Smolder

Ignite Series, Book 2

By: Nora Phoenix

Narrated by: Kenneth Obi

Length: 6 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's Summary

In a world where it’s every man for himself, all they can do is hold on to each other...

Austin, Mack, and Tan have found a safe spot at the deserted farm. They have food and shelter, but what will the cost be of defending their little slice of heaven? 

Unexpected visitors keep showing up, and it becomes harder and harder to tell friends from enemies. The line between right and wrong becomes more and more blurred. 

They grow closer and closer, finding comfort in each other, but when disaster strikes and threatens what has blossomed between them, will they find a way through this?

While the world around them burns, all they have are each other.

Smolder is the second book in the suspenseful Ignite series - a slow burn MMM survival romance set in an alternative world. The romance heats up in this second book, and the men will find their happily ever after in book three.

©2020 Nora Phoenix (P)2020 Nora Phoenix

Smolder

Three men who have each lived through different circumstances find themselves drawn to each other in these difficult times. Mack, Tan and Austin come from such different worlds but the feelings that they have for each other push those differences away. While the three try to survive not only aliens but the soldiers of the very race that is supposed to protect them.

I enjoyed seeing the way the men find a common ground and learn to survive. Each man has his own demons and must find a way to work through them and soon realizes that the others are there to support them no matter what. When outside forces enter the picture and cause the men to nearly lose what they have just recently found Mack, Austin and Tan make some hard and life changing decisions. I loved these men and am eager to see where the next part of their adventure will take them. Narrator Kenneth Obi does a good job of keeping the story flowing and giving the emotions the men feel life. My only negative was that I was not fond of the voice used for Mack.

Unexpectedly loved this so much

I have no idea what compelled me to pick up this audiobook. I mean, I have loved Nora Phoenix’s other books. And I adore the voice work of Kenneth Obi. But post-apocalyptic dystopian tales are not usually my thing. Maybe it was my greed for another MMM story. Whatever the circumstances, I’m super happy it happened.

Tan, Mack and Austin are fantastic characters and their love story is a slow-burn for sure but so sweet and emotional. The spiderbots are super creepy, the aliens alarming (except Pax) and the world a hard-to-imagine place. Despite all this, it is a book about hope and love and I ate it up.

Obi, as usual, did a super job giving each character their own voice profile and even had a way of voicing characters “inside thoughts” that made it clear what was going on.

My only complaint is that book 3 (which promises the long-awaited HEA) isn’t out yet in audio. However, that gives me time to go back and pick up book #1 in audio (Ignite), re-listen to book 2 and then be fully ready for book 3!

a great post Apocalypse story

Mack, Austen, and Tan are on a farm that has plenty of food to get them through the winter if they are careful and they seem safe until visitors keep arriving. Will they be able to keep their supplies hidden and stay safe or will they have to move on and be at the mercy of the aliens again?

There is lots of action in this book as was the first. The three men’s relationship evolves and begins to heat up. So, there is a little more hot sex Nora Phoenix-style in this book. She really has a way with threesomes that I like. It is never about the sex, but the men involved and also shows how difficult that type of relationship is. I like this storyline and all the subplots. Not only is it about the alien attack, but how others are trying to find safety, the war around them and their own personal survival.

Kenneth Obi gives the story lots of life with all of the inflections of his voice and never makes you feel he is just reading a book.

Absolutely Fantastic

I read this series before listening to it so I knew I enjoyed the story going in. But the added dimension of Kenneth’s narration made me love this story even more!! Absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a fantastically written and narrated dystopian series that takes you away from the real world!

good second instalment

Would I listen to it again: yes
Did the story keep me engaged: yes
Was I invested in the characters: yes

Story comment: nice pace, good character development and an interesting addition to the series. I like that each of the characters is strong, and they have their own strengths and knowledge to help them survive, but that their are lingering effects after what they have been through.

Narrator comment: Kenneth Obi continues a stellar performance on Smolder. I had no problem distinguishing characters and the rhythm, inflections and intonations all worked to bring the book and it's characters to life.

A great continuation!

I really liked this book, especially since it’s a bit realistic because the main characters are not completely fine after something happens to them. Whether it’s mental or physical health, it’s not just mentioned and then forgotten as of it never happened.
The narration was on point. As to be expected from Kenneth Obi.
Can’t wait to start book three and see how the story ends.

So good

Well I don’t think this book couldn’t have come out at a better time. With all the covid19 virus lockdown going on it really struck a chord. Not gonna lie it freaked me out for a few minutes. This book though was amazing!! I highly recommend this book.i love Kenneth Obi’s narration. I appreciate always being able to tell which character was talking because of the voices he uses. Listen to this book!

can't wait for book two

I love this series. I am greating anticipating the next volume! It was a wonderful listen and wholey unique.

This series as awesome!

I love the dynamic between the 3 MC. I love watching them learn and grow together and overcome the challenges they face. kennith Obi is doing a fantastic job giving them a voice. Now I need book 3.

Great series

This series just keeps getting better. I don’t usually like dystopian stories but this one is fantastic. Nora Phoenix has a great talent for writing complex characters and interesting story lines. Narration was great. I really enjoy how Kenneth Obi is bringing these stories to life!

Interesting story

The concept is interesting and reasonable well written. The characters are likeable and the narration is very good.

Great

This is the second instalment and builds on the first book

The story moves on and we get to know the guys better, I enjoyed the developing relationship and the back histories.

The performance is excellent, I love the way the story is told by Ken Obi

Looking forward to the next instalment

Even better than book 1

Smolder is book 2 in the Ignite series by Nora Phoenix and narrated by Kenneth Obi. Book 2 was even better than Book 1 and was full of excitement as our 3 MCs (Tan, Mack and Austin) explore new challenges. The narration was flawless in book 1 and that continued for this addition to the story as well. I love his take on Mack, but Pax may be a close second. I love how their relationship is continuously growing and changing overtime, much like the each of the characters themselves, which I thought added a lot to the story. I can’t wait to see how it continues in book 3.

So Exciting! Kenneth Obi is Wonderful!

Smolder, the second book in Nora Phoenix’s dystopian Ignite series, takes off right where Ignite leaves off. I’ve been doing the audio books, performed by the wonderful Kenneth Obi, and I don’t know how I’m going to wait for the final book Burn to be out in audio!

Lots of surprises! I’m not going to spoil anything, so you’ll have to see for yourselves, but Nora Phoenix’s imagination is astonishing. There are so many clever twists, interesting explanations, and creative solutions, I’ve been enjoying every moment of this trilogy.

The three main characters are fascinating, each with a very compelling backstory, and when they come together during the dramatic moments? Well, Nora Phoenix is really telling a story with many different levels, and it’s been amazing.

Mr. Obi pulls out all the stops in his performance in Smolder. Each of these characters are so different, and he adds something special to each of them. This episode also includes an interesting bunch of side characters, and Mr. Obi keeps them distinct with each one’s voice and inflections.

 an audiobook copy of Smolder was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review

Ideal middle book

It took me a while to get into this book. Not because of anything wrong with the writing or narration...both of which are excellent...but because I am so invested in this trio and desperately want their happiness. By chapters 4/5, I was drawn back in to the farm setting and the group dynamics, and knew I had to face a bit of pain before I got my reward.

So really, this is the ideal middle book. Their relationship continues to grow slowly, as it should when faced with Mack's innocence. We learn more about Tan's past and witness the depth of his trauma. We see how much Austin is affected by not knowing what happened to a beloved family member. There is also more information about the bots and the aliens courtesy of the mysterious Pax. I so want to know more about him.

The narration by Kenneth Obi is a huge part of why I am enjoying this series, along with the excellent penmanship of Nora Phoenix. I am so tempted to read the final book...but I will wait impatiently for the audiobook.

loved

this was amazing.. i will admit this isnt my favorite series to read.. im not big into dystopian or whatever genre lol.. but i really really enjoy this one on audio.. it is wonderful sexy and interesting. i like how kenneth does the personalities and emotions of these characters.. so amazing!

Trying to navigate a new reality

Austin, Mack and Tan have found relative safety on a farm.
They begin the slow process of getting to know one another.
They're still trying to come to grips with their stark new way of life.
Strangers show up and they begrudgingly take them in, not understanding the impact it would have on them, leading to disastrous consequences.
As they're left reeling from this fallout, Tan's past psychological traumas rear their ugly head and Austin and Mack are nearly defenseless in their struggle to help him heal.
The boiling point is coming to head, and it's going to be a doozy so strap in for a bumpy ride.
As usual, Ken Obi has done an outstanding job of bringing this story to life.
His narration brings these characters to life.

Fabulous again!

Again this really isn’t the sort of thing I would usually listen to but as aliens really aren’t my thing but the way Nora Phoenix writes and the way Kenneth Obi narrates makes such a combination that the result is fire! Give it a go... you won’t be disappointed.

Second of three

Smolder is the third part of three books. It is not a stand alone.
The story is about three guys escaping from a converting camp/prison when ailiens attack the earth.
It is all about surviving a war as fugitives and at the same time get to know eachother and their different background issues.
Slow burn and sweet.
With Nora’s words and Kenneth’s voice I feel I’m right there!

as great as the ebook

The story is always full stars, because if I wouldn't like the story as ebook, I wouldn't listen to the audiobook. I can't listen to an audiobook without knowing the book, that's not possible for me.

The performance from the narrator is also very important for me. I can't listen to a lot, because my English as a non-native-speaker isn't so perfect to follow a whole story over hours, when the narrator speaks too fast or too sloppy. Normally I have to SEE the person, who is talking to me in English. Kenneth Obi is one of the top 5 narrators (so far) for me, I can listen without break and have no problems to follow. I'm just not yet finish with the book, but I listen enough to give a review.

PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings:

5* - very very good
it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often re-listening
it's like an A

3* - it's more then a one-time-listening.
it's like a B