Three Short Reviews for Ghostly #Fraterfest Reads: The Tutor by Rod A. Galino; A Wild Ghost Chase By E.J. Copperman; The Ghost Hunter Next Door by Danielle Garrett

This is a quick, engaging story and I would be willing to read more in the series.
#Fraterfest #4.
The Tutor: A Ghost Story
By Rod A. Galindo

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01IJASLSU
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wordwraith Books LLC; 1st edition (July 14, 2016)
Genre: Children’s Scary Stories, Ghosts
Source: February 2019 free Kindle.
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

"The Tutor" is Chapter One of "Claire", WINNER of the 2019 Next Generation Indie Book Paranormal category.
Young Max hates Fourth Grade math. His teenage friend Claire is an ace with numbers, and is always eager to help him with his homework. Max adores her, and loves when she visits him in the old house on Hollow Street.
Claire can also weave a ghost story like no one else. But her favorite tale always sends chills down his spine, and hits a little too close to home...

Comments:
This free Kindle story introduces Claire who isn’t quite the tutor you might expect. The short story is complete with its own little twist.

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I enjoy this ghostly cozy mystery series.
#Fraterfest #5.
A Wild Ghost Chase
By: E.J. Copperman
Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin

Series: Haunted Guesthouse, Book 3.5
Length: 2 hrs and 34 mins
Release date: 07-15-13
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Ghosts, Paranormal
Source: 11/5/2022 Audible Plus.
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's summary
Phantom PI Paul Harrison from the national best-selling Haunted Guesthouse mysteries returns with a tale of his own in a house full of ghosts, secrets, and spectacular oceanside views.…
Three years ago in a large Victorian house on the Jersey Shore in the town of Harbor Haven, fledgling private investigator Paul and his client, Maxie Malone, were murdered. Since then, recent divorcée and reluctant ghost whisperer Alison Kerby and her 10-year-old daughter, Melissa, have moved in and converted the place to a guesthouse, where Maxie and Paul are now checked in for an eternity and ready to solve any case that comes their way - or at least spook the guests (who love it). Alison’s got a lot on her plate at the moment, however, so when Paul discovers the 300-year-old ghost of a small boy in the house, he decides not to involve her in the case. The boy, named Eagle of the Sun, says he’s searching for his missing mother. Paul’s happy to help Eagle of the Sun find her, though something about the boy’s story doesn’t add up. But why would a lost little ghost lie?
Includes a preview of the next Haunted Guesthouse Mystery, Chance of a Ghost, available February 2013.
©2012 Jeffrey Cohen (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Comments:
While Alison struggles to deal with the living guests in the house, her ghostly occupants, Paul and Maxie, try to help a small ghost boy who claims to be a 300 year old Native American looking for his mother. Unfortunately, the boy’s story doesn’t match history and Paul, Maxie, and Melissa end up having to dig a little deeper to resolve the mystery.
The narration by James Patrick Cronin is clear and enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

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I enjoyed this ghostly cozy too. I will listen to more in the series.
#Fraterfest #6.
The Ghost Hunter Next Door
Beechwood Harbor Ghost Mysteries, Book 1
By: Danielle Garrett
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi

Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins
Release date: 03-26-19
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Ghosts, Supernatural
Source: 11/27/2022 Audible sale $2.99.
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's summary
The first rule of being a ghost whisperer: Don't tell anyone. Seriously. Don't.
Sure, it might sound harmless. A fun party trick, even. I assure you, it's not. How do I know? Well, let's just say that I've had a lot of experience with this sort of thing, and nine times out of 10, it turns into an all-consuming disaster.
Being plagued by needy ghosts 24-7 is one thing; being harassed by a horde of curious - or worse, grieving - flesh-and-blood people is an entirely different circus. I mean really, who wants to hold an impromptu seance in the middle of the cereal aisle? Not me, and the manager of the grocery store probably isn't too crazy about the idea, either.
So, that's it. If you're a ghost whisperer, just keep your mouth shut and act normal. Ghosts? What ghosts?
Now, if only I would start listening to my own advice....
©2017 Danielle Garrett (P)2019 Tantor

Comments
Scarlet wasn’t thrilled with her gift of seeing and hearing ghosts. But she has to give them a chance or she gets no rest at all. This time, Scarlet is called upon to help deal with an angry ghost who doesn’t want people filming or remodeling her old home. Can Scarlet figure out why Rose is so angry and help the situation before someone really gets hurt?

The character interaction is cute, and the story is well laid out. Amanda Ronconi does a good job with the narration, fitting all of the characters. I would enjoy listening to more books in the series.

Audible Book Review: Night of the Living Deed by E.J. Copperman

This is a fun, cozy mystery perfect for a spooky month (or other days) listen.
Night of the Living Deed
By: E.J. Copperman
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi

Book 1 in the Haunted Guesthouse series
Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins
Release date: 10-22-13
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Cozy, Ghost, Supernatural, Woman Sleuth
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Welcome to the first Haunted Guest House mystery - the getaway every reader can afford.
Newly divorced Alison Kerby wants a second chance for herself and her nine-year-old daughter. She's returned to her hometown on the Jersey Shore to transform a Victorian fixer-upper into a charming-and profitable guest house. One small problem: the house is haunted, and the two ghosts insist Alison must find out who killed them.
©2010 Jeffrey Cohen (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Alison is a new divorcee who has returned to her hometown with her nine-year-old daughter, Melissa. Alison plans to turn a Victorian ‘estate’ home on the Jersey Shore into a guest house for vacationers. Shortly after beginning the remodeling of the house, she begins to experience unusual events, one of which knocks her out. When she comes to, she is surprised to have a man and a woman hovering over her. The problem is, they aren’t real people… they are ghosts. Alison learns that Maxi, the former owner of the house, and Paul, a private detective she hired, were murdered, and died in the house.

Alison doesn’t want her friends to think she is crazy, but she soon realizes that Melissa can see the ghosts too and she hasn’t been shy about sharing the sightings with her school friends. More disturbing is the fact that Alison receives threats to get out of the house. The local police detective doesn’t give the threats much credit, so Alison sets out to investigate with the insistence and guidance of Paul.

This is a fun listen with some tongue in cheek banter. Maxi is a bit of a pistol who is ready to take her frustrations and resentment out on Alison. The investigation leads Alison to interview various characters, several of whom had opportunity and possible money motives. Alison also finds a spark with Melissa’s history teacher who is eager to see the house and has a theory why someone may be pushing to get the owners out of the house.  I like the deed and history connection.

I enjoyed the characters, living and deceased, and the mystery. There are a couple of fun twists as the story reaches resolution. I am glad that I have more books in the series which came free through the Audible Plus catalog. I recommend this to fans of cozy mysteries with ghostly ‘friends’.

Audio Notes: Amanda Ronconi is a fine narrator who delivers these characters with fitting voices and distinguishing quirks. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: October 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021Audiobook 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: Changeling: A Novel of Sorcery and Society by Molly Harper

This was a fun, easy listen.

Changeling: A Novel of Sorcery and Society
by Molly Harper
Narrated by Amanda Ronconi

Series: Sorcery and Society, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 08-22-18
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Action & Adventure, Children, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
If 14-year-old Cassandra Reed makes it through her first day at Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies without anyone discovering her secret, maybe, just maybe, she’ll let herself believe that she really does belong at Miss Castwell’s. Except Cassandra Reed’s real name is Sarah Smith and up until now, she lived her whole life in the Warren, serving a magical family, the Winters, as all non-magical “Snipes” are bound by magical Guardian law to do. That is, until one day, Sarah accidentally levitates Mrs. Winter’s favorite vase in the parlor....
But Snipes aren’t supposed to have magical powers...and the existence of a magical Snipe threatens the world order dictated during the Guardians’ Restoration years ago. If she wants to keep her family safe and protect her own skin, Sarah must figure out how to fit into posh Guardian society, master her newfound magical powers, and discover the truth about how an ordinary girl can become magical.
©2018 Molly Harper White (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Cassandra is part of a non-magical “Snipe” family. The Snipes have few freedoms and few choices as they are assigned to work for the Guardian families. One day Cassandra surprises her employer by using strong magic. Rather than being angry, Mrs. Winter embraces Cassandra and creates an alias for her as a family cousin so she can be sent for training to Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies.

Cassandra, now known as Sarah, arrives at the school with stigma as an unknown. Even the headmistress, a friend of Mrs. Winter, is reluctant to accept Sarah. However, when Sarah is sent for a basic tour of the library a startling event occurs. The premiere magic book responded to Sarah, breaking through its glass cover to brand her as the first translator in over a hundred years. There are other loner students who might befriend Sarah but she is scooped up by the elite, ‘popular’ student who intimidates the ‘lesser’ girls. Sarah is struggling to balance her non-magical upbringing with the expectations of her substitute family and the upper society of the Guardian class she has been pushed into. She faces the danger of being exposed but there is an even greater danger stalking her on the campus grounds.

I liked that this is a gaslight, Victorian story with a touch of young romance rather than a sexually on-the-edge romance. I really liked the friends that Sarah rallied with. I enjoyed the conflict, the mystery and the suspense. It has the wonderful Molly Harper humor but there are editing issues and plot gaps that need fixing. I recommend this to readers who enjoy light, fun paranormal.

Audio Notes: Amanda Ronconi brings her excellent narration skills to this fun story. I liked the voices she provided to help the story come alive. I am glad I listened to the audio version.

Source: 2/20/19 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

If you are looking for a quick, fun listen, this fits the bill.
Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs
Half-Moon Hollow, Book 1
By: Molly Harper
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi
Series: Half-Moon Hollow, Book 1

Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 02-19-10
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Maybe it was the Shenanigans gift certificate that put her over the edge. When children's librarian and self-professed nice girl Jane Jameson is fired by her beastly boss and handed $25 in potato skins instead of a severance check, she goes on a bender that's sure to become Half Moon Hollow legend. On her way home, she's mistaken for a deer, shot, and left for dead. And thanks to the mysterious stranger she met while chugging neon-colored cocktails, she wakes up with a decidedly unladylike thirst for blood.
Jane is now the latest recipient of a gift basket from the Newly Undead Welcoming Committee, and her life-after-lifestyle is taking some getting used to. Her recently deceased favorite aunt is now her ghostly roommate. She has to fake breathing and endure daytime hours to avoid coming out of the coffin to her family. She's forced to forgo her favorite down-home Southern cooking for bags of O negative. Her relationship with her sexy, mercurial vampire sire keeps running hot and cold. And if all that wasn't enough, it looks like someone in Half Moon Hollow is trying to frame her for a series of vampire murders. What's a nice undead girl to do?
Love in vein: bite into more of Jane Jameson's paranormal exploits.
©2009 Molly Harper White (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Nice girl, librarian Jane is having a drinking pity party over losing her job. When she leaves the bar, her car breaks down and she falls into a ditch. A good ole’ boy drives by and shoots her thinking she is a deer. She is left for dead in the ditch but wakes up in a nice bed. She is surprised to be alive but even more surprised to discover she is now part of the undead!

Jane met a tall dark and handsome man, Gabriel, at the bar. Now he has become her sire and he finds her sense of innocence fascinating. Jane’s fresh new looks are attracting other men and apparently raising some jealousy.

Jane is stumbling through the etiquette of the undead as she has a lot to learn very quickly. She is called in front of the Vampire Council within just a day or two for a murder of a man she fought with. It appears someone is setting her up to take a fall.

Attacks and accusations keep mounting as Jane tries to figure out what is going on. Meanwhile she is dodging her parents so she doesn’t have to disclose her new secret. Jane may not get to enjoy her extended life if she doesn’t find the person giving her trouble. But she may be more unhappy than expected when she finally learns the truth.

The story, told in Jane’s self-deprecating voice, is full of humor and sly fun. Jane is an amusing character and the dialog is full of dry wit. Although there is some romance, it is not openly sexual. Molly Harper has a wonderful ability to share this type of light entertainment in her stories. This was a quick listen with the usual fun Molly Harper snark. I recommend this author and this story to readers who like a fun, light read that will make them laugh.

Audio Notes: Amanda Ronconi does a wonderful job with the narration. You can just envision the eye rolls and hear the snark that fits the main character. The narration added to my enjoyment of a fun story.

This was on my Audible shelf since 2012. It qualified for my 2017 TBR and Audiobook challenges.