REVIEW: Dungeon Worlds - Reborn Online

 Dungeon Worlds: Reborn Online
Author: Aurora Weiss

I love playing just about any sort of RPG Game, but never really read any LitRPG books. I received a review copy for the second book in this series, started listening to the audio book and realized I really needed to start at the beginning of the series. So, I got a copy of the first book in this series and got sucked right into Reborn Online. 

This story was so much fun to listen to! Neil is a bit of a dummy....but I'm not sure I would do very well in his situation. Neil dies....but the after life is nothing like he expected. He awakens in a world that's very much like a video game....explore, complete quests, gain loot/experience, die and respawn....over and over and over again. Only problem is that Neil glitches into the world....starting out in a level 99 level when he's at 0 with a base weapon. Not good. 

The story progresses with Neil meeting friends and foes, battling monsters and learning how to survive (or learn from his deaths at least). The glitch that spawned him into an advanced level becomes a much bigger problem, bringing Neil to the attention of Game Masters who want to destroy him. 

Fun story! Loved it!  And I want to know what happens next! Definitely reading more of this series!

The audio book, narrated by Travis Baldree, is just over 7 hours long. Baldree reads at a nice pace and does a great job of voice acting. I thoroughly enjoyed it!  Now jumping right into my review copy of book 2! 

REVIEW: A Curious Beginning

 A Curious Beginning
Author: Deanna Raybourn

I have had the Veronica Speedwell series on my TBR list for some time, but my TBR is so ponderous that sometimes awesome series get pushed down the list and I forget about them. As I was perusing an email from my regional library, the cover of this book caught my eye, and I remembered that I wanted to read this series. I'm SO glad I did -- this first book was so much fun to listen to on audio! I can't wait to listen to/read the rest of the books! 

Veronica Speedwell is a feisty, intelligent, self-reliant woman. That's a rough mix in 1887 when women are really supposed to just get married, have babies and be happy about it.  Veronica, orphaned at a young age and raised by two older aunts, has always forged her own way. When her last spinster aunt passes away, she's free to pursue her life the way she wants to....but her plans get waylaid almost immediately by strange events. She is almost kidnapped, mysterious strangers seem to be stalking her, and she gets pulled into an unexpected dangerous mystery about her family. 

I absolutely enjoyed every minute of the audio book! Narrated by Angele Masters, the audio is just shy of 11 hours long. Masters has a pleasant, easily understandable voice. She reads at a nice pace and does a great job of voice acting. 

I'm glad to finally be reading this series! Sorry that I wanted so long, but enjoying the experience now that I got my act together and moved these books to the top of my TBR!

This is the first book by Deanna Raybourn that I've read. I will definitely be reading more! (Like...ALL of them!)

REVIEW: Galaxy in Flames

Galaxy in Flames (Horus Heresy #3)
Author: Ben Counter

This book has everything I have come to love from the Horus Heresy series -- awesome battle scenes, plot twists and turns, action and treachery! Horus has recovered from his injuries and sets his sights on Isstvan III. More will come to pass on Isstvan III than just the burning of a planet....so much more.

I listened to the audiobook version of this 3rd book in the Horus Heresy series. Narrated by Toby Longworth, the audio is just short of 9 hours long. I love Toby Longworth's narration -- this series has put him on my list of favorite narrators. I look forward to the next book in the series (I have to find out what happens next!) but I was sad that the narrator changes for Flight of the Eisenstein. Makes sense because it's a different legion and characters...but still..... I got used to Longworth's style! I feel better since finding out he narrates the Eisenhorn series. 

There were some twists in this story that I should have seen coming and didn't. There were some twists that I did see coming but was still shocked. And there were some full on treacherous actions that just made this book pop out as my favorite in the series so far. Plus....lots of great action....drop pods, titans, epic battle scenes. Loved it! 

I have Flight of the Eisenstein queued up on Audible already. Will be listening soon! And then I plan to start the Eisenhorn series. Gotta have my Toby Longworth fix! 

REVIEW: Mystic Pieces

 Mystic Pieces
Author: Ada Bell

Mystic Pieces is the first book I've read by Ada Bell. I love it when I discover a new-to-me author! This book was part of the January Cozy Mystery Reading Challenge at Cozy Mystery Corner group on Facebook. So glad I joined! 

The basics: Aly moves to a small town in New York state with her brother to help raise her nephew after the death of her sister in law. She wants to go back to school and finish her biology degree. To fund her college efforts, she gets a job at a local antique store. But there's something strange about the little town of Shady Grove....something strange about the antique shop....and something strange about Aly. Aly starts having psychic visions -- something totally outside her scientific thought processes. And then finds herself pulled into a murder investigation. |

What an entertaining story! I enjoyed the plot....the characters...the setting. The book is a nice mix of mystery and humor. Aly makes for a great main character. She's got a lot on her plate -- a 3 year old nephew to help with, college plans, a new job, weird visions....and a murder. Lots going on! Makes for a fun story to read! 

I will definitely be reading more of this series!

REVIEW: Sideburns and Suspicions

 Sideburns and Suspicions
Author: S.C. Merritt

I'm not really a big Elvis fan, but I grabbed a copy of this prequel novella when a Facebook group I'm on chose it as part of its January Cozy Mystery Reading Challenge. Nothing like a year-long cozy mystery reading challenge to get me reading some entertaining mysteries I might not have tried otherwise. So glad I chose to read this! The characters and story are entertaining and it was a quick, enjoyable read. 

The basics: Glory Harper has been depressed since her husband was murdered. She goes on a trip to Graceland with her mother and daughter to try and re-discover some joy in her life. Nothin' like a Girls Trip to let some sunshine in! While staying at Graceland, they meet a little old lady who later seems to disappear into thin air! Glory finds herself right smack dab in the middle of a mystery! 

I enjoyed this prequel to the Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery series. This is the first book I've read by S.C. Merritt, and I'm definitely reading more of this series! I have Book 1 waiting on my Kindle already! Fun characters. Interesting plot. Mix of mystery and humor. I enjoyed it! 

I read this book as part of the Cozy Mystery Corner 2022 Cozy Mystery Reading Challenge. The group is on Facebook for anyone who wants to jump in! 

REVIEW: Reckless Girls

 Reckless Girls
Author: Rachel Hawkins

There's just something about a suspense story set on a remote island that sucks me in every time. When I read the blurb for this book, I had to read it. A couple in Hawaii are hired to sail two young women out to an island in the South Pacific. When they reach the island, there's another boat already there. Two other people are already on the island. The group of six quickly become friends and set about enjoying their stay on Meroe Island. When a stranger shows up, the vibe changes.....and things take a sinister direction. Turns out, everything is not what it seems. 

Although this sort of story has been done over and over and over again, I still love this plot line! Exotic vacation.....a group thrown together for fun in the sun....but then things go south. I always completely hate the characters in these novels, and find myself talking to them as I read -- idiots! What a stupid thing to do! Pull your head out! etc etc.  But, the joy of hating an entire troupe of characters and watching their world implode just grabs my attention every time. 

I enjoyed this book. Nothing new here....in fact, just read another book about six people going to an island and having it devolve into death and terror. Keep 'em coming writers -- I can't get enough of vacations gone wrong suspense! Formulaic, but fun!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martin's Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

REVIEW: The Maid

 The Maid
Author: Nita Prose

Molly Gray is socially awkward and a bit strange. But she's great at her job. She's a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. She likes things neat and orderly so the job is a perfect fit for her.  When she discovers a hotel guest dead in his room, her odd behavior brings her to the attention of the police. Molly, with some help from unexpected friends, investigates to discover who the killer is....before her obsessive behavior gets her arrested instead. 

Very entertaining book! Molly is such an interesting main character. I absolutely adore her! And all the side characters were wonderful as well. The story moves along at a good pace...and there were definitely enough twists, unexpected discoveries and sleuthing to keep my attention until the very last page! I think I enjoyed this story so much because it was different....the main character is different, the setting is so creative and story just went places I didn't expect. Loved it! 

I'm anxious to see what this author pens next! After enjoying this book so much, I'm definitely reading her next one too! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Random House/Ballentine. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Secret Santa Mystery

 Secret Santa Mystery
Author: R.B. Marshall

Izzy Paterson works in IT at a British bank as her day job, and enjoys dressage competitions with her equine best buddy, Leo, on the weekends. The office Christmas party takes a mysterious turn when her secret santa includes a strange little poem in with her present. Is something illegal going on at her work? Izzy ends up pulled into a bit of cyber sleuthing to find out who is stealing company funds. 

The Secret Santa Mystery is a prequel to the Highland Horse Whisperer series. I listened to the audiobook version of this story. Narrated by Angela Ness, the audio is just over 3.5 hours long. Ness does a great job of voice acting, and her lovely accent just made the story even better! :) Enjoying a "bloodless" cozy was an entertaining change -- no corpse in this tale! 

I read this book as part of a cozy reading challenge on Facebook. I will definitely be reading more of this series. Very entertaining. Izzy is an interesting and fun main character. Quite curious where this series goes from here! 

Nice way  to kick off my reading in 2022!