May seems to be a good month for top-notch historicals – with new titles from big names like Mary Balogh, Elizabeth Hoyt and Lisa Kleypas in the offing. Many of us who read and/or listened to Cold Hearted Rake last year have been chomping at the bit to get our hands, eyes and ears on the next book in the series, and the wait is almost over! Another highly anticipated book is Duke of Sin, the story of the cunning, manipulative Valentine Napier, Duke of Montgomery, which the author has dedicated to “everyone who has ever fallen in love with… the villain!” We’re also saying farewell to Mary Balogh’s Survivor’s Club series with the release of the final book, Only Beloved.
All that’s not to say there aren’t plenty of other great releases lined up in May. As usual, we’ve based our selection on narrators, authors… and sometimes just gut instinct. Have a look through our list and tell us – are you looking forward to these titles, too? Or have we missed out something YOU can’t wait to listen to?
Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt
Narrated by Ashford McNab
Who doesn’t love a reformed bad-boy? Elizabeth Hoyt has set herself quite the challenge here, in attempting to redeem Valentine Napier, Duke of Montgomery, blackmailer, extortionist and master manipulator, and I can’t wait to hear how she does it. – Caz
It’s finally time to get bad boy Valentine Napier’s story! We’ve seen Val’s machinations through the last few books, and now it’s time to see what all he’s been up to since his exile. The melodious tones of Ashford MacNab have made this series; I have every expectation this will be an A listen with her in the driver’s seat once again. – Diana
I’m addicted to the Maiden Lane books. Ashford Mcnab does a terrific job bringing Elizabeth Hoyt’s creations to life, and I’m sure this latest installment will be no exception. – Shannon
Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas
Narrated by Mary Jane Wells
Having thoroughly enjoyed Cold Hearted Rake, I can’t wait to hear Mr. Winterborne’s and Lady Helen’s story in this second book in The Ravenels Series by the talented writer/narrator duo of Lisa Kleypas and Mary Jane Wells! – BJ
I know I’m not the only one who found the set up for the romance between the rough-edged, self-made man Rhys Winterborne and the delicate Lady Helen Ravenel to be more compelling than the central romance in Cold Hearted Rake. So to say I’m eagerly awaiting this release is a massive understatement! Thankfully, Harper has retained the services of Mary Jane Wells, who is sure to do a superb job. – Caz
Last year I had the pleasure of listening to Mary Jane Wells’ narration for the first time. Cold-Hearted Rake was also the first time I’d really enjoyed a Kleypas historical (my sample is small though). I’ve been waiting for this one! – Kaetrin
Only Beloved by Mary Balogh
Narrated by Rosalyn Landor.
Mary Balogh and Rosalyn Landor. Do I need to say more? Sign me up. – Caz
The Heir by Grace Burrowes
Narrated by James Langton
I’m a huge fan of Grace Burrowes’ books and thoroughly enjoyed James Langton’s work on her MacGregor series. The Heir is her first published novel and – incredibly – I haven’t read it so I can’t wait to listen! – Caz
The Shark by Mary Burton
Narrated by Christina Traister
I’ve been wanting to give Mary Burton’s books a try for quite some time. The synopsis of The Shark, book 1 in a new series, sounds like the perfect place to start. I’ve listened to Christina Traister’s narrations before, and I’m sure she’ll deliver something solid here. – Shannon
The Crown by Kiera Cass
Narrated by Brittany Pressley
The Selection series is one of my favorite YA series of all time. I can’t wait to see how Ms. Cass finishes it off. Narrator Brittany Pressley did a good job with book 4, and I’m sure she’ll be equally good here. – Shannon
A Gentleman’s Position by K.J Charles
Narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies
Although this was released at the back-end of April, it was too late to make our April picks, so I’m squeezing it in here. I loved both books and audio of the previous titles in this series (A Fashionable Indulgence and A Seditious Affair) and have been looking forward to this final book in the trilogy for months. I’ve read the book, it’s wonderful, and I’m sure narrator Matthew Lloyd Davies will more than do it justice. – Caz
The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson
Narrated by Jude Mason.
This is a fairy tale retelling and it may or may not be an inspy. Either way, the story intrigued. I’m in the mood for something different. – Kaetrin
Falling Hard
by HelenKay Dimon
Narrated by Christian Fox.
I enjoy Helenkay Dimon’s bad boys and I liked Christian Fox’s narration when I first heard it recently. This one looks like fun. – Kaetrin
The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath
Narrated by Helen Lloyd.
Okay, technically this was an April release but right at the end, so I’m counting it! I’ve heard wonderful things about this author and this book – so I decided to take the plunge. – Kaetrin
Troublemaker by Linda Howard
Narrated by Tanya Eby
I’m a sucker for the LH Romantic Suspense, whether she goes for humor (Mr Perfect, To Die For), or the jugular (Cry No More), or just flat-out, seriously bad bad guy as hero (Death Angel). And yippee! a good narrator! I don’t have to ask if Joyce Bean was available because I have confidence Tanya Eby will do it justice and then some. – Melinda
Love in the Time of Scandal by Caroline Linden
Narrated by Beverley A. Crick
I have thoroughly enjoyed Caroline Linden’s recent Scandalous series in print, and although the first two books have been available for a while (using a different narrator), there has been a delay in bringing out the last two. This narrator is one I’m listening to a lot at the moment, as she seems to be narrating 90% of the historical romances being put out by Tantor, so I know she can be trusted to do a good job. – Caz
First Touch by Laurelin Paige
Narrated by Ava Erickson
I read First Touch when it first came out in e-book format a few months ago, and the twisty, suspense and erotic charged nature of this title blew me away. A quick sound sample of Ava Erickson indicates that her narration may also be worth giving this title a listen. – BJ
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
Narrated by Callie Dalton
The author/narrator team of one of my top 5 favorite romances of 2015, Kulti, is back with another sports romance, and I for one can’t wait to turn on my earphones and give it a listen! – BJ
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Lisa Kleypas’ historicals are my kryptonite. She’s one of my very few autobuys. Mary Jane Wells did an A+ job with Cold Hearted Rake. Can’t wait for MMW!
I love Elizabeth Hoyt. However, I think I will go for the print version this time. I intensely disliked A. MacNab’s nasal high pítch tones she used for the hero of Duke of Sin in past books. I’ll hold on until your review to find out if she chose to change that or no.
The first Grace Burrowes + James Langton? = sold!
I suspect Ashford MacNab will do what she always does and revert to her bog-standard “hero” voice for Val. I think it must be very difficult in a long-running series to be able to remember the different voices employed for the various characters, especially when they recur. This also happened in books 7 and 8 when she gave Phoebe a very childish-sounding voice with a lisp in Darling Beast and then had to drop the lisp and adjust her tone when she was the heroine of Dearest Rogue. I do enjoy her narrations, but what keeps me coming back to her Maiden Lane work is the emotion she injects into the performances, because her vocal range is actually quite limited.
I am a HUGE fan of Mary Jane Wells and can’t wait for the Kleypas, and the same is true of the Burrowes. James Langton has a gorgeous voice and has done great work on the other books of hers that are in audio (which he recorded under a pseudonym, although his voice is so distinctive as to have made that a bit pointless!) – I would love for him to record her Captive Hearts trilogy, as I think that’s her best work so far.