"I Couldn't Finish It :-("
The story had a good theme--'boyhood friend promises to marry wife of dying friend to save her from poverty', but not written well, in my opinion. It wasn't just the over-much detail, but that the detail added nothing to the story-- like helping to transport yourself into the story or picture the surroundings...it's hard to explain.
On the upside, I liked the characters...but It would have been nice if the "Hero" soldier had not sounded just like his wife. It's hard to picture a tall, handsome, muscular man with the voice of a soft spoken women. The monotone narrater became irritating with no inflection in her voice, it was hard to tell who was speaking with her hum-drum voice.
Since it cost me a credit, I stayed with it for about 6-7 hours hoping it would get better, but....
This was my first Susanna Fraser book, and probably my last.
"I Didn't Want It To End!"
One of the best books I've heard.
A fairy tale love story of an impoverished Prince who is to be wed to a wealthy Russian Princess, after falling in love with another.
With only money enough to care for his responsibilities (aunts, uncles, brothers, cousins, servants, estate upkeep, and a menagerie with elephant, monkey and lion) for a few months, he must marry quickly, sacrificing his heart for his responsibilities.
The talented Susan Duerden's performance, read with such feeling, had me laughing at times, and shedding a tear at others. She was the perfect narrator for this book.
Any Historical Romance lover should enjoy A Kiss at Midnight!
"Exceptional!"
Compared to some I've given 5 Stars, because they were entertaining, I would rate "In Bed With The Devil" 10 Stars.
It was compelling with it's unique story, great cast of characters, and superb narration.
It has so much going for it, I don't want to give anything more away than has already been said....you deserve to be able to enjoy it to the fullest, as you marvel at the unexpected.
"Sweet but...."
I've read/heard many Lisa Kleypas books and enjoyed them, but they were Historical Romances, which she does well. This didn't sound like she wrote it.
Although Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor was a sweet story, I wouldn't call it entertaining, there wasn't much to it.
I wouldn't chance a credit on another Friday Harbor book.
The Narrator was the best part of this audiobook, in my opinion.
"It Held My Interest from Beginning to End!"
Excellent story, from beginning to end.
Janna has only been able too stay alive after her father's death, by spying on the Renegade Indians, by moving like a ghost throughout the country and erasing all evidence of her movements. She only has one friend, a prospector who had known her father, and the wild mustangs she befriends.
The story begins with Janna spying on a group of drunken Renegades who are making a naked man run their gauntlet, which few men survive. This man not only ran the gauntlet, but with a burst of speed kept running, and although severely wounded he outrun his pursuers. The Indians, believing he cannot get away, will hunt him down after their celebration, but Janna follows him, covers up his trail of blood, and by cutting her arm leaves a false trail for the Indians to follow.
Laural Merlington gave a good performance.
"Surprisingly Good!"
This is my first Blaize Clement book, and when it first started (the first murder was so bizarre), I thought, "Oh, no, I've done it again" (some of my choices lately have not been that great), but as I continued to listen I actually found myself enjoying it.
It's a light mystery with a surprising ending. Julie Gibson reads well and has a pleasant voice.
I appreciate Audible having these sales, as it gives us an opportunity to listen to different authors/books we may not have wanted to take a chance on otherwise, not wanting to waste a credit.
"What?????"
I've read and listen to hundreds of books, and whether they are entertaining, so-so or boring I can't remember any not having a definite theme and plot, even if a poor one--the "plot" being the literal step by step action in a story leading the reader/listener to some conclusion --- the "theme" the moral of the story, what the reader should take away as the main idea.
It's hard to say, but I would say the plot was the hiring of a Marshal and his Deputy to clean up the town ran by the bully who killed the previous Marshal and Deputy. The Marshal falling for a lady (but very little dialog between them) who wanted to be with the top man of the town (the Marshall until someone better came along). That was it!
They rode up in the hills and watched the Appaloosa stallion with his mares (thus the name of the "story"?), but didn't say why, never tied it into anything. I can guess, by the dialog of the Marshal and his Deputy and later when they took the lady with them that it was to drive home a point that a stallion (depicting men) had to be constantly vigilant to keep his mares together and fight other stallions to keep them, the top stallion would get the mares (depicting her). But I'm just guessing, they gave no reason for watching the wild horses.
There was no step by step action that led to a conclusion, no moral of the story that I could see. I listened to the end, and came away with NOTHING!
Titus Welliver has a good reading voice, but there was too many "he said", "she said". It was probably written that way in the book, because when he did talk for the different characters he did well.
"Entertainment at it's Best!"
Not your usual Historical Romance, and one of the best audiobooks I've heard in some time.
The talented Elizabeth Lowell certainly knows how to keep a listeners interest, and with Anne Flosnik's excellent narration the listener is taken through a gambit of emotions as the story takes unexpected twists and turns.
Well worth a credit, but happy to get it on sale.
"Good Story"
A little too many, and enduring sex scenes in my opinion, but it had a good story line, which included: Clan feuds, King interference, Scottish hand-fast marriages, treacheries, etc.
It was well narrated by Antony Ferguson, although at times he forgot the Scottish brogue...the reason for only 4 Stars. He has a voice that is easy to listen to, and gave a good performance over-all.
It was worth the sale price, but don't know about spending a credit for it???
"Another Great Read in This Series"
If you like light Romance-Mystery you'll love this 5th book in the series of "The Traveling Matchmaker".
Deborah Goes to Dover has more twists and turns than a mountain road, with surprises along the way. You'll laugh and cry as Miss Pym continues her adventures.
As always Helen Lisanti gives us a great performance.
I highly recommend Deborah Goes to Dover. Although it's best to start with Book 1 and follow the series, because old characters are brought back as new characters are introduced, but each book can stand alone.
"Excellent!!!"
This 4th Book in "The Traveling Matchmaker" series is one of the best. The 1st Book was my favorite until now.
I often found myself smiling at the length Miss Hannah Pym will go in her matchmaking. In Beatrice Goes to Brighton, she becomes the target of a ruthless man determined to force Hannah's new friend to marry him, and is nearly killed. Miss Pym gets a big surprise about her "Footman".
A thoroughly enjoyable read by a great narrator.