Audiobook Review: Sea Glass Sunrise by Donna Kauffman

Author: Donna Kauffman

Narrator:   Amanda Ronconi

Title: Sea Glass Sunrise

(Brides of Blueberry Cove #1)

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mystery

Format: Audiobook

Published: May 26th 2015

Where I got It: Audible 

Summary: 

In seaside Blueberry Cove, Maine, friends are just another word for family, and big-city politics take a backseat to local pride. But the real treasure on these shores is always love…

When D.C. lawyer Hannah McCrae heads home for her brother’s wedding, she’s dragging a lot of baggage along with her—and she doesn’t mean suitcases. Betrayed personally, and humiliated professionally, the last thing she wants is a new man. That’s fine with square-jawed, rugged contractor Calder Blue. He and Hannah may be wildly attracted to one another, but all he wants is to build the town’s hotly contested new yacht club and mend a centuries-old family feud. Yet thanks to resentments old and new, day after day the pair wind up tangled in each other’s business—and maybe soon in each other’s arms.

Every bride needs something “blue”…

Review:

Randomly seen this when I was mindless scrolling through Audible. The cover and the title really caught my eye so why not?

We follow Hannah who was a big shot DC lawyer and Rugged contractor Calder Blue. Hannah is heading home for her brother's wedding with a lot of baggage following her. She was betrayed by the man she thought she loved and was humiliated professionally. The last thing she wants is a new man. Then she nearly collides with Calder on the road. Calder has his own baggage. He is divorced and wants to try and mend a centuries-old family feud. Yet, thanks to resentments old and new, Hannah and Calder find themselves shoved together to solve the mystery at hand.

Eeek!!!! Poor Hannah! That guy was crappy! And sureee I feel for his preggo wife, but how dare she! Hannah didn't know!!!! GAH. 

And poor Calder. His ex-wife was crappy too and his family is crappy. 

This is for sure a small town and at this rate I do not want to live here. There is SO much bad blood between the Blue family. Like....get over it peeps. Its CENTURIES old. The story of the original feud is so old and no one was there and no one remembers it correctly. Lots of he said she saids. Boo to that family!

This took me a while to finish. 1) work has been overwhelming and 2) this...took me a while to really get hooked in. Can't tell you why. I just didn't jive with the characters and story until a few chapters in. 

I am curious about reading more though...especially I want to see Hannah's sisters fall in love and for this dang feud to end. We shall see. 

The narrator is always fantastic. I am biased...I adore her voice! She really brings the characters to life and her different voices are perfect. I can tell who is who. A+ ! 

All-in-all, I wish I had LOVED this like I wanted. I liked it quite a bit once I was hooked. It took a few chapters even with one of my favorite narrators narrating. I am curious about the next book so we shall see. Mmmm....3 stars for me. 

Challenge(s):
- #16 for Audiobook challenge

B's Monday Review: Teach Me by Olivia Dade

Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro

Series: There's Something About Marysburg Series, Book 1

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Release date: 04-06-21

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Contemporary romance

For an honest review

 This was a slowburning romance, with some lowkey drama. It was rather nice. But yes there is some drama.

Rose loves her job, and she is great at it. But then in comes a new teacher and her classes are given to him. Whaaat?! So she avoids him and curses the stupid guy who gave away her classes.

But Martin is really sweet, and fancies her, but she gives him the cold shoulder. He has been hurt in love, she has been hurt in love. It does not look good.

They become friends, they become more, but she is afraid of commitment. And then they lived happily ever after, and she learns who her real friends are.

I liked it, it felt real, they are both in their 40s. They have lived already, but yes still have things to learn.

I liked the narration. It felt mature and fitting. She had nice voices for everyone . A nice audio to listen to. It works well.

Their lesson plans didn't include love. But that's about to change...

When Martin Krause arrives at Rose Owens's high school, she's determined to remain chilly with her new colleague. Unfriendly? Maybe. Understandable? Yes, since a loathsome administrator gave Rose's beloved world history classes to Martin, knowing it would hurt her.

But keeping her distance from a man as warm and kind as Martin will prove challenging, even for a stubborn, guarded ice queen. Especially when she begins to see him for what he truly is: a man who's never been taught his own value. Martin could use a good teacher--and luckily, Rose is the best.

Rose has her own lessons--about trust, about vulnerability, about her past--to learn. And over the course of a single school year, the two of them will find out just how hot it can get when an ice queen melts.

Book Review: Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

Author: Patricia Briggs

Title: Blood Bound

(Mercy Thompson #2)

Genre: UF, Fantasy, Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 335

Published: January 30th 2007

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places - and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shapeshift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind.

But this new vampire is hardly ordinary - and neither is the demon inside of him.

Review:

This had been on super sale near Xmas time so I couldn't resist buying it. I liked book 1 a lot and I like Mercy so I wanted to try book 2. 

The story follows Mercy Thompson who is a mechanic and a shifter. One night, one of her friends is cashing in a favor. He wants some extra muscle when he goes to see a fellow vamp. However, this vamp is hardly ordinary....and neither is the demon inside of him. 

Poor Mercy. Girl just wants to run her shop and go to bed at a decent time. Love Stefan but I would've hung up on him. LOLL. A vamp with a demon inside of him? NOOO thanks. 

I was hooked from page 1. I really couldn't put this down. I was curious about what was going to happen next. I had no idea what they were going to. 

There is a love triangle going on, BUT it doesn't overwhelm the plot and take it over. It works and who wouldn't love Mercy? She is kick-ass! She is flawed and has her issues which all makes you love her even more. I do worry this love triangle may take over later on? We'll have to see. Still not a fan of Samuel. He needs to go take a walk. LOL.

Now...I will say that I didn't like this one as much as book 1. It was good and I was hooked, but I wasn't AS hooked. I was still dying to know what was going to happen next, but I wasn't as involved as I was with the other one. Maybe it was because I did the ebook this time around? Book 1 I did audio and that narrator was fantastic. So maybe I am now spoiled. 

Overall, I can't wait for book 3. Maybe I'll do the narrator next time. Hahaha but ya....I liked it. Not AS much as book 1, but I did like it. A crazy twist and fun characters (minus Samuel) and now demons. Scary. Curious to see what happens in book 3. Love this world and I love Mercy!

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire

ebook, 208 pages

Published January 12th 2021 by Tordotcom

Series: Wayward Children #6

Fantasy

Own

It was good, like the rest of the series, but it felt like it missed some magic. Maybe cos we didn't visit the school at all?.

Regan goes through a door to a land of centaurs, kelpies, unicorns and more. A land that says a human is there to save or doom them.

But yes not a lot happens in a way, she meets some centaurs, she befriends them (I still wonder about male centaurs, like what do they do? Sit around and spend money?) And then she must save the land, and well, the door always comes back....

I liked it, but yes it did lack some magic and explanations. 

Regan loves, and is loved, though her school-friend situation has become complicated, of late.

When she suddenly finds herself thrust through a doorway that asks her to "Be Sure" before swallowing her whole, Regan must learn to live in a world filled with centaurs, kelpies, and other magical equines―a world that expects its human visitors to step up and be heroes.

But after embracing her time with the herd, Regan discovers that not all forms of heroism are equal, and not all quests are as they seem…

Book Review: The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt 

Title: The Raven Prince

(Princes #1)

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 392 

Published: November 1st 2006

Where I Got It: Borrowed Library

Summary: 

Widowed Anna Wren is having a wretched day. After an arrogant man on horseback nearly crushes her, she arrives home to learn that she is in dire financial straits.

THERE COMES A TIME IN A LADY'S LIFE

The Earl of Swartingham is in a quandary. Having frightened off two secretaries, Edward de Raaf needs someone who can withstand his bad temper and boorish behavior.

WHEN SHE MUST DO THE UNTHINKABLE . . .

When Anna becomes the earl's secretary, it would seem that both their problems are solved. But when she discovers he plans to visit the most notorious brothel in London, she sees red-and decides to assuage her desires . . .

Review:

Picked this up because 1) it matches a square on my challenge bingo sheet and 2) that dress is sooo pretty and 3) I was curious to see how she becomes his secretary  

We follow Anna Wren who has been a widow for a few years and the Earl of Swarthingham. Anna is nearly crushed by an arrogant man on horseback and then she realizes her financials are crumbling. She decides she needs a job to help. The Earl is in a quandary. He has frightened off two secretaries and no one wants to take the job because no one can withstand his bad temper and boorish behavior. Walks in Anna. She takes the job and everything seems okay until she discovers he plans to visit the most notorious brothel in London. 

Very unlikely that any Earl would ever, ever hire a woman during this town, but he is not an a-typical bro and he is a jerk-face soooo I will allow it and I liked it. 

The beginning started fine and I enjoyed it. Anna was fun and even the jerk-face Earl was fun. However...I got really bored with their romance about halfway. I will admit that I started skimming. The sexual tension had me yawning. Which is weirrrrd because I did like the two of them and they seemed to work together well. But that is that. Work. I did not feel and believe their chemistry. 

And then the brothel parts happened. Sighs. I get her getting jealous. For sure. But her going all the way to London, talks with a whore, and then puts on a mask and goes to the Earl's room to have smexy times with him. WHAT? How dangerous! How silly! 

And of course he finds out. Duh. I really didn't understand why we needed the brothel scenes. It seemed unnecessary. They were already lusting over each other and working together.  

I feel like there was too much shoved into this and the modern language used here and there really bugged me.  

Sighs. Not for me in the end.

I loved our characters, but I didn't love them and their chemistry. Plus there were too many modern notions and languages that made it hard for me to like. I'll stamp this with 2 stars. 

Challenge(s):

- #13 for Romance Bingo - Widow/Widower (yayy bingo!)

Book Review: The Golden Gryphon and the Bear Prince by Jeffe Kennedy

Author: Jeffe Kennedy

Title: The Golden Gryphon and the Bear Prince

(Heirs of Magic #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 278 

Published: January 25th 2021

Where I Got It: My shelf (gift)

Summary: 

A Legacy of Honor

Crown Prince Astar has only ever wanted to do the right thing: be a credit to his late-father’s legacy, live up to his duties as heir to the High Throne of the Thirteen Kingdoms, and cleave to the principles of honor and integrity that give his life structure—and that contain the ferocious grizzly bear inside. Nowhere in those guiding principles is there room for the fierce-hearted, wildly free-spirited, and dizzyingly beautiful shapeshifter, Zephyr. Still, even though they’ve been friends most of their lives, Astar is able to keep Zephyr safely at arm’s length. He’s already received a list of potential princess brides who will make a suitable queen, and Zephyr is not on it.

A Longtime Obsession

Zeph has wanted the gorgeous, charming, and too-good-for-his-own-good Astar for as long as she can remember. Not that her longing for him—and his perfectly sculpted and muscular body—has stopped her from enjoying any number of lovers. Astar might be honorably (and foolishly) intent on remaining chaste until marriage, but Zeph is Tala and they have no such rules. Still, she loves Astar—as a friend—and she wants him to at least taste life before he chains himself to a wife he didn’t choose. There’s no harm in him having a bit of fun with her. But the man remains stubbornly elusive, staving off all of her advances with infuriatingly noble refusals.

A Quest to Save the World

But things change when a new terror threatens the Thirteen Kingdoms. Following prophecy, Astar and Zeph—along with a mismatched group of shapeshifter, warrior, and sorceress friends—go on a quest to stop a magic rift before it grows beyond anyone’s ability to stop. Thrust together with Zephyr, Astar finds himself increasingly unable to resist her seductive invitations. And, in the face of life and death battles with lethal monsters, he begins to lose sight of why having her, just once, is such a terrible idea 

Review:

I feel like I have read something by this author but it has been a long time. And honestly...I think I have only read some short stories. Mmm. I can't remember. But yes - I was drawn in by this book especially because of that cover. I lovvvvvveeeee that cover!

We follow Astar and Zeph. Astar is the Crown Prince and he always wants to do the right thing and live up to his father's legacy. Zeph has loved Astar for as long as she can remember, but they are just friends. However, she wants him to have a taste of freedom and life before he chains himself to a wife he didn't choose, but he is stubbornly elusive. Things change when a new terror threatens the Thirteen Kingdoms. Following prophecy, Astar, Zeph, and a mismatched group go on a quest to stop the magic rift. 

This started off sooooo slow. Like super slow. I had such a rough time at first. I nearly gave up. BUT things did get better at the halfway point.

After a certain event, I did get invested. I was still meh about Astar and Zeph, but I was curious to see what was going to happen. 

Honestly...I liked our side characters more than our main characters. They were more entertaining. Don't get me wrong...I didn't loath Astar or Zeph...but I didn't like them as a possible item. Zeph is pushy and Astar is too stubborn. They need to be with other people. 

Not sure if I'm going to continue with the series. I am curious. We shall see. 

Again....I love the cover! The colors are so bold and pretty!

In the end, this started off super slow, but I'm glad I didn't quit. The ending was fun and I did enjoy following our crew during their quest. I also loved our side characters more than our hero/heroine. Overall, I'll give this 2 stars. Some good parts, but I do not think I would continue the series. 

Challenge(s):

- #11 for Romance Bingo - Water on the cover (looks like an ocean)

Audiobook Review: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

Author: Julia Quinn

Narrator:  Rosalyn Landor

Title: The Duke and I

(Bridgertons #1)

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: January 5th 2000

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince—while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable…but not too amiable.

Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen.

Amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Recently returned to England from abroad, he intends to shun both marriage and society—just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. Yet an encounter with his best friend’s sister offers another option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar.

The plan works like a charm—at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty:

Love ignores every rule…

Review:

I want to watch the Netflix show, but I wanted to read the book that started it all. Plus I found it at the library! So perf!

The story follows Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Daphne is the fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family. She has been able to become friends with all the most eligible young men in London...but she can't capture their hearts. Talk about friend zone! Simon has just returned to England from abroad and he intends to shun both marriage and society. He doesn't want to continue his family line and pass on the Dukedom, because of his painful childhood his father inflected upon him. And what a better revenge plan on his deceased father! Yet...things change when his best friend's sister offers a different option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the matchmaking mamas of the ton and Daphne's prospects and reputation will soar. The plan seems to work...until love ruins everything. 

So fun. I really did like this story. I liked Daphne and I liked Simon. They were perfect for each other from page 1. Plus, Simon needs a good family. His sucked. Especially his asshat father. GRRR. Her family is a lot to handle, but I love them! Her siblings are crazy and funny and so dang lovable. 

I loved the whole issue Simon had to battle. It was really good way to make him seem so human and added a whole extra layer to him. I really applauded this because it is rare you find a hero who has speech issues. 

I love Simon...don't get me wrong....but I wanted to smack him. SURE Daphne did something NOT cool, but chillax man!!! 

Also...I feel like there are some storylines and plot things that are being missed. Maybe book 2? I feel like Simon and Daphne need more! I could be biased ;) 

The ending made me smile. I loved it. I want more. Onto book 2 for sure! Especially if I can get the audio from my library. This narrator is flawless and I love her work. She is perfect especially for these romances! Her guy voices make me smile. 

In the end, I am going to FINALLY check out the show now on Netflix. I will try to not compare the two because I really did like this one. I can't wait to start book 2. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #15 for Audiobook challenge

- #10 for Romance Bingo - Borrowed from lib.

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Blogging and Hobbies/Chores

Does blogging cut into your other hobbies/chores? 

Hahahaha. I love this question, but I feel my answer will be short. 

Chores YES. Any excuse to avoid dishes...."Sorry honey - I have to type up a blog post....can you grab the laundry really quick??" hehehehehe 

Hobbies...no....this is my main hobby. LOLL Plus other hobbies are small and have their time and place. Like painting or gardening or etc...they are for when I am not blogging or reading. 

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Flirting with Forever by Cara Bastone

Narrated by: Susannah Jones

Series: Forever Yours, Book 3

Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins

Release date: 01-26-21

Publisher: Harlequin Audio

Contemporary romance

To review

I had a slow start when I accidentally missed something, so a few weeks later I went back and perfect. Though, like some have mentioned, why is there a dog on the cover? He has a cat btw.

Mary is 37, loving life, she has her own shop, good friends (though she does have this really horrid judgmental mother who is all you are 37! You will die alone!).

John works and works, he is also seen as aloof, cold, judgy. But he really is none of those things.

They go on a blind date, things goes horrible, John blurts out the worst thing ever. But they run into each other, time after time, become friends. And omg, never gets that they totally both want each other. He thinks she is too posh for him, she thinks he believes she is too old for him.

It was fun, cute, even if I did want to shout at them to just do something! But after that first date, who could blame them.

Good narrator, I felt she got the voices done well and she had a good range.

Mary Trace is bright, bubbly and suddenly dunked back into the dating pool in her mid-thirties. She owns a successful boutique in a trendy Brooklyn neighborhood. But all of her closest friends are falling in love (with each other), and Mary refuses to feel like she's missing out on romance. So she starts saying yes to opportunities--and to dates.

When Mary goes on a blind date set up by a friend, her heart drops when she meets the perfectly gorgeous, and extremely well-groomed John Modesto-Whitford. There's not a hair out of place, and he's got the judgmental expression to match. When he drops a less-than-flattering comment about Mary's age, she's out of there.

John, desperate not to be anything like his lying snake of a father, prides himself on being honest to a fault. Though he always tells the truth, he has learned that sometimes it's best just to keep his trap shut. So why oh why does he tell the most gorgeous woman he's ever had the honor of having dinner with that she's...old?

Book Review: My Fair Lily by Meara Platt

Author: Meara Platt 

Title: My Fair Lily

(Farthingale #1)

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 276 

Published: October 13th 2014

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Ewan Cameron, estranged grandson of the Duke of Lotheil, is in London because of a deathbed promise made to his father and has no intention of staying beyond his three month obligation. Nothing can tempt him to remain, not even Lily, the beautiful bluestocking determined not only to restore relations between him and his grandfather, but to turn Ewan into a proper gentleman. Ewan, proud of his Scottish heritage, refuses to admit that Lily, a blue-eyed, English girl, has claimed his heart. It doesn’t matter that his big lump of a sheepdog is madly in love with her. Nor is it significant that Ewan can always tell Lily apart from her identical twin sister. Always.

Lily Farthingale, the scholarly twin, dreams of becoming the first female member of the Royal Society. She grabs at the chance when the elderly Duke of Lotheil approaches her with a proposition - he’ll admit her into the Royal Society, if she helps him to establish a relation with his estranged grandson, Ewan Cameron, a very rough-around-the-edges Scotsman who hates everything English. Between shootings, explosions, and Lily’s abduction, Ewan ends up falling in love with Lily in this Pygmalion-inspired story.

Review:

Look at that puppers! I had to pick it up especially knowing this lovable brute is a catalyst to our lovers meeting.

Ewan is the estranged grandson of the Duke. He is now in London because of a promise he made to his father before he passed. He needs to try and restore and fix the relationship with the Duke. He doesn't plan to stay past the 3 months until his sheepdog has love-at-first-sight with Lily Farthingale. When the big ol' puppy knocks Lily down into the mud, Ewan feels terrible that her book, gown, and glasses are destroyed. He replaces everything and from there they become friends and maybe something more. 

This was very sweet and very cute. There are some darker undertones though. There is a deep hatred in Ewan's family. The Duke is a jerk. The cousins want Ewan gone. And Ewan has a stubborn resentment that ruins his chances of trying to fix these ties. It's sad all around. This whole family is too stubborn and prideful. That is the problem. The Duke is a jerk, sure, but I do not think any of his actions were full of menace. I just do not think his realizes he is being too controlling. They all just needed to sit down and get over themselves. 

Bless Lily. I adored her. She was so sweet and such a bluestocking. She loves science and just wants to be part of the Royal Society and maybe travel the world to research! 

And that dang dog. He was too sweet. He doesn't realize he is not a lapdog. Love him!

Oooooo that twist on who the baddie is was good. Didn't see that coming!!! 

Callie needs to get her arse beat. She is such a B word!! How can you do that!!!!!!!????? UGH!

I will admit I was worried this was going to be insta-love and insta-lust. It wasn't and it made me happy. It took a while for these two. They became friends first. SURE there was some lust, because he's hot and she's a looker, but it took a while and I liked that for them. She is too logical and he has a lot of baggage. 

Overall, this was a very fun novel. I loved how they really became friends first - sure there was some lust going on - but they got to know each other and then fall in love. It was a very sweet romance with some serious issues that I was excited to see work out or start to work out. I am curious about book 2. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Book Review: The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan

Author: Courtney Milan

Title: The Duke Who Didn't

(Wedgeford Trials #1)

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 311 

Published: September 22nd 2020

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Miss Chloe Fong has plans for her life, lists for her days, and absolutely no time for nonsense. Three years ago, she told her childhood sweetheart that he could talk to her once he planned to be serious. He disappeared that very night.

Except now he’s back. Jeremy Wentworth, the Duke of Lansing, has returned to the tiny village he once visited with the hope of wooing Chloe. In his defense, it took him years of attempting to be serious to realize that the endeavor was incompatible with his personality.

All he has to do is convince Chloe to make room for a mischievous trickster in her life, then disclose that in all the years they’ve known each other, he’s failed to mention his real name, his title… and the minor fact that he owns her entire village.

Only one thing can go wrong: Everything.

Review:

For sure a random find at the library. I adore this author so I was excited to read this one! 

The story follows Jeremy and Chloe. Chloe has plans. She makes lists and has no time for nonsense. Three years ago she told her childhood sweetheart to come back when he was ready to be serious. Well. He disappeared that very night. Now he's back and wants to woo Chloe back. He took three years to get to a spot when he was ready for a wife and be serious about his life. Now...Jeremy has to convince Chloe to make room for him and disclose the fact that he is a Duke. 

This was for sure different in a lot of ways. What made this really fresh and different is that fact that Jeremy was never supposed to be a Duke. He and his dad had been SO far down the line of those who would inherit, so no one cared that his dad married a Chinese woman. After a lot of tragic deaths, Jeremy was given the Dukedom. Eeek. A half-Chinese Duke? I'm sure the ton had a field day with that. Poor Jeremy. But he is sooo sweet even with the haters. 

Chloe is the daughter of a Chinese immigrant, but she is has the stiff upper lip to make any Englishmen proud. She is all seriousness and has a plan and a list. Jeremy needs a serious wife like her. 

I enjoyed this. The ending made me chuckle. I had a feeling especially after a certain scene. Ooooo you silly boy Jeremy. He is a knuckle-head that is for sure. 

Awww I loved this little village. I hope we get more stories here. Everyone was fun. 

This was overall very sweet. It was a little....repetitive and it took eons for ANYTHING to happen. It got old and I found myself skimming here and there. I would've loved for some of this to be trimmed down or speed up and we could've seen the wedding or so forth. I would've loveeeed to see the epilogue expanded upon. Revenge is so sweet ;) Go Chloe!

In the end, I did like it. Very sweet and I loved our couple and the village. I wish more had happened. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Challenge(s):

- #10 for Romance Bingo - Duke in title. 

Audiobook Review: Miss Frost Ices The Imp by Kristen Painter

 

Author: Kristen Painter

Narrator: Hollis McCarthy

Title: Miss Frost Ices The Imp (Jayne Frost #2)

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, UF, Mystery, Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: September 6th 2016

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year.

Jayne Frost is a lot of things. Winter elf, Jack Frost’s daughter, Santa Claus’s niece, heir to the Winter Throne and now…private investigator. Sort of.

When she buys a sealed box at an estate sale and cat-related circumstances cause that box to be opened, life in Nocturne Falls starts to go haywire. Jayne has no choice but to figure out what she unleashed and how to recapture it.

But Jayne suspects the woman behind the box is hiding something. Something that could cause a town resident serious trouble. Or worse, to lose their life.

With the help of her two favorite guys, a sexy vampire and a hot summer elf, and a few new friends, Jayne tackles what feels like an impossible mission. And winds up almost iced herself.

Review:

Book 2! Couldn't wait. ;) Had to check it out nowwwwww. 

We continue with Jayne. She is now the manager of the Nocturne Falls store. Just add that hat to her collection. She is also a Winter elf, Jack Frost's daughter, Santa's niece, heir to the Winter Throne, and a sort of PI. Another mystery lands on her lap after she buys a sealed box at an estate sale. Thanks to her cat, the box is opened and life at Nocturne Falls starts going a little haywire. Jayne has no choice but to find out what was unleashed, recapture it, and fix everything. 

Ooooo that kitty cat. LOLL. Sure did cause a lot of strife for Jayne and the town!!! But I love that dang cat. He is so cute! 

And I love Jayne. I am beginning to get annoyed with her though. She just needs to officially date the vamp. He is hot and he's Irish. No contest there sister! I get she doesn't want to "date" anyone yet and she made it clear to the both of them and they are okay...for now...but at some point she will have to pick or let them go. I'm all for Woman Power and just doing the casual thing...100%...but I know she is going to have a hard time picking....unless she doesn't pick any of them. Maybe she will meet the ONE? I am curious! But I'm okay with this love triangle for NOW, because she has made it clear that she is not interested, fully, in either of them and she doesn't want to commit. She's having fun in this new town. I'm cool with that too. I just hope we don't full into a pure love triangle and it gets all angsty. *fingers crossed*

I love Jayne's friends. 

I love this town. 

This series is so much fun! I can't wait for book 3! *trying to be patient*

The mystery was fun but I wasn't a big fan of the baddie and how that got resolved. Honestly? Too easily resolved. Sure. It is a "cozy" mystery, but the who and why was written on the wall. Meh. 

The narrator is fantastic. She is perfect for the characters and the story. 

Overall, I enjoyed this. The mystery was a little too easily resolved for my liking, but I still enjoyed watching Jayne fix everything. I also do worry that we may have an angsty love triangle in our future...I hope not, but we shall see. For now, I'm happy that Jayne is just enjoying her life and dating casually. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

 

Challenge(s):
- #14 for Audiobook challenge

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: The Girl From the Channel Islands by Jenny Lecoat

 

Narrator: Deryn Edwards 

Imprint: Harlequin Audio

On Sale: February 2, 2021

Pages: 587 minutes

Historical fiction

To review

The book is inspired by the true story of Hedwig Bercu. 

Edit: The book has other names by other imprints if you have come across it.

Hedy managed to escape Austria, her siblings scattering in the wind, her parents leaving behind, and she coming to Jersey. And she is still there when the Germans invade. Not the best place for a Jewish woman. I liked Hedy, what was there not to like. To survive she even had to go work for the Germans, knowing very well what they felt about Jews.

There is romance, since she starts seeing a German soldier, and even this is true. He helps her out with food and more when she has to go into hiding. In the book she is torn, he is a German soldier! But sometimes people just fall in love.

The book touches, but does not delve into the whole jerrybag issue. Dorothea is an islander who marries an Austrian baker, who is then conscripted. Her family stops talking to her, and others see her as scum. But since this is not her book we do not really see how tough that has to be for her. Instead she is the hopeful one who later hides Hedy in her house.

Yes I googled her life to see if I had to cry at the end...But I still was on edge and wanted to see what would happen!

I might have known, but have long forgotten, that over 5000 Brits were deported from the Channel Islands and sent to camps. Just cos they were not Channel born, but mainland born. And the UK government seemed to not care. The islands could not be protected, every man for himself. And those left behind were left to starve.

I enjoyed this one.

Great narration. She did had to do accents and I felt they were good, distinct voices and you could feel the utter exhaustion in Hedy's voice,

Inspired by the true story of a young Jewish girl - Hedy Bercu - who fled to Jersey from Vienna only to find herself trapped on the island during the German occupation.

In June 1940, the horror-struck inhabitants of Jersey watch as the German army unopposed takes possession of their island. Now only a short way from the English coast, the Germans plan their invasion. Hedy Bercu, a young Jewish girl from Vienna who fled to the isolation and safety of Jersey two years earlier to escape the Nazis, finds herself once more trapped, but this time with no way of escape.

Hiding her racial status, Hedy is employed by the German authorities and secretly embarks on small acts of resistance. But most dangerously of all, she falls in love with German lieutenant Kurt Neumann -- a relationship on which her life will soon depend.