MaryLou Hoffman

SECRETS REVEALED

Revisado: 10-03-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

WISTERIA WEDDING is the fourteenth book in the Wisteria Witches series. You will definitely want to read the previous books to best understand all of the characters.

Narration: Tiffany Williams once again gives a superb performance of old characters and new. She is the best narrator in this universe or the alternate one!

One of my favorite new characters is T.O.A.D.E. (The Oracle at Dragon’s End). He’s no nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is, a little grumpy-old-man, and yet entirely loveable and human…. Err toad. Even though he’s in the parallel universe, I hope we get to see him again!

This story actually starts out dark. When a wedding becomes a wake, you know it can’t be good. That is only one of the surprises in this story. There is a baby on the way; death is not forever when djinn are involved; and then there is the ending. I won’t give anything away, but don’t miss this ending! A new beginning!

Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: WISTERIA WEDDING
Series: Wisteria Witches # 13
Category /Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Recommended for: 14+ due to situations
Listenability: OK for all ears
Received from: Angela Pepper (as an Audible gifted copy)

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

PSYCHOLOGICALLY THRILLING

Revisado: 10-01-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

HER SISTER’S FRIENDS is the second book in the Domestic Thrillers series. This can be read as a stand-alone psychological thriller. I only wish I had read the first book because I loved this one so much.

Mysteries tend to be either cozy (cute) or gory. This is neither. It’s hellishly realistic without the blood and guts of super-realism.

I loved this story. Going back and forth in time, but at the right times to keep the story moving forward. Filling in the blanks in Evie’s mind a little at a time, her questioning nature pushes to solve the mystery of why she feels she has previously been to a house that she bought to flip for her boss.

The relationships between the characters were what was really real. Sibling rivalry, hero worship (Evie idolized her sister’s friends when she was 11), and the disappointment of finding that the adults in your life were flawed when you were a child. We all seem to find that out when we become the failing adults!

This new penname for Angie Pepper / Angela Pepper is for her darker musings. I say, “muse away!” This was fabulous.

Narrator: Tiffany Williams is always wonderful as a narrator and did a beautiful job of creating unique voices for each character (though Zoe Riddle’s voice was in there as a new character – I guess that can’t be helped.)


Title: HER SISTER’S FRIENDS
Series: N/A
Category/Genre: Psychological Thriller, Satire
Recommended for: 18 +
Received from: Angie Pepper (as an Audible gift)

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

CHRISTMAS IN WISTERIA

Revisado: 10-01-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

CRITTER CALAMITY is the thirteenth book in the Wisteria Witches series. This is a paranormal mystery short story with magic and supernatural creatures in a quaint small town.

This is a perfect Christmas gift to those of us who are long-time readers of the Wisteria Witches series. However, it can also be a great introduction for new readers – just know that you will have spoilers before you go back and read the previous hijinks.

Of the critters that inhabit Zara’s home, my favorite has to be Boa (the cat). Now, every time I want to make lunch, I find myself imitating Tiffany William’s voice as Boa. “Haaam.”

I love the Wisteria Witches series. This story is no exception – plenty of snark, family, sweetness, funny, and a dose of mystery in a clean read. This time we get to enjoy a bit of Christmas.

Narration: Tiffany Williams is always wonderful, and she is THE voice for these beloved characters.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: CRITTER CALAMITY
Series: Wisteria Witches #12.5
Category /Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Recommended for: 14+ due to vocabulary
Listenability: OK for all ears
Received from: Angela Pepper (as an Audible gifted copy)

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A NEW ROMANCE ON THE BLOCK

Revisado: 05-24-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

ROMANCING THE FLOWER SHOP GIRL is the first book in the Baker Street Neighborhood Romances series. I expect that each story will stand on its own in this series.

This was a lovely sweet romance between a bad boy (motorcyclist) and a good girl (flower shop girl). The characters are interesting, fun, quirky, and very likeable.

Great conversations, easy and fun banter, and a few laugh-out-loud moments. I loved listening to this story and look forward to more of the series.

Narration: Tiffany Williams has always voiced the Wisteria Witches series and it was fun to hear her doing a different set of characters…. And just as well! I love Tiffany Williams as a narrator.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: ROMANCING THE FLOWER SHOP GIRL
Series: Baker Street Neighborhood Romances #1
Category /Genre: Romantic Comedy
Recommended for: 16+
Listenability: OK for ears
Received from: Angela Pepper (as an Audible gifted copy)

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

QUIRKY & FUN COZY MYSTERY

Revisado: 09-14-21

BROOMSTICKS AND BOARD GAMES is the first book in the Spooky Games Club Mystery series.

This story is fun and the new world that has been built for these characters is NOT a carbon-copy of every other paranormal cozy-mystery. The world-building is done at a slow, even pace so that there was no over-whelming “info dump.”

I love that Dahlia and the citizens of Luna Lane have formed a sort of family. They know about her curse (She must perform one good deed every day or she will slowly turn to stone. Plus she is not allowed to leave the town limits.), and do what they can to assist her in meeting the demands without demeaning her. Rather, they have embraced her, and all seem truly concerned about her. She cares about them in return.

I loved this quirky world and the unique relationships that are held by these characters. The cozy mystery is perfectly paced, fun, with just a touch of spooky/scary. I loved the dashes of humor, hint of romance, and great twists and turns leading to the ending.

Narration: Danielle Daly is a new-to-me voice talent, and she has it down pat! Great enunciation and beautiful “theater of the mind” expression. The sound quality of the recording starts out a little hollow, but clears up by the end of the second chapter.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy via Audio BookBoom, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: BROOMSTICKS AND BOARD GAMES
Series: Spooky Games Club Mystery #1
Category /Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Recommended for: 14
Listenability: OK for ears
Received from: Amy McNulty (as an Audible gifted copy)

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

GHOSTLY DELIGHTFUL

Revisado: 08-14-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

FINDERS REAPERS is the fourth book in the New Orleans Nocturnes series. Though each book in this series will stand on its own, I highly, highly, highly recommend reading them all and in the order of release. You do not want to miss this fun visit to Paranormal New Orleans. This is a lot more than ghost stories about Marie Laveau. Me, personally, I squeal when there is a new Carrie Pulkinen story available.

Fun, funny, witty, angsty, passion, and lots of ghosts – this story is an absolute delight. The series just keeps getting better. Romantic comedy at its best! There is plenty of interaction with old friends, but still stands on its own.

Narration: Hollie Jackson could read the phone book and I would listen. She is flawless in presenting this story.

Title: FINDERS REAPERS
Series: New Orleans Nocturnes #5
Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content.
Listenability: NSFW
Received from: Carrie Pulkinen

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

ENCHANTINGLY ENTERTAINING

Revisado: 08-06-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

WINTER IN WISTERIA is the twelfth book in the Wisteria Witches series. I recommend reading the full series and in the order of release.

Zara and Persephone are becoming closer as sisters. It’s odd to think of meeting a sister as you’re both adults. What would that be like? Odd to be sure. You don’t have the family memories to fall back on. Instead, they are building new history that will be their memories in the future. The events of this book – will definitely be brought up – siblings don’t let a chance to torment end (mwahaha). I love this family that teases, loves, harasses and will always defend one another.

As always, I love my moments listening to my friends from Wisteria. This book is no different – entertaining, funny, a ghost, and a mystery to be solved. I recommend not only this book, but the whole series.

Narration: Once again Tiffany Williams brings our many favored characters to life with no loss of individuality. Only she could be the voice for the Wisteria Witches and friends.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: WINTER IN WISTERIA
Series: Wisteria Witches # 12
Category /Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Recommended for: 14+
Listenability: OK or NSFW
Received from: Angela Pepper (as an Audible gifted copy)

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS PARANORMAL ROMANCE

Revisado: 01-23-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

LICENSE TO BITE is the first book in the New Orleans Nocturnes series. Though each romance will stand on its own, for better enjoyment you will want to read this series in the order of release.

This book is hilarious! Not just funny, but split your gut and spit out your soda. It is creative, fun, entertaining, and has a great touch of steamy romance.

The chemistry between Ethan and Jane is slapstick funny and then truly, deeply, romantic. Jane starts out as an absolute spoiled brat diva – she is the daughter of the governor of Texas after all, but she has an immortal life now to grow up (and to better tolerate the blood she now needs to live).

The characters are all well written, especially Sophie and I am looking forward to her finding her werewolf in the next story, SHIFT HAPPENS.

Narration: My husband teaches voice talent, and I shared a bit of this book with him tonight. He agrees with me. Hollie Jackson is wonderful. She has an amazing soft southern voice and keeps the different characters individualized without a miss. I'll be looking for more books with her as the narrator.

Note: While I received this as a gifted copy from the author, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: LICENSE TO BITE
Series: New Orleans Nocturnes #1
Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance
Recommended for: 18+
Listenability: NSFW
Received from: Carrie Pulkinen

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

A CROSS OF CINDERELLA & THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER

Revisado: 11-23-20

THE DUKE’S BRIDE IN DISGUISE is the first book in the Fairfax Twins series. The storylines for books one and two are played simultaneously, so can be read in either order.

A cross between Cinderella and the Prince and the Pauper, this is a sweet romance of twins who have been separated at birth and reunited by chance. I really enjoyed it.

While I had to suspend belief in a lot of aspects, this is fiction and I accept that for the feel-goods. I already have the second audiobook in this series and will start listening right away.

Narration: Duke Defoix, Duchess DeFoix are fun to listen as they play the Regency character voices.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy via Audiobooks Unleashed, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: THE DUKE’S BRIDE IN DISGUISE
Series: Fairfax Twins #1
Category /Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended for: 16+
Listenability: OK for ears
Received from: Claudia Stone (as an Audible gifted copy)

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A STRONGLY WOVEN BRAID

Revisado: 10-05-20

WISTERIA WOVEN is the eleventh book in the Wisteria Witches series and the fourth in the Daybreak sub-arc.

Zany, wacky, good-clean-fun in a world that is crazy. This is the series that I turn to when I just need a little something silly.

On the other hand, we finally find out why Zinnia has always had an aura of sadness around her and why Margaret is so protective of her. The twined plots of Zinnia’s past and Zara’s present are brought together in a braid that gets tighter and tighter, until you see that they do meet. Two paths become one… two branches rejoining to become something stronger.

Archer really stepped up to the plate in this story and Bentley was MIA for most of the book. Kind of hard to be a boyfriend when you’re not there. Rude to make demands for attention when you’re not there, too. That’s my only censure on the story.

As long as there are witches in Wisteria, I will be here to listen.

Narration: Only Tiffany Williams could be the voice for the Wisteria Witches. Again she brings our many favored characters to life with no loss of individuality.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Title: WISTERIA WOVEN
Series: Wisteria Witches # 11
Category /Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Recommended for: 14+ due to vocabulary
Listenability: OK for ears
Received from: Angela Pepper (as an Audible gifted copy)

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona