Mary Balogh’s 1992 novel Beyond the Sunrise boasts a storyline quite unlike those found in the other books of hers I’ve read in that it’s mostly plot, rather than character driven. That isn’t a criticism, however, because I enjoyed this new audiobook very much. It isn’t without its problems, the principal of which lies with…
Narrated by Kate Reading The Last Hellion is the last of the four books in Ms Chase’s Scoundrels series, which are linked via a number of recurring characters; and it can perhaps be seen as a sequel to the wonderful Lord of Scoundrels. We met Vere Mallory, Duke of Ainswood, in that story when, drunk…
Narrated by Stevie Zimmerman Originally published in 1990, Viscount Vagabond is one of Loretta Chase’s earliest historical romances, and one which has only recently come to audio along with a handful of other titles such as Isabella, The English Witch and Knave’s Wager. It’s a lighthearted and often humorous romp that tells the story of…
The Game and the Governess is a very strong start to Kate Noble’s new series, wherein she takes a seemingly trite plot and turns it into a compelling story which is by turns funny, charming and poignant. The story opens upon Miss Phoebe Baker on her final day at the exclusive school where she has…
A Good Débutante’s Guide to Ruin is the first in a new series from Sophie Jordan, and if you can get past the rather daft idea of two innocent, well-bred young ladies sneaking out to a sex club, being provided with suitably skimpy clothing by the owner/madam, and not being recognized by the male relatives…
Narrated by Gildart Jackson In One Night in London, book one of Caroline Linden’s 2011/2012 The Truth About the Duke trilogy, the deathbed vigil of the two younger sons of the Duke of Durham, is followed the next day by a meeting with the family solicitor. The solicitor reveals that the late duke contracted a…
Narrated by Veida Dehmlow Zoe Archer’s Nemesis, Unlimited novels are certainly NOT your run-of-the-mill Victorian-set romances. There’s nary a duke or an earl in sight and, even though one of the main characters is obviously from the upper echelons of society, this story is set firmly in the grimy, fog-shrouded, seedier side of London; the…
Narrated by Alison Larkin Originally published in 1997, All Through the Night is often described as being quite dark in tone for a historical romance and it’s easy to understand why. The hero and heroine are both emotionally damaged and their relationship – at the outset – is based on lust and sexual obsession rather…
Narrated by Carolyn Morris Kate Wentworth is a rather unusual Lady in that she is a rare thing – a peeress in her own right. She is the Baroness d’Allenay, one of the few titles in England that can pass to the female line if there are no sons to inherit. // <![CDATA[ var browName…
Carla Kelly has long been a favorite among AAR staffers and readers, but a relatively hard to find one if you do your primary reading out of libraries and used book stores, as I do. I did manage to get my hands on the much acclaimed Beau Crusoe, which I enjoyed but which was a…