Welcome to the December 2019 Audio Book of the Month Poll!
Here are all our Audio Reviews rated 4.5 & 5 hearts and up from the previous month, 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 week. The actual closing time will vary depending on blog staff schedules….
Strike a Chord (Replay #4) by K.M. Neuhold (Author) & Kenneth Obi (Narrator)
Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: Strike a Chord
SERIES: Replay #4
AUTHOR: K.M. Neuhold
NARRATOR: Kenneth Obi
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 6 hours, 56 minutes
RELEASE DATE: December 3, 2019
BLURB:
“You want to fake date me?”
Music is my life, my band is my heart and soul, and it’s all falling apart before my eyes.
A plan hatched from desperation as we both watch our careers burn down around us. Dating my best friend’s twin brother, Paris, who just so happens to be a gay icon at the moment seems like the perfect plan. And if we have a little fun along the way, where’s the harm in that? The band is spiraling, his football career is going up in flames, and the more the world falls down around us, the easier it is to get lost in each other.
But are stolen moments during our own busy schedules and hurried kisses hidden behind social media posts the basis for a real relationship, or is this just another thing that’s going to turn to dust in our hands?
Strike a Chord is the fourth and final book in the Replay series. This series can be listened to in any order.
I Do, or Dye Trying (Curl Up and Dye Mysteries #4) by Aimee Nicole Walker (Author) & Joel Leslie (Narrator)
Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: I Do, or Dye Trying
SERIES: Curl Up and Dye Mysteries #4
AUTHOR: Aimee Nicole Walker
NARRATOR: Joel Leslie
PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio
RELEASE DATE: December 24, 2019
LENGTH: 8 hours, 3 minutes
BLURB:
Newly engaged Josh Roman and Gabe Wyatt know the road to happily ever after won’t be easy, but the two men are certain their biggest challenges are in the rearview mirror. However, life in Blissville is never what it seems and all signs point to dangerous curves ahead.
Josh and Gabe refuse to take a detour because everything they’ve dreamed of is within reach, not even when professional and personal revelations threaten to wreck their plans. It should be the happiest time in their lives, yet neither man can shake the feeling that something sinister waits around the next corner.
Buckle your seatbelts and hang on for the ride because Josh and Gabe are committed to saying “I do” or die trying.
Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts by Charlie Cochet (Author) & Michael Stellman (Narrator)
Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts
AUTHOR: Charlie Cochet
NARRATOR: Michael Stellman
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
RELEASE DATE: November 17, 2015
LENGTH: 2 hours, 31 minutes
BLURB:
Julian “Quinn” Quintero, a gruff, tough Miami SWAT officer, has been injured on the job, and all he’s looking for is a little peace and quiet to recover – difficult to achieve with his large Cuban family. An adventure in picking up his prescriptions puts him in the path of his geeky, brownie-baking neighbor, Spencer Morgan. Spencer sweeps into Quinn’s life like a tropical storm of sunshine and rainbows. Not surprisingly, it’s chaos at first sight. Quinn’s in need of a little tender loving care, and Spencer decides he’s just the man for the job. Their very different lives might clash, but they might also find some common ground – and maybe more.
Ricochet (Out for Justice #1) by Reese Knightly (Author) & Tristan James (Narrator)
Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: Ricochet
SERIES: Out for Justice #1
AUTHOR: Reese Knightly
NARRATOR: Tristan James
PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio
LENGTH: 8 hours, 55 minutes
RELEASE DATE: December 19, 2019
BLURB:
WITSEC victim Noah Bradford knows secrets that could get him killed, and staying hidden seems like a good plan. What he didn’t plan on is losing his heart to a man who is sworn to protect him.
Battle scarred US Marshal Robert “Mac” Mackenzie has a job to do, and guaranteeing the safety of Noah Bradford is at the top of that list. Mac will do whatever it takes to keep Noah safe, even if it means walking away.
Mac and Noah, brought together during extreme circumstances, have been separated by evil. It’s been six years, give or take, and Noah is coming for vengeance against the men who killed his mother. He’s on a collision course with Mac, who has no idea of the man Noah has become. Sparks fly and the heat sizzles when these two powerful men are reunited, but will they survive the passion the past created?
Hawk in the Rowan (Rowan Harbor Cycle #4) by Sam Burns (Author) & Chris Chambers (Narrator)
Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: Hawk in the Rowan
SERIES: Rowan Harbor Cycle #4
AUTHOR: Sam Burns
NARRATOR: Chris Chambers
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 5 hours, 11 minutes
RELEASE DATE: December 3, 2019
BLURB:
Devon Murphy has been back in Rowan Harbor for three months. He’s taken on a host of new responsibilities, and is in a serious relationship for the first time in his life. He loves the town and its inhabitants, but it’s starting to feel like too much for the former drifter.
Now there’s a storm on the horizon, and it doesn’t seem like things are going to slow down and let him catch his breath. A blizzard is brewing, and three people have gone missing in the woods south of town. Devon needs to find them before time runs out.
A Fortunate Blizzard by L.C. Chase (Author) & Nick J. Russo (Narrator)
Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: A Fortunate Blizzard
AUTHOR: L.C. Chase
NARRATOR: Nick J. Russo
PUBLISHER: Riptide Publishing
RELEASE DATE: November 8, 2016
LENGTH: 4 hours, 15 minutes
BLURB:
Artist Trevor Morrison has always appreciated the little things in life, treating each day as a gift. And with good reason; he’s been on the transplant-recipient list for too long now. When he learns just how numbered his days truly are, he resolves not to take them for granted. But he won’t be unrealistic, either – which means romantic commitments are off the table.
Marcus Roberts seems to have it all. He’s handsome, financially sound, and on the fast track to partnership at a prestigious law firm. In reality, though, his drive for success has meant no time for friends or relationships. Add in the fact that his family discarded him long ago, and he’s facing yet another holiday season alone.
When the biggest snowstorm to hit Colorado in decades leaves Marc and Trevor stranded at the same hotel, a chance encounter and a night of passion lead to more than either of them expected. Finding comfort in each other is a welcome surprise, but time is not on their side. Either they find a way to beat the odds, or they lose each other forever.
The Station by Keira Andrews (Author) & Joel Leslie (Narrator)
Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: The Station
AUTHOR: Keira Andrews
NARRATOR: Joel Leslie
PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio
RELEASE DATE: December 10, 2019
LENGTH: 7 hours, 9 minutes
BLURB:
Two men exiled to an untamed land must capture love.
Ever since Cambridge-bound Colin Lancaster spied on stable master Patrick Callahan mastering another man, he’s longed for Patrick to do the same to him. When Patrick is caught with his pants down and threatened with death for his crime, Colin speaks up in his defense and confesses his own sinful nature. They’re soon banished to the faraway prison colony of Australia.
Patrick never asked for Colin’s help, and now he’s stuck with the pampered fool. While it’s true that being transported to Australia is a far cry from the luxury Colin is accustomed to, he’s determined to make the best of it and prove himself. Patrick learned long ago that love is a fairy tale, but he’s inexorably drawn to sweet, optimistic Colin despite himself.
From the miserable depths of a prison ship to the vast, untamed Australian outback, Colin and Patrick must rely on each other. Danger lurks everywhere, and when they unexpectedly get the chance to escape to a new life as cowboys, they’ll need each other more than ever.
Audible
A Reason to Believe by Diana Copland (Author) & Jack LeFleur (Narrator)
Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: A Reason to Believe
AUTHOR: Diana Copland
NARRATOR: Jack LeFleur
PUBLISHER: Carina Press
RELEASE DATE: October 22, 2012
LENGTH: 10 hours, 5 minutes
BLURB:
Detective Matthew Bennett doesn’t believe in ghosts. So when the spirit of a murdered child leads him to her body, he’s shaken to the core – and taken off the case. Unable to explain his vision, or to let go of the investigation, Matthew turns to renowned medium Kiernan Fitzpatrick. Though he has doubts about Kiernan’s claims to communicate with the dead, Matt is nevertheless drawn to the handsome psychic, who awakens feelings he thought were long-buried.
Haunted by the lingering spirit of the little girl, Kiernan is compelled to aid in the search for her killer. The chance to get closer to the enigmatic Matt is an unexpected bonus. Although Kiernan’s been betrayed by people who turned out to be more interested in his fame than in himself, with Matt he’s willing to risk his heart. As the two men grow closer, Kiernan helps Matt rediscover that life offers no guarantees – but love offers a reason to believe….
Prophesy by A.E. Via (Author) & Nathaniel Black (Narrator)
REVIEWED by Anna Lynn
TITLE: Prophesy
AUTHOR: A.E. Via
SERIES: The King & Alpha Series #1
NARRATOR: Nathaniel Black
PUBLISHER: Via Star Wings Books
LENGTH: 6 hours and 50 minutes
RELEASE DATE: June 19, 2018
BLURB:
Justice Volkov is the youngest Alpha Zenith to ever lead the wolf shifters. Following in his father’s large paw prints was a responsibility he met head on. Now at age thirty-three, he is alpha of the alphas. As a direct descendant of the original Siberian pack, his wolf is bigger and stronger than Justice, himself is sometimes able to control.
His wolf howled long and hard but Justice kept it inside. It felt like a bass drum beating against his rib cage. The harsh breaths, angry snarls and the determined pacing inside him was overtaking him.
Justice takes his role of leadership and his legacy very seriously. He has little time for romance, not to mention a true mate. His packs are his priority. With a human government trying to regulate them, an uprising of rogue shifters, and a violent team of scientists trying to experiment on them, Justice has his hands way too full.
Chadwick ‘Wick’ Bentley is not enthusiastic when the captain of his escort tells him he has to leave his comfortable London home and go back to the States. As the Vampire King, he has no choice but to get his species back in line before they cause anymore chaos. At over one-hundred years old, Wick is no one to trifle with, but his smooth, charismatic manner makes him quite unique, despite the negative reputation vampires have. Wick has had nothing but time up to this point. He doesn’t feel the need to make issues pressing. Nothing is urgent in his life. Until he meets Justice. His beloved.
“Natural enemies can’t be mates.” Or so Justice thought. He knows his skepticism and rejection is hurting his mate, so while he fights their connection, Wick gets help from a source very close to Justice to help him win his beloved’s heart. Wick is a force all on his own, but when he’s blessed with a special gift from the Mother herself, not even Justice’s powerful wolf can prevent the prophesy from being fulfilled.
Slay Ride by Josh Lanyon (Author) & Alexander Masters (Narrator)
Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: Slay Ride
AUTHOR: Josh Lanyon
NARRATOR: Alexander Masters
PUBLISHER: JustJoshin Publishing
RELEASE DATE: October 7, 2019
LENGTH: 2 hours, 44 minutes
BLURB:
A wild and dangerous ride takes two lonely men into uncharted territory….
1943 Montana. Returning home to Montana after being wounded in the Pacific, Police Chief Robert Garrett was hoping for a little much needed peace on earth and goodwill toward man. Instead, he finds himself chasing after a cold-blooded killer on Christmas day aided – whether he likes it or not – by eager young reporter Jamie Jameson.
Jamie has idolized Police Chief Garrett most of his life. Despite a stolen birthday kiss seven years earlier, he knows his feelings are unreturned. Even if Rob felt the same, there’s no room in their world for such feelings between men. But while Jamie can accept Robert not sharing his feelings, he won’t put up with being treated like a troublesome kid brother. He too has a job to do and he intends on traveling this bloody and twisted road with Robert Garrett – no matter where it leads.