Top Website For Audiobooks in Fiction, Contemporary and Many More

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: Damascus

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Richard Beard

Narrator: Julian Elfer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-25-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

A love story, in which all the events, people and places are taken from the contents of The Times of 1st November, 1993.

©1998, 2011 Richard Beard (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Editorial Reviews:

In Damascus, Richard Beards second novel, it is always November 1, 1993. A pair of lovers physically consummates their love on November 1, 1993, when they are 23-years old. They also pledge their love as 12-year-olds on that day. Also on that day in early winter, they are born. One on unchanging day, everything changes and remains the same. Performed with a fittingly sly zeal by British actor Julian Elfer, Damascus toggles its characters between faith and hopelessness, disappointment and ecstasy. The novel has been called "charming", "magical", and filled with "hope-giving profundity" by an array of praising critics. An added delight to this high-concept tale: Nearly every noun in the novel appeared in the Times of London newspaper onwhat date? Yes: November 1, 1993.

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: Virginia Clay

Author: Meredith Rich

Narrator: Avalon Kingsburgh

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-23-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

When Virginia Clay's adored widowed father remarries, his new wife and stepchildren do everything they can to strip her of her rightful inheritance. Discovering the exciting world of undersea photography and the international trade in pearls, she is plunged into a glamorous new life - and into the arms of the most incredible man a woman could ever meet. Before she can finally enjoy herself, however she must tangle with that same wicked family, trying once more to manipulate her world.

Editorial Reviews:

Avalon Kingsburgh's energetic, spirited performance brings Meredith Rich's adventurous and expansive character study Virgnia Clay vividly to life. After the death of her beloved father, underwater photographer Clay Fitzgerald embarks on a journey of self-discovery that takes her from rural Virginia to the slums of Bangkok while dealing with a vindictive and manipulative stepfamily hellbent on stripping her of her inheritance.

Kingsburgh's enthusiastic and colorful delivery guides the listener through Clay's exhilarating adventures in this captivating listen.

Members Reviews:

Romantic and Exciting!

Meredith Rich always has wonderful characters in exotic locales who usually face daunting odds, but this time she truly outdoes herself with her heroine, Virginia Clay, a young woman who not only has to deal with the worst step-family known to mankind but also gets involved in underwater drama! Ms. Rich manages to juggle romance, mystery, the pearl trade and underwater photography with her usual panache. The plot incorporates the elements of fairy tales (evil step-families) with modern overtures (strong young woman deals with it all!) If you love romance, intrigue and exotic locales, this is a book you must read!

Couldn't put it down!

This book pulled me in from the first page. Clay Fitzgerald leads a life I could only dream of! Her fascinating career as an underwater photographer takes her from deep-sea pearl fishing off the exotic beaches of Southeast Asia, to treasure seeking in the Florida keys. Throw in horse racing, Hollywood movies, a string of fantastic romances, not to mention enough family drama to rival the cast of Dynasty - I was riveted!

Underwater Magic

Meredith Rich writes snappy, page-turning novels that give us a good dose of adventure and romance while pulling back the curtain on worlds that capture our imagination. Here it's the world of underwater photography, and the international pearl trade. The title heroine, Virginia Clay, is a gutsy adventurer, and she needs all her fortitude to deal with the predators, under water and on land, that she run up against.

Fan of Meredith Rich

I've always been a big fan of all of Meredith Rich's books, but Virginia Clay is my favorite. The sensibility of the main character really touched me. I could so relate to her choices and feelings. Reading it was a great experience.

Fashioned from clay

Meredith Rich has a wonderful ability to create three dimensional characters, like a sculptor in clay, and then breathe life into them. Not many authors can do this and at the same time craft a page turner.

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: Laws of Migration

Author: J. Suzanne Frank

Narrator: Dina Pearlman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-18-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

How a search for an exotic bird became a quest for love, forgiveness, and a new life.

Birds, especially the ibis, have always fascinated Elize - that's why she became an ornithologist. But when her boss at the private Texas coastal institute where she's spent her career gives away her expected promotion, Elize flees to Morocco to lick her wounds and write a research paper that will prove her worth and secure her professional future.

Morocco, with its impressive migration season, exotic flavors, and unwritten rules, is altogether foreign, even if many of the birds are familiar. After a brush with danger, Elize finds herself in Marrakesh, dependent on Erik, a sexy, mysterious stranger who makes her feel alive while opening her eyes to a new, intriguing world. After encountering her ornithology colleagues, who remind Elize of every bad professional choice and missed opportunity, she vows to find the Northern Bald Ibis - an endangered bird few have seen - and impress everyone.

She and Erik journey from coastal paradise to remote desert mountains in search of the birds. Through misadventure, Elize is forced to trust an unknown culture, and through tragedy, she realizes that love and forgiveness are attainable. But first she must surrender her past and its pain to embrace her future and fly free.

Members Reviews:

A Migration of the soul..

I really enjoyed Laws of Migration. This intelligent, well-written novel takes the reader on an actual tour of Morocco. I smelled the spices and heard to singing; as well as the jingle of jewelry.

At first I felt intimidated by the books' main character "Elize", but when she faced her "answer to the call", I KNEW her - I related to her pain. I saw myself in her and didn't mind following her the rest of the way. Afterall, at some point in our lives, we're all scared little girls inside.

Laws of Migration touched me. Moved me. Made me wonder just how far I'd travel to learn the true order of things; rather it's through the study of birds or human life. There is an order and until we allow ourselves to walk therein, our lives never change. I experienced a true gommage. Now that I have been cleansed, the gunk does not cling.

Read the book. Follow the journey. Learn. And let yourself fly free.

Laws of Migration, Good

It had me at "ornithology" and "Morocco", but also turned out to be a page-turner full of thoughtful gems, unforeseen twists, and great visual/cross-cultural appeal. It does have some "romance" aspects, but it's not sappy or formulaic. Enjoyable read.

Four Stars

Quite enjoyable

Lovely

Easy to read, great love story, but a fun journey to see a book smart woman step out of her comfort zone for what she is really passionate about.

Different

I loved her time travel books and was expecting nothing like this. This one was entirely different from any others I've read.

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: The Agent

Author: Michael Hemmingson, K. Anderson Yancy

Narrator: Heather Wood, Don Hohman, Noel B. Boon, Gene Siegel, K. Anderson Yancy

Format: Unabridged

Length: 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-11-13

Publisher: SonicMovie.net, ChicagoWood Media, Wollcott & Sheridan

Ratings: 1 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

An authors agent finds hes in for an outrageous night when his two national best-selling clients meet - one a mountain of a man, trailer-park red neck, the other a teenage girl whos written a book on sex, drugs, and debauchery in junior high school.

Caution: Contains adult themes and language!

Members Reviews:

Entertaining!

Very entertaining encounter. (Note adult themes and language.)

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: Cabaret

Subtitle: A Roman Riddle

Author: Lily Prior

Narrator: Karyn O'Bryant

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-10-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Freda, a struggling mortician in working-class Rome, only married her repulsive ventriloquist husband, Alberto, because it was prophesied that she'd do so. Now that he's vanished mysteriously along with his equally abhorrent dummy (who Freda suspects is actually a midget), she'd like them both to stay missing - though she's devastated by the simultaneous disappearance of her soul mate, Pierino, her beloved talking parrot. While the police investigate this series of possible crimes, Freda will continue embalming by day, unleashing her caged passions at night in a seedy cabaret (until a tragic fire leaves the proprietor with a tuba stuck on his head), trying to make do with a talking hamster in lieu of dear Pierinoand recalling the vagaries of life that led her to this unfortunate juncture.

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: Ardor

Subtitle: A Novel of Enchantment

Author: Lily Prior

Narrator: John Mariano

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-03-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

When a lonely olive grower, Arcadio Carnabuci, sows his love seeds, he cannot imagine the chaos his magic fruit will bring. While Fernanda Ponderosa, the voluptuous woman of his dreams, evades his spell, Gezabel, a hardworking middle-aged mule, falls head over hooves in love with him. And, as Gezabel discovers, she is not the only one whose stars cross as the olive grower's ardor casts its magic over the region. Suddenly, the butcher and the baker are thinking murder, the village doctor and his nurse are driven to distraction, and a newborn is transformed into an angel. As the villagers alternate between love and war, remarkable phenomena add to the fevered atmosphere, making passions surge higher than the soaring temperatures of summer.

A wildly imaginative fairy tale for adults, Ardor celebrates the lovely landscape of Italy and the eccentricity of its inhabitants in a narrative full of twists and unexpected delights. This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more.

Members Reviews:

Ardor

Full of fantasy and wit.

Fun, frolicking fantasy of a different order!

Gezabel, a mule who carries a nurse to and from patients everyday, falls head over heals for the local olive farmer, Arcadio, after he plants seeds of love. Yes, Gezabel is a mule. Everyone in town is falling in love with someone else. Passion is running amuck. Animals and people are victims of the seeds, although only Gezabel falls for a human being! Poor Arcadio, in love with a woman who arrives in town, is not receiving a response. The energy of everyone's lust is making the town crazy.

This is such a fun book. It does not become too strange, even with Gezabel suffering her unrequited love for the hard-working Arcadio. The story is full of all of the senses. It is passionate. It is crazy. It is so much fun!

I highly recommend this, if you are looking for something very unusual. You have to let your mind just fall open to accept it, but it is utterly enjoyable to do so! I haven't read anything like it before. You have to hang on just to see if poor Gezabel ever finds true love!

Hmmmm......

How to describe Ardor? The only other author I've read who's as quirky - quixotic - imaginatively creative - as Lily Prior is Jasper Fforde, but the 2 are quite different. Having read La Cucina, I had some idea of what to expect from Ardor. At first it was difficult to accept the premise of mule as narrator, but I gradually became quite fond of Gezebel. The female lead, Fernanda, is introduced as powerful and mysterious and remains so throughout the story. There is also a (human) baby who flies! Prior does a good job of conveying something of the Italian personality and lifestyle without resorting to stereotype. If you like Italy, strong characterization, potent but not blatently graphic sexuality, AND can suspend the need to be bound by reality, you will probably enjoy Ardor.

Great fantasy romantic read

This is one of those books that is uniquely different and so enjoyable. The book reminds me of Shakespears "Mid-summers night eve" not that the book is on the same par. It is a delightful read definitely worth picking up if you are going to be in a long car ride or train ride.

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: The Mistress's Revenge

Author: Tamar Cohen

Narrator: Julie Teal

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-01-13

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

For five years, Sally and Clive have been lost in a passionate affair. Now he has dumped her, to devote himself to his wife and family, and Sally is left in freefall. It starts with a casual stroll past his house, and popping into the brasserie where his son works. Then Sally befriends Clive's wife and daughter on Facebook. But that's alright isn't it? I mean, they are perfectly normal things to do. Aren't they?

Members Reviews:

Wickedly good!

Stalking at its best. A really wickedly funny book! A story where we have all been at some stage, whether we were dumped by a boyfriend or we just become obssessed and social network stalk, cyber stalk or are just generally mooching and nosey.. Very funny and at times cringing in embarrassment for the characters. I enjoyed it and laughed out loud a lot.

Hard work!

What was most disappointing about Tamar Cohens story?

I begin this review with 3 minutes running time left of this book as I am willing it to be over. Why did I stick with it? You may well ask! The premise interested me. It had such potential and, for a while, I kept assuming it would improve. When it didn't, I wanted to know what happened in the end! The entire story was told as the journal entries of the main protagonist. Without giving too much away, she was an unpleasent narcissist, who had become a bit unstable when her lover (also an unpleasent narcissist) ended their affair. Listening to the book was a bit like having a self obsessed friend call around to visit, a little worse for drink, and talk 'at' you about their woes. Unfortunately, it went on for 11 hours! Since I kept listening, I only have myself to blame. Clearly, others didn't find that aspect a problem, so maybe its like Marmite!

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I think it would have been easier to listen to if the narrator had gone for a softer tone for Sally. Also, when the character Susan was narrated, I couldn't decide if the accent was a poor Cockney or a poor Aussie. It distracted me each time I heard it (maybe I should have been glad of the respite from the story). I discovered 2/3 of the way in that she was supposed to be Australian!

Any additional comments?

I guess I've said enough!

Not for me!

I persevered with this book on many occasions but somehow could just not get into it. It is a book that i will come back to again one more time, but for now, i find it too slow and not my taste in entertainment.

Bazaar really, read to the end if you can

I have been the OW and my ex could've been Daniel, but no lover could ever obsess me to Sally's extreme. I should've had the book refunded after the first few chapters but had the time too listen for long periods at a time, and became compelled to see it through to the end. Good justice I say, she lost her mind and he lost...well you'll just have to read and find out.

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: The Perfume Garden

Author: Kate Lord Brown

Narrator: Maggie Mash

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-01-13

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

High in the hills of Valencia, a forgotten house guards its secrets. Emma Temple is the first to unlock its doors in 70 years and it seems like the perfect retreat. But for her grandmother, Freya, a nurse who stayed here during Spain's devastating civil war, the house evokes terrible memories. Emma is drawn deeper into Freya's story: one of crushed idealism, lost love, and families ripped apart by war.

Members Reviews:

What a lovely book

Just finished this and really enjoyed it. Romantic novels, for me, have to have something more and the back story of the Spanish Civil War was enlightening and shocking too. The relationship between the main charachter and Delila in the last part of the book seemed a bit of a stretch but still a gripping read/listen!

Really good

At the beginning I struggled with this book, but perserveed, & I'm glad I did as it's an excellent listen. I didn't no about the war & the Spanish children . so I would heartily recommend this one. Just perserveed at the beginning

Disappointing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Less Mills and Boon style romantic scenes Some aspects of this book I found unbelievable. I just could not believe a mother would leave her baby in the manner that Rose did. Not sure why it was called the Perfume Garden, I didn't find I knew much more about how perfume is produced, rather glossed over that aspect I felt. The little it contained was interesting.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I found the characters one dimensional. The bad guys were so bad and the good guys just too good. Would have liked to have understood the background to the civil war in Spain more.

Did The Perfume Garden inspire you to do anything?

No. Although I was not aware of the utter brutality of the war, or that children had been sent back to Spain from England.

Any additional comments?

There seems so many novels out just now using the device of split time. It sometimes interferes with the flow of the story. It is written as two separate stories, which inevitably come together ish. There seems rather a lot of unexplained situations, and very obvious plot devices. Nothing subtle or intriguing, all very obvious. The only character who found bull fighting offensive happened to be a totally unsympathetic one in the plot. She failed to understand the beauty of the bull fight. Yeah!

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: Home to Roost

Author: Tessa Hainsworth

Narrator: Anna Bentinck

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-01-13

Publisher: Isis Publishing Ltd

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Seagulls in the Attic left Tessa thrilled as Annie, her best friend from London, fell in love and married a local Cornishman. Alas the newlyweds decide to settle out of the county but Tessa and her husband are delighted when a new young couple arrive in the village fresh from the city. However what looks such a promising new friendship turns into a nightmare, as these are people who think money can buy them acceptance - and the village is soon in quiet revolt. Tessa finds herself in the thick of it - and realises that she has grown very strong roots in the community in the two years she has been in Cornwall.

Members Reviews:

Bullet points

This is the third of Tessa Hainsworth`s books about the trials and tribulations of relocating from London to Cornwall and the whole series is thoroughly enjoyable. Tessa`s luck in gaining employment as the local postie brings her into contact with a wide range of characters, some loveable (the locals) some not so nice (mostly the second homers) but she writes with humour and equanimity of them all.

However, Anna Bentinck`s reading of the book is abysmal. She speaks with what I can only describe as a smiley voice when she`s narrating Tessa`s doings, which only serves to make Tessa seem half-baked, and the Cornish dialect obviously comes better to Ms Bentinck when spoken out of the side of her mouth.

She also

Speaks in

Bullet points

All the

Way through.

I have listened to other books narrated by Anna, and if I`m honest, her narration is what led me to these books in the first place. But, oh dear. Maybe this should be one for the written word.

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: The Train Set

Author: Michael L. Eads

Narrator: Michael L. Eads

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-10-12

Publisher: Red San Publishing, L.L.C.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Mark is the new kid at school who is ridiculed for his Midwestern tone and pants that are so short, the kids say he must be waiting for a flood. The only thing he knows for sure is that he hates everything about his life.

Then, one morning a few days before Christmas, he notices a rectangular shaped box under the Christmas tree. He starts to feel better knowing soon he will have something to help him escape reality.

Christmas morning finally arrives and Mark methodically puts together The Train Set piece by piece. He plays with his train set every available minute and it becomes his friend.

The Train Set is how an awkward, troubled boy and his father grow to understand each other. Mark realizes the greatest gift ever was the one he already had - the love from his father.

Members Reviews:

A Few Too Many Typos and the Random Bit of Preaching Thrown in Three Quarters in to Rate it Any Higher

The Train Set is a flashback to early stages in the narrator's childhood up to the year after he received a Train Set for Christmas and realised life wasn't all about his problems. The current era for the narrator is when the Vietnam War is still happening. The narrator is not a member of the popular groups at school, not helped by the fact that his father moves the family to Indiana, then back to Seattle a year or so later simply because it's too hot there for him. His flashback to the Indiana days revolves around his somewhat even more socially challenged friend, the good days and the bad after he relayed the news he was moving back to Seattle. Of course the final quarter of the book revolves around a train set he had bugged his father to get him for Christmas, hence the title.

It was a pleasant enough read, nothing great though, takes about twenty minutes to get through. The Train Set is unfortunately though riddled with typos such as principal being typed twice in a sentence, once correctly the other as principle. There's also random out of place words that just turn up in the middle of a sentence every now and then. Also it seems as if the author must have shares in Kmart, as that name is dropped a few times, such as he saw the train set on display in Kmart and in a completely different city he is in a Kmart car park when trolleys start moving by themselves. Then you've got God suddenly being preached three quarters of the way through. Adds nothing to the story. Without the typos, blatant Kmart promotions, and preachy sentences I would have rated the story three stars.

the train set

Very fun to read. Took me back to the "good old days" when you didn't need money to have fun as a kid. You made your own fun. Grat book five stars from me.

A fun quick read

Brought back some thoughts of my own childhood...I enjoyed the author's easy writing. I do wish it was a longer story.

Good read

I enjoyed the book as I was in many ways easily able to relate to it and the things that went on in it. Good solid characters, a good message and an overall fun read. Thanx!