Audition

By: Skye Warren, Amelia Wilde

Narrated by: Alexander Cendese, Mari

Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Blood and sweat. Bethany Lewis danced her way out of poverty. She's a world class athlete...with a debt to pay.

Joshua North always gets what he wants. And the mercenary wants Bethany in his bed. He wants her beautiful little body bent to his will.

She doesn't surrender to his kiss. 

He doesn't back down from a challenge.

It's going to be a sensual fight...to the death. 

Audition is the enthralling new stand-alone from The New York Times best-selling author Skye Warren.

©2019 Skye Warren (P)2020 Skye Warren

I love Mari as a narrator, but the male voice....

Story was on but the male narrator messed up the whole story for me. Sorry.

Good story

This was my first Skye Warren book. It was a good, quick read. Joshua and Bethany's story is one of pain and overcoming where you come from. Bethany has worked so hard to become the dancer she is even though at times, she found it hard to break free from the life she was given. Joshua falls for Bethany instantly, but knows he can never touch her, until he does.

This story is a lot of flip flopping between the past and present which at times was hard for me to follow, but the story was good. I will definitely read Skye again.

The narrators did a great job keeping me engaged. I loved listening to them tell this story. Great job!

Good story, great narration.

I was gifted this audiobook in exchange for my review. Audition can be read as a standalone. However, I feel that readers will enjoy the story and characters more if they read the North Security series, which is a trilogy based off of Liam and Samantha, but where we also meet Josh and Bethany.

Audition is told from both Josh and Bethany's POV and in both past and present times. The flashbacks to 5 years ago helped me understand more of the difficult points of their relationship, but I do feel the back and forth left the story a bit dis-jointed at times.

I enjoyed diving into the world of a professional ballerina, and there’s just something about a brooding sexy bodyguard and the element of danger that made Josh so appealing even though he was a complete jerk at times. If you are a reader who did not read the North Security series, you will still enjoy this book, but I recommend reading the series first.

I enjoyed the audiobook and the narrators did a great job bringing these characters to life.

Thank you to Valentine PR for the audiobook!

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Enthralling

An excellent performance of an all consuming story that draws every emotion. The narrators bring the story to life and do an amazing job.

North Security Romance

Josh and Bethany have a history, an attraction that drew them together. When the past comes back to haunt Bethany Josh is there to make sure she is taken care of. Even if that is the last thing she wants. When they are together in such close proximity, the attraction they felt in the past sparks to life. But can what they feel in the past be rekindled.

The book has both a solid storyline and narration. It is easy to get lost in Alexander Cendese's deep voice.

Emotional and exciting

Audio Review
Skye Warren and Amelia Wilde are relatively new authors to me but that is about to chance because after listening to Audition I find myself wanting to read or listen to previous releases. Joshua North and Bethany Lewis’s story is an emotional one that touched me on so many levels, it’s a story about determination and courage, it’s about new beginnings, trust and mending broken souls. Joshua grew up in a home that wasn’t loving it was full of abuse and Bethany has her own demons from the past that she now channels into her dance, so could these 2 broken people help mend each other as they explore why they are so drawn to each other. It’s a book with twists and turns, sizzling chemistry and an intense attraction that at times seems unhealthy but the narrators Mari and Alexander Cendese did a great job bringing theses characters and their romance to life. A well written story that left me wanting to explore more from the authors and the narrators.

My first Skye Warren read and loved the narrators!

I've been wanting to read a Skye Warren book for a long time and this was a great introduction that left me wondering about the North brothers. It's said that this can be read as a standalone, but I was really eager to know about everyone else that was mentioned, so I'd suggest reading about the series that this spun off of.

Audition was definitely an enjoyable read, normally I'm not a fan of traveling between the past and present, but that's when we really got to know Josh and Bethany's history. There was quite a bit of build up and I found myself coming out of the story at times. By the time we know more, we were already past the middle of the book and things went quickly from there.

There was no doubt that Josh and Bethany had some off the charts chemistry, but I was hoping for a bit more of the romance. I had a bit of an issue with the hero, I wasn't quite a fan of his actions when it had to do with Bethany.

Overally, I really did enjoy this one and I;m definitely looking forward to reading more by Skye.

Narrators: I enjoyed these two so much and I've already looked some other books that Mari has narrated! I'm a fan!

Exciting and Sizzling!

Audition is a thrilling, emotional, and steamy second chance romance. This is a spin-off of the North Security series and is Joshua North and Bethany Lewis's poignant and sizzling story. Josh and Bethany both come from abusive pasts. When they first meet, Bethany was just sixteen, but they connected so intrinsically. Josh was determined to protect her from the danger that surrounded her at any cost. That came at a price, making him push her away to keep her safe. Now five years later, she is a talented ballerina and is in extreme danger from a stalker. Josh can't stay away any longer and needs to make sure she is safe. Bethany is strong and a fighter, and she doesn't make it easy for Josh. They are so perfect for each other as they challenge each other, helping to break through their thick walls of loneliness and pain. Narrators Alexander Cendese, and Mari were amazing as they brought this story to life. Cendese's voice was perfect for the powerful, dangerous, yet vulnerable Josh. Mari nailed Bethany's hopeful, naive character with a quiet strength perfectly. I loved listening to them both as they drew me in and made this story even more exciting and sizzling.

Second Chance

Bethany is a ballet dancer that needs protection, Josh is part of north security and was assigned to protect Bethany. The fact that these characters are connected with there past makes this story intriguing. You do get intermixed past and present that helps you understand these characters more.

This story is full of heart ache, redemption, suspense and heat. I enjoyed both Bethany and Josh’s characters and the pull they have for each other.

Amazing and Suspenseful Second Chance to Love!

Audition is a standalone novel, a spin-off to the amazing North Security Series. This is an amazing and suspenseful second chance to love. Joshua North and Bethany Lewis are great characters. Joshua is protective and possessive. Bethany is beautiful and strong. Their story is suspenseful, fast-paced, action packed, and sexy. I love how they find their way together. The back and forth, past to present, is well done and easy to follow. This is a beautiful love story. Alexander Cendese and Mari did an amazing job with the narration. I enjoyed it.

Enjoyed it

Audition by Skye Warren is a spin-off from the North Security series and is Josh and Bethany's story. This novel went back and forth in both the past and present day, giving us a better understanding of the characters and how they came to know each other however it was too much in the past for my liking. The story had suspense and danger, secrets, angst, steamy scenes, twists and turns and will give you all the feels. These two complex characters had their own demons, and a complicated relationship with their constant push and pull however you couldn't deny the intense chemistry between them. I would recommend this novel to all lovers of second chance romance.
The audiobook was narrated by Mari and Alexander Cendese. These two were able to capture the passion of the characters and portray all the emotions bringing the story to life. They did an excellent job and I enjoyed listening to them narrate this novel.

This narration was perfection!!

Well hello there Marni, where have you been all my listening life? Seriously, I might sound playful but she's a newer narrator to me and I seriously enjoyed her performance. Her narration was beautiful and her tone, her inflection... I can't get over that I've never heard her before! She has a sound that seems made for narration!! Alexander Cendese is also a fabulous narrator and teaming him up with another narrator that plays so perfectly with his sound made this a treat for the ears.

Skye Warren and Amelia Wilde kept me on my toes through this entire novel. I have been feeling this push pull between Josh and Bethany since Samantha and Liam. I enjoyed learning about the earlier relationship between Josh and Bethany. Warren and Wilde created really interesting flash back jumps. I think my main reasoning behind a star removal is I would have loved a bit more development between during the here and now. 

I've been a fan of Skye Warren for years now. I'm not too sure if I've read or listened to Amelia Wilde. However, besides a few areas that I felt like could have benefited for more information Audition was a captivating story. I'm always so fascinated when two authors are able to blend their writing with one another so completely.

Wish I had read The North Security trilogy first

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this. Alexander Cendese and Mari really brought Josh and Bethany to life for me in a big way. I'm a big fan of Alexander Cendese and he was a perfect voice for someone like Josh.

Did I want to shake both of the main characters at times because the push and pull went for YEARS? Yes. Was I hooked to see where the story went and was aching for even MORE back story? Also, yes.

I have a confession to make, I LOVE stories about ballet dancers. I cannot do the act, but I love to read about it. So of course I had to pick this up. the descriptions of not only the dancing, but the city of New Orleans, really burst through the speakers. If I had one complaint, it was that it maybe was a little TOO heavy on the flashbacks.

I was provided with an copy of this on audio and I volunteered to leave an unbiased review from Valentine PR on behalf of the authors.

Would have liked a little more romance

After reading The North Security Trilogy I was keen to read Audition to see how Bethany and Josh's chemistry played out. I was surprised to know they actually had a history spanning several years, when Josh served in the Army with Bethany's brother Caleb.

Bethany is a ballet dancer, when she starts receiving threats to the theatre she is performing at, North Security are brought in until the threat is stopped. I found the past and present elements a little confusing. I would have preferred a more linear format to explore the history between Hero and heroine, but found the juxtaposition in timeline a little off putting. On my second listen through I did find it a little easier to follow but I also struggled to connect with the characters. I enjoyed Bethany and Josh as individuals, yet as a couple I didn't really get that longing for a romantic relationship between them beyond their physical desire for one another.

I did however love the way the Author described New Orleans as the backdrop of the novel, she built a very visual description of the melting pot and set the scene well, especially for Bethany's apartment and Ma Mere's home. Once the Suspense element of the story kicked in the novel felt much more cohesive and I did enjoy how that all played out. Audition for me was a good suspense novel it just lacked a little intensity on the romance side for me. The narrators read at a good pace, I loved Mari's narration for Bethany I feel she nailed that characters essence so well, Alexander's performance settled as the book progressed although at times he was very enthusiastic as he read. Overall I enjoyed the audio book and story, I just wanted a little more romance.

Bethany & Josh!

Skye Warren and Amelia Wilde have passed the Audition and gets the five star review! I was waiting for Josh and Bethany's story after listening to Liam and Samantha's trilogy. Josh intrigued me then and now I know why. First meeting Josh when she was 16 years old, Bethany knew there was chemistry. The attraction palpable, he broke her heart and now he finds her on the list in need of his protection. Will these two act on the obvious captivation? Will he be able to keep her safe? These two are made for each other. Both from horrific childhoods, their push-pull attraction is not a surprise. Warren and Wilde have a gift for these for giving us that reason to invest our heart and souls. The flashback perspectives let us get to know the reasons behind all the decisions and adds rising suspense. Warren and Wilde weave the characters into our lives as we look for their happy ending. It's a great listen!

Alexander Cendese and Mari team up to narrate this gem. Each finds the personality of the Josh and Bethany and lets us hear their story through their own perspectives. I enjoyed their story telling and look forward to more from each of their talents.