Audio: My favorite things by Lynsay Sands

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 10-29-19

Language: English

Publisher: HarperAudio

Historical romance

For review

All I want

This one was funny. Prudence is trying to get her father to stop gambling (not funny, that man needs help), but what is funny are her antics trying to get into his club and the chaos she creates. The owner has no idea what he is in for

And then fall in love and her dad is saved

3 French Hens

Brianne, a scullery maid, looks just like Lady Joan. So she goes along pretending to be Joan so that Joan can think of a plan to get out of a marriage. No surprise, Joanne falls for the hubbie to be and he does seem wonderful.

And then they loved happily ever after and it all worked out.

The Fairy Godmother

Odel's godmother shows up and says that she now is a fairy godmother and that she will have her married by Xmas.

A castle filled with suitors, a fairy godmother who does magic, and a stranger who shows up and seems the most sane one.

And then they lived happily ever after.

Sweet stories, and they work as they are.

Narration

I always like Justine Eyre, and I do feel that she is perfect for historical romance. I like the feeling and voices she does.

All I Want

With Lady Prudence’s father gambling away the family’s savings, all she wants for Christmas is to haul him away from London’s most notorious gaming hell. Yet the wickedly handsome proprietor, Lord Stockton, refuses to let a lady enter his establishment. Now Pru needs a Christmas miracle to make her wish come true - and to resist succumbing to Stockton’s charms.

Three French Hens

Brinna’s life as a scullery maid changes with the arrival of the castle’s newest guest, Lady Joan. Desperate to escape an arranged marriage, Joan suggests that look-alike Brinna take her place at the Christmas festivities. Suddenly, Brinna finds herself being wooed by a true gentleman, and getting the best Christmas present of all: a new life.

The Fairy Godmother

Odel is told by her godmother that she must marry by Christmas, and even gives her fairy dust to separate the mice from the men. But Odel has sworn off love...until kind and generous Michel catches her eye. He shows Odel how good it can feel to fall in love, but will it be enough to convince Odel to trust her heart?

The Gown by Jennifer Robson

Paperback, 406 pages

Published February 21st 2019 by Headline Review (first published December 31st 2018)

Historical fiction

Library

I am always weary of books with different timelines, because I always like the historic more. And sure it began like that here too, but then at the end I actually liked them both.

Ann works as an embroider, she meets Miriam and they become friends and coworkers. I did feel like maybe there should have been more Miriam. She had too much of a background for that backgrund not be be experienced. She had hid in plain sight, she had been in the resistance, she had been to Ravensbruck, her entire family was dead. But that is all we learned, those words. Too me that is an entire book.

They work for the man chosen to make Princess Elizabeth's wedding dress. Ann meets someone, Miriam meets someone...

And then it is 2016 and Ann is dead and her grand daughter decides to learn more as she knows nothing about her gran's past. Shaky beginning, but then I got into it (cos yes she meets someone, I guess that pulled me in, I am all for romance.)

It is not the most exciting book, they work on the dress, they fall in love, the gran daughter goes to London. But at the same time it made me want to watch the Crown for some reason, cos here I was behind the scenes so to say.

But it was good and Miriam totally deserves a background book.

London, 1947: Besieged by the harshest winter in living memory, burdened by onerous shortages and rationing, the people of postwar Britain are enduring lives of quiet desperation despite their nation’s recent victory. Among them are Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, embroiderers at the famed Mayfair fashion house of Norman Hartnell. Together they forge an unlikely friendship, but their nascent hopes for a brighter future are tested when they are chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime honor: taking part in the creation of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown.

Toronto, 2016: More than half a century later, Heather Mackenzie seeks to unravel the mystery of a set of embroidered flowers, a legacy from her late grandmother. How did her beloved Nan, a woman who never spoke of her old life in Britain, come to possess the priceless embroideries that so closely resemble the motifs on the stunning gown worn by Queen Elizabeth II at her wedding almost seventy years before? And what was her Nan’s connection to the celebrated textile artist and holocaust survivor Miriam Dassin?

Audio: Heidi's guide to four letter words by Tara Sivec and Andi Arndt

By: Tara Sivec, Andi Arndt

Narrated by: Andi Arndt

Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins

Original Recording Audiobook

Release date: 09-03-19

Language: English

Publisher: Audible Original

Contemporary romance

For review

I like a book that can make me snort! This was funny, her family was, omg, so embarrassing! But in the best way to listen about.

It is only my second listen by Andi, but she is is great! Maybe putting them in Minnesota was the right call (sorry Minnesota people), but the accent was perfect for how her family acted. Also are they like the Canadians of the US?  So yes Andi did a great job with everyone and I could feel Heidi's embarrassment to my soul.

Heidi has lost her job cos of budget costs, but does she really want to be a teacher? She also wants to be bolder, to take charge, to get her sexy neighbor to notice her. But she is not these things, she looks like a kindergarten teacher, she can't even say balls, and she would rather hide in a bush than go and talk with him.

So she starts working for an audiobook company. She starts a podcast. She drinks too much wine. And she learns to say balls and so much more.

Oh and Brent was lovely, freaking lovely.

Laugh out loud moments (mostly cos of her family), and a nice story that let's her take charge of her own love life.

I liked it! A lot :D I also listened to it in a day cos S is sick. SO yay, a listen in a day book.

Narration

Well I already talked about that. Great!

Nothing good ever comes from drinking a box of wine alone. So when I decided to entertain my drunken self by setting up some hand-me-down podcasting equipment and reading the steamy parts from romance novels, I never thought anyone would actually listen. The fact that I admitted my huge crush on my sexy next door neighbor made the whole thing even more mortifying. But sometimes life surprises you, and that’s how my podcast, Heidi’s Discount Erotica, was born.

Now I, Heidi Larsen, a sweet former kindergarten teacher in Waconia, Minnesota, lead a scandalous double life reading erotic novels to the listening world. And with each episode, I find myself embracing my new alter ego more and more. Now I’m starting to feel more comfortable in my own skin and do things I never would have dreamed of - like kissing my neighbor.

Look out, Waconia, because Heidi’s on the loose! She’s in your ears, in your hearts, and down your pants...wait, that didn’t sound as good as it did in my head. Well, you get the picture, don’tcha know!

Best of November

Happy December! 2019 is coming to a close soon. I am in awe. 

Here are our favorites for last month. 

Best Movie of the Month (or show):

First, my favorite...........Carnival Row

"I will do best tv series this month again and the honor goes to Carnival Row. Srsly you guys, watch it"

Now, Carole's favorite.........Us (2019)

"So good. Scary, creepy, and makes you think and talk. Worth it."

Best Book of the Month:

First, Carole's favorite.........You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms

"I had three that really could have gotten this trophy. However, I'll have to pick this one.This had everything you could need and want. I cried, laughed, got mad, and it made me think. Super good! You can thank me after you read this."

Next is my favorite............Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop

"It was a hard one this month, I am still not sure that this was the best one. I really liked the two by Seanan McGuire too. But I will close this Fall of Bishop with another best book of the month."

Best Cover of the Month:

Carole's favorite

Blodeuedd's favorite