Month: April 2019

Audiobook Reviews 4/5 Stars: A Bride for Nathan

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, drama, Family, romance , , ,

Summary:

Nathan Kahn gets his leg blasted off in the final days of the Civil War. His friend, Ben, takes care of him, going so far as to take him home and stay with him through his rough recovery. Nathan could die any day. If that happens, what will become of Nathan’s young daughter? Ben’s not exactly equipped to raise Belle. But he might know someone who is.

Additional Comments:

– Characters 4/5 Stars: Everybody is nearly sickeningly sweet, but I think that’s a genre thing. Allie’s nice. Sam’s nice. Belle’s unrealistically the perfect child. Nathan’s hardworking and handsome. Ben’s a saint. You get the picture. Despite this, there is some character development both in Nathan and Allie. Besides, they’re all likeable.

 – Plot 4/5 Stars: This isn’t exactly a shoot-’em-up Western story, but it’s an interesting Civil War era recovery tale. The daily act of living was a struggle sometimes. Add in serious war injuries, emotional scars, and unexpected responsibilities and there’s enough action to keep things going.

– Mini-mystery: One fun thing woven throughout the book is a mini-mystery surrounding Nathan’s first wife.

– Content Warnings: None. Some awkward, married people conversations that serve the plot well but that’s about it.

Conclusion:

If you enjoy Civil War and post-Civil War, clean stories, this is a good one to check out.

Associate links to follow…

Amazon Prime

The Collins Case – 2 FBI agents track down a kidnapped family. Kid friendly.

If fantasy’s more your thing, go Redeemer Chronicles. The first, Awakening, is available as an audiobook.

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – a kid deals with her parents’ divorce, bullies, and the wonder of discovery.

Try The Dark Side of Science – Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.


OR

Audiobook Reviews 4.45/5: Midnight Black The Purge by R.J. Eastwood

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, dystopia, thriller , , , ,
Cover’s okay. Novel’s much better than cover.

Summary:

Billy Russell’s career as a cop ended abruptly when he went down for murdering the man who killed his wife. He’s shipped off to prison but gets a reprieve 15 years later because the new government wants men with his particular set of skills to work for them.

Additional Comments:

– Characters 4/5 stars: Billy’s an amusing narrator. He doesn’t try to pass himself off as the perfect guy, but his morals are firmly set in their ways. It’s clear he’s willing to stand by his beliefs. Jade’s a bit flat as a character, but their interactions are believable. The cast of other characters fulfill their roles well without standing out one way or the other.

– Plot 4.5 (until the very end): Billy’s stint in prison and his trip back to Earth are well-described. His fish-out-of-water feel comes across as very genuine. The progression through his early days on the job unfolds naturally.

– World-Building 4.5/5: We know it’s a disaster out there, and Billy slowly comes to understand the new world and how it works. The world is superbly crafted, but not very likable (as one would expect from dystopia).

Side note: I feel like this world and the one from Captive State have a similar vibe.

– Ending 3/5 stars: Kind of disappointing. I expected more since there was great build up to that point. Billy’s largely a spectator in the end events.

– Content Warnings: some violence, some cursing (~3 fbombs), a few adult scenes started then fade to next day

Conclusion:

If you enjoy a well-crafted world and don’t mind that world being grim, this is a solid choice for you. Billy’s a hero you could see as a normal guy.

Associate links to follow…

Amazon Prime

The Collins Case – 2 FBI agents track down a kidnapped family. Kid friendly.

If fantasy’s more your thing, go Redeemer Chronicles. The first, Awakening, is available as an audiobook.

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – a kid deals with her parents’ divorce, bullies, and the wonder of discovery.

Try The Dark Side of Science – Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.


OR