Music to My Ears

by Olivia Cunning

I'm super excited that my Sinners on Tour series are now on audio book! So excited that I bought them all so I could add them to my "I love me" shelf.

I've heard great things about the narrator of the series, Justine O'Keef. Listeners say she does a great job. She gives each rock star in the Sinners band a distinguishable voice and although reading "Sed said" aloud is a bit of humor I didn't intend (why did I name the band's vocalist Sed?), she also portrays the humor of the books well.

I guess I'll have to take the listeners' word on it. I'm afraid to listen to them.

That's right. I bought them and haven't listened because I'm afraid I'll spend the entire time criticizing the inflection. As an author, I "hear" my books a certain way when I write them and I "hear" them the exact same way every time I read them. So if something is off in the inflection of the narrator's voice, it's going to drive me nuts. I just know it. I'm terrible about this when I watch a movie that's based on a book I've read. I'm all, "That's not how it happened in the book!" So my audio book collection increases, but I still haven't listened to them. Maybe someday soon I'll have the courage to take off the shrink wrap! I know they're unabridged and the story is complete, so I'm probably freaking out over nothing. I need to get over my scaredy-cattedness (alert Merriam and Webster, there's a new word!) and listen to them.

Or maybe you can listen for me and tell me if they sound exactly as they sound in my head. You're all mind readers, right?

I'm giving away a complete (so far) set of Sinners on Tour audio books today. And I will have to take the shrink wrap off so I can autograph them for you.

The winner will receive complete CD sets of Backstage Pass, Rock Hard, Hot Ticket, and Double Time all autographed by me. To enter just leave a comment here, on my facebook article, or @oliviacunning on twitter. Make sure I can figure out how to get in touch with you if you win! I'll pick a winner at noon tomorrow (Thursday April 24th). Even though the postage fees might make my wallet cry, this giveaway is open worldwide.

Eric's audio book, Wicked Beat, isn't out yet. It will be available, as will the book, in August. Here's an early version of the book cover. I haven't seen the audio book cover yet.

Speaking of Wicked Beat, there are really fun gifts you can get just for pre-ordering either the paperback or the ebook. All you need is proof of purchase and you can get a cool Sinners temporary tattoo and guitar pick. Here are the details!

The last installment of the Sinners on Tour series will be here in no time! To celebrate, we are offering another pre-order offer!

If you pre-order Wicked Beat, we will send you an exclusive Sinners logo tattoo and one sexy Sinners hot pink guitar pick! But you have to hurry because we only have 500 of them available! You have until August 5^th or until quantities run out! Here is what you do:

1.         Pre-order the book (print or eBook) through any retailer (Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Indiebound, BAM, etc.)

2.         Email your proof of purchase (receipt or picture of the receipt) to wickedbeat@sourcebooks.com. Don’t forget to include your home address (US & Canada only please) so we can send you the tattoo and guitar pick! Yes, if you’ve already pre-ordered it months ago, that counts, you just have to show your receipt.

3.         You will get an email back confirming when the items have been sent out.  If you were not one of the first 500 people, you will also be alerted.

4.         Enjoy Wicked Beat when you receive it in August!

 Good luck everyone!

I have a question for you:

How often do you listen to audio books? Sometimes I listen to them on long road trips. They really make the time go by quickly!