Interview and Giveaway with Phil Gigante

Phil Gigante

He really doesn't need much of an introduction but here goes anyway.  The narrator of the extremely successful FEVER series, Phil Gigante, is with us today.  Yes, that sexy voice that brings Barrons to life!

We got a little taste of what goes on in his world.

Thank you, Angela, Annie, Francesca and Suzanne for having me here. Very special thanks to all your readers---especially the ones supporting audiobooks. You’re the best!

We heard you're working on perfecting your voice for Ryodan's character. Do you find it difficult to master a character's voice? What do you hope listeners will feel when they hear your voice as Ryodan's?

Some voices come easier than others. A lot of times, as a narrator you will be given a book based on the strengths of your own voice, so you can use that, or a close variation for the lead character. As an “accent guy”, I do try to take what I know and stretch it each time, while keeping the characters believable. They must, however, still be understandable to the listener, so it can be a fine line! I’m not sure if I ever “master” a voice, even over several books, because both the character and the actor keep growing and learning. At least, I hope so!

Ryodan, Karen Moning’s creation in the Fever series, has changed a bit from Shadowfever to Iced. He had to; the writing dictated that. Karen and I always discuss the book ahead of time (THANK YOU, Karen!), so I get her take on the character; how she hears it in her head. This does lead to me knowing some necessary spoilers ahead of time that will color the character, even if those spoilers don’t come into play for two more books! In the Fever series, Ryodan was a cold, calculating businessman running a covert and powerful organization. Very no-nonsense. Now in Iced, he still has all those qualities, but Karen has given him a very strong sexual and sensuous side, and more “personal” ways of reacting with the other leads, now that he’s a firm male lead in his own right. Karen told me, “I want the listeners to either love him or hate him, never be sure if they can trust him, but still want to f*** him regardless.”

And if the listeners think Ryodan is complicated, wait until they get a taste of a certain Highlander who’s going to blow their minds!

You will be working with Natalie Ross on ICED, BURNED and FLAYED. Come on, spill. What's it like working with her?

Who? Oh, right! That tall, gorgeous woman who’s always talking back to me in the studio! Ha! (I told her you asked me this question, and she said “It’s ok; you can tell them I’m a real bitch.”) In all sincerity, Natalie is one of the most talented, generous, lovely actresses I’ve ever known, and all that goes for her as a human being as well. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with her on stage several times, long before any studio work. We were in two theatre companies together over the years, so we have a great understanding of each other’s craft, and how to deal with each other personally. That can’t always be easy with me, but she does a damn good job. She also never lets me get away with anything! She also makes fewer mistakes than I do, damn it! We know each other far too well to let any egos get in the way of our craft, and we get turned on or giggle at the same bits in love scenes. We direct each other in a lot of audiobooks. I think our interplay is much sharper for all that, and we can almost read each other’s minds. Which scares me a bit!

What do you think of Karen Marie Moning's decision to switch from Mac's POV to Dani's? This change will undoubtedly affect the way readers experience the books. Do you prefer one POV over the other?

I think it was a great decision, though it must have been a hard one for her to make. To leave the mind of such a firmly established heroine and chart a new course could frighten readers who had grown so comfortable. But I know Karen, and she isn’t afraid to blaze a new trail. I’m sure her publishers must have been sweating a bit! The amazing thing is that Dani and several other established “supporting” characters get the chance to strut their stuff, while keeping the fantastic world that was built in the Fever series intact. Dani is an amazing character, with so very much ahead for her, that I think the level of energy and life in the tale has jumped right off the scale. She is very young, and yet jaded by hardship; she has such a smart ass attitude, but can’t help being a bit naïve sometimes, and she hasn’t experienced the ultimate highs of love and the devastating personal lows of pain and grief and evil. Everything that she experienced alongside Mac and Barrons affected her, and continues to affect her in this new story. Karen also deals with sex---always an important factor in her writing---and how a 14 year old heroine reacts to it in all it’s permutations; very tastefully and with a great deal of humor. Dude! Dani is damn funny to boot! I don’t have a preference---as far as I’m concerned, this is like the separate traveler’s tales in Lord of the Rings; the fellowship has different missions, but the objective is the same, and no journey is less enthralling than the others.

Pronouncing names and mastering accents can be quite difficult. Would you agree? And if so, how do you overcome these obstacles?

Yes. Scotch and swearing. I’m mostly joking, there. For pronunciations, especially fantasy-genre names, it is a gift to be able to ask the author. I’ve been fortunate to have worked with several authors who are kind and generous with their time, and will give you their pronunciations, which are canon law. Sometimes I have to make a detailed list, send it via the publisher, and pray. For actual foreign names, the internet is a tool that rivals duct tape in its usefulness. I don’t know how narrators got along without it!

I’ve always had an ear for accents. My dad is from Italy, mom from Scotland, and I was raised between the UK and Texas, developing the strangest accent in the process. I had to work to NOT speak with one. I think the biggest challenge is studying the right accent for a character, and then deciding how much authenticity is right for the medium in which you present it. Example for the Romance genre listeners: most American audiences are geared to hear what I call a “movie Scots” accent. If you time travelled to 1369 and met a strapping Highlander, odds are you would have no clue what he was saying. Even if you are a modern Scot. By contrast, many modern Scots accents can be so integrated culturally that, to a general non-UK audience, they might as well be British. I love to be as authentic as possible with every accent I do, but I’m always aware that it has to be understood, or it’s a fail.

You’re able to tweak your voice so that every male character has a distinguishable accent. How are you able to do this and do you find it difficult to make each voice unique and their own?

Thank you! The bane of a male narrator is what I call the “conference scene”---usually 10 military types sitting at a table in the Pentagon, all throwing lines of dialogue out there, and the author’s only character descriptions are about their height or weight. Ugh! There are a lot of standard “tools” to differentiate voices; age, speed, pitch, accent, etc. I always take those things into account, but even a story about identical twin brothers raised together in the same place have to be distinguishable. In all roles I’m reading, I want to use an internal motivation to affect the voices. Is the character a deep thinker, a lothario, a type “A” personality? The way we live and love and think internally always affect the way we appear externally, and that certainly colors the voice.

What are you currently working on right now and how is that going?

Well, after finishing Iced, I recorded A Bomb Built in Hell by Andrew Vachss. Andrew is a great friend to me, and I consider his work some of the best I’ve ever read, never mind that I get to record it. This was his first (fiction) book, written in the 70’s, and was considered “un-publishable” then because he wrote “impossible” scenarios--- terrorists (foreign and home grown) blowing up buildings in New York, madmen going on shooting sprees in schools, foreign cartels establishing bases in America---things the publishers were certain were too far fetched to ever happen. I wish they were right…

I also just finished The Cowboy and the Cossack, by Clair Huffaker, one of Uber-librarian Nancy Pearl’s “Book Lust” lost classics, and it is an amazing, genre expanding Western, set in Siberia in 1860! Beautiful, exciting, heartbreaking---I have no idea why this isn’t required reading. It is brilliant!

For the Romance fans, I’m continuing the new “Wyoming” series by Diana Palmer, about three modern cowboy brothers and their individual love stories. It’s got great action, wonderful dialogue, and mad, passionate romance between feisty, strong women and rugged, hard as nails cowboys. These are some steamy books that will melt your ipod!

Who is your favorite character to record and why?

I love every character created by Karen Moning (Lor in particular is making me smile these days!), as well as anyone Andrew Vachss writes, because they always make me reach into places I don’t necessarily want to go to bring them to life. Also, M.J Rose and Joe R. Lansdale each write lyrical epic characters, though on opposite ends of the spectrum. But…

…my all time favorite character to record is “Slippery” Jim diGriz, created by the late, great Harry Harrison in his Stainless Steel Rat series. He’s an intergalactic con man, criminal and saver of worlds, with the most perfect sense of sarcasm, comic timing, personal (criminal) ethics, a hot-and-deadly wife by his side….it doesn’t get any better than the Rat’s adventures! Those books inspired me to read as a kid, made me want to grow up and BE Slippery Jim, or at least play him in the movie. When I got the chance to perform the books AND become friends with Harry Harrison, a childhood idol, I became a 12 year old kid again, and the happiest narrator on the planet. I never, ever felt the drudge of “having” to go into the studio to work, and I recorded the series surrounded by laughter, excitement and unbridled happiness. Harry Harrison died very recently, and it is still painful to me, but I am so happy he got to see and hear his iconic character enter a new medium and garner new fans. The audiobooks got great reviews and accolades, and the first Stainless Steel Rat book won the APA Audie award for Best Science Fiction. Harry loved the audiobooks, and would write to me while he listened, pointing out bits and lines he loved, like a little kid himself, like he didn’t create them in the first place! That he was so happy was a dream come true.

If you could narrate any book, what title would you pick and why?

Ah---an easy question to end on, eh? Wow…there are so many great books out there, and I’m lucky to be doing many of them now! I’m just going to end this with a small spoiler…..I want to narrate the book that I’m currently writing…

We have a special treat for you maidens! We are going to be giving away your choice of one of Phil Gigante's audiobooks via Audible to one lucky follower. This giveaway is open internationally.  
Check out the books he's narrated here.

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UTC Confession: Laurie Hunsaker

A night out with Laurie Hunsaker (aka The Highland Hussy) and her UTC Confession

Hello Maidens, this is Angela.  I had the pleasure of meeting this woman in person for the very first time since meeting her on Good Reads and Twitter in 2009.  I have to say that she was very nice and welcoming for someone new to reading and new to social media.  We quickly became friends but never had the chance to meet in person.

On Memorial Day weekend, I was in town and well, she took the time to have a drink with me….I mean 2 drinks, two very strong Mai Tais.

Laurie was just what I expected.  She was the tall, sexy, very voluptuous, and very friendly gal I’ve known and chatted with. 

So, I got some updates from her I’d like to share…since some of the gossip we talked about are really TMI and private. j/k.

If you didn’t know, Laurie Hunsaker is the author for Highland Destiny and Amethyst Heat.

Here’s the scoop:

~She has Highland Games (book 1.5) a novella from Magic in the Highlands series.  This story takes place after Highland Destiny (book 1). 

~And Highland Betrayal, (Liam’s Story Book 2) is still in the works…..yes, she needs to hurry up.

~She also has Highland Reborn another Short story.  But this one is a paranormal Highlander with a vamp twist to it.  This one is in the process of submission. 

With that, my short time with her was fun…for the most that I remember anyway. 

Note to self: Never have another Mai Tai in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas.  Too damn strong!

Interview and Giveaway with Jim Frangione

We are so excited today at Under the Covers to be able to bring you an exclusive.  As some of you probably already know we love audiobooks.  One of our all time FAVORITE narrators is Jim Frangione.  He narrates the wonderful Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward, as well as the Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series by Lori Foster, among other books.  Today he's here with us doing his first blog interview ever (yeah, we popped his cherry) so please help us give him a warm welcome to UTC.

Who is Jim Frangione? Tell us five interesting things about yourself that readers would not know about you.

I love to cook! I got into vegetarian cooking a few years back. I’ll eat chicken and fish but generally try to limit my amounts of meat. But a tofu stir-fry with greens? Get out! The trick is to marinate the tofu after dry-frying it to imbue it w/some different, unique flavors. I make a mean kale and squash and ginger combo that’ll get your engine going. I’m also a huge ice hockey fan. Yes, an odd combination (tofu and hockey) but it’s true. I played hockey through college and beyond and vent my need for fisticuffs (a la Vicious & Wrath?) vicariously thru my HDTV. What else? I’ve been getting into gardening lately and am fascinated with hummingbird-attracting bushes and plants. I have a few beautiful butterfly bushes (Buddleia Davidii) with more to arrive this summer. But let’s not forget bee balm, black-eyed susans and ox-eye sunflowers. When I’m narrating the BDB Series I’m in a studio in New York City near Union Square but spend as much time as possible in the country north of the city in the area where the three states (CT, MA & NY) meet… a magnificent part of god’s green earth and in the early stages of summer as the seasons change, one of the most colorful and aromatic places you can imagine. Why is it that the olfactory sense (smell) is one of the most powerful and erotic senses we have? Don’t you just love the smell of earthly things? Lastly, I have five sisters! I’m from a big Irish/Italian family; lots of drinking, fighting and laughing growing up. I’m close with all 5 of the girls and see them (and their kids) as much as I can. One of my sisters is also an actor and was a soap opera star many years ago. Prior to that she found herself on Broadway at the early age of 21, buck naked in the play Equus… doing the soap during the day then going to the theater at night. She’s raising a family and out of the biz.

How did you get into narrating?

I am a character actor and have always been interested in dialects and character voices. I started out (still am) a theater and film actor and worked for many years in several of the plays and films of the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer/director David Mamet. But I had always been interested in working in the audiobook industry. Years ago, I remember writing to the producer at Recorded Books in New York where we record the series and asking her for an audition. She brought me in and gave me some copy to read. It was a globe-trotting crime thriller with lots of diverse characters, including a Jamaican thug and a few Russian mobsters. I got the gig and that was the beginning of my career as a narrator. She hired me for that particular book which led to many more. Then, some years ago I was brought in for an audition sample for the BDB Series. It may have gone to JR Ward for a final decision, but I’m not really sure. I got the gig and the rest, as they say, is history. I love narrating, and I really enjoy the BDB Series with all its different storylines. The most crucial part is delineating the different voices of The Brothers so that You (the audience) can tell who is speaking. The guys have such similar physical attributes and the narrator has to look for traits that will in some small way distinguish the characters from each other. For instance, Butch is from Boston so I give him a bit of Beantown (Oh yaa, wickid) flourish to set him apart. Wrath has a bit more vocal gravitas. But when it comes to narrating a series like the BDB, the key is “Less is More”. Nobody wants to hear a narrator “over-acting”. Agreed?

How long does it usually take to narrate a book and are there a lot of outtakes?

With the BDB Series, because the books are pretty hefty, I usually allow myself at least two full weeks, give or take, to get it in the can, spending anywhere between 4 and 6 hours a day in the studio. If the engineer and narrator are working well together things move in sync and the flow of the book is seamless. ​

You have put a voice to many great reads, but today we're going to focus a little more on some of the romance titles you have narrated. As a male narrating a romance book, was there any hesitation when deciding to take on these jobs? 

At first, the sex scenes in the BDB were a bit overwhelming. Let’s face it they ARE pretty graphic at times. And vey highly charged. What I found was that I didn’t want to do it if I wasn’t going to dive in and give a full-throated performance. I’ve embraced the erotic elements of the stories, the integral aspects of each storyline that the author intended, and I perform those parts with relish. I may have made an engineer or two blush on occasion, but hey in the final analysis I hope the story the author has written is being told honestly, truthfully and with all the passion it deserves.

Do you notice any similarities or differences when narrating a romance title and one that is of another genre?

I’ve done lots of thrillers and books from several other genres. Each requires a different type of preparation as well as execution. The BDB Series is unique and requires a certain approach that is much different than I would use in other books and other genres. For instance, I narrate a series called The Chet and Bernie Mysteries, by Spencer Quinn. These are really fun books but are geared toward a much different, much younger, demographic. I prepare for and attack those books with a much different voice in my head. But as a narrator, you have to bring your “A Game” to each book you perform. Once you think you can phone something in, you’re not giving the audience your full talents and the audio you hear will reflect that lack of passion. I usually have no trouble getting psyched up for a BDB Series book. JR Ward is a really good writer and I look forward to getting into the studio to tell her stories. Oh, those lovely, dangerous and sexy Vampires. And all that blood! And those pale, nasty Lessers… Lots of fun. 

Our readers may be most familiar with your work with J.R. Ward's books. You narrate the bestselling paranormal romance books, the Black Dagger Brotherhood. What do you do to get into character?

To be honest Angela, there is little I do to get into character with these BDB books. I just settle into the studio with my mug of green tea with a touch of lemon and maybe some honey and let ‘er rip. The series is a lot of fun to do and the characters are well drawn which precludes me from having to do too much prep. I read the book ahead of time, of course, to find the voices I’m looking for as well as the various characterizations.

Can you describe to us the process of narrating a book from the time you accept the job and the finish product? 

Generally, after I’ve been assigned the job by the producer and given the material, either in book or galley form, I go through it and do what we call “prep the book”, which means poring through it and marking up the text and even on occasion making different color notations to remind me to differentiate specific characters and perhaps particular vocal things about those characters. After I’ve finished with the narration, the book (in digital file form) goes to be proofed by the producer and then by the publisher. Someone will sit and listen to the entire book and take notes for accuracy and look for errors. At some point, usually a few weeks after the studio aspect, I’ll be called in to do what we call “retakes”, that is, fix any errors or words that didn’t come through properly, or any extraneous sounds that need to be re-voiced over. Or a mistake I’ve made reading the text. Yes, we all make mistakes on occasion and it’s a good thing when a proofer grabs it before it goes out. At that point, the audiobook goes into production and is readied for the market, either as a download-only audiobook, or the traditional way, with a jacket, etc and cd’s or tapes. Many books are download-only these days, which is where the market seems to be heading.

Do you receive input from authors on how to pronounce names and terms for a particular book?

I almost always put together a wordlist for the author to verify. Most times there will be words that are unfamiliar to me, especially in fantasy books where there is a pronunciation I’m not sure about. In those instances, I’ll submit my wordlist to the producer and then the research department will contact the author for verification on the pronunciation on certain words. When I arrive in the studio for my first day there is a phonetically spelled out wordlist waiting for me with the correct pronunciation for each word I’ve requested. This is very important, especially with character names and all the ancient historical references in the BDB Series. For those of you have actually read the books (but why would you when you can listen to them?) there are many words you might think would have multiple possible pronunciations. I take great pride in getting it right.

What has been your favorite book to narrate? Is there a book you enjoy that you would love to narrate?

Here’s the thing; because I narrate so many books, these days I find it increasingly difficult to just read for pleasure. When I go on vacation, I find myself reading a lot of news and periodicals. In addition, I have tons of reading to do in my other profession as an actor, director and playwright, that I guess I need to give my poor eyeballs a rest.

I narrate lots of individual books. Additionally, I’m a narrator for three different series of books, each with several volumes. Narrating a wide variety of books has allowed me a great opportunity to actually stretch myself, whether it’s crime fiction, mysteries or romance. What I’ve found is that it’s exciting to be exposed to different styles of literature. Ultimately, there is always something I can hang my hat on, that draws me into the story. But is there a book I’d like to narrate? I honestly haven’t found it… yet.

Any thoughts on BDB plot, characters, etc?

Well, the one thing I’m curious about is how JR Ward will continue, and perhaps resolve, the storyline of Blaylock, Qhuinn and Saxton. Beyond that, I probably shouldn’t talk too much. Wouldn’t want the residents of Caldwell NY on my trail…

Thank you so much for stopping by today Jim and taking the time to let us and our readers get to know the man behind the Brothers.

We have a special treat for you maidens!  We are going to be giving away any one of Jim's audiobooks via Audible.  This giveaway is open internationally.  To see a list of the audiobooks he has available to choose from, click here.

And on a good note, he told us he's finished recording A Perfect Storm by Lori Foster, so keep an eye for the audiobook of book four in the Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor coming soon.

To enter:

1. Be a follower
2. Leave a comment below (be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you win)

BOOK SIGNING: Veronica Wolff, Jami Alden and Monica McCarty, Campbell CA

Hello Maidens!  Angela here.  I was lucky enough to attend a local book club where Veronica, Jami and Monica were doing a signing. It was a nice intimate meeting between the book club members and the authors.
There were brief introductions all around and everyone took turns talking about their recent reads and recommendations.
I must say that the ladies in this book club were very friendly. It was nice to discuss and recommend books face to face. Not everyone agreed, but they were outright honest. The books that were highly recommended are listed below this post.

Now about the pretty trio. To my surprise, I found out that these wonderful authors are local to the Bay Area. How cool is that? They were super nice, friendly and uber pretty. They discussed their recently released books and I have to say that these books are in the realm of "my cuppa" read.

Jami Alden

Run from Fear (Trilogy, #3)

With each step she takes, he tracks her every move, waiting for the perfect time. The perfect revenge. Until then, he'll watch her . . .RUN FROM FEAR

More than anything, Talia Vega wanted to leave behind her harrowing past. Moving eight hundred miles away, she succeeded . . . until the one man who knows her darkest secrets wanders into the restaurant where she works. Now the agonizing memories come crashing back-along with an undeniable desire for Jack Brooks, the ex-Green Beret who rescued her from a sadistic monster two years ago.

Jack Brooks knows that showing up unannounced is a purely selfish move. Talia doesn't need his protection anymore, but he can't get the raven-haired beauty out of his mind. And when a twisted madman is hell-bent on resurrecting her torturous past, Jack vows to do anything to keep her safe-even risk his own life to save the only woman he's ever loved.

Veronica Wolff

Sierra Falls

Sierra Falls, California, is one of those sleepy towns that people choose to leave. Sorrow Bailey chose to stay behind and run the struggling family lodge, but has always yearned for more. Things look up when she discovers a collection of letters from her three-times great grandmother and namesake, telling the story of a forbidden love affair.

Billy Preston is the new sheriff, a widower escaping the grief of his former life. He helps out after an accident at the Bailey lodge, and what begins as admiration for Sorrow's quiet strength quickly becomes more. When Sorrow's discovery brings fame to Sierra Falls and her dreams of a better life are within reach, one too many "accidents" have Billy wondering whether someone is willing to kill to keep them off the map...

Monica McCarty

The Saint (Highland Guard #5)

Robert the Bruce consolidates lands and loyalty in a bold war for Scotland’s independence, as his elite team of warriors, the Highland Guard, fight for king, country . . . and love.

Magnus MacKay is the ultimate Highlander: tough, proud, able to master any terrain and to best his enemies. Called “the Saint” for his refusal to discuss women, as well as for his cool and steady leadership, Magnus hides a painful truth. It isn’t virtue or piety that keeps him silent, but a wound of love and loss that cuts so deep he cannot bear to speak of it. But when the woman who refused him is betrothed to his friend and fellow Guardsman, Magnus is tested by love’s battle cry.

A wild and innocent beauty, Helen chose family duty over her desire for Magnus. Now the anger in his eyes mirrors the tormented regret in her heart. But as deadly subterfuge stalks the King and his Guard, Helen vows to right her youthful mistakes with a woman’s determined spirit. Still, Magnus harbors secrets and an iron will not to weaken to temptation—or heartache—again. But as danger looms, it’s the kiss not of a saint, but of a sinner, that can save them.

And the funnest part was the UTC CONFESSIONS. At the end of the signing, the authors agreed to give me their full confessions of what kind of deeds they have done Under The Covers. Here's what they had to say.

~Monica McCarty's UTC Confession





~Jami Alden's UTC Confession:

Author Signing Epic Fail: After getting home, I checked my vids and to my surprise, Jami's vid wasssss blank. *hitting iphone to forehead* But I sucked it up and confessed. This wonderful author sent me a replacement video for this post. Thank you Ms. Alden.





~Veronica Wolff's UTC Confession:




Thank you to Veronica, Jami, Monica for being good sports.
<3 UTC team

Book Club Recommendations:

Unfortunately, These are the only ones that I remember.
Zoe Archer - HellRaisers series
J. R. Ward - Lover Reborn
Catherine Mann
Virna DePaul - It Started That Night
Thea Harrison - Elder Races
Roxanne St. Clare - Barefoot in the Sand
E. L. James 50% likes 50% dislikes