Speaking of Audiobooks: December Releases

As I searched for December’s audiobook releases, I decided to take a peek at 2010 and get an idea of what the year has in store for us audiobook romance lovers.  Many of next year’s audio releases (for the most part we’re talking Jan-April) are not too surprising with authors such as Debbie Macomber and Nora Roberts offering numerous books, both old and new.  But there were a number of satisfying discoveries as well with such releases as Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer’s Wild Ride (March) and the “Untitled Historical” by Lisa Kleypas.

Sabrina Jeffries is arriving on the audio scene in a big way with three books in early 2010, (January), The Truth about Lord Stoneville (January), Never Seduce a Scoundrel (March), and Only a Duke Will Do (May).  Ms. Jeffries has two audiobooks to date – a short story, Gone But Not Forgotten, and an audio cassette version of A Dangerous Love from 2001.  Let’s hope the powers that be choose to give us some of her earliest titles as well (my favorites).

Julie Garwood’s historicals are once again appearing in audio format.  In the past, her historicals were offered in audio cassette and mostly (if not totally) in abridged format.  November, 2009 saw the release of The Bride followed by The Prize in December.  Gentle Warrior (March) and Rebellious Desire (August) are scheduled for 2010.  Possibly this means we will see more of her historicals released as the year progresses.

Another romance author we’ll be seeing more in 2010 is Christina Dodd as a number of her books, both old and new, are scheduled for release.  One of her older titles, Just the Way You Are will be released on November 29^th followed by two more older titles, One Kiss from You and Scandalous Again (both in April).  Two of her new releases will also be offered in audio format, Almost Like Being in Love (January) and Close to You (March).  My favorite of Dodd’s books, Rules of Attraction, is available only in cassette tape format and sits in my audio library.

Linda Howard continues to release her backlist with Son of the Morning released in a few days (November 29^th) followed by Kill and Tell (January) and her anthology Strangers in the Night (March).  Also scheduled for 2010 are two of her upcoming releases, Blood Born with Linda Jones (April) and Veil of Night (August).  I’m betting we’ll see more of Howard’s older books released in audio format during 2010.

And since the world of audiobooks carries with it the certainty of change and uncertainty, I am sure there are many, many other exciting releases out there for 2010.

Leftovers from November

Here are just a few of the gems you can find on our updated New Releases for November list:

Brockmann, Suzanne – Kiss and Tell

Jenkins, Beverly – Through the Storm

Mallery, Susan – Holly and Mistletoe

Peterson, Tracie – A Surrendered Heart

Showalter, Gena – Playing with Fire

Audiobook Romances on Sale in December

Abridged

Coulter, Catherine – Catherine Coulter FBI CD Collection 2: Point Blank, Double Take, TailSpin

Deveraux, Jude – Days of Gold: A Novel

Garwood, Julie – The Prize

Krentz, Jayne Ann – Running Hot

Robb, J.D. – J.D. Robb CD Collection 9: Creation in Death, Strangers in Death, Salvation in Death

Steele, Danielle – Danielle Steel CD Collection: Amazing Grace, Honor Thyself, Rogue

Unabridged

Balogh, Mary – A Matter of Class

Garwood, Julie – The Prize

Garwood, Julie – Sizzle

Hamilton, Laurell K – Divine Misdemeanors

Hanover, Hevin – Total Eclipse of the Heart

Krentz, Jayne Ann – Fired Up

Macomber, Debbie – The Man You’ll Marry: The First Man You’ll Meet & The Man You’ll Marry

Macomber, Debbie – The Man You’ll Marry: A Selection from The Man You’ll Marry Collection

Quick, Amanda – Ravished

Roberts, Nora – Lessons Learned

Roberts, Nora – One Summer

Ward, J.R. – Covet: A Novel of the Fallen Angels

Whitney, Phyllis A – Amethyst Dreams

Whitney, Phyllis A – Woman Without a Past

Woods, Sherryl – Amazing Gracie

Recent Additions to My Audio Library

Taking advantage of another great sale at Audible recently, I made a number of additions to my library at half price.

Gone Too Far – Suzanne Brockmann

I’ve read five of The Troubleshooters series and not in order.  But like everyone else, I waited for Sam and Alyssa’s story with great anticipation.  Now I find myself in a Brockmann mood and think it’s time to hear rather than read this dynamic couple’s story.

Breaking Point – Suzanne Brockmann

Max and Gina hold their own as the primary love interest here but it is the continuing story of the secondary romance between Jones and Molly (from Out of Control) that most drew me to Breaking Point.  Listening to the sound sample, I’m not crazy about the narrator’s interpretation of Max’s character but I’m willing to go with it and hope he sounds more like the Max in my head as the story continues.

Cry No More – Linda Howard

The most moving of Howard’s books (Death Angel is a close second), I clearly recall this story and the various nuances of the lead characters years after my first listen – an unusual feat for me.  I considered this an outstanding audio presentation five years ago and I’m ready to experience it all over again.

Delicious – Sherry Thomas

Although it’s not my favorite Thomas book, I still enjoyed Delicious in print.  Narrator Virginia Leishman received an A from me with her narration of Private Arrangements.  Let’s hope she does it again.

To Die For – Linda Howard

Listening to To Die For, one of my favorite contemporary romances, was difficult the first time around since I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around narrator Franette Liebow’s very southern interpretation of heroine Blaire.  But I’ve developed a sort of indifferent acceptance of Blaire’s drawl and this now ranks as a comfort listen which means I wanted it on my MP3 player.

Drop Dead Gorgeous – Linda Howard

The sequel to To Die For, it’s more of Blair and Wyatt who, in my book, rate as one of the most entertaining couples in contemporary romance.  Narrator Joyce Bean’s Blair is much easier on the ear than the Blair as performed by Liebow in the prequel

My two Audible credits this month are reserved for two yet-to-be released November audiobooks, Son of the Morning by Linda Howard and The Bride by Julie Garwood.  I’ve been looking forward to both of these audiobooks for months.

Now for your thoughts

What new releases are you looking forward to?

Do you know of other 2010 upcoming audiobooks?

Do you know of any December releases that failed to make this list?

What are the latest additions to your audio library?

What are your latest audio successes or failures?

Ending Notes

For those new to our Speaking of Audiobooks column, be sure to check out our audio archives for further recommendations and discussions.

See you again in December.

– Lea Hensley