Audiobook Review: Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

Author: Lucy Parker

Narrator: Billie Fulford-Brown

Title: Battle Royal

Series: Palace Insiders #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Humor

Format: Audiobook

Published: August 17, 2021

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Ready…

Four years ago, Sylvie Fairchild charmed the world as a contestant on the hit baking show, Operation Cake. Her ingenious, colorful creations captivated viewers and intrigued all but one of the judges, Dominic De Vere, the hottest pastry chef in London. When her glittery unicorn cake went spectacularly sideways, Dominic was quick to vote her off the show. Since then, Sylvie has managed to use her fame to help fulfill her dream of opening a bakery, Sugar Fair. The toast of Instagram, Sugar Fair has captured the attention of the Operation Cake producers…and a princess.

Set…

Dominic is His Majesty the King’s favorite baker, the go-to for sweet-toothed A-List celebrities, and a veritable British institution. He’s brilliant, talented, hard-working. And an icy, starchy grouch. Learning that the irksome Sylvie will be joining him on the Operation Cake judging panel is enough to make the famously dour baker even more grim. Her fantastical baking is only slightly more troublesome than the fact that he can’t stop thinking about her pink-streaked hair and irrepressible dimple.

Match…

When Dominic and Sylvie learn they will be fighting for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bake a cake for the upcoming wedding of Princess Rose, the flour begins to fly as they’re both determined to come out on top.

The bride adores Sylvie’s quirky style. The palace wants Dominic’s classic perfection.

In this royal battle, can there be room for two?

Review:

Found this one randomly while looking for a cover with food on it (yes, yes for a reading challenge not because I'm chonky). This sounded divine so why not?

Here we have Dominic and Sylvie. The two share a love of baking, but everything about them couldn't be more different. Dominic is grumpy and professional. He wants perfection and clean lines. Sylvie is spunky and loves colors and trying new things. The two originally met while Sylvie was a contestant on a baking show and Dominic was a judge. After a...mishap, Dominic voted Sylvie off the show. Sylvie may have lost the crown but she truly made something of herself and her baking skills. Now the two are butted up against each other when Princess Rose is getting married. The bride wants something fun, but the palace wants classic. Can there be room for both?

This was amusing to be sure. 

I liked Sylvie a lot. She is adorable and I would hire her to make my cake! Also, I want her to be my friend!!!! Dominic.........well..............I didn't like him. Once you get his backstory and understand him more, you might warm up to him a bit. I did end up warming up to him by the very end but the whole time I was just rolling my eyes. DON'T GET ME WRONG. I loooove grumpy lads (look at my hubby - he is the King of the Grumps), but Dominic was just plain mean sometimes. He just rubbed me the wrong way. 

Dominic's sister, Pet, was a delight. I wonder if she gets a book? *researches* Yayy! Her's is the next and now I'm super excited! Eeeee! 

I did enjoy the little side stories like Princess Rose and her guy. They were sweet. 

This had some humor, but I wouldn't place this in the humor category. Drama, romance, and a sprinkle of humor. Which fair enough. Sometimes TOO much humor can ruin a nice plot. 

The narrator was good. New to me. Her girl voices started to blend together a bit if I wasn't 100% focused. There were a couple of times I had to rewind because I was confused. Like I thought Pet was talking to Dominic...and then she said something sexy and I was like, "WHAT?" And then I realized Pet left the room and it was Sylvie. 

All-in-all, this was delightful. A sprinkle of humor with some nice characters and a cute romance. I wasn't a fan of Dominic's until the end (Sylvie deserves a King) but my heart did melt a tiny bit for him and I finally understood it. Maybe he'll be better in book 2 when we see him as a side character. ;) I'll give this 4 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Peachy

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #44

- Library Love #24

- Romance Reading Challenge #24 (Food on cover)

Wordless Wednesday

 

Book Review: Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Author: Lisa Wingate

Title: Before We Were Yours

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: paperback

Pages: 342

Published: June 6, 2017

Where I Got It: My shelf (Gift)

Summary: 

Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge—until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents—but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together in a world of danger and uncertainty.

Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family’s long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption.

Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country—Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong.

Review:

My hubby's granny gave me this book after she finished it. She said it was really good and she thought I would like it. 

Here we follow Rill and Avery. Two different people in different times, but connected by secrets and tragedy. In 1939, Rill and her siblings seem to have a great life. They are poor but they are happy being on the river. One night her mother is rushed to the hospital with a difficult birth. While being left in charge, strangers come and kidnap them. They are taken to the Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage. Rill fights to keep them all together until they can escape or be saved by their parents. Years later, we have Avery who was born into wealth and privilege. She seems to have it all, but she returns home to help her father weather a health crisis. A chance encounter will leave Avery with uncomfortable questions and a feeling there are secrets she needs to uncover and set to rights. 

This was all based on one of America's most notorious real-life scandals....Georgia Tann was the director of the Memphis-based adoption agency. Thousands of kids were taken from poor families and sold to rich. Some might have gotten there legally, but so many were the products of kidnapping and tricking the biological families. I never knew of this and it breaks my heart. So many of the kids were sold like cattle, abused, and some met worse fates. I for sure did some digging while reading and after finishing the book. Wild. And it angers me Georgia Tann died before any justice could find her. 

This story will suck you in like the high tide. I didn't want to stop reading. I needed to know. I needed to see who was who and who was found. 

This was all so tragic and I for sure cried. Yes, these characters are fake BUT they mirror true stories of real victims. Those poor kids....those poor families....ugh. 

I loved both Rill's side and Avery's side. I kept finding myself upset when we would switch, but then I would get sucked in and then switching back I would be upset. I loved both POVs and I'm glad we got to read both. 

The ending left me breathless. I didn't want the story to end. I was so hopeful. It was bittersweet and a beautiful way to end the book. I'm NOT crying...YOU ARE *sniff*

This for sure has landed on the nominees for best book of the year. I honestly could re-read this. 

All-in-all, this was a wonderful book and I may have book club read this in the future. I'm bursting at the seems to talk about it!! So much to discuss. So much to digest. It was great. Yes, it will make you feel ALL the feelings. I had joy, sadness, ANGER....all of them. 5 stars for sure. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Captivating 

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: The Warlord's Lady by Eve Langlais

Narrated by: Kasha Kensington

Series: Magic and Kings, Book 4

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Release date: 09-24-24 by Tantor Audio

Fantasy romance/to review

I have read and enjoyed the previous books in the series so I dove right into this one.

Monsters are roaming and something is lurking in the mists of Kormac´s kingdom. Something horrible that kills and possesses people. His kingdom thinks a good witch is a dead witch, but he he still calls for one.

Fionna is a witch. Now she must go to a barbarian kingdom who does not know how to treat women or her. Oh and rumours are flying.

Sparks fly...after a while. Because first she must get over that he is so arghhh, and he has to overcome that she is so independent.

Together they save the day and fall in love, awww.

Good book that had danger romance and monsters. Also, I do wonder if Lomar is getting his own book. I hope so

Good narration. She kept the flow going and it was never a dull moment. She was good with different voices and kept it entertaining.

Something evil is lurking in the mountains and Kormac doesn’t know how to fight an enemy that can’t be seen or touched.

While a warlord hates asking for aid, he can’t allow his pride to get in the way. He requests assistance from the witch queen—in secret, of course, because magic isn’t real. Or wasn’t in his corner of the world, until now.

Fionna, the witch who arrives to evaluate the situation, is unlike anyone he’s ever met. Bold. Fearless. Beautiful…

He didn’t count on how much she would test his patience—and his control.

As they work to squash the danger spreading from the mountains, and she impresses him with her skill and courage, he starts to wonder if she’s the lady he’s been waiting for. His mother certainly doesn’t think so, but Kormac didn’t become warlord by allowing others to make decisions for him.

However, taking her as his wife will depend on them surviving the machinations of the evil entity that’s returned to take its vengeance.

Audiobook Review: Grace of Small Magics by Ilona Andrews

Author: Ilona Andrews

Narrator: Michael Glenn

Title: Grace of Small Magics

Series: World of Kate Daniels

Genre: Fantasy, UF, Paranormal, Short Story, Novella

Format: Audiobook

Published: November 24, 2023

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Grace has always known she wasn’t like everyone else and that her family has magic abilities. After flying to meet the head of Clan Dreoch in order to fulfill her families’ “duties” as servants, Grace finds herself in the middle of a mage clan war…

This story was included in Small Magics.

Review:

Yayy another one. 

Grace always knew she wasn't like everyone else and that her family has magic. However, she is forced to fulfill her families' duties as a servant. She finds herself in the middle of a mage clan war. 

OMG can we have more? I would love to follow Grace and even her family before these events. Such a cool aspect and idea. Not that I would want to have those duties to serve, but it is interesting. 

I want to learn more about the clans. 

I want more. 

The length was okay, but I feel like this has a lot of story left even if we don't follow Grace necessarily. 

The narrator was okay. Perfect for the male characters, but the female? Mmm. Just okay. 

A nice bud of a story, but I want more. 4 stars

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Intriguing

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #43

Book Review: An Affair with a Spare by Shana Galen

Author: Shana Galen

Title: An Affair with a Spare

Series: The Survivors #3

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 416

Published: July 3, 2018

Where I Got It: Library

Summary: 

He's turned seduction into an art form...

Rafe Beaumont, fifth son of an earl, uses his irresistible charm with the ladies to glean dangerous war secrets. Now he's putting those skills to the ultimate test: capturing an elusive assassin by seducing his daughter. The problem? She's entirely immune to Rafe's flattery.

Never before has Collette Fortier met a man as attractive as Rafe. But her father's life is at stake, and succumbing to Rafe would be disastrous. But when Rafe turns the tables on her, offering support and friendship instead of a fleeting affair, Collette finds herself tempted in ways she never could have imagined...

Review:

Pushing through the series!

Here we have Rafe and Collette. Rafe is the fifth son of an earl and he uses his charms to glean dangerous war secrets. Now he's putting those skills to the test to capture an elusive assassin by seducing his daughter. The problem seems to be that she is immune to his charms. Collette has never met a man as attractive as Rafe, but her father's life is at stake. When Rafe offers friendship and support, Collette finds herself tempted to take his help and maybe more. 

Spies. Love. Usually up my alley! However....I was bored. So utterly bored. I found myself starting to skim just so I could be done. I wanted to give up, but I really like this author and this series so far. *cough* I also wanted credit for my library reading challenge *cough* I kept plugging along. 

Took me forever, but I finished it. Maybe it was Rafe...maybe it was Collette....maybe I just didn't care about either. I liked Rafe's little cameos in the past books, but here? Meh. 

Could I tell you what happened? Eh. Somewhat. My mind kept drifting.

The ending was okay and I am curious still about the next book. 

Maybe I need to try this again one day in audio format? 

Eh. 

I'll give this 2 stars, because I didn't hate it. I was just....bored. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Eh

Challenge(s):

- Library Love #23

TMST: Go-To Comfort Reads

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

9/17/24: Do you have a go-to comfort book/read?

There are soooo many books that I consider a go-to especially after the last few years. I'm so happy my list is getting so big.

LOTR for sure. 

Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig.

The Others by Anne Bishop.

Both 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Persuasion' by Jane Austen. 

Also, it's becoming a yearly tradition is 'You Can Thank Me Later'. 

Blodeuedd Reviews: A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn

Series: Veronica Speedwell (#9)

Format: 326 pages, Hardcover

Published: March 12, 2024 by Berkley

Historical mystery/Library

Another murder, another adventure. Veronica and Stoker has made up again and life is good. Until they get a wax figure, who is not wax but an embalmed woman. Creepy.

Veronica and Stoker are not really pulling their weight here. They have help from a cop and a journalist and those do most of the work. They even say so at the end.

Who is the woman? How was she killed? How has she been like this for 15 years? There is some mad science behind this. A nice mystery.

I do still like these, but like with all long running series, I would like to see an end one day.

I really do not have much to say. Good book.

Lord Rosemorran has purchased a wax figure of a beautiful reclining woman and asks Stoker to incorporate a clockwork mechanism to give the Rosemorran Collection its own Sleeping Beauty in the style of Madame Tussaud’s. But when Stoker goes to cut the mannequin open to insert the mechanism, he makes a gruesome discovery: this is no wax figure. The mannequin is the beautifully preserved body of a young woman who was once very much alive. But who would do such a dreadful thing, and why?

Sleuthing out the answer to this question sets Veronica and Stoker on their wildest adventure yet. From the underground laboratories of scientists experimenting with electricity to resurrect the dead in the vein of Frankenstein to the traveling show where Stoker once toured as an attraction, the gaslit atmosphere of London in October is the perfect setting for this investigation into the unknown. Through it all, the intrepid pair is always one step behind the latest villain—a man who has killed once and will stop at nothing to recover the body of the woman he loved. Will they unmask him in time to save his next victim? Or will they become the latest figures to be immortalized in his collection of horrors?

Audiobook Review: Coming Home by Kennedy Ryan

Author: Kennedy Ryan

Narrator: Wesleigh Siobhan & Jakobi Diem

Title: Coming Home

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella

Format: Audiobook

Published: February 9, 2023

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

They got everything they wanted...but never had each other.

Touré Wallace and Niomi Spencer were close friends at Finley College, the prestigious HBCU they attended. The attraction that simmered between them every semester was a question they never got to ask or answer before soaring ambitions launched them to opposite corners of the world. Both chased their dreams of grit and glamor as high-profile journalists. They got it all...except a shot at being more than friends.

Years later, Touré is an award-winning investigative journalist and Niomi is America's most popular morning-show host, but they both feel like something’s missing. When their alma mater recruits its most famous alums for an interview during homecoming, every look, every touch is electric. The air hums with what could have been, and they're tempted by what they could have right now, if only for one weekend. Have they traveled the world, chasing something special, when all it took was coming home?

Featuring Southern University’s marching band, Human Jukebox!

Review:

I'm for sure in the Fall spirit. I seen this and HAD to read it. 

Toure and Niomi were close friends in college, but time and careers tore them apart. For years they always wondered...what IF. Years later Toure is an awad-wining investigative journalist and Niomi is America's most popular morning-show host. They are recruited to come back to their college during homecoming and they are instantly drawn together. 

I really enjoyed this one. There was no big drama that happened between these two. They were friends but always liked each other. However, they were never on the same wave-length...and then Toure went to France and came back with a girlfriend and a baby. They never got to have that chance to be more than friends. 

The side characters were adorable and I want their stories next!!!!!

This was fun and I liked it a lot. It could've been longer, but I felt the length was just right I think. 

The narrators were a lot of fun. They were perfect and I would listen to more by them! I honestly gobbled this up in two sittings. I couldn't stop and didn't want to!!

All-in-all, this was a perfect romance for the beginning of Fall. It even made me regret not going to a big college! 5 out of 5 from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Wonderful

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #42

- Romance Reading Challenge #23 (Single parent)

Audiobook Review: The Haunted Homecoming by Angie Fox

Author: Angie Fox

Narrator: Tavia Gilbert

Title: The Haunted Homecoming

Series: Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #10

Genre: Paranormal, Mystery, Romance, Cozy Mystery

Format: Audiobook

Published: August 17, 2021

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Apple cider, bonfires, football, and—ghosts.

It’s homecoming weekend in Sugarland, Tennessee and ghost hunter Verity Long is tickled to see so many souls—living and dead—back in town to celebrate. But not all reunions are happy ones, and when Verity stumbles upon a dead body by the football field, it appears someone has already evened the score.

Review:

Been holding onto this lil nugget until Fall time! It's September...it works ;)

We continue our journey with Verity Long. It's homecoming weekend and the whole town is in celebration mode! They are even unburying a time capsule. It's a little early, but they need to build stuff. When it is opened they uncover a body of a young woman from the 1980s everyone thought ran off with a mystery man. It will be up to Verity to solve the murder. 

All the Fall feels. The weather is going back and forth here, but in my heart it is Fall. This was the perfect book to kick off Fall reads. 

Lots of drama and fun and comedy. Lots of red herrings in this one. I really had no idea. There are a few people who for sure would have good motive for murder. I wasn't sure and then the real murderer shocked me. THAT WAS A TWIST!!!!

It was certainly a twist-y twist, but it made sense thinking back on it. Nice job. 

I'm so glad we got a break from the MIL drama. She needs to stay away for a while. But we did get to meet Verity's mom more and learn more about that. It was nice to see them start working on their own issues. 

There is a the blossoming of a romance with two side characters I did NOT see that coming. I know Verity isn't amused, but....I'm excited for them. I'm curious to see where it goes. 

All-in-all, this was really, really good. I enjoyed it so much. Loved it really. I could see myself relistening to this one. It was perfect to kick off Fall!!

5 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Great

 

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #41

- Cloak & Dagger #18

Blodeuedd Reviews: Loveless by Alice Oseman

 

By: Alice Oseman

Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown, Elizabeth Schenk, Imogen Church

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Release date: 03-01-22 by Scholastic

YA fiction/audiosync

I have actually never read Osman. I did see the tvseries, and I really should read Heartstopper. But this is my first Osman.

Georgia starts uni and wonders what is wrong with her. Why hasn´t she kissed anyone? Why does it make her want to throw up? With her she has her two best friends, Jason and Pip. Jason got some space here, but not much. Pip did get some more space and drama as she navigates uni being gay. Georgia also gets a roommate named Rooney who has her own troubles.

Classes, friendship drama, the search for love and romance, and slowly finding out why she is different, and why that is perfectly fine. She is aromantic and asexual. She has no real clues what that is, and even as the tries to comprehend it will take some time. But I loved the message in the book, how friendships are important and should be treasured. True friends are gold.

Good book and good narration. 

From the marvelous author of Heartstopper comes an exceptional YA novel about discovering that it's okay if you don't have sexual or romantic feelings for anyone . . . since there are plenty of other ways to find love and connection. This is the funny, honest, messy, completely relatable story of Georgia, who doesn't understand why she can't crush and kiss and make out like her friends do. She's surrounded by the narrative that dating + sex = love. It's not until she gets to college that she discovers the A range of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum -- coming to understand herself as asexual/aromantic. Disrupting the narrative that she's been told since birth isn't easy -- there are many mistakes along the way to inviting people into a newly found articulation of an always-known part of your identity. But Georgia's determined to get her life right, with the help of (and despite the major drama of) her friends.

Book Review: The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas

Author: Sherry Thomas

Title: The Hollow of Fear

Series: Lady Sherlock #3

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Romance

Format: paperback

Pages: 329

Published: October 2, 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf (Used book store)

Summary: 

Under the cover of “Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective,” Charlotte Holmes puts her extraordinary powers of deduction to good use. Aided by the capable Mrs. Watson, Charlotte draws those in need to her and makes it her business to know what other people don’t.

Moriarty’s shadow looms large. First, Charlotte’s half brother disappears. Then, Lady Ingram, the estranged wife of Charlotte’s close friend Lord Ingram, turns up dead on his estate. And all signs point to Lord Ingram as the murderer.

With Scotland Yard closing in, Charlotte goes under disguise to seek out the truth. But uncovering the truth could mean getting too close to Lord Ingram—and a number of malevolent forces…

Review:

Book 3! I found this randomly at a used book store in Ann Arbor so why not?

We are back on the case with Charlotte. Her half brother disappears, Moriarty's shadow looms over all, and now Lady Ingram is dead. She is the estranged wife of Charlotte's close friend. All signs are pointing to him. With Scotland Yard closing in, Charlotte has to go undercover to find the truth.

Am I in the minority? It seems like everyone adores this one. It was okay. Not my favorite so far of the series. I felt the last two were way better. 

I was doing okay with this until the big twist and reveals. Ugh. Too easy but really complex and odd. It didn't sit right with me. I hope a certain character is charged with SOMETHING. That character doesn't deserve to just....like walk away. No more spoilers from me. That is all you get. 

The ending didn't sit well with me. The rest was okay. I enjoyed watching Charlotte figure things out and get her hands dirty. 

Lord Ingram and her? Poor guy is going to get his heartbroken again. :(

All-in-all, not my favorite. Was still great seeing everyone and seeing Charlotte untwist this mystery. I didn't like the ending. We'll see how book 4 goes. 3 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Wild

Challenge(s):

- Cloak and Dagger - #17

Graphic Novel Review: Heartstopper V4 by Alice Osema

Author & Illustrator: Alice Osema
Title: Heartstopper

Series: Heartstopper Volume 4
Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBT, YA, Contemporary, Romance
Format: ebook

Pages: 320
Published: May 6, 2021
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Charlie didn't think Nick could ever like him back, but now they're officially boyfriends. Charlie's beginning to feel ready to say those three little words: I love you.

Review: 

I'm loving this series SO much. It's so dang sweet and....real. 

We continue following Charlie and Nick on their journey of young love. Things get a little heavier in this one. 

Not only do they want to scream "I LOVE YOU" to each other, but both are so scared and unsure.....we also get to glimpse at some of their demons. They both don't have the perfect family life. Charlie's mom is having a hard time trusting him. Nick's brother is a monster and his dad is absent. He's a 1 time a year father. 

We also dive into Charlie's mental health issues and eating issues. I'm sure a lot of it stems from that whole year he was bullied to the point the police should've been involved. Poor kid....Charlie is so sweet and didn't deserve that at all. :( 

Don't get it twisted...even with the heavier plotline here it is still light and YA. It just made their world seem more real....and it makes you adore them even more. You want them to be happy and have the perfect life. We all know life isn't like that though......

But yes. This is still really good and I want more! MORE PLEASE!

5 stars. I loved that it went a little darker and we get to see more behind each character. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Beautiful

Challenge(s):

-  Library Love #22

2-in-1 Review: Of Swine and Roses & Retribution Clause

Author: Ilona Andrews

Narrator: Hillary Huber 

Title: Of Swine and Roses

Series: World of Kate Daniels

Genre: Short Story, UF, Paranormal Romance, YA, Novella

Format: Audiobook

Published: August 13, 2009

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

A young adult short story about a girl, a pig, some magic, and the worst date ever.

Chad Thurman is a thug, who carries brass knuckles in both pockets and lays magic traps for intruders into “his” neighborhood. The last thing Alena Kornov wants to do is to go on the date with him. But when her family pressures her, she can’t say no. Now the ice-cream is absent, the pig is running for its life, and we won’t even mention the dead guy…

Review:

That title!!!! I snorted like a piggie. I was excited to get started on this one. 

We have poor Alena who is being forced to go on a date with a dude named Chad (you know it's going to go bad based on the name alone). He is a thug and his morals are questionable. After a crappy movie and no ice cream...she finds herself trying to save a pig that Chad is out to murder. 

This was rough in the beginning. I get you don't want to upset a local family, but forcing her to go on a date with Chad? Ew. Bad parenting right there. 

The date was crappy and I was so worried she was going to fall head over heels in love with this punk. Bleh. Spoiler....she doesn't. Yayy!

Things got better but the beginning was rough because I was so worried about our girl. 

The narrator did a great job. Perfect for everyone. 

This was cute. Not my favorites of the shorts, but I loved the ending. 

3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Cute

 

Author: Ilona Andrews

Narrator: Michael Glenn

Title: Retribution Clause

Series: World of Kate Daniels #6.7

Genre: UF, Short Stories, Paranormal Romance, Novella

Format: Audiobook

Published: June 5, 2012

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Saiman's cousin, Adam—a frost giant and also an insurance adjuster—and his enigmatic partner, Siroun, set out on an impossible mission to enforce a client's Retribution Clause; that is, to kill the person who killed her.

Review:

Chipping away at all the shorts from the Kate Daniels series!! I came across this one next. Slightly worried because they are new characters.

We have Adam who is Saiman's cousin. He's a frost giant and also an insurance adjuster. His partner is Siroun. They are set out on an impossible mission to enforce a client's Retribution Clause....kill the person who killed her. 

How fun!!!! Adam was cool and I liked Siroun. I hope there are more of their stories out there! 

What a cool concept. I guess even in worlds like this we need insurance adjusters ;) 

Loved every moment of this story. 

The narrator was wonderful and brought everyone to life. 

All-in-all this was cool and fun. Slightly different, but in a refreshing way. 5 outta 5. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Lively

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #39 & 40

B's Tuesday Review: Just a Cowboy and his Baby by Carolyn Brown

396 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

Series: Spikes & Spurs (#6)

Format: 396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published: August 6, 2024 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

Contemporary romance/western romance/netgalley

So this was actually by mistake, I saw it on Netgalley (and I am never there), and I went for it. Half way through I realised that I had actually read it 10 years ago. Ooops.

Gemma and Trace are doing the rodeo circuit and they are head to head. But only one person can win. Sure, I was rooting for Gemma, girl power and all that. Sorry Trace. They are in competition, but slowly something grows there and they start spending time together in private too.

I liked their families and the whole rodeo thing. The drama comes rather late and is quickly resolved because omg they talk about it and are there for each other.

I enjoyed it

Gemma O'Donnell was incensed when she wasn't the first woman to win the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Championship Association) buckle for bronc riding. This year, she heads out on the PRCA ProRodeo Tour burning to be the second.

First stop is Cody, Wyoming where her stiffest competition is Trace Coleman, who already has a jump on her. A tall, dark-haired cowboy with a sexy grin and a swagger, he doesn't really give a damn about the trophy belt buckle—he wants the purse to buy a ranch he has his eye on. He damn sure doesn't have time for a sassy bit of Irish baggage who can evidently ride anything with four legs and make anything with two legs want to take her to bed.

Gemma wins a few; Trace wins a few. In the end they both qualify for the final cut in Las Vegas. But when it comes down to the wire, only one can win the bronc-riding competition and take home one helluva prize. But in this competition, it just might be loser takes all...

Best of August

Here are our bests from August!!!! 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd -  Daughters of Olympus by Hannah Lynn

"Best cover and it can get best book too!"

Carole -  Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews

"This was just too good to NOT give it best book."

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole - Nadda this month. Nothing stood out over 3 stars. 

Blodeuedd - No movie stood out. 

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Solar Opposites, Geek Girl, Monk, Love is Blind UK, & Umbrella Academy

"I watched a lot of tv in August. Solar Opposites because fun. Geek Girl because it was new. Finally finished Monk. Love is blind uk for drama and the final season of Umbrella Academy."

Carole - Schitt's Creek

"Hubby wanted to watch so I'm re-watching! SOOO good."

Best Cover of the Month:

B's favorite

C's favorite