Karen

The Soul Mirror is the second book in the Collegia Magica trilogy, but stands well on its own. Indeed, I failed to note that this was the second and had not read (or listened) to the first book, but I at no time floundered with what was going on. In fact, I think I probably enjoyed the suspense more due to not being over familiar with the characters introduced in the first book. I thoroughly enjoyed Angele Masters performance. She has a lovely voice and was well able to tackle the male characters smoothly without the jarring that some other narrators cause when attempting to read a character not of their own gender. I'm looking forward to listening to the third book in this trilogy ( The Daemon Prism) and then will likely go back and tackle the first. Give this a go - you won't be disappointed!

I read this book a while ago and loved it, so snapped it up when I saw it here and am SO pleased I did. Heather Smith is a brilliant narrator and brings the book to life in a way that had me snickering frequently, and hysterically laughing out loud at times. If listening to this on headphones, listen to it alone. Otherwise, people are going to start looking at you funny when you can't control your mirth. Worth a credit? Absolutely! I'd have happily given two credits for this gem.

There is very little to like about this book. The plot is improbable and the narrator is stilted and detracts from the story to the point where I just gave up. Worth a credit? No. I'm not even sure it is worth buying the book via Kindle to get this at what I thought was a bargain price of $1.99. Very disappointing.

Bare It All is the second book in the Love Undercover series, and follows Detective Reese Baredon and Alice Appleton and their developing relationship. Reese is very curious about Alice's past and wants to protect her. Alice has secrets she doesn't want to share, but Reese isn't about to let his quirky neighbour get away with that.

Alice is a secondary character from another book written by Lori Foster, 'Trace of Fever'. It isn't necessary to have read that book to understand the trauma that Alice has gone through that has left her wary of her surroundings and isolated from her family (but, seriously, that too is an excellent book and well worth a credit!).

While I very much enjoyed the first book in this series (Run the Risk), Alice is my favourite character due to her quirks and her strength of character so I loved listening to her story. Worth a credit? Oh yes, absolutely!

Undercover operative Chase Weston meets undercover FBI agent KC and the sparks fly! Trouble is, both of them are working different (but related) cases and neither of them know the other is undercover. Nor do they trust each other, but they can't ignore the chemistry between them!

While this is a romance, the action comes first - and what excellently written action it is! This isn't a story that leaves you hanging at the end, but it is obvious the next book will carry on from where this leaves off. I, for one, can't wait!

Joe Jung was a little shaky with his narration at the start of this story, but he soon gets into his stride and I'd be more than happy to listen to him narrate again. Worth a credit? A big YES from me! Swiftly followed by, 'Can we have book 2 soon please, kkthx!'

The first two books of this series has involved a relationship between one woman and three men. This time, the story revolves around Callie, the daughter of the Colters from the first book and the sister to the Colters in the second book. Callie is a free spirit, very independent, but she has returned to her family subdued and heart broken after her love affair with Max Wilder ends. Max, after realising he has made a big mistake at letting Callie go, pursues her again but has a secret that could destroy their happiness.

The exploration of a submissive one on one relationship between Callie and Max is a nice change of pace in this series, and Freddie Bates is a wonderful narrator just perfect for this story. His gruff tones are great for Max, and his lighter, higher voice for Callie and the other female characters isn't grating. Worth a credit? I'd have been happy to spend a credit on this, but it was more economic just to pay for it and save my credit on other more expensive titles.

Colters' Lady follows the children of the characters in the first book of this series, 'Colters' Woman'. Seth encounters a homeless woman and is instantly smitten, as are his brothers when they meet her. Lily is living rough trying to forget a traumatic past, but also feels the instant connection.

This is another of Maya Banks more unrealistic romance novels where the men instantly know that they want to spend the rest of their lives with just one woman without knowing anything about her. Having said that, this story is pure enjoyable romance but it also tackles a very sad event that had me at times tearing up in both sympathy and empathy.

It isn't necessary to read Colter's Lady to know what is going on in this story; all characters are introduced and explained (although, that is a great book too and recommended). Worth a credit? Yes, but it is pretty cheap, so I'd say save your credit for more expensive offerings.

Be With Me is another of Maya Banks' awesome stories about a woman in a relationship with three men. This one is a little different from Maya's usual offerings - Regina has known Hutch, Cam, and Sawyer for most of her life and a year ago their relationship changed from friendship to something more. Regina, shocked and scared by the change, cuts them out of her life and the men allow her to run. However, when she is attacked when on duty as a police officer, her men decide enough is enough!

Regina is a wonderfully strong character and while I enjoyed the plot of her being targeted by a killer, I probably enjoyed more the exploration of her relationships with Hutch, Cam and Sawyer. They all have doubts and how they work out the dynamics of their partnership was a joy. And, of course, as this is Maya Banks writing, there are plenty of steamy hot scenes while they explore their physical relationships.

Adam Paul tackles the narration well; he isn't my favourite narrator but he is more than up to the task here! Worth a credit? Yes, absolutely.

Following on from Feral Sins, Wicked Cravings follows the beta of Phoenix Pack, Dante, and a new pack member Jamie. Jamie has a secret that she doesn't want to share with her new pack members and that is a big problem as Dante absolutely doesn't like secrets. You don't really need to read Feral Sins to understand what is going on here. (But, seriously, why wouldn't you?!) As noted by other reviewers, Jamie seems to have a personality very much like Taryn in the first book - her cheeky comments to other pack members seem to be stolen right out of Taryn's mouth - but I didn't feel that detracted too much from the story.

What really makes this book (and Feral Sins) is the narrator Jill Redfield. She is absolutely perfect for these books and I giggled in delight every time she read Dante cursing.

Worth a credit? Absolutely! However, because of the current price I kept my credit for more expensive offerings. Thoroughly recommended!

This is the third instalment of what looks to be four books and was proceeded by Midnight Sins and Deadly Sins. You really need to be listening to them in order, otherwise I suspect the story line here would be very confusing. Secret Sins follows Sherriff Archer Tobias and his relationship with Anna Corbin and the ongoing murders that are plaguing the county in which they live.

I had enjoyed the first two books, and was looking forward to this one but it was somewhat disappointing as there was very little plot and a whole lot of sex. Lora Leigh is the Queen of bedroom scenes (imo), but this book got repetitive really fast - in fact I'm sure she did repeat some of the scenes word for word! Clare Claremont was very good in her narration, but overall I was disappointed at the lack of plot. I'll still be looking out for the fourth book in the series when it is available and hopefully there will be more of the actual story in that one!

I generally enjoy Maya Banks' work, but this one left me a little cold. I didn't like Gabe very much as a character and, while I thought I'd grow to appreciate him more as the story progressed, I didn't. I didn't mind Adam Paul's narration - he does speak rapidly but to be honest, that was a plus in a book I just wanted to get out of the way.