As a writer, I deal with putting words on paper to create my novels. I grew up reading comic books, then paperbacks, but the world has changed. People still want to read books, and a physical book is a quiet companion, but today’s busy lifestyle means less time to sit and read either a paperback, or even on an ereader.
This is why I looked into putting my books on Audio through ACX.com.
When I visit a Scottish Highland games or festival, sounds range from the voices of happy visitors conversing about clans, or the athletic events. Many of the attendees are from Scotland…either visiting the United States of America, or having emigrated here. Their deep brogues, and odd Gaelic words, add another layer of fantasy, and I have heard them at Highland games from Maine to Florida. I thought, “How neat would it be to actually hear my characters.”
Writers hear their characters in their heads, of course, but I wanted my readers to hear them, too. I found a way by hiring a narrator through ACX, the business end of Audible.com. After trials and errors, I hired Tracy Marks. She and I made the magic happen. When the narrator sent along chapter after recorded chapter, my excitement grew. I read along with a print copy of my book. My recorded book, My Honorable Highlander, can now be heard on a PC, an ereader, a tablet, or a smart phone.
My Honorable Highlander was the first book in my Highland Games Through Time series, and the beginning of my Scottish time travel novels. I hope to publish the other books in audio versions as well.
This is the excerpt I posted at ACX.com. Narrators auditioned by recording these three voices: two sixteenth-century Scottish brogues and one modern American female.
Kirk, our hero, has just stumbled upon his cousin, Cameron. His handsome cousin has his arms wrapped around our heroine from the future, Haven:
“I regret having frightened the wench, but I hunted near the river and never saw her until I was upon her. When I made her aware of my presence, she slipped and fell.” Cameron stood at attention.
Kirk glared and his fists trembled.
True, Haven does have a problem staying on her feet.
“So ye picked her up and hugged her to yer chest.”
“She fell. Hard. Aye, I picked her up. She claimed to be fine. I had set her down when ye appeared.”
“Ye and Lady Haven have no regard for one another?”
“I will not lie, dear cousin.” Cameron strolled to Kirk’s mount’s rump and patted the animal.
“I worship the ground her dainty feet tread upon. I shall do anything to make her mine.”
Kirk sputtered at his words and the lust that blazed in Cameron’s eyes. Kirk had ordered Cameron to answer for his actions. Again. First, he had disobeyed an order. Now, he professed his feelings for Haven.
How could I have been so blind?
Kirk could not compete with his cousin’s perfect face and golden hair. His kinsman aroused many a lass because no scars marred Cameron’s profile. Had Kirk not witnessed the adoration Haven bestowed on his cousin when he and his warriors had stepped from the forest? Was it only gratitude?
“God’s teeth! We found ye entwined in each other’s arms.”
“The sight of Lady Haven in God’s glory will not stay me from my course.”
“So, ye did indeed see her unclothed?”
“We have no secrets, do we, Cousin? Ye must admit the lovely mark high on her left hip is most appealing. Let us not pit ourselves against one another with claws drawn.”
Kirk caught the reference to Lady Haven’s mark of the cat. A tattoo, she had called it.
Book Blurb
Bumbling present day herbalist, Haven MacKay, gets more than she bargains for when her love spell goes awry, is cast back in time, and meets her true love -- Laird Kirkwall Gunn.
Kirk’s plans go slightly off course when he falls in love with a woman wandering through the Scottish Highlands. After all, he has pledged to marry another, from an enemy clan, in order to end a century-old feud.
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More About Nancy Lee Badger
Award-winning author Nancy Lee Badger loves chocolate-chip shortbread and wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a Scottish Highlander. Her stories tempt you with the clang of
broadswords, and the sound of bagpipes in the air. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two handsome sons in New Hampshire, she moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time. Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, Triangle Area Freelancers, and the Celtic Heart Romance Writers.
Contact Nancy:
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In celebration of her first Audio Book release of My Honorable Highlander, Nancy Lee Badger is giving away FREE DOWNLOAD CODES from Audible.com to THREE lucky readers. Winners will be announced April 2nd
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I've never listened to an audio book.
ReplyDeleteThey are awesome Danielle! I am heading to the treadmill with my iPhone and headphones to listen to a friend's audio Book. It is just another way to listen. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOh, somehow I've not read her (as yet) - sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to have your book become an audio book too.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had the pleasure of reading any of Nancy's books as of yet. Sounds like I am missing out.
ReplyDeleteSee all my titles listed on my Blog and website. Dragons, soldiers, small town thrillers...I hope to get more released in audio!
DeleteI love any "Highlander" book, and this sounds great.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your books, Nancy. We both started out in NY and now live not far from each other. Have you attended the Highland games at Grandfather Mountain in NC. They are great fun and could lead on to the fancy of falling through time to the Highlands of the past.
ReplyDeleteNY rocks! I still have family on Long Island. Yes, we have attended the Grandfather Mountain Games. Love them, but they no longer have a 'historical village' which appears in my books. We are heading to the Loch Norman Highland Games in Huntersville which has a HUGE village AND a longbow competition...where I got ideas for my next book, My Hunted Highlander!
DeleteWould really love to win an Audible Copy of this book!
ReplyDeleteinteresting blurb
ReplyDeletelove Highlander books!
ReplyDeleteI have the audible of My Honorable Highlander and I love the story as well as the voice of your narrator who brings Haven alive.
ReplyDeleteThanks for buying my first audio book! I hope to produce more books on audio.
DeleteI absolutely love audio books.I have a new nightly ritual of reading my book along with the audio...perfect bedtime story :)
ReplyDeleteI 'read' while on the treadmill. Fabulous!
ReplyDelete