Favorite Narrators of the Year

 Audio Books are how I get through life. I listen while doing chores and grocery shopping. I used to listen way more when I commuted but even working from home I still finds time to listen. Here are some of my favorite narrators I listened to this year.

1. Amanda Ranconi’s able to give different voices to each character. She can do so many accents and make you fall into so many books. She is always one I am willing to listen to. I did so many relistens to books she narrated this year for Molly Harper.

2. Alexandra Harris is someone who works with Anne Bishop for her stories. She always enjoy listening to her give voice to different characters.

3. Lorelei King is also another amazing narrator. She has given voice to so many books that I’ve listened to this year. The one that comes to mind is Patricia Briggs Mercy books.

4. Along those same books Holter Graham narrates Patricia Briggs Alpha and Omega series. I am not usually a huge fan of men doing women’s voices but he does an excellent job getting the different characters.

5. Troy Duran and Kelsey Navarro narrated the Pack Darling books by Lola Rocks and I loved those books in audio. Troy and Kelsey work well together, bringing the characters to life and giving each of them their different personalities.

6. Jarman Day and Melissa Schwairy took on Lola and the Millionaires by Kathryn Moon. There are a lot of characters in this book, and I loved how Jarman and Melissa gave voice to each of them. I have no idea how these people handle narrating smexy time but woo boy spicy.

7. Khristine Hvam narrates the books for Michelle Sagara books. I love what this woman does with each character. 

8. Vivienne Leheny took on Overlord by Anna Hackett characters and did an amazing job.

9. Stella Bloom and Jason Clarke worked together to bring Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting. I’ve always loved Stella Bloom. She brings so much to the books when she gives voice to the characters. Jason Clarke was also amazing in this book.

10. Charlotte Kane is the final one for this list. She narrates for Shelly Laurenston and does an awesome job with each character. She just brings to life the characters and makes me fall into the story.

Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting

 

4 Star

Audio: 5 Star

London Spark just broke up with her boyfriend when she was out getting over her heartbreak when she’s hit on by some guy at a bar. She brushes him off as it’s not been long. Now several months later she has to present to a multi-million-dollar company so they will want to partner with Spark House for future endeavors. What she wasn’t planning on was finding out the CEO Jackson Holt was the guy who hit on her in the bar. She wants him and he wants her but it would be inappropriate for them to start a relationship while working on this one event. Will they be able to hold out until the event is done?

I really enjoyed Jackson and London’s story. I listened to the audio book and loved the narrators, Stella Bloom and Jason Clarke. They did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. One of the things about this love story that was so good was the fact that Jackson wanted to wait to start something so nothing could be construed as her getting a leg up because of their relationship. This does cause problems as she thinks he doesn’t want her. It was just a really cute story and I loved how it worked itself out to get them their happy ending.

Book 2 Spark House

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Instant Gratification by Jill Shalvis

 

3 Star

Dr Emma Sinclair is only in town to help her father and then she is heading back to New York and her job there. She doesn’t want to spend her life running her father’s clinic, but she will until he’s better. Now if only she could stop running into Stone that would be great. He aggravates her and pushes her, and she doesn’t want to have any feelings for him but she does. Will she be able to walk away?

Where I liked the last book for the characters this one not so much. I never really warmed up to Emma. She was one foot out the door the entire book. She’s unwilling to bend in anyway or open up with Stone throughout the book. He is all in and ends up being her dirty little secret which sucked. This is a me issue. Jill Shalvis’ writing was the same. It just one of the few I didn’t particularly like.

Audio: 5 Star

Liisa Ivory narrates the story and she does a good job with giving each character their own voice. I would definitely listen to another book narrated by her.

Book 2 Wilder

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Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis

 

4 Star

After surviving a traumatic event Katie is ready to live. She’s been a good girl her whole life and now she is looking for adventure. She ends up in a mountain town called Wishful filling in for a bookkeeper. This will give her a chance to adventure around work. There she meets Cam who wants her but doesn’t want her. Will they find away to get their HEA?

I really liked Katie and Cam. They are both working through trauma. The back and forth with them was fun to read and I liked how cam is an idiot. He makes it up to her in a really good way. You get all the feels with this book. Was well worth the read.

Audio: 5 Star

Liisa Ivory narrates the story and she does a good job with giving each character their own voice. I would definitely listen to another book narrated by her.

Book 1 Wilder

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To Catch a Witch by Heather Blake

 

3 Star

As You Wish is hired to organize the Wicked Mad Dash by Abby Stillwell. It looks like everything is going ok until blizzard conditions rage. That is until Abby is found dead. Darcy will find out who killed her and why but will she end up injured or killed herself?

This one frustrated me. It had a lot of repetitive information that after reading all the other books made it hard to listen to at times. I also had a LOT of issues with Harper.  I get she was in a lose lose situation, but this book bordered on a trope I hate. This one felt like it took forever to finish, and I really hated listening to this book. I ended up saying screw it and picked up the book to read. Then I skimmed the book so I could be done. The bad guy was also a meh. I also had an issue with all the secrets that are being kept by so many of the characters. It just felt like people were being dishonest with each other. I remember why I haven’t finished the series as this book always brings me to a halt. I’ll try some other books and then get to the last book where Darcy should be getting her HEA.

Audio

I wasn’t sure if I would like Coleen Marlo but she does an amazing job with each of these characters. I enjoyed how she gave each character their own voice. Even listening to it faster didn’t take away from the story.

Book 8 A Wishcraft Mystery

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The Witch and the Dead by Heather Blake

 

3.5 Star

Now that Darcy has a new home, she needs to clean out the garage to move all her stuff over. What she wasn’t planning on was finding Miles Babbage her Aunt Ve’s second husband. Ve didn’t know he was dead, and she really doesn’t know why he was in her garage. Darcy will investigate to clear her aunt but it will bring a lot of secrets to light that some people don’t want brought out.

I figured out who the bad guy was pretty quickly.  I also didn’t like some of the main people in this book.  In addition to all of that I also lost a lot of respect for Marcus (Harper’s boyfriend). It would give too many spoilers if I explained why. Overall, Darcy grew as a character and the book ends on a positive note for her but others in her life have theirs ending in chaos.

Audio

I wasn’t sure if I would like Coleen Marlo but she does an amazing job with each of these characters. I enjoyed how she gave each character their own voice. Even listening to it faster didn’t take away from the story.

Book 7 A Wishcraft Mystery

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Gone with the Witch by Heather Blake

 

4 Star

Darcy is asked to enter Missy into the annual Pawsitively Enchanted pet contest to see if someone is rigging it to ruin it. She is happy to do it until she finds her main suspect dead. Now she is on the trail of the murder and dealing with a pet snatcher. Will she track down the pet snatcher AND find out who murdered Natasha.

Glinda whose been the one character we are meant to hate is growing on me. She’s not that bitchy anymore since she’s not going after Nick. I loved seeing the progress Darcy’s relationships take in this book. I also liked the mystery itself. It wasn’t a complex one but it was still a good read.

Audio

I wasn’t sure if I would like Coleen Marlo but she does an amazing job with each of these characters. I enjoyed how she gave each character their own voice. Even listening to it faster didn’t take away from the story.

Book 6 A Wishcraft Mystery

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Some Like it Witchy by Heather Blake

 

4 Star

The old Tavistock house is up for sale and Darcy would kill to own this amazing house. However, she doesn’t have the funds and with things getting serious with Nick they don’t need two houses. When she is hired by Cherise to look it over for her bid, they stumble on the real-estate agent Raina Gallagher. Raina had a lot of enemies but there is a dark legend about millions of dollars’ worth of diamonds in the house. Who killed Raina and are there more people in danger?

There were so many suspects with this book. I know who I wanted it to be. I enjoyed the duel mystery in this book.  Trying to figure out if it was the diamonds and Raina that was the cause of Raina’s death kept me guessing as to who the bad guy was.  It made me like the book that much more because it did keep me guessing.  Small spoiler not on the mystery. I loved that Darcy ended up getting the house because of Aunt Ve.

Audio

I wasn’t sure if I would like Coleen Marlo but she does an amazing job with each of these characters. I enjoyed how she gave each character their own voice. Even listening to it faster didn’t take away from the story.

Book 5 A Wishcraft Mystery

Amazon

Goodbye Witch by Heather Blake

 

4 Star

Starla Sullivan thinks she’s going crazy.  She’s seeing her ex-husband Kyle all over town and wants Darcy’s help.  He abused her before he disappeared from the police station. Now years later his body is found dead in her apartment. Darcy will figure out what happened and do whatever she can to keep her friend safe.

This book made me soooo mad in a good way. I loved how it all worked out in the end. I loved Kyle’s mom. She was the sanest of the whole family. We finally getting some answers to questions that have been alluded to in other books. It was definitely a good addition to the series.

Audio

I wasn’t sure if I would like Coleen Marlo but she does an amazing job with each of these characters. I enjoyed how she gave each character their own voice. Even listening to it faster didn’t take away from the story.

Book 4 A Wishcraft Mystery

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The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy by Heather Blake

 

4 Star

As You Wish is hired to plan the soiree of Harriette Harkette. Everything is going as planned until the cake isn’t delivered by Michael Healey. When Darcy goes looking for him, she finds him just as he takes his last breath. Since she was there when he died, his ghost is now attached to her. She will need to figure out who wanted him dead and what does it have to do with the midnight black Witching Hour rose.

I enjoyed this one even though I figured out who the bad guy the first time they were introduced. Seeing how Darcy figured it out made it that much better. The ending had me concerned with how things were working out, but it ended well. I loved seeing the continue progress in relationships between Darcy and everyone else. So far I think this is my favorite book in the series.

Audio

I wasn’t sure if I would like Coleen Marlo but she does an amazing job with each of these characters. I enjoyed how she gave each character their own voice. Even listening to it faster didn’t take away from the story.

Book 3 A Wishcraft Mystery

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a Witch Before Dying by Heather Blake

 

4 Star

Darcy is hired to clean out Elodie Keaton’s mother’s house she was expecting it to take time and energy because of the hording. She wasn’t expecting to find the body of Patrice Keaton. To help Elodie heal she is determined to solve the murder of Patrice but all she has to go on is she was seen a year ago arguing with her boyfriend Anicula.

This book had so many sweet parts but also parts that made me cry.  I love when books come together and give me all the feels. There was growth with each of the characters. You get to see Darcy have fun with Mimi and her relationship grow between all of the other characters.  It was a good addition to the series.

Audio

I wasn’t sure if I would like Coleen Marlo but she does an amazing job with each of these characters. I enjoyed how she gave each character their own voice. Even listening to it faster didn’t take away from the story.

Book 2 A Wishcraft Mystery

Amazon

It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake

4 Star

Darcy Merriweather and her sister Harper find out at the death of their dad they are from a long line of witches who can grant wishes. They move to Enchanted Village in Salem, Massachusetts to live with their aunt and learn about the craft. They are spending their time learning their new craft when a wanna-be witch turns up dead strangled by Aunt Ve’s scarf. Ve’s fiancé Sylar is accused of murdering the woman. To help Aunt Ve Darcy investigates who has the motive. Will she track down the murderer before someone else is killed?

This was a super cute cozy paranormal mystery. It’s all told from Darcy’s POV and she is getting over the loss of her dad and her divorce. The community is super cute. I will say I kind of hate her dad for not letting her know about her heritage. Who the bad guy was wasn’t a huge surprise but it was still an enjoyable book to read/listen too. Overall, it is a cute light mystery,

Audiobook

I wasn’t sure if I would like Coleen Marlo but she does an amazing job with each of these characters. I enjoyed how she gave each character their own voice. Even listening to it faster didn’t take away from the story.

Book 1 A Wishcraft Mystery

Amazon

Dude in Distress by Helena Hunting

 

4 Star

Nevah is on the way to see her sister when she sees a car broken down on the side of the road.  Thinking it's a woman she pulls over to help. Instead of a woman in need she finds Lawson. He wasn't planning on having his car die on him

This was a short and sweet story with some super-hot moments between Nevah and Lawson.  The connection to the shacking up series is there but is so small you don't need to have read the series to understand what's happening in this book.

Audio Book:

 Rose Dioro and Jacob Morgan did an awesome job narrating this book.  I really enjoyed both of their voices.  Even at a faster speed there wasn't any issues.  Super fast listen since it was a short story.

Short Story in the Shacking up series

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Sin and Salvation by K.F. Breene

 

4 Star

Kieran tried to let Lexi go but she wouldn’t let him.  She wants to see Valens brought down and will continue to help with or without his permission.  When Valens finds out about his missing employees the countdown is on for Kieran to get everything in place for the ultimate battle which will determine who will run San Francisco. 

Where the last book frustrated me about Lexi’s lack of personal growth this one, she made leaps and bounds.  She learns to harness a lot of her powers and was able to help Kiernan get his objectives.  It will be interesting to see where the series goes since the objective from the first book has been successful.  One of the best things about the series is the adoptive kids Daisy and Mordecai.  I love how they roll with everything and push Lexi to be her best person.  

Audiobook: 5 Stars

Khristine Hvam narrates this story, and I loved her voice and tone while she read this book.  I listen at a fast speed, and I still got all the nuances of each character.  I would listen to other books narrated by this woman.

Book 3 Demigods of San Francisco

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Sin and Magic by K.F. Breene

 

3.5 Star

Kieran hired Lexi to find his mother’s selkie skin so she can be freed to finally rest in peace.  Will she be able to discover where it is without getting hurt?

This was a mixed bag for me.  I enjoyed the story, but Lexi does get on my nerves a lot.  It was like she doesn’t progress much in the book.  She seems very reluctant to learn how to use her talents and it seemed like she was dragged along by those around her, her adopted kids and the people Kieran had training all of them. 

Audiobook: 5 Stars

Khristine Hvam narrates this story, and I loved her voice and tone while she read this book.  I listen at a fast speed, and I still got all the nuances of each character.  I would listen to other books narrated by this woman.

Book 2 Demigods of San Francisco

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Warping Minds and Misdemeanors by Annette Marie and Rob Jacobsen

4 Star

Kit Morris had no idea what he was until he joined a guild.  If only he had joined a different guild he wouldn't be screwed.  He's wanted by Agent Lienna Shen for conning people out of their money.  Agent Shen needs him to get his former best friend.  She is willing to cut a deal if he helps.  He may be saying he's helping but he's really looking for a way out to save him self.  That is until he sees the true consequences of what his former friend is trying to do.  Will his change of heart come in time?

This is a spin off of the original series and I enjoyed it a lot.  It does help to have read at least a couple in the other series as the world building is all in those books and not this one.   I really enjoyed the process Kit went through from I need to rescue myself to I need to rescue the world.  The pacing was good in this book.  I didn't want to stop listening to it to do other things.  It will be interesting to see where the series goes.   

Audio Book: 4 Star

Loved Iggy Toma.  He did a really good job with keeping the story moving for me. Even faster paced he brought nuance and character to the people who was speaking for.

Book 1 The Guild Codex: Warped

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A Favor for a Favor by Helena Hunting

4 Star

Stevie is having a very crappy day.  It's her birthday and she thought she would surprise her boyfriend by coming out earlier than planned.  Instead she's surprised by finding him with another woman.  Her brother hooks her up with a place to stay and her new neighbor is a jerk and she still has to work with her ex.  Bishop thinks is new neighbor is the mistress to his teammate and doesn't want to like her.  That is until he's injured on the ice and needs her help to rehab his injury to get him off the injured list faster.  

This was a very slow burn book.  It takes a while for Stevie and Bishop to officially get together and I enjoyed the ride getting there.  I didn't like Stevie's brother overly much.  He kind of pissed me off through most of the book.  He never bothered to find out if Bishop was serious just assumed he was interested just for revenge against him.  This caused issues and it made me mad.  Overall, I enjoyed the book and will be checking out the next one.

Audio: 4 Star

Loved both narrators.  They handled each character nicely and I will be checking out future books narrated by them.

Book 2 All In

Amazon

The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare

3 Star and I feel like I am being generous with that 3

Lady Penny has been left to her own devices to rescue animals and find them a proper home.  When she loses her new parrot to the neighbors house she decides she will just let herself in to bring it home.  What she doesn't plan on is running into the new owner Gabriel.  Gabriel needs her to not have so many animals around so he can sell the house he is remodeling but he needs her to stay so people will want to buy his house for the connection to Lady Penny.  To help keep her he agrees to help rehome all the animals.  He doesn't expect it to take that much time but Lady Penny isn't going to let just anyone take them home.  The more time they spend together the more he doesn't want to let her go.  

The writing was like all of her other books but I was a bit bored with this one.  I also felt like the story was more modern for a historical romance.  Modern issues are thrown in as a big to do.  Penny is weird and not in a cute way and she frustrated me.  The characters also felt more one-dimensional than other books.  We find out more about Penny's pets than about Gabriel's past. He  grew up and was in the work house but that is about all we know about him.  Not what lead to him being there or how he got out of them.  Overall, meh.

Audio: 

Loved listening to Mary Jane Wells.  She did an excellent job giving each character a voice that was distinctly theirs.  She did the best she could with the story she was narrating. I also didn't have any issues listening to the British accent at a faster speed.  She is definitely a narrator that I will be listening to again.

Book 3 Girl Meets Duke

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Aurora Blazing by Jessie Mihalik

 

3 Stars Bordering on 2.5 Stars

Dutiful daughter of High House von Hasenberg Bianca has always done what she has been told but also worked around the rules to make sure people stay safe.  When there is an assault on the house and her older brother is kidnapped and assumed dead she is determined to find him and bring him home.  She doesn't believe he's dead and just needs to find him.  When head of house security Ian Bishop orders her to come home so she will be safe, she refuses.  They end up compromising and working together to track down the missing heir.  Will they be able tor rescue the heir and keep their own hearts safe?

Where the first one I loved this one was not so much loved.  This book dragged on and on and on.  I didn't feel a connection between Bianca and Ian.  It took until almost the end for there to be any kind of relationship between Ian and Bianca.  The idea and concept of the book was interesting but there needed to be better pacing and maybe some editing.  I also got tired of the ghost of Gregory.  Figure your shit out already was said repeatedly while listening to this book.  There were parts I skipped I was so bored and other than one time didn't really feel I missed anything.  Overall, I want to find out how the series ends but this book nearly turned me off of the series. 

Audio: 4 Star for the narrator.

Emily Woo Zeller did an amazing job narrating this book.  She did her very best to give each character a voice.  She did her very best to keep the book moving.  I would listen to another book narrated by her.

Book 2 Consortium Rebellion

Amazon

Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik

 

4 Star

Ada is a space princess on the run.  She is running away from her arranged marriage her father wants.  When she's finally caught she will do anything to get away from the bounty hunters, even if that means making a deal with the devil.  When they end up stranded on a far off planet they will do some maneuvering to get out of danger.  When Ada falls for the devil she will move heaven and earth to keep him safe.  Will Ada and Loch find their way out of danger and get their happy ending.

I did not want to put this audio down.  Training be damned.  I wanted to see how Ada and Loch worked out and got out of all the messes they found themselves in.  There were some major hot scenes and some sweet scenes.  I do think there was one too many kidnapping scenes but otherwise I enjoyed this book.  This book is part of a trilogy with Ada's sisters finding their happy ending.  I am very interested in finding out how those books turn out.

Audio Book: 5 Star

Loved Emily Woo Zeller's telling of this story.  She did an amazing job bringing each character to life.  I never had to guess who was talking and even at the faster speed talking there wasn't any issues.  Definitely worth listening too.

Book 1 Consortium Rebellion

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