All Fired Up by Dylan Newton Narrated by Emma Love; Max Lloyd-Jones

​

I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great listen - loved the dual narration and the narrators. Our heroine is type A organized with a can do attitude and a Mary Poppins bag of everything one might need. Our hero is a chill, live in the now, Adonis like, ax throwing, pottery making veteran.

This is a great opposites attract/forced proximity rom-com. I loved the way the cover tied into the story line. This is a great example of how sometimes we can get in our own way and can learn from others who are different how to temper our own over strong tendencies. 

I can’t wait for the next brothers story. 5/5

The Witches of Moonshyne Manor A Novel by Bianca Marais Narrated by Amy Landon

​

I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Ok so first up this is listed as a rom-com/sci-fi/fantasy/womens fiction and to me a more accurate description would be womens paranormal comedy fiction. It is funny, there is witchiness, while there is some closed door action and feelings of unrequited love I wouldn’t categorize it as romantic. This book gave me feels of the movies - The First Wives Club, Grumpy Old Men and The Devine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood. Starring a cadre of octogenarian witches with a spunky 15 year old feminist and one of my favorite touches - her dog Ruth Bader Ginsberg. 

We get to know these ladies and the events that took place 30 years ago that led them to this point are unraveled in a compelling and captivating bit of storytelling. 

The authors note at the end was especially appropriate in that we don’t often read books focused on elderly ladies and really it should happen more often - they’ve lived a lot of life. Go into this open to appreciating it for the gem it is with no preconceived notions based on genre descriptions and it will not disappoint. It is truly a unique tale. 

5/5

Blood Metal Bone by Lindsay Cummings

​

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley and a physical copy from the publisher Harper 360 in exchange for an honest review.

This is a unique setup that can be surprising and/or jarring if unexpected and it would likely be better to present upfront in the synopsis the unusual genre mixing. From what is presented one expects a YA fantasy world in the sense of the familiar construct of semi-medieval monarchy with no real tech and underlying magic. However there are alternating viewpoints between the heroine in this familiar world and then swaps to a another viewpoint in a world with a sci-fi feel. Some may take issue with these disparities but it’s fantasy why not make it as fantastical as possible? With that in mind it’s easier to go on the journey that is this book knowing at least somewhat what to expect. The mystery of what will happen next lures one through the story arc like a trail through the forest that you can’t see the end of. My only critique is a more thorough synopsis and some more solid world building upfront. 4.5/

Game Wizards The Epic Battle for Dungeons & Dragons by Jon Peterson Narrated by Chris Andrew Ciulla

​

I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have not played Dungeons and Dragons myself but I have a 9 year old who’s getting into so I thought I’d do some research. I have seen Stranger Things which I feel like has made waves in popularizing this role playing game along with The Big Bang Theory. Being a nerd is relatively cool these days.

Getting a non-fiction historical accounting of the development of such a unique and prolific game style was fascinating and in a way reminded me of a real life version of Ready Player One. This book is accessible to both the expert and the novice in this genre of entertainment. Check it out. 4.5/5

ABC Pride by Louie Stowell; Elly Barnes

 

I received a digital copy of this picture book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’d like to preface this by saying I personally grew up in a rural area with almost no diversity so I’m raising my children in an area with much more diversity including members of the LGBTQAI2S+ community in our extended chosen family, church family and among our friends. The way I raise my kiddos is that everyone’s unique in their own way and as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else that’s just fine and that it’s not a big deal. 

Representation is important, seeing people in books that represent themselves or the people they care about makes a big difference for kids. 

Some of the words will require added context from parents to explain further. Sometimes it’s nice to add your own context like for us it would be - yes see they’re just like your BFFs two aunts that we went to the pumpkin patch with. They’re kids call them mom and mommy. 

Some parents may be looking for a book that does all the explanations for them on a topic they don’t feel fully knowledgeable of. This is not really a book that will hold your hand through the topics if that’s your situation,it’s more of a framework to build a larger conversation on.

Great pictures. Very colorful. 4.5/5 only because there are words like stereotype that will be difficult for kids in the ABC book age bracket to grasp because it’s not something you hear in conversation often at that age

Darius A Black Dagger Brotherhood Love Story by J.R. Ward Narrated by Jim Frangione

​

I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

This book is an extension of JR Wards prolific Black Dagger Brotherhood series. While I don’t consider it necessary to have read all the books I do strongly urge you to read the first book in the series. This one is  largely a prequel to the first book as the origin story of the heroine in the first book and this book does not have a traditional HEA so the end will be more satisfying and acceptable if one is already invested in the whole story. It ends with an epilogue to the first book. 

Read by the usual narrator for this series it has the same flow and feel we are used to. This is a paranormal/supernatural vampire + human insta-love romance with referencing themes of fated mates. Trigger warnings include parent death, death in childbirth, lies of omission, abusive romantic relationships, gaslighting and controlling behavior. 

Solid book for this series and great as an audiobook. 5/5