Category: audiobooks (Page 73 of 93)

Vanished by Kendra Elliot, narrated by Nick Podehl and Amy McFadden

December 30, 2014 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: This is one from my personal library.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) When an eleven-year-old is abducted on her way to school, the FBI doesn’t waste a moment, sending agents to scour the area and embedding Special Agent Ava McLane with the distraught family. In the eye of the storm is local detective Mason Callahan, whose life is crumbling to pieces – he’s related to the victim, and his longtime confidential informant has just been murdered.

Both he and Agent McLane hole up in the victim’s family home. Every second counts in a kidnapping case, and the stakes keep rising the longer the girl is missing. As Ava and Mason struggle to hold the family together in their darkest hour, the two investigators find themselves drawn to each other.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): With the focus more on the suspense than the romance, I had mixed feelings about this one. There are other books planned for the Callahan and McLane series so I expect the romance will build over time. In some respects I thought there wasn’t enough romance in this one but I also thought that what there was moved too fast. I didn’t quite catch the attraction and build up to desire so when the pair take an (appropriate) time out of the investigation for some sexytimes it kind of came out of left field for me. Similarly by the end, they seemed to have moved farther along the relationship trail than what I could reasonably believe, even allowing for the pressure cooker environment in which they met.

Ava is embedded with the family of the missing girl and her role is less investigative, so I didn’t feel that taking some time out for a bit of romance affected the case very much. So too was Mason not actively investigating and I thought it was a clever way around a thorny RS issue. Continue reading

Kaetrin’s favourites of 2014 (part the second)

December 22, 2014 / Kaetrin

I read some other wonderful books this year but which were published before (in some cases, well before) 2014 and some which were published on audio for the first time in 2014. I felt they deserved a mention. In no particular order:

Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand by Carla Kelly. I read this one because my friend Merrian sent it to me and because I was on a plane and needed a non-ebook to read during take-off and landing. I’ve been in a bit of a historical romance slump but this was a delightful surprise. I was inspired to then buy a whole pile of other Carla Kelly books (all of which currently languish on my TBR – the vast majority of books I buy do that. Don’t worry Carla Kelly books, you have some awesome company in there.)

Review at AudioGals

December 19, 2014 / Kaetrin

I’m over at AudioGals with a review of Off the Edge by Carolyn Crane, narrated by Romy Nordlinger. It’s a romantic suspense with something special for word nerds and linguistics lovers.

Review at AudioGals

December 12, 2014 / Kaetrin

I’m over at AudioGals today with a review of Protecting His Witness by Katie Reus, narrated by Sophie Eastlake. Sexy romantic suspense; a little short, but a lot of fun.

Review at Dear Author

December 11, 2014 / Kaetrin

I’m over at Dear Author with some thoughts about getting past my Georgette Heyer ~~phobia~~ intimidation and listening to Venetia on audio, narrated by Phyllida Nash. Successful, but I’m glad I listened to this one.

Divine Tarot by Thea Harrison, narrated by Sophie Eastlake

December 9, 2014 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I was gifted this one.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) In “True Colors”
Alice Clark, a Wyr and schoolteacher, has had two friends murdered in as many days, and she’s just found the body of a third. She arrives at the scene only minutes before Gideon Riehl, a wolf Wyr and current detective in the Wyr Division of Violent Crime–and, as Alice oh-so-inconveniently recognizes at first sight, her mate.
But the sudden connection Riehl and Alice feel is complicated when the murders are linked to a serial killer who last struck seven years ago, killing seven people in seven days. They have just one night before the killer strikes again. And every sign points to Alice as the next victim.
In “Natural Evil”
Claudia Hunter is on a road trip through the Nevada desert when she sees the body of a dog on the side of the highway. Pulling over to investigate, she quickly determines that the enormous animal is clinging to life. While working to save him with the help of the local vet, Claudia realizes there’s something about the creature that seems “more.” Other. “Wyr.” Which makes this case of animal cruelty attempted murder.
Too injured to shape shift, Luis Alvaraz is reluctant to tell Claudia what he knows about his attack, afraid it will only make her a target. But the sheriff is corrupt, and his attackers know Luis is alive and vulnerable. To make matters worse, a sandstorm is sweeping into town, and if they’re going to survive the night, Luis will have to place all his trust in Claudia.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I’ve actually bought all the novellas in digital format but apart from the latest trio of novellas featuring Dragos, Pia and Peanut, I haven’t actually read any of them. Bad Kaetrin. I found it easier to slip the novellas into my listening and, as Sophie Eastlake is a favourite narrator, I knew they’d be worthwhile. I’m really happy that all the novellas are available on audio and are produced with such high quality. Continue reading