Branded By Fire (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Nalini Singh

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Published by: Tantor Audio 08/2011

Branded by Fire

Hot
 
 PSY - Changeling Series # 6
11 hrs and 18 mins

Sample

When a brilliant changeling researcher is kidnapped, DarkRiver sentinel Mercy, a cat, and SnowDancer lieutenant Riley, a wolf, must work together to track the young man-before his shadowy captors decide he's no longer useful. Along the way, the two dominants may find that submitting to one another uncovers not just a deadly conspiracy, but a passion so raw that it'll leave them both branded by fire.

Reviewed by Lisa Kay

 Oh! This is a good one. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like a struggle between two dominants: Sentinel Mercy Smith from the DarkRiver cats, and Lieutenant Riley Kincaid from the SnowDancer wolves. Nonetheless, it was exceptional.
The chemistry between these two equals is H.O.T. Ms. Singh is deft in handling the love scenes! They certainly sizzle; however, while both individuals like it rough, the interludes are evocative of a deeper emotional tenderness. Oh, yes. Mercy is certainly flirting and cavorting with Riley in what she calls “shoo-away,” but really she’s playing a very dangerous game of “Come here, come here, come here…Go away, go away, go away.” She is definitely getting off on the excitement of the chase. But it is more than that. She wants Riley to prove himself worthy of all she has to offer as a lover; however, I believe there is a part of her that is not aware she really wants him to demonstrate he is worthy of being her mate. Still, these two pack liaisons have a lot of issues to work out. <spoiler>Where will they live? Will the mating bond cause one to have to leave their family pack? Which will give up their blood-link/sentinel-bond to their Alpha? Can they have kids; will those off-springs be able to shift?</spoiler>
As deft as this writer is in the bedroom (or forest floor), she’s equally so outside; presenting us with a gripping suspense. Conspiracy is everywhere! There are a lot more clues and few more answers to what has been going on in this series’ story-line: The Ghost, the NetMind, the Human Alliance, the ‘puppet master,’ the Information Merchant, the PsyNet, Pure Psy, the LaurenNet, Henry Scott, Kaleb Krycheck, Anthony Kyriakus, and Nikita Duncan! We get updates on Judd and Brenna, Lucas and Sascha, Hawke and Sienna and so many, many others from this series.
I often do a great disservice to Ms. Singh; I tend to rate her books against each other instead of against other paranormal romance writers. I’m such a moody reader and it isn’t fair that the next book should have to match my current temperament. But all of her books are a step above other PNR writers.
If you haven’t started this series, and you enjoy paranormal romances, shifters, and futurist stories, this is a great one to start!

4.30  ·  rating details  ·  5,641 ratings  ·  384 reviews on Goodreads

The Author

Nalini Singh

Narration

Angela Dawe continues to narrate the wonderful Psy-Changeling series, and with the sixth book she delivers her usual excellent job of distinguishing the male and female characters. However, I must admit I’m impressed with the way she does the children; there is innocence in her tone that comes across. She is one of the readers I seek out when choosing my next audiobook.

Voices behind the books

Angela Dawe 

Bared To You (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Sylvia Day

Narrated by: Jill Redfield

Published by: Brilliance Audio 06/2012

Burning

Crossfire Series, book # 1

11 hrs and 32 mins

 

Sample

Our journey began in fire... Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness-beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I'd never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily... Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other's most private wounds... and desires. The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart... "When it comes to brewing up scorchingly hot sexual chemistry, Day has few literary rivals."

My Thoughts

 

I couldn’t wait to listen to Bared To You, the enthusiasm of some my peeps had me eagerly anticipating this novel, especially after they mentioned how much I would love it since I had enjoyed the Fifty Shades trilogy so much.

Unfortunately, the similarities between the two novels started to bother me more than I thought they would, and at first I just couldn’t get completely into these characters, I didn't feel the magic - after a few chapters I almost decided to stop listening, now I’m glad I didn't, by the 11th chapter I started to forget all about Fifty and began to get lost in yet another dysfunctional relationship.

When Eva Tramell decided not to pay attention to her sixth sense and stay away from the enigmatic, gorgeous, super rich...(I’ll stop right there, I don’t want this to be a copycat of my review of Fifty..LOL) Gideon Cross, and surrenders to her undeniable attraction, her romantic life began to unravel in a relationship full of turmoil and confusion.

Eva and Gideon’s story is without a doubt emotional and unpredictable. They are both wounded by past abuse, and now they have to try to find a way to have a normal relationship, but it’s never easy - their emotional scars will inevitably get in the way.

When they are not being jealous and insecure, they do manage some steaming and scorching sexy moments, repeatedly I might add.

In a way, I ended up enjoying their story, as well as the story of a secondary character, if you can use the term “enjoy” when witnessing an emotional train wreck.

I do have to admit the novel is a well written erotica, and it has a more adult feel than Fifty.

I liked the Eva’s character, and was compelled by her wrenching struggles, her character was skillfully developed, I do want her to find her happy ending, and I’m not talking about the kind talked about in  the massage parlors, she got plenty of those in this novel, I’m talking about a fairy tale happy ending… now Gideon.... I still not sure about him, maybe in the next installment, Deeper Into You, I will I get to find out more about him, and how deeply he was hurt, even thought we do get glimpses of his past, it wasn't enough for me  (I need more than a Bentley or how good a man wears a pinstripe suit to give him a pass to my heart) then I might understand a bit more where he's coming from, regrettably, I never really got captivated by his power, beauty or wealth.

If you enjoyed Fifty Shades for the dysfunctional part of the relationship then you will find this novel very entertaining, also if you manage to get past the similarities between the stories, nevertheless, if you take pleasure in a well written erotica novel with emotionally disturbed and challenging characters, then this is a “do not miss”

BTW, no BDMS here.

  4.20  ·  rating details  ·  7,548 ratings  ·  1,233 reviews on Goodreads

The Author

Sylvia Day

Narration

Jill Redfield is a new- to me narrator, and if this is her first performance, I’m totally impressed, her portrayal of Eva was excellent, the feel of the story was beautifully brought to life. I had no problems keeping up with the different characters, and the emotional parts were as equally  real as the sexy and sensual parts.

I do have a minor complaint about the male voices, especially Gideon’s, I think it could have been a little more natural; I did sensed an effort in delivering his voice, but it wasn’t so bad as to distract from the story.

Fortunately the story is delivered in Eva’s point of view, and I have to say Ms. Redfield did an excellent job with that.

So, in this case I can assure you that if you don’t enjoy this novel it won’t be the narrator's fault.

Voices behind the books

Jill Redfield

Couldn't find an image, but I'm working on it :)

Book trailer

Saving Francesca (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Melina Marchetta

Narrated by: Rebecca Macauley

Published by: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd 07/2006

Warm

 6hrs and 19 mins

Sample

Francesca is stuck at St. Sebastians, a boys' school that's pretends it's coed by giving the girls their own bathroom.  Her only female companions are an ultra-feminist, a rumored slut, and an an impossibly dorky accordion player.  The boys are no better, from Thomas who specializes in musical burping to Will, the perpetually frowning, smug moron that Francesca can't seem to stop thinking about.

Then there's Francesca's mother, who always thinks she knows what's best for Francesca—until she is suddenly stricken with acute depression, leaving Francesca lost, alone, and without an inkling who she really is.  Simultaneously humorous, poignant, and impossible to put down, this is the story of a girl who must summon the strength to save her family, her social life and—hardest of all—herself.

Reviewed by Lisa Kay

I just loved this one; an exceptional listen! Rebecca Macauley does an excellent job of sounding like sixteen year-old Francesca, as well as the other diverse characters in this wonderful coming of age story. Sure, there isn’t much of a stretch for her narrating an Australian accent, but she conveys Francesca’s teenage angst (something Francesca so doesn’t want to do!) and the interactions with other characters: teenagers – children – adults – males, all beautifully. I noticed she also reads some of Ms. Marchetta’s other books and that makes them even more of a draw. I’m so glad I found this author!

This is a wonderful, poignant, ultimately upbeat “coming-of-age” book that has Francesca stuck in what was previously an all-boys school; tossed in with people whom she wouldn’t normally be friends, she not only has to learn to adapt, but find herself. Plus, she has to deal with the unknown of why her energetic, over-achieving mother suddenly takes to her bed and won’t meet the day.

It is all presented with humor and tenderness and the lovely Australian lingo, such as ‘pashing’ for ‘kissing’. I happen to have the paperback by my side as I listened to this one (because I did it as a “buddy read” and I needed a reference for my discussion questions). I noticed in the paperback there were expressions like; “I'm chuffed” that were changed to “I’m pleased.” So glad I got to hear it on audiobook where it retained the “down-under” flavor.
Definitely a GoodRead – or GoodListen!

  4.06  ·  rating details  ·  5,732 ratings  ·  877 reviews on Goodreads

The Author

Melina marchetta

Voices behind the books

Rebecca Macauley

Shameless Hop Winner

Shameless Hop Winner

A big thank you to  Red Hot Books, Romance Around The Corner and Michelle's Book  Blog for hosting this great hop, and to all who participated, it was certainly a lot fun discovering new blogs.

Congratulations!!  To the winner, she has been contacted via e-mail and has 48 hrs to claim her prize.

Driving Mr. Dead (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Molly Harper

Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi

 Published by: Audible 12/2012

HOT

5hrs and 2 mins

Sample

Miranda Puckett has failed at every job she’s ever had. Her mother just wants her to come home, join the family firm, and settle down with Jason, the perfect lawyer boyfriend. But when Jason turns out to be a lying cheater, Miranda seizes on a job that gets her out of town: long-distance vampire transportation.
Her first assignment is to drive vampire Collin Sutherland from Washington to sleepy Half Moon Hollow without incident—no small feat for a woman whom trouble seems to follow like a faithful hound dog! And she has to do it without letting her passenger—the most persnickety, stuffy, devastatingly handsome vamp she’s ever met—drive her crazy. As she and Collin find disaster on the roads, they also find an undeniable spark between them. Could Miranda have found the perfect job and the perfect guy for her?

Reviewed by Terra Lyne

Based on the title and cover, I can honestly say I would more than likely pass right by this book.  I guess I just don’t like “cheesy” covers/titles.  Well, the old moniker “Don’t judge a book by its cover” certainly applies here!  Molly Harper has written an engaging (albeit short) and laugh-out-loud-glad-you-weren’t-drinking-anything-or-it-would-be-spewing-from-your-nose story.  If I did have a specific criticism, it’s that it is, in fact, too short.  I really loved these characters and the audiobook version was just over 5 hours.  Since the story is a novella…I suppose this does make sense but it left me wanting more.

Miranda has left behind her a string of epic job failures.  She finally finds herself in a role that she thinks she just may succeed at:  Driver to the undead.  And then she meets her first passenger.  Collin Sutherland is a reclusive vampire with ginormous OCD issues (made crystal clear by the 16 page list of rules and regs he hands Miranda before their journey).  Because of his fear of flying, they embark on a cross-country trek FULL of the disasters that seem to follow Miranda everywhere she goes.  Initially, she is completely put off by Collin’s stick-up-his-rear behavior and his snooty, 18^th century attitude.  They are challenged by some humorous and daunting situations.  Miranda’s attitude and personality intrigue and amuse Collin and he begins warming up….then things heat up.

I have one word for this book.  Fun.  Ms. Harper’s writing style is perfect for a quick summer read…you know, the ones that have you sitting by the pool with a sly grin on your face (unbeknownst to you) and have everyone around you wondering what you’ve got that they haven’t.  Some of the phrases she comes up with are absolutely hilarious and they come off so naturally that it doesn’t seem as if she’s trying too hard to be witty. 

At first though, I didn’t understand how this romance could work.  Collin seems so thoroughly jerkish and neurotic in the beginning. It was difficult to imagine him being attractive.  I enjoyed that the warm-up was gradual not forced.  I love that they didn’t take one look at each other and attack (I absolutely HATE that….H-A-T-E it).  If I have one criticism, it’s that I found myself anticipating answers that didn’t come…answers to quirks that were highlighted several times.  For instance: “why can’t Collin sense Miranda like he does all others?” and “why is Miranda’s life riddled with constant disaster?”.  I guess I have to get creative because the answers don’t come.  I did feel left hanging.  Again, these are small things that don’t take away from the total enjoyment of the story.  If you have a road trip coming up, put this in your audio queue.  It will be the perfect driving companion for a good 5-6 hours.
  4.07  ·  rating details  ·  679 ratings  ·  130 reviews on Goodreads

 The Author

Molly Harper

Narration

As for narration, Amanda Ronconi is such a brilliant comedic reader.  Sarcasm isn’t always easy.  With Molly Harper’s writing style, it had better come easy, or the narrator will do a full-on face plant.  Well, Ms. Ronconi definitely speaks fluent sarcasm.  Her timing and inflection are fantastic.  As a female lead voice, she nails it…every time.  One thing though…I just wish she could get the male lead voices right.  I remember thinking this in the last book of hers that I listened to.  Her leading male voices are breathy and throaty (although, I guess some ladies will like this??).  I always seem to get past it, but it definitely annoys…especially since she is always so completely spot-on with females and even some secondary male characters.  Despite this one issue, I will probably listen to this book again.  It is highly amusing and I may have laughed more with this little novella than I have during any other full-length book.  It’s a keeper! 

Voices behind the books

Amanda Ronconi