Welcome to the March 2017 Audio Book of the Month Poll!
Here are all our Audio Reviews from March, in no particular order. Please vote for your favorites. As with all of our Polls, you can vote for as many as you want, but you only get one visit, so make it count!
The top two will go through to the Audio of the Year Poll!
POLL SCHEDULE:
This poll will remain open until at least 6PM, Amsterdam time next Friday. The actual closing time will vary depending on blog staff schedules…
Striking Sparks (Dreamspun Desires) by Ari McKay (Author) & Rusty Topsfield (Narrator)
Reviewed by PizzyGirl
TITLE: Striking Sparks
SERIES: Dreamspun Desires
AUTHOR: Ari McKay
NARRATOR: Rusty Topsfield
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 5 hours, 10 minutes
RELEASE DATE: January 27, 2017
BLURB:
The stakes are high and the heat is on.
Beau Walker, owner of the Barbecue Shack, needs the help of Jake Parnell, his one-time rival and secret crush, in a televised barbecue competition. Beau is a proud man, but the stakes are high, and smart, sexy Jake is his only hope, even if being around Jake reawakens the attraction he’s fought for years.
Jake left his hometown, determined to build a life somewhere his sexuality wouldn’t hurt his family’s restaurant business – and far away from hunky, obstinate Beau Walker. Then his twin, Josh, is killed, and Jake returns to support his brother’s wife and children. Despite his reservations, he agrees to go head-to-head against Beau on national television. Between stress and grief, as well as pride and determination, only one thing is certain – the heat between Beau and Jake extends well beyond the kitchen…Read more>>>
Sweet Spot (Raw Talent #2) by Lucy Felthouse (Author) & Xanthia Bloom (Narrator)
Reviewed by PizzyGirl
TITLE: Sweet Spot
SERIES: Raw Talent #2
AUTHOR: Lucy Felthouse
NARRATOR: Xanthia Bloom
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 2 hours, 8 minutes
RELEASE DATE: February 8, 2017
BLURB:
Virginia Miller is an up-and-coming tennis star. She’s gone from a ratty tennis court in a park in south London, England, to the world’s top training facility – Los Carlos Tennis Academy in California. In awe of the talent around her, Virginia is all the more determined to make the most of the opportunity and show that she’s worthy of her place there. Her mentor, Nadia Gorlando, has every faith in her.
But Virginia finds herself distracted – Nadia, as well as being a top-notch tennis player, is seriously sexy, and Virginia’s mind keeps wandering where it shouldn’t. Will her crush get in the way of her career, or can she find a way to push the other woman out of her mind before it’s too late? Read More>>>
Five Times My Best Friend Kissed Me and the One Time I Kissed Him First by Anna Martin (Author) & Jesse Cota (Narrator)
Reviewed by PizzyGirl
TITLE: Five Times My Best Friend Kissed Me And the One Time I Kissed Him First
AUTHOR: Anna Martin
NARRATOR: Jesse Cota
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 6 hours, 17 minutes
RELEASE DATE: January 26, 2017
BLURB:
When you realize you want to marry your best friend at age six, life should follow a pretty predictable path, right? Maybe not.
As a kid, Evan King thought Scott Sparrow was the most amazing person he’d ever met. At 17, his crush runs a little deeper, and nothing seems simple anymore. Scott is more interested in football and girls than playing superheroes, and Evan’s attention is focused on getting into art school. A late-night drunken kiss is something to be forgotten, not obsessed over for the next 10 years.
When life suddenly brings them back together, it doesn’t take much for the flame Evan carried for Scott nearly all his life to come roaring back, and Evan discovers that life sometimes has a strange way of coming full circle. Read more>>>
Red Dirt Heart 2 by N.R. Walker (Author) & Joel Leslie (Narrator)
Reviewed by Louisa
TITLE: Red Dirt Heart 2
SERIES: Red Dirt
AUTHOR: N.R. Walker
NARRATOR: Joel Leslie
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 7 hours and 10 minutes
RELEASE DATE: 18th January 2017
BLURB:
Up until Travis arrived on his doorstep, Charlie had lived a very solitary life. He had surrounded himself with isolation; a couple million acres of red dirt, scorching sun and loneliness.
Six months on, winter has settled over the desert, and Charlie has the life he never dreamed possible. But living and working together, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, for six months straight starts to take its toll.
Charlie is a stubborn, stubborn man, who tends to have more conversations in his head than what comes out his mouth, whereas Travis has no problem saying what’s on his mind. And even as they both struggle to communicate, struggle to make sense of need versus want, Charlie can see that he’s pushing Travis away – yet seems helpless to stop it.
When it all boils down to whether Travis should stay or go, maybe the decision won’t be theirs to make. Read more>>>
Never Lose Your Flames (New Canadiana #1) by Francis Gideon (Author) & Kevin Chandler (Narrator)
Reviewed by PizzyGirl
TITLE: Never Lose Your Flames
SERIES: New Canadiana #1
AUTHOR: Francis Gideon
NARRATOR: Kevin Chandler
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 11 hours, 9 minutes
RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2017
BLURB:
A New Canadiana Novel
Cop-turned-bounty-hunter Gabe Dominguez is hired to capture firestarter Nat Wyatt. For a dragon-shifter like Gabe, apprehending Nat is easy, but transporting him involves more time, energy, and blood loss than he envisioned. An attack from a band of fairies, an out-of-control forest fire, and a showdown at an auction don’t faze Gabe, but Nat’s innocence might stop him entirely.
Since discovering his abilities, Nat’s lost a best friend, a boyfriend, and trust in his brother. Only his love of concerts and card games get him through life without a home. Rumors of the Judge, a giant dragon who once destroyed half of Canada avenging those he loved, provide Nat with hope of vindication. When Nat discovers his captor is the Judge, he thinks he’s finally caught a break. Through late-night conversations and a shared love of music, Nat tries to convince Gabe he’s not guilty.
Can Gabe continue his cutthroat lifestyle, or will he run away with his dragon hoard like he’s always longed to do? Can Nat escape his legacy, or will his be another spark snuffed out by people who don’t understand? The Oracle, the most powerful wizard in Canada, might be the only one who can provide answers. Read more>>>
Where There’s Smoke by Cari Z (Author) & Nick J Russo (Narrator)
Review by: Alexander
TITLE: Where There’s Smoke
SERIES: Panopolis book 1
AUTHOR: Cari Z
NARRATOR: Nick J Russo
PUBLISHER: Riptide Publishing
LENGTH: 2 hours, 8 minutes
RELEASE DATE: February 2, 2017
BLURB:
Panopolis is a rough place to be an average Joe. I came here looking for adventure and excitement, but nobody cares about one more normal guy in a city filled with super-powered heroes. The closest I’ve come to glory is working in a bank that villains often rob.
But then I maybe accidentally-on-purpose helped a villain escape the hero who was trying to save the day. Imagine my shock when, a week later, that villain asked me out for coffee. One date turned into more, and now I’m head over heels in love with Raul.
Falling in love with the guy dubbed the Mad Bombardier isn’t without its downsides, though. I’ve had to deal with near-death encounters with other villains, awkwardly flirtatious heroes who won’t take no for an answer, and a lover I’m not sure I can trust. It’s getting to the point where I know I’ll have to make a choice: side with the heroes, or stand fast by my villain.
Either way, I think my days as a normal guy are over. Read more>>>
Hanging the Stars by Rhys Ford (Author) & Greg Tremblay (Narrator)
REVIEWED by Christie
TITLE: Hanging the Stars
SERIES: Half Moon Bay, Book 2
AUTHOR: Rhys Ford
NARRATOR: Greg Tremblay
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 7h 41m
RELEASE DATE: January 12, 2017
BLURB:
Angel Daniels grew up hard, one step ahead of the law and always looking over his shoulder. A grifter’s son, he’d learned every con and trick in the book but ached for a normal life. Once out on his own, Angel returns to Half Moon Bay where he once found… and then lost… love. Now, Angel’s life is a frantic mess of schedules and chaos. Between running his bakery and raising his troubled eleven-year-old half brother, Roman, Angel has a hectic but happy life. Then West Harris returns to Half Moon Bay and threatens to break Angel all over again by taking away the only home he and Rome ever had. When they were young, Angel taught West how to love and laugh, but when Angel moved on, West locked his heart up and threw away the key. Older and hardened, West returns to Half Moon Bay and finds himself face-to-face with the man he’d lost. Now West is torn between killing Angel or holding him tight. But rekindling their passionate relationship is jeopardized as someone wants one or both of them dead, and as the terrifying danger mounts, neither man knows if the menace will bring them together or forever tear them apart. Read more>>>
Grounding Griffin (Made Marian #4) by Lucy Lennox
REVIEW by Christie
TITLE: Grounding Griffin
SERIES: Made Marian, book 4
AUTHOR: Lucy Lennox
NARRATOR: Michael Pauley
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 7 hours and 43 minutes
RELEASE DATE: February 27, 2017
BLURB:
Griff: I learned early on that the easiest way to avoid a broken heart is to always be the first out the door. Caring about anyone or anything is asking to be disappointed, which is why I avoid relationships and chase freelance gigs — ghost writing restaurant reviews and penning articles about the efficacy of cheesy pick up lines — instead of chasing my dreams.
Besides, dreams don’t come true for people like me. And no one, not even the sexy-as-hell bartender at the club can convince me otherwise. Because I’m never risking my heart again.
Sam: As a bartender I’ve watched a million pick-up artists work their magic, but none as talented as Griffin Marian. He’s a flirt, a good time. Hooking up with him was supposed to be just a fling. I wasn’t supposed to care abut his fractured past or his buried dreams. I have my own future to worry about, especially after that stupid food critic scuttled my hopes of finally opening my own restaurant.
But, the more time I spend with Griff, the more I’m beginning to realize that my plans mean nothing without him. If only I can convince him to give us a chance to follow our dreams together.
Fair warning: this book includes flirty sweetness, detailed descriptions of man parts touching, and the dirtiest thing to come out of Aunt Tilly’s mouth yet.
Grounding Griffin is the fourth book in the best-selling Made Marian series. It can be read on its own but is much more fun read as part of the series. The series begins with Borrowing Blue and each book follows a Marian brother’s search for his HEA. Read more>>>
Adulting 101 by Lisa Henry (Author) & Nick J. Russo (Narrator)
Reviewed by Alexander
TITLE: Adulting 101
AUTHOR: Lisa Henry
NARRATOR: Nick J. Russo
PUBLISHER: Riptide Publishing
LENGTH: 6 hours, 1 minute
RELEASE DATE: January 24, 2017
BLURB:
The struggle is real.
Nick Stahlnecker is 18 and not ready to grow up yet. He has a summer job, a case of existential panic, and a hopeless crush on the unattainable Jai Hazenbrook. Except how do you know that your coworker’s unattainable unless you ask to blow him in the porta-potty?
That’s probably not what dad meant when he said Nick should act more like an adult.
Twenty-five-year-old Jai is back in his hometown of Franklin, Ohio, just long enough to earn the money to get the hell out again. His long-term goal of seeing more of the world is worth the short-term pain of living in his mother’s basement, but only barely.
Meeting Nick doesn’t fit in with Jai’s plans at all, but, as Jai soon learns, you don’t have to travel halfway around the world to have the adventure of a lifetime.
This is not a summer romance. This is a summer friendship-with-benefits. It’s got pizza with disgusting toppings, Netflix and chill, and accidental exhibitionism. That’s all. There are no feelings here. None. Shut up. Read more>>>
All of Me by Cardeno C (Author) & Robert M. Clark (Narrator)
REVIEWED by Christie
TITLE: All of Me
AUTHOR: Cardeno C
NARRATOR: Robert M. Clark
PUBLISHER: The Romance Authors
LENGTH: 1h 50m
RELEASE DATE: August 17, 2016
BLURB:
To bond with his destined mate, an Alpha wolf must look past what he sees and trust what he feels.
Bonded by their parents before they were conceived, wolf shifters Abel and Kai adored each other since they were children. As teens, the two future Alphas took the next step in their bonding process and vowed to remain true to one another until Kai came of age. But when tragedy struck, Abel felt betrayed and ran from Kai instead of completing their mating.
Abel never stops yearning for the man who was supposed to lead by his side and after years without contact, Kai returns, broken and on death’s door. If Abel wants to fulfill their destiny and merge their packs, he’ll need to look past what he saw and trust his heart. Read more>>>
Everything Changes by Melanie Hansen (Author) & Robert Nieman (Narrator)
Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Everything Changes
AUTHOR: Melanie Hansen
NARRATOR: Robert Nieman
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 7hr 12min
RELEASE DATE: January 12th, 2017
BLURB:
What happens when friendship catches fire?
Former Marine and lower-leg amputee Carey Everett keeps a grueling schedule of counseling fellow war veterans and their families. The injury he received in Afghanistan forces him to rely on a reserve of strength he didn’t even know he had. A much deserved vacation will let him reconnect with his best friend, who saved his life and has been there for him through devastating injury and painful recovery.
Part-time EMT and aspiring singer Jase DeSantis has been in love with Carey for years, but he’s come to accept that his straight friend will never be able to offer more. Jase fills his days with band rehearsals, ambulance shifts, and willing groupies, all while trying to cope with debilitating PTSD.
A week of sun, fun, and music in San Diego changes Jase and Carey’s lives forever when their relationship takes an unexpected turn. Jase has been longing for that change, but it leaves Carey reeling with confusion. As Jase fights to hold things together, Carey deals with doubts, fears, and his own preconceived notions about labels and the true nature of love. Read more>>>
[…] VOTE HERE! […]
Red Dirt Heart…one of my favorite series!!! ❤️❤️❤️