Category Archives: writing

ReQueered Tales preserves literary heritage of LGBTQ fiction

April 3, 2023 emmapalova Leave a comment

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-eeynr-13d2836

The interview with publisher author Matt Lubbers-Moore of ReQueered Tales and host author Emma Palova marks the 100th episode anniversary of For the Love of Books Podcast show. I am grateful to the entire literary community for making the show a success and to the sponsors Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger.

ReQueered Tales is striving to preserve the literary heritage of the LGBTQ community by publishing out-of-print titles or publishing new works of older series.

According to Lubbers-Moore, the project started out as a joke with his business partners.

“Books from the 1990s, 80s, and 70s were hard to find and expensive,” said Lubbers-Moore. “Are we actually going to do this?”

And they started with a core of five gay mystery authors in 2018 as they grew to cover all the genres of LGBTQ fiction.

“Now we’re competing with the big boys,” Lubbers-Moore laughed as he referred to the big publishing houses. “Other publishers are doing this now.”

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Murder and Mayhem bibliography. Be a part of the excitement and magic.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger.

book podcasts, Indie authors, writing

Award-winning author pens gangster novels set in her hometown

March 17, 2023 emmapalova Leave a comment

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-a8xwk-13bc541

Her two gangster novels earned her Top Notable Indie Book awards. Author Betty Passick shared her passion for writing historical fiction in a very candid down-to-earth interview. Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of The Black Bag of Dr. Wiltse.

“Research comes first,” she said. “If you don’t like doing research, historical fiction is not for you.”

Unlike most authors of historical fiction, Passick does not change the names of people or places in her historical crime novels. She has always been fascinated by the story of the Italian American “mystery man” who first came to her Iowa hometown in the early 1920s, and the rest is history. No pun intended.

Now, it’s up to us to find out what was in The Black Bag of Dr. Wiltse, Murder on the Prairie her second historical crime novel that earned her the second Top Notable Indie Book Award in 2021 after Gangster in our Midst in 2019.

“This crime mystery novel captures its audience’s attention with the delicious historical detail from this time period in early America’s burgeoning settlements… Who knew there was such a criminal element lurking on our prairies?”

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger

book podcasts, Indie authors, writing

Michigan authors at West Michigan Women’s Expo on March 17 through March 19

March 16, 2023 emmapalova Leave a comment

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-jv2st-13bb1d7

Discover the full author line-up under the umbrella of Great Lakes Writers in this podcast, and at the Expo.

Find your next favorite read by Michigan authors at the West Michigan Women’s Expo this weekend starting on Friday at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

Seventeen Michigan authors will be grouped under the umbrella of Great Lakes Writers, and they will be located in booths 110-118.

I have one free ticket left to the show for the lucky winner. Listen in to the podcast for details of the giveaway, as well as the author line-up and instructions for participating authors.

Come, bring a friend and have fun with us. We’re going to have a blast together.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger

inspiration, writers retreats, writing

In Paradise

February 28, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

In Paradise

Feb. 28, 2023 Tuesday

It’s the last day of February and the best one yet. I am in Paradise aka Venice. The day started on the beach to the sound of waves and ended on the beach to the sound of crashing waves. Their relaxing rhythm soothes nerves like nothing else.

In the morning it was yoga with the sound of bongs, followed by a walk through the historic downtown Venice, topped with a cappuccino at Venice Wine & Coffee Co.

I love the core of this tropical town in southwest Florida with amazing architecture untouched by chains and corporate structures.

Then we shopped with mom Ella the souvenir shops on Venice Ave. I found what I was looking for twice today. The first time at Green Parrot and the second time at Nest on Miami Ave.

We changed for a farewell lunch on the town- the coveted Bromdon Mediterranean restaurant on Miami Ave. My parents had classic gyros and I had a salmon gyro.

I found this community located on an island very diverse with a strong Italian influence. It wasn’t unusual on any given day to hear people speak Russian, French or Spanish.

The social time in Venice was also a time to test our @Moravia Sons Distillery https://moraviansonsdistillery.com cocktails made with our apple brandy.

Where else would you want to pilot this delicious refreshing cocktail than in Paradise?

I still managed to pop in to the Great Reveal Party by Pages Promotions. Who did the deed and why? Find out on the replays posted on Facebook.

To be continued..,,

Lent, writing

Inspiration from the Gulf 2023

February 25, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Feb. 24 Lenten Friday

During Lent, I like to start my day with Lenten readings and meditation no matter where I am. Most of them focus on the ancient disciplines of Lent- fasting, almsgiving and prayer.

I was surprised to see two young pastors from the Epiphany Cathedral in Venice at Croissant & Co., French patisserie in downtown. Well, I know I shouldn’t have been there either and none of us should be blasting to the world that we’re fasting each in our own way with ashes on our forehead.

It was a loud Friday on the beach with the northern wind howling that lifted the waves sending them crashing onto the shore. Behind my back, private jets were landing and taking off, others starting their descent over the Gulf of Mexico.

A waiter at the sandbar handed me a Margarita on the rocks with “Here you go, Love.”

To be continued

Uncategorized, writers retreats, writing

Notes from the beach

February 23, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Feb. 23, 2023 1:29 pm Thursday, Venice Beach

I am indulging in the sounds of the beach: Russian to the right, laughter to the right, kids straight up front and the crashing waves as far as I can see. The sun is warming my legs while my feet dig deep into the hot sand. It’s 82F and the sun is high above my head.

Lemonade Razzonade Bait Bucket Margarita

My backpack has everything I need: notepad and pens, suntan lotion, water, cash for a Blue Bait Margarita and magazines about living in Paradise.

I cannot omit the price this Paradise had to pay during hurricane Ian in September. Crews are still fixing the roofs and some signs have not been replaced. Otherwise you would not believe a hurricane blew through; just south of town.

We spent a great morning on the town starting with yoga with Elin on the beach to the sounds of Ukulele Thursdays. We took a walk on Miami Street in search of the Greek restaurant Bromdon. We browsed through the Island View Boutique with beautiful blings and resort wear. Hasta La Vista.

Mom Ella is doing much better today after her surgery. With strength she’s also getting back her attitude, just a tad.

I have to pick up on chapter Mara and the Revelation of the Great Singapore secret in the sequel to The Lost Town. More later.

I am meeting with Maple later today and mixing up some cocktail recipes.

Well, the meeting with Maple didn’t happen, but I met Pat, the board secretary instead. YAY!

To top off this incredible productive day, I managed to pop into Pages Promotions Winter Book Festival. I am still clueless as to who murdered author Andrew Allen Smith who stole the Sardonic Manuscript, but did he really or was he just framed?

To be continued…,

Daily Post prompt, daily writing, writing

Ash Wednesday on the Beach

February 22, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Venice Beach, Feb. 22, 2023 3:27 pm

I think this is the first time I’ve ever worked on a book on the beach. I’ve written on beaches before, but never a contiguous piece of an actual manuscript, the sequel to Shifting Sands: The Lost Town.

“What’s lost can be found even on a beach or underneath the singing sands.”

It’s very fitting to write the sequel on the beach amidst the little dunes with the wind blowing from the south. The life saving wind is cooling down the air temperature that reached 82 F. It’s 90F in Orlando. I am savoring the warmth of these moments as a major winter storm is whipping the Midwest.

It’s been quite an experiment that I started aboard the Allegiant two- hour flight to Punta Gorda, FL to see if can pick up writing whenever or wherever I leave off. So far it has been working out despite all the beach distractions.

Yes, there has been plenty of distractions from the posted Red Tide caused by red algae, private jets taking off behind my back, to the falling umbrella, cute divers with oxygen tanks, a screaming kid and the glistening waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Then yesterday I broke my eyeglasses, forgot my card and much more.

After mom’s surgery this morning, a cup of coffee and two cups of Earl Grey, I regained some composure still undecided whether I should go for the Ashes in the morning by myself, or wait the outcome of the surgery. Mom was recovering well so I went for the gold- that is what I call going to the beach.

The improvement since yesterday was remarkable; no more coughing caused by the Red Tide or smell from the dead fish washed ashore.

“It comes and goes,” mom said about the unwelcome visitor to the Florida beaches. Regardless, the Red Tide the beaches of Venice are busy with tourists and snowbirds. Yoga on the Beach with Elin in the mornings enjoys around 200 yogis of all ages.

But back to the manuscript. I am about five to six chapters away from the end. Do I know the ending? I don’t and I like it that way as it keeps me on the edge, and probably preventing me from sleeping too.

What are the major forces in the story now? Well, the secrets of Singapore remain covered with sand. How will they emerge? Who will help uncover them? That remains unknown.

To be continued…

book podcasts, Indie authors, writing

Author Diana Kathryn Plopa pens romance novel ’A Tryst of Fate’

February 16, 2023 emmapalova 1 Comment

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-9xga4-1393aeb

In her ‘A Tryst of Fate’ author Diana Kathryn Plopa takes on one of the most desired genres – romance. It is the story of a newspaper reporter Thomas and Gillian who restores art for a museum.

“Man does not control his own fate. The women in his life do that for him.”

– Groucho Marx

Her past is blurred, and her heart is lost to a child she cannot reclaim. Although he aches with the same loss, his stories bring light to a love that never truly died, restoring the art she thought was lost.

But a secret past threatens their future. Can Thomas solve the mystery of a hidden joy that binds them together? Can they rescue their love..together, forever?

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of ‘A Tryst of Fate’ and more.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger

book podcasts, Indie authors, writing

Lawyer turned author Tana Jenkins pens romance novela Love Rescued

February 14, 2023 emmapalova Leave a comment

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-pmqk9-1387f15

Happy Valentine’s!

Hot off the presses for Valentine’s week is the brand-new anthology Shades of Love with Tana Jenkin’s romance novella Love Rescued.

Everyone needs a lifeline now and then. Captain Kirk’s life takes a turn the day he pulls Selena Reyes from the water. He fancies himself a hero, but is the actress really a damsel in distress? Or is he the one in need of rescuing? More importantly, will they realize lifelines come in different forms before it’s too late? Love Rescued is Book Five in Tana’s award-winning St. James Sisters collection, and one of the twenty-plus books included in the anthology Goodreads voters named one of the most anticipated anthologies of 2023–Shades of Love, Limited Edition, Black, Multi-cultural and Interracial anthology hitting stores Valentine’s week!

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Shades of Love.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger

book podcasts, Indie authors, writing

Author J.Q. Rose pens mystery romance Deadly Undertaking

February 9, 2023 emmapalova Leave a comment

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ysrmi-1388334

In her novel, Deadly Undertaking, author J.Q. Rose presents a handsome detective, a shadow man, and a murder victim who kill protagonist Lauren’s plan for a simple life.

Lauren Staab knew there would be dead bodies around when she returned home. After all, her family is in the funeral business, Staab and Blood Funeral Home. Still, finding an extra body on the floor of the garage between the hearse and the flower car shocked her. Lauren’s plan to return to her hometown to help care for her mother and keep the books for the funeral home suddenly turns upside down in a struggle to prove she and her family are not guilty of murdering the man. But will the real killer return for her, her dad, and her brother? Her mother’s secrets, a killer, a handsome policeman, and a shadow man muddle up her intention to have a simple life. Welcome home, Lauren!

Listen in for a chance to win a free book.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger