A belated Happy New Year to our fellow romance audio enthusiasts and here’s to another great year of listening! We’re back with recommendations and suggestions for your next listen, to share what we’ve listened to over the past few weeks and what we’re looking forward to getting into our ears next. We love chatting about audiobooks and would love to know what you’ve been enjoying recently, too – recommendations are always welcome!
Recommended by the Gals: what we’ve been listening to this month:
Carrie:
I relistened to A.P. Eisen’s (aka Felice Stevens) Paul Monroe Mystery series narrated by Kale Williams over the holidays, which was fun. I also listened to Solstice (Lake Prophet #1) by R.J. Scott and Eli Easton, narrated by Sean Crisden. Next was a historical cosy mystery, Murder at the Spring Ball (Lord Edgington Investigates #1) by Benedict Brown, narrated excellently by George Blagden.
Caz:
As I said in our last post, I planned a re-listen of L.J Hayward’s fantastic Death and the Devil series over the Christmas period. It consists of three full-length books and four novellas and I loved them all over again – the plots are fast-paced, intricate and absorbing and the romance between the spy (Jack) and the assassin (Ethan) is brilliantly written and developed. They’re one of my all-time favourite couples (right up there with Lucky and Bo and Hazard and Somerset). The cherry on top of this delicious concoction is the outstanding narration by Rowan Scott. If you’re a fan of m/m romantic suspense and haven’t yet read or listened to these books, then you’ve missed a real treat – bump them up your TBR!
Shots on Net by JJ Mulder, narrated by Iggy Toma & Liam DiCosimo
JJ Mulder is a new-to-me author, and this is a fun, low-angst roommates-to-lovers romance between a big, scowly hockey player and the cute, sunshiny nerd who captivates him. The characters are well-drawn and likeable, and the romance is a sweet slow-burn, but the story runs out of steam in the last third, although the fabulous narration kept me engaged in the listen. This is book one in a new series, SCU Hockey, and I’m intrigued enough by the set up for the next book to want to listen to it when it’s released towards the end of the month.
Kaetrin:
I had the pleasure of listening to the forthcoming The King’s Messenger from Susanna Kearsley over Christmas and from there, as it so often does, I fell down a Kearsley rabbit-hole. I then listened to The Vanished Days, The Winter Sea/Sophia’s Secret, The Firebird, A Desperate Fortune, Mariana, Bellewether, and I’m now onto The Rose Garden. The thing is, there are connections between the various books and re-reading or re-listening to them one after the other is the best way to fully appreciate them (as then it’s easier to remember everything and spot the connections), in addition to the joy of the books themselves. I have re-read or re-listened to all of them at least once now and some of them are up to five times. Every time I revisit a Kearsley book, I get more out of it. They’re the gifts that keep on giving.
New Reviews:
The Lord of Stariel by A.J. Lancaster, narrated by Finty Williams
The Lord of Stariel is dead. Long live the Lord of Stariel. Whoever that is. Everyone knows who the magical estate will choose for its next ruler. Or do they? Will it be the lord’s eldest son, who he despised? His favourite nephew, with the strongest magical land-sense? His scandalous daughter, who ran away from home years ago to study illusion? Hetta knows it won’t be her, and she’s glad of it. Returning home for her father’s funeral, all Hetta has to do is survive the family drama and avoid entanglements with irritatingly attractive local men until the Choosing. Then she can leave. But whoever Stariel chooses will have bigger problems than eccentric relatives to deal with. Winged, beautifully deadly problems. For the first time in centuries, the fae are returning to the Mortal Realm, and only the Lord of Stariel can keep the estate safe.
The Lord of Stariel is the first in a five book series and as such, spends a decent amount of time on worldbuilding and character introductions. That said, it feels necessary and not overdone. After the death of the late Lord of Stariel, his children and closest relatives gather for his funeral and something called The Choosing, the ceremony in which the semi-sentient land of Stariel chooses who will be the next Lord. The Lord will then use his or her magical talent to communicate with the estate and help keep it healthy and safe, while in turn the land looks after its people. Hetta has returned from the city to attend The Choosing and can’t wait to get back to her independent life. Of course things don’t go as planned and Hetta is caught up in family drama, the possible fae threat, and some local intrigue.
The secondary characters are well drawn and add to the depth of the story. Hetta’s older brother Marius is keeping a secret and definitely doesn’t want to be the new Lord. Cousin Jack has the strongest “land sense” and would love to be Lord of Stariel. There is also the old Lord’s second wife and teen children, a grandmother, and the ever capable and enigmatic butler, Wynn, who is keeping his own secret. All these characters add to the complex situation surrounding The Choosing and its aftermath.
The story gets a bit bogged down in the introduction of the magic system and all the characters, including the fae, but it’s a lovely start to a very entertaining fantasy series that combines a light tone with plenty of intrigue, action, strong plots and romance.
Finty Williams (whose mum is Dame Judi Dench) is a new-to-me narrator but I hope to hear more of her in the future. (She narrates the first three books in this series.) Her character voices are appealing as well as distinct and consistent. Her delivery is confident and she projects the atmosphere and emotions with ease. I was immersed in the story and “forgot” the narrator, which is the highest compliment I can give. ~ Carrie
Hot Streak by Beth Bolden, narrated by Darcy Stark
Young phenom pitcher Connor Clark doesn’t want or need anyone’s help making it to the majors.
He’s got a hot arm and an even hotter temper. When his minor league team brings in seasoned catcher Jackson Evans to “handle” him, the two clash instantly. But as the two battle for power, anger gives way to lust, and an awakening Connor didn’t see coming.
If Jackson wants to be hands-on, they might as well enjoy it. But once again, the man makes Connor work for it. Just like he does on the field. Only this time, the reward is so much sweeter.
When Connor gives in to Jackson’s coaching, and Jackson gives in to his attraction, they’re instantly on a hot streak—on the field and in bed. So hot that Connor finally gets that call to the majors he’s always wanted.
But what’s a pitcher to do without the catcher who owns his heart? Now all Connor needs is to convince Jackson they belong to each other forever, not just on a baseball diamond.
I enjoyed this slow-burn, veteran/rookie romance even though I know nothing about baseball! Most of that detail went over my head, but the leads have strong chemistry and I liked the fact that this wasn’t one of those stories that basically goes “we can’t do this” – they do it anyway – “this can never happen again” – and it does – rince, repeat. The story is slow to start and Connor’s embracing of his new-found bisexuality is perhaps a little fast, but I appreciated that Jackson’s determination to resist him doesn’t fall at the first hurdle, and when they do finally start getting physical there’s no hand-wringing or woe-is-me angsting about it. The conflict really comes from the fact that Connor is just starting out and likely to hit the big time, while Jackson’s career is winding down after years spent bouncing around the minors – and with Jackson’s belief that his being gay held him back making him determined to stop the same thing happening to Connor.
I liked both leads. Connor is a cocky little shit to start with, but it quickly becomes clear that it’s a cover for his insecurities – he’s incredibly talented but he’s floundering because no-one quite knows how to handle him – which is where Jackson comes in. The Raleigh Rogues need him to work with Connor, to help calm him down, smooth over the rough edges and help him to reach his full potential as a pitcher. But Connor isn’t going to make it easy for him, and I really liked listening to him slowly coming to trust Jackson and waking up to the fact that he really does know what he’s doing. Their romance has a real slow-burn vibe to it (despite Connor’s sudden bi-awakening) and I liked them as a couple; for the most part, they communicate well and form a believeable emotional connection.
I admit that I picked up Hot Streak mostly because Darcy Stark is the narrator and I really enjoy his work; his vocal characterisations are excellent – Connor’s voice has a sulky edge to it at times, which shows his youth and relative inexperience, and Jackson’s even-temperedness and good humour comes through strongly. The secondary cast is clearly delineated and the performance is expressive and hits all the right emotional beats.
Hot Streak is billed as a standalone, but the author has several series under her belt and I’ll probably check out more of her books in audio. ~ Caz
Coming Up:
Caz: I’m looking forward to The Last Guy on Earth, the third book in Sarina Bowen’s Hockey Guys series. The book is out at the end of February, so I hope the audio will soon follow. I believe Teddy Hamilton and J.F. Harding are narrating – *happy dance*
And after a break of several months, I see that Tantor has the next few books in Season 2 of Cole McCade’s terrific Criminal Intentions series listed for release from March onwards – I’ll definitely be snapping those up asap!
Currently Playing:
What’s Next?
Carrie: Winging It by Ashlyn Kane and Morgan James, narrated by Nick J. Russo. I’ve read this in print and look forward to hearing Mr. Russo’s narration.
Caz: Silver & Gold by Katherine Diane, narrated by Casey Jones. This is the follow up to Silk & Sand, which ends on a cliffhanger – I need to know what happens next!
Melinda: I’m planning to catch up with a Rosalind James’ series, New Zealand Ever After. Book 6, Catch a Kiwi, narrated by Emma Wilder and Calum Gittins, released last July.