The Madness Of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Audibook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Jennifer Ashley

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Published by: Tantor Audio 03/2012

HOT

Highland Pleasures # 1

9hrs and 55 mins

Sample

The year is 1881. Meet the Mackenzie family--rich, powerful, dangerous, eccentric. A lady couldn't be seen with them without ruin. Rumors surround them--of tragic violence, of their mistresses, of their dark appetites, of scandals that set England and Scotland abuzz.

The youngest brother, Ian, known as the Mad Mackenzie, spent most of his young life in an asylum, and everyone agrees he is decidedly odd. He's also hard and handsome and has a penchant for Ming pottery and beautiful women.

Beth Ackerley, widow, has recently come into a fortune. She has decided that she wants no more drama in her life. She was raised in drama--an alcoholic father who drove them into the workhouse, a frail mother she had to nurse until her death, a fussy old lady she became constant companion to. No, she wants to take her money and find peace, to travel, to learn art, to sit back and fondly remember her brief but happy marriage to her late husband.

And then Ian Mackenzie decides he wants her.

My Thoughts

March 27, 2012 was for me one of the most anticipated book dates of the year, so as the clock ticked towards midnight I couldn’t hold my excitement, I couldn’t wait to finally fill my greedy little ears with Lover Reborn and the awesome narrator Jim Frangione, unfortunately, the audiobook wasn’t available for download until a couple days later, so I was left feeling like I had been stood up on prom night as in one those shitty teen dramas.
With great disappointment, I started looking through the new releases, and what a great surprise (I’ve forgotten all about its release) it was when to found The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie among that Tuesday’s releases, I have to say, it saved the day.
This was one of my favorite reads of 2010
Who knew that being odd could so be hot!
One thing makes this book exciting, fresh and captivating; Lord Ian Mackenzie.
I love, love the way Ms. Ashley took this unconventional hero and turned him into one my most endearing characters, and hopefully one of yours.
Institutionalized since the age of twelve, Ian Mackenzie is brilliant to the point that borderlines madness, but thanks to his brother intervention he was rescued, and  has being living a semi normal life, that is, until Beth Ackerly walks into his life.
Once thing Lord Ian knows, is how to value, and the authenticity of a treasure, and when he meets Beth for the first time, he immediately recognizes her worth, and he’s determined not to let it go to waste with her broke and unappreciative fiancé́. With tunnel vision and uncompromising determination he decides, he will make Beth his wife.
Beth is a nice complement to Ian, and one of the few people that quickly recognized his brilliance, and she undoubtedly helps him bring it to the front.
But things are never easy, are they?
With that, we get a story with so many elements that won't allow you and won’t want to pause for a minute. This novel has it all; mystery, murder, entertaining dialogue, humor, a nicely paced and scorching romance (did I say I love Ian?) not to mention great secondary characters that will have you coming back for more, which btw, I haven’t done yet, but I assure you that I’m highly anticipating the next audio release.
This was a fantastic introduction to the series, and a must listen for all Historical Romance fans.

The Author

Jennifer Ashley

Narration

When I found out that Angela Dawe was going to be narrating this novel, I had to admit I have doubts, no because she’s not a capable narrator, but because I had envision how nicely Susan Ericksen would have brought this novel to life.
But what do I know? It turns out that Angela Dawe was the perfect choice; she beautifully and with commended accuracy brought the characters and the story to life.
Angela’s tone, pace and approach were precisely what the story demanded.
I had no problem at all distinguishing the voices; the only small flaw I found was her Scottish accents, let’s just say I’ve heard better; nevertheless, this was a very good performance.

Voices behind the book

Angela Dawe

Here are some nice reviews

No Rest for the Wicked (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Kesley Cole

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Published by: Simon & Schuster Audio 03/2012

Burning

Immortals After Dark Series # 3

10 Hrs and 55 mins

Sample

A soldier weary of life . . .
Centuries ago, Sebastian Wroth was turned into a vampire – a nightmare in his mind – against his will. Burdened with hatred and alone for ages, he sees little reason to live. Until an exquisite, fey creature comes to kill him, inadvertently saving him instead.

A Valkyrie assassin dispatched to destroy him . . .
When Kaderin the Cold Hearted lost her two beloved sisters to a vampire attack long ago, a benevolent force deadened her sorrow – accidentally extinguishing all of her emotions. Yet whenever she encounters Sebastian, her feelings – particularly lust – emerge multiplied. For the first time, she's unable to complete a kill.

Become competitors in a legendary hunt.
The prize of the month-long contest is powerful enough to change history, and Kaderin will do anything to win it for her sisters. Wanting only to win her, forever, Sebastian competes as well, taking every opportunity – as they travel to ancient tombs and through catacombs, seeking relics around the world – to use her new feelings to seduce her. But when forced to choose between the vampire she's falling for and reuniting her family, how can Kaderin live without either?

My Thoughts

 

This book was originally published in 2006, but with the recent rise in popularity of Audiobooks, the Immortals after Dark series is now being published on audio, and this is the most recent release.

 I’m so glad I got a chance to re-visit one of my favorite books in the series, and the one   that clinched my fondness for IAD.

Have I mentioned how much I love a perfectly timed romance? Yes, I love, love that, because that means we get sexual tension.. And I luuuuve sexual tension, and with the scorching hot chemistry between Sebastian and Kaderin we get plenty of it.

Kaderin the Cold Hearted Valkyrie, finds herself in a vast dilemma; unable to feel any emotions for the past thousand years, now has to contend with her attraction to the very vampire she’s intending  to kill, plus the fact that she can’t forget  that a dead leach like  Sebastian Roth was responsible for the horrible death of her two sisters.

On the other hand, Sebastian is tired of being something that he never chose to be, and when Kaderin comes to his castle to deliver the death blow, he welcomes it with open arms, but in that moment, he discovers that Kaderin is his bride and his fate....And that changes everything.

And so... The adventure begins with mind blowing action, and suspense that won't let you pause for a minute.

 Kaderin and Sebastian enter the world competition for supernatural creatures, a brilliant setting for all the action and suspense. They both enter for very different reasons but equally important to them.

For Kaderin, the final prize is a key that can give her the possibility to go back to the past and save her sisters.

For Sebastian is the chance to help her fated bride achieved the victory, and in the process win her heart.

As the competition heats up, so does their romance; and we get one hell of a hot, steamy and perfectly developed romance.

I know a lot fans of the genre have already enjoyed this series, but if you are one of the few that has not, don’t miss out on the opportunity to discover why Kresley Cole is so highly regarded. This is the book where Ms. Cole’s talent begins to shine, with perfectly balanced heroes, heroines that don’t take crap from nobody, and are some of the strongest, funniest and entertaining little bitches in the paranormal realm.

4.25  ·  rating details  ·  10,257 ratings  ·  479 reviews on Goodreads

The Author

Kresley Cole

Narration

Once again Robert Pefkoff takes the novel to a higher level.

 I love the way he reads these books, I know that his female voices could be better, actually, I wish they would have two different narrators, and frankly, I always have a hard time with male narrators and their female voices, but the way Robert brings the story to life with the perfect pace, ambiance and the right amount of drama, in my opinion, makes up for the not so perfect but tolerable female voices.

I’m more likely to forgive and overlook a flawed female voice from a male narrator, than bad male voice from a female narrator, and no, I’m not being sexist, it’s just the nature of the genre, these guys are often described as having the best male attributes (in every sense of the word) and their voices are a big part of the fantasy. It’s as simple as that.

Voices behind the books

Robert Petkoff

Unholy Ghosts (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Stacia Kane

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

Published by: Blackstone Audio 06/2010

Hot

Downside Ghosts series # 1

10 hrs and 56 mins

Sample

THE DEPARTED HAVE ARRIVED.

The world is not the way it was. The dead have risen, and the living are under attack. The powerful Church of Real Truth, in charge since the government fell, has sworn to reimburse citizens being harassed by the deceased. Enter Chess Putnam, a fully tattooed witch and freewheeling ghost hunter. She’s got a real talent for banishing the wicked dead. But Chess is keeping a dark secret: She owes a lot of money to a murderous drug lord named Bump, who wants immediate payback in the form of a dangerous job that involves black magic, human sacrifice, a nefarious demonic creature, and enough wicked energy to wipe out a city of souls. Toss in lust for a rival gang leader and a dangerous attraction to Bump’s ruthless enforcer, and Chess begins to wonder if the rush is really worth it. Hell, yeah.

My Thoughts

First let me just say, I haven’t been this thrilled... For quite a long time.

After listening to the next 2 books in the series, I have reconsidered my take on this novel, and these are my final thoughts.
There’s nothing better than a well written and original- dark Urban Fantasy ride, and Stacia Kane has created just that - even though this is not the best book in the series, it is the introduction  to this enthralling world... darkness is all around, it's neither pretty nor easy… but grab you, it will!
This was my first novel by this author, and wow! I’m so glad I listen to the friend that recommended it, the writing is flawless and the setting captivating.
The characters are unconventional, the lingo is original, the plot is fresh, but most important; she has gone outside the box by creating a heroine that will challenge your reasoning and will demand your emotions; disdain, compassion, anger, sympathy and hopefully, understanding.
One thing though, amidst the darkness, drug use and low-lifers, we get a shining star; the most unusual hero, an anti-hero some call him, yet another departure from the norm when it comes to a leading male character, but I assure you! He will inevitably capture your heart.
Besides the terrific character development and the skillful introduction to Chess's world, we get action, suspense, mystery, and in the small glimpses of Chess’ happiness we also get a hot romance (tortured, but steaming)
Once thing is for sure, the world and the characters will stay with you, and you will be downloading the next novel in this incredibly gripping series, before you are even finished with this one.
I highly recommend it to any fan of UF genre that can approach the ride with an open mind, so just buckle up, and let the Author hurdle you into this emotional spin.
  3.83  ·  rating details  ·  2,907 ratings  ·  598 reviews on Goodreads

The Author

Stacia Kane

Narration 

An excellent performance....Yes, Bahni Turpin didn’t read these novels, she perfectly executed them.
I knew she sounded it familiar, I just couldn’t place her, and then I remember that she was one of the narrators for the book, Help, that was a terrific performance, and once again she absolutely shines with her rendition of this novel.
She expertly brings Chess to life conveying all the complexity of her character. She performs the dialogue in absolutely natural and convincing way.
I would dare to say, this is a much better book on audio than in print, at least for me. I think that my inner voice for Chess wouldn’t have had the vulnerability the Ms. Turpin layered in her character.
All in all, Bahni Turpin is the perfect narrator for this gritty, emotional and absorbing ride.

Voices behind the books

Bahni Turpin

What they thought

Simply Irresistible (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Jill Shalvis

Narrated by: Celeste Ciulla

Published by: Recorded Books 08/2011 

Hot

Lucky Harbor Series # 1

9 hrs and 17 mins

Sample

Maddie Moore's whole life needs a makeover.

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.
Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.
The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

My Thoughts

Once in a while I have to get my head out the paranormal universe, and return to the real world, and  with a special charm of its own, Simply Irresistible was just the ticket.

 What a pleasant surprise!! From the moment, Maddie got  on her way to Washington, I became her front seat passenger, and I never looked back.

For Maddie, this was a journey, one in which she hoped to get closer to her sisters, and turn a new leaf, but a new love affair was the furthest thing from her mind, especially after just having broken up an abusive relationship.

This book was a light listen and yet it had depth; the characters are well developed, the setting is charming, the love story is satisfying, and for the best part, the sensuality (hot) is surprising.

The humor and interactions between the sisters will have you laughing out loud, and they will make you feel as if you are right in the middle of them.

Maddie is a delightful protagonist, and totally relatable, her insecurities are expected, and her sense of humor and wit makes a highly entertaining character.

Jax, is the perfect match for Maddie, an all around likeable guy and a terrific contemporary hero.

All in all, this is an excellent introduction to Ms. Shalvis trilogy, with all the right ingredients to keep you listening and enjoying the story; friendship, love, sisterhood, and of course, a delicious sensuality.

I recommend it to any fan of the Contemporary genre.

  3.98  ·  rating details  ·  2,690 ratings  ·  388 reviews on Goodreads

The Author

Jill Shalvis

Narration

This is my first experience with Celeste Ciulla, and I thought she did a good job bringing the story to life, especially the sister's personality, she clearly conveyed their tone and manner in a very distinguishable way.

Unfortunately,  Jax voice was not the best, sometimes it seemed a little forced and not very natural, but not bad to the point of interfering with the enjoyment.

She did give the book the right tempo to bring the story as it was intended; a light romantic listen with the perfect amount of sensuality, humor and drama.

Voices behind the books

Celeste Ciulla

What they thought