Category: Audio Books

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Trailer Trash by Marie Sexton and John Solo (Narrator)

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

trailer-trash-audioIt’s 1986, and what should have been the greatest summer of Nate Bradford’s life goes sour when his parents suddenly divorce. Now, instead of spending his senior year in his hometown of Austin, Texas, he’s living with his father in Warren, Wyoming, population 2,833 (and Nate thinks that might be a generous estimate). There’s no swimming pool, no tennis team, no mall—not even any MTV. The entire school’s smaller than his graduating class back home, and in a town where the top teen pastimes are sex and drugs, Nate just doesn’t fit in.

Then Nate meets Cody Lawrence. Cody’s dirt-poor, from a broken family, and definitely lives on the wrong side of the tracks. Nate’s dad says Cody’s bad news. The other kids say he’s trash. But Nate knows Cody’s a good kid who’s been dealt a lousy hand. In fact, he’s beginning to think his feelings for Cody go beyond friendship.

Admitting he might be gay is hard enough, but between small-town prejudices and the growing AIDS epidemic dominating the headlines, a town like Warren, Wyoming, is no place for two young men to fall in love.

I well remember the eighties. I know I’m dating myself, but as my reviewer name says, I’m a zany old lady. I got that way from living through those eighties. Just kidding. But I do have a very close friend who realized he was gay in his early teens and couldn’t tell anyone in our small, homophobic hometown. He visited Chicago with his twin brother and a friend when he was eighteen and when he graduated from high school, he took what I now know was a courageous leap of faith and moved there alone. He’s been with his partner since the mid-eighties and I can recall keeping him in my prayers when the AIDS crisis peaked.

This is a young adult story featuring two young men, Cody and Nate, who I totally fell in love with. Their story made me think of my friend all while I was reading. Each had a different family background and set of circumstances, yet fate brought them together at a time when gay men were still in hiding in most of the states, and most definitely in a rural territory in Wyoming. There are so many very, very sad times in this story. It’s definitely not fluff. But it’s also not something that I would pass up, no matter how tough it got. Marie Sexton never fails to reach down deep in my gut and wrench up all the feels I try to keep hidden, and she does it with such finesse, I can easily forgive her.

John Solo’s narration was spot on. Two weeks later and I can still hear their voices and feel their pain, and of course, their moments of joy. Cody and Nate’s story is not to be missed and the audiobook format is wonderful.

Cover art by Jay Aheer is poignant and quite wonderful.

Sales Links

Riptide Publishing

Audiobook Details:

Listening Length: 9 hours and 43 minutes
Audible Audio, 10 pages

Published October 19th 2016 by Riptide Publishing (first published March 21st 2016)
ASINB01M5BJX19
Edition Language English

An Alisa Audiobook Review: Dirty Little Secret (Cabin For Two Series) by Freddy MacKay and Michael Pauley (Narrator)

Rating:  3 stars out of 5

 

dirty-little-secretErik decides geocaching is the best way to heal himself after work and personal problems overwhelm him, but the trip goes horribly wrong. Falling down the side of a mountain deters Erik’s plans for a quick cache find, but his rescuer is the one person who may be able to save Erik in more ways than he can imagine.

 

This was a nice story, if a bit depressing at times.  Erik’s life has turned to crap, finding out his lover was married and is now his boss just seems to get worse.  He doesn’t know where to turn for help, so he decides to spend some time alone with his thoughts.  Turns out it brings him to the steps of a friend and colleague, Jonah.

 

This story is told from Erik’s point of view and he is wallowing in self pity.  He hasn’t had anyone to turn to since he found out about Jerry’s lying.  Erik feels that he has to keep Jonah at arms length even when he is helping him recover.  When Jonah finally tells Erik all he had done to try and win Erik over without flat out saying anything, he is speechless.  I just wish we could have seen these two when they are together in the future.

 

Michael Pauley did a good job narrating this story.  I could connect with the characters through the voices and emotions he portrayed.  Even though this is a book I have read it gave me a new connection to the story listening to him.

 

Cover art is nice and catches your eye.

 

Sales Links: Mischief Corner Books | Audible | Amazon | iTunes

 

Audiobook Details:

Audiobook, 2 hrs 16 min
Published: October 28, 2016 (ebook, published September 21, 2013) by MCB
Edition Language: English

In Our Holiday Audiobook Spotlight: Snowed In by Teodora Kostova (special audio excerpt and giveaway)

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Title: Snowed In
Author: Teodora Kostova
Release Date: November 14th 2016
Genre: Audiobook, Contemporary MM Romance

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BLURB

Be careful what you wish for…

Nate has been in love with Quinn, his brother’s best friend, for as long as he can remember. But when he finally gets the chance to show Quinn how he feels, his heart gets broken in the most unexpected way.

Second chances come when you least expect them…

Quinn doesn’t believe in miracles, especially not Christmas ones. When he decides to win Nate back he knows it won’t be easy. The last thing he expects is a health scare, a road trip and a vicious snow storm to work in his favor.

In the end, a cabin in the woods turns out to be not only the shelter they desperately need, but also Quinn’s very own Christmas miracle.

Sometimes, to forgive, you need to get snowed in…

Buy Links: Audible | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Goodreads

Book Trailer: Youtube

Snowed In audio book tour

Excerpt #4

The guy peered above Nate’s shoulder, his arm still curled around Nate’s waist protectively. Quinn’s stare zeroed in on the fingers fanned out on Nate’s stomach, and primal jealousy erupted strong and hot in his gut.

“Nate,” Brandon said, standing up and stepping in front of Quinn, shielding him from view.  “Wanna get dressed and come out here? We need to talk.”

Nate’s lips curved into a cruel smile. “Nah. I’m good.” He entwined his fingers with the ones on his stomach, turned his head around and gave the guy a sweet, lingering kiss.

“Nate…” There was a warning in Brandon’s voice, but Nate didn’t pay him any heed. He dragged the guy into his bedroom and slammed the door behind them.

“Fucking immature asshole,” Brandon muttered as he stalked into the direction of Nate’s bedroom. He walked in without knocking, completely ignoring the shouting that came from inside.

Quinn dropped his face into his hands. Confused, hurt, and utterly miserable, he contemplated getting up, going out the door and never coming back. The past should stay buried, right? There was nothing keeping him in Chicago anymore. He’d graduated, Kai was gone… The world was his oyster. He could do anything he wanted, go anywhere he liked.

And yet… The only place he wanted to be was where Nate was.

Quinn could hear shouting coming from the bedroom, but his head was pounding and he couldn’t focus enough to get exactly what was said. He could guess that Brandon was ripping into his brother and, the stubborn hothead Nate was. he wasn’t budging an inch.

That could go for a while.

Surprisingly, Brandon stormed out of the room a moment later, his frown making him seem much older than his twenty four years.

“He’ll be right out,” he declared, storming into the kitchen and opening the fridge with more force than necessary, rattling the contents inside.

EXCERPT

Nate could hear the cruelty in his tone but he didn’t care. He’d never been this angry in his life, and if Quinn wasn’t here to face the mess he’d caused, Nate was going to use the next best thing – the traitor who’d chosen him over his own brother.

“I didn’t know any of that,” Brandon said, his eyes softening. He reached for Nate, but Nate whipped his hand away, taking a step back.

“Don’t fucking touch me!”

Angry tears prickled behind his eyes, making him feel humiliated even more. Spinning around on his heel, he ignored Brandon’s voice calling him back and stomped into to his room, slamming the door.

He didn’t make it to the bed. The anger, grief, and loss he’d felt overwhelmed him and Nate slumped to the floor, a ragged sob tearing out of his throat.

I hope one day you can forgive me…

Not a chance in fucking hell.

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**GIVEAWAY: for a chance to win 3 x Snowed In audiobooks, 3 x Snowed In ebooks, 1 SIGNED Snowed In paperback (International) and a $5 Amazon giftcard!!!

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About the Author

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Hi, my name is Teodora and I live in London with my husband and my son. I’ve been writing ever since I can remember, but it became my full time job a few years ago when I decided that everything else I’ve tried bores me to death and I have to do what I’ve always wanted to do, but never had the guts to fully embrace. I’ve been a journalist, an editor, a personal assistant and an interior designer among other things, but as soon as the novelty of the new, exciting job wears off, I always go back to writing. Being twitchy, impatient, loud and hasty are not qualities that help a writer, because I have to sit alone, preferably still, and write for most of the day, but I absolutely love it. It’s the only time that I’m truly at peace and the only thing I can do for more than ten minutes at a time – my son has a bigger attention span than me.

When I’m procrastinating, I like to go to the gym, cook Italian meals (and eat them), read, listen to rock music, watch indie movies and True Blood re-runs. Or, in the worst case scenario, get beaten at every Nintendo Wii game by a very inventive kid.

Don’t be shy and get in touch – I love connecting with my readers.

Links: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Blog Stops:

December 1st – Socially Awkward Book Nerd | The Blogger Girls | Nerd Girl Official | Dawn’s Reading Nook

December 2nd – Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words | Outrageous Heroes

December 3rd – Love Bytes Reviews

December 5th – Making It Happen | BFD Book Blog | MM Good Book Reviews | My Fiction Nook

December 6th – The Purple Rose Tea House

December 7th – Addison Albright | MJs Book Blog and Reviews

December 8th – Because Two Men are Better Than One | Bayou Book Junkie

December 9th – Bonkers About Books

December 12th – Prism Book Alliance | Drops of Ink

December 13th – Diverse Reader

December 14th – All in One Place

December 15th – Happily Ever Chapter | Sinfully Gay Romance | Velvet Panic

December 16th – TTC Books and More | Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents | Triple A

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A MelanieM Audiobook Release Day Review: How to Deal (All Cocks Stories #3) by T. M. Smith and Joel Leslie (Narrator)

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

how-to-deal-audiobookListening Length: 4 hours and 30 minutes

Jon Brennan comes from a long line of men in uniform; all born and bred to both bleed and wear blue. His family and the majority of his co-workers support him every step of the way, so he doesn’t need to hide the fact that he prefers men over women. Between the job and his larger than life, loud and rowdy half Irish, half Italian family, there isn’t much time for dating, much less finding a guy who can deal with the stress and demands placed on the shoulders of an NYPD detective.

Kory White is cocky and abrasive with most people, but it is all a facade he hides behind to keep his heart safe. As a child, Kory lost his mother to an act of violence. Soon after, he and his baby sister Kassandra were separated by the system. Kassandra was immediately adopted, but Kory spent the next 10 years cycling through foster homes before moving to the Big Apple. In an effort to keep everyone at a distance, Kory has meticulously built himself an alter ego: Hayden Cox, All Cocks cockiest model.

These two strong-willed men definitely prove opposites do attract. Both are stubborn and hard headed to a fault, Kory more so than Jon. But Jon is used to being in control, the one calling the shots, and Kory fights him at every turn. Just when it seems they have found a way to navigate the unchartered territory that is love, tragedy knocks on Kory’s door yet again. Volatile and strong, even in the face of adversity, both men refuse to give up on each other – or their love.

I came at How to Deal by T.M. Smith cold, not having read or listened to any of the previous stories in this series and that caused some confusion.  I had no idea what All Cocks was.  I had to go back to find out that it was a online pay for porn site and the series revolved around the porn stars working for the site All Cocks.  Its a great format, allowing the author to easily have as many characters as they want in a series and intertwine them as needed.  Here those couples and men from prior stories make appearances in sex scenes as well as continuing story lines as the porn stars have formed a family together.

There is a tragedy here that hits especially hard considering recent events.  I think the author has chosen to treat it in a timely and sensitive manner.  I liked that  aspect of this story.  And I liked the characters of Jon Brennan and Kory White.  Each is well-defined, supported by past history, and in Jon’s case, a large and boisterous Irish Catholic family.

The audiobook made the story or should I say the narration of Joel Leslie made the story for me.  I don’t think I would have rated it as highly had I just read it as an ebook.  Some of the phrases and sentences the author uses are just too cliche but out of the voice or many voices of Joel Leslie?  Where I started to cringe at an over-used phrase instead I swiftly moved forward, totally engaged in the drama unfolding in my mind as I listened.  It didn’t matter whether Joel Leslie was inhabiting the body of the matriarch of the Brennan clan, the fierce Irish granny who’s ire is to be feared, or the Captain of the NYPD force, with the NY accent and imposing character, each person is so easily defined by their voice.  Its a tour de force of acting.

This includes the relationship between  Jon and Kory. Joel Leslie captures it just right.  His inflections, the tones of voice, the differences between the characters in their backgrounds?  Its all in their voices and it makes them so believable.  I easily lost myself in this story and this couple.

How to Deal (All Cocks Stories #3) by T. M. Smith and Joel Leslie (Narrator) is a wonderfully engaging story as narrated by Joel Leslie.  It pulls you into the couple and the drama that is their lives.  It also makes me  want to know what happens next in the series.  Where will T.M. Smith take these characters and this series next?  I believe I will wait for the next audiobook to arrive and find out then.  It wouldn’t be the same now without the narration.

I highly recommend this audiobook and the narrator.  Its a perfect way to lose yourself in a story that  hot, and touching and romantic.

Cover art works for the book and characters

Sales Links

 iTunes | Amazon Audio | Audible

Audiobook Details:

Audible Audio, 5 pages
Published November 4th 2016 by TTC Publishing (first published November 27th 2015)
ASINB01M8Q3AXI
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesAll Cocks Stories #3

How to Deal by T.M Smith and Narrated by Joel Leslie Audiobook tour (excerpt and giveaway)

 

Welcome to the How to Deal Audiobook tour, hosted by TTC Books and more.


How to Deal is the 3rd book in the All Cocks Stories and is now available in Audiobook format in addition to E-book and Print. 

 

Jon Brennan comes from a long line of men in uniform; all born and bred to both bleed and wear blue. His family and the majority of his co-workers support him every step of the way, so he doesn’t need to hide the fact that he prefers men over women. Between the job and his larger than life, loud and rowdy half Irish, half Italian family, there isn’t much time for dating, much less finding a guy who can deal with the stress and demands placed on the shoulders of an NYPD detective.
Kory White is cocky and abrasive with most people, but it is all a facade he hides behind to keep his heart safe. As a child, Kory lost his mother to an act of violence. Soon after, he and his baby sister Kassandra were separated by the system. Kassandra was immediately adopted, but Kory spent the next 10 years cycling through foster homes before moving to the Big Apple. In an effort to keep everyone at a distance, Kory has meticulously built himself an alter ego: Hayden Cox, All Cocks cockiest model.
These two strong-willed men definitely prove opposites do attract. Both are stubborn and hard headed to a fault, Kory more so than Jon. But Jon is used to being in control, the one calling the shots, and Kory fights him at every turn. Just when it seems they have found a way to navigate the unchartered territory that is love, tragedy knocks on Kory’s door yet again. Volatile and strong, even in the face of adversity, both men refuse to give up on each other – or their love.
©2015 TM Smith (P)2016 TM Smith

 

Buy links Audiobook: iTunes | Amazon Audio | Audible
Buy links E-book or Paperback: 
Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | ARe | Smashwords | B&N
 

Meet the Narrator!

Joel is a UK transplant, growing up with an American parents in a British commonwealth.  He is often cast for his unique ability to deliver native, authentic combinations of both American and British sounds.  His wit and comedic timing also appeal to producers.  He has developed a strong body of work for young audience, historical, fantasy, new-adult, romance and m/m fiction.  
His author’s have praised him as “a narrator among narrators, a man whose ability to create different characters rests on the power of his voice and his impeccable delivery”,  and a “true delight…” “legendary, and his professionalism, good humor, and charm make him a dream to work with”, “Anyone else would only be second best”.  
Joel records under two names, for mainstream and children’s fiction as Joel Froomkin, and for m/m and adult material under Joel Leslie and has consistent access to home studio for all production needs. 
{Image compliments of Author TM Smith (flying monkey) and Joel Leslie (Sexy Tinman) via GRL 2016 in Kansas City}



Narrator links: Audible | Website | Facebook | Twitter

Follow the tour: 

Nov
21st
BikeBook Reviews – Spotlight & REVIEW
MMBook Escape – Spotlight & Guest Post
Nov
22nd
ScatteredThoughts and Rogue Words – Exclusive Excerpt & REVIEW
HappilyEver Chapter – Inspiration/Gran Brennan & REVIEW
Nov
23rd
TwoBook Pushers – Spotlight only
OpenSkye Book Reviews – Spotlight & REVIEW
Books
let us live a thousand words – Spotlight & REVIEW
Nov
24th
LoveBytes – This or That Thanksgiving edition (Author and Narrator)
GayBook Reviews – Narrator Interview & REVIEW
TripleA – Spotlight only
Nov
25th
FangirlMoments and My Two Cents – Spotlight only
MorticiaKnight – Spotlight only
Nov
26th
GayMedia Reviews – Playlist & REVIEW
CathyBrockman – Spotlight & REVIEW
TDCBook Reviews – Exclusive Excerpt & REVIEW
Nov
27th
BayouBook Junkie – Playlist & REVIEW
TheO’Raven Chronicles – Spotlight only
Nov
28th
BookBoyfriend Heaven – Spotlight only
WickedFaerie’s Tales and Reviews – Exclusive Excerpt & REVIEW
Nov
29th
Man2 Mantastic – Spotlight only
PurpleRose Teahouse – Guest post
TwoChicks Obsessed With Books and Eyecandy – Spotlight only
MakingIt Happen – Spotlight & REVIEW
Nov
30th
DivineMagazine – Guest post & REVIEW
SinfulReviews – Spotlight only
PrismBook Alliance – Spotlight & REVIEW
Heartson Fire Reviews – Spotlight & REVIEW

 

 

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A military brat born and raised at Ft. Benning Georgia; TM Smith is an avid reader, reviewer and writer. A Texas transplant, she now calls DFW her home. Most days she can be found curled up with a good book, or ticking away on her next novel. 

 
Smith is a single mom of three disturbingly outspoken and decidedly different kids, one of which is Autistic. Besides her writing, she is passionate about Autism advocacy and LGBT rights. Because, seriously people, Love is Love!
 
 
Author links: Amazon || ARe || Smashwords || Website || Facebook || Twitter 

Goodreads || Pinterest || Youtube

 

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How to Deal Audiobook tour Exclusive Excerpts

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Excerpt

Today was the last day of filming and no one could be happier than Kory. He hadn’t seen Jon in over a week and he was beyond ready to curl up on the couch with his man, eat bad takeout and watch something mindless on the television. His man, the thought made Kory laugh. If anyone had told him a year ago that he would be exclusively dating just one guy, and a cop no less, he would have laughed in their face and told them to fuck off. And yet, that is exactly what was happening. It was a slow start for them, Kory hesitant to date anyone that had followed him online in the beginning, but in the weeks since meeting at Club Berlin they had gradually grown closer. 

Jon Brennan was a force of nature, stubborn to a fault, demanding and temperamental at best; but he had managed to do the one thing no other man since Paul had done, sink his hooks into Kory. He had blown into Kory’s life that night at the club and in the days that passed, he managed to worm his way past the wall he had erected around his heart. Not to mention, the hard headed half Irish half Italian cop had laid claim to Kory, and refused to leave. Their relationship was a series of ups and downs that sometimes got physical, and not in the biblical sense, but for whatever reason, they seemed to cling to each other. 

The last time they had seen each other before Kory had to play Hayden for a couple weeks, they wound up arguing because they couldn’t agree on what to watch on TV or what to order for dinner. It was ridiculous and meaningless in hindsight – they were both so hard headed, but what Kory remembered fondly was the blow job he received while being pinned to his living room floor when he tried to stomp away from Jon. 

November 21st MM Book Escape Exclusive Excerpt part 1

November 22nd Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Exclusive Excerpt part 2

November 23rd Open Skye book Reviews Exclusive Excerpt part 3

November 26th TDC Book Reviews Exclusive Excerpt part 4

November 28th Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews Exclusive Excerpt part 5

November 29th Purple Rose Teahouse Exclusive Excerpt part 6