Carnage

Whispers from the Bayou Series, Book 1

By: Sandra R. Neeley

Narrated by: Loretta Rawlins

Carnage is a Gargoyle. He's also volatile, dangerous, unpredictable, and lonely. One evening minding his own business at the edge of the sanctuary he calls home, he spies a female. A human female, and she's running headlong into his swamps, with no regard for her own safety. Then he sees the reason; three men, and they're hot on her trail, torches in hand, hell bent on catching her before she can get away.

He watches as they get closer and closer to her, easily following her trail. Carnage makes a snap decision that changes both their lives forever; he drops out of a tree right behind her, slaps one clawed hand over her mouth to keep her from screaming, wraps her in his huge arms and goes right back to the treetops. He shelters her while the men traverse the ground below, unable to determine why her trail disappeared.

Carnage admires this little female - she was brave to run into the swamps alone. There are many creatures lying in wait for just such a meal. But she no longer has to worry about that, because now she's his. He only hopes that she doesn't fear him too much once she gets a good look at his blue-grey skin, his fangs, and his horns. Because regardless of what she thinks, or the rules of his community - he's not giving her up.

Contains mature themes.

©2018 Sandra R. Neeley (P)2019 Tantor

Story and narrator both not great

I think the story with all the mythical creatures had so much potential, but it just didn't quite make it. I felt like the nature of the story demands you suspend your disbelief already, but then to have other parts of the story not make sense in the time period the author sets it in makes it much harder to enjoy. And the ending could have been much better if any one of the characters thought things through and problem solved at all. Mostly, I had a difficult time with how the narrator spoke in her stilted, little girl voice. It definitely sounds like she is reading a book and not telling a story. Glad it was free!

Best I’ve read in years

What a fantastic discovery- I didn’t expect a lot, but as it turned out I absolutely loved everything about this book.
The story development was layered and beautifully written, flowing naturally and somehow realistically given that this is a fantasy world where unnatural things are happening.
The characters were the standout- it is so rare to find an author that can draw the reader in where you feel attached and connected to every character and what happens to them. The characters are all flawed, but you care about them and makes you like them better.
Somehow the whole story conveys an honesty and freshness that I haven’t experienced in a written in a long time. No cheap cliches or ridiculous trite tactics.
Wish there were more audio books by this author

Sweet paranormal romance

This was such a sweet story. I enjoyed the characters and the plot line. I definitely plan on reading the remaining books in the series. I'm a little mystified at the vitriolic statements against the narrator. I prefer this narrator's voice to those who have damaged, husky voices. I always listen to my audio books at a faster speed. For this one, I was listening to it at 1.60. I found it worked great!

Good Book

I enjoyed the book overall but the narrator was recalling killing it for me. I feel like she was rushing through most of her words.

To have a book read to you

Well don’t get too comfortable with having Sandra‘s books read to you because I wanted to get the whole series of whispers from the bayou but only two of the books are on audible so there’s no sense in me or anyone going on with these books if you can’t have them read to you like I like to done I love to listen to books while I work. So I guess I look for another series