Craven Street (Whitechapel Paranormal Society, #.5) by E.J. Stevens – Audiobook Review

Tags

5 stars, Anthony Bowling, audiobook, Book Review, E.J. Stevens, Gaslamp Fantasy, historical, Melanie A. Mason, paranormal, series

About Craven Street by E.J. Stevens

The discovery of bricked up skeletal remains at 36 Craven Street point to something more diabolical than an illegal anatomy school. The tool marks on the bones, arcane sigils of great power, indicate more than mere butchery, more than enlightened experimentation. The signs, omens, and portents support the crown’s greatest fears. A great evil is being unleashed upon the gaslit streets of London, a blood-drenched shadow reaching skeletal fingers beyond the slums of Whitechapel.

Collecting human souls is a thankless job, nearly as tedious as acting as solicitor to the fae. But when the demon Forneus enters an opium den searching for men eager to trade their souls for the ill-smelling weed, he stumbles on a plot so devious, so heinous, he’s jealous that he hadn’t thought of it himself.

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Review of Craven Street

I rarely read a book twice. I this case, I made an exception. I read the book. Then when I got an opportunity to get the audiobook free, I said yes please, knowing the quality of this author’s audiobooks. My review is my honest opinion.

5 stars for the story. The alternative history of Victorian London features a paranormal investigative unit comprised of women. They do have annoying misogynistic male counterparts in another unit, but these women are doing pretty well on their own. Each brings her own unique psychic talent to the group. In Craven Street, they team up with the demon Forneus, who may be my favorite character in the book. He is demonic but he also has is moral side. He is a fascinating character so I hope he makes appearances in future installments!

5 stars for the narration. Two narrators do a wonderful job of bringing this story to life. Having both read and heard the story, I definitely recommend the audiobook.

This new series is one that I will be following. The combination of a historical setting, paranormal forces, a fascinating demon and a team of determined women makes this a series to be watched.

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Hand of Miriam (Bayla and the Golem, #1) by Eva Gordon – Audiobook Review

Tags

5 stars, angels, audiobook, Book Review, demons, Doro Jillings, Eva Gordon, fantasy, golem, Jewish myth, Jewish tradition, paranormal, romance, Steampunk

About Hand of Miriam by Eva Gordon

On an archaeological expedition, Bayla Gideon, is widowed by a supernatural force and branded with the Hand of Miriam or “knowing eye”. Threatened by evil, she awakens the golem – a mythical man of clay who protected the Jewish community more than three centuries ago.

The golem, Gesher, is surprised. Freedom – by a beautiful, enchanting woman. His desire is to return to the celestial spheres and regain his status as an avenging angel. Yet Bayla challenges his mind, body, and soul. Would he risk his return to the heavens for her?

Besides dealing with the otherkind, mad inventors, and an unrelenting matchmaking aunt, Bayla is equally determined to resist her steamy attraction to the striking fallen angel. Thrust into a malevolent war, which includes facing Jack the Ripper, they must resist the magnetic pull toward each other while protecting the world from encroaching evil.

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Review of Hand of Miriam
Story 5 stars
Narration 4 stars

Hand of Miriam is the interesting tale of a woman suddenly thrust into the supernatural world who wakes a golem to protect her from the dangers of that world.

Bayla is the woman who can suddenly see werewolves, vampires and all sorts of otherworldly creatures.  In addition, through touch, she can see into a person’s heart and know if they are lying or are guilty of evil.  The police appreciate her help in tracking down perpetrators, but eventually, Bayla must fall back to a safe place.

In her country manor, she finds and wakes the golem Gesher.  When she immediately grants him freedom, his wish to return to the heavens seems within reach.

I loved both of these characters, Bayla and Gesher.  Each has their own past and motivations that may or may not coincide with the growing attraction between them.  While I cheered for Gesher to get his wings back, I also wanted the romance for a HEA for all!

There are many things that will come between them, force them together and then separate them once again.  A predictable villain with a villainous device provides most of the conflict, along with a new take on the origin of Jack the Ripper

According to Hand of Miriam, angels are Jewish, which surprised me.  I rather think they have their own rituals which may or may not resemble the rituals of Earth’s religions.  Still, I enjoyed the Jewish myth and tradition embedded into the story.

Narrator Doro Jillings rushed the pacing, but eventually I adapted to her pleasant voice and storytelling.

Hand of Miriam is a little bit steampunk and a little bit paranormal.  It is a lot historical.  Mostly it is adventure and romance.

Through Story Origin, the author provided a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

 

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Secrets of the Greek Revival (Mystery House, #1) by Eva Pohler – Audiobook Review

Tags

5 stars, audiobook, Book Review, Eva Pohler, haunted house, mystery, series

About Secrets of the Greek Revival by Eva Pohler

Ellen and her two best friends share a mid-life crisis by hatching a plan to renovate an 1860’s Greek revival in the nearby historic district of San Antonio. Although Ellen isn’t one to believe in ghosts, she comes face to face with something inexplicable in the attic. Her ghost-enthusiast friends convince her that they must help the spirit find closure, and as they dig deeper into the past, they uncover a shocking history that someone in the neighborhood doesn’t want exposed. But Ellen and her friends don’t give up easily. They realize they’ve been called to give voice to the invisible women who suffered behind the walls of the house for decades.

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Audiobook Review of Secrets of the Greek Revival

Ellen, Sue and Tanya are a middle age trio looking for something interesting to do. They start out with a seemingly innocent interest in flipping an old house. But in the house they have their eyes on, there are ghost girls, ghost cats, unexplained noises and nosy neighbors. There is much more to the story than that, but with that beginning, I was hooked.

The history of the house, uncovered by the dauntless trio, adds the haunting aspect to the house. When a third party purchases the house out from underneath Ellen, Sue and Tanya, the girls are pretty sure something is up. And not just a supposedly haunted house.

Narrated by the author, the story is told from the viewpoint of all three ladies.  Each voice is nicely differentiated to help the listener know who is who.  Author narrations are tricky.  The author knows the story better than anyone, but may not have the acting skills required to draw in the listener.  Ms. Pohler has done a great job with her story.  In fact, I did not even realize she was the narrator until I started writing this review!

I did enjoy the middle-aged heroines. I am not going to say the author is of an age with her characters. I do not know her age. But she understands the personal issues the 50-something crowd deals with such as the empty nest and aging parents. When such characters are also the solvers of a haunted house mystery, the combination is hard to resist. This is my first Mystery House book, but it will not be my last.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author through her newsletter giveaway. My review is my honest opinion.

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