The Player

4.5 Story & 5+ Narration Stars!

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4.5 "The Gentleman Actor and the Merchant's Daughter" Stars for the story and 5+ Stars for the narration! (Narration by Alex Wyndham)Stella Riley's creative imagination and wit are in top form for the third book in the Rockcliffe Series, The Player. Proving her ability to weave in unconventional and unique circumstances into a romantic tale, Ms. Riley kept me intrigued and on my toes throughout the entire listen (a 10+ hour listen which I devoured over two short days!). Moreover, Alex Wydham's appealing and soothing voice kept me glued to my earbuds. The rumors surrounding his rushed departure from his home in England have kept Adrian Sinclair Devereux away for a decade. But upon becoming the Earl of Sarre, he can no longer run away from his fate, so home he returns with revenge plans in hand.Having survived in the interim in Paris through an unconventional trade for a gentleman--one which mixed gambling and acting--he soon finds himself leaning on old habits when he uncovers a potential damsel in distress (Caroline Maitland). Caroline appears perilously close to falling victim to a former friend who betrayed him in the worst of possible ways (Marcus Sheringham). Caroline's grandfather has determined to marry her off to a gentleman with a title, and as is typical of the time, the one who has taken a particular interest in her (Marcus), is much more interested in her dowry than love. But the only way Adrian can get close to her involves him polishing off his old acting skills, so he dusts off one of his favorite roles and puts on a show worthy of an encore. But though Sarre first crossed paths with Caroline as an unintended effect of his planned revenge, he must soon determine if his role in the play that involves her salvation (and, in turn, Marcus' damnation) is merely an act spurred by revenge or driven by something much deeper and heartfelt. Moreover, having met her under a cloud of deception will he be able to convince Caroline that he has her true interests at heart?As always, Alex Wyndham delivers a spell-binding narration. Without a doubt Mr. Wyndham is one of my top-favorite historical romance narrators. His voice is so soothing and his deliver is always perfectly timed to give heightened effect to the scene enacted. Additionally, Mr. Wyndham's attention to even the minutest details is sublime. From the age to the regional accent of each character (and even of the same character, like Adrian who switches accents back and forth depending on the role he is playing), you can count on Mr. Wyndham to present both an authentic and easily distinguishable voice for each and every character that perfectly matches the story Ms. Riley has written. Perhaps one of my favorite things about Ms Riley's romances is her ability to capture the societal conventions of the historic times she writes about. Things that appear trivial in today's world, such as whether you earned or inherited your wealth, had profound ramifications in the times Ms Riley writes about. Capturing this cultural depiction and mixing it together with compelling characters worthy of a true HEA makes her romances especially endearing. The Player is no different, and given Mr. Wyndham's extraordinary narration to boot, deserves to be on every historical romance listener's to be listened to list. Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

One of the best traditional romances I've heard

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book, but once I got into it, I couldn't stop listening. This is my favorite kind of hero - one who is an actor when he needs to be someone else, has a wicked sense of humour, and gets himself out of situations in ways I'd never imagine. I check the Amazon reviews before buying most books (and if I don't I usually end up returning them), and this book is one I'd recommend. The reader was perfect. How many characters argue with themselves while playing two different people?

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Best one of the series

I've listened to all three books-this one is the most interesting and funny. The first two are good-and listening to them in order would be best. Alex Wyndham out does himself with the accents!!

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

My new favorite author and a fabulous narrator

I loved this book! Everything about it.

Alex Wyndham is my favorite male narrator for period romances. He does a wonderful job with all the characters. It's too often that a male narrator makes the female characters sound like whiny children or old ladies. Wyndham is perfect!

This has been a great series. I'm so glad I discovered it recently so all the books were available in audio format. I hope there are more. Stella Riley is one of my new favorites.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Love love loved this series

Amazing characters and storyline along with Alex Wyndham-what more could you ask for.
I hope you are continuing this series as each one has been a jewel.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Sigh Worthy Earl

I have enjoyed this series so much but I think this book is, so far, my favorite of all. I love a book that basis it's love on true love and gives a legitimate reason as to how that was formed. What I find frustrating is that in most other books love is based on looks mostly and here that is entirely taken out of the equation. An engaging and wonderful story, characters to fall in love with and a believable plot. Can't go wrong with this book.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

An unexpected and gradually deepening love - beautiful!

Great storyline. I truly enjoyed getting to know and appreciate both Caroline and Adrian/Dev. Theirs was such a lovely unexpected romance with gradually deepening love and understanding. I fell asleep late last night while reading and have been anxiously waiting all day to finish. I know I will be thinking about them and hope to catch up with them (and the others from this series) in the next book.

Of course, Alex Wyndham's narration is incomparable!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Best of the Series Yet

I enjoyed very much the series and Mr. Wyndham's outstanding performance. This is definitely the best of the three so far. While a talented narrator cannot be the making of a book, he can however propel a good book to the next level. The characters are so vivid and alive. Bravo!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Very Good

Which character – as performed by Alex Wyndham – was your favorite?

All. That man is a genius.

Any additional comments?

I was pretty disappointed with the previous book in this series. I wash hoping this one would be better and it was by far. The book started out with potential although I was a bit annoyed by the way that things progressed because I could see it causing a huge ongoing conflict. There was a brief moment where I thought the travel down Misunderstanding Lane would consume the book but luckily enough, the author tidied the conflict up in a reasonable time.

From there, it kept getting better. Despite not knowing much about the hero, I really connected with him. There's a great host of secondary characters and laugh out loud moments throughout the entire book. I just LOVE The Duke of Rockliffe. I wish that his book has been better (i.e. not having a secret/conflict consume the entire story). Very good read that I was done with in pretty much one day.

We don't even need to talk about Alex Wyndham. That man has a voice that I can listen to all day. I ♥ him.

4.5 stars for story
5 stars for narration

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Stella Riley's Rockliffe Series just keeps getting

Stella Riley's Rockliffe Series just keeps getting better. This book for me was riveting, exciting, and Brilliant! I absolutely loved Adrian. Adrian is a man who has adopted many faces to hide the pain and betrayal of the last ten years. Banished from England by his father who chose to believe that his son was a murderer. He travels the world unconsciously looking for a place he can be at peace and banish the nightmares of the night that changed his life. He is compelled to go back to England after the death of his younger brother. His father is dead and now he must take the title and sire an heir. He has no illusions that he will be welcomed back, but he has no choice. He must brave Society to find a bride. He knows that he the old scandal will resurrect itself and everyone will be talking behind his back. So he keeps himself safely hidden behind the facade of his title Lord Sarre while he stalks the man responsible for the nightmare that his life became. He still has friends who will stand with him, you have met them in the previous two Rockliffe books.

Caroline Maitland is the granddaughter of a rich merchant who has been thrust into Society by her mother to make a good match, preferably a title. She has two younger sisters that will need a lot of help if they are going to be launched also. Caroline has one problem, her dowry is 100,000 pounds and all the fortune hunters are all competing for her hand. One persistent suitor Marcus Sheringham is desperate to capture Caroline and get his hands on her dowry. He is just weeks away from either debtor prison or fleeing England to escape his debtors. There is something about Marcus that scares Caroline and she wants nothing to do with him.

One night returning from a society party the coach that Caroline and her chaperone are in is stopped by a Highwayman intent on robbing them of their money and jewelry. The highwayman is a charming, well built, handsome (he is wearing a mask) and very charming. He insists that Caroline disembark from the carriage. She is shocked when he insists that she dance with him and he kisses her before he disappears into the night. She thinks about him all the time and he manages to show up at the strangest places. Now the enigmatic Lord Sarre is another suitor, but she just isn't interested.

Will Caroline and her Highwayman fall in love? Will Lord Sarre get his revenge? You will have to read the book or listen to the luscious Alex Wyndham's performance. Alex makes the audiobook worth the price. I will be listening to all of Stella's books from now on because Alex brings them alive. Stella is an amazing author with a remarkable talent for creating the most compelling characters and original stories. Her dedication to getting all the historical details right is second to none. I highly recommend her books to anyone who is a fan of Historical Romance.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful