Audiobook Review: To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt, Narrated by Anne Flosnik

Since I started “The Maiden Lane” series I am hocked on Elizabeth Hoyt. When I finished that latest book “Duke of Pleasure” I jumped up and ran to see the first available book by her. Since I have a million books to read I picked an audio book to listen to instead of reading.  “To Beguile a Beast” is a part of the “Legend of the Four Soldiers” series not “The Maiden Lane.”  I looked at the reviews and really liked the plot.

This book is classic Hoyt.  The heroine is a beautiful woman with two children.  Helen is running away from her former life and at a friend’s suggestion she has ventured into the home of Sir Alistair Munroe.  Alistair is a recluse. After a very bad skirmish with the native Americans he is left wounded and permanently scarred. Alistair is a bitter man and that last thing he wants is a woman-even if she is a beautiful woman- and her two children.

Helen doesn’t have too many options. She is running away with her children and even though she is frightened by Alistair and slightly intimidated by his very callous attitude she has nowhere else to run to.  She sets her mind to it and decides that Alistair has to take her on as his house maid and she will fight until he does. 

First, although I really love alpha heroes, Alistair was very rough. He was not very enduring and his physical appearance had nothing to do with it. Second, it wasn’t until more than half way through that I really started to like him and want him and Helen to find their happily-ever-after.  Helen was an ok heroine at first. She seemed very undecided and weak bust she too grew stronger for me. The reason that I really enjoyed this story is because of all the deep and sweet moments that they all share.  There were many, many scenes that I clutched at my heart and just sighed because it really highlighted the pain and vulnerability of the characters.  Alistair really steps up and finally proves himself worthy of the hero title and I really liked that!  Just when Helen and Alistair are finally finding their way to each other Helen’s past comes to haunt her.  Alistair is way too involved and can’t turn his back on her.

Anne Flosnik is a great narrator. I’ve heard different books read by her and she really gets the characters and brings them to life. I really enjoy her narrations.  As I mentioned before, Hoyt is such a great author.  I’ve yet to read or hear a book of hers and not be moved by it. 

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Audiobook Review: Scandal of the Year by Laura Lee Guhrke, Narrated by Anne Flosnik

When I finished the audiobook “When the Marquess Met His Match (An American Heiress in London, #1) I was so captivated by Laura Lee Guhrke. She weaved together such an interesting storyline that I jumped on my local library for the chance to read something else by her. When I saw “Sandal of the Year” on audiobook I jumped at the chance to check it out.

Needless to say, I loved it! First! What an amazing heroine. Julia was everything! She was frustrating, endearing, tough, and vulnerable! I absolutely adored her! The author was so creative with her character that I just wanted to know more about Julia. Who is she? Why is she like this? Why is she such a conniver? Well, the author answered ALL these questions and more! Loved her!

Aidan Carr, the Duke of Trathen was also such a fantastic hero! They were a wonderful pair!!! To fully appreciate Aidan it’s important to realize just how much he went through with Julia. When the story starts, page one, Julia is getting a divorce from her then husband because she had an affair with Aidan. This, of course, is sucking because of the time period but also because Aidan is really the epitome of all that is proper. Both Julia and Aidan were in the previous books but I did not read or hear them-yet! From the back story we understand that Aidan had two failed engagements. Beatrice, Julia’s cousin, basically dumps him for the love of her life.

Aidan and Julia have known each other for many years. He met her before she was to be married to her husband. Aidan and Julia could not be more different. She is outgoing, friendly social. He is more reserved and proper. Julia likes to smoke and drive her Mercedes and Aidan is a quiet and responsible citizen looking for a wife to build a family with.

Julia feels awful that she dragged Aidan into the middle of her scandal but she is desperate to escape her husband. The wagging tongues of society have her pegged as a light skirt and although everyone is scandalized they are more shocked that she had an affair with Aidan, of all people. Although Julia dragged Aidan into the middle of a scandal when she has serious financial problems, she turns to Aidan and he offers her a job. Needless to say there are so many layers to Julia. Her story is so rich that it’s impossible not to love her and really want her to have a happily-ever-after. Aidan really was her prince in shining armor.

I absolutely loved the story, the characters and the plot! One of my favorites, hands down!

Anne Flosnik, the narrator, was phenomenal. She really got Julia and Aidan. She was able to distinguish their personalities perfectly and I really enjoyed her narration.

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