Viviana, from Enchantress of Books and I am so excited to have Dakota Cassidy and the ladies of OOPS on our Audio Book Lovin’ Series.
For those who have not had the pleasure of meeting or reading any of Dakota’s work here is a little about my girl:
Dakota Cassidy lives for a good laugh in life and in her writing. In fact, she almost loves a good giggle as much as she loves hair products and that’s saying something.
Her goals in life are simple, (like really simple): banish the color yellow forever, create world peace via hot rollers and Aqua Net; and finally, nab every tiara in the land by competing in the Miss USA, Miss Universe, and Miss World pageants, then sweeping them in a stunning trifecta of much duct tape and Vaseline usage, all in just under one week. Oh, and write really fun books!
Dakota lives in Oregon with her dogs and has a husband who puts the heroes in her books to shame.
Learn more about Dakota and her books here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Hello, all! First, huge thanks to Kelly and Viviana for inviting me to their blog to celebrate audio books!
Where it all began…
Second, I’m Dakota Cassidy the author of The Accidental series—a bunch o’ books (9 now) with a recurring theme about women and men who are “accidentally” bitten and turned into one paranormal creature of another. You know, werewolves, vampires, goddesses of love ect?
The three main characters run a paranormal crisis hotline called OOPS (a sort of snark on, “Oops, that so sucks. Sorry you were turned into a werewolf.” Or in its entirety, Out In The Open Paranormal Support) and handle all sorts of cases for clients who’ve been thrust unwillingly into the paranormal world.
Anyway, when I was asked to blog about my books, now available in audio, the suggestion was to invite the three main characters that began this crazy journey, and who appear in every edition, to come along for the ride and give their opinions about their portrayals—I hesitated.
Big time.
Like I really had to give this some thought.
They’re a lot. And I do mean A. Lot. Opinionated, sometimes loud, and always unruly when in the same room together.
The three women, Marty, Nina, and Wanda are all BFFs, but they couldn’t be more different. Okay, one of them is very different and the other two just try to contain Miss Saucy Mouth and her razor-sharp, unfiltered tongue.
So without further ado, I sort of reluctantly give you, The Accidentals, Marty the werewolf, Nina the crusty vampire and Wanda the halfsie—half vampire, half werewolf (apologies in advance)—
Dakota: “So, ladies, any thoughts about you guys being in audio? How do you feel about your big mouths…er, words brought to life by the lovely Meredith Mitchell?”
Marty: “I’m so excited about it! I think it’s so amazing to imagine all the road trips we take with people we don’t even know. The commutes we go on with complete strangers! Oooo, I wonder if we’ve been to Paris? Ya think? The Champs Elysees, the croissants, the lovers, strolling hand in hand in the Louvre? Isn’t that exciting and sooo romantic?”
A clip from Marty’s book The Accidental Werewolf
Wanda: Leans in and shakes her finger under Nina’s nose with a frown. “Nina! Sweet baby J! Hush and just answer the question. For once, please behave like a lady! My apologies to all you lovely readers. Nina can be outspoken sometimes.”
Dakota: I let out a longwinded sigh before composing myself. Cracking my knuckles I ask, “Nina, remember the deal we made about keeping our salty thoughts on the inside?”
Nina: “Yeah, yeah, Shakespeare. I remember. Some rambling email about how my big mouth could land me in deep vampire shi…er, doo-doo if I don’t shut it, right? Because you and all your makeup and hairspray and fancy words are so scary. See me tremble.”
Dakota: I shoot Nina an evil smile. “That’s exactly right. I should scare you. I created you, I can un-create you. Now, about hearing your journey to vampirism in audio. Have you enjoyed this part of the adventure?”
Nina: Snorts and makes a face. “Sure. It’s been a total hoot to hear my voice of reason in the midst of all the effin’ chaos these two bring to the game. You know, all that nurturing and babying they do with the clients we score so they won’t get their widdle paranormal feelings hurt? Meredith does a bang up job of putting up with their shiz.”
A clip from Nina’s book Accidentally Dead
Wanda: Smiles at me, and nods her head. “I love Meredith! She has this way of making me sound so reasonable and levelheaded. Well, for the most part. I mean, how much can a narrator give when she has a woman who’s faced with the predicament I was in? The poor thing was tasked an almost insurmountable job. But I love how she tackled it like a pro!”
A clip from Wanda’s book The Accidental Human
I gather up my laptop and my can of hairspray and prepare to make my exit before these three, (okay, NINA), drive me out of my mind.
Marty: “Wait! Quick question, Dakota?”
Aw, hell. I was so close to making a stealthy escape.
I sigh again. Here we go.
Dakota: “Yes, Marty?”
Marty: “Do you think in Accidentally Aphrodite you could find it in your heart to write in an accidental witch? Maybe one who casts a muting spell over Nina?” she asks me on a facetious giggle.
Nina: Pops her lips and narrows her eyes. “Come say that to my face, you color-wheel-loving-werewolf. I’ll chew it right off your Nair-needing head!”
Wanda: “Nina, Marty—knock it off! Although, I admit, some quiet vampire time would be lovely. Do you think Meredith can narrate a book without words, Dakota?”
I wince. Because hello, did I mention they’re work?
Nina: “Oh, shut the eff up, Wanda!”
Wanda: Waves an admonishing finger in the air. “And that’s exactly what I mean, vampire. Right there! Already you’re resorting to cursing and threats. You simply cannot behave this way, Nina. Not everyone wants or even needs your opinion. In fact—”
A scuffle ensues, which means it’s my only opportunity while they’re distracted to get the heck out of here before they ask me to write them the ability to time travel or be invisible. Oh, Cheebus, can you imagine Nina invisible?
I shudder!
I’m going to attempt to escape unnoticed now, but thank you so much for having me, and I hope you’ll have a listen to the Accidentals, narrated by the amazing Meredith Mitchell!
Dakota J
Here is a clip of Talk Dirty to Me, book 1 in the Plum Orchard series.
**ADD** Talk Dirty to Me Clip
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Ladies I absolutely loved your hilarious interview. Wishing you all the best
I haven’t read any of the Half-Moon Hollow series, yet. They are on my TBR list.
I have not read any of them but they’re definitely on my lists to read or listen to soon!
I’ve not read this series but it sounds great! I love romance and humor in books!
I have and I love the whole set of connected series (Jane Jameson, Naked Werewolf and Half-Moon Hollow).
I have listened to the Jane Jameson series but not Half-Moon Hollow. I’m also up to date on Dakota’s Accidental series, just waiting for the newest release to come out on audio.
Dakota Cassidy’s ‘Accidental Series’ is wonderfully written and clever. I just purchased all the Kindle books. As for Holly Harper, that series is also funny and romantic. I love it when humor, love, drama & paranormal are mixed together.