Title: Burying Water
Author: K.A. Tucker
Narrator(s): Josh Goodman, Elizabeth Louise
Series: n/a
Length: 11 hrs 0 mins
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Source: audiobook received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon |
Barnes & Noble |
Audible
The top-selling, beloved indie author of Ten Tiny Breaths returns with a new romance about a young woman who loses her memory—and the man who knows that the only way to protect her is to stay away.
Left for dead in the fields of rural Oregon, a young woman defies all odds and survives—but she awakens with no idea who she is, or what happened to her. Refusing to answer to “Jane Doe” for another day, the woman renames herself “Water” for the tiny, hidden marking on her body—the only clue to her past. Taken in by old Ginny Fitzgerald, a crotchety but kind lady living on a nearby horse farm, Water slowly begins building a new life. But as she attempts to piece together the fleeting slivers of her memory, more questions emerge: Who is the next-door neighbor, quietly toiling under the hood of his Barracuda? Why won’t Ginny let him step foot on her property? And why does Water feel she recognizes him?
Twenty-four-year-old Jesse Welles doesn’t know how long it will be before Water gets her memory back. For her sake, Jesse hopes the answer is never. He knows that she’ll stay so much safer—and happier—that way. And that’s why, as hard as it is, he needs to keep his distance. Because getting too close could flood her with realities better left buried.
The trouble is, water always seems to find its way to the surface.

I've really enjoyed all of the K.A. Tucker book's I've read, but I have to say, I think I loved this one best of all. I thought I'd miss all of those
Ten Tiny Breaths characters, but Tucker did what she does best here and told a story of love and loss and finding your way back, and I was completely absorbed in listening as these two characters experienced it all.
I love a good amnesia storyline because it means that I'm less likely to figure out what the ending holds before I've barely even gotten started. However, with
Burying Water, the story is told from two perspectives, one from the past and one from the present, meaning that because of the way one character narrates the past as it unfolded, we can see how the other character got to the point that they're at. Rather than making the novel predictable, this method of storytelling is captivating, divulging details only as needed until the story comes full-circle. Still, it wasn't difficult to determine what had occurred between and to the characters, but that didn't make the story any less satisfying. I've read a couple of other books this year told in this way, and it's quickly becoming a trend I love.
As always, Tucker has created characters with such depth, with such complexity that I couldn't help but connect with them on some level. Even old Ginny Fitzgerald, the resident crazy lady in town, was well-fleshed out with a back-story of her own that immediately lent an air of kinship between her and her new tenant. At times, Ginny even acts as the Dr. Stainer-type figure for Water, making her see what's happened to her in a new light and pressing her to move past it. (Dr. Stainer was a major presence -- a psychologist with an unusual bedside manner -- in the first two books of the
Ten Tiny Breaths series.)
Water, for her part, is just a young woman, trying to make the best of a bad situation. There's really not much more she can do than that, not until her memories resurface.She wants to remember what happened, but she also heeds Ginny's warnings that sometimes it's truly better not being able to remember. After all, what happened to Ginny has haunted her for years, leaving her overly cautious of strangers and secluded on her family's ranch. The thing is, even barely knowing the girl and knowing very little of her situation, you can tell that she wants better for Water, that she doesn't want Water to end up like her. I really, truly loved that feisty old woman and everything she did for Water.
The chapters told from Jesse's perspective were harder on me. As the past unfolds, you get a sense of the direction this story is going in, and it's obvious that it's not going to/didn't end well for those involved. The dread at uncovering just what had transpired nearly consumed me at times, but having Water's chapters there, too, meant that all hope was not lost. Also, the underlying theme that
the truth will out led me to believe that some good would have to come of this tragic story, that the truth of who Water was and what had happened to her had to come to the surface eventually.
I think Elizabeth Louise has narrated every single audiobook for the Tucker books I've listened to, and yet, she always becomes the character. I could never confuse her Kacey for her Livie or her Livie for Water. It's not that she changes her voice for each new role, but she just has a manner about her that makes the character's whole demeanor more evident, whether they be snarky or reserved or just confused. I can't even think about those other characters she's voiced previously because in the here and now, she
is Water and I couldn't forget that for a moment. I don't believe I've ever heard anything narrated by Josh Goodman, but he was a great choice to portray Jesse. He didn't sound like any of the previous romantic leads in the TTB series. But he still sounded the part of the hunky mechanic with an obvious death wish.
For a love story about two people who met by chance and forged an immediate connection, this story really took a dark and twisty turn. But for a change, I knew what was coming and I enjoyed the story even more because of the journey it took to get there. For that and because she writes with such depth of emotion, I think I love this author's work just a little more each time I hear it.
GIF it to me straight:
About the author:
Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.
Find Kathleen:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Monday, November 3, 2014
{Audiobook} Review: Burying Water by K.A. Tucker
Author: K.A. Tucker
Narrator(s): Josh Goodman, Elizabeth Louise
Series: n/a
Length: 11 hrs 0 mins
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Source: audiobook received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
I've really enjoyed all of the K.A. Tucker book's I've read, but I have to say, I think I loved this one best of all. I thought I'd miss all of those Ten Tiny Breaths characters, but Tucker did what she does best here and told a story of love and loss and finding your way back, and I was completely absorbed in listening as these two characters experienced it all.
I love a good amnesia storyline because it means that I'm less likely to figure out what the ending holds before I've barely even gotten started. However, with Burying Water, the story is told from two perspectives, one from the past and one from the present, meaning that because of the way one character narrates the past as it unfolded, we can see how the other character got to the point that they're at. Rather than making the novel predictable, this method of storytelling is captivating, divulging details only as needed until the story comes full-circle. Still, it wasn't difficult to determine what had occurred between and to the characters, but that didn't make the story any less satisfying. I've read a couple of other books this year told in this way, and it's quickly becoming a trend I love.
As always, Tucker has created characters with such depth, with such complexity that I couldn't help but connect with them on some level. Even old Ginny Fitzgerald, the resident crazy lady in town, was well-fleshed out with a back-story of her own that immediately lent an air of kinship between her and her new tenant. At times, Ginny even acts as the Dr. Stainer-type figure for Water, making her see what's happened to her in a new light and pressing her to move past it. (Dr. Stainer was a major presence -- a psychologist with an unusual bedside manner -- in the first two books of the Ten Tiny Breaths series.)
Water, for her part, is just a young woman, trying to make the best of a bad situation. There's really not much more she can do than that, not until her memories resurface.She wants to remember what happened, but she also heeds Ginny's warnings that sometimes it's truly better not being able to remember. After all, what happened to Ginny has haunted her for years, leaving her overly cautious of strangers and secluded on her family's ranch. The thing is, even barely knowing the girl and knowing very little of her situation, you can tell that she wants better for Water, that she doesn't want Water to end up like her. I really, truly loved that feisty old woman and everything she did for Water.
The chapters told from Jesse's perspective were harder on me. As the past unfolds, you get a sense of the direction this story is going in, and it's obvious that it's not going to/didn't end well for those involved. The dread at uncovering just what had transpired nearly consumed me at times, but having Water's chapters there, too, meant that all hope was not lost. Also, the underlying theme that the truth will out led me to believe that some good would have to come of this tragic story, that the truth of who Water was and what had happened to her had to come to the surface eventually.
I think Elizabeth Louise has narrated every single audiobook for the Tucker books I've listened to, and yet, she always becomes the character. I could never confuse her Kacey for her Livie or her Livie for Water. It's not that she changes her voice for each new role, but she just has a manner about her that makes the character's whole demeanor more evident, whether they be snarky or reserved or just confused. I can't even think about those other characters she's voiced previously because in the here and now, she is Water and I couldn't forget that for a moment. I don't believe I've ever heard anything narrated by Josh Goodman, but he was a great choice to portray Jesse. He didn't sound like any of the previous romantic leads in the TTB series. But he still sounded the part of the hunky mechanic with an obvious death wish.
For a love story about two people who met by chance and forged an immediate connection, this story really took a dark and twisty turn. But for a change, I knew what was coming and I enjoyed the story even more because of the journey it took to get there. For that and because she writes with such depth of emotion, I think I love this author's work just a little more each time I hear it.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
{Audiobook} Review: In Her Wake by K.A. Tucker
Author: K.A. Tucker
Narrator(s): Sebastian York
Series: Ten Tiny Breaths, book #0.5
Length: 3 hrs 53 mins
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication Date: September 30, 2014
Source: audiobook received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
I am really going to miss this series. I've listened to every single book on audio, and these narrators have really become favorites for this genre. This is one of my favorite new adult series, too. So, when I had the opportunity to review the audio for Trent's story, the final -- or first, depending on how you look at it -- chapter in the Ten Tiny Breaths series, I had to jump on it.
Sebastian York is a fabulous narrator. I've only heard a few of his performances, but he has such a masculine presence, one that you won't easily forget. His voice is so deep and so seductive that it's hard to believe that he's not speaking directly to you, just for you. Bringing him back to portray Trent in this novella was the best idea. He just brings such a depth to Trent's character, a forlornness that I don't think was exactly visible the first time we met his character in Ten Tiny Breaths.
Honestly, if I didn't know the story already, I might have immediately written Cole's character off for his stalker tendencies and inability to move on, to put distance between himself and those he hurt. But I do know the situation and how things turned out -- and the fact that he owns up to a lot of what he does in this novella -- so I can forgive him. Also, seeking aide from Dr. Stainer goes along way for his character. I've missed seeing that guy in the last couple of books.
I don't know if I could pick a favorite book in this series. It's solid through and through, and the narration just made each book that much better. I'm going to miss these characters and all of their drama and also their happily ever afters. But I just might miss Trent most of all.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
{Audiobook} Review: Five Ways to Fall by K.A. Tucker
Author: K.A. Tucker
Narrator(s): Elizabeth Louise & Deacon Lee
Series: Ten Tiny Breaths, book #4
Length: 11 hrs 48 mins
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication Date: June 24, 2014
Source: received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
neverrarely say no to audiobooks...I can always find time to fit those into my reviewing schedule.Tuesday, November 19, 2013
{Audiobook} Review: Four Seconds to Lose by K.A. Tucker
Author: K.A. Tucker
Narrator: Elizabeth Louise, Sebastian York
Series: Ten Tiny Breaths, book #3
Length: 12 hrs 41 mins
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Cain's always been a bit of an enigma throughout the course of this series, periodically playing the role of the strip club owner with the heart of gold and then fading back in to the shadows just as quickly as he appeared. Naturally, I was intrigued by his story and how he came to lead the life he did. I've had to suspend belief with this series quite a bit, but I think it went above and beyond in this book. It bothers me a little how nice and neatly each of these books wraps up, and this one was no different. But I'll get to that.
I was slightly disappointed that this story was told from a dual perspective. It was supposed to be Cain's story, and honestly, I really only cared about his point-of-view. Charlie didn't really add much to the story for me, and what she did bring to the table made me sick to my stomach. Not only is she lying about her identity and her age, but she's harboring some serious secrets...the kind people kill for. She redeems herself a bit near the end, but there's always a choice and I think she made a lot of wrong ones before finally doing the right thing. I know it added drama to the story to have her scenario play out the way it did, but it just left me feeling all kinds of squicky.
Cain, on the other hand, was everything I'd hoped his character would be...and more. He truly is the strip club owner with a heart of gold, doing everything he can -- and I mean everything -- to protect the people who work for him and ensure their safety. Because they're not just his employees...they're real people who've become his friends over the years. And then to discover how he came to be the owner of Penny's was more than a little heartbreaking. Here's a man who's lost everything, and yet he's still striving to help others avoid a fate like his own. He doesn't hold the girls in the club back; his actual goal is for them to all make something of themselves and move on. This is another instance where some of that suspension of belief comes into play, but I appreciated the sentiment, so it didn't bother me too much.
There's some serious chemistry between Cain and Charlie, but once I found out that he was actually ten years her senior, it didn't seem so hot anymore. But it's not his fault she's been lying about her age, so I can't fault Cain for the relationship that develops. I do, however, fault Charlie for the situation she's placed Cain in. At times, Charlie did seem much older than she was, and so it was easy forget that she's not even of legal drinking age, but then she'd make another idiotic decision and show her true age. The hardest thing to swallow about this story was how easily everyone accepted her deceit simply because of the extenuating circumstances surrounding it.
Perfect endings are hit or miss with me, depending on execution, but something that's never a miss is a good narrator. And both narrators for this audiobook were phenomenal. Elizabeth Louise has narrated the previous books in this series, and though it was hard to envision this voice as different from Kacey and Livie, she still provides an enjoyable presentation. Where this audiobook really rocked was in the casting of Cain's voice. Sebastian York has this deep, seductive voice that just oozes sexiness, and I'll admit trying to look up the narrator to put a face to the voice. (Sorry, no luck, ladies. Wah wah wah.)
This isn't my favorite of the series, and I definitely had some issues with the book, but it was a very addicting read/listen. That fact alone -- okay and, well, Sebastian York's performance, too -- caused me to add another star to my rating for the audiobook. Had I simply read the book, I probably would have only given it three, maybe 3 1/2 stars. But this is such a readable series, full of high stakes and drama and romance, that even if I hadn't enjoyed this book -- and I did, despite what it might sound like -- I'd still continue on to the next book. Especially since it's Ben's story. He might not be as mysterious as Cain, but he's intriguing nonetheless, working as a bouncer at Penny's while he finishes up law school. Yeah, I'll definitely be checking out his story. ;0)
Thursday, September 12, 2013
{New Adult} Official Cover Reveal: Four Seconds to Lose by K.A. Tucker
Here's the blurb:
I'm so excited for this book! And I love that this cover fits so well with the others in this series! What do you think of the cover and the summary? Have you started this series yet?
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
{Audiobook} {New Adult} Review: One Tiny Lie by K.A. Tucker
Author: K.A. Tucker
Narrator: Elizabeth Louise
Series: Ten Tiny Breaths, book #2
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication Date: June 11, 2013
Source: purchased audio
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Livie walks into Princeton with a solid plan, and she’s dead set on delivering on it: Rock her classes, set herself up for medical school, and meet a good, respectable guy that she’s going to someday marry. What isn’t part of her plan are Jell-O shots, a lovable, party animal roommate she can’t say ‘no’ to, and Ashton, the gorgeous captain of the men’s rowing team. Definitely him. He’s an arrogant ass who makes Livie’s usually non-existent temper flare and everything she doesn’t want in a guy. Worse, he’s best friends and roommates with Connor, who happens to fits Livie’s criteria perfectly. So why does she keep thinking about Ashton?
As Livie finds herself facing mediocre grades, career aspirations she no longer thinks she can handle, and feelings for Ashton that she shouldn’t have, she’s forced to let go of her last promise to her father and, with it, the only identity that she knows.
After enjoying the emotional and tumultuous story of Kacey and Trent in Ten Tiny Breaths, I knew I had to pick up the audio for One Tiny Lie, which is Livie's story. Livie, Kacey's younger sister and ward, was just fifteen in the first book, so I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but the author took it in a very similar direction as the first book, with Livie having to face down her fears and break out of her shell.
I thought Livie's naïveté seemed very genuine and realistic, considering all she and her sister have suffered and overcome. And it was so much fun to see her let loose and act like a normal eighteen-year-old as she started her first year of college at Princeton, away from all of the family and friends who've helped her through the last seven years. Her problems and issues may not seem as major as Kacey's did, but I can tell you from experience that being introverted and socially awkward make for a hellish existence at times.
Again enters Dr. Stainer to assist Livie with overcoming her shyness and social issues, at the behest of Kacey. Initially, I thought he'd peak in, tell Livie to get over it and move on. But I should have known better. This guy's no quack; if I ever needed a therapist, I'd want one like Stainer. He doesn't just listen...he gives Livie assignments to work on her social skills, like getting drunk at a party or saying the first thing that comes to mind whenever she's near her crush. The potential for embarrassment is always there, but so is the potential for personal growth, which is exactly what Livie needs.
And, of course, right off the bat, Livie meets someone. Or rather, two someones. Two completely different boys: one who makes her blush and do crazy things and one who is her ideal man. I liked both guys. It seemed like Ashton, though a total player, had a lot more going on beneath the surface, if only Livie could get him to open up. And Connor, well, besides that faint Irish brogue, he was a total gentleman, willing to take the relationship as slowly as Livie wanted. It was obvious from the beginning which guy truly held Livie's interest, so it was hard to watch the triangle and subsequent cheating, knowing all the while that things were not going to end well.
Even so, this audiobook solicited many a laugh from me, even if I was cringing in the next moment. It was funny and light-hearted, but there were also characters with deep issues to work through, and both aspects kept me engaged and listening, as did the narrator. I thought Elizabeth Louise did a fabulous job with the narration of both of these books, though I wish her Irish accent for Connor had been a little bit stronger and a little less British at times. Other than that, I have no complaints. I hope she voices the next two companion books in this series.
I had so much fun listening to this book. Seriously, there were sad moments, but it's not really a sad story. It's more hopeful than anything. And as I was listening, I swear I had a perma-grin. It was more funny than anything. With Kacey and Livie's stories now told, it appears we're finally going to get Cain's story in the next book. That guy has been an enigma, so I really can't wait to find out his story. And then after that, it looks like we're getting Ben's story. That should be fun, as well. If you can't tell, I'm having a lot of fun with this series. :)
Rating:
Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.
Find K.A.:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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