NEW RELEASE AUDIOBOOK: Rachel Vincent's

MENAGERIE

Author:  Rachel Vincent

Narrator: Gabra Zackman

Audible Audio Edition

Price:  $19.59
Listening Length: 10 hours and 57 minutes
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Recorded Books
Audible.com Release Date: September 29, 2015
Language: English
ASIN: B015TKAISY

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Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent comes a richly imagined, provocative new series set in the dark mythology of the Menagerie…

When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzger's Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus black-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah in her black swan burlesque costume is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name, as she's forced to "perform" in town after town.

But there is breathtaking beauty behind the seamy and grotesque reality of the carnival. Gallagher, her handler, is as kind as he is cryptic and strong. The other "attractions"—mermaids, minotaurs, gryphons and kelpies—are strange, yes, but they share a bond forged by the brutal realities of captivity. And as Delilah struggles for her freedom, and for her fellow menagerie, she'll discover a strength and a purpose she never knew existed.

Renowned author Rachel Vincent weaves an intoxicating blend of carnival magic and startling humanity in this intricately woven and powerful tale. 

What I'm Looking Forward to Most

Saying that I'm a Rachel Vincent fan, is a massive understatement!  If she wrote it, I've read it multiple times. She was the first author that got me into the urban fantasy genre.  She tends to write outside the box, when it comes to these kinds of books.  She doesn't follow the rules or wright about what is currently in style. Her world building skills are beyond fantastic!  She writes deep characters, with extremely smart dialogue.  I cannot wait to pick up MENAGERIE!  It seems to have a very interesting storyline.  Nothing like I have ever seen, in this genre.  I'm sure it will keep me on the edge of my seat.  Plus, the narrator involved with this audiobook is spectacular.  I cannot wait to see what Rachel Vincent has up her sleeve for us this time!!!     

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Shelley Bradley's WATCH ME

Title:  WATCH ME

Author:  Shelley Bradley

Narrator:  Sasha Dunbrooke

Release Date:  8/04/15

Price:  $9.95

Publisher:  ListenUp Audiobooks

Length:  4 hrs

Format:  Audible Audio Edition

Purchase at Audible or Amazon

My Ratings

Plot:  4.5/5
Setting:  4/5
Writing:  4/5
Originality of Plot:  4.5/5
Characters Development:  4/5
Ending:  4/5
Heat Level:  4.5/5
Cover Art:  4.5/5
Narration:  4.5/5
Likelihood to Recommend:  4.5/5

Overall:  43/50 =  86%

Synopsis

Shanna York was set to achieve her glittering ballroom dreams and become a dance champion—until her dance partner gets tangled up in scandal and blackmail. With the clock ticking and all her ambitions at stake, the last thing she needs is the gorgeous owner of a sex club tempting her with the forbidden.

Or maybe that’s the very thing she needs…

Alejandro Diaz has sizzled for Shanna since he set eyes on her months ago. Her repeated rebuffs will make her surrender that much sweeter. She’s ambitious and driven…but so is he. When she asks for his assistance to ensnare a voyeuristic blackmailer with a video fetish, he doesn’t hesitate to help her stage a bedroom trap. But neither is prepared to face scorching, endless passion, the blackmailer’s real identity—or the undeniable love that grows between them.

Review

Shanna York is an extremely driven and talented ballroom dancer.  Some might go as far, as to call her a bitch.  The trouble is that she has the reputation for running through dance partners that don't suit her.  She's pretty happy with her current partner, but unfortunately his extracurricular activities might not sit well with the straight laced judges.  To bad someone has it out for her, and has decided to blackmail her with a video of her partner from a fetish club.  

This was such sexy, short read.  I tend not to pick up stand alone books or novellas.  But WATCH ME really packs in a lot of storyline in such a short audiobook. I would have loved it to have been just a little bit longer, so I could spend more time in Shanna and Alejandro's world.  However, I did have to look past the "insta-love" that is a necessity of such a short story. 

The two main characters were extremely entertaining and had wonderful chemistry!  Their heat jumped off the page.  Even though Shanna could come a crossed as hard and sometimes difficult, she's got such a great heart deep down.  I enjoyed how Alejandro saw straight threw her persona.  He was able to break down her walls, and give her things that she never even knew she needed.  

I know I'm dating myself by saying this, but it reminded me of the 1992 movie The Cutting Edge.  I don't mean that in a negative way, since I loved this movie growing up.  It's about a girl who blows through teammates, like it's her job. Just replace dancing for figure skating. 

I only have one criticism for this story.  I felt that the blackmail scene in the beginning was unnecessarily gratuitous and over the top.  I am in no way a prude.  I love my sexy book...EXTRA sexy!  The scene just felt forced.  I know it needed to be scandalous, but I felt like the author used every trick in the porn book to do it.  It actually, almost made me stop listening.  I think that for such a short story, the word count would have been better used on hot scene between Shanna and Alejandro.

This was the first time, that I've listen to Sasha Dunbrooke's narration.  I'm extremely tough on narrators!  If the narration doesn't add additional layers to the story, I might as well read the book for myself.  So I was surprisingly impressed with Sasha!  Her character voices were distinct and spot-on.  I was specifically impressed with the way she portrayed Alejandro character.  Her pacing and dictation were phenomenal. She really brought this story to life for me.  Bravo Sasha!  She has landed herself on my Must Listen list of narrators.

This was just a delightful short listen!  Overall, I felt that the author pulled together deep storyline in a short audiobook.  I enjoyed spending some time in both the dancing and sex club worlds.  I loved the juxtaposition between the two.  I think that Shelley Bradley and Sasha Dunbrooke make a great pair!  I would recommend this audiobook for anyone who's looking to escape into a sexy world for a few hours. 

***Audiobook was provided by the author in trade for a fair review***