THE BIG INCH

Misfits and Millionaires #1

by

KIMBERLY FISH

Narrated by Sydney Young

Genre: Historical Fiction / Romance / WWII Spies

Publisher: Fish Tales Publishing

Date of Publication: August 1, 2018

Length: 10 hours, 22 minutes

Scroll down for the giveaway!

Fans of Pam Jenoff, Susan Elia MacNeal, and Kate Quinn will want to read the first book in a sparkling WWII historical fiction series, The Big Inch. Lane Mercer is a spy recovering from a disastrous mission in France when she’s assigned to protect the interests of the new federal project sending American oil to the Allies. Thrown into the high-stakes world of Texas oilmen, she’s inventing maneuvers on the fly to outwit would be counter-intelligence and Fascist sympathizers. Complicating her mission is a handsome con-artist who manages to be under her feet at the most inopportune times. Trapped between trusting her gut or trusting her informers, Lane has to learn to navigate a town that is laced with more intrigue than she’d ever have guessed, and she soon discovers that the life she might have to save. . .is her own.

Kimberly Fish’s well-researched writing drops readers into the colorful world of the American home front known so well to those who lived alongside the Greatest Generation. Buy The Big Inch today to begin this exciting first novel in a WWII series set in Texas.

◆ Amazon ◆ Audible ◆

Praise

“Narrator Makes Book Exciting!” — 5 Stars Review on Audible

“Kimberly Fish’s writing style snatched me out of my easy chair.” — Vickie Phelps, author of Moved, Left No Address

“Kimberly Fish has a gift for combining conflict, emotion, and characterization to create a compelling story.” — Louis Gouge, author of Love Inspired Historical Four Star Ranch series

You can find my review of this book here

I learned so much about what goes into narrating a book from Sydney.  Thanks for sharing your insight!

How did you become an audiobook narrator?

I am, by profession, a lawyer. And because I believe that reading changed my own life, I read once a week to a 2^nd grade classroom throughout most of the school year.  I love the “pin drop” magic when all are listening on the edge of their seats. I’ve also long had voices when I read, which my son remembers me doing as far back as when I first read HARRY POTTER to him. This comes from being a seasoned Thespian (Actor, Vocalist, Director).

So I knew I had some ability. When I became an empty nester, I wanted to find a new passion I could work on in my now quiet home. I’m a lifelong writer and would love to voice my own work. Narration seemed a natural fit. So I took a class. Not just any class, but a good, super-in-depth one.

What cultural value do you see in audio books?

Audiobooks offer both escape and mental stimulation, and the ability to focus—in a world that is far too spoon-fed and cluttered.

Who has time to read?  I hear this often. And I sympathize. We are all busy. That is part of why I do most of my “reading” by listening to audiobooks. I listen when I drive solo. I listen when I cook solo. I listen when I work out and when I go for walks and when I garden, and I even give myself the gift of listening while I’m sitting on the back porch while my hands are busy with something else.  I always loved books on tape, so when I found Audible (the online audiobook service that delivers via an App), I was hooked.

What kind of preparation do you do before you start recording?

The key is to warm your voice up, just as you would when performing vocally.  Also, an audiobook is best if it is not rehearsed. Yes, you must know what all voices you will use, and you must research pronunciations. (Learning about “Jimplecute” in THE BIG INCH was fun!) Otherwise, if you memorize or rehearse too much, it comes across as inauthentic. You must trust yourself as a reader. The first read is usually the best because you are reacting instead of superimposing.

How do you keep the accents of your various characters straight?

Typically, there is a word or phrase that personifies the person’s “voice.” For example, I could always invoke Lane’s charge, J.R. Parson, by simply repeating his mantra: “Par for the course.”  Also, if I wasn’t sure, I would listen back.

Have you held any day jobs that helped your narration skills?

This made me laugh. I honestly don’t know a good lawyer who isn’t a good actor and well-voiced.  I think it’s part of the job description, isn’t it?

What did you enjoy most about narrating this book?

I loved the scenes with close interaction. Whether it was Emmie Tesco telling Lane to get a grip, or Lane and Theo figuratively dancing around each other, or Zeke getting Lane into trouble, those one-on-one moments have stuck with me.

Which of the characters from the book is most or least like you? Was this a challenge?

I’m far more a Tesco than a Lane, but I’ve experienced just about every emotion reflected in THE BIG INCH. I enjoy reading different characters and exploring about those who are not me. It’s the fun of it.

What projects are you working on at the present?

I recently finished another audiobook, this time a steamy romance, and I’m about to direct SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, so I’m holding off on any large project offers at the moment. Also, my own book, I AM HOUSTON (about young Sam Houston and his forgotten Cherokee tribe), is in the publishing exploration mode (I have an agent who is about to sub it), and I really hope to voice it. (Unless John Lee would voice it. Because, John Lee!)

Kimberly Fish has been a professional writer in marketing and media for almost 30 years. In the course of research for the Longview Chamber of Commerce 100-year compilation, she stumbled across a 1940s federal works project that was too good, too war-winning, not to be retold to a modern audience. In 2017, she released The Big Inch, her first WWII spy thriller detailing the crazy, big pipeline project that fueled the Allies to a win in Europe. The Big Inch has also been released as an audio download on Audible. That eye-opening novel was so consumed by readers, she quickly followed it with a second WWII spy thriller set in Longview, Harmon General. Both of these novels will be helpful to her work with the City of Longview’s 150^th birthday celebrations which begin in January of 2020. Comfort Plans, a contemporary novel also set in Texas, continues her love of history by weaving old letters into the renovation of an iconic Hill Country farmhouse.

Kimberly enjoys speaking on the value of weaving history and nostalgia into our plans as we grow our communities for the future.

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Sydney Young is a lawyer, award-winning writer and audiobook narrator from the Lone Star State. Her next theatrical project will be directing “SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE,” for the Paris Community Theatre stage (Feb. 2019), while her novel “I AM HOUSTON,” is being submitted for publication by the Loiacono Literary Agency. Sydney has long been a reading advocate, including with her readings to an adopted second grade class each year. She loved voicing THE BIG INCH for all of its authentic Texas voices and true characters, all while she learned the history of the East Texas oil effort for World War II.  Visit Sydney’s website for more information on her writings, theatre, and audio books.

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

ONE WINNER! 

Choice of Audio or Signed Print Copy of The Big Inch 

+ $25 Amazon Gift Card + a WWII Themed Surprise Gift!

NOVEMBER 5-12, 2018

(U.S. Only)

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