Friday 15 December 2023

WATER'S EDGE


Water's Edge by G R Jordan
Book 1 in the Highlands & Islands Detective series
Narrated by John McNab
Genre: crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobookAudiobook


A body discovered by the rocks. A broken detective returns to a scene of past tragedy. Will the pain of the past prevent him from seeing the present?

Detective Inspector Macleod returns to his island home twenty years after the painful loss of his wife. With a disposition forged in strong religious conservatism, he must bond with his new partner, the free spirited and upcoming female star of the force, to seek the killer of a young woman and shine a light on the evil beneath the surface. To do so, he must once again stand in the place where he lost everything. Only at the water’s edge, will everything be made new.

The rising tide brings all things to the surface.
Source: Info in the "About Water's Edge" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48927111-water-s-edge on 31/10/2023.


Buy Link(s):
  Audible Books


My Thoughts:
This is my first G R Jordan read and I would probably continue reading this author... Probably. I want to know how Macleod and McGrath's relationship would develop, but I am not sure I have the patience to read through any more books in this series. We'll see...

I presume that DI Macleod is near retiring because his views is hopelessly outdated. I first imagined him as a tall, well sculptured bloke only to read later on that he is shorter than Hope. Well, that was a bit of a downer!

I chapter 21, Hope was having difficulty coping with McKinney letting go of the life preserver ring and essentially committing suicide by drowning and that she saw him smiling before he let go. Then Macleod confessing, back at the station, that his wife "smiled too". Well, I understood them smiling...

This is my first John McNab audiobook and I would listen to him again.


Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 3.5
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 4
World building = 4
Cover art = 3.5
Pace = (6 hrs and 12 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 4.5


Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries


Books In The Highlands & Islands Detective Series:
Book 1: WATER'S EDGE Book 2: THE BOTHY Book 3: THE HORROR WEEKEND Book 4: THE SMALL FERRY Book 5: DEAD AT THIRD MAN Book 6: THE PIRATE CLUB Book 7: A PERSONAL AGENDA Book 8: A JUST PUNISHMENT Book 9: THE NUMEROUS DEATHS OF SANTA CLAUS Book 10: OUR GATED COMMUNITY Book 11: THE SATCHEL Book 12: CULHWCH ALPHA Book 13: FAIR MARKET VALUE Book 14: THE COACH BOMBER Book 15: THE CULLING AT SINGING SANDS Book 16: WHERE JUSTICE FAILS Book 17: THE CORTADO CLUB Book 18: CLEARED TO DIE Book 19: MAN OVERBOARD Book 20: ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR Book 21: ROGUES GALLERY Book 22: THE DEATH OF MCLEOD Book 23: A COMMON MAN Book 24: A SWEEPING DARKNESS Book 25: DORMIE 5 Book 26: THE FIRST MINISTER Book 27: THE GUILTY PARTIES Book 28: VENGEANCE IS MINE Book 29: WINTER SLAY BELLS


 
Meet The Author

About G R Jordan:
GR Jordan is a self-published author who finally decided at forty that in order to have an enjoyable lifestyle, his creative beast within would have to be unleashed. His books mirror that conflict in life where acts of decency contend with self-promotion, goodness stares in horror at evil and kindness blind-sides us when we are at our worst. Corrupting our world with his parade of wondrous and horrific characters, he highlights everyday tensions with fresh eyes whilst taking his methodical, intelligent mainstays on a roller-coaster ride of dilemmas, all the while suffering the banter of their provocative sidekicks.

A graduate of Loughborough University where he masqueraded as a chemical engineer but ultimately played American football, GR Jordan worked at changing the shape of cereal flakes and pulled a pallet truck for a living. Watching vegetables freeze at -40'C was another career highlight and he was also one of the Scottish Highlands' "blind" air traffic controllers. Having flirted with most places in the UK, he is now based in the Isle of Lewis in Scotland where his free time is spent between raising a young family with his wife, writing, figuring out how to work a loom and caring for a small flock of chickens. Luckily his writing is influenced by his varied work and life experience as the chickens have not been the poetical inspiration he had hoped for!


The Narrator

About John McNab:
Audiobook narrator / voice-over artist



FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

Sunday 10 December 2023

STAR OF SAGE & SCREAM


Star Of Sage & Scream by Leanne Leeds
Book 1 in the Owl Star Witch Mysteries
Narrated by Naomi Rose-Mock
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobookAudiobook


I’d planned to spend the rest of my life in the witch military. Now I’m on my way home to a mother who disapproves of me and four sisters who barely know me. Is it possible for a witch like me to find space in a place she doesn’t belong?

I didn’t think they’d dismantle the paranormal military with a wave of their bureaucratic magic wand, but they did. Everything I’d spent the previous fifteen years of my life doing and being was ripped away from me in an instant, out of my reach.

And now that the paranormal military’s gone, I’ve got nothing left to fight for.

So I’m on my way back to Forkbridge, Florida, to the family coven of the goddess Athena, which is led by high priestess Minerva Arden. My mother’s name. The hippie witch mother I left thirteen years ago, against her explicit wishes, to join the military rather than take my place at her side.

Mother no doubt expects me to return home to claim my birthright and fulfill my destiny to the goddess Athena.

Not a chance.

Or so I think.

Because when the goddess Athena sends you a talking owl that slaps you with a divine superpower and tells you to go save someone with it, it’s really hard to say no.
Source: Info in the "About Star Of Sage & Scream" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60559998-star-of-sage-scream on 14/05/2022.


Buy Link(s):
  Audible Books


My Thoughts:
I bought this book because the premise looked good. Because the cover art is beautiful. Because it is about witches. It is urban fantasy. And it has an audiobook version. I'm glad I did because it was a good read! Or a good listen. Take your pick. Or both. Anyways, this one actually has a plot for an urban fantasy! Kudos to the author!! This is also my first Leanne Leeds read and first Naomi Rose-Mock listen. And now I am a fan!


Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 4
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = (6 hrs and 48 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 5


Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries


Book 1: STAR OF SAGE & SCREAM Book 2: OWL'S FAIR Book 3: MAGIC'S A HOOT Book 4: HEAVY MEDDLE MAGIC Book 5: OWL ABOUT YULE Book 6: OWL MELT WITH YOU Book 7: BRING YOUR BEACH OWL Book 8: AGAINST OWL ODDS Book 9: OWL SPELL BROKE LOOSE Book 10: OWL IN DUE CURSE Book 11: SCRIES LIKE AN OWL Book 12: OWL BERRY MYSTERIOUS Book 13: OF OWL THE NERVE Book 14: OWL OUT OF MAGIC Book 15: A HOOT AND A HEX

 
Meet The Author

About Leanne Leeds:
Leanne Leeds writes witty, funny, and exciting paranormal cozy mysteries that are light-hearted explorations of offbeat small-town America. With a cast of quirky characters inhabiting her fictional world, Leanne provides a unique blend of comedy, clues, and twisty action — all with a touch of magic that keeps readers turning pages.

You can also visit her at leanneleeds.com for free stories, to join her newsletter.


The Narrator

About Naomi Rose-Mock:
Hi! I have recorded 100 plus audiobooks, I specialize in fiction with large casts of distinct characters. I am also an acting/dialect coach with over a decade of professional experience.



FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

Tuesday 5 December 2023

ROGUE

Rogue by Karen Lynch
Book 3 of the Relentless series
Read by Caitlin Greer
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobookAudiobook


About Rogue:
Sara Grey is done hiding and done being afraid. The Master thinks he has her running scared, but she’s taking matters into her own hands and taking her life back. With the help of her friends, she sets out to find the one person who can answer her questions about her past, and who may be able to lead them to the Master.

On her journey, Sara faces new challenges and dangers, and learns that the world of good and evil is not as clear cut as she had believed. She makes new friends, unexpected allies, and reconnects with people from her past. As her powers continue to change and grow, she transforms from a struggling girl into a strong young warrior.

But at what cost? How much is Sara willing to sacrifice in her need for independence and her quest for the truth? And will her newfound strength be enough to save her and the people she loves when she finally comes face-to-face with her powerful nemesis? Nothing could have prepared her for what is to come, and it will take everything in her to survive the final test of courage and love.
Source: Info in the About Rogue was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24298530-rogue on 30/07/2019.


Buy Link(s):


My Thoughts:
In this book, Sara, our main protagonist is starting to get more too stupid to live (TSTL) than ever! I still like this series... werewolves, vampires, and faeries! What urban fantasy geek wouldn't like that?! But if the TSTL persists, I may not be a fan for very long...

This book culminates the trilogy and it was good. Good enough to keep me buying further into this series. The story telling quality is still good enough to keep me hooked... for now.


Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 4
World building = 4
Cover art = 3.5
Pace = 4
Plot = 3
Narration = 3


Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 cherries


Books In The Relentless Series:
Book 1: RELENTLESS Book 2: REFUGE Book 3: ROGUE Book 4: WARRIOR Book 5: HAVEN Book 6: FATED Book 7: HELLION


 
Meet The Author

About Karen Lynch:
Karen Lynch is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author.

She grew up in Newfoundland, Canada - a place rich in colorful people and folklore to which she attributes her love of the supernatural and her vivid imagination. She moved to Charlotte, North Carolina years ago and was immediately charmed by the southern people but she says she will always be a newfie.

Though she loves supernatural fiction, she has a soft spot for Charlotte Brontë and Jane Austin. She is a fan of classic rock, country and classical music but her favorite music is the sound of a good thunderstorm or a howling blizzard. Two of her favorite past times are baking artisan breads for her friends and spending quality time with her two German Shepherds.


The Narrator

About Caitlin Greer:
Caitlin Greer has appeared on television, been a motion capture performer for animation and videogames, and voiced many characters for film, television, videogames, and radio. Her parents used to pay her to be quiet. She was honored by the American Library Association / YALSA as part of Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults (2009, 2011), and is an IGN award-winner and two-time nominee for Best Voice Acting: Game Ensemble (2008).



FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook copies of the book were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.