historical

4/5 Stars Sacred Honor by Lori Bates Wright

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, historical, romance , , ,
picture from audible

The Saberton Legacy Book 3

Narrated by Austenne Grey

Run Time: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Genre: historical, American Civil War

Summary:

Aurora Haverwood and Zachery Saberton love each other, but a lot stands in their way. First, he’s accused of something pretty awful and barely escapes with his life. But part of that deal sends him to England on an undercover mission to recover some missing money from the Confederate coffers.

Additional Comments:

  • I think of the trilogy, I liked book 2 the best so far. This one was okay. The build up was nice. The middle meandered a bit. The end declared itself from afar. There was at least one cringey stereotypical female-does-something-dumb scene just to give us another half-hour to cover.
  • Characters are endearing.
  • Kinda wish Tori was in this more.
  • Austenne Grey’s performance hit the right emotional notes.
  • Not a huge fan of the style of epilogue we got. Could have safely done without it, but it’s fine.
  • Favorite character is the lady who play’s Zach’s love interest. I’d love to see a spinoff of her adventures. Her backstory is just outlandish enough to work.

Conclusion:

Well-written. Nicely performed.

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

Have You Tried Kindle Vella Yet?

Christmas Shorts – (Mystery, thriller, Christian, suspense; Ongoing; story 1 is complete) Only one story right now, but will be a collection of short stories with characters from across my series. Typically, FBI agents with personal drama. Might feature an abundance of cute puppies.

The Minder Project Season 1 – (scifi, genetic engineering, superpowers; shares characters with Dustin’s Decision, Updated Wednesdays) The government gave her genetic Gifts. Now, it wants what it paid for from the program.

5 Steps to Better Dialogue – (nonfiction, writing skills; Complete) I feel like nonfiction titles should come with spoiler tags. This is a book for writers seeking to learn more about the creation of realistic characters and dialogue.

Assassin School Season 1 – (thriller, YA; Complete) Teen spies try to survive the rigorous training and other drama as powerful people battle to control the Ghost children.

Dustin’s Decision Devya’s Children Book 5 – (YA scifi, shares characters with The Minder Project; Complete) Genetically altered teens struggle to navigate the murky world and control their Gifts.

3.75/5 The Spinster’s Fortune by Mary Kendall

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, historical, mystery , ,
picture from audible

Narrated by Rachel Errington

Run Time 7 hrs and 55 mins

Summary:

There are almost two storylines here. There’s what happened in the past to Blanche and between Blanche and her sister Emily. Then, there’s also Margaret’s quest to find Blanche’s fortune.

Additional Comments:

  • I feel like this has some pacing issues. There’s a lot of setup to get to the payoff.
  • Margaret’s okay, but I don’t really feel like rooting for her. She’s a rich lady getting richer. Her husband’s a dud, but that’s her own fault for marrying the pretty drunk.
  • Blanche is okay. We do get to see her a wee bit in her mind as the beautiful young woman she was once upon a time.
  • The cousin is downright annoying. Note: she’s supposed to be, so in that sense, it was intended.
  • The sister for Margaret didn’t add anything. There could have been a chance to contrast the relationships between Blanche and Emily and Margaret and her sister, but it just felt like a lost thread.
  • Margaret’s husband has few redeeming qualities. It’s never really clarified if he was straight up cheating on her though. There are a few other threads that feel unresolved.
  • Robert’s the quinessential nice guy.
  • I had a very difficult time figuring out what era the story was told in. Part of the history is back during the Civil War, but most takes place in the early 1900’s-ish. There are cars. The servants seem to be relics that came with the place.
  • The treasure hunt aspect was fun.  
  • There are a few nice twists that redeem some of the confusion along the way.
  • Wrapup works even if it seems too convenient.

Conclusion:

It’s an interesting historical-ish piece. If you enjoy slow-build stories with decent payoffs to mini mysteries, give it a go.

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

Have You Tried Kindle Vella Yet?

Christmas Shorts – (Mystery, thriller, Christian, suspense; Ongoing; story 1 is complete) Only one story right now, but will be a collection of short stories with characters from across my series. Typically, FBI agents with personal drama. Might feature an abundance of cute puppies.

The Minder Project Season 1 – (scifi, genetic engineering, superpowers; shares characters with Dustin’s Decision, Updated Wednesdays) The government gave her genetic Gifts. Now, it wants what it paid for from the program.

5 Steps to Better Dialogue – (nonfiction, writing skills; Complete) I feel like nonfiction titles should come with spoiler tags. This is a book for writers seeking to learn more about the creation of realistic characters and dialogue.

Assassin School Season 1 – (thriller, YA; Complete) Teen spies try to survive the rigorous training and other drama as powerful people battle to control the Ghost children.

Dustin’s Decision Devya’s Children Book 5 – (YA scifi, shares characters with The Minder Project; Complete) Genetically altered teens struggle to navigate the murky world and control their Gifts.

4.5/5 Stars Walking to Hell by Knud E. Hermansen

Julie Gilbert historical, Military , ,
picture from amazon

Narrated by Jim Patton

Run Time: 4 hrs and 7 mins

Genre: historical fiction, time-split

Summary:

A short historical time-split novel with a 99-year-old Confederate vet telling one of his descendants part of his story. Ezekial McNair lived through the Civil War but can still recall the horrors vividly.

Additional Comments:

  • Take a while to get into the story that’s foretold in the book description. It begins with the outer tale and then starts the man’s story as a boy. That part is interesting but not super relevant.
  • Midway through the book we get to the part where he’s training and drilling with his regiment. That part is downright hilarious. There’s probably a lot the author straight up made up, but I can easily imagine these green, country boys making the same remarks about their expectations of war.
  • It stops after the first battle description then skims the rest of the war.
  • In that sense, the pacing is way off. It’s still enjoyable but would be a much stronger tale if it started with the training and went through at least a battle at the beginning, middle, and end of the war, eased off with a description of how the army disbanded and such. As is, it doesn’t even feel like a complete tale.
  • Content warnings: battle descriptions
  • Performance is okay. The narrator did all the male voices fine but struggled some with the teenage girls.

Conclusion:

Very good but has an incomplete feel. I’m sure it’s aiming for a series, but that’s unnecessary. You could write a hundred similar tales that differ because of the characters you make.

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

Have You Tried Kindle Vella Yet?

Christmas Shorts – (Mystery, thriller, Christian, suspense; Ongoing; story 1 is complete) Only one story right now, but will be a collection of short stories with characters from across my series. Typically, FBI agents with personal drama. Might feature an abundance of cute puppies.

The Minder Project Season 1 – (scifi, genetic engineering, superpowers; shares characters with Dustin’s Decision, Updated Wednesdays) The government gave her genetic Gifts. Now, it wants what it paid for from the program.

5 Steps to Better Dialogue – (nonfiction, writing skills; Complete) I feel like nonfiction titles should come with spoiler tags. This is a book for writers seeking to learn more about the creation of realistic characters and dialogue.

Assassin School Season 1 – (thriller, YA; Complete) Teen spies try to survive the rigorous training and other drama as powerful people battle to control the Ghost children.

Dustin’s Decision Devya’s Children Book 5 – (YA scifi, shares characters with The Minder Project; Complete) Genetically altered teens struggle to navigate the murky world and control their Gifts.

3.75/5 Stars Suddenly Mrs. Darcy by Jenetta James

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, historical , ,
Picture from Audible

Narrated by Lillian Rachel

Genre: (Culty knockoffs of Pride and Prejudice, I’m kidding, sorta); historical-ish

Run Time: 6 hrs and 41 Minutes

Summary:

It’s a re-writing of Pride and Prejudice with the same characters, like in a parallel universe or something. Same characters, same family dynamics, except first ball *BOOM* Mrs. Bennet arranges the coup of all societal coups and arranges for Lizzy and Darcy’s private conversation to be finagled into wedding bells.

Additional Comments:

  • 4/5 stars Performance was fine. British accents are okay. Narrator’s voice is nice and fits Elizabeth well.
  • 3/5 stars Plot – Okay, this might be a flaw of me expecting more. It doesn’t seem like much is happening. Elizabeth gets married and then spends the other 5 and a half hours learning to navigate the ins and outs of being the good wife of a much larger estate than she grew up on.
  • Characters 3.5/5 stars – Everything else panned out much the same. Wickham’s still a charming jerk, Lydia’s still silly idiot, Jane’s still a saint, etc.
  • Content warning – It’s a period piece. Keep that in mind or you’ll be too weirded out by the statutory rape (Lydia is 15).
  • Random musing – I still don’t know how Pride and Prejudice (a decent story) managed to spawn so many re-writings. I still gravitate to the weird ones (zombies, dragons, etc), but there are ones set before, during, after, in the modern day. Maybe it’s just one of the few people know are in the public domain and therefore fair game for riffs? It’s essentially legal fanfiction.

Conclusion:

Clearly, there is a market for these kinds of books. This is a suitable representative of the subgenre of Pride and Prejudice re-writings.

Have You Tried Kindle Vella Yet?

Christmas Shorts – (Mystery, thriller, Christian, suspense; Ongoing; story 1 is complete) Only one story right now, but will be a collection of short stories with characters from across my series. Typically, FBI agents with personal drama. Might feature an abundance of cute puppies.

The Minder Project Season 1 – (scifi, genetic engineering, superpowers; shares characters with Dustin’s Decision, Updated Wednesdays) The government gave her genetic Gifts. Now, it wants what it paid for from the program.

5 Steps to Better Dialogue – (nonfiction, writing skills; Complete) I feel like nonfiction titles should come with spoiler tags. This is a book for writers seeking to learn more about the creation of realistic characters and dialogue.

Assassin School Season 1 – (thriller, YA; Complete) Teen spies try to survive the rigorous training and other drama as powerful people battle to control the Ghost children.

Dustin’s Decision Devya’s Children Book 5 – (YA scifi, shares characters with The Minder Project; Complete) Genetically altered teens struggle to navigate the murky world and control their Gifts.

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

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, historical ,

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.

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

Audiobook Promotions …

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is rc-1-3-audio-ad-1024x536.jpg

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)

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)

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is DC-set-ad-1024x536.jpg

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:

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)

3.45/5 Stars The Saloon Girl’s Journey by Angela Castillo

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Christian, historical , ,

Narrated by J. Grace Pennington

Run Time: 4 hrs and 49 mins

Genre: historical-ish fiction

Summary:

Darla North escapes life as a saloon girl and comes to live in a place for “unfortunate women.” Ethan Downs is the saint that falls in love with her.

Additional Comments:

  • This kind of book generally relies upon one of the characters (usually the woman) doing something incredibly stupid and the other (usually the man) chasing them. It’s true to form. In this case, it’s an frustrating series of misunderstandings nobody bothers asking about that leads the MC to basically run away from a loving home.
  • There is one tiny spot of danger that sort of redeems some of the nonsense.
  • Narration is fine.
  • The book started out fine. I liked the small bits of her character in the two other books in this series. Largely, Darla was a disappointment though.
  • Oh, it ends with presumed happily ever after, but with the past the author gave Darla, there was so much more potential for her shady past cropping up. I felt like that part never panned out.

Conclusion:

If you’re a completionist and have read the others, might as well finish the series. It’s a clean, historical style Christian book.

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

Audiobook Promotions …

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is rc-1-3-audio-ad-1024x536.jpg

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)

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)

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is DC-set-ad-1024x536.jpg

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:

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)

3.75/5 Forbidden Legacy by Barbara Goss

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Christian, historical , ,
audible cover

Narrated by Leon Nixon

Run Time: 5 hrs and 2 mins

Genre: Christian historical-ish fiction

Summary:

Sarah Clarke travels with her aunt down from Chicago to Texas to take over the ranch her father left her. She’s in the company of Storm, who’s half-Indian.

Additional Comments:

  • Things work out in the end, but the main character annoyed me for about 1/3 of the book. It shows some decent development but made that first section tough to get through. I almost outright quit listening.
  • With stories like this there’s a man and a woman main character, but I was sort of surprised that a man narrated it, since most of it focused on Sarah. It’s fine. He did a nice job, just a surprising choice.
  • Sarah and Storm’s relationship is kind of all over the place. There’s a bit of deception involved, but it didn’t bother me this time.
  • I loved the mother’s way of fixing furniture.
  • I liked the addition of the other few antagonists. Not sure their threads wrapped up as nicely, but it’s fine. Can’t win ‘em all.

Conclusion:

Barbara Goss writes formula Christian romance stories. You basically know what you’re going to get every single time. If they’re your cup of tea, you won’t be disappointed. Boy meets girl. One may/may not be Christian and a hot mess. By the end both are Christian and they’re either married or engaged to be married.

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

Audiobook Promotions …

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is rc-1-3-audio-ad-1024x536.jpg

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)

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is DC-set-ad-1024x536.jpg

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)

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.)

3.5/5 Shadow of Deceit by Barbara Goss

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Christian, historical , ,
audible photo

Narrated by Tom Jordan

Run Time: 3 hrs and 34 mins

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

*spoiler in discussion

Summary:

Caleb gets duped into paying a LOT of money. Julia needs the money to save her brother, but she comes to care for the guy she scams.

Additional Comments:

  • These stories are always fluff pieces, but this plot is more of a stretch than usual.
  • I liked the characters, but they were dumb and didn’t always have realistic reactions.
  • Forgiveness is a powerful thing, but I have serious issues with a guy who has legit trust issues from being scammed employing the same/similar tactics and the lady being all “oh, I guess I had that coming, shucks” about it.
  • Caleb having unholy sums of money sort of took away the power of the scam. I’d be ticked if somebody scammed me out of $5K now, let alone back in a time and place when that was like $100K or more in terms of value. Caleb’s reaction to losing that much was kind of pathetic. He was hurt but more about the broken trust, not ballistic. He could have found out where Julia had gone and tracked her down no problem. Or hired somebody to do it. That’s a big fat plot hole.
  • Tom Jordan has a nice voice.

Conclusion:

If you’re a completionist, go for it, but you can enjoy the other books in the series without the entry.

*Found a code on a free code site. I have freely chosen to leave this review.

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

Audiobook Promotions …

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is rc-1-3-audio-ad-1024x536.jpg

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)

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)

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is DC-set-ad-1024x536.jpg

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:

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)

4/5 Stars The Declaration by Lars D. H. Hedbor

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, historical , ,
cover from audible

Narrated by Shamaan Casey

Run Time: 5 hrs and 1 min

Genre: Historical Fiction; Revolutionary War Tales

Summary:

Justin Harris struggles to keep his tobacco farm up and running in the midst of the revolutionary war.

Hundreds of years later, Katie Harris helps her grandmother clean out her house and stumbles upon the find of a lifetime.

Additional Comments:

  • The author didn’t have much to say in this story; hence, the frame. It provided an interesting touch. The inner and outer tales worked well, but neither had much of a plot.
  • The main characters didn’t do much of anything. I felt like I was hearing a short story.
  • I love Shamaan Casey’s voice. I’m fairly easy to please in terms of narrators, but there are still voices that stand out as exceptional, such as Casey.
  • The historical note at the end didn’t annoy me as much as some others have.
  • Several threads were left unresolved, such as Terrence’s fate. He got a quick, this happened, then this happened, then this happened sort of wrapup, which helped but wasn’t as satisfying. We learn they sold the main document, but nothing is said about the other pieces or if the family learns about who did what in terms of who’s descended from whom.

Conclusion:

You can read the series in any order. They’re always clean and have an interesting tidbit or two about the revolutionary war.

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

Audiobook Promotions …

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is rc-1-3-audio-ad-1024x536.jpg

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)

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)

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is DC-set-ad-1024x536.jpg

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:

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)

3.45/5 stars Empress Wu Zetian by Laurel A. Rockefeller

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, historical, Nonfiction , , ,
pic from audible

Narrated by Richard Mann

Run Time: 1 hr and 5 mins

Genre: nonfic, historical

Summary:

Wu Zhao is the woman who went from low-level concubine to trusted confident of Emperor Taizong. Got that from the back cover copy. This is a very short history. It was not clear in the story that she was 14 at the time she was married off to the emperor. I think the back cover copy stretches the truth a bit from the presentation in the book. It didn’t seem like she climbed the ladder, the emperor was like “yo, you want to be my trusted confidante and secretary? These other jerks only want power” and she was like “yup.”

Additional Comments:

  • She’s presented in very favorable light here. The account kind of glosses over a few things like her ordering the death of pretty much anybody who didn’t agree with her utopian, very progressive ideals. And stealing power whenever she needed to because she could run the country better than anybody else.
  • Lady’s got grit, gotta give her that.
  • She also behaved exactly like those she fought against, having male concubines of a sort. Excuse: everybody else is doing it. Awesome, there’s who we should hold up as the moral paragon.
  • The reforms she wanted were great. It probably moved the country many leaps and bounds forward, but the greater good theory of excusing bad behavior just doesn’t fly.
  • I haven’t read many of these, but this was the better of the two.
  • The author’s views definitely flavor the telling.
  • The main message is twofold: positions should be given out based on merit not wealth and prestige already inherent to certain families and anything men can do, women can do.
  • I think the point the author is semi-burying under a rug of heaping praises is that power corrupts. Even in the name of doing good, power corrupts.

Conclusion:

If you can get around the very heavy-handed slant of setting this woman up for sainthood, it’s a decent story of a strong lady.

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

Audiobook Promotions …

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is rc-1-3-audio-ad-1024x536.jpg

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)

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)

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is DC-set-ad-1024x536.jpg

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:

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)