Duet

By: Eden Winters

Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo

A conqueror's decree can't separate Aillil Callaghan from his Scottish heritage. He wears his clan's forbidden plaid with pride, awaiting the day he becomes Laird, restores his family's name, and fights to free Scotland from English tyranny. An Englishman in his home? Abomination! Yet the tutor his father engaged for Aillil's younger brothers may have something to teach the Callaghan heir as well. Violinist and scholar Malcolm Byerly fled Kent in fear, seeking nothing more than a quiet post, eager minds to teach, and for no one to learn his secrets. He didn't count on his charges' English-hating barbarian of an older brother, or on red-and-green tartan concealing a kindred soul. A shared love of music breaks down the barriers between two worlds. Aillil's father threatens their love, but a far more dangerous enemy tears them apart. They vanish into legend. Two centuries later, concert violinist Billy Byerly arrives at Castle Callaghan and feels strangely at home. Legends speak of a Lost Laird who haunts the fortress in wait of his lover's return. Billy doesn't believe in legends, ghosts, or love that outlasts life. But the Lost Laird knows his own.

First edition published by Torquere Press (2010).

©2013 Eden Winters (P)2015 Dreamspinner Press

beautifully written, beautifully narrated!

Any additional comments?

Independent Reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted the audio file of this book.

I cannot word the blurb any differently, so am using the official one here.

A conqueror’s decree can’t separate Aillil Callaghan from his Scottish heritage. He wears his clan’s forbidden plaid with pride, awaiting the day he becomes Laird, restores his family’s name, and fights to free Scotland from English tyranny. An Englishman in his home? Abomination! Yet the tutor his father engaged for Aillil’s younger brothers may have something to teach the Callaghan heir as well.

Violinist and scholar Malcolm Byerly fled Kent in fear, seeking nothing more than a quiet post, eager minds to teach, and for no one to learn his secrets. He didn’t count on his charges’ English-hating barbarian of an older brother, or on red-and-green tartan concealing a kindred soul. A shared love of music breaks down the barriers between two worlds.

Aillil’s father threatens their love, but a far more dangerous enemy tears them apart. They vanish into legend.

Two centuries later, concert violinist Billy Byerly arrives at Castle Callaghan—and feels strangely at home. Legends speak of a Lost Laird who haunts the fortress in wait of his lover’s return. Billy doesn’t believe in legends, ghosts, or love that outlasts life.

But the Lost Laird knows his own.

OH.MY.WORD!

Such a beautiful book! Beautifully written, beautifully told, beautifully narrated!

I get ahead. I usually write a bit about the book, and then a separate bit about the narration but I can't split them apart.

For part of the beauty of this book, is its narration by Michael Ferraiuolo. His voices are simply brilliant! Aillil's broad, raw Scot accent. Malcolm's much softer, proper English one. The professor's voices at the school Malcolm taught, and Aillil's brothers voices. Then over time, to Billy and Neil's American voices and the much softer Scot accent of today.

His portrayal of Aillil, then and now, of Malcolm and Billy, of everything that happens between them, is quite simply stunning. He has such a good book to work with, in the first place!!

I'm struggling not to gush, about either the book or that narration. So, as much as it pains me, I'm keeping this one short.

I've filed in on the following shelves for the following reasons:
historical, because much of the book is set late 1700's.
paranormal, because...well, just because, you'll need to read it!
musical theme, because there is much music in this book! oh!! *see bit further**
all other shelves are self explanatory.

Back to the music! Violins are the instrument of choice in this book, and the way Winters describes the music, even I could hear the passion and sorrow are love and heartache in it. Its just so darn beautiful. *I know! I know, I keep saying it, but its really the best word!!*

I WILL however, say this much:

READ THE DAMN BOOK! Or better yet, get the audio book.

This is, as far as I can see, the first of Eden Winters I have read. It will not be the last! Its also the first book narrated by Ferraiuolo I have listened to. My wish list on Audible is now several books longer! I can't wait to see what else both the author and the narrator come up with. If there are any more of this collaboration, I want in!!

5 stars for the story
5 stars for the narration
5 stars overall.

Again, read the book. Even if you don't like male/male romances, its a good one to start with.

**same worded review will appear on Goodreads, Audible.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com**

Beautiful story of lost Scottish love

I enjoyed this audiobook a great deal. The characters were lovely. I would’ve liked for there to be more interaction between them once they found one another in the beginning. This would have provided a better sense of them as a couple. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable listen and Michael Ferraiuolo can do no wrong.

Wonderful story, wonderful narration.

I've been waiting to leave this review since August 2018. Why? Because the audiobook was missing the Epilogue for the story and the epilogue really was the cherry on top of an already wonderful story. I didn't want to leave a review back then and have to say something negative about such a wonderful book so I waited. I just found out that the file has been corrected. (It may have been corrected a while ago but I quit checking after a month or so. On to my review!

Michael Ferraiuolo has quickly climbed to the top of my list of favorite audio book performers. I specifically purchased this story because of him and I loved it almost as much as all of his other ones that I've listened to. He has the most seductive and also comforting voice. The different accents he does in this story were outstanding.

Duet is the first book I've experienced by Eden Winters and also my first book that has sort of a time-travel component to it. My heart just about stopped when the first part of the book ended but there was so much time left, I knew there would be more coming; and boy was there! The blurb is great but it can't do justice to how intriguing and wonderful this book was to listen to.

I just can't say enough good things about this story and audio performance. I don't often re-read books or re-listen to audiobooks but this is one I will listen to again just to hear Michael's wonderful voice. If you like books with just a bit of paranormal/unexplainable things happening and you love to listen to wonderful accents and a dreamy voice, you need to get this one STAT! 😊

Glorious

Beautiful tale of love across time. One I have listened to several times since buying the book. Well worth the credit!
Michael Ferriolo is a wonderful narrator.

Haunting and romantic

Duet is a haunting and romantic tale that spans from the mid-1700s to the modern day. Aillil Callaghan mourns the loss of the Highland culture, and he's less than pleased that his brothers' new tutor is an Englishman. Malcolm Byerly left his previous post after fearing for his life, and the intimidating Highlander makes him wonder if he made the right choice. Their relationship unfolds with heat and humor until an untimely death separates them. Aillil searches for his lost love through the ages, and when they meet again, the love and music can begin anew. The historical aspect of this book is especially gripping, rich with detail and heatbreak. The characters are likeable and distinct, and one cannot help but root for their reunion. The narration for this story is excellent, featuring lots of different voices and accents. A great listen!

Disclaimer: I received an audio copy for free and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions are my own.