Sanguine

Plenty of Bite!

*ALC Audiobook Review*

Thank you to Sierra Simone for offering a gift copy of Sanguine to everyone in the Shaneiak Facebook group, to which I'm a proud member of. I appreciate you and your generosity in this chance to support you & those who worked on this audiobook.

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Sanguine was a book by Sierra Simone that was previously published in the Australia anthology back in 2020, which is now getting the legendary and quality audiobook treatment from East House Productions. Featuring narration from my personal favourite male narrator, Shane East.

Sierra is an author whom I've seen around the book community for a hot minute, and have always wanted to dive into reading. When this opportunity arose after an announcement in the Shakeiak Facebook group during a live with Suzi, Shane and Sierra, to listen to the audiobook when it would be coming our way, there was zero hesitation in snagging myself a copy to pop my Sierra Simone cherry. And what better way to do it than at the mercy of Shane. A human with the ability to turn solid into liquid with a single syllable.

Based on the conversation over the live chat from Shane's POV, I could tell Bastien was going to be an absolute trip to listen to. Hearing he had such a fun time narrating this short story filled me with nothing but good expectations for when I came to listen to it myself, as the fruits of his labour would no doubt pay off in spades from his enjoyable experience. Suffice to say, it did and then some.

I chose to go into this audiobook knowing nothing. Other than the fact that this is a short story about vampires, as listed on the book & audiobook cover. My goal was to get the full effect of both the short story and Shane's delivery without any preconceptions. That idea paid off immensely. There aren't enough text space to put down just how much came out of a quick-listening audiobook. The full-effect can only be had when listening to Shane deliver Bastien and the ex-priest's swift introduction and seduction both.

It's been a while since I've come across a character as delightful, refreshing and giggle-snortingly funny as Bastien. I can see what all the fuss is about and I can say that I too am firmly under his spell, lured in by his charm and prowess. All this was only heightened by Shane's portrayal of this playful, succulent succubus. The highlight of this book has to have been when just two words were uttered in a tone dripping in desire and domination, 'Daddy Bastien'. Whereas I am far from a blushing reader at phrases such as these, I did almost unceremoniously spit-take my cup of tea as a roar of laugher so deep erupted from me, I was wiping away tears of laugher long-after the words had been uttered. Bravo to Shane for the side-splitting laughter which left me pleasantly sore. I enjoyed that very much.

Whatever Sierra's plans are or aren't for Bastien and his ex-priest, I certainly wouldn't object but in fact will insist in having more of these two in some way, shape or form. Be it another short story, a novella or a full-length novel, this is only the beginning of their story and there's so many ways in which their story--and they themselves--can be taken.

Now that I've had a sup of Sierra's writing style, I can't see myself going back to not reading/listening to her. My bank account isn't going to thank me for the books I plan to order to immerse myself further into her world, but my shelf and heart will.

Thank you to East House Productions for producing this short story flawlessly as always. It's a pleasure to listen to a book brought to life by the best people to do so.

Five stars.