0 SUMMER 2017 SYNC TITLE LINEUP #audiobooks

The SYNC Audiobooks for Teens program, sponsored by AudioFile Magazine and powered by OverDrive, kicks off its eighth year on April 27^th.  Authors represented include Daniel JoséOlder, Franz Kafka, Ruta Septys, and Nikki Grimes. With parents, teachers, librarians, and teens looking for good media within easy access, SYNC is the perfect way to engage teens with new literature for their earbuds.

SYNC makes available two FREE audiobook downloads every week, to each and every registered listener, all summer. In 2017, 32 titles will be given away through the 16 week-long season. Teens, librarians, club leaders, and educators may sign up for email or text alerts and can learn more at www.audiobooksync.com.

SYNC creates weekly thematic pairings of teen-focused titles to encourage both critical listening and opportunities to make choices and develop personal tastes. During the summer of 2016, the SYNC program gave nearly 172,000 downloads to more than 31,000 participants.

“We continue to be excited by the growth of the program. With more titles from more publishers being made accessible to teens we will continue to grow the enthusiasm of young people about listening and expand their literary horizons,” says AudioFile Magazine Founder Robin Whitten.

Any individual may participate by downloading the OverDrive App to their device of choice and returning to the SYNC website each Thursday after 7am Eastern Time to download the new audiobook pair for the week. Each title is available for one week only, but once downloaded they can be kept forever, so the opportunity to listen can extend well beyond the term of the summer program.

SUMMER 2017 SYNC TITLE LINEUP

April 27 – May 3

THE DEAD HOUSE by Dawn Kurtagich, Narrated by Charlotte Parry, Christian Coulson (Hachette Audio)

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY by Oscar Wilde, Narrated by Greg Wise (Naxos AudioBooks)

May 4  – May 10

FEED by M.T. Anderson, Narrated David Aaron Baker, John Beach, Anne Twomey, Tara Sands (Listening Library)

THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY by Douglas Adams, Narrated by Stephen Fry (Random House Audio)

May 11 – May 17

BRONX MASQUERADE by Nikki Grimes , Narrated Jessica Almasy, Cherise Booth, Kevin R. Free, Marc Damon Johnson, Sisi Aisha Johnson, Melanie Martinez (Recorded Books)

TEENAGE DIARIES: THEN AND NOW by Radio Diaries, Hosted by Joe Richman (HighBridge Audio)

May 28 – May 24

THE GATHERING: SHADOW HOUSE BOOK 1 by Dan Poblocki, Narrated by Dan Bittner (Scholastic Audiobooks)

IN OUR BACKYARD: HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN AMERICA AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO STOP IT by Nita Belles, Narrated by Nicol Zanzarella (Oasis Audio)

May 25 – May 31

FREAKLING by Lana Krumwiede, Narrated by Nick Podehl (Brilliance Audio)

BOY by Anna Ziegler, Performed by Sarah Drew, John Getz, Travis Johns, Amy Pietz, Bobby Steggert  (L.A. Theatre Works)

June 1 – June 7

BEAST by Donna Jo Napoli, Narrated by Robert Ramirez (Recorded Books)

OF BEAST AND BEAUTY by Stacey Jay, Narrated by Julia Whelan (Tantor Media)

June 8 – June 14

PLUS ONE by Elizabeth Fama, Narrated by Julia Whelan (Elizabeth Fama)

IF I RUN by Terri Blackstock, Narrated by Nan Gurley (Zondervan)

June 15 – June 21

THE RED UMBRELLA by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Narrated by Kyla Garcia (Ideal Audiobooks)

THE SOULS OF BLACK FOLK by W.E.B. Du Bois, Narrated by Rodney Gardiner (Dreamscape Media)

June 22 – June 28

THE WITCH'S VACUUM CLEANER AND OTHER STORIES by Terry Pratchett, Narrated by Julian Rhind-Tutt (HarperAudio)

THE WITCHES: SALEM, 1692 by Stacy Schiff, Narrated by Eliza Foss (Hachette Audio)

June 29  – July 5

AMERICAN NIGHT: THE BALLAD OF JUAN JOSÉ by Richard Montoya, Developed by Culture Clash and Jo Bonney, Performed by Keith Jefferson, Richard Montoya, Todd Nakagawa, Sean San Jose, Kimberly Scott, Herbert Siguenza, Tom Virtue, Libby West, Caro Zeller (L.A. Theatre Works)

MY NAME IS NOT EASY by Debby Dahl Edwardson, Narrated by Nick Podehl, Amy Rubinate (Brilliance Audio)

July 6 – July 12

REBUTTAL by Jyotsna Hariharan, Narrated by Phoebe Strole, Michael Crouch,  Nina Mehta (HarperAudio)

REMEMBER TO FORGET by Ashley Royer, Narrated by Will Lasley (Blink)

July 13 – July 19

THE DORITO EFFECT: THE SURPRISING NEW TRUTH ABOUT FOOD AND FLAVOR by Mark Schatzker, Narrated by Chris Patton (Dreamscape Media)

SUGAR by Deirdre Riordan Hall, Narrated by Tara Sands (Brilliance Audio)

July 20 – July 26

GONE: GONE SERIES, BOOK 1 by Michael Grant, Narrated by Kyle McCarley (Tantor Media)

THE ONE SAFE PLACE by Tania Unsworth, Narrated by Mark Turetsky (HighBridge Audio)

July 27 – August 2

AIRBORN by Kenneth Oppel, Narrated by David Kelly and a full cast (Full Cast Audio)

SHADOWS ON THE MOON by Zoe Marriott, Narrated by Amy Rubinate (Brilliance Audio)

August 3  – August 9

BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys, Narrated by Emily Klein (Listening Library)

IN MY HANDS: MEMORIES OF A HOLOCAUST RESCUER by Irene Gut Opdyke with Jennifer Armstrong, Narrated by Hope Davis (Listening Library)

August 10 – August 16

SHADOWSHAPER by Daniel José Older, Narrated by Anika Noni Rose  (Scholastic Audiobooks)

METAMORPHOSIS by Franz Kafka, Narrated by Martin Jarvis (Naxos AudioBooks)

About AudioFile Magazine

AudioFile is the #1 source in the world for audiobook reviews with over 38,000 titles professional reviews already available. Nearly 400 new audiobooks are reviewed every 60 days. AudioFile features narrator and author profiles and awards exceptional performances with the coveted Earphones  award. www.AudioFileMagazine.com

About OverDrive 
OverDrive is the leading digital distribution platform, supplying the industry’s largest catalog of eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming video to 34,000 libraries, schools and retailers worldwide. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA and is owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten. www.overdrive.com

# # #

If you would like more information, please contact SYNC Manager Michele Cobb at 401-354-9100 or michele@audiofilemagazine.com . You can follow AudiobookSYNC on Social media: Twitter,  Pinterest, Instagram and SYNCAudiobooks on Facebook.

0 Last Week In Review (37)

Last week in review has unintentionally turned into last month in review. I've been ill over the past two weeks. I definitely feel better than I did at this time last week, but I'm still not 100%. However, I finally feel like reading again, so that's progress.

Currently I'm reading The Confession of Young Nero by Margaret George. The book will be released on March 7. I read and enjoyed a few other titles by George, so I have high hopes for this book. I'm also listening to The Gentleman by Forrest Leo. I'm about halfway through and I highly recommend this book. It's hilarious.









I've watched a lot of television over the last few weeks. I re-watched Parks and Recreation on Netflix. I've continued watching the PBS series Victoria on Sunday. And I also managed to catch the classic Fall of the House of Usher staring Vincent Price.

Most of my time has been spent trying to get well. Now I'm trying to get back in the game of life. I came back to more emails than I know what to do with and I have many book reviews to write. Hopefully, I get to them this week.

In the meantime, I came across this short video on YouTube that you might like:

I hope you all are well and in good health. Thanks for bearing with me over the last few weeks. It's my goal to bring you more interesting bookish things soon.

0 Cover Reveal for Jill Shalvis’s CHASING CHRISTMAS EVE by @JillShalvis

From New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis comes the next sexy, standalone novel in the Heartbreaker Bay series...

About CHASING CHRISTMAS EVE:

Meet cute...

Run for the hills—temporarily. That’s Colbie Albright’s plan when she flees New York for San Francisco. Wrangling her crazy family by day and writing a bestselling YA fantasy series by night has taken its toll. In short, Colbie’s so over it that she’s under it. She’s also under the waters of a historic San Francisco fountain within an hour of arrival. Fortunately, the guy who fishes Colbie out has her looking forward to Christmas among strangers. But she’s pretty sure Spencer Baldwin won’t be a stranger for long.

Make merry...

Spence’s commitment to hiding from the Ghosts of Relationships Past means he doesn’t have to worry about the powerful—okay, crazy hot—chemistry he’s got with Colbie. Just because she can laugh at anything, especially herself... just because she’s gorgeous and a great listener…just because she “gets” Spencer immediately doesn’t mean he won’t be able to let Colbie go. Does it?

…and hope for a miracle.

Now the clock’s ticking for Colbie and Spence: Two weeks to cut loose. Two weeks to fall hard. Two weeks to figure out how to make this Christmas last a lifetime

Pre-Order CHASING CHRISTMAS EVE in ebook or paperback, releasing 9/26/17

Amazon | iBooks | Kobo| Barnes & Noble

Add to your Goodreads

EXCERPT:

The bathroom door opened, and even better than his fantasy, Colbie emerged from a cloud of steam, her willowy body wrapped in one of his towels, her exposed skin gleaming and dewy damp. Her hair had been piled on top of her head, but wavy strands had escaped, clinging to her neck and shoulders.

He couldn’t tear his gaze off of her. There was just something so uncalculated about her, so . . . natural and easy. She was like a beacon to him, which was both crazy and more than a little terrifying.

Clearly not seeing him against the wall, she moved with an effortless grace to the suitcase she’d left at the door. Bending low enough to give him a near heart attack, she rifled through her things, mumbling to herself that she should’ve researched more about how to be a normal person instead of how to kill someone with an everyday object.

“Do you kill a lot of people, then?” Spence asked.

“Motherforker!” she said with a startled squeak of surprise, whirling to face him, almost losing her grip on the towel.

Five days a week, Spence worked out hard in this gym. Mostly to outrun his demons, but the upside was he could run miles without losing his breath. But he lost his breath now.

And that wasn’t his body’s only reaction.

And don’t miss the previous books in Jill Shalvis’s Heartbreaker Bay Series, SWEET LITTLE LIES, THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE, ONE SNOWY NIGHT and ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE, now available! Grab your copies HERE!

About Jill Shalvis:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s sexy contemporary and award-winning books wherever romances are sold and click on the blog button above for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

0 Everything hurts and I'm dying.

Hello, fellow readers. I apologize for my lack of posts lately. The flu has made its way into my home. Last week it hit my kids, this week it's me. Please bear with me while I take some time off to recuperate. Best to you all and may the force be with you.

0 Book Blast: Hannah Fielding's ANDALUCIAN NIGHTS Trilogy

Indiscretion (Andalucían Nights #1)
by Hannah Fielding

Publication Date: April 9, 2015
London Wall Publishing
Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, AudioBook

Genre: Romance/Historical Fiction

A young woman's journey of discovery takes her to a world of forbidden passion, savage beauty, and revenge.

Spring, 1950. Alexandra de Falla, a half-English, half-Spanish young writer abandons her privileged but suffocating life in London and travels to Spain to be reunited with her long-estranged family.

Instead of providing the sense of belonging she yearns for, the de Fallas are driven by seething emotions, and in the grip of the wild customs and traditions of Andalucia, all of which are alien to Alexandra.

Among the strange characters and sultry heat of this country, she meets the man who awakens emotions she hardly knew existed. But their path is strewn with obstacles: dangerous rivals, unpredictable events, and inevitable indiscretions. What does Alexandra's destiny hold for her in this flamboyant land of drama and all-consuming passions, where blood is ritually poured on to the sands of sun-drenched bullfighting arenas, mysterious gypsies are embroiled in magic and revenge, and beautiful dark-eyed dancers hide their secrets behind elegant lacy fans?

"Indiscretion"is a story of love and identity, and the clash of ideals in the pursuit of happiness. But can love survive in a world where scandal and danger are never far away?

Amazon

Praise for Indiscretion

"A captivating tale of love, jealousy and scandal… their romance is fraught with drama, and the reader is swung around in a flurry of passion and denial towards an unexpected conclusion." – The Lady magazine

"A powerful story that really captures you and pulls you in… Full of passion, danger, love and a fantastic setting, Indiscretion is a stunning story that is truly consuming and gripping." – Reading in the Sunshine

"A tense, compelling story… kept me enthralled to the very last page." – Novelicious

"A powerful and romantic story, one to savour and enjoy… Written in a flowing, vivid style, Indiscretion grips from the first." – Lindsay Townsend

Masquerade (Andalucían Nights #2)
by Hannah Fielding

Paperback Publication Date: February 1, 2017
London Wall Publishing
Paperback; 448 Pages

Genre: Romance

From the award-winning author of The Echoes of Love. Love, mystery and desire under the scorching Spanish sun.

A young writer becomes entangled in an illicit gypsy love affair, pulling her into a world of secrets, deception and dark desire.

Summer, 1976. Luz de Rueda returns to her beloved Spain and takes a job as the biographer of a famous artist. On her first day back in Cádiz, she encounters a bewitching, passionate young gypsy, Leandro, who immediately captures her heart, even though relationships with his kind are taboo. Haunted by this forbidden love, she meets her new employer, the sophisticated Andrés de Calderón. Reserved yet darkly compelling, he is totally different to Leandro but almost the gypsy's double. Both men stir unfamiliar and exciting feelings in Luz, although mystery and danger surround them in ways she has still to discover.

Luz must decide what she truly desires as glistening Cádiz, with its enigmatic moon and whispering turquoise shores, seeps back into her blood. Why is she so drawn to the wild and magical sea gypsies? What is behind the old fortune-teller’s sinister warnings about ‘Gemini’? Through this maze of secrets and lies, will Luz finally find her happiness… or her ruin?

Masquerade is a story of forbidden love, truth and trust. Are appearances always deceptive?

Amazon

Praise for Masquerade

"A brilliant romance concerned with love, revenge, identity and honour… Hannah Fielding writes of love, sexual tension and longing with an amazing delicacy and lushness, almost luxury." – Lindsay Townsend, author

"A beautiful journey back in time to a beautiful city to experience a story filled with passion, heartbreak, revenge, betrayal, and love… If you’re a fan of beautiful settings, fabulous imagery, and descriptions that make you feel, smell, and sense the place then definitely read Masquerade." – Unwrapping Romance

"I am in love with the writing style of the author! It brings not only the world alive, but the characters as well. She creates so much emotion and feeling… She truly did justice with bringing the beauty and drama of Spanish society alive yet again." – Carole Rae’s Ramblings

"A beautiful love story of passion and love, curses and family secrets… With beautiful descriptions and exotic locations the author weaves a heart wrenching tale of love and revenge… This story led me on an emotional roller coaster and I loved every minute of it." – Curse of the Bibliophile

Legacy (Andalucían Nights #3)
by Hannah Fielding

Paperback Publication Date: March 2, 2017
London Wall Publishing
Paperback; 448 Pages

Genre: Romance

A troubled young journalist finds her loyalties tested when love and desire unearth dark secrets from the past.

Spring, 2010. When Luna Ward, a science journalist from New York, travels halfway across the world to work undercover at an alternative health clinic in Cadiz, her ordered life is thrown into turmoil.

The doctor she is to investigate, the controversial Rodrigo Rueda de Calderon, is not what she expected. With his wild gypsy looks and devilish sense of humour, he is intent upon drawing her to him. But how can she surrender to a passion that threatens all reason; and how could he ever learn to trust her when he discovers her true identity? Then Luna finds that Ruy is carrying a corrosive secret of his own…

Luna’s native Spanish blood begins to fire in this land of exotic legends, flamboyant gypsies and seductive flamenco guitars, as dazzling Cadiz weaves its own magic on her heart. Can Luna and Ruy’s love survive their families’ legacy of feuding and tragedy, and rise like the phoenix from the ashes of the past?

Legacy is a story of truth, dreams and desire. But in a world of secrets you need to be careful what you wish for…

Amazon

Praise for Legacy

"Legacy is filled to the brim with family scandal, frustrated love and hidden secrets. Ruy is the ideal love interest, exuding both charm and intelligence, and Luna fits the part of innocent and fragile heroine perfectly. Fast-paced and addictive, it will keep you hooked from start to finish." – The Lady magazine

"Epic and timeless… In the vein of ‘Gone With The Wind’, this particular book is just as epic and timeless. Written with lively detail, you are IN Spain. You are engulfed in the sights, sounds and smells of this beautiful country." – Have You Heard Book Reviews

"I just got completely swept away… Just when I thought this trilogy could not get any better, it did! As with books 1 and 2 in this trilogy, I just got completely swept away by the detailed descriptions of locations and the history of each of the characters." – Debra’s Book Cafe

"This story has a magical quality to it, telling a fervent, tantalizing, and sweeping love story, is rich in details, and captured my imagination as well as my attention." – Romancing the Book

About the Author

Hannah Fielding is an incurable romantic. The seeds for her writing career were sown in early childhood, spent in Egypt, when she came to an agreement with her governess Zula: for each fairy story Zula told, Hannah would invent and relate one of her own. Years later – following a degree in French literature, several years of travelling in Europe, falling in love with an Englishman, the arrival of two beautiful children and a career in property development – Hannah decided after so many years of yearning to write that the time was now. Today, she lives the dream: writing full-time at her homes in Kent, England, and the South of France, where she dreams up romances overlooking breath-taking views of the Mediterranean.

To date, Hannah has published four novels: Burning Embers, ‘romance like Hollywood used to make’, set in Kenya, 1970; the award-winning Echoes of Love, ‘an epic love story that is beautifully told’ set in turn-of-the-millennium Italy; and books 1 and 2 of the Andalucian Nights trilogy, set in sultry Spain, entitled Indiscretion and Masquerade.

For more information, please visit Hannah Fielding's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Sign up for Hannah Fielding's newsletter for news & updates.

Giveaway

To celebrate the Book Blast, we have one copy of the entire trilogy up for grabs! To enter, please see the Gleam form below.

Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 3rd. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to residents in US & Canada only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE

0 Tangasm and more: Interview with Mikhaila Stettler

Sex and the City meets Fear of Flying on the dance floor.

It’s now or never for Alexis. She’s determined to reinvent herself and make her mark, but when she falls in love with Argentine tango, romance gets in the way.

Newly divorced transplant to Los Angeles, Alexis takes up Argentine tango as a way to meet people, but really to resuscitate her comatose sexuality from the deep freeze that was her marriage. She knew she was a goner right after that first tangasm, a fabled phenomenon and here she is having multiples right out the gate.

Tango sets something loose in her, something wild and hungry. She enters a series of romantic misadventures with the men who give her tangasms on the dance floor but her usual good judgment is confused by shape-shifting lovers and past-life scenes bleeding through into present reality. When her recklessness puts her life in danger, she freaks out. She resolves to focus on work. No more romance. Not until she can heal and trust herself again.

Then Nico enters Alexis’s life and rocks her world. It’s the biggest opportunity of her career. She can’t blow it by getting romantically entangled with the client. Yet if her dreams are true, this isn’t the first time they’ve met. When a former self from a past life barges in, things come to a head. From the sexy milongas of Los Angeles to stylish Milan and sultry Rio, Alexis ignites a passion she never knew and discovers the power of reinvention.

Pink Diamonds is available on Amazon.

  

1. Let's jump right into it: What is a tangasm?

A tango-induced full body orgasmic experience on the dance floor. I’ll give it you straight from the book: 

“The fabled tangasm is a phenomenon characterized by the intense full body pleasure you feel in the arms of a partner with whom you have a uniquely intimate and alchemical connection. A tangasm is accompanied by an electric charge just beneath the skin that sensitizes all your nerve receptors and telegraphs urgent messages to your pussy. A tangasm leaves you weak in the knees and wet in your panties, like you just got well and thoroughly fucked. A tangasm can make you want to have sex with a man you don’t even want to date. A tangasm stops time and alters reality. A tangasm led to my downfall. A tangasm, I come to find out, is an event as rare as a unicorn sighting.”

2. Tango plays a major role in your novel and your personal life. What draws you to this dance?

I’ve always loved to dance and started out as a dance/choreography major at New York University. I had danced salsa for a couple of years and wanted something more elegant and sophisticated. I was drawn to the controlled intensity and passion of Argentine tango. Once I got enough technique under my belt that I could follow a basic lead, I began to experience the true gifts of tango: heightened awareness in the present moment, intimate connection with a partner, moment-by-moment improvisation and attunement to the music. At its best, tango puts me in a state of total immersion, connection, expression and mindfulness – like a highly creative moving mediation. 

3. What do you think people misunderstand most about you?

I appear to be a vivacious extrovert but I’m really something of a mystic who requires lots of quiet solitude and time for inner contemplation. 

4. What are your goals for this year?

My number one goal is to share the world of PINK DIAMONDS with as many readers as possible. I want to give my readers pleasure, to delight and entertain them, to turn them on. My other goal is to write the sequel. We all can't wait to find out what happens with Alexis and Nico!

5. What's your perfect day like?

A perfect day would start off in a tropical seaside locale and include yoga, swimming and water adventures, a solid 3-4 hours productive writing or art-making session, a massage, feasting with friends and family on fabulous fresh organic food, an evening of live music and dancing under the stars, finished off with ecstatic love play with my beloved partner.

0 What Makes a Good Travel Writer?

For me, the most obvious requirement of a good travel writer is that they write about real-life, true experiences.  If people are reading fictional accounts of something that never happened written by someone who’s never been there it suddenly all becomes rather meaningless. My travel stories are completely true and related exactly as they happened; nothing has been contrived or exaggerated.

As the reader of a travel book, you want to feel that you’re taking the journey with the writer.  In your mind’s eye, you want to see the sights and people being described, hear the sounds and even sense the smells.  Words need to bring scenes and experiences vibrantly to life to leave the reader amused and amazed.  Dull travel writing does nothing to inspire anyone!   

Writing about travel destinations or experiences is different to a

fictional novel.  A good travel writer will keep the story moving instead of losing the reader in superfluous detail.  All the tales in my recent book have been related and edited to 500 words.  This decision was made to keep readers engaged and captivated through each adventure and hopefully from cover to cover!

Good travel writing should be informative.  Aside from being entertaining, I want my readers to learn something about places they’ve never been.  So aside from relating my exploits, I also include many relevant or quirky facts and historical information in my writing.  This creates a more interesting and fulfilling reading experience while also leaving the reader more knowledgeable and enlightened.

Travel, in the true sense is not simply seeing things.  It is a unique cultural experience that includes people, places, food and so much more.  The best travel writing captures this diversity and offers it to the reader with energy and passion.  It’s entertaining and stirs wanderlust.  After reading a good travel story, you’ll probably sit back and think “wow, I’d love to go there and do that!”

To find out more about Dave Tomlinson be sure to visit his website. Around the World in 80 Tales is available at Amazon.

            

              

0 Audio Publishers Association announces Audie Awards® finalists in 26 categories

Audio Publishers Association announces Audie Awards® finalists in 26 categories

New York, NY - The Audio Publishers Association (APA) has announced finalists for the 22nd annual Audie Awards® competition, the premier awards program in the United States recognizing distinction in audiobooks and spoken word entertainment.  Winners will be revealed at the Audie Awards® Gala on June 1, 2017, at the French Institute Alliance Française in New York City. For the second year in a row, award-winning comedian, author, and commentator Paula Poundstone will emcee the event.  "This year has shown another increase in both the number and quality of submissions which mirrors the continued year-over-year growth and interest in audiobooks," says APA President Linda Lee.  "We are excited to have Paula Poundstone back to emcee our festivities this year, which again promises to be a rollicking good time celebrating the best-of-the best in our vibrant industry!" "Every year our judges' mission is to select the best, and every year they moan to me over how hard that is," adds Janet Benson, Audie Awards® Competition Chair. "Audiobooks have definitely arrived - if you're not listening to one right now, what are you waiting for? The quality titles on this list are a great place to start!" Through the Audie Awards® competition, publishers enter titles in various categories for recognition of excellence. Finalists are selected by a diverse group of experienced judges and one winner is awarded the Audie in each category.  For more information and to see a list of all of the nominees, visit www.theaudies.com. Finalists in this year's competition are:                                   AUDIO DRAMA Alien: Out of the Shadows: An Audible Original Drama by Tim Lebbon and Dirk Maggs, narrated by Rutger Hauer, Corey Johnson, Matthew Lewis, Kathryn Drysdale, Laurel Lefkow, Andrea Deck, and Mac McDonald, published by Audible Studios Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Adventures: Death and the Queen by James Goss, narrated by David Tennant, Catherine Tate, Alice Krige, Blake Ritson, Beth Chalmers, and Alan Cox, published by Big Finish Productions Doctor Who: The War Doctor: Only The Monstrous by Nicholas Briggs, narrated by John Hurt, Jacqueline Pearce, Carolyn Seymour, and Lucy Briggs-Owen, published by Big Finish Productions In the Embers by Brian Price and Jerry Stearns, narrated by Robin Miles, Edwin Strout, Dean Johnson, et al; music by Mike Wheaton, published by Great Northern Audio Theatre/Blackstone Audio The Mountaintop by Katori Hall, narrated by Aja Naomi King and Larry Powell, published by LA Theatre Works AUTOBIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR Around the Way Girl written and narrated by Taraji P. Henson, published by Simon & Schuster Audio Buffering: Unshared Tales of a Life Fully Loaded by Hannah Hart, narrated by Hannah Hart and Judy Young, published by HarperAudio The Greatest: My Own Story by Muhammad Ali with Richard Durham, narrated by Dion Graham, published by Graymalkin Media The Rainbow Comes and Goes written and narrated by Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt, published by HarperAudio When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi; Foreword by Abraham Verghese, narrated by Sunil Malhotra and Cassandra Campbell, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape BEST FEMALE NARRATOR Another Brooklyn: A Novel by Jacqueline Woodson, narrated by Robin Miles, published by HarperAudio Be Frank with Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson, narrated by Tavia Gilbert, published by HarperAudio The Little Red Chairs by Edna O'Brien, narrated by Juliet Stevenson, published by Hachette Audio The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, narrated by Emma Thompson, published by Audible Studios The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, narrated by Bahni Turpin, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape BEST MALE NARRATOR Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff by Pappy Pariah, narrated by Sean Penn, published by Audible Studios End of Watch by Stephen King, narrated by Will Patton, published by Simon & Schuster Audio Jerusalem by Alan Moore, narrated by Simon Vance, published by Recorded Books The Last Tribe by Brad Manuel, narrated by Scott Brick, published by Podium Publishing The Purloined Poodle by Kevin Hearne, narrated by Luke Daniels, published by Kevin Hearne/ACX Underground Airlines by Ben H. Winters, narrated by William DeMeritt, published by Hachette Audio BUSINESS/PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Capital Offenses: Business Crime and Punishment in America's Corporate Age by Samuel W. Buell, narrated by LJ Ganser, published by Audible Studios Humans Need Not Apply by Jerry Kaplan, narrated by John Pruden, published by Tantor Media, a Division of Recorded Books Shrill written and narrated by Lindy West, published by Hachette Audio The Storyteller's Secret written and narrated by Carmine Gallo, published by Macmillan Audio Trekonomics: The Economics of Star Trek by Manu Saadia, narrated by Oliver Wyman, published by Audible Studios EROTICA The Baller by Vi Keeland, narrated by Mackenzie Cartwright and Sean Crisden, published by Tantor Media, a Division of Recorded Books The Darkest Torment by Gena Showalter, narrated by Max Bellmore, published by Recorded Books Eighteen (18): Based on a True Story by J.A. Huss, narrated by Ava Erickson, published by Podium Publishing January: Calendar Girl, Book 1 by Audrey Carlan, narrated by Summer Morton, published by Brilliance Publishing Marriage Games by CD Reiss, narrated by Sebastian York and Elena Wolfe, published by Flip City Media Inc. Sweet Dreams by Sunny Leone, narrated by Vikas Adams and Simone Lewis, published by Novel Audio FANTASY The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson, narrated by Michael Kramer, published by Macmillan Audio The Black Prism by Brent Weeks, narrated by Simon Vance, published by Hachette Audio The Everything Box by Richard Kadrey, narrated by Oliver Wyman, published by HarperAudio The Hike by Drew Magary, narrated by Christopher Lane, published by Brilliance Audio League of Dragons by Naomi Novik, narrated by Simon Vance, published by Tantor Media, a Division of Recorded Books FICTION America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, narrated by Cassandra Campbell, published by HarperAudio Darktown by Thomas Mullen, narrated by Andre Holland, published by Simon & Schuster Audio End of Watch by Stephen King, narrated by Will Patton, published by Simon & Schuster Audio Julian Fellowes's Belgravia by Julian Fellowes, narrated by Juliet Stevenson, published by Hachette Audio Sister of Mine by Sabra Waldfogel, narrated by Bahni Turpin, published by Brilliance Publishing HISTORY/BIOGRAPHY In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors by Doug Stanton, narrated by Mark Boyett, published by Audible Studios Paul McCartney: The Life by Philip Norman, narrated by Jonathan Keeble, published by Recorded Books A Time to Die by Robert Moore, narrated by Pete Cross, published by Dreamscape Media, LLC Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick, narrated by Scott Brick, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape The Year of Lear by James Shapiro, narrated by Robert Faas, published by Tantor Media, a Division of Recorded Books HUMOR The Bassoon King: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy written and narrated by Rainn Wilson, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape Black Man, White House: An Oral History of the Obama Years by D.L. Hughley, narrated by Keith Szarabajka, John Reynolds, Fran Tunno, Cherise Boothe, Dan Woren, P.J. Ochlan, Gregory Itzin, Paula Jai Parker-Martin, Mia Barron, Ron Butler, and James Shippy, published by HarperAudio I'm Judging You written and narrated by Luvvie Ajayi, published by Macmillan Audio Life and Other Near Death Experiences by Camille Pagán, narrated by Amy McFadden, published by Brilliance Publishing You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe Robinson; Foreword by Jessica Williams, narrated by Phoebe Robinson, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape You'll Grow out of It written and narrated by Jessi Klein, published by Hachette Audio INSPIRATIONAL/FAITH-BASED FICTION Beric the Briton by G.A. Henty, narrated by Brian Blessed, Brian Cox, Tom Baker, Honeysuckle Weeks, John Rhys-Davies, and a full cast, published by Heirloom Audio Productions The Christmas Town written and narrated by Donna VanLiere, published by Macmillan Audio The Dragon and the Raven by G.A. Henty, narrated by Brian Blessed, John Rhys-Davies, Helen George, Sylvester McCoy, John Bell, and a full cast, published by Heirloom Audio Productions The Girl from the Train by Irma Joubert, narrated by Sarah Zimmerman, published by Thomas Nelson/HarperAudio Journey's End by Renee Ryan, narrated by Karen Peakes, published by Brilliance Publishing Risen: The Novelization of the Major Motion Picture by Angela Hunt, narrated by P.J. Ochlan and Alana Kerr Collins, published by christianaudio, a division of Recorded Books INSPIRATIONAL/FAITH-BASED NON-FICTION The Awakening of HK Derryberry by Jim Bradford and Andy Hardin, narrated by Milton Bagby, published by Thomas Nelson/HarperAudio Divine Collision by Jim Gash, narrated by Brandon Batchelar and Jason White, published by Oasis Audio Forgiving My Daughter's Killer by Kate Grosmaire and Nancy French, narrated by Kate Rudd and Nick Podehl, published by Brilliance Publishing The Great Good Thing written and narrated by Andrew Klavan, published by Thomas  Nelson/HarperAudio Space at the Table written and narrated by Brad Harper and Drew Harper, published by Oasis Audio LITERARY FICTION & CLASSICS Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (read by Johansson) by Lewis Carroll, narrated by Scarlett Johansson, published by Audible Studios Another Brooklyn: A Novel by Jacqueline Woodson, narrated by Robin Miles, published by HarperAudio David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, narrated by Richard Armitage, published by Audible Studios Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, narrated by Dominic Hoffman, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape LaRose written and narrated by Louise Erdrich, published by HarperAudio The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, narrated by Bahni Turpin, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape MIDDLE GRADE All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor, narrated by Michael Crouch and Kathleen McInerney, published by HarperAudio Demon Dentist by David Walliams, narrated by David Walliams, Jocelyn Jee Esien, and Nitin Ganatra, published by HarperAudio The Enchanted Files: Hatched by Bruce Coville, narrated by a full cast, published by Listening Library How to Train Your Dragon: How to Fight a Dragon's Fury by Cressida Cowell, narrated by David Tennant, published by Hachette Audio The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz, narrated by Adam Gidwitz and various, published by Listening Library MULTI-VOICED PERFORMANCE Les Liaisons Dangereuses: Read by the Cast of the Stage Play by Choderlos de Laclos, narrated by Dominic West, Janet McTeer, Una Stubbs, Elaine Cassidy, Adjoa Andoh, Edward Holcroft, and Morfydd Clark, published by Audible Studios The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom, narrated by Mitch Albom, Roger McGuinn, Ingrid Michaelson, John Pizzarelli, Paul Stanley, George Guidall, and more, published by HarperAudio Pruno, Ramen, and a Side of Hope: Stories of Surviving Wrongful Conviction by Courtney Lance and Nikki Pope, narrated by Whoopi Goldberg and Bill Kurtis, published by Post Hill Press Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult, narrated by Audra McDonald, Cassandra Campbell and Ari Fliakos, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape Thomas Jefferson-From Boy to Man by Jayne D'Alessandro-Cox, narrated by James Brinkley, published by James Brinkley/Jayne D'Alessandro-Cox A Wild Swan by Michael Cunningham, narrated by Lili Taylor and Billy Hough, published by Macmillan Audio MYSTERY Crimson Shore by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, narrated by Rene Auberjonois, published by Hachette Audio The Crossing by Michael Connelly, narrated by Titus Welliver, published by Hachette Audio A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny, narrated by Robert Bathurst, published by Macmillan Audio The Heavens May Fall by Allen Eskens, narrated by R.C. Bray, David Colacci and Amy McFadden, published by Tantor Media, a Division of Recorded Books IQ by Joe Ide, narrated by Sullivan Jones, published by Hachette Audio NARRATION BY THE AUTHOR or AUTHORS Dear Mr. You written and narrated by Mary-Louise Parker, published by Simon & Schuster Audio The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo written and narrated by Amy Schumer, published by Simon & Schuster Audio In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox written and narrated by Carol Burnett, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape LaRose by Louise Erdrich, written and narrated by Louise Erdrich, published by HarperAudio A Life in Parts written and narrated by Bryan Cranston, published by Simon & Schuster Audio The View from the Cheap Seats written and narrated by Neil Gaiman, published by HarperAudio NON-FICTION Adnan's Story written and narrated by Rabia Chaudry, published by Macmillan Audio Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond, narrated by Dion Graham, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee, narrated by Dennis Boutsikaris, published by Simon & Schuster Audio Hillbilly Elegy written and narrated by J.D. Vance, published by HarperAudio A Million Years in a Day by Greg Jenner, narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies, published by Tantor Media, a Division of Recorded Books Words on the Move: Why English Won't - and Can't - Sit Still (Like, Literally) written and narrated by John McWhorter, published by Audible Studios ORIGINAL WORK The Adventures of Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent by Larry Correia, narrated by Adam Baldwin, published by Audible Studios Alien: Out of the Shadows: An Audible Original Drama by Tim Lebbon and Dirk Maggs, narrated by Rutger Hauer, Corey Johnson, Matthew Lewis, Kathryn Drysdale, Laurel Lefkow, Andrea Deck, and Mac McDonald, published by Audible Studios Car Talk Science: MIT Wants Its Diplomas Back written and narrated by Tom Magliozzi and Ray Magliozzi, published by HighBridge/Recorded Books The Dispatcher by John Scalzi, narrated by Zachary Quinto, published by Audible Studios In the Embers by Brian Price and Jerry Stearns, narrated by Robin Miles, Edwin Strout, Dean Johnson, Jacquie Maddix and a full cast, published by Great Northern Audio Theatre/Blackstone Audio Pete Seeger: The Storm King, Vol. 2 by Pete Seeger, ed. and Jeff Haynes, narrated by Pete Seeger, published by Hachette Audio PARANORMAL Blood of the Earth: Soulwood, Book 1 by Faith Hunter, narrated by Khristine Hvam, published by Audible Studios The Elementals by Michael McDowell, narrated by R.C. Bray, published by Valancourt Audiobooks in association with Blue Heron Audio Ghost Gifts by Laura Spinella, narrated by Nicol Zanzarella, published by Brilliance Publishing The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater, narrated by Will Patton, published by Scholastic Audio Staked by Kevin Hearne, narrated by Luke Daniels, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape ROMANCE Dirty by Kylie Scott, narrated by Andi Arndt, published by Macmillan Audio Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt, narrated by Ashford McNab, published by Hachette Audio First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, narrated by Nicole Poole, published by HarperAudio Glitterland: Spires, Book 1 by Alexis Hall, narrated by Nicholas Boulton, published by Hedgehog Inc Productions The Obsession by Nora Roberts, narrated by Shannon McManus, published by Brilliance Publishing SCIENCE FICTION The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Ellison, narrated by Angela Dawe, published by Brilliance Publishing Crosstalk by Connie Willis, narrated by Mia Barron, published by Recorded Books The Dispatcher by John Scalzi, narrated by Zachary Quinto, published by Audible Studios Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel, narrated by a full cast, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Alan Dean Foster, narrated by Marc Thompson, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape SHORT STORIES/COLLECTIONS The Brink: Stories by Austin Bunn, narrated by Austin Bunn, Luke Daniels, Tanya Eby, Ralph Lister, Amy McFadden, Mikael Naramore, and Nick Podehl, published by Blunder Woman Productions via ACX Certain Dark Things by M.J. Pack, narrated by Jacob York, published by Audible Studios Coffee at Luke's edited by Jennifer Crusie, narrated by Colby Elliott, published by Last Word Audio The Collected Stories of Arthur C. Clarke by Arthur C. Clarke, narrated by Ray Porter, Jonathan Davis and Ralph Lister, published by Audible Studios East, West by Salman Rushdie, narrated by Sunil Malhotra and Steven Crossley, published by Recorded Books Killer Women: Crime Club Anthology #1 by Louise Millar, Alex Marwood and Tammy Cohen, narrated by Clare Corbett, Adjoa Andoh, Rachel Atkins, and Carl Prekopp, published by Audible Studios THRILLER/SUSPENSE Cross Justice by James Patterson, narrated by Ruben Santiago Hudson and Jefferson Mays, published by Hachette Audio The Fall of Moscow Station by Mark Henshaw, narrated by Eric G. Dove, published by Dreamscape Media, LLC Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes, narrated by Santino Fontana, published by Simon & Schuster Audio Home by Harlan Coben, narrated by Steven Weber, published by Brilliance Publishing The Short Drop by Matthew FitzSimmons, narrated by James Patrick Cronin, published by Brilliance Publishing YOUNG ADULT The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough, narrated by Susan Hanfield, published by Scholastic Audio Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, narrated by Carla Corvo, Steve West and various, published by Listening Library My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows, narrated by Katherine Kellgren published by HarperAudio Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, narrated by Jorjeana Marie, Will Damron, Cassandra Morris and Michael Crouch, published by Listening Library Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco and James Patterson, narrated by Nicola Barber, published by Hachette Audio Winter by Marissa Meyer, narrated by Rebecca Soler, published by Macmillan Audio YOUNG LISTENERS (up to age 8) 28 Days: Moments in Black History That Changed the World by Charles R. Smith, Jr., narrated by a full cast, published by Live Oak Media Island Treasures: Growing up in Cuba by Alma Flor Ada, narrated by Trini Alvarado, published by Recorded Books The Quentin Blake and John Yeoman Collection by Quentin Blake and John Yeoman, narrated by Stephen Thorne, published by Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots by Beatrix Potter, narrated by Helen Mirren, published by Listening Library Voice of Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford, narrated by Janina Edwards, published by Dreamscape Media, LLC The Wooden Prince: Out of Abaton by John Claude Bemis, narrated by Ralph Lister, published by Oasis Audio   Additional information can be found online at www.theaudies.com. For more information about the Audies Gala, contact Rachel Tarlow Gul at Over the River Public Relations: 201-503-1321 or tarlowgul@nj.rr.com. To purchase tickets, visit www.audiopub.org. # # # The Audio Publishers Association (APA) is a not-for-profit trade organization whose primary goals are to promote awareness of the audiobook industry, gather and disseminate industry statistics, encourage high production standards and represent the interests of audiobook publishers. Since 1986, the APA has worked to bring audio publishers together to increase interest in audiobooks. Please visit www.audiopub.orgfor more information.

New York, NY - The Audio Publishers Association (APA) has announced finalists for the 22nd annual Audie Awards® competition, the premier awards program in the United States recognizing distinction in audiobooks and spoken word entertainment.  Winners will be revealed at the Audie Awards® Gala on June 1, 2017, at the French Institute Alliance Française in New York City. For the second year in a row, award-winning comedian, author, and commentator Paula Poundstone will emcee the event.  "This year has shown another increase in both the number and quality of submissions which mirrors the continued year-over-year growth and interest in audiobooks," says APA President Linda Lee.  "We are excited to have Paula Poundstone back to emcee our festivities this year, which again promises to be a rollicking good time celebrating the best-of-the best in our vibrant industry!" "Every year our judges' mission is to select the best, and every year they moan to me over how hard that is," adds Janet Benson, Audie Awards® Competition Chair. "Audiobooks have definitely arrived - if you're not listening to one right now, what are you waiting for? The quality titles on this list are a great place to start!" Through the Audie Awards® competition, publishers enter titles in various categories for recognition of excellence. Finalists are selected by a diverse group of experienced judges and one winner is awarded the Audie in each category.  For more information and to see a list of all of the nominees, visit www.theaudies.com.