Greatest Collection of Audiobooks in Fiction, Historical - No Catch, Easy and Legally

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Title: The Prayers of Penelope

Subtitle: Novelette

Author: R. L. McCallum

Narrator: Eleanor Walker-Jenkins

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-13-14

Publisher: Books by R. L. McCallum

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The cemetery is not a place where children should play, but that is where Penelope Piatt found Amelia and Billy, a sister and brother who poverty had carelessly displaced. Alone and dejected, Penelope, an unprepossessing spinster, prays constantly for two children to love, but after meeting the strangely oriented children she discovers that God has sent her wandering into a nightmare. Penelope routinely spends each Sunday afternoon at the Spirit Haven Cemetery where she ceremoniously manicures the graves of her recently deceased parents and where she encounters Amelia and Billy, who, though impoverished in appearance, wish to visit their father who lives in the privileged part of the city. Befuddled as to why two children with a wealthy father would live on the street, she takes the children to the big white on Fairview Avenue where she horrifyingly discovers the truth.

Members Reviews:

Heart Felt Ghost Story

R.L. McCallum is the only writer I know of that can write a ghost story that will spook you then squeeze your heart. Hawthorne Cottage is another one.

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Title: Eden Falls

Author: Jane Sanderson

Narrator: Penelope McDonald

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-06-14

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

An extraordinary cast of characters play out their dramas amongst the chaos of the emerging modern world...

Jamaica 1909. Millionaire Silas Whittam is struggling to bring his dream of a luxury hotel to life. He's relieved when his sister, Eve, arrives - basking in the success of her Yorkshire pies and puddings business. But as Eve befriends the staff, secrets hidden by Silas begin to emerge.

In England, the Earl and Countess of Netherwood try to hide their empty marriage, as they enjoy the whirlwind of the London season. Yet the Earl's suffragette sister, Lady Henrietta, could disgrace them all. And for new Labour MP Amos Sykes, times are tough. Especially with his wife decorating the homes of the very aristocrats he would like to see ruined.

Members Reviews:

Good Story. Enjoy. Read first two books in the series first.

Jane Sanderson is a skilled story teller. Lect me wanting a 4th book in this interesting series. Excellent character development.

Great read.

My daughter gave Netherwood to me as a gift.

Price gift for me. I had to buy Edeln Falls.

I loved all 3 books and am awaiting a 4th

I loved all 3 books and am awaiting a 4th. Then end of Eden Falls clearly implied a follow up. What is going to happen to Ruby and her son, Dickie after being gone so long just walked in with his new Italian wife, and what about Seth? The last 2 chapters seem to be clearly saying there is another book coming. Is Jane Sanderson working on it? Does anyone know. I surely hope so.

Enjoyable read

Read this as the 3rd book in the Netherwood series. Loved all the books and all the characters. A nice easy read and a little down the Downton Abbey style. Very enjoyable

Upstairs downstairs novel - this is the 3rd book!!! Highly recommended!!!!!

The third in an upstairs downstairs series. Good and evil in both classes. This book included Jamaica in the setting. I continue to love the characters. This book also gave a listing of characters at the beginning - in case you forgot from the first and second novels. Highly recommended! Other excellent historical writers are: Lynn Austin, Sandra Dallas, William Jarvis, Margaret Mayhew, Judith Lennox, Duncan Barrett, and Eric Larsen. This series deserves an A++++++++

Worthwhile Conclusion to a Trilogy

Largely enjoyed the sequel to Ravenscliffe. Decent historical fiction focusing on the Edwardian Period.

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Title: Reckless

Author: William Nicholson

Narrator: Gabrielle Glaister

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-06-14

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

1945: WWII has gone on too long. A little girl, Pamela, is growing up fast. A young Englishman, Rupert Blundell, vows therell be no more wars.

1962: Rupert is now strategic advisor to Lord Mountbatten. Pamela is 18 and has moved to London, eager for love and experiences of every kind. But beneath the glamour, the Cuban missile crisis unfolds and the world spins ever closer to nuclear war.

Critic Reviews:

"A profound and moving noveltender and compassionate." (Guardian on Motherland)

"His particular gift is to take you inside the contemporary mind, tracing out trains of thought with astonishing agility, sensitivity, and honesty." (Spectator)

Members Reviews:

Interesting strands of narrative

Some interesting characters and ideas but I was very frustrated by the ending which seemed to just finish sans conclusion for some of the main characters. Worth reading but nothing to rave about.

Good listen

Very enjoyable book well read and evocative of the time it portrayed. The issue of sexual consent was thoughtfully tackled.

Personal and international relationships after WWI

I enjoyed the juxtaposition of fictitious personal relationships against the backdrop of the momentous international crisis of the Cuban missile standoff between Kennedy and Khrushchev when the world teetered on the brink of nuclear war. The history part is very familiar and written about by many authors. What this book adds is what it felt like for ordinary people who didn't know what was really going on behind the scenes.

There are three main threads in the book: the actual history of the time populated by politicians, military men and diplomats; a second storyline combining the imagined experiences of a precocious 18 year old character, Pamela, if she had been taken up by Stephen Wards louche set, including Christine Keeler, Mandy Rice Davis and the Russian attache Ivanov. The third thread of a child, Mary, in small village in Ireland having visions and messages from Jesus, at first seemed a strange diversion from the main thrust of the book. However, after a time Mary became part of the larger picture.

The book got better and better as it progressed. Its thought-provoking in its themes of love and desire and of mistrust, bravado and pride at the personal and international level.

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Title: In the Wolf's Mouth

Author: Adam Foulds

Narrator: Nicholas Bell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-06-14

Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Set in North Africa and Sicily at the end of World War II, In the Wolfs Mouth follows the Allies botched liberation attempts as they chased the Nazis north toward the Italian mainland. Focusing on the experiences of two young soldiers - Will Walker, an English field security officer, ambitious to master and shape events; and Ray Marfione, a wide-eyed Italian-American infantryman - the novel contains some of the best battle writing of the past fifty years. Eloquent on the brutish, blundering inaccuracy of war, the immediacy of Adam Fouldss prose is uncanny and unforgettable.

The book also explores the continuity of organized crime in Sicily through the eyes of two men - Angilù, a young shepherd; and Cirò Albanese, a local Mafioso. These men appear in the prologue and in the books terrifying final chapters, making it evident that the Mafia were there before and are there still, the slaughter of war only a temporary distraction.

In the Wolfs Mouth has achieved an extraordinary resurrection, returning humanity to the lives lost in the writing of history.

Members Reviews:

Bleak Poetry

If you could sum up In the Wolf's Mouth in three words, what would they be?

Cool, detached, compelling.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In the Wolf's Mouth?

Ray's first combat, in the invasion of North Africa, and the fate of his neighbour.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Angilu's engagement with Mafiosi sheep-smugglers, in the preface.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

You brought the Mob back to Sicily. You thought that would end well?

Any additional comments?

Cool, slightly ennervated descriptions of extreme events. The level gaze is compelling, but makes the chief characters, especially Ray and Angilu, a bit distant and unknowable. Effortlessly graceful prose, and the descriptions are really vivid, but I ended up feeling most concern for Angilu's mule and his dog.

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Title: 1972 - A Saga of Change

Author: J. Ramakanth

Narrator: Chiquito Crasto

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-03-14

Publisher: Independent author.

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

1972 - A Saga of Change is not a historical novel; it is fiction based on some events in India, around 1972.

Every war or large scale revolution accelerates social change. This novel attempts to study the social and attitudinal changes that occurred in an Indian region, close to Indo-Pak border, by considering changes that occurred in some typical students and residents of a town close to the border.

Jahnavi, Mita, Tridev, Lokesh, Niranjan and Sailaja were college mates and friends. Niranjan and Sailaja loved each other but because they respected the social differences between them, they reconciled themselves to the societal norms. Sailaja married Tripurantak. Lokesh was a Harijan; he loved Jahnavi secretly but could not hope for anything beyond friendship. Jahnavi was intimate with both Tridev and Lokesh. During the story, a change of heart occurs in Niranjan's father, Ashutosh who appoints Bharatram, a Harijan in his nursing home.

War started with the Pakistan's attempted attack on Indian air fields in 1972. Lokesh recruited himself into the army. So did Tridev, after convincing his parents. Both were sent on active duty as members of the same unit, the very next day.

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Title: School's Out

Author: Jack Sheffield

Narrator: Gordon Griffin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-16-14

Publisher: Random House Audiobooks

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

As the new school year begins, Jack Sheffield prepares for an even more eventful year than usual. A new teacher is appointed, and before long tongues start to wag.

Meanwhile, five-year-old Madona Fazackerly makes her mark in an unexpected way, life changes dramatically for Ruby the caretaker, and, in the village Coffee Shop, Dorothy Humpleby plans a dirty weekend.

Its 1983 - the era of the new CD player, Microsoft Word, the McDonalds McNugget, Cabbage Patch dolls, the threat of a miners strike and a final farewell to the halfpenny piece. Jack has to manage a year of triumph and tragedy.

Members Reviews:

Fabulous reminder

This is a well written gentle story that allows you to escape in to its warm enfolds. I loved the references to the 80's reminded me of my growing up. Great narration easy to listen to.

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Title: Winter

Author: Christopher Nicholson

Narrator: Julia Franklin, Judith Boyd, Gordon Griffin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-16-14

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

A poignant imagining of Thomas Hardys relationship with his last muse. A celebrated author, in the winter of his life, awaits a visit from a beautiful young actress - the leading lady in a staging of his most famous tragedy. But his wife is troubled. An anxious and sickly woman, she watches the growing intimacy between her husband and the young woman, and becomes tormented by the idea that they will betray her.

Members Reviews:

Shadows of the dead

I read a review of this one in The Guardian when it was released earlier this year and fancied it immediately as a holiday alternative to Claire Tomalins biography of Thomas Hardy. Hardy has been a favourite since I was given a copy of Jude as an eighteen year old at Pyle Garden Centre and initially struggled but then lived the story over that summer.

Whilst I havent recently gone back to my Hardy root, Ive re-read all of the novels and substantially dipped into the poems - finding in the early years that Hardys poetry was a key to my reading backward and forward other poets. Good biographical material and easy access to reference material is now a world away from my academic times, there was a lot about Hardy that I knew and a lot that surprised me woven into the easy narrative of this novel.

The close friendship with T.E. Lawrence, the day to day encounters with his own Tess.

The central character of Nicholsons story is one that whilst I recognise and remember I crucially also was able to empathise with - the alternate chapters in the voices and character of Florence and Augusta initially jarring but quickly assimilated into the pleasing broadening texture of the book to the overall benefit of the picture.

An easy identification an easy style - at all times a good read. A welcome addition to the Hardy bookshelf - enjoyed all the more in the sunshine of a Mallorcan August. If you love Hardy you'll like this.

A Gentle Pleasure

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

'Winter' is not as compelling as many of the audiobooks I've listened to, but it quietly and gently involves you in the story. Particularly if you've read Hardy's books and/or poems or his biography, it adds an interesting perspective to a story I thought I already knew.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Winter?

I really liked the scenes around the amateur production of 'Tess', and would have liked much more detail around this - lost opportunity. The scenes of the aging author in the cold, isolated house (particularly the fireside scenes where he is being read to by his second wife) were beautifully written and gave a really elegaic feel.

Would you listen to another book narrated by the narrators?

I wasn't keen on the narrators who voiced Hardy's third party narrative or Florence's first person one: the latter, in particular, was right for the character but so very, very irritating: if I'd been married to her, I'd have contemplated eloping with Gertie just to get away from that haranguing tone! Gertie's lovely Wessex burr was a joy to listen to, though.

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

No - this is better listened to small sections.

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Title: Elijah's Mermaid

Author: Essie Fox

Narrator: Penelope Rawlins

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-09-14

Publisher: Oakhill Publishing

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Since she was found as a baby, floating in the Thames one foggy night, the web-toed Pearl has been brought up in a brothel known as the House of Mermaids. Cosseted and pampered there, it is only when her 14th birthday approaches that Pearl realises she is to be sold to the highest bidder.

Meanwhile, the orphaned twins, Lily and Elijah, have shared an idyllic childhood, raised in a secluded country house with their grandfather. But when Lily and Elijah go on a visit to London, a chance meeting with Pearl will have repercussions for all of them, binding their fates together in a dark and dangerous way....

Critic Reviews:

"The glee with which Fox approaches her material is infectious. All Victorian life is here." (The Guardian)

Members Reviews:

Achingly dull...

I wanted to love this as I'd enjoyed Essie Fox's last effort enormously. But blimey is it dull. How it can be described as similar to a Wilkie Collins story is beyond me. Possibly because there is NO story. It just drifts aimlessly from one plot point to another. And why it's called "Elijah's Mermaid" I have no idea. Elijah is the least developed character in the book. Do yourself a favour and listen to a John Harwood book instead. Much more mysterious, thrilling and gothic.

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Title: That Hoosiers Cap

Subtitle: Life in Beatty

Author: Dave King

Narrator: Ashton Zubal

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-09-14

Publisher: Dave King

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Stan Leidel has vanished from Beattyagain...leaving his two sons, Tim and Mark, to once again fend for themselves. But this time, there just has to be a good ending to the story!

That Hoosiers Cap...a short story of 11000 words.

Members Reviews:

To Cap Things Off

If you could sum up That Hoosiers Cap in three words, what would they be?

Emotional & Thought Provoking

What was one of the most memorable moments of That Hoosiers Cap?

When the father leaves his sons it creates the necessary inner and outer conflict in the story. From that point forward, everything else that follows is directly related to that pivotal moment. Will the boys overcome their abandonment, their sense of loss, shame and being alone without a father? Who will they turn to? Would the father get a second chance to redeem himself, or was everything lost when he left his sons, unable to tell them the truth about why he was leaving? The book held my attention and engaged me throughout, from beginning to end due to the tension and uncertainty the writer created here.

What does Ashton Zubal bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Ashton does a fantastic job on an extremely wide number of voices. He did not confine himself to a few voices, he did them all! His performance made the book literally come alive in my mind, as I could visualise what was taking place due to his energy and enthusiasm to give each character a separate and distinct voice. Again, his performance was outstanding, and I would definitely recommend him to anyone. Ashton is a dedicated professional.

Who was the most memorable character of That Hoosiers Cap and why?

For me, the protagonist that I found most engaging was the father. This plot is literally a rebirth, or a quest. The father must find himself, or the boys are doomed. He is on a journey to discover himself, the quest must include a return. If he has gained new insights about himself, good things will happen. Will he have an epiphany? If given an opportunity to be good again, will he be able to make use of the chance?

Any additional comments?

This is an excellent book. I would recommend that you get a copy of this book to read as well as listen along with the narrator. The recording is definitely stand alone, superbly done, high quality work. Congratulations to both Ashton and Dave on a very successful collaboration! Well done!

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Title: Return of the Border Warrior

Author: Blythe Gifford

Narrator: Cathleen McCarron

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-09-14

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Word in the Royal Court has spread that the Wild Scottish Borders are too unruly. Upon the Kings command, John Brunson must return home to persuade his family to honour the Kings call for peace.

To succeed, John knows winning over the daughter of an allied family, Cate Gilnock, holds the key.

But this intriguing beauty is beyond the powers of flattery and seduction

Members Reviews:

3 and 1/2 Stars - Unusual Scottish Historical with rape recovery as the theme

Set on the Scottish borders in 1528, this is the story of Cate Gilnock, who lives for vengeance on the man who killed her father and took her innocence.

With the Scottish borders out of control, the King orders Sir John Brunson to return home and work for peace and to bring his men to the kingâs call. John has not been home in many years and arrives to bury his father and face his angry older brother. Consumed with their grief for the loss of their chief, no one is interested in what John has to say, particularly not Cate Gilnock, who wants the Brunsons to aid her vengeance.

The story got off to a slow, sometimes repetitive start, but I hung in there and it did pick up with some suspenseful action scenes as the Brunsons seek their vengeance. Thereâs not much history in this one, but the details of life on the border were noteworthy. The heroine was never quite appealing to me and Iâm not sure why. It might have been the huge chip on her shoulder. The hero was charming enough and had the patience of Job.

The book is really about how a rape victim can find love with the right man. Itâs an unusual Scottish historical for that element.

The Brunson Clan trilogy

Return of the Warrior

Captive of the Border Lord

Taken by the Border Rebel

Well-crafted love story with believable characters

I am giving this book five stars because for a short novel it packs a lot in with no loss of coherence. Blythe Gifford tells a complete story with well-developed characters who grow through their believable relationship. By bookending the story with a made-up myth of the ancient origins of the family, she sets the scene for the lawless world of the border country.

Ms Gifford evokes our sympathy for the characters in subtle ways. While the hero John is always charming, he arrives on the scene as rather cocky. But who cannot feel his sadness as we realize, as he does, that his fatherâs death means he will never have the reconciliation he so wanted. Cate is brittle, but we soon see that this results from her determination never to be a victim again.

This novel is a brisk moving adventure with a tender love story. It is coherent and it has well-drawn supporting characters.

A Complex Story of Love, and Facing One's Fears

I love a lot of things about Blythe Gifford's books, but the thing I love best is her ability to show two people struggling with the same demon but in different ways. Return of the Border Warrior is no exception. John Brunson has been ordered by the king to return briefly to his family's world, the world that sent him to court to fend for himself when he was young. Cate Gilnock is struggling to return to an internal place of trust after being raped. The characters are strong and vulnerable by turns, and their emotions so believable as their journeys, bodies, and hearts intersect.