My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is JD Rasch, author of the book Quasi-Crystal. Jody “J.D.” Rasch is a writer, artist, social activist, and author. His debut fantasy series, The Wanderer, incorporates social issues including politics, religion and how we are influenced in our lives.

Jody is also a painter, whose art explores the mysteries of our world. Jody worked in finance for many years but managed to use it for good by helping banks that gave loans to the poor. Jody now serves on not-for-profit boards that seek to make the world a better place.

A native New Yorker who was forced to move to the burbs, Jody now lives just outside New York City.

In my book review, I stated The Quasi-Crystal is part 3 of a fantasy series, The Wanderer. Despite being the third book of which I didn't read the first two, I found this fantasy quite fascinating. I particularly liked Pom, an ex-thief who soon realizes she has immense powers of empathy and calm, as well as Theb, a gemstone cutter who insists the rock he has found is more than a rock. Both find themselves drawn into a quest despite having no real appetite for one.

JD does a great job getting readers to think about politics and religion, asking questions like what do you want? And why? In one instance, he shows two groups who worship differently, and face in opposite directions to pray. The question is asked - does the direction matter? And it made me think about ways people worship and whether the differences are significant or superficial.

Throughout the book, readers learn tidbits of JDs beliefs - humans are humans, people can create excuses for anything they do, we always have a choice, and more. Throw these in with great characters and a fantasy world complete with a quest to save humankind - and you have a great story. As someone who isn't usually interested in fantasy, I still enjoyed this story.

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My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Maryka Biaggio, author of the book Gun Girl and the Tall Guy. Maryka Biaggio is a psychology professor turned novelist who specializes in historical fiction based on real people. She loves unearthing the stories of people overlooked by history and bringing them back to life—portraying their challenges and foibles and rekindling their emotional world. Previous novels include The Model Spy, The Point of Vanishing, Eden Waits, and Parlor Games. Her fiction has won several accolades, including Willamette Writers Award, Oregon Writers Colony Award, Historical Novel Society Review Editors’ Choice, La Belle Lettre Award, an Upper Peninsula of Michigan Notable Books Award, and a Regional Arts & Council grant. She served on the Board of the Historical Novel Society North America Conference from 2015-2025. She has mentored other writers in AWP's Writer-to-Writer Mentorship Program since 2020. She’s an avid opera fan and enjoys gardening, art films, and, of course, great fiction. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

In my book review, I stated Gun Girl and the Tall Guy is a historical fiction by Maryka Biaggio. It is based on a true story of a crime duo, Celia and Ed Cooney, in 1920s Brooklyn. And quite frankly, I loved everything about this book! The characters are vivid. I could see the Brooklyn from 100 years ago. And the story is amazing.

Celia grew up in a tough environment. She escapes her family and marries Ed, a young man just home from the war. He is kind, gentle, and loves her completely. But, like most young couples, they are broke. When she learns she is pregnant, she doesn't want to raise her child with nothing. So, they hatch a plan to rob a store - just to get enough to start them on their way. But the thrill and the fame, as well as an ever-increasing need for more things, keeps them in the game long after it makes sense.

Although it makes no sense, I was routing for Celia and Ed to evade the police! Maryka did a great job getting me to pull for the bad guy rather than the Brooklyn police, which is what started happening as the pair became more infamous. I won't spoil it for you - it's a must read.

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My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Susie Black, author of the book The Case of the Croaked Coach. Named Best US Author of the Year by N. N. Lights Book Heaven, award-winning cozy mystery author Susie Black was born in the Big Apple but now calls sunny Southern California home.

She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals. Since life without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector. Susie lives with a highly intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect.

In my book review, I stated The Case of the Croaked Coach is the first in the Hannah White mysteries. If you love a good cozy mystery, especially one with a teenage sleuth, you are going to love Hannah White. She wants to be a journalist, and she asks a lot of questions. This time, though, will her questions lead to answers or get her killed?

We learn quickly that the football coach isn't the best character. By the time of his death, there are over half a dozen potential suspects - each with ample reason to want him dead. Of course, Hannah should leave this to the police, but she can't. Why? Because they have arrested her friend and aren't looking for other suspects. But Hannah is sure Dean didn't do it.

Hannah relies on her friends, her attorney uncle, and a private investigator to help her find the truth. But will she find the truth and get others to believe her in time?

This is a fun read - and a great introduction to Susie Black!

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FB: @Susie Black, author of The Holly Swimsuit Mystery

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Carole O’Neill’s guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Shelley Blanton-Stroud, author of the book An Unlikely Prospect. Shelley grew up in California’s Central Valley, the daughter of Dust Bowl immigrants who made good on their ambition to get out of the field. Recently retired from teaching writing at Sacramento State University, she serves as President of the Board of 916 Ink, an arts-based creative writing nonprofit for children, and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Gould Center for Humanistic Studies at Claremont McKenna College. She also interviews mystery and thriller authors for the Mystery Review Crew. Shelley is the author of the critically acclaimed Jane Benjamin Mystery series, which includes Copy Boy, Tomboy, and Poster Girl. Her writing has been a finalist in the Sarton Book Awards, IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, Killer Nashville’s Silver Falchion Award, the American Fiction Awards, and the National Indie Excellence Awards. She and her husband live in Sacramento, surrounded by photos of their out-of-town sons, their wonderful partners, very first grandchild, and a lifetime of beloved dogs.

In her book review, Carole O’Neill stated: An Unlikely Prospect is historical fiction by Shelley Blanton-Stroud. I immediately found myself routing for Sandy Zimmer who inherits the job of publisher of the Prospect newspaper when she becomes a widow at the age of thirty-two. As San Francisco erupts in celebration, the VJ Peace Riot results in eleven deaths and six rapes throughout the city.

While everyone around her celebrates, Sandy is forced to take over her husband’s former duties and win the support of her controlling father-in-law. She guides her newspaper to cover the riot by printing the truth of the assaults on the victims. However, her father-in-law tries to use his position on the board to bury the scandal in order to attract the United Nations Headquarters to San Francisco.

She knows she must navigate between the needed reporting and the required votes on her board to keep her job and save the Prospect. Convincing the other newspaper publishers in the city to divide the issues and report the truth results in her finding her voice in the male dominated world of 1945 journalism.

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FB: @blantonstroudauthor

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#shelleyblantonstroud #anunlikelyprospect #historicalfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

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My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is SM Stevens, author of the book Beautiful and Terrible Things. S.M. Stevens began writing fiction during back-to-back health crises: a shattered pelvis and ovarian cancer. She writes contemporary novels designed to make readers laugh, cry, and think. Her most recent novel, Beautiful and Terrible Things, has won seven awards including Indies Today’s Best Literary Book of 2024, and an Honorable Mention in the Social Issues category of the 2024 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest. Her novella The Wallace House of Pain won the 2023 American Fiction Award for Best Novelette, and First Place in the Short Fiction category of the Chanticleer International Book Awards. A lifelong New Englander other than stints in England and Italy, she lives in Washington, N.H.

In my book review, I stated Beautiful and Terrible Things is a contemporary fiction by SM Stevens. We start by meeting Charley, a 29-year-old who believes she is cursed to lose everyone she loves. To combat this, she lives a very rigid and lonely life - until she meets Xander. He invites her to meet his band of diverse race, gender, and sexually oriented friends Terrance, Sunny, Jessica, and Buwan.

Charley is a social misfit, but from the beginning, I was cheering her on. Her rigid schedule and self-harm made me want to wrap my arms around her and help her see it was going to be okay - when I wasn't stamping my feet because she was being ridiculous! Of course, I felt the same way about each of the friends. At times, they seemed to have their heads on straight - at others? Not so much. And isn't that just like me, you, and everyone we know?

SM doesn't hold back. She brings in social components of our time including race and sexual orientation, but also mental health issues and green initiatives. With characters all along each of these spectrums, we are given the opportunity to see these topics from all sides - from those who live them to those who wonder if they really exist. We also get a glimpse into what we might do when we see something that isn't to our liking - and learn that there isn't just one way that is the right way.

This is a wonderful story about friends and what that can look like despite different life experiences. I really enjoyed this book.

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#smstevens #beautifulandterriblethings #contemporaryfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

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My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is DJ Quinn, author of the book Stick Figures. Dennis ‘DJ’ Quinn is a three-time Big Brother / Big Sisters volunteer and assists with mentor programs in the Pierce County WA Juvenile Court system. His honest and humorous writing style came to life during his editing and writing jobs for airline labor unions, lifestyle magazines, and real estate advertising. The second oldest of nine children raised in Helena, MT, he currently resides in Gig Harbor, WA. He is also the author of Raft Island Treasure Hunters, an adventure tale for young readers.

In her book review Carole O'Neill stated: Stick Figures: A Big Brother Remembers is a memoir by D. J. Quinn. As he navigates between time with his Little Brother and his memories of those years, we unravel a happy, sad, guilty, loving, and grateful man who wishes he could have done more for his Little Brother.

Quinn meets Betty who is the foster mother of his potential Little Brother in the caseworker’s office. The meeting was set up to allow them to get to know each other and discuss the expectations of both. Mike is not the average candidate the organization tries to match. He didn’t start talking until he was four and is in special education. He is an energetic seven-year-old who loves to swim but doesn’t like to go to the mall. Within the first few outings, D.J. quickly discovers he and Mike like to talk about Santa, God, showgirls, and speech therapy.

Above all, he is a gamer. Their time together always ended with a look at the calendar to make plans to meet the next time as they drew stick figures to document the time they just spent together. Mike looked forward to those drawings almost as much as the activities they enjoyed. During that time, they often were joined by D.J.’s partner and his Little Brother, Nate. The four of them found swimming off their boat to be one of their favorite pastimes.

During their thirteen-year journey, we follow their intimate true story told with humor and compassion. The twists and turns of their relationship from Mike’s time on the run, to his time in prison, and finally to his final days, we laugh, we cry and we applaud D.J. for taking the interest in a young boy who needed help to grow into a man.

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IG: @djquinnauthor

Purchase Stick Figures on Amazon:

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My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Joseph Bolton, author of the book Old Grandmother's Tree. Joseph Bolton was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island during the twilight of the golden age of French-Canadian culture in New England. Growing up emersed in his mother’s French-Canadian family, Joseph enjoyed hearing the stories told by his grandparents and great aunts of a mysterious and magical place called Québec, otherwise known as “the place we came from.”

After high school, Joseph’s adventurous nature led him to enlist in the U.S. Army and he served in the Army’s airborne forces as a paratrooper jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, much to the worry of his mother.

Although he originally intended to stay in the Army for two years, he was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and after graduating in 1989, he decided to make the Army a career. After West Point, Joseph graduated from the Army’s Ranger Training School, a grueling and physically demanding combat leadership course. Over the next 18 years, Joseph served in the army in various positions of growing responsibilities culminating with a combat tour in Afghanistan as one of two Space Operations Officers with the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division.

Since he retired from the Army, Joseph has worked in various project manager roles as a civilian contractor for the U.S. Air Force. While writing Old Grandmother’s Tree, Joseph took a sabbatical from the U.S. Air Force and taught mathematics to young students for a semester at Holy Family Academy in Gardner Massachusetts. He considers it the most fulfilling job he has ever had and hopes to return to teaching full-time in the near future.

Bolton is of French-Canadian, Native American, Spanish, English, and Irish descent, and is profoundly inspired by the stories of his heritage. He lives with his wife in Massachusetts, and, in his free time, enjoys hiking and skiing through Québec and New England landscapes. His favorite places to go for outdoor adventure are the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts and Mont-Orford in Québec. When he is not writing, hiking, or skiing, Joseph enjoys reading about science, history, philosophy, mathematics, and worldwide mythologies. Old Grandmother’s Tree is his first book.

In my book review, I stated Old Grandmother's Tree is a series of historical fiction short stories written by Joseph Bolton. These stories are based on family stories and mixed with Canadian and French folktales - and the illustrations are incredible!

I loved learning about Joseph's family and the stories he heard as a young child about a many times great grandmother who belonged to a native tribe and her marriage to a French soldier - and how this story reaches through the years to the present day. Along the way, we meet many family members, trickster animals, and Quebec as it was in the 17th century and is today.

The trickster animals were favorites, especially since I've always loved the African and Native American fairy tales with such tricksters. I enjoy hearing how different cultures explain what can be unexplainable.

I understand that there will be more - and I can't wait to get my hands on the second volume!

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You can follow Author Joseph Bolton

Website: https://oldgrandmotherstree.com

Purchase Old Grandmother's Tree on Amazon:

Paperback: https://amzn.to/4433Qz9

Ebook: https://amzn.to/4qHRRki

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#josephbolton #oldgrandmotherstree #historicalfiction #folktales #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

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My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Jim Gulledge, author of the book Green Forest, Red Eath, Blue Sea. Jim Gulledge is the author of A Poor Man’s Supper. The novella was selected for inclusion in the North Carolina Collection at UNC-Chapel Hill and the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection at Appalachian State University. Over the course of his academic training, Dr. Gulledge earned an A.B. degree in Christian education from Pfeiffer University, an M.A. in English from Clemson University and a DMin in theological studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. His career highlights included participation in the Adult Development Institute at Harvard University, the Fulbright German Administrators Exchange Program and the C.S Lewis Summer Residence program in Oxford, England. A life-long resident of the Carolinas, Jim and his wife, Linda, enjoy visiting with their four children and son-in-law and daily life with their miniature schnauzer, Luka.

In my book review, I stated Green Forest, Red Earth, Blue Sea is a beautiful Southern fiction set of short stories. I fell instantly in love with these stories that take place in the state I call home - North Carolina. Each of the three stories takes place in a different part of the state and follow three connected families. The stories, though they take place during different times and in different places, stay connected through a family heirloom.

Unlike most books I enjoy this one has many varied characters, so there isn't one character to fall in love with. Instead, readers fall in love with place. And Jim did an excellent job helping readers come to love North Carolina, from the green hills of the mountains to the red clay of the piedmont to the sandy shores of the ocean. I also enjoyed discovering how each family connected with one another and how they managed to cover the state in a few generations.

We start in the mountains as trains bring change - meeting two young lovers whose time together is fleeting. Next, we find ourselves saving peaches from a deadly spring freeze. Can this couple eek out a living in the clay? The last story asks us to cheer for an orphan boy and the chance to find buried treasure against the backdrop of a tropical storm. And finally, catch a quick glimpse of a story yet to be told when a boy from the beach glimpses a girl from the mountains - and we feel that it will all start again.

Jim tells a delightful series of stories, and you won't want to miss this book. It would make a great gift for any NC native!

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FB: @jim.gulledge.12

Purchase Green Forest, Red Eath, Blue Sea on Amazon:

Paperback: https://amzn.to/4oI77Mw

Ebook: https://amzn.to/47IXRAE

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com

FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

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X: @terimbrown1

Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors

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