RIVER FALLS – “Bad JuJu in Cleveland,” an audiobook based on the novel by co-authors Karl Bort and Thekla Madsen and narrated by Mike Cantrell, has been nominated for a 2026 Voice Arts Award, Outstanding Audiobook Narration – Thrillers – Best Voiceover, by the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS™).

The 2026 Voice Arts Awards Gala will be held on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026 at the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom in Beverly Hills, Calif.

“I am excited and honored to be nominated for the narration and production along with five other incredibly talented voice actor professionals in this category,” voice actor Mike Cantrell of Everett, Wash. said. “I truly loved bringing this story to life.”

Cantrell also narrated "Bad JuJu and the Eye of Oya."

“Creating an audiobook was a whole different experience than writing the book,” said Madsen, who lives in River Falls, Wis. “Mike’s talent, collaboration, and professionalism was critical in producing something we could all be proud of. Karl would be so thrilled to hear the characters come to life.”

Bort died in February 2022.

Madsen is co-author of the Detective Nicholas Silvano Crime Thrillers along with retired Cleveland, Ohio police officer, Karl Bort. Together, they have three novels: “Bad JuJu in Cleveland,” “Angry Nurse,” and “Bad JuJu and the Eye of Oya.” Madsen was a corporate business analyst, technical writer, and marketing consultant. She is a member of the Twin Cities Chapter of Sisters In Crime and the Wisconsin Writers Association.

The audiobooks are available on Audible and the books can be found on Amazon.

Submitted by Thekla Madsen