Devious Minds by Colleen Helme-5 stars

Helme, Colleen, Devious Minds. 9.06 hrs. Colleen Helme, 2016. $19.95. Audible Download

Source: Free review copy in exchange for honest review

After a near fatal gunshot wound to the head almost a year ago, Shelby developed the ability to read minds. Since then, she has gotten herself shot at, framed for murder, targeted by a serial killer, and working part-time for mob boss, Joseph "The Knife" Manetto, aka Uncle Joey. When Shelby agreed to do a favor for CIA agent, Blake BoShane in order to protect Uncle Joey, she never imagined that that favor could be anything more than routine. While in France helping Blake with his case, a meeting with a rogue agent reveals a sinister terrorist plot. Shelby gets kidnapped only to be rescued by mob-htiman, Ramos. Now she and Ramos must face their deadliest challenge yet. Will Shelby and Ramos save France and themselves?

Narrator, Wendy Tremont King brings Helme's memorable characters easily to life. Her unique voice add flare and depth to the plot and engage the reader. The dynamics between Shelby, Ramos, Uncle Joey, and her husband, Chris are believable and easy to relate to. The author does a great job of distinguishing thoughts from external dialogue and
action scenes.. The plot is fast-paced, intense, and well written. Reader who are familiar with Shelby's escapades or are new to the series will have a hard time putting this book down. Recommended for those who enjoy humor, mystery, and adventure books.

5 stars, ADULT

Door by the Staircase by Katherine Marsh-5 stars

Marsh, Katherine, Door by the Staircase. Pgs. 288. Disney Hyperion, 2016. $17.99

Ever since her mother and father were killed in a fire, 12-year-old orphan, Mary Hayes hasn’t had a place to call home. Wanting nothing but to escape from Buffalo Asylum for Young Girls, Maya is thrilled when Madame Z, an elderly woman, adopts her. Her new home is in a village called Iris. This village has more than meets the eye. Despite being filled with magic and razzle-dazzle, something feels off to Mary. As her new mystery of a life unfolds, she discovers that Madame Z is really Baba Yaga-the witch who eats children. Is Baba Yaga the enemy her fairy tale story suggests? Or, is there someone or something else more sinister going on?

Narrator, Laurel Merlington captivating, distinct voices bring Mary’s world and it’s characters to life. Her intonations are an ideal match for this well-paced novel. The plot is well developed and intense.  The rich, layered text adds depth to the story and draws the reader into the story with ease. Fans of fantasy, mystery, and adventure will enjoy listening to this audiobook.

Grades 4 to 7, 5 stars

Dragon’s Return: Zodiac Legacy #2 by Stan Lee-5 stars

Lee, Stan, Dragon’s Return: Zodiac Legacy #2. 8.24 hrs. (unbar.). Blackstone Audio, 2016. $29.95. ISBN 978-1481501699

When we last left Steven, he and his Zodiac teammates had removed Maxwell’s dragon powers and sent him into retreat. Not, however, before Maxwell had captured Carlos, the team’s leader.  Now Mawell and Carlos haven’t been seen in months, but the Zodiac team is falling apart. Jasmine, the other team’s leader, has become a hermit and is rarely seen outside of her hiding place. Duane is having trouble coming to terms with his non-combat skills. Kim’s father is ill and she’s having doubts about staying with Zodiac. Roxanne is toying with the idea of going back to her musical career. Personal lives, however, get put on hold once again when rumors of Mawell’s next move start to surface. Can the team band together long enough to stop Mawell? Will Jasmine snap out of her funk? What is Mawell planning?

Narrator, Feodor Chin engaging narrative style brings to life Steven’s world. His original voices are befitting of the book’s characters. He masterfully narrates the images in the physical book as well as the action and dialogue scenes. The plot is well developed and has a brisk pace that keeps the listener on their toes. Together, Chin and Lee draw the reader into a movie-like telling of the book. Fans of Stan Lee, Marvel, superheroes, and action/adventure books will have a hard time putting this audiobook down. 

5 stars, Grades 5 to 9 

Magic Hat of Mortimer Wintergreen by Myron Levoy-5 stars

Levoy, Myron, Magic Hat of Mortimer Wintergreen. 4:22 hrs. (unbar.). Blackstone Audio, 2015. 

After their parents were killed in a Sioux attack, Amy and Joshua have been living with their evil Aunt Vootch. Set in 1890s South Dakota, Amy and Joshua are constantly working to the bone and getting punished by their card-obsessed aunt. When traveling magician/peddler, Mortimer Wintergreen, rolls through town, the two escape and hitch a ride with him. With the help of the Mortimer's temperamental magic hat, the siblings and their friend head to New York to find Amy’s and Joshua’s grandparents.  Aunt Vootch, however, is hot on their trail and determined to bring them back to South Dakota. Will the siblings find their grandparents in time? 

Narrator, Kirby Heyborne’s  engaging narrative brings to life the unusual world of Amy and Joshua. His unique voice adds depth and humor to the characters and their personalities. The plot is well developed, funny, and easily draws the reader into the book. The narrative style of Kirby easily complements the writing style of Levoy. Fans of humorous fantasy adventures will enjoy this delightful read. 

5 stars, Grades 4 to 7. 

Keep Moving by Dick Van Dyke-4.5 stars

Van Dyke, Dick, Keep Moving: And Other Tips and Truths About Aging. (unbar.). 5 CDs. 5.3 hrs. Blackstone Audio, 2015.

What does it mean to get old? How do you know when you are old? How does one keep young while aging? Dick Van Dyke discusses the answers to these questions as he describes his past, his experience, his close calls with death, and more. He delves in to what it means to truly live and what matters most.

Narrting his own book, Dick Van Dyke brings a level of humor and wisdom to his book. His intonations are easy to listen to and draw the reading into his world. His objectivity at aging and looking back on his life helps the reader to get in to Dick’s head and truly see the world through his eyes. The story is well written and has a logical pattern to its chronology. Listeners who enjoy humor, comedians, and biographical memoirs will enjoy listening to this book.

4.5 stars, ADULT

Fires of Invention by J. Scott Savage-4 stars

Savage, J. Scott, Fires of Invention (Mysteries of Cove #1). 10 CDs (unbar.). 11.1 hrs. Blackstone Audio, 2015. 

Trenton Colman is creative person with an aptitude for mechanics. He lives in a city known as Cove. Buried below a cave, Cove is anti-invention, anti-creative, and anti-independence. When youth finish school, they enter an apprenticeship assigned by the government, they eat what they’re told each day, and they don’t ask question. Failure to follow the rules results in retraining or, worse, death. When Trenton finds a cylinder of unapproved origin, Callista Babbage, inventor, Leo’s daughter, confronts him. Together, they not only discover clues to an invention Leo was building, but also that something is off about the history Cove has told everyone.  All of which got Leo killed. As the government starts to catch on to what they’re doing, will Callista and Trenton be able to finish finding the clues?  Will they be able to figure out Cove’s dark past?

Narrator, Kirby Heyborne uses his vast experience to bring to life Trenton’s world. The plot is slow to pick up, but well developed and Kirby does a great job of pulling the reader into it. The characters’ personalities are a little stiff, but draw the reader into the story with their quirky natures and character growth. With a cliff-hanger for an ending and the promise of something really interesting to come, readers who enjoy dystopian fiction, adventure, and fantasy will enjoy reading this book. 

4 stars, Grades 5 to 9.