It’s time for the Gals to share with you, our dear reader (!), the spoils of our eager scouring of all the new release lists. Yes, it’s Monthly Picks time, and here is our selection of the new and upcoming audio releases we’re most excited to listen to over the coming weeks. As usual, we’ve got a mixture of standalones and onging series titles, books by favourite authors, favourite narrators or that we just thought “that sounds interesting so what the hell..?” As always this is a list that reflects each Gals’ personal taste and is far – VERY far – from being comprehensive, but hopefully, you’ll find something here to take your fancy. And don’t forget to drop by and tell us if you think we’ve missed out something GOOD!
Feel the Fire by Annabeth Albert
Narrated by Iggy Toma
I’ve been enjoying this series about the people who fight forest fires, and actually, I’ve read this one and it’s my favourite so far, a second-chance romance in which two guys who were teenaged-sweethearts meet again twenty years later. Iggy Toma is a favourite narrator, so I’m really looking forward to listening to it. – Caz
Annabeth Albert and Iggy Toma are always a winning duo so I’m looking forward to this one. – Kaetrin
A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong
Narrated by Samantha Brentmoor
I’m so excited for this time-slip romance from Kelley Armstrong! Can’t wait. – Kaetrin
A new Kelley Armstrong release is always worth celebrating, and when the book looks as enchanting as this one does, my excitement knows no bounds. It’s a gothic, time-slip romance, perfect for anyone looking for a spooky, swoony read this autumn. I’m not familiar with the narrator, but I’m crossing my fingers for good things. – Shannon
Return to Virgin River by Robyn Carr
Narrated by Therese Plummer
Less than a year ago I discovered the Virgin River series and quickly devoured all eighteen books in the series. Both the writing and the narration is top-rate and a must listen for any small town romance lovers! I’m so excited that there will be a nineteenth book released this October! – BJ
When We Were Young & Brave by Hazel Gaynor
Narrated by Rosie Jones and Imogen Church
Hazel Gaynor hasn’t let me down yet, and so When We Were Young & Brave is at the top of my list of October releases. It’s set in China during World War II, and we focus on the lives of a group of teachers and students living at a mission school. Both Imogen Church and Rosie Jones are extremely talented voice actors, so this should be a fabulous listening experience on all counts. – Shannon
A Princess for Christmas
by Jenny Holiday
Narrated by Charlotte North
It’s getting to that time of year when the Christmas romances come out. Yay! Jenny Holiday is a favourite of mine so my hopes are high. – Kaetrin
My Last Duchess by Eloisa James
Narrated by Susan Duerden
I’m a big fan of Eloisa James’ historical romances, so I’m looking forward to her latest release this October. – BJ
Happily Letter After by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
Narrated by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York
I love the sexy romances that Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward pen together, and with Andi Arndt and Sebastian York narrating, I know I will enjoy the narration too! – BJ
You Only Love Twice by Bec McMaster
Narrated by Sienna Frances
This is one of my favourite series of the last few years; the stories are clever and compelling and full of action and steamy romance – and while I enjoyed the first two, this one really ups the ante and is even more nail-bitingly gripping! I’ve yet to listen to any of the audiobooks but Em speaks highly of the narrator, so they’re definitely on my TBL – Caz
I’ve already fallen behind listening to this series, but I loved it in print and very much enjoyed Ms. Frances narration of the first book in the London Steampunk: the Blue Blood Conspiracy series, Mission: Improper. I’ll be adding this one to my ever growing listening queue. The series gets better as it progresses; I’ll be hoping to squeeze this one in at the holidays. – Em
Bec McMaster’s steampunk romances have enchanted me for years, and I’m really excited to see more of them being put out in audio format. Sienna Frances isn’t a narrator I’ve heard before, but the Audible sound samples give me hope. – Shannon
Murder on Cold Street by Sherry Thomas
Narrated by Kate Reading
Sherry Thomas AND Kate Reading? What’s not to love? This is one of my favourite series and I never fail to be impressed by the quality and cleverness of the stories. – Caz
Like many other romance readers, I wish the Lady Sherlock series included more romance between Charlotte and Lord Ingram. But I have another favorite author who enjoys the slow burn and I’ve convinced myself I like it in this series, too. Sort of. Anyway. While I think these books are dynamite in print, they’re better in audio. I just started listening to Murder on Cold Street and like the books that precede it, I’m wholly absorbed in this story and these characters. The Lady Sherlock series requires focus and attention; I’ll be listening to this one in all my free moments over the next couple weeks. – Em
On the Wings of War by Hailey Turner
Narrated by Gary Furlong
I’m really enjoying this inventive Urban Fantasy series; intelligent and complex storytelling, engaging characters and a fascinating array of gods, demons and other supernatural creatures make for some truly captivating stories – and Gary Furlong’s superb narrations just make it all that much more enjoyable! – Caz
In the Deep by Loreth Anne White
Narrated by Sarah Zimmerman
Loreth Anne White’s novels of romantic suspense are pretty close to perfect for me. Needless to say, I’m over the moon to see In the Deep coming out at the end of the month. I’ve already pre-ordered it, so it won’t be long before it comes zooming into my Audible library. – Shannon
What other title(s) would you recommend by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward? I see several of their books are available on Audible Escape, and I might have the chance to give one a try.
I haven’t listened to more London Steampunk titles because I wasn’t bowled over by Alison Larkin’s narration. Is Sienna Frances good?
Carrie,
I really liked Dirty Letters by Keeland&Ward, and British Bedmate is a fun one.
Dirty Letters is about 2 childhood pen pals who reconnect, only now she has a severe anxiety disorder and needs lots of special accommodations. The narration is really good, too, with Jacob Morgan and his English accent and Andi Arndt. I found this story quite moving compared to a typical contemporary romance.
British Bedmate is much more lighthearted, and very sexy. Jacob Morgan once again shows off his English accent which is more of a working class rather than a posh accent (to my ears, anyway) and Andi Arndt gives her usual perfect delivery. There are quite a few fun moments in this contemporary romance, but it has some serious notes as well.
I don’t know if either is in AE, but they are both books I have relistened to more than once.
British Bedmates is part of AE so I’ll give that one a try and keep Dirty Letters in mind for the future. Thank you!
Carrie –
I loved both of the London Steampunk series; maybe the second better than the first? And I thought Sienna Frances did a terrific job with Mission: Improper. I’ve already purchased the second book – but I have approximately one bazillion books ahead of it in my listening queue so it might be a bit before I listen to it. I recommend the books in print and audio!
em
Thank you. I’ll keep them on my TBR pile for now. I won’t have time to listen to them before AE ends, so I’ll have to wait and hope they goon sale.
I just read the review here for Kiss of Steel and laughed. It’s mine. I had completely forgotten. I relistened to Kiss of Steel this spring and I think I liked it better the second time. I’d have given it a B.
The London Steampunk and Blue Blood Conspiracy series are two of my absolute favourites in print – I just love them. I haven’t listened to any yet; Alison Larkin is an excellent narrator, but I didn’t feel she was the right choice for the series. Em reviewed Mission Improper, which is book one in the Blue Blood series (I’ve linked to her review in the main post) and she enjoyed the performance. I have yet to listen, but I’m planning on reviewing one of the upcoming books in the series, so it’ll be interesting to see if I’m of the same opinon.
Caz, I think you are right about Alison Larkin not quite fitting the book. I went and listened to so me today and her more cultured voice doesn’t fit many of the characters, even though she is very good. The second time around I wasn’t thinking as much about this book as steampunk so much as a good fantasy book,and so I wasn’t disappointed the way I was originally. Back then, I think I had recently read the Iron Duke by Meljean Brook and that is still an all time favorite, so I was probably comparing them in my head. I plan on reading the books in print.