Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
High Jinx by Kelley Armstrong Narrator: Carly Robins
Series: Cursed Luck #2
Published by Tantor Audio on January 18, 2022
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 14 hours, 15 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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Curse weaver Kennedy Bennett has re-settled into her beloved hometown and opened a shop selling previously hexed antiques. When she fails to win an online auction for a notorious cursed painting, Aiden Connolly—the wealthy and swoon-worthy luck worker she is not dating—swoops in to buy it for her.
Crying Girl is one of a quartet of haunted legendary paintings. Kennedy knows that the “ghosts” are actually curses—fatal ones. The paintings have been missing for years, and Kennedy is thrilled at the chance to uncurse one…until Crying Girl disappears before they can collect it.
Kennedy and Aiden soon discover that the painting hasn’t been randomly whisked out of their reach. Someone used it to lure them in, and now that they’ve snatched the bait, they’ve been snared in a trap. Either the thief gets what they want…or the four paintings are going to find their way back into the world, and Kennedy and Aiden will be responsible for the deadly chaos the cursed portraits wreak.
The Cursed Luck series is urban fantasy but the feel is a bit like cozy paranormal mystery. In High Jinx, there is a mystery. The three sisters are sort of like witches with magic, and Kennedy has a cat and her own antique shop. There are also quirky paranormals from mythology, actually gods and demi-gods.
Kennedy and Aidan learn much, very much more about each other. As they are becoming closer, each opens up about their personal issues, family history and other idiosyncrasies one wouldn’t want to share with everyone. Aidan starts out trying to hide, but ends up confessing his problems. I loved how Kennedy behaved in saying he didn’t have to tell her things, but the way he cut off communication at one point wasn’t ok. She also took the chance to be vulnerable with him, as he was with her.
I was happy to see them work together to solve problems. Because there are some big problems and the immortals are in the thick of it. It’s a thrilling adventure and they are in real danger at some points.
I really recommend this series. It’s different and fun. The magic and paranormals are not quite typical. The characters are adult, smart, using strategy and care as they pursue their investigations. There is a bit more focus on romance than some urban fantasy as well.
Narration:
Carly Robins narrated the first in the series. Her tone was a bit higher and sharper than average which seems usual in the snarky, cozy world. I was well settled into her performance with this second book. I listened at comfortably 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Goddess of Summer Love by Kelley Armstrong Narrator: Emily Durante
Series: Cursed Luck #1.5
Published by Tantor Audio on January 18, 2022
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: part of the High Jinx audiobook
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
It’s Memorial Day weekend in Unstable, the paranormal tourist town the curse-weaving Bennett sisters call home. Kennedy has invited luck-worker Aiden Connolly and his younger brother, Rian. She’s also invited Venus, an immortal once worshipped as the goddess of love.
Venus earned her reputation honestly. There’s nothing she likes more than matchmaking, and the three Bennett sisters are ripe for her particular skills.
I couldn’t remember anything narrated by Emily Durante so I went back to the High Jinx audiobook and found an additional short story at the end. The Goddess of Summer Love happens between the Cursed Luck and High Jinx, so it was a bit weird having it after High Jinx. It would have fit better at the end of Cursed Luck (probably not written yet) or at the beginning of High Jinx.
Still, I enjoyed getting a point of view other than Kennedy. Vanessa was the main character and we got her point of view. She is part of the immortal pair who Kennedy and Aidan met in Cursed Luck. Vanessa has her own ideas for matchmaking with the Bennett sisters. I was very happy to get this additional story about the world and characters.
Narration:
The narration was by Emily Durante and I believe she did very well with the voice of Vanessa as it was primarily her stream of thought here. Her voice seemed completely appropriate for the character. I listened comfortably at 1.5x speed.
About Carly Robins
Carly Robins is an actress and voice-over artist. She can be heard on commercials, video games, and promos. Carly comes to narration with a passion for performance along with the capability to span several genres, from romance to children’s literature and thrillers.
About Emily Durante
Emily Durante has been acting since the age of seven, performing in a number of stage plays professionally, in the community, and at the college level. Other performance credits include commercial and industrial voice work, educational live theater, and singing telegrams. She has been narrating audiobooks for over ten years. Her titles include the Midnight Twins trilogy by Jacquelyn Mitchard, Casting Off by Nicole R. Dickson, Impossible and Locked Inside both by Nancy Werlin, and Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas. She has also directed audiobooks, including the Earphones Award-winning performance of Heaven’s Keep narrated by Buck Schirner. Emily resides in the Philadelphia area with her husband and two children.
About Kelley Armstrong
Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could
write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a
story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls
and evil dolls, much to her teachers’ dismay. Today, she continues to
spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked
away in her basement writing dungeon. She lives in southwestern
Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
As a fan of both UF and cozies I’ll have to give this a try. Thanks for the review.
I’m loving this series as it is a bit different from other things I’ve been reading.
High Jinx sounds amazing! I need to start this series, I’m glad it’s only up to book two😁
I’m a big fan of Kelley Armstrong. This has a fairly good romance plot but there is plenty of action and mystery plot as well.
High Jinx does sound like a lot of fun. 😀
Yes it was fun. In addition to having all the things to make it interesting like romance, mystery, action, well written characters, it was also just fun.
looks like some winners.
I’ve enjoyed these even more than I expected.
I read the first book and didn’t realize the newer had come out. I thought it was an original paranormal premise as well. I’ll have to check both the novella and newest release out soon. Glad to see you enjoyed them so much!
I’m a fan of Kelley Armstrong. This one came out Jan 18th so you might be able to get it at the library already.
This is a series that I definitely want to read. It sounds like audio might be the way to go!
I enjoyed the audio and recommend it.
I used to love the Kelley Armstrong YA books I read, and these newer ones, even if not YA, do sound good! Thanks for sharing these reviews!
I really like this series. It’s like cozy PNR mystery UF. I’d say it’s new adult and very unique. Kennedy is a very likeable character.