Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With Hyunah KIM

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
After graduating from the university in Seoul, having studied English literature, I adventured myself to Europe, where I have been living a good majority of my life until now. I went to a fashion school in Paris and started working as a makeup artist and a stylist in Paris. Then I moved to Munich, and to Vienna, where I met Axel, where the inspiration for my book was born.
My journey constantly kept me going from Europe, back to Korea, then to Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. Then I moved back to France, here in Antibes, in beautiful Côte d’Azur since 2019.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My father is a celebrated author in Korea. I grew up seeing him write. It was only natural that I liked reading and writing. I started writing bits and pieces all my life, but it was during the lockdown that I started writing my first novel. My dear dad passed away, and I couldn’t even attend his funeral. Amid grief and depression, something clicked in me and one day I started writing my first book.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Ken Follett, Tolkien… I like mostly thrillers, mysteries, but any book with a great story and captivating plot and wonderful characters. Ken Follett really inspires me. He is truly one of the best storytellers that are still alive today. I admire his novels and read everything he wrote.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Vienna Calling is based on a true story that happened to me when I lived in Vienna a long time ago. It is a story that I had buried deep inside of me. Had it not been for the pandemic and the death of my father thrown at me in the middle of it, I would not have written the story. When my father passed away, and I couldn’t even attend his funeral, I suffered a period of depression, and it opened a scar, an old wound that I could never get over, even after all these years. And that was it.
I started writing about my encounter with a mysterious young artist I had met in Vienna and how it had positively changed and influenced my life.
What is art? How does one become an artist? Those are among the questions I asked in my story. I found it strangely therapeutic to write this story, and I want to share it with you. It will be my greatest pleasure to see people read my book and share my ideologies. Although it is based on true events, I got liberal with a few details and let my imagination carry me away. I made it my mission to make the story compelling. After all, I can’t have my readers bored for the sake of realism, can I?
Since this happened in the culturally rich and diverse Austrian capital, you will uniquely discover Vienna through my eyes and memories. The story also reflects the multi-cultural aspects of Europe, with its different languages. I hope the translations to the languages I used aren’t too limited, but I’m sure you’ll find it quite easy to understand. You may even end up practising a new foreign language! Thank you so much.

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Hyunah KIM’s Website

Hyunah KIM Facebook Page

Hyunah KIM Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Randall Snyder

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Colorado, but grew up in San Antonio, and have lived in Arizona for 27 years. I currently have two dogs, Buddie and Clyde, and write on multiple topics, including a historical non-fiction about my great-grandfather, my own memoir about my experiences as a 20 year deputy sheriff and I am finalizing two more books, a true crime novel and a YA book I am co-writing with my daughter

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have been an avid bibliophile all my life, but it wasn’t until my retirement from law enforcement, and numerous comments from friends and coworkers, that I should write about my experiences that I took it seriously. I enjoyed writing classes in college, and now I am loving putting all of my ideas down on paper. If only it paid better, lol!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read almost anything. Sci-ci covers the gamut of Robert Heinlein, Douglas Adams and the entire Star Wars collections, through fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkien and Jim Butcher, and modern writers , Patterson, Cussler, Clancy, and W.E.B. Griffin, and non-fictions and histories. I try to take elements of many authors’ writings, and use it to help inform my own writings.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My most recently published is Hellbent Anthology, a collection of journals kept by my great-grandfather and his friends from a road trip they took from Ohio to California in 1923. My personal book, Cyber Creeps, is about my cases and experiences in law enforcement, and specifically Internet Crimes Against Children. My upcoming book is a true-crime novel, and I am writing a YA romantic/fantasy with my 12 year old about a zombie in love.

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Randall Snyder’s Website

Featured Interview With Steven Prouse

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Gilbert, SC… a town so small that they only recently got a stop light within town limits. I currently live in West Columbia, SC with my two dogs. In between, I lived in Columbia, SC and Las Angeles, CA while pursuing my BA in Media Arts.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I wrote my first story when I was ten. It was a comic strip that I also drew full of superheroes and magic. I loved comic books from an early age, but my deeper dive into reading novels came in my early teens when I was assigned “Alas Babylon” in school. I was completely engulfed. Then I found an abandoned copy of The Shining and devoured it. This was also the time when I focussed on illustration and comic books. I loved the world building and, by my mid-teens, I was producing comic books to share with anyone who would read them.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
So many authors to list. Neil Gaiman. Stephen King. Chuck Palahniuk. Alan Moore. Brian K. Vaughn. Nnedi Okorafor. Octavia Butler. Tomi Adeyemi. Douglas Adams. When it comes to stories, I try to devour what I can by these authors.

Mostly, I read non-fiction. Jeff Sharlet, Andrew Seidel, Noam Chomsky, Nancy Eisenberg, Ibram Kendi, Christopher Hitchens,

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Handlebars” (2022) tells the story of Quinn Constance, a boy raised in rural America in white poverty and domestic violence, as he almost super-naturally rises to a place of global influence. It explores jealousy, entitlement, and the perceptions that define villainy and heroism. Inspired during the 2016 Presidential campaign while listening to the Flobots song of the same name. I tried imagining Clinton and Trump riding a bicycle as children, and I couldn’t.

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Steven Prouse’s Website

Steven Prouse Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Cherie Burbach

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hello! I was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, and that is exactly where my novel is set. I adore Milwaukee and feel it has so much culture and art to offer that you don’t often hear about. In fact, one of my favorite places in the entire world is the Milwaukee Art Museum. The building itself is a work of art and when you step inside you know you are in a special place.

As far as pets, I’ve got one barky little spoiled dog. (Coincidentally, a little yapper dog also makes an appearance in The Space Between Dreaming.)

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always been fascinated with books (and art), as far back as I can remember. When I was a little girl I wrote stories and poetry and often illustrated them, too. By eight years old, I was regularly writing poetry. Creativity has been a constant for me.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
So many favorite authors! I adore Elinor Lipman’s storytelling and humor, I admire Willa Cather’s descriptive work and I’m also a fan of Pearl Buck. I like Lawrence Block, Barry Eisler, and I could go on and on.

I enjoy all kinds of books, and often read a nonfiction work and something else (usually a novel) at the same time. I like to trade off between real-life and the fictional world.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My new book, The Space Between Dreaming, is my first novel. It’s about two women who are holding on so tightly to a certain vision of their future that they’re missing out on happiness in their life. Despite their different ages and the circumstances they are each struggling with, they become friends. A painting created by the husband of one of the women also plays a key role in helping them see their own version of a new future.

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Cherie Burbach’s Website

Cherie Burbach Facebook Page

Cherie Burbach Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Emilia Rosa

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in California from Brazilian parents. My father was studying at Stanford University and had the whole family in the US for two years. We moved back and I lived in three different states in Brazil. I lived in the city of Rio de Janeiro for many years and my love for the sea comes from that time. My parents come from the southernmost state of Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul–frontier with Uruguay, cowboy country. I moved back to the US and lived two years in Florida. I now live in Northern Ohio. We have two pets: Paco, a feisty Chihuahua, and Bandit, a troublesome mix-Chihuahua. My daughter, who was born in south of Brazil, lives in Louisiana. My relatives live in two states: Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I studied French, English, Spanish and Italian while living in Brazil and read in those languages—all kinds/genres. I started reading books in high school. I read at least one book per week. Later on, I’d have three or four books at the same time. Nowadays, with researching for my novels and writing, I unfortunately don’t have much time, but still always have at least one book handy. I wrote poetry when I was a kid, but didn’t keep anything. A few years ago, I started to write poetry and it was published by local publishing houses. I also won first prize in a library poetry contest; I had submitted to that poetry contest every year since and have won second and third prizes more than one.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
For several years I have been favoring books from the Golden Age of detective/mystery novels. I love their sense of humor and the lack of gritty, graphic details. My favorite authors are many. A few of them: Jane Austen (OK, not a mystery writer), Agatha Christie, Balduin Groller, Margery Allingham, F. Van Wyck Mason, Dorothy L. Sayers, R. Austin Freeman, Sax Rohmer, G. K. Chesterton, and, of course, Arthur Conan Doyle. I like to be entertained, not depressed by what I read. So, and although I don’t have their talent, their light prose and humor inspired me to instill the same style in my stories.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
In the previous novel, FINDING CRISTINA, the beautiful young Cristina found her true identity, her parentage and the love of her life. In this sequel, after moving to New York City with her husband, she gives birth to her son. She and her new family travel by ocean liner to Rio de Janeiro, her childhood home, to visit the woman who raised her. On this trip, and upon their arrival, strange happenings occur that threaten Cristina, her husband Robert and their future together. The young couple find themselves separated and battling for their identity and to be reunited. They fail to recognize that there is a nefarious adversary as they struggle for their future. Will they overcome the obstacles thrown in their path as they build A New Life?

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Emilia Rosa’s Website

Emilia Rosa Facebook Page

Emilia Rosa Twitter Account

Featured Interview With C. R. BUCHANAN

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Ohio but only lived there for two weeks following my birth. Growing up, I lived in over thirty states, but it was not due to having a military family. Let’s just say that my childhood was… interesting. As of today, my home is in California.

Some of my childhood was spent on an old-fashioned farm. So, I have a love for animals that is fairly strong. This leaves me missing the trees and wilderness living in California.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My fascination with writing piqued in middle school, after I won my 1st writing contest for a 10-page story entitled, “Attack of the killer croutons from a planet somewhere near Mars!” Later in life, I plunged headfirst into the world of acting but never put the pen down. I have since penned multiple feature films, budded into a novelist, and won Best Supporting Actor at The International Film Festival in Madrid, Spain.

On another note: I’m also a seasoned script editor, story editor, former professional fighter, and a bit of a goofball.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My stories all come from long, vivid dreams with characters, arcs, plots, and the whole nine yards. It’s quite odd, actually. It is funny though, because, while I write mainly in the Sci-Fi and psychological thriller genres, I tend to read nonfiction. One of my favorites is The Hot Zone by Richard Preston.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I have penned eight novels to build a backlist before starting my release process in December of 2022 with The Tower. While Binary and WolfStar: The Uncharted Horizon’s Serial are following closely behind it, it is The Tower that is out now; and its narrative is… different.

A good summary of it:
Archer Kemp is tired of his life. Past wars, a cheating ex-wife, and a son he barely sees have made him empty inside; but things get worse when he awakens behind bars in a government facility called The Tower with an ensemble of others.

The group soon finds themselves in a grim world where they’re starved and experimented on for the sake of military research. To further complicate the situation, his estranged brother shows up in the cell next to him before they’re mentally broken and bullyragged into descending the tower’s treacherous levels.

The moments that follow force Archer into his old wartime mentality–no man left behind–to try and keep them alive during a series of monstrous trials no human is meant to survive. And he must do it while fighting newly forming urges growing inside him blacker than the demons of his past.

Violent, fast-paced, creepy, and full of dread, The Tower pushes you down a dark slope of nightmarish moments mixed with one man’s broken realities.

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C. R. BUCHANAN’s Website

C. R. BUCHANAN Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Maggie Toner

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised all over Canada as the child of a military family. I also married into the military which makes me a gypsy of sorts. I currently live outside of Ottawa with my husband, a dog, two cats and my four beloved horses.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I remember writing stories very early on. A high school English Teacher told my parents that I should become a writer. So of course, logically, I became an accountant. I have continued to write all my life and have produced not only my first book but many short stories and blog posts.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
John Irving, Margaret Atwood, Khaled Hosseini, Michael Ondaatje, Harper Lee, Peter S Beagle

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I started writing my book because I kept having recurring dreams that basically make up the first of five sections. As I wrote the dreams would change and lead me onward.
The result is a Historical literary fantasy in five parts. Four brothers die a violent death in early Iron Age Orkney, in the very north of Scotland. The energy of their passing is so strong that they spend four more lifetimes together, changing bodies and locations. The book travels through Scotland, Ireland and Canada. The reader should recognize many of the characters from section to section. In each lifetime, the characters are more complex, and the interactions between them are more complicated.
The book took me three years to write, including extensive research into each period. Several of the characters are real people. Try googling Maurice Fitzgerald, the 9th Earl of Desmond; Alasdair McDonnell, the first Laird of Keppoch; and LCol John Bly, who built the Rideau Canal from Ottawa to Kingston in Ontario, Canada.

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Maggie Toner’s Website

Featured Interview With Maggie Toner

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised all over Canada as the child of a military family. I also married into the military which makes me a gypsy of sorts. I currently live outside of Ottawa with my husband, a dog, two cats and my four beloved horses.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I remember writing stories very early on. A high school English Teacher told my parents that I should become a writer. So of course, logically, I became an accountant. I have continued to write all my life and have produced not only my first book but many short stories and blog posts.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
John Irving, Margaret Atwood, Khaled Hosseini, Michael Ondaatje, Harper Lee, Peter S Beagle

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I started writing my book because I kept having recurring dreams that basically make up the first of five sections. As I wrote the dreams would change and lead me onward.
The result is a Historical literary fantasy in five parts. Four brothers die a violent death in early Iron Age Orkney, in the very north of Scotland. The energy of their passing is so strong that they spend four more lifetimes together, changing bodies and locations. The book travels through Scotland, Ireland and Canada. The reader should recognize many of the characters from section to section. In each lifetime, the characters are more complex, and the interactions between them are more complicated.
The book took me three years to write, including extensive research into each period. Several of the characters are real people. Try googling Maurice Fitzgerald, the 9th Earl of Desmond; Alasdair McDonnell, the first Laird of Keppoch; and LCol John Bly, who built the Rideau Canal from Ottawa to Kingston in Ontario, Canada.

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Maggie Toner’s Website

Featured Interview With Dr. Saurabh Madhavrao Jadhav

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Saurabh is born and bought up in Nanded district of Maharashtra (India). He is pursuing BAMS degree education at Gadhinglaj Dist. Kolhapur. His father Prof. Dr. Madhavrao Jadhav is senior lecturer & author. His mother Sou. Shubhangi Madhavrao Jadhav is housewife and a younger brother Anupras Madhavrao Jadhav, is pursuing UG education at IIT Madras.

He has passed MSCIT at the age of 10 Years. He knows well about computer basics and designing, editing, formatting of books. He is pursuing BAMS degree education (4th year appearing) and B.A. in Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University. He has participated in various courses and achieved Various certificates. He loves innovative ideas, loves to analyse lyrics of songs, Reading, Writing, He has fond of music.

a. Nominated in NE8x Litfest 2020 for his work in anthology.
b. OMG Book of Records for compiling an anthology named ‘La Poesia’.
c. Kalams Book Of World Record for his contribution in compiling anthologies.
d. Applause Awards presented in association with Silly Folks Production.
e. Featured in Mt Kenya Times (International) newspaper.
f. Cultural Secretary at Council of Late Kedari Redekar Ayurvedic Medical College, Gadhinglaj, Dist. Kolhapur (For year 2021-2022)
g. Featured in Elysian Magazine as Author Interview for Feb 2022 Edition.
h. Secretary at Apulaki Charitable Trust, Nanded (From Dec 2022)

Also designed cover of 60+ books and he has done formatting of 50+ books.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
At age of 10 I realized I can write but never wrote anything until I turned 12, I started from poems and then I wrote some articles one book and compiled some anthologies.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
There are many authors which I like to read. First of all my pappa Dr. Madhavrao Jadhav. Then there are many authirs like Chetan Bhagat Sir, Saavi Sharma Mam, Durjoy Dutta Sir, Yogita Warde mam etc

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is about me, my life … its my debut Novel. will reveal soon.

Featured Interview With Laura Lee

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up, and currently live, in the Detroit metropolitan area. My writing draws on a unique background including stints as a morning show DJ, an improvisational comedian, a professional mime, a shopping mall Easter Bunny, and performing various odd tasks the office and non-profit organization of a well-known folksinger.

I come from a family of actors and writers. On my mother’s side, my great-grandparents were hoteliers and theater folk. My great-great-aunt and her husband were well-known on the vaudeville circuit, My grandfather was a famous raconteur and his children formed the Jewell Players. My great uncle was one of the creators of the WXYZ radio series The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet. My grandmother was a radio actress who played Miss Case in the latter series. I believed I was destined to be an actor, but my late father new better.

My dad was a writer, and he encouraged me to try writing. Thus my professional writing career began at the age of 12, when I published “My first Day of Junior High School” in a magazine. There was a long pause between my first and second publication.

I went on to earn a theater degree from Oakland University. I wrote and performed with the Vorpmi comedy troupe, and authored a one act comedy “Humphrey Hall,” which was performed to glowing reviews. (Tests for radioactivity came back negative.) After graduation, despite many lucrative offers from large theater corporations, I traveled to England and Scotland with a work visa. There I learned, among other things, how to wash dishes, and how to build up a large debt, a skill I have retained to this day. Upon my return, I embarked on a broadcasting career. More than one station was so impressed by my performance that they decided to just close the place down after I left.

Writing radio commercials and occasional copy for local papers eventually led me to the realization that dad was right and I began my writing career. I became a regular contributor to the Times Union in Albany and a corporate speech writer. I have written for such magazines as Reader’s Digest, Private Pilot, The Futurist, Smithsonian, Weatherwise, Preservation and Seattle Magazine and am currently on the editorial board of the journal of Oscar Wilde studies, The Wildean. I have written 21 books including biography, fiction, non-fiction and children’s literature. When global pandemics and wars permit, I divide my time equally between writing and doing ballet master class tours with my partner, the artistic director of the Russian National Ballet Foundation.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I grew up around writing and writers and did not realize that writing was a particular skill. I just thought everyone had a sense of how to express things in writing. I always wrote to work out my own thoughts and feelings as a kid. It took a while to realize that this was something unique about me and that it was probably the skill I should try to cultivate.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I like to read history, sociology and theology. I like stories that reveal a new perspective on society and the human condition. I enjoy archives and primary historical research. When I was a teenager and in college, I fell in love with Douglas Adams. A friend once said to me that my sense of humor was “very British.” I asked what she meant by that and she said, “You know, dry and not very funny.” When I was first living on my own I became excited by the writing of Milan Kundera. I liked the mix of philosophy and story and also the sense that Kundera tends to convey of people living their lives against a backdrop of history over which they have no control.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
In 2011, a pair of love letters, hidden for more than a century, were discovered uncatalogued in an archive in Sydney, Australia. They were passionate declarations of love from one young man to another. The writer referred to the recipient as his “darling pretty.” He talked about how much he missed him and imagined sending “millions of kisses all over your beautiful body.” He signed off “your loving boy-wife.” The letters were addressed to Maurice Salis-Schwabe. Of much greater interest was who they came from– Oscar Wilde’s lover Lord Alfred Douglas, known to his intimates as Bosie.

Until the discovery, Schwabe had been an obscure figure in the Oscar Wilde story. Although he introduced Wilde to his co-defendant Alfred Taylor, and was, himself, accused of having sexual relations with Wilde, his name was initially concealed, written on a piece of paper instead of being spoken in open court. The testimony made clear, however, that the mysterious “gentleman on the paper” was a catalyst for much of what followed. After Wilde’s first criminal trial ended in a hung jury, the decision of whether or not to re-try him fell on one man, Maurice Schwabe’s uncle, Solicitor General Frank Lockwood, which caused some of Wilde’s supporters to allege a cover up.

But this is just the beginning of Schwabe’s story. In the early 20th Century, Schwabe hosted all-male sex parties for an aristocratic clientele, all the while collecting scandalous secrets that insulated him from prosecution. He spied and cheated on several continents as part of an organized crime syndicate made up of well-dressed, elegant men who adopted false titles of nobility. The false barons made their living traveling around the world on luxury ships, cheating at cards, selling shares in dubious business enterprises, seducing for profit and collecting secrets to be used for blackmail and espionage. They were even suspected of at least one murder. The colorful characters in Schwabe’s orbit were so grand that they seem to have been ripped from the pages of fiction, but it is all true. Schwabe’s story was hidden for a century in police files, business documents, letters and and articles in many languages in archives on multiple continents.

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Laura Lee’s Website

Laura Lee Facebook Page

Laura Lee Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Anneliese Rider

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Born and raised in Colorado, moved to Indiana as a teenager—I have a deep love for mountains, and for the Great Lakes. Now I live in a rural town in northern Michigan, where I work at the middle school. I love doing things outdoors, reading books, and baking carbohydrate-ridden delights. We have two dogs and a cat, and a lot of wild squirrels.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always loved books. My dad used to read to us at night before we went to bed, and the thrill of story crept into my heart from the very beginning. I started writing intentionally in high school, when my mom enrolled me in all kinds of different writing workshops. I wrote my first book in college.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Lately, for fiction, Harper Lee with To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a beautiful masterpiece that both handles a gargantuan human theme with grace, and exhibits flawless character development. For non-fiction, I read The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron last year. It’s a study on the enneagram, and what I learned has helped me to grow as a person and a dedicated writer. Agatha Christie and Louis L’Amour both inspire me, because they both wrote so prolifically, and they never ran out of steam.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Finley Pike and Sable’s Secret—it’s the sequel to Finley Pike and the SODD. It’s inspired by the charms and idiosyncrasies of small-town life and people, and by my work in a middle school with students. Finley Pike is a high school girl who always seems to be getting into dangerous situations. But she always makes it out of tight spots because she’s smart and savvy, and a little bit wild.

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Anneliese Rider’s Website

Featured Interview With Helga Warren

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am the daughter of two German parents and was mostly raised in Europe, although I was born in Washington, DC. I lived in Paris for 7 years, from 11 to 18. I currently live in a Virginia suburb of Washington, DC and work seasonally as a DC tour guide in English, German and French, a very fun job. We do not have pets, as we spend time at the Jersey Shore in the winters to be closer to our children and grandchildren during the holidays. My book is all about my German father’s World War II memoirs that I discovered in an old suitcase.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started reading at a young age, age 5, and have read voraciously ever since. Reading helped me deal with frequent moves and various difficulties in my childhood. However, I do feel I missed out on learning and doing other things, since I always had my nose in a book. I have written in three languages most of my life, but this is my first published book (Black Rose Writing). I wanted others to discover my father’s memoirs, which no one had looked at for 70 years; I felt I had something important to say. The pandemic unexpectedly provided me the time to write without distractions.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I used to read fiction but now I generally don’t anymore. I prefer to read true things, so I generally stick to memoirs and non-fiction topics, especially psychology. I have read so many memoirs! It is hard to name just a few, but I especially liked “You Should Talk to Someone” by Lori Gottlieb, which combines the experiences of her therapy clients with insights into her own life. I also loved “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Wall, and one of my favorite books of all time is “The Tender Bar” by J.W. Moehringer, Prince Harry’s collaborator on “Spare”. Eric Clapton’s book is my favorite rock biography.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My book is titled “The Enchanted Suitcase: A Window Onto My German Father’s World War II Life.” I spent a total of five years working on this project, first organizing all my deceased father’s papers in the suitcase I found, and then typing and translating both of his memoirs from German into English. My father was a German POW in Aliceville, Alabama and wrote one memoir about getting captured in Normandy and being sent to the POW camp, on the backs of American Army requisition forms after the war. That one was especially difficult to decipher because the writing was so faded. The other memoir is a love story set in German-occupied Paris that he wrote while he was in the POW camp. I also write about how I saw him in a whole new light because I had this insight into his life as an enthusiastic young man, who was very different than the father I grew up with.

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Helga Warren Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Mark R. Worden

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Southern Oregon but since that time have lived in 4 other states and spent four hot and lovely years in Manaus, Brazil. Presently, I have lived in Dillon, Montana for the past 18 years. In my spare time I like to grab a fly rod and launch my drift boat on one of 5 blue Ribbon trout rivers within a short drive from my home. Naturally some fishing stories made it into my first book having been partially raised by a fish-crazed man. I also share some stories from my days in Brazil as a missionary by way of illustration to make my non-fiction book about knowing God more practical and down to earth. I have been involved in various ministries over the years and enjoy teaching the Bible having received a B.A. in Bible and a M.A. in Teaching Bible. Publishing my fist book was dream come true and I thank those who helped throughout all the stages of my life all the way up to the publication of “HE IS! Knowing God through Fifty Scriptural Meditations.”

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I suffered from dyslexia in my early years in school until a teacher realized I needed extra help. If it were not for the help and attention of some special ed teachers, I may have never liked to read or go on to college. I still am a slow reader and writing is something I have to work really hard at. I enjoy writing as a way to think more deeply and clearly about my beliefs and life. As a grandpa, I now want to write out my stores for my grandchildren to read.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I like to read George McDonald novels for a book I can’t put down and will stay up late till I finish it type of read.

In my spiritual journey I have been blessed by the writings of John Piper, A.W. Tozer, and J.I. Packer and many others.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I took the challenge of Hebrew 11:6 to seek God seriously by looking for all the God is statements that I could find in the Bible and discovered that God clearly reveals who “HE IS” throughout the history and stories of the Bible. Each chapter is a “HE IS” statement about God that helps us to know Him better as we mediate on each attribute of God.

I suggest that readers do a slow reading of the book through the year by taking one chapter each week, so they have time to really pause and think about who God is. However, a quick read can also be enlightening as one is exposed to approximately 800 quoted verses of Scripture through the fifty, “HE IS” meditations.

“HE IS! Knowing God through Fifty Scriptural Meditations” can probably be considered devotional theology that is inspirational in nature. I share from my own stories of life and ministry like a grandpa would tell his grandchildren to make the devotionals relatable to life and practical. At the end of each devotional there are reflection questions and more suggested Scriptures to read for one’s personal meditation and spiritual growth.

I hope you will consider giving it a read in 2023 as part of your own spiritual journey. The Hebrews 11:6 adventure waits for anyone who is willing to take it. Blessing to you in 2023!

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Mark R. Worden’s Website

Mark R. Worden Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Lydia Ola Taiwo

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Dr Lydia Taiwo. I am 58 years old, married with 6 adult children.
I live in the UK.

I am a survivor of horrific, grievous bodily harm and child abuse.
I have over sixty injuries and scars all over my body. There are six on my face and eight on my head which are visible to the naked eye, all at the hands of my parents, most especially my mother.
I have been very resilient over the years, carrying the wounds, the pain and heartache, but through it all, I have been able to forgive her parents and move on with her life.
I don’t consider myself a victim but a victor. My faith in God has played a major role in my recovery from abuse. ‘Having suffered abuse doesn’t mean you have to be an abuser yourself’ is my motto.

Many lives have been damaged and broken as a result of child abuse. Many have, sadly, even lost their lives. I pray that this book will help millions of people all over the world, to rise up from broken and shine again.

For many years I couldn’t live my life until I forgave my parents.
Part of my therapy was to write my story to get the pain out of my head and body.
The book was published in series.
Unfortunately due to lies told to my siblings, a disclosure was made to the police. This led to a police investigation, because my parents denied the abuse.
The case went to court in 2018 and both parents were convicted of the crime.
The trauma I was put through put me in a very bad dark place.
I then prayed to God to help me to write the last part of my story of abuse, to close the chapter.
While writing I was also going through support and I felt it was important to add the recovery part in the book also, so that the book could help other people.
So glad that it has helped bring healing to people, hence why the book is called: A Broken Childhood: How to Overcome Abuse: A Recovery Guide. Published in 2019.
As part of my recovery from PTSD, my therapy included creative writing and rewriting my story.
During therapy I was introduced to horses, and this really helped me.
I decided to use animals as characters in my future books for children.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started writing 2007, I was 43 years old.
I became an author by accident. I started writing as part of my therapy and ended up a published author.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite genre is children’s fiction.
Julia Donaldson further inspired me writing children’s fiction.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
A Broken Childhood: How to Overcome Abuse: A Recovery Guide..
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49440009-a-broken-childhood-how-to-overcome-abuse

This is a memoir of my childhood and adulthood days before I got married.

When you have been abused, you do not know what love really means. All you know is abuse and terror.
When people do eventually show love, it is difficult to understand why.
Love does not make sense to an abused child. Did you know that?
Trust is another challenge; it is so hard to trust anybody. Having been abused myself, I found it very difficult to trust anybody, even my parents.
Not being believed was another concern – I was afraid that I would never be believed. This fear grew even more when I had to give evidence in court. Even the lawyers did not believe me until I exposed all the injuries on my head, having to remove my wig. There were over eight of them. It was shocking.
But there is hope for an abused victim. You can live again…
The whole book took about 12 plus years to complete, it was much easier to write after I decided to forgive my parents..

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Lydia Ola Taiwo’s Website

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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Brooke Gilbert’s Website

Brooke Gilbert Facebook Page

Brooke Gilbert Twitter Account

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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Christine M. Germain’s Website

Christine M. Germain Facebook Page

Christine M. Germain Twitter Account

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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Reverend Matthew Hogan’s Website

Reverend Matthew Hogan Facebook Page

Reverend Matthew Hogan Twitter Account

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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Adam & Stephanie Parker’s Website

Adam & Stephanie Parker Facebook Page

Adam & Stephanie Parker Twitter Account

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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A.W. Baldwin’s Website

A.W. Baldwin Facebook Page