Any Witch Way You Can by Amanda M. Lee-4.5 stars

Lee, Amanda M., Any Witch Way You Can. 6.13 hrs. 2015. Audible Download.

Source: Review Copy

Growing up a Winchester in Hemlock Cove can be challenging. Not only are you a witch and have special powers, but family dinners can get a bit heated. Bay, as the only journalist in town, goes to the opening of Hemlock Cove’s corn maze opening and bites off more than she bargained for. With a dead body and another expected, it’s up to Bay to figure out why some is ritualistically killing people. With the help of the town’s police chief, Terry, her loud family, and a mysterious new biker in town to help, will Bay be able to solve the case? Will she solve the murders before the killers target her?

Narrator, Aris, easily bring to life the unique, original characters of Lee’s books. The main characters are entertaining, engaging, and fun to follow throughout the book. Aris’ intonations are unique and easily transition between internal, ghostly, and external dialogues. Her narrative style is complementary of Lee’s writing.  Although some of the secondary characters seem one-dimensional at first, their personalities come out more as the book goes on. The plot is well developed, suspenseful, and draws the reader easily into Bay’s world.  Listeners who enjoy paranormal humor and mystery will have a hard time putting this audiobook down.

4.5 stars, ADULT

Ripped From the Pages by Kate Carlisle-4.5 stars

Carlisle, Kate, Ripped From the Pages. 8 CDs.  9:36 hrs. Dreamscape Media, 2015. $59.99. 9781681410739

Source: Review Copy

Brooklyn Wainwright has a tendency to find dead bodies. While attending the groundbreaking for a her parents’ commune’s wine-tasting cave, Brooklyn discovers a dead body. This time the body is over 70 years old. With the body is a treasure trove of valuable paintings and keepsakes that date back to WWII. An old mystery, however, soon turns deadly One of the commune’s oldest members, Trudy, is almost killed. She has no memory of who her assailant was or how Amelia, her friend and protector, wound up dead saving her. With time running out and someone desperate to keep the past buried, it’s up to Brooklyn and her boyfriend, Derek, to solve the case. Will Brooklyn solve the two mysteries? Will Trudy remember who attacked her? Who is trying to keep the past buried?

Narrator, Susie Berneis’ narrative style is unique and engaging. Her intonations easily distinguish and bring to life Carlisle’s dynamic characters. The plot is well developed, suspenseful, and has a good pace. The narration complements the plot well and brings to life Brooklyn’s world. Although it is possible to listen to this book without having finished the 8 prequels, it is recommended that listeners listen to them in order. This is a great listen for mystery, amateur sleuths, and clean romance fans. 

Please note: This audiobook was received in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars, ADULT

Online Book Club

Just a note: In addition to reviewing audiobooks, I have also begun to review books for the Online Book Club. If you're interested in having in having your book reached by a wide range of people from all over, please visit: http://onlinebookclub.org/ In addition to offering book reviews, they also have ways to track books you've read, talk with fellow book lovers, and a chance to be a participate in a monthly book club discussion.

Descendants: Junior Novel-4.5 stars

Descendants: Junior Novel. 3.04 hrs. Disney Press, 2015. $10.46. Audible download.

Source: Review: Copy

Descendants from history’s most evil villains, Jay, Mal, Evie, and Carlos has only ever known the life they’ve led on Isle of the Lost. When Belle and Beast’s son, Ben, offers them a chance to prove themselves good, the opportunity for the four is too good to pass up. There’s a hiccup in their chance, however. The history’s most evil villain, Maleficent, wants the four to steal Fairy Godmother’s Wand. With the wand, she can take over the good and evil people of the world and get her revenge. Will Mal follow in her mother’s footsteps? Will she and her friends turn out to be good or evil?

Narrator, Kyla Garcia is a lively narrator with unique intonations that draw the listener into Mal’s world. Her transitions are smooth and easily keep the listener wanting to find out what happens next. The plot is well developed, humorous, and has good pacing. Characters are well rounded, engaging, and entertaining. Together, the two complement each other to create a full experience for listeners. People who enjoy Disney, villains and heroes, fantasy, and friendship stories will like listening to this book.

4.5 stars, Grades 4 to 7

Holding Fire: Short Stories of Self-Destruction by Scott Hughes-4 stars

Hughes, Scott, Holding Fire: Short Stories of Self-Destruction. pgs. 288. CreateSpace, 2015. $12.99.

Source: Bought.

When one sets out on a self-destructive path, it isn’t always obvious that you’re doing so. It could be guilt in the case of Maggie Stancu’s “Running with Guilt” or a sense of justice in the case of Isobel Sheene’s “Vindictive” and J.B. Rice’s “Burden of a Soldier.” The self-destructive person may justify their actions, get around the obstacles in their path, or resort to murder. All of them, however, have one thing in common. Such chosen paths result in one’s self-destruction. In Holding Fire: Short Stories of Self-Destruction, ten short stories attempt to answer the question: what causes one’s self-destruction?

Each story is strong in character development/growth and plot development. There is a mix of different genres including, but not limited to, fantasy, realistic fiction, and mystery. Each author expertly deals with delicate issues such as grief, love, abuse, revenge, bullying, and guilt without losing the reader.

The characters seem like believable characters that fall victim to life and bad choice. The woman spurned by a romantic interest, the boy who never got past being bullied, the soldier forced to watch a friend get murdered,  and the person who got wrapped up in corporate espionage are a few such examples. The fact that readers will be able to relate to the different characters’ personalities and choices makes this collection even more eerie and compelling. The overall engaging feel of the book makes the reader stop and give pause, to think and reevaluate their own choices and lives.

Writing styles are hard to judge since each is written by a different author, but each smoothly transitions between scenes and doesn’t have a jarring effect on the reader. Layouts are well done, but there are still a few spelling and grammar mistakes that distract the reader from the heart of the stories.

At first glance, this book may give readers the impression of having stereotypical characters and themes. This, however, is not the case. Each story is not only unique and well developed, but easily paint for the reader the ultimate anti-hero picture.

Overall I’d give this book 4 out of 5 stars (or 3 out of 4 stars).  The stories were interesting to read. The themes of grief, self-destruction, guilt, and revenge are well handled and draw the reader into each story. There are, however, some spelling and grammar mistakes that might throw the average reader off as they’re reading along. Readers who enjoy short stories, books dealing with revenge and death, or who enjoy a wide variety of genres will like reading this book.

4 stars, ADULT

Please note: This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelves/book.php?id=11070

Crossing Danger by Colleen Helme-5 stars

Helme, Colleen, Crossing Danger. 9. 31 hrs. (unbar.) Colleen Helme, 2015. $19.95. Audible Download.

Source: Review Copy

Despite trying to stay out of trouble, Shelby is drowning in it. Her friend, Billie Jo, asks for Shelby’s help uncovering a corruption in the District Attorney’s office. When burglars are sent to steal her flash drive, Billie gets roughed up so bad she nearly dies. Unfortunately, the corruption doesn’t stop there. When her friend’s niece, Chloe, goes missing, things take an interesting turn when the girl shows up at Shelby’s house. After witnessing a double murder done by a corrupt cop, Chloe turns to Shelby for help and the two cases are linked. When an FBI agent from Uncle Joey’s past comes in to solve the two cases, it becomes pretty clear that Shelby is Crossing Danger at every turn. Can Shelby solve the cases and come out alive?  How do all the pieces of the cases fit together?

 Narrator, Wendy Tremont King is a great complement to Colleen Helme’s book. Her unique intonations bring to life Colleen’s well developed characters and Shelby’s world. The character dynamics were even more developed in this book and added a lot of humor to the story. The plot is complex, engaging, and keeps the reader guessing what’s going to happen next. The author’s mix of action, mystery, romance, and adventure was well done and extremely entertaining.  The author expertly switches between internal and external dialogue and King   smoothly handles them with a mixture of humor and pizzazz. Readers who have read the other books in the Shelby Nichols adventures won’t be disappointed. Newcomers to the Shelby scene will be able to easily pick up on the story line, but it is recommended people at least read the one before this, because it builds on the last book. Recommended for anyone who enjoys a fun, paranormal mystery with a bit of romance intermixed.

5 stars, ADULT

Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg-4.5 stars

Holmberg, Charlie N. Paper Magician. 7.25 hrs. Brilliance Audio, 2014. $52.97. Audible download. 

Ceony Twil’s life changed forever when an anonymous donor paid for her tuition to Tagis Praff, an elite magician training school. She’s disappointed, however, when her dream job of becoming a Smelter comes to naught. Short on paper magician and a natural at most magics, Ceony is pushed into apprenticing with Emery Thane. Things get cut short, however, when a person from Thane’s past, his ex-wife Lira, excises his heart. Running against time, it’s up to Ceony to retrieve his heart and defeat the excisioner before Thane dies. With little practical knowledge of paper folding and combat, can Ceony defeat one of the most feared people?

Narrator, Amy McFadden does a great job of bringing to life Ceony's and the other character's voices with her unique, versatile narrative style. The plot is well developed, engaging, and keeps a fairly fast pace despite its historical setting. The characters are likable and humorous. The dynamics between them are enjoyable and McFadden easily navigates their dialogue. Readers who like to get to know the characters well will appreciate the mix of action adventure with the more serious matters of the heart. Although some of the battles with Lira drag on a bit, the humor and action mixed in make up for it. Recommended for those readers who like an action-packed, historical fantasy adventure.

4.5 out of 5 stars, ADULT