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Title: Shadow of the Flags

Subtitle: Black Knights of the Hudson, Book I

Author: Beverly C. Gray

Narrator: Steven Roy Grimsley

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-26-12

Publisher: Beverly C. Gray

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Duty, Honor, Country is the motto of the graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Black Knights of the Hudson is a series of books that tells the saga of the fictional MacKendrick Army family from the Civil War through World War II.

In Shadow of the Flags, brothers James and Timothy MacKendrick must decide whether to honor their oaths to defend the flag and remain in the Blue of the Union Army or to follow kin and closest friends into the Gray of the Confederacy.

Shadow of the Flags is the first book in the story of the MacKendrick Army family. James MacKendrick and his younger brother, Timothy, are both graduates of West Point but have been raised in a proud Virginia family. When Civil War rips their country apart, each must make the heartbreaking decision as to whether to stay loyal to the United States or join the tide of other Southern-bred officers who choose to follow their home states out of the Union. For James, the decision revolves around his affection for his Virginia homeland as well as personal ambition. Graduated at the top of his class, James understands that great men often rise from the anonymity of the battlefield. For lighthearted Timothy, in his first exciting assignment with the 1st Cavalry, the decision carries a heavy burden: West Point and his determination to honor his soldier's commitment against his strong friendship with J.E.B. Stuart and Fitzhugh Lee.

The MacKendrick brothers are not alone as they face the dawn of war. Their uncle, Lafayette Randolph, is a close friend and kinsman of Robert E. Lee. He too is a Virginian and graduate of West Point and must make the same difficult decision to remain true to flag or state. Their aunt, gentle Dorothea, provides what motherly support she can to the boys she raised after the deaths of their own parents at the time of the Mexican War. Vivacious Marietta follows her husband to the plague-ridden city of Richmond so that she'll be there for him on his rare furloughs. Adria Weston, a brilliant and restless young lady from Boston, must balance her sudden infatuation for a professional soldier against her own willful determination to remain her own person.

In Shadow of the Flags, the reader encounters the full panoply of West Point's legendary Band of Brothers: Robert E. Lee, J.E.B. Stuart, Fitz Lee, Philip Sheridan, George Custer, and Philip St. George Cooke to name only a few of the historical personages who march through this sweeping saga. From First Manassas to Reconstruction, the MacKendricks confront their destinies on the field of battle and in the loving arms of their women.

Members Reviews:

I wish I could give it 10 stars

I bought the first book in the Black Knights of the Hudson series because I spent some time as a firearms instructor at West Point back in my army days. As a history buff, I was completely surprised and very pleased to discover a wonderfully captivating story that had me hooked by the end of the first chapter, and now I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Author Beverly Gray's writing style reminds me of W.E.B. Griffin's great Brotherhood of War series. Her attention to detail, from the West Point experience, to the equipment used during the Civil War era, to the timeline and events of that period, are right on the money.

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Titel: Der Hexer und die Henkerstochter

Autor:: Oliver Pötzsch

Erzähler: Johannes Steck

Format: Unabridged

Spieldauer: 18 hrs

Sprache: Deutsch

Veröffentlichungsdatum: 04-13-12

Herausgeber: HörbucHHamburg HHV GmbH

Bewertung: 4.5 von 5 von 2 Stimmen

Kategorien: Fiction, Historical

Zusammenfassung des Herausgebers:

1666: Der Schongauer Medicus Simon und seine Frau Magdalena, die Tochter des Henkers, brechen zu einer Wallfahrt ins Kloster Andechs auf. Dort lernt Simon den mysteriösen Frater Virgilius kennen, der Uhrmacher und Erfinder ist. Simon ist fasziniert von den unheimlichen Automaten, die Virgilius erschaffen hat. Als der Frater verschwindet und sein Labor zerstört wird, ahnt Simon Böses und ruft Jakob Kuisl, den Schongauer Henker herbei. Gemeinsam machen sie sich auf die Suche nach einem wahnsinnigen Mörder...

©2012 Ullstein Buchverlage GmbH (P)2012 Hörbuch Hamburg HHV GmbH

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Title: Dreams Beneath Your Feet

Subtitle: A Novel of the Mountain Men Rendezvous, Book 6

Author: Win Blevins

Narrator: Ed Sala

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-11-12

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Best-selling author and expert on the 19th century American fur trade Win Blevins sweeps listeners away to the great American plains for tales of adventure starring his world-weary hero, Sam Morgan. In the sixth installment of Blevins Rendezvous series, Sam, his half-Crow-Indian daughter Esperanza, and a collection of eccentric characters head west from Wyoming to settle in California. But their journey is fraught with danger - and when Esperanza is kidnapped, Sam sets off on a violent mission to rescue her.

Members Reviews:

Good book

A well written book of action and adventure book keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time

Read the series

I enjoyed this as much as I did the others. Start at the beginning of the series, you'll have more fun, although the author does give you background at the start of each new book. I loved learning about history as I was pulled into the adventurous life of the main character. Each book was hard to put down as I wanted to know the outcome of heroic feats, or how a love affair ended.

Five Stars

an absolutely fascinating journey thru an earlier time and place.

All These Novels are Superb

Number 6 of 6 books in the series. Start at the beginning. You will be hooked. Historically accurate and the fictional characters are so much fun!

Five Stars

Win Blevins is oine of my favorite writters of the early west!

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Title: The Emperor

Subtitle: Morland Dynasty, Book 11

Author: Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Narrator: Terry Wale

Format: Unabridged

Length: 19 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-05-12

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 16 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

1795: The shadow of Bonaparte has fallen across Europe and touches each member of the far-flung Morland family. As the century draws to a close, Jemima Morland wearily acknowledges that her life is also nearing its end, but she has scant peace as her unpredictable children behave ever more incomprehensibly: James's marriage to Mary Ann is closer to falling apart; Lucy's marriage of convenience is in the balance - her affair with Lieutenant Watson an open scandal; Mary bears a daughter on board her husband's ship during the battle of the Nile; and William supports a mistress whose marriage cannot be dissolved.

Jemima's death appears to unite the family but, as ever with the Morlands, the future holds more peril than hope.

Members Reviews:

Another excellent novel

Read the Dynasty series many years ago when I had full sight and am thoroughly enjoying renewing my acquaintance with the characters. My only gripe is the pronunciation of lieutenant as "loo" rather than "left"!

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Title: The Perfect Royal Mistress

Author: Diane Haeger

Narrator: Angele Masters

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-02-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 27 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Born into poverty and raised in a brothel, Nell Gwynne sells oranges in the pit at London's King's Theater, newly reopened after the plague and the Great Fire devastated the city. Soon, her quick sense of humor and natural charm get her noticed by those who have the means to make her life easier. But the street-smart Nell knows a woman doesn't get ahead by selling her body. Through talent, charm, intelligence, and sheer determination - as well as a keen understanding of how the world operates - Nell works her way out of the pit and onto the stage to become the leading comedic actress of the day.

Her skills and beauty quickly win the attention of all of London - eventually even catching the eye of King Charles II. Their attraction is as real as it is unlikely, and the scrappy orange girl with the pretty face and the quick wit soon finds herself plunged into the confusing and dangerous world of the court, where she learns there are few she can trust - and many whom she cannot turn her back on.

From the gritty streets of 17th-century London, to the backstage glamour of its theaters, to the glittering court of Charles II, The Perfect Royal Mistress is a love story for the ages, the rags-to-riches tale of a truly remarkable heroine.

Members Reviews:

A truly fascinating story

Although Nel's story was heart wrenching, it was also totally absorbing. I think this is one of those stories about which can be said that truth is stranger than fiction, a real life Cinderella story. The narration and audio quality were also very well done. Definetly worth the credit.

This is one of my favorites!

Where does The Perfect Royal Mistress rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

It is one of my favorites! Any fan of historical fiction should appreciate this book.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved Nell Gwynne's spirit.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended!

I AIN'T SAYIN' NELL WAS A GOLDDIGGER, BUT.........

What made the experience of listening to The Perfect Royal Mistress the most enjoyable?

It is a very good FICTIONAL account of FACTUAL people. I love a good story which successfully captures the local color, customs, and mores surrounding real events in history. The narrator was excellent, which is a big selling point with me.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I have to say that it was Queen Catherine, the wife of the "#1 Baby Daddy", King Charles II. If even 1% of what is written about her in this book is true, she handled her man-whore of a husband's scandalous and adulterous behavior with grace and dignity. That guy had at least 12-14 children by 7 different women - none of whom was the Queen as she was unable to carry a child past the first trimester.

If you could take any character from The Perfect Royal Mistress out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Probably Barbara, Lady Castlemaine because she was such a scheming, greedy, and amoral person. The book tries to give Nell Gwynn a leg up on Lady Castlemaine but the Lady was always one or two steps ahead of that hood rat.

Any additional comments?

The only reason that I couldn't give this 5 stars is because it lasted about 2 hours too long. The author depicted Nell Gwynn as the only one of Charles' more than two dozen KNOWN mistresses who truly loved Charles.

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Title: The Rebel Wife

Author: Taylor M. Polites

Narrator: Johanna Parker

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-07-12

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 19 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In this dazzling debut, Taylor M. Polites crafts a Southern gothic novel that mines classic literary archetypes while shaping them in new ways.

Set in Reconstruction-era Alabama, The Rebel Wife opens with Augusta Branson losing her husband to a terrible blood fever. Now she and her son must fend for themselves in a community being destroyed by violence. When the inheritance she expected suddenly disappears, Augusta starts hunting for answers, but shell have to find them fastbefore the deadly fever claims the life of everyone in town, including her son.

Members Reviews:

A Gem

A amazing story about a horrible time in our American history. Augusta's story pulls the reader along on her journey to confront her past and present, and look forward into an uncertain future.

Will Listen to This Again!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have already recommended this book to countless friends! I actually started with the print version after seeing it featured in Oprah Winfrey's O MAGAZINE. My copy arrived at the beginning of one of my busiest weekends, so I promised myself I'd only read one chapter and put the book down until I had the time to devote to it. Well, suffice it to say, when the first chapter of a novel ends with the lines,

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love all the characters in Polites' book (even the mean ones!), but my favorite is Gus. Somehow Polites manages to give her a transformation the is both believable and surprising.

Which character as performed by Johanna Parker was your favorite?

I loved Johanna Parker's interpretation of Gus. As the protagonist, her voice is extremely important. Parker understands this and brings Polites' words and the character to life.

Who was the most memorable character of The Rebel Wife and why?

I'd have to say that Gus is the most memorable character, but Simon is a very close second. Actually, I loved all the characters, even Gus's miserable cousin, Judge! They are all so well-drawn.

Any additional comments?

Loved this book!

Just okay.

Where does The Rebel Wife rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

The Rebel Wife is probably a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10. It was good enough that I wanted to finish it, but not so good that I was hooked & had to listen with every free second I had like other books I've really, really enjoyed.

What did you like best about this story?

The best part of this story was the history lesson it provided. While I've read many Civil War era novels, I haven't read many Reconstruction era novels, so that was interesting.

What aspect of Johanna Parkers performance would you have changed?

I would've changed the monotonous tone of the narrator. I realize that the main character's state of mind throughout most of the book required that, but I felt it was slightly overdone & there was little inflection/feeling/passion where it seemed there should have been some.

If you could take any character from The Rebel Wife out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The main character because she was quite a contradiction- both fragile & tough, naive, but wise.

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Title: Dynasty 2: The Dark Rose

Author: Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Narrator: Nigel Graham

Format: Unabridged

Length: 21 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-23-12

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 42 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

1501: the turbulence of Henry VIII's reign brings passion and pain to the Morlands as they achieve ever greater wealth and prestige.Paul, great-grandson of Elanor Morland, has inherited the Morland estates, and his own Amyas is set to be his heir. But Paul fathers a beloved illegitimate son, and bitter jealousy causes a destructive rift between the two half-brothers which will lead to death.

Paul's niece, Nanette, becomes a maid-in-waiting to Anne Bolyen, and at the court of Henry VIII she becomes embroiled in the King's bitter feud with Rome.Through birth and death, love and hatred, triumph and heartbreak, the Morlands continue proudly to claim their place amongst England's aristocracy.

Members Reviews:

Enjoyable!

I loved this second in a long series of historical novels placed in northern England near York! It continued the saga of the Morland family from 1501 into the reign of young King Edward after the death of his father, Henry VIII. I love this period of English history so following the Morlands through it was especially enjoyable. I hope the next in the series will continue with Elizabeth I since she is my very favorite of all the English monarchs.

Others have summarized the plot of this novel so I will not repeat their efforts. This is a long book, a little over 21 hours on the audiobook, but I finished listening to it in less than 4 days. Although I do have a life, I found it difficult to take off my earphones and stop this story. I guess its a good thing that batteries do need to be recharged occasionally. I was even happy with the ending. I read the preceding book, but this one could stand on its own without losing much.

Love this multi generational story

Would you consider the audio edition of Dynasty 2: The Dark Rose to be better than the print version?

This is the first of many books, but I will be listening to the rest!

Who was your favorite character and why?

The matriarch - Eleanor

Disappointed

I was looking forward to part two but the narrator made it sound like a church service. There was very little difference between the voices and what could have been a gripping tale was made at times just boring

Brilliant

If you like historical novels just get the books in this series. Brilliantly narrated and great story.

Wonderful Historical Family Saga

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have praised this series for the last 30years, I cannot recommend highly enoughthe only negative again would be the narrator though there were parts where he exceled.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

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Title: Hornblower and the Atropos

Author: C.S. Forester

Narrator: Christian Rodska

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-01-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Exclusively from Audible:

In the year 1805, the young and enthusiastic Horatio Hornblower is given his first command as Captain of HMS Atropos. A 22-gun sloop, it is hardly the biggest ship in the navy, but undeterred, Hornblower boards the Atropos in eager anticipation of the voyages to come.

Acting as flagship during the funeral procession for Lord Nelson, Horatio's first endeavour is to pay tribute to the country's fallen hero. However, his peaceful ventures are at an end when he is confronted with the alarming news that a large Spanish frigate is quickly descending upon his considerably smaller ship.

Determined to return to land unscathed and triumphant, Hornblower fights valiantly in this next instalment of C.S. Forester's naval series.

Hailed by the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Sir Winston Churchill for being 'admirable and vastly entertaining,' C.S. Forester became a hugely influential 20th Century author.

Born in Cairo, raised in London and buried in California, the metropolitan writer experienced huge success with his Horatio Hornblower series as well as with his later works, The African Queen and The Good Shepherd.

His literary genius is perfectly encapsulated within this endlessly entertaining narrative, and his heroic protagonist draws us in to another titillating journey through the Napoleonic wars.

Narrator Biography

Christian Rodska is an English television and voice actor best known for his role in the 1970's series Follyfoot.

From the The Monuments Men and The Eagle of the Ninth to The Likely Lads, Z Cars, The Tomorrow People, Coronation Street, Bergerac and Casualty, his extensive and diverse acting career has led him to become a highly solicited radio and audiobook narrator.

He has now voiced over 150 unabridged audiobooks including Winston Churchill's biographies, Evelyn Waugh's Men at Arms and Sebastian Faulks' A Possible Life. He has been praised for his ability to vary in vocal pace and style and as such, Christian boasts 12 Earphone Awards from Audiofile Magazine.

Members Reviews:

The First Command

Hornblower and his own command continues to grow in character. Not as fast paced as some of the other books but with some unusual story lines. This book is a little slow and drawn out in the early section but pays good attention to the traditions and protocols of the RN. The story does pick up as Hornblower is sent into service and builds to a climax expected of a Hornblower story.

Better than expected

I had read this as a boy so was a bit dubious about returning to this series of books, in case they had dated too much. However, for a engaging listen that can carry you through boring air/train/car journeys it was fine, especially as there is a lot of interesting historical and scientific detail, and not too much swashbuckling.

The narrator is also very good at making it come alive.

Brilliant writer.

The characterisation is great - deep and complex. The plots are a series of mini-stories but held together by longer threads. The action is well-described and there are many elements of background descriptions too.

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Title: Emma's Secret

Author: Barbara Taylor Bradford

Narrator: Kate Burton

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-02-11

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Paula O'Neill, beloved granddaughter of Emma Harte and the guardian of her vast business empire, believes that everything Emma left to the family is secure. However, beneath the surface, sibling rivalry and discontent flare. Linnet and Tessa, her daughters, are as different as two women can be. One of them wants desperately for the empire to be hers but has a devastating secret that may put her very life in danger.

Into this volatile mix walks Evan Hughes, a young American fashion designer who is looking for Emma Harte. But Emma has been dead for thirty years. And Evan bears an uncanny resemblance to Paula O'Neill. Troubled by Evan's presence, Paula turns to her grandmother's recently discovered wartime diaries to find the truth, and Emma comes vividly back to life....

The decades fall away. It is London in 1940: the Blitz. Emma, working hard under wartime conditions, is also holding her family together as bombs drop, sirens wail, and her sons go off to war. While she struggles with grief, her indomitability, willpower, and strength come to the fore. As the pages unfurl, Paula discovers the secret Emma took to the grave to protect others, a secret whose repercussions inevitably change lives and may shake a dynasty to its very foundations.

Members Reviews:

Hart Dynasty story telling of the secrets

If you could sum up Emma's Secret in three words, what would they be?

Facinating, empowering,excellent

What other book might you compare Emma's Secret to and why?

A woman of substance is the beginning of the Harte Empire and the challenges and courage to build an empire and the family tree which Emma's secret is part of.

What does Kate Burton bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

The voice relating to the experiences of the family.

Who was the most memorable character of Emma's Secret and why?

Paula who was the granddaughter of the originator of the Harte empire because she was the one who set up the meeting of the clan and found out where Emma was in the family tree who her father was and that she was an offspring of the dynasty.

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Title: The Blue Door

Author: David Fulmer

Narrator: Keith Szarabajka

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-26-11

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

David Fulmer, author of the acclaimed Storyville series, now brings us to the vibrant city of Philadelphia and the early days of its famous soul music.

Welterweight boxer Eddie Cero is out of the ring with an injury, but he still cant bear to see an unfair fight. In a Philadelphia alley, he steps in on two punks beating up an older manand the victim, a private detective, buys Eddie a round and offers him a parttime gig. After a few days on the job, Eddie stumbles on a cold case involving the frontman for the Excels, one of Philadelphias best soul acts. A music lover and big fan of the group, Eddie starts investigating the case out of curiosity, but the missing singers talented sister draws him deep into a violent, twisted story of betrayal and intrigue, power and passionall set to the beat of Philadelphia soul.

Critic Reviews:

[Fulmer has] nailed both the city and the musicStudents of American roots music should find much to cherish in Fulmers books. Each is a highly personal serenade to Americas past. (Washington Post)

Members Reviews:

"Mood Indigo"

**.."Midnight - one more night without sleepin'

Watchin', till the mornin' comes creepin'

Green Door! what's that secret you're keepin'?".. (Jim Lowe's Green Door) **

The door was blue, not green, but behind it's facade there was indeed a "secret" being cloistered there. Set in Philadelphia of the early 1960's, the book has musical nostalgia mixing plentifully with the story line. Eddie Cero, a boxer who is having second thoughts about climbing into the ring for "the next last time" happens to witness a brawl in an alley while he is despondently walking home one late night, lost in thoughts of what must be his next career move. Fighting has never spooked Eddie yet, and he comes to the rescue of a man who turns out to be Sal Giambroni - a partially successful private eye with a host of questionable "contacts". The brawl is not what it seems, either; it is two goons all right, but they are nephews of the guy's ex wife trying to exact more money from him in the simplest sense of the word. Sal offers to buy Eddie a drink, which he accepts, and due to both the interception on Sal's behalf, and the fact that he has been a fighter of measurable talent, he is offered a job running relief work at Sal's "obviously too practical office".

Eddie has no intention of staying with this new job opportunity he feels he is unsuited for, but one day fades into another; Sal is good to him, and he begins to warm to the subject of snooping into the affairs of others. One night spots a sultry singer at one of the clubs that he remembers - Eddie has an intense interest in music and musicians. He remembers that this girl was once part of a group called the "Excels", and that the genius behind the group was a boy named Johnny Pope, who had mysteriously disappeared one night three years past, and what was even more curious was that the investigation into his disappearance never went anywhere, and the case had been largely forgotten. But now, with the experience he has picked up within his new line of work, Eddie is intrigued. He begins to ask a few questions; those questions lead to more questions, not the least of which is the fact that nobody, including the sultry sister he discovered at the club that evening, wants anyone to look into it.