So March is done, and I think most of us would say “good riddance – don’t let the door slap you in the arse on the way out!” April is here and in my part of the world it’s definitely feeling more Spring-like; I’m lucky enough to have a garden to potter about and sit in should this weekend’s weather predictions of Mediterranean-like conditions in the UK prove correct – and I’m grateful for small mercies at these trying times. Here’s hoping all of you out there in audioland are staying healthy and safe – and if you’re looking for your next listen, maybe you’ll find some inspiration here.
BJ
Narrated by Christian Fox and Chelsea Hatfield
Caz
Narrated by Gildart Jackson
Em
Narrated by Rosalyn Landor
Kaetrin
Narrated by Greg Boudreaux
Melinda
Narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Mackenzie Cartwright
Shannon
Narrated by Jim Frangione
I listened to Tallowwood by NR Walker over the last couple of days. I thought it was very good, especially the first 80% or so. The narration by Antony Ferguson, while not excellent, was still quite good imo and I enjoyed it. I’d love more books about this couple, but the way it concluded it doesn’t seem likely. Still, it was one of the better mm police procedurals I’ve read in quite some time. 4.5 stars
Today I am continuing my listen to Sara Donati’s Into the Wilderness series. I read these books several years ago and liked them a lot. The incredible Kate Reading narrates, which is just making the experience that much better. I’m now starting book 2, Dawn on a Distant Shore, and really having fun with this historical fiction series. The series is often compared to Outlander, but except for the Scottish connections and slightly later time period (post-Revolutionary America) they are not nearly the same caliber. But they are still enjoyable and well-written books about a multi-racial family living in the edge of the wilderness in upper New York state.
I LOVED Tallowwood (in print) – I gave it a DIK at AAR; but was disappointed in the choice of narrator, so haven’t listened to it. AF isn’t a bad narrator as such… he has a lovely voice, but he’s a bit wooden IMO.
Since listening is really my only option, I decided to bite anyway and am quite pleased I did. It was not AAA quality narration, but it was still quite good. I wish there was a bit more character differentiation especially between Jake’s and August’s voices, but it was far from unlistenable. I loved the story, even with a few plot glitches, and the characters and settings were really top drawer. Fingers crossed for a sequel, but I am content with the ending as it stands. NR Walker is rapidly becoming a go-to author for me, and she writes dark serious stuff like this as well as light hearted romance with equal verve. I would love to see her and other Aussie and New Zealand authors develop a ‘stable’ of narrators native to that part of the world however. Authentic accents and speech would be a delight for books that are set there.
Agreed. Rowan Scott did a great job with L.J. Hayward’s Where Death Meets the Devil, but I’ve not been able to find anything else by him since. Maybe Kaetrin – as our resident Antipodean (!) – can weigh in with some more ideas!