Speaking of Audiobooks: October Releases
One truly unique aspect of listening to a book rather than reading the printed word is the feeling of existing within that narrative. There is no need for me to stop reading to cook dinner or run errands since an audiobook keeps reading the story to me wherever I may be. And never have a felt that sensation as strongly as I do now as I listen once again to Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series in preparation for our November Speaking of Audiobooks column. Finishing the fourth in the series, Drums of Autumn, by November 1st, means listening 2-3 hours a day and I must admit that at times I feel as though I am living in 18th century Scotland while my frame of reference swirls around the happenings within this series. When I think of the vegetables I used in last night’s salad, I’m reminded of Jamie’s reasons for leaving Helwater. When I think of folding laundry late last night, I recall Claire’s buying that Jessica Gutenburg dress. Yes, I am truly immersed and loving it.
It looks as though the selection of upcoming audiobook releases is somewhat limited for October but a smaller choice does not translate into less excitement for me. Both Reap the Wind by Iris Johansen and Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard will be added to my audio library as soon as they are available.
Leftovers from September
Looking back at audiobook releases always provides us with a number of new audiobooks that failed to make our previous month’s list. Here are just a few that merit mentioning.
Laurens, Stephanie – The Reasons for Marriage
Murphy, C E – Walking Dead
Sands, Lynsay – A Quick Bite
Showalter, Gena – The Darkest Whisper; Lords of the Underworld, Book 4
Snyder, Maria V – Sea Glass
Audiobook Romances on Sale in October
Note: Included in the Unabridged list are those books with unknown formats
Abridged
Graham, Heather – Home in Time for Christmas
Hamilton, Laurell K – Circus of the Damned Abridged CDs (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter)
Lowell, Elizabeth – Elizabeth Lowell CD Collection 3: Tell Me No Lies, A Woman Without Lies, Autumn Lover
Robb, J D – J.D. Robb CD Collection 8: Memory in Death, Born in Death, Innocent in Death
Image from Shades of Twilight
Unabridged
Hamilton, Laurell K – The Lunatic Cafe Unabridged CDs (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter) [AUDIOBOOK] (Audio CD)
Howard, Linda – Shades of Twilight
Johansen, Iris – Reap the Wind
Macomber, Debbie – Angels at Christmas
Macomber, Debbie – Silver Bells
Phillips, Carly – Lucky Break
Quick, Amanda – Rendezvous
Roberts, Nora – Bed of Roses
Steel, Danielle – Southern Lights
VanLiere, Donna – The Christmas Secret
Recent Additions to My Audio Library
Drums of Autumn – Diana Gabaldon
Replacing my audio cassette collection of the Outlander series with the more user friendly MP3 format, I’m still amazed that when I last listened to this, Book 4 of the series, just 5 years ago, I changed or turned over a cassette 44 times before finishing.
A Civil Contract – Georgette Heyer
Still trying to find my way through the maze of available/not-so-available Heyer audiobooks, I chose A Civil Contract based upon friends’ recommendations of the printed book as well as favorable reviews of narrator Phyllida Nash.
Killing Time – Linda Howard
For me, Linda Howard is a Big Deal so it was with surprise that I realized I missed this one somehow. I seem to remember some less than favorable reviews upon its release but after following a recent favorable thread on the Let’s Talk Romance Novels message board, I decided it’s past time I had this one in my audio library. Narrator Joyce Bean is one who usually delivers winners for me.
Tempt Me Tonight – Lisa Kleypas
My latest purchase, this one is in keeping with my new determination to listen to the audiobook first rather than read the printed version of a highly anticipated new romance release. Although I’m not familiar with narrator Rosalyn Landor (she has narrated 3 of Kleypas’ historicals), the sample sounds delightful.
Now for Your Thoughts
What new releases are you looking forward to?
Do you know of any October 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
A number of old romance favorites are scheduled for release in audio format before year end and include The Bride by Julie Garwood, Ravished by Amanda Quick, and Son of the Morning by Linda Howard.
The first week of November, our Speaking of Audiobooks column will be dedicated to Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. If you have not yet listened to the first book in the series, Outlander, there’s still time and I encourage you to do so.
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 October.
– Lea Hensley[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
Actually the fourth book in Stephanie Laurens’ Black Cobra Quartet, Reckless Bride, will be released in October by Blackstone Audio. Simon Prebble is the narrator for all four books. I have found this series to be excellent. There is certainly lots of intrigue and tension and Prebble does them so well.
Actually the fourth book in Stephanie Laurens’ Black Cobra Quartet, Reckless Bride, will be released in October by Blackstone Audio. Simon Prebble is the narrator for all four books. I have found this series to be excellent. There is certainly lots of intrigue and tension and Prebble does them so well.
katyco – I’ve been thinking about Virgin River for some time but failed to realize it is also available in audio format. Thanks for the recommendation.
Mary Frances – Know what you mean about Shades of Twilight. I’m looking forward to it because I am a Linda Howard fan – old and new – but this one isn’t a favorite – it was a B read for me while many of her books are personal DIKS. I’ll be listening anyway.
katyco – I’ve been thinking about Virgin River for some time but failed to realize it is also available in audio format. Thanks for the recommendation.
Mary Frances – Know what you mean about Shades of Twilight. I’m looking forward to it because I am a Linda Howard fan – old and new – but this one isn’t a favorite – it was a B read for me while many of her books are personal DIKS. I’ll be listening anyway.
I am loving Lisa Kleypas’ Tempt Me at Twilight. I have recently finished 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs, Rough Country by John Sandford (that Virgil Flowers is s-e-x-y), Dream Man by Linda Howard, Smash Cut by Sandra Brown and Visions in White by Nora Roberts. I am looking forward to Bed of Roses (?) by Nora Roberts and Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard (although hoping it is improved over my memory of the original print version).
It has been a few years since I listened to Outlander. I loved it at the time, but haven’t continued the series (except for the Lord John short stories on audio). My favorite part of listening is the different accents and pacing of the narrators. They are awesome.
Thanks for this segment on audiobooks.
I am loving Lisa Kleypas’ Tempt Me at Twilight. I have recently finished 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs, Rough Country by John Sandford (that Virgil Flowers is s-e-x-y), Dream Man by Linda Howard, Smash Cut by Sandra Brown and Visions in White by Nora Roberts. I am looking forward to Bed of Roses (?) by Nora Roberts and Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard (although hoping it is improved over my memory of the original print version).
It has been a few years since I listened to Outlander. I loved it at the time, but haven’t continued the series (except for the Lord John short stories on audio). My favorite part of listening is the different accents and pacing of the narrators. They are awesome.
Thanks for this segment on audiobooks.
Lea – I will try Kiss of the Highlander. I really wanted to like Beyond the Highland Mist, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Also, wanted to let everyone know about another good audio find. I’ve just finished Virgin River by Robyn Carr and really enjoyed the book and the narrator. It has a lot of great characters and the hero is to die for. It’s the first in the Virgin River series about ex-Marines in a small California town. I will definately be getting the next one.
Lea – I will try Kiss of the Highlander. I really wanted to like Beyond the Highland Mist, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Also, wanted to let everyone know about another good audio find. I’ve just finished Virgin River by Robyn Carr and really enjoyed the book and the narrator. It has a lot of great characters and the hero is to die for. It’s the first in the Virgin River series about ex-Marines in a small California town. I will definately be getting the next one.
MarissaB – thank you for this info! Wonder when that license expires?!
Katyco – unless you totally disliked the premise of Moning’s Highlander series, I encourage you to give it one more try with Kiss of the Highlander. Beyond the Highland Mist was one of my least favorite of the series (only a C grade).
Anida Adler – Glad to see your post. Hope we can influence you to try some other audiobooks!
MarissaB – thank you for this info! Wonder when that license expires?!
Katyco – unless you totally disliked the premise of Moning’s Highlander series, I encourage you to give it one more try with Kiss of the Highlander. Beyond the Highland Mist was one of my least favorite of the series (only a C grade).
Anida Adler – Glad to see your post. Hope we can influence you to try some other audiobooks!
Lea, I found the following under Diana Gabaldon on wikipedia.com and thought you might find it interesting.
“”The Outlander series has been released in unabridged audiobooks (read by Davina Porter) and abridged audiobooks (read by Geraldine James). The licenses for the abridged books have not been renewed and the unabridged versions, which Diana Gabaldon prefers, will be the only ones available when the licenses expire. Several of the Lord John books have been released in audiobook form, read by Jeff Woodman.
Because of a non-compete clause in the abridged-audio contract, the unabridged versions cannot be sold in retail outlets (including bookstores and audible.com) until the license of the corresponding abridged book has expired. For this reason, THE FIERY CROSS and A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES are not yet available on audible.com, but will be as soon as those licenses expire. In the meantime, unabridged recordings of these books are available from Recorded Books, Inc. http://www.recordedbooks.com.
As a brief illustration of relative length, the abridged version of A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES contains nine CD’s. The UNabridged version of this book includes 48.””
It’s good to know we’ll be getting the unabridged versions sometime.
Lea, I found the following under Diana Gabaldon on wikipedia.com and thought you might find it interesting.
“”The Outlander series has been released in unabridged audiobooks (read by Davina Porter) and abridged audiobooks (read by Geraldine James). The licenses for the abridged books have not been renewed and the unabridged versions, which Diana Gabaldon prefers, will be the only ones available when the licenses expire. Several of the Lord John books have been released in audiobook form, read by Jeff Woodman.
Because of a non-compete clause in the abridged-audio contract, the unabridged versions cannot be sold in retail outlets (including bookstores and audible.com) until the license of the corresponding abridged book has expired. For this reason, THE FIERY CROSS and A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES are not yet available on audible.com, but will be as soon as those licenses expire. In the meantime, unabridged recordings of these books are available from Recorded Books, Inc. http://www.recordedbooks.com.
As a brief illustration of relative length, the abridged version of A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES contains nine CD’s. The UNabridged version of this book includes 48.””
It’s good to know we’ll be getting the unabridged versions sometime.
The only audiobook I’ve ever listened to was Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’. I found it really great to hear the book in his own voice, literally. I’ll never forget the way he compared adverbs to dandelions growing in your garden. One or two looks nice, but when you look again they’ve proliferated and you recognise them “”for the weed that they are.”” The particular way he said it, the emphasis he put on the words, made the comment stick in my mind.
The only audiobook I’ve ever listened to was Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’. I found it really great to hear the book in his own voice, literally. I’ll never forget the way he compared adverbs to dandelions growing in your garden. One or two looks nice, but when you look again they’ve proliferated and you recognise them “”for the weed that they are.”” The particular way he said it, the emphasis he put on the words, made the comment stick in my mind.
Considering how vile I found Shades of Twilight, its audiobook would be at the bottom of my list. But hurray for Amanda Quick!
Considering how vile I found Shades of Twilight, its audiobook would be at the bottom of my list. But hurray for Amanda Quick!
I’ve just started Voyager and I’m totally immersed as well. I’ll save my comments for November though – the last 3 books I’ve listened too are all about Jamie and Claire!!
I’ve just started Voyager and I’m totally immersed as well. I’ll save my comments for November though – the last 3 books I’ve listened too are all about Jamie and Claire!!
I’m #1 on the list at our library to get the audio for Echo in the Bone, so I’m looking forward to that.
My latest audio buys are Mine til Midnight by Lisa Kleypas and When He Was Wicked by J. Quinn. I’ve read them both before and really enjoyed the audio versions.
My biggest audio success this month is the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt and the William Monk mysteries by Anne Perry. I love her writing and the detail she gives to the Victorian era.
My biggest failure is Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Moning. I really wanted to like it because I’ve heard so many good things about Phil Gigante. I enjoyed his narration, by I can’t remember rolling my eyes so much while listening to a book. I finally gave up and DNF.
I’m #1 on the list at our library to get the audio for Echo in the Bone, so I’m looking forward to that.
My latest audio buys are Mine til Midnight by Lisa Kleypas and When He Was Wicked by J. Quinn. I’ve read them both before and really enjoyed the audio versions.
My biggest audio success this month is the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt and the William Monk mysteries by Anne Perry. I love her writing and the detail she gives to the Victorian era.
My biggest failure is Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Moning. I really wanted to like it because I’ve heard so many good things about Phil Gigante. I enjoyed his narration, by I can’t remember rolling my eyes so much while listening to a book. I finally gave up and DNF.
Maria F – right you are! Thanks for the correction! It is Tempt Me at Twilight for my latest Kleypas purchase. Wonder where Tempt Me Tonight came from??
Lea
Maria F – right you are! Thanks for the correction! It is Tempt Me at Twilight for my latest Kleypas purchase. Wonder where Tempt Me Tonight came from??
Lea
I think the Kleypas title is Tempt Me at Twilight?
I think the Kleypas title is Tempt Me at Twilight?
I’m very excited that Rendezvouz is going to be released; it’s my favorite Amanda Quick. Thanks!
I’m very excited that Rendezvouz is going to be released; it’s my favorite Amanda Quick. Thanks!