A THIEF'S GIFT

A Thief's Gift by James Haddock
Genre: psuedo-victorian fantasy
Format: ebook & paperback

About A Thief's Gift:

Jamethon Trent, the second son of a low-ranking baron, once again finds himself in the city jail. This is nothing new for Jamethon; after being driven from home by an overbearing father and a bully older brother, he became a thief to survive. Thief he may be, but he only steals from thieves — which, it turns out, is a dangerous profession, as robbed thieves hold a grudge. Jamethon’s life is never the same after a dying cell mate, a thief mage, gifts him a pair of enchanted gloves. The gloves are keys to what the mage calls the “side realm,” a dimension that exists alongside the real world. The gloves allow the wearer to reach into the side realm and steal whatever they can reach. However, the gloves turn out to be more of a curse than a gift, as fate takes particular delight in making Jamethon’s life . . . exciting at every turn. Kings, generals, assassins, mages, spies, and thugs — he meets them all, and all seem to want to kill him. On the upside, the gloves does give him an advantage, but before he can use the advantage, he has to learn to use his ghost hands, to enter the side realm to become a ghost walker. Once he achieves that, he’ll be unstoppable.

Source: Info in the "About A Thief's Gift" was taken from amazon on 11/04/2025.

Buy Link(s):

My Thoughts:

The book started with the thief in the medieval prison. It wasn't the most riveting of introductions! I had a hard time getting into the story, at all! But, this being a James Haddock work, I know that this is going to be an enjoyable read. And it is!! And I plodded on...

The thing is, Ani's history was never told, was it? Where did she came from? Where is her family? And I want to see Michael and Tilly get married!!

So, same powers. Same theme. Same ideas and same elements to the story, pinched from James Haddock's previous works. But different place and different names. Same old tune, different day. But you know what? I still enjoyed every minute of it!!

After all that moaning, this book still gets a 5 out of 5 with me.

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 4
World building = 5
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = 5
Plot = 4

Overall Rating: 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

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

BURIED LEADS

Buried Leads by LynDee Walker
Book 2 in the Nichelle Clarke Crime Thriller series
Narrated by Therese Plummer
Genre: investigative journalist crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Buried Leads:

When an Armani-clad body turns up in a shallow forest grave, Nichelle Clarke is the first reporter on the scene. She soon discovers the victim is a tobacco lobbyist with powerful connections.

Local politicians are pushing for a quick arrest.

Nichelle thinks they seem nervous. Even more so after a second victim is found dead.

Nichelle's search for the killer soon uncovers a jaw-dropping trail of malfeasance and debauchery that stretches all the way to Washington, D.C. It's the kind of story that can make a crime reporter's career.

But the power players at the center of this conspiracy have everything to lose, and as Nichelle's quest for the truth nears its end, she lands squarely in the crosshairs of the killer. Can her wits alone can get her out alive, or will these secrets stay buried for good?

Source: Info in the "About Buried Leads" was taken from amazon on 27/09/2024.

Buy Link(s):

 

My Thoughts:

I am an old fan of Aurora Teagarden Mysteries by Charlaine Harris which is also read by Therese Plummer, and the Nichelle Clarke Crime Thriller series is similar in theme and vein. Non-police chick solving crimes ala Agatha Cristie. Having said that, I also have to say that Nicey did not really solved the crime per se. She was a big contributing factor to it, of course. But she did not really get to figure it out... But that does not detract from the fact that this book is an enjoyable read none-the-less!

This being book 2, I can already see a pattern that the author likes to use. Nicey always has this "vague" feeling that will later on reveal that her subconscious was onto the perpetrator all along.

I am already an old Therese Plummer fan. So for her to read this series is a bonus! Kudos to the narrator!

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 3.5
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 5
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 5
Pace = (6 hrs and 29 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.

PATH OF BONES

Path Of Bones by L.T. Ryan & K.M. Rought
Book 1 in the Cassie Quinn series
Narrated by Patricia Santomasso & Sean Patrick Hopkins
Genre: paranormal crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Path Of Bones:

The dead do not forget.

Cassie Quinn was their voice. As a medium working with the FBI and police nationwide, she communicated with murder victims, giving them a shot at justice from beyond the grave. But after an abduction that stole her powers, Cassie escaped to the quiet life of an art museum curator.

That peace shatters when the ghost of a murdered woman invades her home, reigniting her lost gift. Now, Cassie is back in the game, racing against time to decipher the dead woman's message and stop a heartless killer. She's teetering on the edge of life and death, one step away from crossing into the eternal silence.

Source: Info in the "About Path Of Bones" was taken from amazon on 02/03/2024.

Buy Link(s):

 

My Thoughts:

This is my first L.T. Ryan & K.M. Rought read. Glad I stumbled upon these authors!

However, I had a bit of trouble getting into this book at first. It was slow going for the first few chapters. It did pick up though!

I am an old urban fantasy reader. 99.9% of urban fantasies are slim on the plot side. I was expecting this book to be the same. It was not!

I bought the boxset version containing the first three books in this series. And I am glad that I did because as soon as I hit the ending of the first book, I wanted to dive straight away into the next book and find out what happens next! So my suggestion is to get the boxset.

The main character, Cassie, sometimes act like an idiot and I find that annoying! That is one of the main reasons why the character development will never get a 5 out of 5 rating with me.

This is not my first Patricia Santomasso audiobook listen but this is my first Sean Patrick Hopkins audiobook. They work well together. It is just very unfortunate for Hopkins that he is reading the bad guys' lines.

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 4
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 4.5
Ending = 4.5
World building = 5
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = (7 hrs and 8 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 5

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries

Books In The Cassie Quinn Series:

 

Meet The Authors

About L.T. Ryan:

L.T. Ryan is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, renowned for crafting pulse-pounding thrillers that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Known for creating gripping, character-driven stories, L.T. Ryan is the author of the Jack Noble series, the Rachel Hatch series, and more. With a knack for blending action, intrigue, and emotional depth, L.T.'s books have captivated millions of fans worldwide.

Whether it's the shadowy world of covert operatives or the relentless pursuit of justice, L.T.'s stories feature unforgettable characters and high-stakes plots that resonate with fans of Lee Child, Robert Ludlum, and Michael Connelly.

When not writing, L.T. enjoys crafting new ideas with coauthors, running a thriving publishing company, and connecting with readers. Discover the next story that will keep you turning pages late into the night.

ltryan.com | twitter | facebook | facebook group | instagram | bookbub | youtube | amazon | goodreads

About K.M. Rought:

K.M. Rought is a writer and editor hailing from Upstate New York. Though she graduated with a degree in Art History, she fell into a career of freelancing, fulfilling her childhood dream of being a published author.

Now residing in Ohio, K.M. spends her days writing, playing video games, and telling her cat that no, it's not time to eat yet. Her obsessions include foraging for mushrooms, daydreaming about her next tattoo, and adding to her to-be-read pile.

website | twitter | facebook | instagram | amazon | goodreads

The Narrators

About Patricia Santomasso:

Patricia Santomasso has always been an avid reader and storyteller. Her love of literature led her to earn a BA in English, and shortly afterward she moved from Connecticut to New York to study theater. She worked for years on stages around the country doing mostly classical plays and Shakespeare. It was there she met her husband, narrator Sean Patrick Hopkins, doing a production of As You Like It. Now she has merged her love of acting and the written word and happily reads stories out loud from the comfort of a booth. To date she has recorded over 150 audiobooks.

Patricia's youthful voice and comic timing give heroines a warm relatability, and her surprising dips into baritone make her male characters engaging and believable. Paste Magazine has called her narration style "warm-but-tart," which she agrees is a fitting description. Patricia and Sean have a sweet baby daughter, Lyra Róisín, who isn't much interested in hearing either one of them read to her.

www.patriciasantomasso.com | twitter | facebook | instagram | linkedin | tantor media | goodreads

About Sean Patrick Hopkins:

A student of neuroscience and speech pathology, Sean Patrick Hopkins has translated his understanding of human behavior and vocal performance into a career in storytelling. His classical training and versatility with dialects has helped to create distinct and varied characters across many genres. In addition to narrating over 100 audiobooks, he has been seen and heard on film, television, video games, and stages in New York City and across the country. When not in the booth, you can find him buried in genealogy research, out exploring our National Parks, and raising an amazing daughter alongside his wife, fellow narrator Patricia Santomasso.

www.seanpatrickhopkins.com | twitter | facebook | instagram | linkedin | soundcloud | goodreads

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