L Duffy

TOTALLY SURPRISED BY THE SUSPENSE.

Revisado: 04-20-15

Becoming Rain is the second entry in the Burying Water serie by K. A. Tucker, and as much as I liked the first book, Burying Water, Becoming Rain took my enjoyment to a different level.

I eat up these audiobooks like pop-corn strictly for the entertainment value. I don’t expect to find philosophical answers or long life lessons to live by. I love them b/c they take me away, and now, if the author adds a suspenseful plot and twist and turns to an already interesting love story, you can bet I’ll devour it.

Undercover agent, Clara Bertelli has become “Rain” to get close to the target of her investigation.
She was aware of all the risks this mission presented, but she never imagined her heart and career in danger. But as love stories go, the closer she got to her target, the closer he got to her heart – easily understood after we meet Luke Boone.

I was surprised by the level of suspense I found in the plot. Things got slow start while things got setup, but by the middle I was completely enthralled with Luke and Rain’s point of view. I got lost in the world of mafia, crime, romance, and pounding moments that made the 11 hours in the audiobook feel more like three.

Genre: NA Contemporary
Sensuality: HOT

NARRATION
Again, Elizabeth Louise proves why she’s ones the best voices and interpreters of NA novels.
Her delivery of Becoming Rain is outright fantastic!
Clara (Rain)’s point of view was a flawless interpretation by Elizabeth. Her delivery yield a strong and smart heroine that even in the moments of doubt never come across as a weak character. I love that!
The suspense and romance are equally transmitted to the listener to ensure a great experience.

I wasn’t 100% sold on the interpretation of Jesse on Burying Water by Josh Goodman. I liked it, but I thought he sounded a bit much of a wise guy. Now for Luke Boone was a totally fitting approach and enjoyed his performance much more than I did in the previous novel.

All in all, I really enjoyed both of their performances, they made Becoming Rain a real winner for me.

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The quintessential hero with a twist.

Revisado: 04-20-15

I swore I wasn’t going to pick up another tale featuring the quintessential hero; rich, powerful and with an unobtainable heart. But when I kept reading the great reviews for Manwhore I caved and decided to give it a go.

I’m glad I did because I enjoyed Manwhore! It goes to show you that even an overused premise can be span to made feel fresh and new, and this is the case with Manwhore.

As a rich, powerful and a playboy, Malcolm Saint likes to keep his life very private, the last thing he wants is a reporter snooping around in his business. But when he meets Rachel he can’t help to be smitten by the uncharacteristic and different personality from the women (air heads) he is used to dating.

On the other hand, Rachel has to fight her attraction to the enigmatic playboy, the last thing she needs is to be just a challenge and a feather on Malcolm’s hat.

I loved these two fight to love. The obstacles create a delicious sexual tension and chemistry the jumped off the pages; in my case, off my phone.

I like the characters; I liked how Katy Evans slowly but surely made care for them and their outcome.

The only drawback to this story was the ending…….Apparently there won’t be one until the next book – So yes another cliffy!

Genre: Contemporay Romance
Sensuality: HOT

NARRATION

I’m a big fan of Grace Grant! The woman knows how to flesh out these characters to maximized your enjoyment.

Again, time after time she brings the heroines and heroes to life with the perfect personality by staying faithful to the text.

The interpretation of the emotions never contradicts the mood of the story, she always put you there! And Manwhore is another showcase of her talent.

Yes, Malcolm Saint was made deliciously devilish by Grace Grant’s delivery, and that’s was a good thing for Manwhore.

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A creepy tale that promised so much more.

Revisado: 04-20-15

I was so excited to listen to this story, and in the first 25 mins I thought I was in for a terrific an exciting ride. Unfortunately, our little hero’s up bursts of teenage hormones at the most inconvenient times kept taking me right out the story and killing the suspense feel. Maybe it was the fact that this was one the few times I got a romance story from a boy’s point a view..LOL – What brings me to the romance and not the strongest point of this story for me, I never felt a great connection between the protagonists.

It’s not all bad. It has its moments, and it could have been a very cool creepy tale, and at times it was totally creepy. But somehow the whole plot fizzled out for me, and left me with more points that were just OK than those I loved.

I did like the protagonist, Stephen; his inner monologue was entertaining, and since we get the story from his point of view it wasn’t all bad.

I like how touching and real I found his relationship with father.
I also found some brilliant writing moments that kept me in the story until the end.

All in all, it’s not all bad, I just though it could have been better.

Genre: YA Horror
Sensuality: Warm

NARRATION
I have to give props to narrator Keith Heyborne for his efforts to inject the story to with perfect creepy and suspenseful feel, and at times he totally succeeded.

Unfortunately, the text failed him a few times and it stopped him from delivering a great horror tale about a small town that promised a lot, and maybe I was just expecting so much more.
I can't in no way blame his performance for my lukewarm feelings , after all, he kept me in the story until the end.

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Who knew I could do Sci-Fi!

Revisado: 04-20-15

It’s not easy to keep me engross amidst mathematic calculations and space geekiness, but listening to this tale of survivable and the ingenuity of Mark Watney was totally enthralling. Perfectly achieved tension mixed with Mark’s down to earth and humorous attitude kept my ears glued to my phone and made me cheer out loud his accomplishments.
Mark is a very likable character. His trashy and colorful language made his personality realistic and totally relatable. I loved his positive attitude despite his grim circumstances.
Genre: Sci-Fi
Series: Stand-alone

NARRATION
The Martian was a story that I could easily have dismissed if weren’t so expertly told by narrator R.C. Bray.
I’ll be honest, I like to watch the movies made of stories like this (eg: Gravity). I’m not a fan of reading this type of books, but when narrator pulls you in right from the get-go and doesn’t let go until you reach the end, it leaves no other option.
He did a great job with Mark’s playful personality, as well as, creating an atmosphere of tension that made me hold my breath.
He’s got an excellent repertoire of voices and accents to keep the story straight.
All in all, The Martian is beautifully brought to life by narrator R.C. Bray.

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I'm marked for more!

Revisado: 03-21-15

I’m a big fan of NA contemporary series, even though, most the time these stories are angsty and frustrating I love when I find them impossible to put down.
The characters in this story are well developed, and their level of maturity gives the novel a more adult feel that I found a bit more relatable.
Rule was a super enjoyable listen. I love the characters, the protagonists are well matched. There’s a little bit of suspense to keep things more interesting as if we didn’t have enough with their volatile relationship.
Rule was a great introduction to Crownover’s bad boys bunch in her Marked Men series, and it has made a fan out me. I’m definitely planning on continuing this series.

Sensuality: HOT
Genre: New Adult

NARRATION

The narration is perfectly executed by Sophie Eastlake (favorite of mine) and Michael Rahhal (new to- me)
Both narrators did a fantastic job with their interpretation of the characters and the pace of the story.
Sophie was perfect with Shaw!
Michael didn’t skip a beat bringing Rule’s bad boy persona to life, reflecting his hot-headed personality but yielding a very likable character.
I loved their interpretation!

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Colleen Hoover got me again!

Revisado: 03-21-15

Once again, Colleen Hoover doesn’t disappoint. Confess is another emotional and engrossing story that didn’t let me go until I heard the last word.
I’m becoming a big fan of Ms. Hoover’s writing. Her stories feel real, her characters are not without their faults, but this only makes them more credible. She always deals with complicated matters that reflect reality in many ways. Her cleverly woven stories are always a treat. I never mind being taken for a gut-wrenching and intense ride, where anger, angst, hate and frustration are often my companions, all while a beautiful love story and sensual chemistry develop.

I love the way she grabs me with her insufferable situations and makes me feel a range of emotions the way only a well thought out plot and characters can.
Her love stories are messy, angsty and many times frustrating. Especially when you want the heroine to blow everything and follow her heart. As a mother, I could totally relate, and I completely understood her actions.

There’s no higher vulnerability for me than my kid. And this is where I think it might make a big difference in how you relate to Auburn’s actions and the story, in general. I could easily see someone that doesn’t have kids finding her decisions totally frustrating. Nobody has a woman more by the balls than those with the power to take an offspring away. Not a good woman and mother, anyway.
Auburn’s heart was tragically broken when she was only fifteen year’s old – now life presents her with a new chance at love and happiness. Unfortunately, it won’t be easy because a beautiful 4-year-old already owns her path. She won’t do anything to jeopardize that path.

I love Colleen’s heroes! And Owen Gentry was not the exception.
At first I wasn’t sure if he was the right guy for a girl whose immediate gold is to fight to get her son back. But as the story develops I discovered an amazing guy; a great artist with a heart of gold who has a tragic story of his own.
I love that we got a villain to hate! Yes! I was angry. Villains are mostly cowards that hide behind a power and are perfect manipulators when they exercise that power….I HATED that guy! I loved how I immediately found him creepy.

My only complaint is that everything got wrapped up a little too quickly for my taste. And even though I felt satisfied with the ending, I didn’t feel a real end to the story, in general.
All in all, I really enjoyed Confess! I can’t say it’s my favorite to date, Maybe Someday and Ugly Love still hold that place. Yet again, I found the story downright engrossing; you don’t listen to an audiobook from beginning to end with just one small break unless you are totally invested.

Sensuality: HOT
Genre: New Adult

NARRATION:

I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth Louise, and although this is the first time I’m reviewing one of her narrations, she’s not new to me. In fact, if I see a NA title I want to listen to, and I see her as the narrator, you can believe it’s an auto-buy for me.

Again, just as she was perfect with the heroine in a book I just finished a few days ago (Becoming Rain), she’s also fantastic with the portrayal of Auburn Reed.
I love how she can bring the emotions from the text to life. And just by having listened to two different heroines almost back to back, I can easily see how she truly gets the essence of a character’s personality.

One of her biggest talents is her voicing of male characters. Her approach always feels effortless, and she always manage to deliver masculine voices that will never interrupt your enjoyment of a romance novel. She’s fantastic!
This it’s one the few instances I say she could have carried the novel on her own, and I’d have never missed a male narrator…She’s that good!

Now for one of my favorite man! Sebastian York, Oh man! Oh man! He’s a fantastic reader! This is not the first time or the last time you’ll hear me say that; However! I did find his voice a little too grown if I may, for a portrayal of a 21-year-old. I was taken aback for or a second when I heard Owen’s age.

Sebastian’s voice is the a voice of a man! And I loved that, so I hated that I felt a little conflicted by his portrayal of a young men. Nevertheless, there’s nothing immature in Colleen’s characters, so his delivery works. And now that I got that off my chest, I can assure you he’s reading is fantastic.

Sebastian is also a very talented narrator; he’s excellent with Owen’s vulnerabilities and emotions.
I loved Owen! Even though, in my mind he was a little older than 21..lol

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Yup! It left me begging for more!

Revisado: 03-21-15

Here we get a refreshing point view from a level headed, smart and sensitive protagonist of her journey into the arms of kinky millionaire, Jonathan Drazen.

In a story well constructed and beautifully written the author not only creates a scorching HOT chemistry between the protagonists by allowing the characters to grow before the first kinky scene, but also expands the setting and their world with great secondary characters.

I like a strong woman, and Monica Faulkner is just that, and as such she’s not about to jump into any situation without thinking clearly despite the undeniable attraction. I really liked her character.

She has a few decisions to make. First, does she allow herself to feel for this enigmatic, charming (yeah, I know…Another one! But it works here) and handsome Millionaire who may or may not be still in love with her ex-wife. And second, can she submit to his kinky desires, when her first impulse, when confronted with them is to run for the hills….Just like I imagine most of us would.

Monica is in the music business; she’s a singer and a talented a songwriter. Her artsy lifestyle has taken her to many places and in the middle of the LA scene, she’s not a complete innocent girl. She’s aware of the BDSM world out there, but not in a million years she thought herself being part of it. But when love knocks at your door, and on the other side of that door is the charming, handsome, witty and challenging, Jonathan Drazen, chances are you’re going to open that door – even if that means having to contend with a crazy ex-wife that’s not ready to let go.

Beg Tease Submit is not only super HOT and sensual, but also super engaging. The easiness and flow in which the author takes you through the story is fantastic. If it weren’t for Jonathan kinkiness and the BDSM factor (light in this installment, IMO), this would be an excellent contemporary romance. It has super likable characters and a realistic story of friendship right along the smexiness that with its smart dialog leaves you begging for more.

This story is to be continued….Damn another cliffy! Unfortunately, the next book is not out on audio yet. I’m hoping it’s released soon! I really want to know more about Jonathan.

I was so tempted to buy the Kindle of the next book (all books are published), but I decided against it. I want Jo Raylan to keep reading it to me.

All in all, this was a fantastic introduction to CD Reiss, and if you love 50 Shades, or if you hated 50 shades, this is an erotic romance we can all sink our teeth into.

NARRATION

They say a romance narrator needs go there to convey a sexual scene with authenticity. And oh boy! Did she go there! The passionate encounters are beautifully conveyed. The sex scenes never feel sleazy, her approach truly transmitted the deep connection between Jonathan and Monica.

I love her interpretation of the protagonist. Jo Raylan captured the strength and self-assuredness of her character, even in the moments doubt she never let us forget that she’s a strong girl in charge of her actions.
I loved the different voices for all the female characters; they were all quite distinct not only in tone but with their voices. She not only does a great job of establishing each character personality, but she is also excellent with the voice transitions.

In a romance novel, I have to have credible male voices, and Raylan not only gets it right with Jonathan but with every male character in the novel.

Beg Tease Submit is a well-written erotica, and the narrator’s interpretation never dumbs down the text, and truly enhanced my experience.

All in all, this is excellent delivery by Raylan. I can’t wait to listen to the next book!

Sensuality: Burning
Genre: Contemporary Erotica

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Yup! It left me begging for more!

Revisado: 03-21-15

Here we get a refreshing point view from a level headed, smart and sensitive protagonist of her journey into the arms of kinky millionaire, Jonathan Drazen.

In a story well constructed and beautifully written the author not only creates a scorching HOT chemistry between the protagonists by allowing the characters to grow before the first kinky scene, but also expands the setting and their world with great secondary characters.

I like a strong woman, and Monica Faulkner is just that, and as such she’s not about to jump into any situation without thinking clearly despite the undeniable attraction. I really liked her character.

She has a few decisions to make. First, does she allow herself to feel for this enigmatic, charming (yeah, I know…Another one! But it works here) and handsome Millionaire who may or may not be still in love with her ex-wife. And second, can she submit to his kinky desires, when her first impulse, when confronted with them is to run for the hills….Just like I imagine most of us would.

Monica is in the music business; she’s a singer and a talented a songwriter. Her artsy lifestyle has taken her to many places and in the middle of the LA scene, she’s not a complete innocent girl. She’s aware of the BDSM world out there, but not in a million years she thought herself being part of it. But when love knocks at your door, and on the other side of that door is the charming, handsome, witty and challenging, Jonathan Drazen, chances are you’re going to open that door – even if that means having to contend with a crazy ex-wife that’s not ready to let go.

Beg Tease Submit is not only super HOT and sensual, but also super engaging. The easiness and flow in which the author takes you through the story is fantastic. If it weren’t for Jonathan kinkiness and the BDSM factor (light in this installment, IMO), this would be an excellent contemporary romance. It has super likable characters and a realistic story of friendship right along the smexiness that with its smart dialog leaves you begging for more.

This story is to be continued….Damn another cliffy! Unfortunately, the next book is not out on audio yet. I’m hoping it’s released soon! I really want to know more about Jonathan.

I was so tempted to buy the Kindle of the next book (all books are published), but I decided against it. I want Jo Raylan to keep reading it to me.

All in all, this was a fantastic introduction to CD Reiss, and if you love 50 Shades, or if you hated 50 shades, this is an erotic romance we can all sink our teeth into.

NARRATION

They say a romance narrator needs go there to convey a sexual scene with authenticity. And oh boy! Did she go there! The passionate encounters are beautifully conveyed. The sex scenes never feel sleazy, her approach truly transmitted the deep connection between Jonathan and Monica.

I love her interpretation of the protagonist. Jo Raylan captured the strength and self-assuredness of her character, even in the moments doubt she never let us forget that she’s a strong girl in charge of her actions.
I loved the different voices for all the female characters; they were all quite distinct not only in tone but with their voices. She not only does a great job of establishing each character personality, but she is also excellent with the voice transitions.

In a romance novel, I have to have credible male voices, and Raylan not only gets it right with Jonathan but with every male character in the novel.

Beg Tease Submit is a well-written erotica, and the narrator’s interpretation never dumbs down the text, and truly enhanced my experience.

All in all, this is excellent delivery by Raylan. I can’t wait to listen to the next book!

Sensuality: Burning
Genre: Contemporary Erotica

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Great follow up!

Revisado: 02-05-13

After a few good reactions from bloggers whose opinions I respect, I decided to give Reflected in You a shot.
I find it peculiar that after listening to this installment I like Bared to You much more than I originally did if this makes any sense to you.
This is the continuation of the hot, but rocking relationship between Eva and Gideon.
The novel takes place right after the ending of Bared to You, and right off the get go we find Eva suffering anxiety from the fact that Gideon still hiding something, and won’t come clean to the point where they both can put their tragic past behind, and set their relationship on a good and healthy track.
On the other hand, Gideon, as much as he seems to love and need Eva, he still is not showing her (outside the bedroom) how strong his feeling for her really are.
We do have a little mystery - well I say “little” because quite frankly it’s very predictable; nevertheless, I enjoyed their interactions in and out the bedroom a lot more this time around, and I’m really beginning to have a true appreciation for the characters, as well as, Ms. Day’s writing style, which btw, it’s easy, fluent, smart, and it involves you in the drama; making you experience and suffer right along Eva the angst, and the emotional uncertainty.
After listening to Reflected in You, I’m highly recommending these novels to anyone that expects a lot more than just sex in an erotica novel, and don’t mind spending some time with challenging, and deeply scarred characters that make you thank God you have a semi-normal life. I will also strongly advise to listen to these novels in the right order; I don’t see any way how this could be enjoy as a stand alone book without having all the facts of this ongoing dramatic roller coaster.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable listen, and I’m looking forward to, Entwined With You, expected to be release on June/2013.

Genre - Contemporary Erotica
Sensuality - Burning

NARRATION
I really enjoyed Jill Redfield’s narration; she does an excellent job transferring to the listener the angst, distress, uneasiness and don't let me forget the sensuality in the emotionally charged relationship between the protagonists.
Her approach to Eva’s character is right on target-I really got a clear picture of her personality. Eva’s insecurities, as well as, her strengths are skillfully conveyed.
This is an emotional listen, and Ms. Redfield perfectly hits the mark with her delivery.
Even though, I’m still not thrilled with any of her male voices, I have to give her good marks for her ability to convey Gideon’s vulnerable moments in a real and believable manner.
All things considered; this is a very good performance by Jill Redfield, and I can’t wait for her delivery of Entwine With You.

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Truly enjoyable!

Revisado: 12-17-12

I originally read the first 4 books of this series back in 2009; the audio books hadn’t been published then.
This series was my introduction to the Historical Romance genre, and I’ve loved it ever since.
So, when I finally saw this published on audio in 2010, I let the average ratings influence my decision to pass over it. In a way, I’m glad I didn’t listen to it then. I can see why some were disappointed, the novel length doesn’t permit the depth of the story or characters that make Ms. Kleypas' historicals so enjoyable: however; since it had been a long time since I revisit the Wallflower setting, I found this novel immensely enjoyable, it served as a reminder of the great entertainment and escapism Ms. Kleypas delivers with her books.
The desire of the Bowman’s family to marry their offspring into English nobility, to elevate their social status by bringing blue blood into the lineage doesn’t stop with just their daughters, and it’s Rafe Bowman’s (eldest brother of Lillian and Daisy) turn to come to England and try to win the hand of Miss Nathalie Blandford, a very rich and upper class socialite girl, but it will be her cousin and paid companion, Hanna, who would have the biggest doubts about this proposed union, and as she embarks in the task of finding out what is this American rogue all about, she begins to lose her heart in the process.
Rafe Bowman is not a saint, and as a powerful Wall Street Mogul he has been privy to a life of debauchery, and frankly, he’s far from a gentleman, but he will try everything in his power to fulfill his parents’ wishes - securing his place in his family’s fortune it’s an important gold he must accomplish.
But, the brain will say one thing while the heart says another; Rafe, immediately finds himself attracted to Nathalie’s poor cousin, who in no way will help his financial or social status.
Will Rafe follow his father’s orders, or will he sacrifice everything for his capricious heart?
I can’t say the Rafe is my favorite male lead in the series, but I always enjoy seeing a bad boy brought to his knees by the power of love.
Although, I think this could be enjoyed as a standalone novel, I feel the references to past characters will have you wonder, plus this is a great historical romance series, and should be enjoyed and its entirety.
Genre - Historical Romance
Sensuality - Hot (adult read/listen)

NARRATION.

This it’s not the first time I’ve mentioned how much I enjoy Rosalyn Landors’s narrations, her elegant tone and clear British accent are perfect to transport you to the era, her delivery lends authenticity to the novels and immediately places you in the story.
I never have a problem distinguishing the female and male voices, the sarcastic lines are perfectly delivered, enhancing the dialogue by truly conveying the characters’ wit.
Although, I have to admit, I do like my male characters’ voice delivered in a deeper tone, I have always given Ms. Landor a pass because the overall narration is truly enjoyable, and regardless of the tone, I always get a clear picture of their personality.
All in all, this is fantastic performance by Ms. Landor.

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