#NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass

This is a charming middle grade fantasy, light mystery.

The Lost Library
By Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass
Narrators: Christopher Gebauer, Jennifer Blom, and Rob Dircks

Length: 4hr 15min
Pub Date: 29 Aug 2023
NetGalley Archive Date: 05 Sep 2023.
Release date: 08-29-23
Publisher: Macmillan Young Listeners
Genre: Books, Cat, Magical Fantasy, Middle Grade, Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

When a mysterious little free library (guarded by a large orange cat) appears overnight in the small town of Martinville, eleven-year-old Evan plucks two weathered books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to change.
Evan and his best friend Rafe quickly discover a link between one of the old books and a long-ago event that none of the grown-ups want to talk about. The two boys start asking questions whose answers will transform not only their own futures, but the town itself.
Told in turn by a ghost librarian named Al, an aging (but beautiful) cat named Mortimer, and Evan himself, The Lost Library is a timeless story from award-winning authors Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass. It’s about owning your truth, choosing the life you want, and the power of a good book (and, of course, the librarian who gave it to you).

Review:
The public library burned down years ago in the small town of Martinville. It surprises everyone when a mysterious little free library appears one morning. The small unit is apparently guarded by a large orange cat who watches all the goings on. Eleven-year-old Evan is quick to choose to books from the library and these trigger a mystery. The last check out of the books appears to be by a man who became a famous author but the date is important. The date is the day the library burned, an event that no one talks about.

Evan and his best friend, Rafe, start asking question as Evan is determined to solve the mystery of the fire. He isn’t happy about the facts that he uncovers and is insistent on pushing for answers.

The story is charmingly told by Mortimer, the cat, a ghostly librarian named AI, and Evan. It shares the importance of books and libraries, as well as the importance of being open minded to investigate and not jump to conclusions.

I totally enjoyed this quick, sweet story and would love to share it with my grandchildren. It has a good message and sweet characters. I recommend this to anyone who loves books and libraries.

Audio Notes: The three narrators, Christopher Gebauer, Jennifer Blom, and Rob Dircks, do a lovely job delivering the story with clarity and empathy. I am pleased I had the chance to listen to this through NetGalley.

Source: 6/29/2023 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Eden's Gate: The Reborn A LitRPG Adventure, Book 1 by Edward Brody

I picked this for the LitRPG factor. It was engaging distraction while I was dozing on and off.
Eden's Gate: The Reborn
A LitRPG Adventure, Book 1
By: Edward Brody
Narrated by: Pavi Proczko

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 03-30-17
Publisher: Edward Brody
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, LitRPG
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's summary
When Gunnar Long is transported into the first fully-immersive virtual MMORPG, he finds himself in a new world filled with magic, mystery, and adventure.
No more 9-to-5 job. No more studio apartment. No more reality TV.
Finally, he's in a place where he can call home, a place with people he can call friends.
But as more people want to trade their real world lives to get inside Eden's Gate, the government of the outside world wants the "game" shut down at all costs.
Gunnar must learn to survive, grow in power, and find a way to send a message back to his old home.
"We're fine. We're alive. Eden's Gate is real."
Eden's Gate is a LitRPG adventure.
©2017 Edward Brody (P)2017 Edward Brody

Review:
Gunnar is pretty much a loner except for his girlfriend. He enjoys role playing games (RPGs) and is excited when the latest fully immersive virtual game and headset tech are released. He and his girlfriend are quick to put the headsets on agreeing to compare notes in 30 minutes. Gunnar arrives in a cave and has to start fighting his way out. It doesn't take long before Gunnar discovers he can’t exit the game. He is frustrated by what he thinks is a glitch and contemplates how he can find his girlfriend.

Fortunately, a battered Gunnar stumbles into an NPC (non-playing character) who helps him recover and begins to explain the world he finds himself in. As time and challenges go by, it becomes more and more clear that Gunnar can die and be reborn at his last base spot but he can’t find a way to exit the game.

Interspersed with the adventures are ‘real life’ efforts to shut down the game before more people commit life suicide in exchange for a game life. Can the living authorities be convinced that the players are basically “alive” within the game before the plug is pulled?

I enjoyed the leveling up process even though there is a little too much repetition of stats for the RPG. I liked how Gunnar learns how to accept help, honor friendship, and work with others for successes. There are interesting monsters and allies as the adventure moves forward and there is an intense race to save the game from being shut off.

There is some foul language but not excessive. The world, characters, and battles are entertaining and I recommend this to fans of the LitRPG genre.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Pavi Proczko. His voice fits the primary character and he provided distinct accents for the other characters as well. The delivery is steady and the audio enhanced my enjoyment of the work.

Source: 3/31/19 High Five Audible Sale title - $5.00. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Black Sheep by Rachel Aukes

This was a satisfactory sci fi if not overwhelming.
Black Sheep
A Space Opera Adventure (Flight of the Javelin, Book 1)
By: Rachel Aukes
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
Release date: 06-16-20
Publisher: Aethon Audio
Genre: First Contact, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's summary
An alien ship. Stolen colonists. All Throttle wanted was a vacation....
Fifteen years into a 20-year voyage, war veteran Captain Throttle Reyne is looking forward to taking a break from dealing with malfunctions, glitches, and the hassles of monitoring 1,000 colonists in cryo-sleep.
But when her colony ship breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Throttle and her crew must leave the colonists behind to search for help. They find a ship that's not only missing a crew...it's clearly not from their star system.
It's the discovery of a lifetime. All they need to do is tow the mysterious vessel back to their colony ship for further study and Throttle won't ever have to work again. One problem. While they're away, the colony ship is stolen - with the colonists still on board.
Throttle gives chase to a lawless star system on the outer rim. To get their colonists back, they must take on the pirates and ganglords who will do anything - and sell anyone - to make a buck.
They play dirty. But Throttle and her crew play dirtier.
Strap on your restraints and experience the start of this new space-opera thrill ride. It's perfect for fans of Jay Allan, Jennifer Foehner Wells, and Star Wars.
©2020 Aethon Books (P)2020 Aethon Audio

Review:
Throttle and her crew have been managing to maintain 1,000 colonists in cryo-sleep while coping with malfunctions and glitches on their ship, the Gabriella, 15 years into a 20-year voyage. For a long time there have been rumors that there is a ghost or stowaway saboteur on the ship although the culprit has never been caught. Things go from troubled to disaster when the ship goes into complete services and power loss. The crew have to rush to move the colonist pods to a location to give them the best chance of survival while the crew goes out on a shuttle seeking help.

Once out in space the crew stumble across an alien ship that is apparently dead in the water. They approach with caution to find an AI that has maintained the ship for hundreds of years but needs just a little assistance to come back alive. Once they are able to get more power to the AI, dubbed “Rusty”, the AI is able to begin to give the crew help, including telling them that the Gabriella has been moved from its location.

The Gabriella has been hijacked by pirates in space and Throttle follows the ships into an unexpected and ‘gang controlled’ space station. Not only will Throttle and her team need to figure out how to get out of the clutches of the warring sibling leaders, but they must rescue the colonists before they are sold into mining slavery.

Throttle is a strong character as a paraplegic with no use of her legs without the special braces her crew helps to maintain. Her crew includes a good mix with a former pirate, a medical officer, a recalcitrant machinist, a computer hacker, and an added warrior. Throttle earned her name due to her full-on attitude and her crew gives her the best support. There is full-on action and adventure with one escapade after another needed to succeed in the survival of the team and colonists. I enjoyed the action and escapes and will look forward to reading more by this author. I recommend this to fans of fast-paced space action.

Audio Notes: Emily Woo Zeller is a really good narrator. She provides clear voices and on target energy to keep up with the pace of the story. The narration added to my enjoyment of this story.

Source: 12/27/2020 Audible Two for One Credit Sale. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook and my 2023Color goals.

Audible Book Review: The Summer House by James Patterson, Brendan DuBois

I was totally drawn in by this crime/police procedural!

The Summer House
By: James Patterson, Brendan DuBois
Narrated by: Ari Fliakos

Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
Release date: 06-08-20
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Genre: Crime Thriller, Military, Police Procedural, Suspense
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 5.0.

Publisher's summary
When seven murder victims are found in a small town, the homicide investigation shakes a small-town sheriff to her core in James Patterson's tense thriller.
Once a luxurious Southern getaway on a rustic lake, then reduced to a dilapidated crash pad, the Summer House is now the grisly scene of a nighttime mass murder. Eyewitnesses point to four Army Rangers - known as the Night Ninjas - recently returned from Afghanistan.
To ensure that justice is done, the Army sends Major Jeremiah Cook, a veteran and former NYPD cop, to investigate. But the major and his elite team arrive in sweltering Georgia with no idea their grim jobs will be made exponentially more challenging by local law enforcement, who resists the Army's intrusion and stonewall them at every turn.
As Cook and his squad struggle to uncover the truth behind the condemning evidence, the pieces just won't fit - and forces are rallying to make certain damning secrets die alongside the victims in the murder house. With his own people in the cross-hairs, Cook takes a desperate gamble to find answers - even if it means returning to a hell of his own worst nightmares....
©2020 James Patterson and Brendan DuBois (P)2020 Hachette Audio

Review:
A horrendous mass murder occurred in a rundown country house known as the Summer House located in a small town in Georgia. Witnesses direct the local sheriff, Emma Williams, to four Army Rangers who are an elite team known as the Night Ninjas. As soon as Army members are identified, a unique military investigative team is called in to insure justice – to the men and to the community – wherever the facts lead.

Major Jeremiah Cook, a wounded veteran and former NYPD cop, is assigned with his five diverse teammates including a JAG lawyer, an Asian psychologist, a female CID officer, and a Hispanic investigator. Although the facts seem to be packaged and handed to them, the team is quick to see inconsistencies and misdirection. They learn that the four accused were recently returned from Afghanistan after being accused of a similar crime. As the investigation digs deeper and witnesses and evidence begin to disappear, Cook determines he needs to check into the Afghanistan event. He sets off to the place he said he would never return to.

I was immediately drawn to the story and quickly came to like the well-developed investigative team. I was horrified by the corruption that fills the story and the bigotry was obvious too. I feel bad the southerners were stereotyped with these elements, but it fit the story. The story is steady suspense with a few very tense moments.

I do like the direct tone and shorter chapters used by Patterson. I also liked the POV mix with part told from Cook’s first person and the other told third person. The full package makes this a very worthwhile read/listen and reminds me why I used to regularly read Patterson. I plan to get more. I recommend this to fans of good police procedure and crime fiction.

Audio Notes: Ari Fliakos does a wonderful job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and spot on energy. I thought the audio performance enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 12/21/2020 Audible Daily Deal $3.95. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook and my Season goals.

Audible Book Review: A Springtime to Remember by Lucy Coleman

This is a nice romance, rich on description of the gardens at Versailles.
A Springtime to Remember
By: Lucy Coleman
Narrated by: Lucy Scott

Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
Release date: 12-26-19
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Family Life, Romance, Women’s Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's summary
Paris and the Palace of Versailles have always meant a lot to TV producer Lexie. Her grandma Viv spent a year there, but her adventures and memories were never discussed, and Lexie has long wondered why they were a family secret.
When work presents the perfect excuse to spend springtime in Versailles, Lexie delves into Viv’s old diaries and scrapbooks, and with the help of handsome interpreter Ronan, she is soon learning more about the characters that tend to the magnificent gardens, now and in the past.
In amongst the beauty and splendour of the French countryside, a story of lost love, rivalry and tragedy unfolds. Can Lexie and Ronan right the wrongs of the past, and will France play its tricks on them both before Lexie has to go home? Will this truly be a springtime to remember?
Let Lucy Coleman sweep you away with this perfect feel-good love story. Perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Sue Moorcroft and Heidi Swain.
©2019 Lucy Coleman (P)2019 Boldwood Books

Review:
Lexie is thrilled to have the chance to do a production at the Palace of Versailles. Her grandmother spent a year working in the gardens there before coming home to marry the love of her life. Lexie and her camera partner, Elliot, decide to work on a miniseries themselves which they will then market. That puts them on a tight budget and time schedule, but they are convinced it is well worth it.

Lexie meets handsome interpreter, Ronan, who has done several research projects on Versailles. When Elliot has to take an emergency trip home, Ronan is able to step in as the photographer. The two grow close as they work together on the project, but they are also working on the mystery of Lexie’s grandmother’s year at the gardens. Lexie’s mother sent her a package of her grandmother’s journals which are leading to the possibility of an old romance.

I admit I wasn’t overwhelmed by the characters, but I did enjoy the details about the gardens and the budget difficulties the palace went through. There are a few twists in the history and interaction of the characters. The romance and light mystery make this an easy listen. I recommend this to fans of light romance and Paris settings.

Audio Notes: Lucy Scott does a nice job with the narration. The voices and energy are clear. This was only available through 8/10/23 so I am glad I had the chance to listen.

Source: 12/9/2022 from Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: 1984: New Classic Edition by George Orwell

Chilling - Oh yes- doublespeak abounds today and opposing views are censored as thought crimes.

1984: New Classic Edition
By: George Orwell
Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length 11h 22m
Release date: 12-31-06
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Classic, Dystopian, Literary Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Blackstone Publishing presents a new recording of this immensely popular book.
One of the most celebrated classics of the twentieth century, Orwell’s cautionary tale of a man trapped under the gaze of an authoritarian state feels more relevant now than ever before.
George Orwell depicts a gray, totalitarian world dominated by Big Brother and its vast network of agents, including the Thought Police, a world in which news is manufactured according to the authorities’ will and people live tepid lives by rote.
Winston Smith, the hero with no heroic qualities, longs only for truth and decency. But living in a social system in which privacy does not exist and where those with unorthodox ideas are brainwashed or put to death, he knows there is no hope for him. He knows even as he continues to pursue his forbidden love affair that eventually he will come to destruction.
The year 1984 has come and gone, yet George Orwell’s nightmare vision in 1949 of the world we were becoming is still the great modern classic of negative Utopia. It is a prophetic and haunting tale that exposes the worst crimes imaginable: the destruction of freedom and truth.
©1949 Harcourt Brace and Company, renewed 1977 Sonia Brownell Orwell (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Review:
Winston Smith’s job is to replace the past with a new narrative. He knows that Big Brother and the Thought Police are watching at work and at home. He has reason to suspect that life is being controlled by those in power, especially since one of the authoritarian tenents is “He who controls the past, controls the present. He who controls the present, controls the past.” Even the dictionary is constantly being changed with the deletion of some words and addition of Newspeak words. But Winston can’t control the thoughts in his head, and he is increasingly inclined to think there is a rebellious group that might challenge the control of Big Brother.

In search of the forbidden, Winston begins a love affair with a young woman. He knows their time together is limited and a risk, but they are committed to their secret, stolen time. They meet a superior who convinces them that there is a rebellion, and they can participate if they will follow the leader’s instructions.

I had not read/listened to this classic since my college days, so it was good to revisit. I admit that I didn’t remember the ending. I vaguely recall in the 1970s that this was a scary future but now, fifty years later, it is scarier that some of the matters of censorship and thought manipulation are apparent in our own leadership and society. If you have never read this, I recommend that you do. If you read it long ago, I recommend that you read it now. Enjoy and fight the Big Brother control!

Audio Notes: Simon Prebble does a superb job with the narration. He captures the voices and the oppressive nature of the world. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: September 2020 Audible Plus Titles. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and my 2023Number goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review For the Loot, Goblin Mode, Book 1 by Han Yang and Pearce Adams

This is a fun story but I didn't like the foul language.
For the Loot
Goblin Mode, Book 1
By: Han Yang, Pearce Adams
Narrated by: Evan Sibley

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
Release date: 07-25-23
Publisher: Dreamscape Lore
Genre: Fantasy, GameLit, LitRPG
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75 (due to language); Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Bogart casts aside his humble origins, becoming an adventurer. He must gain levels in the guild and fight alongside his allies, both within and outside the law. For fame and fortune! Maybe even to save the world. But mostly for fame and fortune!
You only get one chance at the big leagues, and nobody knows it better than Bogart. He's going straight from the badlands to the top of the world, or he'll gladly die trying. If only he knew the truth about the life he's chosen. There are wars, dark gods, and eldritch horrors on the horizon. And nothing is as it seems. Join Bogart as he quests for riches!
©2023 Royal Guard Publishing LLC (P)2023 Dreamscape Lore

Review:
Bogart’s clan of Goblins is attacked by a small group of adventurers, and he is one of the few survivors. He plans to follow them to steal their loot. Instead, he ends up joining the adventurers to pursue further loot.

They run into struggles along the way and have to find and rely on the skills for each. Bogart adds his stealth and thieving skills to the existing group. Freya is a paladin with healing powers and the ability to fight with special weapons. The others are a half-orc barbarian and a human spellsword, all led by the spellcasting gnome, Lang.

There are plenty of battles with creepy and unique villains. This isn’t strictly LitRPG but there are opportunities to increase powers and upgrade weapons. I enjoyed the success of the little goblin, especially since goblins are considered on the level of rats. The adventures were fun but the ugly, foul language turned me off. This might have been cute for middle graders but not with that language. Because of the language, I will probably not continue with the series. I recommend the fun adventure to GameLit fans who do not mind the bad language.

Audio Notes: Evan Sibley does a great job with the narration. I enjoined the energy and voices given to each character. I appreciated the opportunity to listen to this through NetGalley.

Source: July 2023 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: The Snow Killer: The DI Barton Series, Book 1 by Ross Greenwood

This is an intriguing police procedural, crime thriller.

The Snow Killer: The DI Barton Series, Book 1
By: Ross Greenwood
Narrated by: David Thorpe

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
Release date: 11-12-19
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
‘Fear the north wind. Because no one will hear you scream....’
A family is gunned down in the snow, but one of the children survives. Three years on, that child takes revenge, and the Snow Killer is born. But then, nothing - no further crimes are committed, and the case goes cold.
50 years later, has the urge to kill been reawakened? As murder follows murder, the detective team tasked with solving the crimes struggle with the lack of leads. It’s a race against time and the weather - each time it snows, another person dies.
As an exhausted and grizzled DI Barton and his team scrabble to put the pieces of the puzzle together, the killer is hiding in plain sight. Meanwhile, the murders continue....
The first in a new series, Ross Greenwood has written a cracking, crackling crime story with a twist in its tale which will surprise even the most hardened thriller listeners. Perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Stuart MacBride.
©2019 Ross Greenwood (P)2019 Boldwood Books

Review:
One child survived the gunning down of the rest of the family, including a beloved younger sibling, when they were brutally stalked and killed in the snow. Three years later the surviving child is able to take revenge killing the guilty thugs one at a time in the snow. This gains the name “The Snow Killer” but the murders stop.

Fifty years later there is a new murder of a low level drug addict during a snowstorm. Then another drug involved person is murdered in the next snowstorm. DI Barton and his team are trying to figure out who would have the motive to take out these individuals. Then in the next snowstorm another murder takes place practically under their noses. The murders are occurring in DI Barton’s own neighborhood and the victims are connected to a known local drug family. The police are desperately seeking clues while inclined to protect the surviving member of the drug family as she is the likely next target.

The old Snow Killer has been insulted by one of the local crime members. This has triggered the old anger and revenge which intensifies when the killer recalls one of the thugs had referred to orders from higher command. And now one of the new victims also mentions corruption that goes higher than the henchmen. Can the Snow Killer get to the higher parties in command before the police figure out who they are chasing?

This is only available until 8/10/23 so I pulled it up in my queue and I am glad that I did. The characters, killer and cop, are well drawn including emotional involvement. The author follows both characters so that the reader/ listener is tracking the two different POVs as their inevitable confrontation grows closer. Although the reader is following the killer, the author manages to throw in some surprises. I would be willing to seek more books by this author and I’m sorry I don’t have time to listen to more while they are available free in the Audible Plus Catalog. I recommend this to fans of strong police procedural thrillers.

Audio Notes: David Thorpe does a very good job with the narration. I was engaged throughout the narration with the clear voices and energy.

Source: February 2023 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023Audiobook goal.

Audio Book Review: Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris

This is an entertaining mystery with paranormal characters.
Midnight Crossroad
By Charlaine Harris
Narrated By: Susan Bennett

Series: Midnight, Texas, Book 1
Duration: 9 h 31 min
Release date: 05-06-14
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Summary
FIRST IN A NEW TRILOGY - From Charlaine Harris, the bestselling author who created Sookie Stackhouse and her world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, comes a darker locale-- populated by more strangers than friends. But then, that' s how the locals prefer it. Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It' s a pretty standard dried-up western town. There' s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There' s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there' s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he' s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own). Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth...

Review:
Manfred Bernardo is a quiet man who has moved to Midnight, Texas to a house next to the town pawnshop. Manfred thinks he has his own secrets as an online and sometimes live, psychic. But he soon begins to learn he has lots of strange and secretive neighbors. Another renter, who lives below the pawnshop, is only seen at night and a neighbor, Fiji, who lives across the street, sells crystals and spells among other New Age items and is never seen far from her standoffish cat.

There are strangers that come to town seeking his landlord, Bobo…then they are gone. And more strangers come looking for the first two. Then an out-of-town sheriff comes looking for Bobo’s former girlfriend who just walked out a few weeks before. Bobo is heartbroken and shocked that anyone might think that he had anything to do with her disappearance.

Manfred is willing to help investigate when called upon and his neighbors are a bit surprised that he handles each event and reveal with his quiet equanimity. As the community pulls together to protect their own, it is clear that Manfred fits right in.

I enjoyed the low-key characters and the conflicts and mysteries of this story. This is a different style from the author’s southern and more lively Sookie vampire series which I also enjoyed. I was interested in learning more about each character as the story moved on. I plan to pick up the other books in this series. I recommend this book to fans of paranormal characters and quiet mysteries.

Audio Notes: Susan Bennett does a good job with the narration. She provides distinct voices that capture the quirkiness of each character. The narration definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

Source: 8/28/19 August VIP Free selection at Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and Time of Day goals.

Audio Book Review: Christmas at Cozy Holly Inn by Meredith Summers

This is a nice, easy Christmas romance.

Christmas at Cozy Holly Inn
Written by Meredith Summers
Narrated by Hollis McCarthy

Run Time: 7h 9min
Release Date: November 14, 2022
Publisher: Leighann Dobbs Publishing
Genre: Christmas, Contemporary, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher Description
A sweet, cozy small town holiday romance perfect for snuggling up by the fire with a steaming mug of hot cocoa and a cat or two by your side.
When Julie Green’s ailing grandmother asks her to arrange one last party at the old Inn she used to run, Julie can’t say no even though the last thing she wants is to leave the city for middle-of-nowhere Vermont. Even worse, Cozy Holly Inn is in disrepair, there’s a persnickety cat hiding in the basement and the family of grinches who own the competing inn down the street seem determined to ruin her chances of success.
Nolan Miller retreated to Pinecone Falls, Vermont, to heal his broken heart and help his grandfather run Barrington Lodge - a rustic old bed-and-breakfast that has been in the family for generations. This year, though, he needs to find a way to get his Christmas spirit back before he turns into a grinch like his father and grandfather. But even if he gets his spirit back, he’s not letting anyone in again, especially not Julie Green who has made it clear she’s leaving town as soon as she can.
But when Julie needs help, Nolan can’t say no and putting the party together makes Julie realize that small town friendships might have more to offer than big city lights.
Kringle, the cat, only wants a warm home and his forever human. This girl, Julie, does not seem to fit the bill no matter what the nice lady at the animal shelter told him. Julie knows nothing about cats so he will do his best to get her to return him to the shelter. But as the week unfolds, Kringle discovers that people can change in surprising ways and sometimes what you thought you wanted, isn’t what you really needed at all.

Review:
Julie has recently lost her job. She is reluctantly available to arrange a last party for her ailing grandmother at her grandmother’s Cozy Holly Inn in Pinecone Falls, Vermont. Julie has fond memories of visiting with her grandmother, but Julie doesn’t really want to be in remote town instead of seeking to rebuild her life in the city. Working on the party has enough to keep Julie busy without the interference of a fluffy cat that seems to want her gone, especially as Julie keeps threatening to turn the cat over to the local shelter. And then there are the grouchy neighbors who own a competing inn down the street and are inclined to block Julie’s festivities.

Nolan is working with his grumpy father and grandfather to run their bed and breakfast. They are the grinches, not planning to celebrate the Christmas holiday since they have lost their joy with the death of Nolan’s mother. Nolan himself has been recovering from a broken heart and he has no plans to let anyone get close to him again.

Nolan runs into Julie and realizes she needs some help with her big party plans. Despite his family’s animosity, Nolan reaches out to help. And Julie finds that many of the town folk are more than willing to help and to celebrate one of their own. Even the cat begins to sense a change in the atmosphere.

This is a sweet story, and I enjoyed the ‘dance’ as the reluctant characters grow closer together. It is also fun to see how the town folk (and the cat) help out. This was an easy listen and worked for my decision to have a Christmas in July read. I recommend this to those who enjoy Christmas romance.

Audio Notes: Hollis McCarthy does a very nice job with the narration of this work. The narration provides clear voices and emotional energy that fits the characters. I was glad to have this available to listen to.

Source: 12/31/2022 year end purchase at Chirp for $.99. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley

The story is sweet and I did enjoy it through the end.
Perestroika in Paris
By: Jane Smiley
Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 12-01-20
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Animals, Family, Friendship
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Thousand Acres and the New York Times best-selling Last Hundred Years Trilogy, a captivating, brilliantly imaginative story of three extraordinary animals - and a young boy - whose lives intersect in Paris.
Paras, short for "Perestroika", is a spirited racehorse at a racetrack west of Paris. One afternoon at dusk, she finds the door of her stall open and - she's a curious filly - wanders all the way to the City of Light. She's dazzled and often mystified by the sights, sounds, and smells around her, but she isn't afraid. Soon she meets an elegant dog, a German shorthair pointer named Frida, who knows how to get by without attracting the attention of suspicious Parisians.
Paras and Frida coexist for a time in the city's lush green spaces, nourished by Frida's strategic trips to the vegetable market. They keep company with two irrepressible ducks and an opinionated raven. But then Paras meets a human boy, Etienne, and discovers a new, otherworldly part of Paris: the ivy-walled house where the boy and his nearly 100-year-old great-grandmother live in seclusion. As the cold weather and Christmas near, the unlikeliest of friendships bloom. But how long can a runaway horse stay undiscovered in Paris? How long can a boy keep her hidden and all to himself?
Jane Smiley's beguiling new novel is itself an adventure that celebrates curiosity, ingenuity, and the desire of all creatures for true love and freedom.
©2020 Jane Smiley (P)2020 Recorded Books

Review:
Perestroika (Paras) is a racehorse who defines herself as a “curious” filly. One day, after winning a race, she realizes her stall door is open and she wanders out. At her door she finds a purse which she picks up and takes with her.

After a walk through woods and across a roadway, Paras finds herself in a park where she meets Frida, an elegant dog who has lost her human. Frida has been around on her own and knows how to remain quiet and pass without drawing attention of the authorities. Freda already has some friends in her nook. These include a raven and two ducks.

Freda finds the purse with money and starts trekking to the village to purchase fruits and meat for the friends. Paras even ventures out to make friends who provide her with grain and treats. They make a few friends among the shopkeepers who keep the secret of their visits. On several of their forays down the streets, Paras and Freda are seen by a young boy, Etienne, who discovers where they are living. The boy eventually entices Paras to his home where he resides with his elderly, blind grandmother. Freda is reluctant to have her friend penned at a house. And what might happen if Paras decides to revisit her racetrack?

There is interesting detail for the development of the animal characters and their living situation. Also, a good description of the history and living circumstances of Etienne and his grandmother. I liked where the author delivered the friends at the end of the story too.

I chose this story from my TBR shelf for the #parisinjuly2023 event. Although I initially felt the story was not really going anywhere, I eventually enjoyed the quiet sharing of the friendships that grow and change. I enjoyed the gentle story and it made me wonder a bit why the author put this little tale together. I recommend this to readers who enjoy animal characters and stories of friendship. It could be good for children too.

Audio Notes: Suzanne Toren does a nice job with the narration. She provided clear and distinctive voices that fit each character, animal and human. I enjoyed the audiobook.

Source: 4/5/2021 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Mountain Man by Keith C. Blackmore

This is gritty - zombies of course - but entertaining action.

Mountain Man
By: Keith C. Blackmore
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Series: Mountain Man, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 03-28-14
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Horror, Post Apocalyptic, Zombie
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
A man must survive the zombie apocalypse armed with only a shotgun, a Samurai bat, and the will to live among the unliving in this horror series debut.
It’s been two years since civilization ended in an unstoppable wave of chaos and blood. Now, former house painter Augustus “Gus” Berry lives a day-to-day existence of waking up, getting drunk, and preparing for the inevitable moment when “they” will come up the side of his mountain and penetrate his fortress.
Living on the outskirts of Annapolis, Gus goes scavenging for whatever supplies remain in the undead suburbia below. Every time he descends the mountain could be his last. But when Gus encounters another survivor, he soon realizes the zombie horde may not be the greatest threat he faces . . .
©2012 Keith C. Blackmore (P)2014 Podium Publishing

Review:
Gus is a burly sort of guy, but not as burly as before the ‘zombie’ apocalypse. He lives alone in a commandeered mountain home that is like a fortress above the city of Annapolis. He goes regularly to forage among the houses and businesses for supplies. When Gus isn’t foraging, he’s drinking, and occasionally working on further reinforcements on the property to keep out the undead or unliving.

After two years, Gus is surprised when he almost runs down a living human being. He rescues Scott and takes him back to the house to recuperate. Scott knows there are other survivors as he has witnessed one in particular and knows he will have to go looking for him. Gus and Scott start scavenging together and sharing the returning celebration rituals of drinking. They are surprised one day to stumble upon other survivors where they rescue a female in distress. But now it seems that not just the undead are a threat.

Gus is a well-developed character, and the author shares his past, his pain, his current despair, and his determination. There is plenty of action to keep the reader/listener entertained. And of course, there are twists that bring it to a suspenseful conclusion … until the next book. I enjoyed one of the prequels and plan to get more in this series. I recommend this to fans of post-apocalyptic who don’t mind the gore and rough language associated with men fighting zombies and other terrors.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray does his usual wonder full job of narrating. His voices are distinct and energy appropriate. I always find that Bray narration enhances my enjoyment of an audiobook.

Source: January 2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: The Poisoned Princess: Warders Book 1 by Armen Pogharian

I enjoyed this creative story involving a young protagonist and secret guardians.
The Poisoned Princess: Warders Book 1
by Armen Pogharian
Narrated by: Michelle Babb

Length: 6hr 16 min
Publisher: Armen Pogharian
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Sword & Sorcery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Forced to leave the elven forest because of his barbarian heritage, half-elven Toran finds work in a rundown tavern in Eridan’s thieves’ quarter. Combining his keen elven senses and barbarian battle skills, he thwarts an assassination attempt on a visiting princess and earns an invitation to join the secret protectors of Eridan, known as the Warders.

Review:
Toran is shunned by his elven family because he is of mixed blood. His non-elven nature makes the others afraid that he will not be able to control his barbarian strengths as he grows into them. His uncle finds him work in a town where mixed blood is accepted. Toran inadvertently thwarts an assassination attempt on the Princess. He has a lot to learn but others quickly recognize that he is skilled and is a willing and apt student. He is accepted into a secret group of guardians, or warders, who protect the royal family. His skills and the mixed group of warders around him, dwarfs, elves, and those yielding magic, soon find their skills needed in earnest.

A handful of the warders, including Toran, must journey fast and far to get an antidote to save the poisoned Princess. They face many surprising evils and dangers including the Kraken and Barbarians. If they can retrieve the necessary ingredients, can they get back in time to save the life of the Princess?

I was engaged by this creative story. I liked the personalities and skills of the different characters, even the villains. The dangers they face might not be totally unique, but the battles and resolutions made sense. I would enjoy more adventures in this series.

Audio Notes: I have enjoyed this author and narrator on other middle grade stories and was pleased to accept the offer of an audio code. I do have to get used to Michelle Babb's voice especially when I start one of the children’s stories. But I soon settle into the tone and voices of the characters. I think the author and narrator make a good match. I had slight trouble with the Spotify App as it seemed to freeze at the end of each chapter. Once I figured out how to go back and click from the main screen I was not frustrated by that glitch. I enjoyed listening to this story and appreciate the opportunity to listen and to share this review.

Source: July 8 Audio Code for Spotify from Narrator. This qualifies for 2023Audiobook and 2023Review goals.

Audible Book Review: The Murderer's Son, A Jackman and Evans Thriller by Joy Ellis

This is a good thriller and I’ll look to listen to more in the series.

The Murderer's Son
A Jackman and Evans Thriller
By: Joy Ellis
Narrated by: Richard Armitage

Series: Jackman & Evans (Published Order), Book 1,
Jackman & Evans (Recommended Listening Order), Book 2
Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
Release date: 10-16-18
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Police Procedural, Psychological
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Twenty years ago: a farmer and his wife are cut to pieces by a ruthless serial killer.
Now: a woman is viciously stabbed to death in the upmarket kitchen of her beautiful house on the edge of the marshes.
Then a man called Daniel Kinder walks into Saltern police station and confesses to the murder.
But DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans of the Fenland Constabulary soon discover that there is a lot more to Daniel than meets the eye. He has no memory of the first five years of his life and has a rather unusual obsession with his mother....
Full of twists and turns, this is a crime thriller that will keep you gripped until the shocking ending.
©2016 Joy Ellis (P)2016 Audible, Ltd

Review:
Daniel Kinder is a news reporter who has just finished an effective article regarding nursing at the local hospital. It is a shock to his girlfriend and those he interviewed when he walks in to the police station to confess to a grisly murder. The murder is similar to a murder committed twenty years earlier. Daniel has periods of blackouts but he believes he is the killer because he believes he is an infamous murderer’s son.

DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans of the Fenland Constabulary are not inclined to immediately accept the confession. On the other hand, the young man definitely has issues and knowledge that is close to the crime scene. They pull in a skilled psychologist who has worked with serial killers before. It seems that those around Daniel are willing to work with him to prove he is not a killer. Unfortunately, each time he runs off there is another murder. If the real killer isn’t discovered, Daniel won’t be the only victim yet to suffer.

This story has good character development and good twists in the mystery. The pacing is steady and although I guessed the villain, there was suspense in how the investigation played out until the end. I like DI Jackman and his partner DS Evans who are not romantically involved but make a good team. They have different skills that complement each other. I’m glad I had this on my shelf and listened to it while it was available. I did read this first and saw that some reviewers preferred this as book 1 instead of book 2. I will note the series for more reading when I need a good police thriller.

Audio Notes: Richard Armitage is a skilled narrator and did a wonderful job with this work. His character voicing, emotional energy and pacing added to the story.

Source: August 2022 Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Flop Dead Gorgeous: An Andy Carpenter Mystery by Davide Rosenfelt

This is another good Andy Carpenter legal thriller that was a quick listen.

Flop Dead Gorgeous: An Andy Carpenter Mystery
By David Rosenfelt
Narrator: Grover Gardner

Series: An Andy Carpenter Novel, Book 27 Length: 6hr 43min
Release date: 07-04-23
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Legal Thriller
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Lights, camera, action in bestselling author David Rosenfelt’s Flop Dead Gorgeous , as Andy Carpenter goes bicoastal to prove an old friend’s innocence.
Retired lawyer Andy Carpenter remembers every dog that’s come through the Tara Foundation’s doors, but the most well-known alum of the dog rescue organization that Andy founded in Paterson, New Jersey, may be Mamie. Adopted by famous actress Jenny Nichols―Andy’s high school girlfriend―the miniature French poodle is now practically a starlet in her own right.
Andy doesn’t hold it against his friend. In fact, he and his wife, Laurie, have dinner with Jenny while she’s in town filming her next big hit. But after an eventful meal, there’s a plot twist the next morning that none of them see Jenny’s costar is found dead, a knife in his back. It’s not long before Jenny is arrested for the murder and finds herself in need of Andy’s legal services.
While Mamie becomes reacquainted with Tara, Andy’s golden retriever, Andy digs into the lives of the rich and famous.

Review:
Andy Carpenter is a millionaire lawyer who would rather be retired and working with his dog rescue, Tara’s Foundation, named after his golden retriever. But Andy is continually pulled in to representing people he knows, or are friends of friends, who are in desperate need of his services. A famous actress, Jenny Nichols, who rescued a miniature French poodle from Tara’s Foundation, has now been accused of killing her current costar. Few people know that Andy dated Jenny in high school so of course he is going to step up to take on her defense.

All of the usual investigation team get pulled in to help. This includes Andy’s wife, Laurie, a former Paterson police officer, Marcus, Andy’s brutish bodyguard, Sam, the finance / computer wizard, and investigator Corey with his K9 partner, Simon. The team begins to pursue connections that bring threats to Andy’s life.

The pattern of these stories is similar. It seems pretty clear the accused is innocent. The actual killer is often attached to the mob, a terrorist group, or similar crime syndicate that has an obscure connection to the victim. Andy and his team are able to gather details but may not be able to get admissible evidence in time for the trial. At the last minute some evidence or admission (often with the help of Federal agents) is delivered to save the case.

Even though this story fits the repeated pattern, the investigation into connected clues and ‘Andy snark’ make the story worth the read/listen. This is an on-going legal mystery series I enjoy and recommend. I have missed a few stories in the middle of the series and I am glad that the later stories are able to be read as stand alone stories with the proviso that you have read the first several books so that you get to know Andy and his team.

Audio Notes: Grover Gardner has this series down pat. He provides the perfect accents and attitudes of the characters. I totally enjoy listening to Gardner’s performance of this series.

Source: June 2023 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Never-Ending End of the World by Ann Christy

This is a very good end of the world and dystopian story with a unique mystery event.
The Never-Ending End of the World
By: Ann Christy
Narrated by: Thérèse Plummer, Ari Fliakos

Length: 13 hrs and 19 mins
Release date: 08-08-23
Publisher: Campfire Publishing
Genre: Dystopian, EOTW, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

Publisher's Summary
Station Eleven meets The Last of Us in this post-apocalyptic sci-fi epic from USA Today and Wall Street Journal best-selling author Ann Christy.
Coco Wells hasn’t seen another living person since she was a teenager. All of Manhattan is reliving the same few seconds, minutes, or hours on a loop…and they have been for years. Everything looks normal from a distance, but up close, it’s a nightmare.
Coco is a survivor. She scavenges for food, reads, and—most importantly—avoids loopers. They ignore her, but only as long as she’s silent. She’s learned the painful lesson that a broken loop can mean death.
After eight years of solitude, learning to survive and precisely timing the loops that weave around the city, Coco wonders what lies beyond New York and what has become of the rest of the world.
As she leaves home for the first time, one question haunts her above all:
“Am I the only one left?”
Speculative sci-fi, dystopian apocalypse, and scientific mystery coalesce into The Never-Ending End of the World—a gripping tale of survival, hope, and love from retired Naval Officer Ann Christy.
©2023 Ann Christy (P)2023 Ann Christy

Review:
Coco was a 12 year old when her world changed. Suddenly her family members appeared only in a loop of time…some seconds and some as much as hours. But if the loop is interrupted, there are immediate reactions. Coco breaks a few loops before she realizes the harm that she has caused. She learns to map out the loops in her Manhattan community so she can scavenge real food and resources. She also keeps a journal of her activities and some of the more remarkable loops she observes. For years she is able to take pictures of time and leave them carefully behind…just in case time ever gets fixed.

Surprisingly, after many years alone, Coco meets another person who is alive like her. Sadly, the woman is ill, and Coco only gets a short time with her. But this gives her hope and sends her out to explore the world beyond Manhattan and New York. When she finally meets others, she learns there are two divisions. Her newest friends are Seekers who will go out to explore, find other living beings, and look for a way to fix the frozen time problem. They are soon joined by some members of the Chosen who is a group who believe they were chosen to live and start a new world society. The Chosen are willing to break loops if it is necessary to their plans for development.

The story continues to a new generation where it is learned that some children develop new skills relating to the loops. Hidden information regarding the cause of the event is discovered. This leads to hopes of discovering the possibility of fixing it. But there is a huge cost, and not everyone wants to fix the past as it threatens their current and future lives.

I enjoyed the creativity of this EOTW dystopian story. I was pulled in to caring for Coco and other characters. I was invested in discovering how the event occurred and if and how it could be fixed. I recommend the story to fans of EOTW with rival groups of survivals and elements of mystery.

Audio Notes: Thérèse Plummer and Ari Fliakos are skilled narrators. They provide distinct voices and their delivery helps the characters to be real to the listener. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: May 2023 NetGalley, This qualifies for 2023NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: If Angesl Fall by Rick Mofina

This crime thriller has good twists.
If Angels Fall
By: Rick Mofina
Narrated by: Christian Rummel

Series: Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski, Book 1
Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins
Release date: 12-22-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Crime Fiction, Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Tom Reed is a crime reporter with The San Francisco Star whose superb journalistic skills earned him a Pulitzer nomination. But years later Reed's life is coming apart. His editor wants him fired. His wife has left him to wrestle with his demons. Alone, Reed is tormented by the fear he may have caused the suicide of an innocent man suspected of murdering a two-year-old girl.
Reed's friend on the case is legendary San Francisco homicide inspector Walt Sydowski, who has one of California's highest clearance rates. He is also a lonely widower haunted by the fact he cannot solve the girl's heartbreaking death. Both men grapple with the past while they race the clock to learn the truth behind several new abductions that have anguished the Bay Area in this acclaimed thriller set in the late 1990s.
©2000, 2013 Rick Mofina (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Tom Reed’s was once a star crime reporter. But a year or so ago his aggressive approach resulted in a potential child killer committing suicide. This event tumbled his career and sent him to the bottle causing the further deterioration of his marriage and his work. Now Tom is trying to report on a new round of child kidnappings.

Meanwhile the head detective on the case is homicide inspector Walt Sydowski who struggles with the fact that he wasn’t able to save the child a year before. The current case isn’t a homicide yet but the authorities recognize he may have some additional insight from his previous investigations. Sydowski and Reed were friends before Reed crossed the line. Now they are a bit standoffish. When Reed has additional information and suspicions, he is reluctant to take them to Sydowski.

The reader/listener is also offered a few of the gritty villain. There is a good progression from his traumatic event, through his continued pain, to his twisted plan. It is creepy and had me routing for Sydowski and Reed.

After a slower start, the story proceeds with good pacing and building tension. I enjoyed the police procedures and the twist in events that brings the story rushing to a suspenseful conclusion. I will be glad to read more by Mr. Mofina and I recommend this to fans of intense crime thrillers.

Audio Notes: Christian Rummel is the voice of another series that I love (D.J. Molles sci fi). I had a few moments of surprise hearing his voice in a different genre. Then I was pleased to hear his distinct voices for the characters and the spot-on emotional input for the story.

Source: July 2023 started as Audible Plus (finished at $1.99). This qualifies for 2023Audiobook goal.

Audio Book Review: The Farseer: Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

This fantasy aroused mixed emotions. I picked up book 2 for sale at Chirp.
The Farseer: Assassin's Apprentice
Written By: Robin Hobb
Narrated By: Paul Boehmer

Series: Farseer Trilogy, Book 1, Realms of the Elderlings, Book 1
Duration: 17 hours 21 minutes
Release Date: March 2010
Publisher: Tantor Media
Genre: Action & Adventure, Coming of Age, Epic Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Summary
With unforgettable characters, a sweeping backdrop, and passionate storytelling, this is a fantasy debut to rival that of Robert Jordan. Filled with adventure and bloodshed, pageantry and piracy, mystery and menace, Assassin's Apprentice is the story of a royal house and the young man who is destined to chart its course through tempests of change.
Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal household by his father's gruff stableman. An outcast whose existence has forced his father to abdicate his claim on the throne, Fitz is ignored by all royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in the young man's blood is a heritage of magic, the talent called the Skill, as well as another, even more mysterious ability.
As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts and leave behind the zombie-like husks of the townspeople to prowl the countryside, Fitz is growing toward manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission, a mission that poses as much a threat to himself as it does for his target-for Fitz is a threat to the throne...but he may also be the key to the survival of the kingdom.

Review:
“Boy” is the bastard son of royal Prince Chivalry, the first born son of King Shrewd. He is dropped off at the keep at age six and taken to Prince Chivalry’s head stableman, Burrich. Since the boy has no name, he is dubbed “Fitz”. Burrich begins training Fitz to care for the dogs and horses in the stable, but he is alarmed when he realizes that Fitz is developing a mental bond with one of the new puppies. He scolds Fitz and takes away the dog.

Soon Fitz is moved into the royal household where he struggles in his position. Prince Verity, the second son, is kind and caring when he can take time from his busy schedule, especially after Chivalry abdicates his position. The third royal son, from a second wife, Prince Regal, wants nothing to do with this bastard child who could complicate the bloodlines. Regal is inclined to ignore Fitz or maybe kick him when he sees him. King Shrewd has his own plans for the boy. He arranges for Fitz to be secretly trained by the King’s assassin because Fitz may have the family trait of magic that allows them to Skill, or hear the thoughts of, and sometimes influence, others.

While Fitz struggles with his aloneness, he tries to find ways to please those around him. But the royals are busy dealing with horrible raiders who are ravaging the coast line and even moving into the countryside of the territories under the King. Fitz has committed to be a “king’s man” but in the process of his growth he is outcast, ostracized, abused, and used for the King’s goals. The one true talent he has must remain hidden as it is despised the by one man he thinks is his friend. And meanwhile betrayal stalks close to home.

The story is told by an older Fitz in the form of a history of the Six Duchies under the King. The author pulls at the heartstrings of the reader (listener) for the abandoned and misused boy. There is a tone of depression in the story. I did struggle with Fitz’s attitude at times but his feelings and lack of perception at times is fitting for the beleaguered boy that he is. I enjoyed the distinct secondary characters, especially Burrich, Verity, the assassin, and the fool. I hope all of them will be in the second book which I found on sale at Chirp. I recommend this to fans of epic fantasy tales of adventure with a touch of magic.

Audio Notes: Paul Boehmer does a great job with the narration. He provides clear and distinct voices that fit the characters, the settings and the tone. I am looking forward to continuing the next book on audio.

Source: 6/3/19 June VIP free selection from Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Leila Nugget Mystery: The Case with No Clues by Deserae Brady, Dustin Brady

This is a fun 'treasure hunt' mystery for young people.

Leila Nugget Mystery: The Case with No Clues
By: Deserae Brady, Dustin Brady
Narrated by: Emily Eiden

Series: Leila and Nugget Mysteries, Book 2
Length: 1 hr and 32 mins
Release date: 06-27-23
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Genre: Children’s, Chapter Book, Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Mr. McGee was the principal of Englewood Elementary in 1947, and the students have just discovered that he created a massive treasure hunt all those years ago... But Mr. McGee disappeared before he could share any of the clues. Seventy years later, Leila and Nugget are ready to crack the case and find that missing treasure.
Leila & Nugget Mysteries reward developing listeners with nonstop laughs, twists, and—of course—cute pets.
©2023 Dustin Brady (P)2023 Andrews McMeel Publishing

Review:
Leila is a third grader who, with her small dog Nugget, likes to visit neighbor, Mrs. Crenshaw, who used to be a teacher at Englewood Elementary where Leila attends. Leila likes mysteries and is excited when Mrs. Crenshaw tells her that the first principal of the school, Mr. McGee, created a treasure hunt for the students seventy years ago. The special event never took place and the treasure has never been found.

Leila and Nugget set out to look for clues. The search distracts her from even her best friend, and Leila begins to be disappointed after months with little progress. Finally, she gets a breakthrough and it isn’t long before her friend and other students are looking too. Can they solve the case and find the treasure?

The clues are wonderful riddles and the author takes Leila (and the reader) on a search up and down halls in the school, through a Hall of Presidents, and finding a “zoo” of critters with the help of some older teachers and the elderly janitor. There is history of the school, and, along the way, Leila learns a few lessons on friendship and working together. The story is sweet, and I enjoyed the treasure hunt. I do think that my grandchildren (4th and 1st graders) would enjoy this story. The images that are available at the Amazon link are very cute too so I would recommend the print version as well as the audio.

Audio Notes: Emily Eiden does a very nice job of narrating this children’s audiobook. The voice fits Leila and she provides distinct voices for the other characters too. I enjoyed the audio experience.

Source: 4/1/2023 NetGalley Title. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Bewitching a Highlander by Roma Cordon

This is a sensual Scottish romance.

Bewitching a Highlander
By: Roma Cordon
Narrated by: Moira Quirk

Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
Release date: 06-07-22
Publisher: CamCat Books
Genre: Historical Romance, Scottish Historical Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Defying all for the love of a bewitching lass.
Breena MacRae, a healer from Skye with a touch of witchery in her blood, embarks on a dangerous search for her missing father. She arrives on the Isle of Coll, seat of the vile Campbells. There, she encounters the debonair future chief to the Dunbar Clan, Egan, who rescues her from a Campbell sentry.
Egan Dunbar is on Coll to keep the peace between the feuding Campbells and Dunbars. But when he catches Breena in a lie, he agrees to help her find her father to pay back an old debt and get to the bottom of the secrets she's hiding.
As their attraction for each ignites like a firestorm, Breena and Egan realize a future together could trigger deadly consequences—a clan war between the Campbells and the Dunbars. Is Egan willing to betray his clan for love, even though he knows Breena is keeping secrets from him? Can Breena trust him with her family secret and put those she loves at risk?
©2022 Roma Cordon (P)2022 CamCat Books

Review:
Breena is a 25 year-old young woman who lost her parents at age 6 and was raised by her wise grandmother. Breena comes from a family of healers…and witches. They have been good witches, but she hides this part of her nature because of the prejudices of others and the dangers disclosure presents.

Until very recently Breena thought her father was dead. Now she has learned that he may be alive an a prisoner of the chief of the Campbells who had her mother hung as a witch. Breena insisted on her uncle taking her to the Campbells land, the Isle of Coll, to secretly hunt for her father. Breena faces resistance and danger before even getting into the keep. She is ‘rescued’ by Egan, the debonair future chief of the Dunbar Clan, who helps her gain entrance and introduction to The Campbell.

Egan is enchanted but puzzled by this young woman. She has introduced her companion as her father, but something doesn’t ring true to her story. Egan is already having to walk a fine line as he is there to confront the vile Campbell chief over the death of some of the Dunbar men. It doesn’t help that he has to worry about Breena and her secrets as she sneaks around the keep.

Egan has been directly instructed by his father not to instigate a war between the Dunbar clan and the Campbell clan. Egan is also keenly aware that he is expected to marry a woman of high blood, not a common born woman like Breena. How much is Egan is willing to risks to help this woman who has ensnared his interest? And how far will he go to protect her?

The story pulled me in and I basically liked the characters and the touch of magic. I also enjoyed the underlying story but not the extra drawn-out sensual scenes. I could sense the chemistry without the extensive scenes and flowery descriptions to draw it out. Breena really seemed like a younger character as it didn’t seem likely that she would remain unmarried at 25 and she was obsessed with secrets and insecurities. Romance readers who like the long build up and tension will likely enjoy this more than I did.

Audio Notes: Moira Quirk does a nice job with the narration. She provided distinct voices and fitting emotional energy. I was glad for the opportunity to listen to this historical romance.

Source: June 2023 "Listen Now" audiobook at NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023 NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goals.