Audio Review by Stacia: A Lion in Tails by Andrew Grey

***Stacia's Holiday Reviews: Stacia was given the task of reviewing these, and due to life events of the formatter they were not able to be posted until now. ***

Title: A Lion In Tails

Author: Andrew Grey

Narrator: K.C. Kelly

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC.

Run Time: 2hrs. 9min.

Rating: 4.5/5 Smooches

Blurb:

Larry Kincaid isn't ready to be a parent, but when his sister dies in an accident, he takes his nephew, Angus, into his home. The change throws Larry’s life into limbo until he meets Joshua Langdon.

To Joshua, Larry is a lion: growly and strong, but too proud to ask for help. Joshua gets past his defenses and finds a place in Larry and Angus family, but Larry's pride gets in the way. Can they turn their holiday romance into a relationship that lasts into the New Year?

Review:

I’ve only heard a few books read by K.C. Kelly but what I’ve heard, I’ve really loved. His voice is on the softer side, good for bedtime stories.

A Lion in Tails by Andrew Grey is a sweet, enjoyable holiday read. Except for adjusting to the loss of a loved one, there is very little angst. It’s a type of book you can snuggle up under a blanket to read.

After Larry lost his sister, Melanie, in a car accident he became the guardian of his nephew, Angus. He tries to do everything himself believing he doesn’t need anyone’s help or at least Larry’s too proud to ask. He’s very successful in his job, how hard can it be to raise a little boy?  He doesn’t think he has time for a social life when he meets Joshua at the tux shop while renting a tux for Angus and himself for the Christmas party he throws every year. This year is a bit more challenging with Angus around.

Joshua is younger than Larry’s almost forty years. He works for a non-profit organization and spends a few days a week working in a tux shop. That’s where he meets Larry and Angus. He quickly becomes one of Angus’ favorite people and gets thrown together with Larry because no one can say no to Angus. Not that it’s a bad deal, Joshua happens to like what Larry has to offer. Joshua is a sweet and patient character, I liked him a lot.

Angus, what can I say about Angus? Angus is so cute and loveable. He makes you just want to grab him through the book and squeeze him tight. He’s trying to come to grips of losing his mother so he doesn’t smile a lot until he meets Joshua. I think every book should have an Angus so the reader has something to smile about. The short story is very well written, fantastically enjoyable and as with all of Andrew Grey’s books, there is a happy ending.

Purchase Link:  Dreamspinner Press

Audio Review by Stacia: Mending Noel by Charlie Cochet

***Stacia's Holiday Reviews: Stacia was given the task of reviewing these, and due to life events of the formatter they were not able to be posted until now. ***

Title:

Mending Noel, North Pole City Tales Book 1 (Audio)

Author: Charlie Cochet

Narrator: Dave Gillies

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC.

Running Time: 1hr, 24min.

Rating: 5/5 Smooches

Blurb:

All is not sparkly snowflakes and sweet candy canes in North Pole City. Office workers Tim and Noel do nothing all day but antagonize each other - petty fighting that might be based on hatred or a heated mutual attraction. It's up to Jack Frost and his elf-friend Rudy to broach the hostilities and introduce some Christmas kisses, but is the Frost Prince up to the challenge of launching a new romance when someone's trying to break his holiday spirit?

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2012 Advent Calendar package Evergreen.

Review:

This is the first time I’ve listened to an audio book narrated by Dave Gillies.  His British accent made the listening pleasing. Dave did a great job reading clearly and with passion. I’d listen to him again.

I did not expect espionage at the North Pole that didn’t involve the Heat Meiser or the Snow Meiser. This story isn’t about the usual North Pole that you heard about as a kid. Rudy, instead of being a flying reindeer is a pilot, Santa is the mayor and Jack is the Frost King’s son. Although, Rudy, the elf still guides the sleigh, Santa still delivers presents and Jack Frost still controls winter.

Then you have the elves, Noel and Tim who work in an office at the North Pole. Noel is Tim’s boss who makes his job more difficult by picking on Tim on a daily basis. Situations aren’t always what they seem, however, as these two find out in the end.

I loved this short story it was thought out and well written. It’s Christmas with a little of James Bond mixed in. I could read more adventures from this crew if there were to be any.

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner Press

AudioBook Review by Stacia: Grumble Monkey and the Department Store Elf

Title:  Grumble Monkey and the Department Store Elf (Audio)

Author:  B.g. Thomas

Narrator:  Donald Tursman

Publisher:  Dreamspinner  Press LLC

Rating: 5/5 Smooches

Blurb:

Kit Jefferies, a part-time department store Christmas elf, is an artist who loves life and his family. Unfortunately, his car dies at a rest stop in the middle of nowhere as he is heading home for Christmas. Enter Nick St. George. Nick is a very unhappy man - he's achieved his professional goals only to find the rest of his life bleak and empty. Deciding there was only one way to make everything right, he is on his way to San Francisco on a dark mission, and even the horrible sleet storm that blocked his path won't deter him. That's when he found Kit. At first, Nick is pretty sure rescuing Kit was a big mistake. Kit's personality is just too, well, effervescent. But as the miles go by, Kit begins to bring light to his dark heart. It might even be bright enough to illuminate a Christmas miracle.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package "Heartwarming".

Review:

This is the first time I’ve heard Donald Tursman narrate a book. His deep rich voice makes for easy listening. I would definitely listen to him again.

Nick is a lost man who thinks he’s done with life or life is done with him. Even though he’s become a very successful man after his parents severed all ties with him just because he was who is was, gay, Nick feels there is nothing left. He feels empty. Going to San Francisco was going to fix all of the emptiness he felt. That is until he rescued Kit, disguised as one of Santa’s elves.

Things don’t get off to a great start when Nick offers to take Kit home to his family. Kit irritates Nick to no end. They’re just too opposite, nothing alike but sometimes that’s a good thing. Nick is uptight and swears a lot, Kit is laid back and doesn’t like to swear and he sees the good in everything.

By the end of the journey Kit has changed Nick’s idea of life.

This was a really cute holiday read and you will recognize the next door neighbors that are mentioned if you’ve read any other of the books B.g. Thomas has written. I love how he crosses over characters. This was rather enjoyable, a great listen for when you’re in your car while doing your Christmas shopping or just riding around looking at Christmas lights.

Buy Link:

Dreamspinner Press

Review by Stacia: Bianca's Plan by B.G. Thomas [Audiobook]

Title:  Bianca’s Plan

Author:  B.g. Thomas

Narrator:  Paul Morey

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC.

Running Time: 2hrs. and 6min.

Rating: 5/5 Smooches

Blurb:  

Bianca worries that her daddy, Gavin, is lonely and decides he needs a boyfriend for Christmas. So she enlists her father's best friend, the straight and unattached Curtis. Gavin has a Christmas wish, too, and Curtis setting him up on disastrous dates isn't part of it! Meanwhile, Curtis finds life becoming complicated as he tries to please Bianca, make Gavin happy, and fend off his own unexpected mixed feelings. Will anyone's wish come true?

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2012 Advent Calendar package "Evergreen".

Review:

Paul Morey is one of my favorite narrators. His deep rich voice makes the book a pleasant listen. He does very well with the different voices and styles. Paul reads clearly and at a comfortable pace.

Now on to the story of Bianca’s Plan. It was a sweet little story. Bianca is a ten year old girl whose plan was to get her daddy a boyfriend for Christmas. She had asked Santa for help but Santa cannot grant wishes that deal with matters of the heart. I’m not sure what I think about that part. It’s part of the story of why she had to do it herself, but my question is why does a ten year old still believe in Santa? On the other hand I still believe in the magic of Christmas. Anyway, Bianca’s character is written very well. She’d make a great Yenta which is a Jewish matchmaker.  The girl is sneaky though, she has something up her sleeve and in the end no one knows what hit them while she looks smug.

Bianca cons her daddy’s best friend, Curtis into helping her. Curtis loves that little girl as she was his own so he really couldn’t tell her no. He half-heartedly helps Bianca with what he thinks is her plan. Curtis knows it will lead to disaster or reveal something he himself doesn’t even know or want to acknowledge. I loved Curtis’ character, between trying to do the right thing for his best friend and Bianca and himself, half the time he doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going.

The heart of the story is Gavin, it is he who needs the boyfriend according to his daughter. Gavin doesn’t want to be set up on blind dates but when situations present themselves he is given a little push. Thinking he might as well, since the one Gavin does want, is straight. He has to try and get over him at some point. “The course of true love never did run smooth.”

Overall this is a terrific listen. Paul Morey did a fantastic job telling the sweet story that B.g. Thomas so wonderfully wrote.

BUY LINKS: 

Dreamspinner Press

Review by Stacia: Turkey in the Snow by Amy Lane [Audio Book]

Title:  Turkey In The Snow (Audio)

Author:  Amy Lane

Narrator: Gomez Pugh

Publisher:  Dreamspinner  Press LLC

Running Time:  2hrs, 32min

A story from the Dreamspinner Press, 2012 Advent Calendar package Evergreen.

Rating: 5/5 Smooches

Blurb:

Since Hank Calder's four-year-old niece Josie came to live with him, his life has been plenty dramatic, thank you, and the last thing he needs is a swishy, flaming twinkie to complicate things.

But when Justin, the daycare worker at his gym, offers to do something incredibly nice for Hank - and for Josie - Hank is forced to reconsider. Justin may be flamboyant in his speech and gestures, but his heart and kindness are as rock steady and dependable as anyone, even Hank, could ask for.

Can Hank trust in his dramatic turkey in the snow to offer his heart the joy he and Josie have never known?

Review:

I listen to a lot of audio books. I have come across great narrators and not so great ones. I have bought books to listen to and when I put my head phones on to listen to what I know to be a terrific book only to be turned against it by the irritating voice that is entering my ears. So hopefully I can help you with that.

I had never heard of Gomez Pugh until I downloaded this book in audio. He was actually excellent. He did not read in monotone. Gomez used different voices for each character, from Hank’s semi-deep voice to the little girl voice of Josie. He may have gone a little overboard for the voice Justin. I don’t know, the jury is still out on that one. However, he hit them rather well. I would listen to him read again.

Now on to the story itself, well come on, it’s Amy Lane. This being sort of a holiday short story out of an anthology, it didn’t have Amy’s usual angst factor. Oh there was some in there but for the most part it was tame for her.

The characters were well formed and full of life. I want a Justin, he is just so sweet and cute. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is one of those people who would give you the shirt off of his back. He is also very tenacious in getting Hank to calm down around him and except the help that is offered. He’s the kind that just sneaks up on you and gets under your skin before you even know what he’s doing.

Hank is still trying to balance life with a four year old in tow. He’s always been the strong one, dependable and gets things done as they should be, he loves rules. I liked the character of Hank, he was a rigid character in the beginning but that goes a long with the story. As he starts to soften up around Justin, he gets more likeable.  Hank is also good with his four year old niece, very patient and loving.

Josie is just the sweetest little girl who loves Justin. Justin is one of her favorite people. Even though her mother is not in the picture, she is always talking about her and doing things for her for when she “comes back”.

I loved this story and I enjoyed the audio of it. I would highly recommend it.

Buy Links: 

Dreamspinner Press

Review by Stacia: A Chaotic Range by Andrew Grey

Title: A Chaotic Range

Author: Andrew Grey

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC

Pages: 200

Release Date: Nov. 7, 2014

Rating: 5/5 Smooches

Blurb:

Most of the time ranch hand David rescues stray cattle, but this time he and his fellow cowboys Wally and Haven save a stranded motorist. David is surprised to find his former high school classmate nearly frozen in his car. After learning that Brian Applewright’s boss fired him from his ranch for being gay, they invite him back to theirs to take a job.

David and Brian moved in different social circles at school, but working together brings them closer. However, David has a rocky history on the ranch. The foreman is his ex, and he only recently returned after a heartbreakingly unsuccessful attempt to find greener pastures. He can’t risk his heart getting close to anyone.

But on a ranch, nature has a way of forcing an issue. When a snowstorm threatens, David and Brian head out to mend a fence and round up some stray cattle. David gets injured, and they must survive in the snow, cold, and wind. It might be the start of a relationship… or the end of their lives.

Review:

I love The Range series, it’s like seeing old friends again while you meet new ones. I can tell you however I did not like David for the first part of this book. Feelings got hurt and I wasn’t in a place to forgive him for what he did to Mario yet. I know I wasn’t the only one he hurt. Seriously, I didn’t like him at first but as the story went on, he redeemed himself. I think Brian had a lot to do with the change in David though.

You know that saying. “You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.”? Yes, well David finally found himself and finished unfinished business. Then he was able to grab onto what was in front of him. Up until the arrival of Brian, David was just there to do his job and lay low. Everyone deserves a second chance and I’m glad now that he got one and it was because Andrew Grey has a kind heart.

Brian, what can I say about Brian? He’s very sweet and he came across to me as innocent. I cannot imagine not wanting a man like him around. But there were things and I do mean things, the word human is too good for them, who hated him just because of who he chose to love. They made his life miserable where he came from. That’s ok though, he found his place with David, Dakota and the rest of the good looking cowboys. Brian is a strong person and a survivor as he has demonstrated quite a few times in this story. I really hope to see more of him in the future.

This book is terrific, I read it straight through from beginning to end in one day. I highly recommend this book and if you haven’t read the Range Books yet. I will list them in order below.

Range Books in Order:

A Shared Range- Published 2010

A Troubled Range- Published 2011

An Unsettled Range- Published 2012

A Foreign Range- Published 2012

An Isolated Range- Published 2012

A Volatile Range- Published 2013

A Chaotic Range- Published 2014

Buy Links: 

Dreamspinner Press