I’ve never wanted a Kindle for a mountain of reasons. Mine aren’t any different from the scores of others who refuse to jump on that bandwagon, but after listening to the audiobook version of UR by Stephen King, I’m not going to lie, the thought crossed my mind. I even went to Amazon to see how much one cost.

I’m usually just a straight-up reader of King. And that’s true for any book, but since I’ve had very little time lately to read one—having a baby does that—the idea of plugging in some earbuds to get a dose of King seemed liked a logical idea. Though like Wesley Smith, I much prefer the paper in between my fingers.

Going in, I had no idea what to expect from this book. I barely even read the synopsis.  Literally, the only things I knew were that an English professor and a Kindle were involved. I had zero expectations—though I did wonder what kind of horror tale King could possibly spin out of an eReader. And really, that’s the best way to approach a book in my opinion. You have no set limits for either your love or hate for it. (I did have to force myself to forget that Cell existed.)

Overall, I really enjoyed the story and the characters. The pacing was maybe a teensy slow in the beginning, but that was caused in my opinion by King setting everything up for what would happen later, so I don’t really take issue with that point. Lots of people give King grief for being wordy, but I actually like it. There’s too much spoon fed fiction out there. King’s stories have substance. They’re like an onion, lots of tasty layers.

 Numerous times I found myself laughing out loud or snickering at phrases or comebacks made by characters. I’m glad no one was around to see me or else they would have thought me mad. I’m going to have to listen to it again, just so I can jot some of them down to use in my everyday life.

I loved all the glimpses into the different possible realities. Though some were naturally dark and depressing, there were a lot of more light-hearted looks into all the ways our world could have been. It really made me stop and think about my own existence and what another version of me may have done on a different Earth had circumstances been altered. I found I could relate to Wesley’s train of thought.

One reason I’m always skeptical about listening to audiobooks is the narrator. No matter how good a story is, it’s the skill of the person reading to you that can make or break the experience. Having never listened to Holter Graham before, I was a bit apprehensive, even though I knew I was only going to have to listen to him for 2 hours and 20 minutes. But a few minutes in, I knew there was no reason to worry, and I was sucked right in. I have no idea what Graham looks like, but his voice is downright sexy. I refuse to do an image search for him to find out he’s not. My only real criticism for him is that sometimes I had a hard time figuring out which male part was speaking. Occasionally they blended together, especially when three men were talking one after the other. At the same time though, I appreciated him not trying too hard to differentiate between all the speakers. I felt he brought the characters to life and made them relatable. His performance was great, and I would gladly listen to him read to me again.

If you’re a Dark Tower fan, you’ll eat this story up. It’s been a long time since I’ve followed Roland and his Ka-Tet, so getting a glimpse back into that world, even a little, put a smile on my face. It made me wish King would just sit down and write books that connected back in some way all the time, though so many of his books already do. I guess I can never get enough.

I just want to know if the people over at Amazon slipped King some “thankya” bucks(before or after he wrote it). Or if one day he received a pink Kindle in the mail with 1-day shipping from a friend or a dedicated Constant Reader. I know I’d gladly take one because one day I’ll have read all of King’s stories in this UR.

Ok, so I still haven’t received my first acceptance letter, but something just as cool happened, and I wanted to share it with everyone! Last week I was contacted by Chris Horn at USC.  He was interested in doing a story on audiobook narration. Since I now have three titles under my belt and I happened to graduate from USC, I was the perfect person to go to.

I guess he found me interesting enough because he posted the story for all the world to see.  It’s exciting stuff.  You can read the article in its entirety here.  Doing this interview has really made me miss my long days in the studio.  I want to get back to recording very badly.  My friend, Shaun McCoy, has so many more stories for me to record! He just won’t quit writing.  🙂 So maybe while I wait for more rejection letters or gasp, acceptance letters, maybe that’s what I can do – record. If only Ash would let me.  Being a stay-at-home mom makes narrating a book especially difficult.

So you may or may not be aware that I’ve recorded a few audiobooks. One of them being “Electric Blues” by Shaun McCoy, a wonderful story about a depressed, obsolete robot named Arty.

Here’s a synopsis if you aren’t familiar with it:

Meet Arty PA3025. He’s a robot, and he’s depressed. Unemployed and horribly obsolete, his future looks bleak – and that’s just what he tells his programmer-cum-therapist, Knickers. But then he meets Madeline, an ornery senior with a pair of arthritic cats and a fear of modern electronic accoutrements. They team up, an outdated robot and a senile old woman, to begin together a quest for relevance in an all too cold and uncaring world.

Well, I have 5 promotional copies I would like to give away.  If you are interested in listening to it, all you have to do is leave a comment and your email or if you’d rather, you can send me an email at gabrielleolexa at gmail dot com with your info, and I’ll send you a gift copy via Audible.  The only thing I ask for in return is an honest review.

You can click here and listen to a snippet.

“Binary Jazz” is a sequel and is available in both paperback and on the Kindle.

Good news! My third audiobook, “Electric Blues”, written by Shaun O. McCoy, is now available for purchase through Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.  Just in time for the holidays!  🙂  If you like sci-fi, robots and AI, this audiobook is for you!

So, what’s it about?  Here’s a little blurb:

Meet Arty PA3025.

He’s a robot, and he’s depressed.

Unemployed and horribly obsolete, his future looks bleak—and that’s just what he tells his programmer-cum-therapist, Knickers.

But then he meets Madeline, an ornery senior with a pair of arthritic cats and a fear of modern electronic accoutrements. They team up, an outdated robot and a senile old woman, to begin together a quest for relevance in an all too cold and uncaring world.

Sound like something you’d be interested in?  Well, then sign into iTunes or head on over to Amazon or Audible and give it a listen.  I’m sure you’ll like it!  Happy listening!

My second audiobook, “The Crystal Cave: A Novella” by Sandra Miller,  is now available for purchase through Audible and Amazon and it should appear in the iTunes market in a day or so.

Here’s the synopsis:

Taran shouldn’t exist. And if the most powerful necromancer in the world has his way – he won’t.

Taran’s life is full of contradictions.

In a world where sorcery doesn’t exist, young Taran is a sorcerer. Dreams should be harmless and private, but Taran’s entire village dies, because of a dream. He has a frightening, unique talent, powerful enemies, and murderous vengeance to seek.

Why was his hometown ruthlessly destroyed? Why do horrible events continue to follow him wherever he goes?

He must face his fate, and find his freedom, in the Crystal Cave.

If you’re interested, just click on one of the links above.  I hope you enjoy it!  As always, tell all your friends and family.

My second audiobook has now been submitted to the author for approval. If she likes it, and I think she will, it will then get put through QC at ACX.  Last time that took a month, but I’m hoping they’ll be faster this time.

Now I’ve got to figure out what I want to do next, once I get back from sister’s wedding in Florida.  Either I am going to tackle my friend’s book, “Even Hell Has Knights” or I may try doing another short audiobook from those available for audition on ACX.

I’ll keep you updated – whoever you are.

The audiobook version of “The Enemy in the Mirror: A Novella” written by Sandra Miller and narrated by pretty ole’ me is now available on iTunes and Amazon.com, in addition to Audible.com.

Buy. Listen.  Enjoy.  And if you are feeling frisky, review it!

My second audiobook should be out in month or so.  I’ll keep you updated!

It’s for SALE!!!!

I was very happy today to learn that the story I narrated, “The Enemy in the Mirror: A Novella”, written by Sandra Miller,  is now available for purchase on www.audible.com.  In a few days, it will be available on iTunes and www.amazon.com.

Click here to buy it through Audible.  I’ll include the other links for you as they become available.

Here’s the synopsis:

Ellane Williams bitterly hates the aliens who are invading the Earth, but when she takes a stand against them she gets more than she bargained for. Join Ellane as she struggles with an unwelcome metamorphosis, an unwanted new identity, and the end of life as she knows it. To survive, we must all fight not to become the evil we oppose….

Interested?  I sure hope so.  Now go buy it!  : ) And be sure to tell all your friends and family.  Sandra and I thank you in advance!

Well, I finished the audiobook, and the author approved it.  Now I am waiting for ACX to give their approval, and then it will be for sale on iTunes, Amazon.com and Audible.com.  I should know something either this coming Monday or the one after it.  I don’t know why they would reject it, I followed all their rules, but until I get a “congratulations” email, I’m going to be sitting her twiddling my thumbs in anticipation.

I just completed buying all new equipment and I am ready to start a new project.  I even know the one I’ve got my eye on.  Just got to work out some kinks and then I’ll be back in the studio again.  Fun times.

Once the first audiobook goes live, I’ll come back and do a big reveal so all of you can go and buy it.  And by ALL, I mean the one or two of you who accidentally stumbled upon this page and/or blog.  🙂

Okay, so it’s not news about “Jenny Kissed Me” or “Jenny of Lebanon”, but it is news, and it’s good news.

I recently auditioned for an audiobook through ACX, my very first one actually, and I just got word back from the author that she loved it and she wants to work with me.

I was so happy that I got up and did a jig.

I don’t want to say what the book is yet because I have to record the first 15 minutes and it has to be approved before the offer is completely in stone.

As soon as it is ready for purchase, I’ll be the first to let you know.

Now, if only someone will buy one of my short stories, I’ll be as content as a cat in cat nip heaven.

Waiting is sooooo painful!