Rlane

Another exciting installment!

Reviewed: 07-25-24

Auden Scott is the daughter of the ruthless Psy-Counselor pair: Henry and Shoshanna Scott. Her mind was fractured in an experiment approved by her mother that went wrong. Auden has recovered for the most part, now fully aware/awake, and pregnant, without her consent or memory! She and her baby are constantly monitored by the advisors left over by her mother, a prisoner in her own home. When touring the properties she inherited from her parents, Auden discovers land adjacent to the Rain Fire Pack where she encounters the Alpha, Remi and there’s an immediate connection.

Remi is fascinated by Auden Scott, the clearly damaged Psy, so when she takes up residence close by and alone, he can’t help but check on her. What he discovers about her circumstances is chilling. Auden needs his help. Remi’s determined to keep her and her child safe.

I was outraged for Auden by the treatment she had by the ones who were supposed to love and protect her! I wondered at what was going on and I had my suspicions. Auden’s mother was truly awful! I was so happy she found the Remi and sanctuary with the Rain Fire Pack, because she and her baby needed protection from those psychos!

Primal Mirror is book 8 in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series, “season two” in the Psy-Changeling series. It’s best read in order. Or at least from the first Trinity book. Each book is a standalone romance, but there’s an ongoing story arc that came to a critical point in this installment. The Psy race are desperately trying to repair/salvage the Psy-Net from imminent collapse. There was movement on that front and other revelations that wouldn’t make sense if you read this as a standalone. I loved the cooperation from all races: Human, Psy, and Changeling banding together to help the Psy.

I completely recommend this series for fans of fast-paced, chemistry filled shifter/sci-fi romances! I would start from the very beginning, the original series and keep going. The audios, read by Angela Dawe, are fantastic!

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Unexpectedly Good!

Reviewed: 01-22-24

My Life as a White Trash Zombie was unexpectedly good! I was a little hesitant that I’d like Angel being that she’s a self-described loser and drug addict. However, not only was this a zombie story, but it was also a story of positive personal growth, and a mystery. Angel is a smart cookie who had a rough start in life. I’m eager to see her take charge of her life and happiness and excel!

Angel wakes up in the ER told that she was saved from an overdose, but the flashes of memory she has doesn’t match up with the account she’s been given. Also, when Angel leaves the ER she’s given a note and instructions to show up and start work at the coroner’s office or be reported to her parole officer which would likely result in her going back to jail. A threat that motivates her to comply.

Angel’s job sounds like a nightmare for someone with a notoriously weak stomach, but there are some surprising revelations as she settles in. Also, there’s a string of murders where the corpse has been left decapitated.

My Life as a White Trash Zombie was a “page-turner”! A story I didn’t want to stop listening to! I listened to the story straight through and was tempted to continue with the next story, but it was getting too late! Allison McLemore’s performance was perfection! I loved her Southern accent, and her comedic timing was excellent! There wasn’t as much laugh-out-loud humor as I thought there’d be, more ironic, dry humor that worked well with this story.

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Twisty and atmospheric!

Reviewed: 11-25-23

Luna and her friends are reuniting at a remote estate, getting together after years apart, but one of them isn’t part of the group. Bea Shepherd, Darcie’s younger sister, died eight years earlier and it still doesn’t make any sense to Luna. Bea was a bright star in the group, with her magnetic personality, everyone loved her. Luna can’t forgive the way Darcie handled her death, brushing it and the details under the rug.

Luna has struggled with the loss, but now has an added reason to finally get answers about Bea’s death. She’s going blind and wants to be able to look her friends in the face, see their reactions to her questions. She wants the truth, even if her questions stir up anger and bitterness.

Their meet-up turns dangerous as a winter storm cuts them off from civilization, trapping them at the estate while things start going wrong. Tensions grow while they struggle to survive long enough to escape.

Oh, this was a twisty, atmospheric mystery! It took a little to get into it, getting to know the characters and history, but as soon as strange things started happening, I was hooked! The characters stuck together at a gothic-like, creepy estate upped the tension! There were a couple of surprises as all is revealed! I’m still thinking about the story!

Narration was top notch. I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

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Perfection!

Reviewed: 06-03-23

You’ve probably seen about a million reviews for The True Love Experiment, so I won’t bore you with another recap. This was just so much fun! Fizzy had no filter and I laughed so hard at the things that just flew out of her mouth. Especially, the verbal bombs she’d drop just as River was somehow entering the room! He’d just turn tail and leave, like every time, lol!

But there’s a lot more to the story than just slapstick. Both Fizzy and Connor had things to work through. A very inconvenient, strong attraction, considering the circumstances, that I’m super happy they couldn’t resist most of the time. The sexual tension, heat and chemistry was off-the-charts! Connor and Fizzy just felt so right for each other! I was skeptical about the whole dating show feature, but Christina Lauren made it work perfectly! They wrapped it up so cleverly and in the best way! The True Love Experiment may be my favorite CL to date! Total recommend!

I alternately listened to the audio and read an e-copy. I recommend either version! Cindy Kay was perfect for Fizzy and she performed Connor’s bits well, too. Jonathan Cole’s British accent was divine and his did Fizzy’s part nicely, as well! They enhanced an already spectacular read! I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

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Narration was excellent, story was ok

Reviewed: 05-15-23

While I was happy with the positive female friendships featured and forged in this story, the depressing situations both Sam and Nisha dealt with overshadowed the story. I think it was probably 80-85% before either character had some positive resolutions. One bad thing after another made this one a downer for me. I was happy that there was justice and proper revenge by the end, but would've liked some more joy interspersed. There were some fun bits here and there, but not nearly enough to balance out crappy things that were happening to Nisha and Sam, IMO.

Daisy Ridley made the story worth the listen. Comedic timing and character emotions were excellently performed!

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A feel good romance!

Reviewed: 05-15-23

Inheriting an old inn forces three childhood friends to return to their hometown and mend fences. I liked each of the three: Alice, a sassy, independent woman who’s been on the go, never in one place for long since her brother's death. Lauren, Alice’s ex-best friend, who stayed in Sunrise Cove, pitied as the sort of “widow” of Alice’s brother after he died. And then there’s Knox, Alice’s teenage crush, who left and went on to start a successful construction business. He loved the inn and Sunrise Cove, but has his own painful memories drudged up by coming home.

The Backup Plan was a low-angst story with two romances, and a second-chance-at-bes-friends with Lauren and Alice. They let time and distance get between them but the forced proximity had them remembering how close they were, how much the friendship meant. Knox and Alice tip toe around mutual attraction while working on the inn, and Lauren finds love at the hardware store. Both romances made me smile.

I enjoyed the lessons they learned from Eleanor’s emails. Some of the revelations they had from them were painful to hear but helped the three face things they wouldn’t have normally.

The story is book three of the series, but it’s not necessary to read the previous books to enjoy it.

The Backup Plan was a feel-good story with friendship, love, and the comfort of finding home again.

Andi Arndt is one of my all-time favorite narrators for romance! Male or female voices she's awesome. I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

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Can't wait for the next one!

Reviewed: 05-15-23

Nola is still working on renovating her Creole Cottage in Louisiana thinking that the spirit of Beau’s grandfather and Jeanne Broussard have moved on. Unfortunately, Beau’s grandfather is still there along with another malevolent presence. Nola knows there must be something still holding Beau’s grandfather there, but with the appearance of Beau’s long-lost sister that issue gets sidelined. But not for long.

I really like Nola and along with her I wanted to know why the spirit of Beau’s grandfather, and his mother, Adele was still hanging around when Sunny was found. There’s also the matter of the evil spirit also lurking. I love all the side characters in this series, Jolene, Nola’s best friend particularly! She cracks me up so much with all her Southern sayings, like “Never iron or fry chicken naked” her need to monogram everything for everyone, even their dog Mardi, her driving, and her constant efforts to bring Nola’s style up to par. Efforts Nola mostly tries to evade, but reluctantly appreciates. Nola and Jolene’s friendship is one of my favorite things about this series!

The ongoing messy romantic situation, with a Beau involved with someone else while there’s a clear attraction between Beau and Nola, would usually bother me, but somehow, it’s tolerable here. In fact, if I’m being honest, it’s part of the reason I keep reading on, and the fact that it isn’t the main feature of this story. The mystery, the ghosts, Nola’s friends, and progress in renovations make this story captivating. I love the setting of historic Louisiana and the subject of restoring old homes. I wish I was there in person to see it as it happens (yes, I do realize this is a fictional story, haha)!

This is a series where it's best to read in order. This mystery wraps up, but there’s an ongoing story arc and the relationships that make me eager for the next one!

I alternately listened and read an e-copy. Sophie Amoss’ performance brings these characters to life, and I love her Southern accents! I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed. I recommend either format.

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Can't wait for the next one!

Reviewed: 05-09-23

Police Detective Beau Herbert is disturbed and frustrated with the St. Augustine Police Department he works for in Louisiana. His investigations and convictions are thwarted at every turn, and he knows there are dirty cops working there so he reaches out to his friend, Michael, one of the members of Matt Costa’s FBI Mobile Response Team for help solving the murders of seven girls, one his crime informant. Michael, Kara, and Matt are kept busy looking for a way in when their help is rebuffed by the police department. They find evidence of corruption and dereliction of duty and, but they have ways to work around, but they have to be careful because it’s obvious someone in power doesn’t want the cases solved.

Each of the team members uses their unique talents to help solve the case, Kara fitting in undercover, Jim with forensics, Matt working the higher ups. It’s an intense situation with all having to watch their backs not knowing who they can trust with law enforcement being involved in the corruption. It was a gripping mystery; one I didn’t want to put down!

Allison Brennan is one of my favorite mystery authors! Seven Girls Gone is the fourth book in the Quinn & Costa series, best read in order to understand the character relationships, like the romance between Matt and Kara. I like that the team is getting closer, appreciating each other’s quirks and talents, and really starting to mesh. The mystery is wrapped up in a nail-biting, action-packed conclusion! I’m looking forward to the next one!

I alternately read and listened to Seven Girls Gone and recommend either version. The audio was a pleasure to listen to with Suzanne T. Fortin performing. She did an excellent job with all the voices, male and female. I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

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Action-packed & hot stuff!

Reviewed: 03-22-23

Isabeau Boudreaux lost her sight at fifteen when her parents were killed in an apparent murder suicide and she was shot in the process. However, her eyesight and memories have slowly been coming back, and she’s beginning to think the story she was told may not be the truth. Especially since there’s been several “accidents” where she narrowly escaped with her life over the years.

In the latest attempt on her life, her friend Angel is almost killed as well, and Angel’s brother Tracker is furious. He’s sure all the past “accidents” are attempts on Isabeau’s life and he’s determined to find the person behind it all.

In Isabeau’s Eyes is a quick action-packed read, full of danger and passion! I really liked Isabeau, she was level headed, thought of others, and had some backbone. Tracker was fun too. Total alpha male sort of caveman. I did like that he did consider Isabeau’s feelings and choices even though he came off as bossy. There were a lot of sizzling encounters! Lots of hot stuff.

Even though this is the first in the Kentucky Nights series, there are a lot of characters I wasn’t familiar with that probably had their stories in previous books. I still enjoyed Isabeau and Tracker’s story, which wraps up. I’m thinking Tracker’s brother Chance will get his own story in the next book and I look forward to it.

I alternated between and e-copy and the audio version and recommend either version. Manxie Hardy is a new-to-me narrator. I really enjoyed her performance of all voices! She had a sultry, smooth voice and gave just a hint of a Southern accent that felt spot on for the characters. I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

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Clever & full of humor! Love this series!

Reviewed: 03-03-23

Re-read 3/2/23. Just as good as the first time! Listened straight through in one day.

Thoughts: It's funny how your reading tastes change over the years. I'm no longer a pure romance junkie, but tend to gravitate to mystery/thrillers with a bit of romance and Urban Fantasy. Since writing the review below I've read a lot of UF since first reading, and The Iron Druid Chronicles continues to be one of my favorites nine years later.

Original review posted January 14, 2014:

I’m first and foremost a romance junkie any genre I read usually must contain some amount. So it was shocking to me that I enjoyed this so much when there isn’t any! I credit that to the highly entertaining and quick-witted Atticus O’Sullivan!

Atticus O’Sullivan may look like he’s twenty-one but in reality his age is over two thousand. He’s last of the Druids, trying to live a peaceful life running a New Age book and tea shop. Unfortunately, he’s had an age long feud with the Celtic god, Aenghus Og over a magical sword and this god is ready to take what he thinks is his.

Hounded was entertaining and fun. A definite must for any Urban Fantasy fan or just anyone who loves a great story! Witches, werewolves, vampires and Celtic mythology factor in heavily, and you’d think this would be overwhelming, but the story is fast paced with just enough information to keep you clued in without slowing the story down.

Atticus is a clever and thoughtful hero, who always seemed to be several steps ahead of any opponent like a strategic game of chess. Loved his encounters with Emily the witch!

There’s lot of witty humor and laughs, and it was a treat being in Atticus’ head. Oberon, his loyal best friend and dog was also quite funny with his obsessive love of sausages and French poodles.

There is no romance *sniff* BUT there is a hope and a hint (maybe?) of something to come.

I listed to the audio version of Hounded, which I highly recommend! Luke Daniels was an excellent narrator!

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