2015 Book Reviews

The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood (Audiobook)

October 12, 2015 by Darlene

In a Nutshell

Margaret Atwood’s latest The Heart Goes Last is Atwood’s classic dystopian with a little added craziness. I really enjoy Atwood’s writing and always find it interesting to read about her dark dystopian worlds. Apparently this novel is the reworking of a serial where the first four books came out in sections. I hadn’t heard of them before but was very excited to read them all in full. As always when you enter the dystopian world that Atwood creates you are in a for a ride.

Audio Thoughts

The Heart Goes Last is narrated by Cassandra Campbell and Mark Deakins and they were great. Cassandra Campbell is at the top of my list of favorite narrators and while I hadn’t listened to Mark Deakins before I found his voice very pleasant to listen to. Between the two of them they portrayed all of the various characters perfectly making this a very exciting listening experience for me.

Reflections

Society is in a shambles – there are no jobs, people are going hungry, and violence is rampant. Stan and Charmaine have been living in their car and just getting through each day is a struggle. Then they spot an advertisement for a place called Consilience that promises food, a job, and a home all for the small price of having to go to prison every other month. Both Stan and Charmaine think it’s too good a deal to pass up considering they are all out of any other options for survival. Consilience seems to be everything they thought it would be and they settle into a life there. Soon enough though their thoughts of a perfect life begin to crumble as they both begin to secretly become obsessed with the alternate couple that lives in their home when they are in the prison. This leads them both into a world where nobody can be trusted and so much borders on a very strange reality.

Love it, Like it…Or not…

I liked it a lot especially on audio although I think I would have liked this one in print as well. However with Cassandra Campbell as one of the narrators the audio is hard to pass up and of course it’s so well done. For me it’s the imagination of Atwood that amazes me. So much of this novel is quite bizarre but that was part of the attraction for me and what kept me listening. I think that’s whats important when reading this book – you do need to suspend belief for a some of it and you know what that’s ok. That to me is what reading is all about. As a note to my readers – there is sexual content in this novel that may not appeal to all. Recommended for those who enjoy dystopian fiction ,with what I would say, is an added twist or two. I really enjoyed it!

Buy: Audible

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review. No compensation was received.

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The Visitant by Megan Chance & Giveaway (US/Canada)

October 9, 2015 by Darlene

In a Nutshell

Set in Venice in the late nineteenth century The Visitant by Megan Chance is a hauntingly beautiful ghost story. This gothic tale brings romance, mystery, and history alive within its pages and holds the reader captive in its sheer creepiness.

Audio Thoughts

The Visitant is narrated by Julia Whelan who is in my top five of favorite narrators. She does a fantastic job of developing the atmosphere of this novel through the characters. Her ability to adapt to any scenario in an novel brings so much to any story she narrates.

Reflections

Elena , after making a mistake that has the power to completely ruin her family, is sent to Venice to care for Samuel Farber who suffers from epilepsy. It is the only way her family will survive the disgrace she has put upon them. Arriving at the Ca’Basilio palazzo she finds it a wreck and Samuel not doing much better and when his friend Nero, the owner of the palazzo arrives, things really heat up. When Elena witnesses Samuel having episodes that make him very violent Elena begins to fear for herself and in more ways than one since she’s sure that she senses a presence around them… and not a nice one. As Samuel’s episodes escalate so does Elena’s fear. Something very sinister is going on. Something evil. Something that is out to possibly hurt her.

Did I Fancy It

I really did enjoy this novel especially in audio. I felt the audio really enhanced the sinister tone to the story. The mystery and creepy tone was my favorite part of this novel with me loving anything to do with the supernatural. The romance was the one aspect of the story that I didn’t like as much. I found it a bit much for what I would think would be appropriate for the time period. However that didn’t in any way inhibit my enjoyment of the book. I also appreciated the historical aspect of the novel in regards to the treatment of epilepsy in the past. Recommended for those who enjoy gothic or paranormal novels.

Other tour stops with TLC Book Tours
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Buy: Amazon, B&N

GIVEAWAY – OPEN TO US & CANADIAN RESIDENTS
1 copy up for giveaway
*CLICK HERE* and fill out the form to enter
Draw Date October 24/15

Source: Digital review copy was received from the publisher for an honest review. Audiobook personal copy. No compensation was received.

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Dead Boy by Laurel Gale (Audiobook)

October 7, 2015 by Darlene

In a Nutshell

Dead Boy by Laurel Gale is a great book to choose for Halloween reading or listening with your middle grade children. As an adult I loved it! It’s dark and funny and it comes with a great message that shows kids and adults alike the importance of friendship and loyalty.

Audio Thoughts

Dead Boy is narrated Robbie Daymond who I haven’t had the pleasure of listening to before but sure would again. I thought he did an awesome job with the different characters and best of all he kept me eagerly listening to find out what would happen next.

Reflections

Crow is dead … and yet he isn’t dead too. He died in the fourth grade and yet he’s alive (kind of, not really) and still growing. He can’t eat or taste anything and unfortunately his body doesn’t always stay in one piece and even worse the maggots like to make an appearance at inopportune moments and let’s not forget he smells really bad. Thankfully his mom can always sew him back together which he appreciates but she also won’t let him go outside and that’s something he wants more than anything. When Melody moves in next door she refuses to give up and she and Crow become friends despite everything. With Melody he finally gets to have a little adventure in his life as they decide to investigate a monster in a nearby park. Adventure turns into danger as the two learn the value of friendship and the courage to face anything to protect your friends.

Did I Fancy It

I sure did. The only way I think I may have enjoyed it even more would have been if I had listened with a young person. It’s a fantastic audio so if you’re looking for something to enjoy with your kids this Halloween add this one to your list. Loved it!

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Buy: Audible, Amazon

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review. No compensation was received.

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The Gates of Evangeline by Hester Young (Audiobook)

October 6, 2015 by Darlene

In a Nutshell

I loved this book – especially the audio! The Gates of Evangeline by Hester Young is a Southern Gothic mystery that just hit the spot for me with dark visions and deeply buried family secrets at every turn. This debut novel is the first in the Charlie Cates trilogy and it is such a creepy thriller type of story that had me listening every second I could. What a perfect listen … or read for October with Halloween around the corner!

Audio Thoughts

This is a fabulous audio. Coming in at fourteen hours and with January LaVoy narrating you are sure to be absolutely riveted to your listening device. I’ve listened to a few books narrated by January LaVoy and she’s really terrific. She is so talented with voices and emotions that it’s like watching a movie in your head and that is exactly what I’m looking for in a good audiobook.

Reflections

Charlotte (Charlie) has been struggling having recently lost her son. She starts to have horrible nightmares involving children and puts it down to the loss of her son but soon enough she realizes that there is more to it than that. Somebody, somewhere is trying to communicate something to her. The only problem is that Charlie can’t make heads or tails of her dreams and she needs to be able to if she’s going to be of any help. After one particular dream Charlie becomes embroiled in a case of a child that went missing thirty years ago and this is how she comes to be at Evangeline. Evangeline is full of secrets just waiting to be brought to the light of day. Even more Evangeline turns out to be a place where Charlie can find herself again and begin to heal her broken heart.

Did I Fancy It

I think we already determined that I loved this book. I love the Gothic tone of the novel, the mystery, and mostly just the spookiness I felt as I listened. Audiobooks are awesome in that way and it’s one of my favorite things about them. If you have a great narrator like January LaVoy you are literally transported right into that story and for me there is nothing better than that. Highly recommended!

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Author links: Website
Listen to an excerpt
Buy: Audible, iTunes, Amazon

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review. No compensation was received.

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Oliver & Jack At Lodgings in Lyme by Christina E. Pilz & Giveaway (US/Canada)

October 5, 2015 by Darlene

In a Nutshell

Having read Fagin’s Boy last year I was excited to once again delve into the world of Oliver Twist with Oliver & Jack at Lodgings in Lyme by Christina E. Pilz. This is the second book in the series and while I think they stand alone quite well reading both will give the reader a richer experience. In Oliver & Jack at Lodgings in Lyme we are treated to a beautiful but forbidden love story as Oliver and Jack struggle to make it in a world that will never accept their love or loyalty to each other.

Reflections

Oliver and Jack are forced to flee London or face their deaths after Oliver commits a murder to save his thieving companion Jack. They decide to head to Lyme Regis as Oliver desires to find his family and then hopefully he and Jack can have a better life together. However on the way Jack becomes very ill from a concussion. Oliver manages to find them shelter but as Jack recuperates the doctor’s bills add up and Oliver has no choice but to go to work cleaning fish. Needless to say Oliver is not exactly cut out for manual labor but he’ll do anything for Jack. That’s really where the struggle for Oliver lays. He’s so concerned with being respectable and not sinning but he can’t deny his feelings for Jack any longer… and neither can Jack and in a time when gay relationships weren’t acceptable it can be a very dangerous path to take.

Did I Fancy It…

I really enjoyed this second installment in the series. Oliver is really coming into his own and becoming the man he’s meant to be and I’ve always liked the straight talking Jack. It’s interesting to watch their love come alive and grow and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series to see how it all unfolds especially as this book ended on a note that makes me anxious to see what happens next. Recommended for those who have loved Oliver Twist and are curious to see one author’s take on how his life may have evolved. I’ve very much enjoyed the series so far!

Other tour stops with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
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GIVEAWAY – OPEN TO US & CANADIAN RESIDENTS
1 print copy or eBook – winner’s chocie
*CLICK HERE* and fill out the form to enter
Draw Date October 21/15

Source: Digital review copy received from the publisher. Giveaway sponsored by the tour company. No compensation was received.

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The Paris Key by Juliet Blackwell (Audiobook)

September 25, 2015 by Darlene

In a Nutshell

I have been really lucky lately in finding some really great audiobooks and The Paris Key by Juliet Blackwell is one of them. A story that alternates from the past to the present revealing long buried secrets The Paris Key is a story of a woman learning of her past while reinventing her present.

Audio Thoughts

The Paris Key is narrated by Xe Sands who I really enjoy listening to. I love her voice and the hours just fly by when I’m listening to her. She’s definitely on my list of favorite narrators.

Reflections

Genevieve spent a wonderful summer in Paris as a girl. She learned the art of locksmithing from her uncle and seemed to have a knack for it. However she had to go home and never really thought of it much until she learns that her uncle has passed and she has the opportunity to take over his shop. Since Genevieve is at a crossroads in her life with her separation from her husband she makes the trip to Paris. While repairing some locks in an old house Genevieve discovers secret passages that lead to her learning long buried secrets about her own mother. Secrets that have the power to change Genevieve’s life forever just as Paris does.

Fancy It or Not

I definitely fancied it. First I love stories taking place in Paris and secondly I love stories that alternate from past to present as this one does. Then there are all the things that go with Paris like the food, wine, bakeries- all of it. It made me long for Paris and listening to it in audio made it all the more real for me. Recommended for fans of women’s fiction!

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Buy: Audible, Amazon

Source: Digital review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review. Audiobook personal copy. No compensation was received.

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