Brandee K.

An incredible audio experience

Reviewed: 04-03-24

Action happens right from the start. I loved the scene setting audio...the crackle if the fire...the music...but also that the sound does not overwhelm the narrators. The fight scenes are like a movie score and the subtle sounds...doors shutting, shower running, glass cracking, it all made for a compelling story. I can't wait to see if they do book two in this format! It reminded me of the old timey radio shows! Sound effects that help tell the story without eclipsing the characters.

E.M.'s coming of age story is told through the eyes of Kaya, a 17 yo shifter running from her past. Believing she was responsible for her best friend's death at the age of 13, she leaves the only home she has ever known in the bayou to avoid punishment. However, Prince Auden will stop at nothing to get her back. But is he doing it out of revenge for his brother's death at her hand, or is there something more?

Once home, she realizes that the safe haven she grew up in is no longer that...safe. With demon attacks becoming more and more frequent, and Crown Prince Asiel seeming to thwart her attempts at rejoining their society, Kaya must relearn to control her inner beast..and her emotions. Her friendship with the outcast Bast coupd be the best (or worst thing) to happen to her.....but when her loyalty is tested, who will she choose? Her best friend? The boy she is beginning to love? Or an unlikely ally?

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Amazing Performance, Incredible Story!

Reviewed: 12-18-23

I loved this story and ran the gamut of emotions when eyeball reading it. Dakota broke me six ways to Sunday. But hearing it brought to life...both narrators carried such emotion...it was a performance, not just someone reading a book. The ghostly voices of the the spectors, the differentiatiin between characters and even when they were the storyteller rather than a particular character...I was invested. The sfx were perfectly placed and drew the reader into the story immediately. I cried again at the end....and I can always HOPE for more. Well Done to everyone! Oh! And the mention of Kat Blackthorne's Lady V??? I would love these 2 to have their own book! 💖

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Wonderful way to end an evening....

Reviewed: 01-18-22

This was my first glimpse into Dana Isaly's writing style and world. I found her via Eros' Tik Tok account and so glad I did! I am generally not a fan of some of the kink in this book as a subgenre, but I understood the importance to the storyline and overall development of the Hero.

Q goes to interview Joker for a gamer magazine, and the minute he opens the door to her, he is intrigued. He is so used to being the faceless, nameless entity that is used in various forms, it's a new experience for him. He thinks HE has the control, but soon finds out Q can give as good as she gets, despite her outwardly proper attire.

As the night deepens, they agree to a single evening, but will it be enough? The highlight was getting to meet Joker's friends, and the strong connection they had to each other.

Interestingly enough, the man voicing the man behind the mask is just as intriguing. V.O.Eros did an excellent job in his debut book. As the chapters progressed, his delivery got better and better. By the time he was voicing 6 characters rather than the original 2, I was fully able to tell when there was a switch in narrative that was not otherwise called out.

I was extremely happy to gear he will voice 2 more of Dana's books coming to audio. His warm, whiskey voice is just that...sends warmth straight down your spine. I can't wait for more from this collaboration, because I could listen to him all day. One of my biggest pet peeves is when male narrators make a caricature out of a female voice, falsetto, etc. While he lightened the voice too make it soft and feminine compared to the Hero's growliness, he did not attempt to "fake" a female voice. It was just a softer, lighter tone. Perfect.

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My love for Joe and Erin proven correct once more!

Reviewed: 07-08-20

Joe Arden and Erin Mallon bring Shaw and Vanessa to life in the latest installment from Lauren Blakely. We are back to the firehouse, where Shaw the Playboy sees his friends and family settling down, but has yet to find his own partner....or has he? He and his sister Perri's lifelong friends Vanessa have had a few "special moments", (not that he would let Perri find out!) but he doesn't want to risk his best friendship when he knows he can't commit.

However, quirky beautiful Vanessa has had it bad for Shaw for years but KNOWS girls never last with him. Their chemistry is off the charts, but she starts to feel a little too taken for granted. What happens when the town naughty book club ladies try to set Vanessa up with someone who could potentially be a forever mate? What does Shaw have to say about that??? He for sure doesn't care for the weird feeling he has seeing Vanessa smiling at somebody else....

Joe Arden is always amazing, delivers all the feels, but he does a spectacular job with Shaw, making him the lovable best friend, albeit giant Playboy when it comes to women. His voice inflections and the feeling he puts behind the voice of Shaw lets you feel Shaw's indecision and nervousness in losing the best thing in his life, AND risking his sister's undoubted wrath if he hurt Vanessa. Joe has a special quality when he narrates that brings the story to life. He doesn't just read the story.

Erin Mallon is perfect as the strong and sassy heroine. She is successful by herself but longs for the same love both her friends have found. Erin's voice has a beautiful tone and she's spectacular at doing the voices of both male and female characters so that it doesn't distract from the story.

I loved the sassy book ladies and was so happy the guest narrators made such a cute appearance! The added bonus novellas were exciting since I LOVED the other books in each series. The narrators for each were fabulous and part of my regular list of must haves!

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1 person found this helpful

Couldn't put it down!

Reviewed: 05-31-20

Christian and Jennifer were amazing as Niko and Demi. Both had backgrounds that the other knew nothing about...and yet, when they are seemingly thrown together in Chemistry, they get to know each other bit by bit. Add in a fake relationship, and it makes this story HOT! However, how much is real and how much is fake? Will they end up together when every time they turn around someone is out to get them?

The angst in this was on the high side but each of them had way more crap to deal with than the average teenager. We get to see them grow not only closer together as a couple but as individuals as well.

Kept me wanting more. Worth a credit!

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Sweet Little Story Set in the City of Sin

Reviewed: 05-28-20

Easton is not your typical rockstar. He doesn't party to excess, doesn't have a different girl in his bed each night, and is frustrated when his manager sends him to Vegas to write for his new album.

Ireland is a sassy cocktail waitress who has been burned badly by musicians in the past and is working to pay off debt for the wedding that wasn't.

While looking for some quiet time at the hotel, Easton wanders into the Little Black Dress Bar and sets eyes on a sassy gorgeous woman. Devastating kisses and a few hours later, and the writing flows. What happens when Easton asks Ireland to be his paid muse for the week? Will she accept? Will the rules change?

Narrated by the amazing Zachary Webber and Kylie Stewart. Both these voices were superb for these characters! Zach's raspy deep voice resonates as a believable rock star (since he is ALSO in a band!) and Kylie's sweetness bring an innocence to Ireland.

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Not your typical billionaire story.....

Reviewed: 05-28-20

Andi Arndt and Sebastian York deliver another stellar performance as Ireland and Grant.

Ireland has worked hard her whole life and finally has the job she has been working toward as a morning news anchor at Lexington, after surviving her father's murder of her mother at age 7. She returns home to a termination letter from her employer following a topless video being shown to HR, which was taken during her best friend's bachelorette party in the Caribbean and violates company policies. Angry at the situation, she gets drunk and wakes up to find that she has emailed a letter to the CEO of Lexington, Grant Lexington, telling him exactly what she tho ks of spoiled little rich boys like him.

Little does she know, she and Grant are not all that different. Grant grew up in the foster system, and was adopted by wonderful parents, who also fostered. There he meets Lily. Lily and Grant have a turbulent relationship at best, until she does something horrific.

Grant is amused by the letter and Ireland's quick with. They meet as she waits to collect her items from her desk, and sparks fly. He finds himself manufacturing excuses to be with her, as she makes him feel alive. How will their story end? Completely worth the read/listen!

Triggers: dimentia, mental illness, cancer, death of a parent, death of a child, post partum illness

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Could NOT stop listening....awake until 4:30AM!!!

Reviewed: 05-25-20

Cashul (sp?) and Olivia have a constant push/pull with each other that they couldn't ignore. However, to give in means certain death for them both. Olivia has the opportunity to save the lives of all vampire kind. Cashul is sent on a mission to obtain Olivia for the Blackthorne vampire clan by his sadistic father. Once they arrive, Elias cannot resist and feeds on Olivia, almost killing her in front of Cashul. Cashul wants to protect her, but doing so means keeping his distance. When Olivia betrays him, she he have the strength to forgive her?

As always, Aaron Shedlock and Emma Wilder knocked thus performance out of the park!!!!!

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3 people found this helpful

Cannot wait foe the rest of the Blackthornes!

Reviewed: 05-21-20

A beautiful love story that spanned over time travel, what seemed to be insurmountable backgrounds, magic AND a curse????

Kim Loraine has a wonderful knack for words that leaves me wanting to delve deeper into the world of the Blackthornes. What started the rivalry between the witches and the vampires?

Natalie finds herself struck down on Sowhain by a black magic curse when a mysterious stranger comes to her rescue, but what could he want with her?

Is she fated to meet her demise like her ancestors did at the gallows in Salem? What would you do if you were met head on with all of your greatest fears at once. Follow Natalie and Silas as they work to destroy the curse, find out what keeps drawing them together, and they race to come out of this alive!

Smoking hot listen. The two amazing narrators - Aaron and Kylie (my first listen of both, but CERTAINLY not my last!) brought this beautiful story to life. Amazing. A must listen.

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1 person found this helpful

Amazing Stories and fabulous narration!

Reviewed: 09-20-19

Baker is my new book boyfriend. I fell in love with the primary characters in the secondary characters completely make the story! I wanted to punch Brandon in the face so many times for being such a shity husband but Baker makes up for it and is an awesome man to boot! I am so happy she got her happily ever after!

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