Humpback Wednesday - Where The Hell Is Tesla? by Rob Dircks

Humpback Wednesday

Where The Hell is Tesla?

By Robert Dircks

Performed/Narrated by Robert Dircks

5 hours and 4 minutes

Genre: Contemporary, Fantasy, Sci-fi

Unabridged Audio

4.10 stars on Audible

My rating on Audible is 5.0 stars - However, if I could give 6 stars I would!!!!

Book Blurb from Audible

Publisher's Summary

Sci-fi odyssey. Comedy. Love story. And of course... Nikola tesla.

I'll let Chip, the main character, tell you more: "I found the journal at work. Well, I don't know if you'd call it work, but that's where I found it. It's the lost journal of Nikola Tesla, one of the greatest inventors and visionaries ever. Before he died in 1943, he kept a notebook filled with spectacular claims and outrageous plans. One of these plans was for an "interdimensional transfer apparatus" - that allowed someone (in this case me and my friend Pete) to travel to other versions of the infinite possibilities around us. Crazy, right? But that's just where the crazy starts."

Chip's official disclaimer: This is a work of fiction: the events depicted in the collection of emails did not happen. I have never been in contact with a covert government group attempting to suppress knowledge of the lost journal of Nikola Tesla. I have not been threatened with death if I divulge the secrets contained inside. They did not buy me this handsome jacket (oh crap, you're listening to this - trust me, it looks great on me). They did not come to my place, and liquor me up, and offer to publish this book as a sci-fi comedy novel to throw the public off the trail of the real truth.

Or did they?

I'm kidding. Of course they didn't.

Or did they?

God, I can't keep my big mouth shut.

©2015 Rob Dircks (P)2015 Rob Dircks

My Review on Audible and other sites

So, what if you found a book and had the opportunity to meet one of history's great inventors? Would you take that chance of finding him? Or finding the machine called the interdimensional transfer apparatus (Always written in caps in the book, Chip thinks 'What is that all about' ) mentioned in that journal? Well, that is what the character in Rob Dircks book "Where the Hell is Tesla?" sets out to do. 

Chip is a security guard that is bored and really does not want to be standing around or even walking around the area he is keeping safe. Chip ask an Agent at the facility if there is a desk and chair he can have to put in his area. Taking him to a room so large filled with 1000's of desk from a by-gone era. Those huge metal desk one on top of the other. Chip starts looking for that perfect desk with as little beating to it and all. Chip drags this desk back to his area along with a chair. Even though he has nothing to put in it, he begins to open the drawers. When one does not open up he gets frustrated. Well, he is just not going to look for another one. But, he finally gets the drawer open and finds a book. A book, journal by Nikola Tesla. 

Reading the journal he becomes intrigued at what he has discovers in it and calls his friend Pete. Talking his friend Pete to go to a hotel where this device is suppose to be. Oh, let's back up a bit, talks his friend Pete into paying for the opportunity to stay a night in the Tesla Room for $725 a night. Really! Well, Pete is the one with a credit card and a real job. So now the real fun begins...

So my take on this book was by far the most amusing, funniest and laugh out loud audio books I have ever listened to. Yes, I have listen to books that I will have a laugh out loud a time or two through out the book. With this book I put in the headphones and went onto cutting my grass. Good thing for the loud noise of the lawnmower since I found myself bursting out with a laugh or OMG this is so good. Robert Dircks couldn't have picked no one better than himself to narrate this book. Though I do have one other narrator/performer that could have done the task as equally well. However, Robert has what I see as his heart into a story that he gave birth to and who better than himself was able to bring the characters to life as he feels each needed to be portrayed. To bring them to the funny gathering of characters. Chip and Pete best friends through thick and thin throughout the book bring to their team a little alien guy they names Bo Bo. The comic relief that they put this poor creature thru and the attachment he has to them bring this story full circle. 

My favorite parts where whatever the titles were for each chapter also, became the RE: in the emails he is sending his girlfriend if they do not make it out. Also, the Abbott and Costello routine, WHO! I was so upbeat when I finished this book provided by the author for an honest review. I had to shoot him an email to tell him this was the funniest book I ever listen to! 

What I did not mention was that if I could give this book 6 stars I would. Purely on the comic relief through out this entire story. Two thumbs up and whatever Bo Bo would be holding up Mr. Dircks!

Do yourself a favor a short 5+ hour book! One day listen. If you are in the worst mood by the time you finish getting caught up in laughing your way thru this book. You will forget what you were so grumpy about.

This book was as stated provided by the author for an honest review. All comments are solely mine and in no way effect by others. Please leave comments, good or bad. I would love to hear from you all!

Where you can find Robert Dircks

Audible - Amazon - Goodreads - Twitter - Facebook - Website

AND 

Where you can find ME! 

Please comment below! Go to the left side of the page and follow my blog,
So you don't miss the My Tweets on Twitter, 

Facebook Group join today!, GooglePlus+ (NEW)
Goodreads profile, Audible profile for new reviews and 

Audiobook Reviewer under Joan Pavlick!

Want to see something added to my format - send me a message to 

sapphirereader25@gmail.com

Have a Great Week and Happy Listening

Joan

TUESDAY TWEET - WANDER AND ROAM: Wander series Book 1 By Anna Kyss

TUESDAY TWEET

WANDER AND ROAM

Wander Series Book 1

By Anna Kyss

Performed/Narrated by Shiromi Arserio

5 hours and 47 mins

Series: Wander: Book 1

Contempory - Romance

Unabridged audio

4.0 Star Rating on Audible

My Rating 5.0 stars on Audible and other sites

Now available Book 2 on Ebook on Amazon

Book Blurb from Audible

Publisher's Summary

In the last year, Abby Bentley has failed out of college and lost her high school sweetheart. Unwilling to return home, Abby signs up to volunteer on an Australian farm, where she can hide away from her family and isolate to her heart's desire. Best of all, no one will care about her past. Abby soon discovers she'll be sharing most of her daylight hours, as well as a very small yurt, with the farm's other volunteer: sexy, flirtatious Sage.

The more hours they spend together, the more conflicted Abby becomes. Torn between a growing attraction to Sage and faltering loyalty to her old boyfriend, Abby escapes to her refuge of writing letters she will never send. When Abby finally reveals her past, Sage's secret about his future threatens their bond. With Abby running from her past and Sage trying to escape his future, can they build a relationship in the here and now?

©2014 Anna Kyss (P)2014 Anna Kyss

My Review from Audible and on other sites

"Left me Falling Love and Crying - Great Listen!"

Overall

Performance

Story

Let me start with the narrator which can be a deciding factor to any book that I listen to. It can decide whether or not I will listen to a book from start to finish in a few days or over a lengthy time frame or they are not doing the story justice and I stop listening. The narrator Shiromi Arserio did the book justice. Her even tone voice and the way the story leaves you wondering what will happen next was right on the mark.

Now the story itself. I feel in love with the 3 main characters. The author keeps the listener or reader wanting to learn more about the main character Abby. As the book opens up you think why this young teen throwing away her college career with bad academics. Who is this Robbie? And why are her parents the way they are!

Abby leaves very subtle hints about a relationship with her boyfriend Robbie. What has happen to what seemingly seems to be a bad relationship. However, as the book moves forward keeping the listener/reader guessing till her day in Sydney, Australia with the next main character, Sage. She reveals the reason behind her relationship with Robbie.

Sage as the character meets Abby for the first time.You find yourself falling for him right from the start. How the flushing Abby feelings are confused since she is there in Australia to work on an organic farm to clear her head (okay run away) from her feelings for Robbie. She wanted the solitude to try and see if she could come to terms with the relationship. As she writes letters to Robbie and putting them in these purple envelopes will she send them or are they part of something else?

The next character Susan, the owner of the organic farm. She is a good grounding character between Sage and Abby. Her young and good advice leaves Abby thinking she is butting in to get her and Sage together. But, as the story winds down becomes the friend that Abby never thought she could have. Learning the backstory to Susan's life on the farm.

So as to not spoil the listen/read this book actually had me welling up with my own emotions of losing a love one. This book really caught me off guard (in a good way)and at the end of the listen hoping for more of Sage and Abby coming in Book 2. At least I hope they are part of the next book. But, leaving the reader with the feeling there is always a second chance in life's loves.

Where you can find Anna Kyss

Audible - Amazon - Goodreads - Twitter - Facebook - Google+

What other 7 books that Shiromi Arserio performs on Audible

AND

Where you can find ME! 

Please comment below! Go to the left side of the page and follow my blog,
So you don't miss the My Tweets on Twitter, 

Facebook Group join today!, GooglePlus+ (NEW)
Goodreads profile, Audible profile for new reviews and 

Audio Book Reviewer under Joan Pavlick!

Want to see something added to my format - send me a message to 

sapphirereader25@gmail.com

Have a Great Day and Happy Listening

Joan

THROWBACKTHURSDAY - THE TEMPLE IS NOT MY FATHER by

THROWBACK THURSDAY REVIEW

THE TEMPLE IS NOT MY FATHER: A STORY SET IN INDIA

BY Rasana Atreya

Narrated/Performed by Shruti Kapdi

1 hour and 34 minutes

Contemporary Fiction

4.60 stars on Audible

My rating is 4.7 stars

Book Blurb from Audible

Publisher's Summary

Ensnared by a tradition hundreds of years old, a woman fights for her daughter's happiness.

From the author of Tell a Thousand Lies, which was shortlisted for the 2012 Tibor Jones South Asia award. UK's Glam magazine calls Tell a Thousand Lies one of their "five favorite tales from India".

If you like Rohinton Mistry or Shilpi Somaya Gowda, you might like this short story.

©2014 Rasana Atreya (P)2015 Rasana Atreya

My review to be found on Audible and other sites

The Temple is Not My Father: A Story Set in India by Rasana Atreya. Narrated/performed by Shruti Kapdi. Length 1 hours and 34 mins. Contemporary Fiction. Novella. (May contain some spoilers in the beginning of review)

This story really drew me in and I was quite taken back on the Indian traditions. Traditions that go back a 100+ years. Such a wide awaking to the non-traditional American traditions of how a family is ruled by the father’s law. What he says goes even in this modern day.

The story starts out in a village of a woman Godavari and her daughter Sreeja. How their village shuns them from participating anything from sending her daughter to school to the woman getting a job in the town. All from when her father sold her to the temple to be married to the Goddess to become a prostitute to satisfied men and their sexual appetites at a girl’s very young age.  Her mother horrified by what her husband did leaves him to take care of her granddaughter when Godavari gets pregnant. Then behind his back made sure that the money left to her by her mother went to Godavari. All Godavari wanted was a better life for her daughter.

Then enters the story two young American-Indian girls. When they find out that this woman and her daughter is related to them. Without, the knowledge of their grandmother that they were sent to live with. Since their father felt that the American lifestyle was corrupting their young minds. They needed to learn the tradition of a proper Indian women.

They start to visit their cousin during their grandmother’s prayer time. The girls in the beginning decide that the youngest one would hang out with the daughter and agreed to teach her math and English with other things. The oldest of the girls hung out with the mother learning how to cook traditionally and learn the dialect. Over time the mother asked why they were sent there. The oldest one in her American way of speaking was sometimes hard for Godavari to understand. Though she learn what their father did by sending them to live with their grandmother. They learned off each other American and the Indian dialect of the area. The mother would eventually tell this young girl why the two of them really should not be there in her home. That it would tarnish their reputation. Then the grandmother finds out sending the girls away.

This story drew me in with the harsh story of the life that both fathers felt was the where women are to be placed in society. What Godavari does to give her daughter a better life.  How the young American girls thought that their father was so harsh sending them to India only to see that Godavari’s life was much worst. I felt like I was listening to something from the early 20th century not 21st century way of life. This short novella really hit me in the heart.

This is a must listen to for I don’t want to be a spoiler to the entire story but, when the story does come full circle is does tug on every heart string imaginable. Shruti Kapdi did an excellent job performing the Indian and American dialects of the women. The harsh realities are brought to life as she tells and expresses the conversations of all the characters. Rasana Atreya has a magic way of expressing her words.

Even though this was short and I felt that it could have been a much longer with more detailing to the story. However, the story comes across as written. This book is not available yet as WhisperSync but, I do recommend that you by the book as a companion to the audio since some parts I did have an issue with the accent. Rewind and listen again and all was fine.

This book was provided to me for an honest review by the author. All comments above are solely mine and no one has influenced my review. Please like and comment below. I love to hear if my review helped you in listening or reading this novella. 

Where you can find Rasana Atreya

Audible - Amazon - Goodreads - Twitter - Facebook - Google+ - Website

Where you can find other books by Shruti Kapdi on Audible

AND

Where you can find ME! 

Please comment below! Go to the left side of the page and follow my blog,
So you don't miss the My Tweets on Twitter, 

Facebook Group join today!, GooglePlus+ (NEW)
Goodreads profile, Audible profile for new reviews and 

Audiobook Reviewer under Joan Pavlick!

Want to see something added to my format - send me a message to 

sapphirereader25@gmail.com

Have a Great Week and Happy Listening

Joan

TUESDAY TWEET - BOTANICAUST: BONTANICAUST, BOOK 1

TUESDAY TWEET

BOTANICAUST: BOTANICAUST, BOOK 1

By Tam Linsey

Performed/Narrated by Meghan Kelly

10 hours and 1 minute

4.50 stars on Audible

Contemporary, Sci-fi - Fantasy

Series: Botanicaust

My Rating 5 stars!

Book Blurb from Audible

Publisher's Summary

The only crop left ... is human.

After genetically altered weeds devastate Earth's croplands, Dr. Tula Macoby believes photosynthetic skin can save the human race. Her people single-mindedly embark on a mission to convert the cannibals roaming what's left of Earth. But when Levi, a peaceful stranger, refuses alteration, Tula doesn't think the only options should be conversion or death.

Levi Kraybill, a devout member of the Old Order, left his Holdout farmland to seek a cure for his terminally ill son. Genetic manipulation is a sin, but Levi will do almost anything for the life of his child. When he's captured, he's sure he's damned, and his only escape will be death.

Tula's superiors schedule Levi's euthanization, and she risks everything to set the innocent man free. Now she and Levi are outlaws with her people, and she's an abomination with his. Can they find sanctuary in a cannibal wasteland?

Book One in the Botanicaust Series

Download the accompanying reference guide. 

©2012 Tam Linsey (P)2014 Tam Linsey

My Review from Audible and other sites

"If you enjoyed Divergent you'll love BOTANICAST"

Overall

Performance

Story

I always start my reviews by reviewing the narrator. Since they are the voice that makes or breaks a performance of the book! Will it want to make you want to go back and read the book! Meghan Kelly as in other books I have listen to her narrate excels in a flawless transition from one character to the next. Maintaining that difference or mood of the character as they journey thru this book by Tam Linsey. I do hope that she is brought back for any future sequels. There is nothing more disappointing when authors use another voice in a series. She really brings to life and moods of my favorite character Dr Tula Macoby.

So let me continue with the characters without giving many spoilers! Dr. Tula Macoby coming from a society called the Haldanians, that believes can help selected others from the bio-engineered weeds that wiped out plant life 400 years earlier making all plants poison. Tula, a counselor assigned to those that are converted with photosynthetics to adjust to their new lifestyle. A society/scientist that believes they are the saviors of sorts in converting the cannibals that also roam the Earth. They also decide who lives or dies if their capturers do not fit the profile of converting to a plant society. Believing that her way of life will save them. That is until she meets Levi Kraybill whom she believes in the beginning is part of a captured cannibal family. Only to find out he is from another society called the The Old Order. Feeling that her people may not have all the answers. With him as the story unfolds throughout she learns the truth behind her own past! Trying to understand why her feelings are so passionate for someone of a different culture and to wrong yet feels so right at the same time.

Tam Linsey takes and draws you into the passion! Into the uncertainty! Into the truth that maybe bought her and Levi together are not ready to face about each other!

Levi Kraybill is from a society that believes what Tula's kind are doing is an abomination. They are a peaceful farming community. Believing that God has sent them down the rules to believes are they the only way of life!

After Tula assist Levi to escape and now making them both outlaws on the run from the Haldandians! Tula learns from him the survival tactics as they travel back to his society without being captured by the cannibals or killed by the Burners. Learning along the way that Levi was on the search for a cure for his son. Only to be saved/captured by what they thought is a fourth society, Fossilites. Which they did not know existed. Only to find out that all those Tula thought were killed are actually used for experiments of a different kind for the search for immortality. Will Tula make the decision to stay with them if they are willing to give Levi the cure they said they had for his son? Will his clan let him back? Since leaving against the Old Orders rules shunned Levi!


They do escape and head for Levi's clan with 2 of the ones Tula thought were killed by her people. When they get back to Levi's home. Are they all left to come within the Old Order's protective field? What does Tula learn about herself? Will they accept her and the other 2 Haldadians? What becomes of Levi's son?

Leaving some of these unanswered will peak a curiosity that you will not be sorry to learn as the book whines down. There is not a real cliffhanger leaving this book up in the air till part 2. It can stand as a stand alone read/listen to. Made me wish that I could move to the next book now! I really was pleasantly surprised with this story after listening to and reading other post apocalypse novels. This is certainly a well thought out plot. Totally different! The story can definitely take itself in any direction for future parts. I would like to see the following part have that back story of how the weeds took over the other plants. Seeing it build around Levi and/or Tula family ancestors. This 10 hr plus listen really felt so much longer. Ready for a detail yet full story made me want to sit and listen right thru in a day or 2.

Where you can find Tam Linsey

Audible - Amazon - Goodreads - Twitter - Facebook and Website

What other 29 books that you can listen to 

Meghan Kelly perform

You can also follow Meghan on Facebook

AND

Where you can find ME! 

Please comment below! Go to the left side of the page and follow my blog,
So you don't miss the My Tweets on Twitter, 

Facebook Group join today!,
Goodreads profile, Audible profile for new reviews and 

Audiobook Reviewer under Joan Pavlick!

Want to see something added to my format - send me a message to 

sapphirereader25@gmail.com

Have a Great Week and Happy Listening

Joan

MONDAY MAYHEM With a Bit of Romance! by Jennifer Cruise

Monday Mayhem goes Romantic!

The Cinderella Deal

By Jennifer Cruise

Narrated/Performed by Susan Boyce

5 hours and 57 mins

3.70 stars from 680 ratings

Contempory romance

My rating is a 5.0

Book Blurb from Audible

Publisher's Summary

Daisy Flattery is a free spirit with a soft spot for strays and a weakness for a good story. Why else would she agree to the outrageous charade offered by her buttoned-down workaholic neighbor, Linc Blaise? The history professor needs to have a fiancée in order to capture his dream job, and Daisy is game to play the role. But something funny happens on their way to the altar that changes everything. Now, with the midnight hour approaching, will Daisy lose her prince, or will opposites not only attract but live happily ever after?

©1996 Jennifer Smith; (P)2009 BBC Audiobooks America

My Review from Audible and other sites

A different kind of Cinderella Story!, May 17, 2015 By Sapphire Reader (Mountain Top, PA, United States) This review is from: The Cinderella Deal (Audible Audio Edition) Daisy Flattery is a free as it can be character. Makes you want to be her. I love the way she is so giving, free-spirited and willing to take on a challenge. Even if the challenge to save her apartment is to pretend to be engaged to her obnoxious neighbor Linc Blaise. Linc on the their first meeting thought what a space cadet. She dresses like a flower child of the 60's. She is not the type of girl he would ever consider dating let alone be engaged to. However, he needs someone of her caliber to pretend to be engaged to him to land a huge job offer at an university. Upon receiving his dream job he realizes that he has to keep up the charade until they can play up a breakup. What Linc was not counting on is the infectious personality of Daisy. Will faith take over his heart or will he keep to a deal and that is the end of it? All I can say is that Jennifer Cruise has such a cute way of writing these fairy tales of love. This was one of those stories that you just want to see as a Hallmark or Lifetime movie. Susan Boyce was a delight as she performed the characters throughout the book making them all come to life and add to the personalities of each of them. Draws you into each scene as it takes place. From Daisy being her flaky, giving self to Linc's somber this is the way is should be demeanor. To the town's folk that she brings into their lives. I like this story so much this is one that I actually did listen to 2 times. I guarantee that this will be on your fav list of romance comedies. Where you can find Jennifer Cruise Audible - Amazon - Goodreads - Website What other 87 books you can listen to performed by  Susan Boyce on Audible AND Where you can find ME!  Please comment below! Go to the left side of the page and follow my blog, So you don't miss the My Tweets on Twitter,  Facebook Group join today!, Goodreads profile, Audible profile for new reviews and  Audiobook Reviewer under Joan Pavlick! Want to see something added to my format - send me a message to  sapphirereader25@gmail.com Have a Great Week and Happy Listening Joan