August & September 2014 Picks

What romance audiobooks releasing in August and September do we believe are especially promising? We feel these titles are good bets based on author, narrator, personal knowledge, or print reviews of the story content. Or maybe it’s just a gut feeling we have.

In an attempt to catch up and start offering this feature the last week of every month, we are combining August and September.

 

The Beautiful Ashes by Jeanine Frost

Narrated by Tavia Gilbert

August 26th

I have high hopes for the first audiobook in the new series, Broken Destiny, by the talented writer/narrator duo who created The Night Huntress series. Just as the Night Huntress series helped fuel my love for audiobooks, I’m hoping this series may reignite my love for paranormal romance – BJ

Oh my, oh my – how I love this author/narrator team. I’m completely on board for trying Frost’s new series and sure I will adore it. – Lea

What can I say when a talented author and a talented narrator team up? Frost plus Gilbert equals fabulousness – Shannon

I’m confident that the first in Jeaniene Frost’s new trilogy, The Beautiful Ashes, is not to be missed, especially with narrator Tavia Gilbert at the helm – Brenda

 

Never Marry a Viscount by Anne Stuart

Narrated by Xe Sands

September 23rd

Xe Sands has done a fantastic job with the previous stories in Anne Stuart’s Scandal at the House of Russell trilogy about three sisters who are trying to find out who murdered their industrialist father. Never Marry a Viscount is the final book, and will, I hope, reveal all – Caz

Not only do I get to enjoy the thrilling combination of Anne Stuart’s writing and Xe Sands delightful narration, but this is the third of a trilogy and ties up the mystery of the three Russell sisters – who is responsible for the death of their father and whether or not they get their revenge – Victoria

I’m always on board to listen to another Anne Stuart/Xe Sands audio. They always make me smile – Lea

 

Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann

Narrated by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank

September 15th

Another A combo, and one of my favorite series – Melinda

I’ve been waiting and waiting for Over the Edge to be rereleased in audio format with these two excellent narrators! Over the Edge and Out of Control (next up in the Troubleshooters series) are two of my all time favorites in print so, yes, I am excited – Lea

Blackstone’s August release of Suzanne Brockmann’s The Defiant Hero followed by the September release of Over the Edge means there is no shortage in great listening opportunities for lovers of romantic suspense – Brenda

 

The Pirate Prince by Gaelen Foley

Narrated by Elizabeth Wiley

August 5th

I enjoyed this quite a bit when I read the book some years ago. Really curious to see how it holds up. I’m trying a new-to-me narrator too – so it could be an adventure – Kaetrin

Gaelen’ Foley’s The Pirate Prince has been on my TBR forever and now that it’s been released in audio I have high hopes of getting to it and it’s follow up Princess with Elizabeth Wiley narrating – Brenda

The Pirate Prince was one of my favorites when I started reading romance twelve years ago but my tastes have changed a bit since then. Combined with narrator Elizabeth Wiley (another favorite), I’m hoping for the best and planning on an entertaining listen – Lea

 

My Beautiful Enemy by Sherry Thomas

Narrated by Charlotte Anne Dore

August 5th

There’s always a ton of buzz about Ms. Thomas’s work, especially when it makes it to audio. I can only guess that many listeners will be pleased by this latest listen – Shannon

I think the words “by Sherry Thomas” are enough reason to have chosen this as a “pick”!  She’s one of my favourite writers and one of the best in the genre, so I’m really looking forward to this – Caz

Just reading the name “Sherry Thomas” brings on the magic I feel when reading or listening to one of her tales. She always delivers for me and, although I’m unfamiliar with narrator Charlotte Anne Dore, Ms. Thomas has been lucky with her past narrators (she isn’t involved with the choosing) so I’m expecting that luck to hold – Lea

 

Public Secretsby Nora Roberts

Narrated by Renee Raudman

Hard copy August 1st    Digital copy July 23rd

I’m really excited to see this released in audio. I read it years ago, and loved the story. There’s something really special about certain Roberts titles, and this one ranks high on my lists of favorites- Shannon 

The first of August brought a nice surprise with a Nora Robert’s backlist title from 1990 Public Secrets receiving an ear tingling facelift with Renee Raudman narrating – Brenda

I’m always looking for an outstanding older Nora Roberts – I’ve read or listened to so few that I always feel a little lost. With my fellow Gals’ recommendations and Renee Raudman’s narration, I’m excited to start Public Secrets – next up on my iPod – Lea

 

Mean Streak by Sandra Brown

Narrated by Jonathan Davis

August 19th

My reading/listening year seems to revolve around the next Sandra Brown release. I’m so excited it’s time to experience yet another! Her romantic suspenses never disappoint and only the best of narrators are chosen to perform her work – Lea

One of my top picks for August, the description of this book reminded me so much of one of my all-time favorites, Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, and knowing the amazing talent of Sandra Brown’s breed of romantic suspense, this is an auto-buy title for me, even though I am not familiar with the narrator – BJ

 

The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer

Narrated by Georgina Sutton

August 8th

Naxos has, so far, struck gold with all their unabridged Heyer audiobooks, and I’ve enjoyed those I’ve listened to immensely. I’m sure this will be equally enjoyable and prove a worth addition to my expanding Heyer collection – Caz

From our AudioGals The Corinthian review posted last week: I am not always a fan of Heyer’s books, but I found The Corinthian completely delightful and captivating when I read it in print many years ago, and even more so in audio – Melinda

 

The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla by Lauren Willig

Narrated by Kate Reading

August 5th

This penultimate instalment in the author’s Pink Carnation series is narrated by the wonderful Kate Reading, and promises to be a great listen as we get reacquainted with the Fitzhugh family, with Miss Gwen’s swordstick umbrella… and on top of that – vampires!  What’s not to love – Caz

Perfect pairing of narrator skills and book: Lauren Willig’s next opus in the Pink Carnation series with the incredible Kate Reading on microphone – Melinda

 

Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Narrated by Erin Bennett

August 26th

Susan Elizabeth Phillips (SEP) has penned at least a dozen of my very, very favorite audiobooks – all narrated by Anna Fields. Erin Bennett sounds good on the sample and I hear SEP is active in the choice of her narrators so I’m crossing my fingers, hoping for another future SEP relisten – Lea

Her books are always so much fun, a bit more lighthearted than my usual reads, but incredibly fulfilling – Shannon

 

In Your Dreams by Kristan Higgins

Narrated by Amy Rubinate

September 30th

Amy Rubinate’s narrations for this series are improving, which is good since Kristan Higgins is one of my favorite authors – Melinda

Kristan Higgins has been one of my fave contemporary romance authors for years and, although I was disappointed in her last release, I’m always eager to read or listen to her next – Lea

 

Stay with Me by J. Lynn

Narrated by Sophie Eastlake

September 23rd

I’ve been waiting for the next book in this series with bated breath. Sophie Eastlake really works for me as narrator and I really like the way this author writes New Adult romance – Kaetrin

 

 

Her Last Whisper by Karen Robards:

Narrated by Ann Marie Lee

August 26th

Having recently finished The Last Kiss Goodbye, I’m hooked on Karen Robards’ suspenseful, paranormal, humorous Dr. Charlotte Stone series. This is truly a unique series which crosses over into nearly every romance sub-genre – BJ

 

 

The Hot Zone by Jayne Castle

Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat

August 26th

I’m intrigued to hear Barbara Rosenblat narrate Jayne Castle’s futuristic The Hot Zone complete with the always entertaining dust bunnies. The duo are long standing favorites for me with Historical romances under her Amanda Quick person – Brenda

 

 

Snow Falling on Bluegrass by Molly Harper

Narrated by Amanda Ronconi

September 22nd

I listened to My Bluegrass Baby only last week and it was such a hoot. Kelsey was a strong secondary character in that book and I’m keen to see what happens to her in her own book. Molly Harper and Amanda Ronconi are a winning combination in audio – I think Ronconi’s comedic timing enhances Harper’s words. They’re such reliable fun listens – Kaetrin

 

Screwdrivered by Alice Clayton

Narrated by Heather Smith

August 26th

Alice Clayton is a wiz at romantic comedy, and with the huge success of Wallbanger, Screwdrivered is sure to get a lot of attention from the romance community – BJ

 

 

 

Festive in Death by JD Robb

Narrated by Susan Ericksen

September 9th

I’m not sick of this series yet even though we’re 39 books in. I still have a lot of time for Eve and Roarke and the rest of the crew. Even when I read an In Death book, I hear Susan Ericksen’s narration, she is so closely linked to the series for me – Kaetrin

 

 

Scandal and the Duchess by Jennifer Ashley

Narrated by Angela Dawe

September 16th

Jennifer Ashley/Angela Dawe – this is an A/A combo, and an addition to the highly rated Highland Pleasures series. Note the “6.5” indicates novella (or short novel, per Amazon) length – Melinda

 

 

To Scotland With Love by Patience Griffin

Narrated by Kirsten Potter

September 8th

I have seen several posts around about how to keep on celebrating Highland men during an era of Outlander. A recent article in USA Today featured different romance authors talking about how to handle the “Outlander jones-ing”. Grace Burrowes recommended To Scotland with Love, and I love Kirsten Potter’s narration – Victoria

 

Song of the Fireflies by J. A. Redmerski

Narrated by Chelsea Hatfield and Douglas Berger

September 2nd

I’ve heard fabulous things about this author’s work, and, after reading the synopsis, I have a really good feeling about this one – Shannon

 

 

 

Kiss Me Like This by Bella Andre

Narrated by Eva Kaminski

August 5th

I’ve liked Eva Kaminski’s narration before (she’s a lot like Sophie Eastlake) and this story about a college baseball player and a supermodel caught my eye when I was browsing. Looking forward to it –Kaetrin

 

 

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Narrated by Grace Grant and Deacon Lee

August 5th

With her cult-like following in the New Adult genre, I am eagerly awaiting listening to Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover. Although I have not personally read any of her works yet, I am greatly looking forward to making this my first as many of my book lover friends swear by her writing.  Although I am not familiar with Grace Grant, I’ve listened to several of Deacon Lee’s works and he has delivered a solid performance – BJ

 

Breathe and Jagged by Kristen Ashley

Narrated by Emma Taylor

August 26th – Breathe

September 30th – Jagged

Hachette’s one title a month release of Kristen Ashley’s Colorado Mountain series seems the perfect scheduling. With Breathe releasing the end of August followed by Jagged at the end of September. I continue to be impressed with narrator Emma Taylor’s portrayal of these larger than life heroes and their heroines – Brenda 

 

He’s So Fine by Jill Shalvis

Narrator Unknown

September 30th

Jill Shalvis’ Lucky Harbor series is typical of better small town romance – easy to read and satisfying. This will depend on the narrator, though, as this series has not always been given the best possible treatment – Melinda

 

 

The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan

Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

Anticipated early September

The final full-length book in Courtney Milan’s Brothers Sinister series, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every entry and will be sorry to see it end. Rosalyn Landor is narrating once more, and I think the combination of her vocal talents and Ms. Milan’s words has provided listeners with another truly great author/narrator team – Caz

 

Lady Darby Mysteries by Anna Lee Huber

Narrated by Heather Wilds

September 9th

I was really excited when I learned that Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby Mysteries were going to be made into audiobooks, and pleased to learn that each of the three available stories is going to be narrated by Heather Wilds. The first two books, The Anatomist’s Wife and Mortal Arts, are coming out in September, and I can’t wait – Caz

 

Chained By Night by Larisa Ione

Narrated by Amy Landon

September 30th

There isn’t an Ione book I haven’t loved. I don’t expect this one to be any different – Shannon

 

 

 

What I Love about You by Rachel Gibson

Narrated by Emma Bates

August 26th

I’m cautiously hopeful that the combination of Rachel Gibson’s writing and Emma Bate’s narrating will be a winner – Brenda

 

 

 

 

There is simply so much to savor. Go find, listen, and let us know your thoughts!

Lea Hensley