Audiobook - Personal Challenges by K.C. Wells & Cornell Collins

Personal Challenges written by K.C. Wells and narrated by Cornell Collins DNF

BLURB: Will and Blake couldn’t be happier. They have a beautiful little boy, Nathan, and Sophie finally has the little brother she’s been demanding. But all is not bliss in the Davis household. Coping with reality is going to change all their lives.
Rick and Angelo are sick and tired of trying to get a wedding organized. If it was up to them, they’d be married already, but Angelo’s mother has plans and they keep getting bigger. Angelo can see problems on the horizon: Big, traditional Italian wedding and gay do not go well together. Something’s got to give.
Colin receives an unexpected call from an ex, with bad news. He feels compelled to help, regardless of the consequences. Ed loves Colin’s big heart and supports him in his efforts, but when the truth comes out, he finds it difficult to keep a lid on his emotions.
As the coming months unfold, the friends are going to need each other more than ever.

My Review: “I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.” This turns out to be #4 in a series and maybe this can be listened to as a standalone, but I strongly recommend against it. Not having heard any of the previous stories (and not seeing it mentioned anywhere that it is a #4) I was not expecting to be dropped into the middle of three couples lives, without even a backstory to help keep track. I admit to giving up listening a short way in, so maybe the backstory gets mentioned, but I honestly couldn't say. I will probably try this again after I have read or listened to the previous books, so that I can get my head around who each couple is and what they've lived through, before this one starts. Meanwhile I also apologise to author and narrator for not having the patience to listen to this one all the way through.

"Sex, Drones, and Rock 'n Roll"? An Audiobook Review

The Hands We're Given: Aces High, Jokers Wild (Book 1) Written by O.E. Tearmann & Narrated by Kirt Graves 5*
BLURB: Sex. Drones. Rock and roll.
Aidan Headly never wanted to be the man giving orders. That's fine with the Democratic State Force base he's been assigned to command: they don't like to take orders. Nicknamed the Wildcards, they used to be the most effective base against the seven Corporations owning the former United States in a war that has lasted over half a century. Now the Wildcards are known for creative insubordination, chaos, and commanders begging to be reassigned.
Aidan is their last chance. If he can pull off his assignment as Commander and yank his ragtag crew of dreamers and fighters together, maybe they can get back to doing what they came to do: fighting for a country worth living in.
Life's a bitch. She deals off the bottom of the deck. But you play the hands you're given.

My Review: “I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.” This is one of the best Dystopian novels I've listened to in a long time. The world building drew me in knee deep before I knew what hit me. The Characters had me laughing and crying, sometimes at the same time, and the plot line was intriguing and action packed. I want to say so much about this book and the characters I fell in love with, but don't want to give away spoilers, so I'll just give a small warning instead: if you don't like LGBTQ in your Science Fiction don't bother reading/listening to this. Though I will admit the sensitive way that aspect was woven into the story was the cherry on top of the Sundae that this book was for me. One other thing: The narrator was new to me but I loved the way he read the story and can't wait to hear other books narrated by him.

Audiobook Review of The Widow Brigade by Douglas Van Dyke Jr & Darla Middlebrook

The Widow Brigade written by Douglas Van Dyke Jr & narrated by Darla Middlebrook 5*
BLURB: "If your death ever comes before mine, I hope the gods take my life soon after." Duli and her husband had stated those words to each other several times. Then the day came when his dwarf kin brought his body back from the field of an ambush. As a non-clan dwarf, rendered beardless by old customs, her widowed status places her in the lowest caste of Tok-Maurron. Fearful of her future under a chauvinistic crafters' guild, and unwilling to complete her suicide attempt, Duli's emotions turn to rage directed at the humans. Dwarf traditions forbid women to wage war, yet the ongoing battles leave more widows enticed by her call to action.
Ridiculed, chastised, and even jailed in her own chambers for her actions, Duli's struggles for her beliefs are even slowed by her need to earn a living off her non-sanctioned craft. Duli only wishes her own death, but in the process sparks a liberation movement that shakes the subterranean city to its core values. Even if the women win over their clan, they must still prove they have the mettle to face their husbands' killers, and the magic that humans command.

My Review:“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”
I loved this story, Not only was it told from the point of view of a female dwarf it had the humans as the enemy - such a nice departure from the normal fantasy stories.
The traditional ideas about Dwarves were still there but told and used in a very different way, and the action was well written and interesting. I liked the depth given to all the main characters and the world building was excellent.
I don't like to add spoilers so I'm afraid you'll have to buy the book and find out why this is a fantasy book that anyone who is fed up with the usual Fantasy tropes needs to read (or listen) to.
Oh yeah - you might want to have a box of tissues handy whilst listening, as Darla Middlebrook does a wonderful job of making the story come to life in a very emotional way.

Audiobook Review of Cursed by Fire by Danielle Annett & Nicole Poole

Cursed by Fire (A Blood and Magic Novel, Book 1) by Author: Danielle Annett and Narrator Nicole Poole 2*
BLURB:Blood is going to spill....
I just hope it won't be mine.
After two weeks of searching, I found the seven-year-old I'd been hired to find too late. His body broken and discarded. Dead.
My boss doesn't want me to hunt down his killers. It's too dangerous.
But the Pacific Northwest Pack steps in, hiring me to bring the bastards to justice.
Turns out the kid was half shifter. And shifters don't abandon their own.
In a search that takes me through the maze of shifter hierarchy and the depths of the paranormal underworld, these killers underestimate how determined I am to mete out their punishment. Vigilante justice is the only kind these people understand.
Yes, blood will spill. And I'm determined it will be theirs.
You'll love Cursed by Fire because its a fast-paced urban fantasy novel with a kick-butt heroine and unexpected twists around every corner.


My Review “I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.” I have given this one a 2* rating and those were for the narrator who did an excellent job (especially as I rarely listen to female narrators). As a big fan of Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews and Psy-Changlings by Nalini Singh I thought this would be a great story in the same vein as them. Unfortunately it turned out to be a mishmash of both of them with too many similarities and not enough originality for me. I haven't even listened to the end because I was getting so fed up with it.

Audiobook Review of Love Happens Anyway by R.J. Scott & Sean Crisden

Love Happens Anyway written by R.J. Scott & narrated by Sean Crisden 4*
BLURB: Hiring a boyfriend for Christmas; what can go wrong?
Derek is facing yet another Christmas where his life feels out of control. He has a new career that doesn’t feel like his, and parents who would just love to see him settled down. All he needs is a temporary buffer for the parties he has to attend, and for his parents to leave him alone. Enter, Luke.
Luke is twenty-thousand dollars short for the renovations on Halligans; his family’s bar in New York’s Financial District. A favor for a buddy has him agreeing to play the part of boyfriend to a guy with more money than sense.
But when the spirit of Christmas works its magic on the two men, and they begin to fall for each other, Derek runs scared, and Luke needs space.
It doesn’t matter what obstacles you throw in the way of love, or how much you run in the other direction, because, when you’re least expecting it, whether you want it or not, love happens anyway.

My Review:“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.” I love almost everything I've ever heard Sean Crisden narrate and I have really enjoyed RJ Scott's writing in the past, so I was very happy to agree to listening to Love Happens Anyway. I found that it had everything I liked, a good author, and a fabulous narrator, to drag the listener into a sweet, romantic, Christmas story world for a few hours of happy escapism. I really enjoyed the interaction between the two men (even when they messed up) and I've now realised, I honestly can't think of anything I can say about the story without giving away spoilers, so I'll leave it up to you to go get it and listen to Sean bring RJ's story to life.

Audiobook Review of Grabbed by Susi Hawke & Crista Crown - Narrated by Peter B. Brooke.

Grabbed (Team A.L.P.H.A. #1) by Susi Hawke (Author), Crista Crown (Author), & Peter B. Brooke (Narrator) 2*
BLURB: Team: A.L.P.H.A.:Six battle-hardened alphas with one goal—to save any omega in peril
Preston Tierney, the omega son of a prominent senator, has been taken by a secret group with an ax to grind. Party boy Preston was just out looking for a good time until he was grabbed—plucked right from a party in the middle of a crowd. When he wakes up, he finds himself caged like an animal in a remote cabin far from home.
Noah Perkins is a strong alpha who leads his unit with a strong hand—and a great sense of humor. The last thing he expected when he went to free the sassy little thing in the cage was to scent his own fated mate.
Noah and his crazy crew must free Preston from captivity—from his kidnappers, and again from a source much closer to home than they would’ve imagined—while Noah tries to figure out how to tame his bristly omega and truly embrace the team’s motto: Accept, Love, Protect, Honor—Always.

My Review: “I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.” So the concept of this was good but the execution was flawed in two ways. Firstly the narrator had the oddest pauses throughout his dialogue, and if I hadn't agreed to review it I might well have given up after the first 1hr & 20 mins of listening to him. Secondly by the author/s. So I've read Susi Hawke and enjoyed her writing in the past, therefore am inclined to think it was Crista Crown's influence that made the story so cheesy and cringe worthy, though I could be wrong. It started off fine (as long as I put up with the odd style of narration) and the story was going well but suddenly it just sped up and rushed through the second half of the story without anything substantial for me to enjoy.

I have the other books in this series on my ereader and I intend to give the next one a try, to see if it was just the narration that threw me off or if it was truly the fault of the writing too.

E.T.A. I just read Taken and gave it 3*.  Definitely needs a better narrator for this series.

A 5* Audiobook Review

Shockwave (Dr. Wolf - The Fae Rift #1) by Cheree Alsop 5*
BLURB: When the divide between the fae world and the human world is torn apart, Aleric Bayne is thrown into the ensuing chaos. Hurt and disoriented, the werewolf finds himself in a hospital emergency room. When other fae creatures begin to show up, Aleric sneaks them into the D wing of the hospital. With no one else able to treat their unusual conditions, Aleric steps into the role of Dr. Wolf. He has one goal in mind, to help the fae and close the Rift. But Dr. Wolf has walls around the memories of his own broken past that threaten to unravel the world he is holding together by a thread.

My Review: It's been a while since I've come across such an entertaining fantasy story, and I actually enjoyed a female narrator telling it. From the first sentence I was drawn into the author's story and was reluctant to stop listening to do anything else. The character's were vivid and interesting and the world building was excellent. I especially liked this new angle to the interaction between Light Fae, Dark Fae, and Humans. It was a totally new take on the trope. I enjoyed the Audiobook so much I decided I didn't want to wait for the second book to release in audio form and bought myself an ebook copy to see what happens to Dr. Wolf next.

Audiobook Review of 'Tis The Season by Alex Jane & Michael Fell.

'Tis the Season by Alex Jane Narrated by Michael Fell 1*
BLURB: Aaron has spent the past 10 months alone. When he meets a sad, yet strangely familiar man on a cold Halloween night, he impulsively invites him home. But the intimate connection they share lasts only until morning. Aaron wakes up alone - wracked with guilt and devastated to have lost his chance. Or so he thinks.
Thanksgiving brings Aaron another shot at happiness, but letting go of an old love and accepting a new one isn't as easy as everyone keeps telling him. And by the time Christmas Eve rolls around, it becomes clear that Aaron's not the only one struggling to let himself love again.
Christmas miracles are all well and good, but it's going to take more than the Holiday Spirit for Aaron to get his happy ever after.
A story of grief, sadness, and letting it go; and finding love when you least expect it.

My Review:“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.” I'm not sure why I didn't like the story but if it hadn't been the fact that I enjoyed listening to Michael Fell's voice this would have been a DNF. As it is, I honestly feel that the story could have been so much better. To me the characters were not fleshed out much (especially Dylan), and the story seemed a little hesitant and not at all fluid so as to keep me involved. I did manage to get to the end and even that felt like a big let down. I won't recommend this as I feel I can't honestly say who would enjoy this one.

Audiobook Review for Warlock for Hire by Sean Stone & Han Hills

Warlock for Hire: Arcane Inc. Book 1 by Sean Stone & narrated by Han Hills
BLURB: Just any warlock. Oh no, I'm a warlock for hire. Need magical assistance? I'm your guy. Whatever you need: spells, cures, or potions - I can provide. For a price.
My life gets a tad more difficult when one particular customer comes knocking. Enter Ashley Sheridan. She's sexy, mysterious, and in a whole lot of trouble. I should have turned her away, but I just can't resist a good mystery. So I poked my nose where it doesn't belong and landed myself in trouble with a malignant seer. I have to do as he says or people are going to die. I'm not really known for cooperation, so I'll just have to find a way to kill him, before he kills the people I care about.
But how do you beat a man who sees every move you make, before you've even decided to make it?

My Review: I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher. As this book was narrated by the main character and addressed the 'reader' frequently throughout the narrative I'm not sure if I would have liked reading it. However, listening to Han narrate it was so good, that I thoroughly enjoyed the story. A small spoiler here, as his name doesn't come up straight away, but Eddie Lancaster is the most irreverant hero I have ever come across, he's so snarky, selfish, spoiled and generally the kind of man you want to avoid, yet he was also clever, inventive, good to his friends and not afraid to admit to all his faults. I honestly can't really think of what else to say, without any further spoilers, except that I will only be getting the future Arcane Inc. books in audio as I still don't think reading them will be my cup of tea.

Audiobook review of The Half-Assed Wizard by Gary Jonas, Narrated by Joe Hempel.

The Half-Assed Wizard: Volume 1 by Gary Jonas Narrated by Joe Hempel 4*
Blurb: A couple of jerks wake me up at the crack of noon. Seems my klepto uncle stole an ancient deck of Tarot cards from a high-powered wizard, and too many losers want to ruin my day to get them back.
The cards are cool, so I check them out, but my magic-happy cousin, Sabrina, tells me I'm not supposed to touch them. Oops. Too late. Now the damn cards are tuned to me, and if someone else wants to use them, I have to die. Why couldn't she have led with that information?
Magic was never my scene, but my dad is one of the most powerful wizards in the world, so I've got unrealized potential if I ever bother to apply myself. I'd rather power nap, but with wizards, gunslingers, and cannibalistic shark dudes coming at me, that's not gonna happen.
They say I'm a half-assed wizard, but if I don't play my cards right, I'm gonna get my whole ass killed.

My Review: “I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.” Both author and narrator are new to me, but they certainly kept me entertained for four and a half hours with this wonderful Urban Fantasy. The main character was not one that I would normally enjoy at all, but somehow I found myself wanting him to succeed and beat the bad guys. I think that both the writer and the narrator were instumental in making me feel this way, and I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed the book half as much as I did, without Joe Hempel bringing Gary Jonas' words to life. I highly recommend both narrator and author to anyone looking for an entertaining, whimsical, and intense Urban Fantasy read.

Book Blast & Giveaway - Sūnder by Lexi Ander

Title: Sūnder

Author: Lexi Ander

Series: Darksoul #1

Release Date: September 4th 2017

Word Count: 120,000 words

Cover Artist: Kirby Crow

Categories:

Romance / Gay / Paranormal

Urban Fantasy / Futuristic Sci-Fi

BLURB

If Sūnder Alārd was born female he would have been cherished for being faeborn—born with magick—and his birth celebrated. Instead, his L’fÿn mother insisted on his death. Only his Panthrÿn father’s desperate escape through the forest saved him.
With most Chándariāns uneasy in his presence due to rumors he is doomed to become a darksoul, and unlikely to find a mate because of it, Sūnder has nevertheless carved out an honorable existence as a warrior and commander. Serving as a bodyguard and chaperone, Sūnder accompanies the Chándariān prince to the annual mating festival on Earth, and when the prince is injured, he can’t help but be fascinated by the tongue-tied nurse who attends them at the hospital.
At sixteen years of age, Gabriel St. Baptista came home to discover his parents had taken off into space, leaving him behind to look after himself. Gabe never recovered from the unexpected desertion, and keeps everyone at arm’s length to avoid the pain of being abandoned again. However, after meeting Sūnder, Gabe finds himself unable to resist the bond between them and breaks his carefully crafted rules to spend time with the Chándariāns, regardless of the fact that Sūnder will soon leave. Scared by what he feels for Sūnder, Gabe can only hope his heart won’t be too broken when Sūnder returns to Chándaria.
But deceit and treachery surrounds them both, and when Gabe saves Sūnder’s life, it sets off a chain of events that could either tear Gabe and Sūnder apart… or give them both exactly what they want.

Find Sūnder on Goodreads
EXCERPT

The bark of the tree he hid behind exploded. Valiant flinched, hunching his shoulders to shield his fragile burden. Splinters lodged in his exposed skin, thankfully leaving the babe unharmed. His energy flagged, but if he pushed himself a little harder he could reach the field where the rest of his knights awaited with the hovercrafts. Panting heavily, he pushed off the tree and ran as fast as he could. If not for the fragile treasure in his arms, Valiant would have taken to the trees where, as a Panthrÿn, he’d make better time. Not that speed mattered. The Jade Forest belonged to the L’fÿns, and they were far more familiar with these woods than he. Instead, he relied on his battle-honed reflexes to keep him ahead of his persistent pursuers.

He ducked and spun left, the next stunner blast missing him as his keen hearing saved him once again. Had his bodyguards all fallen to the L’fÿns of Nellá? He heard people following him but couldn’t risk stopping to verify whether the pursuers were his Panthrÿn knights or L’fÿn. The babe he clutched to his chest had been silent since Valiant picked him up. Had the newborn died, making his precipitous escape through the Jade Forest unnecessary?

Valiant could hardly believe he ran from his wife and her people. L’fÿns were a peaceful race, the arranged marriage between his family and the L’fÿns of Nellá an age-old tradition that had begun with a peace treaty centuries ago. Valiant hadn’t fallen in love with Tālia, but he’d been fond of her and valued her friendship. That she became pregnant within the first season of their nuptials had been a sign from the Gods. On the eve of the birth, they’d left the capital of Wūxbury and traveled to Tālia’s homeland so the babe would be born near the forest, as was L’fÿn tradition.

All had gone well, or so Valiant thought—he’d been pacing anxiously in the hallway—until the child was born and wails of sorrow were raised within Tālia’s chamber. Her attendants burst from the enclosed room, jostling him in their haste to leave. Certain the newborn had passed through the veil—for what else could cause such a commotion?—he rushed into the birthing chamber to… discover the boy alive, whole, seemingly hale, and… on the floor? Alarmed, Valiant bent to pick the child up.

“No, Valiant, don’t touch it,” Tālia choked out, her hand held up beseechingly. Grief ravaged her delicate features, her cheeks painted with silver tears as she lay in the bed, propped up on a mound of lavishly embroidered pillows. Her cornsilk hair was bound high on her head, the loose tendrils plastered to her sweat-slick coral skin attesting to the strain of childbirth.

Ignoring her plea, Valiant lifted the babe, cradling him carefully in his arms as he fought the anger he felt at his son’s treatment. The boy’s unusual gaze caught and held his. Brilliant, royal blue eyes were each red-ringed, the vibrant crimson color matching that of his already thick mane. Like both his Panthrÿn and L’fÿn parents the child was smooth-skinned, but darker than Valiant had expected, considering his mother. Some called L’fÿns “The Golden” because their skin tones were vibrant coral hues and their hair some shade of white, gold, or bronze, although a small portion of the L’fÿn population—dròw—were between a dark gray and deepest black in color. Other than the child’s skin tone, pointed ears, and the slightly tilted angle of his L’fÿn-shaped eyes, the babe’s more prominent features were all Panthrÿn. The retractable claws, rosettes on his torso, ridges down the bridge of his nose, and long tail all favored Valiant’s side of the family.

The inherent power of an alpha emanated from his son, which pleased Valiant mightily, but he also felt something else within the boy, something unexpected. Surprised, he glanced at Tālia, stating proudly, “He has magick.”

Tālia cried harder.

“I don’t understand.” Valiant sensed nothing wrong with the babe, so why were Tālia and her household filled with such sorrow? “Why do you weep so? He is a beautiful child who shall clearly grow into a powerful male.”

“He is faeborn.” Tālia’s voice broke, and she stifled a sob.

Tālia had spoken glowingly of the treasured faeborn children, coddled and spoiled, given everything they wanted. For an L’fÿn dròw to be called faeborn, magick must rest within them at birth. Instead of being born with an L’fÿn’s light-colored hair, faeborn were crowned by brilliant hues found only in nature. These children grew to become healers, druids, or rangers, occupations of great importance because they were the only ones other L’fÿns trusted to broker peace and settle disputes. How was their son’s magick not wondrous?

“This is an incredible thing,” Valiant argued. “How can you be upset at such good fortune?”

Tālia shook her head, her copper eyes glistening with unshed tears. “He is a dròw male. Faeborn should only be female, never male. Faeborn males crave violence, blood, and war. He— It is an abomination. Father shall fetch the High Druid. She will deal with it.”

Buy Links

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

About the Author

Lexi has always been an avid reader, and at a young age started reading (secretly) her mother’s romances (the ones she was told not to touch). She was the only teenager she knew of who would be grounded from reading. Later, with a pencil and a note book, she wrote her own stories and shared them with friends because she loved to see their reactions. A Texas transplant, Lexi now kicks her boots up in the Midwest with her Yankee husband and her eighty-pound puppies named after vacuum cleaners.

Links: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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An Audiobook Promo Tour & Giveaway for The V Unit by Max Vos & Greg Boudreaux.

Only a select few in the human world knew of the existence of the V-Unit, a small group of highly trained Marines - who happened to be vampires

Unabridged Audiobook
Author: Max Vos

Narrator: Greg Boudreaux

Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins

Release Date: 05-04-17

Publisher: Max Vos, Inc.

Blurb

Only a select few in the human world knew of the existence of the V-Unit, a small group of highly trained Marines - who happened to be vampires. And it would have stayed that way. But when events in the vampire world, threatened the stability of the human world, the powers that be called for the unit's specialized services. An intrepid war correspondent, Bronson Rudan, who'd seen more than his fair share of fighting, stumbles across the unit by accident, and is drawn into their world. Bronson has no problem with that, given that he gets to spend time with a hunky Marine Lieutenant, Sarge. Although he won't remember any of this when they're through. At least, that was the plan....

Excerpt

Since they’d returned to D.C., the men had already established a routine. Cates always was up soon after he was, and following Cates was his shadow, Keith Aquilar, the hot tamale of the group. The two friends couldn’t be more opposite. Cates was six feet four while

Aquilar was only five-foot ten, making the six inch difference more noticeable when standing next to each other. Cates had sandy blonde hair, where Aquilar’s Hispanic heritage was apparent with his dark hair that also covered most of his body. Cates had almost no body hair. Cates had a big fat circumcised dick, and Aquilar’s was big and fat, but uncut. The biggest difference between these two hot men was their personalities. Cates was more the quiet and laid-back type and Aquilar was almost hyper active, ready for a new challenge and ready to take on the world.  

Narrator Greg Boudreaux reading a snippet

from The V Unit

Where To Buy

Audible 

https://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/The-V-Unit-Audiobook/B07192V7XB

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/The-V-Unit/dp/B071DT4H7P

About The Author

Max Vos is a classically trained chef with over 30 years of food service experience. After retiring in 2011, Max found himself with time on his hands and was urged to turn his talents to writing. ‘Cooking English’, a short story, now part of his anthology collection, Inappropriate Roads, is now available. My Hero was his first novel, which turned into an international best seller. Max now has a total of six completed novels, which are listed on his website, along with the entire Memories Series. My Hero: The Olympian, the sequel to My Hero was released late last year.

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Audiobook Review of Outpost Hell by Jake Bible

Outpost Hell. Written by Jake Bible. Narrated by Andrew B. Wehrlen 2*
BLURB: After an opportunistic heist gone wrong, a squad of Galactic Fleet Marines set down on a remote planet hoping to repair their badly damaged ship and resupply quickly so they can be on their way to spend their new riches.
Finding the supply outpost occupied by less than normal residents, the Marines are soon fighting for their lives against a deadly force unlike any they've seen on the battlefield. It'll take all their training and skills to get out alive, let alone in one piece.
My Review: "I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.” I struggled to get through listening to this book as it was spoiled by the constant iteration of He said, She Said, They said every time there was a long conversation. On top of that I had a few hiccups with the playback as it kept jumping. I gave it two stars because apart from those two problems it was a good book and I did manage to listen to the whole story even though I almost gave up about three quarters of the way through. If you like an action packed military science fiction story and don't mind a constant iteration of he said, she said etc. then go listen to this one. Hopefully the playback issue was because of my laptop and not the recording.

Audiobook Review of Powers of the Six by Kristal Shaff.

Powers of the Six (Emissary of Light #1) by Kristal Shaff Narrator: Gary Furlong 5*
BLURB: Six rare powers govern the land of Adamah. Possessing one demands entrance to the king’s army. To refuse means a traitorous death.
For hundreds of years, dark clouds covered the skies of Adamah, and an ageless king ruled. Those who emerged with one of six extraordinary Shay powers were forced into the king's army, an unmatched force with inhuman Strength, Speed, Accuracy, Perception, Empathy, and Healing. With the army behind him, the king—a man who wields all six abilities—was invincible and unquestioned in his rule.
To most, serving the king was an honor. But for others, it was a fate worse than death. When seventeen-year-old Nolan Trividar witnesses the transformation of his brother from kind to cruel after entering the king’s army, he vows never to follow the same path.
​POWERS OF THE SIX take you to another world where the smallest person can do extraordinary things, the undead infest the night, and the sun emits more than just warmth and light.
My Review: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. I had to give this one my highest rating because it was a story that pulled you in from word one and didn't let you go until the end. Both the author and the narrator did a wonderful job. The author in creating a world so well that you feel as if you are living there and the narrator for bringing it to life with such passion. The whole thing was reminiscent of the best of the sword and sorcery epic stories such as The Drenai Saga, The Earthsea Trilogy, Elric, or Tales of the Eternal Champion yet it is also so fresh and new that it was a lovely change to read it and know that there are more of the same to come.

Review of The Necromancer's Dance Audiobook by S.J. Himes & Joel Leslie

The Necromancer's Dance (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #1) by S.J. Himes & Narrated by Joel Leslie 4*

BLURB: In a world where magic is real and evil walks amongst humanity, a young sorcerer is beset upon by enemies, both old and new. Angelus Salvatore is the only necromancer in all of Boston, and his name is whispered warily by the undead and fellow sorcerers alike. He and his brother Isaac are the lone survivors of an attack by an army of the undead, in which Angel used a spell so powerful it forever marked his place in history. Now, years later, Angel struggles to balance his career as a teacher of the higher magical arts, his role as big brother, and a tenuous relationship with an Elder vampire from the local clan. When his brother’s boyfriend is used as a pawn in a mysterious plot to draw Angel out, Angel is once again pulled back into the old hostilities that fueled the Blood Wars and led to his family’s death.

Leaning on others for help is something Angel cannot do, and while he searches for clues into who may be targeting him and his brother, Angel finds his heart steadily growing occupied with Simeon, Elder and vampire. Dealing with death magic and vampires on a daily basis may leave Angel jaded when it comes to life and staying that way, but the more time he spends fending off the ancient vampire’s attention and affections, the more he realizes he wants to give in.

Can Angel find out who wants him dead, and keep his heart safe in the process? How can he fall for a vampire, when his whole family was torn apart by an army of the undead?

Death stalks the streets of Boston’s historic Beacon Hill….and there is no one more suited to battle against death than a necromancer.

MATURE CONTENT Contains graphic violence, male/male sexual contact, a cranky necromancer, a sexy Irish vampire, and a pesky demon.

My Review: “I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook .” I really enjoyed the world building in this story and was captivated by the narrator's skill at giving each character a distinct voice and, in the case of one of them, with a very believable Irish accent. I really enjoyed the magic and the way the author brought it to life with the descriptions of the incantations and imagery. I really want to say so much more but am too frightened of giving away spoilers to do so. Let's just say if you enjoy stories with magic, action, intrigue and romance with a dash of hot sex and even hotter vampires then this is the one for you.

Release Blitz for The Necromancer's Dance by S J Himes (includes an exclusive excerpt).

Title: The Necromancer’s Dance

Author: S J Himes

Series: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #1

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 8 Hours 8 minutes

Release Date: 21st March 2017

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, MM Romance

BLURB

In a world where magic is real and evil walks amongst humanity, a young sorcerer is beset upon by enemies, both old and new. Angelus Salvatore is the only necromancer in all of Boston, and his name is whispered warily by the undead and fellow sorcerers alike. He and his brother Isaac are the lone survivors of an attack by an army of the undead, in which Angel used a spell so powerful it forever marked his place in history. Now, years later, Angel struggles to balance his career as a teacher of the higher magical arts, his role as big brother, and a tenuous relationship with an Elder vampire from the local clan. When his brother’s boyfriend is used as a pawn in a mysterious plot to draw Angel out, Angel is once again pulled back into the old hostilities that fueled the Blood Wars and led to his family’s death.

Leaning on others for help is something Angel cannot do, and while he searches for clues into who may be targeting him and his brother, Angel finds his heart steadily growing occupied with Simeon, Elder and vampire. Dealing with death magic and vampires on a daily basis may leave Angel jaded when it comes to life and staying that way, but the more time he spends fending off the ancient vampire’s attention and affections, the more he realizes he wants to give in.

Can Angel find out who wants him dead, and keep his heart safe in the process? How can he fall for a vampire, when his whole family was torn apart by an army of the undead?

Death stalks the streets of Boston’s historic Beacon Hill….and there is no one more suited to battle against death than a necromancer.

MATURE CONTENT Contains graphic violence, male/male sexual contact, a cranky necromancer, a sexy Irish vampire, and a pesky demon.

Purchase

Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

EXCERPT

Angel was aware of his blood. Not the blood running past his fingers, warm on his shoulder and neck. Angel could sense the blood stolen from him by the vampires, coursing through their mouths and throats, in their stomachs. He was in them, and his death affinity was about to show the crowd packed around him why vampires hated necromancers.

“Moderatus mortem!” The Latin came as easily as his English, and though unnecessary, it let those hearing him know he was casting, and it was enough to make even the most foolish of observers back off. I control death. “Ego meum corpus est corpus meum mihi!”

I am my body, and my body is me.

About the Author

I'm a self-employed writer who stresses out about the silliest things, like whether or not I got my dog the best kind of snack and the fact my kindle battery tends to die when I'm at the best part in a book. I write mainly gay romance, erotica, and urban fantasy, with ocasional forays into contemporary and paranormal. I love a book heavy on plot and character evolution, and throw in some magic, and that's perfection. My current series are: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer, Bred For Love (as Revella Hawthorne), and The Wolfkin Saga. My last two novels in the Beacon Hill Sorcerer won 3rd Place in the Gay Fantasy category for the 2016 Rainbow Awards.

I live in New Orleans, where the personalities are big and loud and so are the bugs! New Orleans is rich in cultural history, and the flavor and music of the City is impossible to hide. Before that, I lived all over the United States: Tampa, Western Massachusetts, Indianapolis, and on and on.... I'm a nomad, and I've yet to find a place that calls to me strongly enough to become home. My faithful travel companions are my dog Micah, the numerous voices in my head who insist they all get put on paper, and the wind at my back.

Links

Website | Blog | Facebook | Facebook Fan Group | Twitter | Amazon

Audiobook Review - Drop Team Zero by Jake Bible.

Drop Team Zero written by Jake Bible Narrated by Andrew B. Wehrlen 3*
BLURB: With the War treaty signed, the Galactic Fleet is now on permanent stand down. But a treaty doesn't mean an end to the violence, corruption, piracy, or tyranny in the galaxy. The Galactic Fleet's solution is a crack team of Special Ops Marines: Drop Team Zero.
Made up of the absolute fighting best from humans, alien races, hybrids, and even AI androids, Drop Team Zero is called on to handle the worst of the worst, missions that others would tag as pure suicide. But when Drop Team Zero arrives, the only threat of suicide is for the ones that stand in their way.

My Review: “I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.” This was an interesting story with plenty of action and some really freaky aliens. It kind of reminded me of the sci-fi comic books I used to read as a child (like Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon) all good guys will always win and all bad guys always lose. Luckily the author made his females more kick ass than they were back then and the bad guys didn't always lose making it a little bit more acceptable to me. The narrator did a great job keeping the fast paced action going without the listener losing track of who was speaking (which I hate when it happens). Unfortunately the whole thing ended with a lot of unanswered questions and a new mission on the boards so I was a little surprised when the words 'The End' were spoken. As most of my readers know I HATE cliffhangers and that one really threw me and I'm not sure if I'll get any more from this author in case all his books are like that. Maybe I'll try the next one when it comes out and be pleasantly surprised when it doesn't have a cliffhanger?