THE END by Adam M Booth – AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

Cover image obtained from http://www.audible.com

THE END

Author: Adam M. Booth

Type of Book: Audiobook – Unabridged

Narrator: Shiromi Arserio

Length: 1 hour and 51 minutes

Genre: Science Fiction, Zombie Fiction, Horror

Release Date: August 22, 2014

Publisher: Adam Booth

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author, narrator or publisher through AudiobookBlast dot com in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

This audiobook joins the many other books in the zombie fiction genre. So, why should you choose this audiobook over others in the same genre? That’s simple! Because it is different.

This audiobook is zombie fiction told from the perspective of the zombie rather than from people who are trying to evade the zombies.

THE END is the story of single mother, Zoe. She is overworked, over stressed and overwrought. This is the story of the end of her life as a human and of her life as a zombie.

I did enjoy this audiobook. The narrator, Shiromi Arserio, is a female. She narrates with an English accent. She emotes very well.

The only drawback (in my opinion) was that there was a bit too much introspection for my taste. I would have preferred to learn more about how it felt to be a zombie.

I rate this audiobook as 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

FAVORITE QUOTES:

“I was spoiled meat, roadkill, dog food.”

“When time stands still you only have the images in your mind’s eye.”

“Love will tear us apart they say, but so will tooth and nail…”

“The scream arrives from around the corner, followed by the familiar sound of wet meat hitting the floor; the sound of progress being made.”

EASY WAYS TO ENGAGE YOUR CHILD by J.B. Snow – AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

Cover image obtained from http://www.audible.com

EASY WAYS TO ENGAGE YOUR CHILD

Author: J.B. Snow

Type of Book: Audiobook – Unabridged

Narrator: D. Gaunt

Length: 19 minutes

Genre: Non-Fiction, Parenting

Release Date: July 14, 2015

Publisher: J.B. Snow Publishing

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this audiobook from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.

There is an epidemic happening and it is having a detrimental effect on the young children of today.

No, I’m not talking about the H1N1 flu epidemic, or the bird

This audiobook is very short. The entire listening experience is over in nineteen minutes.

The fact that the author was able to cram so many good ideas forways to engage your child within such a short span of time is impressive.

I was happy to find that more than 50% of her suggestions were activities that I had done with my children when they were young.

The target listenership for this audiobook is parents with children ages 0 to 10. She offers suggestions that are age appropriate and that can be modified and expanded as the child grows.

The narration of this audiobook was terrific.

I rate both the audiobook’s content and the narration as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

THE EMOTIONALLY ABSENT MOTHER by Michele Gilbert – AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

Cover Image obtained from http://www.audible.com

THE EMOTIONALLY ABSENT MOTHER

Author: Michele Gilbert

Type of Book: Audiobook – Unabridged

Narrator: Dora Gaunt

Length: 41 minutes

Genre: Non-Fiction, Self Help, Mental Health

Release Date: June 15, 2015

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this audiobook from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.

DESCRIPTION FROM GOODREADS:

“Life for you hasn’t been easy.

You are currently in a relationship that is doing more harm than good,, and are working a job that you never seem to be able to execute perfectly. While others are enjoying life in all of its fullness, you feel like you are in a rat race that gets more competitive by the minute. “What is my problem,” you ask. “Why can’t I just sit back and enjoy life?” Blame it on your mother.

That’s right!
Your mom and her emotional absence has a lot to do with your current state in life.
Emotionally Absent Mothers will delve into your mother’s apathy, and why such lack of compassion may not be her fault. This book will also help you find ways to cope with the pain that you suffered as a child, as well as look past the scars to see a better future.”

My Opinions and Audiobook Review:

I am probably not the perfect person to review this audiobook since I do not believe in blaming your parents for all your problems as an adult.

** However, I do believe that there really are people out there who were severely emotionally neglected as a child. I agree that neglect in any form is a horrible thing for any child to have to endure and I do believe that it can lead to permanent psychological damage.

The author does a good job of describing actual scenarios and offering examples of what an emotionally absent mother is like.

My innate skepticism comes into play when people use this as an excuse for poor or destructive behavior.

I do not believe that everyone who claims to have had an emotionally absent parent actually had one. I think that there needs to be a pattern of neglect. One instance of your mother not praising you does not mean that your mother was emotionally absent.

To come up with a (for lack of a better description) diagnosis of “Emotionally Absent” I believe that the parent in question must have consistently shown a lack of empathy and emotion towards their child throughout their formative years. If this is what happened in that child’s life, I agree 100% that it would cause emotional and mental scarring that could easily affect that child long into adulthood.

The author does write some terrific ideas on how to help someone overcome any mental health issues that have arisen due to their childhood. She firmly places the onus on the previously neglected child to heal themselves. She is quite correct in stating that you cannot change someone else’s behavior, you can only change how you respond to that behavior.

I think the author should have included a chapter containing information on how to determine if your mother was really emotionally absent. It is easy to blame someone else for all your problems and it seems to be very popular to “just blame your parents” for everything. As I wrote above, I DO believe this is a serious and “real” issue, I just do not believe that everyone who claims to have had an emotionally absent parent actually had one.

There are some terrific strategies offered on this audiobook that have the potential to aid a great many people.

Because of the heaviness of the subject matter I was very glad to have the audiobook version. It made it seem less dry and narrator D. Gaunt does a wonderful job with difficult subject matter. She has a great sense of timing and her voice draws the listener into the subject matter. I rate the narration of this audiobook as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The audiobook itself I rate as 3 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐

I found this topic interesting and I am glad I listened to this audiobook. If it had contained more statistical information as well as more quotes and opinions from experts I might have rated it a bit higher. However, I do believe that this book will be helpful for those who legitimately suffer from this condition.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
(Information obtained from the author’s page on Goodreads)

Michele Gilbert was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Drawn to literature and writing at a young age, she enrolled at Brooklyn College after graduation and majored in English. Michele did not begin writing immediately

HAVE YOU SEEN MY SON? by Jack Olsen – AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

Cover Image obtained from http://www.audible.com

HAVE YOU SEEN MY SON?

Author: Jack Olsen

Type of Book: Audiobook – Unabridged

Narrator: Becket Royce

Length: 10 hours, 15 minutes

Genre: Mysteries and Thrillers

Release Date: April 1, 2015

Publisher: Crime Rant Classics and Notorious USA

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this audiobook through AudioBookBlast dot com in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

Lael and Mike Pritcher are the parents of a five year old boy named Alex, but they call him Ace. Ace is a product of their eight year marriage.

Unfortunately Lael and Mike have been separated for the past four months. Lael has custody, but she encourages Mike to see Ace as much as possible. Despite their differences, Lael does not want to deprive Ace of the experience of having his father in his life.

Mike has always been self-centered. He never took Lael or her business seriously. Despite her success in owning and operating a flourishing organic herb farm, he has always referred to the farm as “her little hobby.” He belittled Lael constantly and even went as far as to call her “frigid” if she didn’t consent to having sex every night of the week. Mike cared only about himself and his aging mother who lives close-by and who is way too involved in her married son’s life. Mike is what you would call a “Mama’s Boy.”

Divorce between Lael and Mike was inevitable and when creating the Separation Agreement and the upcoming divorce, the two were able to come to amicable terms on every issue except one: the custody of their son.

When Mike realized that Lael would more than likely be awarded full custody of Ace in the divorce, he went crazy.

Lael thwarted an attempt by Mike to spirit Ace away and things between them calmed down for a few weeks. Then came every mother’s nightmare: Ace is kidnapped.

Lael was determined to get him back. She is a mother and she loves her child. Anyone who has ever given birth will understand the fierce feelings of protectiveness that mother’s feel for their children. (Yes, I know, fathers feel protective of their children too.) Mike was able to spirit Ace away and planned to never return.

As days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months, Lael starts to wonder if maybe Ace is gone forever. But, she refuses to give up hope. She takes it upon herself to find her son and to bring him home where he belongs.

This audiobook is expertly narrated. Beckett Royce has a terrific voice and her pacing is sheer perfection. She is able to infuse her words with just the right amount of emotion and emphasis. She does not ‘over-act’ which is sometimes an issue with audiobook narration. I rate the narration of this audiobook as 5 out of 5 stars.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As for the content of the audiobook I enjoyed it, but I did find that it felt a bit too drawn out at times. Some of the less dramatic scenes could have been eliminated. However, I believe that the author wrote it that way for a reason. I believe she wanted to convey to the reader that searching for a missing child is not easy and that there are days when the searcher despairs of ever finding her child alive.

This audiobook took multiple twists and turns. Listeners will alternately hope and despair along with Lael as she chases down every lead with relentless determination.

I would have liked to have had an epilogue at the end of the audiobook to neatly wrap up a few of the details, and it might have been interesting to have a few chapters written from Mike’s perspective to allow the listener some insight as to what he was thinking.

Overall I enjoyed this audiobook and I rate it as 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

FAVORITE QUOTE:

“Words: the neutron bombs of marriage.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author picture obtained from http://www.jackolsen.com

1925-2002

Born June 7, 1925, Jack Olsen was the award-winning author of thirty-three books published in fifteen countries and eleven languages. A former Time bureau chief, Olsen wrote for Vanity Fair, People, Paris Match, Readers Digest, Playboy, Life, Sports Illustrated, Fortune, New York Times Book Review and others. His magazine journalism appeared in thirteen anthologies. His books included The Misbegotten Son, The Bridge at Chappaquiddick,, the eco-thriller Night of the Grizzlies, and his monumental study of a Nazi massacre in Italy, Silence on Monte Sole. Three of his works were adapted for the screen, including Have You Seen My Son? on ABC.

Olsen was described as “the dean of true crime authors” by the Washington Post and the New York Daily News and “the master of true crime” by the Detroit Free Press and Newsday. Publishers Weekly called him “the best true crime writer around.” His studies of crime are required reading in university criminology courses and have been cited in the New York Times Notable Books of the Year. In a page-one review, the Times described his work as “a genuine contribution to criminology and journalism alike.”

To learn more about him or to see the full list of Jack Olsen titles visit http://www.jackolsen.com

ABOUT THE NARRATOR:

Narrator picture obtained from http://www.goodreads.com

Becket Royce has narrated many audiobooks. More information can be found at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2736936.Becket_Royce

Or follow her on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/becketroyce

CREATED by Peiri Ann – BOOK REVIEW – New Release

Cover image obtained from http://www.peiriann.com

CREATED (Created #1)

Author: Peiri Ann

Type of Book: eBook

Length: 278 pages

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction

Release Date: July 24, 2015

Cover Created By: Mayhem Cover Creations

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Luke and Kylie (Ky) are not just siblings, they’re twins. The book begins five years after their parents were brutally murdered in front of them when they were only twelve years old.

Ky and Luke are now seventeen.

“Everything’s a challenge here in our state of Arizona. They breed and raise the toughest citizens to go off to war. Boys and girls train their entire life until the day of Separation’s draft.”

Once every four years there is a draft by the government (called The Separation) in which all seventeen and eighteen year olds are sent for training and then sent off to fight in a war.

Kylie and Luke are “Creations”. They were designed with a secret purpose, but they are forbidden from discussing it, even between themselves. When asked by a friend if she is ready for Separation, Kylie acknowledges that she and Luke are ready. “We don’t have a choice. It’s the reason they created us. Leaving for Separation affects us differently. We have nothing keeping us here. No one we will miss, and no one that will miss us. We only have each other and we are leaving with each other. We’re orphans to the America and created to fight for it.”

Even though there are three months left before the official Separation draft date, Luke and Ky are snatched out of their beds and told that they “…have been selectively chosen for an early Separation.”

And so begins a journey for the siblings. They learn exactly what it is that they are expected to fight. They learn who created the problem. They learn that maybe, just maybe, they can think for themselves.

They have always believed that they were created for a specific purpose and that they had no free will in deciding whether or not they fulfill that purpose. But, as the story progresses they start to question their supposed destiny.

This story combines multiple genres. Though this book is targeted at a young adult audience it is also a book that I believe adult science fiction and dystopian fiction readers will enjoy.

I do not want to give away any of the surprises and/or twists in the story so I will refrain from commenting in depth on the plot. Suffice it to say that I enjoyed this story and rate it as 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the first book in a new series and I am looking forward to the next book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Artwork obtained from http://www.peiriann.com

Peiri Ann shares a love in the creation of new worlds, different creatures, and unwritten possibilities.

To learn more visit http://www.peiriann.com

Visit her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/aburdenednovel?ref=hl

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TRAVEL by Ken Rodgers – BOOK REVIEW

TRAVEL: The Little Black Book of Travel

Author: Ken Rodgers

Type of Book: eBook

Length: 25 pages

Genre: Non-Fiction, Travel

Release Date: June 24, 2015

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I found this book listed for free on Amazon and thought it sounded interesting, plus since it was free and only twenty-five pages long I decided that I had nothing to lose.

Firstly I feel like I must acknowledge the book’s cover. The photograph is simply stunning and immediately made me long to see the site in person. What more can you ask for from a travel guide cover? Absolutely nothing! The cover is perfect.

“This book contains proven steps and strategies on how to utilize your resources and maximize your savings when you are out on the road.”

“It doesn’t matter if you are on your first adventure, or if this is one of your many trips around the globe, this book is everything you need to not only pick the right destination, but to have the time of your life once you get there.”

I love to travel. I have travelled in every conceivable way, from low budget tent camping to staying in a private villa at Raffles Canouan Island. But, no matter what sort of trip or adventure I have embarked on, one thing remains constant; trying to maximize my funds to get the most “bang for my buck”. We work hard for our money, why would we want to throw it away needlessly? As Ken states in his book: “The need to go out and explore is one that is ingrained in everyone, but there are few that actually get to enjoy it. Why? Because traveling is expensive…”

Ken Rodgers has compiled a terrific book full of tips that will be useful for anyone who plans to travel. I know that I will keep some of his budgeting hints in mind as I plan for our next trip.

I really liked the fact that the author has taken the time to not only talk about traveling, but has also included information on budgeting to make traveling possible.

I also liked the fact that he included information about pre-planning, not just for the trip itself and all the fun things the traveler will be doing, but also about the fact that sometimes emergencies arise. If you have pre-planned what to do in case of an emergency it will be less likely to completely ruin your vacation.

This book may be short, but it does contain some useful information. I rate this book as 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

TEN DAYS IN A MADHOUSE by Nellie Bly – AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

Cover image obtained from http://www.audible.com

TEN DAYS IN A MADHOUSE

Author: Nellie Bly

Type of Book: Audiobook – Unabridged

Narrator: Suzie Althens

Length: 2 hours, 50 minutes

Genre: Non-Fiction, History, Mental Health History, Memoirs

Release Date: June 1, 2015

Publisher: Audio Books by Mike Vendetti

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this audiobook through AudioBookBlast dot com in exchange for an honest review.

In 1887 very little was known and even less was understood about the field of mental health. In fact, I’m not even sure if the term “mental health” was even in use in that historic time period.

This book is the true story of Nellie Bly. Nellie was an actress and one of the first female newspaper reporters. She was sent by the “New York World” newspaper to do an expose on how patients are treated in ‘modern day’ asylums.

Nellie uses her acting skills to have herself declared insane by four medical doctors. This feat should have been difficult, but it proves to be alarmingly easy.

Nellie convinces the doctors that not only is she insane, but that she is also homeless and destitute. Because of the combination of these attributes, Nellie finds herself admitted to The Blackwell’s Island Lunatic Asylum. This is where Nellie wanted to go to complete her assignment.

What Nellie discovers and subsequently writes about in the newspaper gives the public it’s first ever glimpse into what life inside an insane asylum is really like. Nellie exposes cruelty, bullying, inhumane conditions and the lack of any scientific testing measures.

As a direct result of Nellie’s covert investigation, a Grand Jury was assembled and many reforms were instituted as a direct result of the spotlight her expose placed on the deplorable conditions inside “insane” asylums.

The narrator of TEN DAYS IN A MADHOUSE has a wonderful voice. She is able to convey not only emotions, but also the state of mind of the characters. Her voice is refined and comes across as perfect for a pioneering female journalist during the late 1880s.

If you have never read or listened to the story of Nellie Bly before, I suggest you purchase this audiobook right away.

The story is fascinating and this was a major turning point in how mental health was perceived and how patients were treated. Without Nellie Bly’s investigative journalism many more people may have died and thousands more would have had to endure harsh treatment for many more years.

I rate this audiobook as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

EXCERPT:

“As the doctor was about to leave the pavilion [at Bellevue Mental Hospital] Ms. Tilly Maird discovered that she was in an insane ward. She went to Dr. Field and asked him why she had been sent there. ‘Have you just found out you are in an insane asylum’ asked the doctor.
‘Yes, my friend said they were sending me to a convalescent ward to be treated for nervous debility from which I am suffering since my illness. I want to get out of this place immediately.’
‘Well, you won’t get out in a hurry,’ he said with a quick laugh.
‘If you know anything at all’ she responded, ‘You should be able to tell that I am perfectly sane. Why don’t you test me?’
‘We know all we want to on that score,’ said the doctor and he left the poor girl condemned to an insane asylum, probably for life, without giving her one feeble chance to prove her sanity. ”

SOLACE by Therin Knite – AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

SOLACE

Author: Therin Knite

Type of Book: Audiobook – Unabridged

Narrator: Julia Knippen

Length: 11 hours, 1 minute

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Drama

Release Date: May 13, 2015

Publisher: Knite and Day Publishing

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I just finished listening to the audiobook version of Solace.

I’m not sure what I thought this audiobook would be like, but I know that I did not expect to be so completely sucked in to the story, nor did I expect the narration to be so incredibly well done.

If you follow my blog at amiesbookreviews dot wordpress dot com you know that I read A LOT of books and listen to A LOT of audiobooks. That is probably why I do not rate many books or audiobooks as 5 out of 5 stars. If I enjoy a book and like it a lot it gets a 4 star rating from me. To get a 5 star rating, it must be exceptional. The audiobook version of SOLACE is exceptional.

The author has captured the emotions of Corina Marion perfectly.

Corina Marion’s father is dead.

Before she was born, her father left to be Red Cross doctor in the War in Asia. That war has been going on for the entirety of her sixteen year life.

Luther Marion has never been a tangible presence in his daughter’s life. What little she knows about him has come from her mother or from the damaged pictures and letters he has sent home over the years.

But now Luther Marion has returned home at last, but not in the way his family had hoped. Instead of a joyful family reunion, Luther Marion arrives home in a body bag. His wife, Corina’s mother, is devastated and it is up to Corina to pick up the pieces of her mother’s shattered hopes.

The residents of the small town where Corina and her mother live all mourn the loss of Luther Marion and talk about him as if he were a hero. Everyone tells Corina how proud she should be of her father, but it is difficult for her to feel much (other than anger) about the man she sees as a ‘glory hound’ and who chose war over being a real parent to Corina.

But when a mysterious old man confronts Corina at her father’s funeral, she finds herself drawn to his impossible offer: a chance to know the now late Luther Marion. It’s an offer she can’t resist.

What she doesn’t expect is that her choice will send her to the last place she ever expected to go: Her father’s hometown. Six hundred miles south. And 25 years in the past.

You may think this sounds like a story that will be predictable and full of emotional trope, but you would be wrong. Corina is no push-over and she has a bone to pick with her father (and rightly so).

This story kept my interest for the entire 11 hours, which is a feat in itself.

I really liked the character of Corina. She came across as realistic and not just as a one dimensional character in a novel. She is snarky. She is strong and she’s a badass. But, she is also just a girl who missed out on having a father in her life.

I am sure that many readers/listeners will be able to relate to Corina and the things she has gone through in her fictional life.

This audiobook is very engaging and entertaining. Even though this is fiction, it addresses some very real and very socially relevant issues facing people in the real world.

With the “War on Terror” still being fought and with so many American and Canadian military, medical and volunteer personnel being deployed overseas, the media often overlooks or ignores the effect this has on those who are left behind. I cannot (thankfully) imagine what a spouse would go through emotionally knowing that their loved one is facing mortal danger on a daily basis. The stress and worry must be mind-numbing. I also cannot imagine the toll it takes on a child knowing their parent is in danger. It would be very difficult for a child to form any sort of emotional bond with someone that they rarely see.

This audiobook has a great story with terrific narration and interesting subject matter. I rate SOLACE as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

FREE BOOK – CALLER 107 by Matthew Cox – Today until July 25th

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CREATED by Peiri Ann – BOOK BLITZ – RELEASED TODAY

Created
by Peiri Ann
Created #1
Publication Date: July 24, 2015
Genres: Romance, Sci-fi, Young Adult

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After a devastating world war, our government has manufactured genetically altered humans. These ‘creations’ are designed to manage and enforce law and order amongst the citizens. Creations don’t know fear or pain. Their sole function is to fight the enemy and live to battle again.

Orphans Kylie Alexander and her twin brother, Lukahn were born for this purpose. Dedicating their lives to sharpening their deadly skills and forfeiting the chance of love and freedom. They ready themselves for Separation, the deadly rite of passage where the oldest teens are drafted into the final preparation for war.

When Kylie and Luke are shipped off to separation three months early, questions arise. Who is the real enemy? What is really happening beyond the fractured sanctuary of the training compound?

Humans and creations alike have become lethal foes when a plague of the living dead becomes the number one hazard. Strategies change as the twins discover they may not be the saviors of humankind after all.
They may be the real enemy of the people.

About Peiri Ann

Peiri Ann shares a love in the creation of new worlds, different creatures, and unwritten possibilities.

Writing is a passion. I fell in love with it when i was a child and I am privileged to share it with you. I love writing fun/tragic adventurous novels with strong romantic elements from YA to New Adult. (reachme@peiriann.com)

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