Watch Me Go by Mark Wisniewski

I received an uncorrected paperback proof copy of Watch Me Go by Mark Wisniewski through Goodreads Giveaways.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of Watch Me Go by Mark Wisniewski.

Mark Wisniewski is a new to me author. I enjoyed reading Watch Me Go. I thought Mark Wisniewski's writing was solid and good. I enjoyed the alternating chapters featuring Douglas “Deesh” Sharp's perspective in one chapter, followed by Jan Price's perspective in the next chapter. It made for a thrilling read. 

The following is a plot summary for Watch Me Go by Mark Wisniewski from Amazon:

Douglas “Deesh” Sharp has managed to stay out of trouble living in the Bronx, paying his rent by hauling junk for cash. But on the morning Deesh and two pals head upstate to dispose of a sealed oil drum whose contents smell and weigh enough to contain a human corpse, he becomes mixed up in a serious crime. When his plans for escape spiral terribly out of control, Deesh quickly finds himself a victim of betrayal—and the prime suspect in the murders of three white men.

When Jan, a young jockey from the gritty underworld of the Finger Lakes racetrack breaks her silence about gambling and organized crime, Deesh learns how the story of her past might, against all odds, free him from a life behind bars.

Interweaving Deesh’s and Jan’s gripping narratives, Watch Me Go is a wonderfully insightful work that examines how we love, leave, lose, redeem, and strive for justice. At once compulsively readable, thought-provoking, and complex, it is a suspenseful, compassionate meditation on the power of love and the injustices of hate.

I am giving Watch Me Go by Mark Wisniewski 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Shadow of the Crimson Queen by Eric A. Radulski

I listened to Shadow of the Crimson Queen by Eric A. Radulski and narrated by the author.

Listening time for Shadow of the Crimson Queen by Eric A. Radulski is 1 hour, 11 minutes.

I was able to download Shadow of the Crimson Queen by Eric A. Radulski to my Kindle for FREE from Audible.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of Shadow of the Crimson Queen by Eric A. Radulski.

The only thing I liked about Shadow of the Crimson Queen by Eric A. Radulski was that it was FREE!!! The author was a poor narrator and I didn't like the dramatic music played throughout this short story... Nor did I care for the long pauses between sections that kept me wondering if Shadow of the Crimson Queen was finally finished.

I didn't care for the storyline, the characters, or the author's writing style. Let's just say, I won't be going out of my way to read anything else written by Eric A. Radulski.

The following is a plot summary for Shadow of the Crimson Queen by Eric A. Radulski from Audible:

Yaran Blackencloak, a bard with bad luck and a poor reputation, is ripped violently from his mundane existence when he is tempted into the service of a demon goddess. He gets more than he bargains for, though, for when Yaran tries to return to the life he knew, he finds it permanently, tragically changed.

I am giving Shadow of the Crimson Queen by Eric A. Radulski a rating of 1 star out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bout of Books 20 Wrap Up Post

Unfortunately, I've been too busy this past week to make daily update posts for Bout of Books 20 or participate in all of the challenges! Nor I did accomplish as much reading as I would have liked for this read-a-thon, but at least I had a good time reading during Bout of Books 20!

I was able to start and finishing reading Dog Days Murderous Nights (Winnona Peaks Mysteries #1) by Emily Page, which was a short story 59 pages in length.

I also started and finished listening to the unabridged audio version of Winter Men by Jesper Bugge Kold. This historical fiction novel, is very thought provoking. Listening time for Winter Men by Jesper Bugge Kold was 11 hours, 10 minutes.

I finished reading the last 33% of an audiobook titled Hard Candy by Andrew Vachss, that I had begun listening to prior to the start of Bout of Books 20.

I've made headway in another novel I'm reading titled Watch Me Go by Mark Wisniewski. I read about 70 more pages of this novel during Bout of Books 20.

I also participated in the 1st challenge on day 1, which was to describe yourself in six words. Here's how I described myself:

Avid reader, blogger, knitter, wife, daughter!

If you participated in Bout of Books 20, how did you fare this week in terms of reading? Did you meet your reading goals? Did you participate in any of the challenges?

The Journey by Isobelle Carmody

I listened to a short story titled The Journey by Isobelle Carmody and narrated by the author earlier this month! 

Listening time for The Journey by Isobelle Carmody is 48 minutes.

I was able to download The Journey by Isobelle Carmody to my Kindle for FREE from Audible.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of The Journey by Isobelle Carmody.

I enjoyed listening to the The Journey by Isobelle Carmody. It's a dystopian, fantasy/scifi read. I also thought The Journey was well narrated by the author.

The following is a plot summary for The Journey by Isobelle Carmody from Audible:

A bonus never-before-released short story by best-selling author Isobelle Carmody.

Before the apocolyptic Great White - and the regressive theology that ruled the decimated population in its wake - the city of Uropa is a gleaming metropolis devoted wholly to materialistic consumption.

When Emma arrives to meet her childhood idol and continue her research into the emergence of psychic abilities, she must adapt quickly to conceal her personal interest in the subject and protect herself from the city's opportunistic residents.

I am giving The Journey by Isobelle Carmody a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Butterfly Effect with Jon Ronson

I listened to the entire first season of The Butterfly Effect with Jon Ronson.

Listening time for The Butterfly Effect with Jon Ronson is 3 hours, 27 minutes.

I was able to download The Butterfly Effect with Jon Ronson to my Kindle for FREE from Audible!!

Below is my honest, unbiased review of The Butterfly Effect with Jon Ronson.

I enjoyed listening to The Butterfly Effect with Jon Ronson. It basically discusses (in seven episodes) what happened when the tech industry gave the world free porn. I thought The Butterfly Effect was a well done program and definitely worth a listen.

The following is the publisher's summary for The Butterfly Effect with Jon Ronson from Audible:

From best-selling writer Jon Ronson and the executive producer behind the TED Radio Hour and Invisibilia, Audible Originals presents a new seven-episode series, The Butterfly Effect with Jon Ronson.

[Contains explicit content] Free for a limited time, hear the story of what happened when the tech industry gave the world what it wanted: free porn. Lives were mangled. Fortunes were made. All for your pleasure. Follow writer and narrator Jon Ronson as he uncovers our web of desire. 

I am giving The Butterfly Effect with Jon Ronson a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Listen to Love by Tom Ballard et. al.

I listened to the entire season of Listen to Love by Tom Ballard, which is a radio show that discusses marriage equality issues in Australia. I definitely believe in marriage equality/same sex marriages and was surprised to learn this fact through listening to Listen to Love by Tom Ballard.

Listening time for Listen to Love by Tom Ballard is 1 hour, 35 minutes.

I was able to download Listen to Love by Tom Ballard to my Kindle for FREE from Audible.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of Listen to Love by Tom Ballard.

I think Listen to Love by Tom Ballard is a very relevant radio show to listen to and am glad that I did. The production quality of this series is really good and so is the message. Since I am pro-same sex marriage, I found that this program was good, but I didn't really learn a lot of new stuff.

The following is the publisher's summary for Listen to Love by Tom Ballard from Audible:

Pop on your headphones, and hit 'play' - Australia, let's talk about love.

Marriage equality is a subject that's captured the hearts and minds of Australians for years, and the topic of love is one for the ages. What is it to love and be loved? What does it mean to have our relationships recognised by the communities we are a part of? These questions and more are explored in Listen to Love, a six-part original audio series from Audible.com.au in partnership with The Equality Campaign.

Listen to Love features some of Australia's favourite voices, including comedian Tom Ballard as host, comedian Joel Creasey with an original stand-up routine, writer and philosopher Damon Young with a thought-provoking discussion on the ethics of love and marriage, TV and radio personality Osher Günsberg reading classic love poetry, and Australian author Catherine Cole with a short story providing a timely reminder that how we experience love is how we experience the world. Bringing us up to speed on the issue of marriage equality in Australia is Dr Shirleene Robinson, a historian focusing on the evolving treatment of gay, lesbian and transgender Australians.

We also hear from everyday Australians whose lives are touched by the ongoing conversation about marriage equality. LGBTIQ couples sit down with broadcaster and performer Joel Carnegie to speak candidly about their relationships, and siblings Angie and Brent Greene explore the family dynamic of love as well as the issue of sexual discrimination in sport. These intimate real-life stories of love and commitment demonstrate the barriers faced by those Australians who are not presently able to marry the ones they love.

Listen to Love is free to download and listen to - don't miss your opportunity to hear these powerful Australian stories brought to you by Audible.com.au and The Equality Campaign.

About the Listen to Love series:

Episode 1: Second Class Citizen - Joel Carnegie with LBGTIQ couplesEpisode 2: What Is Love? - with Joel Creasey, featuring the poem 'Glisten' by Quinn Eades from the collection RallyingEpisode 3: So What's The Status Quo? - Tom Ballard with Dr Shirleene Robinson, featuring the poem 'To Be One with Each Other' by George ElliotEpisode 4: Standing Up for Us - Angie and Brent Greene, featuring the poem 'Sonnet 116' by William ShakespeareEpisode 5: The Ethics of Love - Damon Young, featuring 1 Corinthians 13:4-8Episode 6: Mother Love - by Catherine Cole, narrated by Louise Siverse, featuring the poem 'Love's Philosophy' by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Production of The Space Company for Audible Originals.

I am giving Listen to Love by Tom Ballard a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Winter Men by Jesper Bugge Kold

Historical Fiction ~ Audible Edition

I stumbled upon Winter Men by Jesper Bugge Kold purely by accident. I'd never heard of this historical novel before or it's author. 

After reading the plot summary about Winter Men by Jesper Bugge Kold on Amazon and seeing the 1,600+ reviews and 4 star rating of this novel by customers, I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version from Audible.

Listening time for Winter Men by Jesper Bugge Kold is 11 hours, 10 minutes and it is narrated by Nick Sandys.

I enjoy historical fiction... And Winter Men by Jesper Bugge Kold is definitely a good historical work of fiction. I really liked Jesper Bugge Kold's writing and story telling, even if many scenes in this novel were difficult to stomach. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the contents of Winter Men by Jesper Bugge Kold as it leaves you thinking about it long after you've finished reading it.

Winter Men by Jesper Bugge Kold primarily tells the story of two brothers, Karl and Gerhard,  during Nazi Germany. Neither of these men are fans of Adolf Hilter or the Nazi regime. Yet both brothers become complicit in wrongdoings during the war, which weighs heavily on each man by the end of the novel. 

Winter Men is a thought provoking read. Questions of morality and evil kept coming to mind while reading Winter Men. As I was reading about Karl and Gerhard's lives, I came across a few gray areas... Sometimes things just aren't always black and white. I am not condoning the wrongdoings performed by either brother by any means, but simply found myself filled with questions about their actions and many other situations presented in this novel. 

By the way, Nick Sandys is a terrific narrator!! He narrated Winter Men very well. I will forward to hearing other books he narrates.

I think Winter Men by Jesper Bugge Kold would make a great book club selection to discuss with other readers. 

The following is a plot summary for Winter Men by Jesper Bugge Kold from Audible:

As the dark specter of the Nazis settles over Germany, two wealthy and educated brothers are suddenly thrust into the rising tide of war. Karl, a former soldier and successful businessman, dutifully answers the call to defend his country, while contemplative academic Gerhard is coerced into informing for the Gestapo. Soon the brothers are serving in the SS, and as Hitler's hateful agenda brings about unspeakable atrocities, they find themselves with innocent blood on their hands.

Following Germany's eventual defeat, Karl and Gerhard are haunted by their insurmountable guilt, and each seeks a way to escape from wounds that will never heal. They survived the war and its revelation of systematic horrors, but can they survive the unshakable knowledge of their own culpability?

I am giving Winter Men by Jesper Bugge Kold a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

50/50 Friday ~~ Book You've Enjoyed With the Most/Least Pages

50/50 Friday is a meme hosted by Carrie @ The Butterfly Reads and Laura @ Blue Eye Books. This fun themed meme focuses on the opposite sides of books (best/worst, differing opinions, etc). Every week a new topic will give bloggers the chance to showcase their answers.

This week's topic is the Book You've Enjoyed With the Most/Least Pages.

I have read a lot of books over the years, so it's difficult to try to remember all my my favorite books in terms of which one I liked with the least pages and most pages... But here goes nothing!

Book You've Enjoyed With the Most Pages

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I read this novel at least 2 decades ago

and loved it!

Book You've Enjoyed With the Least Pages

Kentucky on the Rocks by Gwendolyn Grace

(click on link above to read my review)

Share with me your favorite book with the most/least amount of pages.

Dog Days Murderous Nights (Winnona Peaks Mysteries #1) by Emily Page

Cozy Mystery Short Story

I enjoy reading cozy mystery novels and I love Pomeranians, so deciding to read Dog Days Murderous Nights (Winnona Peaks Mysteries #1) by Emily Page was a no brainer for me.

I was able to download Dog Days Murderous Nights (Winnona Peaks Mysteries #1) by Emily Page to my Kindle for FREE from Amazon.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of Dog Days Murderous Nights (Winnona Peaks Mysteries #1) by Emily Page.

There were quite a few editing issues in this short story that need some attention. Also there were a few confusing scenes or at the very least some scenes that needed some clarification. I felt like Dog Days Murderous Nights (Winnona Peaks Mysteries #1) by Emily Page had so much potential to be a fantastic read.

The following is a plot summary for Dog Days Murderous Nights (Winnona Peaks Mysteries #1) by Emily Page from Amazon:

Winning at ALL costs... can be costly.

Christy Roberts, owner of Alfie's Bed & Breakfast, has been getting a nice flow of customers due to the Winnona Peak’s Annual Dog Show. 

When one of the shows participants J.W. Augustine turns up dead in his room at Alfie's Bed &Breakfast, Christy is determined to find out if this was an accident or a stealthy-murder.

With a complicated trio of possible suspects in play, each with motive, Christy, along with her two trusty Pomeranians are set to find out who is the killer. But this one could get a little hairy.

I am giving Dog Days Murderous Nights (Winnona Peaks Mysteries #1) by Emily Page a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Bout of Books 20 Day 1 Update!

Yesterday was the 1st day of Bout of Books 20!! I had a decent day of reading. I don't recall the amount of time I devoted to reading though as I actually didn't keep track of the time I did read. 

However, I did finish listening to the last 33% of an audiobook I'd started the week titled Hard Candy by Andrew Vachss and posted a review of it on my blog.

I also began reading a cozy mystery ebook last night titled, Dog Days Murderous Nights (Winnona Peaks Mysteries #1) by Emily Page. I am 36% of the way into Dog Days Murderous Nights (Winnona Peaks Mysteries #1) and am curious to see where it leads me.

I also participated in the following challenge given on Day 1 of Bout of Books 20. The Challenge was to describe yourself in 6 words. Here's how I described myself:

Avid reader, blogger, knitter, wife, daughter!

Are you participating in Bout of Books 20? If so, how was your first day of reading for this read-a-thon?

Hard Candy by Andrew Vachss

Unabridged Audio Version

I listened to the unabridged audiobook edition of Hard Candy by Andrew Vachss on compact disc and narrated by Phil Gigante.

Listening time for Hard Candy by Andrew Vachss is 7 hours, 19 minutes.

Hard Candy is the first novel I've read or listened to that Andrew Vachss has written. Hard Candy is a thriller that could be easily classified as a gritty noir... Hard Candy is also the fourth novel in the 'Burke Series'. 

I personally found Hard Candy by Andrew Vachss to be a bit difficult to get into initially. I also felt this novel was a bit dated as it mentions using things like pay phones and listening to cassette tapes. Otherwise it was a decent read.

The best part of listening to Hard Candy by Andrew Vachss was having Phil Gigante as a narrator for this novel!! It was a definite plus for sure as Phil Gigante is fabulous at doing different voices for the various characters in the novel.

The following is a plot summary for Hard Candy by Andrew Vachss from Audible:

In this mercilessly compelling thriller, Burke - the private eye, sting artist, and occasional hit man who metes out a cruelly ingenious vengeance on those who victimize children - is up against a soft-spoken messiah who may be rescuing runaways or recruiting them for his own hideous purposes. But in doing so, Burke becomes a target for an entire Mafia family, a whore with a heart of cyanide, and a contract killer as implacable as a heart-seeking missile. Written with Vachss' signature narrative overdrive - and with his unnerving familiarity with the sub-basement of American crime - Hard Candy is vintage Burke.

I am giving Hard Candy by Andrew Vachss a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

The Art & Craft of Murder (Whistler's Cove Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) by Cozy Cat Parker

Cozy Mystery Short Story

I enjoy reading cozy mystery novels and short stories... So, when I came across the ebook edition of The Art & Craft of Murder (Whistler's Cove Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) by Cozy Cat Parker, I decided to give it a try. Cozy Cat Parker is a new to me author.

I was able to download The Art & Craft of Murder (Whistler's Cove Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) by Cozy Cat Parker for FREE to my Kindle from Amazon.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of The Art & Craft of Murder (Whistler's Cove Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) by Cozy Cat Parker.

The Art & Craft of Murder (Whistler's Cove Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) by Cozy Cat Parker is a short story approximately 48 pages in length. As far as the author's writing goes, I thought Cozy Cat Parker was an okay writer. I liked the premise of this short story, the diverse cast of characters, and all of the red herrings to throw readers off the path as to who the real killer was... But over all, I thought The Art & Craft of Murder (Whistler's Cove Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) by Cozy Cat Parker was just an okay read compared with other cozy mystery books I've read in the past. 

Below is a summary for The Art & Craft of Murder (Whistler's Cove Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) by Cozy Cat Parker from Amazon:

Misty Williams has finally achieved her dream of opening a teahouse in Whistler's Cove, a small town famous for its community of artists and crafters. But when the local gallery owner, Hilary Small, is poisoned in Misty's teahouse, and it begins to look as if the man Misty is in love with committed the murder, Misty must turn amateur sleuth in order to save the reputation of her teahouse and her hopes for romance. 

Set in an enchanting location, this cozy mystery will delight with its entertaining cast of humorous characters, including Misty's cat Miss Mabel, who plays a crucial part in revealing the true murderer.

I am giving The Art & Craft of Murder (Whistler's Cove Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) by Cozy Cat Parker a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Dog Days of Summer: Dog Tag

I discovered the Dog Days of Summer: Dog Tag
from Greg's Book Haven book blog.

I wasn't specifically tagged for this particular
book tag, but I thought it would be fun to
play along and answer the questions below.

If you want to participate in this particular book
tag, then by all means do so. Just leave me a 
comment below with a link to your 
Dog Days of Summer: Dog Tag post, as
I'd enjoy reading your answers!


THE QUESTIONS

WHAT WAS THE NAME OF YOUR FIRST DOG?

Duchess, she was a Doberman Pinscher and our

family pet. My dad was partial to Doberman Pinschers

as he'd grown up with them. And guess what? His first

childhood dog's name was Duchess. So, having a

female, black and tan Doberman Pischer named

Duchess was what we had as a dog when I was a child.

I am not a huge fan of Doberman Pinschers.

They are too aloof personality wise for me.

DO YOU HAVE A DOG NOW?

No, I do not have a dog currently as we are unable to have

them where we currently reside. 

Otherwise, I'd have a dog in a heartbeat.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BREED OF DOG?

Chocolate Colored Pomeranian

Pomeranians are my favorite dog breed,

but I'd be happy with any small toy breed of dog.

I also love the Puli and the Komondor breeds...

But I think they'd be a grooming nightmare,
so wouldn't want to own one. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANINE THEMED BOOK?

I don't read a lot of what I would call 'canine themed' reads.

I'm currently reading a nonfiction book called 

'Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs'

by Caroline Knapp, which I am enjoying a lot.

But it is too early to tell if this will become my

favorite canine book.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FICTIONAL DOG? 

Enzo from the Art of Racing in the Rain

by Garth Stein.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP MOVIE CHOICE WITH A FEATURED CANINE? 

Cats & Dogs from 2001

DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A DOG OR A CAT PERSON? WHY?

I like both cats and dogs equally as I think they

both have their virtues and perks as companion pets.

BONUS QUESTION

TELL US ABOUT A PERSONAL DOG RELATED MEMORY

Awww, I have so many fun and memorable dog memories
with our dog, Roxy, a Pomeranian, who passed away in 2014.
Roxy loved and was fascinated with cats!
Roxy loved touching noses with cats and would
become really excited about seeing cats in general.
We had Roxy as a puppy and never had cats in our home...
So to see her so excited by and fascinated with cats was
cool to see.

The Vanishing Game by William Boyd

I listened to The Vanishing Game by William Boyd and narrated by Russ Bain earlier this month. 

Listening time for The Vanishing Game by William Boyd is 1 hour, 35 minutes.

The Vanishing Game is a suspense/thriller short story that I was able to download to my Kindle for FREE from Audible.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of The Vanishing Game by William Boyd.

I enjoyed listening to The Vanishing Game by William Boyd. I also thought Russ Bain did a really good job of narrating this short story. I liked the protagonist, Alec Dunbar... Alec Dunbar is a 35 year old, down on his luck actor who accepts an offer to deliver a package for someone he doesn't know. It seems like an innocent way for him to make some quick and easy cash... That is until a shadowy cast of characters start to tail him on his journey to make the drop. 

Alec Dunbar sort of felt to me like he was a 'MacGyver' type character from the television series of the same name. I felt this way because Alec Dunbar uses a lot of what he has learned from acting on different sets to help he get out of sticky/tricky situations during the events that occurred in this short story.

The following is a plot summary for The Vanishing Game by William Boyd from Audible:

A down-on-his-luck actor is paired with a weather-battered Land Rover Defender on a seemingly innocuous courier job. But some things are too good to be true, and this innocent journey quickly unfolds into a dangerous plot with a shadowy cast of characters.

I am giving The Vanishing Game by William Boyd a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

A Breach of Security by Susan Hill

I listened to the unabridged short story A Breach of Security by Susan Hill and narrated by Steven Pacey.

Listening time for A Breach of Security by Susan Hill is 1 hour, 28 minutes.

I was able to download A Breach of Security by Susan Hill to my Kindle for FREE from Audible.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of A Breach of Security by Susan Hill.

I enjoyed listening to A Breach of Security by Susan Hill quite a bit. It contained interesting characters and also an interesting storyline. I thought Steven Pacey was a good narrator.

The following is a plot summary for A Breach of Security by Susan Hill from Audible:

When a bunch of neo-fascist thugs named The Bulldogs attack a Gay pride march in the sleepy country town of Lafferton, detective Simon Serrailler moves quickly to find the assailants. He’s already got his hands full making security arrangements for a memorial service to honour soldiers returning from Afghanistan. When anonymous threats come in, Serrailler wonders if the Bulldogs are behind these too - and worries that they know the Prince of Wales will be in attendance. As the day approaches, the threats intensify, and Serrailler finds himself racing against the clock to prevent catastrophe.

Susan Hill has won the Whitbread, Somerset Maugham, and John Llewelyn Rhys prizes, as well as being shortlisted for the Booker Prize. She has written 55 books in several genres, including the ghost story The Woman in Black, the play adapted from which is still running in London’s West End after 25 years. I'm the King of The Castle has been a GCSE set text. She has also published collections of short stories, fiction for children, several nonfiction books and the highly successful crime novel series about the detective Simon Serrailler, who features in a short story here for the first time. Her new novel, The Soul of Discretion, is the eighth in the Serrailler series, and will be published by Chatto and Windus in October. Susan Hill is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, a Fellow of King’s College, London, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Honours of 2012.

I am giving A Breach of Security by Susan Hill a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The New World by Patrick Ness

I listened to the unabridged short story The New World by Patrick Ness and narrated by Angela Dawe.

Listening time for The New World by Patrick Ness is 47 minutes.

I was able to download The New World by Patrick Ness to my Kindle for FREE from Audible.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of The New World by Patrick Ness.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of The New World by Patrick Ness. I thought the story was good as well as the plot development and also the characters as well. 

The New World by Patrick Ness is a prequel to the 'Chaos Walking Trilogy'. I am now interested in reading or listening to the 'Chaos Walking Trilogy' sometime in the future.

The following is a plot summary for The New World by Patrick Ness from Audible:

The New World is a prequel to the award-winning Chaos Walking trilogy, setting the stage for the world we discover in The Knife of Never Letting Go, The Ask and the Answer, and Monsters of Men. The story was written while the author served as writer in residence for the Booktrust an independent UK-wide charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and cultures to enjoy books.

The New World tells of Viola's journey to the New World, brilliantly capturing the hope and fear of settlers in search of a new life. Patrick Ness says that he wrote it "as a huge and deeply-felt thank you to readers. I've had so many questions about Viola and what her life was like before that I couldn't resist the opportunity to reveal just a little bit extra. I knew these things - they're vitally important to her as a character, even if they're not directly in the novels - so it felt like a secret trip I could take readers on. The challenge was to make it work on its own, too, so anyone could read it. That was really, really good fun, and I hope the final result is an exciting one."

The New World can be listened to before or after the trilogy – and some may choose to do both. The story works as a standalone piece, but listeners already familiar with The Knife of Never Letting Go will learn more about Viola’s life and the events leading to her arrival and first encounter with Todd, while newcomers to the trilogy will discover a white-knuckle ride of an introduction to the series. Whether you're a new or faithful listener, though, it's a welcome chance to immerse yourself in the world of Chaos Walking

I am giving The New World by Patrick Ness a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Black Mark's Resistance by Ebony Olson

Erotica Novel eBook Edition

I read Black Mark's Resistance by Ebony Olson within a 24 hour period of time earlier this week!

I received the pdf version of Black Mark's Resistance by Ebony Olson for FREE from Inkitt Exclusive Reads in exchange for an honest review! 

Black Mark's Resistance by Ebony Olson is really well written erotica novel!! I loved that Black Mark's Resistance by Ebony Olson had the perfect combination of storyline, interesting characters, and great writing that kept one interested in what was going to happen next!

The ending of Black Mark's Resistance by Ebony Olson was different than how I thought it was going to turn out! I look forward to reading the other novels in the series.

The following is a plot summary for Black Mark's Resistance by Ebony Olson from Inkitt Exclusive Reads' website:

You've never been wanted. You've never been loved. You release your emotions by bleeding and having sex. But now, the hottest person alive develops a sudden interest in you. What do you do?

Mora has never had an easy life. Physically and mentally abused by her mother, she's never known what being wanted or loved felt like. Her only relief? Sex, bleeding and playing the cello. And now, her new boss, Darius, has shown an interest in her character. Will Darius become another danger in Mora's life, or is he the absolution she's been internally wishing for?

I am giving Black Mark's Resistance by Ebony Olson a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

50/50 Friday --- Bookish Gift You'd Most/Least Like to Receive

50/50 Friday is a meme hosted by Carrie @ The Butterfly Reads and Laura @ Blue Eye Books. This fun themed meme focuses on the opposite sides of books (best/worst, differing opinions, etc). Every week a new topic will give bloggers the chance to showcase their answers.

This week's topic is the Bookish Gift You'd Most/Least Like to Receive.

The Bookish Gift I'd Most Like to Receive

~ An Audible Membership ~

I love listening to audiobooks,

so receiving an Audible Membership

would be a perfect gift for me!

The Bookish Gift I'd Least Like to Receive

A book I've already read or a book from a

genre or by an author I do not enjoy reading.

Which Bookish Gift You'd Most/Least Like to Receive?

Mrs. Zant and the Ghost by Wilkie Collins

Victorian Ghost Short Story

I listened to the a short story titled Mrs. Zant and the Ghost by Wilkie Collins and narrated by actress, Gillian Anderson.

Listening time for Mrs. Zant and the Ghost by Wilkie Collins is 1 hour, 38 minutes.

I was able to download Mrs. Zant and the Ghost by Wilkie Collins to my Kindle for FREE from Audible.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of Mrs. Zant and the Ghost by Wilkie Collins.

Aside from being FREE, one of the reasons I chose to listen to Mrs. Zant and the Ghost by Wilkie Collins is because actress Gillian Anderson narrates this short story. I'm not a huge Gillian Anderson fan, but figured that as an established actress, Ms. Anderson would do a really good job of narrating Mrs. Zant and the Ghost by Wilkie Collins. Let's just say I wasn't all that impressed with Ms. Anderson's performance and leave it at that.

As far as the story/plot go for Mrs. Zant and the Ghost by Wilkie Collins, I thought this classic short story was okay. It was kind of suspenseful as to what was going on, but nothing to write home about as this short story was a bit on the slow side for me.

The following is a plot summary for Mrs. Zant and the Ghost by Wilkie Collins from Audible:

Mrs Zant has recently lost her beloved husband, and while walking in the Kensington Gardens, the spot where she and her deceased husband declared their love for each other, she feels his presence trying to warn her of some coming danger.

Mr Rayburn witnesses it all, and he'll have to fight his own incredulity regarding the supernatural and his gut feeling that the disturbed young woman is telling the truth.

Brought to life by Golden Globe Award-winning actress Gillian Anderson (The X-Files), Mrs Zant is the perfect Victorian ghost story.

I am giving Mrs. Zant and the Ghost by Wilkie Collins a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Les Liaisons Dangereuses: Read by the Cast of the Stage Play by Pierre-Ambroise Choderlos de Laclos

I listened to the Audible edition of Les Liaisons Dangereuses: Read by the Cast of the Stage Play by Pierre-Ambroise Choderlos de Laclos, which is narrated by the cast of the stage play.

Listening time for Les Liaisons Dangereuses: Read by the Cast of the Stage Play by Pierre-Ambroise Choderlos de Laclos is 2 hours, 10 minutes.

I was able to download Les Liaisons Dangereuses: Read by the Cast of the Stage Play by Pierre-Ambroise Choderlos de Laclos for FREE to my Kindle from Audible.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of Les Liaisons Dangereuses: Read by the Cast of the Stage Play by Pierre-Ambroise Choderlos de Laclos.

The best part of this audio edition was the narration performed by the cast of the stage play!! I also enjoyed the premise of Les Liaisons Dangereuses and how it was executed in a series of letters. The toughest part initially was trying to keep the names of the various characters straight! Overall, though I liked Les Liaisons Dangereuses: Read by the Cast of the Stage Play by Pierre-Ambroise Choderlos de Laclos, but didn't love it.

The following is a plot summary for Les Liaisons Dangereuses: Read by the Cast of the Stage Play by Pierre-Ambroise Choderlos de Laclos from Audible:

From the sumptuous private drawing rooms of 18th-century Paris to the decadent estates and chateaus of the French countryside, La Marquise de Merteuil and Le Vicomte de Valmont hatch a long-distance plan of vengeance and seduction.

Valmont is determined to conquer the famously pious Madame de Tourvel, whose husband is abroad on business. However, Merteuil has other plans. She enlists his involvement in the seduction of a young convent girl, Cécile Volanges, the wife-to-be of the Marquise's former lover. But as they race toward the culmination of their plans, events start to spiral out of control, and they realise that they might not be as in control of their hearts as once they thought.

Starring:

Madame de Volanges: Adjoa Andoh
La Présidente de Tourvel: Elaine Cassidy
Cécile Volanges: Morfydd Clark
Le Chevalier Danceny: Edward HolcroftMarquise de Merteuil: Janet McTeer
Vicomte de Valmont: Dominic West
Madame de Rosemond: Una Stubbs.

I am giving Les Liaisons Dangereuses: Read by the Cast of the Stage Play by Pierre-Ambroise Choderlos de Laclos a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Gadwall Incident by Ridley Pearson

Short Story

I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Gadwall Incident by Ridley Pearson and narrated by Nicola Barber.

Listening time for The Gadwall Incident by Ridley Pearson is 1 hour, 53 minutes.

I was able to download The Gadwall Incident by Ridley Pearson to my Kindle for FREE from Audible.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of The Gadwall Incident by Ridley Pearson.

I enjoyed listening to this well narrated story. The Gadwall Incident by Ridley Pearson is fun and engaging. I thought the writing was good... I also thought the story and characters were well developed. My only complaint is the cliffhanger ending!

The following is a plot summary for The Gadwall Incident by Ridley Pearson from Audible:

The New York Times best-selling author of the Peter and the Starcatcher and Kingdom Keepers series, Ridley Pearson, brings us the stirring digital prequel to the Lock and Key series, which reimagines the origins of the rivalry between Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty.

In The Gadwall Incident, listeners get a glimpse into James' life a mere 24 hours before the tipping point - before life as he knows it changes irrevocably and his childhood slips into the shadows. Listeners will come to know the dangers that surround the Moriartys before James and Moria are sent off to the hallowed halls of Baskerville Academy, where they first meet the insufferable, inexhaustible Sherlock Holmes. It's a tale full of intrigue and false starts and daring getaways, one that will leave listeners desperate to know what's next.

I am giving The Gadwall Incident by Ridley Pearson a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Little Donkey by Jodi Taylor

Holiday Themed Short Story

Little Donkey by Jodi Taylor is a holiday themed short story I was able to download to my Kindle for FREE from Audible.

Listening time for Little Donkey by Jodi Taylor is 1 hour, 5 minutes.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of Little Donkey by Jodi Taylor.

I like Christmas holiday themed reads, so was delighted to listen to the unabridged audio version of Little Donkey by Jodi Taylor and narrated by Lucy Price-Lewis. I enjoyed the story, characters, and plot for Little Donkey by Jodi Taylor. Lucy Price-Lewis was a good narrator for this short story.

Below is the plot summary for Little Donkey by Jodi Taylor from Audible:

It’s Christmas, and Jenny Checkland is beset with problems. The vicar, who really should know better, has asked to borrow Marilyn the donkey for the nativity play, thereby unleashing chaos on the already chaos-laden Frogmorton Farm. 

Will Marilyn survive her bath? Will anyone survive Marilyn’s bath?

Robbed of her role as the Virgin Mary, what revenge is the angel Gabriel plotting? Why is that sheep so fat? 

Will Charlie ever get to say his one line? Can Marilyn be prevented from eating the baby Jesus? Where is Thomas, who promised he would be there? And worst of all - will Russell, lost on the moor in a blizzard, make it back in time for the birth of his first child? Or even at all?

Another chance to meet the characters from the best-selling novel The Nothing Girl as they navigate the complexities of the local nativity play in their own unique fashion.

I am giving Little Donkey by Jodi Taylor a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Mid August Update

I usually only make quarterly updates on my reading stats... But this month, I decided to do something different and make a mid-month update!

I have been binge listening to a lot of audio listens this month... In fact, I've finished listening to a combination of 16 books, short stories, and podcasts this month. Most of what I have listened to this month have been entertaining and most of them have been free downloads from Audible.

The thing of it is this, I am now really behind on writing reviews of what I've listened to this month. I have a total of 11 reviews to write... But instead of wanting to write reviews, I just want to listen to more audiobooks or read books!!

How is your month in reading going for you?

Bout of Books 20 Sign Up Post

I am once again thrilled to be participating the Bout of Books Read-A-Thon!! I can't remember how many Bout of Books Read-A-Thons I've participated in to date. All I know is that I simply enjoy participating in this fun, low pressure read-a-thon. 

I hope you'll join me in participating Bout of Books 20! Below, you'll learn more about this fun and exciting read-a-thon:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 21st and runs through Sunday, August 27th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 20 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Until my next post, happy reading! 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

The Window Man by Louise Millar

Unabridged Short Story from Audible

I listened to The Window Man by Louise Millar and narrated by Clare Corbett. 

Listening time for The Window Man by Louise Millar is 25 minutes.

I was able to download The Window Man by Louise Millar to my Kindle for FREE from Audible. Below is my honest, unbiased review for The Window Man by Louise Millar.

The Window Man by Louise Millar is a relatively well-written short story that falls into the suspense/thriller genre. I liked the storyline, plot, and main character a lot. I just wish this short story was a bit longer and a bit more flushed out... If it had been flushed out a bit longer, perhaps I would have liked it that much more.

I thought Clare Corbett did a wonderful job narrating this short story.

The following is more about The Window Man by Louise Millar from Audible:

The Window Man is the first story in the Killer Women: Crime Club Anthology #1 collection. Enjoy it for free, exclusively in audio!

Blade-sharp and pared to the bone, these original stories by best-selling, award-winning female crime writers will lure you to the dark side. Fifteen perfectly twisted tales with a measure of evil, a dash of horror, and a dose of humour. Expect the unexpected....

I am giving The Window Man by Louise Millar a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!!