The All You Can Dream Buffet by Barbara O’Neal

THE ALL YOU CAN DREAM BUFFET by Barbara O’Neal offers readers/listeners a smorgasbord of emotions to digest as the story unfolds.

Narrator Joyce Bean does an excellent job bringing the various characters to life, each with their own unique voice. With her cadence and mannerisms, Bean is able to switch genders with ease as well as various age groups. She adds depth to the author’s work.

This is a delightful story about four blogging friends and how one birthday celebration changed all of their lives forever. The story explores how the four women – so diverse in backgrounds, age and location – could become so close forming their own unique family unit.

Lavender Willis, owner and operator of Lavender Honey Farms, is determined to keep her organic farm thriving after she’s gone. A food blogger, Lavender turns to her three closest online friends (also food bloggers) for help. She invites them to her 85th birthday bash in hopes of finding someone to carry on her legacy.

The other foodies include: Ginny, a cake baker and photographer, who lives in Kansas, has never been anywhere, and whose marriage is crumbling. Ruby, a vegan and organic lover, is young, pregnant and shattered after her boyfriend of six years walks out on her. Val, wine enthusiast and former dancer, is trying to make a new life for herself and her teenage daughter after tragedy took her husband and two other daughters.

While you may be able to figure out how some of this story plays out ahead of time, it’s the emotions and energy getting there that will stay with you. The author presents the characters in such a way you want to be friends with them. Their dreams and hopes are inspiring. If you are a blogger, you can especially relate to some of the issues they deal with and dream of achieving their success.

O’Neal’s vivid descriptions of the lavender fields and farm activities draws you in. Her rich accounts of the foodies journeys to the farm makes you feel you’re along for the ride. The story will have you laughing, crying, worrying, dreaming, wondering and planning.

THE ALL YOU CAN DREAM BUFFET serves up a delicious read that is entertaining and inspiring. The only pet peeve I have with it, what happened to Willow?

The All You Can Dream Buffet by Barbara O’Neal, Performed by Joyce Bean, Brilliance Audio, @2014, ISBN: 978-1480511774, Unabridged, 9 Discs, Listening Time: 11 Hours 

FTC Full Disclosure - 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.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Are you a food blogger? Do you follow any food blogs? What about lavender, do you enjoy the smell of it?

A Nantucket Christmas and The Week Before the Wedding

A NANTUCKET CHRISTMAS by Nancy Thayer

What starts off as a sad tale ends up being a funny, heart-warming story perfect for the holiday season in A NANTUCKET CHRISTMAS.

Narrator Joyce Bean does an excellent job bringing the characters to life. From the whinny Kennedy to the thoughts of Pooh and all in between, Bean gives each character their own distinct voice. Her mannerisms delight and enhance the words of author Nancy Thayer.

A NANTUCKET CHRISTMAS features two stories that merge into one. The first story focuses on a small puppy that has been abandoned by his owners on Nantucket Island. Its winter and they are returning to the mainland with no need for a dog anymore. The puppy struggles to survive finding food and warmth where he can.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the island Nicole Somerset is preparing for the first Christmas with her new husband Sebastian. The troubling part is Sebastian’s pregnant daughter Kennedy, her husband James and their youngster Max will be visiting for Christmas.

Despite the fact that both her parents have new partners and seem happy, Kennedy will do all within her power to bring her parents back together. At every opportunity Kennedy schemes to push her father away from Nicole. When her mother unexpectedly arrives at the house on Christmas Eve, she’s sure the family will be reunited and Nicole will be out in the cold.

When Max finds the stray puppy in his fort and wants to bring it inside, a huge argument among the adults begins. When Kennedy snaps at Max, he takes the puppy and runs away. As the search for Max unfolds, things happen that changes the divided family forever.

Thayer has created such realistic characters you find yourself wanting to shake some sense into a few saying ‘grow up.’ She gives them emotions and concerns listeners can relate to. The characters are a mixture of sweet, fun, lovable and downright spoiled.

An eye for detail, the author paints a beautiful winter wonderland with her descriptions. Her take on the town’s Christmas setting places the listeners in the middle of the festive atmosphere.

If you’re an animal lover, you will both hate and love this story. Thayer explores the bond between animal and human and the loving connection that is made, but also the terrible way pets are sometimes abandoned.

A NANTUCKET CHRISTMAS is a quick, charming story that will have you smiling and humming a Christmas tune by the end.

Author Nancy Thayer’s website is http://nancythayer.com/

A Nantucket Christmas by Nancy Thayer, Performed by Joyce Bean, Brilliance Audio, @2013, ISBN: 978-1469295848, Unabridged, 4 Discs, Listening Time: 4 Hours and 26 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure - 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 WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING by Beth Kendrick

THE WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING is a prime example that things aren’t always what they seem.
Narrator Nicole Poole does a terrific job giving the various characters their own voice. She delivers the emotions with a flourish.

Author Beth Kendrick spins a wonderful tale of love, laughter, and what might have been.

Emily only wants a stable family and a house with a white picket fence. She’s about to realize her dream with her marriage to a wonderful surgeon. Their wedding is taking place at a quaint resort in Valentine, Vermont, and will also serve as a family reunion for her fiancé Grant’s family. Emily only has her mother and former step-sister so she’s excited about becoming part of a large family.

As she goes over last minute details and the wedding party arrives, an unwanted guest from Emily’s past arrives. Her ex-husband Ryan, now a successful film producer, is in town scouting locations.

During the final days leading up to her dream wedding, Emily discovers things about both men in her life she never imaged. She also discovered there is no such things as a perfect family.

Kendrick tantalizes listeners/readers with her well-developed, realistic characters. She created zany secondary characters that add charm and depth to the story.

Kendrick’s vivid descriptions bring the picturesque setting to life. The story flows smoothly and at a steady pace. The author adds twists and turns to keep you wondering, while surprising you with those who bond.

THE WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING is a lighthearted romance that may have you rethinking your dream wedding. This story features fun characters and an entertaining story to delight the heart of romantics. 

Author Beth Kendrick’s website is http://bethkendrick.com/

The Week Before the Wedding by Beth Kendrick, Performed by Nicole Poole, Tantor Audio, @2013, ISBN: 978-1452617145, Unabridged, 7 Discs, Listening Time: 8 Hours 

FTC Full Disclosure - 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.

Thanks everyone for stopping by today. I hope I’ve enticed your reading/listening taste buds a bit with these two fascinating audios. What are you currently reading/listening to?

Trust: Betrayed And The Glass Wives

Have you ever thought about how some things are so different, but so similar at the same time?

Well, I have two completely different books to share with you today. At their core, however, the stories are similar in that they focus on family, hope and the search for happiness.

TRUST: BETRAYED by Cristiane Serruya

Sophia, Ethan and Alistair are in the spotlight once again as their lives go forward (and back) in TRUST: BETRAYED, Book Two in the Trust Trilogy by Brazilian author Cristiane Serruya.

Dark secrets continue to plaque each member of the unique trio as their lives unfold from their past deeds. Sophia wants a relationship with Alistair, but can’t seem to find peace within herself and allow herself to move on. Needing redemption and feeling unworthy of love, Alistair tries to push Sophia away. He loves her and wants to save her from his own demons. Ethan, meanwhile, reeling from his loss of Sophia has created his own alternate reality. Still in love with Sophia, he will pay any price to have her back.

Misery, guilt, pain and fear surround these three main characters. They are tormented daily with their problems. The author continues to develop her characters, giving their more depth and expanding their emotions. She has created well-balanced characters that are realistic and easy to like, even with their bad flaws.

TRUST: BETRAYED moves at a steady pace holding the readers interest. There are twists and turns that keep you wondering what could possible happen next. 

While dealing with secrets from the past, the author moves the story back and forth in time. Her smooth transition makes it easy to follow along without getting lost in a time warp. In addition, there are several steamy sex scenes.

The characters draw you in and the writing holds you spellbound until the end. Serruya’s writing has a mesmerizing rhythm, though she writes of dark and complex events. The story will leave readers looking forward to seeing how the trio fares in the next installment.


Author Cristiane Serruya’s website is http://cristianeserruya.com.br/
 
Trust: Betrayed by Cristiane Serruya, Book Two in the Trust Trilogy, CreateSpace Independent Publishing, @2013, ISBN: 978-1482586473, Paperback, 556 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure - An eBook 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 GLASS WIVES by Amy Sue Nathan

As families split apart forming new units, the idealized notion of a traditional family can change drastically.

The family core is the focus of Amy Sue Nathan’s debut novel, THE GLASS WIVES: A Novel. She explores what makes a family unit and why traditional sometimes has to be altered.

Narrator Joyce Bean does an excellent job bringing these characters to life. Her varied vocalization gives each character their own distinct voice. Bean brings out the various emotions and energy the author has woven throughout the story.

Evie Glass never thought her ex-husband Richard could turn her world upside down again. But when Richard died suddenly in a traffic wreck, she found out how wrong she was. Now she is left to raise their twins on her own.

Richard’s second wife, Nicole, is also left to raise their infant son on her own. She turns to Evie, wanting to create a family unit with her and Richard’s other children.

At first, despite the tragedy of Richard’s death, Evie sees it as a way to free herself and the twins from ever dealing with Nicole and her baby again. She didn’t count on how deeply her children cared for their half brother. And she especially didn’t count on having to seek financial help to keep her home without Richard’s monthly support payments. When Nicole offers to pay rent and move in with her and the kids, Evie dismissed it, but soon realizes she doesn’t have a choice.

Just as things are settling into a familiar routine, Evie discovers Nicole may be up to no good, trying to pull off a scheme behind her back. Evie has to decide if she can trust the woman who had an affair with her husband and destroyed her marriage.

Nathan has created likable characters with realistic problems and emotions. While Evie came off a bit self-centered to me at times, she also had moments of compassion and tenderness for balance. Nathan also weaves in how secrets, even among friends, can sometimes be damaging. In addition, the author gives vivid descriptions and explanations for a Jewish life that add another layer to the story.

THE GLASS WIVES moves at a steady pace and holds the reader/listener’s attention with a few surprising twists and turns along the way.

Author Amy Sue Nathan’s website is http://amysuenathan.com/

The Glass Wives by Amy Sue Nathan, Performed by Joyce Bean, Brilliance Audio, @2013, ISBN: 978-1480514751, Unabridged, 8 Discs, Listening Time: 9 Hours, 6 Minutes

FTC Full Disclosure - 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.
 
Thanks for stopping by today. What interesting book are you reading/listening to today?

A DEEPER DARKNESS by J.T. Ellison

Author J.T. Ellison is fast becoming one of my favorite writers. I found her protagonist Taylor Jackson intriguing and when I saw her latest release featured a new protagonist, I had to find out more.

Nashville (TN) Medical Examiner Samantha “Sam” Owens is battling her share of demons so when the mother of her ex-lover calls and requests her help, Sam is torn. But she soon agrees to exam the autopsy of Eddie Donovan, an ex-Ranger and a lover she still holds dear.

Arriving in Washington D.C., Sam is confronted by her feelings for Eddie, as well as the resentment from Eddie’s widow. However, Sam quickly learns Eddie’s death wasn’t from a random carjacking but was murder. As other members of Eddie’s unit from Afghanistan begin to die, Sam becomes determined to find answers even if it means putting herself in danger. 

Getting closer to answers and the killer leads Sam to Xander Whitfield, an off-grid ex-Ranger buddy of Eddie’s. Xander forces Sam to face her own demons as the story draws to an explosive end.

Narrator Joyce Bean gives a flawless delivery of the story. Her cadence matches the highs and lows in the story, as well as the rising tension as it unfolds. She gives distinct voices to the various characters bring them to life.

Author J.T. Ellison has created a wonderful new protagonist in Samantha Owens. Sam has flaws and issues that are believable, while being a dedicated medical examiner and a caring friend. Sam, as well as the supporting characters, are well-developed and likable.

Had I not read the synopsis before listening to A DEEPER DARKNESS, I wouldn’t have known exactly what Sam’s demons were until almost the end. At first that made the story awkward. But when I forgot the synopsis and just focused on listening, not knowing adds another layer of mystery and intrigue to find out what caused Sam to be as she was.

A DEEPER DARKNESS is a fast-pace mystery filled with suspense, intrigue and bits of humor. It will keep you guessing until the end. Can’t wait to see what Sam encounters in her next adventure, EDGE OF BLACK, coming in December.

Author J.T. Ellison’s website is www.jtellison.com

A Deeper Darkness by J.T. Ellison, Samantha Owens Book One, Performed by Joyce Bean, Brilliance Audio, @2012, ISBN: 978-1611063103, Unabridged, 9 CDs, Approximately 10 Hours 2 Minutes  

FTC Full Disclosure - 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.

 

Do you like knowing all the details of the plot before reading or listening to a book? As always, ya’ll are the best. Thanks for stopping by. Have a fun Wednesday.