Charla White

Exciting, Fun, and Scary

Revisado: 10-19-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Lucio and his sister Paola attempt to recover a prized possession stolen from their home but instead they wind up in the forbidden forest, home of the dead witch and somehow steal her blue magical fingernails. The journey of Lucio and Paola, facing off against the witch and her minions is captivating and breathtaking. Who will keep the magical nails?

Shannon Shim, the author, crafts a delightful tale featuring a mythical witch and the adventures of a boy and his sister trying to rescue a bottle of wine made by their vintner father. Her skillful weaving of the story captures the emotions and thoughts of children at that age trying to right a wrong.

The narrator, LB Neibaur is a pleasure to hear! Loved her versatile voice which helped me keep the characters straight as well as kept the magic of the story fresh and present!

We have story time each evening at my house, so I listened to this book with my children (8 and 10) and they loved it as much as I did!

Sounded great, no issues at all!

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Intriguing Steampunk and Adventure!

Revisado: 01-19-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

The Grand Marshal of the Imperium is searching for a woman with powerful magic that he intends to possess by any means. Kaimo is a miner and struggling to be an ophthalmologist but is content to be an optometrist for now. Their world is faced with survival or ending. It all depends on Kaimo’s actions.

Paul Centeno creates a world and storyline that is tightly crafted painting vivid images with words. I enjoyed his plot of a world surviving or simply ending and the choices we make. The steampunk piece adds to the adventure of the story and makes the world even more vivid. I followed the story easily and enjoyed the plot line of nature decaying.

Rob Jones UK did a great job of performing the book. I enjoyed his voices and found them to be intriguing; his delivery was smooth, yet emotion filled at times. He seemed to capture the essence of each character very well.

Unlike other reviewers, I found the music to be fascinating. It fit the story perfectly! It was almost like the two were blended naturally into one another to reflect the story and emotion of the characters. It was well done – not too loud, not too soft. I’m not sure the book would be as good without the music!

I highly recommend this book – can’t go wrong! There were no issues with the sound, quality or production of this audiobook.

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Family Survival

Revisado: 07-20-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Author and father, Kirk Spencer relates a heart-wrenching event he survived 35 years ago. Kirk and his wife had a beautiful daughter, a third child. She spent four months in this world and with this family. A short time most of it spent in a children’s hospital without the medical technology and advancements available today.

Mr. Spencer details everything he recalls from the constant snow, the noise of machines, the balance of their other two children, newfound faith, and an unbelievable reality. He laments more than once regret in not capturing the events in more detail when they occurred.

Lindsay Renee Spencer arrived on December 12, 1981, in Columbus, Ohio. Lynn, her mother, had a fast labor and rapid recovery. They awaited the children’s doctor to release their daughter.

This excerpt cemented the path of the journey of this loving family. The visit from their pediatrician changed their lives forever. Mr. Spencer shares so many details from this point in the memoir forward.

Dr. Mac answered with a voice that seemed comforting, “You can take Lindsay out of the hospital today, but…” That little word would become the biggest little word I would ever hear in my entire life. A quick glance toward Lynn told me she shared the same look of confusion. That look of confusion changed to concern when the doctor added, “I would like you to take her to Columbus Children’s Hospital for some tests before you take her home.”

Mr. Spencer and his wife lived scary perceptions and unplanned insights while Lindsey was cared for in the hospital. In many ways, interactions with the medical team assigned to Lindsay for tests, results, timeframes, and treatments were surrealistic for Kirk and Lynn. They appreciated the care from the hospital staff.

When they learned Lindsay’s diagnosis, a pastor entered their world. He would remain connected to the family, bringing hope and faith to the couple. The pastor’s extended church family gave the Spencer family quiet support from the wings through this challenging time.

The narration provided by William Sipes was perfect, flawless, and felt like Kirk Spencer. There were no issues with the quality of the audiobook format.

This memoir is not a handbook for how others might move beyond this desperately sad loss. Regardless of their age, the memories of a family member last forever. The book illustrates the ability of humans to survive often with the support system that comes from faith, family, friends, and love. I recommend this for those who want to learn about family survival and the love that endures.

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Frightening Destruction

Revisado: 03-23-22

Author Neil Davies builds a view of the world in a future destroyed by an unstoppable glacier. The power of Mother Nature to take over mankind’s creations and obliterate them with ice is terrifying. Survivors who remain in the icy city face unbelievable challenges that push them to death's door. Some enter without a prayer. Some lose trust in all others.
The onslaught of the flowing ice from the obliterated Scotland to England abruptly changes living conditions, unless one can escape. The author does a great job of building tension and terror with the sights, sounds, and condition-driven experience. When the sounds of the ice roar there is only one choice for our main characters. When Norman loses the hand of his wife and partner Chrissy all hope seems to go with her. Norman is pushed south and sustains serious injuries. He is forced to shore near an encampment of other survivors.

Horrifying threats of Norsement, wolves, and trolls kill the inadequately armed humans, forcing Norman to continue his journey and finding the will for survival. The obstacles Norman faces from the environmental conditions could break anyone. Many times, I felt the sensations experienced by the Norman. His survival depends on his changing his perspectives on the possibilities.

The narrator, Kevin E. Green, delivered this story interjecting some emotion. The accents were perfect. I felt it dragged in places and sounded raspy in areas that I found distracting. The overall quality was acceptable.

This is a powerful story for those who enjoy dystopian worlds that allude to hell on earth. The world-building and growth of the character is a fascinating story of endurance and faith in others.

The author, narrator, publisher provided a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

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A Winner!

Revisado: 02-01-22

Author Jim Flynn writes a fabulous story about the life and times of Jimmy Sizemore. Jimmy tells the no holes barred, tongue-in-cheek story of his life filled with accomplishments and how they built upon one another. He is open about his wealth and the doors it can open including educational achievement as an astrophysicist.
Each of the vignettes, as he takes you on his life’s journey, are filled with history, insights, commentary, humor, and reasons for everyone to try to make the most of their life. Jim Flynn builds a believable and enviable man who accomplished his life goalsdespite his parents and oddly different brother.
Jimmy tells his story and sets the reader/listener up early for his fictional memoir contents and then you simply cannot stop. Perhaps it’s my age and familiarity with space travel, The Eagles, Joe Paterno, and The Masters Golf Tournament that kept me listening, but this is one character I want to invite to dinner, perhaps when Ben Franklin can join too. This following segment is a masterfully written reader grabber. Spoken by the delightful voice actor Gary Williams-the story is realistically fictional.
“If I were going to have a gravestone a fitting epitaph would be “They had to pick somebody.” I have been chosen to or qualified for many wonderful things. Like to be an astronaut, play in the Super Bowl, compete in the Hawaii Ironman. Oh Yeah and become an Astrophysicist. Play in the Masters. I had a small role in advising The Eagles with some lyrics. Some other things.

Only some of these things were random. I chose as a kid to accomplish big things. I didn’t have a specific list, I just looked for things to accomplish that was out of the ordinary. It was easier for me because I didn’t have to worry about little things, like making a living. Ordinary people get nervous around really rich, famous, or powerful people. Not me.”

The matter-of-fact rendition is hysterical and often includes LIFE TIPs along the way. These little takeaways are fun and contain great content, whether you can prove it or not. I truly buy into his LIFE TIP on being a good tipper. It is an investment if you frequent a place often. Being nice to the staff doesn’t hurt either. This is a story you can listen to and laugh at, suck in your breath in awe, and pause for a moment to check if you heard it right before LOFL. Life Lesson – In this case that translates into Laughing Out Freaking Loud

This is my first book by Jim Flynn, but it won’t be the last. It is easy reading or listening as well as captivating. Out of the park, or should I say Hole in one, sincerity. The quality of the audio was fantastic, and Gary Williams inserted the feeling, pauses, and emphasis in perfect alignment with Jimmy. I wouldn’t change a thing. A Winner.

Due to the high entertaining quality of this book and its well deserved higher than a 5-star rating, it was awarded the AudioBook Reviewer's Choice Award!

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook. It was clear and crisp.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

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Awesome world building

Revisado: 11-25-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Author Lexington Howe does some awesome world-building filled with magic and fantastic technology designed to impact mankind.
London in the 1900s is before child labor standards were supported. Young children working in both mines and factories were treated to long hours, wretched pay, and dangerous conditions. The descriptions are vivid and hit all the senses. Rumae creatures are terrifying, with only fragments of humanity.
Oliver is portrayed as a young boy who has struggled with living during these times. He is an unlikely hero who wants to survive and thrive. Oliver has an innocence making him an endearing character, even with interactions designed to erode his humanity. I related to Oliver early in the story with this area where the narration completely engulfed me. Oliver’s uncle was a neglectful drunk with a mean streak.
“He hadn’t been in London long. Prior to his living here he had been living in an orphanage just outside the city of London, north of the river Thames. A sad smile jolted his features. In a way, he missed it. It had to have been better than his current condition.
Oliver had previously had four siblings, all much older than him. Two had gone off to war-the eldest had died, leaving his twenty-two-year-old brother Marx to fend for himself. He had been refused the living conditions from his aunt’s husband, at the account of “he’s old enough, he needs to live on his own” response from his uncle…”
Alexander Doddy uses realistic accents for the characters with precision delivery to highlight the terror of the situation. The pace is consistent with no technical issues impacting the audio delivery. This is a captivating listen and story that will make you a fan of this author. I look forward to book 2.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

Disclaimer: This audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

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Intriguing Story

Revisado: 10-19-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Author Stacy Eaton creates an intriguing story of the impact of a complex auto accident on the life of the investigating Detective Natasha Foster. Natasha Foster is portrayed early on as fearless, accomplished, and intelligent. Her place in the department is earned by her work ethic and tenacity, excluding her emotional side.

The only survivor, and driver, of a car that careened off the road into a gully, has amnesia. As Natasha calls him, Jay strikes a chord of strength and ignites her imagination during the investigation. She wants the truth, but the gun in his possession, a sack of money in the back seat, an unidentified woman passenger, and body in the trunk need an explanation.

Only the barest of clues are present for the investigation. Natasha believes that determining who did what, to whom, when, and where are trapped in Jay’s mind. Is he faking his memory loss? No identification is available for any of the players in the vehicle. Who is missing money? You’d think someone would have missed half a million dollars. All the clues turn up as dead ends.

Jay, even missing his memory, is solid and vital ready to recover. Struggling for the key to opening his past causes pain and discomfort. He wants the truth, even if it means jail. He has no money, no home, and no one to help him. His attraction to Natasha finds the perfect setting when she offers him a room in her home to recover. Natasha walks a line between needing to solve the case and needing to explore her attraction.

Author Eaton accentuates Natasha’s ability to take care of herself in any situation where she can work from logic and facts rather than her heart. Jay balances his growing attraction to this beautiful, energetic, capable detective against his unknown commitments of a life or family.

Narrator Rebecca Ehrenpreis did not help tell this story in a compelling or exciting manner. I found her voice often dull and monotone rather than engaging for this type of suspense fiction. Her character voices were inconsistent, and the pace was out of sync with this remarkable story. Technically there is nothing wrong with the quality of the recording.

I recommend this story and the writing of this talented author, Stacy Eaton, for those who enjoy a complex romance with delightfully intertwined situations and scenes. This romantic suspense with grab you with action and strong characters. I look forward to enjoying other stories by this author.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

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Thrills and Suspense

Revisado: 09-14-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Soul Search is a good story of thrills and suspense in book 1 of the series. Author Reyna Favis creates a creative world with a believable foundation. Reyna pairs the amazing Zackie, a dog who detects spirits lingering amid the living, with a strong character in Fia, who doesn’t fully comprehend her ability to sense the dead. There are surprises at every turn from both living and dead.

Fia and Cam, Zackie’s handler, do not initially like one another. Together this threesome works to search and rescue living people, yet they keep encountering souls who need a different kind of saving. As the story progresses, Cam provides Fia an understanding of her connections to the unliving beings.

The character development is spot on, as is the intermixing of the separate vignettes that allow Fia to understand her powers. Fia is a young girl who left her adoptive parents when they tried to reconcile her behavior with medications. Fia works to earn her way and give back to her community, making her an endearing character. The journey of Fia as she matures and learns to trust is helped by working with Cam and Zackie. Trust is a difficult concept for Fia to accept.

This fast-moving story contains realistic elements and history, making this believable. The mixture of life lessons is skillfully woven throughout the story, making it thought-provoking long after it ends. It is enjoyable suspense that kept me engaged.
The narration by Eleanor Caudill is excellent in her pace and modulation in her narration. Indeed, a voice-actor, Eleanor maintains the different voices of all characters expertly from start to finish. There are no issues with the quality of this audible.

Soul Search is a great start to the series. I look forward to more Zackie stories. Listeners who enjoy tales of supernatural, thrills, ghosts, and suspense will love this book and the series.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

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Outstanding Sentimental Adventure

Revisado: 08-17-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Author Scott Semegran masterfully tells the story of four best friends, William, Miguel, Brian, and Randy, who survive the trials of 1986 in Texas suburbia. They battle bullies and fears in a coming-of-age framework. These teenagers fall in and out of trouble exploring life and learning to make decisions. Some of the consequences of their actions, like most youths, were only realized upon reflection.

William Flynn delivers the story’s point of view. His memories add a natural flavor. It made me think of the movie The Sandlot, which my sons watched repeatedly. Pictures appeared in my mind, listening to the vivid smells, tastes, sights, and sounds masterfully described throughout this adventure.

Several things struck me as I listened to this story come to life. The diverse backgrounds of these boys, no bigotry here, did not deter them from being closer than brothers. They always had each other’s backs. They created a bond without cell phones, pagers, or high-tech amenities, just bicycles, backpacks, and that unique method of communication between close friends.

Tim Sailer did an excellent job maintaining the pace with clear delineation between character voice and pure narrative. Tim’s voice acting brought the brilliant writing of Scott to life. Those readers fond of Stand by Me, by Stephen King, or Lord of the Flies by William Golding will find this story a cut above due to the heartwarming camaraderie of these boys.

I highly recommend this to adolescents and would like to see it required reading in high school. Most older adults will enjoy flashing back to their youth and remembering the value of honest friendships. Once you start this one, you won’t stop until the end.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook, it was clear and well produced.

The Audiobookreviewer’s Choice Award was awarded to the authors for this book. The ABR Choice Award is a prestigious award presented to the author of the book whose story is believed to deserve higher than the standard 5 Star Rating.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

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Variety of Twists and Turns

Revisado: 07-29-21

Author J.E. Mayhew creates an interesting character, DCI William Blake as he launches this new series. In many ways I found it to be an interesting, complex crime story with a variety of twists and turns. A once beautiful dead teen is found barefoot in the park. Though she is identified early, the clues to her character are shared in pieces. Details of the brutal current and past murders are tied to shoes that find their way into a secondhand shop.

Blake is a complex character that takes care of Serafina, his dead mother’s cat. He takes care of the house, while the cat runs the roost. Their contentious relationship helps clue you in on the man and his approach to solving the case. As the senior investigator of the murdered girl, he directs his team on the investigation while also being hands-on. The details of police procedure appear correct, but in some places slow the story.

The descriptions of the locations, people, and interactions provided a good framework for the story. I liked the descriptions home life of the various families pulled into the investigation.

As the story unfolds the connections between this murder and past murders add a level of suspense and interesting dark secrets which can no longer remain buried. The action is good and keeps the listener moving along with the story. It is one of those murder mysteries which require you to go all the way to the end.

The narration is clean without issues. I found good distinguishable accents by the narrator Owen Welsh. The pace up front was almost too slow yet pick up after a dozen chapters. I enjoyed the faster pace and race to the end.

It seems a good start to a series with a lead character like Will Blake whom I hope will continue to evolve. If you like the darker side of murder mysteries this may be just the ticket to start your new series.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook, it was clear and well produced.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

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