Wednesday, August 13, 2014

**#COYER Audio Review ~ Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs ~ Molly Harper**

CoyerSummerVacation


I have a few blogger friends (Berls, Carmel & Lexxie <-- I'm talking about y'all!) who are big fans of audio books and were strong-arming suggesting I give audio a try. As y'all know, I was on vacation recently. Since I can't read in the car, I decided it'd be a great time to try out an audio book. So, at the recommendation of Berls, I chose Molly Harper's Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs. Here's what I thought...


***

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs (Jane Jameson, #1)Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper
Jane Jameson #1
Format: Audio
Narrator: Amanda Ronconi
Release Date: February 19, 2010
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased from Audible
Rating: 4 Bookworms

Synopsis
Maybe it was the Shenanigans gift certificate that put her over the edge. When children's librarian and self-professed nice girl Jane Jameson is fired by her beastly boss and handed twenty-five dollars in potato skins instead of a severance check, she goes on a bender that's sure to become Half Moon Hollow legend. On her way home, she's mistaken for a deer, shot, and left for dead. And thanks to the mysterious stranger she met while chugging neon-colored cocktails, she wakes up with a decidedly unladylike thirst for blood.

Jane is now the latest recipient of a gift basket from the Newly Undead Welcoming Committee, and her life-after-lifestyle is taking some getting used to. Her recently deceased favorite aunt is now her ghostly roommate. She has to fake breathing and endure daytime hours to avoid coming out of the coffin to her family. She's forced to forgo her favorite down-home Southern cooking for bags of O negative. Her relationship with her sexy, mercurial vampire sire keeps running hot and cold. And if all that wasn't enough, it looks like someone in Half Moon Hollow is trying to frame her for a series of vampire murders. What's a nice undead girl to do?





I enjoyed my first foray into audio. Molly Harper's writing is excellent and Amanda Ronconi did a fine job of bringing the characters to life. I don't know that I'll ever be a complete audio-convert though. But first, the book...

Y'all, I loved the premise. A librarian who, after being fired, gets mistaken for a 10-point and shot, only to be turned into a vampire? Good stuff! I adored Jane's snark and wit and I especially enjoyed her literary references. He dog is named Fitz - short for Fitzwilliam Darcy....I don't think I have to tell y'all how I feel about that. ;) Jane takes well her new status undead status. If only she didn't have to deal with nasty rumors, people watching her, and the bad things that seem to keep happening around her. But even that she takes in stride.

Harper created a stellar cast of characters. Jane's sire, Gabriel, is broody and there is definitely sexual tension between them. Jane's parents were a hoot. I love, love Jane's dad, John and her aunt Jetty, who's a ghost, too. They each were so supportive and loving - I wanted to hug them both. Jane makes some new friends in Andrea - a young woman who willingly feeds vamps, and Dick Cheney - no, not that Dick Cheney. The shenanigans Jane and her new group get up to are hilarious and at times, tense. Always lots of fun.

Amanda Ronconi really brought the characters to life. I so enjoyed her Kentuckian accent. And she did well at keeping the pace set by Ms. Harper as well as delivering the humor.

I liked the action in this story. Yeah, it was tense with a touch of silly and very fitting with the tone of the book. I'm interested to see how Harper builds the tension with action throughout the rest of the series. I enjoyed the small-town setting, too.

Okay, what I didn't like about audio - and y'all must remember I was traveling with my hubs and 3 kids, so take that into consideration...Audio makes interruptions more annoying. My hubs didn't like me listening to a book because he couldn't talk to me. Of course, that didn't stop him from trying even though he got a 'Huh?' every time. I can always put my book/ereader down to listen but with audio, I have to pause and rewind. Another issue for me was that I can't read at my pace. I'm not a fast reader - it was just that my pace was dictated. And lastly, it's hard for me to focus on listening. I was being interrupted or drifting off often and I felt it kept me from developing a stronger connection with the characters. Oh and when drifting off to sleep - there's nothing to drop on myself to wake me up. :) Of course, all these things might be remedied with more listening practice and less family time. ;)

Honestly, Jane Jameson was the perfect introduction to audio for me. (Thanks, Berls!) The humor and snark, the interactions between the characters - it was all a lot of fun. I'll definitely continue the series. And I just might take up audio for solo-hiking. I'll keep y'all posted.


24 comments:

  1. I'm not an Audiobook fan, but I'm glad you enjoyed this one! And yes, I really like the premise! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Brandee :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The story is just so much fun, Silvia. There's mystery and lots of snark. :)

      Delete
  2. "My hubs didn't like me listening to a book because he couldn't talk to me. Of course, that didn't stop him from trying even though he got a 'Huh?' every time."<-----THIS. So much this, LOL. Really, the only time I listen to audiobooks is on roadtrips, and finally I've started picking books that both of us will like, b/c he refuses to leave me alone. I have this book for kindle, and I fixing to actually download it now, b/c it sounds SUPER fun. Great review, Brandee!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I'll have to stick with audio only when I'm solo, Jessica. I can't do it on family road trips because there are some things I like to pretend my children DON'T know about! LOL This story was so, so much fun. I really can't wait to get further into the series.

      Delete
  3. This book sounds good, and I've heard great things about Harper's work. I've found that I need the perfect narrator to truly love audio. I've listened to Ronconi before and she's definitely not my favorite.
    Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The book is really good and lots of fun, Andrea. You'll love Harper's snark, as I know you're a fan of snark. ;) If Ronconi isn't your favorite, I guess audio might get better for me. I enjoyed her delivery. I'm just not sure I'll ever be a big fan of having a book read to me. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  4. This sounds like a fun read Brandee!
    I am often reading in the car, and my hubby always interrupts me too. At least it's quick to get back to where you were at! And I must read like you, I'm not very fast either. I seem to take my time! Great review!

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a fun read, Naomi. I'm so glad my first audio was a good one - even with ALL the interruptions. :)

      Delete
  5. I'm so glad you enjoyed this book. I started and stopped this series because I wasn't in the mood, but it's still on my TBR shelf because I know I'll enjoy it. I'm not an audio book girl...yet. I've tried a couple times, but I end up daydreaming or fixating on the narrator and wondering about her and what a cool profession she has. I think solo for you is the way to go. I cracked up that James still kept talking to you. I told you about my dad accidentally getting a steamy romance for a family road trip and being too much of a cheapskate to just cut his losses. My poor brother had to endure the whole audio book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd wanted to read this forever...and since Berls was after me to try audio and raved about this narrator, I decided to take the plunge. I had those issues while listening too...but I will give it another go - solo - while hiking, I think. NO, you did NOT tell me about the steamy audio...I can't believe your dad survived that one! *hahaha*

      Delete
  6. LOL Hubs trying to talk to you anyway - that's a classic! Mine still doesn't understand that when I'm reading my ears are not on for what is happening around me at all - I'm all inside the story. I'm really happy you still enjoyed Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs, though. I think this series is good, too :)
    Did I tell you what happened with the first audio I listened to? I was taking the plane from Geneva to Toronto to visit my best friend, and I had thought it was a great idea to listen to an audio book on the plane instead of reading. I fell asleep before the meal was served, and slept the whole way! The narrator's voice was so soothing she put me to sleep!
    I usually listen to audio now when I'm ironing or when I'm working out. That is better, and if you listen through the audible application, you can change the speed of the narration, too. if you feel like it.
    Sorry to be so long winded! Missed you lots!! *BIG HUGS*

    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, right?!? What are they thinking? We are busy - usually with our book boyfriends! ;) No, I didn't know about your first audio experience...but I can totally relate. That's what happened to me one night! I do think listening solo is the way to go. :) *big hugs* to you!!

      Delete
  7. The title of this book is awesome and that alone makes me way to read it! I love fun twists with vampires and I just love vampires in general so this definitely sounds like one for me. I'm not an audio person, but I am glad you enjoyed your first audiobook. Great review!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is one you'd love, Teresa, because I know you love snark! ;)

      Delete
  8. I've been seeing this series a lot and I'm intrigued by it. Glad to hear it is a good read :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. OMG I love Molly Harper! She never fails to make me laugh and feel good after reading her books. Happy this is your first audio book, I hope it encourages you to listen to more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YES! I met her at RT 2013 and she made me laugh - so I've been wanting to read her books ever since. :)

      Delete
  10. I really enjoyed this book as well when I read it. I have been meaning to continue on with this series ever since. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the audio so much. Great review :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Samantha! I plan to continue on with the series - whether with audio or not. :)

      Delete
  11. Yay!! I'm so glad you read it and enjoyed it Brandee! I can sympathize with the hubby talking -- when I still lived in St. Louis and we went back and forth between Dallas and St Louis several times a year I always planned to read an entire audibook on the drive but he'd stop talking, I'd start up my audiobook, and as soon as I started again, he'd start talking again. So frustrating. For me, the best time is when I'm working out - followed by the shower and getting dressed for the day. Oh and cleaning. I love to listening while cleaning. Hopefully a better setting will make that experience even better.

    But yes - this series is freaking hilarious! The death scene is my favorite to-date and I freaking love Dick Cheney (you have to use the last name when you say that, because I've learned you'll get a "That's what she said" from little brothers if you leave off the last name lol). Another great series to try on audio - darker by leaps and bounds but great narration - Downside Ghosts by Stacia Kane & narrated by Bahni Turpin. I just saw Lexxie's review and was thinking that would be a good one for you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, audio is absolutely something I will have to do solo - between hubby and kids...*sigh* The death scene is hilarious. I could just imagine it! And Dick Cheney (yes, you DO have to include his last name) cracked me up!! :)

      I will give Downside Ghosts a try as well. I need to catch up in the series and thought I could start the series over in audio to do so. :) Thanks so much for *strong-arming* me into trying audio, Berls! ;)

      Delete
  12. Great review. I so need to check this book out. I've never done audio before but I am hoping to check this book out maybe in audio. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved the book, Sharrice but my jury is still out on audio. I can totally see the appeal for people who commute, etc. I'm going to give it a go again - while hiking - to see how it goes. I will always prefer reading though, I think. :)

      Delete

Now you know what I think...what are your thoughts??