Narrator Andrea Emmes loves to love audiobooks
Andrea Emmes, narrator of such audiobooks as Four and a Half Shades of Fantasy: A Young Adult Anthology by W.J. May and Last Heartbeat by T.R. Lykins, shares with us what she loves about listening to audiobooks as well as some of her favorite narrators.
Andrea: Like most romantics, I love to be in love, watch movies about love, read stories about love and of course listen to audiobooks about love! Blessedly, last March I married the man of my dreams in beautiful Belize, one of the most romantic settings I have ever seen. We're one of those disgustingly sappy couples who could care less who is near as we show our affection for one another. Still, as deliriously happy we are, I still revel in escaping into someone else's love story; hearing all about their meet-cutes, their ups and downs, enjoying a little voyeurism as I silently join their tristes and of course their eventual happy ever after.
Many guys, like my husband, like to tease us about our "book porn." That we are no better than them when they "enjoy" their sexy magazines or videos. For me, "book porn" is more appealing because I'm able to escape the realm of reality and tap into my imagination. Let the cinematographer in my mind go crazy and visualize the author's words and characters, bringing them to life as I read. It's true when they say, "the book is always better than the film," right?
I can't speak for all women, but I know for me that, in a way, romance novels are like a vast ocean of knowledge that I can soak in and bring back into my own love life. Even though I have not read Fifty Shades of Grey yet (Yes, yes, I know. Shame on me), I think you can relate to what I'm saying. Whenever I'm feeling like I want to add a little zest to my love life, I'll think back to a book I have read and think, "Hmm. How can I incorporate this yummy tidbit into my love life?" Good news — my husband hasn't complained once!
Of course, I have favorites, like you all do. I would be flogged for heresy if I didn't list Nicholas Sparks or Nora Roberts. Both geniuses. They really know how to reach inside my soul and transform me into a sobbing pile of mush with tears of joy and sorrow. The Notebook or A Walk to Remember, anyone?? Need I say more?! Besides your straightforward romances, I really love paranormal stories. I'm a huge fan of Karen Marie Moning and her Fever series and Yasmine Galehorn and her Otherworld series. Of course, scintillating love scenes are exciting to read, but I also have to have a moving or interesting story to keep me plugged in. It's not like while watching a video where I can fast-forward to the "good parts," so a strong story and intriguing characters are a must if I'm going to drop any coin on a good book.
Actually, I have a really cool job where I have the pleasure of reading romance novels for a living. I'm an audiobook narrator and many of the books I have had the honor to bring to life are romance novels. Mostly, since I have a young voice, I narrate Young Adult "clean" romances or Christian romances, but that doesn't mean I don't love a good smexy book like any other woman. Narrators I can't get enough of? Cassandra Campbell, Julia Whelan, Phil Gigante, Jeffery Kafer and Scarlet Chase, to name a few.
Audiobooks, now they bring a new level of "va-va-voom" to the romance genre and allow my imagination to soar. I'm always in awe of the talented narrators who breathe life into these characters and stories. I can't tell you how many times they can make or break a book for me. Matching the right narrator to a good story is essential. They need to have the right pace, emotional investment into the story, the right tone and great characterization. They need to be able to easily help me ascend into a new level of escapism and keep me trapped in its blissful cocoon. Now I teeter from being a voracious reader to avid audiophile. Currently, I'm listening to Love Bites by Angela Knight, narrated by Scarlet Chase.
Enjoying romance novels has helped me be a more compelling narrator (I hope) and a better love to my husband.
Find out more about Andrea at www.andreaemmes.com.