Mexican Heat

Crimes & Cocktails Series, Book 1

De: Josh Lanyon, Laura Baumbach

Narrado por: Holden Madagame

In this town, danger moves to a steamy Latin beat.

SFPD detective Gabriel Sandalini might as well have put a gun to his own head. One red-hot sexual encounter in a bar's back room has put two years of deep undercover work in jeopardy - two years of danger and deception as he worked his way into crime boss Ricco Botelli's inner circle. Gabriel can't afford emotional entanglements. Hell, he can't afford emotions. But that was before he had a name to pin on that anonymous one-off-Miguel Ortega.

Miguel Ortega doesn't trust anyone, but tough, street-smart Gabriel brings out the conquistador in his Spanish blood. But distractions are nothing short of deadly right now, not with his boss's impending marriage to Botelli's sister, which will ensure peace - and massive drug profits - for both families.

On a trip to Mexico to set up drug supply lines, a violent confrontation proves they've got each other's backs - to a degree.

Then one savage act changes everything, testing not only their fragile bond, but Gabriel's will to live.

©2008 MLR Press, LLC (P)2015 The Loquacious Accomplice, LLC

Performance

Voice is very distractive. Voice does not match the description of the characters. Cannot finish audiobook.

Fantastic Story Loved the Narration

I loved this book and I thought the narration was great. I read the other reviews that were written but I'm glad that I went ahead and gave this a chance. I'll be honest I didnt hear the problems with the audio that they are talking about but maybe they changed the files, I don't know? I didn't notice any doubles at all. As far as the ethnic issues, that really made me laugh especially when I started listening and realized the main character is Italian.

The narrator was great, perfect fit. I wouldn't change a thing.

Fantastic story okay narration

Gabriel is undercover as part of a crime family’s hired gun. In one of his “missions” he ends up meeting Miguel – who ends up being an undercover FBI agent, Antonio – but Gabriel doesn’t know that when they have super hot sex on the boss’s desk!

So there’s the guilt and the idea that they are star-crossed lovers for awhile – until they finally figure out who they really are. (Lovely sexual tension and angst for this part!)

Gabriel is also 100% invested in his job, so that means no relationships that last more than one encounter. He figures it’s too risky, given his line of work.

Antonio is the Dominator in the relationship (though this isn’t really a BDSM thing). He’s the calm, cool voice of reason in the face of Gabriel’s hot-headedness and snark.

In the first half of the book we see the two dance around one another (star-crossed, remember) then embrace their relationship a bit only to nearly lose it when Gabriel is seriously injured in the line of duty.

In the second part of the book the couple spend intense amounts of time together, learning each other, helping Gabriel recover physically and mentally and hiding out from the bad guys.

It’s kind of a schizophrenic book in the sense that the first half and second half are so different from each other –but to me, that’s what makes it such an amazing book.

We have two tough alpha-types, thrown together at first in danger then in the most extreme difficult situation – emotionally- they’ll ever face (I hope!).

I really loved this book and found both MCs to be fascinating and engaging. It’s been rumored there’s a sequel coming – FOREVER and if that’s the truth I’ll happily read it the second it comes out!

I highly recommend this book to fans of two alphas being paired together, hurt/disability romances, cops/crime fans, snarky MCs, Latin MCs and really – anyone who enjoys m/m romance will probably find something in here they like.

Audio

I am so disappointed. This book was so good and it needed an amazing narrator.
Holden Madagame is new to me. It’s not that he did a bad job – he was just not the right fit. His is a more “twinky” voice, a little swishy and more high and effeminate than either of the MCs. He didn’t do much with what should have been a delicious Latin accent, and instead both guys sounded very similar.
I so wanted to love this because I enjoyed the book so much, but …. I didn’t hate it. It wasn’t painful to listen to as some really bad narrations can be, but it missed the mark, entirely.

I can’t rate the book highly enough, but the audio portion forces me to lower my rating to a 3.5 of 5 stars.

Josh Lanyon was NOT INVOLVED in making this audio!

I first read Mexican Heat many years ago shortly after finding Josh Lanyon books and after discovering how very much I love Josh's writing. I wolfed down and enjoyed also this book back then.

During the years I've had pleasure of listening to numerous excellent Josh Lanyon audio books, because Josh always makes sure her readers will get the best possible listening experience. Josh always picks her narrators with extra care.

So... do you see where I'm heading?

The narration, the performance of this book is bad. Very bad. Unprofessional and poor. Something a Josh Lanyon book never is. The explanation for this mess is as simple as this:

JOSH LANYON DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS AUDIO PRODUCTION.

So, let's not blame Josh for this. Instead, let's enjoy her own, wonderful audio books. There are so many to choose from!

lovely

I really loved this story a lot.
there are a bit narration problems, some things that ought to have beer corrected by the studio, but when I sat the pace to 1,35 it worked, and I found the narration to be rather charming.

Loved the book,not the audio

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The book, yes, the audio, no

What did you like best about this story?

Loved everything about this book. Two undercover agents, not aware of the others real identity, in dangerous situation and attracted to the other...each thinking the other is bad news. The best part was the fact it was broken into two parts...and the end of part one was just WOW

What didn’t you like about Holden Madagame’s performance?

His voice did not match the characters. These are Hispanic, alpha males but the voice was very soft and almost feminine. Did not work for this book and actually pulled me out of the story more than once.

Did Mexican Heat inspire you to do anything?

Return it because starting at chapter ten there were numerous editing issues of repeated sentences.

Any additional comments?

Loved the book, but maybe authors and publishers should more effort into matching the characters to the narrator. Holden is probably an amazing narrator but he is not Hispanic and definitely doesn't have the strong, tough voice of thugs.

Mexican Heat, Chilled by the Narration

What did you like best about Mexican Heat? What did you like least?

Full disclosure I love the works of Josh Lanyon -- I believe he is one of the most gifted writers out there. Also my opinion, this joint venture with Laura Baumbach is one of the best -written love stories. You stay woven into the story and characters from chapter one to the last sentence in the book. I’ve been waiting for this audiobook – dreaming actually and couldn’t believe when my sister flagged me one night and said – “guess what’s on audio now. “ All I can say is be careful for what you wish for! There are so many negatives to describe this narrator for this particular book…to many to list. If you read the book, you know from the very first chapter what I mean. The person or individuals responsible for selecting the narrator didn’t do their homework, which would be at a minimum READ THE BOOK. OMG why didn’t they go with Renard Pasquale, Sean Crisden, or Shannon Gunn. If they couldn’t afford them, then wait. I’m at a loss and will only say they should try again – go back to the narrator drawing board because if they get it right – it will be so worth it.

What other book might you compare Mexican Heat to and why?

Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh or Bitter Harvest by Kim Knox -- all about loving someone enough to trust them.

How could the performance have been better?

Having strong male voices that are distinguishable from the main female voices. Here’s another thought – what about an accent?

Do you think Mexican Heat needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No because Mexican Heat gives the reader closure. I'd love a holiday story with them but not needed.

Any additional comments?

The story is beautiful; these men are filled with such raw emotion that ranges from passion to anger and a vulnerability that only they share together. If I say any more I’ll say too much. I have this book on e-books and paperback – READ IT and let the story take to you to that special place because you will never get there with this narrator.

I love the book, the audiobook; not so much.

What made the experience of listening to Mexican Heat the most enjoyable?

I really wanted to hear the story with a good voice actor that could bring the words to life. The best thing I can say is that I still love the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mexican Heat?

The trip to Mexico and when G confesses that he doesn't understand how he can be loved.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The characters are both strong men but the voices used were weak. At times the voice actor uses the voice he's chosen for one character for the other and it takes away from the story because it throws you.

. There were many errors that weren't taken out and the attempts to pronounce the Spanish words 3 and 4 times are still in the book. There are stops and repeats in quite a few places. It was very distracting.

I prefer an audiobook to entertain me. The best books, for me, are ones where the voice actor brings the characters to life. That didn't happen here.

I love to reread and relisten to my books. I really don't know if I want to listen to this again. Right now, I'm leaning towards no.

Any additional comments?

Please read the book before you listen. I think the performance is fair, but I think if you don't know the story, this performance will not endear it to you.

If you are a Josh Lanyon fan, try the Adrien English, Holmes & Moriarity, the I Spy books, The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks or Come Unto These Yellow Sands. They are all on audible and are well done. I haven't read any other books by Laura Baumbach as of writing this, but I have purchased A Bit of Rough after listening to the sample. The sample sounded good and I hope the book will be too.

I also recommend, if you don't know the voice actor's work - listen to the WHOLE SAMPLE. I will admit I had before I purchased this book and waffled about the purchase. I also read the reviews. I still broke down and got it because I really wanted to hear the story. I'm not saying that I'm sorry about the purchase, I'm saying I was hoping to be surprised instead of disappointed..

Good story, poor production

This was a good story with a nice mix of plot and smex. The audio was not edited well with numerous places where words were repeated or the audio was not cut smoothly.

Loved the Story

I really loved the story, and yes granted the narrator wasn't exactly "rough" sounding but I still thought he did a very good job. Granted we are spoiled with narrators like RC Bray who can do a million voices and each one be spot on for the character but sometimes I'm really ok with just LISTENING to the book. I don't think they always have to be acted out on every level. It's not a movie or an old time radio show with an entire cast. this is one man, reading you a book and doing a fine job of it to boot.

So he's not gruff.. and so what he's not latino.. When I think of bad narration I think of a book I literally shut off because it's either boring me to death, which might not even be the narration, or something to that effect. Holden kept me listening from beginning to end so for that I think he deserves some due credit for his hard work.