Fortune and Glory - Janet Evanovich

Janet Evanovich has just released the twenty seventh novel in her long running Stephanie Plum series. I was feeling Covid down in the dumps this last week and just wanted something fun, fluffy and light hearted to listen to. Fortune and Glory fit the bill. (It's the first one to not have a 'number' title, although it is in the small print at the bottom Tantalizing Twenty Seven.)

Fortune and Glory takes us back to the Burg - bail bond agent Stephanie's neighbourhood in Trenton, New Jersey. Familiar characters return as well - Stephanie's partner Lula, Connie in the office, Grandma Mazur (my fave) as well as Ranger and Morelli. They're the two love interests in the book - Stephanie just can't make up her mind. Two new characters make an appearance - the enigmatic (and dangerous feeling) Gabriela Rose. As well as a previous skip - George Potts - who feels he needs to keep an eye out for Stephanie and help her as she helped him. I quite liked him - for all of his neurosises he comes up with some good answers. I hope we see him again.

Grandma's short lived marriage to Jimmy Rosolli ended when he died. But he left her a clue and set of keys to a treasure. She and Steph are on the hunt for it - as are many others.

New listeners will be easily able to catch up with who's who and what's what. Evanovich provides lots of background. Those who've listened before will find comfort in settling in with familiar characters. Lula continues to provide the comic one liners. (I did find that some of the jokes fell a bit flat for me.) Stephanie continues to destroy cars. Skips gone wrong. And everything is better with a cannoli. 

This is the familiarity and comfort listening I was looking for. There's lots of action and adventure in this latest and the mystery of the clues and keys was more involved that I imagined. But the fun of course is in the journey to the final answer. There are missteps and mistakes along the way, but you just know things will turn out the way we want them to. Except for that one burning question - Morelli or Ranger....?

I chose to listen to Fortune and Glory. Lorelei King has narrated much of this series and I was happy to see she was back for this book. Her voice is really pleasant to listen to and easy to understand. She provides different voices for all the characters. And they really suit. The voice for newcomer Potts was perfect! And I love Grandma Mazur's upbeat enthusiasm. King captures Evanovich's plot, bringing it alive. And it was perfect to beat the doldrums - a light hearted listen that will let you escape the real world for a bit. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Fortune and Glory. 

In A Holidaze - Christina Lauren

In less than two months, Christmas will have come and gone. What! Well, what that means is, it's time to get going on your Christmas listening and reading!Although, you would enjoy Christina Lauren's newest book - In A Holidaze -  at any time of the year.

Maelyn Jones arrives at the cabin for the yearly Christmas get-together of three families. They've been meeting up since the kids were babies. Maelyn is now in her twenties. And in a drunken moment she makes out with Theo, whom she's been friends with since they were toddlers at the cabin. It's a 'too much to drink mistake'... because it's his brother Andrew she's been in love with for - well - forever. Oh, how she wishes it never happened! "Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy."

Uh huh, enter Groundhog Day Christmas. Mae gets to relive the same time frame again. And again. Will she get it right? You'll have to have a listen to find out.

I loved the friendship and affection shown between all the members of these families. Their coming back to the cabin year after year for get togethers, especially at Christmas, was lovely. The traditions they have, the meals, games and more had me thinking of my own family traditions. And how important family and friends are to our lives.

Lauren writes romance really well. Yes, there's some steamy bits (also well done), but love is more than the physical side of things. Mae gets to explore what she wants from life and love more than once and her introspection will have you nodding along. 

The other thing Lauren does well is comedy. Some of the situations Mae gets herself into are laugh out loud funny. And the dialogue is fun as well. So, I guess that makes In A Holidaze a rom com listen. (And you know, it would make a great film as well) And a feel good listen. And a seasonal listen. And a magical listen. And one I really enjoyed!

The narrator was Patti Murin and she was just perfect for the character of Maelyn. Murin has a wonderfully expressive voice. She captures each and every emotion, situation and thought with her voice. She speaks clearly and her voice is pleasant to listen to. Her voice was perfect for the character of Mae as I had imagined her. She also provided other voices for the rest of the cast, including an Aussie player. She's interpreted Lauren's work really well and brings the book to life. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of In a Holidaze. 

Happiness for Humans - P.Z. Reizin - Review AND Giveaway

Looking for a light, fun, rom-com read? Look no further than P.Z. Reizin's newest novel - Happiness for Humans. (And I have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader, courtesy of Grand Central Publishing!)

Jen's job is to spend time talking to Aiden - a 'sophisticated piece of AI wizardry." He's a bit more advanced than anyone realizes, having become self aware, he has 'escaped' and copied himself to the web. He seems to be also experience feelings. Is is possible?  Tom is on the other side of the world in the US. Unknown to him, he also has an AI in his life - Aisling finds him quite fascinating.

The two AI's decide to meddle in both of their lives - helping the course of true love along.... with many mishaps along the way.

Reizin's premise is fun and full of possibilities. Both of the lead characters are eminently likeable and readers will find themselves hoping for a 'happily ever after' outcome. The two AI's are also quite 'personable', if you will. (Aiden will steal your heart) Their burgeoning awareness gives the reader pause. As does the use of electronic devices. We are so connected - phones, computers, surveillance cameras etc. The path to true love is, of course, rocky. Reizin plays this out well, with the unexpected entry of another character.

Happiness for Humans was a quirky, engaging rom-com love story that I found quite entertaining. Here's an excerpt. If you'd like to read Happiness for Humans, enter to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US and Canada, no PO boxes please. Ends February 17/18.


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