Merry Cowboy Christmas {+ Giveaway+}

Even though Fall just began last week visions of Christmas are dancing in my head as I’m excited to be participating in author Carolyn Brown’s MERRY COWBOY CHRISTMAS Release Week Blitz.

As part of the blitz, Carolyn is sharing her Top Five Favorite Christmas Carols (and why) and I’m sharing my thoughts on this delightful tale. There’s also a tour-wide giveaway where you have the opportunity to win one of 10 copies of MERRY COWBOY CHRISTMAS being given away. Please see the end of the post for more giveaway details.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: MERRY COWBOY CHRISTMAS

Author:  Carolyn Brown

Series: Lucky Penny Ranch, #3

On Sale: September 27, 2016

Publisher: Forever

Mass Market: $7.99 USD

eBook:  7.99 USD

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"Jud with his slow, Texas drawl is one sexy cowboy who will have readers falling in love with him. His romantic connection with Fiona sizzles. Brown's modern storytelling and fun-filled plot will engage readers and wrap them up in this sweet, Southern holiday romance." –RT Book Reviews

THIS CHRISTMAS, SANTA'S WEARING A STETSON

          'Tis the night before Christmas and all through the house is the presence of one wickedly hot cowboy who's come to stay for the holiday. Fiona Logan is downright shocked to return to her childhood home and find that the tall blond stranger who came to her rescue on an icy road will be sleeping just across the hall from her bedroom. Talk about temptation . . .

          Jud Dawson never believed the Lucky Penny Ranch would live up to its name until now. Fiona is gorgeous, smart, funny, and everything he thought he'd never find. Now all he has to do is convince her to stick around town instead of hightailing it back to Houston. But with wild weather, nosy neighbors, and a new baby in the family, getting her to admit that she's falling in love might just take a Christmas miracle.

MERRY COWBOY CHRISTMAS is available at the following sites:

Walmart

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million

Google Play

iBooks

Indiebound

Kobo

THE LUCKY PENNY RANCH SERIES

WILD COWBOY WAYS, #1

HOT COWBOY NIGHTS, #2

MERRY COWBOY CHRISTMAS, #3

WICKED COWBOY CHARM, #4

Series Page on Goodreads

Top 5 favorite Christmas Carols:

1.      Christmas Cookies by George Strait. There’s banter between Fiona and Jud about this song. It talks about having fifteen minutes for kisses while each batch bakes. He tells her that he got gypped because he didn’t get in on the baking time.

2.     Jingle Bells by any of the country artists. That Christmas carol will put some energy in the room or the pickup truck. It sure did for Fiona and Jud when they were driving home.

3.     Jingle Bell Rock. Jud and Fiona danced to this song in the bar. It wasn’t a date but it was a night of magic between them.

4.    White Christmas. When Jud pulled her into his arms for this song, Fiona admitted how much she’d missed being home. A little bit of White Christmas sure puts a woman into the mood for the holidays.

5.     I’ll Be Home for Christmas. It fits the whole book right there. Fiona comes home in time for the holidays and finds that her heart is really at home this time.

Author Carolyn Brown Photo Credit Charles C. Brown

New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author and RITA® Finalist, Carolyn Brown, has published more than seventy-five books. She presently writes both women's fiction and cowboy romance. She has also written historical single title, historical series, contemporary single title and contemporary series.

She lives in southern Oklahoma with her husband, a former English teacher, who is not allowed to read her books until they are published. They have three children and enough grandchildren to keep them young.

For more on Carolyn and her writing, visit her website connect with her on Facebook and Goodreads.

To keep up with your favorite authors and series, follow FOREVER online. To learn more visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

I had the good fortune to read the print copy of the book and listen to the audio version. I highly recommend both.

Author Carolyn Brown has a wonderful way of creating characters you feel like you’ve known forever or you wish were your best friends.

Narrator Chelsea Hatfield is spot on in her accents and mannerisms for these delightful characters. Her cadence enhances the emotions of the characters and adds depth to this enticing story.

The author has captured the essence of small town life where family and friends pull together when times get tough and don’t mind sharing their thoughts on any subject. The setting comes to life through rich descriptions making you almost feel you need to reach for a throw to guard against the elements facing the characters.

The characters are well-developed, realistic and extremely likable (even the grumpy ones). The characters have traits and issues readers/listeners can relate to. The bantering and gossip swapping fit squarely with the small town atmosphere.

The story moves at a good pace and is filled with handsome cowboys and spunky cowgirls. Even the snow doesn’t cool off the steamy romance of this tantalizing couple.

MERRY COWBOY CHRISTMAS is a heartwarming, feel-good read that will steam up your glasses when it’s not causing you to laugh out loud.

Merry Cowboy Christmas by Carolyn Brown, Lucky Penny Ranch series (Book #3), Narrated by Chelsea Hatfield, Hachette Audio, @2016, ASIN: BO1LWU1DZR, Unabridged, Audible Audio, Run Time: 9 Hours and 5 Minutes - ISBN: 978-1455534944, Mass Market Paperback, 336 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher 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.

This tour-wide giveaway is for ten (10) mass market paperback copies of MERRY COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Carolyn Brown.

To enter the giveaway just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient.

Thanks so much for stopping by during Carolyn’s visit. Are you ready to start reading Christmas-theme stories or have you already started? Have you read or listened to any of the books in this series?

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Chase by James Patterson {+ Giveaway}

If you’re looking for something to read/listen to but you don’t have a lot of time, then look for a BookShots format.

BookShots are lightning-fast stories by James Patterson (with the help of a few friends). These are novels you can devour in a few hours and they are all original content. Today I want to tell you about one of those BookShots and thanks to Mitch and the other wonderful folks at Hachette, I have two (2) audio copies to giveaway. Please see the end of the post for more giveaway details. Now for my thoughts on this latest release.

◊ CHASE by James Patterson with Michael Ledwidge

◊ Series: A Michael Bennett Story - BookShots

◊ Narrator: Danny Mastrogiorgio

◊ Audio CD: 3 Disc

◊ Listening Length: 2 hours and 15 minutes

◊ Program Type: Audiobook

◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller

◊ Version: Unabridged

◊ Publisher: BookShots: Hachette Audio

◊ Release Date: August 2, 2016

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-13: 978-1478967675

SYNOPSIS:

"This was no suicide," says Detective Michael Bennett.

A man plunges to his death from the roof of a Manhattan hotel. It looks like a suicide--except the victim has someone else's fingerprints and $10,000 in cash. Enter Detective Michael Bennett.

This is a fast-paced story with numerous twists along the way that lead to a surprise ending.

Narrator Danny Mastrogiorgio does a great job giving unique voices to all. His accents and mannerisms are spot on and enhance the tale. Sound effects are an added bonus.

The characters are likable and realistic. The authors show a professional and personal side to the protagonist giving him more depth. The secondary characters are also well-developed.

The story is told in under three hours but is full of suspense and intrigue. The shortness of the story doesn’t take away from the enjoyment. The action will keep you on your toes as the suspense builds.

CHASE is an entertaining tale perfect for a quick read/listen to when you’re short on time.

Chase by James Patterson with Michael Ledwidge, A Michael Bennett Story, BookShots, Narrated by Danny Mastrogiorgio, Hachette Audio, @2016, ISBN: 978-1478967675, Unabridged, 3 Disc, Run Time: 2 Hours and 15 minutes

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher 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 to Mitch and the other wonderful folks at Hachette, I have two (2) audio copies of THE CHASE by James Patterson with Michael Ledwidge to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Friday, Sept. 30.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends to make sure the notification email doesn’t end up there. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decided for whatever reason you don’t want to win (which is fine), once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by. If you haven’t tried audio books before, a BookShots is a great way to start. To top that off, what better way to start than with a free audio. Be sure to enter to win of the two audios today. Have you read or listened to a BookShots? What do you think of BookShots?

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Rise the Dark by Michael Koryta

◊ RISE THE DARK by Michael Koryta

◊ Series: A Mark Novak Novel, Book #2

◊ Narrator: Robert Petkoff

◊ Audible Audio Edition

◊ Listening Length: 12 hours and 1 minutes

◊ Program Type: Audiobook

◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

◊ Version: Unabridged

◊ Publisher: Hachette Audio

◊ Audible.com Release Date: August 16, 2016

◊ Language: English

◊ ASIN: BO1G92LOPW

SYNOPSIS:

Mark Novak's greatest mystery may be his own....

Rise the dark. These were the last words written in Lauren Novak's notebook before she was murdered in a strange Florida village. They've never meant anything to the police or to her husband, investigator Markus Novak. Now the man he believes killed her is out of prison and draws Markus to the place he's avoided for so long: the lonely road where his wife was shot to death beneath the cypress trees and Spanish moss in a town called Cassadaga.

In Red Lodge, Montana, a senseless act of vandalism shuts the lights off in the town where Sabrina Baldwin is still trying to adjust to a new home and mourning the loss of her brother, who was a high-voltage linesman just like her husband, Jay. As the spring's final snowstorm calls Jay deeper into the mountains, chasing the destruction on the electrical grid, Sabrina is abducted by Garland Webb, the man Markus Novak believes killed his wife. Drawing them all together is a messianic villain who understands that you can never outpace your past. You can only rise against the future.

This the kind of book that will make you hesitate to take a shower when you’re home alone.

Author Michael Koryta has that uncanny ability to weave a story that seeps into your bones and takes over your thoughts even when you walk away from the book.

Narrator Robert Petkoff brings the eeriness home with his mannerisms. Petkoff delivers the lines perfectly for the suspense factor. His varying vocals gives each character their own unique sound, enhancing this thriller.

Koryta brings protagonist Mark Novak back from his previous story, LAST WORDS. Koryta provides just enough background that new listeners/readers aren’t left in the dark about Mark’s earlier troubles while also enticing them to learn more. The characters are well developed with multi-layers. The secondary characters are just as complex adding depth to the story.

The setting moves around smoothly. Koryta’s vivid descriptions and eye for details puts the listener/reader alongside the characters. Their emotions and reactions can be felt through the rich dialogue.

Koryta blends suspense and mystery with sadistic killers, homegrown terrorism and panic for a well thought out page-turner that is plausible. He blends in just a hint of romance, a dash of family togetherness, and a glint of humor to keep the story from being too dark giving it a good balance.

RISE THE DARK is an action-packed tale that will keep you guessing. While Koryta gives an ending to the story, he also hints at more to come for Mark. Adrenaline-fueled, this thriller is the stuff news headlines are made of.

Rise the Dark by Michael Koryta, Mark Novak series (Book #2), Narrated by Robert Petkoff, Hachette Audio, @2016, ASIN: BO1G92LOPW, Unabridged, Digital Download, Run Time: 12 Hours and 1 Minutes (*This story is also available in print and eBook.)

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher 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. Are you a fan of thrillers? Have you read Koryta’s earlier book, LAST WORDS? Do you enjoy thrillers that could tie in with recent events in the news?

Beyond The Ice Limit … The Trial {+ Giveaways}

◊ BEYOND THE ICE LIMIT by Preston & Child

◊ Series: Gideon Crew (Book #4)

◊ Narrator: David W. Collins

◊ Audio CD: 9 Discs

◊ Listening Length: 10.5 hours

◊ Program Type: Audiobook

◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller

◊ Version: Unabridged

◊ Publisher: Hachette Audio

◊ Release Date: May 17, 2016

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 1478909110

◊ ISBN-13: 978-1478909118

SYNOPSIS:

That thing is growing again. We must destroy it. The time to act is now...

With these words begins Gideon Crew's latest, most dangerous, most high-stakes assignment yet. Failure will mean nothing short of the end of humankind on earth.

Five years ago, the mysterious and inscrutable head of Effective Engineering Solutions, Eli Glinn, led a mission to recover a gigantic meteorite--the largest ever discovered--from a remote island off the coast of South America. The mission ended in disaster when their ship, the Rolvaag, foundered in a vicious storm in the Antarctic waters and broke apart, sinking-along with its unique cargo-to the ocean floor. One hundred and eight crew members perished, and Eli Glinn was left paralyzed.

But this was not all. The tragedy revealed something truly terrifying: the meteorite they tried to retrieve was not, in fact, simply a rock. Instead, it was a complex organism from the deep reaches of space.
Now, that organism has implanted itself in the sea bed two miles below the surface-and it is growing. If it is not destroyed, the planet will be doomed. There is only one hope: for Glinn and his team to annihilate it, a task which requires Gideon's expertise with nuclear weapons. But as Gideon and his colleagues soon discover, the "meteorite" has a mind of its own-and it has no intention of going quietly...

You might say this story is a bit like Alien mixed with a sinister form of The Abyss. The suspense is high, the unknown incredible, and the mission extremely dangerous.

Put these elements together and you have one unbelievable adrenaline-fueled thriller enhanced by the narration of David W. Collins. His mannerisms and cadence is spot on. He gives unique voices to each character. Collins boosts the suspense with his vocalization.

This is an enjoyable mix of science fiction and adventure with tidbits of science mingled in. It gives you pause to wonder, ‘what if.’

Through the authors’ vivid descriptions, you feel like you’re on the ocean as the characters ride the waves to race again time. The story moves at a fast pace, but holds you spellbound all the way. The suspense is high as twists and turns keep you fearing the worst.

The characters are well-developed and realistic. They are a mix that you find likable and love to hate.

BEYOND THE ICE LIMIT is a stand-alone story even though it’s a long awaited follow up to a story. New readers/listeners won’t be left in the dark as the authors’ provide enough background details to make the story flow smoothly.

This is a pulse-pounding thriller you don’t want to end. Preston and Child may have delayed 15 years in writing this sequel to THE ICE LIMIT, but it was well worth the wait.

Beyond the Ice Limit by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, Gideon Crew series (Book #4), Narrated by David W. Collins, Hachette Audio, @2016, ISBN: 978-1478909118, Unabridged, 9 CDs, Run Time: 10.5 Hours (Also available in print and eBook format.)

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher 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.

◊ THE TRIAL by James Patterson with Maxine Paetro

◊ Series: The Women’s Murder Club (Book #4)

◊ Narrator: January LaVoy

◊ Audio CD: 3 Discs

◊ Listening Length: 2.5 hours

◊ Program Type: Audiobook Bookshots

◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller

◊ Version: Unabridged

◊ Publisher: BookShots, Hachette Audio

◊ Release Date: July 5, 2016

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 1478967552

◊ ISBN-13: 978-1478967552

SYNOPSIS:

"I'm not on trial. San Francisco is."

An accused murderer called Kingfisher is about to go on trial for his life. Or is he? By unleashing unexpected violence on the lawyers, jurors, and police involved in the case, he has paralyzed the city. Detective Lindsay Boxer and the Women's Murder Club are caught in the eye of the storm.

Now comes a courtroom shocker you will never see coming.

THE TRIAL is the perfect story to read/listen to if you’re short on time, but want a suspenseful tale to be entertained by.

Narrator January LaVoy does a great job bringing the characters to life. Her cadence and accents enhance the story. Her vocals are spot on as she brings the varying emotions to the surface.

The story is a good mix of police procedure, mystery and suspense. The story flows quickly and smoothly. Told in BookShots format, the story can be listened to in under three hours. The shortness of the tale doesn’t lessen its appeal.

The core cast of characters of the Women’s Murder Club series are on hand, but new readers/listeners won’t be left in the dark not knowing their history. This is a stand-alone story. The characters are likable and well-developed.

THE TRIAL will keep you on your toes until the surprise ending. It’s intense, suspenseful and entertaining.

The Trial by James Patterson with Maxine Paetro, BookShots series, Narrated by January LaVoy, BookShots/Hachette Audio, @2016, ISBN: 978-1478697552, Unabridged, 3 CDs, Run Time: 2.5 Hours (Also available in print and eBook format.)

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher 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.

BookShots
LIGHTNING-FAST STORIES BY JAMES PATTERSON

• Novels you can devour in a few hours
• Impossible to stop listening
• All original content from James Patterson

Thanks to the gracious Mitch and the wonderful folks at Hachette, I have an audio copy of BEYOND THE ICE LIMIT by Preston and Child to giveaway and an audio copy of THE TRIAL by James Patterson with Maxine Paetro to giveaway. Both giveaways are open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Monday, Aug. 8.

To enter either or both giveaways, just click on the Rafflecopter widgets below and follow the instructions. The widgets may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends to make sure the notification email doesn’t end up there. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decided for whatever reason you don’t want to win (which is fine), once again PLEASE let me know. One winner could win both audios.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Are you a fan of any of these writers? Do you listen to audio books? If not, now’s a great time to begin.

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Boar Island … Rules of Love and Grammar

BOAR ISLAND by Nevada Barr

◊ BOAR ISLAND by Nevada Barr

◊ Series: Anna Pigeon Mysteries (#19)

◊ Narrator: Barbara Rosenblat

◊ Audio CD

◊ Listening Length: 10 hours and 22 minutes

◊ Program Type: Audiobook

◊ Genre:  Mystery, Thriller

◊ Version: Unabridged

◊ Publisher: Macmillan Audio

◊ Release Date: May 17, 2016

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN: 10: 1427272530

◊ ISBN: 13: 978-1427272539

SYNOPSIS:

Anna Pigeon, in her career as a National Park Service Ranger, has had to deal with all manner of crimes and misdemeanors, but cyber-bullying and stalking is a new one. The target is Elizabeth, the adopted teenage daughter of her friend Heath Jarrod. Elizabeth is driven to despair by the disgusting rumors spreading online and bullying texts. Until, one day, Heath finds her daughter Elizabeth in the midst of an unsuccessful suicide attempt. And then she calls in the cavalry---her aunt Gwen and her friend Anna Pigeon.

While they try to deal with the fragile state of affairs---and find the person behind the harassment---the three adults decide the best thing to do is to remove Elizabeth from the situation. Since Anna is about to start her new post as Acting Chief Ranger at Acadia National Park in Maine, the three will join her and stay at a house on the cliff of a small island near the park, Boar Island.

But the move east doesn't solve the problem. The stalker has followed them east. And Heath (a paraplegic) and Elizabeth aren't alone on the otherwise deserted island. At the same time, Anna has barely arrived at Acadia before a brutal murder is committed by a killer uncomfortably close to her.

BOAR ISLAND is a brilliant intertwining of past and present, of victims and killers, in a compelling audiobook that could only come from Nevada Barr.

The author’s characters are well-developed and realistic. Their interactions are plausible. She shows a vulnerable side to her characters, but also gives them strength and determination in other areas readers/listeners can relate to.

Narrator Barbara Rosenblat does a great job of bringing the characters to life through her various vocals. Her mannerisms enhance the story and adds to the emotional elements.

The rugged setting of a national park draws you in as the action of the story unfolds. The author weaves the strips of mystery into an entertaining tale.

The story moves at a good pace as you fit the pieces together.

Boar Island by Nevada Barr, Anna Pigeon Mysteries (Book #19), Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat, Macmillan Audio, @2016, ISBN: 978-1427272539, Unabridged, Audio 10 CDs, Run Time: 12.5 Hours

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher 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.

THE RULES OF LOVE & GRAMMAR by Mary Simses

◊ THE RULES OF LOVE & GRAMMAR by Mary Simses

◊ Narrator: Khristine Hvam

◊ Audible Audio Edition

◊ Listening Length: 10 hours and 22 minutes

◊ Program Type: Audiobook

◊ Genre:  Contemporary Women, Women’s Fiction

◊ Version: Unabridged

◊ Publisher: Hachette Audio

◊ Audible.com Release Date: May 31, 2016

◊ Language: English

◊ ASIN: BO1G7KNZDA

SYNOPSIS:

  A woman finds love and closure and rediscovers herself when she returns to her roots in the enchanting new novel from the author of The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Café.

          Newly jobless, newly single, and suddenly apartmentless, writer Grace Hammond has come unmoored. A grammar whiz who's brilliant at correcting other people's errors, she hasn't yet found quite the right set of rules for fixing her own mistakes.

Desperate to escape the city and her trifecta of problems, Grace hits pause and retreats to her Connecticut hometown. What begins as a short visit with her parents quickly becomes a far more meaningful stay, though, as she discovers that the answers to what her future holds might be found by making peace with - and even embracing - the past.

As Grace sets out to change her ways and come to terms, finally, with the tragedy that took her older sister's life so many years ago, she rekindles a romance with her high school sweetheart, Peter, now a famous Hollywood director who's filming a movie in town. Sparks also fly at the local bike shop, where Grace's penchant for pointing out what's wrong rattles the owner's ruggedly handsome schoolteacher son, Mitch.

Torn between the promise of a glamorous life and the allure of the familiar, Grace must decide what truly matters - and whether it's time for her to throw away the rule book and bravely follow her heart.

The protagonist, Grace Hammond, is one of those characters readers/listeners can pull for with her unlucky streak, but also get upset with when she acts foolish. She’s a character that will stay with you for a while.

Narrator Khristine Hvam does a good job of bringing all the emotions to the foreground. Her various vocals gives each character a distinct sound.

The small town atmosphere is charming and inviting. Through detail descriptions and an eye for detail, the author puts you in the middle of the scene. The story moves at a good pace as it draws you in. With a few twists and turns along the way, readers/listeners pull for Grace to find her path.

The story also deals with how a death of a child impacts the entire family for years to come. With a mix of humor and romance, the story will touch your heart and encourage you to recall fond memories of your yesteryears. The tidbits of grammar and how it should be used at the beginning of each chapter is an added bonus.

The Rules of Love & Grammar by Mary Simses, Narrated by Khristine Hvam, Hachette Audio, @2016, ASIN: BO1G7KNZDA, Unabridged, Audible Audio Edition, Run Time: 10 Hours and 22 Minutes

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher 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. I hope I’ve enticed you to check out one or both of these entertaining audios. June is National Audio Month so give an audio a listen. Are you familiar with either of these authors and/or narrators?