Lea AAR: I’ve never read or listened to a Deanna Raybourn book but I’m seriously considering The Dead Travel Fast. I want more of a romance than a mystery. Does anyone know if this latest from her falls more into the romance category that her Julia Grey series?

There are some helpful reviews on Amazon. And some unhelpful ones from people who thought it was a Julia Grey book.

Peggy P – I’ve never read or listened to a Deanna Raybourn book but I’m seriously considering The Dead Travel Fast. I want more of a romance than a mystery. Does anyone know if this latest from her falls more into the romance category that her Julia Grey series?

MarissaB – so glad you liked Cry No More! It’s time for a relisten and is on my iPod ready to go.

Diana – what a list! I’m going to try a number of your romantic suspense recommendations. I have avoided most RS in the past but you and I do seem to have similar tastes with contemporaries.

BevQB – I’m a Midwestern as well and don’t read in accents. It was challenging at first for me to hear accents but I have learned they add another dimension entirely for me in audio. I doubt I will ever read an Outlander book if audio is available. Jamie’s accent plays significantly into his character.

Nina – you and I have VERY similar tastes from the looks of your favorites list. I have Brockmann’s Gone Too Far loaded onto my iPod. Is that one of the dual narrations you’re referring to?

MaryK – I have heard so many good things about the Dresden/Master combo that I think I must try this series. Also, I do think listening to the mushy parts of romance is often something one must become accustomed to. I know when I first starting listening to romance, I wanted to hide my head during the sensual scenes. Now it doesn’t usually bother me as long as I’m absolutely SURE no one else can hear.

Lea

Anne Stuart: I’ve heard fabulous things about the Harry Dresden books read by James Marsters (well, how can you lose with James Marsters?).

I generally avoid Romance titles in audio because I don’t like listening to the mushy bits – love reading them just not listening. I might try some from this list, though.

I do have a general recommendation. I just started listening to the first Dresden book and am really enjoying it so far. I really like Dresden’s “voice” and Marsters nails it, IMO. Also, I’m usually one of those odd people who can only listen to books I’ve already read, but I’m not having that problem with this one. I have read the book before but it’s been ages and I don’t remember much of the plot at all. It’s a combination of reader talent and story pacing or something; they suck me in and I don’t have trouble keeping track of the plot like I usually do. Listening to The Curse of Chalion (awesome!) is the only other time it’s happened.

Now favorite books – VERY hard to narrow down.
1. Outlander – Gabaldon
2. Sea Swept – Roberts
3. Mackenzies Pleasure & Mission – Howard
4. To Die For & Drop Dead Gorgeous – Linda Howard (excpet It’s painful to listen to Franette Liebow’voice in TDF)
5. Dream Man – Howard
6. Devil’s Bride – Laurens
7. Over the Edge – Brockman
8. When He Was Wicked – Quinn
9. Lover Revealed – Ward
10. It Had to Be You & Heaven, Texas

I get most of my books from audible and watch for sales all the time. But the library is also a great source. Love this site for audio book ideas. I also go to Brilliance and check out their “Coming Soon” section and write on my calendar when my favorite authors have books coming out. I wish more books had male & female narrators. Although I don’t understand when they have a man & woman narrating (Brockmann’s Troubleshooter/Seal Team 16)why they have them alternate reading BOTH male & female characters – I think it’s very distracting.

Other notable audio books:

THE INDESCRETION by Judith Ivory- Barbara Rosenblatt’s performance elevated this story. What a JOY it was to listen to.

DEVIL’S BRIDE by Stephanie Laurens has always been my most beloved Regency and I re-read it every year. But this past year I finally was able to listen to the audio book. Thanks to Simon Prebble’s brilliant narration, I may never pick up the print book again and will listen to him every year instead.

The last few books in Christine Feehan’s CARPATHIAN series have been narrated by Phil Gigante and Jane Brown. They use a dual reader format where he does all the male voices and she does all the female voices with narration switching off between them. Not only has this brought new enjoyment of the series, but the dual reader format quickly became my favorite way to listen to an audio book.

While I was never much of a fan of the print books, Nancy Wu’s snarktastic narration of Mary Janice Davidson’s QUEEN BETSY series has made it an auto buy for me.

I’ve recently started Jim Butcher’s DRESDEN FILES series and thoroughly enjoy James Marsters pitch perfect characterizations.

Also, I have found that I PREFER historical romances in audio format. I’m a Midwesterner and I don’t read in accents. So I find Regencies in particular much richer and more enjoyable in audio format.

BTW, thanks for the recs for Phil Gigante’s narration of DREAM MAN by Linda Howard. I somehow missed the release of that one. I remember enjoying the print book, but I have a feeling Phil G.’s performance is nothing less than amazing.

Poor Phil G. I don’t think he realized what he was getting into when he first started narrating Romance. Now he belongs to us and we’re not letting him go!

Honest, it was on my original list. Don’t know how I missed it.

Best of 2009:

1. Son of the Morning by Linda Howard narrated by Natalie Ross. Because everything was perfect. This has long been one of my favorite books and Ross gave it the perfect reading.
2. Smoothing Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas read by Emily Durante. This would have been number one if SotM hadn’t made an appearance in late November. The narration was a tiny bit off, but just a tiny bit.
3. Cold as Ice by Anne Stuart narrated by Natalie Gold. One of the rare instances when the audio enhanced my original feelings about the book. It wasn’t my favorite in the series before, now it’s moved up to second place.
4. Dream Man by Linda Howard read by Phil Gigante. I won’t mention again why I couldn’t give this one first place.

Honorable Mention 2009: (It was a good year for audiobooks)

Kill for Me by Karen Rose read by Tavia Gilbert
Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris read by Johanna Parker
Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann read by Laura Hicks
Midnight in Ruby Bayou by Elizabeth Lowell read by Robin Rowan
Burn, Ice, and Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard
Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourne

My Super Dooper Favorites of all Time: (I couldn’t possibly put these in order because I love them all. My final selection method was to include the ones I’ve listened to multiple times, my comfort listens.)

Darkling I Listen by Katherine Sutcliffe read by Alyssa Bresnahan. Profoundly moving story of a flamed out, alcoholic former child star hiding out on his grandparents’ Texas farm. When a tabloid reporter hoping for a career boost comes looking for him, old wounds are opened. Both of them end up redeemed, but it’s a painful journey.

Heaven, Texas by SEP read by Anna. LOL funny, poignant and Bobby Tom Denton is to die for.

Ice Blue by Anne Stuart read by Gabra Zackman. Love Stuart and Zackman and this is a perfect match. I have no idea why I love Takashi so much.

Envy by Sandra Brown read by Victor Slezak. Slezak is soooo good at interpreting Brown’s jerk heroes. I love the southern gothic feel of this one and hero Parker Evans is an SOB who almost goes too far to be forgiven.

Dream a Little Dream by SEP read by Anna. I generally don’t like children in romance, but the little heartbreaker Edward may be my favorite character in this novel.

Death Angel and Cry No More by Linda Howard read by Joyce Bean. What can I say? I’m a fan.

Scream for Me by Karen Rose read by Tavia Gilbert. Daniel is one of the finest contemporary romance heroes ever written.

Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie read by Aasne Vigesaa. Great book and the narrator’s dry interpretation of Sophie is pitch perfect.

Mackenzie’s Pleasure by Linda Howard read by Dennis Boutsikaris. Oh please, Zane Mackenzie. What a man. Boutsikaris has a sexy voice, easy listening.

That’s my 10. But wait, there’s more! Favorite Series:

Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris. Johanna Parker is fabulous.

Ice series by Anne Stuart. (Anne, I accept paypal)

Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward. Narrator Jim Frangione is a little clunky and not quite as hip as he should be, but I guess I’ve gotten used to him.

Donovans by Elizabeth Lowell. Newest versions read by Robin Rowan. In order Amber Beach, Jade Island, Midnight in Ruby Bayou, Pearl Cove.

Outlander Series. Of course.