Contemporary Women Audiobooks | Fiction

"Helen lives in her father's Model T in the harsh Nevada desert, surrounded by thousands of desperate souls trying to endure the hardships of the Great Depression. When her father dies while working on the Hoover Dam diversion tunnels, she finds herself alone. In this unforgiving landscape where marriage, prostitution, and starvation seem to be her only viable choices, Helen is determined to defy society's expectations of a young woman and create her own American dream. She relies on her resourcefulness to survive but soon realizes she can't go it alone. Ezra, a young dam worker, brought his sister to Nevada in search of the father of her child, only to have the man reject her. Tragically, both his sister and the baby pass away during childbirth, leaving Ezra with a profound sense of guilt. Determined to distance himself from any further responsibilities, he focuses on his job and locating the man who denied his sister. But when he learns that his friend Helen is running from the law and a Las Vegas gangster, he must decide between his independent lifestyle and helping her. As Helen and Ezra grow closer and become more invested in the diversion of the Colorado River from its course, their lives parallel this monumental change. Ezra can picture building a life with Helen, while she embarks on a journey to live life on her terms."

Kelly Stone Gamble (Author), Eleanor Mccormick, Preston Geer (Narrator)

Audiobook

Joyce Grenfell Remembered: The Pursuit of Joy: A BBC Collection with material performed by Maureen L

"Joyce Grenfell in her own words and through the eyes of Maureen Lipman Joyce Grenfell was one of the last century’s greatest entertainers, renowned worldwide for her monologues, songs, and comic writing. Her career spanned over 30 years, ranging from wartime tours to solo stage shows, films such as the St Trinian’s series, appearances on BBC TV and numerous radio broadcasts. Contained here are five sparkling productions of her work, performed by acting legend Maureen Lipman – who is celebrated for portraying Joyce in the 1991 TV film Re-Joyce – alongside a delightful reading by Joyce Grenfell herself of her autobiography. Hats Off – Before she became a star, Joyce Grenfell was a poet, and she continued to write verse all her life. Hats Off features over 40 of her witty, perceptive poems, read by Maureen Lipman and with an introduction by Grenfell’s close friend and biographer Janie Hampton. Choice Grenfell – In this poignantly funny retrospective, Maureen Lipman perfectly recreates the much-loved material of the late, great comedian. Featuring monologues, sketches, songs and letters, it showcases Joyce Grenfell at her finest and funniest. Dear Joyce…. Dear Ginnie – Joyce Grenfell and fellow poet Virginia Graham were best friends for 62 years, and wrote to each other frequently. Maureen Lipman and Janie Hampton read a selection of their affectionate correspondence from 1929 to 1979, providing fascinating insight into both their lives. Two Light Up the Third – A fictionalised dramatisation of how one of the inaugural programmes to be broadcast by the Third Programme, How to Listen, made it onto the airwaves, written by Russell Davies and starring Maureen Lipman as Joyce Grenfell. This is accompanied by the fascinating original airing of How to Listen with Joyce Grenfell and Stephen Potter. Joyce Grenfell Requests the Pleasure – Telling her life story with verve and brio, Joyce Grenfell recounts the highs and lows of her varied career, sketching wonderful comic descriptions of the many people she encountered along the way. Her glamorous, madcap American mother, her aunt Nancy Astor and her beloved husband Reggie are just some of the larger-than-life characters that people this captivating reading. Cast and Credits Hats Off Written by Joyce Grenfell Read by Maureen Lipman Introduced by Janie Hampton First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3-10 Jun 2001 Choice Grenfell Written by Joyce Grenfell Performed by Maureen Lipman Music by Denis King, Maureen Lipman, Richard Addinsell, Joyce Grenfell and Virginia Graham Pianist: Denis King Directed by Alan Strachan Produced by Jonathan James-Moore First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 2-6 Mar 1998 Dear Joyce… Dear Ginnie Read by Maureen Lipman and Janie Hampton Produced by Jonathan James-Moore First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 20-24 Dec 1999 Two Light Up the Third written by Russell Davies Starring Maureen Lipman as Joyce Grenfell First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 29 Sep 1996 How to Listen Starring Joyce Grenfell and Stephen Potter, featuring members of the ‘How’ Repertory Company First broadcast BBC Radio Third Programme, 29 Sep 1946 Joyce Grenfell Requests the Pleasure Written and read by Joyce Grenfell Abridged by Janet Quigley Produced by Pat McLoughlin First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 Apr-3 May 1977 © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Joyce Grenfell, Maureen Lipman (Author), Janie Hampton, Joyce Grenfell, Maureen Lipman (Narrator)

Audiobook

If I Lose Her

"The pregnancy podcasts warned Joanna Baker about the baby blues, but when a near-fatal mistake places the first-time mom under the watchful eye of Child Protective Services, she receives a serious diagnosis: postpartum depression. Jo hears the words, yet they don’t make sense. Nothing does. Her blackouts are increasing, and she can’t recall events she’s been accused of. As she fights to keep her daughter, she discovers cracks in her neighborhood, family, and her own home. With the support of her sisters, she attempts to piece together her traumatic past and uncover who is truly in control. Jo must battle her faltering mind to save what’s most important: her daughter."

Brianne Sommerville (Author), Nikki Thomas (Narrator)

Audiobook

Magic Hidden, Magic Found

"Juliette has always longed for everything she experiences in her beloved books—grand adventures, heroic deeds, passionate love, and making a meaningful difference. She wants it all. Yet, despite her found family, her dream bookshop, and a burgeoning connection with a sweet man, chronic anxiety keeps her tethered to a safe and predictable routine. Until her life is upended when an unexpected magical ability surfaces. Now gifted with the power to locate lost things, Juliette's world becomes a blend of wonder and anxiety. Along with her ability to help clients find misplaced belongings, certain items compel her to reunite them with their owners. As her powers grow, so do the panic attacks lurking at every turn, threatening to overwhelm her. Amidst the chaos, an infuriatingly arrogant and seductive man repeatedly challenges her. As she navigates her own fears and doubts, the stakes become higher than ever. The longer it takes her to reunite lost items with their owners, the more the magic hurts. However, there are ethical dilemmas surrounding the potential misuse of magical objects. As her internal conflict mounts, will Juliette muster the courage to step out of her comfort zone and embrace her true potential as a heroine? Magic Hidden, Magic Found is the first book in Wyrd Words & Witchcraft, a new paranormal women’s fiction series set in the same world as the delectable Baking Up a Magical Midlife series."

Jessica Rosenberg (Author), Sara Young (Narrator)

Audiobook

Make Her Pay

"Leonie is living her best life. Still in her twenties, she’s beautiful and successful and has just met Markus, the man of her dreams. But Leonie has a secret. Ten years ago, she was involved in an accident in which another driver died. Leonie shouldn’t have been behind the wheel that night—no license, no insurance—so she fled the scene. And ever since, she’s been struggling to deal with the terrible guilt. Now, as her wedding to Markus draws near, it seems someone is out to get her. It’s little things at first—botched work appointments, a cancelled bridal dress—but it soon escalates into a terrifying campaign that threatens her business, her family, and even her life. Caught up in a relentless nightmare, Leonie has no idea why anyone would set out to destroy her—until she realizes there’s a link to the accident that happened all those years ago. Someone knows what she did. Someone is determined to make her pay. Make Her Pay is a gripping psychological thriller from the bestselling author of The Visitors and What She Knew."

Miranda Rijks (Author), Charlie Albers, Ella Lynch (Narrator)

Audiobook

Upcountry

"Claire Pedersen and her husband are relocating from NYC to the Catskills—they have found a terrific deal on a property in foreclosure. The house has been in April Ives’s family for three generations, but the single mother of three children from two different fathers needs the money. Claire and April are instantly antagonistic, but the sale proceeds, and renovations begin. Soon after, Claire’s husband develops an erotic fascination with Anna, a young member of a nearby religious community called The Eternals. Two marriages—and one pregnancy—swiftly and dramatically end. Claire is left to finish the renovation and salvage the life she had imagined. April, meanwhile, is dealing with her ex who has just been released from prison on a drug charge and the decision of whether or not to let him build a relationship with the son he has never known. Life “upcountry” means close encounters between disparate social classes: Claire and April navigate mutual dislike and unanticipated empathy. The house remains a sore point for both. Anna is the unhappy fulcrum between the two older women. Shunned from The Eternals since the incident with Claire’s husband, she yearns to return to their protection. Anna’s strict views on transgression and penance are baffling to April; for Claire, Anna remains the embodiment of her ruined marriage."

Chin-Sun Lee (Author), Michelle H. Lee (Narrator)

Audiobook

Reign

"They call him a legend—one of the greatest guitarists of our time. The mighty Ace of Spades brought in to produce my album and save the day. Not only is he covered in tattoos. He’s gorgeous, talented, and infuriatingly arrogant, even demanding I trust him. Trust him? I. Hate. Him. I’m a former child star turned rock princess, caught up in all kinds of bad press and scandal. I need to stay focused on my music and career. Not get distracted by his filthy mouth and piercing eyes. If only our chemistry wasn’t off the charts. I can barely breathe when he’s near. Time is ticking. Sooner than later, the chaos and mayhem of our lives will take over. Everything becomes messy. And tricky. Rock stars don’t get happily ever afters…or do we?"

Cassandra Robbins (Author), Angelina Rocca, Corvin King (Narrator)

Audiobook

Ignite: A Legacy Novella

"From USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros comes a friends to lovers romance novella set in her Legacy world. It only takes a spark . . . In Legacy, Colorado, I buried my father alongside his elite Hotshot team. Ten years later, I've followed in his footsteps—fighting fires in the mountains of Alaska with my brother. Amid the flames, nothing ignites me like Avery Claire. She's stubborn, strong, sexy as hell, and my best friend. She also has no idea that I'm in love with her. But Colorado is calling me home, needing every Legacy-born firefighter to successfully rebuild our fathers' team. One night will change everything between us, but she's tied to Alaska and my future is in Colorado. Now I'm torn between what my honor demands, and what my heart can't live without. Contains mature themes."

Rebecca Yarros (Author), Carly Robins, Tim Paige (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Stories We Cannot Tell

"'THE STORIES WE CANNOT TELL is a fast-paced, beautifully written tribute to what we can and can't control and who we love in the process. A true delight. This book is GOOD!' —Zibby Owens, author of Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature, and host of Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books There may come a time when you will always remember what came before and what came after. The Stories We Cannot Tell is a contemporary novel about the emotional journey of two women. Rachel is a thirty-year-old married, Jewish woman who's wanted a baby for a long time. Katie's a thirty-two-year-old single, Catholic woman who has been trying to find a man who'll stick around. We follow the women individually as they find themselves pregnant, Rachel happily, Katie, not. As they enter their second trimester, they're shocked to hear that there's something wrong with the babies they're carrying. The women meet in a support group and help each other through not only the excruciating decision they need to make, but through the issues that come with making that decision. These strong women become fast friends as they gain strength from each other and form a tight bond. and uncover surprising connections. The Stories We Cannot Tell is an inspirational, and heartwarming saga that explores pregnancy, love, hope, and family."

Leslie A. Rasmussen (Author), Alexandra Cohler (Narrator)

Audiobook

Dan & Kara: A Downeast Prequel

"They’re beloved members of the Gansett Island family… But they’ve never had their own book until now! Dan Torrington and Kara Ballard take center stage for the first time ever in this prequel novel. Revisit their story from when they first appeared in FALLING FOR LOVE through HURRICANE AFTER DARK, with many new scenes, characters and backstories as we prepare to follow Dan and Kara to Bar Harbor, Maine, to deal with the most intense Ballard family drama yet. This is an 87,000-word preview ahead of the upcoming DOWNEAST story, which will pick up right where Dan and Kara’s story left off in HURRICANE AFTER DARK."

Marie Force (Author), Avery Caris (Narrator)

Audiobook

Meet Me When my Heart Stops

"Emery is born with a heart condition that means her heart could quite literally stop at any moment. The people around her know what to do - if they act quickly enough there will be no lasting damage, and Emery's heart can be restarted. But when this happens, she is briefly technically dead. Each time Emery's heart stops, she meets Nick. His purpose is to help people adjust to the fact that they are dead, to help them say goodbye, before they move on entirely. He does not usually meet people more than once - but with Emery, he is able to make a connection, and he finds himself drawn to her. As Emery's life progresses, and she goes through ups and downs, she finds that a part of her is longing for those moments when her heart will stop - so that she can see Nick again. This is the story of two fated lovers who long for each other, but are destined never to share more than a few fleeting moments - because if they were to be together, it would mean the end of Emery's life."

Becky Hunter (Author), Sophie Roberts (Narrator)

Audiobook

[German] - Von bedingungsloser Freundschaft - lit.COLOGNE live (Ungekürzt)

"'Uns gibt es in dieser Welt nicht. Hier sind wir weder Deutsche noch Flüchtlinge, wir sprechen nicht die Nachrichten und wir sind nicht die Expertinnen. Wir sind irgendein Joker, von dem sie noch nicht wissen, ob sie ihn einmal zu irgendetwas gebrauchen können.' Nach ihrem hochgelobten Debütroman 'Nachts ist es leise in Teheran' erzählt Shida Bazyar erneut - mit Wucht und Einfühlungsvermögen zugleich - von den Spannungen der Gegenwart. 'Drei Kameradinnen' ist die Geschichte von drei jungen Frauen, die wissen, was es heißt, aufgrund ihrer Herkunft immer und überall infrage gestellt zu werden. In einer Welt voller Gewalt, Hetze und Ignoranz suchen sie nach Wegen, um mit ihren Gefühlen umzugehen. Doch eines gibt ihnen trotz allem Halt: ihre bedingungslose Freundschaft. Bis die verheerenden Geschehnisse einer Nacht alles ins Wanken bringen. Hochaktuell, eindrucksvoll und berührend. Mod.: Miryam Schellbach. Ein Gespräch mit Lesung im Rahmen der lit.COLOGNE 2021."

Shida Bazyar (Author), Myriam Schellbach, Shida Bazyar (Narrator)

Audiobook

Contemporary Women Audiobooks in Fiction