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October 2022 MBR The Audiobook Shelf

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Midwest Book Review

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Nov 2, 2022, 11:08:24 PM11/2/22
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The Audiobook Shelf

The Science of Storytelling
Will Storr, author
James Clamp, narrator
https://willstorr.com
Dreamscape Media
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9781690585107, $22.99, CD (6 Discs, 8 Hours 51 Minutes)

https://www.amazon.com/Science-Storytelling-Will-Storr/dp/1690585102

Synopsis: How do master storytellers compel us? There have been many attempts to understand what makes a good story, but few have used a scientific approach.

In "The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better", Will Storr applies dazzling psychological research and cutting-edge neuroscience to our myths and archetypes to show how we can tell better stories, revealing, among other things, how storytellers (and also our brains) create worlds by being attuned to moments of unexpected change.

Storr's superbly chosen examples range from Harry Potter to Jane Austen to Alice Walker, Greek drama to Russian novels to Native American folk tales, King Lear to Breaking Bad to children's stories. With chapters such as "The Dramatic Question" and "Plot, Endings, and Meaning" and a practical, step-by-step appendix dedicated to "The Sacred Flaw Approach,"

"The Science of Storytelling" is destined to become an invaluable resource for writers of all stripes, whether novelist, screenwriter, playwright, or writer of creative or traditional nonfiction.

Critique: With this Dreamscape Media complete and unabridged audio book production that combines the impressive storytelling skills of author Will Storr with the equally impressive narrative skills of James Clamp, "The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better" is a very strongly advised addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library audio book and Playwriting/Screenwriting instructional reference collections.

Editorial Note #1: Currently residing in Kent, England, Will Storr is an award-winning journalist and novelist whose work has appeared in The Guardian, Sunday Times, The New Yorker, and The New York Times. His books include Selfie: How the West Became Self-Obsessed and The Unpersuadables: Adventures with the Enemies of Science. He has a dedicated website at https://willstorr.com

Editorial Note #2: James Clamp works from his fully equipped professional ISDN and Source Connect capable studios in the USA and Europe, specializing in Commercials, Promo's, Corporate Videos, eLearning Modules and Training Narrations. He's proficient at many accents including RP, Cockney, Northern English, Australian, Scottish, South African, French and Russian. He has a dedicated website at https://willstorr.com

Mad, Bad and Dead
Sherryl Clark, author
Kirsty Gillmore, narrator
Aurora
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781787829459, $98.95, MP3-CD,

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/mad,%20bad%20and%20dead

Synopsis: Already struggling to juggle co-running Candlebark's pub/bistro along with her new childcare responsibilities, what Judi doesn't need right now is more stress. Yet, as usual, it arrives in spades: she starts receiving threatening, late night phone calls before discovering one of her best employees, Kate, shot dead in her bed.

Once again, Judi finds herself at the center of a murder investigation, as well as the hunt for the Kate's fourteen year-old daughter who has been missing since the murder. Add in the uncertainty of her relationship with D.S. Heath and the fact that her estranged mother's nursing home keeps calling to urge her to visit, and Judi might finally be at breaking point.

Critique: A dead employee. A missing child. Anonymous phone calls in the dead of night. Sherryl Clark's suspense thriller of a novel is brought vividly to life with the narrative vocal skills of Kirsty Gillmore in this complete and unabridged audio book from Aurora. "Mad, Bad and Dead" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly appreciated addition to community library audio book collections. (1 Disc, 10 Hours, 35 Minutes)

Editorial Note #1: Sherryl Clark has had 40 children's and YA books published in Australia, and several in the US and UK, plus collections of poetry and four verse novels. She has taught writing at Holmesglen TAFE and Victoria University. "Trust Me I'm Dead", her debut adult crime novel, was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger and the CWA John Creasey Dagger Award. It is followed by "Dead and Gone" in the Judi Westerholme series. She has a dedicted website at https://sherrylclarkcrimewriter.com

Editorial Note #2: Kirsty Gillmore is a Voice Director, Casting Director, Sound Designer and the owner of Sounds Wilde. She was selected as a Voice Director for Games for the BAFTA Breakthrough UK programme for 2021. Her directing and casting work spans games, animation and audio drama. She has a dedicate website at https://www.soundswilde.com

Let It Snow
Beth Moran, author
Rosalind Steele, narrator
Boldwood
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781802806366, $93.95, MP3-CD

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/Let%20It%20Snow

Synopsis: After the end of a long-term relationship, local weather girl Bea Armstrong has been avoiding her family, and their inevitable 'I-told-you-sos.' But with Christmas fast approaching, she is finally on her way home to Charis House, the school in Sherwood Forest that her mum and dad run in their old family home. And to top it all off, the insufferable Henry Fairfax (who her parents have always wanted her to marry) has also been invited.

Relief comes in the shape of a last minute interview for her dream job. There are just a few minor problems. The interview is in Scotland, Bea has no car, and the snow is falling already. The only solution is for Henry to drive her. Could this Christmas get any worse?

But during an unforgettable two day interview, a stay in a log cabin and a nightmare journey through the snow, Henry turns out to be nothing like she thought. And when Bea's first love and recent ex shows up, Bea has a difficult choice to make!

Critique: Rosalnd Steele's superb vocal skills as the narrator are perfectly suited to author Beth Moran's narrative style of storytelling that brings "Let It Snow" to life in the mind's eye of the listener in this complete and unabridged audio book edition from Boldwood. With flawless production skills, "Let It Snow" is an ideal and recommended addition to personal listening lists and community library audio book collections. (1 Disc, 9 Hours, 50 Minutes).

Editorial Note #1: Beth Moran (https://bethmoranauthor.com) initially worked as a biochemist and then taught antenatal classes before becoming an author. She enjoys writing contemporary women`s fiction set in and around Sherwood Forest, where she lives with her family.

A Million Dreams
Dani Atkins, author
Rosie Akerman, narrator
Dreamscape Media
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9781690586586, $22.99, CD (10 Discs, 12 Hours 16 Minutes)

https://www.amazon.com/Million-Dreams-Dani-Atkins/dp/1690586583

Synopsis: Izzy's eight-year-old son Noah is her whole life. With his long eyelashes, mischievous grin and boundless energy, he's got her husband Pete's sunny outlook and Izzy's curious mind. When they receive a surprise phone call from the fertility center that helped them have Noah, it's surely nothing to worry about.

But what they learn from that call sends their dreams for their son crashing down around them. Eight years ago, someone made a terrible mistake at the center, and there's a possibility that precious Noah isn't actually their child.

Izzy and Pete know that they will fight to keep their beautiful boy at any cost... but if Noah's parents are out there somewhere, is it right to keep them from their son? When a shocking diagnosis brings things to a head, Izzy must decide what's right for Noah, even if it means sacrificing the person she loves most in the world.

Critique: Professional voice over actor and narrator Rosie Akerman brings to life in a true 'theatre of the mind' experience "A Million Dreams", the deftly crafted and original novel by Dani Atkins. The complete and unabridged audio book from Dreamscape Media is highly recommended, especially as an addition to community library audio book collections.

Editorial Note #1: Dani Atkins is an award-winning author whose work has been translated into sixteen languages. The author of four bestselling novels, she is the recipient of the Romantic Novel of the Year Award. She has a website at https://www.fantasticfiction.com/a/dani-atkins

Editorial Note #2: Rosie Akerman is a professional and committed voiceover artist who has narrated several audiobooks in multiple genres. In addition to audiobooks, she has also lent her voice to eLearning tapes, online commercials, documentaries, and telephony systems. She has a website entry at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4681344

A Simple Wedding
Leigh Duncan, author
Karissa Vacar, narrator
Hallmark Publishing
c/o Dreamscape Media
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9781974944453, $24.99, CD (7 Discs, 8 Hours 52 Minutes)

https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Wedding-Leigh-Duncan/dp/197494445X

Synopsis: Jenny always dreamed of getting married at Heart's Landing. But when she finally visits the charming small town, she's there to make wedding arrangements for someone else: her cousin, who also happens to be her boss and a famous movie star. To keep the event secret and avoid a media circus, Jenny pretends she's the one getting married.

Nick is intrigued by this bride-to-be who starts visiting his bakery every afternoon for sweet treats and conversation. He has to keep reminding himself that she's already spoken for.

As Jenny deals with her cousin's ever-changing demands, she tries to hide her attraction to Nick. Planning this wedding couldn't be more complicated...and what will happen once the truth comes to light?

"A Simple Wedding" is a funny, heartwarming romance that includes as a welcome bonus for the reader a free original recipe for the best-ever Lemon Bars.

Critique: With the superbly executed narrative performance of Karissa Vacker bringing author Leigh Duncan's comedic romance novel to life! "A Simple Wedding" is an extraordinarily fun and highly recommended addition to both personal and community library audio book collections.

Editorial Note #1: Novelist Leigh Duncan has written over two dozen novels, novellas and short stories. Leigh lives on Central Florida's East Coast where she writes complex, heartwarming, and emotional stories with a dash of Southern sass. She has a website at https://leighduncan.com

Karissa Vacker is a multiple Earphones award-winning narrator and actress whose audiobook credits include romance, young adult fiction, and mystery thrillers. A graduate from Southern Methodist University, she performed in regional theaters across the country before moving to Los Angeles, where she has guest starred in network television shows and films and continues to work on screen, on stage, and behind the mic.

The Case of the Missing Firefly
Chris McDonald, author
Stephen Armstrong, narrator
Isis Audio
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781399124319, $43.95, MP3-CD (1 Disc, 3 Hours)

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/The%20Case%20of%20the%20Missing%20Firefly

Synopsis: The notoriously hard-drinking, backstabbing Stonebridge Radio crew are having their Hallowe'en party on Winkle Island, rumoured to be the most haunted place in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, Adam and Colin are there, too, having accepted an easy pay day from Colin's event-organising mother.

At dinner, a shocking announcement is followed by an even more shocking murder, and the theft of a priceless Firefly necklace. To top it all, thanks to a raging storm, everyone is trapped on the island. Now, faced with devious radio presenters, a strange tour guide and a rampaging murderer, Adam and Colin are back in business.

Critique: The truly impressive narrative skills of voice over actor Stephen Armstrong brings mystery novelist Chris McDonald's "The Case of the Missing Firefly" into a true 'theatre of the mind' experience for the listener. This flawless, complete and unabridged Isis Audio production of "The Case of the Missing Firefly" will prove to be an immediately welcome and enduringly popular addition to personal and community library Mystery/Suspense audio book collections.

Editorial Note #1: Chris McDonald grew up in Northern Ireland before settling in Manchester via Lancaster and London. He is the author A Wash of Black, the first in the DI Erika Piper series, as well as the forthcoming second - Whispers In The Dark. He has also recently dabbled in writing cosy crimes, as a remedy for the darkness. He has an author's page on the Amazon website at https://www.amazon.com/Chris-McDonald/e/B083VRLYPM

Editorial Note #2: An accomplished and professional voice over actor, Stephen Armstrong has a web page at https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Stephen+Armstrong

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, internet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested individuals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "California Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwatch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview (dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugalmuse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publisher, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number, and list price).

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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