Sharon

Outstanding with a caveat…

Reviewed: 01-31-25

The author described Trinidad in such a way that I felt I was there among the people and the bush. I was about halfway through the novel, telling family members how wonderful this book was, that it was among the very best I have ever read, but then there was an awkward scene with a boy going through puberty, and then later a very graphic scene of sexual abuse, and I was disappointed. The characterization, the setting, the mystery, the sense of foreboding, the heartbreak, it was overall very, very well written. I think if those two scenes were left out, it would be among my favorite books. as for the narration, it was great. However, I have never been to Trinidad, although I have been all over the Caribbean, so I am not sure if people of Indian descent born in Trinidad speak like that or not.

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One of her best

Reviewed: 03-06-21

I enjoyed this book set in Jamestown during the Tobacco Brides period. Great characters and exciting plot, a lot of interesting historical details, and a sweet love story make it easy to recommend to Christian historical fiction readers. Really, all of Laura Frantz books are very good. You can’t go wrong with any of them.

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4 people found this helpful

Could have been a fun read

Reviewed: 08-29-19

I bought this as an Audible original before there were many reviews. My kids and I were really enjoying the story despite a couple of s* words until suddenly a woman comes to visit Babe halfway through the story and wants to get right down to the screwing. I quickly turned off the book and began a discussion with my 11 year old on what a “screwball” is in baseball (from the title) and hoped she didn’t understand the context of the story. Unfortunate.

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1 person found this helpful

Absorbing dual timeline romance

Reviewed: 05-21-19

I can’t recall how I came across this book on Audible, but I’m sure I bought it because I always enjoy dual timeline stories: Susanna Kearsley, Melanie Dobson, etc. This one is set in Australia, like Ms. Freeman’s other stories. It is not completely clean as far as romance, but it is not graphic either. Premarital sex is referred to but not described in detail.

The historical plot involves a grieving young mother whose in-laws don’t understand her reaction to the loss of her newborn infant. As a mother of five who suffered from postpartum depression myself, though not a child’s death, I could relate to her strong feelings for her lost child. Her husband is a stereotypical misogynistic chauvinist, an easy man to dislike. Although I didn’t agree with many of Isabella’s actions, I continually hoped for her happiness. Her time in Australia was my favorite part of the book.

The modern story was also really good. Again, I didn’t agree with the choices of Libby, the main character, but I did like her. Her struggle to regain a relationship with her estranged sister was realistic and touching.

There is also a mystery involving the whereabouts of a priceless treasure that accompanied Isabella and her husband on their trip to Australia. It ties the two stories together. And although a character actually states the solving of the mystery was somewhat anticlimactic, I thought it was perfect. Very well done, Ms. Freeman. I will be buying another of your stories today.

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Wonderful adaption

Reviewed: 05-23-18

If you enjoyed the play and always wanted a more in-depth story, I think you will enjoy this beautifully narrated and very engrossing tale. I do not want to give anything away. My only warnings: There is a sex scene that is not graphic but is very sensuous to say the least. The crude parts of Shakespeare that are easy to miss by those not fluent in Elizabethan English are very easy to understand in the modern English novel. If you do not like the crudeness of Shakespeare, you will not like the crudeness in this novel. The nurse is quite vulgar, but funny. Last, although I love to listen to Richard Armitage, his Lady Capulet takes some getting used to. That said, I did love this novel very much and will listen to it again. Bravo.

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2 people found this helpful

Beautiful Cover, Beautiful Story, Unexpected

Reviewed: 02-01-18

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, but with some reservations. I DO NOT normally buy books about witches or shapeshifters, but was apparently enchanted by the beautiful cover and didn't read the reviews. The story takes place in a fantasy world in which some people are regular humans, and some people have one of four "gifts": telling (prophesy and telekinesis), healing, spinning (think Rumpelstiltskin), and changing (shapeshifting). The main character in the story is a teller (not to be confused with fortune-teller). She is called a witch by some, but she's actually not a witch in the sense of the present-day religion. Semantics, maybe, but for me, I'm okay with fantasy magic. So -- great book, but I think readers need to be aware of the subject matter.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lark, the heroine of the story. I liked her vulnerability, her passion, her courage.

What about Trina Nishimura’s performance did you like?

I read once that Miley Cyrus is a great voice actor (in the Disney movie Bolt) because she has an unusual, kind of raspy voice. Trina Nishimura has a similar voice, feminine but a little gravelly, but not like a cigarette smoker. It lends itself to convincing male and female characters. This book, I believe, is one of my favorite as far as narration. Trina's voice acting is sublime, and the book was made better for it, I think. Although the story itself was moving and well-plotted, if the narration hadn't pulled me in immediately, I might have initially been turned off by the subject matter.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Lark, a mute, wonders if she has the ability to compel others and wants a kiss but refuses to ask for one.

Any additional comments?

This story is incredibly romantic. It's the first book I've listened to by Amy Harmon, but it will not be the last. I plan to buy The Queen and the Cure next. I think the shapeshifting in the book was well done. I do not like the type of books where the shapeshifting itself is what makes a character attractive or sexy, if that makes sense. I do not like werewolf books, for example, or books where a bear-man is looking for a mate. I've never read Twilight. In The Bird and the Sword, the characters are not attracted to each other because they can change forms.

It was a clean read, for the most part. Sex is mentioned, but not in a graphic way. I'd recommend to young adults who do not need graphic sex to enjoy a story but do not mind brief references to it.

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1 person found this helpful

Terrific audiobook recommended by an author friend

Reviewed: 02-01-18

Where does Edenbrooke rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Edenbrooke is easily one of my favorite Regency period books. I enjoyed it as much as the best Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen books. Funny, sweet, very romantic, clean.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Marianne, definitely. She's always getting herself into awkward situations. Plus, she's loyal, brave, innocent, and spunky. Her interactions with her grandmother and Phillip were particularly funny.

Have you listened to any of Emily Elizabeth Hamilton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I really enjoyed her narration. It had a fairy tale quality about it. Her male characters were done well. They weren't as "sexy" as Nicole Barber's or Rosalyn Landor's, but they were convincing and pleasant to listen to.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Edenbrooke, a Proper Regency Love Story

Any additional comments?

If you're looking for a Regency book to listen to with teenage girls, or if you've just found Jane Austen and/or Georgette Heyer and can't get enough of the time period (but want something clean), give Edenbrooke a try. It's definitely worth a credit. I truly loved listening to it, and I'm excited to have found another clean but sizzling romance author.

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Beautiful

Reviewed: 01-25-18

I hate when reviewers say a certain narrator could read a phone book and they’d want to listen to it. So I won’t say it to you. But I’m thinking it. Richard Armitage. My goodness. What a voice. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

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Funny like Bob Newhart

Reviewed: 01-25-18

This little story made me and my 16 year old daughter laugh out loud several times on a recent car trip. An unsuspecting man is told by a friend to ask a stranger about a specific man the stranger is supposed to know, and the stranger tells a boring story about a different man with a similar name who had a problem with gambling and makes a bet on his talented jumping frog. The long winded story is told in a very serious manner and not meant to be funny — and that’s why it is. If you want to introduce your kids to Mark Twain, this short story is perfect. The exasperated man and the story-telling stranger are perfectly portrayed. Loved it.

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1 person found this helpful

Strong Christian Message in a Sweet Romance

Reviewed: 01-23-18

If you could sum up Leaving Oxford in three words, what would they be?

Uplifting. Redemption. Southern.

What did you like best about this story?

Probably the best parts of the story are the parts where Sarah Beth influences other people to trust in God. I must say, though, that I really liked the setting. Janet W. Ferguson does a great job describing the Mississippi climate, with humidity that is "air you could wear." I've been to Mississippi a few times, and my husband interviewed for a job in Gulfport not long before Hurricane Katrina. I remember the area well, though I've never been to Oxford.

Which scene was your favorite?

When a friend of Sarah Beth's gives their life to Christ.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I both laughed and cried. I am not a football fan, but I actually really liked the character of Jess, who is a college football coach and Sarah's close friend. Their romance was slow growing and realistic.

Any additional comments?

I normally veer away from strong Christian message novels, preferring instead novels with a Christian worldview. However, this one is worth making an exception for! Leaving Oxford is the story of a prodigal daughter who was raised in the church but went her own way during college. She realizes she needs God in her life, but living right after a long time of living wrong can turn one's life upside down. However, Sarah Beth LeClair is one determined woman, and she manages to show God's steadfast love to others, even when they don't understand her decisions.

The narrator was good. The only complaint I have is that her southern accent was not consistent. Sometimes it was light and sometimes strong in the same character. Sometimes -ing endings were enunciated, and sometimes the -g was dropped. For example, Sarah Beth says somethin' and workin' but also branding and blessing. Of course, I'm from Texas, and as I said those words out loud, I wasn't consistent either! So maybe it's pretty accurate after all.

I received a copy of Leaving Oxford from Janet W. Ferguson for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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3 people found this helpful