Never by Tara Lain ~ Audio Review

Title: Never

Series: Pennymaker Tales 04

Author: Tara Lain

Narrator: Kale Williams

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 6 hrs, 41 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (27th March 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Blurb: Wendell “Wen” Darling lives in a world of shoulds and musts. Left to care for his brother and sister by his dull drudge of a father and wacko irresponsible mother, he suppresses his creativity, slaving in an ad agency 70 hours a week, letting his no-talent supervisor take the credit.

Then his bosses blow the campaign for their biggest client and Wen gets a chance to shine – but only if he can find the artist who painted a wild, glorious wall of graffiti in the subway. Hiding behind a pillar at 2:00 a.m., Wen comes face-to-face with the scarlet-haired, elven-faced embodiment of his divergent opposite – Peter Panachek, the flighty, live-for-today painter, singer, and leader of the rock group the Lost Boys.

Everything Wen takes seriously, Peter laughs off, but opposites attract, even if their kisses always lead to battles. Peter’s devil-may-care persona hides a world of secrets, self-protection, and hidden fears, until the day a drug dealer, Vadon Hooker, threatens everything Wen holds dear. Guided by the mysterious Mr. Pennymaker, Peter has to choose between facing responsibility or burrowing even deeper into Neverland.

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: I started listening to the audiobook of Never with mixed feelings. I really do like Tara Lain’s writing and have adored all three previous books in the Pennymaker Tales series. However, I recently had problems and just couldn’t connect to and finish two of Lain’s books in Dreamspun Beyond, so I had worried that perhaps either the author’s writing had changed or there had been a subtle change in what I like to read personally. I mean, the latter can happen at any time and has nothing to do with the author of any book.

As for the series itself I really love the concept. It is a contemporary story set against the background of well-known fairytales (ie Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast and Peter Pan). There is also something of an urban fantasy element in the language used by Lain for one minor character who is the essence of the entire series, helping the couples to find each other, Carstairs Pennymaker.

As I said, I love all three previous points and I have to say that I was not disappointed with the fourth book, I adored Never. Lain has created a very quirky but relatable and fun world in this story that really did border into urban fantasy. The audio narration by Kale Williams was also fantastic, his naturally soft voice suited both MCs.

Never is the story of Wendell “Wen” Darling and the mysterious Peter Panachek – see the Peter Pan references rush in now. There’s a Hook[er], a Schmee, Tinkerbelle, The Lost Boys and even Neverland. However, being a Blackadder fan, jokes made about Wen’s surname also make me think of Blackadder Goes Forth with Captain Darling, named exactly for the purpose of these jokes. Being that this was based on Peter Pan there are some clear parallels in the plot line of both stories.

Additionally, those that grew up loving the movie Hook will probably find it easier to relate to the modern setting of the movie and reconciling it with the book.

Wen is a struggling advertising worker. He works crazy hours just to keep a shabby roof over the heads of himself, his eleven-year-old brother and sixteen-year-old sister. Wen is in a lot of trouble at work when his job is left on the line after a lazy manager verges on losing the ad agency one of their biggest clients after giving a stale idea for the campaign. Wen’s boss gives him a chance to make it up and it leads Wen on a crazy ride, leading him to Peter Panachek. Wen and Peter are very difficult, yet at the same time with a mysterious past its clear that Peter really isn’t all that dissimilar to Wen. Peter has a bit of a hero complex and despite being afraid that he will be found by his family after running away two years ago, he will help Wen so that he doesn’t lose his job and become unable to feed his siblings.

Both Wen come with a tonne of baggage. Peter doesn’t like the stodgy world that Wen lives in and thinks that he acts like an old man. While, on the other hand, Wen thinks that Peter is too irresponsible and vague, reminding Wen and his siblings of their absent mother.

And, of course, there is the enigmatic Carstairs Pennymaker. A seemingly rich entrepreneur who is ready to help save the day and make sure the couples find a way to see that they truly belong together. This character injects a sense of whimsy that irresistible, albeit you may need to suspend your disbelief just for moment to believe in him.

September by Robert Winter Audio Blast, Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Robert Winter - September Banner

Hi guys! We have Robert Winter stopping by today with his audio release September, we have the first part of a fabulous interview with the narrator Kale Williams, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant $25 Amazon GC giveaway for two lucky winners, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

September

(Pride and Joy 01)
by

Written by Robert Winter

Narrator: Kale Williams

A May-December contemporary gay romance for lovers of second chances

David James is smart, successful, handsome… and alone. After the death of his lover, Kyle, from cancer, he buried himself in his law practice and the gym. At forty-eight, he is haunted by his memories and walled off from the world. When David injures himself working out, he’s assigned to Brandon Smith for physical therapy. The vibrant young therapist is attracted to David and realizes he needs a hand to get back into dating. What begins as a practice coffee date escalates to friendship, passion, and maybe something more, as they navigate a new relationship in Washington, DC, and the gay mecca of Provincetown.

But David remains trapped behind the barrier of fear and guilt. Will he remain loyal to Kyle’s memory if he moves on? Can he and Brandon manage a twenty-two-year age gap? Brandon thinks he understands David’s concerns, and for him, the answer to those questions is yes. He wants to be with David, and he believes he can overcome David’s barriers. But Brandon fails to account for the world’s reaction to a handsome young man attached to an older, wealthy lover.

David’s memories, Brandon’s pride, and an unexpected tragedy might cost them something very special…

Continue reading “September by Robert Winter Audio Blast, Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway!”

A Walk Through Fire by Felice Stevens ~ Audiobook

Felice Stevens - A Walk Through Fire Audio CoverTitle: A Walk Through Fire

Series: Through Hell & Back 01

Author: Felice Stevens

Narrator: Kale Williams

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Length: 10 hrs 

Publisher: Felice Stevens (6th March 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Narration: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Years after running away from an abusive foster family, Asher Davis still struggles with the guilt of leaving his foster brothers behind. He’s climbed to unimaginable heights as a ruthless, high-powered attorney, creating a life of power and control.

Blaming himself for the death of his parents, Dr. Drew Klein retreats into a shell of loneliness, merely going through the motions of life. After a disastrous, short-lived marriage, Drew leaves his lucrative medical practice to set up a clinic for abused young men and women. The decision has more repercussions than Drew could ever imagine when the dark and sensual Ash Davis volunteers to help. Although Drew isn’t gay, Ash is inexplicably drawn to him. He vows to simply bed him and forget him like he’s done with every other man. However, Drew’s sweet and caring nature and unexpected passion both stun and frighten Ash, who questions his right to any happiness at all. And when Ash befriends an abused young man who unwittingly draws the clinic into danger, threatening Drew’s safety and that of his beloved grandmother, Ash discovers that there is nothing he won’t sacrifice to protect the love he never thought he’d find.

©2106 Felice Stevens (P)2017 Felice Stevens

Product Link: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/A-Walk-Through-Fire-Audiobook/B06XDFRJVL

Reviewer: Gigi

Review: If you enjoy dark characters with a disturbing past full of pain, you’ll enjoy Asher. This is a story full of cycles of abuse, self harm, relationships doomed by scars from the past. A lot of the plot revolves around psychological issues, confronting, sharing, and healing wounds from the past. Learning how to face your fears and move forward is central to the plot. Will Ash find comfort and trust his heart in someone’s hands? Will Drew discover something about himself and trust his heart to a damaged man? Just a warning too, there is self harm in this story. 

The characters take a while to unveil themselves, and even though I enjoy the dark and dangerous Ash, and the seemingly naive and too trusting Drew, my favorite character is actually Drew’s wise and knowing grandmother. She sees right through everyone! 

Some of the plot is predictable, and yes a bit trite, but honest and sometimes very ugly. It’s a good read/listen, especially if you enjoy the hurt/love combo. At least it’s a story with a good plot and not just steamy smexy scenes, though there are plenty of those!   

The narrator did an excellent job giving each character defined voices, had a rich smooth tempo, and was good at both dark and brooding and wise old ladies! Definitely worth a read or listen if you’re into drama, and healing hurt souls.

A Walk Through Fire by Felice Stevens Audio Tour, Excerpt & Review!

Felice Stevens - A Walk Through Fire AT Banner

Hi guys, we have Felice Stevens stopping by today with her new audio release A Walk Through Fire, we have a great excerpt and Gigi’s great review, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~

Felice Stevens - A Walk Through Fire Audio Cover

A Walk Through Fire

(Through Hell and Back 01)
by

Felice Stevens

Narrator: Kale Williams

Years after running away from an abusive foster family, Asher Davis still struggles with the guilt of leaving his foster brothers behind. He’s climbed to unimaginable heights as a ruthless, high-powered attorney, creating a life of power and control.

Blaming himself for the death of his parents, Dr. Drew Klein retreats into a shell of loneliness, merely going through the motions of life. After a disastrous, short-lived marriage, Drew leaves his lucrative medical practice to set up a clinic for abused young men and women. The decision has more repercussions than Drew could ever imagine when the dark and sensual Ash Davis volunteers to help. Although Drew isn’t gay, Ash is inexplicably drawn to him. He vows to simply bed him and forget him like he’s done with every other man. However, Drew’s sweet and caring nature and unexpected passion both stun and frighten Ash, who questions his right to any happiness at all. And when Ash befriends an abused young man who unwittingly draws the clinic into danger, threatening Drew’s safety and that of his beloved grandmother, Ash discovers that there is nothing he won’t sacrifice to protect the love he never thought he’d find.

Continue reading “A Walk Through Fire by Felice Stevens Audio Tour, Excerpt & Review!”

Sinders and Ash by Tara Lain ~ Audiobook

Tara Lain - Sinders and Ash Cover AudioTitle: Sinders and Ash

Series:  Pennymaker Tales 1

Author: Tara Lain

Narrator: Kale Williams

Genre: Contemporary, Urban Fantasy

Length: 4 hrs, 52 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (29th February 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Housekeeper Mark Sintorella (Sinders) works diligently at a resort hotel while designing clothes anonymously, hoping to get into fashion school. Then his carefully planned life is upended with the arrival of Ashton Armitage, son of the fifth richest man in America – and the most beautiful guy Mark has ever seen. Ash must find a wife or he’ll lose his grandfather’s inheritance, and he settles on Bitsy Fanderel. But secretly Ash is gay, and the guy who cleans the fireplaces sets his heart ablaze.

Further stirring the pot is the little elf of a man, Carstairs Pennymaker, who has Mark wearing his own designs and masquerading as a girl to impress the fashion investors in the hotel. When the clock strikes 12, two beautiful princesses line up for the wedding – but one isn’t a woman. Will the slipper fit? Only Mr. Pennymaker knows for sure.

Product Link: Audible US |  Audible UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Sinders and Ash is, as you can tell from the title, a modern reimagining of the Cinderella. I was totally and completely charmed by this story. I loved it all, from the actual storyline, to the characters and the excellent narration by Kale Williams, who brought every emotion to life fantastically.

Mark Sintorella (Sinders) is a poor housekeeper who does his best to keep his head down and not make any waves at the resort he works at. He’s had a hard life mainly because he was rejected by his family for being gay. Now at the resort his bosses are not kind to him, a sleazy cook constantly hits on him and other workers who whisper words about him behind his back. Everything changes for him when he meets mysterious guest, Carstairs Pennymaker, which also happens to be the day that he meets the son of one of the richest men in the country, Ashton Armitage.

I suppose there are a number of aspects of this story which force you to suspend your disbelief for the entirety of the book. I think the biggest one for me to wrap my head around was Mark’s continuing to appaear as a female when dressing in the clothes he makes – which are, like in any fairytale, are runway worthy, I think. I think it just got to the point where at the end I was thinking “why?”

All in all, I loved this fairytale of poor boy meets rich boy and they fall in love. Carstairs Pennymaker, the whimsical elven guy (seriously, wtf is he??) is as lovable as the two main characters. A real satisfying read and I can’t wait to get to book 2!

Driven Snow by Tara Lain ~ Audiobook

Tara Lain - Driven Snow Cover AudioTitle: Driven Snow

Series:  Pennymaker Tales 2

Author: Tara Lain

Narrator: Kale Williams

Genre: Contemporary, Urban Fantasy

Length: 6 hr, 45 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (23rd June 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Young Snowden “Snow” Reynaldi is brilliant, beautiful, and alone. Though he’s shy, weird, and tolerated by the NorCal University students because he’s a renowned whiz at chess and helps put the school on the map, that doesn’t keep him from dreaming of the object of his desires: Riley Prince, championship quarterback.

When Riley needs a physics tutor, Snow jumps at the chance, and their relationship heats up – but Riley has to come out of the jock closet to get anywhere. Meanwhile, Snow’s one true friend and mentor, Professor Kingsley, marries a woman who secretly wants the chess tournament glory and money for herself. Soon after, the professor collapses and Snow finds himself underwater – literally. In a car!

Seven frat brothers from Grimm College rescue Snow just in time for his life to get even worse, and Snow discovers the one relationship he always wanted slipping away. With evil looming at every turn, Snow must survive if only to prove he’s the fairest of them all and regain the trust of his handsome prince.

Product Link: Audible US |  Audible UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Everything about Driven Snow is absolutely awesome! This is a reimagining of the Snow White fairytale, so luckily you don’t need to read book 1 (based on Cinderella) to get all the characters. Once again the narration by Kale Williams just tops off a most wonderful and whimsical tale which takes us into the world of college and grand chess masters.

Snowden Reynaldi, aka Snow, is a champion chess player and a feather in the cap to his college because he is basically unbeatable. He’s shy and super smart and basically the type of nerd everyone can love, especially if you can relate to him. His Prince Charming is the popular jock, Riley Prince. The problem being for any romance is that Riley is deep inside the closet. With a beloved teacher/chess mentor/father figure in addition to a conniving witch who doesn’t want Snow to succeed at the chess championships, all our players are in place.

Well most of them – after all the traditional story is “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves”. I have to admit, I was really curious about how this part was going to play out, although the blurb does tell us it’s seven frat brothers from nearby Grimm College but that was only enough information to pique my curiosity. Plus, you know, that whole glass coffin thing – I was really wondering if there was more to that too than we see in the blurb. I have to say that I loved the frat guys, they were all funny and at one point they definitely had more brains than Prince Charming!

Of course being a Pennymaker tale, I was looking forward to the appearance of the fairy godfather elven man himself (I still don’t know what he is). He isn’t in the story as much as I would have liked but he definitely has a helper in the guise of Riley’s friendly neighbor, a kind old lady who is something of a fairy godmother. And now I want to get into book 3 because I am totally charmed by the worlds that Tara Lain has woven using the modern world and fairytales!