Audio Review: Duet by Eden Winters – Narrated By Michael Ferraiuolo

Title: Duet

Author: Eden Winters

Narrator:: Michael Ferraiuolo

Run Time: 7 hours and 13 minutes

At a Glance: I loved Duet when I read it, and I love it even more now that it’s out in audio.

Reviewed By: Kim

Blurb: A conqueror’s decree can’t separate Aillil Callaghan from his Scottish heritage. He wears his clan’s forbidden plaid with pride, awaiting the day he becomes Laird, restores his family’s name, and fights to free Scotland from English tyranny. An Englishman in his home? Abomination! Yet the tutor his father engaged for Aillil’s younger brothers may have something to teach the Callaghan heir as well.

Violinist and scholar Malcolm Byerly fled Kent in fear, seeking nothing more than a quiet post, eager minds to teach, and for no one to learn his secrets. He didn’t count on his charges’ English-hating barbarian of an older brother, or on red-and-green tartan concealing a kindred soul. A shared love of music breaks down the barriers between two worlds.

Aillil’s father threatens their love, but a far more dangerous enemy tears them apart… they vanish into legend.

Two centuries later, concert violinist Billy Byerly arrives at Castle Callaghan—and feels strangely at home. Legends speak of a Lost Laird who haunts the fortress in wait of his lover’s return. Billy doesn’t believe in legends, ghosts, or love that outlasts life.

But the Lost Laird knows his own.

Review: To begin this review, I have to say I’d never heard of Michael Ferraiuolo until now, but what a fantastic narrator! When I heard that Duet was out in audio, I was a bit put out that it was being narrated by an unknown to me rather than by one of the narrators that I’ve come to love. Well, silly me, my fears were unfounded. I loved how Ferraiuolo brought Duet to life, and I now have a new narrator to add to my growing list of favorite talented storytellers.

Duet was my very first e-book review for The Novel Approach, so there is a little sentimental value in reviewing the audiobook now too. I loved Duet when I read it, and I love it even more now that it’s out in audio. Here’s a snippet from my original review:

Malcolm was a little slow to warm up to, but I found out that first impressions were misleading. I felt somewhat sad for him that he was trapped in an age of persecution. Aah, but with his daring move to Scotland, Malcolm turned out to be not only sweet, smart and funny, but very temperamental when crossed.

As for Aillil Calliaghan, his character was true Scottish male. Very proud and true to his heritage despite English occupation. What made this tale lively was reading how his assumptions of this particular Englishman lead to some embarrassing and comical situations for himself. Aillil Callaghan didn’t stand a chance against this particular little Sassenach teacher.

What made this tale just as lively in audio format was listening to how Aillil’s assumptions of Malcolm lead to all those embarrassing and comical situations. Michael Ferraiuolo outdid himself with these scenes. And even though Aillil had had violin lessons when he was younger, Duet comes by its name when he insists that Malcolm teach him (again) how to play. Even though Aillil hates to admit it, he has a problem with lusting after the redheaded teacher, and it didn’t take long for that lust to morph into love as he learned more about this shy, sensitive “Little Fox” who plays the violin as if it’s a part of his soul.

Basically, Duet is a two-part story. The first half leads to a tragic end when scarlet fever hits the village, and the Legend of the Lost Laird is born. Warning: do bring out the tissues and keep in mind that people look at you strangely when they see you sniveling in your car!

But there’s magic in the air in the second half, and I really would be a spoilsport to tell you anything about it. Let’s just say that everything falls into place, and there is a HEA for our star-crossed lovers.