Laura Kinsale has been publishing audio versions of her backlist, produced by The Story Circle in London, and performed by Nicholas Boulton. Kinsale approached me about doing a giveaway to celebrate the release of The Dream Hunter in Audio. In the process, I learned a LOT about audioboks, not the least of which that I really, really like them, and also like very much when the narrator is male and excellent with voices.
I mean, I've been pretty vocal about my adoration of the available Richard Armitage-narrated abridged Georgette Heyer novels, so the male narrator thing shouldn't be a surprise, but it was to me. I have no problems with skilled narrators of any gender – the skill is what makes the audiobook a wonderful experience. But I hadn't thought about how many romances are narrated by women until I started corresponding with Kinsale about this project.
So please meet Nicholas Boulton, the narrator for Laura Kinsale's audiobooks. You can hear a whole selection of samples of his reading at Kinsale's Soundcloud page – including ringtones of various phrases from the books.
Kinsale says, “I wanted a male narrator for my romances because most of my books are hero-centric, but the heroines are equally important. Nicholas Boulton isn't just a voice actor, he's a voice artist. His skill at it is amazing. He can make you think there are five different people in the room talking to one another at the same time. He's got a swoonworthy, sexy voice, (just wait until we get to Ruck speaking Middle English—hot!) but there are a lot of male narrators and actors with that talent. Very very few of them can also voice a convincing female character. Above all, I chose Nick to narrate my books because of his ability to voice female characters so beautifully and naturally.
He's very well-known in gaming circles as the voice of Hawke in Dragon Age 2, along with Assassin's Creed and Mass Effect.”
Kinsale added, “He's also a kite-surfer, and in September will be participating with 250 others in an attempt to set the world record for the largest parade of kiters to complete a one mile course on the water, followed by a 40 mile downwind kite in the English Channel, on behalf of the youth charity Snow Camp and British sea rescue organization RNLI.
Yes, right, that's 40 miles. Kite-surfing. He's promised me that he'll wear water wings and won't jump the Brighton pier, so I'm down with it. At the risk of encouraging this sort of risky behavior in my very valuable narrator, at least before he's finished recording all my books, his contribution page is online.”
If you're curious about Kinsale's audiobooks, so far, four have been released – all with Nicholas Boulton narrating: The Dream Hunter, Flowers from the Storm, The Prince of Midnight, and Midsummer Moon.
So what was that about new audiobooks and a giveaway? Oh, yes!
To celebrate the release of The Dream Hunter and the other audiobooks from her backlist, Laura Kinsale has offered up a grand prize, and two runners up prizes as well.
The grand prize: a download code from Audible.com valid for one copy of The Dream Hunter, and another title — winner's choice.
Plus, a pair of pink Beats by Dre headphones that Kinsale has told me are the most amazing headphones she's experienced.
She made a video of people reacting to Nicholas Boulton's reading of her books – and yes, those are the model of headphones she's giving away (the winner gets a new pair, of course):
Link!
Due to shipping limitations, the headphones are US/Canada only. (And, if the winner prefers earbuds, these pink Beats by Dre earbuds are also an option.)
But the download codes are valid worldwide (and all of Kinsale's audiobooks should also be available worldwide, too). Thus we have two runner up prizes as well: two more download codes at Audible.com, each good for one copy of The Dream Hunter, and another title of the winner's choosing.
How do you enter? Easy!
To enter, leave a comment below telling us what you'd do while listening to a Kinsale audiobook if you won. Wash dishes? Clean things? Hide under a blanket? Drive through traffic on the Tappan Zee Bridge? (no, wait, that's me. Sorry.) Share what kinds of tasks you'll accomplish while listening, and you're entered to win. The Dream Hunter is 12 hours and 45 minutes. You could probably raise your own barn and smile while you did it!
Comments will close at 3:00 pm EDT on Friday 9 August, and I'll announce the winners later that day.
Standard disclaimers apply: Void where prohibited. The giveaway for the Audible download code prize is open to international residents to the extent permissible by applicable law. Must be over 18 and rocking out to win. I am not being compensated for this giveaway. Tumble dry low, reshape and dry flat. Is there anything worse than “reshape and dry flat?” Yes. Dry clean only! By submitting an entry to the contest as set forth herein, each entrant does acknowledge and agree that, in the event such entrant is victorious, such entrant will perform a ceremony reasonably appropriate to such circumstance, including, without limitation, the Miposian Dance of Joy. Close cover before striking.
I hope you'll consider what monumental tasks you can complete in 12 hours and 45 minutes, and share with us to enter. Good luck! And rock on!
i will listen to them while knitting! While cooking at work is also an option!
I would clean the kitchen and bathroom.
I would listen while snuggled up with my Great Dane.
I would listen while commuting to work. I drive two hours a day and audiobooks make the journey pleasant and relaxing.
In the tub with lots of bubbles and a glass of bubbly! Wouldn’t want anything to distract me from a great story!
I would listen while painting the interior of our house.
Captcha: married86 I aspire to be married for 86 years.
I would most probably be listening while commuting. It would definitely help me get through the E Train portion of my travels.
I would do laundry and clean my house. A good audio book makes the chores fly by!
I listen to audiobooks while I walk the dog…we have a Border Terrier and he needs lots of exercise so I spend an hour every day out with the dog!
I would be walking on my treadmill.
Garden!
Drive! I’ve been listening to audiobooks in my car for 5 years. It has saved my commuting sanity on many a morning.
I would most likely be knitting, weaving or spinning 🙂
I would FINALLY get around to movin all my stuff out of boxes from when I moved in three months ago and organize it all into something resembling order.
I would listen while walking my dog or mowing the lawn
I will listen to them while I’m at work
I would listen while weaving.
I’d be listening while breastfeeding my 3wk old during the night. Something spicy might just help keep me awake!
I’ve been helping a close family member de-hoard their house while their spouse (who is the hoarder) is away. I’m about a 1/3 of the way done. Listening to that book while cleaning and de-junking would make finding things like 5 1/2 year old yogurt ever so much more bearable. 🙂
I will finish knitting the little letter toys I promised to my cousin for her little girls over a year and a half ago!
I would listen while walking – I have finally started my new exercise regime
I have this room that needs organizing (before it gets so full of crap that I can’t get in the door), but it is such a big job that I quit before I start. If I am listening to a terrific book, I will get that room conquered!
I need to get back on the treadmill. A good book would help with motivation!
Listen to it on my trips to Houston
Cleaning, cooking, more cleaning, pulling weeds, mowing the lawn. Audiobooks are fantastic motivators for me.
I would listen on my commute to and from work. It makes the drive go so fast!
I would listen to them while commuting to the brand new job I just accepted over the weekend! I am going to have a 1+ hour commute (ugh), so I’ve already been planning out the audio books I want to listen to.
I listen to it on my way to work and then let it follow me inside to my desk.
I’ll listen while hoping to finish spring cleaning the house by fall! I’ll clean out and organize the office. (Or running erands….) Thanks for this fabulous opportunity!
Weed the garden and/or finish painting the celllar
I really loved Flowers from the Storm. My dog will lie down in her crate when she hears, this is audible, because she knows it’s either time for bed or to get off my lap so I can crochet.
Listening while I embroider, or while I drive to work
I would listen while taking my daily walk/run. A Kinsale book always gets my heart going!
I’m absolutely addicted to listening to audiobooks on my drive to and from work. On the way in, they cushion the blow of “oh my god, why do I have to work for a living?” On the way home, they stop me from brooding about what I just spent 8+ hours doing. Drive-time radio just doesn’t offer the escape that a good book on tape does!
I would use them to listen to audio books and music while at work…anything to help pass the time quicker!!
I would listen while mowing the lawn. Maybe I would actually enjoy mowing.
I would listem everywhere. While doing dishes, cooking dinner, doing laundry. Audio books keep me going.
I am a big multi-tasker so I do about fifty things while I listen to my audiobooks. These can include (but are not limited to): laundry, crocheting, playing on the computer, driving to work, eating dinner, taking a bubble bath, etc. Many of these are done simultaneously (though not the taking a bubble bath and driving to work :0 ).
I would probably listen while I workout on the elliptical or maybe while I cook!
I would listen while driving.