You no longer follow Gretchen

You will no longer see updates from this user when they write new reviews, or suggestions based on their library or recommendations.

You can re-follow a user if you change your mind.

You now follow Gretchen

You will receive updates from this user when they write new reviews, or suggestions based on their library or recommendations.

You can unfollow a user if you change your mind.

Gretchen

ratings

REVIEWS

FOLLOWING

FOLLOWERS

HELPFUL VOTES

On Dublin Street

UNABRIDGED
- by Samantha Young
- Narrated by Paula Costello
On Dublin Street

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 48 mins)

By Samantha Young

Narrated By Paula Costello

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(483)
Performance
(453)
Story
(455)

Jocelyn Butler has been hiding from her past for years. But all her secrets are about to be laid bare.... Four years ago, Jocelyn left her tragic past behind in the States and started over in Scotland, burying her grief, ignoring her demons, and forging ahead without attachments. Her solitary life is working well - until she moves into a new apartment on Dublin Street where she meets a man who shakes her carefully guarded world to its core.
bluebelle says: "Great sex AND great story!!"
"Writer with an original voice"

Overall
Performance
Story

This is the first I have heard of this writer and I was delighted to find that she has an original, contemporary voice and knows her craft well. The dialog was fresh, flowed well, and fit the characters exactly. This is a romance that is not written with the same, tired phrases found in every romance book (well, maybe a couple of times...).

This is a story heavy on character development rather than plot, which was predictable. Any disappointment with the predictable plot was easily overridden by the skill of the writer. The main male love interest's personality was written a bit heavy-handedly, but somehow worked.

The narrator really 'got' the main character and used a natural approach to differentiating between characters. A couple of times, I wished she had distinguished more clearly between the main character's internal and external dialog, but overall, good job.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Untraceable: Tracers, Book 1

UNABRIDGED
- by Laura Griffin
- Narrated by Talmadge Ragan
Untraceable: Tracers, Book 1

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 19 mins)

By Laura Griffin

Narrated By Talmadge Ragan

Overall
(7)
Performance
(4)
Story
(4)

Private investigator Alexandra Lovell uses computer skills and cunning to help clients drop off the radar and begin new lives in safety. Melanie Bess, desperate to escape her abusive cop husband, was one of those clients. But when Melanie vanishes for real, Alex fears the worst, and sets out to discover what happened. Using every resource she can get her hands on - including an elite team of forensic scientists known as the Tracers and a jaded, sexy Austin PD detective - Alex embarks on a mission to uncover the truth.
Gretchen says: "Some action, good romance"
"Some action, good romance"

Overall
Performance
Story

I liked the female protagonist, Alex. She is an unassuming, but determined, individual who takes no interest in material wealth. She is formally uneducated, but intelligent, gaining her considerable computer skills with self-education.

Her love interest, Nat, is a no-nonsense detective with the local police force. There is tension between the two as Alex searches for a missing client and Nat refuses to believe that a colleague had anything to do with the client's disappearance.

No big plot twists, but a few surprises make this book satisfying - there are also satisfying bedroom scenes. Good reader. Overall, well done.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Special Forces Rendezvous: The Hunted

UNABRIDGED
- by Elle Kennedy
- Narrated by Liz Bieler
Special Forces Rendezvous: The Hunted

UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 57 mins)

By Elle Kennedy

Narrated By Liz Bieler

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(5)
Performance
(4)
Story
(4)

Unless they stop it, the deadly virus decimating San Marquez will be unleashed on America. Fugitive sergeant Sebastian Stone and Dr. Julia Davenport have stumbled onto the shocking conspiracy behind a terrifying ultimatum - but exposing it could cost their lives. Sparks of passion have already threatened their mission. Though both Sebastian and Julia don't "do" commitment, they rush headlong into a casual affair. On the run from both the government and terrorists, neither Sebastian nor Julia knows whom to trust.
carol says: "Suspense & Romance All in One!"
"Good story, good romance"

Overall
Performance
Story

The female protagonist is well educated, strong, and knows her own mind and her love interest in the story is street-smart and macho.

Suspense surrounds a secret operation in a small village outside the U.S., causing the primary tension in the plot. The romance balances on differing ideas of relationships rather than miscommunications or hot tempers, which I enjoyed.

The book is relatively well written, but the reader took me a while to get used to. She starts out a bit rough and is terrible with Aussie accents, but after the first hour, I wasn't too bothered.

For me, a book gets 5 stars only if I must miss sleep to listen to it, so this one's only 4 stars.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Down London Road

UNABRIDGED
- by Samantha Young
- Narrated by Elle Newlands
Down London Road

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 28 mins)

By Samantha Young

Narrated By Elle Newlands

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(108)
Performance
(102)
Story
(100)

Johanna Walker is used to taking charge. But she’s about to meet someone who will make her lose control....
It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may - or may not - fly. But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable....
bluebelle says: "Absolute Perfection"
"New favorite writer"

Overall
Performance
Story

Samantha Young is my new favorite writer. I read somewhere that she is a young adult writer who is now producing adult romance. I won't go into the plot, because, I don't want to give anything away and because, frankly, it isn't important. Young's strength is in character development. The story takes place over a relatively short span of time and the writer delves deeply into the two protagonists and their relationship. It is a drama, but the characters and their respective circumstances are believable.

It is a well written book with an excellent narrator - LOVED the accent. I don't give many 5 stars, but this production hit all the right notes for me. I will look for more Samantha Young books in the future.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Riviera Contract

UNABRIDGED
- by Arthur Kerns
- Narrated by Evan Greenberg
The Riviera Contract

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 9 mins)

By Arthur Kerns

Narrated By Evan Greenberg

Overall
(3)
Performance
(3)
Story
(3)

In early 2002, six months after the World Trade Center attack, Hayden Stone who took early retirement from the FBI, is working for the CIA. On his last assignment to Afghanistan a colleague is killed and Stone blames himself for his death. A friend in the upper ranks of the CIA offers him an assignment to the South of France. Stone accepts, thinking this is exactly what he needs to get his life back on an even keel: French life on the Côte d’Azur. Well, he’s in for a surprise. He has little time for the Mediterranean ambiance, as two terrorists, acting separately, attempt to murder him.
Donna Wange says: "Fast paced espionage terrorist thriller"
"Adventure, some intrigue, some romance - 3.5 stars"

Overall
Performance
Story

A retired, newly divorced FBI agent takes a contract with the CIA. Although risky, what begins as a straightforward assignment soon becomes much more.

The writer blends action scenes and romance believably - no 'love at first sight' scenes here. Romantic entanglements are not what is typical in the genre, so if you are looking for a Harlequin-type story, you might be disappointed with this book.

The story could have taken place anywhere, i.e. the Riviera is not key, or even expanded upon. The title drew me in, but the writer does little with the locale.

Overall, I am open to spending another credit on this writer, but my expectations won't be high.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Slow Burn

UNABRIDGED
- by E. B. Walters
- Narrated by Nina Naughton
Slow Burn

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 41 mins)

By E. B. Walters

Narrated By Nina Naughton

Overall
(5)
Performance
(5)
Story
(5)

She doesn't want to deal with the past... Ten years ago, Ashley Fitzgerald witnessed the death of her parents in a tragic fire and her mind blocked the memory. She pretends to have moved on, is a successful artist and photographer, until she opens her door to a stranger, assumes he's a model and asks him to strip to his briefs. He plans to expose the truth... Wealthy businessman Ron Noble has the body, the jet, the fast cars and the women, but he hides a deadly secret.
Leesa says: "Ugh, maybe is was the narrator, maybe the story"
"Story good - reader wasn't"

Overall
Performance
Story

The story was ok, but the reader ruined my experience. She "read" the material rather than performed it.

This is a straight forward 'who dunnit' with a romantic story line. The story is not particularly original, but probably better than it seemed with the poor reader

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Behind the Lies: A Montgomery Justice Novel, Book 1

UNABRIDGED
- by Robin Perini
- Narrated by Nick Podehl
Behind the Lies: A Montgomery Justice Novel, Book 1

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 45 mins)

By Robin Perini

Narrated By Nick Podehl

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(13)
Performance
(12)
Story
(12)

Of the six Montgomery brothers, Zach has always walked on the wild side. He rocketed to fame playing a hero in a movie, but off screen he’s living in the shadows. Zach’s dark secret: He leads a double life as a CIA operative. When a mission to stalk a terrorist goes horribly wrong, Zach’s cover is blown. He’s on the run and fighting to stay alive long enough to discover whom he can trust - and who betrayed him. Jenna Walters thought she’d married the perfect man - until she unearthed his terrible secret. Now, desperate to escape his crosshairs, she and her son take refuge in Zach’s secret hideaway.
Camille says: "BETTER THAN THE FIRST IN THE SERIES!"
"Short, easy listen"

Overall
Performance
Story

This 5 hour book has some action and the threads of the story are interesting in places, but overall, predictable. Guy and girl fall in love (quickly), but can't be together; and then,circumstances force them to weave their way through danger. For those readers who want bedroom scenes, this book might be a disappointment as there are only a one or two.

The 'bad guys' are written with a heavy hand. The author actually uses the words, "pure evil." The 'good guys' are better balanced - lie and kill, but do so for their country, not profit. This line of thought can give a reader something to think about, i.e. is it right to kill for any reason? However, the author does not necessarily intend to lead readers to deeper thinking. This is a fairly shallow story, with fairly shallow characters, but I was ok with that.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
About that Night: FBI-US Attorney Series, Book 3

UNABRIDGED
- by Julie James
- Narrated by Karen White
About that Night: FBI-US Attorney Series, Book 3

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 45 mins)

By Julie James

Narrated By Karen White

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(131)
Performance
(114)
Story
(118)

Though Rylann Pierce tried to fight the sparks she felt for billionaire heir Kyle Rhodes the night they met, their sizzling chemistry was undeniable. But after being stood up on their first date, Rylann never expected to see him again. So when she finds herself face to face with Kyle in a courthouse nine years later, she's stunned. More troubling to the beautiful Assistant U.S. Attorney is that she's still wildly attracted to him. Just released from prison, Kyle Rhodes isn't thrilled to be the star witness in a high-profile case....
jodiod says: "Wow!"
"Third book in a lukewarm series"

Overall
Performance
Story

Well executed but predictable story; straight-forward, single threaded plot, watered-down legal situations. I don't regret using a credit, but I won't go out of my way recommending this one to my friends.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Scene of the Crime: Deadman's Bluff

UNABRIDGED
- by Carla Cassidy
- Narrated by Vanessa Hart
Scene of the Crime: Deadman's Bluff

UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 33 mins)

By Carla Cassidy

Narrated By Vanessa Hart

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(3)
Performance
(3)
Story
(3)

FBI agent Seth Hawkins was on a mission to catch a serial killer. Yet his only lead - a mysterious azure-eyed beauty found buried alive in the local sand dunes - had no memory of how she'd been abducted. Or anything else about her identity.
Gretchen says: "Darn - I meant to avoid this reader!"
"Darn - I meant to avoid this reader!"

Overall
Performance
Story

I could barely finish my last book due to the reader's raspy monotone and what do I do? I buy a book with the very same reader! Ugh! I decided I wanted to find a new author more than I wanted to avoid this reader, so I soldiered on. The story was fine, if not predictable. The writing was competent enough. Think twice before choosing this one.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Star Princess

UNABRIDGED
- by Susan Grant
- Narrated by Vanessa Hart
The Star Princess

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 38 mins)

By Susan Grant

Narrated By Vanessa Hart

Overall
(10)
Performance
(8)
Story
(7)

lana Hamilton isn't an adventurer like her pilot mother, or a diplomat like her do-right brother; she's a brash, fun-loving filmmaker who'd rather work behind the camera than be a "Star Princess" in front of it. Heiress or not, she's a perfectly normal, single woman...until Prince Che Vedla crashes into her life. With six months to choose a bride, the sexy royal wants to sow his wild oats. Ilana can't blame him-but fall for the guy herself? Hotshot pilot or no, Che is too arrogant and too old-fashioned.
Kd says: "Okay"
"Boring - reader made it worse"

Overall
Performance
Story

The reader's lack of inflection and raspy voice emphasized the slow moving story. The characters' lack of interesting characteristics couldn't carry the type of book the writer attempted. I liked the futuristic elements and wanted to find something to like, but this one puts me to sleep.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Fatal Deception: Fatal, Book 5

UNABRIDGED
- by Marie Force
- Narrated by Felicity Munroe
Fatal Deception: Fatal, Book 5

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 5 mins)

By Marie Force

Narrated By Felicity Munroe

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(54)
Performance
(46)
Story
(47)

The wife of the White House deputy chief of staff has been beaten to death, and their one-year-old daughter is missing. D.C. Police Lieutenant Sam Holland is in charge of the murder investigation, but she's forced to collaborate with Special Victims Unit detectives as well as thorn-in-her-side FBI Special Agent Avery Hill. Then, a cold case of her father's resurrects old hurts - a distraction Sam cannot afford. As Sam's investigation heats up, so does Nick's political career - and the heat carries over to their bedroom. Will Sam put the pieces together in time to catch a killer and find the baby?
Joan says: "Southern, not stupid"
"A bit tiresome"

Overall
Performance
Story

I haven't listened to a Marie Force book in years. Now I remember the reason. It reads as though the extent of Force's research into police work and senate politics was limited to television and other romance books. The female protagonist is annoying immature - sticks her tongue out behind the back of a FBI agent, can't handle getting stitches, whines, etc. What professional in any field behaves in such a manner? The plot goes nowhere for the longest time - far too much time is spent on mundane daily conversations, etc. Force has an interesting premise and could have done so much more with the story. What a disappointment.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful