Listener Advisory: Strong Language, Mature Situations About The Author: Kristy “Koko” Escoto is a Mexican American, lesbian self-published author, poet, and illustrator based in Metro Atlanta, who graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She was born and raised in Minnesota but is currently living in Georgia. She is currently in graduate school for a Master's of Social Work. Title: I’m Still Healing Genre: Poetry Book Synopsis: I'm Still Healing is about love and trauma. A poetry book based on true events that will take you along a journey of self-reflection and the non-linear healing process after abuse. LGBTQ. Find The Book: https://amzn.to/3QFI6n5 Visit Koko’s Website: https://sweetnaranja.mailchimpsites.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/kfV84tK-pzU Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/36rchmky  Click The Cover To Order!
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About The Author: A. Kidd is the middle child in a family of three girls. She started making up her own stories at age four. Because she couldn't yet write, her mom wrote the stories down for her while she painted the pictures. Her first story was called Wagland and featured an island community with sea creatures that ate tuna fish sandwiches. She has a B.S. in Written Communication with a minor in Language, Literature, and Writing from Eastern Michigan University and an MLIS with a specialization in children's librarianship from Wayne State University. Her poetry has been published in literary magazines. She is also an artist and a performance poet. In her free time, she enjoys finding and hiding painted rocks in her neighborhood and going on adventures with her family and friends. A. Kidd lives with her husband and daughter in a suburb of Detroit, MI. The Healing Star is her debut novel. She often wishes on stars but hasn't caught one yet. Book Title: Yasuko and The Dream Eater Genre: Children’s Book Synopsis: Yasuko loves making paper airplanes with her parents in the US. When she visits her grandmother in Japan, everything seems different, including folding the complicated origami crane. She starts having the same bad dream every night, so her grandmother suggests she call the dream eater for help. The dream eater devours Yasuko's nightmare but is still hungry. Will Yasuko be able to stop it from gobbling up her good dream too? Find The Books HERE! https://amzn.to/3QXKlT9 Visit A. Kidd’s Website HERE! https://www.akiddwrites.com/ Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2s428s5p YouTube: https://youtu.be/xTrnlazIQ8A  Click The Cover To Order!
About The Author: Michigan-based author Kristoffer Gair wrote his first puppet play in 1st Grade and continued writing in one form or another from that point on. Much of it was crap, but there were tiny nuggets of potential mixed in with the likes of Pickle Pony Gets A Puzzle. He spent three of his years at Fraser High School performing in plays, then attended Grand Valley State University where he graduated with degrees in Film & Video and Creative Writing. The first professional piece Kristoffer completed was Honor Unbound, a historical non-fiction novel he co-wrote with retired Fraser High School teacher Diane Abbott. He then went solo, donned the pseudonym Kage Alan, wrote several comedy novels within the LGBTQ genre, and contributed to a series of comedic anthologies (affectionately known as the Butt-Thology). Kristoffer shed his pseudonym in 2017 and has since published under his real name, starting and continuing on with the Falling Awake series, a serious departure from his previous comedic novels. When not writing and editing, Kristoffer spends his days tormenting management at his day job, shopping at ALDI, being bossed around by the dog he inherited from his mother, playing Halo, listening to music, and going to see The Motels play in concert whenever they're in the area. Title: Butterflies I Have Known Genre: LGBT+ Romance Book Synopsis: Even time cannot stop love. University professor Matthew Richter hates complications. Planning his every day down to the second leaves no opportunity for a social life, which he doesn’t feel the need for anyway. Jian Wei helps run his family’s business. The only thing he enjoys more than tormenting his parents and siblings with endless pranks is plotting his next trick on a certain uptight customer. Though so different, chance inexplicably draws them both to a World War II photography exhibit, and the aging photographer Milton Glass. Milton shares the story of two soldiers brutally cut down on the battlefield—which has haunted him for the better part of his life—and his suspicions that the soldiers shared a bond they never fully realized. Now, in the twilight of his life, Milton can’t help but wonder if Matthew and Jian share a potential bond of their own. Could they possibly be the same men from so long ago, returned for a second chance at being together? Milton can hope. Find The Books HERE! https://amzn.to/440B0ww Visit Kristoffer's Website HERE! https://www.kristoffergair.com/ Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yym64y3r YouTube: https://youtu.be/OW-KEmeYRm4  Click The Cover To Order!
About The Author: Xander Cross holds a Bachelor’s degree in History, which he uses to write his paranormal fiction. A lifelong enthusiast of Japanese culture and folklore, Xander cosplays as a kitsune yōkai on occasion, and photographic evidence can be found on Instagram and Pinterest under @ayakashi_fox. He has also published a short novella series as an adjunct to “The Atlas Dystopia Apocalyptica,” entitled “Come by Night” on Wattpad and Instagram. Book Title: The Onmyoji Gambit: The Atlas Dystopia Apocalyptica Book Three Genre: Dark Fantasy / Cyberpunk Science Fiction / Asian Myth & Legend Book Synopsis: Summer is sizzling and the megapolis is heating up… The Council of Dragons is over and the inevitable war for New Tokyo has begun. Youta’s enemies are converging to remove the young dragon from his seat of power. Between kidnapping a newly-recruited young onmyoji and contriving a full-scale invasion from within the Chinese Sector, mercenaries are making bold moves in the light of day! Hayate is the only creature who can stop them. Unfortunately, between girlfriend catastrophe and his debut as Youta’s international arms dealer, the fox demon has problems of his own. When mysterious mogul and CEO, Tanabe, reveals a distant interest, Hayate alone senses a trap of a different kind being set. A strange connection resides between Hayate and the faceless Tanabe that will bring the fox demon into an unthinkable and daunting confrontation with his true enemy. So batten down the hatches, because a typhoon is coming and Hayate is in the eye of the storm! Find the Book Here: https://amzn.to/45gOlSv Find Xander’s Website Here: https://www.ayakashifox.com Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3au75zwb YouTube: https://youtu.be/MS9QUTDIUPQ  Click The Cover To Order!
About The Author: Mandy Jo is a multi-genre author, including Fitness, Fantasy, Time Travel, and Historical Fiction. She has published three books, and is working on more every day. Upcoming projects include Mystery, Paranormal, and Women’s Lit. Mandy Jo is the founder of Creative Slingers of Ink, a writing group that encourages writing of all kinds and connecting indie authors with readers. Aside from writing, Mandy Jo enjoys cooking, photography, traveling, genealogy, and is a self-proclaimed Hallmark movie addict. Title: Adventures in Walking: From the Couch to 5K Genre: Fitness Fiction Book Synopsis: AJ is a divorced mother of twin boys. She has decided to get off the couch and walk her first 5K. Follow along on her journey and even do the training program with her. Find The Book: https://amzn.to/3qa88UX Visit Mandy Jo’s Website: https://www.mandyjo.us/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/npvo-pzX6Z8 Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2s4jznwt  Click The Cover To Order!  Writing Field Trips, as I've eluded to in past posts, are something I truly enjoy. I spend an entire day exploring my writing in a different environment aside from the same old desk in front of a window with the same old view. Yesterday, I went on an adventure to the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan and was delighted with the outcome. Sitting in the open air, moving from sunshine to shade, and writing long-hand (not my normal modality) stretches my writing muscles and Drake's creative flippers. The added curiosity of wild animals surrounding us, feeds that process in exciting ways. I came away with some new writing (a very little snippet is shared below) and the distinct impression that one of the main reasons adults have children is to give them an excuse to go to the zoo. I saw so many infants and toddlers yesterday! The day was filled with laughter and smiles, shrieks of joy, and excitement as humans and animals interacted together. This is by far one of the most unique zoos I have visited. My "home" zoo, the Detroit Zoo, has made many important changes and integrations into the animal's habitats over my nearly six decades, and it's a wonderful place that I visit often... but at the end of the day, it's still too much concrete and too few trees to convince my imagination that I'm standing amongst wild animals as they would be found out in the natural world. Not so, the John Ball Zoo. When they designed this park, they certainly took into account the environment and sustained its amazing beauty while also showcasing the animals in a way that encourages imagination.  In my youth, I remember zoos filled with cages of animals. Now, those stark reminders of captivity are all but washed away. Only in some instances, like with the big cats, was there a reminder that the animals were actually prisoners. Even then, the fencing was dark black, and lost in the lush forest foliage. Of course, there are moats and other natural barriers to keep people from making poor choices... but the subtly of control to protect the animals was delightfully enhanced in natural ways like a forest filled with huge, mature trees... well over one hundred years old, I would guess... and wooded planked walkways that erased the concrete jungle that lingered just outside the gates. I am a supporter of accredited zoos and aquariums. I think they play an important role in animal conservation and education. I would still prefer the animals could live naturally free in all cases... but sometimes humanity isn't that selfless. An article for a future day - or not. Writing inside this environment of wild sights and sounds is an amazing treat. As I moved around the zoo, I stopped at each animal's habitat, quietly said hello, and watched them for a little while, allowing my fascination of these incredible creatures to converse with Drake, as they imparted their creative energy to him. He skillfully translated that energy into our storytelling. I spent about twenty minutes (sometimes more) with each, soaking up the strength of their centuries on the planet... or at least a little bit of that energy... and transferred it to the page. One of the best features about the John Ball Zoo is that they sprinkle benches and picnic tables throughout the grounds, tucked underneath the cool shade of their magnificent trees. This practice makes the zoo very attractive for writing. There is always a space to sit and contemplate while watching one creature or another go about their daily lives. I imagine they are as interested in people watching as we are in animal watching... at least I'd like to think that's true. A few of the animals who made a distinct impression were these:
Without question, aside from Ducks, Chimpanzees are my favorite animal on the planet. No matter what zoo I visit, this is always where I spend the longest part of my day. I find them to be extraordinary in movement and emotion, nearly matching humanity. The scientists say they share 98% of our DNA... but I think that those 2% make a tremendous difference, to the benefit of the Chimpanzees. They worked well together in a group during snack time, and were equally comfortable contemplating the significance of the world in sun and in shade. During their one o'clock lunch, I watched as each shared their very distinct personalities to get the keeper's attention and throw down their favorite foods; and they clearly had favorites. I spent about two hours watching these wonderful animals sleep, play, lounge, eat, and climb. This troupe ranged in age from the "baby" at twenty-five years old to the matriarch at forty-five years old. They fascinate me with their complexity. And yes, we actually wrote, too! The piece Drake and I worked on yesterday was for a new novel, a fractured fairy tale. It's called The Trial of Snow White, and is an extension of a short story Drake dictated to me some time ago, Grumpy's Testimony. The story was included in Drake's first book, A Duck Quacks. Drake would like to see the story become a full novel, as would a few of his readers. So, we've been playing with the idea on our field trips this year. While sitting at the bottom of the waterfall, we wrote a small snippet about the King and Queen's castle. Of course, this book is still VERY new and VERY not even close to done... we're hoping to finish it for a release next summer... but Drake said he wanted to share a teeny tiny bit of it with everyone; so here it is, with apologies that the videos aren't longer. It really was quite a magnificent waterfall, and an extraordinary writing spot.
Listener Advisory: Violence About The Author: Kathleen is a Texas gal. Except for an eighteen-month hiatus living in New York City after college, she lived in the Lone Star State continuously for fifty years. Since then, Texas has been hit and miss—a little hit, but a heck of a lot of miss. There was a time when she thought she would happily die in Austin, Texas. But circumstances and weather—especially weather—changed that. Now she spends most of the year on Fidalgo Island in Washington State with a view of the bay and the mountains. When she gets homesick, she and her husband listen to Willie Nelson. Soon, they are dancing the two-step, imagining they are at their favorite honky-tonk in Tokio, Texas, where the mayor is believed to be a dog. Who wouldn’t miss that? Kathleen writes the awarding-winning mysteries: The Sydney Lockhart Mystery Series set in the 1950s and The Sherlock Holmes Quiz Book, which was updated and released by Lyons Press in November of 2020. She also writes the Kate Caraway Animal-Rights Mystery Series; as well as a biography of ornithologist Robert Porter Allen, The Man Who Saved The Whooping Crane. On her blog, you can also find her Five-Minute Writing Tips and Growing Up Catholic in a Small Texas Town. Kathleen also coaches writers and edits manuscripts. Book Title: Murder at the Pontchartrain Genre: Cozy Mystery Book Synopsis: I'm Sydney Lockhart. I solve murders, most of which I'm the primary suspect. My boyfriend/partner, Ralph Dixon, and I came to the Pontchartrain Hotel in New Orleans to get married. Instead, Dixon's in jail for a double murder. I'm in a swamp, spying on the KKK. Helping me untangle this mess is my bubble-headed cousin Ruth who's undercover as a hotel chef. My twelve-year-old charge, Lydia LaBeau, dressed as a voodoo queen, is looking for clues at Pat O'Brien's. Rip Thigbee, a ghost detective, is my only hope. So, mix yourself a Hurricane and join me in the Big Easy for another historic hotel murder case. Find the Book Here: https://amzn.to/43ZI8Jy Find Kathleen’s Website Here: https://kathleenkaska.com/ Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ywkb4s5p YouTube: https://youtu.be/o9LhOkiq_Ek  Click The Cover To Order!
About The Author: Donna Lee Neumann lives in Clarkston, Michigan with her husband Chris . With a master's degree in elementary education and a minor in early childhood, she has spent over 20 years of her life teaching preschool and elementary students. Throughout the majority of her career, her focus has been on Young 5's and Kindergarten. Recently celebrating her 50th birthday, she believes that her heart will always be at the age of five. As a proud mother of three and grandmother of one, she cherishes the moments she spends with her family. Now that her children are adults and not present at home as frequently as she would like, Donna keeps busy with her three cats, a dog, and a diverse array of tropical fish. When it comes to reading, her interests are limitless. From the enchanting world of Harry Potter to the intriguing back of a shampoo bottle, she finds joy in exploring various literacy works. Another pastime is engaging in a multitude of games, including video games. Additionally, her love for travel has fueled a goal to visit all 50 United States, and she is thrilled to report that she has already experienced the wonders of 45 states. Five more to go! Title: I Want A Birthday Party! Genre: Children’s Book Synopsis: Tomorrow is Annie’s birthday. She only wants one thing: a big party with a giant carrot cake, lots of presents, and all her friends. But Annie's family doesn't do birthday parties. So, Annie will spend another birthday without the party she's always wanted. Find The Book Here: https://amzn.to/3s5Cubs Discover Donna's Website Here: https://www.annietheporcupine.com/ Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/mpmkz4aa YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ta8x0zDDSm8  Click The Cover To Order!
About The Author: Donna Lee Neumann lives in Clarkston, Michigan with her husband Chris. With a master's degree in elementary education and a minor in early childhood, she has spent over 20 years of her life teaching preschool and elementary students. Throughout the majority of her career, her focus has been on Young 5's and Kindergarten. Recently celebrating her 50th birthday, she believes that her heart will always be at the age of five. As a proud mother of three and grandmother of one, she cherishes the moments she spends with her family. Now that her children are adults and not present at home as frequently as she would like, Donna keeps busy with her three cats, a dog, and a diverse array of tropical fish. When it comes to reading, her interests are limitless. From the enchanting world of Harry Potter to the intriguing back of a shampoo bottle, she finds joy in exploring various literacy works. Another pastime is engaging in a multitude of games, including video games. Additionally, her love for travel has fueled a goal to visit all 50 United States, and she is thrilled to report that she has already experienced the wonders of 45 states. Five more to go! Title: I Don’t Celebrate Anything: Annie The Porcupine Series Genre: Children’s Book Synopsis: It’s the holiday season and everyone is celebrating. Everyone except Annie. She’s seen her friends’ funny looks and heard their whispers behind her back: “Annie doesn’t celebrate anything.” “Not Christmas, not Hanukkah. Nothing.” “No presents at all.” “No presents? On purpose?” “Her family is so weird.” It isn’t Annie’s fault her family doesn’t celebrate any holiday. But are her friends right? Is her family weird? I Don't Celebrate Anything is the perfect book for helping non religious children understand holidays, through the story of a family of porcupines. Fully illustrated with fun artwork and a message of caring, this children's book is the perfect holiday read. Find The Book: https://amzn.to/3E579sx Visit Donna’s Website: https://www.annietheporcupine.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/3cioD8PrWSI Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2wasvbjs  Click The Cover To Order!
About The Author: Mandy Jo is a multi-genre author, including Fitness, Fantasy, Time Travel, and Historical Fiction. She has published three books, and is working on more every day. Upcoming projects include Mystery, Paranormal, and Women’s Lit. Mandy Jo is the founder of Creative Slingers of Ink, a writing group that encourages writing of all kinds and connecting indie authors with readers. Aside from writing, Mandy Jo enjoys cooking, photography, traveling, genealogy, and is a self-proclaimed Hallmark movie addict. Title: Amaranth Genre: Fantasy Book Synopsis: Maerith Kingdom is in the middle of Parrcaster Island, which is in the middle of the Kiniriden Sea. The Grand Wizard of the kingdom has died. Who takes over? Amaranth is a witch that grew up without her parents. They were alive, but both had abandoned her at the castle of the Grand Wizard of the kingdom. Amaranth’s mother, Zaleria, was an evil witch, but she was raised by a good witch and wizard. Which will she be? What about her children? The only blood family that she knew of was her mother, what other family members does she have? Siblings? Zaleria was banished to the Crystal Crypt, what happens after she dies? It’s an action packed mystical fantasy that is full of twists, revenge, dragons, and more! Find The Book: https://amzn.to/3DHCq4namzn.to/3DHCq4n Visit Mandy Jo’s Website: https://www.mandyjo.us/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/NjrRab5lSkw Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/mvaxa5zn  Click The Cover To Order! |
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