Audio Review: Always the First to Die by R.J. Jacobs

 

Always the First to Die by R.J. Jacobs

Publication Date: September13th 2022 by Dreamscape Media

Pages: 304

Audio Book Length:  8hrs  33min

Narrator: Petrea Buchard

Source: Publisher & Libro.fm

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Lexi has no desire to return to her infamous filmmaker father-in-law’s mansion, Pinecrest Estate, in the Florida Keys. There’s a terrible history there, from an accident while filming his blockbuster horror flick, to the disappearance of Lexi’s husband just a year earlier, there’s bad, scary memories connected to the mansion and her father-in-law. But when Lexi’s teenage daughter does a bait-and-switch in order to work on a new slasher movie being filmed at Pinecrest, she has no choice but to go. Especially, with a category 4 hurricane headed there.

The story alternates telling the past, how Lexi ended up on the original film, met and fell in love with her husband, and the tragedies that ensued, to the present with Lexi desperate to get to her daughter and stay alive.

Always the First to Die was a fun mystery that had a slasher-movie feel to it, complete with yelling at the heroine “don’t go in there” moments! I enjoyed how it all turned out. An ode to all the 80s slasher/horror flicks, fun mentions of ones like Aliens (one of my favorites that scared the heck out of me at the time!) and more.

It’s my first time listening to Petrea Buchard and I really enjoyed her performance of all voices, male and female! I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.

4 Stars

Review: Archangel's Resurrection by Nalini Singh

 

Archangel's Resurrection (Guild Hunter #15) by Nalini Singh

Publication Date: October 25th 2022 by Berkley

Pages: 400

Source: Publisher & Purchased Audiobook

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Alexander and Zanaya, both archangel’s ruling over different territories have had a tumultuous, epic, on-and-off love affair over the centuries. However, the recent battle with the evil Archangel Lijuan, has had lasting repercussions for Alexander and Zanaya. This time coming together they’re ready to sort things out or part forever.

Archangel’s Resurrection gave us the history of both Alexander and Zanaya, which I was grateful for since I didn’t really know much about either, except peripherally as side characters in the Raphael/Elena books. Each had an interesting, engrossing history and it gave me understanding as to why these two would love so passionately and then ultimately end up parting over and over through the years. I was rooting for these two because it was clear they were meant to be together! I know this sounds angsty, but it really wasn’t.

There’s a lot going on besides the romance. The Guild Hunter series is a fascinating world where a Cadre of ten Archangel’s rule designated territories across the Earth. Lesser angels, vampires, and humans all under their authority. Power, political intrigue, immortals and mortals clashing, good vs. evil; all factors that make these books a riveting read, but it’s the personal relationships that make these stories come to life.

Archangel’s Resurrection is book fifteen in the Guild Hunter series and that does sound intimidating to a new-to-the-series reader, but it’s centered on side characters and those books, IMO, can be read as stand-alones for the most part. Alexander and Zanaya’s story was fleshed out well here, one I thoroughly enjoyed!

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

For thousands of years, the passion between Alexander, Archangel of Persia, and Zanaya, Queen of the Nile, burned furious and bright, seemingly without end. But to be an archangel is to be bound to power violent and demanding. Driven by its primal energy, Alexander and Zanaya fought as fiercely as they loved. Locked in an endless cycle of devotion and heartbreak, it is only Zanaya’s decision to Sleep that ends their love story.

Eons later, it is the Cascade of Death that wakens them both. The passion between them a flame that yet burns, Alexander and Zanaya stand together in one last battle against the ultimate darkness. But even a warrior archangel cannot win every war. Alexander’s scream shatters the world as Zanaya falls, broken and silent…only to rise again in a miracle that may be a devastating curse. For is it truly the Queen of the Nile who has been resurrected?

Only one thing is clear: this is the last beat of their passionate, angry dance. The final song for Alexander and his Zani…

Review & Excerpt: Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin

 

Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin

Publication Date: October 25th 2022 by Berkley & Dreamscape Media

Pages: 368

Audio Book Length: 9hrs 17min

Narrator: Julia Atwood

Source: Publishers

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads 

My Thoughts:

Attorney Ava Burch finds herself embroiled in a cold missing person case when she stumbles upon an abandoned campsite during one of her Search and Rescue volunteer jobs with her dog, Huck. Something that immediately catches Detective Grant Wycoff’s attention. While the condescending Sheriff gives Ava the brushoff, Grant connects the dots to a woman gone missing two years earlier. While Grant doesn’t want Ava inserting herself into the case, he can’t help admitting that her find and research have helped make long strides in solving the case.

While trying to piece together the clues, Ava’s targeted by someone unknown and it’s unsettling, but she can’t let the case go as she finds there are bigger things at play.

Even though there’s a mutual attraction and pull, Ava’s hesitant. Seeing her mother always coming in second to the job makes her wary to start up anything with anyone in law enforcement, but she’s having trouble resisting him and they keep getting thrown together through this case. Grant is determined to change her mind and they have amazing chemistry!

I’ve done a lot of hiking and backpacking so I found the Search and Rescue feature really interesting and of course, if there’s a lovable dog I’m totally in!  Huck was adorable and smart, and I loved the relationship he had with Ava and Grant!

I was immediately sucked into Vanishing Hour and listened to the whole book in one day! All the twists had me eager to find out what happened to the missing girls, and I was on the edge of my seat with every bit of danger Ava faced. The ending was a real nail biter! Another win for Laura Griffin! Definite recommend!

I alternated between reading and listening to an audio copy. Julia Atwood’s performance was really good! She performed with a subtle Texas accent that felt authentic to all the characters and she performed both female and male character parts wonderfully! I listened at 1.5x speed normal speed.

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

When a cold case in Texas leads to a sinister string of disappearances, a newcomer to the small town helps the deputy sheriff to piece together the clues in this new romantic thriller from New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin.

Corporate lawyer Ava Burch has had enough of the big city and daily grind. She grew up with her father, who raised search-and-rescue dogs, in rural Texas, and has moved to the small town of Cuervo to spend time in the dry, rugged wilderness near Big Bend National Park. When she and her dog Huck discover an abandoned campsite on a volunteer search-and-rescue mission, she’s perplexed but she carefully photographs it all the same.

All Deputy Sheriff Grant Wycoff can see when he looks at Ava is a city slicker—with her designer jeans and expensive car— who has no business on a serious team made of seasoned outdoorsmen and retired cops. But when she tells him of her discovery on the trail, he sees there’s more to her than meets the eye.

Ava’s discovery reminds Grant of the unsolved case of a young woman who went missing two years ago. As they look into the campsite further, another woman disappears under odd circumstances. With time running out, Ava and Grant must work against the brutal heat from both the Texas sun and their own electric chemistry to solve the case.

Excerpt:

 

Missing children are an emergency. Always. Their little bodies are less able to regulate temperature, so they're especially vulnerable to exposure. And in a place as vast and rugged as Silver Canyon State Park, additional hazards abounded: rattlesnakes, coyotes, hundred-foot cliffs. Even the anemic little creek that Ava had been following was terrifying. A child Noah's size could drown in a bathtub.

Ava glanced up at the relentless sun that sucked moisture out of everything beneath it. She looked ahead at Huck, who trotted back and forth in front of her in his zigzag pattern. He was working the wind, as he'd been trained, tirelessly sniffing the air with his powerful nose, which could pick up anything with human scent on it, from a candy wrapper to a dropped article of clothing.

So far, nothing.

Ava checked her watch. Two long hours since she'd left the trailhead. Sweat stung her eyes, and she wiped her forehead with the back of her arm. She paused beside a boulder and dropped her pack on the dusty ground to retrieve one of her water bottles. Huck needed some, too, but right now he was intent on his work.

She took a lukewarm sip and scanned the scrub brush lining the canyon wall. Young children had a tendency to wander aimlessly until they found a place to curl up for a nap. Some would even hide from search teams, afraid of getting in trouble for being lost. So Ava had been incessantly scanning pockets of brush.

Huck halted in front of her, his nose lifted in the air. Ava froze and watched. But then his head dropped down and he resumed his zigzags. Ava tucked the water bottle away and pushed off the boulder to continue her trek.

She watched Huck, amazed by his energy. Even in this heat, he loved working, and when he had his vest on, he didn't have an off switch. As he bounded around in front of her, she thought of the other teams, especially the canine one. She was surprised they hadn't found something close to camp.

Of course, the parents had been there, which might have been a problem. Frantic parents threw off a lot of scent, which could have overpowered Noah's smell and possibly confused the dog. Also, the temperature rising in the canyon could have wafted the scent up, well above the dog's nose. Yet another challenge here was that young children didn't throw off as much scent as adults. And still bodies-ones that were either asleep or unconscious-threw off less scent, too.

So there were all kinds of factors in play, especially in a park this size.

Ava checked her watch again and sped up her pace, unable to shake the feeling of dread that had been settling in her stomach as the hours ticked by. Scanning the canyon wall, her gaze caught on something beige and triangular.

A tent? No.

A tarp. She climbed onto a boulder for a closer look. About halfway up the slope of the canyon was a sand-colored canvas tarp that had been stretched taut to create a patch of shade. It looked like a primitive fort-just the sort of thing that would attract a kid's attention, and her pulse quickened as she climbed closer. Nearing the tarp, she spied a small yellow tent tucked in the shade beneath it.

She glanced around for Huck, but he was sniffing along at the base of a rockslide.

Grabbing hold of a juniper tree, Ava levered herself onto the ledge. She ducked under the tarp and paused a moment for her eyes to adjust. The little tent was unzipped. Hope ballooned in her chest as she pulled back the flap and poked her head inside.

Her hope disappeared as she scanned the interior. No sleeping child curled up in the dimness. The air was utterly still, and everything was coated with a thin layer of dust, as though no one had been there in weeks, maybe months. A pile of gear in the corner included a cookstove, a hiking boot, and a blue bedroll with a carabiner clipped to it. Attached to the carabiner was a black key fob.

A chill snaked down her spine. Who would leave their car key out here? The fob seemed odd. Ditto for the hiking boot. Where was the other one? And where was its owner?

On impulse, Ava took out her phone and snapped a couple of pictures. As part of her SAR training, she'd learned to document crime scenes. She couldn't pinpoint why, exactly, but that was what this felt like. She ducked out and snapped a shot of the exterior. A faint bark pulled her attention back to the mission. She couldn't afford to get sidetracked, even though this place felt creepy. She put her phone away as she skimmed the surrounding area for the missing boot, or any sign of the boot's owner. She glanced up the canyon, looking for evidence of a fire pit or any other camping equipment.

A soft whimper had her turning around.

Huck sat beside a rock pile, his ears pricked forward and his gaze fixed on hers. Ava's heart skittered. This was his sit alert letting her know he'd found something.

"Show me," she commanded, and he sprang into action, bounding across the creek bed. She climbed down the rocks and jogged after him, frantically searching the clumps of trees. Huck darted around a giant prickly pear cactus and behind a line of mesquite trees. Amid the fluttering green leaves, she caught a flash of red.

"Please, please, please," she murmured.

Huck disappeared beneath the brush and barked. Ava spied a small white sneaker and a pudgy leg.

Huck danced in a circle, drunk on success and eager for his reward.

"Good boy, Huck! Good boy! Good boy!" She filled her voice with praise, even though her heart had lodged in her throat. The little body wasn't moving. Oh God.

About the Author

Laura Griffin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty-five books and novellas. She is a two-time RITA Award winner, as well as the recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award.

Review: Luck and Last Resorts by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

 

Luck & Last Resorts (Love, Lists & Fancy Ships #2) by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

Publication Date: August 9th 2022 by Berkley

Pages: 336

Source: Publisher & Library Audio Copy

Rating: ★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I’m not going to summarize the story because the book description (see below) does an excellent job there. I felt really torn about reading Luck and Last Resorts because I thought it would be super angsty (not my thing) and that Nina would try my patience, but I loved the first book, Love, Lists and Fancy Ships so I thought I’d give it a shot.

Nina did try my patience, and I did understand she wanted to guard herself after what her parents put her through, but still, I wanted to shake her on more than one occasion! She pushed Ollie away so many times and I really had no idea why he took this waffling from her for so long. He was an absolute sweetheart. I was glad he gave Nina an ultimatum because it pushed her to finally start to acknowledge her true feelings for him. Of course, she didn’t change completely overnight, and it was painful in parts.

I know it sounds like I didn’t enjoy the story, but I did. The story flashes back to when Nina and Ollie first meet and they started a bit playfully adversarial but grew to be friends and then inseparable. It was fun and passionate. That is until Nina screwed things up. My heart hurt for Ollie, but also for Nina, because she was depriving herself of real joy and happiness by keeping Ollie at arm’s length.

Luck and Last Resorts was an angsty, heart wrenching read, but one that I enjoyed overall.

Karissa Vacker's narration was excellent!

 3.5 Stars

Book Description:

Commitment-phobe Nina Lejeune lives by two rules:
1. Always have fun.
2. Don’t rely on anyone but yourself.
The first rule is easy; the second, she’s only broken once.

Ten years after fleeing home, Nina is the chief stewardess on the super yacht Serendipity, single by choice, and perfectly content with how life has turned out.

But Nina’s ex-coworker and old flame, Irish chef Ollie Dunne, isn’t so happy with the status quo. One year after leaving yachting, he’s returned as the Serendipity’s chef with an ultimatum: if Nina continues to deny she’s in love with him by the end of this charter season, he’ll go back to Ireland for good.

Nina and Ollie’s shared secret from their past threatens to shipwreck not only their relationship, but the entire boat. But as their connection grows amidst chaotic guests and crew drama, could there be smooth sailing in their future?

Audio Review: The Story of Son by J.R. Ward

 

The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda

Publication Date: July 26th 2022 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 92

Audio Book Length: 2 hrs 40 min

Narrator: Jim Frangione

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Claire is a career driven lawyer so when her longtime client requests she come by at 5pm on the Friday before Labor Day weekend she doesn’t hesitate to go. However, things don’t go as planned and she winds up locked in the basement with the client’s son, a vampire who needs to feed. She’s terrified at first, but this vampire, “Son” as his horrible mother never named him, is sweet and gentlemanly. Despite her reservations and circumstances Claire finds herself attracted to Son and the feelings are mutual.

Finding out Son’s sad story enrages Claire, but she’s got plans to change things if she can manage to break them out of their prison.

The Story of Son was a short, steamy, addictive story that sucked me in immediately! While set in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series it’s not a part of it, but fans will definitely enjoy it! It’s a hot romance sprinkled with a bit of danger, and I enjoyed every minute!

Jim Frangione’s performance was in his classic BDB style!

4 Stars

Book Description:

First released in the anthology Dead After Dark, dive into this hot novella from #1 New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward. Available for the first time ever as a standalone ebook, get lost in the sinful pleasures of a vampire so obsessed with one woman, he will relinquish her blood, if only he can have her heart...

Held captive by a dark, seductive vampire with an unworldly hunger, the beautiful Claire Stroughton fears her life as a lawyer has irrevocably taken a turn for the worse. But when this deeply sensual-and highly dangerous-vampire convinces Claire that his desire for her is stronger than his lust for blood, she is compelled to give everything up to him, body and soul...

Please note: this is not part of the Black Dagger Brotherhood even though it's set in the same "world".

Audio Review: Marple: Twelve New Mysteries by Naomi Alderman, Leigh Bardugo, Alyssa Cole, Lucy Foley, and more...

 

Marple: Twelve New Mysteries by Naomi Alderman, Leigh Bardugo, Alyssa Cole, Lucy Foley, Elly Griffiths, Natalie Haynes, Jean Kwok, Val McDermid, Karen M. McManus, Dreda Say Mitchell, Kate Mosse & Ruth Ware

Publication Date: September 13th 2022 by Harper Audio

Pages: 380

Audio Book Length: 11 hrs 28 min

Narrator: multiple (see below)

Source: Publisher & Libro.fm

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Goodreads | Audible

My Thoughts:

I’m a huge fan of Agatha Christie’s mysteries. I’ve read almost all and have re-read my favorites many times over the years, so I was understandably excited for the “additional” Miss Marple stories written as I think as an ode to Agatha Christie and her much beloved spinster sleuth. I had fun with all the stories. Some I rated higher because they were, IMO, truer to Agatha Christie’s version of Miss Marple.

Evil in Small Place by Lucy Foley read by Alex Kingston: Miss Marple is visiting an old school friend. A much talked about French woman is murdered before choir practice. Of course, not much gets by Miss Marple which puts her in some danger. Loved this one and it felt very true to Miss Marple’s character and Agatha Christie’s style. Excellent narration. 4.5 Stars

The Second Murder at the Vicarage by Val McDermid read by Adrian Scarborough: The vicar’s former maid is murdered in his kitchen. Told from the POV of the vicar he’s smart enough to not underestimate Jane and her observations and instincts. Felt very short, but it was fun and classic Jane. Great narration. 4 Stars

Miss Marple Takes Manhattan by Alyssa Cole read by Adjoa Andoh: Miss Marple visits Manhattan to see her nephew, Raymond’s book turned into a play on Broadway. As they go to have a tour behind the scenes, chaos and drama ensues. Of course, Miss Marple’s experiences from her hometown of St. Mary’s Mead help solve the case. I enjoyed this, but it strayed a bit from the Miss Marple I’ve come to know. 3 Stars

The Unraveling by Natalie Haynes read by Imogen Stubbs: A local shopkeeper and farm hand get into a fight and not long after the farm hand is found murdered. The shop keeper and his wife are automatic suspects, but why would they do it? Trust Jane to come to the solution while unraveling yarn. Very Miss Marple. Wonderful narration. 4 Stars

Miss Marple’s Christmas by Ruth Ware read by Alison Steadman: Miss Marple spends Christmas at the Bantry’s and has to help solve a theft that threatens to sully not only the Bantry’s name, but a servant’s as well. Classic Miss Marple and I loved that some of the past characters were included! Great narration. 5 Stars

The Open Mind by Naomi Alderman read by Jodhi May- Miss Marple solving the murder of an unlikable academic while at a dinner at a founder’s dinner at a college. Interesting mystery but parts felt hard to believe. Loved Ms. May’s accents, but she sounded young for Miss Marple. 3 Stars

The Jade Empress by Jean Kwok read by Chipo Chung: Miss Marple on a cruise helps solve the murder of an elder Chinese man traveling with his daughter and a companion/health care giver (?). Great narration. 3.5 Stars

 

A Deadly Wedding Day by Dreda Say Mitchell read by Cathy Tyson: Miss Marple attend a wedding of her old friend, Miss Bella’s niece. At the wedding an unexpected guess causes some trouble and there’s a murder. I don’t remember Miss Bella from A Caribbean Mystery, but they met on the island of St. Honoré while Miss Marple solved another murder. Miss Bella turns out to be an excellent sleuthing partner. Classic Miss Marple and Kathy Tyson did a fantastic job with all the accents!  4 Stars

The Mystery of the Acid Soil by Kate Mosse read by Celia Imrie: Miss Marple shares a train car with a young man traveling to the same village, distraught over the disappearance of his girl. Another classic Miss Marple with an enjoyable narration. 4 Stars

 

Murder at the Villa Rosa by Elly Griffiths read by Ramon Tikeram: Told from the POV of Felix Jeffries, author of a popular mystery series having a problem with his main character. Set at a gorgeous hotel in Italy. Sounded lovely! The mystery and explanation were kind of bizarre to me. Enjoyed the narration. 3 Stars

The Murdering Sort by Karen M. McManus read by Tanya Reynolds: Miss Marple and her great niece, Nicola, tackle the murder a friend’s grandfather just after he’s proclaimed that the family wants him dead for his money. Another fun, classic Miss Marple! Loved Tanya Reynolds performance even if she did sound young for Miss Marple. 5 Stars

 

The Disappearance by Leigh Bardugo read by Miriam Margolyes: Miss Marple is urgently called back to St. Mary’s Mead by her friend Dolly Bantry after the disappearance of one of her lodgers causes chaos. There’s also the apparent suicide of a student that raises questions. Enjoyed the narration. 4 Stars

Book Description:

A brand-new collection of short stories featuring the Queen of Mystery’s legendary detective Jane Marple, penned by 12 remarkable best-selling and acclaimed authors.

This collection of 12 original short stories, all featuring Jane Marple, will introduce the character to a whole new generation. Each author reimagines Agatha Christie’s Marple through their own unique perspective while staying true to the hallmarks of a traditional mystery.

■ Naomi Alderman
■ Leigh Bardugo
■ Alyssa Cole
■ Lucy Foley
■ Elly Griffiths
■ Natalie Haynes
■ Jean Kwok
■ Val McDermid
■ Karen M. McManus
■ Dreda Say Mitchell
■ Kate Mosse
■ Ruth Ware

Miss Marple was first introduced to fans in a story Agatha Christie wrote for 'The Royal Magazine' in 1927 and made her first appearance in a full-length novel in 1930’s 'The Murder at the Vicarage'. It has been 45 years since Agatha Christie’s last Marple novel, 'Sleeping Murder', was published posthumously in 1976, and this collection of ingenious new stories by 12 Christie devotees will be a timely reminder why Jane Marple remains the most famous fictional female detective of all time.

Review: Snowed in for Christmas by Sarah Morgan

 

Snowed in for Christmas by Sarah Morgan

Publication Date: September 20th 2022 by HQN

Pages: 400

Source: Publisher & Purchased Audiobook

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Lucy Clarke loves her job and in the social media/advertising firm she works. Her co-workers and boss feel like family, so important to hear since she lost her beloved grandmother. Unfortunately, they’ve lost a few major clients. In order to keep the company afloat Lucy’s hunting down new clients and Ross Miller is at the top of her list. Trouble is he’s almost impossible to get ahold of, but she knows Ross will be spending Christmas at the family’s lodge in Scotland. She plans to pop over and drop off her proposal and head back to London to spend Christmas alone. However, the weather has other plans for Lucy.

Siblings Ross, Alice and Clemmie are headed back to the family home in Scotland for the holidays.  But pressure to couple up, start producing grandchildren and join in the family business make them anxious about the visit.

Glenda Miller is excited and anxious for her kids to visit, but she’s determined to keep quiet about their relationship status. She loves her children and wants them to be happy no matter how they choose to spend their lives. At eighty-six, Nana Jean, Glenda’s mother-in-law, has no such qualms. If she thinks something should be said to help set the Miller’s on the path to happiness she’s doesn’t mind speaking up. Nana Jean was a hoot and she cracked me the heck up! I loved her straight talking!

In addition to Lucy’s story/POV, there were a few plot lines/POVs here:

Alice Miller, an ER doctor who loves her job, bringing a boyfriend home for the first time and anxious about the message it sends and assumptions her family will make. Alice may be good at her job, but not so great with personal relationships, which puts her romance in jeopardy.

Glenda Miller, patriarch of the Miller clan was such a loving and accepting mother, but worried about driving her kids away. I loved the relationship she had with her husband and mother-in-law!

Clemmie Miller, youngest of the Miller children, a child-care specialist with a big announcement she’s nervous to share. Her romance was one of unrequited love, one of my favorite tropes!

Snowed in for Christmas was such a delight! I loved the big Miller family even with their struggles it was evident they loved each other, and I loved how they all welcomed Lucy in at this vulnerable time in her life. She needed the extra care and love, and a bit of romance, of course!  I love Sarah Morgan’s stories. I’d classify Snowed in for Christmas as part women’s fiction, part romance. Her talented writing brought the characters to life with real-feeling, relatable emotions and I rooted for each and every one of them to find their joy! Loved the dreamy, winter wonderland setting, too! Definite recommend!

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

A family gathering

This Christmas the Miller siblings have one goal—to avoid their well-meaning family’s endless stream of prying questions. Ross, Alice and Clemmie have secrets that they don’t intend to share, and they are relying on each other to deflect attention.

An uninvited guest

Lucy Clarke is facing a Christmas alone and the prospect of losing her job. Unless she can win a major piece of business from Ross Miller, the season promises to be anything but festive. She’ll just deliver her proposal to his family home and then leave. After all, she wouldn’t want to intrude on the Miller family’s perfect Christmas.

A Christmas to remember

When Lucy appears on the Miller family’s snow-covered Highland doorstep, she's mistaken for Ross’s girlfriend. By the time the confusion is cleared up, they're snowed in—she can’t leave, even if she wants to! But does she want to? As secrets spill out like presents from an overstuffed stocking and the chemistry between her and Ross ignites, this is going to be either Lucy's worst Christmas ever or the best mistake of her life.

Review: First Born by Will Dean

 

First Born by Will Dean

Publication Date: July 7th 2022 by Atria/Emily Bestler Books

Pages: 368

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Molly Raven’s twin Katie has been found dead in her apartment a continent away. So, for the first time in her life she’s leaving England bound for New York in search of answers.

I was immediately sucked into Molly’s tale. She’s hyper-focused on preparing for any disaster or accident. Arranging and embarking on her trip takes a lot of effort and thought. It seems like she has all the angles covered and before you know it, she’s in New York trying to piece together the clues, find out who is responsible. Right away there’s several suspects, and Molly sets out on some amateur sleuthing, first by methodically tracking each person down.

While Katie and Molly were identically physically, they couldn’t be more different mentally. It was clear Molly had anxiety and social issues.  An extrovert, cautious about everything.  Katie was the exact opposite, a complete extrovert, taking life by the horns most times as with the case of leaving everything behind to go to school in New York. A decision that didn’t go over well with Molly.

Molly stretches out of her comfort zone to re-trace Katie’s steps, and it’s a bit of a zing to in a way live Katie’s exciting life.

First Born was addictive from the first page. It was a trip being in Molly’s obsessive mind, but I kind of liked her hypervigilance. You do never know when you might be faced with a threat, either by human or environment so I like being prepared if possible. As Molly talks to the people in Katie’s life, I wondered right along with Molly who could’ve had motive enough to kill her. Not all is as it seems, and I was surprised by the twists written! I had to wrap my brain around one for sure! A suspenseful read that kept me on the edge guessing! A definite recommend!  

4 Stars

Book Description:

From the acclaimed author of The Last Thing to Burn, a psychological thriller about the dark secrets that emerge when a woman’s twin sister is murdered, with his signature “intense, gripping, taut, terrifying, moving, and brilliant” (Lisa Jewell, #1 New York Times bestselling author) prose.

Sisters. Soulmates. Strangers.

Molly Raven lives a quiet, structured life in London, finding comfort in security and routine. Her identical twin Katie, living in New York, is the exact opposite: outgoing, spontaneous, and adventurous.

But when Molly hears that Katie has died, possibly murdered, she is thrown into unfamiliar territory. As terrifying as it is, she knows she must travel across the ocean and find out what happened. But as she tracks her twin’s final movements, cracks begin to emerge, and she slowly realizes her sister was not who she thought she was and there’s a dangerous web of deceit surrounding the two of them.

Review & Excerpt: Barbarian Mine by Ruby Dixon

 

Barbarian Mine (Ice Planet Barbarians #4) by Ruby Dixon

Publication Date: September 13th 2022 by Berkley Books

Pages: 336

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Harlow was abducted by horrible green alien men who kidnapped a bunch of Earth women to sell/trade, who knows what, to other planets. They are truly awful, but thankfully, they crash on an icy planet they’ve dubbed “Not-Hoth”, like in Star Wars, because of its similarity to the fictional planet. Here they discover an alien race called the sa-khui dying out because of the lack of females. See where this is going? Fortunately, somehow the human females on the crashed ship are able to “resonate” and mate with the male sa-khui and there have already been a few mated pairs in the last books. Harlow hasn’t mated yet, but she’s happy to be on Not-Hoth all the same because on Earth she had terminal brain cancer that has been eradicated by the khui placed in her to make living on the planet possible. However, while out on a exhibition she is kidnapped by another sa-khui male, a sort of Tarzan Barbarian because he’s grown up away from the main tribe and has limited speaking or social skills. Of course, they “resonate” to each other meaning they’re mates.

I read the first two books a few years ago and loved the stories, but the Special Edition prompted me to dive back in and read Harlow and Rukh’s story. I really enjoyed getting back into this world! Rukh is so uncivilized, but sweet and entirely devoted to Harlow! He had his own sad story. I was captivated as they learned to communicate and Harlow educated him on more civilized living, and in ways of romance. Very spicy romance! They grow close, but life out alone comes with dangers they have to face and they may not be able to overcome all of them on their own.

As with the previous books, Barbarian Mine is some hot stuff, and was a quick, fun read, but there is bonus material in the Special Edition. The extra story “Fathers”, Harlow and Rukh’s Honeymoon that was previously a separate additional short story and a guide with characters and explanation of the backstory. I loved all the extra material, both the epilogue and short story touched my heart! The guide is really helpful. Still, I’d start from the beginning with this series.

4 Stars

Excerpt:

Harlow

I need two poles for a travois. Two. No problem. There's got to be trees in the distance, and I'm strong and whole.

Okay. I can do this. I can.

Aehako's instructions ring through my mind, over and over. We need to make a travois and take Haeden back to the healer. My heart races wildly in my chest as I sprint through the snow, looking for the thin, pink, wispy trees of this planet. Kira's gone, and both aliens are wounded. They need my help, and I can't let them down. I don't know why they don't go back to the alien ship and get healed. They don't trust it, and I guess I understand that. I'm used to technology, and it still freaks me out to think of the cold, emotionless voice of the computer.

Also, I know what it's like to fear the doctor.

My feet sink into the snow with each step, and my leather boots quickly become sodden. There's no time to fix them or reinforce the insides with warm dvisti fur. Time is of the essence. I trudge forward over a drift-covered hill, and when I see the pink, wispy eyelashes of trees in the distance, I pick up the pace.

Almost there.

I have Haeden's knife, since he's too wounded to use it. The bone handle is smooth in my hand, though it's a little too big for my human-sized palm to grip comfortably. Everything here on Not-Hoth is sa-khui sized. I'm a decent height for a girl, but the average person on this planet seems to be seven feet tall, and the snows are deep, the caves huge. Really, everything feels just a wee bit too big. It's like I've been transported to a Goldilocks house, except instead of just right, everything's too large.

It's just one more thing I must adjust to in an endless stream of new and frightening things.

Weeks ago, I went to sleep in my own bed, and the biggest concern on my mind was when I'd start my chemo. Then, a few weird dreams later, I woke up, shivering and weak, pulled from a tube and told I'd been abducted by aliens.

Which would have been hard to believe except that I'd come from Houston, Texas, and my air conditioner had gone out, so I'd spent the evening sweating and praying the repairman would come by soon. When I'd woken up? It had been so cold my bare feet had stuck to the metal floors, and strange blue aliens occasionally entered to chat with the humans.

It's hard to call someone a liar when they're seven feet tall, blue, and horned. After seeing that, I had to believe. And even though sometimes I want to pinch myself until I wake up, I have to accept the fact that I'm now living on a snow planet with no chance of getting home, and I'm infected with an alien parasite that allows me to endure the harsh conditions of Not-Hoth. Not exactly how I'd visualized my future at all.

But . . . at least I have a future.

According to the ship's medical computers, I'm cancer-free now. I don't know if it's wrong, or if it's Not-Hoth's atmosphere or the new "cootie" (as some of the girls call it) living in my chest.

All I know is that the inoperable brain tumor isn't showing up in scans. And for the first time in the last year, I have hope.

But first . . . a travois.

When I get to the trees, I move to the closest one and touch the bark with my fingertips. It feels spongy and damp despite the chill in the air, and not sturdy enough to support a massive, muscled alien. I have no idea if this will work, but I'll give it a shot. I owe the sa-khui my life, and so I'm going to do my best to help Haeden and Aehako.

Kneeling down, I begin to hack at the base of the first tree. The knife sinks in with a squishing noise, and sap squirts out onto the snow. Ugh. I wrinkle my nose and keep cutting, determined. Kira's gone, and they're wounded, so I'm the only one that can help.

The snow crunches nearby.

I stand upright, surprised. It almost sounded like a footstep. "Hello?" I turn around and look. "Aehako?"

No one's there. The snowy landscape is barren, nothing but rolling drifts as far as the eye can see.

I must be imagining things. I'm not alone out here in the wild. There're creatures everywhere, or so the hunters tell me. It could be one of the porcupine-looking things. Or maybe it's a rabbit. Or . . . whatever the rabbit equivalent on this planet is.

I can't be a silly chicken and freak out at every little sound, though. I turn back to the tree and continue hacking at it.

I hear the crunch of snow again, and a moment later, a heavy thudding. My blood feels like it's surging in my ears, and I press a hand to my head, wincing.

No, wait. That's not thudding or drumming. My heart is calm. Is it . . . purring?

Something slams into the back of my head, and I pitch forward into darkness.

Even there, the strange purring follows me.

Book Description:

The fourth novel in the international publishing phenomenon the Ice Planet Barbarians series, now in a special print edition with bonus materials and an exclusive epilogue!

Harlow receives the shock of her life when she wakes up to see Rukh, a stranger who has clearly been on his own his whole life, but she soon learns that there is much more to this gruff, barbaric alien than the savage he appears to be.

The ice planet has given me a second lease on life, so I'm thrilled to be here. Sure, there are no cheeseburgers, but I'm healthy and ready to be a productive member of the small tribe. What I didn't anticipate? That there'd be a savage stranger waiting nearby, watching me. And when he takes me captive, the unthinkable happens...I resonate to him.

Resonance means mating, and children...but I don't know if this guy's ever been around anyone before. Rukh is utterly wild. He's completely uncivilized, can't speak more than a few words and doesn't know what clothes are. A human--a human woman--is mystifying to him. He's truly a barbarian in all ways, and like Tarzan in the stories, he's kidnapped me and claimed me for his own.

Being with him means I'm going to have to teach him to speak, how to kiss, and how to be human. Or even alien. It should be a terrifying prospect...so why is it that I crave his touch and hunger for more?

About the author:

Ruby Dixon is an author of all things science fiction romance. She is a Sagittarius, a Reylo shipper, and loves farming sims (but not actual housework). She lives in the South with her husband and a couple of geriatric cats, and can't think of anything else to put in her biography. Truly, she is boring.

Review: Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

 

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

Publication Date: September 6th 2022 by Berkley

Pages: 368

Source: Publisher & Purchased Audiobook

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Killers of a Certain Age introduces us to Billie, Mary Alice, Helen and Natalie at the start of their career, on their first mission, in 1979 and then flip to the present when the ladies meet up on a cruise to celebrate their retirement, forty years later. However, it becomes apparent someone is after the ladies and intent on a more permanent kind of retirement for them.

I love the idea of female assassins, so many underestimate women, even more so at these four women in their sixties, still lethal both mentally and physically!  All four were recruited by the Museum, an organization formed by ex-OSS and SOE operatives to hunt down escaped Nazi’s, recapture stolen art, and then later to kill human traffickers, drug lords, and anyone else needing to be eliminated, but escaping justice for one reason or another.

I’m a fan of Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series (historical mysteries with a bit of romance), so I was eager to dive into her newest, excited about how she’d handle such a different kind of story. Killers of a Certain Age was a fun, addictive, thrilling journey from beginning to end!  I absolutely loved it! I think fans of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club Mystery series would definitely enjoy it. Although, these ladies are quite a bit more badass!  Chapters of the past gave glimpses of their assignments over the years and history, and the chapters set in the present, from Billie’s POV, follows the ladies trying to figure out why they’re being targeted and then striking back. I love well-deserved retribution and it was an excellent and gratifying conclusion!

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

Older women often feel invisible, but sometimes that's their secret weapon.

They've spent their lives as the deadliest assassins in a clandestine international organization, but now that they're sixty years old, four women friends can't just retire - it's kill or be killed in this action-packed thriller.

Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie have worked for the Museum, an elite network of assassins, for forty years. Now their talents are considered old-school and no one appreciates what they have to offer in an age that relies more on technology than people skills.

When the foursome is sent on an all-expenses paid vacation to mark their retirement, they are targeted by one of their own. Only the Board, the top-level members of the Museum, can order the termination of field agents, and the women realize they've been marked for death.

Now to get out alive they have to turn against their own organization, relying on experience and each other to get the job done, knowing that working together is the secret to their survival. They're about to teach the Board what it really means to be a woman--and a killer--of a certain age.

Audio Review: Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan

 

Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan

Publication Date: August 2nd 2022 by Harper Audio

Pages: 432

Audio Book Length: 11 hrs 16 min

Narrator: Julia Whelan

Source: Publisher & Libro.fm

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Goodreads | Audible

My Thoughts:

Swan’s acting career was derailed by a tragic accident that happened right as she was about to hit it big. A friend suggested she try audio narrating and she’s been a sought-after talent since. Swan first went for romances but soured on the who HEA when she doesn’t believe in it herself, but she’s got an offer of a lifetime as a duo with the legendary male narrator, Brock McKnight.

Thank You for Listening was such a moving, emotional story with elements of humor and a steamy romance and I loved every minute! Strong female friendship and loved her relationship with her grandmother, Blah. This had a little bit of a You’ve Got Mail vibe with the emails/text messages, and a reveal of identities I knew was coming. This story is so much more than you’d think, profound, touching and passionate in more than one way! I’ve been a fan of Julia Whelan’s audio narration, but had no idea the depth of her writing talent as well. Definite recommend!

5 Stars

Book Description:

For Sewanee Chester, being an audiobook narrator is a long way from her old dreams, but the days of being a star on film sets are long behind her. She’s found success and satisfaction from the inside of a sound booth and it allows her to care for her beloved, ailing grandmother. When she arrives in Las Vegas last-minute for a book convention, Sewanee unexpectedly spends a whirlwind night with a charming stranger.

On her return home, Sewanee discovers one of the world’s most beloved romance novelists wanted her to perform her last book—with Brock McNight, the industry’s hottest, most secretive voice. Sewanee doesn’t buy what romance novels are selling—not after her own dreams were tragically cut short—and she stopped narrating them years ago. But her admiration of the late author, and the opportunity to get her grandmother more help, makes her decision for her.

As Sewanee begins work on the book, resurrecting her old romance pseudonym, she and Brock forge a real connection, hidden behind the comfort of anonymity. Soon, she is dreaming again, but secrets are revealed, and the realities of life come crashing down around her once more.

If she can learn to risk everything for desires she has long buried, she will discover a world of intimacy and acceptance she never believed would be hers.

From the author of My Oxford Year, Julia Whelan’s uplifting novel tells the story of a former actress turned successful audiobook narrator—who has lost sight of her dreams after a tragic accident—and her journey of self-discovery, love, and acceptance when she agrees to narrate one last romance novel.