Audio Book Review: The Haunted Forest Tour by James A. Moore and Jeff Strand

This wasn't as fun as it looked. Definitely horror trick, not treat.
The Haunted Forest Tour
Written By: James A. Moore, Jeff Strand
Narrated By: Joe Hempel

Date: August 2018
Duration: 8 hours 56 minutes
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Horror
My Rating: 3.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.0; Narration 3.5.

Summary:
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Haunted Forest Tour! Sit back and enjoy a smooth ride in air-conditioned comfort as your heavily armored tram takes you through nature's most astonishing creation. The forest is packed to capacity with dangerous and terrifying creatures of all shapes, sizes, and hunger levels, and you'll get to observe these wonders in complete safety.
Howl with a werewolf! Gaze into the glowing eyes of a giant spider! Look right through a spooky ghost! See horrific monsters you couldn't even imagine, only inches away from you! Things with fangs, things with claws, things with dripping red jaws-you'll see them all!
Not thrilling enough? Well, it's Halloween, and so we're offering a very special tour through the Haunted Forest. The new route goes deeper into the woods than any civilians have ventured before, and you're guaranteed to get a good scare! Rest assured that every possible security precaution has been taken. The Haunted Forest Tour has a 100% safety record, and technical difficulties are unheard of. You will be in no danger whatsoever.
We promise.

Review:
A few years ago a strange deadly forest popped up out of nowhere devastating a small community in New Mexico. After the first days of death and terror the growth had stopped and has seemed to be contained. The owner of the land was able to send teams into the forest to build a state of the art, totally safe tour attraction. Since the initial spread, there have been no deaths, except for couple of accidents.

A select group of tourists, young and old, have gathered for a special Halloween, Haunted Forest Tour. The new Halloween route is special as it goes deeper into the forest and the guests are expecting to see all types of strange monsters. Most are excited about the adventure and everyone expects the ride to be a bit scary but fun and safe. And for half the trip all is good. Then the first tram bus stalls on the track. The monsters creep closer until the tour guide decides it might be a good idea to pass out the handful of weapons they have stowed on board…just in case.

The story begins with trauma and then moves to a theme similar to Jurassic Park. There is little development although the author presents a range of characters with different reasons and enthusiasm levels for the special tour. There is a wide assortment of monsters but after a while as they just kept coming, the descriptions became less interesting to me. I cared about some of the struggling characters but at about three quarters of the story I had just about had enough. I stuck it out, so I did learn the catalyst that brought the monsters out and a means of ending the terror was revealed. Even that was gruesome, but it was a relief that it was over.

I had hoped this would be fun but there were only a few flashes of fun that came through the horror and carnage. Also, I didn’t care for some male sexual fantasizing that got to be icky. This might be a good read for true horror fans but not for those looking for a light, monster story.

Audio Notes: Joe Hempel does a good job with the narration. There was some variety in the voices and I didn’t find confusion among the characters. The audio version helped me get to the end.

Source: 10/2020 Audiobooks.com Mystery Audiobook Club. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook goal.

Audio Book Review: The Skeletons of Scarborough House by Kitty French

I liked this easy, fun, ghostly story.

The Skeletons of Scarborough House:
(The Chapelwick Mysteries #1)
Written By: Kitty French
Narrated By: Cat Gould

Date: February 2018
Duration: 9 hours 28 minutes
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genres: Cozy Mystery, Ghosts, Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Summary:
Welcome to Chapelwick, a leafy English town in the hills of Shropshire, where chocolate fudge cake comes served with a side of murder.
Scarborough House is haunted, and it's not doing much for Donovan Scarborough's investment portfolio. No one wants to buy a place with levitating crockery, or (the wrong kind of) rhythmic pounding throughout the night.
Luckily, Melody 'I-See-Dead-People' Bittersweet has just launched her own ghostbusting agency with best friend Marina, geeky, keen Arthur, and a one-eared pug called Lestat. They're quick to take the case, even if it has already sort of (definitely) been given to Leo Dark, Melody's rakish, despicable ex.
Melody soon discovers the resident phantoms are three brothers, one who was murdered at twenty, while the others lived to old age. But did the family exile the right person, or did the true killer get away with it?
Donovan Scarborough doesn't care who solves the case. Whoever gets rid of the ghosts gets paid.
Can Melody and her new crew untangle the mystery, and bring the brothers peace, before Leo? Or will his distracting sexiness and Melody's bonkers family cause the agency to fall at its first hurdle?

Review:
Melody is a daughter in a family with the unique ability to communicate with ghosts. Upon reaching the age of thirty, Melody has decided to break away from her mother and grandmother to set up her own “ghost busting” business. She is joined by her very supportive best friend and, on a part time basis, her family’s wizard of an executive assistant. Before the team even gets it’s first case, Melody is confronted by a ghost with a special request. He is devastated that he has to leave behind his socially ill adjusted son. He manages to convince Melody to interview his son and thus Melody ends up with a gentle giant on her team.

The first case the team sort of lands is a local haunted house, the Scarborough House. Melody soon learns that there are three ghost brothers who died at different ages who are tied up due to a family murder. Melody has to compete with the other ghost hunter in town who just happens to be her ex-boyfriend. Leo. Meanwhile Melody is trying to resist her draw to the local journalist, Fletcher, who has nothing but disdain for her skills and with whom she shares an antagonistic rapport.

I actually enjoy stories with characters who can see and talk to ghosts. The three brothers in the home are presented with distinct and interesting characters. Here the ghosthunters must solve the century old murder, with little forensic evidence, in order to send the ghosts off to their ultimate places of rest… or not.

I enjoyed how Melody and her team grew in their investigative skills and confidence. The romantic conflicts added additional tension. I will add the next book to my wish list as a future listen. I recommend this as a fun read for ghost and mystery fans.

Audio Notes: Cat Gould did a pitch perfect voice narration. Her accents capture the characters from tentative Melody to arrogant Leo to the ghostly brothers. The narration added to my enjoyment of the book.

Source: 10/2020 Audiobooks.com Mystery Book Club. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook goal.

Sunday Post October 11, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 12, 2020

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

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 am working intensely to get things done as I always do when I plan to take a few days off. My office is going on retreat 10/16 through 10/19. We used a vacation program so we don't know where we are going yet! We'll find out, I think, when we get the plane tickets.

This morning I was still mostly asleep when hubby said-- "Are you awake?"
He told me there were bucks playing in the yard again.
He was surprised because one had so much white on it.
Here is a picture of that buck and a video of eight of the dozen that went through the yard,

Don't miss the two right below the balcony.

We had a range of temps this week 50s to 80s.
Where we are going is supposed to be mid 60s during the day and 35 at night. We all have guesses. We would all like to go to the Grand Canyon but the temps sound more like Tennessee to me.

My reading this week was okay. The first story was good but I had second thoughts on the second. I finished two audiobooks. I posted two reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 16 blogs both last week and the week before.
Shout Out this week to The Wonderlost Reader. Viki says: "I love reading, writing, tea, coffee, the sunshine, and discovering new places."

Don't forget- Audible is offering free children's titles during these days at home.
Audiobooks.com is also offering free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post October 4, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 5, 2020.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt Genre: Nonfiction, Psychology; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

• MBS September 2020 Reading List Wrap Up.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 9, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/15/2020.

• NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: Silent Bite: An Andy Carpenter Mystery (An Andy Carpenter Novel Book 22) by David Rosenfelt ; Genre: Crime, Detective, Mystery, Fav Series; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 11, 2020.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (A2020)

The Skeletons of Scarborough House:
(The Chapelwick Mysteries #1)
Written By: Kitty French
Narrated By: Cat Gould
Duration: 9 hours 28 minutes
I liked this easy, fun, ghostly story.
Source: 10/2020 Audiobooks.com Mystery Book Club.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Haunted Forest Tour
Written By: James A. Moore, Jeff Strand
Narrated By: Joe Hempel
Duration: 8 hours 56 minutes
This wasn't as fun as it looked. Definitely horror trick, not treat.
Source: 10/2020 Audiobooks.com Mystery Audiobook Club.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

The Uninvited: Book 8 in Krewe of Hunters series
by Heather Graham
I'm am enjoying this although ereading is slow.
Source: Would you believe 2012 Netgalley?
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Chase Darkness with Me How One True Crime Writer Started Solving Murders
By: Billy Jensen, Karen Kilgariff - foreword
Narrated by: Karen Kilgariff, Billy Jensen
Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
This popped up in my "dark" search for October so it is serving as a NonFiction read this month.
I am 3/4s through and it is interesting.
Source: 11/5/2019 Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Publisher's Summary
Have you ever wanted to solve a murder? Gather the clues the police overlooked. Put together the pieces. Identify the suspect.
Journalist Billy Jensen spent 15 years investigating unsolved murders, fighting for the families of victims. Every story he wrote had one thing in common - it didn’t have an ending. The killer was still out there.
But after the sudden death of a friend, crime writer Michelle McNamara, Billy became fed up. Following a dark night, he came up with a plan. A plan to investigate past the point when the cops have given up. A plan to solve the murders himself.
In Chase Darkness with Me, you’ll ride shotgun as Billy identifies the Halloween Mask Murderer, finds a missing girl in the California Redwoods, and investigates the only other murder in New York City on 9/11. You’ll hear intimate details of the hunts for two of the most terrifying serial killers in history: his friend Michelle’s pursuit of the Golden State Killer which is chronicled in I’ll Be Gone In The Dark which Billy helped finish after Michelle’s passing, and his own quest to find the murderer of the Allenstown 4 family.
And Billy gives you the tools - and the rules - to help solve murders yourself.
Gripping, complex, unforgettable, Chase Darkness with Me is an examination of the evil forces that walk among us, illustrating a novel way to catch those killers, and a true crime narrative unlike any you’ve listened to before.
With a foreword by Karen Kilgariff of My Favorite Murder.
©2019 Billy Jensen (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Psycho Inside Me
By: Bonnie R. Paulson
Narrated by: Jenifer Krist
Length: 5 hrs and 23 mins
Release date: 03-04-14
I'm a little unsure about this due to the warning but I'll see.
Source: 4/10/2020 Author Codes.
Publisher's Summary
***Mature YA listeners recommended - sexual content, violence, language***
I killed my first victim at thirteen years old - my age, not his. He was going to rape me, him and a couple of his friends. And so, I killed him. And then.... I killed again. And again.
At seventeen, I'm killing four to six times a year - maybe more. Don't stress out. I only go after the pedophiles and rapists. There are more out there than I could cover in a lifetime.
Saying I did this on my own would be selfish. Enforcing justice holds a glory all its own. But now, my lifelong friend and backup, Deegan, has been arrested. I have to decide if I want to give myself up and take his place or leave him with all the damning evidence. I don't want to stop killing. But if I let him take the fall, I can't kill anymore. And I need to keep doing that.
But the worst part of it all? I love him.
Cover artist - Ashley Byland of Redbird Designs
©2013 Bonnie R. Paulson (P)2014 Bonnie R. Paulson

I start FraterFest on 10/15 running through 10/24.
I expect to get in 20 hours or so and these are the books I will pick from to listen to:
(ATBR/A2020 Audible; Chirp and ABC Audiobooks.com Mystery Club.)
Carmella 2h 22 Vampire ATBR
Carniepunk: The Demon Barker of Wheat Street By: Kevin Hearne 1h 4m ATBR
Carnival Row: Tangle in the Dark By: Stephanie K. Smith 3h 8m ATBR
Countdown: A Prequel Story to Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry 19m A2020
Zombie Fallout: Zero by Mark Tufo 2h 44m A2020
The Book of Riley: A Zombie Tale 2h 48 ABC
The Book of Riley #2: A Zombie Tale 2h 47m ABC
Ghostsitter - A Crazy Inheritance 4h 25m A2020
A Death at Eastwick 5h 4m Chirp2020
The Darkwater Bride: An Audible Original Drama 6h 45m ATBR
Murder's a Witch 6h 49m ABC


I'm keeping track of my Alphabet here as I finish the books. These are the letters that remain:
NETGALLEY:  H  M  U X  Y and Z
AUDIO:             X  and  Z

October 11, 2020 - I continue enjoying reading first thing each morning this week.
I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I considered changing but this is the reading group that is closest to my husband's reading so we can sometimes discuss the same passages.
I finished the 3-day study: The Counsel Of The Lord Shall Stand.
I am doing another 3-day study this week: Resting In His Power.

I completed two books and posted two reviews which keeps me up to date.
My NetGalley shelf remains at 4, one current and three remaining titles from 2012-13 which I still hope to read this year. Still one more that would be good for October.
I have added no new author review titles this week. I still have one carry over author ebook left. I have one audiobook from an author.
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

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 (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
No new review titles received this week. (One is on it's way.)
Someday I'll check the email requests I have been receiving. {Sigh.}
I added another 4 Audible Plus titles.
I purchased one Audible Daily Deal and two audiobooks at Chirp.
This coming week I have to use my two credits at Audible.
No free Kindle titles this week.
(Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)  
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

Audible Daily Deal 10/8/2020 $1.95.

Joy at Work
Organizing Your Professional Life
By: Marie Kondo, Scott Sonenshein
Narrated by: Brittany Ishibashi, Dan Woren
Length: 5 hrs and 19 mins



Two Purchases at Chirp: $2.99 and $.99

The Memory Stone
by Jeffrey Quyle
Narrated by Peter Kenny

One Hit Wonder
by Kristi Rose
Narrated by Jennifer Stoneking

Free

From the Audible Plus Catalog:

An Uninvited Ghost
By: E.J. Copperman
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi
Series: Haunted Guesthouse, Book 2

Life Inside the Bubble: Why a Top-Ranked Secret Service Agent Walked Away from It All
By: Dan Bongino
Narrated by: Mark F. Smith

A Road Unknown: Amish Roads Series, Book 1
By: Barbara Cameron
Narrated by: Coleen Marlo
Series: Amish Roads, Book 1

Coming to Rosemont
By: Barbara Hinske
Narrated by: Dina Pearlman
Series: Rosemont Saga, Book 1

No free Kindle titles this week.
Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 11, 2020

This morning in church we had a visiting missionary who ministers to the rural areas in the panhandle of Florida. We might not always think it but rural areas need Jesus just as much as cities.

Our guest noted that everything is changed by the gospel of Jesus. He encouraged us to be available to the Holy Spirit. God does things in spite of us. God does supernatural things through those he calls by giving them the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1 tells us that Jesus was raised from the dead, returned to heaven and then God sent His people the comfort and power of the Holy Spirit. God wants to move you spiritually in your life right now. Whenever you are feeling overwhelmed, God is ready to move you from that. There is a choice to be made: it's heaven or it's hell.

This world needs a fresh baptism of the Holy spirit. We walk by faith, not by sight. The church is a place for refueling and refilling, but revival is out there on the streets of life.

When the real power of God cones in (shows up), then every demon must go.

Every believer of God has help to overcome the situation they are facing. The enemy wants you to hide rather than reach out. But Christ’s Resurrection is a game changer. Jesus was raised and then sent the Holy Spirit in his place. The Holy Spirit gives us power to overcome. Acts 1:3-8.

We need to pray now that God renews our need for His power instead of relying on our own know how. The Holy Spirit allows us to say: I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13.

There is no greater cause than lost souls. So, lets get out of bed and out of the church to love on people and share the Good News that Jesus saves!

I think this song goes with today’s message.

Verses for Today:
Acts 1:3- NIV 3
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Lord, I pray that You fill me with Your Power, the Holy Spirit.

#NetGalley Book Review: Silent Bite: An Andy Carpenter Mystery (An Andy Carpenter Novel Book 22) by David Rosenfelt

This is another satisfying win and read in the Andy Carpenter Series.
Silent Bite: An Andy Carpenter Mystery (An Andy Carpenter Novel Book 22)
by David Rosenfelt

File Size : 2556 KB
Print Length : 299 pages
Publisher : Minotaur Books (October 13, 2020)
ASIN : B084M1ZNNJ
Genre: Crime, Detective, Mystery, Fav Series
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, are finding that all is not calm or bright in Silent Bite, the latest Christmas mystery in this heartwarming series from bestselling author David Rosenfelt.
Lawyer Andy Carpenter can finally take a breath; he’s back on dry land after a family Caribbean cruise forced on him by his wife, Laurie, to get into the Christmas spirit. Of course the family’s first stop is to the Tara Foundation, the dog rescue organization that has always been Andy’s true passion.
But when Andy arrives, his partner, Willie Miller, needs his help. Willie’s old cellmate, Tony Birch, has been arrested for murder. Andy doesn’t necessarily believe in Tony, but Willie does. And Andy believes in Willie, which is why Andy decides to take the case.
Once again David Rosenfelt puts readers in the Christmas spirit in a tale that is equal parts mystery and holiday cheer.

Review:
As an independently wealthy criminal attorney, Andy Carpenter still considers himself as a semiretired lawyer and he isn’t seeking new clients. Andy doesn’t rouse himself much unless it has to do with dogs. And Christmas is no exception as he leaves all the decorations and shopping to his wife, Laurie. Shortly before the holiday, Andy’s friend, Willie, a former client and his partner in their dog rescue foundation, asks Andy to do him a favor – represent Tony Birch, a former cellmate, recently accused of revenge murder.

Tony has a rough past, having served time after being wrongly accused of murder as a young man and leader in a gang. Another gang member who testified against Tony has turned up dead and the police were quick to charge Tony. Andy isn’t positive that Tony is innocent, and he isn’t sure Tony is telling him everything which is a major problem. Still, Andy doesn’t want to disappoint Willie and Tony has the unwavering support of his dog, Zoey.

Andy begins to pull together his usual team when he learns that his second attorney is off in South Carolina getting married! The recommended replacement, Eddie, a big guy and retired football player who speaks in sports terms, is introduced to the team. Laurie and another retired cop, Corey (with wonder dog Simon) are the investigative team, Sam is the computer information hacker and Marcus, as always is the big, scary muscle.

When a second member of the gang is found dead the case gets stronger against Tony. But Andy is always ready to search out alternative suspects to create reasonable doubt. This time his search takes him to local crime gang boss, Luther, who was also the head of the group that oversaw Tony’s ‘boyz’ gang. Andy exercises his usual snark and twists in court, stepping on the edge of propriety and finding more clues than expected.

As normal, I enjoyed the characters and the mystery. The story is told by Andy in first person with his usual self-deprecation and dry wit. I often listen to this series on audio and I could hear Andy’s voice in Grover Gardner’s deep narration. My only disappointment with this episode was that, even with the dog on the cover, the dogs didn’t play that much of a role. This might be read as a standalone as each story has its own mystery to be solved. Still, I recommend reading at least the first couple stories of the series to get the character history. And they are fun reading too.

Source: 8/25/2020 Received from Publisher and NetGalley. This qualifies for my 2020NetGalley goal.