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

Book Review: Murder's a Witch by Danielle Garrett

Author: Danielle Garrett

Title: Murder's a Witch

Series: Beechwood Harbor Magic Mystery #1

Genre: Cozy mystery, Paranormal

Format: ebook

Pages: 332

Published: August 9, 2016

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

I’m a witch with a problem. Okay, make that lots of problems.

Following a slight misunderstanding with magical law enforcement, I wind up expelled from the hidden supernatural community known as the Seattle Haven. My parole office dumps me in a tiny beach town with nothing but my collection of worldly possessions and a warning that this is my last shot.

I don’t think I’m cut out for the human world, but when stuck between a prison cell and a haunted halfway house, I suppose I’ll take option B.

Things start out better than expected, I even manage to make a few friends, but when my boss at the local coffee house is found dead in an alley, I get tangled up in the investigation, and might have to blow my cover to prove my friend’s innocence.

Add to that a fussy ghost landlady, warring vampire and shifter roommates, and my rapidly dwindling savings, and I’m beginning to wonder if I might have been better off serving that prison sentence after all.

It’s too late now. I’m in the thick of it and come hex or high water, I’ll get to the bottom of this murder, even if it means permanent banishment from the magical world.

Review:

Been meaning to read more by this author, especially since I finished a different series. I picked up this one. I believe the two are in the same world. I could be wrong. My poor brain can't remember anything lately. 

Here we follow Holly, who has landed in this small town. This is her last chance to reform. She is determined to find happiness and be done. She likes this town and some of the people. Things seem to have found a lovely pace until her grumpy boss is found murdered and her bestie is accused. She will need to figure out the truth! On top of this murder mystery, she has to keep a snoopy PI away from her home and figure out if the flirty shifter is actually interested or playing games. Lots to do. Not a lot of time to do it. 

Oh no.

Eeeek!

I'll just spit it out!

I wasn't a fan of this one. *hides*

Holly was meh. 

The shifter was annoying. 

I did like some of the side characters, like Cass. And some of the banter was cute. 

There is a whiff of a love triangle, and I don't care for any of the angles of the triangle. Meh.

The mystery really wasn't a mystery. Either the cops in this town don't care, or they flat out suck. C'mon. 

I did hold on and finished it because I had hope in my heart, but alas...the hope was let down.

Eeee. Maybe I'll try book 2 because I do like this author a lot. Sighs.

I'll give this 2 stars JUST because some of the side characters and the town. Some cute banter can be found in this tale. 

Audiobook Review: Turn of Fate by Anne Bishop

Author: Anne Bishop

Narrator: Jesse Vilinsky
Title: Turn of Fate

Series: Isle of Wyrd #1

Genre: UF, Paranormal
Format: Audiobook
Published: November 11, 2025
Where I Got It: My shelf (Xmas gift)

Summary: 

Words have power. Intentions matter.

Most people come to Destiny Park for entertainment. They come to have their cards read to tell them a bit about their future. They come to walk through a beautiful park and to eat at the hotel’s restaurant. They come in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Arcana, the paranormal beings who rule the Isle of Wyrd.

But some people come to make a bargain with the Arcana—to change their fate. And some people come for dark purposes.

When Detective Beth Fahey is sent to Destiny Park to inquire about a “ghost gun,” she will begin a strange journey on which she must learn to navigate the Arcana’s unforgiving laws and dangerous attractions. Her search will draw her into seemingly impossible cases and the secrets of her own past as tensions rise between the Arcana and their human neighbors across the river.

For the Isle of Wyrd is a place where the dead ride trains to their final destinations, predators literally become prey, and seekers’ true natures are revealed in the ripples of destiny unknowingly stirred in their wakes.

Who will live? Who will die? And who will be lost in between?

Review:

I had my eye on this when it was first released. A lovely friend gifted me the audio for Xmas, and I finally got a chance to dive in!

The Isle of Wyrd is...well...weird. People on the other side of the river come by to get their tarots read or enjoy a day trip. Maybe catch a view of one of the paranormals that live on the island! There are some humans who arrive to strike a deal with the Arcana to help change their fate, and others come for darker reasons. Beth is the newest cop on the team that deals with weird cases that might be connected to the Arcana or the Isle. Beth draws the short straw and has to take on the case of the "ghost gun." This will lead her down a journey that will change her life forever. 

Sadly, this is not connected to the other series I love by this author, BUT this has the beginnings of a series I might end up loving too. This is just so fresh and entertaining. I really didn't want to stop listening. 

The Arcana and the Isle of Wyrd sound so scary, but if you follow the rules and aren't an asshole, you will be fine. But of COURSE there are humans that can't do it. They are just dumb and evil. *rolls eyes* 

We had a lot of side characters and some subplots that don't seem related, but they are in some weird way. It was done so well that you don't lose focus and it actually helps push the plot. It helps the understanding of the story and the messages that the Arcana are not ones to mess with. "Fuck around and find out" should be the tagline to this story. 

I loved the Arcana, and I loved some humans. I hope to see them in book 2!!!

The ending was lovely. 

The narrator was fantastic. 

I really, really fell in love with this book. 100% recommended. 

5 stars.

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #6

Book Review: Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue

Author: Gretchen Rue

Title: Steeped to Death

Series: Witches' Brew Mystery #1

Genre: Cozy mystery, Paranormal

Format: ebook

Pages: 299

Published: September 6, 2022

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Phoebe Winchester’s beloved aunt Eudora has a taste for adventure—and a knack for making magical tea. It’s even rumored that she just might be a witch. So when Eudora passes away and leaves everything to her niece—her Victorian mansion, her bookshop/tea store, The Earl’s Study, and one very chubby orange cat named Bob—Phoebe gets more than she bargained for. And she knows she’s in deep when a dead man is found on the shop’s back step, apparently killed while trying to break in.

Two suspects immediately emerge among the townspeople of Raven Creek, Washington. There’s village busybody Dierdre Miller, who seems desperate to buy Eudora’s house, and handsome PI Rich, one of Phoebe’s childhood friends—but how well does she really know him after all these years apart?

Phoebe knows she should leave it to the professionals, but as she starts to dig into the underbelly of Raven Creek, she begins to uncover the truth about Eudora. What’s more, her aunt might not have been the only witch in the family, as Phoebe soon discovers she has unique and unexpected gifts of her own.

Now, it’s just a matter of putting her newfound power to the test and cast a spell that could catch a killer.

Review:

Man. I should've written this review when I finished it, but life is busy. I hate adulting!!!!

Phoebe's beloved aunt has passed away and has left everything to her. Phoebe has a lot dropped on her and soon discovers things can get worse when she discovers she now has witchy powers. Enter in a dead body behind her shop...can things get worse? 

This was a hoot. I liked Phoebe and Bob the cat. So sweet the both of them. 

Loved the shop and the house. Loved the mix of her powers. Love a sprinkle of paranormal! Honestly, I think the author should've added more. It felt too light. Maybe in Book 2, we'll dive more into it. 

The mystery was entertaining. I loved the twists. 

Honestly, I feel like this was too cozy. I think we needed more of everything. More mystery. More magic. More Bob. 

I'll give this 3 stars. I think I would read 2! I liked the cast and world enough. 

Reading Challenges

- Library Love #5

Re-listen: Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

Author: Anne Bishop

Narrator: Alexandra Harris
Title: Murder of Crows

Series: The Others #2

Genre: UF, Paranormal
Format: Audiobook
Published: March 4, 2014
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

After winning the trust of the Others residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.

The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murder of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard—Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader—wonders if their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or a future threat.

As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now, the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet—and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.

Review:

I picked this for our re-reads session of my Book Club. I made everyone read book 1 the last time, and they liked it....so I made them read book 2 ;) Plus, I've been itching for some more. This series has evolved into a comfort book series FOR sure. 

Weee third time is a charm!

Humans are at it again. The Others are just trying to live. Meg is trying to find balance and her footing. She gained their trust, but there are still some issues.

I remember finding Meg so annoying and slowly warming up to her as the books goes along. Now I love her. I love all our mains. I'm team Others. I would want to work there. 

This is sad. We get to see a glimpse of how the Humans treated people like Meg, and it will make you mad. So sad. Some trigger warnings to be had. Nothing in great detail happens, but it is mentioned, and you can assume the worse. 

Ooooh, that ending. 

The narrator is a gem, and I can't imagine anyone else doing this series. 

Originally, I had this at a 4 the last two times I read it. Seems like it was because of my frustrations with Meg and Simon having so many issues. Silly issues at times. Yes, still silly in my opinion. I might just keep it at 4. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #5

Book Review: Candy Apples and Clairvoyants by Danielle Garrett

Author: Danielle Garrett

Title: Candy Apples and Clairvoyants

Series: Sugar Shack Witch Mysteries #4.5

Genre: Fantasy, Cozy mystery, Paranormal, short story

Format: ebook

Pages: 53

Published: October 29, 2024

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

It’s Halloween night and I’ve got everything I need for a spooky good time. And by that, I mean copious amounts of chocolate and sugar, and a pile of scary movies.

But when the pumpkins have been carved and the trick-or-treaters have all gone home to count their loot, I find there’s still a spirit stirring, with a reminder from a Halloween I’d almost forgotten.

And frankly, no horror flick can top the spine-chilling prospect of time-traveling back to my high school days.

Let’s just hope I wake up in time to grab a half-price bag of peanut butter cups.

Review:

This series is just so fun. I know this is fall-y and maybe I should've waited, but I have zero patience. LOL

Here, we follow a young Ella. This is her back in High School. Young and still so naive. But still so willing to help!

Boo, there will be no more of this series after this one. I wish there were more! I love Ella and her friends/family!!! I love watching her muddle her way through! Maybe she'll be in more later? I believe there is a spin-off in this world, so I may have to dive into that. 

But this was super cute. I loved seeing a young Ella running amok. 

Booooooooo Chloe! Hate her face. 

This was sweet, and the conclusion? It made me sad for that person. I kinda feel bad. Poor thing. 

I ended up reading this one instead of the audio. I really missed the voice, but it did fine as an ebook. 

All-in-all, this was a nice taste. Short and sweet. I want more though!!!!!! 5 from me. 

Book Review: Wild Scottish Knight by Tricia O'Malley

Author: Tricia O'Malley

Title: Wild Scottish Knight

Series: The Enchanted Highlands #1

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal

Format: ebook

Pages: 316

Published: April 4, 2023

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Opposites attract in this modern-day fairytale when American, Sophie MacKnight, inherits a Scottish castle along with a hot grumpy Scotsman who is tasked with training her to be a magickal knight before the Kelpies wreak havoc on the people of Loren Brae.

The knight was supposed to be a man.

Not me, Sophie MacKnight, a marketing associate from California.

This must be a practical joke that the Scots play on visiting Americans. Because otherwise I’ve inherited a haunted castle in Scotland, along with one irritatingly sexy Scotsman, who would be delighted if I turned tail and ran.

Frankly, I thought I would fly here, sell the heap of bricks, and head back home to a life that I…well, I was comfortable with at the very least. Instead, the people of Loren Brae are in trouble, and it appears that as the new owner of the castle, I’m next in line to reinstate the magickal Order of Caledonia. Which means, first, I have to learn to believe in magick. And secondly, I have to train to become a knight.

And my trainer? None other than Lachlan Campbell, the grumpiest man I’ve ever had the annoyance of meeting. It’s a toss-up who is pricklier, Lachlan, or his kilted Chihuahua, Sir Buster. Not only does Lachlan think that I can’t hack it, but he also resents my claim on his castle.

If only he didn’t look so devastatingly hot in his kilt.

Now, I’m stuck proving myself to him, all while trying to figure out how to help my new friends in Loren Brae.

Sparks fly as our swords meet, and we battle our rising attraction for each other.

Who will win in this (Highland) game of love?

Review:

I adore this author, so I had to check this one out. 

Sophie has inherited a Scottish castle from her beloved uncle. When she arrives, there is alot more than just having a castle to renovate....there are Kelpies out to destroy the village, she is a Knight, she has to learn magic, there are ghosts, and there is a grumpy man who doesn't seem to want her there. 

This was a hoot. I had a lot of fun with our characters and the situation. Poor Sophie. That is a lot to take on, but she needed this adventure. She was stuck in a life she didn't truly want. 

This was def a "light" fantasy, and I appreciated that. I didn't want to get too deep into the weeds of the magical world. Sure, there are real threats and some fights and dramatic moments, but it was cozy in a way. 

One thing that annoyed me was that I struggled with the chemistry between these two until near the end. Maybe he was too grumpy? I loveeeee grumpy, but maybe he was just too closed off for me to buy it. Maybe they were slightly overshadowed because of the chemistry between two side characters. Their banter was on fire. Can we see them finally fall in love? IDK. I just didn't really feel their chemistry at first. 

Other than that, I had a lot of fun with this story. This felt more like a fantasy chick lit tbh. 

4 stars. 

Book Review: Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher

Author: T. Kingfisher

Title: Snake-Eater

Genre: Paranormal, UF, Horror, Fantasy, Mystery

Format: ebook

Pages: 267

Expected Publication: December 1, 2025

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

ith only a few dollars to her name and her beloved dog Copper by her side, Selena flees her past in the city to claim her late aunt’s house in the desert town of Quartz Creek. The scorpions and spiders are better than what she left behind.

Because in Quartz Creek, there’s a strange beauty to everything, from the landscape to new friends, and more blue sky than Selena’s ever seen. But something lurks beneath the surface. Like the desert gods and spirits lingering outside Selena’s house at night, keeping watch. Mostly benevolent, says her neighbor Grandma Billy. That doesn’t ease the prickly sense that one of them watches too closely and wants something from Selena she can’t begin to imagine. And when Selena’s search for answers leads her to journal entries that her aunt left behind, she discovers a sinister truth about her new home: It’s the haunting grounds of an ancient god known simply as “Snake-Eater,” who her late aunt made a promise to that remains unfulfilled.

Snake-Eater has taken a liking to Selena, an obsession of sorts that turns sinister. And now that Selena is the new owner of his home, he’s hell-bent on collecting everything he’s owed.

Review:

I stumbled upon this while looking for something else. Amazon Unlimited allowed some folks to read this in advance of publication, so that was exciting! Weeeee! I really need more of T Kingfisher's books in my life. 

Here we have Selena, who is abandoning her old life to claim her late aunt's house in the desert town of Quartez Creek. Everything is so new and strange, but so beautiful. The neighbors are lovely and she loves the quiet. However, there is something lingering outside of Selena's house at night.....keeping watch. Her neighbor, Grandma Billy, says it is mainly benevolent, but Selena can't shake the feeling there is more to this story. She soon discovers the sinister truth about an ancient god known as Snake-Eater. 

You never know what to expect from this author. There are always so many twists and turns. You just never know where the story is headed next, and I simply LOVE that. 

I will say this wasn't as haunting or even creepy as some of the other stories I've read by her. It still had some creepiness, but this felt a bit more calm. Not complaining! The last one has scarred me a bit hahahahaha. This had an odd sense of...coziness to it. Yes, there is mystery and fantasy and horror, but I loved the cozy vibes given off. I loved that Selena was finding her voice and finding new friends. They were so sweet. 

What else??? Eeeek. I don't want to spoil anything!!!!

This was a fun story. Not my favorite by the author, but I still really enjoyed it. It had a great cast of characters and a nice spooky, but comfy vibe. I def recommend this. 

4 stars. 

Book Review: Frosting and Fairies by Danielle Garrett

Author: Danielle Garrett

Title: Frosting and Fairie

Series: Sugar Shack Witch Mysteries #4

Genre: Paranormal, Mystery, Fantasy, Cozy Mystery

Format: Ebook

Pages: 256 

Published: January 2, 2025

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Small-town journalism isn’t exactly a thrill ride. Between PTA meetings and bake sale bulletins, I was drowning in monotony. But when I begged my editor for a juicier assignment, I should’ve been careful what I wished for.

Enter the Summer Lovin’ Book Festival. BOGO deals on paperbacks with a side of beefcake, as five hunky models vie to become the next Captain Riker Bones, the shirtless swashbuckler adorning Grandma Rose’s favorite bodice-rippers.

Sure, a little eye candy never hurt anyone, but ten minutes of watching grown women cry over washboard abs has me wishing I’d volunteered to write up the waste management ordinances instead.

But when one of our would-be pirates turns up dead in his hotel room, my puff piece transforms into a full-blown murder mystery. And the plot thickens faster than my family’s famous buttercream when a poison-laced cupcake from Sugar Shack is found at the scene.

Now I’m racing against time to catch a killer, clear my family’s name, and keep Grandma Rose from sailing into the sunset with one of the wannabe pirates. Someone pass the rum.

Review:

We forge forward with our gal.

Ella's new role as the small-town journalist hasn't been a thrill ride. Between PTA meetings and bake sales, she has been dying of the monotony. When she asks her editor for a juicier assignment....she gets what she asks for in spades. The Summer Lovin' Book Festival is in town, along with five of their hunky models. When one of them turns up dead in the hotel after eating a cupcake from her family's business. Now she will have to find the killer and clear her family's name.

Yayy for the next book. Plus, Orion is here too! Yayy! Don't get me wrong, I do adore Ella running around doing her thing, but I think they make a better team together. I hope he gets to stick around for a while or at least for these mysteries.

But yes, we have two mysteries at play here. One, our poor dead hunk. Two, the main mystery of finding out who is causing mayhem using magical creatures. However, the mystery of the dead hunk takes over when her family's business is besmirched. NOT THE CUPCAKES NOOOO.

Now...some realness....I did struggle a bit with this. Not sure why. Maybe I've been spoiled with the narration. The narrator is one of my favorites, and I love her. I read the ebook this time because I saw it as a freebie on my Kindle Unlimited. Maybe I'll go back and do the narrator someday.

But yes, I did struggle in the middle. The beginning was fun, and the last third was intense and caught my attention again. What an ending!!!! Again, I'm not sure why I had some struggles.

Other than my issues with the middle part and missing my narrator......I did enjoy our gang and the backdrop of the Book Festival.

I'll stamp this with 3 stars.  

3-in-1 Short Story Review: Wailing Well & For the Blood is the Life

Author: MR James

Narrator: Anthony Head
Title: Wailing Well
Genre: Horror, Classic, Paranormal
Format: Audiobook 
Published: January 1, 1928
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

"The Wailing Well" is a 1928 ghost story by M.R. James about a badly behaved Boy Scout named Stanley Judkins who disobeys a warning and enters a haunted field containing a well. Despite being told not to go near the field and its well, Judkins goes there to get water, only to be met with an eerie wail and supernatural terror

Review:

I'm really liking MR James. His stuff is spooky and classy. 

This short tells the story of a badly behaved Boy Scout who never, ever listens to his elders. Well. He is about to discover a horror beyond his imaginations. 

Lovely. Loved it. Spooky and fun. 

Dumb humans being dumb. Gotta love it. 

The narrator brought this story to life. 

5 stars

 

Author: F. Marion Crawford

Narrator: John Telfer
Title: For The Blood Is The Life
Genre: Horror, Classic, Paranormal
Format: Audiobook 
Published: anuary 1, 1911
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

This story tells the classic gothic horror account of a young man in the thrall of a vampire, and...yes, there WILL be blood.

Review:

Something just hits different with these classic horrors. I feel like they are....scarier. Sure, lots of these modern horrors have the blood and the screams. But these oldies are classics for a reason. 

This one follows the story of a man who falls in the thrall of a vampire. He knows what he is doing, but he can't stop himself. 

This was great. I loved seeing this POV. He KNOWS he is enthralled, but he can't stop himself. Night after night. Poor man. 

This wasn't "scary" as some other horrors, but it is creepy and shows the fraility of man. Loved it. 

The narrator did a good job. 

I'll give this 5 stars as well. Why not. I was entertained. 

Author: MR James

Narrator: Peter Coates
Title: An Episode of Cathedral History
Genre: Horror, Classic, Paranormal
Format: Audiobook 
Published: June 10, 1914
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Behind the stone walls of a venerable English cathedral, the past stirs with a presence that should have remained undisturbed.

In this haunting narrative, the mundane slips imperceptibly into the macabre. A scholar's inquiry unlocks a forgotten secret; shadows lengthen; and something long sealed away begins to wake. With James's signature blend of erudition, atmosphere, and mounting unease, this tale draws the listener into a world where ancient relics conceal more than dust, and history is anything but dead.

Review:

A nice way to end the Spooky Season! I'm liking this author so much. He is good!!!

A man's curiosity unlocks a haunting and forgotten secret. Behind the stone walls of an English cathedral, the past should stay undisturbed. 

Another tale of when curiosity kills the cat and MIND YO BUSINESS. LOL. Oh humans. 

But yes, this was creepy and I liked the ending. It did drag a bit in the beginning. I kept losing focus and having to rewind a couple of seconds. But once we got near the end I was absolutely hooked. 

The narrator was lovely and really brought the horror in. 

4 stars from me. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #52 & #53 & #54

Audiobook Review: The Vampyre by John Polidori

Author: John W Polidori
Narrator: BJ Harrison
Title: The Vampyre
Genre: Horror, Classic, Short Story, Paranormal, Fantasy 
Format: Audiobook 
Published: April 1, 1819
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Young, impressionable Aubrey is fascinated by the enigmatic Lord Ruthven, and accompanies him on a tour to Europe. But Aubrey develops a growing distaste for Lord Ruthven’s sinister and grotesque conduct - especially as it concerns human blood.

Review:

Love a good short spooky story for Spooky season. 

Aubrey is fascinated by Lord Ruthven and joins him on a tour to Europe. However, something is wrong and Aubrey is uneasy with Lord Ruthven's grotesque conduct. 

I have to admit something....I struggled to pay attention to this. I nearly fell asleep at one point when I was listening to this and doing some coloring. 

The narrator was familiar to me and he does a great job, but not even his performance could hold my attention. 

Now, the ending was better and it got spooky, but the rest? Eh. 

I'll give this 2 stars. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #50

Audiobook Review: Last Dragon Standing by Rachel Aaron

Author: Rachel Aaron
Narrator: Vikas Adam
Title: Last Dragon Standing
Series: Heartstrikers #5  
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, UF, YA
Format: Audiobook 
Published: March 1, 2018
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Dear Reader,

There is no way to write a blurb for this final book without spoiling all of the others. Suffice it to say, mysteries resolve, dragons war, pigeons abound, and Julius must risk himself in ways he never dreamed possible as Bob’s grand plan finally comes to fruition.

But the Great Seer of the Heartstrikers isn’t the only one whose schemes are nearing completion. The Nameless End is coming, and even the machinations of the world’s most brilliant dragon seer might not be enough to stop it. As the world comes crashing down, it’s up Julius to prove what he’s always known: that seers can be wrong, and Nice Dragons don’t always finish last.

Review:

*sniff* We are at the end. I love this series so much. 

Everything comes together at the end. The future is uncertain. It will be up to Julius and his allies, friends, and family to save the world from the Nameless End. 

Everyone is together and fighting side-by-side. All of Julius' niceness has brought these dragons, humans, and more together. It's honestly beautiful. Even with all the characters the author did a great job not making it confusing or overwhelming. The narrator did a wonderful job too using all the different voices. Beautiful blend that made a great story. 

I am so sad to be at the end of the series again, but it was great reading this again. I honestly forgot some of the details so it was nice revisiting and seeing how they did it. 

Awww Justin. I wish we had more of him but there were so many faces running around. I hope we get a short story or something with Justin finding a HEA ;)

Bob!!! 

Julius you nice bean you!!!

Chelsea!! Squeeee. 

Amazing narration as per normal. 

This is a must-read series for sure. 

5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Justin

Least Favorite Character(s): The Nameless End of course. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #48

Audiobook Review: A Warning to the Curious by MR James

Author: MR James

Narrator: David Suchet

Title: A Warning to the Curious

Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Classic, Short story

Format: Audiobook 

Published: January 1, 1925

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

The story of Paxton, an antiquarian and archaeologist who holidays in "Seaburgh" and inadvertently stumbles across one of the lost crowns of Anglia, which legendarily protect the country from invasion.

Review:

Weeee love some spooky shorts in October. This is my 2nd MR James and I really should do more. He is good. 

This is the story of Paxton who is an antiquarian and archaeologist. He is on holiday in Seaburgh. He inadvertently stumbles across one of the lost crowns of Anglia. The crown is told to protect the country from invasions, but take it...if you dare. 

Spoooooooky. The narrator really added a chill to this one. 

You can guess what is going to happen. But the scenes at the end? Oof. So good.

This was short and sweet, but it didn't need any more. It was the perfect length and it will make you think twice about grabbing old stuff. 

5 stars.

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #46

Re-Listen: A Dragon of a Different Color by Rachel Aaron

Author: Rachel Aaron

Narrator: Vikas Adam

Title: A Dragon of a Different Color

Series: Heartstrikers #4

Genre: UF, Paranormal

Format: Audiobook 

Published: July 28, 2017

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

To save his family from his tyrannical mother, Julius had to step on a lot of tails. That doesn’t win a Nice Dragon many friends, but just when he thinks he’s starting to make progress, a new threat arrives.

Turns out, things can get worse. Heartstriker hasn’t begun to pay for its secrets, and the dragons of China are here to collect. When the Golden Emperor demands his surrender, Julius will have to choose between loyalty to the sister who's always watched over him and preserving the clan he gave everything to protect.

Review:

This series is just SOOOOOOOOOOO good. I am so happy to be re-reading it!!!!

We pick up where we left off. Julius is grieving, but he has to keep going. There is a new threat to his clan and the world. There are more secrets from the past that could ruin everything he dreamed of. 

The first half of this book broke my heart again. Poor Julius. Poor Marci. I KNOW what happens at the end but it still killed me. I get WHY it had to happen, buuuuuut still...my poor heart. 

I think Julius found a nice balance of being "nice" and being a dragon. Love his character growth through these books. 

Chelsea is bae. 

Amelia!!!!

Oh Bob. 

We didn't get to see my boo Justin as much, but he's recovering. 

There is a LOT of talking here. Politics, unraveling secrets, fixing relationships, magic....and etc. It seemed like a lot last time, but I think I actually enjoyed it more this time! Maybe I was overwhelmed last time? There were things said that I didn't remember so I'm glad I got to re-read and catch the little things. Things made more sense this read through. 

And the narrator? Flawless of course. 

The first time I read this I had given it a 4. I'm bumping this up to a 5!!!!

Favorite Character(s): Chelsea and Amelia

Least Favorite Character(s): The Empress (*hiss*)

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #43