Johnnie: Siphon, Book 1

Written by: Cardeno C.
Narrated by: Greg Tremblay
Length: 5 hrs and 50 mins
Series: Siphon, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:07-06-15
Publisher: The Romance Authors, LLC

A Premier lion shifter, Hugh Landry dedicates his life to leading the Berk pride with strength and confidence. Hundreds of people depend on Hugh for safety, success, and happiness. And at over a century old, with more power than can be contained in one body, Hugh relies on a Siphon lion shifter to carry his excess force.

When the Siphon endangers himself and therefore the pride, Hugh must pay attention to the man who has been his silent shadow for a decade. What he learns surprises him, but what he feels astounds him even more.

Two lions, each born to serve, rely on one another to survive. After years by each other’s side, they’ll finally realize the depth of their potential, the joy in their passion, and a connection their kind has never known.

Audio Sample:

So, shifters…not normally my thing at all. But when I was asked to review this Audible version of CC’s Johnnie, I thought, why not? It’s CC, and I always love her stuff, so I can try to step outside my box and see whether I can do shifters or not. I have to say, I was more than pleasantly surprised. So much so, that I would really like to see what else this series has in store for us. Although shifters may not be my go to type of book, with CC, I knew that I had a good chance of enjoying it.

What always impresses me with books like this is the imagination it takes to come up with these ideas that in our reality don’t exist. In the case of Johnnie, Hugh is a Premier lion shifter, and his Siphon (who we later come to know as Johnnie) is always near by, holding the extra power that Hugh is not using. I would have never thought of something like that! It made absolute sense, and it gave us a glimpse into why Johnnie felt as he did, watching Hugh for all those years, never speaking, and never being spoken to. Such a lonely life.

I found myself really wanting Johnnie to find his happiness, to see whether he would be able to be seen or not, not just by Hugh, but by the rest of the pride. Hugh meanwhile struggled with being able to care for his pride, and thinking that was all he would have in life, until he SAW Johnnie.

CC always writes a hot story, and this is no exception, as you will see in the opening scene where Hugh is spreading himself around. But hotness wasn’t the only thing I enjoyed. I loved seeing Johnnie gain confidence, and being willing to say how he felt, and speak his mind. He became not just the Siphon for Hugh, but also his confidante, his friend, and his true mate. Their bond was organic, beginning with mistrust, and very little communication, but continuing to expand on that as their confidence in each other’s strengths grew. Finding love was inevitable.

Greg Tremblay, the narrator, did a great job on this book. He gave the characters’ voices life, and used his range very well to give everyone distinct sounds. It did not feel like he was reading it to me, as I can sometimes feel with audiobooks. It truly felt like I was reading the book myself, which to me is the ultimate compliment to the narrator. Hats off to you, Greg!

I hope you will take a chance on this audiobook, or even the ebook version. What a fantastic story, from one of my favorite authors! Definitely want to see what Book 2 has in store. 4.5 pieces of eye candy.

AUDIBLE / AMAZON

Random facts about Greg Tremblay

10 bits of random trivia, with Greg.

1) I actually studied acting in college, along with opera; but got a degree in

Computer Science.

2) My recording booth itself is only 3’ x 5’ x 6’ . . . so when I read MM romance, I

go INTO the closet. Ironic, no?

3) It takes between 5 and 7 hours of total production time with the finished

manuscript to create 1 hour of final audio. Fiction Audio reads at about 9800

words per hour.

4) In addition to voice acting, I have been a Whale Watching guide, a Paramedic,

and a Farrier (shoeing horses)

5) I rarely, if ever, listen to a complete book again once the production is

finished. By the time I am done, I’ve read the book to myself, read it aloud,

and listened to it for editing… and I’m on to the next story.

6) Anguish is the easiest emotion for me to portray, because a well-written

script pulls you in, and it’s a completely one-person emotion – but it’s

draining. I have cried in the booth more than a few times. Comic passages

are the trickiest, because the proper timing and reaction between characters

are essential.

7) I drink an average of 1.5 liters of water per hour, while recording. Average

recording sessions are 2-4 hours long between breaks.

8) As a kid, I lived with my family on a sailboat for a year.

9) My personal record for most distinct voices in a single book is 73

10) Coffee, Dairy and Alcohol are all bad for the voice. . . which means I have to

moderate some of life’s greatest pleasures. (not eliminate tho, I’m not crazy)

Cardeno C. – CC to friends – is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few “awwws” into a reader’s day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno’s stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever-after sunset.

Cardeno’s Home, Family, and Mates series have received awards from Love Romances and More Golden Roses, Rainbow Awards, the Goodreads M/M Romance Group, and various reviewers. But even more special to CC are heartfelt reactions from readers, like, “You bring joy and love and make it part of the every day.”

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