Maria

World Building- many details

Revisado: 04-12-25

This is the first volume in the Licanus Trilogy. As another reader noted, there are many, many names and new places.
The concept of magic based on con, essence and time travel are familiar, but everything else is not. There are so many details that it can be difficult to follow. I re-listened to parts.
Michael Kramer’s performance is stellar and helpful in drawing in the listener.
The characters are many, some with more than one name. I am now vested in finding out what happens to them.
There is violence and a cliffhanger ending, so be prepared.
I think I will have to re-listen to the whole series again to better understand all the details; probably get the books from the library and read along too.
If you like new sci-fy worlds with some magic and mid evil mentality, this is for you.

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A Roller Coaster of Emotions

Revisado: 03-04-25

This 11th volume brings almost all the characters together in an emotional roller coaster of action, intrigue and of course, romance. The focus is on cousin Cormac and his involvement as a lawyer with a human trafficking and drugs case involving a young Ukrainian woman and her 3 year old brother. Cormac works closely with Charlie and Taig as they try to find and keep these refugees safe in Ireland.
Cormac also meets Catarina Reynaldo, sister of the famed doctor who works with Liam and Izzy in Brazil. Theirs is the romance that blooms in the face of the tragedy around them, and other O’Brien family struggles.
Warning- the story ends rather abruptly with a cliff hanger regarding Cora, Collin and Finn.
I hope there will be many more stories!

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A Lighthouse with 2 stories

Revisado: 02-06-25

This is Josh O’Brien’s tale of fortitude, resilience, and true love for his mate Madeline, as they fight to make a home and establish Josh’s place in Ireland. Set at an old lighthouse in County Kerry, Josh and Madeline must deal with those who want him gone, and they don’t care what damage they cause towards that goal. Of course, in keeping with her writing style, we continue to interact with the O’Brien clan, as they each do their part to help Josh and Charlie.
As an added bonus, this is 2 stories in one. The lighthouse is haunted by spirits of a light keeper and his family from 1845, during the potato famine. It is a poignant love story with similarities to Josh’s past and current life situations.

Additionally, there is a novella at the end that delves into the love connection between Doc Seamus and Barkeep Jennie.

Both the main story and the novella are beautifully written by Stacey and masterfully performed by Amanda. I could happily live in their world, and I do hope Stacey has more stories of this wonderful family in her to share.

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Sean and Maureen’s Story

Revisado: 01-29-25

Although the books in this series are formulaic, Ms. Reynolds does not disappoint. She always intertwines mystery and adventure into her romance, with a dose of reality and excellent imagery. Her descriptions remind me of the Kilts and Quilts series, also set in a coastal area of Ireland. I really want to visit!

In this story, Sean and Maureen (Mo) are adults, trying to find their way back to each other after the 7 years they spent apart, as they were growing up. Both have experienced traumatic events, both love horses, and they love each other…but they have to figure out how to share their pain in order to be together.
The ending is a cliff hanger involving Josh. Will he be able to stay in Ireland with his new and true family?

There are now 12 books in this series, (as of 12/2024) and I will definitely keep listening to them all. The narrator is amazing and engrosses the listener with her Irish lilt, American accents, and excellent character voices. I hope more books will be written in this series and read by this narrator!

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The Starfall Coven Grows and Wins!

Revisado: 01-26-25

This is the 3rd book of the series, focusing on Alice’s life and contribution to the coven. The 3 main witches add 2 more members to their coven, as well as another helper. The action is enticing and moves at a quick pace. These are great stories to lose yourself in if you like magic, love, adventure and romance mixed together on an island in the cold northern US.
I am sad this trilogy is over, but another related trilogy is supposed to be on the way. Hopefully, we’ll hear more from these ladies in future stories.

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A Story of the Power of Faith in the Face of Evil

Revisado: 01-26-25

The Bon Ten family were truly God’s angels in Denmark during the Nazi invasion. Their courage and strength of faith is awe inspiring. All of the Dutch resistance were very brave and selfless in their efforts to hide and save Jewish people. The descriptions in this story are vivid and help the reader understand all the emotions the people felt. No one should have to live with such terror! I commend our heroine, Corrie, but I don’t think I would have been as forgiving of those who punished her and her family. The narrator is excellent, and enhances the action and emotional roller coaster in the story. I wish these stories would end the hatred and suffering in this world, but somehow they still continue to haunt our world.

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The Holiday Spirit Heals the Souls

Revisado: 01-26-25

This story starts slowly. It took a bit for me to feel invested in the characters. The main female character, Carmin, is a bit whiny and self-absorbed at the beginning, but I suppose that was necessary in order for her to grow in the story, which she does. Carmin is a talented salesperson, whose skills help revive an old and unusual bookshop in Edinburgh, Scotland. Carmin learns how to be a better sister, aunt, friend and community member. The story does have a few unexpected twists, and feels a bit choppy at times, but I did enjoy it overall. The narration is excellent, and really adds to the personality of the story.

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A Bit of “Sleepless in Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail” with a holiday craft flair

Revisado: 12-31-24

Book 2 in Mistletoe, Idaho introduces us to Merry Winters attempts to move home and reacquaint herself with her family and their tree farm, which she hopes to run when her dad retires. However, her Dad hires Clark to help him run things, and Merry is a bit put out….until she gets to know Clark, and his son Jace better.
They meet “accidentally” on line, and then in person. Mistakes are made, and lessons are learned. I liked that we are able to ride the full journey with them and learn more about the Winters family along the way.
Will definitely keep listening to the rest of the series, and hope there will be more about this town and these people.
(Warning: some steamy scenes are described)

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Feel Good Rom Com with a holiday setting

Revisado: 12-31-24

This book has been waiting in my downloads for over a year. I chose to listen to break up the O’Brian series of adventure and rather steamy romance, by Stacey Reynolds. I recommend that series as well as this one.
This is the first of 3 books that introduces us to Mistletoe, Idaho, a small town with a big heart. At its center seems to be the Winters Family and their tree farm. Nick is the only son, with 2 sisters. Noel is a life-long family friend who is also more like an unofficial adopted sister. Apparently they have grown up together, and had a crush on each other in high school, but Nick went away for college and joined the military. Now that he is home, sparks are reignited and …. You’ll have to read/listen to find out more. There are some steamy scenes in this story as well. The playlist as a reference is an interesting writing technique, if you are familiar with the songs.
This story continues in the background of the next book as well.
There are 3 more books after this that continue the story of Mistletoe residents as well. I hope there will be more.

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Makes you want to go to the Amalfi Coast

Revisado: 12-30-24

The main characters are wonderful. The narrator is amazing and really makes her writing come to life! I have to find the book in print to see if recipes are given.
The story is well written, but so unnecessarily sad, due to the ridiculous conventions of society in not accepting a child out of wedlock. If you can get past that aspect, it is a beautiful story of love and sacrifice and makes the Amalfi Coast area of Positano come to life.
I will listen to her 2nd book as well.

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