• Castles

  • Crown's Spies, Book 4
  • By: Julie Garwood
  • Narrated by: Heather Wilds
  • Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,244 ratings)

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Castles  By  cover art

Castles

By: Julie Garwood
Narrated by: Heather Wilds
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Publisher's summary

Orphaned and besieged, Princess Alesandra knew that only hasty marriage to an Englishman could protect her from the turmoil in her own land. To the amusement of her makeshift guardian, Colin, younger brother of the Marquess of Cainewood, the bold raven-haired beauty instantly captivated London society. But when Alesandra was nearly abducted by her unscrupulous countrymen, the fighting instincts that won Colin a knighthood for valor were kindled.

Deceiving himself that he wanted only to protect her, Colin swept her into a union meant to be a marriage in name alone...yet Alesandra's tender first kiss and hesitant caress ignited a wildfire in his soul. As the lovely princess dashed headlong into unforeseen dangers, Colin would follow, knowing he must claim her as his own forever. Now he would risk life itself before he would lose this sweet, tempestuous angel....

©1993 Julie Garwood (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Castles

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

COLON IS A BODY PART NOT THE LEADS NAME!

The narrator ruined this book. I just really wish they had kept the original narrator for the series. This narrator pronounced the male romantic character’s name as colon. Really, how can you listen to a book that makes you think of colonoscopies every single time she mentions his name. It just doesn’t work! HIS NAME IS COLIN!! IN not ON. I got through the book, but I just didn’t enjoy it.

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27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Could not get past this narrator!!

Would you try another book from Julie Garwood and/or Heather Wilds?

Julie Garwood yes but not Heather Wilds!!

What could Julie Garwood have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

She should have used the same narrator as she used in previous 3 books in this series.

What didn’t you like about Heather Wilds’s performance?

Nothing at all.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book, horrible narrator

OMG!!! Julie Garwood, one of my favorite authors did a splendid job with this story and the ending I believe to the Crown Spies series unless another pops up. The narrator however, I would think twice about listening to another book that she narrates. Her character voices were horrible and I nearly died with the pronunciation of "Colin". At first I had no idea what she was saying because she made it sound like "colon". I was so very disappointed!!!! Who does not know how to pronounce Colin? If I had a magic wand and could have zapped another narrator to read I would have done that.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointing Ending to a Fun Series

Ugh…I usually love Julie Garwood, and while I hate to be negative, Castles, the 4th installment of the “Crown’s Spies” series, was a real disappoint. The story of Colin, and Princess Alesandra just did not measure up to the quality of storytelling that readers have been conditioned to expect.

In the first three books, Colin was a very appealing character, and I was looking forward to his story, but in Castles, he was selfish, bitter, angry, and basically unappealing. As per formula, he comes around in the end to “save the day”, but it was too little-too late for me.

I actually hated the narration. Heather Wilds’ attempt to change character voices and accents was almost too painful to finish the listen. Unfortunately, the enjoyment of an audible experience is largely dependent on the quality of the narration.
Skip this one. You won’t miss much.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

colin!! not coelin..

Would you try another book from Julie Garwood and/or Heather Wilds?

Julie garwood yes. I love her writing. Heather wilds no.

What did you like best about this story?

Colins possessivness

What didn’t you like about Heather Wilds’s performance?

Her accents and voices are bad. And she pronounces the main characters name wrong.. if I hadn't listened to other books in series may not have been bad. But since all other books pronounce name as colin I can't get into story completely. Would also have been fine if it was just how main female pronounces it since she was foreign but it wasn't. Susan duereden should have done this one too.

Was Castles worth the listening time?

Hmmmm... only if nothing better to do

Any additional comments?

Julie garwood should stick to using Susan duereden or Rosalyn landor

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

THE NARRATOR IS AWFUL

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I liked the other 2 books in this series but could not get through this one because the narrator is terrible. she mispronounced names and the accents were all wrong.

What other book might you compare Castles to and why?

The Lion's Lady, Guardian Angel, and The Gift were all read by Susan Duerden and i enjoyed them.

What didn’t you like about Heather Wilds’s performance?

She drolled on and there is no life in this story.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

maybe

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Never written a review

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator sucked.... Love the series, loved this story but Omg the narrator made it horrible to get through.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Colin not colon

If this book hasn't been the last in the series I wouldn't have wasted a credit. I listened to the sample and wasn't impressed. The narrator isn't that great to begin with but calling the leading male character "Colon" instead of "Colin" was just too much. I found myself laughing out loud during romantic scenes at the puns. At least I got a laugh out of it!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen.

I am so happy with this new narrator. Now if she would just go back and redo The Secret by Julie Garwood I would be thrilled. For me narrators can make or break a good book. This narrator was good. I am not familiar with this narrator so it took me about 5 minutes to get use to her voice. But after that I was happy. I can't express how important a good narrator is to me. A bad one destroys a book while a good one can make an okay book better.

Castles is 1 of many of my favorite books. It is fast paced. Something is always happening with no long and boring periods. I call these types of books page-turners. And this is definitely one. I get bored with books very easily so this is important to me. I never got bored with this one.

The story has a lot of humor. Even after I have read the book so many times that I can read it in my head I still laugh at the funny spots and still look forward to my favorite scenes. I heartily recommend this book to one and all who enjoy a light and relaxing listen. It will bring a smile to your face. I find the characters very endearing. As you can see I don't give a description of the book. I let the publishers do that since I am not very good at writing. But I can give my opinion on what I think of the audio version of the book.

I would suggest you click the buy button on this book. Sit back and enjoy the story. It is a keeper.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed this one Nice memories

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Nice memories from reading it myself the first time and the narrator didn't detract from the enjoyment with *shudders* those blasted whispers like "The Gift" I love the butler, so sweet. Was a fun, enjoyable listen for me.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Castles?

Colin tossing the kidnapper out the window then assuring that yes, he forgot to open it first...

Which character – as performed by Heather Wilds – was your favorite?

I enjoyed all the characters in this performance. They flowed well and distinct inflection between the characters voices.

Do you think Castles needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

There wasn't any secondary characters that weren't already married 'cept Colin's younger sisters. I suppose a story could be written of one (or all) of them. Also I'd thought it would be interesting to have a story of a son or grandson/granddaughter (or great-grandson/granddaughter) How the Family traits come through in future generations and in a modern setting but the kinda regency feel. So yes I've thought about it.

Any additional comments?

Very happy with this purchase. Now to listen to "The Lion's Lady and pray for no breathy whispers. Men shouldn't have breathy whispers.

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4 people found this helpful