Anonymous

Whoever thought a thimble would be romantic??

Reviewed: 12-06-14

I have listened to the entire series to this point and have loved every book. I love Rosalyn Landor's narration. It wouldn't matter if she was reading a recipe.
I think this is my favorite. Sad to say but, knowing the Suffragette was coming I actually was thinking about not listening to it. I really didn't care much for Free as her character was coming along and the issues that occurred in Oliver's book with their Aunt Freddie.. just made me not like her as much. So there you have it.. judging a book by its cover.
Courtney Milan writes with such romance and humor. I will never look at a thimble the same.
No spoilers here.. You must read or listen to the book to understand the reference. I promise... you won't be sorry.
On to the next in the series... enjoy!

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9 people found this helpful

The family saga continues..........

Reviewed: 09-16-14

I can't say this is my favorite of the Malory-Anderson stories and I have listened to them all. It was good but I had a hard time determining if it was going to be Judith's story or Jacks. Now I understand the ground work was being set down for the next story.
Most of the stories in the series clearly belonged to those two characters. You learned more about the family in each book but I can't say I ever remember wondering still half way through the story who's story it actually was. I love the Malory's so it didn't deter me from moving along. Great story.. lets hear more...
I love Laurel Merlington. When I first started listening to Johanna Lindsey's books I didn't care for her but I've grown accustomed to her and now love to listen to her read. She is a smooth narrator and does some great voices. You very typically know the difference between the males/females when she's reading. Couldn't imagine listening to a Johanna Lindsey book without Laurel reading them at this point. She is now one of my favorite narrators.

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Eureka!!

Reviewed: 04-27-14

I have listened to all the books in the series and have loved them all on their own merit. This one was different though. There is a true meaning behind the story. The dedication in the beginning was a bit ominous but the author explains at the end of the book and it all makes perfect sense. A lot of research appears to have gone into this book and I appreciate it all.
I love Sebastian and Violet. I love Rosalyn Landor.
I know in reading the authors page she really didn't plan on making this a series that went on and on. There are two more books in the works. I for one am extremely happy to know it isn't ending here.
You'll enjoy this but start from the novella...

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3 people found this helpful

Humorous yet so real!! Book 4 The Brothers Siniste

Reviewed: 01-22-14

I loved this book. This was about Oliver, the bastard brother of The Duke. We see more interaction with Oliver's family. We get the benefit of a father/son talk. His 'real' father as he puts it, not his sire. We're introduced to his half sisters. It was great to see their stories intertwined with Oliver's.
Oliver meets Jane. A bold and brilliant, what you see is what you get woman.
I was fascinated by her character. She is an heiress, which was not looked on kindly by the aristocracy. She pretends not to see insults and fires back at them with truths that blow their minds. Politely, of course. She's a "blaze". She's not stick thin and she wears outlandish colors and outfits and doesn't give a fig what other people think.
She uses these things in her fight to stay unmarried for her sisters (Emily) sake.
What she helps Oliver find again in himself is wonderful.
There are a few stories going on around them. All wonderful in their own way. Emily and Unja. Free and Aunt Freddie. You'll love them all. There were some tears in listening to this book but there was a lot of laughing.
Rosalyn Landor, did a wonderful job of reading the story and making me feel every moment. As always kudos to her for her outstanding abilities.
Looking for the next one out on audio!!

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4 people found this helpful

Beautiful Story - Book 3 of The Brothers Sinister

Reviewed: 01-21-14

Lydia is Minnie's best friend from the 2nd book, The Duchess War. There were some passing statements in that book regarding Lydia's "situation". The story was short but so in depth.
I felt this book in my heart and couldn't stop listening. I love the story between Lydia and John.
Rosalyn Landor, of course I can never give enough praise to. She makes every book she reads a joy to listen to.

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8 people found this helpful

Happy continuation for The Brothers Sinister

Reviewed: 01-21-14

This is the continuing story from the novella The Governess Affair. Although that one was short it had a great deal of content. I couldn't wait for this first book.
The series seemed to focus on three best friends. Robert, The Duke. Oliver, the bastard brother of the duke and Sebastian, the cousin. The series has expanded to sisters, friends, etc. Which has been fine for me. I hope to see it never end..lol.
Here we get an introduction to Oliver, the son of Serena from The Governess and bastard brother. We get some insight into the relationship between the brothers and their love for one another as well as meet Sebastian and Violet.
This book is about Robert, The Duke and Minerva (Minnie) and how they meet and fall in love. The book follows some great ins and outs and the humor never fails.
Keep an eye on Miss Charingford. She's the next in line with the novella, A Kiss for Midwinter.
Last but never least is the wonderful narration of Rosalyn Landor. Her voices are amazing and her dramatizations enhance the characters in the stories.
I love the series!

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27 people found this helpful

Too bad it's so short... very enjoyable

Reviewed: 11-10-13

I enjoyed the story even though it was such a short listen. Kendall and Amy were a love at first sight. The author always gives wonderful details and although these are steampunk and not 100% historically correct, they are as true to the times as they can be and still stay true to this type of book.
The narrator was very good as well.. Nice pleasant voice and deeper than normal for male parts of the book. I think she did well with the story.
These can be read out of order but you'll feel so much more in tune if you start with Steam & Sorcery. ENJOY!!

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1 person found this helpful

Loved the story.. Good Narrator

Reviewed: 09-26-13

I loved the story. It had some good twists. Not the usual historical romance.
I'm not sure why the narrator received bad reviews. I've listened to many stories read by Sarah and she does a wonderful job. She's not monotone and she provides a different voice for each of the characters.
All in all it was a great story and a good narrator.

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2 for 2

Reviewed: 09-19-13

This is my second Laura Kinsale book. I really like her writing. The narrator, Nicholas Boulton is exceptional. He isn't able to change his voice as Rosalyn Landor does but he is quite wonderful. He narrated this book and Flowers From the Storm.
Her books are very detailed. At times it may seem a little too detailed. I think though with the subjects Laura tackles in her writing the need to be detailed is necessary.
In Flowers From the Storm with Christian and Mattie it was definitely necessary. Christian a mathematical genius Lord suffers a brain hemorrhage. Since there was little to nothing known about this at that time it was thought he was MAD. He was institutionalized. She weaves her story well and wonderfully. Mattie gets a bit on the maddening side with her wishy washy self. She has a great internal tug of war with what she feels she should be and what she actually is. I was literally in tears with this book. I loved it.
Now on to my review of this book.. The Dream Hunter.. the first part of the book is an exciting tale of a jaunt in the desert for Lord Winter to find a spectacular horse called the string of pearls. Of course it takes some twists and turns and Zenia comes into our story. Although at first I thought this story was about Arden/Lord Winter to me it was more about Zenia and her inner struggles of who she is and the treatment of her by her mother. A young girl raised as a boy in the desert. A girl who never owned a pair of shoes.
A compelling story of what these two people came to mean to each other through the hardships of the desert. How they came to admire the strengths of the other.
I think Zenia is mad.. even though she tells Lord Winter many times he's a "madman".
Two very flawed people that make it work. They love each other in-spite of the flaws.
I will listen to another Laura Kinsale book... I just love her. Nicholas Boulton is worth listening to as well. He has his finger on the pulse. =]

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1 person found this helpful

Has a lot going for it!

Reviewed: 09-19-13

I wasn't sure I was going to like the story but I found myself enthralled with it. There were parts where I found myself crying. Sounds depressing but it's like a good movie. The characters were very interesting and had depth. I wanted to slap Laura and tell her to snap out of it a few times. I think that's the only part of the book I wasn't happy with. She became manipulative and whiney several times to the point of madness.
All in all I enjoyed the story very much. The fact that a man could love a child so much that wasn't his, was heart warming.
Although not my favorite narrator. The narration did not take away from the book at all. This is my first Catherine Anderson. I may venture for another peek..

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