Caleb

Shadow Wranglers, Book 1

By: Sarah McCarty

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The loss of control. The fear of desire. Allie always thought that mysteriously sexy rancher Caleb Johnson wanted her as much as she wanted him. But since he never acted on it, she was ready to admit defeat. Until the night she was attacked by a vicious wolf, only to be rescued by another. In the triumphant, bloodied male, there was something Allie recognized - the baritone growl, the mesmerizing eyes, the inexplicable animal attraction. Her savior was Caleb.

A rogue vampire living with his three equally rogue brothers and the McClaren werewolf pack, Caleb never wanted to bring the woman he secretly desired into his dark and dangerous world. But when she's targeted by his enemies, his only choice is to protect her. But how can someone as alive, as vulnerable, as human as Allie survive in the shadows with him?

©2009 Sarah McCarty (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A fast-paced story with multifaceted characters, scorching sex, deadpan humor and a spunky heroine who's a perfect match for her alpha hero." ( Romantic Times)

If Audible gave Refunds, this is my 1st Request

Ok, first I never bash a book. Check out my reviews and you will see. This book was really really terrible. Its the first book I couldn't finish. Even my husband who is an avid reader and writer came in a time or two and asked me what I was listening to, followed with an astonished "Why". I admit, I waited it out hoping it would get better. I finally turned it off unhappy and unsatisfied. I never understood where the author was taking me. The book seemed focused on a strange love and transformation of the main character, and the sexual relations of the two after that. I love a good love story and am open minded when it comes to sex, this was not good at all. The plot was underdeveloped at best, and the characters lacked depth. I am sorry if this book appeals to you, and would love to hear what people liked about the book. For this was the worst pick of the year. If I could ask for a refund or credit on any book in my library of more then 100 audio books this would be the one I'd pick hands down.

Didn't finish listening

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I am not sure if I know anyone to recommend this to.

What could Sarah McCarty have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Maybe a little more character development. I found I did not care.

What didn’t you like about Tavia Gilbert’s performance?

I am not convinced that the performance was the bad part.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Indifference. Boredom.

Make it stop >.<

What disappointed you about Caleb?

This was not what I was expecting at all. After reading the short summery for the book, I thought it was just going to be a saucy southern romance novel, which I was what I was looking for. Then I find out that Caleb is a vampire? A cowboy vampire? And the only way Allie agrees to go along with Caleb is if he gives her an orgasm? I had to stop the book and go back and reread the review because I thought I clicked on the wrong one only to find the rest of the summery for the book on the books main page. Regardless, the story was terrible, I hated Allie as she only sounded like whine teenager that wanted sex. I wouldn't even recycle this book if I had it in my hands. I would just burn it and never think about it again.

Would you ever listen to anything by Sarah McCarty again?

No

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I have listened to her before, and she does awesome in other books. Her performance in this one was really disappointing. I blame the director and not her though.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I was able to delete it from my phone and computer. That's a redeeming quality, right?

Any additional comments?

I feel completely mislead and I have no idea how this book got such a high rating. Part of me thinks the author got a bunch of her friends to say nice things about the book so people like me will lose a credit to find out it's trash. After this book, I am going to read every review before I buy something now as the overall rating on some books just seems like miscalculated result.

If it could be rated with no stars I would

I have several hundred books in my library and of all of them I place this at the bottom. I could not even finish it. I have a number of books with vampires and other paranormals that I have enjoyed. But how much blood does one story need.

Did not finish

Boring. Could not connect with the characters or vamp world. Surprised as I have liked other works of the same author.

Tavia Gilbert saves the day! More story needed

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

There should have been some development of the characters. The only two you even get a glimpse into are the two main characters, and very little. She could have talked more about each of their pasts and why they are like they are. The pack or clan that helps them in the end should have had at least two of their characters developed. The reason the Johnsons don't get along with the wolf clan should be included. The table scene was monotonous. Caleb, Ally and the three brothers talk and talk with little or no point. There was little banter or humor. Also, the story seemed to go from one sex scene to the next.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Dresden, Discovery of Witches, Nighthuntress

What does Tavia Gilbert bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She does all the characters very well. She is the reason I bought the book. She was superb. I think you should let her edit or make suggestions since she narrated The Night Huntress books perfectly and they had great characters, great sex scenes and humorous banter.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Tavia. There is so much potential. The characters could be developed and more background of the clans pasts.

Any additional comments?

I would say don't use a credit but if it is on sale give it a try.

Slow and frustrating

The book moves to slow. and the lack of growth in the story is just frustrating.

Monotonous and Boring

Would you try another book from Sarah McCarty and/or Tavia Gilbert?

I thought the characters were simpering and flip flopped from trying to be strong to being a whimp. The narrator made the book very hard to listen to. I kept waiting for it to get better, but really spent a lot of time rolling my eyes.

Has Caleb turned you off from other books in this genre?

I have read other paranormal books that had a great deal more character substance than this. This was a bad harlequin novel

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Tavia Gilbert?

Terrible!

Just plain BLAH!!

This was my first Sarah McCarty book and I don't know what all the hullabaloo is about. The story is BORING!! Actually is there a story? No plot whatsoever, just a chick gets chased. Why? Why does the werewolf chase her and want to kill her? After she is changed to a vampire, we go through this whole I won't drink blood....meh....A whole book of her not drinking anyone's blood but her sires. OK!! We got that move on. Tavia is a good reader, but even she can't save this one. I wouldn't waste my time reading this one, even the sex scenes were boring.

Def Not For Me!

I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't get into it. Between the extremely irritating female voice and the horrible accent of Caleb, I just couldn't. Plus, as the story progressed, it just felt all over tfe place.