Showing posts with label Stand-Alone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stand-Alone. Show all posts

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Audio Book Review: Alter

Alter

By:  Jeremy Robinson

Publish Date:  December 1, 2018, Audiobook Release February 2, 2019

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 43 mins
Narrated By:  Luke Daniels

Genre:  Thriller, Adventure

Series:  Stand-alone

Impression:  Lost in the jungle can give a new perspective on life.

Synopsis:
Stranded in the Amazon rainforest, a lost man fights for survival and discovers that the root of evil doesn't just reside in the world's darkest corners, but inside the hearts of all mankind.

Dr. Gregory Zekser is on a mission to visit the furthest reaches of the Amazon, providing medical aid to recently contacted tribes. As a general practitioner and food pantry director, his life in Massachusetts can be chaotic, but serving people is what he does best, and he doesn't mind sacrificing his personal life to help others, at home or half way around the world.

But any hope of returning home to his wife, daughter, and comfortable life are eradicated when the small plane carrying him back to civilization plummets into the unknown depths of the jungle. Swallowed by endless green, with both pilots dead, Greg struggles to stay alive in a world that wants to infect his body, suck him dry, and eat him whole. Ravaged by illness and dehydration, and stalked by a ruthless predator, Greg's life teeters on the edge of oblivion until a scream lets him know that he is not alone.

His first encounter with an uncontacted tribe ends in death--the first of many. Driven to the brink of madness, and then beyond, Greg finds himself caught up in a feud that existed before his arrival, but will only end with his death--or his enemies'.

First Sentence:
A tree branch is the first thing I see upon waking.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I was given this free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Luke Daniels is a new narrator for me. I wasn't sure how I'd like his narration. When the story started he felt vocally stiff for me. I know Greg is a stiff character with his speaking and word choices, but I still wasn't sure. As the story went, Luke grew on me and Greg seemed to relax into the jungle he's lost in which was reflected in Luke's voice. When it came to voicing other characters, I didn't have the strained feel that comes with Greg, so I know Luke is in character for Greg.

The word choices and thinking process of Greg fits his profession and character. These are specific in the beginning as Greg is a product of society. Greg still has mannerisms of modern society but he is more and becomes more as his story goes on in the jungle with what he lives through. It's interesting how Greg's thinking changes as he faces a new world where current beliefs and modern items don't exist. Greg, who's a doctor who saves people and never harmed anyone is faced with things that happen in nature and has to make a choice in what he will do to survive.

There are a few gross moments. I would not want to see those! We start the book with a moment I really would not want to see or live through, when the plane crashes. Jeremy's writing brings a dreadful image to mind as I listened to the story.

The story... It's a calmer story for me. And that's not saying that it's a slow story. Jeremy has many things happening to Greg as the story goes, there's so much in a jungle that can be dangerous along with simply trying to figure out how to survive. The story is focused on the events Greg comes across and how he reacts to survive in the Amazon jungle. There are dangers, but the story isn't what I usually listen/read. That doesn't change that the story is well written.

Then there was a twist added to the characters. This picked up the plot for me, drawing me in to see what happens. The hunted become the hunters, determined to survive at all costs. I found I was gripped by the book at this point and wanted to know what happened. I was pulling for the characters to do what they must.

I have faith in Jeremy to give me something different in his books, and he did. Jeremy always adds something in that's a twist, either to the characters or the world that the characters have to react to. I love getting this in his books as it adds a new level to the story.

By the end of the book, I was beyond invested into the story and characters. The end even brought tears to my eyes as things settle into place.

This was one heck of a journey for the characters. Greg is a product of his surroundings, and he adapts to those surroundings to survive. But aren't we all?

The story really hit the heart for me. It felt to bring to heart that there is more to life than work and money. There is love and others around you. There is the planet that needs to survive as well.



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

Friday, May 24, 2019

Audio Book Review: The Haunting of Hillwood Farm

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm

By:  Kathryn Knight

Publish Date:  January 4, 2019, Audiobook Release April 15, 2019

Format:  Audiobook - 5 hrs 18 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  Paranormal

Series:  Stand-alone

Impression:  A sweet romance buds while investigating a haunting.

Synopsis:
After tragedy strikes, Callie Sinclair is left with a gift she never wanted—the ability to communicate with ghosts. But when a desperate widow begs for her help, she reluctantly agrees to investigate the strange occurrences at Hillwood Farm. She quickly realizes she’s dealing with a dangerous presence beyond anything she’s ever experienced, and something else becomes equally clear—the only other living person in the house, Mrs. Turner’s handsome grandson, thinks she’s a scam artist. While she’d prefer to just ignore him, her heart beats a little faster every time he’s nearby.

Luke Turner doesn’t believe in spirits. He’s moved back to restore the family farm, but living on the property serves a dual purpose—he can watch out for his grandmother. He’s not happy about the sudden appearance of a self-described psychic, or his inexplicable attraction to her. His initial suspicions crumble as evidence points to an actual haunting, but he’s still determined not to fall for Callie—the past has taught him it’s best to avoid relationships.

As Callie is drawn deeper into the mystery, she becomes the target of a vengeful spirit, and Luke can no longer fight his feelings for her. Unable to resist their desire, passion ignites…even as the paranormal activity escalates to a final deadly confrontation.

First Sentence:
The sugar bowl slid across the kitchen counter, its lid rattling with jerky bursts of motion.

Purchase At:
Amazon  

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I was given this free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I love listening to Kristin narrate. Her voice feels so relaxing, even when things are strained between characters or in the setting, and the strain is in the characters when they speak. She makes it easy for me to hear the difference between characters by giving them different tones and sounds to their voices. I love this! It helps me keep who's speaking separate as the story moves along. Her pacing is easy to follow as well, no rush to any of the words.

The story has me interested with events that are happening, directing us to what we are to think. I'm kept curious as to the haunting and why. I began to suspect who I thought the ghosts were, and I was thrilled to learn that I placed all the clues properly.

There is a brewing romance here too. It's a short time for the two characters to fall for each other, but I found I accepted the growth of their love. It fits and feels natural for them as the story goes. Lovely writing of their emotions.

Callie is an interesting character as after an accident she could hear the dead speak. This is a special case for Callie as now she's feeling, hearing, and seeing the ghosts! Callie doesn't know much about her ability to hear the dead, but she is willing to help Alice Turner with what she feels is a haunting at her farm. Callie's instincts are right.

I found I liked, very much liked, the style of writing Kathyrn has. Her descriptions tell much, rather than using a generic words. For instance she used "his words rang with quiet determination" instead of simply saying 'said.' I love this! No adverb, no generic word. She used something that described so much more than his words.

I was so pleased with all the elements in this story. Yes there is a haunting, but I didn't feel like it was scary or be a horror piece. I loved this take on the story. It also is a beautiful start to a lovely romance. Totally a winner for me and it makes me curious about more of Kathyrn's works.


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


About the Author:
Kathryn Knight spends a great deal of time in her fictional world, where mundane chores don’t exist and daily life involves steamy romance, dangerous secrets, and spooky suspense. Kathryn writes contemporary romance spiked with mysterious hauntings as well as YA paranormal romance filled with forbidden love. Her novels are award-winning #1 Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bestsellers and RomCon Reader-Rated picks. When she’s not reading or writing, Kathryn spends her time catching up on those mundane chores, driving kids around, and teaching fitness classes. She lives on beautiful Cape Cod with her husband, their two sons, and a number of rescued pets.

Find Kathryn:
Amazon  /  Goodreads  /  Facebook  /  Twitter  /  Website

About the Narrator:
Kristin “KJ” James was born and raised in the Nashville, TN area. Acting has always been a passion of hers. Starting on the stage as early as preschool, KJ pursued her passion into college where she received a BA in Communication with a double emphasis in Theatre and Public Relations from Mississippi State University. After college she found herself more and more drawn to voice overs. Several classes, coaching sessions, seminars, research, and a closet-turned-studio later, and she now records and produces audiobooks on a regular basis. She has also done several radio commercials for clients such as Advance Financial, TriStar Health, and GAC. Her ultimate dream is to work in video games and animation, so hopefully in the not-too-distant future you'll hear her in an RPG or cartoon. When she’s not in her booth, you can find her crocheting, playing video games, or running agility with her dog, Phoenix.

Find KJ:
Facebook  /  Twitter  /  Website


GIVEAWAY:
The Haunting of Hillwood Farm Giveaway: $10 Amazon Gift Card

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Audio Book Review: The Distance

The Distance

By:  Jeremy Robinson & Hilaree Robinson

Publish Date:  May 3, 2016, Audiobook Release August 27, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 13 hrs 9 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer & Heather Costa

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  Standalone

Impression:  Non-stop story that gripped my heart.

Synopsis:
When August Finn rises from the depths of the dark matter research facility where he works, he discovers that the human race has been turned to dust. For August, life becomes one grueling test after another as this man of science, unaccustomed to the natural world, must fight to survive, against the elements and against despair. That is, until he makes contact. While much of the world’s technology is no longer functional, simple electronics still work, including Ham radios. After a day of trying, his call is finally answered.

Hanna Dearborn is alone. She’s the last person living on Earth, hidden away in her parent’s sophisticated bunker. She’s been alone for weeks and can no longer stand the solitude. Gun in hand, she intends to end her life. Then, he calls.

Connected to the only other living person in the world, August sets out on a quest to cross the country from Arizona to New Hampshire. As he follows a map from one Ham station to another, he learns how to survive from Hanna. They keep each other alive with each call, forming a deep relationship as he treks through harsh terrain, weather, and hunting predators, all the while trying to figure out exactly what happened to the human race.

As the journey progresses, hints emerge. Lights in the sky. Strange sounds. Otherworldly phenomenon. The human race was eradicated by a higher, far more sophisticated power. And they’re moving in. With danger all around, August rushes to find Hanna, while she struggles to claim a small portion of the planet for the two last surviving members of the human race.

First Sentence:
I scream in pain, gripped by his loving-turned-violent hands.

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.

Jeffrey Kafer is a favorite voice of mine. Heather is a new voice for me. I very much enjoyed listening to both narrators. Jeffrey voices the sections that are in August's POV and Heather for sections with Poe's POV. Heather feels to fit Poe to the T in how she's feeling as events unfold. A great contrast listening to the two voices as we get the feel for the characters from August or Poe's minds.

I was drawn into the lives as Poe and August survive the lonely world that has an element of worry as to when the creatures will show up. Or worse, what will they run into with other survivors. Are there others? Okay, there are other survivors. The cool thing with survivors is what we learn. We come across a limited few, and what they have to share is interesting. It tells there is a bigger picture here than just human's being exterminated. Someone (or thing) could be influencing and manipulating the few remaining people to do as they want.

Poe and August feel very personable. Like I can relate. They think of things that I would think if left in the situation they are in. August starts as a man who's not physical but loves using his brain in the lab. He grows in character and physical fitness with having to adapt to the world without cars. He has to make his way to Poe, and will do it. It may take months, but he'll get to her. Poe, the poor girl, is solitary at her home. And she's pregnant. She's waiting for August to come and help her, but she grows in a strength of drive and mentally along with physically. She's not sure about living in this world, but will do so for her baby. Poe becomes a protective bear by the end of the book.

The aliens... They are interesting as they have their own social structure, which is expected. We don't learn all about them, but we learn what is needed to complete the story and plot. There is a bit of Predator feel to the story with the aliens. It's kinda cool.

I listen to audiobooks while at work. And it never failed that the day was done at a spot I couldn't wait to story tomorrow. Although, I don't know if there's really any good spots to stop in this one, I was always wanting more.

I've listened to a few books by Jeremy, and I know there's going to be something big that happens. He's great at creating the suspense of knowing that something's going come and happen to crush the world that's already destroyed as you know it. He does that here, but also adds a spark of hope. These are the endings I love and hate as they are sometimes bittersweet.

Oh, you know you're attached to characters and their journey when you tear up. I did just that in the end of the story. Wow. I knew I was attached but didn't realize how much until it hit me. And the ending lingered with me for days afterward. It really had an impact on me.



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