THE BEAST Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 14

Rhage and Mary's anguish at their childless union makes this paranormal romance a poignant listen. Narrator Jim Frangione conveys the pain that threatens their marriage, juxtaposed with the constant war that threatens all vampire society. Equally wrenching are the subplots featuring drug addict Assail going undercover for the brotherhood and Layla's high-risk pregnancy. Frangione's commanding narration shows listeners the "all-in" nature of the brothers' loyalty to each other and respect for their females. While the audiobook would have benefited from more clearly differentiated voices, especially in conversation, Frangione's style matches Ward's unapologetic brand of male who can fight evil, express deep love, and cry at sappy movies. He's especially good at switching gears and softening his voice into more fluid patterns during moments of strong emotion. C.A. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2016]