Online For Authors Podcast

The Untold Story of John Ridge: A Real Cherokee Hero with Author Leslie K Simmons

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Leslie K Simmons, author of the book Red Clay, Running Waters.  Leslie K. Simmons writes about extraordinary people at the center of crucial turning points in American history. She is particularly fascinated by outliers and the lesser known (but no less incredible) stories that slip through history’s cracks. After decades of research, she followed a path marked by serendipities to the true story of John and Sarah Ridge and her debut novel, Red Clay, Running Waters.
In my book review, I stated Red Clay, Running Waters​ is a masterful account of John Ridge, a Cherokee statesman and his wife, Sarah Northrop. Simmons' research is phenomenal and gives readers a glimpse into what it was like as Georgia tried to force the Cherokee from its borders.
Quite honestly, I had trouble reading and could only take the novel in small doses. Not because of the writing - which was flawless - but because of what I learned about how my government treated the Cherokee - lying, slandering, stealing, and killing.
In addition to the heartless treatment of a great People, the book also looks at love. The relationship between Sarah and John is beautiful, though in no way perfect. Despite having continual trials, this couple found a way to keep moving forward. It certainly gave me hope.
This is not a book for the faint of heart, but one that should be on everyone's TBR list.
You can follow Author Leslie K Simmons:
Website: leslieksimmons.com
FB: @leslieksimmons-author
IG: @lksimmonsauthor
LinkedIn: @leslie-k-simmons-author
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
#leslieksimmons #redclayrunningwaters #historicalfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Badass Women: International Tales of Suspense with Author Lya Badgley

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Lya Badgley, author of the book The Worth of a Ruby. Lya was born in Yangon, Myanmar. The child of Montana parents – a political scientist and an artist – she grew up in a household that encouraged critical thinking and creativity. After dabbling in retail management, Lya moved to the Pacific Northwest in the eighties, becoming a part of the Seattle arts and music scene. In the nineties, after a decade of life as a struggling poet/ musician, she returned to Southeast Asia as a videographer on a clandestine expedition interviewing Burmese insurgents. A year later, she was working as director of Cornell University’s Archival Project, microfilming documents at Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide in Cambodia, helping to bring war criminals to justice. Finishing that, she managed the first foreign-owned project of its kind for the time, opening the 50th Street Bar & Grill Restaurant in Yangon, Myanmar. Since then, Lya has been an elected city council member and a dedicated environmental activist.
She is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, and Hugo House. Her first self-published novel, The Foreigner’s Confession, was released to good reviews in February of 2022. Her second novel, The Worth of a Ruby, launched November 2023. Badgley lives in Snohomish, Washington, and is working on her third novel set in Bosnia.
In my book review, I stated that I thoroughly enjoyed Lya’s first novel, The Foreigner's Confession, and was super excited to get my hands on this one, The Worth of a Ruby, set in Burma.
Badgley writes edgy international crime/suspense and gets the reader into the mind of her characters. Mallory Jones, a chef, like the author, wanted to open a restaurant in Burma but not because she was in love with the area. Instead, she was running from her past.
However, as is wont when folks try to escape their past by running from it, the past found a way to erupt. As plans for a restaurant fall through, we see a side of Mallory that isn't evident in the beginning.
​The Worth of a Ruby has it all: great characters, amazing backdrop, kidnapping, blackmail, murder, and a bit of Burmese magic. Plus, in the words of the author, " I like ambiguous endings." Don't miss this book!
You can follow Author Lya Badgley:
Website: https://lyabadgley.com
FB: @lyabadgleyauthor
IG: @lyabadgleyauthor
Purchase The Worth of a Ruby on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3W4Jq5v
Ebook: https://amzn.to/3W3qgg0
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
#lyabadgley #theworthofaruby #suspense #womensfiction #internationalsuspense #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Trapped in the Flames: A Suspenseful Forest Fire Thriller by Author Rebecca Hodge

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Rebecca Hodge, author of the book Wildland.  Rebecca is a former veterinarian and clinical research scientist who lives and writes in North Carolina. Her novels WILDLAND and OVER THE FALLS both place memorable characters in situations filled with suspense. She has three grown sons, one crazy dog, and one patient husband. When not writing on the back porch or brewing yet another mug of tea, she loves hiking, travel, and (of course) curling up with a good book.
In my book review, I stated that Wildland is a contemporary suspense that will have you gripping your seat and praying for Kat Jamison and those in her care.
Kat heads to the Blue Ridge Mountains to get away for a while. She needs to make a big decision about the return of her breast cancer. Does she continue to fight, as her daughter wants her to do, or does she allow the cancer to take her life, as she believes she wants to do.
Within moments of her arrival, her peaceful, alone time is transformed by two dogs, and two families staying nearby. Add a drought and a summer lightning storm, and Kat's survival is in question long before she intended - as is the survival of others now in her care.
​This book made me think about life, living it fully, and what I would do if faced with a battle. Definitely a great read.
You can follow Author Rebecca Hodge:
Website: www.rebeccahodgefiction.com/
FB: @ rebeccahodgefiction
IG: @ rhodge.fiction  
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.comFB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
#rebeccahodge #wildland #suspense #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Bookology: A Guide to Reading and Notebooking with Stephanie Affinito

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Bookologist Stephanie Affinito of A Lit Life. She’s going to chat with us about a new concept called Bookology, which is the study of books and reading and notebooks and writing, mixed with mindfulness and creativity to bring you restorative reading and writing.
Stephanie states on her website that “books and reading have the power to transform our lives. We meet new friends, travel to locations, experience new perspectives and learn valuable life lessons with each turn of the page. And, when we explore the themes of the book in our own lives, from love and relationships to baking and gardening, magic happens. The book leaves us a better person than when we started.”
Stephanie is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of books and writing. Through her blog, podcast, and coaching endeavors, Stephanie delves into the profound impact of literature on our lives, weaving together stories of personal growth, healing, and empowerment.
Her journey from a childhood immersed in books to navigating through life’s challenges with the solace of literature showcases the profound influence of reading and writing on our well-being. She has an inspiring vision and commitment to fostering restorative reading practices for a brighter, more connected future.
She blogs about the power of leading literate lives at www.alitlife.com and podcasts weekly on books and reading, writing and notebooks and everything in between on Get Lit(erate). She also chats with a new children’s literature author every week on her KidLit Love podcast, too.
You can follow Stephanie Affinito:
Website: www.alitlife.com
FB: @AffinitoLit
IG: @AffinitoLit
X: @AffinitoLit
Threads: @affinitolit
Patreon: www.getliterate.co
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
#stephanieaffinito #bookology #bookologist #notebooking #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Embracing Life: My Disability Journey with Author Jennifer Gasner

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Jennifer Gasner, author of the book, My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis. Jennifer received her BA in English from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and her MS in recreation from Western Illinois University. Her work with Independent Living Centers enabled her to learn about various disability programs throughout the country and ignited her passion for disability culture. She relocated to San Diego, California, on her own at the age of twenty-eight.
 
As a mentor for What’s Next, a program for youth with disabilities, and as co-chair of UC San Diego’s Staff Association for staff with disabilities, Jennifer solidified her role in the San Diego disability community. In 2020, Jennifer became an ambassador for the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), raising awareness about Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA). She participated in Rare Across America, meeting with legislators to discuss laws affecting more than 25 million Americans living with one or more rare diseases.
 
Jennifer is a member of the San Diego Memoir Writers Association, and her writing has been published in Shaking the Tree, volumes 3 and 4. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, movies, and traveling. She lives with her boyfriend Gregory and their dog. My Unexpected Life is her first book.
 
In my book review, I stated My Unexpected Life is a memoir that takes an honest look at Jennifer’s journey from diagnosis to embracing life with a disability. Jennifer has no qualms about showing the messy middle which includes denial and anger on her part, insensitivity on the part of family and friends, ableism culture in her school, community, and herself, and more.
As a reader, you will want to both shake Jennifer and those around her, as well as cheer her on. You will learn what it's like to get potentially devastating news and how such news can affect everything you believe about life. In the end, you will learn that a disability doesn't have to define you. In fact, for Jennifer, her disability is just a small fraction of who she has become.
Reading this book will help you shed light on your own ableist ideas and offer new ways of seeing those navigating life with a disability. I highly recommend this memoir.
 
You can follow Author Jennifer Gasner
Website: https://jennifergasner.com/.
IG: @jennygwriter
FB: @AuthorJenniferGasner
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host:
https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
#jennifergasner #myunexpectedlife #memoir #disability #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Broken Bones and Betrayal: A Medical Thriller by Orthopedic Trauma Author Thomas Kelso

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Thomas Kelso, author of the book Fractured. Tom is a physician who also holds a Ph.D. from Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Following medical school Dr. Kelso completed his residency in orthopedic surgery and served in the US Navy for nine years before entering civilian practice. He writes thrillers based on current innovations in medicine and science and continues to practice orthopedic surgery in Brunswick County, North Carolina.
In my book review, I stated that Fractured is a medical thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire read. It features an orthopedic trauma surgeon, Mark Thurman, and a stem cell scientist, Claire Hodgson. The two have figured out how to grow bones and heal fractures in days. And their first patient, one who arrives in the ER, happens to be a former Navy SEAL sniper and a friend of Thurman. In fact, Thurman owes his life to John Bristow.
Thurman's ties to Bristow and the SEALs, as well as his involvement as a trauma professional with the local police force, quickly entangles him - and his colleague - in a world of intrigue. Who tried to kill John Bristow - and why? More importantly, will Thurman's breakthrough be able to save his friend's leg, and will Thurman be able to save his friend's life?
​This is beautifully written and deserves the awards it has won. Kelso has definitely captured me as a reader.
You can follow Author Thomas Kelso:
Website: www.thomaskelso.com/
FB: @ThomasKelsoMD
IG: @tomkelsowrites
X: @TomKelsoWrites
LinkedIn: @thomas-kelso-614b4948
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host:
https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
#thomaskelso #fractured #medicalthriller #militarythirller #thriller #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Surviving the Shadows: A Family Memoir of the Holocaust with Author Vivien Sieber

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Vivien Sieber, author of the book Kino and Kinder: A Family’s Journey in the Shadow of the Holocaust.  Dr Vivien Sieber is a biologist. After ten years of biomedical research, she began lecturing in Genetics before her interests moved into academic development, learning technology and information literacy. She worked at several UK universities and has published around 100 academic papers. She lives in Oxford UK and wrote Kino and Kinder since retirement and is learning to make pottery.
In my book review, I stated Kino and Kinder is the story of Paula Ticho and her family, and it focuses on life around WWI until Paula's death decades after WWII. Paula, a co-owner with her sister of a theater in Vienna, enjoyed great success until the Nazi takeover. We see her get her son to safety and beg her family to leave, before eventually fleeing to England. Penniless, Paula works as a matron to a hostel for Jewish girls who have fled the Nazis. What was supposed to be a temporary shelter for girls, turned into an orphanage spanning several years.
Sieber uses letters from these girls, extensive research, and her grandmother's memories to create a story that helps others understand the atrocities of the Holocaust - and how this period of time negatively impacted Jewish people even if they were fortunate enough to escape a work or death camp.
​This family memoir is a must-read.
You can follow Author Viven Sieber:
FB: @Vivien Sieber
IG: @siebervivien
X: @VivienSieber
LinkedIn: @Vivien Sieber
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
#viviensieber #kinoandkinder #memoir #holocaust #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Whispers from JFK Jr’s Ghost: Southern Fiction with Author Sheila Athens

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Sheila Athens, author of the book Neena Lee is Seeing Things. Sheila writes smart contemporary women’s fiction set where the South meets the Sunshine state. Her stories are about women seeking to find the peace we all deserve. Readers are drawn to her work because they believe that everyday heroes can make a difference in our world. She loves quiet spaces, eccentric people and the little band of writer hikers who walk at sunrise on a regular basis.
After growing up in the Ozarks, she moved to Florida—sight unseen—with the man who would become her husband. She’s a boy mom, a former vice president of human resources, and an avid audiobook listener. To sign up for her newsletter or to schedule a book club visit (either in-person or virtual), go to SheilaAthens.com.
In my book review, I stated Neena Lee is Seeing Things is a contemporary southern fiction looking back at the marriage of John F Kennedy to Carolyn in 1996 and their death in a plane crash in 1999 through the eyes of a journalist, Neena Lee.Neena has suffered loss and holds herself responsible. Her latest lost left her hospitalized in a mental health facility and without a job. She needs to write this article about John Jr to prove her abilities and save herself financially. However, when she 'sees' John Jr standing in the church, she is sure that her mental illness has taken a turn for the worse.​I enjoyed how Sheila connects those visiting the island today with issues Neena and/or John himself need to face. I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
You can follow Author Sheila Athens:
Website: www.SheilaAthens.com
FB: @sheilaathensauthor
IG: @sheilaathensauthor
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
#sheilaathensauthor #neenaleeisseeingthings #southernfiction #contemporaryfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Her Latest Chapters: A 101-Year-Old's Historical Fiction Journey with Author Babette Rosen Hughes

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Babette Rosen Hughes, author of the book Lessons in Evil. Born in Cleveland Ohio, Babette grew up in the time of Prohibition and bootleggers. Her father was one of the first rum runners in the country and was murdered by the Mafia in a turf war at the age of 29. Babette was just two at the time.
Writing has allowed her to draw from her unusual life experiences to create her characters and tell their stories (and sometimes cautionary tales) in vivid detail. Though she had always been an excellent writer throughout her life, and had even published a memoir, Lost and Found, Babette’s first novel, The Hat, wasn’t written and published until she was in her late eighties. She followed that with the other two books in the Kate Brady trilogy, The Red Scarf, and The Necklace. Other books followed: Searching for Vivian, 97 Speaks, and The Secret of Happiness.
Now 101, she still writes every day with a fluidity and grace of a woman half her age. “The truth is liberating, but sometimes elusive.” She explains. “I’m always looking for it and how to best write about it, and I probably always will.”
In my book review, I stated that Babette hit her latest creation out of the park.
Annie Burg is an author who has been asked to write the unofficial biography of a very famous writer, Helga Hoffman. Annie doesn't want the assignment because of Helga's dismissive personality. Nonetheless, she takes it in hopes of restarting her career. But that is when everything turns sideways, and Annie finds herself in the middle of a Nazi-hunting investigation!
I love Annie because I see her hang ups and all that is holding her back in life. I understand what drives her forward at the beginning of the story, but more importantly, what drives her at the end. The transformation is stunning. Add to that an antagonist you love to hate, and this novella has everything you need for a quick, satisfying read. Highly recommend!
You can follow Author Babette Rosen Hughes:
Website: www.babettehughesbooks.com
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.comFB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
#babetterosenhughes #lessonsinevil #novella #historicalfiction #suspense #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Digital Redemption: A Cybersecurity Tale of Second Chances with Author Janet Roberts

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Janet Roberts, author of the book What Lies We Keep.  Janet Roberts is a global leader in cybersecurity education and awareness with over a decade of experience. She holds a BA in Journalism from Temple University, and MA in Communications from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She is a member of both the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA) and Pennwriters.
Her first two novels won 1st Place in Fiction from Pittsburgh’s The Authors’ Zone. Her poetry has been published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and in San Fedele Press’ Art in the Time of COVID-19. She lives in Pittsburgh’s East End where Frick Park is her favorite place for a hike. She never met a library, bookstore, or ice cream shop she didn’t like.
In my book review, I stated What Lies We Keep seamlessly weaves cybersecurity with the lies we tell one another. Ted and Charlotte are on the road to "living the dream." Ted has a good job, they have a daughter, and are saving to buy their first home. But something is amiss.
Ted is hiding something and Charlotte, though she isn't sure what, is dragging him to marital counseling in hopes of saving their marriage. But the lies go beyond Ted, with two good friends, a brother-in-law, and even her mother keeping things from her - things that shape her world.
​This is not merely a story of Ted's redemption, but of Charlotte's journey to find the truth - about her husband, about her marriage, about her friends - and mostly about herself. Great read!
You can follow Author Janet Roberts:
Website: www.booksbyjanetroberts.comIG: @janetroberts77
Threads: @janetroberts77
FB:  @janet.roberts.1426
TikTok:  @wpawriter12
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT0Ve00TmFDDIhKv2ujvhmA
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.comFB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
#janetroberts #whatlieswekeep #womensfiction #familyfiction #contemporaryfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview