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)

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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Devya’s Children Series Links:

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)

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 stars Vengeance on Tyneside by Eileen Thornton

November 3, 2021October 23, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, mystery Agnes Lockwood, Eileen Thornton

Agnes Lockwood Mysteries 3

Narrated by Deborah Balm

Run Time: 7 hrs and 24 mins

Summary:

Agnes Lockwood stumbles over another body and helps the coppers collar the bad guy.

Additional Comments:

The cops seem especially incompetent this round. I know cozies are supposed to have a supersleuth, but if she’s dating the DCI, it’d be nice if he wasn’t completely useless.
There’s trouble in paradise this round. It’s kind of annoying to read, but it does hit some realistic notes.
These are clean, cozies set in the UK.
Agnes could be taken as a nosy old biddy or a Murder She Wrote wannabe or a harmless rich lady with way too much time on her hands.
The conclusion worked out well and felt satisfying, but the bad guy himself was kind of disappointing. He’s not exactly a Moriarty.

Conclusion:

If you’re looking for clean and cozy and British to book, this is a good series for you to check out.

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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:

4/5 stars Tiaras & Terror by Anne Marie Stoddard

October 30, 2021October 23, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, mystery Aloha Lagoon, Anne Marie Stoddard, Mary Hildebrandt

Narrated by Mary Hildebrandt

Run Time: 4 h and 57 mins

Summary:

Kaley’s enthusiasm for Halloween gets dampened by a murder. She’s shocked when an acquaintance she doesn’t particularly like asks her to clear her name. I recommend NOT reading the back cover copy because it pretty much spells out the story.

Additional Comments:

– The performance wasn’t anything to write home about, but it fit the story. (The main character’s voice sometimes grated on my nerves. This too fits the character, but that doesn’t make the annoyance go away.)

– Typical cozy mystery. The MC doesn’t do a lot of investigating. She basically asks random people questions and gets into trouble. She’s sort of likable though.

– This is 13 in a series of standalone mysteries set in Aloha Lagoon.

– They’re decent fluff pieces. If you’re looking for a mystery you don’t need to think about, go for it.

– fitting for a Halloween themed book. Might fit some bingo boards or something.

– Incidentally, with that spelling I would not have pronounce the name (“Caileigh/ Kay-ley.” I probably would have gone with Kal-lee.)

– It’s missing a cat to be officially the quintessential cozy.

– Her aunt fulfills the quirky weirdo character role.

– Kaley’s relationship with her boyfriend is decently believable.

– Really wish the woman could defend herself. That would make it much more interesting.

Conclusion:

Kaley won’t ever make the top 10 of my favorite characters, but she’s plucky enough for the role she’s given.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Guardian Angel Files:

4/5 Stars Gertrude, Gumshoe and the Vardsale Villain by Robin Merrill

October 23, 2021September 16, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, mystery Darlene Allen, Gertrude Gumshoe, Robin Merrill

Narrated by Darlene Allen

Run Time: 3 hrs and 16 mins

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Summary:

Gertrude’s got her first paying case. A young acquaintance comes to her with the strange case of his disappearing girlfriend.

Additional Comments:

The connections in the mystery are tenuous as best.
Gertrude’s still got spunk and a helpful neighbor with a car.
The villain is kind of sad.
I read these out of order. This is where she meets the mysterious Dave.
They’re not exactly deep thinker kind of mysteries, but they’re fun fluff pieces.

Conclusion:

Gertrude’s a trip every time you meet her.

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Audiobook Promotions …

Many of my 55 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:

4.5/5 Stars Mr. Darcy’s Christmas by Barbara Silkstone

September 28, 2021August 23, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish Barabara Silkstone, Karen Krause

Narrated by Karen Krause

Run Time: 3 hrs and 7 mins

Genre: Fluffy romance, British

Summary:

Lizzie almost gets run over but a stray dog of sorts saves her. The dog is traveling with a scruffy little girl. Lizzie and her sisters take the street urchin to Mr. Darcy’s place to get out of a storm. The next day, they plan to have a lovely Christmas eve with the street urchin’s family, a rather large collection of kids.

Additional Comments:

Light, fluffy romance.
This one can be read without the previous and likely subsequent stories in the series. It’s a re-imagining of Pride and Prejudice. Still baffles me the amount of spinoffs that okay story has generated.
Darcy’s still a saint, but this round, Elizabeth is holding him at bay because she wants to start a dog psychology business all on her own.
Thank heavens she doesn’t mention she’s Doctor Bennett every 3 seconds like she did in the first book. That was super annoying. If you have to stress it that much, nobody gives 2 shakes of a dog’s tail, get over yourself.
Georgiana’s still sweet and naïve. Wickham’s not mentioned at all, thank goodness.
Caroline Bingley is a twit and mean spirited to boot.
Jane and Charles are still moon-eyed.
Derby and Squire – Darcy’s dogs – are still adorable.

Conclusion:

This isn’t a deep thinker. If you’re into light, fluffy Christmas cheer sorts of romantic comedies, this should fit the bill fine.

If you want to get 5 clean audio promos a month. Sign up here.

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:

Guardian Angel Files:

3.5 Stars Gertrude Gumshoe: Slam is Murder by Robin Merrill

September 20, 2021September 16, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, mystery Darlene Allen, Gertrude Gumshoe, Robin Merrill

Narrated by Darlene Allen

Run Time: 4 hrs and 29 min

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Summary:

Since people aren’t dropping dead in her hometown, Gertrude convinces Calvin to take her to Portland to a Poetry Slam that has had 2 mysterious deaths.

Additional Comments:

Calvin has the patience of a saint.
I liked the little side mystery about the food stamp card.
I enjoyed that Gertrude got to know Andrea a little better.
The side things were more interesting than the main mystery this round. Gertrude’s driving test was nerve-wracking.
Darlene Allen doesn’t have a huge range of voices but she’s perfect for Gertrude and has very nice reading instincts. You can tell if a male or female character is speaking.
Clean read.
The conclusion didn’t seem like Gertrude did anything.
Her poetry was amusing.

Conclusion:

These are mindless cozy, fluff pieces. Light-hearted and good to stick between more intense, crazy murder mysteries and thrillers. The whole series is fun.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Guardian Angel Files:

4.45/5 stars Gertrude, Gumshoe and the Clearwater Curse by Robin Merrill

September 15, 2021August 11, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, mystery Darlene Allen, Gertrude Gumshoe, Robin Merrill

Narrated by Darlene Allen

Summary:

Gertrude is essentially a nosy old cat lady who finds trouble wherever she goes. This time, her adventures carry her from Maine to Florida and back again.

Additional Comments:

These aren’t serious stories. They’re quintessential cozy mysteries.
The side characters are kind of forgettable, but one would be hard-pressed to forget the leading lady. She’s spry for someone who uses a walker. Odds are good that someone who needs a walker isn’t going to be using it to clobber anybody, but it’s still amusing.
The performance is fitting.
I think my favorite side character is Dave, which may or may not be his real name.
It’s not exactly a high adrenaline thriller, but it’s a whole lot of tongue-in-cheek fun.

Conclusion:

If you’re in the mood for a light-hearted clean mystery, look no further than this series.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Guardian Angel Files:

4.5/5 Stars Charlotte Redbird, Ghost Coach by Sharon Buchbinder

September 4, 2021August 23, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, Paranormal, romance Rebecca Winder, Sharon Buchbinder

Series: Cat’s Paw Cove 12

Narrated by Rebecca Winder

Summary:

Charly Redbird moves to Florida after her business as a life coach hits a speedbump in the form of a put-out customer.

Additional Comments:

Moving to FL brings her close to a handsome real estate broker who happens to be an empath.
Thankfully, there wasn’t too much dancing around the point with the romance angle. He fell for her pretty quickly, and she did the same.
What makes or breaks a cozy is the side characters and setting. Cat’s Paw Cove sounds like a hopping weird place to be.
Charly’s ability to chat with ghosts and cats is amusing. There’s even a mini-mystery of sorts for her to solve.
Charly freaking out that she’s adopted was dumb, but she got over it quickly.
Content Comments: some cursing. Some skirting around adult situations.
Narrator fit the main character well.
Novella length isn’t exactly a great amount of time to get to know characters, but the cast of characters sounds amusing, especially grandma and the old folks home people.
As with most in its genre, you don’t have to think too hard with this story, just enjoy the oddities.

Conclusion:

Charming short tale of a woman who likes puns, can chat up ghosts and cats, and lands a boyfriend in about .5 seconds.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

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4/5 Stars Gertrude Gumshoe: Murder at Goodwill by Robin Merrill

August 23, 2021August 11, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, mystery Darlene Allen, Gertrude Gumshoe, Robin Merrill

Narrated by Darlene Allen

Run Time: 3 hrs and 32 mins

Summary:

Gertrude wants to be a gumshoe, ancient name for a detective. She’s basically your harmless, nosy cat lady, who happens to be a stellar amateur PI. She finds plenty of trouble and always gets her man. Eh, you know what I mean.

Additional Comments:

This time, the walker-wielding PI is wandering around Goodwill when she stumbles across a murder.
It’s a light-hearted whodunnit filled with mishaps and geriatric adventure.
If you’re in the mood for a serious book, you are definitely barking up the wrong tree.
Calvin, her elderly neighbor, is her ticket to a car. Norman is the bus driver who happens to be her unwitting accomplice.
Gertrude gets a job this round. Lady’s got a heart of gold and a hankering for yardsaling and collecting junk from Goodwill.

Conclusion:

If you don’t want to think too hard, but still want a quintessential cozy mystery to fill some time, this is an excellent series.

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3.5/5 Stars Mister Darcy’s Dogs by Barbara Silkstone

August 14, 2021August 11, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, romance Barbara Silkstone, Karen Krause, Mister Darcy

Narrated by Karen Krause

Run Time: 3 hrs and 47 mins

Summary:

In this re-imagining, Darcy’s still exceedingly rich, though Elizabeth has no idea what he does. She’s there to train his dogs to hunt.

Additional Comments:

Checked this one out because I’m still fascinated by the sheer number of Pride and Prejudice spinoffs.
This modern re-imagining might have been just as good or better set in it’s own world instead of being linked. It is quite fascinating though how many ways one plotline can be repeated so many times and in so many ways.
Wickham unfortunately lives.
Lizzy’s sisters are still twits, though props to Darcy for getting to tell Lydia so.
It got exceedingly tedious the number of times Lizzy reminded everybody that she’s Doctor Bennett, dog psychologist.
Caroline Bingley gets to be a well-connected, gold-digging glorified reporter.
The performance fits. It’s written in a light-hearted manner, but the proper, stiff language of the style takes a lot of the punch out of the comedy.
It’s clean as far as language and adult scenes go.

Conclusion:

If you’re completely obsessed with Pride and Prejudice and have time to kill, this is a decent way to do it.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

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