Sorry it’s taking so long to get back to normal.
Category: Audible
I have been devouring Darynda Jones books. I think there are very few I haven’t read (listened to).
If you like weirdly dark but funny to the point of nearly waking my husband, you might enjoy her books.
I’ll try to get back and tell more. But check her books out.
Impatience is the reason I owe at least 6 book reviews. Maybe that’s the best review. I’m loving and still enjoying the Grave series by Darynda Jones narrated by Lorelei King.
The minute I finish one book I go find another on Libby. I just started The Trouble With Twelfth Grave.
And when one of the next books wasn’t available I found A Bad Day for Sunshine by the same author and narrator. It’s first in another series.
I’m not impatient to finish Ms. Jones books. They are so much fun. I’d love them even without any plot. Her collection of T-shirts quotes, and memes. I would love to have most T-shirts quoted for my own wardrobe.
Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Because I am already on book 6, I am including the blurb to remind me what was in the second book.
Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper Extraordinaire, is back in this sexy, suspenseful novel of supernatural shenanigans.
When Charley is rudely awakened in the middle of the night by her best friend, who tells her to get dressed quickly and tosses clothes out of the closet at her, she can’t help but wonder what Cookie’s up to. Leather scrunch boots with a floral miniskirt? Together? Seriously?
Cookie explains that a friend of hers named Mimi disappeared five days earlier and that she just got a text from her setting up a meet at a coffee shop downtown. They show up at the coffee shop, but no Mimi. But Charley finds a message on the bathroom wall. Mimi left a clue, a woman’s name. Mimi’s husband explains that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old friend of hers from high school had been found murdered a couple of weeks prior. The same woman Mimi had named in her message.
Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan, yes, literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He’s left his body because he’s being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven… well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty. Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Will Cookie ever get a true fashion sense? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel them as they do?
Even with the blurb, I am having a hard time zeroing in on any one of the five books. So I’ll be general in my review. These books are a fun mix of Ghost Whisperer, Ghostbusters, and other silly paranormal detective stories. Every one of these books keeps me laughing. My favorite parts are the chapter titles from T-Shirts, bumper stickers, and posters.
Darynda Jones writes with levity. Tongue in cheek or outright humor. We all need that right now. Lorelei King, as the narrator, makes the stories more fun. In fact, I love Ms. King’s work so much that I ordered her book about learning to narrate.
Libby has all of the books available. I hope you get the chance to listen to these.
First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Okay, even if I give you the blurb, I don’t know if it would help you decide to read/listen to this book. Oh, heck:
A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper. Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light”. But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e., murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice.
Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life… and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.
This is a thrilling debut novel from an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense. The audio includes a sneak peek of Second Grave on the Left. (From the GoodReads page for the book).
Don’t think of it as dark or twisty. More like, “Sarcastic much?” Yes, that was a leaning toward Buffy and similar shows and books. Tongue-in-cheek and other kinds of funny. Hard to read at bedtime as guffaws blurt out and wake my husband.
My friend, Cher, recommended this series. After the wonderful Outlander tomes, I needed something light and fun. I want to thank Libby for having the series ready one right after another.
The Outlandish Companion, Volume Two: The Companion to The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, An Echo in the Bone, and Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Clearly, I love the Outlander series. But these Companions, One and Two, are the cherry on top. I listened to both companions on Audible. But I feel I would love to have the hardback copies for research purposes.
Having the “Cliff Notes” of the books summarized is helpful, though not as delightful as another reading of the actual books would be. Still, it was the author’s notes on writing about her life and philosophies of love and life that kept me awake, listening long past the time I should have forced myself to close my eyes and sleep.
As always, I highly recommend this series. Author Diana Gabaldon and narrator Davina Porter make the best storytelling combination.
The Outlandish Companion: Companion to Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, and Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a bit of ‘Cliff Notes’ of the four books, that I think if you just need a reminder or a quick overall read.
My favorite part of this book was the author tells her side the tale and her writing methods.
I believe that if a person just wanted to step into the world and learn about writing this book could stand alone.
My Audible verson gave me the variety of voices offered by Diana Gabaldon, herself, and Davina Porter reading the book summaries. I loved getting the chance to revisit the places I have been three times before. I love the world of Outlander.
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I just finished my third reading of this series. I can’t think of anything to add to this review. It is still my favorite, and I am still in love with the series, Diana Gabaldon, and Davina Porter. I’d like to learn to be even half the writer or narrator as these two.
***
As much as I love all the Outlanders, this may be my favorite. The sad part is that the next book isn’t ready to read. So now I am floundering with Diana Gabaldon’s novellas. And Davina Porter makes Ms. Gabaldon’s writing shine!
Don’t let it scare you; think honey, not stingers. Bees do play a part in telling this story. My takeaway is to always talk to the bees; they want to know.
As with the rest of the series, this book is educational about the American Revolution. It is inspirational as I long to read and research our history to know more than I learned in school. It proves my point that the student will feel curious if you throw in a bit of magic.
Ah, but, Diana, why did you have to leave this on a cliff? Especially knowing that it would be ages until your perfected sequel (as opposed to the Game of Thrones hurried ending by someone else.) But it wasn’t a high cliff, so I’ll tolerate it knowing our heroes will be safe somehow and once again save the day.
I love, love, love all the lessons the Frasiers and friends have to teach us and can’t wait for more.
If you get the chance, please listen to these books in audio form as Davina Porter brings the story to life.
Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
So a few days ago, I finished the book again. I am still in awe and in love with the whole Outlander series. I love the adventure of seeing history through the eyes of my imaginary literary friends. I love the ways Brianna and Roger attempt to solve a kidnapping of their child. A scary enough event without all of history to explore. I love the way Jamie and Claire were able to stay in touch with their daughter and her family over time. This story only seems to pull me more and more. I’ve already started re-reading 3 of the next book. Even now, I have reruns of the first season playing while writing this and my NaNoWriMo. I love the music, and I don’t have to be involved while it is on. If there were a magic wand, I would wave it and wish I could write like Diana Gabaldon and narrate like Davina Porter.
~~~
Yes, I reread it. And I still say the same things about it being my favorite Outlander so far. Do you want to know why? Okay, beyond Diana Gabaldon’s writing and research and Davina Porter’s voice acting, this character and scenes list goes beyond the first review I wrote below.
Characters: Jamie Fraser, Brianna Randall, Roger MacKenzie, Jeremiah MacKenzie, Fergus Fraser, Marsali Fraser, Germain Fraser, Ian Murray, Lord John Grey, Benedict Arnold, Claire Randall Fraser, Jonathan Randall, Dougal MacKenzie, Geillis Duncan, Jenny Murray, Young Ian Murray, William Ransom, Rachel Hunter, Denzell Hunter, William Buccleigh MacKenzie, Amanda MacKenzie, Harold, Duke of Pardloe, Henri-Christian Fraser, Brian Fraser, Jane Pocock, Frances Pocock, Dorothea Grey, Jerry MacKenzie, George Washington.
Settings: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1778 (United States)
Lallybroch, Scotland, 1980 (United Kingdom)
Lallybroch, Scotland, 1739 (United Kingdom)
Savannah, Georgia, 1779 (United States)
North Carolina, 1779 (United States)
Fraser’s Ridge, North Carolina, 1779 (United States)
***
I thought that book 7, Echo In The Bone, was my favorite of the Outlander books. Nope. Written in My Own Heart’s Blood wins. It was fantastic!
Regardless of the time the characters land in, they all grow and help us learn the rules of Gabaldon’s Time Travel.
What can I tell you that won’t spoil it for you?
As usual, there is a lot of research evident in the reading, and as one supposes, there are instances of poetic license, which Diana Gabaldon admits she has it framed on her wall.
The most exciting part of the book is when Breanna talks about Doctor Who in a chapter called “Thank You For The Fish.” (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy). Now I really wish I had a TARDIS so that I could play in all three universes.
And I wish I could move on to book 9, but my Audible credits don’t come until the middle of the month. A quick note about why I read by Audible most often now: actual reading is impossible for my eyes. It seems to be a tracking issue. So I use Kindle Text-to-Speech a lot. Though TTS works well for most books, I want to hear words pronounced correctly when other languages are involved. Davina Porter is able to range the language barriers and character ages and sexes with apparent ease. I love listening to her.
If you get the chance, the books are as good, if not better than the shows, and the Audible versions are the best of all the worlds. Enjoy!
***
By the way, since the first reading and the need for Audible, I have had cataract surgery and hope that soon I can read paper books. But for books like this with many foreign languages I don’t know how to pronounce, I’ll stick with Audible.
An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Below are my first two reviews of this book. Nothing has changed in this third reading. I LOVE the OUTLANDER series, both the books and the television series. Diana Gabaldon is a super author. Davina Porter is the best narrator ever!
Below is my first review of this Audio version of the book. Nothing has changed. This is still my favorite Outlander book. It was great to read it as this season of Outlander streams. In fact, the scene from a couple of weeks ago —I had just read it the same day. Claire got sick. I’ll write no more about that without spoilers.
I took longer to read (listen) this time. Instead of knitting, I spend the listening time on Diamond Painting, a series of dragons. I can only devote an hour or so to that endeavor. So with the before-bed read and creative pursuits, I couldn’t read straight through. I am already set up to read book 8. It’s like I can’t remember what happened next, yet I remember and can’t wait to visit it all again.
***
This book may be my favorite of all the Outlanders. Maybe because of how I chose to read it nearly 24/7. After all, I had reached the skinny-mini underbelly of all streamings–teens or young people who look like Barbie Dolls going through the same-same life issues. Give me some older adults, women of all shapes and colors, real people, not Hollywood mothers, whores, or weaklings. Not enough streaming of strong women holding up half the world. So, back to reading —the only way I could. Audible.
Also, I was making scrubbies and washcloths while listening. That helped me ‘hear’ better.
By constant reading, I could stay in the story better. And family members came and listened with me on occasion. So it wasn’t a lonely process.
At any rate, I loved watching the cast of characters struggle with life, time travel, and historical moments. I especially loved the parts about Brianna and Roger at Lallybroch recovering letters from Claire and Jamie. And though I used to find Willy obnoxious, I think I clicked with him this time. And I grew more in love with John Grey. How nice to see good, honest, quality men portrayed.
I tried to find something else to read last night as my bedtime read, but couldn’t resist looking for more Outlander. Now I am listening to book 8, Written In My Own Heart’s Blood.
Time to lower my reading goal as I seem stuck in tome reading. I love it! I hope you get the chance to read these. Oh, and Davina Porter does so many voices so well. I still wish for more actual actors, for sometimes Bri and Claire sound the same, and all the children sound the same, and Roger, even with his sore throat, sounds like other men. Still, for one person covering so many people, Davina is fantastic!
Darswords 
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