The Story Bites Podcast

Episode 4: A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole

Guys! This clever premise was everything! We loved the structure, the narration and the smart heroine.

Here are all your episode links!

A Princess in Theory at Audible | A Princess in Theory at Amazon

Author Alyssa Cole | Narrator Karen Chilton | Published by Dreamscape Media LLC

Episode 5: My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

Q: What happens when an Audible Hall of Fame narrator writes her own book?

A: Magic happens!

Here are all your episode links!

My Oxford Year at Audible | My Oxford Year at Amazon

Author Julia Whelan | Narrator Julia Whelan

Episode 6: Birthday Suit by Lauren Blakely

Twelve powerhouse narrators on one book? Yes please. You’ll here three of these superstars in our sample: Andi Arndt, Sebastian York, and Erin Mallon.

Here are all your episode links!

Birthday Suit at Audible | Birthday Suit at Amazon

Author Lauren Blakely| Narrator Andi Arndt| Narrator Sebastian York | Narrator Erin Mallon

Episode 7: Overnight Sensation

Things we learned in Episode 7:

1. Tanya does not follow sportsball. But she loves double entendres | 2. Hockey is the best, most glamorous sport ever.

3. Narrator Jason Clarke is awesome | 4. Sarina is not so great at planning her life but serendipity is a good plotting tool.

Here are all your episode links!

Overnight Sensation at Audible | Overnight Sensation at Amazon

Author Sarina Bowen| Narrator Jason Clarke | Narrator Savannah Peachwood

Episode 8: Girl on the Edge by CD Reiss

Is Girl on the Edge is “tense, romantic suspense, as Audiofile Magazine puts it? Or romance? Listen and decide!

If you want to read the terrific review we mentioned, you can find it here on the Audiofile website!

Here are all your episode links!

Girl on the Edge at Audible | Girl on the Edge at Amazon

Author CD Reiss| Narrator Maxine Mitchell | Narrator Joe Arden

Episode 9: The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

Today we analyze why we like British accents so much, and we reassure ourselves that it doesn’t mean we’re shallow. Not very shallow, anyway.

Here are all your episode links!

Keeper of Lost Things at Audible | Keeper of Lost Things at Amazon

Author Ruth Hohan| Narrator Jane Collingwood| Narrator Sandra Duncan

Episode 10: Vintage Love Stories

A whole story in one episode!

Vintage Love Stories is a collection of, wait for it, vintage love stories! The time period is vintage, not the work. These are all new romances, and this cool project was Tanya’s brainchild.

Here are all your episode links!

Vintage Love Stories at Audible | Vintage Love Stories at Amazon

Story played Didn't It Rain | Author Kathryn Burns| Narrator Becca Balanger

Episode 11: Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas

Lisa Kleypas is a genius at delayed gratification. This hero is a case study in how to build a series.

AKA how to torture your readers for three years in the best possible way.

Here are all your episode links!

Devil's Daughter at Audible | Devil's Daughter at Amazon

Author Lisa Kleypas| Narrator Mary Jane Wells

Episode 12: Matchmaking for Beginners by Maddie Dawson

We chose Matchmaking for Beginners for it’s incredible, impeccable voice. So funny! So different in a romance. So…everything.

We also explore the question of What is a Romance? (And why is this so freaking complicated, really?)

Here are all your episode links!

Matchmaking for Beginners at Audible | Matchmaking for Beginners at Amazon

Author Maddie Dawson| Narrator Joyce Bean | Narrator Amy McFadden

Episode 13: Consumed by JR Ward

J.R. Ward is an author that’s fun to watch. She’s had a magical career, quite literally. Her Black Dagger Brotherhood, which features sexy vampires, is up to book #17.

And now she’s writing about firefighters! And we are intrigued.

Here are all your episode links!

Consumed at Audible | Consumed at Amazon

Author JR Ward| Narrator Jim Frangione | Narrator Hillary Huber | Narrator Jason Carpenter | Narrator Pete Simonelli | Produced by Simon & Schuster audio

Episode 14: Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan

Sportsball strikes again! Basketball romance for the win!

Tune in to hear about unapologetic love triangles and fierce heroines. Plus Tanya tells us how she preps each new book for narration!

Here are all your episode links!

Long Shot at Audible | Long Shot at Amazon

Author Kennedy Ryan| Narrator Sean Crisden | Narrator Jo Raylan

Episode 15: Hotshot Doc by RS Grey

Sarina picked this one for two reasons.

• She loves the raising-your-younger-sibling trope

• A hotshot doc is a character archetype with tons of potential!

Here are all your episode links!

Hotshot Doc at Audible | Hotshot Doc at Amazon

Author R.S. Grey| Narrator Aubrey Vincent | Narrator Lee Samuels | Produced by Audible Studios

Episode 16: Lessons from a One Night Stand by Piper Rayne

It’s not just the killer ending to this chapter that hooked us. It’s the charming narration and the introduction of so much promise.

We’re giving this one a warm Alaska welcome. (And did you know that Alaska is trendy?) Join us to hear all about it!

Here are all your episode links!

Lessons from a One-Night Stand at Audible | Lessons from a One-Night Stand at Amazon

Author Piper Rayne| Narrator Tim Paige | Narrator Tanya Eby

Episode 17: Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet

We got together at Apollycon in D.C. and it was so much fun!

In this episode you’ll get the tense opening chapter of Amanda Bouchet’s scifi romance Nightchaser. And then you’ll get an interview with the author. We had such a great time.

Here are all your episode links!

Nightchaser at Audible | Nightchaser at Amazon

Author Amanda Bouchet| Narrator Susan Bennett | Produced by Recorded Books

Episode 18: Shooting for the Stars by Sarina Bowen

Before we left Apollycon in Washington DC, we wanted to interview our friend and narrator Emma Wilder. And a good time was had by all!

Join us for an introduction to Sarina’s snowboard romance and a chat with someone who is living the dream: people pay her to read!

Here are all your episode links!

Shooting for the Stars at Audible | Shooting for the Stars at Amazon

Author Sarina Bowen| Narrator Emma Wilder | Narrator Noel Harrison

Episode 19: Meet Cute by Helena Hunting

Helena Hunting serves up a romcom with a great opener! We discuss how the narrator, Holly Warren, has a special challenge in this chapter. And she delivers!

Correction alert: When we recorded this episode, the wrong male narrator was listed on the book at Audible. The correct narrator is Teddy Hamilton. So now we HAVE to listen to the rest of it!

Here are all your episode links!

Meet Cute at Audible | Meet Cute at Amazon

Author Helena Hunting | Narrator Holly Warren | Narrator Teddy Hamilton | Produced By Hachett Audio

Episode 20: Getaway Girl by Tessa Bailey

Brides, grooms and beavers. Not necessarily in that order.

Tessa Bailey is a veteran romance author with skills for days! Watch how she jumps into a love story for two strangers with a runaway groom and a heroine made for drama with a chip on her shoulder.

Here are all your episode links!

Getaway Girl at Audible | Getaway Girl at Amazon

Author Tessa Bailey| Narrator Joe Hempel | Narrator Lori Prince | Produced by Blunder Woman Productions

Episode 21: The Risk by Elle Kennedy

In this episode we explore the fine line between hate and love, and why hate-to-love-you books are so popular in romance!

Elle Kennedy shows a masterful understanding of this concept as we are introduced to the indomitable Brenna, lovingly rendered by narrator Virginia Rose!

Here are all your episode links!

The Risk at Audible | The Risk at Amazon

Author Elle Kennedy| Narrator Virginia Rose | Narrator Teddy Hamilton| Produced by Audible Studios

Episode 22: The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Keep it weird. Why we loved The Bride Test by Helen Hoang…

The best kind of story is one that takes an old trope and makes it so fresh that you need to read it immediately. And that’s the kind of book The Bride Test is! We are sold on this unique pairing between a Vietnamese heroine and a neurodiverse hero.

Here are all your episode links!

The Bride Test at Audible | The Bride test at Amazon

Author Helen Hoang| Narrator Emily Woo Zeller | Produced by Dreamscape Media LLC

Episode 23: Fluffy by Julia Kent

The who-could-stop-at-chapter-one episode.

Sometimes you need to turn the page because you have no idea what’s going to happen. Or. Sometimes you need to read onward because you need to see it happen. And that’s the genius of Fluffy’s setup.

Here are all your episode links!

Fluffy at Audible | Fluffy at Amazon

Author Julia Kent| Narrator Erin Mallon| Produced by Julia Kent

Episode 24: Pride and Prejudice and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev

It is a truth universally acknowledged that only in an overachieving Indian American family can a genius daughter be considered a black sheep. And that’s only the beginning!

The title may focus on our sense of taste, but it’s clear from the first chapter that this is a book of stunning visual imagery.

And we’re getting a hot, broody chef, too? Where do we sign?

Here are all your episode links!

Pride and Prejudice and Other Flavors at Audible | Pride and Prejudice and Other Flavors at Amazon

Author Sonali Dev| Narrator Soneela Nankani|Produced by Harper Audio

Episode 25: Be the Girl by KA Tucker

Today we ask big questions like: what makes YA YA? Who is it for? What does it all mean? Get philosophical with us as we taste test this intriguing setup.

A teen moving to a new town and getting a new name, too! We are fascinated. (And when can we meet the boy next door?)

Here are all your episode links!

Be The Girl at Audible | Be The Girl at Amazon

Author K.A. Tucker| Narrator Katie Schorr | Produced by Audible Studios

Episode 26: Your Questions About Audio Book Narration Answered!

Part One of our Special Series

We asked our listeners to send us questions about audio book narration and we were not prepared for the deluge! We received so many reader questions that we are going to break our special episode into parts. Today, Tanya answers questions about audio book narration. (How do you choose the narrators? Is it weird when things get steamy?)

And on our next special episode, we’re going to ask our narrator friends to answer questions, too! It’s going to be epic.

Episode 27: Undeniable by Melanie Harlow

Barbie Dolls and Boozy Balls

Gah! This one is so much fun! Melanie Harlow introduces her heroine with a bang! Not that kind of bang, mind you. The kind that happens when you take a boy’s dare and jump off the roof.

Also included in this episode: way too much fun with Barbie. Boozy balls. 1990s vodka and a new definition for “jammed.”

Here are all your episode links!

Undeniable at Audible | Undeniable at Amazon

Author Melanie Harlow| Narrator Savannah Peachwood | Narrator Stephen Dexter| Produced by MH Publishing LLC

Episode 28: Top Secret by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Sarina’s new book is here! And just wait until you hear why she had to pick Chapter 21 for this episode, and not Chapter 1…

Spoiler: this book is filthy.

Here are all your episode links!

Top Secret at Audible | Top Secret at Amazon

Authors Elle Kennedy & Sarina Bowen | Narrator Christian Fox | Narrator Teddy Hamilton | Produced by Elle Kennedy Inc

PS: Find the video for Sam Smith’s Promises here

Episode 29: The Ask-A-Narrator Special Episode!

You guys! When we asked you if you had any questions, we didn’t know what to expect. We got a deluge! This is our second special episode, and we have a treat for you!

NOTE: One amazing question was left out of the pack! Click here hear from Gary Furlong!

Here are all your episode links!

Hear from Narrators:

Donna Postel | Jillian Macie | Gary Furlong | Megan Tusing | Karen White | Erin Mallon | Steve West | Amy Landon | Melissa Moran | Renee Chamblis | Erin de Ward

Episode 30: In the Neighborhood of True by Susan Kaplan Carlton

What a first chapter! This super timely YA had us both asking all the big questions! What happened? Why is Davis there? Gah!

We are hooked!

Here are all your episode links!

In the Neighborhood of True at Audible | In the Neighborhood of True at Amazon

Author Susan Kaplan Carlton| Narrator Rachel Botchan| Produced by Recorded Books

Episode 31: How Not to Fall By Emily Foster

This underappreciated romance follows a whip-smart academic as she tries to navigate sexual experience the same way she navigates her blossoming career in science.

And it doesn’t always go smoothly…

Here are all your episode links!

How Not to Fall at Audible | How Not to Fall at Amazon

Author Susan Emily Foster| Narrator Zoe McKay| Produced by Insatiable Press

Episode 32: Superfan by Sarina Bowen

What does the first cut of an audio book sound like, anyway?

Also up for discussion: how to build tension in a chapter to keep the listener hooked. And Tanya’s thoughts about charcuterie board ingredients. You don’t want to miss it!

Here are all your episode links!

Superfan at Audible | Superfan at Amazon

Author Sarina Bowen| Narrator Virginia Rose| Narrator Aaron Shedlock | Produced by Tuxbury Publishing LLC

Episode 33: Brazen and the Beast by Sarah Maclean

This book! It has everything: great voice, hilarious setup. Curvy heroine with brains for dayyyys.

We loved this new one from Sarah Maclean, and the terrific narration by Justine Eyre.

Here are all your episode links!

Brazen and the Beast at Audible | Brazen and the Beast at Amazon

Author Sarah Maclean| Narrator Justine Eyre| Produced by HarperAudio

Episode 34: An interview with Aaron Shedlock

Sarina Bowen interviews narrator Aaron Shedlock about acting, his favorite narrators, and what happens when people say they listen to performances at 2.0 speed…

Episode 35: Indefinite by Corinne Michaels

We talk breakup scenes and duets. And how do you feel about cliffhangers? We're feeling pretty great about them after listening to this fabulous first chapter.

Also! Sarina and Tanya make a big announcement! You don't want to miss it.

Here are all your episode links!

Indefinite at Audible | Indefinite at Amazon

Author Corinne Michaels| Narrator Andi Arndt| Narrator Jason Clarke| Produced by Corinne Michaels

Episode 36: Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan

We don’t like to brag, but we totally called this one! Kennedy Ryan won a RITA award for Long Shot! If you haven’t listened yet, today is the day!

Here are all your episode links!

Long Shot at Audible | Long Shot at Amazon

Author Kennedy Ryan| Narrator Sean Crisden | Narrator Jo Raylan

Episode 37: Advanced Physical Chemistry by Susannah Nix

The heroine is a chemical engineer! This fun tale opens with a classic romance setup: the heroine’s current boyfriend has cheated. Will hottie barista save this curvy girl’s day?

Susannah Nix just won a RITA award for her excellent book. We also discuss awards, and what they mean to us as creators.

Here are all your episode links!

Advanced Physical Chemistry at Audible | Advanced Physical Chemistry at Amazon

Author Susannah Nix| Narrator Caitlin Kelly| Produced by Tantor Audio