And Happy Sunday! Playing Catchup! This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Happy Sunday!

With new surge suppressor tower installed and many new power cord backups happily put away, this is one happy Sunday!  Now that everything is done, I’m happily typing away, even though storms are gathering with more forecast for tomorrow!  Happiness is backup cords!

We had started in on our recommendations for contemporary  stories involving soldiers/wounded warriors and you all didn’t let us down.  The wonderful recommendations came in and we have listed them below.  Thank you to Didi, Ami, H.B., Suze, Jen, Purple Reader, and Shirley Ann for all your great suggestions.  Please let me know if I let anyone’s out or if you think of any books that should be included after the fact!

Soldiers and Wounded Warriors Rec List Part II–

Annabeth Albert’s Resilient Heart,
Eli Easton’s How to Walk Like A Man,
JL Merrow’s Permanently Legless,
Jordan S Brock’s Change of Address
Between Ghosts by Garrett Leigh
Annabeth Albert’s Out of Uniform
The Sentinel by Eden Winters
The Telling by Eden Winters
Once a Marine by Cat Grant
500 Miles by Parker Williams
Walking Wounded by Lee Rowan.
I’ll be Your Drill ,Soldier by Crystal Rose.
Shell Shocked by Angelia Sparrow and Naomi Brook.
Soldier by AKM Miles.
Marathon Cowboys by Sarah Black
Special Forces series by Aleksandr Voinov
The Release series by B.A. Tortuga (3 books)
Manny Get Your Guy by Amy Lane

Honor by Cait Forester, Brian C. Palmer
Be Mine (At Last, The Beloved Series #2) by Stella Starling [series should be read in order]
Alpha Barman by Sue Brown
Cut & Run series by Abigail Roux
Strong Signal by Megan Erickson & Santino Hassell
Falling Down by Eli Easton
Latakia by J.F. Smith
Keeping Promise Rock by Amy Lane
Private Truths by C.B. Lewis
The General and the Elephant Clock of Al-Jazari by Sarah Black*
The General and the Horse Lord Series by Sarah Black get my vote as well as others
Sidewinder series by Abigail Roux
Marshalls series by Mary Calmes
Tonlet’s Wes’ Denial

Announcement:  The winner of the contemporary section is Shirley Ann!  Stella will be in touch with you about your certificate.

Now on to

Part II – Soldiers/Warriors ~ Historical and Science Fiction Recommendations

There are so many wonderful stories that involve the past and the future with warriors and soldiers.  Let’s start our next series of lists.  Whether the author is Charlie Cochrane or Aleksandr Voinov, their stories will have you under their spells of soldiers past and future.

Some of my recommendations:

Memory of Scorpions series by Aleksandr Voinov (Science Fiction)

Song of the Navigator by Astrid Amara (Science Fiction)

The Borders War (5 books) by S.A. McAuley (Science Fiction)

Promises Made Under Fire by Charlie Cochrane (historical)

The Devil Lancer by Astrid Amara (historical/fantasy)

More on mine later…..more coming!

Comment with recommendations and your email address and  two readers will be picked to receive a $10 gift cert from Dreamspinner Press or Amazon, your choice.  Giveaway ends next Saturday, August 5.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

 

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, July 23:

  • Annnd Happy Sunday! Playing Catchup~
  • This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, July 24:

  • DSP GUEST POST Roe Horvat on The Layover
  • Harmony GUEST POST Annabelle Jay on Caden’s Comet: Book Four in The Sun Dragon Series
  • Release Blitz Stormy Nights by Jules Jones, Storm Duffy
  • A MelanieM Review: Force of Nature (Coming About #4) by J.K. Hogan
  • A VVivacious Review: High and Dry (Mate of the Tyger Prince #5) by Shannon West
  • A Kai Audiobook Review: Summer Heat by Jay Northcote and Mark Steadman (Narrator)
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Devotion (Forbes Mates #1) by Grace R. Duncan and Joel Leslie (Narrator)

Tuesday, July 25:

  • Treading Water (Forgotten Soldier) by Jessie G Tour _Ena Amanda
  •  Blog Tour *Death by Starlight by Alexis Duran
  • DSP GUEST POST Luca Domani on American in Venice
  • A MelanieM Review: A Place for Dreams by Deja Black
  • An Alisa Review: Rescued by Dakota Storm
  • A Stella Review:  The Garden by Rosalind Abel
  • An Ali Audiobook Review:  A Day Makes by Mary Calmes and Greg Tremblay (Narrator)

Wednesday, July 26:

  • RIPTIDE TOUR Get a Grip (Bluewater Bay) by LA Witt
  • Audiobook Release Blitz The Necromancer’s Dilemma by S J Himes
  • REVIEW TOUR Up In The Air: Johannesburg by George Loveland
  • An Alisa Review: Up In The Air: Johannesburg by George Loveland
  • A MelanieM Review: Red, White, and a New Beginning by Thomas Grant Bruso
  • A VVivacious Review: That Doesn’t Belong Here by Dan Ackerman
  • A Lila Audiobook Review: Tall, Dark, and Deported by Bru Baker and Dorian Bane (Narrator)

Thursday, July 27:

  • Losing My Religion by AS Tucker  Release Tour
  • Release Blitz – Clare London’s Peep Show
  • RELEASE BLITZ Roaring Waters (The Warfield Hotel Mysteries #3) by CJ Baty
  • A Stella Review: Spun! by JL Merrow
  • An Ali Prerelease Review: Spectred Isle (Green Men #1) by K.J. Charles
  • A MelanieM Review: Treading Water by Jessie G
  • An Alisa Review: Man Candy (Candy #1) by Amanda Young

Friday, July 28:

  • RIPTIDE TOUR Cutie and the Beast (Fae Out of Water #1) by EJ Russell
  • RELEASE BLITZ Teresias Bound by Rebecca James
  • DSP GUEST POST BA Tortuga on Road Trip, Vol 1
  • Release Tour:Unscripted Love by  Aimee Nicole Walker
  • A Caryn Review: Cutie and the Beast (Fae Out of Water #1) by EJ Russell
  • A Stella Release Day Review: Runner by Parker Williams
  • An Alisa Audiobook Review: Pent Up by Damon Suede and Christopher Kipiniak (Narrator)

Saturday, July 29:

  • A MelanieM Review: Jordan’s Pryde (Pryde Shifter #1) by Giovanna Reaves

An Alisa Audiobook Review: The Perfect Sub (Iron Eagle Gym #2) by Sean Michael and Jeff Gelder (Narrator)

Rating:  2 stars out of 5

 

While new couple Tide and Lance spend time deepening their relationship and further introducing Lance to the joys and vagaries of being a sub, established couple Tyrone and Bran discover that they still have a thing or two to learn as well.

 

A new job finds Bran run off his feet, and a visit to the eye doctor leads to the discovery of a brain tumor. Bran is terrified. He strives to be the perfect sub for his beautiful master and sees the tumor as a personal failing as he tries to handle every last phone call, e-mail, and text that comes in, no matter how early or late. When Tyrone finally finds out about the tumor Bran’s been keeping a secret, he realizes he’s been taking his sub for granted, and he works to rediscover his boy and their relationship. Of course, that’s easier said than done given that Bran’s job is taking up all his time and he would rather pretend the tumor just doesn’t exist than actually deal with it.

 

It’s going to take all of Tyrone’s prowess as a master to help guide Bran through these troubled waters.

 

I am usually a fan of Sean Michael’s books but this one did not work for me and it was a combination of elements in the story and narration that made it even worse.  Bran and Lance both had so much trouble throughout the first part of the book thinking that they weren’t “worthy” of their masters and that is one dynamic that doesn’t work for me along with the focus on perfection and people looks.  In the end the focus on being perfect was pushed aside for being partners and perfect for each other which was nicer.  Other than that I had a hard time following the timeline in the story but I’m sure if that was from not having the story in front of me to see or not.

 

Unfortunately I can’t really say that Jeff Gelder did a nice job narrating the story.  He used different voices for each character but they would change throughout the story and then the character described as having a “deep sexy voice” had a very feminine lilt and soft voice most of the time.  He tried really hard to make it sound sensual but I just got the feeling that I was listening to a bad porno.  I think it’s safe to say that this story did not work for me, maybe at some point I can go back and try to read it and see if I don’t have quite the same opinion of it but it won’t be anytime soon.

 

Cover art by L.C. Chase is nice and goes with the series.

 

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press |   Audible | Amazon |  iTunes

 

Audiobook Details:

Audiobook, 7hrs 29min
Published June 9, 2017 (ebook first published March 28, 2016) by Dreamspinner Press
Edition Language: English

Check Out Smitty’s Sheriff by Cardeno C.! Out Now!

SBPRBanner-SS-RB.jpg

Smitty’s Sheriff, a sexy, heart-warming MM romance by Cardeno C. is now LIVE!

SmittysSherrif_eBookFinal

Todd is too flakey. Richard is too stubborn. Together, they’re perfect. A May-December couple get a second chance at love.

Retired soldier Richard Davis wants a stable life in a quiet town with a forever man. Becoming the sheriff of Hope, Arizona, accomplishes two of his three goals, but instead of finding a serious partner, he falls for too-young-to-be-committed and too-flakey-to-be-serious Todd Smitty. Richard won’t find the right man if he’s obsessed with the wrong one, so he walks away from Todd.

It’s lust at first sight when Todd meets his sister’s army friend. He sets his sights on the worldly, strong, stable older man, and the more time he spends with Richard, the harder he falls. But after three years together, Richard cuts off all contact with no explanation.

When a mutual obligation requires Todd to move into Richard’s house, he’s thrilled at the opportunity to earn a second chance. Ignoring Todd from across town was hard enough. Can Richard resist temptation under his own roof?

SS-ANKU

Read Today!

(Free in Kindle Unlimited)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2t27rtK

Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/d7gCWQ

Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/m1T8tj

Start the Series Today!!

mcfarlandsfarm-1400

McFarland’s Farm

Start the Series Today!

(Free in Kindle Unlimited)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2sdomvp

Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/PjzM88

Audio: https://goo.gl/AvDuHs

Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/hNFaHU

jessesdiner-Customdesign-JayAheer2015-smallpreview

Jesse’s Diner

(Free in Kindle Unlimited)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2tf0SVf

Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/tibqX7

Audio: https://goo.gl/7hnF2G

Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/jLqoym

About Cardeno C.

Cardeno C.—CC to friends—is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few awwws into a reader’s day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno’s stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever-after sunset.

CardenoC.

Connect with Cardeno C.

Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/CardenoC

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CardenoCWrites/

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CardenoC/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CardenoC

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cardenoC/

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2tfq5z8

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cardenoc/

Tumblr: https://cardenoc.tumblr.com

Blog: http://caferisque.blogspot.com

Join the Romance Readers Club Today to stay up to date with Cardeno C. and get a free read every month:

https://theromanceauthors.com

http://www.cardenoc.com

A Lila Audiobook Review: The Ranchers Son (Montana #2) by RJ Scott and Sean Crisden (Narrator)

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

A man without memories, and the cop who never gave up hope.

When he wakes up in hospital, the victim of a brutal beating, John Doe, has no memories of who he is or who hurt him. The cops can find nothing to identify him and he can’t remember anything to help… except the name Ethan and one recurring place from his dreams. Three words, and they’re not much, but it’s a start. Crooked Tree Ranch.

Cop, Ethan Allens has never stopped searching for his brother and his brother’s best friend who vanished. When a report lands on Ethan’s desk that may give new leads he jumps at the chance to follow them up. The man he finds isn’t his brother, but it’s someone who could maybe help him discover what happened ten years ago.

What neither man can know is that facing the very real demons of the past could very well destroy any kind of future they may think they have together.

The Rancher’s Son has a perfect balance of angst and hope. Ethan’s need to know what had happened, not only to his brother but to his own first love, gets the reader to empathize with him from the beginning. You will want to cheer him up until he gets the answers he needs.

The way he responds to Adam’s return only added to the enchantment. The way he took care of Adam’s needs first was endearing. I wanted to know more about Justine, but Ethan’s and Adam’s new relationship is the real priority of the story.

The author managed to intertwine the characters from the previous book and the overall series plot with this particular volume without neglecting Ethan and Adam. Add to that, all the settings and other descriptions and it makes for an entertaining read.

I did find the travel part of the story a bit too long and repetitive, but overall, it worked with the rest of the action. Plus, we get enough of a hint of what’s to come in the next book and with the next love couple. Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

Sean Crisden did an excellent job voicing the characters. It did take me a minute to get used to the different cadences, but after a couple of minutes, it was easy to get into the story.

The cover by Meredith Russell shows Ethan and Adam in front of a nice landscape that can be assumed to be part of the Crooked Tree Ranch. It goes with the main elements in the story.

Sales Links:  Amazon | iTunes | Audible

Audiobook Details:

Narrator: Sean Crisden
Length: 6 hours 25 minutes
Published: June 26, 2017 (Audio Edition) by Love Lane Books Limited
ASIN: B0731PJ8ZC
Edition Language: English

Series: Montana
Book #1: Crooked Tree Ranch
Book #2: The Rancher’s Son

Review Tour for The Ranchers Son (Montana #2) by RJ Scott and narrated by Sean Crisden

 

 
 
Narrated By: Sean Crisden
 
Length: 6hr 25mins
 
Cover Design: Meredith Russell 
 
Blurb
 

A man without memories and the cop who never gave up hope.


When he wakes up in the hospital, the victim of a brutal beating, John Doe has no memory of who he is or who hurt him. The cops can find nothing to identify him and he can’t remember anything to help…except the name Ethan and one recurring place from his dreams. Two words, and they’re not much, but it’s a start: Crooked Tree.


Detective Ethan Allens has never stopped searching for the two boys who vanished. When a report lands on Ethan’s desk that may give new leads, he jumps at the chance to follow them up. The man he finds isn’t his brother, but it’s someone who could maybe help him discover what happened 12 years ago.


What neither man can know is that facing the very real demons of the past could destroy any kind of future they may have together.

July 8 – BFD Book Blog

Author Bio


RJ Scott is the bestselling romance author of over 100 romance books. She writes emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men and women who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing.


The last time she had a weekís break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldnít defeat.


mailto:rj@rjscott.co.uk
www.rjscott.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/author.rjscott?ref=ts&fref=ts
www.goodreads.com/author/show/3432558.R_J_Scott
twitter.com/Rjscott_author
www.librarything.com/author/scottrj




a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

 

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

 

A Lila Audiobook Review: Forgotten Paradise by Shira Anthony and Narrator: Andrew McFerrin

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

It’s dangerous diving for secrets.

When a mega company threatens to take over his family-owned business, programming prodigy Adam Preston escapes the stress with a much-needed vacation in the Dominican Republic. There he meets attractive, intelligent, insightful Jonah James, a scuba dive instructor, and what starts as a holiday fling soon blossoms into much more.

But Jonah has a secret: ten years ago he woke up on an island beach with no idea how he got there… or even who he is. Their paradise may not be as perfect as it seems. When Jonah’s memories come crashing back like waves on the sand, will it be Adam clinging to the proverbial life raft, or will the two men find a safe harbor to ride out the storm?

Forgotten Paradise is a quick summer read with a delightful love story. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon in the company of great characters and an easy going, but interesting plot.  The traditional troupes of this series let the reader’s imagination free and into a travel adventure.

Adam and Jonah are both “bigger than life characters.” They live in that imaginary bubble with all want to believe in. The spin on the amnesia plot brought the two parts of the story together–the vacation and their real lives.  I enjoyed the time the author took making each part unique.

There are a lot of descriptions about the settings, the diving trips, and Adam’s vacation. It was a bit overwhelming at times, but it added to the color of the story. The romance itself is the central part, but the small twists and turns framed the story well.

One thing I appreciated about the story was the path Adam and Jonah followed. They both grew as individuals and businessmen. And their HEA work well with the rest of the story.

Andrew McFerrin did a remarkable job with the narration. My only complaint comes from the accents of the Dominican characters. They really didn’t sound the part, but overall, it was an enjoyable work.

The cover by Bree Archer matches the series and Jonah’s description. A bit generic, but it follows the format.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner | iTunes | Audible

Audiobook Details:

Narrator: Andrew McFerrin
Length: 5 hours 49 minutes
Published: June 1, 2017 (Audio Edition) by Dreamspinner Press
ASIN: B071LTJB8J
Edition Language: English

A Lila Audiobook Review: Bonfires by Amy Lane and Nick J. Russo (Narrator)

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Ten years ago Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron George lost his wife and moved to Colton, hoping growing up in a small town would be better for his children. He’s gotten to know his community, including Mr. Larkin, the bouncy, funny science teacher. But when Larx is dragged unwillingly into administration, he stops coaching the track team and starts running alone. Aaron—who thought life began and ended with his kids—is distracted by a glistening chest and a principal running on a dangerous road.

Larx has been living for his kids too—and for his students at Colton High. He’s not ready to be charmed by Aaron, but when they start running together, he comes to appreciate the deputy’s steadiness, humor, and complete understanding of Larx’s priorities. Children first, job second, his own interests a sad last.

It only takes one kiss for two men approaching fifty to start acting like teenagers in love, even amid all the responsibilities they shoulder. Then an act of violence puts their burgeoning relationship on hold. The adult responsibilities they’ve embraced are now instrumental in keeping their town from exploding. When things come to a head, they realize their newly forged family might be what keeps the world from spinning out of control.

Bonfires is a lovely story with mature characters and well-behaved teenagers. The best part is that everyone acted their age and the plot, even when a little fantastic, move forward following an interesting set of developments and real love and family relationships.

This is not only a romance but a bit of a mystery with the added drama of small towns. We have several story lines running parallel and in normal Amy Lane fashion everyone in town, including the animals play an important part in the plot and the MCs’ love story.

Everyday events, like breakfasts & homework, are well-mixed with Larx’s and Aaron’s developing relationship. They not only get to know each other but those around them before and after they met. Their pasts are as important as their present and how they want to shape their future.

I did want to see more alone time between the main characters. They spent a lot of time just solving other people’s problems and dealing with their families. I wanted a bit of downtime for them to really have a chance to discover each other without interruptions or expectations.

Overall, this is another hit by this author. It’s the proverbial big book of everything, but as always, it works.

Nick J. Russo did an excellent job giving all the characters a unique voice. It was easy to get immersed in the story.

The cover by Anne Cain shows one of the story’s main scene to perfection. It’s a bit different than traditional MM romances, but so it’s the book.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner | iTunes | Audible

Audiobook Details:

Narrator: Nick J. Russo
Length: 9 hours 34 minutes
Published: June 9, 2017 (Audio Edition) by Dreamspinner Press
ASIN: B071WQJ72H
Edition Language: English

What’s Your Favorite Story Time Again and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

What’s Your Favorite Story Time Again – Soldiers and Wounded Warriors

With the holidays flashing by…Memorial Day, Independance Day….I thought about all the stories that I love so much that contained soldiers and/or vets returned from tours of duty.  Some of them are series and some are stand alone novels but there’s no denying the impact on your mind and heart they leave behind.

Some stories are contemporary and some reach far into the future or into the past but the soldier’s lot (no matter the gender) remains the same in its basics.  The dealing with the fear of the unknown, the stress, the pain, the loss, and the battles.  And then for some, the re-entry into civilian life.  So let’s hear again from all of you, what are your favorite stories with soldiers and why?  I thought we’d divide them into categories this time.  This week its contemporary fiction.  Next week: Other, from Science Fiction to Historical.  Let me know if you think that’s too broad a category and I’ll adjust it.

So I’ll start off our list of contemporary fiction with a series near to my heart:

♦︎The Release series by B.A. Tortuga (3 books) – all dealing with vets being released back into civilian life.  It’s outstanding.

♦︎Manny Get Your Guy by Amy Lane – wounded vet dealing with rehab and reentry at the same time.

That’s just for starters.  What’s yours?  Of course, there’s a giveaway attached for this List.

Contemporary Soldier/Wounded Warrior Story Recommendation Reader List

Comment with recommendations and your email address and one or two readers will be picked to receive a $10 gift cert from Dreamspinner Press.  Giveaway ends next Saturday, July 15th in time to start our next Soldiers-Others category.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, July 9:

  • Review Tour THE SHAPE OF YOU by Felice Stevens
  • A Jeri Review: The Shape of You by Felice Stevens
  • What’s Your Favorite Story Time Again
  •  This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, July 10:

  • Blog tour Racing the Sky by Layla Dorine
  • DSP GUEST POST Rick R Reed on M4M
  • A VVivacious Review: Regret by Christina Lee
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: M4M by Rick R. Reed
  • A Lila Audiobook Review: Bonfires by Amy Lane and Nick J. Russo (Narrator)
  • An Alisa Review:  Facing Fears by Morticia Knight

Tuesday, July 11:

  • DSP GUEST POST Leigh Carman on Two-Man Advantage
  • RIPTIDE TOUR All Wheel Drive by ZA Maxfield
  • A Free Dreamer Review: Moro’s Price by M Crane Hana
  • A Jeri Review: Chief’s Mess (Anchor Point #3) by L.A. Witt
  • A Julia Review: Painting Class ( Chiaroscuro, #1) by Suzanne Clay
  • An Alisa Review: Different Dynamics by Tamir Drake

Wednesday, July 12:

  • DSP GUEST POST Andrew Grey on Fire and Fog
  • Review Tour – Meg Harding – Finding Home
  • Tour: Unscripted Love by Aimee Nicole Walker RDB,
  • A Jeri Release Day Review: FAST Balls (Balls to the Wall #5) by Tara Lain
  • A Lila Audiobook Review: Forgotten Paradise by Shira Anthony and Narrator: Andrew McFerrin
  • A MelanieM Review: Broke Deep (Porthkennack #3) by Charlie Cochrane
  • A Stella Release Day Review: Mascara & Bandages (Mary’s Boys#3) by Brandon Witt
  • A Stella Review: Finding Home by Meg Harding

Thursday, July 13:

  • Harmony GUEST POST Gene Gant
  • Review Tour – RJ Scott – The Ranchers Son (Montana #2) narrated by Sean Crisden
  • A Lila Audiobook Review:  The Ranchers Son (Montana #2) by RJ Scott and Sean Crisden (Narrator)
  • A MelanieM Review: Werecat: The Sim Ru Prophecy by Andrew J. Peters
  • An Ali Audiobook Review : The Innocent Auction (Innocent #1) by Victoria Sue and Joel Leslie (Narrator)
  • An Alisa Review: A New Way to Dance by Sean Michael

Friday, July 14:

  • Letting Go by Morningstar Ashley Release Day Blitz
  • RIPTIDE TOUR and Giveaway: The Other Five Percent by Quinn Anderson
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: A Kind of Home by Lane Hayes
  • A Jeri Review: The Other Five Percent by Quinn Anderson
  • A VVivacious Review:  Rent Mate by Ash Penn
  • An Alisa Release Day Review: Who We Truly Are (Enhanced #2) by Victoria Sue

Saturday, July 15:

A MelanieM Release Day Review: All In (Wild Cards #3) by Ava Drake

 

 

 

An Ali Audiobook Review: Vassily the Beautiful (The ESTO Universe) by Angel Martinez and Greg Boudreaux (Narrator)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Vassily Belikov, composer and pampered son of privilege, suffered neurological damage in the accident that killed his father. Resentful of being treated as an invalid, he lives as a recluse, dependent on his mother. That changes the day she brings home a new husband with two sons of his own.

When deep-space pirates capture Vassily’s mother, he’s left to the mercy of his cruel, amoral stepfather. Fighting addiction and his physical shortcomings, he’s forced to seek out the criminal mastermind Baba Yaga for a crucial piece of equipment. While she agrees to deal with him if he beats his Exoticus addiction, paranoia and mysterious intentions infuse her household. Drawn to her fierce, suspicious youngest son, certain his actions are all carefully observed, Vassily must find the courage to face both his fears and his desires if he expects to survive.
 
I wasn’t sure about this book at the beginning.  Vassily was very fragile and made some decisions that didn’t make any sense to me.  Some of the abuse by his step-father was also a bit hard to read.  But when Vassily heads across the city to find the infamous Baba Yaga the story just took off out of the gate.  I loved it from then until the end.  
 
This is a sci-fi setting but it is not heavy on that aspect.  I mention that because I’m not a big sci-fi fan but I feel like there were just small aspects to this and really it just felt like a story in another universe.  It was easy to read and the world building was detailed enough for you to get the feel for how and where they live, but wasn’t overwhelming and didn’t overshadow the story.
 
I think the author did a great job with the characters.  There were a lot and they all stood out as individuals.  The villains were wonderfully bad, Vassily, once he starts to stand up for himself, was sweet and charming, and Baba Yaga and her sons were just awesome.  They were the highlight of the story for me.  
 
I loved the pairing of Vassily and Sumerki.   It was such a great opposites attract pairing.  Vassily soothed and mellowed Sumi out and Sumi’s fierceness gave Vassily the strength he needed.  
 
This audiobook was narrated by Greg Boudreaux and I thought he did a great job.  There were a lot of characters so there were a lot of voices, plus there were a lot of different accents.  I felt like he did them all really well.  This was my first time listening to this narrator but he will be going on my list of people to look for in future audiobooks.
 
Overall I enjoyed everything about this.  It was a unique plot and a sweet love story.  By the end I was fully invested in the characters and I really hope this author will revisit this world one day and give both of Sumi’s brothers stories also.
 
Cover:  I think the cover is nicely done.  I think it sets the feel for the book really well and the character on the cover fits the MC.  I also think the color scheme is attractive and eye catching.
Sales Links:  Mischief Corner Books | Amazon
Book Details:
ebook, 2nd Edition, 216 pages
Published June 11th 2014 by Mischief Corner Books LLC (first published April 2nd 2012)
ASINB00KWOP7NY
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe ESTO Universe

An Ali Audiobook Review: A Second Harvest (Men of Lancaster County #1) by Eli Easton and narrator Will Tulin

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
David Fisher has lived by the rules all his life. Born to a Mennonite family, he obeyed his father and took over the family farm, married, and had two children. Now with both his kids in college and his wife deceased, he runs his farm alone and without joy, counting off the days of a life half-lived.

Christie Landon, graphic designer, Manhattanite, and fierce gay party boy, needs a change. Now thirty, he figures it’s time to grow up and think about his future. When his best friend overdoses, Christie resolves to take a break from the city. He heads to a small house in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to rest, recoup, and reflect.

But life in the country is boring despite glimpses of the hunky silver fox next door. When Christie’s creativity latches on to cooking, he decides to approach his widower neighbor with a plan to share meals and grocery expenses. David agrees, and soon the odd couple finds they really enjoy spending time together.

Christie challenges the boundaries of David’s closed world and brings out feelings he buried long ago. If he can break free of the past, he might find a second chance at happiness.
This was a really lovely stories about second chances and the fact that you’re never too old to reinvent yourself.  These two men, who on the surface had nothing in common, actually found they had a lot of the same hopes and dreams.  What starts as a friendship turns in to a really sweet romance.  I really liked both of their characters and I found their romance to be realistic and believable. I loved watching the two of them fall in love.
While I liked Christie a lot, David is who stole the story for me.  I could totally relate to him as I grew up in a similar environment and I know first hand how stifling and oppressing it can be.  The scenes of him with his National Geographic magazines, always dreaming of other things, made my heart hurt for him.  I was so happy for him when he made up his mind to break free and make huge changes in his life.
The writing was engaging and drew me in from the very first chapter.  As I’ve said, really enjoyed both of the MC’s and I found their romance to be super sweet and touching. I didn’t have any complaints about the book and I went through the entire audio in one day as I cleaned and did yard work.
The book was narrated by Will Tulin and I liked him a lot.  He is a new to me narrator but one I will definitely listen to again.  He get a great job on both of the MC’s as well as all of the side characters.  I think his narration really added to the overall story and I would recommend this.
Cover by Bree Archer:  The cover was done by Bree Archer and I like it a lot.  I think it is eye catching and really beautiful.  It is also a great representation of the story.
Audiobook Details:
Listening Time: 7 hrs 40 min
Audiobook
Published June 7th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press LLC (first published July 1st 2016)
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesMen of Lancaster County #1