Audible

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Review: Heart of Gold

Heart of Gold Heart of Gold by J.A. Cipriano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fun listen! I guess I’m just a sucker for stories where the “hero” is an average guy who, due to circumstances beyond his control, rises above his pay grade in life, to do awesome things.

Frank Butcher, works for a package delivery service and his last stop of the day is a clinic he frequents on his route. His world is turned upside down after an attack on the clinic by a group of zealots. Dr. Gabriella Perez saves Frank’s life by throwing him to the ground just as a fireball sails past them and when Gabriella tells Frank to scram, he does the exact opposite, which surprises even Frank and when he finds out that the life of Gabriella’s kid is in danger, Frank, yes he's sweet on the doctor, decides that he’s all in.

This audiobook has absolutely everything I enjoy in SciFi/Horror, it’s action packed, filled with humorous one-liners, gory, violent and has monsters and zombies! Come on what more could you ask for?

Joe Hempel is the narrator of this fantastic little audiobook which clocks in at just over five hours and he is an absolutely perfect fit for this type of book. Seriously, the writers couldn’t have done any better than choosing this reader. He’s a true storyteller and lifts what is a very good book to a great one.

This audiobook was given to me to me at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review, thanks, Audiobook Boom!


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Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Review: King's

King's King's by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mia Turner goes to Mexico in search of her brother who’s gone missing while on an archaeological dig, she’s barely closed the door to her hotel room, when a knock at the door produces two strange men who tell her in no uncertain terms to leave Mexico immediately or die and don’t even think about coming back. How rude!

As a last resort, she implores King to help her find out what happened to her brother and King is all too willing to help… for a price. Yep, the title says it all, King wants to own Mia Turner, lock stock and barrel. King is callous and uncaring as he effectively cuts Mia off from everything, demanding that she quit her job and just wait in his office, soon she out of money, her apartment and adding insult to injury, she is still brotherless. When Mia is just about to break under the pressure, King finally summons her to Mexico, umm… maybe Mia left out some important details about her previous visit to Mexico and maybe King will find he has a heart and that Mia’s not the only one getting owned.

I enjoyed this story so much, but I have to warn you this is a trilogy, so expect the dread cliffhanger and while some serious sparks fly between King and Mia there is no consummation of their relationship in this book. I found the story so engaging I didn’t miss it.

This was the first audiobook that I’ve listened to by the narrator, Helen Wick and I thought she did a wonderful job, the character voices were well defined and I had no problem discerning which person was speaking. The sound quality was excellent as well.



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Review: Sparrow

Sparrow Sparrow by L.J. Shen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sparrow Raynes has known of Troy Brennan practically her whole life, yet their worlds have never, ever intersected, until, out of the blue, Troy kidnaps Sparrow and forces her to marry him.

The pair forge an uneasy alliance of sorts, with Troy continuing to live his life as he did before they married and while his character is completely amoral and brutally violent, he never forces himself upon Sparrow, and that’s just about his only redeeming quality.

Slowly and unwittingly, even to Sparrow, she starts to worm her way into his heart, by just being herself and having her own internal sense of morality, like not touching any of his ill-gotten money, a stance that she never waivers from, but she’s not preachy about it, she lets her actions speak for her proving the old adage true, that actions speak louder than words.

LJ Shen’s Sparrow is one of the best dark romances I’ve listened to this year, if you’re sensitive to, graphic violence and explicit sexual content, you might want to skip this book, hell you’ll probably want to stay away from LJ Shen period because she doesn’t sugar coat anything.

Can we talk about the enigma that is Michael Pauley? I have been critical of his narrating in the past, so imagine my pleasant surprise when he delivered a five-star performance and that’s saying something, because he had to do it all with a Southie dialect, and I think he did an amazing job! He was engaging and conveyed emotion and energy in this fully voiced performance. Kudos to both LJ Shen and Michael Pauley!


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Review: The Hero

The Hero The Hero by Donna Grant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Natalie Dixon has a meeting in Dallas with Oren Loughman the father of Owen Loughman, the man she fell in love with years and broke her heart when he ended things when they graduated high school. Now working for the Russian embassy an innocuous question from Oren about Ragnarok opens up a Pandora’s box,

Owen heads home to Dallas after being gone for six years when he arrives at his Uncle and Aunt’s house and finds them murdered. Owen and his two brothers believe their father’s dangerous missions in espionage are somehow to blame for the murders, just like the death of their mother years before.

Fate brings Natalie and Owen back together after 14 years and puts Natalie in the cross hairs of danger, the very reason he broke things off with her all those years ago.

Buckle up, this mystery/thriller roller coaster ride will leave you breathless, this audiobook never lets up, murder, mortal hand to hand combat, kidnapping, espionage, scorching hot sex, and three patriotic alpha brothers, what more can a girl ask for? The Hero, nicely wraps up Owen and Natalie’s story arc, but it’s just the beginning of the Loughman family saga, I’m excited to hear what happens next with Owen’s two brothers who have some serious daddy issues to solve.

Carly Robin narrates and she does a good job voicing all of the characters in this book, she expertly expresses the emotions of the scenes, without being over the top, the audio production of this book is of the highest quality.

This audiobook was gifted to me exchange for an unbiased review!

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Monday, December 19, 2016

Review: Into Thin Air

Into Thin Air Into Thin Air by Marla Josephs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lela Charles is spending time with the Alexander clan out at the ranch, trying to get a handle on her special abilities and her growing attraction to Jordan Alexander. When the Alexander’s ask Lela for help she agrees, even though she’s still wary of this strange but loving family. But when Jordan asks her to give their budding romance a try, Lela shoots him down, despite the way he, and no one else makes her feel.

This, the second book in the Alexander Ranch series, has much more of a romantic element to it, but don’t worry, there’s still plenty of action and suspense as well, I have to admit, I was a little frustrated by the way Lela kept thwarting Jordan and then something would happen in the story that would make me think Jordan has every reason to be cautious, and perhaps she’s much wiser than me.

The paranormal storyline is a major focus in this book and I look forward to seeing where book three goes from here!

Jaime Lamchick continues to narrate the series and she does an even better job in this second book, which clocks in at just under six hours. Jaime has fully voiced all the characters in this audiobook and her subtle nuances in tone make it easy to follow which characters speak. The audio production quality is flawless.

This audiobook was gifted to me exchange for an unbiased review!

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Sunday, December 18, 2016

Review: Cyborg Seduction: A Science Fiction Cyborg Romance

Cyborg Seduction: A Science Fiction Cyborg Romance Cyborg Seduction: A Science Fiction Cyborg Romance by Lisa Lace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s official, I’m in love with the Burning Metal series! The stories are just a little bit darker than the Terra Mate series, and that suits me just fine.

What rotten luck, news reporter Rachel Halliday’s first assignment is to follow scientist as they attempt to bring in a rogue squad of cyborgs in serious need of a software update, anxious to get the scoop Rachel blatantly disregards orders to stay far away from the cyborgs and next thing you know she’s face-to-face with their leader Wrath, who has a serious chip in, umm, err on his shoulder, believing that Central Command left him and his cohorts for dead in the desert several years ago.

Funny thing about Wrath, though, he looks just like Rachel’s first and only true love, high school sweetheart Robert, and once she’s convinced that it truly is Robert, Rachel’s on a new mission to help Wrath regain his memory and humanity. But for Wrath trust is dead and if Rachel’s not careful, she may be too!

This story has, action, suspense and if you know anything about Lisa Lace, smoking hot sex scenes and an HEA.

Michael Pauley narrates and he does a wonderful job on this audiobook. He nails the emotions of the characters, he has been the reader for all of the books in the series and his comfort and familiarity as a narrator with the series is evident. The audio production quality is perfect.


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Thursday, December 15, 2016

Review: The Courier

The Courier The Courier by Gerald Brandt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Poor orphan courier Kris Ballard barely ekes out a living and after a hard day of work she just wants to go home to her small flat and take a nice shower before the water’s cut off, when she gets a call from dispatch asking her to deliver just one more small package, with her job on the line Kris reluctantly agrees to the assignment, but “the corporation” wants that package and Kris dead.

So begins the cat and mouse chase set in the dystopian megalopolis of San Angeles a 7 level city, level one relegated to those in abject poverty and the most elite on level seven where the sun still shines.

What I enjoyed most about this cyberpunk, science fiction based story is the non-stop action, Kris is on the run from Quincy her nemesis and she’s thrown into one situation after another, escaping each time, but not totally unscathed. The suspense level in this book is high and many times I was holding my breath right along with the characters! When Kris meets her savior Miller her odds of surviving increase exponentially, but will it be enough?

This audiobook employs dual narration from Ali Ahn and James Colby and they both do an excellent job, the voicing of the characters is appropriate to the age of the characters in the book. Recorded Books is the publisher, so you know the production quality is on point.

This audiobook was gifted to me exchange for an unbiased review.

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Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Review: No Good Deed Left Undone

No Good Deed Left Undone No Good Deed Left Undone by Ginny Fite
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I haven’t read a police procedural in awhile and this book made me wonder why the hell not? Police detective Sam Lagarde and his sidekick sergeant Lawrence Black investigate the death by pitchfork of small town lothario Grant Wodehouse, his mojo must have been on point because he managed to bed just about every available (and unavailable) woman in Jefferson County, West Virginia. Even in a horse barn.

Soon there’s another grisly murder putting Sam and Lawrence in a race against time to piece the clues together before a clearly unhinged killer strikes again.

I would classify this more of a suspense/thriller novel than a mystery because, to me at least, it’s pretty clear halfway through the book who the killer is. But trust me it in no way lessen the tension and suspense that Ginny Fite builds in this story.

The writing is excellent, Ginny Fite knows her craft well. I searched to see if any of her books were available on audio and they are not! Come on Ginny there a whole legion of potential fans that would love to hear your stories! I can hear D C Coles narrating them now!

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Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Review: A Lantern In the Window

A Lantern In the Window A Lantern In the Window by Bobby Hutchinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Got a couple of hours to kill? This little book will make the time fly by. Anne Tompkins answers Noah Ferguson’s ad for a wife to help him run his farm in the Canadian prairies in 1886. Anne insists that they have a marriage by proxy before she steps foot on the prairie and it’s for a good reason, she has secrets she’s hiding.

Noah is still grieving the death of his first wife and child, but he’s got a farm to run and after his father takes ill, Noah is desperate for help, he wants a wife but not an emotional attachment that would “betray” the love he still has for his first wife.

I was impressed that the author was able to tell this short story without it feeling rushed, I also like the fact that the storyline wasn’t contrived and the physical relationship between the two, wasn’t staved off to a ridiculous length of time.

The narrator did a good job, and the production quality was good as well, there were a few points where extraneous sound could be heard on the recording but nothing major.

So if you need a little light, but heartwarming fluff in your life, this audiobook will do.

This audiobook was given to me to me at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review, thanks, Audiobook Boom!


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Review: Alexander Ranch

Alexander Ranch Alexander Ranch by Marla Josephs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First, let’s address the elephant in the room, the cover art for this audiobook is horrible and it’s a shame, because as horrible as it is, the exact opposite is true of this wonderful story and since most people buy with their eyes, this little gem of a book, I’m certain, gets overlooked. (Drops mic) Okay on with my review.

All Lela Charles wants is to spend some alone time enjoying the great outdoors, but fate, it seems thinks Lela needs a little bit of excitement, and she stumbles upon 3 men in the forest, one of them on his knees, the other two with guns in their hand. When a fight between the men ensues, Lela quietly beats feet to find help, but not quiet enough and soon Lela’s in a fight for her life as well! Fortunately for her, she gets some unexpected and unwanted help from the Alexander clan.

I absolutely loved this cat and mouse thriller which throws in a touch of the paranormal. The Narrator Jaime Lamchick did a good job voicing the characters in this 5 plus hour audiobook and the production quality was excellent.

This is the first audiobook in the series and I look forward to listening to the next book in the series

This audiobook was gifted to me exchange for an unbiased review!


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Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Review: Teach Your Heart

Teach Your Heart Teach Your Heart by Tracey Alvarez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gracie Cooper has a lot of baggage, a critical and overbearing father who’s a wealthy, high-powered lawyer and losing her mother just as she’s starting to enter adulthood. Trying to find her purpose in life, Gracie heads to Europe and drifts from one low paying menial job to another. Gracie witnesses the aftermath of a brutal terrorist attack in London and that sends her scurrying back home to Australia and back under the critical eye of dear ole dad!

Doctor Owen Bennett has his own set of baggage, the son of free-spirited parents, he revels in working hard at his profession and having complete control over his life. The total opposite of how he was raised. When his mother takes ill he unexpectedly becomes the temporary legal guardian of his three orphaned nieces and nephew. Who completely upend his life.

When his frazzled elderly neighbor quits the nanny position, Owen is desperate to find a full-time, live-in nanny, when Gracie rescues the two younger kids who ran away from home, Owen offers her the position.

This heartwarming, humorous and sometimes tragic story is well told and you’re rooting for the two broken people who fill a need in each other if the can both just open their hearts and embrace the possibility of love.


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Sunday, December 4, 2016

Review: Dead Apocalypse

Dead Apocalypse Dead Apocalypse by Tim Moon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Listening to Dead Apocalypse is hearing my worst ZA fear out loud, stuck on an airplane and people all around you are falling ill and that’s how we meet Ben Chase our reluctant hero, who rises above his pay grade in life when the zombie apocalypse follows him and his best friend Ty to the big island of Hawaii.

If you’ve been following me for any length of time you know I love a good zombie story and I’ve written reviews on several of them, this may lead you to think that there are plenty of decent zombie books out there… you would be wrong! I just refuse to waste my time writing about the plethora of god awful zombie books out there.

Tim Moon's story is a breath of zombie stench free fresh air. I had to sit and cogitate awhile on why I liked this book so much and, other than the awesome narration by Maxwell Zener, who, I think has found his niche, it’s the pacing of the story, every time you breathe a sigh of relief, thinking they’ve escaped imminent danger, they’re unexpectedly thrown right back into the mayhem.

The production quality of this audiobook, which clocks in at just under 4 hours is good, there is one glaring error in chapter 2 where a whole sentence is repeated and of course it’s at the height of an intense scene, hopefully, it will be corrected, but it can’t take away the solid 4 star rating of this little gem.

The book is part of a series, but the story wraps up nicely, but you just know this show ain’t over yet and I look forward to the next installment.

This audiobook was gifted to me exchange for an unbiased review!


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Saturday, December 3, 2016

Review: Preppy: The Life & Death of Samuel Clearwater, Part One

Preppy: The Life & Death of Samuel Clearwater, Part One Preppy: The Life & Death of Samuel Clearwater, Part One by T.M. Frazier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We first meet Preppy, aka Samuel Clearwater, in the first book of the King Series and in that book he struck me as a sociopath, with only two people in the world that he cared about, King and Bear.

On a side note, if you haven't read the first four books in the series, stop right here and go download, King, trust me when I say you’ll get more enjoyment out of this book if you know more about Preppy, because you’ve got to build up your tolerance for Mr. Clearwater.

As the series builds you come to think of Preppy as the lovable sociopath, but still a sociopath nonetheless. This the fifth book in the series puts all the puzzle pieces on the table and I can’t wait to see what the finished picture looks like!

Andrea “Dre” Capulet is a strung out junkie and when her “boyfriend” decides to uproot and abscond with Preppy’s marijuana growing operation things don’t go well for either one of them and when Dre is at the end of her rope and decides to end it all, Preppy surprises even himself by saving her. This story is about how two terribly broken people use each other to hold on to their humanity.

This seven plus hour audiobook ranks right up there with the first two books in the series, it’s a fantastic listen! The dual narration by Lance Greenfield and Kirsten Leigh was perfection, they both conveyed the right amount of emotion and that’s saying a lot because this book deals with some pretty weighty subject matter and is sexually explicit. The production quality was top notch.

It’s a cliffhanger, but it tied things up nicely and leaves us with just enough of a teaser. I’m looking forward to the final book in the Preppy story.


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Friday, December 2, 2016

Review: Noah Padgett and the Dog-People

Noah Padgett and the Dog-People Noah Padgett and the Dog-People by Sarah Potter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Take one part Cinderella’s evil step-mom and one part Alice in Wonderland’s rabbit hole, swap out said rabbit hole and insert computer screen, throw in Dorothy’s we’re not in Kansas anymore and stir in dogs. That’s the recipe for Noah Padgett and the Dog People.

It’s a wonderful 6 plus hour children’s audiobook that follows loner Noah Padgett, an awkward adolescence, as he battles first the stepmother from hell and then Monsieur Percival Poodle, the poodle from hell when Noah and his dog Bluebell are sucked into an alternate universe where dogs rule. This audiobook has suspense and dry British humor, which may go over the youngsters' heads, but makes it a listen that adults will enjoy as well.

At the beginning it took me a bit to warm up to Mil Nicholson’s style of narrating, to an eleven-year-old listening to this story the best description I can give is, imagine your feisty ole grandma gleefully reading you a scary bedtime story and acting out every character. By the end of the story, I was a fan! The audio quality isn’t the best, there were several studio noise moments where extraneous movements could be heard and the sound quality overall was a little thin. But these minor grievances should not detract from the overall enjoyment of this audiobook.

I look forward to hearing more from author Sarah Potter.




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Thursday, December 1, 2016

Review: SpaceMan

SpaceMan SpaceMan by Tom Abrahams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what an amazing story and it marries two of my favorite sci-fi scenarios, being stranded in space and a post-apocalyptic thriller. Clayton Shepard and two fellow astronauts are docked at the International Space Station when a catastrophic solar blast hits the earth, taking the entire planet “off grid” and deals a fair amount of damage to the space station and its inhabitants. The story builds just enough tension in the space odyssey segment and then switches gears and paints a pretty terrifying picture of what’s transpiring at the same time on earth.

Clayton Shepard’s wife Jackie has been holding down the fort at home when the apocalypse hits and she’s no wallflower when the going gets tough Jackie gets tougher and her only priorities are keeping her family together and reuniting with Clayton. Even though the connection between Clayton and Jackie is told strictly through flashbacks, the strength of their bond is undeniable.

My favorite character in the book is Nikki, my shero, look up the word kick ass and her picture should be there! This is one woman you want on your side in the apocalypse. This Audiobook has stellar writing and great supporting characters that you care about, I can’t wait for the next installment.

If you’ve ever listened to a Tom Abrahams audiobook, chances are you’ve heard Kevin Pierce narrating and there’s a reason, he’s one of the best, especially in the sci-fi genre. You know you’re going to get a first-rate audio production and he’s that rare narrator who does an outstanding job fully voicing all of the characters, you never get lost wondering who’s talking, each character is distinct and Kevin Pierce makes it sound so effortless.

Buy or credit this book is a definite add to your library!

This audiobook was given to me to me at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review, thanks, Audiobook Boom!


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