A. Renee Hunt's Blog, page 82

Bringing Stan In by Julia Rochester (audiobook)

​ ​     Here's another short audiobook with a marvelous accent!  Narrated by Avita Jay, Bringing Stan In, by Julia Rochester is about a day unlike any other.  

      Told from the Devon Coast of England, eight-year olds, Morwenna and Corwin are watching the ships arrive in the harbor.   On this particular day, someone dies and it has an affect on the twins.  

   I believe the setting of the sun and a mackerel run lead them to the death of a community member.  One who inspired Morwenna the future of boat building.  But when he's found dead, her dreams and desires change.  
It's sort of a sad tale, but it's not long enough for you to feel the loss.  It's a short, short story.

     The tale is very descriptive and is narrated beautifully, but to me, pointless.  Thankfully, it was written to compliment another story, a novel: The House at the Edge of the World. Maybe that story is set from this one... I guess I'll have to find out!.  Until then, I'm on to the next book! 

Joy of Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky

     I received this ARC with no knowledge of what happened in the first four books, but from what I'd heard, the series was pretty fun.  So I felt excited to receive this ebook.

     Joy of Witchcraft, by Mindy Klasky, is about Jane Madison finally receiving her own school of the arts.  With her own academy for witches and a handful of students, she's planning on succeeding!  But there are problems.  Problems that bring her and her homey/lover/foe, Ward David together.  Someone's plotting to steal her powers and everything that matters to her.  Creatures are attacking, a satyr attempts to sexually violate some of the girls- it's crazy!

​     This book was cute.  I wasn't as happy as I thought I'd be since I came in on the end of the series.  There's evidently a lot I've missed.  Then there was a lot of 'witchy' gab that sorta lost me.  Maybe a glossary at the end or beginning of the book would have helped- I don't know.

     I do know that on the parts I understood, this was a fun read.  Maybe I'll backtrack and see what the first four books were about.  Next book, coming up!  

The Weaver's Riddle: Mist & Whispers by C. M. Lucas

     This author is a doll to watch and listen to- now her books an adventurous read!  C. M. Lucas, the creator or The Weaver's Riddle: Mist & Whispers has debuted with a story that is comparable to a YA Indiana Jones!

     The story is about Anya and her friends on a quest to save the bookstore they all love so much.  There's a set of books discovered, written by a mysterious author called The Weaver, by a rival bookstore worker.  The books bring in loads of money and popularity, so Anya is determined to find something similar to save the bookstore.

     They discover a riddle hidden beneath an inexplicable lantern, in the ceiling of an Erasmus Hall, a derelict building.  That's where the venture begins.  The story is fun and a great book for my son to read with no worries, and he's eleven.

     I had fun with this story.  It offered magic, mystery and a humongous jump into another time!  I loved watching Anya grow and mature and step into a lead role.  She was amazing- just like the cover of this book.  

     The cover is perfect for this tale and I can happily state that it's what drew me in.  I knew Ms. Lucas was working a book, but once I really saw the cover- I knew I had to read the story and I am happy I did.  This was a bright, magical read.  I'll even add it to my homeschool reading list.  Check it out while I move on to the next story!

All The Stars In the Sky: Until the End of the World (Book 3) by Sarah Lyons Fleming

                                                                                                           *Audiobook Review

     The final installment of the Until the End of the World series took you to a place far more important than zombies.  This book was about the remaining bits of humanity more than monsters.  Sarah Lyons Fleming's book, All the Stars in the Sky read like an episode of The Walking Dead, except there were more reasons to smile and laugh.

     Cassie again is alone but playing house with Peter.  They have their children and trying to find a safe place to call home, with the rest of the gang.  Their numbers have dwindled down to a few and they're bone-weary and famished.  The story goes into the details of starting over again... and again.  Moving past the loss, anger and need to avenge against an army of things that care for nothing but eating.  I enjoyed the tale quite a bit.

     Since this was an audiobook, I have to say, the voice of Julia Whelan was pretty good.  She created the story with tiny voices that represented the children, heavy drawls on southern men and even mimicking the Hispanic accents of Maria, Anna and Penny.  It was a nice change of pace, than listening to someone  who simply read the script.  Wheelman brought the story to life, making it interesting and keeping my mind focused on what was happening, not who was saying it.  I've listened to some audiobooks that totally ruined stories.  That did not happen here.

​     The cover for the audiobook was pretty much the same as the first three books; I liked them but they're not "Eye-candy".  I can say, overall, this series was pretty darned good.  It kept to steady pace, gave an explanation for the outbreak and even offered up a conclusion that was rather mild, but workable.  If you're looking for a fun zombie read, but not all about the zombies, this is your series.  Check out the Until the End of the World series!  I'm off to the next book!

And After: Until the End of the World (Book 2) by Sarah Lyons Fleming

                                                                                                                *Audiobook Review            

     So I'm in to the seventh chapter, and I hear something in this story that gives my heart a hiccup!  I'm sure thousands of people have a similar 'thing', but Cassie says that she and Adrian have this thing where they squeeze the other's hands in two quick bursts to day 'I love you" and I melted.  My hubby and I do that too- except we give three brief squeezes.  I love it- I was like, "We do that too!"

     And After, by Sarah Lyons Fleming, is book 2 (technically 3 if you count the novella 'So Long, Lollipop'- /2/2/16) and it begins where Until the End of the World (reviewed yesterday) left off.  Cassie and her crew are still at Kingdom Farm/Safe Zone.  They're running low on petrol but food seems to still be going strong.  It's about living as survivors and the sanctity of Kingdom Farm.

     There's a part in this book that disappointed me.  So soon in the story, someone dies.  Yeah yeah, I know people die during the zompoc, but the person who expires is someone I really liked.  Someone who should have lived and made a difference in the tale.  I still enjoyed the story and the action is equaled by the actual living of Cassie and the crew, but Dang!  LOL  
On to the final installment of this series!

Until The End of the World (Book 1) by Sarah Lyons Fleming

                                                                                                                *Audiobook Review     

     I love a good, book series.  The relationship you develop with characters, whether good or bad can become so intimate.  I remember reading the Twilight series.  I was so involved with each character, even Bella, that I dreamed about them!  I would wake up just to read more, it was so good,

     I didn't do that with the characters of Until the End of the World, but I did find myself caring for them.  A lot. Sarah Lyons Fleming, the author, told a really good story.  I found myself disliking and liking people in this tale.  The story's pace was just right, though a bit wordy at times.  There were times where I thought I'd be bored with a situation, but she managed to pull my attention back every time.  I like that in a book!

     The story is about Cassie, a young lady who's got worldly problems, but none as big as the end of the world.  Carrying an ex-boyfriend, love for an ex-fiancé, a set of sisters with a boyfriend and her best, gay friend, she's ready to leave the city of New York to escape the dreeaded Bornavirus!  It's turning everyone into zombies- just when Cassi's decided she's starting life on a new foot... one that's running.

​     I love the world created in this tale.  It's real and true to life in that even with zombies running amok, your life still goes on.  You have to care for those around you, survive while staying alive, ignoring jealousy and childish ex's.  It's adventurous, funny and worth the read.  Take a peek at this one while I go to the next book.

So Long Lollipops by Sarah Lyons Fleming

                                                                                                                *Audiobook Review

     I can't do things in silence.  I have to have something to listen to; the tv, radio, audiobooks!  My favorite are the audiobooks!  I get them free, given via authors and marketplaces.  This one was $!.

     So Long Lollipops by Sarah Lyons Fleming is a good one to listen to while cleaning the bathrooms or soaking in the tub, or while taking a power walk!  It's a novella about Peter, a man who martyrs himself to save his family.  Well, survivors like himself, who became his family.  When he's lucky enough to be rescued by a girl and her family, he does his best find his way back to the ones he loves.  But sometimes the best laid plans...

     First, the cover, story and narrator, Julia Whelan are all great.  This is tale goes along well with an ebook I have in my stash.  I didn't know they went with each other, so now i have to read the ebook, Until The End of The World.  I will make sure to do so right behind this one.  There are two other books, which I will read but this one was nice.  

     All three books are available as audio, electronic and physical.  Take a listen or turn a page and you'll find this is a two thumbs up kinda story.  You'll enjoy.  On to the next book in this series! 

I'm On Your Side by Emily J. Vaughan

     You know, nothing hurts me more than when children are hurt.  Sometimes, in a fictional story, it's necessary.  In stories like this one, regardless of the age, it hurts.  In I'm On Your Side by Emily J. Vaughan, choices are made, lines are drawn against a world that seems to be against them and in situations like the ones in this tale, someone always gets hurt.

     The story is about Cassie. She's trash; that's the way she sees herself anyway.  As a foster child, when your only possessions are thrown into a garbage bag before leaving what could have been considered home, that's an understandable perception.  She's not and enter into the PSA of the story.  
 
     This story touches my heart because there are a few aspects of the story to pay attention to.  I won't say exactly what they are, but let me just say this, one of the issues holds a problem that is near and dear to my heart.  I wish I could say what it is, but that would be a SPOILER and you know I don't do those!  Ugh- it's killing me!  What I can say is, this story isn't one of those where anything negative is glorified.  There is no celebrated suicide, no Jane Austen quotes and no fashionable depression.  It's a story of acceptance, love, friendship and doing the right thing.  I enjoyed this book .  
     Check out and know that you will love it for what it is:  A good book.  "NEXT!"

Die Again Tomorrow by Kira Peikoff

     This book was a fun, but really weird read!  Die Again Tomorrow by Kira Peikoff is about Isabel and her need to help her mother.  So what does she do? She dies...  And is brought back to life!  She's given a medical miracle that gives her a second chance at her life.  BUT now she's in danger and 'they' will do anything to have it and her.  I love the summary's ending:  'As powerful rivals pursue her, Isabel must risk everything to protect those she loves -- or die again tomorrow!'

     I really enjoyed this book.  It was full of action and the story was a jump in medical science.  Though I didn't agree with Isobel's actions, she rocked this story!  It's one of those books that once you start, your mind is thinking as your eyes take the adventure in another direction and not once are you bored!  I enjoyed it so much, I passed the book on and I know they'll love it just as much as I did.

     I think I'm a Kira Peikoff fan!  On to the next book!

Heat Exchange: Boston Fire by Shannon Stacey

     Okay, so to me, Firefighters are über-sexy.  They're all over calendars, posters and now book covers like this for Heach Exchange: Boston Fire, by Shannon Stacey.  I normally don't ogle men's bodies and I definitely didn't over this one, but you can't say it doesn't look good!  And it fit the character of Aidan Hunt to a "T"!

     Heat Exchange is a total romance story!  I am not in to romances like this, but I really liked this one.  It was about a tomboyish girl like me, from a family of hard men who are... Firemen.  The story is cool but I didn't like Lydia.  Her position in the story was good though- she had to choose between being doing what she needed to do and her own selfishness.  Life can be hard and Aidan didn't make it easy.

     The rest of Engine 59 and characters made this book a fun read, but this sort of romance isn't for me.  I need more!  And though I wasn't totally into the story, I can't say that I didn't like it enough to rate it well.  I may never read another Stacey book, but I will say that this story was Flaming Red Hot!  Check out Heat Exchange by Shannon Stacey while I check out another book!

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