Audiobook Review: The Gryphon King's Consort by Jenn Burke

Love takes flight.

The sudden death of the Gryphon King throws the kingdom of Mythos into uncertainty, and Crown Prince Luca rushes both his coronation and an arranged marriage to a man he’s never met. Eirian is young and idealistic, and while they both want what’s best for their people, their philosophies couldn’t be more different. While Luca believes in honoring tradition, Eirian is determined to infuse modern values into their kingdom of magical creatures. When given the choice between loyalty to his husband and his own crusade, Eirian makes a decision that might doom their marriage.

Still, Luca is committed to making their union work, and that means forgiving his brash consort. But when Eirian becomes the target of a deadly conspiracy, Luca must act fast—or forever lose the chance to explore their burgeoning love.

Narrated by: Andrew McFerrin
Listening Length: 5 hours and 51 minutes

My rating doesn’t accurately reflect my love for the narrator. This is my first listen by him and I’ve already added more of his narrated stories to my Audible wishlist. He does a great job of emoting sincerity realistically and all his characters were distinctive.

The story itself intrigued me. Gryphons? Kings? Consorts? Yes, please! I liked the premise that humans and mythos coexisted. The world was an interesting one, I just felt that the politics of it all overshadowed the relationship between Luca and Eirian. The two are from two different political factions, Luca is a traditionalist and Eirian is a modernist, so they had a lot of fuel for banter. And banter they did, but it was all contentious and political.

It was obvious the two of them were forming a bond and were attracted to each other. They had a foundation to build from, I just had a little trouble reconciling their horny selves with their public political personas. I really liked when the two of them were letting their guards down, I could see how they’d be good together. I especially loved Eirian’s voice in these moments, his dialog was a treat to listen to.

But, then some kind of political thingy would happen and they’d get dragged away from happy times and end up arguing. The conversation would start rationally but end up going off the rails. Eirian was incredibly passionate about his modernist ideas and Luca’s thoughts were steeped in tradition, clashing was inevitable, but even when they seemed to agree, they didn’t and Eirian would stay his original course regardless of what the agreement he and Luca had come to. Luca would get righteously pissed and they’d take many steps back.

There was obligatory drama at the end that brought them together for keeps and I should have been happier for them than I was. I could just see more arguing in their future. If there had been some additional resolution to their political differences it would have been easier for me to believe. It was paid some lip service with inner dialog in the heat of the moment but I needed some of the resolution to play out in a few situations to believe it long term.

I loved the ending though. The author had a creative way to strengthen bonds that worked well with the crazy villain angle and with the world that had been built. If I would have had more relationship between the MC’s throughout it would have had more impact, but I still appreciated how Luca and Eirian got their HEA.

**a copy of this sudiobook was provided for an honest review**

Audiobook Review: Ante Up by Kim Fielding

Love is a high-stakes game.

A century and a half ago, Ante Novak died on a Croatian battlefield—and rose three days later as a vampire. Now he haunts Las Vegas, stealing blood and money from drunken gamblers and staying on the fringe of the powerful vampire organization known as the Shadows. His existence feels empty and meaningless until he meets beautiful Peter Gehrardi, who can influence others with his thoughts.

An attraction flares instantly, bringing a semblance of life to Ante’s dead heart. But the Shadows want Peter too, and they’re willing to kill to get him. As Ante and Peter flee, they learn more about themselves and each other, and they discover that the world is a stranger place than either of them imagined. With enemies at their heels and old mistakes coming back to exact a price, how can Ante and Peter find sanctuary?

Listening Length: 5 hours and 52 minutes
Narrator: Andrew McFerrin

I’ll be the first to admit that vampires rarely do it for me these days. Also, I’m not a Kim Fielding expert, so I had very little expectation when I started this. Well, it's always a wonderful thing when something comes out of nowhere and surprises, because this was an absolute delight.

Ante is basically a loner vampire. He’s content with the small simple pleasures and surviving really, on just the bare necessities as he ekes out his existence using Las Vegas’s touristy partying population to his advantage. Preying on those mostly looking for a good time or on those few who won't remember a bad time, he takes blood, money, or both, but never doing any irreparable harm. One day, Ante spies an intriguing young fellow who seems to have an unbelievable amount of charm in getting his way, and Ante cannot get him off his mind. When he ultimately confronts Peter, Ante immediately knows that Peter is no mere human. Unfortunately, Peter’s specialness has also caught the eye of the Shadows, the sinister vampire organization that rules the paranormal underground, and they want Ante to bring Peter to them.

What ensues is kinda a cat and mouse game that culminates into one big standoff. However, for me, what this excels at is the characterization of Ante. Steady with a good dose of morality but never forgetting or forgiving his past sins, he wants to be better and do better, just for a chance at happiness with Peter. So basically, Ante finally gets a light lit under his ass to change the mundanity of what his life has been like for over the last 100 years. All too quickly the fight becomes real, as both he and Peter battle for the right to exist and live freely.

Andrew McFerrin narrates the audio, and I continue to really enjoy his renditions. He brings a sturdy stalwart, no nonsense vibe to Ante, but also makes him really likeable for his gentle practicality (except when Peter’s in danger). This just happens to juxtapose quite nicely with Peter’s boyish enthusiastic charm. Throw in great voice distinction amongst the many characters, and I was one happy listener.

So overall, this wasn’t big on flash and bang. At times sedate, at others, the pace picked up with bursts of suspense and tense action, all interspersed with some sweet tender funny, as well as some good sexy times that are always always appreciated. To me, Fielding created two MC’s that I wholeheartedly wanted to root for, and successfully melded together my love of romance, paranormal, and suspense into one highly enjoyable story!


Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for an honest review.

Audiobook Review: Finding Mr. Wrong by Charlie Cochet

He’s nobody’s definition of Mr. Right—but that might make him perfect.

Matthew Hart is heir to the family fortune and owner of Hart & Home. When a near-death experience has him fretting over the future, he decides he needs a husband, and not just any husband—an appropriate man to protect the Hart legacy. The last thing Matthew expects is to cross paths with Jax Foster, his first love and the boy who crushed his heart when he disappeared.

Jax is unlikely to make Matthew’s list of suitable candidates. Bad boy, vagabond, deep in debt, with a father who can’t keep out of trouble, Jax has nothing to offer—except his heart and a second chance at the romance they never got to explore.

Listening Time: 5 hours and 46 minutes
Narrator: Andrew McFerrin

Another Dreamspun Desires win!

Now, I know I might not overly gush when it comes to this series as a whole but I want to preface this that a 3.5 is a good rating for me. I know this type of fare is supposed to suspend belief somewhat, engage in possible drama, exaggerate the common tropes, all the while remaining an easy low angst read with hopefully a good dash of sexy. Rest assured that this pretty much fits the bill.

As the blurb says, Matthew is head of a multimillion dollar furniture business, and when he has an unexpected brush with death, he realizes that he’s all alone and perhaps, maybe he should be laying down some roots. Hence, on a whim he enlists his bff and assistant Adam to help him find a suitable husband. When Adam asks him to list the characteristics of his dream man, Matthew can’t help but remember his long lost love Jax. They were thick as thieves in their formative teen years, until one day Jax disappeared without a word or a trace. Since then, Matthew has always wondered whatever happened to him.

Unbeknownst to Matthew, Adam does some great detective work, and lo and behold, he discovers Jax is actually in the same city trying to make it as a starving artist - an artist who’s just the answer to make a custom piece of high end furniture for a very rich top client. How convenient right? What ensues is Matthew and Jax reconnecting, each with their own reasons for hesitating and doubting and being all insecure. However, first love is something that is not easily forgotten, and Matthew and Jax quickly become an item despite their baggage.

This was narrated by Andrew McFerrin, and he does a great job as usual. It doesn't hurt at all that this excels at the sweet feels between Matthew and Jax, where they never stopped loving each other despite being apart for 20 years. Just be prepared for infuriating family members on both sides being infuriating and some zany dramatics that threaten both their lives. Like I said, this checks off all the boxes that I believe the Dreamspun line aims to achieve. One isn’t supposed to take any of these stories too seriously, so just enjoy the easy sexy read that this is and watch how Matthew and Jax get a second chance at true love.


Thanks to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for an honest review

Audiobook Review: Out of the Ashes (Asheville Arcana #1) by Ari McKay

In their differences, they’ll find strength—and love.

Alpha werewolf Eli Hammond returns from a fishing trip to discover a nasty surprise—five members of his pack murdered and the rest missing. He needs help locating and rescuing his pack mates, but the supernatural council in Asheville, North Carolina, turns him away.

Except for one man.

As they work together, Eli is stunned—and not especially thrilled—to discover half-elf Arden Gilmarin is his destined mate. But as Arden and his friends struggle to help Eli in his quest, Eli surrenders to the demands of his body—and his heart. They’ll need to bond together, because the forces opposing them are stronger and more sinister than anyone predicted. The evil has its sights set on Arden, and if Eli wants to save his mate and the people he is entrusted with protecting, he’s in for the fight of his life.

Listening Length: 5 hours and 47 minutes
Narrator: Andrew McFerrin

Not bad. Not bad at all.

As the blurb says, strange and sinister things are afoot, and werewolf Eli is desperate to get help in order to avenge and rescue his pack. He comes to Asheville to seek aid, and gets a cold shoulder from the supernatural council except for Arden, who surprisingly is whom Eli’s wolf claims as his mate. However, the last thing Eli wants or needs is any distractions, but he can’t say no to the half human/half elf’s help no matter the complications. As Eli and Arden look for clues, they soon discover that it’s more than just a hostile takeover. Something evil is building towards horrific proportions, something that has been brewing for decades.

Overall, this was a pretty good paranormal story, not too simple, not too cheesy. Granted it takes an inordinate amount of time for Eli to unstick his head outta his ass, but once he accepts his fate, things progress quickly for him and Arden, showcasing a decent amount of smexy heat all tied up in that lovely mate bond we have to have in our shifter stories.

This was also nicely narrated by Andrew McFerrin, and I have not one complaint as he does voice distinction, accents and emotion all very well. Obviously, this is just the set up for a series, and though the main story arc is resolved, there are definitely some loose threads hanging. I enjoyed the world building, and the supporting characters were likeable and intriguing, making me look forward to seeing them get their happy ending as they fight the evil that’s sure to return.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for an honest review.

Audiobook Review: Two for Trust by Elle Brownlee

A fairy-tale vacation—if he can get the ending right.

American nurse Finch Mason steps beyond the comfort of his orderly life and takes a dream trip to England, complete with a National Trust Pass so he can visit numerous historical sites. At the first one on his list, he’s warmly welcomed—and told he bought a pass good for two.

Finch doesn’t hesitate to offer the pass to Benedict, a handsome Brit also there on an outing. They spend a magical week touring the countryside, and while it’s too soon to get attached, Finch wishes their time together would never end.

Then Finch finds himself stuck abroad with no money, and he has no one to turn to but Benedict. Benedict is happy to help, but he also owes Finch some answers—such as who he really is and why he was at the estate where they first met.

Listening Length: 6 hours and 40 minutes
Narrator: Andrew McFerrin

Um.. honestly? I really hate to say this but this was probably one of the most unromantic romances I’ve read in a long time.


This starts out with Finn visiting England on impulse. He’s trying to forget his current life woes and as well as making the most of a bad decision. When he meets the dashing Benedict, he’s immediately enamored, and it’s a fortuitous mistake that allows both of them to partake in touring a historical part of the countryside. Inevitably, one meeting turns into two, and two turns into three and before they know it, Finn’s vacation has become enmeshed with Benedict’s life, as situation after situation throws them together.


Granted, I could see this as a plausible meet-cute, and it had a lot of potential, but it completely fails to produce any romance. I would say that 95% of this book is Finn getting angry or sad every time there’s a perceived rejection of Benedict’s affections or a confirmation of what he thinks is Benedict's straight status. I can’t really blame the guy because Benedict NEVER lets on what he’s feeling beyond platonic overtures, so Finn is not in the wrong for being grumpy. As one can surmise, there’s absolutely no smex except for a few chaste kisses at the very end, and it was beyond frustrating. When the proclamations finally do come, it really did seem to come out of nowhere despite knowing this was supposed to be a love story.


I’ve admitted before that Dreamspun Desires is not always a high priority on my TBR list because often, I want something a little more spicier, a little more meaty. However, I also believe there’s definitely a place in anyone’s reading repertoire for simple, low angst romance, and the few I’ve read fall into that category, but this was very far from the mark. So, if you like tropes where there is absolutely NO communication and plenty of misunderstandings on one of the MC’s part through really no fault of his own, then this is for you. What garners some points is the audio. Andrew McFerrin does a great job at distinguishing voices, portraying realistic accents, and getting the emotions just right but sadly, not even the best narrator can make this a better story.


Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for an honest review.

See our Two for Trust eBook tag team review HERE

Audiobook Review: Forgotten Paradise by Shira Anthony

It’s dangerous diving for secrets.

When a mega company threatens to take over his family-owned business, programming prodigy Adam Preston escapes the stress with a much-needed vacation in the Dominican Republic. There he meets attractive, intelligent, insightful Jonah James, a scuba dive instructor, and what starts as a holiday fling soon blossoms into much more.

But Jonah has a secret: ten years ago he woke up on an island beach with no idea how he got there… or even who he is. Their paradise may not be as perfect as it seems. When Jonah’s memories come crashing back like waves on the sand, will it be Adam clinging to the proverbial life raft, or will the two men find a safe harbor to ride out the storm?

Narrated by Andrew McFerrin

Listening Time: 5 hrs 49 min

Awwwww man...

I feel like I let the team down with this one by not fulfilling my Dreamspun Cracky Fluff squealing obligations, but this one fell flat for me.

I never felt it between Jonah and Adam. I found myself more interested in figuring out who Jonah was when he had amnesia while they were in the Dominican Republic but once that was resolved... I got bored. All the corporate maneuvering left me cold and unengaged. Even Adam's family drama did nothing for me.

McFerrin did a good job with the voices though all the women and Phil sounded alike and his voice for Jonah changed as the story evolved, getting higher and less rumbly.

There were a couple of surprises in the story and I enjoyed that as well as the HEA. Unfortunately the romance that happened in the last couple of chapters wasn't enough to save my first Shira Anthony experience, but I'll try again with another one in the future.

A review copy was provided.

See our tag team eBook review HERE!