A. J. Mitchell

“Unraveling Darkness”

Revisado: 09-12-24

I was fortunate enough to immerse myself in the world of "Sleep Tight" by J.H. Markert, unable to tear myself away from its gripping narrative that unfolded over just two days. Each character in the story felt intricately developed, their emotions and motivations palpable as if I were experiencing their journey alongside them. Surprisingly, I found myself empathizing with even the antagonist, a testament to the depth and complexity of the characters crafted by Markert.

It's rare to come across a book that captures such profound character development without sacrificing plot coherence, and "Sleep Tight" excels in this aspect. The thought of this story being adapted into a movie excites me, as I believe its rich storytelling and well-rounded characters deserve to be experienced by a wider audience who may be hesitant to delve into the book itself.

This is a chilling and gripping novel that plunges readers into a world where the boundaries between sanity and madness blur with spine-tingling intensity. The story follows the sole survivor of a serial killer who may hold the key to stopping a new spree of murders, leading to a harrowing journey filled with unexpected twists and suspenseful revelations. As the protagonist navigates the dark and twisted paths of the human psyche, the narrative unfolds with a sense of impending dread and gripping tension.

Last, but not least, having Andi Arndt narrate this title was a stroke of genius, if not luck. There are only five narrators that I know of who can do multiple voices and accents, men and women and children’s, which was extremely necessary for this book so that listening to it was a pleasure. So I’d like to thank either the author for choosing Andi or for Andi reaching out and asking to narrate. They made a great team, hell anyone who has Andi Arndt as a narrator is likely to get a five star review.

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Have cheese on hand! 

Revisado: 12-28-23

This is the fascinating story of Willa Bauer, who has successfully realized her lifelong dream of opening a cheese shop in the beautiful Sonoma Valley.

Willa, the remarkable protagonist, establishes herself in her new community while Mrs. Schultz and Archie, her loyal assistants and friendly neighbor Baz, bring their own unique qualities to the story.

Willa's anticipation had reached its peak as she eagerly awaited the arrival of a renowned local food critic at her store. With meticulous care, she had curated a remarkable selection of cheeses, a tray that embodied the charm and essence of her store. Her intention was to showcase her expertise as a local cheesemonger, hoping to secure a favorable write-up in the esteemed All Things Sonoma. However, fate had different plans, as the elusive critic, Guy Lippinger, failed to grace her establishment with his presence.

Undeterred by this setback, Willa decided to embrace the evening by organizing a delightful cheesemaking class. As the participants joyfully crafted mozzarella, Willa seized the opportunity to forge connections with the vibrant personalities of her town. She engaged in conversations with Derrick, the mastermind behind Apricot Grille, Birdie, whose Smiling Goat goat farm supplied Willa with fresh, delicious milk, Vivian from the Rise and Shine Bakery, and Roman from the Golden Glen Meadery. To express her appreciation, Willa thoughtfully prepared small gift baskets for each of her newfound acquaintances.

The atmosphere in the mozzarella class was delightful, as each student skillfully crafted their own shiny, delectable cheese balls. Willa felt a growing sense of belonging in the tight-knit community. However, their harmonious gathering was abruptly interrupted by an unrelenting pounding on the door of her shop. Curiosity compelled Willa to investigate, only to find Guy Lippinger standing before her, hours late and emanating the unmistakable scent of alcohol. Despite Willa's attempts to persuade him to return during business hours, Lippinger obstinately roamed around the shop, criticizing every aspect he laid his eyes upon. His intentions were clear - a scathing review was imminent. However, his gaze fell upon the others from the cheesemaking class.

Eventually, Willa and her companions managed to coax Lippinger out of the cheese shop, yet not without him leaving a lingering threat behind. In a fit of audacity, he declared that one of them harbored a secret, insinuating that he held this information with a firm grip.

As the hours ticked on, uncertainty and curiosity consumed Willa's thoughts. She couldn't help but wonder what secret Lippinger believed he had uncovered, and how it would impact her newfound friendships and the reputation of her beloved cheese shop. Filled with hope for a second chance with the man, Willa spots his car parked at the end of her alley and summons her courage to make one final endeavor. As she cautiously opens the car door to approach him, he unexpectedly tumbles out, a knife lodged in his neck. Willa's horrified screams prompt concerned neighbors to alert the authorities, and once she regains her composure, she finds herself face-to-face with the head Detective. He delves into her personal background and probes her involvement with the store, eventually dropping the bombshell that the murder weapon was one of the cheese knives she had included in her gift baskets.

Willa is left dumbfounded by this revelation. She vehemently denies any involvement in the man's death. However, she realizes that only a select few individuals from her shop could have accessed those particular cheese knives. Determined to unearth the truth behind Guy Lippinger's murder before her reputation in town and the fate of her shop are irreparably tarnished, Willa resolves to uncover the identity of the killer. Yet, she can't help but wonder if her investigation will inadvertently make her the next target in the killer's crosshairs.

I just wanted to point out a few personal things. I do not know how many pieces of cheese and bread I consumed while listening to this amazing book; I wrote down each recipe as well. I also wanted to mention that I find Willa's living arrangement above the cheese shop, where she shares her home with her beloved fish, Loretta, quite endearing.

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Done it AGAIN!

Revisado: 04-05-23

I absolutely love this series! I do hope that it never, ever ends! These characters have become family, albeit a dysfunctional one, but a family nonetheless; I wish had. Robyn is amazing, all the little details she’s put into each book of this series, all the little quips, quirks, and of course, the love is beyond anything anyone can ever imagine. Thank you for writing these Robyn and I hope you continue to do so.

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Broken condom says

Revisado: 02-16-23

…it all. I wish that scene never occurred because it gave the perp away. After that: down hill.
However, an original story that has potential if re-edited.

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Read it

Revisado: 12-18-22

The narrator completely ruined it. It has a good premise, and if I could have gotten over the narrators voice, I wouldn’t have skipped so many chapters to get to the end. If I were you, read it on your Kindle, I would even say, don’t bother ordering it, you might find it in a bargain bin somewhere.

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Captivating!

Revisado: 02-01-22

I was recently looking for a captivating F/F and during my search, I stumbled upon a story that not only met my expectations but also exceeded them. It had the perfect combination of intrigue and bite that I was desperately seeking. The plot was so engrossing that I found myself completely absorbed in the characters' lives, that I would accidentally forget to eat because I didn't want to stop listening!

Diving into Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas captured my attention from the first chapter and kept me hooked until the very end. Douglas has a knack for these types of stories (bully-to-lovers) and once again showcases her mastery here. It's incredibly satisfying when a highly anticipated book meets and exceeds your expectations, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph.

The dynamic between Clay and Olivia, as they navigate the fine line between love and hate, obsession and disdain, is executed flawlessly. Every interaction between them is charged with emotion, and even the smallest touch feels incredibly intense. Clay's obsession with Olivia adds an extra layer of complexity to their relationship, and it evoked feelings that are difficult to put into words. I particularly loved that it was the supposedly "mean rich princess" who found herself unable to resist the allure of the "bad girl," rather than the other way around. Their possessiveness and jealousy towards each other were exactly what I had hoped for, if not even better. It was truly captivating!

The writing in Tryst Six Venom is exceptional. Douglas has a way with words that immerses you in the story, making you feel like you're right there alongside the characters. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and the descriptions are vivid and detailed. It's as if you're watching a movie unfold in your mind.

What sets this book apart is its willingness to delve into the darker aspects of the bully romance trope. It explores power dynamics, manipulation, and revenge without glorifying or romanticizing them. The portrayal of the complicated relationship between the characters feels raw and honest, making the story all the more compelling.

In conclusion, I highly recommend Tryst Six Venom. Whether you're a fan of bully romances or think you've outgrown them, give this book a chance. Penelope Douglas has a unique ability to take a trope and make it her own, and she certainly achieves that with this novel. It's an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you breathless, and I guarantee you won't be able to pause or put it down!

Sex-5 ⭐️’s 💋 🍒🌈
HEA-5 ⭐️’s 💕 💍🍾
Supporting Characters-5 ⭐️’s 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏻🏒❤️‍🔥

While I thoroughly enjoyed the content, I regret that I couldn't give the narration a five-star rating. The individual narrating for Olivia sounded extremely monotone throughout. There seemed to be a lack of inflection in her voice, which made it challenging for me to fully appreciate the character. I understand that narration styles can vary, and personal preferences play a significant role in such matters. However, I believe that a more dynamic and expressive narration would greatly enhance the overall listening experience for your audience. It would help in capturing their attention and immersing them in the story. I truly appreciate the effort put into creating this audiobook, and I wanted to share my feedback to help improve future narrations. I genuinely believe that with a little adjustment in the narration style, the audiobook could have an even greater impact on its listener.

*To be selfish here, narrators such as Jessica Almacy, Emily Woo Zeller, Sonja Field, Elizabeth Saydah and Lauren Sweet could’ve carried the entire audio or would have done Olivia a lot more justice. They’re able to manipulate their voices to make themselves sound young when needed.

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Maxine Mitchell Was just getting her voice correct

Revisado: 08-12-21

I fell in love with all of the characters in Falling Down and Blush but nothing could've prepared me for the emotional rollercoaster of Amplify! Getting Cage and Sera's story was something I was eagerly anticipating and Anne Mercier did NOT disappoint! It was funny, sad, emotional, exciting, terrifying and beautiful all rolled into one. Cage and Sera's backstory is not one I was prepared for and there were many curveballs thrown. Their story isn't an easy one with many ups and downs but Mercier wrote it perfectly and fans will be fall in love with these characters over and over again. Grab this one and enjoy the ride!

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Horrid!

Revisado: 08-12-21

Dirty Sexy Player was one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2018.

Unfortunately, the story fell flat for me.

Now don't get me wrong, this book is a good, funny, light-hearted and a really enjoyable read, and if you love a haters-to-lovers romance, one with characters that have such insane and intense chemistry that you feel coming off the pages in waves, then this is a book you are sure to enjoy.

But I myself just wasn't as into this story as I thought I'd be, which is a little disappointing.

Truth be told, I actually found this book to be a little dull, since about 75% of this novel was predictable to me, and that's not just because this story overlaps the timeline of Dirty Filthy Rich Men and Dirty Filthy Rich Love (a duology you in no way need to read before going into Dirty Sexy Player as they're completely separate stories). It was predictable to me because when you go into a story you know is about a marriage of convenience... Well, you basically know how the story is going to play out already - two people who dislike each other have a marriage of convenience for business purposes, yet throughout their story they surprisingly (not so surprisingly) fall in love - and so to me, this was a story with a pretty straight forward and predictable plot.

Except I can't say it was all predictable, and so not everything about this book was dull.

There were moments throughout this story that I did like, like Weston and Elizabeth's development from not being able to be in the same room together without snapping at each other, to then not being able to be in the same room together without keeping their hands to themselves. Weston definitely took me by surprise by how sweet he could be, even if at times he could be such a jerk, and Elizabeth... Hmm, I definitely questioned some of her actions in this book, but overall she is a strong female character who I both wanted to bow down to, and also protect at all costs.

But it's the ending that was my favourite part of this book; that bombshell of an ending that was so unpredictable that, when I read all that went on during the last 5% of this novel, my jaw dropped, and it stayed dropped. It was SO shocking, and it COMPLETELY BLEW MY MIND, and even though I didn't love this book like I hoped I would, I am now highly anticipating for Dirty Sexy Games - the conclusion to this duology - to come, because I NEED to see how it is Weston and Elizabeth will conquer the fifty foot hurdle that was placed in front of them, because what a fifty foot hurdle that was.

So as I'm sure you can tell by my all-over-the-place review, I'm mainly sixty-forty about this book; on the one hand I liked it and I very much enjoyed the story, but on the other hand, it was predictable to me, and there just wasn't anything truly special about this story that had me wanting to stay up all night, and drowning out the outside world so I could get myself lost in this one, which is why overall, I'm rating this novel 3.5 Stars. Sure, this book could've been worse. But at the same time, to me, it also could've been better.

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I didn’t know

Revisado: 03-24-21

this was a true paranormal story! If the narrator hadn’t been so awful; I may have enjoyed it. It’s too bad as I love a good scare!

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Will the “REAL TIJAN

Revisado: 12-31-20

please “STAND UP?”

Characterization was awful! Way too many characters and no depth to any!

Only Andi is the reason I kept listening. Jason Clarke was the WRONG pick for THIS audio.

Tijan’s reasoning for not telling us what Cheyenne suffers from, panic attacks, borderline personality, bipolar disorder, histrionic disorder, Peter Pan Syndrome or a schizo-affective disorder made her unbearable!! I spent the entire audio trying to figure out what she suffered from so that I could empathize with her.

In the acknowledgments, Tijan writes that she didn’t want to label Cheyenne, that Cheyenne was just, Cheyenne. That’s pure BS! Not knowing what was going on in her head and what medication she was taking her took away from how awesome the story could have been.

Sorry Tijan, this was not a hit; it was mess!

P.S. Could you please branch out narrator wise? I will never listen to Jillian Macie or Terese Plummer EVER again so I returned them. Andi’s my number one, Maxine Mitchell, Emily Woo Zeller, Angela Dawe, Sonja Field, Jessica Almasy, Jill Redfield and Amanda Ronconi! Top chicks & they don’t need male counterparts, they all can do many different voices, accents and male characters as well!

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