A Risk Worth Taking

By: Laura Landon

Narrated by: James Langton

Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

Tormented by the deaths of his wife and child, Griffin Blackmoor spends his days drowning his grief in whiskey. But when a bullet that was meant for him kills his best friend, Griffin makes a promise to the dying man that will thrust him back into London Society - and into the path of the one woman who could make his life worth living again.

The daughter of a drunkard, Lady Anne Carmichael swore she would never love a man like Griffin Blackmoor. But when he rescues her during her darkest hour, Anne cannot ignore the effect Griffin's haunted eyes - or his soul-stirring kiss - have on her guarded heart. He is everything she never wanted. So why does his love feel like exactly what she needs?

©2013 Laura Landon (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

A PG romance with a serious subject

This is a PG romance book. If you are looking for steamy love scenes...this is not the book for you. If you want a hero and heroine that want to deny their feelings until they can deny no more....then this IS the book for you.

The author tries to use alcoholism as a issue in the relationship...but she doesn't use it to make the book too serious where it brings you down. Which is obviously not the way alcoholism usually plays out in people's lives....but it's a fiction romance book.

I usually don't like male narrators but I really enjoyed this one. James Langton is the best male narrator I have heard yet.

This book is a good easy listen....It is a cheap book so it is worth the price. I wouldn't use a credit simply because it is cheap.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Ok, but too clichè

I have only just discovered Laura Landon and, after enjoying Intimate Deception, I thought I'd give this a try. While I probably wouldn't use a credit on it, I was happy enough with what I got for the price of the kindle edition with added narration.

The story was compelling enough to keep me interested but I have to say the extended monologue by the cackling villian while the helpless heroine waits for the hero to make his move was just a little too clichèd for me. Also, unless the concept of smuggling is completely foreign to you ( and by foreign I mean you have NEVER heard the term 'smuggler' and you do not have even the most elementary understading of the topic) then the 'murder mystery' will become no more than a predictable sub plot within the first three chapters. Still, the story was interesting enough to carry the predictable mystery even if I did feel that the M.C's came across as pretty dim everytime they stood around wondering who was trying to kill them and tried to figure out what the deal was with the parcel of land Annie inherited.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

James Langton is the perfect narrator

Would you listen to A Risk Worth Taking again? Why?

I probably would not listen to A Risk Worth Taking again because I don't reread any books. But if I did it would be because of Langton's narration.

What did you like best about this story?

No heavy descriptions about the sex.

What about James Langton’s performance did you like?

This story was primarily told from the man's perspective and most of the characters were men. Langton also does wonderful accents.

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

No.

Any additional comments?

I've read other books by Laura Landon and I have enjoyed them all.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Maybe it's time for a break from this author

If you've never read any of her other books or if it's been a while ... Go for it. If not you'll start to see the reuse of scenes from her other books in this one ... Which is annoying. Some parts of this one didn't make much sense. The girls brother died and left her nothing but a piece of land ... Turns out the land was being used by the man who inherited the estate to smuggle opium. Why on earth would a brother put his sister in danger that way? And not warn her when he found out before he died. And he didn't tell his best friend who could have done something about it? The story line just seemed kind of forced. And the couple lacked something. Not completely horrible but I won't be listening to it again.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Not worth risking

It was good enough that I just managed to finish it, thus 3 stars, but I won't listen to it again.
The hero and heroine were both nice people you could care about, but the mystery solution was obvious way before our hero figured it out. His inability to Identity the villain contributed to his seeming TSTL (too stupid to live), along with his overwrought pining for his wife and child, whose death he blamed on himself.
The narrator had a good voice but he was overdramatic, and I didn't like his voice for the heroine.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Weak Hero and Heroine

These two where too dumb to deal with... a woman too proud and definitely didn’t not understand the concept survival. She was very irrational for a 26 women down on her luck.

Griffin did not seem to understand the use of clues. Particularly one whom suppose worked as a spy in the war office.

Had to fastward to most of that angst ... lord help me from the impoverished overly privileged population

Great Read/Listening

Loved the struggle to find love and peace. A tragedy to find forgiveness and love.

A classic tale with a lively finale.

What did you love best about A Risk Worth Taking?

I enjoyed the inter-twining plot threads involving several minor characters as this made the ending more unpredictable.

If you’ve listened to books by Laura Landon before, how does this one compare?

To be honest, I thought at first that I'd already heard this book before as the storyline was so familiar at the beginning, but it did develop after a while and ended on a less predictable note than I'd feared.

Which character – as performed by James Langton – was your favorite?

The guilt-driven hero, Griffin Blackmore, aroused my sympathy.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I enjoyed the tension of Anne's rescue from the cave.

Any additional comments?

James Langton is a wonderful narrator who can lift any story above the average. This man is a consummate professional and a delight to listen to. I do hope he is frequently employed on audiobooks.

2 of 4 people found this review helpful

Great narration, weak story

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The storyline was predictable and not very well executed. The hero was too involved in having his own pity-party and the heroine was a stereotypical damsel in distress. The one thing in the book I thought was well done was the treatment of the hero's alcoholism and his recovery.

What was most disappointing about Laura Landon’s story?

Unfortunately, it was disappointing overall. I don't mind predictable or "been done before" provided the execution is good or there are other redeeming features, like compelling characters or good dialogue... both of which were sadly lacking here.

Which character – as performed by James Langton – was your favourite?

Thank goodness for James Langton - he's the sole reason I kept listening! Griff (the hero) became attractive in Mr Langton's hands (voice!) and all his character voices were appropriate and well-differentiated.

Do you think A Risk Worth Taking needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Sadly, I think the book itself needs a re-write, let alone a follow up!

Any additional comments?

Loved the narration - Mr Langton has a very attractive and soothing voice, and I'd happily listen to him anytime. Sadly, the story itself was lacklustre and not even the excellent narration could save it.