Romance Audiobooks discussion

Welcome Gina! We'll keep the recommendations coming. I've listened for over ten years now with at least seven of those years filled with one listen after another (usually two at a time) and there's always more (although I usually only finish two per week). However, there are a number of my favorite titles that I relisten to from time to time as well.

Hi everyone - my name is Jane (and yes, that is my real name ;) and I live in Queensland, Australia.

I haunt Audible for my next great deal there, but I also love my Kindle and ereader. I've found I tend to listen to MF and read MM however I also listen to a heap of MM and read the occassional MF :)

My favourite genres are MM (of course) and Urban Fantasy but I pretty much read any sort of romance based genre. My favourite narrators? Hands down top narrator is Saul Reichlin who reads the British version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo aka Millenium trilogy... Beautiful. (Given I'm not from Sweden though I have no idea how truly accurate his pronounciations are.)

Anyway - looking forward to chatting and checking out rec's in audiobooks :)

Welcome to the group, Jane!

Thanks Lauren!

I've noticed a few of my friends floating around here :)

Welcome Jane! We look forward to hearing from you.

Gracious! All this love! Y'all are so very sweet...feeling blessed to be in such great company. Thank you :)

Xe wrote: "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'..."

I must agree with you in that I thoroughly enjoy listening to Brits as narrators! Being American, I cannot keep the accent in my head when I read the bits of characters of other nationalities. John Lee, in narrating Ken Follett's Winter of the World, does an excellent job reading with accents of Bostonians, Brits, Germans, Russians, a Texan and a effeminate (male) marine (don't ask, don't tell) all in an 800 page book. To add on, he has at least 5 Ken Follett's and about 300 books listed at Audible to his credit!

There are some readers/narrators who give sound to the written word, and then there are others who give life to the written word. The later put me in complete awe. Xe, by reputation, you fall into the later category, too! Jacquelyn Frank's Nightwalkers series is one of my fav paranormal series. As I have only read the book books of these, I'm looking forward to listening to them soon.

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 ..."

Love, love love Lorelei King!!!!

Hi everyone I have been reading your comments for months. I love audiobooks especially historical romance. Your comments has been a big help for me finding new authors and audiobooks to add to my collections.

So glad you came forth and introduced yourself! Welcome officially.

Hi Lady! I love this group! It is helpful. I am an audible addict! Whispersync is the best!

Lea's Audiobooks wrote: "So glad you came forth and introduced yourself! Welcome officially."

Thanks

Tracy wrote: "Hi Lady! I love this group! It is helpful. I am an audible addict! Whispersync is the best!"

Thanks, I like the site as well. I enjoy audiobooks, they really enhance novels for me. I have been reading HR for about 5 years, but now I would like to read more HR thriller and suspense novel. Searching for more authors who write that subgenre. Recently came across an author Elizabeth Boyce who just released Honor Among Thieves, a HR thriller. Sadly, it's not in audio format. Can't wait for my library to add it to there ebook collection. Another great HR suspense is Secret Nights, by Anita Mills. Audible has twelve of her books in audioformat, so I expect this one to be released in the near future. Just not such about the narrator Rosalind Ashford.

Lady wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Hi Lady! I love this group! It is helpful. I am an audible addict! Whispersync is the best!"

Thanks, I like the site as well. I enjoy audiobooks, they really enhance novels for me. I..."

I read mostly HR as well, I have been looking at some the Anita Mills books myself on audible, but they all seem to be pretty old publications. Anyway, if you haven't read\listened to The Bride of Devil's Acre I highly recommend it. It's a great story, a bit dark but really good. I liked the narration very much too.

Hi, I'm Kari, I've been an audiobook aficionado for several years, since my library started offering them for download to fill the long hours of driving (I live in Montana, even the school bus stop is a long drive) and the dull days at my former day job. Luckily, my boss was hard of hearing and the rest of the girls thought is was amusing to walk into the middle of a sex scene, so I didn't have to worry about being work appropriate. Nowadays I am the number one hand on my parents' ranch, so I have endless hours on hay balers and tractors to enjoy audiobooks. So far, the cows aren't complaining.

My current addiction is Joanna Bourne's Spymaster series. Honestly, if I met both Joanna and Kirsten Potter at a conference, I would have to stop and consider whose autograph to get first. The performances are wonderful, the stories and the characters spectacular and so fresh and unexpected.

I also listen to a wide variety of other genres. Maggie Stiefvater's Raven Cycle series has me by the throat (Will Patton is mesmerizing as the narrator). Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore charmed and entertained me, and next on my TBR (or is that TBL on this thread?) is Kristen Lippert Martin's Tabula Rasa.

Welcome Kari! I, too, am Bourne/Potter fan. Rogue Spy is on my iPod ready to go!

We look forward to hearing from you.

Hi my name is Tiffany. I live in Australia :). I love reading and mainly stick to stories with romance and/or fantasy. I hated reading when I was young and then I read The Hobbit and Harry Potter and I got hooked (~13 years old). Then I discovered the romance genre at 15 and that was just the beginning!

I had recently (this year) gotten into audiobooks and they have saved me. I get motion sickness and since I can't read a book I figured I should try listening to one.

From my limited collection of books I've realised that I much prefer female narrators over male. If there are any really good male narrators I'm open to suggestions - I've only ever heard Fiacre Douglas (Born Trilogy by Nora Roberts).

I've only listened to Susan Ericksen and Renee Raudman and I love them! If there are any other narrators similar them please send them my way!

Hi Tiffany. I too have some issues with make narrators. However, Robert Petkoff narrated the entire Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole. The best author and narration combination ever, the best stories ever too. Give it try it won't disappoint.

A few of my favorite female narrators, Carolyn Morris, Tavia Gilbert, Johanna Parker, Marguerite (sp?) Gavin, and Elizabeth Wiley.

I am a huge audible fan.

Here are a few of my favorites-

Male narrators: Nicholas Boulton, Kaleo Griffith, Jim Frangione, MacLeod Andrews, Victor Slezak, Phil Gigante, Tom Stetschulte.

For dual narration of the Troubleshoters series- Patrick Lawlor and Renee Raudman are terrific.

Female narrators: Xe Sands, Karen White, Anna Fields, Davina Porter, Angela Dawe, Rosalyn Landor, Kirsten Potter, Moira Quick, Tavia Gilbert, Kate Russell, Tanya Eby. And I will second Susan Ericksen.

Old school, especially for the classics- Flo Gibson and Barbara Rosenblat

For first person POV, I love Amanda Ronconi and Barbara Rosenblat (for some reason, I'm not enamored of either one for 3rd person point of view narratives).

Hi, I'm Skandia and I'm a rookie audiobook reader. As English is my second language, I need to concentrate more on listening and also, because of that, I'm very selective with narrators.

So far my favorite has been Harry Dresden series, read by magnificent James Marsters.

I just downloaded a Scribd app with three months free subscription and plan to listen to more audiobooks while taking long walks with my dog or cleaning house.

Hi Kym and Skandia! Welcome to the group.

I also listen while walking my dog, Skandia :0)

Welcome Tiffany and Skandia! We look forward to hearing from you and hope we can give you the guidance you need for many satisfying listens.

Hi there. My name is Silk Jones. I'm an attorney who practices law in Florida and an author who writes bdsm romance and erotica. I love to listen to audiobooks - especially on the long drives to visit my guy in Orlando. I like to read romantic suspense, erotica and bdsm romance novels. My favorite authors include Nora Roberts (writing as J.D. Robb) and Cherise Sinclair.

Hi everyone! I'm Erin and while I joined this group a while back I haven't been active on Goodreads for some time so I thought I should introduce myself again. I love audiobooks! Some of my favorite narrators are Christine Hvam, Rosalyn Landor and Patrick Lawlor. I'm looking forward to hearing about what you're all listening to!

Hi all! My name is Joan and like Gina yes I am a audiobook-aholic! From romances to fantasy and paranormal. I am into Nora Roberts trilogy's and currently listening to the O'Dwyer trilogy!

I not even sure how many titles that I actually own but I would say at least 300 and growing. Both boughten and digital I have listen to since 2010. Listening to a whole new genre of books that normally would not have had a second listen to! and for genres that I really love!

Audiobooks have been really important escape for me this last year since my husband's passing in January. My other interest that is at the top of my life is photography. I have a hobby with creating dvd photo videos of my family, thou this year was a bit slower doing those just getting my life in order. But, come 2015 full blast ahead. Also a lot of crafting from scrapbooking card making to cross stitching to crocheting.

Since my injury to my elbow in 2011 I am finally returning to yet another passion, woodworking. I have been hooked on repurposing furniture. Taking furniture that I find at thrift stores or rummage sales that are so sad and I feel they are like puppies that need a new home and purpose. Like a twin bookcase headboard into an audiobook case. (Oh I really need another one lol!) So audiobooks in my shop in between the saw and sander going makes for flowing work.

Since I lost my job over a year ago and found a part time job shortly after my husband's passing that I love. I love telling people that I have found the best job. work 2 days and a 5 day weekend! More time to listen to my books!!

Hi Joan, I am an audible aholic too. I usually get all my books from audible and love the Amazon Whispersync and the new Kindle Unlimited subscription that has great deals on the audibles when you buy the kindle version. Happy reading and welcome. This is a great group.

Tracy wrote: "Hi Joan, I am an audible aholic too. I usually get all my books from audible and love the Amazon Whispersync and the new Kindle Unlimited subscription that has great deals on the audibles when you ..."

thank you! i get from audible but since in am a thrift store shopper i am always on the search for audiobooks. even on the free shelf at the library. yes i a few whisper sync too

I am to lazy to go to the library. LOL. Besides I spend hours on goidreads, audible and Amazon. A librarian would kick me out!

Erin wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm Erin and while I joined this group a while back I haven't been active on Goodreads for some time so I thought I should introduce myself again. I love audiobooks! Some of my favorite..."
Welcome Erin! I assume that by listing Patrick Lawlor as a favorite narrator, that you are a Brockmann fan as well?

Joan wrote: "Hi all! My name is Joan and like Gina yes I am a audiobook-aholic! From romances to fantasy and paranormal. I am into Nora Roberts trilogy's and currently listening to the O'Dwyer trilogy!

I not e..."
Welcome Joan! You do have the right sort of activities for lots of listening! I have had an art room for years and have whiled away many a pleasant hour creating and listening to audiobooks.

Lea's Audiobooks wrote: "Erin wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm Erin and while I joined this group a while back I haven't been active on Goodreads for some time so I thought I should introduce myself again. I love audiobooks! Some ..."

I am a huge Brockmann fan! :) Her Troubleshooters series is definitely a big favorite of mine.

Hi. My name is Curt Simmons. I've listened to a few audiobooks over the years, mostly Nonfiction. But, I recently found myself narrating my first audiobook. I really enjoyed it and now I'm very curious about the whole medium. I have a lot of questions and thoughts and please forgive me, but I have to be very honest here, I'm not sure I understand the attraction. I landed in this position because I'm an actor now and I like to tell stories, but isn't it hard to find narrators that you like to listen to?

Curt wrote: "Hi. My name is Curt Simmons. I've listened to a few audiobooks over the years, mostly Nonfiction. But, I recently found myself narrating my first audiobook. I really enjoyed it and now I'm very cur..."

when I started listening before audible it was hard. Buy a book and listen and pray that the narrator is good. With Audible at least they give you at least a 5 minute sample to listen to. I read the reviews to get feedback from previous listeners. I have listen to some and in the beginning think what was thinking the sample didn't seem like this. I am listening to one book that is just that. The beginning I thought omg so monotone this is going to be a long book. Then as it proceed the narrator is awesome.

What book can you say is the one you just did so we can watch for it's release? Good luck with your narration endevours.

Joan wrote: "when I started listening before audible it was hard. Buy a book and listen and pray that the narrator is good. With Audible at least they give you at least a 5 minute sample to listen to. I read the reviews..."

Hi, Joan. Thanks for the reply, not to mention the encouragement. I can tell you it was very challenging to do the first one and I have a new appreciation for narrators, especially self-produced narrators. I can see how audible makes it easier on the selection process. Based on the handful of books I've listened to over the years, I've found that it's very difficult to find both a voice and a performance that you can stick with for an entire book. Like right now, I'm listening to Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence by Karen Armstrong. I'm fascinated by the topic and I love it that the narrator is the author, but her voice is hard for me to listen to for the duration, so it's difficult to get through.

I don't want to get into a "narrator discussion" on the Intro thread, so maybe I need to take this to a narrator thread.

I also do not want to violate the no-self-promo rules for this discussion, so I can't mention the title here. All I can say is that it is on the appropriate pages of goodreads.

Thanks again, Joan. Maybe I'll see you on a narrator discussion.

Hi, I´m Vi from Germany. I have to admitt, that I don´t listen that often to audiobooks or at least not on a daily basis. But I hope, that I will find here many good books which are worth it and that they maybe change my listening habbits...

Best wishes
Vi

Vi wrote: "Hi, I´m Vi from Germany. I have to admitt, that I don´t listen that often to audiobooks or at least not on a daily basis. But I hope, that I will find here many good books which are worth it and th..."

Good to see you here, Vi! Welcome.

Jonetta wrote: "Vi wrote: "Hi, I´m Vi from Germany. I have to admitt, that I don´t listen that often to audiobooks or at least not on a daily basis. But I hope, that I will find here many good books which are wort..."

Thanks a lot, Jonetta! Nice to see a friend here :-)

Welcome Vi! Looking forward to talking all about audiobooks with you.

Hi everyone, I'm Sharon. I love to read but also write paranormal romantic comedies. I became hooked on paranormal romance about a year ago after reading the likes of Robyn Peterman.

Hi, my name is Birgit and I love to listen to audiobooks - I started listening when I had to drive 30min+ one way to work (about 8 years ago). A lot of things have changed since then, but my move for audiobooks stayed :)

Welcome Sharon and Birgit! Glad to see you have joined us and look forward to hearing your thoughts on audiobooks you have listened to.

Hi, I'm Christiana and my main source of audiobooks is from the public library (2 formats, Overdrive and One Click) and I usually have an audiobook on the go on my phone and an ebook on my iPad. I read mostly historical romance, some contemporary.
However, my latest read which I just finished yesterday was The Light Between Oceans which was very sad and gut wrenching. I had read comments here on GR that some people gave up on it because they had trouble understanding the narrator especially with the Aussie accent but I didn't have much difficulty although at points, I got the distinct impression he was suppressing a yawn while narrating! I would definitely recommend this but beware of the feels.
My favourite authors are Sherry Thomas, Jojo Moyes and Loretta Chase. So far, Rosalyn Landor is a favourite narrator.

Welcome Christiana! I listened to The Light Between Oceans last year and I agree with your assessment. I didn't have any difficulty with the narration though - I just thought it rather authentic.

Hi! I'm Jen and new to the group. As another commenter said, "romance is always on my list". I have been reading audio books, well, basically since forever. I am totally blind and so started out with the NLS four track tapes then moved onto commercial audio books on regular tapes then eventually to CDs and the occasional layaway and then recently to reading downloadable books from Audible.
Like many others, I am a reading fanatic. I love mysteries, historical, some paranormal and fantasy, (usually more urban than saga based), literary fiction, domestic fiction, humorous stories, some poetry and classics.
Romances I've enjoyed the year so far include: Wild by Megan O'Brian, The Distant Hours, (Not sure if this technically counts as romance but Kate Mortan is amazing), The Search by Norah Roberts, (couldn't stand the male lead in this but loved the rest of it. I just thought the guy was a huge jerk face and couldn't figure out what Fionna found so sexy about his rude behavior, but, I digress). Those are the only two reads I can think of so far that fall into the romance category that I've read this year thus far but I am sure I am forgetting stuff. Its late. Fave narrators include: Caroline Lee, Cassandra Campbell, Ann Flosnick, Kirsten Potter.
Lastly, forgot to mention in the beginning that I am in IL. I feel like this was a very rambling post-- lol.
Thanks for having me in the group and I look forward to participating and getting and giving book recommendations.
Blessings,
Jen

P.S. It was supposed to read, "play away" not layaway. Auto correct was not correct in this case. lol. crazy computer antics-- oops. Jen wrote: "Hi! I'm Jen and new to the group. As another commenter said, "romance is always on my list". I have been reading audio books, well, basically since forever. I am totally blind and so started o..."

Kari wrote: "Hi, I'm Kari, I've been an audiobook aficionado for several years, since my library started offering them for download to fill the long hours of driving (I live in Montana, even the school bus stop..."

Jen - welcome! So glad to have you around and look forward to hearing more. I didn't think your post rambling - I enjoyed hearing your thoughts - gives us a better idea of your tastes. :)

"Hi, my name is Julles Burn - I love audio books!"

I listen to an audio book on my phone whenever I drive, or catch a moment alone, or wash the dishes, or work out at the gym.

My batteries constantly run down because a book is always running.

I must go through 5-6 books a week.

I'm constantly seeking out new interesting books to listen to. I like using the 'buy on Amazon, then get whispersync low price,' mode for buying.

I'm also always looking for new authors to fall in love with, including indie authors - so I'm excited when I see more authors dipping their toes into audio books.

I also write and I'm trying to get more titles produced for audio. I don't narrate, however, so I go through ACX and hire out or do royalty share.

So far, I've worked with Jennifer Saucedo (my first project) Aubrey Lusk - (in production) and Maggie Dale. I love hearing my stories read by these professionals.

I don't do it for the money. So far, my books don't sell much on Audible. I do it, because I love audio books. Period.

Hey everyone,

I'm a fan of M/M Romance (and a narrator for all genres of romance - but don't worry, I read the rules and am NOT here for promotion, just discussion).

As a guy in his twenties, I never thought I'd like romance. I mean, it's basically just written porn for middle-aged women right?

Ha, wrong.

I got introduced to romance when I got a gig as an audiobook proofer (reviewing audiobooks for errors prior to final release), and instantly fell in love. Honestly, I'm still struggling to find the right words to describe why I love romance so much, but now that I've entered into this world I actually struggle with general fiction sometimes.

As I said, as a fan I love M/M romance. Sinner's Gin by Rhys Ford, narrated by Tristan James was my first introduction, and I still love both Rhys Ford and Tristan James.

Derrick wrote: "Hey everyone,

I'm a fan of M/M Romance (and a narrator for all genres of romance - but don't worry, I read the rules and am NOT here for promotion, just discussion).

As a guy in his twenties, I ..."

Welcome Derrick! If you like Rhys Ford, you also might try Abigail Roux and Heidi Cullinan. Both are fantastic M/M writers. :)