Audiobook Recommendations

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Adventure, aliens, angels, archeology, audiobooks, druid, Elizabeth Hunter, fantasy, first contact, gothic, Grace Draven, historical, horror, Jennifer Foehner Wells, Jodi Taylor, Juliet Marillier, Kevin Hearne, Lindsay Buroker, magic, military scifi, mystery, romance, Sandra Hill, scifi, series, Steampunk, Tanya Huff, time travel, urban fantasy, vampires, vikings, Viola Carr, werewolves

Assuming I kept an accurate record, I listened to 40 audiobooks in 2017.  Most of them were pretty good.  A few, not so good.  I rarely review audiobooks, so today, I will let you know which ones I would recommend.  Without reservation!  That means the story is really good and the narration is just as good.

I’ll start with Jodi Taylor’s Chronicles of St. Mary’s.  In a previous post, I ranted and raved about this series and it is one of those that holds up very well beyond book 3.  In 2017, I listened to narrator Zara Ramm bring these 5 books to life:
A Symphony of Echoes, #2
When a Child is Born, #2.5
A Second Chance, #3
Roman Holiday, #3.5
A Trail Through Time, #4
In addition, the author narrated #0.5, The Very First Damned Thing.  #0.5. 2.5 and 3.5 were all free on Audible, so if they still are, now is as good a time to check them out! I have already purchased a couple more and they are in the queue.

Beneath the Waning Moon is a 2-book anthology by authors Elizabeth Hunter and one of my favorites – Grace Draven. Included are A Very Proper Monster by Elizabeth Hunter and Gaslight Hades by Grace Draven. Both were beautiful gothic romances! I also listened to the marvelous Eidolon, Wraith Kings #2 by Grace Draven. Both of these books were charmingly narrated by Gabrielle Baker.

For SciFi books, Tanya Huff’s Confederation series is one of my favorites. Maguerite Gavin is a skilled narrator. I listened to 4 in this series and have another one in the queue.
The Heart of Valor, #3
Valor’s Trial, #4
The Truth of Valor, #5
An Ancient Peace, #6 (also Peacekeeper #1)

I got a great deal by downloading the 3-in-1 book Forgotten Ages by Lindsay Buroker. From there it was a simple matter to get the Whispersync audiobook 3-in-1. I discovered this author this year and I am quite sure there will be more Lindsay Buroker in my future. Forgotten Ages was narrated by a favorite narrator, Tavia Gilbert. This compendium included:
Encrypted (novel)
Enigma (short story)
Decrypted (novel)

Viola Carr knows her way around some steampunk/horror/fantasy and her stories are well narrated by Beverly A. Crick. The Electric Empire is 3 books long. I listened to the first 2 on audiobook this year:
The Diabolical Miss Hyde, #1 
The Devious Dr. Jekyll, #2
After listening to these two books, I finished by the series off by reading The Dastardly Miss Lizzie.

For SciFi fans, I highly recommend Jennifer Foehner Wells’ Confluence series. This first contact and beyond series is insightful and hopeful with that streak of realism that makes us realize space is not a friendly place. Susanna Burney is the narrator of book 1 and she is joined by Mark Linden in book 2. I am currently reading book 3, Inheritance, so I am definitely committed to the series.
Fluency, #1
Remanance, #2

One of my favorite finds of the year is Juliet Marillier’s Blackthorn & Grimm series. Like the 2-names-separated-by-an-ampersand series title suggests, there are mysteries to be solved. They are solved with logic, determination and so much heart. These are amazing characters. The use of three different narrators to represent different points of view was very much appreciated.
Dreamer’s Pool, #1
Natalie Gold, Nick Sullivan Narrators, Scott Aiello
Tower of Thorns, #2
Natalie Gold, Nick Sullivan Narrators, Susannah Jones
Book 3, Den of Wolves, is in my queue. I love this series so much!

For a good laugh, Sandra Hill is a great author. She writes a Viking/Vampire/Angel series called Deadly Angels that makes me laugh out loud. This year, I listened to Kiss of Temptation, #3 narrated by Erin Bennett.

And finally, Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid series. I am almost caught up, so I only have one to add to this list. Luke Daniels is one of the best narrators out there so I was please to listen to him read Staked, #8.

That is it for my favorite audiobook listens for 2017. In most cases, I bought the Kindle book and then added the Whispersync audiobook. It seems to be the most economic for me. For that reason, all the book cover and title links will link to the Kindle version. Whether you read these books, or listen to them, the are all great stories!

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Three For Christmas – Reviews

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Book Review, Charles Dickens, Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Debbie Macomber, historical, historical romance, Samantha Silva, Victoria Alexander

I want to welcome a new reviewer to Whiskey With My Book.  Linda is a part of the staff at my library and I really enjoy working with her.  She reads a lot – more than I do. Some of the books she reads are a great fit for WWMB, so I invited to her do some reviews.

Today, we have three quick book reviews, all Christmas-themed stories.  If you haven’t found the perfect book to read this season, maybe one of these will interest you.

Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva

Charles Dickens is not feeling the Christmas spirit. His newest book is an utter flop, the critics have turned against him, relatives near and far hound him for money. While his wife plans a lavish holiday party for their ever-expanding family and circle of friends, Dickens has visions of the poor house. But when his publishers try to blackmail him into writing a Christmas book to save them all from financial ruin, he refuses. And a serious bout of writer’s block sets in.

Frazzled and filled with self-doubt, Dickens seeks solace in his great palace of thinking, the city of London itself. On one of his long night walks, in a once-beloved square, he meets the mysterious Eleanor Lovejoy, who might be just the muse he needs. As Dickens’ deadlines close in, Eleanor propels him on a Scrooge-like journey that tests everything he believes about generosity, friendship, ambition, and love. The story he writes will change Christmas forever.

Review by Linda

This to me is an exceptional read for Christmas or any season. It is fictional , but the author has used facts from biographies of Charles Dickens enough to make you think you are living his life. Life in merry old England was not very happy in his time. The class system was at its highest, wealth or debtors prison.

I don’t want to give away anything that will spoil your read. Please trust me renew your trust in the love that people are able to show each other and read this book.

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Same Time, Next Christmas by Victoria Alexander

My friends have always considered me the most proper among us. But no one was more surprised than I, Portia, Lady Redwell, when I decided to flee the matchmaking efforts of my family to spend Christmas in an enchanting villa on the coast of Italy. My admittedly impulsive plans were immediately complicated by the presence of a certain gentleman, Mr. Fletcher Jamison, who insisted he had a claim on the villa. It was only in the true spirit of Christmas that I agreed to share the villa with him. His charm, his blue eyes as dark as the December seas, and the laugh that oddly seemed to fill my soul were not considerations.

That I returned again for Christmas is due entirely to the charm of the villa, and nothing at all to do with the fact that he too would be there.

My friend Veronica has often said those least likely to bend are most likely to snap.

It appears I have snapped…

Review by Riley

At first, I did not like Portia, Lady Redwell. She seemed to have an annoying case of that upper class superiority thing going on. And then, well, I just relaxed and stopped taking her so seriously. When Fletcher Jamison came into the picture, even Portia relaxed – a bit.

Portia and Fletcher are both fun, entertaining characters. They play well off of each other, arguing and agreeing, fighting and apologizing. Neither has been quite truthful with the other, but they have decided to treat this as a getaway. What happens in Italy, stays in Italy. They are able to relax and enjoy each other’s company even though there is no indication that the relationship will ever continue.

But it must, because ‘Next Christmas‘ is part of the title.

Despite the fact that it took me a while to warm up to the heroine, I truly liked Same Time, Next Christmas. It is enjoyable, light reading but with a heartfelt story line that will make you smile. 5 stars!

Through NetGalley, I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber

Merry Knight is pretty busy these days. She’s taking care of her family, baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs of her stressed and by-the-book boss at the consulting firm where she temps. Her own social life is the last thing she has in mind, much less a man. Without her knowledge, Merry’s well-meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her—minus her photo—and the matches start rolling in. Initially, Merry is incredulous, but she reluctantly decides to give it a whirl.

Soon Merry finds herself chatting with a charming stranger, a man with similar interests and an unmistakably kind soul. Their online exchanges become the brightest part of her day. But meeting face-to-face is altogether different, and her special friend is the last person Merry expects—or desires. Still, sometimes hearts can see what our eyes cannot. In this satisfying seasonal tale, unanticipated love is only a click away.

Review by Linda

This author is a true lover of Christmas the happiness , the romance and the love we should share all year but tend to see more at Christmas. She does always amaze me as her romantic plots always seem to take many different turns and are always filled with surprises Merry and Bright is no exception. If your looking a cozy read by the fire this is the book for you.

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Traitor in Her Arms (The Scarlet Chronicles, #1) by Shana Galen – Review

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5 stars, E.W. Hornung, espionage, French Revolution, gentleman thief, historical, historical romance, Joanna Bourne, Juliette Cross, Lauren Willig, Reign of Terror, Scarlet Pimpernel, Shana Galen

Review by Riley

About Traitor in Her Arms

Two morally compromised souls wage a battle of wits—and seduction—against the backdrop of the French Revolution in this thrilling romance from bestselling author Shana Galen.

After her late husband leaves her in debt to some dangerous people, Lady Gabrielle McCullough is forced to become a thief. In the intervening years, her skills have not gone unnoticed. After being recruited by the Scarlet Pimpernel, the mysterious do-gooder spiriting aristocrats out of revolutionary France, Gabrielle crosses the Channel for the most daring mission of her life. Accompanying her is the Earl of Sedgwick, a thief in his own right and an enticingly masculine presence. The man is not to be trusted—nor is Gabrielle’s body when he’s near.

Ramsey Barnes would not say he is an honorable man. His whole life has been based on a lie; why change now? Although it pains him to deceive the tantalizing Gabrielle, he’s working toward an altogether different objective: unmasking the Scarlet Pimpernel. If Ramsey fails, his blackmailer will ruin him. But when Ramsey’s confronted with the carnage of the Reign of Terror, he seeks refuge in Gabrielle’s heated embrace. Now he faces a terrible choice: betray the woman who’s stolen his heart—or risk losing everything.

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Review of Traitor in Her Arms

Traitor in Her Arms starts out as a ‘gentleman/gentlewoman’ thief story. I must admit I was really enjoying the opening chapter when the first theft ‘competition’ takes place between Gabrielle and Ramsey. But remembering the book synopsis, I quickly realized, this lighthearted start to the book would not last.

Both Gabrielle and Ramsey became thieves out of necessity. Gabrielle, to pay off her late husbands debts. Telling Ramsey’s reason for becoming a thief would be a bit of a spoiler here. But suffice to say that, at heart, both Gabrielle and Ramsey are honorable people.

The idea that heirs are responsible for the debts of the dead has always been disturbing to me. Especially in the time of this story, when women had little or no rights as to how the family funds where spent. In this case, it only serves to make the reader empathize more with Gabrielle, cheer for her and boo at the villainous debt collector who also makes an early appearance.

Very soon after chapter one, the story turns serious when Gabrielle agrees to take on a mission for the Scarlet Pimpernel. This first part seem hurried and without enough details. It did serve to make the Scarlet Pimpernel the most inscrutable character in the book. After Gabrielle embarks on her journey and meets Ramsey, on his own secret mission, the story takes a darker turn landing the pair in the middle of the Reign of Terror in Paris. I was quickly caught up in the adventure, danger and the emotions of the situation.

There was one contrived situation, where the heroine and hero must get naked to avoid arrest. It was an odd combination of humor and seriousness. But hey, it is a romance – with lots of romancing! The romancing takes the form of both the hero and the heroine overthinking and mostly deciding that it is best they do not go too far, for various, well-thought out reasons. As the reader, I could not wait for the moment their hearts would block out their thoughts.

This book seesaws from the from the intense emotions between Gabrielle and Ramsey to the danger and horror of Paris during the Reign of Terror. The scene where romance and history are combined and Ramsey proves his love for Gabrielle is so epic to be movie-worthy. No spoilers though. Just know it is coming.

This first book in The Scarlet Chronicles has so much going for it: a sizzling romance, danger, adventure, history, intrigue and mysterious hero with a secret identity. Shana Galen’s talent as a storyteller shines in Traitor in Her Arms.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in so that I could bring you this honest review.

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This book had me thinking about one movie and several other books you might find interesting.

First, the movie. The first time I heard about the Scarlet Pimpernel was when I saw a TV movie. It started Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymour and Ian McKellen. You can watch the movie on YouTube if you like.

Next the books. On the subject of gentlemen thieves: Ernest William Hornung (1866-1921) was the brother-in-law to Arthur Conan Doyle. He wrote series of short stories about Raffles, gentleman thief.

 

On the subject of English spies during the French Revolution: Joanna Bourne, a favorite author amoung historical romance readers wrote The Spymaster’s Lady.

 

 

On the subject of spies with flower names: Lauren Willig – Pink Carnation is a series of historical mysteries that starts with The Secret History of the Pink Carnation.

 

 

And finally, one more revolutionary with a flower name, this time in a paranormal setting: Juliette Cross – The Black Lily.

 

 

 

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