Heart of Stone: The Stone Series, Volume 1

De: Dakota Willink

Narrado por: Lacy Laurel, Jeffrey Kafer

Krystina Cole was a girl on a mission. She had big dreams and aspirations, none of which included a man by her side. She knew better than that - at least until she met Alexander Stone, the New York billionaire real estate tycoon. She saw the way that he looked at her, and the dark promises in his eyes. She was curious about his world and all that it entailed. But the shadows of her past haunted her, making her afraid to explore possibilities that she could never before have imagined....

Alexander Stone was a man who knew how to get what he wanted. He understood the value of finesse, and the importance of patience and diligence to achieve the desired result. He was successful and wealthy, relying on his naturally sharp instincts to guide him through life. But a chance run-in with Krystina Cole quickly turned his world upside down. Her quick wit and firecracker attitude was the complete opposite of what he wanted in a woman, and his instincts failed him at every turn....

However, both Krystina and Alexander are clinging to the secrets of their past, and neither of them are willing to compromise. Krystina's hardened heart makes emotional surrender a hard limit. But for Alexander, revealing his past could have devastating results. Visit www.dakotawillink.com.

©2015 Dakota Willink (P)2024 Dakota Willink

More Than Shades

Fifty Shades of Grey meets clubbing – you’ll understand more later in the book. If you are a fan of the series, you will for sure like “Heart of Stone”. Book one is quite amazing and even emotional at times. Both characters chatter unknown waters and this first part is an introduction and accommodation to their lifestyle.

Krystina Cole’s wish to put in practice her marketing diploma lands her a job with Stone Enterprise, not before knowing the rich businessman. Book one concentrates on how their romantic relationship evolves, from the moment they meet until they reveal their almost all their deepest and darkest secrets.

I mostly appreciated how the author has left Krystina with a part of her independence, even if her struggle to comply with Alex’s wishes is visible. They both try to meet half way, once they realize there may be more between them than one night stands. The backstory is there, each having their own drama, or their own issues to face or fears to conquer. I loved how the feelings transcend the written pages and how their relationship builds up. The alternation between our female character’s POV and the mace character’s is refreshing as well.

There were some items that did not stand well with me. The way Alex wanted to call Krystina for her full name and not Krys, but she could call him Alex was one of them and there may be a couple of really small items. But the major item for me was the narration. The male voice interpreted by Lacy Laurel comes in contrast with the actual male voice of Jeffrey Kafer. While his seems more dangerous and strong, Lacy’s is more kind. This was confusing at times.

All in all, I’m going with 4 stars for the audio edition of the story. This is for sure an intense series, with some elements that are definitely not for the light hearted. Let me know your thoughts on it, I myself, am going to the next part J Enjoy!

Omg!!!!

This audio made me fall in love all over again with Alex and Kris. Lacy and Jeffery did a great job. I can't wait for the next installment. Yes I am a true fan

I think fans of 50 shades will love this book

I have struggled over this review, more than I ever have any others. I contemplated not reviewing it at all. Contrary to what some people believe reviewers/ bloggers don’t like to be negative, but we also don’t feel the need to give everything 5 stars. Which is why, in the end, I’ve decided to write this review, because I committed to it and I’ve always been honest and I hope fair, in my reviews.

Alexander Stone is a wealthy businessman who takes a shine to Krystina Cole, both have sworn off relationships but sex? They can do no strings sex, surely that’s ok? Only Alexander has certain expectations when it comes to sex that Krystina may not be able to deliver. The chemistry they feel for each other is enough to make them question everything. Will they be able to overcome the odds and make their unconventional relationship work or will their secrets ruin things before they can really start?

I have to start by saying this story was not my cup of tea, the subject yes, but not the execution. I felt the story had great promise and at the beginning, I enjoyed it and thought it was a book I was going to love, it pains me to say that it didn’t work out that way. I had so many issues with how certain elements were handled. That, of course, is personal opinion and I’m sure many will read or listen to it and enjoy it. It was well written and although I don’t like to compare books, I will say that I think if you’re a fan of Fifty Shades of Grey you’ll like this book.

Alexander and Krystina literally bump into one another and the chemistry is there, they meet again and flirting ensues. Krystina needs a job and that job comes in the form of an offer from Alexander… with perks, he’s a dominant not looking for love but a sub he can spend a few nights with. Krystina is not a sub, she’s not a sub when he suggests it, and she’s not a sub throughout the book, she’s a woman mesmerised by a man who doesn’t take the time to explain things to her properly; things he wants, things he expects, and then he gets upset when she doesn’t act like a sub and questions him.

When I started listening to this book I liked Alexander but as the story progressed I took a dislike to him. He kept talking about trust like it was something that he could demand and Krystina would give, without question and without it being a two-way street. I’m sorry but it doesn’t work that way. The more he demanded the more I started to dislike him. I didn’t understand his need to keep his secrets so close to his chest, especially with someone he was falling for.
I liked Krystina, for me, she was a light in this story. She was sweet, yet strong, and knew what she did and didn’t want. I did get frustrated a few times when I wanted her to be firmer and stand her ground. The reveal of her secret was a pivotal moment in the story and for her as a character and it touched my heart.

The relationship between them was baffling, it was like neither of them knew what they really wanted. So much happened, in such a short space of time, it was hard to keep track of all the ups and downs. The sex scenes were steamy, well written and played a pivotal role in the story.

Jeffrey Kafer was great in this book, his performance of Alexander was fantastic. He transitions smoothly from the male and female POV and really draws you into the story.
I enjoyed Lacy Laurel’s performance of Krystina, I thought she had a great voice for her. When it came to Alexander I did have to increase the speed, but once I did I found I could enjoy it that little bit more. The part of the performance that really stood out for me was when Krystina was revealing her secret, the emotion and determination conveyed in the performance was beautiful.
However, the contrast between Lacy and Jeffrey is so stark that I feel the narration would have been better as a duet or if the book had only one narrator. Because Jeffrey has a deep baritone, so the switch between the two was so shockingly different that it took away a little from the story.

Good introduction to a fabulous series

3 of 5 stars.

This audiobook was just okay for me. There were some things I enjoyed and some I flat out didn’t. 3 stars because it kept me entertained, and the beginning and end were enough to have me seeking out book 2.

I enjoyed the first few hours of the audiobook, being introduced to recent college graduate Krystina “Kris” Cole, and her (literally) falling for Alexander Stone, a Billionaire who was interested in buying the property housing Krystina’s job, Wally’s supermarket. I also enjoyed the last two hours of the audiobook, hearing Krystina opening herself up and accepting more of the relationship, and trusting Alexander, until it all went to hell (of course). The sex scenes, the few there were, were hot and sensual.
I found Alex to be a tough Protagonist/love interest to like. He may be written as a Dom but I didn’t feel that he was actually supporting Kris in discovering the BDSM lifestyle and “training her” as a sub. His internal monologue stated numerous times that the Dom/sub relationship didn’t work without trust and honesty, yet he withheld so much from Kris so that the relationship already faced an uphill battle.

I thoroughly enjoyed the narrators for this audiobook. I thought both Lacy Laurel and Jeffrey Kafer did a wonderful job.
This is book one in a series, so beware the cliffhanger. It was enough to keep me reading the series though, and as of about 25% in, I enjoy 2 a whole lot more than 1.

Trigger warning for survivors of sexual and/or physical abuse.

If you do not enjoy books about BDSM then this book/series flat out isn’t for you.

Awful Oration!

I hope the female narrator wasn’t paid to do this. I want my money back!

My thoughts on this book

The story itself was OK. My problem is I don’t really like the narrators of this book, so I simply had to stop.

Great Romance, But...

Would you listen to Heart of Stone: The Stone Series, Volume 1 again? Why?

No. Never. I honestly hated the female narrator. I bought the book and will certainly read it again. The story is fantastic, and the male narrator nearly makes up for the others' flaws.

What other book might you compare Heart of Stone: The Stone Series, Volume 1 to and why?

The deeply sensual undertones make this easy to compare to something like 50 Shades, but I found this to be much more nuanced.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Lacy Laurel and Jeffrey Kafer ?

Lacy Laurel, no. Jeffrey Kafer, definetly. He'd get 5 starts, her 3, so I split the difference.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I'm a sucker for a great meet-cute, and I loved this one. It was pretty adorable.

Any additional comments?

This is a very good book, but Lacy's narration was killing me. It felt very nasal and annoying. It might just be me, so I suggest listening to the sample first. This is my voluntary, honest review of a gifted copy.

Narration

The female narrator for this book is the worst. (Brutal) Which is quite unfortunate because I will not be able to listen to the other books because of it. If I find time I might come back to read one day. What I don’t understand is how the author could let the rest if this story be told by this narrator. Poor decision on the author and whom ever else makes those decisions. I personally would not recommend!

Very much like 50 shades of gray

I didn’t like the voices of the characters or the way they read. The story was very similar to 50 shades.

Fantastic

I received this book as a gift and enjoyed it very much. Krystina and Alexander are so intense. Hope to read the second part of the story very soon.