Online For Authors Podcast

Love Off-Script: The Surprising Romance Between a Star and a Single Mom with author Shelby Saville

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Shelby Saville, author of the book And They Had a Great Fall. Shelby resides in a suburb west of Chicago.  Despite her city living, she’s a small-town girl at heart. She grew up in a town of 2000 people where she spent her teenage years at her typewriter late into the night.  Her stories brought her to a world beyond the 1.6 square mile radius of her town.
 
Her first writing job was for the Lacon Home Journal, where she covered the news of the town. She particularly loved writing obituaries, taking great care to convey the life of someone’s friend … sibling … lover…. But still the city was calling.
 
She moved to Chicago when she got her dream job in the advertising industry. Throughout her career she realized she had an interest in digital media.  She’s spent the last 25 years at Publicis Media where she’s focused on media investment – quite simply – how advertising space is bought and sold. Most surprisingly, she found her career in numbers, not words.
 
She’s returned to the world of words with her debut novel, And They Had A Great Fall.  It’s a second chance love story, set in a foreign city with a dash of a celebrity secret romance.  Writing this novel has felt like coming home as the two sides of her brain merge.
 
When not at her computer, she can be found hanging with her husband, Scott, teenage daughter, three dogs and one mean cat.
 
In my book review, I stated And They Had a Great Fall is a wonderful romance that had me in all of my emotions. For me, it was particularly poignant since we learn early on that Kat lost her husband to cancer five years earlier - and she is having a heck of a time moving forward. Although she is much younger than me, has a young child at home, and was in the midst of an important corporate career, I still felt a kinship.
 
Kat's love interest, Jake, is someone well outside her norm. Everything about his life is what she claims to abhor - messy, emotional, spontaneous, and all-in. Jake sees that she offers a stability and sense of purpose he craves. But what happens when two broken people find one another and try to fix the other without first fixing themselves?
 
I laughed. I cried. I raged. I cheered. But most importantly, I connected. This book should be on your TBR.
 
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Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290
 
You can follow Author Shelby Saville
Website: https://www.shelbysaville.com/
IG: shelby_saville_author
LinkedIn: Shelby Saville
 
Purchase And They Had a Great Fall on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/43gZDIH
Ebook: https://amzn.to/4iNlJr1
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#shelbysaville #andtheyhadagreatfall #romance #contemporaryromance #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.

Secrets in the Shadows: Unraveling a Small-Town Whodunit with Author Laury A Egan

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Laury A Egan, author of the book Fair Haven. Laury is the author of fourteen books of fiction: Jack & I; The Black Leopard’s Kiss & The Writer Remembers; The Psychologist’s Shadow; The Firefly; Once, Upon an Island; Wave in D Minor; Doublecrossed; Turnabout; The Swimmer; The Ungodly Hour; A Bittersweet Tale; Fabulous! An Opera Buffa; The Outcast Oracle; and Jenny Kidd, with two titles forthcoming in 2025: Fair Haven and a new story/play collection, Contrary. Her stories have been collected in Fog and Other Stories, and her short fiction and poems have appeared in 85 literary journals and in multiple anthologies. Two full-length poetry volumes, Snow, Shadow, a Stranger and Beneath the Lion’s Paw, were issued in limited edition, as were two chapbooks, Presence & Absence and The Sea & Beyond. Laury is also a fine arts photographer, a former book designer, and a reviewer for The New York Journal of Books. She lives on the northern coast of New Jersey.
 
In my book review, I stated Fair Haven by Laury A Egan is a murder mystery set in the small town of Fair Haven. The opening scene is a dead, naked woman in a hot tub. Each page after introduces us to the characters who may be the killer, as well as some supporting cast members like the police chief, his girl Friday, the crime photographer, and a beagle named Cagney.
 
And the possible killer? The list is lengthy and includes one of many lovers, her husband, a colleague, and a thief. Everything gets messier as we learn about the private lives of these individuals and realize that although the town seems quiet on the outside, the residents are embroiled in scandals ranging from hiding sexual orientations to financial fraud. Throw in some blackmail, attempted rape, and assault - and you have a real story!
 
This is the latest in Laury's works, and once again, I didn't figure out the killer until the very end. She's very good at giving you the answer but hiding it just enough to keep you guessing! If you love a good suspense/mystery, then you'll love this book.
 
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Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290
 
You can follow Author Laury A Egan
Website: https://www.lauryaegan.com/
FB: @laury.egan
IG: @laurya.egan
LinkedIn: @Laury A Egan
 
Purchase Fair Haven on Amazon:
Ebook: https://amzn.to/3QWdixl
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#lauryaegan #fairhaven #mystery #thriller #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.

Judith's Journey: The Forbidden Love of a Princess and Her Protector with Author DH Morris

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is DH Morris, author of the book The Girl of Many Crowns. D.H. Morris is a native of San Diego, California. She has lived on four continents and traveled through many countries. She has four children, eleven grandchildren, and 1 fur baby. She currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri. D.H. Morris graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Choral Music education and pursued graduate work in English at USU and law at the University of Utah. She is also a published playwright.
 
As a descendant of Judith and Baldwin, the author discovered their intriguing story while doing a genealogical project. This journey inspired her to research everything about the 9th Century – including food, politics, travel, war, education, clothing, jewelry, religion, holidays, marriage customs, and medicine. She loves this remarkable time in history when the European countries we know today were being formed and fighting for their very existence. She is currently working on a prequel to The Girl of Many Crowns.
 
In my book review, I stated The Girl of Many Crowns an amazing historical fiction based on the French princess Judith and Baldwin Iron Arm. This novel is set in the 800s in France, which is not typically a time period I enjoy. However, I loved this book because DH brought these characters to life and didn't get me mired in the nitty gritty of ancient French political history. Don't get me wrong, I learned a lot about the political intrigues of the time, but always as a way of seeing Judith and her plight.
 
During women's history month, I was happy to read this book and see that even seventeen hundred years ago, women understood that they were being used as pawns and found a way to rebel against their oppressors. Judith, though young, was strong, courageous, independent, and brave. I believe this story should become an animated film that we can show to our daughters and granddaughters to show them what strength in the face of adversity looks like.
 
I raged, cheered, laughed, and cried - it's a must-read.
 
Here is a wonderful trailer that's a must-see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXw5RSy5WAg
 
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Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290
 
You can follow Author DH Morris
Website: https://newclassicspublishing.com/
IG: @dhmorris00
X: @DHMorris00
TikTok: @deborahmorris617
 
Purchase The Girl of Many Crowns on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/43wE9HN
Ebook: https://amzn.to/4iAs6NT
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#dhmorris #thegirlofmanycrowns #historicalfiction #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.

Chasing the Sky: A Tale of Romance and Rivalry with Author MT Bass

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is MT Bass, author of the book Racing the Dream. M.T. Bass is a scribbler of fiction who holds fast to the notion that while victors may get to write history, novelists get to write/right reality. He lives, writes, flies, and makes music in Mudcat Falls, USA.
 
Born in Athens, Ohio, M.T. Bass grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University, majoring in English and Philosophy, then worked in the private sector (where they expect "results") mainly in the Aerospace & Defense manufacturing market. During those years, Bass continued to write fiction. He is the author of twelve novels, two novellas, and a collection of verse. His writing spans various genres, including Mystery, Adventure, Romance, Black Comedy, and TechnoThrillers.
 
A Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor, airplanes and pilots are featured in many of his stories. Bass currently lives on the shores of Lake Erie near Lorain, Ohio.
 
In my book review, I stated Racing the Dream is another book that spans genres. It's a mix of historical fiction, romance, and suspense - and if you are like me, you are going to enjoy it!
 
Hawk is a WWII fighter pilot turned air racer who starts on a simple course near his airport and ends up racing in the first National Air Racing Championship. His engineer, Father Bob, has been with Hawk since a mishap in the Congo, along with his mechanic, Sparks. The three of them work to get as much speed as they can out of Hawk's racer.
 
But let's talk about the romance and the suspense. Hawk meets Allison, an official wing-walker and surfer girl. Blonde, beautiful, and daring, she sweeps Hawk off his feet, and he'll do anything for her - including becoming a pilot for the show.
 
As to the suspense, that comes in the form of Hawk's nemesis - another pilot who wants to win. However, this pilot is willing to win at any cost. Could the cost be Hawk's plane? Or worse, his life?
 
I learned a lot about air racing, wing walking, and flying low, fast, and turning left. Enjoy the book!
 
Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1
 
Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290
 
You can follow Author MT Bass:
Website: https://mtbassauthor.wordpress.com/
FB: @owlworks
IG: @m.t.bass
X: @owlworks
 
Purchase Racing the Dream on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4aJSzpS
Ebook: https://amzn.to/3WGi858
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#mtbass #racingthedream #suspense #historicalfiction #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.

Ink and Pixels: The Transformation of the Publishing Industry with Author Michael Castleman

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Michael Castleman, author of the book The Untold Story of Books. San Francisco freelance journalist Michael Castleman grew up in a suburb of New York City, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Michigan, and earned a Masters of Journalism from UC Berkeley.
 
During a 50-year career, he has written 3,000 magazine and web articles and 19 books. Fourteen of his books deal with health and sexuality. Two were named Health Books of the Year by the American Library Association. One was nominated for Sex Book of the Year by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. Four of Castleman’s books are mystery novels set in San Francisco that draw on the city’s rich history. And one is his latest, The Untold Story of Books, which Library Journal called “concise, engrossing, and immensely readable.” After just eight weeks in print, it went into a second printing.
 
In my book review, I stated The Untold Story of Books is a look at publisher from the days before the Gutenberg press to present. And if you are afraid that this is going to be dry material, then you are mistaken! He does an amazing job of keeping readers glued to the pages.
 
He also debunks the myth that the "good ol' days" of publishing were good. In fact, he shows that publishing has always been difficult, has always dealt with piracy, and has always made it difficult for authors to make money writing.
 
I was most interested in publishing as it is today simply because I'm an author today. I love how he showed that having a book published is no longer the difficulty. Instead, because the gatekeepers to publishing have been removed, the struggle is now getting heard over all the noise. Anyone interested in books, publishing, writing, or history is sure to love this book.
 
Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1
 
Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290
You can follow Author Michael Castleman
Website: www.mcastleman.com
FB: @Michael Castleman
LinkedIn: @Michael Castleman
 
Purchase The Untold Story of Books on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3QlsHqL
Ebook: https://amzn.to/42ZS0X4
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#michaelcastleman #theuntoldstoryofbooks #nonfiction #writerscraft #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.

Searching for Answers: How My Father's Death Transformed My Life with Author Larry Bograd

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Larry Bograd, author of the book Blood Flow. Larry s an award-winning, widely translated author whose works have been published by Farrar/Straus, Harper and Macmillan. In addition to a UK edition, his books were translated into Japanese, French, Swedish, Danish and German. His first book, Felix in the Attic, won the Bank Street College Irma Simonton Black “Best Book for Children” award, and his novel Los Alamos Light was selected as a UNESCO Book for Peace. He has an extensive backlist and several anthologized short stories.
 
His success as a children’s book and young adult author was cut short by censorship and book banning because he wrote honestly about childhood poverty and adolescent sexuality. When it became clear that no publisher would promote his work, he turned to playwriting, screenwriting and documentary filmmaking. He lives in Denver, Colorado.
 
In my book review, I stated Blood Flow is a look at a son's journey to understand his father's suicide. This memoir is real and sometimes raw, but it always brings us back to the understanding that Larry's father had a mental illness. His death when Larry was just 13 was unexpected for Larry but not for those around his father who understood the truth.
 
Larry spends years writing and rewriting the story as he uncovers facts gleaned from relatives, old friends, and even trips to his father's homeland. We also see some of Larry's own struggles as he deals with heart issues in his mid-40s that threaten to derail the life he has created despite his early trauma.
 
I enjoyed this memoir because it solidified what I've come to understand about people - we simply don't know what is going on with them by looking on the outside. We need to do a better job to get to know and understand those around us. And this can be as easy as sitting down and asking questions.
 
Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1
 
Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290
 
You can follow Author Larry Bograd:
Website: https://www.larrybograd.com/
FB: @larry.bograd
IG@ @larrybograd
LinkedIn: @Larry Bograd
 
Purchase Blood Flow on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/42lpKx4
Ebook: https://amzn.to/3QUJUI4
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#larrybograd #bloodflow #memoir #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.

Death at the Ballpark: Who Killed the Spouse’s Club President? with Author Pamela Kyel

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Pamela Kyel, author of the book Charm City Spouse's Club. Award-winning author Pamela Kyel was born and raised in Edgewood, Maryland—north of Charm City. It’s kind of a running joke that when you live near a large, well-known city, you tell people that’s where you’re from. So, unofficially, she’s from Baltimore!
 
She followed the drum of the Air Force for 25 years. She joined her husband on six assignments—OCONUS (Outside Continental United States), aka overseas, and CONUS (Continental United States). Along the way, they added two children and numerous pets, not counting the half-a-dozen cats that came with their house in Italy. She has traveled extensively across the states and Europe, with her favorite overseas locations being Paris and Slovenia, among stateside favorites such as Rocky Mountain National Park and Door County, Wisconsin.
 
Family is important to her, and nowhere is that more evident than in her Charm City Mystery Series. When you’ve lived across the world from mothers and brothers, you adapt and overcome. You create family—and they stay with you long after the career ends. Her military family resides in Virginia, Texas, and North and South Carolina—with many still on active duty worldwide.
 
Writing came out of their duty station in Illinois. She picked up her computer while sitting with her elementary-age child through covid classes and thought, I can write a book. And the rest is history. While her original novel will never see the light of day, she grew and expanded her confidence in what she was doing. She was good at this, and she would have something to show for it one day. In a little over three years, she’d trod the agent querying circuit and amended her goal. Now, she just needed to hold her book in her hand. It was necessary. With that in mind, she sent out three queries to small publishers, and for her, the third time was the charm. The Wild Rose Press picked up her book and offered a contract. Less than a year later, she now held all those years of hard work in her hand. 
 
In my book review, I stated Charm City Spouses Club is the second installment of the Charm City Mystery series. If you loved Special Agent Laci Duvall, AFOSI in the first book, you won't be disappointed in the second! This time, Laci is at a friendly baseball game between the Air Force and Army's Special Investigative Teams. However, the friendly game turns deadly when the president of the military spouse's club turns up dead in the bathroom.
 
The list of potential murder suspects is long - from jealous women who wanted to be president to unhappy club officers who hated the president's cruel nature, to unhappy neighbors and everyone in between.
 
But Laci isn't just trying to solve a murder. She is figuring out how to work in tandem with another military agency all while fighting the new agent in her own office who wants to make a name for herself by taking over the investigation without Laci's direction or approval.
 
Once again, we see Laci's humor, charm, and insights into the world around her. This is a book you won't want to miss. Put it on your TBR
 
Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1
 
Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290
 
You can follow Author Pamela Kyel
Website: https://pamelakyel.com/
FB: @PamelaKyelAuthor
IG: @PamelaKyel
LinkedIn: @pamelakyel
 
Purchase Charm City Spouse's Club on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3QnwvYK
Ebook: https://amzn.to/4gGQxrH
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#pamelakyel #charmcityspousesclub #cozymystery #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.

Pizza, Passion, and Heritage: An Italian-American Family Story with author Erica D’Arcangelo

Today on the Online for Authors podcast, guest-host Carole O’Neill chats with Erica D’Arcangelo, author of the book A Story About Pizza. Erica D’Arcangelo is a storyteller, author, and content creator with a passion for weaving narratives that reflect her Italian heritage and cultural roots. With degrees in Communications, Advertising, and Journalism, Erica launched her career in digital marketing, founding and leading three successful content creation companies—starting her entrepreneurial journey in 2013. In August 2024, Erica published her debut book, A Story About Pizza, a historical fiction novel that delves into the life of her grandfather, an Italian immigrant and coal miner with dreams of opening a pizzeria. This book is just the beginning of Erica’s literary journey. On February 9th, she released the first book in a twelve-book children’s series exploring Italian culture, family, food and the art of pizza-making, Pietro’s Pizza. Raised in a traditional Catholic Italian family, Erica’s stories often reflect her experiences growing up with a deep sense of family, culture, and food—values that are central to her writing and creative work.
 
In her book review, Carole stated  that Erica’s story about the life of her grandfather, Pietro, reminds us of the struggles associated with the immigrant experience for many Italians who came to America. Her clever inserts of Italian recipes after each chapter not only confirmed its authenticity but frankly made my mouth water.
 
Her narrative made me feel the pressures Pietro felt and the courage he showed as he embarked on a journey that led to a goal he always hoped was possible. This book is a very easy and enjoyable read, especially for anyone who loves pizza.
 
Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1
 
Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290
 
You can follow Author Erica D’Arcangelo
Website: https://www.astoryaboutpizza.com/
FB: @darcspizza
FB: @astoryaboutpizza 
IG: @astoryaboutpizza
X: @edarcdesilva
LinkedIn: @erica-d-arcangelo-desilva
 
Purchase A Story About Pizza on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4he5UrN
Ebook: https://amzn.to/41KQKpw
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#ericadarcangelo #astoryaboutpizza #memoir #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.

Caregiving Adventures: A Tale of Love and Laughter with Mom with Author Mark Steven Porro

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Mark Steven Porro, author of the book A Cup of Tea on the Commode. Mark Steven Porro, a New Jersey native (Exit 163), earned an Industrial Design degree from The Ohio State University. After years of agency work, his love of acting led him to Hollywood, where he appeared in dozens of television, film, and stage productions. Mark also spent his twenty-eight years in Tinseltown, entrepreneuring. He started five non-profit companies. But hold the applause, none were intended to be. He now lives in the South of France. But hold your pity. He of sound mind and body chose to suffer in the heart of wine country where the locals insist his French isn’t so bad—at least that’s what he thinks they’re saying.
 
Mark is an award-winning designer, writer, director, and now a best-selling, award-winning author. He has written lots of jokes, several screenplays, and one award-winning short film. A Cup of Tea on the Commode—a sad, sweet, and funny debut memoir—chronicles his multitasking adventures of filling his mother’s last years with love, laughter, and joy. Though not always successful, he came pretty damn close.
 
In my book review, I stated A Cup of Tea on the Commode is a memoir about his time as a caregiver for his ailing mother. Porro takes readers on a real-life journey complete with personal childhood memories, funny anecdotes, and poignant details about his time as a caregiver.
 
What I loved most is Porro's honesty. Being a caregiver is difficult. As a caregiver, he did his best but sometimes, his best and his family's best, led to not-so-great outcomes. Yet, overall, caring for his mom was something he wouldn't have wanted to miss because it gave him precious time with someone he loved dearly.
 
As a caregiver, I related completely. However, this book will touch more than caregivers. It will resonate with anyone who has a relationship with a parent - good or difficult - and provide the reader with new ways to look at aging.
 
Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1
 
Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290
 
You can follow Author Mark Steven Porro
Website: https://acupofteaonthecommode.org
FB: @teaonthe
IG: @ a_cup_of_tea_on_the_commode
X: @ teaonthe
LinkedIn: @Mark Porro
 
Purchase A Cup of Tea on the Commode on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4e3TwJt
Ebook: https://amzn.to/3A5kEdm
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#markstevenporro #acupofteaonthecommode #memoir #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.

Family Ties, Corporate Lies: A Thrilling Tale of Feuds and Deception with Author D.R. Shores

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is DR Shores, author of the book Shallow Stock. Raised on the Yorkshire coastline in the United Kingdom, D R Shores studied engineering prior to a twenty-five year career in business. Literature has always been a passion, with a taste ranging from Sigrid Nunez and Thomas Harris to established twentieth-century classics from Ernest Hemingway, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ayn Rand and Milan Kundera. Now living with his family and introverted dog in the east midlands area of England, his other interests include music, current affairs, volunteering and keeping fit.
 
In my book review, I stated Shallow Stock is a suspense thriller that will keep you reading well into the wee hours of the morning! I loved the story and the intricate plotlines. As an author, I was also intrigued by how all the threads came together in the end.
 
The story has a Hatfield and McCoy vibe. Two families are at 'war' and have been for several generations. They each own a competing corporation and work tirelessly to out do one another. Wynter McGlynn is the CEO of one. Julian Dayton is the CEO of the other. Both currently have issues holding onto their positions of power and see the other as their biggest obstacle. The competition is fierce, but is it fair? And what happens when the finger pointing starts?
 
From black tie balls to crooked politicians to a city-wide triathlon to human trafficking to board meetings to interesting family dynamics, this book will lead you down a road you won't want to miss. And even when you think you've gotten the very last surprise, Shores finds a way to offer you a tidbit more. It's a great read!
 
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You can follow Author DR Shores:
Website: https://shallowstock.com
FB: @Shallow Stock
X: @d_r_shores
IG: @d_r_shores
LinkedIn: @Duncan Shores
 
Purchase Shallow Stock on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4boTcp8
Ebook: https://amzn.to/3EYiEpe
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
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