Today I’m delighted to be reviewing the audio book by author Terry Lee Rosing, who visited Thoughts in Progress on Nov. 6, and is narrated by Michelle Babb, who stopped by on Nov. 7.
Author Terry Lee’s SAVING GRACIE runs the gamut of emotions. If you’re sentimental, you might want to keep a box of tissue handy for the tears of laughter and sorrow that are sure to come.
Narrator Michelle Babb does a wonderful job giving distinct voices to each of the characters. Her interpretation brings out the depth of the emotions of each character enhancing the story.
Gracie relies on her mother, Kathryn Broussard, for just about everything. You could say Kathryn is a helicopter mom even though Grace is grown with two children of her own. Theirs is a dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship, but it works just fine for them until Kathryn dies leaving Grace on her own
For the first time in her life, Grace has to make her own decisions about small and large issues. While she has a supportive husband, she begins to worry he’s having an affair. Grace also has her hands full with her two children and volunteering at the school.
Meanwhile, Kathryn is determined to find a way to help Gracie from the ‘other side’ no matter what it takes. Busy trying to continue her control of Grace’s life, Kathryn doesn’t realize what she’s overlooked in her own life.
SAVING GRACIE is a delightful story that deals with the struggles between mothers and daughters and their love/hate relationships. The characters are likable and realistic with flaws and concerns listeners can relate to.
The story flows at a steady pace and holds your attention from beginning to end. The tension between the characters is lifelike and the descriptions of the ‘other side’ intriguing.
This is a story that will have you laughing as it tugs on your heart strings.
Saving Gracie by Terry Lee, Narrated by Michelle Babb, World Castle Publishing LLC, @2014, ASIN: BOOJFHKYDM, Unabridged, Audible Audio, Run Time: 7 Hours and 46 Minutes
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
Do you enjoy stories that deal with the struggles between parent and child? Do you understand how a parent and child could have a love/hate relationship? What’s on your reading radar at the moment? Is it in audio, print or eBook format?
Thanks so much for stopping by today. Hope you’re having a wonderful Thursday and the weather is being kind to you. Today is our last day of nice weather for a few days as the forecast keeps mentioning the s words (sleet, snow) possible for this weekend. Hope to y’all back here tomorrow.
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Back in November I had the pleasure of welcoming two ‘new-to-me’ authors and a narrator to Thoughts in Progress. Author Terry Lee Rosing visited on Nov. 6, narrator Michelle Babb stopped by on Nov. 7 and author Deborah Heal dropped by on Nov. 13.
Today I’m sharing my thoughts on Deborah’s book, TIME AND AGAIN, the first installment in her History Mystery series. I’ll be sharing my thoughts on Terry’s book later this month. Michelle is the narrator for both books. Now my thoughts.
Books are sometimes hard to pin down to a single genre. Such is the case of author Deborah Heal’s TIME AND AGAIN, Book One in her History Mystery series.
This delightful story could be classified as a YA/Christian-themed/Historical/Mystery/Fantasy with a touch of romance. To me, it’s simply the best genre – an entertaining adventure with all these elements combined.
Narrator Michelle Babb brings the various characters to life. Her mannerisms and accents enhance the story. Her beautiful portrayal of the characters’ emotions adds depth.
Abby Thomas is spending the summer tutoring pre-teen Meredith Randall. But Meredith is sullen and angry due to her parents’ divorce. She hates that she and her mother moved from Chicago to small town Miles Station where there’s nothing to do. Abby has her work cut out for her since Meredith only wants to lounge around playing video games.
When the computer program Beautiful Homes keeps coming up on the screen, Meredith discovers their house is on the program but it shows the run-down house as it was when first built in the 1800s. As Abby and Meredith watch the video of the house, they become immersed in the lives of those first living in the house and the events of their era. They learn a young Abraham Lincoln visited there and that the house was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Through the actions of the earlier generation Abby is able to help Meredith understand that even though bad things happen, God has a purpose for everything.
The author combines the various elements of fantasy, history, YA, romance, and mystery with faith to tell a delightful story. The characters, both past and present, are realistic and likable. The author brings their plight and emotions into play in such a way the listener feels a part of the story.
The small town setting is comfortable. With the author’s vivid descriptions a prior settlement can be seen blending the past and the present with a smooth flourish. The story flows between the two settings with ease.
TIME AND AGAIN is a fascinating story that draws you in on several levels. The ending doesn’t give a definite finish to the story, but leaves listeners eagerly anticipating the next installment in this tantalizing story.
Time and Again by Deborah Heal, History Mystery Book #1, Narrated by Michelle Babb, Write Brain Books, @2014, ASIN: BOOL2P6U6K, Unabridged, Audible Audio, Run Time: 5 Hours and 12 Minutes
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope your Monday is off to a good start and you have a wonderful week. Have you ever thought about what it would be like if you could become a part of a game you were playing or a video you were watching?
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I have two charming audio books to share with you today. Here we go….
For an uplifting laugh, listening to A TRIP TO THE HARDWARE STORE & OTHER CALAMITIES: Quirky Essays for Quirky People by Barbara Venkataraman will give you an hour of fun.
Narrator Carrie Lee Martz does an excellent job giving voice to the various characters in the numerous essays included. Her accents and mannerisms enhance each story.
The hilarious stories begin with the disastrous home repairs and the quirky trips to the hardware store. There is also a story about an obsessions with gadgets, the weird life of a debt collector, the truth about lazy people, and the aging process among other topics.
The author has compiled a number of humorous short stories that will have you laughing out loud. Don’t be surprised if at least one of the stories reminds you of someone. Each story has charming characters and realistic settings.
A TRIP TO THE HARDWARE STORE is a quick read/listen that will brighten your day.
A Trip to the Hardware Store & Other Calamities: Quirky Essays for Quirky People by Barbara Venkataraman, Narrated by Carrie Lee Martz, Audible, @2014, ASIN: B00IO94GAY, Digital Download, Unabridged, Run Time: 55 Minutes
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
Jamie Quinn is not your typical lawyer, but one you’ll come to admire for her strength and determination in author Barbara Venkataraman’s DEATH BY DIDGERIDOO, A Jamie Quinn Mystery.
Narrator Carrie Lee Martz gives voice to the various characters in her own unique way. Her vocals and mannerisms enhances the story and adds depth.
Jamie, a family lawyer, is still trying to gain her ground following the death of her mother. When her cousin, Adam, who has Asperger's Syndrome, is wrongfully accused of murder, Jamie comes to his defense. A little out of her legal element, Jamie is still determined to find the real killer.
The list of suspects is long as the victim is a former rock star with few friends and lots of enemies. Jamie navigates vengeance, deception, and jealousy to clear Adam’s name.
The author has created intriguing characters that are likable and realistic. The story flows quickly and keeps you guessing until the end with twists and turns.
DEATH BY DIDGERIDO is an entertaining tale with a good mixture of humor and suspense.
Death by Didgerido by Barbara Venkataraman, Jamie Quinn Mystery, Narrated by Carrie Lee Martz, Audible, @2014, ASIN: B00JXQNoTK, Digital Download, Unabridged, Run Time: 2 Hours and 12 Minutes
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope I’ve enticed you to check out these delightful audios. Do you have any interesting trips to the hardware story you’d like to share with us?
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