September is usually a big month for new releases, but this time out, we’ve all struggled a bit to find more than a couple of new and/or upcoming titles that are really calling to us!
The good news is that those titles are ones we think are going to be pretty awesome :)
So please do drop by and tell us if we’ve haven’t included something YOU think is going to be pretty awesome that we REALLY need to listen to this month!
Burn Zone & High Heat by Annabeth Albert
Narrated by Iggy Toma
I’m a big fan of both author and narrator, and I enjoyed both these titles in print so I’ll be picking them up in audio up as soon as they’re available. – Caz
A trusted author and a great narrator make these very tempting. – Kaetrin
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Narrated by Stina Nielsen
I’m not familiar with the narrator, but the e-book version of this debut of a PNR series has gotten great reviews. – BJ
Deadly Kin by Lucinda Brant
Narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies
This fourth book in the Alec Halsey series of historical mysteries has been a couple of years in the making, but it’s an excellent series and I’m sure this instalment – which promises the unearthing of a secret burial chamber and shocking family secrets – will be worth the wait! The always reliable Matthew Lloyd Davies moves into the narrator’s chair and if the sample I’ve heard is anything to go by, he’s going to do an excellent job – Caz
All Scot and Bothered 
by Kerrigan Byrne
Narrated by Derek Perkins
I’m almost reluctant to recommend this one as the first book in the series just didn’t pull me in. However, I have been a big fan of Kerrigan Byrne’s and Derek Perkins’ prior works (including the Victorian Rebels series), so I will give The Devil You Know series one more shot this September. – BJ
When No One Is Watching
by Alyssa Cole
Narrated by Susan Dalian and Jay Aaseng
I’ve read quite a few positive reviews of this book since its release, and I’m super excited to give it a try. Alyssa Cole is a gifted writer, and I’m eager to see how she does with a thriller. I’m not familiar with either of the narrators chosen for this book, but sound samples give me reason to hope for good things. – Shannon
The Roommate by Rosie Danan
Narrated by Brittany Pressley and Teddy Hamilton
Our very own Em had good things to say about this one, so although I’m not usually one for contemps, I’m going to give it a try. With two such great narrators involved, it should be an excellent listen! – Caz
I’m very intrigued by this book and Teddy Hamilton is a favourite so I’m keen to get my hands on it. Or should that be ears? – Kaetrin
Chance of a Lifetime by Jude Deveraux and Tara Sheets
Narrated by Susan Bennett
It’s been quite a few years since I last picked up a Jude Deveraux book. I can’t point to a compelling reason for this, and so, when I saw the synopsis for her latest novel, co-written with Tara Sheets, I decided it was just what I needed to get myself back in the groove. Susan Bennett is a narrator I’ve enjoyed for many years now, so I’m hoping for a great experience when I pick this up. – Shannon
Nice Werewolves Don’t Bite Vampires
by Molly Harper
Narrated by Amanda Ronconi
I’ve enjoyed the Half Moon Hollow series in the past, and Molly Harper’s witty writing and Amanda Ronconi’s narration are great and tend to hit the right spot when I’m in the mood for a funny, lighthearted PNR title. -BJ
Always reliably good, these books are fun and sexy and so entertaining. I’m sure to enjoy the latest in the Half Moon Hollow series. – Kaetrin
World Departed by Sarah Lyons Fleming
Narrated by Roger Wayne, Teri Schnaubelt, Christian Barrillas, and Mia Gaskin
I fell in love with Sarah Lyons Fleming’s work earlier this year, right when the U.S. began its fight against the Coronavirus. I know romances that center around the end of the world aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I’ve found them surprisingly easy to read over the past several months, and this author has quickly become one of my favorites. Her latest book starts a new series, and I can’t wait to lose myself in all the heavy action and sensual romance she creates. The narrators are mostly unfamiliar to me, but I’m willing to take a chance since I’ve loved everything else I’ve listened to by this author, and reading one of her books in print just wouldn’t be the same. – Shannon
Sugarcoated by Erin Nicholas
Narrated by Jason Clarke & Lili Valente
This was a late August release so I’m sneaking it in here. It’s set around a bakery which means it’s calling to me. – Kaetrin
The Storyteller’s Secret by Sejal Badani
Narrated by Soneela Nankani
This is a re-release by Audible of a book originally written in 2018, but the blurb pulled me in and the audiobook is available to KU subscribers. I enjoy books that carry me into a different world and this historical fiction title steeped with Indian culture definitely sounds like an enticing listen. – BJ
Common Goal by Rachel Reid
Narrated by Cooper North
This is book four in the Game Changers series, and like Kaetrin, I read an ARC and loved it. It’s a cute and charming (and hella sexy!) May/December romance between a silver-fox goalie contemplating retirement and a bartender sixteen years his junior who just ‘click’ but need to overcome their baggage and preconceptions. I was delighted to see Cooper North’s name attached and can’t wait to revisit the story in audio. – Caz
I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this book and Cooper North is a terrific narrator so this one looks great. – Kaetrin
Shadows in Death by JD Robb
Narrated by Susan Ericksen
I’ll listen to anything “in Death” but I have to say that the blurb looks particularly intriguing. I can’t imagine this series without Susan Ericksen. If she retires we’re all in trouble! – Kaetrin
All That Remains by R.J. Scott
Narrated by Sean Crisden
The final book in the Lancaster Falls series, this promises to tie up all the loose ends from the previous instalment plus a romance for Josh, the owner of the local – struggling – hotel. I liked the first book in the set, but wasn’t wild about the second (review to come) – but I’m hoping for good things this time around. – Caz
I’ve got ‘Common Goal’ pre-ordered and have been rereading and relistening to the series. Eric and Kyle seemed likeable characters in Book 1 so I’m looking forward to finding out how their relationship develops.
I enjoyed Tor Thom’s narration of Books 2 and 3 but thought that his voice for Kip in Book 1 was awful. As Kip may pop up in the new book, I think it seems a good time for the change of narrator. I just hope that the new narrator gives a good Ilya voice as I really liked Tor Thom’s…………
The other audio that I’ve got pre-ordered is Adriana Herrera’s ‘Finding Joy’. I loved it when the book came out last month – it’s just so different. It’s set in Ethiopia, with both the male leads being aid workers – one Ethiopian and one from the US, but with strong ties to Ethiopia. And – shock, horror – they actually do in-the-field aid working as part of the plot!
Copper North is an excellent narrator – he’s narrated a couple of books by Annabeth Albert (At Attention and Arctic Sun) which I’d recommend. I can’t be doing with Tor Thom, which is why I was jumping for joy at the change of narrator for this series (Scott and Kip do make several cameo appearances in this, as does Ilya) Heated Rivalry made my Best of 2019 list at AAR – I tried to listen to it, but couldn’t make it to the end of the sample. I’ve reviewed Tor Thom a couple of times here and he’s got a lovely voice, but poor characterisation and differentiation together with odd phrasing and breathing patterns put him on my ‘never again’ list.
Heated Rivalry was the first Contemporary audio that I listened to (in March this year), after years of listening just to HR, so I think the novelty of TT’s voice played a part in my enjoyment. He certainly sounds very different from Rosalyn Landor and Cornell Collins etc!!
I think I’m being very dense, but how do you get Bold etc on this site?
Different, yes. I think of TT as the poor man’s Aiden Snow – similar register and sound but nowhere near as good! And as you’ve probably listened to more really good narrators by now, you might notice things you didn’t before…
Anyway, to get bold, italic etc. here in comments just use HTML tags, so for bold < b > (without the spaces) at the start and < / b > (without spaces) at the end. For italics use i instead of b.
This probably isn’t the right place for this, but I wanted some information if anyone has ideas. I just received an email from Audible that as of Nov.1st, they are discontinuing the Audible Escape service. This service is like Kindle unlimited in that you pay one monthly fee to borrow as many eligible books as you want. I’ve been listening to a lot of Escape eligible books because I generally listen to a book every two to three days, and only get one credit a month. They have a new program, Audible Plus, which isn’t as good and isn’t searchable. Whereas I have 40 books on my Escape shelf on Goodreads, I only have 3 on my Plus shelf.
Does anyone know of another audiobook service that they would recommend? I need to look for new ways to listen, and my library supply is good but not comprehensive. My funds are limited. Thank you for any ideas.
I saw the news about this yesterday at various FB groups – from what I read there, SOME of the AE titles will be carried across into Audible Plus, but it’s not likely to be many (as little as 10%), as Audible Plus features all genres and not just romance. I’ll have to leave the question about other Audiobook options to my US-based friends. I see mention of things like Hoopla and Scribd and other things, but I don’t have any experience of them I’m afraid.
I had another thought. If you’re on Facebook, join the Aural Fixation group. Members there have been talking about this extensively and talking about alternatives, so maybe you’ll find some useful information there.
Thanks, Caz. I’ll definitely look up the facebook group. I’ve looked into the services associated with our library, namely Hoopla, Overdrive, and Libby, and I’ll definitely be using them, but their selection is limited and there are waiting times. Scribd also has a limited selection, but the monthly fee includes ebooks as well as audio, so I may try it out for a few months and go through the books I want. The cost is reasonable since you can read or listen to quite a few books a month. I’ve also now looked into Libra.fm, which benefits independent bookstores, and audiobooks.com. Both offer a monthly subscription similar to Audible, but for Libra.fm at least, you actually own your books outright, they aren’t just held in a library. However, for both services selection is limited and is usually of the “bestseller” variety.
It would help a great deal if Audible would stop being idiotic and make the Plus catalog searchable. Then I feel I could make an informed decision,and be more likely to stay with them.
Thanks for your help!
It’s libro.fm, not libra. Sorry.
Also, I am aware of a few authors who are making audiobooks available via Author’s Direct/Findaway Voices at cheaper prices than Audible. Of course, you have to know which books you want and then buy them through their website (and it means using yet ANOTHER damn app!) but it is another option.
We have Libro.fm in the UK – I’ve looked at it but it doesn’t have the same selection of titles as Audible. I don’t think anywhere else does. Plus I think the monthly Audible fee is cheaper here – when I did the monthly thing I paid £7.99 per month (now I do 24 credits all at once as they work out at around £4.50 each).
Maybe it’s worth contacting Audible Customer Service on their chat option or Tweeting them to ask about the searchable catalogue? I find it hard to believe it won’t be – maybe it’s just not ready yet?
I’ll check out Author’s Direct, thanks.
I have talked to customer service twice about it and was told one time that it would be “too difficult.” (insert eye roll right here because that’s what programmers do, and how are they making their ENTIRE collection searchable if it’s “too big?”) The second time they thanked me for my suggestion and said they were always looking for ways to improve things. (insert second eye roll because that’s patronizing) We’ll see. I think they aren’t real keen on pushing the freebies so much as TALKING about having the freebies. None of it makes a lot of sense to me. If Audible Escape didn’t work and you were paying for that, how is Audible Plus suppose to be viable when it’s free with your membership? Also, you can get just the Audible Plus membership for $7.95 (no credits) but how are you suppose to find Plus titles when you can’t search the catalog. Am I sounding like a broken record here? Starting to repeat myself? Looking a little crazed? I’ll go have a glass of wine. I’m done. I promise!