I have good intentions – I mean really good intentions – when it comes to writing audiobook reviews. At least twice a week, the thought goes through my head that I must write a review of an audio I’m finishing up. Then I find myself immersed in my next listen, and all those best intentions fly out the window. I know, I know that writing successful reviews that flow out of my head and easily into my fingers means I must write one immediately upon finishing a book. After all, it’s one of the unwritten rules of effective reviewing. Yet, despite eleven years of book reviewing, I still fall victim to the reasoning in my head that I’ll remember tomorrow what I want to say today. Oh, I may remember but if I wait even a week, it takes me four times as long to get it on paper! Okay – maybe that’s an exaggeration…
This tendency of mine was brought glaringly to the forefront of my mind recently as I worked through my audio list at Goodreads. It’s badly out of date but truly the only record I keep of my listening. As I looked for my past “official” reviews, I discovered at least eight audios that I had given a grade yet in the comment area, I found “Review coming at Speaking of Audiobooks…or AudioGals (whatever applied).” And then, no review. Gah!!!
Okay, obviously I need to quit writing that. So, instead, I plan to occasionally share some of my recent almost-reviewed audios. I recommend all but it is unlikely I’ll write those well-intentioned reviews.
A not so recent listen that I still intend to review is Julie James’ Practice Makes Perfect performed by one of my “go to” narrators, Karen White. An immense favorite in print, the audio was even more entertaining. Let’s see…I intended to write that review in June. It’s coming!! It’s coming!
Lorraine Heath’s Between the Devil and Desire delighted me – partly because I wasn’t expecting such a thoroughly satisfying listen and partly because Jack Dodger is one of my favorite hero types – no-nonsense, undesirable background, and seemingly cold to the world until it comes to the “one.” Susan Ericksen excels in her telling.
Although I did review Julia London’s Beauty Queen over at Speaking of Audiobooks, I have yet to write a review for the first in that series, Material Girl. It features what appears to be a snobbish, spoiled heroine, and she is – sorta. But I encourage you to move beyond any first impressions as you start listening. Its romance works and Natalie Ross gets it just right. Beta hero Jake is delish and knows just how to handle the “material” girl.
Pamela Clare’s Naked Edge wowed as well with Kaleo Griffith’s stellar performance. I never finished this one in print – something kept dragging me away from the reading and I finally put it aside. In audio, it’s now on my “Relisten” list – reserved for only the best audios I want to experience again at some time.
After meeting narrator Derek Perkins at APAC, I wanted to listen to one of his romance narrations and decided to do so with Margaret Mallory’s The Guardian, a medieval Highlander tale. It’s an above average Highlander adventure made even better by Perkins performance. He’s definitely a narrator I’ll be following.
As with nearly everyone else I know who has listened to Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, I was left stunned and a little wordless. That’s a good thing as there is really little you can say about this vastly possible book without entering spoiler territory. I can say it’s not a romance although it does center around one couple. It’s worth your time and your money. I was glued to my iPod.
Laura Kinsale’s My Sweet Folly was released just last week and I immediately started listening. Just as I expected, Nick Boulton’s performance was simply magnificent and Ms. Kinsale’s story kept me thoroughly intrigued. Another pure audio success. I won’t be writing an official review only because there is a reviewer line at the door for both AudioGals and Speaking of Audiobooks!
Another narrator I met at APAC, Donna Postel is rather new to audiobooks with around 25 titles on her backlist. I recently listened to her very first narration, Lori Handeland’s Second Chance, an old fashioned western. I immediately fell into Donna’s narration – it’s soothing yet true to the written word and very well performed. The content would garner a B from me in a review but the narration would receive an A.
I relistened to Mary Balogh’s More Than a Mistress just last week. This represents my second go-round with intentions to review this audio – I really meant to write a review both times! My favorite Balogh in print, it’s an old school type of romance that had me laughing repeatedly while enjoying the sensual story of a duke and the supposed serving girl (woman) that keeps him on his toes. Rosalyn Landor delivers it all exceptionally.
I’ll be returning with more of my summer titles later this month – my intentions are good and now that I have publicly announced it, I have to follow through!
Lea Hensley
