Our May 2013 Picks

The Gals’ monthly picks represent our best bets based on author, narrator, and possibly personal knowledge or print reviews of the story content. Or maybe it’s just a gut feeling…

Our monthly picks are late…again. There’s a lot to look forward to this month!

 

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The Prince of Midnight by Laura Kinsale

Narrated by Nicholas Boulton

All three gals discussed The Prince of Midnight earlier this month. We all agree it’s an A+ for narration and A- for book content.

Three Gals Talking: Laura Kinsale’s The Prince of Midnight

 

 

Practice Makes Perfect

 

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

Narrated by Karen White

All three Gals are looking forward to Julie James’ second print release and her last title to make it to audio format. Practice Makes Perfect is Lea’s favorite of James’ titles and it’s responsible for moving Ms. James to her favorite contemporary author list.

 

 

Material Girl

 

Material Girl by Julia London

Narrated by Natalie Ross

Lea has been wishing for Material Girl and Beauty Queen, the 1st and 2nd entries in The Fancy Lives of the Lear Sisters trilogy, since their print release in 2003 and 2004. Beauty Queen is slated for audio release in June – both are narrated by Natalie Ross – a favorite with the Gals. Lea is ecstatic to see Material Girl‘s release this month and Brenda is looking forward to it as well with Natalie Ross and it’s contemporary romance sub-genre as her reasons.

 

 

 

Dead Ever After

 

 

 

Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

Narrated by Johanna Parker

Both Brenda and Lea are looking forward to Dead Ever After but not the fact that the series is ending. It’s been a great ride and one we’ll relisten to.

 

 

 

 

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Steel’s Edge by Ilona Andrews

Narrated by Renee Raudman

The highly anticipated release we were afraid wasn’t going to make it to audio with Renee Raudman as narrator. But as you can see – all’s safe. The 4th in The Edge series, Steel’s Edge is a top May Pick for Brenda but Lea is looking forward to it as well although she needs to catch up with the series before listening.

 

 

 

 

Tempted

 

Tempted by Elizabeth Naaughton

Narrated by Elizabeth Wiley

Eternal Guardians Series

Both Lea and Brenda have been wanting to listen to an Elizabeth Wiley narration since we heard her delightful comments during the Virginia Book Festival romance panel discussion, Falling Headphones Over Heels. We’ve heard good things about Naughton’s writing plus Brenda loved another of her titles, Stolen Fury, a few years back and has high hopes for her paranormals.

 

Once Upon a Tower

 

 

 

Once Upon a Tower by Eloisa James

Narrated by Susan Duerden

Lea’s choice for three reasons – Eloisa James, Susan Duerden, and Harper Audio. Should spell quality.

 

 

 

 

 

Forever

 

 

Forever by Jacquelyn Frank

Narrated by Xe Sands

Brenda is choosing Forever because Xe Sands is narrating. Her voice takes an author she’s not crazy about and makes her books worth listening to – with judicious skipping. ;)

 

 

 

 

Before the Larkspur

 

 

 

Before the Larkspur Blooms by Caroline Fyffe

Narrated by Patrick Lawlor

Lea is looking forward to this one after loving an earlier Fyffe audio, Where the Wind Blows. However, it was narrated by Phil Gigante and she prefers Gigante over Lawlor any day of the week. Still it’s great old Western writing.

 

 

 

 

Kiss of the Demon King

 

 

 

 

Kiss of the Demon King by Kresley Coley

Narrated by Robert Petkoff

Brenda’s pick – Petkoff’s narration skills are amazing.

 

 

 

 

Unleashed

 

 

 

 

Unleashed by Sara Humphries

Narrated by Arika Rapson

Brenda is ready to roll the dice on a new author/narrator combo.

 

 

 

 

Sweet Talk

 

 

 

Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood

Narrated by Angela Dawe

Brenda is choosing out of habit. Garwood has been an auto buy for more years than she can remember and she continues to hold out hope that her magic will strike again. If not, they are easy reads/listens.

 

 

 

 

Untraceable

 

 

Untraceable by Laura Griffin

Narrated by Talmadge Ragan

Brenda has been interested in trying more from this author since reading her free Kindle novella, Surrender at Dawn. She’s hoping her full length romantic suspense holds to the promise she found in that novella. She hasn’t listened to narrator Talmadge Ragan but she has some experience so here’s hoping she clicks.

 

 

Guardian Angel

 

 

 

Guardian Angel by Julie Garwood

Narrated by Susan Duerden

Brenda is looking forward to Julie Garwood’s Guardian Angel after really enjoying The Lion’s Lady with the same author/narrator combo.

 

 

 

 

 

Playing Possum

 

 

Playing Possum by Charlaine Harris

Narrated by Angela Dawe, Natalie Ross, Amanda Ronconi, & Nicola Barber

Playing Possum brings 4 Charlaine Harris novellas (that are already in audio in separate anthologies) together in one volume. Unfortunately Johanna Parker doesn’t narrate but with four accomplished narrators doing the honors, Brenda wants to listen to the two Sookie Stackhouse shorts and the two Dahlia shorts. Lea thinks she’ll be listening as well, die hard Sookie fan that she is.

 

 

Shades of Gray by Kay HooperShades of Gray

Narrated by Tanya Eby

Shades of Gray by Kay Hooper

Narrated by Tanya Eby

Brenda believes this is a book title Hooper has first rights to with the original 1988 release date of the Loveswept version. With Tanya Eby narrating, she may give it a try for old times sake.