Thursday, February 13, 2014

Audio Book Review: The Coffee Legacy

The Coffee Legacy

By:  Katharina Bordet

Publisher:  Katharina Bordet

Publish Date:  March 30, 2013

Format:  PodioBooks

Series:  1st of A Wiener Blut series.

Recommendation:  Who would have thought coffee coming to Vienna could be so exciting!? I adored this tale of a legend and legacy blended with love, lies, and death. It's like a fairy tale.

Book Synopsis:
An old café, an even older legend and a new threat.

When Isabelle's secret past returns to haunt her nightmares, she must take action to protect her family from a threat that is closer than she realises.

Set within the traditional Viennese café culture, The Coffee Legacy is the story of café owner Isabelle Schindler-Krug and her role in a struggle for power that stretches back for centuries.

As she tells her sons the legends behind coffee and Vienna, it becomes clear that one such legend is still in the making, with her own family caught right in the middle.

First Sentence:
"Coffee?"
The first word out of Isabelle's mouth in the morning was usually the most important one.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Listen At:
Podiobooks  /  iTunes

****I listened to this story for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Isabelle loves the legends and history of the city, Vienna, where her coffee cafe has been since before she inherited it from her Aunt Maria. Her family legacy is tied to the history found with coffee history of Vienna. Aunt Maria is murdered and there is no clue to who did it or why. Isabelle starts having terrible nightmares of a funeral, death, and a sick frail man. Even of her Aunt and others in a world far from Vienna. Isabelle is also worried over her distancing relationship with her husband. Their lives become more intertwined then Isabelle could have ever imagined, learning of secrets she never knew.

Who would have thought coffee coming to Vienna could be so exciting!? I adored this tale of a legend and legacy blended with love, lies, and death. It's like a fairy tale. There's a secret land where when the Wachter reach an age they come to our world and teach us about coffee. All sorts of mixes of coffees.

This story is set in a way we get several stories that interlace. The author, Katharina, starts off introducing the characters to us and their current life's. Then in chapter two, things get complicated. The story of Isabelle and her personal life, Maria's death, Karin's (Isabelle's best friend and manager at her coffee cafe) personal life, Dominik's life, and legends of a kingdom not known to normal man. It might sound as it's complicated, but it's far from it! Katharina has weaved a tale of legend and legacy into one and so thrilling to watch all open together, blending as smoothly as cream and coffee. Isabelle's dreams made me curious and they grow with her legends she tells her sons. The tale is told in our world, but we do end up in the secret world as well.

I love the chapter titles. Each is the name of a specialty coffee. We are given the origin of each specialty coffee with it's recipe as well. Mmm, makes me want to try them all as they sound divine.

The characters unfolded as the story unfolds with them. The plot and characters coming around together, in sync with each other. The plot grows more as we get to know Isabelle and her past, along with the legends of coffee. All is connected, and explained with grace.

I listened to this story through Podiobooks and the voice talents showcased in this story are magnificent. There is a voice for each character and the acting talent in each come across beautifully. Katharina tells the story, and is the voice for Isabelle, and her accent makes listening to this tale all the more authentic to the feel of the legends.

I love the fairy tale feel of coffee here in the German legend. The secret world of Beschutzer - guardians and protectors - and Wachter - keepers and custodians - of coffee making. The magic of coffee. I just adore this story!

There are spin-offs and plans for more books in this world. I do look forward to them!

Coffee lovers. Legend lovers. Mystery lovers. I would love to bring this story to your attention. One with a touch of magic to intrigue and strengthen the desire for coffee as well.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Princess on the Coffee Bean

By:  Katharina Bordet

Publisher:  Katharina Bordet

Publish Date:  December 9, 2013

Format:  Podcast, a short 8 mins 37 secs

Series:  Set in A Wiener Blut world.

Recommendation:  It's so quick and a lovely tale. Yes, listen to it.

Book Synopsis:
In a land revolving around coffee, a young prince is looking for a genuine princess.

First Sentence:
Once upon a time in a land where rumor had it coffee ran in the rivers, there was a prince who wanted to marry a princess.

Listen At:
Every Photo Tells...

****I listened to this story for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
A prince can't seem to find the right princess for him, each seems off to him. He has searched the land, but one rainy night a young woman knocks on the door. She has come looking for the prince. The Queen wanted to make sure the princess was worthy of her son and the Queen puts her to an unknown test.

I don't want to say to much as it is a quick listen, but well worth the mention.

This is a spin off in the world of Wiener Blut world. A world where coffee is treasured. It's a coffee twist to the Princess and the pea in the land of coffee. I love the twist to the fairy tale with a coffee bean.

Adorable quick listen set in a magical world I so enjoy.

11 comments:

  1. Vienna? Coffee? Oh and murder mystery? sounds like my kind of read :D especially learning that there is recipes? yum

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lily B. I was really taken with this story. The author really drew a whole new world here. And yes, recipes! :D I have to try a few. ;) Thank you.

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  2. I'm not sure what I would have expected from a book like that but I'm glad you liked it. It sounds like a nice idea.

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    Replies
    1. Melliane, it's a mild story, but I really enjoyed it. You should give it a try. It's sweet and bitter sweet too. ;) Thank you!

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  3. Wow, what an original concept. Now I am interested.

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    Replies
    1. Jennifer Bielman, I would recommend trying it out. It's a mellower story than what I usually read, but so loved it. Amazing where she takes this story. :) Hope you get to give it a try.

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  4. I'm not a fan of audiobooks, but this sounds like a unique read!! I'm a fan of coffee, though, so I'll keep this in mind, as I think the concept is quite cool!

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    Replies
    1. Franny, it is very unique! And well done. If you want you can pick it up in ebook form too. :) Hope you get a chance to try it. :) Thank you for stopping.

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  5. This sounds like a fun read. Coffee fairy tale! :D

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    Replies
    1. Melissa (B&T) Oh yes. It was delicious. And a Coffee Fairy Tale! :D Thank you for visiting.

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