Audio: You'll Miss Me when I 'm Gone - Rachel Lynn Salomon

Eighteen-year-old twins Adina and Tovah have little in common besides their ambitious nature. Viola prodigy Adina yearns to become a soloist—and to convince her music teacher he wants her the way she wants him. Overachiever Tovah awaits her acceptance to Johns Hopkins, the first step on her path toward med school and a career as a surgeon. 

But one thing could wreck their carefully planned futures: a genetic test for Huntington’s, a rare degenerative disease that slowly steals control of the body and mind. It’s turned their Israeli mother into a near stranger and fractured the sisters’ own bond in ways they’ll never admit. While Tovah finds comfort in their Jewish religion, Adina rebels against its rules.

When the results come in, one twin tests negative for Huntington’s. The other tests positive.

These opposite outcomes push them farther apart as they wrestle with guilt, betrayal, and the unexpected thrill of first love. How can they repair their relationship, and is it even worth saving?

Audio CD, 10 pages
Published May 29th 2018 by Tantor Audio (first published January 2nd 2018)
YA, Fiction
for review

My thoughts:

This was a tough and emotional one. I have no idea what I would have done in this situation.

It is the story of two sisters. Adina, the viola prodigy. She has no friends cos all she does is play her viola. She is happy, until...

Tovah, who studies hard to get into Johns Hopkins. Who is in clubs and more, who still has time for friends and to study the Torah.

Their mother has Huntingdon's and one twin wants to take the test, one does not. They do and everything falls apart. How can you live on when you know you will die? Maybe not tomorrow, maybe you will live a long time, or maybe you will get unlucky and get it early. And it is not fair.

How can you live with the guilt knowing that your twin will suffer and die and you will live on? That you first will see your mother die and then your twin?

Then there is the thing that they have not really been friendly for years after an event. They might be twins, but they are not friends.

Guilt, depression, sadness and rage. This one tears at you and I want them all to be ok, but, it will not be ok! 

Oh, and they are still in HS, and I'd say it really is upper YA since there is smex and more.

Conclusion:

It was a really good book, that stays with you. Because ultimately it will make you think

Narrated by Laurel Schroeder, Emily Lawrence

They did the sisters. I have heard Emily before and like her voice. She really put emotion into it.

I was not sure about Laurel, it took me a while to warm up to her, but then it did fit the sister she had.

A really good performance by both

The trouble with twelfth grave - Darynda Jones

Ever since Reyes escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley accidently trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that’s not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings—some corporeal, some not so much—as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she’s not uncovering a murder. This time she’s covering one up. 

Add to that her new occupation of keeping a startup PI venture—the indomitable mystery-solving team of Amber Kowalski and Quentin Rutherford—out of trouble and dealing with the Vatican’s inquiries into her beloved daughter, and Charley is on the brink of throwing in the towel and becoming a professional shopper. Or possibly a live mannequin. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it’s time to let loose her razor sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she’s loved for centuries. So the question becomes, can she tame the unruly beast before it destroys everything she’s worked so hard to protect? 

Paperback, 288 pages
Published October 5th 2017 by Piatkus
Charley Davidson #12
UF PNR

Own

My thoughts:
I honestly do not know if some of those previous ones deserved my ratings, I mean that filler book was so dull. And I have to face the truth here.

Nothing happens.

It was rather dull.

Not even sexy Reyes wowed me.

The books are stagnating.

The truth is I am glad the next will be the last. I fear I have felt like this at times during the last few books, but this was the first where I felt it all way through.

It was sadly only ok.

TMST

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 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.

May 29th: Debut authors/ New to me authors. What books have you read lately by new authors that you want to read more from?

Honestly, most I'd like more from, but some do stand out one way or another. So from this year a quick look would be:

I'd like to try more by Sanjida Kay cos I liked her twists.

I'd like to see if Rachel Lynn Salomon has written more books packing such an emotional impact.

Jenny Han, but I do got two more by her so yes there I did want more.

I wonder if Sarah Castille's heroes all are messed up and if she makes me love them anyway

Dawn Kurtagich cos her horror story sent chills down my spine

Radha Vatsal cos I liked her style and heroine, so more Kitty!

Jessica Brody cos she sure made 24 hour at an airport fun

And only two of those are authors I read in print! LOL

These are some that stood out more than authors, mostly cos most others I have read before,

S likes to visit the neighbor cats. Luci usually stays behind the bushes looking in

The Dread - Gail Z Martin

Still reeling from plague and civil war, the Winter Kingdoms face an invasion force from across the Northern Sea led my a dark spirit mage in the name of ancient, vanquished gods. Summoner-King Martris Drayke and an untested generation of new rulers must stand against an unholy alliance of shadowy invaders. To prevail, Tris must win the uncertain support of the Dread, spirit-beings that stand guard within the sacred barrows over an even more fearsome threat imprisoned within. In the balance lies not only the freedom of the Winter Kingdoms, but Tris’s life and the soul of his young son, whose untested magic might be the biggest spoil of war.

Paperback, 547 pages
Published February 1st 2012 by Orbit (first published January 1st 2012)
Fallen Kings #2
Fantasy
Own

My thoughts:

I like her books for the simple reason that yes they are never awesome, BUT, they are never bad. They are always light and enjoyable. When I pick one up I always know I will enjoy it cos I have with all the rest. And you know, sometimes that is good enough.

Right so shit is going DOWN. Bad peeps from across the seas are coming and they are mad. And honestly, I sometimes say that oh you can read this series without reading that series that come before but with her books...eh, nah, just read all in order.

Right, so Kiara have to go and take control of her father's kingdom when he is murdered.

Tris has to save the world as a dark summoner is coming.

Oh and the baddie is coming for their baby! 

Jonmarc is doing stuff, you know I never liked that guy even if the author sure loves him.

More peeps are fighting baddies. 

i really like the POV with the ghost whore....right where was I, Baby S woke and now it has been a day since I started this...

Yes, the ghost whore should have had her own book.

This review makes no sense, honestly, I can not say anything without spoilers....

For me, light and enjoyable. Nothing special, nothing bad. For others, maybe not so light, I mean peeps die, but whatevs.

Cover

I like it, but if you look closer her nails are so perfect and long and I was all, no, cut them if you are gonna battle

Carole's Sunday Review: Her perfect mate

Author: Paige Tyler

Title: Her Perfect Mate (X-Ops #1)

Genre: Paranormal Romance & Fantasy

Pages: ebook

Published: May 2014

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon Freebie)

Their attraction is more dangerous than any weapon of mass destruction 

When Special Forces Captain Landon Donovan is chosen for an assignment with the Department of Covert Operations, he's stunned to find his new partner is a beautiful woman who looks like she couldn't hurt a fly, much less take down a terrorist.

Ivy Halliwell isn't your average covert op. Her feline DNA means she can literally bring out the claws when things get dicey. She isn't thrilled to be paired with yet another military grunt, but Landon is different. He doesn't think she's a freak-and he's smokin' hot. Soon they're facing a threat even greater than anyone imagines... and an animal magnetism impossible to ignore.

Uggghhhh I wanted to like this. I did. I swear I did. But nooooooppppe. 

It started off alright. Nothing to write home to mom about. The two characters come together because she needs a partner and I guess he got a promotion. The government, in this world, has a special division with people who are shifters, of sorts, and they do not trust two shifters to be partners (god knows why), so they are paired with a human (god knows why). Poor girl has had some shitty partners in the past, so she is wary of this new hunk. He is in insta-lust the moment he sees her, but he respects her since she is his partner. 

But yes, started out okay. I was curious and then *yawn*. I wanted it to end. I kept going though...because I am insane. I got about 75% done and I could not do it. She annoyed me and he annoyed me. The whole world annoyed me. Nothing really made sense. What finished me off was the one mission near the end. Something happens and I just turned off my kindle and never went back. Can't say what, but I was annoyed. Also, another scene between her, him, and a male shifter who is in love with her annoyed me too. He should be fired. They should be fired. FIRE THEM ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the end, this was a DNF. Nearly made it to the end, but two scenes annoyed me. Not for me sadly. Maybe for someone else.  

Movie Discussion: The Mountain between Us

Hello everyone! This month Carole and I are reviewing, The Mountain Between Us. 

Blodeuedd  in green and Carole in purple.

Title:  The Mountain Between Us

Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama

Running Time: 1 hr and 52 mins

Rating: PG-13

Released: 2017

Stranded after a tragic plane crash, two strangers must forge a connection to survive the extreme elements of a remote snow-covered mountain. When they realize help is not coming, they embark on a perilous journey across the wilderness

TRAILER: 

DISCUSSION: 

Well! Hello there!

Hello! What a strange time to meet at, lol, I am used to our usual time ;) But yes. MOVIE time!!! It made me cry, *sniff* But yes let’s start-

Yess earlier than normal! But yes, I teared up for sure. I didn’t cry but I was yelling at the screen! I was so worried at the end there! I had no idea what was going to happen!

I was so worried! I was all NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. And then my heart broke. *coughs* But let us not talk about that anymore.

SO the movie was not awesome, but not bad, it was good, I watched it in a day and I was never bored since well...they were about to die anytime!

So hard not to give away spoilers. I agree. It was good. Not amazing, but I really did enjoy it. I was so worried. I wanted to punch him! Like don’t leave her alone. Haha she is a hot mess. Poor girl. That would SO be my luck tbh. Get a broken leg and be a hindrance on the whole thing. 

AT least she wanted to move forward and try to save them. With a busted leg! But it was sure lucky she had a doctor with her ;) That is all I am saying.

There was this one time when they were walking and I was all, damn, have you two ever been in the woods!? I could see where they were and then boom, catastrophe.

Yes, she did luck out with the doctor. And he was lucky that she was a restless soul and wanted to push on. Sometimes you can’t do the logical thing. Mannnn they were not woodsy people AT all. I was surprised she wasn’t since she did a lot of photography in lots of different places in the world. Him? Not surprised at all. He is good at being a doctor and he is a London boy after all...so his skills are to be limited. I was in awe at what he was able to do. 

True. I get that he did not know. But she should have or? What did she actually do? War zones? Nature photos? Did I miss it? Maybe she was not woodsy either.

I think she just went where they told her to go. Her last assignment was a nazi/skinhead thing. So she must’ve not been too woodsy herself. But still...did neither of them watch any shows about nature even in high school? Some basic things to make it easier to survive. They did well enough, but the one scene I wanted to scream at them. Like I could see that coming for sure. Good thing that dog was there! He saved their butts a lot. 

Praised be the dog! Yes that is the one important thing to know. But they were tired and hungry. I know I have been a mess this year, I could not have walked in those woods either lol.

OH and that explains things about her, I tend to miss things sometimes when S is talking ;)

That is true. She was in a lot of pain and tired. Kuddos to her for doing all that on a broken leg. He made one heck of cast for her.

Dunno how she made it! Oh and the end, no spoilers, but omg I was all omg no no no, walk walk walk, omggggg.

Same! I was screaming! Poor girl!!! Poor guy!!!! WALK DARN YOU WALK! My puppy was even getting into it and barking at the screen. He did not appreciate that dog. He barked when he barked. LOL I loved that little dog. I felt bad for him too. 

He did not like dog! How rude, Dog, was awesome :)

Very rude! LOL

I do wish there had been more emotion. It felt very dry for the situation they were in. They had some here and there, but I wanted her to freak out more when she found out. They seemed very calm. If it were me and BF? I would’ve been freaking out for about an hour screaming and throwing a fit. After that? I would be okay and already walking. They wasted so much time waiting and waiting. 

Yes, I would have freaked too and screamed. More screaming please!!!!!!! You are on top of a freaking mountain! Please scream a bit and then start walking.

I can see him not showing as much emotion. 1) Doctor, so rational 2) Male, so prideful and 3) British, breed to show little emotion. So I get him being calm. Her? She is an American woman who is reckless and emotional and thinks with her gut and heart. She needed one good freak out especially when he told her the moment she woke up. 0_0 In pain and stranded? 

Well, at least he could have gone all “Blimey, we are on top of a mountain. How surreal. What a jolly good laugh.”

LOLLL something. I mean...he did have a mini freakout when he almost fell off after 10 mins. >_> Not an outdoorsman AT all. But yes, besides that...I did enjoy their chemistry and how they worked together. It took time since they are two different people in all aspects. I’m glad they didn’t work well at first. Made it realistic. 

So different! And just cos you are stranded does not mean you will click, so yes I liked that too. The chemistry felt real. And then it got more...we might die! And then end. And then, well I am happy about the end cos I was worried there.

Kuddos to the writers. They made the people feel real. They needed more of real reaction at the beginning, but I was good with their character development as the story went along. I so did not expect what happened with his wife. And I agree. I was happy with the ending overall. I wanted more tho….

Something, something more...I get that and I wanted that too. I cannot put my finger on it.

But overall I enjoyed it as it really was about life and death.

I did not like Mark at all. I agree there needed to be something. Something felt missing. Maybe more of an epilogue would’ve been nice. 

It was a book right? Maybe there is something in it?

Yess it is a book. Never heard of it before. There might be more in there. Usually is the case. 

I am reading reviews. Stuck in the mountains for weeks- He is a mountain climbing doc...yeah, it sounds different

Psh. Yeah - the writers of the film cut that out! Bloody guy almost fell OFF the mountain. LOLLL

Yup, eagle scout, had a backpack filled with supplies with him from his recent climb. Slept on his wife’s grave and reviewers call him a bit loony

0_0 I think I like this version better. He may have not been outdoorsy and he seemed to be a private fella, but I adored him. 

I do think this was the better version ;) Definitely

Agreed, agreed. Prolly one of those rare times the movie is better. Lol! So, anything else to add? I’m trying to think of more non-spoilers...hard tho….

Too hard not to spoil things so...Good movie with slow moments.

Yes, a good movie. Not amazing but it was an interesting watch. It is hard to take your eyes off the screen even with the slow moments, because goodness knows what is going to happen. The human spirit and the dog spirit is strong for sure. If these two knuckleheads can survive, I am sure I could...maybe...I would be a wimp about the broken leg thing. 

It is a miracle they survived! And I am sure we would have made it, through without a doc it would have been hard.

Yesss, that would’ve been our downfall if it was us. I can fix cuts and bruises, but broken legs and ribs? Naw. Sorrrreeeee you might not survive if I had to be your doc!

Lol. Ok a new month is coming soon and we have another movie to pick :)

Oooo nooooo who’s turn? Who picked this one? I can hardly remember...we were proactive and picked early for May……..

I believe it is you :)

Eeek okay. I’ll find something...not sure what. Until next time?

The end

Rotherweird - Andrew Caldecott

The town of Rotherweird stands alone – there are no guidebooks, despite the fascinating and diverse architectural styles cramming the narrow streets, the avant garde science and offbeat customs. Cast adrift from the rest of England by Elizabeth I, Rotherweird's independence is subject to one disturbing condition: nobody, but nobody, studies the town or its history.

For beneath the enchanting surface lurks a secret so dark that it must never be rediscovered, still less reused.

But secrets have a way of leaking out.

Two inquisitive outsiders have arrived: Jonah Oblong, to teach modern history at Rotherweird School (nothing local and nothing before 1800), and the sinister billionaire Sir Veronal Slickstone, who has somehow got permission to renovate the town's long-derelict Manor House.

Slickstone and Oblong, though driven by conflicting motives, both strive to connect past and present, until they and their allies are drawn into a race against time – and each other. The consequences will be lethal and apocalyptic.

Paperback, Trade Paperback, 480 pages
Published June 16th 2017 by Jo Fletcher Books (first published May 18th 2017)
Rotherweird #1
Fiction

My thoughts:
I had trouble starting this review, because it is a rather weird book. And what can I say that will not spoil it all? I did not know what to make of it.

There is a little town called Rotherweird. They do not talk about history, it is forbidden. It is not taught in school, there are no old books. And they alone where given rights long ago by Queen Elizabeth I and that is why they can have their weird rules.

To this strange town comes Oblong, a history teacher (though he can not teach the kids about their history, not that he knows it either.) The last teacher asked questions. That is a big no no.

The school has two strange towers. But this is not about the school, it is about the town. And there is another new inhabitant too, a pompous curious man who buys the Manor. In a town that does not welcome strangers.

We meet a big cast of interesting characters. Because something is now happening. Forces are gathering. Something is about to happen in Rotherweird.

Weird place. I would not go there. And they sure disliked the people in villages around them too. These people should get out more. And now I have made them sound like weird inbred creeps. It is not like that. There is a lot going on behind...weird things.

Honestly, it is just one of those books better read, cos I can not explain it!

Weirdly good

Cover

It makes me want to color it

Audio: Last Dragon Standing - Rachel Aaron

Dear Reader, 

There is no way to write a blurb for this final book without spoiling all of the others. Suffice it to say, mysteries resolve, dragons war, pigeons abound, and Julius must risk himself in ways he never dreamed possible as Bob’s grand plan finally comes to fruition. 

But the Great Seer of the Heartstrikers isn’t the only one whose schemes are nearing completion. The Nameless End is coming, and even the machinations of the world’s most brilliant dragon seer might not be enough to stop it. As the world comes crashing down, it’s up Julius to prove what he’s always known: that seers can be wrong, and Nice Dragons don’t always finish last. 

Audible Audio, Unabridged, 13 pages
Published March 1st 2018 by Audible Studios
Heartstrikers #5
UF
Own

My thoughts:'

I know my other reviews have basically been Squee Squee Squee, but this time I feel so empty. So

sad.

It is over.

It is OVER!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

My poor heart, my poor heart. No more Julius *sniff* No more Crazy Bob and his weird pigeon (thinking of Tesla, maybe they should marry) No more Chelsea and her Golden emperor. No more Fredrerick who I really started to like. You are awesome! *sobs* No more Justin who is just too much! Awww, Justin, you silly knucklehead. 

The epilogue left me hoping, because she does leave an opening if she wants to go back and explore this world, but with new characters (and hopefully old ones coming in and saying hi).

That would be fantastic!

Random thought. How on earth!? did his mum get all those dragons to mate with her. Omg she is such a bitch, sure a conniving pretty bitch, but still. She is a piece of work.

As for the book. The big fight is on! Down with the Leviathan! Save the world!

But who cares! I am finished now. It is over! *Cries* I need more Julius and Marci! Moooooore 

*ugly cries*

The end.

Nooooooooo!

Not the end, not THE END!

Alas, all awesome things must come to an end.

Audio: Born to Love - Leigh Greenwood

Weary of war and the endless cycle of vengeance, former Night Rider Holt Price returns to Galveston, Texas to reconnect with the woman he once promised to marry. He's content to live a quiet, loveless life . . . until he meets the doctor's brown-eyed daughter, and his whole world changes in an instant.

Felicity Moore is everything Holt never realized he needed. Kind and compassionate yet beautifully fierce, she alone has the strength to pull him back from a fruitless quest for revenge. But now Holt has an impossible choice to make: honor the promise he made years ago . . . or find true happiness in the arms of the woman he was born to love. 

Audio CD, 11 pages
Published May 22nd 2018 by Tantor Audio (first published June 2003)
Night Riders #3
Historical romance
For review

Sample

My thoughts:

I do love cowboys, though I can  not really call Holt a cowboy. It seems he did spend two years on a ranch, but I was not on that ranch seeing him doing cowboy things ;) Instead he is a doctor, he was a surgeon during the war, and is more a gentleman than a cowboy. Sad indeed, but I still like him.

But this man so needed a slap on the head. He comes to Galveston looking for a woman he always loved. A woman who married someone else, and who was so just toying with him. But he has this notion that he must marry her cos his uncle told him too. Men! I did like him, but he needed to take of those rose colored glasses.

Because then he meets Felicity. Who has spent her entire life taking care of her father. Who is drinking too much. Who lost their ranch. And who is suffering from PTS from the war. She was so hardworking and I felt sorry for her. She tried being so tough, but what she needed was to see the truth too. Another truth.

These two have a long dance. He thinks he is in love with someone else. She just wants to shield her father. I liked that they got to know each other, that they had time to fall in love (without realizing it). That he spent time being a doctor and getting to know her father. Oh and there is another secret plot too that brought some suspense and drama. Seeecret.

I enjoyed it.

Narrator Rebecca Mitchell

I liked her different voices and I did find myself caught up in their world. 

TMST

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 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.

May 22nd: Are you more inclined/ less inclined to read books that are compared to other popular books or authors?

Definitely LESS inclined!!!!!! I actually really hate when they do that.

Read this books, it is Fifty Shades meets The Hunger Games meets Game of thrones...riiiights, cos that makes so much sense. Honestly stop it, stop it! When they do that there is always one book I will not like from those. One author whose works makes me yawn or whose books I would never ever read. It does not make me want to read it then. That whole read this cos it's like this turns me away from it.

Even if they said like, this is Harry Potter meets The hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy (two awesome series!), I would still be all, come on! Be serious! I doubt it is all that! And I would roll me eyes.

Because it is never like that! They compare and I  am all, whaat? Where is Harry Potter in this? There is certainly no creepy Twilight here. Why was this compared to 50 shades? Hunger Games? What Games?

SO yes, stop it. Or read the actual book and the books you compare it to.

We had 3 cold days! Horrible.

Shadowblack - Sebastien de Castell

It's a few months since Kellen left his people behind. Now aged sixteen, Kellen is an outlaw, relying on his wits to keep him alive in the land of the Seven Sands. He misses home, he misses family and more than anything, he misses Nephenia, the girl he left behind. 

Then he meets Seneira, a blindfolded girl who isn't blind, and who carries a secret that's all too familiar to Kellen. Kellen and Ferius resolve to help - but the stakes are far higher than they realise. A Shadowblack plague is taking hold - and Kellen can't help but suspect his own people may even be behind it. 

Paperback, 368 pages
Expected publication: May 17th 2018 by Hot Key Books (first published October 5th 2017)
Spellslinger #2
Fantasy / YA
Own

My thoughts.

The plague seems to be spreading, or is it?

I do like Kellen, he is a mess. He is not perfect, he is not a great mage, he is, well normal! And he is trying and getting better at what he does. Luckily he has the best sidekick ever to help him. I do adore Reichis, the best squirrelcat in the world. And he does love to talk about eating eyeballs, my cutie.

I am not feeling very reviewer like today. I am listening to an audiobook when I should concentrate...say something smart...smart...smart...sigh, my brain can not focus.

Right! People are hunting Kellen cos he has the shadowblack and must die.

He comes to a town to solve a mystery. 

Ack, I can't write something smart.

I liked the book, though it was not as good as book 1. That one was light and fun. This one was still light, but at the same time a bit more serious.

Conclusion:'

I look forward to more

Carole's Sunday_ America's first daughter

Author: Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie 

Title: America's First Daughter

Genre: Historical Fiction & Romance

Pages: Audiobook

Published: March 1st 2016  

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph—a woman who kept the secrets of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy.

From her earliest days, Patsy Jefferson knows that though her father loves his family dearly, his devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter, she becomes his helpmate, protector, and constant companion in the wake of her mother’s death, traveling with him when he becomes American minister to France.

It is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that fifteen-year-old Patsy learns about her father’s troubling liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age. Meanwhile, Patsy has fallen in love—with her father’s protégé William Short, a staunch abolitionist and ambitious diplomat. Torn between love, principles, and the bonds of family, Patsy questions whether she can choose a life as William’s wife and still be a devoted daughter.

Her choice will follow her in the years to come, to Virginia farmland, Monticello, and even the White House. And as scandal, tragedy, and poverty threaten her family, Patsy must decide how much she will sacrifice to protect her father's reputation, in the process defining not just his political legacy, but that of the nation he founded.

This was one of the longest audiobooks I have listened too. It took me a while to get through it!

The story follows Patsy Jefferson who is the daughter of the famous Thomas Jefferson. We get to see the man and the forming of this nation through her eyes. We get to see this young lady grow in the shadow of her father. She may have been in the shadow, but she certainly grew into an impressive person herself. It was certainly a journey. 

I'll admit I knew close to nothing about her. I know some about her father, but not a lot. It was a fun. It was sad. It was a long journey for her and for us, the listeners/readers. 

Honestly...I don't know how the lady kept herself cool and collected. There were so many times I would've flown off the handles and given a piece of my mind. I would've cried and screamed and kicked. There were times I agree with her being collected...I would've tried (but probably failed) to be cool, but there were times she should've stood up and said something. Poor girl. Poor Thomas J. Poor William (even though he made me mad at one point). 

Yes, yes, I was team William. I did not trust Tom at the beginning and I was proven right again and again. Sighs.

So yes, there is a touch of romance in this, but I do not feel it takes away from the story. It felt very realistic. There is love in normal life and this felt like Patsy telling her grandbabies the story. There was a good balance between the romance, the drama, the story, and the characters. Perfectly balanced. A rare sight indeed especially with two authors writing this. 

The narration was done well. She was SUPER southern. Did early southern colonists have thick accents? I'll have to research that...maybe they did, but I feel it was way too thick. In my language class I took eons ago we talked about the colonists and they were different from the English, but overall so at that time period. I can see the accent forming into the 1800s, but during the war? Mmmm not sure. I could be COMPLETELY wrong. We did not go into much details about each colony. Just an overall look (and it has been years - so I could be forgetting). Other than that, I really enjoyed her! She made me hooked on the story right away. She really embodied all the characters when they spoke even the male characters. 

Overall, this was really good. I really enjoyed it! I highly recommend this for historical lovers. The audio was good, but I bet reading would be just as good! I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Saturday Movie: Black Panther

T'Challa, the King of Wakanda, rises to the throne in the isolated, technologically advanced African nation, but his claim is challenged by a vengeful outsider who was a childhood victim of T'Challa's father's mistake.

Director: Ryan Coogler

Writers: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole | 

Stars: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o 

2h 14 min Action

My thoughts:

This is a by request review as I was told I only review crap movies, HA, ok that was not the words she used ;) But yes omg I review SO MANY crap movies. That is my gift to all of you.

SO, it was good, was it awesome? Nah. It was like other marvel movies and they are good to watch, but never awesome. Exceptions being Guardians, Thor Ragnarök and Iron Man cos those are funny! Yes I like funny.

There was so much stuff leading up to the more interesting part, being like the last 30 min or more. So those were the more meh parts, until hot guy came around and shook things up. And I hear ya hot guy, I get it, Wakanda should have done more. I can't believe I am agreeing with hot guy. But then he goes all WAR, so that was not cool, though, I would have loved to see more of him.

Cos the king is just so dang nice you know, eh, me likey Bad guy.

Oh and why is like his sister the only person ever working in the lab (except for in the first scene). Isn't she a bit too young to spearhead all that tech and it just felt like she was the one that came up with it all.

But the last part was the best. OMG WAR RHINOS! Freaking WAR RHINOS!

Gotta love me a war or fight scene.

Oh oh oh, I almost forgot, omg the Northern Tribe, yeah, can they rule this country instead? Damn.

ALso how freaking high are those mountains if they always live up there in the snow?!

Last thoughts.

Sure it was good, but it goes there with the rest of the Avengers, Spider man and the rest. AT the bottom there is Cap America (I hate that guy). And you know what is on top, the funny ones! Though I fear the second Guardian can share the spot with this one, cos that one was not funny.

And what we learned? War rhinos are cool!

aALso the Northern tribe was HAWT

Audio: Murder between the lines - Radha Vatsal

In the second book in the acclaimed Kitty Weeks Mystery series, Kitty is tasked with writing a story about Westfield Hall, a prestigious girls' boarding school. Tragedy strikes when a student named Elspeth is found frozen to death in Central Park. The doctors proclaim that the girl's sleepwalking was the cause, but Kitty isn't so sure.

Determined to uncover the truth, Kitty must investigate a more chilling scenario—a murder that may involve Elspeth's scientist father and a new invention by Thomas Edison.

For fans of Susan Elia MacNeal and Jacqueline Winspear, Murder Between the Lines is a rich and spirited novel with irresistible charm, combining true historical events with a thrilling mystery. 

Audio CD, 7 pages
Published May 1st 2018 by Tantor Audio
Kitty Weeks Mystery #2
Historical mystery
For review

My thoughts:

I have not read/listened to book 1, and I know that I often say it, but honestly, here it truly works as a  stand alone. The author smoothly sets the reader into Kitty's life and it is like we always were there lurking.

Kitty is 19 and works as a reporter at a woman's page at a magazine. Sure, she does not get paid and she works half days, but she loves it! She wants to be  real reporter, in this man's world. She is curious, nice and young. I liked that it really shows that she is 19 at times. That she still lives with her father and it dependent on him. That she does want to strike out on her own, but is not really ready for that.

What to call this book then. Historical mystery? Sure, yes, and it was light too.

The story then; A girl Kitty just met is found dead. She thinks it is weird and investigates, and this is what I love about historical mysteries, it takes time! She is slowly talking to people and following leads, not even knowing if there was foul play. 

And during this there is talk of war (1915-16), submarines and what Germany might do. Suffragettes and women's place in the work place. All neatly woven in  as she look for her clues. I liked that Kitty learned more about herself and what she wanted to do as she looked deeper into things.

I liked the ending, it was something to make you think

Conclusion:
I enjoyed it and I hope Kitty will have more adventures.

Narrator Justine Eyre

She sounded so familiar, and then she did an accent and I knew! Yes I have listened to her before and I enjoy her voice. I like her male voices and accents. And the friendly tone she has.