Touched

Marnie Baranuik Files, Book 1

By: A. J. Aalto

Narrated by: Amy McFadden

Length: 18 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

The media has a nickname for Marnie Baranuik, though she'd rather they didn't; they call her the Great White Shark, a rare dual-talented forensic psychic. Twice-Touched by the Blue Sense - which gives her the ability to feel the emotions of others, and read impressions left behind on objects - Marnie also has a doctorate in preternatural biology and a working knowledge of the dark arts. She is considered without peer in the psychic community.

Then her first big FBI case ended with a bullet in one shoulder and a chip on the other, a queasy heart and a serial killer in the wind, leaving her a public flop and a private wreck. When the FBI's preternatural crimes unit tracks her down at a remote mountain lodge for her insight on a local case, her quiet retirement is promptly besieged by a stab-happy starlet, a rampaging ghoul, and a vampire-hunting jackass in tight Wranglers. Marnie figures the only real mystery is which one will kill her first.

Too mean to die young, backed up by friends in cold places, and running with a mouth as demure as a cannon's blast, Marnie Baranuik is about to discover that there's no such thing as quitting time when you're Touched.

©2011 A. J. Aalto (P)2017 Tantor

Hilarious, Sexy, Snarky, and Absolutely Unique!

What did you love best about Touched?
I absolutely LOVE the snark, humor, and action. But mostly it's so nice to actually have a book with a real story line, plot, character development, it's non stop entertainment.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
never ending action or witty banter.

What does Amy McFadden bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
I read this book and was delighted when they added it to audible, although I was nervous ( I am the ultimate narrator snob) Amy was a perfect choice, she is amazing at holding character, accents, and different voices without sounding like an idiot. I would listen to her again in a heartbeat

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
So amazeballs we had to make it into a Movie!!! well, okay, so I"ll never make a career in marketing. But I would watch this movie, for realsies.

Any additional comments?
if you like books like the Kate Daniels series, Charlie Davidson, Iron druid, or Mercy Thompson this book is absolutely for you!

Disappointing.

In all honesty the dialogues are icredebly 'witty' as one commenter says, but the story overall is badly overshadowed by the inadequate heroine. I could have loved this book if someone had plucked out Marty and exchanged her with someone else. I kept trying to find something to like about her and it just wasn't happening. She is moody, unreasonable, and woefully egotistical in my opinion. the author kept trying to portrait her as some 'darling can do no wrong' type, but the result is an annoying Mary sue know it all trying inafectually to stomp her desire for Mark the FBI agent but is still bitter that her vampire (oh excuse me) revenant 'partner' won't take her for a romp in the sheet. At this point I don't think even she know what she want. Made it almost halfway trough chapter 33 before giving up.

Also the mystery is a little interesting but not so much as to be compared to Sherlock and Moriarty's incredible rivalry, I assume that is where the author was going with the sherlock and Marty names. Again the dialogues are quite injoable, as the story is quite lengthy (which I like in a book) you get a lot of that. I expecially like Harry and his infinite and creative pet names. but not enough for me to endure the protagonist.

why

All of the characters in this book are constantly and unbelievably horny, like they can't go five minutes without thinking or talking about how much they want to bone the main character and how she wants to bone everyone else. There's also a minor subplot about vampires and magic or something.

False advertising

I am not vampire fan - the only good vampire is a dead vampire. The romanticizing of vampires is exasperating. The description did not mention vampires, If it had I would not have purchased it.
The wining and gnashing of teeth further detracted from any enjoyment.

nothing much to say but meh.

Aside from the narrator who did a fantastic job as always, the book just didn't hit any good spot. The main character was immature in her ways of thinking and doing things, and the love triangle throughout the book go especially annoying once things seem to work out/heat up with was of the love interests. Almost felt like cheating to a extent.

Great Story, if a Gross One

I really enjoyed this book. The main character is a hoot, if foul mouthed. She's painfully human, meaning she's not perfect. However, there are times when she says and does things that are ingenious. There are parts that made me laugh out loud and others that made me cringe. There is a LOT of grossness in here, given what the story is about, so it's not unexpected. I highly recommend this book. As for the narration, Amy McFadden is a delightful discovery! She brings Marnie and her world to vivid life. I am eager to read and listen to the next book!

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned 2.5**

First the PC term is revenant instead of vampire. Not to throw color water on the great reviews, I can only give it a 2.5 and that is because a new twist to the “Renfield”, the vampire’s side kick. Throughout the centuries, Renfiled has been portrayed as an insane slave, cultured man servant, a hopeful future vampire. There are, white and black witches; ghouls and zombies mindlessly roam; demons exist take control of people.

In Touched, the vampire has a daysitter. The daysitter is someone, usually a male/female pair. It is a blood donor, protector, companion and lover to the vampire. The vampire and the daysitter are bonded, which means they agreed to a partnership. That bond has different levels of emotional and psychology connection. The daysitter acquires and shares the talents of the vampire. Some of the daysitters and vampire relationships are part of the family lineage.

From the summary you know that Marnie Baranuik is the media darling. In the novel she is depicted as a horny, selfish, combative woman who run into trouble without any thought. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. She berates her human lover, Mark, an FBI agent and vampire hunter, for their one-night stand, desires another roll in the hay and hates herself for her feelings. She is frustrated because, Harry, her vampire, will not take their bonding to a sexual level. Therefore, she does a lot of drooling over their asses and abs.

Using the bonded relationships to help in investigations in preternatural crimes has a lot of potential. It could have worked better Marnie was a better investigator instead of a horny bitch. She is knowledge in the vampire psychology, which is regenerated in a childish, Na na nana matter. Yet, in the instances where she must use her witch skills, she gets is woefully wrong. For the most part the dialogue is witty and charming. Harry is very British cultured and has groomed Marnie to accommodate his taste. Much of the action is because Marnie does something stupid. I would like to see it driven by the investigation. I will try the next book because like Harry. If Marnie is driven still sexual desires and has to swear to communicate I will be finish.

Something pleasantly different

This is not just another cut and paste paranormal book and is fast paced enough to keep you wanting more. The story line is well defined and easy to follow with some surprising twists and unexpected moments. Just as you think you know what’s going to happen next,your pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the main love interests and the whole story was well written.#magicalsystems,#vampires,#urbanfantasy,#provocative,#magical,#tagsgiving,#sweepstakes

The narrator is the only part of the book I enjoy

The heroine is an idiot. Not enough backstory is given. plot has multiple holes. No character progression.

I love the narrator.

Main plot device is whining

The main plot device is the incessant whining of the main character. My wife and I couldn’t take it for more than 2 chapters. I can’t tell how much the narrator contributed to the effect, but for the most part the narration was OK. I think it was just the writing. I think the author confuses whining and annoying for cute and endearing. Ugh. No thanks.

Diverting but not satisfying

Well read and amusing in places, but far, far to long for the amount of actual plot in the book. All the constant back and forth of lusting after the two 'love' interests is tedious after the millionth example of it.

Spot on

Amy McFadden was the perfect choice to narrate. She was without a doubt the ideal marnie and got marnies quirky personality and amusing swearing combos down to a T. Lovely to finally hear one of my favourite series

Great listen, and g reader, hope there is a series

This book was surprisingly hard to stop listening too, slightly addictive, great story and well read!!!

Brilliant piece of writing

Aalto has produced an excellent piece of work with a good balance of characters and wonderful turns of phrase.
On a negative note, I found many scenes far too long winded and overdone. I think the novel could have been about 20% shorter.
That said, I don’t think there was a single badly written line in the whole novel.

Great narration of a drawn out story

I confused myself with this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the narrators performance, and the characters and the storyline were interesting... so why do I feel like I didn't enjoy it so much? I found myself drifting off with my thoughts and not paying attention then realising something interesting had happened and having to rewind to re-listen, and this happened more as I got through the book, which is unusual for me.
The answer? it's too long. the story line is good but could have been much more punchy, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, but it was drawn out too much with too much inner dialogue from the main character that I think I just got bored with after a bit until something interesting happened in the story. Her musings were often repetitive and over-done.

The narrator was fantastic and her portrayal of the characters distinctive. I will definitely look out for her again.

Cheap thrills

Very disappointing although the original idea is intriguing.

This is not the first book in the series as stated, so the reader is plunged into an existing plotline which necessitates much explanation. The dialogue is tedious and crude, the narrator mispronounces many words and the writer seems to be writing the scenes of intimacy and sex for effect rather than as part of the plot. The heroine is drawn as being stupid and shallow which makes it difficult to engage with her and the humour, such as it is, is crude. The whole novel could have done with heavy editing.

Absolute flop from this listener's point of view and I will not be finishing the book.

A bit disappointing

Would you try another book written by A. J. Aalto or narrated by Amy McFadden?

Unfortunately no. The main character was supposed to be a sarcastic hard-ass, but the writing didn't fit it, and even the few lines that would line up wasn't performed as such by the narrator.

What was most disappointing about A. J. Aalto’s story?

It had a great set up, wonderful potential, and interesting takes on urban fantasy. But never was successfully followed through. The protagonist's main characteristics were only known because of how others referred to her, not in how she talked, thought or moved. Someone who was supposed to never be the kind who gave in to sexual desires sure thought a lot about it. The whole story ended up being a fantasy slashfic smashed into an urban fantasy detective book.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Often read lines without the inflection necessary for the character, though this may have been the failing of the writer more than the narrator. Hard to tell.

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

It had an interesting set up, and a unique take on some of the class urban fantasy elements. Unfortunately just didn't follow through with it