#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Leila, The Perfect Witch by Flavia Z. Drago

This is a sweet story.
Leila, The Perfect Witch
by Flavia Z. Drago
Narrated by Marisa Blake

Audible.com Release Date July 12, 2022
Publisher Dreamscape Media, LLC
Genre: Children, Siblings, Witches
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

In this charming picture book from the author-illustrator of Gustavo, The Shy Ghost, a witch who is spellbindingly good at everything discovers that baking is no piece of cake.
Leila Wayward is a little witch who excels at everything she does. She’s the fastest flier, the most cunning conjuror, and the most superb shape-shifter. She has won trophies for potions, herbology, and alchemy—and now she dreams of winning the Magnificent Witchy Cake-off! As the youngest in a long line of masters of the Dark Arts of Patisserie, Leila wants her entry to be perfect. But even with the most bewitching of recipes, she realizes a terrible truth: she’s a disaster in the kitchen. Luckily, Leila has three magical sisters who are happy to share their culinary secrets with her. What’s more, Leila discovers that baking with them is fun! Win or lose, she has already tasted the sweetest thing of all: acceptance—with a pinch of nightshade and a bit of mandrake. Filled with expressive and fancifully offbeat illustrations, Flavia Z. Drago’s enchanting story of trying your hardest despite your imperfections is sure to delight little witches and novice bakers alike.

Review:
Lelia, a young witch, is one of those young people who succeeds easily. She is accustomed to winning the awards and blue ribbons. This year, Lelia has hopes of winning a cake-off. The problem is that baking doesn’t come as easy as so many other tasks. She tries but the cakes fall or slide.

When Leila’s sisters offer to help, Leila, must accept their help if she wants a chance in the Cake-off. And, as a plus, Leila has fun with her sisters.

This is a very sweet children’s story. The message of accepting help and sharing a workload are clear and engaging.  Since I listened to the audio, I didn’t get to enjoy what look like charming illustrations. I recommend the story and it might be good to get the audio and the print book to share with children.

Audio Notes: Marisa Blake does a very nice job with the narration. Her voicing enhanced my enjoyment of the book, even though I did miss the images.

Source: 2022 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2022NetGalley and 2022Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Holy Chow (Andy Carpenter #25) by David Rosenfelt

This is another good mystery in the Andy Carpenter legal antics, and raises questions of possible enemy infiltration.

Holy Chow, (Andy Carpenter #25)
by David Rosenfelt
Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins
Release date: 07-05-22
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Animal, Cozy, Legal, Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

I am enjoying this episode in the legal efforts of Andy Carpenter.
In Holy Chow, the next mystery from bestselling author David Rosenfelt, the beloved characters—both human and canine—of this fan favorite series are back on the case with the author’s trademark wit and humor.
Retired lawyer Andy Carpenter’s calling has always been running the Tara Foundation. The dog rescue organization places hundreds of dogs in new homes every year. It’s added up to so many dogs and new owners that Andy can’t even do the math. But there’s one dog—and one owner—Andy will always remember.
About a year ago, Rachel Morehouse came to the foundation looking for a companion. In her sixties and recently widowed, Rachel wanted a senior dog that also needed someone. Andy took a liking to her, Rachel took a liking to Lion, an older Chow Chow, and the rest is history.
That is, until Rachel calls Andy begging for a favor: If Rachel dies, will Andy take care of Lion if her stepson cannot? Andy agrees, no questions asked, and promptly forgets about it... until he receives a call from Rachel’s estate to attend her will reading. Which is where he meets Rachel’s stepson, Tony, who is promptly arrested for his stepmother’s murder. And he wants Andy to prove his innocence.
Andy has continued to learn more about the woman he so greatly admired and the businesses she ran, and holy chow, was this woman impressive. The person who killed her deserves to be held accountable, and if Tony is to be believed, they’re still out there. And that possibility is too much for Andy to remain on the sidelines.

Review:
Andy is a wealthy criminal lawyer who would rather enjoy his dog rescue foundation, the Tara Foundation, than practice law. Still, he always gets pulled into a case – or there wouldn’t be a story. In this episode, Rachel Morehouse, who adopted an older Chow Chow named Lion, calls Andy to ask if he would take care of Lion if her stepson won’t, if she dies. A few days later Andy gets a call to attend the reading of Rachel’s Will. When Rachel’s stepson, Tony, is arrested for her murder, he asks Andy to take his case.

Andy reluctantly takes the case and pulls together his investigative team: wife and investigator Laurie, retired cop and investigator Corey with K9, Simon, bodyguard Marcus, finance/ computer wizard Sam, and co-counsel Eddie. The crew is ready to find theories to overcome the circumstantial evidence that points to Tony as the murderer.

As Andy and the team push for clues, some of the witnesses begin to die. Then someone comes after Andy hoping to stop him. Of course, that won’t work with Marcus around, and Andy gets to show his talents in trial once again. He begins to present a story of foreign infiltration that could be scary.

I enjoy the trail of clues as well as the procedures in court in this series…all wrapped in with Andy’s sardonic snark. I enjoy each episode and recommend that mystery fans start at the beginning.

Audio Notes: I always appreciate Grover Gardner as the narrator for this series. He captures the voices of the different characters. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

Source: June 2022 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2022NetGalley and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audio Blitz: MAN OF WAR by T.J. London

Today we are joining author T. J. London in celebrating the release of the full cast narration of MAN OF WAR. Narrated by Nicholas Boulton, Kathryn Vinclare, Patrick Zeller, Marnye Young, Tara Langella, Jason Clark, John Hartley, Dryw McArthur and James Chetham, this high seas romantic adventure is the prequel to The Rebels and Redcoats Saga. Huzzah! 

Man of War by T. J. London

Release Date: July 5, 2022

Amazon | Audible

The man who wants everything gets nothing…

July 1755

War is brewing between England and France. Impressed into the Royal Navy, Lieutenant Merrick, against all odds, advanced through the ranks to become an officer–but he is not a gentleman. A man with a tainted past from a traitorous family, cast down by King George–a stain no man can remove.

Merrick’s thrust into the role of captain, when the HMS Boudica is attacked by pirates off the coast of Nova Scotia. On a captured enemy vessel he discovers a King’s ransom in treasure and a woman chained in the hold from passenger ship that mysteriously disappeared at sea.

Beautiful, defiant, and hell bent on revenge, India makes a deal with Merrick to uncover the pirates’ scheme, promising him everything he desires: fortune, glory, and the chance to bring honor back to the McKesson name.

Now, they race against time to uncover a plot that links those in the highest ranks of the British aristocracy, to a failed rebellion that is once again trying to topple the monarchy and place an old pretender on the throne. But all that glitters is not gold as passions stir and an impossible love blooms, threatening to undermine all Merrick and India have done to protect their King and a country on the brink of war.

***This book contains violence and graphic depictions of war*** 

caffeinatedpr · Man of War: The Rebels and Redcoats Saga Prequel by T.J. London

About the Author

T.J. London is a rebel, liberal, lover, fighter, diehard punk, and pharmacist-turned-author who loves history. As an author her goal is to fill in the gaps, writing stories about missing history, those little places that are so interesting yet sadly forgotten. Her favorite time periods to write in are first and foremost the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolution, the French and Indian War, the Russian Revolution and the Victorian Era. Her passions are traveling, writing, reading, barre, and sharing a glass of wine with her friends, while she collects experiences in this drama called life. She is a native of Metropolitan Detroit (but secretly dreams of being a Londoner) and resides there with her husband Fred and her beloved cat and writing partner Hamilton.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Newsletter | BookBub

Giveaway

One lucky US winner will receive a signed hardcover copy of Man of War. Giveaway ends July 14, 2022.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday Post July 3, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 4, 2022

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.

Happy Fourth of July to Americans!

Work continues - lots of probates and deeds with litigation sprinkled in.

No new cooking this week as I ate leftovers. I was thinking about making a cake until that reminded me that tomorrow would have been Bob's 80th birthday. So I made some cookies instead.

Here are new memorial plants that I am tending. There is another schefflera on the other end of the couch, plus a planter near the window. They provide nice remembrance.

I continue with my previous prayer lists.

We are expecting a wet week with some temps up to mid 90s.

I continue to enjoy my audios. I finished four audio books. I posted three reviews, and my usual memes.

I visited 15 blogs last week.
A Shout Out today to TELL ME A YARN. Ann has an interesting link for Reading the World: Myths and Legends.

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30, 2021.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post June 26, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 27, 2022.

• ATBR: Audio Book Review: Bunker (Book 3) Code of Honor by Jay J. Falconer; Genre: Action, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Thriller; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 1, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 7/7/2022.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold; Genre: Fantasy, Military Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• A2022: Audible Book Review: Quake!: Disaster in San Francisco, 1906 by Gail Langer Karwoski; Genre: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• MBS AUDIO 2022 Reading List Mid-Year 2022 Audiobook Challenge.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement Agents of Change July 3, 2022 - Prayer, Purity, Purpose, and Partnership!.

Finished Reading:

1. NetGalley App Audio Smartphone (NG2022)

Holy Chow, (Andy Carpenter #25)
by David Rosenfelt
Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins
This is another good mystery in the Andy Carpenter legal antics, and raises questions of possible enemy infiltration.
Source: June 2022 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. NetGalley App Audio Smartphone (NG2022)

Leila, The Perfect Witch
by Flavia Z. Drago
Narrated by Marisa Blake
This is a sweet story.
Source: 2022 NetGalley.
In this charming picture book from the author-illustrator of Gustavo, The Shy Ghost, a witch who is spellbindingly good at everything discovers that baking is no piece of cake.
Leila Wayward is a little witch who excels at everything she does. She’s the fastest flier, the most cunning conjuror, and the most superb shape-shifter. She has won trophies for potions, herbology, and alchemy—and now she dreams of winning the Magnificent Witchy Cake-off! As the youngest in a long line of masters of the Dark Arts of Patisserie, Leila wants her entry to be perfect. But even with the most bewitching of recipes, she realizes a terrible truth: she’s a disaster in the kitchen. Luckily, Leila has three magical sisters who are happy to share their culinary secrets with her. What’s more, Leila discovers that baking with them is fun! Win or lose, she has already tasted the sweetest thing of all: acceptance—with a pinch of nightshade and a bit of mandrake. Filled with expressive and fancifully offbeat illustrations, Flavia Z. Drago’s enchanting story of trying your hardest despite your imperfections is sure to delight little witches and novice bakers alike.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Murder by Magic
By: Glynn Stewart
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Series: Onset, Book 0.5
Length: 1 hr and 59 mins
I totally enjoyed this combination of magic and mystery.
Source: February 2022 Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
Before he was an Elfin Lord - before he even joined that secret group of Mages - Jamie Riley was a Mage recruited by the FBI and the Office of Supernatural Policing and Investigation. A new-minted Inspector sent into one of the most complicated supernatural regions in the country: Los Angeles.
The rest of OSPI’s LA team has grown comfortable with allowing politics and pragmatism to decide which cases they pursue, which criminals they charge - but when Jamie’s investigation suggests that a pillar of the supernatural community has killed in cold blood, he will let nothing get in the way of getting the murderer.
Not even his career.
©2019 Glynn Stewart (P)2020 Podium Publishing

4. NetGalley App Audio Smartphone (NG2022)

Just Tyrus: A Memoir
by Tyrus
Narrated by Tyrus
Listening Length 4 hours and 58 minutes
This was definitely Tyrus and I found it interesting to learn of his rough childhood.
Source: 2022 NetGalley.
Pro wrestler and political commentator Tyrus goes deep into his wild but triumphant life story, from his painfully dysfunctional upbringing to bodyguarding for Snoop Dogg, to becoming a wrestling icon and one of the most provocative on-air voices today.
The product of a 1970s mixed marriage, George Murdoch learned to fight early in life, fending off both race-baiting bullies and the demons of a dysfunctional home. Couch surfing all through high school and most of college, the quick-witted, sharp-tongued giant played football, ran drugs, and bounced at clubs to try to survive. After a false start with the WWE, he eventually became Snoop Dogg's bodyguard and traveled the world with the hip hop legend, biding his time and honing his rap. When the WWE urged him to return, George became "Brodus Clay" and, for the next several years, reinvented himself numerous times under the watchful mentorship of the legendary Dusty Rhodes, "the American Dream." He was eventually christened "Tyrus," and shortly after, a chance social media encounter with Greg Gutfeld at Fox News resulted in Tyrus finding a new skill: sage social commentator. Ferociously funny, blunt, and tenacious, Just Tyrus traces his unlikely and spectacular rise. As always with Tyrus, it's in-your-face and offers no apologies.

Currently Reading:

1. Audio Smartphone Soundwise or on Computer (AT2022)

Man of War
The Rebels and Redcoats Saga Prequel
By: T.J. London
Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton, Kathryn Vinclaire, Patrick Zeller, John Hartley, Tara Langella, Jason Clarke, Dryw McArthur, Marnye Young, James Cheatham
Length: 22 hrs and 52 mins
The Soundwise app kept crashing on my phone.
I have listened to some of this on the computer but am having some difficulty there too. (I do have slow internet at home.)
Source: June 2022 audio received for Blitz and Review through Caffeinated PR.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

End of Summer
By: S.M. Anderson
Narrated by: Jay Snyder
Series: Seasons of Man, Book 1 (2 books)
Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins
This is a Pandemic Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian and my "Summer" title.
Source: 7/18/2021 Audible $5.00 sale. (Regular Price: $34.99.)
Publisher's Summary
When a viral apocalypse kills 97 percent of the people on the planet, the survivors' humanity is hanging by a thread. Amid the leftovers of civilization, ex-Army Ranger Jason Larsen is reminded of the meaning of hope, family, and loyalty by a dog and a young boy who are as alone as he is. The survivors he seems to collect become family, and that is very bad news for those who think they run the apocalypse. ©2019 S.M. Anderson (P)2020 Podium Publishing

3. Audiobooks.com Smartphone (ATBR)

ON HOLD till I feel like darker tales.
The Traveller and Other Stories
Author Stuart Neville
Narrator: Gerard Doyle
Duration: 7 h 20 min
I have listened to 2+ hours. This is very dark - "chilling". I will try some more but decided I needed to break for now.
Source: 11/28/2021 Audiobooks.com November VIP selection.
Click on book title for full description.

July 3, 2022 - I am back on the day track and caught up on those informative videos! The Bible Reading Plan is: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. I am enjoying keeping up with my reading each day.
I'll look for a new study - still maybe next month.

I completed four books and have four reviews to write and post this week. 
NETGALLEY STATUS-- I added another NetGalley but finished it this week. My NG shelf is back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I don't have any author reviews in my queue right now.
(Plus a few that I received from Facebook links and 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: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I received one new NetGalley audio that I finished this week.
Four audiobooks for $22.00 from Audible sale.
Five audiobooks from Audible Plus Catalog.
I added 29! free Kindle titles to my Kindle TBR library today.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

One NetGalley Audio:
Just Tyrus  - see above in Finished Reading.

Won

NONE

Purchased

6/29/2022 Audible Sale total $22.00:

Reap What You Sow
Seasons of Man, Book 2
By: S.M. Anderson
Narrated by: Jay Snyder
Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
Release date: 11-17-20

Dragonhaven
By: Robin McKinley
Narrated by: Noah Galvin
Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins
Release date: 06-18-13

A Deadly Cliché
Books by the Bay Mystery, Book 2
By: Ellery Adams
Narrated by: Karen White
Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
Release date: 09-15-15

Survive Week One Codename: Freedom, Book 1
By: Apollos Thorne
Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins
Release date: 12-19-17

Free

Week of 6/30 Audible Plus:

The Ibarra Sanction: Terran Armor Corps, Book 2
By: Richard Fox
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
Series: Terran Armor Corps, Book 2
Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins

Initiate: Animus, Book 1
By: Joshua Anderle , Michael Anderle
Narrated by: Scott Aiello
Series: Animus Series, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins

The Recruit: A Jack Noble Short Story
By: L.T. Ryan
Narrated by: Dennis Holland
Series: Jack Noble, Book .5
Length: 31 mins

Robots and Roommates: Star Kingdom, Book 0
By: Lindsay Buroker
Narrated by: Fred Berman
Series: Star Kingdom Series, Book 0
Length: 34 mins

Just in Time
By: Marie Bostwick
Narrated by: Emily Sutton-Smith , Kate Marcin , Carol Monda
Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins

29 Free titles added to Kindle library. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 3, 2022 - Prayer, Purity, Purpose, and Partnership!

Our service stared with lovely worship and our Interim Pastor announced: God is perfect in all His Ways – He has never messed up, never failed to show up.
Last Sunday with Interim Pastor as our new Pastor starts next week. Now What? New season.
Cease the moment to reach people for the Church. Become what God wants you to be; do what God wants you to do. No real answer so he went to the wisdom of the Bible and found a message in
Proverbs 4:20-27.
This passage tells us to 'Open your ears, eyes and heart to hear the word of God which is Life and Health to us.'

There are four clear messages from this passage.
1. Keep Your Heart (v21) … The Bible says that the heart is the center of our being, the center of intellect: “imagination” in your heart; consider these things in your heart; believe with your heart; heavy heart; fearful heart, glad heart, hardened heart (refuses to do God’s Will - Jeremiah 13:10), tender heart (seeks to do God’s Will - Ezekiel 32:26-27). –Psalm 51:10 “create in me a clean heart”.
Keep your heart on prayer! Guard your hearts. Philippians 4:6-7.
Stay a Praying Church! Jude 21:20-21; Romans 8:6 Sometimes we need to have someone come along side of us. Be people of the Spirit.

2. Put Away From You (v24) … Put away negatives and works of the flesh; put on kindness and compassion. Ephesians 4:31-32. Put off the old nature; put on your new nature! Ephesians 4:22-24. Put away childish, petty things. 1 Corinthians 13:11-12. Grow mature and seek purity. 1 Peter 1 22: “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.” Obey the word of God! What do you need to put away to grow in purity?

3. Let Your Eyes Look Straight Ahead (v25)… We are on a mission. Our lives are not just about coming to church on Sunday. A lot of distractions will try to pull us away. Deuteronomy 5:32: “So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.” Stay focused. Don’t look back. Luke 9:62. The mission is in front of us. ‘Forget the things behind and press forward.’ Philippians 3:13. Be thankful for the past but look ahead! Discipline yourself to run with purpose. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27. It is not your purpose, not someone else’s purpose…but only God’s purpose. Be a church, a people of Purpose! Fix your eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2.

4. Ponder the Path (v26) … Consider that your ultimate goal is heaven, but what are we doing along our journey. We need our actions to be established – lasting and fruitful. Pass along the message so others can find the path … for a thousand generations. The mission is a combined Church mission, not one to be pursued alone. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Be connected and active in the church. Work together. Everyone has a place Matthew 18:19-20: “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Partner with other believers; with each other and your new Pastor.

Prayer, Purity, Purpose, and Partnership!

Our Interim Pastor concluded: ‘It is up to you what you do as each pastor preaches. As the word of God goes forth, respond to the message! Take time to come to the altar for yourself or to pray for others. Use the altars. Stand before the Lord. Help and love one another.’

We celebrate the freedom of our nation on July 4th. But, as we celebrate communion we remember that the greatest freedom is the freedom from sin through the sacrifice of Christ.

I went on a search for a song that would fit and found this one: Magnify!

Verses for Today:
Proverbs 4:20-27 NIV
20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.

Lord, Thank you for all you have done: creation to salvation. Help me remember the principles of prayer, purity, purpose and partnership.