Midsummer Moon

By: Laura Kinsale

Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton

Length: 13 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

When a powerful, decisive aristocrat undertakes to protect an absent-minded young inventress from England's enemies, he finds his orderly world turned into chaos. Merlin Lambourne's stubborn dream of flight puts her at risk, not to mention driving Ransom crazy. In spite of himself, he's oddly enchanted by this muddled miss and her eccentric ways... but can he overcome his own fears and realize her invention may be the answer to saving both their lives?

A whimsical Regency-era tale of flying machines, fancy, and love among the hedgehogs.

Laura Kinsale personally chose the exceptional talent of Nicholas Boulton to narrate Midsummer Moon as a fully voiced audiobook, creating a unique work that brings all the life and color of the original to audio.

©1987, 2010 Hedgehog Inc (P)2013 Hedgehog Inc

Critic Reviews

Earphones Award Winner and Editor’s Choice

“…personalities and wit expertly delivered, further adding to the charm of this delightful performance.” ( Audiofile Magazine)

One of Kinsale's Best!

For anybody who has grown up in a large family where one person acts as mother/father/mentor/teacher/saint-in-residence, this book will resonate. The "saint" In Midsummer Moon is the master of the castle, His Grace the Duke of Damerell; and Ms. Kinsale has surrounded him with a cadre of deeply-flawed and delightful characters, who thwart and frustrate him at every turn.

This character-rich book offers the great narrator, Nicholas Boulton, a perfect opportunity to show off his extraordinary range. Of particular note are Boulton’s reading of Brother Shelby’s entrance into the story and the voice he gave to the duke’s nurse, “Pruneface.” I went back and listened again and again, just for the pure fun of it!

There is a romance in this book, but it is only one of many relationships that swirl around His Grace as he desperately tries to get the lives of the people he loves under control. His sweetheart, Merlin, says it best (and often): “Poor Mr. Duke…” I give this story a “5” as one of my all-time favorites from this author. Mr. Boulton gets a “4” because, well, Ms. Kinsale is the star.

Loved it

I find it a breath of fresh air found a new favorite narrator has turn me back into wanting to hear men vs women. A must listen you won't be disappointed makes you shock, happy,sad,laugh, irrated for me it was a perfect combination.

A favorite

Bolton does a great job performing overbearing male characters, distracted females, blustery "Hale Fellow, Well Met" characters, and stuttering children in his narration of a favorite Kinsale book.

Written in the late 1980's, the book has many standard characters from Regency Romances, but Kinsale shifts them ever so slightly to make them more relatable. The blustering Duke carries out a delightful conversation with an errant hedgehog who has taken up residence in his stationary box when he thinks he is alone in his study, and then returns to his commanding personal when he realizes his secretary is standing in the door. It's little touches like these that make the novel so charming.

Although I've read this book many times, I think I actually enjoyed listening to it more.

Cute enjoyable story, fantastic narrator

What did you love best about Midsummer Moon?

This book was really cute. I totally enjoyed it, the characters were great and given SUCH personality by a fantastic narrator. It was more acted like a play. Fantastic. The story is about a very eclectic woman who invents things like her uncle before her. She is in danger from the French because one of her inventions is something that would give them power. Ransom takes it upon himself to keep her, and the item, safe. As continued attempts to kidnap her take place, he is now also tasked with who is trying to betray his trust among his household full of family and guests. It was a little silly with how instantly they fell in love, but thats often par for the course in romance novels. The ending is quite fun. I also appreciated that the book continued with an easy flow without TOO much suspense.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Midsummer Moon?

There was one scene where Ransom, who is afraid of heights, looked to jump over a wall, only to find it a cliff on the other side. I really felt the shock of that and was so relieved when he got down. Lol

Which character – as performed by Nicholas Boulton – was your favorite?

I enjoyed every single character. I did think the character of Shelby sounded a lot like Carey Grant and so every time he spoke it was Careys face I oictured. Lol. I loved Ransoms little stuttering mephew. Fantastic addition. I have no clue how Nicholas manages such individual characters with such consistency. I have heard a lot of great narrators, but for some reason he really stood out so much. Could be because I tend to avoid men narrators. In any event, I am going to listen to another of her books. The narrator really makes or breaks an audio book. He hit this one out of the ballpark.

5 +++ "God Almighty, I'll never sin again" stars!

I loved this story. Loved it! Not just a little, but over the moon loved it! Fun, romantic, sexy,

I've read some reviews and it seems that Merlin, our 'genius with little common sense' heroine, grated on some people's nerves, but not mine. Oh, no. Not mine! I love her! In fact,I found her to be refreshingly unique, and she's now one of my all time favorite heroines. She and Ransom, so different, so completely and totally different... but absolutely brilliant together. They made me laugh, made me sigh, kept me listening through the wee hours of the morning.

Nicholas Boulton is an amazing narrator. I wish he'd narrate ALL audio books. Heck, I wish he'd narrate my name! Just my name... I'd play it over and over and over. Such a deep, rich, sexy voice.

*sigh* I'm just rambling, so I'll quit here, except to say that Laura Kinsale and Nicholas Boulton are, hands down, my favorite author/narrator team. I can't get enough of them, and I hope that he'll narrate all her books.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!!!

Captivating and delightful

Any additional comments?

This book is about an autistic woman with a great capacity for inventions but reduced abilities to interact within the society and a duke with his shortcoming and debilitating fears. Both characters are lovely but I admire Merlin. She manages to win everyone over with her childish innocence, kind heart and brilliance. Her greatest asset is that she is persistent and dedicated to her goals. Yes she is very different and the book obviously points that out but how everyone behaves toward her and accepts her oddities is very endearing.

Merlin invents the “speaking box’ as well as a flying contraption which makes her highly sought after by not only her government (British) but also the French since this story takes place during the war. The duke must not only save and protect her but also encourage her to complete the speaking box, which can prove very beneficial for the Brits in the war. He takes Merlin to his estate but finds that she is not safe there either. The story takes great twists and turns and the family’s interpersonal conflicts that get worked through are very heartwarming in the process.

I love how Laura selects her main characters with disabilities and shows how it makes them any not worse but really just different but great in their own way.

Roller Coaster

So I didn't realize from reading the description that this would have graphic romance scenes. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind them, but definitely was not expecting them.
I liked this book, especially the author's note at the end. However, it was like a roller coaster. At one point they have a normal budding romance, the next the main male character is being a super controlling douche. Merlin, the leading lady, is sometimes portrayed as an idiot, instead of just someone sheltered. If she was a brilliant scientist as they she is, she wouldn't act so dumb. It was just very up and down.

Worth the wait.

Where does Midsummer Moon rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Its among the best books I've ever listened to. Midsummer Moon is my favorite romance novel and I've been waiting for it to come out on audio for the longest time. This narration really brought it to life just as I'd imagined it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is Ransom, followed closely by Merlin. The way they provoke responses from each other is sweet, hilarious and touching all at the same time. They're very human in the way they sort through their circumstances. The hero is not at all the usual alpha male that is so prevalent nowadays. They're both real people, and that makes it a very refreshing story to hear. Of course, we can't review this book without pointing out the hedgehog - my favorite pet ever.

Have you listened to any of Nicholas Boulton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The narration was simply brilliant. Nicholas Boulton handled all accents, genders and feelings like a true artist. Wish he could narrate more romance novels. Bravo!

Any additional comments?

This is probably the best credit I ever used at Audible. I've been waiting for Laura Kinsale novels to come out for a long time. This pairing of author and narrator was all I could have hoped for. Hurry up and come out with more from both Laura Kinsale and Nicholas Boulton!

Amazing narration, ok story with tedious hero

Nicholas Boulton is the best romance narrator out there so the fact that the hero was an overbearing blowhard and the heroine let him get away with it didn't ruin this story. the sub-characters and plot were really quite entertaining but the hero's bullying and the heroines lack of spine drove me nuts. i think some will find many of the scenes quite funny. i probably would have enjoyed them more but i found myself angry at the powerlessness the female characters were subject to. such a domineering hero needed a more formidable heroine to balance the power struggle so the reader wasn't weighed down with outrage on behalf of the meeker character. fortunately, there were several steamy and passionate love scenes that made up for the stressful conflict.

I loved this story. And I not usually a fan of romance

Richly plotted romance with appealing characters. A fun read.
Richly plotted romance with appealing characters

Kinsale is great, Nicholas Boulton is a wonder!

Would you consider the audio edition of Midsummer Moon to be better than the print version?

I am in love with Nicholas Boulton's voice and he is so talented as a narrator that the book is enhanced by his work.

What did you like best about this story?

Laura Kinsale can do no wrong for me and I enjoy the subtle humour as well as her ability to bring tears to the eyes. Each book is different and so very detailed that I forgive the occasional Americanisms, as Nicholas has a way of disguising them somehow.

What about Nicholas Boulton’s performance did you like?

I have checked so many other voices out there but he is the very best there is!!!

Nicholas Boulton has the gift of making each voice, be it a man or woman, young or old, recognisable as the character in the book.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made be both laugh and cry.

Any additional comments?

I look forward to listening to "For my Lady's Heart" next and hearing Nicholas as Ruark.Then, Allegretto's story after that one. WONDERFUL!

Amusing

Another fab performance from Nicholas Boulton, characters and their personalities are brought to life by him, his voice never grates on me. Laura Kinsale provides a great vehicle to showcase his skills with her complex and comedic story lines, I find myself grinning, and even laughing out loud, this is excellent escapism

Great stuff

I enjoyed the story, narration and characters alot and its one that is is my library that I love to listen to again and again.

Loved it

A charming, unusual story beautifully narrated. I loved the various characters with their flaws and eccentricities.

Loved this book

I am a fan of Laura Kinsale and have read all of her books. This one is a particular favourite of mine. Quirky absent minded inventor heroine and stuffy commanding duke hero, a flying machine, a hedgehog, the admiralty, french villains, wonderful additional characters with the duke’s family and the elderly twin servants. Loved it all & go back for more when I find myself between reads.