Paranormal/Fantasy romance seems to be the order of the week here at AG:
Here’s what the Gals are listening to this week.
BJ
Narrated by Jessica Almasy
Caz
Narrated by Gary Furlong
Kaetrin
Narrated by Abby Craden
Melinda
Narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Holly Warren
Shannon
Narrated by Emily Durante
I am definitely in a Paranormal/Fantasy romance phase. I have been enjoying the Not This Series by Annie Nicholas. The books are excellently narrated by B.J. Harrison (except for the first one). There is something for everyone; dragons, werewolves, gargoyles (had a hard time wrapping my head around a gargoyle as a romantic interest), witches and more. The books are light and funny and I recommend them especially to hear B.J. Harrison’s performance.
A couple of paranormal/urban fantasy books made their way into my week. These included the fourth book in the Boundary Magic UF series by Melissa F. Olson, Boundary Broken, narrated by Kate Rudd. I’m still enjoying these cleverly plotted books and will be sad for the series to end. Right now there is only one more book out.
I also enjoyed the final book of the Not Dead Yet series by Jenn Burke, Graveyard Shift, narrated by Greg Boudreaux. While I still loved it, it was probably my least favorite of the series because there was significantly less humor and a higher body count. Still,it was wonderful and I’m sorry this has ended. I look forward to the coming books starring Evan. Boudreaux’s narration was almost spot on, with the exception of his voice for British born Priya, which sounded fake.
Also this week I listened to the third Hotshots book, Feel the Fire by Annabeth Albert, narrated by Iggy Toma. I liked the main romance but wasn’t interested much in Tucker’s twin sons, who played a big part in the book. Albert handled them well, but it still felt like filler to me. Toma was great. Also by Albert was Arctic Wild, second book of the Frozen Hearts series. This book did not work for me. Ruben’s teen daughter Amelia was a brat and Toby’s family were continually meddling and outright rude to Ruben. Amelia did not feel like a “typical” teen to me. I raised 5 and none of them would have talked to me or my friends like that, and they were far from perfectly behaved kids. And why Toby didn’t tell his family, who he was working his ass off to support, to stay out of his business, I will never understand. Again, I can’t imagine being that meddling or rude to my siblings. I honestly had trouble finishing this one. I admit the romance was good and the sex was hot!
The real joy of the week was Garland of Straw by Stella Riley, narrated by Alex Wyndham at his best. 16 hours of incredible storytelling, sweeping history, and emotional romance. I so wish the rest of this series was on audio.
I don’t know of specific plans for the rest of the Civil War books to come to audio; I know that when Stella first started putting her books into audio, she wasn’t sure if she’d do any of that series, because they’re long and thus very expensive – but obviously she decided it was worth doing, so fingers crossed.
I’m sorry those Albert books didn’t work for you, although I think I can understand why, with your dislike of family drama, they didn’t; I liked the twins in Feel the Fire, though. I finished the Wiltshire and just started Winter’s Orbit, which is quite good so far.
I liked Fell the Fire overall and thought Albert handled the teen characters well in that one, they just felt like plot fillers. I know that’s a personal ambivalence towards children in romances, although there are some notable exceptions where I liked them (Hazard by Stella Riley). And you’re right, as I said in my Goodreads review what bothered me in Arctic Wild was personal taste and won’t be the same for all readers. The book is well written, it just contained tropes I don’t enjoy. I will continue to read Albert’s books because she’s good and I enjoy her writing.
I’ve been waiting for your review of Winter’s Orbit before buying it. :-) I hope it stays good because I’m really interested in that one.
Winter’s Orbit isn’t bad – there are parts where it drags a bit and the misunderstandings between the central couple go on a bit long; the romance is quite low-key as well. I’ll probably give it a B… The narration is pretty good.
Ooh, I am about 75% into the first book in the Not Dead Yet series and really enjoying it. Sadly, it is not available on Scribd, and I am very stingy about my 1 Audible credit per month, so I’m not sure when I’ll get to the rest of the series. Putting it on my wish list though, in case of sales.
sula–I was fortunate to find them on Hoopla through my library. I wish you luck!
Given the quality of the narration and the stories themselves, I’d say that series is worth using your credits on.
I’ve just finished my reread/first listen of the Borealis series, plus the Out of Office shorts, by Gregory Ashe. I first read them in January last year, straight after reading the Hazard and Somerset series, and I’ve always felt that they suffered a bit by comparison.
I have to say that I enjoyed them much more this time round, even though they remain my least favourite of all Ashe’s series/couples. All of Gregory Ashe’s MCs are damaged but Shaw has undergone MASSIVE traumas and I find how he and North struggle with them in their relationship very unsettling at times, particularly in the second book. That being said, they are also tremendously funny together at times and I enjoyed the mystery plots of the first and third books.
I enjoyed Charlie David’s narration and thought he was particularly good at showing us Shaw and North’s characters and relationship. When reading myself, I’ve had to start pronouncing Shaw the American way to match the narrator – Shah!
I’m now ready for the new book as there are a number of threads I want to discover more about…………..
i think I’ll go on to listen to Epic next.
I don’t know for sure if the new Borealis series will come to audio (although I expect it will). I thought Charlie David did a really good job with the characterisations of North and Shaw especially, so I hope Greg brings him back.
I see that the second book of the new series is on Amazon now – wow! And Shaw’s parents are in it. I must say that I had wondered about them…………..
Do you know when the next Auggie and Theo is expected?
In audio? I think JFH is recording it in May/June (along with The Same Place) – the problem with narrators of his calibre is that they get booked up well in advance, but he’s worth the wait!. As for the next book in the series, I don’t know. Someone asked him about that on FB a couple of weeks back, and I think he said he’s focused on getting the new Borealis series out at the moment (it’s 4 books this time) – and I know he wants to get back to Hazard and Somers, but hopefully we might get more Theo & Auggie in between? If I can find out any more, I’ll let you know.
Thanks, I’m really looking forward to Yet a Stranger on audio. I don’t mind waiting until May/June – it’s amazing how fast time goes when you aren’t doing anything!
Actually, I’m looking forward to anything GA writes or puts on audio…………
Just seen – Charlie David is at work on Indirection as we speak!