Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Sophia Rose Reviews: The Graveside Bar and Grill by Darynda Jones, narrated by Lorelei King

 

Today Sophia Rose is back reviewing, The Graveside Bar and Grill by Darynda Jones, a novella in the Charlie Davidson series.
Enjoy!



The Graveside Bar and Grill by Darynda Jones, narrated by Lorelei King

#13.7 Charley Davidson

Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Published:  8.23.22

Time:  2 hours 42 minutes

Rating: 4 stars

Format: MP3

Source: Brilliance Audio

Sellers: Amazon


ADD TO: GoodReads

Blurb:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Darynda Jones comes a story in her Charley Davidson series…

When Donovan St. James’ precocious charge asks him—no questions asked—to tail the doctor who keeps their ragtag team patched up, he wants to refuse. Not because the saucy teen is getting too big for her britches, ordering him around like a mob boss, but because the woman stirs feelings in him he would rather not explore. However, when evil threatens the doc’s life, he realizes he has no choice. Sia saved his life once. He will try to return the favor. He just prays he can do it without losing his heart.

Running from the supernatural entity that has destroyed entire worlds to have her, Sia thought she’d found a haven on Earth with a motley team of warriors protecting the girl destined to save humanity. But when Sia’s found, she realizes something on this plane is more scrumptious than her: that very teen. So, she runs—and Donovan St. James follows. Nothing is more alluring than a scruffy biker with a lacerating gaze. And she vows to tell him that…if they survive.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

 

Sophia Rose's Review:

Any excuse to revisit the Charley Davidson series world will having me plugging in my earbuds and settling in for the fun.  Hot, sexy aloof Donovan is now running a bar and doesn’t miss the curves on the doctor who saved his life and looks after Beep, but it isn’t until her mysterious past catches up to her that he is motivated to do something about the attraction and it may be too late.

 

The Graveside Bar and Grill is the third of the 1001 Dark Nights novellas Darynda Jones wrote as standalone stories that cap the end of the Charley Davidson series and will go before the future spinoff coming at a future date.  Another side character gets an adventure and a romance and I think this will appeal most to series fans since the tie-ins to the past are strong.

 

Donovan played a side role in the earlier Charley Davidson books as a bad boy biker who helped her a bit with her cases and now has a part in protecting Beep.  Sia is a new character though she does have a connection to an earlier event near the end of the Charley Davidson series.  Right now, she is Beep and the group’s doctor when needed and has her own secrets.  Her past catches up and that is the catalyst for this adventure she is in with Donovan.

 

The Graveside Bar and Grill had the flirty humor and bantering I enjoy and gave me more time with Charley and the gang.  I liked seeing Donovan getting his story, but this was a shorty.  It was somewhat under-developed and rushed to the point when it came to the character and relationship especially since Sia is all new and Donovan didn’t really have an ongoing story line to build on.  I found the spotlight conflict of what was going on in Sia’s current circumstances was a strength and I did like the pair for a romance, but I needed more to feel the story was complete.

 

Lorelei King was lights out stunning as the familiar series narrator and I love the way she brought characters, story, and writing style to life.

 

All in all, I liked, but wanted more.  That said, I was glad to get this latest glimpse into the series world and can’t wait for more.  Urban Fantasy fans should definitely snatch up the first book and devour this series particularly in audio.

 


Author Bio:

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier, and her books have been translated into 17 languages. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, certain they went away the better for it. She penned the international bestselling Charley Davidson series and is currently working on several beloved projects, most notably the Sunshine Vicram Mystery Series with St. Martin's Press and the Betwixt and Between Series of paranormal women's fiction. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.

https://darynda.com/

 

 


Sophia’s Bio:
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
Sophia’s Social Media Links:

4 comments:

  1. I really plan to read this one but have been a bit over committed on reviews.

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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    Replies
    1. I know the feeling. August was definitely one for tons of new releases I wanted to read/listen to.

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  2. Glad you enjoyed the audio as well. I think the consensus was that we all wanted more...lol

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    1. I love Lorelei King's audio work. LOL yes, I'm definitely in that camp who wanted this to be longer or even novel-length. :)

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