Blackwood

By: Celia Aaron

Narrated by: Erin Mallon

Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

I dig. It's what I do. I'll literally use a shovel to answer a question. Some answers, though, have been buried too deep for too long.

But I'll find those, too.

And I know where to dig - the Blackwood Estate on the edge of the Mississippi Delta. Garrett Blackwood is the only thing standing between me and the truth. A broken man - one with desires that dance in the darkest part of my soul - he's either my savior or my enemy. I'll dig until I find all his secrets. Then I'll run so he never finds mine.

The only problem? He likes it when I run.

Author's Note: This is a full-length standalone mystery/suspense romance with dark themes.

©2017 Celia Aaron (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫ (not dual narration)

Suspenseful and Hot all wrapped up in a great story!!! This is my first book by this author and it will not be my last! I couldn't stop listening because I had to know what was happening. I went into this completely blind and spent the entire book on the edge of my seat. The story line was intriguing and the romance was incredibly hot. I love a angry grumpy man who turns out to be so much more than he lets on. I highly recommend this book!

Erin Mallon is the reason I bought this book. She is a favorite of mine and when I saw she was narrating it I knew I needed it. She is a great narrator and her male voices will give you butterflies. She was PERFECT for this book. No idea why audible said Lance Greenfield narrated too cause I never heard him!

What just happened.

I fear my mind and my nether regions might never be the same after this one. I knew that it would be dark and twisty because, Celia Aaron but it was so much more than I was expecting. These woods both terrified and intrigued me while the characters made me nervous and turned me on. I didn’t know what was up or down and I didn’t care. I just loved every word.

Erin Mallon made me so incredibly confused... IN A GOOD WAY. Her narration is one of a kind fantastic. But her male voice took me to places that had me so confused that I don’t even think I will be able to interact with her online every again. The characters that were supposed to strike fear and mystery completely did that as well.

Fantastic audio.

Really do not understand all the great reviews

First the narrator: she sounds so wimpy and scared (voice cracking and what not) - and there is no male narrator. Now for the story. There barely is a story. You have a very foolish female lead, who continues to do stupid stupid stuff, believes the wrong people with no clear reason as to why she believes them over others, and who is untruthful herself but thinks others should be completely truthful with her. She is an idiot. She is one of those characters from horror movies that do ALL the wrong things while being chased by the killer. There is build up to the romance and you do not even feel like there is a reason for the two characters to be together except for the fact that they are in the same place at the same time. This was a let down book.

Good story, but no heat

Great suspenseful story, but not the sexual heat I’ve come to expect free m this author and some reviews. The chemistry between Garret and Red is hot, but there’s only 2 or 3 short scenes. If you want a suspenseful read with a touch of steam, you’ll like this book.

Murder, Mystery, and Safe Words

This was my first Celia Aaron book. In general, I am not a fan of BDSM novels, for a variety of reasons--not the least of which is that I almost always wind up having zero respect for the heroines, who almost always seem to have zero respect for themselves--so I was a bit hesitant, but I was intrigued enough by the plot to take a chance. And it paid off.

Firstly, unlike other novels, the BDSM element was merely one feature, rather than the primary focus; in other words, there is a legitimate plot here--an interesting one. The main characters were mostly sympathetic and mostly developed (in the end, I feel I could have 'known' them better), but I was certainly invested enough to truly root for them, and for their love. Overall, the writing was good, and the story was entertaining.

As for the performance, I am a big fan of Erin Mallon. She has a pleasing voice, her male voice is truly remarkable, and her narration really brings the characters to life. I was just a tiny bit underwhelmed by her Southern accent; it sounded a bit forced, so that it had that slightly uncomfortable fit, kind of like wearing one shoe that fits perfectly, but the other one is a half size too small. Still...it's Erin Mallon, so I tried to focus on the perfectly-fitted shoe and not the one that pinches a bit. ;)

And though this has absolutely no bearing on the actual story, kudos for that cover model. He is yummy!

Wildly interesting

Didn't think I would like it as much as I did. The actors were very well chosen. There voices made the story more interesting and captivating. I love the plot twists.

great listen

my first book by this author but it won't be the last. Really enjoyed this book, it had a little of everything, mystery, romance, steamy sex, whodunit!

NOT FOR ME.

This was supposed to be dark romantic suspense, but the story just didn't feel very tight. I think it was bogged down by a bad romance plot, and it never could gain any traction because of it. Speaking of romance, it just wasn't romantic. The male lead plays a "game" with his female lead -- it's weird and more than a little creepy, but that isn't all. I felt like it was just filler, just lust and sex. Which, okay, some listeners want that. But honestly I bought this book because I thought it was supposed to have some substance to it.

I would have loved for the characters to have been developed, for the plot to be tighter, and for the "romance" to have been...not as cringe-y. I'm glad I bought the ebook on sale and that I added this for the low whispersync price. I made it to the end of the story, but I won't be recommending it. I definitely don't think it is worth a credit.

In terms of the narration: I didn't notice any male narration in here at all. The entire audiobook sounded like it was narrated by the female narrator. Also, I normally like Erin Mallon, but this was not my favorite of hers. The Southern accent hat she gave to the female lead was just too much and took me way out of the story.

Wow

What a thriller. Excellent. Does have some BDSM dark sex but honestly just listen, it’s a very enjoyable story even if you aren’t into that. The narrator is wonderful. At first I was afraid the southern accent might turn into an annoying twang, but I actually found it comforting and sensual. I really liked this book and loved the narrator

Mildly predictable, but still very good

This was a great suspense story that kept me captivated the entire time. It's like no other book that I've listened to and I love that. It was mildly predictable, but that didn't take away from the story at all. It actually left me feeling pretty delighted that I figured it out :) excellent listen! Especially if you like romantic suspense!!! Narration was impeccable

Scattered & confusing

Hot and heavy, but the first 7 or 8 chapters feel like the second half of a story.
Female narrator does a better male than female, and she always has the same sing-song cadence, regardless of genre.

Fabulous just great

Wonderful suspense and great narrative. Love love love it I’m thrilled that an author has actually made a romantic thriller how it should be keep it up