Darla

I intriguing mystery; subpar wrap up

Revisado: 01-16-23

I had to listen to the last few chapters to find all the ends to the various story lines. The detail was great until the end But it seemed as it was coming to its conclusion that author just wanted to finish.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Outsanding Southern Romance and Suspense

Revisado: 08-09-16

Where does Carnal Innocence rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a top 10 book. I have listened two it three times already, and enjoyed it so much I began reading every Nora Roberts romantic/suspense I could find. The characters drip with the essence of southern bayou culture not only in dialog, but in mannerisms, in interior monologue and in setting. The character development ranks as some of the best I've ever read not just in Romance, but in overall fiction categories. You can hear the mosquitos and feel the humidity in the conversations, and you can hear envision the scenes as the plot unfolds. The thread of suspense really keeps the reader guessing; the twists and turns are superb. I really didn't know until the very end who the killer was. I appreciate that as Nora Roberts fed us the clues, she did so in such a way as to keep us from seeing them as clues -- most mysteries are not able to succeed at this. Even folks who don't like romance will enjoy this book, if they can appreciate southern suspense.

What other book might you compare Carnal Innocence to and why?

The Tone and character development reminded me a lot of Jayne Anne Krentz' River Road. I've since read Nora Robert's Midnight Bayou and thought the tone was also similar.

Have you listened to any of Tom Stechschulte’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I had not listened to performances prior, but intentionally purchased other books after as I was so impressed with his performance. I think this is the best performance I've listened, too, however because the characters require diverse accents and he does an excellent job delivering voices that match the character's personalities and socio-economic backgrounds. I noticed that he managed to alter the pacing of the narration based on the characters as well. A tour de force performance, for sure!!!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I felt a great deal of anxiety throughout, and I really hated one particular character and felt my chest tighten at the description of a plot-dependant event; I did shed a tear at the end; I hated that the situation while resolved caused so much pain.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book to just about anyone, but particularly for those who enjoy southern literature.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

What Really Happened on River Road

Revisado: 08-09-16

Would you consider the audio edition of River Road to be better than the print version?

Yes. Ms. Cobb does an excellent job of bringing the reader into the story with her ability to change voices and make characters believable.

What did you like best about this story?

The thread of suspense really kept me guessing -- and I'm ususally good at predicting outcomes. I enjoyed the various twists and turns of the plot. Also, I enjoyed the plot device which looks back at a past event with a present-day perspective. The character development worked alongside the suspense, as well. For example, I got a real sense of Aunt Sara, though she was dead when the story begins.

What does Amanda Leigh Cobb bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Ms. Cobb's ability to give personality to her individual character performances really help draw one into the story and make the characters very believeable.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

All is Not What it Seems

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

These Two Are Fated to Be Together

Revisado: 04-18-15

What did you love best about Ex on the Beach?

I thought both Andi and Mark were very believable characters - flaws and all. I enjoyed seeing them work through their thoughts and coming to realize how each had failed the other and realizing that they loved the other despite it all. Kim Law was excellent at depicting the pain both Mark and Andi carried from the ending of their first relationship, and of course the love scenes were hot! I also liked that there were other secondary stories -- Andi's relationship with her mother, the secret of the rift between Andi's mother and her Aunt Ginny, the Bride to be and the dirtbag groom to be -- all gave depth and dimension to the overall story. Natalie Ross's narration is just wonderful. I actually found this book because I was looking for books narrated by Ms. Ross (after having finished the Off the Record series).

What other book might you compare Ex on the Beach to and why?

This was one of the first reunion books I've ever read, so I can't think of similar story lines, but because of the narration, I did continue to think of Off the Record, On the Record and For the Record.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely! I couldn't stop until the end!

Any additional comments?

I will continue to look for books by Kim Law because I enjoy the many layers to her writing. I think her characters are complex and well crafted.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

One of the best written male leads ever

Revisado: 04-03-15

Would you listen to Play again? Why?

I've already listened to it twice and I bought it five days ago. I love both Mal and Anne as characters, and Andi Arndt did a wonderful job bringing them to life. I also liked how there wasn't any angst do-i-or-don't-i when it came to how they felt about each other, and how willing Anne was to meet Mal on his level even when he was being crazy-silly. I loved how Mal could be very honest with Anne even when he was being ridiculous. I also loved the fervor that Mal had. He was a very well written, charming, sweet, fun character. I laughed all the way through at his antics.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Play?

When Anne and Dave are bringing a drunk Mal back home and he starts telling Anne how he feels about her.

Have you listened to any of Andi Arndt’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I listend to Lick, and I enjoyed it very much. She does a great job at imparting distinctive voices to each character that helps reflect their personality. I would definitely listen to other titles narrated by her.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

That's how we roll....

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to the rest of this series.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I'm not sure Hero is my Hero

Revisado: 04-03-15

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes. I love Samantha Young's On Dublin Street characters and wouldn't have believed it ifI were told by someone else these characters were a bit ho-hum.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I love the background story of how Alexa Holland's and Caine Carraway's lives were entertwined and how they came to work together. I thought the plot here and the content of the writing was very inventive and interesting. I would say the first 3/4 of the book kept me interested. But I got bored with Caine's pulling back again and again -- it felt tired. And when he came around, he came around in such a way that seemed very in consisted with his character. The ending felt rushed and not well thought out. The incident which triggered all this did not bother me but I wish it had been woven in a little earlier. I really wish the back section were rewritten altogether.

Which character – as performed by Angelica Lee – was your favorite?

Alexa Holland

Was Hero worth the listening time?

Yes. It was good. But I was hoping for great. I want to read about another Braden Carmichael!!!!

Any additional comments?

I will now wait a while before I buy Samantha Young to first see what other reviewers think.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

A Stellar End to a Stellar Series

Revisado: 02-14-14

What did you love best about Up from the Grave?

I love Bones and Cat's relationship -- and I love how it has evolved.
They are my favorite book couple.

What other book might you compare Up from the Grave to and why?

Besides the other books is the series, I am reminded of Darynda Jone's Charlie Davidson series. Charlie and Reyes' relationship seems similar, plus the paranormal mystery/thriller element is similar as well. Although I would say Night Huntress is more of drama and the Charlie Davidson books are more of a comedy.

What about Tavia Gilbert’s performance did you like?

Tavia Gilbert is one of my favorite narrators. I particularly love her performance of Bones. She does a wonderful job assigning voices, inflections and pacing to each character, and remains highly consistenet from book to book. One gets the sense that Tavia "gets" the characters she's performing; she acts, she doesn't simply read.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did tear up early in the book, when it seemed like something horrible had happened.

Any additional comments?

Of course this is the author's prerogative, but I did not like the inclusion of Tate in the story, particularly the ending. I'm choosing to believe he's not going to visit for very long.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Five Star Listen

Revisado: 02-14-14

What did you love best about Match Me If You Can?

The character development made me feel like I knew all the main and secondary characters. These are multi-dimensional people that can be thoughtless and kind, driven and funny, lovable and flawed. The dialog is snappy and adds to the overall dimension of the story -- not every word written is there purely to push the plot; the little side conversations are part of the character development discussed above.

What other book might you compare Match Me If You Can to and why?

This reminded me a little bit of Jennifer Crusie's writing, specifically as in "Bet Me". The overall tone is positive and sunny. And the progression from strangers to friends to something more is handled ismilarly.

What does Anna Fields bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Anna Fields has to be the best narrator I've listened to on Audible. Not only does she give each character a distinctive voice, but she alters the inflection, accents, and pacing to futher reflect the nature of the character. Her performance brought life into the characters in such a way that I don't think I could ever conjure up in my head. I am going to listen to this entire series now, just because of her, and then I'm going to listen to her other performances.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed some, but smiled more. I did get a lump in my throat toward the end, when Heath bares his heart, when Phoebe confesses to Bodie, when Phoebe reminds Annabelle about how Heath's past affects his ability to communicate his feelings, and when Annabelle asks her two questions.

Any additional comments?

This book is the fifth in the series; I've already bought book one and plan to listen all the way through to the last book...and since Anna Fields narrarates all, I can't wait!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña