Weekly Reading Thoughts (SP/IMWAYR?)

This Was Not The Plan by Cristina Alger (audio)

Widower Charles works long hours at a law firm. His twin sister lives with him and help take care of five year old Caleb.  Zadie celebrates and encourages Caleb's quirkiness.  Charles doesn't know how to relate, but once he gets fired he has to learn quickly. Zadie takes a long needed vacation with her boyfriend.  While Charles is determined to get his job back, he and Caleb find their way to a wonderful relationship.  When Zadies talks them into coming to her Hampton wedding, they arrive to a huge surprise that forces Charles to face difficult issues and make some changes.  A great feel good story with wonderful characters. George Newbern narrated with just the right amount of bewilderment, humility, quirkiness and free spirit of the characters.

 *Thanks to Simon and Schuster Audio for this review copy*

Free Men by Katy Simpson Smith (audio)

Bob (an escaped slave), Cat (abused, traumatized) and Istillicha (a wronged Creek Indian) end up traveling West together. As they travel they commit a crime and are being tracked by LeClerc, a French trader, who has his own story.  LeClerc seems to be more interested in what brought and keeps these men together than bringing them in. Each man is searching for for something - freedom, healing, revenge, redemption.  Told in multiple POVs - the four main characters and the woman left behind. Each voice was read by a different narrator (Michael Curran-Dorsano, William Duffy, William Harper, Alec Tomkiw and Paula J. Parker) that so enhanced the story, I could not stop listening.

*Thanks to HarperAudio for this review copy*

An Affair Before Christmas (#2) by Eloisa James (audio)

Perdita (Poppy) and the Duke of Fletcher fell in love and were married in Paris.  Four years later, back in England, things are going bad.  Poppy has been influenced negatively by her mother and has left to go live with her good friend.  Poppy's mother is a great character to hate! Fletcher still loves her despite her rejection and will not give up on her and lets her have her way.  It takes Poppy leaving to discover who she is without the abusive influence of her mother. The way Fletch handled his MIL is priceless!   At first I didn't like Poppy, but as the story progressed I understood her and loved seeing her growth. The Duke of Villers is a thread of the story that weaves throughout this six book series.  If you haven't read the previous book, his part will make no sense at all. Expertly narrated by Susan Duerden. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Redemption Road by John Hart

Elizabeth is facing a difficult time in her career as a police officer after a questionable shooting.  Adrian is being released after 13 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, and when another similar crime is committed shortly after, he is the chief suspect. Gideon is 14 and planning to do something he think he must to be a man.  Channing is trying to recover from a horrific abduction, but is keeping secrets.  These characters are all bound together with a thread that is threatening to unravel. A  twisty page turner that glued me to it's pages as I cared about these characters and wanted to know what happens to them.  It is best to go into this book not knowing too much and prepare to do nothing else until it is finished!  This will be on my favorite of 2016 list.

Violent Crimes (#5) by Phillip Margolin

Amanda's friend Christine asks her to help her friend Tom when he is arrested after a bar fight. Christine's body is found in Tom's apartment a few days later, she wonders if she should continue to represent him  Tom convinces her that he was set up.  Information comes out at Tom's bail hearing that sets off a series of events that seem connected.   When Amanda's life is threatened and she knows she is on the trail of something dark and twisty. Therese Plummer did a great job narrating.  Fast paced with plenty of suspense in this legal thriller made it a good afternoon read/listen!

*Thanks to HarperAudio for this audiobook.*


Last week was a great one for audio!  I got a lot accomplished while listening.  This week I will be attending Phantom of the Opera, one of my all time favorites!  

Up Next:
Titans by Lila Meacham
Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz
Finding Fraser by K

Book Thoughts Posted:
Cold Barrel Zero by Matthew Quirk

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.