Audio Book Review: Greenwillow by B.J. Chute

This is a beautifully written, charming story. I have to agree with the comment: "Everyone needs to visit Greenwillow..."

Audio Book: Greenwillow
by B.J. Chute
Narrator: Ann M. Richardson
Audio Book Length: 6 hrs 44 mins
# of Audio CD's: 6
Audio CD ISBN: 978-1-927817-34-6
Genre: Classic Fiction
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

"Everyone needs to visit Greenwillow and meet its wonderful inhabitants - from the two reverends with their 'two ways of walking before the Lord' to the irrepressible Micah who braves the devil."
A lyrical and timeless fable of the small country village Greenwlllow and its unforgettable inhabitants, and the poignant romance between young Gideon Briggs, who lives in the shadow of a family curse and is determined never to marry, and Dorrie, the orphan girl he loves. Perhaps B.J. Chute's best-known novel, a critic described Greenwillow as "a deeply moving, gently humorous and serenely wise story of young love and self-discovery." Greenwillow was brought to the Broadway stage in 1960, starring Anthony Perkins, with book by Lesser Samuels and Frank Loesser, and music and lyrics by Frank Loesser.
A bit of trivia. Anthony Perkins was simultaneously filming Alfred Hitchcock's classic shocker Psycho while rehearsing Greenwillow. Over the years, Perkins, in interviews, always said that his stand-in was used in the filming of the infamous shower scene, because he was rehearsing a Broadway show. Greenwillow was that show.

Review:
The village of Greenwillow is a sweet, pastoral place where everyone knows each other. The villagers have forgotten the name of the river that flows by, so they call it The Meander. The sweet, steepled church houses the lean, stern Reverend Lapp who lives in the village with his equally stern and snobby mother. It is a bit of a surprise when another preacher, the robust, cheerful Reverend Birdsong, appears to share the pulpit. Now the two men of God have to cope with each other, Lapp preaching against hell and demons, and Birdsong soothing and comforting the flock with a gentler message.

Out beyond the fork of the river a small cabin contains the household of Amos Briggs. Amos himself is a wandering man who was gone when his first wife died giving birth to his eldest son, Gideon. Amos has visited his second wife, Martha, often enough to leave five more children in her care, along with Granmma Briggs who is not afraid to voice her opinion on things in the house and village.

Gideon has grown strong and responsible, taking care of the farm and heading the house in the absence of his father. All his life Gideon has been led to expect to receive the cursed wandering call that falls on all the first born Brigg’s sons. Gideon is diligently preparing everything to be in good shape to turn over to his half brother, Micah.

Dorrie, a young orphan girl, lives in the village taking care of two elderly spinsters. She is known for her sweet, kind spirit as well as her delicious baking. Dorrie has a fondness for Gideon but he refuses to encourage her affections as he knows he will be leaving in the next year when his call comes. Gideon has vowed to never marry so that he won’t leave a woman behind to birth his children alone.

Micah is a bold, outspoken and brave child. Since Reverend Lapp preaches that Gideon will be called off by the devil if he doesn’t resist, Micah decides to face the devil himself to try to make him leave Gideon alone so he will stay in the village with his family.

This story is absolutely delightful with its stage-full of unique and precocious characters, from the youngest child, Jabez, to old Granmma. There is a wonderful contrast between the two preachers, both offering different strengths and carrying different weaknesses. The lovely prose and mystical story made me think of the ethereal Brigadoon. I had never heard of this story but I am so glad I was offered the chance to listen and review it. I highly recommend this gem to those who are ready for a lyrical tale to take them away from the stress of the world for an idyllic, gentle adventure.

Audio Notes: I think it would be difficult to find a more perfect reading than this one by Ann M. Richardson. Her soft lyrical narration, and the portrayal of the different characters, made Greenwillow come alive in my mind. I am sure the written text is lovely but the audio is a true delight.

I received this download from Post Hypnotic Press Books for an honest review.

Please follow this link to enjoy an audio sample.
(Also available at Audible.)

Book Review and Giveaway: The Trouble With Harry by Katie MacAlister

This is a fun historical romp!
The Trouble With Harry
by Katie MacAlister

• 
  
• File Size: 968 KB
• Print Length: 323 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0843951443
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (July 1, 2014)
• ASIN: B00J8QDJHI

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: July 1, 2014
Enjoy unforgettable characters and irreverent laughs in the Regency series that launched the career of New York Times bestselling author Katie MacAlister
You think you've got troubles?
As a spy for the Crown, Lord Harry Rosse faced clever and dangerous adversaries-but it's his five offspring who seem likely to send him to Bedlam. At his wits' end, he's advertised for a wife and found one, but perhaps he should have been a bit more forthcoming on certain points...
Wait till you meet Harry and Plum...
Frederica Pelham, affectionately known as Plum, spent years avoiding the scandals of her past, and is desperate for quiet security and a chance to make a family. What she finds is a titled husband and five little devils who seem bent on their own destruction, not to mention hers. And while all kinds of secrets are catching up with them, Plum knows the real trouble with Harry... is that he's stolen her heart.

Review:
As a young woman just entering society Frederica Pelham, "Plum", met Charles who charmed her. Plum eloped with him and they were soon enjoying connubial bliss. Six months later a dismayed Plum learned that Charles already had a wife and the marriage was a fraud.  Shunned by family and society Plum is forced to live in the country in seclusion except for the company of her rather tomboyish niece, “Thom”, short for Thomasine.  Plum wrote and published a notorious book to raise money for support. It would be another terrible scandal if anyone learns that she was the author of the shocking book.

Harry is a widowed, retired government spy with five ‘rambunctious’ children. He decides to advertise for a wife and deems himself lucky to discover Plum. They marry a few days later, both hoping their secrets will be accepted easier after the fact.

Plum and Harry are looking forward to consummating their marriage but they are interrupted by first one child, then another...then a third. So Harry’s secret is disclosed pretty quickly and Plum has to decide if she is willing to become an instant mother to five hellions. Since one of Plum’s dreams is to have children she decides that she will be the best mother she can be.

Harry lost his first wife while giving birth. He doesn’t plan on losing Plum who is not only a lovely companion but she is an eager bed-mate and she is coping with the children. Plum believes Harry won’t give her a child because he doesn’t think she is a good enough mother to his active children who keep having dangerous accidents.

Thom runs into a young man she thinks is burglarizing a house during an evening dance. Nick helps protect the children from a runaway carriage but realizes it was a deliberate attack. Now Harry finally accepts that someone is trying to harm his children and his new wife. Meanwhile, Plum’s ‘ex’ fake husband comes back into the picture threatening her with blackmail.

The relationship between Plum and Harry is pure fun. I enjoyed that they are mature characters in their 40s. Plum’s indomitable spirit wins over the children and Harry’s support intimidates snooty society ladies who would question Plum’s background. Harry and Plum work a bit at odds but eventually get all secrets behind them and find a way to escape the dangers. There is some raciness with Plum’s connubial calisthenics, the topic of her book. Thom and the children add to the confusion and excitement as well and there is Harry's amorous butler, Juan, who is enamored of Plum. This is a good romp to enjoy when you want a light historical.

I received this title from Sourcebooks through NetGalley for an honest review. 

Giveaway:

I was glad to select this title as I had the 2004 print book in my TBR box. :-)
ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my older Print Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

Don't forget to fill in the form for entry! 

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.  

For 3 Extra Bonus entries comment on the review, OR
visit THE AUTHOR'S PAGE and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open to U.S. address only for print.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) July 2, 2014.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after July 2, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Audio Book Giveaway June 2014

AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY June 2014

June is Audiobook Month! I have been meaning to set up a giveaway and the month almost slipped by.

TWO WINNERS:

FIRST PRIZE: Winner's choice of Audio Book value up to $30.00.
Pick book from Audible, Post Hypnotic Press, Christian Books, DownPour, Tantor Audio or other vendor where I can purchase/gift a download book for the winner.

SECOND PRIZE: Winner's choice of any of the audio books in these two boxes:

CDs:                                                                                Cassette Tapes
Black Hills by Dan Simmons                                      Kisscut by Karen Slaughter
Absolute Power by David Baldacci                            Hometown Legend by Jerry B. Jenkins
True Blue by David Baldacci                        The Cabinet of Curiosities by Preston & Childs
Hell's Corner by David Baldacci                                1st to Die by James Patterson
What a Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell                      Best Kept Secret by Sandra Brown
The Island by Erin Hilderbrand
The Age of the Unthinkable by Joshua Cooper Ramo

CDs unless noted as MP3
The Taste of Innocence by Stephanie Laurens               Night Rounds by Helene Tursten
The Juror by George Dawes Green                               The Time Fetch by Amy Herrick
The Innocent Man by John Grisham                      The Postcard Killers by James Patterson
Secular Sabotage by Bill Donohue                            Step on a Crack by James Patterson
Marriage and other Acts of Charity by Kate Braestrup  The Lincoln Lawyer by M Connelly
Right on the Money by Pat Robertson                           No One Left to Tell by Karen Rose
No Rest for the Dead - multitude of authors                  Agenda 21 by Glenn Beck
The Snow Angel by Glenn Beck                              Karma's Law by Kristi Lamb (MP3 Disc)
Bones are Forever by Kathy Reichs



**********************
To enter this giveaway leave a comment identifying a favorite audiobook that you have listened to OR an audiobook you would like to buy (or win).



Open Worldwide.
Ends July 5, 2014 at 5pm CST.

Mailbox Monday June 22, 2014

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday.
Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I selected four NetGalley books; selected two Audibles; purchased three Kindle titles; downloaded two free audios from SYNC, and many free ebooks.

(I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I picked up these titles at NetGalley:




The Night Visitor
by Dianne Emley
In bestselling author Dianne Emley’s chilling new paranormal thriller, a beautiful woman’s romantic past comes back to haunt her in the form of an otherworldly visitor seeking justice.

Sky Zone: A Novel (The Crittendon Files)

by Crreston Mapes
A rally for a controversial presidential candidate.
A terrorist threat.
A nightmare of cataclysmic proportions. 

Neverhome
by Laird Hunt
She is a farmer's faithful wife,
but she has left her husband
 to don the uniform of a 
Union soldier in the Civil War. 

Oliver and the Seawigs
by Philip Reeve, Illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
A lively step up from early chapter books, this seafaring romp is packed with hilarious art, lovable misfits, meddlesome monkeys, and tons of kid appeal. 

Won

None

Purchased

I selected two titles with my Audible credits from May:

Sixth Grave on the Edge: Charley Davidson, Book 6
Written by: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King
I'm looking forward to another fun story in this series. 

Steel World: Undying Mercenaries, Book 1

Written by: B. V. Larson

Narrated by: Mark Boyett
What can I say? 
I am still on Sci Fi kick and this looked good with good ratings.

I also purchased these $.99 cent Kindle titles that caught my eye!


Unbreakable Bonds (An Angela Panther Novel Book 2)

Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

• Ain't No Angel (Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Book 2)
  Peggy L Henderson
  
  
  
  
• Guidebook to Murder (A Tourist Trap Mystery)
  Lynn Cahoon
  
  

Free

I got this week's duo from SYNC YA for "We Stare Challenges Down":


I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter


Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Plus I downloaded another 62 or so free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday! What are You Reading? June 22, 2014

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I had another busy week. Saturday was spent with family so I didn't get my third book review up since kids were more important. :-) I'll post it this week.
Reading was good.  I finished three books and started three . I posted two reviews and the usual memes. :-)

Unfortunately I didn't get to visit this week.  I plan to do so Monday night.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday! What are You Reading? June 16, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday June 16, 2014.

• June Kindle Fire Giveaway June 16 to July 15, 2014.

• Audio Book Review: I've Got You Under My Skin by Mary Higgins Clark; Mystery; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 20, 2014.  Open Worldwide. Ends 6/26/14.

• Audible Book Review: The Thirteenth Rose Charlie D Mysteries, Book 4 by Gail Bowen; Rapid Read Mystery; my rating 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #156 Comment Giveaway 6/21/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 6/28/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement June 22, 2014.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Right Click, (Click Series)
by Lisa Becker
I enjoyed the final book in this series. 
I will be reviewing this for the author.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/MP3

Audio Book: Greenwillow
by B.J. Chute
This is a wonderful, charming tale
from Post Hypnotic Press Books.
I will post the review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio

Edge of Tomorrow
by Hiroshi Sakurazaka
I liked this quick listen, Sci Fi Action. Received from Simon & Schuster Audio through AudioBook Jukebox. I plan to post the review this week.
When the alien Gitai invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many raw recruits shoved into a suit of battle armour and sent out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to find himself reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On the 158th iteration though, he sees something different, something out of place: the female soldier known as the Bitch of War. Is the Bitch the key to Keiji's escape, or to his final death?
First time on CD! The original novel that inspired the sci-fi blockbuster film starring Tom Cruise!

eTreasures Publishing New Release:
No new releases this week; hope to finish one, if not two this week.
Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
Current giveaway link: TBA
Check for the new giveaway every two weeks.

Currently reading:

1. Audio/MP3

Judgment in Death
by J.D.Robb
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
This is a gripping installment in this series.
Publisher's Summary
In an uptown strip joint, a cop is found bludgeoned to death. The weapon's a baseball bat. The motive's a mystery. It's a case of serious overkill that pushes Eve Dallas straight into overdrive. Her investigation uncovers a private club that's more than a hot spot. Purgatory's a last chance for atonement where everyone is judged. Where your most intimate fate depends on your most intimate sins. And where one cop's hidden secrets are about to plunge innocent souls into vice-ridden damnation.
Crack another case with Eve Dallas.
©2007 J. D. Robb; (P)2007 Brilliance Audio

2. Print

Heading Home
by John Robinson
I am still enjoying this. 
I hope to finish this week. 
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

Inn at Last Chance
by Hope Ramsay
I am enjoying this as the attraction begins 
and ghosts appear.
Book Description
Publication Date: April 29, 2014
"Last Chance captures the essence of Southern charm and quirkiness. I'm totally captivated!" --- Sherryl Woods, New York Times bestselling author
Jenny Carpenter is the unrivaled pie-baking champion of Last Chance, South Carolina's annual Watermelon Festival and the town's unofficial spinster. With her dream of marriage and children on hold, she focuses on another dream, turning the local haunted house into a charming bed-and-breakfast. But her plans go off course when the home's former owner shows up on her doorstep on a dark and stormy night . . .

Mega-bestselling horror writer Gabriel Raintree is as mysterious and tortured as his heroes. His family's long-deserted mansion is just the inspiration he needs to finish his latest twisted tale, or so he thinks until he learns it's been sold. The new innkeeper proves to be as determined as she is kind, and soon Gabriel finds himself a paying guest in his own home. As Jenny and Gabe bring new passion to the old house, can she convince him to leave the ghosts of his past behind-and make Last Chance their first choice for a future together?

I have a lot of driving this week so I expect to fit in another audio and will probably start another eBook too.

I am a up to date on my daily Bible reading.
I have disciplined myself each morning to read my Bible passage before I pick up print, Kindle or mp3. I am really enjoying the reading.

Line Edits: Slight delay as we have staff changes. We are now finalizing formatting for two ebook re-releases, as well as working on two non-fiction releases and a print release.

I still have some books carried forward. I hope to get to a few of my own TBRs this month. :-) 
I completed two reviews and have three new ones - so four now for this coming week.

June Scheduled -
Planning on an unscheduled giveaway soon.

NetGalley - May Picks to be read in June:
Inn at Last Chance by Hope Ramsay (reading)
Half a King by Joe Abercrombie (Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra)
SEAL Team Six: Hunt the Wolf by Don Mann A SEAL Team Six Novel (Mulholland Books)

Authors
From Story Bundle -  I am enjoying the romance bundle and so glad I got these.  There is now a new Sci Fi Bundle available.
Huntress For Hire by Terry Spear
Peter's Christmas by M. L. Buchman
The Death of Davy Moss by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Shades of Moonlight by Karen L. McKee

Still many requests to field and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox
Planning to request more soon.

Post Hypnotic Press
I have several more audiobooks from this publisher that I will be reviewing.

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - Heading Home
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords - TBD