nero1279's reviews
279 reviews

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

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medium-paced

4.5

🎧AUDIO VERSION🎧  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5 performance by Therese Plummer, Will Damron.

Now, this is a performance! Loved it. Therese has done it again. Her interpretation of the novel and her skill is second to none. Will definitely takes a minor role with the clever little chapter POV starts. 

ARTICULATION  - clean, clear, precise 
BREATHING – controlled, volume, consistent, project appropriate, relatively low mouth noise
DELIVERY – solid and in the spirit of the text and author’s intent. Timing and pacing is appropriate. Varied and not predictable. No editing issues. 
EYE BRAIN MOUTH CONTROL – accurate and effortless delivery.
CONSISTENT – high energy, good articulation, breath and pitch control.
ANALYSIS – understands the story arc and characters.
CHARACTERISATION – attempts to bring to life. Distinct and consistent in tone, attitude, age is somewhat confusing, but accents are good. Voices match characters at most times. 
SEPARATION- clear and decisive performance
INVESTMENT – the emotional connection helps with visualisation.

STORYLINE 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I am an Ali Hazelwood fan and this story far from her normal stories and I LOVED it. Her writing is wonderful and it shines through in this novel too. A unique vamp/were combination with 2 great main characters. Definitely worth the listen. 
Beauty from Surrender by Georgia Cates

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3.75

🎧AUDIO VERSION🎧⭐️⭐️  /5 performance by Bunny Warren and Robert Black. 

No, no, no. You must use an Australian narrator for Aussie characters when a story is set in Australia. No one, and I mean no one, can imitate the true blue Aussie accent, anything less is simply tacky. Even a British accent would have been preferable. This fact alone almost caused me to stop listening. 

ARTICULATION  - the Aussie accent is atrocious 
BREATHING –  projection appropriate, mouth noise is lower than the first book. 
DELIVERY – solid and in the spirit of the text and author’s intent. Editing was poor at times with some exceedingly long break between chapters. 
EYE BRAIN MOUTH CONTROL – delivery was adequate at most times. 
CONSISTENT – articulation for the Australian aspects is poor, breath and pitch control was not as strong as it could be. 
ANALYSIS – understands the story arc and characters.
CHARACTERISATION – the Aussie accents are horrendous and for an Aussie listener, very off putting. 
SEPARATION - the distinction between American and Australian accents was very poor.

STORYLINE 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ok, once I got over the atrocious attempts at the Aussie accent, the story shone through. I can certainly see how this will make a great movie series for Passionflix. I certainly hope that Aussie actors are employed. Let’s continue with colloquialism used throughout. Clarifying the use of the term “cuppa”. This is only used to refer to a cup of tea not coffee. One would use “smoko” as a term for either tea or coffee. I must say the use of specific's swear words were done exceedingly well for an American author. Sometimes the Yankee and Brit author’s use of Aussie swear words is often mixed up, but this author did do well with this aspect. Now, to clarify the Indiana Jones hat, that would be an Akubra hat. Check them out here https://akubra.com.au/ A perfect hat for out hot, sunny days and are uniquely Australian. 


Beauty From Pain by Georgia Cates

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medium-paced

3.75

🎧AUDIO VERSION🎧⭐️⭐️  /5 performance by Bunny Warren and Robert Black. 

No, no, no. You must use an Australian narrator for Aussie characters when a story is set in Australia. No one, and I mean no one, can imitate the true blue Aussie accent, anything less is simply tacky. Even a British accent would have been preferable. This fact alone almost caused me to stop listening. 

ARTICULATION  - the Aussie accent is atrocious 
BREATHING –  projection appropriate, mouth noise is too high. 
DELIVERY – solid and in the spirit of the text and author’s intent. Timing and pacing is a little fast at times. 
EYE BRAIN MOUTH CONTROL – delivery was adequate at most times. 
CONSISTENT – articulation for the Australian aspects is poor, breath and pitch control was not as strong as it could be. 
ANALYSIS – understands the story arc and characters.
CHARACTERISATION – the Aussie accents are horrendous and for an Aussie listener, very off putting. 
SEPARATION - the distinction between American and Australian accents was very poor.

STORYLINE 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ok, once I got over the atrocious attempts at the Aussie accent, the story shone through. I can certainly see how this will make a great movie series for Passionflix. I certainly hope that Aussie actors are employed. The colloquialism used throughout the book were good, however the use of “roo’s arse” did make me LOL. Nope that is certainly not one we do not use. Also a drug store means something completely different in Australia 🤣 we call them Chemists. Yes, we commonly the word “brekkie” but referring to a sandwich as a “sanga” in such a casual conversation is not normal for Aussies. Wagga Wagga is never referred with the 2 names by Aussies. We are notorious for shortening everything, so it would be simply Wagga. As for the storyline, very cute and I’m glad I pushed through the narration. 
Forged in Steele by Maya Banks

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medium-paced

4.0

🎧AUDIO VERSION🎧⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5 performance by Adam Paul. 

Had to give this series a break to get the shift of narrators out of my head. The original narrator was so much better for me. However with a serious break, I was able to cope with the change of voice. Now Steele’s voice was just too gruff which made him sound far older than he is. 

ARTICULATION  - clean, clear, precise 
BREATHING – controlled, volume, consistent, project appropriate, relatively low mouth noise
DELIVERY – solid and in the spirit of the text and author’s intent. Timing and pacing is appropriate. Varied and not too predictable. There were some editing issues throughout that caused some pitch variations. 
EYE BRAIN MOUTH CONTROL – accurate and effortless delivery.
CONSISTENT – high energy, good articulation, breath and pitch control.
ANALYSIS – understands the story arc and characters.
CHARACTERISATION – attempts to bring to life. Distinct and somewhat consistent in tone, attitude, age is somewhat confusing, but accents are good. Voices match characters at most times. 
SEPARATION- clear and decisive performance
INVESTMENT – the emotional connection helps with visualisation.

STORYLINE 🌶️🌶️

Always love Maya Banks and the KGI Series ranks up there. Lovely hearing about the previous characters throughout this book. This was an adorable story. Very fitting for the ice man of Steele. Lovely seeing him soften and being so “into themselves.” 

Personal series rating outlined below. 
1. The Darkest Hour ★★★☆☆
2. No Place to Run ★★★★☆
3. Hidden Away ★★★★★
4. Whispers in the Dark ★★★☆☆
5. Echoes at Dawn ★★★★☆
5. Softly at Sunrise ★★★☆☆
6. Shades of Gray ★★★★☆
7. Forged in Steele ★★★★☆
The Air He Breathes by Brittainy C. Cherry

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4.0

🎧AUDIO VERSION🎧⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5 performance by Brian Pallino, Erin Mallon.

ARTICULATION  - clean, clear, precise 
BREATHING – controlled, volume, consistent, project appropriate, relatively low mouth noise
DELIVERY – solid and in the spirit of the text and author’s intent. Timing and pacing is appropriate. Varied and not too predictable. 
EYE BRAIN MOUTH CONTROL – accurate and effortless delivery.
CONSISTENT – high energy, good articulation, breath and pitch control.
ANALYSIS – understands the story arc and characters.
CHARACTERISATION – attempts to bring to life. Distinct and somewhat consistent in tone, attitude, age, accent. Voices match characters at most times. 
SEPARATION- clear and decisive for both performers 
INVESTMENT – the emotional connection helps with visualisation.

STORYLINE. 

Now that was a true romance novel with a lovely little twist that I was too slow to pick up on. Well written with 2 very relatable characters. Throughly enjoyable story that I look forward in being adapted into a movie by Passionflix. 

Notice by K Webster

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3.5

🎧AUDIO VERSION🎧⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5 performance by Kylie Stewart and Eric Roilon.

A unique way to employ the dual POV chapters.


ARTICULATION  - clean, clear, precise 
BREATHING – controlled, volume, consistent, project appropriate, relatively low mouth noise
DELIVERY – solid and in the spirit of the text and author’s intent. Timing and pacing is appropriate. Varied and not too predictable. 
EYE BRAIN MOUTH CONTROL – accurate and effortless delivery.
CONSISTENT – high energy, good articulation, breath and pitch control.
ANALYSIS – understands the story arc and characters.
CHARACTERISATION – attempts to bring to life. Distinct and somewhat consistent in tone, attitude, age, accent. Voices match characters at most times. 
SEPARATION- clear and decisive for both performers 
INVESTMENT – the emotional connection is not as visual as it could be. 

STORYLINE. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Now this was an interesting read. Really had me in from the first chapter, but then things went … well, I wasn’t expecting that. Grayson Maxwell is one of those characters that simply keeps stalking through your mind. My other thought is that Violet really does sleep rather heavily 🤣. A quick, yet rather surprisingly, an enjoyable read. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Burn by Maya Banks

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medium-paced

3.75

🎧AUDIO VERSION🎧⭐️⭐️⭐️& half /5 performance by Adam Paul

Written in 3rd POV. 

ARTICULATION  - clean, clear, precise 
BREATHING – controlled, volume, consistent, project appropriate, relatively low mouth noise
DELIVERY – solid and in the spirit of the text and author’s intent. Timing and pacing is appropriate. Varied and not too predictable. 
EYE BRAIN MOUTH CONTROL – accurate and effortless delivery.
CONSISTENT – high energy, good articulation, breath and pitch control.
ANALYSIS – understands the story arc and characters.
CHARACTERISATION – attempts to bring to life. Distinct and somewhat consistent in tone, attitude, age, accent. Voices match characters at most times. Some character mix ups at times. 
SEPARATION- some spillover is evident between narration and character, which can be a little disconcerting.
INVESTMENT – the emotional connection is not as visual as it could be. 

STORYLINE. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 

I enjoyed this final book in this series. A lot of the reviews mentioned many different negative aspects, but those negative items were not as evident as the reviews suggested. Goes to show that you should always judge a book by a read and not necessarily a review. 
Fever by Maya Banks

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medium-paced

3.75

🎧AUDIO VERSION🎧⭐️⭐️⭐️& half /5 performance by Adam Paul

Written in 3rd POV. Stronger male character voices in this instalment which helped. 

ARTICULATION  - clean, clear, precise 
BREATHING – controlled, volume, consistent, project appropriate, relatively low mouth noise
DELIVERY – solid and in the spirit of the text and author’s intent. Timing and pacing is appropriate. Varied and not too predictable. 
EYE BRAIN MOUTH CONTROL – accurate and effortless delivery.
CONSISTENT – high energy, good articulation, breath and pitch control
ANALYSIS – understands the story arc and characters.
CHARACTERISATION – attempts to bring to life. Distinct and majorly consistent in tone, attitude, age, accent. Voices match characters quite well. Although a character change is evident for the main male from book 1 to book 2. 
SEPARATION- some spillover is evident between narration and character, which can be a little disconcerting.
INVESTMENT – the emotional connection is not as visual as it could be but better than the first book. 

STORYLINE. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ but a little predictable 

Some massive reviews on this book with a lot to stay from the good, bad and ugly. If you liked the first one then this one was a good follow up. Plot was very predictable however, but you are not reading these books for the plot 🤔🤣, are you? 

If BDSM is your thing, then give this one a go. Jace and Bethany, a tad far fetched in the where from to where to, but a good Cinderella rendition nonetheless. You still get to met Mia and Gabe and can totally see where the story is going head next. Bring on Ash. 
Rush by Maya Banks

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

🎧AUDIO VERSION🎧⭐️⭐️⭐️& half /5 performance by Adam Paul

Written in 3rd POV.

ARTICULATION  - clean, clear, precise 
BREATHING – controlled, volume, consistent, project appropriate, relatively low mouth noise
DELIVERY – solid and in the spirit of the text and author’s intent. Timing and pacing is appropriate. Varied and not too predictable. 
EYE BRAIN MOUTH CONTROL – accurate and effortless delivery.
CONSISTENT – high energy, good articulation, breath and pitch control
ANALYSIS – understands the story arc and characters.
CHARACTERISATION – attempts to bring to life. Distinct and majorly consistent in tone, attitude, age, accent. Voices match characters quite well. 
SEPARATION- some spillover is evident between narration and character, which can be a little disconcerting.
INVESTMENT – the emotional connection is not as visual as it could be. 

STORYLINE. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

If BDSM is your thing, then give this one a go. A cross between This Man by JEM and Crossfire by Sylvia Day. I lovely little combo. While the plot is simple, perhaps even a little weak and the characters rather predictable, the writing itself was good. Gabe and Mia make for a good raunchy romance novel.