Tag Archives: book giveaway

Author Carol Nickles pens Thumb Fire Desire

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-wuxsw-1334a75

This historical fiction novel was inspired by the biggest natural disaster in Michigan-the fire of 1881. Author Carol Nickles kept the idea for the story along with notes in a box for close to 20 years.

Then she decided either she was going to write the story or burn the box, and that’s how Thumb Fire Desire was born with the help of a developmental editor.

“I’ve always wanted to tell this story,” she said.

Listen to this inspiring interview for a chance to win an autographed copy of Thumb Fire Desire.

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

 

Nikki Mitchell’s Nightshade Forest

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-9b6zq-1304f67

In case you missed this summer episode with author Nikki Mitchell about her Nightshade Forest release.

Enjoy.

Author Kathryn Den Houter pens psychological thriller ’Prison Shadows’

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-fb3hx-12f9f55

Psychologist turned author delivers it all in this disturbing novel set in Marquette State Prison in Michigan’s U.P. inspired by real-life stories of inmates told in her practice, and by her husband’s stories.

Protagonist Clifford Ratz is a small-town drug dealer who gets caught near Mason by an astute cop.

“It’s a tale about his life,” Den Houter said, “because he was passive he became a target of other prisoners. I wanted to convey that prisoners are human beings.”

Several strains run through this meticulously crafted psychological suspense novel; from Ratz’s passive humanity, his daughter’s rebellion, and the police & correctional systems at work, to loving beyond betrayal.

As a psychologist, Den Houter knows what makes her characters click, in fiction and in real life. And the cover eloquently captures Ratz’s humanity.

“It’s a very real face of someone who was down on his luck,” Den Houter said.

And all of us have a dark side. Some of us just don’t manage it well. So what do we need from each other so that we can go on living?

The novel answers that question. Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of ‘Prison Shadows.’

Sponsored by Doc Chavent, The Lowell Ledger, and author Kathryn Den Houter.

T.J.London pens prequel ’Man of War’

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-pt922-12e8bbf

It was actually fashion that got T.J. London interested in the American Revolutionary War as a young author as simple as it may seem.

“I was getting into my persona,” she said. “The look got me interested in that time period. Now it draws attention to my books.”

Yes, it was the red coats and tricorne hats that sparked the imagination of a young mind, and later served well as a counseling tool during a period of grief. Rather, than writing a journal, T.J. London went the whole way and wrote ‘Man of War.’

T.J. London is an expert at digging out little-known facts in history and asking herself questions. She was referring to battles in upstate New York that T.J. London didn’t know about.

“Why don’t we learn this stuff,” she said.

What fascinated T.J. London were all the changes that were happening at the same time.

“It was this incredible cataclysmic moment in history,” she said. “But in fiction where were those stories? I felt like I needed to know more.”

And the prequel is not just about the revolution, but also about digging deep into the roots of what was going on T.J. London’s life after the loss of her father.

It took her four years to write ‘Man of War’ backed up by solid research about the Royal Navy.

Come along on a journey with ambitious captain Merrick and revengeful India for a chance to win a signed copy of ‘Man of War.’

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger.

Author Ash Bishop pens Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-e97i3-12d8066

In his first book, author Ash Bishop teleports protagonist Russ Wesley into another galaxy with a sugary cookie in his pocket, in this light-hearted sci-fi novel.

Listen in for the keywords for this week for a chance to win a signed personalized copy of Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc.

When Wesley finds an unusual artifact in his grandfather’s collection of rare antiquities, the last thing he expects is for it to draw the attention of a ferocious alien from a distant planet. Equally surprising is the adventurous team of intergalactic exterminators dispatched to deal with the threat. The exterminators specialize in “ecosystem preservation”— a thankless job that involves hunting down alien predators of all shapes and sizes. They’re so impressed with Russ’s marksmanship that they insist he join their squad . . . whether he wants to or not.

“Russ is an interesting fella,” said Bishop. “He doesn’t have close family, and his grandma needs money.”

So Russ goes off and works for a galactic space group.

“It’s heartfelt,” Bishop said. “Fifty percent of the story has to do with the characters.”

Based on the success of Intergalactic Exterminators, Bishop landed a deal to publish his previous book in 2023.

“They’re completely different books,” he said.

But, switching genres comes to Bishop easily.

Listen in for some tips on how to switch genres and for the keywords of the week to win Bishop’s book.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger

 

Author Frank Wilson pens Hearts of Fire, fantasy novel

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-a9kuv-12cf29a

What happens when you mix humans, centaurs, war, relationship challenges with family friends, and magic in a fantasy land of forests, villages, and castles?

Hearts of Fire is an exciting and engaging fantasy especially written for young people that tells a beautiful story of a young girl who has to deal with the untimely death of her beloved father, a long and dangerous journey through unknown territory in search of her mother and brother, and encounters with soldiers of war and enemies out to capture her.

This fascinating book is filled with exquisitely detailed descriptions of the different landscapes and locales encountered by the heroine as she deals with her emotions and makes often difficult decisions about loyalties to family and friends past, present, and future.

All of the imaginative characters in the story are so very well thought out and described that readers can make a complete picture in their minds as they turn each page.

“You write what you read and I love fantasy and sci-fi,” said Detroit author Frank Wilson about his Heart of Fire, book no. one in the three-part series. “Let the characters tell you what to do.”

Listen in for a chance to win signed copies of all three books in the series.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger

 

Author Mark Love pens The Wayward Path

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-8hapi-12c5420

This is the third book in the Jefferson Chene mystery series, in which author Mark Love follows the case of the retired mobster Leo Agonasti based on popular demand. Love lived for many years in the metro Detroit area, where crime and corruption are always prevalent. Working as a freelance reporter, Love came across interesting situations and discrepancies between police agencies.

Victim Charity Gray was an intelligent, inquisitive teen who disappeared fifteen years earlier. When her body is discovered, it should be a typical cold case. Before the Detroit police can get started, the FBI commandeers the investigation, with a prime suspect in mind: retired mobster Agonasti.
When Agonasti slips through their grasp, he reaches out to Sergeant Jefferson Chene. Their unusual friendship draws Chene into the thick of the case. Burdened with two reluctant FBI agents, Chene is working against the clock and the feds to find the real killer.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of The Wayward Path.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger

Lowell author Gladys Fletcher pens memoir My Garden of Stones

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-h7dfb-12bc76f

How would you respond if told by your parents you could not marry the love of your life… That special someone you had known since the age of seven?
 
 
Fletcher’s book is an autobiography, a memoir, and a biography of her husband Al to whom she was a caregiver for 59 years. This is a journey of two determined people through their garden of stones overcoming hurdles that could have destroyed a marriage, but God was good, always, even performing miracles.
 

From eloping to living happily ever after with Al, the forbidden love of her life, Fletcher captures significant moments with a dose of nostalgia and a bit of humor.

At the age of 85, Gladys Fletcher published her first book after taking a few memoir writing classes at Calvin University in Grand Rapids.

“At 80, I decided to do something,” she said. “At first I just wanted to leave a legacy for my children, but the instructor encouraged me to write a book.”

“You’ve got more to share than just with your family,” the instructor said.

Fletcher shut the door and meditated while sitting in front of the computer for hours. In two years, she had a book.

“I had to write it chronologically,” she said. “I was honest. It’s all true.”

Listen in to Fletcher’s great feats together with Al who was handicapped with rheumatoid arthritis and graduated from Lowell High School at Mary Free Bed in 1941.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger

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.