Caleb

Shadow Wranglers, Book 1

By: Sarah McCarty

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The loss of control. The fear of desire. Allie always thought that mysteriously sexy rancher Caleb Johnson wanted her as much as she wanted him. But since he never acted on it, she was ready to admit defeat. Until the night she was attacked by a vicious wolf, only to be rescued by another. In the triumphant, bloodied male, there was something Allie recognized - the baritone growl, the mesmerizing eyes, the inexplicable animal attraction. Her savior was Caleb.

A rogue vampire living with his three equally rogue brothers and the McClaren werewolf pack, Caleb never wanted to bring the woman he secretly desired into his dark and dangerous world. But when she's targeted by his enemies, his only choice is to protect her. But how can someone as alive, as vulnerable, as human as Allie survive in the shadows with him?

©2009 Sarah McCarty (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A fast-paced story with multifaceted characters, scorching sex, deadpan humor and a spunky heroine who's a perfect match for her alpha hero." ( Romantic Times)

Really Stupid..

Really?? this book was ridiculous. The story was too stupid for words. As much as I love Tavia Gilbert and she is one of my favorite narrators this book was awful. The voice she used for Caleb sounded like a creepy cowboy that you see on TV playing the bad guy. ugh Total waste of time and credits. I will not listen to the rest of this series. I could not even finish this book mostly because of the story itself not the narrator. I did get to chapter 7 before finally deciding I wanted to shoot myself in the face if listened any further. Dont get me wrong I am a huge fantasy vampire fan, but this was just freakin Stupid. Sorry Sarah McCarty.

Really? Are you kidding me?

Would you try another book from Sarah McCarty and/or Tavia Gilbert?

Those are the words I said throughout this whole book. A cowboy vampire that is not sexy because every other word is

Has Caleb turned you off from other books in this genre?

Nope, I've been a fan for too long now!

What three words best describe Tavia Gilbert’s performance?

The narrator is only as good as the writing. Ms. Gilbert had no chance to make this one a good read, in my opinion.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Caleb?

All of the damsel in distress that then turned into the damsel as the hero scenes.

Any additional comments?

I think I've said enough!

Cowboys, Yes! Cowboy vampires not so much...

I have always loved Sarah McCarty's books, if you want a steamy romance with a good story line, she is a joy to listen to! However, I just can't get into the whole cowboy vampire thing. Yes, I love paranormal and western genres but I'm not sure how I like them together. Also this book seemed to cut from scene to scene, a few times I thought I'd missed something and had to back up just to make sure I hadn't. I don't think I'd purchase it again. She is one of the best western writers but I think I'll stick to JR Ward for my vampires.

VT. FAN

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

THE NARRATOR DID A VERY POOR JOB AND WHEN IT IS AN AUDIO BOOK IT WILL COMPLETELY EFFECT THE OVERALL STORY.

What was most disappointing about Sarah McCarty’s story?

SO MUCH OF THE STORY WAS PLACED IN THE KITCHEN OR THE BEDROOM. NOT ENOUGH ACTION.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Tavia Gilbert?

IM AFRAID THAT I DONT KNOW HER NAME BUT SHE DID THE NARRATIVE FOR THEA HARRISONS DRAGON BOUND SERIES. SHE DID BOTH MALE AND FEMALE CHARACTERS WELL PLUS THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS WERE DONE WITH EASILY HEARD VOCAL DIFFERENCES. TAVIAS VOICE WAS TO YOUNG SOUNDING AND OVER THE TOP DRAMATIC AND AT TIMES COULDNT DECIDED IF ALLY WAS HAVE SEX WITH CALEB OR ONE OF HIS BROTHERS THEY ALL SOUNDED THE SAME VOCALLY..

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

DISAPPOINTMENT! HAVING SAID THAT I SUPPRISED MYSELF BY BUYING

Any additional comments?

BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THE NARRATION WAS MOST OF THE PROBLEM I HAVE DECIDED TO BUY THE BOOK TO READ. IF IM GOING TO RUN MY MOUTH , AND TRULY BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE NARRATOR I SOULD BE FAIR AND READ THE BOOK.

Was the story or Narrator that turned me off?

What disappointed you about Caleb?

The narrator, from the beginning, distracted me from the actual story. I have read Sarah McCarty's Hells 8 series and hoped that this book would have some of the same character interaction.I would have loved to find out more about how Caleb was turned, and why he turned his brothers, and what happened to his parents.I would have loved to have seen more of Ally's delima regarding the loss of her family now that she was turned. There didn't seem to be any concern about her business or anyone that she knew in town being concerned when she didn't show up the next day.

Has Caleb turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. Everyone has, to me, what I consider a book that doesn't live up to my expectations. Will I read the next book in the series? Probably, but I will READ it and not listen to it.

What didn’t you like about Tavia Gilbert’s performance?

I didn't like the overly dramatic intonations, the exaggeratedness (is that even a word?) of her portrayal of the characters. Others have loved the book and the way it was read, but it just wasn't for me.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Yes, there is great potential for this to be a great series, to understand why the Weres and Vampires clashed, the potential resolution of those issues and why someone (something?) wants to create a master race of vampires.

Any additional comments?

I think that I may have enjoyed the book more if I had read it and not listened to it. I did finish it, although at times, I wondered why. I will probably re-read this book in kindle/paperback format so that I can give the characters the voices I think they should have and perhaps I'll have a different opinion of the story

Dull and Bloody

I enjoyed McCarty's Hell's Eight Series. Not classic literature, but most were quite a bit of fun. I was reluctant to try the Shadow Wrangler books. Not a big vampire fan and not into blood and gore. In a moment of weakness though I gave it a shot. Definitely not classic literature and definitely not fun. The scene in the dark in bed after the heroine has turned was confusing, way too long and just plain boring. I couldn't read on after that. Won't read anymore of the series.

Awful, Boring. A disappointment.

I have read several other Sarah McCarty books and thought this would be as good. I am utterly disappointed. The characters are flat. The story is difficult to follow. The female lead is annoying. Even the sex is a let down. I never thought sex could be so boring. I just wanted them all to walk into the sun and end my misery. I am a paranormal romance fan but this I could not stomach. The rest of the series will have to go on without me.

More porn than plot

What would have made Caleb better?

A stronger, less whiney lead female character

What could Sarah McCarty have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

More plot and less porn, the multiple sex scenes were over the top. Also the constant repetition of phrases was also annoying. Endearments are nice but "Allie Girl" really was over used.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Her portrayal of the main female character was annoying. The whiney really grated on the nerves.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Annoyance, I couldn't wait for the book to be finished.

Any additional comments?

I was really excited about finding a new paranormal series; however I can honestly say that my annoyance with this audiobook has completely turned me off of reading/listening to any other books by this author.

Drawn out

I read this was a fast paced story...they lied. The first 75% of the book is a drawn discussion about her becoming a vampire and having to drink blood, with a spontaneous and unnecessary sex scene thrown in every chapter. It went from a werewolf story, to a vampire story with almost menage and a whole lot of fluff that didn't make any sense.

dragged

I couldn't finished it. it's just dragged and dragged. Allie just annoyed me and seemed immature.