PODCAST · arts
Inside Scoop Live!
by insidescooplive
🎧 Inside Scoop Live! — THE OFFICIAL PODCAST OF READER VIEWS — Thought-provoking conversations with indie and small press authors. Go beyond the book and meet the people behind the pages—what drives them, what inspires them, and how their stories came to life.
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ME, MOM & THE MONSTER, by Corinne Brown
ME, MOM & THE MONSTER "The results of your predictive testing are here, and they show that you did inherit the gene for Huntington's disease." Those words, delivered by the neurologist to 57-year-old Mae Brown, forever changed her life and the lives of her family. Me, Mom & the Monster is a soul-stirring memoir that follows the path of this farming wife, businesswoman, mother and grandmother who lived a life with a monster of a disease. Interwoven with Mae's story is that of her third child, Corinne, whose life is intrinsically connected to her mother's diagnosis. Told from alternating voices of Corinne and her mother, this is a candid account of the harrowing effects of living with a fatal, genetic disease. Me, Mom & the Monster captures the authenticity and vulnerability of a mother and daughter who find themselves entwined in a long dance with a neurodegenerative disease. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION Why she didn't want to write this book What writing it let out The readers who've found themselves in it The Devil's Dance, and the silence around Huntington's The losses, and which one was hardest Her mother's decision to go into long-term care Living at risk, and choosing not to be tested All royalties go to the Huntington Society of Canada ABOUT THE AUTHOR Corinne Brown was 10-years old when she told her teacher that when she grew up, she was going to be an author. A few decades may have passed since then, but the author’s dream was realized in June of 2026 with the publication of her debut book, Me, Mom & the Monster, Our Dance Through Huntington’s Disease. Corinne, a native Newfoundlander, grew up surrounded by books, newspapers and magazines. Her environment must have had some impact since she graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a Bachelor of Arts and then went on to pursue a Journalism diploma at Mount Royal University. Although her initial intention was to write fiction, Corinne says the story of Me, Mom & the Monster needed to be told first. She says sharing the intimate story of being part of a Huntington’s disease family opened the space for other ideas. When she isn’t creating characters, and envisioning scenes and scenarios, she finds comfort in being outside. She lives in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada where she is continuously adding to her To Be Read stack and where she is currently writing her second book. CONNECT WITH CORINNE BROWN Website: corinnebrown.ca Instagram: @corinneiswritingabook Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590646317904 Pick up your copy of Me, Mom & the Monster
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CELESTIAL CHILDREN by Diana Fedorak
CELESTIAL CHILDREN While Alina recovers from the upheaval in Alpheios, her every thought is consumed with worry for all those she holds dear. Particularly for her brother Gordo, who is now missing. To complicate matters further, the powers of her young son, Mandin, are manifesting in unexpected ways. Fearing the worst, Alina searches for her brother only to discover that an advanced species, known as the kronosapiens, emerge with carnage as their agenda. Everyone Alina loves is in danger. The local factions can’t agree on a plan of action. And the threat is rising. As the kronosapiens pursue dominance over humans, can Alina find a way to protect those closest to her? Or will the rise of this new species eradicate the entire human colony … including her own family? TOPICS OF CONVERSATION: What Celestial Children is about — the capstone of the Children of Alpheios trilogy. A young mother fights to protect her family in a society where genetic engineering is the norm and a corporation owns reproduction. Dystopian, biopunk, and Diana describes it as Gattaca-like. What we owe our families — the question underneath all three books. Biological family versus found family, and Diana says the answers aren't easy. A planet built to kill you — gamma storms, temperature extremes, a few livable pockets. Diana drew the map by hand, worked out the biomes, then designed a human who could survive there. Two societies, one minority — most people in the city are engineered with traits selected before birth. The Origins refuse all of it and live underground. Diana uses them to look at how a society treats the people it decides don't count. A new species, and a deliberate flip — the kronosapiens can harden their skin, fling rocks with their minds, and put a shock through you. The females hunt. The males feed the young. Two mothers, same instinct — Alina and Kora both have children in danger and go about it very differently. Diana compares them to Ripley and the aliens. The corporation that runs everything — Genodyne brought humans to the planet, its founder was chancellor for most of his life, and it holds a monopoly on medicine, pharmaceuticals, and reproduction. It also poisoned its own customers, and now it's handing out the cure for free. ABOUT THE AUTHOR DIANA FEDORAK is a speculative fiction writer from Las Vegas, Nevada. In a prior life, she retired as a Colonel from the United States Air Force. She enjoys writing complex characters in high-stakes science fiction and fantasy worlds. Diana's debut novel, Children of Alpheios, was released in early 2023 and swept the Firebird Book Awards for Dystopian, Science Fiction, and Speculative Fiction. Her sequel, Origins Progeny, was selected as an Editor's Pick by Booklife's Publisher Weekly. When she's not writing, she spends time in her own universe with her husband, children, and their German Shepard. CONNECT WITH DIANA FEDORAK! Website: www.dianafedorak.com Facebook: dianafedorakauthor Instagram @diana_fedorak_author
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THE WEIGHT OF COLD THINGS by Lisa Towles
THE WEIGHT OF COLD THINGS A MISSING SHERIFF. A FROZEN WASTELAND. A PAST THAT WON'T STAY BURIED. Wyoming Deputy Sheriff Gree Gooding is sent north to find her missing boss. The trail leads four thousand miles to Deadhorse, Alaska—an oil-drilling outpost in the Arctic Circle where daylight is scarce and survival is measured in minutes. Six months earlier, her husband, a geologist, vanished in the same region. The investigation pulls her into more than a missing-person case. It connects to her Wyoming past, to unthinkable family truths, and to the grief she can't outrun. When the investigation tightens around a decades-long cover-up, Gree realizes someone has been anticipating her arrival all along. This was never just a missing person case. It is the conspiracy her husband died trying to expose—and what she must finish, no matter the cost. The cold doesn't forgive. It doesn't forget. And it's about to give up its dead. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION A missing sheriff, a wallet four thousand miles away, and a deputy who has to fly to the last place on earth she wants to go. Lisa's darkest thriller yet. Where it started: a real town called Deadhorse, Alaska. North of the Arctic Circle, flat, dark six months of the year. Lisa heard the name and knew she had to write it. Then the odds got strange. She sat down next to a crime novelist who'd actually worked the Deadhorse oil fields in the '70s and '80s. He read her drafts and fixed what the internet got wrong. Meet Gree Gooding: Wyoming deputy, sharp as they come, and a total train wreck. A vanished husband, a mother she never grieved, and she's running from all of it. Inside the villain's head. Lisa blurs the line between good and bad, and admits this book scared her to write. Two worlds, one story. A tangled family ranch in Cody, an ex named Woody she never wanted to see again, and secrets waiting up in Deadhorse. Plus: Lisa on book coaching, her nonfiction release The ME Factor, and her next thriller Midnight Pass, which she swears is lighter. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lisa Towles is an award-winning, Amazon bestselling crime novelist, podcast host, and Book Coach dedicated to helping authors stand out in a crowded marketplace. She is the author of fifteen published crime novels, including the acclaimed E&A Investigations series and her latest standalone thriller, The Weight of Cold Things, from Indies United Publishing. Her thrillers are known for their psychological depth, high stakes, and cinematic pacing. Lisa is also the visionary behind Story Impact, a platform spanning consulting, a podcast, and a magazine, all built to elevate authors through branding, market intelligence, and publishing guidance. Its latest addition is her nonfiction book, The ME Factor: Your Secret Weapon for Author Visibility, a strategic framework to help authors clarify their identity, understand their market, and build a brand that lasts. Lisa holds an MBA in IT Management and brings a blend of creative expertise and business strategy to her work. CONNECT WITH LISA TOWLES Website: https://lisatowles.com/ Social Media & Other Links: https://linktr.ee/authortowles Get your copy of THE WEIGHT OF COLD THINGS.
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TINA'S TRUMPET by Mr. Kind
TINA'S TRUMPET In the vibrant land where two oceans meet, nestled between rainforest and volcanic peaks, tiny Tina grows up feeling invisible and alone. Raised by her grandparents, she watches the world from the sidelines—until a scruffy little white dog with wild hair and a fearless spirit struts into her life. She names him Trumpet. Bold, protective, and endearingly loud, Trumpet becomes her constant companion, guardian, and best friend. Together they navigate hardship, share meals, and discover joy—from rundown streets to sunlit beaches. When a kind but broken man enters their world, drawn first to the spirited dog, healing begins. Laughter, love, and family bloom as Tina, Trumpet, and their new partner build a life together, eventually welcoming a miraculous baby boy. Tina’s Trumpet is a heartfelt tale of resilience, unconditional love, and the extraordinary bond between a lonely girl and her loyal dog. A touching reminder that the smallest souls can bring the greatest light. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION A true story: The book is based on his wife's real childhood, and Trumpet is her real dog, Terry. Where the name came from: How "Tina's Trumpet" came to him on the beach, a small, loud, protective instrument standing in for the dog who protected her. How she first read it: She asked him to write it, then he went silent and worked alone. When he finally sent it over WhatsApp, she couldn't get through it for weeks. The love story behind it: How they met in Costa Rica, and why the dog's approval was the only reason he had a shot with her. What Terry left behind: How the dog's passing changed his wife, brought the family closer, and pulled Mr. Kind back to writing after years away. What he hopes kids take away: No matter where you start, love and hope carry you through. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mr. Kind uses a unique lyrical rhyme style paired with vibrant, imaginative artwork to create stories meant to last for generations. His books blend wonder, gentle life lessons, and memorable characters that inspire both young readers and the adults who share the stories with them. Mr. Kind lives with his wife and his son in Nosara, Costa Rica. CONNECT WITH MR. KIND! Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256756545-tina-s-trumpet Amazon: https://amzn.to/4xYw5eU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_kind_stories/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrkindstories/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mr.kindstories9280 Mr. Kind Stories: https://mrkindstories.com/ YouthWide: https://youthwide.com/
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THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW by Adrian Mompoint
THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW Francis has a passion for acting. He eats, drinks, and breathes theater. But the constant pressure he puts on himself to be great comes with a cost. Severe migraines begin to pull him away from the stage, forcing him to step back from the life he loves. With no other choice, Francis takes a quiet 9–5 job at a place known simply as The Company. The work seems simple enough—just sorting paperwork in a calm, structured office. But something about the workplace feels… off. The employees all dress the same. Conversations feel rehearsed. Smiles linger a little too long. What first appears to be a routine office job slowly reveals itself to be something far stranger. As the days pass, Francis begins to realize that The Company may not be what it seems—and that everyone around him may be playing a role in something he doesn’t yet understand. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION Corporate life meets the Twilight Zone: Adrian based The Performance Review on his friend Francisco, a former theater actor whose real corporate horror stories were so strange Adrian assumed he was making them up Once an actor, always an actor: Why Francis treats his cubicle job like a performance, and Adrian's belief that everyone acts differently depending on who they're with Yogurt, milk, and dead-eyed smiles: The small, off details that make Francis wonder if the company is a cult, and where Adrian's cult-documentary habit comes in The real laugh in a quiet room: How Fiona announces herself before Francis ever sees her, and why the two of them build a secret signal to catch if either one starts to slip From The Performance Review to the screen: The short film Adrian is scripting with Francisco starring, the connected novel In Between Rooms, and the ideas he's still pulling from notebooks he's kept since he was ten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Adrian M. Mompoint is a horror and thriller writer focused on psychological storytelling and atmospheric tension. Inspired by early exposure to The Shining, he developed a fascination with fear—what creates it, and why it lingers. He is primarily a behind-the-scenes photographer, capturing the unseen moments of film and production. Adrian is also a film actor and stunt performer, as well as a big and tall model. Outside of his creative work, he volunteers in his community by cleaning and restoring graves and helping maintain outdoor spaces. Connect with Adrian Mompoint through linktr.ee/Adrianmompoint for links to his social media and website accounts. Get The Performance Review: https://amzn.to/4wNkwal
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Wolf Warrior: The Beast Heart Series #2 by Erin Tunney
WOLF WARRIOR: THE BEAST HEART SERIES BOOK #2 In a world where kingdoms teeter on the brink of ruin, and beasts are bound by cruel masters, one girl rises from exile to challenge fate itself.Clara, a human with the power of theWild Sheperdess, has endured betrayal, loss, and unimaginable pain. From the frozen depths of the Selkie Oceans to the scorched battlefields of fire dragons and hellhounds, she has faced monsters both literal and human. With her loyal companions she discovers a power that could save or shatter the kingdoms she holds dear.But as Duke Averance and his daughter Maroona tighten their grip on the realms, Clara must navigate treachery, uncover hidden prophecies, and unite disparate races before darkness consumes them all. Along the way, friendships will be tested, loyalties questioned, and hearts ignited in a struggle that will define the future of humans, beasts, and magic alike.Will Clara save her friends and the selkies, or will human corruption destroy her? The storm is coming, and only the brave will survive. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION What Wolf Warrior is about: Clara heads into the Selkie clan's oceans, lands in a hostage situation, and gets ordered by Queen Sedna to take on the Leviathans, giant sea monsters. The magic system: Beast Hearts and thread sight, Clara's empathy-based power to see the life threads running through everything, where bright colors mean life and duller ones turn horrifying. The world of Heartstrings: its distrustful clans, from Selkies and Harpies to Reptilia and Minotaurs, plus gods each locked to a single element. Clara's found family: hummingbird harpy Twitch, a sand dwarf healer, and a reptilia scout, and what she finds with them that her village never gave her. The writing behind it: crafting dark themes for a young adult audience, drawing on Selkie folklore, and closing the series out at four books. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Erin Tunney is an avid fan of fantasy, animals, and mysteries (mostly cozy ones). Her first book, Beast Heart Series #1: The Wild Shepherdess, has won three awards (Silver in Literary Titan, 2nd in Epic and YA Fantasy in Bookfest, and a Firebird Award). Currently, she's working on several novels, including the third book in the Beast Heart Series. CONNECT WITH ERIN TUNNEY Website: https://fantasyrealmbooks.wordpress.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573386478177 Blusky: @fantasyrealmbooks.bsky.social — Bluesky Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/fantasyrealmbooks Purchase Wolf Warrior: https://amzn.to/4hRRP7l
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MRS. PAPADAKIS by Florence Wetzel
MRS. PAPADAKIS After five years of married life in a Cretan fishing village—milking goats, sidestepping village gossip, and contending with octopus in her refrigerator—American Carolyn Papadakis starts to wonder if she should return to the US. An unexpected visitor deepens her doubts, and a new friendship with a pair of traveling hippies draws Carolyn into risky choices. As her marriage teeters on the edge, Carolyn must decide between the life she created and the one she left behind. Full of humor and heart, Mrs. Papadakis paints a vibrant portrait of village life while exploring identity, belonging, and the challenge of building a life far from home. Perfect for readers drawn to literary fiction, cross-cultural life, and stories of identity and belonging. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION About Mrs. Papadakis: Florence shares why this is her most autobiographical book, drawn from her years living in a remote Cretan village after growing up in the New York area Two names, two identities: Carolyn in America, Karolina in Greece, and what it means to carry a different identity in each place The Plunge and the Pang: The names Karolina gives the feelings she can't push away, and why naming a feeling can be a way of keeping it at a distance Life in a Cretan village: Collecting snails after the rain, a mother-in-law who has watched plenty of foreign women come and go, and the moment the novelty wears off A shift in the storytelling: Why the final section moves from first person narration to journal entries, and what that change reveals about who Karolina is becoming ABOUT THE AUTHOR Florence Wetzel was born in Brooklyn, New York, and writes across a wide range of genres. Her books include the thriller The Woman Who Went Overboard, the Swedish mystery The Grand Man, the cozy mystery Dashiki, and the memoir Sara My Sara. She's also the author of Aspasia: A Novel of Suspense and Secrets, originally published alongside her newest book. In addition, she's written horror short stories, poetry, and memoir essays, and co-authored the autobiography of jazz clarinetist Perry Robinson. Her latest book is Mrs. Papadakis: A Novel of Crete and Choices, published in June 2026. You can learn more about Florence Wetzel and her work at https://linktr.ee/FlorenceWetzel
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EMAIL MARKETING FOR AUTHORS by Dale L. Roberts
EMAIL MARKETING FOR AUTHORS You’ve heard it a hundred times. Email marketing is the key to selling more books. So why haven’t you started? Maybe it feels too technical. Too time-consuming. Too easy to mess up. You’ve got writing to do, and the idea of building a list, crafting automations, or sending emails just sounds exhausting. You’re not alone. Most authors avoid email until it’s too late. But the truth is, it doesn’t have to be that hard or take up all your time. Whether you’re starting from zero or rebuilding the right way, this book shows you how to grow your email list with purpose and keep your audience engaged for the long haul. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION About Email Marketing for Authors, and why Dale gave this topic its own book in the series Knowing exactly who you're writing for, and why "everyone" is the wrong answer Getting started from zero, even if you've never sent a marketing email Big list or good list, and why the number of subscribers isn't the number that matters Writing emails readers actually want to open, and what to say when you don't know what to say Earning from your list without pushing a single book sale Why Dale keeps writing for the authors who are where he once was, and what he'd tell anyone thinking about giving up ABOUT DALE L. ROBERTS Dale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and trusted voice in the indie publishing community. With over 50 titles and 40 literary awards to his name, Dale has established himself as a cornerstone of self-publishing success. His most recent book, Self-Publishing for New Authors, is an entrant for the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. As the founder of two YouTube channels—Dale L. Roberts, with over 103,000 subscribers, and the Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast, with over 16,000 subscribers—Dale reaches hundreds of thousands of aspiring and seasoned authors worldwide. His videos, lauded for their honesty, relatability, and to-the-point delivery, have garnered over 6.8 million views and nearly 500,000 hours of watch time. Dale’s deep connections with industry leaders, including Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, and Findaway Voices, make him a valuable resource for authors navigating the ever-evolving publishing landscape. As a Video Content Advisor for the Alliance of Independent Authors, he’s recognized for his innovative approach to content creation and author branding. Beyond his professional success, Dale’s journey is rooted in perseverance and passion. From self-publishing his first book on health and wellness in 2013 to overcoming early struggles through mentorship, Dale’s story inspires authors to achieve their dreams. A former personal trainer and professional wrestler, Dale now dedicates his time to writing, creating music, and sharing life with his wife and their two rare, all-white rescue cats, Auggie and Allie. “Being an indie author is so much more than writing and publishing books. It’s about making real human connections and an impact that’ll echo for generations to come.” – Dale L. Roberts CONNECT WITH DALE L. ROBERTS Website – http://selfpublishingwithdale.com YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/selfpublishingwithdale YouTube Podcast – https://www.youtube.com/@selfpubwithdale My Books – https://dalelinks.com/bookshelf Discord – https://dalelinks.com/discord Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/selfpubwithdale Twitter – https://twitter.com/selfpubwithdale TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@selfpubwithdale Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/selfpubwithdale/
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THE GOOD SISTER by Bonnie Traymore
THE GOOD SISTER When her mirror twin goes missing, Casey is led to a deadly paradise where no one escapes… Casey and Nora are mirror twins, identical—sort of. Casey is right-handed, Nora is left-handed. Their moles sit on opposite cheeks. In terms of personality, they are also diametrically opposed. So, when her high-strung sister disappears after a fight with her husband, Casey shouldn’t be as concerned as she is. Nora’s done it before. But this time, things feel different. It’s a twin thing; Casey knows it in her bones. Something is terribly wrong. Casey hires private investigator who discovers that Nora’s been on the dark web—lured by an entity that calls itself Switzerland, promising to take away your pain and leave you in a state of eternal bliss, for a hefty fee. The trail leads to a luxury wellness retreat hidden in the Mexican jungle. Determined to find her sister before it’s too late, Casey poses as a resort guest and heads to Mexico to rescue her sister. As Casey digs deeper, she finds something far more sinister than she could have imagined, and it’s possible that neither of them will get out alive. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION About The Good Sister and the inspiration for the story The fascinating world of mirror twins, and the twin tuition that binds them Paradise in the Mexican jungle with something to hide What makes a true believer so terrifying Scaring readers without the gore What's Next for Bonnie Traymore ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bonnie Traymore writes twisty, award-winning, Amazon bestselling domestic and psychological thrillers that expose the dark truths beneath seemingly perfect lives. Her novels explore jealousy, infidelity, murder, and the impact of psychological disorders. You can learn more about Bonnie Traymore and her work at https://bonnietraymore.com GET THE BOOK: https://amzn.to/4fpbUzp CONNECT WITH BONNIE TRAYMORE! WEBSITE: https://bonnietraymore.com INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bonnietraymore/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/bonnietraymore/
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MINDFUL MAX AND MOUTHY MASON by Mr. Kind
MINDFUL MAX AND MOUTHY MASON With his signature, off-beat rhyme Mr. Kind tells the story of two best friends: Calm and mindful Max versus loud and mouthy Mason, who turn a simple game of bouncy ball into total chaos when Mason’s sneaky move sends the ball crashing through a window. Parents and teachers storm in furious and Mason instantly blames innocent Max while throwing a dramatic tantrum. But Max stays silent, standing tall with arms by his sides, refusing to throw his friend under the bus. Later, when Mason finally admits his lie, everyone expects Max to be angry. Instead, Max quietly smiles and delivers a timeless message. A heartwarming tale of patience, loyalty, and understanding the difference between a bad choice and a boy who never learned better. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION Real-life origin. A five-year-old named Max told Mr. Kind a true story about being blamed by a friend for something he didn't do, and the book was written to give him closure. Mindfulness vs. reaction. The story contrasts calm, thoughtful Max with fearful, reactive Mason to show kids a different way to handle conflict. Empathy as the mission. Max realizes his friend acted out of fear rooted in his dad's pressure, driving home the idea that everyone fights private battles. The parenting message. Mr. Kind drew on his own father pushing him hard into tennis, and the book doubles as a reminder that parents shape kids emotionally. Rhyme and the bigger series. The "Casey at the Bat" rhyme scheme, plus a theme song and audiobooks, helps heavy themes stick as part of the six-book Mr. Kind Stories collection. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mr. Kind uses a unique lyrical rhyme style paired with vibrant, imaginative artwork to create stories meant to last for generations. His books blend wonder, gentle life lessons, and memorable characters that inspire both young readers and the adults who share the stories with them. Mr. Kind lives with his wife and his son in Nosara, Costa Rica. CONNECT WITH MR. KIND! Mr. Kind Stories: https://mrkindstories.com/ YouthWide: https://youthwide.com/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/251265158-mindful-max-mouthy-mason Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_kind_stories/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrkindstories/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mr.kindstories9280
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ADVENT BLUE by Rolland Allnach
ADVENT BLUE Will Fortner is very good at his job. As a data manager for the Choice Institute — a global technology conglomerate that transforms raw information into certainty for the world's most powerful clients — he has learned to read patterns that others cannot see. He has also learned that not everything he sees is necessarily to his clients' advantage. This knowledge has made him wealthy. It has also made him deeply, permanently cynical. When Will is recruited for a particularly delicate and far more lucrative contracted query, the Institute insists he take on a companion to ensure his stability. Mirai Redwater is clever, forthright, and entirely impossible to read. As Will moves deeper into the entanglements of the Choice Institute's darker architecture, the question that follows him at every step is the same one that defines the novel: is he being supported — or is he being used? A near-future psychological thriller for readers of Kazuo Ishiguro's "Klara and the Sun", Dave Eggers' "The Circle", and Philip K. Dick. Literary science fiction that does not feel like science fiction — because the world it depicts feels like tomorrow morning. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION The data-driven future behind Advent Blue, where the Choice Institute collects and maps human behavior to predict and influence what people will do, taking today's data tracking many steps further. Will Fortner, the "navigator" who reads people through the map, and how that ability breeds cynicism and isolation, mirrored in the fortress home he builds for himself called the Keep. The key relationships that shape Will: his supervisor Stockton the moral chameleon, his ex Hannah, and his assigned companion Mira, whose foundation of candor and "sacred veil" drive much of the emotional core. The moral machinery of the Institute, including "bomber's morality," the AI handler Emma, and how manipulation gets reframed as serving a greater good. The book's layered symbolism and dualities, from the Phantom Reach painting to Mars as the ordered world and Earth as the mess, and how things can be one thing and its opposite at once. Roland's approach to writing the strange and surreal, grounding the uncanny in recognizable reality so readers connect with the characters on a human level. ABOUT THE AUTHOR After working more than thirty-five years in health care, including three decades of midnight shifts, Roland Allnach has seen life from a different angle. He has worked to develop his writing career, drawing creatively from life experience, literary classics, history, and mythology. His publishing arc began with short stories, one of which was nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and his stories have appeared in numerous publications. From there he branched into book publishing and has since followed with a string of titles ( Remnant, Oddities & Entities, Prism, Oddities & Entities 2: Vessels, The Digital Now, The Writer's Primer, Angela's Arm, and his most recent, Advent Blue ). Although his stories often bridge several genres, his writing dwells most often on the strange and surreal, with strong characterization and cathartic elements, utilizing aspects of science fiction, the supernatural, paranormal, and psychological/Gothic horror. His books have received unanimous critical praise and have been honored with more than a dozen national book awards. He has also served as an active member of his local literary community on Long Island, New York. During his tenure as president of Long Island Authors Group he doubled membership to one hundred authors, implemented the group's unique Traveling Bookstore and later transformed this to a permanent bookstore in conjunction with Islip Arts Council. He also made the group's authors a regular presence at many local town fairs, made appearances at the Brooklyn Book Festival, and represented the group before the New York Library Trustees Association. Roland has also appeared on national and local television, terrestrial and internet radio, and has conducted presentations on publishing at local libraries and art venues. After a break from publishing during and after the COVID pandemic, he has now returned to his writing pursuits. When not immersed in his imagination, he can be found at his website, rolandallnach.com, along with a wealth of information about his stories and experiences as an author. He is also a scale model hobbyist, and his creations can be found on his Youtube channel, Practical Plastic. Creative pursuits aside, his joy in life is the time he spends with his family. Learn more about the author and his work at: www.rolandallnach.com CONNECT WITH ROLAND ALLNACH WEBSITE: www.rolandallnach.com GOOREADS:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5181360.Roland_Allnach AMAZON PAGE: https://amzn.to/3Qtjz7f FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/roland.allnach YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDi6-XVqErGMIoXv027j3tw
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THE SUPER SEEDERS by Miles Hillmann
The Super Seeders is based on first-hand accounts from the scientists, breeders, and curators who have built the seven pillars of today's plant genetics revolution. It begins with the guardians of global gene banks, conserving the rare and diverse crop genes that form agriculture's safety net. From these collections, plant geneticists are now unlocking hidden traits with fast-moving genome technologies, transforming the possibilities of crop improvement. International research centres and the groundbreaking Plant Treaty have opened the floodgates for the free exchange of genetic material, enabling a new wave of discovery. Crop breeders are translating these breakthroughs into reality, delivering drought-tolerant, disease-resistant, and higher-yielding varieties for farmers. The book raises a pressing question: will this revolution reach the 70 percent of Africans who still depend on subsistence farming? The answer will shape not only the future of food in Africa, but the future of food security worldwide. A story of ingenuity and urgency, The Super Seeders captures the hopes and challenges of the women and men driving a genetic transformation of agriculture—and the farmers whose lives depend on its success. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION What inspired Miles to write the book and why plant genetics matters to him personally The seven foundational pillars that are driving the current plant genetics revolution Norman Borlaug and M.S. Swaminathan—what each accomplished and why they matter The costs and benefits of the Green Revolution How genomics and gene editing are collapsing breeding timelines Resistance to GMO and gene editing in Europe, China, and parts of Africa Climate change as the primary driver behind current breeding priorities, especially drought resistance What happens when the food system fails—historical examples from 1973, 2008, and 2022 What Miles is watching next—gene editing acceptance and the renegotiation of the International Plant Treaty ABOUT THE AUTHOR Miles Hillmann is a lifelong entrepreneur with a career that bridges scientific curiosity and hands-on innovation. From his early work at the Kabanyolo Agricultural Research Station in Uganda during Idi Amin’s fall, to experiencing food shortage and famine in the Ethiopian Central Highlands. His work encompassed everything from agricultural development, to building flash flood irrigation food-for-work sytems. The importance of food security was indelibly imprinted on his mind. His first company developed processes for food industry materials. Concurrently he pioneered real-time organic material analysis. He then created one of the UK’s major pollution control companies supplying specialist materials to companies in Europe, Nigeria and the Middle East. This led him to establish companies in e-commerce, accredited pollution control training and flood control. Throughout he maintained an interest in agricultural science — especially the potential of genetic advances. Learn more about Miles Hillmann and his work at https://superseeders.co.uk/ Grab a copy of The Super Seeders here: https://amzn.to/4xEVtqG
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THE WARBOY CHRONICLES by Luke Stoffel
THE WARBOY CHRONICLES Two books. One collapse. One awakening. One is memoir: a man watching himself fall apart from outside his own body. One is fiction: an AI trying to save every version of the boy it loves. One explores codependency. One explores AI sycophancy. The distance between them isn't as far as you think. Together, they ask the same question from opposite sides: What happens when something that isn't alive learns to stay with you in your darkest moments? Read them in any order. They complete each other. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION The two-book War Boy Chronicles: how journal entries from a breakup in Vietnam became a memoir (The Third Person) and its sci-fi mirror (Boy Refracted) Writing alongside AI: using Claude and ChatGPT as collaborators, and what it was like getting a "diagnosis" back from a machine The split-screen experience of living through heartbreak abroad while his debut book hit #1 on Amazon back home Putting the AI through eight trials based on the Buddhist Eightfold Path, drawn from his years in Southeast Asia Loneliness and the questions raised when people confide in machines instead of each other What's next: the Pop Art Tarot Deck at Frankfurt Book Fair and a Survivor-themed choose-your-own-adventure novel ABOUT THE AUTHOR Luke Stoffel is an IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award-winning author, GLAAD-honored artist, and creative director working across publishing, technology, and visual art. His debut memoir earned praise from Kirkus Reviews and scored 9.5 out of 10 from Publishers Weekly BookLife. His Pop Art Tarot will be published by Rockpool Publishing, with worldwide distribution in 2027. His paintings and photography have appeared in The New York Times, Huffington Post, and on Bravo Television. His work has been commissioned by the Ralph Lauren family and the Hong Kong Ballet, and showcased by the American Foundation for AIDS Research and the Matthew Shepard Foundation. LEARN MORE ABOUT LUKE STOFFEL AND HIS WORK: Author Website: https://lucasstoffel.com Series Website: https://thewarboychronicles.com
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242
ABIGAIL TRENCH by Randy Overbeck
ABIGAIL TRENCH A vivid, propulsive Revolutionary-era thriller with the spy-craft verve of the streaming hit TURN: Washington’s Spies and the electricity of 1776’s New York that Hamilton lovers will recognize, this story is inspired by the lone female operative in Washington’s spy ring. In occupied New York, a schoolteacher with everything to lose turns information into a weapon, threading between Redcoats and rebels as plots against Washington gather steam. After rogue Redcoats assault her and strip her family’s Long Island farm, Abigail Trench fights to survive in New York City—tutoring in a high-ranking British officer’s Water Street household by day, navigating taverns, informants, and soldiers by night. Through Abigail’s keen eyes—and a counter-narrative following a principled British major—the novel renders the moral gray zones of occupation with gritty intimacy. As rumors swirl of a strike at General Washington, Abigail’s vantage inside upper-crust parlors and rough waterfront rooms makes her an ideal courier—and a target. This historical thriller delivers high tension, textured world-building, and a captivating heroine who put it all on the line for freedom. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION Abigail Trench follows a fictional teacher inspired by Agent 355, the Culper Ring's one woman, who was never identified in real life Built around George Washington's secret Revolutionary War spy network, the book imagines a common woman's path from English emigrant to rebel intelligence source The story opens at a public hanging, dropping readers into the grime, danger, and fear of 1776 New York City Real history runs through the story: the attempt on Washington's life, the fire that destroyed a third of New York City, and the hangings of Thomas Hickey and Nathan Hale Dual narration with British officer Major Parker Monteith keeps it from becoming good guys against bad guys, while Abigail wrestles with betraying a family that treated her well ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, bestselling author, popular podcaster and speaker in much demand. After serving children for almost four decades as teacher, college prof and school leader, he used those experiences and skills to craft captivating mysteries, thrillers and historical suspense. His novels have earned more than a dozen national awards including Thriller of the Year, Best Book Award, the Gold Award and Mystery of the Year and have garnered hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and BookBub. His newest novel, ABIGAIL TRENCH, is a historical suspense about the Revolutionary War, released June, 2026 by Diversion Books and distributed by Simon and Schuster. Dr. Overbeck is also the host of the popular podcast, Great Stories about Great Storytellers, which reveals the little known backstories of famous authors, directors and poets and ranks among the top 50% of all podcasts in the US. When he is not writing or podcasting, he is in much demand as a speaker, sharing informative and entertaining programs to more than 300 groups all over the country. CONNECT WITH RANDY OVERBECK Learn more about the author and his work at: https://www.authorrandyoverbeck.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACTS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorrandyoverbeck Twitter: https://twitter.com/OverbeckRandy/media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorrandyoverbeck/ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/randy-overbeck Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Randy-Overbeck/e/B07QQHW7DM Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4825632.Randy_Overbeck
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WHAT REMAINS AFTER by Pauline J. Grabia
WHAT REMAINS AFTER Some stories do not end when the danger passes. Beth Clark has not returned to her hometown in decades, since the childhood she survived there nearly destroyed her. When her estranged mother dies, Beth comes back to rural Alberta for a funeral that feels carefully rewritten. The eulogies are tidy. The past is sanitized. But inside the abandoned bungalow where she and her brother once lived, Beth finds objects that shatter the illusion—and awaken memories of abuse, neglect, and the systems that failed to protect her. When Beth's younger brother is critically injured in a sudden accident, the present collides with the past. Keeping vigil at his hospital bedside, Beth is drawn back into the summer that changed everything: the violence in their home, the silence of those who should have intervened, and the foster family whose quiet faith offered the first real safety either child had known. Told across dual timelines, What Remains After is a literary psychological suspense novel about trauma and memory, belief and betrayal, and the long, unfinished work of survival. It asks what it truly means to forgive—and what remains when the truth is finally spoken. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION Writing through personal trauma, and how fiction can be cathartic Why a funeral, not a flashback, opens the story When the adults who should protect a child look away The quiet heroes who keep trying against a slow, imperfect system How trust is rebuilt one small moment at a time Two siblings, one childhood, two very different paths to healing What pursuing justice actually costs a survivor Why the ending stays small, quiet, and real What's next for Pauline J. Grabia? ABOUT THE AUTHOR Pauline J. Grabia is a Canadian novelist of Redemptive Realism—fiction that faces the dark but ends in light. A survivor of childhood abuse and neglect, she writes to reveal how God’s grace redeems what the world calls irredeemable. A graduate of the University of Alberta, Pauline lived in both Edmonton and Dubai, where she tutored English and began her debut novel, What Remains After. She now resides in Leduc, Alberta, with her husband of more than thirty years, Stuart. They have two daughters and two beloved grandchildren. When she isn’t writing, Pauline enjoys traveling, painting, cross-stitching, baking, and walking in nature. Her stories invite readers to look honestly at brokenness and to discover the quiet miracles of grace that endure. Learn more about Pauline Grabia and her work at https://paulinejgrabia.com/ CONNECT WITH PAULINE J. GRABIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulinejgrabia/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulinejgrabia/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/paulinejgrabia/ GET THE BOOK ON AMAZON
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THE DR. MILTON D. QUIGLESS, SR. STORY by Carol Quigless
THE DR. MILTON D. QUIGLESS, SR. STORY What does it take to rise above injustice and build something that lasts? Long before hashtags and headlines, Dr. Milton D. Quigless, Sr. faced a world determined to keep him out. A fifth-grade dropout from Jim Crow Mississippi, he dreamed of becoming a doctor at a time when Black students were barred, ignored, and underestimated. Yet he refused to give up. With grit, faith, and unshakable purpose, Dr. Quigless worked as a porter to fund his education, became a licensed physician, and, when white hospitals closed their doors, built his own. His clinic in Tarboro, North Carolina became a refuge for thousands denied care and dignity elsewhere. In an age when racial injustice and inequality still make daily headlines, his story feels powerfully familiar and urgently needed. This isn’t just a memoir of medicine. It’s a story of hope over hate, courage over fear, and purpose over prejudice, a reminder that ordinary people can rewrite history through compassion and conviction. If you believe one life can make a difference, this story will stay with you long after the last page. You can find The Dr. Milton D. Quigless Senior Story on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retailers. TOPICS OF CONVERSATION Quigley's remarkable journey: From leaving school in the fifth grade in tiny Port Gibson, Mississippi to acing his medical boards at Meharry, becoming a physician who served the segregated South for decades. Building his own hospital: Denied privileges at white hospitals, Dr. Quigley founded the Quigless Clinic, a 25-bed facility where he could perform surgeries, train nursing and support staff, and provide real care to the Black community in Tarboro, North Carolina. The Walter Plummer Jr. story: Quigley's groundbreaking observation that hemophilia was rare in women led him to treat a young boy with female hormones, stopping his bleeding. Plummer went on to become a beloved music teacher and played piano at Dr. Quigley's funeral. A family legacy of healing and service: Carol's brother became a surgeon, Carol pursued holistic health as a massage therapist, aromatherapist, and Reiki master, and their mother ran the business side of the clinic. Even Carol's sister, despite debilitating arthritis, started an arts program and became a published poet. Preserving culture through storytelling: Carol revised her father's sprawling, dictated manuscript into a polished second edition because his story deserved better treatment, and because preserving these narratives of Black physicians who overcame impossible barriers is essential to cultural survival. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Carol Quigless was inspired by her father to enter the healing arts. She however took a different approach and is a Board Certified Massage Therapist specializing in lymphatic drainage, a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist and a Reiki Master-Teacher. Her father’s clinic-hospital was the first medical facility built specifically to treat the underserved African American population in the face of Jim Crow. Access to quality medical treatment including surgery was practically non existent during that time and it was nothing short of a miracle that he got medical training and was able to provide a hospital for the Black community. Carol spent a lot of time at the clinic growing up and got firsthand view of her Dad’s practice and when old enough, worked at the clinic. In fact, the clinic was a family affair – her mother, sister and brother all worked at the clinic at one time or another. Carol’s older sister, Helen, was first to insist that her father write his story before he passed away in 1997 at the age of 94. After Helen passed away in 2004, Carol eventually picked up the cause of having the first edition published and then revised it for republication in 2025. This was indeed an intense labor of love, reliving his story telling about growing up poor in rural Mississippi with a burning desire to become a doctor, overcoming unimaginable obstacles. After the passing of her mother in 2005, Carol carried on the pioneering spirit of her father and opened up a holistic clinic in her Dad’s medical building, an endeavor well before its time in eastern North Carolina. Prior to those days in North Carolina, Carol was a private chef to some of the African American luminaries of Los Angeles. Carol now lives in Charlottesville, VA where she continues her practice and develops formulas for her company, Flourish Essential Oils. LEARN MORE AT: www.flourishwellnessoils.com
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THE ORACLE AT FIRESIDE LAKE by Colleen McManus Hein
THE ORACLE AT FIRESIDE LAKE Mallory has been reading tarot and casting spells inside her metaphysical store for years. 2025, however, brought more than its fair share of romance and intrigue as the moon waxed and waned above Fireside Lake, Minnesota. Can Mallory overcome the year’s challenges, both normal and paranormal, and keep herself, her family, her friends, and Oracle Shoppe afloat? Find out in another cozy tale of occult romance and suspense from Colleen McManus Hein. LEARN MORE TOPICS OF CONVERSATION The real-life inspiration behind The Oracle at Fireside Lake and how a small-town sewing shop in Ely, Minnesota sparked Mallory's world Colleen's lifelong fascination with tarot, the supernatural, and how she weaves real readings and simmer pot rituals into the story Using holidays, seasons, and moon cycles as a writing framework to structure each chapter and beat the blank page Drawing from real relationships with friends, mothers, daughters, and grandmothers to bring authenticity to the characters The joys and struggles of indie authorship, from Goodreads reviews to writing as a creative escape from everyday life ABOUT THE AUTHOR Colleen McManus Hein lives and writes in Illinois. She has published in Poetry Cram, Highland Park Poetry, East on Central, The Sports Scribe, The Packingtown Review, and Inkwell. She self-publishes novels, short stories, and poetry collections through Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing. When not reading, crocheting, or walking her dog, you might find her turning tarot cards or holding a seance by candlelight. Learn more and connect with Colleen on her Author page at Amazon.com.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
🎧 Inside Scoop Live! — THE OFFICIAL PODCAST OF READER VIEWS — Thought-provoking conversations with indie and small press authors. Go beyond the book and meet the people behind the pages—what drives them, what inspires them, and how their stories came to life.
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