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N. N. Light
Nov 15, 20213 min read

5+ stars for The Romanov Legacy: A Novel (Audiobook) by @MarilynBaron #historicalmystery #audible



Title: The Romanov Legacy: A Novel

Author: Marilyn Baron

Narrator: Bob Johnson

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Historical Imperial Russia Fiction, Historical Mystery Dual Timeline


Book Blurb:


Two women, centuries apart, and the secrets that bind them…


Melody, a young single mother, discovers she’s descended from the last Tsar, Nicholas II. She becomes the best hope of a secret global society, Guardians of the Romanov Legacy, dedicated to restoring a Romanov to the throne of a New Russia. A diary and an heirloom necklace inherited from her murdered grandmother hold the key to her identity and to the location of the Tsar’s lost shipment of gold.


She must accept the sacrifices her birth demands and trust the machinations of the estranged father of her child. To refuse means turning her back on her heritage, her daughter’s legacy, and the long line of her family’s women who were keepers of the secret. Will her longing for true love have world-changing consequences?


Genres: (Dual Timeline) Women’s Contemporary Fiction; Historical Imperial Russia Fiction (Romance); Historical Thrillers and Mysteries.


Settings: Downingtown, PA; Zurich, Switzerland; Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy; St. Petersburg, Russia


My Review:


Summary –

One family's legacy passed down through the ages riddled with seduction, murder, and mystery. Still grieving the loss of her murdered grandmother, Melody opens a safe deposit box to discover she's a descendent of the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II. Her? A Romanov? She also discovers two diaries, one in Russian, and a beautiful diamond and emerald necklace. After a little research, she comes home to find her baby daughter and her Russian nanny missing. What happens next throws Melody in the middle of a conspiracy to reinstate the Romanov monarchy on the throne and she's helpless to stop it. Thinking of only her daughter, Melody will do anything to keep her safe, that is if Melody can stay alive.


Narrator’s overall voice –

Bob Johnson may seem like an ordinary name, but his voice is extraordinary. His narration is exemplary with the ability to sweep the listener away. I closed my eyes several times and allowed myself to travel to Russia. His ability to speak for several characters in various dialects makes the story come alive.


Does the narrator fit the characters?

Yes, he does. His mastery of Russian accents as well as American is impressive. If I didn’t know it was one man, I would’ve thought this was narrated by several people. Well done.


Narrator’s reading style –

Bob Johnson reads with a natural cadence I thoroughly enjoyed. Not too fast and not too slow.


Narrator’s impact on reading experience –

Because The Romanov Legacy is a dual timeline story, it can be difficult to keep track of everything, but Bob Johnson helps the listener along.


Narrator’s pacing –

The pacing in this audiobook is perfect. When there is action or an emotional scene, Bob picks up the pace. When there is a lot of information being presented, he slows down so the listener doesn’t get lost.


Audiobook flow –

The flow of this audiobook is sweeping with plenty of ebbs and flows. Bob Johnson is the conductor in this orchestra, and he makes sure the reader gets one heck of a performance.


What makes this audiobook unique –

If you're looking to be swept away to the lavish world of Imperial Russia, pick up this audiobook. If you love reading stories about secret societies, carrying on the bloodlines, and unraveling a puzzle, pick up this audiobook. If you're a historical fiction reader, you'll love The Romanov Legacy: A Novel audiobook.


Would I recommend this audiobook –

Yes! While this book is superb on its own merit, having Bob Johnson narrate it makes it a masterpiece. Highly recommend!


My Rating: 5+ stars


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Author Biography:


Marilyn Baron writes in a variety of genres from women’s fiction to historical romantic thrillers and romantic suspense to paranormal/fantasy. She’s received writing awards in Single Title, Suspense Romance, Novel with Strong Romantic Elements and Paranormal/Fantasy Romance. She was also The Finalist in the 2017 Georgia Author of the Year Awards (GAYA) in the Romance Category for her novel, Stumble Stones, and The Finalist for the 2018 GAYA Awards in the Romance category for her novel, The Alibi. Her latest novel, The Romanov Legacy, released June 14, 2021, is her 27th work of fiction. A public relations consultant in Atlanta, Marilyn is past chair of Roswell Reads and serves on the Atlanta Authors Series Committee. To find out more about what Marilyn writes, visit her website at: www.marilynbaron.com/


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Reviewed by: Mrs. N

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