Book Review: Con Crazy by Addison J. Chapple, Danny Kravitz, Eliza Marsh

This is entertaining with a twist at the end.
Con Crazy
by Addison J. Chapple, Danny Kravitz, Eliza Marsh

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08ZRG731W
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Level 4 Press, Inc. (August 29, 2023)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 29, 2023
Genre: Crime, Humor, International Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

The con is on.
Prewitt Patry is an expert in European art and antiquities, and he used to be the best con artist in New York City. But fate has left him divorced and broke, with his glory days behind him.
Then a golden opportunity falls into his lap.
Ranger du Courtemanche is the aging patriarch of the centuries-old French aristocratic Courtemanche family. The family resides in their ancestral chateau and they haven’t been outside the property in years. Enter Prewitt, who cozies up to the reclusive family—Ranger and his two sisters—and warns them that their chateau and wealth have been targeted by an obscure secret society. Panicked and desperate, Ranger enlists Prewitt in the fight to defend his family’s honor and fortune. Et voilà! The trap is set.
With his team of eccentric Parisian con artists, Prewitt gets to work. But the closer he gets, the more the con unravels. Ancient betrayals, priceless jewels, and forbidden loves . . . the Courtemanches turn out to be a lot more than Prewitt bargained for.
Inspired by the outrageous true story of a wildly audacious con.

Review:
Prewitt Patry studied art before he realized he could earn money easier through cons. He was managing behind the scenes, enjoying a middle-class life with a wife above his station and a wonderful son. Prewitt feels his work is acceptable since he goes after bullies and bad guys. Then Prewitt tried to expose a superior for the con the man was doing. Instead, the man framed Prewitt for the con ruining his marriage as his wife took their son and returned to her wealthy father.

Now Prewitt struggles to pay the rent, much less the exorbitant alimony and support to his wife. As his son turns 18, he announces he has been accepted into Harvard. How can Prewitt obtain funds to pay tuition? He needs to find a big con!

Prewitt and his ‘bank’, Mace discover there are historically connected jewels with a family in France. Prewitt heads to France to con a man in his castle. There is a crew of characters to help Prewitt but he soon finds himself warming up to the mark and his two sisters.

The story is written in third person present tense which I had to get used to. I enjoyed the descriptions and the connection to history that is revealed. The story is engaging and has a good twist at the end. Although entertained, I have to admit that I wasn’t totally comfortable with the main character as I do not believe in theft and lies. I recommend this to fans of a good heist.

Source: August 2023 Received two ebooks from Alyssia Gonzalez at Publicist. This qualifies for 2023Review goal.

Audio Book Review: A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

This is a charming story of a 14-year-old magical baker.
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking
Author T. Kingfisher
Narrator: Patricia Santomasso

Duration: 8 h 30 min
Release Date October 2021
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Middle Grade, Mysteries
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's summary
Fourteen-year-old Mona isn't like the wizards charged with defending the city. She can't control lightning or speak to water. Her familiar is a sourdough starter, and her magic only works on bread. She has a comfortable life in her aunt's bakery making gingerbread men dance.
But Mona's life is turned upside down when she finds a dead body on the bakery floor. An assassin is stalking the streets of Mona's city, preying on magic folk, and it appears that Mona is his next target. And in an embattled city suddenly bereft of wizards, the assassin may be the least of Mona's worries....
©2020 T. Kingfisher (P)2021 Tantor

Review:
Mona enjoys her magical skills to help in her aunt’s bakery. She occasionally entertains customers with dancing gingerbread men and in the basement is a mostly friendly bucket of sourdough starter, “Bob”, that they feed and it shares dough with her. Other than that, Mona isn’t inclined to think about magic.

One early morning. Mona arrives at the bakery to start cooking and she discovers a dead girl on the floor. The authorities take Mona to the Queen to have her sentenced for the murder. However, the Queen is aware that there are other forces at work and she releases Mona because she sees she isn’t the killer.

Coming home Mona meets a young boy in distress over the loss of his sister in the bakery. They realize that the girl, who had magical skills, may have been killed instead of Mona. Soon Mona and other gifted people in the community are leaving or going into hiding to avoid being assassinated or captured by the constables and authorities who are turning against wizards.

Mona and her new young friend, Spindle, eventually sneak into the castle to take their suspicions of a coup attempt to the Queen. With the military wizard out of the area and the local, elderly wizard under attack, the battle lands in the hands of Mona and her baked troops, including a gingerbread on her shoulder and ‘dough Bob’ in angry mode.

I enjoyed the characters of Mona, Spindle, the queen and the unique magical friends that help them. There is good pacing and action in this fun, entertaining, and charming story. I was glad to pick up several more books to try by this author. This story does have killing and battle, but I think it is still suitable for middle graders. I recommend this to fans of light magical challenges.

Audio Notes: Patricia Santomasso does a lovely job with the narration. She provides clear voices with emotions that fit the characters. The narration enhanced my enjoyment, and I would be glad to listen to more stories narrated by Ms. Santomasso.

Source: May 5, 2022 Two for One Deal Credit at Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Sunday Post September 24, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 25, 2023

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.

Office staff held down the office Thursday and Friday as I was out for a GFWC Florida Convention. The convention theme was "Above and Beyond" and there were some 'out of the world' moments.

At the last day I picked up costume pieces.
I was a blue-green dragon Alien.
Here is a picture with one of the friends from our District.
I was trying to show off my funky fingers.

I plan to post more pictures but I am waiting for friends to share them.

My continuing prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations, a calmer social atmosphere, and for revival. We are also continuing prays for family and church.
Adding prayers this week for those suffering from flooding in Libya.

The weather in Orlando was beautiful. Although we had a little cooler weather last week, we will be back to 90s during the days this week. 

I finished an ebook and an audio and posted only one review while out of town. 

I visited 15 blogs last week.
Shout out this week to BAY STATE READER'S ADVISORY.  Laurie says "The purpose of the blog is to suggest books and audiobooks to readers, and advise readers on whether they might like a particular book or author."

Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

• Sunday Post September 17, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 18, 2023.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Dragon and the George by Godon R. Dickson; Genre: Classic, Epic, Sword & Sorcery; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 24, 2023 - He is God of our Darkness.

Finished Reading:
1. Kindle App on Smartphone (A2023)

Con Crazy
by Addison J. Chapple, Danny Kravitz, Eliza Marsh
This is entertaining with a twist at the end.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

299 Days
The Preparation, Book 1
By: Glen Tate
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
I picked this as a 'prepper' book and a book for my number challenge.
Source: 3-3-2022 Audible Sale Purchase $3.74; (Regular Price: $24.95).
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

What If It's True?
by Charles Martin
Narrated by Charles Martin
Run Time 9h 55min
This is moving. I wanted to pay good attention so I added the fiction title to listen to when I had conflicting activities (like driving) I have three hours left.
Source: December 2020 Chirp $4.99.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Not Alone
By: Craig A. Falconer
Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
Length: 22 hrs and 59 mins
Release date: 08-09-16
I decided to listen to this First Contact story from my TBR.
Seven hours in, it is interesting.
Source: 1/27/19 Audible Daily Deal Rewind Sale $1.99
Publisher's summary
Aliens exist, the government knows, and Dan McCarthy just found the proof. When Dan McCarthy stumbles upon a folder containing evidence of the conspiracy to end all conspiracies - a top-level alien cover-up - he leaks the files without a second thought. The incredible truth revealed by Dan's leak immediately captures the public's imagination, but Dan's relentless commitment to exposing the cover-up and forcing disclosure quickly earns him some enemies in high places. For his whole life, Dan McCarthy has searched for a reason to believe. Now that he finally has one, he might soon wish he didn't.... Not Alone is a stand-alone tale of contact and disclosure for the 21st century. ©2015 Craig A. Falconer (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

3. Kindle App on Smartphone (eBTBR)

Jingled (A Charlie Cooper Christmas Short Story)
By Deany Ray
Charlie Cooper Mystery #4.5
I wanted to continue my streak of reading on Kindle (on my phone) everyday.
I'm at 30% and the fun mystery is starting.
Source: I received this from the author newsletter sign up in June 2021.
This is a holiday SHORT story, but long enough for you to enjoy it with a glass of eggnog...or two glasses...*wink*
The holiday season has arrived in Springston…and at the Coopers’ house. Soft snow outside, creamy eggnog inside – it’s the perfect Christmas Eve for Charlie Cooper, the town’s most clumsy undercover detective.
Not to mention the yummy turkey, ham, sweet potato casserole, thick gravy and all the other delicious dishes made by Charlie’s mom for the whole family and Charlie’s two best friends and crime fighting partners, Marge and Celeste.
With such a perfect Christmastime in sight, nothing could really go wrong. Or could it? Well, there’s nothing like being held at gunpoint on Christmas Eve to bring joy into your heart.
When the food gets mysteriously ruined, the Christmas tree almost wrecked and apparently having a nice holiday feast just isn’t about to happen, Charlie wonders about that so-called Christmas spirit.
One thing is for Charlie will always remember this year’s holiday as “barely surviving Christmas at the Coopers’ house”.

September 24, 2023 - I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen". My readings have moved from Matthew to Acts.

I finished two books and only posted one review so I have three right now.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
No change- I have an older audio on my shelf I should listen to soon.
I still have the two old NetGalley ebook titles.

I am finally reading the author title that was in my queue.
(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 newest to the team, Emma at Words and Peace.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

No new review titles this week.
I picked my August VIP from Audiobooks.com and plan to get a 2 for 1 credit this week.

I found 5 Audible Plus titles,
No new Kindle titles this week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

9/24/2023 Audiobooks.com August VIP

Season to Kill
Written by: Elizabeth Flynn
Narrated by: Kim Hicks
Duration: 9 hours 17 minutes

A Welsh DI mystery. (I didn't realize it is part of a series.)

9/18-9/24/2023 These are free titles from Audible Plus Catalog.

The Beechwood Harbor Magic Mysteries Boxed Set Book 1-3
By: Danielle Garrett
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi
Length: 19 hrs and 46 mins

This looks like it would be a fun cozy series.

Sense and Scent Ability
Nora Black Midlife Psychic Mystery Series, Book 1
By: Renee George
Narrated by: Margaret Strom
Length: 5 hrs and 53 mins

Here is another paranormal cozy.

Beneath the Shadows
By: Sara Foster
Narrated by: Lorna Bennett
Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

This sounds like a good thriller.

The Darkest Thread
Flint K-9 Search & Rescue Mysteries Series, Book 1
By: Jen Blood
Narrated by: Elise Arsenault
Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

I always like K-9 books.

Iron Lake
Cork O'Connor, Book 1
By: William Kent Krueger
Narrated by: David Chandler
Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

I have been meaning to try this author so I was glad to see this book 1 for free.

No new title added to Kindle library.  Free titles might be found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement September 24, 2023 - He is God of our Darkness.

I was out of town this weekend for a GFWC Florida convention in Orlando. My convention mate and I did attend the short and sweet meditation service this morning.

I am sharing notes from a Sunday School lesson a few weeks ago. Our ‘substitute’ Sunday School teacher shared a video message based on Psalm 88. The message was “How to Deal With Dark Times” by Pastor Tim Keller.
Summing up the lesson is to tell people that Jesus understands our pain.

The author (Heman the Ezrahite) of Psalm 88 cried out to the Lord from the pit, claiming “darkness is my closest friend”. Pastor Keller noted that darkness can last a long time. We live in a fallen world. Life is pain, not a rose garden. The message is realistic and merciful. Don't have false expectations.

There is no better place to learn of God's grace than the darkness. God wants us to be a witness for Him. He is in the moment. God knows how men speak when they are miserable. He understands.

There is no better place to become a person of greatness. Like the faithful servant, Job. Do we love God for who He is? This is not just transactional. Think of Samwise Gamgee at end of Lord of Rings... he is unflappable.

There is no better place and time to recognize the assurance of our Savior. Jesus took the wrath on himself. Darkness was His only friend.
Isaiah 43 tells us the Lord says: ‘you are my servant. I have redeemed you.’

Darkness is nothing the resurrection won't cure. Don't tell yourself a negative story. Continually give God a sacrifice of praise. He'll never forsake us. We are believers not feelers.

This song fits well with this message “Your Presence is a Promise”.

Verses for Today:
Psalm 88:1-2 (NIV)
1 Lord, you are the God who saves me;
day and night I cry out to you.
2 May my prayer come before you;
turn your ear to my cry.

Isaiah 43:1- 2 NIV
1 But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
…
Isaiah 43:10-11
10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
11 I, even I, am the Lord,
and apart from me there is no savior.

Audible Book Review: The Dragon and the George by Godon R. Dickson

This is a good dragon, magic adventure.
The Dragon and the George
By: Gordon R. Dickson
Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

Series: Dragon Knight, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins
Release date: 09-23-14
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Classic, Epic, Sword & Sorcery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's summary
Through no fault of his own, the once human Jim Eckert had become a dragon. Unfortunately, his beloved Angie had remained human. But in this magical land anything could happen.
To make matter worse, Angie had been taken prisoner by an evil dragon and was held captive in the impenetrable Loathly Tower. So in this land where humans were edible and beasts were magical - where spells worked and logic didn't-- Jim Eckert had a big, strange problem.
©1976 Gordon R. Dickson. ©2004 the Estate of Gordon R. Dickson (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Review:
Jim and his fiancé, Angie, are house hunting in hopes of being able to marry soon and move in together. Jim is a little frustrated that he isn’t getting the promotion he wants and also that Angie spends extra time with her professor. When Angie is late coming out of the university,, Jim finds that the professor has accidentally transported her somewhere and sometime, but he is not sure where. Jim believes it would be with dragons so the professor agrees to send Jim’s psychic only to find Angie and bring her back. While focusing on Angie and dragons, Jim wakes up to discover he is a dragon!

When Angie as a human (a “George”) is taken prisoner by an evil dragon, Jim aka Gorbash the dragon, has to find a way to save her. He speaks to the local wizard who sends him on a quest for companions so that he can prevail in approaching the Loathly Tower and saving his lady love.

I was not aware of this classic dragon tale. The story is entertaining on a low-key level, likely because it was written in the 1970s. I enjoyed the collection of companions, both beasts (wolf and dragons) and human and the dangers and monsters they faced. I also enjoyed the medieval history and the magical elements. I am glad that I have more books in the series to listen to. I recommend this to fans of dragon adventures.

Audio Notes: Paul Boehmer does a nice job with the narration. He provides good energy and distinct character voices. I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source: September 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.