Tuesday, 29 July 2025

THIEF'S GIFT Book 2


Thief's Gift Book 2 by James Haddock
Book 2 in the A Thief's Gift series
Genre: psuedo-victorian fantasy
Format: ebook


Jamethon Trent’s retirement is not going as planned, and working for King Arcus and General Mallet is not as easy as he had hoped. Jamethon tries to keep his family safe by changing his guise, name, and occupation. But the harder he tries, the more he is pulled into situations that put him and his family in danger. Jamethon and his family become targets when he stumbles into plans involving the royals, less-than-honest businessmen, and an organization that wants to take over countries by any means necessary. Trying to maintain his anonymity is proving to be a challenge, as those who seek him are willing to kill, steal, and destroy to find him. His enemy sends entire armies and powerful mages against him. They destroy his businesses and kill those around him to draw him into the open so they can end his interference in their plans once and for all. Jamethon must adapt to fight an evolving enemy that uses magic and military technology against anyone who opposes them or their agenda. Unfortunately for them, their attempts to stop Jamethon only strengthen his resolve to find out why they want him dead so badly and who is behind it.
Source: Info in the "About Thief's Gift Book 2" was taken from amazon on 21/07/2025.


Buy Link(s):


Alan Niles' brand
My Thoughts:
I've been a fan of this author for a bit now and I know that he is fond of starting serieses without following up on them. Imagine my surprise when I saw that A Thief's Gift has a book 2! Which lead me to a hard thought. I've wondered how Jamethon would end up in the end seeing that all the holders of the "gift" ended up alone and poor... And now here is book 2 which would probably tell me that Jamethon did ended up alone and poor! That made me not want to read this book. That compulsion was strong enough that I dragged my feet about reading this book... As it is, I should have re-read the first book before reading this one.

Perhaps now we will finally get to know Ani's history...

What does the "T" mean in Alan Niles' brand?

It took me a while to remember things from the first book that this second book is talking about and taking it for granted that the readers already knows what it is talking about. I therefore do not recommend reading this book before reading the first book, A Thief's Gift, because you will get royally confused. Like the manor's caretaker's first appearance in this book in chapter 3. I know who he is from book 1. Although it took me a while to recall who he is. But to somebody who hasn't read book 1, that will be very confusing!

Again there are clerical errors or typos which are irritating! James Haddock needs a better proofreader.

As all James Haddock books, same powers. Same theme. Same ideas and same elements to the story, pinched from this author'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!!


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


 
Books In The A Thief's Gift Series:
Book 1: A THIEF'S GIFT A THIEF'S GIFT Book 2


 
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.



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

Sunday, 20 July 2025

BITTEN SHIFTER


Bitten Shifter by Brogan Thomas
Book 1 in The Bitten Chronicles series
Narrated by Poppy Royana and Peter Wicks
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobookAudiobook


Betrayed, shattered, and transformed. Sick of everyone’s crap, can this snarky lone wolf find belonging, respect, and love?

Lark Emerson vaguely remembers being happy. After catching her husband and her sister in the sack, the IT professional walks away from twenty-seven years of marriage and takes a job on the border of a shifter community. But after a rogue pack storms her office and attacks, to her horror she’s captured and savaged.

Wounded and ill, the forty-something limps home and is shocked when her injuries rapidly heal, her eyesight sharpens, and noise hurts her ears. And taken to a facility to ease the transition from human to supernatural, she’s completely thrown when her comfortable middle-aged body alters to something unfamiliar and exquisite.

Struggling with a temper as hot as her new figure, can Lark learn to trust when the handsome packmaster comes calling?
Source: Info in the "About Bitten Shifter" was taken from amazon on 01/03/2024.


Buy Link(s):
  Audible Books


My Thoughts:
The book starts with the betrayal scene and it took perseverance on my part and forever, to get into the book at all. But I am an old Brogan Thomas fan so I plodded on.

I wonder which part of the UK that the author has designated as the shifter territory? Is it somewhere in London?

I can't wait to read the next book in this series because I want to know if the Wizard House is going to appear again. And what else can it do?? I love magic houses! Gertrude Hunt in Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews. Abhorsen's house in Sabriel by Garth Nix.

As usual, Poppy Royana did a wonderful job of bringing this book to life!

This is my first Peter Wicks listen. I would buy his audiobooks again.


Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 4.5
Ending = 4
World building = 5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (8 hrs and 52 mins listening time)
Plot = 3.5
Narration = 5


Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries


Books In The Creatures of the Otherworld Series:
Book 1: CURSED WOLF Book 2: CURSED DEMON Book 3: CURSED VAMPIRE Book 4: CURSED WITCH Book 5: CURSED FAE Book 6: CURSED DRAGON


 
Books In The Rebel of the Otherworld Series:


Books In The Bitten Chronicles Series:
Book 1: BITTEN SHIFTER Book 2: BITTEN VAMPIRE


 
Meet The Author

About Brogan Thomas:
Brogan lives in Ireland with her husband and their eleven furry children: five furry minions of darkness (aka the cats), four hellhounds (the dogs), and two traditional unicorns (fat, hairy Irish cobs).

In 2019 she decided to embrace her craziness by writing about the imaginary people that live in her head. Her first love is her number-one favourite furry child Bob the cob, then reading. When not reading or writing, she can be found knee-deep in horse poo and fur while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.


The Narrators

About Poppy Royana:
Born and raised in the South East but finding her home in the North, Poppy is a bi British Narrator based in not too sunny Manchester. With experience in musical theatre, Poppy is both a singer and a book lover and teaches singing when she’s not found narrating in her booth.

Poppy’s voice could possibly be mistaken at times for Olivia Colman’s so we’d like to think that, in our opinion, Poppy has an award-winning voice. She sounds warm and uplifting whilst being articulate and crisp; and not only that but she can nail sarcasm to a T. There’s really not much Poppy can’t do!


About Peter Wicks:
Peter Wicks is a voice actor located in Isle of Man. He has been actively working as a voice actor since 2022. He has worked for a diverse pool of clients and brands, such as Marvel, Yamaha and Citizen Watches. Listen to 46 voice over samples that showcase his best work.

Peter Wicks (he/him) is a multi-award winning UK actor and voiceover artist working from his professional grade, broadcast quality home studio.

Warm and articulate, his voice can be heard in a variety of global commercial campaigns, corporate productions, audiobooks, and more.

A versatile character performer, he has featured in various audio dramas, animation and video games as vampiric demigods, wise old weasels, and everything in between.

AWARDS
VOX Awards 2024 WINNER - Best Performance in Gaming
One Voice Awards 2024 WINNER - Best Audiobook Performance (Fiction)
One Voice Awards UK 2024 Nominee - Male Voiceover Artist of the Year / Best Gaming Performance
VOX Awards 2024 Nominee - Best Male VO Performance of the Year
One Voice Awards UK 2023 Nominee - Male Voiceover Artist of the Year / Best Radio Commercial Performance / Best Gaming Performance
VOX Awards 2023 Nominee - Audiobook Performance of the Year



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

Saturday, 19 July 2025

THE MALEDICTION OF LLEWYN GLASS


The Malediction Of Llewyn Glass by Frank Reteguiz
A book in the American Lore series
Narrated by London Nix
Genre: paranormal thriller
Format: ebook & audiobookAudiobook


What Would You Sell Your Soul For?

On Halloween Eve, at America’s oldest pub, a strange and mesmerizing man walks in and tells an unbelievable story.

A tale of a former priest who sold his soul — only to discover he’d been conned into doing so — and his terrifying odyssey across the globe, facing gods and monsters in a desperate bid to escape the deal.

Each step toward salvation demands a sacrifice, and the cost may be more than just his soul... it could be all of humanity.

A chilling and impossible tale that paralyzes the patrons with intrigue and fear as they wonder: Is the man insane? A conman spinning a tale for a good scare? Or is his story true — and the Devil is coming tonight to collect?

You’re Only as Noble as Your Choices, Mr. Glass.
Source: Info in the "About The Malediction Of Llewyn Glass" was taken from amazon on 16/07/2025.


Buy Link(s):
  Audible Books


My Thoughts:
At first it looked like that this book is a collection of various stories of our hero's experiences in his journey towards redemption. And it kind of isuntil in the end where the narrative returns to the first scene.

The audiobook does not really follow the ebook. The audiobook skipped a couple of chapters. What was that all about??

At the end of the audiobook are shrot stories. One of the short stories is a snippet of a man framed for rape. That snippet has no beginning and no end. It was annoying!!! This is probably why I would not be buying any more books by this author.

This is my first London Nix listen and I would buy audiobooks by her again.


Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 2.5
Writing Style = 3
Ending = 4
World building = 4
Cover art = 4
Pace = (5 hrs and 22 mins listening time)
Plot = 2
Narration = 5


Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries


Books In The American Lore Series:
AT THE END OF ALL THINGS Book 1: THE MALEDICTION OF LLEWYN GLASS THE WANDERER THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL APOTHEOSIS THE MONSTER IN THE DEVIL'S SCHOOL STRANGE RECKONING AT THE CROSSROADS PUB HABEAS CORPUS


 
Meet The Author

About Frank Reteguiz:
I love storytelling. I am obsessed with it and have dedicated my life to becoming a professional, a master in the world’s oldest craft. Horror, contemporary fantasy, and sci-fi are genres that have spoken to me since I was a child, and I want to bring my love of a great story to you. As I forge my career in writing, I work as a private investigator in Jacksonville, FL.


The Narrator

About London Nix:
Voice Talent - female American accent, character acting, audiobooks

I am a well-versed voice actor and audiobook narrator. I can complete your project from start to finish, including editing and meeting ACX standards.

When I narrate, you can distinguish between the characters speaking.

I can even help you take an already completed audiobook and get it to meet ACX standards.

You can send me audio files for editing, and I can splice and rename your audio files for you.

I am available for audiobooks, E-learning, youtube voice-over, film or animation narration or characters, commercials, and more.

Invite me to apply for your project if you are interested in working with me. All my clients have been happy with my work, and they have consistently returned to give me more work.

I am meticulous and dedicated to my craft. Let's work together and bring your project to life



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