Kate’s 2¢: “Suspect” by Robert Crais
What a wonderful story. As a guide dog handler, I know how well-trained and special working dogs are. This story takes you from the depths of despair experienced by Maggie, the military dog, and Scott, the policeman who couldn’t protect his human partner.
It takes you from the depths of devastation and trauma to the heart-warming heights of a new bonding and success.
Todd Fox did a good job of narrating this moving story.
robertcrais.com
Robert Crais – Wikipedia
Robert Crais (pronounced /kreɪs/) (born June 20, 1953) is an American author of detective fiction and former screenwriter. Crais began his career writing scripts for television shows such as Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, Quincy, Miami Vice and L.A. Law. His writing is influenced by Raymond Chandler, Dashiell.
Robert Crais is the author of the best-selling Elvis Cole novels. A native of Louisiana, he grew up on the banks of the Mississippi River in a blue collar family of oil refinery workers and police officers. Born in Independence, Louisiana, he was adopted and raised as an only child. He attended Louisiana State University and studied mechanical engineering.
Crais moved to Hollywood in 1976 where he found work
From NLS/BARD/LOC:
Suspect DB76115
Crais, Robert Reading time: 7 hours, 49 minutes.
Todd Fox A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.
Suspense Fiction
Military dog Maggie suffers PTSD after her beloved handler is killed. LAPD cop Scott James is similarly traumatized after he almost dies and his fellow officer Stephanie is killed in a shoot-out. Scott and Maggie–both new to the canine unit–become partners and investigate Stephanie’s shooting. Violence and strong language. 2013.
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Comments Off on Kate’s 2¢: “Steel magnolias” by Robert Harling
Kate’s 2¢: “Steel magnolias” by Robert Harling
“Steel magnolias” by Robert Harling
Jocelyn Towne, Brittany Snow, Amy Pietz, Shannon Holt, Frances Fisher, Josh Clark, and Jeanie Hackett dramatically read this play with enthusiasm and passion. I felt like I was ‘one of the girls’. They expressed their emotionally reactions to the various issues and made me laugh and cry right along with them. Well done, my friends.
Robert Harling is an American writer, producer and film director123. He was born on November 12, 1951 in Dothan, Alabama23. He is known for writing the screenplay for Steel Magnolias (1989), based on his own play, and for producing and writing The Evening Star (1996) and The First Wives Club (1996)13. He is not to be confused with Robert Henry Harling, a British typographer, designer, journalist and novelist4.
From NLS/BARD/LOC:
Harling, Robert Reading time: 1 hour, 54 minutes.
Jocelyn Towne; Brittany Snow; Amy Pietz; Shannon Holt; Frances Fisher; Josh Clark; Jeanie Hackett
Family
“Within the walls of Truvy’s beauty shop are six women whose lives increasingly hinge on the existence of one another. Together, they absorb the passing seasons, just like the weathered wooden structure of the salon “home” that they share. An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast production, starring Frances Fisher, Jeanie Hackett, Shannon Holt, Amy Pietz, Brittany Snow, Jocelyn Towne. Additional voices by Josh Clark. Directed by Jessica Kubzansky and recorded before an audience by L.A. Theatre Works.” — Provided by publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.
Download Steel magnolias DB113222
Kate’s 2¢: “Man on the Run” by Carl Weber
“Man on the Run” by Carl Weber
This was one of seven stories included on a cartridge the NLS sent to me. I started to read it, but found it to be disgusting, misogynistic, racist, and pornographic. I did not finish the story.
Carl Weber (author) – Wikipedia
Carl Weber (born 1964) is an American author, publisher, television writer and producer. He owns Urban Books, a publishing company, and formerly owned Urban Knowledge, a chain of bookstores. His mystery novels was adapted into films The Man in 3B (2015), The Preacher’s Son (2017), The Choir Director (2018) and Influence (2020).
From NLS/BARD/LOC:
Man on the run DB116552
Weber, Carl Reading time: 8 hours, 27 minutes.
Ron Butler; Kevin R. Free; Randall Bane; JD Jackson
Friendship Fiction
General
“Jay Crawford has spent too long paying for a crime he didn’t commit. For ten years, he’s been in prison, waiting for the right opportunity to prove his innocence. But when his family is threatened, the time for waiting is over. Jay just didn’t realize that escaping would be the easy part… To get justice, he’ll need the help of the three best friends who have always had his back — Wil, Kyle and Allan. But how long will Allan let Jay stay in his house if his new wife seems to prefer the sexy ex-con sleeping on their couch? And does helping Jay mean Wil finally gets pulled into the not-exactly-legal Duncan family business? As Kyle finds his loyalties — and his finances — stretched to the limit, who will he have to sacrifice? A man on the run requires absolute trust, but Jay might just be setting himself up for the ultimate betrayal…” — Provided by publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.
Title
Kate’s 2¢: “The Blue Book” by Alison Louise Kennedy
Kennedy A L The blue book
Kate’s 2¢: “The Blue Book” by Alison Louise Kennedy
I’m afraid I didn’t find this book memorable. Usually, I enjoy reading stories from authors of other countries. Maybe I just didn’t “get it”.
From the web:
Alison Louise Kennedy (Born: Oct 22, 1965) is a Scottish writer of novels, short stories and non-fiction.
From NLS/BARD/LOC”
The blue book DB76427
Kennedy, A. L. Reading time: 12 hours, 8 minutes.
Read by Rosalyn Landor.
Psychological Fiction
While on a cruise across the Atlantic with her lover Derek, Elizabeth encounters Arthur–her former flame and fellow con artist. Elizabeth tries to hide her history from Derek as she contemplates her life choices. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2011.
Downloaded: April 3, 2024
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Cornucopia: My Publishing Trek
2024May
My initiation into the world of book publishing was traumatic and unpleasant, to say the least. The writer’s group held a convention, inviting Kent Brown, an editor/publisher. He was enthusiastic about my manuscript for a children’s book, asked a lot of questions, and asked to take it with him. I was thrilled. After 6 weeks, my colleagues urged me to write to ask the status of my manuscript. He replied, he’d sent it to another department for review. After another few weeks, my colleague heard from a friend in the Buffalo writer’s group that he’d given it to a woman in his stable of writers. She changed my story to have the young blind girl walking with a guide dog in harness. I wrote that it had been brought to my attention that the change to my story was a dis-service to the blind, as trained guide dogs are not issued to very young children. Although I received no response, the woman changed the ending to have the young child playing in the meadow with the dog sans harness. The experience made me very wary of submitting my intellectual properties.
My next foray into publishing was to submit an article from the dog’s point of view to a dog magazine. Ross Becker, the editor, promptly replied that he really wanted my article, but that he was the only one who would write from the dog’s point of view and would I change it to a person’s point of view. Of course, I agreed and a long-term relationship was formed. I wrote two or three articles each year for several years until he and Judy’s untimely death in a car crash.
After my children went to school, I established a daily writing schedule to write from 9:00AM to Noon and beyond if I was in hot pursuit of a story. Many times I found the pieces I wrote through my tears or as I laughed turned out to be the most emotionally grabbing and popular pieces.
I edited my manuscript as best I could with the screen reader and the word processor’s attributes, then, discuss any edits with the publisher. With “Charles and David” the editor and I went toe to toe about an issue until we realized that she was coming at the diabetes from a hypo glycimic point, while I was coming at it from the hyper glycimic side. Bottom line, to get the book published, I caved and agreed with her. She carried “The Night Search” and “Charles and David” for 26 of her 27 years of being in business.
Self-publishing “Green Trillium” was not an experience I’d like to do again. I had a manuscript started and was introduced to illustrator from Finland who was here with her husband, a nano-physisist. They were here for the one year of his research grant. We got along well and I liked the descriptions I heard about the sample pictures she drew. I wantedto get the book published as a gift to her before they left the states. The publishers didn’t follow my directions about color, making the illustrations very cartoonish. They refused to put page numbers on a children’s book and a variety of other issues. A year after Mia and her husband went on to Genoa, Italy, I paid $75 to mail her one copy. Not long after that, I bing-ed her name and found that she’d translated it into Finish, without my copyright permission, but it was done and I didn’t see much sense of suing for royalties.
While I have two book manuscripts on my dream list of things to have published, I find magazine and newspaper articles are most rewarding. They have a built-In market and I can concentrate more on writing.
I’ll be happy to answer any questions when Alice opens the discussion phase of our meeting. Thank you.
### format for talk
My initiation
into the world of
book publishing
was traumatic
and unpleasant,
to say the least.
The writer’s group held
a convention,
inviting Kent Brown,
an editor/publisher.
He was enthusiastic
about my manuscript
for a children’s book,
asked a lot of questions,
and asked to take it with him.
I was thrilled.
After 6 weeks,
my colleagues urged me
to write to
ask the status
of my manuscript.
He replied,
he’d sent it to
another department for review.
After another few weeks,
my colleague heard from
a friend in the
Buffalo writer’s group
that he’d given it
to a woman in his stable
of writers.
She changed my story
to have the young blind girl
walking with a guide dog in harness.
I wrote that
it had been brought to my attention
that the change to my story
was a dis-service to
the blind,
as trained guide dogs
are not issued
to very young children.
Although I received no response
the woman changed
the ending to
have the young child
playing in the meadow
with the dog sans harness.
The experience made me
very wary of submitting
my intellectual properties.
My next foray
into publishing was to
submit an article
from the dog’s point of view
to a dog magazine.
Ross Becker, the editor,
promptly replied
that he really wanted my article,
but that he was the only
one who would write from
the dog’s point of view
and would I change
it to a person’s point of view.
Of course, I agreed
and a long-term relationship
was formed.
I wrote two or three
articles each year
for several years
until he and Judy’s untimely death
in a car crash.
After my children went to school,
I established a daily writing schedule
to write from 9 aM to Noon
and beyond
if I was in hot pursuit
of a story.
Many times I found
the pieces I wrote
through my tears
or as I laughed
turned out to be
the most emotionally grabbing
and popular pieces.
I edited my manuscript
as best I could
with the screen reader
and the word
processor’s attributes,
then, discuss any edits
with the publisher.
With “Charles and David”
the editor and I
went toe to toe
about an issue
until we realized
that she was coming at the diabetes
from a hypo glycimic point,
while I was coming at it
from the hyper glycimic side.
Bottom line,
to get the book published,
I caved and
agreed with her.
She carried “The Night Search”
and “Charles and David”
for 26 of her 27 years
of being in business.
Self-publishing
“Green Trillium”
was not an experience
I’d like to do again.
I had a manuscript started
and was introduced to an
illustrator from Finland
who was here with her husband
a nano-physisist.
They were here
for the one year of his research grant.
We got along well
and I liked the descriptions
I heard about the
sample pictures she drew.
I wanted to
get the book published
as a gift to her
before they left the states.
The publishers didn’t follow
my directions about color,
they made the illustrations very cartoonish.
They refused to put page numbers
on a children’s book
and a variety of
other issues.
A year after Mia
and her husband went on
to Genoa, Italy,
I paid $75 to mail
her one free copy.
Not long after that,
I bing-ed her name
and found that she’d
translated it into Finish,
without my copyright permission,
but it was done
and I didn’t see
much sense of
suing for royalties.
While I have two
book manuscripts
on my dream list
of things to have published,
I find magazine
and newspaper articles
are most rewarding.
They have a built-In
market
and I can concentrate more
on writing.
I may have
Only 3 books
But I have
Over fifteen hundred by-lines to my credit.
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by kate
Comments Off on Kate’s 2¢: “AN Act of Love” by Nancy Thayer
Kate’s 2¢: “AN Act of Love” by Nancy Thayer
“AN Act of Love” by Nancy Thayer
Successfully raising a blended family can be tricky. This story addresses some of the issues and possible solutions. Cyn Delafield Did a good job of narrating this novel.
Nancy Thayer – Wikipedia
Nancy Thayer is a bestselling author of more than 30 novels. She was born in Emporia, Kansas, in 1943. She lives in Massachusetts with her second husband, Charley Walters. She has two children, Joshua Thayer and Samantha Wilde. Her daughter has followed in her footsteps, also becoming a successful author.
From NLS/BARD/LOC:
An act of love DB56225
Thayer, Nancy. Reading time: 10 hours, 21 minutes.
Read by Cyn Delafield.
Human Relations
Family
Linda and Owen McFarland’s marriage falls apart when Linda’s teenage daughter Emily attempts suicide after being raped. Emily accuses her older stepbrother Bruce of the attack, but he vehemently denies it. Each parent struggles with conflicting emotions until the truth finally comes out. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. 1997.
Downloaded: July 4, 2024
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by kate
Comments Off on Kate’s 2¢: “Immortal Longing” by Chloe Gong
Kate’s 2¢: “Immortal Longing” by Chloe Gong
“Immortal Longing” by Chloe Gong
This was one of seven stories sent to me by NLS on a cartridge. I’m not into fantasy fiction, although I did read some of this story that is part of the Flesh and False Gods trilogy.
The narrative arc seemed okay, but the bit about bouncing in and out of other people’s bodies was something I couldn’t swallow.
Chloe Gong – Wikipedia
About Chloe Gong: Chloe Gong is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Secret Shanghai novels, as well as the Flesh and False Gods trilogy. Her books have been published in over twenty countries and have been featured in the New York Times, PEOPLE, Forbes and more.
She has a younger sister and brother. She was raised on the North Shore in Auckland, New Zealand, and attended Rangitoto College. While growing up in New Zealand, Gong was immersed in Chinese culture at home, speaking Shanghainese, cooking Chinese food, and celebrating Chinese holidays.
FromNLS/BARD/LOC:
Immortal longings DB116607
Gong, Chloe Reading time: 12 hours, 2 minutes.
Jeena Yi
Fantasy Fiction
Bestsellers
Romance
“Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin will flock to its capital twin cities, San-Er, where the palace hosts a set of games. For those confident enough in their ability to jump between bodies, competitors across San-Er fight to the death to win unimaginable riches. Princess Calla Tuoleimi lurks in hiding. Five years ago, a massacre killed her parents and left the palace of Er empty…and she was the one who did it. Before King Kasa’s forces in San can catch her, she plans to finish the job and bring down the monarchy. Her reclusive uncle always greets the victor of the games, so if she wins, she gets her opportunity at last to kill him. Enter Anton Makusa, an exiled aristocrat. His childhood love has lain in a coma since they were both ousted from the palace, and he’s deep in debt trying to keep her alive. Thankfully, he’s one of the best jumpers in the kingdom, flitting from body to body at will. His last chance at saving her is entering the games and winning. Calla finds both an unexpected alliance with Anton and help from King Kasa’s adopted son, August, who wants to mend Talin’s ills. But the three of them have very different goals, even as Calla and Anton’s partnership spirals into something all-consuming. Before the games close, Calla must decide what she’s playing for—her lover or her kingdom.” — Provided by publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller.
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by kate
Comments Off on Kate’s 2¢: “The Red Scream” by Mary Willis Walker
Kate’s 2¢: “The Red Scream” by Mary Willis Walker
“The Red Scream” by Mary Willis Walker
I enjoyed this tory, which was ably read by Carole Jordan Stewart. Wile the ending might surprise you, it is logical and understandable.
Mary Willis Walker – Wikipedia
Mary Willis Walker M W About the Author Mary Willis Walker is the author of Zero at the Bone, which won both the Agatha and Macavity awards and was nominated for an Edgar; The Red Scream, winner of the Edgar Award; and Under the Beetle’s Cellar, recipient of the Hammett Prize, the Anthony Award, and the Macavity Award. She lives in Austin, Texas.
She returned to her maiden name of Mary Willis, but continued to published as Mary Willis Walker, which, she wrote in an article for the New York Times Magazine, she now considers a pen name. She continues to live in Austin. She began writing in her mid-forties, which she characterized as ” ‘pretty late to start’ “.
From NLS/BARD/LOC:
The red scream DB40090
Walker, Mary Willis. Reading time: 12 hours, 44 minutes.
Read by Carole Jordan Stewart.
Mystery and Detective Stories
A decade after confessing to the murder of Texas socialite Tiny McFarland, serial killer Louie Bronk faces execution. But journalist Molly Cates, who wrote a book on his crime, is beginning to have doubts about his guilt: Tiny’s widower’s second wife has been murdered, and so has a key player in Bronk’s conviction. Now Bronk is changing his story–or is it just his death-row red scream? Strong language, violence, and some descriptions of sex.
Downloaded: July 4, 2024
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Comments Off on Kate’s 2¢: “The Housemate’s Secret” by Freida McFadden
Kate’s 2¢: “The Housemate’s Secret” by Freida McFadden
“The Housemate’s Secret” by Freida McFadden
If you’ve read any of McFadden’s novels, you know that the first part is not what it seems. This story will live up to your expectations.
Gabriella Cavallero does an outstanding job of reading this novel. I love listening to her narrating any story.
#1 New York Times, Amazon Charts, USA Today, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Sunday Times, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. Freida’s work has been selected as one of Amazon Editors’ best books of the year, she is the winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for best paperback, and she is a Goodreads Choice Award winner. Her novels have been translated into 40 languages.
Freida lives with her family and black cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification.)
Freida McFadden (born May 1) is an American author and practicing physician specializing in brain injury from New York City.
Biography[edit]
McFadden self-published her first book through Amazon KDP in 2013. Her 2022 book The Housemaid was an international bestseller. A movie adaptation of the book is set to be adapted for Lionsgate with Rebecca Sonnenshine to pen the screenplay, and Hidden Pictures’ Todd Lieberman and Alex Young to produce.[1]
From NLS/BARD/LOC:
The housemaid’s secret DB117095
McFadden, Freida. Reading time: 9 hours, 5 minutes.
Read by Gabriella Cavallero.
Suspense Fiction
Psychological Fiction
“It’s hard to find an employer who doesn’t ask too many questions about my past. So I thank my lucky stars that the Garricks miraculously give me a job, cleaning their stunning penthouse with views across the city and preparing fancy meals in their shiny kitchen. I can work here for a while, stay quiet until I get what I want. It’s almost perfect. But I still haven’t met Mrs Garrick, or seen inside the guest bedroom. I’m sure I hear her crying. I notice spots of blood around the neck of her white nightgowns when I’m doing laundry. And one day I can’t help but knock on the door. When it gently swings open, what I see inside changes everything… That’s when I make a promise. After all, I’ve done this before. I can protect Mrs Garrick while keeping my own secrets locked up safe. Douglas Garrick has done wrong. He is going to pay. It’s simply a question of how far I’m willing to go…” — Provided by publisher. Strong language and some violence.
Downloaded: July 4, 2024
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Comments Off on Kate’s 2¢: “Toxic Prey” by John Sandford (pseudonym of John Roswell Camp)
Kate’s 2¢: “Toxic Prey” by John Sandford (pseudonym of John Roswell Camp)
“Toxic Prey” by John Sandford (pseudonym of John Roswell Camp)
I enjoyed this action-packed book. Robert Petkoff did a good job of narrating the story.
It comes scarily close to what could happen.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Sandford, pseudonym of John Roswell Camp (born February 23, 1944), is an American New York Times best-selling author, novelist, former journalist, and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize.[1][2][3]
Early life[edit]
Camp was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Anne Agnes (Barron) and Roswell Sandford Camp.[4][5] His mother’s family was German and Lithuanian.[6] He received a bachelor’s degree in American history and literature[7] and a master’s in journalism, both from the University of Iowa.[8]
From 1971 to 1978, Camp wrote for The Miami Herald. In 1978, he moved to Minneapolis and started writing for The Saint Paul Pioneer Press as a features reporter; in 1980 he became a daily columnist. That year, he was a Pulitzer finalist for a series of stories on Native American culture.[9] In 1985, during the Midwest farm crisis, he wrote a series titled “Life on the Land: an American Farm Family,” which followed a typical southwest Minnesota farm family through the course of a full year. For that work, he won the annual Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing[9] and the American Society of Newspaper Editors award for Non-Deadline Feature Writing. He worked part-time at the Pioneer Press in 1989[10] and left the following year.
Camp is an avid fiction reader himself. When asked in 2018, “What’s your favorite book of all time?” by the New York Times, he responded, “An impossible question. If you put a gun to my head—say a .40-caliber Walther PPQ, or maybe a .45 ACP Colt Gold Cup—I’d say The Once and Future King by T. H. White.”[11] Both weapons he mentioned make appearances in many of his novels.
Camp is a personal friend and hunting companion of fellow Minnesota author Chuck Logan.[12]
Fiction writer[edit]
In 1989, Camp wrote two novels that would each spawn a popular series. The Fool’s Run (Kidd series) was published under his own name, but the publisher asked him to provide a pseudonym for Rules of Prey (“Prey” series), so it was published under the name John Sandford. After the “Prey” series proved to be more popular, with its charismatic protagonist Lucas Davenport, The Fool’s Run and all of its sequels were published under John Sandford.
From NLS/BARD/LOC:
Toxic prey DB120267
Sandford, John. Reading time: 11 hours, 21 minutes.
Read by Robert Petkoff.
Suspense Fiction
Mystery and Detective Stories
“When a renowned expert in infectious diseases disappears without a trace, Letty Davenport, with the world on high alert, calls in her father, Lucas, to locate him, and when their worst fears are confirmed, they must race against time to stop the virus he created from becoming the perfect weapon.”– OCLC. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.
Downloaded: June 20, 2024
Download Toxic prey