L.A.Moncrief

Beauty in life if we just take the time to see it

Revisado: 05-11-24

A beautifully wrought story, rich in characterizations and deep love of the land and her people. It all comes back to family and heritage, and taking the moments to listen and be fully present in your own life and relationships, rather than just cruising through it as we so often fall prey to today. Added to my Top 10 in a lifetime list.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Sublime

Revisado: 08-15-23

I only began listening to audiobooks about 10 years ago. Prior, I used my imagination to conjure up voices when bringing characters to life in my head. Rarely does a performance elevate story and characters so much higher, so much better, than those I imagined. Ms. Baker takes Grace Dravens’ exquisite love story to that level. Brishen and Ildiko’s story is iconic in its world and beauty, even in the moments of anguish. But this is so much more than reading the book, it’s living within it. I return to it again and again and while love all Ms. Draven’s worlds, this series is a personal favorite in no small part due to Gabrielle Bakers talent.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Magnificent

Revisado: 11-15-22

First read this 30 years ago. Have re-read and gifted to others since, including my son. Of the thousands of books I’ve read in my life, few histories have impacted my spirit as deeply. The life Simon Kenton lived is almost beyond belief in our modern world. Despite some conflicting history - such as the later contested component of Blue Jacket, based on genetic testing done more than half a century after it was written - this is clearly a deeply researched, deeply respectful and historically accurate account. I have read many great authors but AW Eckert stands alone in his brilliant capturing of the heart and soul of this period, from both the American and Native American perspectives. If you read NO OTHER book of this period, do yourself a huge favor and either read or listen to this one. Or, do as I did and experience both.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Gruff hero, endearing heroine - a perennial fav!

Revisado: 06-30-21

Daisy Minor is an endearing, beautiful soul. She’s the kind of smart but somewhat stifled small town heroine I’d like to believe might still exist, with some wistfulness. For the duration of the story, I believed she did. Jack Russo Is pretty close to perfect as the gruff police chief who becomes her own personal hero and, overall, of the story. Sadly while the story is not newly written, the human trafficking theme is still alive and well so it continues to be relevant. LH does a fantastic job setting the stage, providing the needed background on the primary players and, as usual, weaving in secondary characters with intermittent richness that sweeps you onto the broad canvas of their lives. She’s so damn good at this! By the end of the story you know them all, celebrate their triumphs, small or large, and root for the well-deserved demise of the bad guys. She writes the gray area and peripheral characters equally well, as with Glenn Sykes, leaving you with the thought that perhaps there’s room for a measure of redemption. It’s this talent, and magic to engage my interest on every level that makes her an enduring auto buy for me. Open Season is a solid example of her craft and one I recommend all the time. Deborah Hazlett did an outstanding job with the narration, to the extent that she made Daisy come alive so much more than I could’ve ever imagined by just reading the story. She really brought her fully to life, her accent and personality to perfection. One of my favorite voice characters in her repertoire. One of all time my favorite novels of this author and the genre.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Sweeping scope, magnificent characters, glorious lovestory

Revisado: 11-29-18

Pamela Clare really, really understands character development and the soul deep qualities that bring a character to life. I truly fall in love (or loathing!) with the men and women in her novels. It’s immersion level reading (and listening)!

Kaleo Griffith is outstanding in his vocal performances in her audible versions! He doesn’t overdo the female vocal tones so while they have enough to be feminine they remain subtle and thus much more enriching to my ears. Although I love audio books I’ve become just as picky about the vocal performances and simply wont buy a favorite authors version if the performance is not equal to it. That’s a very personal thing and fortunately many people have different views and favorites.

I love the additional series characters that are a natural part of this storyline. The totally genuine and naturally developing friendship between Julian and Mark is absolutely adorable, real and pretty much my all time favorite bromance.

And while Julian remains an all time heart throb, Mark is in a class of his own. Thank goodness I never have to choose between the two of them in real life!

This novel has darker, intense themes and potential triggers for those sensitive to abuse and assault scenes. While written superbly well, these are gritty and painful to read. I have such respect for the authors handling of them, though.

Cry your eyes ugly at the ending; so much wrapped up so well but by this point you’re deeply and emotionally invested and you can’t help but cry or feel deeply moved, at minimum.

Added to my top 10 of all time.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Fabulous series

Revisado: 12-15-17

I absolutely loved this series and have to listen to it, afresh, every year or so. Michael Garland is one of the sexiest dark heroes and Charlie is one of my favorite smart heroines. All the supporting characters fit beautifully, I just wish they each had their own happy endings, especially Tony and Tam. Great series!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona