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Okay. So I wrote the book. So what? Jack and Justice are two of my favorite characters. I made myself cry rereading it. I also made myself
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Okay. So I wrote the book. So what? Jack and Justice are two of my favorite characters. I made myself cry rereading it. I also made myself laugh. I did my job and while YMMV, I think this is a star-worthy book....more
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I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. Currently, it's 4 stars and I'm going to have to think things over before sharing thoughts.
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I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. Currently, it's 4 stars and I'm going to have to think things over before sharing thoughts....more
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I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I was a big fan of the Chronicles of Elentra, loving the books and rereading them up until about
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I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I was a big fan of the Chronicles of Elentra, loving the books and rereading them up until about #13. I haven't read/listened to that most current two books in the series. And I had no idea THIS book had been released. I'm guessing it's a spin-off series, as it's also listed as Wolves of Elantra #1; Chronicles of Elantra #0.1. When I discovered it's existence, I hesitated due to my problems with the original series. Still, this book featured Severn Handred, who I found to be one of the most compelling characters in the original. I grabbed it from the library, a bit unwilling to invest more than my time.
Wow. Severn! I knew there were depths to him that might never come to light. He is a young man full of secrets and mysteries--some he can't explain to himself. Since I gave the book 5 stars, I obviously enjoyed the heck out of it. It is reminiscent of the early books in the original series. There is action and intrigue. Some old questions that arose in the original are answered, new questions are asked. The action in this book runs more or less concurrent with CAST IN MOONLIGHT. Kaylin, the MC In the CoE, is newly come to the Hawks, the story of which is covered in the CiM novella. I'm going to relisten to the novella and then CAST IN SHADOW, which is book 1 in CoE to get the timeline straight in my head. It's been a couple of years. Anyway, I have hopes for this new series. I won't be holding my breath and I don't anticipate a second book coming anytime soon but it was amazing to tune into Severn's experiences.
Could a reader start with this book? Maybe. They might find the worldbuilding a bit...sparse because all the amazing groundwork was laid down in the CoE series. Anyway, it's on my wish list now to buy and added to my keeper shelf....more
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Bolan takes his war to Miami and South Beach will never be the same. There are Cuban revolutionaries, good cops, Feds, and all the feels.
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Bolan takes his war to Miami and South Beach will never be the same. There are Cuban revolutionaries, good cops, Feds, and all the feels. I sniffled toward the end of this one. Pendleton had such a way with words. He wrote pulp fiction, with a sparsity of description, every word weighted to convey the exact emotion, action, and setting the writer wanted to evoke in the reader. I remember when I first read this series, back in the dark ages, that I wanted to write like Don Pendleton when I grew up. I found my own voice but in doing so, I can still appreciate his! I'm about to run out of the audio books and that will make me sad. I'm nostalgic and enjoying this ride back to my past. And, as mentioned previously, Shawn Compton truly has Mack's voice down pat....more
Death Squad This book is now in audio. Narrated by Shawn Compton, who does an awesome job, this book and series is unapologetically true to the originDeath Squad This book is now in audio. Narrated by Shawn Compton, who does an awesome job, this book and series is unapologetically true to the original. The world was different back then. I'd forgotten the outcome of this book. It left me with all the feels. The final roll call, team. Yeah...
Anyway, Bolan is Bolan. He has friends. They want to help because civilian life ain't what they remember. This time, they take on the LA mob and the LA cops. It's full of blood and glory and action and I loved it. These books are not for everyone but they totally work for me....more
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So...true story. And slightly long. When I was in college, I took a Colorado vacation with my parents. We were at a campsite on Turqouise
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So...true story. And slightly long. When I was in college, I took a Colorado vacation with my parents. We were at a campsite on Turqouise Lake outside of Leadville and I ran out of reading material. This was a small crisis. I hopped on one of our trail bikes and headed into town. I'd noticed a magazine/book section at the drugstore/emporium. Way back then, bookstores were for big cities. Grocery stores, the 5 & dime, and drug stores all had like a whole wall or a long aisle section devoted to current books and magazines. I should backtrack and explain that my dad encouraged me to read whatever caught my fancy. I read Ian Fleming's THE SPY WHO LOVED ME at the ripe old age of ten. I loved Andre Norton, Louis L'Amour, and others. I discovered a book titled SAN DIEGO SIEGE. It was #14 in the Mack Bolan/The Executioner franchise. Intrigued, I started reading while I was standing there. A clerk eventually approached and asked if I was interested in buying the book. Like...D'UH! I stopped reading and started scouring the shelves on the off-side chance copies of the older books were still available. Amused, the nice clerk went into the back and dug around. Lo and behold, he found some and I found others still on the shelf. I bought them all and by the time I'd finished the first three books, I was determined to fill in the blanks. Thank goodness for the library!
The 70's were a different era. Viet Nam (my brother was a veteran), hippies, and organized crime. And a hunky, sexy sniper who waged war on the bad guys. Mack Bolan was bigger than life and I. LOVED. HIM. He was my first book boyfriend. This book is pure pulp and I still love it. I still want Mack for my BBF (my husband totally gets why! LOL) and you know what? Starting out 2021 with Mack seems rather fitting. I'll hang on for the ride for a few books. 5 unapologetic stars!...more
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What a perfect book for the holidays! Ms. Dark devotes time to each couple, including a wonderful revelation, and gives hints of what's to
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What a perfect book for the holidays! Ms. Dark devotes time to each couple, including a wonderful revelation, and gives hints of what's to come. There's a freak snow storm in Austin, TX and everyone put off Christmas to the last minute. Now there's a scramble. There's magic and love and magic love brings. 5 glorious Christmas stars! I own it in Kindle but glad I could get the audio from my library.
As an aside, this one reminds me a bit of my own Christmas stories set in my Moonstruck world. ...more
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So, I can admit that Prince, in the very first book of the series, intrigued me. Then he sort of grated on me. Then he was kind of a jerk
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So, I can admit that Prince, in the very first book of the series, intrigued me. Then he sort of grated on me. Then he was kind of a jerk but still intriuguing. No excuses. Anyway... Prince and Nadia. I did not like Nadia and ham. Enter Kat. Totally would eat green egs with her. Prince is being himself, all buttoneed up and well...Prince-ly. This is a fun diversion and Nicole Poole's narration in entertaining.
Original review: I'm a huge fan of Dark's Seven series and Prince has long been a character I wanted to know more about. I was glad to get this chance to peek at his history and to see him get his HEA. Twin sisters who are total opposites, Prince's oldest friend in trouble, and Prince feeling the need to finally settle down and mate. Hrm...what's not to like?...more
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Wow. It's been awhile since I indulged in this series. This time around, I'm grabbing the audio version from the library. This is a keeper
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Wow. It's been awhile since I indulged in this series. This time around, I'm grabbing the audio version from the library. This is a keeper series and the audio books are on my wish list as the book budget allows. Until then, I have the Kindle book and my library. This is a dark book. Things happen. April, the heroine is in great jeopardy but she's convinced she has to go things alone. Which leads to all sorts of more bad things. Reno is one of my favorite Cole brothers. And we get to meat Treavor. Nicole Poole's narration is great. Still 5 stars, even though I wanted to hit April with a clueX4 on more than one occasion.
Original Kindle version review 2014: This is the second book in Dannika Dark's Seven series. Shifters--wolves and other breeds, Mages, and humans. What's not to love? Add Ms. Dark's engaging voice, wonderful characters and a great story and this is a win on all levels. I can't wait for the next installment, and based on other reviews of this and the first book, SEVEN YEARS, this world is linked with her Mageri series. I will definitely have to give those books a look....more
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I first discovered Dannika Dark when I saw a blurb for SEVEN YEARS, the first book in her Seven series. I enjoyed the world but for some r
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I first discovered Dannika Dark when I saw a blurb for SEVEN YEARS, the first book in her Seven series. I enjoyed the world but for some reason, dropped out of it by the time ONE SECOND was released. I rediscovered the Breed world when I saw a blurb for THE VOW. And I'm happy there's a new spin-off series set in this world. It's been years but I had no trouble finding the rhythm of the world or remembering previous characters. Melody and Lakota have a long history. His half-sister is her best friend. He's saved her life--literally--twice. He's dropped off the map, she's gone from Texas to the "wilds" of Oklahoma to negotiate a contract with a tribe to buy gemstones for her best friend, who is a jewelry designer. They're opening a boutique and due to circumstances...well, no spoilers. Read the books blurb and if you are so inclined, I highly recommend this book. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I'm going back to the beginning for a reread--a first listen, in my case, since I'm doing the audio book. 4.5 stars...more
Archangel's Sun I don't quite know what to say. While there is a lot of action and heartbreak in this book, it's also a breath of fresh air. It's a chArchangel's Sun I don't quite know what to say. While there is a lot of action and heartbreak in this book, it's also a breath of fresh air. It's a chance for the reader to let out a relieved breath after the breakneck action and terror of the previous two books. The Hummingbird and The Archangel of Africa. Lady Sherine and Titus. For so long, she was broken but recent events have left her battle tested and more resilient. She has rediscovered who Sherine was meant to be, and while the Hummingbird is important to angel-kind, Sherine is a woman who is discovering what she wants. I've always loved Titus and to watch how he "bleeds" for his people and for those he has inherited upon killing Charisemnon.
Lujan, the Archangel of Death, and Charisemnon, the Archangel of Disease, have left devastation and plague behind, despite their demises. No corner of the world has been left untouched by their evil legacy. But when Titus learns that the Cadre is sending The Hummingbird to him to help? Yeah...right!
Their story is delightful, the banter fresh and so true to both characters. This book was a joy to read, despite the dark corners it delved into. And the ending? OMG! Go Sharine! Now I have to wait another year. *makes sad face*...more
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This. Is. Vintage. KA! And yippee. Okay, there may be some parallels that can be drawn between this book and MOTORCYCLE MAN--club presiden
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This. Is. Vintage. KA! And yippee. Okay, there may be some parallels that can be drawn between this book and MOTORCYCLE MAN--club president, divored with a beeyotch of an ex-wife, two kids (boy/girl and similarity of their names Rush vs. Locke/Gear and Tabby vs Tattie). Both heroines work for the club as office managers. There are psychos and bad guys, girl posses, drama, and lots of hot chemistry. Despite the similarities, I enjoyed the heck out of West "Buck" Hardy and Clara Delaney. There are threads that weren't sewn up or snipped off, so I have hopes of more books in the series. I also enjoyed the narration by Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke's epilogue. A big note is this book, unlike a few released by one of her publishers, had NO formatting issues in the audio version. Big plus. Thanks for the fun ride, KA....more
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I hate my eyes! I wanted to devour this book in one great gulp of a reading marathon but due to circumstances and on account of because, I
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I hate my eyes! I wanted to devour this book in one great gulp of a reading marathon but due to circumstances and on account of because, I can only read print (paper OR digital) for about ten minutes at a time and the my eyes cloud and tear up. Of course, some of those tears were a result of this book. All the feels! Justice and Liza broke my heart and then put it back together again. This is the final book in the Savaged Illusions trilogy. If you haven read the first two (Savaged Dreams and Savaged Vows), PLEASE do! Knowing their whole story makes this final chapter in their relationship so poignant. FIVE All-the-Feels STARS!...more
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2020 relisten: The In Death books can be shelved as "police procedurals" (if I had a shelf labeled that) because, at heart, they are. But.
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2020 relisten: The In Death books can be shelved as "police procedurals" (if I had a shelf labeled that) because, at heart, they are. But. There's also so much more going on in the books--through the plot and character arcs. This one is a police procedural. It's a blueprint of an investigation, of weeding through all the possibilities until the murder is solved. And I enjoyed the slower pace and the "real" detective work that solving this case entailed.
2017 review: What is there to say about this book? Soooo much! This book was almost...cozy. Which is crazy, considering this IS Eve Dallas we're talking about. But it was a nice respite from the breakneck speed of the few previous books. Seeing where Eve has gotten to on an emotional level, where she is with Roarke, where she stands with the "Gang." Almost everyone made a cameo, with a few notable exceptions. And Roarke! OMG, seeing into Roarke's head and his conversations with Eve and Summerset?!?!?! That's all I'm going to say. This is a spoiler free zone. I listened to the audio version (will have to indulge in an actual "read" of the book once some eye issues resolve) and as always, Susan Ericksen does a masterful job with the narration. There's enough mystery to keep readers engaged, even though Larinda Mars (the victim) is totally despicable. This once again gives such insight into Eve's sense of right/wrong, good/evil, and justice. And did I mention Roarke!?!?!...more
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Well...I didn't see that one coming! First, I normally don't take this long to devour an Ilona Andrews book. I had to library books on hol
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Well...I didn't see that one coming! First, I normally don't take this long to devour an Ilona Andrews book. I had to library books on hold with waiting lists that both dropped after I stared BLOOD HEIR and I feel guilty of I don't listen to and return books with waiting lists. I own a copy of this book so knew it would be waitig for me. Anyway. The book. I didn't see that coming either. Or that. I will not explain because I don't do spoilers. Suffice it to say that Julie has grown up and changed. A lot. Asconio and Derek make themselves known. There are new characters and old characters and changed characters. Bottom line, the Oracle has foreseen Kate's death and only Julie can change the future. The lengths she goes through? Yeah. Extreme. In the 8 years since she left after the Battle of Atlanta, LOTS of changes! Loved the book. Mostly. Oh, keep reading/listenig after the book ends. There's added material that's interesting and a total tease. Grrr.
What I didn't enjoy? Kate and Curran (and others from the KD series) are mentioned but make no actual appearance. Barabas, Christopher, and a few others (spoiler territory), and Conlan are on the page. I loved Renee Raudman's narration of the Kate Daniels books but I understand wanted a new narrator for Julie's voice. However, the mispronunciation of several names was jarring. I hope that gets corrected in the next book, if there is a next book. I'm remembering the huge delay in the Hidden Legacy series and wondering also about the next book in the Iron Covenant series, also a spin-off from the Kate-verse....more
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I've read this novella two previous times, in the MIRROR, MIRROR anthology. This is my first time in audio. As always, Susan Erickson does
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I've read this novella two previous times, in the MIRROR, MIRROR anthology. This is my first time in audio. As always, Susan Erickson does a magnificent job. This particular one is a riff on the Hansel and Gretal story and Lt. Good Witch Dallas comes to the rescue. It's a tense countdown as to whether Dallas and the team can rescue a pair of kidnapped twins. A good solid 4 stars....more
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I originally read POSSESSION IN DEATH as part of "The Other Side" anthology. It's since been released as a stand-along and in audio. It's
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I originally read POSSESSION IN DEATH as part of "The Other Side" anthology. It's since been released as a stand-along and in audio. It's been added to my audio collection of the series. This story gets into what Eve would call "the woo-woo stuff." Roarke, being Irish, is a little more openminded. Eve comes across an old woman who dies in her arms, and who makes Eve promise to find her great-granddaughter. Turns out, the old lady was a Romany, with a gift. And it appears that Eve has inherited it. This is a short novella but worth 5 stars.
The events of this story happen immediately after the end of INDULGENCE IN DEATH. While reading/listening to the novellas aren't totally necessary to the flow of the series, this one finishes up things at the end of INDULGENCE so I'd recommend adding it in the rotation.
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This novella was originally published in the DEAD OF NIGHT anthology. I originally read it there and I'm eventually adding the audio editi
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This novella was originally published in the DEAD OF NIGHT anthology. I originally read it there and I'm eventually adding the audio editions of these novellas to my collection. Eve is called to the scene of the future's equivalent of a social media influencer--a girl with more money than brains and an insatiable thirst for walking on the edge. She finds it in the form a...vampire. Or is he? Eve and the "Scooby gang" investigate and wrap up the case with a bit of action, blood, and a satisfying ending. It's short but fun....more
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This novella was originally released in an anthology some time ago. I'm glad it's out as a single in audio. While the story isn't "instrum
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This novella was originally released in an anthology some time ago. I'm glad it's out as a single in audio. While the story isn't "instrumental" in the over-all arc of the series, it's a fun side-note to things. Number 12 was a swinging club in the 1960s, ancient history to Eve Dallas and her cohorts. But there's a legend and a curse associated with the place and when Eve is called to the scene of a murder--the grandson of the original owner? Things get spooky. Awesome way to while away 3 hours....more
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ARGH! I hate cliffhangers and while I let it slide a little in my original review, it's now 6 months post release and no news on when the
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ARGH! I hate cliffhangers and while I let it slide a little in my original review, it's now 6 months post release and no news on when the next will release. *SIIIIGH* All I can do is wait. Still five stars.
Aug. 2020 review: Well...dang. That was a wild ride! Warning: this is NOT a standalone. Okay, it might be but I highly recommend at least reading/listening to SAPPHIRE FLAMES first. And you probably need to read/listen to DIAMOND FIRE for backstory. In fact, why not just enjoy the whole Hidden Legacy experience and start at the beginning with BURN FOR ME. Let me explain for those who are unfamilar with the series. The first three books are Nevada Baylor and Connor Rogan's couples arc. DIAMOND FIRE is a novella that hands off the reins to Catalina Baylor. Her arc with Alessandro Sagredo is covered in the next three books, of which EMERALD BLAZE is the second. Hopefully, the youngest Baylor sister, Arabella will get her HEA as well.
It's hard to talk about this book without spoilers. At the end of Catalina's first book, Alessandro left her and she was facing a couple of big hurdles dealing with the two new positions she now occupies: Head of House Baylor and...well...spoiler from the first book. As mentioned, one should read it first. In this book, bad things are happening, the part of the plot that continued from the first book is addressed in this one, and did I mention the action? LOTS of action, crazy magic, and chemistry. Yes, I am repeating myself. Anyway, read the cover blurb. Go back to the very beginning so you understand the world, buckle your seat belt, and enjoy the ride. It's a good one.
These books are not traditional romances of any subgenre. This is purely Urban Fantasy with a good side order of romance. The relationships build slowly, despite the off-the-charts chemistry and when the sexy times happen, they are spectacular. There are twists and turns and crazy magic and good guys and bad guys and family dynamics and...and...well...dang! Which is how I started this. This is a wondersul addition to a favorite series. I only have two bones to pick: 1) I have to wait a year for the next book and 2) there's a bit of a cliffhanger and I HATE THAT!
Also, I hope the Gordons will consider doing a short in Alessandro's voice, showing some of the things that happened to him off-page. It's explained but still, it would be fun to hear his voice, much like they did with Curran in the Kate Daniels series. Anyway, wishful thinking....more
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Well. That was...interesting. And in an odd way, it just hit the spot. An author recording their own audio book is a chancy proposition--n
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Well. That was...interesting. And in an odd way, it just hit the spot. An author recording their own audio book is a chancy proposition--normally. In this case, Luke Arnold is not only a writer, he is an actor of some reknown. I don't quite know how to describe this book. It is, at its heart, a gritty, detective noir pulp novel. Only it is set in a fantasy world where there was once magic and now there isn't. Fetch Phillips, the hero, never met a simile or metophor he didn't fall in love with. I blame the author. But at the same time, that theatrical overuse of both literary devices is perfect for the story and the character. Fetch is a flawed human being dragging around a steamer trunk load of guilt. No, I take that back. His guilt? Not even a supertanker could hold it all. There's backstory mixed into the current events because that's where the character's mind wanders. There's sadness and loss and betrayal. There's a mystery and as Fletch is a "man for hire," ie. a PI, there should be a case for him to solve. There's a tough dame and a first love lost in time. And frankly, I hope there's a sequel. This book won't be for everyone. For me, it just hit the spot at a time when my reading engine was running on fuel. I was DNFing far more books than I finished. This is not one of those. It's a langorous telling of a thrilling tale and told in the way Fletch's story was meant to be told. I enjoyed this book quite a lot. 4.5 stars...more
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Well...wow. I really liked the chemistry between Boone and Ryn. She had drama. It mostly got fixed. He had issues. They sort of got fixed.
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Well...wow. I really liked the chemistry between Boone and Ryn. She had drama. It mostly got fixed. He had issues. They sort of got fixed. Yes, I'm being vague because...spoilers. There were dangling threads at the end that left me feeling a bit unsatisfied so I'm dropping what is usually an automatic 5 stars for me down to 4. I suspect those threads will be followed up on in the next book. If not, I'll be sorely disappointed, especially when it comes to some responsibilities Boone feels he has. I can't say anything more than that.
On a technical note, I'm returning the audio book for credit. I NEVER do that, even if I didn't enjoy the book. There were HUGE CHUNKS of information left out. The audio producer/editor just stopped two differen chapters only a few pages in and then skipped probably 40 pages to the next chapter. I had to buy the Kindle version and struggle through reading it because the information skipped was VITAL TO THE STORY! I don't blame KA but Hachette is a huge company and if they can't get their $h!+ together because they messed up the first book in this series too--bad sound quality and repeated lines. And the actual typos I caught in the parts I had to read? I get missing a typo here and there. I'm a writer. I miss them. My editors miss them. My copy editors and proofreaders miss them but there were some glaring ones that should NOT have been missed. Anyway, that's my mini-rant and I'm off to return the audio version with hopes that Hachette will fix their F$#@-ups and rerelease it.
Warning: There is a D/s element to this story that totally fits the characters' personalities but if you can't get past that, this isn't the book for you....more
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I'm smiling through my tears. The story Heather Webber tells is gentle and poignant, filled with people you want to sit on shady porch wit
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I'm smiling through my tears. The story Heather Webber tells is gentle and poignant, filled with people you want to sit on shady porch with and drink sweet tea while dogs and kids play on the grass dappled by sunshine and shade. This is a book of comings and goings, of families that aren't perfect, of redemption and love and mistakes and second chances. It's a book about the wisdom of elders and the impetuousness of younger folk. There is magic and secrets and bunnies and a buttonwood tree that gives advice.
I loved this author's book, MIDNIGHT AT THE BLACKBIRD CAFE, and when I saw she had a new book coming out, also set in Alabama, but with new folks and different magic, I couldn't wait to be enchanted. This book was worth the wait. The narrators, Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis, are perfect for their roles, telling the story of Sarah Grace and Blue Bishop, and how the past, present and future are entwined like a wild wisteria vine.
SOUTH OF THE BUTTONWOOD TREE is sweet and sad and happy and hopeful. It touched my heart. And I know the characters are all going to live happy, if not quite perfect, lives....more
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Ah...poor Jeni! Her curse--and the search for a cure--continues in this second book in the The Model Curse series by a favorite author, B.
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Ah...poor Jeni! Her curse--and the search for a cure--continues in this second book in the The Model Curse series by a favorite author, B.E. Sanderson. Jeni's losing the battle to remain a top model (hard to do when you're hideously ugly 12 out of 24 hours a day!) and she's focused on tracking down her sorry excuse for a brother. Along the way, she gets help from friends in low places--Kasimir the cat (who can wear human glamour) and a neon-pink hellhound named Precious. The snark continues, the fun and stakes escalate, and is there maybe a spark of chemistry between Jeni and the "special" investigator assigned to her case? Y'all totally need to nab SLEEPING UGLY and this book. Both are perfect to get lost in during less-than-fun times. I read it with my Kindle Unlimited subscription but I'll be buying it to add to my keeper shelf when the book budget renews. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for the snark....more
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I love the town of Mystic Bayou and the interesting magical folks who inhabit this "end-of-the-road" spot in Louisiana. Not sure if this i
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I love the town of Mystic Bayou and the interesting magical folks who inhabit this "end-of-the-road" spot in Louisiana. Not sure if this is the final book in the series because it does tie up many on-going threads but there are still a few to be tugged and some possible new directions. I hope we'll get to peek in on the denizens from time to time. As always, Ms. Harper's brand of humor is present and the two narrators, Amanda Ronconi and Jonathan Davis do an awesome job. Enjoyed the new characters of Cordelia and Brendan, their chemistry, touching base with previous characters--main and secondary--and I was totally sucked in by the red herring so yay! I advise listening to the three previous Mystic Bayou books before embarking on this one so the reader/listener is familiar with the overall plot arc. It was a fun diversion....more
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I can't remember the last time I read one of Ian Fleming's James Bond books. I do vividly remember that when, at the curious age of ten, m
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I can't remember the last time I read one of Ian Fleming's James Bond books. I do vividly remember that when, at the curious age of ten, my dad put my name on his library card and informed the head librarian that I could check out any book in the library. The first two were THE SPY WHO LOVED ME and THE MOONSPINNERS. Ian Fleming and Mary Stewart. What a pair for an avid reader! So, back to the present. This edition of CASINO ROYALE popped up as an Audible daily deal. An audio book for $1.95 and narrated by Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey (and other productions) fame? Yes, please!
In not reading--or listening to--Fleming's works in years, I've forgotten how erudite and wonderfully descriptive-yet-sparse, Fleming was when told his tales of the world's most famous spy. I'm also reminded at how close the Daniel Craig movie version is to the original book. And how close Craig plays Bond as originally written. I grew up on the Sean Connery versions, but as a reader, I have to vote for Craig's portrayal. Anyway, I digress...
This book is not for the faint of heart. There are quick, brutal moments of violence and torture. But as an introduction to both Bond's acerbic personality and his introspection, as a peek into the world he inhabits and the characters there with him, its a winner. ...more
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Darynda Jones has a way with quirky characters, settings, and situations. I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I began listening to
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Darynda Jones has a way with quirky characters, settings, and situations. I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I began listening to this, her latest release. Lorelei King does an admirable job putting voice to Darynda's characters. Sunshine Vicram's first day on the job is a doozy. And the rollercoaster ride begins. She's back in her hometown, a place she ran from 14 years previously. She's back as the duly (if dubiously) elected sheriff, with her 14 year-old daughter in tow. I'm not quite sure how to classify this book. It's got snark and humor but it isn't a comedy or a RomCom. There's mystery and suspense and it's almost cozy but it isn't because there's way to0 many dark undercurrents. It's not paranormal or urban fantasy--the genres this author is best known for. It's got crime. And sexual tension. A VERY light touch of the supernatural. Given the town as a backdrop, it could almost be classified as magical realism. Or perhaps women's fiction. But then there're loose threads. One of them is so obvious, it should have been tied off in this book rather than left dangling for the next one--which we'll likely have to wait a year for. Which is a bummer and rather disappointing--both the dangling and the waiting.
Anyway, I like the directional detour Darynda has taken and I look forward to spending more time with the denizens of Del Sol, NM. Oh, and there's a Charley Davidson "Easter egg" in the book. Fans should be on the look out. Oops... Is that a spoiler? Probably not a big one. Anyway, Darynda, if you're listtening, get busy writing the next one. I want it. Like...now. Um-kay?...more
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It's not often that I re-listen to newly released book twice in the same year but since I did a marathon re-listen of the Pride series and
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It's not often that I re-listen to newly released book twice in the same year but since I did a marathon re-listen of the Pride series and then rolled over to the Badger Chronicles...well, sort of a no-brainer. It's still basically a good story but my initial reaction still holds true. I hope the author revisits the badgers and ties up the loose ends
Original review: Huh. This one took far more time to listen to than normal. scratches head*. I enjoyed the book. Except sometimes the narration made me go...wha?!!? Charlie (who was raised in Conneticut and Wisconsin ends up more often than not with a slight Southern accent. Anyway. The MacKilligan sisters are at it again. This book was almost as much Charlie's as it was Max's, when it was supposed to be Max's story. I liked her cat. There are family secrets that come out. (Spoilers) There are threads that tied off. (More spoilers) But at the end, the book felt...unfinished. It just sort of...stopped. 3.5 stars
That said, Laurenston's signature humor, snark, and crazysauce characters and plot blaze through the book. I laughed. I snickered. I might have laughingly cheered. She certainly left avenues open for future books. I kinda want to give it a 3 for...reasons...but it's Laurenston. And there were bears. So, 4 stars....more
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Well...Callum. I do have a thing for bears. And Joss was a fitting foil for him. This was a sweet romance between a cat who thinks she's o
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Well...Callum. I do have a thing for bears. And Joss was a fitting foil for him. This was a sweet romance between a cat who thinks she's only good for singing songs and a curmudgeonly bear who thought to be a monk for the rest of his life. There's war. There's loss. There's action. And there's love and friendship. This was a nice addition to the series. I anticipate that there will be at least one more book--the evil one who's name I can't spell (audio, people, so I can't just go look it up! LOL) still needs his final comeuppance and there's an MIA cat out there on the fringe who still needs to be accounted for. 3.5 stars
A quick note: I suggest you read this series in order, though the author does intro each book with a fairly decent summation of previous events. ...more
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