Featured Interview With Brooke Gilbert

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. I am a microbiology graduate of the University of Tennessee, and a border collie mom. My border collie is named Rio Blue. She has one blue and one brown eye. She is a lovable trouble maker and my sidekick.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I actually was the kid who colored books instead of reading! lol. I was always extremely creative. I fell in love with the world of films and literature from a young age because I was sick a lot. I still remember my dad coming home from Blockbuster with a VHS (yes, VHS) and I could not contain my excitement. I would wait all day when I was home sick from school for what he would bring home. I fell in love with the world of stories. I would go to my bookshelf during the day and find a good book to read and escape through literature as well. And suddenly stories became my escape.

Then when I was diagnosed with my rare autoimmune disorders at age 25, romantic comedies became my safe place. They kept me company through treatment and unbearable pain. The years when I couldn’t get out of bed they allowed me to travel and escape myself. Audiobooks in particular helped me be able to get through painful everyday tasks. I had to start cooking all my meals from scratch and I hated cooking. They provided a reprieve from something that I detested and I began to enjoy cooking. That’s when I started to get interested in becoming an audiobook narrator myself. I wanted to help give voice to the stories that had provided me so much comfort. I have found such joy in the work, but after hundreds of auditions I realized I wasn’t seeing anyone like myself in fiction. And as I reader I was having a difficult enough time finding books with representation in them, let alone someone with autoimmune disorders. And so I started writing.

I never thought I was good enough to write. I always wanted to be a writer. When asked in school what we wanted to do with our life I was the kid that said “write a children’s book for every European country” while everyone else said “cure cancer.” But I never thought I was good enough. I was the student who avoided English classes like the plague. And whenever my work was chosen to be read out loud in class I would sink as far down in my chair as possible. I’d criticize and tear apart every word read. Finally, my desire to see people like myself represented in romantic fiction won out over fear. I wanted to write a novel to help women with chronic disorders, who may have low self-esteem with their condition like myself, see that they are beautiful and worthy of love. And here I am. So thankful for the love the book community and readers have shown me. You are amazing!!!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Highly influenced by Jane Austen. She has a way of bringing you into her world and I love the way she develops her characters. It’s so intimate and that’s what is so lasting. We can still relate over a hundred years later. I also love Sariah Wilson. It was the first time I read a clean romance and got all the feels to that extent. I remember thinking “oh, it’s possible to have this much heat and still be clean.” I was hooked. I strive to deliver that in my writing with chronically ill main characters. And as far as humor, I have been highly influenced by Sophie Kinsella. She is the queen of romcoms! I love her British humor and the funny situations she weaves. It’s the perfect romcom experience!

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I am currently editing my second novel, The Roman Agenda. It’s a romcom set in Rome. The two main characters are teachers and they feel very relatable to me. The MFC battles a rare mast cell disorder and I’m really excited to shine some light on this condition. And the chemistry was so much fun to write. The unrequited love in the novel has created so much tension and steam!

I’m currently writing my third novel, The Irish Fall and having the best time. It is set in Ireland and features a main character with Crohn’s and endometriosis. I really wanted to dive into some women’s issues that have been very difficult in my life and I hope will be very relevant in our society today. There are some heavier issues, but the humor–especially the quirky Irish humor surrounding the MMC and his Irish grandfather figure–I hope will make this a really fun read! I definitely believe humor is the best way to discuss and dive into these issues. To me it creates a safe place to do so. The MMC battles a different type of invisible disorder than the MFC. I’m really excited to explore this juxtaposition and see how the characters support and complete each other.

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Featured Interview With Christine M. Germain

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My Name is Christine Germain, and I am from Brooklyn New York. I am a nurse but working on becoming a full time writer. I had a beloved Boston Terrier Mix Named Busta Brown, but sadly he passed away in 2020.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was Ten years old when I started reading books by R. L Stein. I was obsessed with books that had Supernatural/ Horror themes. Not only that, but I started writing short stories at the age of eleven and at the age of Twelve I wrote my first full length story called The Boy Next Door but later changed to The Brother’s Curse.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love to read R.L. Stein, Mary Higgins Clark, Clive Barker & Stephen King. My Favorite genre is Horror, Suspense, and Mystery Thriller. I can say that I inspire myself in writing. It’s my determination that continues to keep me motivated in telling stories. Since I was a child I would always drift off and allow my imagination to run wild.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is titled Christopher’s Curse which is the third novel in My series The Brother’s Curse Saga. The Brother’s curse Centered around a young woman named Crystal who received an amethyst pendant that held demonic entities. Her only way of surviving was to destroy the pendant along with two shape-shifter brothers that were after her to retrieve the heirloom and resurrect their 200-year-old demonic father and twenty-four evil entities.

Falling in love with one of the Brothers, Crystal goes down a dangerous dark path in the sequel leading to an unplanned pregnancy. Without spoiling the series too much. Christopher’s Curse now focuses on Crystal’s son who has received a gift by an unknown sender that leads to catastrophic events for his family, a politician, and the entire town of Lakeview Falls.

The Series has a mixture of Supernatural, Paranormal Romance, Horror, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, and Crime Themes. A story filled with diverse characters, a reading experience that makes you feel like you’re in included, and Lots of twist and turns that will leave you at the edge of your seat.

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Featured Interview With Reverend Matthew Hogan

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in East Los Angeles and grew up all over Southern California, going to Sweden where I met my Foster Family. But for the last 20 years, I’ve lived in Arizona with my family. Currently, it’s my wife and I and four cats.
But the two things that have been constants for many years have been my wife and ministry. And she has been integral to my ministry as she has challenged me and been a source of confirmation too.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I don’t remember not being an avid reader. My parents fostered my love of reading and even writing. I guess I started writing in my pre-teen years. Then I went into journalism and wrote a number of works, but never had the follow-through to get published until recently. I was going to try to get into TV journalism until halfway through college I felt God call me into ministry. Lately, the writing has been much like my best sermons. They were messages I was compelled to get out. But my writing now is messages that need to reach a wider audience than just one congregation.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I like to read some philosophy and a little bit of mental health, but mostly I read Christian Non-Fiction. I am always open to expanding my horizons and being challenged that I am on track scripturally in all things.
My favorite authors would have to be C. S. Lewis and Brennan Manning. Both have spread my thinking and helped to solidify my thoughts into things I can communicate.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“How to be a Christian in Today’s World: Shame or Fear of Failure vs. Living Confidently in God’s Love.” It only took a few weeks to write. But it took years to develop. It is the product of working with individuals and couples over many years, sadly many before I knew how to help. But the book is primarily for three distinct groups of Christians or fringe Christians.
Many have been beaten up by life, often their churches or families. These people are so bruised and battered that believing that God would value them is incredibly difficult. Along with these are those who believe the life they have lived is beyond forgiveness.
The second group are those that for whatever reason are struggling to be good Christians in their own strength.
The last group are those that may have been warming a pew for many years. They either never got or have forgotten the wonder and passion of an intimate relationship with the creator of all.
I use scripture and explain it plainly while having researched in depth so that it’s easy to read. And I revisit some simple truths and questions from a new perspective hopefully leaving the reader with a deeper and more peace-filled faith.

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Featured Interview With Adam & Stephanie Parker

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
We grew up in north Florida and both went to FSU. We now are living in a small town in North Florida called Monticello. As for pets, we have 3 dogs and 1 cat.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
We both have been reading books all our lives. Stephanie mainly fiction and Adam mainly non-fiction. This was our first book and was published in December 2022.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Favorite authors are Francine Rivers, Ted Dekker, Frank Peretti. Favorite genre is end of the world books. We get inspired by all kinds of things, but recently a growing motivation to see people prepared for the end times.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
About 30-40 years in the future, America has changed. Marriage has been deemed a failed experiment, and Christianity has become illegal. One disaster after another begins to occur and family members find themselves on different sides.

It’s a thriller.

The book took us about a month to write, it all came so fast. Took longer to edit and market it than to write it!

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Featured Interview With A.W. Baldwin

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Ohio, went to Wright State University, then to the University of Idaho College of Law. My first job as a lawyer was with a legal aid program on the Wind River Indian Reservation and I’ve lived in Wyoming every since. I’m definitely a dog lover, but am currently pet-less. I am mostly retired from the practice of law but continue to enjoy creative writing!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My first long piece of writing was a short history piece I did at sixteen, but I’ve written for my own satisfaction ever since. My first novel was “Desert Guardian,” which introduces “Relic,” the moonshining hermit of Canyonlands National Park. Readers’ Favorite has awarded 5 Stars to each of my novels, calling Raptor Canyon “a hoot of an adventure novel… most highly recommended” and describing Wings Over Ghost Creek as “a beautifully written thriller.” Raptor Canyon received the 2019 Grand Master Adventure Writers’ Finalist Award, established by New York Times best selling author, Clive Cussler and was a finalist in the ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Contest 2019-2020. Wings Over Ghost Creek received the 2020 Grand Master Adventure Writers’ Finalist Award. Broken Inn received the 2021 Grand Master Adventure Writers’ Finalist Award and awards from Global Book Awards, New York City Big Book Awards, Books Shelf Writing Awards for Fiction, and Independent Press Awards.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite genres are outdoor adventures, thrillers, and mysteries. Clive Cussler and Edward Abbey are two of the authors that inspire me!

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Antidote: Can a botany student, a couple of old-timers, and genetically modified seeds provide the antidote for climate change? Chased by ruthless thieves, an unlikely trio must deliver the future of the planet to an unknown scientist a thousand miles away… One of the trio has an illegal payload. Another is hiding from Immigration Services. And the cross-hairs on those million-dollar seeds are on them, too…

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Featured Interview With Julie Watson

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I retired from teaching in higher education in 2016 and now live on the Isle of Wight off the south coast of the UK where I do some voluntary teaching of refugees and gardening at Osborne House, an English Heritage property that once belonged to Queen Victoria. I also like kayaking and when not writing, I have a small cat who demands a lot of my attention.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As a child I remember being fascinated by a picture book about different countries around the world. This made me want to travel and see faraway places. I also started to write stories from my imagination. Later in my professional life as a teacher, I wrote academic papers- a very different kind of writing. Early in my twenties, a fortune teller read my hand and told me I could write – many years later in my retirement I set out to prove her right!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I write mostly in the travel genre and much of my reading is in this genre too. I read widely but have particularly enjoyed reading many of the great travel writers: Bruce Chatwin, Patrick Leigh-Fermor, Dervla Murphy, and more recently Colin Thubron, William Dalrymple, Paul Thoreau. In fiction, my favourite writer is Dostovesky.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, being published by Beachy Books in April 2023, is called ‘Travel Takeaways: Around the World in Forty Tales’. It is something a little different from the usual travel book in that it is a collection of short stories that spans a lifetime of travelling. Each true story revolves around an incident, a chance meeting, a strange event from thirty or so different countries. It is a memoir with a difference and allows the armchair reader to travel around the world in an immersive travel experience! The book should be available to pre-order or buy when you read this!

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