Author Archives: Mimi

The Keepers by Donna Augustine, Narrated by: Laurel Schroeder

The Keepers (Alchemy, #1)The Keepers by Donna Augustine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On the jacket: “Two days ago, Jo Davids was a waitress by night and a college kid by day, with the unnerving problem of things floating around her.
One day ago, Jo’s sexy boss, Cormac, noticed her for all the wrong reasons when she witnessed a man transform into a monster in the basement of his casino.

Today, Cormac ordered her shot. If he’s real lucky, she won’t die. Because if she does, all hope is lost.”

Whaaaaat?! Yeah, I’m in.

I enjoyed this book so much, that I found myself thinking about it when I wasn’t listening to it. It’s paranormal with a hint of romance, and it’s not at all what I expected. It’s refreshing to read a book where the author has found a way to introduce a classic story in a whole new way. I’m already on to book 2 of the series! The narration is good, and works for this story.

I received a free copy of the audiobook for an honest review.

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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player OneReady Player One by Ernest Cline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Short and Sweet: Such a fun book! If you liked the 80’s music and movies, you’ll really like this book. If you were a gamer in any form, you’ll freakin love this book! The writing was good and appropriate for the topic. Wil Wheaton’s narration was perfect for this story!

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Darkling by K.M. Rice

DarklingDarkling by K.M. Rice
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love a good spooky story, especially this time of year! The story has a little of everything: misery, love, patience, revenge, rage, and regret. I found myself crying at times, and grinning like a fool at other times. It’s an easy, comfortable read, and well written. It would have been an excellent audiobook, and if it ever becomes one, I will happily throw down money to hear it!

DARKLING is K.M. Rice’s debut novel. Well done!

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Re-enjoying a couple of series.

I’m
spending a lot of time re-reading or re-listening to books during the last
month and a half. The two series that earned this time from me?
“No secret stays hidden forever.”

A phone call from an old friend sets Dr. Giovanni Vecchio back on the path of a
mystery he’d abandoned years before. He never expected a young librarian could
hold the key to the search, nor could he have expected the danger she would
attract. Now he and Beatrice De Novo will follow a twisted maze that leads from
the archives of a university library, through the fires of Renaissance
Florence, and toward a confrontation they never could have predicted.

A Hidden Fire is a paranormal mystery/romance for adult readers. It is the
first book in the Elemental Mysteries Series

A richly inventive novel
about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious
manuscript that draws them together. 
Deep in the stacks of
Oxford’s Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a
bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from
an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery;
so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks.
But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of
daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has
stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only
creature who can break its spell. 
Debut novelist Deborah
Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and
magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in
vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their
alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart,
sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as
contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving
of historical realism. The first book in the All Souls Trilogy.

Find out more about these and other books at Goodreads.

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Back and forth

I can never seem to decide what type of blogging I’m feeling like.  I do love reviewing books, movies, whatever, but I also sometimes want to just say something. Like… I don’t know, hi! Whatever. Anyway, I’m going to be adding the books I’ve read over the last few months to this blog, and take down my review blog. Cause screw it.  I don’t feel like keeping up 2 blogs, and in fact I haven’t kept up two blogs, only one.  I don’t even know why I bothered typing this up to explain it. Hmm. Well, it’s done now, so there ya go.  Peace.

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Rage’s Echo by J.S. Bailey (Goodreads Author)

Rage's EchoRage’s Echo by J.S. Bailey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a perfect read for this time of year! I love ghost stories, and it’s been a long time since I’ve read one.

Basically, a young woman (Jessica) who fancies herself a paranormal investigator, is asked to check out and see if a church’s graveyard is haunted. It turns out that not only is it haunted, but she can speak to the ghost, and he follows her home against her wishes. From there, the story gets not just creepy and spooky, but it also becomes quite scary. There is also some seriousness woven through the story, but it’s not so heavy that you’ll feel it weigh the story down. The seriousness is what I think will give you something to think about after finishing the book, at least it has felt that way for me.

The writing is good, and I will definitely read more from Bailey, she is a fantastic story-teller. This would make a great book club read!

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If I Speak True (Flora, #1) by Jessica L. Brooks (Goodreads Author), Angel Clark (narrator)

If I Speak True (Flora, #1)If I Speak True by Jessica L. Brooks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book very much! I have to be honest, if it had not been an audiobook, I do not know if I would have liked it as well. Angel Clark was the narrator for this book, and she was simply perfect! I would never have “heard” Dahlia’s voice in my head as Angel used, and that would have made the book quite different for me.

The story is about a teenage girl who dreams of her own little oasis, somewhere she can relax and think. She only visits there in her dreams, because it only exists there. Then, one day everything changes when a boy named Rowen makes himself known.

Where it goes from there is truly engaging, and well written. Jessica Brooks can write! I am so grateful that Jessica gave me a copy to listen to and review, because I would never have found this book otherwise. Angel does the voice of a 16 year old girl and her friends perfectly. I wouldn’t change a thing! Please, PLEASE have Angel narrate the next books in the series. I’ve got to know what happens next!

Disclosure: I received the audible copy in return for an honest review.

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Botanicaust by Tam Linsey (Goodreads Author), Meghan Kelly (Goodreads Author) (Narrator)

BotanicaustBotanicaust by Tam Linsey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was very interesting. It had a scifi/post apocalyptic thing going on, which I enjoyed very much. I was happily enthralled with the story until the final 1/4 of the book when it turned into a scary religious debate. This killed the end of the book for me. A little bit might have been fine, and fitting, but it took over the story in the end. This is why I gave this 4 out of 5 stars. The writing was good, and the story in general was fantastic.

Narrated by Meghan Kelly: Ms. Kelly did an awesome job! Her voices were appropriate, distinct, and consistent. I would absolutely listen to her again.

Disclosure: I received the audible copy in return for an honest review.

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The Magpies by Mark Edwards (Goodreads Author), Elliot Hill (Narrator)

The MagpiesThe Magpies by Mark Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A couple buys a flat, meets their neighbors, and hangs with them. Everything seems fine, they all get along… don’they? Apparently not. Read The Magpies and you’ll find out why.

I’m not sure how to review this novel. In the end, I liked it. It was getting to the end that was unusual for me. I am used to horror/thriller novels that are in your face, obviously some stuff is about to go down, type of feeling. The Magpies is more of a slow build, but you’re not entirely sure of what is building, and therefore unsure of where the story might go.

I think this is intentional since the novel is based on the personal experience of the author. Now that you know this, you’re curious aren’t you? I hope so, give it a go.

Elliot Hill (Narrator): Mr. Hill has a wonderful voice, and did a superb job with his narration. His voices were spot on.

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As Night Falls by Jenny Milchman (Goodreads Author), Susie Berneis (Narrator)

As Night FallsAs Night Falls by Jenny Milchman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Intense is the first word that comes to mind when I think about this book. I liked the story, it’s one that has been told before. The difference with this story is that there is more as to the why it’s happening, and not just a focus on the current situation.

For me, while it was excellent writing and amazing storytelling, the back story just pissed me off! So much so, that it made it hard to want to continue. Of course I pushed forward, because I just HAD to know what was going to happen.

Narrated by Susie Berneis: She did a wonderful job with the voices, and easily had me into the story right away. She was perfect for this novel.

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