Human vs. AI Narration for Romance Authors. Making the Right Audiobook Choice

We kicked off this series by diving into the exciting world of audiobooks – a world that's booming, especially for us romance authors and readers. We also introduced the new kid on the block, AI narration, and the siren song of "free" audio offered by platforms like KDP Virtual Voice. But the question that lingered, the one that's probably been buzzing in your mind, is all about quality. Can a computer really capture the passion, the heartbreak, the sheer feeling of a romance novel?

The Audiobook Boom and the Rise of Digital Voices. Should Romance Authors Pay Attention?

Get ready to dive into the world of audiobooks! This is the first in a series of seven articles (plus a bonus!) where we'll explore everything you need to know about the booming audiobook market, the rise of AI narration, and what it all means for romance authors. We'll cover topics from comparing human and AI narration, to cost breakdowns, using KDP Virtual Voice, protecting your brand, exploring hybrid approaches, and looking at the future of the industry. This series was sparked by a conversation with one of my author clients who, while busy with a new release, was invited to KDP's Virtual Voice program. We agreed to explore it "after the release," but my curiosity took over, and I knew I had to investigate.

Findaway Voices updated their terms of use for Spotify audiobook distribution quickly

I've been meaning to do an update on the new Spotify and Findaway Voices terms of use kerfuffle which I talked about in a previous post. That got resolved very quickly after the authors who were part of Findaway Voices staged a massive protest. Sadly, life and health got in the way, so I'm only just doing it now. It's probably old news, but I'm still seeing some people ask about it, so here's the low down.

Authors, how will the new Spotify/Findaway terms of use affect you and your audiobooks? A non-legal understanding and interpretation

Hey everyone! I haven't written in a while, but I saw this news about Findaway Voices's new terms of use making the rounds on social media with regards to Spotify and wanted to throw in my two cents to hopefully clarify some things or at least present my (non-legal) understanding of it.

Note, the "new" Spotify terms of use actually went into effect on 8 November, 2023, but the Findaway terms might only just be starting to update.

A bunch of book reviews | Jessa Kane, JE Parker, Cassie Cole, Cindy Gerard

Hello! Hello! I'm home. I'm trying to get back on track on the blogging front, trying being the operative word because, lordy, I am too old for all this traveling, living off caffeine, and then driving all day to get home. I have been so tired since getting home. But there I am, trying to get back on track. So, how about a bunch of book reviews? A few quick and easy ones since I realise I have not been posting as many book reviews and this is an easy way to do them.

I have thoughts on audiobooks and narrators

I've recently started listening to a lot more audiobooks because I've finally found a time and routine where audiobooks work for me. It's not always been the case in the past. And I've learned some things.

Review: Accidental SEAL (SEAL Brotherhood #1) by Sharon Hamilton

Accidental SEAL (SEAL Brotherhood #1) by Sharon Hamilton
Purchase link: Amazon

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Special Guest: Jeffrey Kafer, narrator

Have you ever listened to an audiobook? Wanted something to do while working on a mundane task? Audiobooks are a great distraction and entertainment. Personally, I love audiobooks when I am driving. Now, I admit, I don't drive a whole lot, but when I do and I have twenty minutes or more in the car by myself (Steve is not a fan of audiobooks!) I put on an audiobook. I'm also partial to male voices. I adore Eric G Dove and Jeffrey Kafer. And today, I'm fortunate enough to have managed to convince Jeffrey to visit with us here on the bloggity. I'm so excited he's agreed to answer a few questions ... okay, a lot of questions on audiobooks.

Please give Jeffrey a very warm Deanna's World welcome.

Photo via Visualhunt.com

Jeffrey, welcome to the bloggity and thank you for agreeing to answer a few questions for us about narrating audiobooks. I'm a big fan of your work.

​Thanks! I'm a big fan of you listening to my work.​

Review: Fatal Scandal (Fatal #8) by Marie Force #HelenReviews

Fatal Scandal (Fatal #8)  by Marie Force
Purchase link: Amazon

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Review: Wilde Nights in Paradise (Wilde Security #1) by Tonya Burrows

Wilde Nights in Paradise (Wilde Security #1) by Tonya Burrows
Purchase link: Amazon

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He'll guard her body all night long.

Former Marine Jude Wilde's motto has always been "burn bridges and never look back," so nobody is more surprised when Wilde Security is hired to protect assistant district attorney Libby Pruitt, the woman he loved and left. Although she makes it clear she wants nothing to do with Jude, they're forced to fake a relationship for her safety. He can't ignore the heat still simmering between them, and when her stalker's threats escalate to attempted murder, he's left with no choice but to whisk her away to a friend's safe house in Key West, FL.

Cooped up in paradise together, Jude begins to chip away at Libby's resolve to hate him. But even as she gives in to his proximity and her body's demands for his, she refuses to fall for his charms again. Maybe a torrid affair in the sun is exactly what she needs to get him out of her system. But when her stalker tracks them down, can they escape the steamy Key West night without anyone getting hurt?

Review: Sweet Girl (Titan #1.5) by Cristin Harber

Sweet Girl (Titan #2) by Cristin Harber
Purchase link: Amazon

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Sometimes falling in love means going through the worst kind of hell.

A SWEET GIRL
Nicola Hart grew up under the heels of her older brother and his sexy best friend, Cash Garrison. Years of ignoring her spark with Cash has transformed their friendship into a slow burning sizzle. One night with him could ruin everything. Or it could be more than she ever dreamed. They play. They flirt. But they haven't crossed the line because too much is at stake. Family. Friendship. And the deepest kind of love that she'd have to be crazy to walk away from.

HE CAN'T STAY AWAY FROM
She's his best friend's little sister. The definition of hands off. Cash has tried to ignore her for years. Those innocent eyes and her smile that screams kiss-me-if-you-dare... Instead, he's looked at every pretty little thing who's crossed his path, all to ignore the girl he seems destined to want. But when his hard partying ways get old and everyone at school is interested in Nicola, it's time to stake a claim. To make Nicola his girl, no matter the risks, and hold the hand of the one he really loves.

Sweet Girl is the novel length prequel to USA Today best-selling Garrison's Creed. Before Cash and Nicola can fall in love forever, they have to suffer through their first love.

Review: Samson's Lovely Mortal (Scanguards Vampires #1) by Tina Folsom

Samson's Lovely Mortal (Scanguards Vampires #1) by Tina Folsom
Purchase link: Amazon

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NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY Bestselling Author Tina Folsom presents: Samson's Lovely Mortal (Scanguards Vampires Series #1)

Vampire bachelor Samson can't get it up anymore. Not even his shrink can help him. That changes when the lovely mortal auditor Delilah tumbles into his arms after a seemingly random attack. Suddenly there's nothing wrong with his hydraulics - that is, as long as Delilah is the woman in his arms.

His scruples about taking Delilah to bed vanish when his shrink suggests it's the only way to cure his problem. Thinking all he needs is one night with her, Samson indulges in a night of pleasure and passion.

However, another attack on Delilah and a dead body later, and Samson has his hands full: not only with trying to hide the fact he's a vampire, but also with finding out what secrets Delilah harbors for somebody to want her harm.

"I'm addicted to Tina Folsom's books! The Scanguards series is one of the hottest things to happen to vampire romance. If you love scorching, fast-paced reads, don't miss this thrilling series!" --- Lara Adrian, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Midnight Breed series

Review: Winter's Heat (Titan #1) by Cristin Harber

Winter's Heat (Titan #1) by Cristin Harber
Purchase link: Amazon

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First Book in Titan Series by New York Times Bestselling Author

After putting her life on the line to protect classified intelligence, military psychologist Mia Kensington is on a cross-country road trip from hell with an intrusive save-the-day hero. Uninterested in his white knight act, she’d rather take her chances without the ruggedly handsome, cold-blooded operative who boasts an alpha complex and too many guns.

Colby Winters, an elite member of The Titan Group, has a single objective on his black ops mission: recover a document important to national security. It was supposed to be an easy in-and-out operation. But now, by any means necessary becomes a survival mantra when he faces off with a stunning woman he can’t leave behind.

When Titan’s safe houses are compromised, Colby stashes Mia at his home, exposing his secret—he’s the adoptive father of an orphaned baby girl. Too soon, danger arrives and Mia lands in the hands of a sadistic cartel king with a taste for torture. As hours bleed into fear-drenched days, Colby races across the globe and through a firestorm of bullets to save the woman he can’t live without.