Thursday, September 15, 2016

Audible review of The Angel's Share by JR Ward

You know I still prefer reading over listening to books but I have discovered what all my fellow reviewers have; its the narrator that makes the book. And for J R Ward's Bourbon Kings series she couldn't have picked a better, perfect for the job, southern, mesmerizing, sexy drawl of Alexander Cendese.
Enjoy my showcase and review of book two, The Angel's Share




  • The Angel's Share: A Bourbon Kings Nove
  • Written by: J. R. Ward
  • Narrated by: Alexander Cendese
  • Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins 
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Release Date:07-26-16
  • Publisher: Penguin Audio

Overview

#1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward delivers the second novel in her Bourbon Kings series—a sweeping saga of a Southern dynasty struggling to maintain a façade of privilege and prosperity, while secrets and indiscretions threaten its very foundation…

In Charlemont, Kentucky, the Bradford family is the crème de la crème of high society—just like their exclusive brand of bourbon. And their complicated lives and vast estate are run by a discrete staff who inevitably become embroiled in their affairs. This is especially true now, when the apparent suicide of the family patriarch is starting to look more and more like murder…

No one is above suspicion—especially the eldest Bradford son, Edward. The bad blood between him and his father is known far and wide, and he is aware that he could be named a suspect. As the investigation into the death intensifies, he keeps himself busy at the bottom of a bottle—as well as with his former horse trainer’s daughter. Meanwhile, the family’s financial future lies in the perfectly manicured hands of a business rival, a woman who wants Edward all to herself.

Everything has consequences; everybody has secrets. And few can be trusted. Then, at the very brink of the family’s demise, someone thought lost to them forever returns to the fold. Maxwell Bradford has come home. But is he a savior...or the worst of all the sinners?





Praise:



From the PublisherPraise for The Bourbon Kings
 
“Get ready for summer’s most sinful indulgence. The drama never stops in this tale of family secrets, lost love found, rivalries, delightfully nasty villains, and deliciously appealing heroes. The clothes, the whiskey, and the gorgeous Kentucky backdrop will sweep you away. The privileged and the downtrodden never had it so good. Put on your derby hat and join in the fun.”—New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs
 
“Breathless fun! J. R. Ward moves her trademark dark and sexy from the world of warrior vampires to the halls of the Kentucky elite, where the family members’ claws are just as sharp and the consequences just as deadly. I couldn’t stop turning the pages!”—New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner 
 
“The setting is 80's TV soap opera Dallas meets Downton Abbey...This is high drama, and it’s mesmerizing.”—Fresh Fiction 
 
“I want my Bourbon in bed! J. R. Ward delivers a sweeping saga where family roots run deep and passion sizzles hotter than a Kentucky summer. Potent and heady, one taste just isn’t enough.”—New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter
 
“The drama and dark secrets behind the Bradford family’s empire propel this irresistible story of high-society scandal . . . a read that’s rich, smooth, and satisfying as a glass of Kentucky bourbon.”—New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips
 
“Soapy elements abound in this Dynastyesque tale, from lavish wealth to feuds, dirty secrets, and forbidden love…Ward is a master of pacing and world building, and readers will love that the cliff-hanger ending guarantees at least a second helping of the Bradfords.”—Booklist (starred review)

My Review
The Angels Share
By JR Ward

The Angels’ Share book two in JR Ward’s fabulous Southern Gothic, Bourbon Kings series continues the saga of the once über-wealthy now possibly destitute Baldwine/Bradford family. Her eloquent narrative perfectly reflects the mindset of each and every character, situation and scene. Her amazing storytelling ability will keep the pages turning as she intricately peels the layers off these players revealing some good, some bad and some utterly rotten to the core. She rocks the boat and reader’s worlds with her continual OMG revelations and proceedings and when the end comes amidst the emotional drain readers will be bereft and achingly aware that it will be another year before the next round.

The sultry Southern fried narration by Alexander Cendese is the only way in my humble opinion to experience this world that JR Ward has created, his emotions, his inflections and his cadence are pure perfection and the way he slips from accents, sexes and tempos is amazing.

Jonathan Tulane (Lane) Baldwine, the once privileged playboy, now self-proclaimed family savior has to step up his game if there’s any chance to save his family’s fortune, face and centuries old bourbon business. The company is in shambles, there are speculations, accusations and it looks like his dear old dad might have embezzled the entire till then threw himself off a bridge when it looked like he might be caught with his hands in the cookie jar. His best bud from NYC is under duress hard at work trying to make sense of the finances but he’s only human and it’s looking more and more like he’ll need a magician to solve these problems.
His older brother is still a shell of his former self from before his kidnap and torture, his little sister is still a whirlwind and sometimes an ill wind blows in her wake and his other brother Max is still MIA.
Thank God he’s got his Lizzy because without her by his side none of this would be possible or worth it.


Print edition






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MEET The Warden:
J.R. Ward is the author of over twenty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than 15 million copies of Ward’s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in 25 different countries around the world.
 After graduating from law school, Ward  began working in healthcare in Boston and spent many years as Chief of Staff of one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation. She lives in the south with her incredibly supportive husband and her beloved golden retriever. Writing has always been her passion and her idea of heaven is a whole day of nothing but her computer, her dog and her coffee pot.
Visit the JRWard Facebook page for more on the Brotherhood or email her at jrw@jrward.com.



Meet Alexander Cendese:Alexander Cendese is a American/Canadian actor, writer and producer living in New York and Toronto. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to a Canadian father and an American mother, Cendese spent significant time in Florence, Italy growing up, before attending the Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp and eventually, Carnegie Mellon, where he received his Bachelor's in Acting from the School of Drama in 2004. In 2004, Cendese took up permanent residency in New York City, where he has been a working actor ever since



Today's Gonereading item is:
Some New and Notables
Click HERE for the buy page





12 comments:

  1. Sounds like the audio is very much worth the listen. Wonderful review Debbie!

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  2. As you know I loved this book and I am still hanging out for the redemption of Edward! Thanks for sharing the little snippet from the audio so I got to hear the narrator's voice. Unfortunately it doesn't have world rights so can't get it on Audible here. :( or I would reread it with a listen, such is my love of these two books so far.

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    1. oh those nasty rights Kathryn. I don't think I would have enjoyed this book as much if I had read it! Fingers crossed you get it in NZ

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  3. I've been getting into the audio world lately, too. Some books are so enhanced by getting them narrated. I've got this one and the first one still to read, but now you have me wanting to try the audio route. :)

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  4. I imagine this is wonderful on audio..lovely review Devvie

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    1. Oh Kim it was Fab. Alexander's voice would rate high on your eargasm scale :)

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  5. Whew Narrator really does make a difference. I have this on my review pile. Got maybe a quarter in then got distracted and meant to go back but dang! I need to get on it again.

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  6. I've not started this series yet. I'm on a bit of a Ward hiatus for the moment. I'm sure I'll pick her back up again in the future. I've listened to book with Alexander Cendese before. I really like him as a narrator. I will be sure to pick up this audio when I decide to try this series.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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    1. OMG Melanie this series is sooooo NOT like JR's other series. I wasn't sure about it either until I read Kim the Caffeinated reviewer's thoughts. Do pick it up!

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