This post is sponsored by Audible Escape, formerly known as the Audible Romance Package.
The Audible Escape subscription allows you to binge listen to thousands of romance audiobooks. You can borrow up to 10 audiobooks from the subscription at a time, return them whenever you like, then borrow more.
If you’re new to Audible Escape, you can try it free for one month. Then, a subscription is $6.95 a month for Audible members and Kindle Unlimited members, and $12.95 per month for non members.
We have a giveaway for a chance to win one of ten 1-year Audible Escape subscriptions in this entry so read on for details!
It’s time for traveling and waiting in line, and noshing and possibly spending time in places or surrounded by folks you’d rather not be with – which is okay if the food is good. I hope the food where you are is excellent. But if it’s not, or if you’re full and couldn’t eat another bite (mmm, pie) we’ve got a collection of audiobooks here that you can binge-listen to, including (of course) some with holiday themes! You can even pretend you’re on a conference call and mutter responses while you listen. I won’t tell.
Let’s get the most necessary one out of the way:
Need to fly away from the drama, maybe transform into a dragon, and burn some thatch-roofed cottages on your way out?
Sure you do.
Dragon Actually, by G.A. Aiken – Narrated by Hollie Jackson
Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken, also known as Shelly Laurenston, is the first book in the Dragon Kin series. With nine books, plus three novellas, all including battles, scorching scenes of various types (ha ha) and, of course, a staggering assembly of ferocious women, there’s over 120 hours of audio goodness.
One hundred and twenty hours. Wow – how far around the universe could you travel in that time? And you don’t even have to leave whatever chair you’ve claimed. What more do you need?
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Need books to listen to while crafting, cooking, or otherwise concocting marvelousness?
Virgin River and, of course, Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr – Narrated by Therese Plummer
With the new television adaptation on Netflix, you might want to go back and listen to the entire series, including book four, A Virgin River Christmas. This series is something of a classic and marked the start of the small town romance series bonanza.
The whole whopping catalog of Virgin River is available for your binging pleasure, too – all 162+ hours.
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The Eatons Series by Rochelle Alers, including Sweet Silver Bells – Narrated by Erica Love, Simi Howe, and Corey Allen
I don’t usually pay close attention to audiobook cover art, but look at that photo – it’s gorgeous! What a perfect image. And the description. Hello, second chance love story:
Being chosen to design luxury hotels in Charleston is a career coup for privileged Crystal Eaton. Meeting charismatic corporate attorney Joseph Cole-Wilson is an unexpected bonus. Until one passion-filled night in Joseph’s penthouse changes her life forever.
Now….
Haunted by sensual memories, Joseph can’t accept their short-lived liaison as a onetime fling. And when a chance encounter reunites him with the Florida beauty, the Cole heir vows she won’t get away a second time. Even after discovering Crystal’s secret, Joseph knows nothing can dim his desire. He’ll prove it with sweet words of love that could make this a Christmas to remember. If she’ll just say yes.
This is the eighth book in the Eatons series by Rochelle Alers, and with each book about six hours, whatever travel you have coming up, you can bring them all along!
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Need puppies? Of course you need puppies.
Rescued Heart by Georgia Beers – Narrated by Abby Craden
One year Elyse was at a rather tense family dinner and in the middle of all the glowering she said, “Puppies! Who likes puppies?”
So if you need to talk about puppies or you want to recuse yourself from table discussion into a world of puppies, this may not be a holiday romance, but it’s a sweet romance that takes place at an animal shelter.
Puppies and romance: guaranteed win.
And speaking of puppies:
Animal Magnetism and the Animal Magnetism series by Jill Shalvis – Narrated by Karen White
The Animal Magnetism series by Jill Shalvis is full of adorableness, and with seven books and over 80 hours of listening, that’s plenty of cuteness overload for you! Plus, they’re all performed by Karen White, who is a terrific narrator.
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Looking for historical romance with marvelous banter and fabulous heroines?
The Brothers Sinister series by Courtney Milan, including A Kiss for Midwinter – Narrated by Roslyn Landor
The Brothers Sinister series is absolutely marvelous, and entirely included in an Audible Escape membership, with five books and two novellas, one of them being the holiday treat A Kiss for Midwinter.
Roslyn Landor as the narrator is exquisite, too – her work is phenomenal. I love listening to her performances. This is a perfect choice for a truly immersive audiobook binge.
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The Highland Pleasures series by Jennifer Ashley, including A Mackenzie Family Christmas – Narrated by Angela Dawe
This novella is part of the Mackenzie/Highland Pleasures series by Jennifer Ashley, which began with fan absolute mega-favorite The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.
The first eight books are part of Audible Escape, which means you have 100+ hours of brogue-ish heroes and excellent historical romance to keep you company through any delays.
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Running errands? Take some novellas with you!
The Naughty & Nice Anthology, featuring stories by Jaci Burton, Lauren Dane, Megan Hart, and Shannon Stacey – Narrated by Madison Vaughn and Savannah Richards
This anthology is a mix of sweet and spicy romances, and includes Holiday Sparks by Shannon Stacey (one of my all-time favorite holiday stories) All She Wants for Christmas by Jaci Burton, Unwrapped by Megan Hart, and Believe by Lauren Dane. You can finish one with a shopping trip, and move on to the next when you have to go back to the store because you forgot something.
Unless that’s just me. It might be just me who always forgets the one thing and has to go back.
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Men Under the Mistletoe Anthology, featuring stories by Ava March, Harper Fox, Josh Lanyon, K.A. Mitchell – Narrated by Max Tatch, James de Grassi, Jack LeFleur, L. B. Townsend
This anthology includes My True Love Gave to Me by Ava March, Winter Knights by Harper Fox, Lone Star by Josh Lanyon and The Christmas Proposition by K.A. Mitchell – and features sweet, sexy, and spicy, stories, including some menage and second chance romances.
This collection would be great fun to bring with you when you know you’ll be waiting in line. You get spicy hot stories, and suddenly that long queue isn’t so awful!
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Ripped by Sarah Morgan, Narrated by Priscilla Carson
Ripped is a delightful and very funny holiday confection of a novella, and is the first in a series of stories about the Miller Sisters. I reviewed this when it came out and gave it an A, saying,
Ripped is an adorable holiday-set novella, a mix of sweet, hot, funny and poignant. There is so much emotion and empathy packed into a shorter length, and I didn’t feel cheated by the fact that it’s a novella, though I easily could have hung out with these characters for another few hundred pages. I suspect the heroine’s sister may get her own story which is an EXCELLENT IDEA.
In fact, this is next in my listening queue because it’s so holiday-delightful.
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And hot holiday lights, we have a giveaway!
Audible is giving away ten (10!) one-year Audible Escape subscriptions! WOW. Thank you!
To enter: Leave a comment with hashtag #Sweepstakes and tell us what audiobook is your favorite to listen to when you need a break or a holiday recharge!
No Purchase Necessary. Sweepstakes begins 12:00:01 a.m. (PT) on 21 December, 2019 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. (PT) on 27 December, 2019. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18+. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by Smart Bitches Trashy Books, LLC. Winners will be notified via email within 3 days following the drawing. Prizes must be redeemed by potential winners within 72 hours of notification. See Official Rules at Audible Escape Sweepstakes – Official Rules.
Winners: Below are the 10 winners of our Audible Escape giveaway! Be sure to check your inbox and spam folders:
- Jennifer F.
- Trix
- Rissatoo
- Algae429
- Rebtastical
- Dorothy
- Jessi G
- Louise
- Barbara A.
- Escapeologist
My favorite audiobooks are the Amelia Peabody series narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. I also really enjoy Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series.#Sweepstakes
I love to listen to the Harry Potter books narrated by Jim Dale. He’s such a great reader…
The Harry Potter series narrated by Jim Dale. His voice characterization is so good; every character sounds different. And listening to it on audio is such a delightful way to spend an afternoon doing chores around the house. #Sweepstakes
I listen to a lot of audiobooks–this was a slow year, but I’ve probabably logged well over 100 so far. I don’t typically re-listen to books, but do have favorite authors and series. For instance, I had to make myself take a break from JD Robb at about book #40 because I was going through the Naked series so fast and wanted to make it last.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. #Sweepstakes
Really enjoying How the Dukes Stole Christmas audiobook (Tessa Dare, Sarah Maclean, Joanna Shupe, Sophie Jordan). I have tired of the Christmas movie phenomenon on TV. Audiobooks are a much better option as you can listen while wrapping gifts! #Sweepstakes
#I LOVED the Nocturne Falls series! I got hooked with The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride and ran through the next 6 books without a pause. #Sweepstakes. After all, what better books for a “Sweep stakes” than a romance book about vampires 🙂
I listen to Lucy Parker’s first two books in the London Celebrities series, Act Like It and Pretty Face, every winter, and I co-sign all the recommendations for Richard Armitage’s narration. #sweepstakes
I listen to any of the Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson series, or Ilona Andrews books; their narrators are wonderful! #sweepstakes
Sigh, NOW I realize I forgot: #sweepstakes
Hands down, my favorite audiobook this year is Mary Jane Wells’ narration of The Duchess Deal written by Tessa Dare. Love, love love her voice of the Duke of Ashbury. Emma’s voice is the perfect voice against Ashbury. Thanks for the giveaway.
#sweepstakes
Rebecca Soler is one of my favorite narrators so I love listening to anything narrated by her – like Marissa Meyer’s books! Heartless is one of my favorites. #Sweepstakes
I love listening to audiobooks – I loved An AI who loved me and have been listening to Jill Shalvis lately. For a comfort reads – I listen to Nalini Singh. Also, I love listening to anything Michael Leslie narrates, or when there are two narrators representing POV (all sarina bowen books and Elle Kennedy).
Anything read by Kate Reading! She’s great!
I love listening to audible books. My favorites to recharge are The Brother’s Sinister series by Courtney Milan. I love listening to The Duchess War to unwind and recharge. #Sweepstakes
I love listening to fantasy books… Feels like story time. Recently started re-listening to Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. #Sweepstakes
Tessa Dare!
#Sweepstakes
I’m already an Audible and Escapes member but please! pick me anyway for the #Sweepstakes!
I love the many different genres offered that I honestly probably wouldn’t have listened to and fell in love with if I had to pay full price: Shifters, dragon fantasies (wait … what? They’re not real??) and more. I love the choices.
I’ll still keep subscribing and listening, but I sure won’t say no to a free year!
Every year I re-listen to Patricia Briggs’ books and Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series. This year I also discovered Emma Chase’s books in audio… #Sweepstakes
My previous go to audiobooks were the In Death books by J.D. Robb. I still love them, but I’ve fallen behind. Through my library, my favorites are now the Fox and O’Hare series,especially the second most recent one. #sweepstakes
Anything book by Anne Stuart! #Sweepstakes
I love Audible and Audible escape has been a great help on my wallet. It allows me try new authors that I wouldn’t have otherwise because I would be thinking about the credits.
My favorite romance audiobook from this past year has been Flatshare by Beth O’Leary and in escape package I love EVERYTHING by Courtney Milan. I love her Brothers Sinister series and it’s probably the only historical romance book series I have really loved.
#Sweepstakes
#Sweepstakes – comfort “listens” for me are Tessa Dare and Lisa Kleypas books. Sense and Sensibility is also a favorite audiobook.
#Sweepstakes
I like listening to nonfiction in the car, but lately I listened to the Blue Castle and that was really nice.
Lily Morton, Cat Sebastian #sweepstakes
I love listening to Audible, and my favorite to listen to again and again, especially while cooking is, Lucy Parker’s first book, Act Like It. I enjoy Richard and Lanie.
I love listening to Audible, and my favorite to listen to again and again, especially while cooking is, Lucy Parker’s first book, Act Like It. I enjoy Richard and Lanie. #sweepstakes
#sweepstakes
Bond by Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly
I have really enjoyed alternating between the serious stuff (e.g. the Great Courses) and fun fiction. This winter I finally listened to The Christmas Hirelings, which I got last year. I’ve also been listening to some Stella Riley books, and A Christmas Carol.
I have really enjoyed alternating between the serious stuff (e.g. the Great Courses) and fun fiction. This winter I finally listened to The Christmas Hirelings, which I got last year. I’ve also been listening to some Stella Riley books, and A Christmas Carol. #Sweepstakes
I have really enjoyed alternating between the serious stuff (e.g. the Great Courses) and fun fiction. This winter I finally listened to The Christmas Hirelings, which I got last year. I’ve also been listening to some Stella Riley books, and A Christmas Carol. #Sweepstakes
#Sweepstakes
My holiday cup of cocoa is Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather. I’d love to launch into the audiobooks of Alexis Hall’s Arden St. Ives series.
I live in a city and try to run all of my errands by walking, so audiobooks have become such an important part of my life! My favorite audiobook is HIM by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy because it introduced me to two of my favorite male narrators. #sweepstakes
I love a quick-moving historical or I’ll re-listen to a Harry Potter. #sweepstakes
I love listening to Tessa Dare audiobooks, especially The Duchess Deal! Her narrator perfectly captures the tone of the books, I think. #sweepstakes
This would help me with my Romance reading experiment I am doing. Basically I am trying out romance novels for the first time this year (since Oct) and reviewing them. I wanted to give this genre a fair shot. I have been predisposed to having a negative opinion about romance novels based on nothing other then what negative things others have said about the genre.
I have been presently surprised by the books/authors I have read so far. My rules are I have to read at least 2 or 3 books by a romance authors (3 authors per romance sub-genre)and make a fair review based on those books. Not only has it been an eye opening experience on how much I’ve been enjoyed this genre but also how much judgement and shade people toss at it and those who read it ( but they themselves have never read any romances).
Anyways I have been listening to books on Audible Escape and I have REALLY enjoyed the audio book of The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne. I am hooked and plan to read more of her books. #Sweepstakes
I love listening to Nalini Singh’s audiobooks. #sweepstakes
I love the Christi Caldwell series on Kindle Unlimited, because it has some great cinnamon roll hero’s and headstrong women! #sweepstakes
My favorite audio comfort book is the Tosamund Pike narration of Pride & Prejudice #sweepstakes
Um. I hope it counts that I used lowercase but if not, #Sweepstakes for Rosamund Pike’s “Pride & Prejudice”
#Sweepstakes I have moved around so much and went through the heartbreak of throwing my books in dumpsters one too many times! Thank Christ for ebooks and audiobooks. Shoving my entire library in my purse when I skip another town before they catch up is a blessing. (It’s complicated. Don’t ask.)
Most audiobooks I get are non-fiction because I find it easier to learn new things and retain information if someone is reading aloud. Last audiobook I got was by Dan Savage.