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Sugar Love by Callie Bardot

3/8/2021

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Author: Callie Bardot
Narrator: Jonathan Tratar
Length: 10 hours 35 minutes
Publisher: Callie Bardot⎮2020
Genre: Romance
Series: Adrenaline, Book 3
Release date: Aug. 11, 2020 


A USA Today best-selling book!

After Effie D’Archangel’s scholarship gets revoked, she’s screwed. Everything she’s ever worked for is gone. She can’t work more than she already does without falling behind in her classes. With no hope and no plan, she succumbs to a dare to attend a party for billionaires looking for young, sexy sugar babies. Despite being more geek than chic, Effie’s desperate to try anything.
Zander’s money and world-class skill and daring in outdoor adventures can’t shield him from heartbreak. Still bitter from an accident that left him deeply scarred, he accepts a dare to find a sugar baby. When he encounters Effie, she’s everything he’s not used to - and that intrigues him even more.
Agreeing to fund her tuition is a risk he knows he can handle. But as they grow closer and the truth surfaces, will the sugar baby be worth the risk, after all?
While each book is a stand-alone, the series it more enjoyable if you listen to them in order.
​

Buy Links for Audiobook #3
Buy on Audible​

Listen Here
About the Author: Callie Bardot
Give me a gritty story, pushing through obstacles, followed by a chance at true love and I'm a happy woman. I fought for love, long and hard, and found it. Along the way, I had a lot of fun, figuring if something exists to be explored, I may as well explore it. How else can you figure out what you like?
My books have won awards like Romance Reviews Reader's Choice New Adult Erotic (Blurred Lines) and have landed on the NY Times and USA Today Bestseller's list, as well as #1 Amazon bestseller categories. If I'm not writing, you can find me under the water, scuba diving, or on land, hiking, saving lives as an EMT, or exploring my breathtaking surroundings in the Pacific Northwest, alongside my sexy, firefighting guy. 
Website⎮Facebook

Author Interview
  1. Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.
    1. I was so fortunate to work with Jonathan Tratar. I held auditions for the books and Jonathan was a clear choice for four of the five books with his command of voices. And choosing Leanne Woodward for A Twist of Love, with her solid performance, smooth voice and professionalism was a total no-brainer.
  2. Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing? 
    1. I love to listen to Audible books and turning my own books into Audible was always a dream. I had some early works narrated many years ago with little sales success. As I got more popular, and, with Covid spreading around the world, this year I decided to turn all my books into audio versions. It’s taken months but I’m nearly all caught up with my backlist and recordings. And it’s been well worth it. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some great narrators and have resulting fantastic products for your listening pleasure.
  3. Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing? 
    1. I joke that each and every book is sort of autobiographical. LOL. I’ve had a wild and crazy life and continue to live that way so lots of stories to write! I had a lot of heartbreak in my past until I met the love of my life. Being an EMT alongside my EMT/Firefighter husband inspires my Scorching Heat series. And, I’m an avid adventurer which plays into all my books. Also, life just plain interests me so on any given day I might be pursuing horse whispering, or scuba diving, or kayaking, or baking sourdough creations, or....
  4. How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for writing?
    1. I did get burned out with writing earlier in the year. I think Covid fatigue played a part. My husband and I are active volunteer first responders; him as a firefighter and EMT and me as an EMT. When burnout struck in the summer, I got to work with audiobook auditions. And, I’m happily writing once again now that most of my books are recorded and I’ve had the great pleasure of listening to them.
  5. Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you? 
    1. I’m an avid fan of listening to audiobooks. I love to listen to a great story by a fabulous narrator.
  6. What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
    1. I have no words. Story telling and listening is built into our DNA. We’ve told stories to one another throughout time.
  7. In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of writing a stand-alone novel vs. writing a series? 
    1. I love writing series. All of the characters become real in my mind, like good friends. I and the listener get to watch or listen to them grow through obstacles, experience heartache and failure, success and love. It’s an extremely satisfying feeling when I’ve finished a good series. And, if the writing is strong, evoking my emotions, I often have to take a few days to process!
  8. Have any of your characters ever appeared in your dreams?
    1. No, but they’ve appeared in my fantasies! LOL
  9. What's your favorite:
    1. Food - Anything Italian.
    2.  Song - Too many to count. Depends on my mood and the context.
    3.  Book - Same as the answer above.
    4. Television show - I love good intelligent writing. Not a fan of sitcoms. A current favorite is binge-watching House, and for some drama fun, Scandal.
    5. Movie - Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Looong story. It’s full of metaphors. I’ve watched it many times.
    6.  Band - Too many to list. I’ve got music in my blood. My kids and I are musically talented. We all have dabbled as musicians. I was in a rock and roll band, one of my kids was courted by a famous rapper band, and the other went to Berklee School of Music and was in a very talented band in Boston. So, my list could go on and on, including Alice Merton, Angie Stone, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Billie Eilish, Bob Moses, Al Green, Dennis Lloyd, H.E.R., Pharrell, Janelle Monae, etc...
    7.  Sports team - don’t care much for sports. I prefer to experience life, not watch it. That said, I’ll go to watch the Mariners with my kid, and keep apprised of the Seahawks. Oh, and last year I won tickets to the local ice hockey team. I was up and screaming every time a fight broke out on the ice! And I LOVE freestyle motocross. Nitro Circus and Travis Pastrana rock!!
    8.  City - Well, if I were to go on a vacation (when we’re allowed to go on vacation), I’d head to Ireland. I know, I know, it's not a city but I love Ireland.
  10. What’s next for you?
    1. Working on a six book fantasy series, and a romantic suspense story in my Scorching Heat firefighter series.



About the Narrator: Jonathan Tratar
Making funny voices has always been something I have done, to an almost compulsive level. I would emulate cartoon characters, parents, teachers, politicians, ect. Then focus shifted to martial arts, rock climbing, just other passions and whatnot. In all honesty I feel as though I was lost for a few years. No direction. I then got into the modeling and acting industry. Almost three years as a model/actor, of middling success, before I decided to have a go at being an agent. This move went very very well. Two years later, unfulfilled, I quit my job, bought a mic, and haven't looked back since.
Instagram
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A Twist of Love byCallie Bardot

3/5/2021

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Author: Callie Bardot
Narrator: Leanne Woodward
Length: 4 hours 36 minutes
Publisher: Sumner McKenzie, Inc⎮2020
Genre: Romance
Series: Adrenaline, Book 2
Release date: October 14, 2020

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Forced into rehab by lead singer Dante Vegas, the Marked Love drummer Gia “Styx” Swain wants nothing to do with sobriety—or the gorgeous, kind man she’s been assigned to be with twenty-four hours a day. Her hand forced, unable to deal with her situation, she escapes his care, heedless of the consequences.
Retired Marine Marco Monroe loves helping people get free of their addictions. He’s good at it. Plus, it helps keep his mind off the tragic accident that stole his fiancée away. Being a sober companion to the drummer of one of his favorite rock bands proves challenging…as well as difficult to stay mindful of his boundaries.
With everything on the line, can they possibly yield to the potent attraction between them? Or, would giving into one another destroy everything they’ve sought to create? Find out in a Twist of Love: A Rock Star Romance
While each book is a standalone, the series it more enjoyable if you read them in order.

Buy Links for Audiobook #2
Buy on Author’s Direct⎮Chirp⎮iTunes⎮Nook⎮Google

About the Author: Callie Bardot
Give me a gritty story, pushing through obstacles, followed by a chance at true love and I'm a happy woman. I fought for love, long and hard, and found it. Along the way, I had a lot of fun, figuring if something exists to be explored, I may as well explore it. How else can you figure out what you like?
My books have won awards like Romance Reviews Reader's Choice New Adult Erotic (Blurred Lines) and have landed on the NY Times and USA Today Bestseller's list, as well as #1 Amazon bestseller categories. If I'm not writing, you can find me under the water, scuba diving, or on land, hiking, saving lives as an EMT, or exploring my breathtaking surroundings in the Pacific Northwest, alongside my sexy, firefighting guy. 
Website⎮Facebook

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About the Narrator: Jonathan Tratar
Making funny voices has always been something I have done, to an almost compulsive level. I would emulate cartoon characters, parents, teachers, politicians, ect. Then focus shifted to martial arts, rock climbing, just other passions and whatnot. In all honesty I feel as though I was lost for a few years. No direction. I then got into the modeling and acting industry. Almost three years as a model/actor, of middling success, before I decided to have a go at being an agent. This move went very very well. Two years later, unfulfilled, I quit my job, bought a mic, and haven't looked back since.
Instagram
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A Twist of Love by Callie Bardot

3/5/2021

0 Comments

 
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​Author
: Callie Bardot

Narrator: Leanne Woodward
Length: 4 hours 36 minutes
Publisher: Sumner McKenzie, Inc⎮2020
Genre: Romance
Series: Adrenaline, Book 2
Release date: October 14, 2020

​
Forced into rehab by lead singer Dante Vegas, the Marked Love drummer Gia “Styx” Swain wants nothing to do with sobriety—or the gorgeous, kind man she’s been assigned to be with twenty-four hours a day. Her hand forced, unable to deal with her situation, she escapes his care, heedless of the consequences.
Retired Marine Marco Monroe loves helping people get free of their addictions. He’s good at it. Plus, it helps keep his mind off the tragic accident that stole his fiancée away. Being a sober companion to the drummer of one of his favorite rock bands proves challenging…as well as difficult to stay mindful of his boundaries.
With everything on the line, can they possibly yield to the potent attraction between them? Or, would giving into one another destroy everything they’ve sought to create? Find out in a Twist of Love: A Rock Star Romance
While each book is a standalone, the series it more enjoyable if you read them in order.

Buy Here

Author’s Direct⎮Chirp⎮iTunes⎮Nook⎮Google
​About the Author: Callie Bardot
Give me a gritty story, pushing through obstacles, followed by a chance at true love and I'm a happy woman. I fought for love, long and hard, and found it. Along the way, I had a lot of fun, figuring if something exists to be explored, I may as well explore it. How else can you figure out what you like?
My books have won awards like Romance Reviews Reader's Choice New Adult Erotic (Blurred Lines) and have landed on the NY Times and USA Today Bestseller's list, as well as #1 Amazon bestseller categories. If I'm not writing, you can find me under the water, scuba diving, or on land, hiking, saving lives as an EMT, or exploring my breathtaking surroundings in the Pacific Northwest, alongside my sexy, firefighting guy. 
Website⎮Facebook


About the Narrator: Jonathan Tratar
Making funny voices has always been something I have done, to an almost compulsive level. I would emulate cartoon characters, parents, teachers, politicians, ect. Then focus shifted to martial arts, rock climbing, just other passions and whatnot. In all honesty I feel as though I was lost for a few years. No direction. I then got into the modeling and acting industry. Almost three years as a model/actor, of middling success, before I decided to have a go at being an agent. This move went very very well. Two years later, unfulfilled, I quit my job, bought a mic, and haven't looked back since.
Instagram
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Broomsticks & Board Games by Amy McNulty

3/3/2021

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​Author: Amy McNulty
Narrator: Danielle Daly
Length: 7 hours 4 minutes
Publisher: Crimson Fox Publishing⎮2021
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: A Spooky Games Club Mystery, Book 1
Release date: Jan. 5, 2021
Dahlia Poplar is a genuine witch, an unofficial gofer, and Luna Lane’s only cursed resident.

With a werewolf best friend, a vampire ex-boyfriend, and a ghost for a hanger-on, Dahlia is far from the most unusual dweller of her sleepy small town, but she’s the only one unable to leave. Dahlia has to perform at least one good deed per day - or she’s one step closer to turning to stone.

Fortunately, the residents of Luna Lane have plenty of tasks for Dahlia to complete to avert the curse until Cable Woodward, fetching professor and nephew of her elderly neighbor, stops by for the semester on sabbatical. Attempting to help Cable’s uncle work through the trauma of losing his wife, Dahlia uncovers the man’s collection of board games, which leads to him reminiscing about the long-forgotten Luna Lane Games Club.

Dahlia reestablishes the Games Club, only to find evidence of a number of horrible demises connected to the original group. While trying to uncover the truth about the deaths, Dahlia has to fight off her curse, protect her elderly neighbor from becoming the next victim, and most vexing of all, keep Cable from figuring out Luna Lane’s supernatural secrets.
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Only, with eerie board games like these, there may not be a loser - or even a winner - who survives.
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Buy Links

​Amazon⎮Audible⎮iTunes
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Meet the Author

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​Amy McNulty is an editor and author of books that run the gamut from YA speculative fiction to contemporary romance. A lifelong fiction fanatic, she fangirls over books, anime, manga, comics, movies, games, and TV shows from her home state of Wisconsin. When not editing her clients' novels, she's busy fulfilling her dream by crafting fantastical worlds of her own.
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

Meet the Narrator

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​Danielle Daly hails from Long Island, New York but hopes you can’t tell that when she’s reading to you. Grateful for her many years of experience in narrating stories for various short story fiction podcasts, the opportunity to narrate audiobooks for a wider audience is a dream come true.
Website⎮Twitter

Review

Audiobook Review
Overall 3.5
Story 4
Performance 3

I found the premise behind the story, a quaint magical town with all manner of creatures living within its borders, a cute, interesting idea. The host of characters rounded out the story and the town very well. The broom eats corn husks and acting like a cat was a change from the norm - at least for me. I liked that the broom took on the characteristics of a pet.

Here is where the story fell flat for me - the narrator. Danielle Daly lends a unique voice and accent to each of the many characters; however, her portrayal lacks that extra pizzazz needed to make the story leap from the pages for me.

I still plan to check out other books and audiobooks in the series as I love the town and its inhabitants
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The Adrenaline Series by Callie Barbot

2/23/2021

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​Author
: Callie Bardot

Narrator: Jonathan Tratar
Length: 8 hours 49 minutes
Publisher: Callie Bardot⎮2020
Genre: Romance
Series: Adrenaline, Book 1
Release date: Aug. 20, 2020

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​ Skilled “tiger whisperer” Kennedy Swift is on a mission to get her life on track and escape the people who want to do her harm. Running into Dante Vega isn’t on the plan. When her gaze lands on Dante, the same obsession and longing she experienced in her senior year comes roaring back to life. She simply can’t afford to let him in. End of story.
An unexpected, surprise encounter at a tiger sanctuary in the Bronx leaves mega-superstar musician Dante Vega reeling. Is the tiger charging the woman going to maul her? Is she about to lose her life? And, could this very courageous woman be the same girl he crushed on hard at his exclusive private Manhattan high school before she vanished?
Each of their lives has been marred by tragedy. Each carries secrets, too dark to reveal. Will their secrets tear them apart? Or, will they find the courage to come clean, risking all to find love? Find out in Crazy Love: A Rock Star Romance by USA Today best-selling author Callie Bardot.
While each book is a stand-alone, the series it more enjoyable if you listen to them in order.
​

Buy Links Buy on Audible
Listen Here
About the Author: Callie Bardot
Give me a gritty story, pushing through obstacles, followed by a chance at true love and I'm a happy woman. I fought for love, long and hard, and found it. Along the way, I had a lot of fun, figuring if something exists to be explored, I may as well explore it. How else can you figure out what you like?
My books have won awards like Romance Reviews Reader's Choice New Adult Erotic (Blurred Lines) and have landed on the NY Times and USA Today Bestseller's list, as well as #1 Amazon bestseller categories. If I'm not writing, you can find me under the water, scuba diving, or on land, hiking, saving lives as an EMT, or exploring my breathtaking surroundings in the Pacific Northwest, alongside my sexy, firefighting guy. 
Website⎮Facebook

​
About the Narrator: Jonathan Tratar
Making funny voices has always been something I have done, to an almost compulsive level. I would emulate cartoon characters, parents, teachers, politicians, ect. Then focus shifted to martial arts, rock climbing, just other passions and whatnot. In all honesty I feel as though I was lost for a few years. No direction. I then got into the modeling and acting industry. Almost three years as a model/actor, of middling success, before I decided to have a go at being an agent. This move went very very well. Two years later, unfulfilled, I quit my job, bought a mic, and haven't looked back since.
Instagram

Interview with Jonathan Tratar

 Did you find it difficult to “break into” audiobook narration? What skill/tool helped you the most when getting started?
  1. ----Voices. Just mimicking people, shows, sounds, ect; this is how my path towards voice acting started. As for the difficulty, I believe my past career choices helped me understand what is important for building a sustainable voice acting career.
A lot of narrators seem to have a background in theatre. Is that something you think is essential to a successful narration career?
  1.  I love theatre! I do not, however, believe it is essential for voice acting or acting in general. Sometimes, theatre can hurt someone in the long run. This is because theatre sometimes places over the top performance over realism....well, most of the time.
What type of training have you undergone?  
  1. Not as much as you might think. The ability to switch voices and put myself in a character has come very naturally to me. I did graduate from a John Casablancas Center in my early twenties. I account my meeting the emmy nominated Jon Ross, and learning from him as a protege, my biggest success from that time. 
How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for narrating?
  1. Great question, coffee and enough off days to get out of your head. That is the key to staying sane. Enthusiasm is a synonym for passion to me. If this isn't your passion why are you sitting in a 2 x 2 room for 6 hours a day?
What about this title compelled you to audition as narrator?
  1. There are a few reasons actually. First, I am a romantic at heart. Second, I am a big fan of character development, and that is a focus in this series. Lastly, it was my first series ever! So I wanted a decently large project.
How closely do you prefer to work with authors?
  1. -I have not built up a friendship with another author like I have with Calinda/Callie (lol). Generally its not as conducive as this project.
How did you decide how each character should sound in this title?
  1. As in all my projects, I decide by reading ahead and understanding a few things. Who my characters are as people, their faults, ect. Who is loud? Who is quiet? Are there any descriptions of how this person is supposed to talk? This solution has a lot of variables.
Who is your “dream author” that you would like to record for?
  1. -I mean any of the big fantasy/high fantasy guys. Brandon Sanderson, Orson Scott Card, LoTR books. Now if I had to pick one? Patrick Rothfuss.
What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
  1. ----I read very very fast. 150 to 200 pages per hour. That's conservative. My friend has dyslexia. He needs to listen. His older brother works a ton, in an environment where he can listen while he works. How are either of those situations "cheating"?
What’s next for you?
  1.  Next for me is a 8500 page series called Coiling Dragon with WuxiaWorld.com. After that? I'm thinking of paying Funimation in Dallas a visit. Make sure to keep up with the journey on Instagram. insta- the.rise.of.my.voice

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Mixing the Blue Blood by Stacy Eaton

2/21/2021

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​Author
: Stacy Eaton

Narrator: Alex Black
Length: 8 hours 24 minutes
Publisher: Nitewolf Novels⎮2020
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: My Blood Runs Blue, Book 4
Release date: Jul. 10, 2020 ​

Officer Kristin Greene returns along with the rest of the characters you have grown to love. Only, this time, it’s not just her life on the line. Now, the entire breed’s existence is in danger.
Olivia Newman has been Kristin’s best friend for years and loves the new life that Kristin is living. Her relationship with Gabriel is bittersweet, and she knows that because she is human. A future between them can never really last.
Gabriel Montgomery takes his position in the Vampire Military Force seriously and never expected to have such intense feelings for a human woman. When Olivia is kidnapped, Gabe, Kristin, and the gang realize they have stumbled upon a human trafficking ring. 
Only, this ring isn’t for sex. The leaders of this ring are hell-bent on destroying the breed. Can they rescue Olivia and save their future before old enemies return and destroy the breed? Find out in Mixing the Blue Blood.
Buy Links for Audiobook #4
Buy on Amazon⎮Audible
Listen Here
About the Author: Stacy Eaton
Stacy Eaton is a USA Today Best Selling author and began her writing career in October of 2010. Stacy took an early retirement from law enforcement after over fifteen years of service in 2016, with her last three years in investigations and crime scene investigation to write full time.
Stacy resides in southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, who works in law enforcement, and her teen daughter. She also has a son who is currently serving in the United States Navy, and two grandchildren.
Stacy is involved in Domestic Violence Awareness and served on the Board of Directors for her local Domestic Violence Center for three years.
Be sure to visit www.stacyeaton.com for updates and more information on her books.
Sign up for all the latest information on Stacy’s Newsletter!
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads⎮Instagram

A Note from the Author...
The fourth book in the series came after a very long break. After I wrote the first two books, I started writing a lot of other books. I got away from Kristin and her gang, and it was hard to get back to it, but I had readers constantly reaching out to me asking if I would be finishing the series.
Finally, five years after My Blood Runs Blue and Blue Blood for Life were written, I bought them back to life. I created the backstory novella, The Pulse of Blue Blood to go between those two books, and starting writing Mixing the Blue Blood. In that book, Kristin kind of took a slight backseat as Gabriel and Olivia, Kristin’s best friends became the center focus. Kristin was still right there the whole way and the stories focused on her, but also the other two. 
It was nice to have two minor characters step into the spotlight, and I loved the addition to the series. A new layer added into the mix for vampires and the way they can life. This book had a ton of twists and people never knew what to expected in this one!

About the Narrator: Alex Black
Alex Black is an articulate, engaging, and versatile narrator based in Cambridge, Vermont. He’s worked in theatre, film, audio production, and appeared on radio. As an accomplished audiobook producer with over 90 titles, he’s worked closely with independent authors and publishers.
He’s received more than 500 5 star reviews and specializes in Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Apocalyptic, Mystery & Thriller, LGBTQ+, and Memoirs.
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Audiobookworm Promotions ~Inheritance by Gail Z Martin

2/16/2021

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​Author
: Gail Z. Martin

Narrator: Courtney Patterson
Length: 7 hours 14 minutes
Publisher: Tantor Audio⎮2020
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
Series: Deadly Curiosities, Book 4
Release date:  Oct. 20, 2020

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Cassidy Kincaide runs Trifles & Folly in modern-day Charleston, an antiques and curio shop with a dangerous secret. Cassidy can read the history of objects by touching them, and she teams up with friends and allies who use magic and paranormal abilities to get rid of cursed objects and keep Charleston and the world safe from supernatural threats.

Caribbean ghosts terrorize Charleston and start racking up a body count. Then Beckford Pendlewood, the heir to a powerful family of dark warlocks, shows up raving about a bound demon locked in a lost box and begs sanctuary. Can Cassidy and her friends find the demon box, stop the killer ghosts, and break the Pendlewood curse before Beckford's murderous cousins and the vengeful demon destroy them all?
Buy Links
Buy on Amazon⎮Audible
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About the Author: Gail Z. Martin
Gail Z. Martin writes urban fantasy, epic fantasy and steampunk for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, Falstaff Books, SOL Publishing and Darkwind Press. Urban fantasy series include Deadly Curiosities and the Night Vigil (Sons of Darkness). Epic fantasy series include Darkhurst, the Chronicles Of The Necromancer, the Fallen Kings Cycle, the Ascendant Kingdoms Saga, and the Assassins of Landria. Together with Larry N. Martin, she is the co-author of Iron & Blood, Storm & Fury (both Steampunk/alternate history), and the Spells Salt and Steel comedic horror series. Newest titles include Tangled Web, Vengeance, The Dark Road, and Assassin’s Honor. As Morgan Brice, she writes urban fantasy MM paranormal romance, with her Witchbane and Badlands series.
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads⎮Pinterest

About the Narrator: Courtney Patterson
Courtney Patterson is an Atlanta native who has been working as an actor on stage, screen, and behind the microphone for close to two decades. She has been narrating audiobooks since 2011 and has fallen in love with the craft of storytelling through narration. Courtney is the mother of two wonderful little weirdos and the wife of a brilliant sommelier. There's also a cat and some fish in the mix. Courtney couldn't be happier with her crazy artistic lifestyle and is keenly aware that having good wine always within reach is most likely the reason for her family's success.
Twitter

Making the Supernatural Believable by Gail. Z Martin 

Inheritance, which is part of my Deadly Curiosities series, has ghosts, curses, demons, witches, supernatural creatures and haunted objects. I love writing about spooky stuff, and I do my best to make the paranormal elements believable so that readers get an exciting thrill ride of a book.


For me, the first step in making the supernatural believable is to research the lore, urban legends and ghost stories of an area. My urban fantasy books are set in real cities, most of which have a long, reputedly haunted past. Those stories arise from an area’s history and the people who came to live there, so understanding the history of a place is also important. 

My goal is to make the location of a book so much a part of the plot that the story couldn’t happen in the same way anywhere else. That requires research into the culture, and how the people who live there see themselves and their heritage. Of course, those elements wind back to the supernatural, because people tell stories about their ancestors, the people who settled the area before them, the rogues, scoundrels and criminals, the people most likely to have their spirits stay behind when their lives end.

Magic is always a part of my urban fantasy books, and to make magic believable, it has to have rules and come at a cost. People with magical abilities need to have limits, or they become super-powered and so there’s no suspense. Rules are important so that magic doesn’t just conveniently solve all problems. Also, since I draw from real-world belief systems around the practice of magic, I do my best to be faithful and respectful to those traditions and represent them and their practitioners accurately. 

I research the urban legends and ghost stories of a place because those are rooted in the area’s unique history, the people who settled there, and the physical nature of the location. The real legends provide wonderful plot bunnies for ways to incorporate some of those old stories and elements into my new stories, so that the tale feels organic, arising from its location.

The other key element is consistency, which comes back to rules. If creatures act a certain way in one book, or magic has certain abilities or limits, then that has to remain consistent throughout unless you provide a very good reason. That also helps with believability, because the supernatural elements shouldn’t solve every problem easily so they don’t feel like a cheat to get the characters out of tight situations.

I love writing spooky stories and weaving in supernatural elements—and I’m thrilled that readers like to read about ghosts, magic and haunted places. For me, getting to research and write paranormal plots is the best job ever!

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Another Notch in the Beltway by L.A. Long

2/16/2021

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Author: L.A. Long
Narrator: Ruel Keith
Length: 8 hours 25 minutes
Publisher: AVN Publications⎮2020
Genre: Romance
Release date: Nov. 25, 2020

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Historical romance writer Lenore Held, aka LaSandra Lacy, feeling the need to step into the present century, both personally and professionally, has agreed to coauthor a steamy contemporary romance with male author, MP Finnegan. And as sparks begin to fly, on and off the written page, the world around them turns into utter chaos.
Her son’s father, Senator Byron Maxwell, makes an appearance in her life after an almost 22-year absence. Theirs was the proverbial bad clique of a Washington romance: the gentrified, conservative, womanizing statesman and the beautiful, brilliant but naive, starry-eyed intern, who had the bad taste to become pregnant with his child. He pretended they didn’t exist, until now. Now he wants something from her, something that isn’t hers to give.
Add to that a media play gone horribly wrong, a stalker, home invasion, and unhinged family members of the senator’s, and Lenore and MP’s life together begins to resemble a book plot. But unlike a book, the turmoil that surrounds them is real and deadly.
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About the Author: L.A. Long
L.A. LONG is an insurance industry executive with a long history investigating insurance fraud. She applies her knowledge of the law, investigation, and human behavior to developing her story lines. She lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with her family, three cats and a very human dog.
She is the author of three novels, Another Notch in the Beltway,  It’s Not Too Late for Therapy, and Operation No Coincidence.  Learn more at LALongBooks.com.
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Blue Blood for Life by Stacy Eaton

2/14/2021

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Author: Stacy Eaton
Narrator: Alex Black
Length: 8 hours 39 minutes
Publisher: Nitewolf Novels⎮2020
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: My Blood Runs Blue, Book 3
Release date: June 22, 2020 

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“You belong to me… for life…” 

After a month off, Kristin comes back to work happier than she’s been in a long time. Her new status in life has her solving crimes faster and better than she ever could before. 
When Alex goes missing, Kristin finds she finally has to reveal the secrets of her life to her friends. Will they be able to stand beside her after they learn all that she has hidden from them? 
Julian and Gabe stand beside her faithfully as they try to locate Alex. They are surprised to find Trent already in Fawn Hollow, but know that Trent may be the only one to do what Alex has asked them to do. As one more choice is taken away from Kristin, she attempts to make the best of it, but finds herself drawn to Trent in a way Julian and Alexander could never compare to. 
Trent goes to work with Kristin to keep her safe but will he be able to handle all that her police world entails? Can he handle the side of her that she reveals, the one that Alex and Julian know nothing about? When Kristin and Trent uncover the connection between her job and the kidnapping, they are finally able to put the pieces together, but can they get to Alex fast enough? Will Kristin be able to handle rescuing Alex and all that she learns in the process? 
Join Kristin, Julian, Trent and Alexander as they dive into a new mystery that will have you turning the pages quickly to find out who is responsible and how Kristin’s life is forever changed once again. 
My Blood Runs Blue Series is an adult paranormal action/romance series and is intended for mature audiences.
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About the Author: Stacy Eaton
Stacy Eaton is a USA Today Best Selling author and began her writing career in October of 2010. Stacy took an early retirement from law enforcement after over fifteen years of service in 2016, with her last three years in investigations and crime scene investigation to write full time.
Stacy resides in southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, who works in law enforcement, and her teen daughter. She also has a son who is currently serving in the United States Navy, and two grandchildren.
Stacy is involved in Domestic Violence Awareness and served on the Board of Directors for her local Domestic Violence Center for three years.
Be sure to visit www.stacyeaton.com for updates and more information on her books.
Sign up for all the latest information on Stacy’s Newsletter!
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AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.
It was so fun to see my characters come to life with the help of Alex Black. He made me laugh, cry, get angry and allow me to live through my characters one more time. As he finished, I would sit and listen, and nothing else would matter, because I wanted to disappear back into that world.

Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
The last thing I thought about when I wrote the first two books in this series was that they would one day be on audio. I do have to admit that I fantasized about them being movies, but never considered them for audio until a couple years ago. When I found Alex, I knew it was time to bring the series to life.

 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? 
First, I have to tell you how much I appreciate the hard work that Alex put into these books. He has incredible talent, and is so professional, while still being personable. I loved working with him.
I remember when he first started working on My Blood Runs Blue and sent me the first two chapters to approve. I still have the email saved. 

This is what I wrote back: “Fantastic job!!! I just got done listening and approved! Whoo Hooo!!! I was so disappointed when chapter 2 was over! lol. I was like - I want more!”
That is how Alex and I communicated, we’d send short messages back – joking about the characters or the situations. 

If this title were being made into a TV series or movie, who would you cast to play the primary roles? 
For Kristin, I would probably suggest Deborah Ann Woll. She is intense but can be sweet. She’s portrayed a vampire before in True Blood, and I couldn’t totally see her bringing Kristin to life! 
For Julian, I would pick Scott Eastwood. She’s sexy and quiet, but a powerful presence. 
For Alex, I would pick Theo James. He’s quiet, intense, smooth and he can totally be in charge.
For Trent, I’d pick Charlie Hannum. Sexy, intense, passionate, and kind of off the rails. 

What's your favorite:
  1. Food - Pizza
  2.  Song – it changes on a daily basis. I am a big music person, so one day it might be Ed Sheeren, the next it might be the Eagles, and then Bille Eilish and at the end of the week it might be The Doobie Brothers. It’s all in what I’m writing and who I feel like listening too.
  3.  Television show – I think the Chicago shows are at the top of my list. I like that they blend together. 
  4. Movie - Patch Adams. That movie is what inspired me to be a police officer. 
  5.  Sports team – I haven’t been into sports since college. So, I can’t say that I hae one.
  6.  City – Hands down – Sarasota Florida. It is where I lived for four years growing up. My favorite place on earth. When I turned fifty, I took my family there on vacation and it quickly became a favorite of theirs too. If I could, I would move there tomorrow.

    Are any of those things referenced in appearance in your work? 
I talk about music in several of my books, and one book, Tempt Me Too, take place partly in Sarasota and partly in New York. The romance that happened between Sara and Max was based off my first love when I was sixteen, and how I had come back a few years later and run into that same boy and we the romance back up for the week I was there. However, unlike the story, that is where my true story ended. In the book, they see each other again many years later. 

What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Make sure to get your books editing by a professional. There is nothing worse then having someone read your stories and smash you in a review for mistakes that should have been caught. I don’t care how many times you read over your own stuff, you will not catch it all. Pay for an editor, it’s the best investment you can make. 

About the Narrator: Alex Black
Alex Black is an articulate, engaging, and versatile narrator based in Cambridge, Vermont. He’s worked in theatre, film, audio production, and appeared on radio. As an accomplished audiobook producer with over 90 titles, he’s worked closely with independent authors and publishers.
He’s received more than 500 5 star reviews and specializes in Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Apocalyptic, Mystery & Thriller, LGBTQ+, and Memoirs.
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Sons of Darkness by Gail Z. Martin

2/10/2021

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​Author
: Gail Z. Martin

Narrator: Jeffrey Kafer
Length: 7 hours 25 minutes
Publisher: Tantor Audio⎮2020
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Night Vigil, Book 1
Release date: Oct. 20, 2020
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 We are the Night Vigil.

We keep the Vigil, looking for the ones who can still be saved, the ones who aren't too far gone. We're the misfits and the muck-ups, unwanted by Heaven or Hell, given one last chance to atone for all the mistakes and missed chances, the pain we've caused others and ourselves, the good things we were afraid to do, and the bad things we embraced with open arms.

Unfinished business ties us to the mortal world, to make atonement, find absolution, satisfy retribution, get things right. You won't find a sorrier group of halfway-house heroes. No illusions left - about ourselves, humanity, or what's really out there in the darkness. Just a purpose, to go down fighting the good fight. Because this is our last chance.

One final chance to make it right, the thin red line of humanity against the evil that goes bump in the night, your best hope to make it through the hour of the wolf.

When a series of disappearances, suicides, and vengeful spirits cause havoc and death along a remote interstate highway, demon-hunting ex-priest Travis Dominick teams up with former special-ops soldier and monster-hunter Brent Lawson to end the problem with extreme prejudice.
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About the Author: Gail Z. Martin
Gail Z. Martin writes urban fantasy, epic fantasy and steampunk for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, Falstaff Books, SOL Publishing and Darkwind Press. Urban fantasy series include Deadly Curiosities and the Night Vigil (Sons of Darkness). Epic fantasy series include Darkhurst, the Chronicles Of The Necromancer, the Fallen Kings Cycle, the Ascendant Kingdoms Saga, and the Assassins of Landria. Together with Larry N. Martin, she is the co-author of Iron & Blood, Storm & Fury (both Steampunk/alternate history), and the Spells Salt and Steel comedic horror series. Newest titles include Tangled Web, Vengeance, The Dark Road, and Assassin’s Honor. As Morgan Brice, she writes urban fantasy MM paranormal romance, with her Witchbane and Badlands series.
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About the Narrator: Jeffrey Kafer
Jeffrey Kafer is a full-time SAG-AFTRA audiobook narrator. He has narrated over 450 books in almost every genre for such authors Clive Barker, Steve Alten, Maya Banks, Gregg Olsen and many others. He has 2 degrees in cinema and broadcasting and spent the first part of his career as a video game tester for Microsoft before following his true passion of acting. He’s been on stage since he was 13 (his mom still has the bellhop costume she made) and currently lives in Los Angeles with his family and dog.
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​Creepy Pennsylvania--and Why I Love It

By Gail Z. Martin
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  Pennsylvania is a great state for a creepy story--which is why I’ve sent three series there with plenty of monster-hunting, demon-slaying action and adventure.
   I grew up in Pennsylvania and while I moved away a while ago, I still love the state and visit often. That’s why I’m so intrigued by the darker sides of its history, and why I love poking into those shadowy corners when I’m writing.
    Pennsylvania has thousands of miles of mining tunnels running throughout the state--but no map that shows where all those tunnels are. Mining has been big in PA since the 1700s, and in all that time, records were lost. Around the Pittsburgh area, where Sons of Darkness is set, it’s routine for homeowners to buy ‘mine subsidence’ insurance in case a sinkhole to a forgotten mine opens up and swallows their house, car, garage or yard. 
    Those forgotten mines have always intrigued me, because my writer brain is sure nothing good could be living down there, looking for a chance to come to the surface! Of course, the mines play a big role in Sons of Darkness, as well as the creatures that hide there.
    Since Pennsylvania is one of the oldest states, there are plenty of abandoned buildings and ghost towns. Those might be from old railroad or mining operations, or just from changing transportation routes. But when I’m looking for haunted places, I’m going to start with real forgotten towns, and PA has a lot of them!
    If you’ve ever driven across Interstate-80, you know that the whole top third of PA is forest. In many places, it’s hard to spot roads or towns or even utility lines--just endless, unbroken forest. Who knows what really lives out there? Plenty of places far removed from people means strange things could go unnoticed for a long time. 
    We lived in Pittsburgh for ten years, and I love the city for so many reasons. One of those reasons is how much of Pittsburgh’s history is still standing--old buildings, old neighborhoods, and odd little out-of-the-way things that you won’t find elsewhere. I love to bring things like that into books, and we definitely pull from some of Pittsburgh’s ‘hidden history’ in Sons of Darkness!
    So come on an adventure with me and explore all those shadowy, forgotten, spooky spots. Don’t worry--you’ll have Travis and Brent to protect you!

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