Jamie Quinn Mystery Collection, Books 1 – 3 by Barbara Venkataraman

Saturday Nite Reader14 Comments

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Box Set 4 disco balls

Published: September 4, 2014
Purchase: Amazon Box Set is $3.49, for all 3 stories that is a steal! $0 if you have kindleunlimited (From February 19 – 23, 2018, the box set is free!)
Category: Novella, Mystery, Suspense

Meet Jamie Quinn, a lawyer who practices family law yet finds herself in the middle of a few criminal cases (one that hits a bit too close to home). She recently lost her mother, took a sabbatical from work and suffers from insomnia. In Book 1, she is forced back into work mode when her cousin is accused of murder.

Read more to view my reviews for Books 1, 2 and 3. I received an ebook of the Box Set from the author, Barbara Venkataraman, in exchange for my honest review. Read More »

Book Review: The Story of Our Lives by Helen Warner

Saturday Nite Reader17 Comments

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2.5 disco balls

Published: February 1, 2018 by Graydon House
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Category: Fiction, Chick lit

It started out slow and bit all over the place; after I invested a bit of time into it I became more engaged in the story. Boy was there loads of drama. And, the drama kept on coming even when you wanted to cover your eyes and will it to stop. (Why Emily, why?!)Read More »

Book Review: Should’ve Been You by Nicole McLaughlin

Saturday Nite Reader15 Comments

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fire fire on the flame meter

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4 disco balls

Published: January 30, 2018 by Swerve
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble ($2.99 Kindle & Nook)
Category: Romance, Novella
#3 of the Man Enough Series

I came across this book after reading DJ Empress’ review on her blog, Books and Bindings, and knew I would probably enjoy it! As you know, or will now know, I am a sucker for sugary romances – and a series to boot!Read More »

Book Review: A Lady’s Guide to Selling Out by Sally Franson

Saturday Nite Reader11 Comments

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3 disco balls

Publish date: April 10, 2018 by Dial Press
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Category: Fiction, Chick lit

Casey Pendergast works for the man, but its not her true passion. At 28, she makes a very good living and as all the material things she wants. She finds herself in a few moral dilemma’s as her PR company aims to use artists to promote products they wouldn’t normally use: in essence selling out. She herself selling out as she is essentially doing the same thing. There is a strong lesson here on the power of social media.Read More »

Audiobook Review: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Saturday Nite Reader21 Comments

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4 disco balls

Published: August 16, 2011 by Random House Audio
Narrator: Wil Wheaton
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BOTM $9.99 add on
Category: Science Fiction, YA, Fantasy, Dystopia
Prometheus Award for Best Novel (2012), ALA Alex Award (2012), Mary Shelley Award for Outstanding Fictional Work (2016)

Eureka! I finally found one: an audiobook that I loved. I mean what 80’s baby wouldn’t appreciate an audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton loaded with 80’s pop culture references to boot? Fun Fact: my favorite Wil Wheaton movie is Toy Soldiers.

I will admit that when I first read the synopsis of this book I didn’t think it was my jam. My best friend convinced me otherwise and boy was she right! I loved it! Like really loved it. I am not sure if I would have felt the same way reading the book versus listening; I think since I enjoyed the narration that I was more engaged. Either way I now can’t wait for the movie coming out in March.Read More »

Audiobook Review: Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay

Saturday Nite Reader11 Comments

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3.5 disco balls

Published: August 5, 2014 by HarperAudio
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Category: Nonfiction, Essays, Feminism
Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Nonfiction (2014)

Bad Feminist, a book of essays by Roxane Gay, is more than what the title may portray. There are essays on feminism but actually not as many as I thought. The beginning starts out discussing the author’s love of competitive Scrabble. I kind of was like “where is this going?” but realized this may be the way the author was allowing us to get to know her. (Since I was listening to the audiobook I didn’t have the breakdown of sections or essay titles. I would come to realize later that yes, those essays were her “Me” section.)

Gay’s essays touch upon various subjects such as body image, gender inequality, sexual assault, race, stereotypes in literature and film, and how media presents these subjects.

It is a thought provoking read and a conversation starter. It highlights very important subjects and makes you reflect on your own thoughts: I sometimes found myself thinking “hmm, I hadn’t thought of it that way before” or that she stated more eloquently similar thoughts I had. Read More »

Book Review: The Start of Something Wonderful by Jane Lambert

Saturday Nite Reader12 Comments

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3 disco balls

Published: January 5, 2018 by HQ Digital
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble both Kindle & Nook editions are $2.99
Category: Rom-Com, Chick-Lit

At age 40, Emily breaks up with her long time love, Nigel, and takes it as an opportunity to re-evaluate her life. She dreamed of becoming an actress, so become an actress she will do. I enjoyed how the story is one of reclaiming your life, at any age. Read More »

Audiobook Review & Narrator Interview: Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan

Saturday Nite Reader10 Comments

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4 disco balls

Published: May 1, 2017 by Brillance Audio, Narrated by Will Damron
Purchase: Audible  Amazon Kindle unlimited  Barnes & Noble: $9.29 for the audio
Category: Historical Fiction

Beneath a Scarlet Sky, by Mark T. Sullivan, was inspired by the real life story of WWII hero, Pino Lella. This book was 10 years in the making for author, Mark T. Sullivan, whom met Pino by chance and knew he wanted to tell his story. It is a work of fiction, but has been rumored to be about 90% true.

First things first, this audiobook is a commitment. It is 17 hours long! About 25% way through I upped the speed to 1.25x and it cut a few hours off, phew. I am terribly bad at paying attention to audiobooks, but I do find I am most engaged in listening and not being distracted by everything around me (look a squirrel!) when I am taking a long drive. During a long weekend I went to visit friends in CT (about a 2 hour drive) so it was a perfect time to dive into Pino’s story.Read More »