Edited to include audio review Secret Simon is all I hoped it would be. I met Simon at the age of eight in Snow Falling and he has been a consistent character in all the Haven Hart books. He has always intrigued me in that he was a very sensible kid and I wondered how he would turn out as an adult growing up in the Mafia Family. The answer is he turned out pretty good. Even if you haven't read the Haven Heart books I suggest Secret Simon. It's a wonderful romance with suspense and action. Narrated by Alexander Cendese and John Solo, the story becomes more enjoyable. Cendese does a wonderful job with Rush's character. He evolves quite a bit through the story and Cendese is able to express the changes. Solo does a good job with Simon's voice. The only thing that threw me off was at times Simon was very quiet. I had to stop, back up and listen again with the volume raised. Simon's story in audio is well worth the wait. Treat yourself to eight as he grows into Christoper's heir. I received a copy of Secret Simon in exchange for an honest review.
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Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw Pub Date: 19 Oct 2021 I requested Nothing But Blackened Teeth from Netgalley because I love Haunted House books. The list of characters was small and easy to keep track of. The setting was awesome: an ancient mansion in rural Japan. The history was a legend full of horror. Friends from college come together to celebrate a wedding: Faiz, the groom who cannot deny his bride anything. Nadia, the bride whose dream has been to be married in a haunted house (I know! What could go wrong?). Phillip, whose vast wealth makes the entire wedding trip possible. Lin, the one with the wife and a presence in the upper society of New York. Cat, the narrator who has recently had a serious episode of depression brought on by Faiz leaving her for Nadia. Very early in the first chapter, we know things are not as they seem and that one of the characters knows this long before the others. I struggled with the Japanese cultural aspects of the book. I had to stop and lookup terms. The Kindle app dictionary did not provide many answers. The need to find what the words meant pulled me from the story. Nothing But Blackened Teeth has an atmosphere that draws you in and ultimately takes you to very dark places and an unexpected conclusion. I received a copy of Nothing But Blackened Teeth from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Under the Whispering Door By: TJ Klune Narrated by: Kirt Graves Length: 14 hrs and 54 mins Unabridged Audiobook Release date: 09-21-21 Language: English Publisher: Macmillan Audio One week ago, I reviewed Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune. The full review on the book itself in below in the previous blog entry. What I want to talk about, shout in joy about, and generally fan girl about is how the right narrator can elevate an already great book. Kirk Graves is a narrator that I first encountered last year. The voices are distinct for each character. I found Hugo's voice to be comforting as the character is. Wallace's voice undergoes an evolution as does his character. Nelson is my guy. Who could not love a man who takes nothing seriously even death. Each voice, each situation, each emotion are rendered in wonderful detail. I described Under the Whispering Door as outrageously good. With Kirk Graves narration, the book becomes outrageously excellent. I have added it to my best books ( both the audio and e-book versions) of 2021 list. I received this audio title from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Under the Whispering Door is outrageously good. It is excellent and rich and wonderful. In a year that seems to be headed down the drain, TJ Klune's book is a much needed dose of love. Holy crap this book is good.
Wallace is a bastard. He is a lawyer who only sees the bottom line of his partnership and not the people around him. He is divorced because he chose to work over his wife. He blames others for any mistakes because it cannot possibly be his fault. And then Wallace is dead. Death is not quite what Wallace thought it would be. Honestly he probably never thought about it. He finds himself in the care of Mei, a Reaper. She takes him to meet Hugo, the ferryman who lives under the whispering door. So begins a journey that explores grief, life, and why we live. I cannot do this book justice because I do not possess the vocabulary necessary. All the characters in this book are well written. I have added it to my best books of 2021 list. I received this title from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book, wow, this book blew me away. I am not sure I would have had the same reaction to the print version. Dion Graham's narration made an incredible difference to me. I have rarely had an audiobook that immersed me so completely in its world. This was an incredible book. It all begins with a shooting. It seems to be a story that we're all familiar with, police shooting an unarmed man. But as the book goes on it becomes so much more. The point where the book turns was a huge surprise. I seriously did not expect "that." The narrator was fantastic. When he was doing a woman's voice I wasn't thinking this is a man doing a woman's voice I was thinking this is a woman's voice. And the same thing when he did the man men's voices or the child's voice. His accents were wonderful. But just the way he tells the story he's not reading it he's telling it. Really incredible I'm definitely going to be looking into him more for future books Spoiler: I didn't understand some of the Multiverse stuff but the explanation of photons was better than my high school chemistry teacher. Raven’s Hart Book 7 in the Haven Hart series Author Davidson King Narrated by Joel Leslie, Philip Alces Publication date Apr 28, 2020 Running time 6 hrs 23 min A reoccurring character in the Haven Hart series is Poe. He is mysterious. Always dressed in black and white. Sunglasses on indoor or out. No firm story on who he is and who the heir of Haven Hart is to him. From previous books we know he is intelligent, artistically talented, and devoted to the Hart family. Finally in Raven's Hart we get the full story, not only of Poe but also of the Hart family. A story arc that began in the fifth book concludes in this book. The story has romance, suspense, mystery and the end of many arcs within the Haven Hart series. Philip Alces and Joel Leslie narrate all the books in this series. All of the characters are well defined. Poe's emotion when he speaks to the Hart heir comes through. Poe has been strong through all the crisis in Haven Hart, protecting the heir and the people of the city. When Poe needs help, will those who has helped come to his side? I received a copy from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. Triple Threat Book 6 in the Haven Hart series Author Davidson King Narrated by Joel Leslie, Philip Alces Publication date Nov 19, 2019 Running time 6 hrs 8 min Triple Threat focuses more on Black's Team than the Manos Family. Lee and Jones are two of Black's top assassins. They are paired with a young new addition to the team, Ginger, who first appears in Snow Storm. Ginger does not have the instincts of a killer. The three are sent on a journey to bring down a human trafficking ring. This is a very dark book. The characters, the events, and the themes involve human trafficking. It is a very real situation with no easy solution. The book maintains this sense of danger from beginning until end. This journey through treacherous waters with monsters lurking above and below the surface is a strong, dark story. Philip Alces and Joel Leslie narrate all the books in this series. All of the characters are well defined. In this book, there are three main characters. The narrators make each of the three voices district. The darkness of this book is evident in the voices of the characters. I received a copy from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. Snow Storm Book 5 in the Haven Hart series Author Davidson King Narrated by Joel Leslie, Philip Alces Publication date Oct 22, 2019 Running time 6 hrs In Snow Falling, the first book in the Haven Hart series, Snow and Christopher find a life together. They are one of my favorite couples. Snow Storm begins five years after the evens of Snow Falling. Christopher, Snow, and Simon are a settled family planning Simon's thirteenth birthday. Christopher and Simon set out on a trip to a cabin. They never arrive at the cabin. When the ransom call arrives, the man who wants everything Christopher has runs up against something only Christopher has, Snow. Calling on friends, Snow goes into battle. Christopher and Simon try to survive and escape if possible. Familiar characters plus new ones create a suspenseful story fits seamlessly into the Haven Hart Series. Philip Alces and Joel Leslie narrate all the books in this series. All of the characters are well defined. The multitude of reasons to choose the audio are every single word the narrators speak. I received a copy of Snow Storm from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. Voyageurs Author Keira Andrews Narrated by Joel Leslie Publication date Sep 8, 2021 Running time 2 hrs Keira Andrews wrote a lovely story about two very different men. Christian is half white and half Native American. He has never seen a kind white person so he avoids interacting with them. Simon is a world traveler. Having spent time in India, he is pursuing a new career on the frontier of British Canada. Christian is employed to take Simon to his new post. Since it is late in the season, they must travel quickly before the snow and freezing weather arrives. What happens on this trip and how it shapes each man is well written. Joel Leslie does a fantastic job narrating. He creates a distinct voice for each character. There are parts with heavy emotion which the narrator does a fine job of conveying. I received a copy of Voyageurs from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest. review. I requested Vol. of The Decagon House Murders through Netgalley. I have been reading more comics and graphic novels recently. This was an excellent mystery. Seven members of a college Mystery Club travel to a deserted island. Six months earlier all four people living on the island were murdered. The club wants to visit and see if they can solve the question of what happened. It set up each character in terms of their personality and relationship with the others in the Mystery Club. There were also a healthy amount of red herrings thrown in. I absolutely must get my hands on vol. 2 of this series. I received a copy of The Decagon House Murder from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
#TheDecagonHouseMurdersVolume1 #NetGalley Haven Hart Boxed Set Books 1-4 Author Davidson King Narrated by Joel Leslie, Philip Alces Publication date Jun 8, 2021 Running time 26 hrs Book 1 - Snow Falling Snow Falling was the first book of the year (April) that I listened to or read again immediately. There is so much to love in this book starting with a morally ambiguous main character, Christopher. Christopher describes himself as a "big motherf***er" and at 6’5” he is intimidating. He is also a very powerful mob boss. The other main character, Snow, is much shorter and slender but he goes head to head with Christopher with little to no fear. When Snow sees a young boy being kidnapped, he steps in and risks his life to save the kid. The kid, Simon, is Christopher’s nephew. As Snow moves into Christopher’s world, they are both faced with hard decisions. The audiobook enriches the story and is well worth the expense. Book 2 - Hug it Out Hug It Out is the second book in Davidson King's Haven Heart series. The main characters we met in book 1 are not involved in the plot until late in the book. The main characters we meet are Riordan Darcy, an assassin known for removing the heads of his victims. Teddy owns a company that spends time helping lonely or sick people by providing companionship and platonic physical attention like hugs. Riordan and Teddy are a case of extreme opposites attract. The plot really does show development in both characters which is something I enjoy. Book 3 - A Dangerous Dance Bill, the new member of Christopher Manos’s team first met in Snow Falling, has settled into life working for the crime boss. Mace, one of Black’s assassins, is doing his usual routine of killing and one night stands (although not sure if a fifteen minute encounter in the men’s room counts as a one night stand). The only thing Bill and Mace have in common is how much they hate each other. Forced to work together with different motivations, rough and rocky do not even begin to describe their working relationship. Danger and stress can do strange things to people, even those used to it. But falling in love is too strange, isn’t it? Book 4 - From These Ashes The fourth in the Haven Hart series, From These Ashes, has one of my favorite characters. Black is the head of the world’s best assassination group. He only accepts cases that restore justice to those the justice system has failed. He is large (6’5”) and intimidating. His public persona of the head of a security agency brings his respect and standing in the community. He is a man that even those who do not know who he really is, fear him. Quill is the perfect man to destroy Black’s walls. He is much younger and his own walls are reinforced by continuing danger in his life. He has no security in his life. His greatest wish is to be able to stay and not have to run again. I love Quill’s ability to see possibilities for himself even as he is being beaten. He does not let anyone destroy him. I like how the distinction of bi versus gay is handled. This book for me is really about phoenixes, their beauty, their destruction in the fire, and their rebirth from the ashes of those fires. Narrators - Philip Alces and Joel Leslie Philip Alces and Joel Leslie narrate all the books in this series. Christopher in Book 1 and Black in Book 4 are two of my favorite men in the series. Both men have deep sexy voices. Snow and Quill’s voices are perfect for who they are. All of the characters are well defined. There are two major reasons to purchase the four audiobook set instead of individually. First the cost is significantly less expensive to purchase all four books together. If using Audible it is the difference between one credit for all four or one credit for each book individually. The second reason is when you have a large amount of time but the inability to play around with your phone or tablet. For example, when taking a long drive, start Snow Falling and it will automatically progress to Hug it Out when the first is finished. No pulling over to change books. The multitude of other reasons are every single word the narrators speak. Tantor Audio provided a copy of the audiobook set in exchange for an honest review. Glass Syndrome by Eiko Ariki TOKYOPOP LOVE x LOVE Comics & Graphic Novels | General Fiction (Adult) | LGBTQIA Pub Date 10 Aug 2021 As a kid, Tales from the Crypt was my favorite comic book. I have, in recent years, begun exploring the world of modern comics and graphic novels. There is so much to like. Glass Syndrome, courtesy of Netgalley, is my latest read. I truly enjoyed the book. Nijou is that guy that everyone wanted to be in school. If you could not be him, then you at least wanted to be his friend, somehow to enjoy his orbit. Toomi is the guy that everyone picks on. He is bullied including physical violence. When Toomi stops coming to class, one of the teachers asks Nijou to check on him. Nijou being that perfect guy does it without hesitation. The two are a revelation to each other, like an undiscovered species existing right alongside their own. I enjoyed learning about Nijou and Toomi. I especially enjoyed watching them I am looking forward to reading more titles in the series. This title includes: Glass Syndrome Similar Figures of Love Glass Syndrome {Sequel} Similar Figures of Love {Sequel} #GlassSyndrome #NetGalley Haven Hart Boxed Set Books 1-4 Author Davidson King Narrated by Joel Leslie, Philip Alces Publication date Jun 8, 2021 Running time 26 hrs Book 1 - Snow Falling Snow Falling was the first book of the year (April) that I listened to or read again immediately. There is so much to love in this book starting with a morally ambiguous main character, Christopher. Christopher describes himself as a "big motherf***er" and at 6’5” he is intimidating. He is also a very powerful mob boss. The other main character, Snow, is much shorter and slender but he goes head to head with Christopher with little to no fear. When Snow sees a young boy being kidnapped, he steps in and risks his life to save the kid. The kid, Simon, is Christopher’s nephew. As Snow moves into Christopher’s world, they are both faced with hard decisions. The audiobook enriches the story and is well worth the expense. Book 2 - Hug it Out Hug It Out is the second book in Davidson King's Haven Heart series. The main characters we met in book 1 are not involved in the plot until late in the book. The main characters we meet are Riordan Darcy, an assassin known for removing the heads of his victims. Teddy owns a company that spends time helping lonely or sick people by providing companionship and platonic physical attention like hugs. Riordan and Teddy are a case of extreme opposites attract. The plot really does show development in both characters which is something I enjoy. Book 3 - A Dangerous Dance Bill, the new member of Christopher Manos’s team first met in Snow Falling, has settled into life working for the crime boss. Mace, one of Black’s assassins, is doing his usual routine of killing and one night stands (although not sure if a fifteen minute encounter in the men’s room counts as a one night stand). The only thing Bill and Mace have in common is how much they hate each other. Forced to work together with different motivations, rough and rocky do not even begin to describe their working relationship. Danger and stress can do strange things to people, even those used to it. But falling in love is too strange, isn’t it? Book 4 - From These Ashes The fourth in the Haven Hart series, From These Ashes, has one of my favorite characters. Black is the head of the world’s best assassination group. He only accepts cases that restore justice to those the justice system has failed. He is large (6’5”) and intimidating. His public persona of the head of a security agency brings his respect and standing in the community. He is a man that even those who do not know who he really is, fear him. Quill is the perfect man to destroy Black’s walls. He is much younger and his own walls are reinforced by continuing danger in his life. He has no security in his life. His greatest wish is to be able to stay and not have to run again. I love Quill’s ability to see possibilities for himself even as he is being beaten. He does not let anyone destroy him. I like how the distinction of bi versus gay is handled. This book for me is really about phoenixes, their beauty, their destruction in the fire, and their rebirth from the ashes of those fires. Narrators - Philip Alces and Joel Leslie Philip Alces and Joel Leslie narrate all the books in this series. Christopher in Book 1 and Black in Book 4 are two of my favorite men in the series. Both men have deep sexy voices. Snow and Quill’s voices are perfect for who they are. All of the characters are well defined. There are two major reasons to purchase the four audiobook set instead of individually. First the cost is significantly less expensive to purchase all four books together. If using Audible it is the difference between one credit for all four or one credit for each book individually. The second reason is when you have a large amount of time but the inability to play around with your phone or tablet. For example, when taking a long drive, start Snow Falling and it will automatically progress to Hug it Out when the first is finished. No pulling over to change books. The multitude of other reasons are every single word the narrators speak. Tantor Audio provided a copy of the audiobook set in exchange for an honest review. The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray Author Oscar Wilde Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini Publication date Jun 22, 2021 Running time 7 hrs 10 min Tantor Media The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a classic in literature. It is taught in many college courses. That is where I encountered it for the first time. In the many years since I have run across Dorian Grey in movies and tv shows as well as rereading the book. Tantor Audio has just released The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray. The book was originally censored by the publishers after the newspapers and letters to the editor had labeled the book as unacceptable. The questionable content was related to perceived homosexuality. In fact, the uncensored book was used in Oscar Wilde's trial for homosexuality. Oscar Wilde was jailed for writing this book. Two prefaces/introductions give a thorough biography of Oscar Wilde and a complete description of how the changes to the text were done and by whom. I had listened to a censored copy shortly before listening to this uncensored version. I think that unless you have the text directly in front of you or are an academic, the uncensored version will be so close to the censored that you may not notice. Edoardo Ballerini does a fantastic job narrating. Everything I have listened to narrated by him has been wonderful. Tantor Media provided a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Jack is a delight, one that only Connie Willis could have created. During the Blitz, London was chaotic. It was the perfect place to commit a crime. Dead bodies are buried in the rubble, thrown clear of their houses, and in the hospital morgue. No one takes the time to check how each body for the cause of death. No one will notice a few extra bodies here or there. Jack is a wonderful little book. I am planning on buying a copy for myself.
You Can See Me Author A.E. Via Narrated by Sean Crisden Publication date Jul 13, 2021 Running time 7 hrs 16 min If you have read A.E. Via’s Nothing Special series you know who Prescott Vaughan is. If you haven’t, You Can See Me is still a love story that stands on its own. Prescott was a celebrity chef with his own TV shows and cookbooks. Five years after losing his sight in a car accident, Prescott is a restaurant critic and his joy of creating his own food is gone. You Can See Me is a romance that matches Prescott with two very different men.The way that two men evolve to three men is believable because the author has put so much work into building the characters of Prescott, Ric, and Blair. Sean Crisden does a lovely job. It is easy to tell the many characters apart because he creates individual voices for them. Tantor Media provided a copy of You Can See Me in exchange for an honest review. A Dowry of Blood by S. T. Gibson is the tale of one of Dracula's wives. Like Dracula, it is written in an epistolary fashion. Constanta is the narrator. From her introduction to Dracula to his death, she tries to unsuccessfully protect herself. She also protects her co-wives. She grows and learns and wants her half-life to end. Abby Craden does a wonderful job of narrating. A Dowry of Blood is the view of Dracula we have never had. I received a copy of A Dowry of Blood from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review.
Project Hail Mary was another wonderful read from Andy Weir. The Martian captivated me so much I have reread and relistened to it several times. Artemis was also a good read and listen. Project Hail Mary is still four stars but differs in my mind in one important category. With The Martian and Artemis, it was easy for me to "see" the settings. I have watched enough NASA TV over the years to have a good feeling for the planet and moon. It makes the science of the book easier to imagine. The majority of Project Hail Mary takes place in deep space. Despite the many Hubble and other telescope photographs, I cannot begin to imagine the vastness of space. This may be a failing of my imagination or the fact that I did not begin to read science fiction until I was an adult. My lack of imagination made the science involved not concrete enough to have it make sense without pulling me out of the story. But Project Hail Mary is so much more than science. The main characters were, as usual, well written. I liked them and wanted to see their success. I did enjoy the story enough to check out the audiobook. The audiobook performed by Ray Porter is terrific. The audiobook made the story flow easier for me than reading it. I think is because Ray Porter's narration is magnificent and allows me to stay in the story despite my issues with the book.
I received an advance copy of Project Hail Mary from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I purchased the Audible edition. Heart Beats is the third book in the Joker's Sin series by Davidson King. Each book has focused on one of the main characters in the Joker's Sin world. DJ Edge (Ledger) is an integral part of the sucesses of the club. His ability to create just the right atmosphere with his music keeps the patrons on their feet dancing all night. In the first two books, he came across as a very private man. Shane was introduced in the first book. He is the new bartender and he loves his job. The club is classy and he is well paid. He cannot keep his eyes off Ledger and freezes when Ledger is around. Just like high school, the romance will never start if someone doesn't take the first step. The book is a nice mix of romance and suspense. John Solo and Philip Alces do a good job narrating the book. If you have enjoyed any of the Haven Heart universe created by Davidson King, you will find this book a nice edition. I received a copy of Heart Beats from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. Writing this review was very difficult. NoX is an amazing book and my review will not do it justice. That being said, NoX was a great read and a wonderful audiobook. While the book was available through Kindle Unlimited, I did purchase it after my first read-through. Then I bought the Audible. I have relistened to it several times and each time picked up something I had missed. Wilder has created a book that has elements of horror, suspense, thriller, romance, fantasy, and science fiction.
“It resembled a wolf, only it was twice as big as a man, and the paws were more like fingers. Black fur covered its body, the color so flawless it became devoid of light. High shoulders and a lower rear allowed it to spread its stance. And the very space around it held weight.” The main characters are NoX and Luca are excellent. Luca is a young man who has never lived because he has been dying since he was eight years old. NoX burst into his life and everything changes. NoX is the most original character I have ever encountered. The side characters are written very well (looking at you Vic). The story was original. The epilogue caught me before I had solved anything. The author mentions wanting to write more in this universe. Please and thank you. But even if NoX is a standalone forever, it is complete in itself and well worth the time. Kirk Graves does a wonderful job of narrating. His distinct voices for NoX, Luca, Dr. Reese Dante, Colonel Harrington, and Mrs. Laura Phillips. He makes the story very easy to follow. The moods of the characters are reflected in how Graves brings them to life. Dante’s voice varies between soul-crushing exhaustion and profound sadness. It really is a masterful narration. I chose NoX as the best book and the best audiobook of 2020. In a year where I read or listened to 511 books in total, NoX easily outshone the others. Four of the titles on my list are from two series. These are also series that any additions or related books are an automatic buy for me. In no particular order, here are the two series.
Haven Hart Universe by Davidson King Snow Falling (Haven Hart Universe, #1) Snow Falling was the first book of the year (April) that I listen to or read again immediately. There is so much to love in this book starting with a morally ambiguous main character, Christopher. Christopher describes himself as a big motherf***er and at 6’5” he is intimidating. He is also a very powerful mob boss. The other main character, Snow, is much shorter and slender. He goes head to head with Christopher with little fear. Christopher is a “clean” criminal. He has never been arrested or investigated for any crimes. His employees who are loyal to him find him very loyal. His nephew, Simon, who he has raised since he was an infant, is the center of his world. Snow is a young man who has been through hell. He is living on the streets to avoid being returned to hell. His street name, Snow, describes his pale complexion and almost white hair. Because of what he has experienced and his unique talent, Snow has no problem trying to protect his few friends on the streets. When he sees a boy being kidnapped, he steps in and risks his life to save the kid. As Snow moves into Christopher’s world, they are both faced with hard decisions. The audiobook enriches the story and is well worth the money. From These Ashes (Haven Hart Universe #4) The fourth in the Haven Hart series, From These Ashes, has one of my favorite characters. Black is the head of the world’s best assassination group. He only accepts cases that restore justice to those the justice system has failed. He is large (6’5”) and intimidating. His public persona of the head of a security agency brings his respect and standing in the community. He is a man that even those who do not know who he really is, fear him. Quill is the perfect man to destroy Black’s walls. He is much younger and his own walls are reinforced by continuing danger in his life. He has no security in his life. His greatest wish is to be able to stay and not have to run again. I love Quill’s ability to see possibilities for himself even as he is being beaten. He does not let anyone destroy him. I like how the distinction of bi versus gay is handled. The phoenixes in this book are real; their beauty, their destruction in fire, and their rebirth from the ashes of those fires. As with Snow Falling, the audiobook is a wonderful companion and worth spending the money or credit. Nothing Special series by A E Via Nothing Special Books 1 - 5 (Nothing Special #1-5) I read A. E. Via's Nothing special series through Kindle Unlimited. I enjoyed the series. I rated the books between 3 and 5 stars. Tantor Audio released Nothing Special Books 1-5 narrated by Aiden Snow. I listened to all 5 audiobooks and rated the set 5 stars. The Nothing Special series involves narcotics officers in the Atlanta Police Department. Each book focuses on a different couple in what becomes the Narcotics Task Force. Although the books are listed as M/M romance they are rich with mystery and suspense. Book 1, Nothing Special, focuses on Detective Cashel 'Cash' Godfrey (God) and Detective Leonidis 'Leo' Day (Day). God and Day are total opposites other than using unorthodox (but legal) methods to get the major drug dealers off the Atlanta streets. It also deals with the aftermath of trauma. Book 2, Embracing His Syn, deals with same-sex domestic violence. Sergeant Corbin 'Syn' Sydney, the newest member of the task force, and Furious Barkley. The explanation of how Furious was named is one of the best name origin stories I have ever read. Book 3, Here Comes Trouble, involves Detectives Mark Ruxsberg and Chris Green. The story explores the cost of addiction, especially to addicts' families. Book 4, Don't Judge, Sniper Detective Austin Michaels feels responsible for a botched arrest. He joins with Judge Josephson, a bounty hunter, to recapture the drug dealer. The book shows the hours of preparation and research that go into capturing a criminal on the run. Book 5, Nothing Special V, has a great tagline: "A hothead that's uncontrollable and terrible with authority… but wasn’t that their team motto?" Medal holder Marine Edwin Steele is brought to the task force by his councilman uncle. God and Joy are less than thrilled to have a politician's relative on their task force. Steele's introduction to the task force and the force's IT specialist, Tech, set off a great story. The best example of why the audiobooks rate 5 stars is found in Book 1 Nothing Special, Chapter 19: "Day turned the corner and ran smack into a large, hulking, chest, startling the hell out of both him and his date. Mick grabbed his chest, 'Jesus!' 'No, God', the rough voice responded." Aiden Snow does such an extraordinary job bringing Lt. Cashel Godfrey (and the rest of the characters) to life that he truly does make the written word better. Copy of the audiobook provided by Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. His Hart's Command (Nothing Special, #6) His Hart's Command is the sixth book in the Nothing Special series. As with the other books, this one focuses on two main characters. Ivan Hart is the SWAT commander and Lt. Cash Godfrey's best friend. He is a large bear of a man who is strong and capable when dealing with his job. Lennox Freeman is the tech genius who helps God's team and is Tech's best friend. While Cash and Tech do not have huge roles in the book, they are very important to how Ivan and Lennox evolve. Ivan is my favorite main character of the series. He is loyal, protective, and most of all kind. Physically he is a large man and described as a bear. He is described in such a way that you just know he would be warm and comforting to cuddle with. He is also a victim of abuse. Lennox is sweet and patient. As a couple, they balance each other. Aiden Snow is an incredible narrator. He brings the character fully formed to the listener's ear. I adored the uncertainty he gave Ivan's voice. He also did a great job with the complexity of Lennox's accent. A copy of the audiobook provided by Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. Married to the Mobster (Morelli Family, #1)
Leighton Greene Oh my gosh! I love this book. I picked up Married to the Monster through Kindle Unlimited. I was looking for an entertaining read. It was that and more. The book kept me turning pages. It made me care about the characters and kept the mystery under wraps until the end. I finished it and preordered the next one even though it is on Kindle Unlimited. This series is now an automatic order for me. Finch and Luca are two of the best characters I have read. The book was a mafia story with suspense and mystery. It was also a romance with men from different worlds who were more alike than even they knew. The second book and the just release novella also have the same high quality of storytelling. I am hoping this series moves to audio soon. Beowulf: A New Translation Maria Dahvana Headley Can I just say how much I enjoyed Maria Dahvana Headley's Beowulf: A New Translation? If I was teaching Beowulf to my kids now, I would use both this book (including the introduction) and a classic translation like Tolkien or Seamus Heaney. Approximately one thousand years after it’s creation, Headley makes Beowulf accessible. Beowulf was meant to be heard, as it was by it’s original audience. Do yourself a favor and get the audiobook of this fantastic translation. Imagine a smoky bar and the older man at the end as he begins to tell this story of magic and bravery. Shelter Mountain (Virgin River, #2) Robyn Carr Shelter Mountain is my favorite book in the Virgin River series. The main character, Preacher, is the shy, quiet, giant of a man we met in Virgin River. He is loyal, well respected in the community, and lonely. Paige, pregnant and taking her four year old son, is running from her ex-husband whose next beating will undoubtedly kill her. Bad weather and poor navigation bring her to Jack’s Bar with no one there but Preacher. That night begins the journey Preacher and Paige’s journey with no happy ending guaranteed. Preacher’s evolution from the beginning of the book till the end is wonderful. More importantly it is believable. I have read the first twenty books in the series but Shelter Mountain is the only one I have returned to again. Tallowwood (Tallowwood, #1) N. R. Walker Tallowwood was a great audiobook and I delayed finishing the last several chapters. The solution to the mystery, the suspense that had built to nail-biting levels, and my fears for my favorite characters caused me to hold off listening to the end. Tallowwood has it all. The mystery, which kept me guessing until almost the end, the suspense was intense, and the romance was well done. I enjoyed the growth of August Shaw's character. Antony Ferguson's narration was well done. Against the Grain (Auckland Med #4) Jay Hogan Jay Hogan is a New Zealand author that I have enjoyed reading. Auckland Medical is a series about the men who work at the medical center. Each book has focused on a different couple. In Against the Grain, Miller is an avid wheelchair rugby player. The wheelchair version of rugby seems much more physical and dangerous they the regular kind. He is a new hire at the medical center as Clinical Governance Coordinator. He loves his job and has had very few negative reactions to his disability. He is gay but only out to his family. After a rugby accident, he runs into Sandy Williams in Emergency Room. It is not a meet-cute. It is literally running into each other. Sandy is the RN who works as the Pathology Assistant. He came out as a teen. He is very strong in his identity and does not let others bully him. The relationship between Miller and Sandy is written so well. Starting with antagonism, the pair moves slowly and cautiously to friends. As they move into more than friends, there are issues that both men must deal with, issues that can make or break them. I really enjoy how Jay Hogan's characters are not cookie cutter. No matter how far from cisgender a character is, Jay never treats them as less than. I suggest reading the entire series because every book is strong and well written. I won a free copy in a Facebook contest. Writing a review was not required to win. Books and audiobooks were so much better than anything else in 2020. Honestly, the year sucked. Reading and/or listening help me cope with anxiety and depression. Thankfully 2020 provided me a wealth of choices. I have chosen my "BEST" of the year based on when I read them, not when they were published.
I will begin posting the titles that made my Best of 2020 list. There are ten titles. Each title's qualification was based on: * Rating after my first read or listen * If rating changed after a second time * If the title stayed with me in the days after completing Reading/listening a title for a second or third time is an indication that I truly enjoyed it. I will continue to post my selections here as well as Goodreads. BEST SHORT STORY There is only one short story on my list. Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience by Rebecca Roanhorse (https://apex-magazine.com/welcome-to-your-authentic-indian-experience/) rated five out of 5 stars each time I listened to it. Nothing I can say will do justice to Rebecca Roanhorse’s short story masterpiece. You must read it for yourself or find LeVar Burton reading it on YouTube. This is the first Onley James book I have read. I enjoyed Endangered Species. I have not read any books set in prisons so I cannot attest to the accuracy. What I can say is that I am familiar with the problems of prisons for profit and how they can be mismanaged to only make money. The book follows Nicky and Cy. They were stepbrothers for less than a year when Nicky was seven years old. Cy, seventeen years old, spent that year protecting Nicky from Nicky's psycho mom and Cy's absent father. It all came to a violent end when Nicky's mother murdered Cy's father and framed Cy for it.
Go forward twenty years and Nicky has been arrested on terrorism charges. Although he has not had a trial, he is sent to the same maximum-security prison where Cy has been held. Nicky has no way of knowing if Cy blames him for his imprisonment since he was forced to testify against him. He is about to find out because Nicky is Cy's new cellmate. The book has mystery and suspense elements that work well with a very different romance plot. It is stressed often through the book that Nicky and Cy are not brothers. They spent less than a year together when Nicky was seven. It is not what I consider a taboo relationship. Regardless, readers should always check trigger warnings before starting a book. Endangered Species is the first book in a new series by the author. I put the next one on my Goodreads list to check out when it releases. I rated the book four stars. I won a copy of Endangered Species through a Facebook contest. There was no requirement to review. |
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