Cynthia Beach is a longtime professor of Creative Writing and author of Creative Juices for Writers and the novel The Surface of Water. Her articles, short stories, and contributions appear in newspapers, journals, and books like Hope in the Mourning, which is Zondervan’s grief bible.

Her novel tackles the complex theme of the celebrity status of megachurch pastor Matthew Goodman who is challenged by a 25-year-old new hire Trish Card in ways that awaken him.

Happy Valentine’s from the beach

February 14, 2024 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

It really doesn’t get any better than this; the sound of waves, sand between my toes, and the warm Gulf breeze in my hair.

The crest on the waves forms white foam as the waves roll toward the shore. I lack nothing on this Ash Wednesday. The ashes were distributed this morning at the Epiphany cathedral after a beautiful homily with a poem written by a Cistercian monk about the love for God. I find peace on the beach and His love is overpowering.

It’s mid February and balmy 75 F degrees.

Service Club Beach in Venice Feb. 14, 2024

book podcasts, Indie authors, writing

Author Jessica K. Foster pens Andy and the Extroverts

February 9, 2024 emmapalova Leave a comment

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-7ftdz-1577bfe

When an introvert winds up at a summer leadership camp, it’s a comedy of errors and a romance she’ll never forget. Seventeen-year-old bookish Andy has no friends.

When her over-involved mother dares to ship her off to summer leadership camp, she’s thrust into an introvert’s nightmare.

Everyone is a Communicator with a capital C, icebreaker activities are scheduled into every waking moment, and horror of all horrors: there’s no coffee. Even the girls who take her under their wing are the self-assured people Andy could never dream of becoming.

Then she meets Lucas—hot, attentive, and everything Andy reads about in her books. Though the girls in her cottage try to warn her about him, she’s swept into the first romance of her life. But when she discovers her friends may be right, she’ll have to find her inner confidence to save her summer and become the leader she was always meant to be.

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Andy and the Extroverts

Sponsored by Doc Chavent

immersion, inspiration, writers retreats

Fabulous sunsets on the Gulf

February 4, 2024 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Sunsets near Sharky’s Pier in Venice, FL inspire, motivate and calm spectators on the beach as they watch in awe the ever changing evening show. It’s free, every night, and first row seats guaranteed.

After a rainy morning, the February sky cleared up in the afternoon as the waves swelled and rolled over the sand leaving nothing behind, while erasing footsteps.

book podcasts, Indie authors, writing

Author Marie LaPres pens Beyond the Fort

February 1, 2024 emmapalova Leave a comment

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ggraq-156bb02

In Marie LaPres’ young adult fiction Beyond the Fort, the main character Christine Belanger has always loved learning about the past. Still, she may get more history than she bargained for when she finds herself at Colonial Michilimackinac in the year 1775. In the past, Christine meets fellow time travelers, Henri and Jacques, French fur traders, and British soldiers.

She quickly learns that the tensions are high between the French and British, and Henri and Christine uncover the plot of a British Leftenant who plans to eradicate all French settlers in the Mackinac Straits area. It’s up to Christine and Henri to save the settlers, and possibly change the course of history. Can Christine and Henri outwit Lewis and save the fort? Will Christine be able to survive Colonial America without all of the amenities she is used to…especially her cell phone?

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Beyond the Fort.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent.

book podcasts, books

Sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico

January 27, 2024 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

I finally saw the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico at 6:06 p.m. on the beach in Venice, FL on Friday, Jan. 26. I’ve never been to Florida in January, so this was a magnificent treat even though the first few days were unseasonally cold around 50 degrees. I did Yoga on the Beach with Elin anyway, not wanting to waste any time in what’s known as tropical Paradise.

“Pack some warm clothes,” Maple wrote to me. “It’s too cold for me to go out.”

Then, I found out on the news that Florida had 44 cold days in a row, which is unheard of. Even the flight from Grand Rapids was plagued by nature, snowstorms in the North, and a wall of fog moving inland in the South caused the rerouting of Allegiant flight 544 back to Sarasota. A Big Box purchased on the plane saved us from starvation.

To be continued….

book podcasts, Indie authors, writing

Author H. William Ruback pens Scribe: The Apprentice

January 26, 2024 emmapalova Leave a comment

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-kwcfn-1561e01

In an age where magic and the wizards that wielded that power, have faded into disputed myth. The Darkness and the evil it shrouds is an all too real presence.

Young Gareth has spent his life training, dreaming of following in his father’s footsteps as the greatest warrior to have served the Crescent Lands.

Knowing the true horror of battle, his father has other plans for his son. He has used the last vestige of his political favor, to secure an apprenticeship for his son in the venerable Guild of Scribes.

The Order of Scribes has recorded every event since the dawn of history. They are present at every political or academic gathering. They walk the battlefields for every conflict. They are held in awe and feared at length: for no man truly wants history to speak ill of them. And in that way, their presence has altered the exact events they were sent to chronicle.

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Author H. William Ruback pens Scribe

January 26, 2024 emmapalova Leave a comment

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-kwcfn-1561e01
In his epic fantasy novel Scribe, the main character traded his sword for a quill. Then he became the guardian of a relic that shouldn’t exist. But that wouldn’t stop the Darkness from destroying the Crescent Lands to obtain it.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Scribe.
Sponsored by Doc Chavent.

book podcasts, Indie authors, writing

gr_Interview_with_Jennifer_DiVita_20240118_170049

January 19, 2024 emmapalova Leave a comment

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-s6nrt-15562c5
Author Jennifer DiVita pens Not Your Shoe Size, a
novel that tells the story of two opposite characters Julia and Colette who age from 10 to 100.
“It’s a coming of age story told through vignettes,” DiVita said. “As women we don’t have to play by standards of an ageist society. Cosmetics is a multi-billion dollar industry.”
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Not Your Shoe Size.
Sponsored by Doc Chavent
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