Audiobooks to listen to: Forever Mine

Hello and welcome!

I was the lucky receiver of an ALC of this audiobook and I am glad I accepted the offer. My friend told me that I will not be able to stop listening once I start and she was right.

Thrown back to the year 1897, Victoria Ashton is mistaken for, and forced to impersonate, the spiteful, unfaithful Countess of Guildford, who’s been missing for three weeks. Despite Victoria’s attempts to convince the earl she’s not his wife, her double’s infidelity and lies make it difficult, especially when Victoria falls in love with a man who loathes her.

Nicholas Thornhill, Earl of Guildford, is plagued with rumors he murdered his missing wife. When she unexpectedly reappears, he scoffs at her latest in a long string of lies. But the changes in Victoria make him alter his opinion as he forges a bond with her that crosses the boundaries of time.

Add it to your Goodreads TBR list.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My review

Story – 5 stars
Performance – 5 stars

I thought that I read/listened to all the types of time travel stories… well… Monica Burns proved me wrong.

This is my first book from the author and the narrators, Stephanie Németh-Parker and Zachary Johnson, are new to me too. I fell in love with their voices and have to add them to my eargasm list.

I loved listening as they bring this story to life duet style, it is different from what I listened to before, the story is gripping switching between present and future, has a little of everything… suspense, intrigue, romance, steam.

The story elicited many emotions, I laughed, I cried, I shouted out loud that it made me mad. A rocky but exciting journey to the HEA they both deserve.

I received an ALC for an honest review.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the author

Monica Burns is a bestselling author of spicy historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance. She is also the winner of the 2015 Gold Medal International Book Award, 2016 IPPY Bronze for FOREVER MINE. At the age of nine, Monica displayed an aptitude for psychic abilities. It was then she wrote her first romance and signed it with the pseudonym she uses today—Monica Burns. She’s bought four houses based on her dreams and been within $500 of all sale/purchase prices. No she hasn’t been able to predict lottery numbers, although she sure wishes she could.

Her historical book awards include the 2011 RT BookReviews Reviewers Choice Award and the 2012 Gayle Wilson Heart of Excellence Award for Pleasure Me. She is also the recipient of the prestigious paranormal romance award, the 2011 PRISM Best of the Best award for Assassin’s Heart. From the days when she hid her stories from her sisters to her first completed full-length manuscript, she always believed in her dream despite rejections and setbacks. A workaholic wife and mother, Monica is a survivor who believes every hero and heroine deserves a HEA (Happily Ever After), especially if she’s writing the story.

Check out the website for more info and links to social media.

About the narrators

Stephanie Németh-Parker

Professional voiceover for audiobooks, commercials, corporate, medical and eLearning
An award-winning SAG-AFTRA audiobook narrator, voiceover artist and actress with 20+ years acting experience. Her voice has been described as warm and strong, with an underlying vulnerability that can easily turn snarky when needed.

Her versatility and adeptness with accents has enabled her to work in many different areas of the voiceover community – from commercials to corporate narration, animation to audiobooks.

She was the voice of Omega Watches for over 5 years and have done over a hundred voiceovers with clients including IKEA, Audi, Novartis, Roche, and Swiss Airlines to name a few.

She narrate Romance, Fantasy, YA, Thrillers, Cozy Mysteries, Non-Fiction, Horror, Memoirs and LGBTQ+.

Accents include: US – Southern, Midwest, California; British, Irish, French, German, Italian, Hungarian, Russian, Spanish and various Latin American accents.

Check out her website for more info and links to social media.

Zachary Johnson

Lover of mathematics, devourer of science fiction, and connoisseur of the dad joke. When he’s not doing math for business or fun, he’s devouring science fiction and fantasy, reading up on scientific advancements, going for a jog, or, on all too rare occasions, taking a refreshing swim at the beach. At your service, you shall have an able storyteller and gifted conveyor of information. Experienced in narrating fiction, from the romantic to the post-apocalyptic, and nonfiction, from the historical to the corporate, and armed with the tools to make it all sound great, Zachary promises that, no matter the job, you’ll be read-iculously pleased!

Check out his website for more info and links to social media.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am so looking forward to listen to more audiobooks from the author and the narrators.

Until next time, happy reading / listening!

Audiobooks to listen to: The Hunter and the Heiress

Hello and welcome!

I was so happy to be back in Claire Delacroix‘s Blood Brothers world. I just finished book 2 in the series, The Hunter and the Heiress. I hope you give it a chance, reading or listening to it.

Nothing could be further from Amaury de Vries’ expectations than joining his half-brother’s company of mercenaries, in the wilds of Scotland. A knight and a champion at the joust, he expected to inherit a holding – until the man he has known as his father revealed a terrible truth, and disavowed him. Left with nothing, Amaury rides to Kilderrick, where he loses his heart to a beautiful noblewoman in the forest. A practical man, he knows he has no right to court the lady, but when she is abducted, Amaury follows, determined to fulfill his knightly duty by aiding a damsel in distress.

Elizabeth d’Acron has been a pawn and a prize, pursued for her father’s wealthy holding, and wants only to be desired for herself. Seized again, she vows she will surrender to no man – even the handsome knight who comes to her rescue. And truly, there could be no one more vexing than this confident yet inscrutable man, so concerned with duty that he could be wrought of stone. But Elizabeth soon learns that she can trust Amaury to defend her at any cost. She does not expect the seductive fire, awakened by his touch, much less his conquest of her wary heart – but has she fallen in love with a man whose affections are already claimed?

Snared between duty and passion, Amaury finds himself beguiled by the lady who challenges his every expectation, but knows he has little to offer her. But when Elizabeth is threatened by a former suitor who will not be refused, Amaury risks his all in her defense, hoping it will be enough. But can he intervene in time? And will love alone convince Elizabeth to place her hand in his for all time?

Add it to your Goodreads TBR list.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My review:

Story – 5 stars
Performance – 5 stars

So happy to be back in this world. Amari really surprised me and I should have known the author will not let him be what he appeared in the first book. I loved his conviction of doing the right thing even if it is not what he planned and Elisabeth didn’t make it easy on him. At times I wanted to smack them both for not speaking out and only guessing what the other felt. Lots of twists and the author didn’t let me guess who was the real villain as usual. Loved, love, loved the ending! So happy I could burst!

Timothy Campbell is on my ‘eargasm’ list from the first book, and he really outdid the last one. Looking forward the next one, hopefully soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the author

Bestselling and award-winning author Claire Delacroix has published over seventy novels and novellas. Her first book, Romance of the Rose was published in 1993. She is USA Today and nationally bestselling, and her medieval romance, The Beauty, was her first book to land on the New York Times List of Bestselling Books.

Claire Delacroix is a pseudonym used by Deborah Cooke for her historical and fantasy romances. Deborah also publishes contemporary and paranormal romances as Deborah Cooke and has written as Claire Cross.

Check out the website for more info and links to social media.

About the narrator

Tim Campbell is an award winning actor and singer who lives in Los Angeles, CA. He works primarily in audiobook narration and voice over and has narrated hundreds of titles spanning almost every genre. He has won or been nominated for almost every major award in the audiobook industry, including most recently a 2018 Audie, a 2019 Audie (nom), a 2019 Voice Arts Award, and several Independent Audiobook and Audiofile Magazine Earphones awards. Career highlights include Moby Dick (Brilliance Audio), Labarynth (Catherine Coulter), The Phantom of the Opera (Brilliance Audio), The Joe Dillard Legal Thrillers (Tim Campbell/Audible Studios), The Unhuman/Inspector Hobbes series (Findaway), The Mountain (HighBridge) and various short stories and novellas by Neil Gaiman, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mary Shelley, Rudyard Kipling, HG Wells, Jules Verne, Ken Liu, Helen DeWitt, and many many others. He lived and trained in the UK and Germany, narrates as both an American and a Brit, and has studied performance diction in German, Italian, French, Spanish and Japanese, and Latin. He specializes in accents, dialects, and character work and holds three degrees in theater and music as well as graduating from the esteemed two year Great Books Colloquium of Pepperdine University.

In his other, musical life, Tim sings regularly with the LA Master Chorale, Los Angeles Opera, and in studio sessions for TV and Film. Highlights include principal ensemble in Candide at LA Opera, Courfeyrac in Les Miserables at Fresno Grand Opera, Jud in Oklahoma with Cabrillo Music Theater, and Anthony in Sweeney Todd with Pacific Opera Project and singing on the soundtrack for Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker and films such as Creed 2, Venom, and many others.

Check out the website for more info and links to social media.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In case you missed it, check out my review for the first book in the series, The Wolf and the Witch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until next time, happy reading / listening!

Audiobooks to listen to: The Wolf and the Witch

Hello and welcome!

I recommend this story with 5 stars!

The Wolf and the Witch is book 1 in the Blood Brothers series by one of my fave authors, Claire Delacroix.

The three sons of a notorious mercenary should never have met…but now that they are sworn allies, the Scottish Borders will never be the same….

Denied his rightful legacy, Maximilian de Vries devised a plan to avenge himself upon his father and see his own future secured. Allied with his two forgotten half-brothers, he descends upon ancient and mysterious Kilderrick, determined to claim it at any price. A woman rumored to be a witch is the sole one bold enough to defy him but Maximilian has a solution – he will take her to wife, whether she be willing or nay, and seal his claim.

But this powerful warrior has yet to match wits with Alys Armstrong, a maiden with a thirst for vengeance and a fury that might exceed his own. Alys has no intention of capitulating to the proud and illegitimate son of the rogue who stole everything from her, and she does not share his avowed compulsion to fight fair.

Bitter enemies from the outset, Maximilian and Alys’ match is a battle of wills. When anger turns to passion, will either of them be able to resist temptation? And when Kilderrick itself is in peril, will they be able to join forces to save the unexpected love they have come to value above all else?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My review:

Story – 5 stars
Performance – 5 stars

I loved all the books by Ms. Delacroix that I listened to so far and this is no different.
The story is not what appears at the beginning, it emerges in stages, with many twists and it was a delight to be on this journey with Maximilian and Alys to their HEA. At times I didn’t think they will make it, but make it they did and then some. The characters will make you like, love or hate them, but all unforgettable. Loved the ending, left me with a happy heart.

Timothy Campbell is a new-to-me voice and oh so yummy, an ‘eargasm’ for sure, varied to reflect each character. My fave is the voice he gave Max, deep and rumbling. The voices given the female characters are equally good, without being sounding false. Looking forward to more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the author

Bestselling and award-winning author Claire Delacroix has published over seventy novels and novellas. Her first book, Romance of the Rose was published in 1993. She is USA Today and nationally bestselling, and her medieval romance, The Beauty, was her first book to land on the New York Times List of Bestselling Books.

Claire Delacroix is a pseudonym used by Deborah Cooke for her historical and fantasy romances. Deborah also publishes contemporary and paranormal romances as Deborah Cooke and has written as Claire Cross.

Check out the website for more info and links to social media.

About the narrator

Tim Campbell is an award winning actor and singer who lives in Los Angeles, CA. He works primarily in audiobook narration and voice over and has narrated hundreds of titles spanning almost every genre. He has won or been nominated for almost every major award in the audiobook industry, including most recently a 2018 Audie, a 2019 Audie (nom), a 2019 Voice Arts Award, and several Independent Audiobook and Audiofile Magazine Earphones awards. Career highlights include Moby Dick (Brilliance Audio), Labarynth (Catherine Coulter), The Phantom of the Opera (Brilliance Audio), The Joe Dillard Legal Thrillers (Tim Campbell/Audible Studios), The Unhuman/Inspector Hobbes series (Findaway), The Mountain (HighBridge) and various short stories and novellas by Neil Gaiman, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mary Shelley, Rudyard Kipling, HG Wells, Jules Verne, Ken Liu, Helen DeWitt, and many many others. He lived and trained in the UK and Germany, narrates as both an American and a Brit, and has studied performance diction in German, Italian, French, Spanish and Japanese, and Latin. He specializes in accents, dialects, and character work and holds three degrees in theater and music as well as graduating from the esteemed two year Great Books Colloquium of Pepperdine University.

In his other, musical life, Tim sings regularly with the LA Master Chorale, Los Angeles Opera, and in studio sessions for TV and Film. Highlights include principal ensemble in Candide at LA Opera, Courfeyrac in Les Miserables at Fresno Grand Opera, Jud in Oklahoma with Cabrillo Music Theater, and Anthony in Sweeney Todd with Pacific Opera Project and singing on the soundtrack for Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker and films such as Creed 2, Venom, and many others.

Check out the website for more info and links to social media.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until next time, happy reading / listening!

Audiobooks to listen to: The Lighthouse

Hello and welcome!

I love the symbiotic relationship between authors and narrators. When you have a fave author who publishes a book in audio format and the voice ends up on your fave list, and when a narrator posts about an audiobook in the works or published and you find a new author.

One of those narrators is one who I posted about before and also chatted with me, Braden Wright. If you missed my chat with him in… 2015… WOW … 6 years ago … I would listen to anything narrated by him. His voice is like a hug, keeps you warm and safe.

I was fortunate to listen to an ARC of his latest audio which released today. The author was kind enough to send me the audiobook and let me tell you, it was a delight!

Happy release day, Mr. Parker!

Thank you, Mr. Wright, for introducing me to another world!

The Lighthouse

by Christopher Parker

Enchanting, mysterious, and deeply romantic, The Lighthouse follows a young woman’s breathtaking journey far from home to discover where she truly belongs.

Something strange is happening in Seabrook. The town’s lighthouse – dormant for over 30 years and famously haunted – has inexplicably started shining, and its mysterious glow is sparking feverish gossip throughout the spooked community.

Amy Tucker is only visiting for the night and has no plans to get caught up in the hysteria, but that changes when she meets Ryan, the loyal, hard-working son of a ranch owner who lives on the outskirts of town.

Their chance encounter turns into an unforgettable weekend, and against the backdrop of the lighthouse-obsessed town, the two of them forge a deep connection, opening their hearts, baring their souls, and revealing secrets long kept hidden.

But as they grow closer, and as the lighthouse glows ever brighter, a startling discovery about Ryan leaves Amy questioning everything she thought she knew. To uncover the truth about her new friend, Amy will need to enter Seabrook’s ominous tower, where waiting inside she will not only find the reason why fate has brought them together…but a shocking secret that will change the course of their lives forever.

Check out the map of Seabrook, as you read/listen along.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My review:

story: 4 stars
narration: 5 stars

When I started listening to the book, I went in without any expectations, the author being new to me.

It starts on a sad note, my heart was breaking for Amy and her Dad. The story kept me in suspense for most of it, I had a feeling that not all was as it seemed and that something was missing. The twist comes almost at the end, and when all is revealed, I was left with a sad but light heart. I was like no no no, you can’t do that, it was not what I expected, but in the end I accepted it.

Good ending and I was glad that things were resolved and all involved got what they needed, be that closure or happy ending. The story elicited so many emotions, I cried, I smiled, I wondered, I sighed, and got scared too.

I am glad I took a chance on this debut novel, and congratulations to Mr. Parker for taking the leap. Looking forward to the next one.

Mr. Wright is one of my fave voices to listen to and on my ‘eargasm’ list. His voice for each character was on point and in tune with the emotions of each situation. He makes it seem so effortless, switching between the many characters in this book and at times seemed like another person is narrating. A great experience as usual.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the author

Christopher Parker was born in Takapuna, a seaside suburb in Auckland, New Zealand, where he currently lives with his daughter. Having loved writing stories growing up, it was a walk along Takapuna beach and a chance glimpse at a distant lighthouse that made him want to revisit his childhood passion and try his hand at producing a novel. Nearly ten years on from that fateful stroll, he is proud to finally share his story.

The Lighthouse is Christopher’s first novel.

Check out the website for more info and links to social media.

About the narrator

A lifelong performer, Braden Wright has appeared on Film & Television, on stage, on national tour, and has performed internationally as a narrator, Commercial VO artist, documentary narrator and audiobook narrator.

He has also produced a staged reading of his own two-act farce, and has worked as an instructor and also an audiobook coach. Amidst a career devoted to the Arts, he worked concurrently for 25 year in writing, producing and photo editing for Hollywood entertainment marketing.

Check out his website for more info and links to social media.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To celebrate the release, Mr. Parker is giving away an ebook/audiobook to one of you, winner’s choice. All you have to do is comment on the post and Sexy Mr. Random will pick a name after 6pm EST, October 27, 2021.

Add it to your Goodreads TBR list.

Make sure to like Mr. Parker’s FB page, to keep up with the news.

Also like Mr. Wright’s FB page, as he will have more audiobooks coming.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until next time, happy reading / listening!

NEW RELEASE! Loverboy by Sarina Bowen

Hello and welcome!

Remember I posted my 5-star review for this awesome book a few weeks ago?

Released today and I hope you give it a chance.

CREDITS: Photo by Wander Aguiar, Design by Hang Le

Secrets, desires, and exquisite pie. It’s all in a day’s work at The Company.

Growing up, I was the rough guy from the wrong neighborhood who couldn’t catch a break. Posy was the pampered girl I tried to impress. But I managed to steal only a single kiss before I had to skip town.

Now I’m back, and the tables are turned. Posy runs a struggling pie shop. I’m the VP of a secretive billion-dollar security company.

Not that I can tell her.

There’s a murderer on the loose in New York, and he seems to spend a lot of time at Posy’s shop. I can’t let on that I’m here to bring him down before he can harm a hair on her pretty head.

Going undercover as Posy’s new barista wasn’t my idea. I don’t even drink coffee. But now I have to call her “boss,” and do everything the curvy perfectionist asks of me. I’d forgotten how much we infuriate each other, and that she somehow fills me with both irritation and desire in the same breath.There’s nobody more skilled at stealth ops than me. I can bring this killer down. Right after I take a cold shower. And just as soon as I figure out how to make a skinny peppermint latte with milk poured in the shape of a kitten…

Audiobook narrated by Joe Arden and Vanessa Edwin, with special appearance from Emma Wilder.

Here is a taste…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Earlier, I’d spotted him even before he came into the bar. I watched him get out of that cab and then check the time. I saw him look toward the pub, weighing his choices.

My heart had thumped along with only one word. Please.

Fine—not my heart. It was other parts of me who were doing all the begging. Silently, of course. Speaking up seems impossible right now. What if he laughs in my face? Or—this might even be worse—what if he says yes? And then we get naked and I can’t satisfy him?

You’re not very adventurous, Spalding said. You’re not very good in bed.

My ex is the only person I’ve ever been naked with. And thanks to him, I’m afraid to try again with someone else. If another man tells me I’m no fun, I don’t know how I’d come back from that.

On the other hand, if I don’t get out of this rut, then Spalding wins. Maybe I sound melodramatic, but I don’t want to die before I experience terrific sex.

It’s really no surprise that my drink disappears quickly.

“Look, you don’t have to tell me what’s on your mind,” Gunnar muses, and I realize I’ve been silent for some time. “But something has you deep in thought.”

“Rhubarb,” I blurt. “It’s, uh, something I’ve used in springtime pies. But, um, I wonder if I could do better than strawberry rhubarb—that’s been done, you know?”

His smile widens. “Is that an occupational hazard? You can’t eat or drink anything without reconfiguring it in your mind?”

“Yep.” I wave at the bartender. “Another round of these if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Are you trying to get me drunk?” Gunnar asks. “Please say yes.”

My pulse picks up, because it’s hard to miss the innuendo there. But I dodge the question, because I’ve never been brave. “As if two cocktails and a beer would put you under my spell.”

“Oh, I’m easy,” Gunnar says, giving me an intentionally sleazy wink. “Besides, your pies have already made me slow and agreeable. That key lime and Thai basil pie was amazing. That stuff is dangerous.”

“You like my key lime and Thai basil?” I ask, hearing pleasure in my own voice. It never gets old when people tell you how much they like the product. “And I guess it figures that you’d be one of those.”

“One of what?”

“You have an adventurous palate.” I prop an elbow on the bar and try to explain. “People fall into two distinct groups. There’re the ones who always order the weird flavors. And the Dutch apple pie crew, who always stick to the basics. They don’t cross over. It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.”

Thanks to Spalding. He basically accused me of being a Dutch apple pie in bed. The whole reason I’m reading my sister’s romance novels is to try to learn what the other flavors are like.

“Huh,” Gunnar says. “So, you can just guess which other pies I’ve tried?”

“Sure, I can. Did you try the pine nut and salted honey?”

“Oh, hell yes.”

My smile grows wide. “How about the matcha green tea tart?”

“Well,” he shakes his head, “I gotta say I haven’t quite gone there yet. But I did enjoy the vinegar date pie.”

“Ah! And the ginger mango cream, right?” I press.

“Yeah. Does that make me predictable?”

“A little bit,” I say, enjoying myself immensely. “Have you started doing that thing where you try to guess each customer’s guilty pleasure?”

He laughs. “Get out of my head. It’s my new favorite game.”

“How’s your accuracy?”

“Pretty bad. I started off trying to use clothing as a clue. I expected somebody wearing a navy blue suit and boring shoes to order the apple crumble. But that theory bombed. And then I tried to assume that people in workout clothes wouldn’t pick something sugary. But they totally do.”

“You have to look deep inside their souls,” I tease. “If you look at the shell of a person, you’ll never get their pie order right. In fact, you have to look at their auras.”

He snorts. “What color is my aura?”

“Indigo, like tattoo ink. But with a streak of red because you’re contrary.”

He narrows his eyes. “You’re just fucking with me now.”

“Maybe I am.”

“Okay, lady. But I have an issue with something you said earlier.”

“What?”

“Guilty pleasures.” He lays a hand over my wrist. “I don’t believe in those. I don’t think pleasure should make you feel guilty.”

“Oh.” He’s barely touching me, but goosebumps run up my arm anyway. Now would be a great time to make a joke and diffuse all the tension I’m suddenly feeling. But I feel too tongue-tied to pull it off.

Gunnar removes his hand, which is a disappointment. But the next thing he says stuns me back into goosebump territory. “You know, I always had it bad for you.”

“You … what?” I ask stupidly.

“Back when we were tending bar, I had a big crush on you. And sometimes I thought you were on the same page. I usually have good instincts about these things. But not that time. You ended up with Mr. Pretty Boy Preppy instead.”

My heart is thumping wildly now, and I take a sip of my cocktail to steady my nerves. The truth is that I don’t really trust this little revelation. We used to annoy each other, for one thing. But maybe that didn’t matter to Gunnar’s libido. He was a horny college boy. He probably had it bad for all the girls.

Still. “What if I’m the one who has terrible instincts? Did you ever think of that? And did you miss the part where I divorced Mr. Preppy?”

“Mmm,” he says thoughtfully. “I suppose that might explain a few things.”

“You’re the one who left, anyway.”

His eyes narrow. “Do you really think if I’d stuck around, things would have turned out differently? I spent three months giving you the fuck-me eyes, Paxton. But you didn’t take me up on it.”

Oh mother of God. His gaze is turning hot, and I think it might incinerate me. And then I remember why we never hooked up in the first place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can check the audio excerpt too on my review post too.

BUY LINKS

Add it to your Goodreads TBR lists.

Author Bio

Sarina Bowen is the award-winning author of more than thirty contemporary novels. She has hit the USA Today bestseller’s list thirteen times and counting. Formerly a derivatives trader on Wall Street, Sarina holds a BA in economics from Yale University.

Sarina is a New Englander whose Vermont ancestors cut timber and farmed the north country since the 1760s. Sarina is grateful for the invention of indoor plumbing and wi-fi during the intervening 250 years. On a few wooded acres, she lives with her husband, two boys, and an ungodly amount of ski and hockey gear.

Sarina’s books are published in a dozen languages on four continents.

To keep in touch with Ms. Bowen and check out all her yummy books, check out the links to social media.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until next time… read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

Audiobook to listen to: La Vie en Rose

Hello and welcome!

The audiobook I want to share about today is a not-to-be-missed story

La Vie en Rose: Life in Pink

By: Lydia Michaels

Narrated by: Brian Callanan

Emma Sanders has always dreamt of being a bride, wearing fancy gowns, pretty pearls, and – of course – falling madly in love. Then life happened. Finding herself one fiancé short of her happily ever after, she leaves the fairytales behind. Some days are simply too perilous for pink gowns and pearls.

Riley Lockhart is the sort of man who can make a woman lower her gaze with only a smile. That he doesn’t realize his charm makes him all the more enchanting. Determined to save Emma the pain of her breakup, he steps in as a friend, but soon finds himself wanting more.

She was just a girl, but she somehow winds up being the strongest woman he’s ever known. Losing her is not an option and when life can’t be tied neatly in a pretty little bow, he holds tight to all that he loves most in this world – his Emma. His hero.

Sometimes the greatest scars are worn on the inside.

Isn’t the cover beautiful? I love it!

The story and the voice telling make it …

a must listen

I picked up this book because I love Mr. Callanan’s voice and I am glad I did.
It starts out like any other story, character intros, showing the dynamics between the main characters. I was zoning out a bit in the beginning at the very detailed scenes, BUT… am I glad the author did that because the twist in the story is major, I mean life-altering major, I did not expect and what happens after is very detailed and eye-opening for somebody who has not gone thru that. It is about love, loyalty, friendship, family, what it means to have those when you need them the most. The book has crazy LOL moments, steamy dirty-talk scenes, and tear jerker ones too.
It ends well, but have tissues ready. Emma and Riley’s wows are just beautiful, the nicknames for each other cracked me up. It put me thru the emotional wringer, but OH SO WORTH IT !!!
I think this is the best I heard so far from Mr. Callanan. He outdid himself in every way, the various voices, the emotions, the passionate delivery made this an enjoyable experience.

Overall – 5 stars • Performance – 5 stars • Story – 5 stars

It has been almost 3 years, December 18, 2017 to be exact WOW time flies since I listened to it, but I still remember the feeling of contentment when finished.

There is a sale on right now, so hurry and get it HERE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until next time… read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

Audiobooks to listen to: Loverboy

Hello and welcome!

I just finished an ARC of this audiobook I was lucky to get from one of my fave authors, Sarina Bowen, and I had to tell you about it even thought the release date is December 1, 2020. I was part of the cover reveal too, if you missed that, you can find it here.

CREDITS: Photo by Wander Aguiar, Design by Hang Le

Secrets, desires, and exquisite pie. It’s all in a day’s work at The Company.

Growing up, I was the rough guy from the wrong neighborhood who couldn’t catch a break. Posy was the pampered girl I tried to impress. But I managed to steal only a single kiss before I had to skip town.

Now I’m back, and the tables are turned. Posy runs a struggling pie shop. I’m the VP of a secretive billion-dollar security company.

Not that I can tell her.

There’s a murderer on the loose in New York, and he seems to spend a lot of time at Posy’s shop. I can’t let on that I’m here to bring him down before he can harm a hair on her pretty head.

Going undercover as Posy’s new barista wasn’t my idea. I don’t even drink coffee. But now I have to call her “boss,” and do everything the curvy perfectionist asks of me. I’d forgotten how much we infuriate each other, and that she somehow fills me with both irritation and desire in the same breath.There’s nobody more skilled at stealth ops than me. I can bring this killer down. Right after I take a cold shower. And just as soon as I figure out how to make a skinny peppermint latte with milk poured in the shape of a kitten…

Audiobook narrated by Joe Arden and Vanessa Edwin, with special appearance from Emma Wilder.

Check out the audio excerpt on YouTube

Gunner goes under cover… as a barista. He’s had easier days! 🙂 Joe Arden’s voices are sublime ❤

Add it to your Goodreads TBR list.

Here is another audio teaser, with Vanessa Edwin‘s voice… Kisses on a street corner?

… and another one where Posy wakes up. And she’s not in her own bed…

Preorder links are here.

Author Bio

Sarina Bowen is the award-winning author of more than thirty contemporary novels. She has hit the USA Today bestseller’s list thirteen times and counting. Formerly a derivatives trader on Wall Street, Sarina holds a BA in economics from Yale University.

Sarina is a New Englander whose Vermont ancestors cut timber and farmed the north country since the 1760s. Sarina is grateful for the invention of indoor plumbing and wi-fi during the intervening 250 years. On a few wooded acres, she lives with her husband, two boys, and an ungodly amount of ski and hockey gear.

Sarina’s books are published in a dozen languages on four continents.

To keep in touch with Ms. Bowen and check out all her yummy books, check out the links to social media.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My review – 5 stars

I loved all of Ms. Bowen’s books I listened to so far, and ‘Loverboy’ is no exception.

A great mix of sweet love story, second chance angst, suspense, some comic relief and of course HEA ending. Posy’s inner voice cracked me up and was well voiced. Loved Gunnar’s protective alpha, charming flirt and sweet gooey heart. Great secondary characters, Duffy was one of them, funny and sweet, smart ass young man. Scout piqued my interest too. I hope they get their story too.

Loved loved the voices giving life to the characters in this great story. Joe Arden is on my ‘eargasm’ voices list, same with Emma Wilder. Vanessa Edwin is a new voice to me and will have to add her to my ‘to listen more from’ list. Checked her backlist, I added quite a few onto my TBL wish list already.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until next time… read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

Audiobooks to listen to: The Subway Girl

Hello and welcome!

I just finished this audiobook and wanted to share with you. Lisa Becker is a new-to-me author and I am glad I got to discover her work. I will check her other books out for sure.

Swoon-worthy and sizzling romantic comedy about love and fate…and now, award winner for romantic comedy of the 2020 American Fiction Awards.

The Subway Girl combines witty humor, sizzling chemistry, likable characters, funny banter, and heart-swooning moments into a story of unexpected love and fate.

A hopeless romantic.

A cynical web show producer.

An unscrupulous camera operator.

A sleazy businessman.

An aspiring actress.

A womanizing best friend.

A scheming ex-girlfriend.

A commitment-phobic roommate.

An unlucky-in-love buddy.

These lives intersect when an average guy is awed by a mystery woman on a crowded New York subway and vows to meet her.

Here is a sample you can listen to…

For more info follow the links – Lisa Becker • Erin Mallon

My review: 5 stars

I love the book, I laughed, I cried, it broke my heart then put it back together. I do believe in fate and is true that Ryan is a rarity. I am glad that he found his ‘the one’ with Angie, they complement each other in many ways and their chemistry is palpable. Loved the movie references and the quotes…. Love this one: “The rearview is smaller than the windshield.”… My heart was breaking while following their journey to HEA, how callous some of those around them were. He had great friends though, loved his family and their closeness. His sister was a hoot. My first book from Ms. Becker and I thoroughly enjoyed. – 5 stars

Ms. Mallon is one of my ‘eargasm’ voices and she did an excellent performance as usual giving each character their voice base on their temperament and state of mind. I love listening to her voices, male and female alike. I especially liked Ryan’s and Angie’s voices. – 5 stars

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until next time… read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

HUGE PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT by K. Loraine

Hello and welcome!

I am happy to take part in this event and give you some great news.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Their Shadow Queen Series

They’ll give their queen everything,

all she has to do is ask.

 

 

Tempted By Their Queen (book 1)

 

 

All The Queen’s Men (book 2)

 

 

My entire life has been a lie.

 

I thought I was a normal girl, a typical college student. Until Finn and Jensen, two of the most handsome men I’ve ever met change my entire world.

 

Literally.

 

On my twenty-first birthday, a single kiss from Finn transports the three of us to the Shadow Court. A realm of the fae. Because I’m not human. Not even a little. Turns out, I’m a faerie. The Shadow Court’s long-lost queen, to be exact, and I have to take my crown.

 

It should be easy, but there are rules and customs I need to follow, powers I have to unlock, and a prince I’m supposed to marry.

 

Unfortunately, there are also plenty of creatures who don’t want me to succeed and will stop at nothing to see me dead.

 

With my guards, Finn and Jensen at my side, I’m ready for anything. Except for my growing attraction to the men I surround myself with. They say they’re tempted by me, but I want them just as much, and I don’t think I can resist.

 

Performed in Duet Narration by

 

• Stella Hunter • Shane East • Jason Clarke

 

• Teddy Hamilton • Jacob Morgan 

 

• Kylie Stewart • Wesleigh Siobhan

 

Coming November 2020

Tempted By Their Queen (book 1)

 

 

 

All The Queen’s Men (book 2)

 

 

 

About The Author

 

 

Kim Loraine was raised a Navy brat but spent most of her life growing up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. A proper Washingtonian, she’s addicted to coffee, doesn’t let a little rain ruin her day, and thinks the sun is a gift from God. When not chasing her three little minions around, Kim spends her time writing, reading, and binge watching Doctor Who.

 

Author of erotic paranormal and steamy contemporary romance.

Never miss an update! 

 

You can connect with Kim on

Website • Facebook Page • Instagram • Twitter • BookBub • Goodreads • Newsletter • FB Reader Group • Amazon Author Page

 

Did you know that Kim also has a podcast?

 

Podcast Website | Facebook Page | Instagram | Twitter

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until next time, happy book reading / listening and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

Audiobooks to listen to: KEEPING 6

Hello and welcome!

You might remember the post with my review for Keeping 6 by one of my fave authors Freya Barker when it released in ebook back in 2018.

Well… I just finished the audio version and DAYUM … narrated by Muffy Newtown and Christian Fox, two of my fave voices, it was so much better than the voices I imagined when reading it.

Bookstore owner Kerry Emerson finally seems to be back in control of her life. Her failure of a marriage firmly in her rearview mirror and her recent business expansion a success, she is in charge of her own future. One that is looking better than ever.

The sight of the tall man, with the familiar salt-and-pepper goatee pushing open the door of her store, sets her hair on end. He doesn’t exactly bring good memories.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Damian Gomez is just looking for a decent cup of coffee when he walks into the small store offering books and brew. The pretty, feisty woman behind the counter is an unexpected surprise. Not at all unpleasant, especially since her finger that used to hold a wedding ring is now bare.

Her wild hair, boho style, and silvery grey eyes suddenly hold a lot of promise.

But when his office is pulled into an international investigation into the trafficking of rare books and manuscripts, the straight-laced SAC realizes he has to keep his distance from the woman who might well be involved.

Easier said than done, since fate seems determined to throw them together.

Read an excerpt on the website.

BUY LINKS: Amazon US • Amazon CA • Amazon UK • Amazon AU

and now on Audible too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My reviews:

ebook – 5 stars

When I first saw the cover I was intrigued. The title had me thinking. After reading the book, I am impressed by the author’s ability of inviting me in this new world and making it so easy to stay for a while. The story is a balanced mix of suspense and romance, fast paced all the way thru. Damian’s family is hilarious, enjoyed seeing their close-knit relationship. Loved the fact that Kerry and Damian are mature characters that I can relate to, their relationship is fast developing but feels real. The other thing I liked is that I didn’t have a clue who the main bad guy was until almost the end, so had me turning the pages to find clues. It ends with a HFN which is satisfying. Looking forward to more in the future books in the series.

audiobook – 5 stars

Listening to the amazing voices of Ms. Newton and Mr. Fox was so much better than the voices I imagined when I read it years ago. Great choices. Ms. Barker! I really enjoyed their performance, Ms. Newton’s versatile voice, she does emotions and male voices with perfection; the sexy voice of Mr. Fox is oh so yummy and he gave all characters really great voices, male and female.

Have a listen to an audio excerpt

There is an awesome Rafflecopter giveaway too, check it out!

I hope you will give the series a try, if you have not already and check all Ms. Barker’s books. Follow the links below and if you chat with her, tell her I said hi 😀

• website • newsletter • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube •
• Amazon • B&N • iBooks • Kobo • Audible • Goodreads •

Muffy Newton – FB • Twitter • Audible

Christian Fox – Audible

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until next time… read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!