News | Wendy Rich Stetson | Actress and Narrator

Audiobook News from Wendy!

Happy Spring, Friends! I am delighted to announce the release of two new audiobooks!

Help Wanted is the second in Barbara Valentin’s Assignment Romance series, a follow-up to “False Start” featuring many of the same characters. But this fun and poignant story follows a married couple looking to rekindle their romance after kids, jobs and life get in the way!

From Barb’s blurb:

When Claire Nelson decided that her happily-ever-after lay not in marriage but in a spot on the New York Times best seller list, she vowed never to tie the knot. But that was before she met Paul Mendez, handsome and charming enough to have her breaking said vow and marrying him shortly after college.

Almost 15 years and four sons later, Claire is now a burned out breadwinner ready to ditch her quest for happily-ever-after, and Paul has traded his dream of chairing corporate board meetings for volunteering at PTA meetings as a stay-at-home dad. Feeling trapped in a demanding job, Claire’s repeated attempts to get Paul to return to work fall flat. Contemplating divorce, she drafts a letter to the Plate Spinner, a popular advice columnist, asking for help.

But when the reply contains an offer that may just put her best-selling author dreams back on track, Claire’s only question is: will Paul be on board? Or does her charming husband make a surprise move of his own?

AND!

Breeze C.S. Bills’ heartwarming story of love, loss and friendship (of the human and the canine variety) was so much fun to narrate. Though I am squarely a cat person, by the time I finished this book, I was ready to get myself a border collie and start training for agility competition!

Cindy writes:

“Weave,” Kate said in her most positive and encouraging voice. Breeze hit the weaves, and Kate ran alongside of him. “Weave, weave, weave, weave,” she said as he pulled through and out the last one. “Yes!” Kate raced to the tunnel, willing Breeze to take the far entry. He did it. Kate felt herself tense. Her heart was pounding. We just might do this. We just might do this….

When Kate buys Breeze, a black and white border collie puppy, he soon becomes the center of her life. And when they see agility for the first time, both Kate and Breeze are hooked. But Kate is still struggling with a pain-filled past. She wants to stop grieving and start living again, and now with Breeze has come renewed hope. Agility may just be the ticket to a bright new life for the two of them.

Both books are available on Audible.com and iTunes! Enjoy!

on May 9, 2017
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Please Support THE SOUNDING!

Two years ago I drove a cop car and talked with a Downeast Maine accent in what promised to be an absolutely beautiful movie. And I am so excited to see that “The Sounding” is almost here! But to finish it’s journey, we all need your help. Please watch this video and visit the kickstarter site to learn about Catherine Eaton, and all of the amazing men and women who worked together to bring this project to life. In these dark late autumn days let’s spread some light and stand up for people who are different! Let’s stand up for inclusivity! Let’s stand up for women in film and Shakespeare* and for making something beautiful.

Plus. Did I mention I drive a cop car? I totally do.

*Oh yeah, you Shakespeare nerds. This one is really gonna float your boat. The main character, only speaks in Shakespeare. But, like, all rearranged and reconfigured to express what she’s feeling. It’s cool.

on November 22, 2016
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New Audiobook Release “False Start” by Barbara Valentin
It may come as little surprise, but redheaded romance heroines are my jam. And Barbara Valentin has written a really fun one in her sweet and funny romantic comedy, “False Start.” And as of now you can enjoy it as an audiobook…narrated by me!

What Matty Ross, the heroine of “False Start” and I have in common:
- Our middle names are both Jean. At least mine was before I changed my name when I got married. Wendy Jean Rich. What are the odds?
- We both have crazy, out-of-control, curly red hair.
- We both love deep dish pizza. And gelato.
- We are both training for a marathon. Well, in my case, a half marathon. Hopefully. If I don’t succumb to these running-induced aches and pains.
What Matty Ross and I don’t have in common:
- She lives in Chicago. I’m a New York City girl all the way.
- She is a successful journalist. I’m not.
- She has a drop dead gorgeous trainer named Nick who is helping her every step of the way. I don’t have a Nick. I’m kind of making up this whole training thing as I go along. Which reminds me. I should go for a run.
Oh but there’s so much more to this charming story.

Mattie Ross is probably the last person who should be doling out good counsel to anyone about anything. Still smarting after being left at the altar two years earlier, she is strapped with debt, has sworn off men, routinely buries herself in her work, and despite her well-proportioned figure remains haunted by childhood taunts of “Fatty Mattie”. But to her publisher at the Chicago Gazette, and listeners, she is their latest advice columnist, The Plate Spinner, a self-assured working parent to adorable fake children and multi-tasking savant. Enter Nick Derosa, the twin brother of Mattie’s cold-footed fiance, who is trying to get back on his feet after his brother steals his identity and implicates him in an illegal investment scheme. But thanks to Nick’s legendary running career, the publisher of the Chicago Gazette proposes a wager: If Nick can train an out-of-shape working parent in time to compete in the Chicago Marathon, he will contribute enough to help Nick launch his own non-profit running club for kids. Suddenly “Fatty Mattie” and Nick are thrust together as the most unlikely of pairs and under a deadline to put their trust issues aside and avoid another false start in their lives.

“False Start” is available now on Audible.com! Give it a listen! You’ll be glad you did!
on October 27, 2016
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Twin Falls SANDWICHES Film Festival Here I Come!

Who loves sandwiches? Who loves film festivals? Who loves movies about nerdy high school girls? ME ME ME!

I am delighted to announce that my screenplay JAN AIR, a coming of age film about a nerdy high school girl in the 1980’s, was selected as a finalist for the Twin Falls Sandwiches Film Festival this October. JAN AIR tells the story of Marni, a Jane Eyre obsessed high school sophomore, who thinks she’ll never get close to her beloved, the unattainable football hero Steve, until a game accident results in his being in the school play with her.

I go to the movies and I think to myself, where are all the nerdy girls?

I see bad girls and deadbeats. I see goth girls and punk girls and freaks. Most of them very pretty—beneath a questionable yet hip haircut. Where are the full-on raging nerds? The girls who are not pretty. The girls who don’t get a makeover and suddenly everyone sees them as the swan who has emerged from her ugly ducking suit. The girls who have a strong sense of self, friends—both good and bad, and ridiculous paralyzing passion with no ready outlets but diary writing and the school play. I was that girl. I wanted to write that movie. So I did.

I began with some questions.

How does a girl who wants to be the heroine of a Gothic Novel navigate high school?

How do you behave around a guy who is one person in church on Sunday morning and a completely different person at his locker? Especially when you yourself feel as constant as the northern star.

What are nerdy girls left with when high school ends? Sure they get into good colleges and study hard and find their tribes in a corner of the library or in the lab. And some of that loneliness, some of that sense of being other, is mitigated. But what isn’t left behind at high school graduation?

What was life like for girls before technology? Before constant contact. When there was still some mystery out there? Long long ago. In 1985.

I’m so excited to share this story with everyone at SANDWICHES! And my Dad is coming too!

on September 9, 2016
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New Audiobook Release – Meet Mary Rowlandson

I am delighted to announce the release of my first non-fiction audiobook…and it’s a doozy!

Have you ever heard of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson? Because if you were a resident of North America in the early 80’s–the 1680’s that is–you better believe you would have known who she was. Mrs. Mary Rowlandson and three of her children were kidnapped by Native Americans from their home in Lancaster, Massachusetts in the winter of 1675. She went on to live with the Native People for 11 weeks, and her tale is harrowing, gruesome, tragic, inspiring..basically everything that makes an incredibly compelling story. Some years after her release she wrote about her experiences and published them under the title “Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson.” And if you think that’s a mouthful, you should read the book! Nonetheless, this historical memoir became arguably America’s first bestseller. It’s a bit of a chore to read, but dare I say, pretty great to listen to!

It’s available now on Audible and if you want to listen to an amazing story of survival, I’d encourage you to check it out! Thanks to Listen2aBook for helping me share Mrs. Rowlandson’s story with the world.

on July 15, 2016
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New Audiobook Release “50 Acts of Kindness”

I’m delighted to announce the release of my new audiobook, Ellyn Oaksmith’s romantic comedy “50 Acts of Kindness” on Audible.com!

This book is witty and charming and just a wee bit raunchy and really funny. I have a whole file of outtakes in which I was laughing so hard at the book I couldn’t keep reading. Just made me giggle.

From the publisher

From acclaimed romance author Ellyn Oaksmith comes a novel of change, challenges, and ultimately kindness….

Being overly kind isn’t in Kylie Harrow’s nature. This has never been more evident than when Kylie vents her frustrations to an innocent employee – and the whole scene is posted online, tanking her career and earning her the dubious distinction of “world’s worst boss”. But when she flees home to the South, Kylie finds her childhood home has changed. The high school quarterback is now the hot and handsome sheriff. Her mother has turned her home into a nudist colony. And, worst of all, having heard about her daughter’s exploits, her mother won’t let her in the door until Kylie completes 50 kind acts in 50 days.

The task seems easy enough at first – and may even help repair her media image – but it quickly turns into a hilarious quest that leads Kylie down a bumpy road filled with new challenges. What started as a gimmick to save her career evolves into a mission to save a spunky old woman and her little dog from homelessness. As Kylie learns about the nature of kindness, she finds the path to happiness and, for the first time ever, maybe even love.

“50 Acts of Kindness” is chock full of angry old ladies, German nudists, sexy small-town cops and the obligatory gay sidekick. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

on April 4, 2016
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“Winning Ben” on Audible.com!

The tree is down on the street, the lights and decorations are packed away and it’s darned cold here in New York City. Need to warm up and escape the return to reality? I know I do! “Winning Ben“, the fourth book in JoMarie DeGioia’s Cypress Corners series is out on Audible.com and it’s the perfect antidote to the post-holiday blues. Tammy, the saleswoman we all love to hate, is back and starring in her own story. Lettie, Cassie, Bill, Harmony, Jake and all your favorite characters are back, and they’re joined by several new folks to spice things up in Cypress. I love that we meet Jesse and Noah, our hero and heroine for book six! I’m excited to share this new book with you and hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed recording it. Happy New Year!

on January 6, 2016
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Back in Cypress Corners…to Win Ben!

I’m back in the recording studio…and back in Cypress Corners narrating JoMarie DeGioia’s newest contemporary romance, “Winning Ben.” All of the characters we have come to know and love are back, including my personal favorite–Lettie Fairfax! And there are some new faces in Cypress Corners as well!

“The guy trying to build a life for himself

The girl determined to keep her life uncomplicated

The thrill of the chase…the heat of the moment

And a chance to win it all

Architect Ben Chapman is building a new environmentally-friendly neighborhood in Cypress Corners. He not only has a new job, though. He has siblings he didn’t know about until three months ago. They welcome him but he feels like he’s on the outside looking in. Raised as an only child, he doesn’t know how to do family.

Tammy Donato’s blend of cool and sexy attracts clients and closes deals at Cypress Corners. She comes from a big family, and vows to never settle down. When she meets Ben, she can’t deny her attraction. But he’s a Chapman. He has forever written all over him.

Can Ben convince Tammy to take a chance on him?

Or will he lose what he never even knew he wanted?”

The audiobook should be out by the first of the year. In the meantime, check out this lovely narrator profile of me by the lovely April Holgate at Eargasms Audiobook Reviews! Thanks April!

on November 10, 2015
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“Luna Gale” at Actors Theatre of Louisville

Last night we opened “Luna Gale” at the Actors Theatre of Louisville. Such a thrill to work with my dear friends and colleagues including director Les Waters and actors Rebecca Hart, David McElwee, Lexi Lapp, Gregory Maupin, Todd Lawson and Emma Ramos. This beautiful play by “Spinning into Butter” playwright Rebecca Gilman tells the story of a social worker, played by me, who has to decide what to do with a baby born to meth-addicted parents. It’s a pretty brilliant examination of the social welfare system and faith in America. The characters are compelling. The dialogue is often hilarious. And the story will really make you think! If you’re in the area, we run until October 25th! I’d love to see you!

Wendy Rich Stetson and Emma Ramos in “Luna Gale” at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Photo by Bill Brymer

on October 9, 2015
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Pucker Up for “Dream Kisses”

Dream Kisses, The first book in the Romance on the Ranch series by Verna Clay is now available in audiobook…read by me! I love a lot about this contemporary Western romance…including the fact that the heroine is nearly 40 years old. Who says romance is just for kids in their twenties! Well done Verna, for creating a whole cast of grown up characters–including a passel of ranch hands including Beaner, Newt and Ned. You better believe I had some fun with them.

Verna describes the book as follows:

Sarah Carter a.k.a. Mims Murphy, meets Sage Tanner at Imaginings Publishing while he’s posing for the cover of her soon-to-be-released Western romance novel. After being bulldozed into a coffee break with him by her publisher, Sissy Johansen, an embarrassing incident makes Sarah furious, and she walks out. Of course, fate has a wonderful way of intervening in matters of the heart. After deciding her book needs realism, she signs up for “dude” lessons at the Lazy M Ranch, not knowing that the ranch is owned by none other than Mr. Tanner himself! Yep.

Dream Kisses on audio is currently available on Audible.com. Click HERE to hear a sample of the book and buy it! Or listen to a sample on my audiobooks page. Yee Haw!

on July 30, 2015
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