Paul J.

SUPERB!!!!

Revisado: 01-11-24

One of the finest audio books I've ever listened to - a joy in every way. Written with humor, compassion, depth, and just plain brilliance . . . I could hardly stop listening, and felt so deeply for both the main characters and the supporting cast. What a moving lovely triumphant story! I can not say enough good things about this book, except that, thank heavens, it was paired with an equally gifted narrator. Aaron Albano didn't miss a beat and was fully up to the task of bringing Mr Lim's rich and wonderful story to breathtaking life. Bravo and thanks to you both for this experience!! Five stars aren't enough.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Terrific story& narrator

Revisado: 10-19-23

Another wonderful story by Mary Calmes, performed to perfection by Greg Tremblay. Doesn’t get much better than this!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

AS GOOD AS IT GETS

Revisado: 06-08-21

There really aren't enough good things I can say about this book or this series. It's wonderfully written, with rich believable characters and a plot so crackling with suspense that I could barely break for lunch. Thankfully, matching the brilliance of the author is an equally brilliant narrator. Joel Leslie, as always, was just spot on. One of my all time favorite narrators performing one of my all time favorite series. Thank You, SJ Himes & Joel Leslie for this stellar production!!

Highest recommendation.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Beautifully Written, Wonderfully Performed!!

Revisado: 02-06-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

The story itself is so excellent that I've read the kindle version of it twice, and on both occasions couldn't put it down. X Aratare never (and I really mean never) disappoints. I don't know how she produces so much writing on such a consistently high level - but she does and I'm grateful for it. Absolutely first rate story, with vividly drawn endearing characters.

This Performance gives added dimension to the already superb story. I'm blown away by Edward Fox's rich resonant voice and insightful portrayal. He has that timeless quality that seems perfect for a fantasy like this. It's not just his wonderful British accent . . . every word is savored and perfectly timed and delivered. Some readers garble words, or tear through the story so fast that I have to go back to check the printed version just to find out what was actually said. Not so here! Mr. Fox tells this tale with all the clarity, nuance and power of a Shakespearian actor. Bravos to both the author and voice actor. So happy that he will be narrating the rest of this amazing series!!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Wonderfully Written, Wonderfully Told!

Revisado: 03-02-18

What a fabulous story!

Romance, adventure and truly round characters (even the minor ones are so vividly drawn!) make this one of the finest books I've listened to in a long time. There was humor and pathos too; on a number of occasions I laughed aloud, at other times tears welled up. These are characters you can't help root for. Farrell, for instance, has such a giving, selfless heart, yet despite his being a prince and one of the most powerful wizards of his age, he thinks of his own failures and doesn't realize the depth of his courage or the true nobility of his soul.

The plot drips with intrigue and suspense and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Absolutely riveting from start to finish. I just couldn't stop listening.

It's so refreshing to find a book driven by a thrilling plot and rich wonderful characters, and isn't just another collection of graphic sex scenes cobbled together and masquerading as a story.

Happily, the excellent writing by Mr. Gordon is accompanied by an equally stellar performance by Mr. Leslie, who breathes life into every character. Together, writer and reader make for a work that's just plain superb in every way. I'm so glad I stumbled on this book! Already it's one of my favorites.

When oh when are the sequels coming out??

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Superb!

Revisado: 03-28-17

One of the most moving, insightful, and hopeful stories I've read (or rather, listened to ;-) in a long time. I couldn't help falling in love with Kevin and Casper, and being pulled along on their journey together. I'm so glad this book was written. Yes, it was a love story, but it was so much more . . . . That it was based upon a close friend of the authors, the real Kevin, made it all the more poignant and triumphant, and it was lovely to hear Kevin's letter to us at the close of the story. Thank you, Kevin, for sharing your experiences with Brandon Witt, and through Brandon's superb pen, with all of us.

This book has it all: Wonderful characters you can't help feeling close with, a beautiful and sensitively written story, and all read to perfection.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Absolutely Wonderful!

Revisado: 04-04-16

This book was a huge delight! I just couldn't stop listening! Sweeping and epical in its scope, yet filled with romance, secrets, suspense, and great characters who embody honor and make you care about them -- this is yet another crackling good story by this great author. In my eyes Mary Calmes is the Queen of Writers of gay romance novels. I had the great privilege of meeting her some years ago at a book fair in NY, and she is every bit as warm and lovely in person as anyone who's read her stories and the huge heart they contain would expect. If only they had books like this when I was growing up! I'm so grateful we do now. Bravo Mary Calmes!!! And the same to Greg Tremblay, who brought her golden words to life so masterfully. Beautiful beautiful all around.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Soaring!!!!

Revisado: 12-19-15

What a heartwarming, fantastic story!! Tightly woven, beauty written, and beautifully read. This deserves top honors all around. It is utterly uplifting, with wonderful characters and a gripping story. It had me in tears (the good kind) for nearly a half hour. Thank you for this gift!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Such a Delight!

Revisado: 02-24-15

This was a wonderfully written, feel good story with characters that leap from the page. In less than three hours of listening time I was completely transported to Dwyer and Takeo's lives, and happily so. At times I laughed out loud, and who would've thunk I'd need the kleenex by the end?

I love the quirks in their characters that tell so much about them: i.e. how awkward Takeo is with people in his office, stiff and formal and honest to a fault - the proverbial wet blanket - even as he can't figure out why people don't seem to like him. And I was charmed by Dwyer's childish antics revealing his affection for him, like the time he sailed a paper airplane into Takeo's office - such great detail - he's still a boy at heart. That Takeo hasn't a clue what a truly good, lovable person he is was also painfully endearing.

The setting of the story was written with conviction, forming the perfect backdrop for these two wonderful characters. Mary Calmes just nails the world of office politics with its assorted (and sometimes dubious and backstabbing) cast of characters and egos. But while a keen observer of the corporate world's harried, competitive side, Ms. Calmes doesn't give in to stereo-typically trashing it as a lesser writer might, but also perfectly describes the excitement and creativity that that world can also sometimes embody. Of course this is only the background for her romance, but for me a convincing setting is part of what makes a great story, and the setting here is fascinating in its own right, the perfect backdrop for drama.

Finally, I'd be remiss not to acknowledge the truly stellar performance of the narrator, Greg Tremblay, who's inflections, accents, timing and obvious love for the characters made the story leap from the page. No overacting here - just the breath of life. He so completely "became" these characters that I can't imagine them being narrated by anyone else.

This book is already one of my favorite listens, and I'll be returning to it again for sure. My thanks to Mary Calmes, Mr. Tremblay and all involved!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Superb in every way.

Revisado: 12-10-12

What made the experience of listening to A Reason to Believe the most enjoyable?

The story was both exciting, suspenseful, romantic, and beautifully written. I was on the edge of my seat.

What did you like best about this story?

Along with a crackling good plot, I loved the four main characters. These were people you can really care about, each in their own way - people I would welcome into my life in a heart beat.

Which character – as performed by Jack LeFleur – was your favorite?

Not an easy question, because they were all so engaging. I loved Kiernan, for his boyishness & mischievous qualities, but also for his empathy & caring, and a wisdom beyond his years. But equally strong cases could be made for the loyalty, courage and endearing qualities of the other three main characters: Matt and his sister in law, and Kiernan's sister Aiden.

The author's ability to bring out the essence of her characters is uncanny - even in small things like the quirky humorous tee shirts that Kiernan loves to wear. I found myself laughing out loud in a number of spots, but also needing the kleenex at some of the more moving passages. Other times I was ready to cheer.

If you could take any character from A Reason to Believe out to dinner, who would it be and why?

It would be either Matt or Kiernan. That's a tough choice; they're both terrific characters for different reasons.

Any additional comments?

This is just an all around brilliant book. Truly first rate, with engaging characters you wish you knew, and a story line that never lets up. Many passages I simply had to listen to twice, or even three times, before allowing myself to go on. You just want to savor them. It's really that good.

I hope Ms. Copland comes out with many more books. There's such a lot of mediocrity out there; we need more writing on this level. Finally, I can't imagine a more perfect dramatization than that delivered by Mr. LeFleur. He did justice to this wonderful, suspenseful, feel-good story.

So I say again . . . just brilliant!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña