Carol Hajek

Sweet Romance!

Revisado: 06-04-19

I truly loved this book, a refreshing, sweet romance of Kelly and Andrew, young, in love, both and sharing a passion for making recipes from scratch. The two were working as a waitress and short-order cook in Kelly's parents small town cafe. Life events and long distant opportunities interfered with the young couple's plans for marriage.
After seven years of being apart, Andrew, now a successful pastry chef, returns to visit his hometown. Kelly now is successful also, and owns her own bakery and cake factory. Old feelings, regrets, and hurts return for both when they once again meet. A series of tense and funny events including a potbelly pet pig, and invitation to enter a TV cook off competition, eventually lead to a sweet, wonderful ending for both Kelly and Andrew.

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The Perfect Dress, The Perfect Love Story!

Revisado: 05-08-19

I loved this sweet romantic story so much! Delightful, entertaining, and sprinkled with many funny moments, this book is such a pleasant listen.
Mitzi, Jody, and Paula, three southern women, co-own a plus sized wedding shop in a small Texas town. The women, best friends, always rely on one another for advice and emotional support as they maneuver through the ups and downs of their relationships. Rekindled high school crushes, a significant other cheating in a long term relationship, and unplanned pregnancy, a set of twins, a conniving ex-wife, a spirited loving grandmother, all add to much unexpected drama and amusing times. The book is very well written, and the narrator does an exception job at all the different southern accents, and expressing all the emotional feelings of all involved in this very enjoyable love story.

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Delightful Fantasy

Revisado: 02-03-18

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

While this book was written for older children and teens, as an older person wanting a change of pace, I found this audiobook to be fun, interesting, and a delightful listen. It was a sweet, amusing fantasy that involved hilarious situations and adventures that kept my interest.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Princess Imposter?

The most memorable moments to me was how both the fairy and the princess adapted to their strange new lifestyles. The princess responding with continued grace and manners as she dealt with quarrelsome, unruly siblings and household. The fairly, adjusting to her unfamiliar luxurious lifestyle as a refined beautiful princess with all the challenging situations of princess life she attempts to maneuver, which puts the whole castle into an uproar.

What about Karissa Vacker’s performance did you like?

The narrator does a great presentation of the various expressions and voices of all the characters involved, which there are many. Her smooth, silky, melodic voice is perfect for the persuasive dialect when she was dealing with the difficult fairies, as well as manner of speaking expected of a fine princess. Ms Vacker's voice is very soothing, even when she does stern, forceful voices of the difficult angry characters. She continues to be one of my favorite narrators.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This was a very enjoyable, light, funny, interesting story of a sweet fantasy. It did make me laugh.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book for older children, teens, as well as for adults, who want to read something different. It is a quick listen that takes you on an exciting, enjoyable, fun adventure.

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Beautiful Christmas Story!

Revisado: 12-13-17

I loved this sweet story of two lonely, unhappy people, both with painful pasts, unexpectedly finding joy and happiness. From the first meeting, under difficult, yet somewhat humorous circumstances, two individuals from completely different lives styles find themselves drawn to each other. Eventually, being together, they find the wonderful fulfilling life neither one thought they would ever have. Karissa Vacker’s narration was extremely well done as she brings the story to life. I loved her delivery of the story, with her beautiful English accent and tone. I highly recommend this enjoyable Christmas romance.

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Amazing, Heart Lifting Stories

Revisado: 08-25-17

I loved this book! Four compelling stories of four teenagers leading separate, yet intertwined lives. The story is beautifully written with emotion, dedication, acceptance, loyalty, excitement and selfless love of each character in different ways blending all together in the final chapter of the book. All the narrators are truly amazing in their unique characterization of the character they are portraying. The author and narrators are outstanding. This a very enjoyable, captivating audiobook, and I highly recommend it.

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Second Story is the Best

Revisado: 08-22-17

What did you love best about The Moores Are Missing?

I enjoyed reading the Moores Are Missing, but I really did like the second story the best,The Housewife. I did not read much of the third story, Absolute Zero as it did not hold my interest. The first story was okay, but a bit boring. The Housewife had much more substance, intensity, and a definite twists and turns. The third story was difficult to follow, and not to my liking.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the way the narrator, Karissa Vacker, presented the story. Her use of pitch, voice control, pace and tone brought the story to life. I felt I was really engaged in the mystery of the story. The other two stories had a male narrator. I am not familiar with his work, but I think he did fine.

Have you listened to any of Karissa Vacker’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, and I have enjoyed very much each one I have listened to. Each book I have listened to is unique in its own way, where Ms Vacker has to present complex personalities of the various characters involved. She uses her controlled, compelling voice to draw the listener into the story. In this James Patterson mystery, Ms Vacker's character is a former chief detective now turned housewife, living a quiet life with her cop husband and baby twins in the suburbs. When a murder occurs in her neighborhood, the narrator masterfully uses her voice to pull the listener into the suspense and her investigative skills once again, to discover the murderer.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, the book is suspenseful, and the narrator expresses heartfelt emotions in the story , so the listener can sense and feel that emotion as well, everything from anger to tears.

Any additional comments?

I think James Patterson is a great writer, and did enjoy the first two stories. I hope to listen to more of his books soon.

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Did Not Want This Story To End!

Revisado: 08-10-17

I really loved this book, and found it hard to stop listening. The story is about love, loss, hope, and second chances. Karissa Vacker's narrative of the story is outstanding, bringing depth and true emotion to all the characters involved. The delivery is very enjoyable, sprinkled with fun, tears, fear of loving deeply again, and learning to trust once again. Vacker's delivery is captivating and makes the story come alive. I think this is a book for all ages to enjoy. Sarah Dessen's book, Once and For All, is wonderful!

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Exciting Fantasy Story!

Revisado: 05-30-17

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would definitely recommend this book, as it was recommended to me. Although the book was meant for younger readers, I think it is a very intriguing read or audiobook listen for all ages.

What did you like best about this story?

The story of Wren and her friend Alex, both 12 years of age, started off slowly, but in no time took off in a whirlwind of of twists and turns. Circumstances of being separated from parents and having to fend for themselves, quickly becomes a story of survival, dependency on one another, trust, and loyalty for these two friends when they encounter another dimension, that of the afterlife.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when Wren and Alex, defying all odds, muster the strength and determination to find Wren's deceased mother, who they bring back to life for a while, and Wren receives the information she desperately needs to know.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Actually, both. The plot was always so intriguing, wanting the reader/listener to find out more. It really brought out an array of emotions. The book was so well written with such fascinating depth, making the unreal almost seem real.

Any additional comments?

I so think the narrator deserves a lot of credit for her delivery of this suspenseful, all enveloping, thought challenging fantasy. Ms Vacker truly made the story come to life with the various emotions and voices of the characters involved. Her voice was so pleasant, and flowed as she interpreted the story, made it so easy to imagine the plot as it unfolded. I also loved the beautiful song at the end of the book. The young lady had a beautiful voice, and the song was the perfect ending to this fantasy adventure.

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Intriguing Book!

Revisado: 05-09-17

I would usually not read a book like this, but it came recommended to me, so I wanted to give it a try. I was immediately pulled into this fascinating story after listening to only a few pages. Five 10 year old girls venture out for an afternoon of play at the school grounds when a murder of one of the girls occurs. So many twists and turns to this intriguing plot, which deeply affects the remaining four girl's lives for the next fifteen years. The story is very well written. The narrator really brings the story to life. Her narrative of each character's journey in coping with this unsolved murder is compelling.

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Golden Years Delight

Revisado: 01-26-16

What did you love best about The Golden Years Ain't for Wimps?

Funny, enjoyable to listen to, and brought to light how a sense of humor helps in the aging process.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Golden Years Ain't for Wimps?

Relating to memory lapse incidents and how to laugh at oneself.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved how the Bible verses followed each story, and how the Lord is so merciful to us, especially as we age.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Two.

Any additional comments?

Fun, and enjoyable.

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