BEAST BUSINESS

Beast Business by Ilona Andrews
A novella in the Hidden Legacy series
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Beast Business:

Augustine Montgomery is an Illusion Prime who owns a premier PI corporation and alters his appearance with magic. The people who have seen Augustine’s real face can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The people who witnessed the full extent of his power are dead. The illusion isn’t just the brand of his magic. It’s become his lifestyle.

Show as little as possible. Make them think that illusion is all you have. Your life depends on it.

Augustine lives by this creed. He’s cold, rational, and calculating. He doesn’t get emotionally involved. Then one day Diana Harrison walks into his office and asks for his help. Diana is a Prime, an animal mage who bonds with animals through her magic and prefers their company to humans. Something precious has been stolen from House Harrison. Something Diana must recover at all costs. The two Houses are allied through a friendship pact. Assisting Diana is simply good business. And yet, there is something about her that disturbs the careful balance of Augustine’s inner world.

Neither of them is who they appear to be. Both would die to keep their secrets. But the enemy they face is more powerful than either had imagined, and saving the life that hangs in the balance will demand the ultimate price neither Augustine nor Diana ever anticipated to pay — complete honesty.

Source: Info in the "About Beast Business" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246965996-beast-business on 30/01/2025.

Buy Link(s):

My Thoughts:

Tried to make this novella last. Stretch it out as much as I can. I forcefully took breaks. Read as slow as I can. It still ended too soon!

This story, for a novella, managed to have a plot, thin though it was. But hey! This is a novella! Having a plot is always a win in an urban fantasy book. Because a lot of urban fantasies don't have a plot.

The world building was established a long time ago in Burn For Me. The same with the character development. And both were masterfully woven!

I'm wondering if the authors would ever follow-up on Augustine and Diana's story...

Couldn't wait to see what would happen next with the little cub!

In the end, it was a lovely little story that fed my Hidden Legacy addiction.

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4
World building = 5
Cover art = 5
Pace = 5
Plot = 4

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries

Hidden Legacy Books:

 

Meet The Authors

About Ilona Andrews:

Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)

Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.

www.ilona-andrews.com | twitter | facebook | amazon | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.

LORD OF THE HIGH REACHES

Lord Of The High Reaches by James Haddock
Narrated by Daniel Wisniewski
Genre: fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Lord Of The High Reaches:

His human father named him Cam, as he and his clan were chameleon cats. Kol-ha is what the clan called him, which means shame in clannish. Being a half-breed, Cam was not allowed to take the test to become a clan member. Cam decides that rather than not being worthy to be part of the clan, the clan is not worthy of him. Taking nothing, he leaves the clan to find his place in the world. Though ignorant of the ways of the ‘outside’ world, Cam is a quick learner. His first lesson is the outside world is at war, and he is inadvertently drawn into it. Saving the life of a nobleman’s son, from an invading army’s scouts sets him on a path to meet the King of the Eastern Kingdom. As a reward, Cam is given lands and becomes a pawn in the King’s chess game. Cam sees it for what it is and decides he doesn’t want any part of the King’s game. Fate, however, has a different plan. Cam discovers two moored airships in a plague-stricken village with a single survivor, La-mar. He also finds new weapon innovations and information that will change the balance of power in the Kingdoms. With La-mar’s help, Captain Cam finds himself and his ships back in the King’s chess game. This time it’s with more than one King and Kingdom playing, and they’re playing for blood. When they kill some of Cam’s friends, he spoils their chessboard when he starts playing by his rules of fang and claw.

Source: Info in the "About Lord Of The High Reaches" was taken from amazon on 24/01/2024.

Buy Link(s):

 

My Thoughts:

I'm an old James Haddock and Daniel Wisniewski fan.

Here we see again James Haddock's patterns of story telling style. The hero assumes multiple identities. Pauper to riches and gets the girl. Not that I'm complaining, mind you.

As per usual, Daniel Wisniewski did a wonderful job of bringing the story to life!

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 3.5
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 4
World building = 5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (9 hrs and 16 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 5

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries

The Author

About James Haddock:

My first career was as a Warrant Officer in the US Army, I am now retired with 22 years of service under my belt. Moving into the next phase of my life, I am a full-time author and RV'er. After seeing everyone else's Country during my first career, we decided to see our own. My wife and I enjoy traveling to see the wonders of America.

I love reading and watching Sci-Fi books, television shows, and movies. To think, "what if" and "why not." I am a pantser writer, I'll get an idea, or see a photo and think, "that would make a great story!". Writing as a pantser, to me, is like reading a new story. I have no idea where the story is going to end up. Writing the way gets me excited to pick up a pen; I look forward to writing each time, and can't wait to write many more.

www.jameshaddock.us | facebook | instagram | audible | amazon | goodreads

The Narrator

About Daniel Wisniewski:

Audio book Narrator, Character Voices, Baritone, Bass, Tenor, Heroes, Villains, Dark, Bright, Young, Old, Comedy, Tragedy, Accents, Dialects.

I am a New York based actor who has performed across a variety of platforms both domestically and internationally. I am also a graduate of Ithaca College with a BFA in Musical Theatre, have studied and worked as a dialect coach, have access to a professional grade studio, and am an experienced editor. When not performing, I can usually be found either leading my friends on a DnD campaign or playing in one myself (usually as a dashing Half-Elf bard or brazen Half-Orc fighter).

www.danielwisniewskiactor.com | twitter | facebook | instagram | youtube | linkedin | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

SMALL TOWN SPIN

Small Town Spin by LynDee Walker
Book 3 in the Nichelle Clarke Crime Thriller series
Narrated by Therese Plummer
Genre: investigative journalist crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Small Town Spin:

T.J. had the world in the palm of his hand. He was handsome. Popular in school. Smart. A stellar athlete. The son of superstar pro quarterback Tony Okerson, he seemed destined to follow in his father's footsteps to a career of gridiron glory.

That bright, shining dream ends when T.J.'s lifeless body is found on a rocky shoreline near his family's Chesapeake Bay home.

Due to his father's past fame, the tragedy ignites a media frenzy in the normally serene island community. Through a mutual friend, the grieving parents turn to reporter Nichelle Clarke for help. Nichelle agrees to write the story herself and attempt to quell the national media circus.

But as Nichelle begins to explore the facts surrounding the death, she discovers some shocking details. Something doesn't fit. And while the local sheriff wants to stamp the case a drug overdose and move on, Nichelle becomes convinced that foul play may have been involved.

To the townsfolk, Nichelle is an outsider, putting her nose where it doesn't belong. But in her experience, that's exactly where the most damning secrets are kept. And the further she follows the evidence trail, the more Nichelle realizes that this sleepy coastal village is anything but innocent...

Source: Info in the "About Small Town Spin" was taken from amazon on 27/09/2024.

Buy Link(s):

 

My Thoughts:

By the last book I noticed a pattern that this author likes to use. Nicey always has this "vague" feeling that will later on reveal that her subconscious was onto the perpetrator all along. The first time with book 1, it was good. The second time with book 2, the pattern became noticeable. With this book, it becomes repetitive. Nudges close to annoying.

Despite all that whinging, I still enjoyed this book a lot!

This book ended in a tantalising lead to the next book. Of course the next book got bought! I really do not like that kind of marketing technique. It makes me want to avoid that author. However, in this case I let it slide because of the enjoyable reading time that this series is giving me!

This is the longest book in the series so far at more than 8 hours long compared to the two previous books which are only more than 6 hours long.

Again Therese Plummer did a wonderful performance with this book!

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 4
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 3.5
Ending = 5
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 3.5
Pace = (8 hrs and 23 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 5

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 cherries

Books In The Nichelle Clarke Crime Thriller Series:

 

Meet The Author

About LynDee Walker:

LynDee Walker is the national bestselling author of two crime fiction series featuring strong heroines and “twisty, absorbing" mysteries. Her first Nichelle Clarke crime thriller, FRONT PAGE FATALITY, was nominated for the Agatha Award for best first novel and is an Amazon Charts Bestseller. In 2018 she introduced readers to Texas Ranger Faith McClellan in FEAR NO TRUTH. Reviews have praised her work as "well-crafted, compelling, and fast-paced," and "an edge-of-your-seat ride" with "a spider web of twists and turns that will keep you reading until the end."

Before she started writing fiction, LynDee was an award-winning journalist who covered everything from ribbon cuttings to high level police corruption, and worked closely with the various law enforcement agencies that she reported on. Her work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the U.S.

Aside from books, LynDee loves her family, her readers, travel, and coffee. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she is working on her next novel when she's not juggling laundry and children's sports schedules.

www.lyndeewalker.com | twitter | facebook | instagram | amazon | goodreads

The Narrator

About Therese Plummer:

Therese Plummer is an actor and voice over artist living and working in New York City. Favorite roles to date include TV: Rose Nerrick, The Good Wife, Andy in Law and Order SVU. Stage: Celebrity Row; New York Theatre Workshop, Under Tillage, The Irish Repertory Theatre. Off-off Broadway credits include The Vagina Monologues, Suzanne in Twilight of the Gold’s and Madeline in the Award Winning Samuel French Short play The Sweet Room. Comedy Credits include Improv at Upright Citizens Brigade and Stand-up at Caroline’s Comedy Club. Therese also performed her one woman show, Ribbons Undone, at the Here Arts Center. Therese records audio books for Audible.com, Recorded Books and Talking Books, Inc. As an adolescent counselor, Therese spent five years utilizing Drama therapy techniques in individual and group settings before moving to New York. She shares a passion of creating, helping and entertaining and feels incredibly lucky to do all three.

www.thereseplummer.com | twitter | facebook | instagram | goodreads | audible

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.