Get Popular Titles Full Audiobooks in Bios & Memoirs, Criminals

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Title: A Venetian Affair

Subtitle: A True Tale of Forbidden Love in the 18th Century

Author: Andrea di Robilant

Narrator: Paul Hecht

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-30-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Acclaimed author Andrea di Robilant sweeps listeners back to 18th-century Venice for a spellbinding tale of forbidden love. Originally serialized in The New Yorker, this dazzling story is based on actual family letters.

The letters describe a searing and illicit affair between the authors ancestor, a great Venetian statesman, and a beautiful half-English girl. The couple pursued their passion with reckless abandon, offending nearly everyone, and even getting some help along the way from the infamous Casanova. In gambling dens, glitzy ballrooms, decadent salons, and private rooms, the lovers thrived on their secret trysts.

Members Reviews:

True love but impossible

My favorite love story. Performance is exceptional. Highly recommend to all. It's relatable even though it's set in the 1750's!!!

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Title: True Vows: The Icing on the Cake

Author: Alison Kent

Narrator: Arielle Lipshaw

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-22-11

Publisher: Health Communications Inc

Ratings: 2.5 of 5 out of 15 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match... dotcom! An online dating service is not Michelle Snow's idea of how to find love, but when the Big 3-0 hits, Michelle decides she has nothing to lose, since she hasn't brought a date home in 10 years, she's professionally burned out, and her climb up the corporate ladder has come at the expense of abandoning her sweet dream: to own a boutique cupcakery.

Todd Bracken, early 30s and a successful technology consultant, isn't exactly a player after being off the market for 10 years, and pours himself into his dual passions of martial arts and home-sweet-home renovations. Only there's no one to come home to. So he decides to give Match.com a try. Todd isn't so sure the Internet dating scene is his thing - until a message pops up in the wee hours on a weekend night: "I like your smile." Todd likes - a lot - the whole package that glides into a French bistro in Washington, D.C.

It's serious mojo-at-first-sight, but there's a glitch: Todd and Michelle live in different cities. Will love find its way in the digital age with a "You've Got Mail" courtship when video-cam kisses just aren't enough? And when Todd challenges Michelle to not only go for her dream but let him share it, will they be able to make it happen together despite obstacles more plentiful than a shower of rainbow sprinkles?

Critic Reviews:

"Readers looking for an inspiring and positive love story, with the added boost of its being true, will get a kick out of this sweet courtship tale." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Not pleased

The book itself was a medium in terms of quality. Characters a bit shallow, dialogue a bit too simple. But cute story and premise. Audio quality very poor. A bit of a echoing / tinny sound to the recording like the reader was not in a soundproof room. The book features four different women, and the author uses the same voice, tone, and speed for all of them so the dialogue gets extemely confusing. I didn't finish the book, I got so frustrated.

So Boring it Put Me to Sleep

What disappointed you about True Vows: The Icing on the Cake?

The story had no excitement in it, at least in the two or three hours I listened to it before I couldn't stand it any longer and went on to another book.

What was most disappointing about Alison Kents story?

It needed to have something going on to keep my attention in the first hour or two of listening. I use audiobooks to keep myself awake during long trips, and if I have a good book and can't wait to hear what happens next, it does just that. This book actually MADE me sleepy, and I caught myself nodding off many, many times.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Arielle Lipshaw?

She was fine, it was the story that lacked

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

No

Any additional comments?

I doubt if I will read the remainder of the book, which probably is the best part, but I will never know. A writer needs to HOLD their audience with a good story if they want them to finish the book, not bore them to death.

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Title: Mr Briggs' Hat

Subtitle: A Sensational Account of Britain's First Railway Murder

Author: Kate Colquhoun

Narrator: John Telfer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-19-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 2.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Criminals

Publisher's Summary:

In July 1864, Thomas Briggs was travelling home after visiting his niece and her husband for dinner. He entered a First Class carriage on the 9.45pm Hackney service of the North London railway. At Hackney, two bank clerks entered the carriage and discovered blood in the seat cushions; also on the floor, windows and sides of the carriage. A bloodstained hat was found on the seat along with a broken link from a watch chain.

The race to identify the killer and catch him as he flees on a boat to America was eagerly followed by citizens both sides of the Atlantic.

Kate Colquhoun tells a gripping tale of a crime that shocked the nation.

Members Reviews:

Riveting and Educational

This excellently read, painstakingly researched audiobook tells the story of a factual Victorian railway murder and the subsequent pursuit of justice. It is however, much more than a whodunnit and it explores arguments about the management of evidence, the astute questioning of witnesses and moreover it debates the morality of capital punishment. The closing few chapters are tense, gripping and almost unbearable. the final chapter is perhaps a wee bit too long...phrenology indeed!

The book started slowly for me whilst the author necessarily established facts, but quickly gathered pace to an extent that I listened to the whole thing in just two sittings.

Comparisons with The Suspicions of Mr Whicher are as inevitable as they are invidious. I enjoyed both books although truthfully speaking, this one just edged it for me.

Good stuff

I really enjoyed this book. Well read and kept me entertained to the end.

A seemingly small crime youd think wouldnt warrant a book of this length but its very good. Not repetitive in the slightest.

Good narration too

Absolutely Enthralling.

One of the most riveting books I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. I found myself looking for excuses to don my headphones to get another few chapters in!

The narration was first class. Story well delivered and I didn't want it to end.

A Victorian crime reflects major social changes

If you could sum up Mr Briggs' Hat in three words, what would they be?

Victorian criminal sensation

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mr Briggs' Hat?

The chase to catch the suspect as he docks in America - it really brings home how small he world has become since then as we take 6 hour flights for granted. The lack of communication available is almost unimaginable for those of us used to reading about modern criminal investigations, and the lack of forensic capabilities makes you wonder how anyone was ever convicted.

Have you listened to any of John Telfers other performances? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any other performances by this narrator. Although his performance was not terrible, he occasionally made errors which were a little jarring when listening.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending was a little moving, although one is left wondering what other outcome there would be - the author seems to be trying to convince us of the innocence of a suspect without ever presenting an alternative.

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Title: True Vows: Meet Me in Manhattan

Author: Judith Arnold

Narrator: Arielle Lipshaw

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-03-11

Publisher: Health Communications Inc

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Ted Skala and Erika Fredell were the perfect New Jersey high-school sweethearts. Like many teens, Ted and Erika spent plenty of time in parked cars under the stars, but there was so much more between them than the chemistry that ignited their courtship, and Ted couldn't imagine a life without Erika. By graduation, he was ready to get engaged. Erika, however, was ready to spread her wings, and faraway she flew to college. She broke his heart. And she sailed the world.

Fast forward 15 years. Living in Manhattan, Erika successfully climbs the corporate ladder, but her love life stinks. Ted is also living the life of a successful businessman in Manhattan, and he's involved in a serious relationship. Problem is, he still cannot get Erika out of his system. When fate intervenes and their paths cross, the result is emotionally explosive, and that old black magic is back with the force of a supernova. But Erika once ravaged his heart: How can Ted ever trust her again? And now that he's seriously involved with another woman, how can Erika hope for a second chance with the man she never should have let go?

Meet Me in Manhattan is a classic love story that is told as only Judith Arnold can tell it. With a deep grasp of the complexities of the human heart, this acclaimed author explores Ted Skala and Ericka Fredell's compelling true story of a lost love unexpectedly found again.

Members Reviews:

Too high price for book.

Wanted a book about adults. This was mostly a high school romance. Became extremely bored and skimmed to the end. Price was outrageous and will not be taken in by authors name again. Ended up feeling cheated.

When the past and present collide....

A story of 2 people who's love lasted the years. Young love isn't always mean to stay in one's youth - sometimes people find each other again. A sweet story.

Another Great Novel by Judith Arnold

I am a sucker for real life story. This book exceeds my expectation. Arnold told us a real love story of Ted Skala and Erika Fredell. You can google their stories, There is even an article from NYT about them.

Ted and Erika met and fell in love when they were 18 years old. Erika broke up the relationship as she wanted to go to college and see the world. Ted's heart was broken to pieces and he told Erika "I will never be with you again. I could never be this hurt again."

Arnold did a superb job describing Ted's emotions all those years. I cried for him. They met again when they both were 34 years old. I held my breath, crossed my fingers that Ted would not be hurt again. Well, there is a happy ending, though not without some mountain to climb.

I like Arnold's writing style in this book. A lot of humors, but lots of tears as well. She uses a few symbolic throughout the story eg ghosts in Ted's home, ghost of Denver airport past, or while Ted was heart broken, he imagined sending message to a star so it could bounce the message to Erika "call me Erika. Love me as much as I love you.". After they met again after 16 years, fell in love again then had a big fight, Ted once more sent a message to a star, hope it would reach Erika. Beautifully writing.

Yet, there are a few things, I don't like about the book. Arnold changes the story a bit when Ted and Erika met the second time. In the book, Ted asked Erika to meet him for a drink. It was a short meeting.

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Title: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters - 29 Stories about Newlyweds and Oldyweds, Relatively Embarrassing Moments, and Forbear...ance

Author: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Amy Newmark, Susan M. Heim, Bruce Jenner (foreword)

Narrator: Mel Foster, Tanya Eby

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-15-11

Publisher: Chicken Soup for the Soul on Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Nearly everyone thinks their own family is nutty" or at least has one or two nuts. With stories of wacky yet lovable relatives, funny foibles, and holiday meltdowns, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters is often hilarious and occasionally poignant.

Members Reviews:

Count Your Blessings

Count Your Blessings...This was a fantastic read. All the stories were excellent teaching points in learning to truly appreciate our blessings each and every day of our lives. I've read numerous Chicken Soup For the Soul books, all of which have been excellent, but this one goes beyond that. A highly recommended read for anyone wanting to be truly inspired! We all need to Count Our Blessings...

Chicken Soup for the Soul on Healing

Best books on the market is my view as they help others to share in the same situations and know they are not the only one who experiencing an uncontrolled situation. They help bring one to reality and soothes the bite from the problem. Nobody is really alone unless they choose to be and with so many stories telling about a particular subject, these are very uplifting books. I bought this one for a friend whose husband was having terrible health issues and possibly facing near death, so they both needed hope and a reason to keep moving forward and knowing they are not alone.

Good Book for Grievers

These stories helped me to grieve over the loss of a loved one. Many of them have a spiritual connection, especially the last section, but it was the story "Lillian's Daughter" that truly touched me so much.

Healing and Humor

I think this book will be a great comfort to those going through a difficult time in their lives. It will bring healing and humor, as well as a sense of "I can get through this" and "I'm not alone," which is critical when facing the emotional strain of going through a divorce.

Chicken Soup books are filled with stories about real people in real situations. Some stories are heartwarming, some heart-wrenching. Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry. I like the way they stir my emotions, and help me work through difficult times.

I contributed my own story to Divorce and Recovery. Although I don't feel that I have any better insight into dealing with divorce than anyone else who has gone through it. I was fortunate to get involved with a small group through my church that addressed bitterness and forgiveness. This helped me uncover the fact that I was carrying around a lot of bitterness from my divorce because I had not forgiven my ex. Thankfully, a way was provided for me to do just that, which is what my story in Divorce and Recovery is about. I hope the readers will see that they can forgive their ex-spouses. Forgiveness is not an easy road to travel, but carrying the burden of bitterness with you only makes your life's journey more difficult.

The dedication reads "To all the hearts that have been broken: may you find help and hope within this book - maybe even some laughter - to help you heal again."

There are so many issues addressed in this wonderfully insightful book. If you are dealing with divorce, get this for yourself.

Listen to audiobook in full for free on http://hotaudiobook.com/free

Title: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters - 29 Stories about Newlyweds and Oldyweds, Relatively Embarrassing Moments, and Forbear...ance

Author: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Amy Newmark, Susan M. Heim, Bruce Jenner (foreword)

Narrator: Mel Foster, Tanya Eby

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-15-11

Publisher: Chicken Soup for the Soul on Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Nearly everyone thinks their own family is nutty" or at least has one or two nuts. With stories of wacky yet lovable relatives, funny foibles, and holiday meltdowns, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters is often hilarious and occasionally poignant.

Contact me for any questions: [email protected]

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Title: One Born Every Minute

Subtitle: Real Stories from the Delivery Room

Author: Maria Dore, Ros Bradbury

Narrator: Judy Sweeney, Emma Kay

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-13-11

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

One Born Every Minute, Channel 4's Bafta-winning documentary series, was the critical and popular smash-hit of 2010. And in February 2011, it was back on the maternity ward for 12 more thrilling episodes.

In this wonderful new book, midwives Maria Dore and Ros Bradbury look back over their careers and reveal the extraordinary experiences that fill their every working day - from first-time mums with unusual birth plans to overwhelmed dads who end up on the delivery room floor. And, of course, the beautiful babies who make it all worthwhile. Maria explains, 'To be part of anyone's birth experience is just the best. You never quite get over that miracle.'

As told to Diane Taylor.

Critic Reviews:

"One Born Every Minute was television at its best. I have shed many tears over this brilliant, emotional, reality series eight hours of the very purest drama." (The Guardian)

Members Reviews:

My wife loved this

Although not read by Maria Dore and Ros Bradbury, the narrators, Judy Sweeney and Emma Kay, do such a good job it doesn't matter. You really feel the joy and despair that comes with the job of midwife. My wife who normally doesn't like audiobooks really loved this as we drove up the M1 one evening. She'd been a fan of the TV series and thought this was a really good contrast, showing more of the midwives lives than the show, which naturally focused on the lives of the new parents.

If you liked the TV show, this is highly recommended.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom - 36 Stories About Following in Her Footsteps, Mom Knows Best, and Making Sacrifices

Author: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Wendy Walker, Joan Lunden (foreword)

Narrator: Tanya Eby, Fred Shelly

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-07-11

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

A mother's job is never done, but in this book she gets the praise she deserves. Children from 8 to 80 share their words of gratitude and appreciation in this new collection of stories for moms. Daughters and sons relate tales of love and learning, celebrating moms, their wisdom, and all that they do. These stories of special memories, loving and hard lessons, unforgettable moments, laughter and tears, and support and encouragement will bring any mom joy, inspiration, and amusement. Mothers of all ages, whether new moms, experienced moms, or grandmothers, will feel good about the recognition they receive. In this edition: 36 Stories about Dollowing in Her Footsteps, Mom Knows Best, and Making Sacrifices.

Members Reviews:

Count Your Blessings

Count Your Blessings...This was a fantastic read. All the stories were excellent teaching points in learning to truly appreciate our blessings each and every day of our lives. I've read numerous Chicken Soup For the Soul books, all of which have been excellent, but this one goes beyond that. A highly recommended read for anyone wanting to be truly inspired! We all need to Count Our Blessings...

Chicken Soup for the Soul on Healing

Best books on the market is my view as they help others to share in the same situations and know they are not the only one who experiencing an uncontrolled situation. They help bring one to reality and soothes the bite from the problem. Nobody is really alone unless they choose to be and with so many stories telling about a particular subject, these are very uplifting books. I bought this one for a friend whose husband was having terrible health issues and possibly facing near death, so they both needed hope and a reason to keep moving forward and knowing they are not alone.

Good Book for Grievers

These stories helped me to grieve over the loss of a loved one. Many of them have a spiritual connection, especially the last section, but it was the story "Lillian's Daughter" that truly touched me so much.

Healing and Humor

I think this book will be a great comfort to those going through a difficult time in their lives. It will bring healing and humor, as well as a sense of "I can get through this" and "I'm not alone," which is critical when facing the emotional strain of going through a divorce.

Chicken Soup books are filled with stories about real people in real situations. Some stories are heartwarming, some heart-wrenching. Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry. I like the way they stir my emotions, and help me work through difficult times.

I contributed my own story to Divorce and Recovery. Although I don't feel that I have any better insight into dealing with divorce than anyone else who has gone through it. I was fortunate to get involved with a small group through my church that addressed bitterness and forgiveness. This helped me uncover the fact that I was carrying around a lot of bitterness from my divorce because I had not forgiven my ex. Thankfully, a way was provided for me to do just that, which is what my story in Divorce and Recovery is about. I hope the readers will see that they can forgive their ex-spouses.

Listen to audiobook in full for free on http://hotaudiobook.com/free

Title: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom - 36 Stories About Following in Her Footsteps, Mom Knows Best, and Making Sacrifices

Author: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Wendy Walker, Joan Lunden (foreword)

Narrator: Tanya Eby, Fred Shelly

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-07-11

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

A mother's job is never done, but in this book she gets the praise she deserves. Children from 8 to 80 share their words of gratitude and appreciation in this new collection of stories for moms. Daughters and sons relate tales of love and learning, celebrating moms, their wisdom, and all that they do. These stories of special memories, loving and hard lessons, unforgettable moments, laughter and tears, and support and encouragement will bring any mom joy, inspiration, and amusement. Mothers of all ages, whether new moms, experienced moms, or grandmothers, will feel good about the recognition they receive. In this edition: 36 Stories about Dollowing in Her Footsteps, Mom Knows Best, and Making Sacrifices.

Contact me for any questions: [email protected]

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Brothers in War

Author: Michael Walsh

Narrator: Peter Wickham

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-28-11

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

The Beecheys were a close-knit family, eight brothers and five sisters under the loving eye of their widowed mother, Amy. As the First World War raged across Europe and beyond, the brothers were one-by-one swept up into its devastating path. Some of them were keen to enlist from the start, others were conscripted, and some dead against. Even Chris and Harold, who thought they had left the Old World behind them for ever for a new life down under, felt honour-bound to enlist in the Australian army and journey back to do their duty. Eventually, all the brothers would serve King and country on the battlefields of France, Flanders and East Africa.

Tragedy followed tragedy, as one after another the Beechey boys fell, leaving their mother, sisters and wives to mourn their loss. It was a family sacrifice almost without parallel, and one that has remained forgotten and unmarked for nearly 90 years, until now...Kept in a small brown case handed down by the brothers youngest sister, Edie, were hundreds of letters sent home from the front by the Beechey boys: scraps of paper scribbled on in the firing line, heartfelt letters written from a deathbed, exasperated correspondence detailing the absurdities of life in the trenches. Having crossed the globe to piece the Beechey story together, Michael Walsh interweaves the letters with a moving account of brutal warfare and the anxieties of everyday life, revealing first-hand the catastrophe that was the Great War. From it all emerges the remarkable tale of the lost brothers - a wartime epic of courage, loyalty, love and sacrifice.

Members Reviews:

I thoroughly recommend this book for its revelations about a devastating war ...

The story of how five out of eight Beechey brothers (no relation to me) who died in World War I (1914 - 1918). One other brother was invalided out and spent the rest of his life partially disabled. The appalling conditions and incompetent command structure that was a major part of the war in both Europe and Turkey is well described. Most of the story is revealed by the letters home from the brothers that gives an illuminating insight into military and domestic conditions and personal outlooks of the times. Two of the brothers had emigrated to Australia and they experienced their war as part of the Australian forces that experienced high casualty levels throughout the war.

There are fascinating insights into the lives of soldiers in the trenches and the privations and pain of those at home. I thoroughly recommend this book for its revelations about a devastating war like no other before or since (that is now virtually a hundred years in the past).

Well-written tale of family fortunes in WWI

Michael Walsh is a good writer and perhaps the only pity about this work is that he did not contribute more of his own writing to it. He had some difficult choices to make, as he wandered backwards from an epistolatory work to the main narrative, which he created himself. For my money, there was just too much material taken from old letters, but it could not have been easy knowing what to include and what to leave out.

This is the story of a Victorian-era family whose eight sons participated in the First World War on many a different battleground, but frequently with the same result. They wrote many letters home and occasionally to each other and this is what informs the story and indeed forms much of the narrative itself.