Tag Archives: audio

Hear ye, hear ye: FANTASTIC NEWS!

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How to listen to just about any Amazon ebook (even when it’s not on Audible)

How to listen to just about any Amazon ebook (even when it’s not on Audible)
How to listen to just about any Amazon ebook (even when it’s not on Audible)

I have found several ways to listen to an Amazon ebook (that’s not on Audible). I believe the best #FREE way is to listen to your book on an Echo device.

Say, “Alexa, read my book.” That’s it. If you are already reading an ebook, she’ll select that one. ‘Resuming your most recent book, Aye, I am a Fairy.’

If you want to switch stories, say, “Alexa, read my book, One Arctic Summer,” (or whatever title you want). She’ll reply, ‘Getting your book from your Kindle Library.’

Note: my favorite part of listening with this method is I can tell her to go forward or back if I missed something or want to skip forward. ‘Alexa, go back ten seconds’ or ‘Alexa, go forward thirty minutes.’

This method works on my Echo Dot, Echo Show, Kindle Fire, the Alexa app on my phone, and my come-with-me-everywhere buddy, my Echo Owl frames. Oh, and Alexa picks up from where she left off, synching with whichever device I was using. I don’t have to touch anything to get it to start, pause, or stop reading, either. That’s particularly handy when pulling weeds with muddy gloves (wearing Echo Owl sunglasses with built-in speakers) or answering the door when the Echo device is across the room.

Here’s the word direct from Amazon on How to with Kindle Fire

Here’s the word on how to listen to a book on your Fire, right from Amazon.

How to listen to a book on your PC

You can use the free Kindle App on your computer to hear a non-Audible Amazon eBook. 1) Open the Kindle App. It’s free to download if you don’t already have it.

2) Go to Library and search for your book title. Open it. From the Tools Folder, select ‘Start Text-to-Speech’ or use the shortcut Ctrl+T. This way of listening is like hearing a male robot. I don’t like the guy’s voice on the Kindle Text to Speech as well as Alexa’s.

Give it a try!

If you already have the books in your library, give it a try. If not, search ABB Chill Out on Amazon and see loads of The Authors’ Billboard titles. Now you can LISTEN or read!

Friday the 13th -Lucky for me and you!

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I was born on a Friday the 13th (June), and that day has always been lucky for me! Today it’s lucky for you – and it’s better for your eyes too!

In the world of technology, where we all have our noses stuck to television screens, computers, tablets, and cellphones, if you’re like me, your eyes need a rest. Generally, I am up by 5:30 every morning and on the computer within ten minutes of waking up. That’s after using the bathroom and pouring that first cup of coffee. Somedays, I am literally on my computer working for 12-15 hours.

So when I have a few hours off, the last thing I want to do is read because I need to give my eyes a break. It doesn’t help that I’m getting older and my eyesight is starting to change. The problem is, I used to read voraciously. I could read a 300-page book in several hours, and I used to read several books a week. Now I might read a book every other month.

What I have started doing is listening to audiobooks. I get a chance to relax my mind, enjoy a story, and clean my house, or cook something good in the kitchen. Sometimes, I just sit back and do nothing while I enjoy one!

I love audiobooks, and I know a lot of people are starting to enjoy them too. That’s why I am slowly having my books turned into audio productions! And this is where the fun begins!

I currently have several books in audio, and I’m going to give away 25 copies of several of them to you! All you have to do is look over the books on the sign-up form and pick your first and second choice. Then in a few days, I will send you a link and a code to download it for FREE from Audible.

CLICK HERE to sign up for a FREE Audio Book!

COMING SOON TO AUDIO

Make sure to join my AUDIO ONLY newsletter that is used to announce new releases and offers the first change of FREEBIES on new releases!

JOIN HERE

The Joy of Audiobooks by Rachelle Ayala @AyalaRachelle #mgtab

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There’s always something relaxing and soothing about being read to. Perhaps it brings us back to the nights when our moms and dads read good night stories to us or circle time in kindergarten when the teacher swung a picture around while wowing us with the antics of a beagle or a little caterpillar. The lyrical voice of a good storyteller transports us into that magical dimension of a story.

Nowadays, it’s rare as a grownup to have anyone read to you. But you can still recapture the joy by listening to audiobooks. And these days, they are more exciting and engaging than ever, with actors and actresses playing the roles of the characters, wowing and enchanting the listener.

Here are some of the joys of audiobooks.

  1. You can rest your eyes. Close them and lay back, whether on a hammock or porch swing, or even in a bathtub [just make sure not to drop your player into the water.] Let romance seep into the suds and dream about that hot hero and lazy nights at the beach.
  2. You can exercise while listening. Get your steps in on a brisk walk around the lake, or a quiet stroll through the park. If you prefer a faster pace, plug in the earbuds and run to the tune of a heartpounding thriller.
  3. You can cut boredom while waiting in line, sitting on the bus, riding the subway, or driving to work. Extra bonus, listen to a engaging mystery while driving can keep you awake.
  4. You can multitask. Get in a romantic comedy while scrubbing the kitchen or cleaning the bathroom. Don’t worry if someone hears you laughing out loud while chopping vegetables or dusting your living room.
  5. You can babysit your pets. Studies have shown that dogs are calmer and more relaxed when in the presence of their pack–in many cases, that’s you. Hearing your voice or a calming, soothing human voice lowers their heartbeat and anxiety. Many people leave the TV on, but the constant interruptions of commercials, as well as gunshots and violent sounds, can leave your pets more anxious than you’d like. Playing back a playlist of audiobooks allows you to control what your pet is hearing and lets them relax at the sound of familiarity. Perhaps your dog might like to snooze to a classic or get his tail wagging to a hot romance.

This year, as an author, I’ve invested in getting my most popular stories produced in audio. I’ve enjoyed casting the “right” narrator for the mood and tone of my story, from Christmas novellas to steamy sports romances.

I bet you have more ideas on how to use audiobooks. Please comment and let me know how you like your audiobooks served.

Please check out my Audiobooks on Audible.com AND if you don’t have a membership, you can get one of my books free if you sign up for a 30-day free trial.

Here are a few of the most popular ones. [Check out my Audiobook List on my website] or for the complete updated list of books and those with audio [heat level, etc], http://rachelleayala.net/books/

Here’s a review for Her Christmas Chance narrated by Kate Marcin
” …every teardrop worth crying ”

For me reading a story is like watching a movie. In my mind there’s an image of how the scene will play out, but it doesn’t always end up that way. Her Christmas Chance is like a wonderful gift. It inspires and entertains while waking up even the blackest of hearts. The words were all there, the beauty was evident, all that Bella and Chance needed was the perfect voice to bring their fairy tale to life. Kate Marcin proved the right person for that tough job. It’s only fitting that since the author put so much of herself on display that the narrator do likewise. Ms. Marcin made every teardrop worth crying and every smile a well earned reward.