The avid reader: May 2015

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Secret Brother

The most unexpected Dollanganger story of them all, new from the author of Flowers in the Attic and Petals on the Wind—both now major Lifetime movie events.

A young boy suffers amnesia from a trauma he suffered in what feels like must have been another life. He’s adopted into a wealthy family—but what will happen when he learns the truth about his past?

About the Author

One of the most popular authors of all time, V.C. Andrews has been a bestselling phenomenon since the publication of Flowers in the Attic, first in the renowned Dollanganger family series which includes Petals on the Wind, If There Be Thorns, Seeds of Yesterday, and Garden of Shadows. The family saga continues with Christopher’s Diary: Secrets of Foxworth, Christopher’s Diary: Echoes of Dollanganger, and Secret Brother. V.C. Andrews has written more than seventy novels, which have sold more than 106 million copies worldwide and been translated into twenty-five foreign languages

My review:

I thought this book was ok. Interesting and well written, just not my thing. I have read other books by this author and they were ok. So overall I think I would recommend this book and author but honestly it just wasn't my thing.

Clawed

A Gin & Tonic Mystery (Book #4 of A Gin & Tonic Mystery) By L. A. Kornetsky

In this fourth mystery in the charming and witty Gin & Tonic series, private investigators Ginny and Teddy—with the help of their faithful pets—must unravel their most intriguing case yet…Even though she’s unlicensed as an investigator, the infamously nosy Ginny Mallard and her cohort Teddy Tonica have begun to make a name for themselves in solving cases. But Ginny still has her day job as an event planner, and the promise of a lucrative job draws her to Portland, with her shar-pei puppy, Georgie, in tow.

Much to her shock and horror, however, she’s been led there under false pretenses—and discovers a body in the parlor of her client’s house! Though the cops warn her to keep her nose out of it, Ginny just can’t resist the itch to solve this case, and soon gets drawn into Portland’s seedy underbelly of identity theft, forgery, and of course, murder…with Teddy and his cat Penny’s devoted sleuthing helping her at every turn. -

Author Info:
L.A. Kornetsky is an amateur chef, oenophile, and cat-servant. She lives in New York City and also writes fantasy under the name Laura Anne Gilman.

My review:
I liked the premise of this book and thought the cover was cute but was disapointed in the end. The characters were good the writting was good. I just didnt feel a conection and got bored with the story. I have to admit mysteries for the most part are not my thing but I thought I would give this one a try as I said for above.

My final verdict:
A mystery fan or fan of this series my like it but as for other everyday readers I would not recommend it.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

The Notebook Audiobook Review Post

Title: The Notebook
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Narrator: Barry Bostwick
Pub. Date:
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Length:

Audiobook Summary:

Every so often a love story so captures our hearts that it becomes more than a story-it becomes an experience to remember forever. The Notebook is such a book. It is a celebration of how passion can be ageless and timeless, a tale that moves us to laughter and tears and makes us believe in true love all over again...

At thirty-one, Noah Calhoun, back in coastal North Carolina after World War II, is haunted by images of the girl he lost more than a decade earlier. At twenty-nine, socialite Allie Nelson is about to marry a wealthy lawyer, but she cannot stop thinking about the boy who long ago stole her heart. Thus begins the story of a love so enduring and deep it can turn tragedy into triumph, and may even have the power to create a miracle...

My review:
So today I am giving you a double dose of Sparks! Again this was a book a was familiar with of Sparks. Again I also have the same opinion of this audiobook as I do with A Walk to Remember, its a nice story, that's it. I like the book overall but it is not one of my favorites. I will admit that it is a real tear jerker however.

Narration:
This audiobook was narrated by Barry Bostwick and while I don't really associate him with audiobooks I think he did a very good job. I enjoyed listening to it. I could imagine what was going on easily in my mind, I could see it. It was pleasant to listen to overall and the tone and pace were fitting to the story.

My final verdict:
I would recommend this audiobook it is an ok listen again not one of my favorites but Sparks fan again would love it.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

House of Robots Audiobook Review

Title: House of Robots
Authors: James Patterson & Chris Grabenstein
Narrator: Jack Patterson
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Pub. Date: 11/24/2014
Length: 4 hrs

Audiobook Info:

In this new highly-illustrated series from James Patterson, an extraordinary robot signs up for an ordinary fifth grade class... and elementary school will never be the same!

It was never easy for Sammy Hayes-Rodriguez to fit in, so he's dreading the day when his genius mom insists he bring her newest invention to school: a walking, talking robot he calls E--for "Error". Sammy's no stranger to robots--his house is full of a colorful cast of them. But this one not only thinks it's Sammy's brother... it's actually even nerdier than Sammy. Will E be Sammy's one-way ticket to Loserville? Or will he prove to the world that it's cool to be square? It's a roller-coaster ride for Sammy to discover the amazing secret E holds that could change family forever... if all goes well on the trial run!

Authors Info:

James Patterson received the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community at the 2015 National Book Awards. His other awards include two Emmys, the Edgar Award, and the Children's Choice Award for Author of the Year. He is a tireless champion of the power of books and reading, exemplified by his new children's book imprint, JIMMY Patterson, whose mission is simple: "We want every kid who finishes a JIMMY Book to say: 'PLEASE GIVE ME ANOTHER BOOK.'" He has donated more than one million books to students and soldiers and has over four hundred Teacher Education Scholarships at 24 colleges and universities. He has also donated millions to independent bookstores and school libraries. Patterson will be investing proceeds from the sales of JIMMY Patterson Books in pro-reading initiatives.

Chris Grabenstein is the author of many fast-paced and fun page-turners including the New York Times bestsellers The Island of Dr. Libris and Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library. Currently nominated for 34 different state book awards, Mr. Lemoncello has spent 38 weeks in the top ten of the New York Times Middle Grades bestseller list. Nickelodeon has optioned the book to become a movie. Chis is also the co-author with James Patterson of the #1 Bestselling I Funny, Treasure Hunters, and House of Robots series. He is the critically acclaimed author of over thirty books, a playwright, screenwriter, and former advertising executive and improvisational comedian. Previously, Chris wrote for Jim Henson's Muppets and co-wrote the CBS-TV movie The Christmas Gift starring John Denver. His dog, Fred, has better credits. Fred starred on Broadway in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.www.ChrisGrabenstein.com

My review:
I thought this audiobook was ok. The story while creative in idea and imagination just didn't really grab me. It felt like it was the some kind of growing up story that has always been told just in a different way. I don't know I guess this audiobook just wasn't for me.

Narration:
The narration of this book was very good and it helped me to keep my attention. He was animated but not too overly animated. Being that this is a childrens book you need to be animated but don't over do it, so I appreciate that the narrator did that.

Final thought:
I would recommend it if you think you know someone who might like it otherwise I'd chose something else.

I would like to thank Mitch from Hachette for letting me listen to and review this audiobook.

A Walk to Rember Audiobook Review

Title: A Walk to Remember
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Pub. Date: Oct. 7, 2014
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Length: 270 minutes

Audiobook Summary:
The last person Landon thought he would fall for was Jamie Sullivan, daughter of the town's Baptist minister. A quiet girl, Jamie seemed content living in a world apart from the other teens. She took care of her widowed father, rescued hurt animals and volunteered at the local orphanage. Landon would never have dreamed of asking her out, but a twist of fate threw them together when he found himself without a partner for the school dance. In the months that followed, Landon discovered truths that most people take a lifetime to learn - about the joy of giving, the pain of loss and, most of all, the transforming nature of love. Being with Jamie would show him the depths of the human heart and lead him to a decision so stunning it would send him irrevocably on the road to manhood ...

My Review:
Having previously read this book, I knew what to expect from the audio version. I also knew what to expect from reading or listening to many of Sparks other books. Overall I am not really a big Sparks fan but I did enjoy this book. It is a very nice story but that's all.

Narration:
The narration of this book is nice and pleasant to listen too. I feel like I'm really seeing the story unfold in my mind, (however watching the movie version of this book could factor into that as well). The narration I would say overall was good. I wanted to stick with the book because of it. It was an enjoyable listen.

My final verdict:
Overall I thought the book was ok. I don't think it's profound or anything like that, but it is not horrible. I would recommend it. I know Sparks fans will love it.

I would like to thank Mitch form Hachette for letting me listen to and review this audiobook.

The Royal We

The Washington Post and USA Today Bestseller

"I might be Cinderella today, but I dread who they'll think I am tomorrow. I guess it depends on what I do next."
American Rebecca Porter was never one for fairy tales. Her twin sister, Lacey, has always been the romantic who fantasized about glamour and royalty, fame and fortune. Yet it's Bex who seeks adventure at Oxford and finds herself living down the hall from Prince Nicholas, Great Britain's future king. And when Bex can't resist falling for Nick, the person behind the prince, it propels her into a world she did not expect to inhabit, under a spotlight she is not prepared to face.

Dating Nick immerses Bex in ritzy society, dazzling ski trips, and dinners at Kensington Palace with him and his charming, troublesome brother, Freddie. But the relationship also comes with unimaginable baggage: hysterical tabloids, Nick's sparkling and far more suitable ex-girlfriends, and a royal family whose private life is much thornier and more tragic than anyone on the outside knows. The pressures are almost too much to bear, as Bex struggles to reconcile the man she loves with the monarch he's fated to become.

Which is how she gets into trouble.

Now, on the eve of the wedding of the century, Bex is faced with whether everything she's sacrificed for love-her career, her home, her family, maybe even herself-will have been for nothing.

My review:
I was so excited to read this book but my excitement soon became disappointment. I thought this book was boring and not well developed. I liked the idea and premise but I don't think this book really lives up to all the hype. I would not recommend this book it just wasn't for me.

GIDEON SMITH AND THE MECHANICAL GIRL Audiobook Spotlight

GIDEON SMITH AND THE MECHANICAL GIRL
Written by DAVID BARNETT

Gideon Smith 1: Gideon Smith and the Mechanical Girl

A fantastical steampunk fable set against an alternate historical backdrop: the ultimate Victoriana/steampunk mash-up now available from GraphicAudio® A Movie in Your Mind!

London might as well be a world away from Sandsend, a tiny village on the Yorkshire coast. Gideon Smith dreams of the adventure promised him by the lurid tales of Captain Lucian Trigger, the Hero of the Empire, told in Gideon’s favorite “penny dreadful.” When Gideon’s father is lost at sea in highly mysterious circumstances Gideon is convinced that supernatural forces are at work. Deciding only Captain Lucian Trigger himself can aid him, Gideon sets off for London. On the way he rescues the mysterious mechanical girl Maria from a tumbledown house of shadows and iniquities. Together they make for London, where Gideon finally meets Captain Trigger.

But Trigger is little more than an aging fraud, providing cover for the covert activities of his lover, Dr. John Reed, a privateer and sometime agent of the British Crown. Looking for heroes but finding only frauds and crooks, it falls to Gideon to step up to the plate and attempt to save the day...but can a humble fisherman really become the true Hero of the Empire?

Available from www.GraphicAudio.net

About GraphicAudio® A Movie in Your Mind®: An imprint of The Cutting Corporation, since 2004, GraphicAudio® has published approximately 1000 titles and 65 different series in their GraphicAudio® A Movie in Your Mind® audiobook entertainment format. For more information visit: www.graphicaudio.net

I Totally Funniest audiobook review

Title: I Totally Funniest
Authors: James Patterson & Chris Grabenstein
Narrator: Frankie Seratch
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Pub. Date: Jan. 2014
Length: 4 hrs

Audiobook Info:
Jamie Grimm is back and better than ever in the third episode of James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein's bestselling I FUNNY series. Finding himself one step closer to his dream of being crowned the best kid comic on the planet, Jamie faces his biggest challenge and funniest challengers yet.
After scoring big on national TV in the semifinals contest, everyone back home is jumping on the Jamie Grimm bandwagon, and all the attention might be going to his head. Not only are his friendships starting to suffer, but the pressure of coming up with his best material ever for the ultimate standup act to snag the final win in Hollywood is pushing Jamie to the brink. Suddenly, life isn't looking very funny anymore. Can Jamie take the grand prize without pushing away his fans, friends and family?

Authors Info:

CHRIS GRABENSTEIN is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO’S LIBRARY, MR. LEMONCELLO’S LIBRARY OLYMPICS, THE ISLAND OF DR. LIBRIS, WELCOME TO WONDERLAND: HOME SWEET MOTEL and many other books, as well as the coauthor of numerous fun and funny page-turners with James Patterson, including I FUNNY, HOUSE OF ROBOTS, TREASURE HUNTERS, and JACKY HA-HA. Chris lives in New York City with his wife, J.J., two cats, and a dog named Fred. You can visit Chris at ChrisGrabenstein.com.

My Review:
I thought this audiobook was ok. The narration did sound authentic how a person like Jamie might talk. However overall it was not one of my favorites I lost interest with the book very quickly. I wanted to yell at it several times I get it already stop. I didn't think it was very funny either.

Final thought: Overall I cant really recommend it.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Summer Reading Preview

This Summer, Read The Stars!

And Enjoy Nightlife Like You Never Have Before….

“Thrilling, edgy, and scary as hell, Nightlife is an outstanding debut and––along with Justin Cronin’s The Passage and Charlaine Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse novels––it's also one of the most original takes on the vampire novel I’ve ever read.”

—Jason Starr, Bestselling Author of The Pack

Matthew Quinn Martin first terrified horror fans with NIGHTLIFE (Pocket Star EBooks; October 2013; $5.99), the captivating story of two unlikely monster hunters determined to save the city of New Harbor from the Night Angels—bloodthirsty creatures that feed on the forgotten. Jack Jackson and Beth Becker are among the few who can see these creatures for what they really are, but as they hunt the creatures, a mysterious organization known only as The Division is hunting them.

In the novella NIGHTLIFE: HAZARDOUS MATERIAL, we get a glimpse of The Division’s origins and aims, when a young man stumbles onto a long-abandoned video arcade—which three decades ago was the site of the largest mass shooting in New York history—and unwittingly uncovers a relic of unimaginable power and mind-altering terror.

And in NIGHTLIFE: NIGHT TERRORS, readers will discover the never-before-released As the Worm Turns, where Jack and Beth are back, along with their faithful dog, Blood. For months they’ve been keeping just one step ahead of The Division, whose enigmatic leader has been pursuing them with the single-minded obsession to capture them by any means necessary. But as Jack and Beth continue their quest to rid the world of the creatures once and for all they find themselves facing off against something even more terrifying than the Night Angels––something that could hold the key to humanity’s salvation…or its doom. NIGHTLIFE: NIGHT TERRORS is three amazing horror stories in one chilling bundle...the only thing you won't fear is the price!

Matthew Quinn Martin is a New York based writer. Martin has been published in many publications, including Transition Magazine, Thuglit, A Twist of Noir, Eastern Standard Crime, The Flash Fiction Offensive, and Aphelion Magazine. Currently, Martin teaches writing at Albertus Magus College, and is an MFA candidate at Stonecoast, USM. His original screenplaySlingshot was made into a feature film starring Juliana Margulies and David Arquette.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Five Night Stand Blog Tour

Legendary jazz pianist Oliver Pleasant finds himself alone at the end of his career, playing his last five shows, hoping the music will draw his estranged family back… Frank Severs, a middle-aged, out-of-work journalist, is at a crossroads as his longtime dreams and marriage grind to a standstill…

And piano prodigy Agnes Cassady is desperately grasping for fulfillment before a debilitating disease wrenches control from her trembling fingers… When Frank and Agnes come to New York to witness Oliver’s final five-night stand, the timeless force of Oliver’s music pulls the trio together.

Over the course of five nights, the three reflect on their triumphs and their sorrows: families forsaken, ideals left along the wayside, secrets kept. Their shared search for meaning and direction in a fractured world creates an unexpected kinship that just might help them make sense of the past, find peace in the present, and muster the courage to face the future.