Author: Kat de Falla
Narrator: Sullie Mason
Length: 6 hours
Series: The Windy City Chronicles, Book 1
Publisher: Kathee de Falla
Released: Nov. 28, 2018
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Told in the first person. Alternating persons.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Isabella White. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Manda Wolfgram is a struggling literary agent who is looking for the perfect manuscript to land in her lap and the perfect man to land in her bed. When the sixth-floor hottie finally asks her out, she gets more than for which she bargained. How can a girl wrap her brain around a Shakespearean actor who writes erotica?
Harry Sackes leads a double life: making a career as an author by day and dipping into the dark underworld of criminals at night. The moment he sees Manda in his twin brother's arms, his whole life becomes his personal Shakespearean trag-comedy of mistaken identity and unrequited love in this fast-paced chick-lit romance.
Let me start with the good news. The good news is that I enjoyed the story. More good news is that I enjoyed the quotes that start each chapter. Then there are the characters. With the audio, I enjoyed how Ms. Mason would change things up so so we would feel as if we were listening through a door. I also liked the fact that she didn't attempt to change her voice for the characters.
Ms. Mason was very hard to listen to in the beginning - took me a while to warm up to her voice. Her voice took my mind away from what she was reading. I couldn't picture her as a literary agent, an erotic writer, or an actor. Once I started thinking of her as a storyteller than it made it a little easier to get through the book. She has the type of voice that I don't think would lend to that and it certainly wouldn't have me trying to picture what the characters would look like. Maybe that's one reason I couldn't think of this story as a romantic comedy. Then, while listening I was getting terrible static and it continued to get worse. It didn't happen if I listened online which made me wonder if it was the app. The only thing with that is that it didn't happen with other books.
I will say that I was a little confused at the beginning. Not sure if it was the story or the narration. In fairness to the author, I think I have to go back and read the book. I've never tried to listen and read at the same time but maybe that's what's I need to try here. I don't want to give up on the author because of this experience plus I want to see what else this series has to offer.
Ms. Mason was very hard to listen to in the beginning - took me a while to warm up to her voice. Her voice took my mind away from what she was reading. I couldn't picture her as a literary agent, an erotic writer, or an actor. Once I started thinking of her as a storyteller than it made it a little easier to get through the book. She has the type of voice that I don't think would lend to that and it certainly wouldn't have me trying to picture what the characters would look like. Maybe that's one reason I couldn't think of this story as a romantic comedy. Then, while listening I was getting terrible static and it continued to get worse. It didn't happen if I listened online which made me wonder if it was the app. The only thing with that is that it didn't happen with other books.
I will say that I was a little confused at the beginning. Not sure if it was the story or the narration. In fairness to the author, I think I have to go back and read the book. I've never tried to listen and read at the same time but maybe that's what's I need to try here. I don't want to give up on the author because of this experience plus I want to see what else this series has to offer.
Kat de Falla was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she learned to roller skate, ride a banana seat bike, and love Shakespeare. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and is happily employed as a retail pharmacist. She is married to her soul mate, composer Lee de Falla and raising four kids together ala the Brady Bunch.
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Sullie Mason is a part time audiobook producer, part time Cath Lab tech and full time Mom. When she does have a minute she likes to go out with friends to eat, drink and laugh until you cry around a table. She also loves traveling as much as possible and dragging her quiet country Okie husband with her. If you’re looking for her, you will usually find her in her garden or walking outside.
- When did you know you wanted to be an audiobook narrator?
- It came to me while driving my 35 minute commute to work. I always have an Audiobook or Podcast on in my car, and I was like, “I can do this, let's just try and see what happens.” People have always commented on my voice, my least favorite, “ are you sick?”, so I thought I would like to use it.
- Did you find it difficult to “break into” audiobook narration? What skill/tool helped you the most when getting started?
- What helped me get started was my mantra, “ If I try and fail, then I will know. But if I don’t try then I will regret never knowing.”
- A lot of narrators seem to have a background in theatre. Is that something you think is essential to a successful narration career?
- I don’t think it is really that necessary. I have minimal theatre experience. Mostly I have fun reading and imagining what a person would sound like. I use my theatre past to get a bit of what the character wants and feels but I listen to other narrators and pick up on what they are doing and I listen to criticism.
- How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for narrating?
- Taking a break and knowing your limits. Some narrators are machines (not trying to hide my jealousy) and can knock out chapter after chapter all day. Not me. When I notice that I’m starting to make a lot of mistakes or reading characters like I’m reading my narration then I’m out. Also my toddler rules my day. It’s an unhealthy relationship.
- Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?
- I LOVE audiobooks! They can take you anywhere. Driving into work, making dinner, grocery shopping, nah says I! I’m time traveling with a hunky highlander, battling fairies that prey on humans after the wall between our worlds fell or solving a murder while trying to survive the web the killer weaved to trap me.
- What are your favorite and least favorite parts of narrating an audiobook?
- I love reading the book and acting out all the characters. I HATE editing. It doesn’t suit my soul.
- What about this title compelled you to audition as narrator?
- It is a fun upbeat book. It is set in Chicago and most of my family lives 3 hours away from the windy city. I thought it would be fun to play up a midwestern accent a bit.
- Who are your “accent inspirations”?
- My mother did many accents with us growing up. Me and my Brothers can do at least 4 well and we do it often when we play around with each other. Movies, tv shows, other narrators and actual people are who I mimic. Especially if you have a distinct accent, it is really hard for me NOT to mimic you. Awkward in job interviews on occasion...
- How did you decide how each character should sound in this title?
- My favorite could be the door man. I impersonated my grandpa. It’s who I would want to greet me when I came and went. He also would keep a tight ship.
- What types of things are harmful to your voice?
- Laughing so hard that no sound comes out. Every time I went home to visit my family or out with my friends I had to email Kat and tell her I might be a bit delayed until my voice came back.
- If you had the power to time travel, would you use it? If yes, when and where would you go?
- HA! Yes! I mentioned a certain hunky Highlander I would want to ride horseback with, but I would bring soap! Also I would go back to see the Dinosaurs and see what they really looked like. Feathers? Scales? Colors? Slow? Fast? I would go back to Europe and save some Witches before they were burned and try not to get burned as well. And while I’m at it, try to be one of Da Vinci's models.
- If you could narrate one book from your youth what would it be and why?
- It’s actually a children’s book, “How to Raise Dragons.” I got it for my little brother and latter in life I read it outloud to him again as a joke, ended up getting into it and when I was finished with it, I looked around and saw not just one brother, but my other one too and the neighbor boy leaning against the doorway. Hilarious because these are grown boys that are over 6 feet tall!
- What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
- Nothing beats sitting down and reading a good book or the smell of a library, but there are so many stories out there that should be heard and if you can stimulate your imagination while doing other things other than just in your free time (whatever that is) and taking a mental vacation then why wouldn’t you?
- What’s next for you?
- Hopefully a mystery!
- Bonus question: Any funny anecdotes from inside the recording studio?
- It’s a good idea to press record before you read a whole chapter, and don’t bring a gassy dog in there with you.
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Thanks so much for having us on your blog and reviewing Not for Me - much appreciated!
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