Evelyn Maynard Trilogy- Book 2

 

Audiobook on Audible

Book two continues the adventure of Evelyn and her four sexy guys. Each could not be more different from the other. Alec has been her hardest (no pun intended) connection to make. For some reason he is resistant to complete the bond with her. While she still is hiding what she is from the world that does not last long. 

In book one, she lost her roommate and good friend. So on an outing with her other roommate, Evelyn gets kidnapped. What's worse is that she was betrayed by one whom she cared for. Waking up in a dark basement is not ideal and realizing that the Senator is leading the charge is a bit of a shock. Thinking that hope is lost because none of her guys would know where she is, she suddenly remembers the necklace Alec gave her to wear. In case of emergency, pull the metal bar from the necklace and all four guys phone will be sent an alert with her GPS location. Thank goodness for that! 

Josh arrives first and is attacked. He ends up in a cage next to her and is injured. Evelyn can't reach him but needs to provide light to save him. Eventually, the other three guys arrive and gunshots are being heard above. They are surrounded and are outnumbered. The only choice is to use her light in public to charge her guys in order to save themselves. 

The consequences of using her light happens right away. This is not only a romance it is action packed with drama.

The narrators are the same for all three books. They do a fantastic job and the sound effects are amazing! 

Evelyn Maynard Trilogy- Book 1

 

Audiobook on Audible 

I enjoy a good deal and this series is a steal on Audible where you can get all three books for one  credit. What makes it even better is that it is over 44 hours of audio. If you like longer listens then this may be a series that interests you. Since it is a trilogy I'm going to break my review down on each individual book in the series. 

Book 1 introduces us to our female lead and main character Evelyn Maynard. For as long as she can remember she has been on the go with her mom. Every time they are able to settle down in a location, they turn around and leave to somewhere new. Her mom is always telling her they need to keep moving to ensure they bad people will not find them. Who are these people they are running from? Evelyn does not have a clue. When an unexpected flight turns into a disaster, Evelyn's world changes forever. 

Evelyn has just got accepted to one of the best schools on scholarship. Her life is moving and she's just trying to survive it. She has never forgotten the guy who helped rescue her on that fateful day. What a small world that he's attending the same school are her. It is a plus that there just so happen to be so many sexy guys around her. Some who want her and others who are trying to avoid the bond they have.  

In a world of humans versus variants, Evelyn fights for both sides. A surprise attack puts those she cares about a risk. Some are taken by the humans for reasons unknown to her. 

Book 1 ends with the reader being able to see who is behind the attack and a small glimpse as to what may lie ahead in book two. 

The audiobook is read by Jarred Kjack and Janine Granda. They could not have picked a better pair. There are distinct voices for each character so they do not get confused. There are extra elements in the audio that help enhance the readers experience. For example, if the characters are in a tunnel then the narrators voice sounds like they are in a tunnel. If a character is using a microphone to speak, you can tell that is exactly what they are using as they read the parts. Absolutely love the effects that provide more realism for the reader.  

It is Certainly Hot in Here

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Suzanne Enoch created a sexy highlander series. This is book one. It is narrated by Flora MacDonald. Flora not only has the accent but she brings the characters to life. 

Three brothers that live in the highlands with their father. A mother they have not seen since they where younger, who took their sister with her to be raised as a proper English woman. Little did the brother's know of a deal made between mom and dad. Their Highland estate is kept running by mom's English money. He agreed that the boys had to be married before their daughter and that one of the son's would have to marry an English woman of her choice. The son's, now grown, had no knowledge of this agreement until news that their sister was getting married. If they fail to hold up their end of the deal then they will have no money to keep their Highlands home running. The son's travel to England and meet their sister. Obviously, there are some hard feelings as they feel that their mother has abandoned them. Now one will be forced to marry a stranger. What if the brother chosen does not hold up his end of the deal? Where does he disappear? How can the other brother make this situation better? What happens with the wrong son falls for the English lass? 

A steamy highlander story with some English roots. It certainly make a proper young lady want to leave it all to be with a sexy Scott. 

Ignited My Interests

Audiobook on Audible

I purchased this novel as a 2 for 1 deal that Audible had. I was not familiar with the author nor narrator. I previewed the sample which is what sold me on this title. 

The narrator is why I purchased this novel. Even though the story is about a 16 year old girl her voice was not annoying or high pitched. She did a fabulous job reading for the female lead in this story. When is came to the other male characters sometimes it was difficult to discern which was the older male and which was the younger male. 

Hanna Howard developed a wonderful story. I like that the female is unaware that she is special and yet has always felt out of place. All she wants is her parents approval and to be chosen as worthy by the Queen of darkness. Turns out she is the long lost sun child. The one who can bring light to the darkness. Now the need to escape is paramount. Her older mentor and childhood friend are there to help her. 

The plot was good. I like the elements of the story line created. The concepts were unique. However, I felt that the female was naïve, which just drove me crazy. There were times that I just wanted to slap her for her ignorance. I mean, why is it so hard to understand that you are in danger? Why keep putting yourself in dangerous situations? By the end, I felt there was more that should have been said. It ended suddenly and left me less than satiated. It ignited my interest but left me wanting. 

Covet Me

Audiobook on Audible

 Tracy Wolff does it again with a third book in the Crave series that is even longer than the others. If you have not read book one Crave or book two Crush you should stop reading now and go get those. 

Just when I think I know what is going to happen I'm shocked again. Talk about a love triangle! The subtle cliffhanger at the end leave me wanting more! I found myself going back and re-listening to it to be sure I caught it. What does it mean?!  I guess I'll just have to wait until book four to figure it out. 

The same narrators Heather Costa and Time Paige are back for the third installment. I'm glad that she has kept the same narrators throughout this series as they do a fantastic job. 

Sexy and Godly

Audiobook on Audible

I purchased this book as it was part of a $5 sale, so I figured why not try a new author. 

I always enjoy when the authors have a novel narrated by both a male and female. Jennifer Mack and Jacob Morgan did an amazing job! Jennifer's voice allows me to imagine a young, high end, college girl while Jacob certainly offers that husky voice of a professor. There is no doubt that he is a man in charge. 

Meredith Wild and Angel Payne did a wonderful job developing the plot. It's an arc that is new. This is not a book you've ever heard before. It is interesting to think that, in modern times, the old mythological rituals are still being followed. The wealthy have everything they want but, at what cost? How dark and sinister can one family be?  A female lead with a destiny she does not want and a path chosen for her. 

Then we have the male lead who just seems like your normal college professor. At least the one that is hot and everyone wants to attend his class just to stare at him. Why is he drawn to this student when it's never been an issue before? Why does she ignite such strong feelings in him? What is she hiding?

This novel is a great start to a mythological series. For my personal tastes, it was rather short at just over eight hours. It also ends with one heck of a cliffhanger which leads you to have to purchase  book two. 

Cold and Hot

Audiobook on Audible 

I got this during a $5 sale audible was having. After reading the description and saw it had vampires I could not resist purchasing. 

Holly Black is not an author I had heard of before. The world she created is a dystopian apocalyptic setting. A massive worldwide virus outbreak. (Sounds similar to this past year.) However, this virus is one that turn you into a vampire. There are not glittering in the sun vampires here. These vampires cannot go into sunlight or they start to burn. There is no vaccine they can take to cure themselves. However, once infected you can wait X amount of time to allow the virus to run it's course and you'll remain human. The only issue is the hunger that vexes you to get blood at any cost. 

When our female lead goes to a barn party and wakes up the next day with everyone cold. She has to wonder what in the world is going on. Then she finds a vampire chained in a room and her ex has been infected. Luckily the government came up with containment areas that they call Cold Towns.  After her own personal history with the virus, she refuses to put her family or anyone else as risk in case she has also been infected. In case of possible infection you can report to the closest Cold Town to turn yourself in. 

This turns into one interesting journey to do the right thing. If her ex is infected can he resist wanting to bite her? Who is this mysterious vampire that was locked up? How old is he? Is she truly infected? So many twists and turns! 

The narrator Christine Lakin does a great job with both the male and female voices. She's even able to put a sexy accent on our unknown vampire friend. 

It is a clean novel with action, adventure, and romance within a paranormal realm. 

The Shadow Wand: Book 3 in The Black Witch series

Audiobook on Audible

The Shadow Wand by Laurie Forest

Narrated by Julia Whelan

You always worry that when you begin a series that is so good, it may disappoint down the line. I just finished book 3 of this series and let me say... this is amazing! 

Mage Elloren Gardner realizes at this point she has powers. Now she has to learn how to use what has been hidden from her all these years. What others have spent years trying to grow she has to learn and grow in a short time. 

Everyone's biggest fear in all the realms is that the new Black Witch will be like the one before. Evil and wanting to destroy everyone that is not the same race as them. Those who should be helping Elloren, as they are on the same side, are also trying to kill her out of fear of the past. Because of this, Elloren finds she must go back to Lukas and ask for his protection. Considering how they left things prior, she is not sure if he will be willing. 

More laughs, loss, and twists are in book 3. It does not disappoint. The narrator once again does a fabulous job voicing all of the characters in this third installment. Book 4 does not come out until December! I have no idea how I am going to last so long waiting to see what happens next. 

 

When Worlds Collide

Audiobook on Audible

I am a huge fan of box sets so I had no issue in purchasing this trilogy.  This is the first book I have read by Isla Frost. This trilogy is a clean read. Secondary students who love, action, adventure, and magic will love this. 

Imagine the world being attacked by an alien species and they win. Now humankind is enslaved and does not have the freedoms they once had. In order to stop the bloodshed a treaty was sign between the alien species and the humans. The firstborn of each family will go through a portal when they come of age. It does not matter if they are male or female. However, no one knowns what is on the other side of the portal. Everyone who has ever gone through has never come back. 

As the title suggests, there is a firstborn academy that all who enter the portal must attend. Human have magic? How can a house have emotions? What happens with the enemy you've hated all of your life turns out not to be the enemy you thought? How can one develop feelings for the enemy? It is a telling of the coming together of worlds to battle evil. Only by working together and trusting each other can they succeed. 

Amanda Dolan narrates all three novels. She has a nice voice and is easy to listen too. She is able to read the male voices successfully to the point that I forget there is one person reading. 

Who Knew Dragons Could be So Sexy

Audiobook on Audible

This is a five book series written by Elizabeth Briggs. It is a reverse harem book series. The total audio time for the entire series is just over 31 hours. Not only is it a value buy but, I am able to get to the end not wondering if there is more. Briggs did an amazing job creating this world of elemental dragons. The plot is unique and is not slow to start. Once you begin the action happens almost immediately. 

Imagine being a normal girls and then some natural phenomena happens. Sudden you're dreams are filled with sexy men. If that's not hot enough what happens when you realize these men are real and are standing right in front of you? *Gulp* Not only does she have to seal the bond with her dragons but, there is a big evil that needs to be defeated.  Will they defeat the evil? Will they all come together into this forced bond? 

Lia Langola and Stephen Dexter are a dynamic duo. They are able to voice multiple male and female roles in a very distinctive way. There is not confusion as to who is who as the characters change. They certainly bring the sexy to the dragons. 

Crushing Hard

Audiobook on Audible 

 I was already loving Tracy Wolff's first book in this series Crave. If you have not yet read that book you should stop reading and find Crave before continuing to read. 

The first book left us with quite a cliff hanger. I could not wait for the second, even though I ended up having to wait. Imagine my excitement when Audible send and email saying book two had been released! *Squeals* 

Book two picks up some months later. Even though to our female lead she does not realize time has passed. In fact, she doesn't remember anything during that time. The big bad she had to battle in the first book is gone....sort of. Now she has an entirely different problem. A voice in your head would make you thing you're crazy. Not only do you need to rid yourself of this issue but you also have the paranormal leaders wanting you to submit. A beat is not missed as more adventure awaits in this second book. 

I am so glad the name narrators Heather Costa and Tim Paige are back for book two. They did such a fantastic job with the first book. 

She certainly enjoys leaving us on a cliffhanger! 

I Crave More

Audiobook on Audible

As a new novel, I was drawn in by the paranormal aspects. I love paranormal characters! 

Tracy Wolff created an amazing world for the supernatural. Imagine if ever paranormal creature actually existed. Even more, what if there was a school to help them learn to balance their powers? 

An ordinary girl suffers the loss of her family and has to live with her relative. It just so happens he runs the school and his daughter is magical. You would have to know that an normal human in a paranormal school would eventually figure it out. Finding love, unusual friends, and a hidden evil plot. 

Heather Costa and Tim Paige do a wonderful job narrating this book. No whiney voices or those that do not fit the age range. Even a bit of accent with some characters are heard. 

I highly recommend that if you love paranormal romance you will want to read this. It is a clean novel that would be appropriate for teenagers. I can't wait for book two! 

Modern Day Cinderella

Audiobook from Audible

 If you are looking for a romance novel with a twist then this is the book for you. It is not steamy as much as it is endearing and romantic. The narrator, Kirsten Potter, did a wonderful job reading this novel. She was able to clearly voice each character, both male and female, so effortlessly that I would forget it was one person reading. Her voice was soothing and had the right inflictions where needed. 

Trigger warning. For those who have suffered family loss, loss of loved ones, or had family conflicts, these are themes found within the novel. It's nothing severe but, after the past year I prefer to mention in case this is something you would prefer to avoid. 

Jude Deveraux very much created a Cinderella story with a modern twist. You have the perfect family until tragedy strikes. Then the wicked stepmother and the father who never admits there is an issue. You have the beautiful step sister with the main character being a plain Jane. When an unknown individual leaves you a house that your sister is trying to steal...it's time for  a change. Oh by the way... your sister let a guy move into your house and now he's your problem. So much family drama but, you know things like this have happened in real life. So as a physical therapist with a guy that injured his leg is now living in her house. What's the worst that could happen? Who is this guy that left her this house? Strange things are happening within the house and with only two of them there how is that possible? Is there an happily ever after? 

You should definitely consider reading this novel. It's a clean read with an antique charm,