Audible Book Review: Finding Mr. Right by Emily Carmichael

This is a very light and easy listen.
Finding Mr. Right
Written by: Emily Carmichael
Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-09-09
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Chick Lit, Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Finding Mr. Right is a heartwarming tale for romantics and animal lovers. Amy Cameron has had a run of incredibly bad luck. Her husband and best friend are murdered, together, because they were having an affair - then her house burns to the ground!
The last thing Amy needs is another man. But her deceased, traitorous, gal-pal is sent back to Earth to make up for her indiscretion and find Mr. Right for Amy. The only catch - she comes back as a ratty, little Welsh Corgi named Miss Piggy.
©1998 Emily Krokosz; (P)2001 Recorded Books, LLC

Review:
Amy is a nice woman who made the mistake of marrying and relying on the wrong man. It is hard enough to discover that your husband has been murdered, but even worse to learn he was with your best friend who was a female version of a ‘tom cat’. Things look bleak for Amy when her house burns down a short time later.

Amy is trying to recover from the pain of betrayal and loss. She is focused on making her own living as a freelance photographer, and rescuing an abandoned Welsh Corgi, rather than finding a man. She knows this newly rescued dog, dubbed Miss Piggy, has some strangely human mannerisms but she has no way of knowing that the dog is her traitorous best friend sent back to help Amy find “Mr. Right”.

Jeff is a veterinarian who has a laid back practice and enjoys volunteering at the local shelter. When Amy arrives at the shelter to foster a dog he is immediately interested in the understatedly attractive widow. He continues to make efforts to see Amy even with interference from the dog with rather strange behaviors.

Miss Piggy, who speaks in first person as Amy’s deceased friend, Lydia, has been assigned the task of finding the right new husband for Amy. Although disgruntled with the task, Lydia realizes that she must do her best or she may be stuck in this doggie body forever. Lydia doesn’t see any potential in Jeff with whom she had one boring date. Instead Lydia champions the interest of a successful, handsome, TV reporter who was a friend of Amy’s cheating husband.

This is a really fun story and easy listen. I enjoyed Jeff’s persistence to show Amy he would be a good and secure companion, unlike her first husband. I like how Amy’s character was able to grow beyond her past and the demeaning husband to expect more. I also enjoyed the mystery as it developed. Even though it was fairly obvious, it was still fun to watch Amy as she stepped into danger before completely piecing together all the connections.

The writing is solid and the switch from third person view to first person is well done and effectively used. The story is light and the dog view adds humor. Readers should be in the mood for light mystery and fun instead of expecting any great literature or thriller. I was in the right mood and would enjoy another book by this author when looking for a book of similar easy and light entertainment.

Audio Notes: I will admit that when I first stared listening I wasn’t sure if I would like the narration. Once I accepted that the narration fit well with Lydia’s selfish view of life it flowed well. I would be willing to try other audio books narrated by Barbara Rosenblat.

This book was from my own Audible Library as a selection from 11/2012. This qualifies for my Audio Book Challenge, the TBR Double Dog Dare and F in my Alphabet Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 13, 2015

Happy Friday the 13th! I am enjoying visiting with some online friends in San Antonio for EPICon 2015 this week. Full days of conference Friday and Saturday.  Oh - I do have a picture of a new group of books but it is in my camera which is in the motor coach while I am in the hotel. Sooo - I guess that will have to wait until next Friday. 

TO ENTER:

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up to late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks.

Thank you to all who entered the March 6 Pick. There was only one automatic wins this week.  (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.) There were no titles blocked.
CarolL gets Nights of Rain and Stars

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from March 6 Pick:
Marjorie gets a GC

Joye gets Final Justice

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

Month long reading is always good for me!

Image found at Fig and Thistle.

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

PAIRS:
Virginia Henley: The Pirate and the Pagan (spine creases) and The Falcon and the Flower
James Patterson: London Bridges and Roses are Red (both spine creases)
SINGLES:
Pale Kings and Princes by Robert Parker Audio Cassette Tapes
Hour Game by David Baldacci (spine creases)
If I Had You by Deborah Bedford
The Girl With the Golden Spurs by Ann Major
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You by Kasey Michaels
Dark Possession by Christine Feehan
Daisy's Back in Town by Rachel Gibson
The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood
Paradise Bay by James Michael Pratt
The Last Two Bachelors by Debbie Macomber
Exclusive Anthology by Fiona Hood-Stewart, Sharon Kendrick and Jackie Braun
Duets Romantic Comedy: Lady and the Scamp by Candy Halliday & The Doctor Dilemma by Dianne Drake

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

PAIRS:
Lisa Gardner: Alone and Gone
Janet Evanovich: Eleven on Top and Twelve Sharp
Stuart Wood: L.A. Dead and Fresh Disasters
SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes
New Blood by Gail Dayton
Except the Dying by Maureen Jennings
To Collar a Killer by Lee Charles Kelley
Dead I Well May Be by Adrian McKinty
‘Til There Was You by Elizabeth Ann Michaels
The Ladies’ Lunch by Patricia O’Brien
Wild Winds by Janelle Taylor
Shrink Rap by Robert B. Parker - Tape Cassettes
Rescue Me Anthology by Cherry Adair, Lora Leigh and Cindy Gerard


BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Intrepid Encounter by Rebecca Ashley
A Stranger's Wife by Maggie Osborne
Richard Paul Evans PAIR: The Looking Glass and The Carousel
Duo Book: Yesterday's Memories by Tara Taylor Quinn and Amanda Stevens
At The Stroke of Madness by Alex Kava
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Catherine Anderson PAIR: Seventh Heaven and Always in My Heart
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
It All Began at Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Mariah Stewart PAIR: Priceless and Brown-Eyed Girl
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
Fulfillment by Barbara Delinsky
Trouble Becomes Her by Laura Van Wormer
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
Diana Palmer PAIR: Diamond Spur, Long Tall Texan
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Illegal Possession by Kay Hooper


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Final Justice by Jasmine Cresswell
Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Mary Higgins Clark PAIR: Let Me Call You Sweetheart and Moonlight Becomes You (SC)
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
Angel's Peak by Robyn Carr
The Millionaire's Daughter by Sophie Weston
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.
Bride by Command by Linda Winstead Jones
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
The Woman Next Door by Barbara Delinsky
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
The Darkroom by Minette Walters
The Elusive Flame by Kathleen Woodwiss
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy
McNally's Puzzle by Lawrence Sanders
The Undertaker's Widow by Phillip M. Margolin
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
S is for Silence (Kinsey Millhone Mystery)
Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Death Angel by Linda Howard

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in five+ years I have posted 54 groups of 16 (864) books to find new homes! (as of February 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 780+ books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

Book Review: Admit to Mayhem: Lillian Dove Mystery by D. J. Adamson

This is an engaging mystery with a dysfunction heroine.

Admit to Mayhem: Lillian Dove Mystery

by D. J. Adamson

• File Size: 403 KB
• Print Length: 212 pages
• Publisher: Horatio Press (August 25, 2014)
• ASIN: B00N1L0RVC
• Genre: Mystery, Amateur Sleuth, Small Town
• My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
• 
  

Book Description
Publication Date: August 25, 2014
With a contrary attitude and an addiction for independence, Lillian Dove admits she has not been a success in life. In fact, she considers failing as one of her addictions. Yet, when she comes across a suspicious house fire with a history of arson and murder, she instinctively attempts to help someone trapped. Lillian becomes the only possible eyewitness to criminal arson, and her life begins to spiral out of control.
Lillian Dove is an endearing “everywoman” struggling with life issues, emotional complexities and a habit of doing just the opposite of what she’s told to do. These qualities in a heroine give the reader an ability to vicariously struggle along with the protagonist in this intriguing Midwest Noir mystery.

Review:
Lillian Dove has not had a very happy life. Lillian resents her mother for keeping the family in its situation with an alcoholic and abusive father and burdening young Lillian with the care of two younger brothers. As soon as she could, Lillian escaped home but her life spiraled into alcohol until she pulled herself out fifteen years later.

Lillian moved to a new town to start a life away from her past. Now, as a reconveying alcoholic, she struggles to make ends meet with two jobs: a dispatcher for the police and a clerk in a local liquor store. She wishes for a “normal” life with a boyfriend to love.

Lillian drives by and sees a house on fire. After calling it in she tries to rescue someone she spotted in an upstairs window. She tumbles into the bedroom and has to be rescued herself. The rescuing fireman claims there was no evidence of anyone else in the house.

A few days later Lillian calls in a break-in at her condominium but, again, the arriving police say there is no evidence of anyone there. She spots a mean man threatening her mother at the nearby living facility and begins to believe that man is responsible. Lillian continues to try to solve the arson case even while being mocked by the police department.

I found the beginning of this book a bit difficult as Lillian is not a happy character and it was unusual to have an unlucky, codependent, dysfunctional heroine. However I appreciated her determination and eventually was engaged by the mystery and the mayhem. I felt there were some character involvements that were not completely explained and the ending, after the mystery was solved, was a bit abrupt. Yet, I was engaged enough by the town characters that I read on into the excerpt of the next book, wanting to know more of what happens and hoping for better things for Lillian.

The writing flowed well and read fairly quickly. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery and especially to readers who like small town settings with different character personalities.

I received this ebook for an honest review as part of Pump Up Your Book Tour.

• Admit to Mayhem is available at Amazon.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

About the Author

D. J. Adamson is an award-winning author. Her family roots grow deep in the Midwest and it is here she sets much of her work. She juggles her time between her own desk and teaching writing to others at two Los Angeles area colleges. Along with her husband and two Welsh Terriers, she makes her home in Southern California.

Her latest book is the mystery, amateur sleuth, Admit to Mayhem.

For More Information

• Visit D.J.’s website.
• Connect with D.J. on Facebook and Twitter.
• Find out more about D.J. at Goodreads.
• Visit D.J.’s blog.
• Contact D.J..

Book Excerpt:

My name is Lillian Dove. I am a recovering alcoholic, five years sober.

      Five long years, yet the clink of ice in a glass still sets me on edge.

      There is no graduation from alcoholism. Or life, for that matter. I am also addicted to Pepsi, chocolate, men, being afraid, being afraid of not being afraid, men—again--and my independence, co-dependence and unsettling ability to fail no matter my attempt. There are other compulsions and bad habits, but I can’t think of them right now. Memory loss, see? And I obsess on how much I forget, if I remember. Giving up alcohol turned out to be easier than changing some of my other behaviors.

      Especially my bad judgment when it comes to men. The type of man I’m most attracted to is like a tall, Tom Collins on a sweltering, summer day:  gin, a little lemon--but not too sour—with sweet syrup and bubbly soda.  It’s hard to resist, even if I know it’s not good for me.

       I’ve pledged a Tom-Collins-abstinence.

      Yet, Chief Charles Kaefring began offering me his attention. I thought my sobriety realigned my sexual magnetism. I was attracting a different type.

       He started coming to my desk to tell me he was leaving and instructed me to send all his calls to his assistant. At first I couldn’t figure out why he thought I needed this instruction. I already transferred his calls as a manner of routine. Then a week after making sure I was aware of his whereabouts, I bumped into him lakeside at Louise’s Italian Kitchen.

       Louise’s is my Friday night routine. I celebrate making it through another week.  One spaghetti dinner at a time.

      After that Friday night, I saw him at Louise’s every week. If he got there before me, I’d see him glancing toward the entry as if waiting for me to arrive. If I got there first, I’d pretend I never expected him to show up--which was the truth. Each and every time he arrived, I was flabbergasted.

      I wasn’t sure what was starting up between the two of us or who started it. I mean, how could a man like him seriously be interested in me?

       And even after weeks came and went, I still didn’t trust him. At each dinner he’d ask if I’d like wine with my meal. “Of course,” I’d say, letting my glass set without drinking it. If he worried the wine wasn’t good, I’d bring the glass to my lips, without sipping. I figured if he knew I had a drinking problem, he’d beat the hell out of there. Eventually though, he stopped asking if I wanted wine and only ordered one glass instead of two.

       Still, he kept showing up.

      I knew I was starting to slip into a situation that could toss my sobriety into the toilet, but meeting for dinner didn’t seem like backsliding into emotional drunkenness. Although, it never feels like slipping until you find yourself in a ragged heap of discontent.

      Our routine altered when on a Sunday afternoon he telephoned giving me a weather report. He said the day was hot and getting hotter. He said he was putting a steak on the barbecue, and he just happened to have two.  Are you hungry?

Audible Book Review: The Beast Master by Andre Norton

I enjoyed this engaging, ‘vintage’ sci fi story.
The Beast Master
Written by: Andre Norton
Narrated by: Richard J. Brewer

Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
Series: Beast Master, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:09-15-09
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Sci Fi, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Left homeless by the war that reduced Terra to a radioactive cinder, Hosteen Storm - Navaho commando and master of beasts - is drawn to the planet Arzor, to kill a man he has never met.
On that dangerous frontier world, aliens and human colonists share the land in an uneasy truce. But something is upsetting the balance, and Storm is caught in the middle. He had thought the war was over - but was it?
©2005 Andre Norton; (P)2009 Brilliance Audio

Review:
Hosteen Storm was raised on Terra where he learned Navaho discipline and gentle but firm handling of animals. When war decimated his home world of Terra he became a commando for the Planetary Confederacy forces with a designation as beast master. His superior was reluctant to let him go due to the volubility of the Terran survivors. But Storm has survived a year without incident and there is no apparent reason for his superiors to withhold permission for him to travel to Arzor, a frontier world. Storm travels with his special team with whom he has special telepathic abilities: two meercats, a dune cat and an eagle.

Storm has not let anyone know his history and the reason he seeks access to Arzor. Storm makes his way on the frontier planet by proving his value to a man hired to drive cattle and horses. Storm shows his skills by managing a horse who is added to his team.

One of the other drivers is immediately hostile to Storm who has learned to observe carefully and watch over his shoulders. Storm makes a friend with a young Norbie who is a native people whose anatomy precludes them from vocal talk so they have developed sign language that Storm picks up fairly quickly. It seems their culture is very similar to that of Storm's early life. But there are other native tribes and natural land hazards, including floods and huge beasts, that threaten the men on their trek.

The crew reaches a way-station after surviving the wild hazards. There Storm runs into the man he is seeking but he is surprised and unprepared for the character of the man. Storm takes on another job with an archaeological research group. They run into problems too and Storm uncovers evidence of a danger that no one has expected on this planet. He must survive the wilds and enemy attacks to get word of the danger to those who can take action. He is met with surprising revelations before it is over.

Hosteen Storm is a wonderful hero. I really enjoyed the whole package of characters, animals and plot with secrets and dangers. I was impressed by the engaging writing and the extent of the plot especially considering this was written in 1959. I was surprised that I had never read this series (which apparently is not really followed in the movie of same name). I look forward to reading more books by Andre Norton.

Audio Notes: Richard Brewer does a good job with the narration. He gives enough distinction to the characters to make it interesting. I became engrossed in the story and the narration made this an easy read for me which I finished in one day.

This is another title in my Audible Library from 9/2011. It qualifies for Audiobook challenge and TBR Double Dare.

Book Review: The Void (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston

This is the third Tanner Sequence novel I have read and I love the gripping intensity of these cleverly twisted mysteries.

The Void (The Tanner Sequence)

by Timothy S. Johnston

• File Size: 633 KB
• Print Length: 346 pages
• Publisher: Carina Press (March 30, 2015)
• ASIN: B00N0MYHBI

Genre: Sci Fi, Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: March 30, 2015
2403 AD
It would be easier to kill him than to trust him.
Transporting a serial killer might seem like a simple job for CCF Homicide Investigator Kyle Tanner. After spending years apprehending murderers, he's ready to hang up his pistol. Babysitting a prisoner will bring him to Alpha Centauri, where he can search for a way to escape the CCF forever.
If he makes it.
When his ship breaks down in deep space and a CCF research vessel comes to his aid, Tanner realizes he's in terrible danger: the scientists on board have blocked his distress call. And when Tanner's prisoner escapes, he begins to suspect that the proximity of the research vessel had nothing to do with luck and everything to do with the CCF's relentless reach.
Facing near-certain death by his own organization, Tanner must unravel a tangled skein of vengeance, duplicity and murder in deep space. But he's being held at the will of master puppeteers, and if he can't cut the strings, he'll dance straight to a gruesome, excruciating death….
A Tanner Sequence Novel

Review:
Kyle Tanner is a homicide detective working in space as part of the CCF (Confederate Combined Forces). He is known as an investigator who “always gets his man”. Tanner is almost always called in for the most serious murders. Of course, the CCF generally tries to keep murders quiet as they like the public to think that all is calm, quite and orderly. In truth, government dissidents are fiercely hunted and eliminated. Even Tanner and his partner, Shaheen, are becoming concerned about the excesses of the Council and thinking of ways to escape.

Tanner has captured the 'Grim Reaper' serial killer and is looking to take a break until his superior tells him that the Council is requiring him to personally deliver the prisoner for execution. Shaheen decides to come along on the trip so they won’t be apart and to perhaps make other plans. Midway between space ports their ship systems die, leaving them completely stranded in the void of space. They have no way to reach out to anyone for help so they are surprised and relieved when another ship approaches.

The 'rescuing' ship is a CCF scientific research vessel which has had similar malfunctions but had some systems survive. Their engineer has been working to get the other systems back on line. The small crew agrees to take Tanner and Shaheen on board to help although Tanner immediately notices the tension and realizes that the explanations they are being given do not really make sense. When Tanner discovers a body of a crew member that no one mentioned things quickly become even more tense as he insists on investigating. Tanner realizes why capturing the Grim Reaper was easier than expected as he begins to make connections between the scientific crew and his prisoner.

Author Timothy Johnston does a remarkable job of developing a twisted mystery with numerous suspects and lots of danger. I was pulled into the scenario very quickly and eager to keep reading to watch Tanner struggle to stay alive so he can solve another killing! There is a bit of technical, scientific detail that goes beyond my ability, or desire, to comprehend. Still it adds depth without hurting the story. Johnston does provide some graphic murder details and forensic autopsy description that some might find makes them queasy. That part I enjoy – not the gruesome parts but the science of it.

This would read fine as a stand alone but I recommend reading the books in order. I found the growth of Tanner, that has him interviewing the prisoner, interesting. The mystery is well developed with clever twisting and some final tangents that are well done even if not so surprising. I really liked the Agatha Christie style reveal too. I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy detailed mysteries - whether earth bound or in space.

I received this ebook from the author for an honest review before release on March 30.