Buried Passions

By: Andrew Grey

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

When Broadway actor Jonah receives word that his uncle has passed away and named him the heir to a property in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Jonah’s plan is to settle the estate as quickly as possible and return to his life in New York City. Much to Jonah’s surprise, the inheritance includes the Ashford Cemetery—and its hunky groundskeeper, recent Bosnian immigrant Luka Pavelka.

Jonah soon discovers Luka is more than easy on the eyes. He sees into Jonah’s heart like no man ever before, and his job at the cemetery is all he has. If Jonah sells, Luka is left with nothing. Luka is there for Jonah when Jonah needs someone most, and there’s no denying the chemistry and connection between them. But Jonah has a successful career back in New York. Now he must decide if it’s still the life he wants….

©2018 Andrew Grey (P)2018 Dreamspinner Press

Great, Even Better w/ Joel Leslie

Buried Passions is the perfect warm feels, smile on my face story that Andrew Grey does so well. He gets into the hearts of his characters, and delivers a sweet romance with crazy hot chemistry. There’s always conflict and a bit of controversy in an Andrew Grey novel, and I found the way he addresses such here intensely meaningful. Buried Passions is a winner, and the only way I can imagine it being any better is having Joel Leslie read it to me!

Broadway performer Jonah Hughs is in between shows when he gets the news his deceased uncle has passed away, and he’s the sole inheritor. Cash, a house and car, basically everything you’d expect and… wow, a historical cemetery complete with its own hunky groundskeeper. Well Jonah’s no fool and figures he’ll make the best of it, a nice break from city life in small town Carlisle, Pennsylvania; plus, why should he resist such appealing eye-candy?!

My favorite part of Buried Passions is seeing how this somewhat jaded, New York City dweller describes life and the people around him. His observations of life in The Big Apple, and performers in general, is spot on and absolutely hilarious. Then when he gets to the rural landscape and the people there, well it’s just too good. Andrew Grey always finds little quirks in his characters and develops them into such realistic people. It’s seriously funny, and Grey doesn’t miss a thing.

I love the voice Joel Leslie uses for Jonah. He throws in these hilarious little flourishes that completely crack me up. Listening to Jonah describe eating buffalo wings, “‘I ate them with relish, using ranch dressing instead of blue cheese... they were messy and amazing, and by the time I was done, my mouth tingled and I was satiated… at least for food.’” Can’t you just hear Joel Leslie performing that? He definitely has Jonah figured out.

This is one of the things Andrew Grey does so well. He never runs out of descriptive phrases that spark my senses (he actually had me craving buffalo wings). Seriously though, he paints a picture with words in a way that make his books so much fun to read.

Where Buried Passions really gets going is when Jonah starts to connect with Luka Pavelka, the groundskeeper for the cemetary. Jonah’s used to floating from one hookup to the next, and when Luka explains how they’re making love, not just having sex, it comes straight from Luka’s heart and it is absolutely lovely. As Jonah gradually accepts the intimacy Luka provides it changes the way he thinks about his life.

The longer he stays in Carlisle, PA, the more conflicted Jonah becomes. He realizes what he’s missed by not getting to know his estranged uncle, and the wonderful places and people that make up this small town. Does he truly miss the crazy rat race of NYC and all the pressures that go with it? Is having success as a performer the most important thing? At least for Jonah, maybe it’s not as simple as the old saying “home is where the heart is”; maybe being part of a community, adding value, and being loved is what truly makes a home.

A sweet story of love vs career with humor & heart

As always Andrew Grey delivers a well developed plot full of engaging characters.
The story line includes: an instant attraction between Jonah and Luka, enough background on the two MC’s to make the characters plausible, Jonah getting to know his deceased uncle, a town consisting of some not so nice people, a quirky best friend and lawyer, and the all-important crossroads for Jonah as he makes the decision to go after the life he wants.

Joel Leslie does a stellar performance of Buried Passions. Voicing every emotion in Jonah from his incensed "I own dead people" at the beginning through to the last contemplative conversation Jonah has with his deceased uncle in the cemetery towards the end. I have no first-hand experience with anyone of Bosnian decent, but I had no trouble or issue with Luca’s accent and felt Luca’s struggle with the English language was portrayed to perfection.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed Buried Passions. It is an easy to listen to tale told from Jonah’s POV. We follow his journey of self-discovery as he finds his place in the world and figures out what is important and what he really wants from life.

3.5 Stars

Told from the single POV of out and proud Broadway actor, Jonah, he’s surprised when he finds out he’s the heir to property in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Jonah plans to leave New York only for as long as it takes to settle his uncle, Samuel’s, estate, but when he learns the estate includes a cemetery and he starts to fall for the gorgeous groundskeeper, Luka, Jonah finds himself with some hard decisions to make.

There were a few things that kept me from loving this – I was disappointed I didn’t find out what the feud was between Jonah’s mother and Samuel, the pacing was a bit slow, and I was hoping for some more levity or humor, but overall the story was a light listen made better for Joel Leslie’s narration.

Joel’s performance made the characters feel real and relatable and the setting feel authentic.

Buried Passions is a sweet romance with some character growth, a realistic setting, some insta-love with plenty of chemistry, and a very happy ending.

Undeniable attraction

What did you love best about Buried Passions?

Joel Leslie's rendition of Jonah and Luka. He really pulled Jonah's uncertainty and need to be loved from the pages, as well as Luka's heart of gold that shown through his actions and words.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Luka, cause he sounds like Victor!
Seriously though, I loved Luka almost as much as Jonah did. He's this big, imposing man on the outside, with the soul of a lover, provider and protector inside. And yes, all these attributes and characteristics come through in the narration.

What about Joel Leslie’s performance did you like?

Every-damn-thing. Joel is one of a handful of narrators that puts the emotions the characters feel into his narration. Through tones, inflections and subtle nuances he brings the Authors words to life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Undeniable Attraction

Any additional comments?

The perfect marriage of writing and narration, Buried Passions will keep you engaged and enamored until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed the book when I read it and now with the addition of narration it really takes the story to another level. Grey is an amazing Author with an never ending mental dictionary of words to describe emotions like love, passion and understanding. Then Leslie takes those words and breaths life into them.

If you're a fan of the Author or the Narrator this is obviously already in your library. Everyone else just go ahead and click buy.

Another great read (listen)!!

Andrew Grey always delivers a great story!! An avid fan of his writing, each story is always a journey of finding one’s heart.
In Buried Passions, Jonah inherits a cemetery and home from an uncle whom he has not seen in years. As Jonah arrives to settle his uncle’s estate with intentions of only seeing what he has inherited and then leaving are derailed when he meets the smoldering hot Luka. Sparks fly between them. Jonah has maybe found the man of his dreams. Jonah has to decide wether to return to NYC and his broadway career are start a life with Luka.

So sweet

Loved this story. I was so afraid the conflict would be an immigration issue. I don't know why that would be tops in my mind these days...

I was so glad the conflict in this story was more about Jonah and his priorities. I was very happy with the way things turned out. Such a sweet story.

this narratorsucks worse than a virgin with braces

the storyline was so good and the narrator was horrible. I fell in love with the characters, despite the dismal performance.... I enjoyed listening to the story as it unfolded. well written!

I inherited a cemetery and a hunky groundskeeper.

Spoiler Alert: You will spend the entire read praying that they live happily ever after while thinking how mad you will be if they don't...

Disappointed

I barely made it past 3 chapters over two sittings and couldn’t take it anymore. The narrator is so bad. Every character sounds old and decrepit. Maybe the story could have been better with a different narrator. If I try to read an ebook now I will just hear his horrible voice in my head.