-
Outlast the Night
- Lang Downs
- Narrated by: William James
- Series: Lang Downs, Book 3
- Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Erotica, Literature & Fiction
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $18.49
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Conquer the Flames
- Lang Downs #4
- By: Ariel Tachna
- Narrated by: William James
- Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Thorne Lachlan knows a thing or two about getting himself safely out of a blaze. For years he fought in the world's hot spots, a Commando with the Australian Army. Now, retired, he fights flames for the Royal Fire Service. When a grassfire brings him to Lang Downs, the next sheep station in danger, Thorne meets Ian Duncan and sparks fly that neither man can put out. But both men have ghosts from the past that stand in the way of moving beyond mutual attraction.
-
-
Hopefully the final instalment.
- By Orlando on 11-26-14
By: Ariel Tachna
-
The Endgame
- By: Riley Hart
- Narrated by: Iggy Toma
- Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When I left home, I swore I'd never hide anything about myself again. From college, to law school, to the United States Senate representing California, I've done it all as an out gay man. So, when I'm in DC and see a beautiful guy at the hotel bar, I don't hesitate to proposition him...right before he runs out on me, leaving his sunglasses behind like my very own Cinderfella.
-
-
One of my favorites this year
- By Zell Oakley on 05-03-21
By: Riley Hart
-
Sailor Proof
- By: Annabeth Albert
- Narrated by: Greg Boudreaux, Joel Leslie
- Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s petty, but Naval Chief Derrick Fox wishes he could exact a little revenge on his ex by showing off a rebound fling. His submarine is due to return to its Bremerton, Washington, home base soon, and Derrick knows all too well there won't be anyone waiting with a big, showy welcome. Enter one ill-advised plan....
-
-
Boring
- By Tory Robinson on 10-11-21
By: Annabeth Albert
-
No Good Mitchell
- By: Riley Hart, Devon McCormack
- Narrated by: Michael Dean
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A night on the town after a long workweek at my family's distillery should include shots and dancing - not a hot kiss with a handsome stranger. I'm straight. At least, that's what I figured until I find myself locking lips with a sexy city boy. Now, all my circuits are going haywire, and the spark that ignites between us makes me even more curious. Unfortunately, I kissed the one man who's off-limits: Cohen Mitchell - the sole surviving heir to the Mitchell Creek distillery, a rival neighbor my family has feuded with for nearly a 100 years.
-
-
This needs yo be a series ASAP
- By chels on 01-13-21
By: Riley Hart, and others
-
The Rebuilding Year
- By: Kaje Harper
- Narrated by: Gomez Pugh
- Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A few excruciating minutes pinned under a burning beam cost Ryan Ward his job as a firefighter, the easy camaraderie of his coworkers, his current girlfriend, and damn near cost him his left leg. Giving up, though, wasn't an option. He fought and won the battle back to health, over a painful year. Now, choosing a new profession, going back to school, and renting a room from the college groundskeeper should be simple. Until he realizes he's falling in love with his housemate and things take a turn for the complicated.
-
-
The Rebuilding Year
- By H. Martin on 11-07-17
By: Kaje Harper
-
Lonesome Cowboy
- A Selection from Heart of Texas, Volume 1
- By: Debbie Macomber
- Narrated by: Natalie Ross
- Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Savannah Weston lives quietly on the family ranch with her brother, Grady. Until she encounters a stranger named Laredo Smith, a disenchanted cowboy who just might change her life – in the best possible way!
-
-
Heartwarming!
- By Lady M on 07-18-16
By: Debbie Macomber
-
Conquer the Flames
- Lang Downs #4
- By: Ariel Tachna
- Narrated by: William James
- Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Thorne Lachlan knows a thing or two about getting himself safely out of a blaze. For years he fought in the world's hot spots, a Commando with the Australian Army. Now, retired, he fights flames for the Royal Fire Service. When a grassfire brings him to Lang Downs, the next sheep station in danger, Thorne meets Ian Duncan and sparks fly that neither man can put out. But both men have ghosts from the past that stand in the way of moving beyond mutual attraction.
-
-
Hopefully the final instalment.
- By Orlando on 11-26-14
By: Ariel Tachna
-
The Endgame
- By: Riley Hart
- Narrated by: Iggy Toma
- Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When I left home, I swore I'd never hide anything about myself again. From college, to law school, to the United States Senate representing California, I've done it all as an out gay man. So, when I'm in DC and see a beautiful guy at the hotel bar, I don't hesitate to proposition him...right before he runs out on me, leaving his sunglasses behind like my very own Cinderfella.
-
-
One of my favorites this year
- By Zell Oakley on 05-03-21
By: Riley Hart
-
Sailor Proof
- By: Annabeth Albert
- Narrated by: Greg Boudreaux, Joel Leslie
- Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s petty, but Naval Chief Derrick Fox wishes he could exact a little revenge on his ex by showing off a rebound fling. His submarine is due to return to its Bremerton, Washington, home base soon, and Derrick knows all too well there won't be anyone waiting with a big, showy welcome. Enter one ill-advised plan....
-
-
Boring
- By Tory Robinson on 10-11-21
By: Annabeth Albert
-
No Good Mitchell
- By: Riley Hart, Devon McCormack
- Narrated by: Michael Dean
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A night on the town after a long workweek at my family's distillery should include shots and dancing - not a hot kiss with a handsome stranger. I'm straight. At least, that's what I figured until I find myself locking lips with a sexy city boy. Now, all my circuits are going haywire, and the spark that ignites between us makes me even more curious. Unfortunately, I kissed the one man who's off-limits: Cohen Mitchell - the sole surviving heir to the Mitchell Creek distillery, a rival neighbor my family has feuded with for nearly a 100 years.
-
-
This needs yo be a series ASAP
- By chels on 01-13-21
By: Riley Hart, and others
-
The Rebuilding Year
- By: Kaje Harper
- Narrated by: Gomez Pugh
- Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A few excruciating minutes pinned under a burning beam cost Ryan Ward his job as a firefighter, the easy camaraderie of his coworkers, his current girlfriend, and damn near cost him his left leg. Giving up, though, wasn't an option. He fought and won the battle back to health, over a painful year. Now, choosing a new profession, going back to school, and renting a room from the college groundskeeper should be simple. Until he realizes he's falling in love with his housemate and things take a turn for the complicated.
-
-
The Rebuilding Year
- By H. Martin on 11-07-17
By: Kaje Harper
-
Lonesome Cowboy
- A Selection from Heart of Texas, Volume 1
- By: Debbie Macomber
- Narrated by: Natalie Ross
- Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Savannah Weston lives quietly on the family ranch with her brother, Grady. Until she encounters a stranger named Laredo Smith, a disenchanted cowboy who just might change her life – in the best possible way!
-
-
Heartwarming!
- By Lady M on 07-18-16
By: Debbie Macomber
-
If I Loved You
- Harper Falls, Book 1
- By: Mary J. Williams
- Narrated by: Amy Robinson
- Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rose O'Brian wants to spice up her love life, and Jack Winston seems like the answer. Sexy, funny, and with a killer smile, Jack is every woman's fantasy. All she wants is one night of passion, nothing more. But Jack has a secret that stops him from taking her up on her offer, stops him from having the one thing he wants more than his next breath - beautiful Rose O'Brian. Rose has her own secrets.
-
-
Jack and roses story
- By corie on 06-06-15
By: Mary J. Williams
-
Noelle
- A Novel
- By: Greg Kincaid
- Narrated by: Mark Bramhall
- Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this fourth installment of the poignant stories of the McCray family and their lovable canines in rural Kansas, matriarch Mary Ann McCray is determined to shake up Christmas by accepting the role as Crossing Trail's first woman Santa Claus. Mary Ann, always a bit of a rebel, is looking to offer a more progressive voice in the staunchly conservative town at Christmastime and has a few ideas up her red velvet sleeves.
-
-
Great addition to the series
- By MissSusie66 on 02-15-18
By: Greg Kincaid
-
Crooked Tree Ranch
- Montana Series, Book 1
- By: RJ Scott
- Narrated by: Sean Crisden
- Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When a cowboy meets the guy from the city, he can't know how much things will change. On the spur of the moment, with his life collapsing around him, Jay Sullivan answers an ad for a business manager with an expertise in marketing, on a dude ranch in Montana.
-
-
Cowboys, horses and abusive ex-husbands, oh my!
- By Tammy M on 05-09-17
By: RJ Scott
-
The Best Men
- By: Lauren Blakely, Sarina Bowen
- Narrated by: Jacob Morgan, Teddy Hamilton
- Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In my defense, I was left alone with a bottle of single-malt and a lifelong penchant for protecting my baby sister. Still, that's no excuse to send 10 drunk-texts on why her hasty marriage would be a mistake. If only I had just texted my sister. But nope. I accidentally sent the message to her, her groom, and his super hot wingman. I also used the phrase “super hot wingman”, so I’d like to die now.
-
-
A bucket of cold water
- By SB84 on 01-22-22
By: Lauren Blakely, and others
-
Finding Our Forever
- Silver Springs, Book 1
- By: Brenda Novak
- Narrated by: Veronica Worthington
- Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The search for her birth mother brought Cora Kelly to the New Horizons Boys Ranch. Getting a job there was easy enough, but confiding in Aiyana, the ranch's owner, that she's really her daughter? Cora's not sure she can do that, not unless she's confident the news will be welcomed. And once she gets to know Elijah Turner - Aiyana's adopted son and ranch manager - that decision becomes even more difficult.
-
-
First book by Brenda Novak
- By Katiemac on 06-03-17
By: Brenda Novak
-
Tough Luck
- A-List Security, Book 1
- By: Annabeth Albert
- Narrated by: Kirt Graves
- Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I’m a SEAL. Or rather, I was. Retired at the grand old age of 38, I’m at loose ends. My best friend wants me to join his security team. I’m not sure I’m bodyguard material, but he needs someone to protect his kid brother. How hard can spoiled brat duty be? Somehow, I missed the part where former child star Danny Love went from dorky TV darling to all grown up and disturbingly attractive. All the gossip about his wild ways fails to mention that he’s trying hard to clean up his act.
-
-
cute but sometimes kinda slow
- By viki412ag on 04-28-22
By: Annabeth Albert
-
Choices and Changes
- By: K. L. Belanger
- Narrated by: Jonathan Waters
- Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On the cusp of his 25th birthday, Bo Sanford grows frustrated with his directionless life. Slaving away at his father's construction company all week and partying every weekend leaves him little time for introspection, but he knows it's time for a change. When his best friend Mac drags him to a college party, Bo catches sight of a girl. But not just any girl - the girl of his dreams: a delicate blonde-haired beauty with a pink scarf and a smile that promises warmth and humor. There's just one problem: She isn't a girl.
-
-
Pretty good gay-for-you!
- By Heather K (Dentist in my Spare Time) on 10-30-14
By: K. L. Belanger
-
Once a Rancher
- The Carsons of Mustang Creek
- By: Linda Lael Miller
- Narrated by: Jack Garrett
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Slater Carson might be a businessman by trade, but he's a cowboy at heart - and he knows the value of a hard day's work under the hot Wyoming sun. So when he sees troubled teen Ryder heading down a dangerous path, he offers the boy a job on the ranch he shares with his two younger brothers. And since Ryder's temporary guardian is the gorgeous new resort manager, Grace Emery, Slater figures it can't hurt to keep a closer eye on her as well.
-
-
Great story with an awful narrator
- By Rebekah on 10-02-17
-
Earth and Sky
- A Clouds and Rain Story
- By: Zahra Owens
- Narrated by: Paul Morey
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hunter Krause knows better than anyone that running a ranch is hard work. Wranglers are hard to find, and even with Hunter’s foreman and entire extended family on hand, the busy ranch is constantly short-handed. So when horses go missing, Hunter’s brother-in-law hires a man Hunter would never have considered: Grant Jarreau, a man Hunter can't forgive for leaving Hunter’s best friend Gable after an incapacitating accident.
-
-
Great Follow up to Clouds and Rain!
- By Amazon Customer on 12-20-12
By: Zahra Owens
-
Under Her Skin
- Lone Star Sisters, Book 1
- By: Susan Mallery
- Narrated by: Julie Francis
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lexi Titan can just see the headlines. All of Titanville will be buzzing. Not that she has any other choice. Faced with exactly thirty days to come up with two million dollars, she is out of options. Marry Cruz Rodriguez or lose everything--the successful day spa she built herself, her tyrant of a father's respect.
-
-
Under Her Skin
- By whatcha.listening.to on 06-03-19
By: Susan Mallery
-
Cowboy SEAL Homecoming
- Navy SEAL Cowboys Series, Book 1
- By: Nicole Helm
- Narrated by: Romy Nordlinger
- Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Alex Maguire never thought he'd go home again. The perfect soldier, the perfect leader, he's spent his whole life running away from Blue Valley, Montana - but when a tragic accident bounces him and two of his men out of the SEALs, there's nowhere left to turn but the ranch he used to call his own...and the confusing, innocently beguiling woman who now lives there.
-
-
Not for me...
- By Necole on 06-25-18
By: Nicole Helm
-
Those Texas Nights
- By: Delores Fossen
- Narrated by: Eric Dove
- Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's some run of bad luck when Sophie Granger loses her business and gets left at the altar all in one day. Desperate not to appear jilted, Sophie begs Clay McKinnon, Wrangler's Creek's smoking-hot police chief, to pretend they're having an affair. But Clay refuses, leaving Sophie to retreat to the family ranch to lick her wounds. Hoping to leave his disreputable past behind, Clay moved to Wrangler's Creek for a fresh start. But that looks unlikely when Sophie's ex-fiancé shows up married to Clay's impulsive kid sister.
By: Delores Fossen
Publisher's Summary
Office manager Sam Emery is unemployed and out of luck. When his emotionally abusive wife demands a divorce, he contacts the one person he has left, his brother, Neil. He doesn’t expect Neil to reject him, but he also doesn’t expect the news of his divorce - and of his sexuality - to be met with such acceptance.
Neil takes Sam to Lang Downs, the sheep station Neil calls home. There, Sam learns that life as a gay man isn’t impossible. Caine and Macklin, the station owners, certainly seem to be making it work. When Caine offers Sam a job, it’s a dream come true.
Jeremy Taylor leaves the only home he’s ever known when his brother’s homophobia becomes more than he can bear. He goes to the one place he knows he will be accepted: Lang Downs. He clicks with Sam instantly - but the animosity between Lang Downs and Jeremy’s home station runs deep, and the jackaroos won’t accept Jeremy without a fight. Between Sam’s insecurity and Jeremy’s precarious position, their road will be a hard one - and that’s without having to wait for Sam’s divorce to be final before starting a new life together.
More from the same
What listeners say about Outlast the Night
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Orlando
- 11-26-14
A sweet chapter in the Lang Downs saga
Pretty much every series I've come across suffers from the same fate as this one. The first book or two are really good, but as you start getting to books three and four, you're used to the author's style, the narrators cadence and the books start feeling pedestrian.
It's a pity, cause it's actually a good series. My advice, space them apart. They're a great set of books.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- N. Houghton
- 05-09-14
Coitus interruptus
I read gay romances because porn doesn't do it for me. I need context. This one was wonderful in setting up a real romantic connection the reader cared about. What a change of pace. The apparently the writer got bored or someone forgot the last reel. Loved the first two books, but what a way to end. Thumbs down.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Annika
- 03-17-19
Enjoyable
This book starts with a phone call from Neil’s brother Sam, who asks him if he could come and stay with him for a while as he’s getting a divorce and needs to get back on his feet. More than happy to help Sam out, Neil drives to town to pick him up. It’s not long before Sam admits to being unhappy and only marrying his wife because he felt forced to. At the time he couldn’t imagine living like he wanted; as an out and proud gay man. When Sam told Neil this I was so proud of how he handled it. It shows how far he’s come, it made me smile and believe that people could change.
I enjoy Neil’s character. I believe in him. Don’t get me wrong, he’s not a book boyfriend in any way shape or form. But he’s wonderfully human, he’s flawed. When we first met him in Inherit the Sky he was a giant pain, and an even bigger homophobe and not shy to voice this fact. Things changed when Caine saved his life and he’s now their biggest supporter. What I love is that even though he changed, and changed a lot, he didn’t get a personality makeover. He still holds grudges, is still quick to temper and his newfound open mind doesn’t apply to everything. And just mentioning the name Taylor is a sure way to fire him up. Like I said, I believe in his character and he has things yet to learn.
Jeremy Taylor is getting fed up with his brother in so many ways. How he runs the station, the feud with the neighboring station, Land Downs, but more importantly he’s fed up with all the homophobic slurs rants. And when he’s given an ultimatum; get married or get out, Jeremy packs a bag and leaves. He doesn’t go far though; he goes to Lang Downs and asks for shelter for the night or a job as a jackaroo if they’ll have him. He’s not there to cause trouble, he just wants the chance to start over.
Sam and Jeremy are drawn to each other from the beginning. It started with curiosity that morphed into a friendship. Something they both needed. I loved how Jeremy was building Sam up again, encouraging him, and showing him that he was important and made a difference. Throughout we followed how Sam grew, gaining the confidence to stand up to his brother for what he wanted, for Jeremy.
There are very little sexy times in this book. Mainly because when Sam and Jeremy meet and fall for each other Sam is still technically married, and the divorce won’t go through for another six months or so. And deciding to hold off on anything physical as to not give the soon to be ex-wife any ammunition to use in the settlements, they spend the time to really get to know each other. Building a strong foundation for the future.
So while an Aussi narrator would probably be preferable for this book William James does have a nice Aussie accent. This coming from a non-native English speaker, so I can’t tell you if it will sound authentic to natives. There is no doubt that he is a very talented narrator has a range of voices for the characters, adds in feelings and passion to his work. My only niggle, and this is a small one is his pronunciation of some words that were completely off – even to me. They weren’t many, but at times very noticeable and this distracted me from the story a bit. All in all though, I really enjoyed his narration of this book as well and am looking forward to listening to the next one.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cat
- 10-18-16
New lives, and new loves. A friends to lovers
This is the Thrid book in this series. Though Sam and Jeremy both are new characters to the station, old storylines are carried from book to book so I suggest you listen( or read them in order).
Sam Is Neil's brother and down on his luck. His wife kicked him out filed for divorce but was footing his bills. He finally contacted his brother and is going to the station to get his head on and see where to go from there to start his life over, find a job and home and hopefully a boyfriend.
Jeremy Taylor is the brother of Devlin Taylor for Tayor Peaks. Taylor had hoped to buy out Langs down after Michael passed away and there is a lot of friction there.Taylor is on Jeremies back to settle down and get married, have a family. They have a big fight and Devlin kicks Jeremy out with nothing but his clothes. Jeremy heard that since Kaine and Macklin came out as a couple some of the summer help didn't show up so he goes to see if they could use a Jackaroo.
Kaine is so kind he doesn't turn anyone away and lets Jeremy come to work. He also hires Sam to help with the books to free him up for other things, since Sam is an accountant.
The story is sweet as we follow all the different characters as they interact. I love how Ariel makes her characters so lifelike and draws me right into the story.
So you know the story is awesome, let me move on to the Narration.
William James blows me away. He is the perfect choice for this series. He has several distinct Aussie accents for the Australian characters. It is easy t tell each one just by voice alone. He doesn't make the women sound silly ( a pet peeve of mine) and he even has Kaines American accent. I have no Idea how he juggles so many voices but he does it with Clarity and style. He also interjects action in places it's needed such as worry, and the sex scenes.
If you like Sheep Stations, Australian culture, Australian accents, continuing series,friends to lovers, sweet romance, dogs, cats and horses, and two men starting new lives, and falling in love this is for you.
If you are looking for a great series t kill a week or so, I suggest grabbing this one. It makes your afternoon go fast.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rachael
- 07-26-16
Great Addition
I received a free copy of this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I have to say I was a bit wary with how this story was going to go knowing that Jeremy is a Taylor and that Sam is the brother of Neil, who didn't start out so nice toward Caine because he was gay.
However, I have to admit that I'm glad that I picked up this part of the series because I did end up loving the story and the men, as usual. I just don't think it's possible for Ariel Tachna to write an unloveable main character.
I have to say that I really this this series is getting better and better as it continues on. We are getting men from off Lang Downs coming to find a place that will help them heal emotionally and even find love, although neither is usually the intent when they land there.
I love that we get little views of previous couples from the first two books, but not so much that it takes away from the developing story.
The more I read into this series, the more I love it.
The narrator did a great job with the voices of so many men and keeping them all from sounding the same.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ben
- 04-06-15
Diminishing returns for this series
Is there anything you would change about this book?
This book really stretched credibility too far. It is so wildly unlikely that all these gay graziers are turning up at one isolated station, that I was able to overlook that. However, unlike the others in this series, the premise of the story was too flimsy and unbelievable. There is no inheritance tax in Australia. Only capital gains tax, and seeing as the story has been along the lines of showing that the business was going downhill, there may have been a tax credit rather than debit. A small family-run hardware store employing a back office business manager seems very unlikely, as does his apparent business acumen.
An Australian consultant/advisor might have been useful. In the previous books the author had clearly done a lot of research, which was impressive, but there were also Americanisms that are annoying and take the (Australian) reader out of the story. Such as the very American terms 'fixings' and 'sides' in relation to preparing food.
I think that really an isolated station is a canvass too small for all these gay characters to be introduced, couple after couple. Maybe it would have been better to continue the story of the existing couples rather than introduce another one.
Would you be willing to try another book from Ariel Tachna? Why or why not?
I loved the earlier books in this series, but it has become tire now. I would give her other books a try as I did enjoy the earlier ones so much.
What aspect of William James’s performance would you have changed?
This is difficult. I would say that although a long way from perfect, his Australian accent is by far the best that I have heard from an American. Having said that, it is also entirely unconvincing, closer to a weird New Zealand/South African hybrid than an Australian accent, and I have grown less tolerant as the series continues. The mispronunciation of words used heavily throughout the series - especially place names and brand names - becomes increasingly irritating and distracting. Words like jackaroo, Drizabone and Yass. Instead of following the story I am thinking 'why hasn't he looked up how to pronounce these words?'. As does the strange way that words that should be pronounced the same way as an American accent are twisted into strange forms.
I don't know why Audible continues to employ American readers for Australian and British roles. There are so many British and Australian actors in the US, why not give one of them a try?
Having said that, the rest of his performance is good enough to get me listening. With other readers, such as Max Lehnen's awful attempts at a British accent on Sue Brown's books, I can't get more than ten minutes into it before giving up in despair. He has distinct voices for each of the characters. So he has done a very good job apart from the accent.
Was Outlast the Night worth the listening time?
Not really, I only stuck with it because I had invested so much time with the previous books. If it was the first I had read, I think I would have stopped listening fairly early on.
Any additional comments?
The first two books of the series are worth reading. However, maybe give this one a miss.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Christine J.
- 07-08-14
Sweet romance on an Australian sheep station
This review was originally written for Prism Book Alliance.
Story Rating: 3.5 Stars
Narration Rating: 4.0 Stars
Overall Rating: 3.75 Stars
When Sam Embry loses his job and his wife, he has no one to turn to except for his brother, Neil, who takes him in and helps him land a job as the accountant at the Australian sheep station, Lang Downs. Jeremy Taylor also needs to rebuild and relocate after taking all he can stand from his bigoted brother. These two newcomers form a quick friendship they both need while struggling with a mutual attraction neither is ready to act upon. They both need to overcome their personal obstacles in order to focus on a future together.
I enjoyed this sweet story, the third in the Lang Downs series. Not having read the previous two titles, I was a bit concerned that I might have difficulty following at this point. I did struggle at the very beginning with some of the character names, but I quickly caught on. The author does a good job of providing just enough backstory to fill in necessary plot and character information, and I felt this allowed Outlast the Night to function well as a standalone. Always a fan of settings in Australia, I found the Lang Downs station and its jackaroos charming and likable. It was a bit like spending a week on vacation, getting to observe a small slice of life in a faraway land.
The main characters of Jeremy and Sam were compassionate, genuine, and tender. I truly cared about these two and wanted them to connect and build a relationship. I only wish I could have seen more of their backgrounds. It would have been easier to understand Sam’s confidence and self-doubt issues if the author had perhaps provided a bit more insight into his relationship with his ex-wife. Flashbacks or more expansion on his history with her could have added more dimension to his character, adding in an extra layer sympathy for him and his struggle to overcome his insecurities. Sam and Jeremy are sweet with one another, but the chemistry is lacking a bit. Though there is a mutual attraction, there is very little “action,” and it would have been more enticing to see the tension kicked up a notch or two to make up for the lack of physical contact. I also felt that there was never any major conflict for these two to overcome, just some small bumps in the road that were resolved with little struggle. I appreciate the low angst approach, but I think there might have been a bit too much side story that took attention away from further development of Sam and Jeremy’s plot line.
That being said, I did enjoy Outlast the Night and am so intrigued by the original characters and the setting that I plan to go back and read the first two books. The author has created a lovely universe with interesting people, and I would truly enjoy a return trip to Lang Downs to get acquainted with the other characters and immerse myself in their stories.
Narration:
Narrator William James does a good job of bringing the characters of this story to life and is skilled at alternating American and Australian accents. His voice is pleasant and well modulated and inflected, and I would definitely pick up his narrated works in the future.