Egg Shooters (Cackleberry Club #9) by Laura Childs

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Title: Egg Shooters (Cackleberry Club #9)

Author: Laura Childs

Narrator:Susan Boyce

Pages: 304

Length: 7 hours, 40 minutes

Year: 2021

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Berkley Books (print)

       Dreamscape Media, LLC (audio)

Format: Audiobook (also available in eBook and paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     A murder in the local hospital is raising everyone’s temperature in the latest book in the New York Times bestselling Cackleberry Club series.

     Suzanne Dietz, co-owner of the Cackleberry Club Cafe, is visiting her fiancé, Dr. Sam Hazelet, when a masked gunman bursts into the emergency room. He shoots two people and would probably have done more damage had Suzanne not brained him with a thermos full of chili. Still, the gunman manages to escape.

     Now the ladies of the Cackleberry Club are determined to find the killer before he finds them.

My review:

     This is an amazing cozy mystery!

     I love the main characters in this book. Suzanne and her two friends who own the Cackleberry Club Cafe can’t be more different from each other. They have truly figured out how to work together running their business though.

     The plot of the mystery is fantastic. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and confused.

     The narrator does a fabulous job! She is a wonderful voice actress and has a wide variety of voices and accents for each of the various characters. She really made the story come to life.

     I am giving this entertaining book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy by Janice Lynn

 

Title: Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy

Author: Janice Lynn

Narrated by: Rachel Jacobs and Alexander Cendese

Pages: 336

Length: 8 hours 17 minutes

Release Date: October 27, 2020

Genre: Christmas Romance

Publisher: Hallmark Publishing

Format: Audiobook (also available in paperback and eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     When Sophie Davis sorts through a box of donated books to her church, she’s surprised to discover a soldier’s journal. As the daughter of a veteran who watched her father struggle over the years, she feels a deep connection to the man who wrote the emotional entries.

     Former Marine Cole Aaron battled to find peace after returning to civilian life. He’s always needs to protect others. Now, fighting fires in Pine Hill, Kentucky helps him put out the demons within him. When Sophie shows up at the fire hall with his journal from when he’d first returned stateside, Cole can’t believe it was in the box he’d donated. Not wanting to face painful memories, he tells her to trash it.

     Sophie and Cole are drawn together as they both volunteer for their community, but it’s hard for Cole to let down his guard, and he doesn’t need anyone’s pity. After all he’s been through in the past, can he find faith in a more hopeful future. . .one touched by joy?

     This heartwarming romance includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Dilly Duchess Potatoes.

My review:

     This is a delightful Christmas romance!

     I love both of the main characters. Cole and Sophie and incredibly well developed and easy to connect with. I love the fact that they were connected by veterans. Cole is a veteran with huge emotional wounds from his time in the military. Sophie on the other hand has many memories of her father, who was a veteran with huge emotional wounds.

     I loved seeing how their friendship developed. Sophie was doing all she could to befriend Cole while he was doing everything to prevent becoming her friend. There were many moments that had me laughing out loud while I was listening to this audiobook.

     I had never heard of the Quilts of Love Foundation before reading this wonderful story. It is a marvelous organization and Sophie is deeply involved in it. I learned a lot about it and the work that they do.

     The book is written from alternating viewpoints. It goes back and forth from Sophie to Cole. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that this audiobook has two narrators. They both did a wonderful job making the story come to life.

     I thoroughly enjoyed this story and have decided to give it a rating of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Cul-de-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson; Narrated by Kate Rudd

 

Title: The Cul-de-Sac War

Author: Melissa Ferguson

Narrator: Kate Rudd

Pages: 336

Duration: 8 hours 8 minutes

Release Date: November 10, 2020

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Format: Audiobook (also available in paperback and eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     All’s fair in love and prank wars.

     Bree Leake doesn’t want to be tied down. She’s had more jobs than she can count, and she plans to move as soon as the curtains fall on her less-than-minor stage role at The Barter—the oldest live performance theater in the US. But just when it’s time to move on again, Bree’s parents make her an offer: hold steady for a full year, and they will give her the one thing she’s always wanted—her grandmother’s house. Her dreams are coming true . . . until life at the theater throws her come curve balls.

     And then there’s Chip McBride—her handsome and infuriating next-door neighbor.

     Chip just might be the only person whose stubborn streak can match Bree’s. She would move heaven and earth to have him off her cul-de-sac and out of her life, but according to the bargain she’s struck, she can’t move out of her house and away from the man who’s making her life miserable. So begins Bree’s obsessive new mission: to drive Chip out of the neighborhood—and fast.

     Bree isn’t the only one who’s a tad competitive, and Chip is more than willing to fight fire with fire. But as their pranks escalate, the line between love and hate starts to blur—and their heated rivalry threatens to take a hilarious, heartwarming, and romantic new turn.

My review:

     I loved this wonderful romantic comedy!

     Both of the main characters are extremely well developed. They each have some self doubts. Most of them are connected to family issues. I enjoyed seeing their growth by the end of the book as they dealt with their families.

     Then there is a large dog that throws in a lot of hilarious moments and initiates the conflict between Bree and Chip. The ideas that they both come up with for pranks to pull on each other are amazing. I wouldn’t want to live by either of them and have them decide to prank me.

     Add to that the problems that they are both dealing with in the jobs and I found this book to be very entertaining.

     The narrator did a fabulous job of making the story come to life. She was a lot of fun to listen to because she managed to sound different for each character when they were speaking. Alternating chapters are written from the viewpoint of Bree and Chip. That means that she had to speak from two distinctly different voices for large portions of the book. It was incredible. I will be looking for more audiobooks that she has narrated.

     I’m giving this marvelous book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Piper Green and the Fairy Tree (Piper Green #1) by Ellen Potter; Narrated by Tavia Gilbert

Title: Piper Green and the Fairy Tree (Piper Green #1)

Author: Ellen Potter

Narrator: Tavia Gilbert

Pages: 112

Duration: 56 minutes

Year: 2015

Genre: Beginning Reader Chapter Book

Publisher: Knopf Books (print)

      Live Oak Media (audiobook)

Format: audiobook (also available in paperback and eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     There are three things you should know about Piper Green:

1. She always says what’s on her mind (even when she probably shouldn’t).

2. She rides a lobster boat to school.

3. There is a Fairy Tree in her front yard.

     Life on an island in Maine is always interesting. But when a new teacher starts at Piper’s school—and doesn’t appreciate the special, um, accessory that Piper has decided to wear—there may be trouble on the horizon. Then Piper discovers the Fairy Tree in her front yard. Is the Fairy Tree really magic? And can it fix Piper’s problems?

My review:

     This is a delightful beginning readers chapter book!

     I loved Piper. She is a charming character and very open about her thoughts and feelings. She is dealing with a difficult change at home. No one seems to understand though. I thoroughly enjoyed how she learned to adjust to it.

     The narrator did a wonderful job. The wide variety of voices she used really made the story come to life. I am amazed that she not only changed from men to women, but also from adults to children.

     I’m giving this sweet book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it. In fact I think I will be buying it for some of my grandchildren.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Dead-End Detective (Piper and Porter Mystery #1) by Amanda Flower

Title: Dead-End Detective (Piper and Porter Mystery #1)

Author: Amanda Flower

Narrator: Laura Faye Smith

Pages: 227

Length: 7 hours

Release Date: August 25, 2020

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Hallmark Publishing (book) Dreamscape (audio)

Format: audiobook (also available in paperback and eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     They were the Two Girls Detective Agency. Now, one of them is dead, and the other is suspected of murder. Darby Piper is in shock. Samantha Porter—her mentor and business partner at Two Girls Detective Agency—has died in a car crash, and it doesn’t look like an accident. In fact, evidence is pointing toward Darby. Darby had expected to inherit Samantha’s half of the agency, but Samantha had recently changed the will to leave it to Tate Porter, her nephew, who returns to town. Tate is no P.I. He’s a veteran, a world traveler, and something of a mystery himself. But as he helps Darby delve into secret histories and real estate development plans, he does seem to have a knack for the job. Will the agency have a future. . .even it Darby can prove her innocence in time?

My review:

This is a wonderful cozy mystery!

I really like both of the main characters. Both Darby and Tate are very well developed. Then there is a whole cast of supporting characters. Some of them have some definite quirks that make them very fun to meet. One of my favorites has to be Darby’s mother, the librarian. I loved how she was always encouraging everyone to read.

The mystery is very well crafted. Plenty of twists and turns. Enough suspects to keep the reader guessing. Then a revelation very near the end of the book that completely caught me by surprise.

The narrator was absolutely fabulous! She did an incredible job of switching voices and accents as each character was talking. I was amazed at how well she did then voices of the men too. She truly made the story come to life. I hope that she narrates a lot more audiobooks.

I am giving this marvelous story a rating of 5 stars both for the story and for the narration. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

A Viscount's Proposal (The Regency Spies of London #2) by Melanie Dickerson

 

Title: A Viscount’s Proposal (The Regency Spies of London #1)

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Narrator: Anna Parker-Naples

Pages: 288

Length: 8 hours, 25 minutes

Year: 2017

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Waterfall Press (print & eBook)

      Brilliance Audio (audiobook)

Format: Audiobook (also available in eBook and paperback)

About the book:

     Leorah Langdon has no patience for Regency society’s shallow hypocrisy and unnecessary rules, especially for women. She’s determined to defy convention by marrying for grand passion instead of settling for a loveless union like her parents—or wedding a stuffy, pompous gentleman like Edward, the Viscount Withinghall. But when a chance meeting in the countryside leads to Leorah and Withinghall being discovered in his overturned carriage—alone and after dark—the ensuing gossip may force them together.

     Withinghall has his reasons for clinging to propriety; his father perished in a duel with his mistress’s husband, and Edward must avoid scandal himself if he wants to become prime minister. He certainly has no time for a reckless hoyden like Miss Langdon. But soon the two discover that Withinghall’s coach “accident” was no such thing: the vehicle was sabotaged.

     Can the culprit be brought to justice? Strong-willed Leorah and duty-driven Withinghall will have to work together if they have any hope of saving her reputation, his political career—and his life.

My review:

     This is a fantastic historical romance.

     I love both of the main characters in this book. Leorah and Edward learn a lot about themselves and how they should treat others as the story progresses. This all happens as they each learn how to see beyond the faults of the other person, to their strengths.

     Thrown into the middle of the romance is a wonderful light mystery. There are a number of clues as to who is trying to kill Lord Withinghall. We only find out what the motive is very near the end of the book.

     The narrator for this book did an excellent job of making the story come alive. The various voices and intonations she used are great.

     I’m giving this delightful audiobook 5 stars on both the story and the narration. I highly recommend it.

A Spy's Devotion (Regency Spies of London #1) by Melanie Dickerson

Title: A Spy’s Devotion (Regency Spies of London #1)

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Narrated by: Anna Parker-Naples

Duration: 9 hours, 53 minutes

Year: 2016

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Format: Audio book (also available in paperback and eBook)

About the book:

     In England’s Regency era, manners and elegance reign in public life - but behind closed doors treason and deception thrive. Nicholas Langdon is no stranger to reserved civility or bloody barbarity. After suffering a battlefield injury, the wealthy, well-connected British office return home to heal - and to fulfill a dyping soldier’s last wish by delivering his coded diary.

     At the home of the Wilherns, one of England’s most powerful families, Langdon attends a lavish ball where he meets their beautiful and intelligent ward, Julia Grey. Determined to maintain propriety, he keeps his distance - until the diary is stolen and all clues lead to Julia’s guardian. As Landgon traces an evil plot that could be the nation’s undoing, he grows ever more intrigued by the lovely young woman. And when Julia realized that England - and the man she is falling in love with - need her help, she finds herself caught in the fray. Will the two succumb to their attraction while fighting to save their country?

My review:

     I was completely caught up in this wonderful historical romance.

     I love both of the main characters in this story. They are both committed to doing the right thing. At times though Miss Julia Grey is a little uncertain as to where her loyalty should be placed. I enjoyed seeing how she worked out this question.

     The plot of the story is great. I was very interested in seeing how Mr. Nicholas Langdon went about tracking down the evidence that the War Department asked him to get.

     The narrator did an amazing job? She was marvelous at altering her voice. Many times I felt very much like there could have been a whole cast of people reading the parts. She was also great at making me feel what the characters were feeling.

At Home in Mitford (The Mitford Years #1) by Jan Karon

Title: At Home in Mitford (The Mitford Years #1)

Author: Jan Karon

Time: 19 hours, 20 minutes

Year: Print - 1994, Audio - 1996

Genre: Contemporary

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Format: Audio book (also available in paperback and eBook)

About the book:

     It’s easy to feel at home in Mitford, North Carolina. In these high, green hills, the air is pure, the village is charming, and the people are friendly. Yet, Father Tim, the bachelor rector, wants something more. Enter a dog the size of a sofa who moves in and won’t go away. Add an attractive neighbor who begins wearing a path through the hedge. Now, stir in a lovable but unloved boy, a mystifying jewel theft, and a secret that’s sixty years old. Suddenly, Father Tim gets more than he bargained for. And readers get a rich comedy about ordinary people and their ordinary lives.

My review:

     This is a charming look at small town life.

     I love the characters in this book. There is a wonderful variety among them. Many of them have very unusual quirks that kept me chuckling.

     The story spans a little over a year in the lives of the residents of Mitford. I thoroughly enjoyed the everyday life element. Most of it is just common occurrences. Then there will a be a notable event that takes place. The book just flows back and forth as time passes.

     The narrator did a magnificent job of making the story come to life. He didn’t just read the book. The various voices and accents he used for the different characters was incredible. It was very easy to tell when a different one was talking.

     I have decided that I have to give this charming book a rating of 5 stars. I’m highly recommending it.

The Quilter's Apprentice (Elm Creek Quilts #1) by Jennifer Chiaverini

Title: The Quilter’s Apprentice (Elm Creek Quilts #1)

Author: Jennifer Chiaverini

Narrated by: Christina Moore

Listening Length: 8 hours and 40 minutes

Year: 2004

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Publisher: Recorded Books

Format: Audio Book

About the book:

     After moving with her husband, Matt, to the small college town of Waterford, Pennsylvania, Sarah McClure struggles to find a fulfilling job. In the meantime, she agrees to help seventy-five-year-old Sylvia Compson prepare her family estate, Elm Creek Manor, for sale. As part of her compensation, Sarah is taught how to quilt by this cantankerous elderly woman, who is a master of the craft. During their lessons, Mrs. Compson reveals how her family was torn apart by tragedy, jealousy, and betrayal, and her stories force Sarah to face uncomfortable truths about her own alienation from her widowed mother. As their friendship deepens, Mrs. Compson confides in Sarah the truth about why she wants to sell Elm Creek Manor. In turn, Sarah seeks a way to bring life and joy back to the estate so Mrs. Compson can keep her home — and Sarah can keep her cherished friend. The Quilter’s Apprentice teaches deep lessons about family, friendship, and sisterhood, and about creating a life as you would a quilt: with time, love, and patience, piecing the miscellaneous and mismatched scraps into a beautiful whole.

My review:

     This is a delightful women’s novel!

     There is a large cast of very well developed characters. I loved meeting Sarah, Matt, and Sylvia. They are the main characters that are central and the rest of the cast fills in around them. I found it very interesting to see how they met and their friendship developed over the course of the story.

     Sylvia is a master quilter and it was fascinating for me to read all the details about how a quilt is made. The descriptions of the different quilt blocks captivated me. I have never tried quilting but I love looking at quilts.

     I loved the narrator for this audio book. She did a marvelous job of changing her voice for the different characters. It made it very easy to keep listening and losing myself in the story.

    I have to give this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I am definitely highly recommending it.