Cool news alert!
Audible
You can sign up right here at Audible.com/romanceme.
Before we reveal some of the package’s features, let’s discuss the most important part: price.
Now let’s talk features:
- Authors already include Nora Roberts, Sylvia Day, Jennifer Crusie, Jayne Ann Krentz, & more!
- You can browse by subgenres (referred to as “micro-genres”) and popular character/plot tropes. As Audible puts it, “Audible Romance identifies 32 micro-genres and 122 story and character tropes that will allow listeners to explore deep into the catalog in fun ways and discover the romance titles that most appeal to their interests. Each micro-genre will have its own search page, and listeners can enjoy audio samples from each title included before diving into the full story.”
- That’s right – you can still listen to audio samples before taking the plunge! (Phew!)
- TAKE ME TO THE GOOD PART feature: “This is a feature often requested by romance readers and listeners since they often go back to or jump forward to their favorite moments in romance novels. Audible has identified 10 sections, or “good parts” of the book that are most common for Romance readers, such as “flirty banter,” “first meeting,” and of course the “hot, hot, hot” moments.” This feature will start out on 100 titles and will be expanding to more.
- THE STEAMINESS METER feature: Gauge the romance and content of the book by using Audible Romance’s five-level meter that ranges romances from Sweet, Simmering, Sizzling, Hot Damn, and O-O-OMG.
Amanda: I’m really excited about this. I’m slowly starting to get into audiobooks, but I could never justify paying $15 a month for one audiobook credit. But with the prospect of having unlimited access to a romance catalog is highly appealing.
I suppose my concerns rest with what books will be on offer. I’m unsure if the variety will skew more toward Audible Originals or bestselling romances.
That being said, the unlimited aspect is perfect for romance readers, who often read/listen to a metric butt-ton of books. For me, the cost of a subscription is an easier pill to swallow and I love the feature of being able to search by subgenre and trope.
Count me in!
Sarah: Ages ago, when we still lived in New Jersey, I went to a PTA event at our old school and ended up sitting next to a gentleman who worked at Audible (they are headquartered in Newark). I asked that poor dude a thousand and a half questions, like how the software could keep track of where I am in an audiobook and can keep my place in an ebook at the same time, and what the reaction to the syncing feature had been. I bet he wished he’d sat next to someone else. (Kidding – he had a bunch of questions for me, too, as to how I as a reader used ebooks and audiobooks. Best PTA evening ever.)
Now I want to sit down with the folks who came up with this program because oh, my stars, I think this is brilliant. It’s a digital fortress of romance audiobook catnip and I can think of at least five people I know who would adore a membership like this one. I hope the Audible Romance servers are ready.
And we have a three month membership to give away, thanks to Audible!
Standard disclaimers apply: we are not being compensated financially for this giveaway, though we are also receiving one membership for internal use. That noise you hear is Amanda’s excitement. Please don’t be alarmed. Open to US residents age 18 and over. Must be ready to listen to all the good parts, start to finish. Void where prohibited. We recommend earbuds and crafting for your audiobook listening. Comments will close Monday, 6 November, at 12pm ET and a winner will be announced shortly afterward.
To enter, just leave a comment below! What you think of this new Audible option? Are you curious, too?
Thanks again to Audible for the membership! Please give your servers some cookies and tea.
WINNER UPDATE: Congratulations to CK! Be sure to check your email shortly!
We hope you all enjoy checking out the new Audible romance program!
This is awesome. I will save a bundle!
I haven’t read the Audible small print yet so I’ll ask here: If you do the unlimited romance membership do you also get a discount on other audio books like you do with the standard membership?
Oh yes this sounds fantastic! I have a membership so I think that will have to be added!
I’m super excited about the trope breakdown so I can find something that exactly suits my mood at the time!
Absolutely interested as I listen too them while I work and see much value in unlimited services. Could never justify it before.
Definitely going to check this out!
The “Take Me To The Good Part” feature sounds intriguing!
So exciting! I’ve been meaning to get my Audible butt in gear so this is great!
So excited!
Oh, this sounds like it has potential! I am curious as well as to what the book selection is going to be like. I usually only listen to audiobooks of books I’ve already read (is this weird?). I like being able to listen to a story I’ve already read as it doesn’t require my full attention, but I get to listen to something I know I already like. I’ve tried listening to audiobooks of books I havne’t read before, and I find I care a lot more about the narrator etc since it’s the first time I’m hearing the story.
Oh, this sounds like it has potential! I am curious as well as to what the book selection is going to be like. I usually only listen to audiobooks of books I’ve already read (is this weird?). I like being able to listen to a story I’ve already read as it doesn’t require my full attention, but I get to listen to something I know I already like. I’ve tried listening to audiobooks of books I haven’t read before, and I find I care a lot more about the narrator etc since it’s the first time I’m hearing the story.
Audiobooks tend to make me sleepy, so bad for road trips but great for insomnia!
This sounds great. I found the cost limiting for only 1 credit,but with unlimited access and lower cost with my unlimited subscription, I may have to try this out…
This sounds great. I found the cost limiting for only 1 credit,but with unlimited access and lower cost with my unlimited subscription, I may have to try this out…
I’m not a huge audio book person but I’m intrigued by this as an additional part to a kindle unlimited subscription.
I saw this the other day. Sounds awesome and very tempting.
This sounds really cool. I especially like that there are so many browsing options!
Wow! Now I can use my audible credits less begrudgingly on my kids (also audiobook addicts)!
I am soooo excited for this – I love audiobooks, but I have a hard time justifying $15/mo for one book. My library has some audiobooks, but not much romance.
@SQ (#170): I usually only listen to audiobooks of books I’ve already read (is this weird?).
If it’s weird, I’m weird with you. I process the written word so much more efficiently; my focus on audio frequently drops, which is fine when I’m already familiar with the book and can fill in the blanks, but doesn’t work for a first reading.
I am already an unlimited member and this seems like an awesome addition.
I would get Audible at this price. I like to listen to books while I’m cleaning around the house.
I am so so so excited. This is going right on the top of my Christmas list!
This sounds awesome!
This sounds great 🙂
I love audiobooks. I’m definitely going to check this out!
I already have audible but I’m seriously tempted to try this.
Very cool. I think this would be great for all the books that interesting to me I’m not sure enough to use my credits.
Thought 1) great idea!
Thought 2) if my county said ‘taxes are going up $15-20 a month to enable the library to buy audible books’ people would freak out.
My Romantic Parts are aquiver upon hearing this wonderful news!! I’m already an Audible member so I’m ready!!
I love the idea of a good parts feature!
I’m starting to come around to audiobooks, even though I still prefer to read at my own pace. I don’t know about the “skip to the good parts” feature, though…I like context!
How have I not heard of this? I was just perusing the new Romance releases today.
I guess I am a bit confused. Why would you pay for an Audible subscription in the first place if it only gets you one book a month for free? If that is the case, then why not just buy the book? I had prime for a while and you supposedly get one ebook for free each month. For the most part however, whenever I found a book I wanted, it wasn’t part of the free with Prime scheme. I wonder how this will be different with audiobooks.
All of this sounds amazing! It’s like they really listened to readers…er…listeners
Dear Audible, TAKE ALL MY MONEY! (Can you tell I’m slightly excited about this?)
I’ve found myself more and more into audiobooks the last few months…this will work well with my Audible subscription.
I think the options are great.
I’m a very picky listener, so this has potential, but I’d definitely like to browse the collection before subscribing.
I’m VERY curious about this, and am still trying to get more info about it before diving in. Thanks for posting about this! I’ve been in the same boat not being able to justify that much for just one credit. I’m a college student on a budget, but still need my audiobooks. 🙂