Category Archives: book podcasts

September authors

Welcome fall, and back to school and normal schedules. I am happy to announce the following guest authors on For the Love of Books Podcast show with host author Emma Palova. The podcast goes live weekly on Fridays on http://emmapalova123.podbean.com

Email Emma or comment below if you would like to be a guest and or a sponsor of an episode or the show.

They are Sharon Kennedy with The SideRoad Kids, Sept. 2

Gladys Fletcher, My Garden of Stones, Sept. 9

Mark Love, The Wayward Path, Sept. 16

Franklin Wilson, Sept. 23

Chad Bishop, Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc., Sept. 30

Sponsored by Doc Chavent, The Lowell Ledger, Modern History Press

Copyright (c) 2022. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Author Sharon Kennedy pens The SideRoad Kids

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-sn6ek-12b4163

Happy Labor Day weekend.

Welcome back to another school year. Kennedy’s time machine will take you back to a simple era of the late 1950s. Find some time to read and reflect whether it’s on your own childhood or stories of the past passed from generation to generation. 

The SideRoad Kids follows a group of boys and girls as they enter the sixth grade in a small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula during 1957-1958. The meandering collection of short stories is often humorous, poignant, and sometimes mysterious.

Laugh as the kids argue over Halloween treats handed out in Brimley. Although told by the kids, adults will remember their own childhood as they read about Flint, Candy, Squeaky, Katie, and their friends.

“Katie, Blew, Squeaky, and Daisy grew up on farms instead of high rises and used their imagination instead of fancy gadgets to make their own fun. An entertaining read for youngsters. And parents, you might enjoy a nostalgic flashback as well. I know I did.

                                           -Allia Zobel-Nolan, Author of Cat Confessions

Author Sharon Kennedy has been writing short stories and poems for 50 years, but she rarely submitted anything for publication. After teaching English composition at a community college and university, she began writing a general interest5 column in 2014 that ran in her local newspaper. 

She is currently working on a sequel and continues writing her newspaper columns for Gannett Media.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent, The Lowell Ledger, and Modern History Press.

 

Diane Burton pens Rescuing Mara’s Father

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-vxwxy-12b16bc

Note: The correct email for Diane to win a signed copy of her book Rescuing Mara’s Father in the podcast giveaway is dmburton72@gmail.com

Mara’s father is gone! Taken by the Queen of Compara’s agents. Mara has to rescue him before the Queen tortures and kills him.
Instead of the kind, the loving father she’s always known, he’s become demanding, critical, with impossible expectations—not just as Father but also as the only teacher in their frontier outpost. Mara would rather scoop zircan poop than listen to another boring lecture about governments on Central Planets. Give her a starship engine to take apart or, better yet, fly, and she’s happy. Now, he’s gone.
Never mind, they’ve had a rocky road lately.
Never mind, Father promised she could go off planet to Tech Institute next month when she turns fifteen, where she’ll learn to fly starships.
Never mind, she ran away because she was furious with him because he reneged on that promise. Her Father is her only parent. She has to save him.

Along with her best friend, eleven-year-old Jako, and his brother 15-year-old Lukus, Mara sets off to find her father. Her mentor, the old spaceport mechanic, seems to know why the Queen captured Father. In fact, he seems to know her father well. But, does he tell her everything? Of course not. He dribbles out info like a mush-eating baby. Worse, he indicates he’ll be leaving them soon. And Lukus can’t wait to get off our planet. Mara’s afraid they will all leave, and she’ll be on her own. Despite her fears, Mara has to rescue her father.

 

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger.

Author Patricia Kiyono pens Monogatari Mischief as part of anthology

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-sefw9-12b173c

During her first career, Patricia Kiyono taught elementary school music, computer classes, elementary classrooms, and junior high social studies. She now teaches music education at the university level.

A love of travel and an interest in faraway people inspires her to create stories about different cultures.

 

 

 

In Monogatari Mischief short story which is a part of the Gateways to the Paranormal anthology protagonists Mindy Granger and Rob Sanders are both graduate students at Michigan State, but that seems to be all that they have in common. Mindy is on a mission to find a cure for cancer that took away her beloved grandmother. All she has left of her beloved Bachman is the Japanese tea set that she inherited, and she uses it each day, continuing one of the traditions of her grandmother’s homeland. Rob is studying Asian culture but has no idea what he wants to do with his life. 

 

When he loses his phone charger, he meets his pretty next-door neighbor, and the tea set brings them together — in more ways than one. According to the Japanese legend of tsukomogami, once an object becomes one hundred years old, it develops a soul (as well as arms, legs, and a voice) and will often get into mischief. Mindy’s tea set wants to avoid being packed away again, and they’ve decided that it’s in their best interest to get Mindy and Rob together.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger.

 

Diane Burton pens Rescuing Mara’s Father

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-vxwxy-12b16bc

Mara’s father is gone! Taken by the Queen of Compara’s agents. Mara has to rescue him before the Queen tortures and kills him.
Instead of the kind, the loving father she’s always known, he’s become demanding, critical, with impossible expectations—not just as Father but also as the only teacher in their frontier outpost. Mara would rather scoop zircan poop than listen to another boring lecture about governments on Central Planets. Give her a starship engine to take apart or, better yet, fly, and she’s happy. Now, he’s gone.
Never mind, they’ve had a rocky road lately.
Never mind, Father promised she could go off planet to Tech Institute next month when she turns fifteen, where she’ll learn to fly starships.
Never mind, she ran away because she was furious with him because he reneged on that promise. Her Father is her only parent. She has to save him.

Along with her best friend, eleven-year-old Jako, and his brother 15-year-old Lukus, Mara sets off to find her father. Her mentor, the old spaceport mechanic, seems to know why the Queen captured Father. In fact, he seems to know her father well. But, does he tell her everything? Of course not. He dribbles out info like a mush-eating baby. Worse, he indicates he’ll be leaving them soon. And Lukus can’t wait to get off our planet. Mara’s afraid they will all leave, and she’ll be on her own. Despite her fears, Mara has to rescue her father.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger.

Into Paradise

By Emma Palova

I am getting ready for a five-hour road trip to Paradise. And it is a true paradise surrounded by the shimmering waters of Lake Superior on one side and the big woods of the Tahquamenon Falls State Park on the other. If you continue further north on Whitefish Point Road you will hit Whitefish Point with its nationally acclaimed Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and lighthouse.

The pristine magic of the Upper Peninsula (UP) has traditionally attracted authors, photographers, and filmmakers for at least one hundred years. Now, a new generation of authors writes from the UP or sets their stories in the UP. We are proud members of the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association. (UPPAA)

Many of them are my friends and we’ve met in person at several different authors’ events around the state of Michigan. We will meet again at the Wild Blueberry Festival in Paradise set for Aug. 19 through Aug. 21 this weekend. Here is a sampling of authors, who will be at the festival, including their podcasts. You can meet them in person in Paradise. They will sign your next favorite read. It really doesn’t get any better than that.

Author Mikel Classen is a true Yooper who makes his home in Sault Ste. Mary. His newest book True Tales: The Forgotten History of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a treasure chest of eye-opening stories. Listen in to the podcast episode by clicking on the link below.

Mikel Classen

https://emmapalova123.podbean.com/e/author-mikel-classen-digs-out-lost-stories-in-true-tales-from-the-up-1649166655/

Author Mike Carrier will be on his home turf at the festival since he spends summers near Whitefish Point. Fourteen out of 15 Carrier’s murder mysteries with the main character Jack Handler are set in the UP.

Mike Carrier

“The festival has become one of my favorites,” Carrier said. “Beyond the proximity, I find those who attend to be more interesting. For instance, there is a biker group that usually comes through the festival, and they help make it a fun event.”

Listen in to the episode about To China with Love.

https://emmapalova123.podbean.com/e/author-michael-carrier-releases-to-china-with-love/

Then it’s me who simply loves the UP. And like many other authors and artists, I’ve always been inspired by the rugged beauty and history of the land. I will have my brand new book “The Lost Town” on hand to sign.

Emma Palova

Listen in to the episode about The Lost Town on

https://emmapalova123.podbean.com/e/author-emma-palova-pens-the-lost-town/

Author Bob Muladore of Tuebor books. I’ve known Bob for a long time. I plan on having him as a guest on For the Love of Books Podcast soon.

Bob Muladore

Author Mary Kremer, whom I don’t know, and I look forward to meeting her at the festival.

Copyright (c) 2022. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey brings little-known Bible characters to light

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-yza5j-128df56

In her Christian fiction novel Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey, author Barbara M. Britton features five orphaned daughters of Zelophehad as the main characters with the eldest Mahlah taking the center stage in their fight for land.

“There’s so much Scripture in the Bible devoted to them, but no one knows about them,” Britton said.

Britton skillfully brings to life the characters of the orphaned daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Their individualities are reflected in their age, and their skills based on the weapons they carry: brave and courageous Mahlah who faces off Moses carries a knife, Noah a whip for sheep tending and Hoglah cooks. Milcah is ethereal and the youngest Tirzah complains all the time.

The main storyline follows the Scripture right through as Mahlah approaches Moses with a request to inherit land to keep a promise to her dying mother.

In the Book of Numbers 27:1-11, the daughters say: “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among Korah’s followers, who banded together against the Lord, but he died for his own sin and left no sons.”

“It was challenging to keep them as separate individuals,” Britton said.

The novel has its own villain Balaam according to the Book of Revelation and plenty of action such as God’s parting of the Jordan River and Joshua assuming leadership.

In response to the question what did she do right in the novel, Britton said.

“I brought the story to Biblical fiction,” she said. “You can get a lot of Scripture out of this.”

As a Christian fiction author, Britton has to find balance when putting romance into her novels.

“As the series goes on, you get more romance with Noah,” she said.

One of the most common responses Britton gets to her books is:

“I didn’t realize the Bible could be so exciting.”

Listen in to the episode for a chance to win a signed copy of Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey.

Sponsored by author Barbara Britton, Doc Chavent, and The Lowell Ledger.

Author Emma Palova pens The Lost Town

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-r2ux3-1278b95

In the third book of the Shifting Sands series- “The Lost Town”- author Emma Palova of Lowell creates the protagonist, Miss Ida. The historical fiction novel is set in the ghost town of  Singapore on the shores of Lake Michigan at the foot of the sand dunes adorned with white pines. Beautiful Ida is torn between her hometown of Chicago and her new home on the other side of the lake, and between two men.

The Lost Town

Developed by New York investors, the once-thriving settlement of Singapore nurtured the dreams of adventurers like Oshea Wilder and pioneer settlers alike. Singapore would rival Chicago and Milwaukee. It almost did with its sawmills, hotels, boarding houses, stores, and a “wildcat” bank.

Entrepreneurial Ida struggles to adjust to the rough environment but finds more than support in her boss who invited her to Singapore to be the “Mistress” of the Big House. A “wildcat” bank was established in Singapore in 1837.

Who will win Ida’s heart?

Check out the review by Nancy Price Stroosnyder.

Emma’s ease at mixing actual history into her stories is remarkable, and so entails Miss Ida’s response to an invitation to a soon-to-be bustling “Singapore” on the shores of Lake Michigan.  She is transported away from Chicago, family, and friends.  She quickly learns the duties expected of her in maintaining a boarding house and warehouse in the rapidly growing community.  Soon she falls in love with one of the corrupt founders.  The many colorful characters weave a fantastic story of love, mystery, hope, and faith.  This is a quick, very worthwhile read!

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger, bringing you homegrown stories for more than 100 years.

Palova will be signing her new book The Lost Town at Once Upon A Book in Frankenmuth on July 23 at the Bavarian Inn Lodge from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Fallasburg on July 30, in Holland on Aug. 6 and in Paradise from Aug.19 through Aug. 21.

Copyright (c) 2022. Emma Palova. All Rights Reserved.

Author Mackenzie Flohr pens The Rite of Wands

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-n6ade-1264fbe

In The Rite of Wands, author Mackenzie Flohr has created a fantasy world of witches and warlocks set in 13th century Ireland. The main character Mierta, 12, has to earn his magic powers.

“It took me 20 years to write this,” said Flohr. “I realized that I have a dead book.”

But then the new character, originally Gerard, spoke to Flohr and said, “That’s not how it happened.”

Protagonist Mierta too is a neurodivergent like the author. Flohr used an entire disease layer in the story that reminded people of Covid, although the story was completed in 2017. Much like the black plague, she gave the disease a physical appearance.

The book was inspired by The Lord of The Rings trilogy, as Flohr visited a museum dedicated to the movie series.

“And there was my story,” she said. “Mierta goes, we’re going to tell that story.”

Every character in the book has three layers to them.

“They all fit together at the end,” she said. “There is a little bit of myself in both protagonists. I got the wizard language right.”

Flohr is working toward TV series adaption of The Rite of Wands. Listen in for a chance to with an autographed copy.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent & The Lowell Ledger

Happy Fourth of July.

 

Victor Volkman publishes U.P. Reader Volume 6

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-bektn-1264ea5

Victor Volkman is the publisher of the U.P. Reader, senior editor at Modern History Press based in Ann Arbor, and president of the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association.

The U.P. Reader is the brainchild of author Mikel Classen. Volkman said he can’t be a Yooper because Yoopers are born, not made. The hefty publication features thirty to 50 contributing writers, most are members of the UPPAA.

“People who live in the U.P are great writers, the U.P. Reader exposes their writings for other people to explore,” said Volkman.

Volkman said he’s especially proud of the inclusion of Cottage Dandelion winners, young writers who receive a traveling trophy for their school, kind of like the Stanley Cup.

“We’re making the next generation of writers,” he said. “We provide training wheels for young writers. We’re able to accept 90 percent of writing.”

The all-inclusive publication, which is distributed to all the libraries in the U.P.,  features contemporary fiction, short stories, humor, history, memoir, poetry, and much more.

“I am a publisher, and this helped me build a relationship with writers,” he said. “We work hard to keep the price reasonable.”

Some of the highlights of the UPPAA are the spring conference in Marquette in June and the picnic on the first Saturday after Labor Day in Marquette.

Submissions for the U.P. Reader Volume 7 will be accepted until November.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “I love the sense of community in the U.P.”

To become a member of the association go to https://www.uppaa.org/

Sponsored by Doc Chavent, The Lowell Ledger, and Modern History Press

Have an awesome Fourth of July.