Another week, another Currently Playing and a chance for the Gals to chat about what we’ve been listening to recently. We squee over the good and sigh over the not-so-good, tap each other up for ideas for future listens and generally gossip about what’s making our ears happy.
Here’s what the Gals are listening to this week.
BJ
Narrated by Holter Graham
Caz
Narrated by Joel Leslie
Kaetrin
Narrated by Stella Bloom & John Hartley
Melinda
Narrated by Shane East & Vanessa Edwin
Shannon
Narrated by Rob Shapiro
I spent time on favorites this week, including listening to the audiobooks of the first two Guild Codex: Spellbound series by Annette Marie. The series, and the Demonica series that intertwines with it, are favorites of both my husband and myself. Well written and fun,with creative world-building, this is good UF with a little romance. The narrator, Chris Dukehart, is solid, and I enjoyed stepping back into the world.
I also relistened to Rule Breaker by Lily Morton. It’s such a good story and I love the narration by Joel Leslie.
Next was Boundary Haunted, the 5th book, and at this time last, in the Boundary Magic series by Melissa F. Olson. This is another UF series that I’ve really enjoyed,with good world-building and creative plots. Kate Rudd is good, and has become these people in my head, so I ignore a few weaknesses in the narration occasionally.
Lastly I listened to Unmasking Miss Appleby by Emily Larkin, narrated by Rosalyn Landor. Most of it worked for me. I enjoyed the paranormal element, for example. However, I didn’t feel much chemistry between the leads, so the romance didn’t work as well. I also thought some of the plotting was weak. Still, I’ll probably go on to the next book based on the strengths in this one.
Not sure what I’min the mood for next.
I meant to add that Landor’s narration for Larkin’s book was perhaps the best I’ve heard. I always like her,but sometimes her heroes sound a little stuffed up. But her narration was so good! I loved how she kept the two voices for Charlotte so clearly separated,even though in the prose Albin is always “Charlotte,” so she had to keep straight which voice to use at all times. I was impressed and it added to my enjoyment.
Yes, I liked that she had different voices for Charlotte as Charlotte and Charlotte as Albin, but they were both clearly Charlotte! I think RL’s “hero voice” has definitely changed for the better over the years.
I’ve listened to ‘Epic’ this week. It was good to hear Jamie get his moment in the spotlight! I’m not surprised that the audiobooks of ‘Him/Us/Epic’ are so popular -I’ll definitely listen to them again.
I read a short freebie by E. Davies that I’d picked up around Christmastime and thought it was quite sweet. When I clicked on what else the author offered, I discovered an audiobook bundle of 6 books and a novella, narrated by Greg Boudreaux, for 1 credit. It’s called The Significant Brothers Collection – the books seem to be low-angst m/m romances with some humour and plenty of steam. I’m about 70% through the first one (Splinter) and am finding it easy listening. The MCs are a scandal hit rock star and a reclusive park ranger (who used to be an astronaut before he got injured). GB was obviously the hook for me but I saw that Caz had positively reviewed another book by this author last year, so decided to go for it.
I’ve got that bundle, too, and am gradually working my way through it!