Romance Audiobooks discussion

We're starting a new thread as our original introduction thread was started three years ago! And it has almost 300 comments.

So, welcome to Romance Audiobooks! If you are new or even if you have been around for a while, we'd love for you to introduce yourself!

I'm Lea Hensley, co-moderator of our group. I've been listening to romance audiobooks for more than ten years now. My audiobook preferences are posted all over this group since its inception so I won't list mine here. But when you do introduce yourself, please let us know some of your favorite authors, narrators, and romance audiobooks.

Hi:) I'm Elaine and relatively new to audiobooks. I don't participate much on group discussions because I've found that most discussion are about historical romances and I only read/listen to contemporaries.

I'm also more interested in MM romance but recently revived my interest in MF contemporaries. I've bought almost all the older romance authors like Sandra Brown and Linda Howard. I also liked Gennita Low's Protector, excellently narrated by Kevin Foley.

More current romance authors I've enjoyed are Julie James though not the last two, and Pamela Clare's I-Team series that is so well done by Kaleo Griffith.

Favorite male narrators for MM and MF romance:
Charles Carr
Kaleo Griffith
Tom Stechshulte
James Daniels
Adrian Bisson
Paul Morey
Victor Slezak

Female narrators I like:
Natalie Ross
Jan Maxwell
Eve Matheson
Karen White
Susan Erickson (any except her JD Robb performances)
Kate Forbes



So far, the oldies by Sandra Brown are still my favorites. None of the new romances have been able to compare, sad to say.

Hi!I am Lee from Texas, fairly close to Dallas/Fort Worth.Been listening to audiobooks for about 25 years. I first started with Recorded Books, on cassette tapes, borrowed from the library. Pretty much listened in the car to anything available, just so long as I had SOMETHING to take my mind off the driving.

About four years ago, I started reading all the romances of all genres I could get my hands on. In my on-line searching, I found All About Romance, then Speaking of Audiobooks and Leah Hensley. Around the time I got a smart phone and a Kindle app, Leah's columns convinced me try Audible and I joined this Goodreads group. Life has never been the same!

I am hard pressed to pick my favorites because I really have enjoyed almost every romance audiobook I have ever listened to (have only returned one to Audible due to the narration). I tend to love series books and am usually a year or two behind the most current recommendations.

Favorite narrators include Xe Sands, Karen White, Davina Porter, Rosalyn Landor, Kaleo Griffith, Nicholas Boulton, Jim Frangione, Phil Gigante, Anna Fields.

Favorite series include Outlander (Diana Gabaldon), Troubleshooters (Suzanne Brockmann), The Princes Trilogy (Elizabeth Hoyt),Ice series (Anne Stuart), Virgin River (Robyn Carr), FBI/US attorneys (Julie James)and the Brothers Sinister series and the Turner series (Courtney Milan).

Have loved pretty much anything by Laura Kinsale, particularly For My Lady's Heart and Flowers From the Storm,and anything by Susanna Kearsley, with The Firebird and The Winter Sea my favorites.

Lee wrote: "Hi!I am Lee from Texas, fairly close to Dallas/Fort Worth.Been listening to audiobooks for about 25 years. I first started with Recorded Books, on cassette tapes, borrowed from the library. Pretty ..."

Welcome, Lee! And I'm honored to be in such amazing company :)

Hello All!

I'm Kelly and I'm from Mckinney, Tx (North Dallas.) I love audiobooks and listen to about 4-6 a month. It's so easy to get my "reading" by listening in the car or while I'm doing housework. My favorite narrators are Susan Erickson, Robert Petroff, Jill Redfield, Luke Daniels, and Xe Sands.

Welcome Kelly! I'm from Oklahoma so I'm your neighbor. :)

Look forward to hearing from you.

Kelly wrote: "Hello All!

I'm Kelly and I'm from Mckinney, Tx (North Dallas.) I love audiobooks and listen to about 4-6 a month. It's so easy to get my "reading" by listening in the car or while I'm doing housew..."

Aw, thanks, Kelly! I've found housework to be my audiobook enticer too :)

Hello!

I'm Melissa from Minnesota. I'm an avid reader and discovered audiobooks about a year ago. The combination of a good story and excellent narration supercedes any book I could actually read myself! My recent favorites are: Flowers from the Storm and The Spymaster's Lady.

I love the inside scoop I get here, especially the whispersync deals. Thank you!

Welcome Melissa! Two of the best historical romance audiobooks out there! Looking forward to hearing more from you.

Hello!

I'm Monica and I am just getting back into audio books. We're a military family so we have moved quite a bit but I currently live in Arkansas. I haven't been into audio books for quite some time, but the link between Audible and Amazon has drawn my interest back into audio books.I figure that they could help pass the time and distract me while doing things that I often don't want to do i.e. exercise & housework! I look forward to seeing what everyone is listening to & hopefully finding things that I wouldn't have found on my own. I don't have any favorites yet, so I am definitely open to recommendations!

Welcome Monica!

Hi, I'm Danielle.

Most of my audiobook have been the In Death series, I have listened to a few others. I love Susan Erickson. I've started the IAD series and Robert Petroff is very good. Also Sophie Eastlake.

Welcome Danielle!

Hey Danielle! *waves*

Hi Danielle!

Hello!

I live in Indianapolis. I've listened to books intermittently for about 10 years. I joined Audible in 2008 when I retired at 49. All that time on my hands... I upped to platinum membership in '10 and I have a serious addiction. I have 659 titles in my audio library.

I listen to most genres and go through phases in one or another. Romance is always on my list, regardless of what else I'm into. I have hundreds of romance audiobooks, most in historical (and most of those are regency, though I would like to find some good Victorian era romance titles. Suggestions?). But, regardless of whether it is contemporary, historical, or paranormal, I really, really like books that make me laugh.

Favorite narrators are Angela Dawe (though she's somewhat laconic, so I usually listen at x1.25 speed), Rosalyn Landor, Amanda Ronconi, Nicholas Boulton, Sebastian York, Lorelei King, Roger Hampton, the late Anna Fields, and Xe Sands. There are audiobooks I will not buy if the narrator is someone I can't stand.

If I could pick a book that needs to be recorded, it would be Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros, narrated by Lorelei King and Sebastian York. Just had to throw that in there. What would be your pick?

I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.

Hi Kym....I love that you have beaten my library (320 in a year and half) and your choices in fave narrators. I was shocked to see Angela Dawe on your list, until I read your hint on how to listen to her. I will sooooo try your tip of 1.25 speed. I also absolutely love Nicholas Boulton and Xe Sands.

Hey there! I'm Kimberly and have listened to audio books for a few decades, thanks to books on tape in the earlier years, but have recently upped the frequency. Amazingly, ironing clothes has become a favorite household chore, due only to audio books. Lately, my favorite narrator is Lorelie King, courtesy of Darynda Jones' Charlie Davidson series. It is interesting that so many listeners pay as much attention to following narrators as other non-listening readers do to authors and series.

Hi my not real name is jane
I desided to listen to romance audiobooks.
Becous it sounds fun and the english level is not to hard and they are saposed to have good ending
Im not shure i chose right for me.
Im not decided about young and new adult.
And real books and other genres and reading and listening levels.
Sometimes i think that movies are better for me.
Or reading in my language.
I have hard time trying to narrow what i want and dont want to chose the books.
They cost and im a slow listener and very slow reader.
Your reviews are important.

I have hard time with dictionary checks with audible. I guess the same with files itunes and youtube.

There is no romance in librivox so ill leave it to classic books group.

Hi! I'm Melissa and I'm a book-a-holic :) I've only been listening to audiobooks for about 6 months, but my library is at 442 because, as I said, I'm an addict. I work from home and I decided to start listening to books instead of watching Netflix (hammered my thumb one too many times while looking up at the screen, lol). I started out with mostly paranormal fantasy, which lead to paranormal romance, which naturally lead me to devouring nearly every romance I can get my hands on. I love it all, suspense, historical, NA, contemporary, paranormal, etc. My latest author binges have been Kristen Ashley, Lisa Marie Rice, Laura Kaye, and Marie Force. Favorite narrators... hmm... that's tough. I think at the moment I'd have to go with Seraphine Valentine and Sebastian York. I'll listen to anything they read! I also like Sophie Eastlake/Julia Whelan, Susan Ericksen, Grace Grant, Zachary Webber, Jason Carpenter and Xe Sands.

Looking forward to new recommendations and the chance to discuss my favorite listens (the glazed look in my husband's eyes when I try to explain to him leads me to believe I need to find a new outlet)!

Jane wrote: "Hi my not real name is jane
I desided to listen to romance audiobooks.
Becous it sounds fun and the english level is not to hard and they are saposed to have good ending
Im not shure i chose right ..."

My name is Jane, too. It is my real name, however. I have been listening to audiobooks and posting here awhile. Welcome to the group, "not real name Jane". :)

Kym wrote: "Hello!

I live in Indianapolis. I've listened to books intermittently for about 10 years. I joined Audible in 2008 when I retired at 49. All that time on my hands... I upped to platinum membership ..."

Welcome Kym! We look forward to hearing from you. Sounds like you have lots to share. I'm starting a thread called "Looking for..." and I'll place your question about Victorian era romances there.

I placed it in the Recommendation Give and Take folder: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Kimberly wrote: "Hey there! I'm Kimberly and have listened to audio books for a few decades, thanks to books on tape in the earlier years, but have recently upped the frequency. Amazingly, ironing clothes has bec..."

Welcome Kimberly! I have listened for about 12 years so you even beat me and I'm considered an old timer! Oh the days of taking one cassette out, flipping it to the other side, and hitting the play button. Only to do so again in another 15-30 minutes. :)

Jane wrote: "Hi my not real name is jane
I desided to listen to romance audiobooks.
Becous it sounds fun and the english level is not to hard and they are saposed to have good ending
Im not shure i chose right ..."

Welcome Jane! I hope we can help you find some books you can listen to.

Melissa wrote: "Hi! I'm Melissa and I'm a book-a-holic :) I've only been listening to audiobooks for about 6 months, but my library is at 442 because, as I said, I'm an addict. I work from home and I decided to st..."

Welcome Melissa! I too know about that glazed look in my husband's eyes. :D I look forward to hearing about your favorite listens. We have a thread titled "What is your favorite recent listen?" if you have one to share now. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Or we can always start a Favorite Romance Listen thread as well.

Jane wrote: "Jane wrote: "Hi my not real name is jane
I desided to listen to romance audiobooks.
Becous it sounds fun and the english level is not to hard and they are saposed to have good ending
Im not shure i..."

I wish we could better distinguish one member from another. In the early days, I actually tried to do so! Now, with over 800 members, it's a lost cause. Maybe you can figure out some way for us to know it is you?

Lea's Audiobooks wrote: "I wish we could better distinguish one member from another. In the early days, I actually tried to do so! Now, with over 800 members, it's a lost cause. Maybe you can figure out some way for us to know it is you?
"
My profile says my display name is Jane A, but that doesn't show up on my posts. Changed my user name to Jane CA, this is a test post to see if it takes!

edit: No, it still says Jane, I'm not sure how to make a change. Any advice?

Jane wrote: "Lea's Audiobooks wrote: "I wish we could better distinguish one member from another. In the early days, I actually tried to do so! Now, with over 800 members, it's a lost cause. Maybe you can figur..."

Changing your display name should work - did you hit "Save Profile Settings"? My first name is Lea's Audiobooks and interestingly, that is what shows up and my display name is Lea's Audiobooks Hensley.

I'd suggest changing your first name to Jane CA and see if that works.

Lea's Audiobooks wrote: "I'd suggest changing your first name to Jane CA and see if that works.
"
Test

Okay I'm now distinguished from other Jane's posting! :)

JaneA wrote: "Lea's Audiobooks wrote: "I'd suggest changing your first name to Jane CA and see if that works.
"
Test

Okay I'm now distinguished from other Jane's posting! :)"

Yay!

Welcome to all the new folks! Kym, Dawn and Melissa - thanks so much :) That's some fine company to be in...feel quite blessed!

I have to confess that most of my favorite narrators are Brits. It's that accent...it gets me every time...

Hi, I'm Melanie & I've been listening to audiobooks for years - romance were my entrée but I've got pretty wide listening tastes now. I used to listen constantly while working, but I've left that job and this summer and my audio - and reading - time has been severely cut back. (Poor Mel. No more commute, no more desk job. Weep for her!)

I have a million favorites - Xe, of course (hi, Xe!) and Davina Porter (just finished the last Gabaldon audio and never have 45 hours flown by so quickly) and far too many to name. Brockmann w/ Lawlor/Ewbank, Julie James w/ White, and tons of English voices for the Regency romances. Name a narrator; I'll gush. :)

Melanie wrote: "Hi, I'm Melanie & I've been listening to audiobooks for years - romance were my entrée but I've got pretty wide listening tastes now. I used to listen constantly while working, but I've left that j..."

Welcome Melanie! Sounds like you know your way around romance audio. Look forward to hearing more from you.

Hi, I'm Aarann. I listen to audiobooks while I'm at work (I'm not slacking, I just have a really boring menial job and it's the only way I can make myself concentrate on it). I also listen to them sometimes during my commute.

Sorry, but I am not horribly familiar with narrators' names yet, except Lorelei King, who I'm listening to now with the Charley Daniels series by Darynda Jones. I also like the woman who narrates the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, and I absolutely adored whoever the woman was who narrated "Romancing the Duke" by Tessa Dare. She was AMAZING.

Aarann wrote: "Hi, I'm Aarann. I listen to audiobooks while I'm at work (I'm not slacking, I just have a really boring menial job and it's the only way I can make myself concentrate on it). I also listen to them ..."

Looks like you enjoy Renee Raudman and Carmen Rose. I'm a big Raudman fan but haven't listened to Carmen Rose yet. Welcome to our group!

Aarann wrote: "Hi, I'm Aarann. I listen to audiobooks while I'm at work (I'm not slacking, I just have a really boring menial job and it's the only way I can make myself concentrate on it). I also listen to them ..."

I know exactly what you mean about listening while working - before I quit to write full-time I did a lot of data entry and stuff with numbers, and basically listened ALL DAY, which made the day go by agreeably when it wouldn't have otherwise.

And I love the Charley Daniels audios, and also all of Tessa Dare - we've clearly got similar tastes!

Hi, everyone! I was slow to come around to audiobooks (I thought they were "cheating" as a former English teacher), but now find that my kitchen stays much tidier when I have a book to listen to!

My favorite romantic "listens" are Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer. I also like "Comedic Vampire Romances" (how's that for a specific genre?) a la Katie MacAllister and Lyndsay Sands.

I also like P.G. Wodehouse, particularly the Jeeves books. Currently I am listening to Fool Moon by Jim Butcher, narrated by James Marsters -- meow!

Does anyone else find that what they listen to is influenced by how much their kids are around? Nothing like a steamy love scene or a fly-by f-bomb whizzing through the kitchen when your pre-teen has friends over! I'll ask for "PG-rated" suggestions on another thread.

Speaking of other threads . . . I'm also a narrator, but I will wait until I figure out all the rules and appropriate threads before I share details. :-)

Have a lovely (and love-filled!) day,
Angie Hickman

I'm a "totally listen with earbuds" listener as I get uncomfortable just listening to those scenes and words out loud! I can just see my neighbor knocking on the door as I'm playing my audiobook loud enough to hear as I wander from one room to the next. Back in my first years of listening, I used a boom box and played it loud enough to hear over the sound of the treadmill and my exertion. I was constantly looking out the window just in case a friend came knocking on my back door.

Anyway, welcome to our group!

Ha ha. I tend to listen on ear buds as well, but sometimes catch myself looking around anyway. Welcome Angie

Angie wrote: "Hi, everyone! I was slow to come around to audiobooks (I thought they were "cheating" as a former English teacher), but now find that my kitchen stays much tidier when I have a book to listen to!
..."


Angie, welcome! I also have been sticking to pg rated books! I listen throughout the day and have little ears (and teen aged ears) listening in! I do use earbuds sometimes, but most of the time it is not the best choice for me. Realizing that I needed pg books has made me wish there was a rating system for books too, just like in movies. That would be really helpful when keeping an eye on what my teen daughter reads, because some of the teen books I have read and listened to are "R" rated!

Hi, my name is Peter Rawn Klein. I'm a storyteller by nature. Mostly I learned the craft sitting around camp fires, smoking cigars and sipping Jack Daniels. I did some writing in workshops. I read some of my stories in public forums. More and more people commented on my reading voice, but mostly they seemed to like kinky, edgy stories about seduction and other misbehaviors.

I gave up the cigars, but I got more serious audiobook production. I now have three books published on Audible. They've done well. I'm working on my next one.

I'm here to learn what I can learn.

Howdy! I am Alana 'The Book Pimp' Rock and living in Austin, TX. Hello fellow peeps from Texas!

I've only been listening to audiobooks for the last 2-ish years now, started slow with a few free titles from the Sync YA free audio summer program... and now, it's become my favored method of reading. I still read eBooks, and very very rarely, real books. 400+ audiobooks now (owned via Audible or Overdrive free titles from the Sync program) (although there are a more than a few 'freebies' and really short ones in that list, so it's not nearly as impressive as it seems) I've probably only listened to about half of them yet.

My newest love is M/M, but I'm also a sucker for contemporary romance, New adult, YA, distopian, urban fantasy, PNR, erotic, science fictions, pretty much anything but historical. Although I did listen (just last month) to Outlander. I like everything from tame to spicy, children's books to menage stories. If it has romacne and/or is a 'tried and true' author for me, generally I'm game to try it. I've already listened to 12 audiobooks just this month (and currently still listening to two titles- not at the same time, obviously)... I was given permission to 'read' audiobooks during work so it's become my way to get my fix while I'm typing and such rather than just reading during my lunch break.

Some narrators I enjoy: Amanda Ronconi rocks my world, the pairing of her reading Molly Harper is guarenteed enterainment for me.
Susan Ericksen - I adore the In Death series, personally; it's another 'go-to' entertainment guarentee for me.
Kristine Hvam - I can no longer just 'read' the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series because of her. Even at an author signing where she read an excerpt... I 'heard' Kristine's voice in my head replacing the author's.
Luke Daniels - Iron Druid series is among my favorite series... although his Oberon voice is NOT my favorite.
James Marsters - Well, because, it's James Marsters doing The Dresden Files and that just rocks my world.
Zachary Webber - quickly becoming a favorite, and his performance in Maybe, Someday - *sigh* I just adore everything, everything about that book.
Emma Galvin ... with the exception of Allegiant, but that wasn't her fault, but the author's, don't even get me started.
Kate Rudd - She's not always a guarenteed great performance, but some of hers are among my favorites (like The Breathing Series)
Phil Gigante - His accents are superb, I could listen to him read the phone book
Emily Bauer - Another not 100% guarenteed sucess, but so many of hers I've simply adored. When she reads Seanan McGuire, I'm in heaven.

Some favorite authors:
Jim Butcher, Seanan McGuire, Cora Carmack, Kim Harrison, Tara Sivec, Karen Marie Moning, Colleen Hoover, Richelle Mead, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Kristen Ashley, Alice Clayton, Abigail Roux

Audiobooks I adored:


... Sorry my intro is more like a short story!

Hi! My name is Bekah. I'm one of the moderators over at We Love Lisa Kleypas...and I was directed to this fine group for suggestions.

I've hit a spot in my life where I just don't have time to read...yet I'm still buying books because the passion is there. So recently I joined Audibles...but now I don't know what book to start listening to. I'm hoping that 1. this helps me get to read more, and 2. I'm hoping that I don't love it so much too..cuz i LOVE holding a book in my hands..so maybe it will just kick start my reading habit again so i'll carve out time somewhere to read.

So...

I need some really really good suggestions for books..preferably romances that are gong to be addicting to listen to. Any suggestions are welcome....

Also I've NEVER read an audible book before. I'm afraid I won't like it, or it will be too easy for me to tune it out as I work or do other things..

Thank you!

Bekah

Hi again, Bekah!
As far as getting too involved with the book and miss other things, the opposite is true for me. It's great for driving, but when I get into a high traffic area, I go ahead and turn the book off, because I'll miss it anyway as I concentrate on what's going on around me. If you don't turn it off and miss something in the book, you can back up. And it's safe. Unlike a cellphone, you are not required to respond. It's great for any mindless task you can put in the background while you listen. And it is absolutely wonderful for walking or running because you can focus on the book instead of your aching body!

Hey Bekah! I love listening while I drive, while I'm doing more mind-numbing tasks at work, or dishes... it's totally become my favorite way to read at this point. Glad you joined!

Hi Guys!! Thanks for the welcome! I'm encouraged by your enthusiasm. I''m trying to decide on a series...hoping that might help.

Hello,
My name is Jillian and I live in Massachusetts with my husband and an elderly cat (who decided to learn how to play fetch only last month). I LOVE romance novels and have recently gotten back onto the audiobook bandwagon. About eight years ago, when I was in grad school (ugh), I listened to the Outlander series on audio during my 2+ hours in the car every day and fell in love! :) Davina Porter did such a fantastic job. Last February I was offered a whispersync deal to buy the audio version of Jeannie Lin's The Lotus Palace and, well, I've listened to 48 audio books since then. They are perfect for driving, cleaning, laundry, working out, just about anything. Anyway, here are some favorites...

Ultimate favorite: Outlander Series, narrated by Davina Porter

Recent favorite: Hathaways Series, narrated by Rosalyn Landor

Other likes: Highland Pleasures Series, narrated by Angela Dawe, With Me in Seattle Series narrated by Jennifer Mack and Andrew Michael Summerer, Flowers in the Storm narrated by Nicolas Boulton

Anyhow, I'm really loving listening. I love that I was reintroduced to Lisa Kleypas. I also love the discussions in this group. Happy listening!

Bekah wrote: "Hi! My name is Bekah. I'm one of the moderators over at We Love Lisa Kleypas...and I was directed to this fine group for suggestions.

I've hit a spot in my life where I just don't have time to rea..."

Welcome Bekah! We have to talk you into Audible! Opens up audio listening and makes it a breeze.

Jillian wrote: "Hello,
My name is Jillian and I live in Massachusetts with my husband and an elderly cat (who decided to learn how to play fetch only last month). I LOVE romance novels and have recently gotten b..."

Welcome Jillian! Looks like we have favorites in common. Looking forward to hearing more from you.

"Hi, my name is Gina and I'm a audiobook-aholic!"

Oh, I guess it's not that type of meeting... It is nice to see I'm not abnormal in my listening habits though. I've always been a avid reader but after i really got into audiobooks in 2010 my reading has taken on a life of it's own. While I've not made it to Kym's level, I admit to sporting over 400 titles in my audible collection. (I also love Xe Sands as a narrator!) I do a lot of bookkeeping during the day and find I can crunch number while listening to an audiobook. So I usually go through 3-4 a week...depending on genre.

I'd say my genre split is 70% romance/ 25% SFF / 5% other.

I'm always looking for recommendations. My biggest fear is getting to the point where I can't find something to listen to!