Recommendations - Make One or Save Another

[paula]

Thanks Lea! I have read the first two on your list, which is right on track with what I am looking for. I will definitely check out the others.

[paula]

Does anyone know where I can find in audio?

[Brenda]

If your talking unabridged it's going to be tough to find. I can lend it to you like we've done in the past if you want ...

[paula]

Brenda - if you wouldn't mind, that would be great! Thanks so much!

[Brenda]

Ok, it's in your Dropbox folder - enjoy!

[paula]

You're awesome - thank you!

[Dee]

does anyone have rec's for some good YA books? a girl in another group was asking, and I couldn't think of any, but thought some of you guys might

[paula]

Dee wrote: "does anyone have rec's for some good YA books? a girl in another group was asking, and I couldn't think of any, but thought some of you guys might"

series.

[D.G.]

I guess you mean YA in audio, Dee?

- loved, loved, loved this narration and the story. One of my favorite books of 2011.
- Interesting dystopia premise although not as gripping as THG.

Haven't listened but came highly recommended:
- narrated by Luke Daniels (the guy that narrates the Iron Druid Chronicles) so I have high hopes.

Here are two books I listened in audio and I didn't like as much but everybody else loves them so this person may like them too:
(Yuk! But won 2011 book of the year!!)
(the narration for this one is very good...I just couldn't deal with some parts of the plot)

[Dee]

yeah, YA in audio...sorry, should have specified...she is going on a roadtrip and is looking for some YA to listen to

[D.G.]

I supposed that you meant in audio but wanted to clarify!! :)

Here are more I'm planning to read (don't know if they are any good though)

[Kelli]

Although it depends on her age and usual listening preferences, I would suggest:

Agatha H and the Airship City
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
A Long, Long Sleep
The Gathering: Darkness Rising Series, Book 1
The True Meaning of Smekday

[Dee]

i don't think she listens to a lot of audiobooks at all, so this is probably going to be her first major exposure (at least that is what I understand from her posts) and I typically don't listen to a lot of YA audiobooks

[D.G.]

Perfect Chemistry has an amazing dual narration and I recommend it to anybody that wants to listen to audiobooks for the first time.

I wouldn't recommend Divergent to an audio newbie. The narrator was below average.

[Brenda]

Thanks for the details about Perfect Chemistry D.G. - sounds like the perfect audio to round out my 2011 SOA Listening Challenge.

I can relate to the culture aspects you mention in your review via my DH so I'm looking forward to the listen in more ways than one.

[D.G.]

I hope you enjoy it, Brenda. I want to listen to it again one of these days.

[Brenda]

D.G. - lets just say I'm ready to elbow you out of the way for a chance at having Blas Kisic whisper a few of Alex's endearments in my ears. LOL I'd even settle for listening to him as Alex in general on a regular basis. LOL

A first YA experience that has kept a lot of different smiles on my face, I have 1/3 of the book left to go, so more to come I'm sure.

[Vinity]

Daughter of Smoke and Boneis very good, the reader is above average but not great, nothing that I found irking, just not *WOW*. It does end in a not so much cliff hanger but as in a literal *To be continued* It just sort of stops.

[Diane]

The Inheritance series is YA. Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr and Inheritance are the 4 books. They are all narrated by Gerard Doyle and I thought he did a most excellent job. And yes, the 4 books is all there is darn it.

[D.G.]

Brenda wrote: "D.G. - lets just say I'm ready to elbow you out of the way for a chance at having Blas Kisic whisper a few of Alex's endearments in my ears. LOL I'd even settle for listening to him as Alex in gene..."

So I recommend the book and now you want to take away my man? I said it in my review that Blas was mine, mine, mine! So stay away from him!!

:p

(LOL! Isn't he awesome?)

[Brenda]

So I recommend the book and now you want to take away my man? I said it in my review that Blas was mine, mine, mine! So stay away from him!!

I knew you'd have my head for that one! ROTFLOL

Did you listen to the brother's follow up books as well? Blas is sounding good in the Audible clip of Rules of Attraction

[D.G.]

I liked that book so much that I haven't felt like reading the sequel...but then I didn't know that Blas & Roxanne were reading it too! But now that I know that I have to listen to it. :)

Luckily all of my libraries have it so I'm downloading it now.

[Brenda]

I envy you your library system. :)

Do they have the third one? Blas and Roxanne narrate it also. Chain Reaction

[paula]

is the fourth book in a series, with each book written by a different author. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone. This is one of those books that I know I will re-listen to soon. I loved the interactions between the hero & heroine and found them to be interesting characters with great natural chemistry. For as much as I love Singh's Psy/Changling series, this is my favorite of hers. I highly recommend it.

[Brittany B.]

Brenda wrote: "Ok, it's in your Dropbox folder - enjoy!"

I would easily pay for the chance to borrow Mr Perfect. How does this work?

[Lea's Audiobooks]

If you know of a hard-to-find audiobook - meaning it is not for sale anywhere as new (digital or hard copy), contact Brenda or myself and we may be able to locate a copy for you to borrow.

[paula]

Just curious - What are your "top" recommendations for each genre?

Here are mine:

Contemporary - One Summer
Historical - Outlander
Paranormal - Dragon Bound
Fantasy - Lord of the Fading Lands

[Brittany B.]

Can anyone help me with gritty Romantic Suspense/Thriller? (other than Linda Howard-- I've devoured her work.)

Im not looking for a complicated Brockman-type book. Or anything that involves lots of secret agents, cia or otherwise. For example: Lie With Me by Stephanie Tyler was good. But it had way too many secret agents for my taste.

Cop/murder detective books are fine. Encouraged in fact. There seems to be a lack of Romantic Mystery/Thrillers available in audio. (other than In Death series)
Id love to find a smart, sexy thriller or mystery. Id particularly love a SCARY, sexy book! Any suggestions?

[Lea's Audiobooks]

For starters,Sandra Brown with original print date after 2000. Envy is my fave.

I'm doing four things at once right now so more later!

[Brittany B.]

Paula:
Hard question- here's my best try

Contemporary- Mr. Perfect To Die For
Historical- A Kiss at Midnight, Ruthless
Paranormal- Halfway to the Grave One Foot in the Grave
Fantasy- Shadowfever
Suspense- After the Night

[Brenda]

Anne Stuart's Ice series ... for narration the last two are my favorites followed by Ice Blue and Black Ice.

Black Ice
Cold As Ice
Ice Blue
Ice Storm
Fire And Ice
On Thin Ice

[Brittany B.]

Brenda wrote: "Anne Stuart's Ice series ... for narration the last two are my favorites followed by Ice Blue and Black Ice.

Brenda, thank you. That's exactly what I'm going to do. I've been listening to lots of "fast food" romantic suspense to satisfy my latest craving. Linda Howard books spoiled me. I tried In Death, but I don't think Eve translates well in audio version. (Susan Erickson is a pro, but I don't like her version of Eve). Also, the story so far (up to book three) is suspense/romance LITE. Meanwhile, after two attempts at Susan Brockman, I lost interest. Her style is too complex with too many things happening at once. Quadruple and quintuple plot lines are too much for me to enjoy. (notice I'm like Goldilocks- Roberts is too soft, Brockman too hard...Stuart is Just right. Lol)

Two days ago, I remembered the Ice Series. Black Ice is already sitting in my library. Actually I had purchased Fire And Ice when it hit audible. Xe Sands narrating Anne Stuart's Ice series was met with rave reviews. But when i realized it was book 5 of a series, I didnt want to spoil it by listening out of order.

This is the perfect time to listen to the series. I LOVED the Rohans. I've bookmarked each book with precise detail- noting all my favorite parts. Considering Anne Stuart writes such delicious historical fiction, it will be a treat to read her romantic suspense novels.

Thanks again for that rec. I needed a reminder!

[Dee]

see, i'm the complete opposite, I think Eve translated great to audio...I tried multiple times to read the book and never got past chapter 4, but I have devoured the audiobooks

[Brittany B.]

Dee wrote: "see, i'm the complete opposite, I think Eve translated great to audio...I tried multiple times to read the book and never got past chapter 4, but I have devoured the audiobooks"

I am preparing my review for Naked In Death. I'll explain my issues with Eve. I hope you'll give me your opinion on the review. I'm open-minded and very interested in opposing views on this character!

[Xe]

Brittany wrote: "Two days ago, I remembered the Ice Series. Black Ice is already sitting in my library. Actually I had purchased Fire And Ice when it hit audible. Xe Sands narrating Anne Stuart's Ice series was met with rave reviews. But when i realized it was book 5 of a series, I didnt want to spoil it by listening out of order."

I'm honored that you're going to give it a go! My feeling, having had to prep Fire and Ice without having read the previous books, is that each one sort of stands alone, you can start wherever you like. Stuart does a nice job of throwing in a phrase here and there to clue you in to an organization's or character's backstory (which I definitely appreciated!).

Regardless, enjoy the series - I look forward to your thoughts on it. My impression is that it's quite a bit different from both other romantic suspense and even Stuart's historicals. The ICE boys are dark bad-boy heroes...which is why they are so delicious. Just be prepared to want to smack them for most of the books :)

[Brittany B.]

I'm not worthy... :) Seriously!

Thanks Xe. I am going to listen to this series, then I promised my boyfriend I'd take an audiobook break. Your books will be my last for a bit.

I am only one of your many fans in this forum. Thanks for taking interest. We really do love your participation.

[Brenda]

As another big J D Robb / Eve Dallas audiobook fan (even after 40 some books) I'll be interested in your review/thoughts Brittany.

This is very true about the Ice series ... that each one sort of stands alone, you can start wherever you like.

I went from book 1 straight to book 5 then back tracked. I'm not saying the build of the characters over the series doesn't enhance parts of each book as you move forward - just that I wasn't the least bit lost in story 5 with the big jump ahead.

And yes - Anne Stuart holds a spot all her own in my list of favorite authors - with her ability to make me fall for the most unlikely of heroes. Hate them one minute - love them the next, truly unique. :)

[Brittany B.]

Brenda wrote: "As another big J D Robb / Eve Dallas audiobook fan (even after 40 some books) I'll be interested in your review/thoughts Brittany.

This is very true about the Ice series ... that each one sort o..."

Loved Black Ice.

[Xe]

Brittany wrote: "I'm not worthy... :) Seriously!

Thanks Xe. I am going to listen to this series, then I promised my boyfriend I'd take an audiobook break. Your books will be my last for a bit.

I am only one of..."

Aw, thanks Brittany :) I feel pretty privileged to be welcomed here and will continue to participate as long as you folks find it of value. Enjoy the rest of the series (and I understand the need for a break: my family gets very grumpy with me if I disappear too often into audiobooks...).

[Brenda]

Loved Black Ice.

So it fit the bill for - Id love to find a smart, sexy thriller or mystery?

Did you see any similarity in writing style to The House of Rohan series when going from Historical to Romantic Suspense with the same author?

[paula]

So...... it seems like most everything I have been listening to lately has been full of angst, deception throughout most of the book or the main characters denying their feelings until close to the end.

I'm in need of something where the hero & heroine are not at odds throughout most of the story and the focus really is on their relationship without too many side stories (like Garwood historicals, The Madness of Lord Ian.., Lord of The Abyss, etc...).

If anyone has a chance to peek at my bookshelf & let me know what I may be be missing, I would greatly appreciate it! :)

[Brittany B.]

Paula wrote: "So...... it seems like most everything I have been listening to lately has been full of angst, deception throughout most of the book or the main characters denying their feelings until close to the..."

Paula, I will try to help. I think I know just what you mean. Have you read Darkness Dawns? I'll check out you shelf for sure.

[paula]

Thanks Brittany! I did & I enjoyed it.

[Brenda]

Paula - Audible has recently added a lot of Amanda Quick's historicals narrated by Barbara Rosenblatt (via Recorded Books) and they would definitely fit the criteria your after.

As would the recent Simon and Schuster additions under her "contemporary" name of Jayne Ann Krentz. Start with the recently re-released Flash because you get Anna Fields narrating. :)

And if you haven't tried her Futuristic books under the name Jayne Castle they would also fit the bill your looking for with the first available at Audible being After Dark I have enjoyed Joyce Beans narrations of them a lot.

With all her books, no matter the alter ego, we're talking straight forward Garwood type stories where the conflict occurs outside of the romance - one of my favorite types.

[Brenda]

Brittany - I have loved your comments on Dianne Duvall's Darkness Dawns - especially because I've heard a lot of hype from other friends I appreciate on the print version too.

I have it downloaded from Audible and I'm looking forward to starting it soon.

[paula]

Thanks Brenda. I just downloaded Mistress.

[Brenda]

I hope you like it Paula, I haven't listened since I had them in cassette years ago, I need to try out my Audible copy. :)

[Brittany B.]

Brenda wrote: "Brittany - I have loved your comments on Dianne Duvall's Darkness Dawns"

Brenda, I really enjoyed DD. I have been reading some really stressful books too, much to the description Paula mentioned. Darkness Dawns was the best kind of PNR because the characters don't freak out about being different species. Somehow Dianne Duvall manages to make it even more interesting because they do feel a connection and the build up is nice and steady. I'm excited to read the 2nd book to see if this author can match her writing in DD. This might be the start of a great new series.

And I thought the narrator was flawless.

[Carrie]

I'm not sure where to put this on the site, so I decided I'd put it here since I definitely recommend it!

I just saw that the previously hard-to-find audio version of Carnal Innocence by Nora Roberts is available on audible! It's the unabridged version narrated by Tom Stechschulte.

http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=cat_2?a...

It's probably my favorite Nora Roberts on audio due to the sexy voicing of the hero, Tucker Longstreet, plus a really great suspense plot!

[Brenda]

Brittany B. wrote: "And I thought the narrator was flawless. "

I checked out the narrator Brittany and I was excited to see it was Kirsten Potter, she was excellent in the first book I heard by her which then had me immediately downloading J.D Tyler's Primal Law as PNR is now much more in my wheelhouse than the first listen - so another one in the genre I prefer is good news.

Ditto on Carnal Innocence Carrie - some of the best listening to be found - unless your from Australia where Tuckers accent didn't hold the same charm, right K? :D

I hope all these audiobooks that have been hard to find for so long sell like hot cakes upon their digital release! So that Recorded Books, Simon and Schuster and all other producers of audiobooks go digging in their vaults ASAP.