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Title: Bottom Line

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Marc Davis

Narrator: Joe Barrett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-15-13

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

As the US and global economies in the 21st century head toward a major recession, and companies worldwide struggle to survive, one businessman is tempted to turn to crime.

Two strong businessmen who run a colossal international management consulting and accounting firm find themselves battling one another to save it, each proposing a different way of preventing its collapse. One is the CEO and founder, an amoral, ruthless megalomaniac; the other is the senior-most executive who expects to succeed the CEO as head of the company and a principled but flawed idealist. They were once as close as father and son, the older man mentor to the younger. Now their relationship collapses along with the economy, as their firm loses one blue-chip corporate client after another.

A series of financial crimes ensue, instigated by the CEO, who uses fraudulent accounting to appear to help clients make their estimated profits while using insider trading to reap millions in personal profits. With the end in sight, he absconds with millions of dollars that had been held in trust in a partners bonus pool, forcing the younger man to hire a private eye to hunt him down.

Members Reviews:

Quest for good business fiction frustrated

My quest for good sharp deeply imaginative and credible business-financial fiction has perhaps replaced my younger quest for that perfect super-quirky girlfriend. The last disappointment fades in memory and maybe THIS one will finally turn that corner --- yeah.

I tried not to be spoiler here, but I do make some loose allusions to how thinsg go in the story, without specifics. So you might want to stop here.

This time, the bait was, I glimpsed and liked some pretty credible-sounding business-financial scenarios to start with. Imagine a protagonist as razor-sharp COO or CEO of a hot top-drawer consulting firm, tipping into a bit of a financial bust (dot-com days, not 2008). Things get rocky, people do daring and dubious moves and betrayals. Sounds great to start.

But like that quirky affair of the heart, the first day is usually the best, and it goes down from there. I should face it: I'm a non-fiction guy. Yes, real people do stupid and crazy things and make mistakes. But in fiction, I have to think my hero character has something to show me about mental and decisional grace under pressure. Yes, with a few human frailties in the mix. A blunder or two. But I expect this go-getter bigshot to be able credibly to see around a few more corners ahead than I can. Because he makes the big bucks, and I'm just a nebbish of a business prof in some little college, right? My big problem is losing respect forthe main characters or staggering through plot holes. I seem never to escape it. In this story, the smart hero guy has a really primitive sense of legal risks and their management. He does stupid crazy stuff like, being a probably suspect of crimes, inject himself ham-handedly as a self-appointed sleuth into the middle of crime and pursuit situations, elbowing around the qualified sleuths, and interview other witnesses, prodding various statements out of them in ways that could really mess everything up for himself and everything he thinks he's protecting (as played through the scenarios pretty obvious in a lawyer's mind: hello).

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Title: The Quiet Woman

Author: Harry Carmichael

Narrator: Napoleon Ryan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-13-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The Quiet Woman

Then the first corpse is discovered. All clues point in the same direction, but when the second body is found in a watery ditch, that theory must also be discarded. Another hypothesis is then proposed and painstakingly investigated. It, too, turns into a blind alley. A third cul-de-sac, equally convincing and just as false, makes the action by turns frustrating or suspenseful, but always gripping. And Quinn, who wanted only a human-interest angle for his column, becomes more and more intimately involved in the case. A telephone call from the police provides him with further evidence and leads Quinn reluctantly but inevitably to the conclusion of this fast-paced novel. The Quiet Woman is a story of ordinary people engulfed in frightening events. It will challenge even the most astute.

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Title: The Execution of Noa P. Singleton

Author: Elizabeth L Silver

Narrator: Rebecca Lowman, Amanda Carlin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-11-13

Publisher: Headline Digital

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

A gripping, thought-provoking and intriguing novel about murder, death row, and how a life can change in a heartbeat. An irresistible listen for those who loved We Need to Talk About Kevin.

At just 25, Noa P. Singleton was confined to death row for the murder of Sarah Dixon. For nearly 10 years she has languished there, and in six months she will be executed. It's a fate she has long resigned herself to. But the victim's mother, Marlene, has other plans.

With little time remaining, she visits Noa, intent upon invoking a clemency appeal. What can have prompted this change of heart? And how and why did Noa kill Sarah Dixon?

As Noa tells her story, an unapologetic tale of love, anguish, and deception emerges that is as unpredictable as its narrator. And two women, linked by murder but with very different goals, wait with growing tension for the final decision on Noa's fate.

Members Reviews:

Great concept but I lost interest at some points

The concept was good and the twist at the end well thought out. I found Noa tried a bit too hard to be 'cool' and the story lapsed a bit sometimes which was where I lost interest. Characters quite well developed and narration good. I expected a different ending so when I got to the end it was a surprise.

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Title: Crossed the Line

Author: Madeline Fresco

Narrator: Madeline Fresco

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-10-13

Publisher: Painted Daisy Books

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Grace, a young nurse from the Midwest, has the perfect life - a great boyfriend, amazing friends, and a loyal dog. Yet when her boyfriend proposes, instead of feeling happy, her world is thrown into turmoil. She begins to question the overpowering, pre-scripted expectations of young women from the Midwest: attend college, meet a guy, marry after graduation, and start a family by the age of 25. Grace has to decide what she really wants from life. Does she have the courage to pave her own path?

If you liked My Sisters Keeper or Eat, Pray, Love, you will enjoy this book.

Members Reviews:

Easy, thought provoking read

I was quickly drawn into this story. There were quite a few moments were I realized that feelings I had felt before had been put into words and I could easily identify with Madeline and the array of emotions she feels and the reactions of friends around her. The characters are well thought out and easy to identify with too. A couple of cringes and good laughs make for a easy read.

engaging new book

I really enjoyed reading this book. I was immediately drawn to the characters and what happens to them. Also felt that both the characters and the story seemed very real and believable. Can't wait for the next book!

Bravo for Crossed the Line!

Excellent read! Fresco provides humorous yet thought provoking commentary on the choices of young women in our society. The characters are likable, relatable, and I found myself drawn in after just the first few pages. This book highlights the difference between surface appearances, and the inner angst we all face in the choices we make.

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Title: The Story of Before

Author: Susan Stairs

Narrator: Marcella Riordan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-10-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

"I wonder today how no one else could see the bad thing coming. Not that I knew back then what the bad thing was; and if I had - if I'd known one of us was going to die - would there have been anything I could have done to prevent it? I play it all back in my mind, over and over. The clues were all there."

On New Year's Eve, eleven-year-old Ruth and her brother and sister sit at a bedroom window, watching the garden of their new Dublin home being covered in a thick blanket of snow. Ruth declares that a bad thing will happen in the coming year - she's sure of it. But she cannot see the outline of that thing - she cannot know that it will change their lives utterly, that the shape of their future will be carved into two parts; the before and the after. Or that it will break her heart and break her family. This is Ruth's story. It is the story of before.

Members Reviews:

A book on life

Saw the book first at an airport in June ,then a few weeks later I met the author at a book fair in Barney in west cork and she did a reading of the book and so then I decided to by the book , what a read ,it was so easy to read ,you got into the book so fast the characters became so real .I won't spoil the story but wow , it's life .

the story of before

brought back memories,but found the story very depressing.

got the feel of the time it was set very well,but very depressing.

The story of before

It was just okay. From the start you wait to see what is the story, but you do not really get to the story.

good

well written, good detail

Four Stars

Enjoyable, hard to put down

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Title: Diana and the Wise Man

Author: Alistair Mair

Narrator: John Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-06-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

In his two earlier novels, Alistair Mair dealt with both human psychological problems and slightly more humorous financial difficulties. In this, his third novel, he deals with the problem of a young woman doctor and a rather older man, brought together by tragedy and separated by the almost insoluble difficulties of modern life; social inequality, difference in religion, opposing outlooks on all conventional life. How Diana and her Wise Man coped with their joint and individual problems is the basis of this beautiful and poignant love-story. In its telling, Alistair Mair has reached heights of delicate perception which will go far to confirming his position as one of the most promising of the younger novelists. An award-winning author of ten novels, latterly published by William Heinemann Ltd, Alistair Mair was President of Scottish Pen from 1965 - 1970. The Alistair Mair literary estate is represented by Camilla Shestopal of Peters Fraser & Dunlop, to whom all enquiries should be addressed.

Born of mixed Highland and Lowland parentage and brought up in Ayrshire, Scotland, Alistair Mair was educated at George Watsons College in Edinburgh and studied medicine at Glasgow University. After graduation in 1947 he worked for a year in a Glasgow hospital and spent two years in the RAF. As a young man he enjoyed travelling, and said of his travels, 'I generally travelled alone and always tried to live as nearly as one can as an ordinary person, trying to speak the language, however badly, and attempting to get to know the people and their way of life at a personal level. In this I succeeded best in Spain and, possibly for this reason, developed a deep affection and regard for the country, the people, their literature and their art. He married in 1952 and set up in general practice near Edinburgh. During the next ten years of unremitting work as a doctor he began to publish his first books and a son and daughter were born to the Mairs. In 1962 he decided to make writing a full-time occupation and went with his family to live in an Argyllshire village on the west coast of Scotland. He had a deep and abiding affection for the Scottish Highlands and said at the time, There is, in theory, time to read, time to write, time to lie in the sun if you feel like it. The mystery is that life has become even busier than before. He is survived by his daughter Diana and her two children.

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Title: No Such Thing as Immortality

Author: Sarah Tranter

Narrator: Stephen Perring

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-06-13

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Vampire Nathaniel Gray has spent two hundred years choosing not to feel. But when he accidentally runs Rowan Locke off the road, he is inexplicably flooded with everything she's feeling.

He is consumed with the need to protect Rowan at all costs including from himself. To Nate what is happening is unthinkable and as unbelievable, as the existence of faeries. But you see, 'There is no such thing as immortality.'

Members Reviews:

Intro to inter/intra supernatural species relationships

I did not know this would be part of a series until I reached the quite abrupt ending, which left several major issues unresolved. Until then the plot and dialogue were witty and enchanting enough to maintain interest. I'm not sure I will continue to read this series if each book ends so unsatisfactorily. I have read many series, but at least they resolved the issue at hand within the single book, while pursuing other elements later.

Enjoyable read.

This was a very interesting story. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. It was a bit different from other vampire stories. Highly recommended.

A delightful and poignant love story

"First of all I have to confess I am not a 'fan' of vampire romances. I've never quite been able to understand the attraction of a blood-sucking member of the 'undead'. However, Nate's words 'I will protect you until the day I die...forever.' were enough to make me curious to read this novel - and I am so glad I did.

Nathanial Gray, âNate', may be a vampire, but he and his little family group have sworn off feeding on human blood and instead live off the blood of animals - and blood pudding! If that last sounds a little humorous, there is a lot of humour in this story, as well as angst, passion, anger and deep sorrow. The incident where Rowan's parked car, 'modified' by Nate without her knowledge, is hit by a double decker bus with disastrous results - for the bus, had me laughing out loud! There were also times when I felt Nateâs passion and his pain and I could not help but empathise with him.

From the moment Nate accidentally rams into Rowan's car he is smitten by her, and his amazing and disturbing connection to her results in him feeling her emotions as well as his own. It takes a while for Rowan to return his feelings and the path of their romance is far from easy, with a previous lover and a mysterious and sinister figure, Simeon Frey, added to the mix and attempting to keep the two apart. Their relationship is also further complicated by the fact Nate longs to tell her what he is, but is afraid that if he does, he will lose her for ever. Rowan also has some secrets in her past, and her Aunt Hetty in particular causes much speculation and concern to the vampires. There is something distinctly unusual about her and in addition, there is the question of the death of Rownâs parents , when she and her sister were children, which now appears to have been murder.

Nate has all the charm of Mr Darcy, but is more sensitive and vulnerable. The anguish and fear he feels when his beloved Rowan is in danger comes across the pages as both mental and physical. He is also a perfect gentleman with the type of courtesy that is unfortunately all too rare these days.

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Title: Choices

Author: Sheila Hayford

Narrator: Eila Ulyett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-05-13

Publisher: Sheila Hayford

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Choices, choices and more choices! Each day we face them. Some seem simple, others life impacting; but each important at the time. In this fictional short story we are introduced to Raoul, a young boy who was thrust into the decision-making process at an early age. Listen on!

Members Reviews:

Heart warming and Heart melting!

Would you listen to Choices again? Why?

I could listen to Choices all day. It is short and sweet; no profanity, no curse words, no violence, appropriate for kids on a PG13 movie rating level, for teens and for adults.

What other book might you compare Choices to and why?

Choices is in a class by itself, the story is both heart warming and heart melting.

What about Eila Ulyetts performance did you like?

The clarity of her words, her accent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I would highly recommend this book. Enjoy!

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Title: August and Then Some

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: David Prete

Narrator: Aaron Landon

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-04-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Twisted bonds between a father and his children lead to revenge and a desperate hope for redemption and forgiveness.

In the heat of August, Jake Terri Savage ("JT"), his little sister Danielle, and his bone-headed best friend, Nokey (nicknamed after "gnocchi"), try to steal JTs fathers beloved 1965 Shelby Cobra. Their reasons are noble; the consequences,devastating.

JTs abusive dads idea of a 12th birthday gift is getting his son involved in a barroom brawl. Nokeys dad thinks he has potatoes for brains. Both sons live out their fathers stunted visions in a way that brings down a terrible judgment on them all - leaving JT hauling rocks for punishment while he staves off panic attacks and nightmares about his sister and her terrible half-known secret.

A Dominican teenage girl with little hope for her own future gives JT a second chance to save someone, including himself. Throughout, David Pretes vivid sense of atmosphere, tight plotting, and crackling dialogue give the dysfunctional family story a new lease on life.

Members Reviews:

Excellent and Moving Book

This book transports you to New York and puts you right into a real New York family with all the conflict many families experiences. Very interesting and allows you to feel like a New Yorker. Great language. Highly recommend.

Maybe he will get better as a writer

It's OK...Maybe he will get better as a writer.....

Insightful and thought-provoking

This is very much a New York City novel, scarcely straying from the strip of land bounded by the Hudson, Bronx and East Rivers; and the timing is fairly recent, definitely this century. Jake Savage, aged 18, is from Yonkers, but he rents a room in an apartment block close to Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. Location is important to the novel, which contains many careful descriptions of places, journeys within the area, and buildings. Viewing his apartment building from the outside, noting the masonry, woodwork and ornamental railings, Jake observes "If whoever built this place was trying to make it look like a place someone could be happy, I think they succeeded - problem is we've stopped noticing."

He isn't happy; he is estranged from his family and has been living rough. He has a job, hauling rocks in the summer heat as part of a landscaping project, but except that his workmate has given him a nickname he doesn't like that is the happiest part of his life. The room he rents is far from satisfactory; a neighbor, Ralphie, and Ralphie's niece Stephanie provide a touch of humanity, but Stephanie and her boyfriend, especially the boyfriend, are also a source of tension.

Gradually, we discover the origin of Jake's problem with his family. He blames his parents, his father especially, but it soon becomes clear that Jake himself is a far from easy person, always likely to aggravate a confrontational situation. The narrative follows his actions through the month of August, taking breaks to fill us in on the climactic events of the previous summer. There are also short sections dealing with significant parts of his childhood, right back to the homecoming from maternity hospital of his beloved sister Danielle.

Well into the book, we are told that Jake is white and that Stephanie has relations in the Dominican Republic, but the story is not about race and is essentially color blind.

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Title: The Cross on the Drum

Author: Hugh B. Cave

Narrator: Kevin Pierce

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-03-13

Publisher: Crossroad Press

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

A strange young man, Barry Clinton. Unlike most young missionaries, who came to the island to save souls, this one had come with a belligerent skepticism and a driving determination to battle sickness and starvation. He had come to the Ile du Vent with a Bible and a few meager medical supplies - ready to make the little Caribbean island a better place in which to live.

The Cross on the Drum is the story of the strange friendship of Barry Clinton and Catus Laroche - high priest of vodun, the savage, ritualistic religion which no white man had ever dared defy. It tells of the tormented, embittered passions of the other islanders - white and black - and how they undermined the bond between these two men, changing their mutual respect into brooding, vengeful hatred, and turning the island's drowsy, sunlit tranquility into a feverish, drum-pounding battleground.

Hugh B. Cave, whose knowledge and deep understanding of life and customs in the West Indies distinguished his earlier works, Haiti: Highroad to Adventure and Drums of Revolt, has written here an explosive, dramatic novel of Christianity and voodoo on a Caribbean island.

Members Reviews:

A solid piece of fiction

This novel is about a young missionary (Barry) who is being punished by the bishop and sent to a remote part of a Carribean island. This "punishment" suits Barry just fine as it allows him the freedom to help in more than just teaching the natives the christian faith. The locals however practice voodoo and Barry's willingness to be open to their practices causes all sorts of troubles.

Overall the book is pretty good and reminds me in some ways of "The Red of His Shadow" by Mayra Montero.

Superstitions and comparisons of cultures -- a good read

This is a very readable book in which the superstitions of the Loa and Voo Doo are confronted by similarities to other types of religious doctrines.