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Review: Running Wild (Hell Ryders MC #1) by J.L. Sheppard

What A First Ride!

Running Wild is #01 in the Hell Ryders MC Series by J.L. Sheppard.

Ken Solin narrates.

HEA with No cliffhangers!

This is the first in series so can be read at anytime. But as always, I suggest reading in order once you start this series.

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Content Advisory:
There is sex, dirty talk, and cussing. Yum!

Motorcycles + Hot Alpha Males = A Smexy Good Time!

Running Wild is the first in this MC Romance series. It does a good job at setting the ground work for the players and their world without distracting from plot. It centers around Jace and Allie, but by the end you know all the characters you want to see get a HEA, as well as the ones you want to punch in the throat. All done without slowing you down or making you forget what you were actually reading about.

Jace “Trigger” Warren is our first biker bad boy up to bat. He has a lot of heart despite his gruff exterior. He is attracted to the heroine from the moment he sees her, but has to hold back because his war buddy Ty puts the “Do Not Touch” stamp on her right off the bat. Of course this doesn’t ultimately stop him, but it does make it hella complicated. I like the character but he mentioned being trailer trash way too much to the point it became cringe worthy. 3 times spaced out would of gotten the point across fine. I do love that he is not afraid to speak up and tell it like it is, especially to Lilliam. I hated that psycho.

Alyssa “Allie” Holden is our self conscience heroine. It’s to the point I wanted to smack her by the end. She manages to pull herself out of a F’d up situation to escape to the safety of her brother Ty. Not to mention this chick has a masters degree from an Ivy League school. The girl is smart and has got some balls, but she just doesn’t realize it. Lucky for her Jace doesn’t let her hide from it! She bucks the system in her determination to not have anyone control her life, but finds out the hard way why the secret service do what they do. I’m hoping in the future books we will see more growth in her character. 

Overall this is a great start to a new series. I look forward to the bikers that are yet to come. I really want to hear Ty’s book. That boy is so clueless! I think he has a thing for Tina. He so wants to be her baby daddy in more than just the obvious ways! It would also be poetic turn-about. She is Jace‘s little sister! There are currently 2 more Hell Ryders stories out in audio, Cuss and Ripper.

Audio Sample


This is my first listen by J.L. Sheppard. The characters are real and memorable. I want more! I plan to listen to the rest of the series as soon as I can get my hands on them.

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This is my first listen by Ken Solin. He does a good job with the various characters. His pauses could use some polish but overall it works.

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Normal speed was fine.
There were some random background noises from time to time but in short spurts.


Hell Ryders MC Series

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My Reviews

Ebook obtained through Scribd.

Audiobook obtained at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review.

Audiobookworm Blog Tour: Fury’s Kiss


Author: Nicola R. White

Narrator: Elizabeth Tebb

Length: 9 hours 2 minutes

Series: New England Furies, Book 1

Publisher: Strange Roads Press

Released: Sep. 18, 2017

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Tara Walker dreams of more excitement than slinging plates of seafood for Cape Cod tourists, but as she learns when she is attacked and forced to fight for her life, fate sometimes has a funny way of giving you exactly what you wish for. Faced with strange new powers and embroiled in a murder investigation, Tara must now race to uncover the secrets of the ancient Fury that has woken inside of her – and of the evil that stalks her.

As if Tara’s life hasn’t gotten complicated enough, she is forced to ally herself with Jackson Byrne, witness to her assault and uncle to a pint-sized oracle whose fate is intertwined with hers. Skeptical, stubborn, and oh-so-sexy, Jackson wrestles with demons of his own. He is determined to ignore the attraction rising between them even faster than the body count, but like it or not, he and Tara need each other if they are to unravel the mysteries that surround them.

Nicola R. White comes from a small city on the east coast of Canada where ghost stories and superstitions abound. Although she is a lawyer by profession, her passion is reading and writing fiction. In 2016, Nicola’s debut novel, Fury’s Kiss, won the $10,000 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize in Romance. She is currently producing her first graphic novel.

Nicola is a member of Romance Writers of America and Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada. She is a frequent guest and speaker at literary events such as Word on the Street and Hal-Con, the largest sci fi/fantasy convention east of Montreal.

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Narrator Bio

I am a literacy specialist with experience performing in a number of roles. Having spent a great deal of time speaking publicly as both an educator and an administrator, I have accrued a varied skill set that I feel confident I can use to advance and advertise bodies of work. My passion for literature drives me to bring the voices within it to life.

 

 

  • Q: Have you always been a fan of Greek Mythology, or was it something new to you?
    • I have always loved mythology of all types and wanted to be an archaeologist when I was a kid. I knew the basics of Greek mythology when the idea for Fury’s Kiss came to me, but I had to do much more detailed research for the book. As the series has grown, the world building has gotten very complex and I’ve learned a ton of interesting history and mythology.
  • Q: Are there plans to bring the rest of the series to Audio?
    • Yes! I hope to release the second book in audio by the end of this year, and then pick up the pace of production after that to get books three and four in listeners’ hands as well.
    • I am SO excited!
  • Q: Are there any more titles planned in this series or a potential spin-off in this world?
    • Right now there are four books in my New England Furies series, with three more planned.
    • I wonder who those are going to be about?!
  • Q: I loved the character of Mrs. Hadley. Was she based on or inspired by anyone you know?
    • Mrs. Hadley is based on my grandmother. She is not quite as eccentric as Mrs. Hadley is, but she’s a close second. She always has great stories to tell and knows the latest neighborhood gossip. She loves to try new things, even in her mid-80s, and you can count her to say something inappropriate and hilarious.
    • Those are always the best!
  • Q: Is there a hidden joke written into the bar? Especially with one of the men at the bar having the last name of Priest. One of those jokes that involves women of a certain hair color and a priest walk into a bar.
    • The bar is actually modelled after a bar where I worked as a bartender while I was in university. The description of the interior is very similar to the real thing and some of the characters that come into the bar are based on real people I met while working there. There was no particular meaning behind the last name of Priest, although I liked the irony of the name being attached to a “bad guy”. However, there is someone who gets killed off in this book who shares a name with an old ex!
  • Q: As readers and listeners we all have our favorite lines, but what were some of yours. It may be the equivalent of asking a parent to pick their favorite child, but they know.
    • This is a tough one! I had a lot of fun writing Mrs. Hadley and she is a fan favorite, so pretty much any of her lines could qualify. I also had fun imagining the unintentionally funny things Ruby might say, like confusing her Navy SEAL uncle with an actual seal (the animal). Finally, I really like the last lines of the book, although I won’t quote them here and spoil it for readers/listeners.

To read my full review, Click Here


I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Nicola R. White. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Giveaway

Fury’s Kiss Giveaway: 3-month Audible Membership

Also available from Nicola R. White

Man’s Ruin is available for adoption on the Adopt-An-Audiobook page!

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Review: Fury’s Kiss (New England Furies #1) by Nicola R. White


What An Exciting Story, I Want More!

Fury’s Kiss is #01 in the New England Furies Series by Nicola R. White.

Elizabeth Tebb narrates.

HEA with No cliffhangers!

This is a connected series, with interacting characters, places, and themes. I would recommend reading these in order.

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Content Advisory:
There is sex, dirty talk, and cursing. 👍 This is action packed so things are all part of the action.

There is a attempted rape scene in the beginning.

At the time of this posting, this Audiobook is currently available as part of the Audible Romance Package.

And the E-Book is currently FREE in the Kindle Store..

If you like Mythology, you are going to love this title! Lots of Greek lore that isn’t touched on as much, which is refreshing. The Furies take front and center, and they are pretty bad-ass!

“Hell has no Fury like a woman scorned!”

This series focuses on 3 Hot Messes of roommates that are also BFFs. They will come to inhabit a Fury to ultimately stop a big bad, maybe more than one, that is coming into our world. Well, that is over simplifying it, because these ladies are pretty bad in their own right. Alecto, Fury of Vengeance, finds her home in Tara. The shadow cat Fury of Jealousy, Megaera, finds a fitting home in Alex. While the slightly more logical Fury or Murder, Tisiphone, finds a home in Rach. Apate, Eris, and Keres are all mentioned as the potential foe, so not for sure if there is going to be more than one Top Villain, or all three.

“If Rachel’s first instinct was still to diagram the problem, my world hadn’t changed so much, after all.”
— Tara

Fury’s Kiss focuses on Tara Walker the waitress. Once this story gets going, its hard to put it down. There is a little bit of everything that makes a great Paranormal read. There is romance, some laughs, adventure, the girlfriends you wish you had, super awesome powers, plus all the great bits of mythology you know and love. Plus some that I knew about but not in as much detail as I do now!

“Rach, I cannot become a dog-girl with bat wings. That is not OK.”
— Tara

The Scooby Gang comes together quite quickly. You are introduced to all the major players of the the first 3 main books so I would suggest reading in order, as there are tid-bits that help fill out a character’s profile that you would loose if you start in the middle. Only #01 is in audio at this moment, but there are plans to get the others out soon. That’s about the only bad thing I can say about this title and series. The E-Books are available on Amazon for all that is currently written, just not audio.

Audio Sample

Nicola R. White has created some awesome characters I just can’t get enough of. 😊 I can’t wait for the rest of the series to make it to audio. This was my first listen and won’t be my last!

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This was my first listen by Elizabeth Tebb. I could totally get lost in the story which is what you want from narrator. I did not like the Cajun accent for Ty. I grew up in the area that accent comes from and it did not work for me. Luckily it’s not used much.

AudibleGoodReads

Normal speed was fine, however I listened at 0.90x. It is my personal preference.

My Reviews

Ebook obtained through the Kindle store.

Audiobook obtained for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review.


Audiobookworm Blog Tour: Clutch



Clutch

Author: Lisa Becker

Narrator: Suzanne Barbetta

Length: 8 hours 11 minutes

Publisher: Lisa Willet Becker

Released: May 30, 2018

Genre: Contemporary Romance

clutch: a novel is the laugh-out-loud, chick lit romance chronicling the dating misadventures of Caroline Johnson, a single purse designer who compares her unsuccessful romantic relationships to styles of handbags – the “Hobo” starving artist, the “Diaper Bag” single dad, the “Briefcase” intense businessman, etc. With her best friend, bar owner Mike by her side, the overly-accommodating Caroline drinks a lot of Chardonnay, puts her heart on the line, endures her share of unworthy suitors and finds the courage to discover the “Clutch” or someone she wants to hold onto.

Buy Links


 

Lisa Becker is a romance writer who spends her time like she spends her money – on books and margaritas. In addition to Clutch: a novel, she is the author of the Click trilogy, a contemporary romance series about online dating and Links, a standalone, second chance romance readers call light, fun, sexy and smart. As Lisa’s grandmother used to say, “For every chair, there’s a tush.” Lisa is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach, California with him and their two daughters. So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for anyone! You can share your love stories with her at www.lisawbecker.com.

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Narrator Bio

Suzanne Barbetta became a voracious reader when she realized the magic of books allowed her to become anyone, anywhere, and in any world. A storyteller and performer since age 5, she later apprenticed at 2 regional theaters and earned her Actor’s Equity card. She’s also a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, the Audio Publishers Association and the League of Professional Theatre Women. Audiobooks are a way to satisfy her pathological addiction to reading. Now based in NYC, she is also the voice of the Fierce, Funny, Fab Fangirls of the series Geek Actually for Serial Box Publishing.

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To read my full review, Click Here


I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Lisa Becker. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Custom Q&A with Author Lisa Becker by Audiobook Romance on July 2nd

 

  • Where did the inspiration for Clutch come from? Secret bag obsession come to life or personal philosophy?
    • When I was writing the Click trilogy, (Click: An Online Love Story, Double Click, and Right Click), I was obsessed with NCIS re-runs and would have the show on in the background as I wrote. There was an episode where a character refers to a man as a “handbag husband,” or something useless you carry on your arm. I started thinking about that, and the idea for Clutch grew from there. I believe that everyone deserves a happily ever after and would like to think there’s a “clutch,” or someone worth holding onto, out there for everyone.
  • Some of the dating scenarios seem very specific. Were
    any of the potential beaus or their dates based on real life experience?

    • The dating scenarios in Clutch are pure fiction – a product of my overactive imagination, but I’m flattered you think they are realistic enough to be drawn from real life experiences. But my first novel, Click, is loosely based on my real-life dating experiences, as well as stories friends have shared with me. In some cases, things are written as they actually occurred. Other scenarios are exaggerated for entertainment value or comedic affect. And some scenarios are completely fictionalized, though I really did go out on a date with someone I met online who started every story (no joke!) with “My buddies and I were out drinking last night.”
  • What is your favorite or go to bag you can’t live without?
    • I have a black, Michael Kors hobo-style bag that is like an extension of my body. It houses all my essentials. Where I go, the bag goes.
  • Have you found the perfect clutch (partner) in real life?
    • I do! 18 years ago, I met my clutch on an dating website, when online dating was in its infancy. We celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary this summer and have two beautiful girls. My grandmother used to say, “For every chair, there’s a tush.” So, if it happened for me, there’s hope for anyone!
  • What are your feelings on the man bag? We have our own little micro storage where they are left to only pockets. Gender inequality, or only fair since men’s clothing is designed with pocket storage in mind?
    • Yes! A controversy for the ages. If my husband had a man bag, I fear he would leave home without me, as he wouldn’t need me to hold his keys, wallet, breath mints and other assorted sundries. LOL!
  • Finally, how do you weigh in on the debate heard round the world. Can one have too many bags?
    • Never!

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Clutch Giveaway: Holly A. Jones Oversized Clutch

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Review: Clutch by Lisa Becker


Adulting Is Not Easy To Do!

Clutch is a standalone, by Lisa Becker.

Suzanne Barbetta narrates.

HEA, NO Cliffhangers!

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Content Warning:
There is sex and some cussing, but this is more an exploration in being an adult than anything else.

Those that are overly sensitive to the “cheating” factor may not approve. To be clear, there is NO cheating, but it does take Caroline a long time to figure out what she wants which includes dalliances with many men.

 

This is an exploration of what it is to follow your dreams while also trying to find your heart’s desire for the “One”. It ain’t easy folks, and this story pulls no punches for the all too real awkward moments in life. Bonus though, you get to explore it through the wonderful realm of handbags!

 

“Find something you love and hold onto it.” — Aunt Mimi

 

Clutch is mostly about Caroline Johnson however, as much as she hangs out with Mike, he might as well be her sidekick. We get to follow along as she launches her business and in her attempts to find the “Perfect Clutch” of a man. The dates are very life like and I’m sure you will find at least one that you can relate to on one side of the coin or the other. For instance, I can relate to the single father, and how hard it is to date as a single parent. Telling a guy I have kids was an easy way to get rid of an unwanted suitor, seriously. Telling someone you want to stick around was a different story. I was fearful as hell to tell my now current husband when we were first dating. I could feel the guy’s pain for sure!

Michael “Mike” Frederick Barnsworth’s old money roots are far different than Caroline’s small town upbringing, but that never seemed to matter to him. Their first meeting is in grad school at Harvard, and by the time they leave they are BFFs. Mike wanted to ditch his family’s expectations and open his own bar like Tom Cruise in Cocktail. I love his idea of “research” while earning their MBAs, but I do have to disappoint him on the food side of things. I can honestly say that I have lived in L.A. and have NEVER had a Pink’s dog! I’m not standing in line for over an hour to get a hot-dog, sorry!

I was expecting there to be an explanation for each bag like in the blurb, but there wasn’t. Clutch is close to real life, as in, there are often no clear winners or losers. I felt a bit wrung out by the end. For those that like that kind of thing, you will love this story. One of my guilty pleasures is Bachelor in Paradise, and this story really reminds me of Wells, who is actually the bartender for the show now. If you don’t know who or what I’m talking about, I apologize, but to say anything more would be a spoiler.

 

Audio Sample

 

This is my first listen by Lisa Becker. The humor she infuses into her stories makes the awkwardness of life more bearable.

 
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This is my first listen by Suzanne Barbetta. She did great with all genders and ages. They really came through to my ears and my throat. I needed a cough drop after hearing her rendition of chain smoking Aunt Mimi!

 
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Normal speed was fine, however I listened at 0.90x. It is my personal preference.

 

My Reviews

Audiobook obtained at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review