Three-Reviews-In-One – Ann M. Richardson Performing Stephanie Bond

Our new Author and Narrator Review Request program is off to a resounding start. Not all of these requests are picked up for review, but a good number are. We’re discovering new narrators and authors as well as getting a shot at reviewing well-known authors’ work not offered through major publishers, our usual source of review books.

Through our Narrator Review Requests, Brenda recently discovered Ann M. Richardson, a newer narrator performing three Stephanie Bond titles. Following are Brenda’s three-reviews-in-one of Ms. Richardson’s work – Party Crashers, Almost a Family, and Three Wishes.

Lea

 

Party Crashers175Party Crashers by Stephanie Bond

Narrated by Ann M. Richardson

Looking for an entertaining listen that combines a light-hearted mystery with a dash of romance?  Stephanie Bond’s Party Crashers with Ann M. Richardson narrating delivers.

Heroine, Jolie Goodman was a late-in-life baby raised by older parents whose honest, hard working values make up her core. With that foundation, it’s no surprise, after ten years of working her way up at a real estate company, she clashes over ethics with a new boss. Now she’s selling shoes at Neiman Marcus while trying to launch her own business. Adding to her woes is worry over her gregarious boyfriend who is suddenly missing – along with her car.

With the above set up, you can tell the romance is not the focus of Party Crashers but you’ll love hero Beck Underwood starting with the opening scene – a knight in shining armor. The cast of characters, from Jolie’s snooty ex boss, gossipy co-workers, and long distance best friend among a host of others, are a hoot. Even more so because they are voiced in a way that brings out their individual personalities, a true multi cast performance by a single narrator.

Jolie is surprised to discover her new friend from work, top sales person Carlotta Wren, along with her pal Hannah are serial party crashers but she quickly finds herself sucked into their escapades. Jolie realizes joining them is her way into high society, where she’ll find the information she needs to clear her name when she becomes a suspect in the case involving her missing guy.

Stephanie Bond is not an author I gravitate toward but I wanted to hear Ann Richardson narrate after checking out her SoundCloud presence, which is excellent. She offers samples of general narrative along with dialogue between a wide range of character types and ages along with hero/heroine interaction. The samples convinced me I wanted to hear more

In total, I’ve listened to three Stephanie Bond titles narrated by Ms. Richardson and the results? I hope to hear her with more romance titles by various authors soon!

Narration A

Content B+

 

Almost aFamily200Almost a Family by Stephanie Bond

Narrated by Ann M. Richardson

Almost a Family is an awkward story. It fluctuates between the memories of a couple whose baby was kidnapped and the resulting discord between them – to the child being found eight years later unharmed but with attitude beyond his years – to his parents rediscovering they still have the hots for each other. The scenes bounce between the psychological ramifications being dealt with and in the next, one of the lead characters is dwelling on how sexy they still find the other. That definitely did not work for me.

As to the narration, Ms. Richardson’s characterizations are easily discernible and a pleasure to listen to but the overall narration reflects the unevenness of the book’s theme and I can clearly make that connection. Should the tone be the trauma endured or the new situation thrust upon them? Where does the sexy heat fit in and what about the lightness of falling in love again as a couple then a family? The uncomfortable story failed to lend itself to a smooth delivery or listen.

Narration B

Content C-

 

Three Wishes200Three Wishes by Stephanie Bond

Narrated by Ann M. Richardson

Three Wishes, with its take on Aladdin’s Lamp, has a magical bent with an extremely likeable beta hero. Laddin, who owns an antique store and loves nothing more than a good estate sale, discovers he purchased more than he bargained for with his most recent “find”. He also finds himself uncomfortably attracted to his best customer. In his eyes, Jasmine is an unattainable woman due to his working class roots not to mention she’s the governor’s decorator turned fiancée.

In the spirit of the story, don’t take it too seriously. It’s a fun easy listen with laugh-out-loud moments. Ann Richardson pleasingly defines the characters, not only through her voicing of each but their personality as well, including Laddin’s large boisterous family, adroitly catching the humor and delivering it spot on.

Narration A

Content B-

 

All three audios carry a “minimal” Violence rating and a “Glad I had my ear buds in” Steam rating.

Brenda