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 would do nothing while listening (ok maybe eat or lay in bed) because I cannot concentrate on anything when I listen to audiobooks! I can’t handle talk radio in the car either. I can kind of handle books I’ve already read, but it usually has to be something I’m really familiar with. However, I’ve discovered the perfect time to listen to audiobooks and podcasts, which is during my meal break at work!
I would lay on my yoga mat and drink beer.
I would totally listen to this book while I am re shelving the library section where I work that needs to be done.
This is a fabulous prize and a delicious sounding read;)
I would listen curled up on the sofa with my cat(s) and some chocolate hazelnut liqueur.
I LOVE audiobooks!!!! I listen in my car, while getting ready for work in the morning (make up & hair, making my lunch), I listen while doing housework, & when I walk the neighborhood. I also listen while knitting if the pattern isn’t too difficult.
I haven’t read your books before, but I would love the chance to try out these audiobooks! I get most of mine from the library. I would likely donate them to my library after I am done with them. The headphones… well they would be mine 🙂
I would listen to it either in the car or, most likely, while sitting in my living room knitting.
What would I do, Gardening, cooking, cleaning, shopping…I would live with my earplugs in my ears till I finished…
I am usually driving when I listen to audiobooks. However, I also listen to them while cooking, tidying – and knitting! They are also perfect for lying by the pool in the sun while on holiday…
I am usually driving when I listen to audiobooks. However, I also listen to them while cooking, tidying – and knitting! They are also perfect for lying by the pool in the sun while on holiday…
PS I’m sorry if this is a duplicate, but I’m having problems posting.
I’d listen during my daily run!
I’d listen to it while I pretend to work…also while I pretend to pay attention to my family members, co-workers, friends and the real world in general.
Me and my spouse take many trips to see our son on college the audiobook would be great for the trip
I love listening to audiobooks while doing housework stuff, but also while walking the dog through the park at night—it’s lovely, a real joy
I would listen when it’s my turn as the passenger on the 36-hour round-trip drive to drop my daughter off for her freshman year of college. That way if I start crying, I can blame it on an emotional part of the book and not my chick leaving the nest.
I listen to audiobooks while I’m commuting usually, so I get a couple chapters in each time. I’d love to hear Nicholas read Laura’s work in the car! Also, I’d use the extra code for “Midsummer Moon” because HEDGEHOG!
yes, Richard Armitage was fantastic reading “Venetia”.
local91: yes, I did graduate locally in ‘91.
I would probably listen to it while driving to visit my sister.
I’d listen while on the treadmill while getting my fitness on…makes the miles pass faster
During my commute (1 hr each way), and then after work while cooking supper and cleaning up the house.
Listen while walking my way to health!
Pick me! Pick me!
I’m planning a trip to surpirse my grandmother for her 80th birthday – I’d love to have a book to listen to on the trip there and back again (yes, hobbit reference).
Oh, I’d do all sorts of things while listening. I love audiobooks! My favorite thing to do while listening is shopping on Sunday mornings – I get my coupons, plan my shopping, browse through the stores, and enjoy the peace all while listening to my favorite stories. Did I mention I love audiobooks? 🙂
I would listen while sewing. I’m wanting to spend more time on my stitching, but somehow find myself with a book in my hand instead of a needle. This would solve that problem!
I’d listen to it before going to bed. I have a hard time falling asleep and a soothing male voice reading me stories of romance always helps! That’s what I did with the Richard Armitage audiobooks I purchased!
What I would do…. I would ride the train to work! Clean my house- no excuse not to vacuum and wash dishes :/ but for the cool pink headphones I’d do it!!! 🙂
I would listen each and every time I am in the car (daily), when I write in my journal (daily) and when I do jigsaw puzzles (not daily). Love your books and audiobooks so this is a great prize. Thanks for the chance.
I’d listen to it on my tedious commute from Queens into Manhattan! 🙂
Thanks so much to Smart Bitches and Laura for the contest! I enjoy audio books and find I like to listen to them while I’m doing long car rides especially since I get car sick if I read. This gives me a chance to enjoy a good book and not have the car sickness after affects.
I would listen to the audio book while commuting to and from work. It would soothe any road rage in me, and make me happy to be in my car for two hours a day!
I would listen as I drive to Dune Allen, Florida on a hot summer day, with the sun shining happily on my face. After arriving, I would pause only long enough to get my beach gear ready and set up on the white sugar sand of Dune Allen. I would then restart listening with the waves in the background, a breeze through my hair, and a beer in my hand. Sigh……Oh, and when the book is finished, I will do the Miposian Dance of Joy as instructed above. 🙂
I would listen while doing absolutely nothing, because a good book should have your utmost attention.
I would listen while at work for my 9-hour shift, continue the listen on the drive home through construction-packed Tucson traffic, and probably listen through the evening (because I love to binge on audiobooks—all the way through the first time, if I can)!
I love to listen to audio books when cleaning and organizing. It makes the time fly.
I will listen on my drive home. I’ve been listening to past editions of the DBSA podcast and am about to run out so will need something new 🙂
I would listen while driving – I love a good road trip and an audiobook.
I’d listen and exercise….listening to a voice like that would make the time FLY by. 😉
I would listen while organizing my office – home and work.
I would definitely listen to to a Laura Kinsale audiobook while doing the dishes or driving. I also enjoy listening to audiobooks when I go for a good, long walk. Sometimes, when my eyes are tired from using the computer but I’m not ready to fall asleep just yet, I’ll listen to a book in bed and I enjoy that too!
LK is such a marvellous writer and I listened to some of the samples of Nicholas Boulton reading her work about a week ago and was impressed. So, knowing me, I’d probably get hooked almost immediately and listen whenever and wherever the opportunity arose that allowed my mind to focus on the story while I was doing other things!
I will be the envy of every dance mom, when I pull out my pink Beats and relax with a delicious Laura Kinsale audiobook, during the long hours of my daughter’s daily dance training … and of course, they will ask me who I am listening to, and I’ll rave about The Dream Hunter narrated by Nicholas Boulton!
As a student and a music lover and bookworm I will listen to it anytime of the day 🙂 Versatility describes my flexibility while doing woks or chores in school or at home. I would also like to win it as a remedy to my very busy schedule and just lean on for a second and take a good drive of music 🙂 xx much love :*
I would listen in front of my computer, so I could follow the journey on google earth and see the places our hero and heroine traveled. I also like to find pictures of the characters and fill the screen with scenes from the book. I love your stories and Nick was a perfect choice. Whether I win or not, Dream Hunter is my next audio book! I have listened to Flowers From the Storm and The Prince Of Midnight…WONDERFUL!