Our August 2018 Picks

August is a bumper month for historical romances, with new audiobook releases from Tessa Dare, Caroline Linden, Lorraine Heath and Kerrigan Byrne, all featuring narrators we know and love here at AG – Kate Reading, Mary Jane Wells, Derek Perkins and Beverly A. Crick – so we’ve got some excellent listens guaranteed over the coming weeks! Also looking good; new titles from Shannon Stacey, Sandra Brown and Lauren Blakely so fans of contemporaries and suspense titles have plenty to look forward to as well. As usual, we’ve scoured the new release lists for favourite names to bring you what we think are going to be the must-listens for August.

What are YOU most forward to listening to?

The Governess Game by Tessa Dare

Narrated by Mary Jane Wells

Two of my favorite author/narrators for historical romance are teaming up this month and I for one can’t wait to listen! – BJ

I’ll listen to Mary Jane Wells narrate pretty much anything! – Caz

I’m so looking forward to this one. I loved The Duchess Deal and I cannot wait to listen to this! – Kaetrin

I’m not exactly a die hard Tessa Dare fan, but I did enjoy last year’s The Duchess Deal in print. Since Mary Jane Wells is such a stellar narrator, I plan to pick up the second installment in the Girl Meets Duke series in audio format. I’m pretty sure I’m in for a delightful listening experience.- Shannon

The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrigan Byrne

Narrated by Derek Perkins

The last few books in this series have been a bit iffy, but Derek Perkins’ narrations have carried the day, and I’ve enjoyed the audios more than the print versions. This instalment focuses on the much-feared pirate, The Rook, who returns to England to claim the woman he’s loved for twenty years  – Caz

Let me be up front and admit that I’m nowhere caught up with the Victorian Rebels series, but it has nothing to do with the quality of the stories. I love Ms. Byrne’s ability to write darkly compelling historical romances that are unlike anything else I’m currently reading or listening to. Mr. Perkins is a true master of his craft, and I can’t imagine anyone else voicing the characters in this series. So, despite the cheesiness of the title, I’m going to buy The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo when it comes out so it will be ready and waiting for me to catch up. – Shannon

My Once and Future Duke / An Earl Like You by Caroline Linden

Narrated by Beverly A. Crick

The number of really good historical romances coming to audio this year has been pretty small, so I was delighted to see that these books by one of my favourite authors are being released in August. Both were terrific reads (I’ve read an advance copy of An Earl Like You, and it’s lovely) and even though My Once and Future Duke came out in February in print, but better late than never, right?! – Caz

I  read my first book by Caroline Linden earlier this year, and it completely hooked me, so I’m over the moon to see that the second book in her Wagers of Sin series will be released this month. Beverley A. Crick is sure to do it justice, so I’m counting down the days until it’s available to download. – Shannon

Unbreak My Heart by Lauren Blakely

Narrated by Joe Arden and Erin Mallon

I’m cheating a little here because I’ve already listened to this – it’s fabulous. Not a rom-com like many of Lauren Blakely’s books, this one is far more serious. While it has a HEA, there were tissues required. – Kaetrin

Tailspin by Sandra Brown

Narrated by Victor Slezak

Every year towards the end of summer, I anxiously await Sandra Brown’s next romantic suspense title. This year’s release is Tailspin narrated by Victor Slezak who does a great job with thriller type stories. – BJ

When a Duke Loves a Woman by Lorraine Heath

Narrated by Kate Reading

AT LAST! Lorraine Heath – one of my favourite authors – gets a good narrator! I don’t even care what the story is about – the fact that Kate Reading is narrating is enough to make me want to listen to this one. And book one in this series (Beyond Scandal and Desire) is being released at the same time, so it’s a double treat :) – Caz

Going Down Easy by Erin Nicholas

Narrated by Ryan West

A friends-with-benefits-turning-into-something-more story, this one is the first in Erin Nicholas’s new Boys of the Big Easy series. I’ve not listened to this narrator before but a sample I listened to sounded good. – Kaetrin

It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time by Kylie Scott

Narrated by Andi Arndt

I’m always up for a new Kylie Scott. Looking forward to this one – the premise is a little risky but I think this author can pull it off. – Kaetrin

Under Control by Shannon Stacey

Narrated by Tatiana Sokolov

Another Boston Fire novel. I’m here for it. – Kaetrin

The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker

Narrated by Rebekkah Ross

I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this story to read.  Each one of KA Tucker’s stories is slightly different but they all manage to hit just the right spot. This one was no different and I particularly loved the romantic tension between the hero and heroine.  – BJ