Tag Archives: books

New Year, New Stories: January Releases 🎧✨

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It’s been a while since I’ve posted here, and I’ve missed connecting with all of you.  I’ve been focusing on the work – narrating, auditioning, and honing my craft — and it’s been a full and rewarding time.  But I do think it’s important to share the stories that touch our lives, so here I am!

January brought four new releases, and I’m excited to tell you about them.

🦉 Owl Diaries

I’m so delighted to be a part of the Owl Diaries series by Rebecca Elliott, published by Scholastic Audio.  “This adorable New York Times bestselling series is now available in audio format —perfect for young readers who love friendship stories with animal characters.”  The first two books released in January, with more to come throughout the year.  What a hoot it’s been bringing these sweet characters to life!  Available wherever you get your audiobooks.  🦉💕🦉💕

Racial Justice for the Long Haul

Racial Justice for the Long Haul by Christine Jeske, published by Christian Audio, is a thoughtful exploration of bridge-building and meaningful change through honest conversations across communities. I’m honored to have narrated this one — it’s full of grace, challenge and hope.  Now available wherever you get your audiobooks.

🎸 Mother’s Hip

This month on Lightspeed Magazine:  Mother’s Hip by Corey Jae White and Maddison Stoff — a haunting sci-fi story about a war pilot merged with a mothership, the drone children she’s conditioned to love, and what happens when that conditioning is violently stripped away.  Years later, she’s a veteran musician playing dive bars, trying to process her trauma through song.  Navigating these two different states of being – armored warrior and broken survivor — was a beautiful challenge. This one really moved me.  🌌 Link to listen to or read the story is here.

🌙 Jennifer’s Daughter

Dropping this week on Nightmare Magazine is Jennifer’s Daughter by Sara S. Messenger.  Fourteen year old Lane is homeschooled, isolated, and living with a mother who has dangerous secrets.  When Lane secretly befriends River, a lonely boy whose father has his own monstrous truths, their fragile connection becomes the only normal thing in their lives — until the night their parents discover each other.  The tender friendship between these two kids, both drowning in secrets but desperate to feel normal, broke my heart.  Raw and deeply affecting.  🖤 Link to listen to or read the story is here.

Coming in February:  Book 4 in Jody Hedlund’s beloved Matchmaker series — more on that soon!

Thanks for being here. It feels good to be back.  💜

 

 

 

Inks, Scrolls, and Secrets – A Week at the Raven Feather Salon – Now on Lightspeed 🪶

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Featured this week on Lightspeed Magazine is A Week at the Raven Feather Salon by Carrie Vaughn — a beautiful new fantasy story that I had the joy of narrating. 💫

At the Raven Feather Salon life slows down. Tea brews, buns bake, poetry is read, scrolls of protection are inked, and the soft melody of a lute drifts through the air.  ✨

But life wasn’t always like this for Sparrow. Not long ago, she was on the battlefield, inking protective scrolls for the army. She’d had enough of blood and war — and walked away at the height of her powers.

Until now.

When her old friend Major Kin rushes into the salon, everything changes. A spy has infiltrated his ranks, and Sparrow may be the only one who can uncover the truth. But doing so means risking everything she’s built… and the people she’s come to care for.

To listen or read A Week at the Raven Feather Salon head over to Lightspeed Magazine’s June 2025 Issue 181.  Big thanks to the wonderful team at Skyboat Media for sending this gem my way. 💜🪶

The Matchmaker is back … A WAGER WITH THE MATCHMAKER is here! 💘

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Book 3 is now out!  I absolutely loved narrating A Wager with the Matchmaker — the third installment in A Shanahan Match Series, written by the always incredible Jody Hedlund.  

One of the things I admire so much about the way Jody writes is how layered, vibrant, and full of life her characters are. There’s always humor, heart, and emotional depth. This story has it all: danger, suspense, impossible odds, romance, and those moments that just make you smile … or hold your breath.

Alannah Darragh is on the run, hiding from a ruthless gang leader who wants her as payment for her brother’s debt.  Kiernan Shanahan, her brother’s employer — and St. Louis’s most eligible bachelor — steps in to protect her.  As danger closes in and their connection deepens, the two must confront their undeniable chemistry and the bond growing between them  … even though their worlds couldn’t be more different.   

Enter the matchmaker.  Bellamy McKenna doesn’t play by the rules — and when he makes a wager, all bets are off.  💘

🎧 A Wager with the Matchmaker, published by Tantor Audio, is now available wherever you get your Audiobooks! 

New Audiobook Release from James Patterson and Matt Eversmann!

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The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians_

For as long as I can remember, I’ve cherished the moments spent wandering through bookstores, or engrossed in research at the library.  Being part of James Patterson and Matt Eversmann’s latest release, The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians, alongside an amazing cast of narrators, is not only such an honor, but also incredibly special. 

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians delves into the true stories of the extraordinary individuals who enrich our libraries and bookstores daily.  It’s a tribute to those who, with a single recommendation, can open up new worlds to us.   

Here’s just a glimpse of the many heartwarming exchanges in this book between patrons and our book heroes:

“My goal, my passion, is to become a special kind of matchmaker – matching people with books.” – Kelly Moore, librarian

“‘I haven’t read in years.’  … We know just how to help. We hand the long-lost reader a new book and the world opens up again.” – Exchange between library patron and bookseller

“‘I’ll never forget the day I met you,‘ the woman tells me. She smiles. ‘You have changed my life.’“  – Library patron to her local librarian

“Making these personal connections is so important.  It’s not about selling books; it’s about making a community.” – Suzanne Lucey, bookseller

Heartfelt thanks to P.J. Ochlan and Hachette Audio for the opportunity to be a part of this treasure trove of stories.  The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians: True Stories of the Magic of Reading is now available on Audible, Amazon and wherever you get your books.