Category: Audio Books

The Necromancer’s Dance by S J Himes Audiobook (Narrator Joel Leslie) Tour and Giveaway

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Title: The Necromancer’s Dance
Author: S J Himes
Series: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #1
Narrated by: Joel Leslie
Length: 8 Hours 8 minutes
Release Date: 21st March 2017
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, MM Romance

1 Necromancer's Dance Audio Cover

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In a world where magic is real and evil walks amongst humanity, a young sorcerer is beset by enemies, both old and new.

Angelus Salvatore is the only necromancer in all of Boston, and his name is whispered warily by the undead and fellow sorcerers alike. He and his brother Isaac are the lone survivors of an attack by an army of the undead, in which Angel used a spell so powerful it forever marked his place in history. Now, years later, Angel struggles to balance his career as a teacher of the higher magical arts, his role as big brother, and a tenuous relationship with an Elder vampire from the local clan. When his brother’s boyfriend is used as a pawn in a mysterious plot to draw Angel out, Angel is once again drawn back into the old hostilities that fueled the Blood Wars and led to his family’s death.

Leaning on others for help is something Angel cannot do, and while he searches for clues as to who may be targeting him and his brother, Angel finds his heart steadily growing occupied with Simeon, Elder and vampire. Dealing with death magic and vampires on a daily basis may leave Angel jaded when it comes to life and staying that way, but the more time he spends fending off the ancient vampire’s attention and affections, the more he realizes he wants to give in.

Can Angel find out who wants him dead, and keep his heart safe in the process? How can he fall for a vampire, when his whole family was torn apart by an army of the undead? Death stalks the streets of Boston’s historic Beacon Hill…and there is no one more suited to battle against death than a necromancer.

Purchase: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK I iTunes

Listen to an audio teaser from The Necromancer’s Dance at Soundcloud.

S J Himes and Joel Leslie will BOTH be at GRL in October 2017! Find out more information on the website.

EXCERPT

“Simeon. Care to share? Wanna tell me why I was dragged outta bed and driven across town to find my brother’s boyfriend locked in your storage room?” Angel growled at the old vamp, and Simeon’s lip twitched again.

Angel had something of a temper problem. Just a bit. And Simeon loved to poke at it, like a fool hunter nagging at a bear with a stick after a long cold winter. “And if anyone says Isaac was involved with this stupid endeavor I’m about to hear, I am gonna start handing out hexes indiscriminately.”

“Mr. Doyle,” Simeon said, tilting his head at the man cowering at the table, “decided he was going to take a job to burglarize the place of business of our Master. He was caught,” Simeon continued, a calm veneer over a well of tension. Simeon’s voice was accented faintly, and had a lilt to it that could seduce the clothes off a nun— which Angel was certain Simeon had done at some point in his long life. Simeon was one slick bastard. “He refuses to tell us who hired him. As per the arrangement you have with our master, we did not get the information from him as we usually would. That is why you are here, Sorcerer Salvatore.”

GIVEAWAY: Win The Necromancer’s Dance Audiobook

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About the Author

I’m a self-employed writer who stresses out about the silliest things, like whether or not I got my dog the best kind of snack and the fact my kindle battery tends to die when I’m at the best part in a book. I write mainly gay romance, erotica, and urban fantasy, with ocasional forays into contemporary and paranormal. I love a book heavy on plot and character evolution, and throw in some magic, and that’s perfection. My current series are: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer, Bred For Love (as Revella Hawthorne), and The Wolfkin Saga. My last two novels in the Beacon Hill Sorcerer won 3rd Place in the Gay Fantasy category for the 2016 Rainbow Awards.

I live in New Orleans, where the personalities are big and loud and so are the bugs! New Orleans is rich in cultural history, and the flavor and music of the City is impossible to hide. Before that, I lived all over the United States: Tampa, Western Massachusetts, Indianapolis, and on and on…. I’m a nomad, and I’ve yet to find a place that calls to me strongly enough to become home. My faithful travel companions are my dog Micah, the numerous voices in my head who insist they all get put on paper, and the wind at my back.

Links: Website | Blog | Facebook | Facebook Fan Group | Twitter | Amazon

About the Narrator

web version joel arm

Joel Leslie is a UK transplant, growing up with American parents in a British commonwealth. A classically trained actor with an MFA in theatre from USC, he is often cast for his unique ability to deliver native, authentic combinations of American and British sounds. His great range and ability to bring characters to life with honesty, wit and versatility delights producers and listeners alike.

He is proud to have a strong following with m/m listeners and an ongoing relationship with some of the finest writers in the genre. He loves that every day he gets to share these beautiful, inspirational and empowering GLBT characters with the world. When not in the booth he spends his time chasing after two loquacious wiener dogs.

Find a list of Joel’s books on Audible

Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Release Blitz: Release on March 21th ‘The Necromancer’s Dance’ by S J Himes (Audiobook) and Narrated by Joel Leslie

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Title: The Necromancer’s Dance
Author: S J Himes
Series: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #1
Narrated by: Joel Leslie
Length: 8 Hours 8 minutes
Release Date: 21st March 2017
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, MM Romance

 

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BLURB

In a world where magic is real and evil walks amongst humanity, a young sorcerer is beset upon by enemies, both old and new. Angelus Salvatore is the only necromancer in all of Boston, and his name is whispered warily by the undead and fellow sorcerers alike. He and his brother Isaac are the lone survivors of an attack by an army of the undead, in which Angel used a spell so powerful it forever marked his place in history. Now, years later, Angel struggles to balance his career as a teacher of the higher magical arts, his role as big brother, and a tenuous relationship with an Elder vampire from the local clan. When his brother’s boyfriend is used as a pawn in a mysterious plot to draw Angel out, Angel is once again pulled back into the old hostilities that fueled the Blood Wars and led to his family’s death.

Leaning on others for help is something Angel cannot do, and while he searches for clues into who may be targeting him and his brother, Angel finds his heart steadily growing occupied with Simeon, Elder and vampire. Dealing with death magic and vampires on a daily basis may leave Angel jaded when it comes to life and staying that way, but the more time he spends fending off the ancient vampire’s attention and affections, the more he realizes he wants to give in.

Can Angel find out who wants him dead, and keep his heart safe in the process? How can he fall for a vampire, when his whole family was torn apart by an army of the undead?

Death stalks the streets of Boston’s historic Beacon Hill….and there is no one more suited to battle against death than a necromancer.

MATURE CONTENT Contains graphic violence, male/male sexual contact, a cranky necromancer, a sexy Irish vampire, and a pesky demon.

Purchase: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

EXCERPT

Angel was ranked as a sorcerer. The unfathomable infinite maelstrom of magic that gathered beyond this world in a brilliant sea of light and shadows, swirling and singing… Angel could use it. He was able reach out, through the veil, and touch the infinite. And even within the three tiers of magic users, witch, wizard, and sorcerer, there were rankings. All based on the personal strength of their individual abilities, and their affinities.

Angel’s affinity was for death, and he was a necromancer.

Not just death in its literal meaning; but all that lead to death and dying, and everything touched by mortality. Spirits, ghosts, poltergeists, all kinds of undead, the dying, illness, disease, poisons, and mortal injuries, and a whole mess of really nasty creatures and conditions. Anything on the other side of the veil and anything rushing towards death was within Angel’s affinity, in reach of his talents. Angel got along great with demons and vampires, when they weren’t trying to kill him. Nothing makes a vamp more nervous than a necromancer. The smart ones, at least.

About the Author

I’m a self-employed writer who stresses out about the silliest things, like whether or not I got my dog the best kind of snack and the fact my kindle battery tends to die when I’m at the best part in a book. I write mainly gay romance, erotica, and urban fantasy, with ocasional forays into contemporary and paranormal. I love a book heavy on plot and character evolution, and throw in some magic, and that’s perfection. My current series are: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer, Bred For Love (as Revella Hawthorne), and The Wolfkin Saga. My last two novels in the Beacon Hill Sorcerer won 3rd Place in the Gay Fantasy category for the 2016 Rainbow Awards.

I live in New Orleans, where the personalities are big and loud and so are the bugs! New Orleans is rich in cultural history, and the flavor and music of the City is impossible to hide. Before that, I lived all over the United States: Tampa, Western Massachusetts, Indianapolis, and on and on…. I’m a nomad, and I’ve yet to find a place that calls to me strongly enough to become home. My faithful travel companions are my dog Micah, the numerous voices in my head who insist they all get put on paper, and the wind at my back.

Links: Website | Blog | Facebook | Facebook Fan Group | Twitter | Amazon

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A MelanieM Audiobook Review: DRAMA MUSCLE (Nicky and Noah mystery #2) by Joe Cosentino ~ performed by Chip Hurley

Rating:  4.5 stars out of 5

It could be lights out for college theatre professor Nicky Abbondanza. With dead bodybuilders popping up on campus, Nicky, and his favorite colleague/life partner Noah Oliver, must use their drama skills to figure out who is taking down pumped up musclemen in the Physical Education building before it is curtain down for Nicky and Noah. Complicating matters is a visit from Noah’s parents from Wisconsin, and Nicky’s suspicion that Noah may be hiding more than a cut, smooth body. You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining second novel in this delightful series. Curtain up and weights up!

I’ve been reading this series in eBook so I was wondering how the audiobook would affect or change my memory of the original tale.  In this case, the wonderful narration of  Chip Hurley definitely enhanced my enjoyment of a story I already found vastly entertaining.

Joe Cosentino always manages to mix mystery, murder and romance together in his Nicky and Noah stories and come up with something that’s likes to slide between the high and low camps of comedy. While the comedy is front and center on the narrative stage, the author doesn’t forget to balance his plot, mixing in the occasional elements of pathos and of course huge abundance of romance and love.

I had to laugh even before I got started, the imagery of musclemen acting as deities still cracking me up.  Then the narration started and Chip Hurley pulled me right into the story.  Keeping the right instructional tone you would expect of a professor when needed, dry and funny also popping up to give the character Nicky Abbondanza life and believability, Chip Hurley did a terrific job making a story I was already familiar with new again.    Really, this  story is beautifully suited for narration.

Chip Hurley flows easily back and forth between the voices, although I would have wished for a little more character definition here.  Still there was enough variation in tone and inflection to know which person was speaking easily, especially the smooth southern tones he uses.  Combine that with  parents, more professors, more bodybuilders and their possible mates?  Then you realize Hurley has done an amazing job of taking Cosentino’s hilarious story and bringing it to life in audio form.

There are a lot of characters here (many musclemen and Greek gods) plus professors that get involved in the mysteries and murders (yep bodies do fall).  Turns out I enjoyed it even more the second time around in audio format.  Its funny the voices are never the ones I have created for the characters in my head but quickly take their place if the narrator is good and does their job as Hurley does here.  Now Nicky and Noah have voices firmly fixed to go with the characters in the books I’ve read.

I love this series and Nicky and Noah.  They are throughly entertaining and always make me laugh with their antics even as the bodies pile up.  Now I have the series to look forward to in audiobooks!  And yes, I recommend them in both formats.  Pick them up and get started with Nicky and Noah today.

Sales Links:

Audiobook Details:

Length: 6 hours, Release Date: February 22, 2017

Blog Tour: Audiobook of DRAMA MUSCLE (Nicky and Noah mystery #2) by Joe Cosentino ~ performed by Chip Hurley

Drama Muscle: A Nicky and Noah Mystery(Nicky and Noah Mystery #2) by Joe Cosentino
Length: 6 hours, Release Date: February 22, 2017

FROM E-BOOK AND PAPERBACK TO AUDIOBOOK

DRAMA MUSCLE, THE SECOND NICKY AND NOAH COMEDY MYSTERY NOVEL

by Joe Cosentino and performed by Chip Hurley

“The murders, the hilarious romances, each scene funny as the body count gets higher…. Make your acquaintance with Nicky and Noah and their mystery series.” Thank you Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words for the wonderful reviews of Drama Queen, Drama Muscle, and Drama Cruise, the first three Nicky and Noah mystery novels published by Lethe Press.

The novels are so over the top, theatrical, and hilarious with over twenty characters in each novel. There is split-second comic timing, lots of plot twists and turns, sweet romance (especially between Nicky and Noah), and a shocking ending in each story. So it was quite a challenge when the time came for me to select the audiobook performer. Michael Gilboe, also a college theatre professor like Nicky and Noah, did a terrific job with Drama Queen, bringing out the humor, building the suspense, and playing over twenty wacky characters as members of the theatre department at Treemeadow College dropped like stage curtains. I was thrilled when the readers of Divine Magazine voted Drama Queen their Favorite LGBT Mystery Novel, Humorous Novel, and Contemporary Novel of the year!

When Michael was not available to do the audiobook of Drama Muscle, I searched for the right performer. What impressed me about Chip Hurley’s work was his crisp diction, warm and sexy voice, spot on comic timing, creative character voices, and crystal clear connection to the Nicky and Noah style of humor. After hearing some of his work on other audiobooks, I contacted Chip and asked him to do the audiobook. I was thrilled when he said yes. Next, I gave Chip a character biography for each character, and we discussed the humor in the series. Then Chip went to work on his state of the art equipment to record and edit the audiobook. When he sent me the files for approval, I was overjoyed. Don’t take my word for it, listen for yourself. Chip does an amazing job bringing out the sweetness, comedy, mystery, and romance in the novel. His character voices are spot on, and his timing is perfect.

In book two, Drama Muscle, Nicky and Noah don their gay Holmes and Watson personas again to find out who is murdering musclemen in the Physical Education Department at Treemeadow College. In the novel, Nicky is directing bodybuilding students in Treemeadow College’s annual Bodybuilding competition on campus. Bodybuilding students and faculty drop faster than barbells until Nicky figures out the identity of the murderer. Noah’s hysterically funny parents visit from Wisconsin and are drawn into the action, and Nicky and Noah reach a milestone by the end of the novel. I was thrilled when the book received a Rainbow Award Honorable Mention.

It is my joy and pleasure to share this audiobook with you. So take your front row seat. The curtain is going up on young bodybuilders at Treemeadow College. Lights (and weights) up!

And look out for the audiobook of Drama Cruise, the third Nicky and Noah mystery, releasing this summer!

DRAMA MUSCLE (a Nicky and Noah comedy mystery)

by JOE COSENTINO and performed by Chip Hurley

About Drama Muscle:

It could be lights out for college theatre professor Nicky Abbondanza. With dead bodybuilders popping up on campus, Nicky, and his favorite colleague/life partner Noah Oliver, must use their drama skills to figure out who is taking down pumped up musclemen in the Physical Education building before it is curtain down for Nicky and Noah. Complicating matters is a visit from Noah’s parents from Wisconsin, and Nicky’s suspicion that Noah may be hiding more than a cut, smooth body. You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining second novel in this delightful series. Curtain up and weights up!

What the people are saying about Drama Muscle…

“reading these books is like watching a fabulous comedic, murder mystery, action, adventure, romantic film.” “I was giggle snorting and laughing so much I had to stop reading. Joe Cosentino’s writing is absolutely flawless. He’s a master storyteller and will keep you guessing and utterly riveted until Drama Muscle’s highly satisfying ending. This is an absolute gem of a book, and series.” Divine Magazine

“Joe Cosentino has done it again! He has created another brilliant masterpiece for us all. A cozy sleuth mystery combined with humor and attractive themes.” Urban Book Reviews

“Book 1, Drama Queen was always going to be a hard act to follow with its belly ache laughter approach but in this “smirkathong” – yes I was smirking throughout the book, my top lip still aches – the author succeeded in delivering another comic classic!” Three Books Over the Rainbow

“a perfect balance of humor and romance into a continuously twisting plot.” “Cosentino will keep you entertained and guessing until the very end.” 3 Chicks After Dark

“If you like a fast-paced, humorous mystery with some quirky characters, lots of twists and the hot, sensual, man-sex, this is definitely for you. I promise you a laugh a minute!” Cathy Brockman Romance

“As with the first book, there are laugh out loud, completely funny sections. And enough of the mystery and suspense that keeps me reading” “I look forward to the next story” The TBR Pile

“laugh out loud funny” “Readers will be on the edge of their seats waiting for the killer to be revealed.” “As a romance, readers will love seeing Nicky and Noah settling in to living together in their Victorian home.” “I highly recommend this series.” Joyfully Jay Reviews

“Such a well woven story that is literally laugh out loud funny.” Boy Meets Boy Reviews

“Joe Cosentino offers his readers something original and very different to the generic contemporary M/M romances out there and because of that I can’t recommend Drama Muscle enough; it is another moment of genius by Joe Cosentino!” Kirsty Loves Books

“This is a wonderful addition to the series! I fell in love with Nicky in the first book and he just gets better. Filled with humor and action. Noah evolves in this story, his character grows into a more mature yet still adorable sidekick to Nicky. They are perfect together, in detective work and in family situations. I hope that there are more to follow.” Crystals Many Reviewers

“This book is a comic romp that simultaneously celebrates and lampoons a mash-up of genres: the bloodless murders (in this case six) of Agatha Christie and her ilk, the screwball movie mysteries of Nick and Norah Charles (it’s Nick and Noah here), and the simile-rich voice-overs of film noir– all updated for a gay context.” Elisa Rainbow, Rainbow Awards

“Everything about this story is wonderfully over the top! The murders, the hilarious romances, each scene funny as the body count gets higher….Need a dose of slapstick and romance in your life (and at the moment who doesn’t)? Make your acquaintance with Nicky and Noah and their Mystery series. You could start here. It certainly works as a standalone but starting at the beginning (with DRAMA QUEEN) is so much fun. Grab up both and read them together. And let the chuckles ensue!” Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

About Joe Cosentino

Bestselling author Joe Cosentino was voted Favorite Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Author of 2015 by the readers of Divine Magazine for Drama Queen. He also wrote the other novels in the Nicky and Noah mystery series: Drama Muscle and Drama Cruise (Lethe Press); the Dreamspinner Press novellas In My Heart: An Infatuation & A Shooting Star, A Home for the Holidays, The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland; the Cozzi Cove series Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward, Cozzi Cove: Stepping Out, Cozzi Cove: New Beginnings (NineStar Press); the Jana Lane mysteries Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, Rag Doll (The Wild Rose Press); and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (Eldridge Plays and Musicals). He has appeared in principal acting roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, and Jason Robards. Joe is currently Head of the Department/Professor at a college in upstate New York, and is happily married. Joe was voted 2nd Place for Best MM Author of the Year in Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 2015. He has won many Rainbow Award Honorable Mentions, including for Drama Muscle. Upcoming is Drama Luau (the fourth Nicky and Noah mystery).  http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeCosen

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4071647.Joe_Cosentino

Amazon: Author.to/JoeCosentino

Giveaway

GIVEAWAY: Post a comment about why you like listening to audiobooks. The one that tickles our funny bone the most will win a gift audiobook of Drama Queen, the first Nicky and Noah comedy mystery, by Joe Cosentino, performed by Michael Gilboe, published by Lethe Press. https://www.amazon.com/Drama-Queen-Nicky-Noah-Mystery/dp/B012O702CW

It could be lights out for college theatre professor Nicky Abbondanza. With dead bodybuilders popping up on campus, Nicky, and his favorite colleague/life partner Noah Oliver, must use their drama skills to figure out who is taking down pumped up musclemen in the Physical Education building before it is curtain down for Nicky and Noah. Complicating matters is a visit from Noah’s parents from Wisconsin, and Nicky’s suspicion that Noah may be hiding more than a cut, smooth body. You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining second novel in this delightful series. Curtain up and weights up!

 

http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Drama-Muscle-Audiobook/B06W9M1TM3/ref=a_search_c4_1_5_srImg?qid=1487803694&sr=1-5

https://www.amazon.com/Drama-Muscle-Nicky-Noah-Mystery/dp/B06VX9471T/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1487803393&sr=1-3&keywords=joe+cosentino

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/drama-muscle-nicky-noah-mystery/id1071965923?mt=11

 

“reading these books is like watching a fabulous comedic, murder mystery, action, adventure, romantic film.” “I was giggle snorting and laughing so much I had to stop reading. Joe Cosentino‘s writing is absolutely flawless. He’s a master storyteller and will keep you guessing and utterly riveted until Drama Muscle’s highly satisfying ending. This is an absolute gem of a book, and series.” Divine Magazine

 

“Joe Cosentino has done it again! He has created another brilliant masterpiece for us all. A cozy sleuth mystery combined with humor and attractive themes.” Urban Book Reviews

 

“Book 1, Drama Queen was always going to be a hard act to follow with its belly ache laughter approach but in this “smirkathong” – yes I was smirking throughout the book, my top lip still aches – the author succeeded in delivering another comic classic!” Three Books Over the Rainbow

 

“a perfect balance of humor and romance into a continuously twisting plot.” “Cosentino will keep you entertained and guessing until the very end.” 3 Chicks After Dark

 

“If you like a fast-paced, humorous mystery with some quirky characters, lots of twists and the hot, sensual, man-sex, this is definitely for you. I promise you a laugh a minute!” Cathy Brockman Romance

 

“As with the first book, there are laugh out loud, completely funny sections. And enough of the mystery and suspense that keeps me reading” “I look forward to the next story” The TBR Pile

 

“laugh out loud funny” “Readers will be on the edge of their seats waiting for the killer to be revealed.” “As a romance, readers will love seeing Nicky and Noah settling in to living together in their Victorian home.” “I highly recommend this series.” Joyfully Jay Reviews

 

“Such a well woven story that is literally laugh out loud funny.” Boy Meets Boy Reviews

 

“Joe Cosentino offers his readers something original and very different to the generic contemporary M/M romances out there and because of that I can’t recommend Drama Muscle enough; it is another moment of genius by Joe Cosentino!” Kirsty Loves Books

 

“This is a wonderful addition to the series! I fell in love with Nicky in the first book and he just gets better. Filled with humor and action. Noah evolves in this story, his character grows into a more mature yet still adorable sidekick to Nicky. They are perfect together, in detective work and in family situations. I hope that there are more to follow.” Crystals Many Reviewers

 

“This book is a comic romp that simultaneously celebrates and lampoons a mash-up of genres: the bloodless murders (in this case six) of Agatha Christie and her ilk, the screwball movie mysteries of Nick and Norah Charles (it’s Nick and Noah here), and the simile-rich voice-overs of film noir– all updated for a gay context.” Elisa Rainbow, Rainbow Awards

 

“Everything about this story is wonderfully over the top! The murders, the hilarious romances, each scene funny as the body count gets higher….Need a dose of slapstick and romance in your life (and at the moment who doesn’t)? Make your acquaintance with Nicky and Noah and their Mystery series. You could start here. It certainly works as a standalone but starting at the beginning (with DRAMA QUEEN) is so much fun. Grab up both and read them together. And let the chuckles ensue!” Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

 

Audiobook release date: February 22, 2017