Castles

Crown's Spies, Book 4

By: Julie Garwood

Narrated by: Heather Wilds

Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

Orphaned and besieged, Princess Alesandra knew that only hasty marriage to an Englishman could protect her from the turmoil in her own land. To the amusement of her makeshift guardian, Colin, younger brother of the Marquess of Cainewood, the bold raven-haired beauty instantly captivated London society. But when Alesandra was nearly abducted by her unscrupulous countrymen, the fighting instincts that won Colin a knighthood for valor were kindled.

Deceiving himself that he wanted only to protect her, Colin swept her into a union meant to be a marriage in name alone...yet Alesandra's tender first kiss and hesitant caress ignited a wildfire in his soul. As the lovely princess dashed headlong into unforeseen dangers, Colin would follow, knowing he must claim her as his own forever. Now he would risk life itself before he would lose this sweet, tempestuous angel....

©1993 Julie Garwood (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

COLON IS A BODY PART NOT THE LEADS NAME!

The narrator ruined this book. I just really wish they had kept the original narrator for the series. This narrator pronounced the male romantic character’s name as colon. Really, how can you listen to a book that makes you think of colonoscopies every single time she mentions his name. It just doesn’t work! HIS NAME IS COLIN!! IN not ON. I got through the book, but I just didn’t enjoy it.

Could not get past this narrator!!

Would you try another book from Julie Garwood and/or Heather Wilds?

Julie Garwood yes but not Heather Wilds!!

What could Julie Garwood have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

She should have used the same narrator as she used in previous 3 books in this series.

What didn’t you like about Heather Wilds’s performance?

Nothing at all.

Disappointing Ending to a Fun Series

Ugh…I usually love Julie Garwood, and while I hate to be negative, Castles, the 4th installment of the “Crown’s Spies” series, was a real disappoint. The story of Colin, and Princess Alesandra just did not measure up to the quality of storytelling that readers have been conditioned to expect.

In the first three books, Colin was a very appealing character, and I was looking forward to his story, but in Castles, he was selfish, bitter, angry, and basically unappealing. As per formula, he comes around in the end to “save the day”, but it was too little-too late for me.

I actually hated the narration. Heather Wilds’ attempt to change character voices and accents was almost too painful to finish the listen. Unfortunately, the enjoyment of an audible experience is largely dependent on the quality of the narration.
Skip this one. You won’t miss much.

Colin not colon

If this book hasn't been the last in the series I wouldn't have wasted a credit. I listened to the sample and wasn't impressed. The narrator isn't that great to begin with but calling the leading male character "Colon" instead of "Colin" was just too much. I found myself laughing out loud during romantic scenes at the puns. At least I got a laugh out of it!

Never written a review

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator sucked.... Love the series, loved this story but Omg the narrator made it horrible to get through.

THE NARRATOR IS AWFUL

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I liked the other 2 books in this series but could not get through this one because the narrator is terrible. she mispronounced names and the accents were all wrong.

What other book might you compare Castles to and why?

The Lion's Lady, Guardian Angel, and The Gift were all read by Susan Duerden and i enjoyed them.

What didn’t you like about Heather Wilds’s performance?

She drolled on and there is no life in this story.

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

maybe

Great book, horrible narrator

OMG!!! Julie Garwood, one of my favorite authors did a splendid job with this story and the ending I believe to the Crown Spies series unless another pops up. The narrator however, I would think twice about listening to another book that she narrates. Her character voices were horrible and I nearly died with the pronunciation of "Colin". At first I had no idea what she was saying because she made it sound like "colon". I was so very disappointed!!!! Who does not know how to pronounce Colin? If I had a magic wand and could have zapped another narrator to read I would have done that.

What accent are you using?

Would you try another book from Julie Garwood and/or Heather Wilds?

Loved the book, hated the narrator. See the best review of the pronounciation of Colon... yeah, exactly....

What did you like best about this story?

It completes the story line

Would you be willing to try another one of Heather Wilds’s performances?

no

the narration is as bad as everyone says

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

no. the narration was awful. The heroine sounded like she had a lisp and she pronounced "Colin" as "Colon" Not only a change from all the other books in the series but just bad.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Heather Wilds?

The narrator who did the first 3 in the series

Did Castles inspire you to do anything?

quit listening to so many audio books and finish it on my Nook. I love Julie Garwood's historical romances. I usually love audio books when I'm driving, walking, cleaning the house. Didn't finish this one. The narration IS that bad.

Disappointed

Would you try another book from Julie Garwood and/or Heather Wilds?

I have been a Julie Garwood fan back to the 80's this story has been a favorite. However, the narration of this book was not just disappointing but is one of the worst I have listened to.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the entire 4 book series. Great historical and laugh out loud funny with a mystery thrown in that is written to blend in and is well done.

Would you be willing to try another one of Heather Wilds’s performances?

NO