Maria Prieto

I didn't enjoy the story as much as i thought I would.

Her voice is strong but it did not add the needed magic to the story or pull me in.

No.

Savage Redemption
Author: Alexis Morgan Narrator: Dina Pearlman
File Size: 388 KB
Print Length: 288 pages Audio: 6hrs 50min
Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne (September 1, 2012)

It took me a while to get into the story, but I eventually started to enjoy it. Kat is a very independent strong female character, I enjoyed her. Conlan is guy that needs to learn trust I can’t blame him; she did run out on him and leave him with his hand caught in the preverbal cookie jar. It’s hard to be held accountable for someone else’s actions. But the trust & the need to help her happens quickly, just as quickly as everything else does in the story. I felt a bit rushed. The story is entertaining, but put your seat belt on, cause it’s a fast ride.
Dina Pearlman did not add to the magic of the story. Pearlman’s voice is strong, but there was no note of inflection or tone, which is what draws me in and holds me when using an audio. You can choose to listen to the story her voice is adequate, but with no magic.
Overall, you may see this listed as 4 star but I would give it 3 ½ stars. It’s not a bad, or poorly written story. It’s entertaining, but very fast paced for me, and the audio added nothing to capture & hold me.
The Oracle (Maria Mercedes)
All synopsis are published by the publishers via Amazon, Goodreads or Barnes & Noble.
The Oracle Reviews purchases some titles, while others are provided via Netgalley, or the authors themselves. All opinions and reviews are my own.

How to Marry a Duke


Author: Vicky Dreiling Narrator: Elizabeth Jasicki

File Size: 530 KB Print Length: 436 pages Audio Length: 12 hrs 48min
Publisher: Forever; (January 1, 2011) Recorded Books
Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne is a man with a mission: find a wife he can tolerate as long as they both shall live. Love is not necessary--nor desired. But how to choose among a dizzying array of wealthy-yet-witless candidates? Hire London's infamously prim and proper matchmaker. Then pretend she's not the most captivating woman he's ever met...

Helping a devilish Duke create a contest to pick his perfect mate is the kind of challenge Tessa Mansfield relishes. Her methods may be scandalous, but she's determined to find the notorious bachelor more than a wife--she'll bring him true love. Yet when Tessa watches the women vie for the Duke's affections, she longs to win his heart herself. And after a stolen kiss confirms Tristan's desire, Tessa knows she has broken a matchmaker's number one rule: never fall in love with the groom.
This is not my typical read. I usually avoid these types of books because they have the tendency to be very flowery and although they may be realistic to the times they aren’t very real to me. To my surprise I found this book for sale on audible and said…how bad it can be. Usually when I say this to myself I find myself very surprised and very much enjoying the story, this was not an exception. I enjoyed the story and laughed through all humorous parts and sighed through all the romantic ones. Typical also is the lack of SEX. I like sex, enjoy it very much, my three kids are proof and they still shout a resounding “Ewww” every time my husband takes two steps towards me. Anyway, Sex in these types of books can be very tricky; the author can end up making readers wanting much more or make the heroine look slutty for the times. Although, there were heated moments, the story did fall prey to the times it was written in and there is a lack of sex but the sexual tension between The Duke & Tessa is there in Spades. I love the characters. Tessa is not the typical swooning chit, for the times she is very smart, worldly and independent. The Duke, well I did want to shake him a few times, but he comes through in the end and turns out to be the perfect counterpart for Tessa.
Elizabeth Jasicki does an excellent job as narrator. Her accent is not forced and is not only British in nature but fits the aristocratic tones of the characters and the times. I hope she narrates the books that follow; she made it very enjoyable for me.
This story should serve as an example that we should never stick to the typical even when we read. We might miss something we will find remarkably enjoyable even though its not our typical taste.

I have enjoyed reading & listening to this book. Opening the book I submerge myself instantly into Trevor & Cassie’s world. New to marriage they are still feeling their way around. Their love easily evident in that they will do anything for each other, including crossing lines that may put their lives in danger. They follow a trail that leads them to the doors of the ruthless Russian mafia. Stephan and Jessica reignite their unrequited passions, initially ignited and abandoned with one passionate kiss in Countermeasures. What is there not to love in this book!!!! There is passion, intrigue, adventure from the very beginning. I must say that it had the perfect combination of the three and for the tech geeks…there is plenty to love also. I felt as if I was watching a movie as it all played out in my head. Jason Bourne, look out…here comes Trevor! Chris and Cecilia are raising the bar for authors like Robert Ludlum. I am hoping for a movie deal and great actors to play out the roles.
Surprising treat for me was Stephan. He seems so well put together and controlled, the perfect business man and gentleman. What lies beneath that surface is wild heated passion that would drive any woman insane with need. I was torn between the couples, feeling very much like a voyeur, flipping channels between couples. Stephan places older men back in the market…making it harder for the younger ones to compete! This is a must read, five stars aren’t enough to rate this book.
Audio review:
I just finished the audio version to this amazing story, and it held true to the written, word by word. I loved Tim Reynolds as the narrator, he truly has a grasp of Trevor, and is growing well into voicing the other characters as well. He was a great pick for the series. If you like the written version of the series you are sure to LOVE the audio.

the humor adventure and the heat between the two main characters.

The story is a great read and the audio version is easy to follow.

I am a fan of Tavia Gilbert; she is the perfect voice for the Frost characters. She packs her performance with fantastic acting and distinguishable voices. Any story narrated by her is worth the purchase.

Outlander
Author: Diana Gabaldon Narrated: Davina Porter
File Size: 2562 KB, Print Length: 896 pages, Audio: 32hrs & 37min
Publisher: Dell, Recorded Books June 1, 1991 & October 26, 2004
Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century, and a lover in another...
In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon—when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an "outlander"—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord...1743. Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire's destiny in soon inextricably intertwined with Clan MacKenzie and the forbidden Castle Leoch. She is catapulted without warning into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life ...and shatter her heart. For here, James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
A book comes to life to me, becoming a living fantasy …movie in my mind and some even become a part of me, this is one of those stories. There is no way you can put this book down or stop the audio without fighting with conscious and making it submit to reality. Diana takes you there; you will find yourself in Claire’s place living life with Jamie. She truly captures the human state. The past will flash forward grabbing you and thrust you head long into Scotland and the Highlands. The concept of time travel may seem too farfetched for some, but it’s the perfect launching point for this story. The synopsis does a grand job letting you know what the story is about, I can only emphasize to run not walk to your local book store, or E-book hub and download this story. You will not be disappointed. If you enjoy audio, the audio version is fantastic. I feel like taking a bullhorn shouting about the necessity to include this book and series in your library but to purchase the audio as well. Davina Porter is brilliant, simply brilliant. Her voice and performance knocked me to my bum. I’ve not said this about many narrators. Basically, if the publisher is wise they will choose the voice to fit the story or main character, which they did with Davina. But rarely does the narrator become the main character or the cast of characters with such believability. She is a true spectacular find and will not disappoint. This series is expected to be picked up by Starz and produced as a series, expecting cable release in 2014. If you purchase this story and the following series, you will be adding a true treasure to your library.
The Oracle (Maria Mercedes)
All synopsis are supplied by the publisher via Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble
The Oracle Reviews purchases some titles others are received via Netgalley or the authors themselves. All opinions and reviews are her own.

I read Countermeasures on E-book format and became an instant fan. When finally available on audio I was elated. Tim’s voice was perfect for Trevor, the accent was pat down, he was able to switch into different characters without issue, making each distinguishable and bring the personalities to life. The story flowed and unraveled like a movie playing in my head with Tim narrating.
I really enjoyed the relationship forming between Trevor & Cassie, the love scenes were very heated, even more so on the audio version. The narrator, TIm Reynolds is just as dedicated in his preformance as these two authors are in their work, it makes for an awesome combination.Thank you audible for adding a great story to your library.

Roger Hampton is perfect for the narrator for the story. He infuses emotion into his voice when he reads capturing the "moments" of interest in the book. He also brings the Highlands home to the reader.

When Duncun realizes that he is the real heir to the chieftenship.

Duncun

Some of the interaction between the hard headed Jeannie & Duncun was fun.

I never got to read this story growing up and didn't want my children to miss out, so when i saw that Anne Hathaway was the narrator I grabed it. I decided to listen it and was drawn in by Anne's performance. She broughtlife to all the characters in the world of OZ and new life to this the story.

Its a childs story that can be enjoyed by an adult with a young heart.

She is a supreme actress with great talent. I loved her performance.

I consider this stroy to be a classic. I find that when a classic like this is narrated by an actor or group of actors it adds new life to a story. I wish more classics were given the opportunity to have new life.

I enjoyed the whole intrigue & mystery surrounding the murder. The narrator Kristen Potter has the perfect voice for this character making her come to life.

When a narrator makes a story pop & come to life it is more like watching a movie. I don't think I can compare it to another book but to several movies and TV series.

The introduction of her boyfriend. It was fun to "watch" him at work. He came in and easily put the pieces together.

I have always loved this story. Sweet innocent, funny.

no comparison.

I enjoy listening to books that have narrated by multiple preformers, This brings the story to life making it more believable and the characters more 3-D. I wish more publishers would do this.
Before purchasing this version, I sampled the others that were available, even though this was a shorter version, the other narrators were dull sounding. These performers truly brought life to their roles and I wish they had preformed a longer version.