I go through phases of obsessively listening to audio books and then forgetting them for awhile. Right now I’m in the obsessive listening phase. When I run errands, clean the house, fold laundry – I have my ear buds in with a book on. I’m currently listening to Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright and this book is FUN. I really enjoy the narrator too (who can make or break an audio book). Also let me note that I’m listening to the rereleased version as the first version of this book has an odd scene towards the end that is removed.
Feral Sins is a paranormal romance book that is erotic. Hot, sexy – the hero growls and claims his mate in a very alpha fashion. The heroine is also alpha so she does not like to submit. They both end up clawed and bit after a bedroom session.
I tend to use audio books to catch up on books that released and I never had a chance to read. I’m listened to about half of the Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files books and I adore them! WORD narrates and his voice is so lovely. I really need to get back to this series and finish it up. I listened to The Travis family series by Lisa Kleypas. I’ve done a lot of Julie Garwood historicals (most recently Honor’s Splendour and it has a great narrator).
I also use audio books to listen to those outside of the romance genre. Most recently I’ve listened to Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn which is a mystery/thriller that I really enjoyed (except the way it ended – boo!) and Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling. Mindy created The Mindy Project television show, which I love and adore.
I also like to listen to books I’ve previously read. The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning is well done in audio – books four and five have Phil Gigante as Barrons and OMG. You need to experience this. I’ve yet to listen to Roux’s Cut & Run series and Cole’s IAD series but I know several who enjoy them on audio.
I’d love to hear some of your favorites so I can add to my list – whether they are romance or not, new releases or older books. If you havent’ tried an audio book, head to audible and listen to some samples.
I do like audiobooks but they can be hit or miss for me. I love the In Death books on audio. Written in Red and Murder of Crows were well done audios. I’ve listened to a couple of Cole’s IAD and Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan books and like them too. I also enjoyed J Lynn’s Wait for You.
Someone on Twitter this morning mentioned that the Bishop books were in audio. I might have to ‘reread’ them that way.
I listen to tons of audiobooks. Probably more than I read any more. I highly recommend:
IAD by Kresley Cole (my current listen)
Highlander series by Karen Marie Moning
Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones
Naked Werewolf series by Molly Harper
Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews
The Edge by Ilona Andrews
The Others by Anne Bishop
Phoenix Pack by Suzanne Wright
Downside Ghosts by Stacia Kane
White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland
The Hollows by Kim Harrison
Men of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong (other books are okay, this one is wonderful)
I could probably list more, but these are all auto buys on audio for me on release day.
Thank you so much!
I have the Charley Davidson but haven’t listened yet. I should get White Trash Zombie too – have been wanting to try that one.
I am also a obsessive audio book listener. You MUST put Charley Davidson at the top of your list. The books alone make me LOL but the narrator, Lorelei King , who also does the Patricia Briggs and Janet Evanovich books is awsome!
I’m a HUGE audiobook fan! :D
Most def listen to Cut & Run, but it’s only 1-5 books that are available on audio, which is sad because I’m so use to listening to it that I’m waiting for the 6th book so I can continue listening to the series.
Also HIGHLYrec IAD! LOVE Robert Petkoff’s voice! OMG EXCELLENT Scottish accent!
And you know how crazy I am about BDB. I’m on my 4th or 5th (or maybe 6th, 10th? lol) relisten of the whole series. I relisten to all the books just before the new release. I’m currently relistening to LaL. Jim Frangionne voice took a little to get use to, but now I really like it.
Others you should most def check:
Amy Lane’s Promises series
Mary Calmes The Guardian & Acrobat (both m/m)
Love, Like Water by Rowan Speedwell (m/m) I listened this a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it.
Armed and Dangerous: Four Dangerous Ground Novellas by Josh Lanyon (m/m) this is kinda Ty & Zane VERY light. But I still enjoyed it a lot. I have the 5th novella audio of that series on my wishlist. But the voice is great. Also check his Holmes & Moriarity series.
Hot Heads by Damon Suede (m/m) You probably already read this, but I’d still check it out because it’s awesome. I’ve listened to it about 2-3 times.
Aisling Gray: Guardian Series by Katie McAlister. Barbara Rosenblats voice is hilarious! I read the 1st book and thought it was ok. Ok enough for me to get the next book. I started listening to the following books and I liked the series SO much better.
Sam’s Creed by Sarah McCarty – If you want to hear the PERFECT sexy cowboy voice. mmm yah! lol
One non-romance book (and the only non-romance audiobook that I have) is Bossypants by Tina Fey. I snag this because it was free, not because I had planned to listen to it lol. But I did listen to it and it is hilarious! Tina Fey narrates her own book. I had to stop myself from laughing out loud several times.
I have a whole lot more I could rec, but I kinda have to get back to work. LOL
Thanks Felicia!
I haven’t read many of these so I’m going to check them out. The Katie McAlister series sounds really good. I’m not familiar with it.
And for some reason I’ve never thought about listening to the BDB. That sounds fun!
Also on my list is Amy Lane – I need to read her more.
Bite me by Christopher Moore is excellent to listen to. Btw, Mandi, did you ever read Try by Ella Frank? I enjoyed that and Edible as well.
I started Try but had a hard time getting into it. Maybe I’ll listen and see if I like it better.
Noting Bite Me – I am not familiar with that one!
Bite me is very very funny. Sadly, Ella Frank is not on audio. :(
I always have an audio book going. Right now I am listening to the Irish Jewels trilogy by Nora Roberts. So far, so good.
I tend to buy audio books by my favorite series and then by my favorite narrators.
Kate Daniels- Renee Raudman is excellent. That will probably be the one I say is my favorite, if pressed.
Cat/Bones- Little iffy for me because Bones does not sound like I think he should.
Cut & Run- Narrator swtiches after F&C (or maybe S&S) to Sean Crisdean and he is really good.
Anything Josh Lanyon- For some reason his stories translate well to audio.
In Death- Must be done in audio- Susan Ericksen is fabulous.
Elder Races by Thea Harrison- I just finished catching up on the series with audo. Sophie Eastlake is another excellent narrator and I tend to buy her books.
Disillutionist trilogy- Really good
Molly Harper’s naked werewolf series is funny and fast.
IAD- good
Mary Calmes- Matter of Time series is good
And as always I listen to Fever at least once a year
I love Kate Daniels and never thought about listening! I’ll have to try – I love a really good narrator
Thanks for this list! I’m behind on Elder Races and Mary Calmes. And In-Death – My ears are happy.
Definitely try the Kate Daniels series in audio. I listened to have the series on audio cause I didn’t have time to read them. The narrator is really good.
The Charley Davidson series – ZOMG Lorelei King is SO good!
I’m always looking for good audiobook recommendations as well. For me it’s easier and quicker to listen to a book instead of reading one.
I read the original version of Feral Sins ;). I love Trey – he is sooo Alpha!!
I have not listened to any Audio books yet although I am liking the sound (ha) of listening to Barons, Ty and Zane. At the moment I am peed off that I cannot get either Iced or Ball and Chain on Kindle at Amazon.UK- although I am concerned about the reviews of the latter – I have so been looking forward to this ….
At least I have Beyond Jealousy lined up…:)
Beyond Jealousy should be a fun read for you. Let me know what you think!
That is ridic you can’t get the other two books. :(
Trey is SO alpha. OMG. So dirty.
Trey – Oh Yeah!!! One filthy Wolf ;) She has just released the latest one in this series so I must download it.
I am so excited for Rachel, Ace and Cruz. It is on my kindle but has to stay there until the end of next week when I go on holiday, along with Lover at Last (its been VERY hard not to read this) – and hopefully The King will be delivered to my Kindle whilst I am there – fingers crossed for wi-fi! Perhaps B&C will be available by then … :)
Another one-Linda Howard especially her Blair Mallory series. But I reread (listened to) all her old book last year. Highly recommend those.
One more that I can’t believe I almost forgot. Anything Nalini Singh. Listening to the Psy/Changeling series is like reading it for the first time again.
Oooh – I bet Linda Howard is fun.
And I should redo Singh in audio!
My absolutely all-time favourite narrator for romance audiobooks is Nicholas Boulton. He is releasing a lot of the Laura Kinsale books. I have listened to Prince of Midnight so far, and one other (title escapes me for the moment). He has a wonderful voice.
Also, Juliet Stevenson does a number of the Jane Austen books (Emma, Persuasion, Sense & Sensibility). She is also a terrific narrator.
I am really enjoying the Mercy Thompson series as well. And have liked some of the Nora Roberts ones, though it isn’t always the same narrator and some of them take me a while to get used to.
I have yet to listen to an audiobook, but I’m about to listen to my first one. My awesomely talented critique partner, Amy Raby (NAL/Penguin Hearts and Thrones Series) is getting ready to release her self-published novella ARCHER’S SIN in audiobook. I can’t wait to hear the narrator she chose. Amy does such a wonderful job with her worlds. It’ll be fun to see what fabulous narration adds to the mix.
Love listening to audiobooks. Apart from keeping me entertained while cooking or cleaning, great diversion while at the gym!
Agree that the Charley Davidson series is great in audiobook format. Also recommend the books of Judith Ivory (various narrators – enjoyed all 4 available books), Elder Races series by Thea Harrison, Maiden lane series by Elizabeth Hoyt, highlander series by Jennifer Ashley, various Eloisa James books, Karen Marie Moning and so many more. I’d wholeheartedly recommend listening to audiobooks – expands the opportunities for catching up with the TBR pile as well as a way to “re-read” and re-experience favorites.
I also listen to a lot of audiobooks. I tend to catch with YA and historical books on audio (in the car, on my hikes with the dog, washing dishes) and I read contemporary romance. I urge you to run, not walk to listen to ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell. I know it’s YA, but it is so, so good. I didn’t take my earbuds out of my ears for 2 days. The narration is fantastic!
Thanks for your blog posts!
I loved Feral Sins on audio but the 2nd book is even better!
My Fave audios are…
Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep, narrated by Lauren Fortgang
Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter, narrated by Kristine Hvam
Downside Ghost series by Stacia Kane, narrated by Bahni Turpin
Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, narrated by Renée Raudman
IAD series by Kresely Cole, narrated by Robert Petkoff
All of Molly Harper’s books, narrated by Amanda Ronconi
Charley Davidson series by D Jones, narrated by Lorelei King
Kowalski Family series by Shannon Stacey, narrated by Lauren Fortgang
The Hollows series by Kim Harrison, narrated by Marguerite Gavin
OH and The Others series by Anne Bishop.
My favorite are Harry Dresden books read by James Marsters. Amazing…
I love my audiobooks. Many recommendations I have to try out. Here are some other recommendations.
Kate Daniels series- My favorites are Magic Slays and Gunmetal Magic
Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne- With all the different voices, audiobook is the way to go.
Redhead series by Alice Clayton
Highland Pleasures series by Jennifer Ashley- Love me some Mackenzie men
Stormwalker series by Allyson James
Count me as another audio fan! My personal favorites are:
In Death series — Susan Ericksen is one of the best narrators ever…her Roarke makes me shiver. ;)
Anything by Molly Harper — Amanda Ronconi really gets Harper’s sense of humor and I think the comedic style really comes across in audio.
Harry Potter series — The ones that started my audio obsession. Jim Dale is a genius!
Outlander — Davina Porter is another narrator who makes a great book even more awesome, to me at least.
And, if you want to go the YA route, I highly recommend Y.S. Lee’s Agency series in audio.
Thanks for the recs!
I agree with some of the recommenations above – anything by Molly Harper, and the In Death series (I agree that this is better in audio).
If you are looking urban fantasy, I recommend the October Daye series by Seanan Maguire – I have listened to some and read some, and prefer the audio versions.
If you like crime with an historical flavour, I recommend the St Cyr books by C.S. Harris.
I have also listended to a lot of the Jayne Anne Krentz/Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle and Nora Roberts backlists
I don’t get a lot of audiobooks as our library doesn’t carry but of the few I’ve listened to, Harry Potter was my first audiobook and it spoiled me – Jim Dale is amazing! (and you don’t have to turn it off when the kids are near)
Also recommend KMM’s highlander books;
Dark Lover is the book I was listening to when my teen son got into the car and heard about Wrath’s manhood being thick like a rope (we don’t speak of that incident);
I didn’t care for Beautiful Bastard (in print) but Parajunkee talked me into listening to Beautiful Stranger and I really enjoyed it.