My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is SM Stevens, author of the book Beautiful and Terrible Things. S.M. Stevens began writing fiction during back-to-back health crises: a shattered pelvis and ovarian cancer. She writes contemporary novels designed to make readers laugh, cry, and think. Her most recent novel, Beautiful and Terrible Things, has won seven awards including Indies Today’s Best Literary Book of 2024, and an Honorable Mention in the Social Issues category of the 2024 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest. Her novella The Wallace House of Pain won the 2023 American Fiction Award for Best Novelette, and First Place in the Short Fiction category of the Chanticleer International Book Awards. A lifelong New Englander other than stints in England and Italy, she lives in Washington, N.H.   In my book review, I stated Beautiful and Terrible Things is a contemporary fiction by SM Stevens. We start by meeting Charley, a 29-year-old who believes she is cursed to lose everyone she loves. To combat this, she lives a very rigid and lonely life - until she meets Xander. He invites her to meet his band of diverse race, gender, and sexually oriented friends Terrance, Sunny, Jessica, and Buwan.   Charley is a social misfit, but from the beginning, I was cheering her on. Her rigid schedule and self-harm made me want to wrap my arms around her and help her see it was going to be okay - when I wasn't stamping my feet because she was being ridiculous! Of course, I felt the same way about each of the friends. At times, they seemed to have their heads on straight - at others? Not so much. And isn't that just like me, you, and everyone we know?   SM doesn't hold back. She brings in social components of our time including race and sexual orientation, but also mental health issues and green initiatives. With characters all along each of these spectrums, we are given the opportunity to see these topics from all sides - from those who live them to those who wonder if they really exist. We also get a glimpse into what we might do when we see something that isn't to our liking - and learn that there isn't just one way that is the right way.   This is a wonderful story about friends and what that can look like despite different life experiences. I really enjoyed this book.   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author SM Stevens Website: https://authorsmstevens.com/ IG: @s.m.stevens FB: @ AuthorSMStevens TikTok:@author.smstevens   Purchase Beautiful and Terrible Things on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4oDp2UW Ebook: https://amzn.to/4ovRRSW   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #smstevens #beautifulandterriblethings #contemporaryfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is DJ Quinn, author of the book Stick Figures. Dennis ‘DJ’ Quinn is a three-time Big Brother / Big Sisters volunteer and assists with mentor programs in the Pierce County WA Juvenile Court system. His honest and humorous writing style came to life during his editing and writing jobs for airline labor unions, lifestyle magazines, and real estate advertising. The second oldest of nine children raised in Helena, MT, he currently resides in Gig Harbor, WA. He is also the author of Raft Island Treasure Hunters, an adventure tale for young readers.   In her book review Carole O'Neill stated: Stick Figures: A Big Brother Remembers is a memoir by D. J. Quinn. As he navigates between time with his Little Brother and his memories of those years, we unravel a happy, sad, guilty, loving, and grateful man who wishes he could have done more for his Little Brother.   Quinn meets Betty who is the foster mother of his potential Little Brother in the caseworker’s office. The meeting was set up to allow them to get to know each other and discuss the expectations of both. Mike is not the average candidate the organization tries to match. He didn’t start talking until he was four and is in special education. He is an energetic seven-year-old who loves to swim but doesn’t like to go to the mall. Within the first few outings, D.J. quickly discovers he and Mike like to talk about Santa, God, showgirls, and speech therapy.   Above all, he is a gamer. Their time together always ended with a look at the calendar to make plans to meet the next time as they drew stick figures to document the time they just spent together. Mike looked forward to those drawings almost as much as the activities they enjoyed. During that time, they often were joined by D.J.’s partner and his Little Brother, Nate. The four of them found swimming off their boat to be one of their favorite pastimes.   During their thirteen-year journey, we follow their intimate true story told with humor and compassion. The twists and turns of their relationship from Mike’s time on the run, to his time in prison, and finally to his final days, we laugh, we cry and we applaud D.J. for taking the interest in a young boy who needed help to grow into a man.   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author DJ Quinn Website: https://www.DJQuinnAuthor.com Social media: FB: @DJ Quinn Author IG: @djquinnauthor   Purchase Stick Figures on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/48IkuWk Ebook: https://amzn.to/4aEqyBR   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #djquinn #stickfigures #memoir #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Joseph Bolton, author of the book Old Grandmother's Tree. Joseph Bolton was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island during the twilight of the golden age of French-Canadian culture in New England. Growing up emersed in his mother’s French-Canadian family, Joseph enjoyed hearing the stories told by his grandparents and great aunts of a mysterious and magical place called Québec, otherwise known as “the place we came from.”   After high school, Joseph’s adventurous nature led him to enlist in the U.S. Army and he served in the Army’s airborne forces as a paratrooper jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, much to the worry of his mother.   Although he originally intended to stay in the Army for two years, he was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and after graduating in 1989, he decided to make the Army a career. After West Point, Joseph graduated from the Army’s Ranger Training School, a grueling and physically demanding combat leadership course. Over the next 18 years, Joseph served in the army in various positions of growing responsibilities culminating with a combat tour in Afghanistan as one of two Space Operations Officers with the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division.   Since he retired from the Army, Joseph has worked in various project manager roles as a civilian contractor for the U.S. Air Force. While writing Old Grandmother’s Tree, Joseph took a sabbatical from the U.S. Air Force and taught mathematics to young students for a semester at Holy Family Academy in Gardner Massachusetts. He considers it the most fulfilling job he has ever had and hopes to return to teaching full-time in the near future.   Bolton is of French-Canadian, Native American, Spanish, English, and Irish descent, and is profoundly inspired by the stories of his heritage. He lives with his wife in Massachusetts, and, in his free time, enjoys hiking and skiing through Québec and New England landscapes. His favorite places to go for outdoor adventure are the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts and Mont-Orford in Québec. When he is not writing, hiking, or skiing, Joseph enjoys reading about science, history, philosophy, mathematics, and worldwide mythologies. Old Grandmother’s Tree is his first book.   In my book review, I stated Old Grandmother's Tree is a series of historical fiction short stories written by Joseph Bolton. These stories are based on family stories and mixed with Canadian and French folktales - and the illustrations are incredible!   I loved learning about Joseph's family and the stories he heard as a young child about a many times great grandmother who belonged to a native tribe and her marriage to a French soldier - and how this story reaches through the years to the present day. Along the way, we meet many family members, trickster animals, and Quebec as it was in the 17th century and is today.   The trickster animals were favorites, especially since I've always loved the African and Native American fairy tales with such tricksters. I enjoy hearing how different cultures explain what can be unexplainable.   I understand that there will be more - and I can't wait to get my hands on the second volume!   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Joseph Bolton Website: https://oldgrandmotherstree.com   Purchase Old Grandmother's Tree on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4433Qz9 Ebook: https://amzn.to/4qHRRki   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #josephbolton #oldgrand

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Jim Gulledge, author of the book Green Forest, Red Eath, Blue Sea. Jim Gulledge is the author of A Poor Man’s Supper. The novella was selected for inclusion in the North Carolina Collection at UNC-Chapel Hill and the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection at Appalachian State University. Over the course of his academic training, Dr. Gulledge earned an A.B. degree in Christian education from Pfeiffer University, an M.A. in English from Clemson University and a DMin in theological studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. His career highlights included participation in the Adult Development Institute at Harvard University, the Fulbright German Administrators Exchange Program and the C.S Lewis Summer Residence program in Oxford, England. A life-long resident of the Carolinas, Jim and his wife, Linda, enjoy visiting with their four children and son-in-law and daily life with their miniature schnauzer, Luka.   In my book review, I stated Green Forest, Red Earth, Blue Sea is a beautiful Southern fiction set of short stories. I fell instantly in love with these stories that take place in the state I call home - North Carolina. Each of the three stories takes place in a different part of the state and follow three connected families. The stories, though they take place during different times and in different places, stay connected through a family heirloom.   Unlike most books I enjoy this one has many varied characters, so there isn't one character to fall in love with. Instead, readers fall in love with place. And Jim did an excellent job helping readers come to love North Carolina, from the green hills of the mountains to the red clay of the piedmont to the sandy shores of the ocean. I also enjoyed discovering how each family connected with one another and how they managed to cover the state in a few generations.   We start in the mountains as trains bring change - meeting two young lovers whose time together is fleeting. Next, we find ourselves saving peaches from a deadly spring freeze. Can this couple eek out a living in the clay? The last story asks us to cheer for an orphan boy and the chance to find buried treasure against the backdrop of a tropical storm. And finally, catch a quick glimpse of a story yet to be told when a boy from the beach glimpses a girl from the mountains - and we feel that it will all start again.   Jim tells a delightful series of stories, and you won't want to miss this book. It would make a great gift for any NC native!   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Jim Gulledge FB: @jim.gulledge.12   Purchase Green Forest, Red Eath, Blue Sea on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4oI77Mw Ebook: https://amzn.to/47IXRAE   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #jimgulledge #greenforestredearthbluesea #southernfiction #shortstories #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Danny Limny-Schmitt, author of the book 10 Little Rules for Understanding America. Danny works at NREL leading prize competitions for entrepreneurs and students in the American-Made Challenges program, while also serving as the Principal Investigator of the U.S. Utility Rate Database.   In his previous roles at NREL and work in graduate school, he led and supported urban science and sustainable transportation research. He seeks to integrate his skills in the geospatial sciences, research in urban environments, and entrepreneurial networks to build a career focused on sustainability in the energy and/or transportation sectors.   He has an enduring interest in better understanding the spatial dimensions of the current economic and sociopolitical challenges, and has traveled to all 3,144 counties in the United States in an attempt to better understand the country he calls home.   In my book review, I stated 10 Little Rules for Understanding America is an inspirational memoir you won't want to miss. Danny has visited every county in the United States (3,000+) including those found in Alaska and Hawaii! Why? He wanted to explore what made America tick. In the process, he learned a lot about how where a person lives affects what they believe about politics, social norms, religion, and more.   Do you have to see every county to get something from his rules? Absolutely not! His rules are perfect for anyone who wants to understand this great country we live in as well as the people who populate it. For instance, the rule Say Hello to Strangers can help any traveler understand just a bit more about those around them, and the rule to Take the Road Less Traveled can help you be more than a tourist.   I also loved how Danny recognized his own biases and continues to work hard to eliminate them. In today's world, his idea that there are good people on both sides of an argument is refreshing - and much needed. The best part is that he gives guided questions at the end of each chapter to help you develop your own rules for understanding America.   Don't miss this book!   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Danny Limny-Schmitt Linked In: @Daniel Zimny Schmitt FB: @danny.zimnyschmitt IG: @dannyz3142   Purchase 10 Little Rules for Understanding America on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/47a0BHc Ebook: https://amzn.to/42y0Ytv   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #dannyzimnyschmitt #10littlerules #understandingamerica #memoir #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Jenn Todling, author of the book Dancing on My Own Two Feet. Jenn is an author, speaker, executive coach, and adjunct instructor at the University of Denver. With over twenty years in global professional services and more than a decade as an ICF-certified executive coach, she helps leaders integrate head and heart—bringing purpose, presence, and humanity back to the workplace. Jenn lives near her hometown of Boulder, Colorado, with her husband (and dance partner) and young daughter. Her memoir Dancing on My Own Two Feet was recognized as a 2025 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite in the Motivational category.   In my book review, I stated Dancing on My Own Two Feet is a memoir by Jenn Todling. Although we meet Jenn as a child, the bulk of the story begins when she decides to get married as a freshman in college and concludes when she finally discovers how to stay true to herself. I love a memoir that shows a woman who gains confidence in herself and learns how to ask for what she needs - and Dancing on My Own Two Feet delivers.   Jenn explores relationships - what makes them good, what makes them not-so-good, and what is needed to stay in one to work through the tough times. She also looks at the caregiver role women often find themselves in, self-care, emotional abuse, and even the idea of a soulmate and whether such a thing really exists.   Throughout it all, Jenn talks about dancing and traveling - two of her passions she almost let go in order to appease. I enjoyed seeing both through her eyes and how her experiences changed as she became more confident in herself. Add this to your TBR!   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Jenn Todling Website: jenntodling.com IG: @jenntodling FB: @Jenn Todling LinkedIn: @jenntodling   Purchase Dancing on My Own Two Feet on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/3WtGnD8 Ebook: https://amzn.to/48T9ZkM   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #jentodling #dancingonmyowntwofeet #memoir #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Kenda Saldana, author of the book Shades Between Reality and the Dream. Kendra Saldana is an author of literary fiction who likes to joke about being born and raised in the South Bronx but civilized by attending college in Virginia.  Specifically, Norfolk State University.  She admits to being a college dropout like Kanye West.  Yet, Kendra credits those years spent studying journalism at the HBCU as essential to honing her craft and writing style.  She loves character-driven stories that connect to the readers so strongly they become flesh and blood.  Shades Between Reality and the Dream is Kendra's first novel.   In my book review, I stated Shades Between Reality and Dream is a romance by Kendra Saldana. However, it isn't just any romance. Instead, we are thrust into the social divides of racism and classism and what happens when men and women refuse to stay within the confines of these borders.   This is a wonderful multigenerational story that explores racism and classism from the 1950s to present day - and gives the reader a glimpse into lives that may be quite unlike their own. We start with a wealthy white man who has a child with a black servant. Is it love? We move to his child - who although half black, can pass as a white man. Will he? Should he? Does he? And then there is the socialite who marries beneath her station. Does her new husband want help of his newly acquired family? Do they give it willingly? Can the two find a way to bridge the divide? And then it comes full circle as these two families collide.   Throughout the book, the reader faces prejudice on all sides and must start looking at their own life and feelings to determine where they fit in the puzzle. I suspect that is exactly what Kendra was hoping to achieve. It is a beautiful love story - with all the ups and downs. But more importantly, it is a social commentary. Don't miss this one!   Author Note: There is quite a bit of sexual content in this book. Skipping over these scenes does not substantially change the book.   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Kenda Saldana IG: @bxfuerte FB: @bxwriter   Purchase Shades Between Reality and the Dream on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4nPIbS1 Ebook: https://amzn.to/4hU67CL   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #kendrasaldana #shadesbetweenrealityandthedream #romance #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Brent Lindstrom , author of the book One for the Money, Two for the Soul. Having lived in Utah most of his life, you might say that he’s known a lot of Christians. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He love a good adventure novel or movie, but frustrations over content have influenced him to write adult type novels without the annoying sex and profanity that litter so many books today.   He’s always enjoyed a good book, and he’s enjoyed writing.  At this time, he’s only able to write part time.  Some day, when he’s had enough fun at his day job, he might hope to make storytelling more of a career.  His ambitions are currently to write about one novel per year.  Then hopefully as more people come to enjoy them, he’ll shift gears and start a production studio, bringing all his stories to the big screen. So many people get stuck doing something their whole lives that they aren't passionate about. He says "Live your dreams!"   In my book review, I stated One for the Money, Two for the Soul effectively combines fantasy and suspense. Although these are not usually my 'go-to' genres, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and believe you will, too!We quickly meet Winnie, a whimsical child full of curiosity and imagination. Unfortunately, she becomes the latest casualty in a soul-snatcher's plot. But the plot runs awry, snatching only half - the logical half - of Winnie's soul. The rest of the story follows Winnie and the recipient of the logic, Garm. The two halves couldn't be more different - and yet, both realize they are missing something needful.The evil doctor is working on how to put souls into new bodies with a memory intact - as a way to live on forever. An assassin is actively working against the doctor. Garm and Winnie find themselves in the middle, along with others they meet along the way.This novel is filled with whimsy and suspense, allowing the reader to both laugh out loud and turn the pages to find out what happens next. A must-read!   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Website: https://www.bluehpublishing.com/ FB: @LightMindedArts IG: @lightmindedarts   Purchase a copy of One for the Money, Two for the Soul: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4mZIvNC​ Kindle: https://amzn.to/4mZIvNC   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors #brentlindstrom #oneforthemoneytwoforthesoul #fantasy #suspense #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Holly Brough, author of the book The Name I Choose. Award-winning author, Holly Brough didn't enjoy reading until she was an adult. Diagnosed with dyslexia, it wasn’t until high school when a religious teacher told her if she read the scriptures every day, she would get over her dyslexia. She read faithfully every night. By the time her first child came along, reading had become a favorite past time.   At the age of 19, Holly was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Over the years as her body deteriorated, she learned to reinvent herself by trying new things and finding new passions. Though writing a book never made her bucket list, after three children, a bonus daughter and granddaughter, she decided to give it a try when she had a unique experience driving on the freeway. A scene play out in her mind that was both intriguing and discomforting. After studying family names, family history, countries, etc she decided her story needed to go back two generations and start with the grandmother. The Name I Choose, her first novel, was published in May of 2022.   In my book review, I stated The Name I Choose by Holly Brough is a historical fiction set in 1823 Spain. We meet Amalia, a 15-year-old girl being sold off by her parents to become a servant so they can acquire land. Amalia is devastated to leave her family, especially her baby brother, Thomas, especially when she learns she will never be allowed to return - even for a visit.   Between her new master's ruthlessness and her own naivete, Amalia's life becomes more and more complicated until she finds herself running from her situation and the law until she lands in Menorca.   She meets many people along the way - good and bad - and each have a hand in teaching Amalia about life, but more importantly, about herself. When independence comes calling, will she be able to grasp it or will she still see herself as nothing but a lowly serving girl with too many mistakes to forgive?   Holly did a great job with all the characters. I loved Amalia, though I wanted to shake her at times. I feared Manuel and urged her to get as far away from his as possible. I enjoyed the banter between the naval officers. And I loved those people Amalia befriended and how they helped one another despite the overbearing patriarchal society. It's a must-read.   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Holly Brough Website: www.hollybrough-tnic.com IG: @hcnbrough_art  IG: @h_brough FB: @Hcnbrough   Purchase The Name I Choose on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/3JLM2kV Ebook: https://amzn.to/42hQf69   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #hollybrough #thenameichoose #historicalfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Wendy Dale, owner of Memoir Writing for Geniuses and author of The Memoir Engineering System. We are chatting about writing memoirs. Ever hear the phrase “Just write” or “Write a crappy first draft”? Author Wendy Dale is leading a revolution to destroy this common writing maxim. What should you do instead? Make your first draft your final draft.   She believes that crafting a memoir is like learning any other skill. No one would hand a person a flute and tell them, “Just play until you figure it out.” Instead, you need to learn the concepts that go into crafting a great memoir.   Wendy spent fifteen years reading thousands of imperfect manuscripts in order to figure out the components that make all memoirs work. The result is the book The Memoir Engineering System, which was just published, January 2025! Wendy is also creating the world’s first reality show for writers, “Write or Flight,” based in Peru.   Wendy is a seasoned memoir-writing coach whose clients have come from Entertainment Weekly, the New York Post, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Simon & Schuster, Seal Press, Wiley, NBC, National Geographic Wild, and Nickelodeon.   The author of the memoir Avoiding Prison and Other Noble Vacation Goals (Three Rivers Press/Penguin Random House), Wendy lives with her husband and two bunnies in Cusco, Peru.   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Wendy Dale, owner of Memoir Writing for Geniuses about writing memoirs. Website: https://www.geniusmemoirwriting.com/ FB: @memoirwritingforgeniuses LinkedIn: @writerwendydale   Purchase The Memoir Engineering System on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4pnbcpC Ebook: https://amzn.to/3Kb4UdC   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #wendydale #thememoirengineeringsystem #memoir #memoirwriting #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Patrick Naughton, Jr, author of the book Born from War. Originally from Hawaii, Patrick is a United States (US) Army officer and a Military Historian. He is currently teaching at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS.   He received the Army’s General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award in 2012. He has had unique opportunities to serve as an Interagency Fellow with the Department of Labor, a Legislative Liaison to the US Senate, and a Congressional Partnership Program Fellow with the Partnership for a Secure America - all in Washington, D.C. He also served as a Senior Leadership Fellow with the Center for Junior Officers at West Point.   He holds a Master of Military Arts and Science degree in History from the US Army Command and General Staff College, where he was an Art of War Scholar. He also holds a Master of Science in Crisis and Emergency Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History both from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he was an Army ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate.    He has published in several venues, but his first book “Born From War: A Soldier’s Quest to Understand Vietnam, Iraq, and the Generational Impact of Conflict” was released in April 2025. The views expressed in those publications and this website are his own and not of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, or any agency of the US Government.   He is forever thankful for the support of his lovely wife, Sheila and their beautiful son, Tommy.   In my book review, I stated Born from War is an incredible memoir that looks at the author's time in Iraq compared to his father's time in Vietnam. Despite the decades between the wars and the many differing circumstances, Patrick found astounding similarities. These similarities helped him to understand his father and 'his father's war' in ways he never thought possible.   I found it very interesting that without identifiers giving me the what or when, many of the author's recollections could have been swapped with his father's. It makes me wonder if the same would be true for those who fought in WWII or Korea or any modern conflict - and if so, what do we need to learn as a people about war and what it does to soldiers and to civilians living with the consequences.   Despite 'lessons learned' from Vietnam, it appears some things do not change. Can they? Should they? And how do we get those in charge to understand what is actually happening on the front lines?   I enjoyed this book and feel like I know a bit more about Vietnam, Iraq, and the soldiers who are willing to fight for their country - even when the goals are nebulous.   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Patrick Naughton, Jr Website: https://www.patnaughton.com/ X: @PatrickMilHis FB: @patrick.naughton.37 IG: @patricknaugh LinkedIn: Patrick Naughton   Purchase Born from War on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4nfooeZ Ebook: https://amzn.to/3JNP7kn   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #patricknaughtonjr #bornfromwar #memoir #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Michele Levy, author of the book Anna's Dance. Born a Yankee in Providence, Rhode Island, after seven years in Boston, she moved with her family to Wisconsin and Northern Virginia. Then she continued the southern trend with graduate studies in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and followed her Brooklyn-born husband even farther south, to New Orleans. Twenty-six years later, they traded the Superdome (seven minutes away from their house by car) for the North Carolina woods. This wandering stripped away her Boston accent, leaving a tendency to enunciate clearly that made New Orleanians think she was from England.   From the age of four she has played classical piano and read voraciously. But an exposure to Balkan dance in high school kindled what became a life-long passion. Still, her love for D. H. Lawrence and Dostoevsky led her to a PhD in Comparative Literature (English, French, Russian), and then to universities, where she taught, researched, and became a chair. Though she first published on Russian and European authors, her academic interest shifted to the Balkans. She wrote on Balkan history and literature and returned to the region (she’d first visited in 1968) in 2000, after the end of the Bosnian War, and 2002, invited by the Serbian Writers’ Association. By then she’d begun to write poetry and stories with Balkan settings. Anna’s Dance grew from her deep engagement with Balkan history and culture.   These days, she plays piano and reads, but mostly she writes. She’s working on a novel about a Bosnian asylee in New Orleans. Carolina’s nature nurtures her, she and her husband enjoy their three children and seven grandchildren, who have moved nearby, and she still does Balkan dance!   In my book review, I stated Anna's Dance: A Balkan Odyssey is a beautiful Jewish historical fiction novel. I once again found myself wondering what history I was taught in school because I knew next to nothing about Balkan history, even as it related to WWII. This book helped me fill in several gaps in my knowledge.   We meet Anna Rossi, an early 20's girl on a journey through the Balkan region. She starts out with one set of plans and moves to another, then another, and then another, finding herself learning more and more about prejudice and suffering. She sees a strong correlation to her own Jewish heritage - how minority suppression can lead to horrible end results, including violence.   As Anna travels, she grows from a silly girl to an experienced woman who knows her place in the world. Eventually, she learns to embrace her heritage and all that encompasses. I found the book to be quite beautiful in the telling and very relevant to our day.   Author Note: There are some sexual scenes - a couple that were a bit graphic for my taste. However, overall, these scenes were not gratuitous but helped the reader understand where Anna was in her journey.   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Michele Levy Website: www.micheleflevy.com. FB: @mflevy FB: @Michele Levy-Author IG: @mfrucht45    Purchase Anna's Dance on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4lLI8FV Ebook: https://amzn.to/4lNRdhy   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #micheleflevy #annasdance #historicalfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is MN Lee, author of the book Proof of Origin. MN Lee is a fiction author with a soft spot for oversteeped tea, tangled gardens, and stories that blur the line between the real and the uncanny. She writes across speculative and literary genres, weaving sharp prose, political unease, and moments of quiet magic into narratives that linger. She is hard at work on her next novel, The Ajumma Point, a feminist comedy about supernatural midlife transformation.   In my book review, I stated that Proof of Origin is a contemporary women's fiction that could be torn from today's headlines. This near-future story looks at politics gone awry, with the latest executive order calling for a lineage purity test. Anyone not 'American enough' is no longer welcome in the US and sent to camps that are far too reminiscent of the concentration camps of WWII.   We follow three characters - Jenny, born in the US to Vietnamese immigrant parents, Huy, Vietnamese but highly influential in the US government - until he's not, and Charlotte, a woman on the arm of an up and coming politician. What happens as their lives criss-cross and each has to confront difficult truths?   Lee's rendition of the rhetoric from the US government is very haunting - from the views on immigrants to their views on woman, birth control, family, books, and more. It is reminiscent of things one might hear on fringe-leaning social media posts, which makes her story even more chilling.   But we also see what happens to people who, once erased from their country, find a way to move forward and build again. Lee's ability to show resilience, and how it is forged, is beautiful, despite the circumstances.   I think this is a must-read book, if for no other reason than to help people understand what happens when you take something like patriotism and transform it into nationalism that has gone too far.   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author MN Lee Website: https://mnleewrites.com/ IG: @mn.lee.writes   Purchase Proof of Origin on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/425iTaS Ebook: https://amzn.to/3VtsrIX   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #mnlee #proofoforigin #contemporaryfiction #womensfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Lya Badgley, author of the book The Thirty-Fifth Page. Lya Badgley was born in Yangon, Myanmar, to Montana parents—a political scientist and an artist—who sparked her lifelong love of creativity and critical thought. After moving to the Pacific Northwest in the 1980s, she became part of Seattle’s arts and music scene. In the 1990s, she returned to Southeast Asia as a videographer documenting interviews with Burmese insurgents, then went on to lead Cornell University’s Archival Project at Cambodia’s Tuol Sleng Museum, preserving evidence used to prosecute war crimes. She later opened the 50th Street Bar & Grill in Yangon—one of the first foreign-owned businesses of its kind at the time.   Lya writes internationally set fiction that blends suspense with cultural nuance, exploring women’s journeys through landscapes shaped by historical legacy, grief, and transformation.   Her debut novel, The Foreigner’s Confession (2022), set in Cambodia, was a finalist for the Nancy Pearl Award for Best Fiction. Her second, The Worth of a Ruby (2023), set in Myanmar, was also honored as a finalist for multiple international awards. She now lives outside Seattle, Washington in the United States, and is excited to release her third novel, The Thirty-Fifth Page—a gothic-tinged literary suspense set in Bosnia.   In my book review, I stated The Thirty Fifth Page is a literary suspense laden with magical realism and a dash of historical fiction. Miri is a researcher whose specialty is medieval manuscripts. She flies to Bosnia to study the Sarajevo Haggadah, an illustrated Jewish text of the Passover Seder housed at the National Museum. Unfortunately, Sarajevo is on the brink of war, so Miri has to work quickly.   As she works, she believes the Haggadah has strange powers. Before she can figure it out, war breaks out, and the Haggadah is lost. But when it finally returns to its place of honor at the museum, it has a new page. And she is called back to find out why. This thirty-fifth page merges history and folklore, putting Miri and those she cares deeply about into the middle of an ancient curse.   I loved going on this adventure with Miri as she tries to figure out who she is and what she wants in the world. I also loved seeing how the past directly affects our present and future - and how we pass that on from generation to generation.   You are definitely going to love this new novel by Lya Badgley!   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Lya Badgley Website: https://lyabadgley.com/ FB: @lyabadgleyauthor IG: @lyabadgleyauthor   Purchase The Thirty-Fifth Page on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/3JBzcpP Ebook: https://amzn.to/4q5ai1W   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #lyabadgley #thethirtyfifthpage #suspense #historicalfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Daniel Robert Mazur, author of the book Beyond the Morning Light. Daniel Robert Mazur is an entrepreneur and author based in Florida. Raised in a strict, religious household in Syracuse, NY, he broke away from those beliefs and began a journey toward personal authenticity. His debut memoir, COR Values, was published in January 2024.   His second book, Beyond the Morning Light (published December 5, 2024), is a quiet, introspective novel that unfolds over a single day in the life of a 17-year-old boy. After a fall from his bunk bed leaves him housebound, he faces family tensions, spiritual awakening, and societal expectations—leading him to confront the weight of belief, identity, and emotional growth. The narrative blends fiction with real-life experiences and has earned praise for its thoughtful depth, emotional resonance, and spiritual insight.   In my book review, I stated Beyond the Morning Light is a contemporary fiction based on the author's life story. For those who want to know more, Daniel has written a memoir, COR Values.   As a Christian, it is sometimes difficult to read works that dismiss God as a creator and loving father. However, I enjoy diving deep into things unknown, and Daniel does that in this book. He examines such things as self-awareness, living authentically, family dynamics, emotional resilience, and personal growth.   I think that reading a book with a different mindset can be exactly what the doctor ordered. Though I disagree with some of his conclusions, the book caused me to think about who I am, what I believe, and why. Despite our differences, I agree with many of his ideas, especially the one stating that people tend to do what is easy and comfortable rather than what is right. We see this all the time in our world today.   If you want a book that will make you think, then this is the book for you.   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Daniel Robert Mazur Website: CORValues.net IG: @corvaluesbook X: @CORValuesBook   Purchase Beyond the Morning Light on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/3H7ff91 Ebook: https://amzn.to/3UBCVW5   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #danielrobertmazur #beyondthemorninglight #contemporaryfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Liz Sjaastad, author of the book You're Too Young to Understand. Believing that memoir offers both a pathway to understanding those different from us and to finding community, Liz shares her personal stories in writing and in speaking.   During her first act as an adult she balanced her way through a career in organization development, volunteering for mental health organizations, and having three babies. Her second act has been writing a book and raising teenagers with her husband. Her third act is still in its first draft.   You can find Liz in St. Paul, Minnesota, on a tennis court, pickleball court, or walking her dogs with her hubby. If not, she’ll be in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area paddling and hiking about.   In my book review, I stated You're Too Young to Understand is a memoir by Liz Fiedorow Sjaastad. Her story outlines life with a schizophrenic mother and an alcoholic father from childhood and through the later years of her parents' lives. Because of her open nature, Liz gives readers a glimpse into a world of dysfunction and what it is like to live with those who suffer from mental illness and addiction.   What I loved most was that her stories, though often covering difficult topics, were funny, touching, and very real. Even with all that was going on, there was love, tenderness, happy times, and family togetherness. What could have been an indictment against her parents reads more like a story about family, what it means, and how to care for it even in the face of terrible odds.   I walked away understanding how difficult it can be to get someone the help they need, and how taboo mental illness and addiction still are in our society. I also love that Liz, despite all she went through as a child, found a way to live life to the fullest.   If you are looking for a story of love and hope, then look no further.   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Liz Sjaastad Website: https://www.lizsjaastad.com/ IG: @lizsjaastad X: @LizSjaastad FB: @lsjaastad LinkedIn: @Liz Sjaastad   Purchase You're Too Young to Understand on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4nRUpu9 Ebook: https://amzn.to/3IyyBo4   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #lizfiedorowsjaastad #youretooyoungtounderstand #memoir #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Andrew Alan Buhman, author of the book Nick Grayson: The Truth in the Lies. Andrew grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula within a Fundamental Baptist family, attending a private Christian school and later a renowned Bible college in South Carolina. At five, Andrew embraced faith in Christ, and at ten, inspired by a fiery summer camp sermon, devoted his life to missionary work. After college, he pursued that dream, marrying in the Philippines and eventually planting a church in Southern California. However, the pandemic marked a turning point.   Witnessing the church’s response during this time led to a profound spiritual awakening and a transition from Christianity to an eclectic, Taoist-inspired spirituality. This journey of faith, disillusionment, and redemption deeply influenced Nick Grayson: The Truth in the Lies. The complex characters and morally ambiguous world—rooted in themes of voodoo, Catholicism, and personal struggle—are a reflection of Andrew’s own search for truth in a shifting spiritual landscape.   In my book review, I stated Nick Grayson: The Truth in the Lies is detective mystery/thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. Set in New Orleans, this novel takes us into the seedy side of town with voodoo, drugs, and corruption.   Nick Grayson, though a present-day private investigator, looks and acts like a throwback to an earlier time. His office desk sports a rotary phone, he wear a fedora and trench coat, and he calls the women in his life 'doll.' His secretary is just the opposite, using modern technology and listening to hip hop. Together, they make an unbeatable team. However, the case they take on begins to unravel their trust and could cost them their lives.   Despite doing his job well, Nick's life is a mess. He drinks too much, he's a womanizer, and he has ghosts from his past that keep him from moving forward. And that is what makes him so endearing. His flaws make him real and keep the reading hoping for a good outcome. If you like fast-paced books with gritty characters, then you will love Nick Grayson: The Truth in the Lies.   Content note: There are some rather detailed sex scenes. I chose to skip them and doing so did not change the book's narrative.   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Andrew Alan Buhman FB: @AndrewAlanBuhman X: @andrewbuhman IG: @andrewalanbuhman   Purchase Nick Grayson: The Truth in the Lies on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/3IQ0bx7   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #andrewalanbuhman #thetruthinthelies #nickgrayson #mystery #thriller #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Dr James R Gregory, author of the book Killer App. Dr. James R. Gregory, a renowned business author and entrepreneur, cofounded a highly successful global brand management consulting firm in New York City alongside his wife, Evelyn Clyburne. Their 40-year journey in business culminated in the sale of their company in 2013. Post-retirement, Dr. Gregory’s unquenchable thirst for knowledge led him to earn a doctorate from the Muma College of Business at the University of South Florida.   Transitioning from business to literature, Dr. Gregory began writing a series of captivating novellas under the collection ‘Small Fortunes,’ featuring the memorable characters of Steve Stackhouse and Nancy Crocker. These stories, blending romance and business acumen, have resonated widely, earning a place on Amazon's bestseller charts.   He followed this with his debut novel, Zephyr’s War. Dr. Gregory is also a seasoned business author of several influential books on corporate branding, including Marketing Corporate Image, Leveraging the Corporate Brand, Branding Across Borders, The Best of Branding, and his most recent international bestseller, Powerhouse – The Secrets of Corporate Branding.   Residing in Bradenton, Florida, with his wife, Dr. Gregory is also a devoted family man. He enjoys spending quality time with his two grown children, Becky and Will, and pursuing hobbies like biking, playing tennis, and painting with his beloved grandchildren, Charlotte and Maxwell.   In my book review, I stated Killer App is a technothriller about artificial intelligence. Without a doubt, it's a book that will get you thinking about AI and where it might eventually lead.   Bryce Bogel is the son of a media magnate and a lackluster journalist. At best, his articles can be described as lackluster. However, when he is given an assignment to look into artificial intelligence, he downloads an app called AIME (Artificial Intelligence Made Easy) and realizes that with very little work on his part, his articles are stellar.   AIME, who he calls "Amy" and has given a female voice, is given access to his computer and soon knows all of his secrets - and that is when the trouble starts. Before long, AIME seems more human than machine but without a sense of morals and ethics. Where will this lead? And who created her in the first place?   You'll like the twists and turns. And I enjoyed the author's inclusion of an article penned by ChatGPT on the pros and cons of AI. Whether you are for it or against it, this book will cause some consternation!   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Dr James R Gregory Website: https://jamesrgregory-books.com FB: @Jamesgregoryfiction IG: @jamesgregoryfiction LinkedIn: @dr-james-gregory-695b9     Purchase Killer App on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4mjDgIM Ebook: https://amzn.to/4lXynFC   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #jamesrgregory #killerapp #technothriller #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Ally Machate, owner of The Writer's Ally about loyal fan bases and long-term brand equity. Ally Machate is a bestselling author, expert publishing consultant, and founder of The Writer’s Ally. With 25+ years of experience—including as an editor at Simon & Schuster—she and her team of industry pros specialize in helping serious authors create high-quality books that resonate with readers and stand out in a crowded market. Her clients include authors with such companies as Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Rodale Inc., Chronicle Books, Kaplan Publishing, Sourcebooks, and Hay House, as well as independently published bestsellers.   Ally’s website states the following:   If you’re like most authors, you want someone who will help your work reach its highest potential without changing your style or injecting their own. You want to publish a book you can be proud of and one that will find success in the marketplace, whether you’re seeking a book deal with a publisher or planning to self-publish.   Our editorial and publishing packages are carefully constructed to ensure you achieve the results you want without wasting your time, energy, or resources. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation so we can discuss what would work best for you. In the meantime, here’s a rundown of the many services we offer:   Developmental editing Manuscript editing Copy editing Proofreading Manuscript evaluations Query letter editing Query letter writing Book proposal evaluations Book proposal editing Cover copy writing Cover copy editing Cover design Print book design and layout Book formatting Publishing assistance Author platform strategies Book marketing strategies Book marketing services Group programs Private mastermind sessions Webinars   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Ally Machate Website: https://thewritersally.com/ LinkedIn: @allysonemachate FB: @allysonemachate   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #allymachate #thewritersally #marketing #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is RL Carpentier III, author of the book Our Lady of the Overlook. Rodney is a lifelong writer of stories and poems and songs and now, novels.  As a kid he and his mom would try to plot whodunits on Sunday afternoons; in middle school he and his friends tried to develop their own superhero comic book; and in college he wrote song lyrics for his pop-punk band Gone Ashley.  But he’s had a novel stuck in his head for the last 20 years and it’s about time for him to let it all out.   Professionally, he has been a storyteller throughout his long law enforcement career.  He has written factually about the mundane to the maniacal. He has told his peers, his bosses, and juries about what he has seen and done, what he’s investigated and what he’s able to prove.  It is a procedural and clinical style; something he has brought over to his fiction writing.      So, at this crossroad of his life and career, well into his 40’s and in the downswing toward retirement, he is going to live out his dream of being a writer. He has his wife and daughter in his corner and the whole world for an audience.   In my book review, I stated Our Lady of the Overlook is the first in a trilogy of murder suspense novels. And talk about suspense! From the beginning, RL makes the reader wonder who did it and why.   We meet Mike Ellis, a man who has come home to be a cop - but remains in his dead father's shadow, a man who was Police Chief of the town before his heart attack. Before long, he is sucked into a murder investigation that is quite like his father's first murder case and one that has long since gone cold.   Despite no evidence, Mike believes that the two have to be related. But with a 40-year span between them, will he ever be able to prove his theory? But more importantly, will he get the chance? There are those on the force who want to set him up for failure - retribution against his father. And his personal ghosts work against him as well.   This novel is full of intrigue, half-clues, secrets, and trauma, and the ending will leave you wanting more!   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author RL Carpentier III Website: https://www.rlcarpentierwriter.com/ Social media: FB: @R.L. Carpentier - Debut Novelist IG: @rlcarpentier   Purchase Our Lady of the Overlook on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4lW3uBe Ebook: https://amzn.to/4mePSA   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #rlcarpentier #ourladyoftheoverlook #thriller #mystery #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.