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Recommend this book:
Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge
The Sequel to A Christmas Carol
Norman Whaler
2019 Honorable Mention
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Erin Nicole Cochran for Readers' Favorite
Norman Whaler’s Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge is a sequel to the title we’ve all come to know and love by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. It falls right in step with the original book so that one could almost believe it was written by Charles Dickens himself, which makes the story even more magical. Norman Whaler creates the perfect tale with Tim, Becky and Jimmy as the three main characters. One of the lines that struck me the most were the words, “But she also knew in her heart that it was the habit of despair that ultimately condemned a soul.”
This book took me through a whole gamut of emotions. The death of Ebenezer Scrooge and the way that his corner of the world had loved him and treasured him in his older years was hard to go through. It felt like someone close to you in your own life was dying; it was so expertly conveyed through the story line. There were moments that transfixed me, taking me deep into another era. The message that Scrooge was able to bring to Tim is one that we all need to hear from time to time. It had a religious bent toward the end and I cherished that; it felt very right and perfectly placed. A story to be shared at Christmas time and all the year round with your dearest of loved ones, and even those who might seem curmudgeonly themselves. It is a treasure to be gifted over and over again.
The audiobook is narrated in a hauntingly beautiful tone by Gordon Griffin and Naomi Frederick. Gordon Griffin’s ability to convey so many voices, from young to old, is absolutely praiseworthy. He is a man of many talents, including composer, lyricist, and established actor to name but a few of his varied abilities. Scrooge could be voiced by no one else. Naomi Frederick’s ability to bring Becky to life and into our hearts was nothing short of masterful. I have to presume she voiced the many children in the book as well, which again was done brilliantly. Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge was filled with creaking doors, footsteps, and the striking of church bells among other heartwarming and anxiety causing sounds that all pulled together to create an even more truly living world.
Norman Whaler’s Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge is a sequel to the title we’ve all come to know and love by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. It falls right in step with the original book so that one could almost believe it was written by Charles Dickens himself, which makes the story even more magical. Norman Whaler creates the perfect tale with Tim, Becky and Jimmy as the three main characters. One of the lines that struck me the most were the words, “But she also knew in her heart that it was the habit of despair that ultimately condemned a soul.”
This book took me through a whole gamut of emotions. The death of Ebenezer Scrooge and the way that his corner of the world had loved him and treasured him in his older years was hard to go through. It felt like someone close to you in your own life was dying; it was so expertly conveyed through the story line. There were moments that transfixed me, taking me deep into another era. The message that Scrooge was able to bring to Tim is one that we all need to hear from time to time. It had a religious bent toward the end and I cherished that; it felt very right and perfectly placed. A story to be shared at Christmas time and all the year round with your dearest of loved ones, and even those who might seem curmudgeonly themselves. It is a treasure to be gifted over and over again.
The audiobook is narrated in a hauntingly beautiful tone by Gordon Griffin and Naomi Frederick. Gordon Griffin’s ability to convey so many voices, from young to old, is absolutely praiseworthy. He is a man of many talents, including composer, lyricist, and established actor to name but a few of his varied abilities. Scrooge could be voiced by no one else. Naomi Frederick’s ability to bring Becky to life and into our hearts was nothing short of masterful. I have to presume she voiced the many children in the book as well, which again was done brilliantly. Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge was filled with creaking doors, footsteps, and the striking of church bells among other heartwarming and anxiety causing sounds that all pulled together to create an even more truly living world.
Recommend this book:
Behind Barbed Eyes
Davina Kotulski
2019 Finalist
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Behind Barbed Eyes is a work of suspenseful crime fiction penned by author Davina Kotulski, and narrated in its audiobook format by Emily Kleimo. The story follows criminal Bonnie Maldonado and her relationship with prison psychologist Dr. Victoria Thomas through a fascinating unpicking of the human psyche as they try to get to the root and the darkest secrets of why Bonnie does what she does. Portraying the harrowing life of women incarcerated and punished for their crimes, both psychologist and prisoner explore their own perceptions of right and wrong, and the world in general, to reach a breakthrough together.
Author Davina Kotulski weaves an authentic and realistic narrative of the lives of two women connecting deeply with one another from opposite sides of the bars. The prison regime is realistically and atmospherically portrayed with great attention to detail, and Victoria is at first presented with all the clinical precision one would expect. Bonnie comes in the opposite package, impassioned and wild, and together they tease out new and hidden qualities in the other which make the story exciting and powerful.
In terms of audiobook narration, I found narrator Emily Kleimo to be clear and concise in her reading, though not fully transformative of her voice to distinguish the characters. That said, the pacing really helps to build suspense and excitement in the most pivotal scenes, and the more emotionally sensitive moments were read with great compassion. The editing was also very clean, making Behind Barbed Eyes an excellent listening experience overall.
Behind Barbed Eyes is a work of suspenseful crime fiction penned by author Davina Kotulski, and narrated in its audiobook format by Emily Kleimo. The story follows criminal Bonnie Maldonado and her relationship with prison psychologist Dr. Victoria Thomas through a fascinating unpicking of the human psyche as they try to get to the root and the darkest secrets of why Bonnie does what she does. Portraying the harrowing life of women incarcerated and punished for their crimes, both psychologist and prisoner explore their own perceptions of right and wrong, and the world in general, to reach a breakthrough together.
Author Davina Kotulski weaves an authentic and realistic narrative of the lives of two women connecting deeply with one another from opposite sides of the bars. The prison regime is realistically and atmospherically portrayed with great attention to detail, and Victoria is at first presented with all the clinical precision one would expect. Bonnie comes in the opposite package, impassioned and wild, and together they tease out new and hidden qualities in the other which make the story exciting and powerful.
In terms of audiobook narration, I found narrator Emily Kleimo to be clear and concise in her reading, though not fully transformative of her voice to distinguish the characters. That said, the pacing really helps to build suspense and excitement in the most pivotal scenes, and the more emotionally sensitive moments were read with great compassion. The editing was also very clean, making Behind Barbed Eyes an excellent listening experience overall.
Recommend this book:
The Ark, the Reed, and the Fire Cloud
The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz, Book One
Jenny L. Cote
2019 Finalist
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
The Ark, the Reed, and the Fire Cloud: The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz, Book One by Jenny L. Cote is the retelling of the biblical story of Noah’s Ark, but from the point of view of the animals. Max is a Scottish terrier who was just following his daily routine when he hears a voice telling him to follow the fire cloud. Curious, he follows the voice only to find that he was not the only who was being summoned. On his way, he meets with Liz, Kate, Al and many other animals who travel through countries to find themselves in front of the ark. Now they have to get on the ark, brave the oncoming flood and survive. But things are not easy, especially when you consider there are many different species inside one huge boat. There is also something very sinister happening that no one can explain. It is up to Max and his set of friends to find out what is happening and if they can stop it before time runs out.
Denny Brownlee did an excellent job at not only narrating a story that most adults have heard at least once in their lives but also making it exceptionally entertaining for young children. His voice conveys emotions so clearly that you don’t have to try hard to become invested in the story. From simply reading the narrative or giving life to the dialogues, he ensures that his reader is not going anywhere until he is done.
The story itself is very well-written. It is educational, very informative and a great way to teach biblical stories to young children. The author did a wonderful job of making the story adventurous and entertaining. The pace was wonderful, the characters very well-written and given ample time to develop. The author gives lessons of having faith in God yet working hard in a subtle yet very impressive manner. Max is a very good protagonist; he is firm, intelligent, ready to help others and always there to help his friends. His friendship with Liz and the way he treated other animals was a great experience. I enjoyed this book and I hope the author has another one like this to share with us soon.
The Ark, the Reed, and the Fire Cloud: The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz, Book One by Jenny L. Cote is the retelling of the biblical story of Noah’s Ark, but from the point of view of the animals. Max is a Scottish terrier who was just following his daily routine when he hears a voice telling him to follow the fire cloud. Curious, he follows the voice only to find that he was not the only who was being summoned. On his way, he meets with Liz, Kate, Al and many other animals who travel through countries to find themselves in front of the ark. Now they have to get on the ark, brave the oncoming flood and survive. But things are not easy, especially when you consider there are many different species inside one huge boat. There is also something very sinister happening that no one can explain. It is up to Max and his set of friends to find out what is happening and if they can stop it before time runs out.
Denny Brownlee did an excellent job at not only narrating a story that most adults have heard at least once in their lives but also making it exceptionally entertaining for young children. His voice conveys emotions so clearly that you don’t have to try hard to become invested in the story. From simply reading the narrative or giving life to the dialogues, he ensures that his reader is not going anywhere until he is done.
The story itself is very well-written. It is educational, very informative and a great way to teach biblical stories to young children. The author did a wonderful job of making the story adventurous and entertaining. The pace was wonderful, the characters very well-written and given ample time to develop. The author gives lessons of having faith in God yet working hard in a subtle yet very impressive manner. Max is a very good protagonist; he is firm, intelligent, ready to help others and always there to help his friends. His friendship with Liz and the way he treated other animals was a great experience. I enjoyed this book and I hope the author has another one like this to share with us soon.
Recommend this book:
The Marigold Chain
Stella Riley
2018 Honorable Mention
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite
Stella Riley skillfully blends history with romance in her novel, The Marigold Chain. She begins with Chloe meeting Alex Deveril and his friends by chance when her young ward was almost trampled by a horse. Chloe questioned within herself the fact that she loved him at first sight, but later confirmed what her heart already knew when he kissed her by chance. As luck would have it, Chloe’s step-brother offered her hand in marriage as a debt in a game of dice. She was given an out, but still chose to marry Alex, knowing her step-brother would stoop to this level again with a more unsavory man. Their agreed annulment is continually stalled because of the war in 1666 and the Great Fire of London. Lack of communicating their true feelings for each other may be their undoing.
Stella Riley and Alex Wyndham complement each other, making this a delightful book to listen to while traveling, exercising, or doing house work. I enjoyed listening to the awkwardness between Chloe and Alex as Riley presents misgivings and trials in their mock marriage. I found the well-researched historical accounts entertained and added a degree of substance to this novel. In my personal opinion, I find the characters within The Marigold Chain well developed and personable. I truly enjoy listening to Alex Wyndham narrate. Like a master, Wyndham gives each person in The Marigold Chain a unique voice and beautifully brings them all to life. As I listened to this audio book, I honestly cannot think of a single part in the plot that could be changed to make it more enjoyable.
Stella Riley skillfully blends history with romance in her novel, The Marigold Chain. She begins with Chloe meeting Alex Deveril and his friends by chance when her young ward was almost trampled by a horse. Chloe questioned within herself the fact that she loved him at first sight, but later confirmed what her heart already knew when he kissed her by chance. As luck would have it, Chloe’s step-brother offered her hand in marriage as a debt in a game of dice. She was given an out, but still chose to marry Alex, knowing her step-brother would stoop to this level again with a more unsavory man. Their agreed annulment is continually stalled because of the war in 1666 and the Great Fire of London. Lack of communicating their true feelings for each other may be their undoing.
Stella Riley and Alex Wyndham complement each other, making this a delightful book to listen to while traveling, exercising, or doing house work. I enjoyed listening to the awkwardness between Chloe and Alex as Riley presents misgivings and trials in their mock marriage. I found the well-researched historical accounts entertained and added a degree of substance to this novel. In my personal opinion, I find the characters within The Marigold Chain well developed and personable. I truly enjoy listening to Alex Wyndham narrate. Like a master, Wyndham gives each person in The Marigold Chain a unique voice and beautifully brings them all to life. As I listened to this audio book, I honestly cannot think of a single part in the plot that could be changed to make it more enjoyable.
Recommend this book:
Palindrome 656
C F Waller
2018 Finalist
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Justine Reyes for Readers' Favorite
C.F. Waller is no stranger to writing science fiction, in fact, Palindrome 656 is one of his many works of fiction. In Palindrome 656 we are introduced to Hannah Reinier, a physically augmented, tough and sardonic borderline sociopath who smoke cigarettes almost as much as she breathes. She recounts the incidents which led up to her present situation, which involves interrogations from a shady organization known as the Union. Immediately we get the sense that Hannah is an excellent sport when it comes to mind games. Palindrome 656 is a tasteful mixture of thriller, mystery, and tech-noir. For those unfamiliar with the term, it is a mixture of science fiction and noir, specifically taking place in the near to distant future.
I have never read anything like Palindrome 656. The science fiction I am used to has always been the sort where there are time travelers, synths, and dystopian or post-apocalyptic societies. I would often avoid reading anything that had to do with outer space and especially spaceships. I often regarded those two things as being lame and overly action-packed, but C.F. Waller truly changed my perspective on this sort of sci-fi. It is a slow burn of suspense that honestly pays off in the end. Charlotte Kyle narrates Palindrome 656, and her narration immersed and entertained me. Charlotte Kyle absolutely brought Hannah and the other characters to life. Along with her narration, the ambient music of the intro and outro added to the atmosphere, like the cherry on top of a sundae.
C.F. Waller is no stranger to writing science fiction, in fact, Palindrome 656 is one of his many works of fiction. In Palindrome 656 we are introduced to Hannah Reinier, a physically augmented, tough and sardonic borderline sociopath who smoke cigarettes almost as much as she breathes. She recounts the incidents which led up to her present situation, which involves interrogations from a shady organization known as the Union. Immediately we get the sense that Hannah is an excellent sport when it comes to mind games. Palindrome 656 is a tasteful mixture of thriller, mystery, and tech-noir. For those unfamiliar with the term, it is a mixture of science fiction and noir, specifically taking place in the near to distant future.
I have never read anything like Palindrome 656. The science fiction I am used to has always been the sort where there are time travelers, synths, and dystopian or post-apocalyptic societies. I would often avoid reading anything that had to do with outer space and especially spaceships. I often regarded those two things as being lame and overly action-packed, but C.F. Waller truly changed my perspective on this sort of sci-fi. It is a slow burn of suspense that honestly pays off in the end. Charlotte Kyle narrates Palindrome 656, and her narration immersed and entertained me. Charlotte Kyle absolutely brought Hannah and the other characters to life. Along with her narration, the ambient music of the intro and outro added to the atmosphere, like the cherry on top of a sundae.
Recommend this book:
Last Things
Betta Ferrendelli
2018 Honorable Mention
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Justine Reyes for Readers' Favorite
Last Things by Betta Ferrendelli is a story about two women who have walked a similar path. We begin with Bridgette, a successful journalist who is in a seemingly perfect relationship. Of course, we soon find out it isn’t so perfect. Elliot, Bridgette’s fiance, doesn’t like the idea that the child Bridgette is carrying has Down Syndrome. He reacts repulsively, wanting her to get an abortion. On top of that, she must make a professional decision that could potentially end someone’s life. Overwhelmed and wanting to end it all, she crashes her car, but miraculously she lives. Through this incident, she meets the other woman, Alexis. Alexis is living the life Bridgette wasn’t brave enough to live. A friendship soon blossoms between the two women, but of course, life isn’t fair, especially to the good ones.
Last Things touches upon the surfaces of several sensitive matters, and Ferrendelli does a wonderful job of executing this with care. Last Things is a cozy novel, one that embraces you and doesn’t let go even when the tears start rolling. The friendship between Alexis and Bridgette was built up excellently; they kept secrets from each other, but that’s what made the story so interesting. Last Things is a novel I recommend to anyone who has ever had a “what if” moment in their life. It is well-written, heart-warming, and full of hope. Gabra Zackman narrates Last Things. I’m not too familiar with her other work, but her performance lends a vividness to Ferrendelli’s already colorful cast of characters; it felt as though I was listening to an old radio drama.
Last Things by Betta Ferrendelli is a story about two women who have walked a similar path. We begin with Bridgette, a successful journalist who is in a seemingly perfect relationship. Of course, we soon find out it isn’t so perfect. Elliot, Bridgette’s fiance, doesn’t like the idea that the child Bridgette is carrying has Down Syndrome. He reacts repulsively, wanting her to get an abortion. On top of that, she must make a professional decision that could potentially end someone’s life. Overwhelmed and wanting to end it all, she crashes her car, but miraculously she lives. Through this incident, she meets the other woman, Alexis. Alexis is living the life Bridgette wasn’t brave enough to live. A friendship soon blossoms between the two women, but of course, life isn’t fair, especially to the good ones.
Last Things touches upon the surfaces of several sensitive matters, and Ferrendelli does a wonderful job of executing this with care. Last Things is a cozy novel, one that embraces you and doesn’t let go even when the tears start rolling. The friendship between Alexis and Bridgette was built up excellently; they kept secrets from each other, but that’s what made the story so interesting. Last Things is a novel I recommend to anyone who has ever had a “what if” moment in their life. It is well-written, heart-warming, and full of hope. Gabra Zackman narrates Last Things. I’m not too familiar with her other work, but her performance lends a vividness to Ferrendelli’s already colorful cast of characters; it felt as though I was listening to an old radio drama.
Recommend this book:
Strain of Resistance
Bixby Series, Book 1
Michelle Bryan - Marnye Young is Narrator
2018 Bronze Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
Strain of Resistance is the first audio book in the Bixby series, an unusual tale of resistance and courage after an earth-altering tragedy. The book is written by Michelle Bryan and narrated by Marnye Young. First off, I would like to comment on the narrative — the voice is clear and arresting, coming across as neutral, and the intonation allows the reader to note a comma here, an exclamation mark there, and a pause in the narrative. I couldn’t stop listening to this gripping apocalyptic story as I drove around. That said, let me move on to some of the more interesting elements of the story.
The reader is plunged into a world that is waking up from tragedy — or is it? The narrator is Bixby, a girl who claims that the world ended when she was twelve, and now she’s lost her home, her family, and the man she loved with it. It’s been eight years since the seemingly harmless mist covered the earth and transformed it into a hellhole. The alien parasite that mutated most of the population into bloodsucking freaks is becoming smarter, evolving, and finding new forms of resistance. Follow the gritty tale of Bixby and a few survivors as they hunt and fight against the infected. Bixby is a character that readers will learn quickly to stick with, someone whose childhood hasn’t been filled with great memories, but she is someone who has learned to face reality as it is.
The story is well-paced and readers quickly become hooked on the narrative voice, wanting to know where the adventure will lead them and what will happen next. Strain of Resistance is a compelling narrative with characters that are memorable. Michelle Bryan’s work is original and I loved the fact that the apocalypse doesn’t happen in a brusque and brutal manner, as is the case with most books in this genre. I also enjoyed the pacing and the first person narrative, which is absorbing and which allows the listener to hear, see, and feel what the protagonist experiences.
Strain of Resistance is the first audio book in the Bixby series, an unusual tale of resistance and courage after an earth-altering tragedy. The book is written by Michelle Bryan and narrated by Marnye Young. First off, I would like to comment on the narrative — the voice is clear and arresting, coming across as neutral, and the intonation allows the reader to note a comma here, an exclamation mark there, and a pause in the narrative. I couldn’t stop listening to this gripping apocalyptic story as I drove around. That said, let me move on to some of the more interesting elements of the story.
The reader is plunged into a world that is waking up from tragedy — or is it? The narrator is Bixby, a girl who claims that the world ended when she was twelve, and now she’s lost her home, her family, and the man she loved with it. It’s been eight years since the seemingly harmless mist covered the earth and transformed it into a hellhole. The alien parasite that mutated most of the population into bloodsucking freaks is becoming smarter, evolving, and finding new forms of resistance. Follow the gritty tale of Bixby and a few survivors as they hunt and fight against the infected. Bixby is a character that readers will learn quickly to stick with, someone whose childhood hasn’t been filled with great memories, but she is someone who has learned to face reality as it is.
The story is well-paced and readers quickly become hooked on the narrative voice, wanting to know where the adventure will lead them and what will happen next. Strain of Resistance is a compelling narrative with characters that are memorable. Michelle Bryan’s work is original and I loved the fact that the apocalypse doesn’t happen in a brusque and brutal manner, as is the case with most books in this genre. I also enjoyed the pacing and the first person narrative, which is absorbing and which allows the listener to hear, see, and feel what the protagonist experiences.
Recommend this book:
Satyr's Son
A Georgian Historical Romance
Lucinda Brant
2018 Bronze Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite
The fifth book in Lucinda Brant’s Roxton Family Saga, Satyr’s Son, is actually about the second son of the Noble Satyr. This Georgian historical romance makes a full circle as the son is now the replica of his sire many years earlier. With Lord Henri-Antoine as the second son and fourth in line as a duke, he has the freedom to marry as he wishes. Sadly, he chooses to live a life as the Satyr, a lustful and drunken Greek god. To most people, Henri-Antoine, often called Harry, flaunts his wealth and power through his extravagant clothes and multiple servants that surround him. Miss Lisa Crisp quickly sees through his façade and accepts the affliction he has managed to hide for years.
Personally, I find Lucinda Brant a very skilled writer, mastering the language and making this a very charming love story. Satyr’s Son isn’t about perfect people in a perfect setting, falling in love. It is about discretion and loyalty among friends and family members. Henri-Antoine felt he had to live as a Satyr because he couldn’t trust a woman in the upper class with his secret. Lucinda Brant also writes about love and sacrifice, making the characters come alive as they forgo their own happiness for the benefit of others. Alex Wyndham is the cherry on top of this sweet novel, bringing each character alive as he narrates Satyr’s Son. His skill as an actor is evident as he changes his voice for each person and adds drama when the scenes get intense. This is definitely an excellent combination of written novel and spoken script.
The fifth book in Lucinda Brant’s Roxton Family Saga, Satyr’s Son, is actually about the second son of the Noble Satyr. This Georgian historical romance makes a full circle as the son is now the replica of his sire many years earlier. With Lord Henri-Antoine as the second son and fourth in line as a duke, he has the freedom to marry as he wishes. Sadly, he chooses to live a life as the Satyr, a lustful and drunken Greek god. To most people, Henri-Antoine, often called Harry, flaunts his wealth and power through his extravagant clothes and multiple servants that surround him. Miss Lisa Crisp quickly sees through his façade and accepts the affliction he has managed to hide for years.
Personally, I find Lucinda Brant a very skilled writer, mastering the language and making this a very charming love story. Satyr’s Son isn’t about perfect people in a perfect setting, falling in love. It is about discretion and loyalty among friends and family members. Henri-Antoine felt he had to live as a Satyr because he couldn’t trust a woman in the upper class with his secret. Lucinda Brant also writes about love and sacrifice, making the characters come alive as they forgo their own happiness for the benefit of others. Alex Wyndham is the cherry on top of this sweet novel, bringing each character alive as he narrates Satyr’s Son. His skill as an actor is evident as he changes his voice for each person and adds drama when the scenes get intense. This is definitely an excellent combination of written novel and spoken script.
Recommend this book:
Stray Magic
Jackie Bouchard
2018 Silver Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Francine Zane for Readers' Favorite
In Stray Magic by Jackie Bouchard, Cara Snow is perplexed when her fairy godfather, Vincent, shows up years after the ball—or in her case, the high school prom—is over. He offers her a chance at love after her marriage ends in divorce and on the heels of her daughter preparing to leave for college. You would think the fae folk would send the best of the best to rectify their mistake, but as luck will have it, Vincent’s botched spell leads to unexpected results. Jackie Bouchard brings new meaning to the word ‘stray’ with her modern day fairy tale, Stray Magic. While the second-rate fairy godfather adds an amusing touch of hilarity to a depressing situation, Cara’s own girl-next-door personality and her love of dogs are the driving forces that carry this romantic comedy into a special class of irresistible.
Aisling Gray acts as narrator for the audio version of Stray Magic. Gray does a polished job of presenting a consistent voice to the story. Her performance stands out as well balanced without interfering with the enjoyment of the star of the story—the plot. The audio book is professionally engineered with no background noise or pacing issues either. I am torn between adoring Cara for the way she bounces back time after time from romances gone astray (there is that word again) and envying her taking her rocky journey into self-discovery with such grace. Had I faced even half the complexities Cara faced, I would have done more than just blamed teenagers on the growing pile of fast food wrappers in the car. I would have curled up on the couch with a gallon of Rocky Road and a blood vow never to date again.
In Stray Magic by Jackie Bouchard, Cara Snow is perplexed when her fairy godfather, Vincent, shows up years after the ball—or in her case, the high school prom—is over. He offers her a chance at love after her marriage ends in divorce and on the heels of her daughter preparing to leave for college. You would think the fae folk would send the best of the best to rectify their mistake, but as luck will have it, Vincent’s botched spell leads to unexpected results. Jackie Bouchard brings new meaning to the word ‘stray’ with her modern day fairy tale, Stray Magic. While the second-rate fairy godfather adds an amusing touch of hilarity to a depressing situation, Cara’s own girl-next-door personality and her love of dogs are the driving forces that carry this romantic comedy into a special class of irresistible.
Aisling Gray acts as narrator for the audio version of Stray Magic. Gray does a polished job of presenting a consistent voice to the story. Her performance stands out as well balanced without interfering with the enjoyment of the star of the story—the plot. The audio book is professionally engineered with no background noise or pacing issues either. I am torn between adoring Cara for the way she bounces back time after time from romances gone astray (there is that word again) and envying her taking her rocky journey into self-discovery with such grace. Had I faced even half the complexities Cara faced, I would have done more than just blamed teenagers on the growing pile of fast food wrappers in the car. I would have curled up on the couch with a gallon of Rocky Road and a blood vow never to date again.
Recommend this book:
The Fog Seller
A San Francisco Mystery
Don Daglow
2018 Gold Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Benjamin Ookami for Readers' Favorite
Some crimes cannot be solved by the police alone. Don Daglow's mystery novel, The Fog Seller: A San Francisco Mystery, takes the police, for the most part, out of the equation. The murder of an actress and a man who sought to save the homes of many seniors and people with low-income jobs is quite the puzzler. The number of suspects is in high contrast with the number of answers. Captain Kreitzer aims to solve this murder in quite an unusual way: by letting the suspects do all the work for him. One of his suspects is a man named Steve Ondelle, a man who only talks in the present tense and who is "not good with questions." Only time will tell if Captain Kreitzer's plan will work.
Steve has five journals that he allows a woman (as well as the reader) to read. Steve is a shy human being who gets freaked out when people ask him certain questions. The author's portrayal of him was very believable. I liked the fact that Steve had a roommate named Liam who was his direct opposite. What makes Liam even cooler is that he can make a vial of San Francisco fog look like a delicious ice cream cone. The characters in this novel are absolutely amazing. Steve's reasons for solving the double murder are to get his friend Luis's job back and prove his innocence. The real identity of the killer isn't too obvious, so it's quite interesting to find out what the end result will be.
Some crimes cannot be solved by the police alone. Don Daglow's mystery novel, The Fog Seller: A San Francisco Mystery, takes the police, for the most part, out of the equation. The murder of an actress and a man who sought to save the homes of many seniors and people with low-income jobs is quite the puzzler. The number of suspects is in high contrast with the number of answers. Captain Kreitzer aims to solve this murder in quite an unusual way: by letting the suspects do all the work for him. One of his suspects is a man named Steve Ondelle, a man who only talks in the present tense and who is "not good with questions." Only time will tell if Captain Kreitzer's plan will work.
Steve has five journals that he allows a woman (as well as the reader) to read. Steve is a shy human being who gets freaked out when people ask him certain questions. The author's portrayal of him was very believable. I liked the fact that Steve had a roommate named Liam who was his direct opposite. What makes Liam even cooler is that he can make a vial of San Francisco fog look like a delicious ice cream cone. The characters in this novel are absolutely amazing. Steve's reasons for solving the double murder are to get his friend Luis's job back and prove his innocence. The real identity of the killer isn't too obvious, so it's quite interesting to find out what the end result will be.
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