Audio Book Review: Beauty and Beastly

Beauty and Beastly

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  December 6, 2017, Audiobook Release July 26, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 6 hrs 4 mins
Narrated By:  Lesley Parkin

Genre:  Steampunk, Fairy Tale

Series:  3rd in Steampunk Fairy Tales series; 1st Book ~ Curiouser and Curiouser

Impression:  Steampunk and magical blend of a classic fairy tale.

Synopsis:
In this tale as old as time, Isabella Hawking must tinker a solution to a heartbreaking mystery.

When Isabelle and her papa set out from London on a sea voyage, Isabelle was thrilled. Visiting foreign courts, learning from master tinkers, and studying new ways to manipulate mechanicals sounded like a dream. But an unexpected gale turns the waters violent, and the ship is lost. Isabelle survives the tempest only to be shipwrecked on a seemingly-deserted island. Dotted with standing stones, faerie mounds, and a crumbling castle, the haunting place hints of a magical past. Isabelle may be an unwitting guest, but her arrival at the forgotten citadel heralds a new beginning for the beastly residents inside.

Beauty and Beastly is a retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast fairy tale set in 1814 Regency England.

First Sentence:
"Isabelle, are you coming?"

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

I've listened to Lesley before. She did Curiouser and Curiouser as well. Her proper speech of words and her accent adds to the drawing of the characters. She brings each character to life with their own vocal personality as she narrates, acting out the story for us. I believed the characters as she voiced them with heart.

I really enjoy Melanie's steampunk twist to the fairy tales. She keeps key ingredients but transforms the story. Here we have the rose, the mirror, the garden, the offer for dinner, and Be Our Guest, don't go in this area, spot of missing painting, the library, the dance, and more. But she turns the events to work as a new tale with strong old tale influences. This keeps the story true to it's nature and easily recognizable for all.

I love the creations in the world. The steampunk creations and ideas here. The world shines with the feel of it. Oh the place where the Beast lives. Wow. It sounds stunning and so special in it's own way. It sounds like a place I'd enjoy visiting.

I love how the story is of steampunk and clockwork, but it also holds an element of magic to it. Lovely blend of the two to create this tale. There is magic present in more than one way. There is magic in the world, of course. But there is magic in the relationships created.

*sigh* For me this is a golden charm. I'm afraid if I get going on about the story that I'll give too much away and you won't be able to experience and enjoy it as I did. Melanie is amazing at turning the fairy tale to her telling yet keeping the essence of the story true. I'm once again taken with the talent.

Totally worth listening to the story.



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Audio Book Review: Curiouser and Curiouser

Curiouser and Curiouser: Steampunk Alice in Wonderland

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  July 7, 2017, Audiobook Release September 13, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 5 hrs 24 mins
Narrated By:  Lesley Parkin

Genre:  Fantasy, Steampunk, Fairy Tales

Series:  Steampunk Fairy Tales stand-alone

Impression:  Alice in Wonderland feel in a new story.

Synopsis:
To save the Hatter, Alice must work with the one man she despises so much that she might still love him.

* * *

Alice thought she’d turned over a new leaf. No more working for Jabberwocky. No more making deals with the ruthless Queen of Hearts. No more hanging around The Mushroom with tinkers, tarts, scoundrels, and thieves in London's criminal underbelly. But she’d been bonkers to dream.

Hatter’s reckless behavior leads Alice back to the one person she never wanted to see again, Caterpillar. Pulled into Caterpillar's mad schemes, Alice must steal a very big diamond from a very royal lady. The heist is no problem for this Bandersnatch. But protecting her heart from the man she once loved? Impossible.

First Sentence:
"Curious." I strained to look out the window of the carriage at the crowd thronging toward Hyde Park.

Purchase At:
Amazon

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Alice follows the boy who stole her employers pocket watch, Rabbit, back into the life she left behind. Into the rough part of town she returns, summoned. The love she once felt for William surfaces as the man he is now needs her help. Blackmailed into helping to save her sisters love, The Hatter, from his debt, Alice agrees to help Caterpillar.

Lesley's tone when speaking as Alice feels to fit her curiosity, which is the feel we get from Alice in many stories of her adventure. She has an opinion that she voices, not mean or rude, just a thought to add to the discussion.

Melanie writes Alice with the feel we would expect. A curious young lady with thoughts of her own to share. The story isn't as much falling down a literal hole like in the original story. But Alice living in a world full of wonder, and following a boy nicknamed Rabbit. The world created is full of steamwork and clockwork items. This blended with the steam and smoke draws a world of danger and mystery in which Alice is pulled back into. This is a talent as Melanie very craftily wrote the story in the actual living of the characters.

We see the world full of clockwork and steampunk from the beginning. There is a darkness to the story as well, particularly with one of the characters. Creepy, dark. But fits in the harsh life of the characters here. There is even a touch of magic present. Just a touch. Mostly the world is steam and clockwork.

There is a feel of double meaning to words, it's not confusing but tricky. Listen closely to catch it. I love how people have two names; real name and a nickname. Like William who's known as Caterpillar in town. Each name goes with a different part of his life. Which person is he when talking to Alice? William or Caterpillar? Both are of a different nature and are known for different things to Alice. This gives the twisty feel that we get from Wonderland.

Melanie touches on all the main characters from Alice in Wonderland in her remake. It was a nice game for me to see about spotting them all, though their names do give them away.

I was pleasantly surprised with Melanie's creation here. She captured so many important elements from Alice in Wonderland yet wrote a different story that feels true to the world. So well done!



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Audio Book Review: The Torn World

The Torn World

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  September 6, 2016, Audiobook Release October 28, 2016

Format:  Audiobook - 5 hrs 57 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  3rd The Harvesting series: Book 1 ~ The Harvesting, Novella 1.5 ~ Midway, Book 2 ~ The Shadow Aspect, Novella 2.5 ~ Witch Wood

Impression:  A fitting conclusion that ties it all together.

Synopsis:
Our world is dead.

With the undead walking, vampires hunting, and kitsune closing in, everything seems lost. Layla and the others will need help if there is any hope of survival. But how can you endure in the dying world?

Join Layla, Cricket, Amelia, and the other survivors for the final chapter of The Harvesting Series in The Torn World.

First Sentence:
The undead closed in.

Purchase At:
Amazon   

Audible

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

Tristan has lead Layla, Cricket and their followers to Witch Wood where Amelia and Madame Knightly live. Layla wants to get back to Jamie, where they left him as an undead. But she knows he's still there, he spoke her name in her mind. The living have to find a way to survive and carry on. But is this world the one for them?

Kristin returns as our narrator to finish off the series. I'm thrilled she's been a constant with these books. Kristin voices each character with accents and tones we've come to associate with them. She fluidly shifts from one voice and personality to another with all being present in one book. I never get a feel of the audio stopping and starting as I listen. The characters feelings and tones match through out their sections and smoothly transition to new emotions as they arrive with events.

We get POV's of all three of our young ladies who've brought us this far; Layla, Cricket, and Amelia. All three have a different ability that is needed to help survive and bring the living to a point that they can carry on. These ladies have all had their hearts filled or broken through the series. And have become stronger in this devastating world.

This is the conclusion to the harvesting series. I'm working hard to not tell all with this review. We get our action and fights along with nervous moments trying to get what the characters need. Nothing is convenient for the characters.

The writing flow Melanie has created here is magnificent. The missions to get needed supplies do not feel as they are created to give more story, the missions fit the places the characters are. The story feels as it fits in it's world and where the people are without creating situations to get to where the characters are. I love this complete feel for the characters and world.

We get our romantic moments and gazes too. Cricket and Tristan, Amelia and Logan are falling for each other. And maybe a few others of the group are flirting.

Melanie never leaves me wanting in magic, fae, and zombies in this book. We get it all wrapped in one little package. All the special traits the characters have are seen and enjoyed.

I enjoyed the ending. We get all our answers. We also see something new for the characters. And... from a different POV that gives us a great view of everything on how it is after all this. What we see in the end, may or may not be what you were wanting, but it feels right. The hints are all there to draw to this ending. Well done.



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Audio Book Review: Highland Raven

Highland Raven

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  June 2015, Audiobook Release August 4, 2016

Format:  Audiobook - 8 hrs 6 mins
Narrated By:  Lesley Parkin

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  1st in The Saga of Lady Macbeth series

First Impression:  Lady MacBeth long before she was MacBeth. The land of Scotland has magic, and so does Gruoch.

Synopsis:
Destined to become Queen of Scotland.

Bound by blood to the Celtic gods.

Scotland, 1026--Gruoch, descendant of the line of MacAlpin, should have been born into a life of ease. But fate is fickle. Her father's untimely death, rumored to have been plotted by King Malcolm, leaves her future uncertain and stained by the prophecy that she will avenge her family line.

Escaping to one of the last strongholds of the old Celtic gods, Gruoch becomes an adept in arcane craft. Her encounters with the otherworld, however, suggest that magic runs stronger in Scotland than she ever imagined.

Haunted by dreams of a raven-haired man she's never met, Gruoch soon feels her fate is not her own. She is duty-bound to wed a powerful lord, if not the Prince himself; however, she's not sure she can stop her heart when she meets Banquo, a gallant highlander and druid.

Fans of Outlander and Mists of Avalon will relish this sweeping Scottish Historical Fantasy that tells the tale of Gruoch, a woman struggling to escape her fate without blood on her hands.

First Sentence:
I've been defamed.

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.

Gruoch, raised by her loving aunt and cruel husband, is destined to be called by the goddess. When the goddess calls, Aunt Madelaine tells her husband that Gruoch is going to a convent to study the White Christ, but truly she's going to learn the old ways of their people.

This is the first story I've heard narrated by Lesley, and I'm highly impressed. The thick accent of the time and place comes through and feels genuine. Emotion and spirits of the characters come through the rise and fall of her tone. I was really drawn to her narration. Lesley even gives different feel to voices for different characters.

The writing feels so real when I listen to Lesley narrate. The brutal treatment woman lived under as wives and servants alike. The story starts slower, setting the stage of where Gruoch comes from and what she's seen to bring her to who she is. This is Lady MacBeth and her journey through life.

This is one of those stories I was drawn into and really enjoyed, yet it's difficult to write about. I don't want to give away anything as I want you to have all the feels as you experience the story as well.

This story is Gruoch's. Who is Gruoch? She's who we know as MacBeth. This story tells of what she's experienced as she has grown up. On the day she was born her father called to the goddess. That goddess has answered and will call on Gruoch when she's older. Gruoch lives a good, but at times difficult, life with her aunt as her father fights for their king, and his brother. But then finds she lives permanently with her aunt when her father dies, on a mission for his brother.

Gruoch has lived through much with the way woman are seen and treated in this time. Watching the hatred and love that men could show woman, but mostly the mistreatment above all. She's even been at the receiving end as well.

The story really gets going for me when Gruoch receives the message that it's time to go live with the ladies of the goddess and learn the ways of old. However, Gruoch is different. She's of an older blood. Soul magic. Gruoch finds who she was by who she meets. There is a magical feel of old ways to all Gruoch lives through. She has a connection to the goddess, she believes thanks to her father's doing at her birth. I love when Gruoch goes to the ladies, all that she learns and sees, so much magic.

Aaah. Sid. Sid is very different. She's alone in seeing the faerie folk. And she can really see them! Gruoch sees enough to believe it, and so do I. Sid shows Gruoch her past life, one they shared. And when Druid named Banquo arrives at the holiday celebration, Gruoch sees more of that past life. A past life she loves and would do anything to have again. However, Gruoch is having visions of another man. And this man can see her as well. Who is he and what does he mean to her? And the goddess has other plans for Gruoch.

Gruoch is one strong woman. She witnesses abuse and stands in it's face when she realizes at a young age as to what's happening. Even when that abuse finds her. Gruoch also feels love. She finds dear friends and the man that's dear to her. She stands for herself and not just as a pawn for her uncle, the King, to pass around, although she knows she could be married off as a political piece.

I enjoyed the magical feel we get while Gruoch is learning the old ways of her people. This story is set in Scotland and we get that magical historical feel from it.

There is more books to come with Gruoch and her life. I know there's more to come as we haven't gotten through MacBeth's story fully yet, and I very much look forward to what's to come!



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

Audio Book Review: Witch Wood

Witch Wood

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  October 1, 2015, Audiobook Release December 12, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 2 hrs 23 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  2.5 in The Harvesting series; 1st book ~ The Harvesting, 1.5 Novella ~ Midway, 2nd Book ~ The Shadow Aspect

First Impression:  There's a good witch in the midst of all going bad.

Synopsis:
Harm none, and be ready for zombies.

In the little town of Brighton, Amelia’s practice of Wicca makes her an outcast in school and the subject of disdain at home. But Amelia can’t change what she is. Knowing how to use herbs, see auras, and create spells comes naturally to her. Only Madame Knightly, the ancient matriarch and owner of Witch Wood Estate to whom Amelia plays caretaker, doesn’t seem to mind her conjoining. In fact, the library in the crumbling old mansion is full of old books and oddities.

However, when modern treatments fail to make a dent in the flu outbreak sweeping the globe, those who once ridiculed her white witchcraft turn to Amelia for help. While her eucalyptus tinctures prove no more effective than western medicine, her spell-casting is another matter. The residents of Brighton soon depend on the very magic they once ridiculed to save their lives.

** Witch Wood is a tie-in novella that complements The Harvesting Series. It can be read as a stand-alone or as Book 2.5 in the series **

First Sentence:
The aura around Mrs. Delaney had faded from vibrant green to dull, sludge-colored green-brown as the last class of the day wore down to its end.

Purchase At:
Amazon  

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author.

Amelia has a white witch's touch. Those in school and around Brighton don't see a witch as kindly, but Amelia loves what she is. She can feel and see things are off, but she doesn't know what it is, starting with her mother's aura having specks of sticky black to it. When people come down with the flu Amelia will have to do more than mix her faithful herbs, she'll have to cast spells.

Kristin gets to share her adverse vocal talents once again. She not only does different tones for different characters, but also gets to do a young girls voice then the teachers older and more stern voice. There is such a variety that it's amazing to see her slip into different personas. Kristin does a hurt, upset girl along with other voices.

As with each book, this one brings a new element into the world of the harvesting. Magic. A witch. I couldn't quit listening. I knew what was going to result, but I was drawn to know for sure. What would happen and see what Amelia could do. She's special! Oh we discover with Amelia something new that she can do.

Amelia is a white witch. It's sweet hearing her thank the trees and for pumpkins and many others. She's connected to nature. She even sees the aura of people, and tries to help all when sees dark spots by clearing them from their aura. She believes in using natural herbs to help heal and maintain good health. This mention of natural herbs brings into question something that's mentioned in Shadow Aspect, something that might have spread this disease.

Oh where this story ends! Eee! I can't wait to follow on in the series. It's all coming together now. And I'm curious about Logan. I have a few thoughts on him, but I'll keep that to myself so you can experience him in your own thinking.

Audio Book Review: The Shadow Aspect

The Shadow Aspect

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  June 2015, Audiobook September 28, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 6 hrs 11 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  3rd in The Harvesting series; Book 1 ~ The Harvesting, Novella 1.5 ~ Midway

Impression:  Danger is always present, but there might some hope in the dying world...

Synopsis:
When Layla took the final step through the labyrinth, she thought she was saving the ones she loved.

She couldn’t have been more wrong.

The unwitting victims of a grudge seething for eons, Layla and the other survivors now find themselves in a war for our world. With vampires lurking and shapechangers plotting vengeance, if mankind has any hope of survival, Layla must decide whom to trust: the carnie girl? The quiet doctor? The tarot reader? The stranger with alluring gold eyes? Or the man she loves? And then there are the voices. What does it forewarn if the dead can speak?

When the world burns, mankind’s shadow side rises. Do we deserve to survive?

First Sentence:
I don't like roller coasters.

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, at my request.

Layla and her family and friends exit the labyrinth and find themselves in thick woods. The other side was to be safe for them all. What they find is far from it. Layla does come across new allies in the world of the walking dead. Now she needs to choose who she thinks she can trust, after learning she placed her trust in others to easily. There's an ancient power at work now. Layla and her crew starts to question, why would spirits of the land help them, or hinder them?

I've continued listening to the series as I love Kristin's voice acting. She slips into each and every character, becoming them in voice. She does the breathless moments when in dialog. She does several accents through the story for Cricket, Tristan, and many others along with deeper and different tones for male and females. All this makes it so easy for the listener to differentiate the characters. I love how Kristin knows what words to put an accent on, to show there is more meaning behind the word.

Layla is still strong for her people. But she's starting to break down. She's realized too late that she's trusted to easily. And her friends have paid for the mistake in blood. Not everyone, or being, is good inside. Now Layla must figure out who she can trust in this dark world of death. I feel for her as she's slipped into the role of leader for her strength and insight from the spirits. Those that are left from Hamletville look to her for guidance on if they stay or go.

This book brings Cricket and those from her novella together with Layla and her friends from Hamletville. Cricket is a sweet yet determined young lady. I really enjoy her outlook on things and her strength. We do learn about what we suspected of Tristan. Well, part of it. We'll most likely learn more as we come out the portal in book three. Seeing Vella the tarot reader interact with Layla, the few short times we do, I got excited. I would like to see them talk more. I don't know, I think it's a feel I got when Layla was with her grandmother. I just loved the feel of the old blood in them.

We also come to meet new characters. A few of which I enjoyed and love and a few that I'm very suspicious of. One new character is a Doctor. Dr. Gustav is working hard to figure out what happened to cause the undead in people and she thinks she can cure it!

Melanie walks us through the next expansion of the world here. We saw the undead and vampires in the first book. We learn about the thin places and fog here, along with some of the natural spirits. Each growth of the world in each book is placed to explain and grow the stories. We even start to get a look into why this is happening along with how. And, to Layla and a few other observers, there is a difference in the undead as well. Which kind of made me start to feel for the undead. *gasp*

I know the characters are in constant trouble with the danger of the undead and vampires, but it doesn't feel high strung fast. I really like this. People need rest, even if not 100% trusting of those around them. That comes through yet the stories moving to keep us interested. The grown of the world helps balance the pacing and action. Not to fast. Not to slow. Just right.

Melanie did the one thing I feared she'd do from the moment we walked into Claddagh-Basel college. I'm not telling you what it was. You have to figure it out yourself. But it did leave me NEEDING book 3! lol!

Really can't wait to continue in this series with the next novella and novel!

Audio Book Review: Ink

Ink: A Mermaid Romance: A Falling in Deep Collection Novella

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  May 17, 2015, Audiobook July 13, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 3 hrs 20 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  Romance

Series:  stand alone

Impression:  Strong mermaid princess does as she will to protect her people, and bring a few sides together as one in doing so.

Synopsis:
A mermaid princess destined to wed a handsome king…

It sounds like a fairy tale, but the reality is far murkier.

Ink, Princess of the Florida Atlantic mers, is slated to wed the ancient enemy of her tribe, the King of the Gulfs. After years of war that led to countless mer deaths, as well as the genocide of aquatic shapeshifters and the freshwater mers of Florida, Ink’s marriage will bring lasting peace.

Or so it seems.

Mere hours before she’s supposed to leave the ocean for her customary year as a drywalker, Ink meets Hal, an alligator shifter who warns her that a storm is brewing. There is malicious intent behind Ink’s marriage—and worse, meeting Hal has also caused a storm to rage in Ink’s heart. Nevertheless, loyal to her tribe, Ink will put aside her feelings and journey to Miami to marry the decadent King Manx.

Ink soon learns that her only hope of surviving the crashing force swelling around her is to tap into a power deep inside—a forbidden power that might destroy them all.

First Sentence:
....

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

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.

Even though other mer's who have done their drywalking say the humans are kind, Ink hates them for the death she's seen them bring to her world. She wishes she could let loose the banished siren song on the fisherman killing and harming her sea. But now, she must take her exiled year of drywalking, on human land. Hal a Nagual, a rare human-animal shifter, visits King Creon as he's breaking the accord that was put in place by Ink's deceased father. Creon is infuriated and sends Hal to the shallow waters. Ink knows the Shallow Waters will kill Hal, so she does what she believes her father would have wanted and she knows is right. In doing so she learns news of a new war coming to her people.

Kristin once again is an outstanding voice actress. The determined personality of Ink is solid in her voice. She does many male voice tones along with females in this vast world, again making it easy for us to listen and differentiate the characters. And I really like when Ink thinks something, Kristin makes it sound as though it's vibrating in her head, this way we know she's thinking it and not actually saying the words. Though the reaction would be strong if others heard what she thinks from time to time.

Melanie once again hits the ground running in the first chapter. It's packed full with feelings of Ink on humans, her ruling Uncle, father and mother, and implying her thoughts on her dry walking starting tonight. However, I think it might have been a bit to fast.

This is a short story and a tremendous amount of story and world packed into it. Melanie has done an amazing job of bringing a whole world to us. But at times I felt like the story was to short for the size of the world and characters created. I would have loved a few more moments with them in some parts of the story. And other moments there was so much happening at the same time, all the connections in one spot firing away. It might have been only a few words that connected outside things to this one event, but they were there.

Aaah, the characters... Ink is a strong woman. She does what she must for her people to survive. The waters of the world are poisoned by pollution and the mer-folk are affected by it. The mer-people are also at odds with others of their kind. To try and help her people and live in peace, she's agreed to marry a man she would rather hate. But! Before she is betrothed she meets a stunning man that she feels drawn to from the first moment their eyes meet. He's a Nagaul. Nagauls are other shifters that live on land. Hal's animal form is an alligator. Dangerous! Just the type of animal he is sends the shivers down my spine.

Hal has come to talk to the king of the Atlantic mers. He has a treaty with the previous king, Ink's father, but King Creon is not of the same standing as his brother was. Hal does get to warn Ink, in a quick moment, that a new war is coming. And in this moment Ink realizes she's drawn to him, as she's never been drawn to a man before, so she shares the deepest secret she has and has never shared with another. That she sings the siren song.

It seems there are those who have their own plans for Ink and how they are going to use her. But Ink has her own plans and placement of honor. She will do as she needs to for her people. Ink learns all the truths of her parents and the plans that some have for her.

Quick romance story to enjoy. I haven't read mermaids in a while and it was fun to read/listen to this one.

Audio Book Review: Chasing the Green Fairy

Chasing the Green Fairy

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  March 4, 2014, Audiobook May 6, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 21 mins
Narrated By:  Danielle Cohen

Genre:  Fantasy, Steampunk

Series:  2nd in The Airship Racing Chronicles series; 1st Book ~ Chasing the Star Garden

First Impression:  We are just scratching the top of this world and learning more and more to love!

Synopsis:
A sabotaged airship.

A recovering opium addict.

A messenger with life-shattering news.

With the 1824 British airship qualifying race only weeks away, Lily Stargazer is at the top of her game. She’s racing like a pro, truly in love, and living clean. But on one ill-omened day, everything changes.

Pulled head-long into the ancient secrets of the realm, Lily soon finds herself embroiled in Celtic mysteries and fairy lore. And she’s not quite sure how she got there, or even if she wants to be involved. But Lily soon finds herself chasing the spirit of the realm while putting her own ghosts to rest. And only accepting the truth--about her heart and her country--can save her.

*Due to steamy scenes and depictions of drug use, this novel is intended for mature readers.

First Sentence:
A chartreuse-colored leaf fluttered down onto the wheel of the Stargazer.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

*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.

My Thoughts and Summary:
The qualifying race is coming soon, and Lily has woken to find the Stargazer has been sabotaged! Someone doesn't want them racing and wants to know what's made them so fast. The league for the qualifying races has changed it's rules. The winners of the qualifier, and racers of the World Grand Prix, will race around the world! And a dangerous race for all. With all the work needed on the Stargazer, Lily is called away to see Lord Byron. Lord Byron once again sends her on an extraordinary and out of this world adventure.

We have a different narrator this time. Danielle. She has the accents for Lily and those around her along with a lulling voice to flow with the words. But she doesn't have as many different tones for the different characters. Her voice works for the heartbreaking parts, and rises us up with the turn of events to bring us out of the haze we fell into with Lily.

Lily is cleaned up. But she still has her contacts in the opium world. Phineas is one she trusts to put the details together and figure out who is behind the destruction on her ship. But at Phin's she also talks to him about other things he's looking into for her. Temenos, her father. The mention of him since the adventure with Celeste had been tickling at her mind. Phin is also making a trip to check out a grave at the debtors prison as well...

The men in Lily's life...

In Chasing the Star Garden we got to know Sal. We even got to know her past and adoptive fathers. Here, we get to know Byron.

Lily's love, Sal. Lily seems to be questioning whether this is what she wants. She gets the feel that Sal sees her as his future wife and mother of his children. Is it nerves or something more? She's even agreed to move in with him above his new factory that will be opening. It seems Lily's actions at the end of Chasing the Star Garden has drawn eyes to Sal's invention. The parachute is something everyone wants now. And Lily has convinced him to produce the push button bodice.

We get detailed visits to Lily's past with Lord Byron and her ship, the Stargazer. Byron has been a huge part of Lily's life since she got the Stargazer, actually, just before she purchased the Stargazer. And unexpectedly he helped her in the purchase of it, and not in the normal fashion. Byron is one that Lily will always hold close to her heart.

This story has it's heartache and what affects Lily deeply. This is a turn of a corner for Lily, once again. But the heartache will take Lily on a new adventure in the air and in her heart. About half way through the story this drastic turn comes to light. This new turn caught my attention and drew me to wonder what would come next and where we would go. It's almost as the second part of the book is a different story. Mysterious and magical. The first half was emotional and the second half brings us to a curious feeling.

Everyone has doubts and regrets. How you live with them and handle them is what works on you, or not. But we can hope and strive to live life to the fullest, with no regrets in the end. Clearing the regrets and doubts is a way to help feel one is living free and life.

Melanie has packed a lot of leads in the first five chapters. Much to come to pass and work it's way out as the story continues. And oh so much more to learn. There is much more to this world in which we are just starting to scratch the top of the barrel of. We get to see more of what the series is named after; The Airship Racing Chronicles. We get to see the league and ride in a race with Lily.

Audio Book Review: Midway

Midway

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  Book - 2014, Audiobook - April 1, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 2 hrs 52 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Apocalyptic

Series:  1.5 in The Harvesting series; 1st Book ~ The Harvesting

First Impression:  The carnival life can be fun, but can teach many things with living on the road, especially when the sick rise again.

Synopsis:
Midway: A Harvesting Series Novella (Book 1.5 in The Harvesting Series) is a tie-in novella that compliments The Harvesting, Book I in The Harvesting Series.

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, for the beginning of the end.

Carnie. Ride jockey. Roustabout. White trash. Tilt girl. Gypsy. Cricket has been called a lot of things, but she never thought survivor of the zombie apocalypse would be one of them. One day she’s barking on the midway, and the next day, the world is eating itself alive.

Cricket, along with Vella, a tarot reader, and Puck, Cricket’s mangy mutt, find themselves running for their lives, but where can you hide when mankind has fallen? Cricket will need help if she hopes to survive.

Luckily for her, we were never really alone, and apparently, magical forces want to keep this tilt girl alive.

First Sentence:
"Tilt-a-whirl, tilt-a-whirl, tilt-a-whirl! Come on ride my tilt-a-whirl! I'll whirl you round the world," I barked to the mostly empty aisles at the Allegheny Fairgrounds.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

*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.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Cricket is a carnie. She owns and runs the tilt-a-whirl. But today, the carnival shuts down early and starts to pack up. People are terribly sick and there are cities on quarantine. It's stopping them from coming out. Then when Cricket wakes the next day, the illness has hit the town she's in. She manages to escape with her mutt of a dog, Puck, and the tarot reader, Vella. But are they escaping or driving into the face of danger?

First thing that stuck out to me in listening to this audiobook, Kristin has a completely different voice! She is amazing at voices. In Midway, Kristin has a sweet southern accent that fits Cricket's personality. She seems kind and innocent. Kristin once again masters an abundance of emotions in her voice. The emotion and the rush or relaxing feeling of the words spoken. When things jump and the character is scared, the words are faster yet clear and bring my heart to a faster pace. I hang on her words wanting to know what happens.

Melanie is wonderful about setting the stage in the first chapter with this being a novella. We meet Cricket and many other carnie folks. We also learn that things are not well in the world. There is news that many are sick, places are shut down, and that the sick are turning on other patients resulting in being gunned down.

We have a Romanian tarot reader with the carnival. She reminds me a bit of Layla's grandma from the first book. Here, Vella knows things, and is known to be spot on with her predictions. Her prediction here...well, not good. But there is hope a few will live through the chaos that's to come.

Cricket is handy with her large wrench, in more than fixing the equipment. lol. She can swing a wrench good. Cricket is a good girl. She seems honest and kind to people around her. She grows in this story as she has to do things to people she never dreamed of. She sees it as killing them, but they are already dead, however it doesn't make it any easier.

I love that Cricket has a dog, which I'm curious about him. Hmm...  (and worry for him through the book.) Puck growls every time he sees the sick, warning her. Cricket and Puck go on the move with Vella. They learn what stops the sick when they attack. Then we come to others that are held up. They bring a glimpse of a dark side that other people are doing to other living people in the world. Then a moment that makes me wonder if the risen dead are thinking...

Oh the things we learn here. Those things Bring new questions and worry to the world of the walking dead. Oh the dark things that people do to others in this dreadful time. We see something happen that's shocking. I'm curious to see more of this world in the next book! Things get deeper and deeper in the world.

The heart tightening catch with these stories, so far for me, is what the people go through at the beginning with those they know and love, those that are like family. And learning what is happening to the world.

Do you have to read the first book before this? No. This story is of a different group of people. Though the novella and the first book will cross paths in the second book. So read this novella and the first book in the order you'd like, but remember they both come together for the second full length novel.

Audio Book Review: Chasing the Star Garden

Chasing the Star Garden

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  December 4, 2014

Format:  Audiobook - 6 hrs 52 mins
Narrated By:  Libby Clearfield

Genre:  Fantasy, Steampunk

Series:  1 in The Airship Racing Chronicles series

First Impression:  A love story where one comes to accept and love them self along with finding love in others set in a time with clockworks and airships.

Synopsis:
An opium-addicted beauty.
An infamous poet living in self-imposed exile.
An ancient treasure about to fall into the wrong hands.

Melanie Karsak's Chasing the Star Garden takes readers on a thrilling adventure from the gritty opium dens of gaslamp London to the gem-colored waters of the ancient world. Lily Stargazer, a loveable but reckless airship racer with a famous lover and shattered past, reluctantly plunges into a centuries-old mystery in a romantic adventure best described as Dan Brown meets Mary Shelley.

It all begins on one of the worst days of Lily’s life. She just lost the London leg of the 1823 Airship Grand Prix. To top it off, a harlequin fleeing from constables shoved a kaleidoscope down her pants, told her to fly to Venice, then threw himself from her airship tower. What’s a girl to do? For Lily, the answer is easy: drink absinthe and smoke opium.

Lily’s lover, Lord Byron, encourages her to make the trip to Venice. Lily soon finds herself at the heart of an ancient mystery which has her running from her past and chasing true love and the stars along the way.

*Due to steamy scenes and depictions of drug use, this novel is intended for mature readers.

First Sentence:
I was going to lose -- again.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

*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.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Lily comes in second in the airship race, but losses to the American's, again. She's disappointed. But then a harlequin races through the crowd to her. An assassin? But he grabs her and tells her to go to Venice and puts something down the front of her pants before jumping off the tower they stand on next to the airships, to his death. His body lay below with three points, the same shape that's in the symbol on her stargazer sail.

This story starts right off! The event of the race ends with a leap of faith.

There's drinking, drugs, swearing, and hot steamy moments. Lily has her debts and her loves of drinking, drugs, and hot steamy moments. Oh does she love the men. Since she uses her prize money to pay her debts, one of her lovers, Lord Byron, talks her into going to Venice. He gives her the money to make the trip reasoning she was specifically given the kaleidoscope for a reason.

This is another marvelous selection of voice to go with the story for Melanie Karsak. Libby is perfect for the characters and world. Libby is talented in accents. She has a British accent that fits the characters and thickens when need be for other characters. She even does Italian, Scottish, French and more accents. The way she speaks for each character is as she is the character. She differentiates many with tone, accent, and feeling in their voices. Outstanding job. Libby has intensified the character development through voice.

I love listening to the flight of the airship. Lily and her small crew is talented and the descriptions are of the visuals not the technical of how it's done. But the use of the air and storms is wonderful.

Do be prepared for fowl language, opium dens, and steamy sensual moments with Lily Stargazer. Melanie has taken us into a dark side of the world where drugs numb the senses and where woman are viewed as things. Melanie brings Lily through a dark past to a present that she can live with. But it's a journey that Lily has to make to come to grips with her past and be who she is. She has her friends around her to help. There's her crew for a time but most of all it's Sal, the Italian tinker, that helps her. She also finds a new friend in Celeste who helps guide them to find the statue her family is tied to.

Lily's past comes back, front and center for her. A past that she's long forgotten when she was abandoned at the orphanage. Then, a past that she keeps locked away with opium surfaces and is what draws her to help find the Aphrodite statue that is so treasured by it's strong following.

Yes, Aphrodite. Which also connects Venus and the sensual feeling of the book as a whole. This is an interesting blend of clockworks and steampunk elements with the height of love and steam. This all intersects with Lily and her life.

This story feels like a love story at it's core. A love of ones self and finding that the past does not define who they are now. Then, when they accept themselves they find love with another. Beautiful story and meaning mixed with a surrounding I love, clockworks, airships, adventure and fighting.

Audio Book Review: The Harvesting

The Harvesting

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  March 4, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 7 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Apocalyptic

Series:  1 in The Harvesting series

First Impression:  An apocalyptic zombie story with so much more than I expected!

Synopsis:
"The world, it seemed, had gone silent. It was something we knew but did not talk about. We were alone."

While Layla Petrovich returns home to rural Hamletville after a desperate call from her psychic grandmother, she never could have anticipated the horror of what Grandma Petrovich has foreseen. The residents of Hamletville will need Layla's cool head, fast blade and itchy trigger finger to survive the undead apocalypse that's upon them. But even that may not be enough. With mankind silenced, it soon becomes apparent that we were never alone. As the beings living on the fringe seek power, Layla must find a way to protect the ones she loves or all humanity may be lost.

It's all fun and games until someone ends up undead!

First Sentence:
"If you ever need to slice someone's head off, this is the blade you want," I said as I lifted a curved sword off the table in front of me.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

*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.

My Thoughts and Summary:
When Layla returns home, at her Grandmothers strong request, she finds the house boarded up and all sorts of supplies stocked up. Layla is concerned her grandmother is losing her mind, but she knows the woman has a strong connection with the spirits. Layla sees on the news of an outbreak of sickness that has a mortality rate of 100%, with signs of brain activity afterward... Layla drinks a special tea from her grandmother, and when she wakes the world is not as she remembers it. Layla's knowledge of swords, knives, and hunting that she's learned through her life will come in handy in the new world she's to live and survive in.

I had the great opportunity to listen to the audio book version. Kristin's work is outstanding. The emotion she shows through her voice is easy to grasp at and understand. She brings the intricately written Layla to life. She hits the rushed, horror filled moments making them pop with the suspense they are to feel and with shaking that fit's with Layla. It's like listening to a movie with the height of all emotions bubbling to the surface in her voice. She even does a Russian accent for Grandmother. I really enjoyed Kristin's work in this story! She really brought the story to life.

Between Melanie's writing and Kristin's reading, I even teared up at the thought of why Grandmother did all she did. And even a few other times through the book I felt caught up in the world with the characters, hurting for what they had to do.

Starting the book I knew from the description and others that there is a battle coming. Listening to the stocking Grandma is doing, the weapons she's collecting, and getting to know Layla and her Grandma has caught my attention right off. I want to know all! Grandma is scaring Layla, and making anxious as well. Then the moment comes. It's rough seeing the place Layla grew up go through all they have to bare. The people of this town have to come to grips with killing those they loved in life when they die. It's heart wrenching listening to how these people remember everyone and have to put them to their final resting place.

This book is full of all emotions. Love of loss, love blooming, and scary and rushed adrenaline moments. All blends together with action and emotions wonderfully in this world. Well done Melanie!

I love the subtle blends that Melanie has brought to the story. There feels to have nature and American Indian influences in the spirits around the Hamletville. The wood spirits around the area, and everywhere, is a helping hand for Layla. The world has changed, and they are able to suggest things in small ways.

Just when I thought I was settling in, the story has a turn that brings us to something new! Oh this was wonderful! This story has so much more than I was ever expecting to read. We struggle through in Hamletville with Layla and those that survive, but then to come upon another obstacle in their lives and choices they made. Oh a new foe appears and is exciting to see!

There is a bit of love in the book as well. Layla returns home, where her ex-boyfriend and the love of her youth still lives. But there is a potential other interest. It's not a three way that we all see all the time. Actually, Layla has her mind made up early on, it's that one of them has to get it through their skull that there's not a chance with her. And, I'm thrilled with the one she picks. He's TOTALLY the right choice.

Layla is a wonderful lead character. She's the strong woman that I would love to be in this situation. She is knowledgeable from her history studying and profession. She's also kick arse with a sword and guns, yet she's not one with a large head that takes charge. She's respected by all that know her and knew her grandmother, and she's looked to for help and advice. She's amazing.

If you haven't read or listened to this one, you SHOULD! I listened to that audio and man... this is an AMAZING combo of writing by Melanie and voice by Kristin. If you are a UF fan, you'll will enjoy this.