Audible Book Review: Dorothy: A Madcap Regency Romance by Anya Wylde

This is a light, "madcap" romance.

Dorothy: A Madcap Regency Romance
The Fairweather Sisters, Book 3
By: Anya Wylde
Narrated by: Deryn Oliver

Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
Release date: 12-30-20
Publisher: Anya Wylde
Genre: Comedy, Regency Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Anya Wylde is back with yet another Fairweather sister novel full of comedy, adventure, and, of course, toe-curling romance.
The Fairweather sisters adore each other and always stand by one another. But when circumstances force Dorothy May Fairweather to marry Lord William Edmund Huxley - the man her best friend is in love with and the Duke’s arch enemy - things change.
With her one foolish mistake, Dorothy manages to vex all those that mean the most to her. Now all alone and miserable, Dorothy has to win back her sisters, the duke, her in-laws and her breathtakingly handsome new husband.
©2016 Anya Wylde (P)2020 Anya Wylde

Review:
Dorothy feels that she is the least attractive of the Fairweather sisters. She has had three whole seasons without landing a suitable marriage proposal. Finally, she has found a man to love. Her sisters are thrilled, even when they learn who the man is.

Dorothy’s best friend, Kitty, agrees to help Dorothy win the man of her dreams. Dorothy met Kitty’s beau interest, Lord William Edmund Huxley, when Dorothy stumbled in front of his carriage. He is one of the most handsome and marriageable men in ton. He was very kind and helpful to Dorothy, but her brother-in-law has a feud with Huxley. At the next social outing Kitty and Dorothy agree to talk to the man the other is interested in to try to encourage the man’s interest in their friend. Although Huxley is polite to Dorothy, he objects to her efforts to put Kitty in his path.

After the event, Kitty strangely avoids Dorothy for several days. She appears one morning acting distressed and upset. The next thing they learn that Kitty has gone missing. Dorothy is sure that she has suffered at the hands of Huxley. In an effort to find out information Dorothy sneaks into Huxley’s home and ends up in a compromising situation that she never intended. To protect his own family from scandal, Huxley proclaims Dorothy to be his affianced. Now everyone is angry with her.

Dorothy doesn’t have any way out of the rushed marriage. She knows that she isn’t welcome by Huxley’s step-mother and half-sister. Dorothy discovers all sorts of strange occupants in Huxley’s home and she secretly adds an orphaned boy with the help of the staff. Although the staff was initially standoffish, Dorothy’s sweet actions begin to win them over.

Still, Dorothy is frustrated by the sense of attraction with her husband which he keeps denying as he pushes her away. She struggles with depression wondering if she will have to live her life alone, without the love of a husband and without the support of her family. What surprising events can change her stressed situation? The family warmth is lovely, and they won’t ignore Dorothy’s distress too long.

Anya Wylde consistently delivers fun, “madcap” stories with likable characters, sweet romance and an easy read. Certainly there are situations that might cause an eye roll but I liked Dorothy, even with her clumsy exuberance. Huxley is a great character who is willing to sing to soothe his distraught bride. It was a puzzle till the end to understand his reluctance to accept and share love.

Although this is book three in the series, I felt it read fine as a stand-alone. I realized that I have book one, Penelope, in my Kindle library and I hope to pull that up to read this year. I recommend this story and this author to readers who enjoy easy reading, fun Regency romance.

Audio Notes: Deryn Oliver does a lovely job with the narration including sweet singing! The overall audio presentation is charming.

Source: February 2021 Author Code. This qualifies for 2021Audiobook and Author goals.

Sunday Post February 28, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 1, 2021

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.

My desk seems to be covered with files right now. I need to buckle down and prepare about eight or so probate files. Then I need to update status on ten or so litigation files.
The stock market took a dip last week which has been anticipated. I had hoped it would wait until the end of March but I have been making preparation to go through a deeper dip.

Hubby made monkey bread (yummy) for the office this Thursday
and banana bread (yum) for us on Saturday.

I think we are starting to get spring weather with temperatures this week - 42 to 81; three possible days of rain.

My listening was good again this past week. I finished two audiobooks and one NetGalley;  posted four reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 18 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to THE READING DEVIL. Penelope exudes energy and invites guests to join her "on my journey through the YA/adult book world!"

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 February 21, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 22, 2021.

• Author2021- Book Review: 200 by Jennifer Brody; Genre: Dystopian Graphic Novels, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• ATBR- Audio Book Review: Night Stalker by Shirlee McCoy; Genre: Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.0; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 26, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/4/2021.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Smoke Bitten: A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 12, by Patricia Briggs; Genre: Action, Adventure, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 5.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Call to Arms, Black Fleet Trilogy, Book 2, by Joshua Dalzelle; Genre: Military Sci Fi, Sci Fi, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 28, 2021.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (A2021)

Dorothy: A Madcap Regency Romance
The Fairweather Sisters, Book 3
By: Anya Wylde
Narrated by: Deryn Oliver
Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
Release date: 12-30-20
This is a fun "madcap" romance.
Source: February 2021 Author Code.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Murder of Crows
A Novel of the Others
By: Anne Bishop
Narrated by: Alexandra Harris
Length: 14 hrs and 13 mins
This is a series which I really enjoy.
Source: 8/8/2020 July Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
Return to New York Times best-selling author Anne Bishop’s "phenomenal" (Urban Fantasy Investigations) world of the Others - where supernatural entities and humans struggle to co-exist, and one woman has begun to change all the rules.…
After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.
The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murder of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard - Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader - wonders if their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or a future threat.
As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now, the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet - and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all. ©2014 Anne Bishop (P)2014 Penguin Audio

3. Kindle App on/Smartphone (NG2020)

Time of the Rose
by Bonita Clifton
This is a traditional (originally written in 1994) romance with suspense and time travel complications.
Source: NetGalley 2020.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Black Ops Expeditionary Force, Book 4
By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R. C. Bray
Length: 16 hrs and 44 mins
I decided to go with another fav series.
Source: 3/8/2020 Two For One Credit Sale at Audible.
Publisher's Summary
The elite crew of the pirate ship UNS Flying Dutchman had a simple mission: determining whether the Thuranin are sending another starship to Earth. Along the way, they became sidetracked by securing a future for the UNEF troops on the planet Paradise. When asked whether Earth was now safe, their ancient alien AI responded "Not so much"...now they have to deal with the consequences.
©2017 Craig Alanson (P)2017 Podium Publishing.

2. eBook/Kindle App (Author 2021)

Frosted (Regency Retold #2)
by M.C. Frank
I am just starting this romance adventure.
Source: Received from author. Release date is February 20, 2021. My review will post before March 12.
Click on book title for full description.

The audiobook is longer and the ebook takes longer for me to read so I may not get to a third book this week. We'll see.

February 28, 2021 - I love seeing new things each time I read the Bible. I am glad to still be current with morning reading.
I am reading/listening the NLT Tyndale version of the Bible on You Version App so Hubby and I are reading the same passages each day.
I finished the 21-day study: Open Heaven: 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer.

I completed three books and remain up to date on review postings.
NetGalley shelf is still at 11. (I might allow myself to look again once I go below 10.)
Two author titles remaining in queue.
(Plus a few that I received from newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
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 books this week.
I picked up my free VIP February selection at Audiobooks.com.
I downloaded the Christian Audio February free audio.
I added six 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

NONE

Free

2/27/2021 Audiobooks.com VIP February Selection.

A Fragment Too Far
Written By: Dudley Lynch
Narrated By: T. Ryder Smith
Duration: 9 hours 26 minutes



February 2021 Download at ChristianAudio.com

Healing Racial Trauma
Author Sheila Wise Rowe
Narrator Sheila Wise Rowe
Runtime 5.8 Hrs. - Unabridged



Six free Kindle titles this week: Four books from Author invitations at facebook:

Devolution: A Sam Jameson Espionage & Suspense Thriller by Lars Emmerich

Wolves and Daggers: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Steampunk Red Riding Hood Book 1) by Melanie Karsak

Alphas and Airships: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Steampunk Red Riding Hood Book 2) by Melanie Karsak

Windsworn, book one of Gryphon Riders Trilogy by Derek Alan Siddoway (I discovered I had this on my shelf since 2017)

(Seen at Savvy Verse and Wit) The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen: An uplifting, comedic tale of time travel and friendship (The Austen Adventures Book 1) by Ada Bright, Cass Grafton

(Amazon Prime First Reads) Infinite by Brian Freeman

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 Februrary 28, 2021

We had another good church service which my husband and I attended online. Pastor continued his Crash and Burn message series this morning. He asked: Where is your citizenship? Too often we struggle to have dual citizenship. We need to remember we are citizens of Heaven living in a messed-up world where we are messengers to deliver God’s message.

Conditions of our world are becoming more unfavorable for Christ followers. We can remember that the world hated Jesus first. We consider ourselves blessed to live in America. But America is not truly a Christian nation anymore. America was founded on Christian principles, but sin has always been around. We have been like the frog in the pot – dropped in when the water was cold but now it is getting hot.

We may feel like we are facing giants in today’s society. We serve a God who has a reputation for facing and defeating giants. Numbers 13:25-31 tells the story of the group of scouts who went to explore the land God was promising to give the Israelites. Most of the men who returned spread a bad report. (Spreading misinformation is happening all around us today.) Instead of following God, they wanted to go back to Egypt.

Only Caleb and Joshua said: “…the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid…” Numbers 14:8-9. Instead of going, the Israelites waited and got stuck in the wilderness for 40 years. Numbers 14:20-35.

The Church needs to remember why we are here. When Jesus sent His disciples out to spread His message, He said “Go…” He didn’t say anything about surviving or coming back. We trust because He says: “I will be with you!” Five powerful words: The Lord is with us!

The gates of hell can not withstand the attacks of God. Who is on the offense? We need to stop being on the defensive and go on the offense. We need to lead revival- not for the exiting believers but for non-Believers. What will the cost be if the Church doesn’t engage our world head on?

We need to be out I the messed up, fear-stricken world taking the message of the Good News to the people.

The Point: Our messed up, fear-stricken world is starving for the truth and peace of the Gospel and we are the messengers.

Believers aren’t going to a party. We are going into battle. Put on the full armor and go to the battle! Ephesians 6:11-18.

The message can’t be contained, it needs to be delivered.
How do we do this?

• Purposefully form relationships with non-believers.
• Ignore the mess of the messed-up world or messed-up person. Cleaning them up is not our job. (The messier they are the more they need Jesus.) Show compassion. The Holy Spirit will sort them out if they surrender to Him.
• Stick to the message of Jesus. He wasn’t political. Lives are changed only by the truth and light of Christ.

Get ourselves in alignment with Jesus so we can share His message.

I went through an hour’s worth of songs (always an inspiring time) and came to this song for today:  Mighty to Save!

Verses for Today:

Numbers 14:6-9
6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Lord, Thank You for being with me. Help me to be a faithful messenger sharing Your Good News!

Audible Book Review: Call to Arms, Black Fleet Trilogy, Book2, by Joshua Dalzelle

This military space story zipped by!
Call to Arms
Black Fleet Trilogy, Book 2
By: Joshua Dalzelle
Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
Release date: 01-19-16
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Military Sci Fi, Sci Fi, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
From Joshua Dalzelle comes the follow-up to the number-one best seller Warship. Captain Jackson Wolfe survived the initial incursion of a vicious alien species into human space...barely. He had assumed the juggernaut that had devastated three Terran systems was the herald for a full invasion, but for the last few years it has been eerily quiet along the Frontier. Jackson now struggles to convince the Confederate leadership the threat is still imminent and needs to be taken seriously. While powerful factions make backroom deals, he is desperate to find irrefutable proof that the invaders are coming, and if humanity expects to survive they must marshal their forces and make a stand before it's too late.
©2015 Joshua Dalzelle (P)2016 Podium Publishing

Review:
Captain Wolfe has seen the devastation that the alien enemy known as the Phage can deliver. He and his crew on the Ares have been out at the Frontier in decimating battles with the Phage. The enemy small ships are difficult enough, fast and many in number, but then there are the mammoth Alphas which are overwhelming to face. Now the crew has seen an even larger construct move in and quickly destroy a full planetary colony.

Wolfe has continually warned the Confederate leadership that the threat of invasion attack is imminent. When he requests that the military leaders begin to plan to protect the planets on the edges of the inner system, he is frustrated to learn that political factions are inclined to ignore him. It looks like they won’t provide support but that won’t stop Wolfe from trying to do what he can to protect the planet that seems to be the next target.

Although Wolfe oversees an unbalanced battle campaign with staggering losses. As the fight appears to be lost, Wolfe’s ships receive a rescue by the arrival of unknown ships. But then the news comes of a devastating attack at another location. Wolfe feels defeated until he is presented with a surprise opportunity to challenge the enemy.

This installment is full of military battle action which I enjoyed even if I couldn’t follow all of the descriptive details. There is development growth for several of the primary characters that added interest to the story. I liked the fast pace action and look forward to getting the next book. I recommend this to fans of military space opera.

Audio Notes: Mark Boyett does a wonderful job with the narration. He delivers clear voices and intensity in the action. The narration adds to my enjoyment of the series.

Source: 1/15/2020 December Audible Credits. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Smoke Bitten: A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 12 by Patricia Briggs

I was in the mood for werewolves and this installment in a favorite series hit the spot!

Smoke Bitten
A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 12
By: Patricia Briggs
Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
Release date: 03-17-20
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Genre: Action, Adventure, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 5.0.

Publisher's Summary
Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and shapeshifter, faces a threat unlike any other in this thrilling entry in the number one New York Times best-selling series.
I am Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman.
My only “superpowers” are that I turn into a 35 pound coyote and fix Volkswagens. But I have friends in odd places and a pack of werewolves at my back. It looks like I'm going to need them.
Centuries ago, the fae dwelt in Underhill - until she locked her doors against them. They left behind their great castles and troves of magical artifacts. They abandoned their prisoners and their pets. Without the fae to mind them, those creatures who remained behind roamed freely through Underhill wreaking havoc. Only the deadliest survived.
Now one of those prisoners has escaped. It can look like anyone, any creature it chooses. But if it bites you, it controls you. It lives for chaos and destruction. It can make you do anything - even kill the person you love the most. Now it is here, in the Tri-Cities. In my territory.
It won't, can't, remain.
Not if I have anything to say about it.
©2020 Patricia Briggs (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Review:
Mercy, our coyote shifter heroine, has her hands full with community and spousal stress. In book 10, Silence Fallen, Mercy claimed the Tri-cities areas under the protection of the local Columbia Basin werewolf pack led by her Alpha husband, Adam. The pack has its share of danger balancing issues among the local vampires, witches, werewolves, and fae, while protecting the humans from those with supernatural powers. Of course, this sets up a chance for various outside groups who feel they can challenge the pack while it is spread thin. There is a rogue group of werewolves, led by a dangerous assassin, who think they can take out the edges of Adam’s pack and then challenge him.

Before they even know about the rogue werewolf threat, Mercy finds her elderly, sweet neighbors murdered. Mercy is bitten by what appears to be a wild rabbit until they learn it is an evil, mind controlling creature who has escaped from Underhill into Mercy’s own backyard. Fortunately, Mercy is saved with the help of a creepy ‘stalker’, but it makes her realize that something is wrong with her mate bond with Adam.

Adam has been acting tense and standoffish and Mercy begins to wonder and doubt the strength of their relationship. Will she be able to face the wolf, or worse, and still keep their unique bond? As noted, there are at least three threads of suspense moving in this book. Ms. Briggs presents her impressive creativity with fast paced action and tension. I like how she weaves in a touch of fairy tale classic into the fae situation. The author also has built a strong emotional relationship between Mercy and Adam and she makes it real to life stresses. I love this series and highly recommend it. I do suggest starting from the beginning not only to get to know the characters but also to enjoy the entertainment!

Audio Notes: Lorelei King is a superb narrator and does a wonderful job with this series. The characters come to life with all their energy and stresses.  I’m sure the story is good if read in print/ebook, but for me it is a great listening experience.

4/13/2020 Audible March Credit. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook, and 2021Alphabet goals.