Desideratum

The Codger And The Sparrow is a story about an old man, a teenage boy and the trouble they get into. It's a friendship that at first you will not quite understand and yet totally be cheering for!

Author Scott Semegran shares the inspiration behind the novel, which stemmed from a vivid image he had during the stressful days of the pandemic. He envisioned an older man and a teenage boy, vastly different in age and background, yet sharing a comfortable camaraderie as they drove together in a car. This image sparked a story that explores the deep and often humorous bond between friends.

One of the highlights of our conversation was Scott's approach to character development. He is a keen observer of people, and this is reflected in the rich, detailed descriptions of his characters.

Narrator Brian Craig, who has primarily worked on non-fiction before this, found a deep connection with the characters. His narration was praised in AudioFile Magazine for its "perfect mix of wonder, empathy, and enthusiasm", bringing Scott's characters to life in a way that moved even the author to tears.

One of the most touching aspects of the story is the unique vehicle they use on their quest – a hot pink hot rod that has its own backstory, inspired by Scott's late father-in-law.

I hope you enjoyed getting to know author Scott Semegran and narrator Brian Craig as much as I did. If you enjoyed the audiobook samples published by Vibrance Press, I suggest you listen to the rest of the story on Libro.fm. Here's ⁠⁠an affiliate link⁠⁠ to purchase the audiobook that also supports this podcast. Libro.fm is running a 'Shop small, Shop local Promotion'. So, you can get three audiobooks for the price of one ⁠⁠when you start a new Libro.fm membership with the code SMALL⁠⁠. You can chose a local bookstore near you to benefit from every purchase you make. I think you should start with Scott Semegran's The Codger And The Sparrow.

Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we delve into a poignant summer romance that transcends time and societal boundaries. Join us as we explore the intricate layers of "All the Flowers of the Mountain" with author Christina Holbrook. Set against the backdrop of a picturesque lake, this story follows the love between a local boy and a girl from an affluent family, unraveling the secrets and uncertainties that linger long after their summer together.

Christina Holbrook opens up about her personal connection to the story, sharing how her family history and her own experiences have influenced her writing. We discuss the themes of art, nature, and personal growth that permeate the novel, and you'll hear an exclusive snippet from the audiobook.

One of the most compelling aspects of our conversation is Christina's candid discussion about her serious illness and how it has reshaped her perspective on life and writing. Her insights into the importance of connection, both in storytelling and in life, are profoundly moving.

Don't miss this heartfelt episode that not only celebrates a beautiful love story but also delves into the deeper, essential things that make life meaningful.

Thanks to Walker Vreeland Productions for the audiobook sample and to Christina Holbrook for sharing her journey with us. You can find more about Christina and purchase the audiobook through the links in the show notes.

As always, thanks for listening.

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Show notes created by https://headliner.app

https://www.walkervreelandproductions.com/

https://christinaholbrook.com/

https://theresabakkennarrator.com/

This is a story about a family on the Lower East Side of Manhattan a hundred years ago. Their lives in the densely populated tenements offer a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of immigrant life in early 20th-century America.  We’re talking to author Gail Lehrman about her novel Across Seward Park.

I found so many essential things in this conversation. For me this is not just a chat about a historical fiction; it's a mirror reflecting our own times, our own challenges, and our own capacity for greatness. In her storytelling, Gail Lehrman explores the potency of words as tools for persuasion and instigation. She delves into the conflicts that arise when ideology meets practicality, and she explores the delicate balance between self-interest and altruism. I hope listening to this conversation and the audio excerpt will inspire you to seek out the rest of the story in Across Seward Park. Thanks for listening.

Ever wondered what makes a story both romantic and riotously funny? This episode invites you into the minds of a creative couple who turned a series of "what ifs" into a comedic and heartfelt narrative. Learn how they intertwined their personal experiences with a fictional couple's chaotic journey, reflecting on the deep connections and empathy that arise from shared struggles. As they dissect their characters' misadventures and moments of empathy, you'll be enticed to explore the audiobook that brings us closer to understanding the complexities of love.

We’re talking about the romantic comedy Emergency Contact with co-writers New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne and her real life husband Anthony LeDonne.

Thanks to Pozotron and BlackStone Publishing for sponsoring this episode. The audiobook scenes from Emergency Contact in this episode come from BlackStone Director and Producer Jesse Bickford and Kyle Willoughby.  The narrators are Tim Paige and Brianna Cohen.

Thanks for listening.

https://www.pozotron.com/

⁠https://www.blackstonepublishing.com/⁠

https://www.briannacohen.com/about

https://timpaige.lpages.co/ttp-welcome-page/

https://www.laurenlayne.com/

This is a mystical story about a magical circus.  Not the kind of magic that involves pulling rabbits out of hats, but the kind where individuals' inner talents manifest into genuine magical abilities—known as sparks. These sparks choose to use their gifts not for conquest but to inspire and bring joy to those who need it most. But, this story is not all whimsy and light. This historical fantasy takes place in the hopeful but ominous years between World War 1 and World War 2.  We’re talking about the audiobook for The First Bright Thing with narrator Petrea Burchard and author JR Dawson.

You’re going to hear author JR Dawson (Jen) open up about her personal experiences with theater, which served as an outlet for her creativity and weirdness. She speaks passionately about how theater education validates and how it influenced her characters and setting in this debut novel.

You'll also hear from narrator Petrea Burchard about her performance and how she connected to this magical story. She and Jen both gush about her co-narrator's (Tim Campbell) performance too. You'll hear a clip from Tim voicing the dark Circus King.

Thanks to all the fine folks at Tor Publishing Group including producer Steve Wagner for sharing the spellbinding clips and for bringing The First Bright Thing audiobook to life. I hope you’ll want to listen to the rest of the story wherever you get your audiobooks. When you buy your audiobook from libro.fm you can can chose a local book store to support and when you follow this affiliate link you also support this pod.

I also want to sincerely thank this episode’s sponsor Pozotron. Pozotron provides fantastic services for audio artists and producers like me. I use Pozotron for prepping and proofing the audiobooks I narrate. I use exactly what I need each month through their subscription service. You can sign up for a free demo of all they offer at pozotron.com. 

This is a thriller. It’s the story of an FBI agent and a homicide detective working together to catch a serial killer with a chilling perspective on killing.

You'll hear narrator Erin deWard bringing all the chills and characters to life in your ear. We'll talk about why and how she does it, and you'll hear author Leanne Kale Sparks talk about how she maps out and finds the 'woulda, coulda, shoulda' in her crime stories.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media you’ll hear several tense moments from the audiobook. Dreamscape is an independent, award winning audiobook publisher. I’m honored that they support this podcast and I hope you’ll visit them at dreamscapepublishing.com where you can sign up for a weekly newsletter that has audiobook deals and giveaways.      

Thanks to The Colorado Sun for shining their light on Leanne Kale Sparks work. I listen to the Daily Sun Up podcast and on Sundays I check out the SunLit features on authors put together by editor Kevin Simpson. Check it out at coloradosun.org and look for the Daily Sun Up wherever you found this podcast.

The Wrong Woman won the Colorado book award in the thriller category. I love that Colorado Humanities celebrates storytellers in my home state. You can find the winners and finalists in all the genre categories at coloradohumanities.org. 

A big thank you to author Leanne Kale Sparks, narrator Erin deWard, audiobook Producer Erick Black and all the fine folks at Dreamscape media for bringing The Wrong Woman audiobook to life and sponsoring this episode. Dreamscape Media’s catalog includes bestselling audiobooks, children’s educational videos, prominent independent authors, and much much more.  I connected with author Leanne Kale Sparks through Kim Weiss at PR by the Book. You'll find links for all these great folks below.

As always, thank you for listening.

https://coloradohumanities.org/programs/colorado-book-awards/

Colorado Humanities home of the Colorado Book Award

https://www.erindeward.com/

Erin deWard

https://www.leannekalesparks.com/

Leanne Kale Sparks

https://coloradosun.com/sunlit/

The Colorado Sun

https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com/

Dreamscape Media

This is a story about a beautiful, powerful woman who captured the imagination of historical fiction author Shana Abè.

We’re talking about Arabella Huntington, the intriguing woman at the heart of An American Beauty: A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story of Arabella Huntington Who Became the Richest Woman in the Country.

This week we return to a favorite author of mine. Shana Abè first wowed me with her story about the 2nd Mrs Astor who was widowed by John Jacob Astor as she survived their honeymoon aboard the Titanic. In Shana’s new novel An American Beauty, she introduces us to another remarkable woman from history. The way she brings Arabella Huntington’s life into focus got me thinking about how we can all invent and reinvent ourselves.

I hope spending time with Shana Abe made you as happy as it did me. A big thanks to Shana, her publisher Kensington Press, her incredibly talented narrator Gail Shalan, Gail’s director Hilary Eurich and all the fine folks at Tantor Audio for bringing An American Beauty’s audiobook to life. 

 https://www.gailshalan.com/

https://www.shanaabe.com/

This is a murder mystery. It's the second book in a 1920s series starring the prim, poor but clever, Annalee Spain - a fan of Sherlock Holmes - who solves murder and crime in Colorado's dangerous Klan era.

We’re talking with Colorado author Patricia Raybon about race and faith, why we love a good mystery, and how transparency is essential.

I want to thank The Colorado Sun for shining their light on Patricia’s work. I listen to the Sun's podcast called The Daily Sun-Up, and every Sunday I check out their SunLit feature for author spotlights. Sunlit editor Kevin Simpson often talks to authors on The Daily Sun-ups Friday podcast. Look for it wherever you’re listening to this podcast. Patricia is part of a panel discussion at the Colorado Sun’s SunFest ideas conference this week. You can get more info at coloradosun.com .One more big thank you to her publisher Tyndale House, the audio publisher One Audiobooks for the excerpts from Double the Lies.  And, as always, thank you for listening. 

https://www.patriciaraybon.com/ 

this is a link to Patricia's website

https://coloradosun.com/sunfest/

this is a link for the Colorado Sun's SunFest conference

This is a real life story set in a vast land, the San Luis Valley of Colorado. It’s a huge flat prairie flanked by mountains, and it's far off the beaten path. Author Ted Conover takes us there in this Desideratum.

A desideratum is an essential thing and this story got me thinking about lots of essential things - like wide open spaces, what to do with a rattlesnake, the peace you find in silence, and the need for connection.

Ted Conover is perhaps best known for spending a year as a prison guard at the maximum security prison Sing Sing in New York. The book he wrote about that experience was called Newjack and it earned a National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction and made Ted a Pulitzer Prize Finalist. His work expands and deepens what we think of as Journalism.  He submerges himself in often uncomfortable situations and then takes readers along with him.

Today we’re talking about his latest immersive experience and book called Cheap Land Colorado. In his observation of small details side by side with his big picture perspectives, he paints a very complete picture with his own voice as narrator in your ear.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Ted Conover as much as I have. I want to thank The Colorado Sun for shining their light on Ted’s work. I listen to the Sun's podcast called The Daily Sun-Up, and every Sunday I check out their SunLit feature for author spotlights. Sunlit editor Kevin Simpson often talks to authors on The Daily Sun-ups Friday podcast. Check it out at coloradosun.com or wherever you're listening to this podcast. 

Ted will be in Denver for the Colorado Sun’s SunFest ideas conference. Here's a link for tickets: https://coloradosun.com/sunfest/

And here's a link to the La Puente organization Ted volunteers with so you find out more about the good work they do. https://lapuentehome.org/

One more big thank you to the audio publisher Random House Audio for the excerpt from Cheap Land Colorado.  And, as always, thank you for listening.