Audiobook Review: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
June 1, 1991
Dell Publishing Company
870 pages
Genre: Historical Romance 18+
(Contains: sex, sexual references, violence, rape)
Source: Personal purchase

Book Synopsis:

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon--when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach--an "outlander"--in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life...and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

My Review:

Outlander is what I would describe as an epic adventure. It's not just a simple story. It is a whirlwind tale, traveling across time, land, and sea. The sheer size of the book intimidated me, but after hearing so much about it, I had to give it a shot. I felt like I was in the midst of a television series, as there is so much going on throughout the novel. And I loved that about this tome. I could get engrossed in it one moment, and then set it aside until I was ready for the next great adventure to come. There is so very much happening. I personally enjoyed reading it bit by bit over an extended period of time, while I imagine others have blown through the nearly 900 pages in a day or two.

I chose the audiobook route, and I cannot be more pleased by that choice. The audio narrator, Davina Porter, is brilliant perfection. I don't normally like female narrators, but Porter managed to encapsulate all that I had imagined Outlander would be with her amazing voice, her inflections, her management of both male and female roles, her pacing, her animation, and her consistency. As I eventually travel through the rest of the series, I plan on listening to them all on audio as I have fallen in love with Porter's narration and rendition of Claire and Jamie.

If you are on the fence, like I was, about diving into this massive book, I highly recommend the audiobook. It can be listened to at your leisure, while driving, cleaning, cooking, exercising, whatever. Porter's narration is well worth the time and imaginings. This isn't a light read, and it is historical fiction. There is some very heavy stuff going on amongst these pages, with all the ugliness of the time period. But there is also gorgeous imagery and amazing characters that will capture your heart (and villains you'll hate). But if you are up for an epic love story between one incredibly swoon-worthy Scotsman to surpass all others, and a heroine who encapsulates femininity yet fierceness, passion and compassion, then look no further than Outlander. 

 

5 STARS

 

Book Links:

AUDIBLE  *  AMAZON  *  GOODREADS

Review: Better When He's Bad by Jay Crownover



Better When He's Bad by Jay Crownover
June 17, 2014
William Morrow publishing
384 pages
Genre: New Adult Contemporary 18+
(Contains: explicit sex, mature language, violence)
Source: eARC from publisher for Honest review

Book Synopsis:

Welcome to the Point

There’s a difference between a bad boy and a boy who’s bad . . . meet Shane Baxter.

Sexy, dark, and dangerous, Bax isn’t just from the wrong side of the tracks, he is the wrong side of the tracks. A criminal, a thug, and a brawler, he’s the master of bad choices, until one such choice landed him in prison for five years. Now Bax is out and looking for answers, and he doesn’t care what he has to do or who he has to hurt to get them. But there’s a new player in the game, and she’s much too innocent, much too soft…and standing directly in his way.

Dovie Pryce knows all about living a hard life and the tough choices that come with it. She’s always tried to be good, tried to help others, and tried not to let the darkness pull her down. But the streets are fighting back, things have gone from bad to worse, and the only person who can help her is the scariest, sexiest, most complicated ex-con The Point has ever produced.

Bax terrifies her, but it doesn’t take Dovie long to realize that some boys are just better when they’re bad.

My Review:

I am a huge Jay Crownover fan. I love her Marked Men series. So when I found out she'd be trying her hand at another series, of course I wanted to read it. While the Marked Men are tattooed, pierced, wild, and rough around the edges at times, they are also good guys and sweet at heart. The Point Men, however, are not so sweet at heart, and are not only rough around the edges, they are rough all the way around, inside and out.

Now, this is a darker read than Jay's other series, but even knowing that going into this, and even with all that "bad boy" Bax laid out for us to see and the ugliness that was interspersed amongst the pages, I never felt like this was an overly dark read. Yes, it's gritty and there is an edge to it. Ugly things happen and outside of Dovie's hair there aren't a lot of bright spots. But it wasn't excessively done, and I could still feel the hopeful edge that Jay Crownover brings to her books.

Plot-wise, we dive right into the story when Bax gets out of jail after being imprisoned for 5 years. The circumstances of how and why he got arrested are a huge part of this story. I really enjoyed trying to figure out, alongside Bax, what the real deal was with the night he got arrested and everything surrounding it, especially when it came to his best friend Race. No spoilers here. But I've got to say that this was a great mystery for me. There were lots of surprises along the way and I honestly did not figure it all out until the answers were right there in my face. I'm normally much better at this, but several things stumped me. And I loved that!

Character-wise, Bax certainly takes some getting used to. As with anyone wanting to write about a "bad boy," I worry that they are going to cross some line that is a no-go for me. Bax crosses many lines, being a criminal and all, but I was still able to connect with him. And as the story progressed, I loved how Jay revealed more and more about him, not only to us, but to him as well, and really fleshed out his character. Dovie is a sweetie and a light. I worried the opposite about her, that she would be too good. And she was very good. But she had a lot of depth, she added so much to the story and to Bax, and she could hold her own. I couldn't help but love her. Character development is one thing Jay has always excelled at in her other books, and she did not disappoint here. Her characters were multi-faceted, layered, and engaging, whether major or minor in their role. I particularly enjoyed the storylines with Race and Titus and how family and friendship was used, even in its imperfections.

Romance-wise, I enjoyed how things developed between Bax and Dovie. Their initial meeting was edgy, their first interactions were untraditional, and there was no candy-coating their conversations. Though I didn't see the initial connection Dovie had to Bax, I did enjoy their progression, and then I felt it - the connection and what tied them together. They were good for each other. They were bad for each other. They were right and wrong. Ultimately, I liked what they brought out of each other. There was just something about them that was unique and special and complicated, and I bought right into them. Yep, I liked them together. I really did.

Overall, I really enjoyed Better When He's Bad. Perhaps it does not rank as high as the Marked Men books, but it still enhances my love for Jay Crownover's writing, her books, her characters, and her taking chances and exploring new territory with this series. I can't say that I will love all the "bad boys" in this series - they are criminals after all - but I'm certainly looking forward to what happens next. (And I really hope Titus gets a book!)

4 to 4-1/2 Stars

 

Book Links:

AMAZON  *  GOODREADS

Waiting on Wednesday (32): Landline

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

LANDLINE by Rainbow Rowell
Expected publication date: July 8, 2014

This looks really, really good! I've already pre-ordered my copy :)

Book Synopsis:

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it’s been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems besides the point now.

Maybe that was always besides the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn’t expect to him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts . . .

Is that what she’s supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

Teaser Tuesday (41): Better When He's Bad

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just share two "teaser" sentences from your current read (please, no spoilers).

 

Better When He's Bad

By Jay Crownover

June 17, 2014

 

Teaser from eARC 45%*

 

"One thing was clear - I was a pawn in all of it. I had given up five years of my life for someone else's goal and that just pissed me off. I didn't like to be used by anyone, ever."

 

(*Quote comes from my eARC copy, therefor it and its location are not final.)

 

 

Book Synopsis:

Welcome to the Point

There’s a difference between a bad boy and a boy who’s bad . . . meet Shane Baxter.

Sexy, dark, and dangerous, Bax isn’t just from the wrong side of the tracks, he is the wrong side of the tracks. A criminal, a thug, and a brawler, he’s the master of bad choices, until one such choice landed him in prison for five years. Now Bax is out and looking for answers, and he doesn’t care what he has to do or who he has to hurt to get them. But there’s a new player in the game, and she’s much too innocent, much too soft…and standing directly in his way.

Dovie Pryce knows all about living a hard life and the tough choices that come with it. She’s always tried to be good, tried to help others, and tried not to let the darkness pull her down. But the streets are fighting back, things have gone from bad to worse, and the only person who can help her is the scariest, sexiest, most complicated ex-con The Point has ever produced.

Bax terrifies her, but it doesn’t take Dovie long to realize that some boys are just better when they’re bad.

 

Review: The Vixen & The Vet by Katy Regnery

The Vixen and the Vet by Katy Regnery
June 17, 2014
325 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance 18+
(Contains: detailed sex, sexual references)
Source: eARC from publisher for Honest review

Book Synopsis:

Burned by an unreliable source, Savannah Carmichael, returns to her hometown of Danvers, Virginia with her once-promising journalism career in ruins. Given the opportunity to get her skin back in the game by writing a patriotic human interest piece, Savannah turns her attention to the town hermit, Asher Lee, a wounded veteran who returned to Danvers eight years ago, and hasn’t been seen since.

After an IED explosion in Afghanistan took Asher’s hand and disfigured half of his face, he's lived a quiet life on the outskirts of Danvers where the locals respect his privacy…that is, until Savannah Carmichael comes calling in a borrowed sundress and a plate of homemade brownies. When Asher agrees to be interviewed by Savannah, he starts feeling things for the beautiful reporter that he hasn’t felt in years.

Misfits in small-town Danvers, Savannah and Asher create a bond right away, touching each other’s hearts in ways neither thought possible. When a terrible mistake threatens to drive them apart, they’ll have to decide if the love they found in one another’s arms is strong enough to fight for their hard-won happily ever after.

My Review:

While The Vixen and the Vet can be described as a twist on Beauty and the Beast, it really is so much more. This is not just some modernized retelling of a beautiful woman meeting a mangled man, them falling in love, and living happily ever after. This is a touching story that may hold a lovely lady and a disfigured man on the exterior, but there are far deeper waters underneath the surface and a rich story to behold.

I won't rehash the synopsis. Instead I will tell you how much I truly enjoyed how Regnery progressed the relationship between Savannah and Asher. I enjoyed the premise of Savannah's journalism piece being the catalyst for the growing repertoire between these two kindred spirits who'd had a rough time about things in life. I felt the genuine spark between the two of them heat up and flame to life. I loved how they were able to open up to one another and see each other in a true light, blemishes and all. There were so many beautiful moments where they had to see not only the reality of each other, but the reality of those around them. Looking beyond some scars was just one piece to their puzzle, and the twists and obstacles they were presented with to test not only their relationship, but who they were and wanted to be individually, was very well done. Their story grabbed me from the start ("The twelve most important milestones in any relationship" - brilliant), and I blew through the pages to the very end, loving it all.

The characters themselves are amazing. Savannah is pretty, ambitious, smart, and kind-hearted, but she is not without her flaws. She's been through a lot, and has some big decisions in her life to make. I loved that she wasn't perfect. But she was so very good with Asher. Even though I cringed at some of her choices, I admired her and hoped in the end she would be worthy of my respect. Asher is fantastic! He's been broken and hurt and hidden away, but once he gets just that niggling of direction from Mrs. Potts to open himself up just a crack, it was a beautiful thing to watch him slowly come back to life. As he learned that he was more than his injuries, we got the privilege of seeing the beauty of his heart surface. Then, just like Savannah, I no longer saw his scars but saw the man himself. And then to see the two of them together was absolutely lovely. Their romance wasn't always easy, but that's what also made it felt entirely real and natural and I couldn't help but root for them. They were also quite steamy together, so be prepared. There were also some lovely secondary characters (good and bad) that really added to the dimension of the story.

I loved The Vixen and the Vet. It is a beautiful love story capturing the heart of looking beyond the surface, of falling in love with a heart as well as a face, of fighting for yourself and your life, of overcoming fear and heartache, and embracing hope and life and love all over again.

5 STARS

Book Links:

AMAZON  *  GOODREADS

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (2)

 It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.

What I Read Last Week:

  
  

Paranoia by J.R. Johansson

Marked By The Vampire by Cynthia Eden

The Vixen and the Vet by Katy Regnery
Billionaire Biker by Jasinda Wilder

Legally Wed by N.M. Silber

 

What I Finally Finished Listening To:

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

 

Last Week's Reviews:

  

Insomnia by J.R. Johansson (4 star review)

Paranoia by J.R. Johansson (4-1/2 star review)

Marked By The Vampire by Cynthia Eden (4-1/2 star review)

Currently Reading:

 
Better When He's Bad by Jay Crownover
 

Rest of the Week's Reading Plan:

   

Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire

Four Years Later by Monica Murphy

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Stacking the Shelves (63)

Stacking The Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

 

Signed Book Win!

Biker Billionaire by Jasinda Wilder

 

eARCs for Review:

 

Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire

The Vault of Dreamers by Caragh M. O'Brien

For Beta Reading:

Legally Wed by N.M. Silber

 

For My Kindle:

  

Coin Heist by Elisa Ludwig

Reality by Dani Hart

Love by Lacey Weatherford