4/5 Free as a Bird by Missy Tarantino

December 30, 2021December 17, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, drama foster care, Julie McCarthy, Missy Tarantino

Narrated by Julie McCarthy

Run Time: 6 hrs and 20 mins

Genre: Foster Care, Family Drama

Summary:

Destiny’s had a rough life so far. Her mother is a hot mess and pretty much neglects the kid. Eventually, she enters the foster care system. The road to a forever home is fraught with mistrust, bratty behavior, and both conditional and unconditional love.

Additional Comments:

– Parts of the book were extremely annoying to listen to. Content-wise, don’t think most of the beginning was made to be comfortable, so that’s as designed. Some of the kid-voices were downright painful (part because the kid/character was screeching and/ or throwing a tantrum), but otherwise, it was handled fine. You could tell if a male or female was speaking.

– The bird rehabilitation angle was cool.

– The social worker’s a saint.

– The final family is super patient. I liked the fact that at least one family didn’t work out for the kid, not for anybody’s fault. That’s life, so it’s important to show that sometimes it’s nobody’s fault.

– I think it’s probably (sadly) accurate for some older foster kids who bounce from home to home because they’re behavior is awful, or they’re just too old for most couples looking to adopt want to tackle. In that sense, it’s a powerful book.

– The end works out swell. You kind of know that will happen if you read the description.

Conclusion:

If you can handle a rough beginning, it’s ultimately a touching and powerful book.

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Review copies for many titles are available from StoryOrigin.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Awakening – Redeemer Chronicles Book 1, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
The Holy War – Redeemer Chronicles Book 2, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
Reclaim the Darklands – Redeemer Chronicles Book 3, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
River’s Edge Ransom – Prequel to Redeemer Chronicles (Amazon) (email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)

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Books 1-4 were re-released in audiobook form in 2021.
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift. (Amazon) (Request a Review Copy)
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma. (Amazon) (Request a Review Copy)
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother. (Amazon) (Request a Review Code)
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble. (Amazon) (Request a Review Code)
More Scifi:
Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there. (Amazon) (click for sample)
If you’re all in and want to review the entire trilogy (~35 hrs!) go here.

Aeris Legends Books 1-3 ~17 hrs of epic fantasy. (Request a Review Copy)

4/5 Stars The Sweet Shop of Second Chances by Hannah Lynn

December 27, 2021December 17, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, drama Hannah Lynn, Poppy Royana, sorta romance, Sweet Shop

Narrated by Poppy Royana

Run Time: 7 hrs and 24 mins

Summary:

Holly Berry impulsively returns to her hometown and tries to buy the candy shop she worked in as a kid. What follows is a series of fortunate and unfortunate events.

Additional Comments:

– There wasn’t enough of a relationship with Dan to make his betrayal have any sort of sting. I get that the author needed to get to the current tale, but it just sort of made me question the MC’s judgment from the get-go.

– The main character’s kind of dumb. Especially near the end, she makes a lot of assumptions. Plus, if some obviously rich dude sweeps in and takes you to a uber fancy, crazy expensive place, then offers to pay the bill, your line is thank you, not I insist on paying my half with the bill not even seen.

– Not sure how the book got qualified as a romance. It’s super slow building. Not sure anything happens of significance until well into the third act.

– Characters are mostly endearing. Holly’s the sort of normal young adult you can root for.

– It’s more a slice of life sort of book than a romance, let alone a romantic comedy. I think I laughed like 2x.

– There’s a bit of mystery, but it’s not billed as a mystery.

– The bad guys stay pretty nebulous.

– I do like that there are two sides to every story and it comes down to who do you believe.

– Well narrated. I’m American. I’m a sucker for a British accent.

– Content Comments: There are a few curse words, and the opening scene almost crossed the line of clean/not clean, but mostly, it’s a clean book. Just not squeaky clean.

– Not really sure how this could be turned into a series. Things wrap up pretty well.

Conclusion:

Easy to listen to. Light read. Only wanted to punch a character once or twice. Hinted at a happily ever after, so it’s all good.

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Review copies for many titles are available from StoryOrigin.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Aeris Legends Books 1-3 ~17 hrs of epic fantasy. (Request a Review Copy)

3.45/5 Stars Hound Dog Blues by Virginia Brown

December 24, 2021December 17, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, mystery amateur sleuth, Drew Commins, Karen Commins, Virginia Brown

Narrated by Karen Commins, Drew Commins

Run Time: 8 hrs 38 mins

Summary:

A dog gets dognapped, and Harley Jean Davidson sets out to find him. Her parents sort of flee the law for a while until things cool down. The Main Character inserts herself into an investigation in a bid to get the Crime Stoppers reward money.

Additional Comments:

– Narration 3.5/5 stars: This could have been handled by Karen Commins alone. The edits were decently done, but she seemed to have a better range of voices. I couldn’t tell most of the male characters from one another, especially at the end.

– Content Warning: It was mostly a clean book, except for some curses, until the end when in a bid for humor the action turned very crude. And then the end scene. It was handled well enough not to be filed with steamy, but it probably kicks it out of cozy.

– I wouldn’t really qualify it as a cozy mystery at all. Maybe amateur sleuth and female amateur detective, but not cozy. Don’t think I’d qualify it as a comedy either. There are slapstick things that happen, but it didn’t strike me as particularly humorous.

– I feel like the character’s one of dozens I’ve read already. Kinda down on her luck, out to prove somebody innocent, the normal one in a pack of weirdos, etc.

– There are colorful characters around the MC. The cross-dressing tech support guy is probably my favorite of the bunch. Kamy (sorry, I heard the audio, so I have no idea on spelling)

– It’s not much of a romance or much of a mystery. She just sort of bumbles around until the answers leap out and smack her.

– The title and cover are very misleading. It starts with the dog, but it doesn’t focus on that long.

– The MC’s relationship with her folks is odd. She refers to them as Yogi and Diva. I think that’s a reference to the author’s main series. Her brother is useless. Literally and figuratively. Waste of page space. I think his only function is to prove the MC’s not herself a complete waste of space.

Conclusion:

It’s okay. Not sure I’d seek out another book about this character, but it kept me occupied for the 5 ish hours it took to listen.

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Many of my 57 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Review copies for many titles are available from StoryOrigin.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Aeris Legends Books 1-3 ~17 hrs of epic fantasy. (Request a Review Copy)

Guardian Angel Files:

Spirit’s Bane – Allister and Mina are training to be Guardians. Satan’s out to get them. (Amazon) (free codes)
Kindred Spirits – Mina’s exiled to Earth. Allister’s stuck in the Heavens. (Amazon) (free codes)

I have Author Direct codes from Findaway Voices for the combo book that has Spirit’s Bane and Kindred Spirits. (Click here for a review copy.)

3.5/5 Stars Deep Echoes by Melody Ash

December 21, 2021November 30, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, time travel Deep Echoes, Melody Ash

Summary:

Caitlin gets pulled into the past and meets a few people in the pre-civil war era.

Additional Comments:

– This is a short prequel to a larger work. There is a lengthy preview of the first official book at the end. It gives the feel of the work to be a long-winded ad for the next one.

– Caitlin is an interesting character. The blurb sort of oversold her as we don’t get to see her doing much in this story. It’s difficult to do much character development in a work this short, but the author manages some. She shows some promise. Given her mixed heritage, I am surprised that didn’t factor more here.

– The side characters weren’t memorable except in type. (The elderly slave healer, the master’s son who is kind, the good slave guy, the kid, etc). The exception to this is Caitlin’s goofy friend. He has a nice energy about him.

– There was a shred of romance but with the time being so short it basically went nowhere.

– about all that happens is she has some nice conversations with people in the past. There is a smidgen of action near the end.

– Cover is cool.

– Narration worked fine. The narrator handled the various voices well.

– It’s always intriguing how much modern thoughts deep into a work like this. The MC happens to land in a place with a guy who is anti slavery.

– The time travel aspect was fine. It’s not my favorite trope because it’s terribly illogical. This one at least doesn’t pretend it’s logical. The characters just accept. It at face value and go about their business.

Conclusion:

As a stand-alone story it’s just ok, but there is a grander feel to it like there’s a lot more to come for these people. So, as an introduction, it’s pretty good.

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Audiobook Promotions …

Many of my 50 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – short stories featuring Jillian. (Amazon) (free codes)
The Dark Side of Science – official prequel to Devya’s Children; Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live. (Amazon) (Please email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift. (Amazon) (free codes)
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma. (Amazon) (free codes)
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother. (Amazon) (free codes)
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble. (Amazon) (free codes)
More Scifi:
Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there. (Amazon) (free codes)

Guardian Angel Files:

4.45/5 stars Ebenezer by Douglas Bass

December 18, 2021December 1, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks A Christmas Carol, Douglas A. Bass, Ebenezer

Narrated by Benjamin Fife

*Discussion may contain spoilers*

Summary:

A prequel of sorts/ retelling for A Christmas Carol. This focuses largely on Ebenezer Scrooge’s life from birth to death and everything in between.

Additional Comments:

– It’s entirely too long. This story could have been adequately told in about 9 hrs. It took 25 minutes to say “hey, I have a story to tell you.” The style uses an excessive amount of words.

– One character did not get his comeuppance. That ticked me off. One did, that was satisfying.

– The character development of Scrooge from naive kid to tool for the wicked to curmudgeon to saint was fun to see.

– Quite a few sections repeated conversations. I get why-because it was often adding a different perspective – but it’s still annoying to hear sections repeated word for word. There was a nice song included, but even that, we don’t need to hear several times.

– The performance was great. Benjamin Fife was a good choice for the character.

– The premise of the story – that mankind’s purpose is to serve others and earn a happy afterlife – is inherently flawed but still comforting during the holiday season. (Ie. Ebenezer’s good deeds being counted as part of redemption for somebody else.)

– Ebenezer often made infuriating leaps of logic even after getting a prime example of things being different. (Ie. His insistence that he would die on the date he saw in the stone during the vision. He knew for a fact things could change because he changed Tim’s fortunes already.)

I had to stop listening a few times.

– The closing section took like two hours. The tie ins to A Christmas Carol were interesting but took 14 hours to reach. It’s not a traditional story in the sense of having a distinct climax near the end. There are a few ups and downs instead.

– I liked Belle. She was a little too perfect, but since the story was from the perspective of a guy who outright idolized her, it works.

Conclusion:

If you enjoy tie ins to classic works and can listen for 17plus hours, this is a good book to try.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Guardian Angel Files:

4.5/5 Stars Wild Rover No More by L.A. Meyer

December 15, 2021November 30, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks Bloody Jack, Katherine Kellgren, Wild Rover

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

Summary:

Jacky Faber is on the run yet again. The story contains several very long arcs. I liked her time as a governess best.

Additional Comments:

– Kellgren is amazing as usual but a lot of the middle was just painful because of the Russian accent and that Italian fool Jacky was playing around with.

– The end is satisfying but Oy, this is a long winded story. Unnecessarily so in some cases.

– It really ticks me off when parts are repeated. The entire letter from the previous book with Clarissa gloating was repeated in the beginning of this one. Do u know how annoying that is?

– Flashby finally got a fitting end, thank goodness.

– I like the irrepressible Jacky but she is also kinda a jerk to her closest friends, especially Jaimy.

Conclusion:

It’s a fitting end of an excellent series, even if it did drag on and on near forever.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Guardian Angel Files:

Movie Review 4/5 Stars Eagle Eye

December 12, 2021November 30, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Movie Reviews, thriller thriller

Starring: Shia Labouf

Genre: thriller, action

Spoiler free version- it was great if somewhat confusing and unrealistic yet oddly terrifying.

Spoilers ahead.

Summary:

Two strangers are forced to take part in a dangerous adventure.

Additional Comments:

– Jerry Shaw is the screwup twin content with working at copy cabana and barely making rent.

– Ethan Shaw is the twin who always aimed high. He ends up working for a secret government program that is in charge of a super computer.

– the computer decides the leadership of the US needs to change. So she embarks on an endeavor to accomplish that at the state of the union address

– what follows is a convoluted series of chase scenes.

Conclusion:

Good movie. High action. There is a little character development. It’s not quite HEA but the sacrifices end up being noble and meaningful.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Guardian Angel Files:

4/5 The Boy With the Golden Arm by William Graham

December 9, 2021November 30, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, children's David Kresser, William Graham

Narrated by David Kressler

Run time: 2 hrs and 10 mins

Summary:

Kid’s father agrees to coach his little league team. The gang of misfits first time baseball players shoot to win the league championship.

Additional Comments:

– completely predictable yet enjoyable.

– a lot unrealistic yet enjoyable.

– classic underdog vs the town bullies story

– I remember Gina but can’t remember the MC’s name. The characters are charming yet forgettable. They become their stereotypes.

– the performance worked.

– The kids parents are picture perfect living and supportive and understanding and insanely talented.

Conclusion:

Clean. Appropriate for middle age boys and girls.

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Audiobook Promotions …

Many of my 58 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Guardian Angel Files:

3.5/5 stars Abby: Mail Order Bride by Verna Clay

December 6, 2021November 30, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, historical Amy Gramour, Verna Clay

Narrated Amy Gramour

Run Time: 3 hrs and 43 mins

Genre: Historical-ish

Summary:

Abby Vaughn answers an ad to become a mail order bride for Brant Samson. He lost his beloved wife to illness. His oldest son doesn’t like her, but she’s determined to win him over.

Additional Comments:

I’m used to these sorts of stories being Christian, so the sex scenes was a bit of a surprise. I don’t usually read the blurbs to books, but it’s nice to see that it mentions some language and sensual love scenes. Personally, it seems out of place in the genre. Closed door you know they’re doing it just fits better.
There’s quite a bit of drama for a relatively short book.
Part made me cry. I suppose that’s a triumph for the story.
Parts meandered to nowhere. Brant wasn’t even remotely tempted with the other possible love interest. That would have added some tension and competition for Abby.
The kid’s anger seemed disproportionate and misplaced, but I guess nobody ever accused kids of being completely rational beings.
Character were pretty stereotypical, but I feel like that is what’s expected for the genre. The jealous girl one didn’t go far. The school teacher is infinitely patient and finds her way as the wife. The guy is ridiculously handsome. The little kids are cute. Older kiddos a handful- resentful and sullen.
There was one twist that caught me by surprise.

Conclusion:

I’m probably going to stick with the Christian Fiction versions of such tales from now on, but it was interesting to hear this.

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Movie Review 4/5 Stars No Time to Die

December 3, 2021November 30, 2021 Julie Gilbert Movie Reviews, thriller James Bond, Movie Review

2 hrs and 43 mins

Summary:

There’s a fair amount of setup and a lot going on. Despite some slow points, it’s a fun action flick. It hits every typical bond film box, including shootouts, fancy gadgets, pretty women, fancy dresses, spiffy suits, car chases, death, and destruction.

Additional Comments:

Here, more than in other Bond movies, James has more to fight for.
The casting was reasonably well done.
Daniel Craig has always made a stellar James Bond. I’m sure they’ll resurrect the franchise with a new pretty face when they need another paycheck.
I never watched all the Bond movies in order. They’re basically the film version of candy.
The intro was typically long and drawn out, somewhat pretty, but mostly just a kaleidoscope of weird. The song was performed by Billie Ellish. Call me old, but I am not a fan. (She may very well be a talented singer and an influence upon a lot of young people, but she still looks stoned in every picture I’ve ever seen of her.)
I might be tempted to see this again, but not a late showing. At almost 3 hrs, this is kinda a beast.

Conclusion:

Worth watching on the big screen.

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