a young man who had a reputation as a ‘bad boy’ in their school days. She had wanted to be his friend but was too concerned about getting close to his unsavory reputation.

Ben finds Judith attractive and remembers her shy kindness in school. He has come back to town to sell his family’s home and then return to the city. He is glad to have work during his visit and finds himself enjoying the community life and especially the welcome he receives from Judith’s family. She is a little standoffish, but he is willing to try to cajole her to share more time with him.

As the young couple work and spend time together, they begin to share their history. Particularly Ben tries to explain his rough childhood that contributed to his acting out and never feeling accepted. Judith is drawn to Ben, but she is afraid to let her heart care for a man who will be leaving town as soon as his house sells.

The author also shares the stories of two other couples during the season. A young wife who wasn’t raised in the Amish community struggles to find the right gift to show her husband how much she cares and that she wants to be a proper wife. Another young man woos a young woman who is trying to hide her family troubles. These two stories added to the enjoyment of the seasonal cheer.

I have enjoyed this author before and enjoyed this story too. The characters have conflict and self doubt which I found annoying in light of what should be their faith foundations. Still, it provides a quick listen that is easy, light and fits the Christmas season of redemption, acceptance, sacrifice, and love. I recommend this to readers who enjoy clean, light romance.

Audio Notes: Robynn Rodriguez does a nice job with the narration. I didn’t get confused by the voices and the presentation was mostly smooth. There were a few moments where the sound seemed to fade but that may have been my earbuds failing. I did enjoy reading this by audio.

Source: 2019 Audiobooks.com sale $3.99. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Wool (Silo #1; Wool 1-5) by Hugh Howey

I enjoyed this creative dystopian sci fi.
Wool
Silo, #1; Wool, #1-5
By: Hugh Howey
Narrated by: Amanda Sayle

Series: The Silo Saga, Book 1
Length: 17 hrs and 43 mins
Release date: 04-09-13
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
In a ruined and toxic landscape, a community exists in a giant silo underground, hundreds of stories deep. There, men and women live in a society full of regulations they believe are meant to protect them. Sheriff Holston, who has unwaveringly upheld the silo’s rules for years, unexpectedly breaks the greatest taboo of all: He asks to go outside.
His fateful decision unleashes a drastic series of events. An unlikely candidate is appointed to replace him: Juliette, a mechanic with no training in law, whose special knack is fixing machines. Now Juliette is about to be entrusted with fixing her silo, and she will soon learn just how badly her world is broken. The silo is about to confront what its history has only hinted about and its inhabitants have never dared to whisper. Uprising. ©2012 Hugh Howey (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Something catastrophic happened to the world leaving the land and air toxic and people living for centuries underground. The people are not told much about the history but they are directed to follow the rules of ‘the order’. The mayor and sheriff are the apparent enforcers of rules. Each floor of the 150 or so levels has different tasks identified by different color uniforms like blue for mechanics, green for hydroponics, yellow for supplies and more. Juliette is a mechanic working in the lower levels of the silo community. Juliette is adept at keeping the machinery going and solving problems, including the mystery of a death that occurred in her levels. When Sheriff Holston asks for the forbidden – to go outside –Juliette is proposed to become his successor.

The long-time mayor and deputy sheriff are good with this pick, but the head of IT, Bernard, had other plans. After all, he is the one with the secrets and the greatest desire for control. Juliette tries to resist the job assignment but finds a reason to accept – a puzzle to solve. As she pieces together information, she begins to suspect conspiracy, treachery and serious secrets being kept from the community.

Juliette is accused of murdering her friend – a young man helping her to gather information. Her friends in mechanics don’t believe she is responsible, and they try to help her. Now Juliette has to struggle to survive while her friends plan an uprising. What will happen within the silo and what mysteries will be found outside?

I was a little confused when the story first started but after a chapter or so I was able to settle into the direction of the dystopia. I was impressed by the creative world building and I really liked several of the characters, especially Juliette and her friends. The past history is revealed slowly and presents some issues for consternation. It is interesting and I found some bits that brought up thoughts of political power today. I became invested with the lives of the characters and will be continuing the series with the next book, Shift. I recommend this to fans of imaginative dystopia.

Audio Notes: Amanda Sayle does a good job with parts of the narration. The voices are mostly distinct and the moods and emotional energy of the characters are appropriately portrayed. However, a couple of the voices, such as a whiny Bernard, are awful. I am glad I had the audio as the omnibus (five books together) is long. I am glad to see that book two has a really strong narrator and I look forward to continuing the series in audio.

Source: 2017 Audible Daily Deal $3.95. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Audiobook Review: A Long Road on a Short Day by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney

I loved this charming little story.

A Long Road on a Short Day
by Gary D. Schmidt, Elizabeth Stickney
Eugene Yelchin (Illustrator)
Narrated by: Matt Godfrey

Publisher Recorded Books, Inc. November 12, 2020
Genre: Children, Family, Farm Animals
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

A tender story of a father-son adventure with themes of community and kindness, in short chapters with vivid full-color illustrations, by bestseller and Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt and acclaimed artist Eugene Yelchin.
In a story of perseverance and determination told with warmth and sparkling with humor, a short winter day finds Samuel and Papa walking a long road on Samuel's first trading trip. Meeting strangers, practicing good manners, and proud to be in Papa's company, Samuel watches and learns as Papa trades up from almost nothing to the milk cow Mama is yearning for. Simple text combines with vivid illustrations for a satisfying tale that will resonate with readers who enjoy an adventure with dad.

Review:
Mama wants a brown eyed cow to have milk for the baby and for Papa’s tea. It is a winter day so Papa tells Samuel to ‘dress warm’ as he is going with Papa on the long journey to town to trade for the cow. Samuel uses his best manners while meeting strangers and helping Papa make decisions on the trades. There are items Papa likes, and some Samuel would like to keep, but they have to keep on trading to get the cow for Mama. And they must do it on “a long road on a short day”.

This is a very charming story even to listen to without the illustrations. There are good descriptions and interesting neighbors with trades to be made. This would be a lovely book to share with young children. I recommend this for children and parents to enjoy.

Audio Notes: Matt Godfrey does a really nice job with the narration. His voice is soothing as he shares the simple, direct text. I enjoyed the audio and I bet having the audio with the illustrated book would be wonderful.

Source: 2020 NetGalley Audio. This qualifies for 2020NetGalley and 2020Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Audiobook Review: Cover Your Tracks by Daco Auffenorde

This is a good psychological suspense.
Cover Your Tracks
By: Daco Auffenorde
Narrated by: Allyson Ryan

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins
Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC
Genre: Psychological Thrillers
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Margo Fletcher, eight months pregnant, is traveling by train from Chicago to Spokane, her childhood home. While passing through an isolated portion of the Rockies in blizzard conditions, the train unexpectedly brakes. Up ahead, deadly snow from a massive avalanche plummets down the mountain. Despite the conductor’s order for the passengers to stay seated, former Army Ranger Nick Eliot insists that survival depends on moving to the back of the train. Only Margo believes him. They take refuge in the last train car, which Nick heroically uncouples in time to avoid the avalanche. The rest of the train is hurled down the mountainside and is soon lost forever in a blanket of snow. Margo and Nick, the sole survivors, are stranded in the snowstorm without food, water, or heat. Rescuers might not arrive for days.
When the weather turns violent again, the pair must flee the shelter of the passenger car and run for their lives into the wilderness. They must fend off the deadly cold as well as predatory wild animals foraging for food. Eventually, Nick leads Margo to shelter in a watchtower atop a mountain. There, we learn that both Margo and Nick have secrets that have brought them together and that threaten to destroy them. ©2020 Daco Auffenorde (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Review:
Margo, an ER doctor, is eight months pregnant but has an important reason to travel to her childhood home. She had struggles with family as a young woman and hopes this visit may be a time for reconciliation. As the train travels through the Rockies a blizzard brings an avalanche threatening the train.

Rejecting the conductor’s orders to remain seated, Nick, a former Army Ranger, insists that the passengers must move to the back of the train to survive. Margo is the only one to listen and they are the only survivors when the train is caught in the avalanche.

Margo rushed off without even her purse or phone, although it is unlikely there would be cell service. The pair are stranded with no rescue expected soon. Nick seems to have a plan for shelter and survival and Margo has little choice but to follow. Although Nick is reticent about his own past and plans, he seems to want to help Margo and protect her unborn child.

Nick helps fend off wild animals, provides game for food and finds alternate shelter. But as the days pass with more storm and no apparent effort to get to civilization, Margo becomes more stressed and concerned. Margo has secrets from her past but hers may not be as strange and intense as Nick’s secrets.

I was impressed with the tense and chilling (not cold, but fearful) atmosphere that the author creates. The story is told with flashbacks to develop the damaged and determined characters. There are hints of issues in the personalities and it was interesting to see how these played out. I suspected trouble and was gripped as the past history was revealed and the collision course of the characters explained. I recommend this to fans of psychological thrillers.

Audio Notes: Allyson Ryan does a fairly good job with the narration. She made an effort to provide distinct voices although it seemed a bit of a strain to get the male voices. Still I appreciated that she conveyed the chilling tone of the story and the story moved quickly for me as an audio presentation.

(I saw this at Book Reviews by Linda Moore through Mailbox Monday.)
Source: Received from NetGalley. This qualifies for 2020NetGalley and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Actualized, The Configured, Book 3 by Jenetta Penner

This is a good conclusion although I wasn't really into the YA elements.
Actualized
The Configured Trilogy, Book 3
By: Jenetta Penner
Narrated by: Brittany Goodwin
Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 12-17-19
Publisher: Jenetta Penner
Genres: Dystopian, Sci Fi, Teen and Young Adult
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
It comes down to one choice: save the world or save the ones you love.
Listen to the exciting and emotional conclusion to The Configured Trilogy.
©2018 Jenetta Penner (P)2019 Jenetta Penner

Review:
Avlyn has escaped to the Affinity Camp with her brother, Ben, Meyers, Aron and some other surprising, and sometimes connected characters. Aron had asked to pair with Avlyn but she fell for Meyers. Now Avlyn, who was raised in a society that suppressed emotions is trying to cope with all sorts of emotions.

She is stressed about Ben who is in a coma recovering from a system attacking his nanites. She is also experiencing a lot of conflicting emotions even as she commits to helping Cynthia Fisher the ousted director of Elore, leader of Affinity and relation to Avlyn and Ben. The Affinity team has to find a way to overthrow the dictatorship of Manning who is using nanites to control an army in Elore while also avoiding the dangers from the powers of New Philadelphia who are trying to mimic the abilities that Ben and Avlyn share.

Her superior gives orders to Avlyn that she repeatedly ignores. Although she may help gain information and save lives, she is also putting herself and others in danger. This doesn’t stop her behavior. Avlyn is conflicted trying to safe all of the family she has learned to love and trying to save society. Will she be able to help stop the dark powers before they destroy the outside people of Affinity and other humans in the two warring communities?

I listened to book 1, Configured, which introduced Avlyn, Aron, Meyers and Avlyn’s natural mother and community assigned mother. Avlyn’s unique abilities, the intrigue and rivalries were revealed. I did not read or listen to book 2 but enough detail was provided in this book so I didn’t feel like I missed anything.

There is some interesting character relation involvement in this conclusion. However, I struggled with Avlyn’s angst and irresponsible insistence on doing things her own way. The writing felt immature (like the characters) and the plot machinations were clearly worked out to provide danger and rescue. Sadly, not particularly realistic or comfortable. The story did have a suitable conclusion and might work better for true fans of YA (which I may not be). I recommend this to those who like dystopian sci fi with YA elements.

Audio Notes: Brittany Goodwin does a fairly good job providing sufficiently distinct voices. I’m not sure she captured the full depth of emotions (which might have been a good thing) but she did convey the YA feel of the book. I am glad I listened to this rather than reading.

Source: 2/13/2020 Author Code for Review title. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook and Author goals.

Audible Book Review: Primal, Lee Harden, Book 3 by D. J. Molles

I like this series and this was a quick listen that kept my attention.
Primal
Lee Harden, Book 3
By: D.J. Molles
Narrated by: Christian Rummel

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
Release date: 11-05-19
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Military Thriller, Post Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Lee Harden is out for blood. After a month, the cartel is looking over their shoulders and jumping at shadows, worried about the madmen in their backyard, who seem obsessed with little else but killing cartel members. Lee continues to claw his way towards revenge, searching for a target to strike at, or a person to destroy, that will force his enemies to reveal themselves. And nothing is going to stop him. Not even Abe.
In the United Eastern States, things are crumbling around Angela. Safe zones are dropping out of communication, and no one seems to have any faith in her since the fall of Fort Bragg. Carl Gilliard's methods of purging the dissenters grow harsher and harsher, and Angela is forced to run interference for him, denying allegations of misconduct. She needs to get them back to Fort Bragg to show that they aren't losing this war. But she's not sure they can get there before everything falls apart.
Working fast - and sometimes unsafely - to secure the route back to Fort Bragg, Sam Ryder and his squad make a grim discovery that might be the start of an evolutionary jump for the primals - and a threat to the survival of the human race.
In this thrilling and gritty third installment to the Lee Harden series, the only thing you can be certain of is that things are about to change. ©2019 D. J. Molles (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Lee had grown close to his team of ‘warriors’ who have been on the front lines fighting the hordes of infected and trying to protect their safe zones. In the last book, Southlands, Lee and the team had to leave Fort Bragg to seek allies and resources. When they thought they were about to succeed in their mission goals, they were betrayed. Lee lost most of his team including his friend and lover, Julia, who helped keep him focused on more than survival. Now, left with only his fellow soldier, Abe, Lee has no softness and is focused on nothing more than revenge. Abe tries to fulfill their original mission, but he can’t keep Lee on track. Lee’s drive is brutal and gritty and although he gets to some of his enemies he finally gets reeled into the net of the strongest foe.

Meanwhile, President Angela, security leader Carl and others are trying to keep the refugees of the United Eastern States together while they weed out the dissenting ‘traitors’. They hope to retake Fort Bragg which they lost due to the internal coup allowing the infected primals to swarm their home fort.

Sam Ryder, a young man rescued by Lee and left in the care of Angela, is hiding the secret that he knows at least one of the dissenters who is living among the other refugees. Sam has become one of the many teams who go out to hunt and kill the primals. He is one of the few who begins to see a disturbing change in the patterns of the mutating creatures. Unless others take note of the ‘evolution’ the primals could succeed in eliminating the remaining human population.

I do enjoy the fast pace action in this series. The characters are well developed and make for interesting conflict, even if I don’t like all of them. I do like Lee and Abe and the tension that exists between them. There are a couple of chapters where the language gets too foul for my tastes but, fortunately, that passes and the plot takes precedence again. This episode had more battle issues than moving the survivors forward to safety but it laid the foundation for the next book to do that with some potential allies and the new level of primals to face. I will definitely be continuing with the series.

This is a series spin off (or continuation) of Molles' series called the Remaining where Lee, Abe and other soldiers are introduced as leaders in Project Hometown. I recommend both series to fans of zombie type survival, action stories.

Audio Notes: Christian Rummel is the voice of the series and he doesn’t disappoint. He delivers the pain, grit, weariness and frustrations of the characters. I will be glad to continue to listen to the series.

Source: September 2020 Credit purchase. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook goal.

Audio Book Review: Murder's a Witch by Danielle Garrett

This is a fun, easy mystery with paranormal characters.

Murder's a Witch
Written By: Danielle Garrett
Narrated By: Amanda Ronconi

Duration: 6 hours 49 minutes
Release date: 01-30-18
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Summary:
Holly Boldt has a secret . . .
Well, technically, she has lots of them. After a scandal uproots her entire life, she is forced to relocate to a halfway house for displaced paranormals. It's her last shot for a fresh start. But keeping secrets isn't easy in a town that goes through gossip faster than tissue paper, even for a powerful witch.
When a grisly murder rocks the small town of Beechwood Harbor, Holly finds herself unwillingly entangled in the investigation. With everyone watching, Holly must solve the case before she's forced to abandon her new-found home. But with a paranormal investigator tailing her every move, a civil war brewing between her vampire and shifter roommates, and her ghostly landlord on the edge of a breakdown, she can barely think in complete sentences. How is she supposed to track down a murderer?
Holly has to make it work, or risk losing everything . . . again.

Review:
Holly is a witch who apparently gets in trouble. This has caused her to be exiled from the paranormal realm to a halfway house for those like her – displaced paranormals. Holly’s house mates include the ghost landlady (Posy), a dog shapeshifter (Adam), a beauty queen obsessed vampiress (Lacey), and a new, mysterious man (Gary) who is rarely seen. They share an historic manor house set out on a bluff away from any close neighbors. They all try to stay ‘under the radar’ as required by the rules.

When Holly confronts a snooping man in the rose bushes, she meets Nick, a private investigator new to town who wants to arrange ghost tours of the old mansion. Holly quickly says “no” and sends him on his way.

Holly works as a barista in a local coffee shop. Her boss isn’t the most pleasant woman around and has a daily battle with the neighboring shop owner. Holly arrives at work one morning and stumbles on her boss’s dead body. When it turns out that Holly’s co-worker and friend is the most likely suspect, Holly is determined to find the real murderer, even if it means applying a few of her witching abilities.

Holly is able to get Adam to stop sparring with Lacey long enough to help her investigate. Meanwhile she is being dogged by a persistent Nick who is taking an interest in the murder, as well as an interest in Holly.

This is a fun, easy read/listen. There is light humor and a satisfying mystery. The paranormal elements add to the background as we wonder what type of creature Gary is. The quirky characters are nicely developed as the author lays out relationships that can survive to contribute to the next book. I recommend this to readers who enjoy cozy mystery with paranormals.

Audio Notes: Amanda Ronconi did a nice job with the narration. She applies distinct voices and appropriate energy. I enjoyed the listening experience.

Source: 10/2020 Audiobooks.com Mystery Audiobook Club. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Zombie Fallout: Zero by Mark Tufo

I liked this military based addition explaining the beginning of the Zombie Fallout. Zombie Fallout: Zero
By: Mark Tufo
Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Series: Zombie Fallout, Book 0.5
Length 2h 44m
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Dystopian Sci Fi, Horror, Zombie
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
#Fraterfest

Publisher's Summary
In this audio-exclusive prequel - a must-hear for die-hard Zombie Fallout fans and newcomers alike - listeners are brought back to the days before outbreak; to the origins of a virus capable of raising the dead, its patient zero, and the events that set in motion the destruction of the human race.
Those who would seek a new world order have unleashed the most devastating virus onto mankind, and even they do not know the secrets hidden in their weapon. Follow along as Harry, a CDC scientist, races to figure out what exactly the virus is and how to stop it. It will be up to him and a group of marines led by Major Sanders to stop the zombie fallout before it ravages an unsuspecting world.
©2016 Mark Tufo (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
A strange mob has overrun the police in New York. As Harry, a CDC scientist, studies the films he notes alarming behavior because the mob appear not to die even when shot or disembodied. Harry digs deep into the scientific genome of the virus that has turned these humans into beasts. He reports to his co-worker that the virus has been modified to allow a quick and harmful infection. They don’t realize how serious the infection is until they watch a test subject, Patient Zero, who is believed to be dead. The man comes alive, with inhuman strength and hunger, to attack the guards in his holding cell. The CDC scientists try to warn the government but soon learn that their warnings are being thwarted by nefarious forces who have actually planned the spread of the evil virus.

Major Sanders is in the field for the last two days of training of his new marines when his superior orders him to return to base so that the base can meet vaccination levels. Sanders ignores the order and is then called back by an even higher superior the next morning. Sanders and his new recruits return to learn that they are facing a new enemy.

I listened to book 1 which tells the story of a Michael Talbot and his family fighting in their gated community. It was okay but didn’t pull me into the series. I did like this novella that explains how the virus started and who was Patient Zero. I particularly enjoyed the military involvement fighting the early waves of infected. If the rest of the series included Harry and Sanders I would be more interested in listening. I recommend this to fans of the zombie genre.

Audio Notes: Sean Runnette is the narrator for this series and he does a good job. He portrays the characters with distinct voices and captures their personalities. I am glad I had this as a plus catalog free story to listen too as part of my 2020 October #Fraterfest.

Source: 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook. Alphabet and #Fraterfest goals.

Audio Book Review: Manners and Monsters by Tilly Wallace

I love this cover and totally enjoyed the story!

Manners and Monsters
A Regency paranormal mystery
Written by Tilly Wallace
Narrated by Marian Hussey

Run time: 7 hours and 31 minutes
Release Date: June 7, 2019
Publisher: Ribbonwood Press
Genre: Gaslamp Fantasy, Paranormal, Regency
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5. #Fraterfest

Guys and ghouls, gather round for this grisly romp… (that’s a thing, right?) After a gruesome crime ruins her friend’s engagement party, Lady Hannah must use her knowledge of the occult to help boorish viscount Wycliff find the murderer — that is, if the two don’t kill each other first. Great for fans of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies!
Publisher Description
A lady never reveals the true extent of her decay…
Hannah Miles lives a quiet existence, helping her parents conduct research into a most terrible affliction - until a gruesome murder during her best friend’s engagement party pulls her from the shadows. With her specialist’s knowledge and demure disposition, Hannah is requested to aid the investigation.
Except Hannah discovers her role is to apologise in the wake of the rude and disgraced man tasked with finding the murderer. The obnoxious Viscount Wycliff thinks to employ Hannah purely as a front to satisfy Whitehall, but she’ll have none of that.
The two must work together to find the murderer before the season is ruined. But the viscount is about to meet his greatest challenge, and it’s not a member of the ton with a hankering for brains.

Review:
Lady Hannah’s father is a famous physician, and her mother is a once famous mage. Hannah isn’t a normal society lady as she spends her time helping her father in autopsies and research and observing her ‘undead’ mother wield her magical skills, which Hannah did not inherit. Hannah’s mother and about 300 other women in London died but became reanimated after being poisoned by a powder used as a bio-weapon during war with France. The infected women, and a handful of men, are in various stages of decay and Hannah’s father is desperately trying to find a cure, particularly for his beloved wife. All of the infected continue their suspended lives without a heartbeat and with a rather repulsive food requirement.

Hannah has a few friends left in society and is intent on being there to support her friend’s engagement party. Unfortunately, the event is marred by the discovery of a dead footman who appears to have been killed by one of the infected. Viscount Wycliff, a dark, moody and secretive man who is mostly shunned by society, steps forward to investigate the death. Apparently Wycliff is working with the government as an investigator of paranormal beings in London.

Because Wycliff is unable to use proper manners around the infected Ladies of the ton, he is directed to engage the assistance of Lady Hannah to help with all the interviews. Although they are reluctant to work together, they are both intent on finding the murderer and learning more about the problems of the infected. As similar deaths of lower level servants continue, Hannah and Wycliff perceive a pattern and narrow the field of suspects. Soon they are racing together to uncover the killer and save other innocents from a gruesome death.

I really liked Hannah’s character right away and even liked the mysterious, dark Wycliff. The plot is intriguing and there is a touch of humor underlying the macabre situation the author has created. I enjoyed the mystery as well as the subtle growth of attraction, though not yet friendship, between the heroine and hero. I will definitely be continuing this series.

Audio Notes: Marian Hussey does a grand job with the narration. She provides differing voices and spot on energy. I am not sure that I have heard her narration before, but I will be glad to listen to more stories she narrates. The narration added to my enjoyment of this book.

Source: 4/22/2020 Chirp purchase $.99. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook and #Fraterfest goals.

Audible Book Review: Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

This is a twisted Vampire short story. I saved this for #Fraterfest too.
Carmilla
By: Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Narrated by: Phoebe Fox, Rose Leslie, David Tennant, David Horovitch, James Wilby, Susan Wooldridge, Hannah Genesius

Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins
Release date: 10-27-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Classic, Gothic, Horror, Vampire
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25 Narration 4.25.
#Fraterfest

About This Audible Original
Their house guest is beautiful and charming, but she carries a dark secret—one that could prove deadly. It’s time for gothic horror fans to sink their teeth into one of the very first vampire thrillers ever written. David Tennant (Doctor Who, Harry Potter), Phoebe Fox (Life in Squares, The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death), and Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones, Downtown Abbey) breathe new life into J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s classic horror story, Carmilla.
It all begins when Laura’s widowed father finds Carmilla stranded in the forest after a carriage accident and takes her in. The young women develop a fast friendship which turns into a passionate meeting of souls. A relationship of vampire and prey, the story is told through Laura’s eyes as she is drawn further into Carmilla’s terrifying world of pleasure and pain.
A masterpiece of erotic gothic horror, Carmilla encompasses mystery, suspense, forbidden lust, violence...and blood. This audio adaptation of Carmilla has been dramatized by Robin Brooks, an actor, dramatist, and author who has been working as a playwright for over 25 years. Carmilla was directed by Fiona McAlpine of Allegra Productions for Audible Originals. David Tennant, Phoebe Fox, and Rose Leslie bring their talent and gravitas to this Audie nominated performance (Original Work), making it an exhilarating listening experience.
©2015 Audible Ltd. (P)2015 Audible Ltd.

Review:
Laura is a lovely young woman who is secluded at home with her protective father. When a carriage breaks down not far from their schloss (castle in Austria), Laura’s father is persuaded to take in the woman’s ethereal daughter who appears unwell. Carmilla is near Laura’s age and the two girls grow closer. Laura is intrigued by Carmilla’s advances even as she is slightly uncomfortable with them. No one in the household seems to see the danger in the relationship until Laura begins to grow more and more languid and Carmilla begins to go missing from her room. Even then the danger isn’t clear until a neighbor, who lost his beloved daughter, shares his experience.

This is a twisty vampiric, erotic, gothic novel. Isn’t that a mix? I like the ghostly and vampire quality as well as the dark gothic setting. The full story made me curious about the history and this is what I found:

“Carmilla is an 1872 Gothic novella by Irish author Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu and one of the early works of vampire fiction, predating Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897) by 26 years.”

Similar to Laura, I found the story engaging and repelling at the same time. I recommend this quick read/listen to serious vintage fans, vampire fans and those who enjoy a touch of horror.

Audio Notes: This is a dramatic presentation that pulled me into the dark atmosphere which is conveyed by all of the narrators. The narration is a bit of a treat itself and made this book an extra special gem in my October horror reading/listening.

Source: 10/23/2019 Audible Original. This qualifies for 2020 TBR, 2020Audiobook and #Fraterfest goals.

Audible Book Review: Carniepunk: The Demon Barker of Wheat Street by Kevin Hearne

I enjoy the Iron Druid Series and the short novellas that add to the series.

Carniepunk: The Demon Barker of Wheat Street
By: Kevin Hearne
Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne
Series: Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 4.7
Length: 1 hr and 4 mins
Release date: 09-09-14
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Genre: Short Story, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 3.75.
#Fraterfest

Publisher's Summary
From the New York Times best-selling author of Hounded comes an Iron Druid Chronicles short story in the captivating Carniepunk anthology.
The ancient Druid Atticus O’Sullivan gets more than greasy corn dogs and flat soda when he visits a carnival in Kansas to which his apprentice, Granuaile, drags him. He runs across a barker with a strange power over the crowd: attractive women leave their men and disappear into an unmarked tent, never to be seen again, and the men wander away, forgetting that they ever had girlfriends or wives. When Granuaile falls under the barker’s influence and enters the tent, Atticus isn’t about to forget it and move on. He and his Irish wolfhound, Oberon, pursue her and discover the horrifying secret to the carnival’s success.
©2014 Kevin Hearne (P)2014 Simon & Schuster Audio

Review:
Atticus has been busy training his apprentice, Granuaile, after faking her death a few years earlier. Granuaile is concerned how her mother is doing and convinces Atticus to go with her to her home town in Kansas. Atticus is originally reluctant because he last left Kansas on tense terms with the underlying elemental whom he calls “Amber”. There is no telling what might occur to Atticus.

Once Granuaile has confirmed that her mother is fine, she drags Atticus to a local carnival. At first things seem fairly normal until they come upon a tent where the people seem to enter and disappear, leaving, friends behind with a sense of confusion. Granuaile rushes in before Atticus can warn her that he has recognized danger in the booth. Atticus’ faithful wolfhound, Oberon, also realizes there is danger but by the time he tries to pull Granuaile away, she is mesmerized and unresponsive to him. Will Amber help Atticus in his desperate efforts to reach Granuaile before she is destroyed by the evil that has taken over?

I enjoy the Iron Druid series and it is always fun to get the adventure and danger in a short bite novella between the full stories. The usual sass and snark between the characters is present and makes the story the fun I expected. I recommend the short story to fans of the series or to readers who might want to test the waters in the Iron Druid series.

Audio Notes: I have to say that I was disappointed in the audio. The quality was fine and the narrator, Kirby Heyborne, did an alright job, but he is not Luke Daniels. Those of us who have listened to other full stories and novellas in the series which have been narrated by Daniels are clearly aware of the difference in voice and not too happy about the different narrator. It did jolt even my equable senses. I was glad to have the listen for my air-flight but to true fans I might suggest reading this one.

Source: 12/13/2019 Audible Member Sales $.94. This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020Audiobook goals and #Fraterfest event.

Audio Book Review: The Book of Riley: A Zombie Tale by Mark Tufo

This is a zombie tale with a dog hero.
The Book of Riley: A Zombie Tale
Written By: Mark Tufo
Narrated By: Sean Runnette

Duration: 2 hours 58 minutes
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
#Fraterfest

Summary:
When the zombie apocalypse strikes without warning one dog will hold the fate of her pack in her paws. This is the story of Riley, an American bulldog. Follow along as she tries to keep her pack safe from a zombie apocalypse. Traveling with her are Ben-Ben the high strung Yorkie, her favorite two-legger Jessie, Jessie's younger brother Zachary, and Riley's arch enemy Patches the cat. They are a rag-tag group of survivors, who, when pushed to the limit, realize that they are all each other has.

Review:
Riley is a loving dog who wants to protect her human pack. She stands with the human alpha and is surprised to get help from the pip-squeak Yorkie, Ben-Ben. Of course, (according to Riley), the cowardly and obnoxious cat, Patches, hid in the bathroom with the rest of the human pack. When some of her human pack fall, Riley is forced to save the teen daughter, Jessie, and the baby child, Zachery. Riley is joined in the journey to safety by Ben-Ben and Patches who turns out to have some wisdom and cleverness – even if she remains a great annoyance.

I enjoyed the dog’s view which is filled with humor, base thoughts (food, smells and elimination process) and rivalry with the cat. I am fairly sure this is a spin off from the Zombie Fallout series. I had listened to Book 1 of the primary series in 2018 and have a prequel, Zombie Fallout: Zero, ready to go this week as a “Z” title. I think I liked the dog book more but I wouldn’t want a steady diet of this. I recommend the Riley books as quick reads/listens for those you enjoy zombie battles with pets, and humor.

Audio Notes:  It appears that Sean Runnette is the narrator for Mr. Tufo and he has adapted well to the characters, whether dogs, cats or military.

Source: 10/2020 Audiobooks.com Mystery Audiobook Club. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook goal and #Fraterfest.