Monthly Archives: May 2016

May 12 2016

AudioBook Review – Bullheaded

I’ve had a busy week as per usual, and been so under the weather with a summer cold 😦 This week’s very long AudioBook was to listen to Bullheaded, an M/M novel by Catt Ford and narrated by Derrick McClain. I’ve already delved into cowboys with an older classic, but this was a very different genre that I’ve had the pleasure of listening to, and I did enjoy it a lot. 🙂

Review is as follows – and the AudioBook can be found here – (UK version)

http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Fiction/Bullheaded-Audiobook/B01CD9238W/ref=a_search_c4_1_2_srTtl?qid=1463068680&sr=1-2

Some Spoilers as usual 🙂

———

“Wonderful eyeopener :0”

I am still pretty new to AudioBooks, and the different genres are defo what is giving me the most satisfaction in reviewing.

I was intrigued by the plot line to this book. Bull Fighting and a relationship breakup. 12 hours was a long time to be entertained for, so I had some trepidation on how the author would do just that.

I will admit, there was a little more sex than I’ve been used to, maybe it is because this is only the second M/M audiobook I’ve had the pleasure of listening to, and I’ve only ever read it before. The difference in the acting and hearing it is a lot. And yet, it’s still really hot sex. haha.

There were so many good things about this book, that I’ll struggle to list them, all but here are some of my favourite moments and not in any particular order.

– I’ve never been to a bull fight, nor seen a lot of it on TV, so the whole backstory around this sport, was very interesting and enlightening into something I think I might enjoy now, thanks to the great writing and narration.

– Speaking of the narration, Derrick gave both Jonny and Cody a distinctive and wonderful persona, and to be fair I even enjoyed Val, Davis, and everyone else. Great, soothing voice, and wonderful injection of passion and tension when needed.

– I have never been in a breakup, so, I don’t really know what I would go out and do, and I can’t really judge Cody and Jonny over their actions, I guess at least that Jonny kept himself from actually having physical sex with strangers, and that said a lot about him as a character as much as he still went out and enjoyed himself and met a fair wide variety of people in the summer, he still kept that for Cody.

I think the best part of his encounters has to be with March, because of the hotness and also because March is the one who talks Jonny into giving Cody a second chance and this talking really does make Jonny realise why he’s miserable now and what Cody really meant to him.

Of course, the biggest Character Arc does come from Cody in the fact that he actually really comes to terms with everything that happened, that life is not all give to you on a plate and that things worth having are worth fighting for, and I’m not just on about his Bull riding.
Cody actually starts to listen to Jonny and see him as a person, not just his person. This was a very moving part to the story and I felt for every moment he was in pain over Jonny. Miserable but in a very relatable way, these two Mc’s are so very real that you could never mistake them for fictional.

As I said, I did wonder how I was going to be entertained for the full length of this book, but the action never really let up either. There was constant, worry and strife for both these MC’s and towards the ending, where two of the moments I enjoyed the most. Where Dub, talks Cody down in the locker room. And where Cody give Jonny the pendant 🙂

The bull riding never lets up and neither does Cody’s buck off streak into the finals and off his first ride. The fact was with this story I just never knew if Cody was actually going to win the Championship, and of course I was glad he did. It was amazing to listen to and be there for the both of them. Worrying over his knee injury and how he would dismount. Fab job on both story and narration as the tension just never lets up.

Towards the end, I was a little concerned that the story didn’t end with the bull ride. But pleasantly surprised that it continued into the bittersweet resignation of Cody and revelation of the pendant, and his sheer love for Jonny in the fact that they would get married (if it were legal) so heartbreaking. I really did want both these characters to realise that there would still be love for them after their careers are over, and they kinda said this, more so Jonny when he ays he’d love to still have a ranch together. I just think it was swept under the carpet a little too much at the end, and it should have been more realise.

But, overalI really enjoyed this, and I will be looking out for more novels by Catt Ford and narration by Derrick.

Thanks to both of you, for a wonderful glimpse into Bull Riding and Bull Fighting and for whisking me into the world of these fab characters this week.

May 8 2016

AudioBook Review – Into the Void

I don’t know what I’m gonna do now, not being able to listen to the next in the Pax Humana series! sigh. But I’ve really enjoyed these 3 audiobooks, so well worth it… Please check them out starting with –

http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/The-Terran-Gambit-Audiobook/B00RW0TXFO/ref=a_search_c4_1_3_srTtl?qid=1462694859&sr=1-3

My review is as follows –

“Fab 3rd book”

So I have to admit, I was kinda disappointed in the length of this, but only because there were plot lines not tied in. I am guessing with a huge world like this it’s always going to be the case, where we’re all waiting on the next one. Now I totally know what being a fan is like, haha thanks guys. I’m defo hooked and can’t wait for the next.

Story and some spoilers!

The audio, kicks off after their escape from Admiral Trajan, and lands them out of one fire into another. At least this one goes down well and it seems they backed the right side too. Always a bonus.

Greg does a wonderful job here of playing the Oberon, their accents are just awesome and it greatly enhances the sheer vastness of this series and the scope that Nick Webb has at his writing disposal.

What I really do love about a series like this is seeing the characters change and grow, and there were some fabulous moments in here. Not in any order as that is how I remember them.

The biggest moments for me in here, were – knowing something was going to happen at the opera house. Seeing those bikes, feeling Jake’s gut instinct. And of course it had to be Po this time, can’t leave her out of all the trouble and mess can ya. So my hero gal’s been kidnapped and it’s like all hell breaks loose as heading back to the ship the 51st brigade have taken over the ship! omg… what a nightmare.

Captain Brand is also really in the thick of it against the Vikeron, thank goodness he had Al on the ship to work out how to break down their defences! good on him, what a genius!

Jake, Ben, and Anya do a great job in working together with Captain Brand, and his merry band of fighters. Alongside the internal workings from Lt, Aialla (sp) they manage to get on board and meet up and talk their way into the bridge.

I am so so glad that Senator Galba was found out, and totally can see why Jake needs him alive for the next few books. 🙂

Another moment that got me was at the end. Ben going nuts was always going to happen and I am very glad that at least it wasn’t aimed at Jake totally even if his thoughts had him dead and twisted into pieces.

I did feel so sorry for the 51st brigade on the bridge, what a way to go out… but yeah it was coming.

Ben’s admittance to Jake over the PekoBots, almost had me in tears. What he went through so horrific, I’ve been screaming at him to tell the Doc and Genius Al so that they can re-program the darned things!

All in all, a very excellent job…. just hurry with the next few guys, I’m waiting with abaited breath! 🙂 heheh

I have to know if they can rescue Po and Admiral Pritchard! and how they can fight the good fight and free Earth!

May 8 2016

TSK- and Catching up!

You can still sign up for FREE for our website… http://www.thesecretking.com it won’t be free for ever, so if you want in… (we also now have a forum) you gotta be quick!

Personally though it’s been one heck of a month through April and the start of May hasn’t begun with the best of intentions for me.

I had some pretty nasty computer issues when my Mac’s trackpad just decided to go off on one and like a demon started moving things around and freaking out, clicking on anything it wanted. It took me 3 weeks to sort out the computer, go buy a Mac Desktop and get things back to a semi even keel. There was no way of me doing anything the last few weeks of April, with campnano – It just put me so far behind in my daily tasks that I’ve struggled like a crazy woman to even catch anything up what so ever, and yeah I’m still behind. I seem to get somewhere near back to normal and then something else just throws itself in the mix.

The joy of life and it revolving around writing and computers….

I can say the work side of computers has settled down and that is making things much less stressful there, thank goodness. I don’t think I could have coped at all with all of them going wrong at the same time. I would have just had a breakdown! and not a mental one, I’m talking about just throwing them out the window! lol

Seriously though, things are moving along in many different and good ways. We’re headed to retail with our first Audiobook TSK-Lethao, with the 28th May as our personal Launch date (fingers crossed everything is all good to go for then) we’re having an online party and if anyone wished to come, keep an eye on our facebook fan page –

https://www.facebook.com/TheSecretKing/

And by that time, I’m away for two weeks rest and recoup! going down to Devon again this year, and I can’t wait. My co writer has been working on a novel for TSK from our scripted 13 EP TV series – SPOILERS….. no I can’t it really is a secret, but I get to read the first draft and I’m so so excited to see what he’s written.

So as you guys can see there is much is on going, so much is coming together, I know it will be worth it, I’m hanging in there for it! And I know you are too!

Thanks for sticking with and me, you guys are awesome 🙂

 

~ Dawn

May 4 2016

AudioBook Review – Chains of Destiny

 

Chains of Destiny – Episode 2 – The Pax Humana Saga written by Nick Webb and narrated by Greg Tremblay.

This AudioBook had a little break in-between because of the UK bank holiday and I have to admit it killed me to leave it alone for the 3 days, but it’s the way it goes.

I was very glad to get back to it, and 100% loved this one. It’s by far one of the most interesting and character driven books I’ve had the pleasure of listening to. Because of this I actually will put it on my ‘listen to again’ list…. although I really enjoyed the other series of Nick’s this one has exceeded that.. and I think I’m going to have to really think about which one I like the most, or which characters, haha.

Anyway, you can of course find the AudioBook here – UK of course…

http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Chains-of-Destiny-Audiobook/B00UXIP2MK

and my review will be posted soon. (depends on if Audible are being nice to me) haha

 

 

“I loved it! 100% “

Okay, thoughts as follows.

After the first Audio, I still admit I wasn’t totally sold on this series. But, this second Ep, totally blew me away. (I listened to the first 6 hours last week, and because of the break at work. UK may bank holiday I had some time away from it) and I was very eager to finish off as soon as I was back behind the wheel.

I was totally blown away by the depth of character to this episode. The MC’s Megan Po, Ben Hemez, (sp) and Jake Mercer were almost alive in my head!… I felt everything they were going through, and the story just kept on and on surprising me and making my head hurt all at the same time. Great job to both writer and narrator here 🙂

Some of the best moments for me – SPOILERS

Jake – We all know he’s making the biggest ‘daft decision’ of this book in going down to the planets surface with the pirates. The little altercation with the November family is very interesting though… a hint for book 3 there and that of course, Pritchard is alive. Hope on a different level.

But even though Jake has now been captured along side Alexandro and Ben, (plus two guards) he still never gives up in thinking and plotting to escape. This kinda of punishment and place would break so many and I do kinda wish that there were a few more destitute thoughts from him, but still with Ben elsewhere they have a plan, and a good plan. Not many of the decisions down in the mines are Jakes, some are just circumstantial and to me for this episode he does play a more downsized role.

LOVED LOVED LOVED – Megan leading the fight against Admiral Trajan. What a woman! what an absolute star and fighter she is. They all kinda question what Jake did for them in the previous book, but here she is and she’s doing death defying moves under the ocean to prolong their time to prepare to kick the Admirals’ behind.

I really enjoyed her story, as a character she’s such compassion, and yet such depth to her decisions. Maybe just as much reckless as Jake, but fab job and good on her!

The scenes with Ben, were just awful. I cringed, I hated it, but it was brilliant writing and just as brilliant in the narration department. Greg really delved in deep I think to become this crazy psychopathic doctor, as he scared me so much, I kinda wanted to skip those parts, but couldn’t because I wanted to know what would happen to Ben. I felt everything that they did in that room, and ugggh so so glad that Six eventually helped him to get out.

So on the whole this Ep really came alive for me. I am being honest though as I did have a couple of moments where I was jarred out of the story by a couple of repetitive words and phrasings. I do think that comes part and parcel of listening to something as opposed to reading it, reading it takes much longer, so anything that can be perceived as a crutch word/phrase is easier spotted and makes me want to avoid them myself. It’s just an observation, that’s all.

This book written by Nick and read by Greg is one of my fav so far, it has all the elements of an epic space opera and characters that you just can’t help but feel for and love.

PS I already started on the next… 🙂 Thank you both for an amazing ride.