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B. Lane

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A Delightful Jane Eyre Rom Com

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-06-23

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. And, as always, any book narrated by Joel Froomkin is an absolute joy. Joel breathes life into every character, no matter if it's a single line in the whole book.

Taking place in England, a wealthy Lord learns that a female cousin in America has been left orphaned, and although 18, women in the 19th Century were not considered able to take care of themselves, this despite the fact that Susanah has inherited quite a bit of land and money. So, doing his duty, Lord Richard Ramsay sends a proposal of marriage. Susanah accepts and boards a ship to England.

Richard's other cousin, Jane, had assumed the mantle of Lady of the House upon the death of Richard's mother, for home she had been taken on as companion 10 years earlier. Oh, and Richard had proposed to Jane 10 years ago, but she turned him down, at the time because she didn't know him well, but in the intervening years, she has fallen in love with him. And, of course, Richard is oblivious to this, but everyone else in the household know it.

And yet another cousin, a poorer relation, has been working as Richard's valet for the last two years. So Richard sends Peter to accompany Susanah from the docks to his mansion. Peter is immediately smitten, as is Susanah, but neither can say anything because of her betrothel to Richard.

Susanah is not as cultured as a British lady would be, so she is a little backwards in the things she says and does. But she learns something new every day, mostly in Peter's company.

So, you can probably guess at the Rom-Com elements I've described and the complications that ensue.

But the author knows how British society worked in those days and gives the story authenticity for the times. Joel Froomkin's voices bring all these characters to life perfectly. Joel always puts a little movie in my head, his characters and even the situations performed exquisitely.

If you're a Rom Com fan, or a fan of Sheri Cobb South's books, you will thoroughly enjoy this one, too.

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What a Treat to revisit Whistle Stop

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-22-23

I can’t tell you what a treat this book and Fannie Flagg’s narration was!

Fried Green Tomatoes has always been a favorite movie of mine. I’m 60 years old now and that movie, the original novel and now this sequel have made me nostalgic for my grandparent’s hometown in West Virginia. Although it was the 1960’s and 70’s, that little tiny town with a train running through the downtown area was a town out of the past all those years, somewhat like Whistle Stop.

This book continues more of Idgie and Ruth’s story as Buddy Threadgoode, Jr grows up, marries and has a daughter he names Ruthie. Buddy and Ruthie end up meeting Evelyn Couch, who had been such good friends with Ninny Threadgoode. Ninny and Idgie’s spirits seem to push these three together and whistle Stop lives again!

If you’re a fan of just the book, the movie, or both, you will enjoy the further adventures of Whistle Stop!

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Another Great Horror Story with a Great Narratot

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-05-22

Once again, Joe Hempel gives an exemplary performance of one of Jeff Strand’s original horror novels. And what a concept. Two guys accept a job from a woman to dig up her recently deceased husband’s grave and retrieve a key that was buried with him.

This turns into a complete nightmare for the two men, well, one more so than the other, as it turns into an investigation of the dead man’s business while an unknown killer has targeted them. Is the killer one of the employees or one of their clients?

It gets crazier by the page, and Joe Hempel keeps the action going and the listener wanting more!

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Excellent Period Drama

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-23-20

Benedict Hannon receives an invitation to Scotland for an auction of the late Lord Armillan's fine arts and antiquities. There is an object the Hannon has been waiting 30 years to obtain. But he is also confronted by his past in the form of Sebastian Ardmillan, his lover from his university days. But he has repressed that part of himself ever since due to the morals of the times. He has been lonely all this time. Things get complicated for Hannon while trying to obtain this special object....

Gary Furlong hits another one out of the park. This man is fantastic in all of his narrations. He gives the perfect air of high society to the voices and just takes you back to the 1890's for 3 hours.
Isobel Starling has written a period piece with very in depth characters and information of the times. I can't wait for the next in the series.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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Two Men and a Baby = A Great Romance

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-23-20

Short, but sweet romance. When a baby is left on the doorstep of an Alpha male, he is positive it is not his, but the little tyke is too irresistible for Shane. He decides to raise the child and asks Sheriff Brady Schell for help with the paperwork for adoption, Brady offers to help Shane with the baby and soon they find themselves falling for each other. But obstacles may keep them apart.

Really enjoyable listen. This was actually my introduction to the series, and then I found out it is the conclusion, but it was kind of stand alone, so I don't think I missed anything.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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Short story with no point

Overall
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Story
2 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-23-20

This was kind of confusing. A story about two boys falling in love and discovering themselves when a fallen angel comes between them. The story just didn't seem to be going anywhere, and the narration was rather monotone. Maybe a better narrator would have helped.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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A Horny Adventure in Your Ears

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-23-20

Short and fun listen. A cruise ship bartender who does as many of the male passengers as he can, is invited to join a mysterious group when his lover is suddenly found dead. He must solve the mystery of who killed his lover before the cruise ends.
Full of very descriptive sex galore, the narrator keeps this romp moving and your ears popping!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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Fun!

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-28-20

A short and fun listen you can knock out in a day at 5 hours.

Jack, an unambitious young man, takes a job at Black Hotel. He works the night shift, which he loves because there are no guests, so he can pretty much do whatever he wants all night. But soon, he starts seeing ghosts. Is it real, or is he going crazy? None of his co-workers believe him.

The characters in this book were fun, and the action got to be a little slapstick at times and a little slow at times, but the overall story and characters are great, as is the narration, which keeps the story moving and interesting enough to keep you listening in one sitting.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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A Great Start to the Series

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-28-20

Amanda Givens is a white witch who lives quietly in the woods of Canaan, Connecticut. She is very careful about how and when she uses her magic so that people will not find out that a witch lives among them. Amanda's husband, Jake, recently died in a car accident and Amanda is devastated by his death.

While still grieving, she is accused of ritualistic murders committed by a cult - a cult that is after her. And she is the only one who can stop this cult and redeem herself, but when she goes to the setting of the murders, she is suddenly drawn back in time to take the place of dark witch Rachel Coxe in the 17th Century. Everyone still sees Rachel when they look at her. Rachel's children are afraid of her. Amanda must change history and Rachel's reputation in the 17th Century, hoping that will return her to her time. Meanwhile, she meets a man who looks just like Jake and learns that he was Rachel's lover. Part of her wants to remain in the past to stay with this man, whom she believes Jake is the reincarnation of.

A pretty good story, with shades of the 1960's TV series "Dark Shadows," which had a similar story, recreated in the 1991 remake of the show, for anyone who may remember either version. In it, a young woman is sent into the past during a seance, and takes the place of a young woman from 1795 who was wrongly accused of witchcraft and hanged for her supposed sin. She must convince the people of 1795 that she is not the witch who is destroying the lives of the family she is staying with.

I don't know whether those shows inspired Kathryn Meyer Griffith in writing this story, but it was different and thoroughly enjoyable as well. I plan to listen to the next book in the series soon.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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The Phoenix Sanction Audiobook By Christopher Cartwright cover art

Recent Events Inspire a Sam Reilly Thriller

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-28-20

Two events happen and it will take Sam Reilly to make the connection.

An Airline Pilot awakes to find the crew and all the passengers unconscious. An old miner discovers an Obsidian mask. The mask is one of 7 representing 7 species of man throughout the ages. Do the masks have anything to do with the Master Builder's? If the masks fall into the wrong hands, a deadly plague could be released that will wipe out mankind.

Sam Reilly to the rescue!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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