Our May 2015 Picks

What audiobooks are you excited about this month? Here are a few titles we feel are good bets based on authors, narrators, personal knowledge, reviews of story content, and sometimes… just gut instinct.

Starting with this month, you may find a few previous month’s releases scattered throughout the current month’s picks. These are the books we would have chosen if we had only known they were “Coming Soon.” Rachel Gibson’s Daisy’s Back in Town is a perfect example. Although it is technically an April release, we were completely surprised by its sudden appearance.

 

The Last Hellion and Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase

Narrated by Kate Reading

No links yet for the audio versions as release is scheduled for May 12th through ACX at Audible. We’re having a big event on the 12th celebrating their release with a Kate Reading chat, giveaway, and more!

Do I really need to say more? Kate Reading has done sterling work with her narrations of numerous books by this beloved author, and I’m sure these two new titles will be just as brilliantly realised as the other titles – Caz

Loretta Chase plus Kate Reading equals historical romance fabulousness. So many listeners have been asking for more of Chase’s backlist. These two are sure to please fans of both the author and the narrator – Shannon

Pairing great vintage Chase with the incredibly talented Kate Reading as narrator is a romance lover’s dream! This is definitely worth the wait – Melinda

Loretta Chase’s writing is historical romance at its best. Seeing a number of her books released in audio format last year was thrilling although a few lacked skilled narrators. Seeing Kate Reading paired with her again, is the best Chase audio news we can hope for!  Lea

Midnight’s Kiss by Thea Harrison

Narrated by Sophie Eastlake

Fans of the Elder Races know they have another excellent listen to anticipate with this winning duo – Brenda

I’m a fan of the Elder Races series and I must admit to a certain amount of curiosity about Julian. I have to catch up on the previous book (which is on my TBL) but from what I’ve read/listened to already, Julian was a bit of a dick. So I’m very curious to see how he’s “redeemed” in this one. Sophie Eastlake is a favourite narrator so I prefer the audio over the print versions of this series – Kaetrin

This is a great pairing of author/narrator. Eastlake delivers the Harrison world as if it’s your next-door neighbors’ lives, and has managed this series extremely well, with a myriad of creatures and voices. As someone who is normally not a paranormal fan, I feel qualified to say it’s extraordinarily good – Melinda

 

Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Hoyt

Narrated by Ashford McNab

I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of my most eagerly anticipated books of 2015 – the pairing of the vivacious, blind duke’s sister with the older, wordly-wise former captain is such an intriguing one, and, as listeners/readers already know, they have great chemistry. I’m looking forward to really reveling in this one! – Caz

Ms Hoyt writes some of the best historical romances out there! They are well plotted, entertaining, and filled with rich historical details that transport me to another world. Combined all that with the fabulous McNab and you have an immediate hit! – Diana

Elizabeth Hoyt is another historical romance writer one can rely on to write exceptional books. I have enjoyed Ashford McNab in the past so I have my fingers crossed that it will be one of her best – Lea

 

Rock Hard by Nalini Singh

Narrated by Justine O. Keef

A new series by Nalini Singh out in audio with a narrator I have found skilled – what’s not to anticipate? – Brenda

I haven’t managed to get to any of the books in this series in print/digital. My TBL is shorter so I’ll be happy to dive in on audio. Justine O. Keef is a narrator who delivers more erotic content well so I’m looking forward to it – Kaetrin

Nalini Singh writing my favorite sub-genre – contemporary romance. Yes!  Lea

 

The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon

Narrated by Tavia Gilbert and JD Jackson

The Law of Moses is my top pick for May. I have heard such great things about Amy Harmon, and I always enjoy Tavia Gilbert’s narrations, so I’m expecting big things from this title! Hopefully, the co-narrator, JD Jackson, who I’m not familiar with, will also be as good – BJ

I’m expecting another wonderful listen from the Harmon/Gilbert team. Each of her audiobooks I have listened to (all narrated by Tavia) have rated an A! – Lea

 

 

 

Night Moves by Nora Roberts

Narrated by Andi Arndt

I have enjoyed several titles from the 2015 abundance of older NR series romances (you can date them by the regular mention of cigarette smoking in bars and restaurants) released by Brilliance Audio. Most titles have repeating narrators so I’m looking forward to the fresh voice of Andi Arndt in the narrator’s seat – Brenda

Vintage NR romantic suspense with a great narrator – I think NR fans will be well served by this new recording – Melinda

 

Daisy’s Back in Town by Rachel Gibson

Narrated by Kathleen Early

I’m excited about the recent releases of Rachel Gibson’s older novels. As both a fan of her work and a fellow Idahoan, I’m rooting for Ms Gibson’s success in audio with favorites from her backlist! – Brenda

Oh yes!! I loved Kathleen Early’s narration of See Jane Score. As a BIG Gibson fan, I’m expecting a great experience. After all, I already know I love the book – Lea

 

Consumed By Fire by Anne Stuart

Narrated by Jill Redfield

A new romantic suspense from Anne Stuart – there isn’t a fan alive who’s not chomping at the bit for this title! I have enjoyed narrator Jill Redfield in previous narrations and have no doubt she can bring Anne’s work to brilliant life – Brenda

Anne Stuart’s romantic suspense titles are always a hit for me. I haven’t listened to a Jill Redfield narration but I’ve heard good things – Lea

 

The ‘Burg series by Kristen Ashley

Various narrators.

All five books in this series are set to be released in May. Each title in the series has a different narrator with the only common denominator being they are all new/unknown narrators. I know die hard KA fans will eat these new audios up like ice cream. For myself, I’m really hoping this mixed bag of narrators can surprise me with one or more having the skill to “get” Kristen Ashley’s unique writing style – Brenda

With a combined 64K+ ratings on Goodreads, the release of The Burg series by Kristen Ashley in audio format is sure to draw some attention. Interestingly, rather than have one narrator narrate the entire series, each book is performed by a different one. It will be interesting to see how listeners react to this approach – BJ

 

The Boss by Abigail Barnette

Narrated by CJ Bloom

I loved this book in print so I’m really looking forward to the audio version – Kaetrin

 

 

 

 

Deadly Affair by Lucinda Brant

Narrated by Alex Wyndham

This is the second book in a set of historical mysteries set in the Georgian era to feature the former diplomat, Alec Halsey. Narrator Alex Wyndham did an absolutely wonderful job in the previous book (Deadly Engagement) and I can’t wait to listen to him again – Caz

 

 

The Heir by Kiera Cass

Narrated by Brittany Pressley

As a huge fan of The Selection Trilogy, my curiosity has been piqued by what appears to be a quasi spin-off (it’s still technically titled Book 4 in the Selection series) called The Heir, where the daughter of America and Maxon selects her own future prince. Interestingly, they have chosen a new narrator for this title, Brittany Pressley (who I’m not familiar with), to replace Amy Rubinate, who did a good job of narrating the first three books. Perhaps this change was an attempt to create a fresh sounding cast for this new generation of royalty – BJ

 

Cat’s Lair by Christine Feehan

Narrated by Karen White

Although author Christine Feehan is out of what I call Karen White’s “norm” when it comes to romance narrations, I admire her skill in narrating books that usually have me fast forwarding through the tediously long sex scenes! I’m confident she will carry this title off with aplomb just as she did with an earlier title in the Leopard People series, Savage Nature – Brenda

 

 

Fair Play by Deeanne Gist

Narrated By Kate Forbes

I don’t know this author’s work, but the blurb is incredibly intriguing – lady doctor and Texas Ranger meet at the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair! Plus, narrator Kate Forbes has delivered some of my favorite audiobooks – Melinda

 

 

 

What a Lass Wants by Rowan Keats

Narrated by Kirsten Potter

I like reading a Keats title because I know I’m going to get an enjoyable and uncomplicated Highlander romance. And Potter does an excellent job with the multitude of brogues and accents, making each one unique and a delight to hear – Diana

 

 

 

All Night Long by Jane Ann Krentz (recently rereleased by Recorded Books)

Narrated by Amanda Cobb

I still have my original Brilliance Audio copy of this release. It was narrated by the female/male team of Kathy Garver and David Colacci. I have to admit the team narration wasn’t good. It was one of those strange narrations where the female carries the lion’s share until the disembodied male voice would pop in when the hero spoke. I have heard this type of narration done well but the original All Night Long wasn’t one of them. Dan Colacci’s doesn’t lack in narrating skills but his background sounded hollow compared to Kathy Garver’s (a certain production error). With that said, I enjoyed listening to Amanda Cobb with this new release – she’s a bit uneven in the beginning but finds her stride making it an enjoyable listen for Krentz fans – Brenda

 

Lie By Moonlight by Amanda Quick

Narrated by Louise Jane Underwood

This is yet another title being rereleased with a new narrator by Recorded Books. I am perfectly happy with Anne Flosnik’s original narration for Brilliance Audio in 2005 – just as I am with Michael Page’s original narration of Quick’s The Paid Companion (Bianca Amato does a great job in the RB re-release though). I’m glad I’ve kept the original copies of Quick’s books as I see a trend coming from Recorded Books! – Brenda

 

The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley

Narrated by Emily Lucienne

The plot sounds great. I love long books I can lose myself in, and this sounds like just such a book. The narrator is one I haven’t listened to before, but I’m hopeful – Shannon

 

 

 

 

Happy May listening!

Lea Hensley