Audiobook Review: Hail Mary by Andy Weir

📚 Audiobook Review – Hail Mary by Andy Weir

🎧 Narrated by: Ray Porter

🥃 Rating: ★★★★★

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This book blindsided me in the best possible way. I wasn’t expecting to fall for a story that opens with a man waking up alone in a spaceship—but here we are. There’s a bit of mystery, a lot of science, and a surprising amount of heart… which is impressive for a book where one of the main characters isn’t even human.

Ryland Grace is an accidental astronaut with a snarky streak and a heart of gold. He’s alone in space (for reasons I won’t spoil), and the weight of the entire planet rests on his very-unqualified shoulders. Watching him puzzle through each challenge—while recovering memories piece by piece—had me totally hooked. It’s like a sci-fi escape room… except the room is a spaceship and Earth explodes if you fail.

Review: Ruby Fever

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Ruby Fever concludes the Catalina Baylor portion of the Hidden Legacy series, and much like the rest of this series, it did not disappoint. Ruby Fever was packed with action, magic, team work, family and drama. I moved to Houston around the inception of this series, so I have loved “growing” into my new residence along with this series, and seeing all the familiar areas and places mentioned. I can’t help but “look” for Nevada, Connor, Catalina and friends as I happen upon places like Buffalo Bayou, River Oaks, etc.

Review: Rogue's Possession

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Rogue’s Possession is the second book in the re-released series, Covenant of Thorns. Gwynn seems to have adjusted to her new life in Faery, but is still firmly ensconced as the battle sorceress for Lord Falcon’s war. I have to admit that I still don’t see the point to the war, but I think that is by design. I’m not sure the warring parties actually know the purpose of their war either. In any event, the pitched battles are entertaining and Gwynn usually finds a way to meet the terms of her deal without loss of human life. And I will never complain about mermaids, dragons and sea monsters in a book. 😜

Review: For King and Corruption

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It’s 2:06a.m. and I am cursing Kel Carpenter because I immediately need to start the next book. OMG. Major cliffhanger ending. I. MUST. KNOW. WHAT. HAPPENS. NEXT!

ARC Review: Spells for the Dead by Faith Hunter

Series:	Soulwood #5
Pub. Date:	July 28, 2020
Publisher:	Ace
Length:	384 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

I so enjoy spending time with Nell Inghram, our widder-woman who liberated herself from a cult in East Tennessee. Oh, and a yinehi with unique powers and abilities. I have loved watching her come into herself as the series has progressed. As Nell's experiences have grown beyond pizza and Krispy Kreme, she has amassed a family through blood and the land. So Nell is no longer our loner against the church, but now has a team to help fight battles both personal and professional. Her common sense approach to life and solving crimes is endearing and inspiring. And her relationship with Occam, the werecat, is so dang cute that I can't help but smile at their interactions.

ARC Review: Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews

Series:	Hidden Legacy #4
Pub. Date:	Aug 27, 2019
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	352 pgs
Source:	Edelweiss

Sapphire Flames is the first full novel in the Hidden Legacy series transition from the story of Nevada Baylor, to that of her younger sister, Catalina Baylor. I do recommend that you read the novella, Diamond Fire, first. The novella serves as a nice bridge between the two series arcs, and we get to see Catalina before she becomes the Head of House Baylor, while she is still growing into her confidence and power.

ARC Review: Protect the Prince by Jennifer Estep

Series:	Crown of Shards #2
Pub. Date:	July 2, 2019
Publisher:	Harper Voyager
Length:	448 pgs
Source:	Edelweiss

Magic. Murder. Mayhem. Romance. That certainly sums up this series in four words. When I started Protect the Prince, I was a little worried that I wasn't going to remember enough of what happened in Kill the Queen to enjoy the story. However, Estep did a good job at putting in subtle (and not so subtle) reminders so that everything started coming back to me fairly quickly. This is definitely a series that must be read in order, as it's a continuing story arc. So this review will contain spoilers for the first book, Kill the Queen, so proceed at your own risk. 

ARC Review: Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh

Series:	Psy-Changeling #18 Psy-Changeling Trinity #3
Pub. Date:	June 4, 2019
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	416 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

I don't think I've ever read a bad, or even mediocre book in the Psy-Changeling series, or by Nalini Singh in general. The Psy-Changeling Trinity series has been extra interesting as we navigate the alliance among the Psy, Changelings and Humans. I have enjoyed expanding into some of the different changeling groups... but also loved coming back to our favorite wolf pack with this latest installment, Wolf Rain.

ARC Review: Shadow Warrior by Christine Feehan

Series:	Shadow Riders #4
Pub. Date:	June 4, 2019
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	432 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

The Shadow Riders is such a unique series that I feel refreshed and get sucked in every time I pick up one of the books. With all the travel I've been doing, I was stoked to get to this one in the line up right before a hellish day of delayed flights and being squeezed into the tiny rows and uncomfortable seats of turbulent airplanes.

ARC Review: Dragon Fire by Juliette Cross

Series:	Vale of Stars #3
Pub. Date:	April 30, 2019
Publisher:	Self-Pub
Length:	289 pgs
Source:	Author

 

Oh Man, I just love the way Juliette Cross does a growly dragony alpha male. I got interrupted reading this one due to things going crazy at work... so I actually restarted it this morning on my flight to New Orleans so I would get the full effect of Kieran Moonring from start to finish. It totally made my early morning flight go by in a blink.

ARC Review: Lonen's Reign by Jeffe Kennedy

Series:	Sorcerous Moons #6
Pub. Date:	March 20, 2019
Publisher:	Self-Pub
Length:	151 pgs
Source:	Author

What a happy sad moment to finish this final book of the Sorcerous Moons series. I have had such a good time getting to know Oria and Lonen, seeing them evolve, grow their relationship, and win the trust of two races of people.

ARC Review: Down & Dirty by Rhenna Morgan

Series:	Men of Haven #6
Pub. Date:	March 11, 2019
Publisher:	Carina Press
Length:	368 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

Welp. Here's another book for my favorites shelf. That's not really surprising given how much I have been raving about this delicious hero as we waited for his story throughout the series. It killed me to not be able to devour this book in one sitting - but work kept getting in the way and this review is way later than I expected it to be. But it was kinda nice to spend a little time with the book each night before I fell into bed... too bad I didn't have an Axel there to "run lines" with. ;)

Audiobook Review: Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews

Series:	Iron Covenant #1
Pub. Date:	July 19, 2018
Publisher:	NYLA
Narrator:	Steve West
Length:	12 hrs 51 min
Source:	Audible

So I kinda let Hugh slip through the cracks and let this audiobook sit on my to-read shelf for longer than I intended. I even finished the Kate Daniels series before checking out Hugh's story - and I was kicking myself back at the time for not reading this book before Kate and Curran battled Roland.

ARC Review: Circle of the Moon by Faith Hunter

Series:	Soulwood #4
Pub. Date:	Feb. 26, 2019
Publisher:	Ace Roc Books
Length:	368 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

I'm a huge fan of Faith Hunter, and this series is a perfect example why. Our heroine, Nell Ingram, is such a unique and interesting character that I could read about her every day and never get bored. I love the aspect and characteristics of her power and land, and her upbringing in a polygamous cult adds a dynamic aspect to her character that brings her down to earth and makes her relatable. Not because of the cult aspect, but just her simple common sense approach to everything, and even her ability to turn on the church widder woman persona when she wants to prove a point or manipulate someone.

ARC Review: Polaris Rising by Jessie Milhalik

Series:	Consortium Rebellion #1
Pub. Date:	Feb. 5, 2019
Publisher:	Harper Voyager
Length:	448 pgs
Source:	Publisher

Polaris Rising is the first installment of the Consortium Rebellion series, and debut novel for Jessie Mihalik. This author is definitely starting off with a bang, and did a great job of mixing action with romance to keep the plot moving in this space opera sci-fi novel.

ARC Review: Outcast by Lexi Blake

Series:	Thieves #9 / Hunter #4
Pub. Date:	Dec. 4, 2018
Publisher:	DLZ Entertainment
Length:	325 pgs
Source:	InkslingrPR

I absolutely love the Thieves/Hunters world, and these are some of my very favorite urban fantasy books. Unfortunately I made the mistake of starting this book late at night, so I was up until 2am finishing it. Now my brain is too tired to write a coherent review!

ARC Review: Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost

Series:	Night Rebel #1
Pub. Date:	Oct. 30, 2018
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	384 pgs
Source:	Publisher

This review is super late, and you may have noticed that I haven't posted in a while... but my work life has been absolutely nuts for the last couple months and I haven't been able to read much at all. I miss it! So I apologize to Jeaniene and Avon for my tardiness. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from Avon.

It's unfortunate that it took me so long to be able to read this first installment of the Night Rebel series, as I am absolutely gaga for our fun-loving, yet vulnerable hero, Ian. I knew, after the conclusion of the Night Prince series, that Ian's story was going to be spectacular. So I do suggest you read that series (along with Night Huntress) first, so you have the full backstory of what's going on. If you haven't read those series, be advised that this review may contain spoilers for those previous series.

ARC Review: The Arrows of the Heart by Jeffe Kennedy

Series:	Uncharted Realms #4
Pub. Date:	Oct 7, 2018
Publisher:	Brightlynx Publishing
Length:	297 pgs
Source:	Author

It's no secret that The Uncharted Realms has been one of my very favorite fantasy romance series since its inception with The Pages of the Mind... and the series is still going strong with this fourth installment, The Arrows of the Heart.

ARC Review: Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven

Series:	Fallen Empire #1
Pub. Date:	Sept 25, 2018
Publisher:	Ace Roc Books
Length:	400 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

Phoenix Unbound is an exciting start to the new Fallen Empire series by Grace Draven, an epic fantasy romance sure to appeal to those who like to see a little romance with their Game of Thrones type stories. In true fantasy style, this story is not for the faint of heart. There are vile villians, abhorrent behavior and treatment of people, slavery, and a manner of forced activities that may be triggers to some.

ARC Review: Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep

Series:	Crown of Shards #1
Pub. Date:	Oct. 2, 2018
Publisher:	Harper Voyager
Length:	480 pgs
Source:	Author/Publisher

Crown of Shards is the first installment of a dynamic new series by Jennifer Estep that I couldn't wait to get my grabby hands on... and let me tell you, this story did not disappoint! I can't wait for the next book to come out, but we will have to wait until 2019.