For the Love of Books Podcast

Author Erik Bean aka Professor Bean publishes ”Bias is All Around You”

In his Handbook for Inspecting Social Media & News Stories, author Erik Bean, Ed.D. guides us through the social media sharing maze on how to separate fact from fiction to safeguard our mental health.

Listen in for a chance to win a copy of this nifty handbook that shows you how to use the KLEMP method of assessing info before you share or post on social media.

For the latest amazing reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Midwest Book Review, and BookTrib among others, and where to buy "Bias is All Around You" please visit

Bias is All Around You

Author Tony Lindsay presents a strong female character in ”Melody Knight a Vampire’s Tale”

In this unique tale, author Tony Lindsay combines a spy thriller and a vampire novel. The reader experiences both: the life of a CIA operative and life within a vampire family.

The Knights are presented as a blended family with all the peculiarities that accompany those unions, and it is through her experiences with her vampire family that Melody develops an acceptance and respect for humanity.

The novel deals with the origin of American vampires, and a mystery/thriller edge develops when murdered children, human organ farming, and CIA corporate gains are uncovered.

Melody's growth from a depressed human bride (her fiancee was gunned down on her wedding day) to a vampire that cares about humanity is shocking.

The thriller edge of the novel keeps the reader turning pages: don't miss this one.

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of this fine book.

Author Renae Micou debuts with ”I Think My Teacher Needs a Hug Today”

A pre-school teacher turned author Renae Micou gives us a hug with her delightful characters Kai and Ms. Coo in her brand new illustrated children's book "I Think My Teacher Needs a Hug Today."

Presenting for the first time at the Ann Arbor Holiday Art show, Micou skillfully recreated the classroom atmosphere, as reflected in her new book illustrated by Stephen Elugbemi.

It took two years to put the book together and to fit it with the right illustrations on the go.

Take a listen for a chance to win a signed copy of Micou's new book.

Poet Donny Winter releases ”Feats of Alchemy” with a blast to raving reviews

In his second book after Carbon Footprint, Donny Winter tackles issues beyond the glitz of stepping out as an LGBTQ+poet, educator, and activist.

The sophomore collection of poems Feats of Alchemy takes readers on a perilous adventure through a futuristic and dystopian world. His experimental free verse poems use science fiction, natural, and pop-cultural images to metaphorically illustrate his experiences as a gay man navigating the different obstacles society presents after coming out.

These poems create a cyberpunk-inspired, symbolic world centered around the cyborg, Solus Arcane, who seeks to understand their existence free of oppressive forces and strives to unlearn the programming given to them by their oppressive creator.

Together, our bodies are welded and soldered by the forces of those seeking to silence, erase, or oppress. Feats of Alchemy acts as a circuit board connecting us with pathways toward self-sovereignty beyond artifice.

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of this fine collection of poems such as "This Closet is a Chrysalis" and "Queer Confession #6."

 

YA novel ”Thanks, Carissa, For Ruining My Life” set for February release

Author Dallas Woodburn skillfully flips friends into lovers in the love triangle between Carissa, Brad, and Rose using two points of view.

Set for February release the friends-to-lovers romance delivers a heartwarming message about self-improvement, identity, and acceptance in an image-obsessed culture.

This is Woodburn's second novel with a short story collection How To Make Paper When the World is Ending slated for June publication.

A former John Steinbeck Fellow in Creative Writing, Woodburn's writing has been honored with the Cypress & Pine Short Fiction Award, the international Glass Woman Prize, and four Pushcart Prize nominations.

When she's not writing, Dallas hosts the podcast "Overflowing Bookshelves." Woodburn is also a book doula.

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Woodburn's new novel.

Author Theresa Halvorsen pens ”Warehouse Dreams”

As author psychologist Halvorsen puts it: "Go gently into 2022."

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of featured authors' giveaways.

In "Warehouse Dreams" author Theresa Halvorsen pitches the "Wilds" against the "Breds" embodied in delightful characters Kendle and teacher Stephen.

Kendle recruits teens with psychic abilities, for the Warehouse, the only school for Wilds. Accepting teens with Wild Gifts is risky; refusing means they face life under sedation. Stephen, the telepathy teacher, is a celebrity Bred with perfect genes. Can a Bred fall for a Wild like Kendle? As society’s hatred of Wilds goes up, the schools’ resources go down. Can Kendle protect her students?

Email the authors for a chance to win a free signed copy of their books.

 

Author Andrew Allen Smith releases book ”Adam” in new series ”Eternal Forever”

Character Adam is edgier and author Andrew Allen Smith tells the story of the immortal in first person with the final fifth book in mind. "Adam" is a product of a dream, as often is the case with Smith's books.

"He's the first and only of his kind," Smith said. "I tried to stay away from the stereotype of immortals. I wanted to stay on the edge of it."

In this book, the author tackles the concept of death among many others from a different perspective.

“…here I am, cradling her in my arms. The cool breeze blowing across my face. I am looking down at a woman between life and death. I can save her, but at the cost of her being a little of me. I can watch her pass as I have seen so many pass before. The decision is mine. As I wrestle with it, the sirens scream in the background, closer and closer. Just a drop of my amazing blood will give her life, but how can I decide?”

 

Smith also talks about grieving during the holidays or at any time of the year in this special holiday episode.

"Don't go through it alone," he advises. "Be there for people who are grieving."

Smith penned his only non-fiction book "What Not to Say to People Who are Grieving" after the tragic death of his niece in 2020.

Listen in to the episode for a chance to win a signed copy of "Adam."

Children‘s author Melinda Falgoust presents ”The Curious Casebook of Katie Q. Putt”

Happy holidays from the "For the Love of Books Podcast" and children's author Melinda Falgoust.

Listen in for a chance to win a free book from this fabulous author.

In this special holiday episode, Falgoust, the international award-winning author of fiction for children and adults, talks about her new release "The Curious Casebook of Katie Q. Putt."

 

"Move over Sherlock Holmes. There's a new detective in town, and her name is Katie Q. Putt! Ten-year-old Katie loves a good puzzle. She loves learning about new things even more.

When she uses the cool facts she discovers to help solve some of Freyburg's most baffling crimes, it's no mystery the bad guys don't stand a chance! From missing monkeys to vanishing valises, Katie's sharp eye for detail helps her police chief father stop crime in its tracks.

Now, you, too can read Katie's casebook and match wits with some crafty criminals in ten cool cases. Each chapter also contains a STEM or STEAM activity to help you dust off your detective skills. Learn how to make your own fingerprint powder, paint like  Piet Mondrian, and write secret codes to your family and friends!

Wondering if you've got the right stuff? Grab a clue and read The Curious Casebook of Katie Q. Putt and the mystery is solved!

 

Author Kate Meyer publishes ”The Red Couch” an adult coming of age novel

Kate J. Meyer is an author, speaker, therapist, and minister living in West Michigan with her husband and two chocolate labs.
She self-published her first novel in July 2021. The Red Couch, available on Amazon, is an adult coming of age novel about a woman named Toni, whose life is nothing like she imagined it would be; in fact, it is a mess! When Toni returns to Lake Harbor, WI to bury her grandmother, she does so intending to leave again asap. So when she is challenged to stay for a mysterious project, she's reluctant. Is a shoebox of old letters worth the risk of staying? Here's to hoping!
Kate participated in her first NaNoWriMo in 2020 and can now announce that that book is under contract to be published with Lake Drive Books! Keep up to date with the launch date and other information by subscribing at www.katejmeyer.com.
Kate also hosts the weekly series 'Mental Health Mondays with Kate' videos are available via her blog on her website and on social media.

”Mystekos Fall” portrays the ideal of balance in fantasy and real worlds

In her Mystekos season series, author Amy Klco takes on the big theme of creating a balance between fantasy and real worlds.

In the second book, "Mystekos Fall" of the Lake of Two Worlds series- Emily returns to Camp Tender-Heart- and to Mystekos-only to find new trouble waiting for her.

All four books are a product of Klco's participation in the National Novel Writing Month, even though the first book took 12 years to write, while the second book took only the month of November.

You can win the four-book Mystekos series by emailing Amy at enchantmentpress@gmail.com