Welcome to FANtastical Friday!

This week our FANtastical Friday has the honor of hosting the sensational and phenomenal Lorelei King.

Welcome, Lorelei!!!

So I'm sitting at my computer one day and a wonderful girl named Tez from down under sent me a message to let me know that First Grave on the Right was finally listed for sale on Amazon, but it was for the audiobook only. And it was Amazon.ca, not .com. She was concerned that it was not yet listed in the states, but my reaction was a little different. First of all...

Audiobook? 

Audiobook? 

I have an audiobook? I had NO idea!

Then is was, "Wait, I'm on Amazon? For real?" EEEEEEP

So, naturally, I hurry over to check it out and who do I see listed as the narrator? 

MY VERY FAVORITE NARRATOR ON PLANET EARTH, THAT'S WHO! 

I loved Lorelei King LONG before she became the narrator of the Charley and, later, the Darklight series. Needless to say, I was over the moon. So much so that I named the heroine in the Darklight Trilogy after her. The fact that she is in one of my favorite movies of all time, Notting Hill, has nothing to do with my adoration. Swear. 

Lorelei and I got to hang out in New York a couple of years ago, and let me tell you, she is just as much fun in person as she is on audio. Or in film. Or in print. The girl is multi-talented! 

Here is a little interview we did just for you, the FANtastical Friday readers! Enjoy! 

FANtastical Friday Question Bonanza...

Darynda: What was the hardest audiobook to narrate and why?

Lorelei:  It was many, many years ago and the name of it has mercifully been scrubbed from my mind, but the first half of the story was set in South Africa in the 19th century and involved about 36 male characters, all from Scotland. I burst into tears several times, and hurled the book across the room on one occasion. The producer was reduced to bribing me with white chocolate (the only kind I like) to continue!

Darynda:  What was the first audiobook you ever narrated and what was the experience like?

Lorelei: I remember the book – it was a collection of ghost stories – but I’ve forgotten the name! Seriously, we are talking a thousand years ago, and my brain is running out of room.  I had been working for a fantastically eccentric English producer dubbing a foreign TV series, and he had an audiobook to do that required a female American voice. So it was a case of being the right nationality at the right time! And I absolutely ADORED the experience. Reading to someone (which is what it is, essentially) was so much fun. And he treated me to a spectacularly expensive lunch in a fancy restaurant! That set the bar high, as you can imagine. I subsequently learned that lunch on the job is usually just a sandwich.

Darynda:  How do you like living in England and what is  your favorite thing about it?

Lorelei: The climate and the cuisine. KIDDING! Technically I live in England, but I think it’s more accurate to say I live in London. Like most big cities, it has a slightly different flavor from the country as a whole. It would be difficult to pick one thing about it as my favourite – it is a spectacular metropolis, rigid with culture and history, full of impressive architecture and beautiful green parks – but as for one best thing? I suppose I’d have to opt for Londoners themselves. A spectacular and diverse tribe, made of sturdy stuff! I’m privileged to live among them.

 Darynda: Lorelei, thank you so much for those thoughtful responses! I know how busy you are and am honored that you were able to take the time to join us today! 

Meet Lorelei King

Lorelei King is one of the most successful and accomplished American actresses working in the UK today, appearing in numerous films from Hollywood blockbusters such as 'Notting Hill' and 'The Saint,' to British independent films, such as 'House of Mirth,' '24 Hours in London,' and 'Suzie Gold.'

Lorelei has appeared as regular and recurring characters in popular British television shows such as Chef, Cold Feet, Alistair McGowan's Big Impression, Emmerdale and the saucy Mile High. She has also made numerous guest appearances in British comedies and dramas such as Jonathan Creek, Not Going Out, The Robinsons and Monarch of the Glen.

Once described as 'the best known American voice on radio 4,' Lorelei has recorded more than 200 programs for the BBC, including the Marx Brothers tribute, 'Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel,' super-hero 'audio movies' including 'Superman,' 'Batman' and 'Judge Dredd and classic American drama such as 'East of Eden,' 'Ethan Frome' and 'A Thousand Acres.' She appears regularly as a panellist on shows such as 'Where in the World' and 'Wordly Wise' and has hosted her own talk show, 'All About Eve.'

Lorelei is a multi- award-winning narrator of audiobooks, recording the works of best-selling authors Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton and Patricia Cornwell among others.

Her work in animation is extensive, and in America she provides the voices for 'Wendy' and 'Packer' (among others) in Bob the Builder.

Born in Pennsylvania and raised in Los Angeles, Lorelei now makes her home in London, where she lives with her husband, actor Vincent Marzello.

AUDIO Lorelei is in New York this spring to record Janet Evanovich's "Sizzling 16" and "Wicked Appetite" (the first in a new series). 
Lorelei was recently heard in "Bette and Joan and Baby Jane" (written by Tracy Ann Oberman) on BBC Radio 4. 

CREATIVE CONTENT   Lorelei and Ali Muirden, former head of audio at Macmillan, have started up Creative Content Ltd., a digital-download-only publishing company specialising in business and self-development titles. They launched their first four titles in December 2008.www.creativecontentdigital.com

WRITING     Lorelei is writing and script-editing 'for series 2 of Chuggington', the animated children's show on BBC TV.www.chuggington.com

To learn more visit

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 To view the complete list of audiobooks narrated by Lorelei King CLICK HERE!

Enter to Win a digital download of any audiobook Lorelei King has recorded!

There will be 5 Winners!!!

Perfect as a holiday gift!

ENTER GIVEAWAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

 Emerald City

• Written by: Chris Nickson
• Narrated by: Lorelei King
• Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins 
• Format: Unabridged

Seattle, May 1988: Why would up and coming musician Craig Adler OD on heroin just days before signing a major record deal?

Craig's band was the first of the new Seattle music scene to break out of the Northwest and they were about to hit the big time. With everything to live for, Craig had been clean for months; everybody swore it.

Music journalist Laura Benton is determined to find the answer. But as she digs into the story, the pieces don’t quite add up - and then the threats begin. Just a phone call at first, then a bullet in the mail ... and as the threats escalate, her dreams turn to nightmares in the Emerald City and Laura finds herself desperately fighting for her reputation - and her life.

Takedown Twenty: A Stephanie Plum Novel

 Frost Burned: Mercy Thompson, Audiobook  7

Question of the week?

Have you ever listened to an audiobook narrated by Lorelei King?

Do you have a favorite?

If you were to win, which DIGITAL Audiobook would you ask to be awarded?

ENTER HERE