Murder Strikes a Pose: Tracy Weber 4 Stars

Thursday, 15 September 2016

Written by: Tracy Weber
Narrated by: Anne James
Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:08-16-16
Publisher: Tracy Weber
Whispersync for Voice-ready
Publisher's Summary

Seattle yoga instructor Kate Davidson often acts more like a champion fighting rooster than the Dalai Lama. When she's not teaching yoga, she spends her time hiding from her creepy landlord and dodging her best friend's relentless matchmaking attempts. Even though her father was a cop, Kate has zero crime fighting aspirations. She has enough trouble keeping her struggling yoga business afloat while trying to live up to yoga's Zen-like expectations.
Then she stumbles over a body in the studio's parking lot.
The police dismiss the murder as drug-related street crime, but Kate knows that George - a homeless alcoholic she had befriended-was no drug dealer. And if the police won't take his murder seriously, she'll just have to solve the crime herself. After all, "Drunk Dies in Drug Deal Gone Bad at Yoga Studio" isn't exactly the free publicity she's been hoping for.
Kate stretches herself and takes on two new challenges. First, solve George's murder. Second, find someone-anyone-willing to adopt his intimidating, horse-sized German shepherd, Bella, before Animal Control sends her to the big dog park in the sky.
But with Bella's time almost up and the murderer hot on her trail, Kate will have to work fast. Or the next time she practices Corpse Pose, it may be for real.
©2014 Midnight Ink (P)2016 Tracy Weber
Review
I always enjoy a cozy when one of the lead characters is a dog, and Bella is the real star of this show.
Kate Davidson gets upset when a homeless man, George, sets up right out side of her yoga studio to sell his papers. It isn't so much George that she objects to as his dog Bella, she goes crazy if another dog comes near, Kate worries that the racket she makes will disturb the calm atmosphere of her yoga classes. Times are tough for Kate at this time and she can't afford to lose customers because of raucous Bella.

Despite a rocky start, she and George come to an arrangement, but Bella is sick and losing weight, George discovers that she needs expensive enzymes in her food to keep her well. He tells Kate that he has an idea of how to get the money and then disappears for a few days.

Meanwhile she is deterring the advances of the charming pet store owner because he has a beard, she hates beards and, coincidentally, so does Bella.

George returns, Kate discovers his body, the police initially assess his murder as a drugs deal gone wrong, they don't seem to believe Kate when she denies that possibility. Kate temporarily takes over the care of Bella until she can find her a new home.

Kate is angry with the attitude of the police and so decides to investigate Georges murder herself. everyone warns her off, but she is determined and carries on anyway.

I quite enjoyed the story, except for Kate! Kate, you see, knows best. She has a really nasty mouth on her, upsetting people for no better reason that they dared to disagree with her, and nothing is ever her fault. She complains greatly about how little money she has but has no qualms about spending plenty in the coffee shop and on other things that it didn't seem likely she could afford. she didn't quite fit in with the whole yoga philosophy.

Still, she did seem to improve in character and temperament towards the end, so maybe there is hope for her yet in future stories. Who knows maybe Kate will start a new trend: the protagonist you love to hate!

I recommend this book for anyone who loves a cozy - and a dog!
Narrator
Thoroughly enjoyable narration by Anne James, pleasant voice with good pace and rhythm. I loved how she portrayed Kate at her most indignant and obnoxious! Good gender differentiation, Anne gave each character a distinct and easily identifiable voice.

Audiobook provided by the author, publisher or narrator for unbiased review

Smoky Mountain Tracks: Raine Stockton Mystery

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Written by: Donna Ball
Narrated by: Donna Postel
Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins
- Series: Raine Stockton, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:04-09-14

Publisher: Blue Merle Publishing

Available from Audible.com

4 STAR REVIEW
Publishers Summary
The first in the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery series..."An exciting, original, and suspense-laden whodunit..."(Midwest Book Review)
As a native of the small town of Hansonville, North Carolina,and a wilderness rescue worker, Raine Stockton knows the Smoky Mountains as well as anyone could, but she gave up her Search and Rescue work after a tragic loss. Now she reluctantly returns to active duty to help find a young child who has been kidnapped and taken deep into the forest. But as Raine's young golden retriever, Cisco, picks up the trail, his enthusiasm fails to make up for his lack of experience, and their first foray into the forest results in disaster...and the discover of the kidnapper - shot dead.
Suspecting there's more to the case than meets the eye, Raine struggles to overcome her personal demons, turns her search in new directions... and learns to trust Cisco to lead the way.
©2006 Donna Ball (P)2014 Donna Ball, Inc
My Review

Raine is rudely awoken in in the early hours of the morning, they need a Search and Rescue (SAR) dog to find a missing child. The thing is, Raines beloved SAR dog Cassidy is dead, all she has is a young, unqualified and probably unsuitable youngster named Cisco. Raine doubts Ciscos ability to become a fully trained SAR dog because he has obedience issues and is unreliable, she tries to refuse but reluctantly gives in when told that she and Cisco could be the child's only hope of survival. What follows is quite an adventure, Raine finds herself becomingly involved in mystery, murder and danger.

This is, of course, a dog cozy and for dog lovers there's much to commend it, I liked that Raine is not the dog trainer she had thought herself to be. It took the arrival of a strange new neighbour, one who possessed a remarkable gift, to gently put Raine on the right track. This didn't happen overnight, the friendship with her neighbour grew slowly as Raine initially resented her advice. For a relatively short listen this story has a lot going for it, a well described and beautiful setting, interesting characters and a rather unusual relationship between Raine and Buck. It will be interesting to follow the series to see how the characters develop.

This is the first book in the Raine Stockton

series, but I would recommend reading the stand alone book

"Silent Night: A Raine Stockton Dog Mystery" first as I feel it gives provides quite a bit of information about some of the characters, thus making reading the first in the series more enjoyable and interesting.

Narrator

The story is beautifully read by Donna Postel, if this is your first experience of Donnas work then you won't be disappointed.

This audiobook was received as a prize with no obligation to review

Vet Tales

Friday, 30 January 2015

Vet Tales

Written by: Becky Corwin-Adams
Narrated by: Chris Brinkley
Length: 1 hr and 32 mins
Unabridged Audiobook

Audible.com

My Review

I listened to the audiobook version, a short listen at 1hour 32 minutes.

Firstly, it was not quite what I expected, I was expecting more of a jolly romp told from the veterinarian point of view, however, the author describes it as an informative work.
Vet Tales is a series of short chapters, each addressing a different ailment. I was quite interested in the chapter on seizures, as one of my Jack Russells' suffers from epilepsy - and allergies - and ear problems.
In fact I would say it IS a very handy informative and educational book.
It is obvious that Becky is devoted to her Cocker Spaniels, going to great length to ensure their well being and happiness. If you love dogs and need to know a little more about owning and caring for them, then this is for you.

Narrator

The book was beautifully narrated by Chris Brinkley who has a lovely, easy to listen to voice which enhances this audiobook.

This audiobook was gifted to me in return for review, this review is my honest opinion.

I Want to be a Dixie Diva!

Tuesday, 6 January 2015

Dixie Divas: Dixie Divas Mysteries, Book 1

Written by: Virginia Brown
Narrated by: Karen Commins
Length: 12 hrs and 45 mins

Series: Dixie Diva Mysteries, Book 1

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:03-12-12

Publisher: Belle Books, Inc.

Publishers Summary

"You found my philandering ex-husband?" Bitty asked. "Where? Mexico? Paris? In Tupelo with a cocktail waitress?"

"In your closet," I answered. "Dead."

Break out the hoop skirts and the zinfandel. The Divas are on the case.

Wine. Chocolate. Transvestite strippers. Just another good-time get-together for the Dixie Divas of historic Holly Springs, Mississippi, where moonlight and magnolias mingle with delicious small-town scandal. But Eureka "Trinket" Truevine, the newest Diva, gets more than she bargained for when she finds her best Diva girlfriend Bitty Hollandale's ex-husband in Bitty's hall closet. He's dead. Very dead. Now Trinket and the Divas have to help Bitty finger the murderer and clear her name.

Virginia Brown is the nationally acclaimed, award-winning author of 50 novels.

Dixie Divas is the first of a "Diva" series

My Review

Those Dixie Divas Rock! I want to move to Cherry Hill, Mississippi, just so as I can listen to those accents and join the divas.

Trinket Truevine has moved back to Cherry Hill ,she is the main story teller, she and her cousin, the much divorced, primped and botoxed Bitty are the stars of the show.

Now, back to those Divas, who are they? They are a very exclusive group of Southern ladies who hold regular get togethers in order to have a jolly good time! The wine flows and the entertainment sizzles. What goes on in these meetings stays in these meetings. Trinket is invited along to one by her cousin Bitty, Trinkets' eyes are opened by the secret goings on!

There is, of course, a murder or two with twists and turns to the plot, there is a little romance and lots of sleuthing before the culprit is arrested. For me though, the murder story was secondary to the hilarious narrative, little scenes made me laugh out loud. I hooted at the description of Uncle Freds' funeral (that's Uncle Fred on Mommas side).
In my minds eye I could just see Bittys' acquired dog, Chitlin' in all his ugliness (bless him), and then, oh dear! Bittys' description of the effects of alcohol on Delbert, one of her ex husbands!
The whole story delighted me.

Narrator

Karen Commins brought these characters to life for me, with a distinct voice for each character, male and female, I was soon able to distinguish who was who. Being British and now living in Australia I could be accused of being unqualified to judge the authenticity of the Southern accents, but I thought Karen did a wonderful job.
Karen is a TTB narrator, one who Tips The Balance in favour of buying an audiobook.
This audiobook was gifted to me by the narrator, with no expectation of a review.

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