Feb 5 2017

AudioBook Review – Betrayal

Really enjoyed this one, and am well into the next! A great book and as far as narration goes this book will make you think this is read by two very talented people, hope you pay her well Jeff 🙂

“wow. enjoyed this a lot!”

I had no idea what this book would involve, I picked it up because I follow Jeff about and love his work. So wasn’t sure on this and never really read the premise, just saw there were two books and I love series.

When this started out of course Jeff does a fantastic job, but I really wasn’t expecting the story to grab my attention so much or for the characters to dig their heels in so deep.

This story will grab your attention and keep you on the edge of your seat from the off. Captain Sheppard is flawed in pain and so so good. His POV really hits home even if you want to hate him for the way he thinks, but the problem is you don’t!

This is a very well thought out novel, the characters bring it to life and Jeff of course does both Male POV and Female so much justice you’d actually think that number 1001 was a different actor. 🙂 he’s that good. lol

Don’t hesitate to pick this one up, I promise you’ll not be disappointed. And I’m already on with the next. I do hope there’s some more still after this one, and I’m defo going to check out more of this writers world, loved it.

Feb 4 2017

AudioBook Review – Seabound

I have no idea why this review didn’t post originally, prob hit the review, then the preview, but didn’t actually send. So I went back to this and re visited some of the best moments.

Great book and really worth a listen!

“Unique twists and serious world building.”

I picked this one up a long time ago, and somehow my review didn’t post, so this is a revised review after taking another stab at it, as I also have book 2 now!

What I really enjoyed through this book and again in taking another listen was the world building. Of course we all expect in a post-apocalyptic world for there to be many events for the characters to get over, but this was written in such a way that these events were not just breathtaking but so very emotional.

16 years after the event that sends everyone to the seas this story digs down and brings us some events that will really tug at your thoughts. The Catalina and her crew/citizens are forced to act after their ship breaks down, but this causes a lot of grief and internal confusion in what to do, and in the people who might help.

I love the characters in here, of course Esther especially who is great with leading and being who she’s supposed to be. they’re all really interesting and fight for all the right reasons.

Ray’s tone and style really suits sea bound stories, (hence the Atomic Sea) and I really love the voices for each character that he choose, they bring the story and the people to life in so many ways. There were some interesting accent choices, and one that really made me laugh out loud, but in a good way. No spoilers, I’ve got book 2 to listen to this next week, as soon as I’ve caught up on some others, so many great books released this last week. I don’t know what to pick!

🙂

Jan 27 2017

AudioBook Review – The Game

I am sure I was pointed to this one, probably by Steve Caldwell. I just can’t remember.. lol anyway, it was an enjoyable book.

Review as follows –

“Very interesting”

I can’t quite remember who or what made me pick this up. But I’m glad that I did.

From an audio point of view this was an entertaining listen, there were some really cool ideas that melded in with our own world. The natural world that the species live on, we don’t actually know if they’re human or not, we just presume that they are is called Tygon. Their whole civilisation is built around ‘the game’ and they now live their lives entertained, and enjoying the whole process. Each person can follow a specific avatar and then those avatars make more money depending on followers.

I think the story line just resonates with so many religious aspects that it kinda makes you look around and go… ‘oh, what if I ‘m actually in a game’ haha

But of course, we’re not. They are though and their journey really is full of ups and downs.

The two MC’s Danielle and True inside the game are interesting and their lives really do just seem to entwine without the ‘luck of spending credits’ and we really connect with them and their lives, from the first time they meet at 8 till much later in life.

The interconnecting narrative from the outside world is also really great. The whole complex process of the game is understood some more as the story develops, but there are some good unanswered questions, maybe because it’s a series, that they’re answered in later books. I’m interested to find out the ins and outs of why the game was really considered for development and use, and other than that, what it really does to prepare people for life on the outside?

Nice job and I’ve found someone else to follow. I will have to come back for book 2 and 3 though, I’ve some more to listen to first. but I’ll defo pick them up. 🙂

Jan 26 2017

AudioBook Review – Roak

AudioBook Boom was exciting this week, as there were 3 SciFi which I was alotted 🙂

If anyone wishes to sign up, in exchange for some honest reviews this is the best way ever to discover new talent both in authors and narrators.

https://audiobookboom.com/

So, the last couple of days I’ve been listening to Roak.

Here’s my review.

— — — — — —

“Dark, moody and brilliant.”

I have to admit I was a little nervous coming into this one right from the start. It promised a lot of action and tension!

There were some great descriptions of the setting and of Roak. His character was blatant. Pay me or you’ll suffer. But, when he was the one left suffering I was unsure as to what he was physically capable of.

Roak, is one of those characters you love to hate. He lives by simple rules and he does everything he can to keep on, keeping on. It takes a while to realise that he’s not actually a bad man, he’s just set in his ways, and does his job. Along his journey to get ‘paid’ Roak comes across some really cool characters. Some that you’ll feel so sorry for and others you’ll love to get their comeuppance.

Andrew, has just the right tone for this novel, deep, gritty and he totally has the right voices to pull off the different aliens along the way too. In his performance there was such humour, and I really enjoyed both the writing and acting. Great job.

I think my only quibble was I just wanted more, haha so I went to look for more work by Jake, 🙂 and I do hope that Andrew gets to narrate some more.

I was given this book by the author/narrator without obligation for review via audiobook boom.

Jan 20 2017

Joanna’s Journey – Review

After reading ‘The Secret Will Out’ by Karen J Mossman in print. I looked up and found she had several other books out, and this was the latest release.

Here’s my review of this lovely heartfelt book –

Amazon review –
There are a couple of things I really enjoyed with Karen’s writing, from the detail of the worlds she’s created, (and the facts that around that, the story was built into a local city that I visited quite often) to the depth of the characters. Each novel, has had it’s own unique and outstandingly natural storyline. They’re almost so believable that you’d mistake her for your flawed best friend, who can be both amazing and yet stupid and frustrating all at the same time. I found her just so relatable, that of course I wanted the best for her in her love life, falling for two guys has to be the hardest thing to go through, not knowing if you’ll ever make the right decision or not.

A heartfelt journey that will make you laugh, cringe and cry with all it’s intricate character traits and plot turns. Karen is an excellent writer to follow. I’m so glad she’s almost a local lass 🙂

Blurb –

Escaping a broken romance, Joanna runs headlong into another, and then another.

Managing two long distance relationships at the same time is complicated and made even more so when her best friend is a good looking guy who knows her better than most.

Set in the 1980s, Joanna and her sister, Sandie are two very beautiful women. After a cruel upbringing, both girls have their scars, but deal with things differently and as with most sisters, they clash.

When the unthinkable happens and Joanna’s world implodes, she finds herself alone to face what she can’t and won’t accept.

It is times like these you find out who your friends are and who you can trust, or more importantly, who you can’t.

Karen’s Bio

Karen J Mossman married the boy next door in 1980 and they had two children, both born on the same day, two years apart. She and her husband live on the Isle of Anglesey, a small island off the North Wales coast. Joanna’s Journey was her first published novel.