Audiobook Review: Heart of Stone

Author: Dakota Willink

Narrators: Lacy Laurel, Jeffrey Kafer

Series: Stone, Book One

Length: 14 hours

Publisher: Dakota Willink, LLC

Released: June 29, 2017

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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 in 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.

Dakota Willink is a contemporary romance writer and editor, and the author of The Stone Series. She is an associate member of Romance Writers of America and a Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards winner.

Dakota has always had a passion for reading and writing. From the time she was an adolescent, she enjoyed curling up with a good paperback, reading genres that ranged from thriller and fantasy, to mystery and romance. She always dreamed of one day writing her own book, but had put her aspirations on hold to focus on her family and a career that would pay the bills. However, her heart continued to be with fictional characters – whether they belonged to a favorite author or if they were just stories that she made up in her own head.

In 2013, Dakota gathered enough courage to turn her dreams into a reality. In between playing chauffeur to two very busy children and working her job during the day, Dakota began to put words on paper. Eventually, she began to describe her life as a book. Everything she saw or heard throughout the day, intertwined with her imagination for the creation of future writings. By 2014, with the support of her husband and two children, she gave up the security of a steady paycheck and began working on her first novel full time.

Her first novel, Heart of Stone, was published in December of 2015. Less than a year after its release, the Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards recognized Heart of Stone as the 2016 Bronze Medalist in the romance category.

Dakota resides in the Western New York area, where she enjoys spending time with family, her two Labrador Retrievers, and her spoiled rotten cat. During the summer months, she can often be found soaking up the sun on the Great Lakes with her family.

Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads⎮Instagram⎮Pinterest

Lacy lives the life of a full time wife, mother and household manager. Needing a temporary escape from time to time Lacy returned back to her first love – reading! After devouring everything she could get her hands on she thought, -what if she could mix her love of performance and literature in a professional capacity? Once getting involved in the world of book narration she quickly became hooked and when not with her family you can find her in her studio working hard to grow in her own storytelling abilities.

Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook

Jeffrey Kafer is an award-winning Audiobook Narrator and professional voice actor. Spanning over 350 titles, he specializes in Romance, Thrillers, Sci-Fi and more!

My Review

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!