For the Love of Books Podcast

Author Karen Tintori pens Unto the Daughters

In her memoir and historical mystery Unto the Daughters, author & former journalist Karen Tintori unveils a family secret set in turn-of-the-century Detroit. The inciting incident to break the silence was an obliterated passport, and then a wedding photo.

 

"I am Italian, " she said. "My mother's side of the family was from southern Sicily. You don't tell family secrets."

The story of her great-grandaunt Francesca haunted Tintori's inquisitive mind for decades. After 12 years, three novels, and advice from the editor, Tintori re-imagined the haunting truth of an honor killing.

In crafting this family story, Tintori combined her novelist's heart with a journalist's head.

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Unto the Daughters.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger, the hometown newspaper in Lowell, MI

This episode is in memoriam to American journalist Barbara Walters since both guest author Karen Tintori and host Emma Palova are journalists.

 

Author Ann Dallman pens Cady and the Birchbark Box

Ann Dallman has lifelong roots in Michigan’s UP. She started out as a newspaper reporter/photographer and returned to journalism after retiring from teaching. 

In Cady and the Birchbark Box, Cady Whirlwind Thunder solves the mystery behind a weathered journal found inside a very old birchbark box. Why was the box buried behind a deserted garage?

 

This is the question her friend and “crush,” John Ray Chicaug, asks her after the two of them find it. And, what meaning do the notes in the book have? Cady’s grandma and her ever-present companion, a noisy blue jay, encourage her as she puts together the pieces and ultimately restores the reputation of a deceased elder.

Listen in for a chance to win an autographed copy of Cady and the Birchbark Box.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger

Author Janet Vormittag pens Cat Women of West Michigan

Janet Vormittag of West Michigan calls herself 'A Crazy Cat Lady,' and thus the name of her book series with the newest book out just in time for the holidays. Cat Women of West Michigan tells 30 compelling stories of passionate women who do cat rescue in many different forms from the actual rescue to Happy Cat Cafe in Grand Rapids.

Vormittag became the self-proclaimed  'A Crazy Cat Lady' in the mid-80s with the rescue of an injured kitten Lucy in Saugatuck that lived 10 years.

"They're not crazy cat ladies," she said. "Just compassionate women."

She connected with these women through her quarterly magazine Cats and Dogs.

"I was struck by women rescuing cats," she said.

And the number of euthanized cats went down from 8,000 to 189 over the last 15 years since the publication started.

"It's a community problem," she said.

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Vormittag's Cat Women of West Michigan.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger.

Author Carol Nickles pens Thumb Fire Desire

This historical fiction novel was inspired by the biggest natural disaster in Michigan-the fire of 1881. Author Carol Nickles kept the idea for the story along with notes in a box for close to 20 years.

Then she decided either she was going to write the story or burn the box, and that's how Thumb Fire Desire was born with the help of a developmental editor.

"I've always wanted to tell this story," she said.

Listen to this inspiring interview for a chance to win an autographed copy of Thumb Fire Desire.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent, The Lowell Ledger, and Modern History Press.

 

Nikki Mitchell’s Nightshade Forest

In case you missed this summer episode with author Nikki Mitchell about her Nightshade Forest release.

Enjoy.

Author Kathryn Den Houter pens psychological thriller ’Prison Shadows’

Psychologist turned author delivers it all in this disturbing novel set in Marquette State Prison in Michigan's U.P. inspired by real-life stories of inmates told in her practice, and by her husband's stories.

Protagonist Clifford Ratz is a small-town drug dealer who gets caught near Mason by an astute cop.

"It's a tale about his life," Den Houter said, "because he was passive he became a target of other prisoners. I wanted to convey that prisoners are human beings."

Several strains run through this meticulously crafted psychological suspense novel; from Ratz's passive humanity, his daughter's rebellion, and the police & correctional systems at work, to loving beyond betrayal.

As a psychologist, Den Houter knows what makes her characters click, in fiction and in real life. And the cover eloquently captures Ratz's humanity.

"It's a very real face of someone who was down on his luck," Den Houter said.

And all of us have a dark side. Some of us just don't manage it well. So what do we need from each other so that we can go on living?

The novel answers that question. Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of 'Prison Shadows.'

Sponsored by Doc Chavent, The Lowell Ledger, and author Kathryn Den Houter.

T.J.London pens prequel ’Man of War’

It was actually fashion that got T.J. London interested in the American Revolutionary War as a young author as simple as it may seem.

"I was getting into my persona," she said. "The look got me interested in that time period. Now it draws attention to my books."

Yes, it was the red coats and tricorne hats that sparked the imagination of a young mind, and later served well as a counseling tool during a period of grief. Rather, than writing a journal, T.J. London went the whole way and wrote 'Man of War.'

T.J. London is an expert at digging out little-known facts in history and asking herself questions. She was referring to battles in upstate New York that T.J. London didn't know about.

"Why don't we learn this stuff," she said.

What fascinated T.J. London were all the changes that were happening at the same time.

"It was this incredible cataclysmic moment in history," she said. "But in fiction where were those stories? I felt like I needed to know more."

And the prequel is not just about the revolution, but also about digging deep into the roots of what was going on T.J. London's life after the loss of her father.

It took her four years to write 'Man of War' backed up by solid research about the Royal Navy.

Come along on a journey with ambitious captain Merrick and revengeful India for a chance to win a signed copy of 'Man of War.'

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger.

Author Ash Bishop pens Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc.

In his first book, author Ash Bishop teleports protagonist Russ Wesley into another galaxy with a sugary cookie in his pocket, in this light-hearted sci-fi novel.

Listen in for the keywords for this week for a chance to win a signed personalized copy of Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc.

When Wesley finds an unusual artifact in his grandfather’s collection of rare antiquities, the last thing he expects is for it to draw the attention of a ferocious alien from a distant planet. Equally surprising is the adventurous team of intergalactic exterminators dispatched to deal with the threat. The exterminators specialize in “ecosystem preservation”— a thankless job that involves hunting down alien predators of all shapes and sizes. They’re so impressed with Russ’s marksmanship that they insist he join their squad . . . whether he wants to or not.

"Russ is an interesting fella," said Bishop. "He doesn't have close family, and his grandma needs money."

So Russ goes off and works for a galactic space group.

"It's heartfelt," Bishop said. "Fifty percent of the story has to do with the characters."

Based on the success of Intergalactic Exterminators, Bishop landed a deal to publish his previous book in 2023.

"They're completely different books," he said.

But, switching genres comes to Bishop easily.

Listen in for some tips on how to switch genres and for the keywords of the week to win Bishop's book.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger

 

Author Franklin Wilson pens Hearts of Fire, fantasy novel

What happens when you mix humans, centaurs, war, relationship challenges with family friends, and magic in a fantasy land of forests, villages, and castles?

Hearts of Fire is an exciting and engaging fantasy especially written for young people that tells a beautiful story of a young girl who has to deal with the untimely death of her beloved father, a long and dangerous journey through unknown territory in search of her mother and brother, and encounters with soldiers of war and enemies out to capture her.

This fascinating book is filled with exquisitely detailed descriptions of the different landscapes and locales encountered by the heroine as she deals with her emotions and makes often difficult decisions about loyalties to family and friends past, present, and future.

All of the imaginative characters in the story are so very well thought out and described that readers can make a complete picture in their minds as they turn each page.

"You write what you read and I love fantasy and sci-fi," said Detroit author Frank Wilson about his Heart of Fire, book no. one in the three-part series. "Let the characters tell you what to do."

Listen in for a chance to win signed copies of all three books in the series.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger

 

Author Mark Love pens The Wayward Path

This is the third book in the Jefferson Chene mystery series, in which author Mark Love follows the case of the retired mobster Leo Agonasti based on popular demand. Love lived for many years in the metro Detroit area, where crime and corruption are always prevalent. Working as a freelance reporter, Love came across interesting situations and discrepancies between police agencies.

Victim Charity Gray was an intelligent, inquisitive teen who disappeared fifteen years earlier. When her body is discovered, it should be a typical cold case. Before the Detroit police can get started, the FBI commandeers the investigation, with a prime suspect in mind: retired mobster Agonasti.
When Agonasti slips through their grasp, he reaches out to Sergeant Jefferson Chene. Their unusual friendship draws Chene into the thick of the case. Burdened with two reluctant FBI agents, Chene is working against the clock and the feds to find the real killer.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of The Wayward Path.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger