Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite

The Legend of Oescienne - The Finding by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson is a fictional audio book that would appeal most to a mixed audience of children and young adults who enjoy the genre of action adventure and fantasy. Humans have been extinct for generations, ever since a curse forced them to live out their lives as dragons. Knowing this, dragon Jaax is astounded when a baby human girl is found in the province of Oescienne, yet he quickly takes responsibility for the young baby. Jahrra spends her time avoiding bullies and seeking adventure without worrying about the secrets her dragon mentor might be concealing from her, yet those secrets are very much a part of her as Jahrra quickly discovers as she fights to earn her place in the world.

The Legend of Oescienne - The Finding by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson has a very detailed cover that intrigued me and offered insight into what some of the characters and settings looked like. The book has a very interesting plot that pulled me in right from the moment Jaax was introduced. The author did a wonderful job of developing both Jaax and Jahrra, but I felt that some of the other characters could have benefited from being developed further. That, however, did not in any way detract from my enjoyment of the adventure that Jahrra found herself partaking in. The narrator of this audio book was Michael Ferraiuolo. Michael Ferraiuolo might be new to the voice acting scene, but you would not know it from his performance in this audio book. I really liked his voice when he was Jaax as it truly allowed me to get into the character’s mind and to understand Jaax as a character.

Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite

In the final analysis, let’s face it, nothing sells as much as family. Whether it’s non-fiction books about creating better family relationships or history books venturing struggles between powerful families for control of entire nations, family drama is always selling somewhere. The Taste of Air by Gail Cleare is family drama on a scale a little smaller than kings and queens or great houses, but is just as interesting as the dramatic lives of the Tudors, the houses of York and Lancaster. I like tales about families, and I prefer they be multi-generational so we can get a glimpse of and compare the different generations. In The Taste of Air, we get to compare the two families now. It’s hard to imagine being in this situation, although it is fun to imagine, but maybe it's not so much fun in reality.

I liked the plot and characters in The Taste of Air, more than other elements like the setting, though it is always interesting to read about places I have lived and worked. I liked Nell Williams. I think she is a good daughter and she took me deeper and deeper into the story emotionally and literally. I also found myself liking Mary and Bridgett too. Again, Gail Cleare does character and plot very well, especially female characters. The plot is built around family secrets and it works very well indeed. I liked the story. I liked the characters. Gail Cleare is a writer to watch out for. All she needs is a breakout novel. This just might be it.

Reviewed by Scherry Jenkins for Readers' Favorite

Kubrick's Game starts out with a nerdy, socially awkward college student, Shawn Hagan, attending a film class at UCLA. He proceeds to argue with his professor, beginning with the professor's pronunciation of Stanley Kubrick's name. The disagreement goes downhill from there, but Shawn is later called into Professor Mascaro's office and is shown a photo with a message written on the back from the famous Stanley Kubrick himself. This was the first in a long line of clues establishing the "game." Shawn enlists the help of two friends, Sami and Wilson, and the game is on! But as they proceeded, they realized that they were not the only people playing this game. Students from other universities were also involved ... and some really bad guys too! The kind of bad guys with guns.

This is one of those books that you will either love or hate. For me ... I loved it! And I'm not even a film buff or a fan of Stanley Kubrick! But I AM a fan of mysteries! And Kubrick's Game had mystery on every page. About one third into the story, I didn't think the characters were very well developed, but the more I read, the more I began to "know" them. They still weren't as developed as I would have liked, but what Derek Taylor Kent did with the story line made up for that. There was a touch of young adult, college-type humor thrown in that made me chuckle, and just enough suspense to hold my intrigue. And there was a touch of romance (but no tingles and you know how I love tingles). But what really fascinated me was the game itself. This wasn't your typical scavenger hunt. This game took the type of intelligence that few people - even people in the film industry -would have.

I was provided with the audio version of this book for my review, and although I appreciated that (I love Audible!), I can't help but feel I was a bit cheated when I realized that the book itself contained pictures that enhanced the story. I may just go buy the book to see more for myself. As for the audio version, I must say that the narrator, Jonathan Frakes, was wonderful. There were two other actors used for some of the different voices. It was extremely well done. So, whichever you choose, book or audio, be prepared for an intriguing tale!

Reviewed by Francine Zane for Readers' Favorite

Rip Tides is the ninth Lei Crime novel by Toby Neal. In the continuing saga of Detective Lei Texeira, the body of surfing champion Makoa Simmons washes ashore, and it is Lei’s job to investigate his murder. Meanwhile, her husband, Michael Stevens, struggles to overcome the pain of growing up in a household with an alcoholic parent when his mother reappears in his life.

In listening to the audio book version of Rip Tides, I was lulled into a comforting trance by narrator Sara Malia Hatfield’s soothing voice, as if I were listening to the surf in paradise. But even in paradise, bad people lurk in the shadows. Toby Neal does an excellent job of balancing the recreation of Hawaii and the culture there with bringing to light the dark underbelly of human nature that is common around the world. Combining Neal’s storytelling skills with Hatfield’s melodic vocals, it is easy to get lost in Lei Texeira’s world.

One thing I hate about many series is that I cannot step into the middle of the series without feeling as if I have missed out on important details. Not so with Neal's Rip Tides. While it is a part of a series, it stands alone as an exceptional read with just enough backstory to keep the main plot moving forward. I applaud the author's use of local references and laid back style, while still maintaining the suspense and tension necessary to make a good mystery novel stand out from the crowd.

Reviewed by Francine Zane for Readers' Favorite

Deadly Engagement by Lucinda Brant is the first book of the Alec Halsey Mystery series. Set in the 1700s, Alec Halsey returns to London only to find that his brother is engaged to the woman he loves, and a dear friend is dead under mysterious circumstances. During his brother's engagement party, events take a turn for the worst with murder, assault, and family secrets uncovered.

This is not a book for the faint of heart, or for readers who expect everyone to behave with high ethics, and that sex is something only discussed in the bedroom between spouses. On the outside, the life of a member of the gentry is ideal, but Lucinda Brant goes beyond appearances and digs deep into the sordid secrets that people through the ages have always sought to keep hidden. In Deadly Engagement, Brant delves into the family dynamics and social niceties while setting up and resolving a series of crimes that are intricately entwined and liberally dosed with romance.

I have nothing but good things to say about Deadly Engagement. The superior plot and expert characterization was professionally performed by Alex Wyndham, whose vocal talents allowed me to stay engrossed in the history-enriched era. I was reminded of my youth when I inhaled historical romances and books of intrigue as if they were air. I challenge anyone to read this first book of the Alec Halsey Mystery series and not crave more from the handsome Alec Halsey with his high sense of morals, dark good looks, and divine analytical mind.

Reviewed by Francine Zane for Readers' Favorite

Above all else, Crossing in Time by D.L. Orton is a love story starring Isabel and Diego, who lost love as young adults only to find it again later in life. But their newly found second chance comes on the cusp of a series of apocalyptic events. Forced apart by circumstances, Isabel and Diego refuse to give up on their love. They cross time and dimensions to save their relationship and civilization.

Whether reading Crossing in Time by D.L. Orton because of the romantic elements or because of the science fiction elements, this novel is written to please. Orton plays on the entire range of emotions to keep the reader engrossed in the story. Her grasp on portraying the human condition in even the most remote of circumstances is moving. Isabel and Diego are uniquely qualified to play hero and heroine to their happiness and the world at large. The concept of using dimension travel to parallel worlds to save this world is interesting and adds another energy-charged layer to a book that is already firing on all cylinders.

I reviewed the audio version of Crossing in Time, which came alive under the narration of Noah Michael Levine and Erin DeWard. I particularly appreciated the second chance to repair a relationship broken in youth later in life. The way Isabel and Diego are capable of truly committing to their rediscovered love is what everyone secretly craves. I also appreciated the detail taken to explain how animals are also affected by an apocalyptic event.

Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite

There has been a slew of kidnapped and missing children that is stumping the FBI. The Faithful by S.M. Freedman is an audio book narrated by Tanya Eby. Dr. Rowan Wilson is beginning to experience some strange dreams that are keeping her off course. She seems to be blacking out and unable to remember things about her current life, but is beginning to remember things about her childhood. She recalls a children’s chant, which means Remember Return. She doesn’t understand what this chant means and why this is happening. Her friendship with Agent Sumner is helping her to recall the past that was once lost to her. Now as Sumner gets deeper into helping Dr. Wilson understand her past, he is beginning to revisit his past as well. Sumner discovers later that the missing children are a part of his past. These kidnapped and missing children are special. These special children are housed at a camp for children with psychic abilities. These psychic abilities are being honed for the world’s destruction. Will Dr. Wilson's and Agent Sumner’s pasts change the course of things?

I always enjoy listening to an audio book. The Faithful by S.M. Freedman allowed me to just relax and let the story take over. It was interesting to see how all of the elements of the characters - from the missing children and Agents Metcalf and Sumner to Dr. Wilson - all gelled together. What a small world! While I enjoyed listening to this story, it got a little edgy due to its sexual overtones and choice words, but yet it's a great story. If you want to kick back and listen an audio book that will keep you engrossed and engaged, The Faithful by S.M. Freedman is ideal.

Reviewed by Janelle Fila for Readers' Favorite

Midnight Marriage: A Georgian Historical Romance by Lucinda Brant is a historical romance inspired by actual events in history. It is set during the extravagant and beautiful times of the 18th century aristocracy. Deb, a twelve-year-old girl, is drugged and whisked away to marry Julian, a rebellious youth, in the middle of the night. Deb remembers nothing of the night and grows up without the knowledge that she is actually married. When Julian returns to the scene nine years later, he plans to reclaims his first love before his rival seduces Deb and attempts to marry her. But how can Julian impress Deb and earn her trust with the knowledge of their past looming over their head? Worse, how can he explain the deception that mars their marriage and subsequent love?

Lucinda Brant did an excellent job of writing a sweeping family saga that showcases her talent in this genre and that will appeal to all fans of historical romance. This story has tons of lies, deceit, and manipulation that create well-written subplots intertwined in the story. The story is interesting, will keep the reader's attention, and is authentically written. The story moves along at a nice pace and will keep readers interested in the characters' sagas. The dialogue is authentic for the time period, and the historical aspect is written splendidly. The characters, outfits, settings, and customs are so fascinating that readers will find themselves falling in love with these characters and this novel in one fell swoop.

The narrator of this audio book was Alex Wyndham. Mr. Wyndham is a British actor and has many acting credits to his name including the Emmy award-winning Little Dorrit, HBO's Rome, the BBC series The Crimson Field, and Kenneth Branagh's "As You Like It." I think his acting expertise shone brightly in this audio book because it wasn't just read to the audience it was performed. I love audio books where you can "hear" different character voices and forget that you are listening to one narrator. The different use of voice and accents, tone and depth was fantastic and makes this an awesome audio "read."

Reviewed by Francine Zane for Readers' Favorite

Deceptive Cadence: The Virtuosic Spy, Book 1 by Kathryn Guare features Conor McBride, a talented musician who is recruited as an undercover agent to find his estranged brother, Thomas. Thomas was conned by the bad guys into a world of money laundering. Conor’s adventure takes him to India where he learns more about the criminal underworld than he ever wanted to know.

Imagine how Conor McBride’s life is turned upside down from country farmer to spy to infiltrating the criminal underground in such an exotic location as Mumbai. In a short time, he is urged to harden a big, open heart into that of a killer, but that part of his training never quite takes as fully as his handlers would like. Kathryn Guare’s Conor McBride is the compassionate cornerstone in a gem of a thriller. Deceptive Cadence is filled with memorable, unique characters who are not always what they seem. They are pulled together by circumstances and design, but the outcome is the wild card that grabbed me.

Conor’s strong sense of ethics and devotion to friends and family are what endeared him to me. He is the kind of man I would like on my side because I know he would look at the big picture before shooting the whole place up. He has a gentle side, but that doesn’t make him weak. On the contrary, the author has created a stubborn counterpart that frustrates his superiors and makes him hard to kill. I can’t wait to see him again in the next installment of the Virtuosic Spy Series.

This was the audio book version of Deceptive Cadence and it was expertly narrated by Wayne Farrell. His performance brought the characters to life and added the perfect amount of drama and angst to this well-written thriller. For me, he will always be the voice of hero Connor McBride. The pacing was appropriate and easy to follow. The production quality could not have been better.

Reviewed by Francine Zane for Readers' Favorite

What do you get when you mix a pot-smoking polygamist with a liberal dose of lesbians, homosexuals and rock star ass doctors rightfully named The Rectal Surgeons? Wonder no more. Gadzooks! A Comically Quirky Audio Book by Adele Park provides living proof that we can all get along, well, most of us anyway. Dissenters who encounter Nadine may end up taking a dirt nap while everyone else goes on to live happily ever after, or at least continues to breathe the air and smoke the dope.

While Gadzooks! A Comically Quirky Audio Book started off slowly, I eventually found myself pulled into the characters' world of so much craziness that it made my family look almost sane. Urban Dictionary would be proud of author Adele Park and her colorful turn of phrase for everything from sex and tender body parts to wacky weed. My absolute favorite was "purple-headed yogurt shaker." I also enjoyed the author's take on polygamy and how it compares to more conventionally accepted relationships with pluses and minuses on both sides. I appreciated how her characters were unique enough that I had no problem keeping them straight.

I was not as impressed with chapter after chapter of character building before the real plot became apparent. In fact the assisted suicide portion of the book is hardly touched upon. I keep asking myself what this diverse set of characters really had to do with one another beyond the family tree connections; however, the author managed to pull it all together and left me satisfied that all the pieces really did fit together.