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I had read some of the short stories included in Memory's Legion: The Complete Expanse Story Collection. I purchased the Audible edition because it included them all plus a few I had not read. They were extraordinary. The collection included: "Drive" "The Butcher of Anderson Station" "The Churn" "Gods of Risk" "The Vital Abyss" "Strange Dogs" "Auberon" "Memory's Legion" The Vital Abyss, Strange Dogs, and Memory's Legion were the stories I had not read or listened to yet. They were incredible. They either gave the backstory to something or someone from one of the nine books or they told of what happened to characters later outside of the books. I enjoyed the short stories as much as I enjoyed the nine books. Jefferson Mays narrates the stories as he did all the books. Honestly, if he had not been the narrator, I would not have purchased the collection. His voice and style of narrating bring the Expanse universe to life for me. The best part of this collection is the short section after each book where one of the narrators explains how it came to be or how the story challenged them to write it. Memory's Legion: The Complete Expanse Story Collection will be on my "Best of 2022 list. I just finished Curse: Ride or Die by Eden Winters. Werewolves are a particular favorite of mine. Winters created a world where humans believe they are alone. Slade is a human who is cursed by a sorcerer to never stay longer than a month anywhere. Noah is a werewolf without a family or pack with hunters on his trail. The story built on Slade and Noah is very enjoyable. I hope the author writes more books set in Slade and Noah's world. I am so happy Leighton Greene has given us one more story in her Morelli Family series. What a story it is. I have always had a soft spot for Angelo. From the first book where he demonstrated his loyalty but going to help Luca and letting his boss die, to the second book where the story of his upbringing broke my heart, he has always been a larger than life character. He made a few quick appearances or mentions in the next four books. Now in the seventh book, the author gives the reader what they always wanted: a happy ending for Angelo and the possibility of a future without the mob. If the great writing and characters you are already invested in isn't enough to tempt you, then come for the creepiest, most chilling hit man. I received a copy of Vow of the Vigilante by Leighton Greene from Gay Romance Reads and have written an honest review. Audio Review of A Nothing Special New Year(Nothing Special #7.5)by A.E. Via, narrated by Aiden Snow3/22/2022 Audio review A Nothing Special New Year Author A.E. Via Narrated by Aiden Snow Publication date Mar 29, 2022 Running time 4 hrs A Nothing Special New Year has all the things I have come to expect from an AE Via book. It has action, romance, and mystery. What is very different about this book (7.5) is the series is the perspective. The series focuses on the Atlanta Narcotics Special Unit headed up by Lieutenants Leonidis Day and Cashel Godfrey. In this book, Officer Ellis Mason is the focus. We see the squad, the good and the bad, through the eyes of a patrol officer. I enjoyed learning more about Mason, who has been a favorite of mine since he first appeared in the series. Jesse is a good reminder that the majority of people are one problem away from living on the streets. Jess is a recent college graduate. Yet it is living on the streets of Atlanta, a city he has never been in before, while he tries to find his friend who was supposed to provide a roof over his head. The exposure to the weather, lack of food and clean water, and the rough conditions of being victimized all contribute to battering a gentleman. The storyline was good. It kept me listening. I listened to this in one day with a break from having to do life stuff. As always Aiden Snow was fantastic. His portrayal of Mason and Jesse was wonderful. He expresses the fear and anxiety that haunts Jesse. I loved the confrontations God has with Mason and/or Jesse. It is the God that readers and listeners have come to love. Aiden Snow is a terrific narrator who has the ability to take a good book and make it outstanding. I received a copy of A Nothing Special New Year from Tantor Audio and agreed to an honest review. Lucifer's Landing is the beginning of a new series by Davidson King. It has everything I have come to expect from her books: action, romance, and my favorite, characters who are morally ambiguous. The book begins with Dante burying his father and taking control of the family criminal enterprise. He has trained for this. He has employees who will follow him. He also has a traitor close at hand. Rainn is a sex worker. When he catches Dante's eye, he moves into Dante's mansion. He knows this could be a very limited relationship and Dante could send him away whenever he grew bored. Both Dante and Rainn are not morally good or bad. Yes, Dante is a mob boss. But there is so much more than that to him. The same with Rainn. Their relationship was interesting to watch unfold. One of the secondary characters, Ren Ikeda is fascinating. He connects with another secondary character, Mykel. I really enjoyed that the scope of the story expanded outward. It has the potential to be an excellent series. I received an advance review copy and wrote an honest review. I requested A Quick & Easy Guide to Asexuality from Netgalley because I was curious. Asexuality has come up in the books or social media I have read but have not understood what it means. I found the book answered my questions. The few remaining were answered by using the resources listed at the end of the book. The author and illustrators both identify as asexual. It was nice to have the contents explained by people who live it. I liked how the illustrations helped me to understand the text better. I hope others who are curious or searching find this book useful. I did. The book covers: * What is Asexuality * The Spectrum of Asexuality * Asexuality and Aromanticism * Dating While Asexual * Growing Up Ace * Ace Stereotypes * The "A" is LGBTQIA+ * Resources - including books on asexuality, websites, resources, and forums #AQuickEasyGuidetoAsexuality #NetGalley Head Rush is excellent. The ninth book in a series and it is excellent. There are very few series that can continue to be excellent after a book or two let alone nine. I have been hooked on the Haven Hart series since Snow first stepped onto the page. The growth of the characters, not just the physical growth, is well written. This growth relates to some of the characters who were in the first book but it is also the newer characters introduced in Simon Says. What did I like about Head Rush? Rush's struggle to accept Simon's life of danger is relatable. Rush loves Simon. Does he wish Simon sound insurance instead of being the heir to a large criminal empire? You bet he does. As the danger from the last book becomes more then he bargained for, Rush has to decide if he is all in, if Simon is worth it. One of my favorite quotes from the book reflects this struggle, "I know it's not easy to life this life, Rush, but it's near impossible not to love this family and not be willing to die for them." What I didn't like was the way all of Black's technological wonders seem to end is a massive explosion. It is like Roland Emmerich personally plans his destruction. The book is fantastic, explosions included. If you have enjoyed any of the Haven Hart books, Head Rush is a sure good read. While I did receive an advanced review copy to submit an honest review, I also paid for the Kindle version because Davidson King is a one-click author. #DavidsonKing #HeadRush #HavenHart A. E. Lister creates a western in a universe not often mined, the Canadian frontier. The Yukon Territory, in 1906, is a sparsely settled land with settlements days apart. The weather is much harsher than the American West. It is a huge canvas to work with. Jimmy and Oscar are a couple who were made for each other. Each coming from bad situations, they form a partnership with a finite end. As they travel from Dawson City to White Horse, Jimmy's violent past comes to call. All the action happens against the huge canvas I mentioned earlier. This would be a fantastic visual film if made. I enjoyed the growth of the relationship between Jimmy and Oscar. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the landscape and the towns. I am not familiar with Canadian history or geography except in the most basic way. It is apparent that AE Lister researched her topic well. If you enjoy the western genre, take a trip to the Canadian frontier. #AELister #760Miles Over and Over Again Author Cole McCade Narrated by Philip Alces Publication date Mar 22, 2022 Running time 17 hrs 7 min Tantor Audio Over and Over Again by Cole McCade is one of those books that when the story ends, the reader does not want to leave. Like a guest at the best party ever, when it draws to a close you are happy and not willing to leave. So many lovely things about this book. Imre Claybourne is one of the best protagonists. Imre is a man who only fits in one place, his farm. Luca Ward is the son of Imre's best friend from college who is still looking for his own place to belong. Part of the beauty of this book is the setting, Lohere Farm. The rhythm of daily life and all it takes to support it is illustrated through the land and the animals. It is a life that is hard but rewarding. One of the best scenes is Luca falling asleep in front of the fire cuddled with the two working dogs. The main beauty is found in the evolving relationship of Imre and Luca. It is a natural progression, with no limit other than the two men and their fear of being hurt. I also like that Imre is demisexual and there is a conversation around that topic. Imre and Luca made my heart happy. Philip Alces's narration is wonderful. He creates a strong, calm voice for Imre. Luca's voice reflects his mood of the moment, wonder when he first works with the animals, and rage when his father does not listen to him yet again. If the words were to raise off the page and speak to me themselves, they could not have done a better job than Philip Alces. I received a copy of Over and Over Again from Tantor Audio and have written an honest review. Review of audiobook Dragon Ever After Here Be Dragons Series, Book 1 By: Louisa Masters Narrated by: Joel Leslie Series: Here Be Dragons, Book 1 Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins Unabridged Audiobook Release date: 03-15-22 Language: English Publisher: Tantor Audio The Here Be Dragons Series is set in the same universe as Louisa Masters' Hidden Species Series. The story starts several years after the events of the last book of the Hidden Species Series. Percy is relieved not to be in the middle of all the chaos and stress of the Community of Species Government. He also misses everything but especially his friends from CSG. Percy has been struggling to decide what he wants to be when he grows up, which has nothing whatsoever to do with age. He is at loose ends when a dragon fledgling crashes and destroys his shed. Brandt, the leader of the dragons, comes to retrieve the fledgling in the hopes of getting Percy interested. One conversation full of innuendo later, awkward with a teen in the room, and Brandt has invited Percy to visit him in the United States. Their relationship is sweet and hot. Joel Leslie is one of my favorite narrators. Dragon Ever After is a good illustration of why. The voice that Mr. Leslie creates for Percy is great. He combines all the strength Percy has previously shown with the vulnerability of a man questioning if he is enough. Brandt, the leader of the Dragons and ten thousand years old, is someone who has control of his life. His voice is strong but playful. The playfulness that the narrator brings out not only in the main characters but the others is wonderful. For example, Alistair whining about anything he isn't a part of. I find it easy to recognize each character, not only the main couple because Mr. Leslie has given them unique voices. I truly enjoyed this audiobook. I started it this morning while I had breakfast and continued listening to it until I finished it. It was a fun book and definitely kept me interested. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, and this is my honest review. #DragonEverAfter #NetGalley #TantorAudio #LouisaMasters #JoelLeslie "To that point, Petrograd is meant to capture how it feels to wake up and realize you are (as we all are) living in history. Our actions have consequences–some small, some enormous. All of them impossible to predict with accuracy." - David R. Stone Petrograd, written by Philip Gelatt and illustrated by Tyler Crook, is exceptional. The writing is great. Gelatt takes a complex story and makes it a page-turner. I enjoyed how all parts of the story are represented: the British, the Russian aristocracy, and the Russian peasants. It also shows how unsettled every segment of society is. Crook's illustrations are rich in detail. Each face in a crowd is distinct. The locations are also very detailed. David R. Stone writes an explanation of events and how it relates to the graphic novel. I got so much more out of this graphic novel than had read a book of the events. I highly recommend Petrograd for the story and the illustrations and the world they create together. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, and this is my honest review. #Petrograd #NetGalley #PhilipGelatt @MrTylerCrook Title To Whom It May Concern Author A.M. Johnson Narrator Kirt Graves and Aaron Shedlock Length 2h40m Series For Him series, 3.5 Genre Contemporary To Whom It May Concern is the first book or audiobook I have ready by A.M. Johnson. It is also book 3.5 in a series. I enjoyed it so much that I put book 1 on my to be read/listen list. I will also take a look at the author's back list for more books to add. I liked the relationship between Clay and Syrus. It grew organically out of their shared interest, not just physical attraction. I like that people who know Syrus accept him and are not trying to "fix" him. Clay's grief was based in reality. He was so consumed by it that he had not moved forward from the point where it started. There was not anything I did not like. The narrators were terrific. Kirt Graves is one of my favorites. He has narrated several series I love and what I consider the best audiobook is my collection (my huge, do I really need more, yes I do collection). Aaron Shedlock is a new narrator for me. He has over three hundred titles listed on Audible. I enjoyed his voice. I am going to look through it and select another one to listen to. The two voices together create a wonderful experience. It is very easy to differentiate which character is speaking. The voices they create also fit the characters well. I am grateful to Gay Romance Reviews which gave me the opportunity to review this title. The Blood Boss Book 1 in the Black Veil series Author Davidson King Narrated by Declan Winters, Tim Paige Publication date Feb 15, 2022 Running time 5 hrs 21 min I enjoyed reading The Blood Boss when it released in August of 2021. I received a copy of the audiobook a few days ago and finished listening this afternoon. Wow, this is a series that will be an automatic pre-order in book e-book and audiobook format. What did I like? Ang man with darkness in his heart; a cinnamon roll who is more than cinnamon and sugar.; several side characters I like, vampires, sirens, triton (guy mermen), sky gods, witches, and a universe aching to be explored. A universe that will include dragons. Dragons! What I did not like? Waiting for the next book. This was my first experience with Tim Paige and Declan Winters. They did a good job. Black Veil Series Book 2 is an automatic preorder. Tantor Audio provided a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review. I requested A Quick & Easy Guide to Asexuality from Netgalley because I was curious. Asexuality has come up in the books or social media I have read but have not understood what it means. I found the book answered my questions. The few remaining were answered by using the resources listed at the end of the book. The author and illustrators both identify as asexual. It was nice to have the contents explained by people who live it. I liked how the illustrations helped me to understand the text better. I hope others who are curious or searching find this book useful. I did. The book covers: * What is Asexuality * The Spectrum of Asexuality * Asexuality and Aromanticism * Dating While Asexual * Growing Up Ace * Ace Stereotypes * The "A" is LGBTQIA+ * Resources - including books on asexuality, websites, resources, and forums #AQuickEasyGuidetoAsexuality #NetGalley "To that point, Petrograd is meant to capture how it feels to wake up and realize you are (as we all are) living in history. Our actions have consequences–some small, some enormous. All of them impossible to predict with accuracy." - David R. Stone Petrograd, written by Philip Gelatt and illustrated by Tyler Crook, is exceptional. The writing is great. Gelatt takes a complex story and makes it a page turner. I enjoyed how all parts of the story are represented: the British, the Russian aristocracy, and the Russian peasants. It also shows how unsettled every segment of society is. Crook's illustrations are rich in detail. Each face in a crowd is distinct. The locations are also very detailed. David R. Stone writes a an explanation of events and their how it relates to the graphic novel. I got so much more out of this graphic novel than had a read a book of the events. I highly recommend Petrograd for the story and the illustrations and the world they create together. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, and this is my honest review. #Petrograd #NetGalley #PhilipGelatt @MrTylerCrook Spirited Situation (Ghostly Guardians #1) by Louisa Masters was a fun read. I recently read Masters Hidden Species series for the first time (I know, I know. Should have read it sooner.) When I saw Spirited Situation available for review from Gay Romance Reviews, I requested it. I devoured it and am eagerly awaiting the next entry in the series. There was so much to like in this book. The romance between Josh and Ewan starts with a bang but eventually offers the hope of a long-term relationship. I absolutely loved Josh's vulnerability. Masters writes Josh so well the reader can feel the burden he carries. Ewan is a kind man. The world needs more kind men, kind people actually. Ewan's kindness is so foreign to Josh's experience that he struggles to understand. I think of the two, Ewan is my favorite and it is for his kindness that I chose him. The secondary characters of Kieran, Dan, and Sky are interesting enough to possibly appear in future books. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good romance with a little paranormal thrown in. Especially for anyone who enjoyed any or all of Masters' previous books. Looking for a sweet Christmas treat? You're the One by Davidson King fits the bill. Thomas is a popular actor who is breaking into the big time. Noah is his personal assistant. Thomas owes his success to Noah. Noah has kept his schedule, managed his publicity, and been his sounding board. Noah knows everything, everything, about Thomas. Thomas knows very little about Noah, only that he cannot imagine life without him. The problem is Noah is, and has been, in love with Thomas for years. When Thomas needs a fiancée to take home for Christmas for his dying grandfather, there is only one person who really knows Thomas and can be trusted not to sell the story to the tabloids. I enjoyed the characters of Noah and Thomas. They were authentic. I could easily see Noah in the same social situation with my own large family. The side characters, especially Thomas's family, were fun and well written. A wise person once said, "Marry your best friend." This holiday gem gives the reader that gift. I received a copy of You're the One by Davidson King in exchange for an honest review. Haven Hart Boxed Set, Books 5-7 By: Davidson King Narrated by: Philip Alces, Joel Leslie Series: Haven Hart, Book 5-7 Length: 18 hrs and 17 mins Unabridged Audiobook Release date: 11-30-21 Language: English Publisher: Tantor Audio 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 events 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 for some bonding time. 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 that fits seamlessly into the Haven Hart Series. 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. 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. Poe's emotion when he speaks to the Hart heir comes through. Poe has been strong through all the crises 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? 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 is every single word the narrators speak. In Triple Threat, 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. All in all, another great Tantor Audio in the Haven Hart series. I received a copy of Haven Hart Boxed Set, Books 5-7 from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. Blurb: Levity works the streets of Welcome Boulevard, begging people for money. It keeps food in his belly, a leaky roof over his head, and he gets to do it with his best friend, Clove. No, it’s not the ideal life, but he does what he must to survive. Salvatore Grillo is a man who is used to getting what he wants. He’s a loyal brother to his autistic sister, runs numerous business empires, and knows how to make people to bend to his will. It’s not often someone comes along and shakes things up. And then Levity smiles at him. Levity’s idea to pull in more money draws Salvatore’s attention, and while being the focus of a crime boss should be terrifying, Levity is intrigued by the man. Not to mention, Sal is as gorgeous as he is powerful. The two gravitate toward one another and soon are wrapped up tightly in each other’s worlds. When enemies try to break through their doors and their lives, Salvatore has to do everything in his power to save not just himself but Levity too. Not knowing who is behind all the chaos or when they will strike makes their happily ever after almost impossible. Time’s running out for Sal and Levity. Will they survive, or will their story end before it’s even begun? Levity is a young man living on the streets in California. Although he is not in very good circumstances, his personality is very optimistic. In fact, his name Levity, comes from his sunny disposition. Salvatore Grillo, the head of his family, runs his empire of not even close to legal businesses. When the two meet, sparks fly. But there is a possible mob war in the offing and next to Salvatore may be the most unsafe place in the world. There is so much to love in this book. First of all, Levity is a wonderful protagonist. He is strong despite what it seems life has dumped on him. And he doesn't need anyone rescuing him. Although they are not equal in economic power, they are in every other way. Levity does not feel indebted to Salvatore, not having a problem with returning to the streets if necessary. I really like that about the character. He is not a damsel in distress in any form. The second thing I love about the book is the plot. It is a mystery, a romance, a thriller, a suspense and delicious. I am looking forward to the next book in the Welcome Boulevard series. I received a copy of They Call Him Levity in exchange for an honest review. Taste of Fear Book 4 in the Joker's Sin series Author Davidson King Narrated by John Solo, Philip Alces Publication date Nov 23, 2021 Running time 5 hrs Blurb: Ciro Navarro has never had it easy, but he learned to survive. Nightmares of a past he cannot erase plague him but thankfully, much of his horrible life is in the rearview mirror. He lives in the present, focusing on his found family, lifelong friends, and the job that fulfills him. Ciro’s circle is small but tight; if you’re in it, you are his world. And somehow he’s become a rescuer—at the slightest hint someone he cares about is in trouble, he comes running. After years of hard work and patience, Xander has fulfilled his goal and made a name for himself as a world-renowned chef. He lives his dream every day: cooking up and serving recipes that bring people joy. Though he has restaurants in several locations, it’s Haven Hart Xander calls home, and he can’t imagine settling anywhere else. Life is good. In fact, everything in Xander’s life is perfect…until people from his past start turning up dead. When word of a serial killer hell-bent on ending Xander comes to light, Ciro’s instincts kick in and he vows to keep Xander, the sweet and humble man he finds himself gravitating toward, alive. The seriousness of what is happening rattles Xander, and he allows Ciro into his home to protect him. Close proximity heats things up and shows Ciro and Xander how much they’ve come to mean to each other, but the precautions they’ve taken may not be enough to keep them safe. When the unthinkable happens, they are put to the test. Can Xander and Ciro survive the crazed serial killer who stands in the way of their forever? Review: The Joker's Sin series, by Davidson King, is an excellent series that explores the world of Joker's Sin, the gay nightclub in Haven Hart. Each book has explored one of the four major men who run the club. Taste of Fear is the last book in the series and covers Ciro, Joker's Sin's chief of security. In the first three books, Ciro has been the go-to guy for help when legal was not the best way to go. For as tough as he has seemed in each book, the reader senses he has a past very much wants to stay in the past. Zander Vane is the celebrity chef who first appears in the Haven Hart series. Although he is confident as a chef, as an individual he is shy. Taste of Fear is an exciting book. The romance between Ciro and Zander makes sense and is not an insta-love (not knocking insta-love). The mystery, thriller, and suspense aspects work very well with romance. Philip Alces and John Solo do a very good job narrating the book. Philip Alces might be familiar if you listened to the Haven Hart series. All in all, it is an enjoyable audiobook and a nice finish for the Joker's Sin series. I received a copy of the audiobook from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. #TasteofFear #JokersSin #HavenHart @TantorAudio @DavidsonKing11 #PhilipAlces #JohnSolo I have been fortunate enough to receive review copies of each title in AE Via's Nothing Special Series. Each one has been fantastic and has a review posted. The premise of book 8 is built around Fox, Ivan Hart's 2nd in command, and all-around badass. Fox, whose real name is Mandel Tucker, is burnt out. He works too much to cover his own feelings of living someone else's life. When he is suddenly suspended for only doing his job, he is fed up. When trouble arises again at the Walker Ranch, Fox volunteers to go help Mr. Walker and his son, Big Bull. Bull has trust issues. He is not happy about Fox being underfoot 24/7. As Bull and Fox circle each other while trying to solve who is sabotaging the ranch, they fail to see the storm until it arrives. When God's voice is heard, Fox has to decide whether to heed his duty or his hope for a new life. The audiobook was fantastic. Aiden Snow narrates the book. He gives Fox's voice all the command and slyness that his character is known for. He also gives him an unexpected sense of vulnerability. Bull's voice while reflecting his physic also shows his gentleness by being a softer voice. I did not have to change volume settings at all so softer may be the wrong adjective for Bull's voice. The side characters are all well narrated. When the situation becomes dangerous, then as in all Nothing Special titles, the voice of God is heard. I received a copy from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. 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. 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. |
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