Lost in the Light
The Dori Orihuela Series
by Mary Castillo
Narrator: Mary Castillo
Length: 8 hours 46 minutes
Publisher: Reina Books
Released: January 26th 2017
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
One October morning in 1932, Vicente Sorolla entered the white
house on the hill and was never seen again.
Now, Detective Dori Orihuela witnesses his brutal murder in her
nightmares.
Drawn to this tough but tender woman, Vicente materializes out of
the butler's pantry and asks her to find his lost love, Anna. Dori wonders if
she's not only about to lose her badge, but also her sanity.
Dori has always been drawn to the mysterious Queen Anne Edwardian
house in her hometown. But after a devastating injury that puts her career on
the line, Dori isn't sure if she made the right decision purchasing this
rundown old mansion. Her wisecracking Grammy Cena has waited too long for her
independent granddaughter to return home. She hires a kooky psychic to banish
the ghost and a handsome contractor with whom Dori has an unhappy past. With a
promise to Vicente, Dori may solve a forgotten Prohibition era murder. Or she
may exhume secrets someone died to protect.
A modern gothic mystery woven with suspense, ghosts, and romance, Lost in the Light was nominated for the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Paranormal Mystery/Suspense. Fans of Susanna Kearsley, Simone St. James, Diana Gabaldon, Mary Stewart, Kate Morton, and Victoria Holt will want to curl up with Dori on her journey to love, past and present.
📢 Limited review copies of the Lost In The Light audiobook are available on Audiobookworm Promotions' Adopt-An-Audiobook page.
Author Links:
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Q&A with Author & Narrator Mary Castillo
Tell us about the
process of turning your book into an audiobook.
Last
year, I decided to podcast my audiobook, Lost in the Light. I ordered my rig,
built my sound box and started rehearsing with the software. I fell in love
with narrating the book and found myself really taking on the challenge of
bringing the voices for each character that lived in my head onto the
recording. When I finished the last chapter, I couldn't wait to do it again but
first, I had to publish it.
Do you believe
certain types of writing translate better i
nto audiobook
format?
If you
have a story with emotionally-compelling characters and juicy conflict,
anything can become an audiobook. Personally, I enjoy mystery and nonfiction
audiobooks more than other genres.
What factors
influenced your decision to narrate your own audiobook?
Many of
my colleagues at Orange County Chapter RWA were sharing how well their
audiobooks were selling. I had been listening to audiobooks more and more and
decided I wanted to produce one, too! But they are a significant financial
investment. I had my background in drama and video production and decided why
not do it myself? The podcast was a challenge and I found that I loved the
entire process. It also helped that at the time I was writing Lost in Whispers,
the second novel in the Dori O. series. Narrating Lost in the Light reminded me
of details that I'd forgotten!
What type of
narration training have you undergone?
I'm not a
formally trained narrator. But I've always been told what a great voice I have,
especially when I've done readings at bookstores and events. Throughout junior
and high school, I minored in drama at the School of Creative and Performing
Arts in Chula Vista, CA. I can't tell you how valuable that training has been
in so many aspects of my life from creating characters, understanding body
language and vocal tone to speaking to groups.
How did you
prepare to narrate this audiobook?
I must
have read and recorded the first five chapters seven times. But I did it to see
if I had what it took, but also to learn the software! I also studied
narration, practiced accents and performed daily "workouts" for my
voice. It took about six weeks to prepare for the actual recording.
From your
perspective, how does author narration add to the overall listening experience
of an audiobook?
The
narration is everything of an audiobook. Remember story time as a kid? If the
reader wasn't into it, you weren't into it either. Some of my favorite
narrators can effortlessly slip into different vocal tones and accents; others
do not. But they're all fascinated by the story – and that's where the writer
has done her bit.
Was a possible
audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
When I
wrote Lost in the Light from 2010-2011, an audiobook wasn't a blip on the
radar. At the time, the goal was to write the book I'd always wanted to write
but was too afraid to attempt. Narrating and producing the audiobook was icing
on the cake.
Were there any
real-life inspirations behind your writing?
Well,
does it count that I grew up in a haunted house? We lived with the lady who
originally built our home. She would turn the lights on and off, slam the doors
and once, scared off a couple of guys who broke into our house. I knew she was
around when I felt like I wasn't alone even though I was the only person in the
room! She was more like a nosey, shut-in widowed aunt.
How do you manage
to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for writing?
I used to
be the writer who would not move for hours until I made my word count. It was
not pleasant. Now that I manage a small consulting firm, I write in 15-minute
intervals for a total one hour and the rest of my day is focused on family,
client work, etc. So, you better believe I make that writing hour count!For me,
it's attitude. I think of my books as little worlds where cool people do really
cool, crazy stuff. That world is always available when I show up. I have a
mantra when family and/or client work take over my life and I get twitchy that
I'm not getting words on the page. I say to myself: The world is there. It's
ready for me when I show up.I started doing that five years ago and writing
shifted from a chore to a joy.
Are you an audiobook
listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?
I will
drive around the block to finish a compelling scene of an audiobook! I love
listening to them when driving, knitting or walking. To me, it's like story
time when I was a kid. Also, some audiobooks are more enjoyable than their
ebook or print counterpart. I won't name names but there was a very famous
bestseller that I could not get into. But my curiosity won out and I downloaded
the audiobook sample. I was hooked by the performances!
Is there a
particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook
performance than in the book format?
I really
felt Dori on a deeper level and discovered why she came to me when she did. I
was at a low point in my career (long story that I won't get into) and I
started writing the opening scene with her and Grammy at the cemetery. She
kicked my behind out the pity party and back to work. Now when I'm faced with a
challenge or doubting what I should do next, I think to myself: what would Dori
do? While I might not physically take someone down to the ground like she can,
I feel a bit more courageous when I imagine her standing next to me with that
kick-ass look on her face.
If you had the
power to time travel, would you use it? If yes, when and where would you go?
After
experiencing childbirth, I'm very happy to stay in the 21st century!
If this title
were being made into a TV series or movie, who would you cast to play the
primary roles?
I have no
idea! But if it were produced into a TV series – which I'd rather see happen –
I would want actors who fall in love with these characters. My favorite part of
Game of Thrones is during the credits when it reads: "Based on the novel,
A Song of Fire and Ice by George R.R. Martin." That would be so cool to
see one of my books be made into a series people cared about!
What do you say
to those who view listening to audiobooks as "cheating" or as
inferior to "real reading"?
A few
years ago, I participated in a local author event at the Orange Public Library.
A woman walked up to me, picked up Lost in the Light and said, "I'd never
read this book. I hate these kinds of books." I smiled and said,
"Well, you have plenty of other books to choose from today."
A year
later, I was invited to the same library's mystery book club and she was there!
My first thought was, oh no here we go. But she was the first to raise her hand
and she told me how much she loved the story and she couldn't wait to find out
what happened next. I was stunned. I'm sure I had the dumbest look on my face.
The point
of this story is not to react. If they don't like it now, they might in the
future. If I'd been snarky or rude when I first met that lady, she might not
have given my book a second chance.
How did you
celebrate after finishing this novel?
I always
celebrate by thanking my characters and then treating myself to a glass of
champagne.
What gets you out
of a writing slump? What about a reading slump?
When the
energy of a book is lagging, the story isn't working. There's not enough
conflict or the emotion is off with the characters. I stop and ask myself why:
why is this boring, why are they not getting in bed together, why does this
feel forced? For me, the answer is always something in the character. Sometimes
the solution appears right away, or the following week when I'm in the shower!
I also give myself permission to write out of order. If scene 84 in Act III is
really calling me to, I go there.
I often
have reading slumps when I'm deep into writing. So, I read nonfiction that's
related to the story at hand.
In your opinion,
what are the pros and cons of writing a stand-alone novel vs. writing a series?
The pro
of writing a standalone book, which I've yet to do except for a few novellas,
is that the story is done! But the reason why I'm trapped in the series loop –
or, at the very least characters from the book A wind up with their own stories
in Books B & C – is that I miss them when it's over. I want to know more
and I hope my readers do, too!
Do you plan on
expanding this series?
Yes, I
published an ebook novella, Girl in the Mist that continues Dori and Gavin's
relationship. Later in October, I will publish Lost in Whispers, book three in
the series. I have plans for a spin-off (see, I've got seriesitis really bad!)
with some of the supporting characters. Those are in the idea stage so I won't
say more.
Why/How did you
decide to write in the Paranormal genre?
Earlier I
mentioned that I grew up in a haunted house. Unfortunately, things got
"interesting" when I was 17 years old and doors began opening and
slamming shut, lights flashing on and off (we could hear the light switch
click) and a voice calling us from the hallway. I contacted all the cemeteries
around town and on my third attempt discovered where the previous residents
were buried. We took flowers to them and were stunned to see the photos of our
lady ghost and her husband on the marker.
Making
that connection between disembodied voices and slamming doors to an actual
human being has stayed with me throughout my life. Our ghost left behind three
adult children and a sister who couldn't let her go. I imagine she missed them
and maybe she felt some kinship with us because often when my brother and I
heard our names being called we may have been sneaking candy in our rooms, or
playing when we were supposed to be doing our homework!
There's a
scene in Lost in the Light when Grammy Cena tells Dori that Vicente appeared to
her for a reason; that maybe she should try to help him be free of his purgatory,
and thereby free herself. I like to think that when we tracked down our ghost's
resting place, she felt comforted that her humans were looking out for her.
While I
don't go out of my way to encounter ghosts – you would never find me in a dark
house provoking spirits like they do on Ghost Hunters – I respect them. And if
you hear a few mysterious noises or wake up to someone by your bed (who isn't a
crazy person!), just do what I do: close your eyes and say, "Please don't
scare me." It works. Sometimes.
What other
titles/authors in this genre influenced your work?
I would
read Susana Kearsley's grocery list! I love her paranormal mystery/historical
novels and not only read them but also listen to their audiobook counterparts!
I had just finished Lost in the Light when I discovered The Winter Sea, and I
was thrilled that someone else was also writing modern Gothic novels. Growing
up, I loved Victoria Holt and Madeleine Brent novels.
Have any of your
characters ever appeared in your dreams?
Not
directly, but I often to return to a city where my characters live. I walk
through their houses or go to the places where they work. I love it when I
return to "my town" because that's when I know I'm deep into the
story.
Have you ever had
a paranormal encounter?
In
addition to growing up in a haunted house, I once stayed at a hotel in New York
city where we heard a woman call out hello. My mom and I stood at the door to
our room about to plug in the key when we heard her call out. We thought it was
housekeeping and walked in to find that no one was there.
What bits of
advice would you give to authors wanting to narrate their own work?
Commit to
the process and get over hearing your own voice! I imagine I would've finished
Lost in the Light audiobook much sooner if I'd invested in a narrator and
producer. But I couldn't help but see if I could pull it off! The process was
demanding but I'm an organized person and I kept to my deadlines. I really got
into it. I watched videos on accents, especially for the male characters. I
didn't realize that men talk differently than us: their jaws are stiffer and
they don't take big deep breaths like us ladies.
The only
thing I would have done differently is recruit beta listeners. There were some
mistakes that I'd missed and while it was embarrassing, ACX was very cool about
letting me fix them!
Do you have any
tips for authors going through the process of turning their books into
audiobooks?
Consider
that it is a financial investment and don't just hire anyone to narrate your
book. Know your standards and wait for the right one because if a narrator can
make you hear your story anew, then they will grab your listeners.
What's next for
you?
I'll be
hitting my studio again to record Lost in Whispers. I'm currently putting the
finishing touches on Girl in the Mist audiobook and starting in 2018, I'll be
writing the next Dori adventure as well as a paranormal romance series about
past lives.
Oct. 1st: Adventures
Thru Wonderland
Oct. 2nd: Dab of Darkness
Audiobook Reviews
Oct. 3rd: The
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Oct. 4th: Hall
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Oct. 5th: Blogger Nicole
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Oct. 6th: Chapter Break
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