The TMI: November 17, 2024
Goosebumps Guaranteed!
This summer, I poured my heart and soul into creating the first audiobook for the Midlife in Aura Cove series. For three intense months, I worked in a recording booth, stitching together a full-cast production featuring layered voices over my own narration. While the result was solid—an audiobook that captured the heart of Aura Cove—it came at a steep price: it completely derailed my writing schedule. I realized something important: as much as I love this series, sacrificing new stories wasn’t the way forward.
Then, a publisher approached me about purchasing the audio rights. For a moment, I thought this might be the perfect solution. But after negotiations broke down, I knew I needed a different approach. That’s when I found CJ Locks.
After listening to countless auditions, CJ’s performance stood out in every way. Her voice doesn’t just tell the story—it becomes the story. Every character comes to life through her remarkable talent, and the sample chapter she shared gave me actual goosebumps. It’s the dramatic, immersive audio experience that the Midlife in Aura Cove series deserves.
Over the next 6–9 months, CJ and I will work together to create a professionally narrated, fully dramatized version of the entire series. I can’t wait to share sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes updates as we bring Katie, Frankie, and the rest of the coven to life like never before.
In the meantime, I’m sharing chapters of the version I made of Hawt Flash—the first book in the series—on YouTube, brought to life using cutting-edge AI voice technology.
Subscribing to my channel directly supports our mission to fund CJ’s incredible production, with the full series slated for release in 2025.
Fresh Words From My Next Book Nevermore. Coming 2025!
The shotgun cocked again and I felt another shower of pellets explode as I fell forward onto the cage disengaging the lock on the door in one fell swoop. There was a metal clang as the shotgun fell to the ground and then a heavy thud when Sheila landed next to it. She was clutching her chest and moaning, her skin pasty and white. I staggered to my feet again, both hands covered in blood that was now dripping from my mouth.
“Are you seriously going to have a heart attack right now? Why couldn’t this have happened five minutes ago?” I let out an ironic chuckle as my blood dripped onto the floor. The only kind of luck I’d ever had was bad and in my last moments as the circumstances became almost comical my exasperated giggles became more unhinged.
“Uh-Oh!” The gray bird squawked taking in the scene of his caretaker on the floor as if he could understand what was happening. “Sheila is dead.” He crowed. “Sheila is dead.” He flapped his wings and perched on top of the toppled cage. His eyes unblinking.
Copyright © [2024] Blair Bryan Teal Butterfly Press. All rights reserved.
This excerpt is provided for promotional purposes only. No part of this text may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission from the author or publisher.
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Treat 'Yo Self! to the Perfect Gift!
The Midlife in Aura Cove Complete Series is the ultimate escape into a world where women over 50 discover their own power and embrace life’s second act with humor and heart. Whether it's for a mom, grandma, or your favorite mother-in-law, this collection will enchant any fantasy reader!
Currently Reading: Garden Spells
Garden Spells is a charming dive into whimsical magical realism, with a touch of sweetness that defines Sarah Addison Allen's writing. While the novel is over a decade old and reflects the early stages of her growth as an author, it still holds its own as a delightful read. Comparing it to her more recent works highlights just how much she’s evolved. My favorite character was the meddling apple tree, it added such a playful, enchanting vibe to the story.
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P.S. I Need Your Help!
You can write as much or as little as you want and I would be forever in your debt!
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