In Between The Pages with James Lott Jr.

His latest book Ottos Portal is out now! 

"This is a true story. It just hasn't happened...yet."While considering his imminent death, an old man senses the existence of a force that holds his soul to his body—a force even Einstein never imagined—and he’s drawn into the struggle between good and evil.From postwar London in 1946 to LBJ’s ranch in 1964, and then to a small Catholic church in northern Minnesota, real history begins to blur with conjecture and myth. Otto’s Portal rests between the abyss of man’s fears and the apex of his science, while a disparate cast of characters seeks redemption.Out now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble. goto NathanJorgenson on Facebook! 

Arvind is an Olivier nominated playwright who also writes novels and television. His seven graphic novels include the official adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s "Trouble Is My Business" and the Bram Stoker Award–nominated "Darkness Visible" with Mike Carey. Arvind has also written multiple chart-topping audio originals, including the science fiction anthology series "Earworms", "The Crimes of Dorian Gray", and the nonfiction audiobook "Douglas Adams: The Ends of the Earth."In theatre, Arvind has created adaptations of the Douglas Adams novels "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy" and "Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency" (co-written with James Goss) as well as the children's musical "The Boy With Wings", based on Sir Lenny Henry’s children’s books, for which he received an Olivier nomination. He was also a lead producer of the Grammy and Tony Award–winning Alanis Morissette musical "Jagged Little Pill".Arvind has written and produced extensively in television, including "Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency" for AMC/Netflix, "Anansi Boys" for Amazon, and the Asian Academy Award winner "The Garden of Evening Mists" for HBO.His debut prose novel "The Great Game" is published by Thomas & Mercer in July 2026.Follow Arvind @ArvD on BlueSky and @arvind.david on Instagram.

In this heartwarming book, young readers are invited to discover the power of their own words. Whether whispered, spoken, or shouted with joy, every child’s voice deserves to be heard. You Have a Story to Tell encourages children to speak up, share their stories, and know that what they say has value. Perfect for classrooms, families, and anyone who believes in listening with the heart, this book celebrates courage, connection, and the magic of making space for every story. Bridget is a dedicated Elementary Educator based in California who is deeply passionate about fostering a love for reading and writing among her students. Her commitment extends beyond academics, as she strongly emphasizes social-emotional learning, ensuring that every student in her care feels acknowledged. Her joy for teaching is not confined to the classroom; she also maintains a personal blog to inspire and encourage her readers. Beyond her professional life, Bridget finds joy in spending quality time with her family. A book enthusiast, Bridget enjoys reading, and when she's not immersed in books or lesson plans, she can be found cheering for her favorite baseball team. Overall, Bridget's multifaceted interests and commitment to education showcase a well-rounded individual dedicated to positively impacting the lives of her students and readers.

It's 1971, and 7-year-old Mishel Manoucherian's family has packed up their life in Tehran and moved to Los Angeles, launching him headfirst into a disorienting new world of social and schoolyard expectations. At once a witty and warm exploration of the immigrant journey and coming of age tale, American Playground illuminates the Iranian American experience through a child's unique perspective.Armed with a handful of English words, a fiery mother who uses her biting wit to open doors and inspire fear while shunning all things Amrikayi, and an adventurous dad who clumsily chases the Amrikayi Dream, Mishel tries to crack the code of schoolyard politics that feels equal parts Brady Bunch and Lord of the Flies.His brown skin gets him thrown in with the school's outcasts, but Mishel wants to run with the Pros - longhaired kids who rule the blacktop in faded Levi's and Pro Keds, radiating the casual yet rugged essence of 70's California Cool. Desperate for a mentor to unravel this dizzying American life, Mishel recruits Bugs Bunny, the only Amrikayi he trusts. Mishel will do whatever it takes to become Amrikayi. He'll have to do it on the only true Amrikayi turf - the playground.James has a great convo with the author! Book is out everywhere books are sold! 

Lucy Wilson-Tagoe is a Ghanaian-American writer and lawyer who writes suspenseful women’s fiction and romantic thrillers centered on characters from the African Diaspora and the Global South. She studied History at Tufts University and earned law degrees from Howard University and the London School of Economics. A child immigrant and daughter of immigrants, she brings a global perspective to her storytelling. Her novel To Catch a Sinner is part of The Blurred Lines Duet.

James is sharing some behind the scenes of his songwriting these days!

In this thrilling sequel to Hooked, the secret leaders of a deadly cabal prove to be a veritable match for the determined reporter and the insightful surfing detective who double down to expose them. Investigative reporter Katrina Chopin is back home in San Diego on a mission (or two). The first is personal: reheating the cold case of her parents’ murder and investigating her brother’s reported suicide. The second involves a new spate of deaths with alleged causes that just don’t smell right. She and Detective Ken Goode need each other’s help for both. But she has to keep the sexy surfer at arm’s length, because dating him is off limits. For now. Teaming up, they make coordinated progress down each path. Digging deeper into La Jolla’s corrupt network of elites, they uncover a pattern of lies, depravity, and greed. And with every new discovery, Katrina is pulled closer to danger…and to Goode. Sharing sexy phone calls and sunset drinks isn’t exactly following the rules, but fully crossing that line could jeopardize the case. As they start to connect the dots, they realize they must risk everything to bring down the shadowy cabal that kills to keep its secrets. Out everwhere June 16th! James Lott Jr is the host of the show!

Ruta's Closet tells the compelling Holocaust story of a Jewish family, imprisoned in the tiny Shavl ghetto in Lithuania. The Kron family survived the horror of the Nazi regime, thanks to the resourcefulness of Meyer and Gita Kron and the bravery of their rescuers. While Ruta's Closet is based on fact, it reads like fiction. The drama of the events described and the richness of the characters make it a compelling work of narrative nonfiction-as intriguing as it is inspirational. The Krons are the focus but horrific events in the ghetto are also revealed, including mass murders, a Nazi ban on births, the removal of all children to the Auschwitz gas chambers. All dreadful events; but accounts of brave rescues and daring acts offer hope for humanity. Ruta's Closet is also the focus of a Holocaust awareness podcast series, available from all popular platforms. High School teachers can also download a teacher's guide and classroom activities recommendations, authored by the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. Adult readers can download Book Club Talking Points, also authored by VHEC. Both guides, along with additional informative audio and text material, are hosted at the book's interactive website, rutascloset.com.

Crossing the Bronx is an historical literary novel set primarily in the 1950s in The Bronx. It is a modern retelling of the Jacob and Esau story from Genesis. The narrative that propels the story forward concerns the destruction of a neighborhood in the guise of progress. Jay and Eric, the sons of Ike (an Italian Jew), and Rebekeh, (a Mountain Jew), are estranged-as are their parents-and find themselves on opposite sides of a bitter struggle that pits those in power against the defenseless people of a local community.Eric has aligned himself with his father Ike, who by day is a cop-and at other times works surreptitiously for a mobbed-up construction company engaged in major projects transforming New York City-while his younger brother Jay is allied with his mother and with a neighborhood group fighting to preserve its very soul. Their fractious relationship speaks to the issues of how families split apart, and whether or not the pieces can ever be put back together.In addition to sustained tension-filled action, Crossing the Bronx is a story of romance, commitments, beliefs, and triumphs over adversities (lies, theft, murder, concealment, prejudice). Through vivid descriptions, perceptive insights, humor and sensitivity, the reader identifies with the characters who come to life in a realistic fashion to illustrate who we are, how we behave, and what causes us to change.The novel is fast-paced, with uncompromising realism, reflecting the unrelenting tension between antagonists and the anxieties that overwhelm those without power. The underbelly of the criminal and political world is evidenced by brutality, rapaciousness, and a never-ending desire to seek retribution. A love story between Jay and his girlfriend Francesca counter-balances the grimness to show how some people can overcome the odds stacked against them by their birth and places of origin. Smart, savvy women (Francesca, Rebekah, Francesca's grandmother "Nonna Ebrea"-who thinks she is descended from Conversos-and Jay's therapist Dr. Leah Silverman) provide a strong counterbalance to the lies, thefts, beatings, concealments, murders, and prejudice evidenced by the men.It is populated by colorful Italian, Irish, Black, Puerto Rican, and Jewish characters from a variety of different backgrounds; the novel sparkles with dialogue that is representative of their respective cultures

WHEN THE HOWELL FAMILY MOVES INTO A HOUSE on Heckler Lane, it causes quite a stir around the small town of Sunny Cove, Pennsylvania. Elise Howell, a well-known cardio surgeon, has returned home after fifteen years to fill her recently deceased mother’s position at Sunny Cove General Hospital. In a town this size, it’s big news. But it’s Elise’s new husband, Artie, who has the whole town talking. Artie Howell is a man who always seems to be wearing a smile. He’s an accomplished crime fiction writer, a soccer dad to their young son Nicky, and he volunteers his weekends teaching creative writing to youths in the local detention center. When they first arrived at Heckler Lane, the Howells had seemed like a wholesome American family. Then came the murders. A nun turning up missing from the Convent of St. Mary becomes the first in a string of unexplained tragedies that have befallen the town. Tragedies that all seem to be tied to scenes from Artie’s novels. The writer now finds himself as the prime suspect in an investigation that threatens to not only tear apart his family, but the entire town of Sunny Cove. James talks with the prolific writer! Akashic Books! Out everywhere!

The book, An Awesome Bird The Pelican, is a book for kids, written by Rusty Austin, and students from Nellie Coffman Middle School created the illustrations. This story teaches kids about pelicans in a fun and interesting way by showing off their various traits and behaviors.The story starts with a curious pelican going on a trip to find out where it fits in the world. The pelican faces many problems along its journey and gets to learn many important lessons. The pelican learn about never giving up and the value of community. The students’ drawings add a personal touch that makes the readers enjoy he story in a different way.This book is useful for parents and teachers to teach youngsters about animals and their habitats. With its easy-to-read text and eye-catching pictures, this book keeps kids curious and excited to learn about animals.This book is fun and educational for kids to read in school or at home. It makes kids more curious and helps them appreciate nature more, which makes it a great book for any child’s bookshelf. This book takes readers on an exciting journey through the animal kingdom. Each creature has its own fun poem that shares its unique story. From Axolotl Salamanders to Uromastyx Lizards, every animal gets a moment to explain their behavior.Available on Amazon! James Lott JR is the host!

In a world carefully constructed for murder, solving crimes takes a keen mind and eye in a witty, clever, and fresh reinvention of the whodunit by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Goldberg.Edison Bixby is wealthy, handsome, and, due to a traumatic brain injury, impulsively rude. He’s also a brilliant insurance investigator who solves baffling crimes by figuring out how the design of the man-made world around us makes them possible. Enter Wally Nash: a struggling actor hired to keep Bixby from offending everyone he meets.Their first case together looks like a simple accident. Caroline Crowley took a nasty fall down a staircase at a shopping mall in front of dozens of witnesses. Video clearly shows the deadly misstep. But Bixby is certain she was murdered by design, subtly manipulated into causing her own demise. The mall itself made the crime intentional, if not inevitable.Now Bixby must prove his outrageous theory before a very cunning killer gets others on his hit list to murder themselves, too.Lee Goldberg is a two-time Edgar Award and two-time Shamus Award finalist and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than sixty novels, including the Eve Ronin series, the Ian Ludlow series, the Sharpe & Walker series, and five books (and two novellas) in the Fox and O’Hare series, which Lee coauthored with Janet Evanovich. He has also written and/or produced many TV shows, including Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, and Monk, and is the cocreator of the Hallmark movie series Mystery 101. As an international television consultant, he has advised networks and studios in Canada, France, Germany, Spain, China, Sweden, and the Netherlands on the creation, writing, and production of episodic series. For more information, visit www.leegoldberg.com.James Lott Jr is the host! 

In case you didnt know! take a listen! We honor and remember all the fallen who served. 

In this episode I spoke with Larry D Graggy about his book "Bugsy's Shadow: Moe Sedway, Bugsy Siegel and the Birth of Organized Crime in Las Vegas." The story of Moe Sedway, the eponymous "shadow" to Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, from his days as Bugsy's right hand associate to his suspected role in Bugsy's unsolved disappearance, and the role Sedway played in the creation of modern Las Vegas.

Midnight Train from Georgia chronicles the incredible rise of Gladys Knight and the Pips from their origins singing in a small Atlanta church to their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. When two families' destinies intertwine at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, they discover the extraordinary musical talents of their children. Young cousins William Guest, Eleanor Guest, Gladys Knight, Brenda Knight, and Bubba Knight unite their heavenly vocals to form The Pips gospel choir. We follow William Guest from his formative years in Atlanta, where his love of music is kindled by evenings listening to his family perform rhythmic gospel songs on their porch. The Pips' journey takes them from these humble back-porch jam sessions to struggle and sacrifice on the road to stardom. With faith, fortitude and William's grandmother's lessons to guide them, the group overcomes adversity through the transcendent power of their music. Midnight Train from Georgia is an inspiring tale about the bonds of family, church and music. It's a story of poverty to fortune, innocence to experience, and childhood friendship growing into Hall of Fame synergy. Their sweet harmonies touched millions over decades, but it all started with kids finding their voices in a small Georgia choir.Lady Dhyana Ziegler, DCJ, Ph.D., is currently President and CEO of Z/Creators, LLC and Professor Emerita of Florida A&M University, U.S.A. . She has worked in the field of higher education and technology for more than 35 years as a professor and administrator. Dr. Ziegler is the author of four books, more than 60 scholarly publications - including book chapters - and has produced more than 100 videos and other multimedia works. She has presented at numerous national and international conferences. Besides her academic career, Dr. Ziegler is a multimedia writer, digital content producer, and songwriter (to name a few). She serves on several boards and other professional organisations.

In this episode I spoke with Justin Baer about his book "House of Fidelity: The Rise of the Johnson Dynasty and the Company That Changed American Investing". When Edward C. Johnson 2d founded Fidelity in 1946, investing was a pursuit reserved for the elite. Today, more than $15 trillion flows through Fidelity’s customer accounts and investment funds touching the lives of one in five American adults. 

His new book is out now! Before Leaving the Island, available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org. It ships globally.

WHEN YOUR KID IS LITTLE, the paradoxes of parenting are simple: you can love your child to death, and also be willing to do anything to get them to go the fuck to sleep. But by the time your precious little baby bird is getting ready to spread its wings and leave the nest? That’s a whole different level of complexity. You’re happy and sad. Thrilled and devastated. You want to give them all the advice you can, but you know they’ve got to make their own mistakes. You want them to know they can always come home, but also you’re turning their bedroom into a gym. With Adam Mansbach’s trademark honesty, humor, and profanity, Go the Fuck to College perfectly captures the complicated emotional reality of this poignant, fraught, exciting time. A perfect gift for any graduating senior―or their parents or grandparents―this book somehow encapsulates everything you’d ever want to tell your kid . . . along with a few things you’d never dream of saying out loud. Full color illustrations throughout! out now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble.

JLJ talks to John about his  debut collection of poems, Before Leaving the Island, available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org. It ships globally. His  heartfelt thanks to Trail to Table, an imprint of Wandering Aengus Press, and to the many others whose help along the way made this book possible. This year he also founded Fifth Stanza Press with the mission of publishing first and second collections of poetry by writers in midlife or later. Inaugural submissions window started on May 1.

In Jazz Age New York, a shocking murder shatters the privileged life of the city’s most elite family in a propulsive mystery-thriller debut from author K.M. Colley that spans from Harlem to Long Island’s Gold Coast and high society’s glittering world of deadly secrets.In the glittering world of 1920s New York, the seven Ridley heirs seem to have it all: wealth, status, and protection as the city’s most powerful family. But when notorious gossip columnist Dale Caimen is found dead during their family’s renowned summer soiree, their carefully constructed world begins to crack.Behind the champagne and jazz, each adopted Ridley sibling harbors secrets that could destroy them. There’s Amelia, the responsible eldest trying to hold it all together; Adesua, whose artistic ambitions in the Harlem Renaissance threaten her family’s expectations; and wild child Kavita, whose dangerous nights in speakeasies may have finally caught up with her.As the murder investigation intensifies, long-buried tensions surface and family loyalties unravel. Someone knows the truth about the Ridleys—and they’re willing to kill to expose it. In a world where appearance is everything and power comes at a deadly price, the siblings must decide what matters more: protecting the family name or each other.goto Amazon or where ever books are sold! 

Dickens in Brooklyn is a virtuoso collection of unusual, compelling essays in which critically acclaimed and award-winning author Jay Neugeboren explores experiences that have been central to his life: caring long-term for a brother with mental illness; finding and connecting with long-lost family members; a posthumous lunch with Oliver Sacks; his years as single parent to his three children; his decision as a General Motors executive trainee to violate company policy and hang out with "hourlies;" a thwarted kiss at a teenage summer camp where he was a young Jewish man in exile among Jews.Neugeboren is the author most recently of Whatever Happened to Frankie King and twenty-three other prize-winning works of fiction and nonfiction. His essays have been recently published in The New York Review of Books, The New York Times, The American Scholar, Los Angeles Review of Books, Tablet, and Commonweal, and are here collected for the first time.

In this episode, I spoke with one of the producers of the film and the author of the book " On the Set of Forest Gump." Forrest Gump is a beloved and frequently quoted modern classic that has captivated audiences and changed the American cultural landscape since its release. The winner of six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay, its portrayal of American history has often sparked debate.

IN this episode I spoke with Martin Dugard about his latest book "The Long Run". A dramatic narrative telling the story behind the running and marathon boom of the 1970s and early 1980s, featuring the stories of Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Grete Waitz, and many others, and how a generation of runners turned a formerly obscure distance into a national obsession

1910, Mexico. As the country’s revolution spreads, Dolores, the daughter of a wealthy banker, must flee her comfortable life in Durango or risk death. Her family settles in Mexico City, where, at sixteen, she marries the worldly Jaime del Río. But in a twist of fate, at a party she meets an influential American director who recognizes in her a natural performer. He invites her to Hollywood, and practically overnight, the famous Miss del Río is born. Dolores’s star quickly rises, and her days become a whirlwind of moviemaking and glamorous events. Swept up in L.A.'s glitzy inner circle, she takes her place among film royalty such as Marlene Dietrich and Orson Welles. But as her career soars, her personal life becomes increasingly complicated, with family tragedy, divorce, and real heartache. And when she’s labeled box office poison amid growing prejudice before WWII, Dolores must decide what price she’s willing to pay to achieve her dreams and if her heart and future instead lie where it all began…in Mexico. Spanning half a century and narrated by Dolores’s fictional hairdresser and longtime friend, Miss del Río traces the life of a trailblazing woman whose legacy in Hollywood and in Mexico still shines bright today. Out now! Amazon and all bookstores!

"The Magnificent Mr. & Mrs. Maple" is the (almost) true story of two trees in a Harlem garden and the family of plants & critters that love them. When fate threatens to separate them, they all learn to value the invisible bonds of love and family.In addition to Mr. & Mrs. Maple, there is Nosy, the busybody bee...a silly spider named Sally and JoRo, a jolly pigeon. Juniper and Boxwood round out the blended family who make their home on a New York City terrace overlooking the famous Apollo Theater.Charmingly illustrated, this long-distance love story for children will also be enjoyed by adults and help readers understand that everyone can "bloom where they're planted," even when separated by circumstances beyond their control. The Foreword, by NYT Bestselling author Dr. Kerry Burnight, further emphasizes the benefits of the theme for older individuals.Out Everywhere  books are sold or got nelsonaspen.comOut everyhwere 

In this episode I spoke with author Andrew Burstein about his latest book "Being Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History". The deepest dive yet into the heart and soul, secret affairs, unexplored alliances, and bitter feuds of a generally worshipped, intermittently reviled American icon. Perhaps no founding father is as mysterious as Thomas Jefferson. The author of the Declaration of Independence was both a gifted wordsmith and a bundle of nerves.

A fan found an error, James Lott Jr fixed it! Take a listen! 

A spellbinding tale of forbidden love and the power of words, where a girl must choose between the life written for her and the future she dares to imagine. In a small Georgia town, Nelle’s life has been carefully scripted by her creator and captor, the reclusive author Wallace Quill. Born from ink and imagination, every breath she takes is dictated by his pen. But on a star-studded Fourth of July night, she meets James―a young man with dreams as vivid as the fireworks above them―and suddenly, the unwritten becomes possible. As Nelle and James fall deeply in love, they embark on a breathtaking journey across Europe, each new experience a defiant stroke against the words that bind her. But freedom has a price. With every mile they travel, the ink in Nelle’s veins threatens to rewrite their story. In a world where every moment could be her last, Nelle and James must fight to write their own happily ever after―before the final page turns. James Lott Jr chats with the author Garrett Cubow about the new release (Out April st/Amazon).

In this episode I spoke with author Keith O'Brien about his latest book "Heartland: A forgotten Place, An Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird". In the fall 1974, Larry Bird—one of the greatest players to ever pick up a basketball—was lost, and in danger of slipping away.He had dropped out of Indiana University, spurning legendary Hoosiers head coach Bobby Knight. He returned home to French Lick, a tiny town in the second poorest county in Indiana, and he got a job hauling trash.

James Lott Jr sits down with the prolific author Dale Perelman about his fun, true stories, latest book.James Lott Jr sits down with the prolific author Dale Perelman about his fun, true stories, latest book. As turmoil rocked New Castle in the 1970s, a group of young men completed their military service and came home to a bleak future. Without college degrees or marketable skills, they found few options in Western Pennsylvania. Looking for a better life, they turned their eyes west. Las Vegas promised women, gambling, excitement, and the chance to make a buck. Over their decades on the floors of Sin City’s casinos, they would rub shoulders with gangsters and stars and keep a sharp eye out for opportunity―and for card counters. Based on hours of exclusive interviews, author Dale Perelman unfolds this cavalier group’s frolicking adventures as they navigated their way from the belly of the downtown Golden Gate to some of the Strip’s premier casinos, all while teetering along the right side of the law. And Dale has a famous Actor son! The book is out now on Amazon.com

In this episode I spoke with Dr. Chris Mackowski about his book "Atlas of Independence: John Adams and the American Revolution".   “The man to whom the country is most indebted for the great measure of independence is Mr. John Adams. . . . I call him the Atlas of American independence.”

Her new book Hooked A novel is out now! 

A great book from a great author. James gets to talk about the book and get to know the author. Sonali Dev's books are on Amazon.com

In this suspenseful thriller by Caitlin Rother, a journalist and cop fight a sexual attraction as they join forces to expose a layered scheme of dark and dangerous secrets. When investigative reporter Katrina Chopin and surfing homicide detective Ken Goode lock eyes, there’s an immediate attraction. Sparks fly as they bond over cocktails, sharing their common experiences of being orphans and losing loved ones to suicide. But the next time they meet, it’s from opposing sides of a high-profile case. Two biotech execs, whose company is developing a groundbreaking sexual enhancement drug, turn up dead in the wealthy seaside enclave of La Jolla Farms, where Goode can readily see that the forensic evidence doesn’t add up. As they work their own angles, sometimes together and sometimes at odds, their growing attraction threatens to cost them their jobs—and their lives. As Katrina and Goode pursue answers behind these mysterious events, a secret stalker taunts Katrina with details of her tragic past, which takes her to the brink of death. But once the duo rips the mask away from this beautiful paradise, the corrupt underbelly behind all that glitters is revealed. James chats with the author. Book is out now! Amazon.com

In sixteenth-century Mexico, a fearless young woman strives to uncover the secrets her mother kept as the last Aztec empress in a sweeping historical epic by the author of Daughter of Fire. Tenochtitlan, 1551. Thirty years after the Spanish Conquest destroyed everything she loved, the last Aztec empress has passed and left behind a pristine yet tenuous legacy for her children. As her last will and testament is read out, her daughter Isabel suspects that another account of her mother’s life may exist, hidden away, chapter by chapter, in the Valley of Mexico. Following each clue, Isabel is determined to find out who her mother really was and to discover the secrets she buried in order to survive. Joined by her siblings and a handsome young cook named Juan, Isabel embarks on a perilous journey to piece together the past―a journey that will force the party to brave the brutal viceroyal court, face fearsome legends in mystical chinampas, and trek through desert, fire, and snow. As Isabel’s feelings for Juan grow, she confronts everything she thought she knew about her Spanish father, her empress mother, and herself. Facing everything from the tunnels of ancient pyramids to the summit of an active volcano, Isabel will meet every challenge to fulfill an epic quest for the truth. #1 On Amazon! get your copy!

James reunites with Multi Hyphenate Entertainer Nelson Aspen, whose new book is out now on Amazon! The two catch up on the one the wonderful year 2025 he had professionally and whats to come in this year 2026. nelsonaspen.com

After a car accident took the lives of both her parents, Mira Caine’s transition to adulthood was hard and fast. Solely responsible for the welfare of her intellectually disabled younger brother, she’s searching for a better life for them both when she’s approached by an enigmatic woman with an offer that seems like the answer to their problems. Allison Wyndclyffe, the young heir to an enormous fortune who’s suffered her own trauma, is in need of a mentor and companion.Isolated on an island in the St. Lawrence River lies the Wyndclyffe estate—beautiful but possessing a dark and complicated legacy. As Mira settles in and befriends her troubled charge, she quickly learns her new home is full of questions that no one wants to answer. What caused Allison’s father to murder his wife and almost kill his daughter? How is the tragedy connected to the arcane writings Mira stumbles across? And why do parts of the island feel strangely familiar to her?As more of the sprawling manor’s secrets are revealed through Allison’s damaged psyche, Mira’s sense of time and self begin to erode. Before long she will come face-to-face with the unspeakable truth at the heart of Wyndclyffe, and not everyone will make it off the island alive.James talks with the author about the book! Joe Hart is the Edgar Award–winning and Wall Street Journal–bestselling author of seventeen novels, including Wyndclyffe, The River Is Dark, Obscura, The Last Girl, and Or Else. His work has been translated into eight languages as well as optioned for film. Hart lives with his family in Minnesota.

Commemorate 150 years of the Kentucky Derby with this 184-page hardcover book. This coffee-table book offers an unparalleled exploration of the Derby's storied past, combining historic and modern-day photographs with insightful stories from The Courier Journal's award-winning journalists. Every page reflects the excitement and elegance of the Derby, from the intensity of the races to the sophistication of the fashion and the rich culture surrounding this iconic event

In this episode  Doug Hess spoke with author Matthew Pinsker about his book "Boss Lincoln: The Partisan Life of Abraham Lincoln". An eye-opening portrait of Lincoln behind the scenes: Here is the career-long party politician whose brilliant coalition-building during the Civil War set the political foundation for emancipation and Union victory.You can pre-order the book now.  It will be out on February 10, 2026.

James points out The Difference Between Novella and Novel and other book and story lengths.

James remembers doing an episode on this back in 2018, so he decided to do an update on the subject! All of his books are on Amazon! 

From the author of Not What She Seems, Yasmin Angoe’s thriller explores revenge, morality, corruption, and wealth as a woman sets out to uncover the truth behind her friend’s disappearance and expose the powerful family behind it. Isla Thorne had a rough start in life. Orphaned young, she spent her formative years in a group home where she met her best friend, Eden Galloway. At sixteen, they decide to run away to LA…but Eden never makes it. It’s been ten years since Eden vanished. And Isla’s determined to find her. She begins at the last place Eden visited: the Corrigan mansion in Virginia. Eden claimed to have unfinished business there. Posing as an aspiring journalist, Isla insinuates herself into the wealthy family’s home and begins searching for the truth. The more she digs, the more Isla discovers Eden isn’t who she thought she was. Was she even a victim, or did Eden plan this all along? Desperate for answers and to keep her identity hidden, Isla finds an ally in one of the Corrigan sons. But as she wades deeper into this power-hungry family’s secrets and lies, she finds herself in the crosshairs of a bloodline that’s more lethal than loyal. Yasmin Angoe is the author of the critically acclaimed Her Name Is Knight, first book in the Nena Knight trilogy. She is a first-generation Ghanaian American and the recipient of the 2020 Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for Emerging Writers of Color. Her Name Is Knight came in #1 on multiple Amazon Bestseller charts and is an Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller, & Suspense. Yasmin is a nominee for the Anthony Awards for Best First Book and the AAMBC Awards for Debut Author of the Year. Her work has received numerous recognitions, Best Of lists, and a Library Journal Starred Review. Her book has appeared in Woman’s World Book Club, POPSUGAR, Nerd Daily, the Washington Independent Review of Books, and other platforms. Yasmin is a former educator and received a Kirkus Review calling Her Name Is Knight, “A parable of reclaiming personal and tribal identity by seizing power at all costs".

Including a Yellow pages! In Between The Pages is on Facebook!

Presidential Seclusion: The Power of Camp DavidIn this episode I spoke with Charles Ferguson about his book "Presidential Seclusion: The Power of Camp David".Behind the gates of Camp David—where presidents find solitude, forge diplomacy, and shape history in absolute secrecy.The Presidential Retreat Camp David is shrouded in mystery, and rightfully so. The hidden retreat atop the Catoctin Mountains is the one place the President, First Family, and invited guests can gather in absolute secrecy for relaxation, rejuvenation, and world-changing decisions. Because of this dedication to privacy, and a desire to maintain the mystery and exclusivity of the last bastion of solitude for the President, few comprehensive accounts exist detailing the storied history of Camp David and the role the “Spirit of Camp David” plays in world affairs.

James chats with the author! The Fix is out NOW! Amazon.com or any bookstore! Mia Sheridan is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her romantic suspense novels include Bad Mother, All the Little Raindrops, The Broken Places, Where the Blame Lies, and Where the Truth Lives. Mia lives with her husband in Cincinnati, Ohio. They have four children here on earth and one in heaven. You can find the author online at https://miasheridan.com or follow her on X (@MSheridanAuthor), Instagram (@MiaSheridanAuthor), and Facebook (www.facebook.com/miasheridanauthor).

The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter: A Novel is out now! Amazon.com or where books are sold! James Lott Jr chats with the author! Brionni Nwosu is a writer, educator, and joyful creative based in the vibrant city of Nashville, where she lives with her husband and their three children. After more than a decade teaching students and mentoring teachers, she shifted her storytelling craft from a side passion to center stage. A 2021 We Need Diverse Books mentee under Rajani LaRocca, Brionni writes bold, heartfelt fiction that explores connection, purpose, and what it means to live a life well. Learn more at www.brionninwosu.com.

The Kidnapping of Alice Ingold is out today! Amazon.com or where books are sold! James chats with the author! Cate Holahan is the USA Today bestselling author of seven standalone novels and is the coauthor of the #1 Audible bestselling title Young Rich Widows and its sequel, Desperate Deadly Widows. Her novels have been translated into multiple languages and optioned for television. She has also written two original movies for MarVista Entertainment: Deadly Estate and Midnight Hustle. In a former life, she was a journalist and TV producer. She has written for Bloomberg Businessweek magazine, New Jersey’s The Record newspaper, The Boston Globe, MSN Money, and CNBC. A biracial Jamaican and Irish American writer, Cate is a member of Crime Writers of Color, Sisters in Crime, and the Authors Guild. She has an MFA in dramatic writing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and a BA from Princeton University. She lives in Tenafly, New Jersey, with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs, and spends time in Jamaica, where she’s also a citizen. For more information, visit www.cateholahan.com

Only Way Out: A Novel by Author Tod Goldberg Is out now! amazon.com or bookstores near you! James Lott Jr gets to chat to the "other" best Selling Author in the family! Tod Goldberg is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen books of fiction, including The Low Desert: Gangster Stories, Gangsterland, a finalist for the Hammett Prize, Gangster Nation, The House of Secrets, which he co-authored with Brad Meltzer, and Living Dead Girl, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His essays, nonfiction, and criticism appear widely, including in the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal, as well as Best American Essays, and have earned five Nevada Press Association Awards. He is also the cohost, along with Rider Strong and Julia Pistell, of the popular podcast Literary Disco. Goldberg is a Professor of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside, where founded and directs the Low Residency MFA program in Creative Writing & Writing for the Performing Arts. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @todgoldberg and on Facebook at facebook.com/todgoldberg or visit todgoldberg.com

John Gaspard is an author, filmmaker, and podcaster. His latest book, Held Over:Harold and Maude at The Westgate Theater, documents how Minneapolis’Westgate Theater extended the run of a box-office flop until it became a cultfavorite, drawing celebrity visits, superfans, and neighborhood protests.He writes two mystery series: the ten-book Eli Marks Mystery Series, featuring amagician-turned-detective, and the three-book Como Lake Players Mystery Series, set in a community theater where backstage tensions turn deadly.On Behind the Page: The Eli Marks Podcast, he hosts interviews with entertainers,magicians and others, along with readings from The Eli Marks mystery series of novels. Gaspard is also the author of Fast, Cheap, and Under Control and Fast, Cheap,and Written That Way, best-selling nonfiction guides to low-budget filmmaking. He has directed and produced six feature films. Ironically, the books made more than the movies. John also wrote episodes for the international western-comedy series Lucky Luke,starring Terence Hill, who's as quick to pick up a check in real life as his character is at drawing a six-gun on screen Held Over: Harold and Maude at The Westgate Theater can be found here: https://www.albertsbridgebooks.com/ - /held-over-harold-and-maude-at-the- westgate-theater/ The Eli Marks Mysteries and The Como Lake Players Mysteries can be found here: https://www.albertsbridgebooks.com/eli-marks The Filmmaking Books can be found here: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/ James Lott Jr is the host.