Linda Stephens, a prolific and talented narrator, tries to breathe life into this Western romance, set in the late 1800s. After beautiful, headstrong Beth McMurray is saved by a handsome stranger during a train wreck, she agrees to pretend they're married so that he can escape the law. Stephens gives distinct accents to the collection of Texas Rangers, Western legends, and orphaned children who populate this story. But Stephens's voice misses the mark for the character of Beth. The quavering timbre he uses, which sounds more elderly than young, is a poor match for the heroine, as well as the spirit of the book as a whole. It also makes the love scenes just a little creepy.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781464036392
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A model and a mogul get married in Vegas on a bet, and Diana Luke narrates their story with élan. While it would be easy to portray Leila Darling as a scheming caricature or Carter Bain as a ruthless businessman, Luke never crosses that line. Her portrayal of Leila is generous and encompasses the full range of her character--from the formidable professional at the top of her game to the vulnerable woman who is unsure if she can trust a man with her heart. Likewise, Luke's portrayal of Carter showcases both his business acumen and his emotional vulnerability as he opens himself up to Leila. While loosely connected to the previous Unconventional Brides volumes, this can easily stand alone.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501968471
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
After her divorce, Roberta Jewett, with her three daughters, returns to Camden, Maine, to start a new life. Such an independent move in 1916 brings difficulties with her mother, her in-laws and the townspeople. Dukes's performance, while skillful, sometimes suffer in scenes of emotional content. His pace slows, and his reading acquires the peculiar emphasis of someone trying to get instructions across to a non-English-speaking person. The effect is disturbingly laughable. When he resumes his normal pace, the story revives and personalities emerge again, but the awkwardness remains as an odd interruption to Spencer's drama of pain and love, dispelling Dukes's carefully constructed characterizations.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Dove
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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