Audible Book Review: Little Donkey by Jodi Taylor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#NetGalley Book Review: Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym Martineau

This is wonderfully creative and intense!

Kingdom of Exiles
by Maxym Martineau

File Size: 3057 KB
Print Length: 448 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 25, 2019)
ASIN: B07MZHRNCC
Genre: Action and Adventure, Romantic Fantasy
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Description:
My heart wasn’t part of the deal when I bargained for my life,
But assassins so rarely keep their word.
Exiled Charmer Leena Edenfrell is running out of time. Empty pockets forced her to sell her beloved magical beasts—an offense punishable by death—and now there’s a price on her head. With the realm’s most talented murderer-for-hire nipping at her heels, Leena makes Noc an offer he can’t refuse: powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.
Plagued by a curse that kills everyone he loves, Noc agrees to Leena’s terms in hopes of finding a cure. Never mind that the dark magic binding the assassin’s oath will eventually force him to choose between Leena’s continued survival…and his own.

Review:
Leena is a beast Charmer exiled from her beloved community by a vicious lover. The council believed him because he was older and on the council. Leena has since had to sell beasts which isn’t permitted. Leena is determined to tame a council level beast and return to prove her innocence. But someone has other plans – they have engaged one of the most powerful assassin groups, the Cruor, to kill Leena.

Leena manages to capture the first assassin sent after her. She returns to the Cruor lair to try to negotiate for her life. She meets Noc, the leader of the dark shadowy group. She is able to make a deal to provide his people with four magical creatures in exchange for her life. She doesn’t realize there is a loophole to his contract and she has no idea that he is burdened by a curse.

Noc’s curse brings death to those he loves. He has seen the devastation and now must hold himself aloof or risk even his brother assassins.

As Noc and a handful of his leaders travel with Leena to allow her to capture their beasts, they all grow in respect for the caring nature of their ‘target’. Especially Noc is conflicted by his growing attraction which he cannot allow without a cure for his curse. Noc believes that Leena may be able to provide him with a creature that can fulfill the wish to end his curse. Leena tries to warn him that such wishes come with unexpected and usually damaging consequences, but Noc is desperate.

I was captured by this story from beginning to end. The characters are intense as is the tension.
Early on I was struck by the risks and extreme choices being set up for the hero and heroine to face. The creatures tamed by Leena are wonderfully creative and imaginative. There is a strong sexual scene at bout 70% in and another near the end, but these are fitting to the intense romance that is developed. It is secondary to a well-developed, action packed, intriguing plot.

I definitely want to read the next book in the series. I cannot think of any reason not to give this 5 stars. I highly recommend this to readers who like intrigue, fantasy and tension filled romance; magical beasts are great too.

Source: 2019 NetGalley; Release date June 25, 2019. This qualifies for 2019Alphabet and 2019NetGalley goals.