Audiobook Review: Dread and Buried by Angie Fox

Author: Angie Fox

Narrator: Tavia Gilbert

Title: Dread and Buried

Series: Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #12

Genre: Paranormal, Cozy Mystery, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery

Format: Audiobook

Published:  April 18, 2023

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible) 

Summary: 

Dead men tell no tales.

Until they meet ghost hunter Verity Long.

Verity Long is proud to say she gets along with just about anybody—dead or alive. But she’s put to the test when her well-meaning boyfriend and her sweet-as-pie sister con her into a remote island “double date” weekend with her sister’s new flame and Verity’s long-time nemesis, Alec Duranja.

Her plans to avoid the uptight police officer go up in smoke when the four of them team up for a weekend treasure hunt competition based on the island’s legendary pirate past. And it doesn’t take long for Verity and her team to discover more than game clues. Someone is using the game to dig up real pirate gold...and they’re willing to kill to keep it.

There’s no escaping the island or the game. And when the killer targets someone Verity loves, she realizes she’s the only one who can uncover the truth behind the legend. She must stay one step ahead of the dangers of the island and two steps ahead of Frankie’s new ghostly pirate buddies—all in a race against time to solve a centuries-old puzzle and take down a real live killer before he strikes again.

Review:

This series has my heart. I only have a couple left after this one before I am all caught up. I certainly hope we get more! Well...maybe...I have a couple more so maybe it will wrap up nicely?

Okay so we continue with our gang Verity and Frankie. Verity has dealt with her sister's new flame...Alec Duranja....but now she is conned to a double date holiday where HE will be. Verity and Alec have been at odds since their first meeting, so her goal is to avoid him as much as possible, but now they are involved in a treasure hunt competition based on the island's pirate past. There is no escaping so they will have to play nice. However, there is a contestant who is using the game to find the real pirate gold and they are willing to hurt someone....or worse....kill for it. The four will need to work together to get out alive and maybe win some big cash. 

I loved the shake up on setting for this one. It was nice getting away from Sugarland and reading about a nice warm island. *sighs in sad-Michigander-trying-to-ignore-the-cold-weather* I also have a soft spot for pirates so I was giddy that Verity gets to chat with some long-dead pirates!! When I was a youth I LOVED pirates so I can't help but feel nostalgic. 

This was fun. The mystery was entertaining. At first it just seems like it would be a harmless treasure hunt, but things get dicey when "accidents" keep happening. There are a few contestants who seem to be itching for that gold. 

Bless Frankie. Love him so much. Sadly we didn't see TOO much of him in this one, but he did have another character growth. I'm so proud of him. 

Loved Pearl LOL. 

What I liked most with this book is that it Verity and Alec are forced to interact and maybe, just maybe become friends. We'll see what happens in the next book. 

The narrator is perfection as always. The pirate voices all sounded similar but still a good job there. 

5 stars from me. Read this series. It is a gem. But you need to read book 1.  

 

- Favorite Character(s): Pearl!!!!!!!

- Least Favorite Character(s): The twins

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #14

- Cloak & Dagger #7

Book Review: At Last by Kimolisa Mings

Author: Kimolisa Mings

Title: At Last

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella, Short Story

Format: ebook

Pages: 45

Published: September 13, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Can mangoes and pineapples cure a broken heart?

That's what Connie hopes to find out when she drags Marcus out of his funk and to the pineapple/mango festival. But the last thing she expected was for them to run into his ex.

After a narrow escape, the two friends spend the rest of the outing on a secluded beach and now they can't escape their true feelings for each other.

In taking a chance, Connie might be the one to make his heart whole, but the last thing she wants to be is Marcus's rebound.

Review:

Another freebie! I am def cleaning up my Amazon shelf from all the freebies I have been grabbing. 

Here we follow Connie and Marcus. The two have been friends for a while and when Marcus finds himself in a funk, Connie has to do something. She decides the answer is taking him out and about. Maybe the Pineapple/Mango Festival is the key! However, the last thing she expects is for them to run into his ex. In an attempt to escape, they find a secluded beach and soon all feelings will be on the table. 

This was a perfect summer short. Fun characters, a fun location, and no real drama. Connie does get worried that she will just be Marcus's rebound, but you can tell he had some feelings so her worry is for naught. 

My only issue for this one is that I wanted more backstory for these two. I would've liked to see them interact more as just friends. I think that would've beefed up the feeling for the reader of "FINALLY!" 

But besides that, this was quick and sweet. You see how much they love each other. A nice poolside read for sure. 

I'll give this 4 stars. I just loved Connie and Marcus so much. Plus I loved that there wasn't too much drama for them. 

Book Review: Good Girl by Tricia O'Malley

Author: Tricia O'Malley

Title: Good Girl

(Siren Island #1)

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Paranormal

Format: ebook

Published: November 13th 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf - Amazon

Summary: 

She shouldn't be on this island.

 

If she was smart, Samantha Jameson would turn around and march right back to the plane that deposited her at a faded hut of an airport on Siren Island. Yet, Samantha just can't muster the energy to do so, not after the hellish week she's had. Her whole life has been spent playing by the rules, and for what? An empty apartment, a career with no upward movement, and one failed relationship after another.  When it all blows up in her face, what's a girl to do but book a last-minute trip to the ridiculously named Laughing Mermaid Bed & Breakfast on an unknown speck of an island in the Caribbean?

 

Lucas Mosteron knows all about burning out from first-hand experience. Over the years, he's discovered that he isn't the only one, as everyone has their own unique story for landing on Siren Island. His lovely and mysterious neighbors at The Laughing Mermaid Bed & Breakfast are no exception. Little does he know that there is more to their story than he could ever have imagined possible. When Samantha Jameson arrives as their guest - depleted and needing respite, Lucas can't help but feel like he could be the man she needs. Irresistibly drawn to her uptight demeanor, Lucas is determined to unwind Samantha and show her that life on Siren Island could be the answer to all her problems.

Review:

Got this free from Amazon and I adore this author. Plus Mermaids! Fun!

Samantha Jameson is smart and great at her job...but after being skipped over for the promotion, she decides to cash in her vacation time and actually take a long vacation. She randomly goes to an small island in the Caribbean. There she comes across Lucas who knows all about having a burnout at his job. She also meets the mysterious neighbors at The Laughing Mermaid Bed & Breakfast. This island might be everything she needs. 

This needs to become a Hallmark movie for real. In a good way of course ;) This had all the elements. An over-worked woman who deserves the stars but who's company and family stink finally gets away. Meets a hunk....and some fun side character/new besties. 

And there is a lore of mermaids....even better! So fun! Spoiler, not spoiler, the fun neighbors are mermaids and will help Samantha unwind and find her inner mermaid. Fun! I do wish we had more mermaid-ness.

This was a whimsical love-story! Some slow parts, but like the islander there was no rush and it wasn't a race. I enjoyed it. 

Overall, I highly recommend this and it's a great way to end the summer. So fun and cute romance. I'll give this 4 stars. 

 

Book Review: Heart of Stone by Debra Mullins

Author: Debra Mullins
Title: Heart of Stone (Truth Seers #2)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 320
Published: October 2014
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Darius Montana is a Seer. With his gift of empathy, he can see into the hearts of others, both human and Atlantean. When his family comes into possession of one of the legendary power stones of Atlantis, Darius is sent to find the Stone Singer.

Faith Karaluros is the last Stone Singer. Manipulated all her life for her rare ability, she is widowed after her husband tried to steal her power for the Mendukati, an extremist group that hunts Seers. Faith wants nothing more than to stay out of this war when Darius comes to find her—just in time to rescue her from being kidnapped.

Faith goes with Darius, determined to do the job and be on her way with the money that can set her up where no one can find her again. She didn't count on the Mendukati sending a hit man after her. Darius swears he can protect her, but when she discovers he is one of the rare Atlanteans whose powers work on their own kind, can she trust him to keep his word, or is she being used again?



I am really loving this world. It is such an interesting concept with interesting characters. There is a lot to learn about this world and all the different powers, but I am glad that the author is slowly introducing the world and history to the readers. I can't wait to learn more. Honestly, the first book should be read first due to the backstory. 

This story follows Darius is a Seer, who has the ability to feel other people's emotion, and Faith who is a Stone Singer. They have a lot of issues internally and there is a war that started brewing in the last book. 

I really loved Faith's power! It's hard to really explain, but I would want her power...except I wouldn't want to be the only one left and people are hunting me to wrangle the stones of power.

The only issue with the book was the ending. The ending just, well, ended. Sure, I want to read the next one, but it was so anti-climatic and a sad attempt at being a cliff-hanger. 

GAH!!!!! I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ADRIAN! Who are you mysterious man?!  He seems so complex and has a crazy past. There was a huge reveal. I anticipated something of that nature, but it was still a good twist. 

In the end, this was a good read! I am really liking this world and the characters. Can't wait for the next book. The ending was a meh, but the rest was good. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Men Tell No Tales

Film Title: Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Men Tell No Tales
Length: 2 hr and 9 min
Released: May 2017
Genre: Action, Adventure, & Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: In theaters


SUMMARY:
Captain Jack Sparrow searches for the trident of Poseidon while being pursued by an undead sea captain and his crew.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:
Oooooo it's a pirates life for meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I do love them dirty, nasty pirates. It has always been a weakness of mine. I also love the clean, goodie-two-shoes guys in uniform hunting down those pirates. So...as you can see...I am stuck in the middle of the Pirate Life and the Non-Pirate Life. LOL

Anyways....back to the review....

The lover of pirates was psyched about seeing this film, but the logic in me was shaking my fist in protest. They really need to end the series or reboot it...or something. They keep going and going. They simply need to stop or do some serious soul-searching before they start the next script. Maybe they could branch out to new characters (Sorry Jack Sparrow) and explore the world more. There is SO much world out there. OR they could reboot the series and fix the mistakes they made like killing the love of my life. BRING HIM BACK! Sorry, this is a slight spoiler from one of the older movies.........

I did like how they tied the loose ends with Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann. I wish they would've had more of a story-line in this film. If you did not watch the old films you would've been lost and confused as to who these guys are and why they are SO fundamental. They needed to add a scene or two extra. 

My biggest complaint (besides for missing my love and the limited screen time for Will and Elizabeth) is the aging factor. Are these characters NOT aging? Is the Black Pearl keeping everyone from aging? How is Mr. Gibbs still alive and the same age. Wouldn't he be damn near 80 by now? Same with Barbossa? Barbossa looks only a few years older not near 20 years older. This is seriously bugging me. 

I liked the "baddie". I loved how complex he was. Was he really a baddie? Sure he killed some innocent people here and there, but his main aim is Pirates. Which are they truly baddies? These movies really do bring up interesting questions about what is good and what is bad. Sometimes the "good guys" act really bad in the name of goodness. Sometimes the "bad guys" have moments of goodness like a certain character sacrificing themselves for the person they love. So good. Maybe that is why I keep watching these. 

Yes, there is some humor. It's getting old though and over-the-top. They really need to try new things. Jack is just getting TOO lucky. 

Just looking at this film as I would've as a child like when the first movie came out, this was so much fun. Looking at this film with adult goggles it is really getting old and if they want to continue with the films they need fresh material. 

Okay..okay...let's get to the things I like. I liked Elizabeth and Will making a show. I loved the special effects. All great. I especially got scared when the sharks were released. CREEPY buggers they were. The character developments are getting deeper and more complex. There is more to these characters than we all thought. 

In the end, I liked the movie...but... there were a lot of things that I didn't like. I am curious to see what they have next. Out of five stars, I will stamp this with 3 stars.