>>>>I the words "je crois" the 'r' is clearly not pronounced (to my ears). Is this a rule that the 'r' in this position of a word is never pronounced? Or an exception?
>>>
>>>It is pronounced.
>>
>>I must have something wrong with my ears. Because on the CDs that I listen to French lessons, I could never hear it.
>>Thank you.
>
>Me too, man. I never heard an english speakers "r" letters like your french story... :)

To our ears, the english r doesn't exist, but they have a workaround instead. It almost sounds like a r, if your ears can spot it.