Audio Book Review: Crossing Danger by Colleen Helme

Crossing Danger by Colleen Helme
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ai, Shelby. Just when you think she's faced death and out of harms way, another case takes a terrible turn!

Working her own case of her friend Niece gone missing, a cold case for Detective Harris (aka Dimples), helping Billie after a burglary gone wrong, and Uncle Joey with a past "friend" that's in town. Shelby finds her way into trouble in all cases!

Shelby wants to help everyone in such a great way. She knows she can get information, even in the most dangerous moments, from people on how things happened or why. She's great at getting people to think about what she wants to learn and piecing everything together.

I will say, I was worried about Shelby a number of times in this book. Not only for her own safety, but that she's walking a line with the questions and how she talks after getting the answers from their thoughts. I'm worried more people are going to pick up on what and how she's doing it.

I love Shelby's personality and how she unwinds to help her nerves. And she's really come to love Ramos's motorcycle. lol. This is too funny. Wait until you see her get caught ogling over the motorcycle. lol.

Shelby has made some strong bonds with the police, Uncle Joey, and others that I'm looking forward to all the cases she works on in the future.

View all my reviews

Audio Book Review: Deep In Death by Colleen Helme

Deep In Death by Colleen Helme
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Shelby's view on things. She tries her best to stay positive and keeps going, even when she's scared. She's determined to protect her family and friends and help them too.

This book sees Shelby take on her own case as a Private Investigator that takes an unexpected, yet dangerous, turn for her. She finds she is in trouble without working with Uncle Joey and Ramos. But who can she turn to, to help her get through this? Dimples? Ramos? A new friend?

We do see Shelby get brought in on a case with the police and quickly solves it. Good to show that cop that's not a fan of hers. I want to give him the raspberries. lol. Shelby is amazing and great at asking the right questions to get information. I know people think that the cops asked that already, but it gets them thinking in the direction she needs them thinking in to hear what happened.

And her case with Uncle Joey! Oh boy. That one is a bit of a tug on the heart strings. Really! I feel for everyone. And that Uncle Joey does...kind of... try to keep her out of this case. Crazy how we have grown so close to the mob boss and his hit man and the family. I like to think Shelby is making them a little more honest deep down... until we see other things come about.

And seriously. How can Shelby have such amazing men? Her husband, Chris. He's a dream. And then there's the bad boy, Ramos. There's nothing there with Ramos, but dang if we don't all want there to be. lol.

I love this series and will be on to many of the books in this series. :)

View all my reviews

Audiobook Review: Secrets That Kill by Colleen Helme

Secrets That Kill by Colleen Helme
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I so love this series for several reasons... they are fun. Shelby. Ramos. And the adventure. The mysteries and events can be dangerous, but Shelby's personality is light and fun. These are so well written too!

I love listening to Wendy Tremont King narrate Shelby. She's TOTALLY Shelby for me! She steps right into Shelby's role and character when she creates these books. An amazing fourth dynamic to the books.

I love Shelby's outlook on things and life. Even when she's being followed by men with guns, she's got a great view that makes me smile. Working with "Uncle Joey" usually leads to trouble for Shelby, who has a soft heart for all. Even with a task as simple as delivering a letter...it goes wrong for poor Shelby. lol.

I love how the story comes together and the light view always makes it fun.

And then there's Ramos! Sometimes I think Ramos keeps his thoughts positive for Shelby. Does he really know what he says? Or does he have things covered like he leads on? He really is great at comforting Shelby when she's ready to panic. I love that we learn more of Ramos's past in this book too.

Such a great series to be hooked on.

View all my reviews

Audio Book Review: Devil in a Black Suit

Devil in a Black Suit

By:  Colleen Helme

Publish Date:  February 27, 2018, Audiobook Release March 7, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 6 hrs 30 mins
Narrated By:  Will Damron

Genre:  Mystery

Series:  7.5 in Shelby Nichols Adventure series; Book 1 ~ Carrots, Book 2 ~ Fast Money, Book 8 ~ Devious Minds, Book 9 ~ Hidden Deception, Book 10 ~ Laced in Lies

Impression:  Ramos has his own adventure, to work through a few personal thoughts.

Synopsis:
Ramos's job as the right-hand man to a mobster used to be easy until Shelby Nichols, a mind-reading soccer mom, joined the organization. With all the trouble she gets into, he's constantly putting his life on the line just to keep her alive.

When a government agent from his past shows up wanting a favor, she rekindles a flame they once shared. Ensnared in her scheme, Ramos discovers that there's more to her favor than he realized. Luckily for him, he has a few tricks up his sleeve that might save his skin...but what about his heart?

First Sentence:
Ramos sat at the bar, waiting for Shelby and Manetto to finish up their meeting.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Noble  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.


We get to see the inside workings of Ramos with Manetto. I think this is awesome! I have wanted to be in the room with them when they chat, and now I am.

This story can be read on it's own or with the Shelby Nichols series. I love that the details around Ramos that refer to Shelby fit in the time frame of Shelby's novels, but it's all about Ramos and something he needs to work through.

Ramos has a lot on his plate with dealing with Sloan and her plans for a gun dealer, but also making sure Shelby is safe. Ramos and Manetto always seem to have Shelby in mind, for her ability and how it could help or for her safety. Shelby is someone they are willing to watch and protect no matter what is happening.

Ramos has to work through his desire for Sloan. It's not something he can kindle with his job and her job. And there's the situations Sloan gets herself into that she asks for Ramos's help with. They are deadly dangerous for him. He knows how he feels, but he can't life with her being so close. It's hard to do what he knows he should, but when Sloan puts him in such deadly situations, he may be able to make a decision. But Sloan is someone he cares about deeply.

Ramos doesn't have Shelby's ability to read minds, but he's got his own way of reading people. He's amazing at figuring what they will do and reading people's actions and reactions. Even when he visits the home of his parents. Ramos gets to learn a bit about his family, the father he didn't know particularly.

I love Ramos through Shelby's eyes in her books. I loooove Ramos when in his head too. Sure, he and Manetto aren't the "good" guys, but they aren't terrible people either. Ramos is awesome though. What he does, thinks of, and works out on a fly. Yep. He's great.

There is one moment that touched my heart. I felt love for Ramos, something he's left behind. It had me tear up for a moment. A happy, good feeling.

As always, I had fun with the characters in Colleen's book. I also felt for them. Such a great adventure with Ramos, giving us a view into his mind.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!

Audio Book: Laced in Lies

Laced in Lies

By:  Colleen Helme

Publish Date:  May 5, 2017, Audiobook Release May 12, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 43 mins
Narrated By:  Wendy Tremont King

Genre:  Paranormal Mystery

Series:  10th in Shelby Nichols series; 1st Book ~ Carrots, Book 2 ~ Fast Money, Book 8 ~ Devious Minds, Book 9 ~ Hidden Deception

Impression:  Being family means something.

Synopsis:
Meet Shelby Nichols, mind reader extraordinaire.

A typical day in the life of Shelby Nichols involves cheating husbands, solving the hardest cases for the police, and working for a big time mob-boss, all because of her little secret that she can read minds. It can get complicated, especially considering she has a husband and two kids.

Ramos, Uncle Joey’s hit-man, is reluctant to involve Shelby when an acquaintance from his past comes into town. Uncle Joey has a favor to ask Shelby which involves heading to New York City and meeting his estranged relatives. Then there’s Dimples, a police detective, who needs her help finding the person behind a deadly new drug.

It’s no wonder Shelby has a hard time keeping everything straight. But the worst is deciding how to explain her crazy, mixed-up life to her kids. So far, her explanations have all been laced in lies, and she worries that, if the truth ever comes out, they will never trust her again.

Of course, none of that matters if she doesn’t escape the deadly enemy that takes her by surprise. Facing death has a way of putting things into perspective, if only she can stay alive long enough to appreciate it…

First Sentence:
I stopped across the street from the shabby looking bar and turned off my car.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Shelby's life is always full with the kids and her work as a consultant for Uncle Joey and the police. Her clients cross when she takes a job to follow a friends husband, and ends up in a bar of a gang that's got an amicable deal with Uncle Joey. She calls for help from Ramos, and afterward finds out Ramos has something going on he doesn't want her involved in, but ultimately needs her skills to help him. Uncle Joey meets her family and wants Shelby to go with his son, Miguel, to New York for his audition in a Broadway musical.

Wow. Wendy is one amazing voice actor. She gives Shelby the full feel of a person. I love the lightness to Shelby yet the complete package that she's well aware of what's happening around her is not good (when in trouble). When Wendy slips into Shelby's persona I feel like I'm watching Shelby as she goes through her day and stumbles into troubles. A wonderful combination of Colleen's writing and Wendy's voice makes me giggle in the right moments and feel the excitement in Shelby. Wonderful job.

Shelby is amazing at getting into trouble. But the best part is, even through she's nervous, she works her way out with quick thoughts. She does have a small consulting business of her own and helps with the cops on special cases, and these sometimes cross into the life that's including Uncle Joey. But if Shelby ever gets in trouble she can call on Ramos for help, and she does.

Goodness! Ramos. He's amazing. If you love dark, sexy men you'll love Ramos. I love the time Shelby and him spend together. They tease each other so well, and mean some of what they say. lol. Harmless flirting...maybe? Sometimes I wonder if Ramos doesn't have his own dose of reading minds ability. He's great at knowing and reading people, and finding them in a crowd. He even makes me smile when that all is focused on Shelby. Oh, Shelby is amazing with her husband too. He's different from Ramos, yet just as sexy. I really love both men when Shelby is with them.

Being part of the family with Uncle Joey is growing to a new level for Shelby with her husband and kids. All starting with the family barbecue that they agreed to when at Miguel's musical. Things have really grown with Uncle Joey personally. This leads us to get to spend time with Miguel, which is really nice. The family feel really comes through strong. There are ties that are reconnected and ties that grow to bring a big family feel to the whole story.

Colleen is amazing at writing the characters so I love them and I'm drawn into every moment with them. There is something with each scene that keeps me listening to the words. Shelby has amazing chemistry with everyone she meets. Awesome job!

I absolutely love these books and will continue with Shelby and all the characters as long as there are books written!




****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!

Audio Book Review: Hidden Deception

Hidden Deception

By:  Colleen Helme

Publish Date:  August 12, 2016, Audiobook August 11, 2016

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 3 mins
Narrated By:  Wendy Tremont King

Genre:  Mystery

Series:  9th in Shelby Nichols series; Book 1 ~ Carrots, Book 2 ~ Fast Money, Book 8 ~ Devious Minds

Impression:  Not only does Uncle Joey has troubles he needs Shelby's help with, but she finds her own troubles too.

Synopsis:
Book 9 in the Shelby Nichols Adventure Series
Just back from Paris, Shelby barely has time to get over her jet lag before she is right back in the thick of things. Uncle Joey, the local mob boss, needs her help to find out what his son is hiding from him. Detective Harris, AKA Dimples, has an unsolved homicide on his hands, along with a missing engagement ring. Shelby's husband, Chris, just got promoted to partner in his law firm, and she has yet to see his new office or meet his new secretary. Add to that the opportunity to purchase a beautiful home, and Shelby is racing from one thing to the next while trying to keep them all straight.

When a courier in Uncle Joey’s organization turns up dead, it’s up to Shelby and her mind-reading powers to find out who killed him and why. The house Shelby wants to buy has a few problems that go beyond the building code, and the murder she’s helping Dimples solve has ties to Chris’ law firm. Even using all of her skills, Shelby finds one hidden deception after another. And if she’s not careful, it might be the one she least expects that will kill her.

First Sentence:
Today began like any other Monday.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible


My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was proved by the author, publisher, or narrator for an honest review at my request.

Shelby starts Monday like any other, after returning from an adventure of a lifetime in Paris on Friday. Life picks up like nothing happened except she owes Uncle Joey, yet again, for sending Ramos to keep and eye on her, and save her.

Chris is now partner of the law firm and received a raise. With the raise Chris has set up an appointment to look at the house Shelby's admired. It could be possible to purchase her dream home. Touring the house Shelby falls further in love, until she comes out side. At a hidden part of foundation that's crumbled, she hears a kid crying. A dead child? Now Shelby is determined to find out what happened.

Joey's next job for Shelby, to go see his son Miguel at school. Miguel's not telling Joey anything but he has the feeling something is wrong. Joey wants Shelby to go have lunch with Miguel and listen to him and all around him, to make sure no one's bullying him or a prejudice from teachers. And, after seeing a dead employee of Uncle Joey's at his shop, to listen in on a meeting with the Russians.


Wendy returns for the ninth installment of Shelby's adventures. She is wonderful at the feel of Shelby. We really get a feel for her emotions with her thoughts. She makes me smile listening to Shelby's easy thoughts. Wendy does make slight differences for different characters as we go, which helps make them easier to differentiated with their personalities. Wendy gets to voice a Russian accent for this story.

Shelby is busy as ever with all that's greeting her this week. Visiting with Miguel, homicide case with Dimples, The Russians and missing diamonds, looking at a possible new house, and the dead child's cries. Wow can a day fill up fast! Oh and the dangerous troubles Shelby finds herself in. And this book is thanks to Uncle Joey and his use of Shelby and her ability with the Russians. But things get dangerous with Dimples too, when not expected.

There are many memories of all the troubles Shelby's been through. If you start with this book, they'll make you curious what fun troubles Shelby has found herself in. And you know it always had to be fun, if even scary for Shelby. Sure, you could start here as each book has it's own story to tell, and there are hints to the relationships with all the characters by now.

I just love Shelby. She's a light personality that's fun to listen to. She makes me smile with the goofy things she does or says to lighten the moment. I am also drooling over Ramos, Uncle Joey's guard, and Chris, Shelby's husband. Oh man. These two men are amazing! And as much as they are complete opposites, I see similarities in them too. *sigh*

I look forward to continuing stories with Shelby and all of the great cast of characters around here!



**If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!

Audio Book Review: Fast Money

Fast Money

By:  Colleen Helme

Publish Date:  August 30, 2013, Audiobook Release December 2, 2013

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 58 mins
Narrated By:  Wendy Tremont King

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Series:  2nd in A Shelby Nichols Adventure series; Book 1 ~ Carrots, Book 8 ~ Devious Minds

First Impression:  Trouble finds Shelby, and she finds trouble. Fun!

Synopsis:
A trip to the mall gives Shelby the shock of her life when she finds an extra five million dollars in the bank account Uncle Joey set up for her. She thought he was out of her life for good, but with this fast money, she’s not so sure. Now she must decide if she will tell her husband the truth that she can still read people’s minds. Including his. How will he feel when he finds out she lied to him?

When the Mexican Police tell her that Uncle Joey’s been kidnapped and look to her for the ransom, she knows she’s in big trouble. As if that isn’t enough the police detective she worked with needs her help to solve a case, and she unwittingly becomes a witness to murder. In her fight to stay alive, she finds that everyone wants a piece of the money, and just how far they will go to get it, can be a matter of life and death. She just hopes it’s not hers.

First Sentence:
I used to fantasize about how it would feel to be a millionaire, and what I would do with all that money.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
Shelby helps stop a murderer, after killing a dangerous burglar, when at the courthouse to see her husband. Which puts Shelby in the line of sight for danger from this man, whom she learns is a hired gun. Uncle Joey's in Mexico, and his troubles find Shelby by following the money he hide in her account. Shelby worries about the letter and the five million dollars from Uncle Joey when the CIA show up asking questions. Then the Mexicans show up too! So why is the CIA working with an arms dealer in Mexico and how is Joey connected? It doesn't matter when Shelby's put in the center of it all.

Wendy voices Shelby again. And I'm thankful! She has embodied Shelby and become her vocally. Wendy brings a whole new dimension to Colleen's written words. We feel as we get Shelby, in the flesh, talking to use through Wendy. Shelby's feelings are truly evident in Wendy's voice, giving Shelby a full range to her personality.

I love how situations happen around Shelby and where she's at, especially when she's in a courthouse full of dangerous people who are hiding all sorts of things. All those things that she finds herself involved in. I love it! And with her husbands job as a lawyer, oh the things she hears and stops at the courthouse. Wow! Uncle Joey isn't quite out of her life yet, as she thought.

Shelby is a caring person. She also picks up things that feel off, which is good. She's smart! Which would be why Uncle Joey trusts her. And the same with Dimples, erm, Detective Harris of the police department that she's helping as a consultant. She can feel out a situation and puts the pieces together. Yet Shelby is a little ... I hate to say ditsy because she's not, even flaky. She not either but has a lightness to her that is fun and enjoyable to listen to her as she works through all the crazy happenings around her. She takes it all in stride, even when stressed or worried about it and her life. I really love her reactions and actions.

Shelby struggles with whether she should tell her husband her ability to read minds is back. But wanting to be part of his world and he in hers, she decides no more lying. She tells Chris the truth. Chris is a great guy. He struggles with Shelby's ability but he is there for her and loves her. He's even found the mind reading can come in handy. They really do have a wonderful relationship and it shines in this book. Where I was nervous about him, even though I liked him, in the first book, he's starting to come to terms and past the comfortableness with Shelby's mind reading.

We don't get as much with the sexy muscle, Ramos, in the beginning. He's someone I look forward to arriving on the page, waiting anxiously. And when he arrives, you know things are getting bad. Shelby's in serious trouble for Ramos to come, and come he does!

I wanted to listen to this story in one sitting. I listen while at work, and the work day just wasn't long enough. Seriously! Who says that?!? Lol. I just had to get through all the events to find out how it would all end. I had to know! Oh, how these events all string together and work out. I loved every minute of it! I was curious as to who was behind what and how. I got those answers and it slowly uncovered more and more of the underlining cause and how it's all tied together.

Some great crafting by Colleen in this cozy little mystery story! If I wasn't hooked before, this story would have sealed the deal!

I really am a fan of Shelby and her adventures.



**If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!

Audio Book Review: Carrots

Carrots

By:  Colleen Helme

Publish Date:  February 23, 2011, Audiobook Release May 23, 2013

Format:  Audiobook - 8 hrs 39 mins
Narrated By:  Wendy Tremont King

Genre:  Thriller, Cozy Mystery

Series:  1st in Shelby Nichols Adventures series; Book 8 ~ Devious Minds

First Impression:  Shelby can now hear thoughts, and it gets her involved in more adventures than she ever imagined!

Synopsis:
Shelby Nichols is an average woman who is married to the only guy she ever fell for. Her life is organized and predictable, revolving around her husband and two children. All that changes the day she stops at the grocery store for some carrots. As the cashier rings up her purchases, a gunman is busy robbing the bank inside the store. When a customer grabs the robber's mask, he is shot and everyone runs for cover. Everyone except Shelby, who finds herself face to face with the killer. The next thing she knows, she's lying on the floor with a bullet wound to her head. Luckily, the bullet only grazes her scalp, and she doesn't suspect any lasting affects until later, when she suddenly 'hears' what people are thinking. With this uncanny ability, her life takes on a whole new dimension. Her kids think she's bossy and too old to understand them, but that's nothing compared to her husband. He says he loves her, but what is it about the redhead at work that he doesn't want her to know? As if that isn't enough, the gunman knows she can identify him, and he's out to silence her forever. In her fight to stay alive, she is saved from certain death by a handsome hit-man with ties to organized crime. This pulls Shelby even deeper into danger, where knowing someone's thoughts can not only hurt her feelings, but get her killed.

First Sentence:
My life changed that day because I didn't have any carrots.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I requested this book from the author or narrator for an honest review.

Stopping at the grocery store to pick up carrots for dinner, Shelby's world changes. A bank robbery is in process at the bank inside and when the guy turns, Shelby is standing there. She sees him fully, and he shots her. The graze of the bullet to her head leaves an affect that Shelby never expected. She can hear other people's thoughts. Everyone knows her name as the news put it and her picture in the paper. And the gunmen is still at large. When Shelby meets her husbands new co-worker, Shelby's determination to keep the woman away from Chris she makes a comment about Kate's Uncle Joey. This comment drags Shelby into a life of crime she doesn't want to be involved in.

Wendy has embodied Shelby to the fullest in her narration! I believe she is Shelby Nichols as she talks, sounding like she's living the moments. Wendy may not do completely different voices in pitch and sound, but she brings each characters personality to live in her voice and they do sound different. They do have different cadences to fit the moment and each individual. Listening to Wendy, I don't think there is anyone else that could bring Shelby to life as she does.

Hearing peoples thoughts. Could you handle it? And hearing what they really think of you? Shelby has that awakening in her. Now she worries about hearing what her husband thinks, especially since they hadn't been spending much time together with his work at the law firm. Is she boring? Then there's her kids, teenagers...

Oh the thoughts that Shelby hears from a few others. The ones on the young girl that's drooling over her husband... Yeah. I'd knock her out. Shelby is so well reserved to handle her. But I do worry about Shelby and Chris's relationship in this book. Not because of a possible other woman but because of the thought reading aspect. There is love between them but the thought reading is a lot to take in and know your wife could be reading your thoughts. Also, they sound a little strained as a couple with the long hours he works and her doing for the kids. At times I think this thought reading could help bring them closer again, but not sure. I even started hoping they could work through the changes in their lives because they have a true love to them.

How Shelby comes to meet Uncle Joey is a great tie-in here. Just the chances of it all. Someone in "Uncle Joey's" position would definitely be connected on all ends, including with a lawyer. And Shelby reading thoughts, well she's going to learn things she probably shouldn't know. lol.

Her life really does change. She offers to help her husband with his clients and cases. But also helps police with tips on another at station, that turn out well and Detective Harris (Dimples) asks her to help from time to time. But the biggest thing is working with Uncle Joey. All the new work as a consultant with her thought reading ability. We get the solution to the robbery/shooting but it brings Shelby into other issues to work through as well.

Is it terrible that I love the "hired" gun that is Uncle Joey's man? I really do. The more time Shelby spent with him, the more I liked him. And didn't think he'd kill her, well he would but really not want to.

Shelby is a fun person in her adventures. I will be continuing with the next books in the series!



**If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!

Audio Book Review: Devious Minds

Devious Minds

By:  Colleen Helme

Publish Date:  January 29, 2016, Audiobook February 15, 2016

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 6 mins
Narrated By:  Wendy Tremont King

Genre:  Mystery

Series:  8th in Shelby Nichols series

Impression:  Shelby's daring adventure grows dangerous as time goes.

Synopsis:
It’s been almost a year since a near-fatal gunshot wound left Shelby Nichols with the ability to read minds. In that time she’s faced one problem after another. She’s been shot at, framed for murder, and targeted by a serial killer, just to name a few. Now she’s trying to help her lawyer husband win a murder trial that will enable him to become a partner in his law firm. Sounds easy, right? But nothing ever goes as planned when it comes to Shelby Nichols.

When special agent, Blake Beauchaine, shows up to collect a debt from Shelby, things get even more complicated, and Shelby is soon on her way to Paris. A routine meeting with a rogue agent reveals a sinister plot, putting Shelby into the cross-hairs of a known terrorist. Even worse, she doesn’t speak French, so it seems her mind-reading abilities won’t help her this time.

Things go from bad to downright dangerous for Shelby, especially since her usual guardians, Uncle Joey, and his hit-man, Ramos, are back in the states. Lost and on her own in the streets of Paris, can Shelby escape the cold-blooded killer in time to stop his devious plans, or will this be the end of the line for Shelby Nichols?

First Sentence:
The first day of spring arrived, filling me with an overwhelming sense of freedom.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible


My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.

A past deal Shelby made comes due as Federal Agent Blake shows up while she's helping her husband with a high profile murder case. Blake is going to Paris tomorrow and needs Shelby to come along to help him, with her special knack for knowing. But, one small problem... Shelby can't speak French and she'll be listening to people who think in French. That's not the biggest problem. The biggest is that there seems to be a bio-hazard weapon in hands of a man hired to stop the Conference, and Shelby is in the middle of it.

I've not listened to Wendy narrate before. Why not? She feels as she IS Shelby. She has the feelings through and through in her words spoken. Like with Shelby's thoughts of Ramos, not only what she says but in the infliction of the words as well! (I want to meet the hunk of a man Ramos!) But the infliction and emotion holds true through out the book for all the characters Wendy voices. There are a few accents to fit the characters, southern accent and the trademark mobster leader relaxed accent too. And the French! All sounds natural. I really enjoyed how Wendy took on Shelby's character and acted as her. The recording sounds clear and clean, that Wendy is a professional at putting the audio together. Oh the emotion when Shelby is upset. And then I got to meet Ramos. Wendy did a smooth voice for him. Wendy really does fit Shelby and the story line perfectly!

I adored Shelby. She's is smart and fun. She's human with flaws and still a resourceful woman. Ramos is all I had hoped! And how Shelby can handle being with him and stay married... I have no idea! lol. I love the connection between Shelby and Ramos. Ramos knows she can hear his thoughts and he uses it to their advantage, along with teasing and flirting with her. Shelby struggles with not giving her ability away. It's so easy to do when she hears what people are thinking like the are talking to her. Yet she does her best to keep her secret, along with help from her friends that do know.

I'm one to read a series in order, but this story is easy to pick up and start new with the series. Colleen gives us enough history in the beginning to get us caught up and at a swift pace that keeps us interested to meet everyone. (I sooo couldn't wait to meet the swoon-worthy Ramos.) All of it driving us into the current hard case Shelby's husband, Chris, wants her help on and to Paris with Blake. Even though there is a history with the characters, this book is it's own adventure and I felt like I was familiar with the characters the whole time, never feeling lost.

Wow! Colleen does not waste time or words. We get right in with the case that Shelby is working on, and Shelby wastes no time in getting to investigating. The first chapter dives in to the story line with vivaciousness. In listening to the story, one thing I did notice is that the chapters are longer ones.

This one book has me hooked on Shelby and her daring adventures along with the voice of Wendy. I look forward to getting a chance to listen to the previous books and to continue with the series!



**If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!