Tag: old Hollywood

Posted in audio books, Book Review

Close Up

Posted on by Sherri

Close Up by Amanda Quick aka Jayne Ann Krentz

Narrated by Morgan Hallett

I caught part of Jayne Ann Krentz’s Facebook live a few days ago. I was surprised that people were complaining about the era she is setting her historical romances in now. The last few books have been set in 1930s in a resort community just outside of Hollywood. Don’t get me wrong, I adored her regency romances, but this time period in history is so full of interesting breakthroughs in science and politics, music and technology.

The town of Burning Cove just outside of Hollywood is a hotspot for the rich and famous. Amanda Quick has crafted a town peopled with characters we’ve all come to know and love. Close up brings art photographer, Vivian Brazier to the cove when she becomes the target of a killer.

Nick Sundridge uses his talent to protect others. When he is sent to Vivian after she is attacked by the “Dagger Killer,” he knows there is more to this job than just protecting a stranger.

Vivian’s vision with the camera allows her to see the story inside her subjects. It makes her photographs more personal. It also allows her to see the darkness of a murderer, but will she realize too late the danger she is in?

The action-packed romance is in true Amanda Quick style, a little paranormal, a little suspense, a lot of drama, some humor and romance, wow, this is another example of why Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz is one of my favorite authors.

I’m addicted to audiobooks and Morgan Hallett did a fantastic job of narrating Close Up. She lent her talents to bringing this story to life, allowing us to see and hear the characters as if we are watching it on screen.

Posted in Book Review

Debbie Reynolds

Posted on by Sherri

There is a new audiobook provider out. Bookbub has launched Chirp. The app is free as is membership. I’m addicted to audiobooks and I am delighted at the variety, price and ease of using this new app.

My first purchase from Chirp was Debbie Reynolds Make ‘Em Laugh. As a long-time fan and with her recent passing, I enjoyed hearing about Debbie’s life. Debbie’s autobiography is like her, quirky and fun and full of the unexpected.

When you see Debbie Reynolds on the big screen or even in her Vegas shows, you have no idea that her life isn’t perfect. She jokes about the mistakes she’s made, especially the men in her life, but she is candid about what has been wonderful in her life, her family, especially her children and granddaughter. It’s difficult to imagine that she didn’t have it all, or even if she did briefly, it was not to last.

Hearing her stories told in her own words, the narrator, Judith Ivey, sounding so much like her, made me feel as if she wasn’t lost but just taking a little break. This biography was cowritten by Debbie with the Dorian Hannaway and is a delight for fans and those who just love a good laugh.