DANDY DETECTS (A Victorian San Francisco Story) by M. Louisa Locke and narrated by Alexandra Haag **AUDIOBOOK REVIEW**

(I received a free copy from the author for review consideration.)

Blurb:
In this short story it is the fall of 1879 and San Francisco swelters under a heat wave while Barbara Hewitt, a reserved schoolteacher, uncovers a mystery with the help of her son's Boston Terrier, Dandy.
This story is set in the gas-lit world created by Locke in her Victorian San Francisco Mystery series, which includes Maids of Misfortune, Uneasy Spirits, Bloody Lessons, and the short story "The Misses Moffet Mend a Marriage".

Review:
After reviewing Maids of Misfortune and Uneasy Spirits here on my blog, I found Dandy Detects to be a delightful window into Barbara's life and mindset. Previously a minor character living in Annie's boarding house, we learn the reason Barbara is wary and somewhat reserved.  It was also interesting to view Annie and her boardinghouse from a resident's perspective.  
The basis of this short story (just 41 minutes for the audiobook) is the mysterious disappearance of a neighbor woman and her dog.  Barbara has made a real effort to meet the neighbor, feeling a kinship with her circumstances, but when she disappears after one hot night, Dandy's behavior supports Barbara's fears. 
The narrator, Alexandra Haag,  has a nice, rich, soothing voice, although at times I was distracted by what was almost a robotic quality of careful enunciation and steady tone. But overall, I thought she did a great job. 
The audiobook is prices at $3.99 and the ebook is just 99 cents.

GOODREADS
AUDIBLE
AMAZON
B&N
Author's website HERE.

   

The Mating Ritual by Tory Richards

(I won this book.)

Blurb:
Toni, a woman on the run for her life, finds safety with the descendants of a legendary creature living deep in the mountains. An ancient mating ritual with their leader, Cormac, protects her from being claimed and mated by the other males. She gradually falls for him, but can she give up her old way of life to stay with him in the mountains?

Review:
I won this novella in a contest and am so glad I did!  This would fall into the erotic romance genre, and I don't read a lot of those, too often the books are all sex and no story, which doesn't interest me.  But The Mating Ritual was a great little love story with some hot sex.  In just a few pages Toni feels like a real person, one with few contacts and little happiness in her life.  When she's saved from hitmen by Cormac, she's forced into his way of life as his new mate (hello hot sex!), but when she examines the life she's had, Toni realizes that all she's giving up is a bleak and lonely existence. In contrast the tribe that has accepted her seems like a family.
The story moves along at a brisk pace, and the author excels at creating a sense of place.  The mountain terrain is vividly described and created a strong background for the love story.  And yes, folks, it's love.  And lust.  Mostly lust.  Lots of sweaty lust!



About the Author:
Tory Richards is a fun-loving grandma who writes smut. Born in 1955 in the small town of Milo, Maine, she's lived most of her life in Florida. Today she lives with her daughter and her family. She has her own woman-cave which she shares with four felines whose main goal in life is getting as much cat hair on everything that they can.
Penning stories by hand and then on manual typewriter at the age of thirteen, Tory was a closet writer until the encouragement of her family prompted her into submitting to a publisher. She's been published since 2005, and has since retired from Disney to focus on family and writing.

Visit her website/blog here: www.toryrichards.com/

       

Unlocked (A Novella) by Courtney Milan

Publisher's Blurb:  A perpetual wallflower destined for spinsterhood, Lady Elaine Warren is resigned to her position in society. So when Evan Carlton, the powerful, popular Earl of Westfeld, singles her out upon his return to England, she knows what it means. Her former tormenter is up to his old tricks, and she's his intended victim. This time, though, the earl is going to discover that wallflowers can fight back.

Evan has come to regret his cruel, callow past. At first, he only wants to make up for past wrongs. But when Elaine throws his initial apology in his face, he finds himself wanting more. And this time, what torments him might be love...

Unlocked is a novella of about 28,000 words (about 111 printed pages).

Review:  This was my first Courtney Milan book, and I can definitely see what all the fuss is about!  Her writing is sparkling and witty, with characters I quickly came to love.  Although the story is set in 1840, the theme of bullying and its consequences is timeless.  Elaine was so severely ridiculed and cruelly teased by Evan and his cousin Diana during her first season ten years ago, that she has become a pariah of society, existing on the fringes.  Essentially the popular kids ganged up to torture a single girl, and all their mindless lemming asshat groupies copied them, causing Elaine to be treated with mockery and disdain.  In all the years since Evan left (after becoming so ashamed of his rotten behavior toward the woman he secretly had feelings for), Elaine has transformed from a vibrant girl who openly enjoyed laughing and life to a quiet woman who hides behind bland colored gowns and stays in the corners.
When Evan returns to England after a decade of wallowing in self-pity for his actions (and mountaineering which taught him lessons in the true value of people and friendship), he is resolute in apologizing and making amends to Elaine.  But Elaine is pissed and has no intention of taking anymore abuse.  She does not trust Evan's apology, and certainly doesn't believe his offer of friendship.
I really loved Elaine.  She had been beat down at a young age, but was not going to stay down.  She maintained her self-respect, her dignity and her sense of self in spite of how she was treated.  Although her outward behavior allowed her to blend in and hide, she was strong and tough inside, never allowing anyone to see her break down.  Evan's genuine attempts at friendship eventually win her over, and her affections, but her trust is much harder to earn.  Which is as it should be after his past behavior.  I couldn't stop reading until I knew how Evan earned Elaine's trust.


For more information check out her website at http://www.courtneymilan.com/.

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