About the Book

Book: The Nutcracker’s Suite Audiobook

Author: Chautona Havig

Narrator: Christa DelSorbo

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Release date: November, 2022

“Time to dance, sugarplum.”

A painter at the Meyer’s Toys factory, Clarice Stahl, knows something is strange about the way so many men come and go through Mr. Meyer’s office, especially one in particular.

Then murder strikes a little too close to home and uncorks a barrel of secrets.

When mob king, Mario Topo’s, enforcer goes missing the race is on to prove he’s behind the murder. Police and mobsters alike are after Milo Natale, and he who finds Milo first might determine the enforcer’s fate.

A race through the city, a new friend… or more… a new life in the offing. Milo and Clarice must find who killed Topo’s man and why before the police arrest him for murder or Topo’s men bump him and Clarice off, too.

This next book in the Ever After Mysteries combines “The Nutcracker Suite” with a murder mystery set in the heart of 1920s Rockland.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Using story to connect readers with the Master Storyteller.

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours, and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

About the Narrator

Speaking Life into Story

Queen of the one-eyebrow quirk, Christa DelSorbo auditioned for the role of Tarzan’s mom and has the photos to prove she ended up as the only cast member in a literal cast. These days, they keep her stuck in a box with a ball on a stick and only feed her when she reads another chapter of another fabulous book. She loves every minute. Or so they tell her. *eyebrow slowly raises *

More from Christa

MY REVIEW

I reviewed this book in November 2021 and loved it. Now I get to fall in love with it all over again as Christa narrates it. I love listening to how her voice transition from one character to another. She brings them to life and enhances the story to a level of excitement.

Each book in this series is based on a fairytale. I have these stories to be exciting, creative and intriguing. I couldn’t wait to go back to the 1920s and see how the author incorporates a fairytale into a story filled with the mob, illegal alcohol, dolls and a mystery that is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Clarice has a very unusual job of painting faces on nutcrackers. What a unique trade to have and it seems that her boss is impressed with her work. I began to wonder why she was suddenly working on a special project. Having the job of painting fifteen thousand dolls by hand was crazy. How is she suppose to do that all by herself? Sonething is strange here and the author had me hooked on the story.

When a murder occurs Clarice is helped by Milo to get away from the danger. Just what has she gotten herself into? With men coming and going from the place she works at, she knew something was wrong. Can she trust Milo? Milo seems like a scary guy and is determined to keep Clarice from going to the police. Now who can Clarice trust? I loved how the police turn up at the factory to question Clarice. Her voice is shaky as she tried to compose herself. Can you imagine being surrounded by detectives firing questions at you? The guilt of what she knows is causing her to be physically ill.

Just as I’m settling down into the story, the author throws a curve ball. Oh my I didn’t see this turn of events coming. Now Clarice is in a dilemma . Her world changed with some unexpected news, but not everyone is happy for her. These dangerous men keep getting closer to harming her and the detectives don’t seem to believe her story.

I was very impressed with how Clarice stood up to Mr. Topo. He doesn’t like how Clarice is turning down the completion of his order and there looks like trouble is heading her way. She is in way over her head but she continues to stand up for what is right. I liked how the author incorporated faith in the story and used several people from the Bible to represent how God loves us unconditionally. The ending is written with intensity as Clarice puts her life in danger to help solve the murder.

I will say that Milo is my favorite character because he is a good example of a man who has done many things that were against the law. He thinks that he can’t be saved but when God is shared with him, he begins to realize that he has been forgiven for his sins. I loved how protective he is with Clarice and always puts her safety first. The mystery is solved with the help of several people. I was surprised who the guilty person was and how quickly others tried to distance themselves from this person.

The ending is filled with bullets flying , deceit and corruption revealed and a person who finds redemption. I loved how realistic the story is and how creative the author is in combining faith with flawed characters and watch them make a choice to change their life forever,

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.