Winter Oranges

By: Marie Sexton

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

Jason Walker is a child star turned teen heartthrob turned reluctant B-movie regular who's sick of his failing career. So he gives up Hollywood for northern Idaho, far away from the press, the drama of LA, and the best friend he's secretly been in love with for years.

There's only one problem with his new life: a strange young man only he can see is haunting his guesthouse. Except Benjamin Ward isn't a ghost. He's a man caught out of time, trapped since the Civil War in a magical prison where he can only watch the lives of those around him. He's also sweet, funny, and cute as hell, with an affinity for cheesy '80s TV shows. And he's thrilled to finally have someone to talk to.

But Jason quickly discovers that spending all his time with a man nobody else can see or hear isn't without its problems - especially when the tabloids find him again and make him front-page news. The local sheriff thinks he's on drugs, and his best friend thinks he's crazy. But Jason knows he hasn't lost his mind. Too bad he can't say the same thing about his heart.

©2015 Marie Sexton (P)2016 Riptide Publishing

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

This is a sweet and cute MM Romance story. I enjoyed it because it was different than any thing that I've listened to before. It's a little magical & Christmasy and left my heart a little lighter.

The narration was perfect, I really enjoy Nick J. Russo and can't wait for more of his work. He gave each guy his own voice which is exactly what I need in an MM audiobook.

Maybe the best Holiday Audiobook This Year!

When Jason Walker, a B list actor finds himself in a small town “re-thinking his life”, he’s shocked and amazed to find he’s not living alone.

Ben is the boy who “haunts” a snowglobe he finds in the house left by a previous tenant.

Jason, ironically a B list horror film star, is either crazy or Ben is real and a “ghost”.

I don’t want to give away big secrets but I will drop these morsels:
Ben and Jason find a way to “touch” one another
Jason is the only one who can see Ben
Neither knows a way other than death for them to be together in “real life”
This book ends with a delightful HEA

**

I think this may be my favorite Marie Sexton book (after her Coda series). Her writing is gorgeous and evocative and really draws the reader in from the first page.

The way she “solves” the main dilemma is both terrifying and wonderful!

I highly recommend this story to fans of the belief that love conquers all, for people who believe that there are Christmas miracles, to believers in magic and to fans of sweet and sappy romances everywhere!

5 of 5 stars

Audio

Nick J Russo does another amazing job. He’s easy to listen to and really carries the emotion well. My only disappointment was that he didn’t give Ben an “old fashioned” voice or any sort of voice inflection or accent. He sounds just as anyone else would in our day in time and I guess – in a way that makes sense – but I was hoping for something a little different. Just something to remind us that his voice is coming from a music box…

In any case, it was still wonderful and a fantastic way to experience this amazing story!

4.5 of 5 stars

Overall 5 of 5 stars

If you buy one audio book this year get this one

I don't know if I can relay to you how amazing this story is it has everything from two very strong main characters to a creepy home. This book is on my re-read list. Marie Sexton choose the perfect narrator for this. Nick J. Russo made this come more to life. Fantastic work both the author and the narration.

Hauntingly romantic

Would you consider the audio edition of Winter Oranges to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the print version, but Nick J Russo brings the story to life so I would imagine that would. The story is so good its a win either way!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ben! He is unusual. Both only 21 around 150 years he is sweet, naive but caring and compassionate. if only we all could see the world through Ben's eyes.

What about Nick J. Russo’s performance did you like?

I love Nick J Russo. I love the way gives each character a personality of its own. I like the soft whispers and the way he projects each character's view into the story.

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

I had many reactions. I wanted to smack Dylan. I nearly cried when Dylan left the first time to go see a girl, leaving Jason alone. I could feel Jason's heart break. and of course, the end was very emotional.

Any additional comments?

Jason is a b -list actor and ready to retire. or at least take off for a while.He has been in love with his best friend for a long time and needs a break from both work and his emotions. He spots a face in the guest house and eventually investigates.He finally gets over his fears and finds out Ben isn't a ghost but has been sealed n the globe by his sister to prevent him from joining the civil war.

Ben is adorable. He is sweet, naive and still sees the world as an unjaded young man.
The more Jason see Ben the closer they become.

Winter Oranges is amazing! It is a sweet story with intriguing characters.The story is beautifully written. There was so much emotion in the story. I think it's one of the best I have listened to this year. I was pulled n from the beginning and didn't want to stop once I started.

If you like horror actors, a hint of magic, and a very sweet romance this is for you!

I loved it, one of my favorites

great storyline , loved the narrator.great ending. can't wait to get another from the same author

A story that is one of a kind

I have never read, or listened in this case, to another book like this. I'm 31 and have been a readaholic for the better part of 20 years. This book truly is one of a kind. I have always loved snowglobes but have never thought, "Is there something alive in there???" As absurd as it sounds I'm now rethinking All of the snowglobes I've ever come across lol but then it makes me sad that maybe there was a 170 year old spirit trapped in there just wanting to get out and interact with anyone. This is an amazing story and a must read/listen. So many emotions came out of these characters I truly felt like I was in the book with them. Happiness, sadness, doubt, pain, love, fear, hopefulness..... The list is endless. I know most authors are proud of their work or they wouldn't publish them. (At least good authors wouldn't) but Marie Sexton has went above and beyond on this book!!

A uniquely beautiful story

Ben is a breath of fresh air that breathes new life into you. Just what Jason needed. A uniquely different story than I'm used to which I enjoyed immensely. I was so involved with this book to the point I felt I was there witnessing it all unfold. Happiness, joy, sadness, pain, doubt, love, understanding, and hope, so much hope. Beautifully narrated as well, Nick's performance was the icing on that of this audiobook. I will never look at snow globes the same again!

Creepy But Romantic

I have enjoyed listening to this book, but I found it very creepy. It's creepy but romantic.

So sweet

I love Marie Sexton and I’m embarrassed to say I’ve had this audio in my collection for years but hadn’t listened to it. When book 2 came out, I planned a double listen.

This audio is just lovely in so many ways. First, Nick J. Russo did a great job narrating it - he always does stellar work and he nailed this one.

Secondly, was the story. The premise is so simple and yet so difficult to execute. Benjamin is stuck in a magic snow globe. Crazy, right? No one can see him, but he’s seen the world go by since the Civil War. I ached for him – knowing about almost everything that’s happened in the world, yet never being able to talk to anyone about it.

Jason’s the opposite of protected. He was a child star and exploited repeatedly for his star status. He’s had several run-ins with the tabloids and is super paranoid. Every once and a while I’d think he was over the top and then I’d remember some of the things TMZ has shown over the years without a care for who they might hurt.

Okay, so Jason can see Benjamin. But they can’t touch. Unless… (Okay, magic stuff that you’ll just have to read the book to find out about.)

I loved this story. I loved the possibilities and, most especially, I loved the ending. I was so excited I dove into the second one right away.

Amazing story

I don’t think I was prepared for how quickly this story drew me in and held my attention. I found myself wanting more and more and finished it in one day. Great book. Great story and great narrator

Enjoyable Story

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

3.5 stars

This was a nice story. Preferred the book Promises by this author more - which was the first book by this author I heard, and inspired me to get more.

lovely

I didn't know what to expect from this book. it was areally unusual but lovely Christmas story. very sweet and not too much angst.

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.

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. Nick J Russo is one of the top 5 narrators 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

heartbreakingly angsty, I loved it!

This story kept me on the edge of my seat. I adored Ben and Jason. Dylan drove me nuts but redeemed himself. Great narration. ☺

My Go To Feel Good Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
The story was so endearing, There were some great laugh out loud moments and a few times I had tears of sadness or joy in my eyes

What was one of the most memorable moments of Winter Oranges?
When Ben wanted to know who shot J.R.

Have you listened to any of Nick J. Russo’s other performances? How does this one compare?
I bought the book because Nick J. Russo was the narrator. I've heard a couple of his other performances and I have to say that he is very good. A narrator can bring a book to life in so many ways, but a bad narrator can kill a story. Nick is the former. I'm sure I'd have enjoyed the story if I'd had read it in book form myself, but Nick gave his reading so much gusto I couldn't press stop on the player.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Imagine what it must be like, to be trapped for 150 years and no one can see or hear you. How Ben didn't go mad is amazing. Yes, this book is so captivating and the characters feel so real. So in asnwer to the question, no there's no single moment that moved me, the whole story did.

Any additional comments?
This was such a great story and so well narrated. As I have said, I was looking for books narrated by Nick J Russo when I found this story. I am now currently listening to Marie Sexton's Trailer Trash and I am sure that I will be checking more of her audio books out in the future.

EDIT: This story has become one of my favourites of all time. I've lost count of the amount of times I have listened to it. If you only listen to one audio book this month, trust me, this is the book for you.