Audible Book Review: Oracle by Andrew Pyper

This is a little raw and perfect for fans of dark thrillers.

Oracle
By: Andrew Pyper
Narrated by: Joshua Jackson

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins
Release date: 08-17-21
Publisher: Audible Originals
Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Oracle is a psychological thriller audiobook following Nate Russo, an FBI psychic who helps solve abductions and homicides by touching those close to the missing persons. His unique gift comes with a terrible price: He sees the horrific moments before the victims disappeared. This high-stakes mystery, written by best-selling author Andrew Pyper and performed by Joshua Jackson, combines crime investigations with supernatural elements and killer instincts.
©2021 Andrew Pyper Enterprises, Inc. (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Nate Russo consults with the FBI in a very special way. He is able to touch a loved one of a missing person and see the terror and fear of the victims as they are taken. He and the two agents he works with try to respond quickly in hopes of finding victims before they are dead. It is a source of anger and frustration that they find the bodies but too late. The cost of reading the loved ones and then failing to bring back a survivor comes at a great cost to Nate.

How Nate got this “gift” or curse is a big part of his past. This becomes an element in his struggles as the latest victim draws the team back to his boyhood town. Tensions increase as Nate finds his brother has returned home too and authorities in the town scorn Nate’s skills.

Nate’s background and feelings are well developed as he is the pivotal character in the story. His partners are not as deeply developed but still have distinct features that add to the team. Nate’s skill of seeing the victims last minutes draws the reader in a macabre fascination.

I generally like to read horror and dark stories in October. I pulled this into my reading/listening queue because it showed it would no longer be available after May 14. There is a sequel and I may add it someday for an October read. I recommend this to fans of dark, psychological thrillers.

Audio Notes: Joshua Jackson does an interesting and good job with narration. He delivers the rather creepy vibe quite well. I am glad I had the chance to listen to this.

Source: 8/2/2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Heaven's River, Bobiverse, Book 4, by Dennis E. Taylor

I enjoyed the entertainment of this space adventure.
Heaven's River
Bobiverse, Book 4
By: Dennis E. Taylor
Narrated by: Ray Porter

Series: Bobiverse, Book 4
Length: 16 hrs and 57 mins
Release date: 09-24-20
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.75.

About This Audible Original
Civil war looms in the Bobiverse in this brand-new, epic-length adventure by Audible #1 bestseller Dennis E. Taylor.
More than a hundred years ago, Bender set out for the stars and was never heard from again. There has been no trace of him despite numerous searches by his clone-mates. Now Bob is determined to organize an expedition to learn Bender’s fate — whatever the cost.
But nothing is ever simple in the Bobiverse. Bob’s descendants are out to the 24th generation now, and replicative drift has produced individuals who can barely be considered Bobs anymore. Some of them oppose Bob’s plan; others have plans of their own. The out-of-control moots are the least of the Bobiverse’s problems.
Undaunted, Bob and his allies follow Bender’s trail. But what they discover out in deep space is so unexpected and so complex that it could either save the universe — or pose an existential threat the likes of which the Bobiverse has ever faced.
Heaven’s River is the fourth installment in the blockbuster Audible Original Bobiverse series—which has sold more than 1 million copies.
©2020 Dennis E. Taylor (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC
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Review:
Bob was the original human brain loaded up to become an AI entity to head into space. A hundred years later, Bob’s organization has expanded to the 24th replicative generation. That presents its own problems, but Bob’s first level replicate, Bender, hasn’t been heard from since he set out to explore the distant galaxies a hundred years ago. Bob has never let go of the idea of finding Bender even as the Bobiverse continues to move out to deep space.

Bob suddenly comes across a new world where he thinks Bender may be found. Now the goal will be to infiltrate the complex megastructure with a ‘river’ environment, in order to determine if Bender is a prisoner or something else. A handful of Bob’s generational ‘children’ are excited to help in the challenge to get into the structure and then move among the beaver like society that has been forbidden to use former technology.

While Bob and friends are pursuing the quest to find Bender, other replicant families are involved in an ideological argument. There are those who insist that the Bobs have no right to interfere with the societies that they come upon…even if it means watching societal genocide. This creates a second story line with some interesting discussions and actions.

I enjoyed the virtual settings, the creative societies, and the ideological arguments. There is plenty of humor in this series, including fun references to movies, books, and authors that sci fi fans will recognize. I recommend starting the series at book 1 to get to know the main Bob replicates. I recommend this series as an easy and entertaining listen.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter delivers the narrative with his usual excellent presentation and spot on voicing and energy. His narration enhanced the story for me.

Source: October 17, 2021 - September 2021 Audible Credits. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023Alphabet, and 2023Location goals.

Audible Book Review: Sheryl Crow, Words + Music Vol 6, by Sheryl Crow

I enjoyed this quick, revealing memoir.
Sheryl Crow
Words + Music | Vol. 6
By: Sheryl Crow
Narrated by: Sheryl Crow

Series: Words + Music
Length: 1 hr and 37 mins
Original Recording Audiobook
Release date: 09-10-20
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Entertainment & Celebrities
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

About This Audible Original
"My music has been a great resource and cathartic tool, but also something I’ve hid behind."

Revealing, intimate, and exhilaratingly raw, celebrated songwriter and acclaimed singer Sheryl Crow’s Words + Music provides the perfect canvas for the nine-time Grammy Award-winning artist to showcase her potent talent, articulate her complex inner workings, and breathe new life into a sizable stack of her most beloved tracks. Part of Audible’s rapidly expanding Words + Music series, blending storytelling, music, and performance to create exceptional listening experiences, Crow’s session is marked by gorgeously stripped-down versions of the songs that made her a household name (exclusively recorded for these sessions). The tunes punctuate rich storytelling, as she dives deep into the history of her career, re-examining the personal experiences and relationships that impacted her artistic journey.

"My journey is my own," Crow says. "I mean, it's definitely not without some detours and definitely not without some hard lessons." True to form, Crow leads us through her winding road to success—maybe more accurately defined as a series of jolting rollercoaster rides, as she recounts all the fits and starts, the feverish highs and lows, that have come to define a career now in its fourth decade. Featuring stunningly crisp, yet lo-fi renditions of eight songs including, "If It Makes You Happy," "All I Wanna Do," "Leaving Las Vegas," "Strong Enough," "My Favorite Mistake," and George Harrison’s soulful "Beware of Darkness," Sheryl Crow lays herself bare. From her early days in small-town Missouri where she sought salvation from her melancholy by turning to mystical rockers (Stevie Nicks and Zeppelin, most notably); to pursuing her dreams, and in quick fashion landing the spectacular gig as one of Michael Jackson’s featured solo vocalists on tour. (A career catapult that quickly became a cautionary tale.)

From the crushing weight of perfectionism and loneliness, to the joys of finally finding kindred musical spirits—only to have it all crumble, just as the music was skyrocketing, the toll of her volatile ascent to stardom comes into focus. In a particularly fascinating section, she revisits the total sense of peer disconnect during the height of her records’ success as her style was painfully incongruent with the greater musical landscape at the time. This, subsequently leading to an "adoption" of sorts by an older, more simpatico class of musicians—luckily for her, they doubled as her heroes: Nicks, Keith Richards, and Dylan, among them. In another poignant moment, Sheryl lets listeners in on the dysfunction and emotional reckoning that came after her well-publicized romances with Eric Clapton, and a few years later, Lance Armstrong.

In just an hour and a half, Sheryl Crow manages to transform before our ears: from a well-known artist to human being we now know pretty damn well. That’s not easy to accomplish. And perhaps most extraordinarily, we are left with a lasting gift: beautiful songs we entered knowing become beautiful songs we now understand.

Review:
Ms. Crow does a lovely job sharing her love of music and the true struggles of trying to get ‘into the business’. It isn’t a pretty picture. She shares openly about her relationships and heartbreaks. It took a while for her to find a comfortable place that didn’t require her to compromise herself.

I listened to this as a filler while I was up late wrapping presents as I had a plan to start a new book on my car ride up north for Christmas. I am not a huge fan of her songs although I do like her voice. This was a charming memoir and personal glimpse of the artist. I appreciated her forthrightness.

Audio Notes: Sheryl Crow does a good job sharing her own words and touches of music. I always wish for more of the music in these short biographies/memoirs. The nice thing of listening is that there is a good sense of the artist’s voice and you can go listen to more online. I appreciate this was a free audible.

Source: August 2020 Free Audible Original. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms

This is a story of family grief and love.

You Can Thank Me Later, A Novella
By: Kelly Harms
Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 10-31-19
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Grief
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

About This Audible Original
A short and sweet audio novella that’ll leave listeners wanting second helpings, You Can Thank Me Later follows an unforgettable family over the course of three Thanksgivings.
When the Dickenson clan sits down for Thanksgiving dinner in 2016, it is the last holiday when their tight-knit family will ever be the same. Oldest brother Pete and his wife are expecting their first child. Youngest sibling Sophie is too busy running her restaurant, The Little Plum, to bother with any kind of social life. And middle child Charlie’s happy, uncomplicated life as a Midwestern science professor is upended when his wife Annette is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Knowing this will be her last Thanksgiving, Annette asks Sophie to look after Charlie after she’s gone. Which would be a lot easier if Charlie didn’t show up with an insufferable new girlfriend at the next holiday meal.
From the best-selling author of The Overdue Life of Amy Byler, this heartwarming novella embraces the spirit and gratitude of the holiday, and shows how a family’s love can endure anything.
©2019 Kelly Harms (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Sophie, is a busy restaurant owner who hosts the annual Thanksgiving family get together. The guests are her older brothers with their spouses, and an unremarkable ‘extra’ date for Sophie. For the 2016 Thanksgiving, eldest brother, Pete and his wife, Keiko, are expecting their first baby. Keiko is deep in nausea when facing most food. Middle child, Charlie is married to Sophie’s bff Annette. Charlie has been happy with his quiet professor life and the wife he adores. But Annette has arrived with bad news. She has had a reoccurrence of cancer and doesn’t expect to live for another Thanksgiving. She asks Sophie to take care of Charlie.

The group next meets in 2018. Keiko has her toddler in tow and is back to dealing with pregnancy nausea. Sophie brings a nice date although she is not so nice to him or Charlie’s date. Part of the family has wanted Charlie to move on to dating but Sophie isn’t ready. It isn’t the happiest of celebrations.

Sophie has to decide if she will even attend the get together in 2020 which is being hosted by Charlie and his girlfriend of the past two years. How will the interaction be in the latest meeting?

Each year begins with a unique feature of leaving messages on Sophie’s phone even though she wants texts, not messages. The listener gains information on the other siblings through these messages and I thought this was a clever writing style.

Keiko and her pregnancy and child issues adds humor and relatable family situations. Charlie’s new girlfriend initially appears to be a bit of a mess, but she contributes a special relationship, plus children of her own, to Charlie and the group. Sophie is the most difficult character with a certain arrogance and nastiness.

I felt some grief from the beginning, both from the cancer issues and the loss of my own husband this spring. Fortunately, the story was entertaining enough to push me beyond that point. I found Sophie’s attitude annoying but was glad for the way it changed for the ending. I do like how the story shares the message of how grief of one family member, a spouse, can impact others in the family. I recommend this as a good listen, particularly for those interested in movement through grief to a new place.

Audio notes: Lauren Fortgang does a good narration fitting Sophie’s character. She portrays the emotions that Sophie feels from grief to disdain and distress. Lauren also manages clear, distinct voices for the other characters. The narration enhanced the story for me.

Source: 11/25/19 Free Audible Originals. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: The Werewolf's 15 Minutes by Jonathan Maberry

This is a perfect, quick, fit for October and #Fraterfest.
#FRATERFEST-2
The Werewolf's 15 Minutes
By: Jonathan Maberry
Narrated by: Ray Porter, Dina Pearlman

Series: Audible Original Stories
Length: 1 hr and 42 mins
Release date: 10-28-21
Publisher: Audible Originals
Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Werewolf
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

About This Audible Original
Gary Bruce is a slacker of epic loserness. Can’t keep a job. His friends are as bad as he is. No girlfriend. No direction.
Gary Bruce is also a werewolf.
Desperate for any kind of success, Gary decides to out himself on YouTube. The moment this ordinary guy goes full-on fur, fangs, and claws, the world can’t get enough of him. He’s the biggest thing on social media, he’s on every talk show, book and movie deals fall in his lap, and for the first time in his life he gets invited to all the best parties.
But celebrity is a special kind of voracious monster. And when Gary’s star begins to lose its luster, he has to decide how far he’ll go to stay relevant in a world that discards has-beens in favor of the next big thing.
Fortunately, Gary has a plan....
The Werewolf’s 15 Minutes is a brand-new short story by New York Times best-seller and five-time Bram Stoker Award winner Jonathan Maberry, author of Bewilderness and V-Wars (Netflix).
©2021 Jonathan Maberry Productions, LLC (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
Gary and his friends are not particularly impressive young men. They struggle to keep a job, much less a girlfriend, or a sense of career direction. Gary has decided to take drastic steps to get attention, so he outs himself as a werewolf on YouTube. Gary gets his 15 minutes of fame but for the wrong reasons. The audience wants to know the secret to his excellent make-up. It takes another step to really be taken seriously and get an agent with all the star hype.

Of course, that only lasts for a limited time. As his star dims, Gary formulates a plan to renew the interest. But he might carry things a bit too far.

I enjoyed this quick story with an appropriately ironic twist that brings a chuckle at the end. There is a bit of lazy-side male banter that wasn’t my favorite but certainly fit the characters. I recommend this as a good, quick Halloween read.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter and Dina Pearlman share the narration on this. I like Porter’s straightforward narration with good pausing and emphasis. Dina also has fitting energy, and I enjoyed the shared segments. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the quick story.

10/27-30/2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: One-Eyed Jax by R.A. Savatore

I enjoyed this short story with drows, dwarves, and elves facing the mystery of a 'sea monster'.

One-Eyed Jax: A Forgotten Realms Adventure
(Legend of Drizzt Series)
by R.A. Salvatore
Narrated by: Victor Bevine

Series: Legend of Drizzt
Length: 1 hr and 56 mins
Original Recording Audiobook
Release date: 06-03-21
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Conflicts will be decided with fisticuffs, card games will be played for the highest of stakes, and swords will be flashed in this rollicking Dungeons & Dragons adventure from New York Times best-selling author R. A. Salvatore.
Maintaining stability in a city full of pirates is a delicate balancing act, particularly when one is motivated by making sure the common folk are taken care of instead of simple personal greed. Jarlaxle and his band of rogues known as Bregan D'aerthe are doing their best, stabilizing the city after warding off a terrible attack by demonic and gnoll forces.
But now three merchant ships have been destroyed and sent to the ocean floor - obliterated in such a quick and brutal manner that it makes little sense it’s pirates seeking plunder. Something is out there on or under the cold dark waters of the Sword Coast, and it threatens the trade Jarlaxle will need to bring prosperity to Luskan.
Fortunately, Jarlaxle has powerful and clever allies he can call upon to help him solve the riddle. But will they do it in time? And even if it's solved, can the perpetrator be defeated?

Review:
Jarlzxle is a drow mercenary leading a band of rogues. When three merchant ships are destroyed and disappear in the ocean there is concern regarding more than pirates. And the only witness had described a creature that no one believes exist.

Jarlaxle, or One-Eyed Jax, pulls together a group of warriors to take on the pirates … or dragon as the case may be. They each have interesting talents and usually need the right incentive, bribe or threat, to join the team. I really love the creativity of this author.

This is a short listen that includes characters from the other works of Salvatore. I have only read one or two others, but this was still a masterful short story that didn’t require knowing all the characters. Readers who like stories of drows, dwarfs and elves should enjoy this story.

Audio Notes: Victor Bevine does a fine job with the narration. He gives the characters distinct voices and brogues that add to the entertainment value of the story.

Source: 6/10/2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: The Science of Sci-Fi by Erin Macdonald

I found this interesting even if I didn't grasp all the true science.
The Science of Sci-Fi
From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel
By: Erin Macdonald, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Erin Macdonald

Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins
Release date: 11-19-19
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Nonfiction, Science & Engineering, Science
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25

About This Audible Original
Science fiction allows listeners to go places they can only dream of seeing—other worlds, distant stars, entirely different galaxies. While not every story is concerned with the hard science behind space travel and other futuristic ventures, fiction can give listeners an amazing insight into what people could be capable of and what people dream of doing.
In the 10 lectures of The Science of Sci-Fi: From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel, Professor Erin Macdonald interweaves real science and the achievements of the imagination to reveal the truth that underlies favorite stories and sheds light on what the future may hold. From faster-than-light travel to journeys through time itself, science fiction makes humanity seem limitless. So, what scientific boundaries are people pushing against while seeking to fly among the stars?
Beginning with an overview of the physics of time and space, Professor Macdonald shows how stories extrapolate current knowledge to create visions of the future and how likely—or unlikely—these fictional journeys could be. What would happen if a spaceship flew into a wormhole, as it does in the film Galaxy Quest? Or, what would happen if someone fired a rocket launcher on the Moon like the soldiers of Mass Effect? Could someone ever break the bounds of light speed as they do in Star Wars and move across the universe without spending decades trying to make it to a distant exoplanet? Is the transporter technology of Star Trek really possible?
As listeners look closely at artificial gravity, inertial dampeners, tachyons, red matter, time dilation, and other sci-fi mainstays through the theories of some of science’s greatest thinkers, they will find that their favorite science fiction stories become even more astonishing.
©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
It is clear the author not only understands the science, but she enjoys the interplay between real science and science fiction. She explains how some television shows and movies have used realistic and possible technology and sometimes use elements that aren’t so likely in real science. At least not that we know of.

Erin Macdonald delivers this course in 10 lectures/chapters that make it a bit easier to digest. She includes some history of science and great scientists, like Newton, Galileo, Einstein, Tesla and more. I clearly did not grasp all the scientific theory, especially the physics, yet she made it engaging by the examples and uses she shared. I really enjoyed the references to well-known and lesser-known fictional stories. This brought it to a level that the lay person, and sci fi fan, could relate to.

I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this as much as I did. I recommend this to any reader who is interested in what is real and what could be in the technology of fictional sci fi.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the author’s narration. Her energy and love of the subject enhanced my enjoyment of the work.

Source: 3/28/2020 Free Audible Original. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Wild Swan: A Story of Florence Nightingale by Patti Callahan

I enjoyed learning about this strong, brave woman through this short historical fiction.
Wild Swan: A Story of Florence Nightingale
By: Patti Callahan
Narrated by: Cynthia Erivo

Series: Audible Original Stories
Length: 1 hr and 54 mins
Release date: 12-10-20
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
In this captivating historical novella narrated by Tony Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo, New York Times best-selling author Patti Callahan Henry celebrates the life of the mother of modern nursing and one of history's greatest heroines: Florence Nightingale.
Wild Swan introduces listeners to the Lady with the Lamp long before she became a legend. In this poignant story, a young woman has just discovered her divine purpose to become a nurse, and struggles to make that dream a reality. While traveling abroad with her close friend, Selina Bracebridge - another strong woman living an unconventional life - a rare opportunity arises for Florence to practice medicine. Intellectually gifted with an advanced education thanks to her father’s progressive political views, can the daughter of a prominent English family defy Victorian societal expectations to fulfill her destiny?
Over the course of a few short years, Florence remains brave and determined in the face of all obstacles, pursuing her passion against her family’s wishes. From her parent’s luxurious countryside estate in England to her travels abroad to the German medical institute where she first began her training and fell in love with her work, we follow Florence during these pivotal early years of her extraordinary life.
©2020 Patti Callahan Henry (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Florence Nightingale was the daughter of a well-off English family and expectations from her mother were for her to have limited education, limited travel and then settle down in marriage. Fortunately, Florence’s father was progressive enough to allow her to get a higher education. Florence wanted to do so much more to help the less fortunate, and especially the injured and sick. Although her mother fought her every step, Florence ultimately persevered.

Florence used her time traveling with a friend to experience life in a convent. Later she is able to begin training at a German medical institute. Florence even made her way before the Queen to seek support for better resources and training to help soldiers in the Crimean War. Florence’s efforts helped lead to greater appreciation for nurses as well as better nursing care, especially during war circumstances.

I grew up knowing about Florence Nightingale as “the angel of mercy” but never really thought about all she went through to share her passion and skills. I appreciated this novella sharing the social reformer side of this unique woman who was determined have a more meaningful life and to ‘follow God’s call’. I like the apt title of "Wild Swan" too. I recommend this to readers who need to remember the pioneers who helped move women into higher education and broader careers.

Audio Notes: Cynthia Erivo does a nice job with the audio. She provides distinct voices and appropriate emotion in her presentation. Her accent and strong voice fit the work. I am glad I found this on Audible Plus.

Source: 12/14/2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Junkyard Bargain by Faith Hunter

I like Shining Smith, her cats, and the action of this series.

Junkyard Bargain
By: Faith Hunter
Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Series: Shining Smith, Book 2
Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins
Release date: 02-25-21
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Sometimes before you can face your enemies—you need to confront yourself.
Time is running out for Shining Smith and her crew to gather the weapons they need to rescue one of their own. But will they even make it to the ultimate battle? First, they’ll need to hit the road to Charleston—a hell ride full of bandits, sex slavers, corrupt lawmen, and criminal bike gangs looking to move in on Shining’s territory.
Shining’s human allies will do anything to protect her—because they must. But will victory be worth it if she must compel more and more people to do her bidding? And will her feline warriors, the junkyard cats, remain loyal and risk their lives? Or are they just in it for the kibble?
Shining knows she’ll need to keep her friends close and her enemies closer. That is, if she’s able to tell which is which.
©2021 Faith Hunter (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Shining Smith receives a package that reveals that a friend, Evelyn, has been taken prisoner by Clarrise Warhammer. Clarrise is a woman with nanobots like Shining but, unlike Shining, Clarrise has no reluctance from using her nanobots to enslave those she touches.

Shining and crew, Cupcake, Mateo, and a group of the junkyard cats, set out to retrieve special weapons needed to pursue a rescue attempt. They head to Charleston and soon run into an ambush by bandits. They discover sex slavers along the journey and Shining and Cupcake are determined to return to save the women…assuming they can get what they want and escape from the city.

Once they reach Charleston, Shining is surprised to find her short term love interest, Jagger, watching her. Their reunion quickly begins to spin out of control until others bring them back to their senses. Shining is not surprised to find that she is in danger from rival motorcycle gangs who don’t want anyone else taking resources from their territory. But she is surprised when it appears her ‘thralls’ seem to be thinking for themselves and not as much under her control as she thought. That has good and bad aspects.

This is the second book in the series, and it picks up where book one ended, and moves quickly forward. These are short books but packed with action and intriguing world building of nanobots and hive minds. I enjoy the action, the character interactions, and the addition of the cats, who aren’t always clear allies. I recommend this story and series to fans of futuristic fantasy. But do start with the first book.

Audio Notes: Khristine Hvam continues to do a great job with the narration. She presents the characters with distinct voices and wonderful energy. The narration enhances this story for me.

Source: March 2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet Series goals.

Junkyard Cats Shining Smith, Book 1 - My Rating 4.25.

Audible Book Review: Eight Winter Nights by Liz Maverick

I enjoyed this quick, sweet romance.

Eight Winter Nights
By: Liz Maverick
Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky , Jason Clarke

Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins
Original Recording Audiobook
Release date: 11-24-20 Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Contemporary, Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

About This Audible Original
Cozy up with this warm, festive rom com novella about being true to your heart, the friendships that define us, and the irresistible pull of holiday magic.
Last year, Rachel Bacharach met the man of her dreams at a Hanukkah party—and then her outgoing best friend Tamara swooped in and "called" Oz Caplan for herself. It’s a typical outcome for the dependable, bookish Rachel, who is never able to extinguish the spark she immediately felt for Oz. But being secretly in love with her best friend’s boyfriend all year hasn’t been easy.
As this year’s party approaches, Oz and Tamara break up. It’s a worst-case scenario when Oz asks Rachel to help him write Tamara love letters to win her back in time for their Hanukkah anniversary. Rachel’s been writing love letters to Oz in her journals for a year; she knows all the words he would need. But will Rachel be able to hide her true feelings from Oz any longer? And might this year’s party finally be Rachel’s chance to trust her heart and put everything on the line for love?
©2020 Liz Maverick (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
Smart and attractive Rachel has always deferred to her stunning and vivacious best friend, Tamara. One year at the traditional Hanukkah party Rachel met Oz. There was immediate zing between them for a handful of minutes until Tamara appeared. Rachel stepped aside and Oz became Tamara’s new squeeze.

Rachel has continued her secret crush for a year and is shocked when Oz and Tamara break up. Tamara goes on a planned holiday vacation alone while directing Rachel to take care of Oz who is in a leg cast. Granted, Oz and Rachel are close friends too, but the request and situation are awkward. It gets worse when Oz declares that he wants to win Rachel back and he needs Rachel’s romantic assistance to accomplish the task. Can Rachel help Oz without revealing her true feelings while also staying loyal to Tamara who might want to get back with Oz?

This is a (mostly) cute, quick listen story. I say mostly because I did have trouble with Tamara’s self-centered character. But I liked the warm relationship between Rachel and Oz and how Rachel handled the dilemma. Her family (full of stereotypes) and friends are good additions. The story was well developed for a short read. It would be a great holiday read but I enjoyed it even though a month or so late. I recommend this to fans of light romance, especially good for the holiday season.

Audio Notes: Eva Kaminsky and Jason Clarke do a nice job with the alternate voices. They give fitting life to the characters and make this an easy listen. I appreciate having this as a free, plus audio.

Source: 2020 Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Andrea Vernon and the Corporation for UltraHuman Protection by Alexander C. Kane

This is a bit zany fun listening.

Andrea Vernon and the Corporation for UltraHuman Protection
By: Alexander C. Kane
Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
Release date: 08-22-17
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
Think superheroes are tough? Try having one for a boss, or co-worker. That’s the predicament Andrea Vernon finds herself in as the heroine of Alexander C. Kane’s debut audiobook. Drowning in debt, and forced to move back into her parents’ Queens apartment, Andrea starts looking for a job. Luckily for her, she finds herself recruited—well, really kidnapped—by the Corporation for UltraHuman Protection (C.U.P.), an organization that deploys superheroes. Suddenly Andrea must contend with co-workers who can shoot lightning from their fingertips, face the imminent destruction of humanity, and juggle a fledgling romance with a giant lumberjack. It’s all in a day’s work for the would-be novelist turned superstar secretary.
Audible Hall of Fame narrator Bahni Turpin is perfectly cast as a normal person finding herself in abnormal circumstances. Turpin brings to life an entire cast of quirky characters, along with their heroically funny antics in the cubicle next door. If you’ve ever wondered what a genetically altered rhinoceros sounds like, or needed to take a break from your own office drudgery, this is the comedy for you.
© 2017 Alexander C. Kane (P) 2017 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
All her life Andrea has hoped her parents would be proud of her efforts. But Andrea’s European Studies/English degrees aren’t impressive to a family including a “Doctor”, a “Professor”, and a “State Senator”. Andrea hasn’t found the right job to settle into and, having struggled without a job for months, she has applied online for a job as an Administrative Assistant who “Must be willing to never ask questions. Ever.” Suddenly someone cuts a hole in her apartment wall as another man in a gas mask walks through her door to take her to an interview.

Andrea agrees to accept a job at the Corporation for UltraHuman Protection (C.U.P.), Soon she is dealing with all sorts of superheroes and learning how to please her secretive boss, Mrs. Persephone Oh. It turns out that Andrea is an excellent AA and willing to job into action when the need arises.

The surperhero characters are strange and fun with most having quirky abilities. Teleporter Joe can only teleport one way to one place, The Big Axe grows in size with his special, deadly axe, Tiger King uses his speed and claws, Kitchen Sink uses a costume that gives the wearer a deep voice and all sorts of weapons to throw at villains, and Professor Well Actually can’t help correcting facts as he begins each sentence with “Well, actually…”. There are many more and the C.U.P. administrative office has to deal with all normal Human Resource issues, their complaints regarding supplies, uniforms, and salaries, while keeping the teams organized to protect the public at large at a profitable cost while minimizing risks and damages.

When an alien egg spaceship arrives at Yankee Stadium C.U.P. slides in to secure the protection contract and face the enemy. Even with all of the C.U.P. superheroes brought in from all of the states, there is no guarantee they will succeed in keeping the threat within the contracted territory and defeating an alien force to safe the world.

I actually started listening to this book months ago in the car as I don’t always download books on some of the other apps. I found it easy to pick this up on and off without losing the thread of the zany story. There may be some argument that there are political statements being made but I just ignored that aspect while enjoying the entertainment. This did remind me of Douglas Adams’ A Hitchhikers Guide. I recommend it to those who enjoy that sort of entertainment.

Audio Notes: Bahni Turpin does a wonderful job with narration. Her voice for Andrea fits and brings the character to life. She also provides other clear, distinct voices while delivering effective energy to the action. I am glad I was able to enjoy this in audio.

Source: 2018 Audible 7/13/18 Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet (new series or standalone) goals.

#Fraterfest Audible Book Review: Murder by Other Means: The Dispatcher, Book 2 by John Scalzi

This is a good, short mystery series.
Murder by Other Means: The Dispatcher, Book 2
By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Zachary Quinto

Series: The Dispatcher, Book 2
Length 3h 33m
Release date: 09-10-20
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Mystery, Science Fiction & Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
From Hugo and Audie Award-winning author John Scalzi comes an exciting sequel to The New York Times best-selling, number one Audible hit The Dispatcher, performed by the incomparable Zachary Quinto.
Welcome to the new world, in which murder is all but a thing of the past. Because when someone kills you, 999 times out of 1,000, you instantly come back to life. In this world, there are dispatchers—licensed killers who step in when you’re at risk of a natural or unintentional death. They kill you—so you can live.
Tony Valdez is used to working his job as a dispatcher within the rules of the law and the state. But times are tough, and more and more Tony finds himself riding the line between what’s legal and what will pay his bills. After one of these shady gigs and after being a witness to a crime gone horribly wrong, Tony discovers that people around him are dying, for reasons that make no sense...and which just may implicate him.
Tony is running out of time: to solve the mystery of these deaths, to keep others from dying, and to keep himself from being a victim of what looks like murder, by other means.
©2020 John Scalzi (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Tony is a dispatcher who is accustomed to killing … as long as it is within the rules which allow him to kill, or “dispatch” people whose lives may be saved when they come back to life. Tony agrees to take a job that isn’t quite on the up and up, but he needs the money. He doesn’t expect the situation to cause trouble as it isn’t in the interest of any of the participants to reveal the job.

As Tony is in the bank to deposit his fees, he becomes a witness to a bank robbery. The head of the gang turns to shoot the others, with that apparently being their get-away plan. The problem is, the first man shot stays down instead of disappearing. The dead man is the one in a thousand who stays dead. That means the cops can trace the identity of at least one of the robbers who turns out to be another dispatcher. As the investigation moves forward clues begin to point to Tony as part of the gang, if not its leader.

The lead detective is soon found dead, supposedly of a suicide. Then others associated with the robbery. Tony is in a race to uncover the true villains before others around him die of murder ‘by other means’ while the authorities focus only on him.

I like Tony’s character as he uses his assassin skills to help others even if it isn’t always comfortable. I enjoyed this mystery and the twists that Tony has to untangle. I also like that this is a quick listen. I recommend this to fans of mystery with a twist.

Audio Notes: Zachary Quinto’s narration fits this series nicely. His voice captures Tony’s personality and character and keeps the edgy nature of the mystery. I liked listening to this mystery.

Source: August 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook goals and #FraterfestRat #5.

Audible Book Review: The Dispatcher by John Scalzi 4.5

#FraterfestRat Audible Book Review: Ghostsitter - A Crazy Inheritance by Tommy Krappweis

This is a fun listen with some minor issues.

Ghostsitter - A Crazy Inheritance
By: Tommy Krappweis
Narrated by: Michael Braun, Marc Vietor, Jay Snyder, Dina Pearlman, Cynthia Darlow, Stephen Bel Davies, James Fouhey, Jeena Yi, Jessie Cannizzaro, Kevin T. Collins, Mateo D'Amato

Series: Ghostsitter, Book 1
Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Children's Audiobooks, Literature & Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
A whole-family listen for fans of Hotel Transylvania and The Addams Family.
When Tom is invited to the reading of a will of a great-uncle he’s never heard of, there’s no way to know what to expect. But on the long list of possible things to inherit, a travelling carnival ghost train is the very last on the list.
To get his full $10 million inheritance, all Tom has to do is run the antique ride until his 18th birthday. Easy. Except for a strange caped-creep he’s never met, who’s trying to con him out of the money...and the actual ghosts and ghouls who call the ride home.
Over the decades, vampire Vlarad, zombie Wombie, Hop-Tep the mummy, werewolf Welf, and ghost girl Mimi have created their own unique family, and they welcome Tom into their circle as a first-time "ghostsitter".
Keeping the spirits secret from the outside world is not easy, but with wit and ingenuity, Tom proves, time and again, that he is exactly the right person for the job.
©2015 Tommy Krappweis (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Tom is a young teen who has been raised by his lively grandmother. Tom is surprised to learn that he has inherited ten million dollars from an uncle he never met. Another stranger, Welf, arrives to take Tom and his grandmother to meet with a strange lawyer. The lawyer explains that Tom has to run his uncle’s antique travelling carnival ghost train in order to receive the inheritance. Before Tom has a chance to register everything a man in a cape with a red clad female companion push into the room. He offers Tom a significant cash price for the tour train. As Tom hesitates, a brawl ensues.

In another day, Welf takes Tom off to see the train. Tom is a bit dismayed when he sees what appears to be a dilapidated train which he thinks wouldn’t attract anyone. Tom soon learns there is more involved in the ride when he meets the unique team of unusual characters that work together to make the ride successful. This group includes a vampire, a zombie, a mummy, a ghost girl and of course werewolf Welf.

Tom is a little uncomfortable moving into his uncle’s very dusty caravan home and he worries he will not be able to fulfill his job as a “ghostsitter”. When the group is attacked by demon killing angels, Tom quickly learns that each member of the team, and that includes him, contributes to protect each other and keep the train going.

This is a fun story that has a little "Scooby Doo" vibe to it. The creatures are fun, rather than scary. It is an issue that the enemy are a type of angel but I don't think that has to ruin the story as Tom shows by pushing them to show mercy and love to other creatures. There are sound effects that add to the story and there is a quirky little song between sections that is surely designed for the kids to enjoy. I found it cute but after a couple of times I did fast forward to the next section. I plan to share this with my grandchildren because I do think they will enjoy it, but adults can enjoy it too.

Audio Notes: There is a full cast whose energetic delivery enhances the entertaining story. I would like to listen to more in the series.

Source: 6/20/2020 Free Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and #FraterfestRat goals.

Audible Book Review: Baron Steele by Rhett C. Bruno, Jaime Castle

This is a quick, fun story about a retired superhero.
Baron Steele
By: Rhett C. Bruno , Jaime Castle
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Series: Raptors, Audible Original Stories
Length: 47 mins
Release date: 10-22-20
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.0; Narration 4.5.

About This Audible Original
Paul Steele, known to the world as Baron Steele, isn’t your average masked crimefighter. As a matter of fact, he doesn’t even wear a mask. And he doesn’t even fight crime anymore. That’s for the guys with too much brawn and not enough brain.
No, Steele works in consulting. After having his license revoked by the Guild of Masked Crimefighters, he decided he would scout talent instead. Match up heroes with their villainous counterparts, help the young bucks and buckettes discover their talents and abilities. That sort of thing.
It’s all going fine and well until Steele gets a bad cup of coffee. No. Seriously. Day after day, the same little twerp gets his order wrong. From there, it’s a downhill spiral into chaos, and Steele finds himself fighting for his freedom in a court of law. Did he really kill a barista over a cup of joe?
Don't miss this hilarious spin on the superhero genre from the number one Audible best-selling duo of Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle.
©2020 Aethon Books (P)2020 Aethon Books

Review:
Paul Steele, formerly known as masked crimefighter Baron Steele, retired from active crimefighting after he ran into problems with the superhero guild. Now Steele operates a consulting business, scouting new crimefighter talents. He interviews would-be-heroes to determine if they have appropriate skills and if they do, he helps to train them in preparation of facing a matched villain.

One morning Steele has had it with a local barista who keeps messing up his coffee. His tirade against the young man is witnessed by others and will come back to haunt him, landing him in trouble again with the Guild.

I really didn’t know what to expect, but this is a quick, fun story. Baron Steele is a gruff, realistic character. I appreciate the world-building and irony in the events, all of which are distributed in under an hour! Great for a quick listen and I will look forward to listening to more in the series. I recommend this to those who enjoy superhero, comic book type stories, and short stories.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray does his usual spot-on narration bringing Steele’s character - the contempt, arrogance, and frustrations - to life. He also provides distinct voices and fitting emotion for each of the other characters. The narration contributed to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: Audible Plus Catalog October 2020. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Sovereign by Jeff Hirsch

It's not gripping but it is an interesting listen, suitable for younger readers.

Sovereign
By Jeff Hirsch
Narrated by: Jesse Einstein

Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 01-31-19
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Adventure, Children's Audiobooks, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Space
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Content 3.75; Narration 4.0.

Jeff Hirsch, the mastermind behind such dark YA dystopias as The Eleventh Plague and The Darkest Hour, goes interstellar with Sovereign, a middle grade Audible Original voiced by Jesse Einstein, who listeners have called "first-rate."

Micah Cole has been in deep space for four years now. While his parents chase their obsession with finding intelligent life deeper and deeper into the universe, Micah can’t help but dream of the friends he’s left behind and counts the days until the family returns to Earth. When a devastating meteor shower nearly destroys the Coles’s ship, Micah is separated from his family and stranded alone on Sovereign—a vast planet of raging rivers and towering forests. If Micah ever wants to see his family or his home again, he’ll have to learn how to survive on this hostile alien world. Armed with only his wits and determination, he’ll have to battle the elements, his own deepest fears, and a strange presence that might just hold the key to his parents’ obsession—and be his ticket back home.
©2019 Jeff Hirsch (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
Micah is a young teen who has been ‘dragged’ off to space exploration with his parents. He misses his friends from middle school and often dreams of getting back to them. His parents are set on their obsession of finding intelligent life beyond earth. They have found at least one unique species but continue to push on to the next planet.

A meteor storm forces Micah’s parents to send him off in a lifeboat to a nearby planet that they probed and found suitable for life. He is stranded on Sovereign hoping his parents will be able to make quick repairs and return for him. In the first few days, Micah’s lifeboat is caught in a flash flood while he is outside. Now he has to struggle for shelter and supplies on an alien world with unknown elements. Micah knows he can send a distress call if he can reach the probe his parents sent before the storm. But he will have to travel over rivers and forests to get to the high mountain. As the days pass, he survives hostile attacks and is imagines his best friend from childhood is exhorting him to get up and keep going. Is Micah’s friend a memory or a strange presence helping him to survive?

I had to remember that Micah was just an impulsive teen when he made so many unwise choices that get him into trouble. Fortunately, luck is with him and then an unexpected friend. I appreciated the creative world building of the planet and creatures – friendly and dangerous. There is also a bit of a nice message as the story moves toward its conclusion. I found this to be entertaining for a quick read/listen. I recommend it for younger readers or those who might want to spend six or so hours that don’t require intense attention.

Audio Notes: Jesse Einstein does a good job with the narration. He captures the youth and immaturity of Micah as well as the energy of the story. For me, the narration helped the story move along.

Source: 2/10/19 Free Audible Original. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Bluebird Memories by Common, Awoye Timpo, NSangou Njikam

This is an interesting cultural experience for me.

Bluebird Memories
A Journey Through Lyrics & Life
By: Common, Awoye Timpo, NSangou Njikam
Narrated by: Common

Series: Words + Music
Length: 1 hr and 21 mins
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Audio Performances & Dramatizations
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
In a performance that combines the personal and poetic with the literary and the lyrical, Grammy, Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe-winning artist Common spins something entirely new and bold, for both his old-school fans and those new to one of hip hop’s most essential voices. This is Bluebird Memories, part of Audible's Words + Music that blends storytelling, music, and performance to create a one-of-a-kind listening experience.
Written and conceived by Common with Awoye Timpo and NSangou Njikam, originally recorded live at The Minetta Lane Theatre in New York City and backed by a world-class band including special guest appearance by Robert Glasper and ensemble of vocalists, Bluebird Memories tracks Common’s intimate journey from childhood to manhood. At its heart, serving as both an open letter to his estranged father, and a personal meditation on the quest for greater self-understanding, self-worth, and connection to the world that surrounds him.
As a young artist, introduced to the work of literary icons from James Baldwin and Gwendolyn Brooks to Rakim and Melle Mel, Common would grow to use their works as motivation and a high-water mark for what would become his life in words. In a performance that recounts stories about growing up in Chicago, discovering hip hop, longing for a consistent father, and his awakening into Black consciousness, the evolution of Common, as son, as man, artist, and activist is all here, unpacked and laid bare.
At just under two hours, Bluebird Memories is constantly in motion, soaring with emotion and pulsing with raw vitality. Seamlessly blending, stretching, and playing with forms, Common slides between poetry and candid conversation, kicks into one of his classic tracks, and backs out into a moment of nearly silent reflection. For those hip-hop heads, the treat of hearing Common bounce between bars of his own self-admitted cringey party raps, to rapturously reciting classic hip hop’s most revered verses is a joy to behold. (Yes, bumping human beatbox included). In a performance that calls forth the spirit and legacy of so many artists, thinkers, and heroes who informed both his artistry and personal philosophy, Common invites listeners to experience him in his totality. A finely tuned instrument capable of conveying a sweeping breadth of power, range and tone. Listen to a modern icon deliver at the top of his craft.
Note: Bluebird Memories contains adult language.
©2020 Common (P)2020 AO Media LLC

Review:
I had no idea who Common was as I don’t listen to hip hop. (Actually I listen to very little music as I am listening to audio books.) I picked this because I wanted to learn about the medium of hip hop and about this artist’s journey.

The author/artist presents this performance as vocal letter to his father, recalling their times together before his father abandoned the family and the long-time impact that had on him. Common shares from his heart s few times of joy, but more times of struggle through his growing years and an underlying pain of rejection. He also shares of young love and how that grew through the years to a point where he might seek to settle down after a wandering lifestyle.

I enjoyed the work and the hip hop poetry and prose that was shares. The words captured and conveyed the emotions of the artist. There was some foul language but fortunately it didn’t permeate the work. I recommend this to those who enjoy music variety and to those who are willing to experience a different cultural art.

Audio Notes: Common shares this work in performance mode, before a live audience. Clearly he is a skilled artist, both in word and presentation. I am glad I had the opportunity to experience this work and thank Audible Originals for making it available.

Source: Audible Plus August 2020. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and 2021Color goals.

Audible Book Review: Outland by Dennis E. Taylor

Skilled narrator Ray Porter helps make this quick, fun listen.

Outland
By: Dennis E. Taylor
Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
Release date: 05-16-19
Publisher: Audible Originals
Genre: Alternate World, Science Fiction, (time travel)
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts, it's up to six college students and their experimental physics project to prevent the end of civilization.
When an experiment to study quantum uncertainty goes spectacularly wrong, physics student Bill Rustad and his friends find that they have accidentally created an inter-dimensional portal. They connect to Outland - an alternate Earth with identical geology, but where humans never evolved. The group races to establish control of the portal before the government, the military, or evildoers can take it away.
Then everything changes when the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts in an explosion large enough to destroy civilization and kill half the planet. The team has just hours to get as many people as possible across to Outland before a lethal cloud of ash overwhelms them.
Nothing has prepared the refugees for what they find - a world of few resources and unprecedented dangers. Somehow, they must learn to survive, because Outland may not just be a safe haven - it could be their new home.
©2019 Dennis E. Taylor (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
Richard and Kevin, two college physicist students, are involved with experiments on quantum uncertainty. They approach Bill and his friend Matt to add their technical skills to the science project. As the team gets deeper into the project, without clear university sanction, they soon realize that they have created an inter-dimensional portal. When a blast of gas comes through a portal, Erin, a geologist student adds to the information. Next, they add in Monica, a biology major, to chime in on apparently prehistoric animals seen through the portal.

These six young people soon initiate plans to move their experiment off campus and find creative ways to fund their continued work. Once they have some funds available, they begin to expand the experiments, gather, and stock supplies needed for their projects. When the team cashes in with significant funds, they become the target of thugs. The thugs think they will take advantage of the kids but they have no idea who they are dealing with!

The portal team is stepping up their activities just when Yellowstone goes supernova covering their community and others in lethal ash. The team realizes they have a safe place to go and they must move quickly if they want to save others from the university. Quickly a group of refugees are escorted through the portal to “Outland”. There they struggle to build shelters, organize food, set up security patrols, and send out scavenging teams to gather supplies. And if it isn’t enough to try to survive among hostile animals, soon there is a vocal, angry activist group seeking to challenge the leaders. Add to that another threat that lurks beyond their gates.

I found the story easy to follow, quick and fun listening. I would say that the characters were not deeply developed but there was sufficient to know what each added to the team. The personal interactions seemed mostly superficial but that was okay as it didn’t cause distraction from the dangers and struggles of a new society trying to survive. I have enjoyed the ‘Bob Universe’ series by Mr. Taylor and will no doubt read more in the future. I recommend this to fans of post-apocalyptic, dystopian and alternate world genres.

Audio Notes: It is hard to go wrong with any book narrated by Ray Porter. He always contributes his strong, creative voice skills to make a book a good listening experience.

Source: 8/11/19 I picked these up with July Audible Credits. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and 2021Alphabet Audio goals.

Audible Book Review: Hold Your Breath: A Novella by Wendy Walker

This is an engaging little suspense.
Hold Your Breath: A Novella
By: Wendy Walker
Narrated by: Dylan Baker

Series: Audible Original Stories
Length: 2 hrs and 31 mins
Release date: 10-01-20
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Mystery, Psychological, Thriller & Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

About This Audible Original
From the best-selling author of All Is Not Forgotten and Don’t Look for Me comes a sharp, compulsive thriller about a young woman who narrowly escapes a violent crime and the psychiatrist helping to recover her memory of the suspect.
Gabby Ashford has just survived an attempt on her life. Detectives have connected her story to two other cases in the area: Professional women drugged at a bar, brought to their homes, and drowned in their bathtubs. Gabby, who miraculously woke up in her own bathtub unharmed, could be the key to finding a serial killer on the loose—but she has no memory of the attack.
Gabby admits herself to a high-end rehabilitation center to recover and to seek the help of a psychiatrist renowned for his work with memory recovery. As Dr. Forrester works with Gabby—interviewing not only her but her overbearing fiancée, her emotionally fragile brother, and the local detective working the case—questions about Gabby’s story, her past, and the ethics of memory recovery emerge.
Dr. Forrester, the central voice of Walker’s breakout debut All Is Not Forgotten, is a fascinating and deeply complicated character, barreling toward the truth of the case at hand while wrestling with the demons of his own past. Shocking and succinct, Hold Your Breath will have you on the edge of your seat from the first minute to the last.
©2020 Wendy Walker (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
Gabby has reported that she has survived an encounter with a serial killer. She checks herself into a rehabilitation center where she hopes to be safe and where she can seek the skills of Dr. Forrester, a renowned psychiatrist. Dr. Forrester experienced a traumatic event after gaining fame a few years before while helping to solve a mystery with his work in memory recovery. He doesn’t see patients anymore, but Gabby has specifically sought him out. Forrester interviews Gabby, her fiancé and her strange, damaged brother. He obtains file notes and information from the local detective on the case.

Dr. Forrester is also spending time with a young patient, Billie, who diligently observes the other patients, sets up projection models and eagerly shares them with the Doctor. Billie has questions about Gabby, but the Doctor explains that he can’t share any information with her.

While Dr. Forrester is ruminating on the facts and evidence surrounding Gabby’s event, he also shares rambling memories from his own past. Slowly the reader gets a better understanding of Gabby and Dr. Forrester that results in a twisted climax.

I liked the intrigue and psychological twists in this mystery. There were several suspects to work through and good details and clues to piece together. This was a quick read/listen and I will be interested to read more by Ms. Walker. I recommend this to fans of psychological mystery. I think you’ll get a kick out of the ending.

Audio Notes: Dylan Baker does an excellent job as narrator. He carries the mysterious tone while providing clear and perfectly fitting cadence and emphasis. The narration added to the twisting story.

Source: October 24, 2020 free with Audible Plus Catalogue. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and 2021Alphabet 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: Chase Darkness With Me by Billy Jensen

This was an interesting presentation of a determined journalist helping to find murderers and missing people.

Chase Darkness with Me
How One True Crime Writer Started Solving Murders
By: Billy Jensen, Karen Kilgariff - foreword
Narrated by: Karen Kilgariff, Billy Jensen

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
Release date: 04-11-19
Publisher: Audible Originals
Genre: Forensic Science, Journalist Biography
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Have you ever wanted to solve a murder? Gather the clues the police overlooked. Put together the pieces. Identify the suspect.
Journalist Billy Jensen spent 15 years investigating unsolved murders, fighting for the families of victims. Every story he wrote had one thing in common - it didn’t have an ending. The killer was still out there.
But after the sudden death of a friend, crime writer Michelle McNamara, Billy became fed up. Following a dark night, he came up with a plan. A plan to investigate past the point when the cops have given up. A plan to solve the murders himself.
In Chase Darkness with Me, you’ll ride shotgun as Billy identifies the Halloween Mask Murderer, finds a missing girl in the California Redwoods, and investigates the only other murder in New York City on 9/11. You’ll hear intimate details of the hunts for two of the most terrifying serial killers in history: his friend Michelle’s pursuit of the Golden State Killer which is chronicled in I’ll Be Gone In The Dark which Billy helped finish after Michelle’s passing, and his own quest to find the murderer of the Allenstown 4 family.
And Billy gives you the tools - and the rules - to help solve murders yourself.
Gripping, complex, unforgettable, Chase Darkness with Me is an examination of the evil forces that walk among us, illustrating a novel way to catch those killers, and a true crime narrative unlike any you’ve listened to before.
With a foreword by Karen Kilgariff of My Favorite Murder.
©2019 Billy Jensen (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
Billy Jensen grew up under a father who read the newspapers and shared the news with his young son. He always talked about the big crimes and when criminals were caught. Billy determined to become a journalist and, after being assigned to report on a crime story, then he became intent on helping to find the missing victims and the killers on the loose.

Billy shares several cases of murders caught on tape where the killer walked away but the efforts of private citizens ultimately helped to capture the murderers. He also contributed to finding victims who were unidentified but identified years later after dogged determination with the help of DNA, genetic research and other online tools. Billy brought relief to family members who needed closure on their losses.

In addition to telling the reader/listener some harrowing tales of true evil (the stuff horror books could be made of), Billy shares how citizens can help law enforcement without interfering with the official investigations.

The work is presented with vivid, detailed descriptions as well as emotional frustrations, shared energy and angst. I don’t rush out for true crime but I found this engaging. The combination of technical detail and personal involvement made this interesting to listen to. I recommend this to fans of true crime, and even horror fans.

Audio Notes: Billy Jensen and Karen Kilgariff did a good job on the narration. They shared their true concerns and frustrations with voices that kept the matter interesting.

Source: 11/5/2019 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.