Audiobook Tour: Stolen Enchantress (Forbidden Forest, #1) by Amber Argyle

Author: Amber Argyle

Narrator: Lynn Bradford

Length: 14 hour 5 minutes

Series: Forbidden Forest, Book 1

Publisher: Starling Publishing

Released: Nov. 11, 2020

Genre: Romantic Fantasy; YA

A beast. An enchantress. An unbreakable curse....

Deep within the sentient woods, Larkin uncovers a secret that puts her in dreadful danger. Worse, now that the beast has had his taste, he’ll never stop hunting her. But the forest has woken something inside Larkin; something that gives her the power to fight back.

Magic.

Using forbidden magic will get Larkin hanged. Not using it will leave her at the mercy of the beast's enchantment. But there’s a third option; one that scares her more than anything.

She could fall in love with the beast.

Fans of A Curse so Dark and Lonely and A Court of Thorns and Roses will be spellbound by the fairytale re-telling of Beauty and the Beast and The Pied Piper in Stolen Enchantress. Buy now to find out why listeners around the world are getting lost in the Forbidden Forest!

“Moody, whimsical, and enchanting.” (Emily R. King, author of The Hundredth Queen Series)

 

My Review:

4.5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Audiobook, Fairytale, Heart-Wrenching, Retelling, Romance, Royal-Court, Supoernatural, Suspense--

Larkin was supposed to be watching her little sister when she realizes that her sister wandered into the Forbidden Forest, the place nobody ever returns from. Understanding that she will not get help from the superstitious town, she plunges into the forest to try and find her sister, irrevocably changing her life in ways nobody could have predicted.

We start the book with Larkin secretly in love with her friend Bane, who seems like an ok guy (I guessed a secret about him from the start but overall he was not a bad guy per se) but once we meet Denan, the guy who basically kidnapped her, I was in love. No, Larkin was not a victim of Stockholm syndrome, she wanted nothing to do with Denan and still loved her friend (much to my chagrin, I seriously wanted to shake this girl at some points- her bad choices moved the book from 5 stars to 4.5 since I was so mad at her). But I still loved Denan. He gave Larkin a choice and options, respected her views and wants regardless of them being conflicting with his own and was overall a really decent person. Keep in mind that this is not a romance story (there is a teeny tiny smidge but not a ton), but I adored watching the two of them develop a relationship through many adversities.

I purchased this forever ago as an ebook when it first came out (I mean seriously, Beauty and the Beast meets The Pied Piper? Yes please!) because I was super excited to read it but never got a chance. When I saw it was an audio, I jumped at the chance to listen to the story. The narrator was perfect at bringing Larkin to life, giving her personality and spunk and having a clear precise diction, as well as doing a great job creating distinct voices for the other characters. I would love for the rest of the series to be on audio and be narrated by this same voice. Keep in mind I listened at 1.75x speed which was just about perfect.

I really enjoyed this read and can't wait to continue the series. While this did not end on a cliffhanger, I have so many questions and concerns about what will happen and the overall fate of Larkin and Denan. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves fairytales and retellings full of action, magic and surprises.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Lynn Bradford. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Amber Argyle is the bestselling author of numerous fantasy and romance novels. Her award-winning books have been translated into several languages and praised by such authors as NYT bestsellers David Farland and Jennifer A. Nielsen.

Amber grew up on a cattle ranch and spent her formative years in the rodeo circuit and on the basketball court. She graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in English and physical education, a husband, and a two-year-old. Since then, she and her husband have added two more children, which they are actively trying to transform from crazy small people into less-crazy larger people. She's fluent in all forms of sarcasm, loves hiking and traveling, and believes spiders should be relegated to horror novels where they belong.

To receive Amber Argyle’s starter library of four free books, simply tell her where to send it: www.amberargyle.com

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Lynn Bradford is a graduate of Michigan State University’s theatre program. She has always loved YA and Beauty and the Beast retellings, like this one, are her absolute favorite books to narrate.

In addition to her numerous stage credits, Lynn brings her experience from multiple diverse industries to her non-fiction narration with her background in computer programming, legal, medical, psychology, anthropology, and many others.

When not in the booth, Lynn prefers the great outdoors and loves running, traveling, and backpacking.

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Audiobook Tour: 15 Minutes (A Maizie Albright Star Detective Mystery #1) by Larissa Reinhart

Author: Larissa Reinhart

Narrator: Joan Dukore

Length: 10 hours 26 minutes

Publisher: 1969

Released: May 28, 2020

Genre: Mystery; Amateur Detective

Audiobook Tour: The Shrike & the Shadows by Chantal Gadoury & A.M. Wright

Author: Chantal Gadoury

Narrator: Ryan Haugen

Length: 9 hours 37 minutes

Publisher: The Parliament House

Released: Mar. 3, 2020

Genre: New Adult Fantasy

 

The village of Krume is plagued by a haunted wood and a hungry witch. It’s been that way for as long as Hans and Greta can remember, though they have never seen the witch themselves; no one has.

When men start to disappear once again in the cover of night - their bloody hearts turning up on doorsteps - the village falls into frenzied madness.

Hans and Greta, two outcast orphans, find themselves facing accusations of witchcraft and are met with an ultimatum: burn at the stake, or leave the village forever.

With nowhere else to go, they abandon their only home.

As they venture into the strange forest, their path is fraught with horrific creatures, wild and vivid hallucinations, and a mysterious man tied to the witch's past.

The Shrike is watching, just beyond the deep darkness of the woods.

My Review:

3.5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Fairytale, Heart-Wrenching, Retelling, Scary, Supernatural, Werewolves, Witches--

The story is dual narrated by twins Hans and Greta (with a random chapter here and there other views), both struggling with the lives they have been dealt in very different ways. Keep in mind, this is not the version of Hansel and Gretel you think you know.

I really liked Greta, she was a little ball of sunshine. She was interesting and sweet, always thinking of others and full of optimism. She faced being lonely, see as an outcast by her own people since her parent's deaths, a so called holy man attempted to rape her and her brother is a total tool, but still she tries so hard to keep life going. I will admit I wanted her to strangle Hans and insist Greta leave him to his doom (and maybe run away with a certain brooding wolf man, just saying). She is for sure the good twin in this story.

Hans is literally the worst. I could not stand him even a little, his entire personality is motivated by his carnal desires and his jealousy over Greta liking anyone/having friends. So basically, he was a selfish manwhore who wanted his sister to be alone and codependent on him alone, while he slept with anything female and spread negative rumors about his sister as it suited his needs. In my totally judgy opinion, the Shrike can have him.

I liked the world (the plot and the world building were very unique and different from any other story I read before), making this a very dark fairytale retelling, with tons of danger and horror as well as LOTS of sex and desire (sometimes detailed and other times creepy)- with lots of imagery of both the sex and gruesome horror. The narrator did a great job of getting into both the main character's heads, making it seem like it was really them thinking, talking, responding. Overall I found this to be an interesting premise with a shocking ending leaving me questioning what will happen next.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Chantal Gadoury. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Amazon Best Selling Author, Chantal Gadoury, is a 2011 graduate from Susquehanna University with a Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing. Since graduation, she has published "The Songs in Our Hearts" with 48Fourteen Publishing, and "Allerleirauh" with Parliament House Press, with future titles to follow. Chantal first started writing stories at the age of seven and continues with that love of writing today. Writing novels for Chantal has become a life-long dream come true! When she's not writing, she enjoys painting, drinking lots of DD Iced Coffee, and watching Disney classics. Chantal lives in Muncy, Pennsylvania with her Mom, Sister and furry-'brother' (aka, puppy) Taran.

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A.M. Wright is an Ohio native, perched on the shores of Lake Erie for as long as she can remember. She is a graduate of Walsh University and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Corporate Communications, with two minors in Marketing and Writing. She has a passion for reading, writing, and drawing; and has a particularly strong love for shojo-manga and all genres of anime. When A.M. Wright isn't focused on her day job, she is sorting through submissions, writing too many stories to keep track of, and playing video games with her fiance in a townhouse that's just a fifteen minute drive from "The Roller Coaster Capital of the World."

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Ryan Haugen tried to write for a long time. He has nothing to show for it - in fact this is the first time he’s sat down to write since college.

Actually, he isn’t even sitting right now. He’s standing, and coming to grips with how writing has always caused him to deceive himself. So, that honest work tied to fiction would ever materialize shocks even him.

As a narrator, Ryan has no formal qualifications or training.

As a producer, he has an above-average grasp of Windows 10 and Audacity.

As a purveyor of twist endings, he would have you know he quit his day job to pursue narration full time in his home studio after 7 months of part-time narration, and 15 books narrated.

Ever engaged, passionate, and consumptive of all forms of media, Ryan floats in bewildered contentment at the notion anyone would want to listen to him speak for dozens of hours, but hopes you enjoy his youthful performances in the tales he tells, and that by now, you truly believe he is a better storyteller than he is writer."

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Audiobook Tour & Giveaway: Scarlet Oaks and the Exposed Photographer by Michaela James

Author: Michaela James

Narrator: Kimberly M. Wetherell

Length: 12 hours 230 minutes

Series: Scarlet Oaks Cozy Mystery Series, Book 2

Publisher: LW Media Group Ltd.

Released: Feb. 6, 2020

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Something sinister is going on at Bay Radio. Is it possible there’s a connection between the mafia-type men who show up after dark, the terrified young women they have in tow, and the ominous commune Scarlet’s sister calls home?

A troubled caller’s cryptic clues point to a man from Scarlet’s past. Could he be the key to breaking her sister Violet out of a seemingly impenetrable commune?

Scarlet’s new boyfriend gets a crash course on the life and times of Violet, as they enter a world of shadows, sex, and secrets. With more than her own life on the line, Scarlet fights to save her sister.

Can Scarlet and friends, armed with only a harebrained scheme and spy store gadgets, solve this mystery? All roads lead back to the cryptic caller. Expose the photographer from Scarlet’s past, and the thick, scandalous web starts to unravel.

Jump on this speeding cable car with Scarlet and hold on for dear life. This fast-paced, clever mystery will have you laughing one minute and gasping the next. Spend time with the characters you’ve grown to love and make room in your heart for more.

If you grew up reading or listening to Nancy Drew, you’ll love Scarlet Oaks. This is the second book in the Scarlet Oaks series. Continue the adventure - buy Scarlet Oaks and the Exposed Photographer today!

My Review:

4.5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Audiobook, Mystery, Romance, Suspense--

Keep in mind that this is the second book in a series that needs to be read in order. This book takes place right after the first one and the events from the first book trigger the plot here.

This sequel was much more romantic of than the first one. We get to see James and Scarlet's relationship unfold in sweet, slow detail and it was so cute. I also need to mention that James is basically the perfect guy, giving support in all situations, willing to go along with all the crazy that Scarlet is involved in, loving her family and fitting in perfectly with her friends, and spontaneous foot massages. I love the two together. I was a little concerned that in the first book a love triangle was going to unfold but I am happy to report that there was always a winning contender with James.

I flew through this book, finding it much more action packed and exciting than the first. I think that the first book had a slow start setting up the world and characters, creating the relationship dynamics and backstory, where as this one was non-stop adventure, be it investigating a cult, sex trafficking, strange sacrifices, covert operations and missions, to cute pig antics. I love how there was so much going on in the story but somehow all the parts fit together perfectly.

I am definitely a fan of Scarlet and her ragtag of sleuths. I love how she keeps adding people to her world and I look forward to reading the next book in the series and whatever convoluted mischief that she gets into next. The audiobook narrator does a great job with emoting for Scarlet as well as creating different voices for all the cast members so I highly recommend listening to the series.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Michaela James. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Michaela lives near Reno, Nevada, where there are lovely walking trails and lots of sun. She was born and grew up in Hampshire, England, where there is less sun, but better chocolate! A professional voice over artist and the voice of a local radio station, Michaela enjoys watching great movies with her husband and grown sons, playing tennis and and drinking lots of tea.

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A bright, versatile, broad-next-door type, Kimberly M. Wetherell is rapidly becoming a sought-after talent in the voiceover market, specializing in audiobooks, commercials, and animation.

Kimberly has worn multiple hats in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. A graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, Kimberly has been an actor, a singer of musical theatre, director of both opera and film, and producer of opera, film, and most recently, commercials.

She speaks French, Italian, and German (all thanks to her 15-year career in opera), and, as a lifelong lover of language, has a large catalogue of dialects and accents from around the world at the tip of her tongue.

Equally active in the literary world, Kimberly is a published essayist and contributing editor of The Nervous Breakdown. She founded and hosted DISH, a monthly food & drink reading series at SoHo’s Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, as well as having hosted other reading series around NYC, such as NPR’s Dime Stories at Brooklyn’s Barbès and TNB’s Literary Experience at Chinatown’s Happy Endings.

Voiceover artistry is the perfect marriage of her life’s two passions, and she couldn’t be happier with this new career pursuit.

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Giveaway: $50 Amazon Gift Card

The Scarlet Oaks Mystery Series Giveaway: $50 Amazon Gift Card

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