Carrots

Shelby Nichols Adventures, Book 1

By: Colleen Helme

Narrated by: Wendy Tremont King

Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

A mind-reader, a mob-boss, and a hit-man. What could go wrong? More fun than you can imagine!

"One of the best and rarest gems of the indie book market." (Matthew LeDrew)

Stopping at the grocery store for carrots shouldn't be dangerous, but for Shelby Nichols, it changes her life forever. During a bank robbery, she is caught in the cross-fire and grazed by a bullet to the head, leaving her with the ability to read minds.

Not only is she hearing what everyone thinks about her, but the gunman who shot her is out to silence her forever. In her fight to stay alive she is saved from certain death by a handsome hit-man with ties to organized crime.

This pulls Shelby even deeper into danger, where knowing someone's thoughts can not only hurt her feelings, but get her killed.

USA Today and Wall Street Journal best-selling author Colleen Helme offers a clever mix of mystery, laugh-out-loud humor, and pause-resisting adventure in the highly acclaimed Shelby Nichols Adventure Series.

©2011 Colleen Helme (P)2013 Colleen Helme

Fantastic story and flawless audio! Get it!

I first bought Carrots for Kindle in 2011 on a whim. Naturally when I got the chance to listen to it as an Audible book I couldn't wait to listen to it.

As a Regional Officer with the British Diplomatic Corps, I travel bi-weekly, usually to a foreign country and usually it is a long, long long airplane trip. So I really want something that will capture my attention, and really pass the time without FEELING like 9, 10, or 11 hours is going by, steadily sucking the will to live from my body like a black hole.

I decided to start getting audible books since I have devices I can use that will enable me to listen in comfort and pass the time.

I was a little concerned about listening to Carrots, as I had read it, and I have just finished the newest book in the series, Trapped by Revenge, the 5th Shelby Nichols adventure. Boy, was I wrong.

Well, was I? There I am, sitting in my seat, and listening to Wendy King's phenomenal audio production, and now I'm gasping out loud. The first time, I knocked my drink over. Next thing I know, I'm laughing out loud, and Mr. 5E sitting next to me thinks I'm taking a nutty. Nothing daunted, I'm worse than the person at the movie theater who then starts talking to the screen: "No, no, don't go in there!" By this time on my overnight flight Mr. 5E is snoring, but I think the flight attendants began rooting about for their Valium reserves.

Fortunately, I was not incarcerated upon landing, but I just loved listening to the book. Possibly more than reading it! It was fresh, it was so well done and so consistently produced that there was nothing to complain about. I was sucked into the story completely, and 8 plus hours seem to pass in the blink of an eye.

It is hard in a way to separate the content of the book from the audio production. The book was incredibly well written, the story very enjoyable, the characters entirely believable, and the quality of the writing fantastic. Equally, Wendy's voice characterizations were right on the money. She puts just enough intonation and inflection into the recordings that you can tell when it's Shelby, you can tell when it's Uncle Joey, and you can tell when it's Ramos. It is what I think of as understated elegance.

I would recommend this Audible book to anyone. The Shelby Nichols adventures stand in and of their own right, but it is far more enjoyable listening to the professional, flawless recording in some ways than reading the book. What it really did was make me want to listen to them all, so I am now eagerly awaiting the release of the next book through Audible.

This is an absolute winner: Do yourself a favor: Get it!

Light, Fun and Entertaing!

I got "Carrots" after listening to book six "Deep in Death" and enjoyed it so much I picked the first book to start the series from the beginning.

Carrots was a really good story but after listening to book six in the series, I can confidently say the stories get better so if you are undecided about continuing the series, I think you definitely like the other books in the series (at least book six which hints of events from earlier stories.)

Carrots does set the foundation for future stories and the characters are developed throughout the series.

While PNR are my favorite types of stories, I love to break and listen to stories like Carrots that are light, fun and highly entertaining.

Good story - bland narration

Story would have been so much more interesting if the narrator had not used such a toneless voice throughout.

Stuff hapens, and when it does make lemonade...

This book is not action packed, nor is it a smothering romance... It follows the actions of Shelby, after life dropped kicked her leaving her a parting gift, the ability not so much to read minds as to intercept thoughts. Now it's time for her to put on her big girls panties, kickass boots and develop moxie. In order not to simply keep her and hers safe, but to come out on top... Wiseguys, criminals, and thiefs (in the broad use of the word) beware, here begins the adventures of Shelby Nichols...

Carrots

I enjoyed the characters and the dialog we well as the story. The writing is smooth and the narrator did a wonderful job. I've listened to the whole series and she improved with each book. An enjoyable way to spend some time.

A murder mystery that's fun

I really enjoyed reading this book a different way to tell a murder story. Unexpected and quick read,

reminds me of Janet Evonavich

Reminds me of Janet Evonavich with a twist. Good story with fun and interesting characters. Looking forward to book 2.

Pleasantly surprised

What made the experience of listening to Carrots the most enjoyable?

Nice change from what I usually read and great narration.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Which scene was your favorite?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

CUTE CHICK BOOK

Definitely not a book for a guy but quite sure women will love it. Interesting plot.

Glad I didn't read the reviews !

I had this in my wish list for a long time and decided to give it a chance when it was on sale for half price. I am glad I purchased it and I am going to give the second book in the series a try. My favorite genre is sci-fi and the summary of this book intrigued me. It was apparent early on in the story that it was more light-hearted than serious, which was a little disappointing to me (and the reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5). Even so I enjoyed the story and it held my interest. I actually didn't want to put it down and finished it in a day. I am glad I didn't read the reviews because I may not have given this book a chance and I would have missed a fun read / listen. I did not have as strong a reaction to the main character as so many other reviewers had, given that the story was light hearted the character made sense. I would recommend this book, especially given Audibles wonderful return policy.