Online For Authors Podcast

The Quiet Summer That Wasn’t: Danger in the Puget Sound with Author Rebecca Hodge

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Rebecca Hodge, author of the book Island Endgame. Rebecca Hodge writes suspenseful fiction with plenty of heart.  She's a retired veterinarian and clinical research scientist who lives and writes in North Carolina. Fiction writing is the space where her creative side comes out to play, and her writing centers on characters who discover that life is not a spectator sport. She has three grown sons, one crazy dog, two amazing grandchildren, and one very 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 Island Endgame by Rebecca Hodge is a wonderful women's suspense novel that I simply could not put down. Rebecca writes deep characters within beautiful and dangerous settings, this time a remote island in The Puget Sound.
 
We meet Kenzie Adams, a nurse who is running from the guilt of failing her nephew when he drowned. No longer able to work at the hospital because she can't keep it together, she takes a few months off to work at an idyllic summer camp. Certainly, even someone as damaged as herself can handle band aids and bug bites.
 
However, from the moment she sets foot on the island, nothing is as it seems. Kenzie considers turning back on day one, but then what? She's sublet her place, no longer speaks to her family, and has taken a leave of absence from her job. So, she stays. But soon, everything goes sideways.
 
What should be a quiet retreat turns deadly as word of a substantial treasure reaches the ears of some fugitives. Now, she and the rest of the camp staff are in danger. And not just adults, but a child the same age as her nephew. Can she find the strength she needs to save herself and the others? Can she forgive herself enough to try? Or will she have to live with failing yet another child?
 
I've enjoyed all of Rebecca's books, but this one is my favorite by far! Don't miss this great read.
 
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 Rebecca Hodge
Website: https://www.rebeccahodgefiction.com/
IG: @rhodge.fiction
FB: @rebeccahodgefiction
LinkedIn: @rebecca-hodge-dvm
 
Purchase Island Endgame on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3IqBTKe
Ebook: https://amzn.to/3KoUKWx
 
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 on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#rebeccahodge #islandendgame #suspense #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.

Romance in the Shadows: When Trust Becomes Dangerous with Author Art Bell

Carole O’Neill’s guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Art Bell, author of the book What She's Hiding. Art Bell is a former television executive. As president of Court TV, he oversaw daily live courtroom coverage and the production of hundreds of hours of original true-crime television series, documentaries, and movies. His memoir, Constant Comedy: How I Started Comedy Central and Lost My Sense of Humor, was a finalist in the 2020 Best Book Awards in both the memoir and business categories. Art has had short stories, nonfiction, and satire published in several journals, including Lowestoft Chronicle, Aethlon: The Journal of Sports Literature, The Ocotillo Review, Fiction Southeast, Castabout Arts and Literature, High Shelf Press, and Writers Read. What She’s Hiding: A thriller, published in March 2025 by Ulysses Press, is his first novel.
 
Art lives with his wife, Carrie, in Park City, Utah. He regained his sense of humor in March 2008.
 
In her book review, Carole stated this novel could almost live in the Romantic Suspense genre. While we learn early on that New York lawyer, Henry Gladstone has been fooled by his ex-wife, Leslie, it isn’t very long before we discover he would give anything to renew their relationship.
 
Set mainly in Manhattan, the drama eventually details calls from a Russian mobster to frighten both Henry and his former wife with threats of kidnapping, blackmail and even death. Her lies continue to be questioned until Henry is beaten and found by a private investigator hired by his best friend.
 
Art Bell’s well-crafted story, What She’s Hiding, allows us to see how a man can continue to believe in a woman, even after being robbed of his savings, when love is blind. Leslie was very good at deception. So, was her story really true, or was she trying to set herself up for a life of riches.
 
This is a fast read and one you should put on your TBR list.
 
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 Art Bell
Website: https://www.artbellwriter.com/
IG: @artbellauthor
FB: @artbellauthor
LinkedIn: @Art Bell
 
Purchase What She's Hiding on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4g5Pvqt
Ebook: https://amzn.to/45OuJIB
 
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 on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#artbell #whatsheshiding #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.

The Deadly Donor Game: Heart Transplant Secrets with Thriller Author Cristina LePort

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Cristina LePort, author of the book Change of Heart. Dr. Cristina LePort, accomplished cardiologist and Amazon bestselling author, captivates readers with her medical thrillers, which merge her rich medical background with gripping narratives.
 
Cristina’s novels, including Dissection and Change of Heart, offer a unique blend of suspense, medical insight, and ethical exploration. Her journey from Italy to the U.S. and transition from medicine to writing highlights her resilience, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to storytelling. Cristina’s work stands at the crossroads of medicine and literature, engaging readers with tales that resonate with authenticity and depth.
 
Born in Bologna, Italy, she graduated Summa cum Laude from the University of Bologna, completed her internship and Internal Medicine residency at the Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, and her cardiology training at the VA/UCLA. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Nuclear Cardiology, and is the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Genescient, a biotech company devoted to genetic research on aging and longevity.
 
She lives in Corona del Mar, Southern California, with her husband Peter. They have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.
 
In my book review, I stated Change of Heart by Cristina LePort, MD is a 'sit on the edge of your seat' thriller. The twists and turns kept me turning the pages and hoping for the best.
 
The story opens with a murder - up close and personal. And before long, the three main characters - FBI probie Charlotte Bloom, FBI Agent Jack Mulville, and Private Detective Kirk Miner - are in the thick of things. Who killed Amy Winter and why?
 
As the three uncover details, the picture gets murkier rather than clearer. Something doesn't make sense. And before long, everyone is keeping secrets from someone. Throw in cyber crimes, a mobster, death threats, a budding romance, and a kidnapping, and you've got yourself a thriller that requires you to stay up way past your bedtime to get the answers you simply have to have!
 
I loved this book and know you will, too!
 
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 Cristina LePort
Website: https://cristinaleport.com
X: @LeportCristina
FB: @cristinaleportauthor
IG: @cristinaleport
LinkedIn: @cristina-rizza-leport
 
Purchase Change of Heart on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4kStNav
Ebook: https://amzn.to/46TVLit
 
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 on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#cristinaleport #changeofheart #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.
 

Alchemy and Ancestry: A Cozy Tale of Secrets and Spiritual Awakening with Author Megan Mary

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Megan Mary, author of the book The Dream Dimensions. Metaphysical author Megan Mary, a dream analyst, intuitive, and mystic, intertwines her passion for personal transformation, magick, and cats with the ethereal realm of dreams.
 
In addition to a career spanning over twenty-five years creating, managing and marketing websites, she holds a BA and an MA in English Literature, certification in British Studies, is pursuing her PhD in Metaphysical Sciences and is a member of the International Association for the Study of Dreams.
 
After being diagnosed with three chronic illnesses, she experienced a spiritual awakening. She now empowers women all over the world to live more authentic, aligned, and abundant lives through dream empowerment and mystical guidance. Her podcast, Women’s Dream Enlightenment, has been voted as one of the Top 20 Spiritual Awakening Podcasts You Must Follow. When she’s not dreaming or weaving digital webs, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two magickal cats.
 
Megan Mary is available for virtual radio/tv, magazine, podcast and book clubs guest appearances!
 
Here’s the book blurb:
During a magickal ritual, Hannah Skye receives a prophetic message. She then encounters a series of seven riddles that lead her to discover there is more to her ancestry than she ever imagined.
 
Meanwhile, someone has been following her, lurking in the shadows. As she works to deciper the prophecy before Halloween night, Hannah discovers and confronts the destructive force that has influenced the course of her life.
 
A tale of ancestral healing, this fall-themed final installation of the Witches of Maple Hollow Trilogy brings together mystery, astronomy, alchemy, and dreams to illuminate dimensions beyond time and space.
 
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 Megan Mary
Website: www.meganmary.com
Social media: IG: @meganmaryauthor
X: @MeganMaryAuthor
LinkedIn: @Megan Mary Iudice
 
Purchase The Dream Dimensions on Amazon:
Ebook: https://amzn.to/42gKEgE
 
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 on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#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.

Memoir Magic: The Art of Telling Your Truth Without Regret with Author Meg Calvin

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Meg Calvin, author of the book I Am My Own Sanctuary. She'll be chatting with us about making memoir magic. Meggie Lee Calvin’s friends call her Meg, but her book covers (and her social security card) call her Meggie Lee. She’s an Amazon Bestselling Author, wife, mom, former minister, and full-time writing and marketing coach.
 
She’s been featured on NPR, presented at international conferences, and her clients span across 3 continents and 5 countries.
 
If you’re a Spiritually-Attuned Go-Getter with a powerful book idea (or even just a scribble on a napkin), she and her team will help you bring it to life—and turn it into an Amazon bestselling book on Kindle, paperback, and Audible.
 
She’s been called the HelloFresh of book coaching because she takes the stress and uncertainty out of writing, publishing, and selling your book—with a custom plan that fits you like your favorite jeans. From mindset to your personalized book template, marketing, and all self-publishing needs, she and her team deliver everything your book goals require—step-by-step.
 
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 Meg Calvin
Website: www.MegCalvin.com
IG: @heymegcalvin
FB: @meggie.calvin
 
Here is the link for 5 Questions to Ask to Perfectly Clarify Your Book Idea:
A quick but powerful guide to help aspiring authors uncover their next (or first) book idea with confidence and alignment. Great for anyone stuck at square one or torn between topics.
https://www.megcalvin.com/are-you-struggling-to-find-your-next-book-idea/
 
Purchase I Am My Own Sanctuary on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4lVoSq0
Ebook: https://amzn.to/4kLWmpR
 
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 on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#megcalvin #iammyownsanctuary #memoir #memoirwriting #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.

From Farm Fields to Divine Encounters: A Journey Through Connected Tales with Author Ted Aukerman

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Ted Aukerman, author of the book A Farmboy, a Tom Boy, Jesus Freaks, and Divine Appointments. Ted was born in Ohio and moved to Oklahoma with his parents in 1978. He lives in Muskogee, OK, with his wife, Patti, his sweetheart of 38 years. They have three children and six grandchildren. With one on the way!
 
His first novel published in 2024, is actually four shorter works that were combined to make the Skips Sparks Anthology, A Farm Boy, a Tomboy, Jesus Freaks and Divine Appointments.
 
Ted is a singer-songwriter writing songs for Aukrocket Records. His albums are available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and Reverbnation to name a few. Movie fans will appreciate his contributions to the soundtrack of God, Where Are You? directed by De Miller from Lazarus Filmworks. Ted produces music and podcasts in his studio, Ted’s Auto Repair. His podcast Tales From The Road of Life is available on many platforms.
Also, on Reverbnation is music from Skip Sparks, one of his characters and Ted’s alter ego.
 
In my book review, I stated A Farmboy, A Tomboy, Jesus Freaks, and Divine Appointments is a Christian historical fiction filled with music, laughter, hard times, and saving grace. I thoroughly enjoyed Ted's characters, all of whom had problems, issues, disappointments, and poor decisions - and yet, they also had kindness, love, determination, and a need for something more than the world seemed ready to offer.
 
This is a meandering story where you get to meet the characters, remeet them at earlier and later points in their lives, and finally see how they all come together, each touching the other. I enjoyed the music and poetry sprinkled throughout the pages, as well as watching characters go from dark places to places filled with light and hope.
 
If you want a book that takes you on a journey, then this is the book for you!
 
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 Ted Aukerman
FB: @Ted Aukerman
https://www.reverbnation.com/tedaukerman
https://www.reverbnation.com/skipsparks
https://tedaukerman.podbean.com/
 
Purchase A Farmboy, a Tom Boy, Jesus Freaks, and Divine Appointments on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/44TYoOO
Ebook: https://amzn.to/3GOqNhm
 
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 on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#tedaukerman #skipsparks #historicalfiction #christianfiction #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.

History Meets Heartbreak: Uncovering a Forgotten Massacre with Author Reenita M Hora

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Reenita M Hora, author of the book Vermilion Harvest. Reenita is a founder, executive-level content, operations, and marketing leader, and prolific writer. With multiple years of experience in media, entertainment, communications, tech/innovation and wellness industries in the USA and Asia, she grows organizations, ranging from early-stage startups through mid-size businesses, through storytelling, creative marketing and business strategy. She has served as Head of Marketing at SRI International, Silicon Valley's pioneer science and deep tech research institute, VP of Content at hibooks/Otto Radio producer/presenter for Bloomberg and award-winning host for RTHK Radio 3 in Hong Kong. Reenita founded, built and sold Ayoma, a health and wellness brand, and has written seven books - five non-fiction and two fiction. She has contributed to The Hindu, South China Morning Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, CNN, Asian Investor, Times of India and National Geographic Kids, Cartoon Network Asia, Disney and more. She is a limited partner in the How Women Invest fund which specifically invests in women owned companies. She is working on her next novel and has recently launched Chapter by episode, a digital publishing platform for immersive chat fiction stories with diverse themes.
 
In my book review, I stated Vermilion Harvest by Reenita M. Hora is a historical fiction set in 1919 India during the time of Ghandi's peaceful resistance. As I read historical fiction, I realize how much history I know very little about. Of course, I have heard of Ghandi, but I knew nothing of General Dyer or his attack at the Jallianwallah Bagh. Although fiction, this novel helped me understand the goings-ons prior to, during, and immediately following this attack that eventually changed the fate of the nation.
 
Reenita did an amazing job with her characters Aruna, who is an Anglo-Indian schoolteacher, and Ayaz, a Muslim law student with political leanings - as well as a host of minor characters. I also loved how she didn't shy away from difficult topics like British rule that kept the Indian population as nothing more than slaves, the tension between three different religions in the region, romance between those of different backgrounds, the plight of Anglo-Indians, single mothers, standing strong in the face of adversity, and more. Finally, I loved a philosophy put forth that good often comes from bad. It is something I needed to hear.
 
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 Reenita M Hora
Website: https://reenita.com/
FB: @ReenitaMalhotraHora
IG: @reenita_storyteller
X: @reenita_story
LinkedIn: @Reenita Malhotra Hora
 
Purchase Vermilion Harvest on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/46mBlhO
Ebook: https://amzn.to/46poOu1
 
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 on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#reenitamhora #vermilionharvest #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.

A Burglar in Vermont: Comedy, Crime, and Community with Author Gregory Grosvenor

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Gregory Grosvenor, author of the book Second Pocket First. Author Gregory Grosvenor grew up in Ansbach, Germany. He moved to the US, earning an MFA from Old Dominion University. For two decades, he has taught writing and the art of the short story at various colleges in Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Grosvenor currently lives in Somerville, Massachusetts with his three cats, Dinah, Theo, and Bramlet Abercrombie. Second Pocket First is his debut novel. Grosvenor is available for readings, interviews, podcasts, speaking engagements, and book signings.
 
In my book review, I stated Second Pocket First is humorous mystery that is heavy on the humor. The protagonist, Issey, is a thief. However, Issey is more concerned about the artistic and creative nature of thieving rather than the items themselves - which makes him a less than ideal crook. You see, he pays more attention to his hat, his gloves, and his lock pickers than to the items he steals. And he often breaks the items on the way home because he carelessly tosses them into a duffle bag.
 
Issey finds himself back in his hometown where the need to steal from people first began, offering the reader great flashbacks into Issey's early years, as well as getting to meet people who knew him as a child. And suddenly, through no fault of his own, he becomes a hero - and everything about his life changes.
 
He's respectable. He has a romantic partner. He has business cards. Now what?
 
I loved the humor throughout and found this to be an enjoyable read.
 
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 Gregory Grosvenor
Website: https://www.gregorygrosvenor.com/
IG: @gregory.grosvenor_author
FB: @Gregory Grosvenor
 
Purchase Second Pocket First on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/41zx0VC
Ebook: https://amzn.to/3V2j0Qp
 
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 on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#gregorygrosvenor #secondpocketfirst #mystery #humor #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.

Addiction, Poverty, and Hope: Stories That Go Beyond Romance with Author Twila Mason

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Twila Mason, author of the book Piece by Piece.  Twila is an award-winning romance author. She has been writing her own stories since she learned how to read. She is a writer of romance, women's fiction, poetry, and short stories. Her work explores raw emotions and the complexities of life while finding the hope within every obstacle.
 
After obtaining a PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology, she switched gears to follow her lifelong dream of putting her fictional stories out into the world. She lives the rural, small-town life in Missouri with her husband, two kids, and menagerie of animals. When she's not reading or writing, Twila can be found crafting, farming, doing home improvement projects, or going on adventures with her family.
 
In my book review, I stated Piece by Piece is a friends-to-lovers contemporary romance that takes a hard look at the drug culture - and what it does to families. Aria spends her childhood looking after her baby brother, Ben, because her mother simple cannot. As a drug addict, she is often high, always unreliable, and rarely offers motherly support. When her mother spends the rent money, Aria arrives home to find the family is now on the street. She turns to an old friend, Luke, who found a way out of the old neighborhood.
 
Although there is an immediate spark between them, Luke and Aria dance around the attraction because neither is ready to commit. We get front row seats as we watch them battle their demons and navigate a new world where peace, hope, and love have a chance to exist. As completely foreign concepts, neither one really knows what to do when life isn't a battlefield.
 
That's not to say everything is easy. Moving past trauma and finding the right path is not easy. Nor is forgiveness - of others or of self. And what to do when the ones you should love are the ones that keep hurting you?
 
This story is sweet as two young people fall in love. But it is also edgy as we see what happens when drugs and alcohol cause childhood trauma and can easily create a family cycle of abuse.
 
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 Twila Mason
Website: https://www.twilamason.com
FB:@twilamasonauthor
IG: @twilamason_author
X: @twilamasona
LinkedIn: @twila-mason-phd-3b824330
 
Purchase Piece by Piece on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4lhAvHY
Ebook: https://amzn.to/4kq9XDg
 
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 on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#twilamason #piecebypiece #contemporaryromance #friendstolovers #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 of the Bayou: A Girl’s Quest for Truth and Belonging with Author Jo Taylor

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Jo Taylor, author of the book Margaret of Thibodaux. Jo is an obstreperous, retired ER Nurse who is likely an obstreperous writer too. She grew up with three stepmothers (not at the same time). She's lived on a boat and traced her genealogy back to the year 310 (maybe, probably, you know how genealogy is). She's been married for 33 years and all her hero characters are based on her husband, a hero in real life. Her first book, Postcards: Collected Poems and Short Stories, came out in July 2024. Margaret of Thibodaux, her first novel, released on March 18, 2025.
 
In Carole’s book review, she stated: 14-year-old Margaret is not going to let her father erase the memory of her deceased mother by bringing another woman (certainly not a stepmother) into their home. Her best friend, Honey tries to convince her there’s nothing to worry about. The new woman is a doctor after all, loved by the entire town. But for the past six years her mother has appeared at her feet and lulled her to sleep with her favorite lullaby. Margaret is convinced that couldn’t possibly continue if another woman occupies the master bedroom.
 
Jo Taylor masters this coming-of-age story which takes place in Louisiana during the summer of 1974. You can almost feel the heat of the bayou as Margaret and her friends solve the problems of the world on the swings at the water’s edge.
 
The local town medium is the one person Margaret feels can help her contact her mother to make sure their routine won’t change. But no medium, or talk with friends, or even pleading with her father can assure her things will be fine. It isn’t until she finds a poem at her mother’s grave that she begins on a path to a solution she can live with.
 
This is a story you’ll want to put on your TBR list.
 
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 Jo Taylor
Website: https://www.jotaylorauthor.com/
Substack: https://jotaylorauthor.substack.com/
https://x.com/JoTaylorAuthor
https://www.instagram.com/jotaylorauthor/
 
Purchase Margaret of Thibodaux on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/463ocIY
Ebook: https://amzn.to/45I7GiE
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
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