For the Love of Books Podcast

Michigan Authors hit the road with Women’s Expos in Lansing and Grand Rapids

Starting off strong in 2022, Michigan Authors are making one of their first stops at the Mid-Michigan Women's Expo this weekend Feb. 11 through Feb.13 at the Lansing Center.

Eleven authors representing different genres will be participating in the upcoming Expo in Lansing. Make sure you stop by the back wall between the concessions and the main stage to meet your next favorite read.

Listen to the special episode to find out how you can win free tickets to the show.

"We're sci-fi fantasy heavy," said author & organizer Jean Davis laughing. "We have two authors with Michigan books."

Author Judith Wade or Lori Hudson can't wait to meet with fans in person. 

"Bring your walking shoes and a big bag to carry your books," Wade said. "It's really a nice thing to help someone who wants to get started writing and publishing. Often they have a well-developed idea."

Approximately 20 authors will be participating in the West Michigan Women's Expo in Grand Rapids set for March 18 through March 20. Follow this podcast for more info about authors and their in-person shows.

Detroit author Sylvia Hubbard releases romance ”The Trouble with Gabrielle”

"She's Alone, Pregnant and about to be Murdered" best describes the protagonist Gabrielle in Sylvia Hubbard's newest romance suspense book "The Trouble with Gabrielle."

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Hubbard's new book.

Award-winning Detroit Author & Founder of Motown Writers, Hubbard has independently published over 55 romance suspense books over the 20 years she's been in the literary business. 

In "The Trouble with Gabrielle," A one-night stand with a mysterious man, and four months later Gabrielle Payne is in desperate need of and pregnant. When things are at the worst, she finds out her mysterious man, Oliver Farnsworth, was murdered and very wealthy with no heir to claim the fortune his mother left him. Gabrielle decides to reveal her secret and ask for just “a little help.”
She is taken in by Oliver’s stepmother, Neema McGee. The old house of Oliver Farnsworth is larger than any place she’s ever been, but she starts to see things are not what they seem. And she starts to find out several things in the two short weeks that she stays there. 

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.

In ”Shadows” Emma fights to follow her heart before Civil War

Author Jules Nelson emphasizes women's role in history before Civil War rocked the nation in her book "Shadows."

It was an era when men entered history as pioneers while women ensured that everything else around was a success.

"Girls and women played a huge part in history," said Nelson. "History is not just about men. What we do is important even if it does not make it into a history class."

With her deep love for history in its quirkiness, Nelson portrays the main character Emma in the shadows of times marked by rumors that can create a shadowy reputation.

Nelson encourages everyone to read and write reviews.

"Reviews are like tips for writers," she said. "It's what gets us noticed."

 

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."