For the Love of Books Podcast

Author Jared Morningstar delves deep into the American experience in his poetry and short stories anthologies

Author Jared Morningstar takes on different aspects of the great American experience ranging from fake patriotism as reflected in the title of the first collection of poems and short stories- "American Fries" to fear in "American Reality."

"American Reality captures the darkness of 2020," Morningstar said. "The fear of politics and our health concerns, but it's not just about Covid."

For a chance to win both books listen in to the episode.

Author Brenda Hasse pens ”A Victim of Desperation” as a National Novel Writing Month book

Author Brenda Hasse has participated in the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November multiple times. Her most recent NaNo book is "A Victim of Desperation" based on a true story about human trafficking.

Her most recent book, romantic suspense, is "A Cursed Witch" with a setting in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1828 when body snatchers stole dead bodies from "kirkyards" and sold them to the local medical college for 8 to 10 British pounds.

Listen in for a chance to win a free signed book of your choice.

47th Annual Island Art Fair in Grand Ledge will be all about shopping and camaraderie

"This island is for you," said art fair director Stephene Lapp. "We want you vendors. I can't wait to meet all the authors and all the vendors."

Seven Michigan authors will be among the 114 vendors on the island that is connected to the mainland by one bridge only. Lapp expects around 6,000 visitors to the event on July 31st. 

There will be also nine musicians and boat rides.

Authors Alley at Lakeshore Art Festival offers a variety of books

Come out this weekend to downtown Muskegon to 4th Street and Clay and you will find a reader's delight grouped in the Authors Alley; everything from kids books, Christian, fantasy, poetry, short stories, thrillers and horror.

"It's a festival in the streets," said author Melanie Hooyenga. "It feels like you're a part of the community."

Author Scott Rutherford draws on the story of prodigal son in "Dani's Inferno"

Once, Rutherford changed the main character of the prodigal son to prodigal daughter in his debut novel, Scott knew he had a story screaming to be told.

"The novel practically wrote itself," he said. "I am a plotter, writing is easy. The real challenge was presenting it to the world."

Romanian author Valeriu Barbu pens fantasy in English, reviews "Greenwich Meridian Memoir"

Listen in to poet Valeriu Barbu speak in beautiful Italian followed by English dubbing about his new book "Hey, Peasant" and his review of author Emma Palova's new book "Greenwich Meridian Memoir." Both authors share a common past represented by the horrors of living in communism and totalitarianism of the Eastern European block.

Damselfy: A historic foreshadowing of a real epidemic

It was a bizarre coincidence, when author JuliAnne Sisung was enticed to a small Michigan town, that was engulfed by an epidemic in the 1890s.

"It took a year to write following months of research for the perfect small town. I found Pere Cheney, just south of Grayling, Michigan. It was a railroad and logging town with a fascinating history, and it was waiting for me. I didn’t know we’d be living with Covid -19 when I began this book about a diphtheria epidemic. It hit the village in 1893, and some surprising events nourished the novel."

                                                                    -Author JuliAnne Sisung-

 

 

Author Xander Cross fuses supernatural with cyberpunk in action thrillers

Inspired by Japanese folklore, author Xander Cross creates a dark, forbidding future and a demon in peril in "The Origin of the White Wind." Welcome to The Atlas Dystopia Apocalyptica, the memoirs of a former Divine Messenger turned yakuza assassin! This gritty action thriller will take you into the shadowy world of dragons and yōkai in the 22nd Century New Toky and beyond! 

 

 

Racing the Summer Reading Regatta to Mackinac Island

Come sail the high seas with Captains of Literary Wonderment!

Have you ever been hiked out on the high side, your boat at a 30-degree heel, wind filling your spinnaker, spray hitting your face as you scream across the water at 20 knots? Well, if you have, you'll understand the excitement this Virtual Book Festival will bring. If you haven't, throw caution to the wind, and join us for the Summer Reading Regatta!

Author Donald Levin takes on white supremacist terrorism "In the House of Night"

When the police investigation into the murder of a gentle retired history professor stalls, friends of the dead man plead with PI Martin Preuss to find out what happened.