Melanie

One of my favourite, also one of the saddest!

Revisado: 04-23-14

If you're looking into volume 8, you've probably listened to the previous 7, right? Well, The Arrangement 8 still has the absolutely fantabulous Kitty Bang narrating. The storyline of volume 8 is heartbreaking and funny and shocking and surprising with some of the best Mel lines ever. I swear, Kitty Bang does Mel so well, the character deserves an entire book to herself!

The Arrangement 8 crosses over with the events of Damaged 2 (yay for Peter Ferro Granz!)

To date (23/04/2014), there are 14 "Arrangement" volumes out with a 15th in the works. I am addicted to the series and to the characters and to the rush of emotions that I go through with each volume. It's also the kind of story you can easily go back to time and time again to revisit some of your favourite moments.

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Teenage high school romance loaded with tension

Revisado: 03-30-14

Narration: The narration of this book is AMAZING. Both Jennifer O'Donnell and Sebastian Fields do a wonderful job at bringing H.M Ward's story and characters to life. They don't just narrate the story, they also act out the characters' emotions. Sebastian's voice is deep and sexy whereas Jennifer's voice is friendly and sweet. Towards the end of the book, they had me shivering and crying.

Story: "The Secret Life of Trystan Scott" is a sweet love story between 2 teenagers who are really good friends but who also have secret crushes on each other. Trystan is hiding the fact that he uploaded a song that has gone viral on YouTube. He has the potential of becoming a famous rock star but he doesn't want to attract any attention to himself. As the story develops, you realize that they both have troubled lives at home and they rely on each other for support. A story about teenage love, tough decisions, parental abuse, parental neglect and bullying. The characters are smart, strong and sarcastic (just the way I like 'em). For H.M. Ward's Ferro Family fans, this would be good audiobook to listen to if you want a better insight into Trystan & Mari's characters (they make occasional appearances). A New Adult Romance about Trystan and Mari in their young adult lives is in the works.

Parental advisory: There is mention of sexual desires and temptation, occasional course language, occasional violence.

This story alternately from Trystan and Mari's point of view.

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Vampires, action, a kickass girl and a hot guy!

Revisado: 02-24-14

What made the experience of listening to Bane the most enjoyable?

B.J. Harrison, the narrator, has a dramatic "paranormal storytelling" kinda voice. Some of the characters' voices were off (not like I would have portrayed them).

What did you like best about this story?

I love paranormal stories involving vampires and I love H.M Ward's style of writting. Put the two together and, BAM! Insta-hit for me! It goes on my "to-listen-again" list. I love Will and Kahli. Oh Will, you definitely go on my top book boyfriend list!

Which character – as performed by B. J. Harrison – was your favorite?

B.J. Harrison does freaky old male vampire REALLY well! The King has a very eerie voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There is a forbidden romantic storyline developping between the 2 main characters but, as is often the case with H.M Ward, the romance takes it's sweet, delicious time in coming to pass. All moments between Khalli and Will are my favorite.

Any additional comments?

At the time of posting this review, there are 2 books out in this series (Bane & Catalyst) and the 3rd one (Divergent) is in the making.

This is a paranormal story involving vampires & humans and a race that's in bewtween (Bane) and their struggle to survive in a "post apocalyptic", ice-age world. Filled with action, intrigue, plots, survival struggles/games and lessons in humane values. By the end of this book, you are just getting into the main action and the listener is left wanting to jump right into book 2 to find out what happens next.

The way this story is told, it gives the listener a multitude of points of view, randomly alternating between the thoughts and feeling of various characters within the same chapter. I found this a bit confusing at first, trying to figure out who's emotions I was listening to but I got used to it and it wasn't an issue for long. The characters are smart, strong & witty and the listener can easily get attached to them.

This book is for teens and adults alike (I'm 39 and love it). The physical attraction between the 2 main characters is palpable but never sexually explicit or descriptive. There is a certain level of descriptive violence and blood but nothing too gory.

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Fave book by fave author with fave narrator!

Revisado: 02-11-14

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook to anyone and everyone who loves a good love story. I've read the book over and over (and over) again and listening to the audiobook just brought it to life even more! I know the story by heart, yet listening to the audiobook still got me all shivery!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Damaged, Volume 1?

There are so many memorable moments in Damaged, Volume 1 but the ones that stand out the most for me are the ones that involve dancing and the banter that ensues.

Which character – as performed by Kitty Bang – was your favorite?

Peter and Sidney are my favorite fictional couple and Kitty Bang is my favorite narrator so it's a perfect match... like magic!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Every time Peter and Sidney get close but not quite enough, oh and what I love to call "the forehead thing", Peter's trademark move... it's anticipation at it's best! Shivers and increased heart rate guaranteed!

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"I want the good, the bad & the monster within"

Revisado: 01-28-14

What did you love best about The Arrangement Vol. 6: The Ferro Family, Volume 6?

So much happens throughout this volume: love, romance, friendship, betrayal, sadness, optimism, revelations, comedy, mourning, melancholy, healing and shock (as in the cliffhanger at the end!). My heart sped up and thumped hard at certain points, my mouth crept up into a smile at others.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Selecting a favorite character is tough. Of course, Avery & Sean, the main characters, are wonderful to read about and are easily my favorite but the secondary characters are also amazing. Mel is all in-your-face attitude & Marty is the underdog male character you kinda feel sorry for and want to hug.

Which character – as performed by Kitty Bang – was your favorite?

Avery: Omigosh! Kitty Bang packs so much emotion when reading Avery's part. She gives me shivers!
Mel: I love the attitude she gives Mel. You can easily distinguish characters when Kitty Bang switches from Avery to Mel because she gives Mel a slight accent that is just the right kind of tough for Mel.

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

I laughed at the "super slut" & "transvestite snowman" comments. Avery says the funniest things at the most unexpected, unfunny moments! Of course, when reading a romance book, any declaration of one's feelings is always a strong moment but the last chapter of this book is exceptionally powerful *shivers*.

Any additional comments?

The Arrangement is a love story between Sean Ferro (a rich and powerful man with a tormenting past) and Avery Stanz (a University student who is trying to survive against all odds). It is one of the Ferro Family stories by H.M Ward. Other Ferro series are Damaged, Stripped and The Proposition. Each series can be read individually but they cross-over each other at certain parts.

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"Pretend with me for a while." - Sean Ferro

Revisado: 01-22-14

Would you listen to The Arrangement 5 (Volume 5) again? Why?

Just to hear Avery say "Vroom! Vroom!" is totally worth listening to this audiobook again! LOL! Seriously though, this was one of my favorite books of the series. Packed with feelings of abandonment, desperation, inner conflict, confusion, joy, lightness, friendship, infatuation, laughter. A couple of my favorite Sean-Avery scenes are in this book. They have a very bipolar relationship that have you going up and down an emotional scale. There are some steamy scenes! Your insides will twist and turn. This book marks a turning point in Sean's "road to recovery". Ends with yet another cliffhanger that makes you crave #6.

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

So far, I've listened to "The Arrangement" 1-5, all narrated by Kitty Bang & she is a wonderful narrator. All her characters have distinctive voices and she puts so much emotion in her reading.

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

Yes. As with all "The Arrangement" audio books, they are so emotionally charged, the impact is stronger if they are listened to in one sitting. Since they are shorter than full length novels, it is easy to do.

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Highly emotional. Sobfest alert.

Revisado: 01-17-14

Would you consider the audio edition of The Arrangement, Volume 3 to be better than the print version?

I never thought I'd hesitate over such a question. I usually prefer printed versions of books over audio. This audio book, in fact the entire audio series, is just as good as the print version.

What about Kitty Bang’s performance did you like?

Omigosh! Kitty Bang doesn't narrate, she acts! She laughs, cries, gasps, "RWARs", ... Kitty Bang IS Avery Stanz (& Mel, & Marty, & Sean, & Miss Black, ...). Nothing beats hearing Avery say "Bear Attack! Bear Attack! RWAR!" LOL!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This is the piggy kite book... 'nuff said! I highly recommend listening to The Arrangement 3 and The Arrangement 4 back to back. If you do this, make sure you have enough tissues handy (sobfest alert!). Even though I'd already read the print version before (& it had made me cry soooooo much!), a couple of tears still managed to escaped my eyes while listening to the audio version.

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2 strangers destined to be lovers

Revisado: 01-11-14

If you could sum up The Arrangement, Volume 2 in three words, what would they be?

Hot, Funny & Swoony

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Arrangement, Volume 2?

Who can forget Sean and Avery's first time together? Seriously! Listening to this book after having read it a while back ago, brought a smile to my face. I'd forgotten how sweet it was.

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

Yes, in The Arrangement volume 1. In volume 2, Kitty Bang offers another stellar performance narrating as Avery Stanz. She brings out the characters' emotions and personalities, from laughing to crying, just like I'd imaged them while reading the book. Amazeballs!

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

The Arrangement 2 is breathtaking. There is some explicit sexual content but the way H.M. Ward takes her time describing every little emotion, it's practically torture!

Any additional comments?

This book starts off where the last one ended, like wham-bam-thank-you-M'am! Starts out intense, hot and heavy with the anticipation that Ward is so clever at delivering. You easily get attached to her characters (main and secondary), even the ones you love to hate.

As with all Arrangement books, this one ends in an unresolved situation which makes you want to dive into book 3 immediately to find out what happens next! Entertainment at it's best!!!

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The book that started it all...

Revisado: 01-09-14

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

You know you've stumbled onto something wonderful when you get tingles from the first chapter. I have really clicked with H.M Ward's style of writting. I love her sense of humour and the way she puts so much detail in describing her characters and the emotions they go through. She is funny as heck and her books are emotionnaly charged! The Arrangement series is just that, a series. Whereas novels tend to be more like watching a movie with a nice conclusion and perhaps a hint towards a sequel, series are like watching a good tv show, episode by episode, always ending in a cliffhanger that leaves you begging for more.

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

Kitty Bang is an amazing narrator. One moment she's practically in tears, the next, she's all attitude while reading another character's lines. Kitty Bang is full-on emotion without over-exagerating. Her voice is soothing and she brings H.M. Ward's strong characters to life perfectly.

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Sexy, funny, intense, excruciatingly exquisite...

Revisado: 12-05-13

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

Stripped was my first full audiobook.

What did you like best about this story?

This story is intense! Ward takes her time describing everything from character personnalities, locations, emotions, simple gestures such a kiss... this is her strength. The intense and important passages are not rushed, on the contrary, you are sitting on the edge of your seat, heart beating fast, anticipating what will happen next... and she let's us linger there... excruciatingly exquisite!!! To balance things out, there are always cute, funny, quirky passages that make you smile and LOL while reading.This book intertwines with other stories but if this is your first H.M. Ward book, you can read it as a stand alone since the characters and their back stories are described enough so that the first time reader isn't confused. However, if you intend on reading her other series, you may want to read them in the order they were published to avoid any spoilers.

What does Erin Mallon and Sebastian Fields bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Sebastian Fields is amazing. His voice is sexy and he brings Jonathan Ferro to life with all the emotion & cockiness that goes along with it.Erin Mallon was only okay for me. Her voice is beautiful, her reading is impeccable and she puts emotion into her performance but I found her very breathy, overly exhaling at the end of every sentence. H.M. Ward's female characters usually have lots of sassiness (including Cassie Hale's character) but I couldn't detect that from Erin Mallon's reading.

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

I found myself blushing at certain times, during racier moments, especially when Sebastian Fields was narrating.

Any additional comments?

Although I really enjoyed my first audiobook experience, I found that I'm more easily distracted from the story while listening to a story than if my eyes are stuck to a page. Perhaps I'll try listening to it while reading at the same time to double the pleasure! It's kind of like the bonus features you'll find on a dvd... it's an added bonus to actually hear the characters.

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