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 marked to check this week for Suddenly You.
I listened to Scream For Me this past weekend on a road trip and I liked the story BUT I can’t stand the narrator’s attempts at men’s voices. I think she’s horrible. Poor Luke sounds like his undies are too tight. I thought only Daniel’s voice was somewhat masculine. I started Kill For Me thinking (hoping) that she would give the hero (Luke) the masculine voice for his book but he still has that awful high pitched voice. I like my men to sound masculine! I’m not sure I can listen to it now.
Gamatst: I am going to buy Angel’s Blood today. I have already read both books and now I’ll listen. I hope they release Archangel’s Kiss soon. As to Lover Mine…I have been so excited about John Mathews story and Ward did a wonderful job with it – in my opinion. I hate to give a spoiler about how soon Xhex is rescued because others might not want to know but it’s not too long into the book. There weren’t really any parts that I thought were too bad to listen to. My dismay was where Qhinn’s story line and Blay’s storyline is going. Reminds me a bit of Brockmann – although I love her Troubleshooter series. I agree with everyone else about Phury’s story but I did like the other character’s story lines in Lover Avenged. I relistend to Lover Awakened recently on a trip with my daughter and the ending always makes me cry. My daughter (18) was so intrigued that she is currently reading the books. Can’t get her hooked on audio yet.
Have a meeting – got to run! More later.
I have unsuccessfully attempted to post for several days now with no luck. After pounding my head against the computer, I finally figured out that the link within the post was keeping me from posting. I had asked Kaetrin to post this for me and she had graciously agreed to do so but I’ve figured it out Kaetrin – thank you!
Gamatst – Good to hear about the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. As I mentioned in the Lover Awakened review, I had attempted to listen to one of the books previously and it just hadn’t worked. Now with my new attitude, I’m planning on enjoying this series all the way through (except Phury’s book – can’t go there again). I was really looking forward to Revhenge’s book, and although I wish his romance had been more center stage, I wasn’t disappointed. I will be keeping up with this series – I just can’t seem to stay away.
The bookmark feature on the iPod Touch, is it only available on that device? I don’t know of any such thing for the iPod nano and I do have the latest of that device. Does anyone know if it is a nano feature?
katyco – Thanks for the explanation on the torture. I do think I could handle it under that scenario and it encourages me to finally listen to Karen Rose books.
Kaetrin – I have listened to Breathing Room and I have mixed feelings on it. When I read the book years ago, I graded it an A. But the audio doesn’t work as well for me. The second time I attempted a listen, I finally gave up – it just wasn’t all that interesting to me. Maybe it was the narrator – maybe it was the storyline. BR is not one of my favorite SEPs and I imagine it is now more in the B range for me. I wrote a review on What I Did for Love in the January 12th column and you may want to take a look at it. I didn’t care for the narration and actually ranted about it a bit.
Anne – I keep putting off starting my abridged audio listening challenge. I can’t quit thinking that I missing so much of what the author intended.
As Kaetrin & Gamatst mentioned, I have a full length review of SEP’s Natural Born Charmer up over at AAR. I’ll be reviewing audiobooks there occasionally – just in a longer format than here.
I just got through WHAT I DID FOR LOVE — minor SEP. There’s lots better. I really liked BREATHING ROOM.
Speaking of abridged — there’s nothing weirder than listening to your own abridged books. You keep going “”wha …?””
@ Lea (or anyone really!) Have you listened to SEP’s Breathing Room (narrated by Kate Fleming) or What I Did For Love (narrated by Julia Gibson)? If so, what did you think of the narration?
@ Gamatst. Thx for pointing out that the one I was looking at was an abridged version. I’ve deleted it from my wishlist so I don’t buy it by accident.
I tried to find the unabridged one but I couldn’t see it anywhere. If I ever do listen to an abridged version of an audiobook, I think it will be one I haven’t read before so I don’t know what I’m missing. I think I’d find it far too annoying to be constantly thinking “”but didn’t she do that before…”” or the like.
Lea – Die for Me is about a killer that uses medievil torture so it had the potential to be really grusome. But since the torture is described by the police, medical examiner and other people trying to solve the crime, I have found it tolerable. I don’t think I could have stood it if it had been from the killer or victim’s POV. It’s a very interesting story with a lot of different angles, so I’m enjoying it.
Fabulous review of the audiobook version of Natural Born Charmer, it is definitely not to be missed on audio. Anna Fields was dead on perfect with all the characters, as usual. Your review should get several more people into audiobooks, at least into audiobooks narrated by Anna Fields, that’s for sure.
Finished Lover Eternal last night and can say, despite the few instances where I couldn’t tell if it was Rhage or Mary talking (grrr!) that it too was a hit. Had tears springing to my eyes more than once, but that was Ward’s writing, not the narration. :) I really enjoyed Frangione’s take on Zadist towards the end of the book so I’ll be moving on to Lover Awakened soon.
I listen to favorite audiobooks on my iPod Touch with the app called “”Bookmark””. Which is fabulous as it lets you set a book mark (with notes) as many times as you’d like in any audio book. Thus I can go to favorite re-listen parts quickly and easily. It’s awesome! I can hear Rhage’s “”I’ll love you enough for the both of us”” anytime I want now. :0)
I agree Lea, poor Phury really got ripped off, he was such a great guy and Ward did her best to ruin him in his book, so sad. I did like the next book with Revhenge though, so I’ll be reading Lover Mine.
@Nina, in regards to Lover Mine can you tell me how far into the book it is before Xhex is rescued and how detailed the “”bad”” parts are. I’m a total wimp and need to be prepared!
And Thank You so much for the heads up about Nalini Singh’s Angel’s Blood coming out on audio next week. I LOVED that book. I just read it recently and it’s the only book I have ever read in one day and then completely reread the very next day. I’m holding off on Archangels Kiss because I know it will completely take over my life and I don’t have time for that right now. :)
Kaetrin my version of Now You See Her is the unabridged version and it is narrated by someone different so I can’t help you out about Talia Balsam.
@ Lea. I just read your review of Natural Born Charmer. I read the book and liked Blue immediately and all the way through IIRC. I’m looking forward to getting this one in my next buying spree.
Has anyone listened to Linda Howard’s Now You See Her?
(I’ve read it but am unsure about the narrator).
I just listened to FROSTBITTEN by Kelley Armstrong and loved it! I’m not usually big on werewolves, but I loved the first in the series and found the second a little tiresome. But this was on sale and it was fabulous. I’m not going to have to go and check out some of the other Elena and Clay books in the series.
Otherwise I’ve been on an SEP binge, alternating with Georgette Heyer and Linda Howard. I’m really looking forward to the Lisa Kleypas — I’ve loved most of the audio books, particularly MINE TILL MIDNIGHT (one of my top five).
Over at AAR, my full length audiobook review of Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ Natural Born Charmer is up.
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookReview.pl?BookReviewId=7845
Nina – Dreaming of You is scheduled for release later this year! Suddenly You is one of my favorite audiobooks – #3 in the favorites column earlier this year.
Gamatst – I think when I have an extra Audible credit one of these days, I’m going to start the Black Dagger Brotherhood series from the beginning. I don’t know if I’ll go beyond book 5 – just didn’t like Phury’s story.
Kaetrin – Sometime this week, I have a full audiobook review of Natural Born Charmer going up at AAR with their regular reviews. I’ve decided to occasionally write full reviews of audiobooks.
Okay. I’ve just downloaded Nobody’s Baby But Mine and Dream and Little Dream. I’ll probably get Natural Born Charmer next month at Audible with my credit.
Has anyone listened to Now You See Her by Linda Howard? It’s narrated by Talia Balsam and the excerpt sounded okay but it was very short and I didn’t get a sense of how she does the man’s voice? I have read the book so I know I love the story. But, what about the narration? Hit or miss?
Thx for the recommendations ladies.
I started Welcome to Temptation earlier today and I’m already chuckling. Crusie has a way with words and the narrator “”gets”” the humour exactly.
Another oldie that is (finally) being released on audio (CD) this month is Lisa Kleypas’ Suddenly You (from Recorded Books but I hope Audible will carry it). I wish more of her older books like Dreaming of You, Lady Sophia’s Lover etc. were available.
I just finished listening to Lover Mine over the weekend and really liked (most) of it. Lover Eternal, Lover Revealed and Lover Awakened are my favorites and I recently relistened to the entire series.
Kaetrin: Welcome To Temptation is really good and quite funny. I agree with Lea’s suggestions for Howard but I would also add To Die For (although Fran Liebow’s narration is awful) but the sequel Drop Dead Gorgeous is performed much better by Joyce Bean.
A new release in May is Nalini Singh’s new series Angel’s Blood. I read it but wouldn’t mind listening to it too.
Also coming out June 1 is Bullet by Laurell K Hamilton. This is a series I really have enjoyed listening to. I have finally have her complete library on my iTunes (except Narcisus in Chains which is only available in Abridged – what’s up with that?). It has been a long time since I read her series but now that they are all available on CD/Audible I am listening to them all.
I’m looking forward to the new Gena Showalter, The Darkest Passion, as well which comes out this month.
I am currently listening to Scream For Me although I didn’t read or listen to the first in the series. I haven’t found it too grissly yet although I’m only half way through it.
I also started listening to some of Sabrina Jeffries and they have been fun. Never Seduce A Scoundrel is out and this month Only a Duke Will Do comes out, and The Truth About Lord Stoneville.
Lastly, I wish early Julia Quinn was available – the early ones in the Bridgerton series. I keep making suggestions to Audible but I’m not sure they ever really listen..
Happy 1 year anniversary Lea! It’s been a very enjoyable first year for this audiobook addict.
So glad to hear that Bernadette Dunne with Bujold’s The Sharing Knife was a success for you too.
My list for May books is short, Dead in the Family, which is up for this weekend. And After The Night. I’m counting on Natalie Ross pulling Gray off properly. Just the bathroom scene in the courthouse will be worth the price of admission! :)
I’ve most recently enjoyed Shakespere’s Landlord by Harris and Dark Curse by Feehan. Even with good narration I have to fast forward Feehan’s overwrought details at times.
I finished my first challenge book with Dark Lover. I can say that with nearly a years distance since reading the book myself I was able to enjoy the narration this time. I don’t “”feel”” any where near the heat or intensity that reading the book brought me. And I hate that I can’t tell if it’s Beth or Wrath talking in several instances, but overall a success. Enough so that I’ve started Lover Revealed.
I’ve decided to add sci fi to my challenge list with Lois McMaster Bujold’s Shards of Honor followed by Barrayar. A romance mixed in with space ships and a hero from another planet?? We’ll see…
Shebbie – I’m listening to Dark Possession right now and, although it all sounds pretty dramatic so far, the dual narration of Phil Gigante and Jane Brown is excellent. I read the first four in print and now I know to stay away from the audios! I may have considered listening to Dark Prince before your comment so thank you.
Kathy – My husband has listened to Envy & had good things to say about it. I’ll probably listen in another month or two. Glad to hear you enjoyed it as well (along with Diana).
katyco – I’ve been wanting to try a Karen Rose audio but when I read the reviews, I’m wary of the violence. Is it detailed? Descriptions of fighting and blood and wounds really get to me.
Kaetrin – Just finished the second in the Sharing Knife series and enjoyed it every bit as much even if the romance is slightly less. Will eventually purchase 3 & 4.
The pronunciation of Calebow was a surprise to me as well. It Had to Be You is one of my all time favorite audiobooks. Other SEP – Match Me If You Can – excellent! Dream a Little Dream – a precious little boy & you will probably cry at some point – very, very good. Nobody’s Baby but Mine – hilarious and excellent. I could go on and on but those are probably my top three…maybe. Natural Born Charmer, This Heart of Mine, Kiss and Angel are a few more.
Howard – Death Angel, Kill and Tell, Cry No More, Dream Man, McKenzie’s Mission, Son of the Morning – for a start
@ Lea – I think that Book 1 has more focus on the romance than the other 3 books in the Sharing Knife series, but they are a very good listen and I was so impressed by Bernadette Dunne. I’m glad you like it so far!
I’ve taken the advice from Lea and other posters and jumped into SEP’s books narrated by Anna Fields. I’ve read them all before in paper form but I thought I’d give the audio versions a try. I’ve just about finished listening to Heaven, Texas and before that I listened to It Had to Be You. They’re so funny! My hubby just raises his eyebrows as I chuckle while cooking dinner. (Plus for some reason, I’ve had this irresistible urge to speak with a Texas twang – not a great idea for an Australian!!).
The only thing about It Had to Be You was that I always thought Dan’s name was Cal-eh-bowe (like calendar) but in the audiobook it was pronounced Cayle-bowe. Was it just me?
I’ve got Welcome to Temptation on my iPod for when Heaven, Texas is done and then I’m thinking I should get into some Linda Howard or some more SEP’s. Any recommendations anyone as the best one to listen to next?
I’m looking forward to Death in the Family by Charlaine Harris (on sale for $9.95 for Audible members). This is the only paranormal series I have ever liked. I’m going to try Blood Born by Linda Howard this weekend.
I’ve been on a romantic suspense kick lately and the latest additions to my library are Die for Me, Scream for Me and Kill for Me by Karen Rose. So far I’m enjoying the first one although it’s a little more violent than I’m used to. The narrator, Tavia Gilbert, is doing a very good job with all the different characters.
Also just finished the four “”Truth”” books by Mariah Stewart. They are suspense with hardly any romance, but the stories are very interesting. It doesn’t hurt that they are narrated by Anna Fields.
I’m almost finished with “”Envy”” by Sandra Brown narrated by Victor Slezak. I’m loving it! Great story and really good narration.
I have been waiting for “”After the Night”” on Audio for a while. I’ve heard good things about this book and decided to wait for the Audio version. I am also looking forward to “”Dangerous”” and “”Single White Vampire””. I have never read Lynsay Sands and thought I would start with this one, even though it is a part of a series. I think I have already expressed my opinion about Jim Frangione. Listening to him takes some getting used to. I have listened to “”Lover Awakened”” and enjoyed it, but my absolute Fav in the series is “”Lover Eternal””…I have listened to it so much it is starting to sound “”tinny””…
As for Christine Feehan “”Dark Posession””, I did not think the Male/Female voice combo would work when I first listened to it, but it worked for me. I’m glad you decided to try it. Not sure if you “”listened”” to the first four books in this series as I have, but the narrator (Juanita Parker) was absolutely awful…misread words, papers rattling…it so bad that it is funny!
Also, I believe “” The Darkest Passion”” (Gena Showalter) and “”Infinity”” (Sherrilyn Kenyon) will be released in audio on 5/25. From what I’ve read, “”Infinity”” may be YA and not everyone’s cuppa.