Partners in Storytelling: Celebrating the Voice of Safe Haven

Looking back on a journey that spans years and millions of words, it’s hard to believe that my partnership with Kim Bretton almost didn’t happen. Today, as I share the news that Kim has officially finished recording Safe Haven: Meltdown—the 14th book in the series—I can’t help but reflect on how far we’ve come since that first encounter in 2019.

Back then, I was a relative newcomer to the audiobook scene. I was searching for the perfect voice for The End of Everything, hoping to find a narrator who could capture the grit and soul of the series. I remember spotting Kim’s profile and thinking she’d be perfect, but there was a hurdle: at the time, I didn't have the funds for a flat-fee production, and Kim’s profile stated she worked solely on a per-finished-hour basis.

Fate, however, had other plans. Despite the initial mismatch in logistics, Kim sent over an audition the very next day. When I explained I could only work on a royalty share basis, she didn’t hesitate. She said yes, and the rest is history.

In hindsight, that royalty share agreement was the best thing that could have happened. It transformed our relationship from a simple business transaction into a true creative partnership. We aren't just author and narrator; we are equal shareholders in this audiobook universe. Kim is a true artist, and I’ve always believed that an artist needs freedom. Whether she’s tweaking a bit of vocabulary to help a character’s dialogue flow or bringing an atmospheric "Celtic magic" to life—aided by the incredible production talents of her husband, Lee—Kim’s work is a tour de force.

Every time I receive a finished file, it’s a magical experience. Even though I’m the one who wrote the words, listening to Kim is like experiencing the story for the first time. She doesn't just recite the text; she inhabits it.

Of course, it’s not all serious business. Our friendship has grown to the point where I feel comfortable indulging my mischievous streak. After Kim sent me a hilarious outtake of her struggling with the word "anomaly," I may or may not have ensured that the word appeared multiple times in the very next script. It’s all part of the joy of working with a "mate" who truly gets the creative process.

With Meltdown now fully recorded, the 14th chapter of the Safe Haven audio journey is nearly ready for your ears. Hearing Kim bring these characters to life while the ink is still wet on the page is the ultimate celebration of finishing a new book. I can’t wait for you all to hear what she’s done with this one. It’s haunting, it’s emotional, and it’s classic Kim Bretton.

Onward to the next one!