Mail-Order Brides: A Durango Romance

Mail-Order Brides: A Durango Romance

• Written by: Julie Pollitt

• Narrated by: Leonor A. Woodworth

• Length: 55 mins

•

• Unabridged Audiobook

• Release Date:04-06-16

• Publisher: Julie Pollitt 

What a sweet delightful audio that was great from the start. My heart really went out to Rachel. I just can’t even imagine living the life she did after her parents died. I thought my aunt was bad but nothing like her uncle taking her in and using her the way he did. I am betting her parents are rolling in their graves knowing all he took from her leaving her with nothing. She decides to take matters in her hands becoming a mail order bride. Tom needs a strong woman with a clean name to clean up his life and to start to become an upstanding citizen. When the two meet they decide to take it slow to make sure this is what they want. That is as slow as a short story will let them.

Ms. Woodworth’s narration was great there are no repeating of words. Nor is there any volume change or any background noises. If any breaks were taken I could not tell.  Her male and female voices are a delight coming across with lots of emotion that really brings the story to life. Her tones are very powerful never leaving you in doubt what emotion each characters is feeling at any given time. I thought the performance was very good. Ms. Woodworth has a very pleasant natural voice that is a pleasure listening to.  I really enjoyed listening to this audio the narrator made it a pleasure to listen to at one setting.

What I liked about this audio was that it was clean, sweet and the characters really talked. By the time the wedding takes place I felt they had really worked on their relationship, both were supportive of the other and at times defended the other. At first I didn’t care too much for Tom with his past but it didn’t take long for him to grow on me. I really wish there was something that could have been done about Rachael’s uncle. I thought the best character in this story was Rachael from her kind heart to her loving caring ways she really made this story for me. This was a short to the point story with no fillers or cliffhangers. If you are looking for a short listen I hope you will give this author a try.

Buy Links

Audio

https://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Mail-Order-Brides-A-Durango-Romance-Audiobook/B01DUTN56S

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Durango-Romance-Mail-Order-Brides-ebook/dp/B0727V112J/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498518648&sr=8-1&keywords=Mail-Order+Brides%3A+A+Durango+Romance

Summary

Rachel Carson spent much of her life being treated as a second class citizen. When her well-to-do uncle died and left her penniless, she had no choice but to find a mail-order husband. She could only hope and pray he would be a kind and gentle man that she could spend her life getting to know and love.
Tom Kinney had a bit of a bad rap around town, but that wasn't about to stop his entrepreneurial spirit. Tom decided he would work hard promoting his new hardware store and find a wife to help settle his reputation down.
When Rachel arrived in Durango, Tom could not help but wonder why she chose to be a mail-order bride. Was she running from something, or did she just need a home?
Will Tom and Rachel find love and friendship when they least expect it?

Saved by My Blackguard

Saved by My Blackguard: Linked Across Time, Book 1

Written by: Dawn Brower

Narrated by: Ed Wolfe

Length: 2 hrs and 34 mins

Series: Linked Across Time, Book 1

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:06-17-16

Publisher: AuthorDawnBrower

What an interesting short story about time travel. Paul is a very over worked man, if he wants to see his next birthday he must take a week off. Deciding to do this he heads to a warm tropical island. When a storm blows in things start getting interesting. Lady Evelyn childhood hasn’t been the best, she can’t wait to move to London marry and have a family. As she sail off to meet her soon to be husband her ship is taken over, than a strong storm blows in leaving her in a mess of trouble. Paul travels back in time when he meets the lovely Lady Evelyn who is in trouble. He takes her by the hand and protects her with his life as they run in to more bad weather and the group of men Lady Evelyn is trying to outrun.

Mr. Wolfe does a wonderful job of narration with only one place he repeats some words near the beginning. He has a very strong powerful voice which really adds to the male characters. His has no problem carrying off his female characters voices from a sexy sweet lady to the servants. There are no background noises or any volume changes. If any breaks were taken you cannot tell. What you will find from this narrator is a very clean, clear audio with delightful tones and emotions. He pulls the reader in with his charming pirate to their mates as well as Paul who is sweet, charming and a true gentleman. His voice rings with vivid details keeping the listener invested and entertained hardly being able to wait what happens next. This may have one repeat of words but it in no way takes away from the performance of the audio which is outstanding. I thought his character voice was just as strong and sexy as his normal voice. You always know what emotion each character is feeling and who is talking. I really enjoyed how he brings this audio to life. I am looking forward to listening to more of his work.

The story was very interesting, I do wish it has been longer. I felt it was rushed a little with both falling in love in a few days. I thought for the time period the love scenes was a little rushed and a little too soon. You will find no fillers in this story every word is needed. The author does give you an entertaining read from a father who doesn’t know how to give love, to some very wicked pirates. As the story ends you can’t wait to see if Paul makes it back to his time and just what happens to Lady Evelyn. The ending is charming and sweet as the author takes you years ahead to see what life holds for these two delightful people.

Buy Links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Saved-by-My-Blackguard-Audiobook/B01H5K0R9G

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Saved-Blackguard-Linked-Across-Time-ebook/dp/B01C59MOKC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Summary

A vacation on a tropical island should be blissful paradise. It turns out to be something else altogether for Paul Dewitt. A storm erupts and throws his entire life into chaos. He wakes up to a beautiful stranger and a different time.
Lady Evelyn Beckett is sailing to England to marry her betrothed. When a storm hits, she is tossed overboard. By sheer will, and a little luck, she makes it to shore. She finds a handsome man wandering the beach, and he's both confusing and odd.
Together Paul and Evelyn rely on each other to survive the raging storm, villainous pirates, and a little bit of culture shock. Can they get past each other’s differences and learn to trust each other and find love?

Gilded Cage:

Gilded Cage: The Canary Club Books

Written by: Sherry D. Ficklin

Narrated by: Meghan Kelly

Length: 1 hr and 43 mins

Series: The Canary Club, Book 1

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:02-14-17

Publisher: Sherry Ficklin

This is short but carries a big punch the author fills a lot in few words never leaving anything out. You know just what is happening as she and the narrator pulls you in taking you away giving you a really enjoyable read. Masie’s family is very well to do even if her father might not have made all his money the illegal way. The book starts out with her being away in school being called home because of her mother’s illness. There is a little mystery around the mother, we never see her and you are left wondering just what happen to her. Marsie’s father is a very tough man and not always kind he is a user. Her brother I just haven’t made my mind up fully about him. What I do know is Masie is playing with fire and a dangerous game between her father and the man she lusts after. She has just about set the trap for herself putting her in a cage of her own making leaving her to wonder just what kind of mess she has gotten herself into.

Ms. Kelly as always does a great job I do believe this might be her best work. She gives you a smooth clean and clear audio that pulls you in painting a picture you have no trouble picturing the danger as it unfolds. I really enjoyed her character voices, you have no trouble knowing who is talking and what they are feeling. The confusing and excitement along with the anger comes through very clear. Her tones are even, there was no background noise or any places where the volume changed it one steady listen. Her male voices are just as good as her female ones. She really has come a long way from the first audio I have listened to of hers. I had no trouble picturing and feeling Masie anger, hurt, sorrow and excitement at finally getting her father’s attention. It really was a great listen with powerful emotions.

I liked a few of the characters and a few not so much. It was very easy to get the feel of Masie since the book is mostly about her. I could really feel her pain over her mother and really felt sorry for her. I understood that she just wanted to make her father proud and wanted his love. Her old love is a mix of let’s do it to let’s stop her father wouldn’t be too happy and he does want to keep his job. This story reminds me a lot of a mob but I do not get the feeling it is as of yet. I thought it has a good plot with a good writing style. This is a cliffhanger which I do not care for, I think it could have all been put in one book. The story held my attention and at times very exciting, there is passion and a few little hot scenes.  I did enjoy it enough to want to read the next in the series. It is very short but I think worth the listen. I know when the book ended I just put my head in my hands and as OH Masie what have you done….

Buy Links

Audible

http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Gilded-Cage-Audiobook/B06X1726ZL

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Gilded-Cage-Canary-Club-Story-ebook/dp/B06XNK9YZ5/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1492129375&sr=8-5&keywords=Gilded+Cage

Google Play

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sherry_D_Ficklin_Gilded_Cage?id=FkRXDgAAQBAJ

B&N

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-gilded-cage-sherry-d-ficklin/1125151453?ean=2940153857213

Summary

Masie, the flaxen-haired daughter of notorious bootlegger Dutch Schultz, returns home from boarding school to find her family in crisis. Her mother is dangerously unstable, her father's empire is on the brink of ruin, and the boy she once loved has become a ruthless killer for hire. To keep her family's dangerous secrets, Masie is forced into a lie that will change the course of her future—and leave her trapped in a gilded cage of her own making.
GILDED CAGE is the first installment of THE CANARY CLUB STORY Collection. Set during the flamboyant anything-goes era of 1920's America, these short stories are filled with intriguing characters and rich imagery from the time period—with romance, flappers, jazz music, gangsters, and lavish wealth.

Lord of Fire, Lady of Ice

Lord of Fire, Lady of Ice

Written by: Michelle M. Pillow

Narrated by: Mason Lloyd

Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:11-14-13

Publisher: The Raven Books

My Review

I really enjoyed this story I thought it had a great plot with wonderful characters. As the story unfolds we find Lady Della has a horrible past which makes her dislike all Viking. She has her own plans of marriage but her father feels he is wiser than she. He picked the man he wanted her to marry and would not take no for answer. It seems the father has been hiding a secret and must have her wed at once. When she is told she isn’t very happy about it as she turns the tables on her soon to be husband.  It does seem Lord Blackwell has met his match as Lady Della gives him a run for his money. Lord Blackwell will not be out done as he turns the tables back on her. I found this to be a highly entertaining read at times very funny. Other times I had my mouth in an O as the things they said or did to each other. Nothing good can come out of baiting each other and it normal backfires.

Mason Lloyd did an outstanding job with narration his male voices were as wonderful as his female ones. There are not any background noises or any high low levels, his voice is strong and smooth with no breaks in the audio that I could tell. You always know who is talking and just what emotion they are feeling. He gives a wonderful power listen with his strong male tones and his very smooth female ones. He has a voice you could listen to all day that really brings the story to life. He really puts his self into the characters when they are angry you know it. Lady Della is up one minute down the next so unsure of herself at times and others she is very much in power. Mr. Lloyd has not trouble playing her character as he shows you how emotional and unforgiving she can be. His Lord Blackwell is very touching as he gives compassion to his voice giving Lady Della time to adjust and find a common ground. This is the first time I have listen to this narrator and really look forward to listening to more from him.

I really liked these characters I understood where both Della and Brant were coming from and how they kept misunderstanding each other. There are many hurt feelings, must anger, misunderstandings, a whole lot of passion. Because of her past she has much to be afraid of in and out of the marriage bed and who can blame her. She doesn’t take to her upcoming marriage easy and make things very tough for those around her. When she finally gives in and marries she sticks to her word this is going to be a rocky marriage she won’t be taken in by his charm. I thought I would die laughing when she called Brant the Thorn in my Arse. I totally enjoyed this wonderful strong women who gives as good as she gets and doesn’t back down as she stands her ground.

Brant has got to be the most patient man alive as he gives her the time she needs. Oh he isn’t giving in all the way as she finds out when he puts her to shame at his request. It is driving him crazy as he sees the passion in her only have her turn cold. It doesn’t help when his friend bait him giving him a hard time. He will have her one way or the other. Just as she seems to becoming around her cousin shows up putting everything in a tail spin.  Brant decides to turn the tables on her again only to fall into his own trap. I really liked this man who can be caring, protective, loving, giving but isn’t going to take too much as he stands proud only bending a little to get his way.

I totally love the baiting between these two and found them to be very humorous at times. When they tried to outdo each other on the name calling I just about laughed myself silly.  The author gives you a very well written story along with the narrator giving you a very entertaining listen. For me I thought this was an outstanding book all the way around. I loved the plot, the characters along with the supporting characters who will keep you chuckling. You will find many twists and turns you will not see coming even a few that will shock you all the way to your soul. This is the first time I have picked up anything by this author but it will not be the last. I give this a big fat 5 stars all the way.

Buy Links

Audible

Amazon

B&N

Kobo

Overview

Medieval Historical Romance
127,000 Words

"She found herself unimpressed with him, having expected more of the legendary man--Brant. Lord Blackwell. Brant the Gladiator. Brant the Vigorous. Brant the Flame. Brant the Viking Hero. Della snorted in unladylike disgust. More like, Brant the Thorn in my Arse!"

Lady Della the Cold-Hearted
Lady Della despises all things Viking. They may rule the land, but they will never rule her. Unfortunately, her father doesn't seem to agree. To prove his continued allegiance to the Viking king, the Ealdorman of Strathfeld betroths his only daughter to a respected Viking Lord--a warrior who's legendary prowess isn't reserved for the battlefield. Fighting the newfound craving in her body and the unwelcome fire in her heart, Della must choose between everything she knows to be true and the one thing she never expected...

Lord Brant of Blackwell, the Fiery One
Lord Blackwell is as fiery on the battlefield as he is in his passions. He has fought valiantly for King Guthrum and has earned the respect of the nobles. When his overlord offers the hand of his beautiful daughter and the right to inherit his lands, Blackwell can hardly refuse. However, he soon discovers that his noble bride is anything but the meek and mild woman he envisioned for his wife. One minute she's kissing him back, the next she's swearing to do whatever it takes to dissuaded him from their marriage. Can his lust for life and his new bride melt the ice that surrounds her heart? Or will Lady Della the Cold be this warrior's undoing?

Length: Long Novel
Heat Level: Very Sensual
This novel contains adult content. Must
be 18 years or older to read.