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Richard

Listen mostly to urban fantasy and suspense/thrillers but also enjoy mysteries, sci-fi, fantasy, romance, adventure, classic, modern, spiritual or general literature. And I always like a bit of romance in any of my stories.

Kentwood, MI, United States | Member Since 2006

50
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 28 reviews
  • 524 ratings
  • 0 titles in library
  • 62 purchased in 2013
FOLLOWING
21
FOLLOWERS
9

  • Sold

    • UNABRIDGED (3 hrs and 44 mins)
    • By Patricia McCormick
    • Narrated By Justine Eyre
    Overall
    (77)
    Performance
    (69)
    Story
    (64)

    Lakshmi is a thirteen-year-old girl who lives with her family in a small hut on a mountain in Nepal. Though she is desperately poor, her life is full of simple pleasures, like playing hopscotch with her best friend from school and having her mother brush her hair by the light of an oil lamp. But when the harsh Himalayan monsoons wash away all that remains of the family's crops, Lakshmi's stepfather says she must leave home and take a job to support her family.

    Teddy says: "Perfectly Haunting...."
    "Sadly, this is real"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    The story was obviously well researched. Although it was written as fiction it could easily be some girl's story in real life. Justine Eyre did a great job of giving the young girl voice bringing to life her story and that of the other girls with her. After listening I went and made a donation to help girls like her. (I went online but I'm sure there are other places).

    12 of 12 people found this review helpful
  • Dead Ever After: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel, Book 13

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 11 mins)
    • By Charlaine Harris
    • Narrated By Johanna Parker
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (589)
    Performance
    (545)
    Story
    (545)

    Number-one New York Times best-selling author Charlaine Harris has won numerous awards for her Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series, which has been adapted into the hit HBO show True Blood. In this 13th and final book, a murder rocks the town of Bon Temps and Sookie is arrested for the crime. After making bail, she sets out to clear her name - but her investigation only leads to more deaths.

    Kathryn says: "It's not about the Beau. It's about the writing."
    "As we come to the end"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    The book seems like more of a "one last story to tell" than a spectacular ending to the series. There is no great mystery, though there is some. There is no great suspense, though there is some. There is no great romance, though there is some. In general the story is nothing special compared to many of the others in the series but it's still a satisfying Sookie story with most of the characters you've come to love or hate. Much has been made about the ending. All I will say on that account is if you have a preconceived notion on how the series should end you should just skip the book and imagine your own ending. Johanna Parker gives one last amazing performance for the series and will always be for me the voice of Sookie Stackhouse.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Inside: Bulletproof Trilogy, Book 1

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 55 mins)
    • By Brenda Novak
    • Narrated By Angela Dawe
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (137)
    Performance
    (113)
    Story
    (114)

    Virgil Skinner served 14 years for a murder he didn’t commit. He’s finally been exonerated, but he can’t escape the gang he joined in order to survive. They’ll do anything to keep him from telling what he knows. And if they can’t get to Virgil, they’ll go after his sister and her kids. The California Department of Corrections needs someone to infiltrate another gang, one that’s taking control of the state’s most notorious supermax. Virgil’s the perfect candidate, and he’ll agree to do it under an alias - in exchange for his sister’s protection.

    Donna says: "Great Book"
    "Not what I expected"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I listened to and enjoyed all of the "Last Stand" books so I had high hopes when I started this book. Unfortunately it is nothing like the others. The "Last Stand" books are an even mix of romance and suspense with the suspense leading out and gathering throughout the book. This book had little to no suspense until the final 3 hours when the story finally got to the story that was in the description. Before that point what little suspense there was to the story was so spread out that that it might as well not be called suspense. Unfortunately the romance that dominates the book is of the sort that I don't care for where the heroine is inexplicably and continually drawn to a man who repeatedly pushes her away and treats her like dirt.

    Ms Dawe's performance unfortunately did not help the book. Though you could distinguish between characters her male and female characters sounded much alike. Even worse, there was little to no emotion portrayed whether the emotion was passion, anger or even fear. It seemed for most of the book that she was as uninterested as I was quickly becoming.

    If you're a fan of "The Last Stand" series be warned that's not what this is. If you are a fan of the sort of romance I described you may enjoy this book. I've already purchased all three of the books in the "Bulletproof" series when they were on sale based on my experience with Ms Novak's other series. Hopefully the others are more like her previous work.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Another Fine Myth: Myth Adventures, Book 1

    • UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 51 mins)
    • By Robert Asprin
    • Narrated By Noah Michael Levine
    Overall
    (61)
    Performance
    (55)
    Story
    (58)

    Start at the beginning, in Another Fine Myth, as Skeeve, an apprentice wizard, meets the demon Aahz. Though it's not love, or even like at first sight they form a connection - saving their lives - between them. Follow them in Myth Conceptions, as Skeeve and Aahz test their talent when they decide to take on an entire army themselves and continue on in Myth Directions. Then Skeeve finds himself alone with his own apprentice applicant, a king, in Hit or Myth and must deal with a medieval Mob!

    Richard says: "Great family friendly fun"
    "Great family friendly fun"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Like the others here I've been waiting for these books on Audible for a long time. I've read all the books in the series many times and have gotten more people to read these books than any another other series I've recommended. They're just plain FUN! Even if you don't normally read fantasy don't let that put you off. Many of those I've gotten to read these books also aren't fantasy fans yet love these. At heart they're stories about a goodhearted young man who brings out the best in those around him all while getting himself into (and out of) trouble. The fact that they are at times hilarious is an added bonus. Like others who have read the books before they may find that the voices Mr. Levine gives the characters don't match what you imagined but you soon adjust. For those experiencing these books for the first time he does a fine job so simply sit back and prepare to enjoy. Now I'm off to introduce my grandchildren to the wonderful world of Skeeve and Aahz.

    9 of 9 people found this review helpful
  • And One Last Thing...

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 23 mins)
    • By Molly Harper
    • Narrated By Amanda Ronconi
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1963)
    Performance
    (1373)
    Story
    (1370)

    Lacey Terwilliger's shock and humiliation over her husband's philandering prompt her to add some bonus material to Mike's company newsletter: stunning Technicolor descriptions of the special brand of "administrative support" his receptionist gives him. The detailed mass e-mail to Mike's family, friends, and clients blows up in her face, and before one can say "instant urban legend", Lacey has become the pariah of her small Kentucky town and a media punch line....

    Denise says: "For me this was such a HOOT!!!"
    "Never thought divorce would be so funny"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Having just finished an intense read I was looking for something light. Amanda Ronconi is an amazing reader and so on a whim I clicked on her name to see what else she performed. When I spotted this one I remembered the reviews saying how funny it was. Even better it was already in my library so I started it immediately. Am I glad I did. I found myself laughing out loud more times than not. If you want something fun this is your book.

    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
  • With All My Soul: Soul Screamers, Book 10

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 47 mins)
    • By Rachel Vincent
    • Narrated By Amanda Ronconi
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (61)
    Performance
    (59)
    Story
    (59)

    After not really surviving her junior year (does "undead" count as survival?), Kaylee Cavanaugh has vowed to take back her school from the hellions causing all the trouble. She's going to find a way to turn the incarnations of Avarice, Envy, and Vanity against one another in order to protect her friends and finish this war, once and forever.

    Laura says: "LOVE!!!"
    "Amazing ending to a great series!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I didn't think Rachel Vincent would be able to top "If I Should Die" yet somehow she does. "With All My Soul" contains some of the best one liners of the series and (for me at least) the most heart wrenching moments. Best of all the ending leaves you satisfied. Amanda Ronconi is an amazing performer definitely making this series one of those I recommend to my "audio book skeptic" friends as even better to listen to than to read. If you usually avoid young adult series (as do I) be forewarned that the series starts out with some of the "teen angst" that makes the genre difficult for me to listen to. The teaser novella "My Soul to Lose" nearly turned me off on the series but the premise at the end got me to try the first full book. Thankfully Ms Vincent does not continue in that vein far into "My Soul to Take" and I was quickly engrossed in the world she created.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Did You Miss Me?

    • UNABRIDGED (20 hrs and 46 mins)
    • By Karen Rose
    • Narrated By Marguerite Gavin
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (55)
    Performance
    (48)
    Story
    (48)

    Baltimore prosecutor Daphne Montgomery pulled herself out of a damaged past to build a solid life for herself and her son. But after she helps convict a killer, her confidence is shattered once again by the news that her son has been kidnapped. Daphne believes it’s connected to the recent high-profile trial, and at first FBI special agent Joseph Carter agrees. But together they find the reality even more troubling....

    Richard says: "She's Baaack"
    "She's Baaack"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I was somewhat disappointed in "No One Left to Tell" (the previous book in this series). It wasn't that it was a bad book but there was a stretch where I just kept waiting for the story to get moving. I thought it would have been a better book had it been shorter. So it was with some trepidation that I started this book since it is even longer. I needn't have worried. Karen Rose once again weaves an intricate story filled with suspense and a lot of back story. The pacing is perfect. Information about the past is given in tantalizing bits keeping you wanting more while at the same time you want to keep listening to find out what's happening in the present. The book went fast and was over all too soon. Marguerite Gavin's performance was excellent as always. The only reason I marked down the performance was because the production didn't seem up to the high quality of most of the books she has performed. There were many places where they had obviously done editing with multiple takes. This happens in other books too but in this book it seems the producers made no attempt to match the character voices so it almost seemed someone else was speaking in the middle of a sentence. It was somewhat distracting to have to figure out from context that the speaker hadn't changed. Overall though, still a great listen.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Shatter Me

    • UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 12 mins)
    • By Tahereh Mafi
    • Narrated By Kate Simses
    Overall
    (331)
    Performance
    (297)
    Story
    (298)

    "You can't touch me," I whisper. I'm lying, is what I don't tell him. He can touch me, is what I'll never tell him. But things happen when people touch me. Strange things. Bad things. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own.

    Amanda says: "Don't let the sample fool you - So Good!"
    "Elegant!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I was quite surprised by Tahereh Mafi's amazing prose. It is beautiful to listen to. Add in exceptional depth of characters and it's not what I normally expect from a young adult listen. Kate Simses' performance is wonderful adding even more beauty and her character voices are all quite distinct so it is always easy to know just who is speaking. If you've seen the book or used Amazon's look inside feature you know that the book has an unusual style. The audio book is produced in a away to truly bring that style to life. This is one of those rare books that I was ready to give five stars 2 hours into it and that opinion never changed. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Deeper

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 3 mins)
    • By Megan Hart
    • Narrated By Savannah Richards
    Overall
    (389)
    Performance
    (150)
    Story
    (152)

    Twenty years ago she had her whole life spread out before her. She was Bess Walsh, a fresh-scrubbed, middle-class student ready to conquer the design world. And she was taken. Absolutely and completely. But not by Andy, her well-groomed, intellectual boyfriend who had hinted more than once about a ring. No. During that hot summer as a waitress and living on the beach, she met Nick, the moody, dark-haired, local bad boy. He was, to put it mildly, not someone she could take home to Daddy.

    Joann says: "Terrible Summary"
    "Disappointed"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I'm a fan of Megan Hart and was looking forward to listening to this book, especially after reading so many glowing reviews. Unfortunately I was greatly disappointed. The premise had a lot of promise and the method of telling the story in both the past and present made it even more interesting. But I kept waiting to find out why she was so taken by Nick who seemed childish and selfish and spent 20 years with a man who seemed to treat her badly even before they were married. Despite waiting for the entire book I never saw the redeeming side of either of these men. I'm left to believe their "good" side was always "offstage" or the great quantities of sex was the extent of their attraction. Usually Ms Hart creates well rounded believable characters but this time I simply couldn't believe this woman who seemed to be an intelligent, rational person would put up with being treated with contempt by both of them yet still claim to love the one and stay with the other for 20 years. Savannah Richards did a good job of narration, yet I couldn't help but wonder at times if she was emphasizing the hurtful way they spoke to each other when at times it should have been more neutral thus reinforcing my dislike for all of the characters. In the end I simply didn't care about any of them. If this had been my first Megan Hart book it would probably have been my last. As it is I'm still a fan because I know most of her books are much better written. So now I'm looking forward to listening to the next one.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Dirty

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 29 mins)
    • By Megan Hart
    • Narrated By Elenna Stauffer
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (902)
    Performance
    (337)
    Story
    (334)

    This is what happened: I met him at the candy store. He turned and smiled at me and I was surprised enough to smile back. This was not a children's candy store, mind you, this was the kind of place you went to buy expensive imported chocolate truffles for your boss' wife because you felt guilty for having sex with him when you were both at a conference in Milwaukee.

    Cynthia says: "Can't get enough!"
    "My Favorite by This Author"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I've listened to several of the audiobooks by Megan Hart on Audible and this is still my favorite. The erotica is some of the best and she spends as much time or more developing the characters beyond mere superficiality. She creates believable characters with believable motivations and believable strengths and weaknesses. I ended up caring about these people and would like to know what happened in their lives after this. This makes the intimate scenes all the more erotic.

    Many reviewers have commented on the weakness of Elenna Stauffer's male voices. I care more about the capturing of the correct emotion of the characters more than whether a woman can realistically create a male voice. I thought Elenna does a good job of this and she's one of my favorite narrators, but your tastes may be different.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Bloodcircle: Vampire Files, Book 3

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 5 mins)
    • By P. N. Elrod
    • Narrated By Johnny Heller
    Overall
    (21)
    Performance
    (19)
    Story
    (19)

    A vampire has a number of handy skills - he can walk through walls, shrug off bullets, and hypnotize mortals. But one thing this particular vampire cannot do is trace his mother - until now. His trail leads him to a 200-year-old gigolo with a taste for blood, who claims not to know where she is - but who would trust a vampire?

    Richard says: "More! More!"
    "More! More!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Seems like I've been waiting forever for the next book in this series. I was somewhat hesitant when I saw that Barrett Whitener was not the narrator for this book but Johnny Heller does a respectable job. The book itself caught my interest right away and kept it for the entire book. I was afraid it had been so long since I'd listened to the others that I wouldn't remember what was going on but the book did a good job of refreshing my memory without overdoing it. I hope Audible is going to release the rest of the books in the series now that they've done this one and that the wait for the next will be much shorter!

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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