#caminoghosts #johngrisham #whoopigoldberg #mindgames #noraroberts #januarylavoy #themidnightfeast #lucyfoley #joeeyre #sarahslimani #rolybotha #laurencedobiesz #tuppencemiddleton #theloststory #megshaffer #jorjeanamarie
Don’t be surprised that July’s selections fall into the opposite category of June’s books. Rather than being titles I’ve had for a while, these are all new releases. It undoubtedly speaks to the variety and appeal of the work available that they have hit the bookstore shelves around the same time making it so hard for readers and listeners to keep up with their favorites! The first book is either the third in a series or the last of a trilogy. Smart money says, the author is leaving his options open! Number two is by an author I can never resist. Number three is from an author I periodically allow to mess with my mind. The last book is the newest of my new releases, having just been published this month by an author whose mind I want to live in.
By John Grisham
Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg
Camino Ghosts is promoted as book 3 of the Camino series. Personally I wouldn’t mind more books set on Camino Island because author John Grisham is in full storyteller mode with tales about its residents, and I can certainly envision the island producing many more stories about its colorful inhabitants. Mercer Mann, who appeared in both of the other Camino books, is trying desperately to get inspiration for her new book. Our island bookseller, Bruce Cable, has planted an idea in her head about Dark Isle which is next to Camino Island and has a dark and convoluted history. Mercer is trying to juggle her teaching job, a new marriage, and her career as an author, but she quickly finds that Lovely Jackson, a former resident of Dark Isle, and her family’s history are going to put everything else in her life on the back burner until she tells their story. With so much mystery and tragedy involved, can this story have a happy ending, or will Lovely become another victim in the long history of man’s inhumanity to man? Actress Whoopi Goldberg is the narrator and her listeners give mixed reviews. Personally, I found her narration to be inconsistent with some parts being well-performed and others just being read. I recommend that you stick with it because I think you will find the storyline worth the listen.
By Nora Roberts
Narrated by January LaVoy
Has this question ever popped in your mind? “I wish I knew what ____ was thinking.” If you could read minds, you would never need to wonder how someone felt toward you, or whether that person was telling you the truth, or what their deepest desire was. Sometimes you would see drama, sometimes comedy, sometimes a love story, and occasionally you might witness a murder. Nora Roberts is about to respond to the question with an age-old adage, “Be careful what you wish for!” Maggie Fox has a strange gift which has passed down to her through the women in her family. It has brought her joy and incredible sorrow. It has allowed her to see things no one should ever see. Through personal strength and the love and understanding of her family and close friends, she has been able to discipline herself to stay out of other people’s heads because she believes it’s too intrusive. She has also purposely used her gift to help bring justice in criminal cases that no one else could solve. She has closely guarded her secret because knowing about her gift has alienated some people who find her freakish. Maggie has never used her gift for anything but good until she is faced with the need to protect herself and those she loves from a murderer who just happens to share her gift and wants nothing more than to plant his evil in her head. Mind Games is Nora Roberts at her finest, and her work is superbly performed by narrator January LaVoy.
By Lucy Foley
Narrated by Joe Eyre, Sarah Slimani, Roly Botha, Laurence Dobiesz, & Tuppence Middleton
Two things up front before I even begin to talk about The Midnight Feast … first of all, it’s Lucy Foley, and whatever you’re expecting from this author, she is going to exceed your expectations while she messes with your mind. Secondly, the narrators Joe Eyre, Sarah Slimani, Roly Botha, Laurence Dobiesz, and Tuppence Middleton deserve a special mention because their performance is stage worthy! This is one of those books that straddles the rail between paranormal and psychological thriller, and it does so very effectively. There are some good people, some bad people, and some other-worldly people. There are some people who are all three. There are multiple POVs and a dual timeline. In case you’re beginning to worry that you won’t be able to keep the storyline straight, that won’t be a problem. That is definitely the author’s super power in this book: despite the twists and turns and complete 180s, I had no problem keeping the characters and her direction straight. You will feel a building sense of dread from the outset because every word builds up to a conclusion you won’t see coming. I highly recommend the audio version to get the full benefit of this amazing work.
By Meg Shaffer
Narrated by Jorjeana Marie
If you love fairy tales and love stories and magical creatures and happy endings, then you will love The Lost Story. Bring along your imagination, your hopes and dreams, and your heart to Meg Shaffer’s latest entry into a world that is mostly real … until it’s not. Rafe and Jeremy share a traumatic past during which they were lost in a forest. Rafe returns with no memories of the time they were missing. Jeremy returns with a gift for finding people who are lost. When he is approached by Emilie to help her find her lost sister, Jeremy must decide if he is willing to risk another visit to the magical world he visited with Rafe so many years ago. Will a return to that place they visited while they were lost help them find each other again and reconcile with the past? Will they choose to stay lost in that other world and a judgment-free life? Jorjeana Marie is a new narrator for me, and she skillfully captures the drama as well as the humor and whimsy that bring this enthralling story to life. Meg Shaffer has always been one of those authors who makes me want to spend some time in her head, and The Lost Story is added confirmation that time would be well spent!
Thank You For Following Us at Literati Literature Lovers and Happy Listening in August!
Leave a Reply