Thorn's Challenge

By: Brenda Jackson

Narrated by: Madison Vaughn

Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Atlanta's Westmoreland men were notoriously easy on the eyes, but champion motorcycle racer Thorn Westmoreland exuded a heat that could melt metal. Rugged and moody, he was a loner betrayed by love, a man committed to staying in control - until he met Dr. Tara Matthews.

It wasn't every day that the sexiest man on earth appeared at her door, looking like God's gift in a black leather jacket. And Tara's chances of playing it cool with a man as hot as Thorn were about as good as a snowball's in hell. But when Tara reversed roles in their game of seduction, what were the odds of Thorn - the ultimate bad boy - coming out on top?

©2005 Brenda Jackson (P)2005 Audible, Inc.

Thorn-my deepest temptation

What made the experience of listening to Thorn's Challenge the most enjoyable?

The storyline. I loved the storyline but the narration did not do the story justice. Thorn sounded like an old gruff and the brothers sounded like girls. In all, I loved the heat, the passion and the love.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Thorn's Challenge?

I loved how he always put Tara's needs before his, I loved his proposal at her parents' home, I loved how he put her ex in his place at the race and was the better person for both of their deceitful ways in the past. It was very good listening but the narration took away from it.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I loved how both Thorn and Tara tried to play the cat and mouse game but when they came together neither of them could resist each other. I loved how Thorn detected she was a virgin but never let on, classy guy!!

If you could rename Thorn's Challenge, what would you call it?

Thron's sweetest Ride

Any additional comments?

This was my first Ms Jackson's reading and I loved it. I loved the respect and passion between the characters, the fiery chemistry between Thorn and Tara although they tried to pretend that it wasn't so. I will definitely seek out some more of Ms Jackson's work. I hope she will take her readers advice and work on the narration. For such a steamy story, it needed strong voices to drive the punches home.

A so so read

I have listened to several Brenda Jackson books on audible and have gotten used to certain narrators. I did not enjoy this narrator at all and unfortunately felt her voice did not bring the story to life. The I would have enjoyed this book more had it been read by one of the other frequently used narrators of her books.

No story, poor narration.

Would you ever listen to anything by Brenda Jackson again?

Maybe, it will depend on the reviews. I should have trusted the reviews by other readers on this one.

Would you be willing to try another one of Madison Vaughn’s performances?

No. I did not like her choices in the voices for the male characters.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Thorn's Challenge?

I can not say. Could not listen for more than 10 minutes the first time. Went back but it was too painful.

Any additional comments?

I look for light sexy stories, but there needs to be a story!

Narrator could be so much better

Would you try another book from Brenda Jackson and/or Madison Vaughn?

Not without hearing a small potion of the book first

Would you ever listen to anything by Brenda Jackson again?

Probably if there were a different narrator

How could the performance have been better?

The southern accent was terrible it made the story seem so unreal that it felt like she was making fun of southerns

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

Disappointment that I am going to return this one

did not do it for me!

This book may be able to give you a few cheap thrills.
However I was able to finish it - only just.
The narrator did not do it for me - her male voices were terrible.
The dialogue was trite and unbelievable while the love scenes
appeared to be one scene repeated a dozen times.

Love those Westmoreland men

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I might recommend the book and not the audiobook, although I like narrator on this book I like to see Audible have both male and female to read their respective gender role, thereby enhancing the story coming to life.

What other book might you compare Thorn's Challenge to and why?

so far I like One Winter's Night- like all of the Westmoreland men they are very confident, strong and yet gentle and protective in a good way to the women that they love.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

As I stated earlier I like Madison Vaughn she is great as the narrator for the story and the female parts and just okay for the male parts. Again if a male narrator reads the male parts the visual will be that much greater.

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

Actually two when Derrick saw her at the club and he thought she might be still feeling unhappy and Thorn put that notion to rest. Then at the party being held for Thorn after winning the race and she overheard the brothers baiting Thorn on the joke they made to get him to admit he love Tara, but backfire- you could feel her hurt and pain.

Any additional comments?

I enjoy audible - just think of adding both male and female narrators together to read the book- do a testing or focus group from your membership based on the type of books they read or in general and see the results. I will be willing to participate in the testing/focus group.

AGAIN LOVING MRS. JACKSON

Would you consider the audio edition of Thorn's Challenge to be better than the print version?

HELL YES!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Thorn's Challenge?

WHEN HE SPOKE UP FOR TARA AT THE RACES WHEN HER EX TRIED TO TALK TO HER.

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

EVERYTHING! SHE WAS GREAT AT READING THIS.

If you could take any character from Thorn's Challenge out to dinner, who would it be and why?

STONE! FROM THE VERY FIRST BOOK, I HAVE BEEN IN LOVE WITH STONE. I'M EVEN IN LOVE WITH CHASE! YOU KNOW WHAT THE WHOLE FAMILY SOUNDS WONDERFUL.

Any additional comments?

I WISH I COULD MEET ALL OF THEM IN PERSON. THAT INCLUDES MRS. JACKSON.

just OK

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I've had better.

Would you recommend Thorn's Challenge to your friends? Why or why not?

Not really

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Slow at first

Did Thorn's Challenge inspire you to do anything?

Just to finish the book, so I could start another

thorn

What made the experience of listening to Thorn's Challenge the most enjoyable?

thorn was always mad lol never knew why until she comes in the picture

Who was your favorite character and why?

thorn

What about Madison Vaughn’s performance did you like?

she did a good job

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

i did

The book is VERY GOOD!!!!!!

Where does Thorn's Challenge rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

2

What was one of the most memorable moments of Thorn's Challenge?

When one of his brothers used their key to get in his shop.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Madison Vaughn?

Caroline Clay, Patricia R. Floyd, or Denise Burse

If you could take any character from Thorn's Challenge out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Thorn himself. I really like his character.

Any additional comments?

The book is very good, but I was very disappointed in the narrator. In my opinion, a narrator can really make or break a story and personally, Madison Vaughn broke it. For me something was missing--her voice didn't sound like anyone who was raised in Atlanta where the story takes place and where the Westmoreland family lives. Had I not read the story before listening to the audio, I would have deleted it from my collection.