Tell Me Something Tuesday: 2021 Book Covers I Love

11/30/2021 Book cover love: Share some book covers that you loved in 2021

I am terrible. I have not done a TMST in a million eons. 

Okay. 

Book covers I have loved so far this year.... there have been so many goodies! 

Saturday (ish) Movie Discussion: A Castle for Christmas (2021)

This month we decided to discuss  A Castle for Christmas

Blodeuedd is in red and Carole is in green.

Title: A Castle for Christmas
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Family

Released: Nov. 2021
Rating: G

Length: 1h 38m

To watch the trailer, click HERE.

DISCUSSION:

**BE WARNED - THERE ARE SOME MINI SPOILERS**

XMas movie time!

Yesss Xmas time!!! Gotta love Xmas movies! 

Thank you Netflix, keep them coming. They are just so light and fun, not a lot of drama. Cheesy, and just lol

They are perfect movies to watch with some wine and snacks! I do love how most of them, like this one, have little drama. Usually, the drama is because one or both are being stubborn or there is a miscommunication. Easily resolved! 

Perfect and light. And we even got a grumpy Scottish Duke this time, yay. Of course, my mind was working overtime and I was all, oh, his line is dead now isn’t it

Yes I was excited he was a grumpy Duke. Made me happy. I thought the same thing! He is the last of the line (unless he has some brother or nephew out there). They are too old to have kids. WHICH. It made me happy that this was an older couple. I loved the whole you are never too old to find true love. Very refreshing and melted my heart. 

I do not think the creators put much thought into it, most think Dukes are royals. Like hello. And that the title finds someone, yeah, not anymore.

But yes I loved that it was an older couple who had been through it all

Yea they are not too concerned anymore to find someone. I bet so many titles have just died out.

It was so nice to see an older couple who were both super burned in love find love in an unlikely place. It was also so nice to see Sophie find some legit friends. It sounded like she only had her daughter and her agent. 

Her husband sounded like a proper ass! Good riddance. And I loved the new friends she made

Yesssss a super asshat and the Duke’s lady (was she a fiance or wife) left him in the dust what a B-word! I’m also glad it took them months to get together. They both were burned so bad and they are stubborn. Perfect. I loved her friends and I’m glad that Thomas and the Inn rekindled. I want to see more of that village. 

Yes, that would be fun! More village and I am sure her daughter can find a grumpy Duke too

OOOOO! I nearly forgot about Lexi! She is a good girl and deserves love. Maybe a mystery nephew that comes wanting the title ;) LOL So much room for sequels. 

Ohhh, good call, yes mystery nephew for the win

The castle was saved...now the Title needs saving!! What a perfect plot. Plus we all deserve to see and hear Cary and his Scottish accent. Flawless….hot. HAHAHA. 

I so love this, I hope they do something with it next year.

One can hope! I really adored the characters and the story. I want to go to that village and learn to knit!!

Lol, not that keen on the knitting, but the village looked fun.

But hey we have to talk about how she wrote 10 books about the same character and owns a million-dollar apartment in NY.

TRUE I did make a comment to JP (bless his heart….poor guy woke up to me watching it and he was so confused since he woke up halfway through it) how on Earth does she have THAT much money!?!?!?!?!?! Maybe she does some short stories or helps write on TV shows??? ORRRRR did she get one heck of a settlement from that Arsehat ex?

I guess she was the next 50 shades. But still, how does one even write a romance in a 10 book series. Omg I would be mad too if she killed the guy!

Maybe! Has to be. She has so much money. I am curious how she stretched a romance that long. Maybe it was an on-and-off relationship? Or you see them and their life? Struggles of marriage….first kid….retiring….etc. But yes - after all that I would’ve been MAD that she killed the guy off. 

I want to read them now, still 10 books with one love and then boom dead. Thanks for that author. But the covers, boring! ;)

Yess I want to read them too. Especially that last book she made. It sounds badass. :D

Oh yes, that last one sounds cool. Still, what was that? Historical fiction romance? Damn the movie made it sound like authors make a lot of money. And that people recognize them in the street?!

Right?? Maybe her hubbie was famous too? I don’t know. Sure it can happen becoming a millionaire as a writer….but not celebrity status where people have a picket/protest because they are THAT mad at her book. Very unrealistic there for sure. 

Lol, but sure fun to see at least. A good movie. I do not need much.

I think that was my only issue, but the rest? Adored it! I do want another movie. Sequel pleaseeeee!

Yes :D

For sure worth the watch this holiday season. I kinda wanna watch it again ;) 

The end?

The end! I don’t have much else. Can’t wait to watch more Xmas movies! GIMME MORE!

Audiobook Review: Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean

Author:  Sarah MacLean

Narrator: Carolyn Morris

Title: Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

(Love By Numbers #1)

Genre: Historical Romance   

Format: Audiobook

Published: March 30th 2010

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

A lady does not smoke cheroot. She does not ride astride. She does not fence or attend duels. She does not fire a pistol, and she never gambles at a gentlemen's club.

Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has always followed the rules, rules that have left her unmarried—and more than a little unsatisfied. And so she's vowed to break the rules and live the life of pleasure she's been missing.

But to dance every dance, to steal a midnight kiss—to do those things, Callie will need a willing partner. Someone who knows everything about rule-breaking. Someone like Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston—charming and devastatingly handsome, his wicked reputation matched only by his sinful smile.

If she's not careful, she'll break the most important rule of all—the one that says that pleasure-seekers should never fall hopelessly, desperately in love.

Review:

Okay...so I only picked this up because it was free at the library and it has the word RAKE in it which helps with my reading challenge. BUT I do like this author, so super plus!

We follow Lady Calpurnia who has always followed the rules. Where did those rules lead her? Left her unmarried and pretty much on the shelf at 28. And worse....unsatisfied with her life. After overhearing a conversation between her sister and her fiance, she realizes that she needs to find her own happiness. She has vowed to break the rules and creates a list of things she has always wanted to do. First item...get a kiss from Gabriel St. John the Marquess of Ralston who is a notorious and wicked rogue. However, if they are not careful they both may lose their hearts. 

I enjoyed this!! I really did. I loved watching Callie grow into a woman and break all these society rules. I especially loved her dressing as a man and fencing and gambling. YOU GO GIRL! It was awesome to see her flourish. 

Now Gabriel....I liked him a lot. I LOVE his brother though. *swoons* He is the hawt twin in my opinion. Plus in some ways I feel like he and Callie would've fit better, BUT I am biased...I know. Don't get me wrong...I liked good ol' Gabe, but he was very closed off in the heart department which I get, but poor Callie had to literally pry his heart open and even when that happened it took a certain scene for the dumb-dumb to be all "OH RIGHT...I love her. Okay." Idiot. 

This was fun and I am glad I found it. I do want to check out book 2. Maybe...*researches* Okay - yes - I for sure want to check that one out. It is about Nicholas. Yayy!

The narrator was perfect. Loved her voices. Even the men voices were spot on. Her girl trying to be a boy (when Callie dressed up as a dude) had me LAUGHING. Fantastic. 

In the end, I enjoyed this a lot. Loved our characters and I loved watching them fall in love and Callie finding herself. It was a goodie for sure. 5 stars from me even with Gabriel being a dunderhead. 

Challenge(s):
- #80 for Audiobook challenge

- #24 for Romance Bingo - "RAKE" in title. (one more leffftttt)

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: The Christmas Bookshop

Narrated by: Eilidh Beaton

Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins

Release date: 11-16-21

Publisher: HarperAudio

Women's fiction

To review

Carmen has a dead end job, and then the store closes. She likes her life, but is not really doing much. So she ends up in Edinburgh, living with her sister and working in a bookshop. She sees her sister as perfect, and is rather resentful.

And sure Sofia is rather perfect, but she works hard for it. She says that her water can broke in the office and she will then go have her baby.  But yes she needs to let loose a bit. And not to rely on her truly annoying nanny (omg, ugh the nanny.)

As for Carmen, she also have to loose some of her prejudices. She will also see how good she really is trying to turn around a bookshop. And finding out kids are not horrid.

Lots of interesting people comes into her life, a chance for romance too, but since this is not a romance it takes time.

And I really want to visit that street in xmas times now. Awww xmas times.

Good xmassy book.

The narrator had this great voice for Carmen that fitted her so well, the same with the rest if the voices too. Annoying people, stuck up people, the kids, yes everyone got the voice they deserved.

When the department store she works in closes for good, Carmen has perilously little cash and few options. She doesn’t want to move in with her perfect sister Sofia, in Sofia’s perfect house with her perfect children and her perfectly ordered Edinburgh life.

Frankly, Sofia doesn’t exactly want Carmen there either. Her sister has always been sarcastic and difficult. But Sofia has yet another baby on the way, a mother desperate to see her daughters get along, and a client who needs a retail assistant for his ailing bookshop, so welcoming Carmen might still have some benefits for everyone.

At Sofia’s behest, Carmen is thrown into the daily workings of old Mr. McCredie’s ancient bookshop on the streets of the old dark city. Can she use her design skills to revamp the store and bring it back to popularity in time to benefit from Christmas shopping traffic? Can she choose between bad boy literary rock star Blair and quiet Quaker student Oke? And will she heal the rift with the most important people of all: her family?

Audiobook Review: Three River Ranch by Roxanne Snopek

Author:  Roxanne Snopek

Narrator: Joanna Patrick

Title: Three River Ranch

(Three River Ranch #1)

Genre: Western Romance, Contemporary    

Format: Audiobook

Published: August 25th 2012

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Needing a fresh start from her two-timing fiancé, Aurora McAllister answers a realtor’s ad for a guesthouse on the beautiful, serene Three River Ranch. She shows up at Three River tired, heartbroken, and with no one but her trusty Labradoodle as a companion.

Cowboy Carson Granger has enough trouble in his life without adding a woman and her dog to the mix. There’s the untamed mustang he’s prepping to release into the wild, not to mention his father’s crazy will, which stipulates that if Carson wants to fully inherit Three River, he’ll need to find a bride. Carson wants nothing to do with love and especially not a marriage of convenience. But he soon realizes Rory, and everything she represents, might just be exactly what he needs.

Sometimes love arrives on your doorstep when you least expect it…

Review:

Been itching for a Western romance and I see this and its a quick one so why not!

We follow Aurora who needs a fresh start after breaking up with her two-timing fiance. She answers a realtor's ad for a guesthouse on a beautiful and serene ranch. She shows up with her dog and realizes the guesthouse needs work and Cowboy Carson Granger is not happy she is there. Carson has had enough trouble in life without adding a pregnant woman and her dog to the mix. He is trying to set up a foundation for wild horses and prepping a wild mustang to be released back into the wild. He needs money though for his dreams, but his father's will has a crazy stipulation...he needs to find a wife before he will get full access to the funds. He wants nothing to do with love or marriage, but he soon realizes that Aurora might just be what his hearts need. 

This was fun. I loved Aurora and Carson. They both had their hearts broken and just want to find stable land. I do love how they became friends first. Sure there is lust, but they actually grow to like each other before they have a fake wedding/marriage. It was nice. The love came out of nowhere for them, but you can see them slowly falling in love. 

Carson was a stubborn jerk sometimes, but you can kind of understand him. He just wants to save these horses. He has no time for love....especially after his ex broke his heart in more then one way. Won't say what, but I felt so bad for him. 

Aurora's ex was an ass. He even accused her of being preggo with another man's baby. Jerkface. I would never let my baby see that guy. Screw him.

But yesss - lots of baggage between the two of them. It took forever for them to fully trust one another. Which...you can understand...but I just wanted to scream at them when they had a huge misunderstanding. UGHHHH. 

This was cute and I enjoyed it! I am curious about book 2. It is about Aurora's pal. So maybe ;)

Oo! Nearly forgot...the narrator was good. Perfect for the characters. I feel like I have heard this person before...but I can't pinpoint where. But yes - perfect...even the guy voices. 

In the end, I really enjoyed this. It was a nice romance. Some drama and some baggage that the two had to get over, but I liked it. I am curious about the next book. The narrator was good, I hope she does book 2 if I go the audio route. I'll give this 4 stars.

Challenge(s):
- #79 for Audiobook challenge

Book Review: Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Mine to Possess

(Psy-Changeling #4)

Genre: UF, Paranormal Romance, SciFi, Fantasy

Format: ebook

Pages: 328

Published: February 5th 2008

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Clay Bennett is a powerful DarkRiver sentinel, but he grew up in the slums with his human mother, never knowing his changeling father. As a young boy without the bonds of Pack, he tried to stifle his animal nature. He failed . . . and committed the most extreme act of violence, killing a man and losing his best friend, Talin, in the bloody aftermath. Everything good in him died the day he was told that she, too, was dead.

Talin McKade barely survived a childhood drenched in bloodshed and terror. Now a new nightmare is stalking her life—the street children she works to protect are disappearing and turning up dead. Determined to keep them safe, she unlocks the darkest secret in her heart and returns to ask the help of the strongest man she knows . . .

Clay lost Talin once. He will not let her go again, his hunger to possess her, a clawing need born of the leopard within. As they race to save the innocent, Clay and Talin must face the violent truths of their past . . . or lose everything that ever mattered.

Review:

Couldn't wait to read this next one. I had to take a mini break from the series since I have so many others to read, but I've been curious about this one since it's about Clay. 

We follow Clay who is a powerful DarkRiver sentinel, but he is also half human. He grew up in the slums with his human mother and never knew his changeling father. As a young boy without the bonds of Pack, he tried to stifle his animal nature....but he failed. He killed a man trying to save his best friend Talin. In the process he lost her too and he went to jail. Talin barely survived a terrible childhood and losing her best friend. She is grown up now and spending her life saving street children. However, there is something dark taking these children and killing them. Determined to keep them safe, she reaches out to Clay who thought she had died years ago. The two will have to work with each other to save these kids and deal with the violent truths of their past. 

This one was pretty dark. Talin and Clay had terrible childhoods. It made me sad for both of them. They are both damaged...especially Talin. So freakin' sad. 

I'll admit....I struggled with this book. I had such a hard time. They were so toxic with each other at the beginning and I didn't see this relationship work. There are old hurts and Talin was scared of Clay and she still has her unresolved childhood trauma to work through. All very toxic at first. 

Of COURSE they battle through and they have their HEA (duh), but I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I honestly think they needed to walk away from each other...get therapy....and maybe then? I would've sided with the other women of the pack and not really been happy with them being together at first. Eventually they start trusting each other and begin to heal....but it took SO long. Too long. 

I will say it was a nice break to get away from the Psy drama. Talin is human and he is changeling. It was a nice break. Psy are SOOOO emotionless and so cold at first. It was nice to see all these emotions that the two have to dig through.

So yes, love-hate relationship with this story for me. 

The side mystery with the kids was entertaining! I had to know what was going to happen. Is it bad that I wanted that to be the main focus here?

I also am seeing hope for the Psy race. There are some lights of goodness and feelings popping through. Makes me happy. Soon! 

Overall, I struggled at the beginning because of how toxic I felt the couple was. Things got better and I enjoyed the side mystery. I was so worried for those kids. I'll give this 2 stars overall. Not my favorite, but still enjoyable. Can't wait for the next one!

Audiobook Review: The Christmas Pact by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

Author:  Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

Narrator: Andi Arndt & Sebastian York

Title: The Christmas Pact

Genre: Romance, Novella, Chick Lit, & Holiday

Format: Audiobook

Published: December 5th 2019

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Riley Kennedy’s emails keep getting crossed with her colleague, Kennedy Riley.

The infuriating man forwards them along with his annoying commentary and unsolicited advice. At least she never has to see him in person since they work in different locations…until they come face to face at the office holiday party. As luck would have it, Kennedy turns out to be gorgeous…though still a jerk. Yet somehow he’s able to charm her out on the dance floor—and convince her to participate in his crazy scheme: He’ll go home with Riley for a Christmas party and pretend to be her boyfriend if Riley agrees to be his date to a wedding.

It sounds easy enough. But little by little, the act they’re putting on starts to feel like so much more than a Christmas pact—and Riley’s about to learn there’s more to Kennedy than she ever imagined.

Review:

Bring on the Xmas!!!

Here we follow Riley Kennedy and her colleague Kennedy Riley. Yes, you read that right. Emails always get sent to the wrong person because their work emails are so similar. Riley is a good co-worker and just forwards it to him, while Kennedy forward the email with his annoying commentary and unsolicited advice. When they actually meet at a office holiday party, he convinces her to participate in his crazy scheme....pretend to be BF/GF at each other's family events this year. He needs a date for his brother's wedding. Somehow, he convinces her to say yes. They hate each other, but little by little, they start developing real feelings. What are they to do? 

This needs to be made into a Hallmark Xmas movie. This was perfect for a holiday romance. There is humor. There is drama. There is witty dialogue. There are fun characters. There is Xmas and a HEA. Perfect Hallmark material. 

I like Riley and Kennedy even though Kennedy was an asshat. OMG - I would've walked away at the rehearsal dinner. What a jerk. Sure, sure, he was drunk and there is a reason why he is SO miserable. It break my heart.....but....ugh. I was so mad. Kuddos for Riley for sticking by his drunk butt and helping him out.

The ending had me all "AWWWWWWWWWWW"ing. It was very sweet and it made me happy. Kennedy finally got over his issues and really made a grand gesture. It had me laughing but awwing all at the same time. 

I will say this was predictable in some spots BUT there were some good twists that didn't make this boring. It was nice. 

I do not recall these narrators, so I think they are new to me. They were good. Perfect voices for the characters. Loved them. 

In the end, this was the perfect level of cheesy. Some predictable moments, but overall I enjoyed this. It would make for a great Xmas movie. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #78 for Audiobook challenge

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown

 

Narrated by: Maggie Mash

Length: 17 hrs and 6 mins

Release date: 01-01-13

Publisher: W. F. Howes Ltd

Fiction /His fic

Own

I won this one ages ago, so long that I have forgotten from who, and I never got to it. Not before I decided to try it in the car. It did take me 1,5 months, but it worked, sort of good, outside noise, ugh.

I haven't really read anything about the Spanish civil war, horrific, how does one even forgive and forget? The answer here was they decided to forget cos it was so horrible,

Emma is preggo, and goes to a rundown house in Spain. Her looser ex, oh yes I will call him that, cos damn girl, you deserve better! He cheated on her cos she was away too much, boohoo. Also the woman he cheated with was their mutual friend, and a bigger bitch I have not met. Gods, she was the worst.

Emma finds herself again in Spain, and love.

Flashbacks are of her grandmother Freya and her brother Charles during the war. And seeeeecrets.

It worked well the way I listened to it. It was interesting even if some characters felt a bit over the top. Like her bitch friend who stole her looser man. And this horrible creep Freya encounters in her time.

Good narration, but it took some time to get used to Emma, she had this weird naive, and whispering voice for her.

High in the hills of Valencia, a forgotten house guards its secrets. Untouched since Franco’s forces tore through Spain in 1936, the whitewashed walls have crumbled, and the garden, laden with orange blossom, grows wild. Emma Temple is the first to unlock its doors in seventy years. Emma is London’s leading perfumier, but her blessed life has taken a difficult turn. Her free-spirited mother, Liberty, who taught her the art of fragrance making, has just passed away. At the same time, she broke up with her long-time lover and business partner, Joe, whose baby she happens to be carrying.

While Joe is in New York trying to sell his majority share in their company, Emma, guided by a series of letters and a key bequeathed to her in Liberty’s will, decides to leave her job and travel to Valencia, where she will give birth in the house her mother mysteriously purchased just before her death. The villa is a perfect retreat: redolent with the exotic scents of orange blossom and neroli, dappled with light and with the rich colors of a forgotten time. Emma makes it her mission to restore the place to its former glory. But for her aging grandmother, Freya, a British nurse who stayed in Valencia during Spain’s devastating civil war, Emma’s new home evokes memories of a terrible secret, a part of her family’s past that until now has managed to stay hidden.

Audiobook Review: Truth or Beard by Penny Reid

Author: Penny Reid

Narrator: Joy Nash , Chris Brinkley

Title: Truth or Beard

(Winston Brothers #1)

Genre: Romance, Humor, Contemporary 

Format: Audiobook

Published: July 21st 2015 

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Beards, brothers, and bikers! Oh my!

Identical twins Beau and Duane Winston might share the same devastatingly handsome face, but where Beau is outgoing and sociable, Duane is broody and reserved. This is why Jessica James, recent college graduate and perpetual level-headed good girl, has been in naïve and unhealthy infatuation with Beau Winston for most of her life.

His friendly smiles make her tongue-tied and weak-kneed, and she’s never been able to move beyond her childhood crush. Whereas Duane and Jessica have always been adversaries. She can’t stand him, and she’s pretty sure he can’t stand the sight of her…

But after a case of mistaken identity, Jessica finds herself in a massive confusion kerfuffle. Jessica James has spent her whole life paralyzed by the fantasy of Beau and her assumptions of Duane’s disdain; therefore she’s unprepared for the reality that is Duane’s insatiable interest, as well as his hot hands and hot mouth and hotter looks. Not helping Jessica’s muddled mind and good girl sensibilities, Duane seems to have gotten himself in trouble with the local biker gang, the Iron Order.

Certainly, Beau’s magic spell is broken. Yet when Jessica finds herself drawn to the man who was always her adversary, now more dangerous than ever, how much of her level-head heart is she willing to risk?

Review:

I feel like this book has been haunting me. I see it everywhere. This one and the others in the series. I've been interested, just never went out of my way to read it. When it appeared as an Audible recommendation, I decided it was time to give it a listen. 

We follow Jessica and Duane. The two have been at each other's throats since they were kids. At the same time Jessica has been head over heels in love with Duane's twin Beau. Even after going to college and coming back years later, she still nearly faints at the sight of Beau. But after a case of mistaken identity, Jessica finds herself in a massive complex bubble of feelings. 

Going in I thought this was going to be a feel good, Hallmark-y romance. Oh boy was I wrong. YES there is humor and feel good moments....but this was much more complex and more layered then I thought. Which made me like this even more. Yayy!! I love me some complex characters. 

I did want to smack Duane and Jessica occasionally. They are so pig-headed. The solution was simple, but they were stuck inside their own flaws to realize it. Can't blame them...esp Duane. He doesn't want to step on her dreams like his jerk dad did to his mom. Pretty much trapped her. He wants Jessica happy. And Jessica doesn't want to pull Duane away from him family because she has wanderlust and wants to see the world. 

Easy solution for sure BUT it took them a while to get out of their own heads. 

I will say...Duane lost a lot of points from me after a certain scene. IDK. It really burned me how he treated her. He does...kinda to make it up to her, but I feel like Jess should've made him sweat a moment and really earn her. He was a super, duper asshat. 

On top of their stuff, there are some external dramas. Like Jess finding out a family secret and Duane having to save his idiot older brother. Tsk. 

I liked the brothers except for the oldest one. He is a hooligan. I know he'll get his shit together eventually (I believe he has a book coming up), but omg. I'm glad the brothers didn't let him off easy. He owes them for saving his butt.

We had two narrators here and it worked well. I've heard the male voice multiple times. He is a good one! I do not recall the female voice....but I liked her. She did good. No issues here. :) Good team up!

In the end, I did enjoy this quite a bit. This is a lot more complex then the summary and cover let on. Which was a pleasant surprise. My only issue is that Duane did take it too far at a certain point and I feel like Jess too easily forgave him. Besides that this was a good listen. I am curious about the next books. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #77 for Audiobook challenge

B's Wednesday Review: The Unexpected Miss Bennet by Patrice Sarath

Narrated by Kitty Kelly

Publication date Oct 26, 2021

Running time 8 hrs

Pride and Prejudice continuation

To review

Oh this was delightful, I do love variations, they are so much fun! I used to read a lot and when this one came up, yes at once.

Mary has grown a bit since PP, less preachy, more coming into her own. But then it is just she and Kitty left. Maybe Mary should get married? So Lizzy invites her to Pemberley.

When someone showed up I just did not know, but at the end, yes, absolutely perfect, and I was happy for her.

As for the Burghs, as annoying as always.

Good fun :D

The narrator did so well with her different voices. Annoying Lady Catherine, sarcastic Lizzy, flighty Kitty. It really got me into the feel of the story.

A great listen

The third of five daughters, Miss Mary Bennet is a rather unremarkable girl. With her countenance being somewhere between plain and pretty and in possession of no great accomplishments, few expect the third Bennet daughter to attract a respectable man. But although she is shy and would much prefer to keep her nose stuck in a book, Mary is uncertain she wants to meekly follow the path to spinsterhood set before her.

Determined that Mary should have a chance at happiness, the elder Bennet sisters concoct a plan. Lizzy invites Mary to visit at Pemberley, hoping to give her sister a place to grow and make new acquaintances. But it is only when Mary strikes out independently that she can attempt to become accomplished in her own right. And in a family renowned for its remarkable Misses, Mary Bennet may turn out to be the most wholly unexpected of them all...

Audiobook Review: The Travelling Cat Chronicles

Author: Hiro Arikawa, Philip Gabriel (Translator)

Narrator: George Blagden

Title: The Travelling Cat Chronicles

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Animal

Format: Audiobook

Published:  November 2012

Where I got It: Borrowed from Library

Summary: 

Sometimes you have to leave behind everything you know to find the place you truly belong...

Nana the cat is on a road trip. He is not sure where he's going or why, but it means that he gets to sit in the front seat of a silver van with his beloved owner, Satoru. Side by side, they cruise around Japan through the changing seasons, visiting Satoru's old friends. He meets Yoshimine, the brusque and unsentimental farmer for whom cats are just ratters; Sugi and Chikako, the warm-hearted couple who run a pet-friendly B&B; and Kosuke, the mournful husband whose cat-loving wife has just left him. There's even a very special dog who forces Nana to reassess his disdain for the canine species.

But what is the purpose of this road trip? And why is everyone so interested in Nana? Nana does not know and Satoru won't say. But when Nana finally works it out, his small heart will break...

Review:

I had to pick this for book club. I read this a while back and I loved it. I decided to shake it up and listen to the audio. 

We follow Nana the cat and his owner Satoru. The two pack up and head out on an adventure. Nana really doesn't know why, but he doesn't car. He gets to see Japan and meet a lot of different people and animals along the way. Satoru won't say, but there is something up and it sounds like life is going to change. 

Ohhh my heart. 

I didn't sob like I did last time. I had a couple of tears still, but since I know the ending I was ready for it. Still broke my little heart. Oooooo Nana and Satoru. I love them. I would love a prequel one day. That would be fun. See them become best friends. 

This will make you laugh. This will make you cry. Def a great book for animal lovers. 

This time I did the audio and I enjoyed it still. The narrator did a good job. The girl voices were...okay....it did the job.

All-in-all, I enjoyed this. I think I like paper version a hair more, but this was still a great read. I highly recommend it. You will feel all the feels by the end. 5 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #76 for Audiobook challenge

Audiobook Review: The Christmas List by Chrissie Manby

Author: Chrissie Manby

Narrator: Rebecca Courtney

Title: The Christmas List (Kindle Single)

Genre: Chick Lit, Short story, Fantasy, Contemporary Fiction

Format: Audiobook

Published:  October 24th 2013

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

What if you got exactly what you wanted this Christmas? Find out why you should be careful what you wish for in best-seller Chrissie Manby's (Getting Over Mr Right, Seven Sunny Days) exclusive Christmas novella.

It’s the 1st of December and Milly Arnold is facing a miserable Noel. Newly single, the last thing she wants to do is join her settled sister and her young family

Review:

Awww randomly stumbled upon this looking at some Xmas short stories. 

What if you got everything you wanted for Christmas? That is what happens to Milly Arnold after she is dumped just about a month before the holidays. The problem is....she is about to learn that she needs to be careful what she wishes for. 

This was a quick listen but I really enjoyed it. Poor Milly. Being dumped RIGHT before the holidays is rough. Luckily she has her family looking out for her and Santa has a wicked sense of humor. 

I would've loved this to be longer. I want to see more of Milly and her family. They were a lot of fun. I adored Milly.

The narrator was good. Perfect for the characters. 

Overall, this was a perfect way to start of the holidays! My first Xmas of the season. 4 stars. 

 

Challenge(s):
- #75 for Audiobook challenge

Audiobook Review: Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men by Molly Harper

Author: Molly Harper

Narrator: Amanda Ronconi

Title: Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men

(Jane Jameson #2)

Genre: Paranormal Romance, UF, fantasy

Format: Audiobook

Published:  August 25th 2009

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

With her best friend Zeb’s Titanic-themed wedding looming ahead, new vampire Jane Jameson struggles to develop her budding relationship with her enigmatic sire, Gabriel. It seems unfair that she’s expected to master undead dating while dealing with a groom heading for a nuptial nervous breakdown, his hostile werewolf in-laws, and the ugliest bridesmaid dress in the history of marriage.

Meanwhile, the passing of Jane’s future step-grandpa puts Grandma Ruthie back on the market. Her new fiancé, Wilbur, has his own history of suspiciously dead spouses, and he may or may not have died ten years ago. Half-Moon Hollow’s own Black Widow has finally met her match.

Should Jane warn her grandmother of Wilbur’s marital habits or let things run their course? Will Jane always be an undead bridesmaid, never the undead bride?

Review:

I adore this author's books!!! Finally got my hands on book 2!

Jane has a lot on her plate. Her best friend Zeb's wedding is around the corner. She is struggling to develop her budding relationship with Gabriel. Her family relationship is struggling. And things get more complex, when her future step-grandpa passes and Grandma Ruthie falls into the arms of Wilbur. The two become quickly engaged, but there is something up with Wilbur and he has own history of dead spouses.

Sighssssss....Jane needs to run away screaming from her family and Zeb's family and to-be family. They all suck! They are terrible!!! 

I am also meh about Gabriel especially after this one. He is hiding something. He knows that Jane knows he is hiding something...why can't he tell her? They are dating. Maybe Jane can help?? I don't trust the boy as far as I can throw him. 

This was hilarious and over-the-top. Sure....some parts did get over-the-top and annoyed the crap out of me. Like Jane's sister and granny. Screw them. I can't believe their mother and father are letting them treat Jane like that. I hope mom and dad step up soon. 

I am curious to see what is next. There are a lot of ties left untied. Lots of drama and words left to say. I would love for Jane to get the support she needs from her family, but I don't see that happening. I also still don't trust Gabriel. For a man THAT old....he is dumb. 

Narration sucked....just kidding. I adore this narrator so much! She fits all the characters perfectly and her voice puts a smile on my face. One of my favorites for sure. 

In the end, this was a fun continuation from book 1. You will need to read book 1 since I can't imagine reading this without all the knowledge and events from previously. There was some too over-the-top bits...like Zeb's mama....but I enjoyed it. I do hope Gabriel is redeemed in the next book. I'll give this 3 stars.  

 

Challenge(s):
- #74 for Audiobook challenge

Audibook Review: Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

Author: Patricia Briggs

Narrator:  Lorelei King

Title: Silver Borne

(Mercy Thompson #5)

Genre: Paranormal Romance, UF, fantasy

Format: Audiobook

Published:  March 30th 2010

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Mercy is smart enough to realize that when it comes to the magical fae, the less you know, the better. But you can't always get what you want. When she attempts to return a powerful fae she previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down.

It seems the book contains secrets - and the fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side - leaving Mercy to cover for him lest his own father declare Samuel's life forfeit.

All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she may not have many more...

Review:

Mercy!!! I can't get enough of her books!!!

Poor Mercy can't catch a break! When she attempts to return a powerful fae object she had borrowed, she finds that the bookstore is locked up and closed. It seems this book contains many, many secrets and the fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. At the same time, Samuel is struggling with his wolf and human sides. This leaves Mercy to cover for him lest his father declare Samuel's life forfeit. 

By darn leave Mercy alone for a moment!!! I cannot stand the fae. Sure there are a lot of good ones, but the ones that turn....turn bad. I am getting sick of their crap. 

Hopefully....after this she'll get a break from the fae. She'll need it. 

She also needs a break from Samuel after this. He needs to get his straight! Hopefully...after all this....he has a reason to live again. *fingers crossed*

The pack still have some internal issues since she has joined them as the alpha's mate. Again...hopefully after all the drama some of the tension is fixed. Again *fingers crossed*

There was a lot of story going on here. At times it felt like there was too much going on. It all gets resolved in some shape or form, but I think the author tried to hard in this one personally. There was a lot of stuff that I feel needed more focus on. Maybe save some of it for later on? IDK. 

Luckily the audio was still good because the narrator is fantastic as per normal. 

Not my favorite of Mercy's book just for the fact I thought there was too much going on. Some of the drama could've been saved for down-the-line or something. Still a fun story overall and I love these guys esp Mercy. I am so happy to see her recovery from the trauma she went through in a previous book.

All-in-all, I'll give this 3 stars. 

 

Challenge(s):
- #73 for Audiobook challenge