DragonRose UK

Extraordinary

Revisado: 04-15-19

It's been a while since I read a book by Tanya Anne Crosby, or in this case, listened to one. All I can say is that it was worth the wait...this book must be the best one so far! The story was fabulous with so much intrigue, back-stabbing, so much angst, but all balanced out with the friendship/romance between the hero of the story Malcolm, and the beautiful Avalon daughter, Elspeth. The magic spoken about in the story was absolutely fascinating, both the evil produced by Elspeth's mother and the good spells produced by Elspeth in order to heal people or keep them safe.

Add to a truly captivating story you have perfect narration by Joel Froomkin. I was absolutely amazed at his characterisations. The first time he went from a male to a female voice I had to remind myself that it was only Joel performing the parts. Yes, his female voices are fabulous. His accents were fabulous and at one point he was doing a scene between the sisters and each one had the perfect Welsh accent, plus he gave each sister her own timbre of voice so that you knew which sister was which. His Scottish accent was spot on, as was his English. Every voice, every accent was perfect. I can't even tell you which his real accent is. I am very impressed.

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esto le resultó útil a 11 personas

A Lovely Christmas Read

Revisado: 04-08-19

Stevie Zimmerman did a good job of the narration of this book, the characters are well performed. There are some phrasing hiccups that I noticed, but other than that Stevie is a joy to listen to.

This was a lovely quick story that I really enjoyed. There were sad moments when I heard all about what Everleigh endured during her marriage, but for the most part, there were lovely lighthearted moments that had me smiling, laughing or just feeling soppy. I loved Griffin's character, he is so protective of those that he loves. He is thoughtful and kind, and perfect for Everleigh. She needs that kind of man after all that she has faced in her past. Christmas romance, you just have to love it.

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Romance that will make you smile.

Revisado: 04-05-19

Stevie Zimmerman is a good narrator. Not perfect, but one of the better female narrators that I have listened to. When I say not perfect, it is mainly because sometimes the phrasing of sentences seems wrong...a pause where there shouldn't be which entirely changes the way the sentence comes across. It's just a little thing, but it bothers me. Other than that, her characterisations are good, and I enjoy the emotion she puts into the dramatic scenes.

As for the story itself, well it deserves more than 5 stars! This story had it all. There were moments that I was in tears of laughter, especially during a particular bedroom scene. Other times I cried tears of sadness, yes actual tears. Then there were times when I was so angry, not only at the evilest villainess you will ever read about but about Cole's stupidity when it came to her. Of course, there were sigh-worthy moments, swoon-worthy moments and moments of absolute elation. The story really made me run the gamut of emotions and I loved every minute of it. I am definitely going to read the rest of the series!

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A wonderful selection of Novellas

Revisado: 04-03-19

I love Christmas, I love a wedding, and I love all three of these Christmas Brides stories. Cheryl Bolen has a real understanding of all things Regency, if I didn't know better I'd say she's an immortal or a time traveller who has lived through the ages herself! It just goes to show just how much research she must put into that era. The plots of the books and their characters are captivating and add to that the descriptive text about the places and the clothes, and the way of life, then you have the perfect romance novel.

I am sorry to say that I wasn't as enthused with the narrator of these stories. I will admit that she is very articulate and clear with her words but what she gains from that she ends up losing because the pace of her reading is too slow for my liking. I think that at her pace it would have taken me twice as long to listen to the stories. I remedied that by changing the speed on Audible which helped a lot.

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Intriguing, Exciting, Sexy Romance.

Revisado: 03-31-19

Tim Campbell, what a fabulous narrator he is. He is one of only 2 male narrators that can do a believable assortment of female voices while also being able to have a sultry, sexy, deep voice for the male heroes of a book, in this case, Onyx. The emotions that Tim can get across from the characters is wonderful making him my second favourite male narrator. Even just his normal reading voice is smooth and is a delight to listen to. I believe this man could read the phone book and make it sound exciting. Thankfully he doesn't have to do that and having Onyx to narrate spotlights how talented he is.

As for the story, I enjoyed the intrigue and the twists and turns. Onyx and Lovelle's lives have been intertwined for much longer than they could have dreamed. When certain things come to the fore I couldn't help but feel the same emotions as the characters themselves. I was absolutely gobsmacked when a truth was revealed about Onyx's father. Talk about not seeing something coming!!

I really only think there was one thing that made me cringe in the story and that was when as a newborn baby, Onyx was supposed to be wide-eyed and had a big smile on his face when he was first introduced to the story. Not the actions of any newborn baby that I have come into contact with. It's just a niggling thing, but it stops the story being perfect. Other than that I definitely have no criticisms and am very happy to recommend the book. I definitely plan to read more of the series.

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I loved this book.

Revisado: 03-31-19

I had previously read this book and as always with this author's books, I loved it. Listening to it being narrated adds such a wonderful element to the story, it helps bring to life the characters and helps you picture the scenes so much easier in your mind than when just reading the story.

The narrator wasn't perfect, I found that she took pauses where I wouldn't have put them, but for the most part she was very good. She is one of the better female narrators when it comes to performing a male voice. It is definitely no hardship listening to her pleasant voice and her take on how each character sounds.

As for the story itself, I absolutely loved it. The budding romance between the main characters, Thea and Victor was beautiful. I love a good story where the couple has to beat the odds so that they can be together. I enjoyed that there was an utter scoundrel, the curate whom Thea was being forced to marry. At times I even loathed Thea's father, I couldn't believe that he could be so horrid to her, not letting her marry the man she chose for herself. Fear not, the reason why will be revealed. There, of course, will be a happy ending, but how it comes around makes for an exciting story that I had to listen to in one go.

I laughed, I cried, I wanted to shake my fist at times, and at the end, I just had a smile on my face and had a happy sigh. I love a perfect ending to a perfect story.

I am very happy to recommend both this book and this audible edition of it.

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A laugh out loud wonderful romance.

Revisado: 01-19-19

The Earl and the Spinster is the first book in The Blue Rose Romances: The Culpepper Misses series by Collette Cameron. It was formerly titled Brooke: Wagers Gone Awry.

After Brooke Culpepper's father passed away 5 years ago the dairy farm and all that came with it became the property of a distant male relative. He has no interest in the place, or in Brooke, her sisters and cousins who all live there who he is now the guardian of. He is happy to let them run the place and live there on the proviso that Brooke sends him half of the profits every quarter. If she is late with her payments, or worse still, doesn't send any then he has told her he will sell the property and he doesn't care what happens to them. It's hard work for Brooke keeping the place running especially as she has little profit with which to maintain the place, but she and her family love it there and do all they can to keep things running smoothly. It, therefore, is a huge shock when one day a man arrives on their doorstep to inform them that he is the new owner of the dairy farm and is going to sell it.

That man is Heath, the Earl of Ravensdale. He actually won the farm in a game of cards. He wasn't told anything about the women living there, just that there was a tenant that was way behind on rent payments who needed to be evicted before the sale could take place. So, yes, the women were shocked when he arrived at their home, but no more shocked than Heath was to discover them there. He was absolutely gobsmacked too when he realised that all 5 women were absolute beauties, especially Brooke.

Despite the fact that he could take their home from them Brooke can't help but feel an attraction to Heath. The feeling is mutual. She tries to convince Heath to let her and the girls stay on as they have done, running the place and sending him the profits. But he has no need of the money or another piece of land. He doesn't want the women to end up on the streets though, and thinks of ways that he can sell the place but still be able to help them. It crosses his mind that he could set Brooke up as his mistress. Before he even has the chance to make the offer, Brooke comes up with a wager that she is sure will win them the farm. If she wins he will give her the property if she loses then she will give him her virtue. He knows it's a terrible wager but she convinces him to agree to it.

Who wins, and what are the consequences, what of the absent guardian, will he get away with the initial wager that has caused so much trouble for Brooke? You will have to read the book to find out.

I loved this story, and I especially loved how much I disliked Heath to begin with, only for him to redeem himself so that I liked him a lot by the end. Brooke and the girls are all wonderful characters, and I look forward to reading each of their stories as this series continues. Heath's friends are great, and it's a real hoot reading about one in particular who really annoy Brooke's sister. In fact, there are some fabulously funny moments throughout the whole book that had me laughing out loud which was wonderful.

The narration of the book was very well done, in fact, I think out of all of the female narrators I have listened to Stevie is the best. At least her male characterisations don't make me cringe! The only reason I haven't awarded her 5 stars is that on occasion I believe she has taken a breath, added a pause in a sentence where it was unnecessary. It was like putting a full stop midsentence. Apart from that small negative, I have nothing but praise for both her and the book and am very happy to recommend them.

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Epic Romance

Revisado: 03-08-18

Would you consider the audio edition of Of One Heart to be better than the print version?

An audiobook, no matter how good the narrator, couldn't be good if the story itself wasn't good to begin with. The narration certainly helps with the enjoyment of the story though.

What other book might you compare Of One Heart to and why?

I can't compare Of One Heart to any other book, for me, it's a one of kind thoroughly enjoyable epic story.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were many wonderful scenes in this book, but without giving spoilers I have to say that my favourite happens at the end of the story. If you listen to or read the story you will see for yourself why it is an amazing moment involving King Henry, Andrew, Micheline and Andrew's half-brother!

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

I wouldn't call it an extreme reaction, I didn't sob, or laugh like a mad woman, but yes I did find myself running the gamut of emotions during listening to this story. I was grateful for the lighthearted moments which helped keep the book from being dark at times.

Any additional comments?

I loved this story, and the narration was very well done. I fully enjoyed each and every voice that Tim Campbell performed, from adult males and females to young children, he did wonderfully. He brought the story to life. The only reason I didn't afford him 5 stars is because as yet I have only heard one narrator who is absolutely perfect, and he is the only one I can give 5 stars to. Tim comes a very close second though!

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Thoroughly Enjoyable

Revisado: 01-01-18

If you could sum up The Art of Ruining a Rake in three words, what would they be?

In three words I would describe this book as exciting, passionate, and feel-good.

What other book might you compare The Art of Ruining a Rake to and why?

There is no comparison because each book in this genre by any author may have similar storylines, but each character is straight from the author's mind, and no two author's minds are the same. Each regency romance that I read, from any author, and I read and/or listen to a lot, are absolutely unique in their own way.

Which scene was your favorite?

I can't say which was my favourite scene without giving spoilers, suffice to say that there were some very emotional moments that thanks to the narration were made even more poignant.

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

I smiled a lot, and I did feel sad at times, but nothing extreme. That said, I did listen to the book in bed, my husband sleeping next to me, and I had to be careful not to wake him up.

Any additional comments?

A beautiful story, wonderfully narrated by Marian who is one of my favourite female narrators.

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Captivating

Revisado: 12-31-17

If you could sum up How a Scot Surrenders to a Lady in three words, what would they be?

In three words this story is dramatic, romantic, and captivating.

What other book might you compare How a Scot Surrenders to a Lady to and why?

How can one compare books that are part of a genre? Yes, there are plenty of sexy Scottish Highlanders in the book world, most of them heroes, but each of them has their own character, their own loves, their own story. You just shouldn't even try to compare.

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

Tim brings emotion to the story moreso than if you were just reading it yourself. From the passionate scenes where his voice is full of lust to the scenes where he is the full-on hero who will do anything to keep his woman. His narration of the female voices are for the most part very good, but a man with such a deep gravelly voice as Tim is never going to get the female voices absolutely spot on. It certainly didn't detract from the story.

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

I wouldn't say I had an extreme reaction to the book, but it did capture my attention and I could feel for the characters. I did smile a lot, but I didn't cry.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this story, and Tim did a good job of narrating it.

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