The Witness (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Nora Roberts

Narrated by:  Julia Whelan

Published by: Brilliance Audio 04/2012

Warm

16hrs and 18 mins

Sample

Daughter of a cold, controlling mother and an anonymous donor, studious, obedient Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking too much at a nightclub and allowing a strange man's seductive Russian accent to lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever.
Twelve years later, the woman now known as Abigail Lowery lives alone on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she works at home designing sophisticated security systems. Her own security is supplemented by a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing.
Unfortunately, that seems to be the quickest way to get attention in a tiny southern town.
The mystery of Abigail Lowery intrigues local police chief Brooks Gleason, on both a personal and professional level. Her sharp, logical mind, her secretive nature, her unromantic viewpoints leave him fascinated but frustrated. He suspects that Abigail needs protection from something, even if he doesn't know what - and that her elaborate defenses hide a story that must be revealed.
Accustomed to two-bit troublemakers, Gleason is about to walk into the sights of very powerful and dangerous men. And Abigail Lowery, who has built a life based on security and self-control, is at risk of losing both.

My Thoughts

After reading a review of the printed book on UTC, I decided to give Nora Roberts another shot.  I know Ms. Roberts has a huge following; she is such an established and successful Author that I always wonder what was wrong with me. Why didn’t I enjoy her books like millions of other readers?

Well, apparently I hadn’t read the right books, because The Witness completely shined a new light on Ms. Roberts, and I’ve finally found what I was missing in my previous listens.

First I like to mention what a terrific Job Ms. Roberts did with all the characters, including those that were briefly in the story.

 Liz/Abigail is the main character and center of the novel. Her story got me hooked from page one. I just loved young Liz, the brilliant girl that was attending Harvard at the young age of sixteen, as well as the guarded adult Abigail.

After having been raised by "Mommie Dearest” and at 16-years-old becoming the sole witness that could bring down the Russian Mafia, Liz will have to pay dearly for her only act of rebellion.

Unable to trust and turn to anyone, including her cold and unfeeling mother, 17-year-old Liz was forced to go on the run and fend for herself. 12 years later after brilliantly surviving we find her in a small town in the south, where she’s trying, to live a simple life, and by all means staying alive.

 It was a great, entertaining and engrossing trip to see her emotional growth, survival and finally her triumph.

Even though the romance wasn’t the focus of the story we still get a pretty enjoyable and well paced romance.

Brooks Gleason, the hero.... I should say Abigail’s love interest; was just the perfect supportive character for Liz (loved him too). I loved them together, and their romance was just sweet and simple, once Abigail (Liz) learned to trust and surrender her heart.

If you already like and enjoy Nora Roberts, this suspenseful thrill is not to be missed, and even if you’re not a fan (like I used to be) I can assure you will enjoy this one.

  4.22  ·  rating details  ·  590 ratings  ·  159 reviews on Goodreads

The Author

Nora Roberts

Narration

 It’s very common not to enjoy an audiobook narration in the first few minutes, and that was exactly my feeling when I first started to listen to this novel, but I know now, you have to give a book a chance before you give it up, and most of the time I’m glad I did- such was the case with this novel. In the end, I thought Julia Whelan was amazing! Her portrayal of 16-year-old Liz's was right on target, and equally fantastic was her interpretation of 28-years-old Abigail.
Her command of the different accents and voices was impressive and a tremendous show case of her talent.

All in all, I truly feel she enhanced my enjoyment of the novel. 

Voices behind the books

Julia Whelan

 

Trouble on His Wings (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: L. Ron Hubbard

Narrated by: Jennifer Aspen, Bob Caso, 

Jim Meskimen,

 Matt Scott and A.F. Daley

Published by: Galaxi Press 1/2012

Warm

2hrs and 06 mins

Sample

Johnny Brice is a hotheaded, hard-working "picture-chaser" for the newsreels. He loves to fly into the mouth of danger (whether forest fire, shipwreck, or flood), get the story first, shoot it, and send the film back fast so that it can be turned into newsreels for theaters all across America. He's the best there ever was as a "top dog" reporter... up till the day he inadvertently saves the life of a golden-haired girl he pulls out of the ocean while covering a ship burning at sea.
The dame, or "Jinx", as Brice calls her, seems to bring bad luck like a black cat under a ladder. She keeps Brice on his toes and waist-deep in trouble as they trek the globe from Idaho to the Orient, chasing pictures for the World News. Trouble is, no matter how hard he tries or how good the story, Johnny can't seem to get good shots... nor can he shake the girl.

My Thoughts

Before I started to listen to this title I had no idea of what I was getting myself into.

I had only listened to one other multicast rendition, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at the level of my enjoyment.... but I wasn't sure about this one.

After the first chapter I was sure this type book wasn’t for me, but since I had promised a review I had to stick with it, but before I knew I was pulled into the  adventure  in a different way than I’m accustomed to.

 I never had the opportunity to listen to an audio book with sound effects, and I have to tell you, it’s a completely different experience.

This was more like watching a two hour film of the novel as compare to reading it, and even though this is a genre I would never have picked out on my own, I have to admit I founded interesting and felt completely transported to the 1930’s.

Journalist Johnny Brice was a very likable character; with his go get them attitude, he loves  nothing more than  run into a situation that will provide him with the best  and most newsworthy material for his newsroom, and for two hours, we follow his dangerous endeavors to get the perfect material.

Jinx is Johnny’s love interest, even though it will take him some time to realize it.

 He truly believes that his luck has gone sour since he met her - their relationship adds a comical side to the story.

The sound effects never felt intrusive, and they were perfectly timed to complete a real vivid experience.

 My only complaint was the performance of some of the dialogue, it sounded in parts poorly acted or just maybe over the top, this is where my assessment may be unfair, I really don't know what's expected from the genre. The narrated parts were very good, and it gave the story the proper ambiance.

Now, Am I all of a sudden become a fan of the genre? Not really, this is still not for me, I like more romance, less  gunfire and explosions, but I can easily see how a fan of the genre would get a kick out this short listen.

 I like to thank Audiobook Jukebox as well as Galaxy Press for providing me with a copy of this entertaining multicast performance and exchange for an honest review.

Interesting video about the making of a multicast audiobook

The Deception of the Emerald Ring (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Lauren Willig

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Published by: Penguin Audiobooks 10/2006

Warm

Pink Carnation Series # 3

13 hrs and 47mins

Sample

The year is 1803, and England and France remain at odds. Hoping to break the English once and for all, Napoleon backs a ring of Irish rebels in uprisings against England and sends the Black Tulip, France's most deadly spy, to the Emerald Isle to help. What they don't know is that England's top spy is also in Ireland: the Pink Carnation, who is working to shut the rebels down.

Meanwhile, back in England, Letty Alsworthy intercepts a note indicating that her sister, Mary, is about to make the very grave mistake of eloping with Geoffrey Pinghingdale-Snipe (second in command of the League of the Purple Gentian). In an attempt to save the family name, Letty tries to stop the elopement, but instead finds herself swept away in the midnight carriage meant for her sister and is accidentally compromised. Geoff and Letty, to each other's horror, find themselves forced into matrimony. Then Geoff receives word that he is to travel to Ireland to help the Pink Carnation; he disappears immediately after their ceremony. Letty learns of Geoff's disappearance and, not to be outdone by her husband, Letty Alsworthy steals away on a ship bound for Ireland, armed and ready to fight for her spouse and to learn a thing or two about spying for England.

Reviewed by Lisa Kay

 I am NOT a big admirer of the ‘hero-in-love-with-the-sister’ theme, yet this author pulled it off. Forced into a marriage-of-convenience with the younger, ‘less desirable’ sibling, would I believe the hero worthy of heroine? Would they have a ‘plausible’ HEA*? I guess my rating puts those questions to rest. And **gasp** most of the book takes place in Ireland! In addition, there are plenty of clever twists in the plotline; I was gobsmacked more than once.
I also want to say, that when referring to the hardcopy version to write my “buddy read” questions, I was captivated by Ms. Willig’s writing style. Not only is it well edited, she chooses just the right word and expression, causing the scenes and century switches to flow seamlessly, making it all a pure pleasure to read. I got caught up in the story all over again!

Special Note: I went looking for the paperback copies of this series as references for the “buddy reads” I am doing of the Pink Carnation series. It is no surprise that I didn’t find them in the “Romance” section but in the “Fiction”. Book stores are still a bit snobbish when it comes to tagging a book a “Romance”. Though, I agree that they are “sophisticated” romances – and at least in the upper echelon of the genre; nevertheless, that doesn’t make them any less deviously, deliciously FUN!

The Author

Lauren Willig

Narration

Oh! This parallel time warp series just keeps getting better and better. Luckily, it looks like the fabulous, talented and versatile Kate Reading narrates the whole of this series. She does a wonderful job on the male and female voices – of all ages. (Eloise’s grandmother sounds a little like an elderly Katherine Hepburn.) She’s good at differentiating the voices within the same sex also. Regardless of whether the characters’ agendas are nefarious or benign – Ms. Reading gets the tone and inflection just right and gives nothing away – if their intent was part of the mystery. And **gasp** most of the book takes place in Ireland!

Voices behind the books

Kate Reading

Mine to Posses (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Nalini Singh

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Published by: Tantor Audio 07/211

Mine to Possess

Hot

Psy - Changeling Series # 4

11hrs and 59 mins

Sample

Clay Bennett is a powerful DarkRiver sentinel, but he grew up in the slums with his human mother, never knowing his changeling father. As a young boy without the bonds of Pack, he tried to stifle his animal nature. He failed... and committed the most extreme act of violence, killing a man and losing his best friend, Talin, in the bloody aftermath. Everything good in him died the day he was told that she, too, was dead.
Talin McKade barely survived a childhood drenched in bloodshed and terror. Now a new nightmare is stalking her life - the street children she works to protect are disappearing and turning up dead. Determined to keep them safe, she unlocks the darkest secret in her heart and returns to ask the help of the strongest man she knows....
Clay lost Talin once. He will not let her go again, his hunger to possess her, a clawing need born of the leopard within. As they race to save the innocent, Clay and Talin must face the violent truths of their past... or lose everything that ever mattered.

Reviewed by Lisa Kay

In Mine to Possess Clay and Talin have a quite a past. He killed for her; she vomits at the mere thought of violence. He is violence personified; she faked her death to avoid him. Several readers are not too fond of Talin, the heroine in Mine to Possess, and think she owed Clay a little more groveling time. Be aware, I tend to sympathize with my heroines more than other readers, so I found my heart breaking over Talin’s abusive past. For me, these are two equally tortured individuals who separate and come together again through violence. I like seeing Clay and Talin recalling their former childhood relationship, while warily getting to know each other as adults. That said, I must admit that by more than half way through I was ready to jump into the pages of this one and straighten these two protagonists out. Enough flip-flopping, suspicion, and self-doubt already!

Still, Ms. Singh is an excellent writer. I love the way she can turn a phrase to make me gasp, hold my breath, cringe, laugh, and sigh. She knows her characters and lets us get to know them. Others individuals – from past and future books – are presented seamlessly into the storyline, not just thrown in to appease fans. You want to know what makes her wicked evildoers tick and her ferocious heroes protect. Her world building is convincing, intriguing, and – more important – consistent. Her sensual scenes have a palpable chemistry that is there because she sets up her characters so perfectly. Plus, she is great at creating a sense of foreboding; while each installment in this series gives us a little satisfaction, it dishes out a little more dark mystery that is an integral part of her magical Psy-Changeling World.

Author

Nalini Singh

 

Narration

Sometimes I think listeners of audiobooks have a distinct advantage over readers of hard copy. If they are well narrated and well directed, as this one is, they can bring to life what the author intended, as tone, inflection, and reaction between characters and how they dialogue is so vital. Such is the case in the fourth installment of Ms. Singh’s Psy-changeling series, which is read by Angela Dawe. She does an awesome job on this one and it is no surprise she is a finalist this year for her narration in another audiobook (The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic) by the Audio Publishers Association’s: the prestigious Audiobook of the Year and Distinguished Achievement in Production Award.

Voices behind the books

Angela Dawe

Taming an Impossible Rogue (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Suzanne Enoch

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Published by: Tantor Audio 03/2012

HOT

Scandalous Brides Series  # 2

9 hrs and 39 mins

Sample 

One year ago, Lady Camille Pryce left her haughty fiancé at the altar - for good reason. Not only was the marriage arranged before she could even walk, her betrothed was too smug to exert himself to meet her! Now, disowned, with no husband or family to support her, she's left with one option: go to work in the notorious Tantalus Club.
A gentleman's gaming house run by a woman, the Tantalus is no place for a proper lady; so, to save face, her jilted fiancé must retrieve her. But banned from the club, he's forced to employ his ne'er-do-well cousin instead. A handsome, experienced rogue, Keating Blackwood is the perfect man to lure Camille away. But the moment they meet, Keating instead wants to save her... for himself. Impossible? Perhaps. But if Camille can make the ultimate player lay his cards on the table - and risk his heart - all bets are off.

My Thoughts

There’s nothing better than to pick a book to (listen/read) and get hooked within the first few pages.

Camille Pryce had different aspirations for a husband when she left her fiancé at the altar after realizing what a horrible man she was about to be marry to, but her actions had consequences, severe consequences.

Left to fend for herself, Camille finds employment at a gentleman's club, and it’s here  where her fiance's cousin, Keating Blackwood, meets her, under the request (for a fair  amount of money) of  his cousin to locate her and convince her to return to comply with her marriage obligation, this is not because he loves her, but purely out of pride.

But Keating's plans will be a lot  harder to fulfill than he could had ever imagined.

I’m a sucker for heroes with nicknames, especially those the sound dangerous and mysterious,  and Keating’s “ Bloody Blackwood” proved to be just the kind of romantic lead I love, with a not so savory past of his own, he turned out to be terrific hero (YUM), and the kind of rogue I love to read/listen to about.

I truly enjoyed both characters; their chemistry was perfect, their past experiences brought  them together in a very convincing way, but again most of all I loved Keating.

This is my first novel by Suzanne Encoh, and I wish I would have discovered her earlier; I like her style and the witty dialogue. The characters  interactions are very entertaining. What is not like about an author that has the ability to instantly grab you and keep you enthralled and completely transported from page one.

I didn’t do my homework, and I didn’t find out this was the second installment in the series until I was in the middle of it, but I can honestly  tell you, I didn't feel like I missed anything, but I’m sure listening to the series in order would only enhance the experience.

So to all Historical Romance listeners, I urge you not to let this one go by without listening.

 The Author

Suzanne Enoch

Narration

What a terrific job by Ann Flosnik! great pace and approach, and talk about giving Keating the perfect tone, not for a moment I had a doubt in her male voices and their distinctions.

She gave the story the perfect tone; her sensual voice and clear English accent are just right for the story and the sensuality of the novel.

The moment you begin this audio book you feel transported to the era, thanks to the great and very competent performance by Ann Flonsik.

Voices behind the books

Anne Flosnik

 

 

  Great Reviews

 

 

 

Mine Till Midnight (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Lisa kleypas

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Published by:Brillaince Audio 07/2009

Hot

The Hathaways Series #1

9 hrs and 47 mins

Sample

When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan.

Wealthy beyond most men's dreams, Cam has tired of society's petty restrictions and longs to return to his "uncivilized" Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship - but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter...

Reviewed by Lisa Kay 

My review (my thoughts..really) are here, but I thought I should also post Lisa's review , she's  much more eloquent than I could ever be, and I don't want any Historical Romance fan to miss this wonderful series.

It was pure pleasure to return to the first in Lisa Kleypas’ Hathaways series and the wonderful Rosalyn Landor, the narrator, brought it to life all over again. She does an excellent job of discerning these unforgettable characters’ voices with their multiple accents and distinct personalities. She helped me remember why this quirky family tugged on my heart strings the first time around. You can hear Cam and Amelia discover a tender, lasting love. **sigh** In addition, Ms. Landor coveys the aching emotions of Leo’s grief for his lost first-love. (I had forgotten she was also Amelia & Win’s best friend!) All this happens while the loving Hathaway family tries to settle into their new home and elevated social standing. I delighted in Merripin, Win, Poppy, and Bea and experienced the family bonds with love, tears, upsets, and laughter as if they were my own.

On Goodreads