Category: Narrators
Audiobook Blog Tour: 15 Minutes by Larissa Reinhart
Author: Larissa Reinhart
Narrator: Joan Dukore
Publisher: 1969⎮2020
Genre: Mystery; Amateur Detective
Synopsis: She played a detective on TV, but now that her life depends on it, can Maizie Albright play a detective for real?
For fans of romantic comedy mysteries like Meg Cabot's Size 12 Is Not Fat and Stephanie Bond's Body Movers, The Wall Street Journal best-selling author Larissa Reinhart brings her listeners the first in the Maizie Albright Star Detective series, Hot Mystery Reviews' "Top 10 Mysteries for Book Clubs".
"Child star and hilarious hot mess Maizie Albright trades Hollywood for the backwoods of Georgia and pure delight ensues. Maizie's my new favorite escape from reality." (Gretchen Archer, USA Today best-selling author of the Davis Way Crime Caper series)
Three Teen Choice Awards, one Emmy nomination, and several Maxim covers later, Maizie Albright was an ex-teen star, stuck in reality show hell, and standing before a California judge. She has one chance for a new life: return home to Black Pine, Georgia, and get a job that has nothing to do with show business. So why not become a private detective – the person she played during the happiest days of her life?
Maybe because…
First: She's got 10 days to get and keep the job.
Second: She has to convince the only private investigator in town to hire her.
Third: She lost the client's wife on the first day. (And the woman may be dead…)
Fourth: She just might be falling in love with her new boss. And she just might have lost him his business.
But what has she got to lose, other than imprisonment, her dignity, and possibly, her life?
Start the Wall Street Journal best-selling series and download 15 Minutes today!
"Sassy, sexy, and fun, 15 Minutes is hours of enjoyment." (Phoebe Fox, author of the Breakup Doctor series)
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The first book in the Maizie Albright Star Detective Mystery series is quite a riot! Never a dull moment; 15 Minutes is brimming with excitement and nervous energy. Maizie Albright and the rest of the characters are full of personality, humor, and their own unique set of quirks. I thought narrator Joan Dukore was a great fit and did a great job nailing the story. Her voice matched the youthful, frenetic pace of the book, including capturing several eccentric personalities! An absolute riot.
Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.
I was really nervous about making the Maizie Albright series into audiobooks for some reason. My previous audiobooks were done by my publisher and I had no input, so I was worried about the amount of time needed (juggling writing, work, and kids is always a challenge) and worried about the end product since I'm a writer who "hears" their characters more than "sees" them, if that makes sense. But after Joan Dukore auditioned, my fears disappeared.
Joan's amazing, easy to work with, and very professional. I loved her audition. After that, I gave her the book and some character notes. I listened to the first 15 minutes of 15 MINUTES (ha), gave her a few more suggestions, and she did all the work. I had to listen to the entire book while reading it but found little to correct. It's been an amazing experience and went a lot more quickly than I thought.
Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
I never thought about the audiobook while writing 15 MINUTES because I was more focused on getting to know my new characters and trekking through the story. However, for the subsequent books in the Maizie Albright series, I thought about audio, mainly because the books are so heavy in dialogue.
How did you select your narrator?
Joan Dukore auditioned and I loved her as Maizie immediately! She has such a fresh, bubbly voice and great comedic timing. The comedic timing was more important to me than just about anything else and she nailed it. I'm thrilled she's narrating the entire series.
How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process? Did you give them any pronunciation tips or special insight into the characters?
We worked closely through the first fifteen-minute read and the character samples, then I let Joan do her thing. She'd occasionally ask me questions during the recording. I listened to the entire book, of course, when she was finished for a final edit.
In the beginning, I was pretty uptight about accents, since many of my characters are southern. A bad southern accent or over-the-top southern accent is like nails on a chalkboard to me. I live in Georgia and we don't sound like we're on Hee-Haw. I made a character list and gave suggestions of actors in certain movies. I think the initial listen is hard for the author because we've been hearing the voices (in our head) since the conception of the book. But Joan's a professional actress and I knew I had to trust her. And I'm so glad I did!
About the Author: Larissa Reinhart
The Wall Street Journal bestselling author Larissa Reinhart writes the award-winning Cherry Tucker Mystery, Maizie Albright Star Detective, and Finley Goodhart Crime Caper series. She loves to tell funny stories about women, looking for love (and sometimes dead bodies) in all the wrong places.
Larissa, her family, and Cairn Terrier, Biscuit, lived in Nagoya, Japan, but have returned to Peachtree City, Georgia. You can see them on HGTV's House Hunters International "Living for the Weekend in Nagoya" episode. Larissa loves books, food, and traveling with her family. You can often see her adventures on Instagram (and her little dog, too).
Visit Larissa's website to join her VIP Readers email group and get the free prequel to The Cupid Caper plus other exclusive bonus content! http://www.larissareinhart.com
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About the Narrator: Joan Dukore
Born in Honolulu, HI, Joan DuKore began her performing career as a ballet dancer, and attended Virginia School of the Arts to continue her education. Her hobby of magic later became her profession, and she continues to perform in Las Vegas and around the world. Her love of reading eventually led to voice acting. She has produced over 30 audiobooks in numerous genres such as thrillers, romances, memoirs, mysteries and fantasies. She loves locking herself in her booth and living in the worlds that authors create.
Audiobook Blog Tour: Expeditionary Force: Paradise by Craig Alanson
Author: Craig Alanson
Narrator: R.C. Bray
Publisher: Podium Publishing⎮2017
Series: Expeditionary Force, Book 3
Synopsis: While the crew of the starship Flying Dutchman have been trying to assure people that hostile aliens do not have access to Earth, the UN Expeditionary Force has been stranded on the planet they nicknamed "Paradise". The Flying Dutchman is headed back out on another mission, and the UN wants the ship to find out the status of the humans on Paradise. But Colonel Joe Bishop warns that they might not like what they find, and they can't do anything about it without endangering Earth.
Good story development in this one. I've grown accustomed to hearing Skippy's snarky remarks on Joe Bishop as they embark on another wacky journey across the universe. R.C. Bray really gets into character "as usual" with several "LOL" moments! The fact that someone can craft something like this is remarkable. The strong narrative and dialogue make you feel part of the adventure.
NARRATOR INTERVIEW WITH R.C. BRAY
Did you find it difficult to "break into" audiobook narration? What skill/tool helped you the most when getting started?
I had two great champions get me through the door: Pat Fraley and Scott Brick. Bringing my years of acting experience to narration impressed them enough to make suggestions, introductions, and continued support. Also, ACX was launched the same time I got into narration. Being able to use that as a means to navigate the process (along with many patient authors, rights holders, and independent publishers), was a godsend. Several of the titles I did via ACX garnered attention from bigger publishers and off I went.
A lot of narrators seem to have a background in theatre. Is that something you think is essential to a successful narration career?
It's not essential, but it does help.
What type of training have you undergone?
I was a CTA (Communications/Theatre Arts) major in college that performed Off-Broadway and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I also attended the Connecticut School of Broadcasting where, because of my theatre background, I excelled during the voiceover portion. It was my abilities in voiceover that was a catalyst to getting the job at Kaplowe Studios.
How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for narrating?
I keep from burning out by thinking of my past jobs. I don't ever want to have to go back to doing any of them. The thought of that lights a massive fire in me.
Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?
I used to listen to them nonstop when I was a commuter.
What are your favorite and least favorite parts of narrating an audiobook?
Unless it's really brilliant writing, my least favorite part is when I get to the middle and realize I'm only halfway done. My favorite part is being exposed to books I would likely have never picked up.
I'd love to be suited for children's/YA novels, but I'm afraid my deep voice doesn't jibe well with them.
How closely do you prefer to work with authors?
Enough to get certain information but definitely not so much they start to direct. You wrote it, now let me read it.
Who are your "accent inspirations"?
Frank Muller, Paul Michael, Scott Brick
What types of things are harmful to your voice?
No idea. I'm not a vocal warm-up kind of guy. I just go for it. Pneumonia sucks though.
Has anyone ever recognized you from your voice?
No, but after I tell people what I do (only if they ask, I don't like bringing it up) they inevitably "hear it now!"
About the Author: Craig Alanson
Craig Alanson is a NYT best-selling author. His first audiobook 'Columbus Day' was one of five finalists for Audiobook Of The Year 2018 Visit craigalanson.com for FAQs, blog posts, merchandise, etc.
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About the Narrator: R.C. Bray
From an early age Audie, Earphones, and SOVAS Voice Arts Award-winning audiobook narrator R.C. Bray despised reading. Truly hated it with a passion.
And audiobooks? Even worse. Those were for people too lazy to read (not to be confused with those like himself who didn't want to read to begin with).
R.C. eventually got older and wiser (he was always good-looking) and eschewing his capricious convictions fell head-over-heels with reading. Not just to learn words like "eschew" and "capricious" so he could use them in a bio line, but because someone was actually going to give him money to do it.
Note: R.C.'s gorgeous wife and three beautiful children begged him not to make this his official bio. Clearly he misunderstood.
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About the Publisher: Podium Publishing
Podium is an industry-leading independent audiobook publisher built upon the foundation of successful partnerships with self-published authors and narrators. With deep share of voice in the genres of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Romance, the company has enjoyed quick commercial and critical acclaim, releasing almost 1,300 audiobooks, numerous best-sellers, winning an Audie Award and 13 Voice Arts Awards. Podium is best-known for supporting, nurturing and discovering independent authors and narrators from the U.S. and around the world. The company gained international notice when it took a risk on one-time unknown author Andy Weir (The Martian) and turned his e-book into the largest audiobook seller in the world.
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The Anna Blanc Mysteries Blog Tour: The Body in Griffith Park by Jennifer Kincheloe
"The most entertaining historical mystery."
Author: Jennifer Kincheloe
Narrator: Moira Quirk
Publisher: Jennifer Kincheloe⎮2019
Genre: Historical Fiction Mystery
Series: Anna Blanc Mysteries, Book 3
Release date: Dec. 2, 2019
Synopsis: Los Angeles, 1908. Anna Blanc is a former so-so socialite, a flailing police matron, and a killer detective.
Ex-heiress Anna Blanc is precariously employed by the Los Angeles Police Department, reforming delinquent children and minding lady jailbirds. What she really wants is to hunt criminals and be alone with Detective Joe Singer – both no-nos that could get her fired.
On a lover's tryst in Griffith Park, Anna and Joe discover the body of a young gambler. Anna can't resist. She's on the case. As her murder investigation stalls, and her police matron duties start piling up, strange floral arrangements begin arriving from an unknown admirer.
Following the petals leads Anna to another crime, one close to home. Suddenly pitted against Joe, Anna must examine her loyalties and solve the crimes, even if it means losing the man she loves.
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I absolutely adore what Jennifer Kincheloe has created with the Anna Blanc mystery series. It's the most entertaining historical fiction in my opinion! Just when you think you're up for a little romance with detective Joe Singer…a body is suddenly found in Griffith park. I know, shocker right? I loved how this mystery plays out when Anna's family gets involved in the case. She's forced into an impossible dilemma between Joe, defending a family member, and solving the case. Great plotting. Laughed out loud several times!
Narrator Moira Quirk is the perfect voice of Anna Blanc. I couldn't imagine picking another person. Her characterization of Anna Blanc is spot on. When I'm listening to it I feel like I'm transported back in time. Moira Quirk is the best!
About the Author: Jennifer Kincheloe
Jennifer has been a block layer, a nurse's aid, a fragrance model, and on the research faculty at UCLA, where she spent 11 years conducting studies to inform health policy. A native of Southern California, she now lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and two teenagers. She's currently writing book three in the Anna Blanc Mystery series. Book two, THE WOMAN IN THE CAMPHOR TRUNK, is coming out in Fall of 2017 from Seventh Street Books.
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About the Narrator: Moira Quirk
Moira grew up in teeny-tiny Rutland, England's smallest county, which is fitting as she never managed to make it past five feet herself. Moira's work spans the pantheon of the voiceover world: plays for BBC radio, plays for NPR, video games, commercials, television promos, podcasts, cartoons, movies and award winning audiobooks. She's won Multiple Audie Awards, Earphone Awards, as well as Audible's prestigious Book-of-the-Year Award. She has lately set foot in front of the camera again, appearing in "Pretty: the Series" and the Emmy-winning "Dirty Work."
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Audiobook Blog Tour: Beyond The Gates by Jason D. Morrow
Author: Jason D. Morrow
Narrator: Stacy Gonzalez
Publisher: Jason D. Morrow⎮2019
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic; Science Fiction
Series: The Starborn Redemption, Book 1
Synopsis: The Containment Zone is a 500-mile radius surrounded by mountains and closed in by gates. No one can leave, and anyone who tries will die. Within are lawless bandits, corrupt soldiers, and once-human greyskins that hunt down people to spread the virus. Some say the Containment Zone is where the greyskin virus originated. Others say the people inside are little more than lab rats being studied by the nefarious Screven government.
When 12-year-old Skylar and her father, Liam, are caught trying to escape, they are taken to Vulture Hill, a government prison camp no one has ever left alive. Inside the prison, Skylar learns that the facility is little more than a testing site for finding people of a certain bloodline – the Starborn. These are people with special powers that manifests in various spectacular ways, and Screven wants to exploit them.
Skylar has always known there was something special about her family. For years, her father has had the ability to completely numb pain with just a thought. Lacerated skin, broken bones, they can all be ignored with enough concentration. Learning that her father is a Starborn means Skylar is probably one too, placing them both in extreme danger.
Now, father and daughter must do the impossible and break out of a prison known for killing so many. But Liam has leverage the government may be willing to buy – the cure for the greyskin virus.
The first two books of The Starborn Redemption are set 40 years after The Starborn Ascension and 17 years before The Starborn Uprising. Each Series can be listened to independently.
This book was BETTER than expected. Don't you love it when that happens? YES. Author Jason D. Morrow does an excellent job ushering you into the point of view of the main characters; Father and daughter tandem Liam and Skylar as they navigate prison Vulture's Hill. I was impressed with narrator Stacy Gonzalez with her ability to breath life into the characters.
Interview with Narrator Stacy Gonzalez
What are the first things you do as you prepare to narrate a book?
Very first–read the book. A lot of people ask that question, and, yes, I read the book. After reading it, I try to think through the characters. I put either a person I know or a celebrity as sort of the touchstone for each character. Beyond that, I don't really do too much. I like to jump into the narration once I've read the story and thought through the characters.
Does the author help you with voice creation, or is it up to the narrator?
I usually do it all myself, unless I have any specific questions. Or unless an author has something very specific in mind. However, in most cases, the narrator is left to create their own artistic take on the characters.
How do you keep the characters straight in your head as you read through the text?
I usually keep a little mp3 with a snippet of that character voice. Sometimes, there's a word or phrase that I have to say to key me in to that character. There was a character in a book I did under my romance pseudonym where I had to pause the recording and say a really angry "F**K" to get in to that character. He was an angsty sort of neo-nazi.
Do you have a method for characterizing, or portraying each character?
Once I get the voice down, I just let the story guide me. My method is just to let the author's words tell the story.
How do you feel about being a medium through which readers can access a story?
I just love doing this. As an avid listener myself, there is nothing better than the feeling of not being able to stop listening. I hope that I can give listeners that feeling. I love when I'm listening to a book while running or cleaning–both of which, for me, can be activities that are hard to keep on doing past a certain point–and I HAVE TO run or clean longer because I just cannot turn the book off.
What do you want readers to know about narrating audiobooks?
I hear a lot of non-listeners say that they like to hear the story how they hear it in their own heads. I would just want to say that listening to the book does not take away from that experience. You still use your imagination as a listener in a very similar way that you would as a straight-up reader. And listening can enhance the experience in different ways.
About the Author: Jason D. Morrow
Jason D. Morrow is the author of more than 15 books in the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres, including The Starborn Uprising, The Starborn Ascension, The Starborn Redemption and Prototype D.
About the Narrator: Stacy Gonzalez
Stacy Gonzalez is a Chicago based narrator and commercial voice actor. She is feisty, bright and expressive. Stacy specializes in YA, self-help and romance, especially when the narration calls for a good handle on comedy, wit and sass. Audiofile Magazine has praised her pace and her ability to create bold characters. Stacy, who is half Colombian, speaks conversational Spanish. She has a great love for Old Hollywood—watching the movies and listening to audiobooks about any and every aspect of it! Follow her on Twitter at @stacygonzalezvo or visit her website at stacygonzalezvo.com.
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Audiobook Blog Tour: A Death in Duck by Mindy Quigley
Author: Mindy Quigley
Narrator: Holly Adams
Publisher: Mindy Quigley⎮2015
Series: Lindsay Harding Mysteries, Book 2
Synopsis: With the new year approaching, hospital chaplain Lindsay Harding heads for a much-needed break in the peaceful resort town of Duck on North Carolina's outer banks. Her plan to attend the wedding of her friend, Anna, runs aground when a boatload of trouble washes ashore, and as the old year ticks down, the body count goes up. Thrust into the path of an increasingly desperate killer, Lindsay must uncover a sinister secret before she winds up swimming with the fishes.
Old family scandals, sunken World War II U-boats, obscene desserts, and a stolen Doberman all guarantee a far from restful break for the irreverent reverend, who makes her second appearance in this lively mystery.
Another entertaining read that didn't disappoint. Book 2 in the Lindsay Harding mystery series was just as good the first one. There's a lot of moving parts to this book, but at the core is the bizarre death of Lindsay's aunt Patty in the city of Duck. Great storytelling. Narrator Holly Adams delivers another spectacular performance and is just as good as any narrator I've heard. The various accents are truly remarkable. Lindsay's best friend Ron speaks English with an Asian accent. Her best friend Anna and her mother have a distinguished southern accent. Family friend Simmy has an unusual accent from North Carolina which I've never even heard of, and villain Leeland has distinct voice of his own. Keeping all these straight, switching back and forth between characters and narrator voice is magical. I'm still not sure how the good narrators are able to pull this off. Amazing!
In my second book, A Death in Duck, there are a few characters who speak with an Outer Banks (of North Carolina) accent. That accent is a trip! It sounds like an Irish accent and a Southern accent had a baby, and that baby was born with a mouth full of marbles. 🙂 Holly and I talked a lot about how to render it accurately, but still make it understandable for the purposes of the recording.
I know this is cliche, but OMG the Harry Potter audiobooks narrated by Jim Dale are THE BEST. I also quite liked Eddie Izzard's reading of Great Expectations. I knew Izzard as a quirky comedian who often performed in drag, so I was extra impressed by his skill as a narrator.
For me, a good audiobook is all about the sharpness of the characterizations. With the Dale and Izzard readings, you can tell who's speaking almost as if you were listening to dozens of actors rather than just one.
If you had the power to time travel, would you use it? If yes, when and where would you go?
I've seen enough sci-fi movies and TV shows to know that time travel always ends badly. I'll have to be content with time traveling through books and movies, because I sure as heck am not going to be the one responsible for setting off a catastrophic chain of events by accidentally stepping on a butterfly in 1722.
What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as "cheating" or as inferior to "real reading"?
That question is best answered by punching those dumb-dumbs in the face. Seriously, though, whatever way someone chooses to inject narrative content into their brains is okay by me. Some people have long commutes, and audiobooks provide a great companion. Some people, like my grandmother, have vision impairments that prevent them from reading. Audiobooks are her lifeline. Personally, I love reading, listening to audiobooks, and watching movies and TV shows. I even like hearing storytellers at events and festivals. A great story is a great story, no matter how it gets from one person to another.
How did you celebrate after finishing this novel?
I never really feel like writing projects are finished, so I don't celebrate. I mean, are you supposed to celebrate when you finish the draft? The corrections? Submit it to your agent? Return the page proofs? See it in print? Register your first sale? Get your first review? I'd be hungover for months, if not years!
I just finished a full draft of a middle-grade novel I'm working on, and I'll tell you exactly how I celebrated. I went into the bathroom, where my husband was brushing his teeth and said, "Well, I think I'm done with that book I've been working on for three years." We high-fived and then went to bed.
About the Author: Mindy Quigley
Mindy Quigley is the author of the Mount Moriah cozy mystery series, which is based in part on her time working with the chaplains at Duke University Medical Center. Her short stories have won awards including the 2013 Bloody Scotland Short Story Competition and the 2018 Artemis Journal/Lightbringer Prize. Her non-writing career has been stranger than fiction, taking her from the US to the UK, where she worked as the personal assistant to the scientist who cloned Dolly the sheep, and as project manager for a research clinic founded by the author J.K. Rowling.
She now lives in Blacksburg, Virginia, with her Civil War history professor husband, their children, and their idiosyncratic miniature Schnauzer.
About the Narrator: Holly Adams
An actress and physical theatre performer for many years before becoming a Voice Actor, Holly continues to divide her time between stage, screen, circus, and audiobook narration.
Holly began her VO career doing radioplays and audiobook characters with the amazing Full Cast Audio company. Since then, Holly has voiced radio and web commercials, various e-learning projects, documentary shorts. . . and of course, audiobooks! She has been nominated for Best Fiction and Best Female Narrator. Holly has conservatory training; her attention to tone, energy and rhythm make her work personal and dynamic. Holly's performance projects abroad (Italy, Afghanistan, Haiti, Russia, the UK, France, and the Middle East!) support her training and skill with dialects and languages.
Holly records for Audible, Deyan Audio, Christian Audiobooks, Tantor, and more. Holly loves telling stories!
When she's not in the recording studio, she is on stage or screen; favorite projects include Richard II, A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, the films "Here Alone", "Gotham Blue" and "Your Loving, Virginia", working with girls in Kabul for the Afghan Children's Circus and with performers in Balan, Haiti, as well as with her 'home circus' Circus Culture. Holly is a SAG-AFTRA performer, a graduate of the International Dell 'Arte School, and holds a Master's in Theatre, Education and Social Change. Https://shearwaterproductions.com/voice-actor and on IMDb as Holly Adams III.
Audiobook Blog Tour: The Death in the Drink by Shea Macleod
By: Shéa MacLeod
Narrated by: Yvette Keller
Series: Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries, Book 7
Publisher: Shéa MacLeod
A local costuming guild has arrived in Astoria for a long weekend of recreating their favorite time period–the Regency. Think Jane Austen, sailing ships, high tea, a costume ball, and…a dead body.
When the guild's nastiest member winds up dead in the drink, Viola is convinced it's no accident. And after the husband of the deceased gets into a brawl on the front lawn of the town's most well-known landmark, she knows something's up. Armed with nothing more than a folding fan and her wits, she sets out to unveil the killer before somebody else winds up in Davy Jones's locker.
Viola and Cheryl are at it again in the latest mystery in Death in the Drink. You know you have a great story when you enjoy spending time with the characters. It doesn't get better than that for the reader. The Viola Roberts series is much more than just good entertaining characters. The plotting, mystery, suspense are well written. The book is even better when you add the narration of Yvette Keller. Her voice creation and acting was perfect for this series.
About the Author: Shéa MacLeod
Shéa MacLeod writes urban fantasy post-apocalyptic sci-fi paranormal romances with a twist of steampunk. Mostly because she can't make up her mind which genre she likes best so she decided to write them all.
After six years living in an Edwardian town house in London just a stone's throw from the local cemetery, Shéa headed back to her hometown of Portland, Oregon. She plans to live out her days eating mushroom pizza, drinking too many caramel lattes, exploring exotic locales, and avoiding spiders.
Shéa is the author of the Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries and the bestselling Lady Rample Mysteries.
http://www.rewindphotography.com Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer
About the Narrator: Yvette Keller
Yvette Keller's first job as a narrator was reading aloud to keep her little brother out of trouble. Her favorite party trick is reading words upside down. Little kids need to see the pictures. Yvette lives in her beloved home town of Santa Barbara, using a lifetime of vocal stamina in her home studio. She produces technical VO industrials for Mesa Steps Consulting clients in addition to audiobooks. A lifetime of reading and speaking has proven one thing: Yvette loves stories. She is thrilled to be making books accessible and engaging through her narration work.
Audiobooks After Dark: Author Tom Abrahams & Narrator Kevin Pierce
Audioboooks After Dark Episode 20 – Author Tom Abrahams & Narrator Kevin Pierce
This podcast originally appears on Audiobooks After Dark.
Dec. 6, 2018. Duration: 1 hr 10 min.
Tom has traveled places most people would avoid.
He's braved the stinging winds of a category four hurricane as it pounded The Gulf of Mexico, living and working without power for days.
He's picked his way through the Amazon jungle, trekked across the irradiated exclusion zone of Chernobyl, Ukraine, and climbed the crumbling, high-altitude stone steps leading from the barrio Tacubaya, Miguel Hildalgo, in Mexico City.
He's been evacuated in an ambulance from the barren Badlands of western Canada.
Tom is a veteran television journalist and author who's spent the last 20-plus years telling the biggest stories of our time.
He's reported from the East Room of White House and Capitol Hill, interviewed Presidents and presidential candidates, and was at the Pentagon while smoke still rose in the hours after 9/11.
He's writes post-apocalyptic thrillers, action adventure, and political conspiracies.
Tom lives in the Houston suburbs with his wife, Courtney, and their two children.
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I had a career path of radio and TV in the 70s, 80s and 90s and full-time voiceover work after that. Near the end of 2012, I read a blog post that mentioned ACX and I checked it out. Armed with confidence in my related narration and production experience and a copy of the ACX production guidelines, I accepted my first offer, completed the production and got rights-holder and ACX approval. I, Kevin Pierce, was officially an audiobook narrator and producer. For the next 100 days straight (weekends and holidays included), I was in my studio auditioning, reading and producing audiobooks, managing as many as 10 at a time. My Thanksgiving Day schedule was to put two 24-pound turkeys in the oven, read and produce two one-hour chapters, then serve dinner for 50. On Christmas Day, my kids, wife and I opened presents before I started opening audio files. I was the ideal designated driver on New Year's Eve, because I would be having a Happy New Year's morning in the audio booth. Best of all is what's in the amazing books I've read: the history of Spain and the military history of Iran, how to give a TED Talk and how to keep a beehive, why filibusters belong in the U.S. Senate and why the American economy might need to stop growing. I've channeled a fictional voodoo priest, UFO experiencers and a science fiction protagonist with multiple personality disorder (who had voices in his head, just like me!). I doubt I'll ever have the chance to test my knowledge against Ken Jennings on Jeopardy! but I will never run out of material at a cocktail party. I've had the pleasure of repeat business from publishers like Berrett-Koehler, University Press Audiobooks, Crossroad Press and Callisto Media, as well as a number of authors both self-published and those who have regained audio rights to their previously published works. All the recording was done my own state of the art, room-within-a-room studio, the audio from which, one delighted outside producer called "pristine." More important, I've done enough business (and see enough ahead of me) to be able to move into audiobook narration and production full-time (which provides an answer for the wife and kids to the question, "What exactly does your husband/father do?"). So now, as an Audible-Approved Producer and narrator (a recognition I inquired about and received after I pressed "I'm Done" on number 50), I'm looking forward to the second 50 and the second hundred and the hours and hours of fascinating storytelling in the months and years ahead.
Audio Samples | Website | Audible
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE VOICE OF THE APOCALYPSE
Audiobook Review: Dark Winter by A.J. Tata
Jake Mahegan Thriller Series, Book 5
By: Anthony J. Tata
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
Series: Jake Mahegan Thriller Series, Book 5
Publisher: HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books
In a blistering scenario almost too close to the headlines, former Brigadier General Anthony J. Tata delivers a chillingly authentic glimpse of tomorrow's wars—and the anonymous hackers who hold the fate of the world at their fingertips . . .
By the time anyone realizes what's happening, it is too late. A dark network of hackers has infiltrated the computers of the U.S. military, unleashing chaos across the globe. U.S. missiles strike the wrong targets. Defense systems fail. Power grids shut down. Within hours, America's enemies move in. Russian tanks plow through northern Europe. Iranian troops invade Iraq. North Korean destroys Seoul and fires missiles at Japan.
Phase 1 of ComWar is complete.
Enter Jake Mahegan and his team of highly trained operatives. Their mission is to locate the nerve center of ComWar—aka Computer Optimized Warfare—and to shut down the operation through any means necessary. Mahegan knows it's a virtual suicide mission. There are three ComWar headquarters, each hidden deep underground in Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Each contains a human biometric nuclear key that the team must capture to shut down the imminent nuclear strikes. Splitting up the team is Mahegan's only chance to prevent the next wave of cyber attacks. But even that won't stop the sleeper cell agents—here in the United States . . .
When Phase 2 ends, World War III begins.
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This book was phenomenal. For Jake Mahegan and his group of highly trained operatives, the stakes couldn't be higher. A maniacal, narcissistic genius'; with global influence, creates an unbelievable plot to destroy the world as we know it and recreate it with himself. He has the perfect leverage to manipulate the worlds superpowers and create chaos. The writing was brilliant from beginning to end. Great villains with quirky motivations, personalities that seemed all to real.
NARRATOR PERFORMANCE:
Narrator-Story Connection: 10/10
Narrator Jonathan Davis does a great embodying the story with it's full cast of characters. Very impressive!
Voice Creation/Switch Over: 10/10
There were a number of quality voices in this one. All of them skillfully portrayed with the personality to match. Jake Mahegan, Ranger Cassie, Russians, Iranians, and various American accents.
The pace was perhaps a bit slow for my taste, but matched the length of the book, so no complaints here.
This was excellent. Davis did a splendid job bringing out the personalities of each character and making them his own. You can't ask for more in a narrator.
I was brought into the depths of the story as the result of good narration. Definitely impressive!
Emotional Intensity 8/10
The emotional intensity wasn't that much of a factor. I think the style of this particular narrator was quite adequate. When there's too much, or too little it can become a problem for the listener.
Great sound quality throughout the book.
Great performance overall that added to the quality of book. These characters will stick with me for a while!
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https://audiospy.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/5ff53-3_20_june_8_audie_awards_mixdown.mp3
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