Unabridged Audiobook
Suspenseful Alien Romance. This was my 1st book by Ella Blake I've listened to on this app. This is the 2nd book in the Craving the Heveians series. Despite not having read the previous book, it didn't take too much to understand the series, but I do feel like there are bits previously disclosed that I am missing. The book is well written which comes through clearly by the performance of the female and male narrators. This book focuses mainly on unfolding Drave's past while facing current issues to be overcome. Drake and Harp work closely together on an alien scavenger ship. Harp as a human has a hard time understanding Drake her Heveian boss and the nature of their relationship. When Drake's past status impacts a current invitation to him, he asks Harp to accompany him so that he can decline his host's offers of female companionship he doesn't want to part take in nor to seem discourteous to the host. What started as a fake relationship becomes real as they face challenges together to puzzle out exactly what their host is after. While I enjoyed the book and the narration, I also not so enamored with the functioning of the Audiobooks app. Maybe it is because it is completely new to me, but I do not see how to navigate the book without just playing, pausing and restarting on the linear slide progression showing the total time of the book and your current place. Where is the book menu and the ability to navigate within a particular chapter?
Icy Hevian meets Resourceful Human in an intergalactic caper of danger and intrigue This was a great first foray into the world of the Hevians for me, though it is book two. Harp is a human, formerly a member of Earth's armed forces, rescued by a Hevian pirate ship of do-gooders. She has an unfortunate crush on her boss Drave, a situation not ideal given Drave's apparent disdain for the human. Drave, former "princeling" of Hevian was contacted by known heavies in the intergalactic trade world and Drave's team decide that it would be worthwhile for him to pose with a "mate" to get intel into the trade lords and nobility who often take advantage of the weak. Harp agrees to act as Drave's mated partner, which may pose a greater challenge for the Hevian than Harp could have anticipated, given how taken he is with her in general - but especially in her role as spy. Drave's "ice king" routine is a clever cover for a man secretly in want of love and attention. His parents raised him without the love and affection that most of us would prefer for our own upbringing. Growing up in the twisted world of selfish overlords taught Drave to protect himself. It's a wonder that he managed to grow up wishing to do the right thing for those weaker than he is. Once Harp realizes Drave's icy exterior is an act, she has the opportunity to really pursue their mutual attraction better. They just have to keep themselves from getting caught. When the trade lords unexpectedly turn on Drave and Harp, they have their work cut out for themselves to escape and get the word out about the intergalactic baddies looking to gain power no matter the cost to others. Harp was an excellent character: she posessed inner strength and the emotional maturity necessary to realize who Drave really was inside. Drave is such a sweetheart - I'd compare him to a black cat/guard dog who is a danger to others but completely a puddle on the floor for Harp. Their relationship's progression was excellent and I loved all the little snippets of background information peppered throughout the story. Definitely looking forward to the rest of the series! The audiobook was narrated by Dani California and Eric MacArthur - these voice actors did a wonderful job of emoting where necessary, whilst providing an excellent delivery of Harp and Drave's voices. This is my first experience with either voice actor and I look forward to hearing their work again, where possible. Four stars
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