Playing the Part

By: Darcy Daniel

Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky

Anthea Cane is a successful actress - well, action star. Her films are mostly about how hot she looks silhouetted by fiery explosions. But Anthea is determined to prove she's more than just a body. With the role of a lifetime up for grabs - a serious adaptation of her favorite novel - Anthea sets off to her small hometown in the name of research.

Cole Daniel is a blind farmer with no patience for divas, especially one who mercilessly teased him as a young boy. When Anthea shows up using a fake name and pestering him into letting her stay, he can't pass up the opportunity to torment her just a little.

But Anthea won't let the stubborn farmer deter her from her goal, even if he is hotter than any man she's ever met. Cole finds his form of payback less than satisfying when Anthea keeps turning the tables on him, proving her mettle and gaining his respect. Will Anthea's research land her a man, as well as the part?

©2013 Darcy Daniel (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Loved it!

A GREAT listen. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and hated to hit the pause button for any reason. A wonderful story with just the right mix of emotion, fun and romance and an engaging blend between the characters, situation and setting. This was the first book I've read or listened to from this author and I can't wait for more. I have enjoyed Eva Kaminsky's narration in other books and she didn't disappoint with this one.

Set in Australia....but nice romance

I got this book on sale...and I have to say I am happy I did. This is a traditional romance story...no ghouls vampires or other worldly things, and yet I liked it. It's a new spin on a classic tale of Rich Girl gets humbled by common man. In this story the entire thing takes place outside of Sydney Australia and everyone has Australian accents....there is an actress from a small town who left her roots and never looked back and became a star...sort of. She hasn't ever been in a dramatic role or anything, she is an action chick, so while she is a household name, it isn't for her talent...more like her looks. She wants desperately to get the leading part in the new dramatic movie...but how can she learn what it is like to be a "Farmers Wife"?

Enter Cole....Cole is a blind man...a blind farmer...but he is also the boy that was teased relentlessly by the now famous actress. A plan is hatched that she doesn't know he knows who she really is...and she won't tell him for fear she will be kicked off the property and never learn about being a farmer, or a farmer's wife.

It was a really cute story...a bit of contrived drama near the end that didn't have to happen, but for the most part I really enjoyed the book/story. Now for the narration...okay I gave it 3 stars because I got use to it in the end and I could tell who was male and who was female. My major glitch was that everyone spoke with an Australian accent...but spoke with an american accent when they were thinking to themselves? Kind of bugged me that a characters internal voice would sound like they were from Ohio, but their speaking voice had an Australian accent. Like I said, I got over it, but very odd!

Overall, if you are looking for a story that isn't instant love, isn't total fluff, and has a decent plot I say go for it.

4 Solid Stars!

Any additional comments?

Wonderful...the author and narrator played this really well!

I was unprepared for emotions this book stirred up in me. Two lost souls; Anthea is lost to her celebrity, and Cole is lost to the horrific event that altered his life forever. Their chance meeting would bring about huge changes in their lives, and I thought the author did a great job entwining the characters and their stories! I was impressed when I found out this was her debut novel!

I didn't like Anthea at first, but once she settled into her role as Ann, a fake name she used, her true personality came through and I grew to like her...a lot! Deep down she was always this sweet caring person, but it was tamped down by the fame and success she acquired at such a young age.

Cole, broke my heart. Living alone, trapped by his disability and insecurity. He was a beautiful man, and he just needed to have the right woman come into his life to make him step out of the safety of the world he created for himself. All he ever had to gauge romance on was the books that he listened to, so sweet and touching, but he paid attention and when the moment came for him to become intimate for the first time, he had the stuff to make Anthea/Ann and me... RAWRRRR!!!

I was shocked when it was revealed as to what happened to him as a child, I didn't see it coming, made me want to wrap my arms around him. I had my suspicions about what caused Cole's blindness, and as your reading, don't scoff, it's real, although in Cole's case it might have been exaggerated to add effect to the read.

I wanted more in the way of an ending, it was sweet, but...something was missing. I could see this going the way of a series. There were a few secondary characters that felt had a story to tell and it would be awesome to catch up with Cole and Anthea, a novella would be nice too *hint hint*. Other than my problem with the ending, there was so much to love about this book. Even though there are some serious issues being dealt with, I never felt anxious, the story transitioned nicely and was a delight to read!

The narrator, Eva Kaminsky, was fabulous! I thought her Aussie accent was very authentic. She didn't try too hard, gave a distinct voice to each character, and emitted the emotions as the author intended. I'll be looking for more from her as well as the author, Darcy Daniel, who did a stand-out job with this debut novel!

The more I listened, the more I loved it!

At first I rather disliked the main character for her bratty, diva behaviour and then began to pity her as the story developed.
I thoroughly enjoyed how the story played out, even when it started getting intense towards the end - but I loved every second of it!
I even came to the conclusion that everyone needs a Cole in their life LOL He's just too sweet. 😍

Romance at its best, amusing & moving moments.

This was a wonderful book filled with amusing moments along with moving moments. The main characters both have things from their pasts they need to overcome and the writer does a great job of slowly healing them both. I love stories set in small country towns and this once certainly didn’t disappoint.

Anthea is different than most heroines simply because she’s a little difficult to empathise with at the start. She’s a bit of a spoiled brat, but once she starts her research on Cole’s farm, she changes into a really great person who I could get behind and barrack for.

Cole is one of the best hero’s I’ve ever encountered in a romance. He’s flawed in more way than one, but he doesn’t let his physical disability stop him from doing what he needs to do to earn a living. I thought a blind hero might make me want to feel sorry for him, but that never happened. He’s strong and independent and the writer has done a great job of making me want him for myself!

I would love to see this adapted for the cinema, it would make an excellent movie.

Overall, I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to the next one by Darcy Daniel.