Audible Book Review: Jingles All the Way: A Christmas Tail by Barbara Morgenroth

This is a quick, fun story – perfect to bring smiles to kids and dog lovers.

Jingles All the Way: A Christmas Tail
Written by: Barbara Morgenroth
Narrated by: Jane M. Held

Length: 58 mins
Release Date: 07-01-15
Publisher: Barbara Morgenroth
Genre: Kids, Ages 8-10
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Jingles is a dog on the lam. He's met the perfect person and wants to stay with her forever, but his former owners have millions of reasons why that's impossible. After escaping from uncaring owners, Jingles discovers canine paradise with Sassy Collins and her Eat Dog Eat Gourmet Take-Out Dog Dinner Shop. Sassy is easy to love, and Jingles falls hard for her. So does the town police officer, Ethan Monroe. But Jingles is carrying a secret that could destroy their happy family before it even begins.
©2014 Barbara Morgenroth (P)2015 Barbara Morgenroth.

Review:
Jingles is no wimpy dog with sparkly collars. He describes himself as a “dog’s dog”. He has run away from his uncaring owners seeking freedom and a better life. He sees a “Dogs Welcome” sign in a shop and slips in to discover that it is a gourmet dog food diner. Jingles quickly falls in love with the store owner, Sassy, who gives him a jingle collar and dubs him “Jingles”. She also feeds him wonderful meals.

The local police officer, Ethan, is falling for Sassy too and he is kind to Jingles. But when he finds a poster with Jingle’s image he has to call the owners. Jingles isn’t planning on letting anyone take him away from Sassy. He has to find a way to let Ethan know that his owners are up to no good.

This is a quick, fun listen. The story is told from Jingles’ point of view and he is completely adorable! Sassy and Ethan make a sweet couple. (I took a peek at the Kindle version and it includes some cute images!) The book is listed in "Kids" category at Audible but if you are a dog lover and want a quick smile – pick this up and enjoy.

Audio Notes: The narration by Jane M. Held is light if not inspired. She did give personality to Jingles' storytelling, and did great New York accents. Unfortunately the voice didn't really work that well for me and I don't think it added much to the cute story. (Listen to a sample to see how you like it as other reviews did like the narration more than I did.)

I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox. This is my last review for books read in 2015.

2016 Audiobook Challenge

2016 Audiobook Challenge

hosted by Hot Listens and The Book Nympho

Sign up and rules are found HERE.

The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2016 than you did in 2015.
I listened to 63 audios in 2014 and 74 in 2015 so my goal will continue to be:

• Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

MBS 2015 Audiobook Challenge Wrap-Up - Completed Successfully

2015 Audiobook Challenge

hosted by Hot Listens and The Book Nympho

Sign up and rules are found HERE.

The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2015 than you did in 2014. I listened to 63 audios in 2014 so my goal will be:

• Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

****MBS 2015 AUDIOBOOK CHALLENGE UPDATE Through September 30, 2015. I met the Marathoner level but had not yet passed my 2014 total although I have passed 63 as of the date of preparing this posting 10/28. Update 10/31 - all links have been fixed and one duplicate removed.
Final - Goal completed.

JANUARY

1. Audible Book Review: 25 Perfect Days by Mark Tullius; Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 3.75. (This one might be better in text.)
2. Audible Book Review: FREE: The Jester (A Riyria Chronicles Tale) Written by Michael J. Sullivan; Fantasy;  my rating 4.5.
3. Audio Book Review: The Eighth Day by Michael O'Neal; Thriller, Action Adventure, YA; my rating 4.0. 
4. AudioBook Review: Time and Again: Book 1 in the History Mystery Series by Deborah Heal; Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Time Travel; my rating 4.0.
5. Book Review: Immortality by Kevin Bohacz; Sci Fi, Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.
6. Audio Book Review: Enchanted by Alethea Kontis; Fantasy, Highlander; my rating 4.25.
FEBRUARY
7. Audio Book Review: Betrayal in Death: In Death, Book 12 by J. D. Robb Crime Thriller; my rating 4.75.
8. Audio Book Review: Heart of Stone: Irish Angel Series by Jill Marie Landis; Historical Romance, Christian; my rating 4.0.
9. AudioBook Review: Cleansed by Fire: A Father Frank Mystery by James R. Callan; Mystery, Christian; my rating 4.0.
10. Audible Book Review: Contingency: Sage Hannigan Time Warper, Book 1 by Peggy Martinez; Fantasy; my rating 3.75. 
11. Audible Book Review: Dead Reckoning: Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery #11 by Charlaine Harris; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.0.
12. Audible Book Review: The Beast Master by Andre Norton; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 4.0.
MARCH
13. Audible Book Review: Finding Mr. Right by Emily Carmichael ; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.0.
14. Audio Book Review: The Keeper's Calling: The Keeper's Saga, Book 1 by Kelly Nelson; Time Travel, YA Romance; my rating 4.0.
15. Audible Book Review: Legendarium by Kevin G. Summers, Michael Bunker; Fantasy, Humor; my rating 4.0.
16. Audio Book Review: Quitter by Jon Acuff; Nonfiction; my rating 4.0.
APRIL
17. Audible Book Review: The Maze Runner: Maze Runner, Book 1 by James Dashner; Teens, Thriller; my rating 4.0.
18. Audio Book Review: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terril; Teen, Sci Fi Thriller; my rating 4.0.
19. Audible Book Review: Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt; legal Mystery, dogs; my rating 4.5.
20. Audio Book Review: Blood for Ink: The Scarlet Plumiere Series, Book 1 by L. L. Muir; Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.
21. Audible Book Review: Trident's First Gleaming: A Special Operations Group Thriller by Stephen Templin; Military Thriller, my rating 4.0.
22. Audible Book Review: The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen; Fairy Tale Thriller, my rating 3.5.
23. Audible Book Review: StarFire: Vince Lombard, Book 1 by Mike Lee; Sci Fi Contemporary, Military; my rating 4.75.
24. Audible Book Review: Gabriel: Zero Point: The FREE Prequel Novella: Evan Gabriel Trilogy by Steve Umstead; Sci Fi, Military ; my rating 4.25.
MAY
25. Audible Book Review: Mail Order Brides of the West: Trudy by Debra Holland; Historical Romance; my rating 4.75.
26. Audio Book Review: When Death Loved an Angel by Cheree L Alsop; Fantasy, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
27. Audible Book Review: Gabriel's Redemption: Evan Gabriel Trilogy, Book 1 by Steve Umstead; Sci Fi, Military; my rating 4.0.
28. Audible Book Review: Virgin River by Robyn Carr; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.0.
29. Audible Book Review: The Tempting of Thomas Carrick: The Cynster Novels, Book 21 by Stephanie Laurens; Historical Romance; my rating 4.0.
JUNE
30. Audio Book Review and Giveaway: Dawn of Destiny (Epic Book 1) by Lee Stephen;Military Sci FI; my rating 4.75. Rafflecopter Giveaway ends 7/4/2015.
31. Audio Book Review: Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things: The Wedding Planner Mysteries, Book 1, by Rachelle J. Christensen; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.25.
32. Audible Book Review: Eighth Grave After Dark by Darynda Jones ; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.25.
33. Audible Book Review: Extremes: A Retrieval Artist Novel by Kristine Kathryn Rusch; Sci Fi Mystery; my rating 4.75.
34. Audible Book Review: Top Dog: The Story of Marine Hero Lucca by Maria Goodavage; Personal Memoir; my rating 4.5.
    JULY
    
35. Audio Book Review: The Lost Starship by Vaughn Heppner; Sci Fi Adventure; my rating 4.5.
36. Audible Book Review: The Martian by Andy Weir; Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
37. Audible Book Review: Seduction in Death: In Death, Book 13 by J. D. Robb; Crime Thriller; my rating 4.25.
38. Audible Book Review: Sector 64: Ambush by Dean M. Cole; Sci Fi Suspense; my rating 4.0.
39. Audible Book Review: Double Whammy: A Davis Way Crime Caper, Book 1 by Gretchen Archer; Modern Detective; my rating 4.25.
40. Audible Book Review: Double Dip: A Davis Way Crime Caper, Book 2 by Gretchen Archer; Modern Detective; my rating 4.0.
AUGUST
41. Audible Book Review: Double Strike: A Davis Way Crime Caper, Book 3 by Gretchen Archer; Modern Detective; my rating 4.5.
42. Audible Review: Steelheart: Reckoners, Book 1 by Brandon Sanderson; Sci Fi, Fantasy, Action; my rating 4.5.
43. Audible Review: 14 by Peter Clines; Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
44. Audible Review: Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley; Historical Romance; my rating 4.0.
45. Audible Review: The Remaining by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
46. Audible Review: The Witch with No Name: The Hollows, Book 13 by Kim Harrison; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.5.
47. Audible Review: Resurrecting Home: A Novel by A. American; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.0.
48. Audible Review: Waking the Bear: Broken Chains, Book 1 by Kerry Adrienne; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.25.
SEPTEMBER
49. Audible Review: The Empire's Corps by Christopher G. Nuttall; Sci Fi, Futuristic; my rating 4.25.
50. Audible Review: Come Home to Me: Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Book 1 by Peggy L. Henderson; Historical Romance, Time Travel; my rating 4.25.
51. Audible Review: The Remaining: Aftermath by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.
52. Audible Review: The Remaining: Refugees, Book 3 by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.
53. Audible Review: The Remaining: Fractured, Book 4 by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.
54. Audio Review: The Sniper and the Wolf: A Sniper Elite Novel by Scott McEwen, Thomas Koloniar; Military Thriller; my rating 4.0.
55. Audible Review: Deadlocked, Book 12 by Charlaine Harris; Paranormal; my rating 4.0.
56. Audible Review: The Remaining: Allegiance by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.
57. Audible Review: The Remaining: Extinction by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.
OCTOBER
58. Audible Review: Annihilation: Love Conquers All by Saxon Andrew; Sci Fi, my rating 4.25.
59. Audible Review: Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour by Lynne Olson; History, WWII; my rating 5.0.
60. Audible Review: The Clay Lion by Amalie Jahn; Sci Fi, Fantasy, YA; my rating 5.0.
61. Audio Book Review: Clear by Fire: A Search and Destroy Thriller by Joshua Hood; Military Thriller; my rating 4.0.
62. Audible Review: The New World: Prequel to the Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness; Sci Fi, Fantasy, YA; my rating 4.0.
63. Audible Review: Monster Hunter Alpha by Larry Correia; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.75.
NOVEMBER
64. Audio Book Tour Review with Giveaway: Murder on Safari: A Thriller by Peter Riva; Mystery, Thriller; my rating 4.5.
65. Audible Review: Just One Da**ed Thing After Another: The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 1 by Jodi Taylor; Urban Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.25.
66. Audible Review: Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile by J. L. Bourne; Thriller, Sci Fi, zombies; my rating 4.0.
67. Audio Review: Special Talents: Goon Squad, Vol. 1 by Jonathan L. Howard; Sci Fi, fantasy; my rating 4.5.
68. Audible Review: Omega Rising: Omega Force, Book 1 by Joshua Dalzelle; Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
69. Audible Book Review: Silent Night, Holy Night: A Colleen Coble Christmas Collection by Colleen Coble; Romance Novellas; my rating 3.75.
DECEMBER
70. Audible Book Review: Suspect by Robert Crais; Police Procedure; my rating 4.75.
71. Audible Book Review: The Genuine Particle by Stephen Punt; Comedy, Radio Broadcast; my rating 4.24. 
72. Audible Book Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld; Steampunk, Fantasy Adventure; my rating 4.5.
73. Audio Book Review: Goon Squad, Vol. 2: Without Sin by Jonathan L. Howard; Sci Fi, Comic Storytelling; my rating 4.0.
74. Audible Book Review: Jingles All the Way: A Christmas Tail by Barbara Morgenroth; Kids, Dogs; my rating 4.25

2016 Netgalley Reading Challenge

2016 Netgalley Reading Challenge

hosted by Ariel at Fictively.com;

Rules and sign up can be found HERE.

I read 37 books from NetGalley in 2014 so the Challenge Level I chose for 2015 was 31-40 books or “Difficult”: 31-40 Books.
I managed 44 books from NetGalley in 2015 so I am choosing the Hardcore level this year:

MBS 2016 NetGalley Challenge

JANUARY 2016 – ready to go!

TBR Triple Dog Dare 2016

The TBR Double Dog Dare

Hosted by James Reads Books

Full rules can be found HERE.

James says that The TBR Double Dog Dare is not really a reading challenge but a dare.
All you have to do to win the TBR Double Dog Dare is to read only from your TBR pile between January 1 and April 1.
I manage this one with the  "exceptions.". The rules, or non-rules, are flexible and you can exempt review books, arcs and book club books. With those exceptions I certainly have enough books to meet this dare. I even realized I have many Audible titles on my TBR that I can read during the first three months. I managed to pick up a few extra titles in 2015 so that I could count them in the first three months as I won't be purchasing any for three months. I do expect overlap with other TBR and Audio challenges. :-)

I was happy with last year's results. I completed 26 books from my TBR shelf out of 39 titles read before April 1. 10 of these were NetGalley or audio review titles picked up in 2014 but that still left 16 TBR books in the first three months so I am pleased with that. It exceeded the 13 new titles (all reviews and none purchased). :-)
I hope to improve on last year.