If you’ve been an audiobook enthusiast for long, you know that the industry exploded with the availability of digital downloads. As a result, the number of romance releases increased sharply and the selection only gets better with each passing month. As one of those enthusiasts and a fan of romance, I pay close attention to those audio publishers who historically have offered a significant selection of romance audio and continue to do so. You know, those publishers who take the time to choose quality narrators for their titles as well as discover those authors that make romance listeners sit up and take notice. Here’s to giving a shout-out to those publishers who are doing a particularly fine job of it.
Before we start, I’ll add a disclaimer – I’m using numbers from Audible. I’m aware that there are audiobooks from years ago in audio cassette or CD format that have yet to hit the digital download market. But since we’re discussing the move in the romance audio industry over the past few years, I feel the Audible numbers are adequate for this discussion.
If you’ve been a regular reader of Speaking of Audiobooks this past year, you’re probably aware that our upcoming releases list is compiled from a variety of sources. Building this month’s list proved to be more challenging than usual. Although there are dozens of genuine first-time releases, it’s also a month full or rereleases in hiding, so beware. Amazon seems to be taking great pains to hide previous audio releases. For years, I’ve started with Amazon when building our upcoming releases list before gathering release dates from various production company/publishers sites. Over the past months, I’ve noticed that Amazon is increasingly introducing old titles as new (a long-time practice in publishing – I know) while also including larger numbers of non-romance audios in the romance category. Don’t trust Amazon’s upcoming romance audio release list for that HEA romance listeners expect.
Ours is a different sort of poll this year. After all, our listeners selected their all time favorite romance audiobooks in 
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Ask just about any romance listener to choose their favorite romance audiobooks and it’s highly likely they will choose a book from Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander, J.D. Robb’s In Death, or Susan Elizabeth Phillips Chicago Stars series. And never has that been more obvious than with our Speaking of Audiobooks 
June Is Audiobook Month (JIAM) and we are celebrating! We’re expressing our support for the audiobook industry today with an Audible membership giveaway. If you are already a member, you know this means more books for you. If you have yet to try Audible, this three-month membership requires no credit card and no commitment. Audible even has a service to set you up with your gift membership.
If you have read even one of our Speaking of Audiobooks columns, it’s clear to you that I’m an avid proponent of audiobooks – romance in particular. Celebrating June is Audiobook Month (JIAM) is a special joy in that its goal is to increase consumer awareness of the audiobook industry. I’m amazed at the large number of planned events as well as the concerted effort to exhibit the vast array of choices, the ease of listening, and affordability of audiobooks to readers and non-readers alike. Taking place in June as well are the Audio Publishers Association Conference and the Audie Awards Gala and Awards Presentation (sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association) for excellence in narration, direction, and engineering.
In the world of audiobooks, June Is Audiobook Month 2012 (JIAM) is more than just an honored month. In an effort to increase consumer awareness, special events are planned across the industry to promote, celebrate, and educate the public about the variety, ease, and affordability of audiobooks.
So, you’re a romance fan who’s new to audiobooks. Where do you start? Or, say you are an audio fan and want to explore the romance genre. Yet, when you look at the overwhelming number of available romance audiobooks, you have no idea where to start.
May 5th will mark three years for the Speaking of Audiobooks column. What started as a mere opportunity to give my opinion that audiobooks are 
