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  • Desert Heat & Native Tongue

  • By: Lucy Felthouse
  • Narrated by: Joel Leslie
  • Length: 5 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (22 ratings)

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Desert Heat & Native Tongue

By: Lucy Felthouse
Narrated by: Joel Leslie
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Summary

Desert Heat: Their love is forbidden by rules, religion, and risk. Yet, still they can't resist. Captain Hugh Wilkes is on his last tour of duty in Afghanistan. The British Army is withdrawing, and Wilkes expects his posting to be event-free. That is, until he meets his Afghan interpreter, Rustam Balkhi, who awakens desires in Wilkes that he'd almost forgotten about, and that won't be ignored.

Native Tongue: They may be back on British soil, but the battle isn't over. When Captain Hugh Wilkes fell for his Afghan interpreter, Rustam Balkhi, he always knew things would never be easy. After months of complete secrecy, their return to England should have spelt an end to the sneaking around and the insane risks. But it seems there are many obstacles for them to overcome before they can truly be happy together. Can they get past those obstacles, or is this one battle too many for their fledgling relationship?

©2015 Lucy Felthouse (P)2016 Lucy Felthouse
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+
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What listeners say about Desert Heat & Native Tongue

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A touching story of love

A story of love in the forces isn't easy and the story proves it and there will always be bigotry. The narrator is excellent with the accents and you feel you know the characters which makes it enjoyable.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Terrific story of love in the military

Would you consider the audio edition of Desert Heat & Native Tongue to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version but some books are made for audio and this is one. Although I would definitely read it as well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think Hugh Wilkes was my favourite. The author has portrayed him as such a likeable character and Joel Leslie made him come alive with his wonderful brummie accent. I could tell he was a Midlands lad as soon as the character came into the story. Joel's characterisation of Rustam Balkhi was very good as well. Hugh has to go through so much soul searching and finally choosing to be with Rustam.
In fact Joel Leslie shows he is excellent at accents and giving characters their own distinct features.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

In the two Stories my favourite scenes were; in Desert Heat, when Rustam was given the news of a friend's death and subsequently when Wiles and Balkhi come together for the first time in Camp Bastion. In Native Tongue it was the scene in Soho. I loved the line High said 'is there a problem here with mixed race couples' turning the tables on another gay couples preconceptions.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

In Desert Heat it was again the scene Rustam was told of his friends death and all the implications it would have for him if he ever wanted to see his family again.
In Native Tongue it was when Hugh took Rustam to meet his family, so well written and narrated.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this audiobook to anyone wanting a wonderful love story.

I was given a copy of this audiobook by the narrator in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great M/M books

Desert heat
This forbidden relationship is hot as hell. I think the fact that it’s not the norm and also frowned upon makes it all that more enjoyable. Great characters with lots of chemistry. Joel is fantastic as usual, lots of accents that show off Joel’s talent.

Native tongue
This book, like the first is about a gay couple coming out into society for the first time. Challenging times for them. Written very well. Fantastic narration from Joel.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

A

I've read books by Lucy Felthouse before and have enjoyed them. I'm entirely impressed by her writing style and phenomenal character development. Desert Heat and Native Tongue I was utterly captivated by the words and emotions.

Joel Leslie did an incredible job with the characters. This was my 1st time hearing him as a narrator and he did a DAMN good British àccent + Iranian àccent too!

I have no problem recommending this book to others because it has a POWERFUL LESSON.


#AudiobookObsessionReviewer

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

enjoyable m/m

very enjoyable story touching on the forbidden love.

the narrators voice was OK I just didn't love him.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Double pleasure- two books in one

Captain Hughes Wilkes meets his interpreter in Afghanistan, where he will get to know him better. They are in a military zone, and none have come out. It’s a dangerous place to love each other. And book two is their happily ever after. It’s awesome to read how they develop their relationship, how it evolves as their feelings grow. Excellent book duo.
The narrator has a sexy voice too.
#AudiobookObssesion 🎧❤️

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I love this book!

I read them in ebook format. Loved them. Ans grabbed the audiobook as soon as it became available. The narration is spot on and brought this beautiful story alive again for me. Fabulous.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
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Brilliant Military Romance

I had previously read Desert Heat in ebook format but I hadn't read Native tongue so when this came as a double audiobook I just had to have it. The narrator Joel Leslie has done an amazing job with distinguishing the accents in this book. This is an amazing story of forbidden love between captain and his interpreter. Hugh Wilkes was happy to go through life without anyone because being gay in the military just isn't that easy, that is until he meets his afghan interpreter Rustsam Balkhi. In Native Tongue they are back in Britain and trying to make the most of there relationship but both are still in the closet until Hugh's dad's birthday when they decided it's time to come out. I love this light hearted story of love. And I would totally recommend it to lovers of the m/m genre.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Extra! Extra Read all about it!

Desert Heat: Their love is forbidden by rules, religion, and risk. Yet, still they can't resist. Captain Hugh Wilkes is on his last tour of duty in Afghanistan. The British Army is withdrawing, and Wilkes expects his posting to be event-free. That is, until he meets his Afghan interpreter, Rustam Balkhi, who awakens desires in Wilkes that he'd almost forgotten about, and that won't be ignored.

Native Tongue: They may be back on British soil, but the battle isn't over. When Captain Hugh Wilkes fell for his Afghan interpreter, Rustam Balkhi, he always knew things would never be easy. After months of complete secrecy, their return to England should have spelt an end to the sneaking around and the insane risks. But it seems there are many obstacles for them to overcome before they can truly be happy together. Can they get past those obstacles, or is this one battle too many for their fledgling relationship?

This is great male/male love story. I enjoyed the book and all it represented.
AudioBookObsessionReview

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Not for me.

The 'romance' in this story didn't gel for me at all, neither did the setting. The lack of authenticity between the 'men' took hold early on in the story. I say men, but they behaved more like young teenagers. For me, the progression of the relationship was forced and lacked organic connection.

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