Download Popular Authors Audiobooks in Fiction, Historical

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Title: The Shadow of the Lynx

Author: Victoria Holt

Narrator: Virginia Leishman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-23-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 79 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Best-selling author Victoria Holt is universally popular for her breathtaking works of romance and fiction. Filled with strong-willed characters and set in exotic historical eras, each of her books spins an unforgettable tale. The Shadow of the Lynx follows beautiful young Nora Tamasin as she leaves her home in Victorian England. Recently orphaned, she sails toward the untamed lands of gold-rush Australia. Her journey will take her to the Lynx: the man her father designated as her guardian before he died. Rich, powerful, and commanding, the Lynx is a man who can safeguard her finances, but cannot control her heart. More than 56 million of Victoria Holts books have been sold worldwide. She also writes under the pen names of Jean Plaidy and Philippa Carr. Through the lyrical voice of narrator Virginia Leishman, The Shadow of the Lynx richly captures all the nuances of a familys tempestuous passion and thirst for power.

Members Reviews:

Not my favorite VH novel but very well performed

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

Yes - very well performed.

Would you be willing to try another book from Victoria Holt? Why or why not?

Definately a fan of Ms. Holt. This book doesn't quite follow her usual formula but enjoyable nonetheless.

What about Virginia Leishmans performance did you like?

Perfect accent and reading speed - is still intelligible at faster speeds.

Wow. Am so glad Audible has finally placed her

Beginning was different than I envisioned. Since I can usually figure out a book within two to three chapters, this one had me good. It is her very METHOD OF STORY TELLING that intrigues me. She would have made Alfred Hitchcock a great wife. So grateful to find her here on Audible. As famous lines go, "Please Sir, I want some more!"

Definitely worth your money and attention

I have to admit that I wasn't sure who the culprit(s) were in this story or where it was going. It was a very good mystery and an interesting story. I enjoyed it.

Wonderful writer

What did you love best about The Shadow of the Lynx?

I love Victoria Holt books and have read all that has been printed. I wished that more were on audio because I have truly enjoyed listening to them again. She is also know as Phillippa A Carr. I have not checked for any audio under this name as yet. I am unable to read comfortably so getting to listen has been a wonderful experience for me for I missed reading so very much. As far as what I loved best, I love all of her story lines equally.

Any additional comments?

Love historical romance books

The Shadow Of the Lynx

No one writes like Victoria Holt . I LOVE every story she has ever written . The Shadow of the Lynx is no exception . I highly recommend . I am hoping audible will get more of ner books .

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Title: The English German Girl

Author: Jake Wallis Simons

Narrator: Julie Teal

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-14-11

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 533 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In 1930s Berlin, choked by the tightening of Hitler's fist, the Klein family are gradually losing everything that is precious to them. Their 15-year-old daughter, Rosa, slips out of Germany on a Kindertransport train to begin a new life in England. Charged with the task of securing a safe passage for her family, she vows that she will not rest until they are safe. But as war breaks out and she loses contact with her parents, Rosa finds herself wondering if there are some vows that can't be kept....

A sweeping tale of love and loss, with the poignant story of the Kindertransport at its heart, this is an exceptional accomplishment from one of Britain's bravest and most vibrant young writers.

Members Reviews:

must read

Would you consider the audio edition of The English German Girl to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the book, but I feel like I have. Teal puts in all the voices and you get lost in the story and imagining the scenes.

What other book might you compare The English German Girl to and why?

This book is so well written it can be compared to the classics

Any additional comments?

I love the way the story weaves together and German words are sprinkled throughout. I got lost in this book and was thrilled it was long, but wished it were longer.

A sad but rewarding tale

This is a story of those percecuted by the Nazis and the strength and will of them to survive. A historically accurate story of one Jewish German family's strong bond and strength amidst the increasing cruelty of the regime and the hope and strength of a young girl who is sent to England alone. The narration is superb and the writing detailed. The reader soon feels the peril and hope to survive. It is a personal view of the times. It is not a story of the camps. I would not hesitate to rank it as a wartime story similar to The Diary of Anne Frank.

Not just another WWII/Nazi story

Not that there's anything wrong with that. A love story of a very unusual kind, intriguing to the last page.

Atmospheric, captivating, wonderful!

The English German Girl was a book I picked up on a whim, and I am glad I did!

The book begins in 1933 Berlin, with flashes forward in time, quietly showing the difficulty of living as a Jew in Germany, the trip on the Kindertransport, and life in England for Rosa.

I won't spoil it, but I did think the last chapter could have been cut out of the book entirely - the coincidence was strictly unnecessary, and made it seem like the author just needed a few extra pages. This is why I could only give the story 4 stars. Beyond that, the author and narrator were pitch-perfect, and I would recommend this book to anyone!

Loved it

This book kept me VERY ENGAGED! It took you on several journeys and really made you understand what some had to endure during WWII. The lack of trust as well as the faithful friendship of those they were close to prior to Nazi rule. I lived this book very much.

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Title: Daniel's Story

Subtitle: Published in conjunction with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Author: Carol Matas

Narrator: Daniel Carpenter-Gold

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-11-11

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 28 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Daniel barely remembers leading a normal life before the Nazis came to power in 1933. He can still picture once being happy and safe, but memories of those days are fading as he and his family face the dangers threatening Jews in Hitler's Germany in the late 1930's. No longer able to practice their religion, vote, own property, or even work, Daniel's family is forced from their home in Frankfurt and sent on a long and dangerous journey, first to the Lodz ghetto in Poland, and then to Auschwitz - the Nazi death camp. Though many around him lose hope in the face of such terror, Daniel, supported by his courageous family, struggles for survival. He finds hope, life and even love in the midst of despair. Although Daniel is a fictitious character, his story was inspired by the real experiences of many of the more than one million children who died in the Holocaust. Daniel's Story was published in conjunction with an exhibit called "Daniel's Story: Remember the Children" at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Great family listening for grades 4-8 and up.

Members Reviews:

One boys true account of the holocaust

Daniel can barely remember leading a normal life-until the Nazis came to power when he was 6.No longer allowed to go to normal public schools,or even be employed,Daniel and his family are forced out of their home in Germany and into the Polish ghetto and then begin the dangerous journey to the Nazi death camps.when two anti-Semitic boys beat up his best friend Daniel flips out.I've read many books about the holocaust,both real and fictional,but this book stands out as the best I've read-it's sad,moving,and honest.only two of Daniel's family survives the war but I'm not going to tell you which ones you'll have to read the book to find out.

Five Stars

great

Great Holocaust story for middle schoolers

Daniel's Story is a wonderfully told story about the Holocaust. It is great for middle schoolers to gain an understanding of the life and times.

Five Stars

fine book ans terrific service and attention to order matters - no hassle - triple A

Audio Quality not so great

I'm not sure if I just got a bad copy, but I am not impressed with the quality of the the audio. Throughout the first part of the book the audio would skip over small chunks of text at the end of a paragraph. And now it's skipping quite a bit. I am disappointed with the quality of the audio.

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Title: Queen Hereafter: A Novel of Margaret of Scotland

Author: Susan Fraser King

Narrator: Emily Gray

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-08-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 177 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Refugee. Queen. Saint. In 11th-century Scotland, a young woman strives to fulfill her destiny despite the risks....

Shipwrecked on the Scottish coast, a young Saxon princess and her family - including the outlawed Edgar of England - ask sanctuary of the warrior-king Malcolm Canmore, who shrewdly sees the political advantage. He promises to aid Edgar and the Saxon cause in return for the hand of Edgar's sister, Margaret, in marriage.

A foreign queen in a strange land, Margaret adapts to life among the barbarian Scots, bears princes, and shapes the fierce warrior Malcolm into a sophisticated ruler. Yet even as the king and queen build a passionate and tempestuous partnership, the Scots distrust her. When her husband brings Eva, a Celtic bard, to court as a hostage for the good behavior of the formidable Lady Macbeth, Margaret expects trouble. Instead, an unlikely friendship grows between the queen and her bard, though one has a wild Celtic nature and the other follows the demanding path of obligation.

Torn between old and new loyalties, Eva is bound by a vow to betray the king and his Saxon queen. Soon imprisoned and charged with witchcraft and treason, Eva learns that Queen Margaret - counseled by the furious king and his powerful priests - will decide her fate and that of her kinswoman Lady Macbeth. But can the proud queen forgive such deep treachery?

Impeccably researched, a dramatic pause-resister, Queen Hereafter is an unforgettable story of shifting alliances and the tension between fear and trust as a young woman finds her way in a dangerous world.

Critic Reviews:

"Although you might think that Saxon-era England has been done to death, Kings move north pleasantly reinvigorates a period rife with political, religious, and social tensions and turmoil." (

Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Tested my patience.

I usually love historical novels but I'm afraid I had to force myself to slog through this one. There were characters who could have been amazingly interesting but unfortunately, the narration made the story as dull as dishwater. The way that the narrator spoke as Margaret made one think her character was more like a robot than a real person - where did she get that accent???

story is good, but the narration unbearable

Just finished the seven hours of part 1 and can't go on listening. I will usually slog through narration issues because I hate wasting my credits. But in this case, I just can't. The narrator--although a decent reader--makes the voices of all the male characters sound like robots or zombies. It's so bad that I can't muster any sense of the male characters as real or interesting. It's a pity though; the story is quite good--guess I'll finish it on my kindle.

Poorly performed, historical accuracy questionable

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Margaret's accent comes of as more Japanese than Nordic.

You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Worth the time in that it led me to other historical characters and places for research.

Saint and Heroine?

What did you love best about Queen Hereafter: A Novel of Margaret of Scotland?

I loved the fact that even though Margaret at times was a little too saintly, Ms. Fraser was able to show the humanity in her.

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Title: The Chief

Author: Monica McCarty

Narrator: Robert McNab

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-06-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 759 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Best-selling author Monica McCarty transports listeners to the 14th-century Scottish highlands in this dazzling novel. Warrior Tor MacLeod is picked by Robert the Bruce to lead the fight against English rule. Despite Tors rigid disposition and devotion to his craft, his new bride is determined to warm his heart.

Members Reviews:

All hail the Chief!

This story begins with a longwinded and boring recitation of historical facts and the setup for this story. It was hard for me to follow... l felt like I was back in school and too bored to learn anything. However... once that is done a very good story grows. It is full of strong individuals and interesting personalities. The tale becomes one to truly enjoy instead of one to prepare you for a quiz.

NARRATOR: I have always enjoyed Robert McNab . He is a talented narrator with a mastery of voices, accents and emotions.

CREDITWORTHY? Well.... get if You can past the dry , awful , boring beginning of this tale then yes!

Heat Factor? steam...

Overbearing Chief meets Romantic Lass

I listened to this book later than many of the other reviewers so I had the opportunity to read the reviews before I listened. Because the reviews seemed mixed I didn't know what to expect. As anyone who reads my reviews knows.......I love historical romances, especially ones with Highlanders, so I eventually would have gotten to this one.

The Chief is a well written story and is a cross between historical fiction and a harlequin romance. History is intertwined nicely within the romantic story along with action, spies and a mystery. At times this book was predictable but it didn't take away any delightful moments of the story.

A few negative reviews of this book unfairly compared it to 'The Outlander' and I don't understand why. 'The Chief' is not paranormal and not 33 hours long. It is an entertaining romantic historical romance set in Scotland and that's where the comparison ends.

Overall, it was quite nice to escape to Scotland to visit an overbearing, stubborn, handsome highland chief and his curious, beautiful dreamer of a lass. Hope to visit them again in book 2.

4 and a Half Stars!!! Loved it!

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

It was very good I will definitely be coming back to listen to this one again! On the keeper shelf!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really loved both Tor and Christina and all the guard!

Which scene was your favorite?

Several you need to get this one and find out for yourself!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes if I could have I would have wasn't able to put it down!

Any additional comments?

This is the first in Monica McCartys fabulous Highland Guard Series of novels. Though I have had the first of these books on my TBR shelf for several years I have just now gotten to start on them a few weeks ago and since then I havent been able to stop! (Im now on book 6 and planning on getting 7 as soon as Im done with this one!) Yes they are that good and I will venture to say without a doubt that if you like a good, sexy, and exciting Scottish romance you will too!

The first book The Chief is the story of Tor MacLeod (for those of you that have read Monicas Macleod series Tor is indeed an ancestor of them. So all be it loosely this book at the very least is connected to her several of her previous books).

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Title: Train Dreams

Subtitle: A Novella

Author: Denis Johnson

Narrator: Will Patton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-30-11

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 127 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Denis Johnsons Train Dreams is an epic in miniature, one of his most evocative and poignant fictions.

Robert Grainer is a day laborer in the American West at the start of the 20th centuryan ordinary man in extraordinary times. Buffeted by the loss of his family, Grainer struggles to make sense of this strange new world. As his story unfolds, we witness both his shocking personal defeats and the radical changes that transform America in his lifetime. Suffused with the history and landscapes of the American Westits otherworldly flora and fauna, its rugged loggers and bridge buildersthe new novella by the National Book Award-winning author of Tree of Smoke captures the disappearance of a distinctly American way of life.

Critic Reviews:

[A] severely lovely tale . . . The visionary, miraculous element in Johnsons deceptively tough realism makes beautiful appearances in this bookThe hard, declarative sentences keep their powder dry for pages at a time, and then suddenly flare into lyricism; the natural world of the American West is examined, logged, and frequently transfigured. (James Wood,

The New Yorker)

An ode to the vanished West that captures the splendor of the Rockies as much as the small human mysteries that pass through them, this svelte stand-alone has the virtue of being a gem in itself, and, for the uninitiated, a perfect introduction to Johnson. (

Publishers Weekly)

National Book Award-winner Johnson, ever the literary shape-shifter, looks back to Americas expansionist fever dream in a haunting frontier ballad about a loner named Robert Granier . . . Johnson draws on history and tall tales to adroitly infuse one contemplative mans solitary life with the boundless mysteries of nature and the havoc of humankinds breakneck technological insurgency, creating a concentrated, reverberating tale of ravishing solemnity and molten lyricism. (Donna Seaman,

Booklist)

Members Reviews:

A compact epic

Lyricism that's reminiscent of James Lee Burke and Faulkner, and is therefore right in narrator Will Patton's wheelhouse. A novella of the opening and closing of the American West that can be enjoyed without "worldly interests intervening...[to] modify, annul or counteract...the impressions of the book," to quote Anthony Doerr (quoting Poe) in the New York Times.

2011 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction finalist

The novella begins and ends with cries to others, in between Robert Granier is usually alone in the Pacific Northwest.

Why four and not five? A few word choices took me out of Robert Grainer's introspection, during shifts between descriptions of the valley and Graniers thoughts, and the narrative leaps were jarring at times.

Will Patton does an excellent job. His voice is weary, optimistic, intelligent, detached. But this is a laconic open man, and while the characterizations are distinctive, Pattons voice is better suited for Saigon (Tree of Smoke), New Orleans (James Lee Burke) or Manhattan (Cosmopolis).

(Train Dreams was a finalist for the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. For the first time since the 1970s, there was no award for Fiction.)

A complaint: the cover is a desaturated Thomas Hart Benton-like scene, a race between horse and Iron Horse across the dull lumpy prairie. It is misleading. The train dreams are not those of man against machine; this is not John Henry. I interpreted the title as a command: train your dreams.

Too violent

Hate speech was hard to listen to. Even in a historical context.

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Title: Rebel: Bull Run, 1861

Subtitle: The Nathaniel Starbuck Chronicles, Book 1

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Narrator: Ed Sala

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-08-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 151 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

This best-selling author is highly praised by both critics and fans for his action-packed historical novels. Casts of colorful characters spring to life in battle scenes vivid with authentic military detail.

When William Faulconer rescues Nate Starbuck, his sons friend, from the clutches of a Yankee-hating mob in Virginia, he finds a grateful and willing recruit for Faulconers Legion. But Nates decision to fight against his native North is only one of the human dilemmas facing the Legion. The Legion commanders son is against the war, and his daughters fiancé is plotting for control of the family fortune. As a motley gathering of men prepares to engage the enemy at Bull Run, they have high hopes of ending the war before it starts. No one can foresee the changes in store for themselves and for their country.

Nate Starbuck and his compatriots leap from the book in full battle regalia with Ed Salas narrative magic. Action scenes are all the more exciting because listeners identify with the well-drawn characters and understand the circumstances that lead them to this historical moment.

Members Reviews:

Great story, but weak performance.

I am a huge fan of Bernard Cornwell, and actually began enjoying his novels with the Starbuck series then the Sharpe books. A few years ago I listened to this book and was hooked immediately. It seems to me some writers struggle with creating a fictional story in a historical setting and remain accurate to the period. These writers can create good characters, but not describe historical events correctly or with correct props. For example the description of weapons, when a person inaccurately describes equipment used by the soldiers it takes me out of the story. On the other hand someone may be spot on with the historical descriptions, but may be lacking in character or story development. Cornwell does not suffer from either of these problems. The fact that he has done his research and based his writings off of historical data makes this book seem like it Starbuck was really alive and this was his biography.

I do have one problem with this version of the story, the reader. I have listened to the other version with the different narrator (this version can be found on Audible), and he gave the characters unique and individual voices. This narrator was not able to change his accent all that much and many of the characters sounded the same. It was just not as good as I remembered, and the only reason I bought this version was because it was on sale. I would recommend the other version and will be sure to get the rest of the series with that narrator.

Rebel Starbuck

Where does Rebel: Bull Run, 1861 rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

This one ranks at or near the top of the audible's I have listened to.

What other book might you compare Rebel: Bull Run, 1861 to and why?

I highly recommend the entire series of Nathaniel Starbuck chronicles. Very interesting history interwoven with a great personal story of triumph and tragedy. The story really pulls you into the timeline of the Civil War.

What about Ed Salas performance did you like?

I like the inflection of his voice, he is very enjoyable to listen too.

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Title: Battle Flag: Second Manassas, 1862

Subtitle: The Starbuck Chronicles: Volume Three

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Narrator: Ed Sala

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-21-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 89 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Bernard Cornwells superb Civil War dramas have been compared with Michael Shaaras The Killer Angels. Basing Battle Flag on the Campaign of Second Manassas in August, 1862, Cornwell takes the listener from whispered negotiations to the roar of cannon fire. A Northerner fighting for the South, Nate Starbuck has distinguished himself as captain of his Confederate regiment. But his battles go beyond the rifle smoke. The enmity between Starbuck and his commander, the unscrupulous General Faulconer, is never far from the surface. And when Nate encounters his stern father, who is fervently supporting Northern troops, Nate must calculate his own price for victory. Their flags are powerful symbols of the loyalty and ideology at work as Confederate and Union regiments clash at Manassas. But history, as Cornwell shows, is also shaped by more personal motives. Ed Salas performance captures all the drama of the Civil Waron the battlefields and in mens hearts.

Members Reviews:

Great read

Would you listen to Battle Flag: Second Manassas, 1862 again? Why?

I would absolutely listen to it again, I really enjoyed it. Great story, good history info and great characters.

What did you like best about this story?

I like having the characters lives wrapped around true historical happenings.

What about Ed Salas performance did you like?

I really enjoy listening to Ed Sala's voice. Very easy to listen to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There are parts of the story where you experience both sadness and laughter.

Excellent!

Absolutely love this series. This was my second time to listen to it. Characters were fantastic, the narrator was perfect and the mix of history and fiction was very well done. Great series

This series MUST be completed!!

This series must be completed! please mr.Corwell? oh god, just lay me down ! !

Beware

The one star has nothing to do with the book that I previously enjoyed very much, just that it is another version of an unabridged Cornwell book previously published at Audible - NOT a new book in the series. Oops, I downloaded it again, and lost a credit.

Changing mid stream

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. When I first started listening to this series the narrator was Tom Parker for the first two books. I was disappointed to find that to continue the series I would have to change narrators. It may not sound like much but some times a narrator can make a book.

If this book were a film would you go see it?

Yes I believe it is a great story!

Any additional comments?

Why has Tom Parker disappeared and why did he not finish the series?

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Title: The Light Years

Subtitle: Cazalet Chronicle, Volume 1

Author: Elizabeth Jane Howard

Narrator: Jill Balcon

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-05-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 122 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The tangled lives of three generations evoke a vanished world in this, the first volume of the Cazalet Chronicle.

Home Place, Sussex, 1937. The English family at home.... For two unforgettable summers, they gathered together, safe from the advancing storm clouds of war. In the heart of the Sussex countryside, these were still sunlit days of childish games, lavish family meals, and picnics on the beach.

Three generations of the Cazalet family played out their lives - with their relatives, their children and their servants - and the fascinating triangle of their affairs....

Members Reviews:

The Age of Innocence

This is the first book of the Cazalet Chronicles, a family saga about the Cazalet family clan living very comfortably thanks to a family businessthis prompting me to think of them henceforward as another set of Forsytes (see The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy), another family clan living comfortably from the fruit of their trade. It starts in the late 1930s while Europe is on the brink of WWII. Most of the actions takes place during two consecutive summer family vacations, when the whole clan are gathered at their Sussex family home. There are three generations of Cazalets, with spouses and their families plus the servants and various employees to keep track of, and while I usually have quite a bit of trouble remembering who is who when there are more than a handful of characters, this was more or less easily done here, as each of the characters is very well drawn and has a unique individual story.

The children are busy at their games and worries; about going back to school and attendant bullying for the boys, while the girls are dreaming up their future career options given the minimal education they are offered; acting, being a nun, nursing are a few possibilities. Their elderly impoverished teacher with a face like a toad and a heart of gold was a personal favourite. Their fathers, three Cazalet siblings, are all veterans from WWI. The eldest is badly affected by his war wounds and suffers from debilitating headaches (how I empathized with him!), the second is an inveterate womanizer who descends into downright disgusting lechery, while the third and youngest (and comparatively poor) brother has married a very young girl who seems to offer nothing but her beauty, after tragically losing his first wife, and badly failing to establish his painting career. Their unmarried sister meanwhile is charged with caring for her elderly father who is slowly losing his eyesight but not ready to relinquish his post of command, while she is also involved in a chaste love affair more or less sanctioned by the family.

These are innocent times, when the menace of oncoming war seems more like a fictional possibility than a real threat, though by the second summer, in 1938, when the German annexation of Czechoslovakia seems inevitable and before the signing of the Munich agreement, preparations for an assault are underway at the Cazalet compound just in case Chamberlains meeting with Hitler doesnt go so well and London must be evacuated. All in all, a very satisfying piece of historical fiction seen through a modern writers eye, so that things which would have been left unsaid by a contemporary writer are here fully revealed.

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Title: Mine Is the Night

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Liz Curtis Higgs

Narrator: Liz Curtis Higgs

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-22-11

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 110 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Stepping from a battered coach on a rainy April eve, newly widowed Elisabeth Kerr must begin again, without husband or title, property or fortune. She is unafraid of work and gifted with a needle, but how will she stitch together the tattered remnants of her life? And who will mend her heart, torn asunder by betrayal and deception?

Elisabeth has not come to Selkirk alone. Her mother-in-law, Marjory Kerr, is a woman undone, having buried her husband, her sons, and any promise of grandchildren. Dependent upon a distant cousin with meager resources, Marjory dreads the future almost as much as she regrets the past. Yet joy still comes knocking, and kindness is found in unexpected places.

Then a worthy hero steps forward, rekindling a spark of hope. Will he risk his reputation to defend two women labeled as traitors to the Crown? Or will a wealthy beauty, untainted by scandal, capture his affections? The heartrending journey of the Kerr women comes to a glorious finish in Mine Is the Night.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

Members Reviews:

Exceptional AND Narrated by the Author!

I did not listen to the first book in this series but I didnt have any difficulty following the story thread in this stand-alone book. The narrator was first rate and seemed to TRULY know the story and the authors intent because it was none other than LIZ CURTIS HIGGS HERSELF!!! I sent her a Facebook message afterwards because I could not believe it really was her. But as a long time radio personality that was probably easy for her. And her passion for the story comes through in the narration. To me this is the best way to get her stories, if possible because it is SO RARE to have an author do that to narrate.

And this Naomi-Ruth inspired story (Lady Elisabeth Kerr and Dowager Lady Marjory Kerr) does a fantastic job of examining the relationship between mother (in this case mother-in-law) and daughter. It is obvious that Liz understands the give and take between adult child and parent. I was awestruck and I practiced as a psychologist for twenty-five years, so that comment does not come lightly.

The love story was wonderful and because it was based on Boaz, I was glad to know I was not going to have some literary device where the great hero is yanked from the pages and the heroine is left with someone else. So while there was a lot of tension I could also relax into the read/listen a little.

The romance between mother-in-law (Marjory) and another character (won't spoil it for the reader!) was amazingly well done. I loved how we had a mature couple with genuine affection and respect and they develop these passionate feelings for each other and (well, read the book to find out what happens!) I get tired of the twenty-somethings having all the fun! Great example of how God can give us another chance even if the first part of our life was not so stellar.

Lizs description of Scotland and the people were so vivid, it was as though I was there. It is set in the mid-18th century after the Jacobite rebellion. Liz has 950 books on Scotland!!! Astounding! All that research pays off for the reader.

I highly recommend Mine Is the Night and plan to listen to my version again and again.