Category: Review Sunday

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#TBT Kelly reviews First Surrender by Katie Reus ~ Catch Up From The Beginning

First SurrenderTITLE: First Surrender
SERIES #: The Serafina: Sin City Series #1
CHARACTERS: Sierra & Hayden
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: Sept 22, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon |B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He’s dangerous, sexy, and everything she wants…

Sierra hit it off with Hayden from the moment they met. The dangerously sexy, tattooed ex-SEAL is one of the best friends she’s ever had—and the main star in her wildest fantasies. But he doesn’t see her that way. And she’d die of embarrassment if he found out she was still a virgin.

And he’s about to make his claim…

Hayden’s struggled to keep his attraction to the beautiful, dark haired casino chef a secret. He’s not good enough for her. But when an attacker targets Sierra, Hayden’s protective instincts go into overdrive. With the attraction between them burning out of control, he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her and convince her they’re meant to be together.

Length: novella

REVIEW:
Novella’s always leave me wanting more and Katie Reus’ First Surrender is no different. I wanted more of Hayden & Sierra. These two have been tip toeing around each other for a year. Neither knowing how the other truly feels. But when Sierra is attacked at work Hayden realizes that life is short and now is his time to make a move.

That is all you get. Because this is a novella my review is short too. But I did love this novella and can’t wait to see what Katie has in store for us next.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Guest Reviewer Shannon K reviews Gray Mountain by John Grisham

gray-mountainTITLE: Gray Mountain
CHARACTERS: Dominick, Samantha & Mattie
AUTHOR: John Grisham
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/21/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
John Grisham has a new hero . . . and she’s full of surprises

The year is 2008 and Samantha Kofer’s career at a huge Wall Street law firm is on the fast track—until the recession hits and she gets downsized, furloughed, escorted out of the building. Samantha, though, is one of the “lucky” associates. She’s offered an opportunity to work at a legal aid clinic for one year without pay, after which there would be a slim chance that she’d get her old job back.

In a matter of days Samantha moves from Manhattan to Brady, Virginia, population 2,200, in the heart of Appalachia, a part of the world she has only read about. Mattie Wyatt, lifelong Brady resident and head of the town’s legal aid clinic, is there to teach her how to “help real people with real problems.” For the first time in her career, Samantha prepares a lawsuit, sees the inside of an actual courtroom, gets scolded by a judge, and receives threats from locals who aren’t so thrilled to have a big-city lawyer in town. And she learns that Brady, like most small towns, harbors some big secrets.

Her new job takes Samantha into the murky and dangerous world of coal mining, where laws are often broken, rules are ignored, regulations are flouted, communities are divided, and the land itself is under attack from Big Coal. Violence is always just around the corner, and within weeks Samantha finds herself engulfed in litigation that turns deadly.

REVIEW:
This is a new novel by a terrific lawyer turned author. In the coal mines of Appalachia, bad things are happening. Frightened coal workers are trying to take on the big coal companies. They are represented by a hot shot lawyer named Dominick Gray. This is a tale of intrigue and loss. The complicated lives of the workers battling for benefits due them because of black lung depict a poor, but strong community of the tough folks who must fight against the strongest segment of society. The legal aid business is booming with plaintiffs. The group of legal aid lawyers, with help from Dominick, are busy trying to help these helpless people. Dirty tricks, and now murder, are problems that they face in battling mammoth companies. If you like legal thrillers, and particularly Grisham, this book is for you. It is an edge-of-your-seat, heart wrenching read. I highly recommend it!

Disclaimer:
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received this book free as part of the blog tour.
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#TBT Kelly & Kimberly review Turn Up The Heat by Kimberly Kincaid ~ Catch Up From The Beginning

turn up the heatTITLE: Turn Up The Heat
SERIES #: Pine Mountain #1
CHARACTERS: Bellamy & Shane
AUTHOR: Kimberly Kincaid
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/04/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
“It’s not you.”

There are only so many times a girl can hear those words before she believes that it is, in fact, very much her. Unexpectedly jilted by her locally famous boyfriend and haunted by a boss who makes Attila the Hun look like a lap dog, Bellamy Blake does what any self-respecting girl in her shoes would do. She rounds up her two best girlfriends and makes plans to get the hell out of Dodge.

But Bellamy’s escape plan takes a nose dive on the side of rural route 164 when her transmission self-destructs, leaving her in the middle of a cell phone dead zone with nothing but her wits. Oh, and Shane Griffin, the hottest mechanic who’s ever checked under her hood.

Yet this small-town man isn’t all he seems. Can Shane and Bellamy prove that sometimes the most unlikely ingredients make the most deliciously sexy mix?

KELLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts This was my first Kimberly Kincaid book and I enjoyed it a lot. There was a good mix of humor, drama and love in this book. I just loved Shane and the more I learned about him the more I was rooting for him. Bellamy at first seems like the typical little rich girl, but she is so much more than that and a few bad days aren’t going to hold her down.

If you like a good, sweet contemporary romance you should give Turn Up the Heat.
I am looking forward to what Ms. Kincaid has in store for us next

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts I picked this up on a whim from NetGalley. I had never read this author before but the synopsis sounded fun and light so I thought what the heck. I am so glad I did. I truly enjoyed this book.

Have you ever heard “when it rains it pours”? Well Bellamy is in the midst of a tidal wave. No matter what is going on it seems to go wrong for her but she is strong enough to just roll with the punches and I enjoyed that. Shane has some secrets but he is such a sweet guy with a heart of gold that you can’t help but adore him.

While the book is a little predictable we aren’t talking about a mystery here we are talking about a sweet romance and it is an enjoyable one. I can’t wait for Gimme Some Sugar (#2 in the series).

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews A Christmas Bride by Hope Ramsey

a-christmas-brideTITLE: A Christmas Bride
SERIES #: Chapel Of Love #1
CHARACTERS: Willow & David
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsay
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/27/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A season of hope . . .
‘Tis the season in Shenandoah Falls and the first time Willow Peterson has been home in years. But she’s determined to fulfill the wishes of her recently deceased best friend and restore Eagle Hill Manor to its former glory-all in time to host the perfect holiday wedding. She just has to get the owner of the historic inn to hire her. Unfortunately, that means dealing with Scrooge himself…

After the death of his wife, David Lyndon has a bah-humbug approach to Christmas. But as December counts down and the wedding planning is in full swing, it’s harder and harder to stay immune to the charms of Willow, especially when he sees how much joy she brings his eight-year-old daughter. After a simple kiss under the mistletoe turns into something more, David is hoping he can turn the magic of the holiday season into the love of a lifetime.

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts I had a bit of a hard time with this book. First I never found myself liking any of the characters. Secondly there was a lot of repeating of thoughts and finally David is kind of a jerk who’s family is even worse.

Besides being a political jerk the first half of the book is all about how much he loved his deceased wife and even touched his wedding ring over and over and then BAM! he is all about Willow. Willow’s story never ended. There is a background story that never gets answered.

I can see how somebody else may enjoy the story but I am just not one of them.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

3hearts-68-77

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Kimberly reviews Darkest Journey by Heather Graham

darkest-journeyTITLE: Darkest Journey
SERIES #: Krewe Of Hunters #20
CHARACTERS: Ethan & Charlene
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/27/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
They say it’s about the journey, not the destination…

Charlene “Charlie” Moreau is back in St. Francisville, Louisiana, to work on a movie. One night, she stumbles across the body of a Civil War reenactor, the second murdered in two days. Charlie is shocked to learn that her father—a guide on the Journey, a historic paddle wheeler that’s sponsoring the reenactment—is a suspect.

Meanwhile, Ethan Delaney, new to the FBI’s Krewe of Hunters, is brought in on the case. He and Charlie have a history of their own, dating back to when he rescued her from a graveyard—led there by a Confederate ghost!

Charlie arranges a Mississippi River cruise so she and Ethan can get close to the reenactors, find out who knows what, who has a motive. They discover a lot more as they resume the relationship that ended ten years ago…but might die, along with them, on the Journey.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts I am so happy to say that the Krewe is back to the way it should be. One of the best parts of Graham’s books is the history she adds. The story isn’t real but the places and history are. The stories make me want to jump on a plane and go visit parts of this wonderful country that I didn’t previously know the history of… or at minimum the books make me want to look up the information on the internet. But the last two books just didn’t have that. They were set on a cruise line that left little room for history.

But in this story we are back to the Civil War era and the background story is really interesting… enough I went online for a bit more information. I also enjoyed that we had a bit more of a ghostly presence than we have had lately.

I liked Charlie. She stood her ground when she needed to but was also a good daughter and friend. I liked that Charlie and Ethan had a previous relationship and yet were not lovers. I also enjoyed that the characters from the last two books were back in more than a passing moment.

Graham is a master of romance with a historical feel and it is great that she is back at it in this story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Now That It’s You by Tawna Fenske

now-that-its-youTITLE: Now That It’s You
CHARACTERS: Kyle Midland & Meg Delany
AUTHOR: Tawna Fenske
PUBLICATION DATE: September 6, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Talented chef Meg Delaney hasn’t spoken to her cheating ex-fiancé, Matt Midland, for two years. Ditching him at the altar after blurting out “I can’t” instead of “I do” would sour any relationship. But now, just as Meg is finally ready to bury the hatchet, she learns closure is permanently off the menu. And the kicker? Matt’s brother, Kyle, is back in her life, stirring up feelings that are equal parts guilt and lust.
Meg was the best thing that never happened to Kyle. He couldn’t make a move on his brother’s girlfriend—even if Matt didn’t value her nearly enough. The situation is even more complicated now that Meg’s bestselling aphrodisiac cookbook has spawned a legal battle with the Midlands. Maybe he should stay away. But love, like family, plays by its own rules. And the one woman he shouldn’t want might be the only one who’s perfect for him.

REVIEW:
This was such a cute story, then add in Tawna’s super fun since of humor and you end up with a great story.
Meg is great! She is finally ready to put her past behind her. But to do that she needs to mend one last fence. But yet again fate has stepped in and made a huge mess of Meg’s plans.
They both know what they want but they don’t know how to bridge that gap. I really enjoyed watching Meg and Kyle struggle with what is right and what is wrong. I really liked both characters a lot.
I believe this is going to be a stand alone books, but I do hope that we might get to see Kyle & Meg in another book. I want to know more about their story and what the future holds for them.
If you are looking for a fun romance you need to pick up a copy of Now That It’s You.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Wild Embrace by Nalini Singh

wild-embraceTITLE: Wild Embrace
SERIES #: Psy-Changeling #2.5, 5.1, 11.5, 12.1
CHARACTERS: Varied
AUTHOR: Nalini Singh
NARRATOR: Angela Dawe
PUBLICATION DATE: August 23, 2016
RUN TIME: Hours & Minutes
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon |B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The “alpha author of paranormal romance”* presents a stunningly sensual collection of four all-new Psy-Changeling novellas, in which taboos are broken, boundaries are crossed, and instincts prove irresistible…
Echo of Silence
In a deep-sea station, Tazia Nerif has found her life’s work as an engineer, keeping things running smoothly. But she wants nothing more than to break down the barrier of silence between her and her telekinetic Psy station commander…

Dorian
A changeling who can never shift lives a life of quiet frustration—until he learns how to let his leopard come out and play…

Partners in Persuasion
Still raw from being burned by a dominant female, wolf changeling Felix will never again risk being a plaything. But for dominant leopard Dezi, he’s the most fascinating man she’s ever met. She just has to convince this gun-shy wolf that he can trust the dangerous cat who wants to take a slow, sexy bite out of him…

Flirtation of Fate
Seven years ago, Kenji broke Garnet’s heart. Now the wolf packmates have to investigate the shocking murder of one of their own. And the more Kenji sees of the woman Garnet has become, the deeper he begins to fall once more. But even his primal instincts are no match for the dark secret he carries.

REVIEW:
As always Nalini writes stories that I don’t ever want to end. Then you had in the talented voice goddess Angela Dawe and I am Psy-Changeling heaven. It is no wonder that this is one of my most favorite series ever.
I loved these stories.
In Echo of Silence we get to follow Tazia and Stephan’s journey of falling in love during a trying time of the Psy race. Silence hasn’t fallen yet, but Tazia and Stephan can’t stop fate.

Dorian oh my goodness!!! Dorina’s story made me tear up more than once. Dorina has always been one of my favorite changeling characters so getting his back story made me and extremely happy girl.

Partners in Persuasion was such a cute story. I really enjoyed listening to Dezi and Feliz’s story. It was great to watch this couple struggle with wanting to be together and not knowing how to make it happen.
Flirtation of Fate I enjoyed Kenji and Garnet’s story. We have seen these two throughout the whole series so it was great to finally get to know them better. I enjoyed watching them work together to solve a murder.
Love this series. I can’t wait to see what Nalini has in store for us next!! And of course I will continue to listen to this series as long as Ms. Dawe is the narrator!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

5hearts-68-77

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#TBT Kimberly review Tiger Time by Marissa Dobson ~ Catch Up From The Beginning

TITLE: Tiger Time
SERIES #: Alaskan Tigers #1
CHARACTERS: Tabitha & Ty
AUTHOR: Marissa Dobson
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/23/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Tabitha Leigh has no idea her life is about to change. Until now, she’s been living a quiet life, unaware danger stalks her.

Ty Reynolds has been watching Tabitha from a distance to see if she would go through “the change.” When she finally does, he sees more in her than just the future of their kind. Now that she is embracing her were-tiger, he must tell her she is the Queen of the Tiger . . . with a bounty on her head.

Tabitha must be protected at all cost. She has to embrace her future and her mate or it will be the end of everything she’s just come to know and hadn’t realized she needed.

REVIEW:
I have to say this book was engrossing. I could not put it down. There was some romance, some suspense, some shifting and some intrigue. I am pleasantly surprised at how much I really liked this story.

I do have to say that it is a continuing story so the story does not really end with this book. I have the second one already so I can not wait to read The Tiger’s Heart.

I enjoyed the character of Tabitha. She is strong and yet vulnerable at the same time. She really wants and needs to depend on herself but is not afraid to trust her mate’s feelings on things. I thought that Ty was written really well too. He is very Alpha and yet very loving to Tabby. I hope the second book continues some of this books storyline because some things were left unfinished.

If you enjoy a quick shifter read this one is a definite pickup.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Christmas Under A Cranberry Sky by Holly Martin

christmas-under-a-cranberry-skyTITLE: Christmas Under A Cranberry Sky
SERIES #: A Town Called Christmas #1
CHARACTERS: Piper & Gabe
AUTHOR: Holly Martin
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/22/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N-Coming soon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
This year spend a wonderful Christmas on Juniper Island, where love can melt even the iciest of hearts…

Piper Chesterfield lives a glamorous life traveling the world and reviewing the finest hotels. She calls nowhere home, she works alone and that’s how she likes it. For long ago Piper decided that to protect her heart she should lock it away.

So when Piper’s next assignment brings her to the newly opened Stardust Lake Hotel for the festive season, the last person she expects to face is Gabe Whitaker, the man who broke her heart so completely she could never love again.

But Piper isn’t the only one who has been frozen in time by heartbreak. Gabe hasn’t forgotten the golden-eyed girl who disappeared from his world without a trace.

Now fate has reunited them on Juniper island, can the magic of Christmas heal old wounds? And can this enchanting town be the one place Piper can finally call home?

Curl up with this gorgeously romantic tale and let the glistening snow and the roaring fires of Stardust Lake Hotel get you in the festive spirit this Christmas.

REVIEW:
This is a sweet story. Honestly though it does not have a lot to do with Christmas and doesn’t exactly put the reader into a holiday mood. It is a quick read set in the Scotland islands but it really doesn’t have a Scottish feel. Very few words are written with an accent.

The story is predictable but sweet. I never really connected with any of the characters but Wren is sweet even if Frozen is mentioned a number of times too many.

All in all this book is enjoyable.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

3hearts-68-77

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#TBT Review of Wait for Me by Elisabeth Naughton ~ Catch Up From The Beginning

Title: Wait For Me
Author: Elisabeth Naughton
Characters Kate & Ryan
A woman without a past…
After a tragic accident left her with no memory, Kate Alexander struggled to fit in with a husband and world that didn’t feel right. She’s had no reason to question what friends and family have told her, not until her husband is suddenly killed and she finds a photo of a young girl in his office. A girl who can’t be anyone but a daughter Kate didn’t know she had.
A man desperate for a reason to live…
Ryan Harrison lost his wife in a plane crash five years ago. To cope with the pain of her loss, he dedicated himself to his job and to raising their daughter. Now a successful pharmaceutical executive, Ryan has everything a man could want—money, fame and power—but he’d give it all up in a heartbeat for just one more day with the woman he still loves.
Two lives about to converge.
As Kate begins to dig into a past she doesn’t remember, evidence leads her to San Francisco and puts her on the path toward Ryan, a man who sees in her the woman he loved and lost. Kate feels a draw to Ryan, one she can’t explain, but is that feeling enough to convince her this is where she’s supposed to be? As Ryan and Kate search for answers, they uncover lies long buried, a passion hotter than either expected and a danger that threatens…even now…when the second chance they’ve both been searching for is finally within reach.
My Thoughts:
I LOVED this book!!!!!!!!  I have to say a special thank you to the wonderful lady who bought me this book.  You know who you are and I love you dearly.   Elisabeth, thank you for writing this book, I loved every minute of reading it.
 
Elisabeth does a great job with this story.  I was crying before the end of the first chapter.  This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.  The suspense was killing me, whether it was the tension between Ryan and Kate or the looming danger all around them.  I didn’t want to put this book down.  
 
As I said before I loved this book and I really hope that Elisabeth will write more books like Wait for Me.
 
If you love a good romantic suspense you really need to pick up a copy of Wait for Me by Elisabeth Naughton.  

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Kimberly reviews Skin Deep by Kimberly Kincaid

skin-deepTITLE: Skin Deep
SERIES #: Station Seventeen #1
CHARACTERS: Kellan & Isabella
AUTHOR: Kimberly Kincaid
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/20/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Where there’s smoke…

For firefighter Kellan Walker, checking his emotions at the door doesn’t just keep him on the level. It keeps him alive. A gut-wrenching find at the scene of a blaze threatens to blow his ironclad composure, but when the detective assigned to the case is the same woman who put his sister’s life at risk three months ago, all bets for Kellan being calm, cool, or collected are definitely off.

There’s bound to be fire…

Keeping people safe is Isabella Moreno’s number one priority, no matter how tough the case. Working without solid leads and with the gorgeous, broody firefighter who believes she’s responsible for endangering his sister on a previous case isn’t ideal. But someone is hurting women in the here-and-now. Isabella will do whatever it takes to find justice.

As Kellan and Isabella reluctantly team up to catch a criminal, they realize they have more in common than they’d ever imagined. With every move, the stakes grow higher and the passion sizzles hotter, but can they race against the clock and the odds to catch a killer? Or will they lose their hearts—and their lives?

REVIEW:
I don’t know what it was but I just never got into this story. I read all the reviews that are glowing with 5 stars and I figured I was missing something so I kept reading but I just never found the story caught me.

It was slow to start which caused me to get a bit bored and then when they repeated the fire scene, which was slow in the first place, I had a problem. Kincaid also was using a lot of slang/street terms which seemed forced like she was trying too hard to be young. Isabella is supposed to be a decade old cop but she speaks like she is just out of school and trying to be cool.

The characters were fine. I just didn’t connect with them. The story was different but a bit dark. I wish I had connected with the book because I enjoy Kincaid’s work usually. I wish I could explain I just can’t.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

3hearts-68-77

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Kelly reviews A Promise Of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

a-promise-of-fireTITLE: A Promise of Fire
SERIES #: Kingmaker Chronicles #1
CHARACTERS: Catalia “Cat” Fisa & Griffin Sinta
AUTHOR: Amanda Bouchet
NARRATOR: Mia Barron
RUN TIME: 14 hours & 45 minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: August 2, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Catalia “Cat” Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Wonderful!! This was an excellent start to Ms. Bouchet’s Kingmaker Trilogy. I am already excited for the next two books in this series. A Promise of Fire kept my attention from page one. I just loved Cat. She is a mystery that slowly unravels as the story goes on. But with each mystery solved another one takes it place. Griffin is the perfect match for the very feisty Cat. Griffin is a bit of a jerk in the beginning but like Cat he is full of surprises.
I also love a book where you not only fall in love with the main characters but the secondary characters too. I can’t wait to see what happens with Cat, Griffin and the whole Beta Team!!!

I also had the pleasure of listening to A Promise of Fire on audio. I love finding new narrators to listen too. Mia Barron does a pretty good job narrating this book. If there was one item I can say that took me a bit to get use to was Griffin’s voice. It was not what I originally had thought that Beta Sinta would sound like. But after a few chapters I got use to Ms. Barron’s interpretation of his voice. I will be picking up the second book on audio also (as long as they don’t change narrators. It is the quickest way to lose me as a listener)

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts