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 Herman Hunter pens The Wizard’s Stone

Merry Christmas from host Emma Palova and all of my awesome author guests

 

The Wizard's Stone

 

A young wizard's assistant on a secret journey, guarded by a band of mercenaries, paid a fortune in gold. All to deliver a mysterious artifact halfway across the known world. And from the very outset, they are being hunted.

 

 

 

A software developer for over 30 years, Herman P. Hunter started his first venture into publishing by writing articles on software development, cumulating into a book deal. After a long hiatus, he has returned, writing fantasy fiction, integrating high fantasy, pulp elements, and Judeo-Christian beliefs. His first book, The Revenant and the Tomb was published in March 2022 and has since been adapted to an audiobook.

 

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of The Revenant and the Tomb.

The first person who emails host Emma Palova will win a signed copy of The Wizard's Stone.

Sponsored by Doc Chavent and The Lowell Ledger.

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 Steve Boughton pens Francisco Takes Flight

In his debut book, author Steve Boughton uses Detroit as the main setting for his Francisco Takes Flight.

"I fell in love with the city," he said. "I wanted to showcase the beauty of the city."

His Chilean flamenco gets to fly all over the city. At first, Boughton only intended the book for his friends and family. But the project grew with the help of collaborators, editor and wife Beth Boughton, and a childhood friend illustrator Jesse Faye.

His website is franciscoandfriends.com which is where the book can be purchased (it is also available at Schuler books, a novel concept in Lansing, and the Detroit zoo gift shop!) also a portion of all copies sold is donated to the Detroit zoo!

Listen for a chance to win an autographed copy of Francisco Takes Flight.

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

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.

 

NaNoWriMo 2022 grand finale delivers accomplishment, new books

So, you've worked hard writing every day in November in NaNoWriMo, and you won. Listen in to the winners in this year's NaNoWriMo, authors Jean Davis, Vera West, and Emma Palova.

"I wish I had this advice many years ago," Palova said.

The key to winning is consistency, prioritizing, and never giving up.

Halfway through NaNoWriMo 2022 with Wrimo Experts

NaNoWriMo authors Jean Davis, Vera West, and host of For the Love of Books Podcast Emma Palova take you through the first half of the 50K writing challenge in this special episode. Their combined total log-in was just under 80,000 words.

Find out what they did to reach their writing goals on their journeys to publishing new books in 2023. Keep on writing past the challenge, and make it a daily habit, these experts say.

Watch for their books in 2023.

So listen in and jump on the NaNoWriMo roller coaster, because you can't edit a blank page.

Copyright (c) 2022 Emma Palova

Nikki Mitchell’s Nightshade Forest

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

Enjoy.

Horror authors take you where you’ve never been before

So, step aboard this terror ride, with no harnesses allowed or sunglasses, you need to see it all. Psychic Liotta's crystal ball shows the way; from a caged monster, death by beast Wendigo, lightning, and by the angry waters and the northern woods.

Horror authors Andrew Allen Smith, Craig Brockman, Matthew Hellman, Robert Williams, and ghost author Stacey Rourke drag you deep down the rabbit hole, where there is no light. But be careful, you might like it there. 

In this special Halloween episode, Smith read from his 'Another Slice of Fear', Brockman from 'Dead of November', Williams from 'A Yooper's Tale', Hellman from 'The Biting Cold' and psychic Liotta came alive from Corpse's Queen by Rourke.

Find out what inspires these authors or if anything at all will stop them from taking you over the edge. Participating in the panel discussion were authors Diana Plopa and editor-publisher Victor Volkman.

A sincere thank you to everyone who made this possible.