For the Love of Books Podcast

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!

 

The ”ABCs of Lowell History” book captures fascinating stories from the past

Happy holidays from the "For the Love of Books Podcast" and the Lowell Area Historical Museum (LAHM).

In this special holiday episode, Lisa Plank, the executive director of LAHM shares her insights behind the making of the hugely successful ABCs series from the past. Come along with us and step back into the colorful past lined with scenes such as the Ecker's Planing Mill, Christiansen Ice Cream Co., Opera House, King Milling Dam, and the 1912 blizzard.

The "ABCs of Lowell History" series started during the pandemic in 2020 in an effort to share the stories from Lowell's past with the community. It is now in its fourth round of the alphabet and going strong.

"We had a great response from the community," Plank said.

Meet your next great read at Bettie‘s Pages in the heart of Lowell

Happy holidays from the "For the Love of Books Podcast" and Bettie's Pages. We hope your holidays may be filled with joy and peace.

Bettie's Pages is a retro-inspired new and used indie bookstore that is more than just a shop. It's a cozy gathering place where you get to have fun, be authentic, and find friends in the heart of Lowell.

And it all started with the crazy idea of one person, Nicole, who hated her job and didn't expect support from friends and family.

"They were supposed to say, go find another job," said Bettie's Pages owner Nicole Lintemuth.

But they didn't and the result is a welcoming space for everyone whether you're looking for a book, a unique gift, or respite from the hustle and bustle. The store opened right before the pandemic in 2020. In March of 2020, Nicole shipped out 250 book boxes. She's up to 400 book boxes now.

She's been offering the book matching service ever since.

"I am not going to get rid of this," Nicole said. "I have too much fun doing the book boxes."

Also, if you prefer audiobooks, then Libro FM is the perfect indie alternative to audible.

Any plans for 2022?

Nicole has you covered. Join the "Cozy Mystery Book Club" in January with "Hope Never Dies."

"I hope people will continue to support places that kept us sane," Nicole said.

To join click below.

Bettie's Pages

 

 

Authors Row at the Ann Arbor Holiday Art Fair set for Dec. 4th & 5th

Forty Michigan authors will be located at the Authors Row at the Ann Arbor Holiday Art Fair on Dec. 4th & 5th with readings scheduled for Saturday and Sunday during the show. Children's authors will be reading on the hour.

Integrity Shows director Mark Loeb shared marketing strategies for authors at events. Authors of different genres now have a common space to offer a variety of books.

"We focus on the business aspect for creatives.  We've been taught how to write, how to draw, or other artistic skills, but few of us have had education on how to sell our creative products," he said.

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

 

 

YA author Melanie Hooyenga transports main character in ”Flicker” back in time

What would you change if you could go back to yesterday?

 

The main character Biz in Hooyenga's young adult book "Flicker" discovers that she has a special ability; she uses sunlight to jump back to yesterday. She takes advantage of flickering by retaking Trig tests, fixing fights with her boyfriend (or reliving the making up), and repeating pretty much anything that could be done better. Trouble is, flickering makes her head explode from the inside. Or feel like it anyway.

No one knows about her freakish ability and she’s content to keep it that way. Guys don't stick around because she refuses to let them in, but all that changes when Cameron, her best friend, starts looking oh-so-yummy. Suddenly she's noticing his biceps, his smile, and the cute way his eyes crinkle when he—gah! This is her friend!

But the butterflies come to a screeching halt when little girls start disappearing, then take a nosedive when the police link the kidnappings to Cameron's sister, who vanished years earlier. As the police grasp for clues, Biz photographs a strange man lurking in the shadows and realizes that her flickering can help more than just herself.

 

Listen to the episode for details of the giveaway. Contact Melanie through her website to receive a free signed book.

Author Melanie Hooyenga

 

 

 

Author D.A. Reed addresses teen depression, suicide and homelessness in her new books

Author D. A. Reed delivers a message of hope to struggling teens, their parents and educators in her young adult novels "All The Things We Didn't See" and "Nothin' but Gutters and Change."

"There is always help," she said. "As a society, we need to eradicate the stigma around mental illness. I didn't realize it was such a big problem."

After writing twice about difficult issues for teens, Reed realized that she need to be aware, that these problems exist in society.

"People approached me to write about depression and suicide," she said.

At first she balked at the issues, but then Reed buckled up to bring awareness to serious problems that people are struggling with.

"I made sure to write it in a way so it's not that intense that people wouldn't want to read about it," she said. 

Reed found a balance between stating the truth correctly while injecting some sarcastic humor into the stories.

"I always try to find that silver lining in difficult situations," she said.

 

 

True crime author Rod Sadler pens ”Killing Women”

What could be more frightening than the inevitable release of a serial killer?

A former police officer of 30 years, author Rod Sadler draws on his experience and relationships with the key people involved in the investigation, prosecution, and the defense of East Lansing serial killer Don Miller.

Due to pending changes in Michigan law, Miller could be released as soon as next year when he becomes eligible for parole. 

Miller was arrested for the attempted murder of two teenagers in 1978. However, the police quickly realized he was probably responsible for the disappearance of four women.

"Most people had forgotten this," Sadler said. "When Miller gets released, those teenagers will relive that day and each subsequent year. He could be your neighbor."

 

 

 

 

Power your NaNo 2021 authors offer tips to win the 50k word challenge

With the National Novel Writing Month better known as NaNoWriMo just around the corner,  NaNo authors Jean Davis, Sara Shanning, and Kristine Brickey share their insights from their experiences in conquering the word marathon.

According to all the panel participants whether you hit a writers' block, crossroads in the plot, or the midway slump, you just keep on rolling.

"Just keep on writing," Davis said.