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Otherwise Engaged  By  cover art

Otherwise Engaged

By: Amanda Quick
Narrated by: Louise Jane Underwood
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Publisher's summary

Miss Amity Doncaster, world traveler, is accustomed to adventure and risk. Benedict Stanbridge, a man of science and a spy for the Crown, has faced danger in the darker corners of foreign lands. But they are about to face a threat that is shockingly close to home . . . One does not expect to be kidnapped on a London street in broad daylight. But Amity Doncaster barely escapes with her life after she is trapped in a carriage with a blade-wielding man in a black silk mask who whispers the most vile taunts and threats into her ear.

Her quick thinking, and her secret weapon, save her … for now. But the monster known in the press as the Bridegroom, who has left a trail of female victims in his wake, has survived the wounds she inflicts and will soon be on his feet again.

He is unwholesomely obsessed by her scandalous connection to Benedict Stanbridge - gossip about their hours alone in a ship’s stateroom seems to have crossed the Atlantic faster than any sailing vessel could. Benedict refuses to let this resourceful, daring woman suffer for her romantic link to him - as tenuous as it may be.

For a man and woman so skilled at disappearing, so at home in the exotic reaches of the globe, escape is always an option. But each intends to end the Bridegroom’s reign of terror in London, and will join forces to do so. And as they prepare to confront an unbalanced criminal in the heart of the city they love, they must also face feelings that neither of them can run away from…

©2014 Jayne Ann Krentz (P)2014 Recorded Books

What listeners say about Otherwise Engaged

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

One of the Worst Narrations

Would you try another book from Amanda Quick and/or Louise Jane Underwood?

I'm a fan of Amanda Quick, but this narration was so bad, I couldn't get past the second chapter of listening.

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator barely changed her voice as the characters changed, so that sometimes I wasn't even sure which character was speaking. She made such long pauses between some sentences that I thought the chapter was over. Dreadful.

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

Sadness, anger (at having forked out money), and disappointment. I used to love B. Rosenblatt's performances of Amanda Quick's novels. They are among my favourites. This was a total letdown. So bad I had to give up.

Any additional comments?

Don't waste your time and money on this. Read the novel, but don't even think about listening to the audiobook.

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16 people found this helpful

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

Disappointing

Disappointing sums up my reaction to this latest Amanda Quick (Jayne Ann Krentz) novel. I did not think i would ever rate one of these novels so low. I does not even feel like an Amanda Quick novel. I know this is a new series but it just does not grab me in any way nor did I find myself invested in the main character(s) which is unusual for this author.

The narrator is OK but nowhere near the normal standard of the Narrators used in any previous books done by Jayne Ann Krentz (who writes under many pseudonyms the main ones these days being Jayne Ann Krentz - present day, Amanda Quick - past and Jayne Castle - Future).

Maybe i was expecting too much and this reaction is mine alone (but a previous rating of 1 star - No review) make me sadly think otherwise.

I pre-ordered this when it first became available months ago based on my enjoyment of previous Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick novels.

The gimmick of a steel fan as a weapon is only effective if no one is aware it is made of steel and that as such it can be used as a weapon and i doubt in the era the book is set in that it would look very much like an ornament nor would it be very flexible or light. the materials and manufacturing processes were just not available then. This point is probably a bit picky on my part.

So sadly based on my experience I must give this book a 2.5 star rating, again this is my reaction on my first listen and it might grow on me over time, but if it does Audible does not give you the chance to update/edit a review. I never thought i would rate an Amanda Quick book so low.

Please if you enjoyed this novel then write a review to give others differing views

At times, to me anyway, it did not even flow like an Jayne Ann Krentz novel

Again i stress this review is made based on my impression after my first listen.

Sorry Jayne Ann Krentz - for you and the books sake I hope I'm in the minority

It's enough to make your dust bunny cry

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14 people found this helpful

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

Amanda Quick is Back!!!!

I was so hoping this book would bring me joy like The Paid Companion and the Lavinia and Tobias trilogy. It does that and more!! I loved this book. Great characters! Great story! I did not want it to end. The original Amanda Quick books started my love for historical romance and mystery, and this book reminded me of that love.
Worth waiting for. Now I want more!!

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12 people found this helpful

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

Very disappointed

What would have made Otherwise Engaged better?

I have all of the Krentz, Quick, Castle audiable books. This was the worst. The story was so so. I just couldn't get interested in the main characters. BUT the narration was by far the worst I have ever heard. It sounded as if she was board with the story and was reading from a text book. I felt as if i was listening to an automated voice. I did go buy the hardcover book. I have them all in my library at home. I did read it after I listened to the audio version. it was OK. She has done so many interesting story lines but this was not one of them. Grab some of her other titles and skip this one.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I do plan to get her next book, be that Krentz-Quick or Castle

What didn’t you like about Louise Jane Underwood’s performance?

her performance was stiff,...sounded like the voice that you call for the correct time. maybe a male reader for the male roles might have been better.

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10 people found this helpful

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

Worst Amanda Quick novel that I have heard or read

What could Amanda Quick have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

It was so out of line from her other books that I thought it must've been written by someone else.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator wasn't bad

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8 people found this helpful

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

A Romance that is not Romantic

Any additional comments?

It seemed Ms. Quick wanted to write a Victorian murder mystery but knows you have to input a romance, so she threw in two unremarkable sex scenes in odd places and done. There wasn't a single bit of sexual tension, which is much more important. I used to love Ms. Quick's quirky heroines and dark heroes. This heroine tried to be quirky but the hero felt like a school boy, whether by the writing or the reader, I wasn't sure. This is a very lightweight romance, if that is your type.

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7 people found this helpful

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

This must be the most annoying Amanda Quick book

What did you like best about Otherwise Engaged? What did you like least?

The narrator had quite a high nasal voice, which was very irritating. Also the story was not engaging, I think if there had been a better narrator it would be ok, but all I got was headache!

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I couldn't make it past the first 4 hrs

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Louise Jane Underwood?

Anyone! (actually thats a lie) I really enjoyed Anne Flosnik versions of the Amanda Quick books.

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

NO, I would rather get a root canal.

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5 people found this helpful

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

Ok story, terrible narration

What did you like best about Otherwise Engaged? What did you like least?

Strong female character, interesting time period. Hated the narration. Phony British accent was very distracting.

Would you be willing to try another book from Amanda Quick? Why or why not?

Yes, because I generally like her books. Would never listen to this narrator again.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

In many ways. Strange pronunciations. Like Char Lott as two words instead of the name pronounced as Charlotte. Long pauses and characters that you want to like such as Amity and Penny sounded like dreadful, simpering snobs.

Any additional comments?

Mystery was ok, but romance was lacking. Not a lot of chemistry.

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4 people found this helpful

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

Amanda Quick Fizzles on this one

I am a fan of Amanda Quick's books even though they are always the same formula. There is usually a good enough story and interesting enough characters to allow me to deal with the formula romance, which is always the same.
This time it did not work for me. The story got a little convoluted and was hard to follow.
I did not hate it but I kept losing focus, missing a chapter or two because my mind wandered, and had to go back. I almost stopped and decided to go to another book.
Oh Well......

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3 people found this helpful

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

Horrible performance ruins the book

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I usually love Amanda Quick and the story will probably turn out to be good, but I can't get past the narrator and had to return it.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Different narrator.

Would you be willing to try another one of Louise Jane Underwood’s performances?

Absolutely not.

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

Disappointment. I had hoped for better. I haven't bought the last couple of Amanda Quick's books on audio because Justine Eyre is horrible. Now another whiney narrator with men that sound like 12-year old girls.

Any additional comments?

Ah, Barbara Rosenblat, where are you when we need you? Now there is a great narrator, especially of Amanda Quick.

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2 people found this helpful