In sixty short prose poems, Jon Stott, celebrates the timeless rhythms and unexpected events that mark the passage of the late spring and summer months beside a woodland lake in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Sponsored by Modern History Press, Moravian Sons Distilleryhttps://moraviansonsdistillery.com, authors Brian Talarczyk and Jennifer Raines.
Beginning with his anticipation of departing from the “City of the Pavements Grey” (Albuquerque, New Mexico) and the excitement of arriving at “The Little Cabin in the Big Woods” after spending many months so far away, he then chronicles such simple events as the sighting of the tiny flowers of May, the first appearance of a loon chick riding on its parent’s back, the joyful noise of Fourth of July celebrations, the spotting of the first red maple leaves,
and the melancholy hours of packing up and closing the cabin for the season. The theme of wildblueberries runs through the book.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Wild Blueberry Summer.
Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Happy Father’s Day from the For the Love of Books Podcast
In this candid memoir, author Brian Talarczyk delves into his harrowing journey with bipolar disorder—a legacy he unknowingly inherited until his father’s sudden death in 2001.
Sponsored by authors Brian Talarczyk, Jennifer Raines, Caroline Topperman and Lowell-based business Moravian Sons Distillery.
With vulnerability and humor, Talarczyk recounts the soaring highs and crushing lows of his experience, from manic episodes and terrifying psychosis that led to his stay at the Yale New Haven Psychiatric Facility, to the profound depression that nearly claimed his life. I Am Not Bipolar is a raw and compelling account of a man’s battle with mental illness, the lessons learned, and his resolve to break the silence surrounding mental health.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of I Am Not Bipolar: A Memoir
Copyright (c) 2025 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kelly needs to enhance her resume. Why else would she accept a placement in Tullamore facing her phobia about country towns? Years ago, a rookie cop humiliated her during an illegal strip search.
Sponsored by authors Jennifer Raines, Caroline Topperman and Moravian Sons Distillery.
Problem is, that former cop is now the deputy principal of her new high school and her boss. Sharing a house, a commute, and now an investigation to unravel a series of disasters that look like sabotage, Kelly takes the previously unthinkable step from enemies to allies to lovers.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of A Just Man Choosing Family Book 4.
Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Caroline Topperman’s own move to Poland is a central part of Your Roots Cast a Shadow as she grapples with her “Polish roots” while being a “Canadian by nature”.
She experiences cultural differences, language barriers, and a growing awareness of the political climate in modern-day Poland, particularly the rise of nationalism and racism.
Her journey to understand her family’s past is intertwined with her present-day observations of Polish society, including its attitudes towards history, religion, and social acceptance.
The book ultimately questions how personal history intersects with global events to shape identity and the challenges of balancing one’s origins with new surroundings.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Your Roots Cast a Shadow.
Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Palova. All rights reserved.
It is with deep respect and admiration that we congratulate you — you’ve officially been selected as a Finalist for the Author of the Year 2025 at the International Impact Book Awards, in the category of Non-Fiction – Cultural & Historical Memoir.
Your work was reviewed among hundreds of exceptional entries, and your message rose to the top. This recognition is more than a ranking — it’s a reflection of the impact your voice has had on readers, on the judging panel, and on the world of thought leadership.
You’ve done something most people only dream about: you’ve written a powerful book, you’ve put your truth on paper, and you’ve created something that moved others. That is no small thing. This moment is yours.
What Happens Next
The Author of the Year winner in your category will be announced live on stage at our Hollywood Gala on October 4th, 2025 — an unforgettable evening honoring thought leaders and changemakers from around the world.
We would be truly honored to celebrate this milestone with you in person. Finalists in attendance will receive:
A finalist certificate
An achievement medal
Recognition on stage during the ceremony among peers, media, and industry leaders.
More importantly, this is your moment, a chance to stand in a room of excellence and be acknowledged for the work you’ve already done.
We understand not everyone can attend, and we respect that deeply. However, in fairness to all finalists, if the winning author in any category is not present, the award will be presented to the next finalist in attendance.
A Night to Remember — and a Platform to Grow
The International Impact Book Awards Gala isn’t just a celebration — it’s a once-a-year opportunity to grow your brand, elevate your credibility, and be seen by the media, industry leaders, and potential collaborators.
Our team has poured every ounce of heart, labor, and intention into planning this event to honor you and every author selected. We would love for you to be part of it.
Britta, an eleven-year-old girl, has lived in soul-deep sorrow since her mother left their family. When Britta’s father forgets her birthday, he decides to give her a dog as a late birthday gift. (Britta wants a cell phone.) They adopt Crash, an Australian shepherd from the local animal shelter in Sault Ste. Marie, a small city in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and their adventures begin.
“A powerful tale of finding friendship in the most unexpected places. “
Nikki Mitchell, author of the Magic Shoebox Adventures
Rescuing Crash, the Good Dog is a story about broken hearts–not only Britta’s and her father’s hearts but also a dog’s broken heart–and it is a story about the bonds between daughters and fathers and good dogs and also not-always-so-good cats.
Sponsored by Moravian Sons Distillery and Doc Chavent
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Rescuing Crash, the Good Dog.
Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
WATCH THE RIVER. STAY OUT OF THE WOODS. AND WHATEVER YOU DO—DON’T FOLLOW THE LIGHTS.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed book by Ryder Jones.
Sponsored by Moravian Sons Distillery and Doc Chavent.
Westville was never the kind of town where people went missing—
until the night thirteen-year-old Millie Thompson vanished without a trace.
Hometown cop Casey Benson is no stranger to regret. When Millie disappears, his quiet routine shatters. What begins as a missing persons case quickly spirals into something far more disturbing—
corporate cover-ups, shadowy government agents, and a secret buried deep beneath Westville’s streets.
Meanwhile, Millie’s best friend, Olivia Fischer, refuses to stay sidelined. She was the last to see Millie—and she knows something else is out there.
Copyright (c) 2025 Emma Paova. All rights reserved.
“You can’t say the last evil person in this world was Hitler.”
Those were the words of Circuit Court Judge Timothy Kenny when he spoke of Ronald Lloyd Bailey, a Michigan serial killer serving a life sentence without parole.
During a sunny Labor Day weekend in 1985, thirteen-year-old Shawn Moore was kidnapped while riding his bike near his home in Brighton, Michigan. Still on edge from a series of unsolved murders dubbed the Oakland County Child Killings in the mid-seventies, a task force of up to seventy-five investigators worked day and night to find Shawn.
In an almost unheard-of series of events, local, state, and federal law enforcement combined their resources and efforts to track down the killer. They knew the kidnapper could be anywhere, and there was an urgency to find Shawn Moore alive.
Depraved Obsession: The Gripping True Story of Law Enforcement’s Hunt for a Sadistic Serial Killer launches on May 6.
Sponsored by Moravian Sons Distillery, Doc Chavent, and author Carla Stockton.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Depraved Obsession.
Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Palova. All rights reserved.
“Healing and being healed are some of the most human of all activities, and Brown encourages us to dive deeply into their rivers.”
Scott’s Book Review
In her new book Daughters of Green Mountain Gap, author Teri M. Brown dives deeply into the healing rivers of the main characters Granny Maggie, her daughter Carrie Ann, and granddaughter Josie May.
Maggie McCoury, a generational healer woman, relies on family traditions, folklore, and beliefs gleaned from a local Cherokee tribe.
Her daughter, Carrie Ann, believes her university training holds the answers. As they clash over the use of roots, herbs, and a dash of mountain magic versus the medicine available in the town’s apothecary, Josie Mae doesn’t know whom to follow. But what happens when neither family traditions nor science can save the ones you love most?
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Daughters of Green Mountain Gap.
Copyright (c)Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
“Loaded with rare period photos and engravings of the infamous pirates who wreaked havoc in Great Lakes waters and shore communities, Classen’s inviting narrative is fast-paced and filled with legends of treasures and daring exploits.”
-Sue Harrison, international best-selling historical novelist
Sponsored by Moravian Sons Distillery, Doc Chavent and author Carla Stockton
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Piracy on the Great Lakes.