CARDINAL RULES

Business analyst Corrine Fremont manages to avoid the advances of Cory Haradan, until she is hired by the successful businessman to do an analysis of his exclusive hotel properties. Narrator Laural Merlington conveys Corrine's driven personality, soulful confusion, and moments of sultriness as she finds herself torn between her fear of relationships and her increasing attraction to Cory. Merlington's rendition of the male voices is somewhat gravelly and hoarse, a timbre that conjures up images of elderly men. This approach especially doesn't suit the image of the wealthy, debonair Cory. Happily, Merlington's pacing fully captures his developing affection and physical attraction to Corrine--and the growing intimacy in their interactions. M.F. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2013]