What romance audiobooks releasing in October do we believe are especially promising? We feel these titles are all good bets based on author, narrator, personal knowledge, or print reviews of the story content. Or maybe it’s just a gut feeling we have.
Out of Control by Suzanne Brockmann
Narrated by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank
My favorite Brockmann title redone in audio with a narrating pair I can count on to deliver. Just hearing the hero’s name pronounced correctly will make this one a sure winner. ;) An October listen I’m highly anticipating – Brenda
One of my all time favorites in print format, I’m so excited about the release of Out of Control in audio format with narrators I trust to make it great – Lea
Lawlor + Ewbank + Troubleshooters is a team that just can’t be beat – Megan
Crowd pleaser – great author, great series, great narrators, thank god they’e rerecording this series – Melinda
Reaper’s Stand by Joanna Wylde
Narrated by Sean Crisden and Tatiana Sokolov
I absolutely adore Ms. Wylde’s brand of MC romances. The next installment, Reaper’s Stand, is likely to be no exception, as we have already gotten an interesting glimpse of its hero, Picnic, the alpha leader of the MC, from the prior installment of this series. Moreover, both Sean Crisden and Tatiana Sokolov are fantastic narrators – BJ
This series is immensely popular. The narrators are both very, very good. It seems like a win all around – Shannon
Wylde’s Reapers Motorcycle Club series delivers what I believe MC romance fans want. Book 2 is probably my favorite in the series to date (yes, I’ve read them all) but Picnic’s story has the potential of being the most challenging. And while I have read rather than listened to the first three in the series, I definitely plan on listening to Reaper’s Stand – Lea
Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
Narrated by Renee Raudman
As a follower of both The Edge and Kate Daniels series, I’m very eager to listen to the Andrews’ newest series. But most of all, I simply adore Renee Raudman’s totally captivating performance of Andrews’ characters. She adds another whole dimension I feel certain I’d miss in print – Lea
I’ve been hearing about Ilona Andrews’ new series for a while and I’m really looking forward to listening to it. Renee Raudman is reliably good so I know I can just relax into the story and enjoy the new world Andrews will unveil. Andrews is always an autobuy for me – Kaetrin
I’m so excited to see the Andrews starting a new series. Adding to the excitement is seeing Renee Raudman narrating the series as she does their others. Renee understands the Andrews’ style, never failing to deliver their intent. And what could be better than a favorite author beginning to branch into more romance-driven plots? Burn for Me is my number one pick for October – Brenda
Archangel’s Shadows by Nalini Singh
Narrated by Justine Eyre
My favorite titles within Ms Singh’s Guild Hunter series feature Rapheal and Elena so this one is a slam dunk. I appreciate when Tantor Audio finds a winning narrator/author pair and stays with it, assuring fans of an excellent listening experience – Brenda
Book 7 in the Guild Hunter series – I know it will be good for those following the series – Melinda
I’m a long time fan of the Guild Hunter series and with the stars of the series, Raphael and Elena, again taking front and center, I’m even more enthused then usual with this “next in the series” – Lea
Tied by Emma Chase
Narrated by Sebastian York
Drew Evans’ POV narrated by Sebastian York… need I say more? If it’s even half as good as the amazing Tangled, then it will no doubt be great – BJ
Sebastian York and Emma Chase make up one of the most dynamite audio teams out there! I’ll be listening to Tied as soon as it becomes available – Lea
Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt
Narrated by Ashford MacNab
Ashford MacNab is back!! She’s the one who made Hoyt in audio format and I have missed her sorely even to the point of ignoring some of her audio releases. This one looks to be a hit – Lea
Wait – what? Ashford MacNab is narrating Elizabeth Hoyt again?! I am SO there! While I’m someone who likes to both listen to AND read favourite books, the Maiden Lane series has been an exception because I’ve only listened. I kept listening even though Ms MacNab departed after Book 4 (Thief of Shadows) despite the lacklustre narration because I enjoy the stories so much. Thanks to those lovely people at Blackstone Audio for hearing our prayers and bringing back the narrator who has always been the “Voice of Maiden Lane” – Caz
Carolina Blues by Virginia Kantra
Narrated By Sophie Eastlake
I always enjoy Sophie Eastlake’s narration and I’ve liked the other stories in this series. Kantra has a great contemporary voice, reminiscent in style to Nora Roberts (think the Chesapeake Bay series in particular). The main characters to this book were introduced briefly in the previous instalment and I’m very curious to know more about the delicious new Dare Island police chief – Kaetrin
Just seems like it might be a good duo – Melinda
Rules for a Proper Governess
Narrated by Angela Dawe
This author/narrator duo has proven to be a winning combination for me. I’m looking forward to hearing what’s new within clan Mackenzie – Brenda
TANTOR – DREAM TEAM – Melinda
A Grave Matter by Anna Lee Huber
Narrated by Heather Wilds
I’m looking forward to the third of Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby mysteries, A Grave Matter. I loved the book, and the way the author continues to develop her central romance amid her well-constructed mysteries is both engaging and satisfying – Caz
Burying Water by KA Tucker
Narrated by Josh Goodman and Elizabeth Louise
I fell in love with Ms. Tucker’s writing, and Elizabeth Louise’s narration style, when I listened to Five Ways to Fall. I can’t wait for their new title, Burying Water, which sounds like an even more dramatic suspense title! While I am not familiar with the second narrator, Josh Goodman, I can’t resist the KA Tucker/Elizabeth Louise combination – BJ
Cousin Kate by Georgette Heyer
Narrated by Jilly Bond
Another new Georgette Heyer offering from Naxos. Their track record with the Heyer audiobooks they’ve issued over the past eighteen months has been incredibly strong, so I’m anticipating another great listen – Caz
Finding Rebecca by Eoin Demsey
Narrated by Napoleon Ryan
I was immediately grabbed by the synopsis. This sounds like a beautifully haunting love story set during World War II. I know nothing of the author or narrator, but the plot stands out in a big way – Shannon
Tears of the Moon by Nora Roberts
Narrated by Patricia Daniels
This is such a magical trilogy. I love the Irish setting, and the characters are so likable. I’m not sure about the narrator, but I’m hoping she does justice to this fabulous book – Shannon
Enjoy your October listening!
Lea Hensley
This will be one very expensive month! I preordered Tied and Rules for a Proper Governess (even if The Wicked Deeds of Daniel MacKenzie was a DNF for me in audio format. I found the long pauses between sentences painful to listen to. I took a leap of faith in Angela Dawe anyway, she’s great and I attributed the problem with TWDODM’s narration to technical issues). I was waiting for the narrator of Darling Beast to be announced because Duke of Midnight was another DNF in audio format as well. You made my day with the news of Ashford MacNab’s return to narrate the Maiden Lane series. She,along with Moira Quirk, cemented my love for Elizabeth Hoyt in audio. So many other titles and top narrators as well. The trouble with the Troubleshooters series is that I never read any of the books and apparently the books work better if you read/listen in order. Could this title releasing in October work as a standalone?
And I will most definitely try the Virginia Kantra book. I adore Sophie Eastlake’s narration of Thea Harrison’s Elder Races series. It’ll be great to listen to her narration of a different genre. Thank you Gals for the great recs!
Hi Gals! Darling Beast is not featured on Audible. Do you know the reason for it and if it’s going to be solved any time soon? Thanks a lot!
Sophie Eastlake is Julia Whelan (her real name) and she narrates in several other genres under than name if you are interested in trying out different genres by her.
Thanks so much for the info Angie! I love Sophie Eastlake’ narration skills. I will search under Julia Whelan as you suggest
Hi, Bea
I don’t know why the Hoyt isn’t “coming soon” at Audible – they’re a bit arbitrary sometimes, it seems. I did the happy dance when Lea told me that ‘s MacNab was back. I agree that “Duke of Midnight” was less than stellar, and don’t get me started on the horror that was “Lord of Darkness”!
I didn’t even try “Lord of Darkness”, not even when it went on sale. The reviewers’ rants were loud and clear!
I am very excited about Nalini Singh and Ilona Andrews’ new books. Two favorite authors and narrators that are auto buys in both formats. Oct is always a good month for new releases….I see my pocketbook dwindling and my TBR/TBL expanding….oh vey!
Sophie Eastlake/Julia Whelan is a terrific narrator I loved……just loved the Thea Harrisons that she has narrated. Dragos is such a huge personality and Eastlake hits it out of the park with his portrayal. Virginia Kantra’s Carolina Blues will definitely be enhanced by her as the reader. SOLD!
Don’t get the love for Angela Dawe…..all the audios I’ve listened to by her have been DNF. It kills me because I love the Psy/Changling series. I’m so grateful that Justine Eyre narrates The Guild Hunter series.
Any Ashford MacNab suggestions? I’m not a Hoyt fan.
Very happy about the Brockmann! Out of Control is an amazing book, but the earlier narration was not good.
Have a wonderful weekend
Ashford MacNab also records as Polly Lee, I believe – I enjoyed her recordings of the first three of Madeleine Hunter’s “Rare Blooms” series.
I’m not overly enamoured of Angela Dawe either – her accents are too dodgy in the MacKenzie books.
I loved the Madness of Ian MacKenzie…..what a perfect book and then that terrible narration, but she’s still Ashley’s reader so someone must enjoy them….
Hi Mel
I only listened to her recordings of the Highland Pleaures series after reading the books. Perhaps it’s my love for the series that gave the readings extra sparkle. But the narration of the last book with wee Daniel all grown up was painful to listen to. I really hope to like this one much better. Due to many factors my reading time is not what it used to be but I’ve got more time to listen to audiobooks. Soooo… I hope ANgela Dawe did it well by the Mackenzies this time. Cheers
I literally clapped when I read that Ashford MacNab was coming back as the narrator for Elizabeth Hoyt’s Darling Beast! I listened to all of Hoyt’s Maiden Lane audiobooks and Ashford is hands down the best. I have listened to Scandalous Desires about five times. You made my day!