Birthright, narrated by Bernadette Quigley

Tensions run high in this story of old bones. Archeologist Callie Dunbrook finds out that she may be adopted, that she may have been kidnapped, that she may have a whole a brother, mother and father she didn’t know about and may still be attracted to her ex-husband, all in the same week. Bernadette Quigley expresses the women in the story most effectively; Callie is angry, her mother is afraid, the woman claiming to be her mom is excited and anxious, her lawyer is careful and female informants from the past all take shape as individuals. The men’s voices tend to blend together, especially those of the older men, but overall the narration adds to the mystery and pointed love story. The ending is very funny.

Chesapeake Blue, narrated by James Daniels

Chesapeake Blue is a story about trust and protection. How far will you go to protect your family? Seth Quinn lies, packs his art supplies, and runs away to Europe. While his family rejoices at his arrival, the old terror finds his new girl and draws a cloud over the celebration. James Daniels makes you see the personalities he makes with his voice; all of the characters are from Maryland's Eastern Shore and most of them are related. Even with these restrictions all of the people are recognizable. While there is a happy ending for the moment, the overall story is sad.

Midnight Bayou, narrated by James Daniels with Sandra Burr

Midnight Bayou is my favorite of the three stories. It takes place in a pre-Katrina New Orleans and the surrounding area, and is screamingly romantic! The endearment "cher" replaced "hon" in my southern vocabulary for about a month after I listened to this one. The story is told in two distinct voices, Sandra Burr speaks the history of the house with soft French Creole tones and James Daniels brings the modern vocalizations. There is a distinct change in atmosphere when the time frame switches; it is cool and foggy in the past, crisp and sunny in the present.

Bostonian Declan Fitzgerald falls in love with Manet Hall as a college student and many years later, when he tires of practicing law and the social scene, he returns to buy and restore the Hall with his own hands. He is narrated with Midwestern speech patterns that radiate determination and good-breeding, while the carefree Cajun and Creole cadence dance around him. Meeting the neighbors and the ghosts however, makes it debatable whether he will ever be able to call it home. He has the good favor of Miss Odette Simone, the Grandmamma of his other obsession, Angelina. With a lot of work, good behavior, and a little kitchen magic, things may just tip his way, cher.