Great 1st book in a new series that is outstanding

This is a book/series is departure from Rosalind James' previous "Escape to New Zealand" and "The Kincaids" series. It definitely fits in the romantic suspense category because there is a villain that creates a situation where you're not quite sure what's truly happening all the way around so you're kept waiting (in a good way) for things to cogamut of witty, sexy, exasperating, confusing, frustrating, intense, and tender. Sincntinue to unfold/be revealed and then, ultimately, be resolved. However, if you're looking for the espionage or "out there", darker portion of romantic suspense, this book may not be for you as that's not where the anticipation comes from. Without giving too much away . . . Zoe Santangelo has a PhD in geology (specializing in hydrogeology) that has come to the small town of Paradise, Idaho to start her journey to becoming a tenured professor at one of the predominant research universities in the field. Like many others with similar aspirations, Zoe starts at the bottom of ladder at a smaller institution, eager to work her way up. She loves her field, teaching at the university, and working with students but knows that she'll be moving on as soon as she can. Cal Jackson is a former NFL football player who has come home to run the family farm after his career is ended by an injury. He loves what he does, his family and the town but is possibly looking for more as well. The two meet and interact as a result of their relationship to the university. The story chronicles their struggles, both individually and as a couple, as well as a campus situation that has everyone concerned for the safety of students and Dr. Santangelo. Both characters have their own issues that results in sort of power struggle that they need to work through that ultimately affect their relationship. The pair are very likable and believable. Zoe is highly intelligent yet down to earth, and very independent, yet unsure of herself. Cal is self-assured, a bit of a control freak and almost cocky--but in a way that endears him to the reader. Their interactions run the gamut of witty, sexy, exasperating, confusing, frustrating, intense, and tender. Since this is also a romance, it doesn't hurt that things get a bit steamy occasionally. Overall, there is just the right balance the romance and suspense. Don't expect a wimpy heroine that needs rescuing--that's what gets Cal into trouble.

The performance? Sends a great story right into the stratosphere! I wasn't too sure of how I was going to like a male and female narrator interacting within same chapter. (I love Kristen Proby's "With Me" series that has a male and female narrator but they trade chapters because that's how the books are laid out--male vs. female perspective.) I have to say the narration TOTALLY WORKED and enhanced the performance. Natalie Ross was new to me and she does an outstanding job of getting Zoe "right". Tone, pace, inflection and emotion for each segment are spot on and really bring Zoe to life. Phil Gigante knocked it totally out of the park with Cal. He gets the "good ol' boy" persona right while making him real (as well as swoonworthy). Combined, the dual narration really works in all the different situations and brings out the emotions for each section. Can't wait for Hold Me Close to be released in print and audio. It'll be a great story and if it's narrated like Carry Me Home, it's already a winner.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

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7 people found this helpful

suspense and laughter

what can you say, I loved the characters. I wanted Zoe to hurry up and catch that sexy talking cowboy, man what a voice. Cal with his laid back banter, heartbroken when it seemed they were calling it quits. Staying on edge trying to figure out who was the rapist. I could listen to this one again.

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Awesome

Everything was perfect. Amazing story amazing narration. Looking forward to the next in series. Great

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Perfect Together

Any additional comments?

Zoe and Amy are smart and independent women who don't make dumb moves or decisions that put themselves in dangerous situations and who have a good head on their shoulders and not the typical stereo type where if the male gives the women attention they are instantly attracted to the guy and soon enough have them falling into bed by the second or third chapter. Zoe and Cal's attraction slowly builds to a good foundation. Author gave her characters personality and smarts and focuses on the main plotline, rather than the characters sexual escapades over and over again which most of the new authors nowadays focuses on and think that would be the draw to their books rather than the subject matter. This book is tastefully done.

Ms Natalie Ross has a very sexy voice without even trying, some women narrators try to hard to be sexy, especially in the voice department, but Ms. Natalie hits the mark, her voice is pleasant to listen to and Mr. Phil Gigante has that voice that makes women sit up and notice..as one of the other reviewer states, it makes you shiver just listening to his voice. Perfect together, narrators pull the listeners into the story and made me want to listen to the whole audio book again. I hope they narrate the next book in the Idaho series that's coming out in December, can't wait.!!

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1 person found this helpful

Loved it!

This book keeps you guessing. The romance was wonderful. My fave narration team as always.

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Was not prepared for this to be so good!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Carry Me Home to be better than the print version?

I have not read anything by Rosalind James before and had no idea this would be such a great story! I do have the print version but for some reason kept passing on to another story..

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Cal. He had played in the NFL, had loads of money and lost half in a divorce settlement. Lost his football career because of a shoulder injury. Now he is back on the farm where he was raised and never stopped looking at the good side of life.

What about Phil Gigante and Natalie Ross ’s performance did you like?

Loved, loved Phil Gigante as a narrator! He did a great accent for Cal. Natalie Ross was good too.

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

Yes but it took about 3 sittings.... eleven hours is a long time

Any additional comments?

Will certainly be reading more books by Rosalind James!

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Good Book

The story is good but I love the narration - it’s very well done. More books should be done this way.

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Cliche

I listened to the whole thing, I'll give it that.

It wasn't horrible just very cliche. Nerdy girl doesn't realize how amazingly hot she is until her sorta trashy but really cool friend lets her rummage through her closet and forces her to go out in something that's cut above her ankles.
Hottest guy in town only has eyes for her even when she's still dressing nerdy.
She ends up changing everything about her life, even allowing him to dress her. But of course her giving up her career goals that she'd wanted her entire life was her decision because of course it was really what she'd wanted all along.

It bothered me that someone who is supposedly so smart and terrified of men makes the kind of mistakes that she does. I did like the parts with the shot gun and the baseball bat.

I could have done without the 30 minute it gets better speech. Really. I've never fast forwarded through a book before but I just couldn't take it. I get the point but the entire thing could have been summed up in one paragraph not an entire chapter.

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7 people found this helpful

Enjoyable story. Sometimes choppy audio.

Overall the story was good. I didn't find it too cheesy or obvious. For audio, many times sentences were cut short or bluntly inserted causing a break in the immersion for me. The actor performances were well done though.

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Gripping!

I really enjoy Rosaline James books because they have very likable characters, have humor, and a romantic plot that doesn't make you roll your eyes because the character is too stupid to just ask a question to clear things up. This book is particularly good because of the strong storyline. Even though I guessed who the perpetrator was as soon as he was introduced into the story, she had me guessing near the end and I literally gripped the steering wheel of my car as the final scenes were described. It's so nice to find an author who can spin a great tale as well as throw in some steam and romance.

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