Book Review: Broken

Broken

By:  Cedric Johnson & Veronica Giguere

Publish Date:  September 2, 2013

Format:  Podcasted Audio book

Genre:  Inner City Cyberpunk

Series:  Stand-alone

Recommendation:  Technology can make a difference in some worlds, even bring two people to a friendship they didn't know they needed.

Synopsis:
The city of Charlton is a city divided: Upper Charlton, where the rich and powerful work and play, and Charlton Terrace, where the poor are kept from crossing the ever-widening economic gap by corporate dynasties controlling the flow of capital, their security firms controlling the city police, and numerous gangs controlling the streets.

Miranda Garren has a chance of escaping the Terrace's oppression and making a new life for herself with the help of an old family friend and his plans for advanced medical technology. Criofan Byrne is the city's favorite son, champion of the local boxing circuit and heir to a corporate empire. Their separate worlds are brought together and destroyed around them in a single night by the leader of the Cabezas de Muerte gang, who will stop at nothing in order to make a name for himself in Upper Charlton.

Forced into using the experimental prosthetic technology Miranda had been working on, Criofan must put aside everything he knew of his privileged existence and work with Miranda. Together, they must find a way to escape the machinations of the cruel, vindictive gang leader, the life he's thrust them into, each other and themselves—and reclaim control of what remains of their lives.

First Sentence:
The lights came up in Charlton Terrace earlier than in any other part of the city.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

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

My Thoughts and Summary:
I'm not going to try to do a summary for this story. The synopsis above and given on the book is perfect. It tells you about the harsh world we are in and the two main characters, Miranda and Criofa.

I listened to this book recorded by the amazing voice talent Veronica Giguere, who is also a co-author of the book.

In the beginning you see Miranda in her home surroundings, the dangers of it, and how smart she is. She should have the chance to move up from the Terrace or even out of this city for the brilliance that is in this girl. Her fathers old friend sees the genius in the girl as well. Reggy takes her on as his assistant and teaches her and finds Miranda is taken by the project as much as he is.

There are two worlds in on city. The Upper Charlton and the Terrace. Criofan is from Upper Charlton, but doesn't seem to like the feel of elite and richness of the living. The Upper Charlton seems to be just as dangerous as the Terrace, only in a different way. The Terrace police work under the security companies owned by John Harper Byrne. Which means the police are owned by the Upper class and do what they say, or not say. We see the struggles and power control over the cops. We also see the dangers of the gangs present. The world is a rough, tough place to live.

I will admit, listening to the first three episodes with meeting the characters and the world, I wasn't sure if this listen was for me. Then when listening to episode four, I was hooked! I was starting to see the potential workings, the connections to what we've seen and the hints given by the cover. At this point, it had caught my interest. I liked the groundwork put in place and the quick drops of hints of what was to come. Great drawing in the story! I was curious and anxious for the story to continue.

Miranda and Criofan both start a bit on the naive side. They both know their worlds and have better expectations than what they should. Both suffer for it as well. Their lives are torn apart. They both have their eyes opened to the way of the world in Charlton, and it's not a good way. Each grows in their own way needed to strengthen themselves and do what needs to be done to survive. I appreciated this growth in both the characters. They came through many hurdles and accomplished a great deal. And found a rock strong friendship through it all.

Criofan was different from the family and class thinking he was born into. I liked him from the first meeting. And even more so after he's learned of those around him and what happened to him. Miranda had an idea of what it was like with the gangs that her father paid each week for "protection". But she was a bit more optimistic and thought she was different, maybe could change things. Sadly she was looked at different and paid a terribly steep price for it. She can make a difference in the world, and eventually does. But it's small steps at a time.

Do the bad guys get what they have come in the end? Well, you will have to read the story to find out. ;)

Tales From the Archives, Vol 3: #1

Tales from the Archives, Vol. 3: #1

By:  Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

Written & Narrated by:  Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

Format:  Podcast, 25:25 minutes

Genre:  Fantasy, Steampunk

Series:  1st in Tales of the Archives Vol. 3 podcasts, part of A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series

Recommendation:  Nice way to meet new characters and authors in this steampunk-ish world particularly if you enjoyed the book; A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel, Phoenix Rising.  The archives are full of stories to be told.

Synopsis:
Silver Linings

Wellington Books and Eliza D. Braun arrive in Cairo, Egypt, sent from Ministry headquarters on an archival audit. What Wellington hopes will be a stay in the cradle of civilization and a break from the bitter winter of England instead looks to be a brief visit on account of Eliza’s poor attitude and the disdain of the area field director, Marcus Donahue.

The plans for an uneventful collection of case documents and artifacts are soon shattered by a massacre that that can only be described by the visiting archivists as peculiar.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Wellington and Eliza are in Cairo for transfer of files, six crates for the last ten years of cases, for archiving back in London. While at the Cairo agency, an urgent call comes in for Donahue to call the police station. While Donahue is gone an agent comes in looking for Agent Donahue as there is a matter involving one of the Queens own Camel Brigade and Lord Arland Rutland. Duke of Rutland is in Cairo and there is reason to suspect there is a threat on his life. Seth, the Duke's cousin, pays a surprise visit to the Duke and while the men are playing cards... All the men are found in a blood bath, having committed suicide.

We get both Eliza's and Wellington's POV in this story. Eliza remembers her past. She remembers Agent Donahue and how she and Henry had to step in on his case. Eliza is a tad saddened she's not a field agent and loves the adrenaline kick she gets when on a case. Wellington is with a saddened and irritated Eliza as he knows she does NOT want to be here. Wellington has gotten to know his partner so well, he can tell by the look in her eyes and face that there will be troubles ahead. And, always, where Eliza is...there's gunfire!

There is a mystical connection to the case. One that drew me to wonder why those playing cards died so terribly. Well, we sure find out!

I love the ties to past that the story has. The strong feelings tied to the artifacts and the affects on people. I'm fascinated when all comes out and together in the end.

After the story I got to thinking... I wonder if it's happen chance that Eliza and Wellington show up where House of Usher is, even with the wide spread touches House of Usher has in the world. Or if House of Usher follows Wellington and Eliza, to draw out Wellington and watch him.

I so enjoyed the way this story ended. Yes, that's all that needs to be said. ;)



Would you like to listen to these? For a taste of the characters or in addition to the book... Visit The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.

You can find these for your Reading pleasure in any eFormat you would like at Smashwords.

You can find the Archives: Amazon Kindle ~ Tales from the Archives Scroll through the list for them all, and the ones you still need.

There are short stories always added to the listing. So keep checking back!



I listened to this short story for my own enjoyment.

Mythical Monday (55)

It seems there are many books based on or influenced by Myths and Mythological Beings.

There are so many different Mythology and Mythological Beings recorded. Some are very popular and well known, others not so much. There are many similar beings, yet different depending on the culture it’s based in.  The definition of Myth covers about anything in the Urban Fantasy/Fantasy realm to me.

I’ve invited authors to share briefly the Mythological being or Myth that influenced their character(s) or story, or what their character(s) are based on influencing their books.  Hosting here, one author and being or myth per week.

This week we have:

Author Katharina Bordet

Talking of The Coffee Legacy.

A key part of visiting Vienna (or Wien as it is called in German and in my book, The Coffee Legacy) is going to a café to savour some of the decadent Viennese coffees and cakes. Naturally, when my husband-to-be, Mick, first came to visit me here, we went to many cafés and – due to our love of writing and coffee – we ended up spending much time in them with our laptops, feverishly writing away on story after story. Some time in fall it became time to plan for NaNoWriMo. I knew I wanted to write a book set in my hometown of Vienna, but not much more than that. It was during one of those times, as we sat in the café and I was reading through the menu, that I came across an old legend, printed on the inside.

The story differs in some details, but the gist remains the same. Once upon a time, there was a goatherd, watching his goats on the field. Suddenly he noticed that the goats started behaving strangely. They started to run around like crazy – despite the heat – and were basically, what we’d call nowadays “hyper”. He worked out that the goats had been eating berries from a shrub, so he tried them too. Soon he, too, was on a caffeine high. According to the story, that’s how coffee was discovered.

This legend got me thinking. I remembered the stories I knew of how coffee came to Vienna, about the Turkish siege of the city when they left beans behind and a famous man... Naturally, many of those legends were mere distant memories, but they had sparked an idea. With the menu in hand – one that sported many different coffee variations with interesting names – I knew that the book would grow out of the idea of legends. So my research began.

Vienna has been the source of many legends – inspired by coffee, by the Danube, by wars and plagues, and much, much more. I was still reading up on legends and fairy tales when NaNoWriMo came around. I knew my book was going to be about Vienna, coffee and legends. A mere month later – The Coffee Legacy and the world of Wiener Blut were born.

Visit Katharina's site for delicious recipes.

The story starts off with two women running a café and one of them - Isabelle - tells her son bedtime stories in the evening. Bedtime stories that are old legends, sometimes slightly changed, some close to the original and some invented ones. So the legends became part of the story as just those — legends — at first. Then Isabelle's aunt gets murdered and her family find themselves in the middle of a story that is much more than just a legend. I took the old tales, wove them in, developed from them and then went back and looked for more stories. Some got put aside, some became part of the book. In the end, I had entwined the city and its places with the coffees and the legends revolving around them into my story.

When I put the proverbial pen down, I knew this would not be the end of the story of the people in Neu Meidling and Vienna. There were so many more legends to use and weave into my story. Some became short stories in the world of Wiener Blut, and some were set aside for what was to become Danube Waves. Much like coffee, the river is the life blood of the city and it had shaped its history due to its strength. Only in the last century was the Danube tamed into the course where it currently flows and people living near it still fear its floods today.

Hundreds of years ago, when the legends around the Danube were written, people attributed the moody river more to whatever must be living within, or who must be living within, rather than any natural phenomenon. At this point, I knew the world of Wiener Blut had just grown.

Whilst I was writing Danube Waves, I was still researching legends, stories and this time also real history. So many of the old Austrian legends were rooted in historical events that I could not simply ignore them. The funny thing was, it worked even better than I had expected. Even though some of the research was done “on the go”, the legends felt as though they fitted the overall picture and even more, they sparked new ideas and surprised me at the same time.

I could not write about Vienna and ignore the legends. Even though my book is fantasy, it is also set in modern-day Vienna. None of this makes the legends worth less – on the contrary – every Viennese person can tell you a legend or two about the city. When history is so much part of the everyday life of a 21st century city, legends never quite leave you, and people might even be heard discussing details of which version of the legend might be the “proper” one.


Author Bio:
Born and bred Austrian, Katharina Bordet lives in Vienna with the Scot of her dreams. She’s a trained lawyer, passionate podcaster, all-round geek, writer and photographer.

As well as the 'Wiener Blut' series of novels and short stories (www.wiener-blut.com), she co-hosts and writes for the 'Every Photo Tells...' short story podcast (www.everyphototells.com) which features tales from many different authors around the world.

A keen photographer and amateur chef, Katharina regularly blogs about recipes, photo tours around Europe, Vienna's famous Christmas markets and similar topics at her own website (www.maimer.net).

Purchase At:


Short Stories in the Wiener Blut world:
       

Sunday Post #58

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share new about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

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Happy 4th of July to all my American friends. I'm feeling really lazy today. It's a holiday weekend and leading into a week off of work for me, although I have plans what I'll be doing the husband has work plans around the house for us. *groan*

What am I going to do? I don't know. I'm hoping to get through lots of words in my current WIP and read through another so I can write the world rules down and decide on a few things. Other than that, the week will probably be more work around the house.

What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:
Blood & Iron by Jon Sprunk


Current Podcast Book Listen:
Metamor City: Making the Cut by Chris Lester


Finished Last Weeks:
Nothing new.

Finished Podcast Book Listen:
Nothing yet.

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Last Week on the Blog:

Cover Reveals: (click titles to go to post & learn more)

...

Posts:

Come join the TOUR!  -- I have a amazing author friend that is doing a book tour. It's for guest posts by her only. If you'd like to join (I'm hoping you will. ;) ) please let me know. It's a Werewolf turned human book with a Young Adult vibe to it with being in high school.


Around the Internet...



Reviews:

Morevi by Tee Morris & Lisa Lee

Tales of the Children in P.G. Holyfield's Land of Caern

...

...

Podcast Review:

Mama Bitchstress Reviews:

GIVEAWAYS:




Weekly Posts:

***NEW*** Mythical Monday I had Martin Spernau talking about the Quatlmander.

Throwback Thursday

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This Week to Come on the Blog:

Mythical Monday Katharina Bordet on the Coffee Legacy. (Mon)

Book Review Tales from the Archives Vol 3: #1 by Tee Morris and Philippa Ballantine. (Wed)
Book Review Broken by Cedric Johnson and Veronica Giguere. (Thur)

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Received Last Weeks:

Review:

For Review Consideration:

Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:

Free Ebooks:

Witch Hunt by SM Reine
Goodreads Synopsis:
A brutal murder.

There are scratches on Cèsar Hawke’s arms, a discharged Glock on his coffee table, and a dead woman in his bathtub. Yeah, maybe he brought the waitress home for some fun — he was too drunk to remember it — but he knows for a fact that he didn’t kill her. He’s an agent with the Office of Preternatural Affairs. He doesn’t hurt people. He saves them.

The cops disagree. Now Cèsar is running.

The search for a shaman.

Isobel Stonecrow speaks with the dead…for the right price. She brings closure to the bereaved and heals broken hearts. But when she resurrects someone for the wrong client, she ends up on the OPA’s most wanted list.

One risky solution.

Tracking down Isobel is the last case assigned to Cèsar before he bolts. If he finds her, he can prove that he didn’t kill that waitress. He can clear his name, get his job back, and bring justice to the victim.

She’s just one witch. Cèsar has bagged a dozen witches before.

How hard can one more be?

Blade Song by J.C. Daniels
Goodreads Synopsis:
Kit Colbana - half breed, assassin, thief, jack of all trades - has a new job: track down the missing ward of one of the local alpha shapeshifters. It should be a piece of cake.

So why is she so nervous? It probably has something to do with the insanity that happens when you deal with shifters - especially sexy ones who come bearing promises of easy jobs and easier money.

Or maybe it’s all the other missing kids that Kit discovers while working the case, or the way her gut keeps screaming she’s gotten in over her head. Or maybe it’s because if she fails - she’s dead.

If she can stay just one step ahead, she should be okay. Maybe she’ll even live long to collect her fee...

Free Audio Books/Stories:

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Reviews to Come:

Captain's Share by Nathan Lowell - a podcast reading of the book

Owners Share by Nathan Lowell - a podcast reading of the book

Ravenwood by Nathan Lowell - a podcast reading of the book

Marco and The Red Granny by Mur Lafferty (in audiobook while at work)

Wasteland by Mur Lafferty (in audiobook while at work)

War by Mur Lafferty (in audiobook while at work)

The Secret World Chronicle: The Hunt by Mercedes Lackey & Steve Libbey (in audiobook while at work)

Rusted Veins by Jaye Wells

Haunted by Amanda Bonilla

The Secret World Chronicle: World Well Lost by Mercees Lackey,Steve Libby, Cody Martin, & Dennis Lee

Tales from the Archives, Vol 3: #1 by Tee Morris, Pip Ballantine, & others.

Tales from the Archives, Vol 3: #2 by Tee Morris, Pip Ballantine, & others.

Tales from the Archives, Vol 3: #3 by Tee Morris, Pip Ballantine, & others.

Crossing Lines by John Mierau

Marked Man by John Mierau

Harlan's Wake by John Mierau

The List by John Mierau

A Curse Awakened by Cecy Robson

Broken by Cedric Johnson & Veronica Giguere

Tales from the Archive: 4 - Wooden Go to Waste by Sandra Wickham

Tales from the Archive: 5 (part 1 & 2) - Those Dark Satanic Mills by Suna Dasi

Soulless by Skyla Dawn Cameron
Shadow's Master by Jon Sprunk

Welcome to the City by Chris Lester

Huntress by Chris Lester

The Sentinel by Chris Lester

The Muse by Chris Lester

Podcast Review: Tales of the Children

Tales of the Children
Land of Caern Anthology

By:  P.G. Holyfield

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  Anthology of stories by several authors in Land of Caern world. The world of Murder At Avedon Hill.

Recommendation:  Oh yes. There is magic here. You see it through those that are children of the gods touching the world in different ways.

Synopsis:
Tales of the Children is a podcast anthology, with content that will focus on the history of the Land of Caern... and the Children that shaped it.

The stories in the anthology are going to feature or at least touch upon some aspect of the Children of Az. Some of these stories might be legends told by characters living today...and by today I mean during the time of Arames Kragen and Murder at Avedon Hill. They might be fables told by mothers to their children to help them sleep at night. They might be from the point of view of one of the Children, or of someone directly affected by one or more of the Children living in the world.

Listen At:
iTunes  /  P.G. Holyfield's site

**I listen to this podcast for my own enjoyment.

Overall Thoughts and Summary:
 It's neat to see the god and children. Seeing them return and in action in the world brings me closer to the world, even if done by other authors. All these stories highlight different Children of Az and their influence in the Land of Caern. Some come as children others don't realize until they are too aged. But each story gives a view of a fantasy world where magic is ever present.

I enjoyed seeing a world I enjoy and see as having vast potential and want to know it all come to life in different ways.

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Episode 1:
Swimming Lessons

Written by:  Gabrielle Harbowy
Narrated by:  P.G. Holyfield

Format:  Podcast, 30:20 minutes

My Thoughts and Summary:
Priest of Caern have been condemning those not of clergy that are tapping into the River of Magic. Punishing them. Jorrin, a clay worker, wakes in prison after his arrest for dipping into the River of Magic to help balance a pot he was making. He is waiting his time for hanging. But finds a new friend who can teach him how to use what he can touch.

This is a lovely story to start with in the world of Caern. Gabrielle does an amazing job of bringing up the feel of the world and their restrictions on magic and the River of Magic. She surfaces some feelings and questions I had of the magic when listening to P.G. Holyfield's story - Murder at Avedon Hill.

We meet a Child here. Nice the way she connects with Jorrin and sounds as though several others as well.

The magic is more than just the Priest use. But, the fear (and I think this is part of what the Priest are trying to prevent) is that someone with evil intent will learn to use the magic. However, that is a risk that is known and worth taking.

I got the feel more is coming, in the future here. And makes me want more from Gabrielle and PG in the world PG has created. Love seeing the magic here. I loved seeing one of the Children in action. Wonderful highlight of the magic and River of Magic here.

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Episode 2:
The Old God and The Sea

Written by:  Patrick E. McLean
Narrated by:  P.G. Holyfield with Voices by Patrick E. McLean

Format:  Podcast, 32:54 minutes

My Thoughts and Summary:
Things are great for Rigar. Good food and large wench collection. He's feared in the land and has grown to a Lord of his own making. One of his men returns, with his whole crew killed by one man in a fishing town. If you want something done right, you must do it yourself. Rigar makes a trip to show this town who they are messing with. To be surprised with the man that has made this place his home.

This fishing town had a different view of pillagers as they had a different history in their dealings with them. So when Rigar's men came to collect they didn't get the response they had hoped for, until they started killing.

This tale is of a god who didn't know he was one until he'd aged to far. But he does get to do a little bit of good and work in the world. I liked seeing that not always do the gods know who they are and what they are to do when they are birthed into human form.

I enjoyed Patrick's voices of the characters. It brings another dimension to the characters.

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Episode 3:
First Blood

Written by:  Alex Briggs
Narrated by:  P.G. Holyfield

Format:  Podcast, 29:17 minutes

My Thoughts and Summary:
The unsuspecting army is attacked and slaughtered. They take her to caves, chain her and torture her. The Orc leader tells her this is not torture but a test. She finds a way to escape the caves, but fights on and hunts for her torturer from those caves. When she finds him she learns something new.

This one was a little harder for me to follow in the beginning, as it picked up to fast and I wasn't sure where we were or what to expect. It was rather interesting the way Az's child comes to realization in this story. This story sounds like a legend in it's telling rather than from the character herself.


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Episode 4:
Big Axe, Small Hands

Written by:  Dan Absalonson
Narrated by:  Dan Absalonson

Format:  Podcast, 42:13 minutes

My Thoughts and Summary:
Halflings are kind farmers. This is a story of a determined Halfling who is unlike any of his kind. He's strong and wants to learn to be a warrior. None in his home town could teach him so he had to leave to seek those to teach him. Meeting an Elf and then later Dwarves, each who could teach him something different. This Halfling has to prove himself to learn a piece in turn from each. Then one day he can help his own kind defend themselves, or he defend them when in need.

This is one I enjoyed seeing different races in this world. Also this has a meaning in the story, don't deny others what they are determined to do. They just might be strong enough to get there, and help you in the end.

I liked the legend of the Halfing. You don't realize until the end that the child is connected. This story gives a view of dangers and other beings in the Land of Caern. You see the fantasy side here. Lessons in life and world. Along with how different is needed.


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Episode 5:
Love & Fire

Written by:  Philippa Ballantine
Narrated by:  P.G. Holyfield

Format:  Podcast, 24:49 minutes

My Thoughts and Summary:
The human ancestors come to the Land. Almost all the elves greet them as they walk on the land, but there is one group Acolytes of the goddess of war who strongly oppose humans here.The acolytes see the greed in the humans eyes. The humans come to make their little toe hold in a corner of the world. One Elf is very against the humans, but enjoys the chance to show her people what the Acolytes can do to protect them. She and her elves come at the fort built protecting the humans, calling upon the river of magic. Heron is a man caught in the city when the fires erupt, searching for his family and helping others escape. Heron doesn't know it, but the magic is called to him. And a god is born.

This is very interesting. I love the feel of hatred from the elves that protect the land to the vultures coming to pillage it from them. The determination to extract every last one of them, then to come and see that their god has chosen one of these unwanted beings to be a god.

This tale is one remembered and shared through the land of Caern. Very magical. Hate and Love. This is how the humans arrive in this magical world and a god is born. Yet there is so much more to cause humans to be accepted in this world.

Strength and fierce yet love too. Nice.

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Episode 6:
Ruby's Child

Written by:  Philip Carroll
Narrated by:  Vivid Muse

Format:  Podcast, 10:00 minutes

My Thoughts and Summary:
Ruby's journey wasn't all it was to be. A man had bought her ale, bitter tasting ale, and stole what she was not willing to give. She's with child now. Dwarves do not like humans, and will not accept the baby. They will even shun Ruby, one of their own, for the thing she cares. Ruby takes a poisonous daft then her goddess comes to save her and her baby. Yet the clan needs to learn compassion. Her goddess tells the baby will be a curse or a blessing to the clan, they are to decide.

The cruelty to Ruby and her baby is terrible. Yet Ruby maintains the compassion and care for her clan. She will help them not matter what, even when they cheat her. She teaches her disfigured child the same, even though they are shunned.

We see the Dwarfen life and another god.

This is a longer story, but I grew attached to Ruby and Cragthar. In the end it was a touch sad and then the curse. Wow. I actually really liked the ending. It was fitting. Perfect fit. Wow, what a tale!


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Episode 7:
Love's Sacrificial Song

Written by:  Tabitha Grace Smith
Narrated by:  P.G. Holyfield

Format:  Podcast, 54:13 minutes

My Thoughts and Summary:
This is one that's hard for me to summarize, which is a lacking on my part and not the authors. This tale is two stories in one. We have a current happening, a storyteller sharing a tale when Raiders show. Then we have the story the storyteller is telling of a god child and her need to save her sick husband and what she must do in order to do so.

Oh this one had me so curious and wanting from both stories. We got enough of each story before we converted to the other to keep me listening. The author did an amazing job at distinguishing the difference and lead in to current time and story telling. The pauses were well placed in each story line.

There is magic in the story, with the storyteller, and with another in current time. This story brings together different magics present in the Land of Caern found in people and another child of Az.

I really liked this one!

Audio Book Review: Morevi

Morevi: the Chronicles of Rafe and Askana

By:  Tee Morris & Lisa Lee

Publish Date:  May 24, 2002

Publisher:  Dragon Moon Press

Format:  Podcasted Audio book

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  1st book in The Awakened series

Recommendation:  Swashbuckling Fantasy.

Synopsis:
In a time when a kingdom hangs in the balance, her most trusted ally is a pirate from a far-off land

Across a mysterious rift in the space-time continuum exists a world called Naruihm. In this world is a realm called Morevi, a landlocked kingdom ruled by Askana Moldarin, crowned "First Queen" following a swift and bloody rise to the Throne of a Thousand Suns. Yet hidden traitors are already at work to destroy everything that she has won.

Enter Rafe Rafton, privateer captain of the Defiant. Arrogant. Overconfident. Dangerous and cunning enough to pillage the Queen s own ships and survive. As a man, he is the embodiment of everything she has fought against, and the perfect instrument in a last desperate bid to save her kingdom.

With the sum agreed upon, Rafe and Askana embark on an epic adventure spanning the kingdoms of Naruihm and King Henry VIII s England. Two souls are drawn together in the battle for a kingdom

Welcome to M O R E V I.

First Sentence:
Sanders watched the men heed his earlier advice and now they tamed the fire for the time being.

Purchase At:
Amazon (used from other stores) /  Barnes & Nobles (used from other stores)

Listen At:
Podiobooks  /  iTunes

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

My Thoughts and Summary:
Askana, The Queen of Morevi, needs learn who is behind the rumors of conspiracy of another land wanting Morevi as their own, and stop them. There could be spies anywhere, so she wants to hire the man cunning enough to stole from her ships, and others, and lived all these years - Rafe the Sea Wolf. To keep an eye on Rafe and that he doesn't take off with her shipment and will stay true to his word, she will travel with him. However, after an assassination attempt on her life, Askana finds she is on the run to stay alive and learn who's behind it all. Askana needs to create bonds with allies to help the land locked kingdom along with staying alive. Askana finds she only has one person to trust, and he was the one that has stolen from her kingdom any of times for years and also, by her decree, is to not life to leave her land.

Pirates, Soldiers, Monarchy, and Fantasy.

The Prologue tells you how Rafe came to power on the ship and came to the fantasy land of Morevi. It was interesting to see the Rift between our world and another realm. The beginning with all the woman as soldiers reminds me of Wonder Woman, the land of Amazonian woman.

The Fantasy world is rather detailed. There are many small subtleties to create the depth of culture and life in Morevi. The fighting styles, swords, tattoos, and the goddesses. A full history is created and weaved before us as we go through the story.

I did enjoy Rafe's laid back, fun personality. He likes to enjoy himself. Even though he's a Captain, he is highly respected and calm. Rafe is skilled in fighting and quick of tongue. Askana is the female queen and demanding as well. She is strong and bold. They are opposites, but blend well and create a wonderful banter we get to enjoy. Rafe is strong and crafty, a character to balance out Askana and her determination. Askana can more than capably carry her own in a fight. I love that she's a strong woman. They seem quite the pair, for trouble.

Working for Askana brings Rafe lots of abuse and new scars to bare. Always drawn into more troubles than he expects, at first. But Rafe is the counter for Askana and carries on stronger at each turn. Oh things get hairy for Askana as well. She's a queen and people like to use that power to their advantage or desire the power for their own. At times I felt bad for Rafe with the troubles he found himself in and the abuse he took. He seemed so kind to let it happen, taking the physical and verbal slaps. But, in Askana's defense, she was raised in a different land and time. She has to be strong and powerful. She has a land to keep safe.

We get a view of the fantasy realm first. We get to enjoy the exotics they have to share. Then when we come to England, things get corrupted. There are people on both sides of the rift that will play the political game to better their standings.

The story produces exactly what I expected and wanted from it. There were a few times that sounded a bit over convoluted with information and happenings, but I enjoyed the adventure through a fantasy realm and touching in England as well. When the characters finally realize they need to work together, the fun truly begins. Even with the unexpected fantasy beings present.

Fantasy with fighting, swashbuckling, magic, and more. This is one story for those that know they love the traditional fantasy story with swashbuckling fun. Fighting, quick thinking on how to get out, alive. There is a civilized pirate trade. This is a fantasy with crafty world yet many common happenings among the characters. You can guess some of the plot and character happenings, but the fun is listening and relaxing as we go.

Come Join the Tour!

I'm putting a friendly call out for fellow bloggers to join in a book tour.

If you remember me sharing, this happened last month - Resurrecting River Wolfe. It was completely funded! Woot woot! Congrats to Skyla Dawn Cameron and River Wolfe.

I even got to share this:

And the full cover wrap as well:

With the funding and beyond, I offered to help Skyla with a book blog tour. I am hoping you will join in sharing the word of River Wolfe.

Let me share about the book and the details of the tour. If you are willing to share a guest post from Skyla Dawn Cameron during the tour week, please let me know! :)

River
Description:

Defiant, nocturnal, moody–though River sounds like a typical teenager, she’s anything but. She’s a werewolf.

The life of an alpha female wolf was irrevocably changed the night she was attacked and bitten, and awoke confused, alone, and human. Three years later, thrust into a world where she doesn’t belong and living in foster care, River barely tolerates humanity and still doesn’t know who bit her or why.

But River isn’t as alone as she previously thought; someone’s been watching her, someone who holds the answers she’s been seeking. Though the human who changed her seems to be a step ahead of her at every turn, River is determined to beat his game and return to her pack and mate.

And as if being stuck in a world she hates, with a life she never asked for, and faced with a destiny she doesn’t want wasn’t bad enough, River still must find a way to survive every human’s greatest challenge: high school.

Tour Information:
Tour Dates:  August 25, 2014 through August 29, 2014 (if many sign up, we might go longer)
Posts:  Are guest posts by Skyla Dawn Cameron. (If you have an idea for her, good. If not, no worries.)
   (We are not asking for reviews, only guest posts.)
Share links to the book information in the post.
Share Skyla's Author Bio and Links to her sites.


How to get involved:
Leave me a comment saying you are in on the tour.
You can email me at:  myworldinwordsandpages(at)gmail(dot)com  with Subject Line: RIVER WOLF TOUR