Author: Andy Zach, Olivia Smith
Narrator: Michael Stafford
Length: 5 hours 12 minutes
Series: Life After Life Chronicles, Book 4
Release date: Jun. 12, 2020
Publisher: Jule Inc.
Genre: Science Fiction; Humor
Month: July 2020
Guest Post & Review: Alexandria Rising by Mark Wallace Maguire
Author: Mark Wallace Maguire
Narrator: Thomas Cassidy
Length: 8 hours 47 minutes
Series: The Alexandria Rising Chronicles, Book 1
Publisher: Speckled Leaf Press
Released: May 12, 2020
Genre: Action; Adventure
Continue reading “Guest Post & Review: Alexandria Rising by Mark Wallace Maguire”
Critical Decision by Richard L. Mabry
Critical Decision
By: Richard Mabry
Narrated by: Bill Nevitt
Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-15-20
Language: English
Publisher: Richard L. Mabry
Book Blurb
It began with an innocent-appearing package on her front porch.
The box contained a cell phone, which rang as soon as she opened the package. A voice that called Dr. Kathy Hoover by name said that her husband had been kidnapped. To get him back, she would have to poison one of her patients.
At first, she didn’t believe that her husband had been taken from the conference he was attending, but soon she discovered that the kidnappers really had Darren. If she wanted to see him again, she had to give medication that would murder Kelton Rush, former Vice-President. What was she to do? How would she handle this critical decision?
My Review
It was fun, quaint. The Hoovers get caught up in this kidnapping & attempted murder. The main plot was fine, though a little predictable. I liked that the story was always moving forward. There were no boring parts, no slumps.
Kathy is the only woman who makes a difference in the plot. There are at least 2 other ladies with small roles, but they do have names and lines. Still, there was room in this cast of characters for a few more ladies, ones who actually matter to the plot. Sometimes Kathy is over emotional and lacking wits, and sometimes she’s doing OK at coping and making decisions. She never really shined and often took direction from her husband, Darren. In fact, sometimes Darren actually commands her. He was a bit overbearing at times.
Even though Darren is the one who was kidnapped, he is really, really calm about it. So calm, that it seemed odd, like Darren wasn’t fully fleshed out as a character. He has little to no emotions through out this whole story. Those few times he does show emotion is when he’s short tempered with his wife. As a main character, I didn’t get attached to him.
There’s an underlying Christian theme too. At first, it comes off a little strong. Like Kathy is at her wits end (which happened frequently and too easily) so she hands it all over to God. It’s a weak plot device, showing a lack of creativity. The middle of the story puts the Christian theme in the backseat so we can just focus on the mystery (yay!) but then comes back to the forefront near the end. Still, it is written in as part of the personalities of the main characters. Not my cup of tea but not a deal breaker either.
The story does have a small twist near the end, which made the story worth the read. I liked how Kelton, the ultimate target, turns the tables. Over all, 3/5 stars.
The Narration: Bill Nevitt has a great voice for Darren and I liked his voice for the secret service body guard. Sometimes his voices for Darren and Kelton blended together and sometimes they were distinct. While Nevitt’s voice for Kathy was feminine, it was sometimes a little bit cartoony, especially when Kathy is emotional. He has a great little old lady voice for the neighbor who babysits Hoovers’s dog. The kidnappers use an electronically-modified voice for the phone calls and Nevitt’s voice for this didn’t sound electronically modified at all. The pacing was good and there were no tech issues with the recording. 4/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book. My opinions are 100% my own.
The Straight by Dom Stasi
The Strait
By: Dom Stasi
Narrated by: Bill Nevitt
Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-25-20
Language: English
Publisher: WildBlue Press
Book Blurb
Pilot Jake Silver is haunted by a cruel irony — he secretly suspects that he’s the reason Swede Bergstrom, the hero who saved his life, has fallen on hard times. Upon learning that Swede has been killed during the commission of a crime, the guilt-driven Jake too-willingly agrees to follow Swede’s mysterious and beautiful sister, Christina, on a search to clear her brother’s name. Their odyssey takes them from the canyons of Manhattan to the heart of darkness itself, enlisting the help of colorful characters and dodging death every step of the way.
But is the alluring Christina the loving sister she appears to be, or evil incarnate? The body of a woman discovered in Jake’s East Side apartment and her killer’s ritualistically brutal M.O. lead NYPD homicide cop Pat Garodnik to suspect the latter.
Combining his efforts with those of Jake’s mother — a former DA with enemies on both sides of the law — the pair embark on an odyssey of their own, going to any lengths necessary, legal or otherwise, to find the truth and save Jake before his time runs out.
Literary and atmospheric, Dom Stasi’s debut thriller will have you listening late into the night with its high-flying action and intriguing mystery. As answers continue to be uncovered, the final pieces of the puzzle are as shocking as they are satisfying.
My Review
While technically set in the modern world, it feels a little dated by the slang and the female characters. It feels more like the 70s or 80s instead of modern day. While Jake is a good standard hero, he hasn’t got much depth. What personality he does have is best reflected in his reminisces of his time in the military. He had some intense moments with Leif ‘Swede’ Bergstrom, who was shot down in combat. For many years, Jake thought his friend was dead, until a newspaper article mentions his name in connection to a recent drug-smuggling operation. The action starts there and it stays at a good pace for most of the book.
Christina Bergstrom, Leif’s younger sister, teams up with Jake to get some answers. Neither believes Leif would have been part of a drug smuggling operation. Things ramp up when Jake’s current lady friend (with benefits) turns up dead and the police start looking into it. Jake and Christina follow one clue after another, finding an interesting assortment of allies and villains. From high up in the sky to deep under water, this tale has a lot of action. And yet, it was just so-so for me. There’s some cliched characters, cliched situations, cliched lines. Those things made the plot a bit predictable.
The ladies were typically described by their looks first, second, and third… and eventually get some skills. The instant attraction between Jake and Christina felt forced by the plot. Christina spends a lot of time being emotional – weeping, screaming, hysterical, etc. I would have liked more from the ladies for a modern-day thriller.
Over all, the ending gives us a satisfying ending to the tale. And I liked that there’s a bit of a mystery surrounding Christina left unresolved. Could be a good leaping off point for a great story featuring Christina as a skilled assassin with acting skills or some such. 3/5 stars.
The Narration: Bill Nevitt made a good Jake Silver, pilot and hero. For the most part, he had unique voices for all the characters though his female voices could use some femininity and realism. They sometimes sounded a little cartoony and often over emotional whether they were written that way or not. His foreign accents were hit and miss. He had a few ways of pronouncing the name Leif. Also, his native accent for the word ‘radiator’ showed through no matter which character was saying it. Otherwise, the pacing was good. There were no tech issues with the recording. 3/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book. My opinions are 100% my own.
No One Will Hear by Joel Hames
No One Will Hear
Sam Williams, Book 2
By: Joel Hames
Narrated by: Andrew Calverley
Series: Sam Williams, Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-13-20
Language: English
Publisher: Foundation Fundraising Services
Book Blurb
Four murders. Four messages. One chance to catch a killer.
Renowned human rights lawyer Elizabeth Maurier lies dead, her body mutilated, her killer unknown. For DI Olivia Martins and her team, it’s a mystery. For the victim’s daughter Lizzy, a poet and academic with a shaky grasp on reality, it’s a tragedy. But for Sam Williams, the man Elizabeth fired a decade ago and hasn’t spoken to since, it’s a whole new world of pain.
Elizabeth’s death has stirred a sleeping past back to life. Former clients are darkening Sam’s door, old enemies returning, ancient cases reopening. It doesn’t help that DI Martins is on his case, the press are dogging his every step, and his girlfriend’s behavior is increasingly erratic.
But Elizabeth’s murder is just the start. As Sam reluctantly digs his way back into the past, more truths will crumble into lies. More certainties will shade to doubt. And more innocent people will die.
My Review
Note: Even though this is Book 2 in the series, it works pretty well as a stand alone novel.
It’s better than Book 1, which was just so-so for me. Our main character, Sam, isn’t as whiny as in the first story. He’s still rather sarcastic in his observations of people and places but he’s starting to show a bit of depth in this story. Not much depth, mind, but some. I have hopes that Sam can eventually become a balanced person. Right now, he’s still pretty self-centered.
The plot was better too. Maybe it’s because I like the mix of the past messing with the present. It brings up all sorts of problems for Sam – unresolved feelings, unresolved issues, old enemies popping up at inconvenient times, etc. Sam has to face some questionable choices he made in the past since they are smacking him in the face now.
The ladies were a little better. In book 1, they were present for roll call but not much else. Here, well, the two main ladies, Lizzy & Claire, are pretty much balls of emotion for the entire book. They were tiring. However, we do have a few other ladies that put in a better showing. Also, I do want to give a nod to Claire in that she’s living with self-centered Sam while dealing with a deeply personal trauma all while working on an intense journalistic story. (Perhaps Claire should get her own spin off series?). Since we see everything through Sam’s eyes, he see her as moody, emotional, irrational, etc. So that colors all of Claire’s narrative. And I still don’t like how Sam has a wandering eye. He doesn’t act on it but he’s clearly not fully committed to Claire either. Tinkle or get off the pot Sam!
The pacing was a little slow in some places but over all, it kept things moving along well. I was surprised by a small twist at the end. Our bad guy, who came off as creepy right from the beginning so we knew there was something up with him all along, well, he had a few surprises up his sleeves. I liked that there was this extra bit of manipulation to uncover, giving the ending an extra thrill. 3.5/5 stars.
The Narration: Andrew Calverley does make a good Sam. He’s got Sam’s sarcastic attitude done to a T. For the most part, he has unique voices for all the characters, though one emotional lady sounds pretty much like the next emotional lady. The pacing was good and there were no technical issues with the recording. 4.5/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book. My opinions are 100% my own.
Marrow Charm by Kristin Jacques
Author: Kristin Jacques
Narrator: Amie Lyn Hornick
Length: 10 hours 24 minutes
Series: The Gate Cycle, Book 1
Publisher: The Parliament House
Released: June 12, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Paranormal Privateers by Andy Zach
Author: Andy Zach
Narrator: Phil Blechman, Raven Perez
Length: 10 hours 50 minutes
Series: Life After Life Chronicles, Book 3
Release date: Jan. 7, 2019
Publisher: Jule Inc.
Genre: Science Fiction; Humor
Giveaway & Spotlight: Striking Balance by Jeanne G’Fellers
BOOK DESCRIPTION
An Appalachian Elementals Historical Dark Fantasy Side Tale.
Benjamin Schnell is the possessor of secrets he wishes he could bury beneath the rich Nolichucky river flat dirt he farms alongside his dear friend, Conall. But secrets lead to lies, lead to more secrets, and all eventually come home to roost in a bed of distrust, even on the 1779 Appalachian frontier.
After Ben is injured, he realizes there are odd things happening around him that others cannot see. Corner shadows take human shapes, lightning bugs dance in broad daylight, and the farm’s strange owner, Master Gow, returns with an offer Conall cannot refuse if Ben is to live. But making a deal with Master Gow will take them deep into the mountains to where a haunted king reigns and Fire balances Water in a delicate natural friendship.
Ben must learn self-acceptance and trust if he and Conall are going to survive because there can be no secrets in the mountains, only truth.
Another rich tale from the Appalachian Elementals world focusing on complex families containing rich LGBTQIA+ characters.
Giveaway!!!
Jeanne is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour – enter via Rafflecopter:
Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47132/?
Excerpt
“Get back here ye’ fool!” I turn my head in time to see Alexandria pause before a window. Her face is flushed, and her hands are in fists at her sides. “Get back here wit’ mah pie!”
“Come get it, you flightless baggage!”
My thoughts of Heaven erode when Alexandria launches into a long line of Scots-Gaelic curses of the likes I have not heard since I left the mine. This is not the Alexandria I know and respect, not the voice of a proper lady at all. She hisses as she threatens to cut off his twiddle-diddles with her kitchen knife, cook them in the pottage, and feed them back to him.
“Return Lexy’s hard work, boy.” This is Master Gow’s voice, but ‘tis also not, higher in tone but equally powerful, and I wonder if he has a sister. “And the crust best not be broke!”
“But… ow!” I am unable to see what occurs next, but a man crosses in front of the window with a pie in his hands and something or someone I cannot see is dragging him. “Ow! King Dane, please! I am sorry, Lexy, real sorry!”
King? This woman who I suspect is related to Master Gow is named King Dane? Whatever… My cough returns, deep and fluidic, but ‘tis clearly not to be my death so I look for something to spit into.
“There’s a bucket of sawdust at your bedside, Benjamin.” Master Gow’s sister speaks from just outside the window. “I’ll be there shortly to talk with you.” Her voice turns away. “Go cut two days of wood for the main kitchen,” she tells the man who is still apologizing to Alexandria.
“But I got hides to scrape and…”
“Do it! Then scrape them hides.”
“Ow! Yes, King Dane.”
I crawl deep beneath my quilt when their voices fade. Where am I? At this point, I have no clue, but I believe I am alive. The table beside my bed is laden with bottles, jars, a fleam and cup, but there is also a mug so I sit up, examining the contents, water, before I drink.
I startle when the door to the apartment swings open. “Ah brought ye soup an’ tea.” Ceardach deposits a tray onto my lap. There’s also buttered bread on the tray, along with bacon, eggs, and a bowl of beans.
“Thank ye, but I need to…”
“Of course.” Ceardach pulls the tray away. “Th’ pot’s under th’ bed.”
I hesitate, but my need is too great so I swallow my pride, thankful when he moves to stand in the doorway with his back to me.
“Ye need tae drink more.” Ceardach returns to my side when I am abed and pushes the pot under the bed after he examines the contents. “An’ ye best get over bein’ bashful right quick. Someone will use it against ye.” He drops the tray onto my lap, “Eat.” pulls his pipe and pouch and begins filling the bowl, watching as I take up my spoon. The food has most certainly been made under Alexandria’s watch. I can tell by the seasonings, and… I am nearing famished.
“Slow an’ steady. Let one bite settle afore th’ next.” Ceardach lights his pipe so quickly I see nothing but a flash. The outside din continually grows while I eat, but Ceardach pays it no heed. I hear hammers striking anvils, a proliferation of swearing, wood being split and stacked, the sounds of a wider community. The smells coming through the door would be enough to turn my stomach if I was not so hungry. Baking bread, multiple privies, wood, ash, dirt, burning wood, herbs, and… I smell iron and sulfur, but none of it quells my appetite to the point I cease eating.
“Am I in a town?” I shovel more into my mouth.
“Of sorts. Ye will grow accustomed tae it all.” Ceardach blows out a billow of white smoke that rings his head then drifts away. “Yer cough an’ congestion will fade in time.”
I nod and bite into my bread. My appetite must be part of my recovery, a drive for nourishment so I might heal quickly. There is another bed I have ignored until now, unmade, with blankets folded neatly at the foot. “Where am I?”
“In the kingdom.” He points to my water. “Drink.”
“But…”
“Drink first.”
I am obedient, but he tells me to empty the mug before he will speak further. “Good, now—” Ceardach raises his head. “Ah, here’s yer answer.”
I attempt to sort through all I see, but ‘tis difficult. Is this Master Gow or—
“Stop gawkin’. ‘Twill get you slapped ‘round here.”
“If not hit or cut,” adds Ceardach. “Sit, Dane. Ah will step out but stay close.”
“Aye, Ceardach, thank you.”
I see a woman’s face, a man’s work cap atop her head. “You’re still under my protection. That hasn’t changed, but the rest…” She wears trousers and a calf-length smith’s apron over a man’s red check work shirt with rolled sleeves. “You’re starin’ even longer than Conall did.” She pulls a tobacco twist from her apron pocket and bites off a piece. “Are you as tongue-tied too?”
“I…” This woman bears the same tattows as Master Gow. “No, sir, I mean, miss, I mean…”
“You’ll address me as King Dane ‘til I tell you elsewise.” My spit bucket slides across the floor to her feet. “How will you address me?”
“I…”
“Say it, Benjamin.” She spits into the bucket. “‘Tis important you know my station ‘round here.”
“Yes, King Dane.” But this is a woman. How does she warrant the title of king?
“And you never disobey your king, right, Benjamin?”
“Yes… King Dane?”
“Smart man. ‘Tis why I chose you, but I made Conall in the process, an excellent deal I am pleased we could accommodate.” King Dane seems amused by my gaping mouth. “Calm yourself. I hear your heart poundin’ from here.”
Author Bio
Jeanne lives in Northeast Tennessee with their spouse and five crazy felines. Their home is tucked against a small woodland where they regularly see deer, turkeys, raccoons, and experience the magic of the natural world.
Author Website: https://jeannegfellersauthor.com/
Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/Jeannegfellersauthor
Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlgfellers
Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjeannegfellers/
Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B01N0YWCT7?
Interview & Review: Spent Identity by Marlene M. Bell
WELCOME FROM THE AUTHOR
I’m so excited you’ve dropped in to visit the AUDIOBOOKWORM PROMOTIONS ANNALISSE SERIES Tour! This is the second mystery in the series that spans New York with worldwide destinations. Big city life disappears as Spent Identity journeys to Walker Family Farm in upstate New York. The quiet home of Annalisse’s beloved Aunt Kate.
Be warned though; writing stories where the reader must figure out villains and their motives through intricate puzzles is what I do! Spent Identity is a novel that will have you turning pages, gasping at the audacity of the characters, and at times, shaking your head at Annalisse’s decisions— sometimes unwise— but she manages to unravel even the most twisted clues.
A continuation from the first installment, Stolen Obsession, Annalisse not only addresses her failed relationship with Alec Zavos, she uncovers a betrayal that crushes her in Spent Identity. Grab a paperback or eBook and see if you can uncover the family secrets before she does. I dare you!
Author: Marlene M. Bell
Narrator: Patricia Santomasso
Length: 9 hours 43 minutes
Publisher: Ewephoric
Released: May 13, 2020
Series: Annalisse Series, Book 2
Publisher: Ewephoric
Genre: Mystery
Continue reading “Interview & Review: Spent Identity by Marlene M. Bell”
Dead North by Joel Hames
Dead North
By: Joel Hames
Narrated by: Andrew Calverley
Series: Sam Williams, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-23-19
Language: English
Publisher: Foundation Fundraising Services
Book Blurb
Two dead cops and a suspect who won’t talk….
Once the brightest star in the legal firmament, Sam Williams has hit rock bottom, with barely a client to his name and a short-term cash problem that’s looking longer by the minute. So when he’s summoned to Manchester to help a friend crack a case involving the murder of two unarmed police officers and a suspect who won’t say a word, he jumps at the chance to resurrect his career.
In Manchester, he’ll struggle against resentful locals, an enigmatic defense lawyer who thinks he’s stepping on her toes, beatings, corrupt cops, and people who’ll do anything to protect their secrets. On its streets, he’ll see people die. But it’s in the hills and valleys further north that Sam will face the biggest challenge of all: learning who he really is and facing down the ghosts of his past.
He’s working someone else’s case, and he’s in way over his head. But sometimes, you need the wrong man in the right place.
My Review
It was a bit slow to get started and there were some slow parts later in the book but I stuck with it and the fast pace and few twists at the end made it worth my time.
Our main character, Sam Williams, is kinda charming in a whiny sort of way. He’s a complainer and while some of that can be attributed to the run of bad luck he’s had recently, I secretly suspect Sam was a whiny lad as well. He uses sarcasm (which I like) but he uses it all the time, aimed at everyone and everything. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sam is battling depression. Because of this, I did have a love/hate relationship with him. Sometimes I laughed at a pointed remark, sometimes I nodded right along (agreeing with Sam’s acerbic assessment of the situation), and sometimes I rolled my eyes at angry, ticked-off Sam.
The plot itself was slow to unravel. Sam spends the tale bumbling through things. He uses and irritates and outright abuses his friends and colleagues, and sometimes that’s to work the case and sometimes it’s because he’s in a foul mood. Sam often takes shortcuts, and does so knowing it’s at someone else’s expense.
The ladies are present in this book but for the most part take a back seat. One or two get to make plot-affecting decisions once or twice, but for the most part they are just there for roll call. I didn’t like how Sam treats his girlfriend (who he’s living with and who has supported him through his tough times). While I shouldn’t be surprised that Sam treats her just as roughly as he treats everyone else, this could have been balanced out with other female characters…. if there had been one who didn’t take such smack from Sam.
The last 3 hours or so did give me some unexpected twists and turns and that is what really worked for me. Not only was Sam surprised, but so was I. Over all, it has it’s gruff charm. 3/5 stars.
The Narration: Andrew Calverley makes a really good Sam Williams. He’s got the jaded voice, the cocky attitude, the sarcastic wit. For the most part, he had unique voices for all the characters, though his female character voices could use a bit more differentiation. The ladies did sound like ladies most of the time, though a few times a female character sounded more like a 40 year-old man. The pacing was good and there were no tech issues with the recording. 4.5/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book. My opinions are 100% my own.