Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Geeks Rule

Subtitle: A Collection of Five Action Packed Short Stories

Author: Basil Sands

Narrator: Basil Sands

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-11-14

Publisher: Sandman Production Studios of Alaska

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Five action packed short stories, like the Twilight Zone...with guns.

Geeks Rule: Computer nerd Lewis Puller seemed like an easy target, but when a gang of skinheads come after him they get more than they bargained for...much more.

For Mommy: A father and his young son heading to the forest, trying to recover from the loss of the beloved wife and mother killed in a DUI accident, stumble across a chance to set things right.

Maggie Rose: Maggie Rose had a boring life, and that's just the way she liked it. She knew her husband craved more though, when she decides to give it to him things get out of hand.

Harold Blake, Deceased: A case of decades old infidelity leads to a chain of events in which one man dies and another survives, neither aware of the others existence.

Parallel: Eight friends enter a cave in the remote Alaskan wilderness, a seemingly typical adventure like what they enjoy every weekend, but a shadow of the unknown is waiting.

(Bonus Episode in Audio Edition Only)The First Time: Mike Farris wants follow in his father and grandfather's footsteps, to be both a Pastor and a US Marine...he didn't realize what it would entail.

Members Reviews:

Great collection of short stories

This is such a little collection of short stories. They are quick, but hold a nice punch!

Really descriptive and engaging. My favorite was the first story "Geeks Rule". It really sets the tone for the collection. Wonderful story telling all around. Each story has its own little twist to keep the reader on their toes.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Basil Sands, who is also the author. I am not usually for authors reading their own books, unless it is a biography. This is an exception, because the author just happens to be a talented narrator as well. Who better to understand the voices and emotions of his characters. He has a great pace and solid energy throughout. A few voices get a little too high, but that is me nit-picking. I would definitely look for more of his work!

Overall this is a great collection and I hope Mr Sands finds time to create more short stories.

Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

A Few Thoughts

A few thoughts. I'm impressed by the fact that Basil Sands writes, narrates, and publishes his own work. His work is original with lining up along present day events. The stories are pretty hard-core sci fi-ish with raunchy language. I think in the first story, "Geeks Rule" it's message would have gotten teh same point across without the derogatory wording. This audiobook was pretty intense and ambitious.

I received this audiobook foc in exchange for an honest review.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Black Vodka

Subtitle: And Other Stories

Author: Deborah Levy

Narrator: Alison Larkin, Ralph Lister, Alex Bloch, Nicola Barber

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 10-27-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

'Kissing you is like new paint and old pain. It is like coffee and car alarms and a dim stairway and a stain and it's like smoke.' ('Placing a Call')

How does love change us? And how do we change ourselves for love - or for lack of it? Ten stories by acclaimed author Deborah Levy explore these delicate, impossible questions. In Vienna, an icy woman seduces a broken man; in London gardens, birds sing in computer start-up sounds; in ad-land, a sleek copywriter becomes a kind of shaman.

These are 21st century lives dissected with razor-sharp humour and curiosity, stories about what it means to live and love, together and alone.

Deborah Levy writes fiction, plays and poetry. Her work has been staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company, and she is the author of highly praised books including Beautiful Mutants, Swallowing Geography and Billy and Girl.

Her most recent novel, Swimming Home (2011, And Other Stories) was shortlisted for the 2012 Man Booker Prize. Black Vodka, the title story in this collection, was shortlisted for the 2012 BBC International Short Story Competition.

Critic Reviews:

"There is a sexy hauteur in Deborah Levy's prose reminiscent of the voice of Marianne Faithfull. The rasping, deadpan delivery of these ten new stories emit a dreamy harshness at once jaded and invigorating." (Catherine Taylor, New Statesman)

"Fabulously jolting"", ""accomplished and uncanny", "The strange, unpredictable journey is worth it."(Alex Clark, The Guardian)

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Is There a Santa Claus?

Author: Jacob A. Riis

Narrator: Glenn Hascall

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-24-14

Publisher: Spoken Realms

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Francis P. Church was the editor who brought us Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus. As memorable as this editorial was, there is another that fits the same mold and conveys incredible heart and care. This is just such an editorial that bears all the marks of great storytelling. If youve never been exposed to Is There a Santa Claus?, this could become a cherished tradition. Performed by Glenn Hascall.

Members Reviews:

"Yes, Virginia" expanded

As best I could determine, Francis P. Church's "Yes, Virginia" essay was written several years before Danish-American investigative journalist Jacob Riis penned this little book. It has some similarities to Church's piece but includes more religion and even some politics -- Riis pays a visit to the White House and recounts an evening with Theodore Roosevelt and his wife Edith. It's a very nice period piece with something to say to the modern age as well.

Not translated very well for Kindle

I am in no way knocking the author's writing. Whoever transfered this book did not do a good job. The story is disjointed and when turning the page does not match up with what was just read. From what I can make of this story it was good andnot a long read. Of course i have no idea how much is missing.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Easy Reading for ESL Students Book 2

Subtitle: Twelve Short Stories for Learners of English

Author: Johnny Bread

Narrator: Elizabeth White

Format: Unabridged

Length: 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-14-14

Publisher: Open Book Audio

Ratings: 1 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

This audiobook is for everybody who wants to improve their English. Its fun to learn English by listening to interesting stories.

A young woman is looking for her diamond ring. She cant find it. Then she remembers meeting a homeless man. Did he take her ring and disappear? A pack of trained wolf-like creatures are chasing a man in the forest. The man is trying to cross the border illegally. Suddenly they stop and refuse to attack him. Why? Its a mystery since they have never let anybody pass before. There are thousands and thousands of Turkish soldiers around King Johns castle. They want to starve people out and overtake the castle. The king asks a witch who is in prison for help. Will she help him?A mountain climber finds an egg on the edge of a volcano. He takes it home. He wants to find out what is inside. It might be better for him not to know! And many more

The text of these stories is included with this audiobook as a free PDF download.

Members Reviews:

Two Stars

Too basic

A Very Good Book

It is a very good book. I am an English teacher and I have been looking for a book like this one for a long time. I use it every day. I love it and my students love it too. I recommend it.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Blood Samples

Subtitle: Tales of Horror, Crime, and Dark Fantasy

Author: Jay Bonansinga

Narrator: George Kuch

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-15-14

Publisher: Crossroad Press

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

From Jay Bonansinga, author of The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury and The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor, comes a collection of short stories and novellas that span a number of genres. Included in this collection of tales of horror, dark fantasy, crime/noir, and dark erotica: Animal Rites; Black Celebration; Steagal's Barber Shop and Smoke Emporium; The Panic Switch; Deal Memo; Mole; Necrotica; Big Bust at Herbert Hoover High; Stash; The Beaumont Prophecy; Obituary Mambo; Due Date; Mama; Somebody Down Here Wants to Talk to You; Glory Hand in the Soft City; The Butcher's Kingdom; The Miniaturist; The True Cause of the Great Depression.

Members Reviews:

Twilight Zone-ish

Would you try another book from Jay Bonansinga and/or George Kuch?

I loved the Walking Dead novels, so I wanted to listen to something else from Jay Bonansinga. While there are no zombies here, many of the stories have stuck with me. I will be looking for more books narrated by George Kuch. He has a great voice, very easy to listen to.

What does George Kuch bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

I doubt I would have stuck with some of the stories if I hadn't been listening to them. When I started to drift off, he kept it interesting and drew my attention back in.

Was Blood Samples worth the listening time?

Yes, I liked the majority of the stories. Some of them were pretty twisted.

Any additional comments?

This audio book was provided for an honest review.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Amateur

Author: David Gordon

Narrator: David de Vries

Format: Unabridged

Length: 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-02-14

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

A young man fleeing heartbreak back home meets a mysterious expat at a café in Paris. What begins as a friendly conversation between two outsiders soon transforms into a heart-pounding confession that threatens to shake both men to their cores. In this darkly funny, Sopranos-meets-Sebald page-turner by acclaimed mystery writer David Gordon, people arent always what they seem, and digging for the truth could have fatal consequences.

Members Reviews:

Funny, Inventive Sopranos-Reminescent Story

I downloaded The Amateur as I have been a fan of David Gordon since The Serialist, and true to form, it is another darkly witty yet somehow warming (despite the bloodshed!) story, as if you are reading about old friends of yours that you haven't heard from in a while. I always seem to feel a bit saddened to see them go when I reach the last page, but as with any good book, I'm left thinking about them, Eddie and Doreen, and what they might be up to now. I am excited to see what is next for David Gordon and the company he keeps on paper.

Just okay

An interesting enough short story. Characters and writing were okay, but ultimately I was unsure what the point was, hence the relatively low rating. The story involves an English-speaking tourist being approached by an American man in a cafe in Paris. The stranger is looking for someone to talk to, as he doesn't speak French and finds the lack of conversation a bit trying. He proceeds to tell the tourist something of his life, recounting an ultimately bloody tale, which shows him as someone with a violent history but a strong sense of honour. The story wasn't hard to read, but it didn't seem to be anything new or different, or to be making any strong point about anything. I also found it a bit unrealistic that the American would unload such a tale on a complete stranger just to have a conversation.

Short but simple

The story the amateur is not amateurish,no no. It is brilliant and perfectly constructed. I loved the voice. Its sparse and sticks to the point. It leaves you wondering about all the rest of the characters and giggling at the ending. Thanks David Gordon I am going to look for more of your writing.

a quick and engaging escape to two worlds

In a few pages, we enjoy the romance of Paris, and indulge the romance we all have with "wise guys" - a great read!

Good Read

I liked it. There were some parts I thought were predictable, but some of the reveals were really good. I'd check out something else by this writer.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Rather Shorts: Six Short Tales of Crime in a Small Texas Town

Author: Walt Shiel

Narrator: Bill Brooks

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-06-14

Publisher: Jacobsville Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

A Fort Worth detective finds contentment as a small-town police chief.

Orin Cage left a 15-year career with the Fort Worth PD to become Chief of Police in the small North Texas town of Rather. Glad to have escaped the high-pressure of the Metroplex crime scene, Cage takes a laid-back, but still effective, approach law enforcement.

The six stories in this volume:

Spend some relaxing time with Chief Cage as he sorts out the problems of the citizens of Rather, Texas.

Members Reviews:

Excellent stories of small town life

Having spent much of my career publishing small town newspapers, I could relate very well to the stories in Walt Sheil's Rather Shorts. Those same characters live in every small town in America! This was a fun and easy read that give you a true look at life (and crime) in small town America, whether that town be in Iowa, Georgia, Pennsylvania, or Rather, Texas. I'll be ordering more of this author's work.

Five Stars

Quick read.

An Enjoyable Read!

I wasn't expecting much but I have to admit, these short stories about a small town Texas police chief were thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining! Knowing someone in a similar position, I was amazed at how similar these stories were to the ones he tells.

A very good collection of short stories, will leave you wanting for more! Highly recommended!

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: What I Assume You Shall Assume

Subtitle: A Selection from Dead Man's Hand

Author: Ken Liu

Narrator: Phil Gigante, Natalie Ross

Format: Unabridged

Length: 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-22-14

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

The Idaho Territory gold mines and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom come together for a wilderness-dwelling drifter in this tale of the Weird West.

Members Reviews:

Saddle up!

The wide open territory of the âweird westâ is traversed in this off-beat collection.

The concept of blending disparate genres together can be hit or miss, yet remains a potent source of creativity for many writers looking to inject an infusion of fresh blood into the time honored traditions, as well as readers looking for something new and different on the shelves. DEAD MANâS HAND presents traditional characters and settings of the Western blending with elements of Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, and History. There are vampires, werewolves, demons, aliens, and even dinosaurs permeating the pages, and theyâre depicted without a hint of camp or parody. The writers treat the content of their work seriously, and the stories are better received for it.

As is the case with anthologies, the book as a whole may not please every single reader but there is sufficient variety from which to pick and choose, and many of the combinations are unusual enough to inspire initial interest. Whether that interest is sustained for the duration of each tale is dependent upon each readerâs individual tastes, but the majority of the stories are brilliantly crafted, with some bizarre twists, strong leading characters, clever dialogue, and an overall sense of wonderful escapism.

Highly recommended to fans of Westerns who are eager to see new spins put on the genre.

Good book

I liked this book, and wound up putting books by some of the story authors onto my Wishlist. All in all, it was a good book and a friend had it on his wishlist so I made out!

Let's shake up your view of the old west!

I don't want to give anything away:

Sci-fi meets the Old West, or Horror meets the old west.

For me, just about every story was enjoyable.

Recommended.

Great if this your taste

Good stories for the most part. Many were a little to heavy into the horror story genre for my taste. Regardless of my preferances these were well writen, edited and presented.

varied approaches to the Western theme

Excellent anthology. My first introduction to weird West stories, and now I want to read more of them!

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Exile of the Eons

Author: Arthur C. Clarke

Narrator: John W. Michaels

Format: Unabridged

Length: 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-18-14

Publisher: Spoken Realms

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Imagine if you will, Hitler or a person as evil as Hitler, who instead of crawling into his bunker and dying, goes into his bunker and into suspended animation to return thousands of years later, to meet an exiled human. The being is from a society that is so far advanced, it has done away with war and evil. Imagine also that this other exile can enter the minds of others and is appalled at what he finds in this evil creature. So appalled in fact that he must perform an act totally unknown in the peaceful society he came from.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Grandparenting

Author: John Updike

Narrator: Peter Van Norden

Format: Unabridged

Length: 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-16-14

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

The Maples Stories consists of eighteen classic stories from across John Updike's career, forming aluminous chronicle of the life and times of one marriage in all its rich emotional complexity. In 1956, Updike published the story "Snowing in Greenwich Village," about a young couple, Joan and Richard Maple, at the beginning of their marriage. Over the next two decades, he returned to these characters again and again, tracing their years together raising children, finding moments of intermittent happiness, and facing the heartbreak of infidelity and estrangement.

"Grandparenting," the final installation of The Maples Stories, concludes with Joan and Richard transitioning into new roles as grandparents for the first time, navigating the strange world of a split yet unified family years after their divorce.

Members Reviews:

A Really Good Short Story, Probably Best Read After The Other "Maple" Stories

This is the last of "The Maples" short stories. The Maples are a fictional couple originated by John Updike and revisited by him over several years. It is possible that the last two stories are my favorites, the other being "Here Come The Maples". But there are numerous really good stories in this excellent collection.

In this story, The Maples are becoming grandparents. Their daughter is giving birth. Figuratively speaking, I have now known her since childhood. I think this adds a lot of context to the story for me. The same goes for the various older adults in this story. I am really glad I read all of the stories in order.

Thank You...