Retribution: The Harry Starke Novels, Book 7 By: Blair Howard Narrated by: Tom Lennon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story totally shocked me, because of one of the acts done at the end of the story. I expected Harry to be more of a monster, but the truth is the true monster is Bob. Harry deserved what he got in this story, but his attitude and cover up the above act is an affront to law enforcement, that includes Kate at this point. I've never really liked Kate. She is all willing to go along with Harry, but really Kate is a snake. I've met women like her before. She does everything to pull Harry into her cases to help her with her murder cases, but does nothing to help him, unless it suits her or advances her cause. I'm personally glad that Harry has someone like Amanda, because Kate would have brought Harry only unhappiness, that was particularly apparent in book one. Amanda supports Harry, and worries with good cause. Yet, she doesn't let Harry push her around. This story hits the darkest part of us. It lets us see that even when the darkness takes hold, Harry finds a way back into the light.
 

Family Matters The Harry Starke Novels, Book 6 By: Blair Howard Narrated by: Tom Lennon

Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This one makes for a great gothic novel, even has a happy ending. Amanda inherits a hotel from her grandmother. She travels with Harry to Maine to settle affairs with the hotel and have Harry try to find why her grandmother's grandmother disappeared. We even have ghostly visits, lights turning on and cold spots. All of these are expected in a 200 year old home. The keys to this 100 year old mystery is a box that can't be opened, a watch and a portrait. It reveals Amanda's shocking heritage and the secret of Elizabeth's disappearance. Let's just say during all the mystery and spooky going ons; Harry has a Hallmark moment.
 

Gone The Harry Starke Novels, Volume 5 By: Blair Howard Narrated by: Tom Lennon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a very sad story and I feel for Chief Johnstone's loss of his daughter. As Harry digs up the dirt on Emily's college, he discovers a prostitution ring, a website called Calista and an alternative lifestyle of intrigue and corruption. What he doesn't find is Emily's killer. The twist in this story is that the killer was overlooked, as Harry states, "A Rookie Mistake". It wasn't my mistake, because I suspected her from the beginning.
 

Checkmate The Harry Starke Novels, Book 4 By: Blair Howard Narrated by: Tom Lennon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the first book I actually read in this series. The going was slow, but as the story progressed I really started to like the characters. Harry actually took me some time to like, but his harsh manner softens when he is with Amanda. I didn't understand the Kate/Harry dynamic at first, but it became very clear after reading books 1 & 3. Angela Hartwell is found dead by Harry while golfing with his father. Kate turns the case over to Harry, because he belongs to the Country Club and people will be more likely to talk to him. Actually, he ends up making everyone either wary or angry with him. There is a definite twist at the end, one I actually didn't see coming.
 

Hill House The Harry Starke Novels, Book 3 By: Blair Howard Narrated by: Tom Lennon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

How do you solve a ten year old murder? A girl found under the floor of Hill House, of a runaway home for girls. The horror of secrets that Harry uncovers is a bit sickening, but human trafficking is a sickening subject, and the fact is goes on in our own country makes it worse. Harry's new girlfriend, Amanda helps him uncover the old dirt on Hill House and its previous owners. There's plenty of action and some down right dirty dealings, but it seems nothing will stop Harry from giving the girl buried in the floor of Hill House justice. The surprising twist will make you squirm.
 

Harry Starke The Harry Starke Novels, Book 1 By: Blair Howard Narrated by: Tom Lennon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Harry Starke is not for the weak of heart. He is an ex-cop and hard hitting PI. He gets the job done. What he doesn't want the rest of the world to know is that he has caring and soft heart. I got that fact when he saw a women throw herself off a bridge and all he was left with was her coat in his hands. He's flawed, because his love of women which gets him into trouble. The death of Tabitha Willard takes him deep into the corruption of US politics and financial laundering. I could love a man like Harry, except for one thing. Harry doesn't have a strict moral code.
 

Mission: Accept Rise Again Warrior Series, Book 2 By: Stacy Eaton Narrated by: Ryan Clark

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really enjoyed this story. It started out a little confusing and I didn't see how they could even think about a relationship. Dana grew from the self-centered creature she was before her father cut her off to the self aware person that she became. Derek already self aware, but on a mission he was having a hard time accepting. It's the reason that he is living on the streets. This story makes you aware of the actual living conditions and what the homeless actually do to survive. It's the reason why they can't accept help and the reason why we can't understand. What Rise Again Warrior does for the veteran homeless goes well beyond other services do. The story is excellent and makes Derek face his mission and what he wants in his life.
 

A Change of Plans Safe Harbors, Book 1 By: Donna K. Weaver Narrated by: Vicki Pierce

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story although a romance at heart is daring with a pirate adventure thrown in. What Lyn has been through being kidnapped by pirates and being shipwrecked after their escape. Then to lose Braedon in a storm during their rescue would be probably a bit more than I could take. The narrator captures your attention as they board the ship for Lyn & Els 4 week cruise. The narrator captures the emotions of Lyn and I felt the anger, frustration and the loss that Lyn feels. This story portrays an extreme amount of emotions but each one is profoundly felt by Lyn and I rejoiced when Lyn finally found the courage to face what happened on the island and share her story. I think that how we face true loss shows us our strength of character and growth as a person of character.
 

The Secondary Inheritance by Evangeline Kelly (

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

As this story plays out, there can only be pain for either Anna or Delilah as only one will get permanent custody of baby Ember. Only trusting in God, can bring the miracle that Anna & Delilah receive in this story. It touched my heart and gives me hope that God tries to do the best for all of his children.
 

To Dare a Duke (Girls Who Dare #1) by Emma V. Leech

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is scary because one woman who saw what her mother endured in her marriage, has chosen to vilify the Duke of Bedminster because of rumors of how he abused his wife and drove her to ride her horse so hard she broke her neck. She wrote a novel that in those days was published by a magazine in chapter segments. When the Duke of Bedminster goes looking for another wife,  because of his duty to produce an heir, he goes to his uncle to help him find a woman who is practical and intelligent. His uncle chooses his favorite wallflower, Prudence. What Prudence learns devastates her, and changes the ending of her book to the surprise of herself and her editor. I found the Duke quick to forgive Prudence after she changes the ending. He knew enough about Prudence when courting her that she was not marriage minded and why. It should not have shocked him that she found her independence in writing. The clues were all there; ink on her hands, her wit and intelligence, her no nonsense way of things. The dare that this series is based on is really secondary, the only thing that the dare provides is a way for these wallflowers to step out of their comfort zones. Like Prudence's dare to dance at midnight, she didn't have to dance with the Duke. She could have danced alone, but she wanted the rest of her club to take their dares just as seriously. The characters are charming and well-developed, even with horrible faults. It actually makes me like them more.
 

Christmas at Pemberley A Pride & Prejudice Variation By: Abbey North Narrated by: Verona Westbrook

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a delightful story of Elizabeth and Darcy's first Christmas together. In this story, Darcy and her father dispose of Wickham and enjoy a delightful holiday with their family. This story is not typical of Jane Austen, but the writing of the characters stays true.
 

The Last Man in London (Rogues & Gentlemen #9) by Emma V. Leech

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is hilarious and brought a smile and laughter as Dinah tries to manage Lord Benjamin Lancaster. I don't think the author meant it to be a romantic comedy, but these two reprobates are perfect together as they face the ridiculous to get Dinah's inheritance from the nasty weaselly lawyer. Let's face it, a regular woman of the ton would never had snared Ben's heart. The man is reprehensible, and needs someone who has the backbone to stand against his rakish ways.
 

One Wicked Winter (Rogues & Gentlemen #6) by Emma V. Leech

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is of man that is no longer himself and never will be. Belle is a woman who needs to marry to get out from under her aunt's guardianship. Although, there is something between Edward and her, she sets her caps on Mr. Nibley. He is nice and wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a house with someone who wasn't vulgar, bullying and money grubbing. Edwards falls into her trap, instead of Mr. Nibley and it's of his own making. I love that Belle is determine to be a wife and help her husband cross back into the land of the living. She accepts that it will be a long and difficult road, but is willing to make the sacrifice to have a happy home. We know that Edward is not a bad man, just an angry and guilt-ridden one. The problem with the story is Edward's character in the beginning is not the same one as in the last book. I'm only hoping that maybe the author's intent was to show that he had manage to get some control over himself as he plans the ball for when his sister returns from her honeymoon. Even for a Marquess, Edward is quite vulgar at times, and I end up shaking my head that anyone would even grace themselves to come to a ball at the Marquess's home.