Tag: Audio

Worst Case by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge (Audio)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

Book Journey traveled to:  New York

Best Coffee in New York:  gimme! coffee

Audio CDs:  6

Cover:  Eye catching…. makes you fully aware you are stepping into a suspenseful mystery


Described by Patterson himself, as a “speeding freight train” I would have to toot my horn in agreement.  Worst Case is the third book involving Detective Michael Bennett and his family.  The first book being Step On A Crack where Michael Bennett, father of 10 kids (yes 10) sadly loses his wife and falls head first into a crime that will start your heart pumping.  The second book Run For Your Life ,(and this is where I came in) Michael juggles home life, sick kids, and a killer who calls himself the teacher. The audio was incredible and the killer – just the right level of creepy.

Which brings us to Worst Case.  Michael Bennett finds himself partnered up with the FBI and Emily Parker is who works with him on this case.  Not only is she smoking hot, she is incredibly smart, and they pair up nicely for this new crime wave.

What’s the crime?  Seems New York’s wealthiest families are having their kids snatched and held hostage.  The kidnapper isn’t after ransom, which would be the first thought…. no, he instead quizzes the kids on their pampered lifestyles and their knowledge of those less fortunate than themselves.   The thing that drive this “one french fry short of a happy meal” kidnapper over the edge is that these rich kids and their families go about their lives living high and noses raised above the reality of the worlds poverty issues.

What Patterson and Ledwidge have done here is create another can’t put down, or in my case, can’t stop listening to, suspense story that left me at times sitting in my car in the garage long after I had returned home just to hear what was going to happen next.

I have really enjoyed the story line of the Bennett family.  Having a main character Detective not be your typical bachelor type is refreshing.  The fact that he juggles a full family life, as well as a hard full time career is something that I find to be a great combination.

Comparing this book to a freight train?  Yes James.  Absolutely.

I received my review copy from Hachette audio

The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)43 Comments


Psychiatrist Andrew Marlowe, devoted to his profession and the painting hobby he loves, has a solitary but ordered life. When renowned painter Robert Oliver attacks a canvas in the National Gallery of Art and becomes his patient, Marlow finds that order destroyed. Desperate to understand the secret that torments the genius, he embarks on a journey that leads him into the lives of the women closest to Oliver and a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism.

Kostova’s masterful new novel travels from American cities to the coast of Normandy, from the late 19th century to the late 20th, from young love to last love. THE SWAN THIEVES is a story of obsession, history’s losses, and the power of art to preserve human hope.


The Swan Thieves is a 17 CD set audio.  Beautifully titled, elegantly covered, I was drawn to the sound and the look of this audio much as an artist is drawn to an art gallery.

The story of Robert Oliver, a man not handsome, but has a presence, a way that he carries himself that reeks of self-assurance and that is a powerful tool of attraction as you will find out within this work of words.  As I began to listen, I was quickly brought into the heart of the story, this man, Robert, known for his talents and his teachings has done the unthinkable.  Robert in a rage, has attacked a painting.  A painting? And now, it is up to psychiatric doctor, Andrew Marlow, to attempt to see beyond the surface of anger and get to the canvas of the man who was, and is, Robert.

The reading of this audio is top-notch.  The gentle almost rhythmic voice of Treat Williams is fitting for the role of a patient person such as Dr. Marlow.  Anne Heche, who us the voice of Robert’s ex-wife Kate, is perfectly cautious yet strong, and Erin Cottrell who is Mary, Roberts one time lover and mistress, is the voice of young, prideful, and the self assured student to the great teacher.

There are other voices as well, Sarah Zimmerman and John Rafter Lee, who are the voices from the letters of the past… spoken in engaging strong accents that add to the timelessness of their story they tell through the writings.  I found myself engaged in their story as it seemed unbeknown to the present day characters that history truly was repeating itself in small ways within Dr. Marlow and Mary.

Honestly, as engaging as this reading was, I am not sure if I had read the book if I would have made it all the way through.  While extremely detailed, the audio is long and drawn out.  Towards the end I have to admit I started to skim the last few CDs chapters  of the accented voices and cling to the story of Marlow, Mary, and Robert.  I think the book would have  buried me in all of the words, and while I truly enjoyed the story, I think it could have been just as wonderful if not even more so if some of the great details had been taken out.

I have not read Elizabeth Kostova’s Historian.  I would like too.  However, I do hear that it is also long and that may require me to search out this book as well in audio format.

My Amazon Rating

I received my audio for review from Hachette Book Group

9 Dragons by Michael Connelly Audio Giveaway

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)40 Comments

This giveaway is now closed.

Thanks to Anna With Hachette Audiobooks, I have three copies of this audio to give away!  I have read this book and I am thrilled to have a chance to listen to this on audio!

LAPD Detective Harry Bosch is off the chain in the fastest, fiercest, and highest-stakes case of his life.


Available in CD and Digital Download formats.
Listen to an excerpt.
Visit MichaelConnelly.com

How to Enter?

1)  Leave a comment here with a motto you like.  In the book, Detective Harry Bosch’s motto is, “Happy is the man who finds refuge in himself.” (you must answer the question to be entered in this giveaway!)

Bonus Entries!!!

2)  Subscribe to my email to this blog (upper right sidebar) and receive 2 additional entries!  Let me know you did here on a separate comment – entries that say they are subscribed and are not will be deleted.

If you are already a subscriber let me know in a separate comment and you will receive 3 extra entries!

3)  Blog or tweet about this giveaway and let me know by leaving the blog link or tweet link here on a separate comment and you will receive an additional entry.

4.  Follow this blog and let me know on a separate comment and you have an additional entry as well!  :)

That’s is!  You can do the first entry alone or as many bonus as you choose.  Giveaway is open to USA and Canada only.  Winners will receive the audios from Hachette.

Giveaway ends December 16

Permission Slips by Sherri Shephard Audio Giveaway

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)18 Comments

This giveaway is now closed.

Thanks to Anna With Hachette Audiobooks, I have three copies of this audio to give away!  This will be a greta one to listen to next trip I take alone to the cities or to the cabin.


ABC’s The View co-host Sherri Shepherd speaks honestly about her life, her family, and her struggles. As she relates her life experiences, she will also share the things she’s learned along the way.


Available in CD and Digital Download formats.
Listen to an excerpt.
Visit SherriShepherd.com

How to Enter?

1)  Leave a comment here with one of your favorite things you like to do to unwind. (you must answer the question to be entered in this giveaway!)

Bonus Entries!!!

2)  Subscribe to my email to this blog (upper right sidebar) and receive 2 additional entries!  Let me know you did here on a separate comment – entries that say they are subscribed and are not will be deleted.

If you are already a subscriber let me know in a separate comment and you will receive 3 extra entries!

3)  Blog or tweet about this giveaway and let me know by leaving the blog link or tweet link here on a separate comment and you will receive an additional entry.

4.  Follow this blog and let me know on a separate comment and you have an additional entry as well!  :)

That’s is!  You can do the first entry alone or as many bonus as you choose.  Giveaway is open to USA and Canada only.  Winners will receive the audios from Hachette

Giveaway ends December 21

Say You’re One Of Them by Uwem Akpan Audio Giveaway

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)42 Comments

This giveaway is now closed

Thanks to Anna With Hachette Audiobooks, I have three copies of this audio to give away!  I am so excited to get into this one soon!


Each story in this jubilantly acclaimed collection pays testament to the wisdom and resilience of children, even in the face of the most agonizing circumstances.

“Each one of these stories left me really gasping and profoundly moved.” – Oprah Winfrey

Available in CD and Digital Download formats.
Listen to an excerpt
Listen to the Interview with Uwem Akpan.

How to enter?

1)  Leave a comment here of a title of an Oprah Book Club Book you have read.  If you have not read one, what one peaks your interest. Here is a list to look at of Oprah’s Book Club Picks (you must answer the question to be entered in this giveaway!)

Bonus Entries!!!

2)  Subscribe to my email to this blog (upper right sidebar) and receive 2 additional entries!  Let me know you did here on a separate comment – entries that say they are subscribed and are not will be deleted.

If you are already a subscriber let me know in a separate comment and you will receive 3 extra entries!

3)  Blog or tweet about this giveaway and let me know by leaving the blog link or tweet link here on a separate comment and you will receive an additional entry.

4.  Follow this blog and let me know on a separate comment and you have an additional entry as well!  :)

That’s is!  You can do the first entry alone or as many bonus as you choose.  Giveaway is open to USA and Canada only.  Winners will receive the audios from Hachette

Giveaway ends December 20

Lovely Bones Audio Giveaway

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)31 Comments

This giveaway is closed.

Thanks to Anna With Hachette Audiobooks, I have three copies of this audio to give away!  I am currently listening to this in my home and it is being read by the author, Alice Sebold.

It is a story of unspeakable tragedy and loss, but also of abiding love and even joy. With its astonishing force, THE LOVELY BONES has captured the hearts of millions of readers around the world.


Available in CD and Digital Download formats.
Listen to an excerpt.
Watch the movie trailer.
Visit the official movie website at LovelyBones.com.

How to enter?

1)  Leave a comment here of where or when you are most likely to listen to an audio book (you must answer the question to be entered in this giveaway!)

Bonus Entries!!!

2)  Subscribe my email to this blog (upper right sidebar) and receive 2 additional entries!  Let me know you did here on a separate comment – entries that say they are subscribed and are not will be deleted.

If you are already a subscriber let me know in a separate comment and you will receive 3 extra entries!

3)  Blog or tweet about this giveaway and let me know by leaving the blog link or tweet link here on a separate comment and you will receive an additional entry.

4.  Follow this blog and let me know on a separate comment and you have an additional entry as well!  🙂

That’s is!  You can do the first entry alone or as many bonus as you choose.  Giveaway is open to USA and Canada only.  Winners will receive the audios from Hachette

Giveaway ends December 18

Giveaway! Amy Minute by Joyce Meyer (audio)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)20 Comments

any minuteThank you to Anna Balasi with Hachette Audio Books for allowing me not only to to review this audio book but offer a giveaway to three lucky winners to receive a copy of this as well sent directly from them!

Sarah Harper is driven, pursuing happiness in all the wrong places. It’s not until she faces a chance encounter with heaven and spends time with the grandmother who prayed for her every day when she was a little girl that she begins to see how her own mother’s bitterness created a hole in Sarah’s life. For the first time, Sarah sees that God created her for a special purpose. When Sarah returns to her own life, she is a woman with a mission. And the unsuspecting world around her will never be the same again.


While I anxiously await my review copy – we can still get the contest started here!  Here is how to get chances to win:

1.  comment here with your name and tell me where you listen to audio books

2.  Earn two extra chances to win if you connect this contest to your blog (send me the link when this is done)

3.  Follow me on Twitter for a bonus chance!

Contest will end on July 12.  US entries only and no PO boxes.  At the end of this contest I will announce the winners here as well as email you for your shipping information.  Good luck to all!

Listen to an excerpt.