Audiobook Review: A Change of Plans by Dennis E Taylor

Author: Dennis E Taylor

Narrator: Neil Hellegers
Title: A Change of Plans

Genre: SciFi, Fantasy, Short Story
Format: Audiobook
Published: October 22, 2019
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Earth is dying, and humanity is scrambling to set up colonies in other star systems. But the search process for habitable planets is not perfect, as the crew of the Ouroboros discover on arrival at their new home.

Review:

Gotta love a nice short SciFi. It's how I like 'em. Short, sweet, and to the point. 

Humanity is scrambling to set up colonies in other star systems because Earth is dying. The crew of Ouroboros has arrived to their new home, but it's not.........perfect. 

I've heard of the author, and I've been curious, so I decided to give this little short a chance. A little bit of a taste, ya know?

It sounds like this universe is set up. There seems to be more stories out there, but this story did fine alone. I was never confused, and that is a def a bonus for SciFi stories. Some authors get too stuck in the weeds of details. The author did a good job, so I may check out a full-length someday. If you like this author, give me a recommendation! I'm so dang picky with SciFi. 

So yes....we have a crew out on adventure. They are tasked to find other planets that might work for the humans. Earth is dying, and we need to colonize. Typical. The crew was nice, but I couldn't tell you any of their names, so they were slightly forgettable. Not bad, just atypical. 

The little battle was fun. 

The ending was nice. 

The narrator is a gem. I really like his voices. I've heard an audio or two of his and know his voice. It's nice, and he does well even with lady voices. 

Overall, this was a nice taste of SciFi. Perfect while working on an Excel for work. Quick and intense. 4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #9

Audiobook Review: Garters, Ghosts and Wedding Toasts by Angie Fox

Author: Angie Fox

Narrator: Hollie Jackson
Title: Garters, Ghosts and Wedding Toasts

Series: Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #15

Genre: Paranormal, Mystery, Cozy mystery
Format: Audiobook
Published:  February 27, 2026
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

When Verity Long agrees to be her sister’s maid of honor, she expects wedding cake and champagne—not a dead hostess, a cursed honeymoon suite, and a ghostly bride reliving her tragic final moments. With a killer on the loose, a ballroom full of restless spirits, and Frankie stirring up trouble with a rogue ghost hunter, Verity must race to uncover the truth before Melody’s dream wedding becomes her worst nightmare.

Review:

Yayy book 15! Been waiting so long for this one (*cough* not that long *cough*)

Note......read the other books before this one. Lots of references, etc. 

The time has come for Verity's sister to get married! Verity hopes it will be a calm and beautiful wedding weekend filled with cake and champagne. But alas, that will not be the case.....the honeymoon suite is cursed, there is a ghostly bride reliving her tragic moments, a killer is on the loose, Frankie is causing trouble, and secrets everywhere. It will be up to Verity and team to find the truth and stop Melody's man from being the next victim. 

Always a blast. I simply love Verity and her crew. 

Loved the mysteries. So many red herrings and so many people (and ghosts) with motives. Who knows! I had zero idea until close to the end.

I'm still a little on the fence about our new narrator. This is her second one, and I am still feeling pouty about it. I loved our old voice, but this one is doing okay. Maybe the next book I'll finally settle in with her voice. Sighs. 

But yes, so much fun. Great characters. A fun local change. Wedding. Love. Ghosts. What more can you ask for?

Stamping this with 4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #8

Movie Review: Dracula (2025)

Title: Dracula - A Love Tale

Length: 2h 9m

Released: 2025 (2026 US)

Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Romance
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Apple TV

SUMMARY:

When a 15th-century prince denounces God after the loss of his wife he inherits an eternal curse: he becomes Dracula. Condemned to wander the centuries, he defies fate and death, guided by a single hope - to be reunited with his lost love.

Trailer

REVIEW:

I saw this trailer a while back, and I have been waiting and waiting for it to arrive in the US. When it finally did, I dragged Hubby to the couch to make him watch this with me. I looove a good Dracula film!

Here we have Dracula, who was a prince in the 15th-century. He killed and did many bad things in the name of God. The only thing he asked for was protection for his wife. Well...she was murdered and died in his arms, so he turned his back on God, which in turn God gave him an eternal curse. Condemned to never die and to drink blood for survival. He hopes his beloved will be reincarnated since she was of a pure soul. 400 years later...he has found her and no one will stop him from reclaiming his love. 

What a lovely cast. What a lovely story. I really, really enjoyed it. The guy who played Dracula was amazing. 

This rendition certainly played up the love story and made this more of a romance. Still some horror elements, but certainly more romantic. 

That last scene literally broke me. SOO good. SOO perfect.

No issues for me. Hubby said he liked it, but he thought it had some weird elements. I disagree. I liked the change-ups. 

We have the romance and the horror. We also were given splashes of comedy that made me smile. 

I'll give this 5 stars. I want to watch it again!

DNF Second Chance Poll - Add Your Vote!

It is that time again to give another book another chance! If you want to get in on the action, please feel free! 

Rules:

- The book must be sitting on the DNF shelf for at least one year. Time heals wounds...right?

- Honor the poll choice (if you do a polling)

- Read at LEAST 125 pages before giving up. 

- Be completely and utterly honest

- If it is a physical book and it was another DNF...the book must be rehomed. 

Click HERE to vote!

Voting ends 5pm est 3/23.

**If the link doesn't work, just put your vote in the comments. I'm testing out Google's poll.