Crash (Visions, Book 1) – Audiobook Review

Crash by Lisa McMannMy Rating: ★★★★½

Author: Lisa McMann

Narrator: Allyson Ryan

Length: 5 hrs., 18 mins.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Publisher’s Summary: If what you see is what you get, Jules is in serious trouble. The suspenseful first in a series from the New York Times best-selling author of the Wake trilogy.

Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that.

What she can’t handle is the recurring vision that haunts her. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode…and nine body bags in the snow.

The vision is everywhere – on billboards, television screens, windows – and she’s the only one who sees it. And the more she sees it, the more she sees. The vision is giving her clues, and soon Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it’s someone she knows. Someone she has been in love with for as long as she can remember.

In this riveting start to a gripping series from New York Times best-selling author Lisa McMann, Jules has to act – and act fast – to keep her vision from becoming reality.

©2013 Lisa McMann (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

My Review: I’m a sucker for a good series and Crash begins the Visions series by Lisa McMann with a bang, literally. Sixteen-year-old Jules Demarco has a busy life between school and working at her family’s restaurant. Her depressed hoarder father rules the roost with an iron fist and her mother doesn’t lack behind in her strictness.

Thankfully, Jules doesn’t face the world alone. Her siblings, older brother Trey and younger sister Rowan, add great characters to this audiobook! I love Trey’s personality and humor, even at awkward times. Rowan may sound sweet and innocent but I can see her developing into a stronger character in future books.

Jules’ mind is blown when things start appearing on billboards and signs around her. Everyone sees the Jose Cuervo billboard.. except Jules. The same scene plays over and over. A snowplow barrels down the road, jumps the curb, smashes through the front of a building and blows up. Then there’s 9 body bags laying in the snow and only one face is visible… Sawyer.

Crash’s Romeo and Juliet feeling is obvious from the first mention of Jules’ love interest Sawyer Angotti. Sawyer’s parents and family run the rival Italian restaurant and both families have a mutual hatred for one another. Except Jules and Sawyer… They’ve loved each other since childhood but were separated when the families learned of their friendship.

The best part? The secret is more than lost business between the restaurants, it’s much deeper. And darker. Jules has to act fast to solve the clues in her vision and try to save the day. Nine people’s lives are counting on her to save them, but they have no idea of the danger dangling in the midst.

Crash was a great listen and I would recommend it to any young adult. The plot and characters kept my attention from beginning to end with lots of drama and action. The dynamics between Sawyer and Jules were awesome and I’m hoping to feel more of that spark in book two.

I’m really impressed with Crash and I’m thinking of dabbling in McMann’s other works.

Narrator Review: Allyson Ryan did a wonderful job of narrating. I found her annunciation to be a little much in the beginning but I adjusted quickly and enjoyed her reading. She packed great emotion into Jules’ character and my heart ached for the character during the dramatic, heartfelt scenes.

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Disclosure: I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone. I only recommend books I think others would truly enjoy.

What the Spell? Life’s a Witch, Book 1 – Audiobook Review

What the SpellMy Rating: ★★★★★

Author: Brittany Geragotelis

Narrator: Joy Osmanski

Length: 9 hrs., 41 mins.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Publisher’s Summary: A teenage witch juggles popularity and romance while keeping her powers a secret in this spellbinding debut.

Almost-16-year-old Brooklyn feels invisible, but she desperately wants to be pretty, to be popular, and to be adored by a cute guy. Luckily for her, she’s a witch about to come of age – so she’s only a few spells away from making it all happen.

On her milestone birthday, Brooklyn’s conservative parents finally unbind her powers, which include the ability to magically match couples with a love spell. Brooklyn uses her special skills to get a makeover, new friends, and the attention of her crush, Asher. But the popular clique Brooklyn wants to infiltrate puts her in the same precarious position as her Salem ancestors: If she’s found out, she could be vilified – and lose Asher in the process. Can she make the most of her magic? Or will she be luckless and loveless? Be careful what you witch for!

©2013 Brittany Geragotelis (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

My Review: Debut novelist Brittany Geragotelis introduces us to a trio of books with the first in the series, What the Spell?. What the Spell? revolves around the life of Brooklyn Sparks, a teenage witch who is about to celebrate her 16th birthday a little differently than other gals her age.

Brooklyn’s parents bound her powers as a baby and promised to release them all to her on her 16th birthday. She’s been reading up on the spells though, and she’s ready for her new powers. Brooklyn’s parents are a very low magic family so she’s had to do all her research online through Witching Boards.

Her first magical mission? Makeover! Long blonde locks and clear skin to match her lovely legs. She’s a new woman and she can’t wait until her classmates see the new Brooklyn. Needless to say, her second mission of joining the most popular group in school, The Elites, will be easier than ever.

Things get crazy fast with drama at school, demands of The Elites and her match-making magical powers. She’s madly in love, but does he love her magic or her?

Geragotelis mixes teenage problems and witchcraft to create a wonderful young adult audiobook. I’m anxious to see if Asher, her love and fellow witch, reappears in the second installment, Life’s a Witch, which should hit the shelves July, 2013.

Check out the What the Spell? book trailer:

Narrator Review: Joy Osmanski isn’t a stranger to audiobook narration and it shows in this book! She provides a young voice for Brooklyn, The Elites, Asher, Abby and the entire cast. Osmanski made What the Spell? easy to listen too and fun. I hope she’s on board for the remainder of the series! Great narration!

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Disclosure: I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone. I only recommend books I think others would truly enjoy.

Free Audiobook – YIKES! by Adele Park, 5 Winners!

Enter below for your chance to win a copy of YIKES! Another Quirky Audiobook by Adele Park.

Read the review here!

This giveaway runs from November 28 until December 5, 2012.

Five winners will be chosen on December 6!

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The Silence of Murder Audiobook Review

My Rating: ★★★★★

Author: Dandi Daley Mackall

Narrator: Emily Rankin

Length: 9 hrs., 8 mins.

Publisher: Listening Library

Publisher’s Summary: Seventeen-year-old Hope Long’s life revolves around her brother Jeremy. So when Jeremy is accused of killing the town’s beloved baseball coach, Hope’s world begins to unravel. Everyone is convinced Jeremy did it, and since he hasn’t spoken a word in 9 years, he’s unable to defend himself. Their lawyer instructs Hope to convince the jury that Jeremy is insane, but all her life Hope has known that Jeremy’s just different than other people – better, even. As she works to prove his innocence – joined by her best friend T.J. and the sheriff’s son, Chase – Hope uncovers secrets about the murder, the townspeople, her family, and herself.

She knows her brother isn’t the murderer. But as she comes closer to the truth, she’s terrified to find out who is.

©2011 Dandi Daley Mackall (P)2012 Listening Library

My Review: What a great, suspenseful story for young adults! The Silence of Murder has everything a YA novel should. Drama, action, suspense, love, hate, confusion and desperation. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and it moved along so nicely through the story.

Hope Long has a lot on her plate; An alcoholic mother, a brother who doesn’t speak and now a murder. When her brother Jeremy is taken into custody as the prime suspect, Hope is convinced he isn’t the killer. With the help of her best friend T.J. and local hottie Chase, the threesome set out to uncover clues to the true killer of their friend and baseball coach.

The hardest part of the case? Jeremy won’t talk. Hope knows he can speak but he hasn’t for so many years. He writes notes to expressive himself and communicate with Hope but that has stopped too. Jeremy’s defense attorney pleads an insanity case that hurts Hope beyond belief. Her brother isn’t insane, only different.

Things get interesting fast and the action moves at a great pace for YA readers. Adults, this is a great listen for you too! Full of suspense and “who done it” moments to make any car ride interesting. I listened to this while I was working (audiobooks really help me zone in on my work) and the story flew by. Great characters, great story, superb book.

Narrator Review: Emily Rankin hit the nail on the head with the narration of The Silence of Murder. She moved effortlessly between characters and kept each voice distinctive and true to their personalities. Emily has a great young voice for YA audiobooks and I hope to see her around more.

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Disclosure: I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone. I only recommend books I think others would truly enjoy.

Lucid Audiobook Review

My Rating: ★★★☆☆

Author: Adrienne Stoltz and Ron Bass

Narrator: Jessica DiCicco and Emma Galvin

Length: 9 hrs., 46 mins.

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Publisher’s Summary: What if you could dream your way into a different life? What if you could choose to live that life forever?

Sloane and Maggie have never met. Sloane is a straight-A student with a big and loving family. Maggie lives a glamorously independent life as an up-and-coming actress in New York. The two girls couldn’t be more different – except for one thing. They share a secret that they can’t tell a soul. At night, they dream that they’re each other.

The deeper they’re pulled into the promise of their own lives, the more their worlds begin to blur dangerously together. Before long, Sloane and Maggie can no longer tell which life is real and which is just a dream. They realize that eventually they will have to choose one life to wake up to, or risk spiraling into insanity. But that means giving up one world, one love, and one self, forever.

This is a dazzling debut that will steal listeners’ hearts.

©2012 Adrienne Stoltz and Ron Bass (P)2012 Penguin Audiobooks

My Review: Newcomers Adrienne Stoltz and Ron Bass have weaved together one heck of an audiobook. While Lucid didn’t knock my socks off, it kept my mind moving trying to figure out how things would all pan out.

Sloane and Maggie live separate lives, Sloane is a small town girl while Maggie is a rising actress in New York City. Maggie’s an independent girl, living with her mom and little sister whom she cares for daily. She’s outgoing and enjoys her freedom. Sloane’s a different story… She lost her best friend Bill to a car accident and has both parents at home that love her. Two very different girls with a lot of similarities.

As the book moves on, things do get confusing which is why I knocked the rating down on this audiobook. Sometimes that switching back and forth and who was who and doing what was too much to keep straight. I found myself playing back parts where I thought I missed something. Sadly, I didn’t; those things were to be assumed… I assume.

Lucid’s ending was good, but not what I expected. I was hoping for more of a climax that never formed. Again, I think the authors left too much to be assumed by the listener. I feel like I still don’t know exactly what happened to Maggie and Sloane.

Narrator Review: Narrators Jessica DiCicco and Emma Galvin did an astounding job voicing the two girls. Their voices sounded similar, but different enough to separate characters nicely. Both DiCicco and Galvin poured emotion into this narration and made Lucid very easy to listen too.

Download Lucid now!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. That said, all opinions above are mine and mine alone.

Probable Claws Audiobook Review

Theda Krakow Mystery, Book 4

My Rating: ★★★★☆

Author: Clea Simon

Narrator: Tavia Gilbert

Length: 8 hrs., 52 mins.

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Publisher’s Summary: When cats start getting sick, feline-loving freelance writer Theda Krakow suspects it’s accidental. But Violet, Theda’s shelter-owning rock-music buddy, claims the cats’ kibble was poisoned. When Theda starts looking at politics at the city shelter, she finds a number of people who could have happily committed the heinous crime.

Meanwhile, the city shelter may be backing down from a healthy-pet initiative, a series of threatening letters suggests a darker motive, and old-fashioned jealousy may factor in as well. The pressure mounts as Theda’s editor grabs onto the idea of a hot story and dangles a prime job as bait. But how can Theda investigate when feelings run so high?

As the music scene rallies to raise funds to save the cats, Theda finds herself on the outs with both her buddies and her longtime boyfriend, Bill. And when she’s caught at a murder scene, bloody scalpel in hand and only her beloved cat Musetta as a witness to what really happened, Theda must scramble to find the real killer before she, and Musetta, become the next victims.

Clea Simon is a writer, journalist, and regular contributor to the New York Times, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Ms., Rolling Stone, and Salon. She is the author of several mystery series and three nonfiction books. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and their cat, Musetta.

©2009 Clea Simon (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

My Review: Probable Claws was a great listen! The story created by Clea Simon is not only filled with twists and turns but it’s drama-packed from start to finish.

Since this was my first listen of any of the Theda Krakow Mystery series, I was leery to jump into book four. Away I went, quickly able to catch onto the back history. Theda is a freelance journalist with her own music column, Club Land. Her longtime man, Bill is a former police officer turned club owner. She has a cat named Musetta and a colorful group of friends including Violet, a musician and college student that runs a no-kill cat sanctuary.

When Theda takes her tuxedo cat Musetta in for a routine teeth cleaning appointment, her friend and vet Rachel seems like her normal self. The drama and action start the following morning when Theda returns to the office to bring Musetta home. Not only is the fat feline still in her cat carrier, she’s got blood on her fur. Instantly, Theda is livid. Why on earth is Musetta still in her carrier? Why is there blood on her? Where’s Rachel?

Probable Claws was a great listen. I enjoyed the mystery and suspense that was built around the murder. Trying to figure out who did the crime kept my mind spinning until the end. Cat lovers will especially love this audiobook with all the kitty references and care given in presenting Theda and her crew as animal lovers.

Narrator Review: As I’ve said before, I’m a fan of Tavia Gilbert. She’s a pro at letting each character come to life in her narration. Each individual (and feline!) has their own distinct voice that makes loving this audiobook easier. Great job Tavia!

Download Probable Claws now!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. That said, all opinions above are mine and mine alone.

Free Audiobook – Ivanhoe

Free Audiobook - IvanhoeAuthor: Sir Walter Scott

Narrator: Michael Page

Published by: Brilliance Audio

Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins

 

 

**Update - This audiobook is no longer free. However if you aren’t already an audible member you can choose any audiobook you would like for free. Just sign up for their trial membership by following this link: Audible Trial Membership

 

Publisher’s Summary

A century has passed since the Norman Conquest, and England is still a colony of foreign warlords. Prince John is plotting to seize the throne from his brother, Richard the Lion-Hearted, and Robin Hood and his merry band are making fools out of the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Wilfred, knight of Ivanhoe, the son of Cedric the Saxon, is in love with his father’s ward, Rowena. Cedric, however, wishes her to marry Athelstane, a descendant of the royal Saxon line, whom Cedric hopes will restore the Saxon succession.

With a colorful cast of chivalric knights and fair ladies, this action-filled novel comes complete with feats of derring-do, the pageantry of a tournament, and a great flame-engulfed castle – all of which makes it the most enthralling of Scott’s creations.

(P)2005 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

 

 

Crime Seen: Psychic Eye Mysteries, Book 5 Audiobook Review


My Rating: ★★★★½

Author: Victoria Laurie

Narrator: Elizabeth Michaels

Length: 8 hrs., 38 mins.

Publisher: Audible, Inc.

Publisher’s Summary: Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye, is having a hard time getting over a gunshot wound from her last case-especially because she didn’t see the shots coming. Out of work and second-guessing her abilities, she tries to get back in the saddle by helping her boyfriend Dutch with some of his FBI cases. And soon enough, her intuition returns-with a vengeance.

©2007 Victoria Laurie (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

My Review: Crime Seen is book five of the Abby Cooper Psychic Eye series by Victoria Laurie.  Abby Cooper and her friend Candice team up for a great case that ends up dragging Milo and Dutch in as well. With Abby’s psychic powers and Candice’s sharp P.I. skills this case should be a cinch but things go awry quickly.

Crime Seen has a great plot with plenty of twists and turns, just like the previous four audiobooks. Abby is such a likable character you want to see her win at everything she does, especially her relationship with Dutch. Hmm… he’s a little biscuit isn’t he, girls?

Things get a little tricky towards the end of this audiobook, so pay attention! You don’t want to miss a single detail. So juicy!

If you haven’t started this series, get busy. This is a great, easy listen!

Narrator Review: Elizabeth Michaels does an astounding job of narrating once again. She has managed to keep the voices and inflections the same for each character and continues to bring Laurie’s books to life. Great narration!

Download Crime Seen: Psychic Eye Mysteries, Book 5 now!!

Disclosure: I downloaded this audiobook from Audible.com.

I Hate Everyone… Starting with Me Audiobook Review

My Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Author: Joan Rivers

Narrator: Joan Rivers

Length: 4 hrs., 53 mins.

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Publisher’s Summary:  

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”-Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1850

“How do I hate thee? How much time do you have?”-Joan Rivers, today, about two-ish

Joan Rivers is a groundbreaking, award-winning, internationally renowned entertainment goddess. She’s also opinionated – especially when it comes to people she hates. Like people who think giving birth is a unique achievement. Or well-adjusted – a.k.a. boring – ex-child stars who don’t even have a decent addiction.

With all of her diverse experiences, it stands to reason that Joan has seen, done, said, and heard a lot of hateful things. Thank god, she took notes.

Here – uncensored and totally uninhibited – she give the best of her worst to First Ladies, closet cases, hypocrites, Hollywood, feminists, and overrated historical figures. And even when letting herself have it, Joan doesn’t hold back in this honest, unabashedly hilarious love letter to the hater in all of us.

©2012 Joan Rivers (P)2012 Penguin Audio

My Review: If you can get past Joan Rivers’ annoyingly raspy voice, you’ll enjoy this humorous audiobook. I Hate Everyone… Starting with Me isn’t Joan’s first audiobook, but it was my first listen to her literary works. I find her brash, self-centered and hilarious.

In this audiobook Joan rants and raves about various topics, celebrities and of course herself. The greatest thing about Joan is that she doesn’t give a darn about you or your feelings. She’ll talk about a topic for an hour before losing steam and moving on. She’s so funny and opinionated.

This audiobook is not for the faint of heart… Joan is harsh but still hilarious. Great listen if you’re a fan of hers.

Narrator Review:  Oh Joan… your voice is part of who you are but you are not meant to be an audiobook narrator. It’s raspy and annoying… her voice made this harder to listen to than her harsh opinions.

Download I Hate Everyone… Starting with Me now!!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened – Audiobook Review

My Rating: ★★★★★

Author: Jenny Lawson

Narrator: Jenny Lawson

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher’s Summary: 

For fans of Tina Fey and David Sedaris – Internet star Jenny Lawson, aka The Bloggess, makes her literary debut.

Jenny Lawson realized that the most mortifying moments of our lives – the ones we’d like to pretend never happened – are in fact the ones that define us. In Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson takes readers on a hilarious journey recalling her bizarre upbringing in rural Texas, her devastatingly awkward high school years, and her relationship with her long-suffering husband, Victor.

Chapters include: “Stanley the Magical, Talking Squirrel”, “A Series of Angry Post-It Notes to My Husband”, “My Vagina Is Fine. Thanks for Asking”, and “And Then I Snuck a Dead Cuban Alligator on an Airplane”. Pictures with captions (no one would believe these things without proof) accompany the text.

©2012 Jenny Lawson (P)2012 Penguin

My Review:

This audiobook blew me away. I was totally unprepared for just how hilarious Let’s Pretend This Never Happened was. I went into this audiobook without any idea who Jenny Lawson (The Bloggess) was. Honestly the only reason I even started this book was to figure out what the heck was up with the mouse on the cover. Anyway, it didn’t take long to figure out that something was special about this book. Was it the way Jenny sings all of the chapter titles or the way that she constantly goes off script? It was probably a little bit of all of those things but I think what really hooked me was “Stanley the Magical, Talking Squirrel”. (I’m not even going to attempt to explain this… I couldn’t do it justice. If you are intrigued get the book. You will not be disappointed.)

Perhaps I enjoyed this book so much because much of what Jenny described I could actually relate to. Jenny is “real” and her family is real crazy and that is how it is supposed to be isn’t it? At least that seems to be the way it is in our family. We grew up on a farm so we have several similar stories that involve dead animals, cisterns, racoons, etc.

Jenny is just a lot of fun! Her stories are hilarious and her paranoia is contagious. Shortly after I finished listening to this audiobook my son lost his first tooth and I couldn’t stop thinking that we should probably have our water tested for Radon. Then when a few fish started showing up dead out in woods I immediately thought it must be the chupacabra.

Audio Performance: Jenny’s delivery is perfect. I can’t imagine that anyone else could have provided a more enjoyable listening experience.

Overall: Let’s Pretend This Never Happened is one of those audiobooks that will life on my ipod for a long time.  I’ll visit it several times in the near future when I’m between audiobooks and need a laugh. Highly recommended.

 

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this audiobook from the publisher

 

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