Nobody's Child: Georgia Davis Series: author Libby Hellmann Narrated by: Beth Richmond

Nobody's Child
Georgia Davis Series, Book 4
Written by: Libby Fischer Hellmann 
Narrated by: Beth Richmond
Producer: Red Herring Press
Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins

Nobody's Child by Libby Hellmann

Author Libby Fischer Hellmann

Narrator Beth Richmond

You have to appreciate the sensational way that Beth Richmond's narrations always suit the characters of whatever book she is reading. Her renditions are always fresh and superbly done. Characterizations as well as text that's read are works of art. Ms. Richmonds' readings are dynamic and with fabulous pitch, whilst always maintaining a feminine melodious tone. She always does a consistent, and engaging presentation. You are guaranteed a pleasurable time when you to listen to this remarkable narrator.

Nobody's Child, Written by: Libby Fischer Hellmann

Georgia Davis, P.I. seems to scrape along doing mundane cases, insurance claims, and the like. Until  Reggie Fields is hit by Flash Mob Robbers at his designer discount store. Reggie ends up in the ER needing stitches and his wife calls Georgia to find the person behind this flash mob attack. Reggie is sure he knows who orchestrated it. The police are backing off it and Reggie knows why. They show Georgia the surveillance tape and give her all the information they have. Georgia isn't sure she can really help as it looks to her like the police have done all they could with the scant amount of information they have. Yet, Georgia agrees to at least see what she can find out, which turns out to be much more than she anticipated.

Georgia is led through a terrifying series of events when she receives a note scribbled on a food wrapper. Stunned when she reads a plea for help from her half sister. Georgia didn't even know she had a half sister. The note tells her to find her, with so little to go on Georgia wonders if it's a joke, but intrigued with the idea of having a half sister. With few clues to go on, Georgia does locate Savannah but is she too late to save her. Savannah is pregnant and a drug addict held a virtual prisoner and sex slave by foreign mobsters. If she saves her can she save her from a drug addiction and protect her. Before she finds out a body that fits the description of her sister is found dead in a ditch.

Nobody's Child is a very fast paced story, taking Georgia into the under-belly of society, danger and vice swiftly pull her into threats and opens her to her own vulnerabilities. She uses clever and unusual ways to uncover the truth and launch a rescue for Savannah and her unborn baby. Everything is going to upset the balance of her simple and uncomplicated life. Can she embrace so drastic a change in her own life and does she want to. These are questions she searches her inner self for and she is the only one that can answer those questions.

Anne of Green Gables By: L.M. Montgomery Narrator, Colleen Winton

Anne of Green Gables
By: L.M. Montgomery
Narrated by: Colleen Winton
10 hours 20 minutes
Publisher: Post Hypnotic Press

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Lucy Maud Montgomery

Narrator Colleen Winton

Colleen Winton is such a special narrator, capturing every nuance with sensitivity and great perception. Her interpretation of Miss Rachel Lynde is unrivaled making Miss Rachel sound just like the busybody that she is. I especially love how she expresses the enthusiasm Anne has for everything and her nearly non-stop chatter which is so outstanding it made me want to tell Anne to be quiet. Her interpretations of each character are consistent throughout the book  and she has a lovely voice too. She shows extreme talent doing the shy Matthew who has taken a liking to Anne during their eight mile trip home and he dreads to tell her they expected a boy. It is an award winning performance from Ms. Winton, when Matthew faces Merilla with a girl and a girl with red hair and freckles. Perfection is what you get with this narrators reading of this classic and much loved Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery.

Anne of Green Gables, first in the series of the Anne Shirley books, captures the heart and imagination from the very first page, where Lucy Montgomery skillfully blends the the nosy Miss Rachel heading for the Cuthbert farm to find out from Marilla Cuthbert where her brother Matthew was heading out to. To her astonishment she learns that Marilla and Matthew have decided to adopt a boy from the orphanage and he's to arrive on the train that day. Miss Rachel has nothing good to say about this yet can hardly wait to spread the news. The Cuthberts' feel a boy is just what sixty year old Matthew needs to help him out around the farm.

It's quite a surprise to Matthew when there is only a red haired, freckle faced girl waiting for him. Poor Matthew who is shy and doesn't talk much doesn't have the heart to tell the talkative child they were expecting a boy so he takes her home to let Marilla deal with it all. The journey home thrills Anne Shirley with her vivid and over active imagination and in a short time she has made a place for herself in Matthews heart thus becoming her champion in all things, especially when it is standing up for her against the stern and no nonsense Marilla.

Marilla is not pleased at all when Anne arrives and vows that she must be returned the very next day. Heartbroken and weeping little Anne Shirley is devastated as she already loved the farm, and everything she saw and was thrilled that she was going to have a  home and they wanted her. Marilla being a seemingly unlovely and harsh person is not too kind when she tells Anne and Matthew her decision. The story is as much about Marilla Cuthbert as it is about Anne Shirley and Matthew. As stern and flinty as Marilla appears she finds her inner core of softness though she would be loathe to admit it. She is deeply affected by Anne's telling of her past and Marilla feels pity for Anne and the sad life she'd had.

Such feelings are uncommon to Marilla, and instead of admitting that she really is intrigued with Anne she puts it on Matthew that he is the one that is taken with Anne and wants to keep her. When they arrive at Mrs. Spencer's her heart is already softening towards Ann and turning Anne over to be a drudge for the shrewish Mrs. Peter Blewett, who's reputation Marilla has heard a great deal and none of it good. Marilla has her first twinges of conscious and quickly back pedals and tells them that she came only to find out what the mix up was and that she'd have to talk it over with Matthew. With that Marilla heads home with a euphoric Anne Shirley. There is no mistaking the pleasure in Matthew's eyes when he see the both of them returning home.

Although the Anne Shirley books start in the late 1800's early 1900's they are so well written and poetic they still are loved by boys as well as girls. The characters are so well developed you become drawn into their circle of life and feel as if you know each one of them. It is so well divined that there is a special park people can visit on Prince Edward Island that is very popular. Where one can see the original Lover's Lane, and the Lake of Shinning Water and walk the paths that Anne did. You can visit their website here Anne Museum
or visit Green Gable's Park. I highly recommend buying the Audio Book as it is beautifully done by Colleen Winton and you will want to listen to it many times as you will never tire of it.
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The Ian Fleming Files: Operation Armada, Book 1 Narrated by: Wayne Farrell

The Ian Fleming Files: Operation Armada
Book 1 of The Ian Fleming Files Series:
by: Damian Stevenson
Narrated by: Wayne Farrell
Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins

Author Damian Stevenson

Narrator, Wayne Farrell 

Just when you think a narrator surely can't outshine their last narration they surprise you like a lighting bolt with an even more heart stopping narration. Wayne Farrell has superseded himself with one of his greatest narrations to date. Ian Flemming would have been pleased, I know I am. I especially appreciated the slightly mystical tone he sets at the beginning of the book, and then with the slightest breathlessness when the mood changes and says " shattered the cathedral silence" ... then he smoothly picks up the crescendo to build to the faster pace for the arrival of Ian Flemming. Wayne Farrell always delivers exactly the right tone for the emotional content and excitement of the story. Excellent accents, outstanding French and German and his female voices were nice. The narration was so well done that you just hold onto the life raft and follow Farrell as he takes you on the undeniably greatest trip you'll go on in your lifetime. He brings the story to life in unimaginable ways.

Fans of Ian Fleming will really love this book, ripe with action, a generous amount of beautiful women, and enough exploits to keep them rapt for six hours. With the expected amount of lavish eating, drinking, and sexual delights, Ian Flemming manages to survive the the unimaginable and come out on top as a victor. Just when you think he's sure to get killed, like a magician he pulls a rabbit out of the hat and with some amazing maneuver he survives, putting even superman to shame. Women adore him, men admire or envy him and he is a hero in truest sense of the word.

Operation Armanda is a James Bond style story but from the Ian Flemming authors view. You can quickly research the life of Ian Flemming and how he developed the James Bond Series. The bones of the story are Flemming has to reach a French fleet of ships to negotiate an offer to Admiral Darlan. to buy them before France is invaded by Germany. The British do not want Darlan to sell them or have them taken from him by the Nazi's.

The challenge is getting Flemming into France during the German invasion to meet the commander of the fleet. Finally he is parachuted to a drop point in the Pyrenees, along with the radio operator. A storm nearly prevents them from jumping but of course in James Bond fashion, they go ahead and jump knowing it's risky. Flemming is almost sucked into the propellers but he manages to locate his hidden knife and cuts some lines and frees himself letting him land, alas, fifty miles away from the drop point. He locates his directions via a card and a compass and runs, yes, after nearly being killed in the propellers, hit by debris and heat and god knows what, nearly having the strong winds blow him off the edge of a precipice he still can run fifty miles.

Let me just say in order to enjoy it that you must keep in mind this is fiction, a novel. Set aside
your knowledge of WW 2 facts and think of some of it as steampunkish. Otherwise you will be unhappy with the story. It is an action packed adventure of a secret agent. Doing all the things we've come to think secret agents do. It is a mixture of fact and fantasy, Wayne Farrells narration actually is so wonderful that he makes you suspend disbelief so just follow along for the ride and enjoy it. Not being a spy enthusiast I do enjoy WW 2 history very much, I still enjoyed the book for what it is. I am not sure reading the story would have been as much fun or as interesting as listening to Mr. Farrell.

High Moor Author: Graeme Reynolds Narrator: Chris Barnes

High Moor Author: Graeme Reynolds
Narrator: Chris BarnesDynamic Ram Audio ProductionsAudio Book
7 hours 15 minutes

Narrator Chris Barnes

This is a somewhat different narration from Chris Barnes than what he did for Tonia Brown's, The Cold Beneath. If you want authentic then here it is, Barnes' Scottish accent is fantastic, and authentic, none of the bumbled contrived accents that are either annoying or just hard to listen to. I do love those rolled R's, slight like a short trill. The excitement he instills into this book is incredible. This is a breathless terror filled narration by one of our finest narrators. Young Simon's absolute terror and Billy's fear is done in such an exceptional manner that you will feel the fear, see the terror possibly taste the blood, and your heart will be pounding. A wonderful and amazing narration.

Book Review: High Moor

Author Graeme Reynolds

High Moor is a full blown werewolf tale in the traditional sense. Page after page of werewolves gone wild with all the flying fur, bloody fangs and bone snapping thrills. I've always wondered about the transformation from human to wolf and thought surely that must be painful. This book covers that and seems it is painful, but at some point the pain gives way into pleasure with the exhilaration of power filling the person.This story would make a great RPG video game.

John Simpson returns to his home town of High Moor when he learns of attacks that sound like a werewolf to him. To the police it is just an unfathomable and unexplained vicious murder. John knows first hand what wolves can do, he had his own terrifying experiences when he was a boy in 1986. Experiences that left him a werewolf himself. But, John, with extreme self control learned how to keep the needs of the werewolf and his human self in check. Not so easy to do during the full moon.

We move back and forth between the 1986 days of horror for him and for the town of High Moor, and 2008 which is even more terrifying and deadly. The race is on to stop the werewolf's and John drops everything to go to High Moor and help. We flash back to when John was a boy and he and his brother and best friend build a tree house far into the woods where they think their nemesis Malcolm Harrison and his cohorts, won't find them. Malcolm has already destroyed their last fort, and bullies the boys without mercy. This bullying goes on until John is whisked away by his parents to protect him from the inevitable results of every full moon.

Returning to High Moor is full of surprises for John and the renewal of old friendships especially with Maria his childhood gal pal. Can John really do anything to help with the amount of werewolves that have amassed in High Moor or is he just going to be one more added to their numbers. Werewolves are pack animals and the ones in his hometown have formed into packs. Yet there is one lone wolf that can bring down hell on High Moor and he has a voracious appetite for blood. The numbers of the dead are piling up and not just humans but animals also. Will a silver bullet rid them of the wolves before the wolves decimate the towns population. Thankfully there are two sequels to the book, enough to satisfy the most blood lustful audience.
There must be plenty as this series has a 5 star rating and is very, very popular. 

The Potential by June Bretherton Narrated by Roger Worrod

The Potential
Author: June Bretherton
Narrator: Roger Worrod

Time: 8 hours 25 minutes

The Potential by June Bretherton

Narrator Roger Worrod

Roger Worrod has a wonderful, confident voice that is fantastic to listen too. He is a very talented narrator. I like that Worrod doesn't just read the text but does a fine job of expressing the content of the story line. It really is amazing that one person can give the impression of a full cast of characters. Although Worrod does not actually mimic female voices, he does give them good emphasis and character so they are distinguishable from males. He really does an exceptional job with dialog. The reading is flawless with no punching of syllables, no strange pausing and Worrod reads with confidence and skill.

Book Review: The Potential by June Bretherton

I categorize The Potential as a cozy mystery as we meet the local color of Gilchester, we're intimately involved in daily life of a small village and even get an account of the eats. I loved the food and drink references,  Shephards Pie, Sausage and Mash, so English. Bretherton really does a good job of creating a scene and making you feel like you are right there in Gilchester.

Simon Dyers lives with his American girl friend Val, in London. A small museum in Gilchester has hired him to take charge of putting together a temporary art exhibit to interest locals from their small village to attend and generate more interest in all the museum has to offer. When Simon examines their collections, he sees possibilities to put together some interesting exhibits that will hopefully replace the somewhat dull presentations it now offers.

Simon feels a bit dubious about the board of trustees giving their approval. With the first meeting of the board of trustees, one is not there. Later to be found dead. One by one people are being murdered. Well maybe not that many three or four but all have something in common. Simon's girlfriend becomes involved as an amateur detective putting herself in danger. Val and Simon had a lovely relationship until she goes to Gilchester and is deeply disturbed with a side of Simon she had never seen before.

This story was is easy listening, as your gently pulled along to a very surprising ending. Actually I didn't see the ending coming at all. Generally I don't pit my weak detective skills against any mystery story but usually have a couple suspects before the ending in the case of The Potential, I had none and somehow did not find any solid link between the perp and the previous chapters. I am sure you will be unable to guess who the murder is either. A great cozy for those of us who are cozy fans.

Wraith: Hawaiian Shadows Series Author Edie Claire Narrator: Tavia Gilbert

Wraith: Hawaiian Shadows 
Author: Edie Claire
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert                                     
Produced by, Edie Claire
8 hours 37 minutes
Young Adult Romance


                                                               

Wraith: Hawaiian Shadows By Edie Claire

Narrator Tavia Gilbert

Author Edie Clarie

In reading this delicious supernatural romance, Tavia Gilbert gives an amazing and superb narration of not only the text but the dialog. Her very feminine and gentle voice is so well suited for reading young adult material. Kali is seventeen and Ms. Gilbert does her justice. I was completely carried away with the full bodied way each character was enacted and as each situation was revealed. Even her male characters were superb. Crystal clear and well paced matched with a great story is a double winner. Tavia Gilbert is a truly talented narrator reading anything from this poignant romance or the wonderful animal sounds and older characters of Clea Simons 'Pru Marlowe Pet Mysteries Listen and be swept away and delighted.

Seventeen year old Kali Thompson is in Hawaii with her parents who are house hunting. Plans are laid out for moving from Wyoming to Oahu, Kali is thrilled and had for a long time yearned to live in Hawaii and finally her military dad has been stationed there. While her parents look for a house Kali is hoping to meet other kids her age so when she goes to school in the fall she won't be 'the new kid' but will already have a group of friends to hang out with.

Kali also has the ability to see ghost, when she sees them they are more like shadowy figures moving around and she can sense their feelings. As she gets older she sees some of them more clearly, they never see her and that's fine with Kali. That is until she sees Zane, surfer dude, handsome and personable and unlike other ghosts he can see her. Both are equally surprised as Zane knows he is dead and Kali was always confident that she was invisible to the dead.

Zane wants Kali to help him find out how he died as his memories are blank. Since she seems to be the only one that sees him he's counting on her to help him move on. Kali, doesn't think she can be much help since this is uncharted territory for her. At an early age she learned how to stop talking about wraiths. Kali even avoided reading or researching about ghosts or an afterlife, her knowledge was pretty limited but she agrees to help him if she can. All Kali can suggest is to try and go to the light, only Zane hasn't seen any light. All he knows is surfing and he loves to do that.

Kali's Dad arranges for a co-workers son Matt to show Kali around the island. All Matt talks about is sports and cars, much like many boys do. He does bore Kali with that non stop chatter. Thinking about Zane pretty well keeps her mind occupied, letting her tune out Matt. She likes Matt alright, but her feelings for Zane are growing in intensity very fast. Since Zane is able to appear and disappear at will, they are together much of the time. Allowing their relationship to grow very fast and on a deep level.

With her help Zane begins to remember his past and finally how he died, as he remembers he begins fading and as he fades Kali mourns losing him. She knows he's got to go to the light and find his eternal peace, and she has to let him go. Only Zane is not feeling anything good and not seeing the light, only feeling a tug on him that he has to leave but its just not a happy feeling.

After Zane has gone, Kali is devastated, heartbroken and deeply disturbed that Zane did not seem to be going to a happy place, to the light, or heaven but into a nothingness. Sheer chance or the God's of young love, cause her to cross paths with a very old man that unwittingly gives Kali the exact information she needs and the race is on to to save Zane. With her mother's reluctant help and her girlfriends pulling together Kali races to beat the clock and locates Zane, leading to a shocking ending, will love conquer all, even death?
I did love this story, it was a good clean and unique romantic tale told in a compelling way. The writing is excellent and the characters are well developed. I was rooting all the way for Kali and Zane to find a way to be a couple. Tavia Gilbert's excellent narration does enhance the story to the nth degree.

Wraith: Hawaiian Shadows by Edie Claire

Six 1/2 Parts, By, Stephanie Bond Narrator, Ann M. Richardson

Six and a Half Parts
Body Movers Series
Author: Stephanie Bond
Narrator: Ann M. Richardson 
Publisher Stephanie Bond, Inc.
3 h 33 min

Body Movers: 6 1/2 Body Parts

Stephanie Bond, Author

Ann M. Richardson, Narrator

A good narrator is able to fulfill the story an author writes and gives each a memorable voice that is unmistakable from author to author, Ann M. Richardson does this beautifully. Each character is distinguishable whether Ms. Richardson is narrating the Planting Dreams Series, a stand alone book like Glimmers or a classic like Greenwillow. In Stephanie Bond's, Six 1/2 Parts, Ms. Richardson is youthful, and upbeat sounding, like the protagonist, a youngish Carlotta Wren. She skillfully negotiates some awkwardly written lines in the book, smoothing them over so well that they are barely detectable. Ms. Richardson once again brings her own unique abilities to animate each character and flush them fully to life and realism.

Book Review for Six 1/2 Parts By Stephanie Bond

Carlotta Wren and her brother Wesley, grew up in a wealthy area of Atlanta, Georgia, giving little thought to where there next meal was coming from. Their parents Randolph and Valerie Wren, lived the good life enjoying their Country Club Set lifestyle. Raised in this ritzy, atmosphere Carlotta had little to concern herself with outside of her personal desires, going to college and ultimately marrying the love of her life Peter Ashford. A rosy future it was indeed. Then it all explodes and Carlotta and Wesley's lives are turned upside down when Randolph Wren is accused of investment fraud at the company he works for. Rather than face up to the charges he and wife Valerie, abandon everything including their children.

When Carlotta Wren wakens from a nightmare she's unable to return to sleep. The pain in her shoulder and the nightmare have made her restless. After taking a pain pill she checks on her brother and see's he's sleeping comfortably. She yearns for a safe place to snuggle up in but there really are none at least none in the townhouse she lives in now. Her thoughts are a jumble of her narrow escape from a serial killer and the unexpected appearance of her father. A father who vanished along with her mother ten years before. All those years of resentment building against her parents left her with unanswered questions. Why did they abandon them, where did they go, and how different life had been before the fraud charges. So many what if's, Carlotta seeks solace in the now not running Miata her father had given her when she was still in High School, she cherished that car and the good memories it brings her.

As she slides behind the steering wheel, and drifts into her memories she dozes off, later she suddenly awakens to find it's morning. Things look familiar but they are not the same, when she gets out of the car and realizes she's at her childhood home, Carlotta is speechless and shocked to find her mother looking as elegant as ever, her father is up and going on his way to work and her brother is asleep in his old bedroom.

Although confused she tries to remain coherent and calm while analyzing just what is going on. What she realizes is she has been in some mysterious way transported into another timeline, where her father was not accused of fraud, she did go on to college and married Peter and her mother was still the functioning alcoholic. Carlotta will at last find out first hand just what would have happened to her and her family if things had gone as they were suppose to. Nothing turned out exactly as she had spent the past ten years envisioning it. Bittersweet it is to actually have those what if's turn into realities.

Haunted Melody by: J. Kent Holloway Narrator: Wayne Farrell

Haunted Melody
Author: J. Kent Holloway
Narrator: Wayne Farrell
Seven Realms Publishing
28 minutes

Author J. Kent Holloway

Narrator Wayne Farrell

No one does spooky better than Wayne Farrell. There is no end to this man's ability to
send shivers down your spine and make you look behind yourself, you know, just to double
check that the monster isn't creeping up behind you, because by god, Farrell is going to scare the bejeezus out of you. So dim the lights, pull up the recliner and lay back and let Farrell work his magical voice on you. You won't regret it, and, you will appreciate that he succeeded in scaring you.

Book Review:
Haunted Melody by J. Kent Holloway

The piano was a gift from Paul, her adoring husband, a symbol of his enduring love, but from the moment she began playing it, Melody's nights suddenly were filled with terrifying nightmares. Dreams of an ancient city in ruins, where the streets run red with blood and winged creatures watch lustfully from high above. With the dream comes the singing, a far away tune that doesn't really fit with the terrifying sights in the dream, and it calls to her.
She knows that her night terrors are inextricably entangled with the piano and its troubling history, but exactly how or why, she doesn't know. What she does know is the horrible dreams started when the piano arrived. Soon she was afraid to play and even to look at the piano, until Dr. Cavendish recommends she play immediately after a nightmare.  Reluctantly at first she tries this, and finds that he's right, it does soothe her and carry her far away from the nightmare. But is it really?  Soon, "she must keep playing...searching for that one melody that will quiet the haunting dreams that threaten her very sanity."

This is a short story, but Holloway once again has built a solid framework and succinctly created an extremely scary story that compels you to keep listening to the horrifying ending. J. Kent Holloway always writes the most spine tingling, frightening and exciting tale like The Djinn. You will not be disappointed listening or reading any of his fabulous works. For me it works best to listen to Wayne Farrell to get the maximum impact.

Dogs Don't Lie by Clea Simon Narrated by Tavia Gilbert

Dogs Don't Lie: A Pru Marlowe Pet Noir Book 1,
Author: Clea Simon

Narrator: Tavia Gilbert
Blackstone Audio, Inc.

(now called Downpour.com)

8 hours 58 minutes

Narrator Tavia Gilbert

Author Clea Simon

Narrator Review: Tavia Gilbert

What a stunning rendition Tavia Gilbert does on this fun book, it is just so outstanding, sheer listening satisfaction. A great deal of this book is animal voices and Ms. Gilbert is superb. She's a dog, she's a ferret, she's a cat, each with it's own unique personality and quirks. I loved the way she did the poor dog accused of killing his owner. Truly it is positively a superior narration, creative, and ingenious. Tavia Gilbert definitely takes hold of the emotional content whether grief, or pleasure of Lily the Pit Bull, or the snobbery of Wallace, Pru's sidekick cat. Ms. Gilbert expresses the entire gambit of emotions for each animal. I enjoyed it even more on the second listen, and laughed out loud with her accurate depictions of cat meows.Takes a special talent to pull off so many animal sounds. Tavia Gilbert has the voice, and she knows how to use it.

Cats out for a day of fun

Audiobook Review: Dogs Don't Lie, by Clea Simon

Pru Marlowe animal psychic and animal behaviorist, although animal behaviorist is stretching the truth a bit. Pru uses it as a cover for her psychic ability to communicate with animals. Who'd believe her, in fact who wouldn't think she was crazy. Even Pru herself had some qualms about talking to animals, but with some professional help she got through that. She leaves the city, drops out of her animal behaviorist classes and returns home to help her mother who is dying from cancer. This gives her a chance to get away from the cacophony of animal chatter she hears in the city and time to adjust to this strange ability she's acquired. Trying to be in an accepting mood of her quirkiness she free lances her behaviorist talents with the animal shelter. Her schedule is full with a regular daily round of dogs she walks and of course talks with. There's no keeping a secret from Pru as long as there's a pet around to tell her the truth.

Her friend, Charles has hired Pru to help him reprogram a Pit Bull he rescued from an evil dog fighting ring, Lily is a very traumatized and a really gentle dog, she loves Charles very much and is happy he rescued her. Some nefarious person has set up Lily to take the fall for killing Charles. When Pru gets to Charles' house she finds him on the floor with his throat gnashed out. Lily covered in blood, is too traumatized and frightened to communicate with Pru, and Lily is suspect number one. With the vicious reputation for Pit Bulls and where Charles got her the police think Lily killed him and they send her to the animal shelter to be put down. Poor Lily, so happy in her new home and with such a loving master only to end up in the dog pound grieving for Charles.

Pru catches some of Lily's feelings but can't make much out of them. One thing she is sure of, Lily did not kill Charles.Things really heat up when Pru is suspected of being the murderer adding to that the authorities want to do a rabies test on Lily. That means only one thing, they have to kill Lilly to do the test. With the comforting assistance of her faithful cat Wallace, Pru bulldozes headlong into dangerous situations and faces down sneaky underhanded people to solve this crime. Lily's life is on the line and maybe Pru's is too. I can't say I would  liked this book quite as much if I had read the hardcover, as I liked it listening to Tavia Gilbert read it. Pru is what I'd call a little campy, she is slow to pick up the clues the animals give her and her thinking processes are muddled at best.

Harvesting Faith, Author: Linda K. Hubalek Narrator: Ann M. Richardson

Harvesting FaithBook 3, Planting Dreams Series
Author: Linda K. Hubalek
Narrator: Ann M. Richardson

Publisher: Butterfield Books Inc.

3 hours

                                                                             

Narrator Ann M. Richardson

Ann M. Richardson has successfully transitioned from Charlotta the young mother, to Charlotta the middle-aged woman, and now in Harvesting Faith, to an old lady. Charlotta in this the final book of the Planting Dreams Series, is about seventy-five years old and in failing health but still of stable mind. 

Ms. Richardson brings out the sad as well as the happier moments of Charlotta's life. I admire the skill shown by Ms. Richardson in sustaining the voice and thoughts expressed by someone aged and who knows this is the final chapter of their life. Ann Richardson is a very empathetic and expressive reader, giving full embodiment to every nuance and emotion that the author has created.

Like a rose coming to full bloom Ms. Richardson harmoniously reads with compassion the words and thoughts of Charlotta as she meanders down memory lane. Well done Ms. Richardson, well done.

Audio Book Review: Harvesting Faith by Linda K. Hubalek

Author Linda K. Hubalek

In Harvesting Faith the last book of the Planting Dreams Series, we've come to care about the Johnson family, from when we first meet them struggling with the wisdom of leaving Sweden and immigrating to America in Planting Dreams the first in the series and in the second book Cultivating Hope, with their struggles, labor, and losses, to the finale and end of life. Yet, their legacy lives on in the children, grandchildren, and into the future of many generations.

Although life was hard and full of toil, it was so, for most immigrants in those days. As Charlotta, turns over those thoughts, she also ponders that life was harder in Sweden and they fared better in America than they would have, had they remained in Sweden. 

Charlotta and Samuel,  in spite of any hardships, lived a good life and succeeded in fulfilling their dreams of having a successful farm, and leaving a legacy of a better life for their children, and grandchildren while also creating a sustainable life for themselves. 

When Charlotta passes away, life is very different from when they came to this country. The children are grown, and living in ways very different from what she and Samuel experienced. Even their desires and life choices are dissimilar and the ever-changing outer world has bestowed undreamed of possibilities and life styles for them to choose from.

I found it very poignant when Charlotta expresses her sadness for never having pictures taken of her children when they were growing up. As sweet as it would have been for Charlotta to hold and look at photos, it would have been a wonderful gift to future generations.

Unfortunately, we rarely consider such things while living our day-to -day lives and are unaware that even the most seemingly insignificant life has great value and future generations look to the past to see where they came from and what similarities they possess of their antecedents.

A House on the Prairie 

Jinx Schwartz's Hetta Coffey Series TOP PICK FOR 2013

Just Add Water
Just Add Salt
Just Add Trouble
Author: Jinx Schwartz
Narrator: Beth Richmond

     

Jinx Schwartz Author

Beth Richmond Narrator

There were literally hundreds of great audio books in 2013. New authors and new narrators, or at least new to me. It was a very satisfying year for my gluttonous appetite for audio books. I'm going to share with you which books were my favorites and which narrators absolutely grabbed me with their wonderful narrations.
I listen to hundreds of audio books, yes, that sounds excessive I know, but it is true. I listen to at least one per day and often two or if shorter I may listen to more. Although some books were published before 2013, I listened to them in 2013.

My very favorite audio book last year, gets the top pick not only for the content but for matching it up with a wonderful narrator. Jinx Schwartz's Hetta Coffey series read by Beth Richmond is my number one star pick. The series is fun, laugh out loud, clever, and full of the spunky antics of Hetta Coffey and her sidekick Jan. We get romance, murder, mayhem, danger and a bit of geography and history thrown in. A great combination. Beth Richmond is so perfect for this series, I loved her narration, she really makes the characters pop. Never a dull moment in either the book or the narrator. I am hoping that the fifth and newest in the series Just the Pits, will be out in audio very soon and of course read by the sensational Beth Richmond.

Just Add Water, was the Eppie Award winner for best mystery and Just Add Trouble was finalist for Best Mystery. Ms. Schwartz has a wonderful sense of humor that is sprinkled throughout her books but also on her own blog, and interviews, it does shine through.

Some places you can locate Jinx Schwartz are:

http://www.indieauthorland.com/archives/4598

A nice interview with the author. http://johnmdaniel.blogspot.com/2011/11/ahoy-jinx-schwartz.html

Well done blog about Jinx

http://bookblogs.ning.com/profile/JinxSchwartz

On Book Blogs

@jinxschwartz

Find her on Twitter

Linda K. Hubalek, Planting Dreams Narrated by Ann M. Richardson

Planting Dreams book 1 of the Planting Dreams Series
Linda K. Hubalek
Narrator: Ann M. Richardson
Butterfield Books Inc.
3 hours 5 minutes

Narrator: Ann M. Richardson

Author: Linda K. Hubalek 

Planting Dreams by Linda Hubalek

Dainty is perhaps an old fashioned word, but it is what comes to mind when I listen
to the very delicate and feminine voice of Ann M. Richardson. Ms. Richardson's voice
is very clear with nice intonations. Her reading is flawless, graceful and will captivate
your attention. I like her interpretation of the characters and the Swedish accent, which
is in no way over done. Ann Richardson uses her voice well, and makes good transitions.
She certainly did add a lot of pleasure to my listening of Planting Dreams. I highly recommend
listening to the audio book version to really pump up the reality factor.

In this very exciting series about a Swedish family that decides to immigrate from Sweden

to American in the 1800's, Linda Hubalek, has recreated her own ancestors story. Some

is derived from reality and some is from Ms. Hubalek's fertile imagination. She does such

a wonderful interpretation that you can easily forget that parts are made up, and the blend is so

smooth that you will not be able to easily detect between fact and fiction. Hubalek's, fiction is based in research and reality from genuine documentations of the times.

Planting Dreams, is an endearing and charming story of Charlotta Johnson and her family taking the  risky and adventurous leap of faith to immigrate to America. Charlotta and her husband are facing a hard decision, worried about another drought and not being able to feed themselves or their children. Knowing they would always be tenant farmers on rocky, and poor land that was difficult to plant on. Living in tenant housing was small and lacking. Yet, leaving for an unknown country, leaving friends and family, generations of traditions behind, could make the stoutest souls to quaver.

After much researching, sifting the true from the false, and frequent changes of mind, they make the decision to immigrate. Hubalek, perfectly exemplifies their feelings and thoughts after they've made their choice. What to take, what to leave, how to pack things, what needs to be easily accessible on the journey. Heart wrenching thoughts of never seeing loved ones again, and knowing it's likely you will never see your homeland except in your memories. Once underway, and on the train to the Port of Call where they will board the ship that will sail them away to a new life, is an adventure in itself.

Charlotta's, thoughts carry us from stage to stage of their transition to a new way of life and some very different ways of farming, eating and day to day living. I admire the fortitude of not only Charlotta and her family, but all immigrants that made their way to a new land. Their struggles to adapt and at the same time maintain some of their traditions, thus giving America it's unique character, variety of foods, and adding words and expressions to the English language.

It was thoughtful and kind, that the Lutheran minister's gave their time, money, aid and encouragement to the new arrivals. It seemed to me that their presence on the docks to meet the ships did much to comfort and help the new immigrants onto the next stage of their journey. For Charlotta and her family it was the church that aided them in finding a farm to rent for a year. This gave them time to adapt to new ways of farming, new crops to plant and much, much more, so when they moved on to their final destination they were more prepared knowing what to purchase, how to handle their money, and what they faced as homesteaders.

I highly recommend Planting Dreams and suggest you start the series with the first one, Planting Dreams, the second is Cultivating Hope followed by Harvesting Faith. This is just one of Linda Hubalek's series of historical books, she also has written The Trail of Thread series as well as some other extraordinary books. All are narrated by the very talented Ann M. Richardson, who gives a powerful voice to every story. You can visit Linda Hubalek at her website to enjoy her thoughts and peruse the many photographs of pioneers like the one below. 

Pioneer life

Cultivating Hope Book 2 of the Planting Dreams Series

Harvesting Faith Book 3 of the Planting Dreams Series

The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan Narrated by Wayne Farrell

The Spinning Heart
by Donal Ryan
Narrator: Wayne Farrell

4 hours 48 minutes

Donal Ryan

Narrator Wayne Farrell

Narrator Review

Donal Ryan, The Spinning Heart

An exceptional, special book needs an exceptional narrator and Wayne Farrell is that person. It was refreshing to listen to an authentic Irish narration. Mr Farrell brings something special to The Spinning Heart, authenticity, sensitivity, and eloquence, enhancing our insight into each of the twenty one people represented in the story. Wayne Farrell has a rich and cadent voice that is very pleasurable to listen too. This is one of Farrell's most exemplary narrations showcasing his talents as a superb narrator. He will make you, for a moment in time reside in each persons shoes.

Click below to listen to a clip of  Wayne Farrell reading The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan

https://soundcloud.com/wayne-farrell-narrator/the-spinning-heart

Book Review: 

The Spinning HeartBy Donal Ryan

The Spinning Heart

The world has an intimate knowledge of the boom and bust cycles that have plagued everyone for a good many years. Set in a rural Irish village we meet twenty one people affected by this cycle and learn how they get a triple whammy when the bust comes and they are unemployed. Their boss Pokey Burke has bushwhacked them all, by stealing their retirement funds. The check stubs show deductions, but the official bureau has no record of any money turned in for any of the them. When they are asked if at the end of each year didn't they get a P60, none of them had. Pokey Burke has skipped town with every cent of their money and his father denies knowing where he is.

As we move through each of the twenty one, we are introduced to each ones interior self and their secret thoughts. From Bobby, who hates his father with a passion, Josie, Pokey's father, who feels himself responsible for what kind of man Pokey grew up to be, Lily, the faded and ageing hooker who gets no respect from anyone, least of all her own children, Vasya, an immigrant to Ireland, who seems lost and alone, Hillary, the most interesting, who is obsessively in love with the narcissistic Realtin. Hillary's thoughts are complaint after complaint of Realtin's self absorption, yet, at the end of each one she says how much she loves Realtin.

Underneath the town's veneer of sociability and nicety lurk old angers and resentments, mentally disturbed people, and a boiling pot of frustration and rage that finally reaches the breaking point. The village and its residents could be a village in any country that has experienced the boom and bust economy. Always leaving the working class and middle class people losing everything. Wayne Farrell does such a fabulous job of manifesting and personalizing each individual, from their angst's to their joys. Because of its universal appeal, and the relevance of the people to those we have known, do know or have crossed paths with in our own country. The Spinning Heart has achieved many awards and commendations from the, Man Booker Award,  The Guardian First Book Award, and the, The Irish Book of the Year Award. we hope to have many future books by Donal Ryan, who skillfully says much with few but well chosen words.

Other selections read by Wayne Farrell:

The Djinn by Kent Holloway
 Narrated by Wayne Farrell

Spiggot by Craig Saunders,
 Narrator Wayne Farrell

 And They Called Her Spider, Michael Coorlim
Narrator: Wayne Farrell

Maiden Voyage of the Rio Grande By Michael Coorlim
 Narrated: By Wayne Farrell

The White Angel Murder by Victor Methos
Narrator Wayne Farrell

A Quest of Heroes by Morgan Rice Narrator: Wayne Farrell

Two Tocks Before Midnight by C. J. Martin
Narrated by Wayne Farrell

Hike up Devil's Mountain Author: Penny Estelle
Narrator: Wayne Farrell