Betsy L

A Return to New Zealand

Revisado: 08-14-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I always love coming back to Rosalind James’ New Zealand while I get to discover new characters’ stories. I also enjoy reuniting with characters from other books in this series.

This book does not disappoint. To use a current phrase “It has ALL the feels!”. The story is emotional, sometimes funny, sometimes sad and always hopeful. Ms. James writes with skill, passion and compassion. The story is multi-layered with depth and yet manages to be joyous at the same time. I have read or listened to everything she has written and she keeps getting better.

The narration is as good as it gets. Both Emma Wilder and Calum Gittins are wonderful and bring the characters to life. They are both a pleasure to listen to.

The story is a bit long with some repetition, and still totally worth the time!

This is book six in the series but can be enjoyed as a standalone. But why? You will get so much more out the characters and the story if you listen in order.

Do yourself a favor and listen. You won’t regret it.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

All the Feels

Revisado: 11-11-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This is book four in the Sinful, Montana series. It can be read/listened to as a stand-alone and you will enjoy it even without listening to or reading the first three.

Rosalind James writes compelling characters and Emma Wilder is brilliant at giving them life. Her narration, with the different accents and inflections is wonderful. She is truly gifted.

The story touches on loss, self confidence, childhood issues, love and there is lots of spice! Ms. James is very good at weaving these issues into her stories and this one truly tugs at the heartstrings. I love how Quinn gains self confidence (in the romance department) as the book goes on. And I loved the two children- Janey and Troy. Rosalind was masterful in dealing with their issues stemming from their mom’s death (this is not a spoiler).

There are many touching and funny moments sprinkled throughout, which keeps the reader totally engaged.

Where the story fell flat for me was in the last 1/4 of the book, with a mystery that really didn’t need to happen. It seemed to me that this was done to somehow “prove” how strong Quinn is and how much Beckett realizes that what Quinn did was for him. The mystery came from out of the blue and was not weaved throughout the story, making it jarring and just didn’t work for me.

Overall a fun listen (with LOTS of spice!!) with excellent character development. You won’t be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this Audible book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

A Very Different Romance

Revisado: 09-06-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Rosalind James has chosen to merge a love story with a difficult subject- leaving a cult. How do you emerge into the real world after growing up within the confines of a cult? How do you have a “happily ever after” when you aren’t sure you know what that is or what true love actually is? Listen to (or read) this book.

These issues and more are skillfully blended into a story that has strong female and male characters. Their challenges and triumphs are so well developed that is was difficult to stop listening.

Emma Wilder IS the voice of Rosalind Jones’ books. She is a master at making all of the female characters exactly how I picture them to be. Calum Gittins is good, but sometimes his accents slip, which can be distracting.

This story is the fifth in a series. It can be listened to as a stand alone, but why would you? Listening to the books in order allows you to better understand the backstories of other characters and the plot.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Not Your Average Love Story

Revisado: 06-09-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

As you can read in other reviews, this story is about Dyma a 19-year-old college freshman, and Owen a 25-year-old NFL player. Other reviewers have given you a sense of the story and characters.

This is book four in the series Portland Devils. Many of the characters were introduced in book three. I highly recommend you read that book first (actually, start with book one- you will enjoy the series and each book so much more if you read them in order!).

I love Rosalind's stories and her characters are very well developed. I always feel like I truly know them.

Emma's narration is so good. She voices the characters as I imagine they would sound. Her voice is soothing when called for and is filled with emotion when that is called for. When I read Rosalind's books, I hear Emma's voice. I love that.

I did not give this book five stars because I couldn't get past the fact that Dyma is 19- still a teenager (a child in many ways) while Owen is 25. The sexy scenes sometimes made me uncomfortable.

The book is well written and the Audible version is great to listen to. I do recommend it.

I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Truth & Love Always Wins

Revisado: 03-02-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

After reading and listening to everything Rosalind James has written, one would think she might run out of emotional, wonderful, stories with lots of great love scenes and characters that sparkle. One, or rather, I, would be wrong.

Rosalind has so many stories to tell with equally as many characters to explore. Her writing style continues to evolve while her characters continue to become (my) friends.

I'm not going to go into the story because others have done that. What I want to convey to you is simple. If you adore strong characters (especially women), great stories, and lots of sexy time all while enjoying the journey to a well-deserved happily ever after, read not just Shame the Devil, but please do yourself a favor and read all of Rosalind's books. You won't be disappointed.

Narrator Emma Wilder continues to shine! She brings the characters to life with great depth. Her accents are so good and she is able to do both female and male voices convincingly,

Oh- and even though this book can be read as a stand-alone, don't. Read the first two so you understand where the characters came from. Trust me, you will want to anyway!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

WOW. Way More Than "Just" a Romance!

Revisado: 09-08-20

I have listened to and read everything Rosalind James has written. And with each book, she just gets better and better.

I am not going to write about the plot, because other reviewers have done so. What I want to tell you is if you enjoy listening to books about strong, wonderful women, gorgeous scenery, hunky awesome men, and great "sexy time" then this book and this author is for you. Ms. James has the creative talent to take all of these and turn them into a book that not only entertains but makes you just sigh with delight.

Having two narrators was such a treat! It added such depth to the listening experience.

Emma Wilder continues to be such an amazing narrator. Her accents are spot on. You can feel her connections with the characters. In fact, when I read this book, her voice was always in my head.

Tom Janson was great! His narration was swoon-worthy!

This is book three in the "New Zealand Ever After" series. You can listen to this as a stand-alone, but why? Listen to the series in order so you can get to really know all of the characters and enjoy the scenery!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A New Series, A Fabulous New Zealand Romance!

Revisado: 07-17-19

I am so happy Karen (from the Not Quite a Billionaire series) has her own story! And what a story. She and Jax are sizzling hot and New Zealand is breathtaking.

I've said in other Rosalind James' reviews that I don't know how she does it. How she keeps creating such strong, dynamic, sexy characters. How she keeps creating such strong and dynamic stories. And, how she is able to totally captivate with her almost magical descriptions of New Zealand- scenery, people, food, traditions, and cultures. Her abilities make the reader/listener, return again and again to the magic of her books.

I adore listening to Emma Wilder. I can't read these books without hearing her voice in my head. And now, Rosalind has added a male narrator to voice Jax, the male lead. Great idea!! John Hartley's voice is pure male sex. Please keep going with this concept and keep him as a narrator!

This is a fantastic start to a new series and I can't wait to read/listen to the next story! Rosalind- HURRY UP AND WRITE!!!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own. And just so you know- I would have bought it.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Just Come Over...and Just Love This Book!

Revisado: 03-21-19

Just Come Over. The title expresses an easiness and simplicity that seems to indicate a sweet romance novel. And, in the end, it is. Yet the strong characters, hard choices and roller coaster rides found throughout the pages takes this book WAY beyond nice and easy.

Other reviewers have given good summaries of the story and characters, so I am not going to do that here. Instead, I want to talk about Rosalind James and Emma Wilder and why you need to listen to this book.

Rosalind continues to amaze and dazzle with the depth of the characters and storylines. In previous reviews, I've stated I don't know how she does it- how she manages to continue giving us fresh, new characters and original storylines that are emotionally charged, sexy, intriguing and downright wonderful to read. The passion and joy she brings to her writing shine through.

In this story, Rosalind takes sensitive topics and delves into them instead of glossing over them. Not only does this give the characters depth, it also allows the reader to understand why they make the decisions/choices they do. And she does not shy away from the emotions involved in making and living with the decisions/choices. This is so refreshing in novels and especially in romance novels.

Emma Wilder's narration is a wonder. Her characterizations are spot-on. I truly have never heard an adult do such justice with children's voices as Emma does with Casey and Isaiah. I would almost swear there were other narrators!!

The depth of feeling Emma creates with Zora's voice is also masterful.

Although this book can be read as a stand-alone, you will appreciate the story, the characters, Emma's narration, and Rosalind's wonderful talent more if you start with the first book of the series.

So. Just Come Over...and read this book!

I was given a copy of the audiobook by the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions stated are solely my own.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

My Heart is Still Pounding!

Revisado: 01-21-19

This is book four in the series. And what a series it is! All of the books are fast-paced, exceptionally well-written thrillers that will knock your socks off.

The authors, Brian Andrews and Jeffry Wilson, work together seamlessly. The characters are well thought out, complex, intriguing, and believable. They are flawed, allowing the reader to relate.

There are many twists and turns throughout the story so it never gets stale. And just when you think you know what's going to happen next...it doesn't. I stayed up WAY too late a couple of nights because I couldn't stop- I just had to know what was next.

The amazingly talented Ray Porter is the narrator. The term "narrator" just doesn't give justice or kudos to Ray. He actually becomes the characters, giving each a depth and nuance not always found in narrators. His tone, inflections and the way he is able to give life to each character amazing. He is a joy to listen to and he is one of my all-time favorite narrators.

Although you could read this as a stand alone, why would you? You will understand the characters, their histories and their motivations if you start at book one. Besides, don't you want to have some sleepless nights, too?

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Montana Meets Australia- What Can Go Right?

Revisado: 12-16-18

I wish I could somehow look into Rosalind James' brain and figure out how she does it. How she keeps writing better and better stories with better and more developed characters, fabulous stories and amazing scenery. Seriously- I really want to know how she does what she does and how she is able to create her stories that continue to keep readers/listeners sighing and coming back for more.

This is book three in the Sinful series and focuses on two characters that were introduced briefly in books one and two. (Brett plays a larger role in book one than Willow.) I am so happy Willow and Brett have their own story because Brett especially was very intriguing and Willow needed some romance in her life.

Much of the story takes place in Byron Bay, Australia rather than Sinful, Montana. This gives Rosalind the opportunity to allow us a peek into that wonderful locale with her fabulous scenery descriptions.

Emma Wilder continues to dazzle with her narration. Her characterizations are so spot on- her voices exactly are right. Her Aussie accents makes the listener feel like we are truly in Australia.

Other reviewers have described the story, so I don't need to. What I do need to do is urge you to listen this book. If you enjoy romance, super sexy love scenes, great characters, beautiful scenery and a great storyline, listen to this book! Even though this can be read as a stand alone, urge you to read the series in order. It will make you love this book more!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña