Willow Writes And Reads Promotions

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Review: Dead as a Doornail

Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jason is about to turn into a panther for the first time. Calvin has agreed to help him with the transition. Everything turns out fine until Calvin gets shot in the chest. It turns out that a few weres and shifters have been shot. One was even killed. There are many people that seem to think that Jason may be the one shooting them. They think he's trying to get revenge for being turned into a panther against his will.

This book was all over the place! I was impressed and intimidated. I also do not remember reading this the first time around at all. I'm beginning to think it's because I read the series so long ago and I've read so many books since then. Either way, I'm really enjoying reading the series. It's been an absolutely amazing ride for me. There were a few parts in this particular book that I felt were a little too rushed over.

Sookie seems to have really come into her skin in this one. She's fully standing up for herself. She's completely sarcastic. I do feel like there's a bit of pent up aggression and agitation that she should probably find a healthy way to get out. Eric and Sam will always be two of my favorite characters in this series. For two completely different reasons. I never really cared for Bill. I always thought his attitude was rude and selfish.

This book, like the rest of the series, was narrated by Johanna Parker. She did just as amazing job on this book as she did the rest. If I close my eyes as I listen, it will be like I'm actually there observing through Sookie's eyes. I know that I could get that while reading too. I get that. It's just that she completely throws herself into the story. It's almost like she literally becomes part of the story. It's amazing. It's inspiring!

I don't really remember the series from the first time around. That's okay though. I'm really enjoying it this time around. It's been an amazing ride. I can't believe I'm practically halfway through the series now. I'm not quite halfway, but I'm almost there. I am at a point where I'm excited to power through the series, but I also don't want the series to end!

View all my reviews

Review: Foul Is Fair

Foul Is Fair by Hannah Capin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Something awful happens to Jade. She goes to a party celebrating her 16th birthday when she's drugged and violated. What people don't realize is that she's Wiccan. She and her clan vow revenge on the boys who turned a night that should have been magical into a nightmare. One person at a time.

I found this book very disturbing in many ways. I liked the story. I really did, but it was disturbing on so many levels. It's like reading a horror novel from the killer's point of view. Something I'm not really used to. In ways, it's like Cruel Intentions, but the main character isn't really horrible. I mean she is, but it's understandable as to why she is. I'm not saying what happens is justified. I'm just saying that I understand it.

Jade is a force of nature. She's terrifying. I wouldn't wish her wrath on my worst enemy. There are several questions I have. Like where are her parents for over half of this stuff that goes down? How is she always able to stay the night at people's houses with no questions asked at all? Also, why were some of the characters faded so much into the background? I kind of forgot who was who now and then.

This book was narrated by Emily Lawrence. She did a pretty amazing job. I almost turned this book in and just read the book on my Kindle, but her narration had me hooked. I actually think it may have amplified the creep factor up to like 20. I'm not sure if I've ever listened to her books before. The name does sound familiar. Either way, I'd definitely listen to other narrations done by her.

While I enjoyed this book, I found it way over the top. It was a little too creepy for my taste. Also, I found that some places were rushed over a little too much. I also didn't really care too much for the ending. I guess I expected a little more. I'm still glad that I got a chance to read it. It's unique. I will say that. I won't be re-reading it.

View all my reviews

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Review: Been There, Married That

Been There, Married That by Gigi Levangie Grazer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Agnus has the perfect life. Her husband is a successful producer. She's launching her own career as a writer. Then things start unraveling. It starts with a trickle that turns into a downpour. Her husband doesn't show up to her book launch party. If that isn't enough, she comes home to find that she's been locked out of and barred from her home. From there, things just get more and more overwhelming.

I found this book absolutely hilarious! For those who are expecting something more serious, this book won't be for them. It's full of satire. I feel like it's meant to be a parody of sorts. I found the book very fast paced, but easy to get into and understand. I had many "wow" moments. I knew when I saw the cover and title that I'd love it. It wasn't what I expected, but it's still worth a read. For those who love books with a lot of comic relief, this book is definitely worth it!

I'm going to start with the obvious here. Agnus. She's just amazingly quirky. She has this ability to let almost anything slide off her. She just keeps going. That is until you try to come between her and her daughter. Then, it's on. Her sister Finn was pretty hilarious as well! I have to say her and the daughter were my favorite two characters in the entire book. I was sad I didn't get to see more of the daughter and the husband. All of the characters of this book were AMAZING.

This book was narrated by Amy McFadden. One of my all time favorite narrators of all time! She's amazing! Once I found out she narrated it, I knew it would be worth listening to! So I jumped at the opportunity to get it on audio. Not that actually reading it isn't worth it. It's just that when you love a narrator, you want to hear them read it!

While this may not be a serious book, it's definitely worth the read. It's full of drama and chaos. It's also full of all kinds of references to pop culture. Some of which are taken way out of context. Which makes it even more hilarious. I enjoyed this book more than I can even explain!

View all my reviews

Monday, February 17, 2020

Review: Winterdream

Winterdream by Chantal Gadoury
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's Christmas Eve. Clara is enjoying the Christmas Ball that her parents always put together. This one is different because her best friend has gotten engaged. She knows that soon becoming engaged will be expected of her as well. The night is interrupted by a dramatic entrance by her great uncle. He gives her a gift that changes everything. It leads her to a whole new world where everybody is counting on her to break a spell.

I have to be honest, I have never actually read The Nutcracker. If it was read to me, I was too young to remember it fully. I did see it every year in theatre as a child. It was and will always remain one of my favorite plays of all time. I loved the story. I loved the rendition. I was ecstatic to find out that this was a retelling! I was curious to see where they would take the story. I could cry with happiness! The beginning starts out almost entirely like the original story. I stress almost.

Clara was a beautiful soul. She was born into aristocracy, but she remained humble and kind. It was beautiful. She was actually a refreshing change to a character I've endured recently, but that's for another place and time. I loved all the characters in the book. Even the ones that were not that great. I mean they are the biggest reason we read these stories. We enjoy the conflict! They bring the conflict! Also, I will never look at a Nutcracker the same way. We have a collection here.

This book was narrated by Anne Marie Lewis. She did a very impressive job for the most part. There were times she made some of the people sound a bit robotic and stiff. I think for some of them that were done on purpose. I can't be sure. I especially think she designed the Prince's voice to sound like that as he was a Nutcracker. Either way, I really enjoyed her narration!

I feel like I should have had some anxieties going into this story. Especially since it's retelling one of my favorite plays of all time. I didn't. I was more thrilled than anything. I mean I'm constantly seeing Disney Princess retellings. I would love to see retellings from other stories as well! This was told so beautifully. It's hard not to just want to listen to the very end!

View all my reviews

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Review: The Body in Griffith Park

The Body in Griffith Park by Jennifer Kincheloe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anna has finally decided to marry Joe. She wants to marry him on her own terms. That's about the only thing going right for her at the moment. Her father still wants nothing to do with her. The chief of police is starting to crack down on her job performance. To add a cherry to the top of the storm that's festering around her, some unknown person is sending her flowers and gifts to her desk every day. She makes a discovery that turns her world upside down.

I really enjoyed the story. Despite my frustrations with the main character. The story itself was amazing. It was full of intrigue and moments that threw me. It's amazing how many things everybody was juggling while still maintaining a healthy social life. It intrigued me. It does show that it's possible. If people could figure out how to do it in the early 1900s, I can figure out how to do it now. There were a few things that I wish were drawn out a bit more.

I haven't ever liked Anna. I mean I respect the fact that she's brilliant. It's amazing how she deduces things so easily that others couldn't see at all. In today's time, she'd be a valuable asset to any of the law enforcement units. She would be respected and revered. I get that. I do. It doesn't change the fact that she's so spoiled and selfish. She doesn't bother to see things from anybody else's point of view but her own. She's a royal brat! I really enjoyed Joe, but he had flaws too. His lack of willingness to stand up for himself. He did the right thing, but he still let Anna make him feel bad! I still adore his character so much.

This book was narrated by Moira Quirk. The first two books in the series were narrated by her. She does a fantastic job. She gave Anna even more dramatic flair than the story originally did. Which is amazing. It takes a real talent for the narrator to fully become the characters they are narrating. She's one of the few that has that talent. I will be listening to other audiobooks by her.

I really enjoyed this book. I may not have really cared for Anna, but that's a personal thing. It has no reflection on the book itself. The whole series was amazing. I was thinking this was a trilogy at first, but it seems like there may be more books that will be a part of this story. If there is, I'm completely down with that idea. I will read every book that has to do with this series. I enjoyed the three very much.

View all my reviews