Download Best Sellers Audiobooks in Fiction, Historical

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Title: Come Unto Me

Subtitle: The Kingdom and the Crown, Book 2

Author: Gerald N. Lund

Narrator: Larry A. McKeever

Format: Unabridged

Length: 19 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-20-16

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 144 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Jesus of Nazareth's announcement that he is the Messiah has blazed through Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside like wildfire. As he travels through Galilee, the crowds follow him, witnessing miracles and healings. Jesus teaches the parable of the lost sheep and the return of the prodigal son. He walks on the water.

But discipleship to Jesus the Messiah has come at a high price for both Simeon and Miriam. Tensions mount when Miriam is faced with a deadly choice: confess her involvement in the events at Joknean Pass and further sacrifice her relationship with her father, or remain silent and sacrifice her friends and fellow disciples to the Romans.

Meanwhile, Ya'abin begins attacking Roman columns in the Judean wilderness, and Mordechai and Marcus unite to face a common threat. But Mordechai has bigger plans than simply ensnaring the Desert Fox; he plots to eliminate the threat Jesus poses to his religion and his family. And if his plans happen to also eliminate Simeon the Javelin, so much the better.

The Kingdom and the Crown, Volume 2: Come unto Me is a story filled with passion and betrayal, action and sacrifice, friendships forged and relationships lost. It is a novel about coming to terms with the demands placed on your heart and about coming unto him.

Members Reviews:

Good story!

I was excited to find Gerald Lund's 2nd book in the series become available since I'd enjoyed the characters and the story of his first one, Fishers of Men. I love reading stories that help my understanding of what it may have been like to be living when Jesus lived, so it doesn't have to be a great story for me to enjoy it. It was an interesting story because of the variety of characters and perspectives so I did enjoy it.

I appreciate Lund's expressed attempt to be accurate to the text. However, in this quest, he chose to quote from the King James Version when Jesus speaks. That really bothered me because I'm pretty sure they did not speak 16th century English in those days, and it makes Jesus' conversations with ordinary people sound so stilted and formal instead of casual and natural, which is much more likely.

This is not my favorite narrator because he also speaks unnaturally... Very slow and deliberate, with long pauses, even in casual conversations. He has a nice reading voice to listen too, but I didn't like the way he did character voices, especially women and villains.

Great book

Book is great, but its super annoying that it tells you every time you need to change CDs. This audiobook obviously isnt on cd...

Betrayals and Betrothals... loved it!

Enjoyed this book even more than the first.

Christianity, paradoxes, betrayals and betrothals... one of my favorite page turners. It was not a good bedtime story as Id find myself repeatedly extending the timer into the wee hours of the morning... but it was excellent for my long drives as I was captivated!

Good book but...

I love this book. Id give it more stars if they got rid of the end of cd #__ please continue listening on cd #__, cd #__ from the recording.

Come Into Me

I loved it. I loved the narrator,I loved the explanations of Jesus's sayings the descriptions of the places.

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Title: The Woman on the Orient Express

Author: Lindsay Jayne Ashford

Narrator: Justine Eyre

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-20-16

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1790 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Hoping to make a clean break from a fractured marriage, Agatha Christie boards the Orient Express in disguise. But unlike her famous detective Hercule Poirot, she can't neatly unravel the mysteries she encounters on this fateful journey.

Agatha isn't the only passenger on board with secrets. Her cabinmate Katharine Keeling's first marriage ended in tragedy, propelling her toward a second relationship mired in deceit. Nancy Nelson - newly married but carrying another man's child - is desperate to conceal the pregnancy and teeters on the brink of utter despair. Each woman hides her past from the others, ferociously guarding her secrets. But as the train bound for the Middle East speeds down the track, the parallel courses of their lives shift to intersect - with lasting repercussions.

Filled with evocative imagery, suspense, and emotional complexity, The Woman on the Orient Express explores the bonds of sisterhood forged by shared pain and the power of secrets.

Members Reviews:

Very enjoyable "woman on transportation" book

After being thoroughly disgusted with Girl on a Train, and The Woman in Cabin 10 and their neurotic, alcoholic, unreliable narrators, I was delighted to find a book with a protagonist I could stand being in the company of. This is a fictionalized account of a period in Agatha Christie's life, and I found the story engrossing and entertaining. Some mystery, some suspense, some romance, some exotic locations, and a ride on the Orient Express adds up to some fun reading/listening.

Other than when she was attempting various foreign accents (thankfully, very brief), the narrator does a good job and is pleasant to listen to.

A great read

Most of the time I buy audio books because of the genera and rating without always reading the summary of what the book is about. Bring a Netflix binge watcher of Poirot, I was pleasantly surprised that this book was about Agatha Christie. It was beautifully written and had heartwarming story. It's one I will certainly listen to again.

Woke up anticipating listening

Not my usual genre but this novel excels in every aspect I delight in and expect in the best of novels.Intriguing plot, complex characters and natural, unforced dialogue.So captured me that I completed the novel in less than a day and a half; woke up excited about resuming listening.Narration is perfectly suited to characters and plot that is faultless and in large part what makes the novel so throughly captivating.

Good Walking Listen

The story was a little contrived, but good light listening. Narrator's voice was too windy and wispy.

excellent story - stick with it

At first I put the book down because it was difficult to follow. then i re-read the reviews and decided to give it another try. so glad i did! Don't miss this story. It is an entertaining and heartfelt mystery.

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Title: Jubilee, 50th Anniversary Edition

Author: Margaret Walker

Narrator: Robin Miles

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-06-16

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 643 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The 50th-anniversary edition of Margaret Walker's best-selling classic, with a foreword by Nikki Giovanni.

Jubilee tells the true story of Vyry, the child of a white plantation owner and his black mistress. Vyry bears witness to the South's antebellum opulence and to its brutality, its wartime ruin, and the promises of Reconstruction.

Weaving her own family's oral history with 30 years of research, Margaret Walker's novel brings the everyday experiences of slaves to light. Jubilee churns with the hunger, the hymns, the struggles, and the very breath of American history.

Members Reviews:

Absolutely riveting!

I enjoyed this novel from start to finish. The narrator's ability to capture the tone of each character was undeniably the most skillful reading tlhat ive ever heard. It leaves me almost speechless! I'm on a mission to look for other books she has narrated. So impressive. Great story.

History Brought To Life

Excellent story that is very hard to turn off... Starting just before civil war, and following the characters into the 1870's of the reconstruction area, bringing the time vividly alive.. Jubilee tells a true story of a woman born into slavery, as well as her children, highlighting the sad reality of families torn apart, seeking one another in those years after war. This story revolves around the challenges of freedom while still living under the oppression of the whites within the communities where newly freed slaves sought to build their futures.

15 hours we'll spent

I thought the story was incredible and can find nothing to even nitpick about. Narration was good and easy to follow and very much enhanced story. If you're interested in this subject or time or just want a darn good book to listen to... chaching!

Jubilee is not just a read but an experience

This book not only provides a historical understanding but also a personal experience. The story is told with vivid characters

that capture historical events that touch emotions. The rhythmic language and spiritual songs add depth to the story.

Listen to this book!

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

Jubilee is harrowing, insightful, heartbreaking and timeless. This story really took me away and the main character is amongst the most inspiring heroines I have ever encountered.

What about Robin Miless performance did you like?

Robin Miles gives effortless life to this book. The dialogue of each character is distinct without ever sounding like a stereotype. She also does a great job with the prose, making it live without ever over dramatizing Margaret Walker's great writing.

Any additional comments?

For me, this book brought so much important history to life. I felt informed, not just about historical events, but also why things happened the way they did and the attitudes of the different people involved. More importantly, Jubilee was such an experience and I could not stop listening. I am glad that after so many years there is such a high quality audio version of Jubilee. I hope that the 50th anniversary release will raise the profile of this under-read classic.

I have never written a review on Audible before but as of when I am writing this there are no reviews on Audible for Jubilee and I feel obligated to let potential listeners know how worth their time and precious credits this book is.

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Title: Cooking for Picasso

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: C. A. Belmond

Narrator: Mozhan Marno

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-09-16

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 309 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

For listeners of Paula McLain, Nancy Horan, and Melanie Benjamin, this captivating novel is inspired by a little-known interlude in the artist's life.

The French Riviera, spring 1936: It's off-season in the lovely seaside village of Juan-les-Pins, where 17-year-old Ondine cooks with her mother in the kitchen of their family-owned Café Paradis. A mysterious new patron who's slipped out of Paris and is traveling under a different name has made an unusual request - to have his lunch served to him at the nearby villa he's secretly rented, where he wishes to remain incognito.

Pablo Picasso is at a momentous crossroads in his personal and professional lives - and for him, art and women are always entwined. The spirited Ondine, chafing under her family's authority and nursing a broken heart, is just beginning to discover her own talents and appetites. Her encounter with Picasso will continue to affect her life for many decades onward, as the great artist and the talented young chef both pursue their own passions and destinies.

New York, present day: Céline, a Hollywood makeup artist who's come home for the holidays, learns from her mother, Julie, that Grandmother Ondine once cooked for Picasso. Prompted by her mother's enigmatic stories and the hint of more family secrets yet to be uncovered, Céline carries out Julie's wishes and embarks on a voyage to the very town where Ondine and Picasso first met. In the lush, heady atmosphere of the Côte d'Azur, and with the help of several eccentric fellow guests attending a rigorous cooking class at her hotel, Céline discovers truths about art, culture, cuisine, and love that enable her to embrace her own future.

Featuring an array of both fictional characters and the French Riviera's most famous historical residents, set against the breathtaking scenery of the South of France, Cooking for Picasso is a touching, delectable, and wise story illuminating the powers of trust, money, art, and creativity in the choices that men and women make as they seek a path toward love, success, and joie de vivre.

Critic Reviews:

"Intrigue, art, food, and deception are woven together in a tale of love and betrayal around the life and legacy of Picasso. Touching and true, this well-written narrative made me long for my mother's coq au vin and for the sun of Juan-les-Pins." (Jacques Pépin, chef, TV personality, author)

"Camille Aubray has created a vividly imagined tale of a young French woman's life-changing encounter with the most unconventional artist of the modern age. Intriguing and insightful, the sensory details alone will have you thinking you're reading the pages seated at a seaside café in the South of France." (Susan Meissner, author of Secrets of a Charmed Life)

"Takes the reader on a heartfelt journey to the South of France.... In prose that is wise, atmospheric, and plain fun, Aubray expertly blends fact and fiction to create a rich and memorable tale." (Michelle Gable, New York Times best-selling author of A Paris Apartment)

Members Reviews:

Varied locations, time periods, interesting!

I liked this book. Although the author moves back and forth between generations in this family saga, the transition is easy for the listener and really very interesting. The characters are the "meat" of this book, rather than situations.

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Title: Barkskins

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Annie Proulx

Narrator: Robert Petkoff

Format: Unabridged

Length: 26 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 06-14-16

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 833 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

From Annie Proulx - the Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning author of The Shipping News and Brokeback Mountain - comes her masterpiece, 10 years in the writing: an epic, dazzling, violent, magnificently dramatic novel about taming the wilderness, set over two centuries.

In the late 18th century, Rene Sel, an illiterate woodsman, makes his way from Northern France to New France to seek a living. Bound to a feudal lord, a seigneur, for three years in exchange for land, he suffers extraordinary hardship, always in awe of the forest he is charged with cleaning. Rene marries an Indian healer with children already, and they have more, mixing the blood of two cultures. Proulx tells the stories of the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of two lineages, the Sels and the Duquets, as well as the descendants of their allies and foes, as they travel back to Europe, to China, to New England, always in quest of a livelihood or fleeing stunningly brutal conditions - accidents, pestilence, Indian attacks, the revenge of rivals.

Proulx's inimitable genius is her creation of characters who are so vivid - in their greed, their lust, their vengefulness, or their simple compassion and hope - that we follow them with fierce attention. Annie Proulx is one of the most formidable American writers of our time, and Barkskins is her Moby Dick.

Critic Reviews:

"[Narrator Robert] Petkoff's delivery is mesmerizing, with distinctive voices for generations of well-developed characters, and perfect pacing and incredible accents that give an air of authenticity. Immediately the listener is immersed in a place so colorfully depicted through both the written and spoken word that the time slips past and Proulx's wild forests settle in all around. The novel is indeed a sweeping saga, but Proulx and Petkoff are the duo to make the time seem too short. A transporting listen." (

AudioFile)

Members Reviews:

Awe-Inspiring, Far-Reaching Epic

An Awe-Inspiring, Far-Reaching Epic of the Descendants of 2 French Settlers in 1681 in New France (in an area now in Nova Scotia) and Their Destinies Over the Next 330 Years

I was thoroughly enthralled by this sweeping epic covering nearly 330 years. Although it's 736 pages, there's no one protagonist or any character that is fully developed. In fact, I believe it's difficult, if not impossible, to write an three-century epic like this that is very compelling or moving in the usual sense of literary fiction. That is to say, this is an epic that does not go back to one original narrator's storyline but instead travels straight through 320 years from 1681 to 2012 (no backward and forward except for explanation's sake) and thus does not lend itself to the reader's personal attachment to a character or a love affair, or to a development of either in the way that has become the custom for today's readers. Perhaps the only sure way to have such an attachment is if the author develops these ingredients, adding another 500-700 pages, in which case most won't read it.

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Title: Grace

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Natashia Deón

Narrator: Lisa Reneé Pitts

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-14-16

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 727 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

For a runaway slave in the 1840s South, life on the run can be just as dangerous as life under a sadistic master. That's what 15-year-old Naomi learns after she escapes the brutal confines of life on an Alabama plantation. Striking out on her own, she leaves behind her beloved Momma and sister, Hazel, and takes refuge in a Georgia brothel run by a freewheeling, gun-toting Jewish madam named Cynthia. There, amid a revolving door of gamblers, prostitutes, and drunks, Naomi falls into a star-crossed love affair with a smooth-talking white man named Jeremy who frequents the brothel's dice tables all too often.

The product of Naomi and Jeremy's union is Josey, whose white skin and blonde hair mark her as different from the other slave children on the plantation. Having been taken in as an infant by a free slave named Charles, Josey has never known her mother, who was murdered at her birth. Josey soon becomes caught in the tide of history when news of the Emancipation Proclamation reaches the declining estate, and a day of supposed freedom quickly turns into a day of unfathomable violence that will define Josey - and her lost mother - for years to come.

Deftly weaving together the stories of Josey and Naomi - who narrates the entire novel, unable to leave her daughter alone in the land of the living - Grace is a sweeping, intergenerational saga featuring a group of outcast women during one of the most compelling eras in American history. It is a universal story of freedom, love, and motherhood told in a dazzling and original voice and set against a rich and transporting historical backdrop.

Critic Reviews:

"The conceit of a narrator speaking from the grave has been done before, but rarely has it been as emotionally wrenching as in Natashia Deón's mesmerizing debut novel.... [Narrator Lisa Renée] Pitts reveals lives filled with humiliation, dehumanization, and hopelessness. She presents Deón's characters and unrelenting images truthfully, exposing how little women, particularly African-American women, were valued in this time period." (AudioFile)

Members Reviews:

Excellent story of several women's journey

the story is really more than one woman's story; the narrator is the best I have ever heard, she draws you right in to each woman's life, an excellent fast paced read

An intense reminder of historic tragedies and the love that sustains those who survive.

I was hesitant to read this book; I'd first heard the author on the Free Library of Philadelphia's podcast and I knew the story recounted pain, love, loss and perseverance. As an American seeing the deep divide currently between so many in our country I wanted to be reminded of historical events that brought us to where we're at today.

Once I began listening I was immediately attached to Naomi. Her story of survival beyond the world of the living and her journey to find safety for her child was chilling, but full of love and so much innocence. I miss Naomi and the characters that sustained her already. A truly wonderful read and reminder of American history, even if this is a work of fiction.

This is the perfect book to be read outloud

I couldn't "put this book down." I was hooked from the first page. It is skillfully constructed.The narrator is excellent. Probably one of the best audio books I've listened to.

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Title: Katherine of Aragon, the True Queen

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Alison Weir

Narrator: Rosalyn Landor

Format: Unabridged

Length: 22 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-31-16

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 511 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Best-selling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir takes on what no fiction writer has done before: creating a dramatic six-book series in which each novel covers one of English King Henry VIII's wives. In this captivating opening volume, Weir brings to life the tumultuous tale of Katherine of Aragon, Henry's first, devoted, and "true" queen.

A princess of Spain, Catalina is only 16 years old when she sets foot on the shores of England. The youngest daughter of the powerful monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, Catalina is a coveted prize for a royal marriage - and Arthur, Prince of Wales and heir to the English throne, has won her hand. But tragedy strikes, and Catalina, now Princess Katherine, is betrothed to the future Henry VIII. She must wait for his coming of age, an ordeal that tests her resolve, casts doubt on her trusted confidantes, and turns her into a virtual prisoner.

Katherine's patience is rewarded when she becomes queen of England. The affection between Katherine and Henry is genuine, but forces beyond her control threaten to rend her marriage, and indeed the nation, apart. Henry has fallen under the spell of Katherine's maid of honor, Anne Boleyn. Now Katherine must be prepared to fight, to the end if God wills it, for her faith, her legitimacy, and her heart.

Members Reviews:

Absolutely Wonderful!

I have been fascinated with the Tudor dynasty for years. I've watched The Tudors on Showtime,and have enjoyed many authors interpretations of their reign. This is the first book I have read concerning Katherine of Aragon. Many authors concentrate solely on Anne, and barely mention the other 5 wives. But, not Alison Weir.

This is her first in what is supposed to be a series of 6 books about Henry the VIII and his wives. This book begins with Katherine's arrival in England and continues until her death. I have to admit, Anne is the one which has always fascinated me. But with the anticipation of 6 books and Anne being the second book, I decided with a sigh, to read Katherine of Aragon. I am so glad I did.

Most books I have read have portrayed Katherine as a boring, frumpy woman who spent most of her time praying. I found myself reading this book and feeling much affection for her. She was far from frumpy or boring, She was an extremely intelligent woman who could speak many languages and managed to keep Henry a happily married man for 20 years.

Alison Weir did a wonderful job writing about Katherine. I just wish I didn't have to wait for the book about Anne!

GOOD BOOK

couldn't put it down. recommend this to others if they want a detailed account on Katherine's life

Bloodless Crucifixion Of Henry VIII's True Queen

A terrific depiction by the venerable author Ms. Weir of Henry VIII's boundless capacity for cruelty. Although this is a novel categorized under 'Historical Fiction' it is without a doubt based on solid historical fact. Henry used his immense theological knowledge to his own advantage manipulating what he called 'the word of God ' for his 'Carnal lust' and not for the benefit of his people. Sadly as we see in this really interesting novel many good people suffered because of his selfish understanding of 'the word'!

Nobody wins, that is for sure, but the political story within the Tudor reign makes today's political arena look like small fry.

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Title: Freedom of the Mask

Subtitle: Matthew Corbett, Book 6

Author: Robert McCammon

Narrator: Edoardo Ballerini

Format: Unabridged

Length: 18 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-31-16

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 842 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The year is 1703, and Matthew Corbett, professional "problem solver", is missing. Last seen by his friends in New York before he departed on a lucrative, seemingly straightforward mission for the Herrald Agency in Charles Town, he's been too long absent. His comrade-in-arms Hudson Greathouse has an increasing sense the young friend he thinks of as a son must have met with some unexpected peril.

Following his hunch, Greathouse retraces Matthew's steps only to find him first presumed dead, then accused of murdering a young woman and apparently en route to London with a devious Prussian count last encountered on Professor Fell's Pendulum Island. Little does he know that Matthews's circumstances are growing worse by the second. For when Matthew arrives in the bustling squalor of Londontown, he's come shackled, charged for the murder of Count Anton Mannerheim Dahlgren. No matter the lack of body, presumed lost to the ocean. He soon finds himself locked up in the infamous Newgate prison, and has drawn the interest of a mysterious mask-wearing vigilante accused of several gruesome murders. Greathouse and the woman Matthew loves, Berry Grigsby, travel across the high seas to England to aid their friend, but it is impossible to know whether they will reach him in time to save his life.

Freedom of the Mask is the sixth installment in best-selling author Robert McCammon's acclaimed series of standalone historical thrillers featuring the exploits of a young hero the USA Character Approved Blog has called "the Early American James Bond".

The most surprising and ambitious volume to date, this is a novel filled with unpredictable twists and a note-perfect depiction of early 1700s London. Fans will not want to miss Matthew Corbett's most dangerous adventure yet.

Members Reviews:

Whew! Again what a story!

19 hours. More twists than you can wrap your brain around....and still want more! This book goes on and on but flows like a steady river rushing to a cliff you know is coming. And still you want more. The author has done a Wonderful job with the story and the narrator as usual brings all the characters to life. This is one of those stories you wish would never end..well you get your wish with this series. Can't wait until the next adventure.

A violent historical fiction

This is the 6th book in the series, and the protagonist is somehow still alive after too many harrowing life threatening events . I love Matthew 's curiosity, but it gets him into dangerous situations. He is still after the same enemies in each book. That is beginning to get old. Still, It is exciting, and the narrator Ballerini is excellent. His accent for each character is wonderful and you can picture each of the characters and the different scenes vividly .

I want some happily ever after in these books,

but I'll have to keep following, until that comes.?(

.

Keeps getting better!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series from the very start. What surprises me is how it seems to be developing and gaining steam with each installment...this latest being no exception. I cannot wait to find out what happens next and will suffer withdrawal symptoms as I wait for the next book: a clear sign of a winner.

If you have not read the series start at the beginning and get ready for a vivid, utterly engrossing ride.

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Title: Mercer Girls

Author: Libbie Hawker

Narrator: Amy McFadden

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-10-16

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1709 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It's 1864 in downtrodden Lowell, Massachusetts. The Civil War has taken its toll on the town - leaving the economy in ruin and its women in dire straits. That is, until Asa Mercer arrives on a peculiar, but providential, errand: he seeks high-minded women who can exert an elevating influence in Seattle, where there are ten men for every woman. Mail-order brides, yes, but of a certain caliber.

Schoolmarmish Josephine, tough-as-nails Dovey, and pious perfectionist Sophronia see their chance to exchange their bleak prospects for new lives. But the very troubles that sent them running from Lowell follow them to the muddy streets of Seattle, and the friendships forged on the cross-country trek are tested at every turn.

Just when the journey seems to lead only to ruin, an encounter with a famous suffragist could be their salvation. But to survive both an untamed new landscape and their pasts, they'll need all their strength - and one another.

Members Reviews:

Delightful

this fictional Tale that represents the part that women played in the history of Seattle Washington has sparked the Curiosity in me to research the true history of the Mercer girls

Love her voice

Not only is this a good book but the narrators voice is easy to listen to..... pleasant may I dare say. Often times the story of a book is great but I can't get over the narrators voice so I don't listen. But in the case of this audiobook, I've listened to it 3 times.

Mercer Girls

I never expected my first audio book to be such a delight both in its beautiful prose as well as its enactment. ThAnk you to author and actress.

Great story, not what I expected.

I was expecting love and romance, but instead I found a more realistic version of the Mercer girls. Although fiction, much of the story was based on fact. I was especially impressed by the author's portrayal of women's hardships in this time. I learned much about the women's suffrage movement. This story prompted me to read more about women's suffrage and Susan B. Anthony.

Fantastic story!

I LOVE historical fiction and this book has become one of my new favorites! After the story is over the author goes into more detail about the real Mercer party and how she inspiration form the women who made the journey to Seattle and their role in settling the new city. The characters are each lovely in their own way and do much to show different points of view of their situations. While it is a longer book to listen to, I found myself listening to it for multiple hours at a time and thinking about it after I had paused the story. If you enjoy historical fiction you'll love this story, absolutely worth the credit!

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Title: Winter's Fire

Subtitle: The Rise of Sigurd 2

Author: Giles Kristian

Narrator: Philip Stevens

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-07-16

Publisher: Random House Audiobooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 399 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Sigurd Haraldarson has proven himself a great Viking warrior and a dangerous enemy. He has gone a long way towards avenging the murder of his family. Yet his vengeance is not complete. The oath breaker King Gorm - who betrayed Sigurd's father - still lives, and, so long as the king draws breath, the scales remain unbalanced.

But Sigurd and his wolf pack of warriors are not at full strength, and to confront the king now would mean death. And so they sail west to Sweden, where a local warlord employs them as mercenaries, but in a brutal siege Sigurd, Floki and Valgerd are taken by the enemy, their fate to be sacrificed in return for the gods' favour. Escaping the priest's knife at the last moment, they steal a sacred treasure: Gungnir, the legendary spear of Odin.

The journey Sigurd and his colleagues are destined to take is punctuated by blood and betrayal. Uneasy alliances are made; silver, fame-lust and the Odin spear draw men to Sigurd's banner until he commands a war host of his own. It is time to return to Norway to face the oath breaker. When storms rip the sky, men say that it is Odin, the Wild Huntsman, summoning the souls of the dead. And Sigurd's course is set.

His return to his homeland foretells death. He will lead his warriors against King Gorm in an epic fight to the death, and the clash of ax and sword and shield will shake the timbers of Valhalla itself, for Sigurd's bloodlust is like the Spear God's passing, and his revenge will be the Wings of the Storm....

Members Reviews:

Another Triumph

A worthy sequel to the first book in the trilogy. Although not as meaty as the first book, it is still a very good read for its vivid battle scenes and colorful dialogue. It should prove a great set-up for the finale which I am about to greedily devour. I will most certainly keep my eye on this author and expect him to have a sterling storytelling career!

Not really a spoiler... but just in case.

I enjoyed the vast majority of this book save the whole 'Freya-Maiden' chapters. I know shield maidens were not entirely unheard of in the sagas, but these chapters felt a little force. Outside of this, I was very much entertained!!

Transporting

The story was well written and expertly told so as to have enwrapped the listeners as if they had been hearing it from a Bard's lips while warming by a winters hearth.

Great book!

It is a very good story of Sigurd and seamlessly picks up where the last left off. It is a gripping story of a young man doing what he feels is right and as a viking making many enemies even if he tries not to. I love this story and the insults they use, oh they make me laugh. Old Norse story till the end!

A good solid story.

When I first started listening to this series, it seemed like it was going to be your generic "Viking tale". You know lot's of raiding, killing, drinking, sex and talk about the gods. I figured there would be that one character who wasn't quite like the rest and that character would turn out to be our hero/ adventurer with a better moral compass then his companions. But this story is so much more then that. It's deep and thought provoking. It really feels like your right next to them on this adventure. The characters are all compelling and diverse, and yes you have that one character who is set a part from the rest, but every character in this book brings life too it.