SOA Listening Challege 2011

The final book! Yay!

Rebellious Desire by Julie Garwood

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I bought the abridged Rebellious Desire on audio to complete the Speaking of Audiobooks 2011 Listening Challenge (listen to an abridged book). I thought it was just fine. The narration was decent if not inspired, and the story had no major flaws. As always, I think abridgments leave the reader just a little confused since background info and character motives are often left out, but the book was enjoyable. Getting it on sale for less than $4 was a plus. ;-)


View all my reviews

SOA Listening Challege 2011

When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Speaking of Audiobook Listing Challenge 2011: Listen to a book released in 2011.

Having never read author Eloisa James before, I bought the audiobook on the strength of several good reviews and after listening to a sample on Audible.com. The sample hinted at the possibility of wry humor and I decided to take the chance. I'm so glad I did. While not a perfect book, When Beauty Tamed the Beast is very cleverly written and thoroughly enjoyable.

Both main characters were strong, but Linnet was a delightful surprise. Her character is quick-witted and sharp-tongued, but not spiteful. She starts out a little shallow, but never mean-spirited. The combination of innocence and jadedness was especially appealing. Piers, based on the irascible Dr. House of Fox network fame, was completely believable as the "beast."



James' secondary characters are no less interesting, giving the book a well-rounded feel.


The conversations in the book were a particularly well done, with plenty of verbal sparring and clever phrasing. I laughed out loud on more than one occasion. My only complaint is the anachronisms James decided to include, such as the names of two of Piers' student doctors (Kibbles and Bits) and the line, "What happens in Wales, remains in Wales."


Susan Duerden's character voices, both male and female, were excellent. Her narration of the prose sections was less satisfying, as she tended to deliver the lines in what I would describe as a sing-song, or undulating, fashion. Overall I would still rate her narration a 4* since I quickly got used to her narrating style and her character voices are much better than average.

View all my reviews

SOA Listening Challenge 2011

Lady Be Good by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Speaking of Audiobooks Listening Challenge 2011-- Borrow an audiobook from friend or library.


While I still enjoyed this book the second time around (this time on audio), I found I wasn't as enamored of the lead characters as I was the first time. Lady Emma showed too little backbone and Kenny was emotionally stunted. But I tried to suspend disbelief at some of the antics, and overall I laughed and had a good time with the book. As always, Anna Fields is masterful as the narrator.

View all my reviews

Naked In Death- audiobook

Naked in Death by J.D. Robb

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

SOA Listening Challenge 2011- Give a narrator a second chance. Susan Ericksen. I didn't care for her narration of High Noon, but she gets great reviews for the In Death series.

SFR Reading Challenge 2011

I can now understand all the excitement over Susan Erisksen's narration of JD Robb's In Death series. For as much as Ericksen's reading of High Noon frustrated me, her reading of Naked in Death pleased me. In High Noon Ericksen tended to pitch her voice up at the end of sentences in dialogs, making all the characters sound like teenagers. (High Noon is one of my favorite Nora Roberts' books.) Not only didn't she do that here, but she also has great accents for several of the primary ad secondary characters.

This book has a great plot, wonderful characters, and solid writing by Robb, aka Nora Roberts. Ericksen's excellent narration rounds this out to a guaranteed winner in audio, as well as print. I already have book 2 of the In Death series on audio, and plan to listen soon.

4* in print
5* on audio
View all my reviews

Faro's Daughterr by Georgette Heyer

Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

SOA Listening Challenge 2011- Relisten to a favorite book. This will be book 10 for the challenge.


A wonderful, witty romance by Georgette Heyer made even more pleasurable by the excellent narration of Eve Matheson. Faro's Daughter is one of my favorite Heyer romances because of the interaction between the hero and heroine. I love the clever dialog and the matching of wits between Deborah and Max.


As always, I wish Heyer would've taken us a scene or two past "the kiss," but I'll take what I can get. Heyer's witty historical romances are so much better than the rest of her genre.


View all my reviews

Primary Inversion by Catherine Asaro

Primary Inversion by Catherine Asaro

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

TBR Challenge 2011: General read- this book has been on my TBR list for over 6 months.

SFR Reading Challenge 2011: This finishes my "Earth Level" for the challenge, 5 sci-fi rom books in 2011. The "Moon Level" means reading 15 sci-fi rom book in 2011, and I may try for it.

SOA Listening Challenge 2011- Listen to a new-to-you author.

4.5*

Primary Inversion is a a difficult book to categorize. It definitely has romance, but it's not a typical "romance" novel. There is a "happy for now" with the hope of a "happy ever after," which is important to me as a reader, but there is so much more to this book. I think the main appeal of this book to the romance reader would be the intensely character-driven story. The sci-fi details are intricate and amazing, but the character development trumps even that. Sauscony is an amazing heroine. Her personal journey through this book is heart-rending and satisfying.


This is one of many books set in the Skolian Empire, and I plan on returning there to "visit" in the not-too-distant future.


I listened to the audiobook from audible.com narrated by the always excellent Anna Fields.


View all my reviews

Mind Game by Christine Feehan

Mind Game by Christine Feehan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Speaking of Audiobooks Listening Challenge 2011- While not directly fulfilling a SOA Challenge category, Mind Game is the second in the Ghostwalker series by Christine Feehan which I used to fulfill the "Listen to a series that grabs you" category.


In a word (or two or three): Mind Games is full of intensely intense intensity. ;-) Self-conscious and over-written, the book is full of dramatic adjective, verbs and adverbs. Dahlia is specially enhanced, but is in almost constant pain, feeling nausea, having convulsions and migraines, and unable to be around people. Niko was always feeling intense emotions, savagely possessive--a cold warrior whose shell is inexplicably cracked by this unhappy woman.


I love Tom Stechschulte's voice and narration style, but have to admit that for this book his somewhat slow, dramatic delivery, while sexy and mesmerizing in part, only made this book feel more sluggish than it already did.


The last half of the book moved more quickly and the story became more interesting.


View all my reviews

The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne

The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Speaking of Audiobooks 2011 Listening Challenge: Listen to another listener’s romance favorite


Listening to The Spymaster's Lady was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The narrator, Kirsten Potter, did the accents to perfection, and breathed life into the dialog. The story itself seemed to be less important than the pleasure of listening to Potter's rich voice. Not to say that the story wasn't excellent. The Spymater's Lady has a good balance of danger, intrigue, action, romance, suspense, and humor. The characters were sympathetic and honorable, even if flawed. The story did drag a bit for me at the very end when the author chose to slow down the pivotal scenes with Anique's musings. I realize this was done on purpose, to give a sense of unreality to the drama, as seen though the emotions of Anique. But even knowing that, I itched for the internal thoughts to cease and to find out how it was all going to be resolved. The only other quibble I had with the book was the slightly over-emotional sex scenes. The narrator handled it beautifully, but if I'd been reading them I probably would have skimmed or skipped them altogether.


I'm not sure I would have enjoyed this book quite so much in print, but I enthusiastically recommend the audio.


View all my reviews

Black Ice by Anne Stuart

Black Ice by Anne Stuart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

SOA 2011 Listening Challenge- Choose a book recommended in a SOA Column

This "bad boy" romance has been recommended many times on various romance forums. I was wary of trying it because I don't like what I consider abusive heroes. But while Bastien was cold and unfeeling for much of the book, he wasn't abusive. He didn't fly into rages or verbally abuse Chloe like so many heroes do. That was the behavior I was expecting from a "bad boy" hero. Bastien was emotionally shut-down, but he was honest about that. Also, the author gave some indication that there was still hope for Bastien even early on in the book. He knows he's burning out and is questioning if the "good guys" and the "bad guys" are really much different. Bastien doesn't see the questioning for what it is, a glimmer of a conscience, but the reader does.


The reader can't look too closely at some of the plot points, like how Chloe ends up as translator for a gun-running cartel. Surely they have access to reliable translators. The biggest problem I could see was why they needed a translator in the first place. It seemed everyone spoke French and English, and those were the only two languages Chloe was suppose to know and help in translating. She seems completely superfluous. I do think the author could've come up with a little more plausible story on that end. However, the action was edge-of-your-seat and the dialog was very well-written. Bastien's slow change was handle with finesse and felt real. I would have enjoyed an epilogue for this book.


View all my reviews

A Loving Scoundrel by Johannah Lindsay

A Loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2011 TBR Challenge- this has been on my TBR list since Sept 2010

2011 Speaking of Audiobooks Listening Challenge- Listen to a romance sub-genre you usually avoid. While I've listened to many Georgette Heyer books on audio, I rarely read any other historical romances.

3.5* A Loving Scoundrel was an entertaining romance novel, but nothing stands out as unique or extraordinary. It's worth reading if you enjoy light historical romance.

I listened to this on audio, and the narration was serviceable but not inspired. The narrator's choice of emphasis, and her timing, was quite good, but her voices weren't great. She has a fine voice, but not one that relaxes you like some narrators.
View all my reviews

Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold

Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


4.5*


Speaking of Audiobooks Listening Challenge 2011- (Recommended Book)
2011 TBR Challenge
2011 Sci-Fi Romance Reading Challenge
Sci-Fi Romance Group- April Book of the Month


That's a lot of "reading challenge" birds to kill with this one book, and what a marvelous book it is. Bujold is a gifted writer and her skill at writing dialog is top-notch. If only more authors could write dialog that is natural-sounding, as well as witty and informative. In Bujold's books, the dialog often carries the story and the reader learns to pay attention because so much is revealed as characters talk. It's a marvelous skill to write such depth into the conversations.

Shards of Honor has so many things to offer along with the wonderful dialog, action, suspense, violence, political intrigue, bravery, compromise, and a wonderful developing relationship.

This book is chronologically (for the characters) the first in Bujold's widely popular Miles Vorkosigan science fiction series. It details how Aral Vorgosigan and Cordelia Naismith meet. This pair, from opposite sides of an inter-galactic conflict, are destined to be the parents of Miles. I believe his birth is covered in the next installment, Barrayar.

I listened to this book on audio narrated by Grover Gardner. His reading was spot-on. His inflection, timing, and emphasis was perfect. I highly recommend this book and this narrator.

View all my reviews

Shadow Games by Feehan

Shadow Game by Christine Feehan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Speaking of Audiobooks Challenge category: Tempt yourself to find a series that grabs hold and won’t let go by listening to the first in a series.

3.5* rounded up to 4* for goodreads (and because of the awesome narration by Tom Stechschulte).

Shadow Games has a great premise. The government is funding a top secret program to enhance psychic ability. But something has gone terribly wrong and the subjects of the program are now being kept like prisoners in a lock-down facility. Murder, treason, and betrayal are all part of the mix as the men, led by Ryland Miller, try to find ways to protect each other and expose the traitor(s). Lily is the genius, and psychic, daughter of the original researcher. She ends up helping the men and falling in love with Ryland.

As an action/suspense story Shadow Games works very well. Feehan's writing is taut and she keeps the tension high. The romance was intense, and very emotional. My main complaint is that it took over much of the story. One love scene took almost an entire chapter and I found myself wishing the story would switch back to the mystery and suspense. I think if I were reading the book it might not have struck me quite so strongly because I would have skimmed the love scenes and gotten back to the suspense plot. Don't get me wrong, I liked both leads and loved their story, but I'd have preferred shorter sex scenes. Tom Stechschulte's deep voice and sexy intensity may have enhanced the impact of the love scenes, as well.

Overall I recommend the book and already have the second book on audio to listen to soon.

View all my reviews

Miss Pettigew Lives for a Day

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day Audiobook by Winifred Watson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


SOA Listening Challenge 2011: Pick an audiobook that received a DIK grade at AAR in print format. TBR Challenge 2011

I rarely give 5 star ratings, but I can't really think of a complaint about this book. The writing is clever and witty, and the narration is truly masterful. Since the plot works as a series of vignettes, it is an easy book to put down at the end of a chapter, and that can be both good and bad, I suppoes. But toward the end I really didn't want to put it down. I needed to know how Miss Pettigrew's amazing day was going to end. It was wonderful!

I've seen the movie and enjoyed it very much, but the book (as is often the case) is even better!

View all my reviews

Dream Man by Linda Howard

Dream Man by Linda Howard

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


SOA Listening Challenge 2011: Fulfills "new-to-you" narrator category.



Have you ever seen a familiar object or movie, or song, or, in this case, book, in a different light? It's like suddenly seeing your house through someone else's eyes and thinking, "Wow! I need to paint." That was the experience I had listening to Dream Man on audio. As I listened I realized that, in print, I must skim over Howard's over-written scenes, getting lost in the moment and not letting myself get bogged down in the hand-wringing quality of the drama. But while I listened to Gigante's excellent narration, I was forced to focus on each over-wrought emotion and each overly dramatic scene. The high quality of Gigante's narration emphasized the drama. A more deadpan reader might actually have carried off the wordy scenes by detracting from the emotions.



Maybe because I wasn't as caught up in the story this time around, I was also more conscious of Dane's cold-blooded use of Marlie to catch the killer. I don't think he groveled enough and I don't think he was sorry for the right thing. He was sorry to have put her in danger, danger he arrogantly thought he could protect her from. But he never admitted his fault in not trusting her to agree to the scheme from the start. A major betrayal in my opinion. I wish Marlie and faced him down at the end and made him understand.



With all these criticisms it might look like I didn't enjoy the book, but I did. The plot is compelling and the bad guy creepy. Gigante's delivery of the killer's point-of-view was spine-tingling at times, and I questioned my sanity when listening to one scary scene at night alone in my kitchen. I had to stop loading the dishwasher so I could turn around and see the entire room until the scenes was over. Definitely an "edge of your seat" moment even though I'd already read the book and knew what was going to happen.



I recommend the book and I recommend the narrator. And while I've loved her books, but admit I'm leery of trying another Linda Howard book on audio. I might enjoy her style of writing more in print. ;-)





View all my reviews

Arabella by Georgette Heyer

Speaking of Audiobooks 2011 Listener Challenge
TBR Challenge 2011

Read from February 17 to 22, 2011

review

Arabella is now one of my favorite books by Georgette Heyer, and that's saying something. I love all of Heyer's books, but I do sometimes wish she'd focus more on how the feelings of the couple develop. In this book she does. In fact, we actually get as much or more insight into the development of Beaumaris' feelings than those of Arabella, and I enjoyed that. The dialog is, as usual, witty and clever. Ulysses the dog adds many laughs and the one-sided conversations Beaumaris holds with the dog ...moreArabella is now one of my favorite books by Georgette Heyer, and that's saying something. I love all of Heyer's books, but I do sometimes wish she'd focus more on how the feelings of the couple develop. In this book she does. In fact, we actually get as much or more insight into the development of Beaumaris' feelings than those of Arabella, and I enjoyed that. The dialog is, as usual, witty and clever. Ulysses the dog adds many laughs and the one-sided conversations Beaumaris holds with the dog are the best. The narrator for this audiobook is the wonderful Eve Matheson. She does a superb job all the way through.