Audiobook Review: Charms and Chocolate Chips by Bailey Cates

Katie Lightfoot is keeping herself busy. Between working at the bakery and volunteering, she barely has time to see her firefighter boyfriend, Declan. She's not avoiding Declan, but moreso avoiding her fate and destiny as a witch, and a powerful one at that. However she can't constantly run away from it, especially when her powers are needed to solve the murder of a fellow volunteer at the conservation group.

Charms and Chocolate Chips is the third book in the Magical Bakery Mysteries and I adored the first two books in this series. They combine my love of culinary cozies with paranormal elements just perfectly and often leave me [im]patiently waiting for the next book. I read the first two books in this series, and opted to listen to the latest book as an audiobook.

I like Katie Lightfoot. She's discovering lots of things about herself and her family that she didn't know before. She's only recently learnt that she's a witch and that's a lot to take on - especially when she learns that she's a "catalyst" and might be more powerful than she first thought. She's also taking baby steps with her relationship with Declan, given her previous disaster relationship. Add in another murder and well she's certainly got her hands full. However, what Katie soon discovers is that she can handle more than she thought she could!!

Charms and Chocolate Chips felt like a turning point for Katie. Her mother, who she hasn't spoken to very much since learning that her mother hid from her that Katie's a witch, is in town and it's great to learn more about Katie's family history and putting pieces of her own life's puzzle into place. For the reader we get a hint at exactly how much power Katie has and it's very interesting. I cannot wait to see how her powers progress as the series go on, as I'm sure it's going to be a great magical journey.

Charms and Chocolate Chips was a fantastic listen on audio. I listened while I dug into some holiday baking and it was a fantastic experience. Amy Rubinate was already one of my favorite narrators (based on her narration of The Selection series by Kiera Cass) and I'm so happy to see her narrating this series. She does a fantastic job of telling this story and her narration of Katie and her aunt, Lucy, are simply spot on. I plan to listen to future books in this series on audio.

I highly recommend this series to fans of culinary mysteries and paranormal mysteries. If you are looking for a series to try on audiobook, then definitely pick up the audio version, and Amy Rubinate's narration does not disappoint.

Audiobook Review: Night of Cake & Puppets by Laini Taylor

In a novella from Laini Taylor, author of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, comes the story of a romance between Zuzana, Karou's human best friend, and Mik, the violin player. For those that have read the first two books in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, you will have met Zuzana and Mik, but for those that haven't discovered this series yet, this short story is a great place to learn about two secondary characters, that deserve a story of their own.

I listened to the audiobook of both Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Days of Blood and Starlight and was absolutely mesmerized by Khristine Hvam's narration. Zuzana leaps off the pages of the books and practically springs out of my ipod with her energy and I loved every second of her scenes. When I heard she was getting a novella of her own I was excited - although I'm pretty sure she thinks she deserves a entire book!! The reason I love Zuzana so much is that she has a fantastic friendship with Karou. She is there for Karou through thick and thin and believes in Karou. More than the romantic angles of both of their lives, I love the friendship between Zuzana and Karou. Karou plays a mild part in this story, via text messages, but this story is all Zuzana. And Mik of course!

The story is romantic and fun and tells of Zuzana and Mik really meeting for the first time and finding each other and a first date of sorts. It is so romantic and it made me want to run out and seize the world as Zuzana and Mik do.

I LOVE Khristine Hvam's narration of these characters. I haven't listened to her narrate any other series yet but I plan to soon. She's narrates Zuzana and Karou so perfectly and I couldn't imagine anyone else doing the narration. I recently finished listening to Kevin T Collins narrate Beautiful Creatures so it was interesting to hear him narrate Mik, which is a completely different accent. He does a great job of narrating Mik's feelings as he goes on a treasure hunt of sorts for Zuzana. Kevin T Collins' is definitely on my radar of narrators to listen to more in the future.

Recommended for urban fantasy fans and readers that are looking for something a little different, but still romantic.

About this Audiobook:
Written by: Laini Taylor
Narrated by: Khristine Hvam, Kevin T. Collins
Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins
 Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:12-05-13
Publisher: Hachette Audio

Audiobook Review: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty tells the story of Walter, who is a daydreamer. He daydreams about fantastical situations where he is always the hero. His daydreams are interrupted by his wife, who seems to think he can't do anything right. This was a short audiobook (less than 15 mins) and we get just a small glance at Walter's life. His daydreams are interesting and the time we witness his life with his wife, you feel a little sad for him as she seems to think he is so incompetent.

Despite being short I liked this story and I think it will make a powerful story, when it's released on film. Ben Stiller is a good narrator and I'm interested to see how good he will perform this story on the big screen.

Audiobook Review: Dyeing Wishes by Molly MacRae

Kath Rutledge is settling into life in Blue Plum, operating the yarn shop her grandmother left her, and dealing with a ghost-in-residence in the way of Geneva. On a visit to Cloud Hollow Farm, Kath and her friends expect to learn more about dyeing yarn but instead they discover what looks like a murder suicide. The victim is Bonnie's daughter and a man who ran off years ago. Bonnie is devastated and looks to Kath to try to uncover the truth.

Being a lifelong knitter and crocheter I really enjoyed Molly Macrae's first novel, Last Wool and Testament. It called out to love of all different types of yarns and crafts. For the second novel in this series, I chose to listen on audiobook and see if my love of this series carried over on audio. I'm glad to report it did.

The second book is even better than the first. The reason why? Well apart from a great mystery that fills the reader into a bit of history of the town, with Will Embry having run off years ago accused of a crime, it also lets us into more of the close friendship amongst the TGIF (Thank Goodness It's Fiber) group. But the main reason is the funny, flighty ghost-in-residence, Geneva. I absolutely adore Geneva and her growing friendship with Kath.

In Dyeing Wishes we do get a few more details as to Geneva's past, but not enough that Kath is able to figure out why Geneva is hanging around. For my own selfish reasons I hope Geneva stays around for a long time because I find her absolutely delightful. I never know what she's going to say next and she's a hoot a minute!

Emily Durante is fast becoming one of my favorite cozy mystery narrators. I loved the voices she used for the characters of Blue Plum, especially the Spivey twins - she got those just perfect. She has a great pacing and it felt like I was right there alongside Kath trying to solve the mystery.

Dyeing Wishes was a great read and I can't wait for the third book in this series to be released next week.

About this Audiobook:
Written by: Molly MacRae
Narrated by: Emily Durante
Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
 Series: Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:07-02-13
Publisher: Tantor Audio