Audio: All the Christmas vibes by Melissa Baldwin

 

Narrated by: Tyler Darby, Virginia Rose

Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins

Release date: 11-25-25 by Tantor Media

Contemporary romance/to review

It is Xmas time, well almost. So it is time for xmas books.

Sophie joins her friend on a trip to Tennesse. There she meets a handsome icehockey coach named Jake. But this is just a short trip! Still those sparks fly between them.

You would think the drama is that they are from different states, but nope, he has an ex girlfriend who suddenly wants back in. She was one annoying piece of x. She kept pushing and Sophie had doubts since maybe those two belong together.

It was a short nice xmassy romance. She loves Hallmark movies and it does have that feeling. True love will always win.

Good narration. She had a good feel for all the voices, and the same with the male narrator

It's Christmas, and I can't help but believe that magic happens around this time of year—or at least, I hope it does. I've always been obsessed with the holidays, and the best part? I can watch all the Hallmark movies I want. Secretly, I might be hoping for my own love story to play out just like in the movies. It's possible, right? I mean, it happened for my friend. A girls' trip to Tennessee seems like the perfect way to unwind. Then, I meet Jake—the coach of the Tennessee Wolves. Our connection is instant, and I find myself wanting to get to know him better. But there's one small issue . . . I don’t know if he's available. That's when I get my reality check—life isn't a Hallmark movie. And love? It's complicated.

This Christmas feels different, like everything is a bit out of place. I guess that's what an unexpected breakup will do to you. At least I have my career to keep me focused—coaching a professional hockey team is no walk in the park, but it definitely keeps my mind occupied. The last thing I need is to get involved with someone. Then Sophie walks into my life. They say opposites attract, but I'm not sure if I'm ready for that. To complicate things even more, my ex has started coming around again. I don't know if it's easier to stay with what's familiar or take a chance on something new.

Audio. The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed

By: Premee Mohamed

Narrated by: Shiromi Arserio

Length: 4 hrs and 4 mins

Release date: 11-25-25 by Tantor Media

Fantasy/to review

A country has been brutally conquered by a tyrant. Veris is just trying to live her life when they come for her.

There is a forest nearby, and if you enter you will not return. Everyone knows to stay clear, but then the tyrants two children go into the woods. And Veris is the only person who has gone in and come out...

So it is go in and die, come out without them and die. It is a forest filled with horror, strange beings and if you stay more than a day you can not return. It is a race against time, monsters and her own memories.

It was short, which I liked. In and out. The the horrors unfold. An interesting story.

Great narration. I felt she did Veris very well and really got the feel for her

At the northern edge of a land ruled by a merciless foreign tyrant lies a wild, forbidden forest ruled by powerful magic.

Veris Thorn—the only one to ever enter the forest and survive—is forced to go back inside to retrieve the tyrant's missing children. Inside await traps and trickery, ancient monsters, and hauntings of the past.

One day is all Veris is afforded. One misstep will cost everything.

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

11/25/2025 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Winter? (Dec-Feb)

Well this one is easy...I have no idea. Usually in Feb(or later) a Briggs book usually comes out...does it though? Who knows. I just do not keep track of anything. And that is why I am always surprised when something new is out

12/2/2025 What underrated books or authors would you recommend?

12/9/2025 Which superpower do you wish you had?

12/16/2025 Have you been disappointed by the end of a series? If so, did you read that author again?

12/23/2025 What's a song that always makes you want to dance?

12/30/2025 What are your favorite books/audiobooks that you read in 2025? 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

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Carole´s Review: Snake-eater

 

Author: T. Kingfisher

Title: Snake-Eater

Genre: Paranormal, UF, Horror, Fantasy, Mystery

Format: ebook

Pages: 267

Expected Publication: December 1, 2025

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

ith only a few dollars to her name and her beloved dog Copper by her side, Selena flees her past in the city to claim her late aunt’s house in the desert town of Quartz Creek. The scorpions and spiders are better than what she left behind.

Because in Quartz Creek, there’s a strange beauty to everything, from the landscape to new friends, and more blue sky than Selena’s ever seen. But something lurks beneath the surface. Like the desert gods and spirits lingering outside Selena’s house at night, keeping watch. Mostly benevolent, says her neighbor Grandma Billy. That doesn’t ease the prickly sense that one of them watches too closely and wants something from Selena she can’t begin to imagine. And when Selena’s search for answers leads her to journal entries that her aunt left behind, she discovers a sinister truth about her new home: It’s the haunting grounds of an ancient god known simply as “Snake-Eater,” who her late aunt made a promise to that remains unfulfilled.

Snake-Eater has taken a liking to Selena, an obsession of sorts that turns sinister. And now that Selena is the new owner of his home, he’s hell-bent on collecting everything he’s owed.

Review:

I stumbled upon this while looking for something else. Amazon Unlimited allowed some folks to read this in advance of publication, so that was exciting! Weeeee! I really need more of T Kingfisher's books in my life. 

Here we have Selena, who is abandoning her old life to claim her late aunt's house in the desert town of Quartez Creek. Everything is so new and strange, but so beautiful. The neighbors are lovely and she loves the quiet. However, there is something lingering outside of Selena's house at night.....keeping watch. Her neighbor, Grandma Billy, says it is mainly benevolent, but Selena can't shake the feeling there is more to this story. She soon discovers the sinister truth about an ancient god known as Snake-Eater. 

You never know what to expect from this author. There are always so many twists and turns. You just never know where the story is headed next, and I simply LOVE that. 

I will say this wasn't as haunting or even creepy as some of the other stories I've read by her. It still had some creepiness, but this felt a bit more calm. Not complaining! The last one has scarred me a bit hahahahaha. This had an odd sense of...coziness to it. Yes, there is mystery and fantasy and horror, but I loved the cozy vibes given off. I loved that Selena was finding her voice and finding new friends. They were so sweet. 

What else??? Eeeek. I don't want to spoil anything!!!!

This was a fun story. Not my favorite by the author, but I still really enjoyed it. It had a great cast of characters and a nice spooky, but comfy vibe. I def recommend this. 

4 stars.