Audiobook Review: Mastering the Flames (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #4) by S.J. Himes

Guilt-ridden after the massacre of his family, Isaac Salvatore turned to binge drinking to escape the pain. Now twenty-four years old, Isaac is a recovering alcoholic woefully out of practice in the magical arts, leaving his fire affinity hanging on the edge of disaster. After a month of rehab, he returns to Beacon Hill and his family, determined to remain sober, learn to control his magic, and figure out a plan for his life that doesn't involve drinking.

Constantine Batiste is the oldest, most powerful vampire in the city. Born in ancient Gaul, the bastard son of a Celtic king, his long life has been shrouded in tragedy and horrors. Recent mistakes have left him wary and determined to guard his clan from all foes. When two of his clan members fall victim to an ancient evil, he summons the Necromancer of Boston for aid. Accompanying his older brother to the Tower is the handsome young fire mage once wounded by Constantine's arrogance, and their encounter reignites an attraction that burns within both Constantine and Isaac.

The answer to who is targeting the vampires of Boston is buried in the dark, early days of Constantine's transition to an immortal life. Isaac finds himself saddled with a painful insight into the evil cutting a swath through the supernatural population of Boston. While his brother, Angel, takes over the hunt to find and stop the threat to the city, Isaac struggles to find a balance between helping his brother and finding his own purpose and place in the world, free from his brother's shadow.

Falling in love wasn’t part of his plan, but mastering the flames that burn between him and Constantine soon becomes the most important thing in his life, even as an ancient evil seeks to destroy them.

Listening Length: 14 hours and 52 minutes
Narrator: Joel Leslie

The audio for the Necromancer's Dance was my first foray into Joel Leslie, and though it was a very interesting introduction, and though he’s not in my top 10 narrators, I will forever identify him with this series, which is a favorite of mine in the urban fantasy paranormal genre.

Again, Leslie brings the dramatics and all the characters to life, and I was entertained, enjoying my revisit into this world. It only hammered down that I’m jonesing for the next book that is nowhere in sight, and I need it desperately.

Of note, this was generously offered via new to me vendor, audiobooks.com. I’m not sure if this has happened to other listeners, but my reception via their app constantly shut off, having me either repeatedly push play on my phone over and over again, clear my phone and reopen the app, or just give up entirely for the time being and try again later. I have never had that happen with amazon’s audible app, and suffice it to say, I probably won’t be buying from audiobooks.com if I can help it, keeping to the tried and reliable true.

Regardless, thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for an honest review