Rebecca Mckernan is a narrator of audiobooks who recently completed my book Shadowed Promise. 

Here's the transcript of her interview:

Yours was the loveliest voice I found among those who auditioned for my book. You're so talented and easy to work with. I really enjoyed working with you, and hope our next project together, my book Fighting for Tara will be as much fun.

Let's get started:

​1. How did you get into narrating for audiobooks?

I felt that I needed a change from my previous career, as a burlesque performer. One day, after leaving a voice message to a friends, she said to me, 'Bec, you have a really lovely voice- have you ever thought about narrating audio books?' So I looked into it, and that was that!

2. What's your favorite genre to narrate?

I'm not sure that I have a favourite genre per se- what I love to narrate are books which are told beautifully. I love evocative, romantic language, gorgeous imagery, writing which is quite poetic. Whether that's a factual account of the second world war, or a love story set in a fantasy universe, so long as the writing is beautiful, I love to narrate it.

3. What's your favorite genre to read in general? What do you do for fun?

I love a good dystopian novel. Something which takes me away whilst still having roots in reality- a distorted vision of things hopefully never to come. For fun, I'm a very social creature- I adore being surrounded by the people I love, cooking, drinking wine, entertaining. I'm also never happier than when soaking in the bath, surrounded by candles, reading Kazuo Ishiguro to my boyfriend.

4. What inspires you? 

People. Real situations which I can draw from and bring elements of into my work. Travel. I think travel is the most inspirational thing a person can do, a line to people you'd never meet, cultures you'd never experience, wonders you'd never see, if you didn't leave your own home, your own comfort zone. Barring that, any documentary narrated by David Attenborough.

5.You are classically trained vocalist. Tell us about that experience and how it helps you in narration.

In my (much) younger years I trained as an opera singer, and since then have trained and worked extensively in musical theatre, as well as straight theatre. I think my classical training allows me to make subtle differences to a character's voice, so that each is distinguishable without being caricatured. It allows me to respond to a director's desires in a thoughtful, realistic way, and produce something with authenticity, which, I hope, enables a listener to emotionally connect with. It's also really handy for when I'm required to sing in my audio books!

You can find her here:
Website
Facebook

Here's the link to the book Rebecca narrated for me!

“You float through life like a piece of driftwood. Aimless. You have nothing to strive for.”

Wellington Estates heiress Danielle Riley has everything her heart desires. But for the first time, she wants something she cannot have: Mike, the poor, proud, talented athlete, whose mother is working class, whose family is beneath hers.

Mike Melgoza works hard for a living and bears a terrible secret, a secret that clouds his decisions, that pollutes his relationships. He mistakes Danielle’s generosity for pity, spurning her love and everything she represents.

Brokenhearted, Danielle embarks on a journey to rural India to find purpose, and her life transforms in ways she hadn’t imagined possible. But neither distance nor time can make her forget Mike.

When fate throws them together again, can they resist their mutual attraction?
​
Book 3 of the Wellington Estates, “The Trouble with Love” is a stand-alone romantic saga about privilege, prejudice, and defying social norms.

Today I interviewed author Vidya Murlidhar on her new book "The Adventures of Grandpa and Ray."

Congratulations on your lovely children's book.

What inspired you to write this book?
Watching my young son and his grandfather enjoy the little moments of life is what inspired me to write this book. Often when the two of them eagerly watched a squirrel 's scurried movements, happily held out their bowls for a second serving of ice cream or broke out into raucous laughter while watching Gilligan's island, I could not help but wonder how similar they are. Both were in very different stages of their life. One was a rookie and another a veteran yet when they were together it was as if life had skipped a few stages in between.

You write children's books but what is your favorite genre to read.
Growing up I would read any book that I could lay my hands on. Of late though, I truly enjoy reading essays and short stories. When I started writing a few years ago, essays, poetry and short stories are what came easily to me. You can find my work at mommyhooddiary.wordpress.com.  Books on mind-body connection and energy medicine also intrigue me. 

What's your writing process? Is it difficult to coordinate with an illustrator, and do you both take each other's input to change the story?
My childhood friend, Sharon Dev, has illustrated the first book and is working on the next ones in the series. Of our collaboration, I can only say that the experience has been wonderful. All I had to do was hand over the poem to Sharon. She brought the words to life, a life full of sparkle. I could not have asked for a better partner. Working with a childhood friend has its advantages. You hearts beat in sync. 

Do you write full time? If, not tell us about your 'other'  job.
I would say the most important  job I do is of a mom, wife,  daughter-in-law, daughter, sister and friend (clichéd but true). I  also work part time as a medical interpreter and will soon begin to volunteer at a hospital as a reiki practitioner. Writing is a calling, it's so much more than a career. I write whenever there is a deep urge within me to write. 

What's your advice to aspiring authors? What has worked for you as far as marketing?
My advice to all aspiring authors would be to write from the heart. When you do that, it touches the reader. It may not always sell but you will be impacting another's life in a beautiful way. Heartfelt connections with my readers around the world has been the biggest gift my blog has given me. As for marketing, I am still learning the ropes with my newly published book. Maybe I will be in a better position to advise on this aspect in a few months from now.

Sharing this cool and unexpected recognition. My wesbite was selected out of 1500 author websites by the Writer Awards Team looking for sites with the highest quality and unique design. I am honored and humbled :-)

Today I interviewed Carrie Peters who designed the beautiful covers for my romantic saga series, The Wellington Estates, with more to come in the future.

I love working with her for several reasons, the most important of which are the 5 A's: Accessibility, Ability, Affability, Alacrity, Affordability.

How did you get into ebook cover design?
Well, first I started off as an author. =) I won a few contests, wrote a few books, then decided to learn how to make my own cover. I'd been in website design for years, so I knew graphics. I could certainly apply that to ebooks right? Wrong! It's a whole different world...trying to get images to look great at the big size and readable at the small size. Trying to lure people in with my designs. Finally I took a class on cover design and fell in love. THIS was fun! Almost every week I take tutorials from YouTube and classes online to learn more of my craft - and the better I get. (At least I like to think so!)

How long have you been creating covers?
Since 2013. My first cover was for one of the ladies in my first book cover class. From there, it blossomed and about 2 years later I started cheekycovers.com. Now it has grown mostly by word of mouth.

What's your favorite genre for covers?
I'd have to say romance, simply because it's what I read the most. I've done sci-fi and horror, contemporary and historical romances, plays, romcom and westerns, and almost all of the genres of romance. Lots of mysteries and thrillers too!

What are your favorite sites for stock photos?
You know, that truly depends on what the customer is looking for. Historicals you almost always have to purchase on a site that caters to that genre - novelstock and periodimages. Erotica is another specialized few websites. For contemporary and thrillers, I mostly use depositphotos and shutterstock.

Which authors do you regularly work with?
Oh, gosh, there's so many I love - if an author sticks with you, you become more than just an employee, you become FRIENDS. Donna Cummings who writes historical and contemporary romance, Julie Smith who writes mystery and thriller. Miranda Nading who writes sci fi and apocalyptic novels, Lisa Leuthesser who writes erotica and romance. And of course, Sunanda Chatterjee has become a new friend of mine as well. =)
​
Do you also write books? If yes, do you or would you make your own covers?
I have written several books and yes, I would definitely make my own covers! Unfortunately I know I wouldn't do it well. I'm too close to my writing and I'd drive myself crazy with it! 

Here's her website.
​http://cheekycovers.com
https://www.facebook.com/CheekyCovers/
http://monarchcottages.com

Old Money: A Standalone Romantic Saga

​"Families are made from love, not DNA," said her father.

Fashion designer Juhi Raina has always struggled with her identity; an Indian-American, she straddles two worlds, haunted by salacious rumors of her family. After a break-up with her fiancé, all she wants is a little distraction. But the handsome photographer threatens her uneasy status quo.
Wellington Estates heir-turned-photographer Connor Riley shuns his family’s wealth and abhors all form of pretense. He is mesmerized by Juhi’s simplicity, and Juhi is drawn to his candor. The two misfits make a perfect match. But being with Juhi brings challenges Connor may not be ready for.
The past unravels, revealing secrets that may be best left unopened. Can Juhi and Connor look past the deceit and shame to reclaim their love?
Book 2 of the Wellington Estates, “Old Money” is a stand-alone romantic saga about heartbreak, loss, and finding forgiveness despite all odds.

 Three days only. Don't miss this!

My first book, Shadowed Promise goes on sale on Oct 31st.

Lots of other genres on sale HERE:
Fantasy/Urban Fantasy
Paranormal Romance/SciFi romance
Romance & Women’s Fiction
Young Adult
SciFi, Space Fantasy & Dystopian
Mystery, Thriller, or Horror