Stars & Stripes

By: Abigail Roux

Narrated by: J. F. Harding

Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have managed the impossible: a few months of peace and quiet. After nearly a year of personal and professional turmoil, they're living together conflict free, work is going smoothly, and they're both happy, healthy, and home every night before dark.

But anyone who knows them knows that can't possibly last. When an emergency call from home upsets the balance of their carefully arranged world, Ty and Zane must juggle family drama with a perplexing crime to save a helpless victim before time runs out.

From the mountains of West Virginia to a remote Texas horse ranch harboring more than just livestock and childhood memories, Ty and Zane must face their fears - and their families - to overcome an unlikely enemy and bring peace back into their newly shared world.

©2012 Abigail Roux (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Long-awaited Audio Version

Would you consider the audio edition of Stars & Stripes to be better than the print version?

No, only because I heard Sean Crisden's voice (the narrator for most of the Cut & Run stories) in my head as I read the book. Never was a narrator and author so well matched (ok...I give that Rhys Ford and Tristan James/Greg Tremblay and Mary Calmes and Paul Morey are fantastic matches, too). So it was with great glee I heard that finally the book would be turned into audio format but dismayed (heck I was distraught! yep, I'm a fan) when I learned it wouldn't be Sean Crisden to continue. And, ladies and gents, couldn't you just imagine him, as Ty, saying "Zane" the way he did when he was worn out. And those scenes from Stars & Stripes and Touch and Geaux....shoot, we'll never hear him voice them - bringing Ty and Zane even more to life. Those were some fantastic, gut wrenching, nerve racking, and so romantic scenes. Yeah, I'm still not over this. The Cut & Run series (barring the last two books) are some of THE best writing ever - any genre.

What did you like best about this story?

It is packed with so much stuff - there is romance, fighting, Ty getting hurt (again), cats (of all sizes), bad guys, crazy families - drama and laughter. I have NEVER laughed out loud when listening to a book but I did when listening to the beginning of this book. Like so many of the Ty and Zane fans these guys are real. And I didn't dislike JF Harding's narration its just that he's not able to differentiate between the leads (I've noticed that in his books) - Ty and Zane sound mostly the same and a lot of the charm of the books is lost when you can't tell who is doing the talking (read "snarking.") He did a great job on the voices such as Mara and Grandpa - I just wish he could've done like Crisden did and made Zane's deeper, richer and Ty's more boyish.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Harding did a good job but I'll always wonder what it would've been like to have Crisden finish the series.

Who was the most memorable character of Stars & Stripes and why?

Always - Ty and Zane

Any additional comments?

Did I say it enough? I would've been OVER THE MOON had Crisden done the narration. But I'm at least thankful the books were made into audio. Like I said, Harding did a good job and the writing is superb.

My Favorite Ty and Zane Book

Where does Stars & Stripes rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Can't decide between this one and Armed and Dangerous, but I think they are both my favorites!

Who was the most memorable character of Stars & Stripes and why?

Barnum

They just keep getting better.

Every book just keeps getting better and better. The gradual adding/ increase in the romantic element is perfect. And I probably say this in every review but this is the best one so far. So many real life struggles that are easily relatable in this book. Very excellent listen.

excellent

I love this series
it was great to see more of Zane's family
you really can't go wrong with this author

Love this book.

Can't say how many times that I've read and listen to this book. Awesome, funny, sweet.... And, the narration is spectacular! "Tony the Tiger in Texas." Definitely recommend!#