Romance Audiobooks discussion

Brenda wrote: "Call me a wimp but I'm not comfortable listening to erotica. =0

For those who are I was amazed to see 25 Ellora's Cave titles will release at Audible in September!

Some authors like Laurann Doh..."

Wow! I hadn't realized that. I think the main thing is the narrator. And I can't listen to all of the erotica because I slip into skim mode lots of times which is harder to do in audio.

Brenda wrote: "Call me a wimp but I'm not comfortable listening to erotica. =0

I agree- I have yet to listen any erotica. But there is something about Cherise Sinclair's writing and characterization that I think would make audiobooks more intriguing and less embarrassing, especially with the right narrator.

Vic wrote: " UF front with some romance I'm still hoping for Eileen Wilks World of the Lupi series. ..."

I've been hoping for that one too. As it turns out, I just discovered today that it's already out there (books 1-3 so far) although it's in a full-cast format.

http://www.graphicaudio.net/c-304-eil...

Kelli wrote: I've been hoping for that one too. As it turns out, I just discovered today that it's already out there (books 1-3 so far) although it's in a full-cast format..."

Have you tried one of the Wilk's yet Kelli? Could be interesting...

Brenda wrote: "Kelli wrote: I've been hoping for that one too. As it turns out, I just discovered today that it's already out there (books 1-3 so far) although it's in a full-cast format..."

Have you tried one o..."

I'm listening to the first one now. By the way, they do have the whole first hour available to listen to on their site.

I have always really disliked full-cast recordings but every now and then I try one to see if my tastes have changed. I still don't like that format but this one is actually not too bad. The background sounds are irritating but the multiple cast voices are quite good and Rule's voice is lovely to listen to. ;)

Kelli wrote: The background sounds are irritating but the multiple cast voices are quite good and Rule's voice is lovely to listen to. ;) ..."

Interesting - I've always said give me a good heroes voice and I can tolerate nearly anything else. :D

The full cast audios I've listened to were some Louis Lamour westerns with DH. They were okay - kinda fit the over the top stories.

Thanks for the hint about being able to listen to the first hour - that will help a lot.

Admittedly I only listened to the five minute sample but - Oh my - for someone that doesn't even like music encroaching over words in an audiobook the Wilks would be a challenge!

Maybe if the background volume level was cut by half so it wasn't a strain to hear the words being spoken - or maybe that is just my ears. ;)

I'm going to stream the full hour through the Soundcloud App (so I can move around as I generally do while listening to a book) and see if it's possible for my ears to adjust to all the racket behind the words...

Brenda wrote: "Admittedly I only listened to the five minute sample but - Oh my - for someone that doesn't even like music encroaching over words in an audiobook the Wilks would be a challenge!"

I completely agree, although I seem to have gotten used to it. It's also a very good thing Wilks is mostly a "closed door" writer for sex scenes because the audio drama makes those a little...uncomfy... to listen to. :)

I'm a huge Julie Garwood fan and can't understand why For the Roses hasn't been recorded yet. I'd probably wear my copy out if it was. My favorite Old West meets historical England tale ever, I think only Lorraine Heath rivals those stories.

Also, Morning Glory by L. Spencer as an unabridged version would be loved as well, every word should be savored. I won't even bother with the abridged version currently available. It would be like watching that horrible movie version done years ago with Deborah Raffin and Christopher Reeve.

For the Roses is coming out on audio later this year. It's available for peorder on Amazon.

Maggie wrote: "For the Roses is coming out on audio later this year. It's available for peorder on Amazon."

You made my day! Before posting I checked audible and nothing came up. Not sure what's going on if it's only going to be available on CD or if Audible will have it. I'll wait till the fall, not going to pre-order until the date gets closer would rather have it as a download on Audible. An early Christmas present for myself, it'll be available November 30th.

Sue - Morning Glory and For the Roses have both been released in unabridged audio previously but are now very Hard To Find.

With For the Roses (and other Garwood's like Ransom - The Secret - The Wedding -Prince Charming etc) the original audio rights expired and Brilliance then obtained them. Now Brilliance is reproducing each of the books with new narrators.

In the case of Morning Glory it would be a crime to have a new narrator! The original narrator - Kate Forbes - is so amazing with the story!

Why Recorded Books doesn't re-release Morning Glory in digital format is a question I'd love to have the answer to. They were the original producers of several of the above mentioned Garwood's and they let them get away so...

Just for giggles I checked my library for Morning Glory, believe it not they have it. The bummer is it's only on cassette, it was worth a shot.

I'm in a re-read mode it seems right now and visiting old favorites, books I haven't read in 30+ years. But a classic is a classic, now what I found interesting is the publisher of Kathleen Woodiwiss claimed she was the first historical romance writer. Back in the day Regencies were Regencies, but historical romance really didn't exist as a separate genre. Now we tend to lump them together. No way I could prove it either way, but I thought it was funny The Flame and the Flower is considered first of that class. So here goes some books that after three decades I never forgot, I'd love to hear recorded: The Flame and the Flower, The Wolf and the Dove and Shanna. Three of her best works, I'd definitely pay to have them on audio.

Sue wrote: "I'm in a re-read mode it seems right now and visiting old favorites, books I haven't read in 30+ years. But a classic is a classic, now what I found interesting is the publisher of Kathleen Woodiw..."

Agreed but would have to add Ashes on the Wind... :)

Kelli wrote: "I've been hoping for that one too. As it turns out, I just discovered today that it's already out there (books 1-3 so far) although it's in a full-cast format...."

Oh man... I have to try it though. I'll let you know if I can adjust.

Believe it or not, I rather like it. I'm about 30 minutes to being done. I know that is shocking since I've been most outspoken on the sound effects over audiobooks before but I have been able to hear the narration through the production better than the audios I ranted on. Maybe because the company does all their audios like this. I have found that this production style does require more concentration since you're processing so much more than just the spoken word. I would have preferred a regular audio but I think I'm going to get book 2 at least.

Things that didn't work for me so much is the "crowd" scenes where there IS a lot of background noise. Took me about 45 min to get into it since it starts off at a murder scene and then moves to a bar. Not a huge fan of Lily's voice - she certainly doesn't sound of Asian descent to me. I agree with Kelli on the kissing/love scenes being somewhat cringe worthy in this production style. LOVED grandmother's voice.

Updated: battle scene at end was a bit chaotic.

Vic wrote: "Believe it or not, I rather like it. I'm about 30 minutes to being done.
[snip]
Not a huge fan of Lily's voice..."

I've listened to the first two and would have moved on to the third if it was available yet. I'll never be a general fan of dramatic audio but I've enjoyed these a lot. They've done an excellent job at voice casting for all the characters with - as you noted, Vic - the exception of Lily's voice. The actress is very good technically, just not at all what I think Lily's voice should sound like.

One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney... historical fiction. I laughed, cried and enjoyed this novel I can't say how much. I rarely hand out 5 star ratings but this one demanded it. I also greatly enjoyed The Bargain I read a while back, not on audio though... but as I see it 2 books, 2 winners that need to be recorded.

On a roll with Mary Jo Putney...'The Rake' would be a fantastic addition.

i'd love at see the Lady Emily mysteries by Tasha Alexander that were skipped. The first is in audio and the later ones but a few in the middle have never been done

What about Marianne Stillings's Darling Detectives series? The wit and banter between H/h and RS elements would make for entertaining listen.

I would really love hear Ellen O'Connell's "Dancing On Coals" and "Beautiful Bad Man" etc. Cary Lofty's "His Very Own Girl."Some other authors would be Connie Brockway, Patricia Gaffney,Maggie Osborne,Pam Rosenthal, Edie Harris.

Oh! Pamela Morsi's "Simple Jess."

I really want some of Judith McNaught's older work on audible. I have no idea why she doesn't do it, but none of it has even been made available on ebook.

'The Next Best Thing' by Kristan Higgins - really needs to be recorded.

It's not up to Ms. McNaught. It's up to her publisher and if they want to put her books. recorded.

Suzanne Enoch's Samantha Jellicoe series:
1) Flirting with Danger
2) Don't Look Down
3) Billionaires Prefer Blondes
4) Twice the Temptation
5) A Touch of Minx

I'd love to see PS I LOVE YOU by Cecelia Ahern in audiobook form. The unabridged form.

I've noticed that Audible will be releasing a sizable back list of audio books by Jane Feather. YEAY!
Does anyone know if there are any plans to release what I believe is her best book, "Love's Charade"?

Mara wrote: "It's not up to Ms. McNaught. It's up to her publisher and if they want to put her books. recorded."

I'm not sure. Back in the 90s, audiobooks weren't as popular (ebooks were nonexistent) so probably they weren't even included in the contract with her publisher. I wouldn't be surprised if Ms. McNaught has the rights to all her audios and ebooks.

Or it could be that the contract was so murky that her and her publishers are fighting for the rights of her digital books and that's why neither can come out with it. Or it could be that there is some other clause that prevents either party from moving forward. It happens.

Remember the issues with the Outlander audios? It was all an issue of contracts - Diana owned the rights to the unabridged versions but her publisher owned the rights of the abridged ones and her contract said she couldn't sell them in the same place the abridged audios were sold until after 10 years after the book was published. That's why The Fiery Cross came out on Audible a couple of years ago!

Brenda wrote: "Merline Lovelace has some excellent books in her back list. Specifically I'd love to hear her Cleo North trilogy in audio.

The First Mistake
The Middle Sin
The Last Bullet

and the first four titl..."

I second that, Brend. Only, I prefer a male narrator for romantic suspense. Most female voices are to high to do a good male lead and some are too whiny and nasal. Painful on my ears.

XE Sands narration of 'Never kiss a Rake' is fantastic...I'm hoping for a repeat performance with the sequel 'Never kiss a Pirate'

Sue wrote: "XE Sands narration of 'Never kiss a Rake' is fantastic...I'm hoping for a repeat performance with the sequel 'Never kiss a Pirate'"

She is scheduled to record it as well. In fact, she may be doing so now.

Yeah!

I think that Kristin Higgin's publisher is working on getting her books released in audio - I know Tantor has done like 2 of them...I asked her about it on her facebook a while back and I know she was trying to find out for sure

Dee wrote: "I think that Kristin Higgin's publisher is working on getting her books released in audio - I know Tantor has done like 2 of them...I asked her about it on her facebook a while back and I know she ..."

Love hearing this!

Dee wrote: "I think that Kristin Higgin's publisher is working on getting her books released in audio - I know Tantor has done like 2 of them...I asked her about it on her facebook a while back and I know she ..."

Dee - I'd love this as well! And I'll just come out and say that I'd LOVE to record some of her backlist titles :)

Sue wrote: "XE Sands narration of 'Never kiss a Rake' is fantastic...I'm hoping for a repeat performance with the sequel 'Never kiss a Pirate'"

Awww ... you're making my day over here, Sue! Yes, just finished NEVER KISS A PIRATE (not in GR system yet) last week. It's even better than RAKE and I completely fell in love with Captain Morgan/Luca. Great synergy between the two leads. Hope you enjoy it!

Xe, I am so very glad to read that you have done Never Kiss a Pirate. Never Kiss a Rake was my first listen to one of your performances, and I thoroughly loved it. It will live in my "relisten" pile.

Just chiming in to second, third, or fourth the demand for Loretta Chase on audio. Also, I would enjoy more Mary Balogh and unabridged Georgette Heyer titles.

And after listening to several of the new Laura Kinsale titles, I'm pretty sure that I would listen to any book in the universe if Nicholas Boulton were narrating.

I would love for new author Maire Claremont's books to be produced in audio. They are dark historical romances that I think would really appeal to Anne Stuart's fans especially those who liked the House of Rohan books.

Lisa wrote: "Xe, I am so very glad to read that you have done Never Kiss a Pirate. Never Kiss a Rake was my first listen to one of your performances, and I thoroughly loved it. It will live in my "relisten" p..."

*sigh* So sorry, Lisa - got myself confused the first time I tried to respond. This totally made my day when I read it! Thanks so much :)

Xe,
No worries! I'm just glad you got the message that you received the message that you have a fan. Looking forward to the December (?) release.

Elizabeth Marx who wrote Cutters vs. Jocks & Binding Arbitration... this series should be recorded. I find it funny that you can read lots of books, but you just know when you wished it was in audio.... this author doesn't have alot of works... by BA is rated very high on GoodReads and Amazon.

Lisa wrote: "Xe,
No worries! I'm just glad you got the message that you received the message that you have a fan. Looking forward to the December (?) release."

I appreciate your understanding, Lisa :) And yes! I believe it will be a December release for PIRATE.

Toni Aleo's Hockey Series the Assassin's would be great on audio.

NA title/author to recommend Nichole Chase Suddenly Royal, she has a follow up book coming out in the spring. Those that loved the princess diaries would love this one.

I wish publishers would release a series in order for author's instead of starting in the middle. Several of Gaelen Foley's books were made into audio a while ago and all 3 of them had books that were the middle of the series. While all worked as stand alone books, I think it would have been better if they had started with the first book instead, such as "The Duke" for her Knight Family series. I know other series have had the same problem and sales likely suffered in from that.

Teresa Hill's - McRae's series would be excellent on audio, has romance, angst, family and drama. Twelve Days and the books that follow would be a real treat.