This week marks one year for our Speaking of Audiobooks column. Our discussions seem to get better with each passing month as we hear comments from new listeners and come to know the tastes of some of our regular sharers. Thanks for making this first year a success. Now for our second year!
2010 Personal Listening Challenge
In our last column I announced my very unofficial personal listening challenge for the remainder of 2010. The challenge? Listen to six audiobooks outside of my usual comfort zone within the romance genre (or closely tied to romance).
My original six challenge choices evolved somewhat throughout the column’s discussion as I learned from our listeners that not all of my chosen audiobooks fit within their stated category. After supplementing and moving my selections around, I chose my first challenge category, Fantasy Romance, and took the advice of listeners yet again and decided on The Sharing Knife, Volume 1: Beguilement. There has been a good deal of praise for this series in our past discussions and I had high hopes. And it certainly was a success! Narrator Bernadette Dunne weaves this tale of magic in such a manner that I became totally immersed in the world of Dag and Fawn and lakewalkers and farmers. The narration added significantly to my overall enjoyment and I’m convinced this is one series wherein audio beats out print. Not only did Ms Dunne’s performance touch me but the content (a large aspect of my challenge) was fascinating as well. I’m certain this will become a comfort listen.
I do have one tiny complaint about Beguilement however, and that is my immediate need for Volume 2 and then I’m sure 3 and 4. The ending belongs, without doubt, in the “To Be Continued” category. But as I looked back on our past discussions I realized that Iris had indeed informed us that the four books are just one long story. And, at this point, that’s delightful news from my perspective since I want more of Dag and Fawn but for those who think this is a one book listen, I do think you will want more.
Now onward towards my next challenge – the world of abridged audiobooks. I’ve chosen Sylvester by Georgette Heyer just to hear Richard Armitage’s narration.
Leftovers from April
Here are just a few of those surprise audiobooks that failed to make last month’s New Releases column. You’ll also find an updated April list of audiobook releases over at AAR.
Garwood, Julie – The Wedding (abridged) Narrated by Alison Fraser
MacAlister, Katie – Up in Smoke Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat
Miller, Linda Lael – McKettricks of Texas: Tate Narrated by Jack Garrett
Sands, Lynsay – Devil of the Highlands Narrated by Marianna Palk
Showalter, Gena – Twice as Hot Narrated by Jessica Almasy
Audiobook Romances on Sale in May
Beginning this month, these lists will include the narrator.
Abridged
Delinsky, Barbara – Twilight Whispers Narrated by Kathy Garver
Garwood, Julie – Slow Burn Narrated by Laural Merlington
Howard, Linda – After the Night Narrated by Natalie Ross
Kleypas, Lisa – Married by Morning Narrated by Rosalyn Landor
Lowell, Elizabeth – Elizabeth Lowell CD Collection 4: Untamed, Forbidden, Enchanted Various Narrators
Robards, Karen – The Pursuit Narrated by Michael Page
Roberts, Nora – Black Rose Narrated by Susie Breck
Woods, Sherryl – Honeysuckle Summer Narrated by Mary Robinette Kowal
Unabridged
Dodd, Christina – Trouble in High Heels Narrated by Amanda Ronconi
Evanovich, Janet – Hero at Large Narrated by C.J. Critt
Howard, Linda – After the Night Narrated by Natalie Ross
Jeffries, Sabrina – Only a Duke Will Do Narrated by Justine Eyre
Kleypas, Lisa – Married by Morning Narrated by Rosalyn Landor
Macomber, Debbie – Orchard Valley Grooms: Valerie, Stephanie Narrated by Tanya Eby
Macomber, Debbie – Stephanie: A Selection from the Orchard Valley Grooms Narrated by Tanya Eby
Macomber, Debbie – Valerie: A Selection from the Orchard Valley Grooms Narrated by Tanya Eby
Palmer, Diana – Dangerous Narrated by Phil Gigante
Roberts, Nora – Captivated Narrated by Therese Plummer
Roberts, Nora – Her Mother’s Keeper Narrated by Therese Plummer
Sands, Lynsay – Single White Vampire Narrated by Jeffrey Cummings
Woods, Sherryl – Honeysuckle Summer Narrated by Mary Robinette Kowal
Recent Additions to my Audio Library
The Sharing Knife Volume 2: Legacy – Lois McMaster Bujold
Narrated by Bernadette Dunne
After finishing the first in this series, I just had to immediately purchase the second volume.
Dark Possession – Christine Feehan
Narrated by Phil Gigante & Jane Brown
I read the first four in Feehan’s Dark series years ago and didn’t care to continue due to the level of violence and similarity of storylines. But having a sense of the series, I’ve been contemplating buying another. When I heard from one of our listeners that Phil Gigante shares the narration of Dark Possession, I knew it was time to dip my toe back into the Dark series pool.
Dead Until Dark – Charlaine Harris
Narrated by Johanna Parker
As my Series challenge, I expect this one to be a hit. Too many people talk about the greatness of this series. I so hope I agree!
Darkfever – Karen Marie Moning
Narrated by Joyce Bean
Purchased to fill my Fantasy Romance challenge category, I learned from our listeners that this one fits better into Urban Fantasy. So, there’s a new purpose (and challenge category) for Darkfever and I hope to catch other’s excitement over this series.
Recent Reads
Lover Awakened – JR Ward
Narrated by Jim Frangione
Although I’m generally not a fan of vampire romance, I’ve now read (or listened to) Lover Awakened five times (a personal record). Declaring that it is a romance favorite seems to be such an understatement. I was certainly entranced by the romance between the impossibly tough Zsadist and kind hearted Bella and I was more than immersed in Zsadist’s past and personal growth. But I was bowled over by the relationship between Zsadist and his twin Phury. In saying all of that, it should come as no surprise that I was willing to accept a less than stellar audiobook narration just to experience it all over again. However, I was quite hesitant to tackle the audio version after unsuccessfully attempting an earlier Black Dagger Brotherhood entry with the same narrator. The problem? Jim Frangione reads rather than performs and I thought I needed more than a mere reading. I must emphatically state that I was wrong. After all, how do you perform seven male voices distinctly in one scene? In the end, this was an audio hit for me and one I am sure I’ll return to even if I have to hit the fast forward button during those lesser torture scenes. One word of caution however – I remain convinced that listening to the Black Dagger Brotherhood series should be reserved for those who have already read the books. The print version’s glossary of terms is invaluable to understanding this series.
Lawman – Diana Palmer
Narrated by Todd McLaren
My first Diana Palmer book, I could write a full length review detailing the plethora of overused romance plotlines packaged in just one book. I guess I could then detail all of those eye rolling moments as well, especially those brought on by the heroine’s actions. Narrator Todd McLaren is perfect for a hero’s voice but his attempt to perform the heroine’s voice at a falsified higher range grates on the ear. Production quality was questionable with some snapping and popping in the background. But here’s the amazing thing: Despite all of my criticism, I still enjoyed large portions of the narrative and, at times, looked forward to resuming my listening session. But, if I imagine myself tackling the print version? “Did not finish” stack for sure.
Devil’s Bride – Stephanie Laurens
Narrated by Simon Prebble
Devil’s Bride was one my first romance listening experiences seven years ago when the selection of romance audiobooks was still somewhat limited. I recall relishing this popular 1998 European historical and it was a bit nostalgic listening to it again just last month. It reminded me of those heady days following my discovery of romance. Simon Prebble depicts Devil Cynster with a deep rumbling voice that, while seeming older than his thirtyish age, still held an undeniable sexiness. Both the hero and heroine do an immense amount of brow-raising (it must be in the dozens) and at one point I did want to start counting. Overall I thought the narration was quite fine until I was made to endure yet another very long sensual scene. I generally have no problem listening to such descriptions but the narrator over-performs as he shouts one sensual phrase after another and I found myself concentrating on the delivery rather than the content. Overall it’s an enjoyable ride with a definite 1990s romance feel but one I doubt I’ll visit again.
Time for Your Thoughts
What new releases are you looking forward to?
Do you know of any May releases that failed to make this list?
What are the latest additions to your audio library?
And, as always, what are your latest audio successes or failures?
Ending Notes
Please check AAR’s main site for monthly lists of upcoming audiobook releases.
For those new to our Speaking of Audiobooks column, be sure to check out our audio archives for further recommendations and discussions.
See you again later this month.
– Lea Hensley
LOL! Not exactly an unqualified recommendation!
I’m going to have to get one of the Natalie Ross Howard’s from the library and try it. I haven’t liked the excepts on Audible. Apparently, I’m even pickier about narrators than even I thought.
I would love to listen to Shards of Honor and Barrayar, but Grover Gardner does straight readings which my brain has trouble absorbing.
I listened to my first romance audio book this month, Flash by Jayne Ann Krentz, and enjoyed it. The sex scenes were mild so I had only a few very minor twitches. :D Next up is Now You See Her.
Nina – I agree with you on the narrator’s male voices in Scream for Me. She did much better on Die for Me. I haven’t started Kill for Me yet, but I was also hoping Luke’s voice would be different. I might need a break from this series anyway as the subject matter is so heavy. I’m sure I’ll come back to Kill for Me later.
As for Breathing Room. I loved it! I loved Lorenzo Gage.
I can’t wait for Devil In Winter, one of my all time favorite historicals.
Good to know that Kate Fleming is actually Anna Fields. Thx for that.
As for Breathing Room, well that was my very first SEP and after that, I totally went the glom. I remember liking it very much (I totally loved Lorenzo Gage) and I have been meaning to read it again, so I will put it on my audio wishlist.
Maybe I’ll try the paper version for What I Did For Love though.
Nina if you have an iPod Touch you can go to the App store in iTunes and get the “”Bookmark”” application for it. I think it costs $1.99, it’s more than worth it.
One of the parts of SEP’s Breathing Room that stands out in my mind is the Hero coaxing the little girl (that was afraid of bugs/spiders?) out of her dark hiding place and then talking with her to make her feel better. That scene melted my heart. :)
Devil In Winter on audio?? YES!
Nina – meant to add…yes, that is THE Anne Stuart.
Nina – I found it on Amazon. Although I found it under Coming Soon for romance audiobooks, you can find her books in this manner. In their expanded book search, complete author’s name, choose audio books, and choose publication date. I just checked and found some other great Kleypas info!
Dreaming of you – December, 2010
but also
Then Came You – December, 2010! (my favorite)
and then…
Somewhere I’ll Find You – February, 2011
and
Because You’re Mine – February, 2011
And another one of my favorties, Devil in Winter, September 2010
Oops! I meant the other story lines in Lover Enshrined (Phury’s)not Lover Avenged – sorry. In fact one of my favorite scenes in Enshrined is when Qhuinn has to go to Wrath’s office and Wrath decides to make him the ahstrux nohtrum (sp). I got teary at that one, too.
Is the Anne Stuart writing on this page THE Anne Stuart? If so, I love your Ice series. I have them all on audio. It was great to listen to Black Ice recently. I had read it years ago and it was such a treat to listen to it!
Lea: Where did you see/hear about Dreaming of You? I also have the newest iPod but I don’t think that you can bookmark with it. I have an iTouch as well and I don’t think you can bookmark on that either.
Gamatst – Breathing Room – now I know it wasn’t the narrator that bothered me! You can tell it’s been a long time since that second attempt. Anytime I think of BR, the hero’s goofy disguises fill my mind. Maybe I’ll try a third time one of these days.
Nina thanks so much for the info on Lover Mine. I’ll be reading it before listening so I can skip around any parts that may get to me. :)
I listened to Angel’s Blood over the weekend and I loved it! Justine Eyre does a really excellent job IMHO. Her interpretation of each character’s personality and tone was perfect to my ears.
The narrator is a fast paced reader and it took me a bit to adjust to the speed of the narration. It helped that I could turn my audiobook setting on the iPod to “”slower””. It’s the first time I have ever used that setting. But after that I loved every minute of Angels Blood. Archangels Kiss comes out on audio at the end of June according to Amazon, yea!
Lea, unfortunately the “”Bookmark”” application only works on the iPod Touch. Manual bookmarking, enabling you to return to certain or favorite parts of audiobooks quickly would be the perfect tool to have on all iPods … maybe someday??
Kaetrin, Kate Fleming and Anna Fields are one and the same narrator. I don’t know why she used two different names at times. Although Breathing Room is out there on the “”too coincidental”” aspect along with a couple of other aspects, I enjoyed listening to the audio version. Is Breathing Room on par with most of SEP’s other books? No! A fun, suspend belief, listen by a great narrator? For me, yes.
Lea: Thanks for the ‘heads-up”” with Dreaming of You – I’m SO excited! I love the old Kleypas books! I have my calendar m