A Month of Romance Audio Favorites Selection
Narrated by Tom Stechshulte
After a decade as a hard-to-find audiobook, Nora Robert’s Carnal Innocence
My personal rating is higher with Nora Robert’s well-nuanced characters brought to evocative life by narrator Tom Stechshulte. The ability to pitch his tones to individualize each character, whether man or woman, makes listening to him a pleasure – you always know who is speaking. But it’s his way of lighting every scene with the perfect touch of emotion that makes him shine in my ears.
Tucker Longstreet plays the part of an easy going Southern Lothario to cover a bright mind and generous heart. Admittedly, he’s been a womanizer as he’s waited for Ms. Right but he’s always been honest and upfront. As the real Tucker is slowly revealed through his care and concern for family and the town, you can’t help falling for him right along with Caroline.
Concert violinist Caroline Waverly is pulling into the home she inherited from her grandparents when a sports car zips by just missing her. She’s come to Innocence, Mississippi to recuperate after being pushed to the point of collapse. The near miss doesn’t help her nerves but she’s soon given the chance to vent her ire when she comes across Tucker on her property.
I love a performance and Tom Stechschulte gives a great one throughout. He never misses a tag, be it laughter, anger, tears or flirting, romance and love. My one issue is that Mr. Stechschulte is so good, that I have to hit fast forward when vile characters are on scene. Hearing evil portrayed so convincingly makes me shudder. Construe that as a compliment!
Nora Roberts doesn’t rush the suspense or the romance as she weaves this story in and out of several lives in this 18+ hour listen. From the start, you know there is a murderer roaming among the town’s inhabitants. As the body count climbs, the FBI gets involved much to the disgust of Sheriff Burke Truesdale, Tucker’s longtime friend. The grittier scenes are balanced out with ones of family, friends, and romance.
If I had a list of favorite heroes, Tucker Longstreet would place high. I can’t put his easy going but don’t mess with me charm into mere words. I loved him in print and the audiobook only increased my admiration of him as a hero.
In addition to Tucker and Caroline, one of my favorite characters is eccentric Aunt Lulu – she’s hilarious.
My favorite side plot is that of young Cy and his determination to better himself. A helping hand is extended and the bond that forms between Cy and his benefactor is heart touching. Then there’s Miss Della… I’ll stop now but I know I’ll never tire of hearing Carnal Innocence brought to life so vividly. I feel the heat of a Mississippi summer on my skin…
Brenda
Narration: A+
Book Content: A
Steam Factor: Glad I had my earbuds in
Violence: Graphic
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Recorded Books
Tucker Longstreet! La Nora is the best when it comes to naming heroes…..no other author even comes close.
LOL……..
Great review!
Thanks Mel – Yes the names are priceless. :D
Tucker Longstreet fits fine but Ms Roberts pulls out all the stops with names in this one doesn’t she? Edda Lou, Happy, Birdie, Bobby Lee, Marvela , Billy T and the list goes on…
Love your review. I read this book a long time ago but bought the audio when it became available and really enjoyed it. Tom Stechshulte does a great job.
Thank you Cathy and your right – this is one of Nora’s earlier novels. Carnal Innocence was released in 1991 in print with the original audio coming out in 1999 on CD. I had a used library copy from eBay but was thrilled when it released in digital format at Audible. Tom Stechschulte is awesome – I wish he’d come on over to the romance side full time. :)
It was only last year that I started listening to Nora Roberts (maybe two before then over a span of many years). Carnal Innocence was one of those early listens and I chose it based on Brenda’s strong recommendation (and she loaned me her hard copy).
Tucker Longstreet IS the reason for my love of Carnal Innocence. Not only is he a to-die-for type of romance hero, Tom Stechshulte is simply magnificent in his portrayal of Tucker. Tucker as performed by Stechshulte IS the reason this one sits on my favorites list. I feel like pulling this 18 hours audio back out right now!
I think I’m going to have to spend one of my precious credits at Audible for Carnal Innocence. After reading this post I went looking at my library’s e-media page for NR audiobooks…..there were ninety! I downloaded Witness in Death (chosen completely at random) and I was reminded again how fantastic NR’s words and characters are when transformed by a good narrator like Susan Erickson. Even with all the yelling by Eve at just about everyone WIN was a terrific listening experience, I almost checked-out Sea Swept (my all time fav NR hero Cameron Quinn) but I’ll save that saga for this summer. Okay enough rambling off to Audible……