literature

4/5 stars The Legends Saga Collection (Books 1-3) by Stacey Rourke

Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks, Horror, literature , ,
pic from audible

Narrated by Karen Krause

Summary:

Ireland Crane moves to a new town and gets caught up in a series of scary events.

Additional Comments:

  • Book 1 mixes in the headless horseman, Washington Irving, and Rip Van Winkle. book 2 brings in Edgar Allen Poe and Ridley.
  • Poe can raise the dead and see them, but they aren’t very nice.
  • Performance is nice. The narrator fits the main character well.
  • Noah is a fun side character.
  • The homicidal demon is kind of hilarious.
  • Story 2: there are even more dreams and hallucinations… makes things hard to follow.
  • Book 2 is 90% witty banter, while fun, it feels like filler.
  • Regan (the horse) might be my favorite character. At least he is true to form.
  • Get to meet a lot of literary figures. I never did like The Scarlet Letter though. Would help if I knew each of the original stories better because these stories are like random literature tossed into a blender and frosted with sarcasm.
  • Disturbing, interesting.
  • Ending is confusing, like the author legit couldn’t pick just one.

Conclusion:

Oddly fun for a horror story.

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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.

2.5/5 Befogged by Catherine Johann

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, literature , , ,
pic from audible

Narrated by Denise Levine

Run Time: 11 hrs and 11 mins

*spoilers possible in discussion

Summary:

The description tells you absolutely nothing. The paperback description tells you a little more, but almost as bullet points. This is a long, complicated look at one woman’s life pretty much from birth to beyond death.

Additional Comments:

  • Performance 4/5 stars: Well performed. There weren’t many alternate character voices needed because this is very much all about Winnie. The narrator did a nice with the main character, following her a long way through many life changes and events.
  • If something bad could happen to someone, it’s probably happened to Winnie. Success, check. Failure, check. Sexual abuse, check. Rape, check. Homelessness, check. Loneliness, check. Love, check. Debilitating disease, check.
  • Content Warning: There are a few curse words and strong themes like emotional abuse, substance use (maybe abuse?), child abuse, rape, etc.
  • The story is certainly thoroughly described. It falls in the category of using 500 words to say something that should have been 50. Thus, it comes down to personal preference. If you like long-winded, literature heavy, depressing stuff, this is definitely something to check out. If you don’t, keep fishing for a different book because this isn’t for you.
  • Use of dialogue tags is atrocious. I finally get why people are like, said is the only dialogue tag that should ever be used. Personally, I like some variety, but wafted does not qualify. Other word choice is somewhat odd too. (Dismembering a tree.)
  • Not arguing that this woman didn’t have a rough life, but some of her reactions are off. I really can’t say much without running straight into spoiler territory.
  • The mystical aspects were fine. I like fantasy, but it seemed out of place in the type of story unfolding.
  • Random thing that sort of amused me. The woman and the person she loves make up a code for their own personal love language. That part is cool. The acronym AF is not. What they meant it to mean and what I’m used to that meaning are very different things.

Conclusion:

If you like literature and deep dives into people’s lives (the good, the bad, and the ugly), you might like this.

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Audiobook Promotions …

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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.*

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)

Beyond Broken Pencils by Julie C. Gilbert

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, literature, suspense , , ,
pic from audible

Narrated by Curt Bonnem

Run Time: 5 hrs and 56 mins

Summary:

Ian Colt strolls into his high school with a deadly plan to take out as many people as he can. It’s a strangely familiar American tale of a kid unleashing his inner demons on his classmates and teachers. Who are the heroes? Who is the villain? How do people react?

Additional Comments:

  • I’ve worked in suburban high schools for about 15 years now. Thankfully, this story isn’t drawn from personal experience, but hopefully, it has enough truth to help bring up the topic in a safe environment for discussion.
  • By far, this isn’t my cheeriest tale. I usually feel weird saying I hope people enjoy it because “enjoy” isn’t really the right word.
  • The book has a rather large cast because schools have a lot of people. If you have the ebook version, you’ll see the list of friends and fans who had their names added to the roll call as it were.
  • Generally, words come quickly for me, but I remember this story fighting me a bit. Several stories since the pandemic have fought me, but this one was always different and finished well before the pandemic.
  • Although Ian plays video games and even makes a miniature game of shooting certain people for “bonus points” he awards himself, I’m not blaming video games for gun violence. A lot of people—including me—play games without turning into gun-toting psychos who shoot up their schools. Over the years, the games change, but kids are mostly the same. It would be unrealistic to think Ian doesn’t have some interaction with video games.
  • What causes gun violence? Oh, probably many things. Bandying around blame won’t fix society’s failures.
  • What’s the solution? There’s probably not one solution, but it can help to talk to kids and people in general. People have to learn better coping mechanisms than bury your pain until you explode.
  • Curt Bonnem’s performance worked out well for the story.

Conclusion:

I don’t usually write tragic tales, but here, I made an exception. If you want a happy ending, this isn’t the correct title for you right now. If you want as close a peek into this sort of tragedy that I can give you, give it a go.

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Audiobook Promotions …

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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)

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:

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)

Audiobook Reviews 4/5 Stars: A Son at the Front by Edith Wharton

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, classic, literature ,

Narrated by Robin Siegerman

Run Time: 11 hrs and 52 mins

Find it on ACX: A Son at the Front

Summary:

The back cover copy/ book description pretty much spells out the book start to finish. John Campton’s only son, George, by an accident of birth is a French citizen. So, when WWI opens, he’s conscripted into the army. John, his ex, and his ex’s husband try their darndest to get George a cushy staff posting instead of going to the front, but George has his own plans, duties, and ideals to adhere to.

Additional Comments:

–        The summary at the end was quite helpful.

–        Length 3/5: Probably would have been more powerful as a 6-hour book instead of almost 12.

–        Plot 3/5: A lot happens, but the perspective hampers the experience. It’s limited to John’s point of view, which is fine, but since he’s not really involved in any action per se, the book drags a lot. There are huge events talked about instead of experiences. It rehashes the horrors of war and the nervousness the parents feel by talking about the situation instead of showing the mud and blood of the trenches. WWI kicked off a long, bloody century. Now, a little over a hundred years have past and the problems of the day dominate thoughts, making the sufferings recounted seem mute, almost trivial.

–        Characters 3.5/5: As Mr. Buitenhuis nicely summed up, the other characters are completely self-absorbed. That makes them realistic but not very likable. Even John’s not exactly a character who stands out in many ways. That’s kind of the point. He’s an artist and a father put in difficult circumstances, but always on the edge of the action because he’s legit powerless to change the war that threatens his most precious possession, his son. (That can be taken as endearing or creepy.)

–        Performance 4.5/5: Solid. The characters are distinguished well. The French phrases and accents are also handled nicely. I would certainly listen to more of her efforts.

Conclusion:

In many ways, it’s a beautiful story, but it’s too literature-y for me to be in love with. Maybe I’m just a soda fan being served wine.

Audiobook Promotions …

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Many of my 44 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)