As some of you are already aware of, we love audiobooks here at UTC. With the recent release of FOURTH GRAVE BENEATH MY FEET by Darynda Jones we thought to go behind the scenes and talk a little bit more with the awesome narrator of the Charley Davidson series, Lorelei King. But not only does she narrate this series, she’s been a favorite of ours for a long while, narrating the Stephanie Plum novel and Mercy Thompson, amongst others. Please help us welcome her to UTC.
Who is Lorelei King? Tell us five interesting things about yourself that listeners wouldn’t know.
At the moment she’s a frazzled, overworked actress-narrator-voicedirector-publisher-scripteditor! J
I don’t know how interesting they are, but here are five things about me that people may not know: 1. I can read ancient Greek. 2. I love iguanas, lizards and snakes – most reptiles, actually. 3. I can roller skate (badly). 4. I am a bit addicted to reality TV shows (obviously I am hanging my head in shame as I type this). 5. Before becoming an actress, I really wanted to become a makeup artist. Good lord. Reading back over this list, I hadn’t quite realized what nerd I am!
Charlie is a very sexy and feisty heroine. What are some of your methods of conveying her personality through her voice as you narrate the audio books?
Darynda Jones has already done the heavy lifting by writing a fantastic character! I don’t really do anything special with my voice; the dialogue does all the work – those lines know how they want to be said! 🙂
Here at UTC, we love Charley but we want to know what is your favorite quality about Charley?
I admire her for her (mostly) uncomplaining and humorous acceptance of her unique situation and responsibility – but the thing that’s most fun to play is her sarcasm!
This series has a unique take on the Grim Reaper. What paranormal element or creature would you say is your favorite and why?
The supernatural element I love best in this series is the departed souls ‘passing through’ Charley on their way to the beyond. The ability to know someone fully and see his or her life condensed into a moment would be a great gift.
In terms of ‘creatures’, I love love love Rocket. He is hands down my favourite supporting character. I adore his gentle giant quality and admire his extraordinary savant gift of knowing the name of every single person who has ever died.
Why do you think there is such an allure concerning paranormal creatures in fiction right now?
Hasn’t it always been the case? Haven’t we always been intrigued by the unknown? I think what sets the current obsession apart is perhaps its emphasis on the erotic aspect of the paranormal – and I have no facts to back this up, but I’ll bet it’s women driving it…. zombies and vampires – maybe we all just want to be consumed. We love a predatory male who desires us so much he wants to make us part of him.(Although given the choice, I’d rather go by vampire than zombie as I have this thing about personal hygiene…)
Pronouncing names and figuring out accents can be difficult sometimes. Would you agree? And if so, how do you get through these obstacles?
Figuring out accents isn’t so difficult – the author usually gives you clues in the writing, or you can infer accents from wherever the story is set. But I agree that pronunciations can be challenging! A good producer will normally do the research for you, but I always do my own research too – I think it’s a good habit to cultivate. Sometimes I have to be a bit creative: If I can’t find the word in a dictionary, I go on YouTube to see if I can find a clip of someone saying it. If it’s a company name, I call them up to see how they answer the phone. And I’ve been known to email complete strangers asking how to pronounce their names. People are fantastically helpful.
What books do you enjoy reading?
My work schedule means that I get very little time for ‘leisure’ reading, but when I get the chance I like to re-read old favourites, like my collection of Gerald Kersh novels, and I also like downloading books to my Kindle – usually crime fiction (Maureen Carter is a recent favourite) and sometimes books by writer friends on Twitter – Jojo Moyes, Maria Duffy and Keren David are some who come to mind (by the way, if you want to say hi via social media, my Twitter handle is @LoreleiKing and my Facebook pro page is www.facebook.com/LoreleiKing).
Which book has been your favorite to narrate so far? Why was it your favorite?
Oh, there are SO many that I’ve loved narrating! This is hard.The first time I recorded a Janet Evanovich, my socks were well and truly knocked off. She’s so funny and writes such great characters. I had a similar experience with Darynda Jones’ first book – another really fresh voice. And I have to admit to having a very soft spot for The Guy Next Door by Meg Cabot, which I recorded years ago with my husband, Vincent Marzello. Cute, funny, epistolary. 😀
Thank you so much for sharing with us today!
I loved Lorelei King as the voice of Charley Davidson :]
I’ve never listened to an audio book before, I guess Im a little old fashioned. I still buy paperbacks :-). I hope I win.
I’ve never listened to an audio book before, I guess Im a little old fashioned. I still buy paperbacks :-). I hope I win.
I have never won on this blog but I hope I win this one so bad!!
There are only 2 series that I have listened to all the books on audio and it is the Mercy Thompson series (because of Lorelei King’s narration and the incredible writing by Patricia Briggs) AND the Sookie STackhouse series.
I have been hearing about Charley Davidson on goodreads for some time now and I want to try the series. So I hope I win this book so I can listen to this series.
I never listened an audio book before,cause I cant afford to buy them.Im still stick with the paperbacks
I’ve never listened to an audiobook but I’ve always wanted to. Thanks for the blog post and giveaway.
rmwyer at shaw dot ca
I LOVE your take on the Stephanie Plum series! I listen to them all the time.
I have not yet listened to a book that was read by a female voice.. I will have to look and see if I can find these ones she does… I have heard good things about the Charley Davidson series!! 🙂
I’ve listened to books one and two…loved them! Lorelei certainly brings Charley to life!
I’m a Lorelei fan. I first heard her on the Stephanie Plum books and actually liked the Charley Davidson books better on audio than written due to her narration.
I haven’t listened to many audio books but I think I need to! Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Lorelei ~ you love for what you do shines throuhg ~ oh, and how much you love Rocket, too! You can feel the smile on his face, lol. You do an AMAZING job w/ Charley…and I’ve never listened to the Plum series, but I will be now, just for your narrating! You totally add to the stories for me…they’re awesome on their own, but you make them breathe for me! Thank you! : D
And hey, I love how you do Donovan’s voice, btw! OMG, and the SS…that little lisp…makes me giggle…”I found the KNIFE!” in that singsong voice. LOVED it!
I am a huge, huge fan of audio books and when I find a narrator I love – I tend to listen to all of their books – I’m very lucky in that I do have one of Lorie’s books to listen to but I haven’t heard any of the others – I’ll definitely be checking some of them out though. Thanks for the giveaway!
Never tried an audio book– but this would be a great start!
modularmates(at)comcast(dot)net
Love Lorelei and her reading of the Charley Daniels series. I also love that she’s such a fan. You can tell she really enjoys the characters.
As I am visually impaired I love audio books. When I’m not reading e.books on my computer I often choose audio books. Perfect when doing the housework, it’s much more fun!
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I love Lorelei’s work! She has to be one of the top 5 audio narrators. Her voice, combined with Darynda Jones’ words is heaven!
Thanks for having me, UTC – loved interviewing with you. And thank you all for your kind comments! I’m grinning ear to ear…. 🙂 xx
Lorelei is a fabulous narrator and her voice will always be the voice of Charley for me. 🙂
I have only tried one audiobook so far. But I have to say that the narrator of it just did not do it for me. I read the book in paperback and really liked it, but the audio version I just could not get into. I do want to find some with a really good narrator so I can listen to them on the treadmill.
Lorelei King is one of my favorite audio readers; thanks for this interview!
I usually don’t listen to audio books, but I’d love to give this a try. Thanks for a great giveaway.
Lorelei does a wonderful job narrating the Charley Davidson series (and all the others she does)! I’m so glad we have her as the voice of Charley!
Lorelei King is one of my favorite narrators and she does a fantastic job with the Charley Davidson series. Thanks for the interview!
Lorelei!!!!! What a great interview! Have I ever told you that when the producer told me you were recording the books, I almost fainted? I have been a fan for a long time.
thank you for lending your enormous talent to these books!
Not sure how many know this, but she also recorded Death and the Girl Next Door. Squee!
I saw that you read a lot of Janet Evanovich books I love her books. I have never listened to an audio book but I think I will have to try it.
I have never listened to an audio book. Would you please pop my cherry. LOL! I love a lot of the books you have narrated, so I can’t wait to listen to one from you.
LOVE LOVE LOVE Lorelei! She is the perfect pick for Darynda’s books!
You are without a doubt the voice of many of my most favorite characters. That’s a big load to take on. No one can replace you.
Fabulous!!! I’m huge fan, I adore your interpretations, they are always right on target, from Stephanie Plum, Mercy Thompson to Charley Davidson you know how to bring these heroines to life and beautifully convey their stories faithfully transmitting the author’s intent!
I love your work and I considered you another character in these novels!
I haven’t listened to an audio book yet but I have a friend that swears by this series on audio books she loves Lorelei King. Thank you for the giveaway chance.
I absolutly believe Lorelei King is the BEST choice when it came to Charley Davidson! Thanks for giving us this giveaway chance.
I agree that Lorelei King is a fantastic narrator. I love her on both the Charley Davidson series and in Janet Evanovich books. Although I have to admit when I think of Charley speaking. It’s Lorelei I hear. She’s perfect.
Ive never listened to an audio book . Id love for Lorelei to be my first lol.Thank you for the chance
Have a great week
I have a 45 min commute to work so I spend that time listening to audiobooks 😉
Kassandra
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This is such a cool interview! You always see author interviews, but rarely voice artists or models. I also love everything Lorelei King has done. 😀
AquarianDancer
great interview! i love listening to audiobooks in the car! thanks for the giveaway!!
jaimela77 at gmail dot com
great interview!
Wow! What a terrific interview! I have heard so much about Lorelie but I have only ever heard quick snip its of her readings. It’s no wonder Darynda Jones loves her so much. I loved learning more about her and reading the answers to the questions she was asked, she seems very cool and now I really want to hear her read a whole book! 🙂
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this interview!
I’ve listened to books one and two…loved them! and i really did like this interveiw
Great interview! Lorelei is such a wonderful narrator for the series.
I got the chance to listen to the audiobook and she does a really great job at bring the people to life. I do enjoy audiobook so much and I’m already buying the other three audiobook from this series cause she make’s it all the better.
I’ve not read Lorelei’s books yet. Looking or ward to it.
I am totally impressed with your ability to read Ancient Greek Lorelei. Question: when would you have cause to use it?
Lorelei King’s narration of Charley was so good. I continued the series.
good job on this audiobook! i loved listening to it
FGBMF was the first audio book I have listened to fully. And I loved Lorelei’s voice! I have listened to snippets of others and I didn’t care for their voices at all. They either showed no emotion or their voice didn’t fit the book. Loved Lorelei’s! THanks!
Wow, whenever I need a boost, I’m going to come and read the lovely and generous comments by you all! Thank you so much!
Darynda – no, thank YOU for such great writing!
Rhonda P, I’m flattered you want to give me your audio-maidenhood. I feel a 50 Shades of Grave coming on… 😉 xx
Mary P, to answer your question as to when I would use Ancient Greek: When they perfect that time travel machine? I’m there, baby! 😀
I am new to the audio book world but have the longest drive to work and really would love to spend the time reading. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com
It’s interesting to hear the preparation that goes into narrating an audiobook. I’ve been listening to audiobooks for a few months now, and I love them!
I just started listening to First Grave! I listen when at work and I’m loving Charlie’s sarcasm. And I’m a reality TV junkie myself, the hubby hates it unless its something he’s interested in like Gold Rush. 🙂
I have not listened to Lorelei yet. I have only listened to a couple books and both were done by a man. I would love to hear Lorelei as Charlie!!! Thank you for the amazing giveaway!
Thanks for giving me a behind the scene look at Lorelei I have listened to her read Mercy Thompson and several other stories.