Audible Book Review: End of Summer by S.M. Anderson

This is a satisfactory, pandemic Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian (and my "Summer" title).

End of Summer
By: S.M. Anderson
Narrated by: Jay Snyder

Series: Seasons of Man, Book 1 (2 books)
Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins
Release date: 06-16-20
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
When a viral apocalypse kills 97 percent of the people on the planet, the survivors' humanity is hanging by a thread. Amid the leftovers of civilization, ex-Army Ranger Jason Larsen is reminded of the meaning of hope, family, and loyalty by a dog and a young boy who are as alone as he is. The survivors he seems to collect become family, and that is very bad news for those who think they run the apocalypse. ©2019 S.M. Anderson (P)2020 Podium Publishing

Review:
A new virologist is flippant about the sanitation rules in the lab. He bends the rules one too many times and ends up taking sickness to the world.

Ex-Army Ranger Jason Larsen is more prepared physically than most for an apocalypse. Initially he just wants to die and be with his pregnant wife. But before her death by the virus, she made him promise to stay alive and help “the children”. Jason reluctantly steps out to the street and hears nearby gunshot. He goes through the back ways and discovers a woman shot in the back of a truck. He learns there are a group of thugs, ‘Tyson’s gang’, working out of the FEMA base under the direction of a twisted Sheriff. They are gathering kids to scavenge and adults with useful skills. If someone doesn’t have a good skill, they are left behind with a bullet.

Jason happens to know that one of his wealthy neighbors was a serious prepper. He carefully approaches the house and finds the neighbor’s black lab, Loki. Fortunately, the dead occupant has provided info to access the stored supplies.

Meanwhile, Pro is a fourteen-year-old from across town. He knows his father isn’t coming home and after several days he has to leave his dead family behind. He finds a house with good supplies where he sets up camp and begins to scavenge the neighborhood. Soon the Tyson gang realizes that someone e is cleaning out houses before they get there. Jason happens to stumble on Pro while he is tracking Tyson’s gang. Jason tries to direct Pro to safety, but Pro is suspicious of everyone. After Pro gets caught, Jason has to figure out if he can rescue the boy. Slowly Jason wages war on the scavenge crews, taking out the anonymous enemy one by one.

Jason has added to his small group a frightened, but fierce young women Rachel, who is protecting a young girl, Elsa. Rachel has no reason to trust any man and is only happy that Jason has given her a gun and trained her to shoot. She is set on revenge.

Pro manages to escape the compound by himself but now Jason has to grab him to save him from getting caught again. Pro insists there are others in the FEMA compound who aren’t brutal killers and he wants Jason to help free the good people. Can Jason control Rachel and Pro as he prepares an assault on the FEMA compound?

Jason is a quiet, strong, and likeable protagonist. He doesn’t want to be a hero, but he is prompted by the promise to his wife to try to save others. Pro is a smart teen who has to grow up too fast. Rachel is a young woman who is trying to recover from the trauma of sexual abuse by seeking revenge on bad men. These three create an interesting core who struggle to survive and help others.

I liked all of the action as well as the development of the characters. I am glad I have the second book to listen to. I recommend this to fans of the genres, post-apocalyptic, and dystopian. (Warning: there is violence, reference to rape, and some rough language.)

Audio Notes: Jay Snyder does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices for the characters and gives appropriate energy to the story. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 7/18/2021 Audible $5.00 sale. (Regular Price: $34.99.) This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Season goal.

Audible Book Review: Swing Shift by William D. Arand

This is a fun paranormal crime thriller.
Swing Shift
By: William D. Arand
Narrated by: Andrea Parsneau

Series: Swing Shift, Book 1
Length: 14 hrs and 16 mins
Release date: 07-09-19
Publisher: William D. Arand
Genre: Crime Thriller, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Reports to write, forms to fill, coffee to drink, leads to run down.
Gus’s life was a tedium and boredom he’d grown comfortable with. One that he sought out after he’d come back from his tour of duty.
A detective in the paranormal investigations department. A job he could work day in and day out in relative peace. One cold and forgotten cup of coffee at a time.
It was an environment that made some sense to him. At least in comparison to civilian life where almost nothing did. On top of that, it gave him a chance to hide what he was from the rest of the world.
An apex predator that made the entirety of the paranormal world fear him. His very species was often killed as soon as they were found out.
By government and citizen alike.
He’s a Boogieman.
A name that made humans laugh, and vampires curse. It was a strange life to be sure.
Now though, Gus’s stable non-life is about to be kicked over. Whether he likes it or not, he’s about to be handed a case that’s going to mess up his already screwed up life.
©2019 William D. Arand (P)2019 William D. Arand

Review:
Gus is a unique character...after all there are very few Boogiemen left in the world since they tend to stir up hate when they are exposed. Gus works the swing shift – the day shift for the paranormal – and waits for something to happen between cold cups of coffee. Normally things are quiet but then he gets called out to a crime scene where a Troll has lost his enchanted mask (masks hide the paranormal from human sight). Worse, the Troll has gone berserk. This is alarming particularly since an attractive human detective, Vanessa, has tagged along. That problem will be solved when she gets her mind wiped later by an Enchanter.

Once the crime team (Enchanters) arrive, Gus and Vanessa are dismissed. Vanessa shows up at Gus’s home since she has nothing else to do for the day and is curious about this new world she knows nothing about. They both figure it won’t hurt for her to learn more since they’ll be wiping her memory anyway.

They are called on to start investing the mask failure. When they arrive to check out the Troll’s home, they interrupt someone. Gus sets off to chase the young woman even as he realizes she is a powerful Contractor. When he catches Melody, she is shocked and intrigued that he was able to track her. Gorgeous Melody is a hyper personality whose pushiness is hard to resist.

Melody attaches herself to Gus and Vanessa to continue the investigation as other paranormal beings lose their masks and go aggressive. The three are gathering clues and racing to stop a major ‘terrorist’ attack even as Melody is pushing to get Gus to agree to contract with her (marry) and to have Vanessa join them. Before they save the paranormal community a third beautiful, young woman, Trish, aka the office cleaning lady who is really an Elven Dryad Sorceress, is added to the team.

I was curious why the cover was a pretty woman when the main character is a guy. Once you meet all the different characters it becomes clear. Gus is a solid character and the women are a handful of crazy. Admittedly, I am not into menage relationships. However, although these characters end up in cozy settings, this book doesn’t get to real sex scenes.

The story is wonderfully busy with a good blend of relationship humor and suspenseful action. I enjoyed the plot and race to stop the bad actors. I recommend this to readers who enjoy fun paranormal.

Audio Notes: Andrea Parsneau does a good job of narrating the energy and characters. Gus shares quite a bit of internal thought and I was able to follow that with the effective narration. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 12/1/2019 Audible Sale for $5.00. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Prador Moon: A Novel of the Polity, Book 1 By: Neal Asher

This is creative military space opera.
Prador Moon: A Novel of the Polity, Book 1
By: Neal Asher
Narrated by: David Marantz

Series: Polity, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 10-22-13
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Alien, Military, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Neal Asher takes on first contact, Polity style. This original novel recounts the first contact between the aggressive Prador aliens, and the Polity Collective as it is forced to retool its society to a war footing. The overwhelming brute force of the Prador dreadnaughts causes several worlds and space stations to be overrun.
Prador Moon follows the initial Polity defeats, to the first draws, and culminates in what might be the first Polity victory, told from the point of view of two unlikely heroes.
©2006 Neal Asher (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Review:
The Polity is the Earths’s societal government entity that is led by AI with humans often integrated. Polity has been in space but over many years only found one other intelligent species. Now they have met another – the Prador.

The Prador are a species comfortable on land and in the sea. They resemble standing shrimp with a hard carapace and crab claws. They have technologically advance ships that appear to be undefinable as they proceed to annihilate worlds. The creatures themselves are led by Captains who breed children who are the soldiers. Only the best of the young live to become Seconds or Firsts and the Captain will kill and sometimes devour those who don’t make the grade.

Vortex is a First Child of Captain Immanence. When he leads a party of Prador to a meeting with the Polity he has no intent of friendship. Instead, he and his smaller soldiers attack the human and partially human hosts leaving a bloody room.

Jebel is a Polity, enhanced-human soldier who has been fixed with AI technology and parts. He suffers under the initial attack of Vortex, but lives to face the enemy again.

Moria is a brilliant scientist, technician, who has been promoted to a level beyond her capability to understand the gate technology she is tasked to study. The only way to manage is to accept augmentation in the form of AI nano tech inserted to connect with her own brain synapses. After surviving the aug installation, Moria begins to advance in her understanding to a point where she is able to comprehend the gate technology that will allow new leaps in space travel. Can she use her new knowledge to help stop the Prador?

Captain John Varence remembers vaguely when he was once only human, now he is mostly AI on (or part of) the ship Occam Razor. They have been in stasis for years but now awaken to the call of danger. They are ready to fight the Prador and make the first successful blow against the impenetrable Prador ships. But they can’t fight the enemy alone.

These three characters and their comrades must find a way to work together if they want to keep the Prador from taking out another Polity world.

This book jumps quickly into an alien bloody attack. There is plenty of action that moves the story along. The Polity characters are interesting although shallowly developed. On the other hand, Asher gives more depth to the Prador species. The world building is creative. There is some political commentary twisted into the story but that can be overlooked if the reader chooses.

The story is entertaining but did not pull me into committing to the Polity world of space sci fi. I will probably get another Asher title at some point, but I am not rushing. Space Opera fans should check out other reviews and consider reading/listening to this title.

Audio Notes: The narration by David Marantz is mixed. At times I thought Marantz was doing a good job delivering the energy with the underlying excitement and humor of the text. Other times I cringed at the mispronunciation of terms. Still, I am glad I had the chance to listen to this audio from the Plus Catalog.

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

Audible Book Review: Into the Wild Warriors, Book 1 by Erin Hunter

>This is interesting but not for children, IMHO.

Into the Wild
Warriors, Book 1
By: Erin Hunter
Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins
Release date: 10-10-17
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genres: Action and Adventure, Animal, Cats, Fantasy
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary

Epic adventures. Fierce warrior cats. A thrilling fantasy world. It all begins here.
Listen to the book that began a phenomenon - and join the legion of fans who have made Erin Hunter's Warriors series a number-one national best seller.
For generations, four Clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to the laws laid down by their ancestors. But the warrior code has been threatened, and the ThunderClan cats are in grave danger. The sinister ShadowClan grows stronger every day. Noble warriors are dying - and some deaths are more mysterious than others.
In the midst of this turmoil appears an ordinary housecat named Rusty...who may turn out to be the bravest warrior of them all.
©2003 Working Partners Limited (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Review:
Rusty, an ordinary house cat runs off to join the wild cat clans. He stumbles into the ThunderClan where he is renamed ‘Firepaw’. He is given the chance to train and prove he can be loyal to the clan rather than returning to being a ‘kitty pet’.

Firepaw goes through a time of growth as he tries to overcome skepticism and bullying from other cats. He helps an injured cat from another clan which brings ridicule and suspicions. He also follows his leader on a special journey where he realizes that he has special strengths that can be used to help his clan.

I did like Firepaw who is a smart, brave, kind, and, yes, loyal, cat. I also like the top leader of the ThunderClan (Blue Star), and a few of the other fair leaders. Unfortunately, there are wicked, mean, conniving, spoiled, and sullen characters too. The problem I had is that I felt this was much too pugnacious and brutal to be a good story for children. If you check reviews, many readers liked the story more than I did so read the sample or take a listen and see what you think.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by MacLeod Andrews. He brought the characters alive with clear, unique voices. He also delivered the story with the appropriate energy and emotions. The audio helped me finish the book.

This took over a year to finish listening to it as a backup when books (other than Audible) weren't connecting in my car.

Source: 12/8/2019 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Legend: Four Horsemen Tales, Book 1 by Christopher Woods

I liked this mercenary space story.

Legend: Four Horsemen Tales, Book 1
By: Christopher Woods
Narrated by: Marc Vietor

Series: Four Horsemen Tales, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 10-30-18
Publisher: Podium Audio Length
Genre: First Contact, Military, Space Opera
Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
2018 Dragon Award Finalist for Best Military Sci-Fi Novel
In the era of the original Four Horsemen, there comes a Legend.
At a time when Humans were just starting to venture forth into the Galactic Union as mercenaries, Martin Quincy survived long enough to do something no one else had - he retired.
There was only one problem: He got bored.
After battling aliens for many years - killing aliens and getting paid - retirement didn’t suit him, and he decided to strap on the combat armor and go back to the stars. Along with his old friend Kal, Martin joined Cartwright’s Cavaliers, humanity’s best merc company. Life was exciting!
But he got bored. Again.
What does a "legend" do when even the merc life gets boring? He starts his own company! Can Martin form a merc company out of non-merc races and stand up for the downtrodden of the galaxy, or has his long string of good luck finally run out? One thing is for sure - with Torvasi and Andori troopers, and a Sirra’Kan princess as his partner, he won’t get bored again!
Includes Shattered Crucible, a bonus novella in The Four Horsemen series.
©2018 Seventh Seal Press (P)2018 Podium Publishing

Review:
Martin Quincy found he was successful as a warrior, so much so that he is known as the “Legend”. Martin doesn’t encourage this characterization, but he keeps adding to it. He had retired but got bored and found himself back in the mercenary action. After a successful mission he is asked by a Sirra’Kan to go into business with her in a new mercenary company. They begin to gather a crew and suddenly find themselves with a whole race of fierce troopers.

The story initially seems a little light on plot but as it proceeds the plot line develops along with a couple of the characters. I enjoyed the action and the unique alien races. I found this entertaining for a quick enjoyable listen. I recommend this to readers who enjoy mercenary action.

Audio Notes: Marc Vietor is a strong narrator. He provides distinct voices, clear emotion and a feeling of action. I enjoyed the audio experience.

Source: 8/15/2021 from Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Invasion: Alien Invasion, Book 1, by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant

Although the title indicates this is sci fi it is really post-apocalyptic with a twist of anticipating first alien contact.

Invasion: Alien Invasion, Book 1
By: Sean Platt, Johnny B. Truant
Narrated by: Ray Porter

Series: Alien Invasion (Platt/Truant), Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
Release date: 07-21-15
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: First Contact, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
They are coming. The countdown has begun.
First visible only as blips on a telescope image, the discovery of objects approaching from Jupiter's orbit immediately sets humanity on edge. NASA doesn't even bother to deny the alien ships' existence. The popular Astral space app (broadcasting from the far side of the moon and accessible by anyone with Internet) has already shown the populace what is coming. So the news has turned from evasion to triage, urging calm and offering the few facts they have:
The objects are enormous, perfectly round spheres numbering in the dozens, maybe hundreds. They are on an approach vector for Earth. And they will arrive in six days.
©2015 Sean Platt, Johnny B. Truant (P)2015 Podium Publishing

Review:
Meyer Dempsy is a high energy, successful film producer. He controls those around him by his sheer presence. He has participated in meditation and training with a shaman which he obsesses over, while being unable to get his current and former wives to take it seriously. Fortunately for Meyer and his family, which includes his teenaged son and daughter, he has acted on visions of future danger and secured a protected bunker home for everyone in his personal circle, which includes not only his current wife, Piper, but his ex-wife, a popular star, Heather.

Although the government and NASA stayed quiet, a popular space app has revealed that a multitude of unexplained ships are approaching from outer space. Society begins to panic when they are told the ships will arrive in six days.

Meyer gathers Piper and his children, Trevor and Lila, along with Lila’s boyfriend, Raj, and heads out of New York trying to get to his bunker in Vail. He has told Heather to meet them there. Of course, they will all face dangers on the way as others are leaving cities to seek more sheltered areas. And will they be protected if they can get to Vail?

This story warns of the invasion but has little to do with the sci fi invasion aspect. Instead the author focuses on the family journey across country and develops the six primary characters – almost too much. There is a strange twist near the end which of course leaves open the next book to wonder what happens to the family.

I liked the premise but there is quite a bit I don’t like. I am not in favor of marital infidelity, and it is really unpleasant when the ex-wife is a (not totally secret) lover. I liked the danger and logical way that Meyer deals with problems, but he is such a controlling person that he borders on abusive – at least emotionally if not out right verbally. The female characters are portrayed with less than strong features. They appear as weak, whiny, and unable-to-follow-directions, ditzy women.

This introduction was free on Audible Plus. I am not rushing out to buy the series. There are more positive reviews, so check around and decide for yourself if you want to try this.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter is a very good narrator. He delivers distinct voices and emotion that fits the story. I am glad that I had the audio version.

Source: 3/22/21 'Sci Fi' title from Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson

This is a creative and good story to share with children.
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
By: Andrew Peterson
Narrated by: Andrew Peterson

The Wingfeather Saga, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
Release date: 01-05-21
Publisher: Listening Library
Genre: Adventure, Children, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Once, in a cottage above the cliffs on the Dark Sea of Darkness, there lived three children and their trusty dog, Nugget.
Janner Igiby, his brother, Tink, and their disabled sister, Leeli, are gifted children as all children are, loved well by a noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather. But they will need all their gifts and all that they love to survive the evil pursuit of the venomous Fangs of Dang, who have crossed the dark sea to rule the land with malice. The Igibys hold the secret to the lost legend and jewels of good King Wingfeather of the Shining Isle of Anniera.
Full of characters rich in heart, smarts, and courage, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is a tale children of all ages will cherish and families can listen to together.
This audiobook includes a PDF of maps, illustrations, and more.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2020 Andrew Peterson (P)2020 Listening Library

Review:
Janner, Tink and Leeli are three children who try to live a normal life but instead have to live under the shadow of evil authorities, the Fangs of Dang, and the threat of being taken off at night in the black carriage. The Igiby children who live with their dignified and loving mother and their ex-pirate grandfather, are not aware of their full history.

Leeli has a damaged leg and walks with a crutch. She is almost always accompanied by their sweet little dog, Nugget. Janner, as the oldest, is always taxed with watching over his younger brother and sister. But the children are curious and although they get to share some exciting and dangerous adventures, they end up in desperate trouble. As they try to get away from the Fangs, they find help from a strange character and betrayal from another.

The story is filled with creative characters and adventures any child might enjoy. There are secrets that aren’t revealed till near the ending and it gives a whole new picture of the Igiby family and their allies. There are footnotes and items set out in a pdf that comes with the audio.

Our grandchildren are reading this series so I decided to listen and be able to share. I enjoyed the characters, the creativity and the adventures in the plot. We have the other books in the series and I will be listening to book two in the near future. I recommend this as a family listen to enjoy.

Audio Notes: I didn’t realize until I finished the story that the narrator is the author! Andrew Peterson  does a wonderful job with the voices, and of course brings the appropriate energy and emotion to the story. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 2/14/2021 January Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022 Alphabet goals.

Audio Book Review: Gone to Dust by Matt Goldman

I did enjoy this PI mystery.

Gone to Dust
Author Matt Goldman
Narrator: MacLeod Andrews

Series: The Nils Shapiro Series, Book 1
Duration: 7 h 24 min
Release date: 08-15-17
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Detective Stories, Mystery, Private Investigator
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Summary:
Set in Minnesota, Gone to Dust is the debut private-eye murder mystery from Emmy Award-winning Seinfeld writer Matt Goldman.
A brutal crime. The ultimate cover-up. How do you solve a murder with no useable evidence?
Private detective Nils Shapiro is focused on forgetting his ex-wife and keeping warm during another Minneapolis winter when a former colleague, neighboring Edina Police Detective Anders Ellegaard, calls with the impossible.
Suburban divorcee Maggie Somerville was found murdered in her bedroom, her body covered with the dust from hundreds of emptied vacuum cleaner bags, all potential DNA evidence obscured by the calculating killer.
Digging into Maggie's cell-phone records, Nils finds that the most frequently called number belongs to a mysterious young woman whose true identity could shatter the Somerville family-but could she be guilty of murder?
After the FBI demands that Nils drop the case, Nils and Ellegaard are forced to take their investigation underground, where the case grows as murky as the contents of the vacuum cleaner bags. Is this a strange case of domestic violence or something with far-reaching, sinister implications?

Review:
Nils Shapiro is a private detective who has had some success in solving cases, often involving domestic surveillance. A former colleague who is a nearby Police Detective convinces his chief to hire Nils to help with a puzzling murder. Nils gets to walk through the crime scene early to inspect the woman who was murdered on her bed. The house and bedroom are covered with dust from emptied vacuum cleaner bags creating a forensic nightmare as it obscures the DNA of the true murderer. The first thing Nils notes is that this probably indicates a killer whose DNA is in the system, and it indicates a well-planned murder. There was no evidence of struggling so it appears that the killer was known to the killer. This leads to an ex-husband and a current lover as prime suspects. Then phone records lead to a mysterious female that adds a whole new aspect to the case.

As Nils investigates the primary suspects, he runs afoul of an FBI investigation and is told to back off. But Nils is too far in to back off. He and his friend continue to pursue clues, hoping to flush out the killer. Soon another man ends up dead and all leads point to him as the killer. But Nils doesn’t think so. He is pretty sure that someone has been manipulating the direction of the clues. Soon Nils isn’t sure which suspect is really the killer, but he won’t stop until he finds out.

I initially had mixed feelings about the main character, as I wasn’t crazy about the brash and sometimes base nature of Nils’ character. However, I was pulled in by the mystery and definitely appreciated Nils’ perseverance and attention to detail. The foul language and some sexual side comments were not to my liking. I did enjoy most of the description that flushed the story although there is a little extra minutiae in the daily activity. Still, the mystery with several red herrings and twists made this an engaging listen. The next several books in the series were also included in Audible plus so I will look forward to listening to another. I recommend this to PI mystery fans.

Audio Notes: MacLeod Andrews does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and a fitting, low-key, determined atmosphere.

Source: I won this at Beth Fish Reads with a set of titles from Audiobooks.com during Audiobook Week July 2018. I also have it on Audible as it is part of the Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audio Book Review: Sleigh Spells by Bella Falls

This is a delightful story with an extra short included.
Sleigh Spells
Author Bella Falls
Narrator: Johanna Parker

Series: Winter Witches of Holiday Haven, Book 1
Duration: 6 h 10 min.
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Christmas, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Summary:
Have yourself a very Merry Witchmas in Holiday Haven, where the magic and mystery of Christmas is snow joke!
Aurora Hart hates everything Christmas, but how could she turn down the opportunity to serve one year of probation in Holiday Haven versus a full sentence for her crimes? Saddled with a talking squirrel roommate, Aurora is doing her best to keep a low profile as she bides her time. Everything is going fine . . . until Santa's sleigh gets stolen.
Now, all eyes are on her and the other town Humbugs, and it's up to Aurora to keep her behind from ending up back in jail. With the help of a very important person from the North Pole, she finds herself hot on the trail of the real culprit. But it will take her having to do something she's never done before-accepting new friends and their assistance. Only then will Aurora be able to turn not only her own life around but also Christmas for the entire world!
Will Aurora be able to solve the mystery of who stole Santa's sleigh in time? Or will the culprit get the final sleigh?...

Review:
All her life Aurora has struggled with witch powers, ice and fire, that she is unable to control. No one helped her learn along the way and she ended up helping a con man until they were arrested. Rather than spend time in jail, she accepted the offer of one year on probation in Holiday Haven. Aurora isn’t exactly crazy about Christmas since she has never had the chance to enjoy the season. She is trying to keep a low profile but her talking squirrel roommate, Nutty, doesn’t help with his constant thieving. Her first couple of jobs haven’t worked out thanks to her uncontrolled powers. Then a new ‘parole officer’, Clara, shows up with a new position and firm belief that Aurora can succeed.

Aurora's new boss isn’t particularly nice, but then she isn’t particularly nice to anyone. Aurora/Rory makes a new friend of one of the shop baking elves and half-witch, Vale. Vale introduces Rory to some other seeming misfits in town, including handsome Wyatt, and Nutty’s friend Amos. When Santa’s sleigh is stolen from the town park, all of these former criminals, aka the Humbugs, are the first ones pulled in as suspects. Clara, with special authority, appears and releases the group. She assigns Rory the task of finding the real thief. Can Rory accept the help of new friends to find the culprit and save Christmas?

Aurora/Rory is a sweet character who just needs some true friends and a bit of magic guidance. I love how Clara’s support bolstered Rory’s confidence in her own abilities and helped bring Rory and her new friends together. Nutty is a crazy character, of course, and the romance with Wayne (a shifter) is extra cute. I totally enjoyed the friends, the mystery and the magic of Christmas shared in this story. 

There was an extra short story included that is a sweet continuation. I highly recommend this to cozy mystery fans who enjoy magic with their mystery. I hope to read more in this series or other books by this author.

Audio Notes: This book did look/sound cute, but I’ll admit part of my purchase decision was due to the narrator. Johanna Parker is a voice I know and like from the Sookie Stackhouse series. Parker is a delightful narrator, and I am believe I have a couple more new to me series that I have on my TBR shelf that have been narrated by this talented performer. The narration added to my enjoyment of an already fun story.

Source: 12/12/2021 Audiobooks.com Two for One Credit. This qualifies for 2021Audiobook goal.

Audio Book Review: The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross

This is a fun story of an unexpected 'hero' in a covert agency hunting mysteries and monsters.

The Atrocity Archives
By Charles Stross
Narrated By: Gideon Emery

Series: Laundry Files #1
Duration: 11 h 1 min
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Fantasy, Monsters, Paranormal
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

Summary:
A Hugo Award winner and best-selling author, Charles Stross combines the best elements of science fiction and fantasy. In The Atrocity Archives, a lowly computer geek working for a secret British intelligence agency gets promoted to field service after accidentally saving lives in a disaster. Now he's faced with saving the universe using only his smarts and a disembodied hand that renders him invisible. Stross' award-winning novella, The Concrete Jungle, is also included.

Review:
Bob Howard is a low-level computer geek at a covert government agency. He has plenty to handle in his paperwork and data recovery, and although he might like more challenges, he doesn’t plan on being heroic. Then he manages to get noticed by taking right action at the right time. Although his immediate supervisors aren’t happy with him, another department head thinks he has potential for “active duty”. They commandeer him for a different job to gain information about a British Citizen, Mo, who is ‘trapped’ in California. Things go awry but again, Bob helps the mission succeed.

On one trip he is sent into the archival library where he finds history of monsters and unspeakable horrors. He and Mo are sent out to lure in a suspected killer. They all get more than they bargained for in a very strange world of monsters. And of course, when he is pulled even further into the covert operations, his coworkers become even more angered.

The story starts a little slowly and it took some attention to follow the story line. Bob is a likeable, if nerdish guy. His difficult relationships with his coworkers are amusing. The atrocity archives are truly awful. I like the mystery and monster hunting, so I enjoyed that part of the story, with aliens/demons as it progressed.

There is a second short story, The Concrete Jungle, that continues the action and some crazy monster mess. I’ll keep this series in mind but won’t be rushing to get the next books. Fantasy fans who like monster hunting and a bit of zany might want to check this out.

Audio Notes: Gideon Emery does a nice job with the narration. Gideon captures the lackadaisicalness side of Bob’s character. The audio enhanced this book for me.

Source: 3/28/2020 Audiobooks.com Two For One Credit. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: The Ranch: Jack Sterlings Legacy by Sean Liscom

This is an interesting beginning to a post apocalyptic series.
The Ranch: Jack Sterlings Legacy
The Legacy Series, Book 1
By: Sean Liscom
Narrated by: Christopher Lane

Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
Release date: 01-09-20
Publisher: Creative Texts Publishers, LLC Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Post-apocalyptic fiction by Sean Liscom.
Jason Sterling had a simple life by all accounts. He had worked the same job his entire adult life, he had never married, and he had no children. He was used to doing things on his own. His comfortable life was shaken to the core the day he learned of his fathers death. It was a mysterious meeting that set life-altering events in motion, and the allure of a new life was too great to walk away from. When an electromagnetic pulse brings the modern world to its knees, Jason's choice proves to be the right one.
©2019 Sean Liscomb (P)2019 Creative Texts Publishers, LLC

Review:
Jason Sterling was only an infant when his mother died, and he and his elder brother were raised by their grandparents after his father basically abandoned the young boys. He moved on after high school and became a hardworking man, having worked his way up from the stock room to management. One morning Jason arrives at work to find a lawyer who tells him that his father has died, and Jason has the chance to inherit his father’s ranch. Jason agrees to at least inspect the ranch before making a decision. What he discovers is an understaffed working ranch, with military stockpiles designed to provide a save spot for his father’s sons and his friends’ families in the event the world goes awry.

Those working on the ranch include his father’s longtime friend, Allan, the property manager, and Jill, the daughter of the lawyer, who turns out to be a top-notch security guard, among other skills. Jason quickly sees that the ranch can use young hands and specialized training classes to make it a profitable enterprise that can afford to stay up with the resources needed in the event of world chaos. Jason agrees to stay and soon the ranch begins to make money through security and preparedness training.

Things are moving along well when disaster occurs with an EMP stopping all technology. Those on the ranch hope their loved ones, including Jason’s brother and his family, can safely make it to the safety of the ranch. Meanwhile, a fired sheriff’s deputy, humiliated by Jill, is joining with other local thugs to take what they want while he plans revenge. The nearby town begins to experience uncontrolled violence driving some of the local law enforcement crew and their families to seek refuge on the ranch. Ultimately, the ranch hands, with some unexpected allies in the form of a military unit, will have to face the violent band if they want to retain their safe home and begin to rebuild the local community.

The story includes a bit of intrigue, a lot of preparedness details, a touch of romance, and, of course, thuggery and battle. Interestingly, I found the story on the low-key side but that fit the pragmatic leadership and nature of the main character. I like the ranch crew, especially Jason and his friendship and growing relationship with Jill. I am curious to see where the story goes so I will be adding the next book to my library soon. I recommend this to fans of post-apocalyptic stories.

Audio Notes: Christopher Lane does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and energy that conveys the personalities of the characters. I look forward to continuing the series in audio format.

Source: 12/17/2020 Audible $5.00 Sale. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Alexander X Battle for Forever, Book 1 by Edward Savio

This is an exciting and historically informative story.
Alexander X
Battle for Forever, Book 1
By: Edward Savio
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton

Series: Battle for Forever, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
Release date: 06-05-19
Publisher: Babelfish Press
Genre: Adventure, Humor, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Alexander Grant is a little too good at a few too many things. Two dozen martial arts. Twice that many languages. Chess, the piano, sports, forging excused absences, you name it. He graduated high school top of his class...seventeen times. Of course, no one knows any of this. Not that he wants to go unnoticed. It’s just safer that way. So for the last several decades, Alexander has been forced to move from town to small town to even smaller town - he just bought his 651st house - in an effort to live a painfully quiet life. But when a mysterious cabal attempts to kidnap him and kill his friends, Alexander must use all his skills and centuries of training to outwit the most dangerous man alive, the mastermind of a plot that would change the world forever.
Clever, intriguing, skillfully woven with humor, Alexander X launches us on an epic journey toward a future few of us will survive, rising from a past we never knew existed.
©2019 Edward Savio (P)2019 Babelfish Audio

Review:
Alexander Grant is not your typical teenager. He inherited a rare gene that slows his aging significantly. He is centuries old and has attended high school seventeen times. He must move from town to town and hide his knowledge and skills to try to live a semi-normal life. Before the days of computers, internet and social media, his task of remaining unnoticed was much easier. In the current years, he and others like him, are facing the danger of discovery of their secret.

Alexander, the teen boy, is having to deal with a school bully who gets in his face and pushes his nerdy friend, Daniel. Of course, there is a pretty girl, Phoebe, in the mix but Alex knows better than to risk getting too involved. Unfortunately, Daniel and Phoebe are nearby when Alexander finds himself under attack by skilled men, apparently with his same rare gene. The men don’t want to kill him but want to capture him, but they have no reason to save any of Alexander’s friends who get in their way.

Alexander stops to grab some supplies so he can get out of town and to a safe house. Alex is confronted by a powerful man and he and his friends barely escape. Now they are on the run and struggling to stay one step ahead of the kidnappers/killers. Finally, Alex and his friends are trapped, and Alex again faces the man who is trying to capture him. Alex learns the man has destructive plans for society and Alex’s father is standing in the way. Will Alex be able to save his friends and find his father to stop the madman?

I liked Alexander’s character with his skills and wisdom based on years of training and living. I found the premise of the book inventive, and I loved the glimpses of historical events described from Alexander’s perspective. I thought this is pretty unique, although the teen element reminded me of The Lorien Series (I Am Number Four), without the aliens and superpowers. I liked the action, which, if not gripping, is entertaining. I will be getting book two to find out how Alexander gets to his father.

Audio Notes: Wil Wheaton is a wonderful narrator and makes Alexander come alive. He conveys the frustrations, self-deprecation, doubts and strengths. Wheaton also provides distinct voices for the characters. The narration helped make this more entertaining for me.

Source: 12/17/2020 Audible Sale – $5.00. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and 2021Alphabet, Audio goals.

Audio Book Review: The Vampire Knitting Club by Nancy Warren

This is an engaging, fun cozy paranormal mystery.
The Vampire Knitting Club
By Nancy Warren
Narrated By: Sarah Zimmerman

Series: Vampire Knitting Club, Book 1
Duration: 6 h 7 min
Published 2019 by Tantor Audio
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Vampires, Witches
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4. 5; Narration 4. 5.

Summary:
At a crossroads between a cringe-worthy past (Todd the Toad) and an uncertain future (she's not exactly homeless, but it's close), Lucy Swift travels to Oxford to visit her grandmother. With Gran's undying love to count on and Cardinal Woolsey's, Gran's knitting shop, to keep her busy, Lucy can catch her breath and figure out what she's going to do.
Except it turns out that Gran is the undying. Or at least, the undead. But there's a death certificate. And a will, leaving the knitting shop to Lucy. And a lot of people going in and out who never use the door-including Gran, who is just as loving as ever, and prone to knitting sweaters at warp speed, late at night. What exactly is going on?
When Lucy discovers that Gran did not die peacefully in her sleep, but was murdered, she has to bring the killer to justice without tipping off the law that there's no body in the grave. Between a hot 500-year-old vampire and a dishy detective inspector, both of whom always seem to be there for her, Lucy finds her life getting more complicated than a triple cable cardigan. The only one who seems to know what's going on is her cat . . . or is it . . . her familiar?

Review:
Lucy Swift is a young woman about to make a life change. She lost her job and left her cheating boyfriend to return home to visit with her loving, supportive grandmother. Lucy figures that some ‘down-time’ helping out in Gran’s knitting shop, the Cardinal Woolsey, will give her a chance to regroup. Lucy arrives to find the shop locked and neighbors tell her that her grandmother is dead. Lucy is surprised when she inherits the shop, even though she is all thumbs when it comes to knitting.

As Lucy starts to clean up the shop, she finds Gran’s glasses on the floor with what looks like blood on them. Then a strange, enticing man appears in the shop claiming to be looking for his friend, Lucy’s Gran. As Lucy tries to find out more about her grandmother’s death, she discovers that her Gran is dead, but not gone as she is now part of the undead. Also, Gran’s death wasn’t accidental, but Lucy can’t give those details to the handsome detective inspector who has come to her aid.

Lucy learns that someone wants to buy her shop, even with the help of threats. Although the idea of selling is initially tempting, Lucy realizes that might not be a good idea once she knows that a clan of vampires, including her grandmother, live below the shop. To complicate matters further, Lucy suddenly finds her fingers giving off sparks, while the cat that has adopted her seems to be getting in the way at inappropriate, or maybe appropriate, times.

This is a fun story with very likeable characters. Lucy is a sweet, caring woman who isn’t sure what she wants to do with her life. She now finds herself with a business to run and two handsome men hovering around her. The story moves at a good pace, with the mystery leading to more murders before the villain is caught. This is the first in a series and I am interested in reading/listening to more in the series. I recommend this to fans of cozy mystery with the added twist of vampires and witches.

Audio Notes: Sarah Zimmerman does a fine job with the narration. She provides distinct voices, fitting energy and carries the lighter tone of the story that deals with murder and vampires. I will look forward to listening more in the series.

Source: November 2020 VIP pick from Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Alphabet, and 2021Audiobook goals.

#FraterfestRat Audible Book Review: Once Upon a Haunted Moor: The Tyack & Frayne Mysteries, Book 1 by Harper Fox

This is a good, short start to a mystery series..

Once Upon a Haunted Moor: The Tyack & Frayne Mysteries, Book 1
By: Harper Fox
Narrated by: Tim Gilbert

Series: Tyack & Frayne, Book
Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
Release date: 12-04-17
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: LGBTQ, Mystery, Supernatural
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Gideon Frayne has spent his whole working life as a policeman in the village of Dark on Bodmin Moor. It's not life in the fast lane, but he takes it very seriously, and his first missing-child case is eating him alive. When his own boss sends in a psychic to help with the case, he's gutted - he's a level-headed copper who doesn't believe in such things, and he can't help but think that the arrival of clairvoyant Lee Tyack is a comment on his failure to find the little girl.
But Lee is hard to hate, no matter how Gideon tries. At first Lee's insights into the case make no sense, but he seems to have a window straight into Gideon's heart. Son of a Methodist minister, raised in a tiny Cornish village, Gideon has hidden his sexuality for years. It's cost him one lover, and he can't believe it when this green-eyed newcomer stirs up old feelings and starts to exert a powerful force of attraction.
Gideon and Lee begin to work together on the case. But there are malignant forces at work in the sleepy little village of Dark, and not only human ones - Gideon is starting to wonder, against all common sense, if there might be some truth in the terrifying legend of the Bodmin Beast after all. As a misty Halloween night consumes the moor, Gideon must race against time to save not only the lost child but the man who's begun to restore his faith in his own heart.
©2013 Harper Fox (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Gideon Frayne is a policeman in his home village on the edge of the Cornish moors. He is frustrated as the days pass, and he hasn’t located a missing young girl. Gideon is a bit surprised, and annoyed, when his superior indicates that a psychic has been called in. Gideon is set against the idea and then he meets Lee Tyack.

Circumstances leave Lee without a reservation, so he ends up staying with Gideon. At first Gideon is very skeptical about Lee’s not so clear visionary clues. But soon he realizes that the clues make sense once they get the right interpretation. A little romance develops between Gideon and Lee as they get closer to finding the missing girl. Soon Gideon realizes that Lee is in danger too. On a dark, foggy Halloween night, Gideon sets off into the dark moors and the caves there in hopes he can save the girl and his new friend.

I am very impressed by the writing in this short mystery which has a beautiful tone even with the darkness of the settings and issues. The mystery isn’t terribly deep, but the dangerous creature and the physic element adds to the plot. Gideon and Lee are two distinct and different characters, but they work well together. The relationship between Gideon and Lee is tastefully handled. I might be inclined to read more in the series.

Audio Notes: Tim Gilbert does a wonderful narration. His accent fits the story and he enhances the haunting tone while portraying clear characters. I would listen to more narration from Gilbert.

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

Audible Book Report: End Time: The End Time Saga, Book 1 by Daniel Greene

This zombie story follows a handful of survivors trying to stay a step ahead of the infected.

End Time: The End Time Saga, Book 1
By: Daniel Greene
Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka

Series: The End Time Saga, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Horror, Military, Zombie
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
The protests in front of the embassy aren't what they seem....
In the dark, primal jungles of the Congo Basin, something is ravaging the local population. When protests turn violent in front of the US embassy in Kinshasa, only the foreign policy experts paid attention. Civil war erupts, and people rip each other apart in the streets of the African capital.
To avert disaster and preserve its self-image, an overwhelmed State Department dispatches a team of elite counterterrorism agents to bring their besieged people back alive. Mark Steele, a young agent within the division, and his team of gritty operatives are used to trudging through the worst society has to offer, all while operating from the shadows. But Steele's team is plunging headlong into a maelstrom of death so much worse than rebels in the streets.
A highly contagious microbe is spreading unchecked, killing everyone in its wake only to bring them back again as the ravenous undead. Only a lone CDC virologist understands the extent of the outbreak at hand. He cowers among the embassy staff praying for extraction from the hands of death, fearing his part to play in the epidemic.
Follow this harrowing tale of survival, duty, love and horror as the living dead bring the world to its knees. The first installment of an epic series, End Time starts as a slow burn that turns into a breakneck-paced struggle for survival. Greene does an excellent job of depicting individual stories within the larger scope of the global epidemic. Enter the End Time.
©2018 Daniel Greene (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Doctor Joseph was flown to the Congo as a CDC virologist to study a “Monkey” Virus. He is horrified when his tent of patients turns into a walking mass of the ‘dead’ feeding on the living. He doesn’t understand what has happened, but he knows he needs to get back to the States to warn the CDC to set up quarantines. Having reached the embassy Joseph is frightened when he sees the state of chaos.

The State Department sends out a specially trained counterterrorism team to rescue the people at the embassy, but particularly Doctor Joseph. The team led by hardcore warrior, Steele, has to struggle to get the Doctor out. Along the way they find themselves exposed to the madness in the confines of an airplane. Steele is a man who is accustomed doing what it takes to save lives, so he had a little difficulty realizing that some of the ‘people’ around him are enemies.

Things aren’t calm back in the States and the Steele’s girlfriend, Gwen, is struggling to get home safely. Along the way she picks up two other uninfected, one a protector and the other who needs a protector. She is convinced that Steele will return home to save her but can he survive to get there in time?

I figured I should include at least one Zombie story for October. This one has a good mix of action and character development. There isn’t much new about the nature of the infected, nor the nature of idiotic bureaucrats who won’t listen to informed warnings. There are a few detailed segments describing guns and military training which slow the pace a bit. The result is an entertaining story, if not a gripping one. I do have the second and third books so I will continue the story sometime.

Audio Notes: Keith Szarabajka does a nice job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and good energy. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

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

Audio Book Review: Bunker (Book 1) Born to Fight by Jay J. Falconer

This is a quick post-apocalyptic listen with a hero that I like.
Bunker (Book 1) Born to Fight
Written by Jay J. Falconer
Narrated by Gary Tiedemann

Run Time 3h 46min
Release Date: March 31, 2017
Publisher: BookBreeze.com
Genre: Action, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher Description
Cyber-Attacks. EMPs. Invasion. War. When the end comes, few will have the ability to survive.
When a coordinated attack takes out the nation’s power grid, a small town finds itself at ground zero of an all-out invasion.
With limited options and no time to prepare, the citizens have no choice but to turn to a mysterious drifter, Jack Bunker, for help.
The former combat engineer has the skills to keep them alive, but he won’t be able to do it alone, not against an overwhelmingly superior force. Somehow he’ll have to find a way to transform the mild-mannered townsfolk into military-grade warriors and lead them into battle, despite his dark past that leads some to wonder whose side is he really on?
The Bunker series is a 5-part explosive, high-octane thriller. If you like pulse-pounding action, resourceful warriors, and deep political intrigue, then you’ll love this bestselling tale of true grit. It’s Rambo versus Red Dawn, only amped-up with one thrilling scene after another.

Review:
Jack Bunker is a soldier with a mysterious past. He was looking forward to ‘decompressing’ and finding a new beginning when events went haywire. Bunker was on a train traveling north when the power went out. At the same time, the cell phones and tablets of passengers went dead. Next a plane plunged from the sky. It is clear that Bunker suspects a greater problem – an EMP strike – that many others don’t recognize.

Sitting next to Bunker on the train is a young woman and her 10 year-old son. When Bunker chooses to exit the train and start walking, the woman, Stephanie, and her son, Jeffrey, are determined to go with him. Bunker doesn’t want to take any responsibility for them, but he can’t force them not to follow.

Before Bunker and his companions get to the town they set out for, they are pulled in to rescue a busload of children. Now Bunker is in town and facing a crowd with leaders who aren’t sure how to protect themselves from the disruptions that are quickly spreading.

The author has not yet revealed Bunker’s full background, so he is still a mystery, which adds interest to the story. The post-apocalyptic event has just occurred so there is still a lot to learn about what or who caused the event. I liked the action which I hope will increase in the next books. The writing could use more depth, but it has an easy flow in this series opener.

I didn’t necessarily find this ‘enthralling’, but I found it entertaining and want to continue. I was glad I could get audio books 2-5 for just under $10.00 at Chirp. I recommend this to fans of the post-apocalyptic genre.

Audio Notes: Gary Tiedemann does a fine job with the narration. The voices are distinct and the energy fit the story. I look forward to listening to more in the series.

Source: 9/5/2021 Chirp Purchase $.99. This qualifies for 2021Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: The Unwanted Heiress by Amy Corwin

This is a fun Regency romance & I will seek this author again.
The Unwanted Heiress
By: Amy Corwin
Narrated by: Ruth Urquhart

Series: The Archer Family, Book 1
Release date: 03-16-17
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
An American heiress nobody wants; a duke every woman desires; and a murder no one expects.
As a young duke, all Nathaniel wants is to be left alone. So when he meets Charlotte, an outspoken American heiress, he is suspicious of her indifference. Too many women have sought - and failed - to catch him.
However, Charlotte is unimpressed by his title. She has no interest in English dukes. All she wants is to leave dreary England and travel to the sunny sands of Egypt to see the grand pyramids.
Unfortunately, a debutante seeking to entrap Nathaniel gets murdered, and his reputation as a confirmed misogynist makes him a suspect. On impulse, Charlotte comes to his aid, unaware that her actions place her in danger, too.
Neither Charlotte nor the duke know that a highwayman interested in rich heiresses is following Charlotte, and that another debutante lies dead in Nathaniel's carriage. And unfortunately, the evidence soon complicates Nathaniel's efforts to prove his innocence and convince Charlotte that he is worthy of her love.
Some nights just don't go as planned.
©2008 Amy Corwin (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Charlotte is an orphaned, outspoken American heiress. She has been passed from one distant family household to another when the fathers or mothers find her ideas unwanted. Charlotte has just been moved again, not realizing that she was lost/won in a card game. Lucky for Charlotte her new guardians, John Archer and Lady Victoria, are thrilled to have her and want her to feel wanted. Charlotte is surprised by this pleasantness, but her real hope is that perhaps they will help her fulfill her dream to travel to Egypt to work with an archeological dig. Meanwhile she is stuck attending the ton events even though she has no interest in finding a suitable husband.

Nathan is a young Duke who is not interested in finding a wife. Predictably, society is full of single women and their mothers who are determined to catch him. Rather unpredictably, these young women are willing to do anything, even if it means compromising situations. When Nathan meets his uncle’s new ward, Charlotte, he doesn’t trust the fiery redhead’s indifference. But before he can learn much about her, other than that she likes to study moths, one of the young ladies who chased him into the gardens during a ball is found dead. No one saw the murder, but another man is quick to direct suspicion at Nathan, noting that Nathan has a reputation as a misogynist since he keeps trying to avoid the ladies.

Uncle John talks Nathan into a rather crazy idea, or two, which don’t go well. The relationship between Nathan and Charlotte grows but gets greatly muddled. Meanwhile, more young ladies are found dead in situations implicating Nathan. Nathan has a limited time to clear his name before he is forced to meet one of the fathers in a duel.

Charlotte believes in Nathan’s innocence but that doesn’t mean she wants to enter into a fake engagement. No one realizes that a wicked fortune hunter is stalking Charlotte until she is kidnapped. Can Nathan find her before she is injured, and can he convince her that he wants her for real?

There are elements not totally believable in this story of reluctant, but growing, romance. The story moves along nicely with a fun plot and engaging characters. I really liked the secondary characters too, including Nathan’s friend from school who steps in to help investigate. I discovered that I have several other ebooks from this series, and I look forward to reading them. I recommend this to fans of clean, lighter Regency Romance.

Audio Notes: Ruth Urquhart’s narration provides an apt accent with voices that are distinct. I wasn’t enthralled with the narration but it worked fine for me. Listening moves faster for me than reading on my kindle so I appreciated having this on audio.

Source: 8/2/2021 Audible Plus Catalog (with a limited time availability). This qualifies for 2021Audiobook goal.

Audio Book Review: The Dauntless by Alex Kings

I enjoyed this action-packed space adventure, even though a bit far fetched.
The Dauntless
Written by Alex Kings
Narrated by Mark Boyett

Series: War of the Ancients Trilogy, Book 1
Run Time 8h 34min
Release Date: February 6, 2018
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Military, Science Fiction, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher Description An alien fugitive carrying a secret. A mob of relentless assassins sent to stop her. A million-year-old ship from a dead civilisation.
Captain James Hanson of the Solar Alliance Vessel Dauntless knows he has to help. But soon he finds the conspiracy goes deeper than he ever imagined. Hunted down by his own government, he scrapes together a ragtag team and goes hunting for the truth.
He’s hounded on every side — from the authorities, from alien warriors, from mysterious, faceless soldiers. From the criminal backwaters of the galaxy to idyllic colonies hiding dark pasts, he uncovers a threat to the entire galaxy. A damaged, renegade ship and its unlikely crew of fugitives, mercenaries, and principled officers is all that stands between mankind and its destruction.

Review:
Captain James Hanson is on a patrol when a small ship jumps in besides him and asks for help and asylum. The Solar Alliance regulations direct that Hanson shouldn’t get involved in alien disputes, but Hanson decides he has to step in over the objections of his XO. Hanson manages to save a survivor and learns of a conspiracy that threatens mankind. He reports the allegations to his superior officer but without some tangible proof no action can be taken.

Hanson takes his ship rogue to hunt for evidence. He quickly faces new enemies while a galactic enforcer tries to take his ship and crew into custody. Somehow, Hanson manages to stay one step ahead of the authorities but one step behind the threat. Hanson and a handful of warriors keep trying to sneak into forbidden areas leaving his XO to fend off attacks on the ship. At each encounter his ship takes more damage until it is questionable if they can survive long enough to get their evidence to the right people.

Clearly, they do survive since this is the first book of a trilogy. But that doesn’t mean they have stopped the power grabbing enemy. That battle will have to continue.

There is plenty of stealth and battle action in this story. The escapes were rather farfetched, but I liked how the characters had to pull together to get out of the scrapes and corners they found themselves in. This is satisfactorily entertaining and at some point I will look to continue with books two and three in the trilogy. I recommend this to fans of military space opera as an entertaining, if not compelling, story.

Audio Notes: Mark Boyett is a wonderful narrator and enhanced this book for me. He provides distinct character voices and keeps the pacing and energy in the story. As soon as the narration started, I appreciated the familiar voice.

Source: November 8th, 2020 Chirp Purchase $1.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: The Trouble with Dukes, Windham Brides, Book 1, by Grace Burrowes

This is another charming Historical/Regency Romance by an author I like.
The Trouble with Dukes
Windham Brides, Book 1
By: Grace Burrowes
Narrated by: James Langton

Series: Windham Brides, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
Release date: 12-20-16
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Scottish Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Summary:
From the New York Times bestselling author of the beloved Windham series comes 'a wonderfully funny, moving romance,' (Eloisa James) perfect for fans of 'sexy heroes, strong heroines, intelligent plots, [and] enchanting love stories' (Mary Balogh).
THEY CALL HIM THE DUKE OF MURDER... The gossips whisper that the new Duke of Murdoch is a brute, a murderer, and even worse--a Scot. They say he should never be trusted alone with a woman. But Megan Windham sees in Hamish something different, someone different. No one was fiercer at war than Hamish MacHugh, though now the soldier faces a whole new battlefield: a London Season. To make his sisters happy, he'll take on any challenge--even letting their friend Miss Windham teach him to waltz. Megan isn't the least bit intimidated by his dark reputation, but Hamish senses that she's fighting battles of her own. For her, he'll become the warrior once more, and for her, he might just lose his heart.

Review:
Megan Windham is not the lead debutante although she is part of a wealthy, noble family. She is attractive, but short, a little feisty and her poor eyesight requires she wear glasses. She has not yet chosen a match but there is a particular, bullying man who is sniffing at her heals. She has secrets that make it awkward for her to refuse the attentions of Sir Fletcher. Megan is grateful to have Colonel, now Duke, Hamish MacHugh, step up as a buffer holding Fletcher at bay.

Hamish has terrible memories of the war as attested by his reputation now as the “Duke of Murder”. Very few people know the full story and Hamish has allowed the rumors as he expects to be out of London soon. Hamish is remaining in London to help escort his sisters through the London Season. As part of the activities, he finds himself sharing walks and waltzes with Megan. She brings out a softer side in him, but he thinks that she is hiding something that involves Sir Fletcher. The more Hamish sees Fletcher disrespectfully pursue Megan, the more Hamish is inclined to become her champion.

It has been too long since I enjoyed Ms. Burrowes rich romances. She creates engaging characters and threatened scandalous circumstances to overcome. I like the details she provides for society and war elements. I enjoy the friendship evolving into romance which is passionate but not gratuitous.

I thought that I had read and enjoyed earlier books in this series but now realize that I have read many of the Windham series but not the Windham Brides. So, I have more to look forward to. I recommend this author, book, and series to fans of historical romance.

Audio Notes: James Langton does a fine job with the narration. I was pleased he was able to provide fitting female voices as well as English and Scottish accents. The rich narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 8/9/18 Two for One Credit Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Here is a Link to other Burrowes’ titles I have reviewed.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Library of the Dead by T. L. Huchu

This is a fast paced, fun YA fantasy and mystery with ghosts and magic.
The Library of the Dead
by T. L. Huchu
Narrated by Tinashe Warikandwa

Series: Edinburgh Nights, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Ghosts, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Sixth Sense meets Stranger Things in T. L. Huchu's The Library of the Dead, a sharp contemporary fantasy following a precocious and cynical teen as she explores the shadowy magical underside of modern Edinburgh.
When ghosts talk
She will listen
Ropa dropped out of school to become a ghostalker - and they sure do love to talk. Now she speaks to Edinburgh’s dead, carrying messages to those they left behind. A girl’s gotta earn a living, and it seems harmless enough. Until, that is, the dead whisper that someone’s bewitching children - leaving them husks, empty of joy and strength. It’s on Ropa’s patch, so she feels honor-bound to investigate. But what she learns will rock her world.
Ropa will dice with death as she calls on Zimbabwean magic and Scottish pragmatism to hunt down clues. And although underground Edinburgh hides a wealth of dark secrets, she also discovers an occult library, a magical mentor and some unexpected allies.
Yet as shadows lengthen, will the hunter become the hunted?
A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books

Review:
Ropa lives in a distressed part of a Edinburgh that includes supernatural elements. Ropa dropped out of school to earn money to take care of her grandmother and younger sister. She earns money as a ghostalker, sharing messages between the living and the dead for a fee. One ghost asks for help to find her missing son, noting that other children have disappeared too. Ropa tries to avoid the woman, who can’t pay, but other events keep bringing her back to the problem.

When Ropa begins to investigate, she finds out matters are worse that she thought. Her research leads her to an underground occult library where she is identified as having magical abilities. Ropa gets help from an old childhood friend, Jomo, and a new magical friend, Priya, as she steps into one scene of danger after another. She walks into a trap and now has to find a way out if she wants to save herself and other children.

I liked Ropa as a determined young lady and I appreciated her wise grandmother. I also really liked Priya who is wheelchair bound, a medical student and a more advanced magic trainee. Oh, I like the fox pet, River, and the surprising gift too.

The dystopian world-building is well done with two systems of magic that Ropa gets to blend. She uses music in her grandmother’s Zimbabwean magic that helps her enter the everyThere to meet with ghosts. After entering the Library of the Dead she begins to learn the more common Scottish nature of ley lines, earth elements and spells.

The story moves at a good pace as Ropa follows clues to unravel the mystery of the missing and abused children. Don’t be misled by the “horror” label. I did wonder if this might be too dark for my tastes, but not at all. It has ghosts and evil but it isn’t really horror. There is a little bit of YA recklessness, but I enjoyed the YA enthusiasm as well as the ghostly elements. I will look forward to reading more in the series and I recommend this to readers/listeners who enjoy urban fantasy.

Audio Notes: Tinashe Warikandwa is a new to me narrator and I think she did a spot-on job with this performance. I can’t say if any of the accents are accurate but they worked fine for me. Tinashe captured the youth and bravado of Ropa. I am glad that I was able to listen to this entertaining story.

Source: NetGalley 2021. This qualifies for 2021NetGalley goals.