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Showing posts with label AudioJukebox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AudioJukebox. Show all posts

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

REVIEW: DAMSEL IN DISTRESS [audiobook] by Carola Dunn

A further entry for our Women's History Month.  Carola Dunn has created a unique series featuring a young woman of 1920's upper class England who rather chooses a career of journalism over her position of privilege.  Her creative bent lends itself well when she falls into curious and criminal situations...
In spring a young man’s fancy will turn to love, and the Honorable Phillip Petrie is no exception. Daisy’s chum is totally smitten with Miss Gloria Arbuckle, daughter of a millionaire Yank. But before the enthusiastic suitor can pop the question, his beloved is abducted. As a distraught Mr. Arbuckle begins assembling the ransom, Phillip enlists Daisy to help him recover his missing sweetheart.
Strictly forbidden to contact Scotland Yard, Daisy must resist the temptation to bring dashing Detective Inspector Alec Fletcher on to the case. But as she closes in on the abductors’ rural hideaway, she begins to suspect that Gloria isn’t the only fair damsel whose life hangs in the balance.
The fifth whodunit in Carola Dunn’s stylish cozy mystery series set in 1923 England once again features British heiress and Town and County writer Daisy Dalrymple.  © 1997, 2010 by Carola Dunn
Narrator: Mia Chiaromonte
Length: 7.6 hours  Unabridged
Published: Jan. 15.14
Publisher: Blackstone Audio Inc.
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My Thoughts?

Perfect release timing for this Daisy Dalrymple mystery set in an English spring setting.
Daisy's former suitor, aristocratic Philip Petrie, has been fully enamored with another, 
much to Daisy's relief.  The American Arbuckle father and daughter, visiting England
in search of investment opportunities, are soon targeted for their wealth
and Philip's new love interest held for ransom.  Ms Dunn provides an excellent expose
of the ever present class distinctions of the era which
play into this kidnapping and give listeners a greater understanding of the times and
changes between wars. Axioms and vernacular of the day add to the authenticity.
Our sleuth, the intrepid likeable Daisy,
must keep her wits about her in a continuous sequence of events,
involving her own safety and that of her own love, Detective Inspector Alec Fletcher.
The blossoming of their relationship is treated as an aside without dominating,
but keeps our interest piqued with every new development.  Including Alec's first
meeting with Daisy's domineering, class conscious mother.

A definite enjoyment listening to this audio story unfold.
Critical thinking skills of our main characters , their ability to out-think the crooks,
unexpected plotting, and vivid action, increase the fun.
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Blackstone audio's quality recording kept the story flowing without technical
interruptions or disruptive voice fluctuations by narrator, Mia Chiaromonte, who provides
good variety in character personalizations, considering the size of cast involved. 
An adept narrator, Ms Chiaromonte, adds to the novel's authenticity via admirable
differentiation of various English and American accents.  

I look forward to Carola Dunn's 6th in the series, Dead in the Water.


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AUTHOR BIO:  Carola Dunn is the author of more than 30 Regency romances, as well as 16 mysteries (the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series is set in England in the 1920s). Ms. Dunn was born and grew up in England, where she got a B.A. in Russian and French from Manchester University. She travelled as far as Fiji before returning to settle in California. After 30 years in the US, she says she still sounds as if she arrived a month ago.Prior to writing, Ms. Dunn’s various jobs included market research, child-care, construction--from foundation trenches to roofing--and writing definitions for a dictionary of science and technology. She wrote her first novel in 1979, a Regency which she sold to Warner Books.

*Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Ms. Dunn has a son in California who has just made her a grandmother, and a large black dog named Willow who takes her for a walk by the Willamette River each morning.Find Carola online : CAROLA DUNN  and at the writing / editing blog Blood Red Pencil

                                                                                  
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Narrator BIO :  Mia Chiaromonte is a Southern California native with a BA in theater from the University of California, San Diego. She has worked extensively as an actor, singer, and audiobook narrator, and her voice has been heard across the country on various radio commercials for clients including BMW and Time Warner Cable. She currently lives in southern Oregon.

*A
ppreciation to Blackstone Audio for providing an audiobook via downpour  for listening and AudioJukebox review without obligation or compensation.

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Find and follow FHC online:
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@_eHope - Goodreads - Facebook - Pinterest
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Thursday, 6 February 2014

DEATH OF A CHARMING MAN: by MC Beaton 6.2.14

Author: MC Beaton
Series: Hamish Macbeth Mystery #10
Narrator: Shaun Grindell
Length: 6.2 hours Unabridged
Publisher: Blackstone Audio Inc
Published: 1.1.14
Synopsis:
M. C. Beaton returns with another baffling case for Hamish Macbeth, the stubborn, red-haired, one-man police department of the Scottish village of Lochdubh. It has all the local color, wry humor, and splendid characterizations readers adore.

All Sergeant Hamish Macbeth wants to do is fish and drink coffee with his fiancĂ©e. But when a mysterious stranger moves into the neighboring village—a rich, unmarried heartbreaker—a rivalry erupts among the local women, and the men of the village start a slow burn. It is amusing until death threats, assault, and murder shatter the tranquil countryside. Now Hamish must investigate the darker side of love and desire.© 1994 by Marion Chesney                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                          - via Goodreads

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An absolute pleasure to step back into Scotland's Highlands via Shaun Grindell's excellent narration, all in a beautiful Scots accent.
The story opens with the infamous 1558 quote of Scots Reformer, John Knox,
"The first blast of the trumpet against the monstruous regimen of women."
alerting the listener to the story that follows - 
 life when women take over and in particular for one man,
Hamish Macbeth's perspective on home and life  being overrun by women!
The opening scene has Hamish
escaping his own home via the bedroom window, whilst Priscilla, his intended,
and a hoard of village women overrun his kitchen to have a new electric cooker installed.
Had anyone asked Hamish if he wanted one? 
Not a word.  Its arrival sets Hamish on a course of disillusion and doom regarding his future.  
His territory has been invaded and the sense of loss starts his thoughts on a downward spiral.
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  Grindell's colourful personalizations add life to familiar characters, the story, and to my listening enjoyment.  Beaton's wit adds a great humour to situations particular to 
Death of a Charming Man as husbands react to this 'charming man's' arrival in their village 
and his effect on their wives.
Middle age complacency is now hurriedly attacked with hair dyes and do's,
exercise regimens, new wardrobes, and the ubiquitous high heels!
But when the 'charming man' goes missing, what and who else might be afoot in those heels?
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Several references are made to Highland attitudes of antipathy to newcomers,
Highland vs Lowland differences, male vs female relational views that add insights to Scottish life.
Valuable too as Hamish digs deeper into his relationship with Priscilla 
that will play into book #11 of Beaton's series.
Yes, that's how these authors keep readers hankering for the next one!
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And I am certainly one of those readers.
I anticipate another day's listening to Shaun Grindell characterize Scottish village life
and unravelling the mysteries of Ms Beaton - with pleasure...
His voice is well modulated, steadily paced without gaps or jumps, 
and without jarring interruptions.
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Production of this Blackstone Audio is excellent.  No background interference.
Clarity of sound and well balanced.  
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I am one happy listener anticipating the next Hamish Macbeth installment!
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Shaun Grindell was born and raised in Southampton, England. His training includes the Calland School of Speech and Drama and the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in London. He has been seen on stage in London and Las Vegas, and he currently resides in New England with his wife.
In addition to the Hamish Macbeth series, MC Beaton also writes Regency Romances under her real name, Marion Chesney. She lives in the Cotswolds England with her husband.
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*Thank you to Blackstone Audio and Audiojukebox for providing access to listen and review.


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 Audio Jukebox Reviewing
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Scotland travelled for GiraffeDays

Sunday, 2 February 2014

WINTER'S RESPITE / WHAT ARE YOU READING? 2.1.14

Extra Duty Post 
covering Read-a-Thon wrap-up,


Musing Mondays on what I've been reading !
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My final wrap up post for 
Winter's Respite Read-a-thon 
at Michelle's
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A Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon
 
Have had a busy week writing material for some local 
human rights issues,
then back to the books to keep up my read-a-thon motivation.
Once I commit, I'm into my own 'want to read' stash 
or books for review - which, of course, is great.  
And definitely greater results than randomness for me.
As a result I've completed 1129 book pages this week.
{Don't ask how many dishes washed though} 
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I'm very pleased Michelle has begun a 4th year of hosting 
her Seasons of Reading read-a-thons.
She excels at it.  Thank you , Michelle!
Here is my final wrap up post ~
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Final Winter's Respite Read-a-thon Update :


Total books Read:    4 + 35% of one novel +
                        1 daily reading of 1-2 page meditation

  Total Pages Read: 320 for first book
                        352 for 2nd book

                           8 pages of daily read
                        107 pages of Rosamanti
                       342 pages of Pardonable Lies
                    
                      1129  Total pages read Jan 27 - Feb 2.2014

  Books Read : The Headmistress of Rosemere
                 - Sarah E Ladd
                                   
                Shadowed by Grace
                 - Cara Putman

                Reflections for Ragamuffins
                 - Brennan Manning

                Rosamanti - portion 35%
                 - Noelle Clark 

                Pardonable Lies 
                 - Jacqueline Winspear
                                
  Pages Read since last update: 128 today = 1129 pages read total !

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For great Read-a-Thon challenges connect with Michelle



 



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Currently Reading?
Yep - another mystery.  
It's what works well with my brain I guess!
Always love challenges to thinking...
Plus, a real fan of Hamish Macbeth in this #10 
of MC Beaton's series .
{See all my reviews linked in Book Review tab above}

And as I've just completed the Read-a-thon, 
not sure what I'll leap into
following this audiobook choice . . .
Always something to grab my attention!
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Plus a creative WIP is my
ELUSIVE HOPE Pinterest Board 
of the novel by MaryLu Tyndall 
- swashbuckling pirate author extraordinaire !!
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How about you?  
What are you reading this 1st February Monday? 

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Join more book fans at 
Sheila's Book Journey to link your reading.


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