Interview with narrator James C. Lewis

Interview with narrator James C. Lewis

Tell us a little about yourself.

I've worked in some form of media all my life, starting out at age 15. First radio, then I hosted a local television show, "Sock Hop". It was a local knockoff of "American Bandstand". Later I transitioned into newspaper reporting and photography. Then TV news. And, finally, television weather. Even now, I'm recognized in Nashville as "the weather guy" and it's been over 10 years since I was there.

How do you prepare for accents and different characters?

Once I was narrating a book of 19th century preachers in Wales. One of them was from Cynghordy, a village in the rural community of Llanfair-ar-y-bryn in Carmarhenshire. Oh my! I went to my usual sources: You Tube and several web sites. Finally I called Spire Hospital in Cardiff, the capital. (I have a phone plan that costs only one cent per minute for international calls.) But they were too busy saving lives and hung up on me. Then I phoned up the newspaper, the South Wales Argus in Cardiff. The young reporter thought I was joking. But I convinced him I was on the level. And he helped me right away! I think that my decidedly American accent may have helped.

Are there any genres you prefer narrating?

I have a fondness for crime fiction and spy dramas. I come from a journalism background. At one time, I was a police reporter in Seattle and I came to deeply respect cops and their emotionally taxing jobs. And I enjoy being the voice of the tall tough-talking private detective with the snazzy girlfriend. (I’m not very tall. But please keep that information just between us.)

Will you narrate any book if the conditions are right?

I have narrated a wide range of books but not erotica. But I’ve narrated some horror fiction with really creepy monsters. (They’re actually the best!)

What is the hardest part of narrating a book?

The hardest part is finding the voice of the character. Is the character old, young, angry, happy, educated, ignorant? And of course where are they from. I find that evil characters from Eastern Europe are the easiest to do. And it’s hard being confined to a small studio by myself (other than the character’s voices). 

How is it working with the author?

I really like Lauren Carr’s work. Being the voice of Mac Faraday is great fun. Lauren writes for the ear as well as the eye. She would be a great screen writer. (And she’s wonderful to work with!)

Audio Book Review, Feature and Tour Giveaway: Old Loves Die Hard by Lauren Carr

A fun mystery with twists and turns to keep you guessing.

Old Loves Die Hard: A Mac Faraday Mystery
Written by: Lauren Carr
Narrated by: James C. Lewis

Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins
Series: Mac Faraday, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:12-14-16
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Genre: Cozy Mystery
My Rating : 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Old loves die hard...and in the worst places.
In Old Loves Die Hard, Lauren Carr continues the rags-to-riches story of Mac Faraday, an underpaid homicide detective who inherits 270 million dollars and an estate on Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, from his birth mother on the day his divorce becomes final.
Mac is settling nicely into his new life at Spencer Manor when his ex-wife Christine shows up-and she wants him back! Before Mac can send her packing, Christine and her estranged lover are murdered in Mac's private penthouse suite at the Spencer Inn, the five-star resort built by his ancestors.
The investigation leads to the discovery of cases files for some of Mac's murder cases in the room of the man responsible for destroying his marriage. Why would his ex-wife's lover come to Spencer to dig into Mac's old cases?
With the help of his new friends on Deep Creek Lake, Mac must use all of his detective skills to clear his name and the Spencer Inn's reputation, before its five-stars - and more bodies - start dropping!
©2016 Terri Lynn Zaleski (P)2016 Terri Lynn Zaleski

Review:
Mac Faraday is a retired homicide detective who is trying to get accustomed to the estate, Inn and wealth that he inherited from his natural mother. The estate comes with his mother’s research and computer assistant, a beautiful young woman, Archie, and an unruly German Shepard, Gnarly. The two (Mac and Archie more than Mac and Gnarly) have a budding relationship which they are just about to explore when Mac’s inebriated ex-wife, Christine, shows up at the door wanting him back.

Mac takes Christine off to the Spenser Inn to sleep out the night. Before the next morning rolls around Christine and her ex-lover, the man she left Mac for, are found murdered. Mac would make a great suspect since his only alibi for the remainder of the night is Gnarly. Mac’s half-brother (and best friend) happens to be the local police chief. David must interrogate Mac but once he rules him out as a suspect, they tackle the investigation together. After all, the dead man had a handful of files form Mac's old cases with him and a list of names that is a mystery.

I enjoyed the hassle and craziness provided by Mac’s ex-sisters-in-law and a law colleague and wife of the estranged lover and a Judge, all of whom show up wanted something from the deceased’s possessions. They add color to the investigation as David and Mac try to locate the mysterious woman who was caught on camera entering the suite but never leaving.

The story moves along well with humor, action and intrigue. The romance is on a slow simmer while Mac copes with his children and the loss of his ex. It is nicely handled. This is the third book I have listened to from this author. I recommend Ms. Carr for easy, fun cozy mysteries.

Audio Notes: James C. Lewis does a decent job with the narration. He does not necessarily try to create a voice for each character but he still conveys the nature of the personalities. I’m sure these mysteries would read well in print/ebook but I really enjoy the ability to listen to them in audio.

I received this title through iRead Book Tours. It qualifies for my Audio Book Challenge.

Welcome to Lauren Carr's Audiobook-a-palooza Blog Tour! To celebrate the release of Lauren Carr's mysteries in audiobook format, we have 14 books from her three series on tour!

To follow the tour, learn about all of the books and to read reviews, please visit Lauren Carr's page on iRead Book Tours.

The Mac Faraday Mystery Series:

Buy the Audiobook ~ Book

Content Rating:

All of Lauren Carr's books are rated PG-13 because they are murder mysteries and will contains murder scenes. Some of the books contain violence associated with military assignments. There are some books that contain sex scenes which are not explicit. There is little profanity, no f-words.

Meet the Author:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband and three dogs (including the real Gnarly’s klutzy nephew Sterling) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with Lauren: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Meet the Narrator:

Another Audible Approved narrator, voice actor James Lewis has established a solid reputation in fiction as well as non-ficton audiobooks. At latest count, he's narrated nearly 50.

Although his specialty is noir fiction, James has done several non-fiction books as well on a range of people and subjects: Butch and Sundance, General Custer, Revolutionary War, psychic development, taxes.

James Lewis has been awarded the AudioFile Earphone Award for narration, "The Last Outlaws". It's about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends July 22

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